Spork in the Road

Advice Compilation Over the course of four seasons and twenty eight episodes, Joe and Kevin have sat down with a diverse group of people from nearly every artistic arena; performers, artists, designers, builders, and beyond. A goal of the podcast from the outset has been to illuminate connections between architecture and other creative pursuits; to form bonds with others over process, philosophy, approach; to learn about ourselves by getting to know each other. So we hope that if you are creative, you find some inspiration in the advice that follows. Rivers Barden Architects www.riversbarden.com

Josh Ryan - Designer, Illustrator & Absurdist imakethangs.com Josh Ryan is a designer and illustrator who specializes in bringing people together with quirky and humorous works. Joe and Kevin sat down with Josh to discuss his artistic development, one of his biggest successes, and the intersections of comedy and art. Rivers Barden Architects www.riversbarden.com

Roz Jones - Fit Lifestyle Innovator www.rozfitlifestyle.com Roz Jones is the face and name behind Roz Fit. Life. Style. A fitness and lifestyle company based in Houston, Texas. Joe and Kevin sat down with Roz to discuss her beginnings in fitness, the launching of her brand and travel program, and her perspective as a fitness professional. Rivers Barden Architects www.riversbarden.com

Reema - Artist & Transmedia Storyteller www.reema.rocks Reema is an Artist and current MFA Candidate at the University of Houston in Interdisciplinary Practice and Emerging Forms focusing on Transmedia Storytelling. Joe and Kevin sat down with Reema to discuss her path to becoming a storyteller, how her transmedia approach shows up in her current project “Allyson Darke”, and her advice to budding creatives. Rivers Barden Architects www.riversbarden.com

Marcus Martinez - Illustrator, Urban Designer & Educator www.marcusperspective.com Marcus Martinez is a Houston-based Illustrator whose work has reached beyond architecture into diverse areas such as design, medical technology, and urbanism. Joe and Kevin sat down with Marcus to discuss his early influences and experiences in architecture and design, his sketching process, and what excites him about his work as an illustrator. Rivers Barden Architects www.riversbarden.com

Brenden Macaluso - Vintage Motorcycle Specialist & Industrial Designer www.common-motor.com Brenden Macaluso currently operates Common Motor collective, a support and resource for vintage Honda Motorcycles and a cooperatively run community workshop based in Houston, Texas. Joe and Kevin sat down with Brenden to discuss his gearhead roots, his background in industrial design, and the origins of Common Motor. Rivers Barden Architects www.riversbarden.com

Kari Breitigam - Multidisciplinary Artist, Dyer, & Jeweler www.karibreitigam.com www.pretti.cool In this episode, our resident architects Joe Rivers and Kevin Barden visit with Kari Breitigam, a multidisciplinary artist, teacher, and jeweler from Houston, Texas. Joe and Kevin sat down with Kari to discuss her work as an art instructor, her growth from working with painting to many mediums, and the ideas surrounding her current work. Rivers Barden Architects www.riversbarden.com

Zach Tarrant - NFL Photographer www.zacharytarrant.com https://texans.widencollective.com/c/vbv39t4z In this episode, our resident architects Joe Rivers and Kevin Barden visit with Zach Tarrant, a sports photographer from Houston, Texas. Zach is a professional sports photographer for the NFL’s Houston Texans. Joe and Kevin sat down with Zach to discuss his winding journey to the NFL, his duties as a team photographer, and the themes central to his work. Rivers Barden Architects www.riversbarden.com

Mike Garman - Furniture Designer www.garmanfurniture.com www.pretti.cool In this episode, our resident architects Joe Rivers and Kevin Barden visit with Mike Garman, a furniture designer and maker from Houston, Texas. Mike has been designing and building furniture in the Houston area for nearly a decade. Joe and Kevin sat down with Mike to discuss his path to designing furniture, his use of tools, and his unique process to design. Rivers Barden Architects www.riversbarden.com

Falon Mihalic - Landscape Architect and Public Artist www.falonland.com In this episode, our resident architects Joe Rivers and Kevin Barden visit with Falon Mihalic, an award winning landscape architect and public artist from Houston, Texas. Joe and Kevin sat down with Falon to discuss how her childhood influenced her career path, her journey to becoming a landscape architect, and some of her current work. Rivers Barden Architects www.riversbarden.com

Joe Rivers - Architect www.riversbarden.com In this episode, our resident architect Kevin Barden visits with our other resident architect Joe Rivers from Houston, Texas. Joe Rivers is principal architect at Rivers Barden Architects. Kevin sat down with Joe to discuss his influences in architecture, his interests outside of architecture, and the life lessons he’s learned along the way. Rivers Barden Architects www.riversbarden.com

Troy Schulze - Actor, Director, Content Producer In this episode, our resident architects Joe Rivers and Kevin Barden visit with Troy Schulze, a stage actor and director, and content producer from Houston Public Media. Joe and Kevin sat down with Troy to discuss his career in acting, how it differs from directing, and his work producing content for public media. Rivers Barden Architects www.riversbarden.com

Natalie Lin - Violinist www.kineticensemble.org In this episode, our resident architects Joe Rivers and Kevin Barden visit with Natalie Lin, a violinist from Houston, Texas. Natalie is a violinist and founder of KINETIC, a conductor-less ensemble from Houston, Texas. Joe and Kevin sat down with Natalie to discuss her upbringing in music and how her ensemble is forging a new path for classical musicians. Rivers Barden Architects www.riversbarden.com

Heath West - Painter www.heathwest.net In this episode, our resident architects Joe Rivers and Kevin Barden visit with Heath West, a painter from Los Angeles, California. Heath is painter with an extensive background in architecture, a subject he pursued and worked in professionally for several years before returning to his original love of art and painting. Before his recent relocation from Houston, Texas to Los Angeles, California, Heath sat down with Kevin and Joe to discuss the influence of architecture in his work and his particular approach to painting. Rivers Barden Architects www.riversbarden.com

Michelle Haynes - Swing Dancer, Fitness Coach & Entrepreneur www.kosama.com/houston In this episode, our resident architects Joe Rivers and Kevin Barden visit with Michelle Haynes, a swing dancer, fitness instructor, and entrepreneur from Houston, Texas. Michelle Haynes is a veteran of the competitive swing dancing community, both in Houston and at the national level, and about two years ago turned her enthusiasm for dance, movement, and teaching into an entrepreneurial venture, opening Kosama, a group fitness gym. Joe and Kevin sat down with Michelle to discuss her beginnings in swing dancing and how her passions evolved into her new business. Rivers Barden Architects www.riversbarden.com

Greg Dean - Actor and Director www.catastrophictheatre.com/ In this episode, our resident architects Joe Rivers and Kevin Barden visit with Greg Dean, a theater actor and director from Houston, Texas. Greg Dean has been a player in Houston's theater scene for practically three decades, having spent much of that time as an actor and director with locally founded Catastrophic Theater. Joe and Kevin sat down with Greg to discuss his evolution as an actor and his approach to directing. Rivers Barden Architects www.riversbarden.com

Lulu Lin - Art Duo and Owners of Honey Art Cafe www.honeyartcafe.com/ In this episode, our resident architects Joe Rivers and Kevin Barden visit with Lulu Lin, an art duo from Houston, Texas. Lulu Fang and Amy Lin of the art duo Lulu Lin took their years long partnership to a new level when they opened Honey Art Cafe in late 2016. Joe and Kevin sat down with Lulu Lin to discuss their beginnings in art and art lessons, and their experience building a business completely on their own. Rivers Barden Architects www.riversbarden.com

Casey Pavek - Director of Social Enterprise www.venturenorthbwc.org/ In this episode, our resident architects Joe Rivers and Kevin Barden sit down with Casey Pavek, a bicycle mechanic from Minneapolis, Minnesota. Casey Pavek is a general manager and lead bicycle mechanic at Venture North, a coffee and bike shop located in North Minneapolis. Joe and Kevin sat down with Casey to discuss adapting a bike shop to fitting a community's needs and the positive impact that a bike shop brings. Rivers Barden Architects www.riversbarden.com

Kevin Barden - Architect www.riversbarden.com In this episode, our resident architect Joe Rivers sits down with our other resident architect Kevin Barden from Minnetonka, Minnesota. Kevin and Joe first met at the Frank Lloyd Wright School of Architecture, over a decade ago. Since then, Kevin's journey in architecture has taken him many places, including Chur, Switzerland where he studied and worked for two and half years, and Houston, Texas where Rivers Barden Architects laid its roots. Joe sat down with Kevin to discuss his beginning in architecture, his influences, and his mantra for living a fulfilled life. Rivers Barden Architects www.riversbarden.com

Seth Daulton - Printmaker www.sethdaulton.com In this episode our resident architects Joe Rivers and Kevin Barden visit with Seth Daulton, a printmaker from Georgetown, Texas. Seth Daulton is an artist who has worked in printmaking for nearly a decade. He has spent much of that time learning and developing his craft in academic settings, now as an instructor himself. Joe and Kevin sat down with Seth to discuss his process of creating, his approach to teaching, and how place, history, and structure, inhabit his work. Rivers Barden Architects www.riversbarden.com

Sunni Soper - Poet www.sunnisoperpoetry.com In this episode our resident architects Joe Rivers and Kevin Barden visit with Sunni Soper, a spoken word artist from Austin, Texas. Since moving back to Austin, Texas less than a decade ago, Sunni Soper has become a strong voice and contributor to Austin's spoken word scene. Joe and Kevin visited with Sunni to discuss her beginning in poetry, the importance of editing and reflection, and her advice for budding artists. Rivers Barden Architects www.riversbarden.com

Nicole Buergers - Beekeeper/Cheesemonger www.bee2beehoney.com www.houstondairymaids.com In this episode our resident architects Joe Rivers and Kevin Barden visit Nicole Buergers. Nicole is a beekeeper and cheesemonger from Houston, Texas, a career that grew from a passion project into a full-fledged business. Kevin and Joe were introduced to Nicole through Minh Nguyen, owner of Cafe TH and former guest of this podcast. The three of them sat down with Nicole to discuss her beekeeping service and how her diverse background feeds into its success. Rivers Barden Architects www.riversbarden.com

Erick Calderon - Business Owner/Entrepreneur/Artist/Maker www.lightartinteractive.com www.lanovatile.com In this episode our resident architects Joe Rivers and Kevin Barden visit with Erick Calderon, a business owner, entrepreneur, artist, and maker from Houston, Texas. Erick Calderon is the owner of La Nova Tile, a company he started over a decade ago, after graduating from UT Austin with a degree in international business. But it wasn't until a more recently that he started experimenting with artistic sculpture and color gradations. Joe and Kevin visit with Erick about the start of his tile company, the forging of his artistic identity, and how his art feeds back into the business. Rivers Barden Architects www.riversbarden.com

Preston Brown - Business Owner/Brewer thegraincellar.com In this episode our resident architects Joe Rivers and Kevin Barden visit with Preston Brown, a home brew supply store owner from Houston, Texas. Preston Brown has been crafting home brews for over a decade. During that time, he's made a name for himself in the Houston craft beer scene, having co-hosted a radio show, co-founded a brewing club, and last Fall opening his own home brew supply store, The Grain Cellar in Humble, Texas. Joe and Kevin chat with Preston about going all-in on brewing and his new store and the value of resourcefulness. Rivers Barden Architects www.riversbarden.com

Carlos Pozo - Architecture/Screen Printer/Musician carlospozo.com racewaysound.com In this episode our resident architects Joe Rivers and Kevin Barden visit with Carlos Pozo, a screen printer and musician who works in architecture. Carlos Pozo is an architectural associate from Houston, Texas. Though he spends his days working in an architecture firm, much of his free time is spent immersed in creative endeavors outside of architecture, namely screen printing and music. Kevin and Joe sat down with Carlos to discuss the influences behind his screen printing, his journey from music critic to musician, and taking action in creative pursuits. Rivers Barden Architects www.riversbarden.com

David Cedeño – Bartender/Artist In this episode our resident architects Joe Rivers and Kevin Barden visit with David Cedeño, a bartender from Houston, Texas. Bartender David Cedeño has seen it all during the last two decades in the service industry, from basic mixed drinks, to the wine bar craze, to craft beer and the more recent mixology trend. Listening to David talk about his profession, it's clear that to him, crafting cocktails is more of an art form than anything else. Kevin and Joe visit with David about the job of a bartender, the importance of composition, his experience as a painter, and his message for creative types with a passion. Rivers Barden Architects www.riversbarden.com

Reid Kennedy - Musician/Composer/Educator www.reidkennedy.com In this episode our resident architects Joe Rivers and Kevin Barden visit with Reid Kennedy, a drummer and composer from St. Paul, Minnesota. Reid Kennedy is a percussionist and pass drummer from St. Paul, Minnesota and a standout example of the modern working musician. In addition to being a top-call drummer in the Twin Cities, Reid teaches percussion and music theory at McNally Smith College of Music in downtown St. Paul. He composes, performs, records, and produces his own music in groups such as the Reid Kennedy Jazz Trio and Big Villain, and is the co-founder of the neo soul modern jazz darlings of Minneapolis, Nooky Jones. Joe and Kevin talk with Reid about his path to becoming a full-time musician, having passion for creating, and the ins and outs of collaboration. Rivers Barden Architects www.riversbarden.com

Pete Molick - Photographer www.petermolick.com In this episode our resident architects Joe Rivers and Kevin Barden visit with Pete Molick, an architectural photographer from Houston, Texas. Peter Molick's work as an architectural photographer has him capturing on film life's many varied spaces. His portfolio runs the gambit from new construction homes, office buildings, and museums, to a clothing store, a music hall, and even a stadium. But we really wanted to visit with Pete to discuss a work of his that he did outside of professional output. The piece, called Crossings, has bee showing since May at the 15th Venice Architecture Biennale, the most influential exhibition in architecture. Joe and Kevin talk with Pete about his craft as an architectural photographer, what drove him to create Crossings, and the future of his career and creative outlets. Rivers Barden Architects www.riversbarden.com

Minh Nguyen - Business Owner/Restaurateur www.cafeth.com In this episode our resident architects Joe Rivers and Kevin Barden visit with Minh Nguyen, the friendly figure behind Cafe TH in Houston, Texas. Rivers Barden Architects www.riversbarden.com