Podcasts about Creative Leadership

Jensen Huang. Steve Jobs. The other guy responsible for those aggressively ugly cars/the rebirth of conspiracy theory internet free speech. (Thanks Elon?) What do people like this see around the corner that the rest of us don't? Why do certain leaders recognize an emerging possibility years before everyone else catches up? Are they geniuses? Pattern-recognition freaks? Secret remote viewers? This week on Open Loops, Greg sits down with Tye Glover, innovation coach, author of The Perception Gap, and creator of Neuro Creative Programming (NCP)—a developing methodology designed to model the perceptual patterns of unusually creative thinkers and make those patterns more accessible to the rest of us. Because maybe creativity isn't simply about having better ideas. Maybe some people are literally noticing different realities. See that one over there? Made you look! This conversation becomes an experience in perception itself. Tye and Greg explore the filters determining what makes it into conscious awareness, what gets deleted before you ever notice it, and whether those filters can actually be trained. And then, surprise surprise, things get weird. Somehow, Tye stands directly in the middle of all of it, trying to take ideas that could easily disappear into the metaphysical abyss and turn them into something practical enough to use inside an office on Monday morning. You know....those empty buildings people used to hate themselves making money for someone else in together. It's trippy. It's surprisingly grounded. And somewhere in the Perception Gap may be an entirely different way of seeing what's been sitting in front of you the whole time. Welcome back to Open Loops. TYE'S Links: Get The Perception Gap / Learn More: https://thinkdifferentnation.com/the-perception-gap Think Different Nation: thinkdifferentnation.com Tye Glover on LinkedIn: LinkedIn profile Work with Tye / Book a Consultation: Schedule with Tye Let Greg know how you like the show. Write your review, soliloquy, Haiku or whatever twisted thoughts you want to share at https://ratethispodcast.com/openloops

What is creative leadership? It could mean leadership that's distributed and collaborative, rather than top-down and authoritarian. It could mean leadership that's flexible enough to continually reinvent its structures and approaches to meet emerging circumstances. It could mean leadership that views diversity and difference as opportunities for learning, growth, and creative synergy rather than as problems to be managed. It could be leadership that actively works toward envisioning and manifesting more positive futures. Ideally, creative leadership is all of these things. * In this episode CIIS faculty Dr. Alfonso Montuori and Dr. Nick Walker explore how somatic practices can help us to cultivate the psychological capacities associated with effective creative leadership. * This episode was recorded during a live online event on April 29th 2026. You can also watch it on the CIIS Public Programs YouTube channel. A transcript is available at ciis.edu/podcast. To find out more about CIIS and public programs like this one, visit our website ciis.edu and connect with us on Instagram @ciispubprograms. * Some podcast apps may not display links from our show notes properly, so we have included a list of links below. * We hope that each episode of our podcast provides opportunities for growth, and that our listeners will use them as a starting point for further introspection. Many of the topics discussed on our podcast have the potential to bring up feelings and emotional responses. If you or someone you know is in need of mental health care and support, here are some resources to find immediate help and future healing: * -Visit 988lifeline.org or text, call, or chat with The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline by dialing 988 from anywhere in the U.S. to be connected immediately with a trained counselor. Please note that 988 staff are required to take all action necessary to secure the safety of a caller and initiate emergency response with or without the caller's consent if they are unwilling or unable to take action on their own behalf. * -Visit thrivelifeline.org or text “THRIVE” to begin a conversation with a THRIVE Lifeline crisis responder 24/7/365, from anywhere: +1.313.662.8209. This confidential text line is available for individuals 18+ and is staffed by people in STEMM with marginalized identities. * -Visit translifeline.org or call (877) 565-8860 in the U.S. or (877) 330-6366 in Canada to learn more and contact Trans Lifeline, who provides trans peer support divested from police. * -Visit ciis.edu/ciis-in-the-world/counseling-clinics to learn more and schedule counseling sessions at one of our centers. * -Find information about additional global helplines at befrienders.org. * LINKS * Podcast Transcripts: https://www.ciis.edu/podcast * California Institute of Integral Studies (CIIS) Website: https://www.ciis.edu/ * CIIS Public Programs YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/ciispublicprograms * CIIS Public Programs Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ciispubprograms/ * Mental Health Care and Support Resources: https://988lifeline.org/ https://thrivelifeline.org/ https://translifeline.org/ https://www.ciis.edu/ciis-in-the-world/counseling-clinics https://befrienders.org/

Joel Holtby believes creativity should be the most exciting part of any business — not something optimized into submission.As Founder & Global Co-CCO of Courage, one of Canada's most awarded creative agencies, Joel has helped build work for brands including KFC, KitKat, CIBC, Nescafé and more.In this conversation, Joel & Jeff get into why creativity and efficiency often sit at opposite ends of the spectrum, why people don't actually hate advertising, how Courage finds human truths that travel beyond borders, and why craft still matters in an AI-powered world.We also talk about the agency's philosophy of courage, turning down the wrong clients, the story behind KitKat's security convoy, Joel's experience creating IKEA's Lamp 2, working with people like Seth Rogen and Connor McDavid, and why AI should remain a tool - not become the creative.In this episode: Why creativity is a powerful business driver  The difference between courage and risk  Why efficiency can work against creativity  How simple ideas become memorable through craft  Why people don't hate ads - they hate bad ones  Creating work that enters culture instead of interrupting it  How Courage chooses clients  Why brand DNA can be a creative “cheat code”  The enduring power of human insight  Joel's concern with using AI to replace creative problem-solving  Why the next generation of creatives should become sponges, not trend-chasers Chapters00:00 — People Don't Hate Advertising. They Hate Bad Ads.00:35 — Meet Joel Holtby & Courage01:43 — Creativity as a Business Driver04:02 — Finding the Feeling of a Great Idea06:05 — Awards, Ego & Finding Joy in the Work09:25 — Building Courageous Brands11:02 — Courage's First Big Creative Bet14:52 — The Secret Sauce of Storytelling17:50 — Why Creativity Isn't Efficient20:22 — What Makes Advertising Memorable23:07 — People Don't Hate Ads - They Hate Bad Ads25:14 — The KitKat Security Convoy27:40 — Courage as a Client Filter30:12 — Rich and Miserable vs. Great Work32:21 — The Ad That Changed Joel's Creative Philosophy36:13 — IKEA's Lamp & The Art of the Rug Pull38:15 — The Pressure of Creating Lamp 240:01 — Finding the DNA of a Brand42:57 — Seth Rogen, Connor McDavid & Celebrity46:01 — AI vs. Lived Human Experience49:39 — Advice for the Next Generation of CreativesConnect with Jeff Abracen on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffabracen/]If you are or know a disruptive influencer who would make a great guest, we'd love to hear from you. Every Like, Share, Subscription and Review means a lot.Cover art by Daniel DevoyMusic by Stephen Voyce©2024-2026 The Disruptive Influence Podcast - Jeff Abracen

What if the secret to building a better business isn't being slightly better than everyone else - but becoming impossible to compare?Josh Lowman is the founder of Gold Front, a category design studio that helps companies create, define and own their categories.In this conversation, Josh explains why differentiation usually gets ignored, how category strategy can align an entire company and why founders need a simpler place in their minds from which to tell their story.But this episode goes beyond strategy.Josh and Jeff explore the tension between love and money, why wanting financial success doesn't invalidate meaningful work, what it means to build a personal brand publicly and how Josh is navigating doubt during difficult seasons in his business.They also unpack the rapidly changing relationship between creativity and AI - from Josh's experiments building an AI-powered operating system for his agency to the increasingly important role of human judgment, emotion and craft.In this episode:• Why being slightly different usually isn't enough• The two ways a business can own its category• How category strategy aligns founders, marketers and product teams• Why great work alone doesn't guarantee a great business• Reconciling creativity, purpose, ambition and money• Building a personal brand without treating LinkedIn like a money machine• Sharing uncertainty instead of pretending to have every answer• How Josh built AI agents around Gold Front's strategy frameworks• The danger of overbuilding with AI• Why processed creativity quickly loses its value• What humans may still contribute that AI cannot• How to find work you genuinely want to do - and frame it differentlyChapters00:00 – We're All Greedy00:44 – What Makes a Good Business?03:13 – The Two Ways to Own Your Category05:51 – From World-Class Agencies to Gold Front08:10 – Why Great Work Wasn't Enough10:34 – Category Strategy as a Company-Wide Idea14:19 – How Ready Must a Company Be to Change?15:19 – Storytelling, Underdogs and Josh's Deeper Motivation17:43 – Reconciling Love, Money and Ambition23:09 – Learning to Actually Sell24:16 – Becoming Josh Lowman in Public26:14 – The Complicated Relationship with Content28:09 – Sharing Doubt When Business Is Down31:29 – Building an AI-Powered Agency OS36:11 – The Danger of Overbuilding with AI37:55 – Turning Expertise into Helpful AI Agents39:42 – The Builder's Brain vs. the Storytelling Brain43:58 – Why AI Creativity Feels Processed46:55 – Finding the Human Advantage51:03 – Josh's Best Advice for Building a Brand53:06 – The Lifelong Desire to Tell StoriesJosh Lowman is the founder of Gold Front.Find him at GoldFront.com and on LinkedIn.Connect with Jeff Abracen on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffabracen/]If you are or know a disruptive influencer who would make a great guest, we'd love to hear from you. Every Like, Share, Subscription and Review means a lot.Cover art by Daniel DevoyMusic by Stephen Voyce©2024-2026 The Disruptive Influence Podcast - Jeff Abracen

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In this episode, Jacob Cass & Matt Davies sit down with Ekaterina Solomeina, creative director, TEDx speaker, co-founder of Future London Academy, and host of Creative Capes, to explore how branding, design, and creative leadership are evolving. As AI accelerates execution and businesses face more complex cultural, technological, and commercial challenges, the value of creativity is shifting. It is no longer enough for designers and brand leaders to simply make things look good. The real opportunity is to connect creativity to business value, strategic decisions, customer trust, innovation, culture, and growth. If you want to become a more strategic, commercially valuable, and future ready creative leader, this conversation is packed with insight.

Creative leadership doesn't look like it did in 2023. Matt Price would know.Matt first joined The Changemakers back in May 2023 to talk about mastering the art of creative leadership. Since then, he's left Checkout.com, landed at AI-powered energy platform, tem as VP of Brand and Creative Design, and watched B2B marketing shift under his feet. In this follow-up chat, host Dave Corlett asks Matt what's actually changed - for him, for his team, and for the brands he works with.They get into:How Matt ended up at tem. How B2B brands are communicating differently than they were three years ago.Why Matt's approach to creative leadership has had to evolve, and what he's built himself to unlock new capability in his team.What he looks for when hiring now, and what he's stopped looking for.Why more high-growth startups are ditching the one-off rebrand for something more iterative.Where he thinks in-house creative teams are heading next.If you want to know what creative leadership actually demands right now, this is the episode for you.

How do you stay healthy, strong and performing at your best- not just this year, but for decades to come?In this episode of The Nutshell, we welcome two leaders in lifestyle and performance medicine: Dr Sharon McDowell-Larsen and Dr Regan Stiegmann, co-authors of Staying in the Game. Together, we explore the science of performance longevity and explain why the daily choices we make around food, movement, sleep, and recovery can help us maximise both healthspan and lifelong athletic performance.Whether you're an athlete, healthcare professional, weekend runner or simply want to maintain your physical and cognitive performance throughout life, this conversation is packed with evidence-based advice.We discuss why it's never too early-or too late-to invest in your future health and how the habits that support peak performance are often the same ones that protect against chronic disease.More about our guests: Dr. Sharon L. McDowell-Larsen, PhD is an exercise physiologist, leadership performance expert and internationally recognised endurance athlete. She holds a PhD in Exercise Physiology from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, where her research focused on exercise and immune function. During her career she has worked at the U.S. Olympic Training Center, taught graduate-level exercise physiology, and spent more than 25 years at the Center for Creative Leadership, helping senior leaders optimise health, resilience and cognitive performance through evidence-based lifestyle practices. Sharon is also a multiple national champion and Xterra and Ironman age-group world champion.Regan A. Stiegmann, DO, MPH, FACLM, DipABLM is a board-certified physician in Preventive Medicine and Lifestyle Medicine, a former U.S. Air Force Flight Surgeon, and Associate Professor of Preventive and Lifestyle Medicine at Rocky Vista University. She holds a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) and a Master of Public Health (MPH), is a Fellow of the American College of Lifestyle Medicine (FACLM) and a Diplomate of the American Board of Lifestyle Medicine (DipABLM). Dr Stiegmann is a nationally recognised leader in lifestyle and performance medicine, working at the intersection of human performance, preventive medicine and healthy ageing.Together, Sharon and Regan are the co-authors of Staying in the Game: Leveraging Lifestyle Medicine to Elevate Health, Outsmart Aging, and Enhance Performance, an evidence-based guide featuring nearly 1,800 scientific references that explores how nutrition, physical activity, sleep, stress management and other lifestyle factors can help us optimise health, extend healthspan and maintain peak performance throughout life.To get your copy of their book:https://stayinginthegame.org/To connect with our guests :Dr Sharon McDowell-Larsen:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/sharon-mcdowell-larsen-4666a7a/https://sharonmcdowelllarsen.substack.comDr Regan Stiegmannhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/docstieg/If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to the podcast and leave us a rating or review- it really helps others discover the podcast.To buy tickets to this years Nutrition and Lifestyle Medicine Conference:https://nlmc.org.uk/To find out more about the International Board of Lifestyle Medicine Diploma:https://plantbasedhealthprofessionals.com/lifestyle-medicine/get-certified-in-lifestyle-medicineIf you'd like to support our work and be part of a growing community of like-minded people working towards creating a healthier and more sustainable future please join the Plant-Based Health Professionals UK following the link below:https://plantbasedhealthprofessionals.com/membershipYou don't have to be a health care professional to join, but by doing so you're not only supporting our work, you'll be improving your own health;  with membership starting from as little as £15 a year, join us now and be part of the change you want to see.

In this episode, Barry and Phil are joined by their old friend and former colleague, John McHale, a seasoned creative leader and Chief Creative Officer now leading startups as they forge new creative frontiers in the age of AI. Barry, Phil, and John enjoy several trips in the wayback machine as they recognize both the similarities and differences between now and when they worked together in the 2010's. They also discuss how creative leaders need to build, lead, and mentor teams now that the "floor" is higher today than it has ever been. It is a lively, fun, and timely conversation that is sure to speak to both senior leaders wondering what's next, and junior designers trying to figure out "what now?" Enjoy!Drinks: Medusa Brewing Company Duchovni Pilsner, Founders Brewing Company Easy Drinking Beer Blonde Ale, Three Taverns Brewery Ukiyo Rice LagerLinks: https://www.mchaleportfolio.com/

Why do so many feedback conversations leave people feeling defensive, misunderstood, or even less motivated than before? In this week's episode, Kevin Britz and Craig Page-Lee unpack one of leadership's most misunderstood skills: giving feedback that actually improves performance instead of damaging it.Drawing on research from the Center for Creative Leadership, Kim Scott's Radical Candor, and the landmark Kluger & DeNisi Feedback Intervention Theory, they explore why more than a third of feedback interventions can actually reduce performance. The answer isn't simply what we say—it's where we direct people's attention.The conversation examines the difference between feedback that focuses on identity versus feedback that focuses on the task, why psychological safety matters, and how leaders can create cultures where feedback becomes a normal, productive part of everyday work rather than a stressful annual event.Craig introduces two practical frameworks every leader should know—the Situation-Behavior-Impact (SBI) model and Radical Candor—before explaining why combining the two creates a powerful balance of clarity, accountability and genuine care.Kevin and Craig also discuss:Why praise can be just as damaging as criticism when it focuses on identity.The hidden role of the Reticular Activating System (RAS) in how people receive feedback.Why frequent, small conversations outperform rare, high-stakes reviews.The importance of separating a person's value from the work they produce.How leaders build trust by actively asking for feedback themselves.Whether you lead a team of two or two thousand, this episode offers practical tools you can implement immediately to improve communication, performance and workplace culture.⏱️ Chapters00:00 – Welcome & business updates03:18 – Why feedback often makes performance worse07:12 – The research behind Feedback Intervention Theory12:30 – Task-focused vs identity-focused feedback17:55 – Why managers struggle to give effective feedback23:10 – Separating people from the work they produce27:45 – The SBI (Situation-Behavior-Impact) framework34:20 – Understanding Radical Candor41:18 – Combining SBI with Radical Candor47:35 – Five practical ways to improve feedback immediately54:10 – Structure vs connection: Does feedback become robotic?58:20 – Final leadership reflections & Maya Angelou quoteIf you enjoyed this conversation, please Like, Subscribe and Share to help us continue bringing practical leadership and marketing insights every week.#Leadership #Feedback #Management #PsychologicalSafety #RadicalCandor #LeadershipDevelopment #CommunicationSkills #BusinessLeadership #ExecutiveCoaching #WorkplaceCulture #Marketing #LongTimeSoon #KevinBritz #CraigPageLee

A lot of people feel like they know who they're supposed to be, how they're supposed to show up, and what they're supposed to value, and they assume those things come from themselves instead of external influences. But we all have internalized beliefs and expectations from others, our culture, and the systems we live in. It takes a beat, sometimes a long one, to get clear on who you actually are and what is actually important to you. It requires building the kind of deep self-trust that allows you to act from your values even when the world is suggesting otherwise.And if you carry relational wounds or other interpersonal or socio-cultural burdens, those experiences can slow down or block your capacity to deepen self-trust, trust in others, grow in courage, and fully inhabit your whole story. That is not a character flaw. It is a developmental reality.My guest today models what becomes possible when you stop performing the version of yourself the world approved of and start trusting yourself and leading from that space. She is building a career and a creative practice rooted in self-trust and values alignment, and she is far from done.MILCK, born Connie K. Lim, is a self-proclaimed gentle rebel whose artistry and advocacy is fueled by her music. Her breakout anthem “Quiet” became a global sensation, championing women's rights and resonating with movements around the globe. MILCK has collaborated with notable artists such as John Legend, Natasha Bedingfield, Phillipa Soo, Ani DiFranco, Aloe Blacc, and LeAnn Rimes, blending soulful melodies with poignant, socially conscious lyrics. Beyond the recording industry, MILCK is expanding her creative reach into musical theater, advocacy, and mentorship; MILCK and artists Sam Chanse, Jess Mcleod, and AG have partnered with La Jolla Playhouse to develop The Family Album, an award-winning seriocomedy musical. Inspired by MILCK's life journey, the musical explores themes of healing and family.Listen to the full episode to hear:How “Quiet” began as a means to process her own story and turned into an anthemHow personal, creative, and therapeutic supports came together to help Connie find her truth and her voice and connect with audiencesThe discouragement of her dreams Connie received as a kid and why her younger self is delighted with her nowHow working on The Family Album has been healing for Connie and her familyDeveloping the confidence and self-trust to push boundaries and be an emotional bridgeHow the all-female creative team behind The Family Album musical came togetherLearn more about MILCK:WebsiteInstagram: @milckmusicMILCK on BandcampGet tickets to The Family AlbumLearn more about Rebecca:rebeccaching.comWork With RebeccaThe Unburdened Leader on SubstackSign up for the weekly Unburdened Leader EmailResources:Childhood and Society, Erik H EriksonIn Over Our Heads: The Mental Demands of Modern Life, Robert KeganRoxy Music - AvalonCouples TherapyTears For FearsChapters:(00:37) - Introduction (07:35) - Meet Connie Kim aka MILCK (13:36) - Quiet - Origins and Cost (18:22) - Therapy and Support Mirrors (20:55) - Musical Beginnings (25:31) - Younger Self and Healing (29:14) - Turning Life Into A Musical (32:36) - Fighting to Stay Connected to Family (37:15) - Pushing Boundaries for Healing and Growing (41:19) - Conflict and the Wisdom of the Past (46:12) - Family Album Origin Story (55:35) - Opening Night Emotions (57:29) - Defining Leadership (58:48) - Quick Fire Questions (01:02:55) - How to Connect (01:04:34) - Closing Thoughts

In this episode of The Truth In This Art, the guest is Solana Rostick!About Solana Rostick: Registrar and Collections Manager at Clark Atlanta University Art Museum. An emerging museum professional dedicated to ensuring underrepresented groups are reflected within institutional collection holdings. Born in Atlanta, raised in Tampa, Florida, and recently completed her Master's in Museum Studies from the University of Florida.In our conversation, Rostick walks through her journey into the museum world—from early childhood memories of making art with shaving cream on windows at age three to being inspired by her father, one of the few Black professional photographers in the Tampa area. She recalls a pivotal museum visit where seeing Mickalene Thomas's " Ain't I a Woman " became a moment of revelation: "for the first time, I'm seeing myself represented in art." That moment sparked her decision to pursue art history and museum work.She digs into her graduate thesis on Gallery 32, a groundbreaking Black-owned art space run by Suzanne Jackson in 1960s Los Angeles during the Black Arts Movement. We discuss her first six months as Registrar at Clark Atlanta University Art Museum, the challenges of transitioning from "internship mode" to being the person colleagues turn to for direction, and practical steps for diversifying museum collections. As she puts it, representation matters: "whose voices are we missing from this collection?"She shares insights on podcast listening habits, the Atlanta art scene, the importance of in-person connections over social media, and why she believes real conversations—not just memes—build community.Be sure to follow Solana Rostick and Clark Atlanta University Art Museum (@CAUArtMuseum on Instagram) to keep up with her work and future projects.Photo courtesy of subject. The Truth In This Art is supported by William G. Baker, Jr. Memorial Fund, the Maryland State Arts Council's Creativity Grant and Mayor's Individual Artist Award - Creative Baltimore Fund (Baltimore). Host: Rob LeeMusic: Original music by Daniel Alexis Music with additional music from Chipzard and TeTresSeis.Production:Produced by Rob Lee & Daniel AlexisEdited by Daniel AlexisShow Notes courtesy of Rob Lee and TransistorPhotos:Rob Lee photos by Vicente Martin for The Truth In This Art and Contrarian Aquarian Media.Guest photos courtesy of the guest, unless otherwise noted.Support the podcastThe Truth In This Art Podcast Fractured Atlas (Fundraising): https://www.fracturedatlas.orgThe Truth In This Art Podcast Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/thetruthinthisart.bsky.socialThe Truth In This Art Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/truthinthisart/?hl=enThe Truth In This Art Podcast Website: https://www.thetruthinthisart.com/The Truth In This Art Podcast Shop: Merch from Redbubble ★ Support this podcast ★

Videos mentioned in this podcast: Oransi Googleheimer

Vandaag bespreken we het boek Reframing - the art of thinking differently, van Karim Benammar. Bennamar was docent aan de Universiteit van Kobe en lector aan de Hogeschool van Amsterdam. Benammar richtte in 2002 PLETHORA op, een bedrijf dat cursussen en workshops in denktechnieken aanbiedt. Hij is verbonden aan verschillende instituten, waaronder THNK School of Creative Leadership en The School of Life in Amsterdam. "Ik ben een filosoof gefascineerd door de denkkaders waarmee de wereld begrijpen" https://www.linkedin.com/in/karimbenammar Karim Benammar: TRANSFORMEREND DENKEN https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M4cXLbVehs0 TEDx talk https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6yZSC1HqsPVDG1qT66yJMA? Eerdere boeken: Denken over geld en waarde – 23 sleutelteksten (2013) Reframing (2012) Overvloed (2005) coauteur van Reflectietools (2006) Het is een bijzonder boek - bij de eerste hoofdstukken dacht ik: wat veel herhaling. Nu weet ik het wel. De hoofstukken die in deel 2 en deel 3 volgen, maken het boek leuk. Terwijl ik ook vond dat het een beetje de vorm heeft om alles door deze lens te zien. Ik heb een hamer en ga op zoek naar spijkers. Zelfs allerlei gebeurtenissen uit de geschiedenis bekijkt hij door deze lens (de rode draad achteraf zien - hindsight bias). Toch vond ik het interessant om te leren hoe ik anders naar dingen kan kijken door mijn keropvattingen te onderzoeken. Daarvoor heb ik een agent opgezet in Le Chat en gespeeld met allerlei kernopvattingen die ik heb en gekeken naar alternatieve opvattingen. Zo ook naar mijn opvatting dat dit boek vol met herhalingen zit, dat 25% van het boek ook genoeg was geweest en dat alles door deze lens wordt bekeken. En kwam ik met Le Chat tot een nieuwe, meer gebalenceerde kernopvatting: "Het boek Reframing van Karim Benammar is weliswaar repetitief, maar die herhaling dient een doel: het verankeren van een praktische methode die toepasbaar is in diverse contexten. Hoewel de methode soms geforceerd lijkt op bepaalde onderwerpen, biedt het boek waardevolle inzichten voor wie bereid is om ermee te experimenteren. De kracht ligt in de eenvoud en toepasbaarheid, niet in theoretische diepgang." Bijzonder vind ik hoe hij soms voorbeelden van zichzelf en zijn eigen denken geeft waarin hij behoorlijk vast lijkt te zitten in zijn kernopvatting. Zoals in de TEDx talk over abundance. Karim Benammar (1966) is een filosoof gespecialiseerd in transformerend denken. Hij studeerde filosofie in Engeland, de Verenigde Staten en Japan, en was docent aan de Universiteit van Kobe en lector aan de Hogeschool van Amsterdam. Benammar richtte in 2002 PLETHORA op, een bedrijf dat cursussen en workshops in denktechnieken aanbiedt. Hij is verbonden aan verschillende instituten, waaronder THNK School of Creative Leadership en The School of Life in Amsterdam. Zijn internationale achtergrond en ervaring in zowel academische als praktische contexten maken hem een expert in het begeleiden van individuen, teams en organisaties bij het herzien van hun denkwijze. Benammar schrijft en spreekt over thema's als overvloed, waardecreatie, en het doorbreken van vastgeroeste patronen in werk en economie. Zijn werk is gericht op het creëren van impactvolle verandering, zowel op persoonlijk als maatschappelijk niveau. Dit boek is vooral waardevol voor iedereen die op zoek is naar manieren om vastgeroeste denkpatronen te doorbreken en nieuwe, creatieve oplossingen te vinden voor persoonlijke en professionele uitdagingen. Deel 1 Technique Reframing in four steps Step 1: Determine a core belief Step 2: Find supporting beliefs Step 3: Construct opposites Step 4: Determine a reframed core belief The terminology of reframing Why do we think what we think? Step 1: Determine a core belief Step 2: Mapping our supporting beliefs The four pillars of our current frame 3 How can we think differently? The power of opposites Step 3a: Construct simple grammatical and linguistic opposites Step 3b: Try different variations of these opposites Step 3c: Make the opposites extreme Step 4: Determine the reframed core belief How reframing works Getting better at reframing Instructions and practical advice Part II Applications Reframing personal situations Reframing our perspective Reframing our patterns Reframing change Reframing organisations The Semco way Reframing business models Proactive reframing The price of resisting change Part III Philosophy Paradigms and the web of belief Quine's web of belief Reframing the web of belief Kuhn's paradigm shifts The revaluation of all values Nietzsche and the foundations of morality Reframing moral values Asserting our own values Fundamental human values Reframing large-scale paradigms Reframing production methods Reframing the way we use objects Reframing from scarcity to abundance Reframing from taking to giving Reframing the twenty-first century Michel Serres'six profound changes Radical changes Human flourishing Hoofdstuk 1 - duidelijk en praktisch. Goede uitleg met een mooi voorbeeld. Hoofdstuk 3 waardevol, verdiepen hoe je tot extreme tegenpolen komt Hoofdstuk 4 - praktische toepassingen van de methode in je eigen leven, waarbij het je helpt om anders tegen zaken aan te kijken - heel stoïcijns, waardoor je meer acceptatie krijgt voor een ergenis zoals bellen in het OV. Hoofdstuk 5: hoe je reframing in je bedrijf kunt gebruiken - met een heerlijk voorbeeld van Ricardo Semler en Semco. Hoofdstuk 6 - begrijp ik niet zo goed waarom toegevoegd Hoofdstuk 7 vooral over Nietsche's werk Hoofdstuk 8 over abundance en afzetten tegen het denken vanuit tekort - gelimiteerde grondstoffen. Daar heb ik duidelijk een andere visie over. Het probleem ligt niet bij de tekorten, maar bij het gebrek aan democratie en de machtsverdeling. Hij schetst het voorbeeld dat in de natuur ook alles doorgroeit (wandeling in TEDx talk). Hoofdstuk 9 - interessant met 6 veranderingen in de 21e eeuw van Michel Serres. Dingen die significant anders zijn in de 21e eeuw: 1. relatie tot de natuur, 2. toegenomen mobiliteit 3. gezondheid (voorkomen van pijn) 4. demografie 8 miljard mensen nu en leven langer 5. de verbindingen tussen mensen, hyperverbonden 6. Conflicten: de capatiteit van vernietiging Dit vraagt om anders denken, anders ontwikkelen van mensen Human flourishing - veel focus op de centrale rol van de mensen, in plaats van onderdeel van het geheel: Seva. Opvallende lessen uit het boek voor ons: 00:00 Intro van het boek met eerste indruk van Erno 02:55 Een AI agent met de reframing stappen 04:00 Radicale transparantie van Tom over de auteur en het boek 09:25 De vier stappen van reframing 11:30 De automobielindustrie als voorbeeld om te oefenen met reframing. 15:00 Nog een denkmodel om je patronen te doorbreken. 19:30 Mooi voorbeelden van Semco en Ricardo Semler. 23:00 De kanteling in het denken van de mens door Nietsche 25:55 De creatie van de Übermensch is het vaststellen van je eigen waarden. 26:50 De paradigma verschuiving van Thomas Kuhn 28:55 Werken vanuit overvloed. Een paradigmaverschuiving over de eindigheid van grondstoffen. 33:05 De 6 grote veranderingen van de 21e eeuw. 37:35 Technisch hebben we alle mogelijkheden, maar doordat we zo'n corruptie hebben, lossen we de problemen niet op. 41:00 Je bewust worden van je denkbeelden en daar vraagtekens bij plaatsen. Bronnen die we genoemd hebben Vibe van Mistral (voorheen Le Chat) The Infinite Game – Simon Sinek #boekencast afl 104 en Leaders eat last – Simon Sinek #boekencast afl 2 Daniel Pink Drive – Daniel Pink #boekencast afl 13 Over Tirannie – Snyder en Krug #boekencast afl 118 Abundance - Ezra Klein en Erik Thompson Denkmodel: zou het tegengestelde ook waar kunnen zijn? Ricardo Semler - Wikipedia Start-up Factory – Minnaar en de Morree #boekencast afl 79 (Haier) Friedrich Nietzsche - Wikipedia Thomas Kuhn - Wikipedia Michel Serres - Wikipedia Geschiedenis voor morgen – Roman Krznaric #boekencast afl 112 Gelijkheid Piketty en Sandel #boekencast afl 117 Seva: mens dienstbaar aan natuur (bron: D.C. Wahl) Luister naar deze aflevering Beluister hier ons gesprek over het boek Reframing. Een handige en leuke methode om je eigen aannames te onderzoeken. Het boek heeft ook een interessante voorbeeld specifiek voor ondernemers. In een halfuur delen wij dit boek met jou. Een halfuur met kennis die je tot je neemt terwijl je wandelt, loopt of rijdt, bijvoorbeeld. Video van deze aflevering Bekijk ons gesprek op video https://youtu.be/eX5ej6CYHxE https://youtu.be/eX5ej6CYHxE In deze aflevering bespreken we het boek Reframing. Het boek had met minder herhaling uitgekunt waardoor het nog makkellijker leest. Het voorbeeld van Ricardo Semler en Semco spreekt ondernemers aan. De methode leent zich om een AI agent te bouwen waarmee je je eigen aannames kunt onderzoeken. Samenvatting (met hulp van AI) In aflevering 139 van de Ondernemers Boekencast bespreken Arno en Tom het boek "Reframing: The Art of Thinking Differently" van Karim Benammar, filosoof en workshopleider (oprichter van Pretoria) met academische ervaring in Japan en Nederland. We vinden het boek inhoudelijk sterk maar repetitief en soms technisch/stug; deel 1 legt in vier stappen de reframing-methode uit (kernpositie, supporting beliefs, omkeren/extremer maken, alternatief frame), met voorbeelden over duurzame auto-industrie en bellen in het OV. Ik experimenteer met een Mistral-chatagent opgezet met deze methode om mijn eigen frames te testen. Tom noemt de verkorte oefening die hij vaak gebruikt, "Could the opposite also be true?". We bespreken toepassingen voor organisaties (Semco, transparantie, zelfsturing),...

In this episode of The Truth In This Art, I sit down with Tyreek Morrison!About Tyreek Morrison: Tyreek Morrison is an Atlanta-based collage artist who describes himself as "dad first, collage artist second." Born in New Jersey and raised in Atlanta, Morrison uses collage, found materials, paper, paint, and drawing to explore Black American life through memory, identity, and everyday experiences. His daughter just turned one, and this episode was recorded right before his first Father's Day. His father is an oil and acrylic painter, and Morrison grew up watching him work through the night blasting Wu-Tang Clan—those early memories shaped his understanding of what it means to be a working artist.We talk about how becoming a parent has completely transformed his relationship with time and work. On days with his daughter, he's fully present—no phone, no studio. But when she's not with him, his work schedule becomes insanely focused. He doesn't leave the studio. Even when he's not actively creating, he's studying. Morrison discusses the three-generation legacy of creativity in his family and how his work ethic was reinforced when he toured with Lil Wayne after high school, witnessing firsthand how relentless dedication translates to success.Morrison explains his philosophy that collage is parallel to Black American traditions of making something from scraps—whether soul food in the kitchen or sampling in hip-hop. He talks about his influences, including Barkley Hendricks and the artist behind Gorillaz, and how skateboarding played the biggest role in his creative thinking. We also talk about the expectations placed on Black artists to constantly discuss identity and trauma, the competitive-yet-supportive creative energy between him and his father, why he views Instagram as "a big buffet of artists you could bite off of," and his upcoming projects including Atlanta Fine Art Fair with Mason Fine Art, Scope Miami, a solo exhibition in New York City in spring 2027, and his Future Fair baseball piece incorporating real dirt.Follow Tyreek Morrison on Instagram at money team to see his work.Photo courtesy of subject. The Truth In This Art is supported by William G. Baker, Jr. Memorial Fund, the Maryland State Arts Council's Creativity Grant and Mayor's Individual Artist Award - Creative Baltimore Fund (Baltimore). Host: Rob LeeMusic: Original music by Daniel Alexis Music with additional music from Chipzard and TeTresSeis.Production:Produced by Rob Lee & Daniel AlexisEdited by Daniel AlexisShow Notes courtesy of Rob Lee and TransistorPhotos:Rob Lee photos by Vicente Martin for The Truth In This Art and Contrarian Aquarian Media.Guest photos courtesy of the guest, unless otherwise noted.Support the podcastThe Truth In This Art Podcast Fractured Atlas (Fundraising): https://www.fracturedatlas.orgThe Truth In This Art Podcast Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/thetruthinthisart.bsky.socialThe Truth In This Art Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/truthinthisart/?hl=enThe Truth In This Art Podcast Website: https://www.thetruthinthisart.com/The Truth In This Art Podcast Shop: Merch from Redbubble ★ Support this podcast ★

In this episode of The Truth In This Art, I sit down with Maurice Scarlett III!About Maurice Scarlett III: Maurice Scarlett III is a Baltimore-based visual artist and multi-disciplinary creative named after his father from West Baltimore. He is of Jamaican heritage and specializes in figurative art characterized by darker, alluring tones that capture the essence of Black figures. His journey began in 2010 with photography—documenting friends who were musicians, DJs, and clothing designers right after graduating high school. In 2017, fashion designer Kirby Jean-Raymond of Pyer Moss discovered him on Instagram and invited him to collaborate for New York Fashion Week, a pivotal moment that pushed him to take painting seriously.We talk about his evolution from photography to painting and how his work has become more grounded, immersive, and soulful—"more of his essence in it." Scarlett discusses his use of dark tones rooted in life experiences, grief, and learning to use pain as power. He explains his philosophy of embracing imperfections, quoting Miles Davis: "If you mess up on a key, keep that because that can make the song better."Scarlett describes his approach to portraying Black people in a "re-imagined way"—highlighting them beyond repetitive narratives of politics, slavery, and trauma. He shares how Baltimore shows up in his work subconsciously, with subtle cues that come naturally from growing up in the city. He introduces the word he associates with Baltimore art: grit—the do-it-yourself mentality of creatives who carved their own lane without waiting for platforms. His advice for artists: "Find your own lane, carve your own lane and stay within it, but at the same time experiment and stay curious—doing what's true to you."We also talk about the importance of living life to create soulful work, the danger of comparing yourself to other artists on social media, learning to pace yourself as a creator, his studio on North Avenue, and why Baltimore is a "cool melting pot" slowly getting its recognition.Follow Maurice Scarlett III on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/mauricescarlett to see his work, including recent pieces "Smokey" (2024), "The Scene" (2025), and "Wu-tang Is For The Children" (2025).Photo courtesy of subject. The Truth In This Art is supported by William G. Baker, Jr. Memorial Fund, the Maryland State Arts Council's Creativity Grant and Mayor's Individual Artist Award - Creative Baltimore Fund (Baltimore). Host: Rob LeeMusic: Original music by Daniel Alexis Music with additional music from Chipzard and TeTresSeis.Production:Produced by Rob Lee & Daniel AlexisEdited by Daniel AlexisShow Notes courtesy of Rob Lee and TransistorPhotos:Rob Lee photos by Vicente Martin for The Truth In This Art and Contrarian Aquarian Media.Guest photos courtesy of the guest, unless otherwise noted.Support the podcastThe Truth In This Art Podcast Fractured Atlas (Fundraising): https://www.fracturedatlas.orgThe Truth In This Art Podcast Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/thetruthinthisart.bsky.socialThe Truth In This Art Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/truthinthisart/?hl=enThe Truth In This Art Podcast Website: https://www.thetruthinthisart.com/The Truth In This Art Podcast Shop: Merch from Redbubble ★ Support this podcast ★

In this episode of The Truth In This Art, returning guest Kris Fulton is back!About Kris Fulton: Kris Fulton is a self-described coffee nerd, Baltimore-based coffee roaster, and co-owner of Sophomore Coffee, a neighborhood coffee shop in Charles Village. He opened Sophomore Coffee in April 2019, just months before the pandemic, and has spent seven years building it into a trusted community fixture. His journey in coffee began at a local café and evolved through his pivotal role at the Four Seasons Baltimore in 2011, where he honed his skills in luxury hospitality and elevated service that would shape Baltimore's food and beverage scene.We talk about his evolution from "punk kid working coffee on the side" to wearing multiple hats—plumber, janitor, counselor, delivery driver—as a small business owner who opened Sophomore Coffee without knowing all the ins and outs of running a business. He discusses the meaning behind the name "Sophomore"—embracing the second attempt, learning, and growth—and his philosophy of focusing on two pillars: coffee quality and service quality. He shares insights on surviving the pandemic, which forced him to start roasting coffee himself when wholesale partnerships became uncertain, and how that challenge became an unexpected opportunity.Fulton reveals his approach to being a reliable neighborhood fixture—open every single day, even in bad weather—and how that consistency earns trust and bandwidth in the community. He discusses his collaboration with other food and beverage professionals, his work with Tarleton, and his decision to keep Sophomore Coffee hyper-local rather than expanding. He introduces his advice for aspiring coffee shop owners: "Just be a sponge"—work in a coffee shop first, absorb as much information as possible, and understand that owning a café means you'll be working in it, not just managing from afar.We also talk about the importance of intention in coffee-making, why third spaces like cafés are indicators of a community's health, his newsletter as a way to connect directly with customers, and why physical presence and in-person experience still matter more than what can be displayed on social media in an increasingly digital world.Photo credit The Truth In This Art is supported by William G. Baker, Jr. Memorial Fund, the Maryland State Arts Council's Creativity Grant and Mayor's Individual Artist Award - Creative Baltimore Fund (Baltimore). Host: Rob LeeMusic: Original music by Daniel Alexis Music with additional music from Chipzard and TeTresSeis.Production:Produced by Rob Lee & Daniel AlexisEdited by Daniel AlexisShow Notes courtesy of Rob Lee and TransistorPhotos:Rob Lee photos by Vicente Martin for The Truth In This Art and Contrarian Aquarian Media.Guest photos courtesy of the guest, unless otherwise noted.Support the podcastThe Truth In This Art Podcast Fractured Atlas (Fundraising): https://www.fracturedatlas.orgThe Truth In This Art Podcast Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/thetruthinthisart.bsky.socialThe Truth In This Art Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/truthinthisart/?hl=enThe Truth In This Art Podcast Website: https://www.thetruthinthisart.com/The Truth In This Art Podcast Shop: Merch from Redbubble ★ Support this podcast ★

South African native Dr. Sharon McDowell-Larsen is an exercise physiologist, leadership expert, and elite endurance athlete who has spent more than 25 years at the Center for Creative Leadership helping senior leaders improve performance, health, and cognitive function through lifestyle medicine. She earned her PhD from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, worked with athletes in the U.S. Olympic Training Center, and has taught graduate exercise physiology courses at the University of Colorado.Sharon is also a decorated multi-sport endurance athlete, winning national championships in mountain biking, Nordic skiing, XTERRA, and Ironman competition, including a first-place finish for her age group at the Ironman World Championship in 2025. She recently co-authored “Staying in the Game,” an evidence-based guide to performance longevity, and Sharon now lives in Grand Junction, Colorado with her husband, Matthew, and their cat, Bailey.To learn more about the book, visit stayinginthegame.org .Send us Fan Mail

Jeremy Hirshberg on Leadership, Burnout, Meaning, and Why Your Boss Shouldn't Sound Like ChatGPTJeremy Hirshberg — organizational psychologist, leadership consultant and executive coach  for Organizational Solutions, founder of Kaleidoscope Collaborative, and host of Resiliency Rounds and The Good Life, Reconsidered — joins the podcast for a wide-ranging conversation on AI, leadership, resilience, and what happens when technology starts moving faster than the human nervous system. Drawing on his work at the Center for Creative Leadership and Booz Allen Hamilton, Jeremy explores how organizations can integrate AI without losing empathy, creativity, psychological safety, or their collective soul.We discuss burnout, “AI theater,” executive anxiety, emotional intelligence, adaptability, meaning-making, and why the future belongs not simply to companies with the best technology — but to those combining high AI capability with being fully human. This taps into an interdependent cultural framework. Along the way we ask uncomfortable questions: What work should humans still own? What decisions should never be delegated to AI? Can mindfulness survive Slack notifications? And is your company innovating… or just panic-Googling the future with better branding?Credits:River is High, Ticketless TravelerCarl Reisman, guitar, singer, and songwriterJenny Goodwine, vocalsJames Singleton, bassJohnny Vidocovich, drumsDave Easley, steel guitarProduced by Morgan Orion Reismanfor more information, carlreisman@gmail.comCopyright 2025WCMI networking group A networking group for mindfulness-focused clinicians dedicated to learning together & collaborating for more information click here

In this episode of The Truth In This Art, returning guest Megan Elcrat is back!About Megan Elcrat: Megan Elcrat is the founding principal of Present Company, a Baltimore-based architecture and design firm where she specializes in urban revitalization, adaptive reuse, and creative workspace design. She co-founded the innovative Co-Lab Baltimore co-working space in Old Goucher, which houses both an architecture firm and a design-focused bookstore. Her work is rooted in the belief that architecture is fundamentally about experience and place-making.We talk about her formative memories of her father's mathematics department office at Wichita State University—the chalkboards, terrazzo floors, and dark wood finishes that shaped her early understanding of how spaces create meaning. She discusses her hyper-local approach to architecture, working within walking distance of her office and building authentic relationships with neighbors, clients, and community partners like the Franciscan Center and Sophomore Coffee. She shares insights on adaptive reuse—the art of giving historic buildings new life while preserving their essence—and how her firm approaches projects by asking what experience people want to have in a space.Elcrat reveals details about her work on Station North's North Avenue Market, reconnecting the north and south halves of the building through arcades to create a multi-use cultural hub with storefronts, studios, and food and beverage spaces. She discusses co-owning the Laverne nightclub with Catherine Borg and Ami Dang as part of the Neon Eon complex, emphasizing cultural preservation—not just preserving facades, but preserving how spaces made people feel. She introduces the concept of dancing and physical movement as the purest form of joy and why bringing people together in person still matters.We also talk about her collaboration with artist collective Wickerham/Lomax on the Soft Gym installation at the Y-Not Lot as part of Inviting Light, the importance of avoiding design trends like "gentrification gray," the value of having fun in architecture, and why she believes authenticity and human connection are more important than expanding for expansion's sake in an increasingly digital world.Photo courtesy of subject. The Truth In This Art is supported by William G. Baker, Jr. Memorial Fund, the Maryland State Arts Council's Creativity Grant and Mayor's Individual Artist Award - Creative Baltimore Fund (Baltimore). Host: Rob LeeMusic: Original music by Daniel Alexis Music with additional music from Chipzard and TeTresSeis.Production:Produced by Rob Lee & Daniel AlexisEdited by Daniel AlexisShow Notes courtesy of Rob Lee and TransistorPhotos:Rob Lee photos by Vicente Martin for The Truth In This Art and Contrarian Aquarian Media.Guest photos courtesy of the guest, unless otherwise noted.Support the podcastThe Truth In This Art Podcast Fractured Atlas (Fundraising): https://www.fracturedatlas.orgThe Truth In This Art Podcast Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/thetruthinthisart.bsky.socialThe Truth In This Art Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/truthinthisart/?hl=enThe Truth In This Art Podcast Website: https://www.thetruthinthisart.com/The Truth In This Art Podcast Shop: Merch from Redbubble ★ Support this podcast ★

High-performing teams need trust before the pressure hits. Lindsay Shookus spent 20 years at Saturday Night Live, including 10 years as a producer, where every week required a team of writers, cast members, celebrity hosts, musicians, producers, and crew to create a live show in six days. In this conversation, Lindsay joins John Kaplan and John McMahon to share what SNL taught her about building trust quickly, hiring people who elevate the room, reading talent under pressure, and creating a process that allows strong personalities to perform together. She also shares leadership lessons from Lorne Michaels, the importance of adaptability and coachability, and why authentic connection gives teams the confidence to take risks when the stakes are highest. Lindsay Shookus spent 20 years at Saturday Night Live, including 10 years as a producer, where she led talent booking, worked with celebrity hosts and musical guests, and helped scout and recruit cast members. She is a four-time Emmy Award winner, a former producer on 30 Rock, and the co-founder of Women Work Hard, a community supporting female entrepreneurs and leaders. Connect with Lindsay: Website Resources mentioned: Women Work Hard on IG Women Work Hard Website Rethinking Success by J. Douglas Holladay Key takeaways from this episode: 00:00 - Introduction 06:25 - What it really takes to build trust quickly when high-performing people have only days to align. 14:22 - Why many leaders misread talent when they rely on credentials instead of team fit, coachability, and social awareness. 07:55 - A look inside how high-pressure decisions get made when timing is tight and every stakeholder has a point of view. 11:46 - Why hiring people who can take your job quietly raises the standard for the entire organization. 37:35 - What leaders often overlook about coachability once someone has already reached the top of their field. 43:49 - Lindsay Shookus' perspective on why vulnerability creates stronger leadership connections than polished perfection. 51:36 - Why strategic absence can make a leader's presence more valuable. Hosted by five-time CRO John McMahon and Force Management Co-Founder John Kaplan, the Revenue Builders podcast goes behind the scenes with the sales leaders who have been there, done that, and seen the results. This show is brought to you by Force Management. We help companies improve sales performance, executing their growth strategy at the point of sale. Connect with Us: LinkedInYouTubeForce Management

In this episode of The Truth In This Art, the guest is Dr. David O. Fakunle II!About Dr. David O. Fakunle II: Dr. David Fakunle II is a Baltimore native, academic, and self-described mercenary for change and celestial body for change who has spent 25 years using art and storytelling for liberation. He is an assistant professor at Morgan State University in the School of Community Health and Policy and associate faculty at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. He serves as director of the TEACH Division (Transforming Equity through Arts, Culture and Health) at the National Great Blacks in Wax Museum, working intentionally at the intersection of arts, culture, and health.We talk about his evolution as a mercenary and celestial body for change, his role in developing the Urban Cipher game (originally called the Game of Appreciation) during his postdoc at Morgan State University —a Monopoly-style game that models how inequities are built into systems. He discusses his contribution to the paper "Life as We Tell It: A Revolution Through Narratives and Creative Expression," which explores narrative as a determinant of health, and his framework for understanding data: stories are qualitative data that answer "how" and "why," while quantitative data answers "who, what, where, when."Fakunle shares insights from his recent work at the National Academy of Medicine in DC on a national initiative to build trust between communities and health science. He reflects on teaching his 16-person qualitative research class and helping students understand that AI cannot replicate context—only humans can bring meaning and circumstances to statistics. He introduces his concept of the "existential determinants of health"—five universal virtues all humans want: to be acknowledged, appreciated, respected, understood, and loved. He emphasizes the need to embrace stories, not just tolerate them, because "in the stories are your answers," and discusses how storytellers preserve and uplift context in ways that institutions and policy makers need to understand.We also talk about what this work has taught him, the importance of time as the greatest teacher, showing up in person, trusting others to tell his story, and why physical presence still matters in an increasingly digital world.Photo courtesy of subject.  The Truth In This Art is supported by William G. Baker, Jr. Memorial Fund, the Maryland State Arts Council's Creativity Grant and Mayor's Individual Artist Award - Creative Baltimore Fund (Baltimore). Host: Rob LeeMusic: Original music by Daniel Alexis Music with additional music from Chipzard and TeTresSeis.Production:Produced by Rob Lee & Daniel AlexisEdited by Daniel AlexisShow Notes courtesy of Rob Lee and TransistorPhotos:Rob Lee photos by Vicente Martin for The Truth In This Art and Contrarian Aquarian Media.Guest photos courtesy of the guest, unless otherwise noted.Support the podcastThe Truth In This Art Podcast Fractured Atlas (Fundraising): https://www.fracturedatlas.orgThe Truth In This Art Podcast Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/thetruthinthisart.bsky.socialThe Truth In This Art Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/truthinthisart/?hl=enThe Truth In This Art Podcast Website: https://www.thetruthinthisart.com/The Truth In This Art Podcast Shop: Merch from Redbubble ★ Support this podcast ★

Leaders Who Create Belonging: Join Jason Squires as he sits down with Nicole Lucas. She is the founder of The Creative Level, Creative Arts Pastor at Christ Community Church, and part of the team behind Slingshot Group. Together they talk about what it really takes to build healthy creative cultures where people can thrive. They explore the mindsets that quietly hold creatives back, why feedback can feel so personal for artists and leaders, and how to create environments that bring out the best in creative teams. Nicole also shares wisdom on recognizing when it's time to reinvent yourself creatively and how growth often begins with the willingness to evolve. This conversation is full of practical leadership insight, emotional intelligence, and encouragement for creatives, leaders, and anyone navigating change in their creative journey.

In this episode of The Truth In This Art, the guest is Amir Browder and Maxwell Young!About the guests: Amir Browder is the curator, creative director, and founder of Homme Gallery in DC. Maxwell Young is the founder of the Art Shopping Network, a writer, and works on projects that socialize art buying and support living artists, nonprofit institutions, and galleries.We talk about Acquired Taste and what it does: a catalog and platform that socializes art buying through Polaroids from the host's personal archive, prints, editorial interviews and essays, and curated first‑access opportunities that prioritize context and history over speculation. Acquired Taste also runs a virtual component — online catalog materials, digital/3D renderings, and remote programming that operate alongside in‑person activations. Browder and Young explain how conversational, low‑barrier events help people connect with artists as humans, not just names on a wall.They compare running physical programming with online initiatives. Young stresses repurposing existing tools and trying imperfect, practical approaches instead of waiting for something polished; Browder centers collaboration and working together toward shared goals. The roster features alumni from The Truth In This Art, including Xenia Gray, Maurice James, and Esteban Whiteside. They discuss how Acquired Taste and the Art Shopping Network aim to support living artists, artist‑run spaces, and nonprofit institutions, and how local markets and gatherings can strengthen the broader art ecosystem.We also talk about why in‑person gatherings matter and how to make room for artists whose work challenges and expands community conversation.Acquired Taste is a two‑day live auction and exhibition presented by @artshoppingnetwork, arriving at @HOMMEDC on May 29–30. Free RSVP! Join us in DC or tune in live at artshoppingnetwork.com.Photo courtesy of subject. The Truth In This Art is supported by William G. Baker, Jr. Memorial Fund, the Maryland State Arts Council's Creativity Grant and Mayor's Individual Artist Award - Creative Baltimore Fund (Baltimore). Host: Rob LeeMusic: Original music by Daniel Alexis Music with additional music from Chipzard and TeTresSeis.Production:Produced by Rob Lee & Daniel AlexisEdited by Daniel AlexisShow Notes courtesy of Rob Lee and TransistorPhotos:Rob Lee photos by Vicente Martin for The Truth In This Art and Contrarian Aquarian Media.Guest photos courtesy of the guest, unless otherwise noted.Support the podcastThe Truth In This Art Podcast Fractured Atlas (Fundraising): https://www.fracturedatlas.orgThe Truth In This Art Podcast Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/thetruthinthisart.bsky.socialThe Truth In This Art Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/truthinthisart/?hl=enThe Truth In This Art Podcast Website: https://www.thetruthinthisart.com/The Truth In This Art Podcast Shop: Merch from Redbubble ★ Support this podcast ★

Justin sits down with Charles Lee for a deep conversation around meaning, implementation, purpose, and the future of human fulfillment. Drawing from Charles' new book framework, the conversation moves beyond surface-level productivity into the deeper questions most people avoid: Why are you doing what you're doing? What kind of life are you actually building? What happens when achievement no longer satisfies? Together they explore: Why implementation builds confidence The emotional cost of unfinished ideas Community as an intentional practice Contribution vs self-platforming Creativity, meaning, and human flourishing Why the modern world is making it easier to avoid purpose The growing existential crisis hiding underneath productivity culture This episode challenges the idea that success alone leads to fulfillment and argues for a more intentional, deeply human way of living. Links For Justin:Read Justin's SubstackOrder In The Low - NEW Book with Scott EricksonCoaching with JustinOrder In Rest - New Book of PoemsOrder Sacred StridesJustinMcRoberts.comSupport this podcastNEW Single - Let GoNEW Music - Sliver of HopeNEW Music - The Dood and The BirdThe Book - It Is What You Make itHearts and Minds Amazon Barnes and Noble

In this episode of The Truth In This Art, the guest is Sarah B. McCann!About Sarah B. McCann: Sarah is an artist, curator, and founder of SBM Gallery in Baltimore's Highlandtown Arts District. Her text-based mosaics, prints, and multimedia work has been shown nationally. She spent 15 years curating exhibitions nomadically before opening her own space this year.We talk about launching SBM Gallery and what it means to her to support artists working with love and justice—artists using their work to push for change and move us closer to where we could be. She walks through the gallery's programming: an Artists in Conversation speaker series, collector coffees, and events around Highlandtown's First Friday Art Walks. Sarah also shares how she builds real community among her artists—she hosts dinners before group shows so people actually connect as humans, not just as names hanging on the same walls.Sarah talks about shifting from nomadic curating to having her own space. She remembers unwrapping the first painting during COVID in 2021—the color, texture, and smell of that moment reminded her why we still need to show up in person. We get into how running an independent gallery lets her support artists who might not get institutional backing, upcoming shows like "All My Errors Are Human" about making mistakes in an AI world, and her own return to painting and clay after years of focusing on everyone else's work.We also talk about what it takes to build an art space with intention, why physical gatherings still matter, and how to make room for artists whose work pushes us to be better.Visit sbmgallery.com to explore the full exhibition lineup and programming through July.Photo courtesy of subject. The Truth In This Art is supported by William G. Baker, Jr. Memorial Fund, the Maryland State Arts Council's Creativity Grant and Mayor's Individual Artist Award - Creative Baltimore Fund (Baltimore). Host: Rob LeeMusic: Original music by Daniel Alexis Music with additional music from Chipzard and TeTresSeis.Production:Produced by Rob Lee & Daniel AlexisEdited by Daniel AlexisShow Notes courtesy of Rob Lee and TransistorPhotos:Rob Lee photos by Vicente Martin for The Truth In This Art and Contrarian Aquarian Media.Guest photos courtesy of the guest, unless otherwise noted.Support the podcastThe Truth In This Art Podcast Fractured Atlas (Fundraising): https://www.fracturedatlas.orgThe Truth In This Art Podcast Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/thetruthinthisart.bsky.socialThe Truth In This Art Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/truthinthisart/?hl=enThe Truth In This Art Podcast Website: https://www.thetruthinthisart.com/The Truth In This Art Podcast Shop: Merch from Redbubble ★ Support this podcast ★

In this episode of The Truth In The Art, I sit down with Sam Furnish—founder of Bemo's Clothing and the guy behind Baltimore's "born in Baltimore" premium civvies movement.About Sam Furnish: Sam launched Bemo's Clothing in 2025 after years in the outdoor industry learning product development and manufacturing. The brand name comes from his father's childhood nickname—"Bemo"—given by Sam's grandpa in 1950s Midwest America alongside nicknames like "Peavy" and "Muley." When Sam moved to Baltimore and locals said "B-more," it sounded just like his dad's name. Bemo's Clothing is his homage to both the man and the city that raised him.We talk about that origin story and why it matters—how family legacy and Baltimore identity aren't just branding, they're the foundation of everything he makes. Sam's creating what he calls "premium civvies" and "born in Baltimore" pieces: clothing that reminds you of that perfect shirt or jacket you found in your parents' attic that suddenly became your go-to. Vintage-inspired but made with modern materials and finishes.We get into his design philosophy: he'd rather make a few story-driven pieces than chase endless inventory. We discuss the realities of sourcing and manufacturing as an independent brand, how he's building community through collaborations with BMore Flea and Broadway Market, and why his clothing is meant to spark conversations and serve as wearable representations of Baltimore itself.We also dig into what it means to build a brand with intention in an industry obsessed with scale and constant drops, how he thinks about creating pieces meant to last generations, and why quality and meaning trump volume.Sam's mission: make clothing that carries real stories, celebrate what makes Baltimore unique, and build a brand that brings people together—not just fills closets.Follow along at https://www.instagram.com/bemosclothing/ or check out https://bemosclothing.com/.Listeners can use code THETRUTHINITSART for 30% off. The Truth In This Art is supported by William G. Baker, Jr. Memorial Fund, the Maryland State Arts Council's Creativity Grant and Mayor's Individual Artist Award - Creative Baltimore Fund (Baltimore). Host: Rob LeeMusic: Original music by Daniel Alexis Music with additional music from Chipzard and TeTresSeis.Production:Produced by Rob Lee & Daniel AlexisEdited by Daniel AlexisShow Notes courtesy of Rob Lee and TransistorPhotos:Rob Lee photos by Vicente Martin for The Truth In This Art and Contrarian Aquarian Media.Guest photos courtesy of the guest, unless otherwise noted.Support the podcastThe Truth In This Art Podcast Fractured Atlas (Fundraising): https://www.fracturedatlas.orgThe Truth In This Art Podcast Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/thetruthinthisart.bsky.socialThe Truth In This Art Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/truthinthisart/?hl=enThe Truth In This Art Podcast Website: https://www.thetruthinthisart.com/The Truth In This Art Podcast Shop: Merch from Redbubble ★ Support this podcast ★

In this episode of The Truth In This Art, Rachel Mijares-Fick returns to the program.About: Rachel Mijares-Fick is the co-founder of Future Fair, an art fair in New York. She co-founded it in 2020 during the pandemic with Rebeca Laliberte. Future Fair is a trade show where art galleries, artist collectives, and independent curators from all over the world come and set up exhibitions. The fair focuses on emerging and under-recognized voices in the art world. Future Fair has launched careers of artists and art dealers over six years and is a fabric of the New York art world.The conversation covers the fair's sixth edition at Chelsea Industrial, a ground floor venue on the corner of 28th and 11th in Chelsea, New York City. Exhibitors include Wondering People (London, UK), under the pale blue (Ridgewood, NY), and Wishbone Gallery (Montreal, Canada). Mijares-Fick discusses Future Talks, a new conversations program supported by ArtLogic, a business management platform for galleries, artists, and collectors. Future Talks features rising thought leaders in the art world—artists, collectors, curators, dealers, and funders—having conversations about topics like "The Future Economy of the Artist Studio," which examines how artists are sustaining their practices today as traditional models of patronage, institutional support, and market driven income continue to shift.The discussion also touches on the physicality of art and why people want to see the hand that painted a piece or feel the physicality of objects that artists create. There's the magic that happens when people are physically in space together at art exhibitions. Future Fair creates a warm, welcoming, and open environment with intentionality, intimacy, and accessibility that makes the contemporary art experience conversational.Future Fair runs May 13-16, 2026 (Wednesday through Saturday) at Chelsea Industrial, corner of 28th and 11th in Chelsea — FutureFairs.com---If you're in New York this May, check out Future Fair, the forward-thinking contemporary art fair returning to Chelsea for its sixth edition, May 13 to 16, 2026. This year's fair brings together 68 exhibitors from around the world, with a strong focus on curatorial vision, emerging and under-recognized voices, and a community-driven approach. The Truth in This Art listeners can get 30% off tickets with the code TITA2026 at futurefairs.com.  The Truth In This Art is supported by William G. Baker, Jr. Memorial Fund, the Maryland State Arts Council's Creativity Grant and Mayor's Individual Artist Award - Creative Baltimore Fund (Baltimore). Host: Rob LeeMusic: Original music by Daniel Alexis Music with additional music from Chipzard and TeTresSeis.Production:Produced by Rob Lee & Daniel AlexisEdited by Daniel AlexisShow Notes courtesy of Rob Lee and TransistorPhotos:Rob Lee photos by Vicente Martin for The Truth In This Art and Contrarian Aquarian Media.Guest photos courtesy of the guest, unless otherwise noted.Support the podcastThe Truth In This Art Podcast Fractured Atlas (Fundraising): https://www.fracturedatlas.orgThe Truth In This Art Podcast Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/thetruthinthisart.bsky.socialThe Truth In This Art Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/truthinthisart/?hl=enThe Truth In This Art Podcast Website: https://www.thetruthinthisart.com/The Truth In This Art Podcast Shop: Merch from Redbubble ★ Support this podcast ★

What if executive presence has nothing to do with how you look in a room and everything to do with how aware you are in your own body? Presence-based leadership coach Bradley McDevitt joins Lori Adams-Brown to explore why trust is built somatically, not just strategically, and why the discomfort you feel in a meeting might be pointing you directly toward your greatest growth. In This Episode: Why executive presence has shifted from gravitas to availability and agency How trust is built through felt experience in the body, not through logic alone What theater and embodied play can teach leaders about navigating uncertainty Why imposter syndrome might actually be your most powerful leadership asset How to reclaim attention and agency in the middle of a modern meaning crisis About Bradley McDevitt: Bradley McDevitt is the founder of Carolina Commons Coaching and a coach with the Center for Creative Leadership. He is adjunct faculty in depth psychology and creativity at the Pacifica Graduate Institute and brings more than 30 years of experience in professional theater, somatic practice, and leadership development. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:46 What executive presence really means today 04:15 Why trust is built somatically, not cognitively 08:17 How theater shaped Bradley's understanding of leadership and power 13:23 Omnidirectional awareness and what it opens up for leaders 19:14 Reframing imposter syndrome as a leadership asset, not a liability 23:22 The modern meaning crisis and how leaders can respond 33:05 The non-anxious presence and what it costs a team when leaders lack it 34:42 How to connect with Bradley and Carolina Commons For an exclusive with our Difference Makers, join Lori as she goes deeper into the conversation with Bradley McDevitt at in our Patreon exclusive here. Find Bradley McDevitt at: carolinacommons.org Subscribe, leave a review at https://www.aworldofdifferencepodcast.com/reviews/new/, and share this episode. Visit https://www.aworldofdifferencepodcast.com for more resources. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of The Truth In The Art, the guest is Omri D. Cohen!Who is Omri D. Cohen: Author of Questions to Humanity — a collection born from five months backpacking South America — Omri has spent six years asking one question to 700 people across 50+ nationalities, documenting stories and street/landscape photography that reached millions.Omri D. Cohen talks about his journey leaving home to backpack South America, the process of gathering perspectives for his book Questions to Humanity, building a video series from those encounters, and how storytelling and photography can foster curiosity and connection across cultures. We also dig into the logistics of long-form travel projects, publishing the book, and bringing strangers' wisdom into public conversation.His aim throughout: to inspire curiosity, celebrate diverse voices, and create moments of belonging through questions and stories.For updates, follow https://www.instagram.com/qtohumanity/ and check out QuestionsToHumanity.com. The Truth In This Art is supported by William G. Baker, Jr. Memorial Fund, the Maryland State Arts Council's Creativity Grant and Mayor's Individual Artist Award - Creative Baltimore Fund (Baltimore). Host: Rob LeeMusic: Original music by Daniel Alexis Music with additional music from Chipzard and TeTresSeis.Production:Produced by Rob Lee & Daniel AlexisEdited by Daniel AlexisShow Notes courtesy of Rob Lee and TransistorPhotos:Rob Lee photos by Vicente Martin for The Truth In This Art and Contrarian Aquarian Media.Guest photos courtesy of the guest, unless otherwise noted.Support the podcastThe Truth In This Art Podcast Fractured Atlas (Fundraising): https://www.fracturedatlas.orgThe Truth In This Art Podcast Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/thetruthinthisart.bsky.socialThe Truth In This Art Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/truthinthisart/?hl=enThe Truth In This Art Podcast Website: https://www.thetruthinthisart.com/The Truth In This Art Podcast Shop: Merch from Redbubble ★ Support this podcast ★

Sponsors: ◦ Visit Buildertrend to schedule a demo ◦ Marvin Windows and Doors ◦ Sub-Zero Wolf Cove Showroom Phoenix Connect with Jaimee Rose:  ◦ https://www.jaimeerose.com  ◦ https://www.instagram.com/jaimeeroseinteriors  Connect with Brad Leavitt: Website | Instagram | Facebook | Houzz | Pinterest | YouTube

In this episode of The Truth In This Art, the guest is Alex Jennings!Who is Alex Jennings: Author, poet, and former standup comedian who lived in New Orleans for nearly 20 years—now working on his second novel from Chicago. You might remember Alex from my New Orleans series where we discussed his book, The Ballad of Perilous Graves, here. In our conversation, Jennings talks through his new book Dead End Boys—set in an alternate New Orleans where communicating with the dead is the main industry. He connects the project to comedy and digs into how moving from Louisiana to Chicago reshaped his rhythm. As he puts it, the book is "a chance to say something about blackness, about the pandemic and about the creep of fascism."He recalls discovering Henry Dumas and heading back to New Orleans for the Tolodano Comedy Festival. We get into living in one place longer than anywhere else, balancing graduate degrees with novel writing, and how that shift shaped his voice.Be sure to follow Alex Jennings to keep up with his work and future projects.Photo courtesy of subject The Truth In This Art is supported by William G. Baker, Jr. Memorial Fund, the Maryland State Arts Council's Creativity Grant and Mayor's Individual Artist Award - Creative Baltimore Fund (Baltimore). Host: Rob LeeMusic: Original music by Daniel Alexis Music with additional music from Chipzard and TeTresSeis.Production:Produced by Rob Lee & Daniel AlexisEdited by Daniel AlexisShow Notes courtesy of Rob Lee and TransistorPhotos:Rob Lee photos by Vicente Martin for The Truth In This Art and Contrarian Aquarian Media.Guest photos courtesy of the guest, unless otherwise noted.Support the podcastThe Truth In This Art Podcast Fractured Atlas (Fundraising): https://www.fracturedatlas.orgThe Truth In This Art Podcast Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/thetruthinthisart.bsky.socialThe Truth In This Art Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/truthinthisart/?hl=enThe Truth In This Art Podcast Website: https://www.thetruthinthisart.com/The Truth In This Art Podcast Shop: Merch from Redbubble ★ Support this podcast ★

Send us Fan MailDr. Chris Rehm is passionate about developing leadership capacity from younger ages, rather than waiting until college or adulthood. His early work in schools propelled him into educational administration and consulting, where he gained experience with curricular and organizational alignment, intentional learning outcome design, strategic planning, program evaluation, and technology implementation. Chris is currently Head of School at Wuhan Yangtze International School. Joel Wright is a leadership architect, social entrepreneur, innovator, and facilitator of leadership and organizational development. For over 20 years, he has focused on the question: what would the world look like if all people had access to leadership development? He has pursued this mission through the Center for Creative Leadership, the YMCA, Sri Lanka YMCA, Habitat for Humanity, and corporations. While at CCL, he led a team that worked directly with youth through Rotary International, Ravenscroft School, Charlotte Latin School, Milton Hershey School, SMU, and UNC-Chapel Hill. Joel is currently a consultant and the President of the Leadership Forum Community. A Few Quotes From This Episode“Leadership is a muscle. The earlier you exercise it, the stronger it gets.” “Teachers don't need another program. They need a different lens.” “Everything can be leader development. But that's overwhelming unless you simplify it.” Resources Mentioned in This Episode How to Unleash a Billion Leaders: The New Building Blocks for Youth Leader Development by Rehm and WrightExpanding the Leadership Equation - by Ellen Van Velsor and Joel WrightDeveloping a Billion Leaders - by Gergen, Wright, and RegoAbout The International Leadership Association (ILA)The ILA was created in 1999 to bring together professionals interested in studying, practicing, and teaching leadership. Attend The Global Conference in Toronto, October 28-31.About  Scott J. AllenWebsiteWeekly Newsletter: Practical Wisdom for LeadersMy Approach to HostingThe views of my guests do not constitute "truth." Nor do they reflect my personal views in some instances. However, they are views to consider, and I hope they help you clarify your perspective. Nothing can replace your reflection, research, and exploration of the topic. ♻️ Please share with others and follow/subscribe to the podcast!⭐️ Please leave a review on Apple, Spotify, or your platform of choice.➡️ Follow me on LinkedIn for more on leadership, communication, and tech.

In this episode of The Truth In The Art, the guest is Barry Wright III!Who is Barry Wright III: Baltimore-based improviser, teacher, technology professional, and co-founder (and current board president) of Highwire Improv, launched in 2020. You might remember Barry from his first appearance on The Truth In The Art here.In our conversation, Wright talks about Highwire's origin during the 2020 lockdown, building an improv community in Highlandtown, and making improv financially accessible and sustainable. As he puts it, improv "can be done with absolutely no materials. You truly only need other human beings and space. Chairs are optional."He recalls launching 55 teams from across the world and running shows seven nights a week, all online. We dig into experimenting with programming like dinner-and-a-show, drop-in nights, worker-owned cooperative values, and how collaboration and feedback shape the evolving theater—all rooted in creating inclusive, community-driven arts programming that supports practitioners and connects audiences.For updates, visit https://highwireimprov.com/  Shows at Highwire Improv, 400 South Conklin Street, Baltimore.Photo courtesy of subject The Truth In This Art is supported by William G. Baker, Jr. Memorial Fund, the Maryland State Arts Council's Creativity Grant and Mayor's Individual Artist Award - Creative Baltimore Fund (Baltimore). Host: Rob LeeMusic: Original music by Daniel Alexis Music with additional music from Chipzard and TeTresSeis.Production:Produced by Rob Lee & Daniel AlexisEdited by Daniel AlexisShow Notes courtesy of Rob Lee and TransistorPhotos:Rob Lee photos by Vicente Martin for The Truth In This Art and Contrarian Aquarian Media.Guest photos courtesy of the guest, unless otherwise noted.Support the podcastThe Truth In This Art Podcast Fractured Atlas (Fundraising): https://www.fracturedatlas.orgThe Truth In This Art Podcast Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/thetruthinthisart.bsky.socialThe Truth In This Art Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/truthinthisart/?hl=enThe Truth In This Art Podcast Website: https://www.thetruthinthisart.com/The Truth In This Art Podcast Shop: Merch from Redbubble ★ Support this podcast ★

In this episode of The Truth In This Art, the guest is Cecilia M. McCormick!Who is Cecilia M. McCormick: President of MICA (Maryland Institute College of Art) with 33 years in higher education, an art collector who raised three sons now working in the creative field.In our conversation, McCormick talks through MICA's bicentennial year and the vision she's building as the school hits 200. She connects the programming to three themes—illumination, innovation, and entrepreneurship—and digs into new degrees shaped by workforce demand. As she puts it, creativity is "the commodity that cannot be automated, outsourced, or depleted."She recalls the "Set of Lights" event where students recreated colonial life through costume—everything from lanterns to candlelight soldiers. We get into AI's role in the classroom, how MICA is teaching students to use it as a tool while emphasizing "the human mark," and the best lesson she's learned: "know when to pivot." Looking ahead, her focus is on experiential learning and driving Baltimore's creative economy.Be sure to follow Cecilia M. McCormick and MICA to keep up with bicentennial programming and future projects. Join MICA in Celebrating 200 Years of Creative ImpactPhoto courtesy of subject The Truth In This Art is supported by William G. Baker, Jr. Memorial Fund, the Maryland State Arts Council's Creativity Grant and Mayor's Individual Artist Award - Creative Baltimore Fund (Baltimore). Host: Rob LeeMusic: Original music by Daniel Alexis Music with additional music from Chipzard and TeTresSeis.Production:Produced by Rob Lee & Daniel AlexisEdited by Daniel AlexisShow Notes courtesy of Rob Lee and TransistorPhotos:Rob Lee photos by Vicente Martin for The Truth In This Art and Contrarian Aquarian Media.Guest photos courtesy of the guest, unless otherwise noted.Support the podcastThe Truth In This Art Podcast Fractured Atlas (Fundraising): https://www.fracturedatlas.orgThe Truth In This Art Podcast Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/thetruthinthisart.bsky.socialThe Truth In This Art Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/truthinthisart/?hl=enThe Truth In This Art Podcast Website: https://www.thetruthinthisart.com/The Truth In This Art Podcast Shop: Merch from Redbubble ★ Support this podcast ★

In this episode of The Truth In This Art, the guest is Jess Owens-Young!Who is Jess Owens-Young: Maryland-based collage and mixed media artist and professor who creates work informed by her experiences as a Black woman, mother, and former athlete, using vintage magazines (Ebony, Jet, Essence) to explore the joy and melancholy of Black life in the United States.In our conversation, Owens-Young talks about her transition from semi-pro soccer player to artist in 2018 and her two favorite series: Oak Bluffs Golf Club (exploring Black leisure and the hidden history of golf) and Hoop Dreams Never Die. As she puts it, "I use sports and our everyday experiences as storytelling vehicles to share our stories about joy, hopes and dreams."She recalls creating in her laundry room studio—"If I am waiting for a load of laundry to finish, like it has five more minutes, I might take out some paint and make papers"—preparing materials in 20-minute sessions so she's ready when inspiration strikes. We get into how motherhood has made her practice more focused, how teaching public health feeds her art, why her initials spelling JOY matter now, working with vintage magazines as time capsules, and why she invites viewers to interpret their own stories within her work.For updates, follow @truthofstrength on Instagram and Threads, and visit jessowensyoung.com.Photo courtesy of subject The Truth In This Art is supported by William G. Baker, Jr. Memorial Fund, the Maryland State Arts Council's Creativity Grant and Mayor's Individual Artist Award - Creative Baltimore Fund (Baltimore). Host: Rob LeeMusic: Original music by Daniel Alexis Music with additional music from Chipzard and TeTresSeis.Production:Produced by Rob Lee & Daniel AlexisEdited by Daniel AlexisShow Notes courtesy of Rob Lee and TransistorPhotos:Rob Lee photos by Vicente Martin for The Truth In This Art and Contrarian Aquarian Media.Guest photos courtesy of the guest, unless otherwise noted.Support the podcastThe Truth In This Art Podcast Fractured Atlas (Fundraising): https://www.fracturedatlas.orgThe Truth In This Art Podcast Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/thetruthinthisart.bsky.socialThe Truth In This Art Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/truthinthisart/?hl=enThe Truth In This Art Podcast Website: https://www.thetruthinthisart.com/The Truth In This Art Podcast Shop: Merch from Redbubble ★ Support this podcast ★

In this episode of Rhee Gold's Dance Life Podcast, Stacey Morgan and Rhee Gold take a step back from the day-to-day chaos of studio life to talk about something many studio owners neglect: big, meaningful goal setting. Inspired by a once-in-a-lifetime encounter with Mel Robbins , Stacey shares the power of identifying your “wild card” goal — the one you’ve been putting off, downplaying, or convincing yourself is for someone else. Together, they explore what it really means to be brave and courageous in business — not just in starting a studio, but in evolving it, challenging the norm, and dreaming beyond your current reality. In this episode, they discuss: Why studio owners often stop setting new goals once they’re “busy” The difference between running your business and intentionally growing it How to identify the big goal you’ve been avoiding (and why it matters) The importance of scheduling time to think, dream, and plan Why courage and creativity are essential in choreography, teaching, and leadership How the pandemic shifted mindsets and opened up new possibilities Balancing systems and structure with innovation and evolution Why “what’s next?” should always be part of your mindset The power of saying your goals out loud and making them real Rhee reveals his journey of writing a long-awaited book for dance parents. This episode is a reminder that while running a studio can feel repetitive and overwhelming, there is always space to dream bigger, think differently, and evolve. Because the truth is:You’re already living the dream you once had — now it’s time to decide what comes next.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of The Truth In This Art, the guest is Chandler Chavez.Who is Chandler Chavez: A Los Angeles–based filmmaker, editor, story analyst, and writer originally from Arizona, drawn to complicated characters and stories that test our empathy—especially when they're filtered through the strange mechanics of online attention.In our conversation, Chandler unpacks his feature debut: a dark-comedy “screenlife” film told entirely through a computer desktop, set inside the “hellscape” of live streaming—where the real-time chat isn't set dressing, it actively drives the story forward. He talks about arriving at the format out of pure practicality (making something possible with very little money), then spending years refining the cut to make the digital world feel specific and true—not “movie internet,” but the kind of online authenticity you recognize immediately.We also get into the long road from early festival submissions with unfinished materials to a stronger re-approach—new poster, press kit, and a tighter final version—leading to the project's selection for the 2026 Maryland Film Festival.Catch Chandler Chavez's feature debut at the Maryland Film Festival, April 8–12, screening at the SNF Parkway Theatre and venues across Baltimore. The Truth In This Art is supported by William G. Baker, Jr. Memorial Fund, the Maryland State Arts Council's Creativity Grant and Mayor's Individual Artist Award - Creative Baltimore Fund (Baltimore). Host: Rob LeeMusic: Original music by Daniel Alexis Music with additional music from Chipzard and TeTresSeis.Production:Produced by Rob Lee & Daniel AlexisEdited by Daniel AlexisShow Notes courtesy of Rob Lee and TransistorPhotos:Rob Lee photos by Vicente Martin for The Truth In This Art and Contrarian Aquarian Media.Guest photos courtesy of the guest, unless otherwise noted.Support the podcastThe Truth In This Art Podcast Fractured Atlas (Fundraising): https://www.fracturedatlas.orgThe Truth In This Art Podcast Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/thetruthinthisart.bsky.socialThe Truth In This Art Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/truthinthisart/?hl=enThe Truth In This Art Podcast Website: https://www.thetruthinthisart.com/The Truth In This Art Podcast Shop: Merch from Redbubble ★ Support this podcast ★

In this episode of The Truth In This Art, the guest is Kenny Riches!Who is Kenny Riches: A Miami and Salt Lake City-based filmmaker born in Toyota City, Japan, whose award-winning features explore loneliness, identity, and human connection through intimate, character-driven narratives. With a BFA in Painting and Drawing and a filmography that includes The Strongest Man (Sundance premiere, 2015) and A Name Without A Place (2019), Kenny has received support from Sundance Institute, Knight Foundation, and PBS—and is co-founder of The Davey Foundation, a grant-giving organization for filmmakers.In our conversation, Kenny traces his journey from wanting to make films in the early 2000s when 16mm was still too expensive for a broke college student, to making skateboard videos with camcorders that evolved into short films alongside childhood friend and actor Patrick Fugit. He breaks down how Mouse—his fourth feature screening at Maryland Film Festival April 8–12 at the SNF Parkway Theatre and venues across Baltimore—emerged from pandemic isolation as a meditation on loneliness in the pre-social media early 2000s and a thriller about a lonesome first-generation person in ultra-white, ultra-religious Utah who gets tangled up in pen pal scams and petty theft. Kenny shares the bizarre real-life origin behind the film's scam storyline: a mysterious filmmaker friend he talked to for years without ever seeing his face, whose very existence his girlfriend suspected was an elaborate con—paranoia that bled straight into Mouse. He talks about directing his Japanese mother after convincing her a week before production (his pitch: we'll save money), the difference between Miami's endless weirdness through fresh eyes versus Utah's invisibility after a lifetime there, why he believes 90% of directing is casting, and running relaxed sets where everyone's cracking jokes instead of stressing out. We also dig into why pre-production and script feedback from actual filmmakers—not just your friends—will save your life, the collaborative magic of bringing all your people together to make something, and his advice to forget arbitrary deadlines because nobody cares if you made your first feature at 25.Don't miss Kenny Riches' Mouse regional premiere at Maryland Film Festival—a thriller that's funny, a little thrilling, and quietly cuts to the bone about what it means to look for connection when the world keeps you lonesome. The Truth In This Art is supported by William G. Baker, Jr. Memorial Fund, the Maryland State Arts Council's Creativity Grant and Mayor's Individual Artist Award - Creative Baltimore Fund (Baltimore). Host: Rob LeeMusic: Original music by Daniel Alexis Music with additional music from Chipzard and TeTresSeis.Production:Produced by Rob Lee & Daniel AlexisEdited by Daniel AlexisShow Notes courtesy of Rob Lee and TransistorPhotos:Rob Lee photos by Vicente Martin for The Truth In This Art and Contrarian Aquarian Media.Guest photos courtesy of the guest, unless otherwise noted.Support the podcastThe Truth In This Art Podcast Fractured Atlas (Fundraising): https://www.fracturedatlas.orgThe Truth In This Art Podcast Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/thetruthinthisart.bsky.socialThe Truth In This Art Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/truthinthisart/?hl=enThe Truth In This Art Podcast Website: https://www.thetruthinthisart.com/The Truth In This Art Podcast Shop: Merch from Redbubble ★ Support this podcast ★

In this episode of The Truth In This Art, the guests are Ben Baker-Lee and Rasaan Hammond!Who are Ben and Rasaan: Ben Baker-Lee and Rasaan Hammond are Baltimore-born filmmakers and co-directors of A Life in Art through the eye of Dr. Leslie King Hammond. Ben, founder of TrueView Film, has been documenting life through a lens since high school, drawn to film's power to capture truthful emotion and lived experience. Rasaan, who grew up immersed in the art world as the son of Dr. Leslie King Hammond (former dean at MICA), gravitated toward audio-visual storytelling early on, working in production, weddings, music videos, and now documentary film.Ben and Rasaan talk about their early influences—from 2001: A Space Odyssey at the Senator Theater to sci-fi classics like Star Wars and E.T.—and how their filmmaking journeys began with video cameras in hand. We dive into the origins of their documentary: what started as a casual request from Leslie to film one of her students evolved into a years-long portrait of a cultural architect and "way maker" for artists of color. They share stories of Dr. Hammond's warmth, humor, and fierce conviction, the challenges of shaping a lifetime of material into a cohesive narrative, and the intimate family perspective Rasaan brings as her son. The conversation also touches on the film's observational approach, the significance of Joyce J. Scott's relationship with Leslie, and what they hope audiences take away from the film.For updates and screening information, follow @Leslie_King_Hammond on Instagram, visit ALifeInArt.net, and catch the film at the Maryland Film Festival in Baltimore, April 2026, where Joyce J. Scott will present the opening night screening. The Truth In This Art is supported by William G. Baker, Jr. Memorial Fund, the Maryland State Arts Council's Creativity Grant and Mayor's Individual Artist Award - Creative Baltimore Fund (Baltimore). Host: Rob LeeMusic: Original music by Daniel Alexis Music with additional music from Chipzard and TeTresSeis.Production:Produced by Rob Lee & Daniel AlexisEdited by Daniel AlexisShow Notes courtesy of Rob Lee and TransistorPhotos:Rob Lee photos by Vicente Martin for The Truth In This Art and Contrarian Aquarian Media.Guest photos courtesy of the guest, unless otherwise noted.Support the podcastThe Truth In This Art Podcast Fractured Atlas (Fundraising): https://www.fracturedatlas.orgThe Truth In This Art Podcast Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/thetruthinthisart.bsky.socialThe Truth In This Art Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/truthinthisart/?hl=enThe Truth In This Art Podcast Website: https://www.thetruthinthisart.com/The Truth In This Art Podcast Shop: Merch from Redbubble ★ Support this podcast ★

In this episode of The Truth In This Art, returning guest Esteban Whiteside is back!Who is Esteban Whiteside: A Durham, North Carolina-based artist, Esteban Whiteside creates bold social commentary through what he calls "concrete oppressionism"—work that confronts American cultural absurdities with childlike aesthetics, parody, and irreverent humor. Working across canvas, wood, and sculpture, his art is both therapy and truth-telling, making heavy subjects digestible through wit and visual directness inspired by artists like Jacob Lawrence.Esteban talks about his creative evolution since our last conversation, including his new clock series exploring history and revolutions, and how he balances tackling heavy subject matter with abstract work that lets him breathe. We dive into why he uses humor to shame oppression, the colors that make him happy (brilliant blue, yellow, and emerald green), and how his art reflects his personality—chill in person, but uncompromising when it comes to speaking truth. He shares stories about drawing daily lunchbox notes for his daughter that sparked the clock series, unconventional painting techniques (like writing text upside down or left-handed), and why Jacob Lawrence's Migration Series opened the door for him to become an artist.He reflects on the importance of making art accessible at every price point and staying true to his voice no matter what may come with that.For updates, follow @estebanwhiteside on Instagram and visit estebanwhiteside.com.Revisit Esteban's first interview on The Truth In This Art here. Image courtesy of Esteban Whiteside The Truth In This Art is supported by William G. Baker, Jr. Memorial Fund, the Maryland State Arts Council's Creativity Grant and Mayor's Individual Artist Award - Creative Baltimore Fund (Baltimore). Host: Rob LeeMusic: Original music by Daniel Alexis Music with additional music from Chipzard and TeTresSeis.Production:Produced by Rob Lee & Daniel AlexisEdited by Daniel AlexisShow Notes courtesy of Rob Lee and TransistorPhotos:Rob Lee photos by Vicente Martin for The Truth In This Art and Contrarian Aquarian Media.Guest photos courtesy of the guest, unless otherwise noted.Support the podcastThe Truth In This Art Podcast Fractured Atlas (Fundraising): https://www.fracturedatlas.orgThe Truth In This Art Podcast Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/thetruthinthisart.bsky.socialThe Truth In This Art Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/truthinthisart/?hl=enThe Truth In This Art Podcast Website: https://www.thetruthinthisart.com/The Truth In This Art Podcast Shop: Merch from Redbubble ★ Support this podcast ★

In this episode of The Truth In This Art, the guest is Veronica Jackson!Who is Veronica Jackson: A Washington, D.C.-bred and Virginia-based visual artist whose foundation is rooted in architecture and museum exhibit design. She critically examines the lives of Black women through innovative visual art, exploring themes of invisibility, hypervisibility, and devaluation—bringing powerful narratives to life using familiar objects, archival texts, and data.In our conversation, Veronica traces her late-in-life arrival to visual art—graduating from grad school in 2016 with plans to teach, then attending a Santa Fe residency where "art just started pouring out of me." She breaks down her seminal piece That's Pop's Money, a data portrait memorializing her grandmother's devalued domestic labor through 813 hand-cranked time cards printed in blue ink on black paper—chronicling 72 years of marriage, nine children, and invisible work. Veronica explains how she pulls from established archives like the Library of Congress, Sojourner Truth's carte de visite statement "I Sell the Shadow to Support the Substance," Jefferson's farm book (which listed enslaved workers alongside cattle), and poets like Lucille Clifton ("every day something has tried to kill me and has failed") to tell stories rooted in truth. She discusses her Blacksist series spotlighting 13 understudied Black women from the 1850s, including Anna Julia Cooper—the only woman quoted in every U.S. passport—and reflects on how visual culture shapes perceptions, why Black land ownership matters, and what it means for Black women to mark, claim, and take up space.Don't miss Veronica Jackson's work—her archive-driven, text-based pieces make the invisible visible and challenge how we see history, labor, and value. The Truth In This Art is supported by William G. Baker, Jr. Memorial Fund, the Maryland State Arts Council's Creativity Grant and Mayor's Individual Artist Award - Creative Baltimore Fund (Baltimore). Host: Rob LeeMusic: Original music by Daniel Alexis Music with additional music from Chipzard and TeTresSeis.Production:Produced by Rob Lee & Daniel AlexisEdited by Daniel AlexisShow Notes courtesy of Rob Lee and TransistorPhotos:Rob Lee photos by Vicente Martin for The Truth In This Art and Contrarian Aquarian Media.Guest photos courtesy of the guest, unless otherwise noted.Support the podcastThe Truth In This Art Podcast Fractured Atlas (Fundraising): https://www.fracturedatlas.orgThe Truth In This Art Podcast Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/thetruthinthisart.bsky.socialThe Truth In This Art Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/truthinthisart/?hl=enThe Truth In This Art Podcast Website: https://www.thetruthinthisart.com/The Truth In This Art Podcast Shop: Merch from Redbubble ★ Support this podcast ★

In this episode of The Truth In The Art, the returning guest is Lanise Howard!Who is Lanise Howard: A Los Angeles-based multidisciplinary artist, Lanise Howard creates work centered around a reimagining of different histories, especially within the black experience. She pulls from the past and from the future, which she often sees in her dreams. Working across paintings, drawings, sculpture, and soon textiles, Howard is a world-builder whose portraiture depicts Black bodies and paints often untold stories.Lanise talks about the three bodies of work she's currently developing: her main project, a sci-fi world based in the future but with a story that started in the 1970s; a more personal body of work featuring herself traversing different landscapes; and an ancestral series honoring different ancestors from the past. We dive into her world-building practice, how she merges the "future past" or "past future" to create parallel universes and new dimensions, and her approach of asking which medium best conveys each story she wants to tell.She reflects on recent museum shows—particularly at the California African American Museum in partnership with Art and Practice—where she witnessed diverse audiences getting emotional while viewing her work. Lanise shares details about her Miami solo show, where she experimented with cultural elements like feathers and architectural details. She opens up about becoming more unapologetic in her work, navigating the art world as a Black woman who has to demand respect, and why her work is always uplifting—even when melancholic—to give people hope.For updates, follow @lanise_howard_studio on Instagram and Twitter, and visit lanisehowardart.com.This is Lanise's second appearance on The Truth In This Art—it's been a little over two years since her first episode.  The Truth In This Art is supported by William G. Baker, Jr. Memorial Fund, the Maryland State Arts Council's Creativity Grant and Mayor's Individual Artist Award - Creative Baltimore Fund (Baltimore). Host: Rob LeeMusic: Original music by Daniel Alexis Music with additional music from Chipzard and TeTresSeis.Production:Produced by Rob Lee & Daniel AlexisEdited by Daniel AlexisShow Notes courtesy of Rob Lee and TransistorPhotos:Rob Lee photos by Vicente Martin for The Truth In This Art and Contrarian Aquarian Media.Guest photos courtesy of the guest, unless otherwise noted.Support the podcastThe Truth In This Art Podcast Fractured Atlas (Fundraising): https://www.fracturedatlas.orgThe Truth In This Art Podcast Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/thetruthinthisart.bsky.socialThe Truth In This Art Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/truthinthisart/?hl=enThe Truth In This Art Podcast Website: https://www.thetruthinthisart.com/The Truth In This Art Podcast Shop: Merch from Redbubble ★ Support this podcast ★

In this episode of The Truth In The Art, the guest is Ruut!Who is Ruut: A Finnish-born, Maryland-based singer, songwriter, composer, and writer, Ruut is a multidisciplinary artist and creative leader known for her evocative music and dedication to uplifting women artists. She's the founder of the Making Her Mark Foundation, a young nonprofit born from personal loss that connects, mentors, and amplifies women artists in Baltimore and beyond.Ruut talks about discovering music as a child at the piano, moving to the United States as a teen, and the moment creativity became her calling. We dive into how Making Her Mark grew out of honoring a mentor's legacy, the early challenges and surprising community response to a “baby” organization, and stories of mentorship—like helping a hesitant student find her voice and confidence through creative projects. Ruut also shares practical details about her music journey: a new record partnership with ECR Meridian, forthcoming shows, and where she'll be sharing new work this year.She reflects on creative routines (5:30 a.m. writing sessions with her dog as an alarm), the emotional work of returning to past recordings like the Steinway sessions, and what the phrase “art saves us” means to her now—how art can honor memory, foster resilience, and create spaces of belonging.For updates, follow @ruutartist, visit https://www.ruutartist.com, and if you're a woman artist seeking connection and mentorship, check out makinghermark.org.Image courtesy of Steven Parke The Truth In This Art is supported by William G. Baker, Jr. Memorial Fund, the Maryland State Arts Council's Creativity Grant and Mayor's Individual Artist Award - Creative Baltimore Fund (Baltimore). Host: Rob LeeMusic: Original music by Daniel Alexis Music with additional music from Chipzard and TeTresSeis.Production:Produced by Rob Lee & Daniel AlexisEdited by Daniel AlexisShow Notes courtesy of Rob Lee and TransistorPhotos:Rob Lee photos by Vicente Martin for The Truth In This Art and Contrarian Aquarian Media.Guest photos courtesy of the guest, unless otherwise noted.Support the podcastThe Truth In This Art Podcast Fractured Atlas (Fundraising): https://www.fracturedatlas.orgThe Truth In This Art Podcast Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/thetruthinthisart.bsky.socialThe Truth In This Art Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/truthinthisart/?hl=enThe Truth In This Art Podcast Website: https://www.thetruthinthisart.com/The Truth In This Art Podcast Shop: Merch from Redbubble ★ Support this podcast ★

In this episode of The Truth In The Art, the guest is Barbara Perez Marquez!Who is Barbara Perez Marquez: Baltimore-based, Dominican Republic–born writer and creator working in comics and prose, focused on middle grade and young adult readers.Barbara Perez Marquez talks about her path into writing and why she centers younger readers and her own lived experience. She shares insights from The Cardboard Kingdom and previews upcoming projects: The Library of Memories, The Curious Society: A Game of Code, To All the Boys I've Loved Before, and To Dance the Moon and Star. We also dig into collaboration, mentorship, and community—how creative peers shape the work and sustain the process.Her aim throughout: representation, strong storytelling, and a sense of belonging for young readers.For updates, visit www.mustachebabs.comPhoto by Jason Gitlin. The Truth In This Art is supported by William G. Baker, Jr. Memorial Fund, the Maryland State Arts Council's Creativity Grant and Mayor's Individual Artist Award - Creative Baltimore Fund (Baltimore). Host: Rob LeeMusic: Original music by Daniel Alexis Music with additional music from Chipzard and TeTresSeis.Production:Produced by Rob Lee & Daniel AlexisEdited by Daniel AlexisShow Notes courtesy of Rob Lee and TransistorPhotos:Rob Lee photos by Vicente Martin for The Truth In This Art and Contrarian Aquarian Media.Guest photos courtesy of the guest, unless otherwise noted.Support the podcastThe Truth In This Art Podcast Fractured Atlas (Fundraising): https://www.fracturedatlas.orgThe Truth In This Art Podcast Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/thetruthinthisart.bsky.socialThe Truth In This Art Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/truthinthisart/?hl=enThe Truth In This Art Podcast Website: https://www.thetruthinthisart.com/The Truth In This Art Podcast Shop: Merch from Redbubble ★ Support this podcast ★

Back by Bodacious Demand. Let's Watch It Again is back!Rob Lee and Isaiah Winters revisit the 1991 childhood classic Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Secret of the Ooze for its 35th anniversary.Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Secret of the Ooze (1991) drops the turtles back into a messy, fun, 90s adventure: reconnecting with April and Splinter, fighting Tokka and Rahzar, and chasing the mysterious ooze that created them.  It's loud, goofy, full of practical effects, puppetry, and pure kid‑movie energy.In this episode, Rob and Isaiah mix straight-up nostalgia with clear-eyed takes. No fluff — just the moments we loved, the parts that aged weirdly, and why this movie still matters to us.Topics include:Pizza PropagandaWhy the sequel went full kid-friendly and how that shapes the filmTokka, Rahzar, and Keno: what works and what doesn'tVanilla Ice's “Go Ninja Go Ninja Go” set piece and the Super Shredder finalePractical effects, puppetry, and 90s slime — what still landsIsaiah's NYC Rat StoryVHS memories, the 35th anniversary screening vibe (Georgetown), and where it fit in 1991 pop cultureRob and Isaiah's favorite scenes and quick takesWanna listen to Rob make another funny? Check out the review of the original 1990 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles review — give it a listen and relive the nostalgia. Cowabunga. The Truth In This Art is supported by William G. Baker, Jr. Memorial Fund, the Maryland State Arts Council's Creativity Grant and Mayor's Individual Artist Award - Creative Baltimore Fund (Baltimore). Host: Rob LeeMusic: Original music by Daniel Alexis Music with additional music from Chipzard and TeTresSeis.Production:Produced by Rob Lee & Daniel AlexisEdited by Daniel AlexisShow Notes courtesy of Rob Lee and TransistorPhotos:Rob Lee photos by Vicente Martin for The Truth In This Art and Contrarian Aquarian Media.Guest photos courtesy of the guest, unless otherwise noted.Support the podcastThe Truth In This Art Podcast Fractured Atlas (Fundraising): https://www.fracturedatlas.orgThe Truth In This Art Podcast Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/thetruthinthisart.bsky.socialThe Truth In This Art Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/truthinthisart/?hl=enThe Truth In This Art Podcast Website: https://www.thetruthinthisart.com/The Truth In This Art Podcast Shop: Merch from Redbubble ★ Support this podcast ★

In this episode of The Truth In The Art, the guest is Juan Morales!Who is Juan Morales: Maryland native, writer and director whose films explore immigration, racism, and community; currently developing the feature Abhaile about a small town overtaken by a white supremacist group.Juan talks about his path from nearly attending medical school to filmmaking, why he wrote Abhaile from the perspective of a Latina protagonist, and the challenges of telling a large story with a small cast. We also dig into research, collaboration, mentorship, and how community shapes and sustains creative work.His aim throughout: to tell timely stories that provoke conversation about belonging, identity, and justice.For updates, follow https://www.instagram.com/j.mor_95/ The Truth In This Art is supported by William G. Baker, Jr. Memorial Fund, the Maryland State Arts Council's Creativity Grant and Mayor's Individual Artist Award - Creative Baltimore Fund (Baltimore). Host: Rob LeeMusic: Original music by Daniel Alexis Music with additional music from Chipzard and TeTresSeis.Production:Produced by Rob Lee & Daniel AlexisEdited by Daniel AlexisShow Notes courtesy of Rob Lee and TransistorPhotos:Rob Lee photos by Vicente Martin for The Truth In This Art and Contrarian Aquarian Media.Guest photos courtesy of the guest, unless otherwise noted.Support the podcastThe Truth In This Art Podcast Fractured Atlas (Fundraising): https://www.fracturedatlas.orgThe Truth In This Art Podcast Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/thetruthinthisart.bsky.socialThe Truth In This Art Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/truthinthisart/?hl=enThe Truth In This Art Podcast Website: https://www.thetruthinthisart.com/The Truth In This Art Podcast Shop: Merch from Redbubble ★ Support this podcast ★

In this episode of The Truth In This Art, the guest is Jamilla Okubo!Who is Jamilla Okubo: A Washington, D.C.-based multidisciplinary artist whose work spans painting, collage, illustration, and print design. Her work centers the Black silhouette, using pattern, ornament, and saturated color to explore identity, self-possession, and cultural memory—drawing from African textile traditions, fashion, and Black feminist thought.In our conversation, Jamilla traces her journey from Duke Ellington School of the Arts to Parsons, where she initially planned to focus on painting but discovered her multidisciplinary approach after making a dress from magazine paper. She breaks down how she developed her signature use of the Black silhouette—blacking out white models in fashion magazines with Sharpie, then tracing and painting them in bold colors to represent Black people in a positive light. Jamilla talks through the tension between her illustration work and fine art practice, explaining how client deadlines can feel like "being a machine" while her studio work requires patience and time to let ideas fully develop. She shares her creative breakthrough ritual: boxing at the gym followed by steam room sessions where she works through mental blockages. We also dig into community, the importance of trusting your gut ("if it's not a hell yes, it's a hell no"), and what it means to be in this for the long haul—creating meaningful work instead of chasing fleeting fame.Don't miss Jamilla Okubo's work—her bold, layered silhouettes tell stories of identity, heritage, and belonging you won't want to overlook. The Truth In This Art is supported by William G. Baker, Jr. Memorial Fund, the Maryland State Arts Council's Creativity Grant and Mayor's Individual Artist Award - Creative Baltimore Fund (Baltimore). Host: Rob LeeMusic: Original music by Daniel Alexis Music with additional music from Chipzard and TeTresSeis.Production:Produced by Rob Lee & Daniel AlexisEdited by Daniel AlexisShow Notes courtesy of Rob Lee and TransistorPhotos:Rob Lee photos by Vicente Martin for The Truth In This Art and Contrarian Aquarian Media.Guest photos courtesy of the guest, unless otherwise noted.Support the podcastThe Truth In This Art Podcast Fractured Atlas (Fundraising): https://www.fracturedatlas.orgThe Truth In This Art Podcast Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/thetruthinthisart.bsky.socialThe Truth In This Art Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/truthinthisart/?hl=enThe Truth In This Art Podcast Website: https://www.thetruthinthisart.com/The Truth In This Art Podcast Shop: Merch from Redbubble ★ Support this podcast ★

He can't see—yet he's directing films and redefining what's possible. This conversation will expand how you see yourself, your limitations, and your true power.