103: A look at Storytelling from Different Creative Industry Perspectives

Catalyst is a Creative Industries podcast, from Chapman University. Each episode features Chapman students who have completed a Podcasting course through the Center for Creative and Cultural Industries at the university. Students who had no podcasting experience or technical ability in the genre before taking the course were able to contribute all the segments to Catalyst this season with the goal being that they will take this ‘hands-on’ experience and carry it over to the launching of their very own series. Each episode of Season 12 will feature one to two different interviews conducted by CCI students, exploring different aspects of the Creative and Cultural Industries.

Our season begins with Grace Cochrane whose interview with author Kristin Nilsen explores the nuances of the publishing industry. Nilsen penned Worldwide Crush. The novel follows protagonist Millie, a middle schooler who will die if she does not see her crush Rory Calhoun, as she desperately tries to obtain tickets to his concert. Grace and Kristin look at what sparked Kristin’s draw to writing, and the inspiration behind the novel. They also dive into the elements of storytelling and what actually makes a good story before wrapping up the interview by discussing why the publishing industry is so important to creative and cultural industries.

With our final interview this week we hear Derek Phan as he speaks with the founder and head designer of the clothing brand whathappenedtogod, Saturn. Saturn goes in depth with Derek on the creative direction as well as business management aspects of starting a clothing brand. They also look at the struggles of starting a clothing brand, as well as portraying a proper story for it. They dig into a deeper philosophy and mission for the brand, and discuss the inspiration behind Saturn’s work and how that lead to working with the End Overdose Foundation. The interview concludes with Saturn’s advice to young creatives trying to pursue a career in the creative and cultural industries.