Justin Rasch: Stop-Motion Master Animator
The Pencil Pushers Podcast
The Pencil Pushers podcast interviews stop-motion animator/director Justin Rasch, who has worked for 30 years across games, TV, and film, including ParaNorman, Kubo and the Two Strings, and Guillermo del Toro’s Oscar-winning Pinocchio, and now directs/writes/supervises at Stump Puppet Pictures while sharing process online. Rasch recounts growing up in Florida inspired by comics, classic cartoons, Secret of NIMH, and practical effects artists, studying 2D and effects at the Art Institute of Pittsburgh, then switching to CG after Jurassic Park. He describes breaking in by portfolio-hunting in...
info_outline
Jon Contino: Iconic Brand Designer
The Pencil Pushers Podcast
Host Mike Rosado welcomes designer/illustrator/author Jon Contino to the Pencil Pushers podcast to discuss Contino’s upbringing on Long Island, his parents’ craft-driven influence, and his early path from band flyers, cassette art, and self-taught HTML to charging for creative work at 14. Contino explains how his lifelong obsession with lettering, failed graffiti attempts, Photoshop experimentation, hardcore/grunge culture, and New York’s grime shaped his “organized chaos” style, later balanced by a problem-solving approach to branding inspired by figures like Paula Scher. He...
info_outline
Ian Wenstrand: Artist & Illustrator
The Pencil Pushers Podcast
Mike Rosado interviews Raleigh-based illustrator and designer about his highly detailed, vibrant illustrations blending cityscapes, technology, and imaginative world-building. Wenstrand describes drawing constantly as a kid, studying studio art at University of the Cumberlands (recruited to swim), and moving from production artist retouching roles into graphic design before illustration work organically became steady freelance. He self-published a children’s book inspired by artists like Graeme Base and cross-section illustrators, then gained momentum through public art opportunities...
info_outline
Jake Weidmann: Master Penman & Artist
The Pencil Pushers Podcast
Host Mike Rosado welcomes master penman Jake Weidmann to the Pencil Pushers Podcast to discuss his path from lifelong, largely self-taught drawing and sculpture to becoming the youngest certified Master Penman (at 26, in 2011). Weidman recounts being rejected from Biola University’s art program, then regaining momentum through major commissions (including carving a family crest into moose antler) and learning how market feedback and viewer response complete the creative process. He explains discovering copperplate calligraphy after a classmate requested wedding invitations, attending penman...
info_outline
Mary Blair: Celebrated Artist and Disney Legend
The Pencil Pushers Podcast
Host Mike Rosado interviews Maggie Richardson, niece of famed Disney concept artist and illustrator Mary Blair, about Blair’s life, influence, and legacy. Richardson recalls childhood visits when Blair, living bi-coastally in New York and California, brought gifts and original art, and later memories tied to Disney’s orbit, including Hazel George (Walt Disney’s nurse and confidant) and riding the Disney plane. She describes Blair as warm, glamorous, and collaborative, noting Blair sought others’ opinions while designing It’s a Small World, and clarifies Blair was not an animator but...
info_outline
Musgrave Pencil Co: Family-Owned Pencil Manufacturer
The Pencil Pushers Podcast
Host Mike Rosado welcomes Scott Johnson, president of Musgrave Pencil Company, and Creative Lead Tim Delger to discuss running and reimagining one of the oldest and last U.S. pencil factories. Scott shares his unusual path from engineering and infrastructure to leading the family-owned business, focusing on preserving customer loyalty, product quality, and upgrading a 1930s facility without losing its character. Tim explains how they revived Musgrave’s heritage through packaging, web, photography, and social media by “curating” historical assets and keeping the brand’s charming...
info_outline
Will Carsola: From Mr. Pickles to Creative Director at Liquid Death
The Pencil Pushers Podcast
In this episode of The Pencil Pushers Podcast, host Mike Rosado sit down with artist, writer, and creative director Will Carsola of to trace his path from drawing for laughs as a kid to shaping one of the boldest brands in modern marketing. Will talks about growing up mostly in Virginia, early influences like Garbage Pail Kids, and how humor became central to his voice as an artist. He shares stories of leaving Virginia Commonwealth University, bartending to get by, and spending years making DIY sketch comedy and early animation before YouTube helped his work gain traction. The conversation...
info_outline
Walter C. Barnett: Multidisciplinary Art Director Behind J. Cole's Dreamer
The Pencil Pushers Podcast
In this inspiring episode of the Pencil Pushers podcast, host Mike Rosado interviews Walter C. Barnett, a designer, art director, and multidisciplinary creative known for his work in theater, sports, and entertainment. Walter shares his journey from growing up in Portsmouth, Virginia and Wilmington, North Carolina to discovering his passion for art and design in high school. He details his college experience and internship at Clean Design, which led to various roles, including a position at ESPN and eventually becoming the Art Director for Dreamer, J. Cole's brand. Walter discusses how he...
info_outline
Darryl Young: Illustrator, Toy Designer, and Comic Artist
The Pencil Pushers Podcast
In this episode of the Pencil Pushers Podcast, host Mike Rosado interviews Darrell Young, an illustrator, toy designer, and comic artist based in Chicago. Darrell shares his journey from a childhood passion for comics, cartoons, and toys in the 70s and 80s to becoming a professional artist with over 25 years of experience. He discusses his time in animation working on General Mills commercials, his transition to toy design for brands like McDonald’s and Wendy’s, and his eventual shift to freelancing after being laid off during the COVID-19 pandemic. Darrell sheds light on his artistic...
info_outline
Travis Knight: Designer & Illustrator
The Pencil Pushers Podcast
In this episode of the Pencil Pushers podcast, host Mike Rosado interviews illustrator Travis Knight, based in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Travis’s work, inspired by vintage comics, punk zines, horror, and sci-fi, spans multiple mediums including painting, digital illustration, and sculpture. After a decade as a graphic designer, Travis transitioned full-time to illustration, landing clients such as Netflix, Metallica, DC Comics, and the Washington Post. Notably, his viral fake Cracker Barrel logo was even shared by Stephen King. They discuss Travis’s journey from his early influences and...
info_outlineMeet Tom Bancroft, perhaps the busiest man in animation whose illustrious career started at Disney in the late ’80s, contributing to classics like Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin and Mulan. Beyond Disney, Tom has launched ventures like Taught by a Pro and Pencilish Animation Studios, while juggling family, teaching, podcasts, and countless projects. In a heartfelt and humorous chat, he talks about the future of hand-drawn animation, the significance of finishing projects - no matter how imperfect, the evolving role of AI, and teases exciting upcoming projects and his new animation expo in Nashville, TN. For the many that already know and love Tom, this is a definite must-listen - for those that don’t - if you want to learn how an ever-curious creative can successfully carves their own path, then this one too, is for you.
Host: Mike Rosado (mrcraleigh.com) (instagram.com/ekimodasor)
Post Production: Max Trujillo (instagram.com/trujillomedia)
Sponsors: MRC (mrcraleigh.com) and Burny Wild’s (burnywilds.com)