Reanimating the Past: Talia Grossman on AI, Family, and Identity
The Creative Block
In this episode of The Creative Block, artist and media producer Talia Grossman shares the deeply personal story behind her AI-driven installation, White Australia. Blending fine art, archival research, and emerging technology, Talia uses tools like D-ID, Runway, and Kling to reanimate old family photographs—breathing new life into lost ancestors and confronting the complex layers of immigration, identity, and memory. A former NCAA athlete and graduating senior at USC’s Roski School of Art and Design, Talia speaks with host Vince Gonzales about growing up between cultures, the...
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The Quantum Computing Breakdown: A Conversation with Camilla Brossa
The Creative Block
🎙️ The Quantum Computing Breakdown: A Conversation with Camilla Brossa In this episode of The Creative Block, I chat with Camilla Brossa, Founder & CEO of CAIA Consulting, about the transformative power of quantum computing and its impact across industries. Camilla’s expertise in Web3, AI, blockchain, and digital transformation gives her a unique perspective on how businesses and creatives can leverage emerging tech to stay competitive. We explore how quantum computing differs from traditional systems, its future applications, and how brands can integrate cutting-edge technology...
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Director & Writer Jacqueline Elyse Rosenthal on Her Sci-Fi Film “Europa”
The Creative Block
A DGA Award-winning filmmaker, Jacqueline holds an MFA in Film Production from USC’s School of Cinematic Arts and is the recipient of the prestigious John Huston Award for Outstanding Directing. Her current film, Europa, is a sci-fi short created for the Entertainment Technology Center at USC in partnership with Sony Pictures and other industry leaders. The film utilizes cutting-edge virtual production technology—also known as the Volume Wall—to explore humanity’s impact on the universe and nature. In addition to Europa, Jacqueline directed Backlog, a short film inspired by...
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"Unstoppable" Director William Goldenberg on His Journey to the Director’s Chair
The Creative Block
What does it take to transition from an Oscar-winning editor to a director? William Goldenberg (Argo, Zero Dark Thirty) takes on the challenge with Unstoppable, the inspiring true story of Anthony Robles, a wrestler born with only one leg who defied the odds to become an NCAA champion. In this episode, we dive into Goldenberg’s journey from editor to director, the challenges of telling a real person’s story, and the creative process behind bringing Unstoppable to life. He shares insights on working with the Robles family, using VFX and AI to enhance storytelling, and crafting the...
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Why Truth Loses to Misinformation with Dr. Kristina Lerman
The Creative Block
In this episode of The Creative Block, I sit down with Dr. Kristina Lerman, Project Leader at USC’s Information Sciences Institute and Research Associate Professor in the Viterbi School of Engineering. Dr. Lerman’s research explores the hidden forces shaping our online world, from cognitive biases to the emotional power of misinformation. We dive into why misinformation spreads so effectively—not because it’s true, but because it resonates emotionally. She explains why fact-checking efforts often fall short and introduces the idea of “vibe-checking” instead—shifting the focus to...
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Culture and Leadership After the Vote with Dr. Marcus Collins
The Creative Block
In this thought-provoking episode of The Creative Block, Vince Gonzales sits down with Marcus Collins to unpack the intersections of culture, creativity, and leadership in today’s fractured world. Together, they discuss the role of creators in making sense of uncertainty, the tensions between morality and profit in corporate leadership, and the power of art to foster connection in divisive times. Whether you’re an artist, a leader, or simply someone seeking clarity in a chaotic world, this conversation offers fresh perspectives on navigating these challenges with purpose and creativity....
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Zero Gravity Space Dreams
The Creative Block
Welcome to the podcast! Today, we have a truly fascinating guest who embodies the intersection of art, technology, and innovation. I'm thrilled to introduce Anna Shaposhnik, a creative technologist who's on a mission to revolutionize storytelling in space. Anna is the CEO of Orbital Entertainment Supply, a company developing free-flying robots to capture breathtaking footage in zero gravity. Imagine being able to remotely fly around space stations – that's the kind of groundbreaking technology Anna and her team are working on. A recent graduate of USC's prestigious Iovine & Young...
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Creating Virtual Realities: A Conversation with Trisha Williams & Joseph Unger
The Creative Block
Join us as we chat with Trisha Williams, the visionary CEO with over 20 years of experience in building 3D worlds for games and innovation. Trisha has collaborated with prestigious institutions and is now shaping the next generation of world builders at UC San Diego. Her insights into the evolution of virtual environments are not to be missed. We are also thrilled to have Joseph Unger, Origami Air’s Chief Ecosystem Officer, on the show. Joseph is an expert in XR World Building and game design, having worked with industry giants like Zynga, Sony, and 2K. His passion for advancing the future...
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Rachel Joy Victor, Co-Founder of FBRC.ai
The Creative Block
In this episode of The Creative Block, I am thrilled to welcome Rachel Joy Victor. Rachel is a distinguished designer, strategist, and worldbuilder who operates at the intersection of emerging technologies such as XR, AI, and Web3. Her work spans a variety of fields, from creating multiplatform narratives and immersive experiences to designing tools, platforms, spaces, and even cities. With an impressive client list that includes major names like Disney, HBO, Vans, Ford, and Nike, Rachel brings a wealth of knowledge from her academic background in Computational Neuroscience, Spatial...
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The Medallion Protocol with Yossi Hasson & Federica Berra
The Creative Block
Medallion is a blockchain protocol designed to provide Web3 authentication and enable ownership of digital assets, badges, tokens, and collectibles through blockchain technology. Sharing his passion for this project is Yossi Hasson, an entrepreneur and technology executive based in New York. He is the co-founder and CEO of Metaversal, an OG Bitcoiner since 2013, and an angel investor in over 60 startups and crypto protocols. We are also joined by Federica Berra, the Marketing Manager at Medallion Network and a multimedia artist with a background in fashion communication The Medallion Network...
info_outlineCrypto OG Neil "Fitzy" Fitzhugh, a seasoned Web3 marketer and community leader, is returning to the Creative Block to share his insights on Bitcoin, $KARMA Coin, and the OnChain Monkey project. As a respected cryptocurrency pioneer, Fitzy will provide an overview of Bitcoin's current state and future potential, delve into the purpose, and use cases of $KARMA Coin, and explore the innovative approach and implications of the OnChain Monkey NFT initiative. We’ll let you vote who has the better hair.