Catalyst: A Creative Industries Podcast
From Chapman University in Orange County California, Catalyst gives listeners a chance to learn about the Creative Industries through conversations with individuals from a wide array of backgrounds who are working in CI all over the globe. Hear how CI is influencing the public and private sector alike, and how local influences shape a region’s creative landscape.
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114: The Power of Authenticity in Content Creation
03/27/2025
114: The Power of Authenticity in Content Creation
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 13 will feature one to two different interviews conducted by CCI students, exploring different aspects of the Creative and Cultural Industries. In our first segment this week Lauren Kalama sits down with Kamaka Dias, host of The Keep It Aloha Podcast, to explore his unique journey of starting his podcasting career. Dias reflects on growing up in Hawaiʻi as a Native Hawaiian and shares how his heritage shaped his worldview and influenced his career. They explore how Dias’ passion for social media evolved into a thriving creative career leading him to podcasting and the importance of infusing cultural authenticity into his media content. The interview then concludes with offering advice for aspiring creatives in hopes of being an inspiration and guide in navigating their path while honoring their cultural identity. We wrap up this week’s episode with David Cole who interview with journalist-turned-content creator Dani Schulz. Cole talks with Schulz about how she built a thriving 7-figure digital business centered around empowering others to create, connect, and monetize through social media. The pair start by looking at Dani’s college days and the pivotal moments that shaped her professional life and led to the creation of her successful brand. Schulz also shares some of the struggles she has faced and how determination to turn obstacles into opportunities helped her to cultivate an authentic social media presence, build a loyal community, and develop scalable income streams, all while staying true to herself and her values. They wrap the conversation with a look at Schulz’s approach to overcoming adversity and embracing creativity in order to offer practical advice for anyone looking to pursue their dreams on their own terms.
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113: Freelancing in the Creative Industries
03/20/2025
113: Freelancing in the Creative Industries
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 13 will feature one to two different interviews conducted by CCI students, exploring different aspects of the Creative and Cultural Industries. This week’s first segment looks at what it is like to be a freelancer in the music industry landscape of Los Angeles in the year 2025. Amber Zhu dives into this topic with the subject of her interview, Lu Cheng, a freelance music composer based in Los Angeles, California, who got his master's degree from USC has worked as a composer for various media formats including film, TV and the gaming industry. Zhu and Cheng discuss Cheng’s career trajectory, from his first job as a composer assistant, through his moving on to short films and then expanding to other media forms. They discuss the experience of working with and for creatives before touching on current industry trends including Cheng’s insights regarding the emergence of AI technology and how short-form vertical videos like those on the ReelShort platform have changed or will change the landscape of the creator's community. They wrap up the conversation with Lu's advice for future creators and people who want to pursue careers in the creative industries. Our second episode of the week follows Will Swan on his journey through the career of Elizabeth Moore. Moore, who currently uses her skills and knowledge from working in the creative industries as a consultant and life coach, started her career in radio and print on Boston’s North Shore at: WFNX Radio, The Marblehead Reporter, and WNSH Radio. She moved on to become Personal Assistant to Maury Povich before working as an executive assistant to Jann Wenner, of Wenner Media, publishers of Rolling Stone, US Weekly, and Men’s Journal. Perhaps what she is most known for is holding the position of Chief Of Staff to Oprah Winfrey for 11 years before serving as a consulting Producer with the original team that created the Emmy award winning Super Soul Sunday on OWN, The Oprah Winfrey Network. Swan and Moore delve into Moore’s long and varied career, reflecting on the work and projects she has contributed to throughout. Before concluding the conversation, they touch on advice that Moore has for those navigating through entertainment industries, including dealing with some of the more corporate aspects.
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112: Creativity within Digital Marketing and Ad Sales
03/13/2025
112: Creativity within Digital Marketing and Ad Sales
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 13 will feature one to two different interviews conducted by CCI students, exploring different aspects of the Creative and Cultural Industries. This week starts off with a real bang as Franca Strandell leads us through an interview with Ned Dane, the Digital Partnerships Marketing Coordinator for the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). They discuss how Ned's career took a surprising turn when, after starting in finance, he accepted an internship with Formula 1 racing that opened his eyes to the world of sports partnerships and marketing. The pair discuss the highs and lows of moving from finance to sports, the differences between the industries, and what it takes to break into the competitive sports industry. Dane also gives the audience an idea of what his current role at the UFC is like, where he spends his days analyzing data and planning creative projects like content shoots featuring top fighters. Before signing off, Franca and Ned touch on the difficult balance of optimizing partnerships and how to keep the UFC’s brand authentic without overdoing commercial content. Closing the episode this week is Eric Hong, a sales ad intern at NBC Universal who sits down to talk to Anna Gemmell. Hong delves into what being an ad sales intern entails and what being an intern specifically at NBC Universal is like including what is expected when collaborating with other departments of the company and the feeling of Universal’s company culture. Gemmell and Hong talk about some of the fun perks of being part of the intern program, and Hong discusses the NBC Universal application process, interview process, and tips to help other potential interns applying for this specific internship process. They finish the interview with a discussion of how ad sales can often be overlooked as a pivotal part of marketing, which dots landscape of the creative and cultural industries more than people realize.
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111: Exploring the Visual Arts from New Angles
03/06/2025
111: Exploring the Visual Arts from New Angles
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 13 will feature one to two different interviews conducted by CCI students, exploring different aspects of the Creative and Cultural Industries. We kick off Season 13 of Catalyst with a look at the career of Sammy Smith, a talented Los Angeles-based photographer, who sat down to speak with Brianna Jones. Sammy relates how she grew up in Connecticut and what her journey was like, both physically and professionally, as she made her way west to become a successful freelance photographer working with influencers, celebrities, and at numerous high-profile events. Sammy highlights the growing field of Creative and Cultural Industries (CCI) as the pair explore the connections between digital storytelling, influencer culture, and Sammy's career. The conversation dives into the pressures and excitement of working at fast-paced events like concerts and magazine shoots, the important role of creating a positive on-set environment and the looming impact of AI on creative processes. We close out our first episode of the season with Matthew Dewey whose interview of JY Aubone takes a look at how a creative industry’s tools can be used in new and unique ways. Aubone is a professional tennis coach who recently found a new way to teach tennis players: through virtual coaching. His innovative thinking has led him to create a program whereby his clients can have the advantage of their coaches being able to see every one of their matches. JY and Matthew talk about how JY identified a need in the industry and has partnered with a mobile app to create a new style of coaching. JY can now analyze his players’ footage in SwingVision and then talk with them about their statistics, their strategy, and what they need to work on in their practices. Matthew and Sammy wrap up the interview with some reflections on the benefits to virtual coaching, and how this style is now much more economical for a lot of players, which is allowing them to now get the practical feedback to help them excel.
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110: Season 12 Finale- A Day in the Life from a Creative’s Viewpoint
11/07/2024
110: Season 12 Finale- A Day in the Life from a Creative’s Viewpoint
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 final episode of Season 12 of Catalysts starts with Katelyn Vu who takes the audience on a journey as she and her guest, Kaitlyn Antonio, discuss Antonio’s body of work as a content creator and how she manages it marry that with her academic pursuits in the area of Food Science and Nutrition. Antonio emphasizes the opportunities that come from being creative on the internet and how her Nutrition major benefits from collaborating with many well-known brands as it allows her to make connections to potentially work with them. They talk about what the day to day really looks like for effective content creation, and end with a topic that hits close to home, when discussing how parents view careers in social media, and whether or not that is changing. The season 12 finale ends with Kailey Schulz and her interview with Cayla Sacre, a talent, animation, and voice-over assistant at the Independent Artists Agency, or IAG. Cayla sits down to talk with Kailey Schulz on the day-to-day routine of a bustling agency like IAG, and shares some of her work experience including how to balance the needs of the different agents she works with and how to effectively communicate with creatives from various entertainment industries. Cayla relays to Kailey her impetus for entering this niche area of the industry and they examine the intersection of business and art within the context of the entertainment. They conclude with a look at how Cayla chooses to expresses her creative skills outside the confines of her creative career.
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109: How Much Creativity is Required: a look at the worlds of Event Management and Public Relations
10/31/2024
109: How Much Creativity is Required: a look at the worlds of Event Management and Public Relations
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. As we begin to wind down the season, we start today’s episode with an intriguing interview featuring Montana Golin. Montana is the events producer at Dodge College of Film and Media Arts at Chapman University and she speaks with Iliana Nordenso about her career trajectory, starting with her education at Southern Methodist University in Texas. The pair examine the world of event management including Montana's various experiences as a general event planner with non-entertainment events such as weddings, corporate events, and ceremonies. They also discuss the path to her current position, and what the day-to-day looks like as an events producer. Montana elaborates on some of her accomplishments that she feels most proud of, and they conclude by revealing some interesting misconceptions about event planning and what Montana wishes aspiring event planners knew about events. Our second episode of the week delves into the world of Las Vegas, and what it is like to be the Public Relations Coordinator for one of the most world-renowned Casino/Resorts on the famous Vegas Strip. Sammy Baloch sits down with Chapman University Alumna, Haley Ben Moshe’22, to talk about her role in PR with MGM Resorts International. Moshe lays out what her journey has been since graduation, touching on the atmosphere and culture of work in the area of content creation / Influencing in Los Angeles, and how that experience guided her to make a move back to Nevada, where she has found a better fit with MGM. They talk about the details and responsibilities that she faces in the position, and what she finds to be her favorite parts of the job. Before signing off, Moshe reflects on what she has found to be the most rewarding aspects of her career journey thus far, and shares with Baloch some personal advice for current students or recent grads that are just starting their own journeys.
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108: Teaching and Tech in the Creative Industries
10/24/2024
108: Teaching and Tech in the Creative Industries
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. We jump into this week’s episode of Catalyst Sofia del Rey and her interview with Ryan Metzler. Metzler, a educator whose focus is in media production and the film industry has worked with students that range from middle schoolers to college. Metzler talks about his role in helping students to develop the vocational and creative skills necessary for those pursuing careers in the film industry. They also discuss what he sees as the importance of fostering community within his classrooms, teaching students that they must rely on the support of those around them. In closing he touches on the challenges of working in the Creative and Cultural Industries, but they wrap the interview with Metzler’s advice for those pursuing a career in the arts. To close our episode this week Maya Caparaz talks with John Lacy, a veteran Film Industry lighting technician from the Bay Area who has more than 30 years of experience. Lacy’s career illustrious career includes credits on such films and TV projects as Dawn of the Planet of the Apes, American Sniper, 13 Reasons Why, and Captain Marvel. Maya and John discuss how his interest in filmmaking as a child influenced him to study film in college. They then talk about John more recent projects such serving as the chief lighting technician on Freaky Tales, a film that premiered at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival and is set to be released in theaters with stars like Pedro Pascal and Tom Hanks. Through the interview John explains the work that he does as a chief lighting technician including working directly under the director of photography to implementing their ideas for the lighting while also taking into consideration the budget that the producers have decided for the lighting department. They conclude the interview with some of John’s thoughts on the influence of lighting on the acting and story of a film or television show.
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107: Artist Advice and Insights
10/17/2024
107: Artist Advice and Insights
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. In this episode of Catalyst Nicole Marsh, starts us off with her interview of artist, and educator, Cedric Tai. Together the two discuss Cedric’s career as an artist, including their most recent project that was featured in the Guggenheim Gallery, located on Chapman University’s campus. The exhibit, @fakingprofessionalism, stood out from other art exhibits in many ways from the incorporation of virtual reality to interactive art exhibits. Cedric provides insight into what it means to truly be a part of a creative industry, and what draws specific kinds of people to these fields of work. They also offer insightful advice for aspiring young artists considering pursuing work in the creative industry. In the second interview of the episode Rajbir Sambi speaks with Lisa Cera, a Los Angeles-based professional who mainly operates in the arenas of film and fashion. They begin with a discussion of Lisa’s recent role as a producer in an upcoming short film. As the interview progresses, the focus shifts to how the industry has evolved and adapted into its current state and Lisa provides valuable insights including how perseverance and dedication are required to succeed in the film and fashion industries. They conclude the interview with Lisa offering practical advice for college graduates pursuing careers in creative and cultural industries. Reflecting on her experiences, Lisa hopes to inspire listeners to pursue their passions with determination and creativity.
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106: A Look at Theme Park Operations as Creative and Cultural Industries
10/10/2024
106: A Look at Theme Park Operations as Creative and Cultural Industries
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 episode of Catalyst starts this week with an interview of Jenny Pershon, a live performance technician specializing in audio and video effects. Jennings Gibbs-Barger talks to Pershon about her career from her beginnings where she worked at such theme parks as Disneyland and Knott’s Berry Farm as a tech behind the scenes at some of their live performance shows. They discuss how Pershon now works as a freelance contracted live technician, specializing in audio and video effects, for live immersive experiences. Pershon talks about the differences in working for a company like Disney versus working as a freelance contractor as well as the advantages and disadvantages to both. They also talk about what the day to day looks like for her now as a freelance technician and discuss where they think the future of live immersive experiences is headed. The second episode of the week features Nathan Slevcove’s interview with McKenna Madison, an Intern with the Disney Company in the area of Costuming. The segment starts off with the pair talking about McKenna’s overall job as a seamstress, which then leads into a more in-depth account of the role she plays. Madison elaborates on her duties as a seamstress, which include such tasks as repairing costuming of the Disneyland Park mascots, maintaining the specialized animatronic costumes, or simply mending the thousands of thousands of pounds of fabric pieces that exist in the park as part of normal operations. McKenna, although describing it as a rigorous challenge, describes how she takes it on with a smile, and they conclude the interview with her hopes of moving up to becoming a costume designer.
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105: Creative Career Viewpoints in Film & Television
10/03/2024
105: Creative Career Viewpoints in Film & Television
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. To begin our episode this week Annie Hirsch speaks with Debby Pearlman, President and co-founder of SparkBird Productions, a television and film production company based in Los Angeles, California. The pair discuss Debby’s years of experience developing show ideas in the television industry including her experience working as Senior Vice President of Development for Bright-Kauffman-Crane which produced the hit television show Friends, and how that compares to her current experience working with her smaller production company. Through the interview Debby discusses her creative process including how she now utilizes social platforms as a tool for her current work. Debby also touches on the importance of acknowledging that every person/department that works on a project is equally important, from producers to actors, screenwriters, original creators, costume designers, etc., as they all play a part in the storytelling. Jordan Miller-Lulla closes out the episode this week with their Claus Lulla Interview. Lulla, who is a two-time Emmy Award-winning makeup artist, discusses with Jordan his career that includes working in the entertainment industry for over 20 years. Starting as a makeup artist working on theater productions in Austria, Claus talks about his later move to Los Angeles and how he worked his way up to films and TV show productions there. Jordan and Claus discuss what attracted Claus to the entertainment industry and what it means to work in a creative field where you are pushed to be a perfectionist and to be highly detail-oriented with your craft. They explore what a typical day of filming looks like in a television production as a makeup artist and what challenges Claus faced as he was starting his career. They wrap the interview with some sage advice for those wanting to enter the competitive and compelling industry of entertainment.
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104: Creative Avenues in Writing and Producing
09/26/2024
104: Creative Avenues in Writing and Producing
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. This week we kick off the episode with Avery Grant and her interview with Andrew Grant, a writer and Creative Director at Alchemy, a narrative video game company. The pair discuss his nonlinear path from college, which started in investment banking, to where he is today working in the game industry. They tap into what lead to Andrew’s departure from banking, and how his journey to his current position, via the film industry first, has afforded him the opportunity to work on such narrative video game projects as The Walking Dead, Game of Thrones, and, most recently, Star Trek: Resurgence. Listeners get an exclusive glimpse of the creative processes as they are when working with such large IPs in a video game context and gain invaluable insights and advice for aspiring creatives seeking to carve their path in the industry. Our second episode of the week features Stone Roshell, who is currently the podcast producer for Yahoo Sports. Stone sits down with Harrison Gaushell to discuss how Stone found himself in the role of a producer, and what led him to his niche as a podcasting-focused creative. They discuss the balance between creating short-form (social media, reels, TikTok) and long-form (60+ minute podcasts) and how the need for both influences the making of the other. The two delve into what it is like working in a creative level at the head of a podcasting network, as well as how independent podcast shows are discovered and acquired by the larger network, and the subsequent effects on original content. They wrap up the conversation with an interesting discussion of how Stone hopes to eventually manage podcasts outside the realm of sports, and can see himself using the skills/knowledge gained working in the production of the podcast space to be taken to other fields/mediums.
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103: A look at Storytelling from Different Creative Industry Perspectives
09/19/2024
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.
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102- Catalyst Presents: The Artist is Present - Tahereh Sheerazie
06/28/2024
102- Catalyst Presents: The Artist is Present - Tahereh Sheerazie
“The Artist is Present” is a special series which is being hosted under the Catalyst: A Creative Industries Podcast of the Center for Creative and Cultural Industries at Chapman University. “The Artis is Present” was developed under the direction of the Phyllis and Ross Escalette Permanent Collection of Art’s Director, Fiona Shen, and Registrar, Jessica Bocinski, so that a wider audience would have the opportunity to hear directly from the artists in the Escalette Collection at the University. In this final episode of the summer series host Abigail Stephens speaks with artist Tahereh Sheerazie. Tahereh Sheerazie is a fabric artist, landscape designer, and educator. She is also a founding member of The Running Stitch, a Los-Angeles based sewing and quilting collective for Muslim women of all backgrounds. Since 2001, The Running Stitch has dedicated itself to philanthropy. All of the quilts and other textiles the group created were sold at small fundrasiers to support families and communities in need throughout the world. They have raised money for families affected by Hurricane Katrina and Northn Pakistani villages ravaged by the Kasmir earthquake. In addition to helping others, the Running Stitch served as a means of healing through community-building.
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101- Catalyst Presents: The Artist is Present - Bovey Lee
06/28/2024
101- Catalyst Presents: The Artist is Present - Bovey Lee
“The Artist is Present” is a special series which is being hosted under the Catalyst: A Creative Industries Podcast of the Center for Creative and Cultural Industries at Chapman University. “The Artis is Present” was developed under the direction of the Phyllis and Ross Escalette Permanent Collection of Art’s Director, Fiona Shen, and Registrar, Jessica Bocinski, so that a wider audience would have the opportunity to hear directly from the artists in the Escalette Collection at the University. In this episode host Abigail Stephens speaks with artist Bovey Lee. Bovey Lee is a cut paper artist based in Los Angeles, California, USA. Born in Hong Kong and practicing Chinese calligraphy since the age of ten, Lee studied painting and drawing in her formative years and completed her BA degree in Fine Arts at the Chinese University of Hong Kong. In 1993, Lee came to the United States as a painter and earned her first Master of Fine Arts degree from the University of California at Berkeley. Subsequently, Lee earned a second MFA in computer graphics and interactive media at Pratt Institute in New York. She is now known primarily as a paper-cut artist, creating artworks and site-specific installations which focus on themes of migration its impact on our shared humanity and the environment.
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100- Catalyst Presents: The Artist is Present -Elizabeth Turk
06/28/2024
100- Catalyst Presents: The Artist is Present -Elizabeth Turk
“The Artist is Present” is a special series which is being hosted under the Catalyst: A Creative Industries Podcast of the Center for Creative and Cultural Industries at Chapman University. “The Artis is Present” was developed under the direction of the Phyllis and Ross Escalette Permanent Collection of Art’s Director, Fiona Shen, and Registrar, Jessica Bocinski, so that a wider audience would have the opportunity to hear directly from the artists in the Escalette Collection at the University. In this episode host Abigail Stephens speaks with artist Elizabeth Turk. A native Californian, Elizabeth Turk is an artist, primarily known for marble sculpture. In 2010, she was awarded a MacArthur Fellowship and the Annalee & Barnett Newman Foundation award. Today, she splits time between Santa Ana, CA and NYC. Turk received her MFA from Maryland Institute College of Art, Rinehart School of Sculpture in 1994, her BA from Scripps College, Claremont, CA in 1983. Turk’s work searches the boundaries of paradox: the contemporary in the traditional, the lightness in weight, the emptiness in mass, the fluidity of the solid, extended time in a moment. Reducing hundreds of pounds of stone to essential matrices of 5-25 lbs., her intricately carved sculptures defy gravity and make possible that which seems impossible. Inspired by the natural world, she references its myriad of elegant organic structures, yet her work is not complete until abandoned to larger environments, humbling the intensity of her creative focus. Her studio is located in Santa Ana, CA.
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099- Catalyst Presents: The Artist is Present - Daniel Canogar
06/28/2024
099- Catalyst Presents: The Artist is Present - Daniel Canogar
“The Artist is Present” is a special series which is being hosted under the Catalyst: A Creative Industries Podcast of the Center for Creative and Cultural Industries at Chapman University. “The Artis is Present” was developed under the direction of the Phyllis and Ross Escalette Permanent Collection of Art’s Director, Fiona Shen, and Registrar, Jessica Bocinski, so that a wider audience would have the opportunity to hear directly from the artists in the Escalette Collection at the University. In this episode host Abigail Stephens speaks with artist Daniel Canogar. Born in Madrid to an American mother and Spanish father, Daniel Canogar’s life and career have bridged between Spain and the U.S. Photography was his earliest medium of choice, receiving a M.A. from NYU at the International Center of photography in 1990. He soon became interested in the possibilities of the projected image and installation art. He has created permanent public art installations with LED screens at museums, galleries, and public spaces throughout the world including a multi-billboard installation in Time Square. Through video, new media installations, photo-murals, and public art projects, Canogar explores themes related to electronic waste, visual excess, and the archeology of new media. His projects often involve the visualization or representation of data.
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Catalyst -Trailer for Summer Series-The Artist Is Present
06/28/2024
Catalyst -Trailer for Summer Series-The Artist Is Present
Coming summer 2024- Catalyst: A Creative Industries Podcast at Chapman University will host new episodes of the special series, The Artist is Present. This 4 part series which is being produced in conjunction with the Phyllis and Ross Escalette Permanent Collection of Art at Chapman University, will feature interviews with some of the artists whose work can be seen as part of the Collection. This trailer gives a wrap up of Catalyst’s Season 11 and a preview of Season 12 as well as the official teaser for this summer’s episodes of The Artist is Present.
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098: Season 11 Finale- Evolving Artists
05/09/2024
098: Season 11 Finale- Evolving Artists
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 11 will feature one to two different interviews conducted by CCI students, exploring different aspects of the Creative and Cultural Industries. Our season finale begins with Jacky Kim’s interview with Jonathan Heyon. Heyon, a film student at California State University of Northridge, discusses with Jacky the inspiration behind his creative portfolio "August is Green." The pair also discuss how the landscape of the Creative and Cultural Industries is changing and how having additional skills in varying creative sectors can be an advantage when navigating ones career path. The two end the interview with words of encouragement for the audience to follow their creative dreams. We close out season eleven with an interview by Nicole Medina. Nicole interviews professional graphic designer, Jordan Leal who tells the story of how skateboard street art put him on the path towards becoming a graphic designer. They discuss the technicalities of creative freedom as a graphic designer and what measure of control creative teams tend to actually have over projects in the field. The pair wrap the interview with Leal giving a few lessons he has learned as a professional artist, and end with a glimpse into his future plans, noting that there are always several paths that one can go down.
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097: CCIs: Small town vs. Metropolis
05/02/2024
097: CCIs: Small town vs. Metropolis
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 11 will feature one to two different interviews conducted by CCI students, exploring different aspects of the Creative and Cultural Industries. Our second to last episode of Catalyst this season begins with an interview of the director of education and community engagement at the Hunterdon Art Museum in Clinton, New Jersey, Donna Deville, by Jess Blackwell. Donna discusses what her job at a local, small town, nonprofit entails and the stress that comes along with a limited staff post-covid. She also provides insight into the differences between small town and big city museums and why fostering a safe, creative space for the community is so important. The pair discuss some of the challenges of the position, but also why cultural institutions, even when smaller, are so important to establishing creative and cultural exposure to the communities they serve. We close out the episode this week with Logan Dutra's interview with artist and graphic designer Angelique Francis. Angelique explains her thought process and gives listeners some insight into what has influenced her on her journey to where she is now, including her childhood, college, and post-grad eras. Angelique tells Logan about some of the highlights from her graphic design career, as well as expounding upon challenges she thinks are relevant for the listeners. They also go over what was behind Francis’ recent decision to move to New York City to further her career options. They close the discussion with a look at the impact that creative careers can have on an individual’s personal life and mental health, and some closing advice for those looking to enter the graphic design field or creative industries in general.
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096: Art as Culture and Business
04/25/2024
096: Art as Culture and Business
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 11 will feature one to two different interviews conducted by CCI students, exploring different aspects of the Creative and Cultural Industries. This week Rockie Rosenberg kicks off the episode with an interview of Nocona Burgess, a Native American indigenous artist and member of the Comanche Nation who now resides in Santa Fe. As the son of a former tribal chief and the great-great-grandson of one of the most revered Native American leaders, Chief Quanah Parker, his work presents strikingly modern depictions of Indigenous men and women from various tribal Nations of North America. Through the interview the pair discuss how Nocona has a great overview of the business side of art due to his extensive experience in navigating the art world at a young age. They also touch on Burgess’ podcast experience and the classes he teaches at the Institute of American Indian Art (IAIA) which deal with the business side of art. In our second interview, Jared Serios sits down with Lyn Sazon to talk about Serios’ career as an artist who works in the mediums of digital and traditional art. Serios divulges how he started down the path of his artistic journey, including his early years and accomplishments, and talks about how the art he creates reflects his strong roots and cultural background. Sazon questions Serios about his creative process, and how he developed his unique style of artmaking. The two conclude the interview with a look at some of the artists that Serios admires, and what plans he has for the near future of his career.
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095: Generating Content: New vs Existing Creative Sectors
04/18/2024
095: Generating Content: New vs Existing Creative Sectors
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 11 will feature one to two different interviews conducted by CCI students, exploring different aspects of the Creative and Cultural Industries. Samantha Combs begins our episode this week with her interview of Jorgie Kubursi a social media and content creator who has grown up all over the globe. Jorgie shares her insights on personal brand development and how she successfully markets her defining traits to distinguish her from other creators. Samantha discusses with Jorgie how, from a content evolution standpoint, she places emphasis and importance upon personal introspection and how it gave her insight into who she is and what her intentions are within the industry. Listen along to hear about defining moments in Jorgie’s career thus far, and discover what are the key defining factors of her content, as well as her goals and aspirations. In our second segment this week, we feature Sophia Movsisian’s interview of Cora Synnes about Cora’s time as a intern with Warner Brothers and HBO Max, doing social media/influencer marketing. The pair touch on how Cora started in the position, and the importance of mentors and mentoring in this industry. They also discuss how and why her time dedicated to this position has served her positively going forward. In addition Sophia and Cora talk about the types of films she would love to work on in the future, and how they perceive AI may affect the industry as both progress.
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094: Independent Artists in Creative Industries
04/11/2024
094: Independent Artists in Creative Industries
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 11 will feature one to two different interviews conducted by CCI students, exploring different aspects of the Creative and Cultural Industries. We begin this week with a look at the work of Maria McHugo, an up-and-coming stand-up comic from Washington DC, who has also worked with Los Angeles Comic Manager, Barry Katz of Barry Katz Entertainment. Maria speaks with Francesca Zorlas about her comedic character arc, from humble beginnings at the University of Virginia as a media studies major with plans to be a lawyer, to her choice to pursue her dreams of storytelling through entertainment. Listen as she unravels her comedic ventures and talks about the trials and tribulations of working in this male dominated industry. Maria also imparts some advice to prospective females looking to break the ice and enter the entertainment industry. To conclude Catalyst this week, we feature an interview by Clare Thompson who talks to professional musician Matthew Wilson. Wilson, who has a degree in Global Jazz Studies from UCLA’s Herb Alpert School of Music, discusses with Clare what shape his budding musical career is taking, starting with his run as a bassist for several bands, including Flamango Bay and Serialist, the latter of which has garnered attention for its song “Sometimes” on such streaming platforms as Spotify. Thompson and Wilson discuss Matthew’s background in music, going all the way back to marching band. They move on to discuss what Wilson feels were important lessons to be garnered from being a music major, before talking about his current bands. Wilson explains his writing process, and how that changes and adapts depending on which band he is working with at the time.
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093: Creating New Approaches to Traditional TV Programing
04/04/2024
093: Creating New Approaches to Traditional TV Programing
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 11 will feature one to two different interviews conducted by CCI students, exploring different aspects of the Creative and Cultural Industries. This week’s Catalyst episode comes in like a gale force wind when Alia Hagi speaks with Hawaiian weatherman and television personality, Guy Hagi. Alia discusses with Guy how his career has spanned both traditional broadcasting and the digital landscape focusing on how Instagram and meme culture combined with Guy ability to convey his charming personality when broadcasting came together to make him a standout in his field. Guy touches on the importance of an authentic connection with the audience and they conclude by talking about how Guy's experiences highlight the changing landscape of media consumption, and the role authenticity plays in keeping viewers engaged nowadays. The second interview this week focuses on Amy Ambatielos who sat down to talk with Sofie Kassaras about her current career as the Director of Educational Partnerships for a startup called BrainTrust Tutors, but also about the lead up to this position when she worked for over ten years as a producer for various journalism and television studios, including HGTV, CNN, and Dr. Phil. They discuss Amy’s journey through grad school and follow her career trajectory from HGTV and Dr. Phil, to her 7-year run at CNN Money [Currently CNN Business]. They discuss some of the challenges that she faced in that time, and how she used skills from each experience and/or job to propel her to the next step. They also talk about how social media came to be a factor in the way companies like CNN looked at and presented content. They wrap up the interview with Amy’s transition to working in education, and how the skills in relationships and communication she acquired as a journalist aided her in her journey to where she is now.
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092: CCI Considers New Approaches to the Film Studio Model
03/28/2024
092: CCI Considers New Approaches to the Film Studio Model
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 11 will feature one to two different interviews conducted by CCI students, exploring different aspects of the Creative and Cultural Industries. Catalyst begins this week with an interview of Skye Bleu and Savannah Rae the co-founders of Skye Film Studios in Glendale CA. The sisters sat down with Rose Steele to discuss the dynamics of running a film studio as well as the larger processes of funding projects, producing content, and building the business side of a company in the creative and cultural industries. Savannah and Skye provide insights into how they have been able to use art events as a method of fundraising for their film projects as well as delving deeper into what it's like building a catalog of intellectual property for their studio. They conclude the interview with a discussion of some upcoming projects for the studio at the time of recording. To round out this week’s episode, Jackie Rahimzadeh presents her interview with Kylie Billings, a Production Coordinator for A24, an American independent entertainment company that specializes in film and television production, as well as film distribution. In addition to learning about how Billings started in the film industry and made her way up to her current position, she also gives the audience a breakdown of all things A24 and touches on the significance of new and different voices being represented in film. The pair also discuss what Billings finds to be the most fulfilling aspect of her production coordinator job and whether the challenges of the job has diminished her love of movie making. They share their perspectives on why A24 has become such an adored player in film culture and look at what lies ahead for Kylie in the industry.
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091: CCI Takes Dance Lessons
03/14/2024
091: CCI Takes Dance Lessons
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 11 will feature one to two different interviews conducted by CCI students, exploring different aspects of the Creative and Cultural Industries. Paige Brooks starts this week’s episode of Catalyst with an interview of veteran performer and choreographer Brittany Barney. The pair discuss the array of opportunities one can find within a singular creative industry, Barney’s process when it comes to choreography and how culture and history impact artistry. They also reflect on what success looks like in a performance-based industry, where professional rejection is part of the game and how at times it is necessary to adjust a career plan to accommodate reality. Still Barney is hopeful that the information she imparts in the interview will inspire creatives, and that the career-development timeline she shares will be a particularly useful tool. The second interview of the week stars Azuki Umeda and her career journey as a choreographer, dancer, and teacher as she talks with Elle Holland. Umeda is known for her unique and intricate movement style within her choreography which has gotten her global recognition. She shares insight into her inspirations and the process that goes into developing this movement vocabulary. Umeda explains how she got started in choreography and how at a young age she developed an ability to see music in new ways. The pair discuss how her Japanese cultural background shapes her creative voice and her approach as a teacher. Umeda also elaborates on her current work “How I Became Kinder and Kinder” and on her company Authenticity Dance Co, and they conclude with the topic of the future by sharing Umeda’s dance company's upcoming opportunities and performances.
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090: A New View of Arts and Crafts through the Lens of CCI
03/07/2024
090: A New View of Arts and Crafts through the Lens of CCI
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 11 will feature one to two different interviews conducted by CCI students, exploring different aspects of the Creative and Cultural Industries. This week we start Catalyst with an interview by Keri Wendt who speaks with Taylor Ross, co-founder of Bati Goods. Bati Goods, which was established in 2017, specializes in leather goods. Ross shares the fascinating story behind building a company in the heart of Paraguay, including the impetus behind the creation of Bati Goods, which sells hand-made leather-wrapped goods sourced directly from Paraguay. A portion of the profits from Bati Goods goes back to the students at The Macchi School in Tobati, a school that offers a top-notch college preparatory education, as a way to give back to the local community. Wendt and Ross discuss the culture differences between Paraguay and LA, and some of what goes into running an artisan business in a foreign country, giving the listener valuable insights and unique perspectives on this his small-business start-up and how it stands out from the rest. The second interview this week is conducted Ella Flanders, who sat down to talk with senior Fiber Arts major/experimental fashion design minor at the Maryland Institute College of Art, Maia Malakoff. They discuss how Malakoff explores the use of unconventional materials pushing the boundaries of conventional clothing collections, and touch on the difficulties of collaboration in an environment that praises individual creativity. Despite these challenges, Maia expresses how rewarding the experience of skill-sharing with her peers is and acquiring new techniques through collaborative efforts. The pair also cover how Malakoff draws inspiration from her background in dance which allows her to draw connection between movement and garments, seeking to convey how clothing can seamlessly interact with the human body. They conclude the interview by pondering Maia’s plans for the future and her career aspirations in the fashion industry.
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089: The Wild World of Sports in CCI
02/29/2024
089: The Wild World of Sports in CCI
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 11 will feature one to two different interviews conducted by CCI students, exploring different aspects of the Creative and Cultural Industries. The first interview of Catalyst’s eleventh season features Leah Hallal, speaking with Sarah Hallal, a designer with the consumer direct marketing, Creative Studio division at Nike. They open the interview by discussing the dynamic world of fashion marketing. Sarah then talks about her career journey starting with navigating internships, and then moving on to talk about the pivotal choices that led to her current job with the iconic company. Sarah also shares what a day in her role might look like, as well as offering some valuable advice to young creatives. The pair conclude the interview by exploring what the future may hold for Sarah. We wrap our inaugural episode of the season with an interview of Denver Broncos NFL RedZone host and digital media freelancer Kim Becker by Bella Leach. Leach delves into the dynamic world of sports journalism with Becker as they discuss how her decades long position as a professional ice skater for Disney on Ice helped her on her journey to the career of her dreams. In addition to discussing Becker’s favorite memories on the job and the evolving landscape of reporting, they also cover current trends in sports journalism with the rise of social media and Becker shares her perspectives on how platforms like Twitter and Instagram have transformed how stories are told and consumed. They close with an insightful conversation regarding Becker’s career as a woman in sports and sports journalism, and advice for young women looking to enter the industry.
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088: Season 10 Finale- Young Creatives Reflect on their Career Path
11/09/2023
088: Season 10 Finale- Young Creatives Reflect on their Career Path
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 10 will feature one to two different interviews conducted by CCI students, exploring different aspects of the Creative and Cultural Industries. Our final episode of Catalyst’s 10th season starts off with a bang as we look at the life and career of Gonzalo Cordova, with an interview by Hayley Nguyen. Cordova, a South Florida native of Ecuadorian descent, moved to the United States with his family when he was six years old and graduated with a BFA in film from Emerson College, and is currently a television writer for shows like Jimmy Kimmel Live and Adam Ruins Everything. Cordova dives in by talking about his creative process and personal projects and offers advice to aspiring students on how to stay on track and keep things interesting. Additionally, he reminds the audience to bring your own experiences and voice to a project, while concurrently studying the voice of the person you are writing for. For our final interview of the season, Mansi Patel interviews Madison Havican on her career in social media and modeling. The two discuss the challenges involved in navigating a career in the industry, what the process was like for her to get signed to an official agency for social media, and how having an agency in this business affects her process as far as recording, editing and posting. Havican elaborates on how she creates some of her content, and they wrap the interview with a look back at what were some of Havican’s milestones within her career thus far.
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087: Perspectives on Working in Film
11/02/2023
087: Perspectives on Working in Film
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 10 will feature one to two different interviews conducted by CCI students, exploring different aspects of the Creative and Cultural Industries. Our episode begins today with a look at the career and life of filmmaker Will Geiger. A producer, writer, and director for films such as Elvis and Anabelle and Ocean Tribe, Geiger graciously sits down to speak with Cate Soboleski. Will recalls how he got into filmmaking through creating shorts at Orange Coast Community College and how that experience helped him realize this was his passion. The interview covers some of Will’s early professional experiences, as well as what it is like to live and work abroad as a filmmaker, including pros and cons of working in film outside the United States. This leads to an interesting discussion on how film can play a role in shifting cultural values, and the repercussions of that. Next up for this episode is Ava Cison who interviewed Lily Wan, a NYC-based director, producer, and content strategist. Wan, who has an educational background in environmental science, talks about what it is like to make the transition into the film industry, and what she sees as the stigmas and challenges surrounding careers in the creative & cultural industries. The pair specifically dig into the topics of salary, opportunities, and even the conflict that may arise with family members if they disagree with a career path in CCI. Lily goes on to share tremendous insight on the importance of diversity and representation within the film industry, from the crew that forms the foundation of your project, to the representation you see on screen. They conclude the interview with words of advice on several pertinent topics such as: How to follow your creative passions? How do creatives carefully curate a team that shares the same values? And, how can we integrate a stronger sense of community within our work environment?
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085: Heading a Creative Department
10/19/2023
085: Heading a Creative Department
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 10 will feature one to two different interviews conducted by CCI students, exploring different aspects of the Creative and Cultural Industries. Diving into our first interview this week, we have Montana Dobrovich-Fago talking with Patrick Smith, the head of visualization at MPC Visualization Studios, a major visual effects company in Los Angeles. Through the interview we learn about Patrick’s past studying computer animation at Savannah College of Arts and Design, to his current role at MPC where he has worked on projects such as Avengers: Infinity War, Nope, Prehistoric Planet, and Emmy award winning Chip ‘N’ Dale: Rescue Rangers. Patrick discusses what it is like to Head the visualization department including where he finds creative freedom in the position, and how he and his department navigated shifts in the industry due to COVID19. They conclude with some tips and tricks from Patrick for creatives hoping to navigate a similar career. Gianna Ormonde brings us to a close this week with her interview of Bloom Nutrition’s Head of Creative Marketing, Nareh Vartanian. Ormonde leads in with Vartanian’s education background by discussing her degree in Creative Advertising from Michigan University. The pair go on to discuss how Nareh started as a Graphic Designer for Bloom and what the journey then was to Head of Creative Marketing with this growing company. They also discuss what is entailed in being the head of a creative department, including some of the struggles and challenges she has encountered in the role. The pair end the interview with Vartanian reflecting on some personal experiences and offering insight and advice to those hoping to carve out a career in the Creative and Cultural Industries.
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