»Catalyst: A Creative Industries Podcast

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 start the Season Thirteen Finale off strong with a look at the incredible life and work of Zaydee Sanchez, a Mexican American documentary photographer, visual journalist, and writer originally from Tulare, California, whose work focuses on labor workers, the environment, and migration. Sanchez is interviewed by Kendal Roney '27, Business Administration major and a self-designed CCI & Visual Journalism minor. They begin with a discussion of Sanchez’s journey of becoming a journalist, including how she started off by taking photos at Skid Row to display the heart of the community, and then transitioned to documenting a Guatemalan man for two years. They talk about the impact visual journalism has on our society and why it’s so valuable. Sanchez dives into the process of documenting hot-button topics of recent years and explains how she paints an authentic picture of the people and communities she covers, noting the strict morals that go behind it all. They conclude with Sanchez explaining her evolution as a visual journalist and why it started from a passion project.

And we send the 13th season of Catalyst off into the sunset with this concluding interview of TikTok content creator Sarah Pascarella by Public Relations, Advertising and Entertainment Marketing major / CCI minor, Samantha Perez '27. A graduate of Cal State Long Beach University with a degree in Interior Design and a minor in Journalism, Sarah discusses how she made the decision post-graduation to live abroad as an Au Pair in Paris, France. Sarah and Samantha discuss how Sarah, having not known the language at first and experiencing the cultural shift of the move, decided to document her experiences on TikTok, sparking discussions on the cultural differences. Sarah’s documentation of her life and work has given her a unique voice as a content creator, as she looks at her own perspective shifts in witty and authentic ways. The pair also discusses how diving into the role of influencer has given her new career goals and how she plans to integrate her creativity into her influencer content. They wrap up the interview with some poignant advice from Sarah regarding taking new leaps in life and how new experiences can shape you, just as her choices in career and living in Paris have shaped her own development as a person.

Photo Credit:

• Photo by Plastic Lines on Unsplash  

Sound Credits:

• Catalyst Intro/Ending music: Taryn’s Electric Dream, by Taryn Stroop

Each episode of Season 13 will feature one to two interviews conducted by CCI students, exploring different aspects of the Creative and Cultural Industries.

We start Catalyst this week with Mackenzie Kim '26, a Creative Producing major/ CCI minor and her interview with Sharon Westenhofer, executive director at The Music Room, a school for performing arts in Orange County. Mackenzie dives in with Sharon by discussing the balance of business and art and what the good and the bad aspects of creating your own company and studio can be. They talk about the inner workings of The Music Room, including classes and what is required in money and manpower to make the business work. It is revealed through the conversation that several Chapman students work at The Music Room as both teachers and directors. Listen to hear how this creative business has been succeeding in Orange County for forty years!

Concluding our episode this week is an in depth interview with someone that many of our audience members may know from their TV screens. Singer-songwriter Jenna Marquis sits down with Communication Studies major/CCI minor, Leila Neet '26, to discuss her illustrious career including her appearances on BOTH American Idol and The Voice, the latter of which where she was coached by the one and only Gwen Stefani. Jenna and Leila delve into what it is like as a creative performer to be on both of those shows and what their main differences are. They also discuss some of the behind-the-scenes aspects and what a performer can expect of an experience like that. The pair also discuss what it is like to be in a performance-based industry and still struggle with anxiety. Jenna gives the listeners tips on how to deal with stage anxiety and how she has overcome these struggles over the years.

Photo Credit:

• Photo by Jabber Visuals on Unsplash

Sound Credits:

• Catalyst Intro/Ending music: Taryn’s Electric Dream, by Taryn Stroop

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.

To begin our show this week, Public Relations, Advertising and Entertainment Marketing major / CCI minor, Laeticia Cerdas '27, interviews Warner Brothers Senior Producer Image and Sound, Victoria Kennedy. They begin with a discussion of what got Victoria into the industry, backtracking to her high school experience. Victoria explains how that is when she began in journalism and got the opportunity to shadow at the local news station. They talk about her trajectory post-college from small-town news in Sherman-Dennison, Texas, to a bigger market in Dallas, Texas, and how she got into her current position in Atlanta as Senior Producer, Image + Sound. The pair also revisit some moments in Victoria’s career that stick with her to this day, such as working breaking news during the Sandy Hook shooting and the Orlando bar shooting, where she was called to report on the scene. Finally, Laeticia asks Victoria what advice she would give to journalism students, which includes making connections with the professionals met along the way, persevering despite how hard of a market it can be to pierce, and for students to take risks and decide what they want early on.

Our final segment this week looks at the career of Claudia Camp, the Associate Director of Communications for Latin America at Activision Blizzard. Claudia sits down to speak with Jannelle Martinez '26, Strategic & Corporate Communication major/ CCI minor, about what it has been like working with Blizzard for over 8 years. Claudia and Jannelle discuss the various challenges and opportunities of managing communication across a large region such as Latin America. She touches on tackling language barriers, travel, and the importance of effective communication when working with different countries, especially when handling campaigns. Additionally, Claudia explores how the gaming industry connects to creative and cultural industries through its use of collaborations such as how Blizzard partners with various artists and film companies to reach broader audiences and attract more attention to their launches. In wrapping up the interview the pair touch on social media influencers' role in public relations and how they have aided in bringing together a sense of community. For anyone looking to work in the field of communication, particularly in gaming, Claudia offers valuable tips and tricks to help achieve those goals, highlighting the importance of teamwork and adaptability.

Photo Credit:

• Photo by kiryl on Unsplash

Sound Credits:

• Catalyst Intro/Ending music: Taryn’s Electric Dream, by Taryn Stroop

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.

On this week's first segment Brenna George '26, Business Administration major/ CCI minor, gets to speak with Naomi Alabi, the founder of SFWRUNWAY. SFWRUNWAY is an innovative job board platform with a specialized focus, centered around the fashion and creative industries and aims to connect job seekers with unique, high-quality career opportunities. Naomi goes into her backstory and the origin of SFWRUNWAY and what motivated her to start the company. They discuss how Alabi wanted to create a space where creators could not only connect but grow with SFWRUNWAY by offering helpful resources along with job opportunities. She emphasizes the challenges in this industry, and how to set herself apart, Alabi is cultivating a community that is both unique and diverse. The pair also discuss how Alabi perceives CCIs and Naomi explains that all the people she surrounds herself with are involved with CCI, which is motivating for her. To finish the segment, Naomi gives a little advice to those just starting out in the creative industries.

We wrap up the episode this week with senior Sherwin Salehi’s interview of fashion tiktoker Rwang. Salehi ’25, a Business Administration major/ CCI minor, discusses with Rwang, also known as Ricky, what it is like to run the fashion brand IONGAF. The pair speak about Ricky’s journey on social media and what motivated him to leverage platforms like TikTok to build a dedicated community. Ricky opens up about the challenges he faced in the early days and the pivotal moment that led him to transform his social media presence into a thriving business. The conversation then shifts to IONGAF itself, where Ricky provides insight into what it’s like to manage and grow a brand from the ground up. They discuss the concept of “normalizing niche” through unique designs and content and what the daily duties look like when running a fashion brand. They wrap up the interview talking about the current state of the fashion industry and where it’s headed. Ricky shares his thoughts on the future of fashion over the next decade and offers advice for anyone looking to break into the industry.

Photo Credit:

• Photo by Taraqur Rahman on Unsplash

Sound Credits:

• Catalyst Intro/Ending music: Taryn’s Electric Dream, by Taryn Stroop

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.

Senior Sydney Cook Rogoff ’25, a Creative Writing major/ CCI minor, begins our episode with an in-depth discussion of the Creative and Cultural Industries with Kellen Sweny, a Tech Initiatives Program Manager for the Walt Disney Company, specifically Walt Disney World. They discuss in detail the study of Creative and Cultural Industries before diving into the different aspects of the Walt Disney Company and focusing specifically on the responsibility the company has to continue to produce outstanding content and how Sweny contributes to this goal.They touch on how Sweny came to work for the company and what drew her to it in the first place, before they conclude with Sweny’s “words of wisdom” for anyone trying to get a job in the corporate world of Disney, and how she worked to get her job. They touch on the Disney College Program (a program set up by the Walt Disney Company for aspiring Disney employees) and how this program helped her attain her current role at Disney.

Our second segment in today’s episode features an interview with Travis Garcia, the Co-Director of Features Programming at the Newport Beach Film Festival. Travis speaks with Marisa Lamas'27, a Public Relations, Advertising and Entertainment Marketing major / CCI minor. Listen in as Marisa and Travis delve into the film festival industry and find out what it takes to take on the role of a director of features programming. They discuss Travis’ previous work experience and what prepared him for his current job, from interning with the Austin Film Festival to student teaching at Cal State Fullerton in the Film, Cinema, and Media Studies sector. They also explore some of the position’s highlights and challenges which prompts a discussion what kind of skills are needed to truly succeed in a position like Travis’ and how to develop those skills. As they wrap up the interview, Travis has a chance to discuss some of the influential figures who were responsible for steering him in the right direction and the advice that they bestowed on him, which will always hold a prevalent place in his mind.

Photo Credit:

• Photo by Taraqur Rahman on Unsplash

Sound Credits:

• Catalyst Intro/Ending music: Taryn’s Electric Dream, by Taryn Stroop

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.

Hosting our first segment this week is Jadyn Ayala '26, a Business Administration major/CCI minor who brings us an interview with Joshua Gaspar, a professional dancer and choreographer. Joshua opens up to Jadyn about his early years in dance, sharing how his passion transformed into a career despite financial challenges and setbacks. They discuss how Joshua founded Exchange, a dance team focused on sharing ideas, power, and community, and what it was like to build that team from the ground up. Next, they discuss Joshua’s residency in Las Vegas and how he later turned that into a North American tour with Donny Osmond. They close the interview by talking about how Joshua plans to take his passion even further in the future.

Next up this week is an interview with a singer/songwriter who performs as Acacia. Acacia sits down to talk with senior Gabby Andersch '25, a Biological Sciences major/ CCI minor. The pair discuss Acacia’s creative process, revealing how she balances deeply personal experiences with universal themes. They also discuss the evolution of her music over time—how her sound has shifted and what’s influenced these changes. Acacia reflects on the roles her cultural background has played in shaping her music, offering a deeper look at how her life experiences and where she grew up influenced the lyrics, the melodies she creates, and her experiences with interpersonal relationships. They wrap up the interview by exploring the realities of the music industry, from how involved Acacia is in the business side of things to the biggest challenges musicians face today.

Photo Credit:

• Photo by Chad Kirchoff on Unsplash

Sound Credits:

• Spotify link for Acaia
• Catalyst Intro/Ending music: Taryn’s Electric Dream, by Taryn Stroop

Each episode of Season 13 will feature one to two different interviews conducted by CCI students, exploring various aspects of the Creative and Cultural Industries.

In our first segment this week, Senior Strategic and Corporate Communication major Lauren Kalama ’25 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 ’25, who interviews journalist-turned-content creator Dani Schulz. Cole, who is a Business Administration major/ CCI minor, 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 her 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.

Photo Credit:

• Photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash

Sound Credits:

• Catalyst Intro/Ending music: Taryn’s Electric Dream, by Taryn Stroop

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. Chapman senior Amber Zhu, a Film Studies major/ CCI minor, 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 '25, a Broadcast Journalism and Documentary major/ CCI minor 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.

Photo Credit:

• Photo by Kari Shea on Unsplash

Sound Credits:

• Catalyst Intro/Ending music: Taryn’s Electric Dream, by Taryn Stroop

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 Business Administration major/ Law and the Liberal Arts minor, Franca Strandell '27, 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 '26, a Business Administration major / CCI minor. 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 by discussing how ad sales can often be overlooked as a pivotal part of marketing. It dots the landscape of the creative and cultural industries more than people realize.

Photo Credit:

• Photo by Melanie Deziel on Unsplash

Sound Credits:

• Catalyst Intro/Ending music: Taryn’s Electric Dream, by Taryn Stroop

Each episode of Season 13 will feature one to two 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 '25, a Communication Studies Major and CCI & Leadership Studies double minor here at Chapman. Sammy relates how she grew up in Connecticut and what her journey was like, both physically andprofessionally, 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 '27, a Writing for Film & TV Major with a minor in Sound Design whose interview with 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 of virtual coaching and how this style is now much more economical for a lot of players, which allows them to get practical feedback to help them excel.

Photo Credit:

• First photo for this week: Photo by Adam Hamel on Unsplash 

• Second photo for this week: Photo by Ryan Searle on Unsplash

Sound Credits:

• Catalyst Intro/Ending music: Taryn’s Electric Dream, by Taryn Stroop

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 a Business Administration major/CCI minor, Katelyn Vu ’25, 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 ’27, Creative Producing major/CCI minor 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.

Photo Credit:

• Photo by Jess Bailey on Unsplash 
  

Sound Credits:

• Catalyst Intro/Ending music: Taryn’s Electric Dream, by Taryn Stroop

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 here at Chapman University and she speaks with Senior Iliana Nordenso, a Public Relations/Advertising major/CCI minor, 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 ’25, Strategic & Corporate Communications major/CCI minor, 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.

Photo Credit:

• Photo by Toa Heftiba on Unsplash

Sound Credits:

• Catalyst Intro/Ending music: Taryn’s Electric Dream, by Taryn Stroop

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 with Accounting major/ CCI minor Sofia del Rey '25 and her interview with Ryan Metzler. Metzler, an 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 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, Creative Writing major/CCI minor, Maya Caparaz ’25, 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's more recent projects such as 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 implement 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.

Photo Credit:

• Photo 1: Photo by Mohammad Mardani on Unsplash
• Photo 2: Photo by Brian Erickson on Unsplash 

Sound Credits:

• Catalyst Intro/Ending music: Taryn’s Electric Dream, by Taryn Stroop

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 Communication Studies major /CCI minor, Nicole Marsh '25, 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, recent alumni Rajbir Sambi '24, who graduated with a degree in Business Administration this past spring, 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 to 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.

Photo Credit:

• Photo by Mohammad Mardani on Unsplash

Sound Credits:

• Catalyst Intro/Ending music: Taryn’s Electric Dream, by Taryn Stroop

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. Chapman Alumni Jennings Gibbs-Barger '24, who graduated this past May with a degree in TV Writing and Production and a double minor in Anthropology and CCI, 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 fellow recent Chapman graduate, Nathan Slevcove '24, who graduated with a degree in Film Production, and a minor in CCI, speaking to 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.

Photo Credit:

• Photo by Pedro Velasco on Unsplash

Sound Credit:

• Intro/Ending music: Taryn’s Electric Dream, by Taryn Stroop

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 Strategic & Corporate Communications major/CCI & Public Relations double minor, Annie Hirsch '26, 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' 25, a Communication Studies major /Design and Fabrication themed inquiry student, 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.

Photo Credit:

• Photo 1: LOGAN WEAVER | @LGNWVR on Unsplash
• Photo 2: Photo by Junior REIS on Unsplash 

Sound Credit:

• Intro/Ending music: Taryn’s Electric Dream, by Taryn Stroop

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’26 a Communication Studies major/ CCI minor 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'26, a Film Production major/ CCI minor, 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.

Photo Credit:

• Photo by LOGAN WEAVER | @LGNWVR on Unsplash

Sound Credit:

• Intro/Ending music: Taryn’s Electric Dream, by Taryn Stroop

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 '26, a Strategic & Corporate Communications major/Music Business & CCI double minor, 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 Alumni Derek Phan '24 who graduated this past spring as a Corporate Communication major with a Entrepreneurship minor 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.

Photo Credit:

• Photo by Etienne Girardet on Unsplash

Sound Credit:

• Intro/Ending music: Taryn’s Electric Dream, by Taryn Stroop

Photo Credit:

• Tahereh Sheerazie and The Moozis, Forest Bathing (Cropped), screen printing and embroidery on patchwork fabric, 2019. Purchased with funds from the Escalette Endowment.

Sound Credit:

Both Intro and exit music courtesy of Christian Valencia’20, Chapman University, College of Performing arts Alum. Christian’s website: https://musicavalencia.com/

Music in this episode:

• Gymnopedie 1
• Morning
• Ethereal Relaxation 2
• Crinoline Dreams
• Wholesome
• Vibing over Venus
• Ripples Tale Waltz part 1 instrumental

All by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0

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.

Episode Host & Interviewer : Abigail Stephens ’26, Chapman University, History major/ Journalism and CCI minor

Photo Credits:

• Photo one: Bovey Lee, Cross Section, oil on canvas, 1994. Gift of the artist.
• Photo two: Bovey Lee, Roots - Dandelions, Chinese rice paper on silk, 2014. Purchased with acquisition funds. 

Sound Credit:

Both Intro and exit music courtesy of Christian Valencia’20, Chapman University, College of Performing arts Alum. Christian’s website: https://musicavalencia.com/

Music in this episode:

• Ethereal Relaxation 2
• Apero Hour
• Night in Venice
• Cattails 2
• Teller of the Tales
• Fox Tale Waltz part 1 instrumental

All by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0

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.

Episode Host & Interviewer : Abigail Stephens ’26, Chapman University, History major/ Journalism and CCI minor

Episode Editor and Audio Engineer:  Justin Sepulveda ’26, Fullerton College, Audio Engineering major

Photo Credit:

• Elizabeth Turk, Nature Memorial: Water Triptych, Vermont marble, 1998-2004. Gift of Jeannie Denholm.

Sound Credit:

Both Intro and exit music courtesy of Christian Valencia’20, Chapman University, College of Performing arts Alum. Christian’s website: https://musicavalencia.com/

• Ethereal Relaxation 2
• Somewhere Sunny version 2
• Gonna Start
• Sincerely
• Teller of the Tales

All by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0

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.  

Episode Host & Interviewer : Abigail Stephens ’26, Chapman University, History major/ Journalism and CCI minor

Photo Credit:

• Daniel Canogar, Pareiodolia, Four 55' 4K screens, generative custom software, computer, 2023. Purchased with funds from the National Endowment for the Arts and individual donors. 
  

Sound Credit:

Both Intro and exit music courtesy of Christian Valencia’20, Chapman University, College of Performing arts Alum. Christian’s website: https://musicavalencia.com/ 

Music in this episode:  

• Alien Restaurant  
• Vibing over Venus 
• Magic Scout — farm 
• Jellyfish in Space 

All by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0 

As we head into summer we are excited to not only offer you some Catalyst season 11 highlights, and season 12 teasers, but to also announce that this summer Catalyst will be hosting 4 new episodes of the special series “The Artist is Present”! “The Artist 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 Chapman University. The Collection is fortunate to include artists from diverse backgrounds whose work fosters new and interesting ways of knowing the world. In listening to these perspectives, we hope that “The Artist is Present” serves as an educational resource and an enjoyable reminder of how art shapes our understanding of the past, present, and who we might become in the future.

Referencing the important performance art piece by Marina Abramović, the title of the series, “The Artist is Present”, evokes the sense of closeness and deep engagement inherent to the interview-based style of the podcast. All the interviews were researched by Chapman University students and conducted by Chapman University, students, staff and Alumni. This season was hosted and produced by Chapman University Junior, Abigail Stephens ‘26. 

Wilkinson College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences is the proud home of the Phyllis and Ross Escalette Permanent Collection of Art. The collection is supported by an endowment established by the late Phyllis and Ross Escalette and is comprised mainly of contemporary and modern paintings, prints, and sculpture. Rather than being housed in a museum or gallery, The Escalette Collection functions as a “museum without walls” where artwork is displayed throughout the Chapman campus in hallways, public spaces, and study areas. Beyond its role in curating art in public spaces, the Escalette is a learning laboratory that offers diverse opportunities for student engagement, research, and involvement with the broader community.

Graphic Credit:

• The Artist is Present Podcast Cover designed by Chapman student Arianna Patterson ‘24

Sound Credit:

• Intro/Ending music: Taryn’s Electric Dream, by Taryn Stroop
• Artist is present Intro music: courtesy of Christian Valencia’20, Chapman University, College of Performing arts Alum. Christian’s website: https://musicavalencia.com/

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 Strategic & Corporate Communications major, CCI & Music Business double minor Jacky Kim '26’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 '25, a Strategic & Corporate Communications major, CCI minor. 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.

Picture Credit:

• Photo by SOULSANA on Unsplash

Sound Credits:

• Catalyst Intro/Ending music: Taryn’s Electric Dream, by Taryn Stroop

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 ’25, a Screenwriting major/CCI minor. 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 English major/CCI minor, Logan Dutra '24’s interview with artist and graphic designer and Chapman Alum, Angelique Francis’22. 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.

Picture Credit:

• Photo by Hector Argüello Canals on Unsplash

Sound Credits:

• Catalyst Intro/Ending music: Taryn’s Electric Dream, by Taryn Stroop

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 on Catalyst Public Relations, Advertising and Entertainment Marketing major / CCI minor Rockie Rosenberg ’24 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 Communication Studies major / CCI minor, Lyn Sazon ’25, 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.

Picture Credit:

• Photo by Tim Mossholder on Unsplash

Sound Credits:

• Catalyst Intro/Ending music: Taryn’s Electric Dream, by Taryn Stroop

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 ’24, Business Administration major/CCI minor 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 two chapman students when Strategic & Corporate Communications major/CCI minor, Sophia Movsisian’25 interviews Cora Synnes ’25 a Public Relations, Advertising and Entertainment Marketing major/Broadcast Journalism minor, 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.

Picture Credit:

• Photo by Glenn Carstens-Peters on Unsplash

Sound Credits:

• Catalyst Intro/Ending music: Taryn’s Electric Dream, by Taryn Stroop

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 ’25, Business Administration major/ CCI minor, 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 Communication Studies major/ CCI & Public Relations double minor, Clare Thompson ’24, 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.

Picture Credit:

• Photo by Noah Silliman on Unsplash

Sound Credits:

• Catalyst Intro/Ending music: Taryn’s Electric Dream, by Taryn Stroop

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 Strategic & Corporate Comm major/ CCI minor Alia Hagi ’25, interviews Hawaiian weatherman and television personality, Guy Hagi (Instagram @hnn.guyhagi). 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 Creative Writing major/ CCI & Italian Studies double minor, Sofie Kassaras ’24, 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. 

Picture Credit:

• Photo by Peter Geo on Unsplash 

Sound Credits:

• Catalyst Intro/Ending music: Taryn’s Electric Dream, by Taryn Stroop

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 '24, Political Science major/CCI minor, 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 '24, a Strategic & Corporate Communications major/CCI minor, 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.

Picture Credit:

• Photo by Christian Joudrey on Unsplash

Sound Credits:

• Catalyst Intro/Ending music: Taryn’s Electric Dream, by Taryn Stroop

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 '24 a Communication Studies major/CCI minor 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 Dance Performance major/CCI minor, Elle Holland '24. 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.

Picture Credit:

• Photo by Samantha Weisburg on Unsplash

Sound Credits:

• Catalyst Intro/Ending music: Taryn’s Electric Dream, by Taryn Stroop

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 '24, a graduating Communication Studies major/CCI minor, 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 by senior Sociology major/CCI minor Ella Flanders '24, 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.

Picture Credits:

• First Photo by Alexander Kirov on Unsplash
• Second Photo by Photo by Zeynep Sümer on Unsplash

Sound Credits:

• Catalyst Intro/Ending music: Taryn’s Electric Dream, by Taryn Stroop

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 Senior Business Administration major/CCI minor, Leah Hallal '24, 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 ’24. Leach, who is a Broadcast Journalism & Documentary major/CCI minor, 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.

Picture Credits:

• Photo by Thomas Serer on Unsplash

Sound Credits:

• Catalyst Intro/Ending music: Taryn’s Electric Dream, by Taryn Stroop

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. 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. Interviewing Cordova is Business Administration major/CCI minor, Hayley Nguyen ’24. 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 '25, a fellow Business Administration major/CCI minor, 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.

Photo Credit:

• Photo by Jon Tyson on Unsplash

Sound Credit:

• Intro/Ending music: Taryn’s Electric Dream, by Taryn Stroop

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 Communication Studies major/ CCI minor, Cate Soboleski ’26. 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 Environmental Sci & Policy major, CCI & Documentary Film double minor, Ava Cison '24, 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?

Photo Credit:

• Photo by Jeremy Yap on Unsplash

Sound Credit:

• Intro/Ending music: Taryn’s Electric Dream, by Taryn Stroop

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 '24, a Business Administration major/CCI minor 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 COVID-19. They conclude with some tips and tricks from Patrick for creatives hoping to navigate a similar career.

Gianna Ormonde '24 brings us to a close this week with her interview of Bloom Nutrition’s Head of Creative Marketing, Nareh Vartanian. Ormonde, who is also a Business Administration major/CCI minor, 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 actually 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.

Photo Credit:

• Photo by Nick Fewings on Unsplash

Sound Credit:

• Intro/Ending music: Taryn’s Electric Dream, by Taryn Stroop

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.

Kaylee Scott '25 begins the show this week with her interview of Lexi Zdanov, owner of Stray Booking and Promotional Agency. Scott, who herself is a Psychology major/CCI minor, leads an interesting conversation with Zdanov, which covers what led to the creation of Stray, and how Lexi has experience in crafting everything from intimate acoustic shows to large festival settings. They discuss her ability to craft unique themed shows that provide an immersive experience for the fans and the performers. The conversation also delves into what it is like to be a woman in this field, with Lexi offering some important messaging on what women entering the music industry should understand how to be successful and not get pushed aside.

To conclude the show Ava Ganz '23 a Strategic & Corporate Communications major/CCI minor interviews Jordan Lebowitz ’23, a Chapman Business Administration Major/ Chinese and Music double minor who already has his foot in the door of the music industry. Working as a tour facilitator, the two discuss the ins and outs of organizing tours and the challenges he has faced along the way. Ava also talks with Jordan about how he manages to maintain his creativity and flow while juggling his responsibilities as a student and employee. He shares his tips for staying excited and engaged despite the stress that can come with managing multiple responsibilities at a fairly young age. As a postscript to this interview, following graduation, Jordan has secured the position of Staff Tour Accountant at David Weise and Associates, where he no doubt employs the skills and creative concepts that he acquired from his previous industry positions.

Photo Credit:

• Photo by seabass creatives on Unsplash

Sound Credit:

• Intro/Ending music: Taryn’s Electric Dream, by Taryn Stroop

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.

We start the show this week with an interview conducted by Communication Studies major/CCI and English double minor Rohan Chhabra '24 who sits down with the Head of Literary Management at Bold Soul Studios, Michael Masukawa. Rohan discusses with Michael his journey from his early college days interning at as many production companies as he could find to his current role at Bold Soul. They also discussed how he also founded his own creative consulting company, Masukawa Creative Management. Michael provides helpful insights for creatives, including that his path is not one that everyone follows, and that is a good thing.

To conclude the show Libby Chun ’23 a Film Production major speaks with actress, dancer, and content creator Jenna Alvarez. Jenna who has appeared in such film and TV projects as Jim Carrey’s television show Kidding, Disney Channel’s Shook, and HBO’s Generation. The pair discuss how Jenna started as a dancer, but came to love acting, and how different roles can influence the relationship with creativity. They cover Jenna’s desire to be a part of new and upcoming narratives about the Asian American experience like Netflix’s BEEF. And finally, they wrap the interview by touching on what Jenna is currently working on and excited about within her many careers.

Photo Credit:

• Photo by Rock Staar on Unsplash

Sound Credit:

• Intro/Ending music: Taryn’s Electric Dream, by Taryn Stroop

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.

This week Catalyst features an interview with the founder of the Blueprint Stan Experience, Maya Kaspi. Kaspi, a veteran of the music industry, has created the Blueprint Stan Experience to be a fan events, fan services, and fan marketing company dedicated to amplifying the enjoyment of the fan experience. Interviewing Kaspi this week is Business Administration major/CCI minor, Emily Paris '25. Emily discusses with Maya how she first started in the music industry as a digital marketer working at Crowd Surf for one of her favorite bands. The two also talk about how Maya’s early experiences combined with her desire for inclusivity, safety, reward, and excitement for music led her to create the Blueprint Stan Experience. The two touch on the subject of fandom in terms of driving the creative and cultural industries and how fans can be utilized as such for social change. To wrap up the interview Kaspi discusses how she is trying through the Blueprint Stan Experience to provide opportunities for fans to be actively involved, engaged, and appreciated in this industry while making music and concerts more accessible to fans of all walks of life.

Photo Credit:

• Photo by Danny Howe on Unsplash

Sound Credit:

• Intro/Ending music: Taryn’s Electric Dream, by Taryn Stroop

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.

We start the show this week with Melissa Wong ’24, a Strategic & Corporate Communications major/CCI minor who sat down with the founder, designer, and owner of Anna Learns Things, Anna Dong. The company, which is solely run by Dong, specializes in making handmade beaded jewelry, accessories, and textiles. Born out of a pandemic hobby that launched as an Instagram page, Anna has turned the company into her fashion-based career. Melissa discusses with Anna her original plans post college where she studied Neuroscience and Biochemistry, how those plans evolved and finally how she now navigates the fast-paced fashion industry as a small business owner.

To wrap the show this week, listen along as Chapman Graduate Maddie Mullany '23, who completed her Strategic & Corporate Communications major/CCI minor in spring 2023, interviews Rachel Ellenbogen. A New York based designer and embroiderer, Ellenbogen is a 2022 graduate of Parsons BFA Fashion Design who works in clothing design, textile embroidery and art pieces. She has worked on embroidery teams with designers such as Alexander McQueen and Versace and was sponsored by Swarovski on her Parsons School of Design graduate collection “Terms & Conditions” who provided her with crystals to embellish her collection pieces. During their conversation, Mullany and Ellenbogen talk about Rachel’s creative process and inspiration when it comes to fashion and design, as well as the concept of “wearable art” and how CCI relates to this idea of a collaboration of mediums, like visual arts, haute couture, and slow fashion.

Photo Credit:

• Photo by Charlota Blunarova on Unsplash

Sound Credit:

• Intro/Ending music: Taryn’s Electric Dream, by Taryn Stroop

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.

This week our first guest is experienced broadcast journalist from San Francisco, Jerry Kay who speaks with Strategic & Corporate Comm major/CCI minor Angie Cox-Parra ’25 about his more than 30 year career in radio. Jerry explains how he has been able to align the creative practices of radio shows and podcasts with science by illuminating how editing and purpose are significant components of his creative process. They discuss how the main drive for his radio shows is curiosity, and how his need to continuously learn more had influenced the content that he has created over the course of his career.

Angelica Cortez ’25, a Business Administration major/CCI minor rounds out this week’s episode with an interview of Evelyn Erives, the midday host of a show on heritage radio station 99.1 KGGI in Southern California, as well as the current Public Service Director and host of the weekly Community Spotlight for the iHeartMedia Riverside cluster. She additionally hosts the weekend show on the iconic KOST 103.5 in Los Angeles. The pair discuss how Erives’ passion for radio is only matched by her enthusiasm for volunteering which has inspired many of her fans to join her efforts and has earned her countless awards including Woman of the Year, the National Media Award for Excellence in Radio Broadcasting, and the Latina of Influence award from Hispanic Lifestyle Magazine.

Photo Credit:

• Photo by Photo by Andrea De Santis on Unsplash

Sound Credit:

• Intro/Ending music: Taryn’s Electric Dream, by Taryn Stroop

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 first episode of season 10, begins with senior screenwriting major Will Singer ’23 interviewing trombonist/composer Rocky Fox, who is best known for his work as a bass trombonist. Based in LA, Rocky also works in music composition/arrangement. The pair first discuss Rocky’s recent audition to play in the Royal Swedish Orchestra. They then rewind to talk about Rocky’s past exploring how he started playing trombone in middle school and how he came to the conclusion that he would make a career out of music. The two wrap the interview with a retrospective analysis of Rocky’s work in the Creative Industries.

Our second interview features Tony Torres a multifaceted individual who has over the course of his career achieved accomplishments in the worlds of graffiti art, music, and PRO-AM golf. Torres sits down to discuss his unique career trajectory with Business Administration major/, Music Business minor Danny Schliesser ’24. Torres talks about his experience moving from street graffiti to refined gallery art, talking candidly about challenges that he has faced and illuminates for the audience how he credits his mentors as inspirations in his work. As the interview winds down, Tony shares his vision for the creative and cultural industries, and the pair concludes with a few words of wisdom for aspiring artists.

Photo Credit:

• First Photo by Ayoola Salako on Unsplash
• Second Photo by by Adam Birkett on Unsplash

Sound Credit:

• Intro/Ending music: Taryn’s Electric Dream, by Taryn Stroop

For the Season Nine Finale this week, we are taking a look back at the beginning of Catalyst. CCI Faculty, and Catalyst Co-host, Ryan Haley (pictured left), and his Season’s Eight and Nine Co-host, Mike Gravagno (pictured below) ’18 speak with former Catalyst hosts Taryn Stoop ’10 and Shannon Halverson (pictured below in group) about how the podcast came into existence, what its purpose was, and how it has evolved through the CCI 304: CCI in Practice Course.

The four also discuss how their backgrounds in the liberal arts, both through education and work, have influenced what they are doing today. Gravagno who graduated from Columbia University with a BA in Creative Writing Nonfiction and went on to earn his MFA in creative writing from Chapman University in 2018, talks about how his education and work in podcasting has lead him to his current position as Senior Content Marketing Specialist at Workiva. Stroop who is also an alum of Chapman, graduating with a BA in Sociology in 2010, relates how her background and extensive work experience in the creative and cultural industries contributed to her career, and her current position as the Recreation Coordinator for the City of Tumwater Parks and Recreation Department.

Halverson, who is currently the Program Manager for the Center for Creative and Cultural Industries at Chapman University and Stroop touch on early recording days of Catalyst, when Gravagno helped to record and produce the episodes. They look at how that format transitioned under Haley’s course, and how the students now fully produce the interview sections of the show each season. The quartet wrap the interview with some musings on where they think the cultural and creative industries are headed in a post pandemic, AI filled future.

Photo Credit:

• CCI Faculty, Ryan Haley, photo courtesy of Haley
• Chapman alum, Mike Gravagno, photo courtesy of Gravagno
• Chapman alum and former employee Taryn Stroop and CCI Program Manager pose with Catalyst Season One guests, Co-creator, Co-producer, Co-showrunner of HBO’s hit show “Westworld”, Lisa Joy, and multi-series producer Noreen O’Toole, Photo from Wilkinson’s 2018 Interstices event.

Sound Credits:

• Catalyst Intro/Ending music: Taryn’s Electric Dream, by Taryn Stroop

Each episode of Season 9 will feature one to two different interviews conducted by CCI students, exploring different aspects of the Creative and Cultural Industries.

This week we have a special episode when Senior Business Administration Major and Creative and Cultural Industries & Advertising double minor, Pamela Coelho ’23, and Alissa Sakamoto ’24 a fellow Business Administration Major and Creative and Cultural Industries minor interview Dr. Javier Moscoso.

Dr. Javier Moscoso is Research Professor of History and Philosophy of Science at the Institute of History of the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), Spain. He has published extensively on the cultural history of life sciences, mainly in the 18th century. Moscoso has also paid special attention to what is now called “knowledge transfer” and public engagement. Most recently Moscoso’s research and writing have dealt with the history of the human passions and experiences, mainly ambition, jealousy, envy, and resentment. As a curator, he has organised shows such as: "Monsters and Imaginary Beings" at the National Library, in Madrid and "Pain. Passion. Compassion. Sensibility", a Welcome Trust Exhibition at the Science Museum, London. Just a few of his published works include Pain: A Cultural History, (Palgrave-Macmillan, 2012), Broken Promises. A Political History of the Passions, (In Spanish, 2017) and most recently, Arc of Feeling, A History of the Swing (Reaktion, 2023).

In November of 2017, Dr. Moscoso travelled to the United States for several speaking and research engagements including meeting with Center for Creative and Cultural Industries Director Dr. Patrick Fuery. Dr. Moscoso gave several lectures on Chapman’s campus discussing his research and work with Creative and Cultural Industries through the Institute of History. Pamela and Alissa were able to sit down with Dr. Moscoso during his visit for a compelling podcast interview where they discussed everything from his research, to CCIs as he deals with them abroad, to his hopes for the future in his own career and life. We hope you enjoy this interview and we at Chapman’s Center for Creative and Cultural Industries look forward to hopeful future collaborations with Dr. Moscoso.

Photo Credit:

• Photo Courtesy of Dr. Javier Moscoso

• Book jacket courtesy of University of Chicago Press, DISTRIBUTED FOR Reaktion Books

Sound Credit:

• Intro/Ending music: Taryn’s Electric Dream, by Taryn Stroop

Each episode of Season 9 will feature one to two different interviews conducted by CCI students, exploring different aspects of the Creative and Cultural Industries.

This week we start with an interview of Donna Smith, the CEO and Founder of 2w Entertainment Network, Persnickety Productions, and Co-Chair of Hollywood Express, by Film Production major/CCI minor Emma DeBoer '25. Smith, who began her career as Production Coordinator on Raging Bull, followed by positions as a Line Producer and Producer on films such as Jurassic Park, The Terminator, and Schindler’s List was also the first female President of Physical and Post Production at Universal Studios. She has also served as the Vice President of the Cannes Film Festival, was a former President of Women in Film, and currently serves as a Trustee for Women in Film. In addition, she is the president of the Bali Film Council and the United States Film Ambassador to China. Emma and Donna discuss how Smith works as a creative on projects ranging from independent to big studio productions and delve into the importance of the international market. Donna discusses what exactly her jobs have entailed and how her views on the CCI have changed. They wrap up with some insider information when Donna dishes on what she looks for when being approached with a new idea and what she thinks the future of film looks like.

In our second segment of the week, 3rd year Business Administration major/CCI minor, Alissa Sakamoto '24 interviews Danielle Madeira, the CEO/Founder of Madeira and Partners, a full-service creative brand marketing agency specializing in experiential events.  Danielle expounds on her experience at the highest levels of event marketing, production and talent buying. Known for her contributions to popular music festivals such as Outside Lands San Francisco and Life is Beautiful Las Vegas Danielle sits down to share with Alissa her insights on the industry, including the cultural importance of live events and experiences to communities that they reflect and serve. They also touch on such things as how the concept of sustainability within the culture of live events is evolving to reflect the change they want to see. For example, utilizing creative initiatives at events to decrease the percentage of the waste produced that goes to landfill vs compost and/or recycling. Before they conclude the talk, Danielle and Alissa discuss the impetus for launching Madeira and Partners and what Danielle hopes to see in the world of live events and festivals in the future.

Photo Credit:

• Photo by Myke Simon on Unsplash

• Photo by Maxime Bhm on Unsplash

Sound Credit:

• Intro/Ending music: Taryn’s Electric Dream, by Taryn Stroop

Each episode of Season 9 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, 3rd year Communication Studies major/CCI minor Sami Frias '24 conducts an interview with the Head of Marketing Communications at Taco Bell, Matt Prince. Prince and Frias discuss how Public Relations and Marketing work to create the culture of an organization and how it is essential for establishing a company’s public voice and image. They dive into what the job entails, and how Prince incorporates creativity into his daily responsibilities and tasks. They go over highlights and challenges that Prince has experienced throughout his career with the company, including contributing to commercials, and even a Taco Bell Wedding! Prince leaves our listeners with insight into the importance of adapting to new trends and ideas in the world of PR to keep up with relevant and exciting concepts within our society.

Our second interview this week is brought to us by Nicki Koerwer '24. Koerwer, who is also a 3rd year Communication Studies major/CCI minor connected with Sara Zaghi to talk about Sara’s role as Senior Director at Michele Marie PR including what a typical day looks like for her and how creativity is fostered in her work. They delve into what it means to be a full-service fashion and beauty PR agency specializing in press, celebrity/VIP as well as fashion PR securing third party credible content through offices in LA and NYC. The pair talk about what a Communications degree does for an individual in the PR field, and Sara mentions the ways in which she sees creativity in the office setting and in her coworkers outside of the work that she does for the company. They wrap the interview by discussing Sara’s plans for the future in terms of her career and further schooling.

Photo Credit:

• Photo by Melanie Deziel on Unsplash

Sound Credit:

• Intro/Ending music: Taryn’s Electric Dream, by Taryn Stroop

Each episode of Season 9 will feature one to two different interviews conducted by CCI students, exploring different aspects of the Creative and Cultural Industries.

Tristan Foster ’23 a Creative Producing major/Media, Culture & Society cluster senior, begins our episode this week by interviewing Aaliyah Kashyap, a content creator who is from Mumbai, India. Having grown up in and around Bollywood, with a father who is a director, Aaliyah is no stranger to the power of using audience momentum. She has channeled that firsthand experience into creating her own YouTube channel which boasts over 130,000 subscribers and has curated an Instagram audience of 300,000 followers. She uses the platforms to discuss the reality of life in the spotlight and has also brought the topic of mental health and wellbeing into the conversation, a topic that can be seen as controversial in India. Tristan and Aaliyah discuss Aaliyah’s professional journey from vlogging to social media up to the launch of her jewelry company Athena Jewels.

In this week’s second segment a fellow Creative Producing major/Media, Culture & Society cluster senior, Aneesa Coomer ’23 sits down with Jennifer Johnson, a Senior Editor at Storied Media Group to discuss her background and how she broke into the entertainment industry. The two discuss Jennifer’s degree background, and Jennifer gives some insight as to how to make the most of internships by taking a proactive approach. Moving on to her time at Warner Brothers they cover what it is like to really work in such a fast paced and changing industry, especially through the rise of streaming platforms. They move on to what Jennifer thinks about the role of Senior Editor at Storied Media Group and wrap the interview with a discussion of what Jennifer’s passions and plans are as she looks toward the future.

Photo Credit:

• Photo by Aswin on Unsplash

Sound Credit:

• Intro/Ending music: Taryn’s Electric Dream, by Taryn Stroop

Each episode of Season 9 will feature one to two different interviews conducted by CCI students, exploring different aspects of the Creative and Cultural Industries.

Business Administration major/CCI minor Ashley Retzer '26 kicks off this episode with an interview of Kelsy Parkhouse, owner of the sustainable fashion brand Carleen. Carleen domestically sources and manufactures unique pieces with reworked denim and vintage, quilted textiles. Carleen has been known to work with brands such as Free People and Anthropologie and has been worn by celebrities such as Kendall Jenner and Lena Dunham. Retzer and Parkhouse cover everything from sourcing textiles to the current state of fashion sustainability and wrap up the interview with advice to the aspiring students hoping to work in creative industries and run a successful business.

Our second interview features Julius Durets, a young entrepreneur who started his own clothing brand, Rosado, shortly after graduating from college. Durets sits down with Strategic & Corporate Communications major /CCI minor Sophie Gunn '24 to discuss how to balance a growing a brand while still working a corporate job, Durets’ creative process and how he has worked to create a feeling of originality and nostalgia at the same time with Rosado. The two also reflect on the concepts of work ethic and creative freedom and how that can influence and shape one’s work.

Photo Credit:

• Photo by Terri Bleeker on Unsplash

Sound Credit:

• Intro/Ending music: Taryn’s Electric Dream, by Taryn Stroop

Each episode of Season 9 will feature one to two different interviews conducted by CCI students, exploring different aspects of the Creative and Cultural Industries.

In our second episode of season nine, Communication Studies major & CCI minor, Carly Dinowitz '24 conducts our first interview with Rose Costolo, a jewelry artist who created Costolo Studios, a luxury fine jewelry company specializing in both custom pieces & modern product lines. Carly leads a compelling interview where she and Rose discuss the importance of creative pathways, the influence of culture and cultural shifts in the design and making of jewelry and what the jewelry landscape is like in Los Angeles, one of the diamond capitals of the country. The two also discuss the influence and importance of mentorship, and Carly wraps up the interview by asking Rose to offer her insight into what makes a good creative.

Episode two concludes with an interview by Junior Business Administration major /CCI minor, Erika Nakamura '23 of Tamar Herman (@tamarwrites) a writer, editor, and consultant specializing in international music and the Asian pop market. She has written for Forbes, Billboard, and NBC News and made appearances in Vox’s Explained on Netflix and the YouTube Docuseries Kpop Evolution. Erika uncovers how Tamar’s interest in Kpop fueled her passion for writing and how that passion evolved into a career in journalism. They touch Tamar’s career journey and how she was able to push for Asian music stories, pioneering this type of music journalism in American mainstream media. To end, they discuss the importance of helping out and building up other creatives as you progress in your own CCI journey.

Photo Credit:

• Photo by Gilles Roux on Unsplash

Sound Credit:

• Intro/Ending music: Taryn’s Electric Dream, by Taryn Stroop

Each episode of Season 9 will feature one to two different interviews conducted by CCI students, exploring different aspects of the Creative and Cultural Industries.

We start season nine with a very special interview conducted by the Center for Creative and Cultural Industries own Student Social Media Coordinator, Pamela Coelho ’23, a senior Business Administration major with an Advertising and CCI double minor. Pam was able to sit down and speak with Professor Sara Pepper the Director of Creative Economy at Cardiff University (pictured below right) and Professor of Communication and Creative Industries at Cardiff University's School of Journalism, Justin Lewis (pictured above left). Professors Pepper and Lewis were meeting with Center for Creative and Cultural Industries Director Dr. Patrick Fuery, and giving several lectures on Chapman’s campus, when Pam was able to grab several minutes of their time for the Catalyst interview. Hear how both Professor Pepper and Lewis became interested and involved in the Creative sector in the UK, what Creative Industries looks like in Cardiff, Wales, and how Cardiff University interacts with and supports local CCIs.

Photo Credit:

• Photos courtesy of Professor Sara Pepper and Professor Justin Lewis

Sound Credit:

• Intro/Ending music: Taryn’s Electric Dream, by Taryn Stroop

Each episode of Season 8 will feature one to two different interviews conducted by CCI students, exploring different aspects of the Creative and Cultural Industries.

We start the season eight finale with an interview of Mikey Brockmann by Sociology major/ CCI minor, Anna Mauldin ’23. Brockmann is the post-production manager at Slappers Productions, a comedy channel primarily on Youtube but also on platforms like Instagram and Tik Tok, with over one million subscribers. The pair cover Brockmann’s journey from graduating with a BFA in screenwriting during a pandemic to how he came to work with Slappers, touching on what inspired him and pushed him to want to work within the creative and cultural industries. Brockmann goes on to share some insight with the listeners about what he does personally as the post-production manager and how he promotes creativity through the content he works with. The interview wraps up with Anna delving into what Mikey is working toward in his personal growth with the company and as a creative content creator.

We finish out our illustrious eighth season with an interview by Megan Hayes ’23, a senior Economics major/ CCI minor. Megan sits down with Account Manager Associate in Large Customer Sales at Google, Saarni Madhava. Madhava and Megan start by looking at Saarni’s current position within the American Sales Associate Program, where she has already had the chance to work with entities such as Nintendo, Warner Brothers and HBO max. Then the pair dive deep into what it is like working at a leading tech corporation, and how creativity is still a driving force and indispensable tool in Saarni’s work.

Photo Credit:

• Photo by Tim Mossholder on Unsplash

Sound Credit:

• Into/Ending music: Taryn’s Electric Dream, by Taryn Stroop

Each episode of Season 8 will feature one to two different interviews conducted by CCI students, exploring different aspects of the Creative and Cultural Industries.

To start our show this week, Perla Nino ’23, Film Studies major/CCI minor, interviews Amber Power. Amber is an LA-based writer, editor, and educator who teaches in the Creative and Cultural Industries here at Chapman University. Her work often focuses on activism expressed through performing arts. Amber has been a part of multiple publications including Bomb Magazine, Frieze, and Film Matters Magazine, an organization that shares the work of undergraduate students. In this episode, Amber shares her journey through theater and performance into authorship. Perla and Amber discuss how artists and writers both incorporate their values and beliefs into their work, and why it’s important for writers to observe performances. They also cover how Amber’s love of writing and academia is expressed through her publications and end with her advice to those who are interested in working toward publishing works of their own.

Our second segment features an interview with Emily Marcus by Dance major/Art & CCI double minor Lindsay Light’23. Marcus is the CEO and founder of Emily Blair Media, a boutique PR company that handles high profile clients as well as a Chapman University Alum. The pair discuss Emily’s first job with US Weekly as a writer and reporter and the subsequent journey that led her to establish her own PR firm that works with a varied client base including online influencers and individuals working in the industries of fashion, podcasting, and visual content. Marcus reveals how an intensive program that she enrolled in through Conde Nast in the UK was a huge influence on her career and then goes on to give out pertinent advice regarding how to create longevity in the career world of content creation today, including the oft overlooked role of the micro influencer.

Photo Credit:

• First photo: Photo by Markus Winkler on Unsplash
• Second photo: Photo by Marissa Grootes on Unsplash

Sound Credit:

• Into/Ending music: Taryn’s Electric Dream, by Taryn Stroop

Each episode of Season 8 will feature one to two different interviews conducted by CCI students, exploring different aspects of the Creative and Cultural Industries.

In this week’s first segment of Catalyst, Business Administration major/CCI minor Marissa Thompson ’23 sits down with Chapman Radio Faculty Advisor Travis Bartosh. Travis Bartosh is an Instructor in the Chapman School of Communication and teaches a class on how to make a radio show. Bartosh discusses his background in live music, how it brought him to Chapman Radio and what he loves about the medium. He highlights the exceptional work being done at Chapman Radio and rebukes critics who discount the worth of radio. This interview is a deep dive into a misunderstood industry that deserves more credit than it gets.

Chapman graduate Olivia Mar ’22, who holds a degree in Strategic and Corporate Communication with a CCI minor closes our episode this week with her Interview of Dr. Patrick Fuery. Dr. Fuery is the Founding Director of the Center for Creative and Cultural Industries at Chapman University, as well as a Professor in the program. Olivia and Dr. Fuery dig into what CCIs look like in the states and abroad. They also discuss Dr. Fuery’s background with CCI and his research focuses, looking at how and his books influence the way he approaches curriculum for his CCI courses. Lastly, the two discuss what lies ahead for the Creative and Cultural Industries at Chapman University. Patrick shares his hopes for expanding the minor on campus to allow even more students to tap into their creative side.

Photo Credit:

• First photo: Photo by Jacob Hodgson on Unsplash
• Second photo: Photo by No Revisions on Unsplash

Sound Credit:

• Into/Ending music: Taryn’s Electric Dream, by Taryn Stroop

Each episode of Season 8 will feature one to two different interviews conducted by CCI students, exploring different aspects of the Creative and Cultural Industries.

Our first interview features Melanie Phan ’22, who graduated with a Business Administration major and a double minor in Analytics and CCI, speaking with Rachel Savord, a former event production assistant in the deep house and disco funk music industry, and now successful Etsy shop owner and artist. Melanie and Rachel delve into the cultural implications of Rachel’s work in the music industry, where they discuss the importance of learning the cultural roots of the music events she produced, and how Covid was the catalyst for the launch of  Rachel’s Etsy shop, which she started as a way to shift her creative energy into starting her own small business. They touch on how all of Rachel’s experiences, from her International Relations studies in college, to work in the music festival industry to her current status as a small business owner and artist, relate and influence one another and how the philosophy of ‘remaining a learner’ as allowed Rachel to gain a balance of happiness and success in her career choices.

Charlie Molin ’23, Business Administrative major/CCI minor wraps up our episode with his interview of Archie Lee Coates IV,  the co-founder of multidisciplinary creative studio Playlab Inc.  Playlab is a multidisciplinary creative studio founded in 2009 by Archie and Jeff Franklin. With “no particular focus”, they explore themes using art, architecture, and graphic design to initiate ideas for themselves and others. Charlie learns about Archie’s designing roots, which started in 6th grade via a summer program in Miami, and how he met his future co-founder, Jeff Franklin, studying Architecture at Virginia Tech. Archie relates how he and Franklin pursued what would eventual become Playlab Inc. over years of work and planning and the challenges of financial viability for a young studio and their efforts to keep it afloat in its early years. They end their talk with reflection on how Playlab Inc. realized they could sidestep traditional barriers to entry by having genuine conversations and building relationships instead of focusing only on the final product, noting for them, the studio is the project.

Photo Credit:

• First photo: Photo by Tony Pham on Unsplash
• Second photo: Photo by Shahram Anhari on Unsplash

Sound Credit:

• Into/Ending music: Taryn’s Electric Dream, by Taryn Stroop

Each episode of Season 8 will feature one to two different interviews conducted by CCI students, exploring different aspects of the Creative and Cultural Industries.

To start off our week, Jill Watson ’24 a Strategic & Corporate Communication major/CCI minor, reached out to speak with Mel Weisenberg, a creative executive at the Tannebaum Production Company. Mel has worked on successful projects such as shows like Home Economics on ABC, Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist on NBC, and Acapulco on Apple. Jill and Mel discuss the challenges Mel faced in the entertainment industry and how she overcame them, offering up some insight as to what part of her college and early career work are still most relevant to her work today.

In an energetic interview wraps up our episode, with Marsha Hunt sitting down to talk to Carson Campuzano '23, a Business Administration major with a Media, Culture & Society cluster. Hunt, an Emmy award-winning writer, director, and producer goes into detail about her fascinating career path that started with her working in animation studios, including some time spent working with animation legend Isadore "Friz" Freleng. Hunt relates how she then made the move to live action producing, and subsequently was courted by Fox Sports to work on a project, and since then has been successfully collaborating on projects for Fox, DirecTV, The Discovery Channel, Disney, the Warner Brothers, among others. Hunt relays some key advice for working in the Creative and Cultural Industries and closes with a tip about the importance of a separate hobby.

Photo Credit:

• Photo by Tim Mossholder on Unsplash

Sound Credit:

• Into/Ending music: Taryn’s Electric Dream, by Taryn Stroop

Each episode of Season 8 will feature one to two different interviews conducted by CCI students, exploring different aspects of the Creative and Cultural Industries.

In this week’s first segment of Catalyst, Strategic and Corporate Communication major/CCI & Entrepreneurship double minor Paola Mejia Ruiz ’23 sits down with guest Kelly Fiance. Fiance has developed her own company where she works as a creative consultant focusing on small companies to help with everything from branding and web design to social/content creation and creative strategies. Through their conversation Fiance relays how she was able to take her degree work in art from USC, her passion for photography, her work as a graphic designer, and her skills with marketing to venture out on her own and create a company that utilizes each of those skills. As a savvy creative, Fiance was an early adopter of social media platforms, and has grown her TikTok followers to 27.3K and Instagram to 16.6K. She has used the platforms as places to launch tutorials and quick tips for improving skills in creative areas. The pair discuss Fiance’s hopes for the future which include possibly taking the tutorials and tips to the next level with the development of some creative courses.

The second section of Catalyst this week features an interview with Lucy Pudner, a professional company dancer at Milwaukee Ballet, who sits down to talk with Strategic and Corporate Communication major/CCI & Dance double minor Lauren Leung '23. Pudner who began dancing at the age of eight, traces her career in the field to the company she now works with. The discussion reveals some of the challenges individuals, including Pudner, can and do face in the creative world of performance and dance in particular, and how Pudner worked through that. They conclude the interview with reflection, and Pudner’s advice to those who may be considering pursuing a professional career within the world of performative dance.

Photo Credit:

• First photo: Photo by Edho Pratama on Unsplash
• Second photo: Photo by SPACEDEZERT on Unsplash

Sound Credit:

• Into/Ending music: Taryn’s Electric Dream, by Taryn Stroop

Each episode of Season 8 will feature one to two different interviews conducted by CCI students, exploring different aspects of the Creative and Cultural Industries.

In this first segment Lily McNamara ’23, a Strategic & Corporate Communications major/CCI minor, interviews Whitney Pitman, the community manager at an apparel company located in Costa Mesa, CA called RVCA. We learn about Whitney’s main goal in her position which is working with creatives that encompass the mission of RVCA of defying the status quo, fostering creativity, and building culture. Listeners will learn how RVCA defies the trends and status quo of the fashion industry by living true to their mission of “the balance of opposites.” Whitney also highlights the Artist Network Program (ANP) which showcases the talent of accomplished and unknown artists that push the boundaries of creativity by providing a different insight into culture.

Not to be outdone, in our second segment this week we hear a conversation with Sydney Sheets, a Austin resident that talks with our own Alumna Megan Campbell '22, who recently graduated with a degree in Psychology and a double minor in CCI & Public Relations. The two discuss what it is like for Sydney to be the owner of her own tattoo shop, The Vault, located in Austin, Texas, as well as her other artistic yet financially profitable outlets such as selling products on Etsy as a side business. Sydney delves into inspirations behind designing tattoos and what it's like to work within the field of the creative and cultural industries, as well as touching on the social and cultural aspects of tattoos, in regard to stigma surrounding tattoos and how it should be treated as a form of art or expression like any other identifying piece.

Photo Credit:

• First photo: Photo by Nelson Ndongalaon Unsplash
• Second photo: Photo by José Pinto on Unsplash

Sound Credit:

• Into/Ending music: Taryn’s Electric Dream, by Taryn Stroop

Each episode of Season 8 will feature one to two different interviews conducted by CCI students, exploring different aspects of the Creative and Cultural Industries.

Opening our show this week, we hear an interview by Public Relations and Advertising major/CCI minor Olivia Creech ’23, who was joined by Dr. Rebecca S. Hall, a curator for the USC Pacific Asia Museum and cultural consultant for Disney’s Raya and the Last Dragon. Dr. Hall talks about the winding road she took from Kansas City Art Institute to her PhD program at UCLA in art history, and how her love of research and textiles flourished and influenced that journey. They delve into Dr. Hall’s career as a museum curator and break down the exciting opportunity of working on an animated feature film and what the term “cultural consultant” actually denotes. They conclude the conversation while discussing Hall’s favorite exhibition she has curated, “We Are Here: Contemporary Art and Asian Voices in Los Angeles,” and its significance for local Asian communities. 

Our second segment this week features an interview with Disney Television animation editor, Christopher Gee, by Business Administration major/CCI minor Peter Timberlake '23. Gee gives great insight into what an animation editor does and what he loves about the creative process of editing. Peter learns about Gee’s climb at Disney to eventually work on shows like Kim Possible, Monsters at Work and Buzz Lightyear of Star Command, and the difference is between an animation and live-action editor. They conclude the interview with a discussion of the challenges and joys of working for a TV animation division of a large company such as Disney, and some practical advice for those interested in the pursuing animation editing. 

Photo Credit:

• Photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash

Sound Credit:

• Into/Ending music: Taryn’s Electric Dream, by Taryn Stroop

Each episode of Season 8 will feature one to two different interviews conducted by CCI students, exploring different aspects of the Creative and Cultural Industries.

This week, we begin our episode by listening to an interview of writer, producer and specialist in the area of genre cinema, Jordan Crucchiola, by Jackie Pak ’22, who graduated last spring with a degree in Biological Sciences with a Media, Culture & Society cluster. Having previously worked for big names in journalism like Wired, Vulture, and the New York Magazine, Crucchiola discusses her work experiences establishing her realm of movie genre podcasting. The two discuss not only Crucchiola’s background in journalism but how she started in podcasting, and her enthusiasm and critical thoughts on the industry and the Creative and Cultural Industries more broadly.

Rounding out our show this week, Business Administration major/CCI minor, Nick Pavlakovich '23, sits down with CCI Professor and Podcaster, Ryan Haley to discuss the Podcasting industry and CCIs within academia. The pair also discuss the trajectory of Ryan’s career as a professional educator and professional podcaster, taking time to highlight how they intersect. They also discuss the importance of industries like podcasting in the new career landscape that is modern Creative and Cultural Industries.

Photo Credit:

• Photo by CoWomen on Unsplash

Sound Credit:

• Into/Ending music: Taryn’s Electric Dream, by Taryn Stroop

Each episode of Season 8 will feature one to two different interviews conducted by CCI students, exploring different aspects of the Creative and Cultural Industries.

In our opening segment this week Lars C. Larsen, the set designer and rigger for Coraline and many other stop-motion films, joins Livia Paschke, a Chapman University spring 2022 graduate who double majored in Peace Studies and Philosophy, to talk about how in college he used his engineering background to rigg crazy theater sets, and how that taste led him to want more in the film industry. Learn about how he started his career and its progression which led him to this niche wing of animation. Hear about what the stop-motion community landscape looks like today and what it was like to work with talented friends such as Guillermo Del Toro and many others!

The second half of the program features Public Relations & Advertising major/CCI minor, Zoe Warch '23, interviewing Angus MacLane, director of Pixar’s newest film, Lightyear! They talk about Angus’ assent at the Disney company including some of his first assignments, which interestingly link back to how Buzz’s backstory came to be. They wrap up by discussing what happens with your movie when you’re done filming. This interview was conducted just before Lightyear was released in theaters, so tune in to hear Angus discuss all of the people who are working on it at that moment! You can actually hear people working on the movie in the background of the interview!

Photo Credit:

• Photo by Krzysztof Maksimiuk on Unsplash

Sound Credit:

• Into/Ending music: Taryn’s Electric Dream, by Taryn Stroop

Each episode of Season 8 will feature one to two different interviews conducted by CCI students, exploring different aspects of the Creative and Cultural Industries.

The first interview of season 8 of features a spirited Rebecca Day, a senior Business Administration major/CCI minor, sitting down to talk with Jim Wilson, one of the board members of the Riecken Foundation which has helped to create and maintain the Riecken Community Libraries throughout Central America. They take a deep dive into the history of these libraries, and how and why they have become successful community resources and cultural centers. They conclude by looking at the future of Riecken, plans for more development, and where the company will expand next!

To close the inaugural episode of season 8, Broadcast Journalism & Documentary major/CCI & Political Science double minor, Chambolion Fairley '22, speaks with Johanna Kouzmine-Karavaïeff (@ifalaboratory) - Director of ifa Laboratory, a cultural ambassador for the diplomatic world institute, and a founding partner of Artisans of Innovation. Chambolion and Johanna start by discussing Johanna’s career trajectory, including why understanding creative and cultural sectors are important and how they impact cultures and how & why she works with artists and designers for business and economic development. They touch on cultural diplomacy vs. cultural relations, the lack of support that culturally driven exchanges actually get in the international sphere, and finally the intrinsic value of art and creativity, and finally how these measures can help cultural groups break down stigmatization.

Photo Credit:

• First photo: Photo by Janko Ferlič on Unsplash
• Second photo: Photo by Bernardo Lorena Ponte on Unsplash

Sound Credit:

• Into/Ending music: Taryn’s Electric Dream, by Taryn Stroop

Paul Valadez grew up in Stockton, CA and in 1997 got a BFA in Interdisciplinary Art from the San Francisco Art Institute. He received his MFA in Studio Art from the University of North Carolina in 2003 where he was awarded a Weiss Fellowship for Urban Livability. He currently resides in Edinburg, TX where he is a full-time lecturer at the University of Texas-Pan American. His current work represents his experiences growing up in a bi-cultural (Mexican American and Anglo) household and childhood memories of life in the Central Valley of California. Valadez uses mixed media, acrylics, metal, and text to create works that deal subtly with race, culture, and history through a concept of “old signage.”

Episode Host & Interviewer: Even Johnson ’22, Chapman University, College of Performing Arts Alum

Photo Credit:

• Paul Valadez, Casta Series, paint on cardboard, 2011.
• Art by Paul Valadez in the Escalette Collection.

Sound Credit:

• Both Intro and exit music courtesy of Christian Valencia ’20, Chapman University, College of Performing arts Alum.

Seann Brackin was born in Rock Springs, Wyoming in 1976. Raised by artists, he lived in Wyoming, Colorado, and New Mexico until, at seventeen he launched his life and has spent it traveling tireless around the world. He ended up in Gunnison Colorado, Portland Oregon, Los Angeles, and the St Louis area for stints before moving to Madrid, Spain where he met his Spanish wife with whom he moved to Sydney, Australia. He currently splits his time between Madrid and Los Angeles. He has an MFA from Claremont Graduate University in painting and sculpture and a BFA from The Pacific Northwest College of Art in painting with emphases in sculpture and contemporary art.

Brackin describes his paintings as “blank cassettes,” activated abstract spaces that are uniquely readable to each individual viewer. As a “cassette,” his paintings are also recordings of the thoughts, emotions, and experiences that occurred throughout the time of their creation. He hopes that every person who sees his work will record consciously or inadvertently their thought and emotions into the work as well. Brackin feels that abstraction allows for a newness and “visual honesty” that generates a space for the viewer to enter and become a part of in their own time.

Episode Host and Interviewer: Even Johnson ’22, Chapman University, College of Performing Arts Alum

Photo Credit:

• Seann Brackin, The Big Bang, oil on canvas, c. 2005. Purchased with funds from the Escalette Endowment.
• Art by Seann Brackin in the Escalette Collection

Sound Credit:

• Both Intro and exit music courtesy of Christian Valencia ’20, Chapman University, College of Performing arts Alum.

Michael Hafftka is an American figurative expressionist painter living in New York City. His work is represented in the permanent collections of a number of museums, including: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York Museum of Modern Art, Brooklyn Museum of Art, San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, Carnegie Museum of Art, and the New York Public Library. The works by Hafftka included in the Escalette Collection of Art are informed by his experience as the son of Holocaust survivors. One moment that had a significant impact on him was when his parents visited him in Israel for the first time in 1973. He remembers how his father began to cry after seeing Hebrew letters imprinted on a sewer cover – something that would have been inconceivable in the ghetto of Chenstohova in Poland. From this moment, Hafftka began to recognize the deep significant of the Hebrew Aleph-Bet, not only to the Hebrew religion, but also to his family. Inspired by the idea in the Zohar that the world was created through letters, Hafftka paints each Hebrew letterform in a way that expresses their emotional and cultural significance, as if creating a human portrait. Hafftka describes this series as a way to express his interest in the human condition while paying homage to Jewish tradition.

Episode Host: Even Johnson ’22, Chapman University, College of Performing Arts Alum
Episode Interviewers: Fiona Shen, Director, The Phyllis and Ross Escalette Permanent Collection of Art and Jessica Bocinski, Registrar, The Phyllis and Ross Escalette Permanent Collection of Art

Photo Credit:

• Michael Hafftka, Bet, watercolor on paper, 2007. Gift of the artist.
• Art by Michael Hafftka in the Escalette Collection.

Sound Credit:

• Both Intro and exit music courtesy of Christian Valencia ’20, Chapman University, College of Performing arts Alum.

Jenny Yurshansky is an artist whose practice is deeply informed by being a refugee. Using material and critical parameters defined by a conceptual and research-based approach, she explores the trauma of displacement by interrogating notions of belonging and otherness through site, historical traces and social constructions, often formally manifested as absence, loss or erasure. Her work includes writing and working with a variety of materials such as cast, slumped, and found glass, charred steel, MDF manipulated to simulate antique display cases, embroidered textiles, hand-cut paper silhouettes of plants, laser etched granite and photographic installations.

Yurshansky uses her experiences of living as an immigrant twice over, first as a refugee in the U.S. and then as an immigrant in Sweden for a period of 11 years, to explore displacement and the experience of xenophobia and to connect with others with these histories. The notion of otherness being a consistent theme in her work has developed out of living as a third culture person. Ultimately, her goal is to create discourse through narratives whether they are based in sculpture, photography, installation or through writing. These are the stories of generations of migrants. To develop these pieces involves a process of intensive investigation by means of interviews, research, and site visits in order to bring nuance and care to the themes and subjects, ensuring that the stories she is telling and their reception deepens understanding and awareness.

Episode Host: Even Johnson ’22, Chapman University, College of Performing Arts Alum
Episode Interviewer: Henry Littleworth ’23, Chapman University Graphic Design major/Art History minor

Photo Credit:

• Jenny Yurshansky, The Border Will Not Hold #1, Printed silk organza, pearl cotton embroidery floss, waxed cotton cord, polyester, ink, poplar, 2019. Purchased with funds from the Escalette Endowment.

• Art by Jenny Yurshansky in the Escalette Collection.

Sound Credit:  

• Both Intro and exit music courtesy of Christian Valencia ’20, Chapman University, College of Performing arts Alum.

“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. “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 Chapman University. The Collection is fortunate to include artists from diverse backgrounds whose work fosters new and interesting ways of knowing the world. In listening to these perspectives, we hope that “The Artist is Present” serves as an educational resource and an enjoyable reminder of how art shapes our understanding of the past, present, and who we might become in the future.

Referencing the important performance art piece by Marina Abramović, the title of the series, “The Artist is Present”, evokes the sense of closeness and deep engagement inherent to the interview-based style of the podcast. All the interviews were researched by Chapman University students and conducted by Chapman University, students, staff and Alumni. This season was hosted and produced by Chapman University Alum, Even Johnson ’22. 

Wilkinson College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences is the proud home of the Phyllis and Ross Escalette Permanent Collection of Art. The collection is supported by an endowment established by the late Phyllis and Ross Escalette and is comprised mainly of contemporary and modern paintings, prints, and sculpture. Rather than being housed in a museum or gallery, The Escalette Collection functions as a “museum without walls” where artwork is displayed throughout the Chapman campus in hallways, public spaces, and study areas. Beyond its role in curating art in public spaces, the Escalette is a learning laboratory that offers diverse opportunities for student engagement, research, and involvement with the broader community.

Photo Credit:

• Photo The artist is present - cover

Sound Credit:  

• Catalyst Intro/Ending music: Taryn’s Electric Dream, by Taryn Stroop

• Artist is present Intro music: courtesy of Christian Valencia ’20, Chapman University, College of Performing arts Alum.

Each episode of Season 7 will feature one to two different interviews conducted by CCI students, exploring different aspects of the Creative and Cultural Industries.

Our first segment this week is brought to you by Strategic and Corporate Communication major/Modern Experience cluster student Rocky Wetzler ’23 who sits down with Kara Vorabutr a food writer and photographer whose work expands across multiple disciplines. Using food as both her subject of study and medium of art, Vorabutr produces projects that feature food as a conduit for people and cultures. She recently published a Bi-annual print journal and conceptual food project based on the art of eating, sharing, and connecting. Listen along as Rocky and Kara talk about the challenges of emerging art forms and the many unique ways to tell stories through creative and cultural mediums and platforms.

In our final section of the season, senior Jalen Dural, a Business Administration major/Leadership cluster student interviews local Orange County Artist, Presley Lozano. Jalen delves into the mind of an artist who is trying to take the right steps towards being successful and explores with Presley the concepts of art expressionism and the reality of making a living as an artist in the modern marketplace. Listeners can hear how Presley chooses to try and push the boundaries of what she sees in art.

Guest Credits:

• Kara Vorabutr on Instagram at @sustainence and @cacioybebe

Photo Credit:

• Photo by Maria Teneva on Unsplash

Sound Credit:  

• Catalyst Intro/Ending music: Taryn’s Electric Dream, by Taryn Stroop

Each episode of Season 7 will feature one to two different interviews conducted by CCI students, exploring different aspects of the Creative and Cultural Industries.

This week we have a super-sized episode of Catalyst, with a whopping three interviews! Each of our guests this week takes us on a creative journey, one which can be full of unexpected turns, but always gets us to the right destination. To kick us off, Jeremy Scheidt ’22 a Screenwriting major/CCI minor speaks with Tanwarin Sukkhapisit, a Thai filmmaker and Thailand’s first transgender member of parliament. Sukkhapisit who has held a multitude of different jobs within the film industry including being a screenwriter, actor, producer, and director for various television shows, shorts, and feature-length films, and whose most recent directorial work is a TV series titled The War Of Flowers, discusses with Scheidt the realities and challenges of working in the industry. They also tackle what it is like to work in a creative environment within a region that has very specific censorship laws, and how that effects your work, and you as a person.(Translation: Answers translated by Kimi Toh).

The second segment of our show this week features an interview with Courtney Donely the Director of Special Events at Segerstrom Center for the Arts, by Senior Communication Studies major/CCI minor Sierra Detar ’22. Originally a Women’s Studies major, Donely has an intriguing career journey, that she discusses at length with Detar, including her start with the Make a Wish Foundation, how she found running her own business can be isolating at times, and how everything she has learned along the way has contributed to her finding her right fit in an organization and a position.

In our final segment this week Sociology major/IM Media, Culture & Society cluster senior, Kaitlyn Kenyon ’22 sits down with Madi Atkins, the founder of a creative agency in New York called Madness Studio. A fashion photographer, Atkins launched the studio, as a creative production studio that creates video/photo campaigns, and digital marketing campaigns for clients in the fashion and beauty industries. Atkins opens up to Kenyon about how she got her start and the perks and drawbacks of working in such a fast-paced creative industry.

Photo Credit:

• Photo by Daniel Lincoln on Unsplash

Sound Credit:  

• Catalyst Intro/Ending music: Taryn’s Electric Dream, by Taryn Stroop

Each episode of Season 7 will feature one to two different interviews conducted by CCI students, exploring different aspects of the Creative and Cultural Industries.

Catalyst is back from Spring Break and raring to go as we start off the episode this week with Dance Performance major/CCI minor Cole Neville ’23 who sat down to talk with the Executive Vice President in charge of Global Customer Activations and Experiences at Sony Pictures Entertainment Ann-Elizabeth Crotty. Cole and Ann-Elizabeth delve into the details of what she does in her position, including but not limited to: in field and online research; data collection; marketing and promotion plans; as well as event planning and logistics for campaigns such as Ghostbusters: Afterlife, Venom: Let There Be Carnage, and the upcoming Spiderman: No Way Home, to name just a few. With a degree and background in Sociology, Ann-Elizabeth expounds on how her background provided the tools for looking at, analyzing, and researching human and group behavior, culture, and cultural movements. She explains how those skills marry perfectly with the field of marketing. Cole wraps up the interview with a look at social justice movements within a big company like Sony, and Ann-Elizabeth’s take on the Creative and Cultural Industries.

Segment two this week highlights third year Business Administration major/CCI minor, Aidan Finlayson, and his interview with social media content creator Daniel Foldes. With his work on TikTok gaining views and followers, his work was propelled on to other platforms such as Instagram and Twitter which provided him with the influence needed to gain sponsorships. Listen along as Aidan dissect Daniel’s rise to fame and hear about his plans for his future in the Creative and Cultural Industries.

Photo Credit:

• First photo for this week: Photo by Krists Luhaers on Unsplash
• Second photo for this week: Photo by Hello I'm Nik on Unsplash

• Catalyst Intro/Ending music: Taryn’s Electric Dream, by Taryn Stroop

Each episode of Season 7 will feature one to two different interviews conducted by CCI students, exploring different aspects of the Creative and Cultural Industries.

Catalyst kicks off this week with Eva Simpao ’23, a Communication Studies major/CCI minor sitting down to interview professional videographer and cinematographer Luciano Picazo. With a background originally in dance, Picazo talks about his transition to film and how his dance background still influences his approach to the projects he works on now. He also offers advice on how to tackle creative blocks when working on a project, and tips on how to set yourself up for future work when you are starting out in the industry.

Segment two this week highlights journalism when TV Writing and Production major/CCI minor Camryn Tynan ’23 speaks with multimedia journalist Steffi Roche. A current student at the Missouri School of Journalism, Steffi, is also a multimedia journalist for NBC KOMU 8 News. They discuss the process of progression within the journalism program at University of Missouri, and how Roche ended up pivoting from her original plan of musical theater. They end the interview with Steffi’s plan for her next career moves and her advice to younger students that have an interest in going into the same creative field that may not know the right place to start.

Photo Credit:

• First photo for this week: Photo by Alvaro Palacios on Unsplash
• Second photo for this week: Photo by Sam McGhee on Unsplash

Sound Credit:  

• Catalyst Intro/Ending music: Taryn’s Electric Dream, by Taryn Stroop

Each episode of Season 7 will feature one to two different interviews conducted by CCI students, exploring different aspects of the Creative and Cultural Industries.

For our first segment this week, Senior Strategic and Corporate Communications major/CCI and Graphic Design double minor Audrey Lothenbach interviews Atlanta based artist Pia Phillips. Philips discusses how her art has developed since high school turning what was once a hobby into a small business. Hear how her brand promotion got off the ground with word of mouth campaigns, and a few custom pieces that made a significant impact on Instagram. Audrey wraps up the interview by gaining some of Pia’s insights on her plans for company growth, and what else lies in her future.

Our second segment this week features 4th year Film Studies major/CCI minor Joseph Lee sitting down with video editor Chris Lee. Lee offers excellent insight on what it is like to work as a senior video editor at Studio Binder Inc. in Santa Monica, including what he deems the most important traits for someone to cultivate when working in the editing industry. The interview ends with Chris reflecting on how skills from his career really do affect how he handles situations outside of work as well.

Photo Credit:

• Photo by Brett Jordan on Unsplash

Sound Credit:  

• Catalyst Intro/Ending music: Taryn’s Electric Dream, by Taryn Stroop

Each episode of Season 7 will feature one to two different interviews conducted by CCI students, exploring different aspects of the Creative and Cultural Industries.

Vanessa Eliasson ’23 Business Administration major/CCI minor interviews actor/writer Grant Goodwin in this week’s first segment. Grant, whose work can be seen in such vehicles as Hart of Dixie, Tropical Cop Tales, and the upcoming season of Stranger Things, recounts his start in the business at a young age, and the pros & cons of changes he has seen over the past several years working as an actor.  The two discuss Grant’s love of writing and how his work gravitates toward a more comic bend. They wrap up the conversation talking about what is taking priority in his career right now and what his hopes are for some of his recent writing projects.

In segment two, Art History major/CCI minor & Humanomics double minor, Ru Chen ’23 speaks with the Public Programs and Collections Manager at the Chinese American Museum, Rachelle Shumard.  Rachelle and Ru delve into what a Public Programs and Collections Manager does in general, as well as how the pandemic caused museums and cultural centers to rethink how they operate in order to stay afloat during Covid. They also acknowledge that the virtual programing developed during the pandemic allowed greater audiences to access museum programing, and how that now is a part of museum plans even in a returning to in person programing. A self-professed lover of History, Shumard enjoys the aspects of her job that allow the community to reclaim lost or forgotten history, which can, as we learn in this segment involve events and even physical locals.

Photo Credit:

• Photo by Maegan Martin on Unsplash

Sound Credit:  

• Catalyst Intro/Ending music: Taryn’s Electric Dream, by Taryn Stroop

Each episode of Season 7 will feature one to two different interviews conducted by CCI students, exploring different aspects of the Creative and Cultural Industries.

Senior Business Administration major/CCI minor, Bailey Sullivan, leads us into the first segment this week with an interview of Ari Elkins a digital creator and music curator who has developed a Tik Tok presence which has gained him over 30.4 million likes. Elkins, who at one point had planned on a career in medicine, walks Bailey through his journey back to music and how a college job with Warner Records and a Covid canceled Internship contributed to his rise on the social media platform. By identifying that there is was a major gap in the market for music curation and playlist organization, Ari has skyrocketed to Tik Tok fame with his playlists that he creates always with a specific target audience in mind. Ari elaborates on how he has used this momentum to point audiences toward new music, even developing a weekly live stream event called Wednesdays, where he can feature live music, and talk with the artists.

Follow Ari Elkins on Instagram (@arijelkins).

Not to be outdone, in her segment of Catalyst this week Kyla Turner ’22 a Strategic & Corporate Communications major/CCI & Psychology double minor speaks with lifestyle YouTuber and creator of the ‘Twenties World’ skin care company, Emily June. A graduate of the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising of Los Angeles, June has 3 degrees covering Beauty Industry merchandising & marketing, Beauty Industry Management and Business Management. Kyla and Emily dive into how the degrees and a YouTube channel she started when she was in her teens have influenced her current career moves. They also discuss what from her background, experience and education Emily deems to have been the most help when setting up her own company.

Photo Credit:

• Photo by Ian Schneider on Unsplash

Sound Credit:  

• Catalyst Intro/Ending music: Taryn’s Electric Dream, by Taryn Stroop

Each episode of Season 7 will feature one to two different interviews conducted by CCI students, exploring different aspects of the Creative and Cultural Industries.

Segment one this week tags along with Joey Graziano ’23, Strategic & Corporate Communications major and Economics & CCI double minor as he sits down to talk with entrepreneur Timmi Jandro, co-founder of the online retail experience Energy Muse. Jandro explains the jewelry, crystal and gemstone business that she runs with her partner and how she found that her background in the garment industry could be applied when starting Energy Muse. In addition, Joey and Timmi delve into marketing for the company and what the exciting next steps are for expanding the experiences Energy Muse.  

In segment two, Communication Studies major/CCI minior, Johnnie Ladd ’22 interviews voiceover actor and acting coach David Kaufman. Kaufman has a long list of credits including roles in Prom Night, Back to the future animated series, and CBS Dweebs! to name just a few. In addition to discussing how he got started in the entertainment business Kaufman tells Ladd about Young Actors Workspace, an acting studio that he and his wife Lisa Picotte started in Los Angeles for coaching young actors. Their studio has worked with many aspiring and talented actors including Taylor Lautner and Rico Rodriguez from Modern Family. To end, the two talk about how becoming a coach has helped Kaufman’s own craft and how rewarding the job can be.

Photo Credit:

• Photo by Jon Tyson on Unsplash 

Sound Credit:  

• Catalyst Intro/Ending music: Taryn’s Electric Dream, by Taryn Stroop

Each episode of Season 7 will feature one to two different interviews conducted by CCI students, exploring different aspects of the Creative and Cultural Industries. 

Our first segment features Anastasia Cudhea, a junior Film Studies major/ CCI minor interviewing podcaster Mackii Shaye. Shaye is one-half of the pop culture podcast ‘The Sis List’, a show that discusses everything from fashion to celebrities with a bend toward nostalgia. Anastasia first touches on Shaye’s involvement in fashion, including her background education at the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising, what influences her, and how it crosses over into the podcast. Later they discuss how the podcast was envisioned and created and Shaye’s hopes for the show’s future. 

Next in segment two, Business Administration major/Media, Culture & Society cluster student, Atiana Smith ’22 sits down with Lifestyle and portrait photographer Gracie Shafqat. The pair discuss how Shafqat has made a name for herself within the industry working for brands like Celisus, C2O Coconut Water, and Steaz. In addition, they discuss industry changes caused by the rise of social media and how it has been a significant contributing factor to her own success. 

Photo Credits:

• First Photo: Photo by Will Francis on Unsplash
• Second Photo: Photo by Georgia de Lotz on Unsplash
  

Sound Credit:

• Catalyst Intro/Ending music: Taryn’s Electric Dream, by Taryn Stroop
  
  

Each episode of Season 7 will feature one to two different interviews conducted by CCI students, exploring different aspects of the Creative and Cultural Industries.

This first episode of Catalyst’s seventh season sees a shared theme of voice. Not just the sounds that emanate from a chosen vocal box. Rather, how and what one can choose to express when wielding this creative instrument.

In the opening segment of this episode, senior Strategic and Corporate Communication major/CCI minor Jared Kolsut talks to Chip Franklin about his experiences working as a radio show host. Chip Franklin is a comedian, writer, musician, and radio show host who has been working in the world of entertainment for over 25 years. He has helped write for and appeared on networks including Saturday Night Live, Conan O’Brien, CNN, HBO and Showtime. Jared endeavors to pick Chip’s brain regarding the origin of his career as a radio show host, the premise of the Chip Franklin show, and the most difficult aspects of working in entertainment. In closing Chip offers his outlook on succeeding in the Creative Industries, as well as his take on looking at life.

Our second segment sees Marley Seabern ’23, a Communications Studies major/CCI minor, interviewing musician/singer-songwriter Indya Love Stewart. The two discuss Love’s recently released first song, ‘Good Morning’, as well as the ethereal accompanying music video. Indya expounds the inspiration for both the song and video and how she brought this vision to life. The pair delve into Indya’s endearing stories about what it was like filming the music video on a tropical island and how that influenced her creative process.

Photo Credit:

• Photo by Ilyass SEDDOUG on Unsplash
  

Sound Credits:

• Catalyst Intro/Ending music: Taryn’s Electric Dream, by Taryn Stroop
• Music clips for second segment: ‘Good Morning’ by Indya Love

Please note that all of our segments this season were created in the spring of 2021 while still under quarantine conditions. Therefore, in observance of safety protocols students were often not in the same space with each other and/or their guests for recording. In light of this if the sound quality suffers a bit this season, we are sure you can forgive us, for what we lack in sound quality we make up for with pure moxie.

Each episode of Season 6 will feature one to two different interviews conducted by CCI students, exploring different aspects of the Creative and Cultural Industries.

Our segment of Catalyst this week is a bit of a family affair as Communication Studies major/CCI minor Bella Shegoleff ’22 interviews her brother Jason Shegoleff. Jason is a musician, also known as the performer Jason Constant, who has just released his first Album ‘Strove’ in February of 2021.  Bella and Jason take this chance to really explore what drives the creative process as a musician. They discuss how constant exposure to live music in their childhoods by relatives working as musicians seems to have taken the focus and pressure off the technicalities of playing an instrument. Instead, that background has afforded Jason the ability to approach music with a focus on aspects, such as the texture and layering of the sounds, to recreate or manufacture an emotional state. To close, Jason expounds on where sees his next steps being in the world of soundscapes, and how the absence of sound is one of the greatest tools in learning how to wield it. 

Photo Credit:

• Photo by Alex Blăjan on Unsplash 
  

Sound Credits:

• Intro/Ending music: Taryn’s Electric Dream, by Taryn Stroop
• Music clips for segment: ‘Magdalena’ by Jason Constant 

Please note that all of our segments this season were created in the spring of 2021 while still under quarantine conditions. Therefore, in observance of safety protocols students were often not in the same space with each other and/or their guests for recording. In light of this if the sound quality suffers a bit this season, we are sure you can forgive us, for what we lack in sound quality we make up for with pure moxie.

Each episode of Season 6 will feature one to two different interviews conducted by CCI students, exploring different aspects of the Creative and Cultural Industries.

This week’s episode of Catalyst features Economics & Japanese Studies double major/CCI minor Koki Kayo’23 as he talks shop with Animation/ VFX artist and student Cheryl Lee. Lee whose areas of specialty include animation, visual effects, film production and graphics design, sits down for an honest interview with Koki about what an internship experience with a full-service visual effects studio is really like. Lee who interned with Ingenuity Studios in Los Angeles contributed to high profile projects for Disney, Marvel and Hulu in addition to creating the official lyrics video for Taylor Swift’s ‘You Need to Calm Down’. Learn about what expectations are when interning at such a well-known studio as well as what colleagues and collaborations are really like in such an environment. Koki and Cheryl wrap the interview with several poignant pieces of advice regarding what a student can and should take away from an internship, regardless of which industry they may be participating in. 

Photo Credit:

• Photo by Shannon Halverson
  

Sound Credit:

• Intro/Ending music: Taryn’s Electric Dream, by Taryn Stroop

Please note that all of our segments this season were created in the spring of 2021 while still under quarantine conditions. Therefore, in observance of safety protocols students were often not in the same space with each other and/or their guests for recording. In light of this if the sound quality suffers a bit this season, we are sure you can forgive us, for what we lack in sound quality we make up for with pure moxie.

Each episode of Season 6 will feature one to two different interviews conducted by CCI students, exploring different aspects of the Creative and Cultural Industries.

Film Studies major/CCI minor Isabella Caron ’22 partners this week with Film Production major/CCI minor Li Anne Liew ’22 to interview the inspiring Nadine Jasmine. Jasmine, located in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, is a powerhouse who created and runs Oh Sebenar, a fashion brand creating small run seasonal collections for women. Jasmine runs this brand and her creative branding agency, Sebenar Studio which designs and runs marketing for Oh Sebenar, including photography, video, social media campaigns. Both entities are housed under Jasmine’s parent company of Twoman Sdn Bhd.  A champion of women’s rights, Jasmine has found that fashion is a medium through which she can illuminate themes of equality, self-care, and rights for women, in a way that is not radical but organic and joyful.  In a country that, as Nadine explains, is just now really coming to push for women’s rights and fight open sexual harassment and discrimination, she uses her brand and her studio to quite literally bring women together in an uplifting way, such as with her “Here’s to us” T-shirt campaign. Join Isabella and Li Anne they learn about the Malaysian fashion scene and how the Jasmine is using the creative process for social change.

Photo Credit:

• Photo by Ming Han Lowon Unsplash
  

Sound Credit:

• Intro/Ending music: Taryn’s Electric Dream, by Taryn Stroop

Please note that all of our segments this season were created in the spring of 2021 while still under quarantine conditions. Therefore, in observance of safety protocols students were often not in the same space with each other and/or their guests for recording. In light of this if the sound quality suffers a bit this season, we are sure you can forgive us, for what we lack in sound quality we make up for with pure moxie.

Each episode of Season 6 will feature one to two different interviews conducted by CCI students, exploring different aspects of the Creative and Cultural Industries.

This week we listen along as Even Johnson ’22 a Vocal Performance major-Lesbian/Gay/Bi/Trans/Qr & CCI double minor and Communication Studies major-CCI minor Kali Weisman ’22 speak with voice actress and musical theater star, Melissa Lyons Caldretti. Caldretti, who is also a faculty member with Fullerton College has played, among others, the role of “Éponine” with the Broadway Touring Company of Les Misérables and might be best known as the singing voice of “Barbie” in several animated movies, albums, and toys. Kali and Even dive in with Melissa to talk about what it is like to work in musical theater including the nerve-racking process of being cast, the differences between performing in a theater production and animation voice acting and even cover the roots of musical theater in America. They wrap up the interview with several stories from Melissa that highlight the by-the-seat-of-you-pants nature of live performance, before closing with a recording of Caldretti singing ‘Perfect’ by Tom Kitt.

Photo Credit:

• Photo by Gwen King on Unsplash
  

Sound Credits:

• Catalyst Intro/Ending music: Taryn’s Electric Dream, by Taryn Stroop 
• Segment Intro music: Wisp by Christian Valencia https://stocean.bandcamp.com/
• Segment Ending music: Perfect by Tom Kitt, performed by Melissa Lyons-Caldretti https://www.melissalyons.com/media

Please note that all of our segments this season were created in the spring of 2021 while still under quarantine conditions. Therefore, in observance of safety protocols students were often not in the same space with each other and/or their guests for recording. In light of this if the sound quality suffers a bit this season, we are sure you can forgive us, for what we lack in sound quality we make up for with pure moxie.

Each episode of Season 6 will feature one to two different interviews conducted by CCI students, exploring different aspects of the Creative and Cultural Industries.

This week as we wish you a happy and healthy 4th of July, we bring you a succinct and inspiring episode of values and volunteering when Amanda Cordell ’22 a Communication Studies major/ CCI minor sits down to talk with Alani Calip. A graphic designer, Alani has found her skills and education in the field of design were exactly what was needed to collaborate with Duet, a non-profit that seeks to connect donors with vulnerable populations in a more dignified, efficient and personal way. Drawn to the impact of their work and their policy of full transparency with every dollar donated, Alani discusses her volunteer role with the organization assisting as a Brand & Creative Manager to help create and maintain Duet visual assets for varying platforms. Alani also discusses how as a recent college graduate, a key component of her career journey is to align herself with organizations that have her shared values and passions.

Photo Credit:

• Photo by Carl Heyerdahl on Unsplash
  

Sound Credit:

• Intro/Ending music: Taryn’s Electric Dream, by Taryn Stroop

Please note that all of our segments this season were created in the spring of 2021 while still under quarantine conditions. Therefore, in observance of safety protocols students were often not in the same space with each other and/or their guests for recording. In light of this if the sound quality suffers a bit this season, we are sure you can forgive us, for what we lack in sound quality we make up for with pure moxie.

Each episode of Season 6 will feature one to two different interviews conducted by CCI students, exploring different aspects of the Creative and Cultural Industries.

This week’s episode features an interview by CCI minors Lexi Freund ’21 a Creative Writing major and her interview partner Communication Studies major Claire Schulberg ’21 who reached out to Media Journalist and pop culture aficionado Fiona Zaring. Zaring currently co-hosts SHEIN Live of a weekly livestream talking about collection highlights at the online clothing company SHEIN. In addition, she is an Anchor/ Producer at Shared News, a YouTube-distributed entertainment news channel launched by Shared Media. She has also recently launched her own entertainment media platform as the Co-Founder of Tik Talk Daily, an entertainment news channel that covers Hollywood celebrities, digital creators and current news events, all from TikTok. A Television & Broadcast Journalism major in college, Fiona discusses the importance of being realistic when going into a field like media journalism. She reveals the hard truth that climbing the ladder at some of the well-known media outlets can take longer than you expect, so it is important to be patient and not to get discouraged. However, a silver lining of that situation, Fiona reveals, is how such a competitive landscape combined with something like a pandemic, can lead to creative innovation such as her TikTok channel.

Photo Credits:

• Photo by Solen Feyissa on Unsplash
  

Sound Credits:

• Intro/Ending music: Taryn’s Electric Dream, by Taryn Stroop

Please note that all of our segments this season were created in the spring of 2021, while still under quarantine conditions. Therefore, in observance of safety protocols, students were often not in the same recording space with each other and/or their guests for recording. In light of this if the sound quality suffers a bit this season, we are sure you can forgive us, for what we lack in sound quality we make up for with pure moxie.

Each episode of Season 6 will feature one to two different interviews conducted by CCI students, exploring different aspects of the Creative and Cultural Industries.

Kicking off season six of Catalyst, Business Administration major/CCI minor Allison Feraren ’23 and her interview partner French BA/TV Writing and Production double major/CCI minor Van Baumann ’22 explore running an online fashion store with small business owner Gabriella Gomez. The duo explore with Gabriella the more traditional aspects of running her online business, Celestials, as well as some unexpected ones. In an age when business owners have a personal relationship with and increased responsibility to the consumer, what are the pros and cons? 

In our second segment, Business Administration major/Media, Culture & Society cluster student Melissa Lammle ’21 dives into the world of TV sitcoms when she interviews Josie Totah. Known for her featured roles in shows like Champions and Saved By The Bell, Josie has also contributed as an author to Time magazine, with a 2018 article in the magazine’s Ideas section. Melissa and Josie cover her acting journey from early inspirations to what it is like juggling college classes while filming during the pandemic.

Photo Credits:

• First photo: Photo by Marten Bjork on Unsplash
• Second photo: Photo by Christian Joudrey on Unsplash
  

Sound Credits:

• Intro/Ending music: Taryn’s Electric Dream, by Taryn Stroop
• Music clips for segments: Public Domain

Please note that all of our segments this season segments were created in the fall of 2020, under quarantine conditions. The students were not allowed to be in rooms with each other, or with their guests for recording. Therefore, if the sound quality suffers a bit this season, we are sure you can forgive us, for what we lack in sound quality we make up for it in moxie.  

Each episode of Season 5 will consist of two segments, with each segment featuring a different interview by one or more CCI students. 

To begin our show Samantha Young ’21 a Film Production major/CCI minor and her fellow interviewer Javari Hunt ’21 a Public Relations & Advertising and Anthropology double major catch up with Troy Charbonnet ’21 a Film Production major with a Race & Ethnicity cluster, who is also a working as a freelance film editor in the music industry. With editing credits that include working with artists such as Jack Harlow, Future, Halsey, and Roddy Rich to name but a few, Troy illuminates what it can be like as such a young working creative in Hollywood. 

In the final section of the episode, and the season, former Catalyst producer Mike Gravagno comes back to interview current CCI faculty/Catalyst producer Ryan Haley to talk about Catalyst through the years. Ryan and Mike discuss some show highlights, season 5 quarantine challenges as well as what exciting new things listeners of the podcast can expect in season 6!

Photo Credits:

• First photo: Photo by Peter Stumpf on Unsplash
• Second photo: Courtesy of Mike Gravagno

Sound Credits:

• Intro/Ending music: Taryn’s Electric Dream, by Taryn Stroop

Please note that all of our segments this season segments were created in the fall of 2020, under quarantine conditions. The students were not allowed to be in rooms with each other, or with their guests for recording. Therefore, if the sound quality suffers a bit this season, we are sure you can forgive us, for what we lack in sound quality we make up for it in moxie.  

Each episode of Season 5 will consist of two segments, with each segment featuring a different interview by one or more CCI students. 

This week we begin with Sonny de Nocker ’21 a Screenwriting major with a Media, Culture & Society cluster and Stephen Michaels ’21 a fellow Screenwriting major with a CCI minor, who score a major interview with John Mattson, Faculty member of Lawrence and Kristina Dodge College of Film and Media Arts. Mr. Mattson opens up to them about the reality of screen writing in Hollywood, as they discuss a variety of his work including his screenplay for 1994’s Milk Money, which sold to Paramount Pictures for $1.1 million. 

Our second segment finds Clarissa Hui ’21 and Cam-Mi Nguyen ’21 both Business Administration majors/CCI minors sitting down (with their masks on, of course) to interview Contra Coffee and Tea barista, Theresa. They discuss how Contra is more than just your typical coffee shop in Orange County, differentiated by its ability to engender creative experiences, even engineering creativity into their customer service model, which Theresa reflects on as a tool Contra, and she, use in helping to build a sense of community. 

Photo Credit:

• Photo by Prophsee Journals on Unsplash 

Sound Credits:

• Intro/Ending music: Taryn’s Electric Dream, by Taryn Stroop

Please note that all of our segments this season segments were created in the fall of 2020, under quarantine conditions. The students were not allowed to be in rooms with each other, or with their guests for recording. Therefore, if the sound quality suffers a bit this season, we are sure you can forgive us, for what we lack in sound quality we make up for it in moxie.  

Each episode of Season 5 will consist of two segments, with each segment featuring a different interview by one or more CCI students. 

In the first segment of this episode Broadcast Journalism and Documentary major/CCI minor Jules Rector ’21 and interview partner Ana Torras ’22 a Business Administration major/CCI minor connect with Jacqueline Alves to discuss the interconnections of acting, events, and business when they speak to her about her role working as a character at children’s parties. In addition to talking about the nitty gritty of the job, they touch on how the business and her role within it had to quickly adjust in the time of Covid. 

As a wild second segment entitled “Mom’s Basement” begins we are introduced to interviewers Chris Li ’21 Film Studies major with a media, culture & society cluster and Alex Drier ’21 a Strategic & Corporate Communications major with a CI and Entrepreneurship double minor, who leap into the world of gaming by interviewing Ethan Williams. The boys discuss how Nintendo and other video game companies have shaped the most recent generation doing a deep dive breaking down classic Nintendo 64 all the way to the current Switch. 

Photo Credits:

• First photo: Photo by Zain Saleem on Unsplash
• Second photo: Photo by Lorenzo Herrera on Unsplash 

Sound Credits:

• Intro/Ending music: Taryn’s Electric Dream, by Taryn Stroop

Please note that all of our segments this season segments were created in the fall of 2020, under quarantine conditions. The students were not allowed to be in rooms with each other, or with their guests for recording. Therefore if the sound quality suffers a bit this season, we are sure you can forgive us, for what we lack in sound quality we make up for it in moxie.  

Each episode of Season 5 will consist of two segments, with each segment featuring a different interview by one or more CCI students. 

We begin this week with Rory Biles ’22 a Business Administration major/CCI minor and Madison Boyd ’22 a Psychology major /CCI minor who have music on the brain when they sit down to talk with fellow Chapman student, Political Science major Dylan Hartanov ’23 about the process of learning to become a musician. They also delve into the creative connections between athletics and playing a musical instrument, and how to nurture both within a college environment.  

Our second segment jumps quickly into the world of Matthew Johnson ’22 a Business Administration major with a Data Analytics cluster. The business of creativity through modern takes on emotional marketing, content creation and creative experience are explored when interviewers Caitlin Couch ’22 a Creative & Cultural Ind Self-Designed major and Business Administration major/CCI Minor, Julius Durets ’22 sit down with Matthew. The trio discusses CCI concepts though his work with the Red Bull field team and the startup ‘OOOH’ before exploring the concept of creativity purely for the experience.

Photo Credits:

• First photo: Photo by Dark Rider on Unsplash
• Second photo: Photo by George Pagan III on Unsplash

Sound Credits:

• Intro/Ending music: Taryn’s Electric Dream, by Taryn Stroop

Please note that all of our segments this season segments were created in the fall of 2020, under quarantine conditions. The students were not allowed to be in rooms with each other, or with their guests for recording. Therefore if the sound quality suffers a bit this season, we are sure you can forgive us, for what we lack in sound quality we make up for it in moxie.

Each episode of Season 5 will consist of two segments, with each segment featuring a different interview by one or more CCI students.

This week in segment one “The Pod”, Sociology major/CCI minor Sylvie Messing ’21 and her partner, Strategic and Corporate Communications major/CCI minor Allison Wu ’22 Interview Ted Davis, a Chapman Alum who is working in the music industry in a multitude of ways. First and foremost a musician, Ted has also approached the industry as culture writer, magazine editor, Pitchfork contributor. Sylvie and Ali dive into his unique entry into the world of music, his time at Chapman, and where he hopes to go in the future.

In segment two Creative Writing major/CCI minor Kathryn Bernhardt ’21 and Jillie Herrold ’21 a Public Relations & Advertising major/CCI and journalism double minor zoom with fellow Chapman student Kosha Rakholia ’21 a Business Administration major/Health Science & Kinesiology minor, who is also a Yoga Instructor and the President of the Yoga Bar at Chapman. Learn the ways in which Kosha has discovered that the creativity she experiences in yoga contributes to all aspects of her life including business ideas and how she learned to be flexible in different ways due to Covid-19.

Photo Credits:

• First photo: Photo by John Hult on Unsplash
• Second photo: Photo by Photo by Olivier Miche on Unsplash
  

Sound Credits:

• Intro/Ending music: Taryn’s Electric Dream, by Taryn Stroop
• Music Clips for Segments: Silk Gloves 

All of the hosts and interviewers you’ll hear from for the rest of this season are Chapman students who have completed the Podcasting class, which is just one of the topics offered through the Center for Creative and Cultural Industries course: 304-Creative and Cultural Industries in Practice. In class, we focus on the relationship between theory and practice. This means that after discussions focused on the importance of podcasts in modern media, we go out and create our own podcasts. Students who had no podcasting experience or technical ability were able to contribute all of the segments to the Chapman Catalyst podcast, with the goal being that they will take this ‘hands-on’ experience and carry it over to the launching of their very own series.

In the final episode of the fourth season, Ryan sits down with Shannon Halverson, the CCI Program Manager at the Center for Creative and Cultural Industries at Chapman University. Ryan talks to Shannon about what the impetus was for the creation of the Catalyst podcast, and the first three seasons. Their discussion also focuses on what CCI means, and why she believes it is an important part of the Chapman campus. Then Shannon turns the tables, and interviews Ryan about this fall’s podcasting class. They discuss work done in CCI 304 during the fall 2019 semester, and the kinds of changes and improvements he wants to make for the upcoming 2020 fall class. Listen in to this thrilling wrap up of Catalyst’s fourth season!

Photo Credits: Catalyst logo design by Department of Art, Associate Professor Claudine Jaenichen
Sound Credits: Intro/Ending music: Taryn’s Electric Dream, by Taryn Stroop
Music Clips for Segments: Shady Monk 

All of the hosts and interviewers you’ll hear from for the rest of this season are Chapman students who have completed the Podcasting class, which is just one of the topics offered through the Center for Creative and Cultural Industries course: 304-Creative and Cultural Industries in Practice. In class, we focus on the relationship between theory and practice. This means that after discussions focused on the importance of podcasts in modern media, we go out and create our own podcasts. Students who had no podcasting experience or technical ability were able to contribute all of the segments to the Chapman Catalyst podcast, with the goal being that they will take this ‘hands-on’ experience and carry it over to the launching of their very own series.

In this very special episode of Catalyst, Chapman students Nick Downs and Kristian Kung hunt down elusive Chapman hip-hop artist Mountos. As they sit down with him and talk about his inspirations the conversation turns to look at where he creatively draws from not only for his beats but also for his lyrics. We soon discover that Mountos considers lyrics much more than words on a piece of paper. Mountos is also responsible for his music, and Nick and Kristian discuss the differences between rapping over your own beats, or using someone else’s.

Photo Credits: Photo by Obi Onyeador on Unsplash
Sound Credits: Intro/Ending music: Taryn’s Electric Dream, by Taryn Stroop,
Music Clips for Segments: Shady Monk

All of the hosts and interviewers you’ll hear from for the rest of this season are Chapman students who have completed the Podcasting class, which is just one of the topics offered through the Center for Creative and Cultural Industries course: 304-Creative and Cultural Industries in Practice. In class, we focus on the relationship between theory and practice. This means that after discussions focused on the importance of podcasts in modern media, we go out and create our own podcasts. Students who had no podcasting experience or technical ability were able to contribute all of the segments to the Chapman Catalyst podcast, with the goal being that they will take this ‘hands-on’ experience and carry it over to the launching of their very own series.

In this very special episode of the Catalyst Podcast, Chapman students Haley Younkin and Natalie Walker sit down with Emma Wall to discuss Emma’s life as a dancer heading into her senior year at Chapman University. Through the interview we learn about Emma’s background in dance which started out at the tender age of three and how her path ultimately led to Chapman.  Haley and Natalie are surprised to find out that although dancing is Emma’s passion and future, it’s not the only thing she’s doing each day. In order to get her degree, she also has to take all of the other classes everyone else needs to take, not to mention find time after class to do practice, choreograph, and maybe even relax a little. Which leads us to a poignant question that all creatives face, how does she balance all of that out? Listen along as Haley and Natalie find out!

Photo Credits: Photo by Emmanuél Appiah on Unsplash
Sound Credits: Intro/Ending music: Taryn’s Electric Dream, by Taryn Stroop,
Music Clips for Segments: Shady Monk

All of the hosts and interviewers you’ll hear from for the rest of this season are Chapman students who have completed the Podcasting class, which is just one of the topics offered through the Center for Creative and Cultural Industries course: 304-Creative and Cultural Industries in Practice. In class, we focus on the relationship between theory and practice. This means that after discussions focused on the importance of podcasts in modern media, we go out and create our own podcasts. Students who had no podcasting experience or technical ability were able to contribute all of the segments to the Chapman Catalyst podcast, with the goal being that they will take this ‘hands-on’ experience and carry it over to the launching of their very own series.

In this episode, of season 4, part 2, Leora Kalili and Valeriya Lozovan sit down with artist Kyle Rosen in his home, to talk about everything that makes the art in Kyle tick. They talk to him about his first attempts at art including a saucy sketch he rendered while in 1st grade. Then talk about the subject himself,… the artist. What engenders creativity in an artist? What kind of music helps him create? What’s the best time of day for him to make art? What “art” interests an artist? By the end of the episode, they discover that Kyle, like many artists, isn’t just singularly focused on any one type of creative endeavor but rather is inspired by all of the art that surrounds him.

Photo Credits: Photo by Ian Williams on Unsplash
Sound Credits: Intro/Ending music: Taryn’s Electric Dream, by Taryn Stroop
Music Clips for Segments: Shady Monk 

All of the hosts and interviewers you’ll hear from for the rest of this season are Chapman students who have completed the Podcasting class, which is just one of the topics offered through the Center for Creative and Cultural Industries course: 304-Creative and Cultural Industries in Practice. In class, we focus on the relationship between theory and practice. This means that after discussions focused on the importance of podcasts in modern media, we go out and create our own podcasts. Students who had no podcasting experience or technical ability were able to contribute all of the segments to the Chapman Catalyst podcast, with the goal being that they will take this ‘hands-on’ experience and carry it over to the launching of their very own series.

In this episode, Nicole and Emma present their interview of Sophie, a recent Chapman grad and fashion designer. Our two interviews ask Sophie what it’s like to be in that one moment in between school and the rest of your life. Sophie explains the three best ways to get a head start in the industry (connections, connections, and connections), and what her connections are. What are you supposed to do if you don’t have connections though? How do you know if exploring fashion design is right for you? And once you have decided on fashion design, what is the right type of fashion? High? Runway? High runway? And if the runway is too high, will the models fall? On this episode of the Catalyst Podcast, you’ll get answers to all of those questions, and so much more.

Photo Credit: Photo by Crew on Unsplash
Sound Credits: Intro/Ending music: Taryn’s Electric Dream, by Taryn Stroop,
Music Clips for Segments: Shady Monk  

All of the hosts and interviewers you’ll hear from for the rest of this season are Chapman students who have completed the Podcasting class, which is just one of the topics offered through the Center for Creative and Cultural Industries course: 304-Creative and Cultural Industries in Practice. In class, we focus on the relationship between theory and practice. This means that after discussions focused on the importance of podcasts in modern media, we go out and create our own podcasts. Students who had no podcasting experience or technical ability were able to contribute all of the segments to the Chapman Catalyst podcast, with the goal being that they will take this ‘hands-on’ experience and carry it over to the launching of their very own series.

In the second episode of the second half of the fourth season, Kate Churukian flies all the way to Austin to interview Chapman alum and television writer Alexis Allen. Kate gets her to spill immediately, almost like they’ve been friends for quite some time. Throughout the course of the interview, Alexis discusses her route to becoming a television writer, and muses on all of her inspirations, from Aaron Sorkin to Big Little Lies. She also talks about transitioning from one type of writing to another, explaining how different it is to go from writing novels and prose to writing screenplays. Kate eventually drops the big question that every writer wants to hear the answer to: what do you do when staring at a blank screen.

Photo Credit: Photo by Gaspar Uhas on Unsplash
Sound Credits: Intro/Ending music: Taryn’s Electric Dream, by Taryn Stroop
Music Clips for Segments: Shady Monk

All of the hosts and interviewers you’ll hear from for the rest of this season are Chapman students who have completed the Podcasting class, which is just one of the topics offered through the Center for Creative and Cultural Industries course: 304-Creative and Cultural Industries in Practice. In class, we focus on the relationship between theory and practice. This means that after discussions focused on the importance of podcasts in modern media, we go out and create our own podcasts. Students who had no podcasting experience or technical ability were able to contribute all of the segments to the Chapman Catalyst podcast, with the goal being that they will take this ‘hands-on’ experience and carry it over to the launching of their very own series.

In the first episode of the second half of the fourth season, Chapman University students Marissa Dunn and Lindsay Olberman have found who they believe to be one of the most essential people on the campus: Karen, the lady who makes your sandwiches. Marissa and Lindsay talk to Karen about what goes into creating her art, whether it be perfect ingredients, or a little bit of love. Marissa and Lindsay also tell personal stories about all of the times Karen went above and beyond her job as food artist, going out of her way to make sure the students get the care that they need. Marissa and Lindsay chose Karen to be their interview subject because of her clear love and devotion to her art. By the end of this episode, you’ll see it too.

Photo Credits: Photo by DeMorris Byrd on Unsplash
Sound Credits: Shady Monk

Catalyst Season Four, Part two sees Ryan Haley, taking over host duties. Ryan, currently the co-host of three independent podcasts, and producer of an additional two, has also written and taught several podcasting workshops with his podcasting partner, and Chapman University Alum, Mike Gravagno. He is also teaches CCI 304 for the CCI Minor Program, through the Center for Creative and Cultural Industries at Chapman University. In this season four, part two trailer he gives us a little background on what Catalyst is up to this season. While the focus of this podcast has always been to give listeners a chance to learn about the Creative and Cultural Industries, season four is putting this task in the hands of Chapman University students.

All of the hosts and interviewers you’ll hear from for the rest of this season are Chapman students who have completed the Podcasting class, which is just one of the topics offered through the Center for Creative and Cultural Industries course: 304-Creative and Cultural Industries in Practice. In class, Ryan focuses on the relationship between theory and practice, meaning that after discussions focused on the importance of podcasts in modern media, his students go out and create their own podcast segments. Students who had no podcasting experience or technical ability were able to contribute to Chapman’s Catalyst podcast, with the goal being that they will take this ‘hands-on’ experience and carry it over to the launching of their very own series.

So stay tuned to hear what our remarkable students have been up to, as we launch the conclusion to season four!

Photo Credit: Courtesy of Ryan Haley
Sound Credits: Taryn’s Electric Dream, by Taryn Stroop

In this special series, Dr. Shira Klein dispels some powerful myths about the Jews of Italy. What was Jewish life like under Fascism? How did the Holocaust unfold in Italy? Uncover the story of the world’s oldest Jewish minority.

Shira Klein is Associate Professor of History at Chapman University. Her book Italy’s Jews from Emancipation to Fascism (Cambridge University Press) was selected double-finalist for the 2018 National Jewish Book Award. At Chapman, she teaches Jewish history, European history, and migration history. You can contact her at sklein@chapman.edu.

In this concluding episode of Forgetting Fascism, listen to how even Jews exculpated Italy; in this episode, Klein explains why. Travel back in time to nineteenth-century ghetto life to understand Jews’ gilded memory of Fascism.

Sound editing: Katie Blasing and Julia Sirkin (Chapman ‘19)
Sound credits: Killer Tracks
Photo credit: Partnership pals!
Source: 1939 poster from U.S. Senate records, National Archives, Identifier Y-039

In this episode of Forgetting Fascism, now that you know what happened in Italy, listen to find out what people say happened. Oddly, Italy has gone down in history as the country that saved Jews, the “good Axis.” Dr. Shira Klein explores the romanticized persona of the “Good Italian” in World War II Italy.

Sound editing: Katie Blasing and Julia Sirkin (Chapman ‘19)
Sound credits: Killer Tracks
Photo credit: Adolf Hitler and Benito Mussolini in Munich, Germany.
Source: Eva Braun’s photo albums, National Archives, Identifier 242-EB-7-38A

In this episode of Forgetting Fascism, learn about Italy and the Jews in World War II. What did the Holocaust look like in Italy, and who were its perpetrators? Dr. Shira Klein uncovers the Italian Race Laws, the Nazi and Fascist manhunt for Jews, and how Jews attempted to escape via the snowy Alps.

Sound editing: Katie Blasing and Julia Sirkin (Chapman ‘19)
Sound credits: Killer Tracks
Photo credit: Anti-Jewish propaganda in the Defense of the Race magazine, 1938–1939. La Difesa Della Razza 2(8), February 20, 1939. Source: Courtesy of University of South Florida Libraries, Special Collections.

A self-described bookworm, Gustavo Arellano spent his childhood at the Anaheim Public Library where he fell in love with classic works, such as The Catcher in the Rye and The Importance of Being Earnest, and the surrealist poetry of the Beats. Influenced by jocular treasures such as Mad Magazine and In Loving Color, Gustavo shares how he discovered his own comedic voice through the development of his satirical column “Ask a Mexican” and how his experience at the OC Weekly paved the way for a successful career as a freelance reporter, food critic, author and columnist for the L.A. Times.

Hosts Taryn Stroop and Shannon Halverson-Gorajia get a snapshot of how the vernacular culture of Orange County helped to shape and direct the humor, interests, and career trajectory of this Southern Californian icon.

Guest Links:
You can find him on Facebook @gustavoarellanowriter
Twitter @GustavoArellano
www.gustavoarellano.org
Purchase his books Ask a Mexican, Taco USA: How Mexican Food Conquered America, and Orange County: A Personal History on Amazon

Don’t forget to stop by Burritos La Palms http://www.burritoslapalma.net/

It is almost as if artist Brian Singer is riding a giant pendulum through the chapters of his life. One moment he is managing a communication design team at corporate giant Facebook, but the next time you see him he is orchestrating a public-space art installation highlighting the plight of homelessness in his city of San Francisco. His work stands out whether you are viewing it at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, the Skirball Cultural Center in Los Angeles, or a billboard on the corner of Brosnan and Valencia. But what makes this self-proclaimed introvert able to seamlessly move through the business of art and graphic design, whether it is corporate or producing projects in his own self-owned studio? Perhaps it was the improve classes.

Join Taryn Stoop and Shannon Halverson-Gorajia as they get to the bottom of who this Someguy really is. 

Did you know public archaeology was a thing? We certainly didn’t, not until we sat down for a chat with Chapman Creative Industries Professor Jamie Larkin and his fellow alumnus and friend, Paul Burtenshaw, Ph.D. Neither of these accomplished men began their education with a clear idea of where they would end up. Their journeys each evolved as they put one foot in front of the other, at times it took them on detours, but ultimately a sense of curiosity about the world eventually led them to the fields of public archaeology and cultural heritage, and as a bonus they gained a friendship along the way. Join your hosts Shannon Halverson-Gorajia and Taryn Stroop as they chat with Jamie Larkin and Paul Burtenshaw to discover just what exactly is public archaeology and cultural heritage.

When exploring the creative and cultural industries, it can be overwhelming just how diverse and far-reaching yet intertwined the concepts and real world applications can be. Succinct examples of CCI can consequently be challenging to represent well. It might be easier just to have a conversation with our first guest this season, Mr. Raul Guzman. As a graduate of UCLA, NYU, and Johns Hopkins University he has degrees in History, Museum Studies, and Latin American and Caribbean Studies. He has applied his knowledge and passions to everything from commercial production design to working as an Assistant Director at a Non-Profit, and now has found a perfect fit as an Assistant Curator at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures.

Listen along with hosts Taryn Stoop and Shannon Halverson-Gorajia as they go on an auditory journey through the Los Angeles film industry, Mexican cinema, grad School in New York, and finally the incredible new Academy Museum of Motion Pictures, which is set to open this year.

Since 2014 fans of history and Hollywood, and darn good writing, have enjoyed the delectable You Must Remember This podcast - a tasty treat for those with a craving for stories from a bygone era - the Golden Age of Hollywood. In You Must Remember This, Karina Longworth has created a successful medium for exploring the “secret and/or forgotten histories of Hollywood’s first century.” Ms. Longworth researches, writes, produces and hosts episodes, however, her notable career story does not begin here. She is a well-respected film journalist and author who has been challenging audiences through her work to see beyond the story that initially presents itself to discover themes and topics still relevant today.

Hosts Taryn Stoop and Shannon Halverson-Gorajia listen with rapt attention, to Ms. Longworth as she guides them through glimpses of what the reality of being as author, critic, and podcast producer/host can be like today, when the social winds of change are swirling us closer to an undefined precipice.

There are times in life when one realizes that they have come full circle from whence they started. A child who grew up with a father in film production, Sorrel purposefully chose a path that would lead her away from that industry.  However, the stops of life and career she made along the way, including working for the Olympic committee, and in events and outreach for our very own Dodge College here at Chapman University, informed and empowered her journey back to the film industry.

Hosts Taryn Stoop and Shannon Halverson-Gorajia meet up with this Chapman Alum to discuss the life long relationship she has had to the film industry, and what the British Film Commission has to offer this upwardly mobile young woman.

We’ve all been there. You are on a trip, you have a finite amount of time and money, but souvenirs are expected and so this keychain of a cartoon pig on a Ferris Wheel will have to do. But what if you actually found a place that highlighted local artists and artisans from the city you were visiting. What if the things in that shop were affordable. What if that shop felt welcoming and curated to your wants and needs? Well that is what MaryAnne LoVerme wanted too.

Hosts Taryn Stoop and Shannon Halverson-Gorajia visit the Los Angeles County Store to speak with MaryAnne about her past lives as a school teacher and working at the Etsy Corporate, before she made the leap out west and opened her own store.  Find out what advice this shop owner prizes, and how this location became an intimate and contributing part of the surrounding community. Follow Taea on Instagram @taea_thale

Leaving the small town for the big city, seeing the world, doing the job you are passionate about. This life is one that Photographer Taea Thale embarked upon almost 20 years ago…er, well not quite 20, let’s not focus on the number! Taea followed her dreams to New York, becoming a well-respected photographer, with a client list that includes The New York Times, W Magazine, NYLON Magazine, and JCREW to name just a few. But what is the price for following your dreams?

Hosts Taryn Stoop and Shannon Halverson-Gorajia talk about the reality of what living your dream as a creative can really be like, with some profound advice for any one going into a fast paced fast changing creative industry, from the perspective of a driven and industrious woman.

To live in Southern California is to know someone who works in The Industry. Entertainment has been the lifeblood of the region since the first film studios began to move west from New Jersey in the early 1900s. Recently The Otis College of Art and Design predicted in its 2018 Otis Report on the Creative Economy that between 2016-2021 there will be a 12.3% increase in the number of jobs in the entertainment industry alone in the Los Angeles area. However, what about those individuals that are Industry Adjacent, how do these individuals see themselves fitting into the creative landscape of LA.?

Hosts Taryn Stoop and Shannon Halverson-Gorajia explore what it is like to be both inside and outside of “The Industry” with Chapman University Alum, Traci Mueller, as she walks us through her journey of performance and business, to her current position with the Academy Museum, which is getting ready to open in 2019.

For many of us, our story grows out of the joys, sorrows, and hard won victories of our parents or caregivers. Where do they leave off and where do we begin? What will always carry over? Our guest this week takes us on a very personal journey of growing up in the southland as part of an immigrant community, and how those layers contributed to her education, her sense of belonging and ultimately to a career that allows her to put it all together. 

Hosts Taryn Stoop and Shannon Halverson-Gorajia discuss with Ms. Le how personal experiences from her past now help her to navigate in her current position representing arts and culture for a key OC district.

With Rose Eveleth, Producer, Designer, Writer, Animator and founder of the podcast Flash Forward

To call Rose Eveleth a Renaissance man, is, well, sexist. To call her a Renaissance woman seems quaint. But, to refer to Rose Eveleth as a powerhouse seems just about right. With degrees in ecology, behavior & evolution, and journalism, Rose can and will delight you with tales of pelagic invertebrates or how to write a column for BBFuture, while teaching you the fundamentals of animation, before she rushes off to produce and host her own podcast Flash Forward.

Hosts Taryn Stoop and Shannon Halverson-Gorajia explore what it is like inside the ever-whirling brain of this new media virtuoso, as we discuss her career trajectory.

It happens to the best of us, every once in a while we have to admit that maybe, possibly, our parents were right about something. In the case of Professor Jaenichen this concession came on the heels of a harrowing training experience to be a search and rescue volunteer when the revelation that aquaphobia and water rescue training can be at odds.

Listen as hosts Taryn Stoop and Shannon Halverson-Gorajia are regaled with tales of disaster, art, and growing up in Southern California and how professor Jaenichen was able to create a career that marries her passion for emergency management, design and apocalyptic scenarios.

Mike McHargue AKA Science Mike is an author, podcaster, general advice giver, and a hug in the form of a human. His bestselling debut book, Finding God in the Waves, has helped thousands understand faith in the 21st century. His podcasts include Ask Science Mike, where he leads a forum of thousands of listeners through inquires covering topics that range from  terraforming, micro-biomes,  and masculinity in the 21st century, to miracles, prayer, and purity culture, with countless topics in-between. He also co-hosts The Liturgists Podcast with his friend Michael Gungor, which with over a million downloads per month, The Liturgists Podcast is reshaping how the spiritually homeless and frustrated relate to God.

Host Taryn Stroop and producer Mike Gravagno grab a beer at Chapman Crafted and pepper Science Mike with questions about introversion and extroversion, his writing process, his podcasting history, and why it’s smart to stay away from mind-altering substances until you’re 26.

Are you sick of relatives teasing you when you go home for the holidays with questions of “What the heck are you going to do with that degree?!” while you expound upon your French Fine Arts & Philosophy double major? Do they say things like, “The only good poet is a dead poet” when you share you started a new monthly reading series in a haunted basement? If these taunts sounds familiar, you might want to send them to speak with Amy McBride, the Arts Administrator for the office of Arts and Cultural Vitality, Tacoma, WA. Amy is an excellent example of how a liberal arts background can provide the skills necessary in cultivating a career combining various passions and interests. In Amy’s case, that just so happens to be a long and well-respected position with city government.

Catalyst hosts Taryn Stroop and Shannon Halverson-Gorajia speak with the no-nonsense Amy McBride about her path to government, and the need to hear the voices of the arts, humanities and social sciences when considering policy and initiatives that affect community.

Photo credit: Judson Felder and judsonfelder.com

Did you know that “audioblogging” was launched in the 1980’s and was re-coined podcasting in the early 2000’s with the creation of the iPod?  If you are like us, or one of the other 40 million Americans who listen to podcasts weekly, then your download que is jam-packed with everything from Chris Hardwick’s The Nerdist to On Being with Krista Tippet, to WTF with Marc Maron.  But what is it like to go from a podcast fan to podcast host?

This special episode of Blossom, errr I mean Catalyst, is a CROSSOVER episode with our very own “Producer Mike” who is the host of Writer’s Block. Listen in as hosts Taryn Stroop and Shannon Halverson-Gorajia  and veteran podcaster Mike Gravagno discuss what its like to be newbies along with what makes us nervous, what mistakes make us cringe, and how we are evolving in the medium.

Dark roast, Dark brews, Dark...tourism. Portland, the largest city in Oregon, has a long and complicated past. Seated in the shadow of Mt. Hood, the region was originally home to the indigenous Chinook peoples, and saw large populations of pioneer settlers entering the area in the 1830s. The city that developed came to be known as a gritty logging and port hub, and was once dubbed “the most filthy city in the Northern States" by its own hometown paper. Today Portland is more known for its infestation of microbreweries, award-winning coffee, and quirky personae, but its history still creeps throughout the dark corners--if you know where to look.

Hosts Taryn Stroop and Shannon Halverson-Gorajia get chatty with Portland’s own Beerquest Walking Tours expert guide, MyKala Stinson, to explore how one company has combined local history and commerce with tourism to offer a unique Portland experience, and how the ghosts of yesteryear, can sometimes expose today’s specters.  

In Part two of Episode 002: On Becoming 222, hosts Shannon and Taryn speak with Aly Thompson, founder and owner of Olysocial the marketing design company hired by the 222 Market, and Carissa Dickson and Iana Franks co-owners of Fleurae floral design and boutique, one of 222’s founding artisans. All three ladies discuss the adventure of starting their own business and their experience working with Olympia’s premier artisan market.

*Episode Update: Aly has since sold Olysocial and is working on her next creative endeavor. Follow Aly Thompson on Instagram @imalyray.

Check out Fleurae at www.fleurae.com or follow on Instagram at @fleuraefloral.

Check out the 222 Market on Instagram @222marketolympia.

Photo credit: Poppi Photography. Follow on Instagram at @poppiphotography.

Olympia, the state capital of Washington, in many ways still has the feel of a small town. In a time when so many of our communities, towns, and cities are experiencing the strain of modern day life, Olympia’s 222 Market is bringing together local artisans, restaurateurs, and entrepreneurs with the goal of creating a place for families and friends to connect around local culture and heritage. So how and why was the 222 Market created? What has made it successful? And who are the makers involved?

Hosts Taryn Stroop and Shannon Halverson-Gorajia talk to 222 Market developer and owners Gray & Joy Graham and on the makings of 222, and the regional influences that helped to guide everything from the selection of artisans to the design conversion of an old Parkard Car showroom.

Photo credit: Poppi Photography. Follow on Instagram at @poppiphotography.

It is a rare and wonderful day when you get to have a conversation with three talented and remarkable humans that speak to you in Spanish, English and drum beats. Such a day was afforded to us on September 19th, when a cultural connection with the Embassy of Spain resulted in a performance at Chapman by the critically acclaimed O.F.N.I. Jazz Trio.

Listen along as hosts Taryn Stoop and Shannon Halverson-Gorajia sit down to a wild and free-flowing chat with the incredibly talented members of the O.F.N.I. Trio: double- bassist Pablo Caminero; pianist Moises Sanchez; and drummer Borja Barrueta. Fresh from the Monterey Jazz festival, the trio talk about the process of creating their music, what it’s like to transverse the music industry in multiple countries, and what we have all learned from the coming of Winter in Westeros.

Have you ever wanted to visit a book publisher where you can also check out an art gallery opening, and hear a live podcast taping all while enjoying a coffee that tastes like it mated with a cinnamon roll, called a dirty horchata? This question isn’t the result of a combined fever dream, we simply wanted to be able to say, Well, have we got the place for you!

Hosts Taryn Stroop and Shannon Halverson-Gorajia sit down with Kevin Staniec, the founder of the 1888 Center, a nonprofit cultural and literary arts center now located in the heart of Old Town Orange in Southern California, where Kevin shares his passion for publishing, podcasting, and people.

Sometimes life calls for safe reasonable choices, and sometimes it calls for you to dive head first into something you love. When is the right time for either of these? Who knows? Your answer is tied to a hundred different little things that make up who you are. A podcast can’t give you the answer, but it can talk to two highly successful women in the film and television industry that have developed their careers from very different paths.

Hosts Taryn Stroop and Shannon Halverson-Gorajia talk with the Co-creator, Co-producer, Co-showrunner of HBO’s hit show “Westworld”, Lisa Joy, and multi-series producer Noreen O’Toole about their careers in the creative industries, how they got there and what drives them.

Founded in 1861, Chapman University sits nestled among one of Orange, California’s iconic Craftsman and Victorian neighborhoods. A mere 30 miles from Los Angeles, and a stone’s throw from Santa Ana’s arts district and downtown Anaheim, Chapman University is a perfect incubator for an emerging Creative Industries program. But what is Creative Industries?

Hosts Taryn Stroop and Shannon Halverson-Gorajia kick off the Catalyst Podcast by talking with the Dean of the Wilkinson College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences at Chapman University, Dr. Patrick Fuery, to get the skinny on Creative & Cultural Industries. Dr. Fuery also answers the question of why the Liberal Arts is the perfect home for this program at the University.