Shows
Actual PeopleS2E19 - An End to Stupid WorkAre we really getting work done, or just pretending en masse? We're working ourselves to death & getting little done. How do we fix it? Interview with former Washington Post reporter and director of Better Life Labs, Brigid Schulte.This episode dives into:Overwork CultureThe Behavioral Psychology of WorkThe Importance of "Real Work" vs. "Stupid Work"Systemic ChallengesWorkplace InequalityCultural Shifts and Public PolicyA Vision for the FutureGrab Brigid Schulte's Books here:Over Work: Transforming the Daily Grind in the Quest for a Better LifeOverwhelmed: Work, Love, and Play When No...2025-07-0225 min
Actual PeopleS2E18 - Running VFX at a Major Studio and the Future of Visual StorytellingFrom developing custom tools to create over 200 VFX shots on his own award-winning indie to supervising globally at major studios like DreamWorks and Sony Animation where he is now, hear Chris Browne's story and spot on advice for creativity that won't quit.Learn more about Chris here: http://www.chrisbrownedigital.com/projects.htmlWritten, directed, and executive produced by Chauncey Zalkin. Intro/Outro sound engineered by Eric Aaron. Photography by Alonza Mitchell with Design Consulting by Paper + Screen.Want to go deeper? Follow my Substack and don't forget to pledge subscription. (;...2025-05-2944 min
Actual PeopleS2E17 - Elite Women’s Networks: Do They Work?Are women’s networks working? What’s right about them and what can be improved? And why can't we always connect the way we intend to? Host Chauncey Zalkin reflects on these questions before diving into a conversation with Lindsay Kaplan, co-founder of the best-in-class professional women’s network, Chief, who stepped down this year. Together, they explore identity, creativity, burnout, and our role in building community.Written, directed, and executive produced by Chauncey Zalkin. Intro/Outro sound engineered by Eric Aaron. Photography by Alonza Mitchell with Design Consulting by Paper + Screen.Want to go deeper...2025-05-1638 min
Actual PeopleS2E16- The Origins of Brit Cool and The Creative Community We Need NowWelcome to a conversation with a true pioneer in elevating the best design in the world. Piers Roberts offers profound reflections on the distance we've fallen from conscious consumerism and where to go from here with a strong emphasis on uplifting neurodivergent ways of thinking.For over 20 years, Piers has played a significant role in contributing to East London’s success as an inspirational beacon of creativity and innovation. He launched Designersblock in September 1998 at the Old Truman Brewery on Brick Lane, 5 years ahead of the London Design Festival. He went on to develop and produce major Cr...2025-04-231h 18
Actual PeopleS2E15 - Bro Show: The Question of MenWelcome to an imperfect episode about imperfect times. You can call it the 'Boys to Men Episode', 'The Man Show', 'How The Boys Will Thrive 2025', or 'The Bro Show'. It's a musing on boys and men from the perspective of a GenX woman raised in an all female household now raising only daughters herself. In this monologue episode, among the bombardment of terror from the White House and in the wake of Andrew Tate's release and the release of Adolescence on Netflix, host Chauncey Zalkin explores her own arc in experiences of boys and men through h...2025-04-0322 min
Actual PeopleS2E14 - Moral Injury in Healthcare and the Entire NationChauncey Zalkin sits down with Dr. Jennie Byrne, a psychiatrist working with clinicians who sees a painful trend in healthcare but first Chauncey explores why she thinks the wound has spread to the entire nation and why it's time to exile virtue signaling and embrace anger signaling. Like immediately. Written, directed, and executive produced by Chauncey Zalkin. Intro/Outro sound engineered by Eric Aaron. Photography by Alonza Mitchell with Design Consulting by Paper + Screen.Want to go deeper? Follow my Substack and don't forget to pledge subscription. (;Want to see the episode? Subscribe t...2025-03-0658 min
Actual PeopleS2E13 - Creative Agency and the Youth FallacyAn ad agency called Geezer is flipping the 50 plus narrative on its head to something more accurate. It's about time. Join us for a conversation with Founder, Karen McKinley, CEO, Brent Rivard, and CCO, John Kieselhorst.More on Geezer can be found on their website.The report on 50+ population referenced in the episode can be found here: Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies Written, directed, and executive produced by Chauncey Zalkin. Intro/Outro sound engineered by Eric Aaron. Photography by Alonza Mitchell with Design Consulting by Paper + Screen.Want to go de...2025-02-1950 min
Actual PeopleS2E12 - A Vision for The Next-Gen Economy through the lens of Essentialist DesignEach creative discipline offers a piece of the puzzle of human creativity. In this episode, host Chauncey Zalkin sits down with three time "International Designer of the Year" award winner and Fast Company board member Todd Bracher to talk about how we can shift the emphasis from needless crap to creating a better future for everyone from an essentialist design perspective.Inside the episode:The value of crossing disciplines to bring more power to great ideas — and your career. Why ditching outside experts is a big mistake companies increasingly make at their own peril.How A.I...2025-02-1144 min
Actual PeopleS2E11 - Blue Bracelets, Pussyhats, and Other Good Intentions: Where We Go from HereIn this episode Chauncey Zalkin sits down with guest and advocate for Black women in the workplace, Jessica Pharm, to take an unflinching look at the complexities of race, gender, and trust for liberal America as we face Trump's second term.Written, directed, and executive produced by Chauncey Zalkin. Intro/Outro sound engineered by Eric Aaron. Photography by Alonza Mitchell with Design Consulting by Paper + Screen.Want to go deeper? Follow my Substack and don't forget to pledge subscription. (;Want to see the episode? Subscribe to the...2025-01-2952 min
Actual PeopleS2E10 - Female Leaders in Advertising: Taking Control in an Uneven Playing FieldLife isn't fair. So what are you going to do about it?In this episode, Jill Brinsdon shares her journey as a creative director and prominent leader in New Zealand's advertising industry. She talks when to play the game and when to jump ship and the importance of personal agency in shaping your career and driving change. She also talks about the important role men have in shaping the future of advertising. Warning: A couple of F Bombs.Written, directed, and executive produced by Chauncey Zalkin. Intro/Outro sound engineered by Eric Aaron. P...2025-01-1037 min