Shows
A Podcast for Creative PeopleEp.88 | Working GalaxyCon Richmond with the Pop-Up BookShoppeThe GalaxyCon in Richmond, Virginia, was a ton of fun. I carpooled with Rich Hosek, and together we drove through the night—taking shifts at the wheel—until we arrived in Richmond, Virginia, at day one of this four-day event to sell books with the Pop-Up BookShoppe for the first time.
The Pop-Up BookShoppe is run by an author I first met at the GalaxyCon in Columbus in 2024—C.R. Rice, who was a guest on episode 86. We talked about the Pop-Up BookShoppe then, and this time I went and worked it. In short, it's like an author...
2025-04-2138 min
Not Great...Grand! Action Based Community Conversations Hosted by Susan ClarkThey Overlap! Christopher TallonChristopher Tallon joined Susan for a conversation about community, books, creatives, and overlapping communities!
Language Content Warning!
Author of Switchers and Sleepwalker Angel
Host of A Podcast for Creative People
www.christophertallon.com
Tallon's Recommended Reads:
By Reza Aslan https://pendlehill.org/product/zealot-the-life-and-times-of-jesus-of-nazareth/
Anything by Blake Crouch https://blakecrouch.com
2025-02-2847 minA Podcast for Creative PeopleEp.86 | Chelsea Rice aka C.R. Rice - author and founder of the Popup Book ShoppeChelsea Rice, known professionally as C.R. Rice, is a fantasy/sci-fi writer, currently immersing you in the Realm Series.
She also founded the Pop-Up BookShoppe, which helps authors sell book (and make money doing it!) at GalaxyCons across the country.
If you're an author looking to expand your audience, this might be the best way to do it. If you're a Con-goer and book lover--keep an eye out for the Pop-Up BookShoppe at a GalaxyCon near you!
Also, shout out to Has Heart coffee shop for letting me record in their space...
2025-02-1144 minA Podcast for Creative PeopleEp.85 | Sonny Ski - Artist of the Year Nominee ('25 Jammie Awards)Sonny Ski met me at HAS HEART coffee shop downtown Grand Rapids to talk creativity. Sonny Ski's album, States of Mind, features a song called "Grand Rapids, Michigan" (that I refer to as Welcome to GR to avoid confusion) that is the new anthem for the city.
Sonny Ski has been nominated for the Jammie Awards best album and artist of the year. Help him out and vote here!
We talked about creativity, songwriting, getting yourself out there, and more. Great insights for all creatives looking for opportunities and/or trying to create their own.
2025-01-2037 minA Podcast for Creative PeopleEp.84 | Tylor Paige — author of the whorror novel Slash Or PassThat's right, I said whorror. It's a term one of her fans came up with to describe the blending of the romance and horror genres in Tylor's books.Now she uses it to lovingly address her fans as her Whorror Babies.
Her most recent novel, Slash Or Pass, has sold a ton of copies, forcing/allowing her to build a small team of professionals to help her with many of the non-writing elements of being a full-time professional novelist.
Listen while Tylor and Tallon discuss (among other things):
creative beginnings
creative process
putting yourself out...
2025-01-0642 minA Podcast for Creative PeopleEp.83 | Jody J. Sperling on Becoming a Household NameJody J. Sperling is an author (the Luke in Time Series (and others)) and podcast host (Becoming a Household Name). Together we've traveled around the country a bit going to Comic-Cons and Galaxy-Cons to sell books.
This is a great episode for authors trying to find ways to get their books out to more people, but also for anyone interested in marketing, promotions, and live selling (whether it be books or something else).
Check out Jody J. Sperling, read his books, listen to his podcast (start with one of my episodes!), and send him fan...
2024-12-1642 minA Podcast for Creative PeopleEp.82 | Alex Anest - Music, Connection, & CreativityAlex Anest is a guitar player based in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Currently touring with his jazz trio, Alex is a skilled musician in many genres, a band leader, and a music teacher.
Through our discussions--favorite bands, musical influences, legendary musicians, and the creative process--you'll learn a bit about music history (like who influenced Paul McCartney's bass playing the most), and how important connection is, both with your collaborators and your audience.
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FOLLOW ALEX!
Look for Alex on Instagram, check out the tour dates on his website, and check out some of his mu...
2024-11-1949 minA Podcast for Creative PeopleEp.81 | Marcel Fable Price - Life, Being a Creative, & His Book "NEW AMERICAN MONARCH"Marcel Fable Price (former poet laureate of Grand Rapids, Michigan) is the author of the book "New American Monarch". This is his third time on the podcast. This time he's here to promote "New American Monarch", but this is a great episode with insights for being the best version of yourself, how to be the best creative (including the "non-creative" parts of being a modern day creative) you can be, and how simply creating can bring all those things together. And towards the end you can hear him read a poem from "New American Monarch"!
Get the...
2024-09-1142 minA Podcast for Creative PeopleEp.80 | Michelle DunawayMichelle Dunaway is her station's Community Relationship Manager, host of the FOX 17 Morning Mix, and an Emmy-award winning storyteller.
Michelle has worked in television journalism since her internship where she logged VHS tapes. We talk about her journey from intern to hosting the Fox17 Morning Mix, which is on weekdays in the greater Grand Rapids, MI, area on Fox17 at 9am. (Not 10am (to 11PM, which I mistakenly said at the end of the podcast).)
In this episode Michelle details traveling the country, flying with the Blue Angels, and gives insights and advice to people t...
2024-09-0456 minA Podcast for Creative PeopleEp.79 | Alfie DaGreat - Rapping, Writing, & CreativityHear the full song "Different Clout" by Alfie DaGreat at the end of the episode!
Alfie DaGreat is one of the most powerful voices to come out of the Grand Rapids music scene. Strong lyrics and an amazing voice make his music stand out above the rest.
Listen in as we talk about his history with music, his writing process, how he got involved in The Trauma Project, The Black Rose Society, and much much more.
Follow Alfie DaGreat Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, Twitter, & Threads. You can also find a few of his videos on...
2024-05-0654 min
Where is This Going?Episode 111: Super Wow ft. Christopher TallonThanks for joining us again for another episode of Where is This Going? Today's guest: Author and Podcast Host: Christopher Tallon (@TallonWrites). You can get his book: Switchers out now! Check out his website:
https://christophertallon.com/shop/
Come see Hunter and JT doing comedy!
Follow JT on IG: @JamieMotleyMoten
Twitter: @NoLimitJamie
TikTok: @JTMotley
April 16: McDuff's 7:30pm Wayland, MI
April 20: Philmore South - Grand Rapids, MI
Hunter: Every Thursday at Parrots Lounge in Holland at 9:30pm
Hosting Karaoke every Monday at Parrots 8:30pm
https://linktr.ee/huntermiles
April 18: Sad Clown Comedy - Jackson, MI 7:30PM
April 19: Cr...
2024-04-112h 00A Podcast for Creative PeopleEp.78 | Ivan Labra - Photographer, Videographer, and Coffee MakerLearn on your own. Network. Get a mentor. Do awesome stuff. If you've got your foot in the door somewhere, kick that bitch in! Bet on yourself!
Get ready to take the world by storm after you listen to this one, folks. Ivan Labra is a self taught photographer/videographer who graduated from YouTube University (not a real thing), and does cool stuff all over the country.
We recorded at Carbon Stories in Grand Rapids, MI, where Ivan shoots and manages the office. When he's not shooting content, he's making coffee at Has Heart Coffee...
2024-04-011h 16A Podcast for Creative PeopleEp.77 | J.B. Velasquez - author of "Tourist Trapped" and "Every Last One"J.B. Velasquez is an author in Arizona. He's written two novels, so far, and they're both worth a read. Whether you like metaphysical stories of people doing drugs and getting stuck in the afterlife, or futuristic dystopian stuff, give J.B. a try.
We discuss his books, his process, publishing, promotion, and writing about drugs. This was fun and informative.
Enjoy!
Visit JBV's website:
https://jbvelasquez.com/
Buy JBV's books:
Every Last One
Tourist Trapped
Follow JBV on social media:
T...
2024-03-261h 09A Podcast for Creative PeopleEp.76 | Michael Hyacinthe - Entrepreneurship, Wimee's Words on PBS, and HAS HEARTMichael Hyacinthe is an 8 year Navy Veteran who served around the world with the Seabees, the construction arm of the Navy. He left the military to pursue his interests in entrepreneurship. He currently has multiple ventures working in children's educational programs, a coffee shop, and works with veterans through the Grand Valley State University Veteran Entrepreneurship Lab.
Michael, along with my last guest, Tyler Way, created an initiative that wound up becoming a physical coffee shop of the same name, Has Heart, which connects injured/disabled veterans with artists to create designs that are sold in the s...
2024-03-1840 min
Becoming A Household NameCamera Ready with Christopher TallonChristopher Tallon would like you to know his signed book can be purchased for just $20 right here. You can also get his ebook for 25% off when you buy it direct from him and cut out Amazon.He’s got a podcast of his own called Creative Ops. It’s really good. Listen to it here.Is AMMO Write For You?If you’re an author with a handful of books published (or you’ve published nonfiction and have one book with a great program to help clients), AMMO is unlike any other program on the m...
2024-03-131h 04A Podcast for Creative PeopleEp.75 | Tyler D. Way - Custom Shoes, Painting for LeBron James, & HAS HEART Coffee ShopTyler D. Way is a soft spoken, brilliant creative. He got his start sneaking into NBA arenas and pitching custom shoes to any player who would listen to him, which ultimately led to being invited to the Nike campus to meet LeBron and present him a painting. He's worked in graphic design, fashion, and most recently coffee. HAS HEART serves coffee but it's more than that. HAS HEART also allows veterans to connect with artists to tell their story. As a veteran myself, I love that there's a social space where people can share their military experiences and get...
2024-03-111h 26A Podcast for Creative PeopleEp.74 | Foster - The Emory & The Diatribe: Improvement without DisplacementI met Foster for coffee and a podcast conversation. This episode was recorded at The Last Mile Café, which is a black & female owned, b-corp certified business, and they have the best “miel” of all time. (Try “the last miel.”)
Foster is officially listed as the “Vibe Manager” of The Diatribe. He’s a poet, father, and a voice for his community. We met up specifically to discuss The Emory, but here’s a full breakdown of what we talked about:
00:00 – Cold Open
01:06 – Show Intro
03:28 – The Emory
20:04 – Upcoming Diatribe Events
22:13 – How...
2024-03-041h 31A Podcast for Creative PeopleEp.73 | SCOOB - The Trauma Project (Art, Music, Immersion)If you enjoy Creative Ops, please rate and review it wherever you listen to help the show grow! If you dig the vibe, also consider supporting the host by buying a paperback or ebook copy of his novel, Switchers. Thank you.
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Today's guest is SCOOB, an artist, originally from St. Louis, MO, now living in Grand Rapids, MI. He's the mastermind behind the multimedia art project and album, The Trauma Project, which you can see at Muse GR (727 Leonard St. NW, Grand Rapids, MI, United States, Michigan) March 2-3 & 9-10. SHOP FOR TICKETS NOW before it...
2024-02-2659 minA Podcast for Creative PeopleEp.72 | Shayna “Akanke” Marie - Creativity, Culture, & Community ActivismShayna is a writer, poet, activist, radio host, filmmaker, and—in her words—a “textbook weirdo trying to figure things out."
Shayna uses her creative powers to entertain as well as uplift. She’s a teaching artist with The Diatribe, runs an open mic, and is working on having a birthday party with Oprah Winfrey.
We talk about creativity, culture, community activism, and more. Shayna is a fun person to hang out with and has a lot of good things to say. Enjoy.
Check out:
Shayna on Instagram (follow her for updates o...
2024-02-211h 04A Podcast for Creative PeopleEp.71 | Dante Cope Returns - GRAMMOTONES Grand Opening & Creating Cultural SpacesDante Cope returns to discuss the grand opening of Grand Rapid, Michigan's newest business and cultural space, Grammotones.
Grammotones is located at 120 S. Division in Grand Rapids, MI, and it is part clothing store, part music store, all cultural space. You can shop, listen to records, enjoy beautiful art, and pick up high quality used clothing as well as new clothing from local brands both big and small.
(You can also buy a copy of my book there!)
We talked about a lot of things and a lot of people. If there's something...
2024-02-1552 minA Podcast for Creative PeopleEp.70 | Tara McCrackin - ”Crisis President” of Kendall College of Art & DesignNothing is impossible if you have dreams, ideas, and a willingness to work towards them. And my guest, Tara McCrackin (president of Kendall College of Art & Design (KCAD) AND vice president of Ferris State University), has an inspiring creative journey which showcases that.
She shares a bit about what her school has coming up, then we dive into her professional background, how she became a teacher, and how she then became president of a college just before the pandemic. Some cool and wild stuff.
Check out Tara and KCAD:
Tara's school profile
2023-08-2849 minA Podcast for Creative PeopleEp.69 | Adam Truckey (AJT Design) - A Figure-It-Out MindsetAfter this one, this idea will resonate with you: You can figure it out; it's only over when you quit.
Whether or not you're an engineer, thinking like one can help you as an entrepreneur, a creative, or just as a person. Adam Truckey's story embodies that. Adam is an engineer who successfully started his own business, AJT DESIGN, centered around something he's passionate about. But it wasn't all downhill. Listen for the ups, downs, challenges, and lessons learned along the way.
If there's something in this world you love and/or love to do...
2023-08-151h 05A Podcast for Creative PeopleEp.68 | Trohpy Husbands - new music video! (”PINK”)This one's a fun listen that will inspire you to call a buddy and make something silly together. Kirk Ross (host of our brother podcast, A Talk in the Attic, and one half of Trophy Husbands) and Christopher Tallon (host of Creative Ops, and the other half of Trophy Husbands) talk about Trophy Husbands' latest music video, "PINK"--now out on Youtube--and what goes into collaboratively making music (and music videos).
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Look for Kirk's next podcast episode about his Electric Forest experience. It will be on A Talk in the Attic's YouTube page, follow them on I...
2023-07-1835 minA Podcast for Creative PeopleEp.67 | Dr. Lester Efianayi - Eyes, Athletics, & Diversity in MedicineThis was a fun and fascinating conversation. We start with eye training and vision therapy as possibly the next big evolutionary step in athletic achievement. Starting out on the east coast with parents that immigrated from Nigeria, Dr. Lester has since given up his shoulder pads for a lab coat, which, ironically, may have greatly extended his career in professional sports.
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Check out Dr. Lester Efianayi (ee-fee-ah-NIGH-ee) on Instagram: @eyesdontlie.vt
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For all other things show/host related, go to www.christophertallon.com
2023-07-1040 minA Podcast for Creative PeopleEp.66 | Trino - Magic in the Golden Age of Entertainment!"Trino the Magician" is the coolest. A super nice guy, talented, ambitious, and laser focused. You're going to want to get up and go do something cool after you listen to this. And you might have an itch to see a magic show.
If so, check out www.trinomagic.com for info on Trino's monthly show "AMAZE & AMUSE", as well as anything else he might be up to. If you're the social media type, Trino is @trinomagic on most platforms.
Also check out Luc's Light, a youth music and arts foundation set up in memory...
2023-05-301h 00A Podcast for Creative PeopleEp.65 | Abbey Hunter - Death & CoffeeAbbey Hunter is the owner of The Mortals Cafe + Confection in Grand Rapids, MI. They serve Vietnamese coffee drinks (as well as popular American coffee drinks) with an overall theme of death. They host grief groups, death talks, as well as a number of other regular and one-off events.
Visit The Mortals online, then visit the store at 111 Division Ave S, Grand Rapids, MI 49503.
Follow The Mortals on Instagram and Facebook. Do it before you forget and die.
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Keep up on the show by following its host, Christopher Tallon, on Instagram...
2023-04-191h 02A Podcast for Creative PeopleEp.64 | Jason Tieri - Podcaster ExtraordinaireJason Tieri (TEER-ee) is a podcaster from west Michigan. Actually, he's kinda my podcast mentor. (And beard guru.) He got me into podcasting. Hear what it takes to start a podcast, some techy stuff, some how-to, and us just kickin it.
This was a fun one, especially if you're a podcaster, you're thinking about podcasting, or you just like a peek at how it's done.
(Recorded in the Hey Guys Media Group studio. Click the link to learn more about them and their podcast services!)
2023-04-041h 10A Podcast for Creative PeopleEp.63 | ZERO - Reigning Beat Battle Champion (Woo!!!)ZERO is a fantastic beat producer in Grand Rapids, MI. His energetic performances are mesmerizing. I liken watching him play his drum machine to watching Stevie Wonder play the piano. Those performances, coupled with award winning music, are a can't-miss.
Follow ZERO on his Instagram @zerodgaf to keep up with what's going on and to see some examples of his performing and musical abilities. He's on Twitter and Facebook as well, if you're not into the whole Instagram thing.
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Thanks for listening. Check out more show stuff, listen to some original music, and t...
2023-03-2155 minA Podcast for Creative PeopleEp.62 | Jody J Sperling - Author of ”THE 9 LIVES OF MARVA DELONGHI” & Host of TRBMJody J. Sperling came on to talk about creative stuff, including (but not limited to) his amazing novel, THE 9 LIVES OF MARVA DELONGHI. It's a story in a time loop, with a lot of cool characters, murder, booze, murder, psychopaths, murder, sacrifice, and...MURDER! Some characters die. A lot. It's a lot of fun.
Jody also hosts a podcast called TRBM, he has other books, and you can find out about ALL of it at www.jodyjsperling.com! (Buy his books there!)
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Thanks for listening. Go to www.christophertallon.com for more podcast...
2023-03-0756 minA Podcast for Creative PeopleEp.61 | David Hayward (aka The Naked Pastor)David Hayward is a former pastor turned full-time artist and he shares his story of becoming an artist, leaving the church, and moving into art as his main hustle. David makes art from a very welcoming place of spiritual freedom. If you're looking for a good follow on Instagram, check out @nakedpastor, and consider buying his book, sort of a "best of" collection of his comics: FLIP IT LIKE THIS.
Get more at: www.nakedpastor.com!
2023-02-271h 07A Podcast for Creative PeopleEp.60 (pt2) | Mike Salt -horror author & neat fellaHere's the second half of my conversation with Mike Salt. If you don't already know, Mike is an author worth reading if you're into being scared like a helpless baby in the night. He thrills and chills readers with his creepy novellas, which you can peruse on your own at www.mikesaltauthor.com. You can also click here for ALL Mike's links!
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Thanks for your patience getting the second half of this one out!
2023-02-2241 minA Podcast for Creative PeopleEp.60 (pt1) | Mike Salt, horror author and cool dudeThis is part one of a a two-parter with horror author Mike Salt. Salt is more than just a fantastic writer from Oregon, he's a smart and creative guy with a knack for marketing and social media. He talks about writing to get attention, how many more followers he has than I do, and how he's glad he's not bald like me. And we explore his creative process, talk a little about his books, and what he's got up his sleeve.
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Check out Mike and his books at www.mikesaltauthor.com, then follow him @mike...
2023-02-0748 minA Podcast for Creative PeopleEp.59 | Jason Demmon - music, creativity, cancer, & cannabisGo to www.jasondemmon.com!
Jason Demmon and I go back to his Michigan State University days (I was a townie). Jason talks about growing up with music, how music got him into college, gigging, composing music and sound production for film and...
Getting testicular cancer!
(Spoiler: he's now cancer free!) Through a few twists and turns in his healing process, he found great relief through cannabis, which led him to seek a career in the professional field of medicinal cannabis.
We met through music as kids and, years later, reconnected...
2023-01-1653 minA Podcast for Creative PeopleEp.58 | Marcel ”Fable” Price - A Shameful Showing from the Kent County Commissioners BoardThe Diatribe uses performing arts to empower young people to share their stories, raise awareness of social issues, and create change within their communities.
They were recently screwed over for political reasons by the Kent County Commission, which deprived them of 2 million dollars of federal funding because they were afraid of getting challenged politically and possibly losing their seats in government.
I was there. It was one of the most shameful things I've ever seen.
Listen to Marcel, the executive director/chief inspiration architect of The Diatribe, here and on episode 46. Then check...
2022-12-1429 minA Podcast for Creative PeopleEp.57 | Mallory Shotwell - Founder and Director of CULTIVATEAs a former Montessori teacher, Mallory Shotwell's interest in art and business make her a great person to start a group like CULTIVATE, a collection of artists, teachers, and industry folks. With the acquisition of their new space in Grand Rapids, Michigan, they'll be able to highlight contemporary artists and teach community-based art & business classes, while also serving as a "traditional" art gallery for art shows and installations.
Get the HOLIDAY GUIDE: www.cultivategrandrapids.org/2022-local-artist-holiday-guide
Keep an eye on the CULTIVATE Facebook and Instagram pages for events and fun info!
Learn all...
2022-12-0648 minA Podcast for Creative PeopleEp.56 | Josh Adams is funny as f--k!Seriously though...Josh Adams really is funny as f--k!
Get your weekly creative inspiration as we hear from a Detroit kid who had NFL dreams, but wound up in the locker room and on the field with the Lions, AND had a highlight on the jumbotron at Ford Field as the comedian who roasted the Detroit Lions on HBO's Hard Knocks. He's got jokes, but also wisdom and insights from his time as a professional creative and businessman. Embrace your pace. Celebrate the Yes's AND the No's. Work hard and wait for your opportunity. Let it come...
2022-10-261h 15A Podcast for Creative PeopleEp.55 | Andrea Shaner - How to Be on TV!Andrea Shaner is the producer of the Fox17 Morning Mix in Grand Rapids, MI. It's a "West Michigan lifestyle show with a little bit of everything from weather to local shops to crafting" that's on every M-F starting at 9am EST.
Andrea started in high school AV, dreamed of being a meteorologist, became a news producer, then developed the Morning Mix. Here's her story and insights for creatives trying to get FEATURED on TV, not just a how-to for those seeking to work in the television industry.
Big shout out to A TALK IN THE A...
2022-10-191h 08A Podcast for Creative PeopleEp.54 | Brandon Dante Copeland does EVERYTHING!Some call him Brandon, some call him Dante, some call him Dante Cope. I'll introduce him by his full legal name, you call him want you want, I guess...
Brandon Dante Copeland is a multi-talented musician (mainly sax, but other wind instruments, too), beat maker, rapper, producer, who also plays guitar, keys, and a little drums. Originally from Jackson, MI, he now lives in Grand Rapids and is a key member of the artistic and musical community. He also hosts art, music, and community events in the downtown GR area. A very cool guy doing very cool...
2022-10-1259 minA Podcast for Creative PeopleEp.53 | Jacqueline Gray Miller - Writer, Producer, & Creative Chameleon (So Many Things...)Jacqueline Gray Miller is a writer, producer, educator, humanitarian, environmentalist, intimacy coordinator, law scholar, media professional, and a ton of other stuff.
You may know her from Roy's Job Fair, the podcast she co-hosts with Roy Wood, Jr. (from two of my favorite shows: The Daily Show and This Isn't Happening), where a group of funny, insightful people (and guests) explore the human condition every week through the prism of employment.
Go to Jacqueline's website for blogs, social links, and everything else you'd want and/or need to know:
https://jacquelinegraymiller.space/
2022-09-201h 06A Podcast for Creative PeopleEp.52 | Jody Sperling & Kenny MacKay - Networking & MarketingThree podcasts are represented on this one: The Reluctant Book Marketer, Author Your Dream, and (duh...) Creative Ops.
Jody Sperling, Kenny MacKay, and I let you in on a marketing meeting between podcasters. Jody and Kenny are both in the business of helping authors grow their audience. Now we're trying to grow our own.
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Jody Sperling, THE RELUCTANT BOOK MARKETER
@jodyjsperling on Twitter and Instagram
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Kenny MacKay, AUTHOR YOUR DREAM
@PodcastAuthor on Twitter; @author_your_dream on Instagram
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Get my book, f...
2022-09-1336 minA Podcast for Creative PeopleEp.51 | Marston Hefner - Author of ”High School Romance” Reflects on Writing, Gaming, and His Famous Last NameMarston Hefner (yes...son of Hugh Hefner) is an extremely talented writer. His upcoming book of flash fiction is called High School Romance. I was fortunate to get an advanced copy.
It's fantastic.
Yes, you get an insight into the private lives of famous people, but more than that, you get to see them as real people. And you get to see straight up fiction that ranges from avante garde to offbeat science-fiction/romance and many things in-between.
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Check out Marston online:
marstonhefner.com | Twitch | YouTube | Twitter
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2022-08-291h 00A Podcast for Creative PeopleEp.50 | Shawn Burgess, horror writer and author of THE TEAR COLLECTOR and its new prequel SOUR ROOTSShawn Burgess is a horror writer from Jacksonville, FL. His first novel is The Tear Collector. I read it. It's fantastic. You should, too. He just release a prequel and has a sequel coming out in the fall of '22. This should be in your TBR (to be read) pile.
Listen to us talk about horror as a genre, how we approach writing, and you might just catch the exact moment where we officially became friends...
Thanks for listening, folks. Thanks for coming on, Shawn.
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Here's Shawn's Socials:
Facebook...
2022-08-221h 01A Podcast for Creative PeopleEp.49 | Ashley Nash - Illustrator & Muralist on Passion, Purpose, and Event PlanningAshley Nash is a talented visual artist (illustration/painting/murals) with a degree in art (focus on illustration) from GVSU. She's originally from Muskegon, now living in Grand Rapids, and freelances as an artist while also working as the Head Creative Designer at Pharmhouse Wellness (which you already know of if you've been listening). She's part of the creative duo that puts together the Pharmhouse events, such as the Art Market from Ep.73. Check out www.PharmhouseWellness.com for more info on what they've got coming up, links, etc...
Ashley talks about her youthful inspiration and support...
2022-08-151h 22A Podcast for Creative PeopleEp.48 | Megan Smith & MOSS ART!!!Megan Smith is an artist who mainly works with natural materials and does beautiful stuff you can check out on Instagram @mossberrymarvels.
We talk art, process, social media, mental health, events, tv (the name of the show was Wilfred...) and movies, run-ins with the law, local coffee, and other stuff!
We recorded in bean bag chairs outside, so you'll feel like you're out on the lawn with friends as you hear some of the sounds of the city of Grand Rapids intermittently.
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You can check out more on the show, its...
2022-07-191h 19A Podcast for Creative PeopleEp.47 | The Pharmhouse Wellness Art Market: A Podumentary...Pharmhouse Wellness, Grand Rapids, Michigan's only locally owned and operated dispensary, had another art market. Again I sold books and (someone else's (my daugher's!)) art. This time, however, I brought my podcast gear and made a whole thing of it, talking to a little bit of every kind of person around: pot smokers, local celebrities, art enthusiasts, art vendors, budtenders, and one of the event organizers.
And Mike Logan did a great read of the back of my book Switchers, which I encourage you to read. Your future self will thank you...
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The inter...
2022-07-1150 minA Podcast for Creative PeopleEp.46 | Alfonso Civile of HEARTSICK on Stage Presence & Getting Main Stage Honors (Upheaval Festival ’22)Get your tickets for the Upheaval Festival in Grand Rapids using this link with the promo code HEARTSICK at checkout and you'll A) Support the band directly, and B) Get $5 off admission!
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Alfonso and the guys from Heartsick, a hard rocking band from Lansing, Michigan, are old friends of mine. On top of being an incredible group both musically and as live performers, that's why I'm happy to support them ahead of their next festival performance.
See, last year they cause such a ruckus amongst the crowd on the Lookout Stage the organizers as...
2022-07-0419 minA Podcast for Creative PeopleSWITCHERS RELEASE CELEBRATION | Brandon Scott, my super-talented writer buddy & supporterHey everyone! This is the last "book celebration" episode. After this it's back to normal. On that note, go to www.christophertallon.com/about-switchers/ for info, Amazon links, and even links for signed copies! You can hit the social links, too, and reach out that way.
Aaaaaanyway--here's my writer buddy for today's episode...
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Brandon Scott is a talented author of wonderfully weird tales that do a bit of genre bending, leaning heavy on the horror and dark fantasy.
He wrote the Vodou series and is in several short story anthologies. You ca...
2022-06-1452 minA Podcast for Creative PeopleBOOK RELEASE WEEK | Jennifer Soucy - awesome writer, great giver of notes, and a badass lady!It's been a week since my book, Switchers, released for purchase.
Jennifer Soucy really helped me get my sh*t together in regards to that novel. She was somewhere between beta reader and editor. Then she introduced me to fellow writer (and my ACTUAL editor) TJ Tranchell.
We talk about other creatives like Brandon Scott, Kirk Ross, and Shawn Burgess. I'll put links to all their stuff, along with Jen's books, and...of course...MY BOOK down at the bottom.
Thanks for listening. Thanks for checking out SWITCHERS, whether you buy it or...
2022-06-1046 minA Podcast for Creative PeopleBOOK RELEASE DAY | TJ Tranchell - my editor!Switchers is available to the masses!
And here to discuss this is TJ Tranchell. TJ is an author, professor, and editor. The last one is the focus today as we get together to chat about my book, Switchers, which is available for purchase as of today on E-BOOK as well as PAPERBACK.
Go to www.christophertallon.com for more about the book, and follow me on any/all of your favorite social media spots @TallonWrites.
For more about TJ, visit www.tjtranchell.net.
2022-06-0359 minA Podcast for Creative PeopleBOOK RELEASE WEEK | Kirk Ross - My Cover Designer!!!Kirk Ross designed the cover for my book, Switchers. See the cover and find out more about the book (including where to pick up your e-book or paperback copy) at www.christophertallon.com.
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Check out Kirk's podcast, A Talk In The Attic, and watch a comedic edition of this very interview on the A Talk In The Attic's YOUTUBE PAGE! There you can watch all my prior appearances, as well as "Nunzio's Big Night Out" and many other quality episodes.
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Check me out on all social media @tallonwrites, on my website www.chri...
2022-05-3142 minA Podcast for Creative PeopleEp.45 | The Return of the Hosts of Threads Podcast: Life Unfiltered (Kinda...(You’ll See What I Mean.))Jason Tieri returns for the second time to represent Threads Podcast: Life Unfiltered. His co-host, Mike Van Drie, is on the show for the first time. (He wasn't on the show yet the first time. (We get into all that. (Do these parentheses seem weird? (It's only weird if you make it weird...))))
We talk about the change in the hosting lineup, learn things about Mike that Jason didn't know, talk about what it's like discussing deeply personal things "publicly", how a podcast develops over time, having to poop while running, coming up with good titles for...
2022-05-241h 10
A Talk in the Atticjudging a book by its cover w/ CHRISTOPHER TALLON**WATCH ON YOUTUBE** ... When author Christopher Tallon's first novel, SWITCHERS, hits the shelves next month, it will feature a book cover design by host Kirk Ross. Excerpted from a full interview on Chris's podcast "Creative Ops", the duo discusses the creative process, consent in nature, and the risks of using words that end in "phile". Today's featured song is called "Big Sale Improv", inspired by a doozy of a trip to the pot shop. Chris's WebsiteAll the Attic LinksSupport the show
2022-05-1345 min
Becoming A Household NameSEO with Christopher TallonChristopher Tallon Spoke to me about how he started his Podcast Creative Ops and the associated website and blog to build an audience for his forthcoming novel, Switchers. Chris has Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and Goodreads. If you take one thing from this episode it's to preorder Switchers. Nothing has a bigger impact on a writer's life than preordering his book, and you have that chance from now until June 3rd. So do it. Preorder Switchers today.If you're curious to check any of the movies we mentioned you can pick up a copy...
2022-05-1133 minA Podcast for Creative PeopleEp.44 | Jody Sperling - Writer & Host of (The Reluctant Book Marketer)Jody Sperling was successfully playing the real estate game when he decided to sell his properties one by one and commit to writing and podcasting. Crazy, right? Crazy like a FOX!
Jody's podcast, THE RELUCTANT BOOK MARKETER, gives authors, new and experienced, tools to better market their books (thereby doing better business and growing their audience).
Get a peek at some of Jody's writing that appeared in BULL called "Valesco".
Find Jody on Twitter: @jodyjsperling
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Thanks for listening!
For more info on Creative Ops,
OR
2022-05-101h 11A Podcast for Creative PeopleEp.43 | Derek Mohr - Developer, Designer, Artist, & Good DudeDerek Mohr is a Grand Rapids, MI based artist who works as a developer and designer.
We talked about his early interest in art and technology, traced his path to professional status, talked about some of his projects, and stuff creative people deal with, go through, and chat about with other creatives.
By day Derek works for an agency called Might In The Midwest. You can see more about Derek and the things he does at https://onemohrti.me/
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Catch Derek On..
Instagram: @onemohrtimedesign
Twitter: @OneMohrTime
Drib...
2022-04-251h 30
Threads Podcast: Life UnfilteredEp. 176 || Mike’s unfiltered thoughts about author Christopher TallonOver a month ago, on Episode 170, Mike really got to know the soon-to-be-famous author Christopher Tallon for the first time. They had been at a bonfire together, but that had like 10 people, so Mike didn’t really get to know Chris there.So what’s Mike’s unfiltered view on Chris? Take a listen and find out.Subscribe to the newsletter so you don't miss anything we do, plus we drop bonus content in each newsletter!Subscribe on YouTube to watch us in the studio!New Community Facebook Group. Come join us to...
2022-04-1530 minA Podcast for Creative PeopleEp.42 | The FAMOUS Ashley Grant - Blogger Life, Podcasting, & the Quest for Internet FameAshley Grant is my "bloggy friend" and fellow podcaster. We talked about blog-centric stuff on her podcast The Bloggy Friends Show. Now she's a guest here and we talk about finding your path in life, blogging, ghostwriting, where to get writing gigs, freelancing, moving around the country, podcasting, and more.
Find Ashley here:
Twitter - @AshleyisFamous
Facebook - @FamousAshleyGrant
Instagram - @famousashleygrant
Personal Website - FamousAshleyGrant.com
Bloggy Friends Website - BloggyFriends.com
Ashley would like to give a shout-out to Alex Fasulo and her...
2022-03-2854 minA Podcast for Creative PeopleEp.41 | Shatawn Brigham - Owner of GR Noir Wine & JazzShatawn Brigham and his wife, Nadia, moved from fields in mental health and education into business with the idea of changing the culture of professional inequality in Grand Rapids from the inside. Listen to how he met his wife, how they've worked to help the city and it's negatively impacted communities, and how GR Noir--Grands Rapids' only jazz bar--came to be.
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Check them out at www.grnoir.com, and on Facebook and Instagram!
2022-03-1457 min
The Bloggy Friends ShowChristopher Tallon Discusses the Benefits of PodcastingI'm chatting with Christopher Tallon about the benefits of podcasting. Christopher is the creative genius behind the Creative Ops Podcast and you can find him online at: https://christophertallon.com/Like this episode? Buy a girl a drink perhaps? https://paypal.me/FamousAshleyGrantMore Show Notes From This Episode:What’s up my bloggy friends! I'm slowly updating the show notes for this and every episode of The Bloggy Friends Show. My new home base for all things Bloggy Friends can be found here: https://www.famousashleygrant.com/podcast/Be sure to...
2022-03-1127 minA Podcast for Creative PeopleEp.40 | Casey Kornoelje - Grand Rapids’ Only Local in the Cannabis GameCasey Kornoelje is the sole owner of the only locally-owned cannabis dispensary in Grand Rapids, Michigan. You might ask, "There are so many dispensaries...how is Pharmhouse Wellness the only local one?"
Great question.
Listen for the answer to that, how Casey got into growing in the first place, how the shop came to fruition, and what his plans are for the shop and the community around it going forward.
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Check out Pharmhouse Wellness on their website, www.pharmhousewellness.com, on Facebook @pharmhousewellness, and on Instagram @pharmhousewellness.
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F...
2022-03-011h 17A Podcast for Creative PeopleEp.39 | TJ Tranchell - Author of TELL NO MAN (and others...)Author, Actor, & Academic, TJ Tranchell came on the podcast to discuss his book TELL NO MAN, as well as his writing process, upcoming projects (so exciting!), acting, teaching at a community college, dropping out of school, providing professional writing services, and much more.
Check out his website: www.tjtranchell.net
Buy his books on Amazon, I highly recommend TELL NO MAN. Look for him on Instagram (@t.j.tranchell), Facebook (@TJTranchell), and Twitter (@TJ_Tranchell).
Thanks to TJ for the chat, thanks to you for listening in, and HUGE thanks to anyone who...
2022-02-141h 33A Podcast for Creative PeopleEp.38 | ”Our Wives Got Paid” by TROPHY HUSBANDS - aka Kirk Ross (host of A Talk in the Attic) & Me (host of THIS podcast)Me n Kirk are always up to something groovy. We've collab'd on a few things but none to the scope of this project. We made a song AND a music video. Go to my YouTube to see the music video: Creative Ops on YouTube
Then go to Kirk's YouTube to see the Behind-the-Scenes: A TALK IN THE ATTIC on YouTube
And listen to A TALK IN THE ATTIC, why dontcha. They're everywhere podcasts can be found. Follow ATITA on social media, too:
A TALK IN THE ATTIC on IG
ATITA on...
2022-02-0810 minA Podcast for Creative PeopleEp.37 | Joshua Marsella talks about his new podcast WRITERS ON WAXJoshua Marsella came on for his third go round on Creative Ops, this time to talk about HIS brand new podcast, WRITERS ON WAX. Starting February 2 you can hear Joshua talk to other writers about the grand craft, as well as the music that inspires them.
Please follow Joshua Marsella:
@joshua_marsella on IG
@JoshuaMarsella on Twitter
@JoshuaMarsella on FB
And listen to WRITERS ON WAX wherever you get podcasts (except Spotify...he's not gonna be there), and look him up on Amazon, goodreads, and the like for info...
2022-02-021h 24A Podcast for Creative PeopleEp.36 | Christopher Daradics - Language Learning, Immersive Technology, Education, & Creative HealingChristopher Daradics works at the University of Oregon's Center for Applied Second Language Studies - CASLS (check that out for free language learning tools!)
He's also a part of Resonance Building, a healing and arts collective. Check out their upcoming online workshop "The Embodied Voice", and keep coming back for new events, projects, ideas...
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Learn more:
Christopher Daradics on IG: @swagadics
Resonance Building on IG: @resonance-building
CASLS website
Resonance Building website
Embodied Voice info/registration
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Thanks everyone! See ya next...
2022-01-181h 44A Podcast for Creative PeopleEp.35 | Marcel ”Fable” Price - Creatively Affecting ChangeFable the Poet (aka Marcel Price) became the Poet Laureate of Grand Rapids, MI in 2017. At the time, he was GR's first black PL. He was the first PL to not graduate from college. On top of that he was also the youngest PL in city history. Now he works with The Diatribe, mainly focusing on improving the south side and educating people about GENTRIFICATION and REDLINING. Check out The 49507 Project.
Marcel Price / Fable the Poet: Instagram, Facebook, Twitter
The Diatribe: Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, SUPPORT!
2021-11-291h 07A Podcast for Creative PeopleEp.34 | A Beginner‘s Guide to Self-Publishing w/ Joshua MarsellaHey folks!
My writing buddies who are farther along in their careers are helping me out with some publishing DOs and DON'Ts. As I get good advice, I'll share it. Here's bits of a phone conversation I had with the amazing Joshua Marsella. So listen up if you're thinking of self-publishing, or if you're curious what goes into it.
Follow Joshua Marsella on social media @JoshuaMarsella on Twitter, @joshua_marsella on instagram, and buy his books on his Amazon page!
Thanks everyone. Happy Thanksgiving! (Even to the Canadians!)
2021-11-2322 minA Podcast for Creative PeopleEp.33 | Kirk Ross - Host of A TALK IN THE ATTICMy buddy and fellow podcaster|musician|writer Kirk Ross joined me (or rather I joined him (we were in his studio)) for a fun talk. Unlike the first time he was on the show, I actually interviewed him this time.
Get to know the man. Learn about (then go listen to) his wonderful podcast, A Talk in the Attic. Maybe even follow @atalkintheattic on your favorite social media!
The song from A Talk in the Attic was used with permission. Shout out to the inimitable HILTON (@hiltonallcaps on IG) for putting together such a badass...
2021-11-152h 10A Podcast for Creative PeopleEp.32 | Alexis Flakes - Host, Producer, Editor, CREATIVE!Alexis Flakes wears many hats: digital content producer/editor/host, yoga teacher, jewelry designer, community advocate, entrepreneur, and MORE.
She talks about growing up black in a predominantly white, Michigan suburb, going to school out east, settling down in Harlem, getting into the digital creative sphere, her creative process, and all her ambitious dreams and goals.
See more of Alexis at:
www.alexisflakes.com
Follow Alexis on Instagram @flakeslikefrosted
Get Bold Jewels
. . .
Follow me (Christopher Tallon - the host) at:
www.christophertallon.com
2021-10-261h 59A Podcast for Creative PeopleEp.31 | Joe Bockheim - vocals/guitar for The Legal ImmigrantsJoe Bockheim was kind enough to invite me to his house for a sit down. We talked about music, home ownership, having kids, and all kinds of fun stuff.
Check out The Legal Immigrants here:
The Legal Immigrants website
Instagram: @legalimmis
Facebook: @thelegalimmigrants
Spotify
(Want more? Google them...)
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Thanks everyone. Go to www.christophertallon.com and/or follow me on your favorite social media platform, I'm @tallonwrites on all the big ones.
If you like the show PLEASE rate AND review it wherever you download it. It means a lot.
2021-10-112h 04A Podcast for Creative PeopleEp.30 | Joshua Marsella - Author of ”Scratches” and ”Severed”Joshua Marsella is an Army veteran turned stay-at-home dad and horror author. His books "Scratches" and "Severed" are making a lot of noise on the indie horror scene.
We talk about his military experience, struggles and triumphs with mental health, and OF COURSE his creative process as a writer. Books, films, adaptations, Stephen frigging King, military stories, dad stories, being a creative writer, and lots more.
Such a nice guy. I hope you enjoy the interview and decide to check out one and/or all of his books.
Lastly, be on the lookout...
2021-09-271h 53A Podcast for Creative PeopleEp.29 | Andrew Smith - Why We Left Teaching...Andrew "Drew" Smith is my old friend and fellow former educator. We both taught for half a decade or so before venturing into different careers. However, our training--both in content and in pedagogy--prepared us surprisingly well for our chosen paths.
Listen as we discuss our best and worst memories, how teachers REALLY talk in the teachers' lounge (sadly, it's always very good), and what it was like for Drew as an intern trying to teach non-English speaking refugees who were illiterate in their native language and never received formal education. (Amongst other things.)
I mentioned...
2021-09-131h 23A Podcast for Creative PeopleEp.28 | Peter Spaulding AKA "ReTeP" - Twitch Gaming (And Other Forms of Internet Creativity)Peter Spaulding is known on Twitch as Retep, the "plus-sized Dad-bod gamer." We met through podcasting--he formerly co-hosted the extremely popular Gig Economy Podcast, which is also under the Hey Guys Media umbrella.
Peter's always been a self-described computer guy. We talked about his history with gaming (which consoles he likes, PC vs Consoles, Twitch, Steam, etc...) Discord, his history of fun internet antics, podcasting, DJing, and all things related to his past and present passion of gaming.
If you like what you hear, you can get more at Peter's:
Official Website
2021-08-3045 minA Podcast for Creative PeopleEp.27 | Mike Logan - ADD & Homegrown WeedGot to sit down with the Ice Cold Comedian, Mike Logan...IN HIS HOUSE! (He's got a bad leg at the moment, so I came to him. You'll hear some neighborhood noise in the interview.)
I named this one "ADD & Homegrown Weed" because those were the main obstacles early in our conversation. But once it got going, Mike and I had a great talk. We, of course, covered creativity and the creative process, but we got into all kinds of other stuff: moving from place to place, racism, goal setting/changing goals as you age, classic art, h...
2021-08-092h 24A Podcast for Creative PeopleEp.26 | Trophy Husbands - A Casual Conversation between the Super Friends, Kirk Ross and Christopher TallonHey folks,
I've been in a little bit of a creative funk lately. As it turns out, so was my buddy--the other half of podcasting's super friends, The Trophy Husbands--Kirk Ross. I asked him if he wanted to talk over some ideas, and we ended up just releasing our conversation as a podcast. We talk about the mission of CREATIVE OPS, get a few personal updates, talk shit, try to be funny...the usual.
So you'll hear my cut here, and in the days to follow you can listen to Kirk's cut on A Talk...
2021-07-081h 08A Podcast for Creative PeopleEp.25 | Chanel Ali - Comedian with the Best Comedy Album of 2020 (NPR)Chanel Ali is a standup comedian, writer, and actress living in NY. Chanel was honored as a “New Face” at the 2019 Just for Laughs festival in Montreal, and she can be seen on the Starz series Night Train with Wyatt Cenac and Laff Mobb’s Laff Tracks on TruTV. In 2020, Chanel appeared on the CC Stand-Up/Refinery 29 series Taking the Stage and Speak Up. Chanel was also featured on the dais of the Friar’s Club’s Roast of Gloria Allred, where she is also a member, and she recently wrote for the @NetflixisaJoke social media accounts. Chanel released her debut comedy...
2021-06-281h 09
A Talk in the AtticCHRISTOPHER TALLONAlternate title: TROPHY HUSBANDSWATCH ON YOUTUBEChristopher Tallon is a writer and podcaster hailing from Grand Rapids. His novel, Switchers, is being shopped around to various publishers as he juggles fatherhood, husbandhood, and his podcast, Creative Ops, which highlights other creative people doing their things, respectively. Today's episode is a fun one, complete with a parody of Kirk & Christopher's future collaboration: Trophy Husbands. Music contributions include Dresden the Flamingo, King Flamingo, Baum, Rhythm Scott, and Keven Graham, all licensed through soundstripe.com!CT on...
2021-06-191h 29A Podcast for Creative PeopleEp.24 | Pedro "The Roadie" Rodriguez - Roadie Life, Art, Music, & CollaborationFRIENDS OF THE SHOW
River Town Adventures: Instagram | Facebook | Website
Hey Guys Media Group: Twitter | Facebook | Website
Baby Farm Soaps: Facebook
Fresh Coast Seed Co: Instagram
TODAY'S GUEST: Pedro "The Roadie" Rodriguez
Pedro has been a roadie for over 20 years, spending a good deal of that time as the tour manager for the band KMFDM. He talks about his various roadie gigs, landing a dream job with KMFDM, starting the Karuna Art Collective in Philadelphia, making music and art, collaborating, and bringing up young creatives.
FOLLOW THE HOST
@christopher_tallon on...
2021-06-141h 26A Podcast for Creative PeopleEp.23 | Jonathan Wayne Freeman - Professionally Silly on InstagramJonathan Wayne Freeman is a funny funny man. He didn't find his niche until he was in his late 30s, but now he's posting funny stuff on IG daily, and getting paid to endorse cool stuff. He's an inspiration and always good for a giggle.
Go check out @jonathanwaynefreeman on Instagram and peruse the JWF online shop.
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Go to www.christophertallon.com if you don't have anything better to do right now.
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Friends of Creative Ops:
River Town Adventures, Baby Farm Soaps, Six C...
2021-05-171h 25A Podcast for Creative PeopleEp.22 | Kyd Kane, Poet Laureate of Grand Rapids, MIKyd Kane is a poet, artist, and educator. She was the first spoken word artist to make the finals in ArtPrize. Recently she became Grand Rapids' first black, queer, female poet laureate. Since then she's made her it mission to elevate poetry (and poets) in the city, do something different with (for) the laureateship, and challenge privilege.
Check out Kyd Kane at www.kydsaidit.com
Check out the show at www.christophertallon.com
Buy the host a coffee at www.buymeacoffee.com/creativeops
Thanks folks!
-CT
2021-05-041h 19A Podcast for Creative PeopleEp.21 | Vincent Mcintosh - owner of IRIE KitchenAs a young child of Jamaican immigrant parents, Vincent Mcintosh dreamed of being a businessman, owning 250 restaurants, and living life on his terms. Now in his mid-20s, he joined Creative Ops--online from the restaurant--to talk about his path on that journey.
At 17 he dropped out college to pursue entrepreneurship full time. At 19 he founded IRIE Kitchen (organic, Caribbean street food) restaurant in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
Not only is it the first fully-organic restaurant in the area, Vince is also the youngest restauranteur in Grand Rapids history!
In 2019 he co-founded Irie Lemon, a...
2021-04-191h 16A Podcast for Creative PeopleEp. 20 | Jennifer Soucy (Again!) - Horror, Books & Movies, Writing & Publishing, and Friend TalkJennifer Soucy is an excruciatingly talented woman. In her novels, she has a darkly poetic style that delivers intense emotion while, at the same time, keeps an expert eye on the pace and flow of the action. She writes strong and complex female leads that guys and girls alike love to follow on their dark adventures. Jen highlights the best and worst of humanity in a way you can't help but pay attention and keep flipping pages.
She's truly a writers' writer.
Hear her thoughts on horror, books, movies (especially remakes...), the writing process, editing...
2021-04-061h 41A Podcast for Creative PeopleEp.19 | Randi Ford - Art, Entrepreneurship, & FlowRandi Ford is a phenomenal talent in the world of painting. Her nature landscapes are beautiful and have a sense of depth and movement unlike anything else I've seen. We talk about her style, influences, creative process, business, hiking, camping, life, and all kinds of fun stuff.
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Randi Ford:
website: www.randifordart.com
IG: @randi_ford_flow_paintings
FB: @RandiFordFlowPaintings
YouTube: www.youtube.com/user/RandiLynnFord
2021-03-221h 18A Podcast for Creative PeopleEp.18 | Jake Bryan - HEARTSICK Drummer & Music LoverAs a drummer, I was excited to nerd out with my new buddy, Jake Bryan. Jake is the drummer for HEARTSICK, the Lansing-based band that's been playing loud music for 20 years.
I started following this band even before Jake joined. As you'll find out, he joined the band around the same time I left the Lansing area for good. Jake came from a musical family, where his passion for drumming was highly encouraged from a young age. In his teens, he found his passion as a traveling performer with the school band when they performed in Florida...
2021-03-151h 22A Podcast for Creative PeopleEp.17 | Peter Taras - Surf Photographer, Storyteller, Wine Reviewer, & Fun DudePeter Taras is an icon in the world of surf photography, starting in the profession at a young age. With his magazine days behind him, Peter continues to tell stories with his amazing pictures on Stellar Storytellers, and has fun with his wine reviews on his Instagram. He has collaborated with Jonathan Freeman on the Ultra Core Surf Hour. Hilarious. He's also part of the Kook of the Day series. Also hilarious. Go check him out!
Thanks everyone!
www.steller.co/petertaras
www.instagram.com/petertaras/
www.instagram.com/jonathanwaynefreeman/
2021-03-092h 40A Podcast for Creative PeopleEp.16 | Mike "Auggie" Augustine - Escape Rooms, Games, & Experiential DesignAuggie is a brilliant mind and great guy. In 2016, Auggie placed 5th world-wide in the Dyson Rethinkers Challenge. Then in 2018, Auggie won the Red Bull Mind Gamers Quantum Challenge. In 2019, his team placed 10th in the Red Bull Mind Gamers Escape Room World Championship. He's designed multiple rooms, including one in a hotel at the world championship for the competitors to play, that the hotel didn't even know about, haha! He also had a hand in the SYGNYL podcast that I talked about on Ep.17!
Check him out on social media @okapikid, and get in touch with h...
2021-03-011h 16A Podcast for Creative PeopleEp.15 | Jeff Hull of Nonchalance - Participatory Arts & Situational DesignJeff Hull joined me, via the magic of the internet, to discuss literature, culture, Nonchalance, and his latest project--a revolutionary podcast--SYGNYL.
Listen as we discuss past and present projects, how how created and implemented them, and how the lines between art and reality can blur to create something unintended, both in our art and, as we've seen recently, in our culture. That blurring, as Jeff puts it, "can lead us to chaos or meaning."
Join us and try to find the meaning in the chaos. If we can't find it, we'll make our own.
2021-02-151h 22A Podcast for Creative PeopleEp.14 | Nate Williams - Entrepreneur, Kayak Guide, Travel Gigger, and CaRV (car-VEE) EnthusiastNate Williams is the co-founder of River Town Adventures, a proud sponsor of the show. After leaving RTA, he found a travel gig in Seward, Alaska, where he was a professional kayak guide, showing tourists glaciers, bears, and whales via kayak. Then he went to Europe on a work/stay program and explored a few countries for next to nothing!
While he waits for tourism to return, he spoke with us from his home in Lansing, MI, about what he's done, where he's been, and (hopefully) where he's going. It was a long chat with a good f...
2021-02-032h 01A Podcast for Creative PeopleEp.13 | Drunken Podcasting w/ Justin D'Autremont - Host of Drunk Conspiracies PodcastCreative People!
Justin D'Autremont (host of Drunk Conspiracies Podcast) joined me from across the great state of Michigan after I recently did an episode of his show. We talk about all things podcasting, what got him into it, how he does it, and what his plans are moving forward. We also talk about the pros/cons of life in the north vs life in the south, and other random stuff. (Alcohol may or may not have been in play on this episode...)
Justin's a talented young man (I can say that, he's younger than me...
2021-01-181h 01A Podcast for Creative PeopleEp.12 | Dajon, a Sacramento-based hip-hop artistHey folks!
Dajon joined me on Zoom from CA to talk about his new EP "Love, Dajon" and all the things that went into making it. We went back to early musical influences at age 6, to how he's rockin now, in his mid-twenties. Energetic, awesome music. I. Can't. Stop. Listening.
Check out Dajon on IG, FB, and Twitter
2020-12-181h 09A Podcast for Creative PeopleEp.11 | Clay McAndrews, Founder & Co-Director of the Bright Walls Mural FestivalWoo!
I loved this episode. I sat down with Clay McAndrews to talk about the Bright Walls Mural Festival, which he founded and co-directs in his hometown of Jackson, Michigan. So far, Bright Walls has brought artists from all over the world to Jackson, where they've created 36 absolutely amazing murals, transforming the city.
Clay, an artist and all-around creative type, has a background in graphic design, advertising, photography, and events. Clay graduated from Central Michigan University with degrees in Graphic Design and Advertising.
Learn more about Bright Walls at www.brightwallsjackson.com, and...
2020-12-041h 03A Podcast for Creative PeopleEp.10 | Mike Breymann - Visual Effects Artist, Software Developer, FreelancerHey Folks!
I talked to renowned visual effects artist Mike Breymann, who has worked with influential artists and filmmakers all over the world. To name just a few projects: Mike made the island and background shots for Jurassic World, recreated Paris for Benjamin Button (which won an Academy Award for visual effects), developed worlds (real and fictional) in virtual reality, and creates software that more easily allows himself (and others) to do what he does.
A fun and fascinating guy. If you want to see his portfolio and get a deeper dive into what he's...
2020-11-201h 22A Podcast for Creative PeopleEp.9 | RN Double Feature, with nurses Meaghan and RachelFor this episode, we sat down in-studio with 2 local nurses from different hospitals in the Grand Rapids (MI) area. Meaghan has floor and management experience, and works in pediatrics. Rachel has worked in Intensive Care and Post-Op in Michigan and Florida. They sat down with me and Jason to talk about nurse-life, nursing in COVID times, and their experiences working in health care. If you're looking for an awesome career, check out nursing. Good pay, you can work full time as little as 3 days a week, and you don't have to buy a bunch of work clothes...just a...
2020-11-071h 15A Podcast for Creative PeopleEp.8 | Zach Snyder - Artist, Entrepreneur, EducatorZach Snyder is an artist. It his passion, freelance profession, and now, his job as a college professor. How does a 24 year old get a job as a college prof? LOTS of talent, for starters. Listen to find out more.
Check Zach out on IG @sneedart
Get more info at www.sneedartdesigns.com
2020-10-2455 minA Podcast for Creative PeopleEp.6 | Aaron Daane, Coach & Former Youth Soccer Club OwnerFor almost a decade, Aaron Daane ran a youth soccer club in west Michigan. He recently sold his club and now works as a coach and coach educator. We talked about what creativity means in the context of soccer and player development, as well as the challenges in youth soccer in terms of coaching, player development, and refereeing. Anyone who plays, has played, or has kids who play will want to listen to this. We discuss tactics, our favorite clubs and players, and where American soccer--at the youth level--is now, and where it is headed.
If you...
2020-09-211h 00A Podcast for Creative PeopleEp.3 | Ben Kraker and Jason Tieri Teach Me How to Make a PodcastIf you've ever thought, I should start a podcast, then listen to this show! (Or, if you just like podcasts and wanna see how one gets made, check it out.)
Ben Kraker and Jason Tieri were my guests, and they are in the podcast game. Together they host a really cool show, Threads Podcast: Life Unfiltered. Separately, Ben has his own show, The Root of All Ben, and Jason co-hosts GR Rideshare Adventures, and produces two podcasts - including this one!
It was a lot of fun hanging out with these guys on my show for a c...
2020-05-241h 37A Podcast for Creative PeopleEp.2 | Jennifer Soucy, author of "Demon in Me"Hey folks,
I totally nerded out while talking to fellow writer Jennifer Soucy. She's an amazing talent and a very nice person. She's got an interesting story, and a lot to say about writing. Her horror debut is titled Demon in Me, and it's amazing! She's the real deal. Check her out at www.jenniferlsoucy.com to learn more. Want to connect with her via social media? Find her on Instagram @therealjenwah, FaceBook @bansheetales, and Twitter @bansheetales. Then go order her book on Amazon...NOW!
Learn more about Creative Ops at my website www...
2020-03-241h 05A Podcast for Creative PeopleEp.1 | Paul Brogan of River Town Adventures talks small business & conservationI sat down with my good friend Paul Brogan, co-founder and owner of the award-winning small business, River Town Adventures, a staple of the outdoor recreation scene in Michigan's capital city. Paul is also the driving force behind the Lansing Earth Project, which organizes volunteers to clean the local waterways. We talked about starting and growing a business, getting active about conservation, and more. Check out www.rivertownadventures.com for more info about Paul, River Town Adventures, and waterway conservation, or check them out on Instagram @rivertownadventures or on FaceBook @RiverTownMI
Learn more about Creative Ops at my w...
2020-03-151h 09
Threads Podcast: Life UnfilteredEp. 68 || Author Christopher Tallon joins Ben & Jason in studio for a conversation about creativity, Ben's week of faux pas with Jason, coronavirus, does God "allow" sickness?, and more!Christopher Tallon of the new podcast Creative Ops AND author of Threads Podcast: Life Unfiltered blog entries joins us in studio for a normal format episode. Tune in for personal updates, therapy updates, and yet another story of faux pas between Ben & Jason. Thank you so much for listening to us! We appreciate each and every one of you. Can you do us a favor? Tell someone about this podcast if you enjoy it. Also subscribe, rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get our podcast from. You can find us on Fa...
2020-03-131h 47
Threads Podcast: Life UnfilteredEp. 39 || Ben & Andi chat about the interview with sci-fi author Christopher Tallon. Ben shares his feelings about criticism.Ben & Andi sit down in Ben's home office (Andi called dibs on his recliner) and chat about Episode 38's interview with local sci-fi author Christopher Tallon. Ben comes out as a sci-fi fan, and the two of them talk about how Ben feels about Jason's criticism. Thank you so much for listening to us! We appreciate each and every one of you. Can you do us a favor? Tell someone about this podcast if you enjoy it. Also subscribe, rate and review us on Itunes or where ever you get our podcast from. You can f...
2019-08-0951 min