Shows
The Unusual CreaturesThe Naked (Acting) Truth with Coach Sean Tyler FoleyThere is no clear path when one embraces their journey of being a creative. As an artist, well as a human really, one of our most over looked lessons is the need to learn... the Pivot. You have to be limber enough to pivot. There will be no straight line in any life. Nothing is fair and nothing will ever go exactly as planned. And that's ok. So we keep learning and growing and following our passions. And nobody understands that lesson better than this week's guest. Unusual Creatures... please welcome, Sean Tyler Foley.
Sean Tyler Foley i...
2022-09-0659 minThe Unusual CreaturesBen Jennings Explores His Metallurgist "Condition"It's not often you come across a small town metallurgist with a penchant for the Fluxus movement. But that's this week's guest, the wildly interesting and incredibly skilled Ben Jennings. Hailing from Wisconsin Rapids, WI, Ben has played in many physical mediums like ceramics and jewelry-making before landing on the complex and challenging medium of metal casting. He calls his art his "condition", a state of mind and being that he can't escape - or stray from- no matter how hard he's tried. Like so many artists whose names aren't ones you know in your household, Ben works a...
2022-08-3056 minThe Unusual CreaturesFrom Graphic Design to the Canvas with Tony BartolucciHappy August Creatures! This week we have a guest who's life is all about imagination. Like a magician, he creates art out of thin air. His canvas is a blank piece of cloth, a Times Square billboard, a NYC subway ad or whatever space is possible to transform. He has traveled the world and through his career and his passion he shares what creation can be. Will you please welcome... Tony Batolucci...
Tony Bartolucci is an artist, designer and creative director based in Brooklyn, New York. He grew up in Cleveland, Ohio and studied Design at The...
2022-08-2352 minThe Unusual CreaturesLindsie VanWinkle-Guthrie Walked from the Stage Down the AisleHello Creatures... it's a new week and a new creature family member for all of us to get to know. This week's guest is an artist of many trades. Her artistic roots were forged in music and on the stage, and now she has branched out into the business world and has fashioned her art for... well, fashion. From Oklahoma, to sailing around the world, to New York and then back to the home of her origins and Route 66, this maverick has seen it and done it all. Well, for now. Please welcome... Lindsie VanWinkle-Guthrie.
Lindsie spent 13+...
2022-08-161h 05The Unusual CreaturesFrom Makeup Artistry to Window Dressing with Felicita MunozFelicita Munoz is both a "stayer" and a "strayer" and this episode will make you realize that even though you might stray, you will always, inevitably, stay somehow in the arts. She felt the creative bug when she was a little girl. Her first performance was when she was three years old on an Amtrak train going from NY to Fl. She were having breakfast in the dining car and all of a sudden she stood up and started singing “Tomorrow “ from Annie. Everyone applauded. She still doesn't know if she was any good or if she was just cute...
2022-08-0945 minThe Unusual CreaturesAdam Perabo is Creating Healing Sounds But Not Before Some DetoursThis week's guest is just who we need to hear in the midst of the everything going on in the world these days. This Unusual Creature is an actor, artist, father, healer and New York City aficionado. After years of trodding the boards and becoming immersed in the best of all New York City had to offer, Adam Perabo changed direction slightly to attain what meant most to him. And his pivot has paid off brilliantly.
Mr. Perabo comes from under the boardwalk of the Jersey Shore. His joyous adventurism led him to the funhouses above and...
2022-08-021h 00The Unusual CreaturesActing and Activism with Kim Berrios LinThis Unusual Creature sitting down to chat with us is everything you want a human being to be. She is smart, funny, humble, proud, vulnerable, strong and passionate. She has taken life head on and with a lot of verve. She's lived a lot, succeeded a lot and lost a ton. But still, she persists. She is a unique talent and a fierce warrior. Please sit back, relax and take a listen - and lesson.
Kim Berrios Lin is an Actor, Producer, Writer, and Mom of 2 little wildlings. As an Actor, you can catch her in HBO Max's ‘Pretty Little Liar...
2022-07-191h 05The Unusual CreaturesShanti Hershenson is Breaking Every Barrier as a NovelistIt's not often you get to have a deep and meaningful conversation with a novelist, who, only three years into their professional career is currently writing their 17th book - and they're only fourteen. Shanti Hershenson embodies the word wunderkind and then frankly, blows the label out of the water. Her commitment and passion for writing genre-focused novels will not only inspire you to get off your butt and start creating, it will also school you on how to time manage and couple the writing and work itself with a hefty dose of business acumen. We're also wildly grateful...
2022-07-1240 min
The Unusual CreaturesThe Indomitable Joyce BeauvaisHold on to your seats people, because this week we have one of the greatest Unusual Creatures of all. Our guest is the human embodiment of what it means to be a creative vessel. She has seen and done it before anyone else, and in the grandest of diva fashions. Dear audience, take some time to meet... the brilliant and larger than life... Ms. Joyce Beauvais.
Joyce Beauvais, a master of theatre and comedy, lived in New York, New York performing in hundreds of shows for twenty-nine years. About nine years ago, she found a new home in...
2022-07-0559 minThe Unusual CreaturesIvy Le is Queering Up Comedy (and Podcasting)We have to say, it was harder than usual coming up with a title for this episode. Ivy Le is more than a comic and more than a podcaster. She started as a writer but we don't mean like that. She's brilliant and she's a fighter and she's really, really trying to change the way things are done in this world. She reminded us that we're lucky to have showcased the amazing guests that we've already had on the pod and she reminded us that artists are humans that create thought-provoking work to drive radical change in this world.
2022-06-2853 minThe Unusual CreaturesEston Dunn Builds a Theatrical CommunityThis week, buckle up babies... The Unusual Creature featured is the ultimate multi-hyphenate. He is a writer, actor, producer, fitness guru, activist and all around fantastic humanitarian. In this PRIDE spotlight series we are humbled to shine a light on him. He has survived and brilliantly thrived through everything life has had to throw. And he is the epitome and proof of how art can save us all. Humans, creatures meet ... Eston Robert Dunn.
Eston began his Entertainment career when, at the age of 7, he appeared as a butterfly in a grammar school play; from there, his c...
2022-06-211h 04The Unusual CreaturesNico Grelli Discovers Their Artistic VoiceThis week, as we continue our June Pride Month Series, we enjoy a heavy dose of a Tuesday version of Super Soul Sundays, care of the magnificent Nico Grelli (they/them). A multi-hyphenate, queer af, multi-disciplinary artist, Nico brings us home to a place where we can all learn to accept ourselves and fight not just to be heard, but to experience aggressive joy in a space of "otherness". Join us for this special episode where vulnerability is the dish du jour and tackling difficult creative topics in the midst of a changing world becomes the status quo.
2022-06-141h 10The Unusual CreaturesRipping Up the Stage with Hennessy WinklerThis week, we launch our incredibly special Pride Month series and oh boy, are we lucky to feature this week's guest to kick off this extra-important month. Hennessy Winkler (he/him) is a remarkable actor who discovered his calling at a very, very early age. He's worked every odd job you could think of just to make his art happen but he's never looked back. We're excited to feature his profound voice in the LGBTQIA+ community - as a trans man - and dig into some of the challenges he's had to overcome in order to rediscover his artistry...
2022-06-0749 minThe Unusual CreaturesDev Bhat, From the Trumpet to the Mosh Pit and BeyondDo you wanna know what it's like to be a rockstar? Well, you're about to find out... Dev Bhat is a musician, writer and creator for the ages. From a young age he could feel the chords define him. And he took that inspiration and made it a life.
Born in San Jose and living in San Francisco’s Sunset District, Dev Bhat is a communications manager by day and independent musician, composer, performer, sound designer, and writer by night. As a multi-instrumentalist, he has performed in many bands spanning genres such as post rock, industrial, shoegaze, hardcore punk, doom, and...
2022-05-311h 01The Unusual CreaturesAudrey Martells Sings into the StarsTake a seat, a cup of something strong and listen to a Queen. Life is going to be hard and a life pursing passion even harder. But this week's guest... Ms. Audrey Martells is gonna guide you through.
Audrey Martells can’t be boxed in. She is a timeless British/Jamaican-born artist who's passion for music has allowed her to cross continents and skate through genres, writing hit songs for jazz legends like George Benson, all the way to pop icons like Billy Porter. Audrey has also been honored to work as a backup singer, recording or (currently) touring the wor...
2022-05-241h 02The Unusual CreaturesJ. Holtham Turns Up the T.V.This conversation was electric. J. Holtham is a former playwright turned T.V. writer - and comic book writer! - and he graciously shares the story of the windy path that led him from stage to small screen to comic book panels to more T.V. Currently a co-executive producer of The Handmaid's Tale, Mr. Holtham has a story about as untraditional as it gets. He's a self-proclaimed nerd and has found his way in L.A. - which we'll learn from him, was truly the unlikeliest of places where he thought he would find, dare we say, success?
2022-05-1758 minThe Unusual CreaturesMonique Carter is Using Art to HealThis week's Unusual Creature is the epitome of how art and creativity can change lives. Monique Carter is a dancer, ex-model and former actress specializing in the gift of Middle Eastern and Arabic dance. But most importantly she is a fierce and loving mother to two young sons who through their artistic expression are finding ways to thrive. Monique is a single California mom raising Sol and Micah and life has been an uneasy road for this family, as both boys were born with Autism Spectrum Disorder and ADHD. Recently they've been given a MASSIVE opportunity that we felt...
2022-05-101h 02The Unusual CreaturesCharles Sullivan is the KING of Staten Island (Theater)This week come and join us for a chat with a master of all trades. Charlie Sullivan, the actual king of Staten Island (Sorry Pete... ok, co-King) sits down and has a cozy and riveting chat with us about how his pursuit of being a creative took him all over the world. Charlie gives a nuanced look into how art and creativity bleeds into careers beyond the field and how it can change the lives of so many. It all starts at home. On a simple island, that is one quick ferry ride from the center of the Universe.
2022-05-0357 minThe Unusual CreaturesMegan Tusing Unleashes Her VoiceHave you ever wanted to know the humans behind the voices reading your audiobooks? Us too! Well, look no further than Episode Ten of The Unusual Creatures as we interview the absolutely delightful voice over artist, Megan Tusing. Megan has recorded over 250 beloved audio books and also happens to be an award winner in the craft. We dig into her journey from Chinatown bus to professional whisper booth and everything in between.
In her own words, Ms. Tusing is a West Virginia native now based in Brooklyn and is an actor and award-winning audiobook narrator. She developed a...
2022-04-2658 minThe Unusual CreaturesCreatively Centering with DankEpisode 9 is truly unique. We talk to Dank, a spiritually-driven creative coach (and avid filmmaker, comic book writer and YouTube creator) about what stops us - or keeps us going - as we aim to create work that will make an impact in the world - for the right reasons. This episode gets much more philosophical and metaphysical than episodes past and because of Dank's work as a coach, left us feeling enlightened and inspired to keep going. Dank also talks about his personal experiences and struggles, his close brushes with death and the challenges of being a Korean a...
2022-04-1948 minThe Unusual CreaturesLiz Clayman Shoots the Delicious TruthLiz Clayman is a real treat. A hospitality and culinary photographer by trade (and our first pure photographer on the pod), she sparkles with honesty about what happens when you DO make it as a photog. We delve into Liz's journey from fine art photographer to culinary photographer and what the inspiration was for making the jump from one muse to another. Spoiler, it involves a passionate stint at one of New York City's most beloved restaurants. She teaches us what it takes to make it in the visual arts and sets the story straight about the real day-to-day...
2022-04-1249 minThe Unusual CreaturesJack MacCarthy Evolves as More Than a WriterTalking to Jack MacCarthy is a master class in what it takes to evolve as a writer. He has one of the most fascinating back stories you'll probably hear on this pod. Jack started his career in theater, kicking around in New York City, writing and producing original works. Dig into this episode and hear about their evolution from playwright to critically-acclaimed YA novelist and why he has since relocated to Los Angeles where he's mixing up his career and starting they're path to TV and film.
Jack MacCarthy (he/they) is a non-binary writer and creatrix; th...
2022-04-0559 minThe Unusual CreaturesPlaying Along with Bree O'ConnorBree O'Connor is a Wonder Woman of the arts. She has seen and done it all, from every angle, and she plans to never stop. A lover of creation and an inquisitive student of life, Bree is always examining the human experience, and trying to find ways to magnify its brilliance and pain. She is an artist but also one of the best champions of other's art; all while wearing many hats, including wife, mother and activist. Want to know what the future of creation could look like for everyone... then listen up, Bree has some things to explain.
2022-03-2952 minThe Unusual CreaturesThe Clowns Burn Down the TownThis week we have… clowns. That’s right, real-life clowns. And not just one - two of em! If you’re like, oh hell no, trust us when we say that this episode will 100% change your mind on all things clowns. Isn’t defying preconceived notions fun? The chat gets philosophical and deep and frankly flies delightfully in the face of what you would expect a conversation with two clowns to delve into. We talk at length about finding the beauty and the fun in doing it for yourself and how that’s been a wonderful through line in a lot of o...
2022-03-2251 minThe Unusual CreaturesWriting and Fighting with Alan HerreraAlan Herrera does not mince words. This episode is probably our most political to date (be warned) because Alan is a journalist, and being a journalist - a writer essentially under contract to tell the truth - has been a challenge these days to say the least.
Alan Herrera is an editor and reporter who has worked on interviews with such individuals as former White House Communications Director Anthony Scaramucci; Maria Fernanda Espinosa, the former President of the United Nations General Assembly; and Mariangela Zappia, the Permanent Representative to Italy for the U.N. He has written...
2022-03-1543 minThe Unusual CreaturesDoing it All with Allyson MorganThis week on The Unusual Creatures, everyone gets to unwrap the gift of talented actress, writer, superstar and fantastic creature... Allyson Morgan.
Allyson Morgan is a performer, writer, producer, and the founder of award-winning film and theatre collective F*It Club. TV appearances include: "Law and Order: SVU," "The Americans," "Inside Amy Schumer," and "Divorce." Her short film “Need For Speed (Dating)” premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival. She has twice been selected for the iTV/Catalyst Content Festival pitch competition, and also twice been a top ten Finalist for Cinequest, a Semi-Finalist at Austin Film Festival, and h...
2022-03-0847 minThe Unusual CreaturesKatie Florez Dances Through ItIn episode two of The Unusual Creatures, you get to meet the incredible contemporary dancer, Kathryn Florez.
Katie trained at the SF Conservatory of Dance beginning in 2010 under Summer Lee Rhatigan. Florez founded Fullstop Dance in 2015 and has since presented work at ODC Theater, Palace of Fine Arts, Cowell Theater, and others. Her choreography has been commissioned by The Merde Project (SF), TWObigsteps (Vancouver), as well as SALT Danceís LINK program (SLC), and is currently participating in a residency at SAFEhouse Arts. Fullstop is a repertory company that has commissioned work from international artists, in addition t...
2022-03-011h 11The Unusual CreaturesAlbert Beniada Directs with DelightIn the inaugural episode of The Unusual Creatures, you get to meet brilliant screenwriter and film director Albert Beniada.
Albert grew up in Miami, encouraged by his family to cultivate his deepest creative interests. He writes and makes films to explore life in all its complexity and to satisfy his relentless desire to create. As executive director of Filmshop, he relishes the role of supporting a talented and ambitious community of filmmakers and colleagues who continually inspire him. He has a number of projects in development, including a feature film about rebirth, titled "SHOUT!"
Talking t...
2022-02-221h 04The Unusual CreaturesMeet Your Hosts, Thomas Dane and Jenny GomezThomas Dane and Jenny Gomez have been dear friends and art partners for a looooong time. Hungry for their next creative outlet, in the midst of a violently changing world, they decided to reach out to artists they love to delve into what it really takes to fall in love, stay, stray and hold on to art against all odds.
In this bonus episode, we meet Tom and Jenny and get to know a little bit about them as a pair and what inspired them to embark on this funny little journey into a whole new medium. W...
2022-02-2127 min