Catalyst: A Creative Industries Podcast

Chapman University

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From Chapman University in Orange County California, Catalyst gives listeners a chance to learn about the Creative Industries through conversations with individuals from a wide array of backgrounds who are working in CI all over the globe. Hear how CI is influencing the public and private sector alike, and how local influences shape a region's creative landscape.

7 MAY

Season 15 Finale- Crafting Narratives in the Creative Landscape

Catalyst is a Creative Industries podcast, from Chapman University. Each episode features Chapman students who have completed a Podcasting course through the Center for Creative and Cultural Industries at the university. Students who had no podcasting experience or technical ability in the genre before taking the course were able to contribute all the segments to Catalyst this season with the goal being that they will take this 'hands-on' experience and carry it over to the launching of their very own series. Each episode of Season 15 will feature one to two different interviews conducted by CCI students, exploring different aspects of the Creative and Cultural Industries. To begin the last episode of the season Mariana Fernandez leads us through a fun and informative conversation with published writer and editor, and English Instructor at Irvine Valley College, Lisa Alvarez. The pair discuss Lisa's newly published short story collection Some Final Beauty and Other Stories, and she opens up about what first drew her to advocacy work. They also dig into the short stories themselves, exploring how each one builds toward characters Lisa had always wanted to see represented in print. They close the conversation by reflecting on the current wave of ethnic-centric literature being published today and what she believes makes her own collection distinct within that landscape. And as a season finale, we have an interview with Mike Gravagno the Senior Content Marketing Specialist at Workiva. Mike talks to Sydney Snider about his life and career trajectory. They discuss his roles as a content marketing manager, podcast host, and editor and explore how he first found his way into the world of podcasting. Mike reflects on the early days of the medium, when podcasting was still a niche pursuit, and walks through how dramatically the industry has shifted since then in terms of production standards, audience expectations, and the growing number of creators entering the space. The conversation expands into the creative process behind editing, the skills required to do it well, and the behind-the-scenes work that goes into shaping a compelling show. They close out the episode with the podcasts Mike loves listening to and the advice he would give anyone looking to start a show or find their footing in an industry that keeps evolving.

1 hr
30 APR

The Intriguing Secondary Markets of CCI

Catalyst is a Creative Industries podcast, from Chapman University. Each episode features Chapman students who have completed a Podcasting course through the Center for Creative and Cultural Industries at the university. Students who had no podcasting experience or technical ability in the genre before taking the course were able to contribute all the segments to Catalyst this season with the goal being that they will take this 'hands-on' experience and carry it over to the launching of their very own series. Each episode of Season 15 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 Margarette Quiambao sits down with Bekah Phillips, Director of Social Media and Graphic Design at the Frida Cinema in Santa Ana. Together they trace Bekah's path from a senior-year internship at the theater to how she grew into a leadership role. They walk through what her position entails from day-to-day content decisions to the larger creative vision behind the Frida's social presence. Bekah offers an inside look at what it takes to build and maintain a brand that reflects a genuinely independent, community-rooted institution. Listen along as Bekah opens up about how now her aesthetic sensibilities inform the visual identity of Orange County's only arthouse cinema. Equal parts practical and personal, this conversation is a compelling portrait of what creative leadership looks like at the intersection of film culture and digital communication. We wrap the episode this week focusing on Sean Cleary, Chief Operating Officer of Phillips Auction, who sat down for an interview with Kiera Freeman to talk about what it is like to work at one of the world's leading auction houses. Their fascinating conversation covers prehistoric dinosaur bones; Picasso canvases; and duct-taped bananas. Sean pulls back the curtain on how an auction actually works, from sourcing and valuing artwork to choreographing a live sale, and offers a frank look at the operational complexity most people never see. Their conversation highlights the logistical precision required to move multimillion-dollar pieces across the globe, how technology is reshaping the auction world, and what it means to work at the intersection of commerce, culture, and creativity. For anyone who has ever wondered what happens before the gavel falls, this episode has the answer.

49 min
23 APR

Behind the Scenes of the Creative Industries

Catalyst is a Creative Industries podcast, from Chapman University. Each episode features Chapman students who have completed a Podcasting course through the Center for Creative and Cultural Industries at the university. Students who had no podcasting experience or technical ability in the genre before taking the course were able to contribute all the segments to Catalyst this season with the goal being that they will take this 'hands-on' experience and carry it over to the launching of their very own series. Each episode of Season 15 will feature one to two different interviews conducted by CCI students, exploring different aspects of the Creative and Cultural Industries. For our first interview this week we are joined by Erik Lund who hosts a fascinating interview with Anton Poriazov, a Bulgarian actor and bodybuilder whose credits span both Bulgarian and international feature films. Anton joins fresh from The Running Man gala in London and with upcoming projects including Nightingale and the TV series Torque on the horizon, making for a conversation that arrives at exactly the right moment in his career. The pair dig into what it actually looks like to balance so many creative industries at once, exploring how each one feeds and shapes the others in a cycle that seems to have no off switch. Anton's profile as a well-known public figure in Bulgaria also opens up a fascinating thread about celebrity in smaller national markets, and how that context breeds a humility and gratitude that stands out in any room. Concluding the episode this week Tatum Behrens interviews Hannah Pierce, an Executive Assistant at Hybe America, the diversified entertainment and media company at the intersection of music, film, television, technology, and culture. They discuss Hannah's career prior to landing the position at Hybe, and get into some candid talk about the unglamorous realities behind the spotlight. Hannah challenges the glossy narratives that define Hollywood's public image and makes a compelling case that the most essential work in entertainment is the work no one ever sees.

34 min
16 APR

Maintaining Creative mindsets in Fast Past Working Environments

Catalyst is a Creative Industries podcast, from Chapman University. Each episode features Chapman students who have completed a Podcasting course through the Center for Creative and Cultural Industries at the university. Students who had no podcasting experience or technical ability in the genre before taking the course were able to contribute all the segments to Catalyst this season with the goal being that they will take this 'hands-on' experience and carry it over to the launching of their very own series. Each episode of Season 15 will feature one to two different interviews conducted by CCI students, exploring different aspects of the Creative and Cultural Industries. Lizbeth Alvarez, Corporate Communications Manager at Warner Music Group, starts us off today when she sits down to speak with Madeline White. Lizbeth traces her career path from broadcast journalism student to PR professional, crediting a pivotal narrative writing class with sparking her love of storytelling and brand communication, and reflecting on the mentors who shaped her along the way. Lizbeth opens up about the fast-paced, ever-changing environment of working in entertainment and one of her proudest professional moments: helping emerging country music songwriters gain the recognition they deserve. Looking ahead, she predicts that nostalgia, authenticity, and technology will drive the next wave of audience engagement, and she closes with advice for aspiring PR professionals that says it all: market yourself the same way you have practiced marketing others. Mia Reyes helps to conclude our episode via her conversation with Sophie Roth. Sophie, who is an Assistant to the Chairman and CEO at a major global sports, music, and entertainment marketing and talent agency shares the projects that have excited her most. She and Mia discuss the skills that define success in the role, and Sophie also speaks directly to students who feel lost in their post-grad search, reminding them that everyone's timeline looks different and that her own path involved a healthy dose of luck.

45 min
9 APR

Broadcasting the Creative Industries

Catalyst is a Creative Industries podcast, from Chapman University. Each episode features Chapman students who have completed a Podcasting course through the Center for Creative and Cultural Industries at the university. Students who had no podcasting experience or technical ability in the genre before taking the course were able to contribute all the segments to Catalyst this season with the goal being that they will take this 'hands-on' experience and carry it over to the launching of their very own series. Each episode of Season 15 will feature one to two different interviews conducted by CCI students, exploring different aspects of the Creative and Cultural Industries. Today's episode begins with a fascinating conversation between Angela Jara and her guest Dorothy Lucey. Lucey is a veteran television broadcaster and Chapman University lecturer whose career spans decades in the Los Angeles market. The pair discuss Dorothy's journey from a small station in Scranton, Pennsylvania to working in the second-largest television market in the country. She reflects on the excitement of entertainment reporting, the realities of breaking into a fiercely competitive industry, and what she has taken away from the many memorable moments her career has brought her. Drawing on her experience both on-air and in the classroom, Dorothy offers a candid perspective on navigating different markets, seizing opportunities, and the role that hard work (and a little luck) play in a long broadcasting career. Rounding out our episode today Michaela Golik has the pleasure of speaking with Vivienne Ayres. Ayres works as a Social Media Assistant for Reese's Book Club at Hello Sunshine, a Los Angeles-based media company founded by Reese Witherspoon & Seth Rodsky in 2016. Vivienne reflects on her transition from college to a professional environment, explaining how Chapman's hands-on curriculum and internship experiences prepared her for the demands of a high-profile creative company. She offers a glimpse into a typical day at Hello Sunshine, and walks through how Reese's Book Club uses social media to spotlight up-and-coming female authors and build an engaged reading community. Beyond her current role, Vivienne speaks to her continued passion for documentary filmmaking, how she balances personal projects with professional life, and where she hopes her career will take her, closing with honest advice: network genuinely, and trust the process.

41 min
2 APR

Creative Career Touchdowns

Catalyst is a Creative Industries podcast, from Chapman University. Each episode features Chapman students who have completed a Podcasting course through the Center for Creative and Cultural Industries at the university. Students who had no podcasting experience or technical ability in the genre before taking the course were able to contribute all the segments to Catalyst this season with the goal being that they will take this 'hands-on' experience and carry it over to the launching of their very own series. Each episode of Season 15 will feature one to two different interviews conducted by CCI students, exploring different aspects of the Creative and Cultural Industries. Our season starts off with a real kick when Jayne Towers sits down with Cal Hunter, a Digital Media professional with the NFL, to explore what happens when creativity, culture, and communication converge on one of the world's most recognizable stages. Cal shares how an unconventional background in media and culture shaped his path to the league, offering an honest look at what it actually takes to build a career at the intersection of storytelling and strategy. Jayne and Cal also examine the cultural forces that quietly shape the league's creative direction and keep its digital team moving. Their conversation digs into how fan engagement is built not through highlights alone, but through the kind of authentic storytelling that turns casual viewers into loyal communities. Cal closes with grounded, practical advice for students eyeing careers in media, marketing, and entertainment. Concluding our first episode of the season, Producer and Social Media Manager for Will & Rusty's Playdate Podcast at Almost Friday Media, Andrew Nelson, speaks with Tessa Weir about Nelson's unique career trajectory. They discuss the path that led Andrew from college graduation to running a show almost entirely on his own. Andrew reflects candidly on the stops that shaped him: cutting his teeth under David Dobrik's company, transitioning to the Los Angeles Chargers, grinding through a freelance stretch as a photographer and editor, and ultimately landing at the tight-knit startup. The pair dig into the unglamorous realities behind the mic and what it actually means to shepherd two two-hour episodes from record to release every single week. For students hungry to break into content creation and social media Andrew offers advice that lands with the credibility of someone who hasn't been out of their shoes all that long—and hasn't forgotten what it felt like to be in them.

43 min
20/11/2025

Season 14 Finale- Creative and Cultural Industries Really Gets Under Your Skin

Catalyst is a Creative Industries podcast, from Chapman University. Each episode features Chapman students who have completed a Podcasting course through the Center for Creative and Cultural Industries at the university. Students who had no podcasting experience or technical ability in the genre before taking the course were able to contribute all the segments to Catalyst this season with the goal being that they will take this 'hands-on' experience and carry it over to the launching of their very own series. Each episode of Season 14 will feature one to two different interviews conducted by CCI students, exploring different aspects of the Creative and Cultural Industries. Our season finale starts with Taylor Green who speaks with Olivia Halton co-founder of 760skin, a clean, vegan skincare brand. The pair explore how creativity shapes both of their lives and how persistence and innovation guided Olivia through moments of uncertainty. They discuss how Olivia turned a personal passion into a thriving company, and her decision to pursue entrepreneurship over a traditional 9-to-5 path and revealing the inspiration behind the name 760skin. She opens up about the challenges and triumphs of building a business from the ground up, offering valuable insights into creativity, branding, and resilience. Wrapping up our episode, and our season, Kaylee Chapman brings us an interview with San Francisco tattoo artist Lo Gwyn. Chapman and Gwyn take an in-depth look at the artistry, emotion, and individuality that define the tattoo industry. Lo shares how she forged her path through a nontraditional route, emphasizing the role of networking, self-motivation, and creative risk-taking in shaping her career. She offers candid advice for aspiring artists about finding sustainability and success outside conventional apprenticeships, while staying true to their vision. Lo reveals her creative process, the emotions that drive her work, and how she navigates growing trends in the industry. She also addresses misconceptions about tattooing and the lack of recognition it often receives as fine art—responding with thoughtful, passionate insight.

51 min
13/11/2025

Navigating Boundaries and Expectations as a Creative

Catalyst is a Creative Industries podcast, from Chapman University. Each episode features Chapman students who have completed a Podcasting course through the Center for Creative and Cultural Industries at the university. Students who had no podcasting experience or technical ability in the genre before taking the course were able to contribute all the segments to Catalyst this season with the goal being that they will take this 'hands-on' experience and carry it over to the launching of their very own series. Each episode of Season 14 will feature one to two different interviews conducted by CCI students, exploring different aspects of the Creative and Cultural Industries. On today's episode we begin with Daylen Motamed who sits down with Amalia Serrano to discuss the world of graphic design. Amalia starts the interview with her lifelong love of creating art, and how she chose graphic design as her career path. Their conversation touches on topics that are relevant to creatives working in CCI such as how to handle rejection, navigating creative freedom, strategies for dealing with art fatigue and something that is particularly relevant in today's world, conquering AI fear. This candid and inspiring conversation invites listeners to reflect on their own relationship with creativity and change. The episode concludes with Vendela Smedeby and her interview with photographer Jena Hess. To begin Jena shares how her passion began at a young age, growing up surrounded by cameras and fascinated by capturing the world around her. They discuss how A spontaneous opportunity to work alongside professional photographers inspired her to turn photography into a career, and how she now runs a thriving personal business that allows her to offer clients the same meaningful, personal experience she once had. The pair also cover how Jena's creative style has evolved, leaning toward authenticity and cinematic storytelling. She and Vendela discuss the pressures of sustaining creativity, the reality of burnout, and the ongoing process of growth that all artists experience.

39 min

From Chapman University in Orange County California, Catalyst gives listeners a chance to learn about the Creative Industries through conversations with individuals from a wide array of backgrounds who are working in CI all over the globe. Hear how CI is influencing the public and private sector alike, and how local influences shape a region's creative landscape.

Creator

Chapman University
Years Active

2018 - 2026
Episodes

100
Rating

Clean
Show Website

Catalyst: A Creative Industries Podcast