Creativity in the Time of Capitalism

Miranda Bennett
  • 5.0 (7)
  • ENTREPRENEURSHIP

A podcast for creatives navigating the wilds of late stage capitalism while attempting to stay true to their process and themselves. Approached with honesty and candor, the premise of this project is intimate conversation and connection that shines a light on the lesser known aspects of running a creative business. Hosted by Miranda Bennett.

  1. 2D AGO

    A Conversation with Zoë Ghertner, Part Two

    Welcome back to the second installment of my interview with photographer and artist, Zoë Ghertner. If you missed part one, please pause here and give that a listen first. Today we resume just as Zoë was describing how she creates sets that are conducive to her methods of connection storytelling.  Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/creativity-in-the-time-of-capitalism/donations

    28 min

  2. FEB 10

    A Conversation with Zoë Ghertner, Part One

    Presently considered one of the leading voices shaping fashion photography, Zoë Ghertner has shot campaigns for many of the industry’s most venerable brands, including, though not limited to, Chanel, Gucci, Dior, Celine, and Miu Miu. Her distinct timbre contains a study of the feminine as something unfettered and powerful—at times feral and exuberant, at others stoic yet determined. Her subjects are rooted in the body natural, and their presentation eschews fashion’s predilection for the male gaze. I cannot wait to share this glimpse inside of her world. “My work and my life are intrinsically linked by an ethos. Everything I create is born out of a set of values I hold, namely trying to put good out into the world.” —Zoë Ghertner Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/creativity-in-the-time-of-capitalism/donations

    33 min

  3. 12/29/2025

    A Conversation with MINNA founder Sara Berks, Part Two

    Welcome to part two of my conversation with Sara Berks, the founder and former CEO of MINNA (2013-2025) who operated from the principle that good design considers far more than aesthetics or even function. Sara and MINNA, her B-Corp certified, artisan produced line of textiles for the home, have been featured in such publications as Vogue, Domino, Dwell, and Martha Stewart. Today we will continue to learn about Sara’s journey at the helm of MINNA, as well as the new project she is currently working on: Portals.  Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/creativity-in-the-time-of-capitalism/donations

    45 min

  4. 12/17/2025

    A Conversation with MINNA founder Sara Berks, Part One

    Join me in welcoming my next guest, Sara Berks. Sara is the founder, former CEO and creative director of MINNA (2013–2025), an artisan produced universe of ethically made goods for the home that championed and preserved traditional techniques native to Latin America. Her collection was manufactured through reciprocal relationships with over 400 creators across Mexico, Guatemala, Peru, Uruguay and Bolivia. Sara defines good design as something inseparable from consideration for people, the planet, and its resources. In this way, she cultivated a path for herself and her collaborators that saw profit as a means to create dignified, consistent employment and fuel for future collaborations that prioritized cultural preservation and locally sourced materials.  Learn more about Sara’s experience at the helm of MINNA, why she made the decision to close, as well as what she is up to today, a new project called Portals. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/creativity-in-the-time-of-capitalism/donations

    53 min

  5. 11/20/2025

    Reframing Failure with Liza Belmonte and guest co-host Bec Mapes

    Description: Today I am joined by Liza Belmonte of Every Body Gets Dressed and a guest co-host, multidisciplinary artist Bec Mapes. We often don't see the effort that it takes to fail, nor do we know the sometimes damaging feats undertaken in the name of avoiding it. But when it comes to failure, what can often feel weighty, shameful, or even hard to admit is in fact, if you ask me, more of a door than a dead end. Bec shares how she confronted the term "failure" head on. And our guest, Liza describes how quick strategic failure became the key that unlocked the door to a life she never knew could have been possible. For me, my own failure says, “I tried”. And in my case, failure was also having the courage to stop, the declaration that I am more valuable than the cost of letting go. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/creativity-in-the-time-of-capitalism/donations

    1h 12m

  6. 10/23/2025

    Everyday Activism with Christa Clark

    “You can’t outsource community. You have to build it.” A conversation with the multidisciplinary designer on creating community through networks of resilience.  I’m very excited to introduce you to my next guest, Christa Clark. She is a multidisciplinary designer with a background in UX (user experience) who stepped away from the corporate sphere to focus on issues that affect her immediate community—from food scarcity and mutual aid to textile recycling and circular economies. Christa is currently been working on several projects, including Material Union, an in-development a textile recycling facility and community resource center that has the potential to create a replicable model for use across the USA where textile recycling infrastructure is sorely lacking (currently 85% of all textiles end up in landfills). Christa reminds us that when the macro feels as dire as it does right now, one of the most liberating things that we can do is to dig deeper into our local communities, forming networks of resilience and mutual aid—something that is rooted in dignity and community, not charity or systems that uphold disparity. My hope with today’s conversation is that everyone can walk away with a bit of hope, license to act, and curiosity. And perhaps a few ways to reframe regular day-to-day decisions—changing the dial just ever so slightly to bring in more empowerment, optimism, collaboration, and engagement with our local communities. Please visit the Creativity in the Time of Capitalism Substack to learn more and for episode resources.  Mentioned in this episode:  Christa Clark Mutual aid UX/UI design ATX Free Fridge Food waste Redistribution of resources Material Union Textile Recycling Free Fridges  Apparel waste Upcycling Circular economies Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/creativity-in-the-time-of-capitalism/donations

    55 min

  7. 10/02/2025

    A Conversation with Shana Tabor, Part Two

    Welcome back to part two of my conversation with Shana Tabor. If you have already listened to part one, you're right where you need to be. If you have not listened to the first part of our conversation, I would definitely recommend pausing here and going back to last week's episode.  This week, we're going to go further into Shana's journey with In God We Trust, including what those last years looked like, the shifts in her personal life that cracked open a new perspective, and the less obvious driving force behind Shana’s creative business. But perhaps even more than that, we're going to move forward with Shana to where finds herself now. She's spent these past few years in deep consideration of those nearly two decades of running her business—what it looked and felt like on the inside, and not just the outside, what the unconscious motivators were behind some of her decision-making, what she wished she had known then, but is grateful to know now—essentially all of the things that can only be known in hindsight. There are some really key points and interrogations here that will be truly worthwhile for any creative entrepreneur, no matter where you find yourself in your journey. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/creativity-in-the-time-of-capitalism/donations

    1h 43m

  8. 09/18/2025

    A Conversation with Shana Tabor, Part One

    My next guest is Shana Tabor, the designer and business owner behind In God We Trust (IGWT)—a string of boutiques in Brooklyn and lower Manhattan that carried its own branded collections from 2005-2021.  IGWT specialized in women's and men's apparel, jewelry and accessories. Walking into any one of those spaces was like walking into another world. Tabor’s storefronts were beautifully and holistically merchandised—creating a complete environment through everything from the brand’s aesthetic and even sewn in labels, to the shop fixtures and old Americana touches. Shana also opened up her own production facility right in Brooklyn and trained many aspiring jewelry and fashion designers along the way. The period of time that IGWT existed saw wild changes in the independent fashion space, like the advent of social media, a couple of recessions, COVID, and more. I'm truly so honored to be able to share Shana's story now and to give her the space to share it in her own words. She has been reflecting on her time running In God We Trust over the past few years and the insights that she has gleaned are utterly poignant, some a true punch in the gut, others gentle reminders for all creatives. This will be the longest set of interviews that I've published on creativity in the time of capitalism to date. And it is wholly deserved in order to give Shana the space to lay out her creative path. So without further ado, let's get started. And my deepest thanks to Shana for the trust with sharing her story. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/creativity-in-the-time-of-capitalism/donations

    1h 9m
See All (18)

Trailer

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
7 Ratings

About

A podcast for creatives navigating the wilds of late stage capitalism while attempting to stay true to their process and themselves. Approached with honesty and candor, the premise of this project is intimate conversation and connection that shines a light on the lesser known aspects of running a creative business. Hosted by Miranda Bennett.

Information

You Might Also Like