The Podcast Playground

Jason White

Step onto the Playground—a dynamic space where podcasts collide, stories unfold, and creators share the behind-the-scenes magic of their craft. This isn’t just another interview show; it’s a cinematic deep dive into the creative minds shaping the podcasting world. From gripping true crime narrators to offbeat comedy hosts, from insightful storytellers to cutting-edge audio innovators, Playground is where we pull back the curtain. What drives them? What challenges have they faced? What moments made them fall in love with the mic? The mic is on. The Playground is open. Let’s talk.

Episodes

  1. Mar 30

    From Inspiration to Mic: The Journey of Nicole Donald-Harris

    🎙️ Episode Description: What ignites the spark to start a podcast? On this inspiring episode of the Podcast Playground, host Jason White sits down with the brilliant Nicole Donald-Harris, co-host and driving force behind the acclaimed Divas of the Roundtable Podcast. We go beyond the mic to explore the foundational "why" behind her journey. Nicole opens up about the initial inspiration that moved her from listener to creator, sharing the pivotal moments and personal mission that led to launching her own platform. We trace her path from those first, tentative recording sessions through the inevitable learning curves, technical challenges, and moments of doubt, all the way to building a dedicated community of listeners. This is a deeply honest conversation about growth, resilience, and finding your unique voice in the crowded podcasting landscape. Nicole shares invaluable insights on consistency, authentic audience engagement, and the evolution of both her content and her confidence as a host. Whether you're a podcasting veteran, an aspiring creator, or simply love a great story of passion turning into purpose, this episode is your backstage pass to the heart and hustle behind the show. Tune in to discover what it truly takes to build a podcast that resonates and endures. Subscribe to Podcast Playground wherever you get your podcasts for more conversations with creators who are shaping the world of audio.

    39 min
  2. Mar 16

    Behind the Scenes of a Set Designer's Life with Eddie Hill

    Welcome back to The Podcast Playground, where we explore the fascinating people behind the arts. In this illuminating episode, host Jason White is joined by renowned set designer Eddie Hill for a deep dive into "A Look Behind the Scenes of the Life of a Set Designer: Managing Multiple Sets for Film and Stage Plays."How do you create entire worlds from scratch? How do you balance the creative vision with practical logistics across different productions? Eddie pulls back the curtain on his process, sharing the triumphs, challenges, and sheer ingenuity required to design environments that tell a story. From intimate stage plays to large-scale film sets, get an insider's perspective on the art and craft of production design.🏗️ Featured Guest: Eddie Hill - Set Designer🎭 Key Discussion Points:• The journey from concept drawings to a fully-built set.• Key differences between designing for film vs. live theatre.• The art of managing timelines, budgets, and teams across multiple projects.• Collaborating with directors and producers to serve the story.• Tools of the trade and evolving technologies in set design.• Memorable challenges and favorite creations from Eddie’s career.• Advice for aspiring designers looking to enter the field.Connect with The Podcast Playground:🔔 Don't forget to LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and hit the NOTIFICATION BELL for more conversations with creative professionals!Listen now and step into the world behind the scenes!#ThePodcastPlayground #JasonWhite #EddieHill #SetDesigner #BehindTheScenes #ProductionDesign #FilmMaking #TheatreProduction #StageDesign #CreativeProcess #ArtDepartment #FilmIndustry #TheatreLife #DesignerInterview #scenesetting

    17 min
  3. Mar 2

    The Creative Spark Michael "Dre" Carter.

    The Playground, host Jason White sits down with the polymathic creative force, Michael "Dre" Carter, for an introspective journey into the origins of his artistic path. Instead of a typical career recap, we explore the catalysts—the specific inspirations—that led "Dre" to embrace the demanding worlds of stage plays, scriptwriting, and cinematography here in Jacksonville, FL.This conversation serves as a masterclass in artistic awakening. We dissect how early influences in one form can cross-pollinate into another, creating a versatile storyteller uniquely equipped for Jacksonville's evolving creative landscape. It’s an essential listen for anyone seeking to understand the personal motivations that fuel a professional life in the arts.Key Discussion Points:• The First Spark: Identifying the pivotal theatrical experiences, films, or written works that planted the seeds for "Dre's" artistic trajectory.• Cross-Disciplinary Fluency: How the emotional language of theatre, the structural craft of writing, and the visual grammar of cinematography inform and strengthen one another in his practice.• Local Muse: The influence of Jacksonville’s cultural fabric—its history, communities, and artistic spaces—on the stories he chooses to tell and how he tells them.• Bridging Passion and Profession: The conscious steps taken to transform inspiration into technical skill, collaboration, and a sustainable career within the regional industry.• Advice for the Inspired: “Dre’s” guidance for emerging artists feeling the pull of multiple creative disciplines.This episode is curated for playwrights, screenwriters, cinematographers, theatre professionals, and any creative individual looking to trace their own inspiration back to its source and channel it into a cohesive, professional body of work.📌 Follow The Playground Podcast for more insights into the creative process.📌 Discover more about Michael "Dre" Carter's work across theatre and film.

    13 min

About

Step onto the Playground—a dynamic space where podcasts collide, stories unfold, and creators share the behind-the-scenes magic of their craft. This isn’t just another interview show; it’s a cinematic deep dive into the creative minds shaping the podcasting world. From gripping true crime narrators to offbeat comedy hosts, from insightful storytellers to cutting-edge audio innovators, Playground is where we pull back the curtain. What drives them? What challenges have they faced? What moments made them fall in love with the mic? The mic is on. The Playground is open. Let’s talk.