Catalyst: A Creative Industries Podcast

Chapman University
  • 5.0 (2)
  • Arts
  • Updated Weekly

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.

  1. 5d ago

    Innovative Pedagogy and 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 16 will feature one to two different interviews conducted by CCI students, exploring different aspects of the Creative and Cultural Industries. With our first interview this week we get to learn about the fascinating Shoshi Watanabe, a ceramicist, art Lecturer at USC Roski School of Art and Design, and co-creator of Zakka Bakka, an experimental retail store that operates as a gallery, workshop, and stage in Los Angeles. Watanabe is interviewed by Amanda Stein-Sigal. The pair discuss how Zakka Bakka got started, how the pandemic reshaped the way they run it, and what each creator and co-owner brings to the space and the community around it. The conversation turns to Watanabe's own ceramic practice and the overlap between science and art, including the struggle of process versus product when making something. They conclude by breaking down how connection and curiosity were really the things that built the community at Zakka Bakka, and what that means going forward. In this week's second interview Danna Rapoport sits down with Creative and Cultural Industries Faculty member, Rachel Du Mont-Greenlee, to talk about the connection between memory, identity, and the places around us. Du Mont-Greenlee explains how a background in city planning and anthropology led her to study cultural memory, and why cities, buildings, and ordinary everyday spaces end up holding so much meaning. The two discuss why certain places stay with us for life, how communities preserve their stories through physical space, and how changes like gentrification can reshape a neighborhood's identity and history. Rachel also traces her own academic path and what drew her to a field that lets her combine so many different interests in such a unique way.

    Innovative Pedagogy and the Creative Industries

  2. Oct 15

    A Look at how Culture Can Influence a Creative Career

    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 16 will feature one to two different interviews conducted by CCI students, exploring different aspects of the Creative and Cultural Industries. For the first interview of this episode, Haylee Kawai sits down with Chelsie Omo, a small business owner turning lei-inspired designs into wearable art. Haylee gets Chelsie to open up about how she strives to balance a daytime job, family life, and a growing brand, and about the early spark that turned a simple idea into a business. Chelsie walks us through her creative process from first concept to finished design and explains the intention behind each piece. Chelsie discusses how her work draws on her upbringing and her love for the lāhui, explaining how identity is stitched into the brand itself rather than added on top of it. Chelsie closes the interview with advice for other creatives thinking about starting something of their own, with plenty to say about originality and growth. The final segment this week features an interview conducted by Carmen Hoang who speaks with Alex Lai, rhythm guitarist for the rock band The Cue. The pair discuss Alex's journey back to music after rooming with a childhood friend and Alex then traces the path that he took from garage jam sessions to local venues, and creatively moving from covers to original songs. They touch on navigating the rock scene as an Asian American artist, and what it took to slowly win his parents' support for a career in music. They conclude this week's episode with a look at the concepts of identity, resilience, in your work, and reclaiming something he had set down years earlier.

    A Look at how Culture Can Influence a Creative Career

  3. Oct 8

    Seasoned Advice for Starting Out in Creative Fields

    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 16 will feature one to two different interviews conducted by CCI students, exploring different aspects of the Creative and Cultural Industries. To start off our episode this week Marisa Fujimoto, speaks with Brandon Dinh about his post-graduation work as a production assistant at Create Advertising Group. In addition, Brandon and Marisa discuss how he also serves as the main editor for Ashley and Amber Alexander's YouTube channel and their podcast, Extra Dynamic with Ur Mom Ashley. They talk candidly about Brandon's post-grad confusion and what it feels like to start over after college. They also touch on how his time at Chapman shaped the career he is building now. The interview wraps as the pair talk over what drives Brandon creatively, and he dispenses some sage advice on the importance of taking care of yourself so as not to let a job or career become all consuming. Next Harindee Perera talks with Jessica Van Oyen, a creative director working in Southern California with nearly a decade in the industry and past work for companies including Disney and OCTA. Jessica traces her path into creative work and the unexpected opportunities that shaped it, making a strong case for curiosity as a career strategy. She offers practical guidance for students and emerging professionals, especially around building an intentional portfolio that shows both technical skill and a specific personal style rather than a little bit of everything. She also discusses what inspires her process, drawing on projects with cities and businesses across the region. Honest about how competitive the field is, Jessica still lands on encouragement, with advice about staying adaptable and finding your own voice while you build a career.

    Seasoned Advice for Starting Out in Creative Fields

  4. Oct 1

    What Storytelling Looks Like in 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 16 will feature one to two different interviews conducted by CCI students, exploring different aspects of the Creative and Cultural Industries. Back with a new and exciting look at working within the creative sector, Catalyst starts our season with two exciting interviews. First up is Kaitlyn Lee who sat down to interview Dany Gaitan a PR Manager for Disney Consumer Products. Dany started working with the company in 2009 at Disneyland, then moved through special events and public affairs before landing in consumer products. He talks about his pivot from pre-law to public relations while at Chapman, walks through what a typical workday looks like, and explains how Walt Disney Studios and Disney Experiences differ as places to work. Dany also gets into a few of his favorite PR campaigns, including April Pools Day, the annual Deadpool celebration and a Fantastic Four product launch in New York that put him up overnight at the TWA Hotel. The interview closes with Gaitan discussing what it takes to last in PR, emphasizing communication with your superiors and the value of building a real network. Closing our first episode of the season is an interview with Robbie Brenner, President of Mattel Studios and Chief Content Officer, who spoke with Senior Izze Sanor about career growth, creativity, and the power of storytelling.  The pair discuss how Robbie studied drama at NYU's Tisch School of the Arts before realizing she would rather shape stories from behind the scenes than perform them, and she reflects on the early jobs and unexpected breaks that turned her into a producer. Much of their conversation centers on Barbie and the challenge of turning one of the most recognizable brands in the world into a film with real meaning and cultural weight. Robbie explains how she balances brand expectations against creative freedom and why she believes a story needs urgency and purpose to work. They wrap their conversation with Brenner sharing how her definition of success has shifted over time, from Oscar nominations to something closer to legacy.

    What Storytelling Looks Like in the Creative Industries

  5. May 7

    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.

    Season 15 Finale- Crafting Narratives in the Creative Landscape

  6. Apr 30

    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.

    The Intriguing Secondary Markets of CCI

  7. Apr 23

    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.

    Behind the Scenes of the Creative Industries

  8. Apr 16

    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.

    Maintaining Creative mindsets in Fast Past Working Environments
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About

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.

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