The Holly Hughes Podcast: Inside the Lives of Writers, Musicians, Filmmakers & More

Holly Hughes
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The Holly Hughes Podcast is where writers, dancers, filmmakers, artists, & musicians get real about what it takes to live a life outside the corporate box and create, monetize, promote, market their work. Hosted by Holly Hughes—TEDx speaker, former Hollywood producer, author of Real, Not Perfect, & intuitive healer—each episode features candid, fun conversations with creators who trust their gut and bend the rules. Hear stories that mirror your own battles with the inner critic, jealousy, belonging, approval, and discovery.

  1. 6d ago

    From Suicide Survivor to Creative Entrepreneur | Andrew Jang

    What happens when everything you've worked for disappears? In this deeply vulnerable episode of The Holly Hughes Podcast, Holly sits down with entrepreneur, designer, speaker, and mental health advocate Andrew Jang for an unforgettable conversation about resilience, identity, creativity, and rebuilding your life after unimaginable loss. Andrew shares the extraordinary journey that took him from being one of Seattle's most connected entrepreneurs and a sought after custom menswear designer working with NBA athletes, to homelessness, public humiliation, depression, and surviving multiple suicide attempts. Together, Holly and Andrew explore what happens when your identity is built around achievement, why external validation can become a dangerous addiction, and how creativity became the path that helped Andrew rediscover himself. They also discuss adoption, belonging, grief, social media, vulnerability, mental health, reinvention, toxic success culture, and why your greatest setbacks often become the foundation for your greatest purpose. Whether you're navigating burnout, rebuilding after failure, questioning your purpose, or simply trying to find hope again, this conversation offers an honest reminder that your story is never over. What you’ll learn in this episode: Why losing everything can become the beginning of personal transformation How external validation quietly fuels anxiety and burnout The connection between creativity, healing, and emotional resilience What surviving depression taught Andrew about purpose Why vulnerability creates stronger human connection How adoption shaped Andrew's identity and search for belonging The hidden cost of chasing success without inner peace Why rebuilding your life starts by becoming honest with yourself If you enjoy conversations about creativity, storytelling, personal growth, podcasting, and authentic living, be sure to subscribe for more episodes of The Holly Hughes Podcast. We talk about: 00:00 Meet Andrew Jang and his unconventional creative journey 03:00 Learning to sew, discovering fashion, and finding confidence through creativity 07:00 Building a thriving career, working with NBA athletes, and achieving success 09:00 The lawsuit that changed everything and losing the life he built 11:45 Homelessness, depression, and surviving public humiliation 18:55 Living with suicidal thoughts, mental health, and learning to speak openly 23:15 Why today's culture makes genuine human connection harder than ever 24:10 Reinvention, purpose, and building a meaningful future 26:30 The power of vulnerability and telling your story online 28:10 Adoption, identity, belonging, and finding yourself 34:00 Why creativity requires courage, discomfort, and authenticity 39:00 Relationships, trust, healing, and learning to love again 42:35 Andrew's final thoughts on resilience, hope, and creating a life worth living The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline provides free, private support. It's available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Anyone who is depressed, going through a hard time, needs to talk or is thinking about hurting themself can get help. The Lifeline is available to everyone—you can call for yourself or a loved one who may need crisis support. Connect with a counselor who will listen, offer support and provide resources nearby: Call 988 or (800) 273-8255 Need help in the US? Text HOME to 741741 to reach a trained Crisis Counselor through Crisis Text Line, a global not-for-profit organization. Free, 24/7, confidential. Connect with Andrew  Website: https://www.andrewjang.com/  Connect with Holly  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/holly_hughes_intuitive/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@hollyhughesintuitiveWebsite: https://www.thehollyhughespodcast.com/

  2. Jul 7

    She Almost Quit Music. One Conversation Changed Everything. | Tara Connaghan

    What does it really take to become a confident creative? In this episode of The Holly Hughes Podcast, Holly sits down with award-winning Irish fiddle player, educator, and podcast host Tara Connaghan to explore the connection between creativity, confidence, community, and personal growth. Tara shares how one challenging lesson from her music teacher completely changed the trajectory of her life, why creativity is about far more than natural talent, and how Irish traditional music became both a form of healing and a lifelong calling. Together, Holly and Tara discuss performance anxiety, artistic growth, finding your creative voice, overcoming the fear of being seen, and why surrounding yourself with the right community can transform both your confidence and your career. Whether you're a musician, entrepreneur, artist, writer, podcaster, or simply someone searching for the courage to create, this conversation is filled with practical wisdom and inspiring stories about embracing who you are and trusting your creative journey. What you’ll learn in this episode: Why confidence is built through practice, not perfection How creativity helps us process grief and difficult emotions The surprising connection between community and artistic growth What Irish music sessions teach us about collaboration and belonging How Tara built an award-winning podcast from a simple idea Why fear of visibility holds so many creatives back The mindset shift every artist needs to keep growing If you enjoy conversations about creativity, storytelling, personal growth, podcasting, and authentic living, be sure to subscribe for more episodes of The Holly Hughes Podcast. We talk about: 00:00 Meet Tara Connaghan and finding your creative path 01:25 Losing her sister, discovering the fiddle, and finding purpose 05:17 The tough lesson that completely changed her work ethic 13:20 Why music became an outlet for grief, healing, and emotion 19:01 What Irish music sessions really are (and why community matters) 20:38 The surprising reason Tara started her award-winning podcast 24:36 Winning five podcast awards and embracing creative success 30:18 Creative confidence, visibility, and overcoming the fear of being seen 38:20 Why partnership beats sponsorship for creatives 46:15 The biggest mistake aspiring creatives make 54:10 Tara's warning label, perfectionism, and final advice Connect with Tara  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61576848312798  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tarafiddle/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/session-etiquette/  Website: https://www.sessionetiquette.com/  Connect with Holly  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/holly_hughes_intuitive/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@hollyhughesintuitive Get Holly’s book here: https://hollyhughesintuitive.com/my-book/ Website: https://hollyhughesintuitive.com/  #CreativeConfidence #IrishMusic #PerformanceAnxiety #CreativeMindset #CreativeCommunity #ArtistMindset #IrishTraditionalMusic #MusicianLife #Podcasting #Storytelling #CreativeJourney #OvercomingFear #FiddlePlayer #PersonalGrowth #AuthenticLiving #CreativeProcess #WomenWhoPodcast #HollyHughesPodcast #TaraConnaghan #IrishCulture

  3. Jun 23

    Oscar Producer Left It All to Film a War | Bob Degus

    Hollywood burnout and spiritual awakening don't happen overnight, and no one knows that better than Bob Degus.  After more than a decade producing Oscar-nominated films and overseeing blockbusters at New Line Cinema, Bob hit a wall that no amount of money or credits could fix. If you've ever wondered whether the life you built is actually the life you want, this episode will shake something loose in you.  Holly Hughes, TEDx speaker, intuitive healer, and author of Real, Not Perfect, sits down with her former mentor for an honest conversation about what happens after the dream you chased turns into something you barely recognize.  Bob shares how nearly 100 nights of ayahuasca, a spontaneous trip into a war zone, and 35 hours of interviews with Ukrainian yoga teachers led to his most meaningful work yet: Yogis of Ukraine, a documentary and companion book now available on Amazon in six languages. What you’ll learn in this episode: Why Hollywood burnout often has roots in childhood trauma, and how Bob connected his tolerance for chaos on set to the household he grew up in  How Bob went from saying no to Ukraine to boarding a plane three days later, and what that moment taught him about following an inner voice  The story structure principle Bob used on Pleasantville that still shapes every project he makes: start with the ending to build a powerful arc  What happened when Bob sat in ayahuasca ceremonies nearly 100 times in Peru, and the single moment of self-compassion that ended the entire journey  How Ukrainian women practicing Kundalini yoga in bomb shelters and on military bases became the subject of a documentary that leaves audiences talking for two hours after the screening  Why Bob conducts film interviews in languages he doesn't speak, and what that forced him to rely on instead of words  The "surrender" moment Bob experienced in a Kyiv hotel during an air raid siren, and how it mirrors what the women of Ukraine live with every single day We talk about: 00:00 How Holly and Bob met working on low-budget Hollywood productions 04:00 What Hollywood in the 1990s actually felt like from the inside 07:00 Why friendships evaporate the moment you stop being able to hire people 09:00 Did working on Pleasantville feel different from other films? 11:00 What made Bob walk away from producing and start over 16:00 How your Hollywood training prepares you for everything that comes after it 17:00 How did a two-day phone call turn into a trip to a Ukrainian war zone? 20:00 What it feels like to interview women when you don't speak their language 24:00 The subtitle editing challenge: feeling sentence endings you cannot hear 26:00 Yogis of Ukraine: test screenings, the book, and the World Peace Tour plan 30:00 Why Bob said yes to ayahuasca and what nearly 100 nights in Peru revealed 33:00 How Bob found Laia and chose which 35 women to interview from 250 35:00 What a Ukrainian yogi said that stopped Bob from trying to rescue anyone 40:00 The Kyiv hotel air raid siren and the moment surrender became real 44:00 Theatrical release plans and where to find the book right now 47:00 Bob's warning label: a bike accident, a brain injury, and a flat face that fooled everyone Connect with Bob  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DirectorBobDegus/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bobdegus/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bobdegus/ Website: https://www.bobdegus.com/ Film: https://www.yogisofukraine.com/  Connect with Holly  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/holly_hughes_intuitive/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@hollyhughesintuitive Get Holly’s book here: https://hollyhughesintuitive.com/my-book/ Website: https://hollyhughesintuitive.com/

  4. Jun 9

    From Burnout to Jeju: The Tour Guide Helping the World Discover Korea’s Most Magical Island | Soraya Ho 허소라

    What happens when you walk away from a successful corporate career with no real plan, follow your curiosity across continents, and accidentally build an entirely new life? In this episode, Holly sits down with Soraya Ho, multilingual tour guide, podcaster, former software developer, and one of Jeju Island's most passionate cultural ambassadors. After years of intense corporate work in South Korea, Soraya made a life-changing decision to leave it all behind and travel through Latin America. What began as a short trip turned into a complete career pivot, leading her into tourism, language learning, cultural storytelling, and eventually a new life on Jeju Island. Together, Holly and Soraya explore the realities of Korean work culture, the unique identity of Jeju, the legendary Haenyeo women divers, ancient traditions, local myths, and what it means to create a life guided by curiosity instead of certainty. If you've ever wondered what life looks like outside the expected path, this conversation is a beautiful reminder that sometimes the best opportunities begin when you stop trying to control the outcome. What you’ll learn in this episode: Why Soraya left a demanding corporate IT career in South Korea How a six-month Latin America trip changed the direction of her life The surprising connection between travel, language, and reinvention What makes Jeju Island so different from mainland South Korea The truth about Jeju's legendary Haenyeo women divers Why Jeju is often called the "Hawaii of South Korea" The unique culture, mythology, and traditions that still exist on the island How to become a great tour guide and read people quickly Why curiosity is one of the most powerful life skills you can develop What it looks like to build a life around adventure instead of expectations We talk about: 00:00 Meet Soraya Ho and her unexpected path to Jeju Island 02:00 Life inside South Korea's corporate IT world 04:00 The personal loss that sparked a major life change 05:00 Traveling across Latin America and discovering a new direction 08:00 Becoming a tour guide and leading month-long international trips 13:00 Moving from Seoul to Jeju during the pandemic 16:00 Reading people, managing groups, and guiding travelers 19:00 Why sometimes it's better not to overthink big decisions 20:00 Launching a podcast and sharing Jeju with the world 21:00 The growing fascination with Jeju's Haenyeo women divers 24:00 Jeju spirituality, traditions, and local rituals 27:00 Training to become a Haenyeo diver herself 31:00 The future of Jeju's diving culture and younger generations 34:00 What makes a truly great tour guide 36:00 The best time of year to visit Jeju Island 38:00 Common misconceptions visitors have about Jeju 41:00 Why Jeju's culture feels different from anywhere else in Korea 43:00 Living as an outsider in a place with deep traditions 47:00 Soraya's personal warning label and philosophy for life Call or Text or Chat the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline 988. Hours are available 24/7 and the cost is free. OR Text HOME to 741741 to reach a trained Crisis Counselor through Crisis Text Line, a global not-for-profit organization. Free, 24/7, confidential. Connect with Soraya  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vamosajeju/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/soraya.jeju/  Connect with Holly Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thehollyhughes/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@hollyhughesintuitiveGet Holly’s book here: http://bit.ly/4ggvAamWebsite: https://hollyhughesintuitive.com/ #JejuIsland #SouthKoreaTravel #Haenyeo

  5. May 26

    The Man Behind Mad Men Tells All: Emmys, Streaming, and How Hollywood Really Works | Dwayne Shattuck

    What does it actually take to go from fire department paramedic to Emmy-winning studio head, with zero plan, zero roadmap, and zero interest in the spotlight?  In this episode, Holly sits down with veteran Hollywood producer and ITV Studios executive Dwayne Shattuck, a man with multiple Emmy, Golden Globe, DGA, and PGA awards, 20+ television series under his belt, and a record of never once going over budget.  Dwayne's career started with a back injury, a bored colleague, and an offer to get paid to sit around on a movie set. What followed was four decades of climbing the industry ladder, from set medic to PA, first AD to UPM, line producer to studio head, including a pivotal role building the infrastructure behind the iconic series Mad Men.  This conversation is a rare inside look at how Hollywood actually works: the budgets, the crew dynamics, the streaming wars, and what it really takes to lead at the highest levels of the industry without burning out or blowing up.  If you've ever wondered what goes on behind the camera, or what it looks like to build a career out of calm, consistency, and simply not quitting, this episode is for you. What you’ll learn in this episode: How Dwayne went from fire department paramedic to Emmy-winning studio head Why the best careers in Hollywood are rarely planned, and what that means for yours The one mentor conversation that changed his entire trajectory How Mad Men was made on $2.2 million per episode and why constraint created the show's magic What it actually means to never go over budget across 20+ series The leadership philosophy that kept him respected on every set he ever ran Why the film industry doesn't let you retire, it just lets you fade We talk about: 00:00 Meet Dwayne Shattuck and the career that was never supposed to happen  01:30 How a back injury on the fire department launched a Hollywood career  03:00 Bronco Lustig, Schindler's List, and the mentor who opened the door  05:00 Why paramedic skills translate directly to producing, stress tests, scenarios, and calm under fire  07:00 What a first AD actually does and why nothing gets shot without one  09:00 Early career collisions with Reese Witherspoon, Ben Affleck, and Matt Damon  11:00 Traveling the world as a first AD and why the industry made it impossible to leave  13:00 Moving from set life to studio life and going in-house for the first time  15:00 The Mad Men origin story: $2.2M per episode, seven-day shoots, and a crew built on loyalty  18:00 Watching 22 Emmys get announced from a hotel suite during the writers' strike  20:00 The dark side of success: security cameras, conspiracy theories, and choosing privacy  22:00 Leadership, culture, and why respect travels faster than fear on a set  25:00 How to run a budget with full transparency and why it builds better teams  27:00 The state of LA production right now and where the industry actually went  29:00 Netflix, Apple, Amazon, and the end of the streaming wars  31:00 Why episode counts dropped from 22 to 8 and what that really costs  33:00 How streaming platforms decide when and how to release episodes  35:00 What production management is really like (boredom means everything is working)  37:00 Family, marriage, and raising kids while running a TV show across the country  39:00 Leading ITV Studios and what makes a company culture actually work  41:00 How to say no without destroying the relationship  43:00 The F1 series at Amazon and what's on the horizon  45:00 The warning label that says it all Connect with Dwayne  IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0789443/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dwayne-shattuck-50bb03b/  Connect with Holly Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thehollyhughes/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@hollyhughesintuitiveGet Holly’s book here: http://bit.ly/4ggvAamWebsite: https://hollyhughesintuitive.com/ #MadMen #HollywoodInsider #TheHollyHughesShow

  6. May 12

    When the Plan Falls Apart… Follow the Path Instead | Michael Cain

    What do you do when the life you built… disappears? In this episode, Holly sits down with award-winning film producer and creative changemaker Michael Cain to unpack what it really looks like to rebuild your life when the plan falls apart. Because this isn’t a story about success.It’s a story about redirection. After losing everything in his twenties, Michael found himself at a crossroads with no roadmap, no certainty, and no clear way forward. What came next wasn’t a perfectly executed comeback. It was a series of decisions, risks, and moments of trust that slowly revealed a completely different life than the one he originally planned. From breaking into film, to producing dozens of projects, to creating film festivals that give other storytellers a platform, Michael’s journey is a masterclass in what happens when you stop forcing the outcome… and start following the path. This conversation is about resilience, reinvention, creative purpose, and the courage it takes to keep moving when nothing feels guaranteed. If you’ve ever felt like you’re off track, behind, or starting over… this episode will shift how you see it. What you’ll learn in this episode: Why losing everything can become the moment your real life begins The difference between forcing a plan and following a path How to rebuild your life without a clear roadmap Why resilience is less about strength and more about willingness The role of trust, intuition, and timing in a creative career How setbacks create clarity you wouldn’t find any other way Why relationships and collaboration shape long-term success The truth about creative careers that no one talks about How to create impact through storytelling and community Why not quitting is often the most important decision you’ll make We talk about: 00:00 Meet Michael Cain and the story behind his creative path 01:10 Early love of film and the unexpected start to his career 02:30 Losing everything in his twenties and what it revealed 05:30 Starting over with no clear plan or safety net 06:30 What loss teaches you about resilience and identity 07:30 Following the path instead of forcing a fixed outcome 09:00 Why producing became his role in storytelling 10:30 Building relationships and creating opportunities from nothing 12:00 Leadership, collaboration, and creative environments 13:30 The importance of respect and culture on set 15:00 Transitioning from low-budget work to larger opportunities 16:30 Supporting emerging talent and recognizing potential early 18:00 Creating a film festival in the middle of personal loss 19:30 Turning pain into purpose through cancer support initiatives 21:00 Building community through storytelling and shared experiences 22:30 How film festivals actually work and why they matter 24:00 Why most ideas never happen and what makes execution different 25:30 Finding support, funding, and momentum when resources are limited 27:00 Scaling impact from grassroots beginnings to major platforms 28:30 The power of storytelling to create real change 30:00 How media consumption is shifting and what it means for creators 31:30 Why community experiences still matter more than ever 33:00 The future of film festivals and collaboration in creative industries 35:00 Balancing ambition, family, and personal priorities 36:30 Choosing projects that align with purpose and impact 38:00 The long-term ripple effect of creative work 40:00 Redefining success and building a meaningful life 42:00 The warning label that says it all Connect with Michael  IG: https://www.instagram.com/mcaindallasfilm/  IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0128937/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaeldcain/  Website: http://letsgom3.com/  Connect with Holly Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thehollyhughes/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@hollyhughesintuitiveGet Holly’s book here: http://bit.ly/4ggvAamWebsite: https://hollyhughesintuitive.com/ #CreativeCareer #Resilience #FindYourPath

    When the Plan Falls Apart… Follow the Path Instead | Michael Cain

  7. Apr 28

    How to Get Rich for Being Funny Without Being Famous | Judy Carter, Comedy Bible Author

    This week Holly sits down with Judy Carter, comedian, comedy coach, and author of The Comedy Bible, to talk about how to build a creative career, make money being funny, and turn your biggest problems into your most bankable material. Because here is the thing: your problems are not your problem. They are your material. Judy has coached Seth Rogen, Taylor Tomlinson, and Lisa Lampanelli. Her book has sold over 200,000 copies and been published in nine languages. She got rejected by 59 literary agents. Then Oprah called. She has been broke, she has been brilliant, and she has figured out the exact formula for turning your mess into your most bankable asset. We talk about the psychological tricks she uses to dominate any room, why the richest comedians are people you have never heard of, and why everything you think is wrong with you is actually your ticket. Oh and we also completely destroyed The Giving Tree. You are welcome. What you’ll learn in this episode: The trick Judy uses to own a room in the first 30 seconds Why your anxiety, your dyslexia, and your people-pleasing are not holding you back. They are your content. The four words that make anything funnier instantly: hard, weird, scary, stupid Why the comedians making the most money are literally people you have never heard of How Judy made 50 times more self-publishing than she ever did with Random House The $2 billion comedian who only performs in churches and what that tells you about niching down Why chasing fame is the worst business plan a creative person can have How she turned her direct competition into her biggest collaborators using one counterintuitive move The real reason imposter syndrome might actually be your biggest competitive advantage What a comedy career, a nursing niche, and passive income have in common and why it matters for you We talk about: 00:00 Meet Judy Carter: comedian, coach, and the woman who will rewrite your life  01:00 Is AI funny? Hard no. Here is why.  03:00 Why influencers can do five minutes but not an hour  05:00 Planning versus presence: why your carefully rehearsed set might be killing you  07:00 Ride your talent like a wild horse or get thrown off 09:00 The subliminal psychological trick that makes any corporate crowd yours  11:00 Making them applaud twice and why it changes everything  13:00 Why she touches the MC every single time and what it transfers  15:00 Growing up with a disabled sister and a drunk dad: the real origin of her humor  17:00 Imposter syndrome is not your enemy. Here is the reframe.  19:00 Hard, weird, scary, stupid: the four words that unlock comedy in any context  21:00 Getting a laugh every 15 seconds: how corporate speaking actually works  29:00 The New Comedy Bible: turning your worst moments into punchlines  31:00 Making Money Being Funny: the book the industry did not want her to write  33:00 Why self-publishing made her 50 times more than Random House ever did  35:00 Famous in a niche versus famous to everyone: which one actually pays  36:00 The $12 million nurse comedian and the $2 billion Christian comic you do not know  38:00 59 rejections, one Oprah call, and what she learned from all of it  39:00 Royalties, intellectual property, and making money while you sleep  42:00 Empathy over jealousy: the move that built her entire career  43:00 Calling your competition and making them your collaborator  47:00 Her warning label: caution, time with Judy Carter has been known to cause unexpected career changes Connect with Judy IG: https://www.instagram.com/judycartercomedy  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/judycarter TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@judycartercomedy  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JudyCarterComedy  Website: https://www.judycarter.com/  Connect with Holly Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thehollyhughes/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@hollyhughesintuitiveGet Holly’s book here: http://bit.ly/4ggvAamWebsite: https://hollyhughesintuitive.com/

  8. Apr 14

    What Happens When You Tell the Truth Through Art | Akira Tsuboi

    What if art wasn’t just expression… but responsibility? In this episode of the Holly Hughes Podcast, Holly sits down with artist Akira Tsuboi and interpreter Woo-Hee Choi to explore the intersection of art, history, and truth, and what it means to create work that confronts what others avoid. Akira’s work doesn’t look away. It dives into the realities of war, cultural trauma, and systemic silence, using stark black, white, and red imagery to challenge narratives that have been softened, rewritten, or ignored entirely. From the Fukushima nuclear disaster to the history of comfort women and forced labor systems, this conversation reveals how art can uncover patterns that repeat across time, often under different names, but with the same consequences. Together, they explore what it means to belong across cultures, how truth gets buried in both education and nationalism, and why confronting the past is not about blame, but about awareness, responsibility, and preventing repetition. If you’ve ever wondered how art can shape perspective, challenge systems, or reveal deeper truths about humanity, this episode will stay with you. What you’ll learn in this episode: Why art can reveal truths that history books often avoid How storytelling through visuals can challenge cultural narratives The connection between Fukushima, forced labor systems, and historical patterns Why confronting uncomfortable history is essential for growth How nationalism shapes what we are taught, and what we’re not The emotional responsibility of creating art rooted in truth What it means to live and create between cultures (Japan and Korea) How identity, history, and place influence creative expression Why many artists struggle to show controversial work in their own countries The role of curiosity in understanding complex global issues We talk about: 00:00 Introduction to Akira Tsuboi and Woo-Hee Choi 02:00 The unexpected meeting that started it all 04:00 Why Akira’s art challenges the “beautiful” narrative of Japan 06:00 From emotion to research, evolving as an artist 08:00 Using wood, texture, and color to represent time and truth 10:00 Why black, white, and red became his visual language 12:00 Fukushima as a turning point in his work 14:00 The hidden systems behind disaster response and labor exploitation 16:00 The connection between modern systems and wartime history 18:00 Comfort women, language, and confronting reality 20:00 National identity and selective storytelling 22:00 Busan, culture, and the reality of economic decline 25:00 Art, place, and untapped creative potential 27:00 Why younger generations are leaving, and what’s being lost 29:00 Creating art across cultures, Japan and Korea 31:00 What people don’t know about their own history 33:00 Art as a way to spark curiosity, not just emotion 35:00 Why truth-telling through art is often rejected 37:00 Global recognition vs. local resistance 39:00 The cost of creating controversial work 41:00 Faith, creativity, and finding purpose 45:00 What comes next for Akira’s work Connect with Akira Akira’s IG: https://www.instagram.com/akiratsuboi19761013/ Woo-Hee’s IG: https://www.instagram.com/j.r.wroh/ Connect with Holly Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thehollyhughes/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@hollyhughesintuitiveGet Holly’s book here: http://bit.ly/4ggvAamWebsite: https://hollyhughesintuitive.com/ #CulturalIdentity #GenerationalTrauma #CreativeExpression

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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
14 Ratings

About

The Holly Hughes Podcast is where writers, dancers, filmmakers, artists, & musicians get real about what it takes to live a life outside the corporate box and create, monetize, promote, market their work. Hosted by Holly Hughes—TEDx speaker, former Hollywood producer, author of Real, Not Perfect, & intuitive healer—each episode features candid, fun conversations with creators who trust their gut and bend the rules. Hear stories that mirror your own battles with the inner critic, jealousy, belonging, approval, and discovery.

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