  In this episode, we learn what it’s like to produce theater in unlikely places from relatively remote mountain villages of Taiwan to the elaborate Casinos of Macau.  (Unfortunately, we didn’t have time to get into his adventures starting up a Tex-Mex taco truck in France’s Provence region.  We’ll have to save that for part 2.) Chad Leslie has worked extensively throughout Asia and the Middle East, directing, designing and producing across multiple areas of the arts and entertainment industry including theme parks, casino resorts, special events, stage, television, arts festivals, street performance and installations. He is the former Director & Lecturer of Center for Arts Technology & Education, University of St. Joseph’s, the Artistic Coach and Acting Teacher for Cirque Du Soleil in China. He was the Resident Artistic Director under legendary creator Franco Dragone at “The House of Dancing Water” in Macau, China where co-directed / produced multiple commercials, events and television productions in the Dancing Water Theater including “Up Idol” for Hunnan TV, a “The Amazing Race,” and the 2014 Asian Film Awards.  He was the Resident Artistic Director for “LaPerle” in Dubai as well as the Associate Director of Creation for the Land of Legends Theme Park in Antalya, Turkey.  He has produced numerous projects, shows and special events at the Macau Grand Prix, the World Expo in Shanghai, China, the Galaxy-Macau Casino and Resort, Wynn, and at MGM, Macau. After 20 years abroad, he’s proud to be returning to the University of North Carolina School of the Arts (UNCSA) having graduated from the Directing Program in Drama in 1999.

Interesting Friends

Episode 5: Professor Chad Leslie - International Arts Entrepreneurialism and Scaled Spectacle

In this episode, we learn what it’s like to be an American expat entrepreneur in London and get an inside/outside American perspective on Brexit.  Michael Mulcahey began his adult life at the University of Texas at Austin where he was elected as the Editor of the Daily Texan.   After graduating and despite the opportunities before him, he took a hard turn from journalism and embarked on a life of small business entrepreneurism—first in Taiwan and now in London.  Still, always the thinker, these experiences have given him a unique perspective on society and politics at the ground level.  Enjoy our discussion on starting a business abroad, UK craft beer, the complexities of Brexit, Universal Basic Income (UBI), the military industrial complex, and the Democratic candidate field.   To contact Michael or learn more about The Hoarder visit: https://twitter.com/thehoarder?lang=en https://www.facebook.com/TheHoarderUK/ https://www.yelp.com/biz/the-hoarder-london  

Episode 4: Michael Mulcahey – An American Entrepreneur in London, the Craft Beer Movement, Brexit, UBI, Andrew Yang (and is Mayor Pete a CIA candidate?)

In this episode, we explore the growing academic discipline of Arts Entrepreneurship with one of the pioneers of the field.  What is the importance of understanding the principles and strategies of entrepreneurship for the artist?  Why is it so fundamental to the development and journey of the artist?  Why has this aspect of the arts discipline been so long overlooked and at times even controversial?  How can an artist think differently about their career, options, and needed skills on their path to becoming a working, productive, and great artist? James Hart is the author of Classroom Exercises for Entrepreneurship: A Cross-disciplinary Approach (Edward Elgar Publishing, Ltd.). Hart is often recognized for innovation in pedagogical developments and practice, Hart has won multiple awards and recognitions at the university and national levels.  He earned his Master’s in Fine Arts from the Yale School of Drama and graduated from Southern Methodist University (SMU) with a Bachelor of fine arts in theatre.   Links: TEDxSMU talk on teaching arts entrepreneurship through games For more on James Hart, see: http://bit.ly/JamesHartSMUBio

Episode 3: Professor James David Hart – Entrepreneurialism and the Arts

In this episode, we take a deep dive into the state of marijuana reform in Texas.  So goes Texas, so goes the rest the United States.  So, even if you’re not a citizen of Texas, you will still find this interesting of how far we’ve come and how close we are to real marijuana reform in Texas.  We also discuss exactly what is happening now and how we can avoid arresting another 160,000 people in Texas over the next two years for simply possessing marijuana.  Heather Invictus Fazio is the leading advocate for change in Texas.  Enjoy learning about her tireless efforts and what’s possible in the near future for major marijuana reform. To contact Heather: hfazio@txmjpolicy.org   For further information, first find out who your representatives are at: https://fyi.capitol.texas.gov/Home.aspx   Then, support one of these fine folks at: http://www.texasmarijuanapolicy.org https://www.texcann.com https://www.informedtexas.org http://www.mammausa.org

Episode 2: Heather Fazio - Texas Marijuana Reform Happening Now

In this episode, we discuss the new movement in medicine that may very well be the key to reforming the system and providing better, more affordable healthcare to every individual.  After beginning a career in finance, Dr. Larson experienced some family medical challenges that exposed him to the realities of how medical care is provided and the costs involved.  The experience moved him to leave the finance industry and go to medical school.   Now, with his practice, he is among a few hundred general medicine practitioners taking a new approach and challenging the system.  These physicians are guided by the simple principle that doctors should have adequate time to spend with their patients to fully understand their health and that the patients should be empowered to make good financial decisions along the way. https://euphorahealth.com https://www.dpcare.org

Episode 1: Dr. Chris Larson – Direct Primary Care and the Future of Medicine

On Interesting Friends, we sit down with interesting friends that I have made over my lifetime. We talk about the important and unique things they are thinking and doing to make the world a better place.

hubhopper

Interesting Friends

hubhopper