Hartford-based comedian Rob Santos understood early that identity was going to play a major role in his life - Black, Puerto Rican, and Beige American, always on the edges of acceptance. Identity - whether branding, politics, or mindfulness work - is inescapable, and Rob makes a mission of refining and protecting his. Rob's "Each One Teach One" workshop uses mindfulness and his personal experience to help other comedians hone their craft, and having just established his own studio space in Hartford he's back at it, working with others during uncertain and stressful times. We talked race, representation, identity politics, and more. This is Part Two of our conversation. NSFW/Explicit content. Instagram @Muse324 Twitter @MisterSantos www.robsantoscomedy.com   Music: "Welcome to Hi" by Cameron Werme, all rights reserved "Wholesome" by Kevin Macleod, incompotech.com, all rights reserved 

Table to Stage

Rob Santos Returns! Part Two

Hartford-based comedian Rob Santos understood early that identity was going to play a major role in his life - Black, Puerto Rican, and Beige American, always on the edges of acceptance. Identity - whether branding, politics, or mindfulness work - is inescapable, and Rob makes a mission of refining and protecting his. Rob's "Each One Teach One" workshop uses mindfulness and his personal experience to help other comedians hone their craft, and having just established his own studio space in Hartford he's back at it, working with others during uncertain and stressful times. We talked race, representation, identity politics, and more. This is Part One of our conversation. NSFW/Explicit content. Instagram @Muse324 Twitter @MisterSantos www.robsantoscomedy.com   Music: "Welcome to Hi" by Cameron Werme, all rights reserved "Wholesome" by Kevin Macleod, incompotech.com, all rights reserved 

Rob Santos Returns! Part One

Brian David Judkins and Ned Donovan are the creative team behind Encounter Party! - a collaborative Dungeons and Dragons-bases storytelling podcast featuring a cast of professional voice actors and comedians. And it's an incredible exercise in precision and planning. Whether you're familiar with the actual play podcast world or not, you've never heard anything quite like Encounter Party! Get a behind-the-scenes look (listen?) at what it takes to build a community around a story.   Additional music by Alexander Nakarada, Serpentine Studios https://soundcloud.com/serpentsoundstudios Ukiyo-Pop artwork of Brian David Judkins www.ukiyopop.com Charging Moose Media, Ned Donovan www.chargingmoosemedia.com Dungeons and Dragons and Magic: the Gathering property of Wizards of the Coast

Encounter Party! with Brian David Judkins and Ned Donovan

I listen to podcasts. Several of them. All day long. Honestly, it's a little much. But among the podcasts I look forward to the most every week is the 10ish Podcast. 10ish hosts and creators Nick and Brandon blend information and entertainment in a unique and hilarious way, counting down the very best (or worst) of any category. Whether it's serial killers or half time shows, the 10ish Podcast always delivers. Somehow, I conned them into speaking with me! So. Much. Fun. "Welcome to Hi" Cameron Werme, copyright 2018 "Hackbeat" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Counting down with Nick & Brandon of the 10ish Podcast

When it comes to sex education, it's sometimes difficult to get the information across. If you're awkward or uncomfortable talking about sex, maybe you'll struggle to engage your audience. But if you can make it funny and relatable? Enter Raylene Taskoski, comedian and sex toy expert, whose show "Stand Up Comedy Sex Ed" combines real sexual health education with comedy. It's a blend that resonates with audiences and gives answers to questions some might be too embarrassed to ask. Check her out at standupcomedysexed.com. (NSFW content may be sensitive for some listeners. Please take care.) Music: "Welcome to Hi" by Cameron Werme "Let's Talk About Sex" by Salt 'N Peppa, 1990 Film Clip: Monty Python's "The Meaning of Life" 1983

Raylene Taskoski, Stand Up Comedy Sex Ed

As COVID-19 continues to alter social and economic landscapes around the world, some are more immediately impacted than others. Lots of creative people have been forced to stay home, cancel performances, and lose lots of creative outlets. Dr. James C. Kaufman is a professor at the UConn Neag School of Education, and has written several books about creativity. He's also a returning guest on Table to Stage (definitely check out his earlier episode to learn more about the study of creativity). You can follow Dr. Kaufman on Twitter @JamesKaufman, or visit his website (jamesckaufman.com) to learn more about the psychology of creativity.   Movie clip from "Contagion" (C) 2011 Warner Bros. "It's the End of the World As We Know It" (C) 1987 R.E.M., from the album "Document"

The impact of pandemic on creativity, with Dr. James C. Kaufman

Ghost (Andrew Mattei) found his love of Hip Hop dance thanks to a friend and a YouTube video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LXO-jKksQkM) - and nearly a decade later he's a dance instructor and three-time contestant on So You Think You Can Dance. The groove has taken him places, for sure. And the creative energy of animation style dance (if you haven't seen it, you absolutely must) is unique and entertaining. You can see Ghost get his groove on by following him on Facebook under Ghost of CT, on Instagram @theghost_of_ct, and on Twitter @ghostdancer0916. "Pumped Up Kicks" (c) Foster the People

Hip Hop Animation Dance with Ghost

Master woodcarver and carousel enthusiast Bob Yorburg has written the book on Acanthus carving. It's called "Acanthus Carving and Design", and it's available wherever you get your favorite books (or at Amazon). Bob is based in New York, but travels all over sharing his skill and expertise with the iconic design style that we all recognize. Bob recently visited the New England Carousel Museum in Bristol, Conn., to tech a workshop, and he gave me a brief tour before heading back to New York. You can see Bob's work at bobyorburg.com, and learn more about the museum at thecarouselmuseum.org. #carousel #woodcarving #restoration #acanthus #carving 

Carousels and Acanthus Carving with Bob Yourburg

Excuse me while I geek out for a while. I love Dungeons & Dragons. I dabbled briefly in my teens, but only rediscovered the game in the past 3 or 4 years - so I can't claim to be a long time player. I'm definitely a part of the game's resurgence in popular culture. But long time players and newbies can share the table with 5th Edition, and the creative energy is always enjoyable. Jason and Meghan Gagne have been playing the game together for a while now, and have started incorporating some of Jason's hand-made miniatures into their sessions. It was awesome to be able to talk with them about a game that creates limitless possibilities for creativity.

Dungeons & Dragons with Jason & Meghan Gagne

"The great mystery of June Cleaver, her life, her marriage and her family, has plagued mankind for generations. How could such a perfect woman exist, loving a husband, raising two sons, and cooking so immaculately while never appearing stressed, over-worked, fed-up, or unsatisfied?" Or, at least that's how the Amazon description of "June Cleaver: Sexual Deviant" begins. I don't remember feeling any sense of mystery around the characters on Nick At Night - they seemed pretty straight forward. And downright bland. But for author Benjamin Smith there was a backstory to be explored. So he created one, giving a new life to the matriarch of "Leave it to Beaver." His stage play centers on June and Ward Cleaver in their golden years, tackling their roles as grandparents and coming to terms with their pre-"Leave It ... " lives. A play requires characters - usually several. And it's a challenge to bring multiple characters to life in audio format, but Trenton Bennett faced the challenge head on. June, Ward, and the rest of the cast are brought to aural existence by a single performer, and each voice presented its own challenge for Trenton. On this episode of Table to Stage we hear from author and performer about "June Cleaver: Sexual Deviant." Music from https://filmmusic.io "Wholesome" by Kevin MacLeod https://incompetech.com License: CC BY (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)

"June Cleaver, Sexual Deviant" with Benjamin Smith & Trenton Bennett

Mckenzie Chapman is the co-host of the Chick Flicks podcast (https://chickflickspodcast.com/), discussing the feminist viewpoint - and overall worthiness - of some of the world's most popular (or dismal, as the case may be) films. She's also a skilled needlepoint artist, and if you visit mckenziechapman.com you can see her work for yourself. Whether the Chick Flicks are hating on some of my best childhood memories (see: Goonies) or celebrating some of my favorite modern action films (I'll watch John Wick all day), their perspective on cinema is refreshing. Check it out! #keepcreating #creativity #stitchisland #needlepoint #chickflicks #feminism

Mckenzie Chapman on Chick Flicks podcast, stitching artwork, and feminism

Kyle Pasciutti likes to create things the world has never seen before. His company, Decimated Designs (decimateddesigns.com) specializes in horror, but also works in whimsy and the fantastic, creating custom makeup, costumes, set pieces, and oversized animatronic puppies. And, of course, popsicles. Obviously. Whether it's creating an on-the-spot zombie at a convention, or sending oversized backpack heads (yeah, backpack heads) across the country, Kyle and his team love a creative challenge - and the skillset and artistry required to pull off these projects are varied and extensive. Get a peek behind the scenes of some special effects wizardry this week! #zombies #makeup #scenicdesign #staypuft #ghostbusters #thanos #decimated #creativity

Kyle Pasciutti on zombies, popsicles, and the art of effects fabrication

Virginia Wolf is the host of Spot Light with Virginia Wolf on WLIS/WMRD out of Middletown, Connecticut - a radio program that highlights theater and the arts in Connecticut. Gosh, that sounds familiar! Virginia has been on the air for many years now, and her guests come from theater, art, dance, music, and other creative endeavors within visiting distance of the state. She's also a writer and performer, and the creative engine behind Herstory Theater (herstorytheater.com). You can catch Herstory's "Hitchcock and Horror" this month at The Arts at Angeloria's (https://www.theartsatangelorias.com/) in Southington, Connecticut. And if you tune into WLIS/WMRD (https://www.wliswmrd.net/2012/spotlight.htm) at 12:30 on October 24 you'll hear me on Spot Light! #keepcreating      

Virginia Wolf on the arts and witchcraft in Connecticut, Spot Light, and audition nerves

Hartford playwright Jeffrey McCann is bringing the Fringe Festival to Hartford this October. (hartfordfringefestival.org) He's been involved in theater since the 80s, and has seen how the arts have impacted and changed lives. His experience living in the Seattle theater world have left a lasting impact, and he brings that influence with him to current projects - including the Hartford Fringe Festival. A really great conversation - and I learned a few things myself. #fringefestival #hartford #theater #playwright #arts #keepcreating Music from https://filmmusic.io "Smooth Move" by Kevin MacLeod (https://incompetech.com) License: CC BY (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)

Jeffrey McCann on writing, LGBTQ+ representation, and the Hartford Fringe Festival

Joey Marsocci is a creator. He's created original pieces for Hendrick's Gin, Disney Imagineering, the Mark Twain House & Museum, and so many more. He was on the forefront of the steampunk movement, and has literally written the book on steampunk art. As the artist behind Grymm Studios, Joey creates and embodies all kinds of creatures. You can see them at grymmstudios.com. Don't forget to rate and review the pod on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, or wherever you get your podcasts! #steampunk #creature #cosplay #creativity #keepcreating   Music from https://filmmusic.io "Lost Time" & "Comfortable Mystery 4" by Kevin MacLeod (https://incompetech.com) License: CC BY (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)

Joey Marsocci on creature costumes, steampunk, and the pain of creation

Exploring creativity through the stories and experiences of creators everywhere. Focused on Connecticut, but with a global reach.

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