Naderson St Pierre is a painter based in Manhattan.

Instagram and all episodes

(00:00) Haitian Roots & Arrival

(02:26) Life in Gonaïves

(04:12) Pride and Struggle in Haiti

(06:20) Coming to America

(08:08) Early Artistic Identity

(10:03) From Orlando to NYC

(13:02) Homeless, But Creating

(15:10) 86th Street Hustle

(17:24) Subway Stories & Struggles

(20:14) Connection Through Art

(23:02) The Homelessness Perspective

(26:18) First Sales & Survival

(29:35) The Hotel That Became a Shelter

(32:20) Studio Hurdles & Setbacks

(36:08) International Residencies & Growth

(39:16) Instagram, Marketing & Value

(43:02) Purpose Beyond Survival

(47:38) Race, Responsibility & America

(53:04) Redefining Success

Michelle Warchol is a sculptor based in Staten Island.

Instagram and all episodes

(00:00) Childhood Dreams vs. Parental Expectations

(02:12) A STEM School with No Art

(04:35) Choosing English Lit Over Art

(06:22) NYU’s Complex Path to Art

(08:31) First Encounters with Life Drawing

(11:07) Struggles and Aspirations as a Beginner

(13:15) The Pull Toward Painting and Color

(15:38) Discovering Sculpture Through Restoration

(18:22) The Accidental Beginning of Statue Work

(21:06) Lessons from Tedious Restoration Work

(24:30) Flow State and the Shift into Sculpting

(27:00) Why Baby Sculptures? Artistic and Practical Reasons

(30:12) Moving Toward Commissions and a Show

(32:54) Redefining Success and Artistic Fulfillment

(36:41) Advice to Aspiring Artists

Eric Walsh is a standup-comedian based in Manhattan.

Instagram and all episodes

(00:00) Wisconsin to Wall Street

(02:30) Life Inside Investment Banking

(05:15) Studying Abroad Sparks Doubt

(07:20) Panic, Pressure, and the Path Not Taken

(10:40) Autobiographical Memory and Affantasia

(13:30) Choosing to Quit

(15:55) The Reading That Changed Everything

(18:20) Discovering Comedy Through Curiosity

(20:35) First Open Mic, First High

(23:00) Building a Writing System

(26:15) Day Structure and Sacred Absorption

(29:45) Breaking Into the Comedy Scene

(32:20) Comedy Community and Mentorship

(35:40) The Craft vs. Recognition

(39:00) On Success, Alignment, and No Regrets

Mia Vallet is an actress based in New York City.

Instagram and all episodes

(00:00) Moving to New York

(02:30) First Acting Job

(05:10) Starting Out in NYC

(07:10) Parental Support and Early Struggles

(09:15) Questioning the Dream

(11:20) Discovering Acting Is Viable

(13:25) First Role and Childhood Inspiration

(16:00) High School and Theater Identity

(18:10) Conservatory Challenges and Growth

(21:40) Post-Graduation Confusion

(24:50) Dealing With Doubt and Persistence

(28:10) What Makes a Great Actor

(32:45) The Emotional Toll of Performing

(37:00) The Shy Kid on Stage

(44:10) Advice to Younger Self

Humzah Choudry is a stand-up comedian based in Brooklyn, NY.

Instagram and all episodes

(00:00) Moving to New York

(02:05) Early Tech Struggles

(04:00) Bootcamp Breakthrough

(06:00) Oil Rig Realizations

(08:10) Discovering Comedy as a Kid

(10:00) Finally Trying Stand-Up

(12:05) Learning from Bombing

(13:45) Starting to Build Community

(15:30) Balancing Stability and Hustle

(18:10) The Importance of Indie Shows

(20:00) What Makes Great Comedy

(22:40) Handling Rejection and Feedback

(25:10) NYC’s Best Comedy Venues

(27:00) Financial Reality of Stand-Up

(30:20) Advice to My Younger Self

Music: Lo-Fi Beat by YellowTree -- https://freesound.org/s/483907/

Darrell Thorne is a custom designer and creative director, based in Brooklyn, NY.

Instagram and all episodes

(00:00) Disillusioned in LA

(02:40) First Encounter with NYC

(05:25) Culture Shock and Connection

(08:35) Starting Over in New York

(11:25) Discovering Nightlife and Drag

(14:05) Becoming a Performer

(17:15) The Headpiece Obsession Begins

(20:10) Collaborating with Dancers

(22:55) Creative Roots and Early Art

(25:40) Heartbreak of Leaving Dance

(29:30) Growing Up in a Religious Cult

(32:50) Breaking Free and Finding Freedom

(36:00) Highlights of Working Life

(39:30) The Double-Edged Sword of Social Media

(42:00) Success, New York, and Self-Expression

Music: Lo-Fi Beat by YellowTree -- https://freesound.org/s/483907/

Johnny Gaffney is an actor and a stand-up comedian based in Manhattan.

Instagram and all episodes

(00:00) Arriving in New York and Selling Comedy Tickets

(03:00) First Creative Spark: Pig Roast and Roasting Pigs

(05:00) Acting Debut in a Swine Flu Movie

(08:30) Birth of John Bigman and the Rock Bottom Boy Band

(11:30) Living a Double Life: Creative Hustle and Day Job at Tito’s

(15:00) Quitting the Job Without a Plan

(18:00) Piecing Together Gig Work and Unusual Jobs

(22:00) Starting Stand-Up and Karaoke at Senior Centers

(25:30) Collaborating with Friends to Perform for Seniors

(29:30) The Deep Reward of Entertaining Seniors

(33:00) Creating a Roster of Talent and Tailoring Shows

(36:00) How It All Began: The Story of Dory and Lovejoy

(40:00) What Makes Seniors the Best Audience

(45:00) Freedom, Fear, and the Digital Performance Age

(50:30) Honoring Elders: Visibility, Wisdom, and Untapped Value

Ryan Czerwonko is an actor, filmmaker, and the artistic director of "Adult Film," based in Brooklyn, NY.

Instagram and all episodes

(00:00) Fear-Based Decisions and the Journey to New York

(04:10) Early Struggles in Chicago and Atlanta

(07:40) Taking the Leap: Moving to New York

(10:05) First Months in NYC and the Cost of Survival

(13:00) Building a Life Between Cities

(15:30) The Birth of "Adult Film" and Independent Theater

(18:40) Creating a Collaborative Artistic Home

(21:10) Vision and Mission of the Adult Film Collective

(24:20) Making Theater Affordable and Accessible

(27:00) What Makes the Work at Adult Film Unique

(30:15) Personal Acting Roots and Summer Stock Memories

(34:00) Tennessee Williams: Influence and Obsession

(37:30) The Legacy of Williams, Masculinity, and Artistic Wholeness

(40:50) Chekhov, Stanislavski, and the Evolution of Acting

(43:10) Advice on Fear, Integrity, and Coming to New York