Raven Griim is a cosplayer, content creator, and social media powerhouse, with millions of followers on TikTok and Instagram. I talked to her about cosplay, horror movies, anime, body modification and much more. • Tattoo Talk: Raven shares her experiences with tattoo laser removal and why she chose to cover up some of her ink. How painful is tattoo…

On this episode of Creative Culture, I chatted with Kevin Perjurer, the creator of Defunctland. If you're a fan of meticulously researched and utterly fascinating documentaries about bygone theme parks and themed entertainment, you'll love this episode. It was interesting to talk to him about being a full-time documentarian, and crafting stories th…

Watch this episode on YouTube In this episode of Creative Culture I had a wide-ranging conversation with TikTok creator Dandy Demon. We talked about her experience creating content for TikTok and her approach to OnlyFans where she creates “nightmare thirst traps”. We also talked about her stalker and how important it is for her to maintain a positi…

Is creativity the same as curiosity? In this episode of Creative Culture, I'm joined by Danie Berger, from @DIYDanie. We talked a lot about how social media is fundamentally changing art and creativity. It's no longer enough JUST to make art...you have to show the process. And then make that process crazy enough that people will watch. We talked ab…

In this episode of Creative Culture, I talked to Chris Burton of Half-Asleep Chris, known for his charming and delightful videos featuring his stop-motion animation, Lego and his pets. We discuss Chris's journey to 3.2 million subscribers, his creative process, the challenges of producing high-quality content, and the unique appeal of his videos. S…

Welcome back to Creative Culture! In this episode, I had a fun conversation with Elliot Fullam, a multi-talented artist who began his career at the age of nine. From interviewing rock legends to acting in horror films and crafting his own music, Elliot's journey is as diverse as it is fascinating. We explore the unique blend of horror and metal, di…

In this episode of Creative Culture, I talked to mixologist and professional bartender Leandro Di Monriva @TheEducatedBarfly about the art of mixing cocktails and what it takes to be a bartender. We chatted about everything from things that annoy bartenders to the tools of the trade. And if you've been thinking about setting up your own home bar, L…

Has social media fundamentally changed the way we perceive art? Can art me quantified by the number of eyeballs that view it? In this episode of Creative Culture, I talked with CJ the X, @cjthex a creator and philosopher whose work explores the intersection of art and our cultural engagement with social media. CJ's content, ranging from thought-pro…

This episode of Creative Culture is a look into the enchanting world of historical fashion with the talented Vasi Birchwood who not only dons but also meticulously crafts her own historical attire that she wears daily. We explored Vasi's journey into hand sewing and her passion for bringing the clothing of the working-class Victorian era and her Vo…

In this episode of Creative Culture, I talked with Electric Linda, a master tattoo artist hailing from Norway about tattoo art. With over two decades of experience, Linda brings a rich tapestry of stories, insights, and artistic wisdom to the table. Known for her dynamic and colorful photorealistic tattoos, as well as being a specialist in coverups…

Welcome to Creative Culture, a podcast that explores the myriad ways people express their creativity. In this episode, I spoke with Lloyd Barnes @LloydB a professional magician and illusion creator. Lloyd not only develops magic illusions for magicians globally but also shares his expertise through detailed tutorials on his YouTube channel. His app…

This episode of Creative Culture, features Madison from @EsoTarot. https://www.youtube.com/@EsoTarot The episode explores the art of tarot reading, its cultural significance, and its comparison to psychology. Madison shares her journey into tarot reading, discussing the personal and broader implications of tarot, its misconceptions, and its role in…

Help support the podcast! https://www.patreon.com/creativeculturepod Chef PK on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CHEFPKR Paul Karyakos, also known as Chef PK, combines his love for cooking with his passion for anime. In this episode of the Creative Culture Podcast, Paul discusses his unique approach to creating content that blends culinary arts wi…

A Year in Practice is available here: https://amzn.to/3NdFJp0 Jacqueline's website: https://www.jacquelinesuskin.com/ Help support Creative Culture! https://www.patreon.com/creativeculturepod Jacqueline Suskin, a prolific poet and writer, discusses her work and the importance of poetry in human culture. She shares her experience running Poem Store,…

Did you know that the number of trips to emergency rooms rise every December? Are you running too many lights in a single strand? How safe are you climbing up a ladder to install holiday lights? In this episode Scott Dixon of EverydayHomeRepairs and I discuss the dangers of the season and ways to avoid them.…

In this episode of Creative Culture, I talked with Jenna Whiting of @chainsawjenna , a prolific sculptor whose tool of choice is the chainsaw. We talked about her carving career and how she approaches the beautiful and amazing works of art she creates. She also talks about the performative nature of chainsaw carving and the various saws she uses. T…

In this spooky Halloween special, I'm joined by Ethan James @TheHonestCarpenter to discuss our favorite scary movies just in time for Halloween. We explore various horror subgenres, from classic slashers to modern gems, sharing recommendations and insights. Some of the movies discussed: "Happy Death Day" "Totally Killer" "The Blackcoat's Daughter" …

Grab your popcorn! Nina Nesseth, author of "Nightmare Fuel: The Science of Horror Films" slashes into the Creative Culture Podcast for a ghostly discussion on why horror movies scare us and what causes our brains and bodies to react the way we do. We also highlight the evolution of horror reflecting societal concerns, from classic monsters to moder…

Support this podcast! https://www.patreon.com/creativeculturepod Video episodes are available on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@creativeculturepod In this episode of Creative Culture, I am joined by Alec Watson, renowned for his insights into the fusion of creativity and technology. He’s also a pinball collector, historian, and restorer. We take…

Does the U.S. have a unique architectural style besides the hideous McMansion? Why does the constructed suburban landscape have the same blandness no matter where you travel? Well, it's all about the stories they (don't) tell. The art of architecture: Architectural fails The haunting feeling caused by liminal spaces The challenges of converting off…

I had an absolute blast chatting with Ali Spagnola, a true creative maverick. She spills the beans on how she keeps those creative juices flowing—hint: it involves actively hunting for ideas rather than waiting for a strike of inspiration. Ali lets us in on her selection process, diving into how she picks and chooses projects that not only resonate…

Marissa Hill is the producer and host of Shade TV, a YouTube channel devoted to fashion, sneakers and hype culture. She herself is a sneakerhead and fashion model who is continually seen at movie premieres, pop culture events and festivals. In this episode we talked about her role in hype culture, what kind of sneakers to wear, and a little about v…

Mary Tsai is an Artificial Intelligence/ Machine Learning designer for Adobe, specializing in its audio and video tools such as Premier and After Effects. In this episode we discuss what AI is, what it means, and how it will affect culture, especially involving artists, makers and other creatives. Will artists become obsolete? Visit Mary on Instagr…

Laurie Shannon is the creator and host of The Icing Artist, a YouTube channel that has garnered nearly 5 million subscribers and whose videos have been seen over 1.2 billion times over the past ten years. In this episode we talked about the art of cake decorating and I learned some of the tricks and tools of the trade. Laurie recently launched a ne…

Cam Anderson of Blacktail Studio joined me this week to talk about his newfound fascination with making tables out of denim. Is he a trendsetter? Well, we also discussed how the first person to do something is rarely the best. Watch Blacktail Studio: https://www.youtube.com/@BlacktailStudio Support this podcast! https://www.patreon.com/creativecult…

This week I spoke to Jared Polin of FroKnowsPhoto about Photoshop's new generative AI and other apps such as MidJourney AI. They are dramatically changing everything about art and photography. Do we really need humans to take photographs? Are graphic designers becoming irrelevant? We also talked about the trend for shooting film and how a lot of pe…

Joining me today is Prano Bailey-Bond, the filmmaker who wrote and directed Censor, a movie that takes place during the U.K. "Video Nasties" era and tells the story of Enid, a film censor who screens all these videos to implement cuts of scenes deemed too dangerous to be viewed. The movie asks if watching violent movies causes people to act violent…

Help support this podcast! https://www.patreon.com/creativeculturepod Nick Lewis is a designer with the goal of simplifying interior design. He’s not afraid to voice his opinions on design trends that might be here to stay and others that need to go. Nick represents such a rational voice in what can be very subjective, even divisive topics. Why is …

Scott Dixon joined me this week to discuss his YouTube channel, Everyday Home Repairs, which has detailed tutorials on how to fix just about anything in and around your house. Ever wonder how to add an electrical outlet in a wall without access to an attic or crawlspace…and not rip apart the wall? Do you have a crack in your concrete driveway that …

Zack Nelson is the creator of JerryRigEverything, a YouTube channel mostly about technology. With over 1.6 billion channel views, you’ve probably seen one of his many videos taking apart phones, testing their durability, or showing you how to repair them. Or maybe you’ve seen his videos on electric vehicles: he built his own electric Hummer. Zack i…

Cassandra Aarssen the world’s leading expert on decluttering and organizing. She helps people to understand why we have such a hard time dealing with all the stuff in our lives. In addition to general organizing advice, I wanted to have Cas on the show to help the artists and creative people who listen to this show with our workspaces. I’ve talked …

Within 5 years, the U.S. is likely to reach a critical juncture where is will be difficult to hire anyone to fix a leaky pipe or worse, repair a structural problem with your house. Ethan James is a leader at the forefront of research and education on the trade labor shortage. In this episode of The WTS we discussed what is being done to encourage y…

Morgan Eckroth is the reigning US Barista Champion who finished second in the 2022 World Barista Championship. Morgandrinkscoffee is a blend of real world experience, practical advice, art, education, business, and pure entertainment: all revolving around coffee. In a sea of angry videos, cynical videos, confrontational videos, endless clickbait an…

Basia Adamiec is a metalsmith and silversmith who crafts fine jewelry and shares her work with the world on her YouTube channel, The Art of Metalsmithing, a great resource for learning the tools and techniques needed to make your own jewelry and become a jeweler. Check out her work: https://www.youtube.com/@TheArtOfMetalsmithing Support The WTS at …

Benjamin Sinclair is the bass player for The Beths, as well as a hand tool woodworker. He also plays saxophone and keeps a detailed online journal of his experiences touring on the road. In this episode, we talk about art, performing with The Beths, and the convergence of creative interests. Read Ben's travel blog Listen to The Beths on Spotify Sup…

It was fun to catch up with Jason Hibbs from Bourbon Moth Woodworking and talk about the life cycle of woodworkers on YouTube, the Airstream cult, and why TV can't draw any audience for woodworking shows. We also have a formal statement from Blacktail Studio about the river table debate. Bourbon Moth on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Bourbonmoth…

Jon is a graffiti artist and teacher whose videos transcend mere education and touch upon other topics and philosophy in the world of art. In this episode we get into the future of art and how artificial intelligence can create art much quicker and, in many cases, just as good as humans. Will we really need human artists for most art creation, espe…

Help support The WTS: https://www.patreon.com/thewts Kseniya Simonova's art is engaging, challenging, emotional, and inspiring…and she does it all with sand. Real-time stories, performed with sand. I first discovered Kseniya back in 2019 when I saw her perform on America’s Got Talent and was sent directly to the finals when Terry Crews gave her the…

Justin McElroy is a comedian, voice actor and podcaster known for long running podcasts such as Adventure Zone, Sawbones, My Brother, My Brother, and Me, and more. Woodworking has been his life’s work since late May of 2020. In this episode we talk about woodworking, podcasting, comedy, and how I caught a cold. Check out all the McElroy stuff: http…

Support the podcast at: https://www.patreon.com/thewts Cam Anderson from Blacktail Studio is back for the 3.5th time to talk about epoxy, big slabs of wood, and YouTube. Blacktail Studio is still the most popular woodworking channel on YouTube, recently passing 2 million subscribers, a significant number of whom are probably hate-watching. (You kno…

Bonsai is an artform unlike any other in the amount of time, dedication and patience it takes to see results. It’s a form of sculpture that can take years to see how your efforts will take shape. Bonsai trees can be centuries old and require very special care to keep them beautiful and healthy. And that’s where Darren George comes in. Darren descri…

Anne-Marie Faiola has created a soapmaking empire with Bramble Berry, a company she founded in 1999 in a 400 square foot space. Today she is CEO, the company has more than 100 employees With over 60,000 customers, Bramble Berry is THE place to shop online for supplies and kits as well as being a vast educational resource for people getting into the…

With the Halloween season upon us, I’m happy to have Jaime Nakae and Jay Grenier joining me back on the podcast. Their YouTube channel, Wicked Makers, is THE place to go for all your DIY Halloween decorating needs. You can learn how to make spiderwebs, creepy skulls, haunted mirrors, floating ghosts, pirate chests and much more. Suppoprt The WTS! h…

Jared Polin started posting videos on YouTube in 2008 and has been grinding ever since. His channel Fro Knows Photo is a great place to learn photography and keep up with the latest cameras, gear and photography news. In this episode we catch up with Jared's business, YouTube, the craft of photography, what kind of gear to consider, and ways you ca…

Support the podcast by becoming a WTS+ member: https://www.patreon.com/thewts Florian Gadsby is a ceramicist who creates hand thrown stoneware and pottery out of his studio in North London. He’s made thousands of exquisite cups, mugs, bowls, vases, jars and more which he sells on his website at floriangadsby.com. About 5 or 6 years ago he began dil…

Enjoy the podcast? Become a WTS+ member! https://www.patreon.com/thewts What exactly was Andy Warhol trying to say with his Marilyn Monroe series? Why are people emotionally moved, sometimes to tears, by viewing a large, geometric shape of color painted by Mark Rothko? Why does Nighthawks by Edward Hopper feel so cold and lonely? What makes Michael…

Please help support the WTS! https://www.patreon.com/thewts This is one of the most kickass stories you’re going to hear on this podcast. Of all the artists and makers I’ve talked to, none have embodied the DIY spirit of this show more than filmmakers Toby Poser, John Adams, and their two daughters, Zelda and Lulu: The Adams Family. They are the ul…

Please consider supporting The WTS and becoming a WTS+ member. https://www.patreon.com/thewts Grady Hillhouse is a civil engineer and creator of Practical Engineering, a YouTube channel devoted to explaining the man-made infrastructure of the world surrounding us. His videos teach us about how aquifers and dams work, or how water towers supply our …

This week I talked to Sam Raimondi, the DIY Huntress, in her professional capacity as a psychologist to see if she can offer us all some strategies for dealing with the funk we all seem to be in after the past couple years. It’s great to have hobbies to give us an outlet to relieve some of the stress we feel, but with inflation, the cost of materia…

Martina and Hansi are the Norwegian duo behind Nerdforge, a YouTube channel devoted to creating art and building projects often with a fantasy and swords and sorcery focus. In this episode we talked about how they make books, armor, models, dioramas, and much more. And we discussed how Martina lost a finger using a tablesaw. Visit Nerdforge on YouT…