Actual People

A New Vibration - The Optimism and Renewed Passion of Creative Boom Founder Katy Cowan

This is a special one. Katy was Chauncey's first pick for a guest episode when launching her podcast almost a year ago and finally it's here.

In this episode of Actual People, host Chauncey Zalkin sits down with the ever-so-charming Katy Cowan, founder of UK-based Creative Boom, a global platform supporting creatives across industries for the past 15 years. 

The episode is packed with practical advice for creatives navigating the rapidly changing landscape of self promotion - including a kind of simplicity we often overlook. She also talks about the aftermath of an injury and how she came out the other end with a renewed passion and willingness to get comfortable with discomfort in order to grow.

Take a listen!

Written, directed, and executive produced by Chauncey Zalkin. Intro/Outro sound engineered by Eric Aaron. Photography by Alonza Mitchell with Design Consulting by Paper + Screen.

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We want to hear from YOU so if you want to be a guest, have a pithy but kind retort, or for business inquiries, drop me a line.

Actual People, a Podcast
www.chaunceyzalkin.com

Host Chauncey Zalkin recounts a trip to the grocery store with her daughter reminiscing on Obama era ideals realizing, we've largely abandoned them. 

Written, directed, and executive produced by Chauncey Zalkin. Intro/Outro sound engineered by Eric Aaron. Photography by Alonza Mitchell with Design Consulting by Paper + Screen.

Want to go deeper? Follow my Substack and don't forget to pledge subscription. (;

Want to see the episode? Subscribe to the Actual People YouTube Channel.

Follow us on Instagram for the latest updates and behind the scenes.

We want to hear from YOU so if you want to be a guest, have a pithy but kind retort, or for business inquiries, drop me a line.

Actual People, a Podcast
www.chaunceyzalkin.com

A conversation with Harris Poll Chief Strategy Officer, Libby Rodney.

Could the future of AI monetize creativity rather than exploit it? Is there a future version of capitalism where we ditch artificial scarcity and all get a piece of the pie? Did Gen Z change the workplace dynamic forever?  And can businesses finally end their love affair with the short termism they've had since 2022?

In episode 2, host Chauncey Zalkin chats with Harris Poll Chief Strategy Officer, Libby Rodney, to talk about the data, possible scenarios for AI to benefit us all, and why adding sixth grade to middle school was a terrible idea.

Written, directed, and executive produced by Chauncey Zalkin. Intro/Outro sound engineered by Eric Aaron. Photography by Alonza Mitchell with Design Consulting by Paper + Screen.

Want to go deeper? Follow my Substack and don't forget to pledge subscription. (;

Want to see the episode? Subscribe to the Actual People YouTube Channel.

Follow us on Instagram for the latest updates and behind the scenes.

We want to hear from YOU so if you want to be a guest, have a pithy but kind retort, or for business inquiries, drop me a line.

Actual People, a Podcast
www.chaunceyzalkin.com

On A Desire For More: The Summertime Sadness of the Single Mom + The Fire in the Pants That is Kamala's Art of War.

In the season premiere, Chauncey Zalkin reflects on her solo summer trip to New Zealand while her kids were with their father. Navigating the emotions of sudden solitude, she finds herself reacquainting with her pre-motherhood identity amid stunning landscapes and cultural explorations—from the geothermal wonders of Waimangu Volcanic Valley and fjords of Milford Sound to a quiet week of self-discovery in Auckland. Chauncey discusses the unexpected mix of grief, longing, and desire for more—a push for change, new adventures, and deeper connection.

She also shares her take on last night’s debate between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump, celebrating Harris’ undeniable skill and intelligence and reflecting on what it means for women and for our country. This episode combines introspection, adventure, and sharp political commentary, offering a fresh perspective on personal growth and the desire for more from life.

Listen and subscribe to Actual People on your favorite podcast platform and don’t miss next week's interview with Libby Rodney, Chief Strategy Officer of the Harris Poll.

Written, directed, and executive produced by Chauncey Zalkin. Intro/Outro sound engineered by Eric Aaron. Photography by Alonza Mitchell with Design Consulting by Paper + Screen.

Want to go deeper? Follow my Substack and don't forget to pledge subscription. (;

Want to see the episode? Subscribe to the Actual People YouTube Channel.

Follow us on Instagram for the latest updates and behind the scenes.

We want to hear from YOU so if you want to be a guest, have a pithy but kind retort, or for business inquiries, drop me a line.

Actual People, a Podcast
www.chaunceyzalkin.com

💃🏻 Welcome to the mega 'season finale' episode featuring three personal and honest conversations about what menopause, aging, strength, and vitality mean to women facing this new era.
 
Join us as we dive into discussions of the changing mindset and deeper understanding and acceptance of menopause, aging, beauty, and mortality.

We also got jokes.

This hour long episode features the optimism and energy of fashion-exec-turned-writer Christine Morrison, the wisdom and deep knowledge of aging planner, Allison O'Shea, and the wit and honesty of long time close friend and creative powerhouse, Lydia Langford who pulls no punches.

Let's talk menopause! Let's talk fashion! Let's talk spider plants! Click play.

🐾

This  final episode of season one is dedicated to the gift that was Elijah Zalkin who graced our presence in this life for three beautiful months.

May his beautiful sweet soul rest in peace. 

Thank you Elijah.
 
😔

Written, directed, and executive produced by Chauncey Zalkin. Intro/Outro sound engineered by Eric Aaron. Photography by Alonza Mitchell with Design Consulting by Paper + Screen.

Want to go deeper? Follow my Substack and don't forget to pledge subscription. (;

Want to see the episode? Subscribe to the Actual People YouTube Channel.

Follow us on Instagram for the latest updates and behind the scenes.

We want to hear from YOU so if you want to be a guest, have a pithy but kind retort, or for business inquiries, drop me a line.

Actual People, a Podcast
www.chaunceyzalkin.com

Welcome to Episode 16! We are nearing the end of Season 1 of Actual People.  

In this episode, host Chauncey Zalkin  muses on conflict resolution from a cul-de-sac baseball game between 5-10 year olds to two daft elderly men squabbling on national TV about their golf game when we're worried about the future of our country and who will run it. (hint: it will most likely be one of these two...😖) to creative collaboration and its pitfalls.

We get into the micro and macro of the human experience and culture and conclude with the four major stories Chauncey sees as the ones that will inform the next 25 years - from smart cities to a screen-minimized future.

Indulge your inner futurist and creative problem solver, and take a listen!

Written, directed, and executive produced by Chauncey Zalkin. Intro/Outro sound engineered by Eric Aaron. Photography by Alonza Mitchell with Design Consulting by Paper + Screen.

Want to go deeper? Follow my Substack and don't forget to pledge subscription. (;

Want to see the episode? Subscribe to the Actual People YouTube Channel.

Follow us on Instagram for the latest updates and behind the scenes.

We want to hear from YOU so if you want to be a guest, have a pithy but kind retort, or for business inquiries, drop me a line.

Actual People, a Podcast
www.chaunceyzalkin.com

Musing on Loss of Organic Culture & Interview with Kate Tellers of The Storytelling Platform the Moth

Sense making. It's one of the deepest human drives. We desperately want to make sense of our world and our role in it.  Host Chauncey Zalkin delves into this topic in the episode before this (Ep 14) and reads her own story as a writer using allegory to see truth and heal.

We are all makers and consumer of stories  of characters we invest deeply in. Now, in episode 15, she sits down a long time executive of the fascinating storytelling platform, The Moth,  to talk about the power of telling personal stories in order to connect more deeply.  The Moth a unique success story of universal storytelling based on the ancient oral tradition.

Chauncey says, "my first time I heard what turned into Orange is the New Black was on the Moth Radio Hour on a road trip to see a close friend with Cancer". Stories from all walks of life have been writ large through their storytelling platform.

In this episode she muses on the  loss of organic culture  before getting into the interview.

Kate Tellers co-authored the 2022 New York Times best seller, How to Tell a Story. (affiliate link)

Enjoy!

Written, directed, and executive produced by Chauncey Zalkin. Intro/Outro sound engineered by Eric Aaron. Photography by Alonza Mitchell with Design Consulting by Paper + Screen.

Want to go deeper? Follow my Substack and don't forget to pledge subscription. (;

Want to see the episode? Subscribe to the Actual People YouTube Channel.

Follow us on Instagram for the latest updates and behind the scenes.

We want to hear from YOU so if you want to be a guest, have a pithy but kind retort, or for business inquiries, drop me a line.

Actual People, a Podcast
www.chaunceyzalkin.com

Self-Helping Yourself with Allegory  🐾 With excerpt of novel in progress, Claw 🐾

We're pushing lots of buttons. We're clicking and liking and commenting. We're beeping and booping, scrolling and scheduling. We're drinking from a fire hose of advice, opinions and external standards for how we should live our lives. Where's it all getting us?

Welcome to episode 14. This might be the most vulnerable episode yet of Actual People. Today's episode is a monologue that discusses an over reliance on self help patter for facing our personal challenges and considers the value of rich metaphor and letting things lie in order to find clarity.

Host Chauncey Zalkin ends by sharing a draft of her allegorical novel in progress called "Claw" which starts around the 23 minute mark.  Listen if you dare.

Topics:

• Writer's Block and Deep Work
• Efforting and Letting Go
• Advice Bros
• Metaphor
• Self Help as Distraction
• Her favorite self help book ever with her own interpretation of the tool it offers.

Written, directed, and executive produced by Chauncey Zalkin. Intro/Outro sound engineered by Eric Aaron. Photography by Alonza Mitchell with Design Consulting by Paper + Screen.

Want to go deeper? Follow my Substack and don't forget to pledge subscription. (;

Want to see the episode? Subscribe to the Actual People YouTube Channel.

Follow us on Instagram for the latest updates and behind the scenes.

We want to hear from YOU so if you want to be a guest, have a pithy but kind retort, or for business inquiries, drop me a line.

Actual People, a Podcast
www.chaunceyzalkin.com

Get Curious, Get Clear - Writing a Life Brief with Bonnie Wan. Today host Chauncey Zalkin sits down with the author of "The Life Brief ".

Her guest, Bonnie Wan, has been the head of brand strategy at famed agency Goodby, Silverstein and Partners for over 13 years - and she took that talent for zeroing in on making meaning for major brands and parlayed it into writing briefs for people's lives starting with her own. 

Take a listen.

Written, directed, and executive produced by Chauncey Zalkin. Intro/Outro sound engineered by Eric Aaron. Photography by Alonza Mitchell with Design Consulting by Paper + Screen.

Want to go deeper? Follow my Substack and don't forget to pledge subscription. (;

Want to see the episode? Subscribe to the Actual People YouTube Channel.

Follow us on Instagram for the latest updates and behind the scenes.

We want to hear from YOU so if you want to be a guest, have a pithy but kind retort, or for business inquiries, drop me a line.

Actual People, a Podcast
www.chaunceyzalkin.com

In this special Mother's Day edition of "Actual People," host Chauncey Zalkin shares a real-life story of serendipity and chance encounters in the mom era of her life. 

Three weeks ago, a Saturday morning bagel run turns into an unforeseen adventure when our host and her daughter Sky discover Elijah, a scarred, malnourished, and beautiful older pit bull, wandering the streets in the rain. This episode delves into how they react to Elijah, reflecting on the broader themes of care, compassion, and the complexities of motherhood.

This episode contemplates intuition, personal ethics, and decision trees as well as the day-to-day life of a single mother doing the most.

Mentioned in This Episode:
- "White Collar" - a so-so TV show Chauncey watches with her daughters.
- The role of routine and organization in managing a busy household.
- The emotional and practical aspects of adopting and caring for a rescue dog.
-  John Galliano 
-  Dog Poop

Join us next time on "Actual People" where we continue to explore the powerful narratives that shape creative lives.

Written, directed, and executive produced by Chauncey Zalkin. Intro/Outro sound engineered by Eric Aaron. Photography by Alonza Mitchell with Design Consulting by Paper + Screen.

Want to go deeper? Follow my Substack and don't forget to pledge subscription. (;

Want to see the episode? Subscribe to the Actual People YouTube Channel.

Follow us on Instagram for the latest updates and behind the scenes.

We want to hear from YOU so if you want to be a guest, have a pithy but kind retort, or for business inquiries, drop me a line.

Actual People, a Podcast
www.chaunceyzalkin.com