Actual People

The Anatomy of Collaboration: Insights from a Writer's Room Veteran. Meet Oscar-nominated writer and director,  Rob Pearlstein, known for his work in both advertising and television, MacGyver, Scorpion, Someone Marry Barry, and more. Join Rob and Chauncey as they delve into the dynamics of  collaboration  exploring the intense, intricate world of writers' rooms and creative agencies.

The episode offers a deep dive into how creative professionals navigate the pressures and politics of collaborative environments to produce magic. Whether you're  an artist, a corporate executive, a CIA operative, or a junk bond salesman (okay maybe not that), this episode is for you.

In This Episode, You Will Learn:
1. The Essence of Collaboration: Rob discusses the necessity of collaboration in writers' rooms and compares it to his experiences in advertising. He shares practical tips on how writers and creatives can enhance their collaborative skills.
2. Navigating Difficult Conversations: Rob and Chauncey touch on sensitive topics like racism and sexism in creative spaces.
3. Survival Tips for Creative Fields: From "digging shallow holes" to understanding when to push an idea and when to step back, the conversation offers a roadmap for thriving in competitive creative environments.
4. The Impact of AI on Creativity: The discussion explores how artificial intelligence is influencing creative processes and the potential implications for creative jobs.
5. Rob's Personal Journey: From starting in advertising to breaking into Hollywood, Rob shares his personal and professional journey, including the challenges and breakthroughs that have marked his career.

Why You Should Listen:
- For Creatives : Gain insights into the skills and attitudes that help you succeed in high-pressure creative settings.
- For Aspiring Industry Professionals: Enjoy a behind-the-scenes look at how TV shows and advertising campaigns come together from concept to execution.
- For Fans of Creating Better Processes Everywhere: Get 6 concrete tips for smoother collaboration.

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

Tech Free in NYC? How One Super Successful Digital Marketer and City Mom Gave it All Up And Went For Broke . In the latest episode of "Actual People," host Chauncey Zalkin talks to the author of "Raising Hell and Living Well: Freedom from Influence in a World Where Everyone Wants Something From You, Including Me." 

Their discussion explores the pervasive impact of digital influence, the very real physical and mental toll of digital dementia, and how the next 18 months will play a pivotal role on how we will all move forward as a society. She also adds some prescient advice for parents of teens facing A.I.'s future.

About Jessica:
After helping a cadre of brands gain influence, Jessica Elefante, former digital strategist-turned-author, experienced burnout and a personal epiphany. She quit everything and wrote a book chronicling her personal struggles and providing a roadmap for others seeking to disconnect from technological overreach and reclaim their mental space and creativity.

Episode Highlights:

• Introduction to Jessica’s Background: Learn about Jessica's transition from a successful career in digital marketing to becoming a vocal advocate for living a tech-minimized life.
• The Genesis of "Raising Hell and Living Well": Jessica discusses the pivotal moments that compelled her to write her book and how she navigated the challenges of disconnecting from a digital-first lifestyle.
• Insights from the Book: An exploration of key themes such as the toxicity of digital influence and practical advice on establishing boundaries with technology.
• Her own "Folk Rebellion": Jessica shares her experiences founding and running Folk Rebellion, a media brand focused on promoting healthier digital habits through off-the-grid retreats and community engagements and how she realized that was not the whole picture either.
• Evolution of Her Views on Technology: How Jessica’s perspective on technology has shifted over the years, from advocating balanced tech use to recognizing the foundational problems inherent in digital platforms.
• Personal Anecdotes and Turning Points: Jessica recounts personal stories that highlight the severe impacts of digital overload on her health and well-being, leading to significant life changes.
• Advice for Creatives: Tips for creatives on navigating the pressures of the digital economy while staying true to one’s values and creative vision.
• Discussion on the Future of Creativity and Technology: A forward-looking conversation on potential paths for the creative industries in an increasingly digital world and the role of individual choices in shaping a healthier interaction with technology.

For More:

1. Check out her book: Raising Hell and Living Well 
2. Subscribe to Jessica's Substack: Modern B.S.
3. And Subscribe to My

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 this week's episode of Actual People, hosted by Chauncey Zalkin. Today, we delve into the intricate world of relationships, trauma, and the journey towards healing and self-love with relationship and trauma therapist Jasmonae Joyriel PsyD LP, brings her expertise in navigating the aftermath of toxic relationships and sheds light on the path to healthier connections.

In This Episode:

• Introduction to Healing: Chauncey opens up about personal experiences and choices in love.
• Expert Insights: Jasmonae Joyriel, a therapist specializing in relationship trauma, joins us to explore the underlying causes of why individuals find themselves in harmful relationships.
• Societal Reflections: We discuss how societal norms and gender roles contribute to the cycle of relationship trauma.
• Breaking Cycles: Insights into how individuals can recognize toxic patterns and take steps towards healthier relationships.
• Self-Love and Recovery: The importance of nurturing self-love and establishing boundaries as foundational steps in healing.
• Q&A with Jasmonae: An enlightening conversation on the dynamics of "bad boys," the allure, and the path to empowering oneself to seek better.
• Conclusion: Chauncey wraps up with key takeaways and reflections on moving forward with hope and resilience.

Resources Mentioned:

• "Why Does He Do That? Inside the Lives of Angry and Controlling Men" by Lundy Bancroft is a book I highly recommend and I mention inside the episode. It really sheds light on empirical evidence about abusers motivation to abuse as well as shattering stereotypes of who abusers are by breaking down the 'types' of abusers.
• Jasmonae Joyriel is a licensed psychologist in private practice in Austin, Texas who rose up from her own wounds and experience with abuse to help others heal and thrive. She  holds retreats for women on intimacy and healing in relationships. We met and bonded in the women's network Hey Mama. This is her website: https://igniteanew.com/

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

Blue Ridge Mountain Edition - On Perfection, Grief and Hindsight Being 20/20 - An Essay That Looks Back on My Father.

Today's episode started out as a reading of an essay I wrote about my father's death of Prostate Cancer in 2019 with a title inspired by the Tame Impala song, "Let It Happen" which I heard performed live in Atlanta two days before he died knowing his death was about to happen after a lifetime of fearing it. Never has a song or a moment had more significance. 

I was taking it easy with this episode because I'm on Spring Break days before my 51st birthday vacationing in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains with my daughters in a cabin in the woods and I want to just 'be' - but a lot came up in creating the intro - about perfection, about grief, and about acceptance - and it ended up taking, as usual, a lot more time to record than expected.

This episode talks about the choices we make in times of heightened emotion, the big moments of our lives, and how we reconcile them later. Mistakes as perfection.

It also follows a rewatching of all 6 seasons of the show Parenthood which I watched before I got pregnant the first time around. About a decade or so later, I'd forgotten so much of it. I had a lot more criticism of the characters choices but loved them every bit as much as I did the first time. The show also acted as a catharsis for a lot of unspent grief about my dear old dad and my experience learning I was BRCA2 positive.

Hope you'll take a listen on your ride to wherever you're going - and make sure to give a nod to the mountains, ocean, desert or whatever beautiful, perfect physical landscape you may be seeing as you go...

PLEASE leave a review and share!

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

Future Features: A Deep Dive into K Beauty and Beyond - Interview with Flawless Author Elise Hu

Join us on our voyage to the uncanny valley and back as we discuss the trajectory of beauty’s “cyborgian” future with TED Talks host and author of “Flawless, Lessons in Looks and Culture from the K-Beauty Capital,” Elise Hu.

In this captivating episode of Actual People, Chauncey sits down with Elise to explore the intricate world of beauty standards, technological influences, and the search for authenticity in our increasingly digital age while still having fun with beauty.

The episode dives deep into the themes of Elise's book, "Flawless," and unravels the complexities of beauty culture, the impact of technology on our perceptions, and the importance of self-acceptance and critical thinking in navigating these spaces.

 🎉 H i g h l i g h t s 🎉

👁️ The Tech Gaze 👁️ : Elise discusses how modern beauty ideals are increasingly shaped by technology, from artificial enhancements to AI-generated beauty standards. She prompts us to consider the consequences of a world where aesthetic enhancement technologies mature to the point of realizing our "perfect visions."

💅🏽The Duality of Beauty Culture💅🏽:
Elise shares her personal experiences and reflections on the dual nature of beauty treatments and makeup - the joy and bonding it brings versus the underlying desires to "fix" ourselves physically. This duality sparks a broader conversation on self-betterment and the societal implications of beauty standards.

🤔Navigating Standards as Parents🤔: Both Chauncey and Elise share insights into parenting in an era dominated by digital influences and shifting beauty norms. They discuss strategies for fostering body positivity, critical thinking, and self-esteem in children, highlighting the importance of open dialogue and leading by example.

🔮Looking Towards the Future🔮: The conversation touches on the evolving definitions of beauty, inclusivity in the beauty industry, and the potential future landscapes of beauty and self-expression.

---
This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in the intersections of beauty, technology, culture, and self-identity or anyone navigating aging, raising kids, or, well, being human with ever evolving ideas of what that means. Elise Hu's insightful commentary, combined with Chauncey Zalkin’s thoughtful probing, makes for a deeply engaging discussion that leaves listeners with much to ponder about the future of beauty standards and the value of authentic self-expression.

Recommended Reading:📕
- “Flawless: Lessons in Looks and Culture from the K-Beauty Capital" by Elise Hu.
- Elise’s substack: 

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

Beauty is a short lived tyranny. 
- Socrates

"I put the silver stiletto in the trash. The blade started to churn and I heard the snap of wood and strain of leather rending within its metal jaws..." Beauty is sublime, rejuvenating, restorative! but impossible beauty standards can have quite an opposite and deleterious impact. 
 
 How do we foster self love and create the kind of beauty we can enjoy throughout our entire lives?
 
 Episode 6 of Actual People invites listeners to reflect on their own relationships with beauty including shifting and contradictory societal expectations and the celebratory aspects of personal expression through makeup and color. 
 
 Chauncey mixes stories of growing up in flashy 80s Miami and coming into her own as an adult coming to terms with varying expectations and finding a path to self-acceptance and celebration.
 
 Stay tuned for our next episode with Elise Hu, where we'll explore the beauty industry and the concept of lookism through the lens of K Beauty in her book, "Flawless."

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 enlightening episode of "Actual People," host Chauncey Zalkin sits down with  former architect and designer turned generative AI educator, Lori Mazor. As of the date of this episode, Lori has guided over 3000 business leaders through the maze of generative AI. 

With a newsletter called "Humans of AI" and an upcoming book called "Temperature: Creativity in the age of A.I.," Lori is at the forefront of integrating AI into creative and operational processes and she does so with wonder, wit, and intellect. 

Listen as she shows us in tangible terms how AI can be a friend, not foe, that allows us to evolve and expand in the face of an uncertain future. She gives a great perspective as well as practical tools for actual people.

This episode provides a unique perspective on the role of AI in enhancing creative processes and operational efficiency, offering valuable lessons for listeners at the intersection of technology and creativity.

Resources:

Lori Mazor’s Newsletter is Humans of AI
Upcoming Book (3/24) is Temperature: Creativity in the Age of AI

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

From Lost In Love to Boy Bye -  How Changing Lyrics Reflect Our Changing Attitudes Toward Love.

We used to have ballads. Epic sweeping syrupy sweet songs of undying devotion. Then love grew up - or grew jaded, depending on how you look at it. One thing's for certain, the love song as we knew it is long dead and not coming back.

In this  episode, I take it back to the wind machine fueled hair bands and their power ballads, the gushing 90s R&B  boys on bended knee, and the comeuppance from women getting wise to their own power and expressing it with new attitudes toward love.

The episode even comes with a playlist.  I hope you have fun listening.

Playlist

Bye Bye Ballads - Companion Playlist 

Further Reading:

https://www.pewresearch.org/social-trends/2020/05/27/as-millennials-near-40-theyre-approaching-family-life-differently-than-previous-generations/#:~:text=A%20majority%20of%20Millennials%20are,Silents%20at%20a%20comparable%20age.

https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2017/03/09/led-by-baby-boomers-divorce-rates-climb-for-americas-50-population/#:~:text=In%202015%2C%20for%20every%201%2C000,1%2C000%20married%20persons%20in%202015.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2023/09/21/postgrad-relationship-hierarchy-friendships-romance/

https://www.sparksandhoney.com/gen-z-complexities-relationships#:~:text=Gen%20Z%20is%20eschewing%20old,with%20friends%2C%20romantic%20or%20not.

https://www.pewresearch.org/politics/2019/07/22/the-state-of-personal-trust/

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

What's Next for Us?- Media and Publishing - The Anna Holmes Interview

From Jezebel shuttering and resurrecting last year to the 20,000+ layoffs in media, 2023 was a scary year for people working in creative fields, and then 2024 came along...
 
In this 3rd episode of Actual People, we bring you our first interview which is with Anna Holmes, the creator of online feminist publication Jezebel. I approached  Anna with the desire to explore the question of ‘what’s next’ for creatives in turbulent times from her purview as a writer and editor and yes, we did get to it – but first took it back to the writers group we were both in as wide-eyed New York newbies before journeying to the present day.  Anna brought her wealth of experience in media and a refreshing vulnerability as she reflected on the state of writing and publishing in an era marked by massive economic uncertainties. 

We look at the past and examine the future, both as individuals in the creative industry and as a society grappling with AI, the decline of legacy media, and our inner (and outer) critics. 

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 the second episode of "Actual People,"  I dive into how fear and darkness are useful tools for conjuring the spirits of hope and creativity and how despair is the real monster under the bed.

I touch upon the occult, post industrial Manchester, true crime, my 80s Miami childhood (again) and how the artist Jelly Roll, who just gave a rousing speech to Congress, might just might be the the most relevant messenger for our time.

Warning: Midway through the episode, I address some heavy stuff about drug addiction that may not be appropriate for all listeners.

Here are links to references and statistics from the episode.

• #witchtok hashtag 
• witchcraft industry size
• Lois Duncan, YA author
• The Vengeance trilogy 
• Jelly Roll speech to Congress
• Jelly Roll on Spotify
• FEND Off Fentanyl Act
• What are we so afraid of?, NYT and Chapman Survey of American Fears

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