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Art Unknown Podcast
Art Unknown Podcast episodes
- Ep100 Jim Wills – part 4“Art is humanity." - Jim WillsAfter one hundred conversations with artists from around the world, it's time to turn the microphone around...again.In this final episode of the Art Unknown Podcast, my wife Janrace Prudent interviews me about the journey from a small arts magazine to one hundred episodes, the lessons I've learned from musicians, painters, photographers, filmmakers, writers and creators of every kind, and why I still believe art is one of the most powerful forces for human connection. We talk about creativity, curiosity, perseverance, happiness, and why this isn't really an ending at all. It's the beginning of a new chapter.To every artist who trusted me with your story, and to every listener who came along for the ride, thank you.As always, feed your soul with art.images: ©jimwillshappiness hacks websitejim wills websiteSubscribe: iTunes | Android | Spotify | Email | RSSMORE ART UNKNOWN PODCASTS1 hr 6 min
- Ep99 Leah Renee“Art can both be a place where we retreat in solitary to know ourselves, but it can also be the way that we connect with each other." - Leah ReneeWhen the Shelf BreaksFor years, Leah Renee lived according to a script she believed had already been written for her. Then everything changed. What followed wasn't just leaving a faith; it was rediscovering her own voice through stand up comedy, storytelling, and the courage to question long held beliefs.In this conversation, Leah reflects on identity, reinvention, and why humor can become a bridge between difficult experiences and genuine connection. We explore the stories we inherit, the ones we choose to rewrite, and how laughter sometimes reveals truths that are too difficult to say any other way.images: ©leah reneeleah renee websiteleah renee instagramSubscribe: iTunes | Android | Spotify | Email | RSSMORE ART UNKNOWN PODCASTS2 hr
- Ep98 Matt Evans“I believe that's all we are here to do, is just to connect and love each other. Art does that in a way that other work doesn't.” - Matt EvansThe Art of ReinventionMost people spend a lifetime becoming known for one thing. Dr. Matt Evans somehow became an equine veterinarian, a landscape painter, a stand-up comedian, and now the author of a memoir. In this episode we talk about the unexpected path that led him there, why creativity often begins with curiosity, and how saying "yes" to something outside your comfort zone can completely reshape your life.Matt also shares what veterinary medicine has taught him about storytelling, why bombing on stage is part of becoming a comedian, and how humor can help us navigate even the most demanding careers. It's a funny, thoughtful conversation about finding inspiration in unlikely places and embracing the winding road that makes each of us unique.images: ©matt evansmatt evans websitematt evans instagramaustin equine hospitalSubscribe: iTunes | Android | Spotify | Email | RSSMORE ART UNKNOWN PODCASTS1 hr 23 min
- Ep97 Jennifer Sklias-Gahan“I think as artists, we help people connect with themselves and feel their feelings.”- Jennifer Sklias-GahanFinding Creativity in the DarknessActor, filmmaker, and author Jennifer Sklias-Gahan joins the AU Podcast for a thoughtful conversation about creativity, resilience, and the winding path that leads us back to the work we're meant to do. From growing up in Queens as the daughter of a Greek immigrant to finding her voice as a writer, actor, and storyteller, Jennifer shared how journaling, reading, meditation, and even a little piano each morning help fuel a creative life that has been decades in the making. from her growing career in film to her debut novel, The House in the Middle of the Street.We also explore the role of darkness in art, why stories can help us better understand ourselves, the balance between family and creative ambition, and her belief that art remains one of the most important ways we connect to our humanity. During our discussion, we touch on her husband's work in Depeche Mode, vinyl records, theater, AI, and why the imperfections of human creativity may be exactly what make it so valuable.images: ©jennifer sklias-gahanjennifer sklias-gahan websitethe house in the middle of the street websiteSubscribe: iTunes | Android | Spotify | Email | RSSMORE ART UNKNOWN PODCASTS57 min
- Ep96 Jodi Krangle“I think that art is the human experience. It's how we express ourselves.” - Jodi KrangleThe Sound of Being HumanWhat does it take to build a career using nothing but your voice? In this episode, we sit down with voice actor Jodi Krangle to explore the craft behind the commercials, brands, and stories you hear every day. From her early days in music and internet marketing to becoming one of the most recognizable voices in advertising, Jodi shares how performance, emotion, and authenticity come together behind the microphone.Along the way, we chat about the power of sound, the personality of brands, the realities of freelancing, and the growing impact of AI on creative work. Thoughtful, funny, and refreshingly grounded, Jodi offers a fascinating look into a profession most of us hear constantly but rarely think about. Her parting advice says it all: in a world increasingly shaped by technology, lean into being human.images: ©jodi kranglejodi krangle websitejodi Krangle youtubeSubscribe: iTunes | Android | Spotify | Email | RSSMORE ART UNKNOWN PODCASTS1 hr 26 min
- Ep95 Kenneith Perrin“Whatever it is that you want to do in life, don't give up on it.” - Kenneith PerrinSinging Songs for the SoulSinger/songwriter Kenneith Perrin joins the podcast for a conversation about music, spirituality, performance, and the healing power of art. From singing in church as a nervous seven-year-old to performing across the country with a message rooted in hope and encouragement, Kenneith shares how music became both his calling and his way of connecting with people.He talks about growing up in a musical family and balancing creativity with real-world responsibilities. Kenneith shares stories of life on the road, the realities of being an independent artist, and why uplifting people matters more to him than fame. Along the way, there are stage mishaps, touring disasters, vocal lessons, inspirational music, and the joyful moments that remind artists why they keep showing up night after night.images: ©kenneith perrinkenneith perrin websitekenneith perrin spotifySubscribe: iTunes | Android | Spotify | Email | RSSMORE ART UNKNOWN PODCASTS57 min
- Ep94 Joan Barbero“If you will look I'm sure you'll find something that makes you feel something,and this is art.” - Joan BarberoTruth, Power, and the Stories We Dare to TellA Catalan screenwriter steps out from behind the script and into the pages of his own story; and what unfolds is a conversation about truth, power, and the messy humanity inside every character he creates. From crafting hit Spanish TV series to building a 13th-century world filled with strong women, hidden histories, and moral complexity, Joan Barbero reveals why the best stories aren’t about heroes or villains; they’re about the uncomfortable space in between.In this episode we dig into his unexpected path from biology to screenwriting, the reality of being an “artisan” in a collaborative industry, and what finally pushed him to write his first novel. Along the way, we explore the tension between historical truth and creative freedom, the discipline of rewriting, and why stepping fully into the mind of a character; even the darkest ones; is where real storytelling begins.images: ©joan barberojoan barbero instagramel monasterio... on amazonSubscribe: iTunes | Android | Spotify | Email | RSSMORE ART UNKNOWN PODCASTS1 hr 6 min
- Ep93 Cliff Beach“You curate life like anything else. If you want that kind of life and you make it happen, then it will happen.” - Cliff BeachThe funk, the hustle, and the grindMusician, author, and creative entrepreneur Cliff Beach joins Jim Wills for a lively conversation on persistence, reinvention, and building a life around passion. Cliff shares his journey from studying at Berklee, auditioning for American Idol, performing on cruise ships, and eventually creating his own lane as an independent artist with more than a dozen albums to his name.They dive into the realities of the music business, why talent alone is never enough, and how entrepreneurship gave Cliff the freedom to fund his own art on his own terms. The conversation also explores creativity, discipline, health, side hustles, AI in music, and why art still matters in a distracted world. Funny, honest, and full of wisdom, this episode is a masterclass in staying true to yourself while evolving with the times.images: ©cliff beachcliff beach instagramcliff beach on spotifySubscribe: iTunes | Android | Spotify | Email | RSSMORE ART UNKNOWN PODCASTS1 hr 2 min
- Ep92 Kneet“Art is a form of self-expression. Caring about art is caring about how you feel, how other people feel, and how they express themselves.” - KneetThrough Music and Love, she will RiseThis episode of Art Unknown starts as a creative conversation and quickly turns into something deeper; part origin story, part survival story, part “how did we get here?”I sit down with Kneet, a Thai Sikh artist in New York who walked away from cultural expectations and built her own lane. What follows is a journey through identity confusion, strict family dynamics, and finding her voice through music when she wasn’t supposed to have one .Then it takes a turn.The conversation opens into a raw look at domestic and psychological abuse; the kind that leaves no bruises but cuts deeper, and often goes unseen or unrecognized .From that, her song “Rise" emerges; not just music, but a way to reclaim identity, voice, and power.Along the way, you’ll hear reflections on spirituality, family pressure, and what it really takes to become yourself when everything around you says don’t.What you’ll take away:Why restriction often fuels creativityWhat psychological abuse actually looks likeThe importance of support systemsHow art becomes a tool for survivalIt’s honest, heavy at times, and ultimately empowering.You might come for the music; you’ll leave with a whole new definition of strength.images: ©kneetkneet spotifykneet on instagramSubscribe: iTunes | Android | Spotify | Email | RSSMORE ART UNKNOWN PODCASTS1 hr 2 min
- Ep91 Lora Arbrador“I think we need something that's elevating or beyond us,otherwise life is just too drab I think.” - Lora ArbradorThe Courage to Paint What Matters...with EggsThe Art Unknown Podcast sits down with Lora Arbrador; an artist whose life feels like it was dropped straight into the middle of history and told to figure itself out. From the chaos of 1960s Berkeley and living out of a van, to working as a nurse on the frontlines of the AIDS epidemic, Lora’s story is anything but ordinary.We dive deep into her devotion to egg tempera; an ancient, painstaking technique that demands patience, precision, and a willingness to surrender to time. But this conversation goes far beyond process. Lora opens up about creating deeply personal and often provocative work; paintings that explore death, intimacy, the human body, and the moments most people shy away from.This is a conversation about living your art, not just making it. About embracing imperfection, letting go of timelines, and trusting the slow burn of a creative life. It’s raw, reflective, and a powerful reminder that art doesn’t come from comfort; it comes from experience.images: ©lora arbradorlora arbrador websitelora arbrador instagramSubscribe: iTunes | Android | Spotify | Email | RSSMORE ART UNKNOWN PODCASTS1 hr 3 min
About Art Unknown Podcast
From the publisher's feed
Welcome to the Art Unknown Podcast: Feed Your Soul With Art Step into a world where the strokes of a brush tell stories untold, and the whispers of creativity echo through time. The Art Unknown…
Podcast is your gateway to the hidden realms of artistry, where each episode unravels the mysteries behind the masterpieces and the minds that create them. Hosted by the insightful Jim Wills, this podcast is a journey through the vibrant tapestry of art, exploring the depths of human expression and the transformative power of creativity. From intimate conversations with renowned artists to explorations of the unconventional paths that lead to artistic brilliance, the Art Unknown Podcast invites you to see the world through a lens of wonder and inspiration. Join us as we delve into the unknown, where every episode is a canvas painted with the colors of curiosity and passion.