Defining Talent: A Podcast

By Laura Dickinson-Turner

Join host Laura Dickinson-Turner and an ever-expanding lineup of guests for an ongoing series of conversations that stem from the possibly unanswerable question: “how do you define talent?” This podca... more

· Arts

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FAQs about Defining Talent: A Podcast:

How many episodes does Defining Talent: A Podcast have?

The podcast currently has 26 episodes available.

Defining Talent: A Podcast episodes:

May 17, 2024 S1E26 - Defining Talent With Montgomery King
((FANFARE OF TRUMPETS)) Today's guest on Defining Talent is the dynamo of a multi-hyphenate artist, Montgomery King. Montgomery just finished their second year of the MFA in Television, Film, and Theatre/Writing Option program at Cal State LA, and in addition to the scripts and writing projects they've been working on, they also appeared onstage in Something Rotten and Macbeth. Throughout their life, they have always been invested and interested in working in many creative areas and exploring the intersections of narratives as well as the intersections of mediums.
You can learn more about Montgomery and previous episodes/guests at www.definingtalentpod.com
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58min
April 19, 2024 S1E25 - Defining Talent With Olive Lalli
S1E25 - Defining Talent's guest is Olive Lalli, a powerhouse vocalist and actor who is currently finishing her Bachelor's in Theatre Arts/Performance Option at Cal State LA. On today's episode, Olive talks about growing up in a creative family and the benefits of arts access at home and support for pursuing a life in the arts; Laura and Olive dig in to their mutual love of RuPaul's Drag Race and the importance of representation and access; the two of them indulge in fits of laughter and cackling - and in between cackles, the connection between talent, love, and vulnerability is explored.
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1h 11min
March 25, 2024 S1, E24 - Defining Talent With Andrew Lyndon Knighton
Andrew Lyndon Knighton is today's guest: tenured professor of English at Cal State LA (and current Associate Chair of the Department of English), an appreciator of jazz and solitude and public transit and opportunities for reflection, someone who embraces the analog in our increasingly digital world, and a tremendously insightful - and delightfully sardonic - human being.
If nothing else, you have to listen to this entire podcast so that you can get to one of the latter segments of the episode, in which Andrew and Laura discuss "The Melville People."
You can find out more information about Andrew and previous episodes and guests at www.definingtalentpod.com
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1h 2min
March 08, 2024 S1, E23 - Defining Talent With Rocelyn Islas
Is talent just another word for love? The relationship between love and talent gets scrutinized on today's episode, when Laura is joined by one of the humans she loves most, Rocelyn Islas. A lover of love and Snoopy, Rocelyn is the Administrative Support Coordinator for the Department of English at Cal State LA, and she is currently in her first semester of the Master's of Public Administration (MPA) program at Cal State LA. She and Laura became besties when Rocelyn was hired in 2021 as the joint Admin Support Assistant for Theatre and Music, and they've been cackling together ever since. SO thrilled to have Rocelyn on the pod!!
You can learn more about Rocelyn and previous episodes at www.definingtalentpod.com
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59min
February 23, 2024 S1, E22 - Defining Talent With Henry Alexander
On today's episode, guest Henry Alexander discusses the value of adversity and being a lifelong learner, as well as the importance of putting in the work. Henry is currently in his second year of the MFA in Television, Film, and Theatre/Content Creation program at Cal State LA, and he was cast in a major role in the 2022 production of "Keely and Du" that Laura directed. Henry is an incredibly well-rounded artist whose experience surpasses his years, and it was a joy to have him on the podcast.
For more info about Henry and previous episodes, visit the podcast website at www.definingtalentpod.com
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1h 5min
February 09, 2024 S1, E21 - Defining Talent With Cynthia Wang
Dr. Cynthia Wang is an associate professor in the Department of Communication Studies at Cal State LA and one of the most fascinating conversationalists on the podcast to date. Her wide-ranging interests and multi-disciplinary foci thread throughout this episode, enlivening what proves to be an already very lively and engaging discussion. She also may be one of the only people whose pandemic pet/investment was a horse. And getting to hear that story alone is enough of a reason to drop everything and listen to this episode.
You can find out more about Cynthia Wang and previous guests at www.definingtalentpod.com
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1h 4min
January 26, 2024 S1, E20 - Defining Talent With Uziel Colón Ramos
Uziel Colón Ramos is today's guest on Defining Talent. Not only is he a full-time Professor in the Department of Music at Cal State LA, where he directs the Afro-Latin Music program, he is also an incredibly accomplished musician. Uziel is a brilliant, dynamic pianist - seeing him perform live is a sheer joy - as well as a highly-skilled composer and arranger whose work excites and inspires. He infuses all that he does with such love and celebration, and it was an utter joy to have him on the pod. www.uzcmusic.com
You can find out more about Uziel and previous guests at www.definingtalentpod.com
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1h 5min
January 12, 2024 S1, E19 - Defining Talent With Steve Rothman
Steve Rothman is an award-winning director and educator who has directed hundreds of productions at theatres all over the US, as well as Italy and France and other international stages. He is currently writing a book about his life and ongoing work in the arts - a long overdue book, as Steve is a treasure trove brimming with stories that are populated by so many talented people and fascinating projects. You'll get a little taste of some of those stories on today's podcast - enjoy!
You can find out more information about Steve and all of our guests at www.definingtalentpod.com
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1h 4min
December 29, 2023 S1, E18 - Defining Talent With Collin Bressie
Today's episode is the last to be released in 2023! But don't fret – this may be the last new episode of 2023, but it's not the last new episode of the season – we'll be going strong with new Season One guests through the Spring of 2024.
Today's guest is a great person to wrap up 2023 with because being in a room with Collin Bressie is like getting to set off fireworks and pop the bubbly at New Year's. Collin is a multi-hyphenate artist and educator who has a zest for life and learning that he brings to all he does, and he is an avid storyteller who loves to celebrate the storytelling of others in all capacities. He and Laura have known each other for years, and this episode is full of laughter, appreciation, and excitement as they wrestle with defining talent.
For more info about Collin and previous guests/episodes, visit the website at www.definingtalentpod.com
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1h 3min
December 15, 2023 S1, E17 - Defining Talent With Michael Caldwell
On today's episode of "Defining Talent," Laura is joined by Dr. Michael Caldwell, a man who wears many hats, including that of an accomplished musician, passionate educator, higher ed administrator, and marathon runner. For Dr. Caldwell, talent consists of two primary elements - the individual "recipe" of each human being, and the way they develop their passions, pursuits, and the things that bring them joy.
Dr. Caldwell and Laura recorded this episode just a few weeks before he ended his term as Chair of the Department of Music at Cal State LA, and it is being released just a few weeks before he returns to that department as a professor after his Fall 2023 sabbatical. Enjoy the episode!
For more information about Michael Caldwell or previous guests and episodes, visit www.definingtalentpod.com
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1h 9min

FAQs about Defining Talent: A Podcast:

How many episodes does Defining Talent: A Podcast have?

The podcast currently has 26 episodes available.