Philly Phone Book: a Podcast Artchive

By Gideon Caro McDonald

Philly Phone Book: a Podcast Artchive is an ever growing collection of Philadelphia’s local artists and creatives, highlighting the city’s thriving community. Hosted by Gideon Caro McDonald, he sit

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FAQs about Philly Phone Book: a Podcast Artchive:

How many episodes does Philly Phone Book: a Podcast Artchive have?

The podcast currently has 20 episodes available.

Philly Phone Book: a Podcast Artchive episodes:

November 06, 2025Episode 19: Tyler Rocio Ecoña
Our guest this week is Tyler Rocio Ecoña! (they/she)

She is a playwright, dramaturg and actor originally from Woodbridge, Virginia, now based in Philly!

A graduate of The University of the Arts, Tyler works to steward relationships within the Philly theater by creating and uplifting projects focused on collaboration. Making the effort to highlight the Latine, trans, and disabled artists that don't often see themselves represented in theater, Tyler hopes to push boundaries not only socially, but magically. In this episode, we talk about admitting that some people know more than you, the effort it takes to find community, and her newest piece "The Machu Picchu Play."

You can find/contact Tyler everywhere cited below!
Instagram - @tyleriito
New Play Exchange - Tyler Rocio Ecoña
Make sure to follow Tyler's career/upcoming projects by joining our weekly Newsletter! Sign up TODAY!
OR check out our Guest Contact Sheet, which is updated whenever our previous guests have new art to share! Check it Out!

Credits
Host - Gideon Caro McDonald
Guest - Tyler Rocio Ecoña
Editor - Fern Morehouse
Cover Art/Graphic Design - Ella Carter
Theme Song - Valerie Barry
...more
1h 36min
October 18, 2025Episode 18: Rekha Shankar
Our guest this week is Rekha Shankar (she/her)

She is a comedian, writer, actor and filmmaker originally from Philadelphia, now based in Los Angeles, California!

Knowing that she wanted to make people laugh, Rekha forged a path into comedy and film-making while attending NYU. This persistence led her to discover improv, move to LA, and get into all kinds of career defining rooms, including College Humor/Dropout, Animaniacs, Aunty Donna's House of Fun, and NBC's Grand Crew. Throughout her career, she has worked tirelessly to develop her unique voice and perspective, and ultimately hopes to achieve her goal of "being a professional idiot". In this episode, we talk about writing for live improv vs scripted comedy film, integrating your identity and culture into your art, and the Philadelphia community's warmth and hospitality towards those it claims as its own.

You can find/contact Rekha everywhere cited below!
Instagram - @rekha_s
Newsletter - buttondown.com/RekhaShankar
Patreon - rekha|shankar
Website - rekhashankar.com
Rekha has just begun shooting her new film, Vidhya's Guide to the Afterlife! This deeply personal, sci-fi buddy comedy following the only two left behind behind the Hindu rapture was written by Rekha and will be directed by fellow DesiQuest cast member Sandeep Parikh! In order to stay in the loop about the film's updates, make sure to follow Rekha everywhere cited above, as well as check out rekhamovie.com!

Make sure to follow Rekha's career/upcoming projects by joining our weekly Newsletter! Sign up TODAY!
OR check out our Guest Contact Sheet, which is updated whenever our previous guests have new art to share! Check it Out!

Credits
Host - Gideon Caro McDonald
Guest - Rekha Shankar
Editor - Fern Morehouse
Cover Art/Graphic Design - Ella Carter
Theme Song - Valerie Barry
...more
1h 14min
October 07, 2025Episode 17: Michael Jahlil
Our guest this week is Michael Jahlil (he/they)

They are an actor, singer and writer originally from Chester, PA, now based in Philadelphia!

Following in the footsteps of acting giants and a Juilliard college commercial, Michael knew that he needed to pursue the arts in one way or another, and to do that he needed to go achieve a Masters degree. This spark led him on a rollercoaster-esque career, including American Idol, national tours, and multiple collegiate auditions. Until eventually, Michael took a break and started over, shaping his acting career through training at the Community College of Philadelphia, University of the Arts, Temple University, and cabaret clubs here in Philly. Now, with a seasoned career in this city, Michael still works to achieve his lifelong goal of providing arts education to low income communities and children in need of performance and expression. In this episode we talk about the highs and lows of the theater industry, finding confidence in your art, and the magic of Sister Act 2.

You can find/contact Michael everywhere cited below!
Instagram - @michael.jahlil.deux
Email - [email protected]
Make sure to follow Michael's career/upcoming projects by Joining our weekly Newsletter! Sign up TODAY!
OR Check out our Guest Contact Sheet, which is updated whenever our previous guests have new art to share! Check it Out!

Credits
Host - Gideon Caro McDonald
Guest - Michael Jahlil
Editor - Fern Morehouse
Cover Art/Graphic Designer - Ella Carter
Theme Song - Valerie Barry
...more
2h 45min
September 20, 2025Episode 16: August Hakvaag
Our guest this week is August Hakvaag (they/them)

They are a butch theatre artist, primarily a playwright and actor, from Manhattan, NY and currently based in Philadelphia!

Having grown up in a small yet supportive suburban town in PA, August felt it obvious to pursue the arts and leave home. They soon graduated from Temple University with a BA in Theatre, and August has been an active member of our community ever since. They joined the PlayPenn Foundry program as an upcoming playwright, became an advocate for health safety in their work since the pandemic, was part of the original cast of the Twenty Sided Tavern, and continued their studies at Temple for a Graduate Certificate in Gender, Sexuality, and Women's Studies. Alongside all of this, August continues to work as an actor as well in both local theater work and TTRPG podcasts! In this episode we talk about knowing when to take a break, the magic of tabletop storytelling, and the two plays they have in this year's Fringe festival!

You can find/contact August everywhere cited below!
Website - augusthakvaag.com
Instagram - @a.hakvaag
Email - [email protected]
Make sure to follow August's career/upcoming projects by Joining our weekly Newsletter! Sign up TODAY!
OR Check out our Guest Contact Sheet, which is updated whenever our previous guests have new art to share! Check it Out!

Credits
Host - Gideon Caro McDonald
Guest - August Hakvaag
Editor - Fern Morehouse
Cover Art/Graphic Designer - Ella Carter
Theme Song - Valerie Barry
...more
2h 10min
September 09, 2025Episode 15: John Faye
Our guest this week is John Faye! (he/him)

He is a career musician, originally from Newark, Delaware, that has been performing and teaching in the Philly music scene for the last 30 years.

Having some time as a signed musician in the late 90s with his band The Caulfields, John was given the chance to tour the country and beyond. A few years later, he broke away from the label and furthered his musical expression in Philly with groups such as John Faye Power Trip, IKE, John and Brittany, and eventually his own solo career. Now with 16 studio releases under his belt, John continues to push himself as a songwriter and performer, as well as uplifting the underground scene and smaller musicians. In this episode we talk about his time as an educator at both Bluebond Guitars & Music School and Drexel University, advice about today's music industry, and his bestselling memoir The Yin and The Yang of It All.

You can find/contact John everywhere cited below!
Website - johnfaye.com
Email - [email protected]
Instagram - @johnkimfaye
FaceBook - @jfaye
Patreon - johnkimfaye
Make sure to follow John's career/upcoming projects by Joining our weekly Newsletter! Sign up TODAY!
OR Check out our Guest Contact Sheet, which is updated whenever our previous guests have new art to share! Check it Out!

Credits
Host - Gideon Caro McDonald
Guest - John Faye
Editor - Fern Morehouse
Cover Art/Graphic Designer - Ella Carter
Theme Song - Valerie Barry
...more
2h 28min
August 24, 2025Episode 14: McKayla / MK Prophett
Our guest this week is McKayla / MK Prophett! (they/she)

They are a theater director, actor and teaching artist originally from Brunswick, Maine, now based in Philly!

Having started performing alongside their mother and brother at a young age, MK knew early on they wanted a life in theater. Though the path of a performer didn't shine quite as bright as a future in directing, leading them to pursue the Directing, Play-writing and Production BFA at University of the Arts. Driven by a desire to tell new, queer, and bold stories, MK now works as a director in Philly in hopes to be a siphon for creation and collaboration. In this episode we talk about the need for art influenced by the state of the world, the relationship between a director and their team, and the brilliance of Spongebob Squarepants.

You can find/contact MK everywhere cited below!
Instagram - @mk.prophett
Email - [email protected]
YouTube - @mckaylaprophett2338
Website - Coming Soon!
Make sure to follow MK's career/upcoming projects by Joining our weekly Newsletter! Sign up TODAY!
OR Check out our Guest Contact Sheet, which is updated whenever our previous guests have new art to share! Check it Out!

Credits
Host - Gideon Caro McDonald
Guest - MK Prophett
Editor - Fern Morehouse
Cover Art/Graphic Designer - Ella Carter
Theme Song - Valerie Barry
...more
1h 34min
August 10, 2025Episode 13: Nate Miles-McLean
Our guest this week is Nate Miles-McLean! (he/they)

He is an actor, dancer and avid stage combatant originally from Washington D.C., now based in Philly!

Growing up with a rigorous approach to the performing arts, Nate had an opportunity to slow down & play while studying acting at the University of the Arts. Now guided by those principles, Nate is committed to the work of an actor here in Philadelphia, focusing on expressing themself physically through bold movement pieces, works that are text and combat heavy, and the occasional musical! In this episode we talk about recognizing personal growth, the joy in the rehearsal, and seeing yourself in WALL-E.

You can find/contact Nate everywhere cited below!
Instagram - @milesmclean
Email - [email protected]
Make sure to follow Nate's career/upcoming projects by Joining our weekly Newsletter! Sign up TODAY!
OR Check out our Guest Contact Sheet, which is updated whenever our previous guests have new art to share! Check it Out!

Credits
Host - Gideon Caro McDonald
Guest - Nate Miles-McLean
Editor - Fern Morehouse
Cover Art/Graphic Designer - Ella Carter
Theme Song - Valerie Barry
...more
1h 46min
August 02, 2025Episode 12: Zoe Hollander
Our guest this week is Zoe Hollander! (she/her)

She is an actor, educator and improviser originally from Minneapolis, Minnesota, now based in Philly!

Being shaped at an early age by children's theater both on and off stage, Zoe was set on a path to pursue a career in acting and telling stories. After her time studying at UArts & Temple University, she now finds herself on the ground floor for brand new musicals and founding an improv comedy troupe! In this episode we talk about being educators shaped by our own educators, a love for text driven work, and the leap of faith she took moving to the East Coast.

You can find/contact Zoe everywhere cited below!
Website - zoehollander.com
Instagram - @zoe_hollander
YouTube - @ZoeHollander
Make sure to follow Zoe's career/upcoming projects by Joining our weekly Newsletter! Sign up TODAY!
OR Check out our Guest Contact Sheet, which is updated whenever our previous guests have new art to share! Check it Out!

Credits
Host - Gideon Caro McDonald
Guest - Zoe Hollander
Editor - Fern Morehouse
Cover Art/Graphic Designer - Ella Carter
Theme Music - Valerie Barry
...more
1h 22min
July 12, 2025Episode 11: Alx Leyton
Our guest this week is Alx Leyton! (they/them)

They are a multimedia illustrator originally from Delaware, now based in Philadelphia!

Growing up steeped in all forms of art thanks to their beloved grandmother, Alx settled on illustration as their career, pursuing a degree at University of the Arts. Graduating from Moore College of Art & Design after the UArts closure, Alx continues to explore multimedia expression, specializing in 3D modeling, working to create things that are cute, colorful and spark joy in those around them! In this episode we talk about being inspired by music, the importance of unicorns, and Alx's plans for future merchandise!

You can find/contact Alx everywhere cited below!
Email - [email protected]
Website/Portfolio - alxleyton.com
Instagram - @alxgl22 (Art) + @shyveg (Personal)
Make sure to follow Alx's career/upcoming projects by Joining our weekly Newsletter! Sign up TODAY!
OR Check out our Guest Contact Sheet, which is updated whenever our previous guests have new art to share! Check it Out!

Credits
Host - Gideon Caro McDonald
Guest - Alx Leyton
Editor - Fern Morehouse
Cover Art/Graphic Designer - Ella Carter
Theme Music - Valerie Barry
...more
58min
May 24, 2025Episode 10: Kat Caro
Our guest this week is Kat Caro! (she/her)

She is a production designer & multimedia artist who's been part of the Philadelphia art community for over 20 years! She's also my mother! :)

Having a passion for visual arts and the works of Jim Henson from a young age, Kat got her start with early online doll communities, taking commission work. She later offered her skills to Philly Performing Arts Center for Kids (PACK), designing giant puppets for the stage. Kat soon became the production designer and educator for PACK, along with sister theater company Humble Materials. In this episode we talk about the constant need to try new mediums, the importance of design classes in children's theater, and capturing moments in time with dolls and miniatures.
Kat recently released a film, titled Made of Paper. This gothic, somber fairy-tale was designed by Kat and written/directed by Monica Flory, using recycled materials to create striking puppets that tell this love story. It was funded through Kickstarter, and after release an official selection of the Philadelphia Independent Film Festival! It's available for FREE on Vimeo - Watch the Film!

Kat is also eager to start commission work again, particularly with custom puppets! If you're at all interested in working with her, you can find/contact Kat everywhere cited below!
Email - [email protected]
Instagram - @kittytoes
Website - melancholykitties.com
Doll/Art Instagram - @melancholykitties
TikTok - @kittykattoes
Make sure to follow Kat's career/upcoming projects by Joining our weekly Newsletter! Sign up TODAY!
OR Check out our Guest Contact Sheet, which is updated whenever our previous guests have new art to share! Check it Out!

Credits
Host - Gideon Caro McDonald
Guest - Kat Caro
Editor - Fern Morehouse
Cover Art/Graphic Designer - Ella Carter
Theme Music - Valerie Barry
...more
1h 23min

FAQs about Philly Phone Book: a Podcast Artchive:

How many episodes does Philly Phone Book: a Podcast Artchive have?

The podcast currently has 20 episodes available.