Rodney Veal’s Inspired By

What happens when a lifetime of storytelling, a deep love of history, and an infectious passion for the arts come together in one extraordinary creative spirit?

On this episode of Rodney Veal’s Inspired By, Rodney sits down with Detroit-based storyteller, actor, director, educator, and Kresge Arts Fellow Madelyn Porter, whose boundless energy and creative curiosity are as inspiring as the stories she brings to life.

From growing up surrounded by jazz, culture, and the lessons of the Civil Rights Movement to her work with Detroit Public Theater and her powerful portrayals of historical figures like Sojourner Truth, Madelyn has made it her mission to celebrate history, amplify overlooked voices, and connect generations through the transformative power of the arts.

Together, Rodney and Madelyn explore the creative connections between Detroit and Dayton, the importance of embracing our cultural histories, and why storytelling remains one of our most powerful tools for building community. At the heart of their conversation is a wonderfully simple reminder: Your story matters, your voice deserves to be heard, and whatever you do, don't let anyone take away your zap!

What happens when science, creativity, curiosity, storytelling, and even a little dance all collide in one wonderfully expansive mind?

On this episode of Rodney Veal’s Inspired By, Rodney sits down with renowned astrophysicist, author, and science communicator Neil deGrasse Tyson for a lively conversation about our place in the universe and the curiosity that drives us to better understand it.

Rodney and Neil talk about the creativity behind communicating science, what Hollywood gets right and wrong about the universe, the surprising connections between physics and dance, and why science matters in our everyday lives. It is a funny, thoughtful, and wonderfully unexpected conversation about staying curious, asking questions, and seeing the world, and perhaps ourselves, a little differently.
 Listen to more episodes of Rodney Veal’s Inspired By and catch The Art Show anytime on YouTube or the PBS app.

What happens when a comedian, craftsman, history buff, veteran, and storyteller all occupy the same wonderfully curious mind?

On this episode of Rodney Veal’s Inspired By, Rodney sits down with comedian and creator Luke Capasso, whose unconventional journey has taken him from the U.S. Air Force to the comedy stages of London and beyond. With a singular mix of humor, history, DIY know-how, and sharp observations of everyday life, Luke has built a creative world uniquely his own.

Rodney and Luke talk about finding your creative voice, the discipline behind making people laugh, taking risks, and discovering inspiration in the most unexpected places. It is a funny, thoughtful, and wonderfully unpredictable conversation about the winding road of a creative life.

Listen to more episodes of Rodney Veal’s Inspired By and catch The Art Show anytime on YouTube or the PBS app.

Learn more about the Luke Capasso  online: @lukecapasso Instagram and Tik Tok 

Emerging Dayton artist Savonne Hagans joins Rodney Veal’s Inspired By to talk about his powerful ballpoint pen work, his roots at Stivers School for the Arts, and how Black history and Japanese craftsmanship shape his visual language.

Listen to more episodes of Rodney Veal’s Inspired By and catch The Art Show anytime on YouTube or the PBS app.

Follow Savonne on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blackvongouh/

A life in dance isn’t something Megan Flynn and Teresa VanDenend Sorge “do” — it’s how they survive, process, and stay fully alive. In this episode of Rodney Veal’s Inspired By, Rodney sits down with the “dynamic duo” of contemporary dance in Cincinnati to talk about creativity, aging bodies, risk, and why movement is still home.

They trace their journeys from basement studios and mommy-and-me classes to Fringe Festivals, college teaching, and deeply personal, story-driven work. Along the way, they unpack what it means to dance in your 20s versus your 40s and 50s, how collaboration becomes friendship, and why play is essential when life gets heaviest.

Listen to more episodes of Rodney Veal’s Inspired By and catch The Art Show anytime on YouTube or the PBS app.

Learn more about the Megan online: https://www.flynndance.org/
Learn more about Teresa online: https://teresavandenendsorge.com/

Multi-hyphenate doesn’t even begin to cover David Matthews. In this episode of “Rodney Veal’s Inspired By,” Rodney sits down with the Dayton-born poet, musician, social activist, and performer whose journey started on the basketball courts of Roosevelt High School and evolved onto stages across the country.

David shares how a career-ending injury shifted his path from college basketball star with 21 scholarships to full-time poet, how a minister first named his gift, and how a bold letter to Nikki Giovanni turned into years of mentorship and opportunity. He walks us through building a full-stage production around poetry, opening for icons like Gwendolyn Brooks, Gil Scott-Heron, Grover Washington Jr., and War, and becoming a true “OG” multi-hyphenate grounded in faith, family, and community.

Listen to more episodes of Rodney Veal’s Inspired By and catch The Art Show anytime on YouTube or the PBS app.

Learn more about the gallery online: https://www.davidmatthewsauthorpoetmusician.com

Gallery owner Ed Dixon joins Rodney live at the Edward A. Dixon Gallery in downtown Dayton to trace his journey from aspiring scientist and hip-hop label co-founder to community-focused curator and arts leader.

Ed shares how music, fashion, and arts activism led him to open a gallery dedicated to elevating local, regional, national, and international artists while staying deeply rooted in Dayton, Ohio

Listen to more episodes of Rodney Veal’s Inspired By and catch The Art Show anytime on YouTube or the PBS app.

Learn more about the gallery online: https://shop.eadgallery.com/

Follow the gallery on Instagram: @eadgallery

Dayton-based artist Bil Tipton joins host Rodney Veal to talk about bright color, pop art, and building a creative life without a traditional art-school path.

If you love pop art, street-influenced work, or stories of artists carving their own path in Dayton, Ohio, this conversation is for you.

Watch more arts and culture stories with Rodney on The Art Show via YouTube or the PBS app.

Learn more about Bil online: https://biltiptonart.com/

Follow Bil on Instagram: @biltiptonart

From horse camps in Hamilton, Ohio to shooting for major clients and teaching at DAAP, Cincinnati-based photographer Hatsue shares her creative journey with host Rodney Veal.

Learn more about Hatsue online: https://hatsue.site/

Follow Hatsue on Instagram: @byhatsue

DJ, artist, and curator Kimyon Huggins joins Rodney Veal to trace his journey from Dayton to New York’s underground club and gallery scene, and back home with a global vision.

Learn more about Kimyon online: https://www.futureisnowx.com

Follow Kimyon on Instagram: @kimyon333