Roundabout: Creative Chaos

Joe Howard’s path into software development began with computational physics and systems engineering, experiences that shaped the way he approaches problem solving and technology. Over time, he brought that foundation into mobile development, creating software across iOS and Android platforms.

His journey reflects the value of combining scientific thinking with creative engineering. By applying skills from different disciplines, Joe demonstrates how varied experiences can become part of a successful technical career.

In this episode:

• Moving from scientific computing into software development
• Applying engineering principles to mobile experiences
• Building expertise across iOS and Android platforms
• The value of learning across multiple disciplines
• Growing a career through curiosity and adaptability

Topics: mobile development, iOS, Android, software engineering, computational physics

Roundabout: Creative Chaos is a podcast hosted by Tammy Coron exploring creativity, design, and technology. Listen at https://roundaboutcreativechaos.com and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.

John Sundell has built a creative practice around exploring software development, experimenting with ideas, and sharing what he discovers with the broader developer community. Through Swift by Sundell and his work as a podcast host, he has created spaces where developers can learn and exchange perspectives.

His approach centers on curiosity and iteration, using prototypes and experiments as a way to understand technology more deeply. His journey shows how teaching and creating can become connected parts of the same process.

In this episode:

• Developing a habit of experimentation through prototyping
• Sharing knowledge through writing and audio projects
• Building educational resources for Swift developers
• The relationship between learning and creating
• Finding new ideas through exploration and iteration

Topics: Swift, iOS development, prototyping, developer education, software writing

Roundabout: Creative Chaos is a podcast hosted by Tammy Coron exploring creativity, design, and technology. Listen at https://roundaboutcreativechaos.com and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Sean Allen built his career as a self-taught iOS engineer by turning curiosity into practical knowledge and sharing what he learned with others. Through his teaching work and videos about iOS development and Swift, he has created resources that help people grow their own technical abilities.

Beyond programming, Sean’s interests in basketball and gaming reflect the mix of passions that shape his creative perspective. His journey highlights how personal interests and professional skills can come together to create a unique voice.

In this episode:

• Building a software career through self-directed learning
• Teaching complex development concepts in accessible ways
• Creating educational content for aspiring developers
• Balancing technical work with personal passions
• Finding motivation through continuous improvement

Topics: iOS development, Swift, software education, self taught developer, gaming

Roundabout: Creative Chaos is a podcast hosted by Tammy Coron exploring creativity, design, and technology. Listen at https://roundaboutcreativechaos.com and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Andrei "Dru" Freeman: Lifelong Coding, Identity & Embracing Curiosity

Andrei "Dru" Freeman began creating software at an age when many people are just discovering technology, teaching himself programming and building a foundation that would shape his career. His path from early experiments with code to becoming a voice in the developer community reflects a deep curiosity and love of learning.

As a host and educator, Dru brings together technical knowledge, personal identity, and the many interests that make each creator unique. His story shows how embracing every part of yourself can strengthen the way you create and connect with others.

In this episode:

• Learning programming independently from a young age
• Growing through many generations of development languages
• Finding community through teaching and developer resources
• Celebrating the many interests that shape creative identity
• Turning curiosity into a lifelong creative practice

Topics: software development, programming, developer community, Swift, technology education

Roundabout: Creative Chaos is a podcast hosted by Tammy Coron exploring creativity, design, and technology. Listen at https://roundaboutcreativechaos.com and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Mark Fleischer carries forward a remarkable animation legacy built around some of the most recognizable characters in American entertainment. As President and CEO of Fleischer Studios, he helps preserve the history of creations including Betty Boop and Koko the Clown while honoring the artistic achievements of previous generations.

His story is shaped by a family connection to filmmaking and animation, including the work of his grandfather Max Fleischer and his father Richard Fleischer. The journey offers a look at how creative traditions evolve and how important it is to protect the stories behind iconic work.

In this episode:

• Preserving the legacy of early American animation
• The creative impact of Betty Boop and Koko the Clown
• Growing up connected to generations of filmmakers
• Balancing historical preservation with the future of creative brands
• The lasting influence of family storytelling traditions

Topics: animation, character design, film history, creative legacy, storytelling

Roundabout: Creative Chaos is a podcast hosted by Tammy Coron exploring creativity, design, and technology. Listen at https://roundaboutcreativechaos.com and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.

A live gathering of creative minds brings together three voices who have built communities around technology, writing, and education. Jean MacDonald, Joe Cieplinski, and John Wilker each represent a different path through the creative world, from supporting new developers to documenting independent careers and building imaginative stories.

Their work highlights the importance of helping others grow, whether through conferences, podcasts, teaching, or creative projects. Their journeys reveal how collaboration and community can become powerful parts of a lasting creative practice.

In this episode:

• Building supportive communities that help new creators find their path
• Encouraging more people to explore technology and creative careers
• The role of independent podcasts in sharing knowledge and experiences
• Combining technical expertise with storytelling and imagination
• How conferences create unexpected connections between creators

Topics: developer community, app development, podcasting, writing, creative education

Roundabout: Creative Chaos is a podcast hosted by Tammy Coron exploring creativity, design, and technology. Listen at https://roundaboutcreativechaos.com and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Patrick McAlee turned an early fascination with flying into a career as a professional airshow pilot. Inspired by his father and uncle, he discovered a passion for aviation as a child and began working toward the dream of becoming a pilot at a young age.

His journey reflects dedication, discipline, and the creative skill required to master flight. From saving for his first plane as a teenager to performing as an airshow pilot, Patrick’s story shows how a lifelong vision can become a reality through commitment and practice.

In this episode:

• Following a childhood passion for aviation into a professional career
• Learning the precision and discipline behind airshow performance
• Finding inspiration through family influences
• Turning an ambitious dream into a life built around flight
• Exploring the creativity involved in mastering the skies

Topics: aviation, airshow pilot, flight, professional pilot, creativity

Roundabout: Creative Chaos is a podcast hosted by Tammy Coron exploring creativity, design, and technology. Listen at https://roundaboutcreativechaos.com and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Stephen Silver has created some of animation’s most recognizable characters through a career built around drawing, imagination, and visual storytelling. His character designs for projects including Kim Possible, Danny Phantom, and Clerks: The Animated Series showcase his ability to create personalities that audiences remember.

Beyond individual projects, Stephen’s work reflects a deep understanding of character, expression, and artistic identity. His creative process demonstrates how observation, practice, and a unique visual voice can shape a lasting career in animation.

In this episode:

• Designing memorable characters for major animated projects
• Developing a personal style through years of artistic practice
• Understanding how visual choices reveal personality
• Building a career through character-driven storytelling
• Exploring the creative process behind animation design

Topics: character design, animation, illustration, visual storytelling, art

Roundabout: Creative Chaos is a podcast hosted by Tammy Coron exploring creativity, design, and technology. Listen at https://roundaboutcreativechaos.com and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Brandon Satrom creates experiences that introduce families to electronics through storytelling and imagination. As the founder of Carrot Pants Studios, he combines technology and creativity to make the world of electronics more approachable and memorable.

His work focuses on transforming technical concepts into engaging experiences for parents and children. By blending education, design, and narrative, Brandon shows how creative approaches can make complex ideas accessible to new audiences.

In this episode:

• Creating stories that make electronics exciting for families
• Combining technology education with imagination and play
• Building experiences that encourage curiosity in children
• Finding creative ways to introduce technical concepts
• Exploring the connection between storytelling and learning

Topics: electronics, technology education, storytelling, creative learning, software

Roundabout: Creative Chaos is a podcast hosted by Tammy Coron exploring creativity, design, and technology. Listen at https://roundaboutcreativechaos.com and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.

William Schlichter creates stories that explore science fiction, fantasy, and the darker corners of imagination. As an award-winning screenwriter and author, he builds worlds filled with mystery, unusual characters, and the limitless possibilities of speculative storytelling.

Through works including the No Room in Hell and Silver Dragon Chronicles series, William combines genre storytelling with a passion for exploring extraordinary ideas. His creative path shows how imagination can transform fears, questions, and curiosity into compelling narratives.

In this episode:

• Creating science fiction and fantasy worlds through writing
• Turning imaginative ideas into novels and screenplays
• Exploring the appeal of the undead and the unknown
• Developing stories that connect with dedicated audiences
• Finding creative inspiration in speculative worlds

Topics: science fiction, fantasy writing, screenwriting, storytelling, fiction

Roundabout: Creative Chaos is a podcast hosted by Tammy Coron exploring creativity, design, and technology. Listen at https://roundaboutcreativechaos.com and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.