We are witnessing the birth of a new genre of artistic performance. The pandemic has forced musicians, actors, and creative people of every type to rethink how they deliver performances to audiences, whether it be online or in limited spaces, and with what use of new technology. And to do all of this, without losing sight of the real mission, which is to make people feel better for a couple of hours, and help them process whatever is going on in their lives. As my guest in this episode Jason Slavick likes to put it, "Artists are the first responders of the soul". As the Artistic Director of Liars & Believers Theater Company, Jason passionately believes that it’s our calling to standup in this moment of history, and keep everything from going completely dark, both for artists and the public. 

Jason and I talked about how he turned his company’s production of original live shows that included live music, movement, mask, puppet, video, clown, and aerialists, into a multi sensory, visceral theater experience, including taste and smell, that can be delivered in a live stream setting. Get ready to cancel your Netflix account and discover something completely new. 

Homepage: https://www.liarsandbelievers.com  

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LiarsBelieve/ 

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/LiarsBelieve28

@LiarsBelieve #liarsandbelievers

If you think organizing two or three acts for a one night show is tough, try coordinating 50 that are driving and flying in from all over the world. Did I mention that you’ll have to pick some of them from the airport, and some might not speak English? No managers. No handlers. Just 50 athletes coming to perform at your event, and you’ve got to keep them safe, and show your crowd a good time. Meet Annie Tunnicliffe, Producer for DEFY Wrestling, one of the top regional wrestling leagues in the country. Annie and I talked about what DEFY has been doing to keep their loyal fans engaged while they are unable to produce live events, and about their new deal with Pluto TV. Homepage: https://www.defywrestling.com || Social Media: @defynw

How many times have you heard these buzzwords lately? Pivot. Reinvention. Connection. My guest in this episode can tell you exactly what these terms mean because he did it before it was even being talked about it. Dom Gervasi is the owner and operator of Made in Brooklyn Tours, which has earned Trip Advisor’s Certificate of Excellence award nine years in a row. When the pandemic forced small businesses like Don’s to adapt or shut their doors, he chose to double-down and expand by starting a new venture organizing virtual and physical events featuring local Brooklyn artists and designers. Inspired by makers of things, Don himself became a maker by reconnecting with the community is his own backyard. Homepage: https://www.madeinbrooklyntours.com || Upcoming Events: https://www.madeinbrooklyntours.com/events

Story telling is something we do and listen to almost every day. So why isn’t becoming a good story teller something that we think about more? Is this a talent or is it something can be taught? My guest in this episode is Julie Soller from Story Slam Oakland who talks about how she became the host of her own story telling slam, which lead to teaching her own workshops. We’re going to learn what makes a good story, and how audiences react to hearing a true story being re-lived, spontaneously, on stage. Homepage: https://www.storyslamoakland.com || Podcast: "That’s probably how it happened" on Apple Podcasts.

Corey Cheval is the owner of Gainesville Circus Center in Florida, which offers classes in aerial silks, flying trapeze, lyra, acro-dance and other styles. An almost equal passion for Corey is working with at-risk youth - those with low socio-economic status, or those facing disadvantages due to race and gender, and who stand to benefit the most from involvement with the arts. Corey and I talked about how she was once a wayward teen, and how she’s incorporated the life lessons that dance taught her into the classes and workshops she teaches today. This became very challenging to do in 2020 when forced to hold smaller classes and virtual classes, but she continues to fight on to ensure her students have a place to be and something to belong to, while the rest of world is turned upside-down. Website: https://www.gainesvillecircus.com/  || Donate or become a sponsor: http://bit.ly/donate-ccfl

How many times have you started something new — a new job, a new business venture, a new relationship, or a new chapter in your life — and looked back years later and thought, "I wish I knew better" or "I wish I could have done that differently"? Where do you get help in those times? These could be the times when having a personal coach is right for you. But what does a personal coach actually do? And how do you know if you’ve found the right person? In this episode, Rose Slam! Johnson is going to answer all those questions for us, because that is exactly what she does. Find Slam! through her website http://nimblerootscoaching.com, and on https://Facebook.com/NimbleRootsCoaching, and sign yourself up for her next workshop called Map Your Life Blueprint, coming up on February 24th by following this link: https://lbp24.bpt.me

Les Warner, best known as Drummer for The Cult, Julian Lennon, and Peter Green, found himself without a gig when lockdowns hit. Like a lot of musicians, he struggled to find his bearings, but ultimately found a way to ignite his creative fire through writing, recording, and collaborating with musicians from all over the world. Are you ready to ROCK? Please welcome Les Warner! Website: https://LesWarner.com

Actor, director, writer, and public speaker, Phil Darius Wallace has appeared on Ted Talks, where he spoke about how he had no choice but to reinvent himself after his battles with alcoholism and homelessness. In this episode, Darius recounts these experiences, tracing back to his adolescence; his path to recovery; the struggles artists face with feelings of self worth; and what it is that keeps him motivated and inspired amidst all the change and upheaval that our country is facing right now. Homepage: www.solospire.com || Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Phil-Darius-Wallace-276206971736

Virginia Belt and Saras Feijóo, creators of have Access Dance Festival, talk about developing classes on dance and movement for people that have visible and non visible disabilities such as Parkinson’s and blindness. I had a talk with Virginia and Sarasa to learn about their upcoming event, which is designed both for students and for dance instructors to learn how to work these populations. Access Dance Festival is a 501c3 charitable organization that accepts tax free donations at AccessDanceFestival.com. And you can follow them on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/InclusivityandDance