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Alex Torra is Cuban. He's also an adopted Venezuelan. Alex and Kai discuss the origins of his powerful twenty four year undertaking, "The Sincerity Project" (1:40), being repulsed by power plays and how he balances that with being a director (24:30), and what made him go away from religion (33:30). They also discuss the history of Cuban-American relations (42:20), and how the knowledge that he is adopted influences his current and future works (1:02:30). 

To say that Andrew Ousley is a fan of Maria Callas would be a grave understatement. Andrew and Kai talk about the powerful influence his parents have had on him (7), choosing a major in college based on learning and not job security (22), and how volunteering at a cat shelter played a role in him getting a job at EMI Records (36). They also discuss his concert series The Crypt Sessions (50) and his burger recommendations in NYC (1:22:40). 

Joseph Conyers is obsessed with winter storms. Joe and Kai talk about bodybuilding and the benefits of working out (1:30), growing up around the church and how spirituality plays into his life now (14:50), and why he finds the weather so fascinating (20:50). They also discuss Project 440 and how he sees music as a way to help the youth (37:50), and the changes they want to see in the classical music industry (55). 

Elena Urioste is a big fan of cats. Elena and Kai talk about the time she may have accidentally stolen a cat (6:22), how yoga became an integral part of her life (21:30), and the importance of having a beginner's mindset (32:07). They also discuss what made her co-found Intermission (39:25) and what she hopes to do about the toxic environment that's bred by competition in the classical music industry (1:04:45).  

Viktor Valkov loves rock music and EDM. Viktor and Kai discuss him being in a rock band in Bulgaria (9:40), what life in America has meant to him (10:50), and what he has learnt about himself through teaching (26:20). They also talk about Viktor losing his mother at the age of 16 and what that meant (35:10), and the importance of realizing that time waits for no one (40:58). 

Lawrence Brownlee is a big time Ohio State Buckeyes fan. Lawrence and Kai talk about whether singing gospel music influenced his operatic singing (7:40), how the world's obsession with body image has influenced his own image as an artist (10:35), and the surprising way he met his wife (19:20). They also discuss what keeps him motivated to keep working out when he is jet lagged (17:15), and whether he ever imagined he would have the career he has cultivated when he was a student at Anderson University (27:30). 

Matt Dine comes from a family of artists. Matt and Kai talk about what made him fall in love with the oboe (11), the episode that changed his life (26:40), and how he found his second career (31). They also discuss what allowing people to take photos during concerts might do for the classical music industry (46:40) and what he's learned about musicians by becoming a photographer (53). 

Dan Visconti is a composer, but he did not know that when he entered college. Dan talks to Kai about his weird path as an artist (13:50), what he learned from working jobs alongside his pursuits as a composer (30:50), and being vulnerable as an artist (57:50). They also discuss problems with music schools (20:20) and whether there will ever come a time when the works of composers still living will comprise the majority of the "core" repertoire (48:20). 

Gerald Klickstein believes in change. Gerald and Kai discuss the moment he realized he could make a difference in higher education (7:30), his ideas for what students, especially in undergrad, should be learning (10), and a mindset problem specific to classical music (31). They also talk about why music schools have such a hard time changing their curriculum (48) and the thoughts that might be running through the minds of teachers most resistant to change (45).  

Bella Hristova used to be a gamer. Bella and Kai discuss her time playing World of Warcraft (1:45), what Bulgaria is like (13:40), and her relationship with her mentor, Ida Kavafian (26). They also discuss finding her long lost brother (32:30) and her fierce love for her two cats, Schmoopy and Uni (40:05).