Story and Horse

Taking Risks & Virtual Productions with Andy Wagner

Producer and Production Manager Andy Wagner joins me today to talk about the potential in virtual productions and his love of helping to get creative voices heard. Andy also shares a story about a risky choice he made while putting together a large-scale production, and how creativity is all about doing.

Join us as we talk about:
- Andy's background [01:01]
- What he's up to with virtual productions [1:50]
- More about what virtual productions are, and where this branch of the creative tree is heading [3:02]
- A story about a big creative risk [08.58]
- Putting your voice out there through virtual work [14:24]
- How to reach Andy [19:04]
- The importance of doing in creativity, and how creativity is for everyone [19:42]

Guest Bio:  You’ve probably seen Andy’s work.  For over 25 years, he has been the details guy behind some complex events like Super Bowl halftime shows, Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM)’s New York City-wide Bergman Festival, the U.S. Open’s Arthur Ashe Kids’ Day and a celebration for Vietnam veterans at fabled Lambeau Field in Green Bay.  Andy makes creative happen with attention to detail, laser focus on budget and operations and a knack for finding creative solutions to budgetary constraints.  

Connect with Andy
Website: Wide Angle Productions
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brooklynandy/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/andrew.e.wagner
IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1604832/

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www.storyandhorse.com
Facebook: @storyandhorse
Instagram: @storyandhorse

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The Power of Story with Matthew Taylor

Storyteller Matthew Taylor joins us today to talk about the power of story, the importance of controlling your own narrative, and how continuing to take action is at the heart of a creatively-filled life. Matthew is a husband, dad, author, teacher of storytelling and coach. 

Matthew shares several fun and inspiring stories with us. They include his unintentional starting of a successful and long-lasting improv group, the unusual acting experience of being cast as the lips of a goat, and a tough moment, live on the radio, as a guest on KBPI Denver's the Uncle Nasty Show. Matthew also tells us about his work within the criminal justice system, where he teaches defendants the art of storytelling so they can share their personal narratives effectively in high-stakes situations.

Join us as we talk about:
- Matthew's background [01:50]
- The story behind his book's title: Goat Lips, Tales of a Lapsed Englishmen [4:39]
- How he got started teaching storytelling [6:45]
- His work in the criminal justice system [10:27]
- The importance of controlling your own narrative and revealing yourself [14:30]
- A story about how the ACE improv group got started [17:12]
- The "three Ts," continuing forward creatively, and showing up [21:12]
- A story about how the ACE improv group got started [17:12]
- What happened on the Uncle Nasty Show [24:06]

Guest Bio:  MATTHEW TAYLOR award-winning author, professional actor, storyteller and narrative coach has been entertaining and teaching  audiences throughout the United States and internationally for the last twenty-five years.Transplanted to Colorado from the small sailing village of Itchenor, England, Matthew is a partner of A.C.E. Entertainment, which has written and produced over twenty-five original shows.
His book, Goat Lips: Tales of a Lapsed Englishman is an Amazon best seller, received the Independent Publishers Book Awards Gold Medal for Humor and was a National Indie      Excellence Awards, and USA Best Book Awards Finalist.
Matthew not only teaches storytelling but also loves telling stories. He is a two-time Moth Story Slam winner and a Denver Moth Grand Slam Champion.
He formed Persuasion through Narrative in 2010 to teach communication and leadership skills through harnessing the power of story and has gained a strong reputation as a speaker and business educator, especially within the legal profession, educational institutions, and with entrepreneurs. 
Matthew loves to bike, ski, sail, and is a proud husband to Susan, and father to Maitland and Alastair who keep him laughing constantly.

Connect with Matthew
Website: https://www.matthewtaylor.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/matthew.taylor.7739814
Facebook private group: Powerfully Fun Storytelling 
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/matthewtaylorstories

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www.storyandhorse.com
Facebook: @storyandhorse
Instagram: @storyandhorse

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Creating Connection & Belonging with Menon Dwarka

Cultural worker and consultant Menon Dwarka joins us on today's episode.  Menon is a composer and writer, and is the Senior Vice President of the Arts Consulting Group. He shares a story about his life-changing encounter with an icon of contemporary classical music when he was a teenager. This conversation awoke in him the awareness of how powerfully supportive it is to fully see another person, and a desire to create spaces to hold the feeling of belongingness. 

Join us as we talk about:
- Menon's background [00:55]
- The cultural work he is doing [2:46]
- How the inventive problem solving he became good at in his music career helps in the cultural work [6:51]
- His story of a life-changing encounter with an icon of contemporary classical music [11:06]
- The importance of narratives that frame our lives, supporting connection and making of beautiful things through the cultivation of belongingness [20:12]
- How encouraging adaptability and nimbleness in the organization can support cultural institutions in these challenging times [23:51]
-Ways to connect with Menon [27:34]

Guest Bio:  Menon Dwarka has held executive director, artistic director, and community arts leadership positions in Canada and the United States over the last 25 years. Whether implementing project management programs and digital town halls at Soundstreams, winning Digital Strategies Fund grants from the Canada Council for the Arts for Arts Etobicoke, or introducing electronic music programs with Morton Subotnick at the 92nd Street Y, Harlem School of the Arts, and Greenwich House Music School, Mr. Dwarka’s innovative approach to the arts has always resulted in increased audience engagement and community development with focus on equity, diversity, inclusion, and access. His expertise resides in leveraging technology in service of creating more diverse programming and administrative spaces.

Connect with Menon
Email
Arts Consulting Group: https://artsconsulting.com/the-team/menon-dwarka-senior-vice-president/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/menondwarka/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/menon.dwarka
Twitter: https://twitter.com/menondwarka

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Facebook: @storyandhorse
Instagram: @storyandhorse

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Thinking Outside the Box with Colin Hanlon

Today we welcome actor, director, writer and producer Colin Hanlon as our guest. Colin has many years' experience on stage and screen as an actor, and he is currently developing a new exciting project as a writer and producer!

Join us as we talk about:
- Colin's background and current projects [01:01]
- Filming Netflix's Uncoupled - and an upcoming scene with Dan Amboyer, another Story and Horse podcast guest! [4:50]
- An exciting new project underway [6:38]
- The importance of thinking outside the box, making masks with his Mom (Masks by Terry) and how creativity is living [15:22]
- Finding a way to be creative every day [20:12]

Guest Bio:  After appearing in numerous commercials, Hanlon began work in the theatre. He has appeared on Broadway as Gordon, Mark, and Roger in Rent, and played Fiyero in the national tour of Wicked. Off-Broadway, gave a Lortel Award nominated performance of Frederic in The Pirates of Penzance and starred as Austin Bennett in I Love You Because. He also appeared in the world premiere of Edges, and played Adam in Colman Domingo's play Dot at The Vineyard Theater, directed by Susan Stroman.  In 2015, he starred as Pete in the The 12 at the Denver Center, for which he won a Henry Award.
On screen, he starred as Tim Trull on the web series Submissions Only (2010), which ran for three seasons, The Good Fight (2017), and played Steven on on ABC's Emmy-winning  Modern Family (2009). Colin is currently acting in Netflix's upcoming Uncoupled, as well as producing and writing new material.
 
Connect with Colin:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/colinhanlon/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ColinHanlon
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/colin.hanlon.503
(Do not go to a website with Colin Hanlon's name to connect with him - that is not his site)

Masks by Terry: https://www.instagram.com/masksbyterry/?hl=en

Connect with Story and Horse
Facebook: @storyandhorse
Instagram: @storyandhorse

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Creativity Will Find a Way with Dan Amboyer

Actor Dan Amboyer joins us today to talk about being a parent to a toddler (creativity in action!), getting back into work after the pandemic shut down, and the challenges and discoveries during his first time directing. We also talk about how putting boundaries around creative projects can increase the creative problem solving, and support self-care as well.

Join us as we discuss:
- Dan's background and current projects [00:58]
- What it was like directing his first theatre production, Whirlwind [4:37]
- A story about scenic challenges with Whirlwind , and what Dan discovered as an artist [6:17]
- How adding boundaries to creative projects, especially time constraints, increases creativity and problem solving and helps support self-care [13:07]
- Ways to reach Dan and a more about his current work on the Netflix series Uncoupled  [16:22]

Guest Bio: Dan was raised just outside Detroit, Michigan. He grew up loving all things animals, art and nature. 

He spent his high school years attending arts boarding school Interlochen Arts Academy in the majestic woods of Northern Michigan, and then headed to steely Pittsburgh to attend Carnegie Mellon University’s renown School of Drama. Dan graduated with honors and dual degrees in Acting & Music Theatre.

Dan has performed with esteemed theatre companies both in NYC and around the US, including The Old Globe, The Shakespeare Theater, Utah Shakespeare Festival and many Off-Broadway companies. His film & TV experiences have afforded him the opportunity to experience adventures around the world.

Fun career highlights include performing Shakespeare’s The Tempest opposite Christopher Walken as his scene partner, living a royal fantasy as HRH Prince William while filming William & Catherine in an actual European palace, and as a young actor, surviving several memorable evenings whilst thrown onstage last minute to perform as an understudy without a lick of rehearsal—and he’ll tell you the tales, if you bring the whiskey.

Dan just recently made his directorial debut with the new play Whirlwind at The Wild Project, which The New Yorker’s Elisabeth Vincentelli called a “quick witted” and “delightful 80 minutes.” He is currently developing several projects as both a writer and director.

He resides in Brooklyn, NY along with his menagerie of animals, plants, loving spouse and newborn son, Theodore.

Connect with Dan:
Website: https://www.danamboyer.com/
Linktr.ee: https://linktr.ee/danamboyer
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/danamboyer/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/damboyer
Twitter: https://twitter.com/danamboyer

Connect with Story and Horse
Facebook: @storyandhorse
Instagram: @storyandhorse

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Cue the Camels! Creativity & Candles - A Holiday Episode with Caskey Hunsader

Happy Holidays! On this episode Caskey Hunsader joins us.  Caskey is a stage manager, actor, writer, producer, director and owner of Stagedoor Candles, which provides quality hand-poured candles and other fragrance products inspired by Broadway's favorite characters. Caskey is currently one of the Assistant Stage Managers for Radio City's Christmas Spectacular, and he shares a  special story about Ted, a legend of a camel, who graced the Radio City stage for many years.

Please note - there is a brief section of mild sexually-related content  from approximately 13:47-16:56 that may not be appropriate for all listeners.

An update from Hilary, host and founder of Story and Horse  - Since recording this episode, The Radio City Christmas Spectacular cancelled all remaining performances due to COVID  related challenges. You can help Caskey by purchasing a candle from his company, Stagedoor Candles. A portion of all sales go to support Broadway Cares/ Equity Fights Aids. 

Our conversation includes:
- Caskey's background and work [1:15]
- How the Stagedoor Candle Company came to be [6:07]
- Examples of scents inspired by Broadway characters  [08:52]
- Andrea Rivette using a specific sent for her character Emma Carew in Jekyll & Hyde [10:07]
- Caskey shares a story about body typing, and how being rejected from roles fueled his creativity and the creation of a web series Fat Guy [11:17]
- An important conversation Caskey's Fat Guy series inspired on a fetish site  [13:47  - 16:56]
- A magical Ted the Camel story that happened backstage at Radio City during The Christmas Spectacular  [17:36]
- Where you can find Stagedoor Candles  [24.02]

Guest Bio: Caskey Hunsader is a professional stage manager living in New York City. He also writes, produces and directs and is the owner of Stagedoor Candle Company, a Broadway themed home fragrance line of products. He has worked on numerous shows in New York, at the Radio City Christmas Spectacular for 8 years, and toured the country with 10 different national tours. Originally from Wisconsin, he has called NYC his home for 14 years and lives in Harlem with his cat, Edie.

Stagedoor Candle Company
Website - https://www.stagedoorcandles.com/
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/stagedoorcandle
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/stagedoorcandle
Twitter - https://twitter.com/stagedoorcandle

Connect with Caskey:
Website - http://caskeyhunsader.com/
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/officialcaskey
Twitter - http://www.twitter.com/caskeyhunsader
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/caskeyhunsader/

Broadway Cares/ Equity Fights Aids - https://broadwaycares.org/
BroadwayCon - https://www.broadwaycon.com/

Connect with Story and Horse
Website: www.storyandhorse.com
Facebook: @storyandhorse
Instagram: @storyandhorse
#storyandhorse 

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Creativity is Everything with Schelli Whitehouse

On today's episode we welcome Schelli Whitehouse, author, certified equine practitioner and coach. She works with fellow equine practitioners on the business of coaching with horses, and her first book is The Business of Coaching with Horses ~ How to Reach More Clients, Feed Your Horses and Change the World!"  Schelli's second book will be published January '22.  

Our conversation includes:
- Schelli's background and work
- What "equine-assisted" means
- The story of Schelli writing her first book and the challenge of being seen 
- What the book The Business of Coaching with Horses is about
- How to reach Schelli and the title of her upcoming new book!
- The importance of going forward and speaking your truth

Guest Bio: Schelli is the author of the Amazon International Bestseller, “The Business of Coaching with Horses ~ How to Reach More Clients, Feed Your Horses and Change the World!"

She has been a certified equine-assisted practitioner and coach since 2008 and has studied multiple modalities of facilitation and equine-inspired learning. 

She taught equine facilitation skills for many years before turning her attention to the needs of practitioners to build their professional presence in the industry in order to earn a sustainable living through their transformational work with horses!

 Schelli is on a mission to help equine-inspired transformation become the go-to modality for spiritual, personal, and professional development. As popular as yoga and Starbucks! 

(Visit her website to download the free PDF version of her book or grab the paperback from your favorite bookseller! www.SchelliWhitehouse.com/getthebook)

Connect with Schelli:
Website: www.SchelliWhitehouse.com
Download the free PDF of The Business of Coaching with Horses - How to Reach More Clients, Feed Your Horses and Change the World! : www.SchelliWhitehouse.com/getthebook
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/schelliwhitehouse/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EquineInspiredLife/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/schelliwhitehouse/

Connect with Story and Horse
Website: www.storyandhorse.com
Facebook: @storyandhorse
Instagram: @storyandhorse
#storyandhorse 

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Stepping Out of Your Comfort Zone with Linda Cajuste & Kimberley Chan

Today we welcome Linda Cajuste and Kimberley Chan. They are the co-founders of My Creative Break based in Montreal, Canada, and are theatrical improvers, writers, coaches and travelers.

Our conversation includes:
- Linda and Kimberley's background
- How they met and formed My Creative Break
- Linda shares a story about bravely jumping into improvisation
- A story about creativity and improvisation when traveling abroad from Kim 
- What services My Creative Break offers (www.mycreativebreak.com)

Guest Bios:
Kimberley Chan - Kim is a former corporate marketing girl who embarked on a creative journey a few years ago. She traveled the world, lived in different cities, and met people from all walks of life. Today she is a writer and 'freelance creative' who loves motivating people to do things they love and get out of their comfort zones. 

Linda Cajuste -- Living the 9-5 life by day and balancing creative projects at night, Linda always felt like Clark Kent having to balance another identity. A few years ago, Linda was fortunate enough to take a sabbatical year. During that year, she moved to Paris, pushed her boundaries and was able to experiment and let her creativity shape her days. whether he was learning to shoot a short film or taking a stand-up workshop, she kept exploring. It was liberating. Upon returning from her sabbatical and back to her  9-5, she realized that she had to make time for her creativity no matter how busy life got. These days, Linda creates time to connect with her inner child by continuing to make time for things she loves like writing, coaching and improv theatre.

My Creative Break: www.mycreativebreak.com
My Creative Break LinkedIn: My Creative Break LinkedIn Page
Kimberley Chan LinkedIn :  LinkedIn
Kimberley Chan Instagram:  Instagram

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Facebook: @storyandhorse
Instagram: @storyandhorse

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Website: www.storyandhorse.com
Podcast: www.thestoryandhorsepodcast.com

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You Never Know How Things Will Go - and The Vickie & Nickie Show! -  with Lisa & Lori Brigantino

Today we welcome Lisa and Lori Brigantino to our podcast. These sisters are singers, songwriters and musicians (over 30 instruments between them!). They  started performing music together as young children, and now have lots of fun  in The Vickie & Nickie Show!, where they are in character as a multi-instrumental comedy duo of housewives from Minnesota.   

Our conversation includes:
- Lisa and Lori's background
- All about the The Vickie & Nickie Show!
- Two stories about creativity and being open to possibilities

Guests Bio: Lisa and Lori Brigantino are known for their tight sibling harmonies and musicianship - often juggling a number of different instruments including guitar, banjo, accordion, ukulele, percussion and more. The sisters regularly perform Lisa’s original songs at a variety of clubs, coffeehouses, house concerts and festivals.  They also have an original wacky musical-comedy act called The Vickie & Nickie Show that they have performed in many NYC clubs and as well as regionally.  For more information, please visit https://lisabrigantino.com and https://vickieandnickie.com/.

Lisa is a former original member of Lez Zeppelin, the all-girl Zeppelin tribute band also composes for film, television, theater and more and provides music supervision, licensing and rights clearance services via her company Hidden Pond Productions, Inc.

Lori Brigantino is a singer, multi-instrumentalist and writer. In addition, she is a trained actor with Off-Broadway, Off-Off Broadway, TV & award winning film credits. 

The Vickie & Nickie Show!
Website: https://vickieandnickie.com/
FB: https://www.facebook.com/VickieAndNickie/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/VickieAndNickie
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vickieandnckie/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/VickieandNickie

Lisa Brigantino:
Website: https://lisabrigantino.com/
Hidden Pond Productions: https://hiddenpondproductions.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LisaBrigantinoMusic/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/lisabrigantino
IG: https://www.instagram.com/lisabrig/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/LisaBrig

Lori Brigantino:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/loribrig/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/loribrig

Story and Horse
Facebook: @storyandhorse
Instagram: @storyandhorse
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Website: www.storyandhorse.com
Podcast: www.thestoryandhorsepodcast.com

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Changing Narratives with Amanta Scott

Please note: this episode contains mature themes, including references to sexual violence, and may not be appropriate for all listeners.

Today we welcome Canadian multidisciplinary artist Amanta Scott. Amanta explores the relevance of  archetypes, symbols and perceptions as they relate to problematic issues in our society today. Her work encompasses encaustic paintings, interactive sculpture, installations, audio, video, photography, music, dance, performance, and workshops. She loves to create dialogue between people of diverse cultures, ages and abilities.

Amanta is passionate about changing the way we view women in art,  and is working to change the narrative of normalization of abuse, voyeurism, rape, sex trafficking, racism, and femicide. She is replacing those stories with ones celebrating strong women and normalizing  respect, empowerment, self actualization, and friendship. 

Our conversation includes:
- Amanta's background and current project, Eyeing Medusa 
-  Creating and working in virtual galleries, and interactivity in her art 
- The "Food for Thought" section on www.amantascott.com
- The story of what triggered the Eyeing Medusa project
-  How we must consider the impact on society today when retelling old stories
-  Go after what you don't know! And Create a climate of curiosity in yourself
-  The importance of looking outside the familiar

Amanta Scott's Bio: An Ontario-based Canadian multidisciplinary artist, I have exhibited and performed in art galleries, museums, theatres, concert venues and festivals throughout Asia, North America and Europe including: National Gallery of Canada; Royal Ontario Museum; Singapore International Arts Festival; Canadian Embassy in Tokyo, Japan; World Trade Centre, Barcelona; Yilan Arts Center, Taiwan; Edmonton Art Gallery; Art Gallery of Algoma; Thunder Bay Art Gallery; Art Gallery of Peterborough; and Art Gallery of Ontario. I have designed and directed workshops for marginalized youth, seniors, refugees, newcomers, and students from primary school to university. My paintings and sculptures are in collections across Canada and Asia.

Amanta's website: https://www.amantascott.com/
Eyeing Medusa   https://www.amantascott.com/eyeing-medusa
Food for Thought: https://www.amantascott.com/food-for-thought
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AmantaScott.arts/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amantascott/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnbtBH71poFBZNCCetjoc2A
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amanta-scott
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/amantascott/

Connect with Story and Horse
Facebook: @storyandhorse
Instagram: @storyandhorse
Sign up for our newsletter the Weekly Canter and receive creative resources and inspirations direct to your inbox: https://storyandhorse.ck.page/weeklycanter
Website: www.storyandhorse.com
Podcast: www.thestoryandhorsepodcast.com

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