The Arts & Everything

As the United States marks 250 years, UNCSA Chancellor Brian Cole asks artists one central question: What does American music mean to you?

Martha Bassett, Ben Folds, Ollie Watts Davis, Justin Poindexter, Aristotle Jones, Eric Slick, Madeleine Peyroux, Steven Banks, Rex McGee, G. Phillip Shoultz III, Mary-Mitchell Campbell and Johnny Gandelsman join the episode to reflect on the sounds, traditions and stories that have shaped the country’s musical identity.

Their answers are as varied as the music itself: American music is a conversation. It is an archive. It is community, reinvention, memory, freedom, pain and celebration shared across generations. As you listen, be sure to ask yourself: What is the sound of America?

Music in this episode includes Ollie Watts Davis singing "Spirituals No. 3, Deep River" with Jupiter Quintet and Stephen A. Taylor as arranger; "The Ascent of Stan" by Ben Folds; "American" by Madeleine Peyroux; a rendition of "Sally Goodwin" by Rex McGee; Mary-Mitchell Campbell playing "Being Alive" on piano; "Over It" by Eric Slick; "Come As You Are" by Steven Banks; "One More Run" by Martha Bassett; Olivia Davis' "Steeped III" from In a Circle Records performed by Johnny Gandelsman; "Streets of Osage" by Aristotle Jones; and G. Phillip Shoultz III, conducting "Redeem the Dream" at a Sing Democracy 250 performance.

"The Arts & Everything" is a podcast by UNCSA Media hosted by Brian Cole. Development producers are Maria Wurttele and Sasha Hartzell. Executive producers are Katherine Johnson and Kory Kelly, and the associate producer is Louie Poore. Creative Design is Alli Myers Gagnon and Digital Strategy is Natalie Shrader. Theme music was composed by Chris Heckman and performed by Chris Heckman, André Vasconcellos, Miah Kay Cardoza and Gabe Lopez.

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Artificial intelligence is reshaping creative work at a pace that’s hard to follow, but what does that actually mean for the future of the arts and for the next generation of artists? 

In this episode of The Arts & Everything, UNCSA Chancellor Brian Cole talks with filmmaker and UNCSA faculty member Bob Gosse, illustrator and digital tools pioneer Kyle Webster, and Martha Graham principal dancer Xin Ying about how generative AI is already changing film, visual arts and dance. Their stories move from internet-era disruption to copyright fights over training data to a haunting AI-crafted duet that brings Xin Ying “on stage” with Martha Graham. 

Through their different perspectives, they wrestle with questions about authorship, ethics and ownership while also looking at AI as a collaborator that might expand human creativity if used with care. You’ll hear concrete examples of how artists are experimenting with this technology, the risks they’re most worried about and the advice they’re giving young creatives who feel overwhelmed by the pace of change. 

The Arts & Everything is a podcast by UNCSA Media hosted by Brian Cole. Development producers are Maria Wurttele and Sasha Hartzell. Executive producers are Katherine Johnson and Kory Kelly, and the associate producer is Louie Poore. Creative Design is Alli Myers Gagnon and Digital Strategy is Natalie Shrader. Music was composed by Chris Heckman and performed by Chris Heckman, André Vasconcellos, Miah Kay Cardoza and Gabe Lopez.

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A last‑minute audition. A life‑changing call. Seven years on a hit sci‑fi series. On paper, it sounds like the classic “big break” story for a working actor. But UNCSA alumna Krys Marshall (“For All Mankind,” “Paradise”) sees it as something more complex. 

In Part 2 of “The Arts & The Big Break,” Krys joins UNCSA Chancellor Brian Cole to dig into what actually turns a job into a career: years of preparation, the confidence to trust your training and the courage to walk away from a “good thing” when your gut says it is time for a new chapter. She shares how a quick read for a new sci-fi drama became a defining role, and how a risky “no” later opened the door to a bigger “yes.” 

In this episode, you’ll hear about: 

• How a last‑minute audition led to seven seasons on a hit Apple TV+ series 

• The mindset and preparation behind landing “For All Mankind” 

• Why agency, boundaries, and saying no are essential to long‑term creative careers 

• The role UNCSA and conservatory training played in building her resilience and self‑trust 

This conversation offers candid insight for emerging actors and artists who are navigating auditions, typecasting, and the pressure to seize every opportunity while still honoring their own path. 

"The Arts & Everything" is a UNCSA Media podcast hosted by Brian Cole and produced by Maria Wurttele and Sasha Hartzell. Executive producers are Katherine Johnson and Kory Kelly, and Louie Poore is the associate producer. Creative Design is Alli Myers Gagnon and Digital Strategy is Natalie Shrader. Music was composed by Chris Heckman and performed by Chris Heckman, André Vasconcellos, Miah Kay Cardoza and Gabe Lopez. 

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What does a “big break” in Hollywood really look like for a working actor, and what does it take to sustain a long‑term career? In Part 1 of this two‑part conversation, UNCSA Chancellor Brian Cole talks with actor and UNCSA alumna Anna Camp (“Pitch Perfect,” “True Blood,” “Mad Men”) about the tiny off‑Broadway show that quietly changed everything when director Mike Nichols happened to be in the audience. 

Anna shares how that moment led to new opportunities, and why the less‑glamorous side of momentum — typecasting, pressure to stay busy, and constant comparison — can be just as defining as any “overnight success” story. She talks about learning when to say no, choosing roles that keep you growing, and trusting your training when the industry wants to put you in a box. 

In this episode, you’ll hear about: 

• How one night in a small New York theater changed Anna Camp's career

• The realities of typecasting and how she learned to push back 

• Why saying no can protect your craft, your values, and your long‑term goals 

• The role UNCSA and conservatory training played in building her confidence and resilience 

Part 2 continues the conversation with Krys Marshall for more behind-the-scenes stories, reflections on creative risk and practical advice for emerging artists charting their own path. 

"The Arts & Everything" is a UNCSA Media podcast hosted by Brian Cole and produced by Maria Wurttele and Sasha Hartzell. Executive producers are Katherine Johnson and Kory Kelly, and Louie Poore is the associate producer. Creative Design is Alli Myers Gagnon and Digital Strategy is Natalie Shrader. Music was composed by Chris Heckman and performed by Chris Heckman, André Vasconcellos, Miah Kay Cardoza and Gabe Lopez. 

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A concussion once left violinist Jennifer Koh unsure if she’d ever perform again — and launched her into the world of neuroscience. Researchers Christina Hugenschmidt and Christina Soriano have spent the last decade studying how dance impacts cognition, and are working to determine the optimal dose to help with neurological issues.  

In this episode, Brian Cole explores what's happening in our heads when we engage with the arts, from motor planning and memory networks activated by music to the surprising ways creative movement can support brain health. Listen as artists and scientists break down what the arts reveal about the brain, and what that could mean for the future of health care.

The Arts & Everything is a podcast by UNCSA Media hosted by Brian Cole. Producers are Maria Wurttele and Sasha Hartzell. Executive producers are Katherine Johnson and Kory Kelly, and Louie Poore is associate producer. Creative design is Alli Myers Gagnon and digital strategy is Natalie Shrader. Music was composed by Chris Heckman and performed by Chris Heckman, André Vasconcellos, Miah Kay Cardoza and Gabe Lopez. The violin music in this episode is by Jennifer Koh.  

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How can the arts bring us together in a divided world? 

In the premiere episode of "The Arts & Everything," Brian Cole sits down with award-winning actor Stephen McKinley Henderson and artist Philippa Pham Hughes to talk arts and empathy. Through personal stories and inspiring projects, they explore how art can bridge divides, foster understanding, and create meaningful connections across social and political lines.

Stay connected and follow us on Instagram: @theartsandeverything.

For transcripts, extended content, and more, visit: uncsa.edu/artsandeverything.

"The Arts & Everything" is a podcast by UNCSA Media hosted by Brian Cole. Development producers are Maria Wurttele and Sasha Hartzell. Executive producers are Katherine Johnson and Kory Kelly. Creative Direction & Design is Alli Myers Gagnon and Digital Strategy & Distribution is Natalie Shrader. Music was composed by Chris Heckman and performed by Chris Heckman, André Vasconcellos, Miah Kay Cardoza and Gabe Lopez. Motion Graphics & Video Editing is Mark Jabourian.

Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.