The Creative Chicago Podcast

In this episode, host Jacob Badagliacco is joined by Chicago Filmmaker Max Schroder for a more in-depth discussion around what it means to go through the creative process, walking the line of vulnerability when expressing personal themes, what can be learned through collaboration with other artists, and how art can be used to find more of yourself in the process of creating it.

Connect with Max:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/max_a_schrod/

IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm15479899/

Website: https://maxantonschroder.com/

WILD HORSES (2023): https://youtu.be/s69GXNmFC4g

The Last Man In The World (2024): https://youtu.be/PgU-lzDv-6o

Timestamps: 

0:00 Intro
2:50 Motivation for the Creative Process
5:00 Max’s Background and Early Inspirations
10:00 Being Present to Life to Inform Your Vision
13:00 Filmmaking as a Collaborative Process
15:00 Learnings from First Film Project
20:00 Getting Ideas from Hobbies & Reading
21:50 Takeaways from Film School Experience
26:00 Developing the Idea for ‘Captain Jack’
32:30 Production Process & Filming On-Location
35:00 Finding Relatable Themes through Vulnerability
40:00 Bringing Prior Learnings Into Upcoming Projects
44:50 The Spiritual Side of Filmmaking
50:00 Escaping into other Stories & Worlds
52:17 Max’s Final Advice to Chicago Creatives
56:00 Outro

Follow the Creative Chicago Podcast for more:

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@jacobbadagliacco

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jacobbadagliacco

About the show:

On the Creative Chicago Podcast, filmmaker & photographer Jacob Badagliacco explores the creative process with both emerging and established artists, musicians, and makers of all kinds across Chicagoland. They dive into what inspires people to pursue their paths as artists, discuss what creativity means to them, and uncover meaningful takeaways from their experiences and journeys so far. Follow along for insights into the creative minds from the next generation of artists in Chicago and beyond.

On our most recent episode, Jake is joined by Chicago Photographer Colleen Murphy, who runs a freelance business and teaches at Chicago Photography Classes (CPC). We dive into how she found her start as an educator, what takeaways she’s had since taking on photo students, and how she keeps photography fun and enjoyable alongside client work.

Connect with Colleen:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/as.seen.by.colleen.photography/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/colleenmurphy13/

Follow Chicago Photography Classes (CPC):

Website: https://chicagophotoclasses.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chicagophotoclasses/

Timestamps:

Follow the Creative Chicago Podcast for more:

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@jacobbadagliacco

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jacobbadagliacco

About the show:

On the Creative Chicago Podcast, filmmaker & photographer Jacob Badagliacco explores the creative process with both emerging and established artists, musicians, and makers of all kinds across Chicagoland. They dive into what inspires people to pursue their paths as artists, discuss what creativity means to them, and uncover meaningful takeaways from their experiences and journeys so far. Follow along for insights into the creative minds from the next generation of artists in Chicago and beyond.

On the latest episode of the Creative Chicago Podcast, host Jake Badagliacco is joined by Improv & Standup Comic Preston O’ffill, who shares his perspective on what goes into creating entertaining comedy sets.

Follow Preston O’ffill:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/prestonofficially

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

Website: https://www.prestonoffill.com

Timestamps:

0:00 Intro

1:50 Preston’s Attitude in Comedy

6:05 Beginnings from the Theater World

11:00 Giving Back to the Comedy Community

12:50 How to Build Fun Improv Sets

14:15 Differences Between Standup & Improv

19:45 Patterns That Audiences Connect With

22:20 Memorable Moments from Preston’s Career

26:55 What’s Next for Preston in Comedy

28:40 Final Advice on Starting Your Thing

30:00 Outro

Follow the Creative Chicago Podcast for more:

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@jacobbadagliacco

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jacobbadagliacco

About the show:

On the Creative Chicago Podcast, filmmaker & photographer Jacob Badagliacco explores the creative process with both emerging and established artists, musicians, and makers of all kinds across Chicagoland. They dive into what inspires people to pursue their paths as artists, discuss what creativity means to them, and uncover meaningful takeaways from their experiences and journeys so far. Follow along for insights into the creative minds from the next generation of artists in Chicago and beyond.

In the latest episode of the Creative Chicago Podcast, Jake is joined by Singer-Songwriter Castle Greene, who discusses her career as a musical artist, why she decided to move from Nashville to Chicago, and how connecting with her original excitement for music keeps her inspired to make songs that people can resonate with.

Follow Castle Greene:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/castle_greene

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@castle_greene

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@castle_greene

Timestamps:

0:00 Intro

1:15 Musical Beginnings

4:02 Start of ‘Castle Greene’

5:08 Doing Music in Nashville

8:00 Recent Move to Chicago

11:30 The Songwriting Process

14:08 Connecting with Childhood Dreams & Whimsy

19:11 Taking a Chance on Yourself

20:05 Final Advice on Finding Your Voice

23:30 Outro

Follow the Creative Chicago Podcast for more:

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@jacobbadagliacco

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jacobbadagliacco

About the show:

On the Creative Chicago Podcast, filmmaker & photographer Jacob Badagliacco explores the creative process with both emerging and established artists, musicians, and makers of all kinds across Chicagoland. They dive into what inspires people to pursue their paths as artists, discuss what creativity means to them, and uncover meaningful takeaways from their experiences and journeys so far. Follow along for insights into the creative minds from the next generation of artists in Chicago and beyond.

In our latest episode, host Jacob Badagliacco sits down with Chicago Filmmaker & Composer Matt Ronzani, who shares how a "now-or-never" moment led to the production of his first feature film - and how this experience has stayed with him going into his current projects.

About Matt:

Matt is the writer, director, cinematographer, editor, and composer of the feature film "The Last American Possession" which premiered to a sold out crowd at Chicago's historic Music Box Theatre in July of 2024. He performed the same roles (except cinematographer) for his follow up horror/drama short "Corner of My Eye," which won Best Director at Milwaukee Horror Con, Best Short Film at The Jersey Devil Festival, and was nominated for Best Male Performance at Blood Bash 2026.

Connect with Matt:

Website: https://www.mattronzani.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mattstrattonronzani/

IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3936635/

Timestamps:

0:00 Intro

1:10 Appeal of the Horror Genre in Filmmaking

4:55 Mindset and Process Behind his First Feature Film

10:50 Seeing this Project as a “Film School” to Build From

13:40 Using Prior Projects to Help with Networking

15:16 Learnings Brought into his Recent Short

17:40 Creating Original Music for Both Projects

19:02 Distribution Strategies for Features vs Shorts

24:24 What’s Next for Matt’s Career

26:16 Matt’s Final Advice to Chicago Creatives

Follow the Creative Chicago Podcast for more:

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@jacobbadagliacco

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jacobbadagliacco

About the show:

On the Creative Chicago Podcast, filmmaker & photographer Jacob Badagliacco explores the creative process with both emerging and established artists, musicians, and makers of all kinds across Chicagoland. They dive into what inspires people to pursue their paths as artists, discuss what creativity means to them, and uncover meaningful takeaways from their experiences and journeys so far. Follow along for insights into the creative minds from the next generation of artists in Chicago and beyond.

On the latest episode of the Creative Chicago Podcast, host Jacob Badagliacco is joined by Theater Artist and Actress Erin Bonham, who shares her experiences on finding her way as an artist, what it means to develop authentic characters that audiences can relate to, and how she began using her acting knowledge to run professional Dungeons & Dragons campaigns.

About Erin:

Erin Bonham is a vibrant, multi-hyphenate theatre artist and strategic storyteller whose work lives at the intersection of creativity and community. A co-founder of the Cincinnati Changelings, she is a director, actor, educator, and advocate for innovative, accessible theatre. With dual degrees in Theatre Performance and Public Relations from Xavier University, Erin seamlessly merges artistic vision with strategic communication. Erin is driven by a commitment to fostering empathy, wonder, and connection through every curtain call.

Connect with Erin:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/erin_bonham._/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erin-bonham-5324b1344/

Backstage: https://www.backstage.com/tal/erin-bonham/

Timestamps:

0:00 Intro

2:30 Finding Your Path as an Artist

5:10 Acting and Theater as Erin’s Vocation

7:55 Distinguishing Theater and Acting

12:20 Erin’s Calling Moment as an Actor

15:55 Dungeons & Dragons and World-Building

20:50 D&D and Connecting to the Real World

22:33 Corporatization of D&D and Playing Professionally

29:40 Creating Original Worlds for Your Campaign

32:38 What’s Next for Erin’s Career

34:50 Erin’s Final Advice to Chicago Creatives

Follow the Creative Chicago Podcast for more:

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@jacobbadagliacco

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jacobbadagliacco

About the show:

On the Creative Chicago Podcast, filmmaker & photographer Jacob Badagliacco explores the creative process with both emerging and established artists, musicians, and makers of all kinds across Chicagoland. They dive into what inspires people to pursue their paths as artists, discuss what creativity means to them, and uncover meaningful takeaways from their experiences and journeys so far. Follow along for insights into the creative minds from the next generation of artists in Chicago and beyond.

In the second episode of the Creative Chicago Podcast, host Jacob Badagliacco is joined by Chicago Videographer Max Williams, who shares his experience with starting his video production business nearly 15 years ago.

About Max:

Max Williams is a Videographer of 14+ years based out of Chicago, IL who films promotional content such Live Music, Corporate Events, Studio Promo Videos, Music Videos, Tiktok/Reels content, Podcasts, Weddings, and more. He has previously collaborated with Simone Biles, Jack Antonoff, Allen Robinson, Aly Sorto, Roger Steele, Andre Iquodala, Boots Riley, Chance the Rapper, Ben Rector, Beach Bunny, Hershey’s, Coca Cola, Capture One, LinkedIn, Sofar Sounds, and more. He graduated from Colombia College Chicago in 2018 with a Bachelor of Arts in Television.

Connect with Max: 

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/willmax95 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/maxwilliamsvideo 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/max-williams-5232b111b/ 

Website: https://maxwilliamsvideo.com/

Timestamps:

0:00 Intro

1:05 Max’s Early Career in Video

3:33 Identifying a Niche Early vs Broad Experience

6:10 Importance of Clear Branding

7:35 Early Career Learnings

10:05 How Max Got Started in Video

12:30 Consistent Improvement

14:00 How Max’s Process Changed Over Time

15:40 Importance of Marketing Yourself

16:20 Being Aware of How You Show Up

18:08 What Goes Further Than Follower Count

19:35 Building Community (in real life, not online)

22:35 Managing Future Expectations with Career

26:55 Max’s Final Advice to Chicago Creatives

29:43 Outro

Follow the Creative Chicago Podcast for more:

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@jacobbadagliacco

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jacobbadagliacco

About the show:

On the Creative Chicago Podcast, filmmaker & photographer Jacob Badagliacco explores the creative process with both emerging and established artists, musicians, and makers of all kinds across Chicagoland. They dive into what inspires people to pursue their paths as artists, discuss what creativity means to them, and uncover meaningful takeaways from their experiences and journeys so far. Follow along for insights into the creative minds from the next generation of artists in Chicago and beyond.

In this "pilot episode" of the Creative Chicago Podcast, host Jacob Badagliacco is joined by his brother Adam Badagliacco to explore what creativity means to them through their experiences in filmmaking and game development.

About Adam:

Adam Badagliacco is a versatile software and game developer with five years of experience writing code for industry leaders such as JPMorgan Chase and Comcast. He is currently earning a master’s degree from DePaul University in software engineering and bringing his creative visions to life through an original indie game title: "A Creature’s Journey."

Connect with Adam on LinkedIn and subscribe to A Creature's Journey on YouTube. You can also check out the ACJ Documentary and wish list the game on Steam.

Timestamps:

0:00 Intro

0:45 ACJ Documentary

02:36 Adam's Career Background

03:30 Motivation to Give Back as an Educator

05:40 Updates on "A Creature's Journey"

08:50 Why People Connect with Human Stories over AI-Generated Content

11:58 Using AI as a Tool to Help Learning

13:36 Adam's Relationship with his Creative Endeavors

16:47 The Mindset Needed for Change

17:50 Identifying Your Motivations

21:50 How Different Creative Activities Support Each Other

23:45 Is Burnout Inevitable when Monetizing your Craft?

26:46 Outro

Follow the Creative Chicago Podcast for more:

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@jacobbadagliacco

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jacobbadagliacco

About the show:

On the Creative Chicago Podcast, filmmaker & photographer Jacob Badagliacco explores the creative process with both emerging and established artists, musicians, and makers of all kinds across Chicagoland. They dive into what inspires people to pursue their paths as artists, discuss what creativity means to them, and uncover meaningful takeaways from their experiences and journeys so far. Follow along for insights into the creative minds from the next generation of artists in Chicago and beyond.