Hello Creative Lotus Family!

On today's episode I sit down and talk with children's book author and writer Greg McGoon. Greg and I have known each other since my first year living in Los Angeles when he was modeling. He's since gone on to live in NYC and recently has moved back to LA, where he is busy writing children's books, working behind the scenes doing scenic work on theater sets and productions for the likes of Disney. McGoon opens up about his trials of relationships, the struggle to keep creating new writing projects, while also juggling self-promotion. His adorable dog Oliver, who is also the star of Greg's book "Oliver Gilmore A Doxie's Diary" enjoyed sitting on Greg's lap while we chatted for almost two hours for this episode. 

To check out more of Greg's work, follow him on instagram @themcgoonies or online to purchase one of his amazing children's books, go to www.gregmcgoon.com

Allen Zaki's Social:

Let's Connect!

IG: @allenzaki @thecreativelotuspod

FB: @allenzakiphoto

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/allenzaki

Intro/Outro Music:

Track Info: Title: In Your Orbit  Artist: tubebackr

https://soundcloud.com/tubebackr

https://open.spotify.com/artist/1NXfZ...

https://music.apple.com/us/artist/tub...

Hello Creative Lotus Family!

On today's episode I sit down and talk with model director Cecilio Asuncion of trans modeling agency Slay Models. Cece shares his struggles of coming to America from the Philippines at a young age, making his way from NYC to California, and ultimately opening up Slay Models in 2015. Asuncion has won a GLADD Award for his TV show Strut on Oxygen, which gave viewers an inside look into the modeling world of his modeling agency, which was co-produced by Whoopi Goldberg. Most recently, Cece has built a strong modeling agency of new fresh faced trans models who are working in ad campaigns, lookbooks and commercials in LA and NYC. His agency's work can be seen throughout the US and Internationally. My recent podcast guest, trans supermodel Arisce Wanzer is also represented by Cece Asuncion. 

To check out more of Cece's work and his models, follow him on instagram @yetasuncion and @slaymodelsla or online at www.slaymodels.com

Allen Zaki's Social:

Let's Connect!

IG: @allenzaki @thecreativelotuspod

FB: @allenzakiphoto

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/allenzaki

Intro/Outro Music:

Track Info: Title: In Your Orbit  Artist: tubebackr

https://soundcloud.com/tubebackr

https://open.spotify.com/artist/1NXfZ...

https://music.apple.com/us/artist/tub...

Hello Creative Lotus Family!

On today's episode I sit down and talk with plus size tattooed male model and mental health advocate Koichi MacGregor. Koichi shares about his life growing up in LA, his deep connection to his family, his inspiration to become a plus size male model and the tattoo work across body. MacGregor opens up about his own mental health and how sharing his personal stories on social media and dialoguing with others has helped to spread awareness to the importance of taking care of your mental health daily. Koichi also attributes many of his benefits as a plus size tattooed male model to his buddhist practice. 

To check out more of Koichi MacGregor's work, follow him on instagram @koichimynichi or on twitter @koichimynichi #plussizemodel #bodypositive #tattooedmodel #mentalhealthawareness

Allen Zaki's Social:

Let's Connect!

IG: @allenzaki @thecreativelotuspod

FB: @allenzakiphoto

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/allenzaki

Intro/Outro Music:

Track Info: Title: In Your Orbit  Artist: tubebackr

https://soundcloud.com/tubebackr

https://open.spotify.com/artist/1NXfZ...

https://music.apple.com/us/artist/tub...

Hello Creative Lotus Family!

On today's episode I sit down and talk with content creator and fashion expert Parker York Smith. Parker shares his stories of coming to Los Angeles, going the route of acting, until realizing his creative talents of making educational and fashion related content on social media platforms was better suited for him. He shares his views on the fashion industry, how he inspires and communicates with his audiences and the hard work he puts into constantly creating new and exciting content that he loves. Smith also opens up about the struggles of sharing his life with the world on social media, while keeping his relationships with friends and family a priority. 

To check out more of Parker York Smith's work, follow him on instagram @parkeryorksmith, on YouTube, TikTok and online at www.thelooksmith.com 

Allen Zaki's Social:

Let's Connect!

IG: @allenzaki @thecreativelotuspod

FB: @allenzakiphoto

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/allenzaki

Intro/Outro Music:

Track Info: Title: In Your Orbit  Artist: tubebackr

https://soundcloud.com/tubebackr

https://open.spotify.com/artist/1NXfZ...

https://music.apple.com/us/artist/tub...

Hello Creative Lotus Family!

On today's episode I sit down and talk with two-time Emmy Award Winner, Actress, Host, Philanthropist, and CEO of NYTAQ Fernanda Kelly. Fernanda shares about her life growing up in Tijuana, MX; living in San Diego and Los Angeles, to then pursue her dreams as an actress in Hollywood. Kelly keeps it real and opens up about her struggles trying to make ends meet, making it as a successful TV host on Spanish daytime television, and most recently her successes as Founder/CEO of NYTAQ her female owned shop empowering female artists. 

To check out more of Fernanda's work, follow her on instagram @fernandakellyyy or shop her online store at www.nytaq.com 

Allen Zaki's Social:

Let's Connect!

IG: @allenzaki @thecreativelotuspod

FB: @allenzakiphoto

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/allenzaki

Intro/Outro Music:

Track Info: Title: In Your Orbit  Artist: tubebackr

https://soundcloud.com/tubebackr

https://open.spotify.com/artist/1NXfZ...

https://music.apple.com/us/artist/tub...

Hello Creative Lotus Family!

On today's episode I sit down and talk with entrepreneur and lifestyle brand creator Kaori Matsutsuru. Kaori shares about her struggles of moving to Los Angeles from Japan to pursue acting and the entertainment world. But her perseverance and strength through COVID-19 led her to create her own lifestyle brand Kaorifornia where she creates one of a kind beautiful jewelry. She also live-streams, has YouTube channels with ASMR and other lifestyle content and most recently is getting back into acting. 

To check out more of Kaori's work, follow her on instagram @kaorifornia @kaorifornialifestyle or online at www.kaorifornia.com 

Allen Zaki's Social:

Let's Connect!

IG: @allenzaki @thecreativelotuspod

FB: @allenzakiphoto

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/allenzaki

Intro/Outro Music:

Track Info: Title: In Your Orbit  Artist: tubebackr

https://soundcloud.com/tubebackr

https://open.spotify.com/artist/1NXfZ...

https://music.apple.com/us/artist/tub...

Hello Creative Lotus Family!

On today's episode I sit down and talk with actress/producer/mom Keiko Elizabeth. I had the pleasure to photograph Keiko at the beginning of 2021 for her press kit, and she graciously offered to be a guest on the podcast. Keiko is known most recently for her work as Karen Shimizu on City on a Hill on Showtime, staring across from Kevin Bacon (funny story in the interview). She can also be seen in How to Get Away with Murder and has been working on and producing a documentary about her family and their story within the Japanese Internment Camps at Tule Lake during WWII #inhernamefilm. Keep an eye out for the many great projects Keiko has coming out. 

To connect and see more of Keiko Elizabeth's work, follow her on Instagram @imkeiko or online www.keikoelizabeth.com

Allen Zaki's Social:

Let's Connect!

IG: @allenzaki

FB: @allenzakiphoto

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/allenzaki

Intro/Outro Music:

Track Info: Title: In Your Orbit  Artist: tubebackr

https://soundcloud.com/tubebackr

https://open.spotify.com/artist/1NXfZ...

https://music.apple.com/us/artist/tub...

Hello Creative Lotus Family!

Welcome BACK to Season 2 of The Creative Lotus Podcast! 🎉

On today's episode I sit down and talk with beauty expert and friend Despina Scandalis. Despina Scandalis is a working Beauty Professional in Los Angeles, California with over fifteen years working in the Makeup and Skincare industry specializing in Wedding Beauty and Live Events including Red Carpet and Media. Despina thrives working with her clients delivering her signature luxury experience for all that book with her. As a Licensed Esthetician she satisfies her love of both worlds, Makeup and Skin, as they go hand in hand she conditions her clients to receiving regular Rejuvenating Oxygen Facials out of her Spa Suite located in Sherman Oaks. We speak of her Greek heritage, the struggles of owning her own business and the successes that come from persevering no matter what with the determination to follow your dreams. 

To connect and see more of Despina Scandalis' work, follow her on Instagram @despinascandalis or online at www.despinascandalis.com to book your facial, your skin will thank you! 

Allen Zaki's Social:

Let's Connect!

IG: @allenzaki

FB: @allenzakiphoto

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/allenzaki

Intro/Outro Music:

Track Info: Title: In Your Orbit  Artist: tubebackr

https://soundcloud.com/tubebackr​

https://open.spotify.com/artist/1NXfZ...​

https://music.apple.com/us/artist/tub...

Hello Creative Lotus Family!

On today's episode I sit down and talk with comedian and actor Joseph Schles. He opens up about his personal struggles with acceptance with himself, using his struggles as fuel for his comedy, romantic relationships and changing the patriarchy within American society. Joseph talks about dirty jokes, being openly gay within the comedy world, the ideals of LGBTQ+ culture and not fitting within the confines of the stereotypes. To listen to Joseph's comedy, checkout his comedy album released in 2020, you're gonna laugh, guaranteed. 

To connect and see more of Joseph Schles' work, follow him on Instagram @josephschles or purchase his comedy album full of hysterical dick jokes online via Apple Music or josephschles.com

Allen Zaki's Social:

Let's Connect!

IG: @allenzaki

FB: @allenzakiphoto

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/allenzaki

Intro/Outro Music:

Track Info: Title: In Your Orbit  Artist: tubebackr

https://soundcloud.com/tubebackr

https://open.spotify.com/artist/1NXfZ...

https://music.apple.com/us/artist/tub...