The Cultured Podcast

In its final episode, Michelle Khouri sits down with the women behind the scenes, the “OGs of the OG” of FRQNCY Media’s own The Cultured Podcast. Michelle reminisces with her team-turned-family about what Cultured has meant to them on their journeys in podcasting, with FRQNCY and with each other. Listen to this episode to hear the story of how Cultured changed Enna Garkusha’s, the show’s producer, whole life, including meeting her future husband, the kismet of how Becca Godwin came into her role as Associate Producer, and how the first emails between Jessica Olivier, FRQNCY’s lead content strategist, and Michelle started it all.

An illustrator, educator and overall joyful person, Kate Bingaman-Burt approaches her artistic outlets with intention and commitment to community. Kate’s first project of drawing her own credit card statements everyday and coming up as an artist during the graphic design boom of the mid 2000s inspired her signature style, or her “confident wonk,” as she coins it. Her expressions of consumerism and her hand-drawn technique, a way to put the humanity back into art, continues to be the essence of her work. Listen to this episode to hear Kate’s philosophy on “good nervous,” teaching through the pandemic and being an active participant in your life.

A true hyper-creative who knows no bounds, Drew Tetz is a trained graphic designer, a one-time professional Yoyoer, and now a widely celebrated vinyl record animator. Using his spin on the early motion picture tool, the phenakistoscope, Drew has even animated records for some of his musical heroes, like the band Bright Eyes. Listen to this episode to hear Drew “nerd out” and “shout out” to the creators and innovations throughout history that have inspired his work. Visit culturedpodcast.com for full transcripts of this episode and links to things mentioned.

We're rewinding back to April 2018 to revisit our episode with FRKO, who has since flexed on some major collaborations, like with Reebok and Redbull, and continues working with some of the biggest names in hip hop on album artwork. FRKO's sense of humor and knack for capturing the essence of life on the streets has landed him on the radars of some of the biggest names in hip-hop. In fact, FRKO has drawn multiple covers for Action Bronson, including the artwork for Mr. Wonderful, and the artwork for Gucci Mane's "All My Children." FRKO joins Michelle on The Cultured Podcast to discuss his earliest influences and how the streets of Atlanta shapes his art.

We're rewinding back to October 2018 to revisit our episode with Collins Provost, who has since been expanding her artistry — spray painting and working on murals with her husband, and designing shirts for Thrive Unltd., which is meant to empower indigenous communities. Lakhota artist Collins Provost finds healing and self expression through her intricate and vibrant beadwork. Listen to this episode of The Cultured Podcast to uncover Collins’ deep-rooted journey as an artisan and how her Native American heritage both inspired and challenged her individual path.

We're rewinding back to March 2018 to revisit our episode with Raymond Carr, who has since worked on a Disney+ show called Earth to Ned, made his own Afrofuturistic sci-fi adventure film called Joyriders, and worked on Space Jam 2. It’s hard to imagine anything more surreal than the stories Jim Henson Company-trained puppeteer Raymond Carr brings to this episode of The Cultured Podcast. Raised by Christian clowns, Raymond spent his childhood touring the country in a pink 18-foot trailer with his family. Raymond shares how his nontraditional upbringing inspired his career in puppetry, which has since led him to perform everywhere from Madison Square Garden to Iceland.

We're rewinding back to May 2018 to revisit our episode with Danielle Deadwyler, who has since been up to quite a lot, including landing a recurring role in HBO's Watchmen and writing, directing, and producing her own experimental short film, CHOR(E)S. Danielle is a multimedia artist who uses her body as her primary medium, including through on-screen and on-stage acting, dance and performance art. In her conversation with Michelle, Danielle discusses her method, process, and motivations. Danielle and Michelle discuss how the goal of Danielle's art—whether it be in a traditional acting role, an abstract performance, or life itself—is to explore the chaos of life and how we can flow freely within it.

From the moment Michelle Norris began picking her own outfits as a child, she knew she had an affinity for bold self-expression. Today, Michelle is celebrated in the photography world for her striking shapes, playful perspective and rich palettes. And when it comes to color play, no hue is off limits. Once told by an art teacher that she did not understand color, Michelle’s own personal color theory color has become the language her art speaks fluently. Listen to this episode to hear why Michelle advocates for ditching the little black dress and instead rocking a celebration of you. Visit culturedpodcast.com for full transcripts of this episode and links to things mentioned.

Daniel Popper is larger than life in the art world. Known for his large-scale public art installations, Daniel creates fantastical structures designed to invite spectators to interact directly with them. From music festival audiences having psychedelic experiences with his installations, to students perched under his piece at the Nelson Mandela School of Science and Technology, Daniel’s work has intrigued and inspired crowds worldwide. Listen to this episode to hear what Daniel claims is his most psychedelic experience in life so far. Visit culturedpodcast.com for full transcripts of this episode and links to things mentioned.

After studying neuroscience at Columbia and spending years researching in an Alzheimer’s lab, Amanda Phingbodhipakkiya felt compelled to tell the stories of science in a creative and impactful way. A multidisciplinary artist who describes her pieces as an explosion or color and joy, Amanda and her work are now globally celebrated for being creative connective tissue between the communities of science and art. And while her work is honored in museums, galleries, and prestigious publications, Amanda is using this unique time in history to focus on public art and awakening the next generation of badass women scientists. Listen to this episode to hear Amanda explain the parallels between women in STEM and dark matter. Visit culturedpodcast.com for full transcripts of this episode and links to things mentioned.