“Everyone’s like, Tony, Why are you so confident that you’re going to succeed? And my response is…someone’s got to.”

While he never thought he'd make a living by doing drag, growing up in rural Illinois, Tony Soto always felt he had a unique voice and point of view that should be shared with the world. His creativity as a drag queen starts exactly where you would expect it. Ya gotta get dolled up baby!  After some careful adjustments, he slips on the dress, puts on his makeup, and slides into heels, resulting in a supremely confident 7 foot tall alter ego that can get away with anything she wants to.

What goes into a musical performance? For Tucson based performance pianist Ian Houghton, it's a commitment to practice, tinkering, having a singular focus for months on end, and never forgetting that music is supposed to be fun. Classical music can be inherently difficult for many to appreciate on a deeper level and it's Ian's goal to make it a relatable genre within the context of today's contemporary world.

Tommy Honton tells the story of why he was fired from his soul sucking job and how it was the catalyst of his current creative endeavor in designing a narrative experience.

Courtney Nichols discusses her biggest creative success and failure and what it took to embrace her creativity.

How do you design adventure? Tommy Honton is a game and narrative experience designer in Los Angeles. Sometimes known as “escape rooms,” Tommy’s 3-D puzzles with their choose-your-own-adventure-style storylines draw people out of their solo, blue-screen existences and thrusts them into a high-stakes, collective, and dynamic environment. Tommy’s best designs are felt more than they are observed. And while the experience may be manufactured, the users’ excitement, fear, and (hopefully) feelings of accomplishement are very real. But the greatest escape Tommy has designed may be his own. In this part II episode, we hear how Tommy escaped and designed his own career change.

Does the idea of planning a party make you want to curl up in a corner and cry? For Courtney Nichols it took numerous attempts at higher education before she finally embraced the idea that she is a creative person. Once she nurtured her penchant for fun, love of disco and fine dining, plus her wild imagination,  Courtney became a visionary behind some of the most unique parties in Los Angeles.

National Geographic Cartographer, Rosemary Wardley discusses her biggest creative success and biggest creative failure.

Did you know there are still things to be mapped? As a cartographer for National Geographic, Rosemary Wardley combines science and art to diffuse geographic knowledge to the masses. Working in a field that precedes the ancient Greeks and Romans requires that she be a servant to the past, while continually using modern technology to design maps that are engaging, enjoyable, educational for the end user.

Are you seeking perfection? Joshua Jayindo became an ordained monk in Thailand, taking a vow of celibacy all in an effort to achieve his full potential as a human being. Since leaving the monkhood he is now incorporating his training into his current pursuits as a chef, masseure, husband and father. His life and creativity are guided by the belief that the mind, body, and earth are all interconnected through the transference of energy.

Emily Biondo is a passionate, process-conscious artist and graphic designer based in Washington D.C. who’s work ranges from large-scale interactive art installations to intricate hand-drawn lettering. In her personal, paid, and pro-bono work she combines digital and physical mediums to create art that pops from a distance, draws you in, and begs for a closer, interactive look. We talked about her process, about working with clients, and why creating “the perfect work” would be a major bummer.