The Paris Chong Show

Paris Chong sits with Hussain Manawer, a poet and public speaker, on his birthday. They discuss Hussain's life, his career, and his two Sunday Times bestseller books, "Life is Sad and Beautiful" and "I Wanted to Quit Too." The conversation delves into personal topics such as the loss of Hussain's mother, his struggles with letting love in, and his close relationship with his father. They also touch upon his creative process, his diverse audience, and some of his most memorable performances, including Glastonbury and Abbey Road Studios.

Paris and Hussain reflect on their friendship and how they initially met, highlighting their appreciation for each other. They share stories about mutual friends and experiences, like their encounter at Curry Kingdom and attending an event at the English Consulate General's home. Hussain expresses his gratitude for the support he receives from his family and friends, including Paris, and discusses the emotional connection he forms with his audience through his poetry. He also shares insights into his writing process and the inspiration behind his work.

The conversation explores themes of grief, healing, and the creative journey. Hussain talks about the impact his mother's passing had on his life and career, and how it influenced his writing. They discuss the challenges of balancing personal emotions with professional aspirations and the importance of staying true to oneself. Paris shares her own experiences in radio and her passion for interviewing artists, expressing her desire to grow her podcast and create a platform for genuine conversations with creative individuals. The episode concludes with Hussain sharing a heartfelt poem and discussing his plans for his upcoming book.

Show Notes:

www.theparischongshow.com/episodes/hussain-manawer-poetry-grief-and-healing-in-an-intimate-conversation-on-his-birthday

Chapters:

(00:00:00) Intro

(00:00:40) Hussain Manawer

(00:02:17) 2 Best Sellers

(00:04:07) Hussain's Mom

(00:08:55) Life Now

(00:15:10) Healing Journey

(00:19:23) Performing Poetry

(00:22:33) A Couple of Poems

(00:26:36) Writing Inspiration

(00:30:26) A Question from Hussain

(00:33:46) Working A Lot

(00:37:28) Gratitude

(00:40:57) Outro

🎵 Music by ⁠Andrew Raiher⁠ https://andrewraiher.com/

📸 Shot & Edited at ⁠Visible Audio Studios https://www.visibleaudiostudios.com

Mona Kuhn discusses her multilingual upbringing, learning German, Portuguese, and English. Born in Sao Paulo to German parents, she initially spoke German at home, then learned Portuguese in school. Her transition to the US at 18 necessitated truly learning English, which she did by immersing herself in a dorm setting. This multilingual background influenced her experiences and her son's upbringing, who also learned multiple languages from a young age.

Show Clip from The Paris Chong Show with Mona Kuhn

https://youtu.be/0hOYuPcKGVk

https://www.theparischongshow.com

🎵 Music by ⁠Andrew Raiher⁠ https://andrewraiher.com/

📸 Shot & Edited at ⁠Visible Audio Studios https://www.visibleaudiostudios.com

#photography #multilingual #podcast #art

Mona Kuhn discusses her recent artistic shift towards multimedia projects, specifically her "Kings Road" series. She explains that after years of focusing on traditional photography and print making, she felt the need to explore new avenues post-pandemic. This led her to create a 12-minute film composed of still photographs that are projected onto multiple walls, creating an immersive experience. The project, which also incorporates an original score by her husband, a composer, traveled extensively to various museums, including the Arts Design and Architecture Museum in Santa Barbara, the Kunz house, and a museum in China. Kuhn highlights how the addition of music influences the viewer's experience, impacting their pace and emotional connection to the work. The projections were shown alongside her traditional prints in a separate room, emphasizing the scale and cinematic nature of the multimedia installation.

Show Clip from The Paris Chong Show with Mona Kuhn

https://youtu.be/0hOYuPcKGVk

https://www.theparischongshow.com

🎵 Music by ⁠Andrew Raiher⁠ https://andrewraiher.com/

📸 Shot & Edited at ⁠Visible Audio Studios https://www.visibleaudiostudios.com

#multimedia #art #photography #podcast

Mona Kuhn discusses the origins of her interest in nude photography during her college years at Ohio State. She explains that the idea of photographing the human body felt natural and obvious to her, driven by a group of friends experimenting with art and expression. They utilized a warehouse space, allowing for free exploration and the body became their primary subject matter. Kuhn and her friends all posed nude for each other, finding the process liberating and a way to directly engage with a classic artistic subject. This experience was not driven by shock value, but by a genuine artistic inquiry, and the body was seen as equivalent to art itself. These early photos remain private, seen as early sketches rather than the refined work she later developed. Despite this, the experience solidified her approach to nude photography and her relationship with those friends has remained positive, even though she is the only one who pursued a professional art career from their photography class.

Show Clip from The Paris Chong Show with Mona Kuhn

https://youtu.be/0hOYuPcKGVk

https://www.theparischongshow.com

🎵 Music by ⁠Andrew Raiher⁠ https://andrewraiher.com/

📸 Shot & Edited at ⁠Visible Audio Studios https://www.visibleaudiostudios.com

#photography #artist #podcast

Mona Kuhn discusses her extensive career as a photographer and the process of publishing her books. She initially thought she had seven books but realized it was closer to ten. She recounts working with her first publisher, Gerhard, and the pivotal moment when he decided to publish her work. Kuhn elaborates on her experiences with different publishers like Tamson Hudson and Stanley Barker, and how each caters to distinct markets. She also shares the story behind her book featuring a male nude named Charles, which was encouraged by her publisher to create something unique and unexpected, leading to a meaningful and spontaneous photoshoot. Finally, she touches on the difference in how her various books are received in different regions, such as Europe and the U.S., and the unique challenges and rewards of working with diverse publishing houses.

Show Clip from The Paris Chong Show with Mona Kuhn

https://youtu.be/0hOYuPcKGVk

https://www.theparischongshow.com

🎵 Music by ⁠Andrew Raiher⁠ https://andrewraiher.com/

📸 Shot & Edited at ⁠Visible Audio Studios https://www.visibleaudiostudios.com

#artbooks #photography #podcast

Paris Chong sits with renowned photographer Mona Kuhn to discuss her career journey, including the publication of her numerous books (technically ten, despite initial counting errors), and her collaborative work with various publishers. She shares an anecdote about her early career when Gerhard, a publisher, decided to create a book of her photographs, as a pivotal moment for her. Kuhn also elaborates on how each of her books resonates differently in various markets, such as Europe and the U.S., and her experience working with multiple publishers like Thames & Hudson and Stanley/Barker.

The conversation delves into Kuhn’s artistic process, her perspective on nude photography, and the inspiration she draws from various experiences. She explains that her approach to photography, particularly nudes, is influenced by her childhood experiences, especially her grandparents' natural attitude towards nudity. Kuhn also reveals that her photography class friends did not continue art professionally except her, which puts a sense of responsibility on her for her work. She talks about her book featuring a male nude named Charles, and how it was an exploration of the body and a deviation from typical nude photography. She also discusses her multimedia presentations and collaborations, like incorporating sound into her exhibitions with her composer husband.

Finally, Mona Kuhn reflects on her journey as an artist, from her early days with a Kodak camera to her current exhibitions and projects. She discusses her recent exhibition at the Getty featuring books by historical female photographers, which she was also included in with other Southern California female photographers. She mentions her "Kings Road" series with its immersive projections and sound, as well as her upcoming series of still photographs inspired by summers in France. Kuhn shares her multilingual background and how moving to the U.S. influenced her English language acquisition, adding personal depth to her discussion of art and life experiences.

Show Notes:

www.theparischongshow.com/episodes/mona-kuhn-10-books-and-counting-of-exploring-the-human-form

Chapters:

(00:00:00) Intro

(00:00:39) Mona Kuhn

(00:01:38) 7 Books

(00:06:27) Male Models

(00:08:57) How Did You Start Shooting Nudes

(00:12:28) Happy For Success

(00:14:03) New Exhibitions

(00:16:00) Art Heroes

(00:16:36) Next Art Projects

(00:21:52) Actual Next Projects

(00:24:31) Natural Relationship to Nudity

(00:28:10) Artistic Perspective

(00:30:38) Germany and Brazil

(00:34:27) More of Mona

(00:35:54) Outro

🎵 Music by ⁠Andrew Raiher⁠ https://andrewraiher.com/

📸 Shot & Edited at ⁠Visible Audio Studios https://www.visibleaudiostudios.com

Paris Chong sits with renowned photographer Mona Kuhn to discuss her career journey, including the publication of her numerous books (technically ten, despite initial counting errors), and her collaborative work with various publishers. She shares an anecdote about her early career when Gerhard, a publisher, decided to create a book of her photographs, as a pivotal moment for her. Kuhn also elaborates on how each of her books resonates differently in various markets, such as Europe and the U.S., and her experience working with multiple publishers like Thames & Hudson and Stanley/Barker.

The conversation delves into Kuhn’s artistic process, her perspective on nude photography, and the inspiration she draws from various experiences. She explains that her approach to photography, particularly nudes, is influenced by her childhood experiences, especially her grandparents' natural attitude towards nudity. Kuhn also reveals that her photography class friends did not continue art professionally except her, which puts a sense of responsibility on her for her work. She talks about her book featuring a male nude named Charles, and how it was an exploration of the body and a deviation from typical nude photography. She also discusses her multimedia presentations and collaborations, like incorporating sound into her exhibitions with her composer husband.

Finally, Mona Kuhn reflects on her journey as an artist, from her early days with a Kodak camera to her current exhibitions and projects. She discusses her recent exhibition at the Getty featuring books by historical female photographers, which she was also included in with other Southern California female photographers. She mentions her "Kings Road" series with its immersive projections and sound, as well as her upcoming series of still photographs inspired by summers in France. Kuhn shares her multilingual background and how moving to the U.S. influenced her English language acquisition, adding personal depth to her discussion of art and life experiences.

Show Notes:

www.theparischongshow.com/episodes/mona-kuhn-10-books-and-counting-of-exploring-the-human-form

Chapters:

(00:00:00) Intro

(00:00:39) Mona Kuhn

(00:01:38) 7 Books

(00:06:27) Male Models

(00:08:57) How Did You Start Shooting Nudes

(00:12:28) Happy For Success

(00:14:03) New Exhibitions

(00:16:00) Art Heroes

(00:16:36) Next Art Projects

(00:21:52) Actual Next Projects

(00:24:31) Natural Relationship to Nudity

(00:28:10) Artistic Perspective

(00:30:38) Germany and Brazil

(00:34:27) More of Mona

(00:35:54) Outro

🎵 Music by ⁠Andrew Raiher⁠ https://andrewraiher.com/📸 Shot & Edited at ⁠Visible Audio Studios https://www.visibleaudiostudios.com

Paris Chong and Luis Miguel "Micky" discuss the idea that people often don't marry the person they love the most, but rather someone they feel is right for them at a certain time or when they have achieved certain goals like financial security. Paris expresses that this is heartbreaking and advises her son to always marry the person he loves the most. They also discuss how there are often people from the past who "got away" and linger in one's thoughts. Paris believes timing is crucial in relationships, suggesting that settling for someone when the timing is right can lead to a life where one always wonders about what could have been with "the one." They also discuss how societal pressures around marriage and relationships have changed and what it means for new generations.

Show Clip from The Paris Chong Show with Luis Miguel “Micky”

https://youtu.be/rc8jUUpOmnA

https://www.theparischongshow.com

🎵 Music by ⁠Andrew Raiher⁠ https://andrewraiher.com/

📸 Shot & Edited at ⁠Visible Audio Studios https://www.visibleaudiostudios.com

#love #theone #marriage #podcast #dating

Luis Miguel "Micky" explains how photographer Neil Preston encouraged his pursuit of music. Micky met Preston at a masterclass in Boston, where Micky's enthusiastic dancing on a bus impressed Preston. Preston remarked that Micky had a unique energy he'd last seen with Freddie Mercury and later gifted Micky a signed photo of Mercury after learning Micky was inspired by the singer. This gesture, combined with Preston's encouragement that Micky "had it," played a significant role in Micky deciding to focus on his music career. They also discuss potential shows at The Sphere and Micky's other celebrity encounters, highlighting the importance of Preston in his artistic journey.

Show Clip from The Paris Chong Show with Luis Miguel “Micky”

https://youtu.be/rc8jUUpOmnA

https://www.theparischongshow.com

🎵 Music by ⁠Andrew Raiher⁠ https://andrewraiher.com/

📸 Shot & Edited at ⁠Visible Audio Studios https://www.visibleaudiostudios.com

#photography #inspiration #neilpreston

Luis Miguel "Micky" discusses his shift to focusing on music, revealing that he's going solo and his new music is slated for a summer release. He describes his style as a blend of Billie Eilish with a rock edge, featuring his high-pitched, falsetto-like voice. Micky mentions meeting Billie Eilish, who he cites as a celebrity crush, along with Paris Jackson. He shares anecdotes about encountering both of them and his admiration for their individuality. The conversation also touches upon Micky's upcoming video, his songwriting process, and his numerous music producers, including one who has worked with Kanye West.

Show Clip from The Paris Chong Show with Luis Miguel “Micky”

https://youtu.be/rc8jUUpOmnA

https://www.theparischongshow.com

🎵 Music by ⁠Andrew Raiher⁠ https://andrewraiher.com/

📸 Shot & Edited at ⁠Visible Audio Studios https://www.visibleaudiostudios.com

#music #billieeilish #rock #newmusic