The Scout Archives: Live

It's 10am on a Sunday and Nicole Chan sits calmly in a coffee shop, a half-finished New York Times crossword puzzle in front of her. While her outfit is from several different places, it is simple. She wears no makeup. Yet she is ready to go deep. I have known Nicole since elementary school, but since attending college with her, I have seen a different side to her, one that has flourished and blossomed since making the move downtown. Nicole is a reflection of the places she has been, the people she knows, and the things she loves, as evident by her work. It is clear in her photographs that she has a history with each subject and perhaps that is what makes her work so strong. Throughout my time knowing her, I have seen her grow immensely in terms of her creative eye and it is quite exciting to see where her work will lead her next, though I have no doubt that her passion and work ethic will take her across the globe and to many different realms of the fashion industry. So read on as Nicole discusses her past work, her wide net of creative friends who have kept her inspired, and her moving from school to the outside world, striving to be comfortable with the inevitable unknown.

If you know Morgan Higgins, you would know that she has quite a presence when walking into a room. When I first met her, she was as bubbly as they come, full of energy and life. She has always been true to this sun-shiny quality of hers with every interaction I have had with her, whether it be serious, funny, or just a simple hello. Throughout the past year I have known her, I have learned that although she has a free-spirited personality, she takes her relationships, her work and her education very seriously. I occasionally see Morgan strutting the streets of New York City, completely dolled up and in high heels, having come from a class. She mentions that dressing up for school makes her feel more responsible. Morgan is a loud presence and makes herself known when she is in a room. She is eager to approach any situation with an open mind and lives her life in a fearless way. So listen in to get to know Morgan as I do, a young woman with a talented spirit, a brilliant mind, a bright smile, and a giving heart that captures many who cross her path.

During the interview, Jesse Madera mentioned something that stuck out: she spoke about a young musician and prefaced it with, "I hate saying up-and-coming: have you only made it when other people know who you are? I don't think so." It was one of the most on-the-money things she said all day, and that's saying a lot considering all of her thoughts and feelings spin out into the air like poetry. Jesse has always been enigmatic to me. She is observant and thoughtful, charismatic and funny. She always seems to be at peace, though there are intensely turning wheels inside her brain, wheels that will create some of the most beautiful words accompanied by a graceful piano melody. I am to say that I have known her for years, but this interview gave me even more reason to admire her. Her wit, intelligence, and unique take on the world makes me believe that if you don't know her already, you will want to. Whether she is singing with her children in her home, or singing live on a stage, Jesse Madera is not up-and-coming: she has humbly arrived and she is not leaving any time soon. So listen in as Jesse and I discuss how she expresses her wonderful humility and depth while being a mother, friend, wife, and artist.

When I think of Nell Teare, many memories flood my mind. I met her when I was 8 years old, on a playground on 96th street. She sang me "Poor Unfortunate Souls" from The Little Mermaid on the swings, and from that moment on, I was hooked. I had never met someone so eager to live life to the fullest each day, who had a love for imagination and children, as well as working hard to become the lady boss she is as an adult. As I got older, I learned to respect the devotion she had to bettering herself and never, ever giving up when times got tough, and trust me, they got tough. Don't let her well-meaning nature and irresistible charm fool you - she has lived many lives during her time growing up in Texas and moving to New York and then to Los Angeles, where she lives now, a few steps from the home of her best friends, Hemky and Jesse Madera, and their two children. Although she has the curiosity of a young child running free, her work speaks for itself to say that Nell is a visionary leader. She is truly non-stop: her resume spans from screenwriter to director, nanny to actor, artist to author to activist. Beyond that, there is a reason people love working with her so much - she is kind, interested, and personable. Although each day is a hike, Nell never ceases to show me that she is comfortable climbing even if she cannot see the top of the mountain, as long as she is doing what she loves and inspiring others along the way. So read on as Nell and I discuss her experiences wearing her many different hats, and how she has stayed so positive, so driven, and so full of wonder while donning each one.

If you met us today, you would never think that Anna Jurew and I were once rivals, fighting for the attention of a girl in our class. I almost can't believe that I have only been friends with Anna since sophomore year of high school, considering I feel like she is my sister. She is not only one of the funniest, most intelligent, and thoughtful people I know but her devotion to the rigorous sport of track has inspired me in my own life to work just as hard at the things I want. I am in constant awe of her: she is a member of Princeton University's elite track team, has a 2:07 personal record for the 800M event, is a talented writer and photographer, and a loving friend and girlfriend. I can't wait to introduce you all to her, as she is my first guest on The Scout Archives. So pull up a chair and listen in as Anna and I discuss her quiet nature, her love for Zora Neale Hurston, and how she finds peace in balancing the goal-oriented lifestyle of an athlete and the fluid, creative nature of an artist.