There’s No Business Like...

Ep. 78 Sarah Saltwick: Bring Your Whole Self

This week, Danielle and Katie share their conversation with the powerhouse that is Sarah Saltwick. They dig into taking ownership of Holden & Arts, managing the agency with three leaders, and what running an agency entails. Sarah also shares how she got started in the industry, how she continues to get involved and learn more, and atte...

Ep. 77 John Ernesto: Take Care of the Artist, Take Care of the Fans

To start this episode our hosts discuss the artist they presented that created that surreal moment of “I can’t believe this is happening”.  Bryan and John discuss the origin of the Berks Jazz Fest and its subsequent development.  His theory on taking care of the artist and the fans and the rest will take care of itself.  We learn abou...

Ep. 76 Jenny Sirota and Didi Perez: Be Confident, Stay Educated, and Stay Flexible Our hosts share their choices for “live on stage” adaptations before Josh shares his conversation with Jenny and Didi. They share their incredible journey in starting RoadCo in collaboration with Sony Music Entertainment. This honest conversation shares the ins and outs of this relationship, what it takes to put a show o...

Ep. 75 Joshua Heim: Embed Art in Your Community

This week Katie and Kevin sit down with Joshua Heim to talk equity, Western Arts Alliance, the state of the arts and more. Josh shares his journey in the arts, Hula as a lifestyle, working with and for constituents, and the role of the arts in communities. Our hosts this week share awkward meetings and interesting meeting locat...

Ep. 74 Ally Haynes-Hamblin: Trust Yourself and Go with the Flow

Our hosts share just some of the many influential women in their lives. Danielle sits down with another influential woman in our lives, Ally Haynes-Hamblin. Ally shares her lineage in the arts, the challenging role of being a "fixer,” her leadership style and philosophy, and how to get involved in a community. ...

Ep. 73 Jim Lenz: Transparency Leads to Trust

Our hosts share their dreams on what they would do with an abandoned mall before our guest Jim Lenz joins Josh for a conversation. Jim shares his love for live music, booking artists into venues in high school, importance of artists taking control of their marketing, and changes in PAC rock shows over the years.  Jim Lenz is wit...

Ep. 72 David Rowell: Inspiring the Next Generation

Our hosts talk about times they said, “never again,” and then totally did again. This week Bryan sits down with David Rowell, an amazing educator and mentor in the industry. David shares his introduction to the arts, clown ministry, his incredible career, opening performance venues, and teaching the future of the industry. ...

Ep. 71 The Okee Dokee Brothers: Being Connected to Families is an Honor

Before we kick-off this week’s interview the Pod Squad gives their opinion on camping, and the team congrats Josh on his appointment to the board of NAPAMA (https://www.napama.org/). The Okee Dokee Brothers join the podcast to be interviewed by their number one grownup fan, Katie Miller!  They share how...

Ep. 70 Sarah Rogers: The Scariest Things Are the Most Rewarding 

Our hosts talk about big professional risks and this week Kevin shares his conversation with Sarah Rogers. Sarah shares her early introduction to the arts, her introduction to being an agent, the challenges of touring major dance pieces and more. Sarah also shares the importance of mentorship and the importanc...

Ep. 69 Dan Talmi: The Art of Rebranding

Our hosts talk about “pandemic pivots,” before Josh’s engaging conversation with Dan Talmi. Dan Talmi shares his almost reluctant start in the family business, overseeing an impressive rebrand amid global conflict, the evolution of marketing, merchandising as an experience, and so much more.  Our hosts continue the conversation and di...

Ep. 68 Jared Freiburg: Roll With the Punches and Treat People With Respect

The Pod Squad talks who they would play in a biopic, with varying levels of seriousness. This week Katie talks with Jared Freiburg, who “can play like a mother”, about his incredible and short (but still unfolding) career. Jared shares how he started working in the touring industry, life as a cruise s...

Ep. 67 Dena Blizzard: Learn Your Craft, Be Funny 

Our hosts share embarrassing moments before Bryan and Josh share their conversation with comedian Dena Blizzard. Dena tells her story of being a comic, creating an off-Broadway show, and eventually creating a multi-media company, starting with her unique approach to marketing. Dena shares funny stories and poignant moments i...

Ep. 66 Pam Komar: Mindful Service

This week Katie shares her conversation with friend of the podcast Pam Komar of the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust. They discuss the power of embracing change, how to focus on wellness and taking care of yourself, and how particular programming areas are avenues to connecting with disengaged audiences. Pam also shares the history of the Cultural Trust and the impact it con...

Ep. 65 Wone Vang: Never Give Up on Your Stupid Stupid Dreams

Kevin tries out his old-timey radio voice before sitting down with Wone Vang. Wone shares the struggle of being a full-time artist and full-time employee, the Guaranteed Income Program she is managing for Springboard for the Arts, and the importance of pay equity. Our hosts talk about their life in cross stich, wha...

Ep. 64 Micah Christian: A Process Unfolding

This week Bryan sits down with the lead vocalist of Sons of Serendip, Micah Christian. Micah opens up about his journey into creating music, learning to not compare himself to others, life on the road, and more. Meanwhile, our hosts have a rousing conversation about ringtones and ring backs, Bryan effectively shuts down criticism, ...

Ep. 63 It’s a New Years’ Spectacular! … with Guests! 

The holiday season is busy and filled with surprises just like this episode! Three guests + 5 hosts = 1 fun filled episode! We’d like to thank our guests Christine Cox, Tracie Lawie, and Barron Ryan for closing out the year with us with some games and some resolutions. Thank you for listening this past year! Christine ...

Ep. 62 Sara Barasch: It Doesn’t Have to be Perfect 

Katie connects with friend of the pod, Sara Barasch. Katie and Sara dive into industry hot topics including block booking, the booking cycle, how to connect with venues/buyers, and how a childhood of dance and musical theatre led her to becoming an agent. Our hosts talk about pivotal show moments in their lives, the importa...

Ep. 61 Devin and Lolita Walker: Know Your Worth 

This week our hosts kick off the conversation discussing being in business with family. This week Danielle sits down with the powerhouse couple Devin and Lolita Walker. Danielle, Devin, and Lolita talk in-depth about being business owners, the lives of teaching artists, and the need for advocacy around working conditions and fair pay for teaching artist...

Ep. 60 Barron Ryan: The Evidence of Beauty

This week our hosts guide you in creating your own mission statement, and share a bit about their own. Kevin sits down with the effortlessly cool Barron Ryan, to talk about how he got started, his creative process, being named one of Smithsonian's Top Innovators to watch in 2021, and his new book, Honey, If It Wasn’t for You. You ca...