There’s No Business Like...

Ep. 82 David Alpert: Find the Solution

Katie sits down with a former fellow Michigander, David Alpert, to talk all things Broadway. David shares his journey from wanting to be a theatre director in 5th grade to directing on Broadway. Katie and David talk about the impact of their local theatre scene growing up, the different roles on a Broadway directing team, and the importance of “showing up.”

Ep. 81 Mark Morris and Nancy Umanoff: Dance. Music. Community.  

Our hosts spend this week thinking about what they thought they would be when they grew up. Josh and Kevin share their conversation with Mark Morris, who the New York Times called, “the most successful and influential choreographer alive, and indisputably the most musical” and Nancy Umanoff, the masterful executive director whose work c...

Ep. 80 Merrill Miller: Be a Sponge 

This week we start with video games that taught us something before Bryan and Josh sit down with fellow presenter, Merrill Miller. Merrill shares his journey from booking his high school band gigs to booking bands at the North Shore Center. He talks about the challenges of booking a venue so close to Chicago, what a performing arts center can be, the importance of ...

Ep. 79 Jeeyoon Kim: A Degree Doesn’t Guarantee Anything

Our hosts start this week’s episode talking about changing traditions. Bryan shares his conversation with award-winning performer, Jeeyoon Kim. Jeeyoon shares how and why she is challenging the traditions of classical music, her unique start in Korea with playing the piano, and the challenges of being a classical music performer after universit...

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, ...