Listen Now

In this episode, I talk with David Sparks. David is a self-described lifelong nerd in the world of Apple technology, and for more than 15 years, has been publishing his writing, screencasts, and other content on his website, MacSparky. He's also a podcast host on several Relay.fm podcasts (Mac Power Users, Focused, and Automators), and runs a membership program on his site through which David offers even more content that others can use to help improve their lives through technology.  Links to David's Work MacSparky.com MacSparky Labs Automators - Relay FM Focused - Relay FM  Mac Power Users - Relay FM A Collection of David's Posts on Hyper Scheduling & Time Management Links to Other Work Mentioned Focused #149: Asking Questions, with Marc Champagne - Relay FM Behind the Human (Marc Champagne) Wall Street Journal's Study on TikTok's Algorithm David's Inspirations & Recommendations Detectorists Doc Martin Show Links Creative Consumption Website

In this interview, I speak with Dr. Brandon Gauthier about his newly published book, “Before Evil.” In the book, Brandon writes about the lives and formative experiences of six terrible dictators (Adolf Hitler; Joseph Stalin; Benito Mussolini; Mao Zedong; Kim Il Sung; and Vladimir Lenin) and, through that lens, seeks to answer the question: “Should we humanize the world's most inhumane leaders?” Through his writing, Brandon brings a level of emotion to the work of historiography that helps emphasize the difficulty of the topic. He challenges readers to consider what evil means, and what commonalities the lives of these awful leaders contain which may have led them to commit atrocities beyond imagining. Brandon and I also spoke in detail about why he wanted to write this book, and how his other passions (like music, gardening, and watching YouTube science videos) contribute and intersect with his work as a teacher and historian. Enjoy! Brandon's Work Twitter "Before Evil" Website Academia Profile Brandon's Recommendations Caroline Rose NileRed Simon Sebag Montefiore Steve Anwyll Jonas Reinhart Brian Eno’s Oblique Strategy Cards Paul Bloom (Chosen Suffering Podcast) Megan Boyle, “Liveblog” Steve Hauschildt Show Links Creative Consumption Website Instagram Patreon

Rebecca Murillo is an actor, singer, dancer, composer, writer, choreographer and assistant director. She's performed in New York City on legendary stages like the Green Room 42 and Feinstein’s/54 Below, and has also traveled internationally to perform in a Tokyo production of West Side Story. Rebecca has also received acclaim for her original musical, Not Quite Extinct, and in her most recent project, she was a member of the writing and composing team for the new musical “Breathe,” which was conceived and created by Jodi Picoult and Timothy Allen McDonald.  Links to Rebecca's Work Rebecca's Website Rebecca's Instagram Listen to Breathe License & Read Breathe Rebecca's Inspirations & Recommendations Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron Star Trek: Original Series (on Hulu) Working it Out with Mike Birbiglia Show Links Creative Consumption Website Instagram Patreon

Charlie Alterman is a Broadway music director, conductor, and orchestrator who has worked on shows like the original and recent Kennedy Center productions of Next to Normal; the 2013 revival of Pippin; and the out-of-town productions of Half-Time, among many others. Most recently, Charlie headed to Vancouver where he worked as a music consultant and vocal coach for the NBC musical comedy "Zoey's Extraordinary Playlist." Enjoy! Links to Charlie's Work & Social Charlie on iBDB Charlie on Spotify Charlie's Instagram Charlie's Inspirations & Recommendations Succession on HBO Dead to Me YouTube for Random Deep Dives Show Links Creative Consumption Website Facebook Instagram Patreon

Gavin Creel is a Tony- and Olivier-Award-winning performer, actor, songwriter, and fantastic human. He's performed across the world in numerous Broadway shows and concerts, including Hello, Dolly!; the West End production of The Book of Mormon (the Olivier); the 2016 revival of She Loves Me, and many more. Gavin's also composed and produced several albums and personal musical works (you can hear his melodious tones in a variety of live and animated films and TV), and he’s been an advocate for and active participant in organizations like Broadway Cares/Equity Fights Aids; the Actors Fund; Broadway Inspirational Voices; and many more. Most recently, you might have seen Gavin's performance in the MCC Theater's Miscast gala, where he and Aaron Tveit reunited after a five-year hiatus for a truly special duet. Go and take a listen when you have a chance; the link is in the show notes below. Enjoy! Links to Gavin's Work Gavin's Website Gavin On Spotify Gavin's MCC Miscast Performance Gavin's Inspirations & Recommendations The 1619 Project Black Theatre United Broadway Cares/Equity Fights Aids The Actors Fund Broadway Inspirational Voices Show Links Creative Consumption Website Facebook Instagram Twitter Patreon

This week's guests are Caroline Portu and Marty Miller - or "Carol and Mart," as their fans know them. Both prolific creators, Caroline and Marty have a fan following on Instagram, where they share solo and duo videos of hilarious escapades and skits starring themselves as wonderfully weird characters. Caroline also works as an actress, a singer-songwriter, and a writer. Marty is a published writer in publications like Paper, and his social media videos have been featured on Ellen. Together, they are the creators of the "Carol and Mart Show," in which they perform original comedic songs. Links to Carol’s Work Carol’s Website Instagram Caroline On Spotify iMDB Links to Mart’s Work Marty's Instagram Marty's Articles Carol’s Recommendations All About Love Fleabag Mart’s Recommendations Song of Achilles MUNA Arts Equity and Antiracist Support Resources BroadwayWorld Collection of Links Justice For George (NYC Racial Justice Events) Playwrights Horizons Google Doc Collection of Antiracism Resources Lesson Plan for Learning More Vote.org - Information on Registering to Vote Show Links: Creative Consumption Website Facebook Instagram Twitter Patreon

Lindsay Hackney is the founder of Lindsay Hackney Photography, her wedding photography business based out of New England that she runs, along with her husband and “second shooter” Tim. Prior to starting her own business, Lindsay’s career in acting brought her around the country, performing in the national tours of The Drowsy Chaperone and The Great American Trailer Park Musical, and also in productions at notable regional houses like the Ogunquit Playhouse. Her photography business has flourished and Lindsay has been published in places like “Green Wedding Shoes,” “Style Me Pretty,” “Magnolia Rouge,” “The Knot,“ and “BRIDES.”  Links to Lindsay’s Work Lindsay’s Website Instagram Lindsay’s Recommendations Dark (Netflix Series) Taskmaster Watchmen The Leftovers Nice White Parents Arts Equity and Antiracist Support Resources BroadwayWorld Collection of Links Justice For George (NYC Racial Justice Events) Playwrights Horizons Google Doc Collection of Antiracism Resources Lesson Plan for Learning More The Integrated Schools Podcast Former Guest Projects Jacob Tischler: Radio Play with NLBP Aline Mayagoitia: “School to Stage” Series Show Links: Creative Consumption Website Facebook Instagram Twitter Patreon

This episode, we spoke with Mason Reeves. Mason is a young actor whose resume is already impressively full. He’s worked in theaters across the US, playing historic houses like the St. Louis MUNY; the Connecticut Repertory Theatre; and the Bucks County Playhouse, where he’s spent part of this summer as an artist-in-residence. He’s also a dancer, a musician, a writer, and is currently a cast member of the 1st national tour of the Disney musical, Frozen, in which Mason is starring as Kristoff.  Links to Mason’s Work Mason’s Website Instagram Mason’s Recommendations NAACP.org NAACP’s “We Are Done Dying“ Campaign Watchmen The Last Black Man in San Francisco Arts Equity and Antiracist Support Resources BroadwayWorld Collection of Links Justice For George (NYC Racial Justice Events) Playwrights Horizons Google Doc Collection of Antiracism Resources Lesson Plan for Learning More The Integrated Schools Podcast Former Guest Projects Jacob Tischler: Radio Play with NLBP Aline Mayagoitia: “School to Stage” Series Show Links: Creative Consumption Website Facebook Instagram Twitter Patreon

Jacob Tischler is a professional actor, writer, and baker. He's performed in the national tour of "Flashdance," in numerous productions across the country, and has been seen on the screen in everything from "The Deuce" to "Broad City." On top of that, Jacob has written several plays and musicals that have been produced in NYC and elsewhere, he's got a background in circus arts, and he's just started his MFA in Screenwriting (remotely, of course) at USC. And this past spring, Jacob founded "Starter: A Social Justice Bakery," where he used his skills as a baker to raise funds for initiatives to support local Vermont organizations and other antiracist groups and projects. Basically, Jacob's a Renaissance-man who's got a sprinkle of everything in his background. Links to Jacob's Work Jacob's Website Instagram Soundcloud YouTube Jacob's Recommendation Starter: A Social Justice Bakery Arts Equity and Antiracist Support Resources BroadwayWorld Collection of Links Justice For George (NYC Racial Justice Events) Playwrights Horizons Google Doc Collection of Antiracism Resources Lesson Plan for Learning More The Integrated Schools Podcast Show Links: Creative Consumption Website Facebook Instagram Twitter Patreon

Abel Garriga is a music director and orchestrator, a conductor and piano teacher, and composer. Abel played on the international Spanish tour of "Next to Normal," and at the time of this interview, he was working as a rehearsal pianist for the Broadway production of Moulin Rouge. Links to Abel’s Work Linkedin Instagram Arts Equity and Antiracist Support Resources BroadwayWorld Collection of Links Justice For George (NYC Racial Justice Events) Playwrights Horizons Google Doc Collection of Antiracism Resources Lesson Plan for Learning More The Integrated Schools Podcast Abel’s Recommendation Collection of Antiracism Links (Compiled by Ashley Loren) Show Links: Creative Consumption Website Facebook Instagram Twitter Patreon

Barrett is a New York-based actor, singer, and songwriter who's worked in theaters across the country. His debut album “Good Ol’” is available through all major streaming locations (links below). Barrett also recently released a demo album for the musical "The Moderators," which he co-wrote for a theatre festival earlier this year. Links to Barrett’s Work Listen to “Good Ol’” on Spotify Listen and Download “The Moderators” on Bandcamp Instagram Facebook “Bodies in Seats” (Article about Facebook Content Moderators) MoviePass-Movie MovieCast Arts Equity and Antiracist Support Resources BroadwayWorld Collection of Links Justice For George (NYC Racial Justice Events) Playwrights Horizons Google Doc Collection of Antiracism Resources Lesson Plan for Learning More The Integrated Schools Podcast Barrett's Recommendations Black Men Can't Jump [In Hollywood] Portrait of a Lady on Fire Show Links: Creative Consumption Website Facebook Instagram Twitter Patreon

Anton Volovsek is a set designer who's worked either as the head designer or associate designer for theatrical institutions like the Williamstown Theatre Festival, the Vineyard Theatre, and the Cherry Lane Theatre. Anton's also worked for educational arts programs and is earning his M.F.A. in Scenic Design at NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts. Anton's newest project is as a founding member and creator for the New Phase Collective, which is a novel theatrical experience whose creators "are following the evolving truths of what performance is now, has always been, and can be in the future." NPC's first show, called "Phase One: The Underbrush," is a combination of audio, video, and live components, and runs from August 7th-8th, 2020. Full information can be found in the links below. Learn More about Anton's Work Below: Anton's Website Instagram New Phase Collective NPC Website NPC Facebook Instagram Arts Equity and Antiracist Support Resources BroadwayWorld Collection of Links Playwrights Horizons Google Doc Collection of Antiracism Resources Lesson Plan for Learning More Anton's Recommendations We See You, White American Theatre August Wilson's "The Ground on which I Stand" Between the World and Me "1619" from the NYTimes The Documentary "13th" (Watch Free Here) ”Conversations with Anne” by Anne Bogart Show Links: Creative Consumption Website Facebook Instagram Twitter Patreon

Today's guest is Aline Mayagoitia, a New York-based actress, educator, and musician. Aline has worked across the country in professional theatre productions, and was most recently starring in the latest incarnation of the Broadway staple, Forbidden Broadway. It was titled: "Forbidden Broadway: The Next Generation," and at the time of our interview, was still running in New York. Aline and I also talked about her early inspirations (which included both Jersey Boys and Harry Potter podcasts), her approach to creating impressions for her roles in "Forbidden Broadway," and how YouTube stars can be a stabilizing force in tough times. Enjoy! Learn more about Aline's work: Instagram Facebook Twitter Youtube BIPOC and Arts Equity Support Resources Broadway Advocacy Coalition BroadwayWorld Collection of Links Playwrights Horizons Google Doc Collection of Antiracism Resources Lesson Plan for Learning More Listen to Ta Nehisi-Coates Essay, “The Case for Reparations” Aline's Recommendation: "How to be An Anti-Racist" by Ibram X Kendi Show Links: Creative Consumption Website Facebook Instagram Twitter Patreon

Zoey Engelbert is an Emmy-nominated musician and songwriter, a craftsperson who does wonders with crocheting, and all-around wonderful human. Zoey is known for her solo music career and her work with her siblings, with whom she’s performed nationally and on screens across the world, as the stars of two nationally syndicated TV shows, "Steal the Show" and "Ariel & Zoey & Eli, Too." Zoey's recently been performing as a member of the S.N.O.T. (Super Nerds of Tomorrow) Chamber Orchestra, an a'cappella group, and she also runs her own Etsy store! Zoey and I talked about everything from her music to her crafting, and about seeing and putting her work on social media. Thanks for listening! Learn More About Zoey's Work: Twitter Instagram Facebook YouTube Etsy Zoey's Latest Release Weightless BIPOC and Arts Equity Support Resources Broadway Advocacy Coalition BroadwayWorld Collection of Links Playwrights Horizons Google Doc Collection of Antiracism Resources Lesson Plan for Learning More Listen to Ta Nehisi-Coates Essay, “The Case for Reparations” Show Links: Creative Consumption Website Facebook Instagram Twitter Patreon

Welcome to Creative Consumption, an interview podcast with creators about how and when they do their essential job of creating something, and how and when they enjoy other stuff in their lives. I’m Daniel Schwartzberg, host and co-creator of the show along with my brother, Nathan. This show started from a core question we both had: how do people balance and maintain creativity in a culture that's saturated with material for us to watch, read, and listen to? From streaming media - like music, TV shows, and yes, podcasts - to social media, blogs, and books, the Internet-age and near ubiquity of online access has fundamentally changed the daily lives of most people in the world. And since there is so much content, someone (many someones) are clearly creating that content - so where and when does that creation happen? Essentially, what's the creative process like when so many other things are vying for our attention? In each episode, I speak with people from all careers and backgrounds to explore the balance they strike between how they "make," and how they intake. You'l hear YouTubers, musicians, journalists, actors, writers, filmmakers, and more describe what media they enjoy, how that media inspires them, and how they simultaneously incorporate personal creative expression into their lives. If you're looking for different perspectives on balancing time, finding inspiration, and the challenges of turning on, and off, the creative side of the brains, we'd love for you to listen to an episode. For more information, you can check out the show's website at creativeconsumptionpodcast.com. Thanks for listening!