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The live event industry came to a standstill during the COVID-19 pandemic, as Detroit event producers were forced to cancel, postpone, or take their events virtual. What was it like to be an event producer during the pandemic? We asked one of the best. Jon Witz, the producer of Arts, Beats & Eats, the Winter Blast, and Rock 'n' Rides Royal Oak joins Seth and Becky on The D Brief.

These days, there's a lot of debate over what we should teach children in schools about American history. But pop culture -- from television to movies to music -- can also play an educational role. Ederique Goudia, co-founder of Taste the Diaspora Detroit, a food event series that focus on the African Diapsora, talks to Seth and Becky about how she's using food to share and celebrate history with people.

Detroit creatives can learn a lot from each other. The D Brief shares the stories of local artists and entertainers to educate and inspire others in the community. Hosts Seth Resler and Becky Scarcello interview Detroit actors, authors, brewers, chefs, comedians, curators, dancers, DJs, mixologists, musicians, storytellers, visual artists, and more.

The COVID-19 pandemic has affected the entire Detroit food system, from restaurants to grocery stores to urban farms. In the second season of the Vegetarian Detroit podcast, host Jewell Dziendziel explored the local impact of the pandemic in detail. She talks to Seth and Becky of The D Brief about what she learned.

Often artists and entertainers want to cross into other disciplines: Painters look to try sculpting, comedians look to try acting, or actors look to try directing. But how do you make that leap? Ryan Wiese achieved a level of success as the guitarist for the Detroit band The Satin Peaches, but now he's channeling his creative energy into filmmaking with the short film Pack Co. He shares the story of this switch with Seth and Becky of The D Brief.

Cultural appropriation is a controversial topic in the world of arts and entertainment. When an art form or style has specific ethnic roots, when and how is it appropriate for people from other cultures to partake? Mapate Diop is the co-founder of DIOP, a company that makes streetwear inspired by the African Diaspora. He discusses the issue with Seth and Becky of The D Brief.

Who hasn't toiled away at their day job, all the while dreaming of quitting to pursue their artistic passion? Mike Ward walked away from an advertising career of over 40 years to become a folk singer/songwriter. He talks to Seth and Becky of The D Brief about how he did it.

Like many Detroit artists and entertainers, Melinda Anderson's living prior to the pandemic was entirely dependent on the live event industry. As the Creative Director of Studio M Detroit, she built art installations for festivals and other gatherings. When these events were canceled due to COVID-19, she was forced to reinvent her career. She shares the story with Seth and Becky of The D Brief. 

Detroit chef Kiki Louya, founder of Folk and The Farmer's Hand, competed on season 18 of the reality TV competition, Top Chef, before her elimination in the fourth episode. She talks to Seth and Becky of The D Brief about what it was like to compete on the show during the COVID-19 pandemic.

While the number of women performing stand-up comedy has increased in the last few decades, there's still a long way to go before the reach parity with men. The Detroit Women of Comedy Festival at Planet Ant aims to both showcase and educate female comedians. Festival Producer Kate Holmes joins Seth and Becky on The D Brief to talk about the issues facing women in comedy.

When we talk about representation — seeing people who like you on the stage or screen — we often talk about it in terms of one minority group. But Dearborn writer and director Mike Mosallam is a member of two minority communities. He had never seen his particular story told on film, so he decided to tell it himself in Breaking Fast. He talks to Seth and Becky about the importance of the project.

For over 30 years, Detroit stand-up comedian Steve Sabo made his living by touring comedy clubs. When the COVID-19 pandemic forced him off the road, he wrote a book about what not to do as a professional comedian. Many of those lessons pertain to other performing arts as well. He joined Seth and Becky on The D Brief to share some lessons.

Creatives sometimes struggle with sobriety, and the artistic lifestyle can that challenge even more difficult to overcome. Detroit musician Greater Alexander, who was was named the area's best songwriter by Metro Detroit in 2019, is using the money he's made composing for companies like Amazon, Jeep, and Dodge to build a residence for sober artists. He shares the story with Seth and Becky of The D Brief.

As immigration laws in the United States tightened, refugees were forced to get creative to find work here. When Mamba Hamissi and his wife, Nadia Nijimbere, fled Burundi, they had no intention of opening a restaurant. Now they're using their African eatery, Baobab Fare, to help other immigrants get a foothold in America. Mamba shares the story with Seth and Becky of The D Brief.

Artists often leave Detroit to further their career, heading to Hollywood or Nashville or New York City. Singer/songwriter Raye Williams did just that. Ironically, it was coming back home to Michigan that enabled her to take a leap forward. She shares her story with Seth and Becky of The D Brief.

Small, upscale spaces that rely on being packed with people have been hit hard during the pandemic. Sfumato is a boutique fragrance shop by day which turns into a cocktail bar called Castalia at night. Co-owner Kevin Peterson joins Seth and Becky on The D Brief to talk about how it's changing in response to the pandemic.

With the COVID-19 Pandemic in full swing, local arts and entertainment organizations have been forced to adapt by going digital. But art is one of those things that people like to see in person before purchasing. So how has the KO Gallery in Hamtramck, Michigan, pivoted? Co-founder Nick Pizaña explains to Seth and Becky of The D Brief.

How do you host a dance party when the COVID-19 pandemic has forced social distancing upon everyone? Sam Morykwas and his partner, DJ Seven Whales, figured out how to launch Wednesday Night Vibes, a weekly dance night using Zoom. Sam tells Seth and Becky of The D Brief how it all came together.

How do you expand your art from one medium into another? Sarey Ruden is a visual artist who turns misogynistic messages she receives from men through dating apps into works of art. But when she wanted to explore the issue even further, she crossed into the audio-only world of podcasting. She talks to Seth and Becky of The D Brief about what she learned in the transition.

As an Iraqi-American woman, Weam Namou didn't see stories that reflected her own in pop culture, so she wrote the novel Pomegranate. Now, she's tuning it into an indie film. She talks to Seth and Becky of The D Brief about the experience.