A Life Creative Podcast
This is a weekly show where listeners learn how creators navigate their careers in the arts, and find community with like-minded people who face similar challenges and joys while pursuing their passions. We'll be talking with photographers, artists, interior stylists and designers, food stylists, crafters, creative content creators, writers, publishers, marketers, and so many more. If you're interested in a career in the arts or any creative field, or you just want to know how creators are inspired and execute on their ideas you'll want to catch this show, and if you're looking for a creator community you've found your people here.
Episodes
38 episodes
Episode 38 | Culturemaxxing with Co-Editors of Editors@Large Kate Betts & Michael Boodro
Michael Boodro and Kate Betts came of age in magazine publishing’s pre-millennium heyday, meeting at Vogue in the 1990s while working for Anna Wintour during her early years at the helm. Kate spent her formative career ye...
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Episode 38
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48:42
Episode 37 | Ethereal Botanicals with Artist Sourabh Gupta
PROGRAM NOTE: the next new episode of A Life Creative will air in a couple weeks, in the meantime check out the video versions of past episodes on YouTube and subscribe to our Substack for more on A Life Creative and our featured gue...
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Episode 37
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59:19
Episode 36 | Style that Fits with Fashion Stylist Emma Pritchard
Melanio and Emma have worked together on commercial photo shoots including one fantastic gig with Olympic athletes on the slopes of a Utah ski resort a few years ago. Fashion styling is one of those glamour professions that is often misun...
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Episode 36
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45:33
Episode 35 | Ranch to Table with Author & Rancher Elizabeth Poett
Sharing with the world what life is like on a 14,000 acre ranch in Southern California is the vision and effort taken up by Elizabeth Poett. She's written the cookbook The Ranch Table and her family and life on Rancho San Julian was the subject...
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Episode 35
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46:25
Episode 34 | The Making is the Meaning with Creative Director Gael Towey
In 1990 Gael Towey helped launch the very first issue of Martha Stewart Living magazine, establishing its iconic visual style and serving as Chief Creative & Editorial Director for Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia (MSLO). Imagin...
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Episode 34
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56:55
Episode 33 | Back on Broadway with Actor Jim Newman
Jim Newman is a long time pal of host Melanio Gomez having met years ago as new homeowners in Asbury Park, NJ. On this episode he shares how he built his career in the performing arts, debuting on Broadway early on in The Who's Tom...
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Episode 33
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1:05:31
Episode 32 | The Geometry of Clay with Ceramicist Devin Wilde
Artist Jeff Wallace (from episode 4) joins Melanio to co-host this episode with guest Devin Wilde. Devin channeled drive and discipline across competitive cycling as a teenager, getting through Stanford's architecture progra...
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Episode 32
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53:42
Episode 31 | A Writer's Voice with Writer & Author Jaya Saxena
Since high-school age, Jaya Saxena has been drawn to the process of creating thoughtful and articulate essays. The craft of capturing a vibe in one's own perspective and voice in a manner that resonates with readers is the art and ...
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Episode 31
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1:03:22
Episode 30 | The Power of Home Cooking with Author and Founder of Mad Hungry, Lucinda Scala Quinn
Show Notes: With Thanksgiving just around the corner it is especially timely to chat with Lucinda Scala Quinn, Author and Founder of Mad Hungry. Melanio and Lucinda share the heritage-inspired dishes that are on their holida...
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Episode 30
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1:03:58
Episode 29 | Under the Surface with Decoupage Designer and Entrepreneur John Derian
This year John Derian celebrates 30 years of his eponymous boutique and antiques shop on 2nd Street in New York City's East Village neighborhood. His path took him from a creatively inspired childhood in Massachusetts to New York City as ...
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Episode 29
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43:31
Episode 28 | A Return to Conceptual Art with Artist Julia Wachtel
Julia Wachtel is a conceptual artist who thrived in the New York City art scene of the 1980’s among contemporaries like Robert Gober, Jeff Koons and Cindy Sherman. Her art looks at the interplay of advertising and other commercial ...
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Episode 28
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56:44
Episode 27 | Botanical Impressions with Photographer Ngoc Minh Ngo
Ngoc Minh Ngo is a photographer whose poetic eye captures the quiet beauty of the natural world. Known for her evocative images of flowers, gardens, and interiors, Ngoc’s work reveals the harmony between art and nature. Born in Vietnam and base...
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Episode 27
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59:23
Episode 26 | High Style with Interior Designer Rebecca Robertson
Stylist, author, and interior designer Rebecca Robertson shares the story of how she developed an appreciation for antiques and collectibles at a young age and a lifelong interest in designing sets that has been a throughline in her career.&nbs...
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Episode 26
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40:45
Episode 25 | Uncommon Threads with Stephanie Housley, founder of Coral & Tusk
Stephanie Housley is the founder, designer, and creative force behind Coral & Tusk, an embroidered textile brand celebrated for its whimsical, nature-inspired home goods. Born and raised in the Ohio Valley, Stephanie studied te...
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Episode 25
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52:05
Episode 24 | Cultivating Landscapes with Garden Designer Jon Carloftis
Jon Carloftis grew up in rural Kentucky with parents that fostered a deep understanding and appreciation for nature and gardening. His educational pursuits further informed his creative aesthetic. Eventually, through life's twists a...
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Episode 24
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52:37
Episode 23 | Wedding Style with Hospitality, with Megan Pflug, Interior Designer & Boutique Wedding Venue Owner
Megan Pflug talks about her years at Martha Stewart Living, her early role at One King’s Lane where she developed her interiors practice, and the decision to take on a run-down Catskills motor lodge. That project became the W...
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Episode 23
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42:23
Episode 22 | Representing with Christine Lavigne, Founder of Home Agency
Christine Lavigne, Founder of Home Agency, a talent representation company, shares her various experiences that led her to establishing her own business. She explains what talent agents do, and some best practices for how creatives seekin...
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Episode 22
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51:25
Episode 21 | Reflecting on the First 20 Episodes with Melanio, Marcie & Chris
This mini episode marks a milestone — 20 episodes! We take a moment to reflect on what has resonated most with us so far, share a few behind-the-scenes updates, and highlight some of the other projects we’ve been working on. Our producer, Chris...
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Episode 21
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29:40
Episode 20 | Designing a Heritage Brand & Restructuring for Growth with Kevin Seitz and Rob van Wyen, Founders of Seitz
In this episode, we talk with Rob Van Wyen and Kevin Seitz, the team behind the furniture brand Seitz. We discuss how their complementary skills shaped the company, why they paused to focus on the operational side, and how they’re approaching t...
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Episode 20
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59:18
Episode 19 | Constructive Dialogues with David Mann, AIA Principal at MR Architecture + Decor
In this episode we sit down with David Mann, founding principal of MR Architecture + Decor, to explore his path from an early fascination with buildings as a child to building a successful career in architecture and design. David reflects on hi...
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Episode 19
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52:21
Episode 18 | Curating and Collecting with Fritz Karch, Stylist and Collector
In this episode, we dive into the fascinating world of collecting with Fritz Karch — a true renaissance man. From his early start as a passionate collector to his longtime role as Editorial Director of Collecting at Martha Stewart Living
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Episode 18
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1:02:05
Episode 17 | Editorializing E-Commerce with Nancy Soriano, Head of Perigold's Editorial and Partnerships
In this episode, we speak with Nancy Soriano, a seasoned editorial leader and brand strategist whose career has spanned media, design, and retail.We talk about her early days as a stylist, her decade-long run as Editor-in-Chief at Co...
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Episode 17
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56:49
Episode 16 | Framing Vision with Kristen Aronsson, Creative Director and Founder of Aperçu Eyewear
In this episode, we speak with Kristen Aronsson, founder and creative director of Aperçu, a direct-to-consumer eyewear brand that blends fashion, functionality, and strategy. With over 15 years of experience, Kristen has built a career focused ...
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Episode 16
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1:00:28
Episode 15 | Getting the Tea with Heidi Johannsen Stewart co-founder of Bellocq
In this episode, we sit down with Heidi Johannsen Stewart, co-founder of Bellocq Tea Atelier, the celebrated Brooklyn-based tea company known for its exquisite hand-blended teas and deep commitment to quality and ritual. Heidi shar...
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Episode 15
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59:31
Episode 14 | Dyeing for a Living, with Raylene Marasco, Textile Designer and Founder of Dyenamix
In this episode, we sit down with Raylene Marasco, founder of Dye-namix, a textile studio that creates custom fabrics for film, fashion, and fine art. Today, her work shows up in everything from The Gilded Age and Severance to...
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Episode 14
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1:01:54