All Episodes

Henry Hyde—artisan and owner of Hyde Handmade Knives—returns to talk craft, community, and creating work that resonates. Hyde is an artisan known for his kitchen knives and meticulous approach to materials. In the episode, Hyde reflects on the evolution of his process, from isolating early days to searching for real connection at craft shows. Also, Hyde discusses the realities of working alone and why iteration beats perfectionism.Navigating solitude and the creative processChoosing craftsmanship over mass attentionEmbracing feedback at markets and in personLetting go of perfectionism and releasing finished workThe balance between woodworking, tinkering, and knife making🔪 Discover how Hyde's handcrafted tools reflect both his roots in Maryland and his belief that artistry is in its making. 🎧 Revisit Henry's first episode from 2022 for more context on his powerful comic-based series.

Artist and professor Kumasi J. Barnett returns to the podcast to talk art, protest, and making work that cuts through the noise.Known for subverting comic books through introspective reinterpretations, Barnett reflects his work today. Barnett shares the realities of being a Black painter, creating in the shadow of systemic erasure, and why some truths hit harder in spandex.Topic Covered:Why painting is the easy part—but being an artist is notRewriting comic canon to reflect modern injusticeTeaching art, parenting, and painting as a long gameWhy selling out isn't the flex many think it isWhat he’s planning next (spoiler: it's political)🎧 Revisit Kumasi’s first episode from 2022 for more context on his powerful comic-based series.

Multidisciplinary artist, researcher, and educator Joseph Cochran II returns to The Truth In This Art. A native New Yorker, Cochran practice spans photography, video, and archival work, with NYC baked in. Cochran examines the emotional cost of late capitalism in industrialized societies.In this conversation: Cochran discusses living and working in China, rebuilding after loss, and how his identity shapes how he moves through the world. He reflects on balancing financial survival with creative ethics. He also discusses staying connected to his communities and the emotional weight in his work.This is a candid, witty conversation about legacy, creative freedom, and staying grounded.Topics include:Learning to live without depending on art to make a living—and why that helped his practiceWhy staying connected to the streets isn’t about authenticity, but accountabilityThe power of memory in his photographs—and why he remembers every shotThoughts on working in Shanghai, Brussels, and the Balkans while staying rooted in NYCUpcoming exhibition Public Work opening July 10 in New York🎧 Want more? Check out Joseph Cochran II’s first interview in the archive—where we talk about the early days of his work and life abroad. 

Artist and provocateur Brian Andrew Whiteley joins The Truth In This Art . Whiteley is known for his politically charged work including the infamous Trump Tombstone.Whiteley reflects on his work including creepy clown performances. He shares how comics sparked his creative journey. Whiteley discusses why art that provokes discomfort can often spark the deepest conversations. Whiteley gets real about the legal and emotional fallout from controversial projects. Later, Whiteley shares what it means to stay committed to an experimental work, and Satellite Art Show's importance to artists.This is an honest, funny, and layered dialogue about creative risk, censorship, and what it takes to build something outside the system.Topics include:The story behind the Trump Tombstone—and how it led to a Secret Service investigationWhy embracing absurdity became central to his practiceBuilding Satellite Art Show as a true artist-first platformLearning to push past legal threats and backlash to stay true to his ideasWhy success isn’t about sales—it’s about freedom and community🎧 Want more? Explore the Satellite Art Show at satellite-show.com or follow Brian Andrew Whiteley on Instagram.

Interdisciplinary artist and activist Sheryl Oring returns to The Truth In This Art! Oring shares updates on I Wish to Say. "I Wish to Say" is her long-running public art project. For decades, thousands of people have dictated postcards to the U.S. president for this project. It started with just one typewriter. Now, it's a growing collection of public records. It helps fight censorship and shares stories from people rarely heard.Sheryl had a hard year after her school, University of the Arts, closed. This conversation looks at how that loss, plus listening and old papers, shaped her newest art.Topics Covered: Fighting censorship: She was the first artist on the board of the National Coalition Against Censorship.Typing on tour: She gathered messages from parks, libraries, and schools during an election year.Archiving 5,000+ typewritten postcards and the invisible labor of cultural memoryPost-UArts Philadelphia: navigating grief, disillusionment, and artistic renewal after institutional collapseFear and self-censorship among immigrants, youth, and marginalized communitiesLibraries as sanctuary: preserving democratic space as book bans and closures escalateArt as care: on fermenting, gardening, and rituals that ground a life in transitionSheryl first appeared on The Truth in This Art in 2023—listen to that conversation here.This episode was recorded during a season that looked at archives, resilience, and artists who work in public spaces.

Director of Baltimore’s new Office of Arts, Culture, and Entertainment (MOACE), Linzy Jackson III joins The Truth In This Art! Jackson started as a summer youth worker and is now a crucial link between artists and the local government in Baltimore City. Jackson talks about what it means to streamline access to public resources and his work tearing down red tape for artists . Jackson grew up in Baltimore. His early memories of AFRAM and MLK Day parades helped him learn about community engagement. Jackson shares why cities like Philadelphia and Austin are paying close attention to Baltimore. Jackson presents his the long-term vision for Baltimore’s creative infrastructure.Topics Covered:What fair authentic access to city support for artists looks likeThe cultural impact of free festivals like Artscape and AFRAMCreating a more artist-centric Baltimore through policy and planningLessons from sister cities and the value of inter-city collaborationWhy the city needs a “State of the Creative Community”🎧 Explore more conversations with Baltimore changemakers in our archive.📍 More on MOACE: baltimorecity.gov

Visual artist and educator Christopher Batten returns to reflect on evolution, resilience, and what it means to keep pushing—on canvas and in the classroom.Now in his 10th year living in Baltimore and his third year teaching at Morgan State, Christopher shares how his practice continues to evolve. We talk about the role of failure, what teaching over 1,000 students has taught him, and how martial arts, memory, and perseverance shape his work. This conversation was recorded shortly before his residency at the Virginia Center for the Creative Arts and after being featured in Luminosity in Detroit.Teaching as an artistic tool and the unexpected lessons it bringsWhy HBCU teaching fulfills a lifelong dream and sense of purposeHow rejection fueled four years of growth—and what changed when a “yes” finally cameThe importance of celebrating milestones and making space for creative restorationShifting definitions of success and the value of impact over popularity🎧 Revisit Christopher’s 2021 episode to hear the early stages of this journey.

Baltimore-based artist and designer Elijah Trice returns to talk about growth, storytelling, and painting the everyday with dignity and joy.Since our last conversation in 2022, Elijah has expanded his practice beyond hyperrealistic portraiture to explore themes of childhood memory and creative freedom. We recorded this just after his first solo show, Nothing Else Matters, which followed a transformative residency at Maryland Hall. Elijah shares how his architectural training shaped his painting style, what he’s learning from teaching, and why joy is radical in a world so often defined by struggle.How building furniture sparked a deeper connection to makingUsing vivid backgrounds and saturated color to honor Black eleganceTapping into nostalgia, storytelling, and his inner childThe pros and cons of meticulous planning vs improvising in the studioWhy nothing else matters—except the subject🎧 Catch Elijah’s 2022 episode for more on his early work and evolution as an artist.

If you’ve ever danced your heart out at a sold-out basement party or streamed a late-night DJ set on your phone, you’ve felt the pulse of Kotic Couture’s world. In this episode, Baltimore Magazine’s 2023 Best Local Artist shares how she swapped rap verses for turntables, co-founded one of the city’s most inclusive monthly events, and turned a bedroom-studio experiment into the Prototype album—all while building a fiercely supportive community of fellow Black queer creatives. Embracing vulnerability: lessons learned from emceeing full-hour sets before new audiencesPrototype album deep dive: turning a fearless DIY experiment into a cohesive, locally produced projectCurating intentional spaces: co-founding VERSION—one of Baltimore’s most inclusive monthly parties—and sustaining community through venue closures ​Power of word-of-mouth: why personal referrals and community trust can outweigh big marketing budgetsPandemic pivot: adapting from in-person shows to digital drop-ins and stepping back into a scene transformed by new DJsBroadening impact: collaborations with Black Techno Matters and Liberate DC, plus surprise opportunities in fashion and gallery featuresCatch Kotic Couture's first appearance on the podcast here:  This episode was recorded during a season dedicated to creative growth, transformation, and honoring the foundations that helped build Baltimore’s culture.Photo: 

Ceramic-based artist and educator Ara Koh returns to The Truth In This Art for her second conversation with Rob Lee. Known for her layered clay paintings and material-intensive installations, Ara shares how her practice has deepened through repetition, research, and unexpected cracks—both literal and metaphorical.In this episode, Ara talks about processing wild clay from her travels, the physicality of working with heavy materials, and the importance of fitness in sustaining her studio life. She reflects on inherited discipline, finding freedom through form, and why staying curious—about geology, textures, or even pickleball—is key to her creative rhythm.Highlights include:How a geology book inspired a new body of work built through 100+ clay poursWhat her grandmother’s love of Monet taught her about aestheticsThe unglamorous truth behind art labor—and why she doesn’t mind itUnlearning ceramic rules while teaching them to othersThoughts on burnout, balance, and the meditative value of hot yoga🎧 Want more? Check out Ara Koh’s first interview in the archive—where we talk about her background, early influences, and the foundation of her clay-based work. This interview was recorded in person at Eaton Hotel in Washington, D.C.

Curator, writer, and executive director of the ICA at VCU Jessica Bell Brown returns to reflect on her evolving leadership at the Institute for Contemporary Art at Virginia Commonwealth University. In this conversation, we talk about openness as a strategy, the role of listening in shaping institutions, and what it means to make space for experimentation in times of uncertainty.Jessica shares how porosity, risk, and care shape her curatorial and executive approach—from expanding access beyond traditional art forms to launching chef residencies and community media programs at the ICA. We discuss the influence of her time at MoMA and the Baltimore Museum of Art, the power of contemporary art to respond to crisis, and why joy and curiosity remain central to her vision.Topics Covered:What leadership looks like through the lens of listeningExpanding access to arts beyond galleries and into kitchens and podcastsNavigating risk and limitation in an age of shrinking arts fundingThe evolving responsibility of cultural institutionsThe importance of reflection, care, and creative openness🎧 Explore more conversations like this in our archive. 📍 ICA VCU Website: https://icavcu.org

Guggenheim Fellow, artist, producer, and educator Kokayi returns to unpack the layers of sound, storytelling, and being a vessel for cultural memory.Since our first conversation, Kokayi has pushed deeper into multidisciplinary work—blending sound design, improvisation, code, and community-building. This conversation tracks his reflections on legacy, experimentation, and why he’s wary of institutions that try to own culture. We talk about what’s next, how he stays rooted in practice, and what it means to be free in a creative economy that rewards conformity.Sound as both artform and archival practiceWhy joy is built into his live performance structureNavigating mentorship, freedom, and capitalist frameworksCreating from truth instead of chasing metricsThe importance of protecting your time and your IP🎧 Revisit Kokayi’s earlier episode to hear how his practice has evolved—and where he’s taking it next.SEE A BODY - KOKAYI FROM BLACKNESS & THE INFINITE POTENTIAL WELL

Artist, educator, and Afro Charities Executive Director Savannah Wood joins to reflect on legacy, growth, and leading one of Baltimore’s most ambitious cultural preservation efforts.Savannah has overseen major milestones—most notably, the $16M redevelopment of the historic Upton Mansion, future home of the Afro-American Newspaper (AFRO) archives. We talk about curiosity as a compass, how archives become creative tools, and why joy, movement, and cultural memory drive her work forward.Topics Covered:Activating history through artist commissions and intergenerational programsTransforming the Upton Mansion into a public anchor for Black archivesThe role of tennis and joy in creating grounding spacesUnderstanding cultural stewardship as an inherited and intentional actCollaborating across generations to develop meaningful public programming🎧 Explore more conversations like this in our archive.📸 Photo by Schaun ChampionResources:Silent AuctionWildest Dreams Benefit for Afro Charities – June 7 TicketsAfro Charities WebsiteInstagram: @afrocharities, @savannahinpublic

Artist Lewinale Havette returns for a conversation on art, spirit, and shedding constraints.Recorded at Palo Gallery during NYC Art Week, Lewinale reflects on her evolution since 2022—from early paintings shaped by language and migration to her latest abstract works rooted in instinct, spirituality, and ancestral memory. We discuss authenticity, pushing limits, and why she’s letting go of surface-level meaning in favor of deeper emotional truth.Why she’s moved from narrative-driven art to intuitive abstractionUsing linen, ink, and ancestral symbols to honor West African water deitiesHer take on the performative nature of art cultureThe emotional reactions her work sparks—from awe to fearWhat it means to create art for everyone, including herself🎧 Be sure to listen to Lewinale’s first episode from 2022 to hear the full arc of her artistic growth.

Director and choreographer Sam Landa joins for his first appearance on the podcast to talk about reimagining what circus can be—and how LIQUID uses punk aesthetics, narrative, and high-stakes performance to deliver something unforgettable.As co-founder of New York Circus Project, Sam blends circus, theater, and dance to push creative boundaries. We recorded this at Union Market District in DC just after the premiere of LIQUID. Sam shares how his training as an aerialist, studies in computer science, and passion for problem-solving come together to shape a bold vision for contemporary circus.Why he launched New York Circus Project to elevate circus beyond noveltyWhat Hamlet taught him about fusing acrobatics with theatrical canonHow punk, aerial work, and cocktail menus collided in LIQUIDThoughts on audience risk, narrative grounding, and creative leadershipThe role of stakes and structure in multidisciplinary productions🎧 Experience the energy and vision behind LIQUID, now running at Union Market District through June 7. Tickets and info at newyorkcircusproject.org.

Artist and educator Hae Won Sohn returns for a reflective conversation on process, adaptability, and making art that holds up—materially and conceptually.Now based in Queens, Hae Won shares what’s evolved since her 2021 Sondheim Prize win and how her process-first approach has deepened through teaching, repurposing materials, and balancing art with life. Recorded after her Surface Tension exhibition in Baltimore, this episode covers the intersections of sculpture, craft, and creative discipline.From plaster scraps to sculptures: why her grandfather’s resourcefulness still shapes her practiceBalancing artistic growth between Baltimore and New YorkHow she teaches sculptural thinking by modeling failure and experimentationHer thoughts on anti-branding, creative integrity, and resisting aesthetic stagnationWhy Surface Tension challenged her to rethink scale, space, and drawing as sculpture🎧 Be sure to revisit Hae Won Sohn’s first episode to hear the roots of this evolving body of work.

Shaolin Jazz co-founder DJ 2-Tone Jones—one half of the duo behind the genre-bending brand—returns to reflect on growth, alignment, and his continued love for blending film and music through Can I Kick It?Finding purpose through Shaolin Jazz: how re-scoring films with hip-hop and jazz gave his DJ career renewed meaningCan I Kick It?: building a national, live-scoring experience that fuses cult classic cinema with original DJ setsMastering live scoring: learning to let films “breathe” and why restraint can elevate storytellingCreative partnerships that last: why the right venue, audience, and mission fit matter more than numbersLessons from 160+ screenings: evolving from DIY setups to long-term residencies and curatorial refinementNiche as power: how a focused creative identity built deeper impact, loyalty, and community across citiesCheck out Shaolin Jazz's and DJ 2-Tone Jones’ first appearance on the podcast — recorded in 2020 — here. Join DJ 2-Tone Jones this Saturday at Creative Alliance for Can I Kick It?, featuring Monkey Man—an adrenaline-fueled Indian revenge thriller re-scored live with hip-hop, soul, and cinematic beats. 🎧🎥 Doors at 7PM, film starts at 7:30. Grab your tickets now: creativealliance.org/event/can-i-kick-it-monkey-manThis episode was recorded during a season dedicated to creative growth, transformation, and honoring the foundations that helped build Baltimore’s culture.

Baltimore’s award-winning documentary filmmaker, public historian, and Baltimore City Hall curator Joe Tropea returns to share how personal connection guides his project choices, why he embraces “ums” and raw moments in the edit, and what it takes to build strong creative partnerships — from abandoned true-crime concepts to a new mayoral portrait gallery.Following personal connection: why priests breaking into draft boards, censored movie trailers, punk archives, and barbershop stories all felt like natural fitsEmbracing imperfections: the case for keeping “ums,” pauses, and rough cuts to give stories authenticity and respect the voices involvedKnowing when to pivot: lessons from shelving a State Department project and a true-crime doc that no longer aligned with his ethicsKeys to collaboration: how attraction, creative tension, and shared values shape meaningful partnerships with co-directors and researchersCurating City Hall: what it’s like to activate a 150-year-old space through public tours, historical exhibits, and a new mayoral portrait galleryRapid-fire reflections: favorite Vietnam War movie, a one-word definition of curation, and the low-key joys of exploring City Hall’s archives🎧 Catch Joe Tropea’s first conversation here:Whether you’re filming, curating, or simply looking for stories that speak to something deeper — Joe’s approach will push you to trust your instincts and lead with heart.📸 Photograph by Elena Volkova

Get ready for a behind-the-scenes look at The Mystery of Irma Vep – A Penny Dreadful at Everyman Theatre, where director, choreographer, and arts educator Joseph Ritsch brings gothic farce, drag, and campy spectacle together in a production bursting with sharp humor and political edge.In this episode, Joseph joins Rob Lee to unpack why Charles Ludlam’s cult classic still hits hard today — blending outrageous comedy with queer history, lightning-fast costume changes, and a message that feels more urgent than ever.Gothic camp unleashed: why Irma Vep still dazzles with drag, horror, and farceTwo actors, eight roles, 30+ costume changes: the technical choreography behind the comedyQueer theater as protest: honoring Charles Ludlam’s legacy and reclaiming space onstageBuilding community: Joseph’s 15-year journey at Everyman Theatre and why it feels like homeMentoring young artists: how Everyman University’s Observership Program connects students to the real work of professional theaterCheck out the THE MYSTERY OF IRMA VEP: A PENNY DREADFUL: Director Interview

You know those moments when a photograph or film clip feels like it’s speaking hidden truths? New School professor and interdisciplinary artist Isaiah Winters returns to share how rigorous archival research fuels his photography, film, and mixed-media practice. From earning his MFA at Parsons to documenting pro-Palestinian campus protests and exposing housing inequities, Isaiah shows how historical fragments—old photographs, 16 mm and 35 mm film, collages—become living narratives that confront nationalism, indexicality, and structural racism.MFA to professor: completing his Parsons MFA and stepping into a full-time teaching role in The New School’s photo departmentArchival layering: fusing historical photographs, film, and collage to interrogate narratives of nationalism and memory“This Land Is Your Land” revisited: investigating segregation, Indigenous displacement, and public memory in national parksUnpacking housing myths: exposing GI Bill disparities, postwar suburbanization, and systemic racism in American housingOn-campus documentation: capturing student-led pro-Palestinian encampments and the resurgence of fascist undercurrentsAnalog expansion: why he embraces 35 mm and experimental video to turn archives into urgent calls for changeCatch Isaiah Winters’s first conversation here:  Whether you’re an educator, activist, or lover of visual storytelling, Isaiah’s approach will open new pathways for seeing archives as living tools—and may inspire your next creative act. Photograph by Isaiah Winters