This is an episode of the old podcast, called Artists on the Verge. I decided to keep these conversations up in the feed because they are, in fact, part of what led me to create Classically (Un)Trained. I have taken down all except the artist interviews - but you can check out an expanded archive here: https://classicallyuntrainedpodcast.com/former-podcast-archive/

Check out the current podcast here: https://classicallyuntrainedpodcast.com/

Melissa Watkins is a writer, mostly of non fiction and science fiction. She’s also one of the most truly cosmopolitan people you'll ever meet. Originally from the US, she spent a substantial portion of her life first in the UK then in South Korea, putting into practice her specialisation in multiculturalism through non-colonial lenses in a multitude of ways in both corporate and academic spaces. She decided to return to the US after the pandemic which ended up being an eye-opening experience, one which becomes a major theme of the interview. The other major themes of the interview emerge from the host's first conversation with Melissa, about the internet and AI as it pertains to artists. Some links:

Melissa's blog Equal Opportunity Reader: https://equalopportunityreader.com/ Melissa's article "A Repat's Guide to Boston": https://statesider.us/repats-guide-to-boston/ For other publications by Melissa a good place to go is the "about" section of her blog: https://equalopportunityreader.com/about/

The music track for this episode is Alsad suugaa eej by the Earthling vocal troupe (which Melissa sings in): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9lTqLrthvKQ

*(Apologies for background noise due to the host being post-illness and having to suck on a lozenge to keep from having coughing fits.)*

💋👁👂🏼 Artists on the Verge website: https://artists-on-the-verge.com/ 👀 Instagram: @artists_on_the_verge