State of the Arts Episode 257 is now available for streaming on Spotify!
In this Halloween special, my cohost Anthony Bonilla and I pay tribute to the golden age of horror cinema—the timeless films that continue to define the genre and inspire new generations of filmmakers.
From atmospheric black-and-white classics to the unforgettable performances and soundscapes that shaped the art of suspense, we revisit what makes these works so enduringly powerful. This episode is our celebration of storytelling at its most haunting and cinematic.
State of the Arts Episode 256 now available on Spotify! Last year, I conducted my first podcast interview with a chatbot named LuLu. This year, I had the pleasure of interviewing the widely celebrated ChatGPT—a remarkably insightful and charming guest I affectionately call “Chat.”
In this episode, we take a deep dive into the world of art through the eyes of an Ai. Together, we explore the importance of artistic expression, how artists can use their voices to make a difference, and imagine fascinating projects that blend human creativity with computerized innovation. Tune in for an inspiring and futuristic conversation about the evolving relationship between art, technology, and the human spirit.
State of the Arts Episode 255 is now available for streaming on Spotify! I am greatly honored to welcome playwright, screenwriter and director Jan Aguilos onto my podcast for an in-depth, empowering episode. My creative guest is a dedicated member of The Script Club and Short Cuts NYC. Indie film “The Woman Opposite” and short play “The Box” are among two of the many works created by this multifaceted artist. Jan Aguilos has done various collaborations with previous guests I’ve had on State of the Arts, including actor Jazmine Brown, actor/writer/producer/director Jackie Jorgenson and Script Club director Jordan Sánchez. In fact, a short production is running currently at The Secret Theatre called “Hepburned” that is written by Jan and directed by Jordan. Jan Aguilos is an LGBTQIA+ rights activist as well and is dedicated to campaigning for local democratic candidates in New Jersey. It is my privilege to introduce this nuanced talent!
State of the Arts Episode 254 is now available for steaming on Spotify! This week I welcome audio playwright and former WVOX radio show host Nicholas Patrella to my podcast. His feature length audio production “Remember the Dream Girl” can be heard on Spotify. He also has audiobooks available on Audible. At WVOX he started out as a switchboard operator and eventually became an executive producer. From that point, he ascended to become the host of his own radio show, where he presented multiple audio plays he had written. Special thanks to our mutual connection Brandy Renee Baker! Tune in for this exciting new episode of State of the Arts where this talented writer shares his inspiring journey with listeners.
State of the Arts Episode 253 is now available for streaming on Spotify! Not only is water color and abstract artist Rebecca Dunn a gifted painter and educator, she is also a champion for the arts. This accomplished creative is the curator for @artscene.ctny. On December 6th she will be hosting her first Art Market at The Danbury Fair Mall in Connecticut. Rebecca Dunn is known for her works that bring to light the many facets of nature. She has had her work displayed in many galleries including @loyluospace and various others. Far beyond just decorative pieces, her art is a spiritual experience that connects the human aura with Mother Nature via a mindful visual bridge. I am honored and overjoyed to have this remarkable creative on my podcast this week. Tune in for an inspiring and riveting episode of State of the Arts!
State of the Arts Episode 252: The Hispanic Heritage Month Special is now available on Spotify! This week I gladly welcome back return guests Naida Sanchez and Brandy Renée Baker to my podcast for this special episode. Along with my guest-cohosts Calvin and Cathy Sampson, I conduct this commemorative celebration of one of the most important times of the year. Naida who is a security guard, model and mother of two adorable boys discusses her Peruvian heritage and the beauty of her culture. Brandy has many Puerto Rican relatives who travel to the lovely island for visits regularly. My two guests have an unbreakable bond and heartwarming friendship that we also speak of on this tender episode. Naida’s boyfriend Hilberson Vasquez who is of Dominican heritage makes a brief appearance as well. It’s an honor to have all these wonderful guests on State of the Arts this week.
State of the Arts Episode 251 is now available on Spotify! Return guest Marc Black joins me once again to dicuss more griping topics. Stroke awareness is a cause that is very dear to his heart. A good friend of Marc’s was in a coma as a result of a stroke. When the situation looked hopeless and his life support was disconnected, he came to on his own. During his recovery period, he collaborated on songs with Marc. These songs eventually formed an album. A film called “Stroke of Genius” was made about Marc’s friend as well. “Everybody Wants My Hat” is a song Marc Black had released when he became a grandfather during the 2020 pandemic. In addition to his many original songs, he is also the proprietor of an advertising company called “Black Market Productions.” His music has been placed in various commercials and television shows. His works can be seen on a Sex and the City episode, an animated piece on Nickelodeon, an AT&T commercial and many other places. One of his most notable songs “I Love You, Rachel Maddow” was played on The Stephen Colbert Show. Tune in to this riveting episode for all the tea on this highly accomplished creative whom I am so honored to have on State of the Arts!
State of the Arts Episode 250 is now available on Spotify! Max Crawley is an animator and independent filmmaker with a degree in both animation and graphics design from The Rhode Island School of Design. His acclaimed senior project “Woodrow and Willow” was accepted into The DaVinci International Film Festival. He currently does projects when he can while he balances his passion with his day job. As an administrative assistant for a Presbyterian Church, he is still able to incorporate his artistry into his work as he designs flyers, web pages and other multimedia items for the church. I am proud to present this fellow creative, who shares a mutual friendship with our friend Joe Hughes of Burning Treehouse Film Company. Tune in to this intriguing milestone episode of State of the Arts to learn more about talented creative Max Crawley!
State of the Arts Episode 249 is now available on Spotify! This weekend I powered through the rainy weather to watch another smashing outdoor musical by Theatre for the New City. My trusted cohost Anthony Bonilla joined me on Zoom after I returned from “Life in New York” (a.k.a. “Home Sweet Home”), which was written and directed by the legendary Crystal Field. Together we pay a heartfelt tribute to the phenomenal Theatre for the New City on my podcast. Tune in for an engaging episode that celebrates a theatre that is also an art gallery, social club, education foundation, community center and second home to many talents. This is a well deserved tribute to an off-off Broadway theater like no other and all the people who continue to make it all possible!
State of the Arts Episode 248 is now available on Spotify! I am happy to welcome content creator Izzy Massis on my podcast this week for an uplifting discussion on his many different ventures. As a traveler, he documents his visits to various locations and even gives an overall review of multiple cities. Several anime characters are featured on his social media pages because he is an avid anime enthusiast. He also belongs to a few social groups including Relationspot. With a full calendar of social get-togethers and a heart for advocacy, Izzy Massis finds himself out every day in the excitingly vast city of New York. This endearing episode is a celebration of an intelligent creative who I am proud to have on State of the Arts!
State of the Arts Episode 247 now available on Spotify! Return guest Daniela Marini joins me once again with an exciting career update. Her dream of having her own store has been realized as she has recently opened up a jewelry boutique and healing nook. Celestial Art Gifts has found a permanent home in Woodstock, New York (40 Mill Hill Road). This jewelry designer and energy healer left her job in education to pursue a career in the creative field she is the most passionate about. After a few years of setting up booths at festivals and a steady stream of online sales, she has reached her goal of opening up a shop for her self designed products and healing practices. Her merchandise includes handcrafted pieces, imported crystals, natural stones and enchanting ornaments. As a gifted energy healer, she is also available for house clearings. In this riveting episode, we delve into her intriguing journey and many other topics. I am honored to have her back on State of the Arts! I am also delighted to conduct this interview in a pair of earrings she designed. If only this was not an audio-only podcast!
My guest this week is Shoshana Greenberg — a writer whose world is made of music, story, and stage. She writes musicals, plays, prose, and lyrics, and her work has found a home everywhere from Lincoln Center to Joe’s Pub.
Shoshana is also a theater journalist whose words have appeared in American Theatre Magazine, The Huffington Post, Howlround, and more. She hosts the podcast Scene to Song and sings regularly at Carnegie Hall with Essential Voices USA. In our conversation, we dive into the art of storytelling across forms, the evolution of musical theater, and what it means to build a creative life in New York City.
State of the Arts Episode 245 now available for streaming on Spotify! Podcaster Calvin Sampson is my guest of honor this week. Calvin, along with his wife Cathy Sampson and their dear friend Ray, co-hosts a podcast called (Ray, Calvin & Cathy) RCC Corporate. Their podcast is a steady platform for faith, hope and joy. As an active member of a church, my creative guest is a choir singer, drummer and Hammond organist. As the founder of “The Living Experience,” he brings a worship team to nursing homes and neighboring churches to perform gospel music. XoxBŕåñđý Řenee BâkeřXox is a mutual friend of ours who has also been on my podcast multiple times in the past. There are several shoutouts to Brandy Baker during this endearing episode. I am happy to have yet another fellow podcaster on State of the Arts! Tune in for an engaging episode about friendship, love, faith, hard work, dreams, goals, music and podcasting!
State of the Arts Episode 244 is now available for streaming on Spotify! Gordon Taft is an inspiring independent filmmaker and the cohost of “Uptown Films,” a podcast with a focus on the film industry. Alongside fellow hosts, Gregory Hernandez and Max DeMazza, Gordon Taft publishes episodes regularly. The three film colleagues are also members of the Bronx Independent Cinema Center. My talented guest has a rich background in independent filmmaking that started with a thorough education. At one point he was a videographer for the “Kerry’s Corner” radio show. He has a growing social media presence and future projects on the horizon. It is my honor to welcome this accomplished guest onto my podcast this week!
State of the Arts Episode 243 is now available on Spotify! Marc Black is a guitarist, singer and songwriter known for his socially and politically impactful songs. His song “I Love You, Rachel Maddow” was featured on The Stephen Colbert Show when she was there as a special guest. He has enjoyed so many adventures following music through folk, blues, funk, experimental soundscapes, and scoring film. But in the end, it seems he always come back to his beloved guitar whom he named “Claudette.” A loyal instrument he has carried around for over 50 years. He started writing the “Everybody Wants My Hat” collection during a joyful monthlong visit to Berlin to meet his just-born granddaughter, Lola Simone. He then completed it while sequestered under the shadow of Covid 19. It is an honor and privilege to welcome this accomplished musician on my podcast!
State of the Arts Episode 242 now available on Spotify! Independent film actor Jazmine Brown joins me this week on my podcast. Like myself, this versatile creative is a member of Short Cuts NYC. “Eggshells,” a recent indie drama she starred in, has been accepted into The Big Apple Film Festival. With an education in voice, she moved to New York City from Anchorage, Alaska in pursuit of a career in musical theater. She quickly fell in love with acting for the camera and has shifted her focus a bit to films in addition to stage productions. Horror is a genre she has a deep appreciation for. So, she is known for several works in this spine-tingling arena. With great pleasure I am honored to announce that Jazmine Brown is my newest guest on State of the Arts!
State of the Arts Episode 241 is now available for streaming on Spotify. My newest podcast episode features the incredibly talented Kevin Dalvi, who is a filmmaker, designer, and producer. His impressive IMDB credits are a testament to his innovative spirit. Some of his most notable works include The Symbolist, Promised Land, and Black Taj. He is also a key crew member on the acclaimed Christian Bible series "The Chosen,” which has just been renewed for another season. My husband Joseph Thomas and I are proud to be a part of his developing production company that will soon be releasing original works. I am deeply honored to welcome this inspirational creative and entrepreneur this week on a brand new episode of State of the Arts!
State of the Arts Episode 240 now available on Spotify! This week Brandy Renee Baker and I dive into the history of Versailles, the geographical significance of the Bay of Biscay and other Franco-centric topics in this épisode spécial. From cooking to language to arts to civil rights, we leave no topic unturned in this conversation captivante. I’m joined once again by return guest XoxBŕåñđý Řenee BâkeřXox for this in-depth discussion. My special guest also discusses her own French heritage. Tune in for this riveting episode presented by my podcast State of the Arts as entire populations prepare for the anniversary of the storming of the Bastille.
State of the Arts Episode 239 now available on Spotify! With great joy I present an episode this week with gamer, photography enthusiast and world traveler Chad Zhang. In this memorable episode we speak about a wide array of topics including the thrilling world of gaming, conventions, anime, photography, swimming and travel. As a New Yorker he explores many parts of the captivating city on a regular basis. He photographs many of the unique sights he sees in the process. As a traveler he has been to several different nations and has future plans to continue traveling the world. He also shares wise advice for those who are just starting out as gamers. This is an in-depth interview with a creative of many different talents. I am very honored to have Chad as my guest on my newest podcast episode this week!
State of The Arts Episode 238 the Juneteenth Special is now available on Spotify for streaming! Indie film actress Brandy Renee Baker joins me on this important holiday episode. My talented return guest was in three of my most recent productions: my sci-fi comedy “Arexis,” my pet documentary “Angels in Our Midst” (with her adorable dog Sheldon) and my docudrama sizzle reel “Only In NY.” It was a privilege to have worked with this versatile talent on some of my favorite works. No stranger to the radio airwaves either, she was also a guest on WVOX. In this engaging episode, we discuss which African American artists inspire her the most, Juneteenth parades, the culinary arts and many other riveting topics. It is a privilege to present this commemorative episode for one of the year’s most important days with my fascinating guest!