The Truth In This Art: Stories That Matter

Ben Passmore closes out this season of The Truth in This Art.Ben Passmore (DAYGLOAYHOLE, Your Black Friend, Sports Is Hell, BTTM FDRS; contributor to The Nib) joins Rob Lee to discuss his new book, Black Arms to Hold You Up: A History of Black Resistance.An award-winning cartoonist whose work ranges from the fantastical to the autobiographical, Passmore brings sharp, often humorous social commentary on politics, activism, white supremacy, sports, and the Black American experience.In this episode, Passmore shares the story behind Black Arms to Hold You Up—why he chose graphic nonfiction, how he approached making it, and the care required when drawing real people and histories. He breaks down craft decisions that make complex ideas legible without flattening them, and how he balances clarity, intention, and voice.The conversation also digs into audience and context: making art in rooms where you’re often the only Black person, how perception shifts outside community, and what cultural moments reveal about how we frame Black artists. It’s about how comics can carry culture, memory, and critique—connecting personal storytelling to broader histories while inviting readers to keep learning.Topics Covered:Exploring intent, process, and responsibility in nonfiction comics with Black Arms to Hold You UpWorking across fantastical and autobiographical modes with social commentaryNavigating audience, context, and perception in art spacesMaking complex ideas accessible without losing nuanceMake the conversation count: buy Black Arms to Hold You Up. Passmore’s new graphic nonfiction holds contradiction with care, keeps the humor respectful, and carries history without flattening it. Host: Rob LeeMusic: Original music by Daniel Alexis Music with additional music from Chipzard and TeTresSeis. Production:Produced by Rob Lee & Daniel AlexisEdited by Daniel AlexisShow Notes courtesy of Rob Lee and TransistorPhotos:Rob Lee photos by Vicente Martin for The Truth In This Art and Contrarian Aquarian Media.Guest photos courtesy of the guest, unless otherwise noted.Support the podcast The Truth In This Art Podcast Fractured Atlas (Fundraising): https://www.fracturedatlas.orgThe Truth In This Art Podcast Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/thetruthinthisart.bsky.socialThe Truth In This Art Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/truthinthisart/?hl=enThe Truth In This Art Podcast Website: https://www.thetruthinthisart.com/The Truth In This Art Podcast Shop: Merch from Redbubble ★ Support this podcast ★

Kayla E. joins The Truth In This Art to discuss Precious Rubbish.Kayla E. (award-winning artist, Creative Director at Fantagraphics, 2023–2024 Princeton Hotter Fellow) joins Rob Lee to discuss her debut full-length graphic memoir, Precious Rubbish.An award-winning artist whose practice spans comics and fine art—textiles, sculpture, video performance art, painting, and drawing—Kayla E. brings candid, instinct-driven storytelling about life, family, and making work on her own terms.In this episode, Kayla E. shares the story behind Precious Rubbish—why she made it for herself with no plan to publish, how every decision was guided by pure instinct, and how the book’s distinctive color palette was lifted from vintage “Komic Kards.”The conversation also digs into audience and context: setting aside what’s proper, traditional, or would sell; focusing on truth over convention; and connecting the memoir to a broader art practice across mediums. It’s about how comics and fine art can hold difficult life stories while inviting readers to look closer.Topics Covered:Making a memoir with no intent to publish—letting instinct lead form and contentLifting the color palette of Precious Rubbish from vintage comic cardsCollecting ephemera and old stuff as an aesthetic engineBalancing honesty and care when depicting a terrifying family historyFrom comics to fine art: textile, sculpture, video performance art, painting, drawingMake the conversation count: read Precious Rubbish—grab it from your library, Amazon, or thriftbooks.com. Kayla E.'s graphic memoir stays true to lived experience, trusts instinct, and turns memory into art without sanding off its edges. Host: Rob LeeMusic: Original music by Daniel Alexis Music with additional music from Chipzard and TeTresSeis. Production:Produced by Rob Lee & Daniel AlexisEdited by Daniel AlexisShow Notes courtesy of Rob Lee and TransistorPhotos:Rob Lee photos by Vicente Martin for The Truth In This Art and Contrarian Aquarian Media.Guest photos courtesy of the guest, unless otherwise noted.Support the podcast The Truth In This Art Podcast Fractured Atlas (Fundraising): https://www.fracturedatlas.orgThe Truth In This Art Podcast Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/thetruthinthisart.bsky.socialThe Truth In This Art Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/truthinthisart/?hl=enThe Truth In This Art Podcast Website: https://www.thetruthinthisart.com/The Truth In This Art Podcast Shop: Merch from Redbubble ★ Support this podcast ★

Professional film curator and educator KJ Mohr returns to The Truth In This Art to talk about the Maryland Film Festival (MdFF) and Baltimore’s indie film scene at the SNF Parkway!In the conversation we explore the 2025 Maryland Film Festival (MdFF)—what’s new, including the amazing new website and Festival Journeys—what still matters, and how a festival can truly feel like home. As director of the Festival and year-round programming, KJ shares how listening to instinct and inviting many voices into the process shape a lineup that feels authentically Baltimore and true to independent film. A large, local screening committee helps build the program from the ground up, and the Parkway’s communal vibe keeps people talking long after the credits roll. From indie film discoveries to community-centered conversations, MdFF 2025 champions Baltimore’s film scene at the SNF Parkway.Festival Journeys: Four clear entry points—MdFF Pride (like I Was Born This Way), Black Voices (like Sun Ra: Do the Impossible and Kouté vwa), She/They (like Bay to Baltimore featuring ultramarathon open‑water swimmer and painter—and Truth in This Art alum—Katie Pumphrey), and WTF (like Fuck Toys)—to help audiences navigate with ease.CineTech: Free-with-registration demos and conversations highlighting gaming and interactive, choose‑your‑own‑adventure storytelling, expanding how audiences experience moving images and connect across creative communities.Student Films: Expanded to five days to make more room for student work, with student and local films threaded through most programs—spotlighting the next wave of filmmakers.Mission and SNF Parkway’s future: A welcoming home base where films, filmmakers, and audiences connect—an inclusive, community‑rooted space that reflects Baltimore while linking to the wider film world.Join us at the SNF Parkway for a robust week of programming—screenings, shorts, conversations, and in‑the‑room moments—and, most of all, a chance to be in community with Baltimore’s arts, film, and culture, and the independent film community that calls the SNF Parkway home. Explore the new website, pick a Journey, and come be part of it. Host: Rob LeeMusic: Original music by Daniel Alexis Music with additional music from Chipzard and TeTresSeis. Production:Produced by Rob Lee & Daniel AlexisEdited by Daniel AlexisShow Notes courtesy of Rob Lee and TransistorPhotos:Rob Lee photos by Vicente Martin for The Truth In This Art and Contrarian Aquarian Media.Guest photos courtesy of the guest, unless otherwise noted.Support the podcast The Truth In This Art Podcast Fractured Atlas (Fundraising): https://www.fracturedatlas.orgThe Truth In This Art Podcast Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/thetruthinthisart.bsky.socialThe Truth In This Art Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/truthinthisart/?hl=enThe Truth In This Art Podcast Website: https://www.thetruthinthisart.com/The Truth In This Art Podcast Shop: Merch from Redbubble ★ Support this podcast ★

Chill or Be Chilled. Let's Watch It Again is back!Rob Lee is joined by Lea Anderson to discuss the 1995 cult classic Tales from the Hood!Tales from the Hood (1995) is a Black horror anthology directed by Rusty Cundieff, framed by a late-night visit to a funeral home where a mortician guides three men through four supernatural morality tales addressing police brutality, domestic abuse, racism, and gang violence.In this retrospective, host Rob Lee and horror scholar Lea Anderson (Truth in This Art alum; FANGORIA columnist, SHUDDER contributor) examine the film’s construction, cultural context, and legacy in Black horror.Topics include:The anthology’s frame narrative and how it threads the segments togetherSegment-by-segment themes and social commentaryKey performances, including Clarence Williams III and David Alan GrierPractical effects, puppetry, and memorable set piecesProduction and release context: 1995 box office, competition (Casper, Braveheart, Johnny Mnemonic), and receptionThe film’s enduring relevance and place in the horror canonCheck out the episode on the Let's Watch It Again Feed Host: Rob LeeMusic: Original music by Daniel Alexis Music with additional music from Chipzard and TeTresSeis. Production:Produced by Rob Lee & Daniel AlexisEdited by Daniel AlexisShow Notes courtesy of Rob Lee and TransistorPhotos:Rob Lee photos by Vicente Martin for The Truth In This Art and Contrarian Aquarian Media.Guest photos courtesy of the guest, unless otherwise noted.Support the podcast The Truth In This Art Podcast Fractured Atlas (Fundraising): https://www.fracturedatlas.orgThe Truth In This Art Podcast Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/thetruthinthisart.bsky.socialThe Truth In This Art Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/truthinthisart/?hl=enThe Truth In This Art Podcast Website: https://www.thetruthinthisart.com/The Truth In This Art Podcast Shop: Merch from Redbubble ★ Support this podcast ★

Genesis Rodriguez joins The Truth in This Art for her first public deep-dive into her work and process.A Philadelphia-area Latina mixed media artist known for blending bold color with striking realism, Genesis explores themes of femininity, natural beauty, and identity while bringing a thoughtful “emotional IQ” to both her visual art and emerging music practice.In this episode, Genesis discusses her current “building era” of laying a strong creative foundation, what it means to engage with art beyond surface-level reposting, and how honesty and integrity shape the work. She also reflects on sharing her story for the first time, navigating visibility as an emerging artist, and the value of choosing depth over aesthetics.This conversation explores the connection between art and community, focusing on authenticity, meaningful engagement, and the discipline it takes to build a sustainable creative practice.Topics Covered:Genesis’s first public conversation about her work and processBlending bold color and realism to explore femininity, natural beauty, and identityThe “building era”: structure, foundation, and sustaining a practiceEngaging with art beyond the surface—thinking and sharing with intentionBalancing visual art with an emerging music practice and creative growthThank you for listening to this conversation with Genesis Rodriguez. Explore more episodes of The Truth in This Art for discussions that spotlight creativity, culture, and the voices shaping our communities. Host: Rob LeeMusic: Original music by Daniel Alexis Music with additional music from Chipzard and TeTresSeis. Production:Produced by Rob Lee & Daniel AlexisEdited by Daniel AlexisShow Notes courtesy of Rob Lee and TransistorPhotos:Rob Lee photos by Vicente Martin for The Truth In This Art and Contrarian Aquarian Media.Guest photos courtesy of the guest, unless otherwise noted.Support the podcast The Truth In This Art Podcast Fractured Atlas (Fundraising): https://www.fracturedatlas.orgThe Truth In This Art Podcast Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/thetruthinthisart.bsky.socialThe Truth In This Art Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/truthinthisart/?hl=enThe Truth In This Art Podcast Website: https://www.thetruthinthisart.com/The Truth In This Art Podcast Shop: Merch from Redbubble ★ Support this podcast ★

Sean 'SK' Kinsey returns for his second appearance on The Truth in This Art!A Philadelphian visual artist known for blending a fine art sensibility with a street art aesthetic, Kinsey shares his thoughts on the power of art to reflect identity, honor community roots, and connect cultures in Philadelphia, the city that has shaped much of his work.In this episode, Kinsey discusses how his North and Uptown Philadelphia upbringing influences his art, the lessons he carries from his creative practice, and the role that painting and urban art play in honoring untold stories. He also reflects on the joys and challenges of being an artist, cultivating consistency without burnout, embracing creative independence beyond labels, and his ongoing efforts to inspire and uplift the next generation.This conversation explores the connection between art and culture in Philadelphia, focusing on resilience, representation, and the ways that urban art—bridging fine and street traditions—serves as a powerful expression of truth and community.Topics Covered:Kinsey’s reflections on his work since his first appearancePhiladelphia’s influence on Kinsey’s approach to urban and visual artHonoring community stories and identity through painting and urban artThe role of art and creative consistency in inspiring younger generations🎨 Don't miss this! If you're moved by Kinsey's words, come experience his work in person at his upcoming solo exhibition:Sean Kinsey Art & Underrated Achievers Brand Presents:GIVE YOURSELF FLOWERSA Solo Art Show Featuring Works of Sean 'SK' Kinsey🗓 November 15, 2025 🕔 5 PM – 9 PM 📍 Urban Art Gallery (Top Level) 262 S 52nd Street, Philadelphia, PA 19139Celebrate creativity, resilience, and self-love through bold, expressive works that honor untold stories and the beauty of growth. Give yourself flowers — you deserve them.👉 Mark your calendar. Bring a friend. Be inspired.Thank you for joining this insightful conversation with Sean 'SK' Kinsey. Be sure to explore more episodes of The Truth in This Art for discussions that spotlight creativity, culture, and the voices shaping Philadelphia’s unique narrative.Photo courtesy of guest. Interview recorded live in Philadelphia, PA. Host: Rob LeeMusic: Original music by Daniel Alexis Music with additional music from Chipzard and TeTresSeis. Production:Produced by Rob Lee & Daniel AlexisEdited by Daniel AlexisShow Notes courtesy of Rob Lee and TransistorPhotos:Rob Lee photos by Vicente Martin for The Truth In This Art and Contrarian Aquarian Media.Guest photos courtesy of the guest, unless otherwise noted.Support the podcast The Truth In This Art Podcast Fractured Atlas (Fundraising): https://www.fracturedatlas.orgThe Truth In This Art Podcast Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/thetruthinthisart.bsky.socialThe Truth In This Art Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/truthinthisart/?hl=enThe Truth In This Art Podcast Website: https://www.thetruthinthisart.com/The Truth In This Art Podcast Shop: Merch from Redbubble ★ Support this podcast ★

Ernest Shaw returns for his second appearance on The Truth in This Art! A renowned muralist and educator, Shaw shares his thoughts on the power of art to reflect identity, preserve community history, and connect generations in Baltimore, the city that has shaped much of his work.In this episode, Shaw discusses how his West Baltimore upbringing influences his art, the lessons he carries from his family, and the role murals play in honoring untold stories. He also reflects on the joys and challenges of being an artist and educator, as well as his ongoing efforts to inspire and uplift the next generation.This conversation explores the connection between art and culture in Baltimore, focusing on resilience, representation, and the ways that murals serve as powerful expressions of truth and community.Topics Covered:Shaw’s reflections on his work since his first appearanceBaltimore’s influence on Shaw’s approach to murals and visual artHonoring community stories and history through public artThe role of art in inspiring younger generationsThank you for joining this insightful conversation with Ernest Shaw. Be sure to explore more episodes of The Truth in This Art for more discussions that spotlight creativity, culture, and the voices shaping Baltimore's unique narrative.Photo credit: @achungphoto Host: Rob LeeMusic: Original music by Daniel Alexis Music with additional music from Chipzard and TeTresSeis. Production:Produced by Rob Lee & Daniel AlexisEdited by Daniel AlexisShow Notes courtesy of Rob Lee and TransistorPhotos:Rob Lee photos by Vicente Martin for The Truth In This Art and Contrarian Aquarian Media.Guest photos courtesy of the guest, unless otherwise noted.Support the podcast The Truth In This Art Podcast Fractured Atlas (Fundraising): https://www.fracturedatlas.orgThe Truth In This Art Podcast Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/thetruthinthisart.bsky.socialThe Truth In This Art Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/truthinthisart/?hl=enThe Truth In This Art Podcast Website: https://www.thetruthinthisart.com/The Truth In This Art Podcast Shop: Merch from Redbubble ★ Support this podcast ★

Zina Verduzco joins The Truth in This Art to explore how AI and digital innovation are transforming community and entrepreneurship for small businesses in Baltimore and beyond.With deep expertise across marketing, branding, and emerging technologies, Verduzco shares her journey from museum work to leading-edge digital marketing and AI development. She offers practical insights into helping local businesses adapt to the evolving online landscape—emphasizing the power of authenticity, strategic storytelling, and creative use of digital tools.Verduzco discusses the challenges and opportunities facing small business entrepreneurs today, from building a strong digital presence to navigating rapid changes in technology. For Verduzco, embracing the future means empowering communities, diversifying revenue, and using digital platforms to connect, uplift, and inspire.Topics Covered:Strategies for building authentic digital communities in BaltimoreThe role of storytelling and branding in small business successThe impact of AI and innovation on small business entrepreneurshipLessons learned from supporting creative and cultural enterprises Host: Rob LeeMusic: Original music by Daniel Alexis Music with additional music from Chipzard and TeTresSeis. Production:Produced by Rob Lee & Daniel AlexisEdited by Daniel AlexisShow Notes courtesy of Rob Lee and TransistorPhotos:Rob Lee photos by Vicente Martin for The Truth In This Art and Contrarian Aquarian Media.Guest photos courtesy of the guest, unless otherwise noted.Support the podcast The Truth In This Art Podcast Fractured Atlas (Fundraising): https://www.fracturedatlas.orgThe Truth In This Art Podcast Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/thetruthinthisart.bsky.socialThe Truth In This Art Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/truthinthisart/?hl=enThe Truth In This Art Podcast Website: https://www.thetruthinthisart.com/The Truth In This Art Podcast Shop: Merch from Redbubble ★ Support this podcast ★

Bmore Transform and Baltimore’s Graphic Novel Festival take center stage in this episode of The Truth in This Art. Guests Gab Sussman and Victoria Lebrón share how they are reshaping education and community through Bmore Transform’s abolitionist, decolonizing approach and the city’s premier Graphic Novel Fest—celebrating sequential art, uplifting Queer and BIPOC creators, and advancing arts and literacy education across Baltimore.Sussman and Lebrón reflect on the powerful role graphic novels play in engaging young readers, making literacy accessible, and fostering a love of storytelling. They discuss their work with Bmore Transform—an initiative dedicated to decolonizing education and supporting youth through creative programming, professional learning, and book clubs—highlighting how centering community and equity transforms classrooms and learning outcomes.The conversation explores how the Graphic Novel Fest was born from a passion for comics and a desire to create a celebratory, dignified space for visual storytelling in Baltimore. For Sussman and Lebrón, education means building community, championing inclusivity, and helping every young person find their voice through the arts—work exemplified by Bmore Transform and Baltimore’s Graphic Novel Festival.Topics Covered:How graphic novels build bridges and encourage literacy for diverse learnersThe mission and impact of Bmore Transform in Baltimore’s educational ecosystemCreating inclusive, engaging educational experiences through community-driven designThe story and significance behind Baltimore’s Graphic Novel Festival (Graphic Novel Fest)Baltimore’s very own Graphic Novel FestivalSAVE THE DATE: October 4, 2025📍400 S Higland Ave, Baltimore Host: Rob LeeMusic: Original music by Daniel Alexis Music with additional music from Chipzard and TeTresSeis. Production:Produced by Rob Lee & Daniel AlexisEdited by Daniel AlexisShow Notes courtesy of Rob Lee and TransistorPhotos:Rob Lee photos by Vicente Martin for The Truth In This Art and Contrarian Aquarian Media.Guest photos courtesy of the guest, unless otherwise noted.Support the podcast The Truth In This Art Podcast Fractured Atlas (Fundraising): https://www.fracturedatlas.orgThe Truth In This Art Podcast Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/thetruthinthisart.bsky.socialThe Truth In This Art Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/truthinthisart/?hl=enThe Truth In This Art Podcast Website: https://www.thetruthinthisart.com/The Truth In This Art Podcast Shop: Merch from Redbubble ★ Support this podcast ★

Baltimore artist Akio Evans returns to The Truth in This Art for his second appearance, tracing his evolution from hobbyist customizer to full-time artist and self-defined shoe muralist. Evans shares how he moved beyond “customs” into shoe murals—wearable art that tells stories, carries meaning, and can move people to tears—by centering intention, integrity, and community in every piece.Evans breaks down what changed in his mindset and practice to go pro, why he turned down copycat requests to protect his artistic voice, and how notable commissions (including work connected to Dave Chappelle) helped validate his path. Evans also opens up about building capacity through workshops, collaborating across generations, and taking on large-scale projects (like airbrushing dozens of pairs for an Apple TV production tied to a Kevin Durant scene) while staying true to the purpose behind the work.Topics Covered:Second-time guest: Evans' growth since his first visitFrom hobbyist to full-time artist: the mindset, systems, and community that made it possibleDefining “shoe muralist”: why Akio moved beyond traditional customs into shoe muralsThe meaning behind the work: storytelling, healing, and pieces that “breathe”Integrity over imitation: turning down copycat briefs to protect the craftNotable moments: high-profile clients and large-scale productionsCommunity impact: workshops, collaboration, and building an ecosystem for creators Host: Rob LeeMusic: Original music by Daniel Alexis Music with additional music from Chipzard and TeTresSeis. Production:Produced by Rob Lee & Daniel AlexisEdited by Daniel AlexisShow Notes courtesy of Rob Lee and TransistorPhotos:Rob Lee photos by Vicente Martin for The Truth In This Art and Contrarian Aquarian Media.Guest photos courtesy of the guest, unless otherwise noted.Support the podcast The Truth In This Art Podcast Fractured Atlas (Fundraising): https://www.fracturedatlas.orgThe Truth In This Art Podcast Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/thetruthinthisart.bsky.socialThe Truth In This Art Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/truthinthisart/?hl=enThe Truth In This Art Podcast Website: https://www.thetruthinthisart.com/The Truth In This Art Podcast Shop: Merch from Redbubble ★ Support this podcast ★