The Truth In This Art: Stories That Matter

Writer, curator, and editor-in-chief of UP Magazine, T.K. Mills returns to the podcast.Mills shares how living in New York City shapes his writing, curatorial practice, and editorial leadership at UP Magazine. UP Magazine is the urban art publication he founded and leads. Mills discusses how UP Magazine gives a platform to street artists and storytellers covers graffiti culture while documents the creativity found throughout city neighborhoods.Mills talks about building community and the impact of current events and city life on the artists he works with and features in the magazine. He reflects on balancing running an independent publication and fostering collaboration.For Mills, art and journalism work together to strengthen connections across the creative world. Topics Covered:How New York City’s energy and culture shape Mills’s projects and UP MagazineThe influence of street art and graffiti on his editorial visionHighlighting diverse voices and documenting city storiesBuilding creative community through the magazine and curatorial workThe challenges and rewards of running an independent publicationBalancing growth, authenticity, and collaborationUsing art and storytelling to inspire dialogue and connectionDiscover Mills’s work with UP Magazine at upmag.com or follow @t.k.m85 on Instagram. 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 ★

Artist and Arts in Health Specialist Zoë Lintzeris joins the podcast.  Lintzeris shares how life in Baltimore and beyond informs her visual art practice. Lintzeris' work explores themes of love, loss, and resistance within both urban and rural settings. Lintzeris discusses how current events shape her work, and how art helps her process personal and collective emotions. She talks about using photography and painting as tools to examine the human experience and foster community.Lintzeris explores the realities of being an artist now. Lintzeris shares navigating competition, maintaining authentic expression, and building local support. For Lintzeris, art blends self-discovery with advocacy. Lintzeris uses creative work to spark meaningful conversations about life’s challenges.Topics Covered:How the environment and current events influence Lintzeris’ artThe role of love, loss, and resistance in her creative themesUsing art and photography to process emotion and document the human conditionBuilding community and connection through honest storytellingThe challenges and rewards of being an artist in a competitive worldThe importance of local support, resilience, and self-advocacyHow art can foster conversation, reflection, and belongingReady to see Lintzeris’s creative world? Visit www.zoelintzeris.com or follow @zlintz on Instagram to view her work and stay connected. 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 ★

Aspiring podcaster and artist M’Balou Camara interviews me for a special Maryland Art Summit 2025 recording.M’Balou is a former student, current colleague, and emerging podcaster preparing to launch “The Heart Reflex,” highlighting voices of the African diaspora in the arts.Our conversation—recorded live at Prince George’s Community College—explores our journey from a classroom connection at UMBC to ongoing collaboration, mutual mentorship, and co-leadership in the creative community.I share insights from my nearly 20 years as a podcaster and host of “The Truth in This Art,” focusing on the value of storytelling, reciprocity, and building a living archive for Baltimore’s creative voices.We discuss how authentic conversations, trust, and relational support are central to my approach as a host and educator. I break down strategies for fostering access, avoiding gatekeeping, and sustaining creative independence amid funding challenges.Audience questions spark a discussion on practical advice for new podcasters, evolving media formats, and lessons learned from both successes and setbacks.We close with a rapid-fire “reflex round,” reflecting on curiosity, inspiration, and the role of freedom in creative work.Topics Covered:Evolving from instructor-student roles to creative peer collaborationBuilding and sustaining community-rooted podcast archivesThe ethics and art of listening, trust, and relationship-buildingNavigating independence, institutional pressure, and artistic integrityMutual mentorship and non-hierarchical support in the artsPractical strategies for launching and growing a podcastAdapting to changes in media and the podcasting landscapeCentering and uplifting underrepresented stories and artistsReflections on curiosity, inspiration, and freedom through art📍Discover more at thetruthinthisart.com or follow me on Instagram. Stay tuned for M’Balou Camara’s upcoming podcast “The Heart Reflex”. 📸 credit @teencudi 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 ★

Artist, poet, and climate justice advocate Neha Misra joins The Truth In This Art podcast. Misra shares how growing up in India, studying physics, and her cultural roots shape her creative work. Misra's art blends visual art, poetry, and climate justice activism. Misra discusses how reclaiming creativity helped her navigate periods of loss and anxiety. Misra shares her belief in art as an essential force for healing, resilience, and connection. She talks about finding inspiration in nature and using art bring people together and inspire hope. Misra shares her experience sharing vulnerable work and why creativity matters for everyone. Topics Covered:How Indian heritage, physics, and environmental activism converge in Misra’s artThe role of creativity and imagination in healing from loss and building communityUsing poetry, painting, and storytelling as tools for advocacy and connectionArt as medicine—for the self and society—in confronting climate and social crisesThe power of circles, collective stories, and shared vulnerabilityReclaiming and redefining creativity against systems of extraction and oppressionThe ongoing journey toward hope, resilience, and a more connected worldReady to experience Neha Misra’s creative world? Visit www.nehamisrastudio.com or follow @nehamisrastudio on Instagram. 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 ★

Artist Kiara-Maribel Rivera joins the podcast. In this conversation, Rivera reflects on how her family’s migration and history shaped her identity and her creative work. She shares how her mother’s careful habit of saving photos, report cards, and awards helped her feel connected to her roots. Rivera discusses using art to examine memory, family archives, and the fragments of stories lost along the way. Rivera talks about the challenges of adapting to new places and navigating art school. Rivera describes learning how to preserve and honor the past while creating something new. Rivera opens up about the care needed when working with personal and family records, and how art becomes a way to explore belonging and heritage.Topics Covered:The influence of family migration and history on Rivera’s artGrowing up surrounded by photos, documents, and personal archivesUsing art to explore memory, loss, and connectionThe challenges and opportunities of art school as a first-generation studentBalancing privacy, care, and community when working with personal historiesHonoring heritage and identity through creative practiceCurious to discover more? Follow Kiara’s creative work and journey online. 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 ★

Carter Wynne, an artist and curator from Washington, D.C., delves into her rich family history of activism that shapes her art focused on social justice. She shares her journey as a self-taught painter, harnessing emotions and personal experiences to fuel her creativity. Wynne discusses the importance of narrative ownership in art, the balance of her roles as an artist and advocate, and how genuine connections enrich her work. With a nostalgic lens, she reflects on her childhood and community ties, all while emphasizing resistance against societal pressures.

Artist Tiger Chengliang Cai joins the The Truth in This Art. In this episode, Cai shares his journey from China to New York and how his background shapes his creative work. Cai talks about teaching himself art as a child, struggling against expectations, and making his own path in the art world. He loves using riddles and metaphors in his art, with a special focus on the immigrant experience. Cai explains why he doesn’t want to “spoon-feed” meaning to his audience, preferring people to find their own truth in his work. He describes the challenges of making art in a new country and bridging the gap between cultures. Cai reflects on staying true to his ideas, experimenting, and using curiosity as his guide.Topics Covered:Teaching himself art as a child in ChinaOvercoming expectations to pursue artNavigating the differences between audiences in China and the U.S.Using riddles and metaphors, especially about immigrationStaying true to personal beliefs in creative workThe importance of curiosity and experimentationBridging cultures through artWant to see more of Tiger’s creative journey? Visit his Instagram @tigerpht or his website to check out his latest projects. 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 ★

Artist and philosopher Mia Ntenta joins the podcast. Ntenta is a visual artist working across painting, sculpture, and installation. Ntenta is one of several artists I interviewed from Spring/Break Art Fair 2025.Ntenta shares how her philosophy background led her to explore ideas through painting and sculpture. Ntenta explains how her visual language and symbols clarify complex philosophical ideas.Ntenta breaks down her ongoing, expansive work 'The Omegans Project'. The Omegans Project, an expansive and ongoing series begun by Ntenta in 2019. This work reveals Ntenta's dystopian world and her symbolic language for deconstructing existence.Later, Ntenta discusses how her symbols’ meanings evolve across different works.Ntenta uses art to spark curiosity and make philosophy accessible.Topics Covered:Transitioning from philosophy to visual arts as a new medium of thoughtUsing painting and sculpture to make complex ideas more approachableCreating and evolving a personal symbolic universe across artworksStrategies for communicating philosophical concepts with viewersRecent exhibitions and sharing work with the public for the first time📍 Discover more about Ntenta’s work on Instagram (@miantenta) and at her website. 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 ★

Artist Rosalie Smith joins the podcast. Smith reflects on developing her unique style. Smith talks about making sculptures with old technology and everyday things. Smith shares her process behind her pieces, and how recent experiences in New York and her education have shaped her approach. Smith discusses balancing the absurd and the serious. Smith describes what it means to create and teach in today’s fast-paced and chaotic world. Smith, Fresh off her MFA at CUNY Hunter, also talks about recent and upcoming exhibitions that mark new chapters in her creative journey.Topics Covered:Blending tech debris and found materials to reimagine survival after collapseInfusing sculpture with both humor and weight to address environmental griefHow working in New York and completing an MFA have influenced Smith’s visionTeaching art while developing a personal practiceBalancing narrative, comedy, and chaos in visual workReflecting on creative growth through education and experimentation📍 See Rosalie Smith’s work at exhibitions in New York and follow for upcoming shows and projects. 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 ★

Chef & owner of On the Hill Cafe and CookHouse, Chef George Dailey joins the podcast. Dailey is originally from Venezuela. He started his cooking career in Boston, then moved to Baltimore and opened On the Hill Cafe in 2005. In this conversation, Dailey shares his passion for global flavors, seasonal menus, and the art of hospitality. Dailey reflects on building two beloved Baltimore spots. Dailey shares his hands-on approach that ensures quality and consistency. Dailey reveals how he crafts inventive menus inspired by what he loves to eat and what makes the community happy. Dailey also shares how being present in every detail keeps his restaurants thriving after decades.Topics Covered: The journey of sustaining On the Hill Cafe for over 20 years and launching CookHouse Menu development: balancing classics, creativity, and customer cravings The value of local, seasonal ingredients and adapting to change Dailey’s commitment to being in the kitchen and why that matters Building community and memorable experiences through food📍 Find On the Hill Cafe and CookHouse in Baltimore’s Bolton Hill, and discover their menus online or on social media. 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 ★