Creativity in Captivity

A renowned mythologist, story expert  and the Executive Director for the Joseph Campbell Foundation who has been featured on the BBC, the History Channel, the LA Times.and The Hollywood Reporter. He explores mythology as the stories we use to make sense of the world around us.  John consults and works with government and cultural leaders around the world, as well as organizations such as HBO, DC Comics, Paramount Pictures, Nickelodeon, A24 Films, Atlas Obscura, and The John Maxwell Leadership Foundation, bringing his deep understanding of cultural narratives and myth to a wide array of audiences. He has worked with New York Times best-selling authors, YouTube influencers, Eisner winners, Emmy winners, Academy Award nominees, magicians, and cast members from Saturday Night Live. He holds a PhD in Mythology & Depth Psychology and is the author of six influential books on storytelling. 

As the host of "The Therapeutic Poet" podcast (International Women Podcast Award finalist 2022) and a published poet, Jacky uses verse to bypass the protective masks we all wear. With a Master's in Addiction Psychology and clinical training in therapy, she writes poetry that does what straight talk can't  – "carrying what's heavy on the wings of a melody." She believes that poetry is therapeutic technology – a tool to bear witness to unpalatable truths. That creativity isn't self-indulgent; it's how we process what we can't otherwise reach. Her live shows at STORY 2025 and Edinburgh Fringe Festival, as well as her intimate workshops – model the vulnerability she encourages in others. From the wisdom of her own experience coping with disappointment, bitterness, and hopelessness, she brings the tenderness of what these feelings actually feel like through her poems. This creates a safe container where audiences can get in touch with their own difficult emotions without being afraid – learning these feelings aren't obstacles to creativity, they're the raw material. Jacky's signature work explores what she calls "the messy middle" – those moments when we're cycling through blame, shame, or hustle instead of creating from authentic truth. Her poetry gives permission to feel hopeless, to sit with bitterness, to witness pain without trying to fix it. She transforms the clinical language of trauma into accessible, visceral poetry that make people realize that "she's walked it. She knows. I'm not alone."

A two-time Emmy Award-winning comedian and writer who’s been a fixture in late-night TV for decades. He’s made multiple appearances on The Late Show with David Letterman, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, and Late Night with Conan O'Brien, and can still be seen performing regularly at comedy clubs around Los Angeles. For 27 years, Brian was a staff writer for Conan, winning an Emmy in 2007 for Outstanding Writing for a Comedy/Variety Series and getting nominated 16 times. Kiley also worked on the final season of Ellen, picking up a Daytime Emmy in 2022.

Reminiscing with former Tonight Show producer and President of The Carson Entertainment Group and magical variety acts about The King of Late Night, Johnny Carson, on his 100th birthday.

A 25 year veteran actor, director, producer and writer who is from Brooklyn, NY / Woodbridge, NJ. Ronnie wrote and starred in I’m Not A Comedian… I’m Lenny Bruce, Directed by Joe Mantegna. The play ran for over 412 performances between Los Angeles, New York, Chicago and the National Tour. He is also known for his television work on CBS’ Criminal Minds, FOX’s Lethal Weapon as well as a 150 episode arc as Detective Ronnie Dimestico on General Hospital. As an actor, Marmo starred in more than 70 feature films includingDeuces Wild and  Back in the Day. He has directed over 50 stage plays, films and TV series. Ronnie has also produced 12 films and 110 plays/musicals in LA, NYC and CHI. Marmo has been the proud Artistic Director of Theatre 68 in LA and NYC for the last 22 years.

An Emmy & Golden Globe winning writer who contributed to the success of Hacks, Seinfeld, Curb Your Enthusiasm, Saturday Night Live, Modern Family & The Larry Sanders Show. 

Mandy Gonzalez is an accomplished film, TV, stage actor. Her Broadway debut was in the musical Aida. Then Mandy brought her talent to Lin-Manuel Miranda’s, In the Heights, where she originated the role of Nina Rosario in the Tony Award-winning show on Broadway, where she received a Drama Desk Award. As a proud Latina-American, the story of Nina resonated deeply.  Mandy then soared as Elphaba in Wicked and left an indelible mark in the megahit Hamilton, where she starred as Angelica Schuyler for 6 years. Mandy garnered  an OBIE Award for her performance in the Off-Broadway production of Eli’s Comin’. Mandy has been seen in recurring TV roles on such shows as Madam Secretary, BULL, Quantico, Only Murders in the Building. On the big screen, Mandy appeared in Across the Universe, Man on a Ledge, and she can be heard as the voices of Mei in Disney’s Mulan 2 and Mother Rose on Disney series Alice’s Wonderland Bakery. Mandy has performed with the New York Pops, Boston Pops, The National Symphony Orchestra, Houston Symphony and Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra to name a few. Mandy released her debut album FEARLESS, with Warner Music East/West, which debuted in the top 20 of iTunes pop charts. In her quest to create positive change, Mandy is the proud founder of #FearlessSquad—a social media movement for inclusiveness and positivity. Mandy is also an accomplished author who recently published her Young Adult series, FEARLESS -- a 4-book middle-grade series that follows young thespians whose brushes with the supernatural teach them about theater, friendship and themselves. Mandy serves on the boards of BCRF (Breast Cancer Research Foundation) and BCEFA (Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS), where she actively promotes awareness and fundraising efforts. Mandy is fresh off her guest-starring role as Norma Desmond in Sunset Blvd. and headed back to Carnegie Hall with world-premiere of Everything I Know, a dynamic production that pairs Gonzalez’s powerhouse voice and emotive prowess with a full accompaniment, creating an unforgettable celebration of Lin-Manuel Miranda’s iconic works. 

Widely considered the greatest magician of the past century with 10 appearances on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson as well as Letterman, Craig Ferguson and The View.

An impressive Latina comedian with the #1 Dry Bar Comedy Special of 2024.  Monique is more than a comic, she is a cultural translator, a relationship whisperer and a fearless truth teller.

A Las Vegas based comedian, musical satirist and songwriter who regularly opened for Rodney Dangerfield, George Carlin, The Beach Boys, Tom Jones and Barry Manilow.