Creativity in Captivity

Jerry Seinfeld is best known for playing a semi-fictionalized version of himself on NBC’s Seinfeld, which he co-created and wrote with Larry David. The show aired from 1989- 1998 becoming one of the most popular American sitcoms of all time. Seinfeld also produced and co-wrote the film Bee Movie, the reality series The Marriage Ref, the documentary Comedian, and is the host of the web series Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee. For his TV work, he received 20 Primetime Emmy Award nominations and has four Grammy nominations for his comedy albums. In October 2020, Jerry released his newest book, Is This Anything?, chronicling his 45 years working in comedy. His most recent Netflix special is titled 23 Hours to Kill. On the podcast, he shares how he approaches writing new material like he is viewing it with a drone, the powerful reset he gets from practicing transcendental meditation, and offers advice that to be a success you must learn to be your own boss and the employee at the same time. 

An accomplished stage and TV actress, theatre educator, and singer who originated the Broadway roles of Vanessa in In The Heights and Satine in the stage adaptation of Moulin Rouge! She portrayed Angelica Schyler in the Chicago production of Hamilton and received a Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Musical for her role as Anita in West Side Story. Today she reveals what it means to be a “Swing” in a Broadway show, the intensity of performances once you are nominated for a Tony and she explains how important it is for her students to discover the intention in the material that leads to the passion and ultimately better performance. Whether she is performing, teaching, or engaging in activism, Karen Olivo knows how to shine. 

This multi-talented comedian and podcast host served as a writer and Co-Executive Producer on The Simpsons. He has numerous HBO specials as well as appearances on Conan and Letterman. He appeared as an actor on Seinfeld and The Ben Stiller Show. He created the series Stan Against Evil and co-created MTV’s Super Adventure Team. He hosts his own podcast The Dana Gould Hour available everywhere in the known universe. In this episode, he shares his love of Planet of the Apes, Johnny Carson, and the genre of horror. He explains how laughter and screams both offer a way to relieve tension. Together he and Pat explore the clever names of animal groupings and birds of prey.

A dynamic award-winning Magicienne and the executive director of Magicana, a Toronto-based Arts Organization, dedicated to the study, exploration, and advancement of magic as a performing art. Julie was one of the founders of My Magic Hands a community outreach program for at-risk youth. She was also instrumental in launching Senior Sorcery an interactive magic program designed to engage and empower isolated seniors. Julie was featured in CBC’s The Nature of Things episode “The Science of Magic. On the podcast, she tells us about her life as a thriving archivist and what it’s like growing up in Victoria, BC behind the counter of her father’s Trick & Joke Shop.   

An award-winning screenwriter, director, and author who has worked in film, television, and comic books for over 30 years. His book on story structure Invisible Ink has been translated into several languages and is required reading for interns at Pixar Animation Studios.  He is also the author of The Golden Theme, Ink Spots, and Old Souls. As a story consultant Brian has taught story construction and consulted for Disney Feature Animation, Cirque Du Soleil, Amazon, Ford Motor Company, Sony Interactive, Future of Storytelling, and Microsoft. McDonald is a partner and the Chief Storyteller at Belief Agency in Seattle, Washington where he hosts the podcast You Are a Storyteller. 

As an artist, songwriter & producer Maia is active in the music business. Her songs have been recorded by Bonnie Raitt, The Chicks, Trisha Yearwood, Keb’ Mo’, Cher, Edwin McCain, Art Garfunkel, and Lisa Loeb. She has appeared on NPR's All Things Considered, CBS Early Morning, and The Today Show. Maia has been writing for Songwriting with Soldiers since 2017. She wrote and sings the theme song for the Creativity in Captivity podcast. She has recorded eight solos records and recently released Mercy Rising, her boldest, most confessional album to date. She shares with Pat her experience of writing for Songwriting with Soldiers and reveals the inspiration behind the lyrics of her song “Death by Perfection.”

 A Mid-century pop culture expert who is a performer, author of coffee table books, and collector celebrating classic and kitschy American life and style. Charles has appeared on Jay Leno’s Garage, Martha Stewart, Conan, and Queen Latifah Show; also serving as a judge on Cake Wars Christmas and Nailed It, as well as a vintage appraiser on Storage Wars.  He is known for his spirited live slide shows, classic car JOYRIDE videos, and fun “field trip” tours. Join us to see why the New York Times refers to Charles Phoenix as “The King of Retro” and listen as he shares the secret to making the “The Mythical Food of the Gods” Ambrosia.  

This Musical Pioneer has beamed her music into space, been appointed a United Nations Women role model for Innovation, and held an acclaimed solo exhibition of her ‘world first’ album designs at the Victoria & Albert Museum in London. Wired Magazine named Beatie one of the “22 People Changing The World.”  She is at the forefront of delivering new formats for music that bridge the physical and the digital, including a 3D palm top theater, a wearable record jacket made from fabric woven with Wolfe’s music embedded in it, tailored by British style-maker Mr. Fish who created custom clothing for David Bowie, Jimi Hendrix, and The Rolling Stones. In this episode, she reminds us of the importance of a tangible experience with music to imprint memories on the brain and the powerful impact that working with people living with dementia is having on her work. Beatie Wolfe is sure to inspire you and offer new ways to look at the world around you and listen to life on a far deeper level. 

An artist and iconic illustrator of pin-up art whose paintings appeared in Playboy and dominated the scene in periodicals, paperbacks, advertising, and movie posters. Olivia is known for painting burlesque goddesses, women warriors, fashion & fantasy.  She brings to life such powerful screen sirens as Bettie Page, Cat Woman, Morticia Adams, and Wonder Woman.  Her artwork has been shown in galleries throughout the United States and Japan. She and her partner Joel started the O Card Company to publish Olivia’s images as greeting cards and they created Ozone Productions to license her artwork worldwide.  In this episode, she talks about how illustrating erotic fantasies for men’s magazines allowed her to make ends meet and learning the discipline of how to sit down and do the work rather than waiting for inspiration. Check out her popular page on Instagram: @oliviapinupart Website: eOlivia.com

The Author of The War of Art, The Artist Journey, Do The Work, Turning Pro, The Legend of Bagger Vance, Gates of Fire, Tides of War, The Afghan Campaign, Killing Rommel, Last of The Amazons, and A Man at Arms. In addition to historical fiction and inspiring non-fiction books, Steven also wrote the screenplays for King Kong Lives, Above The Law, Feejack, and Joshua Tree/ Army of One. In this episode, he shares tips for avoiding “The Resistance” which plagues us all, and gives advice on how to maintain a healthy relationship with the muse. If you are an aspiring writer this is a great voice to hear talk about the creative process.