People I Think Are Cool
179 episodes - English - Latest episode: about 1 year ago - ★★★★★ - 16 ratingsArtist and writer Liz Reed interviews creatives on what inspires them. Her guests range from internet famous webcomic artists to writers to musicians to chefs. Following your passion can come in any form and the advice from each guest is a unique gem of wisdom that could inspire you to pursue your dreams. New episodes release biweekly.
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Episodes
Ep. 76 Jennifer Olivarez
June 24, 2016 14:19 - 1 hour - 91.6 MBJennifer Olivarez is the creator of the popular site Squirrel Picnic. Her unique style infuses amigurumi with storytelling. She has a new book out called The Big Acorn Race, which tells the tale of two squirrels named Hodge and Podge. In this episode, we talk about self publishing through Createspace, the art of marketing, and mixing the genres of crafting and kidlit. You can follow Jennifer on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Ep.75 Andrea Tsurumi
June 10, 2016 15:42 - 1 hour - 93.8 MBAndrea Tsurumi is an illustrator and cartoonist based in Philly. Her work has been featured in The New York Times, Bleeding Cool, and 99U. Andrea has a new book out with Hic & Hoc called Why Would You Do That? It's a hilarious collection of comics that will take your imagination to quirky new places. In this interview, we talk about where she pulls inspiration for comics, working in publishing, and the weird things that go on in community pools. You can follow Andrea on Twitter & Tumblr, and...
Ep. 74 Leigh Luna
May 27, 2016 13:23 - 1 hour - 88.6 MBLeigh Luna is an illustrator/writer based in LA. She is currently working as a colorist for Amazon's animated show Danger & Eggs. Leigh has also done color and lettering for the Steven Universe and Adventure Time comics. In this episode, we talk about life as a freelance artist, how getting hit by a car inspired her to create the comic Canning Season, and what it was like working on Steven Universe with Boom!. You can follow Leigh on Twitter, Tumblr, and Instagram.
Ep. 73 Blake Hamilton
May 13, 2016 12:18 - 1 hour - 89.2 MBBlake Hamilton is the co-founder of All the Wonders, a site celebrating everything children's literature through author/illustrator interviews, podcasts, behind the scenes videos, and more. In this interview, I talk to Blake about his career in film and television, the importance of storytelling, and the conversation that sparked All the Wonders with co-founder Matthew Winner. You can follow Blake on Twitter and check out All the Wonders on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Ep. 72 Anna Raff
April 29, 2016 14:38 - 1 hour - 86.9 MBAnna is a picture book illustrator based in NYC. She's illustrated books like World Rat Day, The Wrong Side of the Bed, A Big Surprise for Little Card, and many more. In this episode, we talk about her career change from graphic design into illustration, brainstorming puns for her Birds! project, and what it's like to illustrate a picture book. You can follow Anna on her website, Twitter, Instagram, Tumblr, and Facebook.
Ep. 71 Lizzie Special
April 15, 2016 11:46 - 55 minutes - 76.3 MBIt's a Lizzie Special! In this episode I interview 10-year-old Maryn and 88-year-old Eileen on all things life. We talk about how opportunities for young woman have changed, the time Eileen got kicked out of a candy store for supporting FDR, and the good and the bad that comes with technology. The idea for this interview came from my annual Lizzie Special back in December where I outlined people I'd like to interview. Thank you so much to my friend Anna who connected me with the sweet and fu...
Ep. 70 Truck Torrence aka 100% Soft
April 01, 2016 10:00 - 52 minutes - 71.7 MBTruck Torrence, aka 100% Soft, is an LA based artist. He is known for his adorable kawaii inspired style. In this episode, we talk about creating emojis for Star Wars and getting notes from JJ Abrams, his next solo show, and how he creates his adorable characters. You can follow Truck on Facebook, Tumblr, Twitter, and Instagram.
Ep. 69 Mister Hope
March 18, 2016 14:48 - 1 hour - 102 MBMister Hope is an UK based illustrator/writer who's unique style will instantly make you happy. I've been following his work for a long time and own a sweet Sylvestor Stallone Over the Top piece that Jimmy and I commissioned from him. In this episode, we touch on how Mister Hope found his signature style, having a baby at a convention, and how to say thank you on Instagram without sounding dull. You can follow Mister Hope on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.
Ep. 68 Hugh Crawford (aka Crimes Against Hugh's Manatees)
March 04, 2016 14:56 - 56 minutes - 77.7 MBHugh creates the daily webcomic Crimes Against Hugh's Manatees. The comic started in 2010 when he was a stay-at-home dad seeking a creative outlet and quickly grew into a Tumblr sensation. In this episode, we talk about following each other for so long on social media, our love of comics, and finding time to make art. You can follow Hugh on Tumblr, Facebook, and Twitter.
Ep. 67 Angela Epley
February 19, 2016 15:25 - 57 minutes - 39.2 MBAngela Epley is a financial advisor based in Austin, Texas. She left her career in creative marketing a few years ago to follow her passion to help others get financially stable. In this episode, we talk about how to plan for leaving your day job to pursue a new career, best practices for freelancers, and most importantly how to manage your spending when your monthly income fluctuates. You can follow Angela on Twitter and Instagram. Please note: These videos are not intended to be used as ...
Ep. 66 Nasir Sobhani
February 05, 2016 15:01 - 1 hour - 43.2 MBNasir Sobhani is The Streets Barber. During the week he cuts hair in a barbershop in Australia and on the weekends he offers haircuts to the homeless. His #CleanCutCleanStart movement went viral in 2015, leading to features on BuzzFeed, Cosmopolitan, Huffington Post, and more. In this episode, we talk about his journey into working with the homeless, how anyone can use their talent to contribute to their community, and the importance of connecting with people. You can follow Nasir on Instagr...
Ep. 65 Bryan Young
January 22, 2016 12:38 - 1 hour - 42.2 MBBryan Young is a co-host on In The Mouth of Dorkness, a podcast covering all things geek and movies. In this episode, we talk about embracing what you love even when others don't, why our favorite Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles change with age, and taking the leap into starting your own business. Also, I try and get Bryan to break down his obsession with the Power Rangers. You can follow Bryan on Twitter, Letterboxd, and Instagram. AND if you love movies, you have to check out ITMODcast. I...
Lizzie 2015 Special
December 25, 2015 12:00 - 33 minutes - 23.2 MBIt's a Lizzie Special! It's like a year-end recap, but way cooler. In this episode, I give you updates on past guests from 2015 - they did a TON of amazing stuff - AND I tell you ten people I'd love to interview in 2016. GUYS! Thank you for an wonderful year of podcasting. You're the best. This will be the last episode of 2015. I can't wait to share some new cool people with you next year. HUGS! Liz
Ep. 64 Abby Howard
December 18, 2015 16:12 - 48 minutes - 33.4 MBAbby Howard is the creator of the webcomics The Last Halloween and Junior Scientist Power Hour. She was also a finalist on Penny Arcade's webseries Strip Search. In this episode we talk about making a career out of webcomics, future plans for The Last Halloween, and running a successful Patreon. You can follow Abby on Twitter and Tumblr.
Ep. 63 Blain Hefner
December 11, 2015 14:00 - 1 hour - 49.2 MBBlain Hefner is a mixed media artist based in Texas. His work can be seen in gallery shows across the nation, including Hero Complex Gallery and Gallery 1988. In this episode, we talk about the inspiration for his sculptures, connecting with other artists, and the different mediums he uses for his amazing pieces. You can follow Blain on Facebook, Instagram, Tumblr, and Twitter.
Ep. 62 Chris Lantinen
December 04, 2015 17:45 - 1 hour - 41.7 MBChris is the founder of Modern Vinyl, a website and podcast dedicated to all things vinyl and music. In this episode, we talk about Chris' experience hosting a panel at MondoCon 2015, the weirdest vinyls in his collection, and Modern Vinyl's newest addition to their podcast family, Pilot Study. You can follow Modern Vinyl on Facebook and Twitter and Chris on Twitter (He's private on Twitter but will totally add you. We talk about that too!).
Ep. 61 Esther Kim
November 20, 2015 22:37 - 1 hour - 56 MBEsther is the manager of Fantom Comics in DC. In this episode, we talk about leading and creating the programming for Small Press Expo, women in comics, and how animated Batman films aren't so kid friendly. Follow Esther and the adventures of Fantom Comics on Twitter and Facebook.
Ep. 60 Darren Smith
November 13, 2015 17:40 - 1 hour - 42.9 MBDarren is the founder and co-host of the geek and movie podcast ITMODcast, aka In the Mouth of Dorkness. I listen to ITMODcast religiously and had to have Darren on the show. In this episode, we talk about starting a podcast, our love for the Alamo Drafthouse DC, and the time he asked Patton Oswalt to be a guest on ITMOD (there is a good chance it might happen too!). Follow ITMODcast on Facebook and Twitter.
Ep. 59 Erica Williams
November 04, 2015 21:26 - 50 minutes - 34.6 MBErica is an illustrator and graphic designer based in Minneapolis. I first met Erica at MondonCon 2015 and was mesmerized by her work. Some of her past clients include The Black Keys, Dave Matthews Band, and Surly Brewing. In this episode, we talk about her creative process, working long hours, and the need for more female designers. Follow Erica on Twitter, Facebook, Tumblr, and Instagram.
Ep. 58 Jonah Matranga
October 30, 2015 13:34 - 1 hour - 56.8 MBJonah Matranga (aka onelinedrawing) is a musician based in California. He's fronted bands like Far, Gratitude, and New End Original and contributed to releases by Thursday and Deftones. In this episode, we chat about the importance of being genuine with your work, how creative innovation can lead to sustaining your passion, and the importance of community. You can follow Jonah on Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube.
Ep. 57 Greg Sahadachny
October 23, 2015 15:04 - 58 minutes - 40.3 MBGreg is the host of Debatable Podcast and All the Pieces Matter, a podcast about HBO's The Wire. In this episode, we talk about why it's important to have a creative outlet, landing interviews with big directors, and his comfort with tackling controversial topics. Follow Greg on Twitter @mistergreggles.
Ep. 56 Allison Marshall
October 16, 2015 15:06 - 1 hour - 42.5 MBAllison is the founder of the creative business blog Wonderlass. In this episode, we talk about defining your blog's voice, growing an audience, and how to fully utilize Pinterest to promote your work. You can follow Allison on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest.
Ep. 55 Kenny Caperton
September 25, 2015 16:31 - 1 hour - 50 MBKenny is a filmmaker and major horror fan! He loves horror so much that in 2008 he built a replica of the iconic Myers house from John Carpenter's Halloween. He and wife Emily documented the construction of their dream home and now share life in the Myers house on their site. In this episode, we talk about recreating the blueprint for the Myers house from scratch, finding distribution for his film Honeyspider, and planning a 300+ Halloween party for horror fans. You can follow Kenny on Twitt...
Ep. 54 Nan Lawson
September 18, 2015 13:54 - 51 minutes - 35.1 MBNan is an artist based in Los Angeles. She's worked with awesome clients like The Academy Awards, Warner Brothers, Sony, and Harper Collins. In this ep, we talk about leaving a career in TV for art, changing her style over time, and her upcoming solo show at Gallery 1988. You can follow Nan on Twitter, Facebook, Tumblr, and Instagram.
Ep. 53 Joe Mochove & Rusty Rowley
September 11, 2015 14:03 - 1 hour - 51.3 MBJoe Mochove and Rusty Rowley are Small Press Expo royalty! They've been attending the indie comic show for over 20 years and started hosting their own interviews outside the exhibit hall in 2012. If you attend SPX then you can't miss these guys. In this episode, we talk about the early years of SPX, the importance of creating something and putting yourself out there, and their most awkward interview experience ever! In preparation for SPX on September 19 and 20, follow Joe and Rusty on ...
Ep. 52 Tracie Ching
September 04, 2015 14:07 - 1 hour - 42.6 MBTracie is a graphic designer based in DC. She's worked with AMC, Sony Pictures, Marvel, Google, and more. In this episode, we talk about the strong female characters, working with Google, and the early days of Kickstarter. You can follow Tracie on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.
Ep. 51 Lisa Gullickson
August 28, 2015 12:11 - 1 hour - 44.9 MBLisa is a co-host on the movie and geek podcast In The Mouth of Dorkness. In this episode, we talk about her wife-dork nickname, her extreme emetophobia, and owning a snake out of spite for an ex-lover. You can follow Lisa on Twitter and Instagram.
Ep. 50 Nick Marinelli
August 21, 2015 16:01 - 59 minutes - 40.8 MBNick Marinelli is the chief operating officer for the music and gaming festival MagFest. In this episode, we talk about running an event with over 17,000 attendees, gaming culture, and video game music. Stay up to date on all things MagFest on Facebook, YouTube & Twitter.
Ep. 49 Matthew Winner
August 14, 2015 12:33 - 59 minutes - 34 MBMatthew Winner is the host of the kidlit podcast Let's Get Busy and the creator of The Busy Librarian blog. He is an actual teacher librarian on top of hosting two of the top resources for authors and illustrators in the children's literature industry. In this episode, we talk about giving a voice to the kidlit industry through podcasting, the increased popularity of graphic novels for children, and controversial children's books. You can follow Matthew on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, ...
Ep. 48 Scott Derby
August 07, 2015 16:39 - 1 hour - 36.6 MBScott is an illustrator based in Philadelphia. His work can be seen all across Teefury and galleries across the nation. In this episode, we talk about the upcoming group show at Gallery 1988 for Mattel, finding your own style, and how he got the name NakedDerby. You can follow Scott on Twitter, Tumblr and Instagram.
Ep. 47 Reza Farazmand (aka Poorly Drawn Lines)
July 31, 2015 11:00 - 53 minutes - 30.7 MBReza is the creator of the popular webcomic Poorly Drawn Lines. In this episode, we talk about his new book, pregnant hamsters, and the webcomic community. You can pre-order his new book, Poorly Drawn Lines: Good Ideas and Amazing Stories, before its October release! Stay up to date on Reza's latest comics & adventures on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.
Ep. 46 Scott C
July 24, 2015 12:03 - 47 minutes - 27.4 MBScott C is a writer and illustrator based in New York. His work ranges from art directing video games like Psychonauts to capturing epic battles in watercolor with Great Showdowns to teaching kids how to embrace everything in the picture book Hug Machine. In this episode, we talk about how food tastes better on airplanes, loving people, and his upcoming Zombie in Love 2 + 1 exhibit at Gallery Nucleus. You can follow Scott C and his amazing work on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.
Ep. 45 Aaron Prescott
July 17, 2015 15:16 - 59 minutes - 34.1 MBAaron is the creative manager at the Alamo Drafthouse in Ashburn, VA. In this episode, we talk about landing a film lover's dream job, creating those hilarious pre-shows, and teaming up with Patton Oswalt for a night of double features. You can check out the latest events for the Alamo Drafthouse in Ashburn, VA on Twitter and Facebook, AND you can check out Aaron's amazing adventures on Twitter and Instagram.
Ep. 44 Kristin Tercek
July 10, 2015 15:52 - 1 hour - 37.3 MBKristin, aka Cuddly Rigor Mortis, creates adorable happy food and animal paintings. In this episode, we talk about her past career in animation, what it's like to prep for a solo gallery show, and her lifelong battles with depression. Follow Kristin's super cute creations on Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram.
Ep. 43 Steve Anderson
June 26, 2015 16:49 - 55 minutes - 31.5 MBSteve is the founder of Third Eye Comics, a comic book store based in Maryland. In this episode, we talk about the evolution of comics, creating Awesome Con DC with Ben Penrod, and what makes a great comic store. You can follow Third Eye on Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, and Facebook.
Ep. 42 Laura Gehl
June 19, 2015 22:19 - 56 minutes - 32.5 MBLaura Gehl is the author of the children's book One Big Pair of Underwear. In this episode, we talk about how to get into children's literature, writers' relationships with their illustrators, and the complications behind writing a book that rhymes. Follow Laura's adventures in literature on her site and Facebook.
Ep. 41 Jennifer Ackerman-Haywood
June 12, 2015 14:59 - 1 hour - 43.4 MBJennifer is the host of the popular crafting podcast Craftsanity. She and a few of her journalism students recently created a documentary following the stories of two people in hospice care. Their short documentary gives audiences an intimate look on how we reflect on life and its meaning during our final moments with loved ones. Watch the documentary for the "Live Your Best Life" project here. You can also check out Jennifer's crafting adventures on her podcast Craftsanity and fol...
Ep. 40 Rich Vreeland
June 05, 2015 12:44 - 57 minutes - 32.8 MBRich, aka Disasterpeace, is a composer and musician based in California. He recently scored the film It Follows directed by David Robert Mitchell. In this episode, we talk about how his music on the game Fez led to working on It Follows, being a minimalist, and how many plays it actually takes for musicians to get paid from streaming sites like Spotify and Rdio. You can follow Rich on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. He also has a really great blog where he talks music and life. You can...
Ep. 39 Erin Gleeson
May 29, 2015 10:00 - 52 minutes - 29.9 MBErin is the NY Times Best Selling Author of The Forest Feast, a cookbook based on beautifully simple healthy eating. The Forest Feast started as a blog for Erin to share her photography work and grew into an internet sensation. In this episode, we talk about her two new books coming out in 2016, living out in the woods, and thrifting for unique set props. You can follow Erin on Twitter, Tumblr, Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook.
Ep. 38 Kim Welling
May 22, 2015 12:16 - 1 hour - 44.8 MBKim is an illustrator based near Amsterdam. Her tiny comfort boxes caught my attention on Etsy, and I had to talk with her! In this episode, we discuss paying it forward through art, balancing everyday life while blocking out time for creativity, and people getting tattoos of your art. You can follow Kim on Facebook and Pinterest.
Ep. 37 Stephen Graham & Seth Casana
May 15, 2015 12:42 - 1 hour - 35.2 MBStephen Graham & Seth Casana are the co-founders of WHURK, a free montly magazine dedicated to the creative communities in Virginia. In this epiosde, we talk about their creative partnership, asking strangers for money, and The Hard Whurk Challenge (seriously, it's super hard). Follow WHURK on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. Also, WHRUK is always looking for new comics, photography, poetry, short fiction and more. Check out their contribute page for details.
Ep. 36 Brad Gullickson
May 08, 2015 10:08 - 1 hour - 43.2 MBBrad is the co-host of the popular all things geek podcast In the Mouth of Dorkness. He is a walking encylopedia for film. Seriously. Name a movie and he will tell you the director, the year it was made, and the lead actors. In this episode, we talk about interivewing The Blair Witch director, Eduardo Sanchez, the importance of watching movies made before your generation, and how Twitter landed ITMOD Podcast an interview with one of their favorite screenwriters. Follow Brad's adven...
Ep. 35 Drew Brockington
May 01, 2015 14:50 - 59 minutes - 34 MBDrew is an illustrator and writer based in Minneapolis. He is currently working on his first graphic novel, Cat-Stronauts, which is set to release in 2017. In this episode, we talk about what it's like to work with a publisher, the science behind Cat-Stronauts, and his writing process. You can follow Drew on Facebook, Twitter, and Tumblr.
Ep. 34 Biju Sukumaran
April 25, 2015 20:50 - 56 minutes - 32.6 MBBiju Sukumaran is a freelance travel writer and photographer. His stories have been featured on Esquire, CNN, National Geographic, and Vogue. I've know Biju for years and was so excited to catch up with him on his travels. In this episode, we talk about how traveling became his passion, exotic food, and how to order a pizza in Korea. You can follow Biju's travels on Twitter, Instagram, and SnapChat (nagavanshi).
Ep. 33 Hannah Benbow
April 17, 2015 18:57 - 58 minutes - 33.7 MBHannah is an animator and illustrator based in DC. She is best known for her project 365 Days of Cats! In this episode, we talk about different types of animation, drawing cat commissions, and keeping your illustration game sharp! You can follow Hannah on Tumblr, Instagram, and Twitter.
Ep. 32 Christiann MacAuley
April 10, 2015 10:00 - 1 hour - 43.7 MBChristiann MacAuley is the creator of Sticky Comics and a cartoonist for Cosmopolitan. In this episode, we talk about creating edgy content geared towards women, how to pronounce her name, and women in comics. You can follow Christiann on Twitter and Facebook.
Ep. 31 Kio Reed (April Fool's Day Special)
April 01, 2015 10:09 - 10 minutes - 5.93 MBKio Reed is someone I've known for over 13 years. Her fierce independence and work ethic are what inspired me to sit down and interview her. Her answers are concise and to the point, which I think is a common goal amongst all professionals. She is also a master at work/life balance. If you are interested in reaching out to Kio, send her an email. Happy April Fool's Day!
Ep. 30 Jannie Ho
March 27, 2015 12:40 - 49 minutes - 28.4 MBJannie Ho is the creative force behind ChickenGirl Design. She is a product designer and illustrator from Boston. She's worked with HarperCollins, Target, Scholastic, Toys R Us and so many other companies (seriously the list is long!). In this episode, we talk about the author-illustrator relationship when making a book, how she got her name, and the future of illustration. You can follow Jannie on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
Ep. 29 AwwSam (aka Sam Ushiro)
March 20, 2015 10:26 - 52 minutes - 30 MBSam is a product designer based in Brooklyn. She is working on a book all about decorating donuts as other foods. Check out her Instagram to see some of her awesomely delicious designs. In this episode, we chat about branding yourself, photography, and internet friends. You can follow Sam on Instagram and Facebook.
Ep. 28 Carolyn Belefski
March 13, 2015 14:01 - 1 hour - 40.4 MBCarolyn Belefski is a writer and illustrator. She runs her own comic, Curls, and has created illustrations for the White House and BOOM! Studios (specifically an amazing comic cover for Carton Network's Adventure Time). She is a huge part of the DC comic community through her work with comics newspaper, Magic Bullet, and Cartoonists Draw Blood. She also runs the podcast The Carolyn and Joe Show with her partner Joe. Carolyn is currently running a Kickstarter to create one big anthology ...