People I Think Are Cool

  Jordan Perme and Christopher Lees are the husband and wife team behind Horrible Adorables. Their strange and beautiful creations can be seen at galleries, boutiques, and indie craft fairs across the globe. In this episode we cover their new toyline with Kidrobot, their first  DesignerCon, and growing a small business together.   Show Notes:  (@horrible_adorables) Instagram Pinterest Facebook Website Kidrobot Etsy  

Benjamin Wynn, aka Deru, is an Emmy Award winning composer, sound designer, and music producer. In this episode, we discuss writing music for YouTube Red’s new series Impulse, composing the Marvel podcast Wolverine: The Long Night, spectral music, and his next album. (@_deru) Show Notes:  Impulse Wolverine: The Long Night Website Twitter Soundcloud Facebook Documentary: A Life in Waves Spectral music Microtonal music Gèrard Grisey Baschet Brothers    Photo credit: Tim Navis

Kate Unver is the founder of The Daily Mini, a website and wildly popular instagram featuring all things miniature. When Kate isn't riding her motorcycle or working her day job, she dedicates her time to featuring artists and collectors of miniatures, ranging from the adorable to the unique and rare. In this episode, we talk about promoting artists, the mini community, and the importance of having multiple passions. You can follow Kate on Twitter (@thedailymini), Facebook and Instagram (@dailymini).    Show Notes:  The Daily Mini website Instagram Facebook Twitter Submit a mini! New York Times Feature

  Brad Gullickson is a writer, podcaster, and film critic. This is Brad's second visit to the podcast. Our very first chat was on ep. 36 in May 2015! Hopping forward to today, Brad has accomplished so much. We pack a lot into this interview from quitting his day job and writing full time for Film School Rejects to interviewing folks like Vince Vaughn, S. Craig Zahler and Jim Gaffigan. You can follow Brad on Twitter @mouthdork.  Show Notes:  Brad's Twitter & Instagram  In the Mouth of Dorkness Podcast Non Fics Film School Rejects   Photo credit: Casey Yoshida

Aaron Hartline is an animator at Pixar Animation Studios. He’s been animating for over twenty years and has worked on films like Up!, Inside Out, Toy Story 3 and more. Aaron and I sat down to chat about his debut picture book Box Meets Circle, working for Pixar, and following his dream. You can follow Aaron on Twitter (@boxmeetscircle) and Instagram (@aaron.hartline).    Show Notes:  Box Meets Circle Aaron's Website Blog Post-It's 

Chogrin is an illustrator, writer, and curator. He’s worked on shows like Adventure Time and Regular Show. Chogrin currently works at Disney. When Chorgrin isn’t  working in animation, he is curating gallery exhibits for some of the best pop culture galleries around the world. In this episode, we talk about how Chogrin got into curating shows, what he looks for in an artist, working on his book Kid Del Toro, and his latest animation project. You can follow Chogrin on Twitter (@chogrin) an Instagram (@chogrin).    Show Notes:  Chogrin's Website Kid Del Toro Fake Theme Parks    

Mike Owens is the co-creator of the Amazon show Danger and Eggs. The cartoon is hilarious and heartwarming. It’s received rave reviews and was nominated for a Critics Choice, GLAAD, and Annie Award. I had the pleasure of talking to Mike about his career in animation, the original short Danger and Eggs is based on, and what it’s like to create a show for Amazon. You can follow Mike on Twitter (@mowensanimation) and Instagram (@therealmikeowens)   Show Notes:  Danger and Eggs Mike's Nice Moves Talk Mike's Website

Welcome to part two of my chat with Dallas & Leigh Taylor of Defacto Sound. This episode focuses on their podcast Twenty Thousand Hertz. Dallas and Leigh shared with me how they make the podcast and all the planning that went behind its launch. You can follow Dallas on Twitter @d_llas & Leigh @perfythegreat. Show Notes:  Twenty Thousand Hertz Podcast Defacto Sound Dallas Taylor website  

  Meet Dallas & Leigh Taylor. They are the husband and wife team behind the award winning sound studio Defacto Sound. They've worked with tons of cool names including Netflix, Discovery, and Bethesda. Dallas and Leigh also created one of my all time favorite podcasts Twenty Thousand Hertz. Their podcast explores the stories behind the world’s most recognizable and interesting sounds. This interview is a two-parter. Part 1 focuses on starting your own creative business and the joys and stresses around taking that leap.  You can follow Dallas on Twitter @d_llas & Leigh @perfythegreat. Show Notes:  Twenty Thousand Hertz Podcast Defacto Sound Dallas Taylor website Entreprenuer.com feature

Allison Black is an illustrator and designer. She's worked with tons of companies including Target, Oh Deer, Chronicle Books, Google, and Nick Jr. If you are a fan of everything holiday themed at Target then you've probably seen Allison's work. Her designs are so fun that it is hard to pick just one illustration to highlight for this blog post! In this interview, Allison shares a few little stories behind her designs, what it's like to create designs for a corporation, and how to not think too hard about trends. You can follow Allison on Instagram (@allisonblackillustration)   Show Notes:  Allison's Website Barnyard Boogie Target Halloween Bat (my favorite!) Hip-Hip  

Andrea Tsurumi (@AndreaTsurumi) is a writer and illustrator AND our first repeat guest! Her debut picture book Accident! just came out with HMH Books and it's magical. I remember talking to Andrea right when she got the book deal in episode 75 of People I Think Are Cool, and it's amazing to see where the book is now. I definitely recommend checking out both episodes to get a feel for the huge and talented range of Andrea's humor. Accident! is getting rave reviews, and Andrea shares all of her delightful storytelling secrets with us!    Show Notes:  Buy Accident! Tumblr link to Accident storyboards Buy Why Would You Do That? Website Ep. 75 interview with Andrea   Andrea's Social Media:  Twitter Tumblr Instagram    

Deborah Haywood (@blytheface) is a UK based filmmaker. She is the writer and director of Pin Cushion. I caught Pin Cushion at Fantastic Fest, and it is my number one film of the year. Deborah's voice is so unique. She knows how to tell a story with heart, raw emotion, and humor. Go see Pin Cushion if it is playing at a festival near you, AND definitely check out her short films on Vimeo. In this interview, Deborah shares her experience with personal storytelling, the need for more female narratives, the fashion in Pin Cushion, and audience reactions. You can follow Deborah on Twitter, Letterboxd (@dollipop), and Instagram.  Show Notes:  Pin Cushion Emily Sears Birth.Movie.Death piece on Pin Cushion Deborah's short films on Vimeo  Deborah Haywood on Letterboxd: @Dollipop Raw Fantastic Fest

Damien James Webb (@damienjameswebb) is a model maker & miniature artist based in Canada. His work has been featured in gallery shows across Canada and the US. In this episode, we explore using found objects for art, the techniques behind his mini replica of Monica's apartment from Friends, and making art for fun vs art as a career. You can follow Damien on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube.    Show Notes: Damien's Website Damien's Daily Mini Interview Miniature Replicas:  Monica's Apartment Mulder's Office Up! Bluth's Banana Stand    

Luke Flowers (@lafcreative) is a writer/illustrator based in Colorado. His latest book in the Scholastic series Moby Shinobi: Ninja in a Pet Shop is available now for preorder. In this episode, we talk about writing for level one readers, making deals without a literary agent, and our love of creative communities. Follow Luke on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.    Show Notes Website Moby Shinobi SquaredCo Podcast interview Creative South Podcast interview Art of Show Podcast interview  

Jimmy Reed is a writer, illustrator, and musician based in DC. He is also my creative partner, husband, and the co-creator of Cuddles and Rage. I saved my very favorite person in the whole wide world for episode 100! Jimmy is a creative force who inspires me every day. In this episode, we go deep into how we work together and open up on some of the challenges we faced early on in our creative partnership. We also explore how even the smallest goals can push your art further and the importance of having a creative community. You can follow Jimmy on Instagram (@lamarocket) and follow all of our work on Cuddles and Rage (@cuddlesandrage).    Show Notes:  Steal Like an Artist Mondo Sweet Competition Cuddles and Rage James Iha The Secret Society of Film Masons (aka our Alamo Film Club)  

Orli Zuravicky (@ozsaidso) is a writer and a senior editor of children's publishing at Scholastic. This episode we dive deep into her charming new middle grade series Happily Ever Afterlife. In this interview, Orli and I explore her writing process, how to create natural sounding dialogue, writing for middle grade, her editing process, and the future of Happily Ever Afterlife. You can follow Orli on Twitter and Instagram.   Show Notes Website Happily Ever Afterlife Facebook page Happily Ever Afterlife: Ghostcoming Happily Ever Afterlife: Crushed Book activities  Stories Unbound Interview

Edwardian Taylor is an illustrator, character designer, storyboard and concept artist based in Texas. He's worked with tons of big name brands like Hasbro, Nickelodeon, Dreamworks TV, and National Geographic. In this episode, we talk about his long journey into landing an illustration agent, his two new picture books Race! and It's Not Jack and the Beanstalk, freelance life, and working with children's author Josh Funk. You can follow Edwardian on Instagram and Twitter (@edwardiantaylor).    Show notes:  Website It's Not Jack and the Beanstalk Race! Blog His portfolio His interview on Comics Coast to Coast  

Dave is an illustrator and animator based in Chicago with over 25 years of experience. He's animated some of the most beloved shows in TV history, including Animaniacs, Pinky and the Brain, and Histeria.  I caught Dave right before his trip to San Diego Comic-Con. In this episode, we talk about working on Animaniacs, his creative process, and the hardest scenes to animate. You can follow Dave on Instagram (@davepryor72), Facebook, and Tumblr.    Show notes:  Then and Now Kickstarter Leftovers (aka Pie Bunnies) Dave's site Dave's shop Dave's Squared Co Podcast interview

  Josh Funk is a kidlit writer based in New England. He's written multiple top selling picture books including Lady Pancake and Sir French Toast, The Case of the Stinky Stench, and Dear Dragon. In this episode, Josh shares his theory on a new genre of picture books, working in rhyme, the kidlit community, and why using a pseudonym isn't such a great idea. You can follow Josh on Twitter, his blog, Instagram, and Facebook (@joshfunkbooks).     Josh Show notes:  SCBWI The Picturebooking Podcast It's Not Jack and the Beanstalk The Case of the Stinky Stench Lady Pancake and Sir French Toast Pirasaurs  Dear Dragon  Josh's interview on The Art of Show Liz Show Notes:  Awesome Con's Atomic Smash Writing with Purpose - Awesome Con Panel

Susie Ghahremani is the illustrator and designer behind BoyGirlParty. Her illustrated stationary and gift collections are available not only on her popular Etsy shop but also at amazing stores like Mod Cloth, Anthropologie, Urban Outfitters and Nordstrom. In this episode, Susie talks about her new picture book as writer & illustrator Stack the Cats, protecting your art, and the early days of selling art online.   You can follow Susie on Twitter, Facebook, & Instagram.   Shownotes: Stack the Cats Stack the Cats Book trailer  What Will Grow? What Will Hatch?