Épisodes

  • EP 33 - "Capturing Moments, Creating Worlds" | David Ellis | New York Times–Featured Poet, Author, and Educator
    Sep 18 2025
    SHOW NOTES COMING SOON!!!

    David Ellis
    Title - New York Times–Featured Poet, Author, and Educator
    Episode Title - "Capturing Moments, Creating Worlds"

    Bio David is very much a part of this New Harlem Renaissance and his thoughtful poetry captures that elegantly. His love of this community and teaching is evident as well as his passion for poetry, artistry. - Marcus Samuelsson Featured in the New York Times for his haiku poetry that he paints on driftwood and first poetry book “Beach in City Island”, David has been working in Harlem as a teacher for almost two decades, David fell in love with Harlem the moment he entered. “I feel the souls of those that were here before I was born, especially when I walk down Lenox Avenue.” Most of the poems written in this poetry books are on display at many restaurants and cafes in Harlem. Hand painted on canvas and written in frames. To learn more about David visit freeliketheseagullsbookstore.com
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    33 min
  • EP 32 - “Comedy, Courage, and Creativity” | Francesco Paladino | Classically Trained Actor, Writer, Comedian, and Producer
    Sep 4 2025
    Let’s Talk Passion and Purpose with Nicole ThomasEpisode 32: Comedy, Courage, and Creativity — with Francesco Paladino (Classically Trained Actor, Writer, Comedian & Producer)Release Date: SEPT. 4, 2025Host: Nicole ThomasGuest: Francesco Paladino — classically trained at Lee Strasberg / The Actors Studio; credits across stage, TV, film, and stand-up (incl. Orange Is the New Black); writer for touring comics and TV (2 years with Wendy Williams); producer/director building new work under his production banner and live showcase series.Episode OverviewNicole sits down with multi-hyphenate creative Francesco Paladino to unpack a career that spans Off-Broadway, television, film, and ten years on the comedy circuit. From earning his SAG card to studying with master teachers, to writing for others and eventually creating his own films and live showcases, Francesco shares how craft, courage, and continual reinvention fuel a sustainable arts career. He opens up about embracing comedy (even while pursuing serious drama), the spiritual side of creativity (trust, surrender, alignment), and why building safe, positive sets is a non-negotiable. The conversation serves as a masterclass in resilience, networking, mentorship, and mental health for creatives at all stages.What You’ll LearnTraining to translate: How classical work at Strasberg/Actors Studio shaped Francesco’s approach to acting and writing/directing.Comedy vs. drama (why not both?): Refusing to be boxed in, and letting your range serve the story and the season.From talent to tenacity: Why the people who “make it” are often the ones who keep getting up after “no.”Directing with empathy: How acting experience makes for actor-literate direction (reading the room, guiding performance).Spirituality & surrender: Trusting the process; letting go of outcomes; “the obstacle is the path” mindset on set.Casting as a superpower: Following instinct, hiring well, and building psychologically safe productions.Mental health for creatives: “Fight in the open”—ask for help, name the struggle, and surround yourself with the right people.Networking that works: Why relationships (including with professors/alums) often open doors faster than résumés.Supporting local arts: Why likes aren’t enough—show up, buy tickets, or gift tickets so others can attend.Francesco’s Journey (Highlights)Early stage & SAG: Off-Broadway in his 20s; film/TV work led to his SAG card.Writer’s chops: Ten years touring stand-up; writing for other comedians; two years with Wendy Williams under producer Patrick Riley.Dual track artist: Auditioning for serious plays while doing stand-up, teachers encouraged him to embrace his inherent comedy.From acting to producing/directing: Tired of waiting for the phone to ring, Francesco began creating opportunities for himself and others.Production & Live Showcases: Launching film projects (including the short “Fata Morgana,” now in post-production) and curating the long-running FreakOut showcase at The Stonewall Inn (NYC), along with a growing FreakOut NJ series.Memorable Quotes“If you’re in the room, you belong in the room. You didn’t just fall in.”“The difference isn’t talent—it’s the people who keep going after they’re told no.”“As a director, your job is to understand the actor’s inner life and meet them there.”“Let go, and it often turns out better than you planned.”Likes don’t keep venues open. Bodies and tickets do—show up or gift seats so others can.”Resources & MentionsTraining: Lee Strasberg / The Actors StudioTV: Orange Is the New Black (Netflix)Film: Fata Morgana (short) — in post-productionLive Series: FreakOut at The Stonewall Inn (NYC) + FreakOut NJ (monthly showcases)Mental Health mantra: “Fight in the open” (share struggles; ask for help)Practical Takeaways for CreativesBuild range on purpose: Let comedy inform drama and vice versa—audiences live in both.Network with intention: Reconnect with former teachers, classmates, and colleagues; ask directly, “Who should I be talking to?”Cast and crew culture: Aim for a professional and humane environment. Safety and kindness elevate the work.Finish what you start: Use deadlines to ship the project; simultaneous projects are fine—completion is king.Support your scene: Buy tickets, bring friends, or sponsor seats for artists/fans who can’t afford them.Connect with Francesco PaladinoWebsite / Social: Live Shows: Search “FreakOut Stonewall Inn” and “FreakOut NJ” for monthly datesFilm Updates: Follow for Fata Morgana festival announcementsConnect with Nicole ThomasPodcast: Let’s Talk Passion and Purpose — Subscribe, rate & reviewFollow: Contact / Booking: Calls to ActionIf this episode encouraged you, share it with a creative friend.Show up for local arts this month—buy a ticket (or gift one!).Block 30 minutes this week to reach out to a mentor or offer help to someone coming up behind you.
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    51 min
  • EP 31 - “On Writing and Life” | Cleyvis Natera | Award-Winning Author of Neruda on the Park & The Grand Paloma Resort (2025)
    Aug 28 2025
    SHOW NOTES COMING SOON!!!

    Bio Cleyvis Natera is an award-winning author whose work spans fiction, essays, and cultural criticism. Her debut novel, Neruda on the Park, was a New York Times Editor’s Choice, selected by Malala Yousafzai for her book club, and won a Silver Medal for Best First Book of Fiction from the International Latino Book Awards in 2023. The book was also featured by TIME, The Today Show, Good Morning America, and more. Her writing has appeared in The New York Times Book Review, The Washington Post, TIME, and The Rumpus. She’s received fellowships from PEN America, Bread Loaf, the Vermont Studio Center, and was recently named a Fulbright Associate. She teaches creative writing at Barnard College and Montclair State University, where she’s helping launch a new bilingual MFA program. Her second novel, The Grand Paloma Resort, was just published by Ballantine Books.
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    51 min
  • EP 30 - What Does It Take to Call Yourself a Writer? | Leydi Margaret Ferreira | Dominican American Writer
    Aug 14 2025
    Guest Bio
    Leydi Margaret Ferreira is a Dominican American writer whose work lies within the intersections of immigration, Blackness, and womanhood. She looks to explore the interiority of motherhood and intergenerational relationships. Her work has been supported by VONA and Tin House and is currently pursuing an MFA in writing through Pacific University. She lives in New Jersey with her husband, three kids and two dogs. Connect with Leydi and see more of her journey on Instagram at lmf_pearl
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    57 min
  • EP 29 - Emotional Self-Defense & Creative Power | Zak Mucha, LCSW | Author of Emotional Abuse: A Manual for Self-Defense (2025)
    Aug 7 2025
    Let’s Talk Passion and Purpose with Nicole Thomas
    Episode 29: Emotional Self-Defense & Creative Power
    Guest: Zak Mucha, LCSW – Psychoanalyst, Poet, President of the Chicago Center for Psychoanalysis, Author of Emotional Abuse: A Manual for Self-Defense (2025)

    Episode Overview
    In this thought-provoking episode of Let’s Talk Passion and Purpose, host Nicole Thomas sits down with Zak Mucha, LCSW, a psychoanalyst, poet, and president of the Chicago Center for Psychoanalysis.

    Drawing on decades of work with individuals facing severe psychosis, substance abuse, homelessness, and trauma, Mucha explores the intersection of creativity, healing, and resilience.

    Together, Nicole and Zak unpack the power of storytelling, writing, and poetry as forms of self-discovery and emotional self-defense. From his early days as a writer and journalist to leading an Assertive Community Treatment program, Zak shares hard-earned insights about mental health, creativity, and how we can protect ourselves from the invisible wounds of emotional Abuse.

    Listeners will also gain a preview of his new book, Emotional Abuse: A Manual for Self-Defense (2025), a practical and accessible guide designed to help people recognize, confront, and heal from emotional Abuse.

    Key Highlights
    • The Journey of a Writer & Healer: How Zak’s passion for writing evolved into a career in psychoanalysis and social work.
    • Street-Level Mental Health: Lessons learned from working in high-trauma environments with clients experiencing psychosis, addiction, and homelessness.
    • The Power of Creativity: Why writing, poetry, and art are essential tools for emotional growth and healing.
    • Emotional Abuse Uncovered: Understanding why emotional Abuse can be as damaging as physical Abuse—and how to defend against it.
    • Breaking the “Supposed To” Rules: Why authentic self-expression requires breaking free from societal expectations and shame.
    • Collaboration and Inspiration: How Mucha’s work is influenced by his creative circle, including visual artists and poets.
    • A Call to Courage: Why acknowledging pain, embracing vulnerability, and choosing bravery are necessary steps in emotional self-defense.
    About the Guest
    Zak Mucha, LCSW, is a psychoanalyst and president of the Chicago Center for Psychoanalysis, as well as a board member of the Legislative Drafting Institute for Child Protection. He spent seven years supervising an Assertive Community Treatment program, providing 24/7 services for people suffering from severe psychosis, substance abuse issues, and homelessness.

    He is the author of Emotional Abuse: A Manual for Self-Defense (2025), Swimming to the Horizon: Crack, Psychosis, and Street-Corner Social Work, and two collections of poetry. Mucha’s writing reflects his deep commitment to creativity, social justice, and healing.

    Learn more about his work at www.zakmucha.com.Connect with Us
    • Follow the podcast for more inspiring conversations.
    • Share this episode with someone who could benefit from Zak’s insights on emotional self-defense and creative power.
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    40 min
  • EP 28 - Rooted in Nature, Reaching for Joy | Maggie Douglas | Visual Artist
    Jul 31 2025
    Maggie Douglas is an artist based in Des Moines, Iowa. She graduated from Loras College in Dubuque, Iowa with a BA in Art and Digital Design. She has worked as a graphic designer while developing her art practice. Her body of work consists of abstract, mixed media pieces on canvas as well as large-scale murals. She creates as a form of self-guided therapy. Working on art gives her a space to escape reality and focus on something outside herself. Her work has been shown throughout Iowa at the The Octagon Center for the Arts, The Dubuque Museum of Art, The Cedar Rapids Art Museum, The Iowa State Fair, and The Polk County Heritage Gallery. In 2024, she painted a mural along the bike trail for West Des Moines Parks and Rec and a bench for Waukee Parks and Rec. In 2021, she was selected to paint a mural at Lauridsen Skatepark in Des Moines. Her work has won Best in Show from the ‘Iowa Exhibited’ show at the Polk County Heritage Gallery in 2024, First Place in Mixed Media at the Iowa State Fair Juried Art show in 2023, and the Veronika Ruedenberg Mixed Media Award at The Octagon Center for the Arts in 2022.

    SHOW NOTES COMING SOON!!!
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    36 min
  • EP 27 - Creativity, Dreams, and Identity | Nancey B. Price | collage artist, writer, storyteller and host of Dreaming in Color with Nancey B
    Jul 24 2025
    Show Notes – Let's Talk Passion and Purpose with Nicole ThomasEpisode 27: "Creativity, Dreams, and Identity" Featuring Nancey B. Price🎙 Guest: Nancey B. Price📍 Host: Nicole Thomas📣 Episode Title: Creativity, Dreams, and Identity🎧 Podcast: Let's Talk Passion and Purpose with Nicole Thomas🌟 Special Appearance: Host and Creator of Dreaming in Color with Nancey B. Price🎨 About the Guest:Nancey B. Price is a Black, queer, self-taught analog collage artist, storyteller, writer, and podcast host whose creative work centers Black life, Southern identity, and imagination. With a BA in Women's & Gender Studies from Mercer University and an MPA in Nonprofit Management from Georgia Southern University, Nancey has been a full-time creative since 2022. Her work has been featured across the U.S., in venues like the Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts, Yale Divinity School, and MICA, and in publications including O, The Oprah Magazine, Garden & Gun, and Southern Cultures.She is also the executive producer and host of the powerful podcast Dreaming in Color with Nancey B. Price, where she explores the cultural significance of dream-telling in the Black community.🧩 Episode Highlights:✨ Rediscovering Creative Purpose: Nancey opens up about her early love for journaling, paper dolls, and storytelling, tracing her creative spark back to her rural roots in Girard, Georgia. Although she once pursued a path in medicine, a vivid dream helped her pivot back to her artistic identity—reigniting her connection to paper through collage.🖼 From Paper Dolls to Powerful Portraits:Nancey shares how collage art became a therapeutic return to childhood joy and a deeply personal form of expression. She discusses how her work evolved from celebrating Black identity broadly to infusing her own selfhood and ancestral ties into the work.📚 A Novelist at Heart: Despite her visual art acclaim, Nancey identifies as a writer first. Her upcoming Southern Gothic novel explores family, spirituality, and heritage through the lens of an estranged granddaughter as she navigates secrets and self-discovery on ancestral land.🎙 Dreaming In Color – The Podcast: Born from her family's tradition of dream-telling, Dreaming in Color invites Black guests to share dream stories and reflect on their meaning. Nancey highlights a favorite episode featuring her mother—capturing generational wisdom and emotional depth in a decisive full-circle moment.🌀 Creating Without Burnout: Nancey offers practical wisdom on balancing her many creative hats—recognizing when to put one down and pick up another. She emphasizes self-awareness, intuition, and physical alignment as guiding forces for her creative decisions.📖 Storytelling and Ancestral Connection: From family folklore to Southern ghost stories, Nancey shares how oral tradition shaped her voice and expanded into podcasting, flash fiction, and performance storytelling.🏡 Artistic Safe Spaces: Whether through workshops, podcasts, or visual art, Nancey's mission is to create warm, welcoming spaces where Black people can exist freely, feel seen, and be nourished. She compares the impact of her work to the hospitality of a Southern auntie—offering art like a home-cooked meal.🔑 Memorable Quotes:"You're never an imposter in your own space.""I am the purpose—everything else orbits around me.""My body knows before I do. If it doesn't feel good, it's not for me.""Little Nancey had it right all along. She's still leading me today.""Black people deserve worlds where they can just live—messy, magical, and free."🌟 Key Takeaways for Creatives:Start with Your Story – Clarity about your personal narrative is your creative anchor.Honor Your Intuition – Your body can be your compass for alignment and truth.Creative Seasons Are Real – Balance doesn't mean doing everything at once.Safe Spaces Matter – Build worlds that reflect you and welcome others in.Say "No" Strategically – Make room for the right "yes" by releasing what no longer serves.🔗 Connect with Nancey B. Price:Website: www.nanceybprice.comInstagram: @nanceybpricePodcast: Dreaming in Color with Nancey B. Price – Available on all platforms🎧 Listen to the Full Episode:Episode 27 – Creativity, Dreams, and Identity Available now on all major platforms. Subscribe, rate, and share!🔖 Hashtags:#LetstalkPassionAndPurpose #NanceyBPrice #DreamingInColorPodcast #BlackCreatives #SouthernGothic #CollageArtist #WomenInArt #BlackStorytellers #DreamTelling #CreativePurpose #NicoleThomasPodcast
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    54 min
  • EP 26 - Creating a Life Through Art | Bryant Small | Visual Artist, Curator, and Co-Founder of KAAI
    Jul 10 2025
    Podcast Title: Let's Talk Passion and Purpose with Nicole ThomasEpisode Title:Episode 26 – Creating a Life Through Art | Bryant Small, Visual Artist, Curator, and Co-Founder of KAAIHosted by: Nicole ThomasGuest: Bryant SmallRelease Date: 07/10/2025Duration: 57 MINS🎨 Episode Summary:In this inspiring episode of Let's Talk Passion and Purpose, Nicole Thomas sits down with Bryant Small—a celebrated visual artist, curator, and co-founder of KAAI—to explore the transformational power of embracing your creativity. From a pivotal moment of self-recognition in an art gallery to boldly blending art, curation, and social media, Bryant's journey is a testament to the power of owning your artistic identity at any stage of life.Bryant shares how his mother's influence, personal breakthroughs, and deep commitment to authentic expression have fueled his multifaceted career. He opens up about discovering alcohol ink as his medium of choice, curating from an artist's perspective, building community through art, and redefining what it means to be an artist in today's digital and AI-driven world.Whether you're a creative professional, an aspiring artist, or simply looking to reconnect with your passion, this episode offers practical wisdom, heartfelt encouragement, and an empowering reminder: art is a superpower, and there's room for everyone to create.🎙️ Featured Guest:Bryant SmallVisual Artist | Curator | Co-Founder of KAAIKnown for vibrant alcohol ink art and intuitive expressionAdvocate for artist rights and education in business and brandingCreator of the bFly777 brandSocial Media Influencer and EducatorWebsite: bfly777.comInstagram: @bfly777 | @bfly777facesTikTok: @bfly777🔑 Key Topics Covered:Creative Beginnings: How a 2nd-grade math project sparked a lifetime of creativityThe Power of Recognition: The moment Bryant declared, "I am an artist," and how it changed everythingFrom Corporate to Creative: Letting go of traditional roles to fully embrace art as a callingThe Role of Family: A heartwarming collaboration with his mother that symbolized newfound freedomMedium of Choice: Exploring alcohol ink on Yupo paper and why I chose itColor as Language: Why he avoids black and brown ink and focuses on vibrant, emotive palettesArt as Superpower: Pushing past creative blocks and showing up daily with confidenceThe Business of Art: Pricing work with intention, treating art as a startup, and managing contracts wiselyCurating with Purpose: Creating spaces for underrepresented artists and elevating how art is presentedSocial Media Influence: How TikTok and Instagram revolutionized visibility for artists and creatorsAI & Art: How KAAI empowers artists to protect their work and use AI on their termsCreative Freedom: Why artists must bet on themselves, stay authentic, and never limit their potential💡 Notable Quotes:"Art is my superpower—it's in my veins. I can't help but create.""That moment in the gallery was everything. It allowed me to say out loud—I am an artist.""Your art is your business. Know your worth. Price your work like you're paying yourself.""Social media gives power back to the artist. You can build your own audience without the gatekeepers.""You can be a curator, an artist, a creative director. Don't let anyone tell you who you get to be."🛠️ Resources & Mentions:KAAI (Kaleidoscope AI) – An AI-powered platform co-founded by Bryant Small that enables artists to create and sell digital/physical works while protecting their originalityYupo Paper – A synthetic, non-porous surface ideal for alcohol ink paintingTikTok for Artists – Tips for leveraging social media to grow your art audience and brandBridge Art Gallery – The gallery where Bryant's pivotal artistic transformation occurred🌟 Connect with Nicole Thomas:Host: Nicole ThomasPassion Coach | Podcast Host | SpeakerWebsite: Instagram: @letstalkpassionandpurposeEmail: 📣 Call to Action:Did this episode reignite your creative fire?✅ Be sure to subscribe, rate, and leave a review!📲 Share this episode with a fellow creative ready to bet on themselves.💌 Stay connected with Nicole Thomas for more stories of purpose, impact, and passion-driven living.
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    58 min