New to the Podcast?
If you’re new to Creative Ops, here’s a quick list of info:
- Creative Ops is kind of a play on two things: my past military experience and my current creative endeavors:
- I do the music for the podcast.
- I write blogs (here and professionally for others) and my debut novel came out recently!
- The show started two weeks before all the pandemic lockdowns in early 2020.
- Guests can be from any background deemed “creative”.
- Here’s a complete Guest List, arranged by creative category.
- No script. No prewritten questions. Just conversations around a few topics:
- Who are you? How’d you get into ____________? What’s your process look like? (Whatever else comes up.)
- I consider myself a stand-in for the anyperson who sees something creative and wants to ask a bajillion questions to the creator. (I was waaaaay more annoying to people before I had a podcast, haha.)
Start with a few of my favorites:
This is a mix that covers a few different types of creatives, and I stand by all of them proudly. That said, you’ll notice a difference between earlier and more recent episodes. But the content is good all around.
Of course, I would say that–wouldn’t I…
Creative Ops | Ep.46 | Marcel ”Fable” Price – Creatively Affecting Change – Creative Ops
Fable the Poet (aka Marcel Price) became the Poet Laureate of Grand Rapids, MI in 2017. At the time, he was GR's first black PL. He was the first PL to not graduate from college. On top of that he was also the youngest PL in city history. Now he works with The Diatribe, mainly focusing on improving the south side and educating people about GENTRIFICATION and REDLINING. Check out The 49507 Project.
Marcel Price / Fable the Poet: Instagram, Facebook, Twitter
The Diatribe: Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, SUPPORT!
Creative Ops | Ep.33 | Mike Logan – ADD & Homegrown Weed – Creative Ops
Got to sit down with the Ice Cold Comedian, Mike Logan…IN HIS HOUSE! (He's got a bad leg at the moment, so I came to him. You'll hear some neighborhood noise in the interview.)
I named this one "ADD & Homegrown Weed" because those were the main obstacles early in our conversation. But once it got going, Mike and I had a great talk. We, of course, covered creativity and the creative process, but we got into all kinds of other stuff: moving from place to place, racism, goal setting/changing goals as you age, classic art, how the media tries to convince us we're divided when, in Mike's opinion, we've actually been brought closer together in the last year and a half.
Mike tells stories from the entertainment industry, does a few impressions, cracks me up, and shares his fascinating perspective on a wide variety of topics.
Follow Mike Logan on all your favorite social media platforms @icecoldcomedian for updates on performances, a daily dose of wholesome, and some hard-but-necessary truths.
Follow the host of Creative Ops at http://www.christophertallon.com and as @tallonwrites on all social media!
Creative Ops | Ep.25 | Jonathan Wayne Freeman – Professionally Silly on Instagram – Creative Ops
Jonathan Wayne Freeman is a funny funny man. He didn't find his niche until he was in his late 30s, but now he's posting funny stuff on IG daily, and getting paid to endorse cool stuff. He's an inspiration and always good for a giggle.
Go check out @jonathanwaynefreeman on Instagram and peruse the JWF online shop.
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Go to http://www.christophertallon.com if you don't have anything better to do right now.
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Friends of Creative Ops:
River Town Adventures, Baby Farm Soaps, Six Coast Soil, Fresh Coast Seed Co.
Buy me (Christopher Tallon) a coffee!
Creative Ops | Ep.8 | Brandon Scott, Author of "Vodou" and "Sleight" – Creative Ops
Brandon Scott is an amazingly talented (and very nice) guy. He joined me from North Carolina to talk about his books, style, influences, publishing projects, and writing process. His book Vodou was #1 on the Amazon charts at the time of the interview, and his sequel Sleight just arrived in my mailbox yesterday. I started it, it's AMAZING, can't wait to finish it. Check this guy out–he's the real deal, people!
You Can Order Brandon's Books on Amazon, then follow him on Twitter, Instagram, and FaceBook.
Thanks for checking out the show. Follow Creative Ops on IG, FB, and Twitter, too! Go to ChristopherTallon.com for show info, to contact the show, and just because it's the right thing to do.
Last but not least, the sponsors & supporters:
Baby Farm Soaps – The. Best. Soaps. Other great products, too!!!
River Town Adventures – Best outdoor experience in mid-Michigan. Award winning, locally owned.
Hey Guys Media Group – They helped me make my podcast; let them help you make yours!
Creative Ops | Ep.38 | Joshua Marsella – Author of ”Scratches” and ”Severed” – Creative Ops
Joshua Marsella is an Army veteran turned stay-at-home dad and horror author. His books "Scratches" and "Severed" are making a lot of noise on the indie horror scene.
We talk about his military experience, struggles and triumphs with mental health, and OF COURSE his creative process as a writer. Books, films, adaptations, Stephen frigging King, military stories, dad stories, being a creative writer, and lots more.
Such a nice guy. I hope you enjoy the interview and decide to check out one and/or all of his books.
Lastly, be on the lookout for his collection HUNGER FOR DEATH when it becomes available on Halloween 2021 (mwah-ha-ha!).
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SOCIAL LINKS
Joshua Marsella on:
Instagram
Twitter
Amazon Links
Ep.73 | The Pharmhouse Wellness Art Market: A Podumentary… – Creative Ops
Pharmhouse Wellness, Grand Rapids, Michigan's only locally owned and operated dispensary, had another art market. Again I sold books and (someone else's (my daugher's!)) art. This time, however, I brought my podcast gear and made a whole thing of it, talking to a little bit of every kind of person around: pot smokers, local celebrities, art enthusiasts, art vendors, budtenders, and one of the event organizers.
And Mike Logan did a great read of the back of my book Switchers, which I encourage you to read. Your future self will thank you…
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The interviewees are:
Mike Logan | IG: @icecoldcomedian
Matt "soon-to-be from GR" Sweda | IG: @mattsweda
Frankie | IG: @stolenchapstick
K.C. | IG: @kcnextdoo_ & @nailzbykc_
Loyiso "Lou" Matanda | IG: @loyisomatandabey
Ashley Nash | IG: @nashleyillustration ; nashleyillustration@gmail.com
Kate Lewis | IG: @claykate ; http://www.katelewisceramics.com/shop
Dean from BEDROOM CEILINGS | Insta and Facebook @bedroomceilings
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Shout out to my tent sharing artists from the two markets: Los The Artist and Savannah Jade. One more to Michigrown for sponsoring the event and giving away some nice freebies!
Hope to see you at the next one August 20, 2022, at Pharmhouse Wellness in Grand Rapids, Michigan!
Ep. 63 | Derek Mohr – Developer, Designer, Artist, & Good Dude – Creative Ops
Derek Mohr is a Grand Rapids, MI based artist who works as a developer and designer.
We talked about his early interest in art and technology, traced his path to professional status, talked about some of his projects, and stuff creative people deal with, go through, and chat about with other creatives.
By day Derek works for an agency called Might In The Midwest. You can see more about Derek and the things he does at https://onemohrti.me/
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Catch Derek On..
Instagram: @onemohrtimedesign
Twitter: @OneMohrTime
Dribble: dribbble.com/OneMohrTime
Creative Ops | Ep.44 | Kirk Ross – Host of A TALK IN THE ATTIC – Creative Ops
My buddy and fellow podcaster|musician|writer Kirk Ross joined me (or rather I joined him (we were in his studio)) for a fun talk. Unlike the first time he was on the show, I actually interviewed him this time.
Get to know the man. Learn about (then go listen to) his wonderful podcast, A Talk in the Attic. Maybe even follow @atalkintheattic on your favorite social media!
The song from A Talk in the Attic was used with permission. Shout out to the inimitable HILTON (@hiltonallcaps on IG) for putting together such a badass tune for Kirk's show!
Catch up with me, CT, on all social media @TallonWrites, and also on http://www.christophertallon.com.
Later!
Ep.66 | A Brief History of (Some of) the Creative Parts of Our Patriotic Culture – Creative Ops
Are you curious about some of the most famous pieces of creative writing in American history/culture? Here's a very brief look at the history of the Pledge of Allegiance and the Star Spangled Banner
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Buy my book, learn more about the podcast and its host, and more at http://www.christophertallon.com. And come see me at the Pharmhouse Wellness Art Market this summer in Grand Rapids, MI: June 18, July 16, and August 20 from 10am to 6pm!
Ep.64 | 10 Signs You’re a Creative Person – Creative Ops
Hello! Welcome to another solo episode. This week take a look at these 10 traits of creative people and see just how creative you REALLY are…
Then go to http://www.christophertallon.com to buy my book, read my blogs, and/or learn more about the podcast!
Thanks folks!
-CT
Ep. 50 | Christopher Daradics – Language Learning, Immersive Technology, Education, & Creative Healing – Creative Ops
Christopher Daradics works at the University of Oregon's Center for Applied Second Language Studies – CASLS (check that out for free language learning tools!)
He's also a part of Resonance Building, a healing and arts collective. Check out their upcoming online workshop "The Embodied Voice", and keep coming back for new events, projects, ideas…
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Learn more:
Christopher Daradics on IG: @swagadics
Resonance Building on IG: @resonance-building
CASLS website
Resonance Building website
Embodied Voice info/registration
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Thanks everyone! See ya next time.
-CT
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For more on Creative Ops and/or Christopher Tallon:
Website | Instagram | FaceBook | Twitter | Podcast
Ep.49 | How to Raise a Creative Genius with Special Guest…MY MOM! (First show of 2022!) – Creative Ops
Ok, so the title may seem a bit outrageous, but it's supposed to be tongue-in-cheek, people. Rather than get interviewed by someone else or perform an autobiography in the vein of a get-to-know-your-host style program, I interviewed my mom about what it was like to raise me.
As we talk about, I hated school and decided to almost completely tune out for the last half of my public education. I was most commonly described by teachers as "smart but he doesn't apply himself." I graduated high school with a 2.01GPA. That whole time, my mom was always about as cool as a person could be in that situation, which is probably why that part of my life hasn't deterred me from doing what I **really** want to do.
If you were kind of an asshole as a kid, this might be an interesting memory jogger. If your kid is kind of an asshole now, this might be informative and relieve your soul a little bit. Or not. I don't pretend to know about stuff like that; I'm just a creative genius with a cool mom.
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Find me, Christopher Tallon, on http://www.christophertallon.com, or on your favorite socials @TallonWrites.
(My mom doesn't do social media, but I'll tell her you said "Hi")
Those are in no particular order. I have mostly interviews, but a few solos in there too. Enjoy the original music and sound effects (except in the earlier ones…), and subscribe so you can get new episodes weekly. Ya know, when I get back from my “vacation”.
Here’s that Guest List one more time, in case you missed it.
If you like Twitter, FaceBook, or Instagram (or any combo thereof), follow me.
But not too closely…
I’m a loner. A rebel!
K, bye.
-CT
Christopher Tallon is the author of the dark, adventurous, time-travel novel Switchers.
If you fall I will catch you / I’ll be waiting / Time after time
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