A Podcast for Creative People

Cocoon Art Space is a vibrant art gallery and studio located at 327 S. Division Ave in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Founded by artists (and married couple) Josie Garcia and Tedd Smith, the space serves as a hub for local creativity, offering a rotating selection of exhibitions, handmade goods, and community events. The "Growth" exhibit celebrates nine different artists, who over the course of two months, illustrated, painted or sculpted their idea of growth into one collaborative piece. I talked to a few of the artists about how this whole thing worked. Those artists are: John Jurries* Tedd Smith* Corinne Roberts Kat Vanderweele Jenny Hearns* C.R. Warner* Robyn Smith* Christina Hutton  Lain Leo Bold* indicates the artists who were interviewed on the podcast, and you can click to open the link to their websites/socials in a new window. CLICK HERE TO SEE THE PAINTING/SCULPTURE  

Jeff Hull joined me, via the magic of the internet, to discuss literature, culture, Nonchalance, and his latest project–a revolutionary podcast–SYGNYL. Listen as we discuss past and present projects, how how created and implemented them, and how the lines between art and reality can blur to create something unintended, both in our art and, as we've seen recently, in our culture. That blurring, as Jeff puts it, "can lead us to chaos or meaning." Join us and try to find the meaning in the chaos. If we can't find it, we'll make our own. -CT . . . LINKS: Nonchalance: website | IG | Twitter | Tumblr SYGNYL: website | IG | Twitter | FB | YouTube

Peter Taras is an icon in the world of surf photography, starting in the profession at a young age. With his magazine days behind him, Peter continues to tell stories with his amazing pictures on Stellar Storytellers, and has fun with his wine reviews on his Instagram. He has collaborated with Jonathan Freeman on the Ultra Core Surf Hour. Hilarious. He's also part of the Kook of the Day series. Also hilarious. Go check him out! Thanks everyone! http://www.steller.co/petertaras http://www.instagram.com/petertaras/ http://www.instagram.com/jonathanwaynefreeman/ http://www.christophertallon.com http://www.instagram.com/christopher_tallon/ http://www.twitter.com/TallonWrites http://www.buymeacoffee.com/creativeops

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. ——————————————————– Go to http://www.christophertallon.com if you don't have anything better to do right now. ——————————————————–   Friends of Creative Ops: River Town Adventures, Baby Farm Soaps, Six Coast Soil, Fresh Coast Seed Co. Buy me (Christopher Tallon) a coffee!  

Chanel Ali is a standup comedian, writer, and actress living in NY. Chanel was honored as a “New Face” at the 2019 Just for Laughs festival in Montreal, and she can be seen on the Starz series Night Train with Wyatt Cenac and Laff Mobb’s Laff Tracks on TruTV. In 2020, Chanel appeared on the CC Stand-Up/Refinery 29 series Taking the Stage and Speak Up. Chanel was also featured on the dais of the Friar’s Club’s Roast of Gloria Allred, where she is also a member, and she recently wrote for the @NetflixisaJoke social media accounts. Chanel released her debut comedy album CHANEL NO. 1 on 800lb Gorilla Records in June 2020, which NPR named "the best comedy album of 2020". Twitter: @chanel__ali Instagram: @chanelali  

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!

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!). . . . SOCIAL LINKS Joshua Marsella on: Instagram Twitter Amazon Links  

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!

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!

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… .   .   . Learn more: Christopher Daradics on IG: @swagadics Resonance Building on IG: @resonance-building CASLS website Resonance Building website Embodied Voice info/registration .   .   . Thanks everyone! See ya next time. -CT .   .   . For more on Creative Ops and/or Christopher Tallon: Website | Instagram | FaceBook | Twitter | Podcast

Jody Sperling was successfully playing the real estate game when he decided to sell his properties one by one and commit to writing and podcasting. Crazy, right? Crazy like a FOX! Jody's podcast, THE RELUCTANT BOOK MARKETER, gives authors, new and experienced, tools to better market their books (thereby doing better business and growing their audience). Get a peek at some of Jody's writing that appeared in BULL called "Valesco". Find Jody on Twitter: @jodyjsperling  .   .   . Thanks for listening! For more info on Creative Ops, OR if you're interested in my novel Switchers, check out all the links and info at http://www.christophertallon.com.

Jacqueline Gray Miller is a writer, producer, educator, humanitarian, environmentalist, intimacy coordinator, law scholar, media professional, and a ton of other stuff. You may know her from Roy's Job Fair, the podcast she co-hosts with Roy Wood, Jr. (from two of my favorite shows: The Daily Show and This Isn't Happening), where a group of funny, insightful people (and guests) explore the human condition every week through the prism of employment. Go to Jacqueline's website for blogs, social links, and everything else you'd want and/or need to know: https://jacquelinegraymiller.space/ Also, JG wants you to check out Robert Greene! . . . Thanks for listening. For anything else (including my book!) visit: http://www.christophertallon.com

Seriously though…Josh Adams really is funny as f–k! Get your weekly creative inspiration as we hear from a Detroit kid who had NFL dreams, but wound up in the locker room and on the field with the Lions, AND had a highlight on the jumbotron at Ford Field as the comedian who roasted the Detroit Lions on HBO's Hard Knocks. He's got jokes, but also wisdom and insights from his time as a professional creative and businessman. Embrace your pace. Celebrate the Yes's AND the No's. Work hard and wait for your opportunity. Let it come to you. Enjoy the ride. Check out Josh Adams on Facebook @JoshAdamszzz, and on Instagram @joshadamszzz. Listen to the Josh Adams Podcast on Apple. And check out his friend and Detroit legend (RIP) Coolaide's set on YouTube.  

ZERO is a fantastic beat producer in Grand Rapids, MI. His energetic performances are mesmerizing. I liken watching him play his drum machine to watching Stevie Wonder play the piano. Those performances, coupled with award winning music, are a can't-miss. Follow ZERO on his Instagram @zerodgaf to keep up with what's going on and to see some examples of his performing and musical abilities. He's on Twitter and Facebook as well, if you're not into the whole Instagram thing. . . . Thanks for listening. Check out more show stuff, listen to some original music, and take a gander at my time travel novel at http://www.christophertallon.com. Follow me on IG, FB, Twitter, & TT: @tallonwrites . . . Shout outs to Dante Cope, Wuzee, Beatrat, and DJ Phazer.

I met Foster for coffee and a podcast conversation. This episode was recorded at The Last Mile Café, which is a black & female owned, b-corp certified business, and they have the best “miel” of all time. (Try “the last miel.”) Foster is officially listed as the “Vibe Manager” of The Diatribe. He’s a poet, father, and a voice for his community. We met up specifically to discuss The Emory, but here’s a full breakdown of what we talked about: 00:00 – Cold Open 01:06 – Show Intro 03:28 – The Emory 20:04 – Upcoming Diatribe Events 22:13 – How to Get the Word Out 27:24 – Family Medical Emergencies 31:59 – Problems Facing GR 34:09 – Foster’s Origin Story 1:03:47 – Foster Reads His Poetry 1:23:47 – In Closing (The original conversation was almost two hours and has been edited for time and clarity.) Find Foster on Instagram and Facebook.   UPCOMING EVENTS Right Now! | Support the Diatribe Apr 28 | New Holland Brewing Co. | Annual Fundraiser w/ live entertainment June 20 | Broadleaf Brewing Co. | The Diatribe wsg Bedrock   SHOUT OUTS The Diatribe The Emory Well House Exalta Health Care Systems Catherine’s Health Center Gleason Bedrock Dominic, Ben, and Tony from back in the day Mr. C’s Deli IF YOU LIKE THE SHOW… …follow me on social media: facebook, twitter/x, instagram …rate and review the podcast wherever you listen …tell people about the podcast …consider buying my debut novel Switchers. Thank you! -CT http://www.christophertallon.com