The Creative Block

In this episode of The Creative Block , we sit down with Layla Anderson—strategist, founder, and leadership consultant—whose work bridges tech, equity, and emotional intelligence. Layla shares insight on how emerging technologies like AI are being shaped by values-driven leadership, why emotional intelligence is becoming essential in the future of work, and how organizations can embed equity and i...

In this episode of The Creative Block , artist and media producer Talia Grossman shares the deeply personal story behind her AI-driven installation, White Australia . Blending fine art, archival research, and emerging technology, Talia uses tools like D-ID, Runway, and Kling to reanimate old family photographs—breathing new life into lost ancestors and confronting the complex layers of immigration...

🎙️ The Quantum Computing Breakdown: A Conversation with Camilla Brossa In this episode of The Creative Block, I chat with Camilla Brossa, Founder & CEO of CAIA Consulting, about the transformative power of quantum computing and its impact across industries. Camilla's expertise in Web3, AI, blockchain, and digital transformation gives her a unique perspective on how businesses and creatives can lev...

A DGA Award-winning filmmaker, Jacqueline holds an MFA in Film Production from USC's School of Cinematic Arts and is the recipient of the prestigious John Huston Award for Outstanding Directing. Her current film,  Europa , is a sci-fi short created for the Entertainment Technology Center at USC in partnership with Sony Pictures and other industry leaders. The film utilizes cutting-edge virtual pro...

What does it take to transition from an Oscar-winning editor to a director? William Goldenberg ( Argo, Zero Dark Thirty ) takes on the challenge with Unstoppable , the inspiring true story of Anthony Robles, a wrestler born with only one leg who defied the odds to become an NCAA champion. In this episode, we dive into Goldenberg's journey from editor to director, the challenges of telling a real p...

In this episode of The Creative Block, I sit down with Dr. Kristina Lerman, Project Leader at USC's Information Sciences Institute and Research Associate Professor in the Viterbi School of Engineering. Dr. Lerman's research explores the hidden forces shaping our online world, from cognitive biases to the emotional power of misinformation. We dive into why misinformation spreads so effectively—not...

In this thought-provoking episode of The Creative Block, Vince Gonzales sits down with Marcus Collins to unpack the intersections of culture, creativity, and leadership in today's fractured world. Together, they discuss the role of creators in making sense of uncertainty, the tensions between morality and profit in corporate leadership, and the power of art to foster connection in divisive times....

Welcome to the podcast! Today, we have a truly fascinating guest who embodies the intersection of art, technology, and innovation. I'm thrilled to introduce Anna Shaposhnik, a creative technologist who's on a mission to revolutionize storytelling in space. Anna is the CEO of Orbital Entertainment Supply, a company developing free-flying robots to capture breathtaking footage in zero gravity. Imagi...

Join us as we chat with Trisha Williams, the visionary CEO with over 20 years of experience in building 3D worlds for games and innovation. Trisha has collaborated with prestigious institutions and is now shaping the next generation of world builders at UC San Diego. Her insights into the evolution of virtual environments are not to be missed. We are also thrilled to have Joseph Unger, Origami Air...

In this episode of The Creative Block, I am thrilled to welcome Rachel Joy Victor. Rachel is a distinguished designer, strategist, and worldbuilder who operates at the intersection of emerging technologies such as XR, AI, and Web3. Her work spans a variety of fields, from creating multiplatform narratives and immersive experiences to designing tools, platforms, spaces, and even cities. With an imp...

Medallion is a blockchain protocol designed to provide Web3 authentication and enable ownership of digital assets, badges, tokens, and collectibles through blockchain technology. Sharing his passion for this project is Yossi Hasson, an entrepreneur and technology executive based in New York. He is the co-founder and CEO of Metaversal, an OG Bitcoiner since 2013, and an angel investor in over 60 st...

My new friend, Michael J. Masucci, is an award-winning independent director, artist, and curator with a long history in the arts of Los Angeles. His background includes founding the EZTV media center in 1979, which grew into an open-access media lab, independent production company, theater, and gallery space. EZTV brought together a diverse cross-section of the city's creatives, showcasing experim...

So thrilled to have the chance to chat with best-selling author and culture expert, Dr. Marcus Collins. He's a gifted communicator and educator whose point of view helped me shift my perspective on how to better connect with my community. We discussed important takeaways from his best-selling book, "For The Culture," diving into the relationship between culture and decision-making. But let me prop...

In this episode, I'm with Robert Kozinets, a globally-recognized expert on social media research, digital activism, fan culture, and brand strategy in the age of platforms. He invented netnography in 1995 and has researched the intersection of media, culture, desire, and brands ever since. Robert has conducted research and consulting for major companies worldwide, including L'Oréal, Heinz, Coca-Co...

Crypto OG Neil "Fitzy" Fitzhugh, a seasoned Web3 marketer and community leader, is returning to the Creative Block to share his insights on Bitcoin, $KARMA Coin, and the OnChain Monkey project. As a respected cryptocurrency pioneer, Fitzy will provide an overview of Bitcoin's current state and future potential, delve into the purpose, and use cases of $KARMA Coin, and explore the innovative approa...

Welcome back fellow creatives! In this episode of The Creative Block, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Barbara Ford Grant. Barbara is a leader in the entertainment industry - an artist, innovator, and accomplished media executive with an incredible depth of expertise in VFX and digital production. Her pioneering work stands out in the realm of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning. S...

Join us in this episode of The Creative Block as we sit down with filmmaker and composer Vincent J. Walker and Yaron Eigenstein to talk about their latest project, '24 Frames of Detroit'. This short film is a hauntingly beautiful tribute to Detroit, Vincent's hometown, brought to life through the use of AI technology. In our conversation, Vincent and Yaron share their inspirations for the film, as...

Really loved my conversation with Marissa Trew, Director of Engagement in the Emerging Sector at Blokhaus, a cutting-edge emerging tech marketing agency. As the producer and host of Glitchwire, a dynamic podcast and media platform, Marissa is a prominent figure in the emerging tech realm. Since 2016, she has made her mark as a skilled host, moderator, and emcee, captivating audiences at prestigiou...

Join me for an engaging conversation with Gabrial Perez Carafa and Emily Tang, the dynamic President and Vice President of Blockchain@USC. Discover the remarkable journey of one of the nation's top student-led Blockchain hubs. It stands as the epicenter for groundbreaking research, cutting-edge innovation, and comprehensive education in the world of crypto and blockchain. Don't miss out on this in...

I had the privilege of chatting with Kylee Peña, the SMPTE Hollywood Region Governor, about her compelling keynote address at this year's SMPTE Media Technology Summit in Hollywood. Kylee excels in bridging the divide between professionals entrenched in conventional technologies and those with a keen interest in cutting-edge innovations like Web3 and generative AI. She's a true polymath in the rea...

In this episode, I had the privilege of speaking with Camille Zhang, the Co-founder and Head of Business Development at Ink Finance. Joining us all the way from Shanghai, Camille shared the captivating story of Ink Finance and her extensive background in Crypto and Blockchain technology. Together with her Co-founder, Tony Tang, Camille and the Ink Finance team have pioneered comprehensive turnkey...

Tix Protocal Founder, Trevor Ogata, not only brings expertise as a Team Builder but also embodies a Pathological Altruistic Human. With a deep commitment to the Web3 community, Trevor shares invaluable insights. Rather than delving into his current projects, his focus lies in fostering robust working relationships, delivering value to teams, and recognizing the transformative potential of this tec...

🎙️ Don't miss this episode of The Creative Block Podcast featuring Anibal Suriel, Founder & Managing Partner at Solidity Law! 🚀🔗 We explore blockchain, digital assets, smart contracts, and their intersection with laws and regulations. Discover his extensive expertise in the crypto industry, including roles as head of crypto assets practice in Dubai's leading law firm and General Counsel for cryp...

My conversation with Metaversal's CEO & Co-Founder, Yossi Hasson. Metaversal is a hyperculture brand using blockchain, AI, and emerging technology to create unique intellectual property enabled by Web3. Yossi co-founded Metaversal with Daniel Schmerin, and together with their team, they innovate to empower people to own digital assets that bring together a global community interested in engaging s...

Join me with "Lost Club Toys" CEO, Daniel Grove, as he unveils his exciting vision of bringing the EDM club community closer on a global scale through the potential of Web3. Together with his Co-Founder Kosmo Kint, they have created a collection of fluffy and adorable NFT "toys" that go beyond being amazing collectables. These NFTs offer access to the best of EDM culture, immersing you in a world...