Vicinity

What if your neighborhood wasn’t built for outsiders but with you in mind? In this episode of Vicinity , we talk with Julia Katz , a commercial developer at Mercy Housing, who’s flipping the script on what affordable housing can be. Think: walkable streets, small local businesses, and spaces designed with real community input — not just city permits. Julia shares her journey from growing up in NYC...

In this powerful episode, we sit down with Geechi Taylor—musician, educator, and Artistic Director & President of the Young Musicians Choral Orchestra—for a deeply moving and honest conversation about music, mentorship, and the meaning of community. From New York to Berkeley, CA, to sharing stages with Wynton Marsalis and Lauryn Hill, Geechi takes us through the twists and turns of a life shap...

We sit down with Sabrina: entrepreneur, community builder, and co-creator of the Entrepreneur Guaranteed Income Fund and Built Here, Oakland. From growing up in a Sri Lankan immigrant family running small businesses to launching a social enterprise that hired youth, Sabrina’s journey is rooted in hustle, heart, and a deep belief in the power of community. She shares how being raised around resourc...

Naomi Fierro Peña (she/her/ella), is the Founder & CEO of That Art Party, art and play for BIPOC adults.  That Art Party is an amalgamation of all the things that make me - and perhaps us - human .  Naomi started this experience as an altar to the inner child who was forced to grow up too soon, to problem-solve the world, and to serve everyone else before herself. I see you. As a queer, woman...

Episode 4 Marv Lahens is a multidisciplinary designer, art director, furniture maker, and more. As the founder of Maison Oge, he created a like of beautifully crafted goods with a highly unique perspective. With his new company, Self Furnished, Marv is pushing the bounds of digital fabrication, democratizing the design process, and building connections between consumers and the process of making t...

Mike Nicholls is an Oakland, CA-based award-winning creative director, book designer, brand strategist, publisher, visual artist and community builder. He translates ideas into visionary creative solutions utilizing over 20 years of design experience and natural talent. Mike is also the founder of Umber Studios, a platform highlighting creative perspectives that matter. His work has been recognize...

In this episode our guest is Brittany Luby , we talk with her about her path to starting a brand and becoming a freelance designer. We also discuss the importance of finding balance and self-care in these hectic times and the value of building and supporting your communities. Brittany is a color lover and tree hugger practicing graphic design in Oakland, California. She enjoys branding and print d...

It's official! We're live!  Welcome to the first episode of Vicinity, a podcast by Viscera Studio , where we get curious about someone in our community -- we learn more about the fabric of their story and what makes them joyful. Each week we explore those intersections-- connecting the dots between creativity, art, design, good governance, artistic practice, and more. And ultimately ask: who...

Mark your calendars, Vicinity launches on January 17!  For people near and far Vicinity is a podcast about small businesses, neighborliness, and the magic of being in the vicinity of other creative and passionate humans. Every week, host Ari Takata-Vasquez interviews a fellow maker/creative/business owner and talks about their journey.  Show Notes  When you meet someone new, do you...