Content Magazine

In addition to her prior roles as Co-Founder of Local Color and Founding Board Member of Catalyze SV, Ellina Yin is a firm believer that local government is ground zero of systemic change. As a community engagement enthusiast born and raised in Eastside San Jose, she is always on the lookout to raise awareness and encourage civic participation in more meaningful and productive ways. Join us in our...

Episode #18 Sam Shah - Co-founder Voyager Craft Coffee Sam and his partner Lauren Burns have gone from a pop-up coffee trailing to three cafés. The most recent location (on The Alameda near Santa Clara University) opened right at the beginning of the Shelter-in-Place order for Santa Clara County because fo COVID-19. In our conversation, Sam tells us about the Voyager journey from the first shop to...

Episode #17 Michelle Runde - Content Contributing Writer In addition to contributing to Content Magazine, Michelle works as a Policy Counselor for one of the large Silicon Valley Social Media companies. In our conversation, Michelle reveals her love for Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings, and cast her vote for Star Trek over Star War. Follow Michelle on Instagram at @michrun13 . (https://instagram.co...

Episode #16 Featured: Juan Carlos Araujo - Director, Art Consultant, Painter. Empire Seven Studios Co-Founder of Empire Seven Studios (E7S) and POW! WOW! San Jose, along with his partner Jennifer Ahn, Curator and Gallery Manager. ES7 was established in 2008 as an urban contemporary art gallery located in Japantown San Jose at Empire St. and 7th St. As often seen in Silicon Valley, their industrial...

Grace Talice is a writer and contributor writer and editor with Content Magazine. Grace has worn many different hats in her life, but recently, she has begun to focus her talents on her desire to grow as a writer. We talk about her path to this point. The themes behind her first two self published books. And the project that she is working on now during the SIP 2020. Follow Grace on Instagram: @gr...

Joe Hyrkin has been the CEO of Issuu, a digital publishing platform, for the last seven and a half years, the longest he has been with any company in his career. Having worked in business development and sales for companies like Yahoo! and Flickr, Joe has spent most of his career working in the intersection of content and technology. In our conversation, Joe discusses the impact that mobile device...

Ralph Buenconsejo recently launched out on his own as a freelance designer after working several years with the Baunfire Agency. He also has done several graphic projects for Content. Most recently, the Flow meetup with Adobe promotional materials and the illustration for the AB5 article in issue 12.2 "Sight & Sound." In our conversation, Ralph discusses why he took the leap to branch out on h...

In addition to being a contributing writer and editor with Content Magazine since 2018, Esther Young's main creative outline is songwriting. Though, she might not tell you that she can be found at local open mic shows and slowing releasing her songs on Spotify. We hope you enjoy the interviews she does for us, this conversation with her about her creative journey,  and become a fan of her mus...

Brad Sanzenbacher - Writer and Folk Musician Though Brad's day job as a public relations profession for WRIKE involves a lot of writing, he has found that "creativity isn't a finite resource." As he seeks to be inspired in what he does for work, he discovers inspiration in his creative writing and songwriting, and vice-versa. Brad has released a two-song EP The Crack of Dawn of Time, which makes f...

Kristen Pfund has been part of the Content team since 2014, first as a volunteer, and then brought on staff to help oversee the production of our events and assist with our partner relationships.  During the first part of the Shelter-in-Place order Kristen was on actual real quarantine as her roommate contracted COVID-19 and was required to have no outside contact.  In our conversation,...

Jimmy Fonseca is an artist, muralist, and cofounder of Downtown Screen Printers. Join our conversation with Jimmy, who shares how being a resident artist at Local Color organically leads to form Downtown Screen Printers with Aliks Hernandez.  Jimmy, also openly shares the concerns he felt at the beginning of the shelter-in-place order. And how now, though still concerned, is trying to focus o...

Genevieve Hastings is an installation artist and the director of the Art Ark Gallery in San Jose. In this episode, Genevieve shares how her curiosity has led her from studying linguistic and anthropology, to travel, and to directing a local gallery.  Follow Genevieve and the Art Ark at @genevieve.hastings.artark (https://www.instagram.com/genevieve.hastings.artark/)  Visit Art Arks websi...

Avni Levy is a contributing Content photographer and, like most of our contributors, has a growing creative content business of her own. In our conversation, Avni shared here daily routine, a few helpful practices for creatives, and three great books, including "The Miracle Morning" by Hal Elrod. Make sure to follow Avni on her IG: @AvniCreates (https://instagram.com/AvniCreates) And join here Qua...

Massimo Chisessi is the marketing director for San Jose Jazz (SJZ). In our conversation, Massimo tells about his experience in the arts, and with arts organizations. He explains the transitions the SJZ has taken to help musicians during the shelter in place order. As well as his sharing about his personal experience of the passing of his father during this COVID19 atmosphere. Follow Massimo at @ia...

Content Podcast Isaiah Wilson is one of the Cofounders of the Come Up, a collective that showcases local musicians and artists. In our conversation, Isaiah talks about his transition in the way he approaches producing shows and gathering. Follow Isaiah at   @civicflora ( https://www.instagram.com/civicflora/ ) And, the Come Up at @sjcomeup ( https://www.instagram.com/sjcomeup/ ) Isaiah and th...

Kerry Adams Hapner has been the director of the Office of Cultural Affairs for the City of San Jose for the last 12 years. She oversees the department and staff that helps shape the City’s artistic and cultural vibrancy, resources, and vision. The arts and culture are essential elements in the character and quality of life in any vibrant community.  Kerry helps create that the city public Art...

Sean Boyles is an artist, teacher, and co-owner of the Arsenal ArtStore in Japantown, with his wife, Roan Victor. We talk about this life as an artist, shelter-in-place, and the expansion plans for The Arsenal Art Store. Follow Sean at : @ mrseanbyoles (https://instagram.com/mrseanboyles) and @TheArenalSJ (https://instagram.com/TheArsenalSJ) Visit The Arsenal online to sign-up for art classes. Dig...

Dalia Rawson, Director of the New Ballet, leads San Jose's school of classical ballet but credits her online gaming experience for their ability to transition to online classes during the shelter-in-place order. If the combination of ballet and gaming appears to be an odd pairing, what about Ballet and Aliens? Find out more about New Ballet at: https://newballet.com/ And on Instagram: https://www....

Frank Nguyen is the owner of Academic Coffee, which has become a community favorite over the last few years. Recently, Frank demonstrated innovation, foresight, and care for his employees, as he adjusted his menu during the beginning days of the Shelter-in-Place order due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Read original article with Frank and Academic Coffee in our 2017 interview in Issue 9.4 "Perform." (h...