Could Be Pretty Cool News

Episode Description Join us for a special live recording from Metrics & Mingling 2025, where audience participation drove the conversation about AI's role in creative entrepreneurship. Through interactive polling, attendees guided discussions about administrative efficiency, creative process boundaries, and maintaining human value in an AI-driven marketplace. This dynamic panel explores how cr...

Description: Explore the unprecedented shifts in US arts funding and what they mean for creative communities nationwide. Featuring John Carnwath from WolfBrown research and consulting firm on navigating federal cuts, building sustainable funding models, and reimagining how creative ecosystems can thrive through decentralized support systems and community-centered approaches. Key Topics: Federal cu...

Explore how creative entrepreneurs are building sustainable futures through circular systems that honor both ancestral wisdom and innovative solutions. Featuring Tamara Stands and Looks Back-Spotted Tail on bridging Lakota values with renewable energy technology, and Jonelle Dawkins on creating financial independence through creative reuse. Traditional ecological knowledge meeting modern sustainab...

In this inaugural episode of The Young Creator Electorate, host Sabbath Canady explores one of the most pressing questions facing young creators today: what does the rise of artificial intelligence mean for the future of human creativity? Theatre artist and recent college graduate Nicholas Gilomen takes center stage with a powerful monologue that captures the complex relationship between AI techno...

Description Explore how creative entrepreneurs are navigating industry transitions and building sustainable futures through two distinct perspectives. Featuring Dani Dufresne on reshaping creative production with a fractional model beyond traditional agency structures, followed by Kacie Luaders' thoughtful examination of Georgia's creative ecosystem highlighting the stark contrast between struggli...

Description: Explore how passionate educators are building innovative frameworks for creative education across the Southeast through two unique perspectives. Featuring Derek "Prez" Jackson on establishing a collegiate model for music entrepreneurship that treats creative development with the same seriousness as athletics, and Montgomery Davis on creating more inclusive, consent-driven spaces in pe...

Description: Explore how creative community building and strategic marketing are reshaping Georgia's independent creator landscape. Featuring Bill Worley and Mike Brown discussing the transformative power of The Artist's Way groups, and Jazz Jackson sharing insights on navigating industry shifts through innovative marketing approaches. Key Topics: Building supportive communities through The Artist...

Description:  Explore how Tennessee's creative entrepreneurs are navigating industry transitions and building sustainable futures through two unique perspectives. Featuring DeMarcus Akeem Suggs on reimagining Memphis's creative economy through innovative government support, and Nashville indie folk-rock artist Purser on forging an independent path while developing collaborative relationships in a...

Description:  Join us for a special anniversary episode as we explore the art and science of brand storytelling through our own rebrand journey. Featuring the talented team from Brandsavor Media and Marketing who helped articulate our mission as an audio-first think tank, and web designer Sasha Revolus who translated our vision into a compelling digital presence. Discover how effective branding ca...

Description:  Explore how Georgia's creative entrepreneurs are navigating industry transitions and building sustainable futures through two unique perspectives. Featuring Darius Evans on reshaping Georgia's film landscape beyond the "Hollywood of the South" narrative, and muralist Elaine Stephenson on forging an independent artistic path while creating community support systems. Key Topics: ·     ...

Description: Explore how data and creativity intersect to empower communities and creators through two unique perspectives. Featuring demography expert Professor Ness Sándoval on making data accessible for community advocacy, and scientist-turned-entrepreneur Zakiya Whatley on transforming analytical skills into creative storytelling tools. Key Topics:  · Making demographic data accessible to comm...

Description: Explore the evolving relationship between independent creators and major media companies through the contrasting journeys of podcasting and animation. Featuring podcast pioneer Rob Greenlee on the medium's shift from indie roots to mainstream influence, and 2D animator Jaron Johnson on finding opportunities beyond traditional studio systems. Key Topics:  ·      The evolution of po...

Description: Dive into how modern creatives are building sustainable careers across physical and digital spaces. Featuring The Bardo founder Luther Ocasio on creating immersive community experiences, and multihyphenate artist Charis Sellick on transforming traditional theater skills into digital success. Key Topics: · Navigating both physical and digital creative spaces · Building authentic commun...

Description: Season 2 premiere! Explore how creative entrepreneurs are building sustainable careers in today's rapidly evolving digital landscape. Featuring JV Agency founder Jazmine Valencia on growing a music marketing agency from internship to industry leader, and independent artist Lánre on strategically balancing creativity with business acumen. Key Topics: ·       Building sustainable creat...

Join us for the season finale of Could Be Pretty Cool News as we explore two distinct perspectives on creative careers. Dr. Steven Sparling shares insights from his journey from professional performer to researcher, studying how artists balance multiple income streams in today's economy. Then, dancer and choreographer Annalee Traylor discusses her evolution from traditional company work to collabo...

In this episode of Could Be Pretty Cool News, we explore two distinct creative journeys. First, we meet Asia Kuykendall, a finance expert whose personal transformation led her to develop "quantum wealth theory" - an approach that helps artists redefine their relationship with money through mindset and vision-setting. She shares how creators can align their financial goals with their artistic aspir...

In this episode of Could Be Pretty Cool News, we first meet Vanessa Kuhlor, a Brooklyn-based creative who transformed her experience with Silicon Valley Bank's collapse into an opportunity to reimagine work through her creative consultancy, In Between Dreams. Drawing inspiration from sources as diverse as birdwatching to African textiles, Vanessa shares her journey of building a creative practice...

In this spooky edition of Could Be Pretty Cool News we interview Ben Armstrong , co-owner of Netherworld Haunted House, now in its 28th year of operation. Ben shares the origins of Netherworld, discussing how it evolved from charity events to a major attraction known nationally and internationally. He explains the creative process behind developing new themes each year, the logistics of running a...

In this special episode of Could Be Pretty Cool News, we take you inside DreamHack Atlanta 2024, a pivotal event in the gaming world. We explore how this festival unites diverse elements of gaming culture, from esports to indie developers, cosplayers to robotics enthusiasts. Featuring an exclusive interview with Guy Blomberg, Event Director of DreamHack Festivals in North America, we also spotligh...

This episode of Could Be Pretty Cool News juxtaposes macro and micro views of the creative industries. Shira Gans from NYC's Mayor's Office of Media and Entertainment unveils how data shapes policies supporting various creative sectors, unpacking economic impact studies, program evaluations, and the nuanced challenge of quantifying arts initiatives' tangible and intangible impacts. We then pivot t...

In this episode, we dive into two distinct yet equally innovative fields with our guests Eva Tucker and KD McCauley. Eva, a seasoned professional in the video game industry, shares her journey from community manager to producer, and now mentor for indie game developers. She offers valuable insights on navigating the rapidly changing landscape of game development, including the rise of remote work...

In this episode, we dive into the innovative worlds of digital music collaboration and cultural commentary podcasting with two groundbreaking entrepreneurs. Darryl Stephens , co-founder of the Bass Parlour app , shares his journey from aspiring baseball player to music tech innovator, detailing how he's revolutionizing global music collaboration. Manny Faces , an award-winning podcaster and cultur...

In this episode, we meet Ariel Fristoe, founder of Out of Hand Theater, who's using the power of performance to tackle social justice issues while developing a groundbreaking business model that's caught Harvard's attention. Then, we chat with Chef Lowell whose approach to the culinary world prioritizes business acumen as much as culinary skill. From living room performances to pop-up dining exper...

In this episode of Could Be Pretty Cool News, we explore two unique perspectives on the intersection of art and business. Kim Fennell, founder of the Atlanta-based Biz Savvy Artists Academy, shares insights on empowering artists with crucial business skills to thrive in today's market. Contrasting this approach, Cherie Danielle discusses her path as an activist artist, using her creativity to driv...

In this episode of Could Be Pretty Cool News, we dive into Atlanta's vibrant creative scene, where passion projects become serious business. We explore two unique stories: Thom Schelk from The Gulch, Atlanta United's supporters' section , shares how their creative volunteerism enhances match-day experiences and drives community advocacy. Then, Thomas Gray, founder of Adult Game Nights , reveals hi...