Creative Risk

In this episode of Creative Risk , Mike sits down with multidisciplinary artist and entrepreneur Ruggero Vittorini, founder of Inward Studio. From his early days as a musician and visual artist to working in high-end kitchens, to ultimately launching a creative agency, Ruggero’s journey is a masterclass in adaptability. He shares how he transitioned out of the cycle of survival jobs and built a th...

In this Valentine’s themed episode, Joshua sits down with performing artists and their "civilian" significant others to explore the challenges and rewards of relationships that bridge two different professional worlds. From balancing unpredictable schedules to navigating financial highs and lows, they discuss how partners can support each other while pursuing their individual passions. H...

In this Raw + Rising episode, Mike sits down with 2024 Tony nominee Tom Pecinka as he adjusts to life after the hit show Stereophonic. Tom offers some fantastic advice and perspective, including the dismissal of the "big break myth" and why viewing your art as a business isn't just okay, it's essential. Watch now! Tom's Social Media https://www.instagram.com/tom.pecinka/ J...

This one hits hard. The boys sit down with prolific casting director Lisa Zambetti (Criminal Minds) for a brutally honest conversation about the state of the industry. Is AI taking actors' jobs? (Short answer: yes.) Is the casting industry itself in trouble? (Absolutely.) But beyond the doom and gloom, this episode is about resilience—how us artists can adapt, support each other, and reclaim...

THIS IS A SEGMENT FROM AN EXCLUSIVE PATREON EPISODE Just the boys for this episode discussing a topic that's long been on their minds. As technology and AI continue to replace skill-based work, the traditional notion of the artist is undergoing a seismic shift. No longer confined by rigid job titles or institutional validation, today’s artists are being challenged—if not forced—to adopt the b...

In this Raw + Rising episode, Joshua sits down with Raphael Papo, a classically trained violinist and entrepreneur straddling Berlin and London. Raphael’s work is as interdisciplinary as it is intriguing, spanning his performance in Fiddler on the Roof at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre, an unforgettable nude appearance at the real-life Kit Kat Club, and his mission to integrate classical music int...

In this episode, we talk with Peter Marks, former chief theater critic for The Washington Post , about his transition from legacy media to independent content creation on Substack. Reflecting on decades in journalism, Peter examines how the role of the theater critic may be changing, yet the value of thoughtful criticism remains essential for shaping conversations and elevating art. We explore how...

In this episode of Creative Risk , Emmy-nominated composer Michael Kooman shares insights from his 20-year collaboration with lyricist Christopher Dimond. Together, they’ve crafted music for acclaimed stage productions and hit TV shows like Vampirina and Ridley Jones , proving that creative partnerships thrive on trust, compromise, and clear communication. Michael dives into the art of collaborati...

In this episode of Raw + Rising , Helen Hayes Award-winning artist Hassiem Muhammad and frequent collaborator of Joushua's and Mike's dives deep into the lessons learned so far in his artistic journey. For instance, the creation of his series Angels of Uptown, funded and shot during the pandemic, the project exemplifies the grit and resourcefulness required of independent artists. Or his...

In this inspiring episode, Mike sits down with Kristen Coury, CEO and Producing Artistic Director of Gulfshore Playhouse in Naples, Florida, inside its stunning new $72 million theater. Kristen shares her eclectic journey, from working at Disney Theatrical and with Andrew Lloyd Webber to directing a feature film and unexpectedly landing in Naples to build an artistic legacy. They discuss the highs...

THIS IS A SEGMENT FROM AN EXCLUSIVE PATREON EPISODE In this episode of Creative Risk , Mike and Joshua tackle Declan Donnellan’s latest book, The Actor and the Space , while reflecting on their own artistic journeys. Kicking things off, Mike shares his post-show blues after the closing of Anything Goes , questioning whether musical theater might be his next frontier. From there, the discussion del...

This episode Joshua sits down with Dominique Salerno, one of the most prolific creators we know. Currently coming of a substantial fundraising campaign and production of a pilot she has written and starred in, Dominique shares her thoughts on work ethic, her relationship between art and industry, finding collaborators and more. This conversation will ground you in that all-important question, what...

In this episode of CREATIVE RISK, Tony-winning producer Luke Katler (Merrily We Roll Along, Slave Play, Here Lies Love) shares his bold vision for the future of commercial Off-Broadway and explains why Off-Broadway is becoming a vital cultural touchpoint in a post-pandemic world. He discusses the unique advantages of commercial Off-Broadway—like creative flexibility and lower stakes compared to Br...

This isn’t your typical holiday episode—Merry Chaosmas! After a literal scream of a start, we dive into Joshua’s enviable ornament collection and some post-Broadway World Award reflections (are those even legit?). Recorded the day after that CEO assassination, this one’s a time capsule.   We unpack holiday gig horror stories, perform a nightmare-inducing singalong (spoiler: someone pukes), and deb...

In this bold and possibly cancel-provoking episode of CREATIVE RISK, Joshua and Mike unpack the shockwaves of Trump’s 2024 re-election—12 days after the fact. As two self-proclaimed liberals who didn’t (and wouldn’t) vote for Trump, they take a critical look at the systemic shifts this election represents. With an unflinching eye on the rise of populism and the decline of technocratic, expertise-d...

In this episode of Raw + Rising , Samantha Joy Pearlman—NYC-based multi-hyphenate artist and frontwoman of Joy and the Wildfire —shares how heartbreak and loss inspired her journey into songwriting. She opens up about balancing her many artistic passions, breaking free from industry labels, and standing out in a fast-changing digital music landscape. We also go behind the scenes of her stunning mu...

THIS IS A SEGMENT FROM AN EXCLUSIVE PATREON EPISODE We start in an existential rabbit hole talking about dead stars and The Great Year (watch Joshua’s visible frustration on YouTube) but quickly course correct in this un-PC episode, where we dive deep into the intersection of talent, appearance, and inclusivity in Hollywood and beyond. We share personal stories of losing roles based on their looks...

In this episode of Raw + Rising , we’re keeping it real with the multi-talented Michelle Simone Miller—actress, podcaster, and the powerhouse behind Mentors on the Mic . Known for pulling back the curtain on the entertainment industry with interviews featuring top-tier showrunners, casting directors, producers, and more, Michelle shares how she’s carving her own path while lifting others up. We di...

Joshua sits down with Oscar-winning producer Julia Kennelly to uncover the gritty, unglamorous, and deeply rewarding work of being an independent film producer in today’s volatile market. Julia shares her journey from theater student to multi-hyphenate filmmaker, diving deep into the many hats producers wear, from assembling the perfect team to fighting for essential protections for creatives in H...

This episode starts with a cosmic twist—aliens, ghosts, and Joshua’s unforgettable medium training (yes, a ghost may have crossed a boundary). But things quickly get grounded as the boys dive into the complexities of practicing gratitude as artists. Why is it so hard for actors, often stuck in survival mode, to embrace true gratitude? And what happens when gratitude becomes phony or self-serving,...

Sarah Bowden Instagram https://www.instagram.com/sarahbowden.de/ Sarah Bowden Websire https://www.sarahbowden.de/ Sarah Stages Instagram https://www.instagram.com/sarahstagesrealestate/ Sarah Stages Website https://www.sarahstages.com/ Broadway Run Club Instagram https://www.instagram.com/broadwayrunclub.nyc/ Broadway Run Club Sign Up https://www.strava.com/clubs/broadwayrunclubnyc "Raw &...

In this solo episode of CREATIVE RISK, Joshua tackles one of the most personal and complex challenges an artist can face: starting a family. From navigating the decision to have kids to balancing survival jobs with creative opportunities, he talks with several actors with children or considering having children to break down what it takes to be both a dedicated parent and a working actor. Drawing...

THIS IS A SEGMENT FROM AN EXCLUSIVE PATREON EPISODE In this episode, Joshua and Mike dive into one of the biggest questions actors face: Should you start your career in the traditional powerhouses of New York or LA, or opt for smaller, thriving markets like Atlanta, DC, or Chicago? Drawing on personal experience—Joshua reflects on his seven years hitting the “ceiling” in DC’s theater scene, while...

In this spooky episode, the boys dive into the wildly popular genre of horror, unpacking why it remains a favorite among filmmakers, self-producers, and audiences alike. Horror has always been about high-impact storytelling on a shoestring budget - films that often times start with modest budgets and explode into massive box-office hits, demonstrating the incredible ROI that this genre offers. In...

Robyne Parrish Instagram https://www.instagram.com/robyneparrish/ Robyne Parrish Website https://www.robyneparrish.com/ "Raw & Rising", a new mini-episode series from Creative Risk, shines a spotlight on artists who are deep in the hustle. These short, punchy features consist of unfiltered conversations with artist entrepreneurs making bold moves in their careers. Whether they’re sel...