In the Making with Mander

What does it look like to be unapologetically yourself as an artist? There are a lot of pressures out there to be like other artists, fit into an expectation, or conform to social norms. Grammy award-winning vocalist, lyricist, coach, and inspiration, Charmagne Tripp talks with me about being grown and grounded.

In the first episode of 2026, I sit down with my friend Kolton Harris (Auston Phoenix) to talk about what it’s really like to navigate finding yourself as an artist. The quiet doubts and comparisons, the inspiration, and working around the blocks.

In this episode of In the Making with Mander, I sit down with musician, producer, and multi-instrumentalist Brandon Serafino to talk about the inspiration that can be found where you’re rooted. Brandon shares how his artistic roots connect him to community and the evolution so many artists go through with time, practice and maturity. We talk about building a creative life here in Hartford, engagin...

In this episode, I sit down on the couch with Mercury, an artist based in Hartford who stands out to me as a creative mind who sees and works with art like no one else I know. We talk about what it means to make art in Hartford, the fight for artist rights, and Mercury's own experiences where boundaries were crossed. We also dig into the complicated reality of public art, its purpose, and gent...

I'm sitting down with artist and musician Andy Sorenson to explore the transformative and deeply personal ways art can heal, connect, and inspire the artist and the audience. We talk about getting uncomfortable making art and what happens when you challenge yourself to go to the places you didn't even realize you could go.  Whether you’re an artist yourself, finding your path in art, or looking fo...

What happens when two abstract artists — one a painter, one a composer — interpret the same story through different mediums? In this episode of In the Making with Mander , I sit down with jazz saxophonist and composer Nick Biello to talk about our collaboration on Before the Flood , a powerful and personal piece that started as sound and became a 20-foot painted scroll made with handmade inks insp...

This one's a quickie 😊 Tiana Correa is with me again. We're going to talk about the three solo shows Mander has opening in 2025. We're talking about sexy titles, how art looks like pies, and divorce art. Each show this year is a completely different body of work. What was I think?! We'll dive into what the vibe is going to be like at each show. You don't want to miss them! Mander's solo shows (wi...

In this debut episode of In the Making with Mander , I sit down with my dear friend Tiana to explore the root of who I am as an artist. From childhood memories and early creative sparks to the work I create today, we trace the threads that have shaped who I am as an artist. We talk about my process of making and working with natural inks, the emotional and symbolic connections I build through natu...