State of the Arts

State of the Arts Episode 192 now available on Spotify! This week I had the honor of interviewing another podcaster. Not only does Dean Aquino have his own podcast, he is also an autistic pharmacist, a cosplayer, a comic convention reviewer/researcher, a public transit advocate and a landlord. Financial management and weather monitoring are two personal passions of his as well. It is an honor to h...

State of the Arts Episode 192 now available on Spotify! This week I had the honor of interviewing another podcaster. Not only does Dean Aquino have his own podcast, he is also an autistic pharmacist, a cosplayer, a comic convention reviewer/researcher, a public transit advocate and a landlord. Financial management and weather monitoring are two personal passions of his as well. I am elated to welc...

State of the Arts Episode 191 now available on Spotify. This week I had the honor of interviewing Reagan Vlass, the sole proprietor of 313 Vintage. This hot up and coming New York-based fashion brand offers designer clothing, accessories & home accents. All personally curated. Recently supermodel Bella Hadid purchased pieces from this internationally renowned and growing boutique.

State of the Arts Episode 190 now available on Spotify and other platforms! Published coloring book illustrator and marketing entrepreneur Polina Lilu returns to my podcast with new, exciting ventures in her career. A former software engineer, Polina Lilu made a leap by leaving her corporate position to work for herself in the creative fields. With four published coloring books, she continues to p...

State of the Arts Episode 189 now available on Spotify! Josh Berkowitz returns to State of the Arts with a new passion for sewing and costume design. This cosplay expert and content creator is now mastering the art of fashion. With this new developing skill under his belt, he is now able to sew some of his own costumes for the many events he attends. An active member of the cosplay community, he i...

State of the Arts Episode 188 is now available on Spotify! I am thrilled to announce the guest for my podcast this week is renowned contemporary impressionist painter Eileen Stodut. This former set designer found a creative home in the flourishing county of Westchester. As an artist with a work space in ArtsWestchester, this acclaimed creative continues to influence the creative culture in our are...

State of the Arts Episode 187: The Pride Month Special now available on Spotify! For the last week of Pride, a brilliant shadow cast took to the stage at the legendary Copacabana night club for an immersive Rocky Horror Picture Show performance. With the accomplished Tym Moss as Riff Raff, enchantress Dorothy Bishop as Magenta and a wickedly beguiling ensemble, the mesmerized audience was treated...

State of the Arts Episode 186 now available on Spotify! This week I had the privilege of interviewing Eddie Mellow, the vice president of Grillo’s Pickles. In 2008, his business partner Travis Grillo, decided to sell pickles made with his grandfather’s hundred-year old Grillo family recipe. Using ingredients from his backyard, Travis Grillo began preparing pickles for sale at local markets and eve...

State of the Arts Episode 185: The Father's Day Special now available on Spotify! This week I honor my late father Edwin Anthony Osborne III on my podcast for Father's Day. In this special episode I conduct an in-depth exploration of the artistic influence my creative father had on me. At a young age I picked up the passion for writing from my father, who was a published journalist. I am a fourth...

State of the Arts Episode 184: The Juneteenth Special now available on Spotify! State of the Arts celebrates every African American creative who was a guest on this podcast in commemoration of Juneteenth. This episode is a toast to all the captivating interviews they have blessed us with for the past four years. State of the Arts had the privilege of hosting various talented African American artis...

State of the Arts Episode 183 now available on Spotify! My incredibly talented music composer husband Joseph Grado Jr. returns to my podcast to update listeners on new projects and accomplishments. This graduate of City University of New York- CSI has propelled into a diverse career in music. He played in various bands, studied under music legends and taught both privately, as well as for prestigi...

State of the Arts Episode 182 now available on Spotify and other platforms! On my podcast this week, I take a deep dive into an independent screenplay I have written for a NYC Shortcuts film challenge. The original script for "City of the Night" was lengthy and elaborate. In order to simplify the process a bit, I've broken up the film into a trilogy. The first part has already been r...

State of the Arts Episode 181: The Asian, Pacific Islander and Indian Heritage Month Special now available on Spotify! My podcast celebrates a remarkable Renaissance woman this week. Neena Bhanti is a classical Indian dancer who performed and choreographed multiple styles of dance for many years. At the young age of seventeen she was the choreographer for the Miss India USA pageant. As she further...

State of the Arts Episode 180: The Mother's Day Special now available on Spotify! This week, in an in-person interview in her home on Staten Island, I welcome my classically trained pianist Mom Caroline Osborne to my podcast. As a child and teen she studied classical piano at the British Royal Music Academy in her home city of Hong Kong. My Mom performed several pieces at Belen Manuel's An...

State of the Arts Episode 179: The Cinco De Mayo Special now available on Spotify. This week my learned co-host Anthony Bonilla returns to join me in honoring Broadway superstar Chita Rivera for Cinco De Mayo. This stage legend passed away at the age of ninety-one this year, leaving behind a powerful legacy. From Tony awards to Hollywood films, the multi-talented siren will always be remembered as...

State of the Arts Episode 178 now available on Spotify! Future Treasure is a multi-brand pop-up shop in SoHo. I had the joy of interviewing every vendor at one of their pop-up locations this week. Their collaborative pop-up is currently located at 21 Spring Street in downtown Manhattan. The creatives involved in this pop-up are a talented, welcoming group of entrepreneurs with high quality product...

State of the Arts Episode 177: The Autism Awareness Month Special now available on Spotify! I gratefully welcome back return podcast guest Bradley Jacobs, who is a bracelet designer, content creator and a valued member of the team at Spectrum Designs, where autistic creatives thrive in a supportive work environment. Bradley, who is a pillar of the Westchester community, brings his graphic design a...

State of the Arts Episode 176 now available on Spotify! Daniela Marini is the owner of a successfully growing jewelry business. Her exquisite merchandise includes handcrafted energy jewelry and imported crystals. Always wanting to own her own business, this former elementary school teacher eventually took the leap of faith after being inspired by one of her students who pretended to have his own s...

State of the Arts Episode 175 now available on Spotify! My guest this week is Joanne Hudson who is the founder and organizer of The Ridgefield Independent Film Festival. This annual Connecticut festival celebrates filmmakers from all around the world as well as local artists. Screenings, panel discussions, special events and parties are all included in this yearly celebration of cinema. All films...

State of the Arts Episode 174 now available on Spotify! I am elated to welcome magnificent artist Jennie Carr to my podcast this week for The Women's History Month Special. She is a remarkably gifted painter and photographer who is known for her vibrant work. Many of her creations send important messages to a turbulent world, but in a playful way. Ms. magazine interviewed this brilliant creati...

State of the Arts Episode 173 now available on Spotify! Eliza Rauchwerger is a certified Shine dance instructor and social media content creator who I am proud to have as my podcast guest this week. In this in-person interview held in breathtaking Turnure Park, my cheery guest introduces me to the wondrous world of Shine Dance Fitness. This outstanding exercise program incorporates hip hop, jazz a...

State of the Arts Episode 172: The Saint Patrick’s Day Special now available on Spotify! Happy Saint Patrick's Day to all! My podcast guest this week is bagpiper, fashion designer, content creator and visual artist Chris D. With over twenty years of bagpiping experience under her belt, this talented bagpiper regularly marches in parades in Westchester and New York City. Every year Chris D and her...

State of the Arts Episode 171 is now available on Spotify! In an outdoor in-person interview, I welcome accomplished guitarist, composer, teacher and busker Jack Marcin Wisniewski to my podcast this week! This renowned musician rose to stardom in Poland, where he was originally from. He currently resides in New York where his career on the other side of the Altantic continues to blossom. He is a w...

State of the Arts Episode 170 now available on Spotify! Content creator, photographer, visual creative, inventor, political activist and self-proclaimed armchair philosopher Randol D. Ledif is our feature for this week. Along with his partner (my cousin) Maggie, free-thinker Randol joins me at the historic Elizabeth Street Garden in downtown Manhattan for a profound chat. State of the Arts is happ...

State of the Arts Episode 169: The Year of the Dragon Special now available on Spotify! As the Chinese communities all over the world wind down the season, State of the Arts welcomes our final lunar new year guest for this year. Kai Conquer Yuen is a vital part of the Mui Fa Lion & Unicorn Dance Team 梅花麒麟瑞獅團. In this educational and culturally rich episode, this martial artist takes us on a...