The Creative Lotus Podcast hosted by Allen Zaki

Hello Creative Lotus Family!   On today's episode I sit down and talk with podcaster, entertainment journalist and actor JUAN AYALA. Juan shares about his life growing up in Connecticut, the struggles of getting into acting, and through the COVID-19 pandemic, creating value by starting his podcast "Actors with Issues." His success in both podcasting and working as an entertainment journalist,...

Hello Creative Lotus Family!  On today's episode I sit down and talk with portrait photographer AARON JAY YOUNG. Aaron shares about his personal struggles with mental health and trauma, feeling worthy of success and how working through the pain and emotions, and he's been able to create a successful portrait photography business. Young shares about doing the work is necessary to connect with...

Hello Creative Lotus Family! On today's final episode of season 2, I sit down and talk with photographer Matt Armendariz . Matt shares about his career starting out at Whole Foods , making his way into graphic design/art and creative direction and then jumping into photography through his food blog with husband/food stylist Adam Pearson. Matt is an amazing Zumba instructor who took to Zoom during...

Hello Creative Lotus Family! On today's episode I sit down and talk with impact artist, figure skater, actor and on-air host Sierra Sophia Mercier. Mercier shares about growing up in the Idaho, the struggles of competitive figure skating, revealing the not-so-pretty side of the industry. Her compassion and LOVE for life shines through in our dialogue and her honesty on where she is currently at in...

Hello Creative Lotus Family! On today's episode I sit down and talk with model/blogger Kristen Taekman . Kristen shares about her struggles of starting in the modeling industry at a young age and continuing now in her 40's with two children and a husband. Taekman opens up about her life, traveling throughout Europe, living in NYC, meeting her husband and raising their kids in LA post-2020 pandemic...

Hello Creative Lotus Family! On today's episode I sit down and talk with children's book author and writer Greg McGoon. Greg and I have known each other since my first year living in Los Angeles when he was modeling. He's since gone on to live in NYC and recently has moved back to LA, where he is busy writing children's books, working behind the scenes doing scenic work on theater sets and product...

Hello Creative Lotus Family! On today's episode I sit down and talk with model director Cecilio Asuncion of trans modeling agency Slay Models . Cece shares his struggles of coming to America from the Philippines at a young age, making his way from NYC to California, and ultimately opening up Slay Models in 2015. Asuncion has won a GLADD Award for his TV show Strut on Oxygen, which gave viewers an...

Hello Creative Lotus Family! On today's episode I sit down and talk with plus size tattooed male model and mental health advocate Koichi MacGregor. Koichi shares about his life growing up in LA, his deep connection to his family, his inspiration to become a plus size male model and the tattoo work across body. MacGregor opens up about his own mental health and how sharing his personal stories on s...

Hello Creative Lotus Family! On today's episode I sit down and talk with content creator and fashion expert Parker York Smith. Parker shares his stories of coming to Los Angeles, going the route of acting, until realizing his creative talents of making educational and fashion related content on social media platforms was better suited for him. He shares his views on the fashion industry, how he in...

Hello Creative Lotus Family! On today's episode I sit down and talk with two-time Emmy Award Winner, Actress, Host, Philanthropist, and CEO of NYTAQ Fernanda Kelly . Fernanda shares about her life growing up in Tijuana, MX; living in San Diego and Los Angeles, to then pursue her dreams as an actress in Hollywood. Kelly keeps it real and opens up about her struggles trying to make ends meet, making...

Hello Creative Lotus Family! On today's episode I sit down and talk with trans supermodel Arisce Wanzer. Arisce shares about her struggles of working in NYC as a fashion model, coming to Los Angeles, where she finds her rebirth of her modeling career. She opens up about fostering and supporting the next generation of trans* models in LA and NY through Slay Models. Wanzer has been on the cover Vogu...

Hello Creative Lotus Family! On today's episode I sit down and talk with entrepreneur and lifestyle brand creator Kaori Matsu ts uru . Kaori shares about her struggles of moving to Los Angeles from Japan to pursue acting and the entertainment world. But her perseverance and strength through COVID-19 led her to create her own lifestyle brand Kaorifornia where she creates one of a kind beautiful jew...

Hello Creative Lotus Family! On today's episode I sit down and talk with actress/producer/mom Keiko Elizabeth . I had the pleasure to photograph Keiko at the beginning of 2021 for her press kit, and she graciously offered to be a guest on the podcast. Keiko is known most recently for her work as Karen Shimizu on City on a Hill on Showtime , staring across from Kevin Bacon (funny story in the inter...

Hello Creative Lotus Family! Welcome BACK to Season 2 of The Creative Lotus Podcast! 🎉 On today's episode I sit down and talk with beauty expert and friend Despina Scandalis. Despina Scandalis is a working Beauty Professional in Los Angeles, California with over fifteen years working in the Makeup and Skincare industry specializing in Wedding Beauty and Live Events including Red Carpet and Media....

Hello Creative Lotus Family! On today's episode I sit down and talk with comedian and actor Joseph Schles . He opens up about his personal struggles with acceptance with himself, using his struggles as fuel for his comedy, romantic relationships and changing the patriarchy within American society. Joseph talks about dirty jokes, being openly gay within the comedy world, the ideals of LGBTQ+ cultur...

Hello Creative Lotus Family! On today's episode I sit down and talk with casting director and photographer Paul Brickman . He opens up about his life growing up in NYC, attending the prestigious LaGuardia High ( Fame High) , working in the fashion industry, the struggles of working as a freelancer, but in the end, he LOVES what he does! Spending time between Los Angeles and New York, Paul's work c...

Hello Creative Lotus Family! On today's episode I sit down and talk with wardrobe stylist/best friend Cat Wright . She opens up about his personal struggles with styling, relationships, the ups and downs of living in LA, and her passion for creativity. Cat has worked with many actors and on-air talent including Gigi Gorgeous, Taryn Manning, Jeannie Mai, Sibley Scoles, Terrence Jenkins, Steve Aoiki...

Hello Creative Lotus Family! On today's episode I sit down and talk with photo retoucher/finisher and friend Joseph Alexander . He opens up about his personal struggles with his health, living in Los Angeles, making difficult career decisions, finding joy and happiness both in his work and creatively. Joseph has worked with some of the major tv networks creating billboards and advertising for the...

Hello Creative Lotus Family! On today's episode I sit down and talk with International Beauty Brand Ambassador Robby LaRiviere . He opens up about his personal life growing up in Massachusetts, his stint on gay reality TV, his buddhist faith and how through it all the fortune he's created to be the international beauty brand ambassador for Nick Chavez Beverly Hills . You can see Robby's work on QV...

Hello Creative Lotus Family!  This week there isn't a new episode, however I have many new interviews lined up for June! Looking forward to sharing more stories this summer! 😎Have an amazing Memorial Day Weekend, please stay safe and healthy out there!  Allen Zaki's Social: Let's Connect! IG: @allenzaki FB: @allenzakiphoto Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/allenzaki Intro/Outro Music: Tr...

Hello Creative Lotus Family! On today's episode I sit down and talk with interior designer and creative Jeff Trotter of Jeff Trotter Design . He opens up about his career, following his gut when it comes to career and personal decisions. Jeff shares about his LOVE of marble, his amazing Surf Board Line (JTD Stone Surf and Skin Surf), his unique design esthetics, his loving relationship with his fa...

Hello Creative Lotus Family! On today's episode I sit down and talk with international makeup artist and creative Nicole Maguire (Wittman) . She opens up (a can of beer for Cinco de Mayo), chats about her career struggles, how her never give up spirit has kept her going through it all, having her beautiful baby Frankie, and thriving with her family, while appreciating all the wonderful things and...

Hello Creative Lotus Family! On today's episode I sit down and talk with actor and figure skater Michael Sasaki . He opens up about his personal struggles with acceptance, his relationship with husband Pierrick, his acting career and how through it all, he's kept creating work that spotlights the Asian American Queer Hero narrative that he has always wanted to see. Sharing the screen with Hollywoo...

Hello Creative Lotus Family! On today's episode I sit down and talk with TV Reporter Gene Kang (KTLA 5 & France 24). He opens up about his personal struggles with family, his ups and downs in his journalist career and how through it all, he's kept going. Gene uses his social platforms to bring light to those stories that aren't necessarily in the news, standing up for AAPI & LGBTQIA+ right...

Hello Creative Lotus Family! On today's episode I sit down and talk with musician and creative/best friend Ryan Adames of She and the Bandit . He opens up about his personal struggles with music, relationships, career and how through it all, he's kept creating music and being the most authentic version of himself through She and the Bandit. Creating videos to go alongside the newly released tracks...