The Qreative Life

Find Yasmin Ali online: Artist Website: https://www.yasminaliart.com Saatchi Art profile: https://www.saatchiart.com/yasminali Etsy shop: https://twistedbrushdesigns.etsy.com More about Yasmin Ali: Yasmin Ali is a Chicago-based, self-taught painter working primarily in oils. Her heavily textured, carved abstract paintings are inspired by natural systems—trees, water, wind, and roots—and the ways t...

In this episode of The Qreative Life podcast, Q talks to her friend and former co-worker, Sarah Orman. Orman has left behind her days as an attorney and is now pursuing a degree in poetry from Texas State University. Listen in as they discuss their shared interest in reading and writing, and what it's like to make profound life changes in middle age. More about Sarah Orman: Sarah Orman used to...

In this episode, Q sits down with film prof, journalist, and podcaster extraordinaire, Zaki Hasan. They discuss new and upcoming films, the threat that AI and modern media pose to storytelling, and the role of our humanity in making great films. More about Zaki Hasan: Born and raised in Chicago before settling in the Bay Area, Zaki Hasan is an award-winning journalist with more than 30 years of ex...

In this episode of The Qreative Life podcast, Q chats up indie author Georgina Kiersten, a queer, disabled writer of romantasy novels. They discuss Kiersten's creative path, from being diagnosed with dyslexia to embracing their passion for writing to taking the bold step to publish their own work. The conversation covers topics ranging from claiming your own creative power through fanfic to th...

In this episode, Q interviews Houston-based author E.A. Williams. They discuss Williams' transition from screenplay writer to novelist, and the value of writing what you love. Williams shares her childhood struggle with dyslexia, her family's enthusiasm for her artistic career choices, and the value of cultivating an authorial persona, à la Anne Rice. Find E.A. Williams online:- Website: h...

In the first-ever video version of The Qreative Life podcast, Q is joined by her bestie and creative partner, Ilene Haddad. The two discuss their upcoming co-launch for their books, why creators all seem to suffer from the same kinds of insecurities, and how Ilene went about writing and illustrating a memoir about her marriage. Find Ilene Haddad online: https://casaweenie.com/ Find Daniela Quirke...

In this episode of The Qreative Life podcast, Q chats with her friend and fellow creative, Jo Hunter. They discuss Jo's unique use of both creativity and engineering in her work, and her lifelong passion for aircraft. More about Jo Hunter: Jo has always had one foot in each of the two camps of art and science. She grew up in the UK and emigrated to Texas in 2006 with her husband Alan. They liv...

In this episode, Q talks with her friend and former co-worker, photographer Virginia Hernandez. They discuss Virginia’s new venture, striking out as a full-time working creative, her latest creative partnership, the value of a creative community, and the importance of having space to figure out who you are as an artist. More about Virginia: Virginia Hernandez is an award-winning photographer and v...

In this episode of The Qreative Life podcast, Q reconnects with Rita Toikka, an artist who has followed an unconventional path - first as a frontwoman of an L.A.-based rock band, then as a visual artist and educator. Toikka shares the story of her life, with all its successes and challenges, in this fascinating and heartfelt conversation. About Rita Toikka: Exquisite lucid dreams, sleep paralysis,...

In this episode, Q fangirls over guest Curtis Roush, a guitarist, singer, songwriter, producer, and recording engineer for 25 years, and founder of The Bright Light Social Hour. They discuss the challenges of being a full-time indie rock band, and Roush's creative process for composing and producing music. Find Curtis online : Instagram (@curtisroush) Spotify Find The Bright Light Social Hour...

In this episode, Q interviews Rabbi Ruth Abusch-Magder – a community connector, an artist, and a mom with a PhD. in Religious studies from Yale University and rabbinical ordination from Hebrew Union College. Originally from Canada, she now lives in Atlanta, GA, where she and her husband do pottery at the Spruill Arts Center. Ruth loves cooking and especially baking challah.  Please help us reach n...

In this episode, Q talks to Jena Kirkpatrick of Evermore.org, Jackie O’Brien of The Bright Light Social Hour, and Erin Walter of Parker Woodland about grief, and the role art plays in processing after monumental loss.  Buy tickets for Love is Evermore benefit show on 11/17/24:  https://evermore.org/love-is-for-evermore Find Evermore online: Website: https://evermore.org Instagram: https://www.inst...

In this episode, Q talks to her friend Tarik Trad, founder of Focus Relief Photography for Charity. They discuss Tarik's lifelong love of photography, a chance encounter that led him to Antarctica, and his passion for service that resulted in founding Focus Relief. Tarik is a wildlife photographer, digital strategist, storyteller and author who’s photography has led him to explore and capture...

In this episode Q hangs out with Erin Walter and Andrew Solin of the indie rock trio, Parker Woodland. The three of them discuss the evolution of Parker Woodland, their respective creative histories and processes, and their new album “There’s No Such Thing as Time” due out in September 2024.  More about Parker Woodland: Fast-rising indie rock trio Parker Woodland began as neighbors jamming in a sm...

In this episode, Q talks with Austin-based writer and author Roanna Flowers about Roanna's lifelong obsession with the written word, how she 'found her voice', and the benefits of breaking your own rules to overcome creative resistance. About Roanna: Roanna Flowers is a writer based in Austin, Texas. Her short story "The Bitches of Eastwick" was recently published in the anth...

In this episode of TQL podcast, Q talks with her friend Debra Haas about making jewelry and why its so important to her as a creative act. They discuss the difference between an art and a craft; how important it is to listen to practice self-care as an artist; and the value of having creative community. About Debra Haas: After 30+ years as a parent and policy wonk, Deb started taking introductory...

In this episode of The Qreative Life podcast, Q is joined by musician and frontman Nelson Valente Aguilar, founder of the nuevo cumbia band Como Las Movies. Listen as Aguilar describes the origins of his musical career, starting when he was five-years-old, and listen as he overcomes social, economic and creative obstacles to lead one of the most exciting emerging American-based Latin acts of the p...

Geoff Marslett is a director, writer, producer, animator and actor. His career started with the punk rock animated short Monkey vs. Robot before directing three narrative films Quantum Cowboys, MARS and Loves Her Gun, as well as producing on and acting in the experimental feature documentary Yakona and the upcoming film Before I Fade Away Into Nothing. He has appeared onscreen in films like Thou W...

Tanzila “Taz” Ahmed is a political strategist, storyteller, and artist based in Los Angeles. She creates at the intersection of counternarratives and culture-shifting as a South Asian American Muslim 2nd-gen woman. She’s turned out over 500,000 Asian American voters, recorded five years of the award winning Good Muslim Bad Muslim podcast and made #MuslimVDay cards for a decade. Her essays are publ...

In this episode of The Qreative Life podcast, Q sits down with LA-based PR and marketing expert Ericka Simone who has been working for decades in the music industry. They discuss what it takes to “make it” in the music business, and why Simone chose to follow her own particular path helping to launch and promote artists.  About Ericka: Website: https://www.espr.media Social Media: instagram.com/_e...

In this episode of The Qreative Life podcast, listen in as host Amanda Quraishi (aka Q) chats up journalist and film critic Zaki Hasan. The two of them discuss what makes for great storytelling, and what we can expect from the next generation of filmmakers. ABOUT ZAKI: Zaki Hasan is an award-winning journalist whose film reviews and analyses appear regularly in The San Francisco Chronicle, IGN, an...

In this episode of The Qreative Life podcast, Amanda Quraishi (Q) chats with Austin-based photojournalist Michael Maly. Maly began taking his photography seriously just five years ago, and since that time has earned a reputation for his work photographing musical acts in Austin’s robust live-music scene. ----- About Michael Maly: Wide-eyed, curious, and feeding an insatiable appetite for knowledge...

In this episode of The Qreative Life podcast, Q talks with her longtime friend, Tom Myer. They dig into Myer’s creative past and his recent reclamation of painting as a medium; and they talk about the meaning and purpose of art. This episode was recorded on a Friday evening, so prepare yourself for a slightly unhinged, swear-word-filled conversation between two self-proclaimed assholes. About Tom...

In this episode Q talks with textile artist and tai-chi instructor Natalie Durkin. They discuss what it took for Natalie to reclaim her creativity as an adult and make it her occupation; and they discuss the benefits of paying attention to our ‘drunken muses’ when they tell us to do random, interesting things.  About Natalie: Natalie Durkin is an artist currently specializing in using repurposed a...

This episode is a conversation with author Laury Silvers. She’s a retired academic and activist who took up fiction writing six years ago. Since then has published four books - a detective series set in 10th century Baghdad. Listen along as Laury and I discuss the process of changing careers at midlife, how to take legitimate criticism; and the importance of being open to accepting help and  helpi...