The Smartist Podcast

"I'm the problem, it's me." Join us for part two of our series with Molly W. Schenck on the Smartist Podcast. In this follow-up episode (recorded in April of 2024), host Melissa Peck opens up about her creative burnout and the shame that delayed the release of the first episode. Molly and Melissa then dive into the evolution of the Grey Box Collective and Molly's journey as a...

Join us for an insightful episode of the Smartist Podcast with Molly W. Schenck, a multi-hyphenate artist and somatic practitioner. Recorded in 2022, this first part of a two-part series delves into Molly's essay, “Trauma in Theatre: Considerations for Arts Leaders as In-person Theatre Returns.” We explore how trauma affects creativity, the concept of “sneaky trauma,” and its financial repercu...

Many creatives feel torn between pursuing artistic endeavors and exploring alternative career paths. Is there a way to re-frame this internalized tension and address our nagging fear of "selling out"? In this episode, we dive into the world of creative entrepreneurship with our guest, Rachael Bosanquet, a successful entrepreneur who made a seamless transition from singing professionally...

This episode of The Smartist Podcast features an inspiring conversation with Registered Dietician Maren Stein, who has a unique background as a former High School Thespian and a lifelong best friend to Smartistry Founder Melissa Peck. Join us as Maren shares her fascinating journey from the world of academic theater to the realm of nutrition. Discover Maren's refreshing philosophy in her Clini...

How do you protect your artistic journey, legally? In this episode of The Smartist Podcast, host Melissa Peck interviews Attorney Ilya Zlatkin, whose firm specializes in Entertainment Law. Ilya provides insights into his unique approach to advocating for creatives and the challenges within the industry. He discusses his practice, catering to artists, and how it has evolved over time. Amid the rece...

"Did you try getting struck by lightning?" In this episode, host Melissa Peck has a dynamic conversation with Kevin Crispin – podcaster, performer, writer, and mental health advocate. Kevin reflects on his creative journey, discussing pivotal moments, including the impact of an unsuccessful referendum attempting to remove fine arts from schools in his town. Shifting gears, the discussion...

In this episode, Smartistry founder Melissa Peck interviews award-winning advocate, thought leader, and actor Rachel Spencer Hewitt. Rachel holds an MFA in acting from the Yale school of drama and her professional acting repertoire includes Broadway, off-Broadway, extensive regional work, international theater, feature films and more! Rachel is also the founder of PAAL, a national resource hub, co...

"Hugs and drink tickets don't pay the light bill". Award-winning international comic, writer, and educator Mona Aburmishan joins Smartistry Founder Melissa Peck to discuss humor as a tool for better communication and connection. Mona shares her successful and holistic approach to building a sustainable comedy career by diversifying the business model. She talks about embracing what she calls "woo-...

Theatrical designer, educator, and activist Elizabeth Wislar joins Smartistry Founder Melissa Peck to discuss the powerful and innovative new curriculum she developed for her undergraduate theatre class at James Madison University. Wislar, a registered member of the Northern Cherokee Nation, shares the personal career lessons from The Arts Business that she wanted to “pay forward”, as well as her...

In the second episode of this 2-part interview, Smartistry founder Melissa Peck and Chicago Theatre and Film Director Monty Cole (whose work has been seen at theatres like Steppenwolf, Center Theatre Group, The Goodman Theatre, and The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis, among others) discuss the intersections of film, theatre, and Experience Design and the "inevitable pivot" as the performing arts co...

Who do we serve? In his essay The American Theatre is Not Built for Us , Theatre and Film Director and recent recipient of the Bridge to Faculty Fellowship at UIC Monty Cole ponders the viability of the traditional non-profit theatre business model in today's environment. In part 1 of this 2-part interview, Smartistry founder Melissa Peck and Monty (whose work has been seen at theatres like Steppe...

"I love all the things I do." In keeping with her nature, multi-disciplinary artist and multi-passionate entrepreneur Kate Mura joins the Smartist Podcast to chat about a multitude of topics! Listen in on her discussion with longtime friend and Smartistry Founder, Melissa Peck, as they address the roots of Kate's artistry (is theatre really just like chemistry?), the performative nature of Tarot,...

Did you know artists and designers can make a huge, positive impact on our industry through some very small, simple changes? In this interview with Smartistry founder Melissa Peck, Chicago costume designer Kristen P Ahern shares her insights on ethical and environmentally sustainable practices for the arts. Founder of Conscious Costume, an organization focused on creating space and community for d...

In this episode, we're joined by advocate, non-profit leader, and storyteller Lauren Sivak.  Lauren shares ways that arts leaders are overhauling the creative sector, by discarding old cultural norms of systemic labor and pay inequality. A passionate advocate from an early age, Lauren describes the ah-ha moments from her career journey that motivate her to speak up for change.  She also...

Talent, passion, knowledge, and family all come together in this episode. Smartistry founder Melissa Peck chats with her friend, Chicago Director, Actor, and Artistic Director Hayley L. Rice about growing up "in the biz" and the lessons she absorbed from her parents, co-founders of First Folio Theatre, David Rice and Alison Vesely. Hayley shares her personal reflections on the precarious balance b...

From hangups to hiccups to holdovers- all artists have some sort of "money baggage" that we are holding on to (and it's so heavy!!). Whether they form as a result of our upbringing, our education, or our learned experience, our money beliefs influence every aspect of our creative pursuits and our lives. In this episode, Smartistry Founder Melissa Peck and Mollie Holman, LCSW, take turns on the hot...

It's one of the most uncomfortable, challenging, and potentially inhibiting parts of life as a working artist: getting paid. To build a sustainable career, we have to balance our passion with our professionalism. But how does an artist put a price on their work, and what systemic obstacles stand between the artist and fair pay, or pay equity? Elsa Hiltner tackles these very questions with her thou...

In this brand-new series for the Smartist podcast, Smartistry founder Melissa Peck has teamed up with Mollie Holman, LCSW, to explore the areas where creativity, emotion, and personal finance intersect. Their goal: to illuminate areas of stigma and shame for creative people, while confronting the taboo of talking openly about money. This episode's special guest: Chicago singer and bandleader Amy Y...

Get to know Smartistry's resident extroverted "Insurance Nerd", Maureen Mahoney. A lifelong devotee of the financial services industry, as well as an accomplished Chicago improviser, Maureen shares her passion for promoting financial literacy to everyone- even her romantic dates!  Learn more about how the Smartistry team is planning to support creatives through a network of trusted resource p...

In this episode we introduce you to the Smartistry team. We'll talk about our mission and goals and why we got started on this journey. Smartistry Founder Melissa Peck shares her thoughts and vision for serving the creative community and her "creative tribe".  Maureen Mahoney describes the impact of balancing both day job and creative work. Learn more about Smartistry's plans to support other...