What Bubbles Up

In this, our annual Halloween episode, returning guest, novelist, horror writer, and CEO of Cold Room Entertainment David Bergantino joins us for a drink and a chat about writing for video games. In this conversation, we discuss how writing games requires non-linear "world building", making it decidedly different than writing for any other medium. We also talk about how AI-driven tools like GPT3 a...

"Candidates Apply. Remarkable Hires Get Found." Such is the tagline of Portfolio Rocket, the career management firm founded by this episode's special guest, Loren Greiff. Loren joins us for a conversation as part of our four-part miniseries geared toward stewarding a Creative career during difficult times. In this episode, Loren talks about how to best position yourself to pursue jobs that are nev...

In this episode, we are joined by Scott Gieske, a designer and creative director, who, after 25 years in the agency and consulting world, pursued his passion for fine art, and has never been happier. We discuss the path Scott took as a creative professional, and the events that inspired Scott and gave him the confidence to pursue his dream. We also discuss the commercial aspects of his thriving ar...

So many talented folks are suddenly finding themselves searching for their next opportunity, which begs the question, "how does a creative professional bulletproof their career"? Luckily, this episode's guest has the answers.  Joining Barry and Phil for a drink and a chat is Lee Andrese, Vice President of Learning and Development at Onward Search and a long-time career strategist and advocate...

Eiko Kawano, Director of Product Design at Loblaw Digital, joins us for a drink and a chat about the benefits of doing creative work outside of her "day job". When not leading teams in the pursuit of award-winning digital experiences, Eiko is a seasoned writer, with 3 novels and a novella under her belt. In this conversation, we discuss how Eiko's diligent pursuit of her writing side hustle refuel...

In this very special episode, Barry and Phil are joined by none other than Jesse James Garrett, co-founder of formative UX Design agency Adaptive Path and author of the seminal book, "The Elements of User Experience". Jesse takes us through his journey from designer, to entrepreneur, to business leader, to corporate executive, and finally to his current pursuit of providing Creative Leadership coa...

In this episode, the inimitable Dan Brown, Principal and Co-Founder at EightShapes, joins us for a chat and a drink about the world of Information Architecture. Dan talks about how the IA domain has evolved over the years, and how his company has evolved with it. In the process, we discuss what is needed to make good ideas come to life now that the skills and tools required to build well-construct...

In this episode, Merkle's Director of Social and Content, Nick Verlaney, joins us for a chat and a drink about all things social media. Nick runs down why each of the top social platforms were, are, and still can be great ideas. We also discuss the ways that businesses can uniquely take advantage of all the benefits that social provides, while avoiding the pitfalls and 'dark truths' that often com...

What were the best ideas at SXSW this year? Valerie Vacante, Director of Strategy and Product Innovation at Merkle, joins us for a drink and a chat live from Austin, Texas with her observations on the 2022 South by Southwest Festival. Val runs down her 5 favorite new product and service ideas of the week and dishes on other discussions, events and presentations from the festival. We cover everythi...

In this episode, Jack Bradley, Executive Producer and Partner at HiFi Project, joins us for a drink and a chat about the ever-changing world of commercial music production. We discus how to give constructive feedback (even when you don't have a music background), how to think through the dreaded "buy" vs. "borrow" vs. "create" question, and how much much it costs to license one of Annie Lennox's m...

In this episode, Andi Robinson, Global Digital Content & Brand Leader at Corteva Agriscience, joins us for a drink and a chat about successful content marketing strategies. Andi gives us some great ideas about how to launch successful content marketing campaigns, how to operationalize consistent messaging in a decentralized, global company, and shares with us why content isn't just king, but r...

In this episode, Dave Meeker, Head of Design & Innovation and Global Chief Innovation Officer for Dentsu Americas, joins us for a drink and a chat about design in a world enabled by Web 3.0. Dave gives us his honest take on the Metaverse, tells us why "shiny object syndrome" can be the right place to start inventing the future, and delivers a wild and entertaining history lesson on the web fro...

What were the best ideas at CES this year?  Val Vacante, Director of Strategy and Product Innovation at Merkle, joins us for a drink and chat about her observations from Vegas and the 2022 Consumer Electronics Showcase. Val runs down her 5 favorite new products and dishes on a few other "interesting" concepts as well. We cover everything from contactless commerce and immersive digital experie...

Join Phil and Barry as they crack open a cold one and discuss their New Year's Resolutions for the third season of What Bubbles Up! Drinks: Bent Water Brewing Company Thunder Funk IPA, Ithaca Beer Company Flower Power IPA

You’ve heard of beer flights. Well, get ready for a podcast flight! Join Phil and Barry as they host their annual Year in Flights episode and sample a collection of great moments from their second season of podcast interviews, each clip paired with a different craft beer. It’s been another wild year! Thanks for listening, commenting, sharing and joining us for every episode on this crazy ride. Hap...

In this season's (belated) installment of our annual Halloween episode, make-up and visual effects artist Stephen Imhoff joins us for a drink and a conversation about the science and artistry of his creepy effects for some well-known horror and sci-fi features. We delve into the inspiration and collaboration required for a well-conceived visual effect as he shares all his deep dark secrets about b...

In this episode, Producer and Storyteller Cole Kerrigan joins us for a beer and a chat about his Kickstarter campaign to fund “Mega Galactic”, a multi-platform science fiction concept starting with a Graphic Novel. Cole discusses the concept’s origin from a dream and a long Raman lunch, what it’s like to write for dinosaurs in outer space, and the ideas that make up his successful Kickstarter camp...

In this episode, Adam Morse - Designer, Technologist, and CEO of Components.ai - joins us for a drink and a chat about the complexities and efficiencies of computational design. We discuss the art and science of using scripts to generate the parameters of known UI patterns, how computing the design actually puts more control in the hands of a designer, and how choosing what NOT to do is the secret...

In this episode, singer/songwriter Jill McCracken joins us for a drink and a laugh about the craft of songwriting. We discuss the art and therapy of writing and performing songs, how a band's collective performance strengthens the songwriter's original idea, and how serious self-editing is the secret to yielding a stronger creative product. Enjoy! Drinks: Uinta Brewing Co. Detour Double IPA, Blue...

In this episode, Lance Shields, Director of International Design at Adobe, joins us for a drink and a chat about designing for international users. We discuss the "90/10" rule of design, the concept of working small in a big place, and we revisit the benefits of Design Safaris - aka: traveling to other locations to spend time with and truly understand how other people think, work, and behave. Enjo...

In this episode, Dan Mall, CEO and Founder of SuperFriendly, joins us for a far-reaching conversation about building prolific design teams, how to create a British Coffee House innovation culture, why rewarding the ‘worst’ ideas can beget the best ideas, and how stealing and remixing Gordon Ramsey’s scrambled egg recipe is the secret to getting good at anything. Enjoy everyone!  Drinks: Coca-...

Novelist and Creative Director Kathy Hepinstall Parks saddles up to the WBU microphone for a tequila shot and some priceless advice on listening to your inner horse brain "Clyde", how to write green and not red, and the power of making your metaphors work for you. Cheers, and enjoy the energy and vibrations everyone! Drinks: La Gritona Reposado Tequila, Bell's Brewery Oberon American Wheat Ale, Pe...

As he surpasses 3,000 posts, Round Seventeen Blogger and Creative Director Rich Siegel joins us for a drink and raucous chat about the power of writing to turn the tables on fake Nigerian Prince internet scammers, to get you occasionally banned from Facebook, and to turn a blank page into an endless opportunity to express every aspect of the joy and wonder of life. Drinks: Berkshire Brewing Compan...

Misty Bell Stiers, VP Creative Director of Inclusion at Citi, joins us for a chat and a drink about designing inclusive experiences. We discuss the differences between Accessibility, Diversity, and Inclusivity, why companies are finally leaning into DEI initiatives, and what it means to be a friendly neighborhood hope dealer. Drinks: Cambridge Brewing Co. Flower Child IPA, Guiness Irish Dry Stout,...

In part 2 of our special 2-part illustration episode, Storyboard Artist Tony Santo joins us for a drink and a chat about animating for Disney, EA Sports and storyboarding feature-length films. We discuss the power of creativity to make a first impression, how to collaborate with a personality like the inimitable Tony Kaye, and what it's like to work on Mulan and many of the most beloved characters...