Listen and Connect
You are invited on this journey of exploration and connection, as we delve into the power of vulnerability and authenticity.
Episode 09
Christian Hurst sits down with author Melissa Banczak for a wide-ranging conversation about writing, publishing, creativity, technology, and the realities of building a creative life. Melissa reflects on self-publishing versus traditional publishing, the myth of writer’s block, the value of creative constraints, and why maintaining control over your work can be as important as how it reaches an audience.
Episode 08
Christian Hurst sits down with podcaster and commentator Zach Randles-Friedman for a wide-ranging conversation about queer identity, podcasting, pop culture, polarization, and the power of authentic conversation. Zach reflects on building community through storytelling, the complexities of LGBTQ+ life today, the dangers of absolutism, and why representation, curiosity, and making room for different perspectives still matter.
Episode 07
Christian Hurst sits down with psychologist and Nerdy Psychologist Book Club host Dr. Brandi Hawk for a wide-ranging conversation about psychology, storytelling, identity, belief, and the ways fiction can help us understand real people. They explore cognitive dissonance, hypervigilance, character growth, complicated villains, and why stories can create a safe space for examining the beliefs, fears, and experiences that shape who we are.
Episode 06
Christian Hurst sits down with artist and visual storyteller A.J. Spitz for a wide-ranging conversation about creativity, virality, identity, faith, and the difference between attention and genuine connection. A.J. reflects on the rapid growth of his audience, the insecurities that can come with visibility, the role discomfort and personal growth play in his work, and the symbolism behind his distinctive stop sign imagery.
Episode 05
Christian Hurst sits down with author R. A. Dines for a wide-ranging conversation about writing for kids, reinvention, publishing, space exploration, and the future of technology. They explore her move from two decades in tech to full-time writing, the launch of How I Hacked the Moon, the emotional pull of the moon, and why AI increasingly feels less like science fiction and more like something we should be paying close attention to.
Episode 04
Christian Hurst sits down with science-fiction author David E. Graham for a wide-ranging conversation about creativity, storytelling, worldbuilding, technology, and the experiences that shape the stories we tell. David reflects on his path to writing, the influence of science fiction and cinema on his work, the challenges of building believable worlds, and what AI and modern technology may mean for creativity, authenticity, and the future of storytelling.
Episode 03
Christian Hurst sits down with podcaster Ed Pogue for a wide-ranging conversation about fandom, storytelling, nostalgia, and the ways shared interests can create real connection. They explore everything from Star Trek, Q, G.I. Joe, and The Twilight Zone to toxicity in fan communities, the return of dystopian themes, and why kindness, art, and challenging the status quo still matter.
Episode 02
Christian Hurst sits down with creative director and entrepreneur Kevin Fenton for a candid conversation about connection, identity, entrepreneurship, authenticity, and the values that shape creative work. Kevin reflects on his unconventional career path, the role of ego and strategy in branding, navigating identity in professional spaces, and how surviving cancer changed the way he thinks about resilience, control, and what matters most.
Episode 01
Christian Hurst sits down with writer, creative director, and entrepreneur Tricia Mirchendani for a wide-ranging conversation about creativity, career reinvention, parenting, work-life balance, and what it takes to stay connected to meaningful work. They explore everything from client relationships and team dynamics to entrepreneurship, empathy in storytelling, and the importance of celebrating progress along the way.