A Podcast for Creative People, hosted by writer Christopher Tallon, is exactly what it sounds like — a podcast for creative people. Whether you ’re a painter, writer, comedian, musician, business owner, or some other genre of creative, you can count on A Podcast for Creative People to bring you inspiration and information from creatives of all types to use on your creative journey. Go forth and be creative!
Episodes
Monday Apr 01, 2024
Ep.112 | Ivan Labra - Photographer, Videographer, and Coffee Maker
Monday Apr 01, 2024
Monday Apr 01, 2024
Learn on your own. Network. Get a mentor. Do awesome stuff. If you've got your foot in the door somewhere, kick that bitch in! Bet on yourself!
Get ready to take the world by storm after you listen to this one, folks. Ivan Labra is a self taught photographer/videographer who graduated from YouTube University (not a real thing), and does cool stuff all over the country.
We recorded at Carbon Stories in Grand Rapids, MI, where Ivan shoots and manages the office. When he's not shooting content, he's making coffee at Has Heart Coffee Shop.
Topics range from creative process, inspiration, being self taught vs. classically trained, overcoming doubt, how to get into something without training, coffee, Carbon Stories, film (specifically Christopher Nolan), and music.
Follow Ivan Labra
Shout Outs
Keep up with Christopher Tallon
@tallonwrites on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter/X
Go to www.christophertallon.com for news and updates about books, podcasts, appearances, and more.
Tuesday Mar 26, 2024
Ep.111 | J.B. Velasquez - author of "Tourist Trapped" and "Every Last One"
Tuesday Mar 26, 2024
Tuesday Mar 26, 2024
J.B. Velasquez is an author in Arizona. He's written two novels, so far, and they're both worth a read. Whether you like metaphysical stories of people doing drugs and getting stuck in the afterlife, or futuristic dystopian stuff, give J.B. a try.
We discuss his books, his process, publishing, promotion, and writing about drugs. This was fun and informative.
Enjoy!
Visit JBV's website:
Buy JBV's books:
Follow JBV on social media:
. . .
Keep up with the podcast and its host:
Monday Mar 18, 2024
Monday Mar 18, 2024
Michael Hyacinthe is an 8 year Navy Veteran who served around the world with the Seabees, the construction arm of the Navy. He left the military to pursue his interests in entrepreneurship. He currently has multiple ventures working in children's educational programs, a coffee shop, and works with veterans through the Grand Valley State University Veteran Entrepreneurship Lab.
Michael, along with my last guest, Tyler Way, created an initiative that wound up becoming a physical coffee shop of the same name, Has Heart, which connects injured/disabled veterans with artists to create designs that are sold in the shop. (And they serve great coffee. (As well as free and discounted drinks for veterans.))
Wimage, the app Michael created with his team, helps kids become producers, not just consumers, with the help of a character named Wimee, who has a TV show called Wimee's Words on PBS, as well as a bunch of books.
When you're in Grand Rapids, check out what Michael's got going on by visiting The Wimee Store & Studio at 125 Ottawa Ave NW Suite 150 Grand Rapids, MI 49503. It's open Wednesday–Saturday from 12:00pm– 6:00pm, and on Sunday from 12:00pm–3:00pm. And grab a coffee from Has Heart at 22 Sheldon Ave NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Monday Mar 11, 2024
Monday Mar 11, 2024
Tyler D. Way is a soft spoken, brilliant creative. He got his start sneaking into NBA arenas and pitching custom shoes to any player who would listen to him, which ultimatley led to being invited to the Nike campus to meet LeBron and present him a painting. He's worked in graphic design, fashion, and most recently coffee. HAS HEART serves coffee but it's more than that. HAS HEART also allows veterans to connect with artists to tell their story. As a veteran myself, I love that there's a social space where people can share their military experiences and get a free cup of regular coffee, as well as discounted specialty drinks and food.
. . .
Follow my guest, Tyler D. Way: on Instagram and/or LinkedIn, check out his Bio Site, and for the love of God, check out HAS HEART on Instagram or their website.
Follow me, Christopher Tallon: on Facebook, Twitter, and/or Instagram, check out my website where you can buy my novel, Switchers, about teens in 1996 who get into a time travel war against their adult selves.
Thanks for listening. Hit me up on social media and let me know what you think of the show!
. . .
Shout outs to HAS HEART and every one of the wonderful people who work there, Cpl. Joshua Hoffman, Mike Posner, Tayshaun Prince, Chauncey Billups, World Wide Wes, Chris Paul, Threadless, Treetops Collective, Brian Cousins at Wolverine Footwear, Phil Knight and Nike, Memorial Park, ArtPrize, and the City of Grand Rapids (MI).
Monday Mar 04, 2024
Ep.108 | Foster - The Emory & The Diatribe: Improvement without Displacement
Monday Mar 04, 2024
Monday Mar 04, 2024
I met Foster for coffee and a podcast conversation. This episode was recorded at The Last Mile Café, which is a black & female owned, b-corp certified business, and they have the best “miel” of all time. (Try “the last miel.”)
Foster is officially listed as the “Vibe Manager” of The Diatribe. He’s a poet, father, and a voice for his community. We met up specifically to discuss The Emory, but here’s a full breakdown of what we talked about:
00:00 – Cold Open
01:06 – Show Intro
03:28 – The Emory
20:04 – Upcoming Diatribe Events
22:13 – How to Get the Word Out
27:24 – Family Medical Emergencies
31:59 – Problems Facing GR
34:09 – Foster’s Origin Story
1:03:47 – Foster Reads His Poetry
1:23:47 – In Closing
(The original conversation was almost two hours and has been edited for time and clarity.)
Find Foster on Instagram and Facebook.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Right Now! | Support the Diatribe
Apr 28 | New Holland Brewing Co. | Annual Fundraiser w/ live entertainment
June 20 | Broadleaf Brewing Co. | The Diatribe wsg Bedrock
SHOUT OUTS
Dominic, Ben, and Tony from back in the day
IF YOU LIKE THE SHOW...
...follow me on social media: facebook, twitter/x, instagram
...rate and review the podcast wherever you listen
...tell people about the podcast
...consider buying my debut novel Switchers. Thank you!
-CT
Monday Feb 26, 2024
Ep.107 | SCOOB - The Trauma Project (Art, Music, Immersion)
Monday Feb 26, 2024
Monday Feb 26, 2024
If you enjoy Creative Ops, please rate and review it wherever you listen to help the show grow! If you dig the vibe, also consider supporting the host by buying a paperback or ebook copy of his novel, Switchers. Thank you.
. . .
Today's guest is SCOOB, an artist, originally from St. Louis, MO, now living in Grand Rapids, MI. He's the mastermind behind the multimedia art project and album, The Trauma Project, which you can see at Muse GR (727 Leonard St. NW, Grand Rapids, MI, United States, Michigan) March 2-3 & 9-10. SHOP FOR TICKETS NOW before it sells out!
LINKS
Radio Interview with SCOOB on 104.9 w/ Lisha B
News Article about the Trauma Project
FIND SCOOB'S ART IN GR
PERSONAL SHOUT OUTS
Tuesday Feb 20, 2024
Ep.106 | Shayna “Akanke” Marie - Creativity, Culture, & Community Activism
Tuesday Feb 20, 2024
Tuesday Feb 20, 2024
Shayna is a writer, poet, activist, radio host, filmmaker, and—in her words—a “textbook weirdo trying to figure things out."
Shayna uses her creative powers to entertain as well as uplift. She’s a teaching artist with The Diatribe, runs an open mic, and is working on having a birthday party with Oprah Winfrey.
We talk about creativity, culture, community activism, and more. Shayna is a fun person to hang out with and has a lot of good things to say. Enjoy.
Check out:
Shayna on Instagram (follow her for updates on her goings-ons)
The Diatribe (where she teaches)
Reaching Beyond Bias (a project she started)
All Shayna's other links (she does SO much!)
Thursday Feb 15, 2024
Ep.105 | Dante Cope Returns - GRAMMOTONES Grand Opening & Creating Cultural Spaces
Thursday Feb 15, 2024
Thursday Feb 15, 2024
Dante Cope—previously on Ep.84 | Dante Cope does EVERYTHING—returns to discuss the grand opening of Grand Rapid, Michigan's newest business and cultural space, Grammotones.
Grammotones is located at 120 S. Division in Grand Rapids, MI, and it is part clothing store, part music store, all cultural space. You can shop, listen to records, enjoy beautiful art, and pick up high quality used clothing as well as new clothing from local brands both big and small.
(You can also buy a copy of my book there!)
We talked about a lot of things and a lot of people. If there's something you heard about that you want to know more about, all the links are below.
Email Grammotones for inquiries: info@grammotonesmusic.com
- Dante’s World of Winter Ghost Town app in the App Store
- GR's go-to DJ: Adrian Butler aka AB
- Sir Manley
- "Library" by LILEL (ft Dante Cope) on YouTube
- LILEL on IG
- Artsauce Quartet on IG
- Travis Treadway (music/art)
- Sango
- Lady Ace Boogie
- George Eberhardt (muralist)
- Anthony Carpenter (illustrator)
My sincere apologies if I missed anyone. You're all amazing, creative people and we're lucky to have you in this world.
Be creative, be kind, and take care of yourself.
-CT
Wednesday Sep 06, 2023
Goodbye, folks! (For now...)
Wednesday Sep 06, 2023
Wednesday Sep 06, 2023
Find me, Christopher Tallon, slinging my novel Switchers in-person the next few weekends:
- September 8 & 9, 5p-11p, After Dark Art Market, Canal Park in Grand Rapids, MI (shout out to Lions & Rabbits Center for the Arts for the event)
- September 16, 10a-1p, Author's Alley, Hyne Alley, Brighton, MI (thank you to 2 Dandelions Bookshop for the opportunity)
. . .
Goodbye, folks! (For now...)
I'm not "ending" the show. Let's be clear there. I just need to free up time. I'm in the middle of writing another novel and I still have yet to record the audiobook for my first novel. So I'm going to be doing those two things mainly in the time previously spent booking, recording, editing, and promoting the podcast.
HUGE THANKS to all the listeners who got a copy of my debut novel Switchers. You guys are amazing, creative, supportive people. I appreciate you very much. For the first few months, you were the only audience I had. I hope you'll stay subscribed so we can catch up when the show returns. And I might do an episode here or there while on hiatus. There are people and things I still want to talk to and/or about. And I'll probably use the podcast to give updates on the new book as it progresses and whatnot.
Stay creative. Thanks for listening. I'll talk to you again.
Your friend in creativity,
Christopher Tallon
Monday Aug 28, 2023
Monday Aug 28, 2023
Nothing is impossible if you have dreams, ideas, and a willingness to work towards them. And my guest, Tara McCrackin (president of Kendall College of Art & Design (KCAD) AND vice president of Ferris State University), has an inspiring creative journey which showcases that.
She shares a bit about what her school has coming up, then we dive into her professional background, how she became a teacher, and how she then became president of a college just before the pandemic. Some cool and wild stuff.
Check out Tara and KCAD:
Tara's (short) bio:
Tara McCrackin was named President of Kendall College of Art and Design of Ferris State University (KCAD) in the spring of 2021. She concurrently holds the office of Vice President of Ferris State University. Her design career began in 1997, working in corporate office interiors. She designed spaces for Steelcase, Inc., and was the lead designer on the initial WorkSpring in Chicago, Ill., a co-working space incorporating state-of-the-art technologies and focusing on hospitality in the corporate environment. Pursuing her passion for sustainability, President McCrackin had the pleasure of working on the Rackspace Headquarters space in San Antonio, Texas. Most recently, she worked on the interior for the Kids’ Food Basket building in Grand Rapids.