Explore every episode of the podcast The Truth In This Art: Stories That Matter
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| A Conversation with Zoë Poindexter | 09 Jul 2026 | 01:16:22 | |
In this episode of The Truth In This Art, the guest is Zoë Poindexter!
In our conversation, Poindexter walks through her journey to A Revolution Called Love, a feature documentary inspired by Black Love Day—a holiday created in DC in the nineties by Mama Ayo Handy-Kendi. After living in DC for almost ten years without ever hearing about it, she called the founder and asked to attend. She showed up in purple—the colors of Black Love Day, which happens to be her favorite color—stayed for the entire seven-hour ceremony, and came back saying, "Yes, this needs to be made into a film." The documentary is structured around the holiday's five tenets: love for the creator, love for yourself, love for family, love for community, and love for the Black diaspora. We explore how she's weaving community voices throughout—filming interviews with Black Washingtonians defining what those tenets mean to them, with select responses used as voiceover narration in the feature. She shares her commitment to telling positive stories that aren't clichés—"We have way too many clichéd stories about Black people, Black communities. I often ask myself, why do we need this again? Who is this actually being made for?" She hopes the film sparks conversation around what we think love is—a deeper dialogue about intention, community, and making work that's truly for us. This conversation came about through a shared passion for storytelling—and the belief that the stories we tell should actually be made for us. Be sure to follow the project (@blacklovedocfilm on Instagram, Black Love Documentary Film on Facebook) and visit BlackLoveDocumentary.com to learn more and support the crowdfund. Both Defining Love: Voices of Black DC (a short oral history film funded in part by Humanities DC) and A Revolution Called Love are currently in production. Photo courtesy of subject. The Truth In This Art is supported by William G. Baker, Jr. Memorial Fund, the Maryland State Arts Council's Creativity Grant and Mayor's Individual Artist Award - Creative Baltimore Fund (Baltimore).
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| Paloma Vianey | Painting Through "The Most Dangerous City in the World" | 06 Jul 2026 | 00:53:39 | |
In this episode of The Truth In This Art, the guest is Paloma Vianey!
She shares insights on finding community in DC after moving six times in five years, her love for the U Street corridor (particularly Taqueria Xochi for authentic Mexican food), and how DC has been generous in giving her platforms to show her work. This conversation came about after I encountered Vianey's work at Umbrella Art Fair—a chance discovery that sparked a deeper dialogue about representation, resilience, and the power of challenging negative narratives through art.
The Truth In This Art is supported by William G. Baker, Jr. Memorial Fund, the Maryland State Arts Council's Creativity Grant and Mayor's Individual Artist Award - Creative Baltimore Fund (Baltimore).
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| Miles Johnson Interview - MJ On The Wall | Engineer Turned Self-Taught Painter | 02 Jul 2026 | 01:01:12 | |
In this episode of The Truth In This Art, the guest is Miles Johnson! About Miles Johnson: Miles Johnson is a self-described "unclassically untrained oil painter" and mechanical engineer based in the DMV area. In over 4 years—starting with over a year on iPad before transitioning to oils 3 years ago—he has created numerous pieces. His late grandmother was a painter herself who created approximately 300 pieces and inspired his creative path. Miles first painted her portrait last summer for his solo show.
The Truth In This Art is supported by William G. Baker, Jr. Memorial Fund, the Maryland State Arts Council's Creativity Grant and Mayor's Individual Artist Award - Creative Baltimore Fund (Baltimore).
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| Bernard Feinsod | 17 Years Behind the Scenes: Vice Media to Going Solo | 29 Jun 2026 | 01:17:03 | |
In this episode of The Truth In This Art, the guest is Bernard Feinsod! About Bernard Feinsod: Editor, producer, writer, director, sound designer, and voice actor with over 17 years of experience in comedy, documentary, news, variety entertainment, and live events. A Baltimore-raised, Brooklyn-based creative who started at NBC's Today Show at 21, spent eight years at Vice Media, and is now navigating the independent content creator landscape.
Photo credit: Dan St. Ours The Truth In This Art is supported by William G. Baker, Jr. Memorial Fund, the Maryland State Arts Council's Creativity Grant and Mayor's Individual Artist Award - Creative Baltimore Fund (Baltimore).
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| Jacob Ming-Trent | 27 Jun 2026 | 00:51:54 | |
In this episode of The Truth In This Art, the guest is Jacob Ming-Trent! About Jacob Ming-Trent: Acclaimed performer, playwright, and one of American Theater's people to watch. A celebrated artist bringing his solo play, How Shakespeare Saved My Life, to Washington, DC's Folger Theater, and later to The Public Theater in New York with Red Bull producing. In our conversation, Ming-Trent walks through his journey from a rough childhood in an abusive home to moving to New York at seventeen—having been homeless the previous year and recently dropped out of high school. He recalls the pivotal moment Shakespeare entered his life: at six years old, his father, an English major, mentioned the Bard alongside Amiri Baraka. Years later, he accidentally walked into the wrong classroom and was asked to read a Shakespeare speech. "It felt like home to me," he says. "The words were big enough to give context to my emotions that were inside." He digs into the origins of How Shakespeare Saved My Life, a play that poured out of him unexpectedly while working on a different project. The solo show follows a kid with a tough childhood who discovers Shakespeare and tries to use it to navigate his world—sometimes it works, sometimes it fails. "It's a raucous ride, it's outrageous, it's funny, it's sad, and in the end we experience some black joy," Ming-Trent shares. We discuss his decision to leave theater at 35 after feeling treated like "an affirmative action hire," his pivot to television in LA, and how a call from director Saheem Ali brought him back to the stage to lead Shakespeare in the Park in Merry Wives—which ultimately led to writing this play. He reflects on the influence of figures like Biggie, Tupac, James Baldwin, and Basquiat—all artists trying to save their lives through their work. He also talks about audience interaction, the differences between performing in Berkeley and DC, and why vulnerability and fear are necessary parts of telling personal stories.
The Truth In This Art is supported by William G. Baker, Jr. Memorial Fund, the Maryland State Arts Council's Creativity Grant and Mayor's Individual Artist Award - Creative Baltimore Fund (Baltimore).
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| Solana Rostick | 25 Jun 2026 | 00:57:20 | |
In this episode of The Truth In This Art, the guest is Solana Rostick! About Solana Rostick: Registrar and Collections Manager at Clark Atlanta University Art Museum. An emerging museum professional dedicated to ensuring underrepresented groups are reflected within institutional collection holdings. Born in Atlanta, raised in Tampa, Florida, and recently completed her Master's in Museum Studies from the University of Florida. In our conversation, Rostick walks through her journey into the museum world—from early childhood memories of making art with shaving cream on windows at age three to being inspired by her father, one of the few Black professional photographers in the Tampa area. She recalls a pivotal museum visit where seeing Mickalene Thomas's " Ain't I a Woman " became a moment of revelation: "for the first time, I'm seeing myself represented in art." That moment sparked her decision to pursue art history and museum work. She digs into her graduate thesis on Gallery 32, a groundbreaking Black-owned art space run by Suzanne Jackson in 1960s Los Angeles during the Black Arts Movement. We discuss her first six months as Registrar at Clark Atlanta University Art Museum, the challenges of transitioning from "internship mode" to being the person colleagues turn to for direction, and practical steps for diversifying museum collections. As she puts it, representation matters: "whose voices are we missing from this collection?" She shares insights on podcast listening habits, the Atlanta art scene, the importance of in-person connections over social media, and why she believes real conversations—not just memes—build community. Be sure to follow Solana Rostick and Clark Atlanta University Art Museum (@CAUArtMuseum on Instagram) to keep up with her work and future projects. Photo courtesy of subject. The Truth In This Art is supported by William G. Baker, Jr. Memorial Fund, the Maryland State Arts Council's Creativity Grant and Mayor's Individual Artist Award - Creative Baltimore Fund (Baltimore).
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| Artist Tyreek Morrison Discusses Fatherhood, Generational Legacy, and the Art of Collage | 21 Jun 2026 | 01:10:44 | |
In this episode of The Truth In This Art, I sit down with Tyreek Morrison!
Morrison explains his philosophy that collage is parallel to Black American traditions of making something from scraps—whether soul food in the kitchen or sampling in hip-hop. He talks about his influences, including Barkley Hendricks and the artist behind Gorillaz, and how skateboarding played the biggest role in his creative thinking. We also talk about the expectations placed on Black artists to constantly discuss identity and trauma, the competitive-yet-supportive creative energy between him and his father, why he views Instagram as "a big buffet of artists you could bite off of," and his upcoming projects including Atlanta Fine Art Fair with Mason Fine Art, Scope Miami, a solo exhibition in New York City in spring 2027, and his Future Fair baseball piece incorporating real dirt.
Photo courtesy of subject. The Truth In This Art is supported by William G. Baker, Jr. Memorial Fund, the Maryland State Arts Council's Creativity Grant and Mayor's Individual Artist Award - Creative Baltimore Fund (Baltimore).
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| Maurice Scarlett III, Baltimore-Based Visual Artist, on Using Pain as Power and Re-Imagining Black Representation in Art | 18 Jun 2026 | 01:00:47 | |
In this episode of The Truth In This Art, I sit down with Maurice Scarlett III! About Maurice Scarlett III: Maurice Scarlett III is a Baltimore-based visual artist and multi-disciplinary creative named after his father from West Baltimore. He is of Jamaican heritage and specializes in figurative art characterized by darker, alluring tones that capture the essence of Black figures. His journey began in 2010 with photography—documenting friends who were musicians, DJs, and clothing designers right after graduating high school. In 2017, fashion designer Kirby Jean-Raymond of Pyer Moss discovered him on Instagram and invited him to collaborate for New York Fashion Week, a pivotal moment that pushed him to take painting seriously. We talk about his evolution from photography to painting and how his work has become more grounded, immersive, and soulful—"more of his essence in it." Scarlett discusses his use of dark tones rooted in life experiences, grief, and learning to use pain as power. He explains his philosophy of embracing imperfections, quoting Miles Davis: "If you mess up on a key, keep that because that can make the song better." Scarlett describes his approach to portraying Black people in a "re-imagined way"—highlighting them beyond repetitive narratives of politics, slavery, and trauma. He shares how Baltimore shows up in his work subconsciously, with subtle cues that come naturally from growing up in the city. He introduces the word he associates with Baltimore art: grit—the do-it-yourself mentality of creatives who carved their own lane without waiting for platforms. His advice for artists: "Find your own lane, carve your own lane and stay within it, but at the same time experiment and stay curious—doing what's true to you."
Follow Maurice Scarlett III on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/mauricescarlett to see his work, including recent pieces "Smokey" (2024), "The Scene" (2025), and "Wu-tang Is For The Children" (2025). Photo courtesy of subject. The Truth In This Art is supported by William G. Baker, Jr. Memorial Fund, the Maryland State Arts Council's Creativity Grant and Mayor's Individual Artist Award - Creative Baltimore Fund (Baltimore).
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| Kris Fulton of Sophomore Coffee on Building Trust Through Consistency and Why Physical Presence Still Matters | 15 Jun 2026 | 01:10:30 | |
In this episode of The Truth In This Art, returning guest Kris Fulton is back! About Kris Fulton: Kris Fulton is a self-described coffee nerd, Baltimore-based coffee roaster, and co-owner of Sophomore Coffee, a neighborhood coffee shop in Charles Village. He opened Sophomore Coffee in April 2019, just months before the pandemic, and has spent seven years building it into a trusted community fixture. His journey in coffee began at a local café and evolved through his pivotal role at the Four Seasons Baltimore in 2011, where he honed his skills in luxury hospitality and elevated service that would shape Baltimore's food and beverage scene. We talk about his evolution from "punk kid working coffee on the side" to wearing multiple hats—plumber, janitor, counselor, delivery driver—as a small business owner who opened Sophomore Coffee without knowing all the ins and outs of running a business. He discusses the meaning behind the name "Sophomore"—embracing the second attempt, learning, and growth—and his philosophy of focusing on two pillars: coffee quality and service quality. He shares insights on surviving the pandemic, which forced him to start roasting coffee himself when wholesale partnerships became uncertain, and how that challenge became an unexpected opportunity. Fulton reveals his approach to being a reliable neighborhood fixture—open every single day, even in bad weather—and how that consistency earns trust and bandwidth in the community. He discusses his collaboration with other food and beverage professionals, his work with Tarleton, and his decision to keep Sophomore Coffee hyper-local rather than expanding. He introduces his advice for aspiring coffee shop owners: "Just be a sponge"—work in a coffee shop first, absorb as much information as possible, and understand that owning a café means you'll be working in it, not just managing from afar. We also talk about the importance of intention in coffee-making, why third spaces like cafés are indicators of a community's health, his newsletter as a way to connect directly with customers, and why physical presence and in-person experience still matter more than what can be displayed on social media in an increasingly digital world. Photo credit The Truth In This Art is supported by William G. Baker, Jr. Memorial Fund, the Maryland State Arts Council's Creativity Grant and Mayor's Individual Artist Award - Creative Baltimore Fund (Baltimore).
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| Megan Elcrat of Present Company on Hyper-Local Architecture, Preserving How Spaces Feel, and Place-Making in Station North | 09 Jun 2026 | 00:59:18 | |
In this episode of The Truth In This Art, returning guest Megan Elcrat is back! About Megan Elcrat: Megan Elcrat is the founding principal of Present Company, a Baltimore-based architecture and design firm where she specializes in urban revitalization, adaptive reuse, and creative workspace design. She co-founded the innovative Co-Lab Baltimore co-working space in Old Goucher, which houses both an architecture firm and a design-focused bookstore. Her work is rooted in the belief that architecture is fundamentally about experience and place-making.
The Truth In This Art is supported by William G. Baker, Jr. Memorial Fund, the Maryland State Arts Council's Creativity Grant and Mayor's Individual Artist Award - Creative Baltimore Fund (Baltimore).
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| Dr. David O. Fakunle II on Art, Storytelling, Health Equity, and the Power of Narrative | 02 Jun 2026 | 01:22:40 | |
In this episode of The Truth In This Art, the guest is Dr. David O. Fakunle II! About Dr. David O. Fakunle II: Dr. David Fakunle II is a Baltimore native, academic, and self-described mercenary for change and celestial body for change who has spent 25 years using art and storytelling for liberation. He is an assistant professor at Morgan State University in the School of Community Health and Policy and associate faculty at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. He serves as director of the TEACH Division (Transforming Equity through Arts, Culture and Health) at the National Great Blacks in Wax Museum, working intentionally at the intersection of arts, culture, and health. We talk about his evolution as a mercenary and celestial body for change, his role in developing the Urban Cipher game (originally called the Game of Appreciation) during his postdoc at Morgan State University —a Monopoly-style game that models how inequities are built into systems. He discusses his contribution to the paper "Life as We Tell It: A Revolution Through Narratives and Creative Expression," which explores narrative as a determinant of health, and his framework for understanding data: stories are qualitative data that answer "how" and "why," while quantitative data answers "who, what, where, when." Fakunle shares insights from his recent work at the National Academy of Medicine in DC on a national initiative to build trust between communities and health science. He reflects on teaching his 16-person qualitative research class and helping students understand that AI cannot replicate context—only humans can bring meaning and circumstances to statistics. He introduces his concept of the "existential determinants of health"—five universal virtues all humans want: to be acknowledged, appreciated, respected, understood, and loved. He emphasizes the need to embrace stories, not just tolerate them, because "in the stories are your answers," and discusses how storytellers preserve and uplift context in ways that institutions and policy makers need to understand. We also talk about what this work has taught him, the importance of time as the greatest teacher, showing up in person, trusting others to tell his story, and why physical presence still matters in an increasingly digital world. Photo courtesy of subject. The Truth In This Art is supported by William G. Baker, Jr. Memorial Fund, the Maryland State Arts Council's Creativity Grant and Mayor's Individual Artist Award - Creative Baltimore Fund (Baltimore).
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| Shaun Stewart of Patterson Pins | 26 May 2026 | 01:04:46 | |
In this episode of The Truth In This Art, the guest is Shaun Stewart! About the guest: Shaun Stewart is the HBIC (Head Bartender In Charge) of Patterson Pins in Baltimore's Upper Fells Point. Known for "killing the business, one cocktail at a time," Stewart brings years of bartending experience—including consulting for Hemingway's, features in Esquire, and competition wins—to his role at one of the oldest duckpin bowling alleys in the country, now reimagined with an arcade gaming and vaporwave aesthetic. Shaun has been part of many of the best, unique cocktail programs in Baltimore.
Follow Shaun Stewart at @shaunpointonepercenter and Patterson Pins at @pattersonpins. Photo courtesy of subject. The Truth In This Art is supported by William G. Baker, Jr. Memorial Fund, the Maryland State Arts Council's Creativity Grant and Mayor's Individual Artist Award - Creative Baltimore Fund (Baltimore).
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| Art Shopping Network's Maxwell Young & Amir Browder of HOMME DC ON 'Acquired Taste' | 22 May 2026 | 01:35:56 | |
In this episode of The Truth In This Art, the guest is Amir Browder and Maxwell Young! About the guests: Amir Browder is the curator, creative director, and founder of Homme Gallery in DC. Maxwell Young is the founder of the Art Shopping Network, a writer, and works on projects that socialize art buying and support living artists, nonprofit institutions, and galleries.
They compare running physical programming with online initiatives. Young stresses repurposing existing tools and trying imperfect, practical approaches instead of waiting for something polished; Browder centers collaboration and working together toward shared goals. We also talk about why in‑person gatherings matter and how to make room for artists whose work challenges and expands community conversation. Acquired Taste is a two‑day live auction and exhibition presented by @artshoppingnetwork, arriving at @HOMMEDC on May 29–30. Free RSVP! Join us in DC or tune in live at artshoppingnetwork.com.
The Truth In This Art is supported by William G. Baker, Jr. Memorial Fund, the Maryland State Arts Council's Creativity Grant and Mayor's Individual Artist Award - Creative Baltimore Fund (Baltimore).
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| Sarah B. McCann | 18 May 2026 | 00:56:40 | |
In this episode of The Truth In This Art, the guest is Sarah B. McCann! About Sarah B. McCann: Sarah is an artist, curator, and founder of SBM Gallery in Baltimore's Highlandtown Arts District. Her text-based mosaics, prints, and multimedia work has been shown nationally. She spent 15 years curating exhibitions nomadically before opening her own space this year. We talk about launching SBM Gallery and what it means to her to support artists working with love and justice—artists using their work to push for change and move us closer to where we could be. She walks through the gallery's programming: an Artists in Conversation speaker series, collector coffees, and events around Highlandtown's First Friday Art Walks. Sarah also shares how she builds real community among her artists—she hosts dinners before group shows so people actually connect as humans, not just as names hanging on the same walls. Sarah talks about shifting from nomadic curating to having her own space. She remembers unwrapping the first painting during COVID in 2021—the color, texture, and smell of that moment reminded her why we still need to show up in person. We get into how running an independent gallery lets her support artists who might not get institutional backing, upcoming shows like "All My Errors Are Human" about making mistakes in an AI world, and her own return to painting and clay after years of focusing on everyone else's work. We also talk about what it takes to build an art space with intention, why physical gatherings still matter, and how to make room for artists whose work pushes us to be better. Visit sbmgallery.com to explore the full exhibition lineup and programming through July. Photo courtesy of subject. The Truth In This Art is supported by William G. Baker, Jr. Memorial Fund, the Maryland State Arts Council's Creativity Grant and Mayor's Individual Artist Award - Creative Baltimore Fund (Baltimore).
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| Sam Furnish & Bemo's Clothing | 13 May 2026 | 00:58:32 | |
In this episode of The Truth In The Art, I sit down with Sam Furnish—founder of Bemo's Clothing and the guy behind Baltimore's "born in Baltimore" premium civvies movement. About Sam Furnish: Sam launched Bemo's Clothing in 2025 after years in the outdoor industry learning product development and manufacturing. The brand name comes from his father's childhood nickname—"Bemo"—given by Sam's grandpa in 1950s Midwest America alongside nicknames like "Peavy" and "Muley." When Sam moved to Baltimore and locals said "B-more," it sounded just like his dad's name. Bemo's Clothing is his homage to both the man and the city that raised him. We talk about that origin story and why it matters—how family legacy and Baltimore identity aren't just branding, they're the foundation of everything he makes. Sam's creating what he calls "premium civvies" and "born in Baltimore" pieces: clothing that reminds you of that perfect shirt or jacket you found in your parents' attic that suddenly became your go-to. Vintage-inspired but made with modern materials and finishes.
We also dig into what it means to build a brand with intention in an industry obsessed with scale and constant drops, how he thinks about creating pieces meant to last generations, and why quality and meaning trump volume. Sam's mission: make clothing that carries real stories, celebrate what makes Baltimore unique, and build a brand that brings people together—not just fills closets. Follow along at https://www.instagram.com/bemosclothing/ or check out https://bemosclothing.com/. Listeners can use code THETRUTHINITSART for 30% off. The Truth In This Art is supported by William G. Baker, Jr. Memorial Fund, the Maryland State Arts Council's Creativity Grant and Mayor's Individual Artist Award - Creative Baltimore Fund (Baltimore).
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| Rachel Mijares-Fick | 07 May 2026 | 00:56:17 | |
In this episode of The Truth In This Art, Rachel Mijares-Fick returns to the program.
We get into why people still want to experience art in person—to see the brushstrokes, feel the physicality of what artists make, and experience that magic that happens when people are together in a space. Future Fair creates that kind of environment: warm, welcoming, open. It's intentional, intimate, and accessible in a way that makes contemporary art feel conversational instead of intimidating.
--- If you're in New York this May, check out Future Fair, the forward-thinking contemporary art fair returning to Chelsea for its sixth edition, May 13 to 16, 2026. This year’s fair brings together 68 exhibitors from around the world, with a strong focus on curatorial vision, emerging and under-recognized voices, and a community-driven approach. The Truth in This Art listeners can get 30% off tickets with the code TITA2026 at futurefairs.com. The Truth In This Art is supported by William G. Baker, Jr. Memorial Fund, the Maryland State Arts Council's Creativity Grant and Mayor's Individual Artist Award - Creative Baltimore Fund (Baltimore).
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| Omri D. Cohen | 04 May 2026 | 01:06:42 | |
In this episode of The Truth In The Art, the guest is Omri D. Cohen!
Omri D. Cohen talks about his journey leaving home to backpack South America, the process of gathering perspectives for his book Questions to Humanity, building a video series from those encounters, and how storytelling and photography can foster curiosity and connection across cultures. We also dig into the logistics of long-form travel projects, publishing the book, and bringing strangers’ wisdom into public conversation. His aim throughout: to inspire curiosity, celebrate diverse voices, and create moments of belonging through questions and stories. For updates, follow https://www.instagram.com/qtohumanity/ and check out http://qtohumanity.com/. The Truth In This Art is supported by William G. Baker, Jr. Memorial Fund, the Maryland State Arts Council's Creativity Grant and Mayor's Individual Artist Award - Creative Baltimore Fund (Baltimore).
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| Interview with Douriean Fletcher: "Douriean Fletcher: Jewelry of the Afrofuture" at Walters Art Museum | 30 Apr 2026 | 00:59:40 | |
In this episode of The Truth In This Art, the guest is Douriean Fletcher! About Douriean Fletcher: An acclaimed jewelry designer and artisan whose work bridges adornment and storytelling. She was the specialty jeweler for Marvel's Black Panther and Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, and became the first jewelry artist to be part of an Academy Award–winning costume design team—an honor she achieved twice. Douriean has expanded into spacial adornment art, creating large-scale installations and immersive environments. In our conversation, Douriean Fletcher discusses her exhibition, Douriean Fletcher: Jewelry of the Afrofuture, at the Walters Art Museum and how a ring in the museum's collection became a touchstone for the show. Years ago, she found an ancient Egyptian brass and red jasper ring online—covered in hieroglyphics and telling a story of religious belief, culture, and tradition. She saved the image, not knowing it belonged to the Walters. When putting together the exhibition, she showed the curator that same image—and found out it was part of the museum's collection all along. Fletcher also talks about the parallels between her pieces and objects in the Walters' collection, including a sculpture of Isis and Horus that reminded her of the Dogon sculptures she referenced in the Ramonda dress for Wakanda Forever. She discusses her move from wearable jewelry to larger spacial adornment that transforms gallery spaces.
Photo courtesy of subject. The Truth In This Art is supported by William G. Baker, Jr. Memorial Fund, the Maryland State Arts Council's Creativity Grant and Mayor's Individual Artist Award - Creative Baltimore Fund (Baltimore).
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| Alex Jennings | 23 Apr 2026 | 00:51:01 | |
In this episode of The Truth In This Art, the guest is Alex Jennings! Who is Alex Jennings: Author, poet, and former standup comedian who lived in New Orleans for nearly 20 years—now working on his second novel from Chicago. You might remember Alex from my New Orleans series where we discussed his book, The Ballad of Perilous Graves, here. In our conversation, Jennings talks through his new book Dead End Boys—set in an alternate New Orleans where communicating with the dead is the main industry. He connects the project to comedy and digs into how moving from Louisiana to Chicago reshaped his rhythm. As he puts it, the book is "a chance to say something about blackness, about the pandemic and about the creep of fascism." He recalls discovering Henry Dumas and heading back to New Orleans for the Tolodano Comedy Festival. We get into living in one place longer than anywhere else, balancing graduate degrees with novel writing, and how that shift shaped his voice. Be sure to follow Alex Jennings to keep up with his work and future projects. Photo courtesy of subject The Truth In This Art is supported by William G. Baker, Jr. Memorial Fund, the Maryland State Arts Council's Creativity Grant and Mayor's Individual Artist Award - Creative Baltimore Fund (Baltimore).
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| Barry Wright III | 17 Apr 2026 | 00:56:44 | |
In this episode of The Truth In The Art, the guest is Barry Wright III! Who is Barry Wright III: Baltimore-based improviser, teacher, technology professional, and co-founder (and current board president) of Highwire Improv, launched in 2020. You might remember Barry from his first appearance on The Truth In The Art here.
He recalls launching 55 teams from across the world and running shows seven nights a week, all online. We dig into experimenting with programming like dinner-and-a-show, drop-in nights, worker-owned cooperative values, and how collaboration and feedback shape the evolving theater—all rooted in creating inclusive, community-driven arts programming that supports practitioners and connects audiences. For updates, visit https://highwireimprov.com/ Shows at Highwire Improv, 400 South Conklin Street, Baltimore. Photo courtesy of subject The Truth In This Art is supported by William G. Baker, Jr. Memorial Fund, the Maryland State Arts Council's Creativity Grant and Mayor's Individual Artist Award - Creative Baltimore Fund (Baltimore).
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| Cecilia M. McCormick | 15 Apr 2026 | 00:51:25 | |
In this episode of The Truth In This Art, the guest is Cecilia M. McCormick! About Cecilia M. McCormick: President of MICA (Maryland Institute College of Art) with 33 years in higher education, an art collector who raised three sons now working in the creative field. In our conversation, McCormick talks through MICA's bicentennial year and the vision she's building as the school hits 200. She connects the programming to three themes—illumination, innovation, and entrepreneurship—and digs into new degrees shaped by workforce demand. As she puts it, creativity is "the commodity that cannot be automated, outsourced, or depleted." She recalls the "Fête of Lights" event where students paraded light-inspired wearable art and staged interpretations of colonial life—everything from lanterns to candlelight soldiers. Importantly, students also reimagined a century-old Main Building painting that celebrated Maryland’s founding: rather than repeating its singular narrative, they researched it and layered contemporary interventions to challenge who is centered in that history. It’s a good example of MICA teaching craft alongside critical inquiry. We get into AI's role in the classroom, how MICA is teaching students to use it as a tool while emphasizing "the human mark," and the best lesson she's learned: "know when to pivot." Looking ahead, her focus is on experiential learning and driving Baltimore's creative economy. Be sure to follow Cecilia M. McCormick and MICA to keep up with bicentennial programming and future projects. Join MICA in Celebrating 200 Years of Creative Impact. Photo courtesy of subject The Truth In This Art is supported by William G. Baker, Jr. Memorial Fund, the Maryland State Arts Council's Creativity Grant and Mayor's Individual Artist Award - Creative Baltimore Fund (Baltimore).
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| Jess Owens-Young | 13 Apr 2026 | 01:07:06 | |
In this episode of The Truth In This Art, the guest is Jess Owens-Young! Who is Jess Owens-Young: Maryland-based collage and mixed media artist and professor who creates work informed by her experiences as a Black woman, mother, and former athlete, using vintage magazines (Ebony, Jet, Essence) to explore the joy and melancholy of Black life in the United States. In our conversation, Owens-Young talks about her transition from semi-pro soccer player to artist in 2018 and her two favorite series: Oak Bluffs Golf Club (exploring Black leisure and the hidden history of golf) and Hoop Dreams Never Die. As she puts it, "I use sports and our everyday experiences as storytelling vehicles to share our stories about joy, hopes and dreams." She recalls creating in her laundry room studio—"If I am waiting for a load of laundry to finish, like it has five more minutes, I might take out some paint and make papers"—preparing materials in 20-minute sessions so she's ready when inspiration strikes. We get into how motherhood has made her practice more focused, how teaching public health feeds her art, why her initials spelling JOY matter now, working with vintage magazines as time capsules, and why she invites viewers to interpret their own stories within her work.
The Truth In This Art is supported by William G. Baker, Jr. Memorial Fund, the Maryland State Arts Council's Creativity Grant and Mayor's Individual Artist Award - Creative Baltimore Fund (Baltimore).
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| Chandler Chavez | 08 Apr 2026 | 00:59:49 | |
In this episode of The Truth In This Art, the guest is Chandler Chavez. Who is Chandler Chavez: A Los Angeles–based filmmaker, editor, story analyst, and writer originally from Arizona, drawn to complicated characters and stories that test our empathy—especially when they’re filtered through the strange mechanics of online attention.
We also get into the long road from early festival submissions with unfinished materials to a stronger re-approach—new poster, press kit, and a tighter final version—leading to the project’s selection for the 2026 Maryland Film Festival. Catch Chandler Chavez’s feature debut at the Maryland Film Festival, April 8–12, screening at the SNF Parkway Theatre and venues across Baltimore. The Truth In This Art is supported by William G. Baker, Jr. Memorial Fund, the Maryland State Arts Council's Creativity Grant and Mayor's Individual Artist Award - Creative Baltimore Fund (Baltimore).
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| Kenny Riches | 07 Apr 2026 | 00:42:58 | |
In this episode of The Truth In This Art, the guest is Kenny Riches! Who is Kenny Riches: A Miami and Salt Lake City-based filmmaker born in Toyota City, Japan, whose award-winning features explore loneliness, identity, and human connection through intimate, character-driven narratives. With a BFA in Painting and Drawing and a filmography that includes The Strongest Man (Sundance premiere, 2015) and A Name Without A Place (2019), Kenny has received support from Sundance Institute, Knight Foundation, and PBS—and is co-founder of The Davey Foundation, a grant-giving organization for filmmakers. In our conversation, Kenny traces his journey from wanting to make films in the early 2000s when 16mm was still too expensive for a broke college student, to making skateboard videos with camcorders that evolved into short films alongside childhood friend and actor Patrick Fugit. He breaks down how Mouse—his fourth feature screening at Maryland Film Festival April 8–12 at the SNF Parkway Theatre and venues across Baltimore—emerged from pandemic isolation as a meditation on loneliness in the pre-social media early 2000s and a thriller about a lonesome first-generation person in ultra-white, ultra-religious Utah who gets tangled up in pen pal scams and petty theft. Kenny shares the bizarre real-life origin behind the film's scam storyline: a mysterious filmmaker friend he talked to for years without ever seeing his face, whose very existence his girlfriend suspected was an elaborate con—paranoia that bled straight into Mouse. He talks about directing his Japanese mother after convincing her a week before production (his pitch: we'll save money), the difference between Miami's endless weirdness through fresh eyes versus Utah's invisibility after a lifetime there, why he believes 90% of directing is casting, and running relaxed sets where everyone's cracking jokes instead of stressing out. We also dig into why pre-production and script feedback from actual filmmakers—not just your friends—will save your life, the collaborative magic of bringing all your people together to make something, and his advice to forget arbitrary deadlines because nobody cares if you made your first feature at 25. Don't miss Kenny Riches' Mouse regional premiere at Maryland Film Festival—a thriller that's funny, a little thrilling, and quietly cuts to the bone about what it means to look for connection when the world keeps you lonesome. The Truth In This Art is supported by William G. Baker, Jr. Memorial Fund, the Maryland State Arts Council's Creativity Grant and Mayor's Individual Artist Award - Creative Baltimore Fund (Baltimore).
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| Ben Baker-Lee & Rassaan Hammond | 06 Apr 2026 | 00:59:53 | |
In this episode of The Truth In This Art, the guests are Ben Baker-Lee and Rasaan Hammond! Who are Ben and Rasaan: Ben Baker-Lee and Rasaan Hammond are Baltimore-born filmmakers and co-directors of A Life in Art through the eye of Dr. Leslie King Hammond. Ben, founder of TrueView Film, has been documenting life through a lens since high school, drawn to film's power to capture truthful emotion and lived experience. Rasaan, who grew up immersed in the art world as the son of Dr. Leslie King Hammond (former dean at MICA), gravitated toward audio-visual storytelling early on, working in production, weddings, music videos, and now documentary film. Ben and Rasaan talk about their early influences—from 2001: A Space Odyssey at the Senator Theater to sci-fi classics like Star Wars and E.T.—and how their filmmaking journeys began with video cameras in hand. We dive into the origins of their documentary: what started as a casual request from Leslie to film one of her students evolved into a years-long portrait of a cultural architect and "way maker" for artists of color. They share stories of Dr. Hammond's warmth, humor, and fierce conviction, the challenges of shaping a lifetime of material into a cohesive narrative, and the intimate family perspective Rasaan brings as her son. The conversation also touches on the film's observational approach, the significance of Joyce J. Scott's relationship with Leslie, and what they hope audiences take away from the film. For updates and screening information, follow @Leslie_King_Hammond on Instagram, visit ALifeInArt.net, and catch the film at the Maryland Film Festival in Baltimore, April 2026, where Joyce J. Scott will present the opening night screening. The Truth In This Art is supported by William G. Baker, Jr. Memorial Fund, the Maryland State Arts Council's Creativity Grant and Mayor's Individual Artist Award - Creative Baltimore Fund (Baltimore).
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| Estéban Whiteside | 02 Apr 2026 | 01:02:09 | |
In this episode of The Truth In This Art, returning guest Esteban Whiteside is back! Who is Esteban Whiteside: A Durham, North Carolina-based artist, Esteban Whiteside creates bold social commentary through what he calls "concrete oppressionism"—work that confronts American cultural absurdities with childlike aesthetics, parody, and irreverent humor. Working across canvas, wood, and sculpture, his art is both therapy and truth-telling, making heavy subjects digestible through wit and visual directness inspired by artists like Jacob Lawrence. Esteban talks about his creative evolution since our last conversation, including his new clock series exploring history and revolutions, and how he balances tackling heavy subject matter with abstract work that lets him breathe. We dive into why he uses humor to shame oppression, the colors that make him happy (brilliant blue, yellow, and emerald green), and how his art reflects his personality—chill in person, but uncompromising when it comes to speaking truth. He shares stories about drawing daily lunchbox notes for his daughter that sparked the clock series, unconventional painting techniques (like writing text upside down or left-handed), and why Jacob Lawrence's Migration Series opened the door for him to become an artist. He reflects on the importance of making art accessible at every price point and staying true to his voice no matter what may come with that. For updates, follow @estebanwhiteside on Instagram and visit estebanwhiteside.com. Revisit Esteban's first interview on The Truth In This Art here. Image courtesy of Esteban Whiteside The Truth In This Art is supported by William G. Baker, Jr. Memorial Fund, the Maryland State Arts Council's Creativity Grant and Mayor's Individual Artist Award - Creative Baltimore Fund (Baltimore).
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| Veronica Jackson | 30 Mar 2026 | 00:58:06 | |
In this episode of The Truth In This Art, the guest is Veronica Jackson! Who is Veronica Jackson: A Washington, D.C.-bred and Virginia-based visual artist whose foundation is rooted in architecture and museum exhibit design. She critically examines the lives of Black women through innovative visual art, exploring themes of invisibility, hypervisibility, and devaluation—bringing powerful narratives to life using familiar objects, archival texts, and data. In our conversation, Veronica traces her late-in-life arrival to visual art—graduating from grad school in 2016 with plans to teach, then attending a Santa Fe residency where "art just started pouring out of me." She breaks down her seminal piece That's Pops’s Money, a data portrait memorializing her grandmother's devalued domestic labor through 813 hand-cranked time cards printed in blue ink on black paper—chronicling 67 years of marriage, nine children, and invisible work. Veronica explains how she pulls from established archives like the Library of Congress, Sojourner Truth's carte de visite statement "I Sell the Shadow to Support the Substance," Jefferson's Farm Book (which listed enslaved workers alongside cattle), and poets like Lucille Clifton ("...every day something has tried to kill me and has failed") to tell stories rooted in truth. She discusses her BLACKTIVISTS series spotlighting 13 understudied Black women from the 19th century, including Anna Julia Cooper—the only woman quoted in every U.S. passport—and reflects on how visual culture shapes perceptions, why Black land ownership matters, and what it means for Black women to mark, claim, and take up space. Don't miss Veronica Jackson's work—her archive-driven, text-based pieces make the invisible visible and challenge how we see history, labor, and value. The Truth In This Art is supported by William G. Baker, Jr. Memorial Fund, the Maryland State Arts Council's Creativity Grant and Mayor's Individual Artist Award - Creative Baltimore Fund (Baltimore).
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| Lanise Howard | 27 Mar 2026 | 01:00:48 | |
In this episode of The Truth In The Art, the returning guest is Lanise Howard! Who is Lanise Howard: A Los Angeles-based multidisciplinary artist, Lanise Howard creates work centered around a reimagining of different histories, especially within the black experience. She pulls from the past and from the future, which she often sees in her dreams. Working across paintings, drawings, sculpture, and soon textiles, Howard is a world-builder whose portraiture depicts Black bodies and paints often untold stories. Lanise talks about the three bodies of work she's currently developing: her main project, a sci-fi world based in the future but with a story that started in the 1970s; a more personal body of work featuring herself traversing different landscapes; and an ancestral series honoring different ancestors from the past. We dive into her world-building practice, how she merges the "future past" or "past future" to create parallel universes and new dimensions, and her approach of asking which medium best conveys each story she wants to tell.
This is Lanise's second appearance on The Truth In This Art—it's been a little over two years since her first episode. The Truth In This Art is supported by William G. Baker, Jr. Memorial Fund, the Maryland State Arts Council's Creativity Grant and Mayor's Individual Artist Award - Creative Baltimore Fund (Baltimore).
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| Ruut | 25 Mar 2026 | 00:50:06 | |
In this episode of The Truth In The Art, the guest is Ruut! Who is Ruut: A Finnish-born, Maryland-based singer, songwriter, composer, and writer, Ruut is a multidisciplinary artist and creative leader known for her evocative music and dedication to uplifting women artists. She’s the founder of the Making Her Mark Foundation, a young nonprofit born from personal loss that connects, mentors, and amplifies women artists in Baltimore and beyond. Ruut talks about discovering music as a child at the piano, moving to the United States as a teen, and the moment creativity became her calling. We dive into how Making Her Mark grew out of honoring a mentor’s legacy, the early challenges and surprising community response to a “baby” organization, and stories of mentorship—like helping a hesitant student find her voice and confidence through creative projects. Ruut also shares practical details about her music journey: a new record partnership with ECR Meridian, forthcoming shows, and where she’ll be sharing new work this year. She reflects on creative routines (5:30 a.m. writing sessions with her dog as an alarm), the emotional work of returning to past recordings like the Steinway sessions, and what the phrase “art saves us” means to her now—how art can honor memory, foster resilience, and create spaces of belonging. For updates, follow @ruutartist, visit https://www.ruutartist.com, and if you’re a woman artist seeking connection and mentorship, check out makinghermark.org. Image courtesy of Steven Parke The Truth In This Art is supported by William G. Baker, Jr. Memorial Fund, the Maryland State Arts Council's Creativity Grant and Mayor's Individual Artist Award - Creative Baltimore Fund (Baltimore).
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| Barbara Perez Marquez | 23 Mar 2026 | 01:03:43 | |
In this episode of The Truth In The Art, the guest is Barbara Perez Marquez!
Her aim throughout: representation, strong storytelling, and a sense of belonging for young readers. For updates, visit www.mustachebabs.com Photo by Jason Gitlin. The Truth In This Art is supported by William G. Baker, Jr. Memorial Fund, the Maryland State Arts Council's Creativity Grant and Mayor's Individual Artist Award - Creative Baltimore Fund (Baltimore).
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| Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Secret of the Ooze (Feed Drop) | 22 Mar 2026 | 01:17:52 | |
Back by Bodacious Demand. Let's Watch It Again is back! Rob Lee and Isaiah Winters revisit the 1991 childhood classic Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Secret of the Ooze for its 35th anniversary. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Secret of the Ooze (1991) drops the turtles back into a messy, fun, 90s adventure: reconnecting with April and Splinter, fighting Tokka and Rahzar, and chasing the mysterious ooze that created them. It’s loud, goofy, full of practical effects, puppetry, and pure kid‑movie energy. In this episode, Rob and Isaiah mix straight-up nostalgia with clear-eyed takes. No fluff — just the moments we loved, the parts that aged weirdly, and why this movie still matters to us. Topics include:
Wanna listen to Rob make another funny? Check out the review of the original 1990 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles review — give it a listen and relive the nostalgia. Cowabunga. The Truth In This Art is supported by William G. Baker, Jr. Memorial Fund, the Maryland State Arts Council's Creativity Grant and Mayor's Individual Artist Award - Creative Baltimore Fund (Baltimore).
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| Juan Morales | 19 Mar 2026 | 00:53:55 | |
In this episode of The Truth In The Art, the guest is Juan Morales! Who is Juan Morales: Maryland native, writer and director whose films explore immigration, racism, and community; currently developing the feature Abhaile about a small town overtaken by a white supremacist group. Juan talks about his path from nearly attending medical school to filmmaking, why he wrote Abhaile from the perspective of a Latina protagonist, and the challenges of telling a large story with a small cast. We also dig into research, collaboration, mentorship, and how community shapes and sustains creative work. His aim throughout: to tell timely stories that provoke conversation about belonging, identity, and justice. For updates, follow https://www.instagram.com/j.mor_95/ The Truth In This Art is supported by William G. Baker, Jr. Memorial Fund, the Maryland State Arts Council's Creativity Grant and Mayor's Individual Artist Award - Creative Baltimore Fund (Baltimore).
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| Jamilla Okubo | 16 Mar 2026 | 00:56:24 | |
In this episode of The Truth In This Art, the guest is Jamilla Okubo!
Don't miss Jamilla Okubo's work—her bold, layered silhouettes tell stories of identity, heritage, and belonging you won't want to overlook. The Truth In This Art is supported by William G. Baker, Jr. Memorial Fund, the Maryland State Arts Council's Creativity Grant and Mayor's Individual Artist Award - Creative Baltimore Fund (Baltimore).
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| Currie Lee | 10 Mar 2026 | 01:06:42 | |
In this episode of The Truth In This Art, the guest is Currie Lee! Who is Currie Lee: Filmmaker and artist with a photography background, focused on visual stories about complicated relationships. In our conversation, Currie talks through her short film The Haze—a psychological horror about a toxic relationship. She connects the project to personal moments that pulled her back into making art and digs into choices that shaped the film’s edit and camera language. As she puts it, “you’re upset and unhappy because you’re not the one making the art.” She recalls a Q&A after a screening where she realized she was speaking before she’d decided to—steadying herself by looking to friends in the front row. We get into collaboration and making adjustments when feedback or funding reshapes a plan, and how staying connected keeps the work moving. Be sure to follow Currie Lee to keep up with her films and future projects. Photo courtesy of Chris Sigamony The Truth In This Art is supported by William G. Baker, Jr. Memorial Fund, the Maryland State Arts Council's Creativity Grant and Mayor's Individual Artist Award - Creative Baltimore Fund (Baltimore).
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| Nicole Clark | 03 Mar 2026 | 01:03:19 | |
In this episode of The Truth In This Art, the guest is Nicole Clark! Who is Nicole Clark: Chicago-born, Baltimore-based artist and writer. Nicole works across paint, prose, and collage, often pulling from personal paper trails to build layered, funny, and pointed reflections on women’s lives. In our conversation, Nicole talks about moving from “Chicago proper” to Baltimore, why she leans on blinders to avoid comparison, and how running her own race keeps the work honest. She walks through mixing mediums—abstract and figurative painting with text and collage—and how revisiting old artifacts lets her thread humor, memory, and critique into a single piece. We also get into the art-and-business overlap: accidental entrepreneurship becoming intentional, and finding voice and community in Baltimore’s scene. Explore Nicole’s work and writing at https://tilqueendomcome.com/ and on Instagram at @til_queendom_come. The Truth In This Art is supported by William G. Baker, Jr. Memorial Fund, the Maryland State Arts Council's Creativity Grant and Mayor's Individual Artist Award - Creative Baltimore Fund (Baltimore).
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| Santos Shelton | 26 Feb 2026 | 00:57:26 | |
In this episode of The Truth In This Art, artist Santos Shelton returns!
As a first, I have an extended version of this conversation if you want to check it out: The Truth In This Art is supported by William G. Baker, Jr. Memorial Fund, the Maryland State Arts Council's Creativity Grant and Mayor's Individual Artist Award - Creative Baltimore Fund (Baltimore).
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| TrisRex (Tristian Johnson) | 24 Feb 2026 | 01:14:37 | |
In this episode of The Truth In This Art, the guest is returning filmmaker Tristian “TrisRex” Johnson!
In our conversation, TrisRex digs into his latest project, Aliens Resurgence (for the Hive). He talks through post-production—“doing a bid”—and how the edit sets pacing and tension. He breaks down working with real people alongside fabricated characters, including Big Pookie—“the biggest diva”—and what it takes to design, move, and shoot large-scale practical monsters. We get into planning for complex scenes, scrapping or reshooting choices, and staying disciplined so the story holds together while he pushes into unconventional territory. Don't miss Aliens Resurgence (for the Hive) —it’s a wild ride you won't want to overlook. The Truth In This Art is supported by William G. Baker, Jr. Memorial Fund, the Maryland State Arts Council's Creativity Grant and Mayor's Individual Artist Award - Creative Baltimore Fund (Baltimore).
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| Jonene Lee | 17 Feb 2026 | 00:55:41 | |
In this episode of The Truth In This Art, the guest is Jonene Lee! Who is Jonene Lee: Philadelphia-based curator and owner of NoName Gallery, with roots in photography, dance, and deep ties across the city’s music and arts community. In our conversation, Jonene lays out how photography—documenting friends, parties, and performances—shaped her curatorial eye. She talks about organizing Philly DJ Day, uniting around 300 Philadelphia DJs for a single group photograph inspired by Gordon Parks. We get into her dance background and how that sense of rhythm and flow shows up in how she builds exhibitions and events. She also breaks down opening NoName Gallery in Chestnut Hill—learning business on the fly, tapping community support, and expanding the gallery’s role beyond a white-wall space to include urban, street, pop, abstract, and contemporary work, plus artist-made home furnishings. At the center is connection: photos that turn into relationships, music that anchors the scene, and a gallery that serves both artists and neighborhood. Be sure to check out NoName Gallery and explore the fantastic artists who are shaping the Philadelphia art scene. Visit NoNameGalleryPhilly.com for all the latest updates! The Truth In This Art is supported by William G. Baker, Jr. Memorial Fund, the Maryland State Arts Council's Creativity Grant and Mayor's Individual Artist Award - Creative Baltimore Fund (Baltimore).
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| Dr. Lawrence T. Brown | 12 Feb 2026 | 01:07:20 | |
In this episode of The Truth In This Art, the guest is Dr. Lawrence T. Brown! Who is Dr. Lawrence T. Brown: Research scientist at Morgan State University’s Center for Urban Health Equity and author of The Black Butterfly: The Harmful Politics of Race and Space in America.
The Truth In This Art is supported by William G. Baker, Jr. Memorial Fund, the Maryland State Arts Council's Creativity Grant and Mayor's Individual Artist Award - Creative Baltimore Fund (Baltimore).
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| Rolando Reid | 05 Feb 2026 | 00:53:25 | |
In this episode of The Truth In This Art, the guest is Rolando Reid! Who is Rolando Reid: A 2016 Morgan State graduate and two-time Olympian with Jamaica’s four-man bobsled team—Beijing 2022 and the current 2026 Winter Olympics—making him the first Morgan athlete to compete in the Winter Games.
The Truth In This Art is supported by William G. Baker, Jr. Memorial Fund, the Maryland State Arts Council's Creativity Grant and Mayor's Individual Artist Award - Creative Baltimore Fund (Baltimore).
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| Gianna Brooke | 30 Jan 2026 | 00:48:10 | |
In this episode of The Truth In This Art, the guest is Gianna Brooke! Who is Gianna Brooke: Gianna Brooke is an entertainment reporter with a fun and friendly vibe. Her natural charm and enthusiasm make every story engaging, turning even the simplest topics into something exciting. When she’s not busy covering the latest lifestyle trends, she’s flexing her creative muscles as an actor and model. Gianna enjoys diving into new projects and is always looking for fresh ideas to showcase on her social media platforms. Her approach to storytelling is all about genuine connections, celebrating the unique experiences of people she meets. In this episode, Gianna opens up about her journey into the entertainment journalism industry. She shares how a high school project, where she and a friend created funny morning announcements, ignited her love for storytelling. Reflecting on her experiences, Gianna discusses the challenges of merging emotions with facts in journalism, stressing how important it is to prepare well before sharing stories. Believing that every conversation matters, she strives to make people feel comfortable and open during interviews. Throughout our discussion, she emphasizes how vital it is to stay connected with the communities she covers, showing how her own experiences have informed her storytelling in a relatable way. Here's Gianna Brooke's website The Truth In This Art is supported by William G. Baker, Jr. Memorial Fund, the Maryland State Arts Council's Creativity Grant and Mayor's Individual Artist Award - Creative Baltimore Fund (Baltimore).
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| Danielle De Jesus | 27 Jan 2026 | 01:00:17 | |
In this episode of The Truth In This Art, the guest is Danielle De Jesus! Who is Danielle De Jesus: Danielle De Jesus is a Nuyorican painter and photographer born and raised in Bushwick, Brooklyn, whose works tell the story of growing up in New York City amidst gentrification and displacement. De Jesus draws from her experience growing up in the diaspora as a native of Bushwick, New York to document her home neighborhood while creating narratives that uplift the lives and stories of the multi diverse residents she grew up with. Danielle De Jesus' work pushes us to think critically about the larger economies of urban America, but also about matters of intimacy and the interior lives of local residents. In this episode, Danielle shares her story. In the conversation, De Jesus shares insight on her process, intricate small-scale works, and painting dollar bills to narrate Puerto Rican politics, identity, community, rooted in Bushwick. She discusses how a viral 2016 painting of Lin‑Manuel Miranda as Hamilton on a $10 bill led her to repurpose dollar bills as political archives, inviting viewers to reconsider value through tiny, painstaking details. She reflects on gentrification, the persistence of local culture, and the struggle to remain in New York—even with a Yale degree—so her work stays connected to the people it documents. Be sure to check out Danielle's Paintings on US Currency Here's Danielle De Jesus's website The Truth In This Art is supported by William G. Baker, Jr. Memorial Fund, the Maryland State Arts Council's Creativity Grant and Mayor's Individual Artist Award - Creative Baltimore Fund (Baltimore).
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| Rob Lee | 20 Jan 2026 | 00:30:52 | |
In this new episode of The Truth In This Art, the guest on this episode is me, Rob Lee! Who is Rob Lee: Rob Lee, veteran podcaster, cultural critic and educator, is the host of The Truth In This Art, a podcast rooted in human connection in a world dominated by self-promotion and rankings. Through intimate, authentic, and conversational interviews, Rob invites listeners to connect deeply with the city of Baltimore while gaining insight from a diverse range of professionals—artists, chefs, professors, activists, CEOs, and more. In this episode, I'm interviewed by some of my favorite guests and friends including artists Maurice James Jr. , Zoë Lintzeris and arts administrator Camille Kashaka. The hosts peel back the curtain a bit to reveal who I am. In this episode, I'm interviewed by Maurice James Jr., Zoë Lintzeris, and Camille Kashaka as we uncover the story beneath the work, discuss film experience and its cultural impact, and explore how algorithms, media dynamics, and artist compensation shape creative life and the need to protect one’s peace. Get to know me in a whole new way! The Truth In This Art is supported by William G. Baker, Jr. Memorial Fund, the Maryland State Arts Council's Creativity Grant and Mayor's Individual Artist Award - Creative Baltimore Fund (Baltimore).
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| Phaan Howng | 15 Jan 2026 | 01:38:12 | |
In this episode of The Truth In This Art, the guest is Phaan Howng! Who is Phaan Howng: Phaan Howng is a Taiwanese American multidisciplinary artist who lives and works in Baltimore, Maryland. Howng creates lush, vegetal paintings and installations that examine the various historical perplexities within human-plant relationships, particularly humans' desire to control and tame nature. Her work, Big Ass Snakes on a Plane, is currently on view publicly in the Station North Arts and Entertainment District in Baltimore as one of the installations in the public arts initiative Inviting Light. In this episode, Phaan shares her story. Phaan shares her start moving from Florida to North Carolina to settling in her current base of Baltimore all while explore art as a career. Howng discusses what it was like finding her multidisciplinary approach to making art and her curiosity with plants. Howng describes some highlights from 2025 including her work, Big Ass Snakes on a Plane, and her work curating EXCEEDS EXPECTATIONS, which features the work of 25 artists of the APIMEDA (Asian, Pacific Islander, Middle Eastern, and Desi American) diaspora who live and create in the Baltimore and the DMV area. Be sure to check out Big Ass Snakes on a Plane in the Start North Arts district. Phaan's website is https://www.phaan.com/ The Truth In This Art is supported by William G. Baker, Jr. Memorial Fund, the Maryland State Arts Council's Creativity Grant and Mayor's Individual Artist Award - Creative Baltimore Fund (Baltimore).
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| Lonnie Millsap | 08 Jan 2026 | 00:54:49 | |
In this premiere of The Truth In This Art, the guest on this episode is Lonnie Millsap! Who is Lonnie Millsap: Lonnie Millsap is an award-nominated (Thurber Prize, Reuben Award nominee) Los Angeles-based cartoonist. He is known for his work in the New Yorker Magazine, where he's word has been pushlished over 90 times, his synicated cartoon 'bacön' and over publishing over 13 books including his most recent, 'My Pockets Are Juicy!', The juiciest collection of cartoons ever drawn. Millsap is known for his unique illustration style and humor. Also, Millsap has earned the praise of cartooning legends like Keith Knight, Gary Panter, Sergio Aragones, Dan Piraro and Jim Benton. In this episode, Lonnie shares his story. In it, Millsap describes turning his childhood passion of drawing everything into a carerr of publishing books as well as welling them. Millsap shares some of his inspiration from Gary Panter and Charles M. Schulz. Millsap also provides some background on 'The juiciest collection of cartoons ever drawn.', My Pockets Are Juicy!' and his syndicated comic 'bacön'. Lonnie shares his thoughts on the community within indie comics and cartooning. (Lonnie and I met during in the indie comics loop - initially at Small Press Expo and then I had the chance to interview Lonnie at Cartoon Crossroads Columbus in 2025, it was great!) This was a great way to start off the new season and I hope you enjoy. Lonnie's website is https://lonniemillsap.com/ The Truth In This Art is supported by William G. Baker, Jr. Memorial Fund, the Maryland State Arts Council's Creativity Grant and Mayor's Individual Artist Award - Creative Baltimore Fund (Baltimore).
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| Ben Passmore | 19 Nov 2025 | 01:15:34 | |
Ben Passmore closes out this season of The Truth in This Art.
An award-winning cartoonist whose work ranges from the fantastical to the autobiographical, Passmore brings sharp, often humorous social commentary on politics, activism, white supremacy, sports, and the Black American experience. In this episode, Passmore shares the story behind Black Arms to Hold You Up—why he chose graphic nonfiction, how he approached making it, and the care required when drawing real people and histories. He breaks down craft decisions that make complex ideas legible without flattening them, and how he balances clarity, intention, and voice.
Topics Covered:
Make the conversation count: buy Black Arms to Hold You Up. Passmore’s new graphic nonfiction holds contradiction with care, keeps the humor respectful, and carries history without flattening it. The Truth In This Art is supported by William G. Baker, Jr. Memorial Fund, the Maryland State Arts Council's Creativity Grant and Mayor's Individual Artist Award - Creative Baltimore Fund (Baltimore).
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| 73 - How Did Precious Rubbish Take Shape? | Kayla E. (award-winning artist, Precious Rubbish, Fantagraphics) | 12 Nov 2025 | 01:16:07 | |
Kayla E. joins The Truth In This Art to discuss Precious Rubbish. Kayla E. (award-winning artist, Creative Director at Fantagraphics, 2023–2024 Princeton Hotter Fellow) joins Rob Lee to discuss her debut full-length graphic memoir, Precious Rubbish.
The conversation also digs into audience and context: setting aside what’s proper, traditional, or would sell; focusing on truth over convention; and connecting the memoir to a broader art practice across mediums. It’s about how comics and fine art can hold difficult life stories while inviting readers to look closer. Topics Covered:
Make the conversation count: read Precious Rubbish—grab it from your library, Amazon, or thriftbooks.com. Kayla E.'s graphic memoir stays true to lived experience, trusts instinct, and turns memory into art without sanding off its edges. The Truth In This Art is supported by William G. Baker, Jr. Memorial Fund, the Maryland State Arts Council's Creativity Grant and Mayor's Individual Artist Award - Creative Baltimore Fund (Baltimore).
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| 72 - What's New With the Maryland Film Festival for 2025 | KJ Mohr | 05 Nov 2025 | 00:47:23 | |
Professional film curator and educator KJ Mohr returns to The Truth In This Art to talk about the Maryland Film Festival (MdFF) and Baltimore’s indie film scene at the SNF Parkway! In the conversation we explore the 2025 Maryland Film Festival (MdFF)—what’s new, including the amazing new website and Festival Journeys—what still matters, and how a festival can truly feel like home. As director of the Festival and year-round programming, KJ shares how listening to instinct and inviting many voices into the process shape a lineup that feels authentically Baltimore and true to independent film. A large, local screening committee helps build the program from the ground up, and the Parkway’s communal vibe keeps people talking long after the credits roll. From indie film discoveries to community-centered conversations, MdFF 2025 champions Baltimore’s film scene at the SNF Parkway. Festival Journeys: Four clear entry points—MdFF Pride (like I Was Born This Way), Black Voices (like Sun Ra: Do the Impossible and Kouté vwa), She/They (like Bay to Baltimore featuring ultramarathon open‑water swimmer and painter—and Truth in This Art alum—Katie Pumphrey), and WTF (like Fuck Toys)—to help audiences navigate with ease. CineTech: Free-with-registration demos and conversations highlighting gaming and interactive, choose‑your‑own‑adventure storytelling, expanding how audiences experience moving images and connect across creative communities.
Mission and SNF Parkway’s future: A welcoming home base where films, filmmakers, and audiences connect—an inclusive, community‑rooted space that reflects Baltimore while linking to the wider film world.
The Truth In This Art is supported by William G. Baker, Jr. Memorial Fund, the Maryland State Arts Council's Creativity Grant and Mayor's Individual Artist Award - Creative Baltimore Fund (Baltimore).
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| Tales from the Hood (1995): A Retrospective with Lea Anderson (FEED DROP) | 31 Oct 2025 | 01:18:45 | |
Chill or Be Chilled. Let's Watch It Again is back! Rob Lee is joined by Lea Anderson to discuss the 1995 cult classic Tales from the Hood! Tales from the Hood (1995) is a Black horror anthology directed by Rusty Cundieff, framed by a late-night visit to a funeral home where a mortician guides three men through four supernatural morality tales addressing police brutality, domestic abuse, racism, and gang violence.
Topics include:
Check out the episode on the Let's Watch It Again Feed The Truth In This Art is supported by William G. Baker, Jr. Memorial Fund, the Maryland State Arts Council's Creativity Grant and Mayor's Individual Artist Award - Creative Baltimore Fund (Baltimore).
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| 71 - Make Something Pretty or Make Something Real? | Genesis Rodriguez | 29 Oct 2025 | 00:55:09 | |
Genesis Rodriguez joins The Truth in This Art for her first public deep-dive into her work and process. A Philadelphia-area Latina mixed media artist known for blending bold color with striking realism, Genesis explores themes of femininity, natural beauty, and identity while bringing a thoughtful “emotional IQ” to both her visual art and emerging music practice. In this episode, Genesis discusses her current “building era” of laying a strong creative foundation, what it means to engage with art beyond surface-level reposting, and how honesty and integrity shape the work. She also reflects on sharing her story for the first time, navigating visibility as an emerging artist, and the value of choosing depth over aesthetics. This conversation explores the connection between art and community, focusing on authenticity, meaningful engagement, and the discipline it takes to build a sustainable creative practice. Topics Covered:
Thank you for listening to this conversation with Genesis Rodriguez. Explore more episodes of The Truth in This Art for discussions that spotlight creativity, culture, and the voices shaping our communities. The Truth In This Art is supported by William G. Baker, Jr. Memorial Fund, the Maryland State Arts Council's Creativity Grant and Mayor's Individual Artist Award - Creative Baltimore Fund (Baltimore).
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