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PODCAST

The Truth In This Art: Stories That Matter

The Truth In This Art with Rob Lee is an arts and culture interview podcast connecting arts, culture, and community. Sharing stories that matter through in-depth conversations with artists and creatives — photographers, filmmakers, designers, musicians, chefs, writers, and more. Guests share studio routines, community roots, career insights, and the ideas and choices that shape their projects. New episodes, show notes, and transcripts available here.

society & culture documentary

All Episodes

50:20

#35 - Fusing Circus and Storytelling | Sam Landa of...

The Truth In This Art: Stories That Matter ·

2025/06/03

Director and choreographer Sam Landa joins for his first appearance on the podcast to talk about reimagining what circus can be—and how LIQUID uses punk aesthetics, narrative, and high-stakes performance to deliver something unforgettable.As co-founder of New York Circus Project, Sam blends circus, theater, and dance to push creative boundaries. We recorded this at Union Market District in DC just after the premiere of LIQUID. Sam shares how his training as an aerialist, studies in computer

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71:37

#34 Hae Won Sohn – Sculpting Process, Memory &...

The Truth In This Art: Stories That Matter ·

2025/05/28

Artist and educator Hae Won Sohn returns for a reflective conversation on process, adaptability, and making art that holds up—materially and conceptually.Now based in Queens, Hae Won shares what’s evolved since her 2021 Sondheim Prize win and how her process-first approach has deepened through teaching, repurposing materials, and balancing art with life. Recorded after her Surface Tension exhibition in Baltimore, this episode covers the intersections of sculpture, craft, and creative

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75:31

#33 – How Shaolin Jazz Redefines Film & Sound | DJ...

The Truth In This Art: Stories That Matter ·

2025/05/23

Shaolin Jazz co-founder DJ 2-Tone Jones—one half of the duo behind the genre-bending brand—returns to reflect on growth, alignment, and his continued love for blending film and music through Can I Kick It?Finding purpose through Shaolin Jazz: how re-scoring films with hip-hop and jazz gave his DJ career renewed meaningCan I Kick It?: building a national, live-scoring experience that fuses cult classic cinema with original DJ setsMastering live scoring: learning to let films “breathe” and

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49:31

#32 – How Do You Choose Stories Worth Telling? | Joe...

The Truth In This Art: Stories That Matter ·

2025/05/20

Baltimore’s award-winning documentary filmmaker, public historian, and Baltimore City Hall curator Joe Tropea returns to share how personal connection guides his project choices, why he embraces “ums” and raw moments in the edit, and what it takes to build strong creative partnerships—from abandoned true-crime concepts to a new mayoral portrait gallery.Following personal connection: why priests breaking into draft boards, censored movie clips, and barbershop tales all felt like natural

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46:47

#31 – Joseph W. Ritsch – Why ‘Irma Vep’ Is a Wild,...

The Truth In This Art: Stories That Matter ·

2025/05/19

Get ready for a behind-the-scenes look at The Mystery of Irma Vep – A Penny Dreadful at Everyman Theatre, where director, choreographer, and arts educator Joseph Ritsch brings gothic farce, drag, and campy spectacle together in a production bursting with sharp humor and political edge.In this episode, Joseph joins Rob Lee to unpack why Charles Ludlam’s cult classic still hits hard today — blending outrageous comedy with queer history, lightning-fast costume changes, and a message that feels

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71:40

#30 – How Do You Blend Archive and Activism in Your...

The Truth In This Art: Stories That Matter ·

2025/05/16

You know those moments when a photograph or film clip feels like it’s speaking hidden truths? New School professor and interdisciplinary artist Isaiah Winters returns to share how rigorous archival research fuels his photography, film, and mixed-media practice. From earning his MFA at Parsons to documenting pro-Palestinian campus protests and exposing housing inequities, Isaiah shows how historical fragments—old photographs, 16 mm and 35 mm film, collages—become living narratives that

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48:31

#29 – How to Bring Portraits to Life on Canvas |...

The Truth In This Art: Stories That Matter ·

2025/05/13

You know that moment when a painting feels so real you swear the subject might blink? Hyper-realist portraitist Monica Ikegwu returns to reveal the behind-the-scenes rigor—hours of glazing, precise lighting choices, and minimalist backgrounds—that turn a single photograph into a living, breathing canvas. Join Monica as she unpacks her journey from MFA student at the New York Academy of Art to international exhibitions, and how her “Just Say Yes” ethos keeps her pushing creative

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62:39

#28 – How Do You Bring Art to the People? | Ky Vassor

The Truth In This Art: Stories That Matter ·

2025/05/06

You’ve probably admired one of Ky Vassor’s murals without even knowing it—now she’s back to pull back the curtain on how those vibrant public artworks, pop-up workshops, and neighborhood installations all began with a passion for community and a sprinkle of hustle.In this episode, Baltimore’s interdisciplinary artist and Galerie Myrtis Assistant Director walks us through the unlikely lessons she learned bartending, volunteering, and designing street-team campaigns before deciding to earn an

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76:26

#27 – How to Master Moving People Through Music | DJ...

The Truth In This Art: Stories That Matter ·

2025/05/02

Baltimore’s own DJ and producer James Nasty returns to share how stepping away from substances sparked new clarity, how he built Ecstatic Dance Baltimore into an inclusive, sober dance movement, and why guiding crowds through music remains his driving passion—from late-night club sets to substance-free floors.Finding clarity through sobriety: how stepping away from alcohol renewed his love for DJing and sharpened his creative visionEcstatic Dance Baltimore: creating safe, substance-free

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58:35

#26 - How Does Art Turn Pain Into Power? | Ayiana...

The Truth In This Art: Stories That Matter ·

2025/04/30

Abstract neurographic artist Ayiana Viviana shares how reconnecting with Puerto Rico, battling inner struggles, and choosing self-trust transformed her art—and her life—with new courage, clarity, and creative depth.How a return to Puerto Rico—and a visit to an Indigenous site—recharged her spirit and creativityNeurographic art as emotional release: painting through pain, grief, and unseen feelingsListening to the second voice: surviving a mental health crisis and finding a new path through

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61:26

#25 - Can Paintings Voice the Feelings We Never Say?...

The Truth In This Art: Stories That Matter ·

2025/04/28

Contemporary figurative painter Xenia Gray unpacks how post-Soviet Siberia, spiritual retreats, and life in D.C. converge in canvases that pulse with raw feeling.Growing up in 1990s Siberia—creating a protective “shell” and turning to art for what words couldn’t sayFinding her visual voice later in life: mixed media, unseen faces, and the recent pivot to vivid greensCamino de Santiago, Vipassana silence, and yoga—how physical and spiritual practice cracked creative blocksShowing

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46:08

#24 - What Makes FilmFest DC Survive 39 Years? | Tony...

The Truth In This Art: Stories That Matter ·

2025/04/24

Founder and director Tony Gittens returns with the inside story of steering the Washington DC International Film Festival—now in its 39th year—through last-minute venue shake-ups, budget poker with distributors, and a mission that never changes: bring global cinema to everyone in the nation’s capital.Losing a flagship theater six weeks out—and the scramble to secure a new home without busting the budgetBalancing buzz titles, “one-for-me” risk picks, and community favorites (yes, even punk

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44:03

#23 – Alexi Abi: Abstract Color, Cultural Roots & D.C.

The Truth In This Art: Stories That Matter ·

2025/04/21

Visual artist Alexi Abi returns to talk new work, new influences, and what it takes to stay visible in Washington’s competitive arts scene.How her Lebanese heritage and years in the Caribbean shape today’s bold color fieldsBuilding momentum since her last visit—grants, gallery shows, and a pivot toward larger canvasesBalancing three lanes: studio practice, teaching, and arts advocacyTips for navigating D.C. galleries and finding the right creative communityMissed Alexi’s first appearance

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52:53

A MAN OF MANY HATS WITH JERRILL SANKEY

The Truth In This Art: Stories That Matter ·

2025/04/18

In this episode of The Truth In This Art, I'm happy to welcome back designer Jerrill Sankey of Jerrill Sankey Headwear. It's been a few years since Jerrill was on the show (when he was known for Creative King), so it's a great opportunity to reconnect and trace his evolution as a designer.We explore Jerrill's creative journey, from the influence of 90s pop culture and magazines like Vogue on his distinctive aesthetic, to his perspectives on balancing artistry and craftsmanship. Jerrill

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49:27

ARIEL SHELTON ON CULTUREWORKS GREATER PHILADELPHIA :...

The Truth In This Art: Stories That Matter ·

2025/04/16

In this episode of The Truth In This Art, I'm thrilled to welcome back Ariel Shelton, co-Executive Director of CultureWorks Greater Philadelphia. It's been great to catch up with Ariel and explore the work CultureWorks does in supporting creatives and building a stronger cultural community in Philly.Ariel's passion for connecting people and ensuring resources are shared effectively shines through in our conversation. We discuss her journey, from co-founding the Arts Administrators of Color

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47:06

THE FUTURE IS OUR CREATION: CHAD HELTON AT ENOCH...

The Truth In This Art: Stories That Matter ·

2025/04/14

In this powerful episode of The Truth In This Art, join host Rob Lee for an insightful conversation with Chad Helton, President and CEO of the Enoch Pratt Free Library, Baltimore's renowned public library system. Explore Chad Helton's transformative vision and dynamic leadership, diving deep into the future of the Enoch Pratt Free Library and discussing its vital role as a cornerstone of the Baltimore community.Chad Helton, a collaborative leader who believes no single person holds all the

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45:29

THE VIBE ROOM: NATASHA MAGINO'S ARTISTIC PLAYGROUND

The Truth In This Art: Stories That Matter ·

2025/04/11

In this episode of The Truth In This Art, I welcome back Natasha Magino, the founder and editor-in-chief of The Vibe Room, a dynamic platform dedicated to showcasing underrepresented talent in the DMV and Baltimore area. Through curated events, magazines, and art books, The Vibe Room nurtures a vibrant community of artists and visionaries, amplifying their voices and creating what Natasha describes as an "artistic playground." We delve into Natasha's journey, from the initial

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54:23

ARTIST TERRY THOMPSON: "I LIKE TO CONTAMINATE MY...

The Truth In This Art: Stories That Matter ·

2025/04/09

On this episode of The Truth In This Art, I welcome back artist, Terry Thompson. Terry is a self-taught American artist, born in Chicago, Illinois, and currently working in Baltimore, Maryland. We discuss his artistic evolution, his balancing of his art with his DJ work, and the importance of experimentation in his creative process. Terry shares how his experiences from Chicago to Baltimore and his travels have influenced his vibrant artwork, which is inspired by dance culture, dreamscapes,

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64:01

"ABILITY BREEDS BELIEF" WITH SCULPTOR SEBASTIAN...

The Truth In This Art: Stories That Matter ·

2025/04/07

In this episode of The Truth in This Art, I welcome back Baltimore-based sculptor Sebastian Martorana. We discuss the evolution of his career over the past few years, including his work on notable projects like the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall in DC and carvings at St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York City. Sebastian shares how these experiences have shaped his artistic process and the tools and techniques he uses. We also explore the challenges of balancing personal and professional life,

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58:46

PHILIPPA PHAM HUGHES: FOSTERING CONVERSATIONS, ART...

The Truth In This Art: Stories That Matter ·

2025/04/04

On this episode of The Truth In This Art, I'm excited to share my conversation with Philippa Pham Hughes, a social sculptor, educator, speaker, and writer who designs spaces for honest conversations across political, social, and cultural differences. We explore Philippa's work and her approach to fostering meaningful connections, drawing from the arts and humanities to create these spaces. We explore Philippa's journey into this work, from her early interest in art and her initial career

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206 results

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