The Arts | And Then Suddenly

73: Maynard Okereke on finding his lane

May 12, 2022 by angelansantillo

Maynard Okereke was keeping his artistic pursuits away from his engineering job when one day he went into work and found his colleagues listening to his music. That moment sparked his pivot into entertainment and eventually led him to create the Hip Hop Science Show. We get into all things science as we talk about his road to STEM communication, what it means to find your passion, and why everyone should stay curious. Additional ResourcesHip Hop Science ShowHip Hop Science […]

Categories: Career, Race, Science, The Arts

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63: Susan Myhr Fritz on that time in the Berkshires

November 16, 2021 by angelansantillo

Susan was a high school junior in Great Falls, Montana when she was accepted into a vocal performance program at Tanglewood in Massachusetts. Being in a new place with fellow creatives changed what she thought was possible. We talk about broadening horizons, the road to writing, and why a teenage moment still matters today. Susan is the first two-time visiting guest on the show! Check out episode 19 for her other moment. Additional Resources Episode 19: Susan Fritz on life […]

Categories: Career, The Arts, Travel, Women's Issues, Writing • Tags: everything relevant has already been said, podcast, susan myhr fritz, writer

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59: Ashley Lauren Rogers on taking a stand

April 15, 2020 by angelansantillo

Ashley Lauren Rogers was working in the steampunk scene when she learned a friend and colleague was accused of nonconsensual relations with someone else in the community. Seeing how willing people were able to dismiss the claims, her decision to immediately step away from the scene changed everything. We talk about the fantasy of steampunk, what happens when you decide to take a stand, why it’s important to believe survivors. Additional Resources Connect with Ashley: http://www.ashleylaurenrogers.com Is it […]

Categories: Activism, Career, LGBTQIA, Politics, The Arts, Writing

56: Paola Irun on turning points

March 24, 2020 by angelansantillo

When theater artist Paola Irun’s father became ill, she made the choice to end her visa, her time in New York City, and return home to Paraguay. His eventual passing changed everything and sent Paola on a journey to find that “something” that had always been missing. We talk about how grief led her into the worlds of boxing, yoga, and how the coronavirus pandemic has impacted her art and life in Paraguay. Additional Resources Paola Irun On […]

Categories: Family, Grief & Loss, Illness, Politics, The Arts

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39: Mary Jo McConnell on finding her voice

September 18, 2019 by angelansantillo

In October 2014, Mary Jo McConnell was walking across the street when she was hit by a car. After having surgery on her broken leg, she was left to navigate New York City on crutches and had to figure how to manage her professional acting career during her recovery. An army veteran and former nurse, for the first time she felt powerless. We talk about the series of events that led her to different theaters, new experiences, and the inspiration […]

Categories: Career, Medical Event, Military Veteran, The Arts

35: Goldie Peacock on meeting the hottie walking down the stairs

August 20, 2019 by angelansantillo

Photo credit: Grace Chu On the night of their 30th birthday, Goldie Peacock was definitely not looking for love. They were at the Branded Saloon in Brooklyn, getting ready to perform an epic drag king number that transformed them from an English gentleman into a unicorn when a stranger appeared on the basement stairs. We talk about sparks, love, marriage, and what can happen when you’re busy making other plans. Additional Resources http://www.goldiepeacock.com Huffington Post: “It’s Time For Drag Kings […]

Categories: LGBTQIA, Love, The Arts

34: Winston Shaw on the missed call that led to law

August 13, 2019 by angelansantillo

Winston Shaw was a freelance sound recordist filming on location in the Catskills. Spending days without reception, when he finally got service his cell exploded with texts about a job offer from HBO but because he had been unreachable, the position was already filled. Missing a rare creative opportunity, he decided to leave his artistic career in NYC for law school. Now a public defender in Sante Fe, we talk about his passion for criminal law and the realities of […]

Categories: Activism, Career, The Arts

26: Paul Griffin on instant change

March 20, 2019 by angelansantillo

In 1993, Paul Griffin unexpectedly lost his father and instantly everything changed. While dealing with grief for the first time, he began to do the work that would later become his theater organization, The Possibility Project. We talk about fathers, love and loss, and what it takes to be wise. Additional Resources The Possibility Project Website Instagram Facebook

Categories: Family, Grief & Loss, Medical Event, The Arts

20: Richard Chang on discovering Wong Chin Foo

January 28, 2019 by angelansantillo

In 2003, Richard Chang (Citizen Wong) was doing voice over work for the Bill Moyers documentary, Becoming American: The Chinese Experience, when he first learned about Wong Chin Foo, a popular writer and activist during the Gilded Age. Wong was the first to use the term Chinese American, and was known by name to the American public, but has virtually disappeared from history. Discovering him led Richard to years of research in order to create a new kind of play that smashes stereotypes and presents roles for Asian Americans. We talk about prejudice, […]

Categories: Activism, Immigration, Race, The Arts, Writing

13: Elizabeth Nelson on working in animal welfare

November 27, 2018 by angelansantillo

Elizabeth Nelson was living in New York City and pursuing a career in the performing arts when one night on her couch she had an epiphany. Now the Marketing and Communications Manager for Berkshire Humane Society, we talk about how she changed careers, the world of animal welfare, and her future full of chickens. Additional Resources Elizabeth Nelson: Little E Design Berkshire Humane Society ASPCA Kitten Nursery in NYC

Categories: Activism, Career, The Arts

11: Stephan Wolfert on rewiring the brain with Shakespeare and science

November 12, 2018 by angelansantillo

Veteran Stephan Wolfert was working with the famous choreographer Twyla Tharp when she said something that clarified everything. We talk about his time in the Army, how he became an actor, his work with veterans through DE-CRUIT, and the scientific proof that Shakespeare and theater are the keys to healing trauma. Part Two of my special Brain Double Header. Listen to Part One: Bill Monroe on getting better (and not getting best) Additional Resources DE-CRUIT DE-CRUIT: science publications Cry Havoc, solo performance […]

Categories: Mental Health, Military Veteran, Most Listened To, Science, The Arts, The Mind, Trauma, Veteran Issues

06: Debórah Eliezer Adabachi on the movement that shifted everything

October 9, 2018 by angelansantillo

During her divorce, Debórah Eliezer Adabachi (theater artist, voiceover professional, Co-Artistic Director foolsFURY Theater, owner of Venado Retreat) did a theater workshop with Stephen Wangh. One physical exercise led to a breakthrough that changed everything. We talk about somatics, losing your voice, moving on, and learning how to finally say no. Additional Resources Dr. Martha Eddy: Five College Dance Department Lecture (Hampshire College) Dr. Martha Eddy: A brief history of somatic practices and dance (Journal of Dance and Somatic Practices) Stephen Wangh: Acrobat […]

Categories: Family, Love, Mental Health, The Arts, Women's Issues

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01: Angela Santillo on changing stories and making a podcast

September 17, 2018 by angelansantillo

Meet your host as she introduces the show’s content and format. A writer and produced playwright, she talks about the moment a serious medical emergency disrupted her life and led her to pursue a different kind of story.

Categories: Career, Illness, Medical Event, Podcasting, The Arts, Trauma, Writing

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And Then Suddenly

The show about the sudden moments that turn our lives upside down

Category Archives: The Arts

73: Maynard Okereke on finding his lane

63: Susan Myhr Fritz on that time in the Berkshires

59: Ashley Lauren Rogers on taking a stand

56: Paola Irun on turning points

39: Mary Jo McConnell on finding her voice

35: Goldie Peacock on meeting the hottie walking down the stairs

34: Winston Shaw on the missed call that led to law

26: Paul Griffin on instant change

20: Richard Chang on discovering Wong Chin Foo

13: Elizabeth Nelson on working in animal welfare

11: Stephan Wolfert on rewiring the brain with Shakespeare and science

06: Debórah Eliezer Adabachi on the movement that shifted everything

01: Angela Santillo on changing stories and making a podcast