Interviews Archives

MikeyPod 335 | Musician and Archivist Dr. Louise Toppin

On this episode of the podcast, I have a fascinating conversation with musician and archivist Dr. Louise Toppin about The African Diaspora Music Project – a database she created to help singers and orchestras to diversify their repertoire of works by African Diaspora composers. We talk about the inspiration behind the project, its future, and its present. I’m so excited for you to hear this conversation, along with two magnificent recordings of Dr. Toppin in performance. Listen at the link below or in your favorite podcast directory!

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MikeyPod 334 | Musician and Activist Dr. Alexander Lloyd Blake

It’s release day for Dr. Alexander Lloyd Blake and his award winning choral-ensemble Tonality! On this episode of the podcast, Dr. Blake and I discuss the new album, America Will Be, and the ensemble’s mission to use their collective voices to address themes of social justice to act as a catalyst toward empathy and community activism. Of course, we cover a bunch of other stuff as well, and I can’t wait for you all to hear this episode!

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MikeyPod 333 | Author and Publisher Martin Rowe

It’s high time I had my friend, Martin Rowe on the podcast, and the recent release of his new book of verse, The Animals Are Leaving Us provided the perfect excuse to bring him on the show. The verses in this book were inspired by two extraordinarily compelling and distressing photographs of animals in extremis taken by Canadian photojournalist Jo-Anne McArthur, whose photos are included in the volume as well. Martin and I had a fantastic conversation about the book, the beauty that can be found in even the most troubling works of art, and so much more. Don’t miss this conversation!

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MikeyPod 332 | Musician Christian Douglas

I had a blast chatting with musician Christian Douglas on the podcast this week. His debut album, Inside Voice, was written and recorded under quarantine, and as you might expect is largely inspired by the events of the last 18 months. Beyond that, though, we talked creativity, self-doubt, ritual, and so many of these juicy topics so many of us contend with. I know this podcast will leave you as recharged and invigorated as I was after my conversation with Christian.

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MikeyPod 331 | Author Gabrielle Alexa Noel

Joining me on the podcast (in a conversation I really needed) is author, essayist, and sex-positive content creator Gabrielle Alexa Noel. We chat about her book, How to Live With the Internet and Not Let It Run Your Life and so many nuggets to help out those of us who try to use the Internet to create positive change. I’ve been in a place of thinking more carefully about how I want to show up on social media, and this conversation with Gabrielle was just the thing to get my head around some of this stuff. I know you’ll love it too!

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MikeyPod 330 | Author Nevo Zisin

This week I welcome author Nevo Zisin to chat about their book The Pronoun Lowdown: Demystifying and celebrating gender diversity. This conversation was a absolute delight, and we went deep into the book itself, reflected on the work of our queer ancestors, and discussed playing the long game as activists. So many laughs and insight to be had on this episode as well as some great new music from The Wheel Workers and Tranna Wintour. Listen up!

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MikeyPod 329 | Edward Button and The King’s Singers

This week I welcome Edward Button to the podcast to talk about his work with the renowned British a cappella vocal ensemble, The King’s Singers. Eddie and I talk about the history of the group, The King’s Singers Global Foundation New Music Prize, and the many other ways the group strives to champion music as a way to find musical and social harmony in the world. I can’t wait for you to hear this conversation!

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MikeyPod 328 | Musician Michael Zapruder

Considering how much I love Michael Zapruder‘s music, I probably should not have been so surprised by how much we vibed together in this week’s episode of the podcast. His latest album, Latecomers, is rhythmically vibrant, melodically adventurous, and lyrically poetic yet conversational. Many of these qualities found their way into our conversation here, too, as we talked about the album, it’s journey, and Zapruder’s own journey as an artist. It’s a real privilege to talk to an artist like Michael, and I can’t wait for you to check it out!

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