Cocoon Art Space is a vibrant art gallery and studio located at 327 S. Division Ave in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Founded by artists (and married couple) Josie Garcia and Tedd Smith, the space serves as a hub for local creativity, offering a rotating selection of exhibitions, handmade goods, and community events. The "Growth" exhibit celebrates nine different artists, who over the course of two months, illustrated, painted or sculpted their idea of growth into one collaborative piece. I talked to a...
Jun 17, 2025•48 min
Pablo Eskobear is well known in Grand Rapids, Michigan, having recently won INSTRUMENTAL ALBUM OF THE YEAR at the Jammies. He produced tracks for a bunch of artists locally and nationally, including past guest Sonny Ski (listen to "The Grandest" ). Among other things, we talk about: Pablo's "standard" musical beginnings his deviation from school band into metal drumming listen to Slow Croak how he got into hip hop collaborating vs solo projects performing making his studio building your brand pr...
Jun 03, 2025•55 min
In this episode Chris LaPorte, the Grand Rapids-based artist who won the second ArtPrize competition and currently teaches at Aquinas College, shares the personal and creative journey that led him from one year of being an engineering student to award-winning artist—and yes, there’s an '80s cover band involved. Chris opens up about his decision to leave engineering school to attend art school, mostly to follow his creative passion. (Partly to join an '80s cover band.) He reflects on his early wo...
May 13, 2025•1 hr 3 min
WATCH THE VIDEO HERE on Ivan's youtube channel. Ivan who, you ask? Ivan Labra, the photographer from episode 78 (who also took my author photo for my most recent book, Sleepwalker Angel ), returned with the Hot Ones Season 25 hot sauces. We consumed hot wings at Carbon Stories in Grand Rapids, Michigan, filming and recording audio as we went along. It's kinda like my normal podcast, but we try to do this episode while our mouths are on fire. Enjoy!...
May 07, 2025•30 min
The GalaxyCon in Richmond, Virginia, was a ton of fun. I carpooled with Rich Hosek, and together we drove through the night—taking shifts at the wheel—until we arrived in Richmond, Virginia, at day one of this four-day event to sell books with the Pop-Up BookShoppe for the first time. The Pop-Up BookShoppe is run by an author I first met at the GalaxyCon in Columbus in 2024— C.R. Rice, who was a guest on episode 86 . We talked about the Pop-Up BookShoppe then, and this time I went and worked it....
Apr 21, 2025•39 min
I sat down with Carlos Sampson --also known on social media as Los the Artist --at the tattoo shop he works at, Cielo Ink in Jenison, Michigan. We were joined by our good friend (and Carlos' old neighbor) Mike Logan (comedian, actor, producer, and VO artist). We chatted about Carlos' journey as an artist, including winning Art Battle, live painting in front of the Grand Rapids Symphony, and how he got into tattooing. It's a fun story that will give you tips and encouragement in your own endeavor...
Feb 25, 2025•53 min
Chelsea Rice, known professionally as C.R. Rice , is a fantasy/sci-fi writer, currently immersing you in the Realm Series . She also founded the Pop-Up BookShoppe , which helps authors sell book (and make money doing it!) at GalaxyCons across the country. If you're an author looking to expand your audience, this might be the best way to do it. If you're a Con-goer and book lover--keep an eye out for the Pop-Up BookShoppe at a GalaxyCon near you! Also, shout out to Has Heart coffee shop for letti...
Feb 11, 2025•45 min
Sonny Ski met me at HAS HEART coffee shop downtown Grand Rapids to talk creativity. Sonny Ski's album, States of Mind, features a song called "Grand Rapids, Michigan" (that I refer to as Welcome to GR to avoid confusion) that is the new anthem for the city. Sonny Ski has been nominated for the Jammie Awards best album and artist of the year. Help him out and vote here! We talked about creativity, songwriting, getting yourself out there, and more. Great insights for all creatives looking for oppo...
Jan 20, 2025•38 min
That's right, I said whorror. It's a term one of her fans came up with to describe the blending of the romance and horror genres in Tylor's books.Now she uses it to lovingly address her fans as her Whorror Babies. Her most recent novel, Slash Or Pass , has sold a ton of copies, forcing/allowing her to build a small team of professionals to help her with many of the non-writing elements of being a full-time professional novelist. Listen while Tylor and Tallon discuss (among other things): creativ...
Jan 06, 2025•42 min
Jody J. Sperling is an author ( the Luke in Time Series (and others)) and podcast host ( Becoming a Household Name ). Together we've traveled around the country a bit going to Comic-Cons and Galaxy-Cons to sell books. This is a great episode for authors trying to find ways to get their books out to more people, but also for anyone interested in marketing, promotions, and live selling (whether it be books or something else). Check out Jody J. Sperling, read his books, listen to his podcast (start...
Dec 16, 2024•43 min
Alex Anest is a guitar player based in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Currently touring with his jazz trio, Alex is a skilled musician in many genres, a band leader, and a music teacher. Through our discussions--favorite bands, musical influences, legendary musicians, and the creative process--you'll learn a bit about music history (like who influenced Paul McCartney's bass playing the most), and how important connection is, both with your collaborators and your audience. . . . FOLLOW ALEX! Look for Alex ...
Nov 19, 2024•49 min
Marcel Fable Price (former poet laureate of Grand Rapids, Michigan) is the author of the book "New American Monarch" . This is his third time on the podcast. This time he's here to promote "New American Monarch" , but this is a great episode with insights for being the best version of yourself, how to be the best creative (including the "non-creative" parts of being a modern day creative) you can be, and how simply creating can bring all those things together. And towards the end you can hear hi...
Sep 11, 2024•42 min
Michelle Dunaway is her station's Community Relationship Manager, host of the FOX 17 Morning Mix , and an Emmy-award winning storyteller. Michelle has worked in television journalism since her internship where she logged VHS tapes. We talk about her journey from intern to hosting the Fox17 Morning Mix, which is on weekdays in the greater Grand Rapids, MI, area on Fox17 at 9am. (Not 10am (to 11PM, which I mistakenly said at the end of the podcast).) In this episode Michelle details traveling the ...
Sep 04, 2024•56 min
Hear the full song "Different Clout" by Alfie DaGreat at the end of the episode! Alfie DaGreat is one of the most powerful voices to come out of the Grand Rapids music scene. Strong lyrics and an amazing voice make his music stand out above the rest. Listen in as we talk about his history with music, his writing process, how he got involved in The Trauma Project, The Black Rose Society, and much much more. Follow Alfie DaGreat Instagram , Facebook , TikTok , Twitter , & Threads . You can als...
May 06, 2024•54 min
Learn on your own. Network. Get a mentor. Do awesome stuff. If you've got your foot in the door somewhere, kick that bitch in! Bet on yourself! Get ready to take the world by storm after you listen to this one, folks. Ivan Labra is a self taught photographer/videographer who graduated from YouTube University (not a real thing), and does cool stuff all over the country. We recorded at Carbon Stories in Grand Rapids, MI, where Ivan shoots and manages the office. When he's not shooting content, he'...
Apr 01, 2024•1 hr 16 min
J.B. Velasquez is an author in Arizona. He's written two novels, so far, and they're both worth a read. Whether you like metaphysical stories of people doing drugs and getting stuck in the afterlife, or futuristic dystopian stuff, give J.B. a try. We discuss his books, his process, publishing, promotion, and writing about drugs. This was fun and informative. Enjoy! Visit JBV's website: https://jbvelasquez.com/ Buy JBV's books: Every Last One Tourist Trapped Follow JBV on social media: Twitter/X ...
Mar 26, 2024•1 hr 10 min
Tyler D. Way is a soft spoken, brilliant creative. He got his start sneaking into NBA arenas and pitching custom shoes to any player who would listen to him, which ultimately led to being invited to the Nike campus to meet LeBron and present him a painting. He's worked in graphic design, fashion, and most recently coffee. HAS HEART serves coffee but it's more than that. HAS HEART also allows veterans to connect with artists to tell their story. As a veteran myself, I love that there's a social s...
Mar 11, 2024•1 hr 27 min
I met Foster for coffee and a podcast conversation. This episode was recorded at The Last Mile Café , which is a black & female owned, b-corp certified business, and they have the best “miel” of all time. (Try “the last miel.”) Foster is officially listed as the “Vibe Manager” of The Diatribe . He’s a poet, father, and a voice for his community. We met up specifically to discuss The Emory , but here’s a full breakdown of what we talked about: 00:00 – Cold Open 01:06 – Show Intro 03:28 – The ...
Mar 04, 2024•1 hr 31 min
If you enjoy Creative Ops, please rate and review it wherever you listen to help the show grow! If you dig the vibe, also consider supporting the host by buying a paperback or ebook copy of his novel, Switchers . Thank you. . . . Today's guest is SCOOB, an artist, originally from St. Louis, MO, now living in Grand Rapids, MI. He's the mastermind behind the multimedia art project and album, The Trauma Project , which you can see at Muse GR (727 Leonard St. NW, Grand Rapids, MI, United States, Mic...
Feb 26, 2024•1 hr
Shayna is a writer, poet, activist, radio host, filmmaker, and—in her words—a “textbook weirdo trying to figure things out." Shayna uses her creative powers to entertain as well as uplift. She’s a teaching artist with The Diatribe, runs an open mic, and is working on having a birthday party with Oprah Winfrey. We talk about creativity, culture, community activism, and more. Shayna is a fun person to hang out with and has a lot of good things to say. Enjoy. Check out: Shayna on Instagram (follow ...
Feb 20, 2024•1 hr 5 min
Dante Cope returns to discuss the grand opening of Grand Rapid, Michigan's newest business and cultural space, Grammotones. Grammotones is located at 120 S. Division in Grand Rapids, MI, and it is part clothing store, part music store, all cultural space. You can shop, listen to records, enjoy beautiful art, and pick up high quality used clothing as well as new clothing from local brands both big and small. (You can also buy a copy of my book there!) We talked about a lot of things and a lot of ...
Feb 15, 2024•53 min
Nothing is impossible if you have dreams, ideas, and a willingness to work towards them. And my guest, Tara McCrackin (president of Kendall College of Art & Design (KCAD) AND vice president of Ferris State University), has an inspiring creative journey which showcases that. She shares a bit about what her school has coming up, then we dive into her professional background, how she became a teacher, and how she then became president of a college just before the pandemic. Some cool and wild st...
Aug 28, 2023•49 min
After this one, this idea will resonate with you: You can figure it out; it's only over when you quit. Whether or not you're an engineer, thinking like one can help you as an entrepreneur, a creative, or just as a person. Adam Truckey's story embodies that. Adam is an engineer who successfully started his own business, AJT DESIGN, centered around something he's passionate about. But it wasn't all downhill. Listen for the ups, downs, challenges, and lessons learned along the way. If there's somet...
Aug 15, 2023•1 hr 6 min
This one's a fun listen that will inspire you to call a buddy and make something silly together. Kirk Ross (host of our brother podcast, A Talk in the Attic, and one half of Trophy Husbands) and Christopher Tallon (host of Creative Ops, and the other half of Trophy Husbands) talk about Trophy Husbands' latest music video, "PINK" --now out on Youtube--and what goes into collaboratively making music (and music videos). . . . Look for Kirk's next podcast episode about his Electric Forest experience...
Jul 17, 2023•35 min
This was a fun and fascinating conversation. We start with eye training and vision therapy as possibly the next big evolutionary step in athletic achievement. Starting out on the east coast with parents that immigrated from Nigeria, Dr. Lester has since given up his shoulder pads for a lab coat, which, ironically, may have greatly extended his career in professional sports. . . . Check out Dr. Lester Efianayi (ee-fee-ah-NIGH-ee) on Instagram: @eyesdontlie.vt . . . For all other things show/host ...
Jul 10, 2023•41 min
"Trino the Magician" is the coolest. A super nice guy, talented, ambitious, and laser focused. You're going to want to get up and go do something cool after you listen to this. And you might have an itch to see a magic show. If so, check out www.trinomagic.com for info on Trino's monthly show "AMAZE & AMUSE", as well as anything else he might be up to. If you're the social media type, Trino is @trinomagic on most platforms. Also check out Luc's Light , a youth music and arts foundation set u...
May 30, 2023•1 hr 1 min
Abbey Hunter is the owner of The Mortals Cafe + Confection in Grand Rapids, MI. They serve Vietnamese coffee drinks (as well as popular American coffee drinks) with an overall theme of death. They host grief groups, death talks, as well as a number of other regular and one-off events. Visit The Mortals online , then visit the store at 111 Division Ave S, Grand Rapids, MI 49503 . Follow The Mortals on Instagram and Facebook . Do it before you forget and die. . . . Keep up on the show by following...
Apr 18, 2023•1 hr 2 min
Jason Tieri (TEER-ee) is a podcaster from west Michigan. Actually, he's kinda my podcast mentor. (And beard guru.) He got me into podcasting. Hear what it takes to start a podcast, some techy stuff, some how-to, and us just kickin it. This was a fun one, especially if you're a podcaster, you're thinking about podcasting, or you just like a peek at how it's done. (Recorded in the Hey Guys Media Group studio. Click the link to learn more about them and their podcast services!)...
Apr 04, 2023•1 hr 11 min
ZERO is a fantastic beat producer in Grand Rapids, MI. His energetic performances are mesmerizing. I liken watching him play his drum machine to watching Stevie Wonder play the piano. Those performances, coupled with award winning music, are a can't-miss. Follow ZERO on his Instagram @zerodgaf to keep up with what's going on and to see some examples of his performing and musical abilities. He's on Twitter and Facebook as well, if you're not into the whole Instagram thing. . . . Thanks for listen...
Mar 21, 2023•56 min
Jody J. Sperling came on to talk about creative stuff, including (but not limited to) his amazing novel, THE 9 LIVES OF MARVA DELONGHI . It's a story in a time loop, with a lot of cool characters, murder, booze, murder, psychopaths, murder, sacrifice, and...MURDER! Some characters die. A lot. It's a lot of fun. Jody also hosts a podcast called TRBM, he has other books, and you can find out about ALL of it at www.jodyjsperling.com ! (Buy his books there!) . . . Thanks for listening. Go to www.chr...
Mar 07, 2023•57 min
