Jade and David discuss how competitive reality TV has shaped our perception of artists, and the abuses of power that can happen in creative contract negotiations. They share their own experiences with dodgy contracts, and explore how to advocate for yourself. Music and production by David Mackenzie FOLLOW AND SUPPORT US Buy us a coffee or join our Patreon for exclusive content and 1:1 artist support. Find us on socials: Instagram Facebook TikTok Email us at pivotalslice@gmail.com Follow your hos...
Jun 24, 2025•33 min
David and Jade talk about autism, doing too much, and the power of animals for managing burnout. Music and production by David Mackenzie FOLLOW AND SUPPORT US Buy us a coffee or join our Patreon for exclusive content and 1:1 artist support. Find us on socials: Instagram Facebook TikTok Email us at pivotalslice@gmail.com Follow your hosts, Jade Green and David Mackenzie...
Jun 03, 2025•26 min
We’re talking about the AHA! moments we’ve had with art, and how these moments shaped us. In this episode David talks about discovering Aphex Twin and learning something new about identity and creativity. Music and production by David Mackenzie FOLLOW AND SUPPORT US Buy us a coffee or join our Patreon for exclusive content and 1:1 artist support. Find us on socials: Instagram Facebook TikTok Email us at pivotalslice@gmail.com Follow your hosts, Jade Green and David Mackenzie...
Apr 15, 2025•30 min
We’re talking about the AHA! moments we’ve had with art, and how these moments shaped us. In this episode, Jade talks about a moment in Singin' in the Rain that unlocked a new facet of her sexuality. Music and production by David Mackenzie FOLLOW AND SUPPORT US Buy us a coffee or join our Patreon for exclusive content and 1:1 artist support. Find us on socials: Instagram Facebook TikTok Email us at pivotalslice@gmail.com Follow your hosts, Jade Green and David Mackenzie...
Mar 26, 2025•33 min
It's every composer's worst nightmare. David shares how he lost a year’s worth of work on his album when his computer died. He talks to Jade about his addiction to the creative process, and the lessons learned from death and rebirth. At the end of the episode you can hear the only track that survived the catastrophe, ‘A Place You Know’. Music and production by David Mackenzie FOLLOW AND SUPPORT US Buy us a coffee or join our Patreon for exclusive content and 1:1 artist support. Find us on social...
Mar 05, 2025•35 min
Jade talks about the panic attack she experienced while watching Coralie Fargeat’s The Substance . Music and production by David Mackenzie FOLLOW AND SUPPORT US Buy us a coffee or join our Patreon for exclusive content and 1:1 artist support. Find us on socials: Instagram Facebook TikTok Email us at pivotalslice@gmail.com Follow your hosts, Jade Green and David Mackenzie...
Feb 12, 2025•23 min
Jade sits down with Denise Santos and David Mackenzie to talk about their recent collaboration on a new piece of music, ‘Transition’, which you can hear at the end of the episode. They discuss drawing on emotional experiences, balancing work with mental health, and how the story of the music came together during the making of the piece. Support the track on Spotify . Find out more about Denise’s work here . Music and production by David Mackenzie FOLLOW AND SUPPORT US Buy us a coffee or join our...
Jan 22, 2025•53 min
Jade and David discuss the art of storytelling through writing and music. They talk about: How stories can be made into a somatic experience Understanding character motivation and creating ‘real’ people The perfectly ambiguous ending of Twin Peaks: The Return How we can make stories that will change the world for the better ‘The universe is made of stories, not of atoms.’ Read The Speed of Darkness by Muriel Rukeyser Music and production by David Mackenzie FOLLOW AND SUPPORT US Buy us a coffee o...
Sep 03, 2024•49 min
Jade talks to writer Eva Aldea about living a creative life while managing the impacts of neurodivergence. They also discuss the ‘brand’ Eva has built on Instagram, where she is posing nude as a way of querying aging, masking, and perceptions of the female body. Eva Aldea is a writer, lecturer and editor. Her first novel Singapore (Holland House Books 2023), and her book in progress, Stockholm , explore migration and belonging. She is @to_write_like_a_dog on Instagram (and Substack for unredacte...
Aug 13, 2024•1 hr 9 min
David and Jade talk about the uses of trauma in the creative process. They explore: how we are reflected in the art we make and consume the inner journey of the artist using creativity to surrender control how trauma transforms us, for better or worse Music and production by David Mackenzie FOLLOW AND SUPPORT US Buy us a coffee or join our Patreon for exclusive content and 1:1 artist support. Find us on socials: Twitter Instagram Facebook TikTok Email us at pivotalslice@gmail.com Follow your hos...
Jul 30, 2024•47 min
David chats with musician, composer, researcher and sound explorer Dolores Catherino about her mission of expanding musical consciousness. They discuss: Finding your unique voice through exploration, not imitation How AI is impacting the landscape of music Dolores’ research and development into a new ‘pitch colour’ system Uses of meditation and intuitive practices to study music Find more of Dolores on her website , YouTube channel and Bandcamp . You can also find out more about PolyChromatic Mu...
Jul 16, 2024•1 hr 2 min
Jade speaks to writer Inés G. Labarta about her latest novel, The Three Lives of Saint Ciarán , and how she develops stories from identity, place and intention. They discuss: - Rewriting myths from a queer, immigrant perspective - The process of publishing and dealing with rejection - The role of ego and mental and spiritual health in writing Find out more about Inés on her website , and purchase her book here . Read ' Oatman ', the short story she published on oranges journal . Music and produc...
Jul 02, 2024•1 hr 6 min
Content warning for strong language. Jade and David talk about their recent cinema experiences, including Luca Guadagnino’s ‘Challengers’, and try to get to the bottom of why so many stories are emotionally immature. They discuss: - The role of open-mindedness in creativity - Depicting healthy relationships in film - How we ‘project our demons’ into what we create - Approaching work with beginner’s mind Music and production by David Mackenzie FOLLOW AND SUPPORT US Buy us a coffee or join our Pat...
Jun 11, 2024•36 min
David sits down with renowned music producer, composer and writer Michael Beinhorn to discuss his unique approaches to collaboration and the creative process. Michael has worked with legendary artists including Herbie Hancock, Soundgarden, Red Hot Chili Peppers and Hole, and it’s an honour to have him on the show. David and Michael discuss: - The power of creative visualisation - Somatic techniques for approaching creative work - The uses of neurodivergence, and how ‘obsessive thinking’ can help...
Apr 09, 2024•1 hr 10 min
Jade speaks to David and his collaborator Martin Coat about their Arts Council funded development project ‘MonoMyth’. Martin and David set out to deconstruct sound, from its physical qualities to its effect on brain waves. We discuss: - How to approach research and set an intention for a large project - The impact of our sonic environment on mental and physical health - Uses of the human voice - How sound can be used for healing To close the episode we will share one of the pieces Martin and Dav...
Mar 27, 2024•1 hr 14 min
Trigger warning for discussion of sexual violence in media. David and Jade attempt to break down the elusive concept of ‘tone’. They discuss the balance of light and dark in HBO's Succession , the role of intention in the writing process, and the rapey vibes of Poor Things . You can read Jade’s review of Poor Things here: Men explain sexual liberation to me in 'Poor Things' Music and production by David Mackenzie FOLLOW AND SUPPORT US Buy us a coffee Find us on socials: Twitter Instagram Faceboo...
Feb 28, 2024•28 min
Jade chats to writer and yoga teacher Miles Borrero about publishing his memoir Beautiful Monster: A Becoming , and the importance of seeing positive trans stories in media and literature. Throughout his many lives, Miles Borrero has survived fronting a Latin rock band, riding horses competitively, acting on various stages across the US, and nannying a six-year-old. He has been Catholic, Jewish, and a frequent guest at Krishna’s house, and has lived life as a boy, a girl, a woman, a man, and som...
Feb 14, 2024•1 hr 9 min
How do we figure out the path we are meant to be on, rather than the path chosen for us by others? David and Jade ‘do a funny one’, rambling chaotically about marriage, babies, and the miserable reality of ‘cool jobs’. Merry Christmas! Tell us about your own indoctrination by emailing pivotalslice@gmail.com. If this episode resonated with you, and you need some guidance around getting off ‘auto-pilot’, our hosts offer coaching services. Book coaching with David Book coaching with Jade Music and ...
Dec 05, 2023•37 min
Christina was thrilled when she learned she had won a prize for her poetry, and the chance to publish a book. But she quickly noticed red flags as she was communicating with the editor in charge of her work – and things only got worse from there. Jade chats to Christina about the importance of valuing yourself and listening to intuition while navigating the world of publishing, and beyond. Christina Hennemann (she/her) is a poet and prose writer based in Ireland. She’s a recipient of the Irish A...
Nov 14, 2023•50 min
Jade and David enjoy a damn fine cup of coffee and discuss the tonal landscapes of David Lynch’s work. Topics covered include baguettes, Tibetan monks, and car alarms. Music and production by David Mackenzie FOLLOW AND SUPPORT US Buy us a coffee Find us on socials: Twitter Instagram Facebook TikTok Email us at pivotalslice@gmail.com Follow your hosts, Jade Green and David Mackenzie...
Oct 23, 2023•28 min
David catches up with film and TV composer Denise Santos about her work, creative process and development. They discuss: The importance of representing diverse stories Staying strong and authentic in a male-dominated industry Getting the most out of collaboration Cultivating a healthy working routine Denise is an Emmy-winning Filipino musician and composer based in Los Angeles. Having previously worked as in-house composer at Hans Zimmer and Sony/ATV's Bleeding Fingers Music, her music has been ...
Oct 02, 2023•59 min
Jade speaks to Zuzu Valla, a fashion and beauty photographer based in the UK who is redefining modern beauty standards. They discuss Zuzu’s process of capturing a person’s ‘soul’, the importance of representing marginalised people in fashion and art, and how Zuzu built her own creative team and studio, starting in her living room. Follow Zuzu on Instagram / Visit her website We are raising money for new audio equipment, to get the podcast sounding even better! You can support us here. ----------...
Sep 11, 2023•42 min
Jade and David talk about their experiences with psychedelics, the impact of tripping and microdosing on their mental health/spiritual journeys, and the use of psychedelics to develop consciousness and creativity. We’d love to hear your thoughts, questions and experiences. Join the conversation by emailing us or reaching out on our social media channels. Please make sure you are looking after yourself and seeking support from people you know you can trust before making this journey (and preferab...
Aug 28, 2023•47 min
Come with us on an immersive journey through sound and stories! We connect with influential people within the immersive theatre world: Actor and Director Jess-Luisa Flynn and Creative Director Neil Connolly. They discuss the role of immersive art today, removing audiences from their reality, and the re-emergence of more traditional art forms that has factored into the immersive theatre boom. Throughout the episode you’ll also hear music and sound design from David’s immersive theatre collaborati...
Jul 31, 2023•32 min
TW: discussion of abuse Jade and David discuss their experiences of exploitation in their creative fields, and offer tips for recognizing potentially dangerous people while seeking representation or collaboration. They explore: Power and co-dependency in creative relationships Learning how to state your worth Cultivating professional boundaries Spotting ‘red flags’ and ‘green lights’ Book recommendations: ‘ Not Nice ’ by Dr. Aziz Gazipura ‘ Burn it Down ’ by Maureen Ryan ‘ The Gift of Fear ’ by ...
Jul 17, 2023•52 min
David speaks to Andrew Morgan Smith, the veteran film composer of the Nicolas Cage Western The Old Way (2023) and over ninety other projects across all media. They discuss Andrew’s journey into the film industry, his creative process while collaborating on large and small projects, and how parenthood has impacted his work life. Find out more about Andrew through his website , and follow him on Instagram , Twitter and YouTube . ---------------------------------- Music and production by David Mack...
Apr 17, 2023•1 hr 12 min•Season 4Ep. 3
TW: Discussion of abuse What happens to a piece of work once it is out in the world? Does the audience take ownership? As artists, how do we ‘let go’ of something we have poured so much energy into? Jade and David explore this process of separation from art. They also discuss how we decide what to do with the work of artists who have caused great harm to other people, and to the industries in which they work. Music and production by David Mackenzie FOLLOW AND SUPPORT US Buy us a coffee Join our ...
Apr 03, 2023•46 min
Jade speaks to KB Brookins, a writer, cultural worker, and artist from Texas. They talk about using writing to deal with anxiety, what it takes to call yourself a ‘real’ writer, and how KB is utilizing their creative power to inspire positive change. KB Brookins is the author of How To Identify Yourself with a Wound (Kallisto Gaia Press, 2022) and Freedom House (Deep Vellum, 2023). KB is a 2023 National Endowment of the Arts fellow . Follow them online at @earthtokb. Read Jade's latest fiction, ...
Mar 21, 2023•1 hr
On this episode we discuss the purpose of art in society, and how change starts from within. We explore: Using art to raise consciousness The effect of the ‘ego’ mind on creativity How identifying with your work can lead to crisis Cultivating healthy detachment from your art The roles of the right and left brain in the creative process ------------------------------ Music and production by David Mackenzie FOLLOW AND SUPPORT US Buy us a coffee Join our Patreon for uncut interviews, bonus episodes...
Mar 07, 2023•41 min•Season 3Ep. 10
David and Jade chat to Kristina K, a fashion designer and artist based in New York City who was a finalist on season 19 of Project Runway . They discuss how Kristina found her way to designing, the benefits of having time restraints, and tips for surviving the cutthroat world of fashion. Visit Kristina's website and follow her on Instagram Music and production by David Mackenzie FOLLOW AND SUPPORT US Buy us a coffee Join our Patreon for uncut interviews, bonus episodes and exclusive music Find u...
Feb 21, 2023•1 hr 7 min•Season 3Ep. 9
