December 11, 2025Episode 814 min
The Mom Jar
Earlier this season Jen dedicated an episode to her Dad. Now it is her Mom’s turn. Fight on Linda. www.slightlyprod.com
Episodes
23
Latest episode
Dec 2025
Language
EN-US
About the show
The intent of this show is to engage with all types of people and build an understanding that anyone who has any kind of success has achieved that success because they are creative thinkers. So whether you are an artist, a cook, a bottle washer, or an award-winning journalist, everyone has something to contribute to the human conversation.
Listen to episodes
November 20, 2025Episode 753 min
Vicki Dobbs Beck-When Magic Happens
Some careers read like a straight line. This one is a map of brave detours, timely breakthroughs, and the stubborn belief that story and technology belong together. Vicki Dobbs Beck—VP of Immersive Content at Lucasfilm and ILM—to unpack how a kid from Kirkland, Washington, rode a love of books and big ideas to help launch ILMxLAB and push real-time storytelling into the mainstream.We trace the arc from a palm-tree dream of Stanford to an unlikely first win at ILM: drafting the company’s first business plan by interviewing senior creatives and stitching their wisdom into direction. From there, the conversation travels through Lucasfilm’s early experiments in location-based entertainment and the visionary but early Lucasfilm Learning, where a mystery about disappearing ducks introduced project-based, no-single-answer learning—an immersive idea before VR could carry it. When real-time rendering finally hit cinematic quality, the door opened for ILMxLAB. Vicki breaks down the creative-operational engine behind XR: align high-fidelity media with interactivity and give audiences agency without sacrificing story. If you’re building a creative career, rethinking education, or chasing the edge of immersive tech, this conversation will change how you plan and how you dare. Subscribe, share with a friend who loves story and innovation, and leave a review. www.slightlyprod.com
November 6, 2025Episode 657 min
Ahmed Best: The Poetry Behind It
What happens when rhythm, science, and vulnerability collide inside one artist? We sit down with Ahmed Best to explore a creative life that refuses boxes: a South Bronx kid raised by drums and physics, a performer who treats movement as first language, and an educator who teaches students to design for feeling rather than stumble into it.Ahmed opens up about being an “emotional athlete,” choosing vulnerability on cue, and why social media’s loudness can’t replace true listening. He walks us through his Dramatic Narrative Design framework at USC—start with the emotion you want the audience to feel, then build story choices to deliver that outcome with intention. We also talk frankly about Jar Jar Binks and the cost of pioneering performance capture. Ahmed helped shape tools and techniques still used across film and games, yet the backlash nearly ended the work he loved. His reflections aren’t bitter; they’re practical, generous, and deeply human. He explains how to endure critique without losing truth, why mastery is a series of new beginnings, and how returning to Star Wars came from love rather than nostalgia.If this resonated, follow the show, share it with a friend, and leave a quick review so more curious listeners can find us.www.slightlyprod.com
October 23, 2025Episode 553 min
Jerry Becker: The Road to Train
A loud Cleveland house. Nine kids. A basement full of drums and harmony guitars. We sit down with Jerry Becker, Train’s multi-instrumentalist and music director to trace a winding creative path—from a rejected teenager who formed his own band to a music store employee who told a stranger in a Steelers hat that his team “sucked,” then sold him a saxophone and changed his life.Jerry takes us inside the machine of a modern touring act: how set lists are shaped, how transitions breathe, and why almost everyone in the band plays drums. We talk about the lost art of album narratives, the rise of high-quality home recording, and the urgency of finishing a song while the idea is still in the air.The biggest curveball? A four-year plunge into Broadway. Jerry, Pat Monahan, and drummer Matt have written dozens of songs for a stage adaptation of Begin Again, discovering the thrill and terror of hearing other voices carry their melodies. It’s the hardest writing he’s done—and the most clarifying. If you care about the craft of live music, the realities of today’s music business, and the courage to say yes before you know how, this conversation will hit home. Follow along, share with a friend, and leave a review to help others find the show.www.slightlyprod.com
October 9, 2025Episode 341 min
Kim Libreri: “The Matrix” of Innovation
** Episode Note: We did have some audio issues with this episode, but it was too good a conversation to keep on the shelf!Tech visonary Kim Liberi, walks us through the mindset that carried him from early console graphics and London VFX labs to the painterly breakthroughs of What Dreams May Come, where live action became living brushstrokes using optical flow and fine-art sensibilities to his ground breaking work on the Matrix films, and his most recent incarnation as CTO of Epic Games. The conversation opens into simulated worlds and the convergence of film and games. Kim breaks down how procedural cities, photogrammetry, and Unreal Engine’s real-time rendering shift power back to creators—letting directors dial weather on set, game designers craft cinematic beats, and teams reuse systems without losing soul. If you’re curious about how math, art, and collaboration turn into wonder—on set and on screen—Kim's path is one that will resonate with you. www.slightlyprod.com
September 25, 2025Episode 258 min
Jessie Creel Returns: Advocating for your Health
When our close friend, Jessie Creel first appeared on Everyone Is..., she was battling what she thought was pneumonia. That persistent cough eventually led to a shocking diagnosis: lung cancer, despite Jessie never having smoked a day in her life. In this deeply moving conversation, Jessie shares her journey from that initial realization—losing an ocean swim she should have won—to assembling a world-class medical team at City of Hope and Stanford. With remarkable clarity and even moments of humor, she explores how cancer treatment intertwines with mental health, family dynamics, and systemic healthcare challenges."Anyone who has lungs can get lung cancer," Jessie emphasizes, pushing back against the stigma that often accompanies the diagnosis. She reveals startling statistics—40% more women die of lung cancer than breast cancer—while questioning why mammograms are standard preventative care but lung CT scans aren't.Join us for this conversation about advocacy, community support, and finding strength in vulnerability. Also please donate to https://wegotthis.org/ an organization that helps individuals with cancer.www.slightlyprod.com
May 8, 2025Episode 117 min
The Ballad of Two Ton Ernie
This episode is dedicated to Jen's father who passed away on February 8,2025. "Rage, rage against the dying of the light."- Dylan Thomaswww.slightlyprod.com
December 19, 2024Episode 756 min
Jessica Manning-Brose- Content and Contentment
Jessica Manning-Brose takes us on a journey through her unique cultural upbringing and creative evolution. Growing up in Sweden with a Swedish mother and a musician father from Harlem, Jessica's family faced significant challenges when they moved to Minneapolis. The cultural differences in family support and financial hardships only strengthened their family bond and set the stage for Jessica's creative path. Jessica shares how the COVID-19 pandemic catalyzed her shift from live music to becoming a content creator, allowing her to embrace a love for fashion, design, and thrifting. Her aesthetic journey reflects a harmonious blend of vintage and contemporary styles, creating a timeless look that resonates both online and offline. Embracing authenticity, she highlights the empowerment found in building a genuine social media community.In the realm of business ownership, Jessica candidly discusses the complexities of managing finances and insurance as an influencer while balancing personal and professional life. Emphasizing the power of slow living, she encourages listeners to savor life's small moments and pursue passions at their own pace. www.slightlyprod.com
December 5, 2024Episode 61 hr 5 min
Tom Bissell: Empathy and Curiosity
What happens when a celebrated writer like Tom Bissell ventures into the world of video games, fiction, and journalism? Join us as Tom shares captivating stories from his childhood in Michigan's Upper Peninsula and how early encounters with arcade classics shaped his creative journey. With literary influences from his father's circle, including Jim Harrison and Philip Caputo, Tom embraced a life of writing without a fallback plan. His insights into the evolution of gaming and the creative process offer a fresh perspective on artistic identity and the pursuit of one's passion.We also delve into the nuances of storytelling, highlighting how imagination and empathy drive the creative process. From the technicalities of screenwriting to the fearless exploration of emotions through art, this episode is a testament to the transformative power of creativity. www.slightlyprod.com
November 14, 2024Episode 553 min
Dr. Joanne Jones: Imagining Beyond the Known
Dr. Joanne Jones, a neurologist from Wolverhampton, shares her journey into the field of neurology and medical research. At the heart of her story is a pivotal conversation with a teacher that ignited her passion for merging medicine with research, setting her on a path from the University of Bristol to the esteemed halls of Cambridge University. Dr. Jones discusses her experiences and the vital support of mentors. Her journey highlights the importance of diversity in academia and the transformative impact of encouragement and guidance. The podcast delves into the intricate world of autoimmune conditions, with a focus on the immune system's role in neurological disorders, offering a profound understanding of how scientific advancements can reshape treatment approaches.From establishing a transition clinic for young MS patients in Cambridge to exploring the potential of AI in medicine, her insights reveal the dynamic nature of modern research and clinical care. As creativity and science intersect, the episode explores how problem-solving and decision-making are essential components of the scientific process.www.slightlyprod.com
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