Welcome to Cultural Catalysts with Alison McNeil—the podcast that celebrates the creative visionaries working behind the scenes in arts and entertainment. This ...
Lila Mayes: Mentoring Creatives and Building Inclusive Pathways in Film and TV
On this episode of Cultural Catalysts, Alison McNeil sits down with Lila Mayes, Program Administrator for the Directors Guild of America - Producer Training Program. With a vibrant career spanning artist relations for the Grammys and mentoring aspiring filmmakers, Lila shares her journey of finding purpose and paving the way for inclusivity in the film and TV industry. Discover how Lila empowers young creatives, champions diversity, and transforms non-linear career paths into success stories. From set visits to mentorship masterclasses, Lila unveils the magic behind the scenes in entertainment.📣 Podcast Producer: Letisha Bereola (Paradigm Media Group)
🎭 Find out more about Americans for the Arts.🔗 Connect with Alison:LinkedInInstagram🌐 Find out more about McNeil Creative Enterprises.
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31:50
Aja Burrell Wood: Ethnomusicology and Inclusion in Jazz
On this episode of Cultural Catalysts, Alison McNeil interviews Aja Burrell Wood, the Managing Director of the Berklee Institute of Jazz and Gender Justice. An ethnomusicologist, curator, and educator, Aja has dedicated her career to exploring the intersections of race, gender, and performance. She shares her journey from Detroit, Michigan, to Berklee Institute for Jazz and Gender Justice, highlighting how her passion for music and cultural advocacy led her to amplify underrepresented voices in jazz. Tune in to hear Aja discuss her work, her love for ethnomusicology, and the ways she’s building a more inclusive future for the arts.🌐 Find out more about Ethnomusicology: Berklee Institute of Jazz and Gender Justice | Society for Ethnomusicology📣 Podcast Producer: Letisha Bereola (Paradigm Media Group)
🎭 Find out more about Americans for the Arts.🔗 Connect with Alison:LinkedInInstagram🌐 Find out more about McNeil Creative Enterprises.
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53:39
Mazi Mutafa: Transforming Communities Through the Power of Hip-Hop
On this episode of Cultural Catalyst, Alison McNeil sits down with Mazi Mutafa, Founder and Executive Director of Words Beats & Life, shares his journey of using hip-hop to empower historically-excluded voices and create opportunities for young artists. From pioneering community-focused arts education to blending hip-hop with cultural diplomacy and wellness, Mazi unpacks the transformative power of hip-hop culture beyond music. Listen to how Words Beats & Life is breaking barriers and shaping the future of creative arts.🔗 Connect with Mazi: LinkedIn🌐 Find out more about Words Beats & Life.📣 Podcast Producer: Letisha Bereola (Paradigm Media Group)
🎭 Find out more about Americans for the Arts.🔗 Connect with Alison:LinkedInInstagram🌐 Find out more about McNeil Creative Enterprises.
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58:34
Marjuan Canady: Pioneering Paths in Broadway and Creative Entrepreneurship
On this episode of Cultural Catalysts, Alison McNeil speaks with Marjuan Canady, a Tony-nominated Broadway producer, award-winning Caribbean-American artist, and cultural entrepreneur. From creating her one-woman show, Girls! Girls? Girls. to founding the Callaloo brand of children’s books, puppetry, and theater, Marjuan shares her journey of centering Black and Caribbean stories in her work. Listen as she discusses her path from acting to producing, her experiences balancing the creative and business sides of her career, and the importance of cultural identity in storytelling. Discover how Marjuan is creating opportunities for artists and inspiring the next generation of creatives.🔗 Connect with Marjuan: Website | Instagram | Facebook🌐 Find out more about Callaloo Kids and the Canady Foundation for the Arts.🌐 Fellowships mentioned: Black Theatre UnitedThe Prince FellowshipFront Row Productions Fellowship📣 Podcast Producer: Letisha Bereola (Paradigm Media Group)
🎭 Find out more about Americans for the Arts.🔗 Connect with Alison:LinkedInInstagram🌐 Find out more about McNeil Creative Enterprises.
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58:03
Mitra Arthur: Building Bridges Between the Performing and Cinematic Arts
On this episode of Cultural Catalysts, Alison McNeil interviews Mitra Arthur, a dynamic storyteller with a background spanning the performing and cinematic arts. Mitra shares her journey from live arts and arts administration to producing, directing, and editing impactful films and media. Now a video producer at NPR Music, Mitra discusses the importance of honoring Black women’s stories, fostering curiosity, and creating spaces where art fosters connection and community. Discover how Mitra’s journey reflects McNeil Creative Enterprises’ mission to amplify creatives’ voices and cultivate transformative arts experiences.🌐 Find out more about Mitra Arthur on NPR.👁️🗨️ Read: What Happened to All the Black Girl Groups?🎵 Listen to Durand Jones – Wait Til I Get Over📣 Podcast Producer: Letisha Bereola (Paradigm Media Group)
🎭 Find out more about Americans for the Arts.🔗 Connect with Alison:LinkedInInstagram🌐 Find out more about McNeil Creative Enterprises.
Welcome to Cultural Catalysts with Alison McNeil—the podcast that celebrates the creative visionaries working behind the scenes in arts and entertainment. This podcast uplifts the voices of producers, publicists, directors, and other behind-the-scenes creatives who shape culture but don’t always get the spotlight.
From the challenges of building sustainable careers to the triumphs of crafting unforgettable artistic moments, Cultural Catalysts dives deep into the inspiring lives of those who make the magic happen. If you’re curious about the people driving creativity and innovation in the arts, this podcast is for you.
📢A Call to Action:
I want to take a moment to acknowledge the shifts in our arts and cultural landscape since these conversations were first recorded. We’ve seen challenges to institutions—including the arts—but we’ve also seen the resilience of creatives and cultural organizations.
If you believe in the power of the arts, now is the time to take action. Support the artists and arts organizations that inspire you—donate, amplify their work, and stay engaged. Visit Americans for the Arts to stay updated on advocacy efforts happening on Capitol Hill and across the country. Americans for the Arts provides resources and opportunities to get involved at the local, state, and national levels. We’ll link their website in the show notes and continue sharing updates on our MCE Instagram.
As the legendary Carrie Mae Weems reminds us, “Art is the one place we all turn to for solace, and we need that now more than ever.” Let’s show up for the arts, for our communities, and for each other.
🌐 MCE Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mcearts
The resource link can be found in our bio.
🌐 Americans for the Arts website: https://www.americansforthearts.org/
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