Manufacturing Fear: How Data Became the Most Powerful Political Weapon
For years, I worked in marketing and advertising, building a career around fully integrated campaigns that blended social media, publicity, activations, and traditional advertising into coordinated, multipronged strategies. This work combined cohesive creative direction and story integration, constantly refined through audience behavior. Over time, I became one of the leading consultants in this space across several industries…
The End of Social Media
Lately, I’ve been thinking about how much of my time and attention gets swallowed up by social media, and how little trust I have left in the people running the platforms that now shape so much of public life. Spaces that once promised connection increasingly feel engineered for outrage, distraction, and division, all in service of keeping us…
A Place to Fall Down
A Place to Fall Down was created as a response to something we all experience: grief. Humanity can be, at its core, a tragic existence. However, even in the face of the strongest adversities, we find it in ourselves to search for the beauty of it all. After our collective experiences over the last few years, this story of loss, despair, and ultimately, hope – has a common thread through which we’re…
Metric - Risk, Official Music Video
It was an honor to direct the latest Metric music video for Risk. Last summer, I had the pleasure of working with the band on a documentary series, and in that time I came to appreciate just how intentional and thoughtful their creative process is, especially Emily’s songwriting, which carries both emotional precision and…
The Smith Society Podcast — Conversations About Storytelling
When I started The Smith Society Podcast, the idea was simple: create a space where storytellers could talk honestly about their work, their journeys, and the unpredictable paths that lead to creating something meaningful. So many of the best conversations in film happen off-camera; after screenings, between setups, on late-night drives home…
John August, Screenwriter and Director
What’s most impressive about John August is not his incredible body of work (although it is impressive), it’s his willingness to share his knowledge with anyone who seeks it. In a world where people don’t often offer helping hands to those in their shared field, August is a bastion of kindness and a seemingly bottomless pit of insight and wisdom into filmmaking. His wildly successful podcast, Scriptnotes...
Sophia Chang, ESYMAI – Interview
Hailing from Queens with an avid spirit for the arts, Sophia is a true product of her environment finding everyday excellence quite comfortable. She received her BFA degree in Illustration from Parsons School of Design in 2010. Since then, she has been an active member of the global creative community. From her student years to the present, Chang has immersed herself in...
Erika Christensen, Actor
You might know Erika Christensen from her role as Julia Braverman Graham on Parenthood, or any of the amazing other roles she’s done. Case in point: Swimfan, Traffic, The Perfect Score, and just when you think she can’t get any cooler, she lends her voice to the hysterical Robot Chicken. All that aside, Erika is down to earth and naturally gorgeous. She was so unbelievably kind and gracious, and most of all, she was really interesting and willing...
Aaron James Draplin, Graphic Artist
If you go to the Draplin Design Co. “About” page, you will find a beautifully written recap of Aaron Draplin’s career thus far. It’s so well done, I decided to share some of it with you here; there is absolutely no way I could introduce him better: “Bred from the loins of the proud Midwest, this little fucker was squeezed out in Detroit...
Rachel Antonoff, Fashion Designer
Rachel Antonoff is a New York-based designer whose aesthetic is girly, functional, beautiful, comfortable, colorful and basically everything you could ever want from fashion. Her collaboration with Bass is absolutely swoon worthy, and is a favorite among fashionistas and every day girls alike.
Blanda, Artist
Blanda is a Swiss contemporary artist living and working between New York and Los Angeles. In 2007, Blanda moved to New York to enroll in the School of Visual Arts (SVA) where she received the Silas H. Rhodes Scholarship.
Left Field Project
With a series of interviews, Left Field Project captures what drives the world’s most progressive designers, artists and creators. Left Field Project began as an inside look into the mechanics of…
Eric Nakamura, Giant Robot
Eric Nakamura just might be the hardest working guy in Los Angeles. If you’re familiar with the Giant Robot brand, you’re well aware of its legacy and dedication to featuring Asian and Asian-American pop culture. Giant Robot covers everything from art, design and entertainment to toys, history and music.
Gemma O’Brien, Artist
Gemma O’Brien is an Australian artist specializing in lettering, illustration and typography.
Mario Caldato Jr., Producer
Mario Caldato, Jr., or as he is known in some circles, “Mario C,” is a Brazilian record producer. Mario was immortalized in 1998 by Mike D of the Beastie Boys in one breath, “Mario C likes to keep it clean…” The song was Intergalactic, the album was Hello Nasty.
Doug Menuez, Photographer
Doug Menuez is an award-winning photographer whose career over 30 years has ranged from photo journalism to documentary film. He gained exclusive, unprecedented access to record the rise of Silicon Valley from 1985-2000 and documented the lives of its most brilliant innovators.
Kozyndan, Artists
This interview took almost ten years to complete and it was totally worth it. I hope you find this incredibly sincere and wonderful, because it’s one of my favorites.
HENSE, Artist
I really enjoy the beautiful artwork of Atlanta native, HENSE (Also known as, Alex Brewer). The organic shapes and lines that can be found in his body of work. I appreciate the scale and color palette of his recent work, and the originality, composition and grit of his early work.
How and Nosm, Artists
How and Nosm (Raoul and Davide Perre) are identical twins known for their large scale graffiti based murals that adorn city walls around the world. The red, black, and white-based imagery is instantly recognizable and commands attention through the impressive size and the intricate detail.
SKYPAGE, Artist
SKYPAGE is a Bay Area native with an uncanny ability to create letters. Now residing in Los Angeles, SKYPAGE uses his various skills to bring his art to the masses.