ampersound: Recent Episodes
Visualist
Welcome to ampersound, a podcast by the team at Visualist.
ampersound features snippets from our interactive digital magazine, ampersand.
These are the multi-hyphenates who have captivated our minds with their side hustles, passion projects, and ever-evolving identities.
Today, I'm joined by Ed Currie and Andy Coxon - two performers-turned-entrepreneurs with interests spanning photography, teaching, acting and dance. We discuss their transition from the West-End to the world of business, the resilience of performers and how, to them, their branding will always be a show. Thank you for listening, and we hope you enjoy the stories. Find our full conversation here: https://ampersand-mag.com/ed-currie-andy-coxon (00:55) - Background in performance (09:31) - The beginning of AKT (13:06) - Growing AKT (18:24) - Being authentic in the brand (20:37) - Imposter syndrome (24:14) - Side hustles and interests
Today, I'm joined by entrepreneur, design-enthusiast and budding architect, Justin Potts. We discuss the intersection between design and architecture, how his entrepreneurial spirit developed at just ten years old, and his enormous, three-month road trip across the US. Thank you for listening, and we hope you enjoy the stories. Find our full conversation here: https://ampersand-mag.com/justin-potts (00:53) - Interest in architecture (02:06) - Finding creativity as a child (06:58) - Product design & tech (09:16) - Founding Kite (13:18) - Founding Avenify (16:22) - RV trip across the U.S. (19:24) - Design and Entrepreneurship (22:50) - Dream home (24:57) - Sailing (26:37) - Recharging and self care (29:54) - Developing interest in architecture
Today, I’m joined by narrative designer, games writer and journalist, Chella Ramanan. We discuss the importance of representation, how she serendipitously discovered a career that “made her whole”, and the ‘ceremony’ of writing with fountain pens. Thank you for joining us, and we hope you enjoy the stories. Find our full conversation here: https://ampersand-mag.com/chella-ramanan (01:22) - Getting started in narrative design (06:08) - Writing as a craft (08:30) - Merging two sides (10:22) - Creativity as a child (12:48) - Current projects (17:48) - Energy pools (19:59) - Paper and fountain pens (24:42) - Community and rituals
Today, I’m talking to musician, environmental architect and activist, Aditi Veena. We discuss the beauty of nature, how Ditty’s music gave her a voice, and how her architecture education provided her with the tools to build something from nothing. Thank you for joining us, and we hope you enjoy the stories. Find our full conversation here: https://ampersand-mag.com/aditi-veena (00:59) - Home + childhood (03:20) - Streets For Us (6:50) - Studying ecology and architecture (13:08) - Wildlife architecture in Goa (18:21) - Childhood love of nature (20:16) - Intersection of music and architecture (24:17) - Constructing songs (25:11) - Poetry and songwriting (26:15) - Music as a tool and a friend
Welcome to ampersound, a podcast by the team at Visualist. ampersound features snippets from our interactive online magazine, ampersand. In this podcast, we bring you 30-min episodes of our chats with people such as Laura Gao, Mona Arshi, and Poppy Jaman. Our guests welcome us into their multi-hyphenate worlds, and let us in on their side hustles, passion projects, and ever-evolving identities. Hobbies versus work - where do they draw the line? What does it feel like to play catch-up We also get deep into the tricks they use to keep themselves going. And finally, how do they define their identities? Thanks for joining us. You can find us on Apple, Spotify, Google or wherever you get your podcasts. For their full stories, check out http://ampersand-mag.com (ampersand-mag.com). We hope you enjoy them.
Today, I'm talking to design leader, photographer and dog-lover, Aaina Sharma. We talk about discovering inspiration, experiencing the world through photography and starting her own newsletter. Find our full conversation here: https://ampersand-mag.com/aaina-sharma (00:55) - Childhood + early life (03:53) - Academy of Art (05:13) - Choosing graphic design (09:02) - Creative family (11:18) - Love of photography (14:46) - Signals of mental health (20:38) - Finding inspiration (22:41) - From graphic design to product design (29:11) - DearGenie (34:23) - Unmind
Today, I'm joined by producer, interior designer, and all-around hobbyist, Stephanie Purcell. We discuss discovering new interests, staying true to yourself and her love of all things vintage. (00:52) - Early life and college (02:34) - Being a hobbyist (05:23)- Working on The Late Show with Letterman (06:55) - Working in production (12:05) - Discovering interior design (21:05) - Memorable production projects (22:14) - Learning from production and design (26:22) - Travel (29:07) - Ballroom dancing
Today I'm joined by CEO, mental health advocate, and saree enthusiast, Poppy Jaman. We talk about recognising and managing mental health struggles, straddling different cultures, and the magical effect of sarees. Find our full conversation here: https://ampersand-mag.com/poppy-jaman Chapter Topics (00:50) - Childhood and growing up (07:01) - Early motherhood and depression (11:05) - Beginning of mental health help (14:18) - Starting work in mental health (19:42) - Love of dance (21:43) - Learning to take ownership of achievements (24:18) - Wellbeing and self-care (28:16) - Singing lessons (33:31) - Sarees and their importance
Today I'm talking to chef, model, and influencer, Pearl Steffie. We discuss moving from the island to the big city, how food can be a form of art and expression, and embracing no-makeup days. Find our full conversation here: https://ampersand-mag.com/pearl-steffie (00:56) - Childhood + growing up (05:58) - Starting the culinary journey (09:05) - Moving to LA (14:14) - Losing Instagram (17:47) - Schedule at work (20:13) - Cooking as an art (23:30) - Feelings on modelling and cooking (32:38) - Dealing with feedback (34:45) - Thoughts on social media
Today I'm talking with designer, poet, painter, and flower girl-in-chief Sana Rao. We chat about how she defines her identity, when she first called herself a poet, and why solitude is important to her. Find our full conversation at: https://ampersand-mag.com/sana-rao Chapter Topics: (00:57) - 'Flower-girl-in-chief and poet in residence' (02:06) - Poetry newsletter (03:13) - Interests growing up (04:36) - Identity (06:26) - Claiming the title of poet (09:26) - Sabbatical (10:32) - Routines and rituals (14:04) - Home (16:12) - Feminine-coded communiction (22:25) - Poetry intersection with day job (24:59) - Poetry writing process
Today I'm chatting with stylist, model, and athlete, Terumi Murao. We discuss what it means to fake it till you make it and why sustainability is bullshit. Find our full conversation at: https://ampersand-mag.com/terumi-murao Chapter Topics: (01:01) - Growing up (06:30) - Getting into the fashion industry (12:20) - Current projects (15:20) - Starting as a model (19:18) - Luck vs talent vs hard work (23:24) - Creative process vs modelling process (29:40) - Identity (32:36) - Self-care
Today I'm with lawyer, beauty entrepreneur, and dancer, Sara Shah. We talk about the power of dance, the meaning of beauty, and the challenge of getting into the creative flow. Find our full conversation here: https://ampersand-mag.com/sara-shah Chapter Topics: (00:54) - Love of dance (03:39) - Early life + career (11:16) - Inspiration for starting Journ (13:27) - Symbolism of Journ (14:51) - Reconciling law career and Journ (19:53) - 'Learning' to be creative (23:16) - Self-care rituals (27:34) - Move to Austin (30:36) - 'Beauty is more than skin deep'
Today I'm talking to entrepreneur, model, wing chun teacher, and tea expert Rui Liu. We talk about everything from the modelling industry to the healing powers of her community. Find our full conversation at: https://ampersand-mag.com/rui-liu
Today I'm chatting with lawyer, beauty entrepreneur, and beekeeper Zaffrin O'Sullivan. We talk about picking up new hobbies, owning your story, and the lessons she's learnt from her children. Find our full conversation here: https://ampersand-mag.com/zaffrin-o-sullivan Chapter Topics: (00:56) - Early life and aspirations (05:38) - Beekeeping (11:54) - Feeling overwhelmed and self-care (15:50) - Five Dot and being a 'beauty outsider' (23:34) - Learning from children (26:10) - Diversity in friends and life (27:53) - Quickfire Q&A
Today I'm talking to poet, novelist, professor, and human rights lawyer, Mona Arshi. We talk about hunting down a poem, tricking yourself, and capturing beauty. Find our full conversation here: https://ampersand-mag.com/mona-arshi (01:00) - Early life + growing up (05:23) - Working in human rights (10:54) - Translating the world to poetry (16:37) - Discovering poetry (19:20) - Getting a degree in poetry (24:29) - Poetic voice (26:31) - Routines and creative rituals (29:50) - Poetry vs prose (33:47) - Law vs poetry
Today I'm chatting with artist, writer, and bread-lover Laura Gao. We talk about straddling different worlds, finding your voice, and where to find the best bread in San Francisco. Find our full conversation here: https://ampersand-mag.com/laura-gao Chapter Topics: (00:58) - Introduction + bread obsession (02:22) - Early life + Growing up (04:30) - Early love of art (06:44) - Choosing a college major (10:07) - Going viral (the first time) (11:24) - Working at Twitter (14:24) - Comic publishing journey (18:37) - Going into art full-time (27:36) - Being vulnerable on social media
Today, Ariel and I discuss everything from education policy to beating burnout to Selling Sunset. Find our full conversation here: https://ampersand-mag.com/ariel-norling Chapter Topics: (00:50) - Childhood + growing up (04:15) - From public policy to education (06:14) - Transitioning into startups (08:43) - Identity as a product designer (15:20) - Upcoming book about burnout (19:54) - Zillow newsletter (23:29) - Studying interior design (31:10) - Quickfire Q&A