Podcetera

Don’t Let Them Eat the Baby: A Roller Derby Journey | Erica Vanstone

What does it take to find your voice and hold onto it? In this episode, we sit down with writer, filmmaker, and former executive director of the Women’s Flat Track Derby Association, Erica Vanstone. From growing up in rural Massachusetts to helping shape the modern era of roller derby, Erica’s journey is anything but conventional. She shares how curiosity led her from announcing bouts to skating, refereeing, and ultimately leading a global organization through one of its most challenging moments. Along the way, she reflects on the explosive growth of the sport, the realities of building something community-driven at scale, and the tension between staying authentic and gaining mainstream visibility. We also dive into her new book, Don’t Let Them Eat the Baby, a deeply personal and wide-ranging look at roller derby, identity, and the stories we tell ourselves to survive and grow. Through vivid storytelling and hard-earned insight, Erica explores what it means to carve out space for yourself in a world that doesn’t always make it easy. This conversation blends humor, honesty, and sharp perspective, touching on derby culture, unforgettable moments on the track, and the deeper truth at the center of Erica’s work: the cost of being yourself is high, but the cost of not being yourself is even higher. Learn more at: ericavanstone.com [https://www.ericavanstone.com/]

Joy Clark on Creativity, Connection, and Making Space for the Music

Joy Clark writes songs that feel lived in, guided by emotion, faith, and instinct. The Louisiana-born singer-songwriter and guitarist joins Podcetera for a personal conversation about music, identity, and learning to fully inhabit your own life. Raised in Harvey, Louisiana, the youngest of five in a deeply religious family, Joy shares how being homeschooled and immersed in church shaped both her sound and her sense of self. She reflects on finding freedom through songwriting and why her song “Guest” feels closest to her personal story. Joy opens up about her debut album Tell It to the Wind, produced by her longtime musical hero Margaret Becker, and how staying “available” to emotion guides her creative process. She also talks about performing on massive stages like the Grammys and why connection matters more than scale. The conversation touches on Joy’s roots, her grandmother’s influence, and her journey to signing with Righteous Babe Records. She also offers insights for emerging artists and imagines dream music experiences that blend community, creativity, food, and song. Joy Clark is charting her own path, grounded in honesty, lineage, and self-acceptance. This episode closes with Joy’s original song “Christmas Gumbo”, a festive, soulful celebration of family, tradition, and holiday gathering, rooted in her Louisiana upbringing and her grandmother’s Christmas gumbo traditions. Guest Links: * Official Site [https://joyclarkmusic.com/] * Bandcamp – Tell it to the Wind — Debut album * Bandcamp – “Gumbo Christmas” [https://joyclark.bandcamp.com/track/gumbo-christmas] — Joy’s holiday original. * Instagram [https://instagram.com/joyclarkmusic] * Facebook [https://facebook.com/JoyClarkMusic] * YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@rudaje2000] * Artist Page – Righteous Babe Records [https://www.righteousbabe.com/pages/joy-clark]

The Music and Mindfulness of Sug Daniels

Sug Daniels [https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielle-johnson-51684759/] is a Delaware-born, Philadelphia-based singer-songwriter, ukulele player, and producer whose music blends folk, rock, and soul into heartfelt stories about love, identity, and connection. In this episode, she reflects on her journey from singing in church and forming bands in Delaware to finding her voice, and her purpose, in the thriving Philadelphia music scene. Sug opens up about the challenges and triumphs of being a full-time independent artist, the influence of her upbringing and identity on her songwriting, and how meditation and introspection ground her creative process. She also shares the inspiration behind her debut studio album, I Believe in You, and what it means to build community through her ever-evolving “Chosen Family Band.” Sug shares stories from the road touring with The Black Opry, and what she’s learned from sharing stages with artists like The Indigo Girls, Sarah Shook & The Disarmers, and Molly Tuttle. Plus, she shares a live performance of her uplifting song “Brand New Day.” Sug’s music is as vibrant, heartfelt, and magnetic as she is, leaving an imprint long after the song ends. Guest Links: * Website [https://www.sugdaniels.com] * Bandcamp [https://sugdaniels.bandcamp.com/] * Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/sugdaniels_/] * Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/sugdanielsmusic/] * Linkedin [https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielle-johnson-51684759/] * YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=epyewpwAIks]

Between Melody and Message: Jill Sobule’s Lasting Impact

In a heartfelt and candid conversation, singer-songwriter Jill Sobule [https://www.jillsobule.com/] reflects on the intersection of music and politics, her unique songwriting process, and the evolving challenges artists face in the music industry. Sharing candid stories from her remarkable career—including the groundbreaking ’90s hits “I Kissed a Girl” and “Supermodel,” her collaborations with legends like Neil Young and Cyndi Lauper, and her theatrical work, Jill offers rare insight into the life of a fiercely independent artist and storyteller. She also shares her thoughts on her iconic protest anthem “We Want Our America Back” and its enduring relevance today. Born in Denver, Colorado, Jill’s three-decade career spans a dozen albums tackling topics from LGBTQ rights and mental health to social justice, all delivered with wit, intelligence, and emotional depth. Known for blending humor with pathos, Jill’s songs invite listeners to engage with complex issues through vivid portraits of human experience. This interview was recorded shortly before Jill’s passing, making it one of her final interviews. We celebrate her enduring legacy and the powerful voice she leaves behind. Her music will continue to give us the courage needed to speak truth to power and to live authentically. Guest Links: * Jill Sobule's Website [https://www.jillsobule.com/] * The Jill Fund [https://www.jillsobule.com/the-jill-fund] * Jill's YouTube Channel [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBiAsnYYrLeoRvK8fbAvepA]

Cutting for Impact: The Art and Partnership Behind The Last of Us | Tim Good & Emily Mendez

Every iconic TV moment owes something to the editor’s eye — the pacing of a breath, the cutaway that lands just right, the silence that says everything. Editors Timothy A. Good, ACE, and Emily Mendez know this better than most. Tim and Emily open up about the choices and challenges behind some of television’s most talked-about episodes, unpacking everything from emotional restraint to the delicate choreography of cutting between performances. Whether they’re building battle scenes or slow-burning love stories, they approach every frame with intention, care, and trust in their collaborators. They also reflect on the pressure of fan expectations, their approach to character-driven editing, and the lessons they've learned through mentorship — both giving and receiving. It’s a rare peek into the edit bay for series like The Last of Us, where they worked together to shape episodes including the widely praised, Emmy-winning “Long, Long Time,” which received the Primetime Emmy for Outstanding Picture Editing for a Drama Series. This is also a tale of creative partnership, blending Tim’s experience with Emily’s distinctive voice to shape powerful storytelling in the editing room. Timothy A. Good, ACE, is a veteran editor with over 25 years of experience shaping hit series like Fringe, The Umbrella Academy, The Resident, and The Last of Us. Known for his collaborative style and editorial intuition, he’s also an educator at UCLA and a dedicated mentor whose guidance has helped launch the careers of many editors — including Emily Mendez. Tim’s accolades include a Primetime Emmy for Outstanding Picture Editing for a Drama Series, the American Cinema Editors’ Best Edited Drama Series award, and nominations from the Hollywood Professional Association and the BFE Cut Above Awards for his work on The Last of Us. IMDB [https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0328738/] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/tagme1974/?hl=en] Emily Mendez is an accomplished, dynamic editor recognized for her ability to shape emotional, resonant scenes. After earning her MFA from the American Film Institute, she worked on Rosewood, Light as a Feather, and The Umbrella Academy. On The Last of Us, she rose from assistant editor to co-editor alongside Tim and now edits episodes independently, bringing her voice to some of the show’s most powerful and memorable moments. Emily has been awarded a Primetime Emmy for Outstanding Picture Editing for a Drama Series, a BFE Above the Cut Award, and received a nomination from the Hollywood Professional Association for her work on The Last of Us. IMDB [https://www.imdb.com/name/nm6424519/] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/em.editor/?hl=en]