Left Brain vs. Right Brain with Stu Levy

Episode 49: Ali Jaber part 2

In this second part of their conversation, host Stu Levy (TOKYOPOP) welcomes back esteemed Middle East television executive and cultural leader Ali Jaber for an in-depth exploration of Ali’s personal and professional journey, with a focus on Lebanon’s complex cultural, historical, and political tapestry.  From reviewing his early career as a journalist for the German Press Agency during war in Lebanon to his eventual transition into television, this episode explores the serendipitous opportunities that shaped Ali’s path—culminating in launching influential media outlets which helped rebuild Lebanon after the civil war.  He highlights Lebanon’s unique position as a nation shaped by multiple sects and diversity, historic reforms, and a societal tendency towards liberalism and education.

Episode 48 - Matt Braly

Host Stu Levy sits down with acclaimed animator, writer, and showrunner Matt Braly (Amphibia, Gravity Falls) for an insightful and entertaining conversation digging deep into the creative process, the struggle of balancing artistic passion with industry realities, and the ever-shifting landscape of animation—from the glory days of network TV to the rise of streaming and direct-to-fan funding. Matt shares stories about his experiences at Disney, the heartbreak and lessons of feature film development, and his bold leap into crowdfunding original animation with a wildly successful Kickstarter. The duo swap perspectives on creative burnout, the challenge of staying relevant in a changing industry, and the optimism of betting on the next generation. Check out Matt’s Kickstarter for “Clara and the Below”: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1589314206/clara-and-the-below-episode-1

Episode 47: Jane Wu Part 2

Jane Wu is an Emmy-winning director and producer best known as the supervising director of Netflix’s acclaimed animated series Blue Eye Samurai. From her early days in fashion and comics to shaping action and story on major films like Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, Mulan, and Guardians of the Galaxy, Jane has built a career at the intersection of visual artistry and cinematic storytelling. On this episode of Left Brain vs. Right Brain, host Stu Levy dives into Jane’s fascinating career journey—from growing up in Taiwan to breaking boundaries in animation and live-action, and even opening her own comic book store. Jane shares how her bicultural background shaped her creative vision, why imposter syndrome can actually keep you fresh, and the challenges of being a woman in male-dominated creative spaces. Plus, get the inside scoop on how Blue-Eyed Samurai used live-action storytelling techniques to change the game in animation.  Don’t miss this inspiring, honest, and sometimes hilarious discussion about embracing your uniqueness and finding your voice in the creative industry.

Episode 46: Jane Wu

Jane Wu is an Emmy-winning director and producer best known for Netflix’s acclaimed animated series Blue Eye Samurai. In this intensely personal episode of Left Brain vs. Right Brain, host Stu Levy explores Jane’s role as a mother to a severely autistic, non-verbal and developmentally delayed daughter including how she adapted her life to care for her daughter, how she balances her highly successful career, and a range of invaluable advice for all parents.  Don’t miss this educational and emotional episode!

Episode 45: Ellen Eliasoph pt. 2

Host Stu Levy continues his conversation with Ellen Eliasoph, pioneering movie producer and global executive who played a foundational role in opening the Chinese market to Hollywood. From serving as the first Hollywood studio representative in Beijing to helping introduce blockbuster cinema to Chinese audiences, Ellen’s career reflects a rare blend of creativity, diplomacy, and fearless industry innovation. Having produced award-winning films that bridge cultures, aesthetics, and worldviews, she has long worked at the intersection of art, business, and global storytelling. In Part 2, Stu and Ellen build on their earlier discussion, further exploring her experiences navigating East-West collaboration before it became mainstream, her perspective on China’s evolving cultural mindset, and how those early moments helped shape the global powerhouse China is today. The conversation highlights the lasting impact of cross-cultural curiosity, leadership in uncharted territory, and storytelling that connects generations and cultures.