MAD CREATIVE with Leyden Lewis + Ed Lederman

Charlie Bennet - Photographer

Mad Creative Podcast - Highlights Today we are talking with photographer, and soon to be documentary filmmaker Charlie Bennet * IThe conversation opens with Charlie's captivating book, "On Pause: 3 Months that Changed New York," capturing the essence of NYC's transformative three months during the pandemic in the stark empty streets and the portraits of people affected by the pandemic. * Epiphany and Late Bloomers Charlie unfolds his inspiring story, revealing his decision to pivot to photography at 38, escaping the confines of an unfulfilling advertising career. * Creativity as a Poetic Journey Leyden, the poetic interior designer, shares insights into his creative path, highlighting the role of his support system and his affiliation with BADG (Black Artist and Designer Guild). * Collaboration: Scales, Jazz, and Rock 'n' Roll Ed delves into the world of collaboration with young creatives, seamlessly integrating this aspect into his vibrant photography practice. * Creatives Unite: Break the Echo Chamber! Charlie, Ed, and Leyden emphasize the transformative power of collaboration and encourage creatives to break free from their echo chambers. * Corporate Life vs. Freelancer Wisdom Charlie sheds light on the distinctions between corporate life and the freelancer's journey, offering valuable insights into the challenges and rewards of each path. * Value Creation and Fair Compensation for Freelancers Gain practical insights from Charlie, Ed, and Leyden on recognizing the value freelancers bring to the table and quickly turns into stories from all 3 about being compensated.. * Connect with Mad Creative: Stay updated by following @madcreativepod [https://www.instagram.com/madcreativepod/] on Instagram for behind-the-scenes moments and the latest podcast updates. Explore more about Charlie Bennett and his work at charliebennet.com [http://charliebennet.com]. Join us as we celebrate the diverse and inspiring stories of these creatives on the Mad Creative Podcast. #photographer #interior design #documentary #creative #art ReplyForward

Leyden Lewis talks about participating in newly released Architectural Digest documentary

In this episode, our conversation kicks off with a deep dive into the Architectural Digest documentary film, "AD 100: The New Taste," where Leyden Lewis stands out as one of the featured designers at the 16.55 mark watch AD 100: The New Taste https://www.architecturaldigest.com/video/watch/ad100-the-new-taste [https://www.architecturaldigest.com/video/watch/ad100-the-new-taste]. We explore the impact of being acknowledged as an exceptional artist by renowned platforms such as Architectural Digest , as well as by Leyden's discerning clientele. Delving into the road less traveled as a creative, Leyden shares insights into his design process, the poetic elements of his work, and the importance of building a community within one's space. Ed Lederman is steadfast in directing the spotlight towards celebrating Leyden, not only for his outstanding design work but also for the poetry embedded in his life and thoughts. The episode encourages viewers to engage with the film, the podcast, and the body of work produced by Leyden Lewis and Ed Lederman. For a deeper dive into their creative worlds, you can explore Leyden Lewis's portfolio at https://www.leydenlewis.com/ [https://www.leydenlewis.com/] and Ed Lederman's photography at https://www.edledermanphoto.com/ [https://www.edledermanphoto.com/]. If you're a full-time creative and would like to share your journey on the show, reach out to us at madcreativepod@gmail.com [madcreativepod@gmail.com]. We invite everyone to join us in experiencing the richness of their artistic contributions.

Cathleen Campbell- Photographer , Filmmaker storyteller

In today's episode of Mad Creative with Leyden Lewis and Ed Lederman we have the pleasure of chatting with Cathleen Campbell, a photographer, filmmaker, and storyteller. She shares her journey, including her first photographs taken at the tender age of 7, which she still treasures. Tune in to discover her unique process for capturing the humanity and vulnerability of people through street portraits. Leyden , Ed and Cathleen have a great conversation about the creative process and the hunger for likes on Instagram.They also talk about the value of their creativity. Cathleen also runs the YouTube channel Drama Mama News, where she offers a satirical news perspective from a Black woman's point of view. Don't miss this insightful conversation! You can see Cathleen’s work at https://cccpix.com/ [https://cccpix.com/]

Malene Barnett

Malene Djenaba Barnett, an accomplished multidisciplinary artist, textile designer, and community builder from Brooklyn, New York, begins the conversation by sharing the sources of joy in her life, such as walking on a sunny day, winning awards, and engaging in her creative practices. As the discussion unfolds, Ed, Leyden, and Malene delve deep into the topics of joy, inspiration, and happiness. Melanie then opens up about her origin story, recounting how her artistic journey began at the age of 5 when she started making mud pies. At 8 years old, she was selected for an art program, igniting her passion for painting portraits and playing the violin and piano. Despite being surrounded by mostly white girls in her early years, it was during 10th grade when she started doing self-portraits and listening to hip hop that she experienced the beginnings of her cultural awakening. The conversation takes a turn as they discuss the impact of racism on black artists,Leyden and Malene talk about some of those experiences. . Malene shares the challenges she has faced as a black artist, having to overcome various obstacles. Ed's comment that they are pioneers in their respective fields, leads to a discussion on how being labeled as pioneers can sometimes act as a trigger. Leyden candidly talks about his experience as a gay man and how it, too, has triggered emotional responses, while acknowledging that the effects of racism cannot be negated. The conversation shifts towards exploring their essences. Ed identifies joy, creativity, and devotion as central to his being. Leyden describes himself as embodying joy, richness, and color. Malene identifies caring and silliness as part of her essence, to which Leyden adds the word "warrior," symbolizing her unwavering commitment to her work and personal journey. Malene shares how embracing her warrior spirit transformed her success, leading her to establish the Black Artist and Designer Guild, which Leyden also became a member of. They emphasize the significance of support and community for artists and creatives, as it can empower them to overcome challenges and excel in their pursuits. In the final ten minutes of the conversation, Melanie, Leyden, and Ed reflect on the —greatness, joy, and magic. These concepts encapsulate the essence of their shared experience and creativity. The conversation concludes by acknowledging the richness of their dialogue, making it a must-listen for anyone interested in the creative life and human experiences. Melanie and Leyden's feature in the April/2023 issue of Architectural Digest serves as a testament to their talent and collaboration. For those eager to learn more, the podcast offers a platform to delve deeper into this captivating and inspiring conversation. Additionally, you can explore Malene's work and learn more about her artistic endeavors at her website: https://www.malenebarnett.com/ [https://www.malenebarnett.com/].

Helen Gillet - The Cellist

Helen Gillet’s playing is improvised, intense, joyful, moody, artistic, and completely herself! @helengillet is a cellist, singer-songwriter, and surrealist archaeologist. Her reputation as an exceptional artist is reinforced by her collaborations with renowned musicians such as Smokey Robinson, Marianne Faithful, George S. Clinton, and Dr. John LeRoy Jones. On the #MadCreativePod Helen explores her creative process in depth and the emotions connected to it. Helen reflects on the idea of finishing a piece of music, comparing it to the last stroke of apainting and questioning whether it is ever truly complete. Catch her performance at Opus 40 in Saugerties, New York on June 16th at 6pm. @officialopus40, a grand surrealist sculpture worked on by artist and @bardgradcenter professor Harvey Fite for 37 years is discussed; including whether it was ever finished. #creative #cellist #singer #songwriter #performer #music #podcast