Designer Robert Brunner - Make it Meaningful

Robert Brunner founded Ammunition in 2007 to communicate ideas through products, brands, and their surrounding experiences. His work as an industrial designer has spawned numerous brand- defining designs over the past three decades, including his efforts while the Director of Industrial Design at Apple.

Named one of Fast Company’s “Most Creative People in Business,” Robert’s work is included in permanent design collections at MoMA in both New York and San Francisco. He’s the co-author of the book, “Do You Matter? How Great Design Will Make People Love Your Company.”

I managed to catch up with Robert at his San Francisco studio. I hope you’ll find his insights about the intersection of business and art as fascinating as I did.

A big thanks to Robert for joining us this week. You can learn more about him by visiting https://ammunitiongroup.com - And hats off to our talent producer, Kelli Richards, for making the connection.

I’ll be back next time with another artist and the thoughts behind their creations. Until then, this is Derrick Story, the Nimble Photographer, wishing you great success in all your endeavors.

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Musician Monique DeBose - "Perspective"

LA native Monique DeBose is an award-winning playwright and Jazz-R&B-pop singer/songwriter, who has toured and entertained audiences throughout Europe, India, and Asia. Her third album–The Sovereign One - debuted at #2 on the iTunes Jazz Charts.

Monique DeBose from The Sovereign One album.

Inspired by her experience of of what it means to be half African American, half Irish American, she has also created the funny, heartwarming and disruptive one-woman show Mulatto Math: Summing Up The Race Equation in America to initiate conversation and heal race relations in America.

I managed to catch up with Monique in between shows while on tour to talk about The Sovereign One and her arch as a musician. I hope you find her as engaging and entertaining as I did.

A big thanks to Monique for joining us this week. You can learn more about her by visiting www.moniquedebosemusic.com. And hats off to our talent producer, Kelli Richards, for making the connection.

I’ll be back next time with another artist and the thoughts behind their creations. Until then, this is Derrick Story, the Nimble Photographer, wishing you great success in all your endeavors.

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Musician Chuck Leavell - "On Tour with the Rolling Stones"

Rolling Stones guitarist, Keith Richards, once commented about their longtime keyboard player, Chuck Leavell: “Without the continuity that Chuck brings to us, the Stones would not be the Stones.”

Leavell describes his role with the band as a “sort of musical navigator,” who keeps track of arrangements and keeps things balanced in addition to spicing up the music with his keyboards.

And as you would imagine, there’s more to Chuck’s artistry than his work with the Rolling Stones, who by the way, are in the middle of their “No Filter” tour right now.

I managed to catch up with Chuck Leavell in between gigs to talk about the Stones, Eric Clapton’s unplugged album, his work as a writer, and his definition of success as an artist.

A big thanks to Chuck for joining us this week. You can learn more about him by visiting https://www.chuckleavell.com/. Special thanks to Kelli Richards, our talent producer, for making the connection with Chuck.

I’ll be back next time with another artist and the thoughts behind their creations. Until then, this is Derrick Story, the Nimble Photographer, wishing you great success in all your endeavors.

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Photographer Shelby Knick - "From Outside the Fence to In"

The thrill and personality of motor sports attracted Shelby Knick’s creative vision. As a young woman, she found herself photographing the sport from outside the fence. But her perseverance and talent paid off, propelling her into the top tier of the profession she loves.

Her journey began at a Northern CA Junior College, then led her to London’s fashion industry, then back across the pond to Los Angeles where she got her first big break as a photographer. Her story is both inspiring and informative, and best told in her own words. Here’s my conversation with Shelby Knick

A big thanks to Shelby for joining us this week. You can learn more about her by visiting https://www.shelbyknick.com.

And hats off to Kelli Richards, our talent producer for making the connection.

I’ll be back next time with another artist and the thoughts behind their creations. Until then, this is Derrick Story, the Nimble Photographer, wishing you great success in all your endeavors.

This podcast is made possible by select members of Patreon. You can learn more and pledge your support for The Digital Story and The Nimble Photographer by visiting www.patreon.com/thedigitalstory. That’s www.P A T R E O N.com/thedigitalstory.

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Musician George Shaw - "Say Yes"

This week, The Nimble Photographer interviews musician George Shaw, whose journey began in a small town in Alabama and led him to rubbing elbows with some of the greatest jazz artists of all time. His philosophy about art and life is enjoyable and fascinating. He explains how this all happened in this conversation with Derrick Story.

As a young man, George Shaw flew from city to city for two years, cassette recorder in hand, with a question he posed to each music professional he interviewed: “How can music, and in particular improvisation, best be taught?” After studying their answers and writing a dissertation on this subject, Dr. Shaw applied what he learned to teaching music and improvisation at the college level.

But that’s only part of the story and a fraction of what George has learned along the way. We delve deeper into his experience on today’s Nimble Photographer podcast. Thanks for joining us.

You can learn more about George Shaw by visiting http://www.georgeshaw.com.

This podcast is made possible by select members of Patreon. You can learn more and pledge your support for The Digital Story and The Nimble Photographer by visiting www.patreon.com/thedigitalstory.

Illustrator Tom Rodrigues - "Nobody Bats a Thousand"

An interview with illustrator Tom Rodrigues, whose craft evolved from stained glass windows to world class wine labels. He shares his journey and philosophy in a conversation with Derrick Story.

A major influence in Tom’s artistic career appeared when he was just 14 years old when he earned an apprenticeship at a stained glass studio near his home. Over the next few decades his path wove through illustration projects, Designer and Production Manager for George Lucas’s Skywalker Ranch Studio, a conceptual art show at a baseball park, and ultimately a winemaker in Northern California.

His journey as an artist from a Portuguese fruit farming family in Los Gatos CA to the Mendocino wine country where he resides today is the topic for this episode of the Nimble Photographer podcast. Thanks for listening.

Illustration by Tom Rodrigues

A big thanks to Tom for joining us this week, and hats off to Kelli Richards, our talent producer, for making the connection.

You can see Tom’s work by visiting http://www.tomrodriguesstudio.com/ - and you can visit Tom and see some of his originals at the Maple Creek Winery Tasting Room on Hwy 128 in Yorkville, CA (707) 895-3001. www.maplecreekwine.com 

I’ll be back next time with another artist and the thoughts behind their creations. Until then, this is Derrick Story, the Nimble Photographer, wishing you great success in all your endeavors.

Musician Alan Howarth - "Street Smarts"

Alan Howarth grew up in Cleveland, Ohio, playing music in local rock bands. Over time he navigated his way to opening for national touring acts including The Who and Cream. From 1976, he provided synthesizer support for fusion jazz band Weather Report, which relocated him to Los Angeles. His next career break came in 1979, when he met the sound effects team for “Star Trek: The Motion Picture”, and was taken on as a sound designer for the following six Star Trek films.

During his time in LA, he met and began collaborating with John Carpenter on films including: Escape from New York, Halloween II, Halloween III, Christine, and They Live.

His journey from Cleveland to Hollywood was fueled by a combination of talent, business savvy, and street smarts. And he shares some of the philosophy behind his decisions on today’s podcast.

Welcome to the Nimble Photographer podcast, hosted by me, Derrick Story. My quest is to find artists who have created their own definition of success. Yes, finances play a role in all of our lives, but are they the only measure? And how can you put a price on the experiences along the way?

Today, we travel to Newport Beach, CA to learn from Alan Howarth. Thanks for joining us.

Alan Howarth

A big thanks to Alan for joining us this week, and hats off to Kelli Richards, our talent producer for making the connection. I’ll be back next time with another artist and the thoughts behind their creations. Until then, this is Derrick Story, the Nimble Photographer, wishing you great success in all your endeavors.

This podcast is made possible by select members of Patreon. You can learn more and pledge your support for The Digital Story and The Nimble Photographer by visiting www.patreon.com/thedigitalstory.

Photographer Trey Ratcliff - "Mix It Up"

Trey Ratcliff is best known for his vibrant landscapes. But he’s also a student of human nature. His photography business is fueled by combining compelling landscapes, with daring post production, and adding a dash of insightful marketing.

On today’s show, Trey shares some of thinking behind this approach. The lessons that he’s learned may help your creative endeavors as well.

Welcome to the Nimble Photographer podcast, hosted by me, Derrick Story. My quest is to find artists who have created their own definition of success. Yes, finances play a role in all of our lives, but are they the only measure? And how can you put a price on the experiences along the way?

Today, we travel to New Zealand via Skype to hear what Trey has to say. Thanks for coming along.