Everyone Is...with Jennifer Coronado

What happens when rhythm, science, and vulnerability collide inside one artist? We sit down with Ahmed Best to explore a creative life that refuses boxes: a South Bronx kid raised by drums and physics, a performer who treats movement as first language, and an educator who teaches students to design for feeling rather than stumble into it.

Ahmed opens up about being an “emotional athlete,” choosing vulnerability on cue, and...

A loud Cleveland house. Nine kids. A basement full of drums and harmony guitars.  We sit down with Jerry Becker, Train’s multi-instrumentalist and music director to trace a winding creative path—from a rejected teenager who formed his own band to a music store employee who told a stranger in a Steelers hat that his team “sucked,” then sold him a saxophone and changed his life.

Jerry takes us inside the machine of a modern touri...

** Episode Note: We did have some audio issues with this episode, but it was too good a conversation to keep on the shelf!

Tech visonary Kim Liberi, walks us through the mindset that carried him from early console graphics and London VFX labs to the painterly breakthroughs of What Dreams May Come, where live action became living brushstrokes using optical flow and fine-art sensibilities to his ground breaking work on the Matrix...

When our close friend, Jessie Creel first appeared on Everyone Is..., she was battling what she thought was pneumonia. That persistent cough eventually led to a shocking diagnosis: lung cancer, despite Jessie never having smoked a day in her life. 

In this deeply moving conversation, Jessie shares her journey from that initial realization—losing an ocean swim she should have won—to assembling a world-class medical team at ...

Jessica Manning-Brose takes us on a journey through her unique cultural upbringing and creative evolution. Growing up in Sweden with a Swedish mother and a musician father from Harlem, Jessica's family faced significant challenges when they moved to Minneapolis. The cultural differences in family support and financial hardships only strengthened their family bond and set the stage for Jessica's creative path.  

J...

What happens when a celebrated writer like Tom Bissell ventures into the world of video games, fiction, and journalism? Join us as Tom shares captivating stories from his childhood in Michigan's Upper Peninsula and how early encounters with arcade classics shaped his creative journey. With literary influences from his father's circle, including Jim Harrison and Philip Caputo, Tom embraced a life of writing without a fallb...

Dr. Joanne Jones, a neurologist from Wolverhampton, shares her journey into the field of neurology and medical research. At the heart of her story is a pivotal conversation with a teacher that ignited her passion for merging medicine with research, setting her on a path from the University of Bristol to the esteemed halls of Cambridge University.  

Dr. Jones discusses her experiences and the vital support of mentors. Her j...

What if storytelling could be your greatest tool for cultural impact and personal transformation? Jessie Creel, a dynamic producer with a rich background ranging from policy work in Washington, D.C. to filmmaking in the West, joins us to discuss her journey. Drawing inspiration from iconic films and crucial work in education and criminal justice reform, Jessie reveals how storytelling has the power to bridge divides and inspire cha...

Join us as we uncover the remarkable journey of Judy Tocco, the President and CEO of Aspire Wealth Partners. Judy's story is one of transformation and adaptability, revealing how she pioneered a position from VP of Operations at a credit union to becoming a Certified Financial Planner and starting her own wealth management company. Her narrative is an inspiring testament to creative thinking and the power of seizing opportunit...

Tim Miller, the creative mind behind blockbuster hits like Deadpool, Terminator: Dark Fate, and the Netflix hit Love, Death & Robots, gives us an insider look into his incredible career. From his early days in Southern Maryland,  to his initial dreams of becoming a comic book artist, Tim’s path is both inspiring and filled with unexpected turns. Discover how his love for drawing and reading turned into a passion for filmmaking,...

Join us in this special mini-episode of "Everyone Is," with a story told through the eyes of kids age 6-16. This intro to Season 2, focuses on kid's answers to the questions "What does imagination mean to you?" and "What do you want to be when you grow up?"  We hope you find their answers not just amusing, but also insightful. From envisioning a snail driving a boat to aspiring careers in fashion ...

What fuels the imagination of a visual effects legend? Join us as Dennis Muren opens up about his remarkable journey from an LA kid in love with the spectacle of "War of the Worlds" to a nine-time Academy Award winner. From the highs of working on Star Wars and Close Encounters of the Third Kind to the technical challenges of creating groundbreaking sequences, Dennis's stories provide a rare glimpse into the heart an...

Ever wondered how an unconventional path can lead to monumental success in the film industry? This episode features Scott Mosier, one of the icon filmmakers behind indie classics like Clerks, Mallrats, and Dogma. Scott shares his remarkable journey from a curious child fascinated by movies to becoming a key player in independent filmmaking. He reveals the transformative moments and creative decisions that shaped his career, includi...

 In this episode, we sit down with Tony Aghazarian, co-founder of Lighthouse Insight, who shares his unique journey from a diverse upbringing in Pinole, California, to an influential career in tech. Tony’s story is a testament to how a challenging childhood filled with diverse perspectives can ignite adaptability and a deep understanding of the world around you.  

Tony's professional journey is nothing short of exhila...

**Content Warning: This podcast contains discussions of genocide and violence and may not be appropriate for some listeners.

What happens when someone with a passion for languages and cultures grows up to become a diplomatic problem-solver? Meet Cheryl Casebeer, or Casey as her friends call her, a seasoned diplomat from the US State Department. This episode takes you through Casey's unique upbringing, where frequent r...

For this episode, we are thrilled to have Stefan Dechant, the Oscar-nominated production designer whose imagination and desire to tell stories has stretched from the Spielberg-tinged streets of his Ohio childhood to working with legends like Saul Bass, to Industrial Light & Magic, to design opportunities on a myriad of Robert Zemeckis films, and more! As we peel back the layers of Stefan's illustrious (see what we did ther...

Eddie Baba's life journey has been a unique ride. His story unfolds from his early life experience as an Iranian refugee to his long-term path to becoming a law partner; Eddie offers up his life experience, which evolved based not on plans but on goals. Eddie's candid revelations about identity, cultural adaptation, and the power of embracing one's heritage and sexuality are extremely uplifting.  

As we trav...

Embark on an expedition with Mike Cerre, a Notre Dame alum, and former Marine and his adventures on his path to journalism. Witness the paradox of a man who felt a duty to serve his country while wrestling with his own anti-war stance, a man whose roots in the Midwestern ethos and exposure to global cultures have forged his unique narrative voice. 

As Mike recounts his transition from the Marines to his career as a journalist, ...