Art Unknown Podcast

“Art is humanity." - Jim Wills After one hundred conversations with artists from around the world, it's time to turn the microphone around...again. In this final episode of the Art Unknown Podcast, my wife Janrace Prudent interviews me about the journey from a small arts magazine to one hundred episodes, the lessons I've learned from musicians, painters, photographers, filmmakers, writers and creators of every kind, and why I still believe art is one of the most powerful forces for human connection. We talk about creativity, curiosity, perseverance, happiness, and why this isn't really an ending at all. It's the beginning of a new chapter. To every artist who trusted me with your story, and to every listener who came along for the ride, thank you. As always, feed your soul with art. images: ©jimwills happiness hacks website jim wills website Subscribe: iTunes | Android | Spotify | Email | RSS MORE ART UNKNOWN PODCASTS

“Art can both be a place where we retreat in solitary to know ourselves, but it can also be the way that we connect with each other." - Leah Renee When the Shelf Breaks For years, Leah Renee lived according to a script she believed had already been written for her. Then everything changed. What followed wasn't just leaving a faith; it was rediscovering her own voice through stand up comedy, storytelling, and the courage to question long held beliefs. In this conversation, Leah reflects on identity, reinvention, and why humor can become a bridge between difficult experiences and genuine connection. We explore the stories we inherit, the ones we choose to rewrite, and how laughter sometimes reveals truths that are too difficult to say any other way. images: ©leah renee leah renee website leah renee instagram Subscribe: iTunes | Android | Spotify | Email | RSS MORE ART UNKNOWN PODCASTS

“I believe that's all we are here to do, is just to connect and love each other. Art does that in a way that other work doesn't.” - Matt Evans The Art of Reinvention Most people spend a lifetime becoming known for one thing. Dr. Matt Evans somehow became an equine veterinarian, a landscape painter, a stand-up comedian, and now the author of a memoir. In this episode we talk about the unexpected path that led him there, why creativity often begins with curiosity, and how saying "yes" to something outside your comfort zone can completely reshape your life. Matt also shares what veterinary medicine has taught him about storytelling, why bombing on stage is part of becoming a comedian, and how humor can help us navigate even the most demanding careers. It's a funny, thoughtful conversation about finding inspiration in unlikely places and embracing the winding road that makes each of us unique. images: ©matt evans matt evans website matt evans instagram austin equine hospital Subscribe: iTunes | Android | Spotify | Email | RSS MORE ART UNKNOWN PODCASTS

“I think as artists, we help people connect with themselves and feel their feelings.” - Jennifer Sklias-Gahan Finding Creativity in the Darkness Actor, filmmaker, and author Jennifer Sklias-Gahan joins the AU Podcast for a thoughtful conversation about creativity, resilience, and the winding path that leads us back to the work we're meant to do. From growing up in Queens as the daughter of a Greek immigrant to finding her voice as a writer, actor, and storyteller, Jennifer shared how journaling, reading, meditation, and even a little piano each morning help fuel a creative life that has been decades in the making. from her growing career in film to her debut novel, The House in the Middle of the Street. We also explore the role of darkness in art, why stories can help us better understand ourselves, the balance between family and creative ambition, and her belief that art remains one of the most important ways we connect to our humanity. During our discussion, we touch on her husband's work in Depeche Mode, vinyl records, theater, AI, and why the imperfections of human creativity may be exactly what make it so valuable. images: ©jennifer sklias-gahan jennifer sklias-gahan website the house in the middle of the street website Subscribe: iTunes | Android | Spotify | Email | RSS MORE ART UNKNOWN PODCASTS

“I think that art is the human experience. It's how we express ourselves.” - Jodi Krangle The Sound of Being Human What does it take to build a career using nothing but your voice? In this episode, we sit down with voice actor Jodi Krangle to explore the craft behind the commercials, brands, and stories you hear every day. From her early days in music and internet marketing to becoming one of the most recognizable voices in advertising, Jodi shares how performance, emotion, and authenticity come together behind the microphone. Along the way, we chat about the power of sound, the personality of brands, the realities of freelancing, and the growing impact of AI on creative work. Thoughtful, funny, and refreshingly grounded, Jodi offers a fascinating look into a profession most of us hear constantly but rarely think about. Her parting advice says it all: in a world increasingly shaped by technology, lean into being human. images: ©jodi krangle jodi krangle website jodi Krangle youtube Subscribe: iTunes | Android | Spotify | Email | RSS MORE ART UNKNOWN PODCASTS