Podcast

Storytelling and Immersive Media: An Interview with Eric Williams

Storytelling and Immersive Media: An Interview with Eric Williams

In this episode of the Arts Management and Technology Podcast: Tech in the Arts, Luna Lu speak with Eric Williams about the evolution of storytelling across emerging media, including VR, AR, and immersive experiences. Drawing on his work in cinematic virtual reality and the Cine-VR Lab, Eric explores how creators must adapt their narratives to different mediums, how immersive storytelling reshapes audience engagement and emotional connection, and how tools like AI are being integrated into creative workflows. He emphasizes the importance of choosing the right medium for each story and reflects on the future of storytelling as both a technological and deeply human practice.

Analog art in a digital world: An interview with Sean Hallowell

Analog art in a digital world: An interview with Sean Hallowell

In this episode of the Arts Management and Technology Podcast: Tech in the Arts, Hales Wilson speaks with Sean Hallowell about building a hybrid analog–digital artistic practice, the creative potential of obsolete media technologies, and the evolving role of AI in music and visual art. Drawing on his background in music theory, handmade circuitry, and immersive audiovisual performance, Sean reflects on the value of constraints in artistic creation, the cultural significance of analog media, and the importance of preserving human expression in an increasingly automated creative landscape.

Beyond Learning Outcomes: Marti Louw talks about Designing for the Human Experience

Beyond Learning Outcomes: Marti Louw talks about Designing for the Human Experience

In this episode of the Arts Management and Technology Lab, Hales Wilson speaks with Marti Louw, design-based researcher and co-director of Learning Sciences for Innovators, about the intersection of learning sciences, educational technology, and human-centered design. Drawing on her background in media, museums, and interaction design, Marti discusses how interdisciplinary approaches shape learning experiences, the challenges of scaling EdTech globally, and the importance of cultural relevance in educational innovation. She also reflects on the emerging role of AI in education, emphasizing the need for careful, research-driven implementation to ensure equitable and meaningful learning outcomes.

How Can Creatives Manage a World with AI

How Can Creatives Manage a World with AI

In this episode of the Arts Management and Technology Podcast: Tech in the Arts, Cara Flanery speaks with Kevin Stein, principal and co-founder of Signal Path Immersive, about how AI is transforming the entertainment industry, creative workflows, and authorship in the arts. Drawing on his experience across traditional media and emerging technology, Kevin reflects on AI as a collaborative tool rather than a replacement for human creativity, discusses the operational changes AI is bringing to Hollywood, and offers thoughtful advice for artists navigating an increasingly AI-driven creative landscape.

Crystal Manich:  Artistry, Opera, and Grandiosity

Crystal Manich:  Artistry, Opera, and Grandiosity

In this episode of the Arts Management and Technology Podcast: Tech in the Arts, Samantha Childers and Luna Lu speak with Emmy-nominated director and librettist Crystal Manich about her international career across opera, theater, and Cirque du Soleil, the development of her new opera Time to Act, and how emerging technologies like AI are reshaping creative work in the arts. Crystal reflects on storytelling in opera, directing large-scale productions around the world, and the importance of preserving human creativity while responsibly integrating AI as a tool for research, organization, and artistic production.

From Dystopia to Utopia, an interview with Sarah Turner, New Media artist

From Dystopia to Utopia, an interview with Sarah Turner, New Media artist

In this episode of the Arts Management and Technology Podcast: Tech in the Arts, Dr. Brett Ashley Crawford and Hales Wilson speak with media artist Sarah Turner about her interdisciplinary practice at the intersection of emerging technology, performance, digital culture, and arts administration. Turner reflects on how her background in history, arts management, and experimental video informs her work critiquing platforms such as Zoom, blockchain, and AI, as well as her long-term exploration of censorship, NSFW online spaces, and alternative distribution models. The conversation traces her experiences balancing administrative and artistic roles, building DIY communities through projects like mobile public projections, and navigating institutional boundaries around funding and content. Turner also discusses her recent AI-focused work—particularly her playful yet critical “Dolphins” series—as a way to interrogate utopian fantasies, oracle-like knowledge systems, and the absurdities of human–AI interaction. The episode closes with reflections on adapting to rapidly changing technologies and Turner’s advice to emerging digital artists: embrace experimentation, break tools intentionally, and treat media art as a space of play, critique, and collective making.

The Algorithms in Your Ears: Looking Into the Making Of Your Music Feeds

The Algorithms in Your Ears: Looking Into the Making Of Your Music Feeds

In this episode of the Arts Management and Technology Lab, Samantha Childers explores why so many songs recommended by streaming platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, and YouTube Music sound strikingly similar. She breaks down the inner workings of music streaming algorithms—how metadata, collaborative filtering, content-based filtering, and continuous feedback loops collectively shape the “perfect playlist.” Childers also examines Spotify features such as Discover Weekly and Discovery Mode, uncovering how these tools influence music discovery, artist visibility, and even compositional trends as musicians increasingly write with algorithms in mind. Alongside these technical insights, she raises critical ethical questions about data privacy, algorithmic bias, pay-to-play practices, and the shrinking role of human curation. Ultimately, the episode invites listeners to rethink how algorithm-driven platforms shape not only what we hear but also how we discover, value, and experience music.

Ludus: a Ticket Selling Platform Changing the Game

 Ludus: a Ticket Selling Platform Changing the Game

In this episode of the Arts Management and Technology Lab, Andrew Wolverton and Zachary Collins explore how arts-focused technology can transform nonprofit ticketing and operations, tracing Ludus’s journey from a side project for a single high school musical to a nationwide platform serving more than 4,000 organizations. Collins explains how Ludus was built from the ground up around the real needs of drama teachers and community theaters, growing into an end-to-end system for ticketing, fundraising, marketing, volunteers, and concessions—while staying anchored in a people-first culture summed up by the company’s core value, “Give a Shit.” He reflects on navigating the COVID-19 shutdown through livestreaming and social-distancing tools, choosing the right growth equity partner, and why he believes AI shouldn’t replace arts workers but instead act as a “superpower” that frees them to focus on human-centered work and shared live experiences.

Michael Cioni on Ingenuity and the Future of Entertainment

Michael Cioni on Ingenuity and the Future of Entertainment

In this episode of the Arts Management and Technology Lab, Alexann Sharp and Cara Flannery sit down with four-time Emmy-winning innovator Michael Cioni to unpack how technology and creativity converge in modern media workflows. Cioni introduces Strada, a peer-to-peer platform designed to enable remote collaboration without cloud storage, and shares career lessons on building networks through industry events (NAB, Cine Gear, IBC) and assembling complementary teams (“Swiss-cheese” collaboration). He distinguishes generative vs. utilitarian AI, predicts a shakeout and rebound for GenAI, and outlines his Skills Gap Principle and “Technative” mindset for balancing creative and technical strengths. The conversation closes with candid advice on taking smarter risks and betting on yourself.