Stories from The Top

Jun 24 2021 2

Stories from The Top Podcast artwork

Stories from the Top is a podcast featuring people you know and people you should know. Artists, educators, and entrepreneurs linked to Southeast Michigan share stories about how they connect with others, cultivate inspiration, map out processes, or rise from failure. Each episode explores an individual at the top of their game chatting with a friend or colleague on a video call which will become the audio podcast.

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Abigail Browde & Michael Silverstone

Jun 24 2021 23 mins

In this episode, we hear from Abigail Browde & Michael Silverstone, otherwise known as the theater company 600 HIGHWAYMEN, about their newest piece, A Thousand Ways, which A2SF and The University of Michigan Museum of Art are co-presenting. Abby and Michael make live art that, through a variety of radical approaches, illuminates the inherent poignancy of people coming together.

Lawrence "Larry" La Fountain-Stokes

Jun 17 2021 24 mins

Lawrence La Fountain-Stokes is a professor of Spanish, American Culture, and Women's and Gender Studies at the University of Michigan who’s main research interests are queer/LGBT Hispanic Caribbean studies, U.S. Latinx American literary, cultural, and performance studies. In his first book, Queer Ricans: Cultures and Sexualities in the Diaspora, Larry analyzed portrayals of

Heena Patel

Jun 10 2021 22 mins

In this episode, Heena Patel, CEO of MELA Arts Connect, talks about her upbringing in Toronto, Canada, how she transitioned from being a sanitation engineer into a tabla player and performing arts entrepreneur, and where she is now as a cultural connector for arts organizations. Over the years and through MELA, she’s assumed the roles of producer, booking agent, manager, dancer,

Asa Wember and Michael Rau

Jun 02 2021 20 mins

In this episode, we hear from the co-creators of “Temping” by the theater collective Wolf 359. The show, a theater for one production that takes people through a unique experience with no actors—puts audience members in the role of a temp, filling in for Sarah Jane Tully, a 53-year-old actuary who is taking her first vacation in years. Director Michael Rau and technical desig

David Zinn

May 27 2021 26 mins

In this episode Ann Arbor artist and Top of the Park regular David Zinn, reflects on his work and his imaginary friends. Thanks to the temptations of a box of sidewalk chalk on an unusually sunny day, David is known all over the world for the art he creates under his feet. David’s temporary street drawings are composed entirely of chalk, charcoal and found objects, and are always

Mike Farah with Michael Kosta

Jun 18 2020 30 mins

In this episode, Mike Farah, Chief Executive Officer of Funny or Die, a premiere comedy company with award-winning content and an audience of more than 40 million people. Farah has produced shows such as Between Two Ferns and Billy on the Street, and he continues to grow Funny or Die with his producing acumen, talent relationships, and industry leadership. Mike sat down with his ch

Swaroop Bhojani with Adam Hess

Jun 11 2020 29 mins

Swaroop Bhojani is the owner of the restaurant Hut-Kay Fusion and former University of Michigan Cancer Researcher. Swaroop is a Ph.D. graduate from the Indian Institute of Science and was a Max Delbrueck Fellow. He continued his post-doctoral work at the University of Michigan, where he was also appointed as a faculty in the Department Radiation Oncology. Since the start of the Cov

Joan Belgrave with Linda Yohn

Jun 04 2020 30 mins

Joan Belgrave has been a great success since she was a child, and has seven recorded albums, including tributes to Billie Holiday and Ray Charles. She’s worked with some of America’s leading jazz singers and musicians like Regina Carter and Charlie Gabriel. Local jazz radio personality and the Ann Arbor Summer Festival’s Grove Stage Manager Linda Yohn joins Joan as they dig i

About Stories from the Top

Jun 01 2020 2 mins

Stories from the Top is a podcast featuring people you know and people you should know. Artists, educators, and entrepreneurs linked to Southeast Michigan share stories about how they connect with others, cultivate inspiration, map out processes, or rise from failure. Each episode explores an individual at the top of their game chatting with a friend or colleague on a video call wh