Actual People
Chauncey Zalkin
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About This Podcast
Welcome to Actual People, an unfiltered exploration of individual and societal shifts in a world undergoing tremendous change.
I open up about my own experiences in order to dive into social and cultural phenomena, positive developments, and collective pain.
We look at survival, endurance, strength, triumph and despair while imagining a future with creative joy and hope.
Each episode is dedicated to meaningful conversations about the evolving landscape of our lives and the power of our own creativity and imagination to make magic.
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Recent Episodes
S3E4 S3E4 - No Glitter in the Sh**t: A story of rewiring your life and finding redemption
And we're back with an episode about redemption, a first hand account of a Wall Street insider's journey through prison and reinvention with reflection on the times we are living in.In this first…
S3E3 S3E3 - How to Trust Your Gut
In light of the tragic murder of Rob Reiner and his wife, host Chauncey Zalkin explores trusting your gut when it comes to mental health, safety, and faith in your faculties. Also examined is the…
S3E2 S3E2 - Optimization Fatigue and the Search for What’s Real
We’re burnt out on bettering ourselves and each other. From sleep scores to productivity hacks to scolding people, the pursuit of improvement has reached a breaking point. Host Chauncey Zalkin is…
S3E1 S3E1 - The Mother’s Name
Season 3 opens with host Chauncey Zalkin talking burnout, perfectionism in grad school, and finally giving her kids her last name. She then sits down with publishing veteran and writer Cindy…
S2E19 S2E19 - An End to Stupid Work
Are we really getting work done, or just pretending en masse? We're working ourselves to death & getting little done. How do we fix it? Interview with former Washington Post reporter and director…
S2E18 S2E18 - Running VFX at a Major Studio and the Future of Visual Storytelling
From developing custom tools to create over 200 VFX shots on his own award-winning indie to supervising globally at major studios like DreamWorks and Sony Animation where he is now, hear Chris…
S2E17 S2E17 - Elite Women’s Networks: Do They Work?
Are women’s networks working? What’s right about them and what can be improved? And why can't we always connect the way we intend to? Host Chauncey Zalkin reflects on these questions before diving…
S2E16 S2E16- The Origins of Brit Cool and The Creative Community We Need Now
Welcome to a conversation with a true pioneer in elevating the best design in the world. Piers Roberts offers profound reflections on the distance we've fallen from conscious consumerism and where to…
S2E15 S2E15 - Bro Show: The Question of Men
Welcome to an imperfect episode about imperfect times. You can call it the 'Boys to Men Episode', 'The Man Show', 'How The Boys Will Thrive 2025', or 'The Bro Show'. It's a musing on boys and men…
S2E14 S2E14 - Moral Injury in Healthcare and the Entire Nation
Chauncey Zalkin sits down with Dr. Jennie Byrne, a psychiatrist working with clinicians who sees a painful trend in healthcare but first Chauncey explores why she thinks the wound has spread to the…
S2E13 S2E13 - Creative Agency and the Youth Fallacy
An ad agency called Geezer is flipping the 50 plus narrative on its head to something more accurate. It's about time. Join us for a conversation with Founder, Karen McKinley, CEO, Brent Rivard, and…
S2E12 S2E12 - A Vision for The Next-Gen Economy through the lens of Essentialist Design
Each creative discipline offers a piece of the puzzle of human creativity. In this episode, host Chauncey Zalkin sits down with three time "International Designer of the Year" award winner and Fast…
S2E11 S2E11 - Blue Bracelets, Pussyhats, and Other Good Intentions: Where We Go from Here
In this episode Chauncey Zalkin sits down with guest and advocate for Black women in the workplace, Jessica Pharm, to take an unflinching look at the complexities of race, gender, and trust for…
S2E10 S2E10 - Female Leaders in Advertising: Taking Control in an Uneven Playing Field
Life isn't fair. So what are you going to do about it?In this episode, Jill Brinsdon shares her journey as a creative director and prominent leader in New Zealand's advertising industry. She talks…
S2E9 S2E9 - Moving Beyond Polarization + Feel Good Viewing & Listening
Host Chauncey Zalkin defines Actual People for its second year but not before diving into the movies, tv, and music that held the keys to change in 2025. Despite a backdrop of sadness and…
S2E8 S2E8 - Neurodiversity and Individuality
This episode, Host Chauncey Zalkin sits down with friend and British Futurist Melissa Sterry who combines a passion for fashion and art with multiple degrees in sustainability, architecture and…
S2E7 S02E7 - Multigenerational Women Facing Our Current Climate Together
From divergent thoughts, convergent thoughts, indecision loops, and 'a ha moments' to touring middle schools, this discussion starts off with soul searching and moves on to the soul freeing way a…
S2E6 S2E6 - Non-Linear Career Paths: Smashing the Ageism Hurdle
Psychoanalyst. Mother. Clogger. Playwright.. Meet my mom's college friend who never stops learning and growing: an interview with Tarpley Long and a road map for Gen X women who never cared much for…
S2E5 S2E5 - The Toll of Election Anxiety and How To Engage Meaningfully
Reese's Peanut Butter Cups, Fears of Totalitarianism, and Finding ParadiseSpooky season is still not over: In this episode host Chauncey Zalkin covers Reese's Peanut Butter Cups, Gorging on Political…
S2E4 S2E4 - The New Networking: How to Promote Yourself as a Creative Now (hint: it's not just social media)
A New Vibration - The Optimism and Renewed Passion of Creative Boom Founder Katy CowanThis is a special one. Katy was Chauncey's first pick for a guest episode when launching her podcast almost a…
Frequently Asked Questions
Actual People has published 41 episodes since January 2024, covering topics in Arts, Education.
Actual People is currently active with new episodes monthly. Average episode length is 36m.
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