<![CDATA[Conversations with a Creator]]>Behind every creative work is a real story. Conversations with a Creator sits down with musicians, writers, filmmakers, producers, and builders to uncover the moments that sparked their creativity and the journey that followed.

Hosted by J. Ack and Shadcore. Weekly, every Wednesday.

]]>https://conversationswitha.lovable.appRiverside.fm (https://riverside.com)Thu, 18 Jun 2026 11:05:44 GMTFri, 17 Apr 2026 19:17:37 GMT60J. Ack & Shadcore<p>Behind every creative work is a real story. Conversations with a Creator sits down with musicians, writers, filmmakers, producers, and builders to uncover the moments that sparked their creativity and the journey that followed. <br /><br />Hosted by <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://instagram.com/djacolyte" target="_blank">J. Ack</a> and <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://instagram.com/shadcoreofficial" target="_blank">Shadcore</a>. Weekly, every Wednesday.</p>episodicJ. Ack & Shadcorepodcastmechanic@gmail.comno<![CDATA[Our Best Work Comes From Accidents | Filmmaking, Faith & Harrell Family Creative]]>Jaire Harrell started filming church services with a tripod and no idea it would become a career. Now he's the founder of Harrell Family Creative, a filmmaker whose work spans Christian music videos, a Pinellas County Schools commission, a Jamaican Patois short film, and a live album project for a nine-instrument worship leader. He also happens to be Shadcore's son which makes this conversation something different entirely.

J. Ack and Shadcore sit down with Jaire for a wide-ranging talk about creative accidents, Black Christian identity, challenging the bar, and why the best work doesn't always come from the plan.

Chapters/Timestamps:

00:00 The Journey of a Black Christian Creative

09:16 Inspiration and Influences in Videography

18:05 Creative Collaboration and Flexibility

21:43 Navigating Identity as a Black Christian Artist

27:00 Current and Upcoming Projects

Connect with Jaire:
📱 Business Instagram | Personal Instagram

Come kick it with us at Conversations with a Creator

]]>59c3227b-93ca-41da-8e83-aa8782afb1fcWed, 17 Jun 2026 19:00:00 GMT<p>Jaire Harrell started filming church services with a tripod and no idea it would become a career. Now he's the founder of Harrell Family Creative, a filmmaker whose work spans Christian music videos, a Pinellas County Schools commission, a Jamaican Patois short film, and a live album project for a nine-instrument worship leader. He also happens to be Shadcore's son which makes this conversation something different entirely. <br /><br />J. Ack and Shadcore sit down with Jaire for a wide-ranging talk about creative accidents, Black Christian identity, challenging the bar, and why the best work doesn't always come from the plan.<br /><br />Chapters/Timestamps:<br /><br />00:00 The Journey of a Black Christian Creative</p><p>09:16 Inspiration and Influences in Videography</p><p>18:05 Creative Collaboration and Flexibility</p><p>21:43 Navigating Identity as a Black Christian Artist</p><p>27:00 Current and Upcoming Projects<br /><br />Connect with Jaire:<br />📱 <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://instagram.com/harrellfamilycreative" target="_blank"><b>Business</b> <b>Instagram</b></a> | <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://instagram.com/jaire_harrell" target="_blank"><b>Personal Instagram</b></a><br /><br />Come kick it with us at <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://conversationswitha.lovable.app/" target="_blank"><b>Conversations with a Creator</b></a></p>no00:35:1413Our Best Work Comes From Accidents | Filmmaking, Faith & Harrell Family Creativefull<![CDATA[Accidental Producer: How a Borrowed MPC 60ii and a 12:30am Post Built MPC Chop in 3 Months]]>Alessandra Levy is a lifelong musician but six months ago she made her first beat on a borrowed MPC 60 ii and posted it anonymously at 12:30am so her musician friends couldn't find it. 35,000 followers later, she's collaborating with Pocket Queen, talking to J. Ack and Shadcore, and planning a beat tape with zero sample clearances needed because every sound will be hers.

This conversation covers her musical upbringing, her influences (Stevie, Donnie, MJ, Q-Tip), how MPC Chop came to exist entirely by accident, and why the most important thing any creator can do is get out of their own way.

Chapters/Timestamps:

00:00 The Musical Roots of Alessandra Levy

11:31 Influences and Inspirations in Music

20:23 The Journey to MPC Chop

24:05 Embracing Vulnerability in Creativity

27:53 The Power of Authentic Expression

30:27 Building Connections Through Collaboration

32:34 Influences and Inspirations in Music

35:30 Navigating a Creative Career

38:14 Future Aspirations and Projects

42:44 Advice for Aspiring Creators

Connect with Alessandra:
🌐 Website: alessandralevy.com
📱 Instagram, YouTube & Tiktok: @MPCChop

Come kick it with us at Conversations with a Creator

]]>4852beea-9780-445a-9a07-f1ddd5da813aWed, 10 Jun 2026 19:00:00 GMT<p>Alessandra Levy is a lifelong musician but six months ago she made her first beat on a borrowed MPC 60 ii and posted it anonymously at 12:30am so her musician friends couldn't find it. 35,000 followers later, she's collaborating with Pocket Queen, talking to J. Ack and Shadcore, and planning a beat tape with zero sample clearances needed because every sound will be hers. <br /><br />This conversation covers her musical upbringing, her influences (Stevie, Donnie, MJ, Q-Tip), how MPC Chop came to exist entirely by accident, and why the most important thing any creator can do is get out of their own way.<br /><br />Chapters/Timestamps:<br /><br />00:00 The Musical Roots of Alessandra Levy</p><p>11:31 Influences and Inspirations in Music</p><p>20:23 The Journey to MPC Chop</p><p>24:05 Embracing Vulnerability in Creativity</p><p>27:53 The Power of Authentic Expression</p><p>30:27 Building Connections Through Collaboration</p><p>32:34 Influences and Inspirations in Music</p><p>35:30 Navigating a Creative Career</p><p>38:14 Future Aspirations and Projects</p><p>42:44 Advice for Aspiring Creators<br /><br />Connect with Alessandra:<br />🌐 Website: <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://alessandralevy.com" target="_blank">alessandralevy.com</a><br />📱 <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.instagram.com/mpcchop/" target="_blank">Instagram</a>, <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.youtube.com/@MPCChop" target="_blank">YouTube</a> &amp; <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.tiktok.com/@mpcchop" target="_blank">Tiktok</a>: @MPCChop<br /><br />Come kick it with us at <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://conversationswitha.lovable.app/" target="_blank"><b>Conversations with a Creator</b></a></p>no00:46:5612Accidental Producer: How a Borrowed MPC 60ii and a 12:30am Post Built MPC Chop in 3 Monthsfull<![CDATA[Move in Silence: Ray Billingsley on Growing Up in Harlem, Creating Curtis & Surviving the Industry]]>Ray Billingsley has been drawing on a deadline since he was 12 years old. Curtis, the strip he dreamed up literally overnight in a rough Harlem apartment, has run in over 250 newspapers for more than 30 years, and in 2022, Ray became the first Black cartoonist to win the Reuben Award.

J. Ack and Shadcore sit down with the legend for an hour-plus conversation covering everything from industry gatekeeping and the publisher who said "Blacks don't read" to why passion without discipline goes nowhere, and what's coming next, including a new animated project that will surprise everyone who thinks they know Ray Billingsley.

Chapters/Timestamps:

00:00 The Impact of Stereotypes in Publishing

03:47 The Evolution of Characters and Writing Process

05:15 Balancing Art and Education: A Young Prodigy

08:34 The Role of Family in Shaping an Artist

10:59 Portraying Father Figures: A Different Narrative

12:54 Cultural Representation in Comics

14:22 The Authentic Black Experience in Art

17:13 Hip Hop's Influence on Art and Culture

18:12 Challenges in Animation and Adaptation

20:12 The Importance of Self-Publishing

22:10 Influences and Pioneers in Comic Art

24:38 Facing Industry Bias and Stereotypes

27:01 The Birth of Curtis: A Personal Journey

27:29 The Birth of Curtis: Inspiration and Dreams

30:25 Creative Pressure: Thriving Under Deadlines

34:43 Staying Relevant: Adapting Curtis to Modern Times

39:29 Authenticity in Art: The Importance of Originality

43:46 Engaging with Fans: The Value of Feedback

45:42 Building Each Other Up: Community and Support

50:59 Passion and Sacrifice: The Heart of Success


Connect with Ray Billingsley:
🌐 Website: billingsleyart.com
📱 Facebook & Instagram: Search Ray Billingsley
📧 Email: Chutneydevoe@aol.com

Come kick it with us at Conversations with a Creator

]]>3844fe07-e226-428b-8464-b95148900e73Wed, 03 Jun 2026 19:00:00 GMT<p>Ray Billingsley has been drawing on a deadline since he was 12 years old. <i>Curtis</i>, the strip he dreamed up literally overnight in a rough Harlem apartment, has run in over 250 newspapers for more than 30 years, and in 2022, Ray became the first Black cartoonist to win the Reuben Award. <br /><br />J. Ack and Shadcore sit down with the legend for an hour-plus conversation covering everything from industry gatekeeping and the publisher who said "Blacks don't read" to why passion without discipline goes nowhere, and what's coming next, including a new animated project that will surprise everyone who thinks they know Ray Billingsley.<br /><br />Chapters/Timestamps:<br /><br />00:00 The Impact of Stereotypes in Publishing</p><p>03:47 The Evolution of Characters and Writing Process</p><p>05:15 Balancing Art and Education: A Young Prodigy</p><p>08:34 The Role of Family in Shaping an Artist</p><p>10:59 Portraying Father Figures: A Different Narrative</p><p>12:54 Cultural Representation in Comics</p><p>14:22 The Authentic Black Experience in Art</p><p>17:13 Hip Hop's Influence on Art and Culture</p><p>18:12 Challenges in Animation and Adaptation</p><p>20:12 The Importance of Self-Publishing</p><p>22:10 Influences and Pioneers in Comic Art</p><p>24:38 Facing Industry Bias and Stereotypes</p><p>27:01 The Birth of Curtis: A Personal Journey</p><p>27:29 The Birth of Curtis: Inspiration and Dreams</p><p>30:25 Creative Pressure: Thriving Under Deadlines</p><p>34:43 Staying Relevant: Adapting Curtis to Modern Times</p><p>39:29 Authenticity in Art: The Importance of Originality</p><p>43:46 Engaging with Fans: The Value of Feedback</p><p>45:42 Building Each Other Up: Community and Support</p><p>50:59 Passion and Sacrifice: The Heart of Success</p><p><br />Connect with Ray Billingsley: <br />🌐 Website: <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="http://billingsleyart.com" target="_blank">billingsleyart.com</a> <br />📱 Facebook &amp; Instagram: Search Ray Billingsley <br />📧 Email: <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="mailto:Chutneydevoe@aol.com" target="_blank">Chutneydevoe@aol.com</a> <br /><br />Come kick it with us at <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://conversationswitha.lovable.app" target="_blank">Conversations with a Creator</a></p>no00:53:5311Move in Silence: Ray Billingsley on Growing Up in Harlem, Creating Curtis & Surviving the Industryfull<![CDATA[Conversations with a Creator | Trailer]]>J. Ack and Shadcore built Conversations with a Creator for one reason to give creative people a platform to say something real. This trailer pulls from some of the most honest moments in the show: burnout that became a breakdown, music that pulled someone back from the edge, a woman learning to reparent herself, and the reminder that your best work doesn't require perfection. It just requires you to keep going.

Connect with Conversations with a Creator:

📱 Instagram: @conversationswiththecreator
📱 TikTok: @conversationwiththecreator

]]>05f98b24-4482-4b98-8b97-ab36bdfa8ba3Wed, 22 Apr 2026 20:06:46 GMT<p>J. Ack and Shadcore built Conversations with a Creator for one reason to give creative people a platform to say something real. This trailer pulls from some of the most honest moments in the show: burnout that became a breakdown, music that pulled someone back from the edge, a woman learning to reparent herself, and the reminder that your best work doesn't require perfection. It just requires you to keep going.<br /><br />Connect with Conversations with a Creator: <br /><br />📱 Instagram: <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://instagram.com/conversationswiththecreator" target="_blank">@conversationswiththecreator</a><br />📱 TikTok: <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://tiktok.com/@conversationwiththecreator" target="_blank">@conversationwiththecreator</a></p>no00:03:16Conversations with a Creator | Trailertrailer