Episode 41: Roland Kelts part 2

Explore aspects of a too-often misunderstood culture, as host Stu Ley (TOKYOPOP) sits down with Ali Jaber, one of the most prolific creative minds in the Middle East. Group Director of the region’s top broadcaster and streamer MBC Group and Shahid, as well as long-time judge on Arab’s Got Talent, Ali has reshaped Arab entertainment. From navigating censorship and political pressure to building bridges between art, media, and culture, Ali’s story reveals the complex dance between creativity and control in the Middle East. Hear how he balanced bold storytelling with the realities of working under shifting regimes — and how his passion for authentic, thought-provoking content continues to challenge and inspire the region’s media landscape.

In this episode of Left Brain vs. Right Brain, host Stu Levy sits down with Emily Yang—a.k.a. pplpleasr—the visionary digital artist whose journey took her from working at Blizzard and feeling the sting of a tough job market, to becoming one of the leading creative forces in the NFT and crypto art world. Stu and Emily dive deep into the origins of her unique moniker pplpleasr, the real struggles and self-doubt that come with unemployment, and the wild ride that catapulted her from posting art online during COVID to selling a viral NFT for over half a million dollars. Hear how Emily filtered her artistic passion through the lens of internet culture, harnessed crypto communities, and built an entire new model for creative crowdfunding—all while navigating the ups and downs of life, love, and the never-ending tug-of-war between left brain and right brain. Whether you’re obsessed with digital art, fascinated by new models of funding, or just need an inspiring, real-life story about persistence and vision, this episode with Emily “pplpleasr” Yang is a must-listen!

In this second part with Japan expert Roland Kelts on Left Brain vs. Right Brain, host Stu Levy explores cultural contrasts between Japan and the US, challenges of modern adulthood, generational shifts, and personal journeys. Roland shares how his career path was more pre-ordained than he had realized as he recounts the influence of family and living a life of adventure and curiosity. The two dive into themes of aging, legacy, and the importance of authentic connection—with each other and their communities—framing their friendship as a testament to shared explorations and deep conversations.

Explore the journey of personal growth, cultural identity, and artistic mastery in this compelling episode of Left Brain vs. Right Brain. Host Stu Levy sits down with renowned animator and director John Aoshima (Ultraman Rising, Kubo and the Two Strings, Gravity Falls) for an in-depth conversation about his evolution as a creative force. From his formative years in rural Fukushima to his education at CalArts, John opens up about the pivotal moments that shaped his career. Discover how his bicultural upbringing, deeply rooted family experiences, and transformative mentorships guided his path to success in the animation industry. Take a deep dive into John’s inspiring story here:https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1434374/

Dive into the world where art meets ambition on this episode of "Left Brain vs. Right Brain"!  Host Stu Levy sits down with acclaimed animator and director John Aoshima (Ultraman Rising, Kubo and the Two Strings, Gravity Falls) to explore John’s unique upbringing between Japan and America and how it shaped his creative path.  From childhood in rural Fukushima to studying animation at CalArts, discover what ignited John’s passion for storytelling.  Learn how John’s quest for identity, specific family background, and unique mentorship fueled his highly successful creative career. Learn more about John here: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1434374/

In this episode, host Stu Levy, founder of TOKYOPOP, sits down with actress and singer Karen David (“The Irrational”, “Fear the Walking Dead”, “We Were Liars”) for a heartfelt and lively conversation about creativity, identity, and balancing life across continents. Karen shares her unique journey growing up between Canada and England, building a career in Hollywood, and navigating the ever-present tension between the artistic and practical sides of life. Together, they discuss the power of community, staying grounded in the entertainment industry, and pursuing meaningful work both on and off screen. Whether you're a creative professional, a fan of Karen’s work, or someone striving to follow your own dreams, this episode is full of inspiration, humor, and real talk about what it takes to thrive in today’s creative industry.

Host Stu Levy is joined by the multifaceted Sharad Devarajan, an entrepreneur and creative force in the world of comics, animation, and app development. Together, they delve into India’s creative industry, as Sharad shares his incredible journey from the days of working with Richard Branson, Peter Chernin, Gotham Chopra to the rise of Indian cinema and animation on the global stage. From tackling the unique challenges of entrepreneurship in different ecosystems to the impact of streaming platforms like Netflix and Amazon in India, this episode offers valuable insights into the evolving landscape of media and storytelling, especially from the perspective of one of the world’s most fascinating cultures and biggest democracies. Tune in as Stu travels to India with Sharad and explores the crossroads of innovation, culture, and creativity. Sharad’s credits include “Spider-Man: India”, “Chakra the Invincible” (with Stan Lee), “18 Days” (with Grant Morrison), “The Gamekeeper” (with Guy Ritchie), and “The Legend of Hanuman” for Disney+. Sharad is a professor at Columbia Business School and prolific speaker at TEDx, Fortune Global Forum and more. ------- HOST: Stu Levy GUEST: Sharad Devarajan ------- Special thanks to our sponsor TokyoPop. Learn more here: www.TokyoPop.com ------ This is an AH production | email: [email protected] | LinkeIn

Gigi Danziger joins Left Brain vs. Right Brain with Stu Levy to share her unconventional journey from corporate law to entrepreneurship, investment, and community-driven innovation. Founder of Eutopia, a venture firm and nonprofit, Gigi has launched initiatives like The Spark of Hudson, HudsonUP, HudsonDots, and Wally Farms, all aimed at fostering learning, economic equity, and sustainability. A Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts and an investor in 100+ underrepresented founders, she’s also the force behind Fizzy Salons and the owner of a classic NYC diner. Stu explores how Gigi reinvented herself continuously throughout her illustrious career.   ------- HOST: Stu Levy GUEST: Gigi Danziger | IG susangigidanziger | X: @susandanziger ------- Special thanks to our sponsor TokyoPop. Learn more here: www.TokyoPop.com ------ This is an AH production | email: [email protected] | LinkeIn

In this episode of Left Brain vs. Right Brain, host Stu Levy welcomes John Nee, a renowned figure in the world of comics, gaming, and publishing. John shares his fascinating journey, one of the very few executives at both DC and Marvel, and later founding the successful trading card and board game company, Cryptozoic. They dive into John's recent ventures as an author, discussing his “Dee and Lao” mystery series.  The conversation covers the importance of collaboration in the creative process, the challenges of the gaming industry, and the evolving landscape of comics. Tune in to hear John's insights on thriving in various creative industries, his personal anecdotes, and the wisdom he’s gathered through decades of experience.   ------- HOST: Stu Levy GUEST: John Nee | Check out "The Murder of Mr. Ma"  here: https://www.amazon.com/Murder-Mr-Ma-SJ-Rozan/dp/164129549X ------- Special thanks to our sponsor TokyoPop. Learn more here: www.TokyoPop.com ------ This is a Mr. Thrive Media production | email: [email protected] | Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter

Roland Kelts is an award-winning author, scholar and globetrotting public speaker in high demand, renowned for multiple publications, including his bestselling book Japanamerica: How Japanese Pop Culture Has Invaded the U.S. and The Art of Blade Runner: Black Lotus. Using his eclectic skillset in adaptability and insight, he has delved into journalism and literature having an impact on bridging Japanese art and culture with the Western world. Roland sits down with host Stu Levy, CEO of TOKYOPOP, to debate Japan’s various cultural contributions to the world. ------- HOST: Stu Levy GUEST: Roland Kelts | http://japanamerica.blogspot.com/ | https://linktr.ee/rkelts ------- Special thanks to our sponsor TokyoPop. Learn more here: www.TokyoPop.com ------ This is a Mr. Thrive Media production | email: [email protected] | Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter