Podcast of The Month: The Creative Climate
When it comes to podcasts, there are SO MANY! Even I have my one: A Few Q’s With Diandra Reviews. Yet, no matter what the subject, each podcast is seeking an answer: from punchlines to philosophies. One of my favorite podcasts is The Creative Climate by Perry Serpa. A long-time industry vet and genuinely cool guy, he invites friends, from across the entertainment industry and activism, to discuss how those that wish to help the world through their art and advocacy pierce through its climate and need to confront Climate Change. After all, revolutionaries and artists are alike in that they have to reflect upon the very world they wish to change because you can’t inspire without observing. In our interview, Perry Serpa discusses how he observes the need for The Creative Climate Podcast.
Diandra: What was the inspiration behind the podcast? Is there an origin story?
Perry Serpa: Yes, there is! For the past few years, I’ve been one of 4 partners who started a company called Climate Control Projects. It’s main “raison d’etre” has been to put together a big concert for climate justice. It was coming along, but like everything else that involved pulling throngs of people together into a tight space, it was understandably put on hold. That didn’t stop us from considering that whatever we do down the line, we’re going to want to trail up to it- get into the conversation about climate, which, simply as a citizen of the world, has been a personal concern for all of us. Coming from the world of art, and music, I felt that I could best contribute to that discussion by engaging creative folks, scientists, authors, and activists about their experiences around the climate issue- and others, to be fair. So, we thought, what better way than to do a podcast.
Diandra: What is one profound realization you had and while interviewing whom?
Perry: Well, every single conversation I’ve had on the podcast brings a new realization. I think one of them was simply that I had to get used to the idea of interviewing people. It’s been its own, say, journey- not to sound too pretentious about it. But, the project has brought up a personal need not to suck at this. There have also been some great eye-opening, kind of, nuggets that have stayed with me. For example, Antonino D’Ambrosio- he was the featured guest for the first episode- he’s an accomplished expert on the idea of creative response- and he wrote books and made films about that concept from the history and perspective of folks like Joe Strummer, Johnny Cash, and tons of other people. Antonino’s mantra echoes the central concept of creative response, which is “be for, not against.” As we come with fists clenched into this incredibly important election, it’s a simple phrase, or thought, that has helped me focus on what all of this is about.
Diandra: What do you see is the purpose of the podcast and the message it could send to people right now?
Perry: Well, it’s a bit loaded. While we do try to work within the central theme of exploring the intersection of climate and creative response, the external moment has been fraught with so much chaos and controversy that it has made it necessary to shift the conversation to discuss those things, and be in the moment. We addressed the pandemic in the first episode. We addressed Black Lives Matter in the second, with an interview with the great DeRay Mckesson, who co-founded Campaign Zero and #8Can’tWait, among other amazing things. My buddy Par Neiburger who hosts the new SOS Audio Atlas radio show on Radio Free Brooklyn curated some complimentary music. For the third though, we locked back into the climate talk and I did an interview with Nat Rich, who wrote the best seller, Losing Earth about the climate discussion in Washington DC over the past several administrations; so we’re getting back to climate, which is exciting.
I think the main message is that the idea of creative response gives everybody a chance to speak out because creative responses are pure, not political and essentially expression of individual reaction in support of a particular cause, in this case, climate.
Diandra: What is an upcoming guest and topic you are really excited to discuss with them?
Perry: On our next episode, Kirsten Spruch (my co-host) and I talk to Aloe Blacc about his latest record, his first in 7 years, which is great, but we also discuss his full career of activism in various areas including immigration rights, civil rights, other causes, and how that is reflected in his music. He’s had a whole career of creative response that basically started when he made a pact with himself to get his ego out of the way and approach music making and later, celebrity, like service. By the time this piece posts, I’m sure the episode will be out there, so go listen to!
For More Information on The Creative Climate Podcast Click Here.
