

The Artist's Work Ethic
Mike Pelak
Join our host, Mike Pelak, as he talks to guests from across the arts to understand the work ethic, habits, and perspective that have brought them success.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jul 16, 2024 • 14min
Episode 83 - Musician Tim Montana
Tim Montana is a singer, songwriter and guitarist. Tim’s music ranges from country rock to straightforward radio friendly hard rock. He’s toured and collaborated with Kid Rock and ZZ Top, played on The Late Show with David Letterman, and is hitting the road with Bush, Jerry Cantrell and Candlebox.

Jul 9, 2024 • 18min
Episode 82 - Screenwriter Paul Redford (The West Wing)
Paul Redford is a television writer and producer. He is best known as a writer for The West Wing. His other writing credits include work on Designated Survivor, Big Love, The Newsroom, and Madam Secretary. His work as a producer includes The West Wing, The Unit, and Journeyman. In 2023, Paul joined the Hallmark Channel series When Calls the Heart in its 10th season as a co-executive producer.

Jun 25, 2024 • 16min
Episode 81 - Musician Cyrus Bolooki (New Found Glory)
Cyrus is the drummer for the pop-punk band, New Found Glory. New Found Glory has multiple gold records, and went platinum for the record Sticks and Stones. They continue to tour relentlessly, and are heading out soon on the 20th anniversary tour for their record Catalyst.

Jun 4, 2024 • 16min
Episode 80 - Actor Deirdre Lovejoy
Deirdre Lovejoy is actor best known for her role as Assistant State’s Attorney Rhonda Pearlman on the HBO series, The Wire, where she appeared in all 60 episodes. She is also known for her roles as serial killer Heather Taffet (aka "The Gravedigger") on the Fox series Bones, White House Counsel Cynthia Panabaker on NBC's series The Blacklist, and in the Steven Spielberg film The Post with Tom Hanks.

May 21, 2024 • 19min
Episode 79 - Author Rebecca Elliott
Rebecca Elliot is an author best known for her New York Times bestselling children’s series, The Owl Diaries, which was adapted into a show on Apple TV. She’s also the author of the acclaimed Young Adult novels, Pretty Funny for a Girl, and Pretty Rude for a Girl. My kids love The Owl Diaries, and her similar series The Unicorn Diaries, so I’ve spent a lot of time reading her books, and this interview really impressed my kids.

Apr 30, 2024 • 25min
Episode 78 - Musician Allison Wolfe (Bratmobile)
Allison Wolfe co-founded and sings for the punk band Bratmobile, which helped to establish the feminist punk movement riot grrrl. Allison has also played in a slew of other bands and created the non-profit music festival Ladyfest. She currently teaches music journalism at UCLA, hosts and co-produces a podcast “I’m in the Band,” does freelance music journalism, public speaking, teaches ESL/EFL, DJ-ing and continues to sing in Bratmobile.

Apr 16, 2024 • 26min
Episode 77 - Musician Stacey Dee (Bad Cop/Bad Cop)
Stacey Dee sings and plays guitar in the punk band Bad Cop/Bad Cop. Bad Cop/Bad Cop are currently signed to Fat Wreck Chords, and have toured the world. As Stacey mentions, they’re currently working on a new record, and can be seen supporting NOFX on select dates of NOFX’s final tour.

Apr 2, 2024 • 19min
Episode 76 - Musician Ted Bowne (Passafire)
Ted Bowne is a musician best known as the singer and guitar player for the reggae rock band, Passafire. Passafire has had multiple albums reach #1 on Billboard’s Top Reggae Albums Chart. Passafire has toured with bands such as Pepper, 311, Rebelution, Matisyahu, The Wailers, and Slightly Stoopid.

Mar 19, 2024 • 25min
Episode 75 - Actor Lew Temple
Lew Temple is an actor who has appeared in many movies and TV shows. Notably, he appeared as the character Axel in season 3 of The Walking Dead. On the big screen he’s been seen in The Lone Ranger, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, Unstoppable, Déjà Vu, Domino, Halloween, The Devils Rejects, Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning, Waitress, and many more.

Feb 27, 2024 • 19min
Episode 74 - X-Files Creator Chris Carter
Chris Carter is a TV writer, producer, and director best known for creating The X-Files. Chris also created the shows Millennium, The Lone Gunmen, Harsh Realm, and The After. The X-Files earned 2 Primetime Emmys out of 16 nominations, and 5 Golden Globes out of 12 nominations. In addition to creating the show, Chris wrote and/or directed many episodes throughout the show’s run.


