Share

cover art for Sharon Louden An artist, educator, advocate for artists

Melting Pot

Sharon Louden An artist, educator, advocate for artists

Season 7, Ep. 1
•

Sharon Louden is an artist, educator, advocate for artists, editor of the Living and Sustaining a Creative Life series of books, and the Artistic Director of the Chautauqua Visual Arts at Chautauqua Institution. 


She graduated with a BFA from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and an MFA from Yale University School of Art. Louden's work is held in major public and private collections including the Whitney Museum of American Art, National Gallery of Art, Neuberger Museum of Art, Arkansas Arts Center, Yale University Art Gallery, Weatherspoon Art Museum, and the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, among others. Published in 2013, Living and Sustaining a Creative Life is now in its 7th printing. 


With sales in over 24 countries, it has become Intellect Books #1 best selling publication two years in a row. The book has been translated into Korean, garnered over 45 reviews, the subject of 15 podcasts and radio appearances and received more individual feedback than can be counted. From 2013 until 2015, Louden went on a 62-stop book tour, where she met thousands of artists from all over the US. 


Louden has continued this momentum bringing her second book, The Artist as Culture Producer: Living and Sustaining a Creative Life, on an extensive 102-stop conversation/book tour which launched at the Strand BookStore on March 2, 2017 and concluded in Fairbanks, Alaska in April, 2018. Louden continues to travel widely to institutions and organizations about her work and the work of others. 


Apple Podcasts: https://buff.ly/2Vf8vv8⠀

Spotify: https://buff.ly/2Vf8uHA⠀

Google Podcasts:https://buff.ly/2Vds6LX⠀

.

.

.

.


-Original music credit: Rish Sharma.

His music is available on Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube and other streaming platforms. 

 

-Audio post production at HNM Studios New Delhi India.

-October2019 voicesandmore Pte Ltd All rights reserved


More episodes

View all episodes

  • 7. Nika Brunet Milunovic

    26:49||Season 21, Ep. 7
    In this episode of Melting Pot, host Payal Nayar speaks with Nika Brunet Milunovic, Founder of Calm Nest Collective and host of The Pink Nest Podcast, about well being, inclusion, and what it truly means to create humane experiences. Drawing from over a decade in the international events and music industry, Nika shares the realities behind high-pressure environments burnout, overstimulation, and emotional fatigue and how these experiences shaped her purpose-led work. She shares about designing sensory-friendly, neuro-inclusive spaces that support emotional regulation and psychological safety in events and workplaces. Blending lived experience,  work experience, sustainability, and PhD research, Nika offers a thoughtful perspective on trauma-aware design, mental health, and creating spaces where people can pause, breathe, and show up as themselves beyond the mask.[Sustainable events, ecological design, human-centred experiences, Sensory rooms, wellbeing, Burnout, Mental health, Calm Nest Collective,Nika Brunet Milunovic, Design, Social, Podcast, Melting Pot, New episode, Payal Nayar] #MeltingPotPodcast #SustainableEvents #EcoDesign #HumanCentred #WellbeingAtWork #ConsciousCreation #EventIndustry #DesignWithCare

  • 6. Cherry Thian

    30:50||Season 21, Ep. 6
    Conversations around aging often focus on care, but rarely on purpose. In this conversation on Melting Pot, host Payal explores these ideas with Cherry Thian, founder of Little Changemakers, a social enterprise creating experiences that foster empathy, resilience, and connection. Cherry reflects on her work with seniors, caregivers, children, and individuals with special needs, sharing why meaningful engagement matters more than simply staying busy. The discussion touches on redefining contribution in later life, creating sustainable programs, and recognising the often-invisible role of caregivers. Through real stories and thoughtful insights, this episode highlights the importance of dignity, community, and human-centred design in building more inclusive and compassionate societies.[Cherry Thian, Little Changemakers, Caregivers, People, Caregiving, ElderCare, Purpose, Experiences, Social Work, Melting Pot, Podcast, New episode]#Cherrythian #Littlechangemakers #Social #Caregiver #Podcast

  • 5. Caleb Mathews

    34:27||Season 21, Ep. 5
    In this episode, Payal talks to Caleb Matthews about purpose, faith, and inner guidance. Caleb reflects on a powerful dream he had at just six years old and how that experience stayed with him, shaping the work he does today. Together, they explore how dreams, intuition, and spiritual awareness can offer clarity during uncertain moments. Caleb also shares his perspective on the connection between spirit, soul, and body, and how understanding this balance helps people feel supported and less alone. The conversation touches on listening deeply, trusting inner nudges, and recognizing that every person has a unique design and purpose. This episode offers thoughtful reflection and reassurance for anyone seeking direction, meaning, and a stronger connection to their inner calling.[Caleb Mathews, Motivational Speaker, Dream interpreter, Purpose, Inner Vision, Podcast, Meltingpot]#MotivationalSpeaker #Dreaminterpreter #Findingyourpurpose #innervoice #spiritual #Newepisode #meltingpot #podcast

  • 4. Maria Garaitonandia

    27:00||Season 21, Ep. 4
    Communication is at the core of effective leadership, especially in today’s diverse workplaces. In this episode of melting Pot  Payal speaks with María Garaitonandia, Interpersonal Intelligence Strategist and author of Untangling Communication, about helping leaders move beyond technical expertise to build clarity, trust, and connection. Drawing from over 20 years of experience across the U.S. and Latin America, María shares how her corporate training supports leaders in understanding individual needs and navigating cultural differences. The conversation explores adapting communication styles, resolving conflict constructively, and creating alignment within global teams.María’s practical frameworks, real-world leadership examples, and actionable strategies leaders can apply immediately. This episode offers valuable insights for anyone looking to strengthen communication, lead diverse teams, and build more human, high-performing organizations.[Maria Garaitonandia, Leadership, Inspiring, Communication, Untangling Communication, Corporate Training, Podcast, Meltingpot]#Communication #Corporatetraining #MariaGaraitonandia #Newepisode #meltingpot #podcast

  • 3. Dave Chauhan

    30:53||Season 21, Ep. 3
    Leadership isn’t just about strategy, it’s about choices, values, and navigating uncertainty with intention. Host Payal is joined by Dave Chauhan, leadership consultant and author of Captain, Set, Sail, for a thoughtful conversation shaped by real-world experience. With 17+ years across industries, Dave shares his journey into leadership, the stories behind his book, and how the Nautical Leadership framework came to life. Together, they explore purpose-driven decision-making, balancing and leading people through change with clarity and empathy. The discussion offers practical insights, honest reflections, and meaningful takeaways for leaders seeking to build resilient, human-centric teams in today’s evolving world.[Dave Chauhan, Leadership, Inspiring, Motivation, Captainsetsail, Purpose, Podcast, Meltingpot]#PurposeDrivenLeadership #FindingYourWhy #LeadershipJourney  #CaptainSetSail #motivation#MindfulLeadership #ValuesFirst  #HeartAndSteel # Davechauhan #Newepisode #meltingpot #podcast

  • 2. Kayne Harrison

    42:44||Season 21, Ep. 2
    Kayne Harrison shares his journey and personal experiences that led him into acting. In the episode, Kayne reflects on a childhood spent inventing games with his friends, escaping into fantasy worlds, and falling in love with storytelling through TV and films. He shares how powerful true stories,especially Denzel Washington’s Hurricane, shaped his desire to perform, alongside an early fascination with Shakespeare and mythology and theatre. Kayne also opens up about breaking into the industry on his own, navigating self-tape auditions, managing things and landing his first major role in Netflix’s Resort to Love. A candid, inspiring look at persistence, imagination, and finding your own path.[kayne Harrison, Actor, Storytelling, Journey, Film, Theatre, Acting, Podcast, Melting Pot, New Episode]#KayneHarrison #Storytelling #ActorJourney #ActingInspiration #Creativity #Imagination #MeltingPotSeries #FilmLovers #BehindTheActor #ActingLife #CreativePath #Podcast #New episode

  • 1. Elena Tengri

    30:16||Season 21, Ep. 1
    This episode of Melting Pot features Elena Tengri, a young Siberian artist from Yakutia whose deeply personal connection to nature shapes her creative vision. Growing up in the freezing landscapes of Yakutia, Elena developed a deep bond with nature that continues to guide her artistic vision. She was inspired by a British artist who makes nature installations and for her project she reimagined the legend-Bull of Cold (a figure in Yakutian folklore), to build these striking ice installations, most notably a seven-ton ice sculpture placed in the desert, symbolizing the tension between heat, cold, loss, renewal and climate change. Elena shares her creative journey, the challenges of working with melting ice, and how art can spark conversations about climate change. A thoughtful, inspiring story of culture, courage, and creativity.[Elena Tengri, Nature installation, Climate Art, Siberian Artist, Climate Change, Podcast, Melting Pot, New Episode]#IceArt #NatureInstallation IceSculpture #FolkloreArt #ClimateArt #EnvironmentalDesign #SiberianArtist #ArtAndNature #MeltingPot #CreativeStorytelling #ArtWithMeaning #ElenaTengri #Podcast

  • 20. Stella Kon Lumina Vitae

    11:02||Season 20, Ep. 20
    Lumina Vitae Presented by The Bloom Fund Singapore and Supported by The National Heritage Board Singapore![Lumina Vitae,Light of Life,Melting Pot Series, Podcast,The Bloom Fund,Stories of Singapore,Heritage ReimaginedCommunity Through Art,Singapore Stories]#LuminaVitae #MeltingPotSeries #TheBloomFund #SingaporeStories #CommunityArt #TheBloomFund #SingaporeHeritage #AIMeetsMemory #IntergenerationalStories #NHB

  • 19. Kheng Lai Tan Lumina Vitae

    11:06||Season 20, Ep. 19
    Lumina Vitae Presented by The Bloom Fund Singapore and Supported by The National Heritage Board Singapore![Lumina Vitae,Light of Life,Melting Pot Series, Podcast,The Bloom Fund,Stories of Singapore,Heritage ReimaginedCommunity Through Art,Singapore Stories]#LuminaVitae #MeltingPotSeries #TheBloomFund #SingaporeStories #CommunityArt #TheBloomFund #SingaporeHeritage #AIMeetsMemory #IntergenerationalStories #NHB