Share

Melting Pot
Sharon Louden An artist, educator, advocate for artists
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

25. Amy Pollack
30:49||Season 21, Ep. 25Amy Meislin Pollack has been telling stories about a fourth-grader named Jelly Bean since 1960, first as a nine-year-old herself, then across 40 years in the classroom, and later with her own children and grandchildren. In this episode, Amy talks about turning six decades of storytelling into her three-book middle-grade series, The Adventures of Jelly Bean, and why she chose to write honestly about the things kids actually deal with, friendship, death, race, addiction and feeling unseen at home. We get into what four decades of teaching taught her about kids navigating change, and why she believes middle-graders are ready for harder conversations than adults often give them credit for.[Jelly Bean Books, Teenage Books, Children's Author, Tween Reads, Parenting Books, Teacher, Parenting Teens, Childhood Grief, Real Talk For Kids, Podcast, Payal Nayar, Melting Pot Podcast]#TeenParenting #ChildrenBehaviour #BooksForTeenagers #AdventuresOfJellyBean #Podcast
24. Phyllis Leavitt
32:08||Season 21, Ep. 24In conversation with psychotherapist and author Phyllis Leavitt, this episode of The Melting Pot explores how childhood trauma quietly shapes who we become as adults. Drawing on over three decades of clinical work with individuals, couples, and families, Phyllis unpacks how early wounds show up in our adult behavior, from the patterns we repeat to the walls we build in relationships. She shares what healing actually looks like, and why understanding our past is often the first step toward reconnecting with the people we love. A grounded, deeply human conversation about trauma, growth, and the ongoing work of becoming whole.[Childhood Trauma, Trauma Healing, Emotional Healing, Generational Trauma, Psychotherapy, Mental Health Awareness, Healthy Relationships,Podcast, Mental Health Podcast, Payal Nayar, Melting Pot Podcast]#MentalHealthAwareness #ChildhoodTrauma #Psychotherapist #Podcast
23. Anoushka Dasgupta Little Andaman Barcelona
36:22||Season 21, Ep. 23What does it take to build a restaurant that stands out in one of Europe's biggest food cities? In this episode, we sit down with Anoushka Dasgupta of Little Andaman, a coastal Indian restaurant in the heart of Barcelona. Anoushka shares how her family opened the restaurant during the uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic and the challenges of building recognition in a highly competitive dining scene. She also talks about what makes Little Andaman unique, from its fresh coastal Indian cuisine to its creative cocktails, and how winning Joc de Cartes' Best Asian Restaurant award became a defining moment in their journey.https://littleandaman.es/home/[Little Andaman Barcelona, Ankita Dasgupta, Barcelona Restaurants, Coastal Indian Cuisine, Award-Winning Restaurant, Joc de Cartes Winner, Creative Cocktails, Restaurant Business, Melting Pot, Payal Nayar Podcast]#LittleAndaman #BarcelonaRestaurants #IndianRestaurant #Barcelona #PodcastEpisode streaming on your preferred streaming platforms and on YouTube.
22. Roque-Galeria Cortina Barcelona
39:32||Season 21, Ep. 22For over four decades, Galería Cortina has been a part of Barcelona's vibrant art scene, bringing Modern, Contemporary, and art to collectors and visitors from around the world. In this episode, Roque shares what it takes to run a gallery beyond the exhibitions we see. From curating collections and working with artists and collectors to managing the logistics behind every show, he offers an honest look at the dedication involved. We also explore what makes Galería Cortina unique, how it has built its niche over the years, and why creating a meaningful gallery experience is about much more than simply displaying great art.https://www.galeriacortina.com/[Barcelona Art Gallery, Contemporary Art Gallery, Modern Art, Fine Art, Art Collection, Gallery Management, Art Exhibitions, Curation, Barcelona Art Scene, Melting Pot Podcast, Galeria Cortina, Art World Insights, Payal Nayar]#Galeriacortinabarcelona #Barcelonaart #Artgallery #PodcastEpisode available on all podcast streaming platforms and on YouTube
21. Marta Labori-Ceramist
19:59||Season 21, Ep. 21Ceramic artist and founder of Labori Ceramics, Marta Labori shares her journey into the world of porcelain and how a workshop years ago changed the direction of her creative life.She talks about discovering a material she instantly connected with, the inspiration behind her handcrafted pieces, and how experimentation plays an important role in her process. Marta also reflects on how her thoughts, emotions, and everyday observations influence what she creates, allowing each collection to evolve naturally over time.This conversation offers a thoughtful look into craftsmanship, creativity, and the patience behind making objects that are designed to be both beautiful and meaningful companions in everyday life.[Labori Ceramics, Marta Labori, Porcelain Ceramics, Ceramic Artist, Handmade Ceramics, Barcelona Ceramic Artist, Porcelain Workshop, Ceramic Workshop, Creative Career, Melting Pot, Payal Nayar, Podcast]#LaboriCeramics #Ceramics #Artist #CeramicStudio #Barcelona #PodcastEpisode streaming on your favourite podcast streaming platform and on YouTube
20. Esther Maré- Founder ate bonita
29:45||Season 21, Ep. 20Esther Maré's creative journey is a story of embracing change and trusting the creative process.After beginning her career as an economist and later working in graphic design, she followed her passion to create Ate bonita, a handcrafted accessories brand rooted in originality and craftsmanship. She shares how discovering polymer clay opened up new creative possibilities, the importance of experimenting with materials. From changing careers to building a brand by hand, this conversation offers an honest look at creativity, craftsmanship, and the value of making something meaningful at your own pace.https://www.atebonita.com/[Esther Mare, ate bonita, Handmade Jewellery, Polymer Clay Jewellery, Polymer Clay Artist, Jewellery designer, Creative Journey, Career Change, Graphic Designer, Independent Designer, Craftsmanship, Barcelona, Podcast, Payal Nayar, Melting Pot]#atebonitha #handmadejewellery #clayjewellery #PodcastEpisode streaming on your favourite podcast streaming platforms and on YouTube.
19. Takisha Purcell
31:26||Season 21, Ep. 19Takisha Purcell, spiritual guide, healer and author, shares the pivotal moment that transformed her perspective forever. A single documentary on spirituality sparked a deep inner awakening, challenging everything she had been taught and leading her on a journey of healing, self-discovery, and spiritual truth. She also shares how an inner voice inspired her to write Understanding The Truth About God Written in The Hearts of Men, turning years of reflection into a powerful memoir about faith and finding God within. If you've ever questioned your beliefs or searched for deeper meaning, this inspiring conversation is one you won't want to miss. [Spiritual awakening, Inner voice, God, Faith, Spirituality, Author, Podcast, Melting Pot, Payal Nayar]#Spirituality #God #Podcast #Meltingpot
18. Gloria Vanderhorst
39:46||Season 21, Ep. 18What if emotional expression didn’t need words? Dr. Gloria Vanderhorst explores this powerful idea through her decades of experience in psychology, her career journey, and her unique approach to emotional understanding. She shares insights into early childhood development, highlighting how boys and girls often process emotions differently, and why father–son relationships play such a crucial role in shaping emotional growth. She also introduces her thoughtfully designed journal with intentionally blank pages, encouraging individuals to express themselves freely through writing, lines, or drawings. This episode offers a nuanced perspective on connection, care, and emotional awareness, inviting you to reflect, feel deeply, and rethink how we understand expression.[Emotional Development, Emotional Expression, Emotional Awareness, Child Development, Early Childhood Psychology, Developmental Psychology, Human Behavior, Podcast, Melting Pot]#Mentalhealth #emotions #Humanbehavior #Podcast
17. Rachel Pereira -Mog restaurant Barcelona
31:43||Season 21, Ep. 17For Rachel, opening a restaurant wasn't just about serving great food, it was about creating a space that reflects culture, memory and connection.In this episode, she shares the story behind building her restaurant from the ground up, the careful process of shaping its menu and her mission to introduce people to the diverse and deeply rooted coastal cuisines of India, which often remain overshadowed by the country's more familiar North Indian dishes.From the inspiration behind individual dishes to the philosophy that guides the entire experience, this conversation offers a thoughtful look at food as a way of preserving heritage and bringing people together across cultures.https://www.mogbarcelona.com/[ Mog, Goan Cuisine, Coastal Indian Cuisine, Southeast Asian Flavors, Indian Food Culture, Restaurant Stories, Chef Stories, Restaurant Founder, Barcelona, Podcast, Melting Pot, New Episode, Payal Nayar ]#Mogrestaurant #Seafood #Barcelona #Barcelonarestaurant #Podcast