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The Pratfalls podcast

Hosted by Levi Weinhagen, The Pratfalls Podcast features conversations with artists and creative folks of all kinds about the relationship between making cool things and being a person in the world. It features funny, insightful and weird conversations with artists and creatives of all kinds.
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Now displaying: June, 2016
Jun 28, 2016

“This is the music I want to play. If you don’t like it, then you don’t like it.”

Lucy Michelle is a musician, songwriter, and illustrator. She's the frontwoman of gypsy-pop outfit Lucy Michelle and the Velvet Lapelles, a raucous and eclectic six-piece. Lucy is part of the quartet Little Fevers, who put out their debut album "Field Trip" in 2015. And Lucy's incredibly personal solo album "Heart Race." Lucy has also been a graphic designer and illustrator for over a decade.

On this episode, Lucy Michelle talks about getting pigeon-holed into the cutesy folk singer category. She also talks about why the singer/songwriter label doesn't sit well. Lucy also talks about deciding to teach herself how to play guitar and the difference between working with long-time collaborators and working with new partners.

Lucy also gets into the real costs of making and releasing albums, the experience of playing shows as a very pregnant person and what it was like to be a new mother back on stage. She also gets into how she deals with stress and manages not to freak out when life feels overwhelming.

 

Jun 23, 2016

Huge theater’s Butch Roy talks improv tech artistry, why he loves to mop his theater, and how he’s made juggling boring for his sons. How did a punk-rock high school misfit become a father at 16 and end up running his own theater? Find out in this episode of Pratfalls of Parenting.

Jun 21, 2016

“Trolls will eat as much food as you give them.”

Lindsey is a trial attorney who brings trained advocacy to the courtroom and wider activism throughout her community. Her personal advocacy against institutional sexism and rape culture first reached a broader audience following a viral Craigslist Missed Connectionwritten to a catcaller in September 2013. In June of 2014, I began filming street harassment in the Twin Cities and launched Cards Against Harassment, which was picked up by buzzfeed and led to me making appearances on Good Morning America, WPR, and other national and international media outlets. Lindsey enjoys speaking and leading workshops on campus violence, rape culture, street harassment, and gender bias.

In this episode of the podcast, Lindsay talks about how growing up with a father who was a Sheriff and mother who was a school teacher impacted her sense of justice. Her parents called her Sergeant Lindsey because she had a vocal objection to anything she viewed as not just. Lindsey also reveals that real life trial attorney work is less hot people hooking up than depicted on television. And she talks about some of the gender issues in legal work.

Lindsey also talks about how learning how to argue well in relationships is critical to survival. Lindsey talks about her work as an online activist and how avoiding personal attacks or harsh language in her activism helps keep the focus on the issue and not let her get minimized. She also talks about getting online threats that make clear and specific references to her real life.

Jun 14, 2016

“Growing up my heroes were Gonzo and Pippi Longstocking.”

Maria Bartholdi is a multimedia producer with a reputation for wearing many hats. From videography and editing to field production and writing her work always has a strong storytelling sense with an emphasis on crafting emotional, unique, and visually stunning pieces. She has won multiple Emmy awards for her work in television production. Maria is also regularly found performing improv comedy live onstage and she hosts the wildly successful weekly podcast about Magic: The Gathering. Plus, she speaks Welsh and can do a perfect impression of R2D2 screaming.

On this episode of the show, Maria recites a poem from memory that she wrote in 3rd grade. She talks about why the thought of being normal always terrified her. Maria also talks about dealing with anxiety, why she’c comfortable being in control and deciding in early adulthood to have a stable income and reliable job while still pursuing her weird interests.

Plus, Maria shares her game of trying to think of the oddest thing you could say to a stranger that would make them have to leave the room.

Jun 7, 2016

“They thought I wanted to become a lawyer because of my obsession with Law & Order.”

Ali Elabbady is a writer, a producer, a DJ, Greenroom magazine marketing man, a hip-hop head and a supporter of all things creative large and small. He works with Public Functionary art gallery, started the Background Noise Crew, writes for Reviler, and can be seen throwing his hands up at shows all around the Twin Cities.

On this episode of the podcast, Ali talks about starting out as a dj wanting to learn trick dj moves. He talks about getting into radio broadcasting and the pressure Muslim families put on children to become doctors, lawyers or engineers. He talks about his work with Greenroom magazine and why writing about and hgighlighting musicians and artists brings him so much happiness. He also shares his love for De La Soul’s 3 Feet High and Rising along side The Simpsons Sing the Blues. Plus, Ali talks about building genuine relationships and why he doesn’t need to be in the spotlight.

Jun 1, 2016

“I like to say I'm pleasantly OCD.”

Erik Westra creates events that are meaningful, memorable, and seamless for attendees, speakers, and sponsors. Westra was the director of media and events at Brain Traffic, where he produced Confab Events. He’s the cofounder of Contents, and from 2000 to 2007 Westra was the head of promotion and publicity at two legendary concert venues: The Empty Bottle and First Avenue.  Erik has worked with Maximum Fun, Zeus Jones, the Walker Art Center, the MIT Media Lab and many other notable organizations.

On this episode of the podcast, Erik talks about how he went from booking bands at clubs to producing events. He talks about knowing how to bring the right people into a project, his desire and need to always have some projects that feel creatively fulfilling, and the often missed practicalities of planning an event or conference.

Erik also talks about why he loves helping others and how he tries to keep family time protected from work. 

 

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