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Claire Stapleton is the author of Don't Be Evil, Bad Bosses, Fake Promises, and My Escape from Big Tech. Claire joins Karen to discuss her book and her journey from earnest college grad to seasoned, disillusioned Google insider. It’s a ballsy, up-close account of Big Tech during a major cultural pivot, a reckoning with the stories we accept and the ones we tell ourselves. Open Studios on Instagram and Substack Claire Stapleton on Substack Music provided by Cousin John www.openstudiospodcast.com —>xoxo to my og Open Studios gang for attending the live, and for the brilliant questions ←-

Last year, the world - and your Tiktok FYP - met Le Poisson Steve, an orange fish with a brainwormy song, created with love by Parisian artists and streamers Vigz & Tomo (Victoria Rona and Thomas Ename). On its debut, Steve immediately snatched a gazillion views across all platforms, sparked a global fan art response, was dubbed the French anthem, and is still stuck in our heads…Il est orange, Ila des bras, et des jambes… Vigz & Tomo join Karen to discuss how they turned a community Twitch challenge into a worldwide sensation. Open Studios on Instagram and Substack Vigz on Instagram TikTok Twitch YouTube Tomo on Instagram TikTok Twitch YouTube ->Open Studios playlist-- Music provided by Tomo

Frank Abney is an American filmmaker, NAACP Image Award-winning artist, writer, director, animator, and (apparently) a former BMX daredevil. After working on some of the biggest animated blockbusters of our time, Frank Executive Produced the Academy Award-winning short film Hair Love, created and directed Netflix’s NAACP’s Image Award-winning Canvas, and wrote and directed Black Man, Black Man based on his own original poetry. The Turners, an original animated western that has been completely crowd funded, is up next for Frank and his fans. Open Studios on Instagram and Substack Frank Abney on Instagram Learn more about The Turner’s Watch the trailer for Black Man, Black Man  ***Open Studios playlist*** Music provided by John Buffalo and Brothers Vanguard, Electriq

On December 5, 2025 Bay Area artist Vincent Serritella's life changed forever with the diagnosis of a glioblastoma, a rare and random brain tumor.  As a response, he turned to his art and began painting The Human Infrastructure (Those Who Carried Me), a collection of portraits of the people who supported his recovery - or as Vincent describes them “a living system of care without which recovery would not have been possible.” Vincent’s story weaves resilience with time and technique, and finding unexpected beauty in moments of crisis. Follow Open Studios on Instagram and Substack Follow Vincent Serritella on Instagram Learn more about Vincent’s art at  vincentserritella.comInformation on [eek-wuh-lib-ree-uhm] (Vincent’s painting visible during our video call) can be found here More information on the National Brain Tumor Society here Music and sound design provided by John Buffalo and Brothers Vanguard, Electriq

Laia Casanovas is the Oscar-nominated Supervising Sound Designer and Editor behind SIRĀT, the daring film from director Oliver Laxe.  Together with Yasmina Praderas and Amanda Villavieja, Laia and her team made history this year as the first-ever all-female sound crew to snag an Oscar nod. Fresh off an incredible season, Laia joins me to talk about the art of creating sound for a living—and how she’s just getting started. Follow us on Instagram Open Studios Laia Casanovas Mentioned on the show Official trailer for SiratOliver Laxe InstagramYasmina Praderas InstagramAmanda Villavieja InstagramKangding Ray Instagram Music provided by  Brothers Vanguard, Electriq

Tomm Moore is a guardian and caretaker of stories and traditions. Together with Nora Twomey and Paul Young, Tomm co-founded the five-time Oscar nominated, Golden Globe nominated, and BAFTA winning studio Cartoon Saloon, headquartered in Kilkenny, Ireland.  Tomm directed three of those Oscar nominated films THE SECRET OF KELLS, SONG OF THE SEA, and WOLFWALKERS all instantly recognizable and deeply foraged in Irish art and lore. Tomm and I talk creative partnerships, timelessness as a sort of trademark, and his next project KINDRED SPIRITS. Follow Open Studios on Instagram and Substack Follow Tomm Moore  and Cartoon Saloon  and check out Kindred Spirits teaser on YouTube Mentioned on the show Nora Twomey  Paul Young  Choctaw Nation Shelley Dennis  Waylon Whitedeer Bird Runningwater Louise Bagnall Louise Bagnall’s Late Afternoon  Eddie Lenihan  Julián is a Mermaid by Jessica Love Music provided by  Brothers Vanguard, Electriq Follow John Dufilho (one half of Brothers Vanguard, Electriq & my cousin)

Claire Keane is an acclaimed author, illustrator, and Emmy award-winning visual development artist known for her work on Disney’s Tangled and Frozen. Daughter of the legendary animator Glen Keane, Claire and I talk legacy, creative conviction and turning up the volume when the universe speaks. Claire’s latest book WHO ARE YOU? is out now. It’s beautiful and graceful and a bit wild…just like Claire. WHO ARE YOU? is available now Claire’s website, and here (signed copies are available), and wherever books are sold. Follow us on Substack  Claire Keane House of K  Follow us on Instagram Claire Keane Open Studios  Mentioned on the show Zinqué Cafe in Venice Beach Creative Pep Talk podcast Sofia Coppola Archive 1993-2023 Duet - directed by Glen Keane Dear Basketball - directed by Glen Keane and produced by Gennie Rim Google Spotlight Stories Play don’t practice: Stephen Franck’s work Bay Lights by Leo Villareal ****Music provided by****  Brothers Vanguard, Electriq available on Spotify Follow John Dufilho (one half of Brothers Vanguard, Electriq & my cousin)

THE ULTIMATE AUTEUR Director and Artist Michaël Dudok de Wit | This is a dreamy chat with the renowned director of Oscar winning short film Father and Daughter and Oscar nom’d The Red Turtle, a collaboration with Studio Ghibli. Michaël creates visual capsules of awe and pathos and wonder, all with (mostly) ink and paper.  A legend. We talk about his decades of work, gratitude, phenomenon, nature, and what we can all learn from ox herding. There's so much noise these days, we’re pulled away from things that require time to understand, time to unearth. Things that make life wondrous. These films are a small antidote.  Watch Michaël’s OSCAR winning short Father and Daughter Watch Michaël’s OSCAR nom’d short The Monk and the Fish Watch Michaël’s OSCAR nom’d feature The Red Turtle Follow Open Studios on Instagram and me, house of k, on Substack Mentioned on the show –Studio Ghibli –The Ox Fable  –The Work of Art by Adam Moss –It Was Just An Accident trailer from Jafar Panahi

Creator and Director of the Academy Award nominated film “Retirement Plan” John Kelly and Writer Tara Lawall discuss their work and collaboration, making lists, and sneaky simpleness.  Follow Open Studios here Watch Retirement Plan here Learn more about the film here Instagram Open Studios Retirement Plan Johnny Kelly Tara Lawall Follow Open Studios on Substack @houseofk

Hi universe, and welcome to Open Studios, conversations with some of the world's most dynamic artists and innovators working in animation, film, illustration, and more. We talk craft and process, curation and collaboration, all driven by the human need to connect and create. Glad you’re here! Follow on Instagram and Substack Show website www.openstudiospodcast.com