In this episode, Q sits down with film prof, journalist, and podcaster extraordinaire, Zaki Hasan. They discuss new and upcoming films, the threat that AI and modern media pose to storytelling, and the role of our humanity in making great films.

More about Zaki Hasan:

Born and raised in Chicago before settling in the Bay Area, Zaki Hasan is an award-winning journalist with more than 30 years of experience in media scholarship and criticism. In addition to co-hosting the long-running MovieFilm Podcast, his reviews and analyses appear regularly in The San Francisco Chronicle, TheWrap, and IGN. He is co-author of Geek Wisdom: The Sacred Teachings of Nerd Culture, and other books on the Star Wars, Star Trek, Planet of the Apes, and Blade Runner franchises, and a member of the Hollywood Creative Alliance and the San Francisco Bay Area Film Critics Circle.

Find Zaki Online:

• The MovieFilm Podcast on Patreon:

https://www.youtube.com/@moviefilmpodcast -

• Personal Blog

http://www.zakiscorner.com/ -

• Zaki Hasan on Rotten Tomatoes

https://www.rottentomatoes.com/critics/zaki-hasan/movies

Find Zaki on Social Media:

• Zaki on Threads - https://www.threads.com/@zakiscorner
• Zaki on BlueSky - https://bsky.app/profile/zakiscorner.bsky.social
• Zaki on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/zakiscorner/?hl=en

-------------------

Sign up for the TQL newsletter with monthly reflections, creative inspiration, and updates on podcast guests: https://mailchi.mp/d81f5edab394/amanda-quraishi-newsletter-sign-up

In this episode of The Qreative Life podcast, Q chats up indie author Georgina Kiersten, a queer, disabled writer of romantasy novels. They discuss Kiersten's creative path, from being diagnosed with dyslexia to embracing their passion for writing to taking the bold step to publish their own work. The conversation covers topics ranging from claiming your own creative power through fanfic to the futility of using AI to fulfill your creative urges. More about Georgina Kiersten:Georgina Kiersten is a romance author from San Antonio, Texas. They are best known for their wide range of LGBTQ+ romance novels featuring Black queer and trans individuals. Kiersten's experience being a Black queer trans disabled person who has dyslexia, ADHD, and who is also autistic gives them a unique perspective when it comes to writing romance. Their unique lived experiences only further drive their passion for creating diverse and inclusive romance stories.Find Georgina Kiersten online:- Author Website: https://georginakiersten.com- Author Blog: https://loudinthemargins.com/Find Georgina Kiersten on social media:- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Author-Georgina-Kiersten/100075258071473/- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ingloriousgigi/--------------------

Sign up for the TQL newsletter with monthly reflections, creative inspiration, and updates on podcast guests:https://mailchi.mp/d81f5edab394/amanda-quraishi-newsletter-sign-up

In this episode, Q interviews Houston-based author E.A. Williams. They discuss Williams' transition from screenplay writer to novelist, and the value of writing what you love. Williams shares her childhood struggle with dyslexia, her family's enthusiasm for her artistic career choices, and the value of cultivating an authorial persona, à la Anne Rice.Find E.A. Williams online:- Website: https://eawilliamsbooks.com- Bookshop: https://eawilliamsbooks.com/shop/Find E.A. Williams on social media:- TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@eawilliamsbook- Instagram: instagram.com/e.a.williamsbooks/- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/E.A.WilliamsLitAbout E.A. Williams:A graduate of the University of North Texas where she studied film and playwriting, E.A. Williams often imbues her stories with the diverse and challenging landscape of her home state. From her thrilling debut series, The Line of Tepes to her short stories featured in publications like Mixed Bag of Tricks, Femme Fairytales, and Grimoire for Honeyed Spells, no matter how fantastical, Williams brings a unique Texan voice to her writing. Williams learned just how invaluable a writing community could be while helping run a writer’s collective during university. Whether she is working on her own writing or helping to coordinate events for Armadillo Authors Society, Williams is always looking for ways to connect with the arts community.

In the first-ever video version of The Qreative Life podcast, Q is joined by her bestie and creative partner, Ilene Haddad. The two discuss their upcoming co-launch for their books, why creators all seem to suffer from the same kinds of insecurities, and how Ilene went about writing and illustrating a memoir about her marriage.Find Ilene Haddad online:https://casaweenie.com/Find Daniela Quirke (Q's nom de plume) online:https://www.danielaquirke.com/

In this episode of The Qreative Life podcast, Q chats with her friend and fellow creative, Jo Hunter. They discuss Jo's unique use of both creativity and engineering in her work, and her lifelong passion for aircraft.

More about Jo Hunter:

Jo has always had one foot in each of the two camps of art and science. She grew up in the UK and emigrated to Texas in 2006 with her husband Alan. They lived in Austin for 15 years before moving to Kerrville in 2022, where Jo now uses a combination of digital artwork, laser cutter and 3D printing to make custom clocks, lamps and astronomical instruments. Jo has also enjoyed aviation photography for almost 30 years, during which time she has been published in a variety of magazines, and spent a similar amount of time working as a website coder.

While she does not yet have her pilot certificate, she has accumulated a number of rides in interesting aircraft. The pandemic forced a shift into digital illustration rather than photography, which then led to many of the patterns and shapes used in her current art.

Jo enjoyed several years as a glass artist before discovering lasers, and would like to continue that if she ever gets her workshop uncluttered. She dabbles in other creative pursuits such as painting and leatherwork, believing that a good art class now and again leads to cross-pollination of skills and ultimately, more ways to achieve the visions in her head.

Find Jo Hunter online:

• Aviation Photography Website: http://futurshox.net
• Handmade items from Jo's workshop: http://wavytail.com

Find Jo on social media:

• Bluesky (@futurshox.net): https://bsky.app/profile/futurshox.net
• Mastodon: @futurshox@mytransponder.com
• Instagram (@Wavytail_art): @futurshox@mytransponder.com

In this episode, Q talks with her friend and former co-worker, photographer Virginia Hernandez. They discuss Virginia’s new venture, striking out as a full-time working creative, her latest creative partnership, the value of a creative community, and the importance of having space to figure out who you are as an artist.

More about Virginia:

Virginia Hernandez is an award-winning photographer and video producer with a lifelong passion for visual storytelling. Her journey began at the age of eight when she received her first film camera—a bright red Vivitar that quickly became her prized possession. She later expanded into video production during college, taking on nearly every role on student documentary sets and eventually contributing to television shows and live broadcasts.

Known for her ability to capture authentic moments, Virginia excels at building a natural sense of comfort and openness with her subjects, both in front of and behind the lens. Her photography has been featured on Reagan Billboards, included in the Austin History Center archives, and published in magazines and newspapers across Texas. Her video work has reached national audiences, appearing on digital billboards and at large-scale corporate events throughout the state.

A native Texan and longtime Austin resident, Virginia has called the city home for over 20 years. Outside of her professional work, she enjoys spending time with her family and her many beloved cats. She finds joy and creative fuel in live music, playing bass guitar, cooking, traveling, and delivering a steady stream of bad jokes.

Find Virginia online:

• WEBSITE: virginiahernandez.com
• WEBSITE: streamlinecreativeatx.com
• INSTAGRAM: @virginia.hernandezphoto
• INSTAGRAM: @streamlinecreativeatx

In this episode of The Qreative Life podcast, Q reconnects with Rita Toikka, an artist who has followed an unconventional path - first as a frontwoman of an L.A.-based rock band, then as a visual artist and educator. Toikka shares the story of her life, with all its successes and challenges, in this fascinating and heartfelt conversation.

About Rita Toikka:

Exquisite lucid dreams, sleep paralysis, and experimentation inspire my creations. I abstract my subconscious experience into more concrete forms to explore my connection to the spaces I occupy physically and existentially. It simultaneously drives me to collapse into myself, while exposing my precious oddities to others in an effort to deepen my worldly connections. Metal, wood, resin, and any other material I may encounter facilitates my need to build. I create, deconstruct, and rearrange to transform fragments of images, feeling, and wonder into more complete thoughts that add to my understanding of what it means to exist.

Find Rita Toikka online:

• Website [ritatoikka.com]
• Instagram [@ritatoikka]

In this episode, Q fangirls over guest Curtis Roush, a guitarist, singer, songwriter, producer, and recording engineer for 25 years, and founder of The Bright Light Social Hour. They discuss the challenges of being a full-time indie rock band, and Roush's creative process for composing and producing music.

Find Curtis online:

• Instagram (@curtisroush)
• Spotify

Find The Bright Light Social Hour online:

• Website (thebrightlightsocialhour.com)
• Bandcamp (thebrightlightsocialhour.bandcamp.com)

• Spotify
• Instagram (@tblsh)