Podcast
About Art
Hosted by Heidi Zuckerman · EN
Heidi Zuckerman is a globally recognized voice in contemporary art and a passionate believer in how art can make life more better. On her podcast About Art, she has real, inspiring conversations with people she finds interesting—artists, collectors, creatives, and more—about their lives, their values, and why art matters. It’s about living artfully, seeing differently, and finding joy and connection through art—wherever you are on your art journey.
30episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Episode 205: Monuments to Memory - with Molly Gochman
Mar 1001:03:46Tap to summarizeUnlock the transformative potential of art that invites participation, reflection, and collective healing. This episode features Molly Gochman, an artist and activist reshaping how we connect through shared experiences, public monuments, and community engagement.Most conversations about activism and art overlook how deeply intertwined they truly are. Molly reveals how her work—whether literal land art shaped like borders or monumental sculptures—serves as a mirror for social values, collective memory, and the passage of time. She discusses the power of touch in art, the importance of invitation and curiosity, and how participatory projects foster empathy across communities. From her Ukraine-Russia border sculpture to the Memory Collage project, Molly illustrates how art can quietly challenge societal divides, honor memories, and inspire collective action—sometimes at a scale that outlives individual lives.You'll discover:How monumental sculptures can serve as acts of collective care and remembranceThe role of touch and participation in demystifying art and fostering empathyWhy the materials artists choose—like bronze or recycled construction debris—mirror human resilience and transformationWays art can serve as a third space that bridges differences and invites dialogueThe importance of curiosity, attention, and invitation in creating inclusive cultural conversationsWithout awareness and intentionality, the stories we pass down fade, and social divides deepen. This episode makes a compelling case for art as a deliberate act of witnessing—building understanding in a world craving connection. If you're committed to social change, community-building, or simply seeing art through a smarter, more connected lens, this is essential listening.Perfect for artists, activists, community leaders, and anyone curious about how art influences societal transformation. Molly's insights will inspire you to see your environment—and your role in shaping it—differently.
Transcribe →Episode 204: Unseen Power of Art to Build Community and Cultivate Civility Today - with Leslie Jackson Chihuly
Mar 301:02:19Tap to summarizeLeslie Jackson Chihuly is an arts executive, philanthropist, and cultural leader dedicated to expanding access to the arts and supporting creative communities. As President and CEO of Chihuly Studio, she oversees the global operations of artist Dale Chihuly, guiding a body of work that spans museums, exhibitions, public installations, and cultural partnerships worldwide. She is also the co-founder of The Dale and Leslie Chihuly Foundation, which advances access, equity, and innovation in the arts.In this conversation, Leslie reflects on how art can build community, cultivate civility, and strengthen public life. She discusses sustaining a major artist’s studio, aligning philanthropy with impact, and creating cultural experiences that invite participation rather than intimidation. Leslie also shares insights into leadership, legacy, and the role of art in fostering connection across generations and perspectives.This episode explores how creativity can shape more thoughtful communities — and why supporting the arts remains essential to a vibrant and humane society.
Transcribe →Episode 203: Great Art Explained and Making Art Accessible - with James Payne
Feb 2400:57:43Tap to summarizeWhat makes a painting unforgettable? And how can art history become something that feels personal, clear, and alive?In this episode of About Art, Heidi Zuckerman speaks with James Payne, writer, curator, educator, and the creator of the internationally beloved YouTube channels Great Art Explained and Great Books Explained.James has reached millions by making art history accessible—stripping away intimidation while preserving depth, nuance, and emotional power. His videos have been shown at institutions including the National Gallery in London and the Albertina Museum in Vienna, and his mission continues to redefine what cultural education can look like in the digital age.Together, Heidi and James discuss storytelling, accessibility, the emotional intelligence of art, and why understanding a work of art can be as thrilling as seeing it.
Transcribe →Episode 202: Why Film Matters: How Elisa Nuyten Is Rewriting the Rules of Art Philanthropy
Feb 1701:02:09Tap to summarizeElisa Nuyten is the founder and president of The Vega Foundation, a Toronto-based organization dedicated to supporting ambitious film and video art through commissioning, institutional collaboration, and long-term stewardship. Established in 2022, Vega has quickly become a significant force in the international moving-image ecosystem, partnering with leading museums and commissioning major new works by artists shaping the future of the medium.In this conversation, Nuyten shares why she sees film as a powerful vehicle for awareness—one capable of holding complexity, ambiguity, and emotional depth without slipping into didacticism. She reflects on her evolution from collector to foundation founder, her appetite for artistic risk, and her belief that supporting experimental work is essential to cultural and social progress.Together, Nuyten and Zuckerman explore how private foundations can operate as catalysts rather than gatekeepers, how to evaluate risk while remaining artist-centered, and why storytelling in moving-image art has a unique capacity to foster shared humanity. This episode offers a compelling model for collectors, arts leaders, and anyone interested in how bold artistic investment can expand what art—and philanthropy—can do.
Transcribe →Episode 201: How Pacsun Stays Relevant: Brieane Olson on Gen Z, Culture, and Purpose
Feb 1001:02:11Tap to summarizeWhat does it take to shape a brand that resonates with an entire generation? Brieane Olson, CEO of Pacsun, joins Heidi Zuckerman to discuss creativity, cultural relevance, and values-driven leadership at one of the most influential youth lifestyle retailers in the world.From strategic partnerships with icons like A$AP Rocky and Kendall Jenner to a $5M investment in Inglewood schools, Brieane shares how she blends purpose with performance. With nearly two decades at Pacsun and a career spanning merchandising, marketing, and digital transformation, her approach is both bold and deeply human.In this episode, Brieane and Heidi explore:•The art of building authentic collaborations•Why community investment isn’t a strategy, it’s a responsibility•Leading with empathy, innovation, and intention•What Gen Z and Gen Alpha expect from brands today—and how art plays a roleThis conversation is about more than retail. It’s about culture, connection, and leadership in a rapidly changing world.
Transcribe →Episode 200: Building Hope: Art and Activism - with Mike Zuckerman
Feb 300:58:45Tap to summarizeMike Zuckerman is a cultural strategist, city builder, and humanitarian activist whose work is rooted in one central idea: regeneration. Mike has designed and activated community-centered spaces all over the world—from temporary refugee settlements in Uganda, to post-crisis recovery zones in Haiti and Colombia, to experimental urban projects in San Francisco. He thinks deeply about how to repair broken systems by placing trust and power back in the hands of local communities. We talk about how he moves between the art world, humanitarian work, and activism—and what he’s learned about design, dignity, and hope along the way. Mike is Heidi Zuckerman’s brother, and this is the last in her sibling series podcast.
Transcribe →Episode 199: The Art of Reinvention - with Lora Jakobsen
Jan 2701:03:22Tap to summarizeReinvention isn’t about starting over. It’s about listening—closely—to who you’re becoming.In this episode of About Art, I speak with Lora Jakobsen about leadership before titles, creativity beyond the arts, and how community shapes both personal growth and professional impact. From her early background in the performing arts to her current work in climate tech at ZeroNorth, Lora’s journey is a powerful reminder that the skills we develop in one chapter often become the foundation for the next. We talk about:•Reinvention as an ongoing practice• Why art should never feel intimidating• Leadership rooted in presence, curiosity, and care• The role of community in shaping meaningful work• Creativity as a transferable life skillThis conversation is for anyone navigating change—and wondering what might be possible on the other side. Lora is Heidi Zuckerman’s sister.
Transcribe →Episode 198: Art makes us feel less alone— with Josh Zuckerman
Jan 2000:55:50Tap to summarizeIn this episode of About Art, Heidi Zuckerman speaks with actor Josh Zuckerman about creativity, vulnerability, and why art—at its best—helps us feel less alone.Josh has worked professionally in film and television since his late teens, with an eclectic career that spans comedy, drama, and horror. He currently appears in the Paramount+ series School Spirits and previously starred as the lead in The CW’s Significant Mother. His film work ranges from comedies such as Sex Drive and Austin Powers: Goldmember to dramas including Oppenheimer, The Hottest State, and CBGB, as well as genre films like Feast. His television credits include The Offer, Hunters, Alaska Daily, Fatal Attraction, Boston Legal, House, NYPD Blue, Strange Angel, and 90210, among many others.In their conversation, Heidi and Josh discuss:•Growing up alongside art and creativity—and how it shaped his sense of self•What acting has taught him about empathy, presence, and emotional risk•How inhabiting other lives can deepen understanding and connection•The difference between performing for validation and creating with purpose•Why art, storytelling, and shared experience help us feel seenThis episode is also a personal one: Josh is Heidi’s brother, and their shared history brings an added layer of honesty, humor, and reflection to the conversation.
Transcribe →Episode 197: Art Gives Comfort - with Joel Lubin
Jan 1301:00:22Tap to summarizeA 20-year veteran of leading entertainment and sports agency Creative Artists Agency (CAA), Joel Lubin is a Managing Director and Co-Head of the Motion Picture Group. Lubin represents many of the world’s most acclaimed talent, including Tom Cruise, Colin Farrell, Ralph Fiennes, Carey Mulligan, Chris Evans, Mahershala Ali, Vanessa Kirby, David Oyelowo, Jude Law, Andrew Garfield, Mark Rylance, Jon Bernthal, Charlize Theron, Sebastian Stan, Josh Brolin, Michelle Williams, Matthew Goode, James Corden, Hilary Swank, and Jeremy Renner, among others. An avid art collector, Lubin currently serves on the Board of Overseers for the Hammer Museum and the Board of Directors of the Institute of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles.In this conversation, Lubin and Zuckerman discuss how careers are built over time; the role of trust, risk, and intuition in representation; and what it means to advocate for artists at the highest level while navigating an industry shaped by scale, power, and change. They reflect on creative partnership, long-term thinking, and the parallels between collecting art and stewarding talent—both rooted in conviction, patience, and belief.
Transcribe →7. Rich Roll
Mar 3, 2020Tap to summarizeRich Roll is a dad, athlete, and author of Finding Ultra. He also hosts the long running, super interesting, and widely popular Rich Roll podcast. In this episode he and Zuckerman talk about existential crises, alcoholism and ambition, the value of solitude, wisdom, and what art is.
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