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Women Unscripted

Women Unscripted

Written by: Chris Stafford
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Women Unscripted is a premium podcast network and audio archive amplifying the voices of women in sport, art, culture, and storytelling through over 1,700 episodes across 20 shows.
These are real conversations with leading athletes and artists from around the world sharing their personal journeys with honesty, vulnerability, and depth. Founded in 2011 as WiSP Sports by Chris Stafford the network has expanded into a premium podcast network with a vast back catalogue of storytelling.

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/women-unscripted--4769409/support.Hollowell Studios
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Episodes
  • National Geographic Explorer Mackenzie Calle on Photography and The Gay Space Agency
    Jul 6 2026
    In this episode of AART, host Chris Stafford sits down with National Geographic Explorer photographer Mackenzie Calle to discuss the powerful intersection of art and storytelling. Through her lens, Mackenzie captures extraordinary images that not only reveal the beauty of the natural world but also help raise awareness about critical conservation challenges facing our ecosystems. Mackenzie shares her journey into photography, the experiences that shaped her career, and how visual storytelling can influence public understanding of our world. Throughout the conversation, Chris and Mackenzie explore the responsibility of photographers working in fragile environments, the importance of authentic storytelling, and the role artists play in connecting audiences to subjects they may never encounter firsthand. They also discuss the evolving world of photography, the challenges of fieldwork, and the moments behind some of Mackenzie's most memorable images.The discussion also explores Mackenzie's creation and plans for The Gay Space Agency, a project that imagines a diverse, inclusive American space program to confront the historical exclusion of openly LGBTQI+ individuals from NASA. Through this groundbreaking initiative, artists, scientists, activists, and thinkers collaborate to challenge traditional narratives about exploration, identity, and who gets to envision humanity's future beyond Earth.Chris and Mackenzie discuss how creativity, art, and imagination can help shape conversations about belonging, representation, and possibility. Together they explore the surprising connections between conservation, exploration, storytelling, and the human desire to discover new worlds—whether here on Earth or among the stars.This episode is an inspiring exploration of how artists can bridge disciplines, challenge assumptions, and create work that expands both our understanding of the present and our vision of the future. Subscribe to AART and Women Unscripted Podcast Network for more conversations with remarkable creatives, storytellers, and innovators.Some of Mackenzie’s favorite women artists:Lee MillerKeisha ScarvilleAmie SiegelSara CwynarsKay SagePenelope UmbricoEsmay Wagemans Mackenzie’s dinner party guests:Sally RideLee MillerDavid AttenboroughFelix Gonzalez-TorresDB CooperPhil LismanWebsite: mackenziecalle.com instagram.com/mackenzie.calleCoffee with an Explorer Thursday, July 16, 2026 10-11am National Geographic Museum of Exploration 1600 M Street NW Washington, D.C. 20036https://moe.nationalgeographic.org/en/whats-on/coffee-with-an-explorer-mackenzie-calleTalks with an Explorer Friday, July 17, 2026 12:30-1:30pm National Geographic Museum of Exploration 1600 M Street NW Washington, D.C. 20036https://moe.nationalgeographic.org/en/whats-on/pop-up-talks-with-an-explorer-mackenzie-calleKeywords National Geographic Explorer, Mackenzie Calle, Mackenzie Calle photographer, National Geographic photography, wildlife photography, conservation photography, environmental photography, visual storytelling, documentary photography, nature photographer, conservationist, wildlife conservation, photography podcast, photography interview, Chris Stafford, AART podcast, Women Unscripted Podcast Network, environmental storytelling, National Geographic Explorer interview, creative storytelling, adventure photography, wildlife photographer, conservation awareness, photography career, documentary storyteller, photography and conservation, environmental advocacy, artistic storytelling, photography educationMeta Description (Google Search) National Geographic Explorer and photographer Mackenzie Calle joins Chris Stafford on AART to discuss wildlife photography, conservation, visual storytelling, environmental advocacy, and the power of images to inspire change.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/women-unscripted--4769409/support.Host: Chris StaffordProduced by Hollowell StudiosWebsite: https://hollowellstudios.com/podcastsInstagram: @twomenunscriptedpodcastsEmail: hollowellstudios@gmail.com
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    1 hr and 4 mins
  • June Stratton (Figurative Painter): Process, Studio Practice & Painting the Human Form
    Jun 23 2026
    June Stratton is an American representational figurative painter known for her work capturing the human form with clarity, discipline, and emotional depth. In this episode of the AART Podcast, Chris speaks with June Stratton about her career in figurative painting, her studio practice, and how she approaches realism in contemporary art.

    This conversation covers:
    • How June Stratton became a figurative artist
    • Her approach to painting the human figure and working from observation
    • The role of light, composition, and gesture in representational art
    • Balancing technical precision with intuition in painting
    • What it takes to sustain a career as a contemporary realist painter
    Chris’ signature unscripted, intimate interview style allows Stratton to go beyond technique and talk about the mindset behind her work—how she sees, thinks, and builds a painting over time.

    If you’re interested in figurative painting, representational art, portrait painting, or the creative process of contemporary artists, this episode offers a clear and practical insight into how one artist approaches her craft.

    June’s links:
    Website: junestratton.com
    Instagram: instagram.com/june_stratton/
    Facebook: facebook.com/JuneStrattonStudio/

    June’s Female artists: Nadine Robbins Marilyn Minter April Gornik Vija Celmins Julie Heffernan Mae Read Mia Bergeron Pamela Wilson Katherine Sandoz Annie Lebowitz Dorielle Caimi Rebecca Leveille Guay Megan Lange

    Dinner Party Guests: Benjamin Franklin Dolly Parton Mary Munter Hedy Lamar Jack White Paitti Smith John Muir

    Keywords
    June Stratton, figurative painting, representational art, realism painting, contemporary realist artist, portrait painting, human figure drawing, painting process, studio practice artist, American painter interview, AART podcast, Chris Stafford, Women Unscripted podcast network, art podcast, how to paint people, observational painting, fine art interview, contemporary figurative art, artist career insights

    Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/women-unscripted--4769409/support.

    Host: Chris Stafford
    Produced by Hollowell Studios
    Website: https://hollowellstudios.com/podcasts
    Instagram: @twomenunscriptedpodcasts
    Email: hollowellstudios@gmail.com
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    1 hr and 8 mins
  • Maggie Taylor on Digital Collage, Surrealism, and the Art of Imagination
    Jun 9 2026
    In this episode of the AART Podcast, host Chris Stafford sits down with renowned American digital collage artist Maggie Taylor, whose dreamlike, surreal imagery has redefined the boundaries between photography, technology, and fine art.

    Known for her pioneering work in digital collage, Maggie Taylor creates richly layered visual narratives that blend 19th-century photographic elements with contemporary digital tools. Her work invites viewers into imaginative, often whimsical worlds—where memory, symbolism, and storytelling converge in unexpected ways. In this intimate and insightful conversation, Maggie shares how she discovered her distinctive artistic voice, her transition from traditional photography to digital media, and how tools like Photoshop became central to her creative process.

    Raised in a creative environment and married to photographer Jerry Uelsmann, Maggie Taylor developed an early appreciation for photographic experimentation. Yet she forged her own path, becoming one of the most recognized figures in digital art. Her work has been exhibited internationally and is held in major museum collections, including the Art Institute of Chicago, the George Eastman Museum, and the Smithsonian American Art Museum.

    On AART, Maggie reflects on the evolution of her career, the role of intuition in her artistic decisions, and the balance between control and discovery when creating complex digital compositions. She also discusses the emotional resonance of her work, the importance of curiosity, and how artists can embrace new technologies without losing their authenticity. This episode offers a fascinating look into the mind of an artist who has quietly but profoundly influenced contemporary visual culture. Whether you’re an artist, photographer, or simply someone drawn to imaginative storytelling, Maggie Taylor’s journey is both inspiring and deeply thought-provoking.

    Maggie’s links website: www.maggietaylor.com Instagram: @maggietaylor.art

    Some favorite women artists: Julie Blackmon, Sandy Skogland, Lori Nix, Cig Harvey, Marion Peck, Lori Vrba, Claire Rosen

    Dinner party guests: Patti Smith, Aimee Mann, Laurie Anderson, Tilda Swinton, Kara Swisher, and Eve Schooler

    Keywords: Maggie Taylor, digital collage artist, American artist Maggie Taylor, surreal digital art, digital collage photography, contemporary digital artists, Photoshop art, fine art photography, AART podcast, Chris Stafford podcast, women artists interview, visual storytelling, surrealism in digital art, creative process artists, modern collage art, experimental photography, women in art podcast, artist interviews, contemporary art podcast, museum exhibited artists, digital art techniques, storytelling through images, imaginative art, photography and technology, Jerry Uelsmann influence, American contemporary artists, art podcast interviews, Women Unscripted podcast network

    Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/women-unscripted--4769409/support.

    Host: Chris Stafford
    Produced by Hollowell Studios
    Website: https://hollowellstudios.com/podcasts
    Instagram: @twomenunscriptedpodcasts
    Email: hollowellstudios@gmail.com
    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 2 mins
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