Episode 7 • Amanda Meadows, Jamila Rowser, Kiara Valdez • March 9, 2023

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In this conversation, Amanda, Jamila, and Kiara discuss what it takes to produce projects that excite them (hint: more than passion for an idea) and how comics and book publishing must change to treat creators as humans, not machines, so that they can keep telling the stories we all need and deserve.

GUEST PHOTOS CLOCKWISE FROM BOTTOM LEFT: AMANDA MEADOWS, JAMILA ROWSER, KIARA VALDEZ.

Episode 6 • MariNaomi • October 13, 2022

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Bay area-based cartoonist MariNaomi joined us to talk about friendships, memory, and their upcoming collage-comics memoir I Thought You Loved Me (Fieldmouse Press, 2023). 

MariNaomi (they/them) is an award-winning author, illustrator, and visual artist whose work has appeared in over eighty print publications and website publications. They are the creator behind eight book-length works, and their comics and paintings have appeared in the Smithsonian, the de Young Museum, the Cartoon Art Museum, the Asian Art Museum, and the Japanese American Museum. They are also the founder and administrator of the Cartoonists of Color Database, the Queer Cartoonists Database, and the Disabled Cartoonists Database. 

Learn more about MariNaomi in their Popverse profile, "Centering visibility with MariNaomi's comics and databases", written by Christine Pasalo Norland.

Episode 5 • Karen Alleluia • September 27, 2022

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San Diego-based Filipina American artist, illustrator, and character designer Karen Alleluia joined Christine Pasalo Norland to talk about what it's taken and meant to launch kluia co, and share her nonlinear path to becoming a freelance illustrator and online business owner. From Karen's lowest point of experiencing homelessness to the high of fulfilling the Kickstarter campaign for Fish the plushie, making art is a source of comfort, confidence, and connection. And now, with careful and constant thoughtfulness, a livelihood.

PHOTOGRAPH BY SAGE TIMOG.

Episode 4 • Nicky Rodriguez • July 13, 2022

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Queer Puerto Rican comic artist, flatter, and colorist Nicky Rodriguez talks about her illustrations and colors for the upcoming picture book Con Papá written by Frederick Luis Aldama, her webcomics series The Unlucky Ones and the Edge of Nowhere, what she reflected on to create her original comic "Reminder to Self" for the Hello Barkada Comics series, and how she practices taking care of herself. Con Papá releases in August 2022 and is currently available for pre-order. 

Episode 3 • Jamila Rowser & Robyn Smith • June 8, 2022

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Friends and collaborators Jamila Rowser & Robyn Smith talk about their new graphic novel Wash Day Diaries! Published by Chronicle Books, the book features a collection of stories centered on the friendship between four Black women and femmes, beginning with a colorized version of "Wash Day," the one-shot that launched Rowser's and Smith's friendship and Rowser's Black Josei Press. 

Episode 2 • Steenz! • April 29, 2022

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Friendships, character building, and fandom: Cartoonist Steenz gives us a sneak peak into their new comics collection Heart Takes the Stage and discusses the ways they continue to infuse their style and perspective into the "Heart of the City" comic strip.

Episode 1 • Trinidad Escobar • March 10, 2022

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Nipa huts, mermaids, and the gothic: Cartoonist Trinidad Escobar discusses her new Queer erotica comics collection Arrive In My Hands, published by Black Josei Press.