In this episode of Breaking the Biz, we sit down with animation veteran Howie Hoffman, a visionary Creative Art Director whose work has helped define multiple eras of animated entertainment and advertising.

Hoffman has brought some of pop culture’s most iconic visual moments to life—whether it’s the Trix Cereal rabbit in action, Michael Jordan mingling with Looney Tunes in a groundbreaking MCI commercial, or the unforgettable opening sequences of Reading Rainbow and The Magic School Bus. His contributions to network branding and animated interstitials for outlets like NBC Late Night, HBO, Cartoon Network, and Nickelodeon helped shape the visual language of ‘90s and early 2000s television.

As Design Director for the first two seasons of Nickelodeon's Doug, Hoffman led a 17-person team in crafting the show’s signature aesthetic—an experience he calls one of the most treasured of his career. That same passion for collaboration and creativity extended to Camp Androscoggin in Wayne, Maine, where he launched one of the country’s most visible animation programs for youth, backed by industry giants like Disney and Nickelodeon.

Throughout his career, Hoffman has been recognized with numerous awards: in fine art from the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, in animation from the Ann Arbor and Washington D.C. Film Festivals, in graphics from the Broadcast Design Association, and in direction with nominations for both a Cable ACE Award and an Annie Award.

But what truly sets Howie Hoffman apart is his unwavering commitment to inclusive storytelling and education. He began his career with a National Endowment for the Arts grant to teach animation in Virginia public schools and has since come full circle through his work with Exceptional Minds, a nonprofit animation studio for artists on the autism spectrum. The animated shorts he’s produced with Exceptional Minds students and graduates have received accolades from the Palm Springs International Animation Festival, the Los Angeles Animation Festival, and the Marvels of Media Awards at the Museum of the Moving Image.

This episode is a celebration of legacy, mentorship, and the power of accessible creativity. Whether you're an aspiring animator, an advocate for disability inclusion, or someone who grew up loving Saturday morning cartoons, this conversation with Howie Hoffman will leave you both inspired and informed.

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Born in Long Beach, California, to a U.S. Army colonel and a Korean army nurse, Bobby’s path seemed destined for discipline and structure. Yet from an early age, he was irresistibly drawn to art in all forms. After initially pursuing art in college, he experienced an epiphany: music was the most powerful artistic medium he could imagine. That revelation launched a lifetime of exploration across styles, genres, and continents.

Bobby’s musical education was as diverse as it was immersive—from childhood piano lessons to threading reel-to-reel tapes of his father’s classical, jazz, and world music collections. He absorbed everything: West African drumming, funk, early hip-hop, reggae, punk, and the restless energy of the Southern California counterculture. A single, life-changing listen to Funkadelic’s Maggot Brain convinced him that music had no limits.

In college, Bobby founded the funk band Fiya Bahl, which evolved into Delta Nove—a 7-piece world-funk powerhouse that released 8 records, toured nationally, and earned slots at festivals like High Sierra, Wakarusa, and 10,000 Lakes. Fans came to know Bobby as “Dr. Fuzzy,” a name that stuck through years of shared stages with the likes of Dr. John, Ozomatli, Michael Franti, War, and Burning Spear.

But Bobby’s vision always reached beyond borders. He played for years in steel pan orchestras and immersed himself in Afro-Cuban music and Fela Kuti mixtapes. Ultimately, it was Brazilian music that captured his soul. Extended trips to Rio de Janeiro and Salvador saw him studying not only music but capoeira—absorbing rhythms, traditions, and philosophies. Back in Los Angeles, he helped shape the sound of Brazilian bands like Os Zagueiros, Samba Society, and Moforro, and served as co-musical director of Viver Brasil Afro-Brazilian Dance Company. His Brazilian music journey led to stages from the Hollywood Bowl to Disneyland’s California Adventure and collaborations with Sergio Mendes, Janelle Monáe, Beck, Carlinhos Brown, and Jorge Aragão.

In 2009, Bobby founded the Long Beach Funk Fest—an all-ages, eco-friendly, solar-powered event drawing up to 15,000 annual attendees. With a mission of “Sustaining Our Future Through Funk,” the festival featured legendary acts like George Clinton & Parliament Funkadelic, Mandrill, the Family Stone, Shuggie Otis, and more—while raising money for music education in Long Beach.

As a producer, Bobby has collaborated with giants including George Clinton, Fred Wesley, Ozomatli, Dennis Coffey, Kid Creole and the Coconuts, and members of Red Hot Chili Peppers. He’s recorded, mixed, and performed across an astonishing range of genres—from Afrobeat with Tony Allen to Calypso with Trinidadian legend Calypso Rose at Coachella. His production studio, Fuzzy Sound Lab, is the base for this boundless creative work.

And as an educator for over 25 years, Bobby has shared music with generations—from teaching elementary school classes to lecturing at universities like UCLA, CSUN, and NAU. After directing the band program at St. John Bosco High School, Bobby took on an even more transformative role as director of the Watts Conservatory of Music.

This episode isn’t just for musicians—it’s for anyone who believes that culture, creativity, and community can change lives. Join us as Bobby Easton shares lessons from a career spent breaking boundaries, honoring traditions, and inspiring the next generation of artists.

Join our conversation on social media:

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Interested in being a guest speaker? blieberman@yicunity.org

In this episode of Breaking the Biz, we sit down with Alex Howard — a young entertainment professional with over five years of administrative experience across film and TV development. An advocate for audio description and a champion for disability inclusion, Alex brings a unique perspective as a low vision professional navigating Hollywood. A 2020 alum of RespectAbility’s Entertainment Lab for professionals with disabilities, Alex shares how their lived experience informs their advocacy for more accessible and authentic storytelling. Tune in for an insightful conversation about challenging industry norms, checking privilege, and making entertainment truly inclusive for all.

Join our conversation on social media:

facebook.com/breakingthebiz
instagram.com/breakingthebiz
instagram.com/yic_unity
https://www.linkedin.com/company/18149713

Interested in being a guest speaker? blieberman@yicunity.org