In this episode of Breaking the Biz, we sit down with Paul Hemstreet, an award-winning producer and multidisciplinary creative with over 25 years of experience shaping some of the most beloved franchises in entertainment. From his tenure at Warner Bros.—working on global hits like Harry Potter, The Matrix, The Hobbit, and the DC Universe—to his current role mentoring neurodivergent talent at Autism in Entertainment, Paul brings a rare blend of high-level industry insight and heartfelt advocacy.

Paul shares how producing live events and content across departments, continents, and technologies has shaped his approach to storytelling—and why creating space for voices on the Spectrum has become his most meaningful work yet. With deep reflections on parenting, career pivots, and creative leadership, Paul offers a candid look into what it truly takes to produce content that inspires hope, fosters inclusivity, and engages audiences around the world.

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What starts as childhood curiosity can grow into something truly impactful—and Alessandro Concas is living proof.

In this episode of Breaking the Biz, we sit down with teen author and entrepreneur Alessandro Concas, a student at Learning Post Academy in Valencia, California, who’s been building a creative empire since he was eight years old. It all began with a simple idea during a long summer break—The A to Zs of Fighting Boredom, his first published book. That spark ignited an early passion for writing, which evolved into his ongoing science fiction series, Life of the Time Cat.

But Alessandro’s vision doesn’t stop at storytelling. A skilled pianist, fluent language learner, and stock market enthusiast, he’s also designed a financial literacy program for kids and teens through his family’s education company. With ambitions to study at Harvard and one day meet his entrepreneurial role model, Elon Musk, Alessandro’s journey blends big-picture thinking with grounded action—and a strong sense of purpose.

His book sales help fund charitable causes, school initiatives, and his own college tuition. Through it all, Alessandro’s message is clear: kids can be creators, leaders, and changemakers—starting now.

Tune in for a fresh perspective on what it means to break into the business world when your age doesn’t define your ability to make an impact.

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Bret sits down with operations expert and Syzygy founder Tyler Burr to explore the critical—but often invisible—role of infrastructure in the creative industries. With a career spanning film and TV production, the arts, hospitality, and business operations, Tyler brings a systems-first mindset to every challenge she tackles.

As the founder of Syzygy, she leads a team dedicated to empowering creative entrepreneurs by transforming back-office functions—like accounting, HR, and operations—into strategic assets. Her approach helps small businesses grow with clarity, confidence, and control. Known for her pragmatic leadership and sharp operational instincts, Tyler is a firm believer that strong systems create space for bold ideas.

In this episode, she and Bret dive into what it takes to build sustainable businesses behind the scenes, why operations is often the secret to success, and how professionals with disabilities can lead and thrive in every part of the business world.

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

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.

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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:

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

In this inspiring episode of Breaking the Biz, we sit down with Jason Weissbrod—a dynamic director, actor, producer, writer, and the co-founder of Spectrum Laboratory.

With a career spanning film, television, web series, commercials, and theatre, Jason has spent the past 15+ years building creative pathways for neurodivergent and autistic artists. His work with The Miracle Project, Tree Academy, The Help Group, Autism On The Seas, and CSUN’s Teenage Drama Workshop helped spark a powerful mission: to elevate neurodiverse voices in the entertainment industry.

Through Spectrum Laboratory (Spec Labs), Jason and his team empower artists on the autism spectrum to create original films and music, while collaborating with entertainment professionals. Jason’s mantra? “Show people what they can do, and magic will ensue!”

In this conversation, Jason shares how Spec Labs bridges neurodiverse talent with Hollywood pros, why authentic representation in entertainment matters, and how the creative process transforms both confidence and community. He also offers valuable lessons for industry leaders seeking to foster inclusive collaboration.

Join us for a thoughtful and energetic discussion about breaking barriers, challenging norms, and celebrating the limitless potential of neurodiverse artists.

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

What does it take to turn sound into a language of possibility? In this episode of Breaking the Biz, we journey into the expansive world of experimental sound art, composition, and multimedia with Philip Mantione — a Los Angeles-based sound artist whose career challenges the boundaries of traditional music and embraces a world where creativity is unlimited.

With over two decades of experience, Mantione has composed for orchestra, chamber ensembles, computer, and multimedia environments, often using custom software to layer field recordings, samples, and computer-generated sound. His work spans fixed media, interactive performance, sound installations, and experimental video, embodying an artistic practice that’s both highly technical and emotionally resonant.

Mantione shares the unconventional path he took to establish himself in the entertainment and academic spheres, reflecting on how he built a career that bridges disciplines, embraces accessibility, and redefines how we think about listening. Along the way, he also explores how mentorship, innovation, and collaboration empower artists of all abilities to find their voice in spaces that often feel exclusive.

Listeners will learn:

How a career in sound art can evolve outside traditional music pathways

What it means to code your own tools as an artist

The challenges and triumphs of building inclusive spaces in multimedia art

Why embracing difference is essential to driving creative innovation

Whether you're a music lover, aspiring sound designer, or someone passionate about creating equitable futures in entertainment, this episode offers a thought-provoking dive into the sonic possibilities that surround us—and the people who make them real.

Join our conversation on social media:

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