Episodes

  • Episode 19: Tyler Rocio Ecoña

    Episode 19: Tyler Rocio Ecoña
    Nov 6 2025
    Our guest this week is Tyler Rocio Ecoña! (they/she)

    She is a playwright, dramaturg and actor originally from Woodbridge, Virginia, now based in Philly!

    A graduate of The University of the Arts, Tyler works to steward relationships within the Philly theater by creating and uplifting projects focused on collaboration. Making the effort to highlight the Latine, trans, and disabled artists that don't often see themselves represented in theater, Tyler hopes to push boundaries not only socially, but magically. In this episode, we talk about admitting that some people know more than you, the effort it takes to find community, and her newest piece "The Machu Picchu Play." You can find/contact Tyler everywhere cited below!
    • Instagram - @tyleriito
    • New Play Exchange - Tyler Rocio Ecoña

    Make sure to follow Tyler's career/upcoming projects by joining our weekly Newsletter! Sign up TODAY!

    OR check out our Guest Contact Sheet, which is updated whenever our previous guests have new art to share! Check it Out!

    Credits Host - Gideon Caro McDonald Guest - Tyler Rocio Ecoña Editor - Fern Morehouse Cover Art/Graphic Design - Ella Carter Theme Song - Valerie Barry
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    1 hr and 36 mins
  • Episode 18: Rekha Shankar

    Episode 18: Rekha Shankar
    Oct 18 2025
    Our guest this week is Rekha Shankar (she/her) She is a comedian, writer, actor and filmmaker originally from Philadelphia, now based in Los Angeles, California! Knowing that she wanted to make people laugh, Rekha forged a path into comedy and film-making while attending NYU. This persistence led her to discover improv, move to LA, and get into all kinds of career defining rooms, including College Humor/Dropout, Animaniacs, Aunty Donna's House of Fun, and NBC's Grand Crew. Throughout her career, she has worked tirelessly to develop her unique voice and perspective, and ultimately hopes to achieve her goal of "being a professional idiot". In this episode, we talk about writing for live improv vs scripted comedy film, integrating your identity and culture into your art, and the Philadelphia community's warmth and hospitality towards those it claims as its own. You can find/contact Rekha everywhere cited below!
    • Instagram - @rekha_s
    • Newsletter - buttondown.com/RekhaShankar
    • Patreon - rekha|shankar
    • Website - rekhashankar.com
    Rekha has just begun shooting her new film, Vidhya's Guide to the Afterlife! This deeply personal, sci-fi buddy comedy following the only two left behind behind the Hindu rapture was written by Rekha and will be directed by fellow DesiQuest cast member Sandeep Parikh! In order to stay in the loop about the film's updates, make sure to follow Rekha everywhere cited above, as well as check out rekhamovie.com!

    Make sure to follow Rekha's career/upcoming projects by joining our weekly Newsletter! Sign up TODAY!

    OR check out our Guest Contact Sheet, which is updated whenever our previous guests have new art to share! Check it Out!

    Credits Host - Gideon Caro McDonald Guest - Rekha Shankar Editor - Fern Morehouse Cover Art/Graphic Design - Ella Carter Theme Song - Valerie Barry
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    1 hr and 13 mins
  • Episode 17: Michael Jahlil

    Episode 17: Michael Jahlil
    Oct 7 2025
    Our guest this week is Michael Jahlil (he/they) They are an actor, singer and writer originally from Chester, PA, now based in Philadelphia! Following in the footsteps of acting giants and a Juilliard college commercial, Michael knew that he needed to pursue the arts in one way or another, and to do that he needed to go achieve a Masters degree. This spark led him on a rollercoaster-esque career, including American Idol, national tours, and multiple collegiate auditions. Until eventually, Michael took a break and started over, shaping his acting career through training at the Community College of Philadelphia, University of the Arts, Temple University, and cabaret clubs here in Philly. Now, with a seasoned career in this city, Michael still works to achieve his lifelong goal of providing arts education to low income communities and children in need of performance and expression. In this episode we talk about the highs and lows of the theater industry, finding confidence in your art, and the magic of Sister Act 2. You can find/contact Michael everywhere cited below!
    • Instagram - @michael.jahlil.deux
    • Email - themichaeljahlil@gmail.com

    Make sure to follow Michael's career/upcoming projects by Joining our weekly Newsletter! Sign up TODAY!

    OR Check out our Guest Contact Sheet, which is updated whenever our previous guests have new art to share! Check it Out!

    Credits

    Host - Gideon Caro McDonald

    Guest - Michael Jahlil

    Editor - Fern Morehouse

    Cover Art/Graphic Designer - Ella Carter

    Theme Song - Valerie Barry
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    2 hrs and 44 mins
  • Episode 16: August Hakvaag

    Episode 16: August Hakvaag
    Sep 20 2025
    Our guest this week is August Hakvaag (they/them) They are a butch theatre artist, primarily a playwright and actor, from Manhattan, NY and currently based in Philadelphia! Having grown up in a small yet supportive suburban town in PA, August felt it obvious to pursue the arts and leave home. They soon graduated from Temple University with a BA in Theatre, and August has been an active member of our community ever since. They joined the PlayPenn Foundry program as an upcoming playwright, became an advocate for health safety in their work since the pandemic, was part of the original cast of the Twenty Sided Tavern, and continued their studies at Temple for a Graduate Certificate in Gender, Sexuality, and Women's Studies. Alongside all of this, August continues to work as an actor as well in both local theater work and TTRPG podcasts! In this episode we talk about knowing when to take a break, the magic of tabletop storytelling, and the two plays they have in this year's Fringe festival! You can find/contact August everywhere cited below!
    • Website - augusthakvaag.com
    • Instagram - @a.hakvaag
    • Email - august.hakvaag@gmail.com

    Make sure to follow August's career/upcoming projects by Joining our weekly Newsletter! Sign up TODAY!

    OR Check out our Guest Contact Sheet, which is updated whenever our previous guests have new art to share! Check it Out!

    Credits

    Host - Gideon Caro McDonald

    Guest - August Hakvaag

    Editor - Fern Morehouse

    Cover Art/Graphic Designer - Ella Carter

    Theme Song - Valerie Barry
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    2 hrs and 10 mins
  • Episode 15: John Faye

    Episode 15: John Faye
    Sep 9 2025
    Our guest this week is John Faye! (he/him) He is a career musician, originally from Newark, Delaware, that has been performing and teaching in the Philly music scene for the last 30 years. Having some time as a signed musician in the late 90s with his band The Caulfields, John was given the chance to tour the country and beyond. A few years later, he broke away from the label and furthered his musical expression in Philly with groups such as John Faye Power Trip, IKE, John and Brittany, and eventually his own solo career. Now with 16 studio releases under his belt, John continues to push himself as a songwriter and performer, as well as uplifting the underground scene and smaller musicians. In this episode we talk about his time as an educator at both Bluebond Guitars & Music School and Drexel University, advice about today's music industry, and his bestselling memoir The Yin and The Yang of It All. You can find/contact John everywhere cited below!
    • Website - johnfaye.com
    • Email - johnfayemusic@gmail.com
    • Instagram - @johnkimfaye
    • FaceBook - @jfaye
    • Patreon - johnkimfaye

    Make sure to follow John's career/upcoming projects by Joining our weekly Newsletter! Sign up TODAY!

    OR Check out our Guest Contact Sheet, which is updated whenever our previous guests have new art to share! Check it Out!

    Credits

    Host - Gideon Caro McDonald

    Guest - John Faye

    Editor - Fern Morehouse

    Cover Art/Graphic Designer - Ella Carter

    Theme Song - Valerie Barry
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    2 hrs and 28 mins
  • Episode 14: McKayla / MK Prophett

    Episode 14: McKayla / MK Prophett
    Aug 24 2025
    Our guest this week is McKayla / MK Prophett! (they/she) They are a theater director, actor and teaching artist originally from Brunswick, Maine, now based in Philly! Having started performing alongside their mother and brother at a young age, MK knew early on they wanted a life in theater. Though the path of a performer didn't shine quite as bright as a future in directing, leading them to pursue the Directing, Play-writing and Production BFA at University of the Arts. Driven by a desire to tell new, queer, and bold stories, MK now works as a director in Philly in hopes to be a siphon for creation and collaboration. In this episode we talk about the need for art influenced by the state of the world, the relationship between a director and their team, and the brilliance of Spongebob Squarepants. You can find/contact MK everywhere cited below!
    • Instagram - @mk.prophett
    • Email - mkprophett@gmail.com
    • YouTube - @mckaylaprophett2338
    • Website - Coming Soon!

    Make sure to follow MK's career/upcoming projects by Joining our weekly Newsletter! Sign up TODAY!

    OR Check out our Guest Contact Sheet, which is updated whenever our previous guests have new art to share! Check it Out!

    Credits

    Host - Gideon Caro McDonald

    Guest - MK Prophett

    Editor - Fern Morehouse

    Cover Art/Graphic Designer - Ella Carter

    Theme Song - Valerie Barry
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    1 hr and 34 mins
  • Episode 13: Nate Miles-McLean

    Episode 13: Nate Miles-McLean
    Aug 10 2025
    Our guest this week is Nate Miles-McLean! (he/they) He is an actor, dancer and avid stage combatant originally from Washington D.C., now based in Philly! Growing up with a rigorous approach to the performing arts, Nate had an opportunity to slow down & play while studying acting at the University of the Arts. Now guided by those principles, Nate is committed to the work of an actor here in Philadelphia, focusing on expressing themself physically through bold movement pieces, works that are text and combat heavy, and the occasional musical! In this episode we talk about recognizing personal growth, the joy in the rehearsal, and seeing yourself in WALL-E. You can find/contact Nate everywhere cited below!
    • Instagram - @milesmclean
    • Email - nate.milesmclean@gmail.com

    Make sure to follow Nate's career/upcoming projects by Joining our weekly Newsletter! Sign up TODAY!

    OR Check out our Guest Contact Sheet, which is updated whenever our previous guests have new art to share! Check it Out!

    Credits

    Host - Gideon Caro McDonald

    Guest - Nate Miles-McLean

    Editor - Fern Morehouse

    Cover Art/Graphic Designer - Ella Carter

    Theme Song - Valerie Barry
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    1 hr and 45 mins
  • Episode 12: Zoe Hollander

    Episode 12: Zoe Hollander
    Aug 2 2025

    Our guest this week is Zoe Hollander! (she/her)

    She is an actor, educator and improviser originally from Minneapolis, Minnesota, now based in Philly! Being shaped at an early age by children's theater both on and off stage, Zoe was set on a path to pursue a career in acting and telling stories. After her time studying at UArts & Temple University, she now finds herself on the ground floor for brand new musicals and founding an improv comedy troupe! In this episode we talk about being educators shaped by our own educators, a love for text driven work, and the leap of faith she took moving to the East Coast. You can find/contact Zoe everywhere cited below!
    • Website - zoehollander.com
    • Instagram - @zoe_hollander
    • YouTube - @ZoeHollander

    Make sure to follow Zoe's career/upcoming projects by Joining our weekly Newsletter! Sign up TODAY!

    OR Check out our Guest Contact Sheet, which is updated whenever our previous guests have new art to share! Check it Out!

    Credits

    Host - Gideon Caro McDonald

    Guest - Zoe Hollander

    Editor - Fern Morehouse

    Cover Art/Graphic Designer - Ella Carter

    Theme Music - Valerie Barry
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    1 hr and 21 mins