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PODCAST · arts

The Pencil Pushers Podcast

by MRC Brand Design's Mike Rosado

The Pencil Pushers Podcast celebrates the art of hand-drawing. Produced by MRC Brand Design Studio, it features interviews with illustrators, animators, comic artists, and other talented individuals. Hosted by Mike Rosado, an artist, musician, and designer, the Podcast aims to showcase artists' work and provide insights into their creative process. Join Mike as he chats with his friends and idols in the world of illustration, animation, and comic art.

Publisher-supplied feed metadata · PodParley refreshed Oct 5, 2026 · Source feed

Episodes

  1. Ray Kinman: Legacy Disney Artist

    Today we sit down with master woodcarver and former Disney Imagineering artist Ray Kinman, whose nearly 50-year career started when he bluffed his way into carving a restaurant sign with borrowed money, no tools, and zero experience. Kinman describes feeling "untalented," getting sparked by one...

  2. Luke Flowers: From Farm Life to NYT Bestselling Illustrator

    Welcome folks as we sit down to chat with illustrator-author Luke Flowers, who's illustrated more than 60 children's books, including the million-selling Moby Shinobi series, A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood: The Poetry of Mister Rogers, and storybook adaptations of The Muppet Christmas Carol...

  3. Michael Doret: Legendary Graphic Designer

    We welcome the legendary lettering and graphic design artist Michael Doret, whose 5-decade career includes work for Kiss, the New York Knicks, Disney/Pixar, and Time Magazine covers now in the National Portrait Gallery. He talks about why he wrote Growing Up in Alphabet City, published in late...

  4. Daniel Swartz: Letterpress Designer

    Welcome folks as we interview letterpress designer, printer, and educator Daniel Swartz, who returned to rural northern Indiana after a 2020 life upheaval, building a new practice in his late grandfather's garage studio. Swartz describes growing up around creativity, studying art at Indiana...

  5. Nathaniel Long: Comic Book Artist and Author

    Host Mike Rosado welcomes illustrator/designer/comic artist Nathaniel Long, a South Carolina-based creator from the Winston-Salem area whose early Spider-Man obsession and grandfather's drawings sparked a lifelong pull toward hand-drawn craft. Long talks about choosing traditional tools for their...

  6. Andrew Fairclough: Illustrator & designer

    Andrew Fairclough grew up skateboarding on the northeast coast of Australia, copying boards out of Rad Magazine, and winning a drawing contest in a skate publication at 12 years old. He went on to build a career designing for Nike, Billabong, and Rolling Stone before founding True Grit Texture...

  7. Justin Rasch: Stop-Motion Master Animator

    The Pencil Pushers podcast interviews stop-motion animator/director Justin Rasch, who has worked for 30 years across games, TV, and film, including ParaNorman, Kubo and the Two Strings, and Guillermo del Toro's Oscar-winning Pinocchio, and now directs/writes/supervises at Stump Puppet Pictures...

  8. Jon Contino: Iconic Brand Designer

    Host Mike Rosado welcomes designer/illustrator/author Jon Contino to the Pencil Pushers podcast to discuss Contino's upbringing on Long Island, his parents' craft-driven influence, and his early path from band flyers, cassette art, and self-taught HTML to charging for creative work at 14. Contino...

  9. Ian Wenstrand: Artist & Illustrator

    Mike Rosado interviews Raleigh-based illustrator and designer Ian Wenstrand about his highly detailed, vibrant illustrations blending cityscapes, technology, and imaginative world-building. Wenstrand describes drawing constantly as a kid, studying studio art at University of the Cumberlands...

  10. Jake Weidmann: Master Penman & Artist

    Host Mike Rosado welcomes master penman Jake Weidmann to the Pencil Pushers Podcast to discuss his path from lifelong, largely self-taught drawing and sculpture to becoming the youngest certified Master Penman (at 26, in 2011). Weidman recounts being rejected from Biola University's art program,...

  11. Mary Blair: Celebrated Artist and Disney Legend

    Host Mike Rosado interviews Maggie Richardson, niece of famed Disney concept artist and illustrator Mary Blair, about Blair's life, influence, and legacy. Richardson recalls childhood visits when Blair, living bi-coastally in New York and California, brought gifts and original art, and later...

  12. Musgrave Pencil Co: Family-Owned Pencil Manufacturer

    Host Mike Rosado welcomes Scott Johnson, president of Musgrave Pencil Company, and Creative Lead Tim Delger to discuss running and reimagining one of the oldest and last U.S. pencil factories. Scott shares his unusual path from engineering and infrastructure to leading the family-owned business,...

  13. Will Carsola: From Mr. Pickles to Creative Director at Liquid Death

    In this episode of The Pencil Pushers Podcast, host Mike Rosado sit down with artist, writer, and creative director Will Carsola of Liquid Death to trace his path from drawing for laughs as a kid to shaping one of the boldest brands in modern marketing. Will talks about growing up mostly in...

  14. Walter C. Barnett: Multidisciplinary Art Director Behind J. Cole's Dreamer

    In this inspiring episode of the Pencil Pushers podcast, host Mike Rosado interviews Walter C. Barnett, a designer, art director, and multidisciplinary creative known for his work in theater, sports, and entertainment. Walter shares his journey from growing up in Portsmouth, Virginia and...

  15. Darryl Young: Illustrator, Toy Designer, and Comic Artist

    In this episode of the Pencil Pushers Podcast, host Mike Rosado interviews Darrell Young, an illustrator, toy designer, and comic artist based in Chicago. Darrell shares his journey from a childhood passion for comics, cartoons, and toys in the 70s and 80s to becoming a professional artist with...

  16. Travis Knight: Designer & Illustrator

    In this episode of the Pencil Pushers podcast, host Mike Rosado interviews illustrator Travis Knight, based in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Travis's work, inspired by vintage comics, punk zines, horror, and sci-fi, spans multiple mediums including painting, digital illustration, and sculpture. After a...

  17. Charly Clements: Illustrator, Online Educator, Entrepreneur

    In this episode of the Pencil Pushers Podcast, host Mike Rosado engages in a detailed conversation with Charly Clements, a successful illustrator and educator. Charly shares her inspiring journey, starting from her university rejections in the UK to becoming a digital nomad currently based in...

  18. James Lopez: The Journey of An Animation Master

    Host Mike Rosado sits down with veteran animator James Lopez, celebrating his 35+ years in animation. Lopez shares stories from his illustrious career at top studios like Disney and DreamWorks, touching upon classics like 'The Lion King' and 'The Princess and the Frog.' He dives into his advocacy...

  19. Studio Muti: The illustrative journey of the Cape Town creative shop.

    In this episode of the Pencil Pushers podcast, host Mike Rosado talks with Clint Campbell, Miné Jonker, and Brad Hodgkiss from the renowned Cape Town-based illustration studio, Studio Muti. The discussion covers the studio's origins, creative processes, and the team dynamics that make them...

  20. Armando 'Mondo' Roque: Toy Designer & Creative Director

    Welcome to The Pencil Pushers Podcast. In this episode, I chat with the multitalented Armando "Mondo" Roque about his incredible journey from childhood robot doodles to designing iconic toys.Mondo takes us back to the '80s, reminiscing about sketching RoboTech battles as a kid and getting his…

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  21. Seth Kearsley: Animation Director & Writer

    In this episode, I sit down with Seth Kearsley, a veteran animation director, writer, and producer, to explore his incredible career. With over three decades in the industry, Seth has worked on fan-favorite shows like The Maxx, The Simpsons, and Dilbert, and directed Adam Sandler's Eight Crazy...

  22. Jonathan Graves: Looney Tunes Talks

    In this episode of the Pencil Pushers podcast, host Mike Rosado dives deep into the world of Looney Tunes with Jonathan Graves, the passionate host of 'This Means Podcast.' Covering everything from Bugs Bunny to Daffy Duck, they discuss the artists, animators, and history of the beloved cartoon...

  23. Judd Winnick: Artistic Adventures and Real World Reckonings

    In this episode of the Pencil Pushers podcast, host Mike Rosado interviews Judd Winick, a celebrated comic creator known for the Hilo series. The conversation covers Judd's diverse career in comics, animation, and reality TV. He reflects on his experience as a cast member of MTV's The Real World,...

  24. Mack Garrison: Motion Design and the Art of Hustle

    Mack Garrison, co-founder and director of Content at Dash Studio, a high-end motion design studio based in North Carolina. The discussion covers Mack's origins in Raleigh, his creative childhood, the founding of Dash Studio with his partner Corey Livengood, and their journey to working with major...

  25. Alain Seguin: Animating Legendary Tales

    In this episode of the Pencil Pushers Podcast, host Mike Rosado sits down with Canadian animator Alain Seguin, who has been in the animation industry for over 27 years. Seguin discusses his early influences, such as watching Looney Tunes and Aladdin, and how these childhood inspirations led him…

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  26. Louise Lockhart: Illustrator & Founder of The Printed Peanut on Trading City Life for a Farm

    In this episode of the Pencil Pushers Podcast, host Mike Rosado reconnects with illustrator Louise Lockhart, founder of The Printed Peanut. Since her last appearance in 2019, Louise has undergone significant life changes, including relocating with her family from city life to a farm in...

  27. Lauren Griffin: The Luminous Life and Times of the Graphic Artist

    In this episode of the Pencil Pushers Podcast, host Mike Rosado interviews local designer and illustrator Lauren Griffin. Lauren shares her journey, from growing up in multiple cities to settling in Durham, North Carolina. With an impressive portfolio that includes work for Helms Workshop and…

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  28. Raul the Third: The Universe of Vamos

    It's another banger from the Pencil Pushers Podcast, as host Mike Rosado converses with Raul the Third, a New York Times bestselling and three-time Pura Belpré award-winning illustrator and author. Raul shares insight into his creative journey from growing up in El Paso, Texas, and Ciudad Juarez,...

  29. Sam Viviano: Mad Memories from Life, Art, and MAD Magazine

    Hey Pencil Pushers! Welcome back to the podcast. Today we share my chat with legendary illustrator and caricature artist Sam Viviano. Known for his extensive career with MAD Magazine and work for other notable publications such as TV Guide and Rolling Stone, Sam shares the stories behind his...

  30. Dan Janssen: From Skateboards to Studios

    Episode 66, yall!! Join us as we chat with Dan Janssen, the mastermind behind Lincoln Design Co. From his early days surfing and skating in San Diego to leading creative work for brands like Nike and Hot Wheels, Dan's journey is filled with passion, grit, and talent. He shares how he went from…

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  31. Lenny Terenzi: Quitting's For Winners

    Welcome back, LedHeads, to another episode of the Pencil Pushers Podcast! Today I have the pleasure of sharing a recent chat with my good friend, Lenny Terenzi. Lenny, who many of you know as an illustrator, designer, musician, and single dad, joins us to discuss the crucial topic of mental…

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  32. Tom Bancroft: One-of Two-of-a-Kind

    Meet Tom Bancroft, perhaps the busiest man in animation whose illustrious career started at Disney in the late '80s, contributing to classics like Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin and Mulan. Beyond Disney, Tom has launched ventures like Taught by a Pro and Pencilish Animation Studios, while juggling...

  33. Don Leon: Entrepreneurial Spirit and Hand-Drawn Brilliance

    In this episode of the Pencil Pushers Podcast, host Mike Rosado sits down with Dutch designer and illustrator Don Leon for a lively conversation about his creative journey. They explore Don's path from childhood through high school, reflecting on his early struggles to find his passion before...

  34. Kendrick Kidd: The Life & Times of the Graphic Artist

    Kendrick Kidd, an illustrator, designer, and creative director at Shepard Agency. Kendrick shares his journey from growing up in Merritt Island, Florida, with early artistic influences, to studying graphic design at the University of North Florida. He delves into his early career at a newspaper,...

  35. Rachel Castaneda: From Teacher to Muralist

    Rachel Castaneda, a muralist, lettering artist, illustrator, businesswoman, and mother of three. Rachel shares her journey from teaching to becoming a full-time artist, discussing the challenges of balancing her creative career with family life. She talks about her initial struggles, the…

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  36. Sandro Cleuzo: The Animator's International Adventures

    We go deep into the fascinating career journey and insights of Sandro Cleuzo, a Brazilian animator, including his transition from local studios to working with global animation giants like Disney and Fox, his passion for hand-drawn animation, experiences with different animation styles, and the...

  37. Clarence Heyward: Art, Life, and Resilience

    Explore Clarence Heyward's transformation from a midlife crisis to a celebrated artist, highlighting his struggles, artistic growth, and advice for navigating the art business. Gain insights from Hayward on networking, artistic insecurities, AI influence in fine art, and the representation of…

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  38. Matt Williames: Supervising Animator and Character Designer

    PS: Don't forget to take advantage of our Burny Wild's promo code just for our Pencil Pushers fans. More info on the podcast intro. Host: Mike Rosado @ekimodasor & @mrcraleigh Post-Production: Max Trujillo @trujillomedia Sponsors: MRC & Burny Wild's @mrcraleigh & @burnywilds

  39. Juan Marante: El Gran Tocayo

    PS: Don't forget to take advantage of our Burny Wild's promo code just for our Pencil Pushers fans. More info on the podcast intro. Host: Mike Rosado @ekimodasor & @mrcraleigh Post-Production: Max Trujillo @trujillomedia Sponsors: MRC & Burny Wild's @mrcraleigh & @burnywilds

  40. Andreas Deja: Disney Legend and Directing Animator

    PS: Don't forget to take advantage of our Burny Wild's promo code just for our Pencil Pushers fans. More info on the podcast intro. Host: Mike Rosado @ekimodasor & @mrcraleigh Post-Production: Max Trujillo @trujillomedia Sponsors: MRC & Burny Wild's @mrcraleigh & @burnywilds

  41. Courtney DiPaola: Hand Drawn Animator

    PS: Don't forget to take advantage of our Burny Wild's promo code just for our Pencil Pushers fans. More info on the podcast intro. Host: Mike Rosado @ekimodasor & @mrcraleigh Post-Production: Max Trujillo @trujillomedia Sponsors: MRC & Burny Wild's @mrcraleigh & @burnywilds

  42. Nancy Carty: My High School Art Teacher

    Welcome folks to Episode 53 of The Pencil Pushers Podcast. In this convo, I speak to educator, painter and photographer, Nancy Carty. She also happened to be my high school art teacher. Nancy has been on my mind for a while to showcase on the podcast because of her art education background,...

  43. Jessica Hische: Best Selling Author, Designer, and Illustrator

    Todays episode of the Pencil Pushers Podcast takes us into the mind of Jessica Hische. Jessica is a New York Times best selling author, graphic designer and illustrator, but perhaps she's most known as one of the pivotal leaders in the new generation of lettering artists. With almost 20 years of...

  44. Nicolette Capuano: Bespoke Muralist

    Welcome folks to the Pencil Pushers Podcast. I'm your humble host Mike Rosado, illustrator, designer and lover of all things creative, and I talk with top tier artists in the hand-drawn arts. Today is no exception, where I talk to Nicolette Capuano, owner and primary artist for Nicolette Atelier…

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  45. Hayley Barry: The More You Pro

    Hello and welcome Leadheads to another fine episode of the Pencil Pushers Podcast. I'm as always your humble host Mike Rosado and I'm thrilled to have one of my favorite past guest on the podcast once again…the lovely and talented Hayley Barry. Today's episode is a special one as we dive into…

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  46. Michael Karnjanaprakorn: The Founder of Skillshare

    Welcome once again Leadheads to another fine episode of The Pencil Pushers Podcast. I am of course your humble host Mike Rosado and I am honored to be sharing some time with you today. Speaking of sharing time, I had the pleasure of sitting down at the studio with Skillshare founder, Michael...

  47. Derek McDonald: Signs of our Times with Master Sign Painter

    Welcome folks to another fine episode of the Pencil Pushers Podcast. I am of course your humble host Mike Rosado and I'm thrilled to be sharing this next chat with my new friend Derek McDonald. Derek is a West Coast vintage inspired sign painter that holds the key to some of the greatest...

  48. Saul Blinkoff: Get Motivated with former Animator and Director

    EPISODE 46 LAUNNNCH! Today, I'm excited to share with you another fantastic guest to the conversation; former animator and current animation director/producer, Saul Blinkoff. Saul's not only had a highly successful career in animation, but has spent many years touring the world, talking about how...

  49. Martina Flor: Lettering Artist & Educator

    🔥New Episode Launch!🔥 ✏️ Today we are thrilled to be sharing our talk with the uber talented Martina Flor. Martina is widely known as one of the great lettering artists of the day, but she's also an educator, podcaster and studio head in Berlin, Germany. We went through a whirlwind of topics…

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  50. Paul Friedrich: Game On, Comic Con

    Welcome Leadheads to another fine episode of The Pencil Pushers Podcast. I am as always your humble host, Mike Rosado, and we've got another banger of an episode for you. Today, we present something a little special. As of this recording, in 1 week, I will be headed to Wilmington, North Carolina…

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ABOUT THIS SHOW

The Pencil Pushers Podcast celebrates the art of hand-drawing. Produced by MRC Brand Design Studio, it features interviews with illustrators, animators, comic artists, and other talented individuals. Hosted by Mike Rosado, an artist, musician, and designer, the Podcast aims to showcase artists' work and provide insights into their creative process. Join Mike as he chats with his friends and idols in the world of illustration, animation, and comic art.

HOSTED BY

MRC Brand Design's Mike Rosado

Produced by Mike Rosado

Frequently Asked Questions

How many episodes does The Pencil Pushers Podcast have?

The Pencil Pushers Podcast currently has 94 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.

What is The Pencil Pushers Podcast about?

The Pencil Pushers Podcast celebrates the art of hand-drawing. Produced by MRC Brand Design Studio, it features interviews with illustrators, animators, comic artists, and other talented individuals. Hosted by Mike Rosado, an artist, musician, and designer, the Podcast aims to showcase artists'...

How often does The Pencil Pushers Podcast release new episodes?

The Pencil Pushers Podcast has 94 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.

Where can I listen to The Pencil Pushers Podcast?

You can listen to The Pencil Pushers Podcast on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.

Who hosts The Pencil Pushers Podcast?

The Pencil Pushers Podcast is created and hosted by MRC Brand Design's Mike Rosado.
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