Cultural Catalysts with Alison McNeil
Cultural Catalysts with Alison McNeil
Podcast Description
Welcome to Cultural Catalysts with Alison McNeil—the podcast that celebrates the creative visionaries working behind the scenes in arts and entertainment. This podcast uplifts the voices of producers, publicists, directors, and other behind-the-scenes creatives who shape culture but don’t always get the spotlight.
From the challenges of building sustainable careers to the triumphs of crafting unforgettable artistic moments, Cultural Catalysts dives deep into the inspiring lives of those who make the magic happen. If you’re curious about the people driving creativity and innovation in the arts, this podcast is for you.
Podcast Insights
Content Themes
The podcast explores themes related to the arts industry, including sustainable career paths, artistic innovation, and advocacy for creative professionals. Episodes highlight specific stories such as Nyle Washington’s strategies for impactful publicity in entertainment and Sharon Ingram’s advocacy for music rights leaders.

Welcome to Cultural Catalysts with Alison McNeil—the podcast that celebrates the creative visionaries working behind the scenes in arts and entertainment. This podcast uplifts the voices of producers, publicists, directors, and other behind-the-scenes creatives who shape culture but don’t always get the spotlight.
From the challenges of building sustainable careers to the triumphs of crafting unforgettable artistic moments, Cultural Catalysts dives deep into the inspiring lives of those who make the magic happen. If you’re curious about the people driving creativity and innovation in the arts, this podcast is for you.
📢A Call to Action:
I want to take a moment to acknowledge the shifts in our arts and cultural landscape since these conversations were first recorded. We’ve seen challenges to institutions—including the arts—but we’ve also seen the resilience of creatives and cultural organizations.
If you believe in the power of the arts, now is the time to take action. Support the artists and arts organizations that inspire you—donate, amplify their work, and stay engaged. Visit Americans for the Arts to stay updated on advocacy efforts happening on Capitol Hill and across the country. Americans for the Arts provides resources and opportunities to get involved at the local, state, and national levels. We’ll link their website in the show notes and continue sharing updates on our MCE Instagram.
As the legendary Carrie Mae Weems reminds us, “Art is the one place we all turn to for solace, and we need that now more than ever.” Let’s show up for the arts, for our communities, and for each other.
🌐 MCE Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mcearts
The resource link can be found in our bio.
🌐 Americans for the Arts website: https://www.americansforthearts.org/
Colleen Jennings-Roggensack has shaped the arts landscape for decades as Vice President for Cultural Affairs at Arizona State University and Executive Director of ASU Gammage. A Tony Awards voter and recipient of a Tony Honor for Excellence in Theatre, she has built a career grounded in curiosity, mentorship, and community connection. In this episode, Colleen shares how she reimagined ASU Gammage with its Connecting Communities mission, created spaces where Broadway and boundary-pushing performance coexist, and nurtured generations of leaders by insisting that leadership is horizontal, not vertical. From producing her first neighborhood show in fourth grade, to commissioning groundbreaking works, to guiding the national arts field as Vice Chair of the Broadway League, Colleen demonstrates the power of vision rooted in service. Listeners will leave inspired to expand their own curiosity, honor the shoulders they stand on, and become shoulders for others.
Sponsor Spotlight: Ingram Financial Management
Big thanks to our sponsor, Ingram Financial Management — a trusted firm providing personal tax preparation, small business support, and financial education since 2011. With expertise in Military Tax Matters, Multi-State Returns, Small Businesses, and Residential Rentals, they help clients make confident, informed financial decisions year-round.
Learn more at ingramfinancialmanagement.com
Find out more:
- Arizona State University Cultural Affairs
- ASU Gammage
- Email Colleen: [email protected] and [email protected]
Want to know more about the Impact Roadmap: The Art of Describing Your Impact?Join the waitlist to get first access.
🔗 Connect with Alison:
🌐 Find out more aboutMcNeil Creative Enterprises.

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