Halfway with Jeremy Roden: Stories of Impact, Leadership & Legacy
Halfway with Jeremy Roden: Stories of Impact, Leadership & Legacy
Podcast Description
Throughout my career and life, I’ve learned we’re all somewhere in the middle—not at the beginning or the end, but in that messy, meaningful halfway point where friction sparks new ideas and purpose. Named after a small northwest Texas farming town where my father overcame a childhood of adversity, Halfway with Jeremy Roden reminds us to pause, reflect, and move forward. Born from a guest speaker series in the graduate level classroom, it’s now a global space for business professionals, educators, community leaders, creatives, and quiet heroes to share stories of growth and impact.
Podcast Insights
Content Themes
The podcast focuses on themes such as personal development, mentorship, creativity, and community impact. Episodes explore topics like the power of public speaking, building confidence through storytelling, and the significance of leadership in education, as exemplified in the debut episode featuring Fursey Gotuaco, who shares insights on shaping lives through teaching and mentorship.
Halfway with Jeremy Roden explores honest conversations about leadership, impact, and legacy. Born from a guest speaker series Jeremy hosted at LSU, the show features leaders, creatives, and everyday people who’ve faced challenges and shaped meaningful lives in the messy middle of their journeys. With over 20 years across education, business, art, design, and media production, Jeremy brings a unique perspective to every conversation. Halfway with Jeremy Roden offers a grounded perspective on growth through the stories of others — reminding us to embrace the pivot points along the way to grow.
Summary
In this episode, Jeremy Roden interviews Keith Alcorn, aprominent figure in animation known for his work on ”Jimmy Neutron.” They discuss Keith's early influences, the formation of animation clubs, the importance of kindness in the industry, and the journey of starting DNA Productions. Keith shares insights on collaboration, the challenges faced inthe animation industry, and the excitement of receiving an Academy Award nomination. The conversation also touches on Keith's current projects, including faith-based animation and the success of ”The Chosen”.Takeaways
- The importance of collaborationand learning from peers in the animation industry.
- Kindness and respect in theworkplace can lead to better teamwork and success.
- Starting a business in animationrequires persistence and creativity.
- The journey to creating 'JimmyNeutron' was filled with challenges and learning experiences.
- Receiving an Academy Awardnomination was a pivotal moment in Keith's career.
- Building trust within a team isessential for a successful production environment.
- Working with talented individualsin the industry can be inspiring and humbling.
- Current projects focus onmeaningful storytelling and faith-based themes.
- The animation industry hasevolved, but the core values of creativity and collaboration remain vital.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Keith Alcorn
00:36 Early Influences and Beginnings in Animation
02:31 The Formation of DNA Productions
06:30 Lessons Learned in Leadership and Team Dynamics
07:44 Navigating Challenges and Building a Business
15:47 Fostering a Positive Work Environment
18:02 The Growth and Success of DNA Productions
20:08 The Importance of Teamwork and Asking for Help
21:30 The Journey of Johnny Quasar and Early Success
25:21 Building Relationships in the Industry
30:12 Navigating the Nickelodeon Pitch Process
34:53 Collaboration and Respect in Creative Work
39:18 Finding Meaning in Creative Projects
43:02 Faith-Based Animation and New Ventures
47:07 The Chosen Adventures Release
48:03 Nostalgia in Animation: Old Projects Resurfacing
48:52 The Multifaceted Roles in Animation Production
50:21 Memorable Commercials and Their Impact
51:58 The Legacy of Animation and Storytelling
52:06 Behind the Scenes of Jimmy Neutron
55:03 The Academy Award Nomination Experience
01:01:06 Creating a Positive Work Environment in Animation
01:03:24 Introduction to The Chosen Adventures
01:04:44 Personal Reflections and Gratitude
Disclaimer
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