Pencil Pod
Pencil Pod
Podcast Description
Pencil is a poetic, tactile podcast about memory, creativity, and the invisible threads that shape who we become. Told frame by frame, each episode blends soulful conversation with layered storytelling to explore art, identity, and the moments that leave a mark.
Podcast Insights
Content Themes
The podcast explores themes of art, identity, and personal experiences, with episodes delving into topics such as the journey of LGBTQ+ individuals in creative fields and the impacts of societal expectations on personal expression. An example episode features designer Zipeng Zhu discussing his childhood isolation and journey through the fast-paced design world, highlighting the pressures of creativity and personal reinvention.
Pencil is a poetic, tactile podcast about memory, creativity, and the invisible threads that shape who we become. Told frame by frame, each episode blends soulful conversation with layered storytelling to explore art, identity, and the moments that leave a mark.
Zipeng Zhu doesn’t just design things—he performs life in full technicolor. In this episode, Danaé and Zipeng trace his journey from a lonely childhood in Southern China to the chaos of New York’s design scene, through burnout, reinvention, and back to joy.
They talk about:
- Growing up queer, isolated, and visually obsessed
- Rejecting his parents’ expectations to pursue art
- The pressure cooker of design school and working at lightning speed
- How a single sentence—“I want to make every day a razzle dazzle musical”—became his compass
- Creating his own studio to escape burnout and reclaim creative freedom
- Sex, spirituality, and surviving the worst
It’s about style, yes—but it’s also about survival, clarity, and the freedom that comes when you have nothing left to fear.
Disclaimer
This podcast’s information is provided for general reference and was obtained from publicly accessible sources. The Podcast Collaborative neither produces nor verifies the content, accuracy, or suitability of this podcast. Views and opinions belong solely to the podcast creators and guests.
For a complete disclaimer, please see our Full Disclaimer on the archive page. The Podcast Collaborative bears no responsibility for the podcast’s themes, language, or overall content. Listener discretion is advised. Read our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy for more details.