Social Studies Show

The Social Studies Show: Breaking Into Entertainment Photography

In this episode, we're diving deep into the world of entertainment photography — not just the hype, but the how. I've been to the panels, scrolled through the think pieces, and watched the rise of online photo coaches. But what’s often missing is a real-world breakdown of what entertainment photography actually takes — the different lanes (gallery, key art, press, behind-the-scenes), how to break in, how to stay in, and how to shoot work that ends up on billboards, posters, and national campaigns. To help us unpack it all, I’ve broug...

Germany Lancaster is an Art Director, creative strategist, and all-around idea machine. She’s worked with some of the biggest brands—Toyota, Lululemon, Microsoft—bringing bold visuals and culture-forward storytelling to life. From ad campaigns to passion projects like Black Girl Beach Day, Germany’s all about making creative work that actually means something. She’s also big on mentorship, helping the next wave of creatives break into the industry without losing themselves in the process. Expect real talk, a little sass, and a whole lot of insight.

Welcome to The Social Studies Show, where we dive deep into the intersection of advertising, culture, and creative careers. Today’s guest is Jason Brown—a visionary marketing executive, cultural curator, and champion for the next generation. With over two decades of experience at the crossroads of sports, media, entertainment, and technology, Jason has become an expert of innovation and cultural relevance. From leading marketing for iconic brands like Foot Locker, PepsiCo, and NTWRK, to guiding creators and legacy companies through his consultancy, JBRC Strategic, Jason’s influence is undeniable. Recognized as a Visionary Marketer that Matters by The Wall S...

On this episode of the Social Studies Show! Today, we’re thrilled to introduce David Mesfin - a visionary Creative Director at Innocean, specializing in automotive campaigns for Genesis, Hyundai, and Kia. 

With over 15 years of expertise, he has orchestrated award-winning campaigns for major events like the Super Bowl, FIFA, and the NFL, launched global brands, and directed the acclaimed documentary Wade in the Water, a powerful exploration of Black surf culture that has earned worldwide recognition and distribution deals with Amazon, PBS and Comcast generating 163 million media impressions.

From leading dynamic teams to collaborating wit...

This episode of the Social Studies Show offers a behind-the-scenes look with Photographer / Director - Stan Evans stanevansphoto.com and the real-world challenges of executing high-stakes billboard campaigns and video productions. In a field crowded with photo coaching programs and online resources, the show stands out by focusing on practical lessons and personal stories relatable to creative professionals.

The episode covers key aspects like pre-production, where careful preparation and balancing brand guidelines with creativity are essential. It explores the sacrifices often required to meet tight deadlines, along with the importance of time management to efficiently collaborate with clients and...

Welcome to another exciting episode of the Social Studies show! Today, we are thrilled to introduce our special guest, Fred Sands IV, an exceptionally talented Art Director and Graphic Designer hailing from the vibrant city of New York. Fred Sands, IV has an impressive background, having served as the Design & Production Coordinator at PAPER Magazine, where he honed his creative skills to perfection. But Fred's creative journey doesn't stop there. His personal work is deeply rooted in nostalgia and culture, and his primary objective is to craft designs that seamlessly blend innovation with a sense of familiarity. With a...

In this episode, we're thrilled to introduce you to Reggie Casagrande, an integrated marketing powerhouse whose expertise in brand development, strategy, and digital communications is nothing short of awe-inspiring. With over a decade of experience under her belt, Reggie has carved a unique path in the industry, leaving an indelible mark on culture, entertainment, and sports marketing.

What sets Reggie apart is her incredible ability to breathe life into brands, effortlessly connecting them to the very essence of society. Her journey was sparked by a peripatetic childhood, growing up as a third culture kid in different corners...

The second part of Amy V. Cooper's Social Studies Show dives into the details of the  photography business. She gives a window to the perspective of creatives looking to get their work out to brands as well as working through the ethics of finding the right clients and partners. Amy brings over 25 years of experience in the photography industry to the show. She presents compelling insights in an effort to share her knowledge as well as invigorate thought on how the creative industry can improve.   She has worked as a photographer agent, advertising agency art buyer, and entertainment & magazine photo ed...

On this episode of the Social Studies Show we have AMY V. Cooper. Amy is a photography consultant, creative business mentor, marketing strategist, thought partner, and mindset coach with over 25 years of experience in the photography industry. She has worked as a photographer agent, advertising agency art buyer, and entertainment & magazine photo editor. Amy has hired photographers to shoot campaigns for companies like UPS, Microsoft, and Coca-Cola. She’s represented and created winning bids for artists with brands like Mary Kay, Netflix and Disney. She specializes in supporting artists to develop portfolios, branding, client lists, marketing and mindset strategies th...

On this episode of the Social Studies Show we have Samira Jackson - Account Executive at Art Machine in Hollywood, - Samira has made her way through the ranks working on award winning campaigns Like BlackKKKLansman with Gravillis and taking insights from Spike Lee. 

On her rise in the entertainment industry she navigated the career path at Leroy and Rose, Cold Open and Ignition. Positivity and culture are prominent themes of her personality whether she is traveling abroad or mentoring the next generation. 

Samira’s episode is a deep dive of her navigation of the ente...

On this episode of the Social Studies Show we have Toby Kaufmann - The Creative Director of the Facebook App. She is also the Creative Director of Pur·suit, a digital archive and deck of playing cards re-imagining Catherine Opie’s seminal work from the 90’s, in collaboration with artist Naima Green. In 2020, she curated a show of Naima’s work at Fotografiska in NYC. Before she moved west for Facebook, Toby was the Executive Director of Photography for Refinery29 where she led the brand's photographic vision and expanded video storytelling. She also served as Vice President of The Society...

Keith Hodges' journey to fitness was an unusual one . He got his start by experimenting on himself and transitioned to working with weight loss clients. In this episode of the Social Studies Show he talks about the effects of advertising health within diverse communities and bringing that process to action through procedure in unique training methods. A graduate of Indiana University’s School of Kinesiology. Specializing in Functional Strength and Conditioning, Loaded Movement Training, Hypertrophy, Nutrition, Corrective Exercise and Pre/Postnatal Fitness. As his love for fitness increased he began studying human movement which created an avenue for him to wo...

SANJA KOMLJENOVIC Founder & CEO of ONA CREATIVE began her career in digital marketing with the Los Angeles Clippers and was recruited by Nike.The day after leaving Nike, they hired her as a contractor. This “accidentally” led to more collaborative work and the launch of her creative agency, ONA, developed with a focus on initiatives that move the world forward in women’s rights, sports, culture, and social good. Fast forward 7 years, and ONA has worked on purpose-driven campaigns with household names like NIKE, NWSL, Olympics, Clif Bar, Foot Locker, Nordstrom, Facebook/Meta, and the New York Marathon – as well as...

Terence Lester is a storyteller, public scholar, speaker, community activist, and author who is the founder and Executive Director at Love Beyond Walls a nonprofit organization focused on raising poverty and homelessness awareness and community mobilization. He’s known for nationwide campaigns that bring awareness to homelessness, poverty, and economic inequality. His awareness campaigns have been featured on MLK50, CNN, Good Morning America, CNN, Essence Magazine, TEDx, TVONE, Creative Mornings, USA Today, NBC, Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) National Magazine, and NBCNews, as well as AJC, Black Enterprise, Rolling Out, and Upworthy. These campaigns have been viewed by millions of...

As Winter approaches we have an appropriate guest to discuss winter fashion  and diversity in the marketplace. For this episode of the Social Studies Show we have Eric Tung CEO of Fera Ski Brand.  A minority owned, female founded, LGBTQ+ led apparel company that is extremely rare in the outdoor space.   Sharing a love of fashion and winter sports Eric and I developed a friendship as we are both on Snowsport Industry of America’s Board of Directors. Working through DEI and profitability Eric often finds himself in the drivers’ seat —   ushering in change not just in his company but in his...

Val Harvey shares her journey into the entertainment industry as a Hair and Makeup Artist working in Hollywood. Her clients are a who's who of the studios - Disney, ABC, FOX TV and HBO have her on speed dial. Her career in makeup ten years ago starting out at Neiman Marcus in Beverly Hills. Early on, Val has been sought out by celebrities, photographers and studios because of the high quality images produced through their collaboration. Along this journey she has witnessed advertising not recognizing the value of diversity and challenged the status quo. As the sole Black person...

 Kortel Autrey is a Hollywood Stuntman that is on the rise! You’ve seen his work in Straight out of Compton, Bad Boys for Life, Gemini Man, Charm City Kings, Fast and Furious - Hobbies and Shaw, commercials, awards shows and music videos.  This all comes from humble beginnings and the desire to create a better life. 

In this episode we discuss his journey originating in the inner-city of Los Angeles; South Central/Watts to working on feature films.  He was exposed to bikes when he was 4 years old by his father. At the time,He thought bikes...

Karin Kildow has spent her career focused on helping professional athletes and mission-based brands leverage their social platforms to change the world and impact the causes they care about. Over the last 10 years, she has created social strategies for brands including Beyond Meat, UNINTERRUPTED/The Springhill Company,  More Than A Vote,  HBO’s The Shop, NFL, and Red Bull. 

Additionally, she consults personally with DeAndre Hopkins, Lindsey Vonn, PK Subban, and more to help them drive impact, representation, and inclusion across their large networks. Karin is a proven leader in the digital sports industry receiving numero...

Andrew Alexander King is an African American Explorer but beyond climbing, surfing and diving he is investigating culture, business and philosophy in a unique way through his Between Worlds project. Fresh off his climb to Denali and our first in person interview for The Social Studies Show since the pandemic hit, Andrew shares his perspective of what the outdoors brings him (secret hint - joy, meditation and the occasional poem) and how nature can be more beneficial to people of color. He explains how he is working with business and partnerships to tell stories authentically, inspiring the next generation and...

Jeff Staple is the latest guest on the Social Studies Show.  A creative visionary with work encompassing creative direction, fashion design, footwear design, and brand marketing. He has been a driving force in defining what streetwear is. If you aren’t aware of his podcast The Business of Hype you should be, it's one of the best marketing assets on the internet today. In this episode we will discuss the crossover between hip hop music and winter sports. The push of street style into performance wear. We also discuss how Jeff is getting people to think differently in marketing. How...

Big mountain skiing icon Angel Collinson talks to our host Stan Evans about redefining boundaries and finding serenity in unexpected places. Her journey into the unknown goes beyond exploring remote slopes and venturing into being a catalyst, changing how women in winter sports are perceived and marketed. To round out all the excitement and adventure Angel dives into her depth of culture and character - talking loss, self realization and meditation. All the things that keep her whole and thriving. It's a conversation you won't want to miss and it will leave you inspired .

This session will examine the importance of creating content that reflects and connects with diverse communities and how to build stronger connections through content. Moderator: Stan Evans, Stan Evans Photography and Social Studies Show Evans is a portrait photographer that has a deep passion for lifestyle, athletic and motorized imagery. He also directs and shoots video to tell a complete story. He hosts a podcast called Social Studies Show that explores the relationship between advertising and activism, and also learns how people are going about marketing with accountability, multiculturalism, and environmentalism in mind. Evans’ insights and experience will be in...

When you look up OG of climbing Conrad Anker’s picture is the dictionary. He’s been to the mountaintop as many times as MLK’s speech has been repeated.  His accolades are fascinating and people really should Google them all, he was the team leader of The North Face climbing team for 26 years until 2018. In 1999, he located George Mallory's body on Everest as a member of a search team. He’s numerous articles for the American Alpine Journal and endured the arduous filming of Meru which went on to win a documentary film award at Sundance in 2015.  

After the cover portrait session with Russell Winfield,  the First Black Professional Snowboarder,  I sat down to have a frank discussion on the origins of my photo career and what it took to become the First Black Professional Snowboard Photographer.

Some stories take place behind the lens and while I have spent so much of my time documenting winter athletes,  it was finally time to shed a little light on my experiences in snow sports and photography. 

The editor for Snowboarder magazine Stan Leveille prepared some great questions and my answers are unfiltered. There would be n...

In this episode we have Peter Stark, Executive Creative Director of A/V PRINT, the new print division at A/V SQUAD. Beneath the laid back exterior of one of my favorite spiritual gurus and a great mentor lies the heart of a creative powerhouse. Peter’s vision has driven print campaigns for movies and shows such as Game of Thrones, Joker, Wonder Woman, 13th, Spiderman, Jumanji and SAW to name a few. He’s worked with the biggest stars in the biz like Denzel Washington and Will Smith but always finds the time to return all the emails, offe...

In this episode we talk with Brendon Ayanbadejo, Super Bowl Champ, 3 time Pro Bowler and former Baltimore Raven. As an NFL player, Brendon wasted no time in establishing himself as a leader in the locker room, through his role as Team Captain and NFL Players Union representative yet his tenacity off the field possibly eclipses his goals on the gridiron.  On the SOCIAL STUDIES SHOW we discuss the NFL and NBA restarts in times of COVID. How he is working towards creating generational wealth for his family and his employees after life on the field. Sharing examples of how c...

Over the past week I’ve had more phone calls, emails, texts, and DMs from friends, acquaintances and colleagues, than ever before in my life….  The overwhelming theme of these conversations was the difficulty of white America to understand the depth and severity of Racism.  This is nothing new to me, as I have dealt with it my whole life. However, for certain people it’s as if the curtain has been pulled back to reveal a monster they never knew was there, or were simply willing to ignore.  This week on the Social Studies Show I had actually planned t...

Over the past week I’ve had more phone calls, emails, texts, and DMs from friends, acquaintances and colleagues, than ever before in my life….  The overwhelming theme of these conversations was the difficulty of white America to understand the depth and severity of Racism.  This is nothing new to me, as I have dealt with it my whole life. However, for certain people it’s as if the curtain has been pulled back to reveal a monster they never knew was there, or were simply willing to ignore.  This week on the Social Studies Show I had actually planned to intervi...

"In this episode of the Social Studies Show, Arturo Nunez of AIE creative returns to discuss brands and collabs that can provoke social awareness and authenticity.  Engaging with customers, lending a voice to the causes and a positive way to monetize.  He discusses why Bryan Stevenson is his hero and the humanity of his TED Talk inspired his own about working with Lebron James."

Tony has been honored as a History Shaker by Coca Cola, A Barrier Breaker by Marriott International, and received the Generation Titan Prize from Google.His work has been featured by NBC, Forbes 30 under 30, The Huffington Post, Inc. MAGAZINE, HelloBeautiful, EdSurge, and Quartz.He’s shared his message at SXSW, Columbia University, and San Diego Comic Con. Being open and vulnerable about his childhood experiences, Tony hopes to help EVERYONE find the hero inside. 

In this episode we talk with Rebecca Feaman Williams VP, Group Creative Director at Burrell Communications She has been creating award-winning, campaigns for variety of products and services for over 20 years. Her adaptive and energetic style has garnered numerous awards from the Association of National Advertisers, Ad Age as well as the Telly and Addy awards. She leads the vision and development of national campaigns for McDonald’s.

In addition Rebecca previously assisted hip-hop mogul Russell Simmons in launching Rush Media, where she created dynamic campaigns for Coca-Cola, featuring the iconic talents of L.L. Coo...

In this episode we meet with Colonel Stanley Evans –(Ret) in his current job as Assistant Dean of Students at the University of Oklahoma. As a career soldier and an educator we discuss the impact of Colin Kaepernick kneeling from a military service point of view and what ARMY as a brand means in the realm of marketing for someone who served over 30 years in the armed forces.  It’s a frank look at a young man growing up in the1960’s, navigating the civil rights movement before he had right to vote, his father’s legacy of military in WWII...

A podcast exploring the relationship between advertising and activism.  Using both methods to influence change in culture, mindfulness, and profitability. 

In this episode we explore advertising, activism and the impact of global brands with a  rare inside view from Arturo Nunez, who previously was CMO Apple Latin America and Vice President Global Marketing Nike Basketball. Arturo takes us into the process as we discuss Kapernick kneeling, phenomenons of technology such as the Iphone and its’ effect in the minority community. As well as, the  accountability to shareholders while making a statement of social change and how Ste...