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Written by JJ Barnes
I interviewed podcaster Yuri Cataldo about his career, what inspires him, and why he started his Advance Your Art podcast.
Tell me a bit about who you are.
Yuri Cataldo is an award-winning entrepreneur, keynote speaker, best-selling author, and emerging tech strategist who combines the mindsets of an artist and a technologist.
Named one of the 40 under 40 business leaders in Indiana, Yuri brings years of experience in the arts, design, entrepreneurship, marketing, innovation, and publicity to his advising of founders and startups.
He is a classically trained set/costume designer (Juilliard/Yale/IU) turned entrepreneur with credits on Broadway, Dance, Film, and Opera, the founder of IndigoH2O, the only multiple award-winning bottled alkaline water in the world and the 2015 best tasting water in the world, the co-author of the internationally best-selling book about Bitcoin/ Blockchain: Be Left Behind – Discover Bitcoin and Cryptocurrency Before Your Grandmother beats you to it, and a mentor at Yale Tsai City, MassChallenge, Fintech4Good, and Tech Stars.
The startups he founded have been featured at the Oscars, Golden Globes, the Emmy’s, the MTV VMA’s, and in 260+ magazines and articles. (Forbes, CNN, PBS, Indy Star, Boston Globe) and the startups he advises are on track to do even more.
He is also a frequent speaker on Blockchain, PR/Media Relations, Creative Entrepreneurship, and Corporate Innovation at universities, conferences, corporate events, and with high-ranking government officials from all over the world.
Currently, he is the co-founder/GP of Athenian VC leading the fund investment strategy in Web3, the host of the Advance Your Art podcast, and getting an MBA at MIT.
How and why did you start podcasting?
I started this podcast while building up the Business of Creative Enterprises major at Emerson College in Boston, MA. Universities, in general, have done a poor job of teaching art students how to make money from their art. The program I was building was intended to help in that process.
As I was posting more about the program many of my colleagues in the arts wanted access to classes and material but couldn’t unless they were a student at Emerson. I decided to record the conversations I was having with successful business leaders and creatives and put them out as a podcast so anyone could learn from their journey.
I signed up for Podcasters Paradise to learn the mechanics of podcasting. I was scared to release the first few episodes. I didn’t like the sound of my voice and the podcast didn’t sound professional enough in my opinion, but I just did it.
What is your current podcast called, and how did you come up with the name?
Advance Your Art
I came up with it by searching available domain names that contained ART in them. This was the one I liked the most that illustrated what the podcast was about.
What platforms can we find Advance Your Art on?
Apple iTunes, Spotify, Google, etc. Its on everywhere podcasts are found.
What is Advance Your Art about?
This is the show I wish existed when I was in school. Every week I sit down with a creative entrepreneur and ask the who, what, how, when of their successful journey. Listeners won’t just hear a good story but learn how and why each guest made decisions and where they believe their industry is going in the future.
Do you host alone, or have guest hosts/partners?
Alone
Do you edit Advance Your Art or have someone who does it for you?
I edit it which is why episodes sometimes are slower to be released. : )
Do you script Advance Your Art, or just chat as you go?
I do research on every guest and create basic questions to make sure I hit the key points. The podcast is conversational, and I often ask follow-up questions based on their responses which take the conversation in different directions.
How has Advance Your Art changed or developed since you began?
In the beginning, I was only focused on guests currently working in the arts. Painters, dancers, designers, musicians, etc. As the podcast has developed I started speaking with creative projects, founders who had a creative background, and individuals who have been able to switch careers using their creative background to their advantage.
What are your biggest challenges with your podcast?
Time is my biggest challenge. I do the podcast because I love meeting new people and helping creatives create their own paths. I have a long list of exciting people to interview but only a short amount of time to edit the interviews. The show’s loyal but smaller audience has made it challenging to find sponsors which would pay for editing.
What are your favourite podcasts to listen to?
Freakanomics, Pivot, Anything the CBC puts out, Lex Fridman Podcast, Masters of Scale, Genius Network
How and where do you promote Advance Your Art?
Instagram, Twitter, articles, and through my guests.
Do you earn money from podcasting, or is it a hobby?
It’s a hobby right now but has led to amazing relationships which have led to other paid opportunities.
What’s something you never expected about podcasting? What have you learned that surprised you?
I never expected how many doors this would open or relationships it would help me to develop in multiple industries. Because I listen to my own voice weekly I’ve studied my speaking pattern and have learned how to fix it. The show has also made me better at paying close attention to details and asking questions.
What is the first piece of advice you would give to anyone inspired to start podcasting?
Find a subject that you love to talk about and just jump in and do it. The first few episodes won’t be great but you need to get started and not fixate on creating something perfect.
And, finally, are your proud of what you’re accomplishing with your podcast? Is it worth the effort?
I am very proud of Advance Your Art and the interviews I’ve done. It has allowed me to help the next generation of artists. It’s a lot of work but totally worth it.
Pop all your work, website and social media links here so the readers can find you:
Twitter: @ycataldo
Instagram: @ycataldo
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