Summary
In this festive episode, Tim Hyde shares holiday greetings and discusses travel plans, including a flight with American Airlines. The conversation touches on gift exchanges, experiences with flight attendants, and the upcoming content for 2025, including a focus on fast food archeology and pop culture themes.
Chapters

00:00 Holiday Greetings and Gift Exchange
06:18 Travel Plans and Experiences
09:05 Pop Culture and Future Plans
12:16 Closing Remarks and New Year Wishes
12:41 Podcast Outro 1.mp4

In this episode of Con Culture Convo, Tim Hyde interviews artist and musician Sukesha Ray, also known as Sushi. They discuss her journey from being an anime nerd to becoming a successful artist and musician, her experiences at various conventions, the challenges she faces in the industry, and her aspirations for the future. The conversation touches on the importance of mental health, navigating criticism, and the impact of success on personal life.

Takeaways
-Sukesha's journey began with a love for anime and art.
-Her first convention experience was eye-opening and profitable.
-Transitioning from art to music has been a unique challenge.
-Success in the art world can be defined in many ways.
-Memorable conventions can significantly impact an artist's career.
-Health issues can affect performance and opportunities.
-Criticism in the industry can be harsh but is often unfounded.
-Future goals include expanding her reach internationally.
-Mental health is crucial for sustaining a creative career.
-Embracing one's identity and work is key to success.

00:00 Introduction to Sakeisha (Sushi) and Her Background
03:15 Journey into Art and Music
06:26 The Transition from Art to Music
09:15 Defining Moments in Her Career
12:14 Best and Worst Shows Experience
18:38 The Struggles of Event Promotion
21:15 Confrontations at Comic Con
27:09 Future Aspirations and Mental Health
31:17 Addressing Criticism and Embracing Individuality
35:05 Podcast Outro 1.mp4

Summary

In this episode of the Con Culture Convo, Tim Hyde interviews artist Lisa Cossentino, who shares her journey from pursuing a master's degree in music to becoming a successful pixel artist. Lisa discusses her early experiences at Comic Cons, the evolution of her art business, and the challenges and successes she has faced in the creative industry. The conversation highlights memorable shows, insights into sales, and Lisa's future plans, including opening a storefront in Florida. In this conversation, Tim Hyde and Lisa Cossentino discuss the opening of Lisa's new comic shop, the Pixel Gallery, located in Cocoa, Florida. They delve into the challenges of setting up a storefront, including logistical hurdles, permits, and unexpected costs. The conversation then shifts to the oversaturation of comic conventions, particularly focusing on NostalgiaCon and its impact on vendors and smaller shows. They express concerns about the sustainability of such large events and the implications for the comic convention landscape. In this conversation, Lisa Cossentino and Tim Hyde discuss the evolution and challenges of anime conventions, particularly in the post-pandemic landscape. They explore the growth of new conventions, the financial struggles faced by vendors, and the competitive market dynamics that influence convention success. The discussion highlights the importance of understanding market demands and the impact of FOMO (fear of missing out) on vendor decisions. Through personal anecdotes and industry insights, they emphasize the need for conventions to adapt and learn from past mistakes to ensure a thriving environment for all participants.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to the Con Culture Convo
01:44 Lisa's Journey into the Art Industry
08:08 Growth and Evolution of Lisa's Art Business
10:44 Memorable Comic Con Experiences
16:28 Best Shows and Sales Insights
21:57 Future Plans and New Ventures
22:14 Introducing the Pixel Gallery
30:03 Challenges of Opening a Comic Shop
39:53 The Oversaturation of Comic Conventions
42:48 The Rise of Anime Conventions Post-Pandemic
44:56 Challenges Faced by New Conventions
47:55 Vendor Experiences and Financial Struggles
51:52 Market Dynamics and Competition in Convention Spaces
54:59 Lessons Learned from Failed Conventions
01:01:49 The Impact of FOMO on Vendor Decisions