Best Capacity Interactive Podcasts (2025)

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Babatunde Akinboboye on Hip Hopera, Authenticity, and Letting Audiences Lead 43:35

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4d ago43:35

43:35

Reimagining a centuries-old art form takes more than talent; it takes courage, curiosity, and a deep belief that tradition can evolve. Few embody that spirit like Babatunde Akinboboye. A classically trained baritone and viral “hip hopera” artist, Babatunde is redefining what opera can sound like—and who it’s for. His mashups of rap and arias have c…

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Tom Gabbard on Cultivating Creative Cities and Building Space for Innovation 37:43

11d ago37:43

37:43

Can a performing arts center change the identity of a city? Tom Gabbard has spent more than two decades proving it can as CEO of Blumenthal Arts in Charlotte, NC. Under his leadership, Blumenthal has grown from a regional performing arts center into a national force. Charlotte now ranks among North America’s Top 10 markets for touring Broadway show…

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Jane Raleigh on Curatorial Vision and Bridging Tradition with Innovation 46:13

18d ago46:13

46:13

How do you bring audiences along as you expand their definition of an art form? That’s the question Jane Raleigh has grappled with throughout her career. As the former Director of Dance Programming at the Kennedy Center, she spent more than a decade transforming the institution’s siloed approach to dance into a continuum that celebrates both classi…

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Kate Lumpkin on Casting Masquerade NYC, Building Community, and Trusting Your Audience 47:59

25d ago47:59

47:59

Audiences don’t just want to watch theater; they want to step inside it. Few people understand that better than casting director Kate Lumpkin. Kate has become a go-to voice in immersive performance, shaping productions that dissolve the line between stage and audience. Her latest project? Masquerade NYC: an immersive Phantom of the Opera revival no…

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Michael J. Bobbitt on Turning Creative Power into Political Power 40:35

1M ago40:35

40:35

Arts and culture don’t thrive in isolation. They thrive when artists, institutions, and policymakers work in concert. Michael J. Bobbitt, Executive Director of Mass Cultural Council, is making that bridge his life’s work, showing how government and the arts can partner to create healthier, stronger, more sustainable communities. From his early days…

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Macy Schmidt on Creative Risks, Audience-Centered Experiences, and Barbie 41:46

1M ago41:46

41:46

How do you invite new audiences into the symphony in a way that feels fresh, joyful, and unforgettable? Macy Schmidt has been asking that question with every project she takes on. As the founder of The Sinfonietta and CEO of Overture Global Entertainment, she’s not just producing concerts—she’s designing live experiences that feel transformative fo…

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Erin Harkey, CEO of Americans for the Arts, on Advocacy, Resilience, and the Power of Community 37:28

2M ago37:28

37:28

Few leaders expect their first months on the job to coincide with a fight for the future of the arts in America. For Erin Harkey, that became the reality when she stepped in as CEO of Americans for the Arts earlier this year—just as the federal government proposed eliminating national arts funding. In this episode, Erin reflects on her career journ…

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David Jammy on Story-First Producing and the 2025 Mark Twain Prize 43:28

2M ago43:28

43:28

What turns a live event into a cultural moment people never forget? David Jammy has some answers. As Executive Producer at Done+Dusted, he’s helped shape global broadcasts from the Emmys and Kennedy Center Honors to the Global Citizen Festival and the Mark Twain Prize. In this conversation, David traces his path from student activist in apartheid-e…

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Jen Taylor on Building AI Strategy That Serves Your Mission 36:06

2M ago36:06

36:06

AI is changing how we work. What does that mean for arts and culture? Jen Taylor, Capacity Interactive’s Director of AI Strategy and Integration, shares what her research with over 100 arts leaders and administrators reveals about where the field really stands with AI: a mix of curiosity, caution, and untapped opportunity. In this episode, Jen and …

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Kendra Whitlock Ingram on Building Arts-Fueled Cities 43:44

2M ago43:44

43:44

What happens when a cultural district leads a city’s revival? As President and CEO of Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, Kendra Whitlock Ingram is leading the cultural district through a new era of civic transformation—building public spaces, breaking down barriers to access, and reimagining what a cultural district can be. In this episode, Kendra and Moni…

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Clive Chang on Innovation and the Rise of the Multi‑Hyphenate Artist 39:52

2M ago39:52

39:52

Can legacy arts institutions innovate like start-ups? Clive Chang thinks so. As President and CEO of YoungArts, he’s reimagining how a 40-year-old organization can support today’s multi-disciplinary artists—by questioning everything, embracing experimentation, and making space for creative risk. In this conversation, Clive and host Monica Holt unpa…

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CI to Eye | Monica Holt On Curiosity, Leadership, and Evita 17:41

3M ago17:41

17:41

A bold new chapter. A brilliant new voice. CI’s President Christopher Williams kicks off a new season of CI to Eye by welcoming Monica Holt, this season's host and Senior Advisor to Capacity Interactive. Monica reflects on her 16-year journey at the Kennedy Center, the passion that’s driven her work, and all things Evita—plus what to expect from up…

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CI to Eye | Bridging the Marketing-Development Divide 1:00:36

5M ago1:00:36

1:00:36

Marketing and development teams in arts and cultural organizations work toward the same goals: generating revenue, deepening relationships, and advancing the mission. But too often, they’re doing that work in silos—on separate timelines, using different tools, and speaking to the same audiences in different ways. The result? Missed opportunities an…

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CI to Eye | Political Shifts and Cultural Stakes of 2025 33:43

6M ago33:43

33:43

Recent political developments in the U.S.—from executive orders to proposed agency closures and evolving federal funding guidelines—have placed cultural organizations at the center of a national conversation about how institutions uphold their values and navigate their role in a rapidly changing America. In this episode, Brett Egan of the DeVos Ins…

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CI to Eye | What Zoos Can Teach Us About Exceptional Guest Experiences 43:03

7M ago43:03

43:03

Great experiences don’t happen by accident—they’re designed with intention. From the first click on a website to the moment a visitor steps through your door to engagement after they leave, every interaction shapes how people feel about an organization. So what does it take to create a truly exceptional guest experience? Emily O’Hara, Senior Direct…

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CI to Eye | The Fight for Inclusion (Re-Release) 56:38

8M ago56:38

56:38

As we face growing political tensions in the U.S. and unprecedented government interference in arts and culture programming, sustaining our commitments to diversity, equity, inclusion, belonging, and accessibility (DEIBA) is more critical than ever. Recent executive actions have limited resources for our industry and further silenced historically e…

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CI to Eye | Words of Inspiration To Power 2025 18:09

9M ago18:09

18:09

In this episode, we revisit some of the most powerful insights from last year’s guests to inspire and guide the year ahead. This isn’t just a look back—it’s a call to action for our industry. Listen as fourteen cultural leaders remind us why the arts matter and how we can continue to push boundaries, build connections, and lead with purpose.…

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CI to Eye | Purpose-Driven Leadership in Uncertain Times 1:12:29

10M ago1:12:29

1:12:29

The end of the year is a busy time for arts administrators, packed with holiday campaigns and fundraising deadlines. With so much happening, it’s easy to lose sight of the bigger picture. So today we’re taking a moment to pause, reflect, and reconnect with our “why.” In this episode, we revisit a popular Boot Camp 2024 conversation with CI Presiden…

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CI to Eye | Why Audiences Aren't Coming Back and How to Fix It 47:02

11M ago47:02

47:02

In today’s post-pandemic world, keeping our audiences engaged and organizations financially healthy can feel like an uphill battle. Changing audience behaviors have disrupted traditional marketing strategies, and high churn rates among first-time visitors, subscribers, and donors are slowing revenue growth. But what if there’s a way forward that br…

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Limited Capacity Introduces: Tunnel Runners from PlayME 25:49

12M ago25:49

25:49

Welcome to your digital stage, where bold theatre meets cutting-edge audio drama. Each episode of PlayME draws you into captivating stories brought to life by top actors, acclaimed writers, and cinematic sound design that places you at the center of the action. More episodes of PlayME are available at: https://link.chtbl.com/u2StuooR…

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CI to Eye | BONUS: A Continuation, Not a Phase 18:33

12M ago18:33

18:33

The world is full of injustice and inequity, and most arts organizations have the best of intentions to be responsive in thoughtful and meaningful ways. But it can be challenging–boards and long-time patrons can push back on programming and messaging that feels unfamiliar to them, and change can feel unbearably slow when your organization lacks the…

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CI to Eye | Web Analytics 101 25:10

1y ago25:10

25:10

A solid web analytics strategy gives the insight you need to better understand your audiences, optimize your campaigns, and ultimately, drive more ticket sales or donations. But for many arts marketers, justifying a greater investment of time and money in web analytics can feel like an uphill battle—especially when making the case to senior leaders…

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CI to Eye | Tired of the Scraps 28:49

1y ago28:49

28:49

Governor Ron DeSantis’ recent veto of over $30 million in arts and culture funding is more than just a financial blow to Florida arts organizations—it undermines the social and economic contributions our industry provides. How can we clearly communicate the vital role our organizations play to stakeholders and policymakers? In this episode, CI’s VP…

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CI to Eye | Your Social Media Reboot: Cutting-Edge Tips to Inspire Your Social Strategy 39:58

1y ago39:58

39:58

Social media is more than just a content dumping ground. It's where your organization makes its first impression on potential audiences and fosters relationships with existing fans. Press refresh on your paid and organic social strategies to tap new audiences, drive ticket sales, and cultivate brand loyalty in the season ahead. Digital Download (2:…

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CI to Eye | The New Generation of Arts Leaders 1:04:51

1y ago1:04:51

1:04:51

A new cohort of inspiring and determined individuals has moved into leadership positions at cultural organizations—and they’re challenging traditional notions about what arts management should look like. In this episode, CI’s VP, Managing Director Christopher Williams sits down with three young leaders to discuss generational shifts in leadership s…

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CI to Eye | Authenticity in Action 44:27

1+ y ago44:27

44:27

What sets successful diversity, equity, inclusion, belonging, and access (DEIBA) initiatives apart? It's not about checking boxes; it's about prioritizing authenticity and thoughtfulness. Some of the most impactful DEIBA work in our industry begins with arts organizations fostering genuine community partnerships and engaging audiences in meaningful…

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CI to Eye | Your Cultural Compass 25:54

1+ y ago25:54

25:54

Audience behavior has changed significantly over the past few years, and pre-pandemic benchmarks are all but obsolete. If we want to adjust to the demands of today’s market, we need updated markers for success. Enter: CI’s brand-new Cultural Compass study. We pulled from our own bank of campaign data that spans over 150 client organizations to unco…

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CI to Eye | The Art of Audience Engagement 36:11

1+ y ago36:11

36:11

Audience engagement is critical for attracting and retaining new attendees. But what exactly does it look like in practice? For Holly Mulcahy, “audience engagement” isn’t just a marketing platitude—it’s a promise. In this episode, the Wichita Symphony Orchestra’s Concertmaster and Partner for Audience Engagement shares what wine-tasting and birdwat…

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CI to Eye | Choreographing Change with Data 39:21

1+ y ago39:21

39:21

Across a variety of artistic genres, we see persistent gender imbalances among the creatives and leaders who make the art possible. That’s especially true for dance, where women continue to hold fewer artistic director positions and receive fewer choreographic opportunities than men despite making up a significant majority of the dance workforce ov…

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CI to Eye | Staging Classical Works for Today’s Audiences 40:07

1+ y ago40:07

40:07

What do we do when “the classics”—those canonical treasures that embody the rich traditions of our genres—start to feel outdated for today’s audiences, or even at odds with our missions? In today’s episode, we take a close look at celebrated works from the classical Western canon that include harmful portrayals of non-Western cultures, and hear how…

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CI to Eye | Transformational Leadership 40:41

1+ y ago40:41

40:41

Holding the artistic reins of an organization is no easy feat—especially when that organization has been around for generations and has a deep-rooted legacy. As a leader, how do you honor the rich history of your institution while effectively steering it into the future? As New York City Ballet celebrates its 75th anniversary season, Artistic Direc…

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CI to Eye | Your 2024 Digital Priorities: Part Two 37:44

1+ y ago37:44

37:44

The changing digital landscape might present challenges, but it also presents a great opportunity to reassess and refocus as we head into a new era of digital marketing. At CI, we pinpointed five key areas that will set arts and cultural institutions up for success in 2024. Catch up on the first two priorities in Part One, then delve into the final…

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CI to Eye | Your 2024 Digital Priorities: Part One 29:14

1+ y ago29:14

29:14

From the rise of AI-driven advertising to the imminent third-party cookie crunch—which developments deserve your valuable time and attention in 2024? At CI, we pinpointed five key areas that will set arts and cultural institutions up for success in 2024. Join us over the next two episodes as we delve into each area so you can confidently navigate t…

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CI to Eye | Decolonizing Classical Music 35:43

1+ y ago35:43

35:43

Happy Black History Month, podcast listeners! Our latest episode coincides with the vibrant celebrations of Black history and shines a spotlight on the incredible contributions of Black and Brown composers, whose musical genius continues to enrich the classical repertoire. Join us as we journey deep into the world of classical music—how we define i…

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CI to Eye | Words of Inspiration To Power 2024 16:44

1+ y ago16:44

16:44

CI to Eye is back with a healthy dose of inspiration to help you re-center at the top of the new year. In 2023, we spoke with remarkable thought leaders both within and beyond the realm of the arts. Guests ranged from executive directors and arts researchers to experts in DEIBA. They all answered the same question: "If you could broadcast one messa…

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CI to Eye | Empowered Decisions 1:09:47

2y ago1:09:47

1:09:47

The holidays are upon us, which means strategic planning is seriously heating up. Try as you might to enjoy your hot cocoa in peace, you’re already fielding ideas from colleagues about the marketing experiments you should try next season or the digital efforts your team simply needs to add to its list. Stay cool, arts marketers. We’re bringing you …

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CI to Eye | The Power of Curiosity 1:07:51

2y ago1:07:51

1:07:51

We’re swiftly approaching one of the busiest times of year for arts marketers… and with it, holiday programs, gift campaigns, end-of-year donation pushes, and—to top it all off—strategic planning for next season. If the holiday hustle has you feeling a bit frigid, this episode will warm you up with actionable tips and smart questions to end the cal…

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CI to Eye | Are Subscriptions and Memberships Dead? 56:55

2y ago56:55

56:55

Subscription numbers continue to dwindle at arts organizations across the country, begging the question: Is it time to rethink subscription/membership models? Tune in for a transparent conversation with arts marketers who are doing just that, and gather tips for revamping your own offerings to meet audiences’ evolving needs. Digital Download (2:05)…

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Sourcing with Heart: Connecting Purpose and Strategy in Nonprofit Procurement 35:26

2y ago35:26

35:26

Every year, around 3.6 million kids get opportunities to pursue their dreams with the support of Boys & Girls Clubs of America. That incredible impact takes the work of hundreds of thousands of people in more than 5,000 club locations across the country. Among them, hustling behind the scenes at the national office, is BGCA’s hard-working procureme…

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CI to Eye | The Art of Healthy Work Cultures 54:36

2y ago54:36

54:36

Arts administrators wear a lot of hats, and that trend has only intensified as our industry finds itself in recovery mode. With all of our energies focused on audience re-engagement and revenue growth, organizational culture can often take a backseat. But with more news of quiet quitting and high burnout levels, investing in your people has never b…

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Procurement’s Important Role in Grants Funding 53:08

2+ y ago53:08

53:08

Procurement departments know that federal grants play an important part in achieving their community goals. The good news is that there’s never been more funding to go around. The bad news? Making sure all that money gets to the right places-and stays there-requires a lot of work in the form of reporting and compliance, and the rules are always cha…

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Strategically Solving the Staffing & Capacity Puzzle 35:45

2+ y ago35:45

35:45

A “one-size-fits-all" solution is not something that applies to the procurement capacity puzzle, as so many factors can influence how your team handles projects: staffing, process, demand, technology, etc. It’s a tough conundrum but it is solvable. Our guest on this episode of Inside Public Procurement, Danny “Rockstar” Mays, Director of Procuremen…

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CI to Eye | Sustaining DEIBA Commitments 55:48

2+ y ago55:48

55:48

In the summer of 2020, George Floyd’s murder and the protests that followed sparked crucial conversations about racial equity and social justice. Many arts organizations made public commitments to do better—both in their programming and behind the scenes. It’s been three years since that pivotal moment, and it’s still imperative to hold ourselves a…

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Compliance and Reporting: Grants and Beyond 49:20

2+ y ago49:20

49:20

In the day-to-day of public procurement, things like sound recordkeeping or rigorous compliance checks can often get lost in the shuffle. Now, with so much grant funding coming to fruition, a lot of heavy reporting requirements are coming with it. If the thought of adhering to these regulations makes you sweat, this episode can help! This episode o…

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Sustainable Procurement: From Buzzword to Action 38:03

2+ y ago38:03

38:03

Sustainability is not the buzz word it once was. Nowadays, it’s a tangible initiative. The private sector has been increasingly pushing sustainability in their procurement over the past few years, and it’s now starting to take hold in the public space. The idea of sustainable procurement has been around for a while, but it’s important to point out …

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CI to Eye | Leadership in Challenging Times 1:01:40

2+ y ago1:01:40

1:01:40

Many of us are staring down end-of-fiscal-year goals, but it’s hard not to feel discouraged by prevailing economic uncertainty and ever-changing audience behavior. How do you keep your team motivated and mission-focused when the sands are shifting beneath your feet? Hear from fellow arts marketers who are leading their teams in fresh and creative w…

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Identifying Procurement Tech Need and Readiness 51:05

2+ y ago51:05

51:05

The crusade against paper-based processes is still very prevalent in some cases—and when you think about digital transformation, that’s most likely what comes to mind—but it’s a lot deeper than that. Digital transformation encompasses a lot of the moving parts needed to be efficient, effective, and scalable as a procurement department in a modern d…

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Why Procurement Needs to be Less “Behind-the-Scenes" 32:34

2+ y ago32:34

32:34

Procurement is the behind-the-scenes team keeping the show running for end users—whoever that may be in the public sector. With so many little complexities allowing procurement to function as intended, engaging with your leadership, end users, and vendors makes the process so much smoother. On this episode of Inside Public Procurement, we had the a…

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Secrets to Procurement Compliance and Internal Risk Management 37:06

2+ y ago37:06

37:06

Compliance and internal risk management in procurement is tricky business. A lot can go wrong, landing your team—and sometimes your whole organization—in hot water. We had the opportunity to host a panel discussion with four seasoned procurement pros during our OntarioTalk event, and they had a lot of great advice on the subject. While this discuss…

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CI to Eye | Artificial Intelligence: The New Frontier or Unchecked Robots? 36:03

2+ y ago36:03

36:03

AI is generating a lot of buzz in the marketing sphere—but is it really worth the hype? In this episode we pull back the curtain on AI, explore its strengths and limitations, and consider how it can help arts marketers meet their goals more efficiently. Don’t miss this special, extended conversation with CI’s Managing Director Christopher Williams …