The host of The Truth In This Art started his podcast to promote his hometown. Rob Lee is a native resident of Baltimore and is proud of it. It didn't affect his love when the city started to develop a bad reputation. Even through news stories about crime to Donald Trump naming it a "rodent-infested mess," Lee's pride never wavered.
Not only that, his support of the city only grew. Lee wanted to share his passion for his hometown with others and show them the real Baltimore. It has a prosperous arts and culture landscape where creativity thrives. That led to him starting the creative conversations podcast, The Truth In This Art.
In the early days, Lee hosted only artists from Baltimore. But as his podcast started to gain momentum, it soon expanded its reach. Lee decided to include other cities with a negative reputation. These include Philadelphia, New Orleans, Austin, and Washington, DC. His goal was to tell the cities' rich history and cultural heritage. He wanted to dispel misguided notions that are usually motivated by racial prejudices. His way of doing that was to have one-on-one dialogues with veterans and newcomers in the art scene.
Lee likes to think of himself as an art curator, evident in his choice of guests. While he will interview a rapper in one episode, he might host a classical composer in another. Other guests include a burlesque dancer, a chef, and a painter. Lee doesn't only speak to creators but also to people who fund the arts and make them accessible. Those might be the founders of collectives, festivals, and even art school administrators.
With his insightful questions, Lee promotes vulnerable and honest discussions. He allows the artists to open up about their process and reveal their sources of inspiration. This results in fascinating storytelling that evokes deep contemplation. New podcast episodes of The Truth In This Art debut several times each week.
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