Ever wonder what it’s actually like to sit down with the people you look up to? To hear how they really did it without all the PR noise? That’s what Caffeinated Connections is about. I’m Caleb McCartney, a photojournalist who loves a good cup of coffee and an honest conversation. Every Friday at 2 PM, I sit down with artists, creators, and everyday people who are doing remarkable, inspiring things. We discuss the highs, the burnout, the in-between weirdness, and everything that makes the creative grind worthwhile and keeps you caffeinated!
Want in? Reach out to @cafeconnectpod or email contact@mcc-cal.com (mailto:contact@mcc-cal.com).
Oilfields, Orwell, and the Pressure Along It All with Mac and Mark
Mac discusses his transformative journey from oilfields to Pittsburgh, revealing how past struggles shaped his present work and resilience in the face of adversity in this interview.
21 Nov 2025
Horror Movies and Protests with Allison Bar
Allison Bar discusses the surprising similarities between directing horror films and covering protests as a photojournalist, revealing unexpected parallels in creating tension and capturing raw emotion in both fields in this interview.
14 Nov 2025
Your Phone Lies Better Than You Think with Tim Bieber
Photographer Tim Bieber discusses how technology distorts reality through manipulated images and sounds, revealing the hidden wildness behind the lens in an interview.
7 Nov 2025
Anarchist Cats and Santa Cults with Paul
Guest Paul discusses anarchist cats and Santa cults, exploring chaos and compassion through the lens of photography in this interview episode.
31 Oct 2025
The Mountain and the Dishes with Frank Rocks
Frank Rocks shares his insights on overcoming creative burnout and prioritizing artistic expression over perfection, in a conversation with Caleb, offering encouragement for struggling artists in this interview.
24 Oct 2025
Rundown BMW, but Sold as a Lambo with Austin Carns
Austin Carns explores the underlying fears and ego-driven motivations that drive individuals as they navigate life's challenges in this interview.
12 Sept 2025
Ep 8: Don’t Read the Shampoo Bottle with Liam Sullivan
Host Caleb and guest Liam Sullivan explore the boundless nature of curiosity, from political rallies to everyday observations.
30 May 2025
Ep 7: Lessons in Leadership, Branding, and Balance with Mark Palumbo
Caleb interviews Mark Palumbo, discussing leadership, branding, and work-life balance in the post-grad world, revealing the importance of passion projects and personal branding.
16 May 2025
Ep 6: Riding the Chaos Wave with Kyle Archer
Caleb sits down with the hilariously unpredictable Kyle Archer, a Point Park grad known for his love of rubber ducks, chaotic creativity, and euphoric poems about water. They dive into authenticity, media-making, family boundaries, and finding balance in a world that often feels offbeat.
25 Apr 2025
Ep 4: Art, Community & Chaos with TK and Paul from Dream the Heavy
In this deeply soulful and electric episode, Caleb sits down with TK and Paul from the Pittsburgh-based band Dream the Heavy. What starts with caffeinated chaos quickly transforms into a powerful conversation about artists' vulnerability, the rawness of creative ruts, the beauty of imperfection, and Pittsburgh's irreplaceable role in building a genuine artistic community. From childhood noise to darkroom silence, from AI and authenticity to Greek mythology and espresso, this one's a slow burn with a strong finish.
Mic drops, Monk juice, and a celebration of resilience—tune in and let yourself feel.
18 Apr 2025
Ep 3 Grit, Gear & Going All In with Colin Straughn
Caleb sits down with Colin Straughn—founder of Every Mile Creative in Alaska—to talk about building a media company from the ground up, shooting commercial work in epic environments, and how failure and real-world experience often teach more than a college degree. They dive into the gear vs. vision debate, navigate client feedback, and explain why storytelling, not specs, wins in the end.
11 Apr 2025
EP 2 The Art of Selling Yourself and Redefining Authenticity with Shelby Jo Long
Caleb sits down with Shelby as they trace her transition from college debates and teaching to becoming a savvy brand strategist and communication consultant. They explore how authentic conversation matters in our tech-driven, post-COVID world. Shelby drops some eye-opening insights on selling yourself, turning every “no” into a stepping stone, and harnessing genuine human connection in education and business. So, grab your coffee, settle in, and prepare for a candid conversation that might change how you connect.
4 Apr 2025
Ep 1 Caffeine, College & Communication with Sam Rotellini
Caleb sits down with Sam Rotellini—a former banker and biology buff turned professor at Point Park—to explore the unique journey from high school to college and beyond. They unpack the challenges of transitioning to higher education, the impact of technology on genuine communication, and the evolving landscape of politics and civics. Tune in for an episode of interesting experiences and thoughtful conversation, all served with great coffee.
Who has been a guest on Caffeinated Connections
Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.
Mac
Allison Bar
Tim Bieber
Paul
Frank Rocks
Podcast Authority Score: 27 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
53
Social presence
0
YouTube
0
Engagement
0
Contact Caffeinated Connections
Guest appearances
Books guests
Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.
Questions about Caffeinated Connections
Who hosts Caffeinated Connections?
Caleb host the show. Published by Caleb McCartney.
How often do new episodes come out?
The show publishes weekly, based on its RSS feed.
Does Caffeinated Connections take guests?
Yes. Guests have been identified in episode analyses.
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