Dive into a world of inspiration and creativity with the Dripping Creativity Podcast! Join us each week as we explore the stories, journeys, and insights of artists, writers, musicians, and creators.
Author Interview: Unraveling Horror with Lily Cooke | S3E16
What if the apocalypse could hear your heartbeat?
Horror author Lily Cooke returns to Dripping Creativity to discuss her debut novel, A Single Beat, published by Rabbit Tooth Press.
In a world infested with flesh-eating creatures that react to elevated heart rates, anxiety becomes a survival risk. For Brooke, a grieving and deeply introverted woman, staying alive means confronting fear, trusting strangers, and navigating relationships where even falling in love might be dangerous.
Host Chris Corvan talks with Lily about the psychology behind the premise, writing characters shaped by anxiety and ADHD, and creating horror that explores the people surviving the monsters, not just the monsters themselves.
In this episode:
How Lily wrote the first draft of A Single Beat in one month
Using anxiety and heart rate as horror mechanics
Brooke's emotional journey through grief and survival
Developing Fox, Callie and the unexpectedly lovable Creep
Discovery writing, reader feedback and difficult endings
Marketing a debut novel and finding the right readers
Lily's future dark fantasy, apocalypse spin-off and science fiction projects
It's a conversation about psychological horror, creative vulnerability, morally complicated characters, and why courage can exist alongside fear.
Find Lily Cooke:
Official website and bookshop (https://www.lilycookesthebooks.com/books)
Instagram: @lilycookesthebooks (https://www.instagram.com/lilycookesthebooks/)
A Single Beat on Goodreads (https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/257410617-a-single-beat)
A Single Beat on Bookshop.org (https://bookshop.org/a/91271/9798951082015)
About Dripping Creativity:
Hosted by Chris Corvan, Dripping Creativity explores the lives, work and creative processes of independent artists, authors, musicians and storytellers.
Dripping Creativity (https://drippingcreativity.com) |House of Void (https://thehouseofvoid.com) |Chris Corvan (https://www.instagram.com/chrisofthevoid/)
Stay creative. Stay inspired.
14 Oct 2026
Calgary Opera's Tosca | Stage Director Joshua Borths | S3E15
What does it take to make a 126-year-old opera feel immediate?
Chris Corvan sits down with stage director Joshua Borths to talk about Calgary Opera’s production of Puccini’s Tosca, a story of love, political repression, coercion, jealousy, violence, and impossible choices that still moves with the pace of a modern thriller.
Joshua talks about his approach to storytelling, why his job as a director is to “make the music inevitable,” and how the production has evolved since its premiere at Des Moines Metro Opera.
They explore the historical details behind Tosca, Cavaradossi, and Scarpia, the collision between beautiful music and brutal subject matter, and the way Puccini’s score influences movement, pacing, character, and staging.
Joshua also makes the case for Tosca as a perfect first opera. If you love movies, live theatre, vinyl, or work made by people performing together in real time, opera might be much closer to your world than you think.
Calgary Opera’s Tosca
October 16 at 7:30 PM
October 18 at 2:00 PM
October 24 at 7:30 PM
Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium
Tickets: CalgaryOpera.com (https://calgaryopera.com)
Watch the full video interview:
https://hfvd.link/dc-borths-tusca (https://hfvd.link/dc-borths-tusca)
Follow:
Joshua Borths: @borthsj
Calgary Opera: @calgaryopera
Chris Corvan: @chrisofthevoid
Special thanks to Calgary Opera for welcoming Dripping Creativity behind the scenes, and to Aldona B Creative for coordinating the interview.
Dripping Creativity is an independent arts and culture platform produced by House of Void.
12 Oct 2026
Calgary Opera's Tusca | Exploring Puccini with Maria Natale & David Esteban | S3E14
What happens when passion, loyalty, and sacrifice intertwine in Puccini's Tosca?
In this episode of Dripping Creativity, host Chris Corvan engages in a heartfelt discussion with soprano Maria Natale and tenor David Esteban, who are set to bring the iconic roles of Tosca and Cavaradossi to life in Calgary Opera's upcoming production at the Jubilee Auditorium.
Maria shares her deep connection to the fiery and emotional character of Tosca, revealing how her own passionate nature fuels her performance. David discusses the thrill of rediscovering his character with each new production, emphasizing the evolving nature of artistry and the importance of establishing trust and chemistry with fellow performers.
The trio delves into the complexities of love and loyalty amidst the backdrop of political turmoil, exploring how their characters navigate impossible choices. Maria and David reflect on the intimate moments of the opera, including the famous arias that reveal the characters' innermost thoughts and emotions, and how each performance offers new interpretations and discoveries.
As the conversation unfolds, they invite audiences to experience the raw emotion and stunning music of Tosca, encouraging newcomers to embrace the opera without overthinking it.
With performances scheduled for October 16, 18, and 24, Maria and David promise an unforgettable journey filled with beauty and intensity.
Don't miss your chance to see Tosca live!
Tickets available at: https://www.calgaryopera.com (https://www.calgaryopera.com)
Follow Maria Natale:
Instagram: @marianatalesoprano
Follow David Esteban:
Instagram: @tenor.davidesteban
Follow Chris Corvan:
Instagram: @chrisofthevoid
Special thanks to Aldona B Creative:
Learn more at: https://www.aldonab.com/ (https://www.aldonab.com/)
Dripping Creativity is a podcast about the people who make things: filmmakers, writers, artists, musicians, and independent creators, and the wonderfully messy process behind the work.
Episode Chapters:
00:00 Introduction To Puccini's Tosca And Its Themes Of Love And Sacrifice
00:18 Meet The Stars Of Tosca: Maria Natale As Tosca And David Esteban As Cavaradossi
01:14 Exploring Character Depth And Artistic Growth In Repeat Performances Of Tosca
02:11 Hoping Audiences Discover A Fresh Perspective And Relatable Emotions In Tosca
02:40 Cavaradossi's Coherent Loyalty And Unfolding Dangers In Puccini's Tosca
03:29 Establishing Believability And Trust Between Tosca And Cavaradossi On Stage
04:00 Cavaradossi's Honest Reflection On Life And Love In A Poignant Aria
04:55 Finding New Meaning In Familiar Arias Through Evolving Artistic Interpretations
06:00 Personal Growth And Deeper Understanding Of Humanity In Iconic Opera Roles
06:59 Interpreting Tosca's Famous 'Vissi d'arte' Aria As An Intimate Expression Of Faith And Despair
08:08 Evolving Artistic Approach To Arias And The Quest For Deeper Emotional Expression
09:05 The Real-Time Narrative Of Tosca: A Cinematic Experience In Opera
10:03 Tosca: A Victim Navigating Impossible Circumstances While Seeking Control
11:04 Building Authentic Connection And Chemistry Between Scene Partners And Characters
11:53 Establishing Emotional Truth And Nuance In Duets From Lightness To Depth
13:05 An Immersive Cinematic Soundtrack: Experiencing Tosca Beyond Language Barriers
13:26 Connecting With The Artists Online And An Invitation To Experience Tosca Live
13:54 Behind The Scenes Of Tosca: A Glimpse Into Iconic Roles And Calgary Opera
14:37 Dripping Creativity Podcast: Stay Creative, Stay Inspired, Until Next Time
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
YouTube views
4,585
Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
1 ratings
Spotify
4.9 / 5
14 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 79 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
90
Social presence
94
YouTube
74
Engagement
51
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