Icon Presents

About Icon Presents

Welcome to Icon Presents, the podcast that takes you on an immersive journey into the world of creativity. Join us as we shine a spotlight on talented individuals from diverse fields, offering exclusive insights into their creative ventures. But that’s not all – immerse yourself in the soulful rhythm of in-studio musical performances that elevate each episode. Whether you’re an art enthusiast, a music lover, or just seeking inspiration, Icon Presents Podcast is your go-to destination for a front-row seat to the incredible stories and sounds of the creative realm. Tune in and be part of a celebration where every episode is a unique masterpiece.

Publisher

Antwon Haynes

Category

arts · music · tv & film

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

15 Mar 2024

Latest episode

22 Sept 2026

Latest episodes

55 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   22 Sept 2026

   Why It’s Never Too Late to Get Creative | Lainey Lore

   In this episode of The Icon Presents Podcast, Antoine Haines sits down with Lainey Lore, a wig and makeup designer, cosplayer, gamer, and lifelong lover of storytelling and pop culture. Lainey takes us behind the scenes of her creative journey—from growing up around theater and costume design, to studying at the Webster University Conservatory of Theater Arts, earning her cosmetology license, working in salons, and eventually making her way to Los Angeles and Cirque du Soleil’s KÀ. The conversation goes far beyond wigs and makeup. Lainey opens up about discovering cosplay later in life, overcoming her fear of sewing, embracing creativity in her 40s, and why it's never too late to reinvent yourself. Antoine and Lainey also dive into cosplay, D&D, Star Wars, gaming, physical media, retro games, conventions, Critical Role, storytelling, and the importance of keeping creativity—and human connection—alive in an increasingly digital world. From her Lilith and Squirrel Girl cosplays to her plans for Darth Talon, Lainey shares the stories, inspirations, and experiences behind the characters she creates. Topics include: 🎭 Theater & costume design 💄 Wigs & makeup artistry 🎨 Cosplay & creative expression 🎮 Retro & modern gaming 🐉 Dungeons & Dragons ⭐ Star Wars & fandom 🎲 Critical Role 👾 Conventions & cosplay culture ✨ Creativity at any age 🎬 Cirque du Soleil & live entertainment Guest: Lainey Lore Host: Antoine Haines The Icon Presents Podcast #LaineyLore #TheIconPresents #Cosplay #Cosplayer #WigDesign #MakeupArtist #DungeonsAndDragons #StarWars #Gaming #CriticalRole #Podcast #CosplayCommunity

2. 

   24 Aug 2026

   Rising Tide Media Group on Making Films Outside Hollywood — Jarrod Christman and Daniel P Riley

   Support - Go Fund Me https://www.gofundme.com/f/where-even-shadows-fear-to-tread-indie-film What does it take to build a film production company completely outside the Hollywood system — from pre-production to post-production, scriptwriting to sound design — on a shoestring budget with no studio backing? Jarrod Christman and Daniel P. Riley from Rising Tide Media Group join Icon Presents to answer exactly that. Rising Tide's mission is simple and ambitious at the same time: create a thriving creative ecosystem for independent artists who are making great work and getting zero support from the established industry. They handle everything in-house — scripting, production, sound design, mastering — and use their own projects as proof of concept that this model actually works. Their first project, The Ballad of Missouri Bill, was a period piece shot on a genuine shoestring budget — in real snow, during COVID restrictions — about a lawman seeking adventure and revenge after a traumatic event. It was proof that you don't need a studio to tell a compelling story. You need a vision and the willingness to figure it out. Now they're back with their next project — Even Shadows Fear to Tread — a serial killer thriller with a premise that immediately grabs you: the first three victims aren't random. They're retired special operators. Elite fighters. And someone is taking them out one by one. We get into the full concept, the GoFundMe campaign raising funds to start production, and why they chose to go directly to the community to fund this one. The conversation gets bigger from there. We dig into the risk-averse nature of major studios, why Hollywood keeps failing audiences with bloated budgets and recycled ideas, the concept of "failing forward" and why learning from failure is the only real path forward for independent creators, and Eric July's Rippaverse as a blueprint for what happens when you stop waiting for permission and just build. This one is for every creative who's been told their idea is too risky, their budget is too small, or their audience doesn't exist yet. 📍 Support the GoFundMe for "Even Shadows Fear to Tread" — link in description 🎬 Watch "The Ballad of Missouri Bill" on major streaming platforms 🌐 iconpresentspodcast.com for more interviews with independent musicians, comic creators, writers, and filmmakers Like, comment, and subscribe for more conversations with the creatives building something out of nothing.

3. 

   24 Aug 2026

   From Video Game Artist to Streamer — Phillip Chan on Gaming, Representation, DC Failing

   Phillip joins Icon Presents to walk through a creative journey that started with his father telling him to become a pharmacist — and ended with him working on projects like Neopets and Call of Duty: Black Ops at Fox Next. He talks about the grind of art school, watching animation jobs get outsourced to South Korea in real time, pivoting to video games, and then pivoting again during COVID when he picked up Genshin Impact, started streaming, and accidentally built a community around himself. That community eventually became Project Egg Roll — his podcast with his mods and co-hosts — and if you've never heard of it, this episode is your introduction. Then things get spicy. We get into the current Hollywood representation debate — specifically the casting of Lupita Nyong'o as Helen of Troy in The Odyssey, what the historical context of that character actually means, and why race-swapping established characters keeps generating backlash while other diverse casting choices land without controversy. Phillip breaks down the difference between authentic representation and performative casting, and why PR and media training for actors matters more than most people realize. From there it's full pop culture mode — Zack Snyder's Man of Steel, why Jonathan Kent's death in that film fundamentally breaks Superman's character, the Batman vs Superman debate, which Spider-Man actor actually got it right, and why the DC Universe keeps losing ground to Marvel despite having better source material on paper. Plus — Phillip shares his thoughts on Ripperverse Day, his 13-book collection, and whether he'd start a segment reviewing books sent to him by people he politically disagrees with. 📍 Follow Phillip Chan and Project Egg Roll for more pop culture conversations 🌐 iconpresentspodcast.com for more interviews with independent musicians, comic creators, writers, and filmmakers Like, comment, and subscribe for more conversations with the creatives building something out of nothing.  @projecteggroll   @mrphillipchan2

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

1 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 19 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

38

Social presence

0

YouTube

0

Engagement

0

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Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.