Vermont Artists & Authors

About Vermont Artists & Authors

Welcome to Vermont Artists and Authors! Where we interview great storytellers and artists from the amazing Green Mountain State.

Publisher

Barney Smith

Category

arts · fiction

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

18 Apr 2022

Latest episode

14 Oct 2026

Latest episodes

116 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   14 Oct 2026

   (Ep: 116) How to Stay Playful in a Serious World: Talking with James Kochalka

   In this episode, I’m joined by James Kochalka—Eisner, Ignatz, and Harvey Award–winning cartoonist, rock musician, and the very first Cartoonist Laureate of Vermont. James’ work ranges from his long-running daily diary strip American Elf to beloved kids’ series like Johnny Boo and Dragon Puncher, to wildly catchy punk-pop as James Kochalka Superstar, and even video games like Glorkian Warrior. We’re not here to promote one new thing—we’re here to have a real conversation. We talk about drawing your life every day, why he once declared that “craft is the enemy,” how simplicity and sincerity can carry more power than polish, and what he’s learned from a lifetime of making songs, comics, games, and art out of whatever is in front of him. If you care about creativity itself—how to stay playful, stay honest, and keep going over decades—this is one you’ll want to hear. #JamesKochalka #AmericanElf #JohnnyBoo #DragonPuncher #CartoonistLaureate #VermontComics #IndieComics #DiaryComics #JamesKochalkaSuperstar #GlorkianWarrior #KidsComics #GraphicNovels #CartoonistLife #ComicsProcess #StorycomicPresents Want to start your own podcast?  Click on the link to get started:https://www.podbean.com/storycomic Follow us: Are you curious to see the video version of this interview?  It's on our website too! www.storycomic.com www.patreon.com/storycomic www.facebook.com/storycomic1 https://www.instagram.com/storycomic/ For information on being a guest or curious to learn more about Storycomic? Contact us at info@storycomic.com Thank you to our Founders Club Patrons, Michael Winn, Higgins802, Von Allan, Stephanie Nina Pitsirilos, Marek Bennett, Donna Carr Roberts, Andrew Gronosky, Simki Kuznick, Simki Kuznick, John Holland, Maureen Devline, Benjamin Hunting, Samantha Kolber, Frank Walk, Mark Bell, and Matt & Therese. Check out their fantastic work at: https://marekbennett.com/ https://www.hexapus-ink.com/ https://www.stephanieninapitsirilos.com/ https://www.vonallan.com/ https://higgins802.com/ https://shewstone.com/ https://www.simkikuznick.com/ https://www.dieboldcomics.com/ https://www.maureendevlinauthor.com/ https://benjaminhunting.com/ https://www.rootstockpublishing.com/ https://www.pigmacast.com/ https://plaguedoctorpress.com/ Also to Michael Winn who is a member of our Founders Club!

2. 

   7 Oct 2026

   (Ep: 115) Comics That Whisper, Then Hit You Right in the Heart

   In this episode of Storycomic Presents, I’m joined by Vermont cartoonist Isabella Hall (she/they), the creator behind Bella Pink Pen. Isabella is a Center for Cartoon Studies graduate who loves fantastical storytelling—whether that’s a ghost on a cruise liner, a quiet reflective comic about collecting, or a full-on journey into a winter realm. We talk about how she builds stories that connect with readers of any age, the themes and influences that shape her work, and what it’s like making comics as both an artist and a storyteller. We’ll also dive into projects like The Ghost of the Stella Cadente and Pajama Rants: Life with Diabetes, plus where her comics are headed next. #IsabellaHall #BellaPinkPen #VermontArtist #Cartoonist #IndieComics #Webcomics #CenterForCartoonStudies #GraphicStorytelling #FantasticalFiction #ComicCreators #TheGhostOfTheStellaCadente #Pawdust #PajamaRants #LifeWithDiabetes #storycomicpresents Want to start your own podcast?  Click on the link to get started:https://www.podbean.com/storycomic Follow us: Are you curious to see the video version of this interview?  It's on our website too! www.storycomic.com www.patreon.com/storycomic www.facebook.com/storycomic1 https://www.instagram.com/storycomic/ For information on being a guest or curious to learn more about Storycomic? Contact us at info@storycomic.com Thank you to our Founders Club Patrons, Michael Winn, Higgins802, Von Allan, Stephanie Nina Pitsirilos, Marek Bennett, Donna Carr Roberts, Andrew Gronosky, Simki Kuznick, Simki Kuznick, John Holland, Maureen Devline, Benjamin Hunting, Samantha Kolber, Frank Walk, Mark Bell, and Matt & Therese. Check out their fantastic work at: https://marekbennett.com/ https://www.hexapus-ink.com/ https://www.stephanieninapitsirilos.com/ https://www.vonallan.com/ https://higgins802.com/ https://shewstone.com/ https://www.simkikuznick.com/ https://www.dieboldcomics.com/ https://www.maureendevlinauthor.com/ https://benjaminhunting.com/ https://www.rootstockpublishing.com/ https://www.pigmacast.com/ https://plaguedoctorpress.com/ Also to Michael Winn who is a member of our Founders Club!

3. 

   30 Sept 2026

   (Ep: 114) Why Elephant Beach Is More Than Just a Children’s Book

   In this episode, we’re joined by debut children’s author Christine Devane, whose picture book Elephant Beach tells the playful and poignant tale of a young girl whose quiet beach day is upended—in the best way—by a herd of joyous elephants. Christine brings her experience as a teacher and quiet child into the story, and joins us to talk about why she wrote a book for shy kids, how elephants became her unexpected co‑stars, and what happens when solitude turns into friendship. Whether you’re a parent, educator, or comic/children’s‑book fan, this episode celebrates play, connection, and stepping out of comfort zones. #ChristineDevane #ElephantBeach #ChildrensBooks #PictureBookDebut #KidsLit #ReadAloud #ShyKidsMatter #SteppingOutOfComfortZone #ElephantsAtTheBeach #StorycomicPresents #TeachersTurnedAuthors Want to start your own podcast?  Click on the link to get started:https://www.podbean.com/storycomic Follow us: Are you curious to see the video version of this interview?  It's on our website too! www.storycomic.com www.patreon.com/storycomic www.facebook.com/storycomic1 https://www.instagram.com/storycomic/ For information on being a guest or curious to learn more about Storycomic? Contact us at info@storycomic.com Thank you to our Founders Club Patrons, Michael Winn, Higgins802, Von Allan, Stephanie Nina Pitsirilos, Marek Bennett, Donna Carr Roberts, Andrew Gronosky, Simki Kuznick, Simki Kuznick, John Holland, Maureen Devline, Benjamin Hunting, Samantha Kolber, Frank Walk, Mark Bell, and Matt & Therese. Check out their fantastic work at: https://marekbennett.com/ https://www.hexapus-ink.com/ https://www.stephanieninapitsirilos.com/ https://www.vonallan.com/ https://higgins802.com/ https://shewstone.com/ https://www.simkikuznick.com/ https://www.dieboldcomics.com/ https://www.maureendevlinauthor.com/ https://benjaminhunting.com/ https://www.rootstockpublishing.com/ https://www.pigmacast.com/ https://plaguedoctorpress.com/ Also to Michael Winn who is a member of our Founders Club!

Reach and audience

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

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

2 ratings

Spotify

5.0 / 5

1 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 38 / 100

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

Quality

33

Social presence

94

YouTube

0

Engagement

60

Contact Vermont Artists & Authors

Guest appearances

Does not typically book guests

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