Today’s conversation was held as part of the multidisciplinary writing workshop led by me and former “Side by Side” guest, Ashley Griggs. We invited special guests into the space, where workshop participants got to ask questions about the industry and the craft of writing. Today’s conversation spotlights television writer Ashley Sims.

Born and raised in Marietta, Georgia. She received her Bachelors in Journalism from the University of Georgia before moving to New York and completing her MFA at NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts. She got her professional start working as a Staff Writer for the Peabody Award winning series "UnREAL." After "UnREAL," Ashley spent the next 3 years on the ABC drama "A Million Little Things" before landing at CW's "4400" as a producer.

In this conversation, Ashley shares her insights on claiming your voice and cultivating relationships within the industry, and the benefits of being an evolving artist.

The Fall session for "Embracing the Multidisiplinary Writer" will commence September 29. Click here to learn more.

Side by Side Episodes | Robert Kuang Home

Today’s conversation was held as part of the multidisciplinary writing workshop led by me and former “Side by Side” guest, Ashley Griggs. We invited special guests into the space, where workshop participants got to ask questions about the industry and the craft of writing. Today’s conversation spotlights playwright, screenwriter, television writer, and actor Chloé Hung.

Born and raised in Toronto, Canada, Chloé has been called a “writer to watch” by The Globe and Mail. A graduate of NYU’s MFA dramatic writing program, her theater work has been seen on stages like the The Kennedy Center, the Banff Playwrights Centre, the Geffen Theatre, and the New Jersey Repertory Company. In the film and TV world, Chloé has written for “Queen Sugar” and “Cherish The Day” on OWN, and “The Watchful Eye” on Freeform. She is a Film Independent Screenwriters Lab fellow, and her screenplays have been shortlisted by the The Black List and the Fusion Film Festival.

In this conversation, Chloé shares some of her early memories that sparked her imagination, the journey of balancing personal with paid writing, and the skills that writers should cultivate in addition to writing itself.

The Fall session for "Embracing the Multidisiplinary Writer" will commence September 29. Click here to learn more.

Side by Side Episodes | Robert Kuang Home

Today’s guest is Sam Bennett, the author of “Get It Done,” “Start Right Where You Are,” and most recently, “The 15-Minute Method: The Surprisingly Simple Art of Getting It Done.” A writer, speaker, actor, and creativity/productivity specialist, she is the founder of TheRealSamBennett.com, a company committed to helping overwhelmed creatives and frustrated overachievers get unstuck. Sam is also a popular course instructor on LinkedIn Learning with over a million class participants worldwide.

In this conversation, we talk about her journey of modeling the 15-minute method while completing the book, the way arts and humanities can disrupt disengagement in the workplace, and the myth of laziness and overwhelm.

Side by Side Episodes | Robert Kuang Home

Today’s guests are Lauren Borden and Katherine Folk-Sullivan. By merging their expertise in coaching, leadership training, and intuitive energy work, they are the co-founders of Whole Human Coaching, an intuitive mashup of mentor-coaching, skills training, and mastermind groups.

In this conversation, we dive inside Lauren and Katherine’s experiences as coaches and facilitators, we look at some of the biggest challenges coaches face beyond being sufficiently trained, and we discuss ways we can embrace collective effort over rugged individualism.

Side by Side Episodes | Robert Kuang Home

Today’s guest is Eve Crusto, a writer, director, and producer who is on a mission to bring her ancestral Louisiana Creole stories to life. Her upcoming short film “Blood and Milk” takes place a few years after the devastation of Hurricane Katrina, and examines the “legacy of isolation and confusion” after events like Katrina and the COVID-19 pandemic.

In this conversation, we discuss Eve’s passion for the arts, humanities and her New Orleans roots, the lessons she learned in school and on the job in the writer’s room, and the balancing act of being a parent while modeling what it takes to cultivate passion and drive.

Side by Side Episodes | Robert Kuang Home

Today’s guest is Vanessa Esparza, a leadership coach who's also a partner at Gladstone Place Partners, overseeing people and administration. In this conversation, we explore her roots as a first generation Mexican-American, her passion for service, and the importance of empathy and presence in collaboration and talent retention.

Side by Side Episodes | Robert Kuang Home

Today’s returning guest is my friend Tara Edwards, a writer, editor, and Twitch streamer based in Ohio, known for her work in the digital media landscape. In this conversation, we’re deep-diving into our upcoming 10-week online writer’s workshop, called “Good Grief: A Writing Workshop on Trauma & Healing.”

Inspired by our training and experience in psychology, coaching, and writing, this queer, Asian, BIPOC-led workshop combines general teachings around grief, creative expression, and healing with writing practice and community support. It's a great space to cultivate transmuting grief outside of professional, romantic/familial, and competitive arenas.

"Side by Side" Episodes | Robert Kuang Home

Today’s guest is Kim Chestney, the author of “The Illumination Code,” “Radical Intuition,” and “The Psychic Workshop.” As the founder of IntuitionLab and the CREATE! Festival, her work raises awareness about the importance of insight in the evolution of individual and world consciousness. Working for nearly twenty years in the tech sector, Chestney has led initiatives with some of the top thought leaders, technology companies, and universities around the world.

In this conversation, we look at the suppressed narratives and scientific theory around intuition, the mind bending implications of quantum mechanics, and some practical ways to engage with these concepts in everyday life.

"Side by Side" Episodes | Robert Kuang Home