Podcast

drama

521: Storytelling & Identity with Ryan Maldonado (Part 3 of 3): On Code-switching, Photographing Living Rooms, and Growing up Not-Rich in Miami

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SHOW NOTES

In this three-part series, Ethan sits down with his screenwriter friends to do a deep dive into the creative process, the power of storytelling, and how identity plays a role in both. In Episode 3, Ethan is joined by screenwriter Ryan Maldonado, known for his work on AMC’s Parish, Hulu’s Death and Other Details, Amazon’s Hunters, Chicago PD, FBI, and Grey’s Anatomy.

Ryan and Ethan talk about, among other things: 

  • Ryan’s origin story, how he identifies, and how he became a storyteller

  • What Ryan’s writing process is like and what it’s like working on a TV show

  • How Ryan shows up in characters that may seem very different from who he is 

  • What he feels Hollywood is doing well in terms of representing diverse voices, and where there’s still work to be done

  • Advice to students going through the personal statement writing process

  • And more. 

Born and raised in Miami, Florida, Ryan Maldonado is a writer and producer who currently serves as Executive Producer and Co-Showrunner of AMC’s crime series Parish, starring Giancarlo Esposito. His previous credits include Hulu’s upcoming Death and Other Details (starring Mandy Patinkin) and Amazon’s Hunters (starring Al Pacino). Before moving to Los Angeles to complete his MFA at USC’s School of Cinematic Arts, Ryan worked as a reporter for The Detroit Free Press, St. Petersburg Times and Variety. He currently lives in Los Angeles with his wife and daughter.

We hope you enjoy!

Play-by-Play

  • 2:00 - Ryan’s origin story and what it was like growing up in Miami in the '80s

  • 11:18 - When did Ryan start writing?

  • 15:10 - How has Ryan’s interest in writing shifted over the years?

  • 19:47 - Where does “Ryan” show up in his writing and storytelling?

  • 26:12 - How might personal experiences influence writing, especially in TV dramas? 

  • 33:00 - What is Ryan’s writing process like?

  • 38:50 - What is it like working on a TV show? 

  • 44:56 - What lessons from film school still apply to Ryan’s work today? 

  • 54:33 - How has representation in Hollywood improved? What still needs work? 

  • 59:23 - What are some roles Ryan identifies with and how have these manifested in his life?

  • 1:08:56 - What advice would you give to students working on their personal statements for college? 

  • 1:18:49 - Wrap up and closing thoughts

Resources

 

509: What Colleges Want (Part 8): Extracurricular Activities Deep Dive: How Getting Involved In and Out of School Can Boost Your Application

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SHOW NOTES

On today’s episode, Tom Campbell (CEG’s Community Manager) is joined by Carolyn Starks, a former Pomona and Bates admissions officer and Associate Director of College Counseling at Oakwood School (North Hollywood, CA) at the time of recording, to talk about extracurricular activities and the activities list on college applications.

They get into, among other things:

  • What are some of the benefits of getting involved in your school community?

  • How can students explore activities outside of their high schools?

  • How do admission officers evaluate a student’s activities list?

  • Frequently asked questions about activities and summer programs

  • And more! 

But first, let’s meet Carolyn: 

Carolyn Starks followed her father’s footsteps and attended Rhodes College in Memphis, TN where she studied English and Africana Studies. After graduation, she moved to Portland, ME to work at Bates College where she focused on supporting first-generation-to-college, BIPOC, and/or low-income students through the admissions process. After two years, she landed a job at Pomona College’s Office of Admissions where she joined the Access Team, ran the College’s diversity fly-in programs, and learned to be justice oriented in her approach to educational equity. Though at the time of recording Carolyn was Oakwood School in North Hollywood’s Associate Director of College Counseling, she will soon be moving to serve as Co-Director of College Counseling at Santa Fe Prep in Santa Fe, NM. In her free time, Carolyn enjoys indulging in local cuisine and watching Bravo with her husband and her dog, Ms. Pecan Pie. 

We hope you enjoy the episode. 

Play-by-Play

  • 4:48 - What is Carolyn’s background? 

  • 6:20 - What activities was Carolyn involved in during high school?

  • 8:36 - What activities did Tom participate in during high school? 

  • 10:45 - How can students learn about the opportunities at their school?

  • 16:50 - Why should students get involved within their school community?

  • 23:09 - How can students be involved in extracurriculars outside their school? 

  • 29:57 - What should students keep in mind when applying to highly selective schools?

  • 36:13 - Do colleges have preferred activities or summer experiences?

  • 36:41 - Does placement on an activities list matter?

  • 37:37 - How many years should students participate in an activity? 

  • 39:05 - How important is having formal leadership roles? 

  • 42:18 - What might not be worth putting on your activities list? 

  • 46:25 - How many activities is enough? 

  • 51:22 - How can students maintain a balance between their home life, academic, and extracurricular activities?

  • 55:47 - Closing thoughts 

Resources