Alison McNeil

How many of you listen to podcasts? How many of you have always wondered about the creative masterminds working behind the scenes to shape the arts and entertainment we love and enjoy? How many of you are simply looking for ways to lean into joy, community, inspiration, rest and art? If you answered yes to one of these questions...my new podcast, Cultural Catalysts with Alison McNeil, is for you!! Cultural Catalysts is a new project of McNeil Creative Enterprises (@mcearts ). Each episode features engaging interviews with industry insiders—whether they’re shaping the world of theater, film, tv, music, or dance. In this first season, I had the honor of speaking with some truly remarkable guests, including a music advocate from the Recording Academy (yes, the Grammys!) , a PR expert behind hits like STARZ’s Power and Netflix’s The Crown and Squid Game, innovative producers, entrepreneurs paving their own paths, and so many more inspiring creatives. ✨ Click the 🔗 in my bio to listen to the trailer. We are on ALL of your favorite platforms. Don’t forget to subscribe! New episodes drop every Wednesday. ☺️☺️ #CulturalCatalystsPodcast #Culture #Journey #Leadership #PodcastLaunch #Creativity #ArtsAndEntertainment #BehindtheScenes

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Thank you @socialartandcult #CreativeEntrepreneurCapitalSummit for having me as a guest speaker - but I learned so much and it was an honor to be one of many doing the work and sharing how it’s done. Cannot wait until next year. We need a fix before then! Salute to all speakers and sponsors - thank you @jamialawrence for your leadership and Karen for giving your all to make this happen for the community. @stittsykd | @kokayi | @howardrjean | @djflexxdc | @clmidkiff | @longlivegogodmv | @artsadminofcolor | @gwbcc | @dcblackmbaa | @midatlanticarts | @entertain_dc | @202creates | @weactradiodc | @danceplacedc | @americans4arts | @wpfwdc | Katea Stitt, @kokayi @misskelsye , Curtis MidkiffJr., Stacey Williams, Dr. @carlettahurt Hurt, Dr. @geneva_renee , @mitchbrooks @hsep.vc , @justprez #DanielFishmanEsq., Richard Louis Esq., Kyle Moore, Tooshar Swain, @msalitee , and @tommytaylorjr , thank you for bringing your expertise, your stories, and your commitment to this community. Stay connected @socialartandcult #CreativeEntrepreneurCapitalSummit #CECS2026 #CreativeEconomy DMVCreatives

Sunday…The Michael movie gave me a whole new appreciation for this song! *body rolls*

There’s something powerful about being in a room full of creatives and entrepreneurs having honest conversations about what it really takes to make the transition from employee to entrepreneur. Yesterday, I had the opportunity to join an incredible panel on The Transition: Employee to Entrepreneur and share reflections from my own journey—building McNeil Creative Enterprises, navigating uncertainty, leading with strategy, and learning how to trust both vision and timing. Entrepreneurship is often glamorized, but the truth is it requires discipline, clarity, resilience, and a willingness to keep building even when the path isn’t fully clear. I shared that success isn’t just about leaving a job—it’s about building something sustainable, aligned, and rooted in purpose. Grateful to be in conversation with fellow entrepreneurs and leaders who are doing just that. And grateful for every lesson that came with the journey. The transition is rarely simple—but it can be worth it. Thank you @socialartandcult for hosting the Creative Entrepreneur Capital Summit. I’m honored. 🖤 #Entrepreneurship #CreativeEntrepreneur #Leadership #BusinessStrategy #WomenInBusiness FounderLife CulturalCatalysts McNeilCreativeEnterprises ArtsLeadership

I hadn’t seen this yet—and then someone in my extended community sent it to me. Seeing Cultural Catalysts with Alison McNeil featured in a @wordsbeatsandlife publication —made me pause. Because this podcast has always been deeply intentional. It was created to give flowers to the people who help bridge vision and execution—the creatives, strategists, producers, consultants, and cultural leaders shaping what we experience across film, music, dance, theater, television, and beyond. The people behind the scenes. The people making the vision possible. To see the podcast recognized in a space that honors both cultural legacy, creative expression, and the power of storytelling feels meaningful. It feels like alignment. It feels like confirmation that this work matters. And we’re building on that momentum. 🎙️ Season 3 is on the way. We’re expanding to video—so you’ll be able to watch full conversations on YouTube, in addition to listening across streaming platforms. We’re also opening the door to aligned sponsors who believe in storytelling that centers the people behind the scenes and amplifies cultural impact. If that sounds like you—or someone in your network—I’d love to connect. Send me a direct message. This next chapter isn’t a pivot—it’s an expansion of the original vision. More conversations. More visibility. More impact. Let’s go. ✨

I wasn’t sure what to expect and when I tell you I hollered!!!!! My oh my! The show has been extended to 5/24…DMV check it out! I really hope the Obamas have seen this.

Join McNeil Creative Enterprises at the 2026 Creative Entrepreneur Capital Summit—an inspiring day dedicated to investing in the creative economy and supporting the visionaries building it. Held on Thursday, May 7, 2026, from 1 PM–6 PM in Washington, DC, the summit brings together entrepreneurs, creatives, funders, and business leaders for meaningful conversations around sustainability, ownership, funding, and long-term success in the creative sector. MCE Founder Alison McNeil will be featured on the panel discussion, The Transition: Employee to Entrepreneur, sharing insights on building a purpose-driven business, navigating entrepreneurship with strategy, and creating pathways for sustainable growth. This summit is designed for those ready to think bigger about what it means to build, fund, and sustain creative work—and to strengthen the ecosystem that makes it possible. Check the 🔗in the bio to purchase tickets.

Loving this read…

Good times celebrating and supporting the DC Black theater community via a @canadyfoundationarts program

Saturday…

Friday…