We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Chris Zander. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Chris below.

Chris , thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?

Honestly, I always knew! However, my first year of college truly solidified my aspiration to pursue theater, television, and film. I began to understand the power of being open-minded and creative. Growing up, creativity was a safe space I cultivated for myself and could live freely in with no interruptions. I was so involved in art, speech rhetorics, and theater growing up because it was a way for me to live vicariously through life, experiences, and situations around me.

College opened the door for me to experience and see various cultures and how the influence of theater and television both help cultivate unity and change within ourselves and society. As an actor, you learn to study a script and become/bring life to the character illustrated. Being an actor allowed me to bring life (my experiences) to the character and understand we as people are all more alike than not even through our differences.

Studying journalism and television helped me to understand the importance of a single story and there are various parts and perceptions of that story based on knowledge and experience. Therefore, I learned no individual has or will encounter life the same way I have nor vice versa.

I have always been an advocate of unity, change, culture, and cultivating a space for people to look within themselves, and to see others beyond what is illustrated on the exterior. My endeavors in theater and television taught me something new and allowed me to understand the level of influence television and theater both carry. The moment I realized there is power in cultivating unity and change through performing arts, speech, and television is the exact moment I knew I wanted to pursue it professionally.

Chris , before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

In March of this year, I created my own journey and decided to invest into myself by starting a podcast. “In the Zone with Chris Zander,” is a podcast that focuses on lifestyle, entrepreneurship, and self-care. As a Nashville, Tennessee native, I am so eager to bring something new to Nashville. In my opinion, people’s perception of Nashville is skewed based on what is often advertised and illustrated. However, there are a variety of individuals who make the city of Nashville what it is and my goal is to shine light on ALL people no matter how big or small their name may carry.

My career in television and film began at age 18. I have been fortunate enough to have worked with WZTV Fox 17 News/ CW Nashville, Nashville Public Television (PBS), Bounce TV Nashville/ WENO 760 AM “The Gospel”, and the CMT Awards. My experience working in television and production allowed me to comprehend the importance of creative work and artistry and understand there is power in presentation and representation.

My experience in television has created numerous opportunities. One, teaching speech rhetoric (public speaking) at my alma mater Austin Peay State University. I am most proud to serve as a professor. I love seeing young people like myself who are passionate about public speaking. I equally enjoy those who are not passionate about public speaking as well. I really get a kick out of those who are not passionate because it allows me to do my job which is to help students become fully aware of their potential. I love being able to help students find and illustrate the power of knowing their value through their voices.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

The level of impact on those around me and even those furthest from me is such a gift. It is truly touching to know the work I do has helped uplift people and helped them to see themselves and their value.

We as a society are living in some really dark times. When we see someone, we truly have no clue what their story is or what they may have or may be currently going through. My motto is “anyone can hide behind a smile” meaning none of us are aware of who and what is truly in front of us until we experience it. Therefore, an individual’s smile could carry good or bad intentions.

I just hope the work I have done has allowed people to at the very least be authentic with themselves and be able to carry unbiased discernment. I hope my work has not only allowed people to see value within themselves but others as well.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

As a creative, you will receive a lot of vitriol just as much as you do support. From experience, I have learned and I am continuing to learn to embrace it all! Simply because any humbled individual can learn from both perspectives.

Meaning, vitriol provides the creative (you) with an unbiased discernment. As a creative, this allows you to see who to feed with a long-handled spoon versus who’s real.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chris_zander/?hl=en
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheChrisZander/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephen-alexander-b68139134/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@chriszander3920
• Other: https://www.instagram.com/_inthezone_podcast/?hl=en https://www.facebook.com/people/In-the-Zone-Podcast/100090662918899/

Image Credits
Ben Delametter, Michael Maples, Chris Zander