At The Vanguard

Tomasina Abate: Owning The Stage, Owning Yourself

Tomasina Abate is a powerhouse vocalist, songwriter, and creative visionary whose career has spanned Disney’s Tomorrowland stages, arena crowds, and independent artistry. In this conversation, she opens up about the courage it takes to stand alone, the cost of excellence, and why real artistry begins the moment you stop asking for permission.
We talk about:• Building a cult-favorite band at Disneyland and redefining what it means to "own the stage".• The tension between perfection and vulnerability—and why audiences crave the cracks.• Creating Plate of Gold, her upcoming disco-/EDM-inspired album born of love, loss, and rediscovery.• Surviving the industry by choosing independence, authenticity, and emotional truth.• Resilience, healing, and the fight to make music that actually helps people live.
This episode embodies everything At The Vanguard stands for: truth without polish, craft without ego, and the relentless pursuit of artistic transcendence.
Find Tomasina’s music at tomasina.netCurrent album: Painted Crown | Upcoming album: Plate of GoldFeatured tracks: "Nothing's Gonna Save You", "Cautionary Tale", "Joy Ride", and "Point Of No Return".
At The Vanguard is a podcast about elevating the arts and empowering the artist in each of us.
Hosted by Christopher Lloyd Bratten-Zappala.

Sarah Tubert: Lead With Light, Play With Heart

Deaf actor, motivational speaker, and athlete Sarah Tubert joins host Christopher Lloyd Bratten-Zappala on At The Vanguard for a deeply inspiring conversation about art, identity, and resilience.
From voicing Lucita in Disney’s Primos to captaining Team USA at the Deaf Olympics, Sarah shares how creativity has been her bridge between worlds — and how breaking barriers in entertainment can start with one powerful question: "What do you need?"
She opens up about representation in Hollywood, accessibility in the arts, and her children’s book The Girl With The Crooked Smile, which teaches young readers to embrace their differences.
This episode is about courage, compassion, and redefining what it means to shine.
Buy Sarah's book at TheGirlWithTheCrookedSmile.comDeaflympics on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@deaflympics_icsdDeaflympics website: https://deaflympics2025-games.jp/en 
At The Vanguard is a podcast about elevating the arts and empowering the artist in each of us.
Hosted by Christopher Lloyd Bratten-Zappala.

The Vanguard Vision

Welcome to At The Vanguard, a podcast about elevating the arts and empowering the artist in each of us.
In this inaugural episode, host Christopher Lloyd Bratten-Zappala shares the story and philosophy behind The Vanguard Institute for the Arts — a bold movement dedicated to creativity, mindfulness, and artistic excellence. Through reflection and hard-won insight, Christopher invites listeners to rediscover the art within themselves, reconnect with purpose, and rebuild from burnout toward a life of meaning and creation.
You’ll hear how art lives not only in music, theatre, and design but in how we think, connect, and show up in the world. This episode is both a declaration and a call to action for artists, educators, and dreamers ready to rise.
Subscribe and join the movement to elevate the arts, empower artists, and keep the flame of excellence alive.

At The Vanguard: Trailer

Welcome to At The Vanguard — a show about elevating the arts and empowering the artist in each of us.
Hosted by musician and educator Christopher Lloyd Bratten-Zappala, this podcast explores the creative spirit through conversations with artists, thinkers, and innovators who are redefining what it means to lead with vision and create with purpose.
In this trailer, Christopher introduces the mission behind At The Vanguard and invites you to join a community built on curiosity, accountability, and transcendence.
Follow now to hear the premiere episode on November 1.