Wander and Muse with Heather

Bryan Falcon, the Producing and Artistic Director of Scoundrel and Scamp Theatre, gives a sneak peek into the excitement surrounding the MacFestival. The theater’s unique approach is about striking a perfect balance between the heart and the mind, carefully crafting experiences that are thought-provoking and entertaining. The MacFestival, featuring four captivating plays inspired by Shakespeare's...

For three decades, Matt has shared his love for global music, drawing inspiration from early influences like Paul Simon and Peter Gabriel, and expanding his interests into ethnomusicology. From the intricate rhythms of the tabla to the rich sounds of ragas, sarod, and sitar, Matt's musical exploration has taken him across cultures and continents. Matt's journey began as a volunteer, but his dedica...

In this episode, you'll hear from the innovative inventor and entrepreneur Brice Hoskin, the mastermind behind the Genesha Cookstove Project . This lightweight, fold-flat cookstove is a game-changer, designed to create minimal smoke and revolutionize cooking in challenging environments. Brice shares the inspiring journey of how the cookstove came to life after collaborating with women in Nepal, re...

You're not alone if you grab the comics from the Sunday paper first! Listen in as Blue Delliquanti shares the fascinating world of storytelling in comics and interesting insights on crafting rich narratives that resonate with readers of their well-known creations, such as Across a Field of Starlight and O Human Star . As a teacher at the Minneapolis College of Art and Design, Blue also inspire...

After decades of capturing iconic figures, such as the Dalai Lama, Barack Obama, and Sting, plus globe-trotting with Rick Steves and hosting Lonely Planet's "Roads Less Traveled," Dominic Bonuccelli is now on a quest from Arizona to Argentina and wherever else his uncharted adventures unfold. His only plan is to have no plan. Come along on a ride with us when we talk about photograph...

Boogie down at LittleBIGFest, a three-day music festival experience August 16-18, 2024, in Langley, Washington, on Whidbey Island! Experience Polyrhythmics headlining an epic lineup of 38 bands across three stages. This inclusive and immersive festival is all about community and creativity—celebrating the roots of Keegan Harshman's musical journey and his vision for uniting people through musi...

Discover how this disciplined Tucson, Arizona, artist masterfully crafts precise crosshatched patterns with a ballpoint pen to create three-dimensional illusions on antique ledger paper. In this episode, you’ll learn about the journey of Albert Chamillard's creations, showcased in local galleries like Etherton Gallery and Pigeon Palace, and on luxurious Hermés blankets. Through a candid conver...

Leslie Clark shares her fascinating story of how a solo journey to Africa to create art led to a 40-year immersion into the life and culture of the nomads of the Sahara. She led film crews from National Geographic, advised US ambassadors about an area that was considered too dangerous for them to visit, and guided groups of tourists to the most remote parts of the Sahara visiting the desert and th...

Listen to a conversation about the captivating world of film with Johnny Remo, CEO and executive producer for Skip Stone Pictures. From Johnny's early days acting in soap operas, such as "All My Children" and "One Life to Live," to producing more than 15 feature films, his career continues to be remarkable especially since he has segued into directing. Mentioned in this int...

Violinist and composer Vicki Brown discusses the inspiration for her album "Lucky" on Harmonic Ooze Records. The connection to nature, freedom of exploration, and improvisational curiosity all play a role in her velvety nature-inspired compositions. Mentioned in this episode: Violin, viola, guitar, forest bathing, Madera Canyon, The French Tourist, Laurie Anderson, Bach, Andrew Bird, Brian Lopez,...

Nicci Radhe shares how becoming connected to the earth through gardening not only transformed her barren yard but also made a life-changing positive impact on her physical and mental health, family life, and career. Horny Toad Horticulture now sells 60 varieties of organic seeds native to Tucson, Arizona. Mentioned in this episode: Awareness Ranch, EcoGro, Native Seed Search, Barrio Bread, Inch By...

Host Heather Wuelpern shares a brief recap of the 17 episodes from Season One of Wander & Muse with Heather. Carrie Seid - 3D Watercolor Artist Tamara Scott Anderson - Fiber Artist Ray Cleveland - Landscape Photographer Al Glann - Large-Scale Metal Sculptor Wolfe Bowart - Physical Performer Martin Fontes - Culinary Creator Elena Acoba - Writer and Editor Michelle Carnes - Interior Designer Jen...

Listen to this insightful conversation with Katie Ormsby—graphic designer and owner of Katie Rou Design—when she shares her creative process, inspirations, and opinions. We talk about the psychology of color and fonts, mood boards, typography, serifs, the Tucson Streetcar, and beer! Mentioned in this episode: Pantone Color of the Year, Vantage West Credit Union, BRINK Media, Dillinger Brewing Co.,...

Vanessa Wingerath gives women the opportunity to embrace their inner goddess power through her Wild Woman Photography, women's retreats, and Shakti yoga. Her practices include birth photography and womb-based yoga. Mentioned in this episode: The Red Tent, birth doulas, free birth

Laura Pendleton-Miller tells how a group of like-minded community members who wanted to give black artists more visibility created the Blue Lotus Artists' Collective (BLAC). Although this downtown Tucson, Arizona, gallery dedicated to providing emerging and established black artists a space to show their artwork and share their stories is in its infancy, it has already made a monumental impact...

After keeping scars that covered half her body a secret for more than 60 years, Gayle Petrillo decided to turn a tragedy into her inspirational book, "The Accident". Petrillo's lifetime of dealing with body image issues related to the scars she concealed spurred her image consulting business called First Impressions, which assists teens and adults with important soft skills, such as...

Get to know the host of Wander & Muse a bit more by listening to one of her former guests interview her instead. Learn about what Heather enjoyed doing in her childhood and how those natural abilities spearheaded different chapters of her career. Mentioned in this episode: Madden Media, Macy's, Designlines, Airbnb Experiences, winning sweepstakes, found-object art, and podcasts.

Martha Retallick turned learning how to operate her Nikon D850 camera into a gorgeous and informative coffee table book "City Nature." Her passion for rainwater harvesting, birds, plants, and photography merge together beautifully in this book that includes tips, recipes, and community resources. Mentioned in this episode: Green Living Coop, Watershed Management Group, AZPM Arizona Spotl...

Don Guerra tells how creating artisan bread has served as a vehicle for connecting the community in Tucson, Arizona, and beyond. Guerra's entrepreneurship has evolved from baking bread loaves in his garage to his brick-and-mortar Barrio Bread storefront to becoming a James Beard Award winner and Tucson Hispanic Chamber's Hispanic Businessman of the Year. Guerra has come full circle to his...

Discover the whimsical creations of visual artist Lex Gjurasic as she takes us through her journey from being a child beauty queen winner, to her brief stint as a 15-year-old college student at the Cornish College of the Arts, to being solely responsible for the political shift in the state of Arizona. View Lex's work in person at 5 Points at 756 N. Stone Ave., Tucson, Arizona, through Jan. 2....

Jennifer Rischard has created new offerings at the well-known Santa Rita Lodge, which is nestled in Madera Canyon within the heart of the Coronado National Forest. Massage work in the Wellness Suite was the catalyst for specialty and weekend-long yoga retreats in this gorgeous setting known for birding and hiking. Spots are still available for the upcoming Women's Wellness Retreat that will ta...

Michelle Carnes recalls how being a creative kid who enjoyed rearranging her bedroom evolved into an interior design career. Listen in on the conversation to learn tips about how to express yourself in a home you love regardless of budget. Her 90-minute consultations guide her clients by simply giving a second opinion, all the way up to making a big reveal for clients who trusted Michelle to do an...

Elena Acoba recalls when she first caught the writing bug in second grade and continued to hone her writing, editing, and reporting skills throughout her career at Arizona Daily Star and MTCVB/Visit Tucson (September 1989 to January 1996). Her knack for storytelling has also been revealed via public speaking engagements and video documentation. She shares tips for freelance writers about how they...

Martin Fontes shares how spending time in the kitchen with his relatives as a young boy turned quality family time into a passion when he crafts mouthwateringly delicious and nutritious food at Martin's Comida Chingon at 555 N. 4th Ave. in Tucson, Arizona. Fontes has a personality as big as the flavors in his food. He started his restaurant back in 2001 with $60. Since then, he has attracted a...

Wolfe Bowart shares his journey from magically teaching a turtle to do push-ups as a child to entertaining audiences across 26 countries as an adult. His performances are a blend of humor, emotion, and jaw-dropping visuals that leave spectators in awe. Bowart is the award-winning creator of Cloud Soup, LaLaLuna, OAF, One Twig at a Time, and the Helpmann Award nominated Letter’s End and The Man the...