Modern Romantic

Di Slaney is a multifaceted poet from the UK. She has founded a book publishing house, an animal sanctuary, and she fosters writers and writes poetry herself.

Mike Roers runs Lakes Area Theatre, a traveling theatre that tours Central Minnesota with various plays, bringing them to the people. We discuss how Mike got his acting bug, and how his love for theatre reaches others.

Devin Mooers is a cinematic and mythical folk musician from Maine, with a library of instruments he can play (sometimes by candlelight!). Join in for a fascinating conversation about Devin's journey, musical family history, and how he might love Lord of the Rings as much as Emily does. Ha ha! https://devinmooers.com

Steven Seidenberg returns to the show to discuss updates on his travels, photography, books, and more. Steven is an author, poet, and photographer. His work combines photography, philosophy, and poetry, often exploring themes of memory, isolation, and the human condition. Notable works include The Architecture of Silence: Abandoned Lives of the Italian South and Anon. @steven.seidenberg Don't...

Helen Laser is an actor, voice-over artist and writer extraordinaire! She's multitalented, full of energy, and we had a great time getting to know her and talking about her journey and how she also creates recycled clothing. https://www.helenlaser.com

We had the great joy of chatting with stuntwoman and actor Ysabella Costa! Ysabella works in the thrilling, highly skilled world of stunts. She started as a dancer, and then graduated from SDSU with a degree in Criminal Justice. For five years, she was a criminal defense investigator. Three years in, she decided instead to become a stuntwoman. Now she solely focuses on stunts, acting and story tel...

Meredith Magoun - a costume designer, educator, photographer, wardrobe supervisor, wig stylist, makeup designer, theater maker, and artist, and so much more! https://www.meredithmagoun.com

New York Times bestseller Jayne Ann Krentz returns to the show! We talk wardrobe in writing, her new book and more! https://jayneannkrentz.com

"All the plate’s a stage – and we are merely players" is Mica McCook's philosophy, and we're here for it. Her rule-breaking and storytelling style of photography captured our hearts and not just because we also love food. Join the conversation with Mica about her process, journey, and how she decided not to listen to everyone, and make her own style. https://micamccook.com

We’re joined by actor and comedian Victoria Kelleher! From television and film to theater, improv, and stand-up, Victoria has built a wonderfully varied career rooted in humor, curiosity, and a sharp understanding of human nature. Her work has appeared in shows including Friends, The Newsroom, Good Trouble, Why Women Kill, Superstore, and more. www.victoriakelleher.com

We’re joined by artist Isaac Prior, whose intricate abstract line art draws from mythology, cosmic themes, and a love of fine detail. His work feels organic, otherworldly, and full of strange little universes built one line at a time. Isaac’s site describes his focus as abstract line art, with flowing, intuitive forms built through layered lines, and his about page notes influences including mytho...

Sammi Cannold was named in Forbes 30 Under 30 in Hollywood and Entertainment in 2019. She is best known as the Broadway director of How to Dance in Ohio, as well as for imaginative productions of Evita, Ragtime on Ellis Island, Violet on a moving bus, and work across theater, film, and television. Her work brings bold imagination, surprising and unconventional staging, and fresh perspective to the...

Featuring author, poet, photographer, and philosopher, Steven Seidenberg! Steven is a fascinating American photographer and author. His work combines photography, philosophy, and poetry, often exploring themes of memory, isolation, and the human condition. Notable works include The Architecture of Silence: Abandoned Lives of the Italian South and Anon. Find Steven on Instagram @steven.seidenberg a...

Rachel Gelfeld is a stunt performer and producer whose work spans film and television. From The Gray Man to The Rookie, Rachel brings stories to life through precision, risk, and an incredible level of discipline. We’re talking about the artistry and romanticism behind stunts, what it means to trust your body, and how courage shows up when the cameras are rolling.

Liisa Kovala is also known by her pen name A. L. Jensen. She is an award-winning author, book coach, and former teacher whose work centers on helping women rediscover their sisu: that deep, unshakeable well of courage, resilience, and determination. From powerful historical narratives like Sisu’s Winter War and Surviving Stutthof, to her award-winning novel Like Water for Weary Souls, Liisa writes...

In this episode, we sit down with Ole Sand, a Norwegian jewelry artist whose work blends craftsmanship with quiet storytelling. We talk about the role of patience in creating meaningful pieces, how materials shape the creative process, and why beauty often lives in the smallest, most intentional details.

We sat down with Chef George Blackwell Smith, founder of Lucky Cajun, to talk about the flavors that shaped him. From discovering bold Louisiana cooking to building his own line of fresh, small-batch spice blends, he's got stories to tell. We dive into what Cajun food really is (and what it isn’t), the importance of real ingredients, and why cooking is less about perfection and more about curi...

Manny Gutierrez has an inspiring story to tell - from apprenticeships to finding his personal style - he's been making boots for all kinds of people who love that perfect comfortable fit that only custom boots can provide. Listen in as we talk about his journey, love for his craft, how he ended up making a pair of boots for someone who also bought boots from his mentor, and how he doesn't...

What a delightful chat we had with actor, playwright, and producer Mark Landon Smith! He joined us to talk about life on stage and screen, the craft of storytelling, and what it really takes to bring a character to life. From writing his own work to performing in front of live audiences, Mark’s career is a testament to the power of imagination, grit, and a good script. Find Mark online at https://...

What happens when students are given the space, time, and encouragement to take their creativity seriously? Join us as we talk with Anne Johnson from Perpich Arts High School, a one-of-a-kind public arts school where young artists grow, experiment, and discover who they are through creative expression. We dove into the importance of the arts in education and how programs like Perpich can shape liv...

We’re thrilled to welcome David Stephens, founder of All Hands Productions, to the podcast! David is a nationally acclaimed solo puppeteer, storyteller, and banjo player whose imaginative retellings of classic fairy tales have captivated families for over 20 years. His work has been featured everywhere from the Center for Puppetry Arts in Atlanta to Sesame Street! Join us live as we talk about sto...

Jason is known for his large-scale murals and his beautifully unexpected altered vintage paintings, where old landscapes and forgotten portraits become home to whimsical robots, curious creatures, and whimsical stories that bridge past and present. His work lives in the space between nostalgia and imagination, blending humor, sustainability, and wonder in ways that invite both reflection and delig...

Once upon a time (now) there was (is) a group of people who occasionally did unrehearsed script readings (live in front of an audience) of their favorite plays and films. The only rule for each actor was they had to make each character they played their own in whatever way they wanted, and to not actually share that with the other actors. So everyone shows up, ready to go, with no idea what's...

Julie Floro creates dreamlike photographic worlds rooted in nostalgia, memory, and that quiet space between waking and sleep. Her work invites viewers to step beyond ordinary reality and into images soaked in imagination, vulnerability, and wonder, and we're here for every pixel! Join us as we chat about photography as escape and home, the power of nostalgia, cultivating a community of dreamer...

Gina Gallina is a crochet artist in Arkansas who fills the world around her with color, texture, and wonder! She had created crochet items that would surprise you! Giant mushrooms a human can fit in, wrapping whole buildings in granny squares, and dressing models for the runway are all part of her crochet designs. There's no limit to Gina's creativity, and we talk about all of it on the sh...