Ali & Callie Artcast

What compels someone to step off a cliff, a bridge, or a skyscraper with only a parachute between them and the ground? This week on the Ali & Callie Artcast, we sit down with storyteller, songwriter, and BASE jumping pioneer JD Walker, author of BASE 37, a gripping memoir about the early days of one of the world's most daring sports. As BASE jumper #37, JD was there when the sport was still be...

In this episode we sit down with Carol Davis, a powerhouse jazz and blues vocalist. Carol shares how growing up in San Francisco with a classical pianist mother and a gospel-loving father ignited her lifelong passion for music, drawing inspiration from legends like Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday and Etta James.  We talk about her early days singing in church at age five, her journey into formal m...

He's back—and as creatively busy as ever. Friend of the show and multi-talented artist, writer, musician, and concert promoter Michael Koep joins us for another engaging conversation about the many projects keeping his imagination in high gear. We catch up on the exciting lineup for this year's Koep Concerts summer season, which kicks off on July 8, bringing another series of unforgettable live pe...

Welcome to another music-filled episode of the Ali & Callie Artcast as we catch up with two familiar faces in North Idaho’s arts scene—Max Mendez and Ruth Pratt. Our conversation begins with a preview of the 2026 Riverstone Concert Series, the beloved free summer music tradition presented by the Coeur d'Alene Arts & Culture Alliance. Beginning July 9, the series returns to Riverstone Park...

When we first invited stained glass artist Atsuko Kroetch to the podcast, we planned to talk about the stunning stained glass horses she created for the cupola of the Coeur d'Alene Historic Carousel. What we discovered was a story far bigger than art alone. Born in China to Japanese parents, Atsuko shares an extraordinary life journey that spans continents, cultures, and pivotal moments in history...

What happens when curiosity, creativity, and collaboration come together to solve real-world challenges? In this episode of the Ali & Callie Artcast, we sit down with Marita Diffenbaugh, Director of Innovation for the forward thinking X-Labs program at North Idaho College. Marita shares how NIC X-Labs is creating a dynamic learning environment where students, faculty, community members, and in...

Join us as we talk to Executive Director Abby Light and Program Coordinator Mary Hanlin and dive into the powerful vision behind the Living Lake Project, an inspiring new initiative through the Coeur d’Alene Arts & Culture Alliance that brings artists, environmental leaders, and community voices together in support of Lake Coeur d’Alene and its watershed. The Living Lake Project is a 15-month...

Welcome to the story of Modus Fine Art Gallery, a new kind of creative space shaped by artists, for artists. Opening June 12 during ArtWalk, Modus Fine Art is a collective gallery where collaboration, experimentation, and artistic ownership take center stage. Two of the owners, Chris Grubb and Maya Rumsey, talk about their new venture located in the former Art Spirit Gallery on Sherman in Coeur d'...

Get ready for a royally fun night at the theater as Lake City Playhouse presents the beloved musical comedy Once Upon a Mattress! Director Marie Hunt teams up with Music Director Scott Michaelson to deliver a lively production packed with charm, wit, and Broadway-style flair. Opening May 22 through June 3, this hilarious, heart-filled twist on The Princess and the Pea brings big laughs, bold perfo...

Step inside the heart of Hayden with this inspiring episode featuring The Village Bakery. Founder Dana Bellefeuille and her incredible team share how this beloved bakery is built on more than handcrafted breads and pastries—it’s built on people. Dana talks about her intentional mission to hire adults with different abilities, creating meaningful employment, dignity, and a true sense of belonging....

Get ready to get ogre it! We’re talking all things Aspire Community Theatre and their current production of Shrek with Executive Director Trigger Weddle and show director Abel Siemens. From fairytale fun to behind-the-scenes magic, they share what it takes to bring this larger-than-life musical to the stage. Don’t miss your chance to see this fun-filled show for its last weekend at the Kroc. Tonig...

For the third episode in our Arizona series, we head into the bold, colorful world of Phoenix-based muralist  Paige Reesor , an artist turning everyday spaces into vibrant, story-filled experiences. Known for her striking large-scale murals that blend realism with imaginative design, Paige shares how her journey began (quite literally) on the walls of her childhood home and evolved into a career t...

In the second episode of our Arizona series (and our 200th episode!), we step into a creative mirror with Phoenix-based video podcaster Joshua Kotzen, whose videocast is known as The Baby J Show. This is a dual podcast experience: we’re recording Joshua as he records us. It’s a behind-the-scenes look at storytelling from both sides of the lens, where conversation, camera, and curiosity all interse...

The Ali & Callie Artcast heads to the Southwest in the first of a three-part Arizona series, spotlighting creatives whose work is deeply connected to community, story, and spirit. In this episode, we sit down with Phoenix-based silk artist MJ Okawa, whose luminous pieces capture the movement, texture, and quiet power of the natural world. Blending traditional Japanese silk painting techniques...

In this episode of the Ali & Callie Artcast, we sit down with Chris Grant, Former Orchestra Manager of the Coeur d’Alene Symphony to talk about an exciting season ahead. From upcoming performances and special events to the vision behind this year’s programming, Chris gives us a behind-the-scenes look at how the Symphony continues to bring world-class music to North Idaho. We explore what audie...

In this episode of the Ali & Callie Artcast, we sit down with Karin Wedemeyer, founder and Executive Director of the Music Conservatory of Sandpoint, to explore her vision for this dynamic and deeply valued cultural hub in downtown Sandpoint. Karin shares the Conservatory’s origin story and how it has grown into an international school of performing arts rooted in a classical framework while r...

In this episode, we sat down with Kristina Ludwig, a nature-inspired artist based in Sandpoint, whose work transforms the raw beauty of the forest into extraordinary art. Kristina is best known for her intricate creations made from birch bark—including a breathtaking gown crafted entirely from this natural material. Drawing deep inspiration from the Pacific Northwest landscape, Kristina shares her...

Welcome Dario Ré, a genre-bending artist who lives off-grid in the mountains above Sandpoint, Idaho. Ré is the lead singer-songwriter of Heat Speak, a highly collaborative, ever-evolving ensemble known for its eclectic instrumentation and richly layered sound. Blending indie rock, chamber folk, and world fusion, Heat Speak pairs impassioned poetics—sung in both English and French—with dynamic musi...

Season six of the Ali & Callie Artcast kicks off with Britt Thurman, Executive Director of the Museum of North Idaho. Britt joins us to share how the museum’s first year in its new home at the base of Tubbs Hill has gone, along with a look at upcoming exhibits, community events, and what’s ahead for the future of the museum. We also talk about the important role the museum plays in preserving...

In this special episode, Ali & Callie sit down with Theresa Wild, co-founder of Matt’s Place Foundation, an organization dedicated to supporting families facing the devastating challenges of ALS. Theresa shares the deeply personal story behind the foundation, the innovative housing solutions they’ve pioneered, and the community-driven mission that keeps their work moving forward. Her passion,...

Lake City Playhouse is bringing a beloved holiday classic to Coeur d’Alene with its production of “Little Women,” opening tonight and running through December 7. This heartwarming story filled with sisterhood, sacrifice, and timeless charm is the perfect way to ease into the spirit of the season. The show is directed by Jessica Peterson, a vibrant force at Lake City Playhouse. Known for her talent...

Brian Crain is an American pianist and composer whose music has been streamed more than six billion times. Born in Hollywood, Brian grew up creating melodies by ear—often whistling tunes he made up on the spot. His father was an award-winning educational filmmaker, and Brian spent part of his youth helping with film projects, which sparked his interest in writing music for pictures. Though he brie...

What started as a one-night gig in 1986 turned into a nearly 40-year tradition of good music, good people, and very good times. Back then, the school district needed a band for a levy victory party — and teacher/musician Jim Lien basically said, “Yeah, I know some folks.” He rounded up a crew of fellow educators who could sing or play (or, in some cases, were just brave), and they hit the stage as...

We’re joined by Gatieh Nacario and Anna Caldwell, founders of the Kultura de Filipino Dance Company — a passionate, independent Filipino cultural dance company in Spokane dedicated to preserving and showcasing the beauty of their heritage through authentic performances. More than just a dance group, Kultura de Filipino is committed to artistic excellence, cultural education, and the personal growt...

  For over 20 years, the Jacklin Arts & Cultural Center, also known as The JACC, has brought the Post Falls community together through the transformative power of the arts. What began as a mission to save a historic building has blossomed into a thriving hub where creativity, connection, and culture flourish in the heart of Post Falls. Darla Dreyer has been the Executive Director for the last...