Breaking the Blocks

Quilter Vendulka Battais shares her healing journey from realizing that external validation (including winning awards) made her happy, but didn't bring her ultimate fulfillment, she still needed to find her own inner worth and peace. She explores how her upbringing in communist Czechoslovakia and ancestral patterns influenced her sense of self-worth and her creative approach to quilting. • Gr...

Taking a break between Season 2 and Season 3 to reflect on the journey and lessons learned throughout Breaking the Blocks. Thousands of listeners have shared how these conversations about overcoming challenges have inspired their own growth paths. • Life inevitably brings pain, loss, and unexpected challenges – our growth comes from how we respond • Understanding our role in our own suffering is k...

Mackenzie Thorpe shares his extraordinary journey from a dyslexic child in working-class Middlesbrough to a globally celebrated artist whose work touches hearts worldwide. • Born with an innate urge to draw on anything available—stones, cigarette packets, fireplace ashes • Struggled with undiagnosed dyslexia at school, describing himself as "word blind" rather than seeing jumbled letters...

Janet Clare joins Rachel to explore the journey of creative growth and authenticity in a world that often feels chaotic and judgmental. Together they reflect on how the pandemic reset their perspectives, helping them realize what truly matters in life and creative work. • Finding inner calm and creative peace even when the outside world feels unstable • Confronting the inner critic that asks &quot...

Sarah Humphreys transforms lives teaching arts and crafts in a women's prison, helping incarcerated women rebuild their identities through creativity. Working with individuals who've experienced trauma and abuse, she creates a sensory sanctuary where women who arrive saying "I can't" leave as proud creators with newfound confidence and purpose. • Teaching in prison present...

Rachel Pierman sits down with textile artist Judy Martin for a profound conversation about creativity, mortality, and finding healing through art. They explore the spiritual quality of handmade quilts and how creative work can become a sanctuary during difficult times. • Judy describes her childhood in rural Canada where solitude and art supplies fostered her inner creative world • The transition...

Resilience emerges as the central theme when textile artist Caz Holmes shares her journey as a full-time carer for her husband following his debilitating stroke. She offers profound insights into finding balance between caring for others and maintaining your own identity through creativity and connection. • Caz balances her renowned artistic career with caring for her husband Derek after his strok...

Davey Powell shares his journey as a queer traveller, navigating the complexities of growing up in fairgrounds while knowing he was gay from a young age. Through therapy, sobriety, and quilting, he's found a way to unite his traveller heritage with his queer identity to become the authentic person he was always meant to be. • Growing up between two worlds - never "traveller enough"...

Sarah Spencer takes us on a journey of transformation, from corporate employee to artist, radio host, and community activist while navigating major life transitions and personal growth. • Moving from Canada to Chicago represents a complete life reset • Transitioning from property appraiser to artist required sitting with uncomfortable feelings of identity loss • Meeting her husband at Burning Man...

Leo Ransom shares his transformative journey from being in the wrong place at the wrong time to becoming an accomplished portrait quilter who channels his experiences of prejudice and hardship into creating meaningful art. • Started quilting at 16 and progressed from traditional to portrait quilting • Learned resilience after being arrested by association with drug dealers despite being innocent •...

Becca Shifflett shares her powerful journey from childhood abuse to becoming a successful YouTuber with a thriving community, revealing how she learned to shine her light after years of being taught to dim it. • Experiencing severe childhood trauma including physical and sexual abuse • Being removed from her parents at age 14 and placed into foster care • Learning to process trauma rather than com...

A poignant exploration of grief and healing unfolds as Josh Dunn shares his transformational journey following the loss of his mother. He discusses how creativity, particularly quilting, became a source of connection and solace in his life. The episode dives deep into personal stories and valuable lessons learned through navigating grief and toxic relationships. • Josh talks about his close relati...

David Owen Hastings' inspiring journey reveals how he transformed past trauma into a meaningful, creative life. He stresses the importance of embracing our experiences, seeking community support, and using creativity as a healing tool. • Discussion on David's challenging childhood and family dynamics  • The significance of crafting as a coping mechanism  • Insights into navigating life a...

In this insightful episode, we engage with author Matt Eicheldinger, who returns to discuss the complexities of navigating success after achieving his dreams. With reflections on imposter syndrome, the joys of connecting with readers, and the importance of community, Matt emphasizes the significance of staying genuine through every stage of the creative journey.  • Matt shares his experiences sinc...

This episode explores the transformative journey of resilience, creativity, and self-discovery through the experiences of Trudi Wood. Listeners are encouraged to reflect on their own emotional challenges and the importance of community and forgiveness in the healing process.  • Trudi has shares her unexpected transition from the Air Force to quilting  • Discussion on the impacts of solitude and lo...

Brandy Maslowski's journey from firefighter to quilter illuminates the complexities of trauma and resilience. She shares her experiences with discrimination, PTSD, and ultimately, how creativity became her healing mechanism, inspiring others to recognize the strength within their own stories. • Brandy's background as a firefighter with familial ties to the profession  • The discriminatio...

After experiencing the profound pain of losing a loved one to suicide, Nicole Leth discovered the power of affirmations as a lifeline to healing. Her journey from personal tragedy to creating My Affirmation Project is a testament to resilience and creativity. Nicole shares how she transformed her grief into a mission of compassion, spreading messages of self-love and hope through various mediums l...

Join us on Breaking the Blocks as Rachel Pierman welcomes Ian Garland, a charismatic quilter with a thriving YouTube community and a passion for fostering understanding through creativity. Ian shares his journey from Texas to Washington, seeking safer and more inclusive spaces for the LGBTQ community. Alongside his new podcast, Sew Off Kilter, co-hosted with Sew Becca, Ian explores the power of ar...

Join me for an inspiring conversation with Zak Foster, a trailblazer in the artistic quilting community, whose journey from a high school Spanish teacher to a full-time artist and podcaster is nothing short of transformative. Zak shares the pivotal moments during the pandemic that led him to embrace his passion and create the Quilty Nook, a vibrant community for quilters. Through our discussion, w...

Crafting holds a meditative power, a truth that Lucy Brennan, also known as @CharmAboutYou (and she does a Saturday Night Craftalong on Instagram). embodies in her life journey. As she shares her story, we learn how the art of crafting, passed down from her grandmother and mother, became her refuge from the hustle and bustle of daily life. Balancing a full-time job and creative passions, Lucy refl...

Ever felt trapped by the roles others expect you to play? Quilter Dee Bushrod of @pixelquilts knows that feeling all too well. Renowned for her intricate pixel quilts, Dee takes us through her emotional journey of overcoming depression, breaking free from people-pleasing habits, and bravely stepping away from a structured religious environment to embrace an authentic self. Listen as she recounts t...

What if embracing your true identity could unlock a world of healing and self-discovery? Join us in this heartfelt episode of Breaking the Blocks as we sit down with the remarkable Chris Marchini, an inspiring quilter whose personal journey is nothing short of transformative. Chris courageously opens up about his struggles with severe depression and suicidal tendencies, offering a beacon of hope t...

Have you ever wondered how a passion for quilting can become a powerful tool for self-discovery and healing? Join me as I chat with Amanda Oros, the dynamic host of "Not Your Granny's Quilt Show." Amanda and I share our personal journeys as step-parents, highlighting the emotional challenges and growth that come with it. We also explore the deeper meaning of community within the qui...

Join us for an inspiring kick-off to season two of "Breaking the Blocks" with your host, Rachel Pierman. This episode features a heartfelt conversation with seasoned quilter Sherri Lynn Wood, who shares her journey from traditional quilting to sustainable practices. Sherri Lynn's dedication to using second-hand fabrics is not just an ecological choice but also a deeply personal one,...

What if your quilt could capture a century of emotions? In this spellbinding episode of Breaking the Blocks, we sit down with the talented quilter and artist, Lucy Engles, to discuss the metamorphosis of her artistic style and the personal journey behind it. Lucy reveals the importance of saying no to regain energy and headspace, and how the pandemic reshaped her creative and professional life. We...