The Layered Onion--Peeling Back the Layers

Explore Chef Elena Terry’s journey reclaiming Indigenous foods. Discover her mission of community, healing, and culinary artistry at Wild Berries and Tallgrass. Chef Terry is redefining what it means to connect with food, with heritage, and with each other. This is a story of resilience, passion, and the profound power of a shared meal.

Jessica Gutiérrez, artist and mental health therapist, shares her journey of embracing creativity as a healing tool. Discover how chronic pain, trauma-informed therapy, and ancestry inspired her unique collage art, blending personal narrative with universal themes of strength and possibility.

From watching cooking shows with her dad to nurturing a vibrant garden, Dani Cordomi’s life is a testament to the power of food to comfort, connect, and nourish. Join her as she shares her evolving relationship with cooking, the joy of discovering exotic fruits, and her dream of creating inclusive food spaces.

Paul Baker Prindle, the Gabrielle Haberland Director of the Madison Museum of Contemporary Art, shares a unique path to art. Initially a gifted musician, a serious accident in college redirected Paul Baker Prindle’s focus to visual arts. The accident led to an exploration of memory and trauma, particularly through a series documenting hate crime sites. This work, while visually stark, delves into...

Rita Mae Reese describes her path to becoming a poet as a journey of discovery rather than finding a lost voice. She emphasizes the importance of family influence in fostering a love for language and playing with words. Her initial academic pursuits in math and art were short-lived, leading her to the English department where she found a community that felt like “her people.” An early positive exp...

Food is more than sustenance. It’s a bridge. It connects us to our past, our culture, and each other. For Yolibeth Rangel, this connection runs deep. Her journey from Venezuela to Wisconsin is a testament to the power of food. It’s a story woven with family, tradition, and a growing understanding of its profound impact on well-being. From a young age, Yolibeth Rangel was captivated by the magic of...

Lexi Cox shares her journey from food insecurity to farming and cooking, highlighting the cultural and personal significance of growing and preparing food. This episode explores themes of community, ancestral wisdom, and the healing power of connecting with the land and shared meals. Discover how understanding food systems can foster resilience and connection.

Sujhey Beisser highlights food’s role in bringing people together and its power as a tool for cultural education. She reminisces about communal cooking experiences in her childhood kitchen, a stark contrast to her children’s more independent experiences. Through cooking classes and her personal chef business, she actively seeks to recreate this sense of community and share her culture. She believe...

Dane Arts, under the leadership of Mark Fraire, Director of Dane County Arts and Cultural Affairs, is dedicated to showcasing the profound importance of the arts. The arts are more than just paint on canvas or melodies in the air. They are the pulse of a community, a driving force for connection, and a catalyst for personal growth. In Dane County, Wisconsin, the Dane County Arts and Cultural Affai...

Zach Maynard challenges the belief that cooking is all about following strict rules. You measure precisely, you combine ingredients in a specific order, and you never deviate. But what if there's a way to be creative and innovative in the kitchen, even when working with familiar dishes? This podcast explores how understanding the science behind cooking allows you to bend the rules and create s...

Natalie Wu talks about the healing power of fluid art. Many people struggle to express their deepest feelings. Sometimes, words just aren't enough to capture the complexity of our emotions. This can lead to feeling stuck or misunderstood. Fluid art offers a unique way to communicate these inner experiences. It's a creative outlet that allows for both spontaneous expression and structured i...

Creativity is not just about individual expression; it's also about connection and community engagement. When people come together through creative projects, they build stronger bonds and create more vibrant communities. The creative economy is a powerful force for innovation, well-being, and community development. By recognizing its economic value, understanding its impact on our health, and...

In this episode, Rachel Hunter delves into her creative journey as an artist, discussing her passion for vibrant colors and the transformative power of painting. Rachel emphasizes how art serves as both a meditative practice and a crucial outlet for expressing complex emotions. She shares insights into her studio space dynamics, the importance of collaboration, and the evolution of her artistic st...

Join us in this exciting episode of our podcast featuring Yusuf Bin-Rella, a chef, farmer, and advocate for community engagement through food! Discover the transformative power of culinary traditions and their role in fostering community connections. Yusuf shares his insights on the importance of collard greens and how they can serve as a symbol of resilience and nutrition. From community meals to...

Mandy Basich Kron, a mixed media visual artist and healthcare art curator, explores the dynamic interplay between nature and human creativity. With a focus on eco-printing, found materials, and the healing power of art, Mandy shares her artistic processes and insights while reflecting on the significance of art in health care settings. Her discussions encompass the emotional connections fostered t...

Join us for an in-depth conversation with Ben Orozco, a multimedia artist and designer renowned for his innovative glassmaking and photography. In this episode, we explore Ben's artistic journey, highlighting his unique blend of Scandinavian influences and Miami roots. Discover how Ben transforms everyday sensations into breathtaking glass sculptures and the ways he addresses the challenges of...

Alejandro Miranda is an Indigenous Latino filmmaker and co-founder of Bravebird. He recently debuted his first feature documentary titled "Sacred Wisdom Sacred Earth," which is currently screening at various tribal nations and will enter the film festival circuit soon. His storytelling approach emphasizes the importance of cultural narratives, often highlighting the unique perspectives o...

Noah Bloedorn, REAP Food Group, discusses the complexities of food systems, particularly focused on Dane County, Wisconsin, emphasizing the need for a transition from a profit-driven food system to one that prioritizes local consumption and recognizes food as a human right. Noah outlines the disparities in food accessibility, where a significant percentage of crops are grown for commodity rather t...

Ever wondered how a simple photo can tell a profound story? Whitney Wells unveils her journey from struggling with panic attacks to capturing breathtaking moments through her lens. In this episode, Whitney shares the transformative power of photography and the solace it brought her during tough times. From family adventures in the mountains to learning the art of authenticity in every capture, you...

Join us for an inspiring episode featuring Dan Renderos, the creative mind behind a flourishing food truck that celebrates the vibrant essence of LA culture! From his early days sketching in his bedroom to the hustle of running a popular seafood pop-up, Dan shares his journey filled with passion, community, and the love for flavor. Discover how he’s not just cooking, but also crafting unforgettabl...

Morgan D. Stewart, actor, producer, and writer, discusses the evolution of her project "uHuman," which was born out of her personal recovery journey. She emphasizes the importance of creativity and connection in overcoming struggles with addiction and mental health. By integrating arts therapy tools into recovery practices, she aims to create a supportive environment for artists. The foc...

The podcast features Dan Marek, the Director of Plant-Based Culinary at Rouxbe. He discusses the importance of whole food plant-based diets, emphasizing their transformative effects on health. Marek encourages viewers to try a plant-based diet for a month and observe changes through health tests. He shares personal experiences from his culinary career, including his work with the Whole Kids Founda...

In the podcast, Sophia Voelker shares her insights as a visual and mixed media artist, discussing the interconnectedness of her art, personal experiences, and mindfulness. She emphasizes the importance of being present, especially in overcoming anxiety and maintaining clarity in her creative process. Voelker reflects on her artistic journey, mentioning her experimentation with various mediums, inc...

Ever wondered how animals inspire profound self-discovery. Adam Pankratz reveals his journey from zookeeper to painter. Discover how a near-death experience shaped Adam's art, the symbolism behind his animal paintings, and the creative process that fuels his unique style. Plus, understand the deeper meaning behind his "Red Earth Guardian" bear piece. Adam works primarily with acrylic...

Vanina Kuri began her journey in the culinary industry as a dishwasher during the COVID-19 pandemic. She initially pursued other interests, including becoming a teacher, but found her passion in cooking while working in a kitchen. This led her to enroll in culinary school to further her skills. In the interview, Vanina discusses the typical progression in cooking roles, starting as a dishwasher or...