“I try to make my actions do the advocacy, instead of just talking about it.”

Desdamona is an international award-winning artist, who has taken her distinct lyrics, sounds, and artistic style to audiences from Minnesota to Hawaii to Puerto Rico to Germany, gracing some of Hip Hop and poetry’s most illustrious stages. She has worked in over 200 schools throughout the Midwest, conducting workshops and as artist in residence. She has also worked in residencies and workshops in colleges, universities, prisons, and juvenile detention centers. Desdamona is one of the founders of B Girl Be, the first international festival celebrating women in Hip Hop. She has been named “Best Spoken Word Artist” by the Minnesota Music Awards five times.

Desdamona talks about how her activism and advocacy comes through in her work rather than overtly talking about it. She talks about her own writing process as well as how she guides students in their creative work. Desdamona also talks about the ways she approaches collaboration and how she thinks about finding collaborators.

You can purchase Desdamona’s latest album “No Man’s Land” and a lot of her other work at desdamona.bandcamp.com

“This is the music I want to play. If you don’t like it, then you don’t like it.”

Lucy Michelle is a musician, songwriter, and illustrator. She's the frontwoman of gypsy-pop outfit Lucy Michelle and the Velvet Lapelles, a raucous and eclectic six-piece. Lucy is part of the quartet Little Fevers, who put out their debut album "Field Trip" in 2015. And Lucy's incredibly personal solo album "Heart Race." Lucy has also been a graphic designer and illustrator for over a decade.

On this episode, Lucy Michelle talks about getting pigeon-holed into the cutesy folk singer category. She also talks about why the singer/songwriter label doesn't sit well. Lucy also talks about deciding to teach herself how to play guitar and the difference between working with long-time collaborators and working with new partners.

Lucy also gets into the real costs of making and releasing albums, the experience of playing shows as a very pregnant person and what it was like to be a new mother back on stage. She also gets into how she deals with stress and manages not to freak out when life feels overwhelming.

Huge theater’s Butch Roy talks improv tech artistry, why he loves to mop his theater, and how he’s made juggling boring for his sons. How did a punk-rock high school misfit become a father at 16 and end up running his own theater? Find out in this episode of Pratfalls of Parenting.

“Trolls will eat as much food as you give them.”

Lindsey is a trial attorney who brings trained advocacy to the courtroom and wider activism throughout her community. Her personal advocacy against institutional sexism and rape culture first reached a broader audience following a viral Craigslist Missed Connectionwritten to a catcaller in September 2013. In June of 2014, I began filming street harassment in the Twin Cities and launched Cards Against Harassment, which was picked up by buzzfeed and led to me making appearances on Good Morning America, WPR, and other national and international media outlets. Lindsey enjoys speaking and leading workshops on campus violence, rape culture, street harassment, and gender bias.

In this episode of the podcast, Lindsay talks about how growing up with a father who was a Sheriff and mother who was a school teacher impacted her sense of justice. Her parents called her Sergeant Lindsey because she had a vocal objection to anything she viewed as not just. Lindsey also reveals that real life trial attorney work is less hot people hooking up than depicted on television. And she talks about some of the gender issues in legal work.

Lindsey also talks about how learning how to argue well in relationships is critical to survival. Lindsey talks about her work as an online activist and how avoiding personal attacks or harsh language in her activism helps keep the focus on the issue and not let her get minimized. She also talks about getting online threats that make clear and specific references to her real life.

“Growing up my heroes were Gonzo and Pippi Longstocking.”

Maria Bartholdi is a multimedia producer with a reputation for wearing many hats. From videography and editing to field production and writing her work always has a strong storytelling sense with an emphasis on crafting emotional, unique, and visually stunning pieces. She has won multiple Emmy awards for her work in television production. Maria is also regularly found performing improv comedy live onstage and she hosts the wildly successful weekly podcast about Magic: The Gathering. Plus, she speaks Welsh and can do a perfect impression of R2D2 screaming.

On this episode of the show, Maria recites a poem from memory that she wrote in 3rd grade. She talks about why the thought of being normal always terrified her. Maria also talks about dealing with anxiety, why she’c comfortable being in control and deciding in early adulthood to have a stable income and reliable job while still pursuing her weird interests.

Plus, Maria shares her game of trying to think of the oddest thing you could say to a stranger that would make them have to leave the room.

“They thought I wanted to become a lawyer because of my obsession with Law & Order.”

Ali Elabbady is a writer, a producer, a DJ, Greenroom magazine marketing man, a hip-hop head and a supporter of all things creative large and small. He works with Public Functionary art gallery, started the Background Noise Crew, writes for Reviler, and can be seen throwing his hands up at shows all around the Twin Cities.

On this episode of the podcast, Ali talks about starting out as a dj wanting to learn trick dj moves. He talks about getting into radio broadcasting and the pressure Muslim families put on children to become doctors, lawyers or engineers. He talks about his work with Greenroom magazine and why writing about and hgighlighting musicians and artists brings him so much happiness. He also shares his love for De La Soul’s 3 Feet High and Rising along side The Simpsons Sing the Blues. Plus, Ali talks about building genuine relationships and why he doesn’t need to be in the spotlight.

“I like to say I'm pleasantly OCD.”

Erik Westra creates events that are meaningful, memorable, and seamless for attendees, speakers, and sponsors. Westra was the director of media and events at Brain Traffic, where he produced Confab Events. He’s the cofounder of Contents, and from 2000 to 2007 Westra was the head of promotion and publicity at two legendary concert venues: The Empty Bottle and First Avenue.  Erik has worked with Maximum Fun, Zeus Jones, the Walker Art Center, the MIT Media Lab and many other notable organizations.

On this episode of the podcast, Erik talks about how he went from booking bands at clubs to producing events. He talks about knowing how to bring the right people into a project, his desire and need to always have some projects that feel creatively fulfilling, and the often missed practicalities of planning an event or conference.

Erik also talks about why he loves helping others and how he tries to keep family time protected from work. 

“If I had to choose one thing that’s my job or that pays my bills that’s being a poet.”

Kyle Tran Myhre aka Guante is an MC, two-time National Poetry Slam champion, activist, educator and writer. He and/or his work has appeared on Upworthy, MSNBC, Welcome to Night Vale, Racialicious, Feministing, MPR, Everyday Feminism, the Progressive, City Pages’ “Artists of the Year” list and URB Magazine’s “Next 1000” list, and he has performed everywhere from the United Nations to the Soundset hip hop festival to hundreds of colleges, clubs, and theaters across the country.

In this episode of the podcast, Kyle talks about having a High School nickname become his public face. He also talks about using different names in different contexts and the strengths and weaknesses of being known by different names. Kyle talks about making the bulk of his living traveling to colleges and high schools to work as a poet and teaching artist and how he can leverage being brought in as a poet and then create space for dialogue on the content of his work.

Kyle talks opens about race, gender, identity, positionality, power and activism and the role all of these things play in his work. He also talks about completing graduate school and being a thoughtful media activist.

“Alright, magic boy, we’ll give you a chance for a few more minutes.”

Jared Sherlock started practicing magic when he was 8. As an award-winning entrepreneur and a classically trained illusionist, Jared performs for theaters, corporate events and fundraisers nationwide. He’s also toured internationally in Shanghai, China and Hong Kong.

In this episode, Jared talks about how he used magic as a vehicle for entertainment and human connection. He talks about his use of improvisation in the writing process, about collaboration with other writers and performers and about his early days with the society of young magicians.

Jared also talks about the challenges of maintaining a magic practice as a touring performer and how a magician’s set is like a musicians set list. He also speaks about the artistry of magic

“It felt like I was building myself.”

Lynn O’Brien is a musician, a board certified musical therapist and someone dedicated to being a positive force in the world. She uses multiple instruments and looping devices to create written and improvised songs for audiences large and small. And she writes custom songs for weddings and other private events.

In this conversation, Lynn talks about her comfort with communicating through music. She talks about growing up in a family that volunteered in hospice and that was full of music. Lynn also talks about her journey to becoming a board certified music therapist, the work of balancing a career as a therapist and as a musician and the experience of moving her focus to putting all of her creative energy into making music.

“The good news is that I don’t think I would have done much differently.”

Andy Sturdevant is an artist and writer living in Minneapolis. He has written about art, history and culture for a variety of Twin Cities-based publications and websites. Andy also writes a weekly column on neighborhoods, art, history and architecture in Minneapolis-St. Paul for MinnPost. His first book, Potluck Supper with Meeting to Follow, was published by Coffee House Press in 2013.

In this episode of the podcast, Andy talks about the times when he feels like a writer and the times when he feels like a fine artist. He talks about studying painting in college and wanting to be a filmmaker. Andy also shares stories of creating weird projects with his siblings while growing up and how his parents encouraged them all to be creative and strange.

"I was tired of being the grumpy op-ed guy."

Sam L. Landman is a digital copywriter by day and an actor, playwright and ne’er-do-well by night. He’s half of the comedy duo known as Pommelhorse and as an actor he's worked with various theater companies around the Twin Cities including Loudmouth Collective, Park Square and Torch theater. He spent years on his Regret-A-Day blog and in 2015 wrote a one act play every week and posted them on his One Act A Week tumblr.

In this episode of the podcast, Sam talks about his one act a week project, recovering from a heart attack, how he reacted to unemployment and how much wanting to think of himself as a writer drove him to write more. Sam also talks about letting jealousy fuel his productivity, how he chooses who to collaborate with and why he loves the nerdy things he loves.

Sam also talks about the distinction between theater performers and comedy performers, how he thinks about stand up characters versus characters in a play and what his marriage means to his work.

“Most people are waiting for someone to tell them what to think about everything, and so, why wouldn’t I just tell the people that I’m interacting with that they should think this is awesome?”

Zach Coulter is a writer, comic and digital project leader and web developer.

In this wide ranging conversation Zach talks about spending years developing himself as a stand up comic. He talks about the process of writing, collaboration and reading an audience. He also talks about still thinking of himself as a comic but transitioning to a focus on working in digital storytelling and design.

Zach talks about deciding to start a family and how that led him to evaluate where he could but his creative drive and ambitions and still be present. Zach also talks about wanting to find ways to constantly learn new things, his confidence about becoming a father and the idea that each person is writing his or her own story with various plot lines that can go surprising places.

“Here’s a piece of gum and a paperclip, make a set and make this all happen.”

Managing director at Mixed Blood Theatre, co-founder and co-artistic director of DalekoArts, actor, producer and all around artistic person Amanda White is this week's guest. Amanda takes us on a journey from her early love of singing and acting as a young girl in Iowa to her years spent making theater and art in Chicago and New York. She talks about what a person truly learns through a theater arts education, how financial restrictions can lead to amazing creative choices and everything can be a part of one's art practice.

“I think that work life balance thing is such an adorable conversation.”

Amanda also talks about the true power of the artist administrator, what a community can really get from an artist or arts organization and how an organizations internal culture impacts the culture outside the organization. She talks about being a part of big moves at Mixed Blood theater, how DalekoArts decides what to produce and who to work with and highlights how not separating any parts of one's life makes the quest for work/life balance a non-issue.

"No job description fits what I am."

Lindsi Gish spent many years working in the nonprofit sector. She's a self-described problem solver, digital enthusiast, Jane-of-many-trades, and extrovert who dislikes public speaking.

She's been part of the digital strategy team of a global PR firm, working on accounts such as the United States Postal Service, Red Stamp, and Sparticl.org (a project of Twin Cities Public Television and 3M). Prior to that, she ran all-things digital & communications for Second Harvest Heartland, one of the nation’s largest food banks under the Feeding America umbrella.

Lindsi has spent the past two years building Gish & Co, where she helps nonprofits and small businesses with digital and traditional communications and marketing.

“I can’t remember anything pre-children.”

Katy McEwen has been working in the Twin Cities as a performer, writer, and teacher since she and her husband moved from Dayton, Ohio in 1995. She started her career as a performing apprentice and company member at Children’s Theatre Company where she continues to work as a Teaching Artist in their nationally acclaimed Neighborhood Bridges educational outreach program. In addition to being the parent of students at Circus Juventas, she’s also a CJ theater coach. Katy is the Co-Artistic Director at the Brave New Workshop Comedy Theater and has been writing, performing and teaching there since 1998.

In this episode, Katy talks about the work of writing sketch comedy, how improvisation informs the rest of her life, and where funny really comes from. She also talks about how life can feel like it’s just happened without any kind of plan. And she shares stories of trying to get her children to appreciate music from before their time.

“I think bands have taught me more about life and business than any other experience I’ve had.”

Don Smithmier is a self-described serial entrepreneur. He's co-founded Rumble Music, GoKart Labs, Sophia Learning, Bring Me The News, Network Music Lab, and the Big Know. Smithmier is also co-founder, songwriter, and performer with the band Rocket Club. And he's a father to three daughters.

In this conversation, Don talks about building a career around the internet without thinking of himself as a tech guy. He talks about the creative work involved in being an entrepreneur, the importance of good people over good ideas, and why he pursues the projects he pursues.

Don also talks about running multiple businesses while being a father to three daughters and how important it is to have a strong marriage in order to be able to focus on business.

"You'll only regret the trips you don't take."

This episode features the delightful Katharine Kelly. Katharine is a writer, A digital strategist, a traveller, a mother, a food lover, and a heck of a conversationalist. She recently became a certified travel agent, helping others see the world in countless ways and she can make the most passionate case for why slot machines are a worthwhile past time.

In this conversation, Katharine talks about growing up writing stories. She explains what travel means to her and how she dreams of building a life around going on adventures. Katharine also talks about raising twin boys who are similar but different, being married to an independent theater owner and the different kind of ways she's been a writer.

"When life gives you rain, puke a rainbow."

Erica Hanna is the creative force behind the content strategy and video production company Puke Rainbows. Erica is also an Emmy-winning television producer, a public speaker, a hyper Twitter user, and someone who gets excited about helping other people do good work. She's also raised over $30,000 for the New York-based organization Charity: Water.

In this conversation, Erica talks about how she started Puke Rainbows, how and why she uses social media to create genuine relationships, and how her personal life and professional life doesn't cleanly divide. She also talks about why raising money for Charity: Water means so much to her and how she works with clients to bring the best out of them and their work.

“I don’t like to think about things being good or negative.”

J. M. Culver is a visual artist drawing and painting work that digs into themes like how memories shift and change, he human psyche, and the fragile nature of being alive. In describing her work Culver says, "I create paintings that have personal significance and create social consciousness to connect and emotionally resonate with the viewer. "

In this conversation, J.M. Culver talks about starting out with a Bob Ross art kit and the evolution of thinking in black and white terms to more nuanced points of view. She talks about making the personal universal by initially creating the work for yourself as the artist and then stepping back and thinking about the audiences experience. And she shares stories of how she physically makes her work and why she does it that way.

Follow J.M. on Instagram or Facebook or Twitter

Ali Lozoff isn't just the Senior Marketing Manager at Minnesota Public Radio and American Public Media, she's also a music obsessive who grew up on John Prine and Bob Dylan and was an 80s punk. In this conversation, Ali talks about strategic thinking and brand development when considering all the various content channels she's a part of working on. She also shares how being raised by artists led to her love of words and her lifelong obsession with music.

Plus, Ali talks about the 80s punk scene in Northern Michigan, her relationship to the band Soul Asylum, how she became a band manager and why she's so comfortable communicating on twitter even though or maybe because she's an introvert. 

Kate Renee is an acrylic painter based in Minneapolis. She paints edgy works with a cute veneer on wood panel. Kate received honorable mention at the 2010 Arrowhead Biennial at the Duluth Art Institute and was Featured Artist for the Altered Esthetics' Level_13: Cheat Codes exhibition. She was A-listed in City Pages for her exhibition at Gamut Gallery, Imaginarium, and was awarded a Minnesota State Arts Board Artist Initiative Grant

Kate Renee's new work GlutHoney was featured in Minnesota Monthly's "Best New Art of 2016." Kate currently has a studio at the Marshall Street River Lofts in Northeast Minneapolis which is open to tours and visits upon request. She also offers prints and original work on her Etsy shop.

In this conversation, Kate talks about how she came to the process she currently uses to make work, what it's like to be a protege and how much energy she puts into the business side of her work in addition to the creative side of her work.

“We don’t know how to do it. But, yes, we can do it.”

Out Solutions, serves on the Schubert Club Board of Directors, co-founded Smart Factory, has spoken at Ignite Minneapolis and Giant Steps and was named one of the Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal’s 40 under 40.

“My parents left their country when they were in their 20s.”

Jeff talks about his proclivity to get in over his head and how that’s led to him running his own business. He talks about his openness and desire to try things he’s never done before. And Jeff connects his willingness to take risks to the fact that his parents immigrated to the US from Taiwan in their 20s. Jeff also talks about how he got into making and working with technology, how he uses scientific thinking to solve creative problems, and how he balances running a company and being a father.

Greg Parks is an improviser, educator, writer, actor, yogi, professional clown and so much more. Greg has worked with the Kinoshita Circus, the National Theatre for Children, the Science Museum of Minnesota, Solcana Crossfit, HUGE improv theater, and numerous other organizations large and small. In this conversation, Greg talks about his love of animation and discovering the work that went into cartoon making. He talks about his unlikely path to the circus. Greg also talks honestly about the ways his creative practice has been influenced by his personal life and speaks frankly about often being the only person of color in a lot of rooms and conversations.