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The Art Box

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Every painting, every song, every photograph, every chunk of clay, every poem, every book, every dance, every artistic creation has a human story behind it. We just happen to have 480+ of them for you to enjoy. Listen to us at your leisure on Apple, Spotify, Podbean, Samsung, iHeartRadio, Boomplay, Amazon Music, Podchaser or your favorite podcast app.

The Art Box a lively and engaging discussion about creativity and humanity in the Virgin Valley of Nevada and beyond.

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#506
Thursday · 18 min
The Art Box — Episode 501 MacArthur Park: Richard Harris, Jimmy Webb & the Cake in the Rain
What do an Irish actor, a brilliant young songwriter, a yellow dress, and a cake left out in the rain have in common? One of the most wonderfully unusual songs ever recorded! For Episode 501 of The Art Box, Steve and our favorite Aussie researcher, Addie Johansen, take a delightfully entertaining journey into Jimmy Webb's 1968 masterpiece, MacArthur Park, and Richard Harris's unforgettable recording. Together, we explore the heartbreak that inspired the song, its ambitious musical arrangement, Harris's wonderfully theatrical performance, and the mystery of that infamous melting cake. We also discover how Donna Summer gave the song an entirely new life on the disco floor a decade later. Along the way, Addie contemplates a rather questionable new career involving artificial intelligence, synesthesia, and the Sydney Opera House—with a possible detour to Fiji. Naturally, Steve has questions. It's a conversation filled with music history, laughter, a little philosophy, and our continuing fascination with the unexpected places where art finds us. And after all these years, we still have one unanswered question: Who left that cake out in the rain?
#507
Thursday · 1 hr 21 min
The Art Box — Episode 500 - Full Circle: 500 Episodes, One Remarkable Friend — Tyler Roylance
When Rachelle Knight and I first dreamed up The Art Box Podcast back in June 2022, there was one decision we made without a moment's hesitation. Our very first guest had to be Tyler Roylance. It was unanimous then, and as we celebrate our 500th episode, it seems only fitting that we come full circle and welcome Tyler back to help us celebrate this extraordinary milestone. Tyler is the art teacher at Virgin Valley High School, but that title only begins to describe what he means to our community. He is one of those rare individuals whose creativity, generosity, and willingness to lend a hand seem to know no bounds. Need a theatrical set designed and built? Call Tyler. Christmas windows painted at City Hall? Tyler's your guy. A community piano in need of a colorful personality? A mural at the Mesquite Works STEAM Center? Art classes at the Mesquite Fine Arts Center? Or perhaps another wonderfully ambitious public art idea cooked up by the Mesquite Public Arts Commission? Somehow, Tyler always finds a way to say yes. Over the years, Tyler has become much more than our first guest. He's been a frequent visitor to The Art Box, a creative consultant, an occasional host, and, most importantly, a treasured friend. His humor, imagination, and genuine love for the arts have made him an indispensable part of our podcast family. And, of course, we have some unfinished business. We simply must find out how Bruno is doing! For those who haven't met him, Bruno is the rather outspoken inner critic who occasionally takes up residence in Tyler's head. We're anxious to discover whether Bruno has mellowed over the years or is still offering his unsolicited artistic advice! Five hundred episodes. Hundreds of fascinating conversations. Creative people from all walks of life and listeners in more than 100 countries. What began as a simple idea between two friends has grown into an adventure neither of us could have imagined. And through it all, one thing has remained constant: our belief that creativity brings people together and that everyone has a story worth sharing. So, for this very special milestone, we're not looking backward with nostalgia alone. We're celebrating the friendships, laughter, discoveries, and remarkable people who have made the journey worthwhile. Welcome back, Tyler Roylance. We couldn't think of a better person to share Episode 500 with. And to everyone who has joined us along the way, whether for one episode or all 500, thank you for being part of The Art Box. What a wonderful ride it's been!
#505
Monday · 1 hr 35 min
The Art Box — Episode 130: The Greatest Mystery
As we make our final push toward 500 episodes of The Art Box, we discovered a curious little mystery of our own. Somehow, along the way, we managed to skip Episodes 120 and 130! Well, we've taken care of 120, and now it's time to fill that other gap. For Episode 130, I'm offering something a little different: a complete 90-minute reading of my book, The Greatest Mystery. The audiobook is available on Audible, where you normally have to pay to listen, but today, my friends, it's yours absolutely free! Now, I'll be the first to admit this may not be my finest literary achievement. I tend to ramble a bit, repeat myself occasionally, and wander down a few unexpected paths. But perhaps that's what happens when you spend time contemplating life's greatest mystery: What will my own death be like? It's a deeply personal journey through memories, experiences, questions, and reflections that have followed me throughout my life. I certainly don't claim to have the answers, but I've thoroughly enjoyed exploring the questions. So, settle in for the next 90 minutes. I hope you won't find it too long, and perhaps somewhere along the way, you'll discover a question or two worth pondering yourself. Anyway, off and running. I hope you enjoy The Greatest Mystery.
#504
Monday · 1 hr 12 min
The Art Box - Episode 120 - Be in the Present - The Anchor Box with Linda and Julie
Some of the most important conversations we have on The Art Box aren't about painting, music, or writing. They're about the art of being human, the courage to share our struggles, and the extraordinary difference that kindness, compassion, and simply being present can make in another person's life. In this deeply personal and heartfelt episode, Steve welcomes Linda Rino of the PACT Coalition and Julie Sargent, a woman whose willingness to share her story reminds us why conversations about mental health, suicide prevention, and human connection are so important. Julie has survived two suicide attempts. With remarkable openness and courage, she shares her personal journey, including some of the most difficult moments of her life. She tells her story not for sympathy, but with the hope that her experiences might help someone else who is struggling. Her willingness to speak openly reminds us that we can never fully know the battles another person may be facing, and that no one should have to face those battles alone. Linda shares the important work of the PACT Coalition for a Safe and Drug-Free Mesquite, including its partnership with the national suicide prevention initiative Find Your Anchor to bring Anchor Boxes to our community. Supported in part by the Mesquite Regional Community Fund, this thoughtful initiative provides free, tangible reminders of hope and connection, with particular attention to older adults who may be experiencing isolation, depression, or other mental health challenges. What is an Anchor Box? It's a small blue box filled with carefully selected items intended to offer comfort, encouragement, and emotional support to someone experiencing a difficult time. More than the items inside, each box carries a simple but powerful message: You are not alone. You matter. Your story isn't over. These free Anchor Boxes are available at several locations throughout Mesquite, including the Mesquite Library, Fire Station, City Hall, Mesquite Works STEAM Center, and Mesquite Senior Center, as well as the Salvation Army and Mesquite Municipal Courthouse. They are there for anyone who might need a little encouragement or who knows someone who does. Availability may vary by location. Throughout our conversation, we explore the importance of recognizing emotional struggles, breaking down the stigma surrounding mental health, and building a community where asking for help is met with understanding rather than judgment. At the heart of this episode is a message worth carrying into our everyday lives: Be in the present. Be present for yourself. Be present for the people you love. And perhaps most importantly, be present for someone who may be quietly struggling. We extend our heartfelt appreciation to Julie for trusting us with her story, to Linda for her tireless commitment to the well-being of our community, and to the organizations and individuals helping make Anchor Boxes available throughout Mesquite. This is a conversation about vulnerability, compassion, survival, hope, and the extraordinary power of human connection. Because sometimes the greatest gift we can offer another person isn't something we say or do. It's simply letting them know they are not alone. Content note: This episode includes a personal discussion of suicide attempts and mental health challenges. If you or someone you know is struggling or experiencing a suicidal crisis, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, available 24 hours a day. You matter, and help is available.
#503
Sunday · 49 min
The Art Box - Episode 499 — Santa Unplugged: Bethany Green Brings Christmas to the Stage
There are some people who simply make a community brighter, and Bethany Green is certainly one of them. Steve has long appreciated Bethany's friendship, her ever-present smile, her infectious enthusiasm, and, most importantly, her genuine love for our Mesquite community. In this episode of The Art Box, we welcome Bethany back to discuss her exciting debut as a playwright and director of Santa Unplugged, an original holiday musical presented by Cactus Youth Theatre on December 18 and 19 at Virgin Valley High School. Bethany takes us behind the scenes of writing her very first play, sharing the creative challenges, unexpected discoveries, casting decisions, and excitement of bringing her own story to life on stage. Our conversation also explores the remarkable growth of Cactus Youth Theatre and its commitment to providing year-round theatrical education and performance opportunities for our community's burgeoning population of young actors. Through its collaboration with 4-H, the organization is helping young people develop confidence, creativity, and valuable theatrical skills both onstage and behind the scenes. It's a delightful conversation about friendship, imagination, community, and the magic that happens when someone decides to take an idea and turn it into a Christmas musical. Join us for Episode 499 as Bethany Green reminds us that the greatest gift of community theatre might just be the opportunities we create for the next generation. Find out more about Cactus Youth Theatre at: https://www.cactusyouththeatre.com/
#502
October 27 · 57 min
The Art Box – Episode 498 - Christy J. Kendall — Shining Waters: Mystery in a Desert Oasis
For Episode 498 of The Art Box, we take our microphones on the road to one of the Mojave Desert's most remarkable treasures, Pahranagat National Wildlife Refuge. I had the wonderful opportunity to join author Christy J. Kendall and our friends from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for a celebration and book signing of Christy's new mystery, Shining Waters. Surrounded by shimmering water, birds, wildlife, and the extraordinary beauty of this desert oasis, Christy and I sat down to explore her latest book, the imagination behind her storytelling, and the creative journey of bringing a mystery to life. What better place to talk about a story filled with intrigue than a refuge where nature seems to hold a few mysteries of its own? Join us for a delightful conversation about writing, inspiration, and the wonders of the natural world, recorded in a place that reminds us there is always more to discover when we take the time to notice. Find out more: https://christyjkendall.com/
#501
October 26 · 1 hr 35 min
The Art Box – Episode 497 - The Essence of Being — Art, Identity, and Transformation - Meet Estephania Solis:
Sometimes the most fascinating conversations begin with a chance encounter. I had the good fortune of meeting Estephania Solis at the Mesquite Library's Glitter and Gold event, and I instantly knew she would not only be a fabulous guest on The Art Box, but that she had a remarkable story to share with our worldwide listeners. In this episode, Estephania joins me for a fascinating exploration of the essence of who we are and the transformative power of art, imagination, and self-discovery. Growing up between two cultures, she shares how her heritage, personal experiences, and connection to the natural world have shaped her understanding of identity and the human spirit. Together, we explore the intersection of expressive arts, psychology, and spirituality, along with the mysterious liminal spaces where transformation begins. Our conversation reminds us that discovering our true essence is not necessarily about becoming someone new, but about recognizing who we have been all along, and finding the courage to embrace who we might yet become. Learn more here: https://linktr.ee/alkehmiaa
#500
October 9 · 45 min
The Art Box - Episode 496 — Kimberly Nixon: The Stories Our Families Leave Behind
What happens when a family legend turns out to be true? Author Kimberly Nixon grew up hearing that her grandmother had “robbed a train.” Years later, she discovered her grandmother’s 1925 felony conviction papers, stayed up all night reading them, and immediately began writing the novel Rock Bottom, Tennessee. Kimberly joins us for a wonderful conversation about turning family history into historical fiction, the “ache and the triumph” of writing resilient women, and why preserving names and dates isn’t enough, we need to preserve the stories that tell us who we are. We also talk about her newest novel, Cutie Pies by the Slice, set during Prohibition and the Great Depression, the idea of chosen family, her unforgettable mother “Look It Up Mary,” and the remarkable real people who continue to find their way into Kimberly’s fiction. And yes—we even find time for pineapple pie. Visit Kimberly's web site: https://kimberlynixon.com/
#499
October 4 · 42 min
The Art Box - Episode 495 — From Shy Student to Center Stage: Wende Killinger
What happens when one teacher sees something in a shy young student that she hasn't yet discovered in herself? Our guest is Wende Killinger, drama teacher at Virgin Valley High School and one of the founders of Cactus Youth Theatre. Wende takes us back to junior high, where she was painfully shy until a teacher, Mrs. Lloyd, became the catalyst who encouraged her to step beyond small roles and discover the confidence of the stage. We follow Wende's journey through a teaching career in Wyoming and eventually to Virgin Valley High School, where her greatest reward is watching her students grow—not just as performers, but as people. We also celebrate an extraordinary year for her students: winning Nevada's one-act title and traveling to Indianapolis for the national competition. It's a conversation about theatre, great teachers, young people finding their voices, and how one person who believes in you can change the direction of a life.
#498
September 30 · 2 hr 18 min
The Art Box - Episode 494 - 2026 Harvest of Thought
Welcome friends, to The Art Box Podcast and our Harvest of Thought 2026. Last year, our Harvest of Thought grew into something much bigger than we ever imagined. We gathered so many wonderful voices, poems, stories, and reflections that it took five full episodes to share them all. Well, this year, we’re doing things a little differently. We’re packing the entire Harvest into one very special episode. Now, I’ll warn you it may be a little longer than your typical Art Box episode. But we think you’ll want to stay with us, because the next little while is going to be packed with some truly amazing poetry and essays from voices around the world. Some will make you think. Some may make you smile. Some might tug at your heart. And perhaps a few will cause you to stop whatever you’re doing and simply listen. That, after all, is the wonderful thing about the spoken word. A few carefully chosen words, spoken in someone’s own voice, can travel thousands of miles and somehow feel as though they were meant just for you. So wherever you happen to be listening today, get comfortable. Settle in. And join us as we celebrate writers, thinkers, poets, storytellers, and the simple power of sharing our thoughts with one another. Sit back, open your mind and your heart, and enjoy the spoken word. Welcome to Harvest of Thought 2026. Our line up 1:45 - Lauren Camp – New Mexico Poet Laureate 3:53 - Ben Larson – Montana 8:56 - Monique Long – Mesquite, Nevada 9:48 - Tammy Bendetti – Grand Junction, Colorado 12:20 - Mike Cullinane – New Jersey 14:06 - Dawn Amundson Reading an Excerpt from Amy Irvine – Desert Cabal – Mesquite, Nevada 15:00 - Jessica Schley – Santa Ynez, California 19:50 - Larry Hilberg – California 20:37 - Kathy Smith – Ivans, Utah 23:29 - Steve Dudrow – Mesquite, Nevada 25:16 - Monique Long – Mesquite, Nevada 26:55 - Edie Dotan – Las Vegas, Nevada 34:45 - Steve Dudrow – Mesquite, Nevada 35:38 - Kathy Smith – Ivans, Utah 40:18 - Mike Cullinane, New Jersey 48:22 - Larry Hilberg, California 60: 24 - Kindall Fredricks – Houston, Texas 62:03 - Alex Harper – Alaska 63:08 - Leigh Ratterman – Arlee, Montana 67:52 - Sarah Kilgallon – Portugal 71:13 - Summer L. Wilson – Mesquite, Nevada 72:54 - Mike Walker – New Carrolton, Maryland 73:57 - Claire McQuerry – Peoria, Illinois 76:15 - Andrey Aleshintsev – New York 78:20 - Bob Dewhurst – Goldfield, Nevada 80:42 - Rayann Hijazzi – Reno, Nevada 82:13 - Kathy Smith – Ivans, Utah 85:41 - Ben Crenshaw – Mesquite, Nevada 90:29 – Daniel Brady – San Francisco, California 93:52 - Allison Bell – Moapa Valley, Nevada 94:14 - Roslyn Ellis – Mesquite, Nevada 94:34 - Allison, Delanie, Axel, Roslyn – UNR-4H Mesquite, Nevada 99:55 - Christine DeJuliis – Baltimore, Maryland 102:04 - Elizabeth Kuelbs - Lives at the edge of a Los Angeles canyon in California 103:41 - Jessica Schley – Santa Ynez, California 123:08 - Kaylea'Layah Whitefeather - St. George, Utah 132:55 - Sean Griffin – Reno Nevada – Nevada Poet Laurearte
#497
September 27 · 52 min
The Art Box - Episode 493 - Christine DeJuliis: The Art of Possibility
Artist, writer, and expressive arts facilitator Christine “Sunshine” DeJuliis joins Steve for a thoughtful conversation about creativity as a pathway to healing, presence, connection, and possibility. Through brilliant color, intuitive abstraction, symbols, mandalas, and the simple act of noticing, Christine explores how art can help us see both the world around us and something deeper within ourselves. They talk about creativity in recovery, the power of making art together, finding possibility through color, and Christine’s belief that creativity belongs to everyone—not simply those who call themselves artists. For Christine, art is more than something we make or hang on a wall. It is a way of listening, connecting, healing, and perhaps finding our way home to ourselves. Find Christine's art and inspiration at: https://www.sunshinetheartist.com/
#496
September 24 · 49 min
The Art Box - Episode 492 — Kate McElderry: Stories, Brains & the Beautiful Ways We Learn
Writer and educator Kate McElderry joins us for a wonderfully wide-ranging conversation about creativity, learning, and the many different ways our minds work. Kate shares how childhood days spent exploring outdoors, sketching, journaling, and growing up around her mother’s art studio eventually planted the seeds for her novel Declan Someone. We explore Kate’s own nonlinear approach to creativity, her work with young people, and Mind Brain Education (MBE), including how understanding the brain can change the way we think about teaching and learning. Kate also tells us how Declan Someone has moved beyond the page into classrooms, libraries, health centers, and her volunteer book and journaling program at the Baltimore City Detention Center. At the heart of it all are themes that emerged naturally through her writing: belonging, self-worth, resilience, and navigating life’s challenges. It’s a conversation about writing, education, curiosity—and discovering that there really are many different kinds of smart. You can find more about Kate at: https://katemcelderrywriting.com/ or on Instagram: @katemcelderrywriter
#495
September 19 · 1 hr 4 min
The Art Box - Episode 491 - Own the Character - A chat with Christopher Aguilar
Christopher Aguilar has been finding his way onto stages since childhood—although one of his earliest may have been the fireplace at his grandmother’s house. In Episode 491, Steve sits down with actor, playwright, teacher, and creative force Christopher Aguilar for a conversation about a life spent discovering what it means to truly “own the character.” Christopher talks about acting as a child, his training and professional journey, his upcoming performance as Hortensio and the Tailor in the Nevada Shakespeare Festival’s The Taming of the Shrew, and even his somewhat complicated relationship with singing, an aversion that, as it turns out, may not be quite as strong as he claims. But some of the most memorable moments come when Christopher talks about the spaces between the words: learning to own the silence, trusting yourself onstage, and his wonderfully simple advice to actors—“Own the Character.” We also explore Christopher’s work as an instructor at the Winchester Dondero Cultural Center in Las Vegas, where his Creative Expression and Senior Storytelling classes encourage people to step forward, tell their stories, and discover that the stage belongs to them, too. From a grandmother’s fireplace to Shakespeare, Christopher Aguilar reminds us that sometimes the most important part of finding your voice is simply having the courage to take the stage. Credit for the piano piece in this episode: Garrett Tan-Torres. Visit Christophers IMDB Page - https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3024707/?_ssoLoop=1 Visit Christopher Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/thechristopheraguilar/?hl=en Winchester Dondero Cultural Center Senior Story Telling Showcase: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xqT22vO1m6Y
#494
September 13 · 49 min
The Art Box - Episode 490 — When Time Splinters: Kindall Fredricks and the Shape of a Story
Writer, poet, nurse and mother Kindall Fredricks RN, ADN joins us for a fascinating conversation about what happens when a story refuses to travel in a straight line. Kindall uses unconventional spacing, formatting and punctuation as part of the storytelling itself, allowing the page to fracture as memory and time fracture. The result is writing with a tenuous relationship to time, where past, present and possibility can collide and a linear narrative can splinter into something much more interesting. We also explore Kindall’s poetry collection I’ll Take My Body To-Go, her “semi-feral” Texas childhood, humor as a way of approaching difficult experiences, and her belief that reading is an exercise in empathy. And we venture into some provocative territory as Kindall discusses her short-story collection she is creating around AI and technological change. You can find Kindalls work on Instagram: @poetrynhotsauce You can find I'll Take My Body To-Go at: https://blogs.uakron.edu/uapress/product/ill-take-my-body-to-go/
#493
September 11 · 1 hr 1 min
The Art Box - Episode 488 - The World Through Marie’s Lens: Finding the Nevada Others Might Miss
On Episode 488, photographer and artist Marie Nygren joins Steve and Addie for a journey across Nevada, one photograph at a time. Marie’s love of photography began when her grandmother gave her a Kodak Brownie as a child. Decades later, a photography class reignited that spark, and a first-place award helped convince her that the camera might become much more than a hobby. Today, Marie wanders Nevada searching for changing light, forgotten places, old buildings, ghost towns, storms, landscapes, and those fleeting moments that make her stop and press the shutter. Her “17 Counties in Nevada: Phase Two” traveling exhibition features an image from every Nevada county and is being shown throughout rural Nevada. We talk about photography, adventure, technology, the importance of documenting places before they disappear and why Marie believes photographs are “a time capsule of memories.” From a little Brownie camera to a lifetime spent exploring Nevada, this is a conversation about curiosity, possibility, and learning to really see the place you call home.
#492
September 9 · 20 min
The Art Box - Episode 489 - The Next Generation - Saving Lives and Art
For Episode 489 of The Art Box, Mesquite Fire Rescue Chief Jayson Andrus and Maryann Mainero join Steve in the Mesquite Works STEAM Center studio for a conversation about service, community, public art, and the future of Mesquite. At the center of our conversation is the new Fire Station #2 and the important difference it is already making by improving emergency response times for residents on the north side of the freeway. But this episode isn't just about a new building. It's about the people who serve inside it—and the community surrounding it. Jayson and Maryann take us back to their childhoods, sharing some of the experiences that shaped them and the journeys that eventually brought each of them to Mesquite. We talk about what it means to serve a growing community and why those precious minutes saved in an emergency matter so much. And, of course, this is The Art Box, so we talk about art. We introduce the plans for the “Next Generation” sculpture garden at Fire Station #2—a welcoming, park-like space centered around a heartfelt sculpture of a firefighter, a young girl, and, naturally, a Dalmatian. It will be a place to honor our firefighters and first responders, celebrate generations of service, and give residents a quiet place to sit, reflect, and enjoy. We also discuss how our community can become part of the project by supporting the fundraising effort needed to bring the sculpture and surrounding site to life. It's an episode about much more than a fire station. It's about response, service, art, community—and the next generation. Donations can be made: https://www.fundraisingbrick.com/online-orders/mfr/ Thanks to Nevada Arts Council for the America 250 Grant that allowed is to place meaningful wraps outside of Fire Stations 2 and 3, also to the artist Rachelle Knight and over vendor Clark County Printing.
#491
September 7 · 59 min
The Art Box - Episode 487 - DanSing Through Life: Daniel Brady on Poetry, Music & Inspiration
For Daniel Brady, creativity has never belonged to just one art form. In Episode 487 of The Art Box, Steve sits down with poet, writer, musician, teacher, and performer Daniel Brady for a conversation about a creative journey that began in elementary school and took shape during the cultural upheaval of the 1960s and 1970s. Poetry, music, dreams, the moon landing, Earth Day, Civil Rights, the Vietnam era, protest songs, and the open-mic scene of San Francisco all became part of Dan's artistic vocabulary. Dan takes us inside his unusual creative process. When inspiration arrives, he listens to what he calls his inner voice, writes until that voice has finished speaking, and then begins a process of reading, revising, performing, and sometimes revisiting a poem even years after he thought it was finished. Community has also played an important role in Dan's life. Open mics became places of connection and healing, eventually leading him to create the Global Open Mic and host a weekly poetry gathering. His advice to emerging creatives is wonderfully straightforward: read, read, read; write, write, write—and don't limit yourself to a single art form. And now Dan has found yet another creative voice. Performing under the stage name DanSing, he is bringing folk songs, protest songs, and music that has mattered throughout his life into his performances, another chapter in a creative journey that has lasted more than half a century. It's a wonderfully wide-ranging Art Box conversation about where inspiration comes from, why we create, the power of words and music, and what can happen when we keep listening for that inner voice. Find Dan at: Creative Ideas Consulting San Francisco
#490
September 6 · 45 min
The Art Box - Episode 486 — Jen Guyton - Rewilding the Creative Life
What happens when you finally achieve the dream you’ve spent your whole life chasing and discover that reaching the summit isn’t what you thought it would be? In Episode 486 of The Art Box, Steve sits down with Jen Guyton, National Geographic Explorer, wildlife photojournalist, ecologist, and founder of Wild Beyond. Jen’s remarkable journey began as a little girl repeatedly watching a National Geographic gorilla documentary and eventually carried her to Berkeley, Princeton, the wilds of Africa, and the March 2024 cover of National Geographic with her extraordinary infrared photographs of spotted hyenas. But this conversation is about much more than photography. Jen talks about standing in the fascinating space where science and art meet, learning to surrender to what nature actually gives you rather than the photograph you planned, and developing an affection for animals—especially hyenas—that humans have often misunderstood. She describes that intersection of disciplines as an ecotone, the rich boundary where two different habitats come together. We also venture into more personal territory: achievement, validation, burnout, fear, vulnerability, and what happens when creative work stops belonging to the person creating it. Jen shares how achieving one of her greatest professional goals ultimately led her to step away from photography and reconsider what was fueling her ambition. Today, through her Rewild Method, Jen applies lessons learned from ecology to people, helping them remove some of the expectations and constraints that have shaped their lives and rediscover what might still be waiting underneath. Along the way we explore a wonderfully Art Box kind of question: Can creativity itself be a way of turning toward the storm? Find out more about Jen: https://www.jenguyton.com/ Wildbeyond Coaching: https://www.wildbeyondcoaching.com/
#489
August 31 · 26 min
The Art Box - Episode 485 - Where Travelers Become Friends: A Visit with Liz Woolsey.
Steve makes his annual sojourn to Baker, Nevada, gateway to Great Basin National Park, for another visit with his friends Liz Woolsey and her husband, James, and the remarkable little oasis they have created in one of Nevada’s most remote communities. This time, Steve also arrives carrying copies of The Art of Noticing and Sandcastle Windows. Liz and James will sell the books in their store, with all proceeds going to support the Great Basin Water Network—a small way for stories, art, landscape and conservation to come together. Steve and Liz settle in for a conversation right in the middle of the busy store, and Baker provides the soundtrack. Travelers wander through looking for water or something to eat. Others browse the surprisingly generous collection of books, search for information about their next adventure, or simply stop long enough to talk. It is exactly the kind of place Liz imagined more than twenty years ago. Liz shares the story of that dream and how three decades of exploring America’s natural and cultural wonders with James, during his 32-year career with the National Park Service, helped shape it. She envisioned a crossroads for travelers, a place offering necessities, local knowledge, art, coffee, comfort and conversation. When Liz and James moved to Baker in 2018, they knew they had found that crossroads. On March 4, 2022, the dream officially opened its doors. March Forth! The conversation also wanders, appropriately enough, down Nevada’s roads. Liz tells Steve about her work promoting artists throughout Nevada and along Route 50, the legendary “Loneliest Road in America”, and they explore the history and adventures of one particularly colorful traveler: the famous orange chair belonging to the Sisterhood of the Traveling Orange Chair. It is an Art Box conversation about art, community, public lands, books, conservation, friendship and the wonderfully unexpected things that happen when curious people cross paths in a tiny Nevada town. And perhaps that is what Liz and James have really created in Baker: not simply a store or a place to stay, but an invitation to slow down, look around, meet somebody new and continue your journey with a little more wonder and whimsy than you arrived with. Take the drive to Baker and settle in for a great night's sleep at the Stargazer Inn with limitless dark skies for your eyes to witness the Milky Way and constellations galore. There is always something happening at the Stargazer Inn and Bristlecone General Store. Get directions and make you reservations here: https://stargazernevada.com/
#488
August 30 · 1 hr 12 min
The ARt Box - Episode 484 - Finding Light in the Sound: Matt Hancock and DECO-LUXE
In Episode 484, Steve sits down with Matt Hancock, the creative force behind DECO-LUXE, for a conversation about electronic music, creativity, recovery, and the unexpected places where sound can take us. Matt shares how music became part of rebuilding his life and how his earlier, darker work gradually gave way to the warmth, nostalgia, sunsets, and falling-in-love feeling of his upcoming album, Eventide. We also dive into Matt's wonderfully ruthless creative process: work on an idea for 30 to 60 minutes, walk away for a week, come back with fresh ears—and if it doesn't hold up, delete it. No mercy! Matt takes us inside his handmade modular synthesizer, talks about collaboration, technology and AI, and explains why every artist should begin by becoming their own biggest fan. And because this is The Art Box, things eventually get a little strange. Matt recently dreamed about a mad scientist and is now wondering what a mad scientist might actually sound like. It's a conversation about darkness and light, persistence and play—and how sometimes music can hold the things words simply can't. And yes, Addie even drops in to help us figure out just what “synth-wavy” means. Listen to Eventide: https://open.spotify.com/artist/2j3K8z15j2LdBX0pHafEwD Explore Matt's work at: https://essentiallypop.com/epop/2026/08/deco-luxe-unveils-first-taste-of-forthcoming-album-eventide-with-new-single-mellow/

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