Ever met someone whose conversation is like a jazz improvisation – weaving through seemingly unrelated topics only to find they were connected all along? That's REN. Starting with the tale of how she moved from her biblical name Rachel to become REN ("free as a bird"), she takes us on a wild ride through the unexpected intersections of life, art, and communication.

Hold onto your seats as we bounce from nuclear meltdowns to zombie apocalypses (turns out they're terrifying for reasons you'd never expect), and discover how REN's journey from theater stages to ivory towers to nonprofit corridors shaped her unique view of human connection. These aren't just random tangents – they're pieces of a puzzle that reveal how we really communicate with each other.

For the artists in our audience, REN drops some serious knowledge about grant writing that you won't find in those $100 webinars. Spoiler alert: AI isn't your secret weapon, but your voice recorder might be! Her fresh take on storytelling and authenticity might just change how you approach your next funding application.

Whether you're a theater buff, a struggling grant writer, or just someone who enjoys conversations that zig when you expect them to zag, this episode is a master class in what it means to truly connect – whether you're on stage, writing a proposal, or just trying to pick the perfect emoji (yes, they're more important than you think).

Want to learn more about arts funding in Montgomery County? Find REN and information about Culture Works' grant opportunities at cultureworks.org.

If you have any comments or questions about this episode or unchARTed Creative Community Network, you can email Craig and Tim and [email protected]

And remember to give us that 5 star rating!