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Cassandra Buck never met an art medium she didn't love. She is a painter, muralist, jewelry-maker, weaver, embroiderer, and more - and she often combines those traditional mediums in untraditional ways.  Cassandra is not one of those artists who secludes herself in her studio. She is truly out there - leading community art projects, organizing exhibits for artists, teaching classes, and being a businesswoman running her vintage shop. 

Cassandra Buck Website

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 "Be the Change You Wish to See in the World." That pretty much sums up Robin Greenfield's life and philosophy. 

Once a successful businessman and aspiring young millionaire, Robin had a revelation about how his lifestyle was harming the earth and did a 180, dedicating himself to living simply and in harmony with the earth. His experiments in simplicity include living off-grid,non-ownership, growing all of his own food, traveling in other countries with no money whatsoever, biking across the continent  (3 times) on a bamboo bicycle, and wearing all the trash produced in the day-to-day life of a typical American on his body over the course of a month in a huge MIchelin-man-like suit. 

This year, Robin is committed to foraging 100% of the food and medicine that goes into his body. In this episode, Robin tells us about his journey and what it takes to survive off of only what you can forage from the land. 

Check our Robin's website for documentation of his projects, resources galore, and great videos and interviews.  You can't help but be inspired!

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Teresa Walter grew up playing classical violin, and she was really good at it, but she took a 20-year hiatus from music to focus on family and career. When her daughters were grown, she picked up the violin again and started to play casually at community venues, such as the Salvation Army kettle at the grocery store. 

One night, she attended a bluegrass jam session, joined in, and fell in love with playing her violin in the fiddle style. Just ten years after playing her first bluegrass jam session, she won first place in the Minnesota State Old Time Fiddle Championship in Mountain Iron, Minnesota.  

Enjoy Teresa's story of becoming a champion fiddle player and beloved musician in the community! This interview ends with Teresa performing "Blugrass in the Backwoods," composed by Keny Baker.

Hear Teresa's music:

Teresa Walter - From Classical Violin to Fiddle Fun

Teresa  competing at National Old Time Fiddle Contest  in Wieser, Idaho, 2025

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It has been so much fun creating these podcasts, interviewing so many fascinating folks, and sharing the conversations with you!  I appreciate you, all of the guests, and the Southeast Minnesota Arts Council, who awarded me a grant to launch this podcast. 

Fr the next month I will be taking a little break over the holidays, putting down A Brush With Life and picking up my paintbrush and my pastry brush to do a little creating and holiday baking and celebrating with friends and family. 

Please stay tuned for the return of A Brush With Life after January 1st! I have some amazing interviews lined up that I am eager to share with you! 

Thank you and Happy Holidays!

Susan

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With plenty of guts and gusto, Marie Marvin turned an old Carnegie Library in  Zumbrota, MN, into a hub of creativity.  The building was bursting with art, whimsy, artists working, children learning, sometimes even people doing yoga. At night it  hummed with fabulous music concerts, artist openings, and poetry readings.  Marie has a way of encouraging the artist inside everyone.

The road to Crossings was not an easy or obvious path. Listen in as Marie shares her story, and how after a lifetime of trying to find what she was meant to do with her life, she finally found it.

After 16 years of showcasing and celebrating the arts in Zumbrota, Marie retired two years ago to focus on family and her own personal pursuits. Crossings was sold to Virginia Cooper, who carries on the arts legacy as "Crossings Art Center."

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John Sievers is not one to toot his own horn, but he does let it slide. John is a trombonist who plays in many bands, a poet who writes a haiku a day, an English professor, and Rochester's most enthusiastic music booster. 

In this episode, learn how John developed his lifelong partnership with the trombone, how he juggles his busy creative life, and what makes him most proud. This episode of A Brush With Life closes with 'Trombot," a joyful tune composed by John for the band Loud Mouth Brass. 

John Sievers FB

Loud Mouth Brass

• Watch "Horizons" music video

The D'Sievers

•       Watch "Mermaid Shuffle"

Jagged Ease

• Watch "Jump, Jive an' Wail"

Amateur

• Listen to "More to Me" 

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Amy Johnson is an enamel artist who creates copper and silver jewelry with gorgeous, colorful glass designs fused to the surface. Amy tells us how she  discovered this art form, her process, and how making art helped her survive and heal from  tragic life events.

View Amy's work:

Website: https://www.amyjohnsonenamels.com

FB Page: https://www.facebook.com/amyjohnsonenamels

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amyjohnsonenamels/

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As a young girl, Heidi Kern was inspired by "Little House on the Prairie" and dreamed  of creating a self-sufficient life where she grew all her own food and sewed her own clothing.  As an adult, she wound up living in the city but she and her husband Chris have transformed their cul-de-sac lot into an urban farmstead.  Growing vegetables, fruits, herbs and chickens, Heidi  produces most of the food for her family and generously shares her skills with the community. She leads the group "Backyard Bounty Urban Homesteading" and co-founded the Rochester Seed Library at the Rochester Public Library.

Visit the Backyard Bounty Urban Homesteading site to learn about their upcoming events and see gorgeous photos of Heidi's garden bounty.

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Jean Prokott is Rochester, MInesota's Poet Laureate!  As the community's official artistic wordsmith, she writes poems for community events and creates an annual poetry event for the public. She is also a teacher of English and Philosophy at Century High School.  Her  book of published poems is titled "The Second Longest Day of the Year." 

American Couplets (4th Fest)

Claiming Light (4th Fest)

The Second Longest Day of the Year

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Oliver Books is  passionate about all things sound.  He is a singer-songwriter who performs solo and in a 7-member band called Oliver Books and The Big, Big, World.  He has worked in music production and movie production. in the past year, he and colleague Alex Ortberg produced The Rochester Mash-Up, a compilation music album of 20 diverse  local musicians. Currently, Books and Oliver are launching a new recording studio. 

Listen to Oliver's music at:  https://oliverbooksmusic.bandcamp.com/

FInd  more information about  Oliver Books & The Big Big World at: https://www.facebook.com/OliverBooksMusic