In this fascinating and fun-filled conversation, I got to sit down the brilliant actress and visual artist Sari Lennick.

Sari began her illustrious acting career in Middle School --which led her to studying acting and philosophy at USC and later earned her Master of Fine Arts at the Actors Studio Drama School in NYC.

Listen to how Sari ended up in Minneapolis and magically landed the role of a lifetime co-starring in the Best Picture nominated "A Serious Man" by the Coen Brothers!!

It is a beautiful story of synchronicity and fate and being in the perfect place at the perfect time!!

Sari most recently acted in the movie "Good Sport" (coming out spring 2025) where she was the mother to my son Roger-- and where I had the chance to connect with her.

Sari is an amazing storyteller and you will be inspired by her tenacity, humor and the total badass way that she moves through this world!!!

@sarilennick

@artstuffbysari

On this special Mother's Day edition of the podcast, I celebrate my amazing MOM Cindy Sue! She is a very talented seamstress --creating beautiful clothes and crafts for 61 years!! For the past two decades she also has owned a commercial embroidery business -- adding beautiful embellishments and personalizing clothes and accessories for clients. Her # 1 client/charity case being ME!

She is creative and supportive and such a hard-worker... AND she is reason I have been able to bring all of my dreams into fruition.

Cheers to you Cindy!!!

In this episode of Dwelling in Magic I had the joy of connecting with the AMAZING chefs Carrie Summer and Lisa Carlson. This creative duo are "The Godmothers of Food Trucks in the North" offering their delicious street food each Saturday at the Mill City Farmer's Market (since 2007!) and at their charming restaurant in Bay City, WI.

They are also world travellers -- every winter they close up the restaurant and venture to a new location -- immersing themselves into the culture, people and food. This year they were inspired by their time spent in Peru -- their menu reflecting some tastes from their travels there.

They are well-known and beloved chefs in the Twin Cities and beyond....ROCK STARS in their field -- yet they are the most down-to-earth and hard-working women around! They love their work -- and you can taste it and feel it when you enter their magical space.

I was incredibly inspired by the adventurous and creative life they have built-- and I know you will be too!

www.chefshackbaycity.com

In this episode I get to chat with the wonderful artist, business owner and teacher, Shannon Brunette.

Shannon has done so much in her 48 years -- you will be AMAZED by all of her stories! Her tenacity, perseverance and bravery were rewarded with some MAGICAL opportunities and she has jumped into it everything with her whole heart!

Shannon is a lifelong artist --always creating, making and connecting through art in some manner.

Most recently, Shannon founded and runs her nonprofit The Office of Cultural Work -- an arts management collaborative that supports and nurtures artists in their work. She is passionate about community engagement through art --both in her work at OCW and as a teacher.

This creative spirit is a delight, and I am honored to share her story with you now.

Find Shannon here:

www.officeofculturalwork.org

www.shannonbrunette.com

In this mini-episode of Dwelling in Magic, I got to sit down for quick chat with the AMAZING filmmaker and director Jeremiah Zagar!!!

Jer grew up in South Philadelphia in the MAGICAL world that his parents' artist Isaiah Zagar. and folk-art gallery owner Julia Zagar created --so it's really no surprise that Jeremiah became the creative force that he is!

He has always had that "thing" that mixture of humor, talent, charisma and authenticity that makes you want be apart of whatever he dreams up--you WANT to be in his orbit or at the very least be in his cheering section when he does another amazing thing (which is often!)

Jeremiah's documentary film 'In a Dream" and feature length film 'We the Animals' are astonishingly beautiful and evocative --unforgettable. Both about family and love --but "brutal love" as Jeremiah described it.

In 2022 he directed 'Hustle' starring Adam Sandler and the amazing Jauncho Hernangomez -- a basketball star who had never acted before --and managed to steal the show! He lights up the screen. Jer has often worked with untrained actors....and pulls the magic out of all of them. I think it's because he connects so well -- it's an amazing quality he possesses.

Jer is currently back in Philadelphia directing "Task" an HBO show written by Brad Inglesby (Mare of Easttown) starring Mark Ruffolo.

You know, all of these accomplishments could go to a person's head, but it doesn't seem to in Jeremiah's case -- he praises and credits the team of people he has working with him for his success. Every visionary needs support -- and he's got it!

This is the Zagars' superpower -- they are all up to such amazing things -- that they lure you in to their world and put you to work .... and once you're inside the twinkly Zagashere, you never want to leave. Dwelling in Magic, baby!

On this episode of Dwelling in Magic, I had the wonderful opportunity to chat with artist Ilia Stockert. Ilia is a photographer and videographer -- her work is so beautiful and evocative and most wonderfully, her spirit shines through it all. Ilia's story of her childhood growing up in Canada, seeing the world working as a photographer on a cruise ship, and the love story of how she ended up creating a beautiful home in St. Croix Falls, WI will delight and inspire you!

In this episode I get the chance to sit down with two AMAZING teachers who taught my boys more than the ABC's...they made their school experience cool, creative and fun! Chad Martin and Frank Dominguez are teachers that my sons will always remember.

I think great teachers are TRUE ARTISTS -- sculpting and molding us into better, more beautiful versions of ourselves. (Only they have 24-30 "masterpieces" going at all times -- and their "clay" can talk and horse around!)

With gratitude and admiration, I share these teachers with you today --two teachers who collectively have been teaching 55 years and yet manage to show up day after day with a positive spirit!

As you listen, think of your own favorite teacher(s) and thank them in your heart...or reach out to them and tell them what they meant to you!

On this episode of Dwelling in Magic I have the extreme honor of chatting with the wonderful, magical and very talented Tina Schlieske. Tina is a Minnesota legend -- fronting the band Tina and the B-Sides and creating music for four decades! She even has her own star on First Avenue!

Tina is an artist who is ever evolving and honing her craft -- her latest project is a foray into singing jazz standards-- just recently releasing her new album 'The Good Life.'

She is a dynamic and energizing performer-- a musician who stands the test of time. Beyond her brilliant artistry, Tina is a delight to encounter and you will be amazed and inspired by her stories.

www.tinaschlieske.com

@tinaschlieski (instagram)

Songs used on podcast are from Tina's album 'The Good Life"

*The Good Life

*Lilac Wine

In this episode I have the pleasure of chatting with singer -songwriter Sarah Morris. Sarah is a DYNAMO!!! I loved hearing about all of her creative practices and how she balances being a mother and musician. Sarah also has a very clever and fun YouTube show called Toilet Tunes -- singing songs and curating interviews with her fellow musicians and community!

I also found it very inspiring to hear how Sarah has built a framework to support her work as an artist and foster her songwriting skills. Also, she has such a unique voice--it has an effortless beauty and ethereal quality to it --it pulls you in. Listen in to her story and then, roll up your sleeves and get to work~ that's what I felt compelled to do! Thank you, Sarah!

www.sarahmorrrismusic.com

SarahMorrisMusic * Youtube

sarahmorrismusic * instagram

In this episode of Dwelling in Magic, I had a delightful conversation with the owner of Locket Sisters-- Allyssa Woodford Hughes! Chatting with her from her gorgeous and sunny studio in the California Building in NE Minneapolis, I was swept away by Allyssa's story -- how she listened to her intuition and took leaps of faith that brought her here.

Alyssa is a creative soul AND a savvy- business woman (she loves SPREADSHEETS!! But most notably, her values and heart SHINE throughout all she does -- and so does her enthusiasm and joy!

@thelocketsisters (Instagram)

www.thelocketsisters.com