Ali & Callie Artcast

Step into the dazzling world of tap shoes, big laughs, and timeless Gershwin melodies as we welcome Paisley Siemens, director and choreographer of Aspire Theatre’s upcoming production of Crazy for You, on stage August 6–9.

In this episode, Paisley shares what makes this beloved musical such a joyful celebration of the golden age of Broadway. We talk ab...

What happens when you gather an award-winning winemaker, a resident sommelier, and two curious podcast hosts around a table? A few pour decisions... and a whole lot of great conversation.

Recorded at Stylus with resident sommelier Krista French, this episode features Fiona S. Mak, founder and winemaker of SMAK Wines, as we uncork the fascinating story behind Wa...

What a treat to sit down and talk with 10-year-old Clark Shotwell, the young star of John Travolta’s new film Propeller One-Way Night Coach, now streaming on Apple TV.

Clark plays Jeff, a young airplane enthusiast whose cross-country journey with his mother becomes the adventure of a lifetime. Set during the golden age of aviation, the film is written, directed, narrate...

What compels someone to step off a cliff, a bridge, or a skyscraper with only a parachute between them and the ground?

This week on the Ali & Callie Artcast, we sit down with storyteller, songwriter, and BASE jumping pioneer JD Walker, author of BASE 37, a gripping memoir about the early days of one of the world's most daring sports. As BASE jumper #37, JD was there when ...

In this episode we sit down with Carol Davis, a powerhouse jazz and blues vocalist. Carol shares how growing up in San Francisco with a classical pianist mother and a gospel-loving father ignited her lifelong passion for music, drawing inspiration from legends like Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday and Etta James. 

We talk about her early days singing in church...

He's back—and as creatively busy as ever. Friend of the show and multi-talented artist, writer, musician, and concert promoter Michael Koep joins us for another engaging conversation about the many projects keeping his imagination in high gear.

We catch up on the exciting lineup for this year's Koep Concerts summer season, which kicks off on July 8, bringing another series of unforgettable live performances to the regi...

Welcome to another music-filled episode of the Ali & Callie Artcast as we catch up with two familiar faces in North Idaho’s arts scene—Max Mendez and Ruth Pratt.

Our conversation begins with a preview of the 2026 Riverstone Concert Series, the beloved free summer music tradition presented by the Coeur d'Alene Arts & Culture Alliance. Beginning July 9, the series returns to Riverstone Park with six evening...

When we first invited stained glass artist Atsuko Kroetch to the podcast, we planned to talk about the stunning stained glass horses she created for the cupola of the Coeur d'Alene Historic Carousel. What we discovered was a story far bigger than art alone.

Born in China to Japanese parents, Atsuko shares an extraordinary life journey that spans continents, cultures, and pivotal moments in history. Her path took her from Asi...

What happens when curiosity, creativity, and collaboration come together to solve real-world challenges?

In this episode of the Ali & Callie Artcast, we sit down with Marita Diffenbaugh, Director of Innovation for the forward thinking X-Labs program at North Idaho College.

Marita shares how NIC X-Labs is creating a dynamic learning environment where students, faculty, community members, and industry partners come together to ex...

Join us as we talk to Executive Director Abby Light and Program Coordinator Mary Hanlin and dive into the powerful vision behind the Living Lake Project, an inspiring new initiative through the Coeur d’Alene Arts & Culture Alliance that brings artists, environmental leaders, and community voices together in support of Lake Coeur d’Alene and its watershed.

The Living Lake Project is a 15-month immersive a...

Welcome to the story of Modus Fine Art Gallery, a new kind of creative space shaped by artists, for artists. Opening June 12 during ArtWalk, Modus Fine Art is a collective gallery where collaboration, experimentation, and artistic ownership take center stage.

Two of the owners, Chris Grubb and Maya Rumsey, talk about their new venture located in the former Art Spirit Ga...

Get ready for a royally fun night at the theater as Lake City Playhouse presents the beloved musical comedy Once Upon a Mattress! Director Marie Hunt teams up with Music Director Scott Michaelson to deliver a lively production packed with charm, wit, and Broadway-style flair.

Opening May 22 through June 3, this hilarious, heart-filled twist on The Princess and the Pea brings big laughs, bold performances, and unforgettable music to...

Step inside the heart of Hayden with this inspiring episode featuring The Village Bakery. Founder Dana Bellefeuille and her incredible team share how this beloved bakery is built on more than handcrafted breads and pastries—it’s built on people.

Dana talks about her intentional mission to hire adults with different abilities, creating meaningful em...

Get ready to get ogre it!

We’re talking all things Aspire Community Theatre and their current production of Shrek with Executive Director Trigger Weddle and show director Abel Siemens. From fairytale fun to behind-the-scenes magic, they share what it takes to bring this larger-than-life musical to the stage.

Don’t miss your chance to see this fun-filled show for its last weekend at...

For the third episode in our Arizona series, we head into the bold, colorful world of Phoenix-based muralist Paige Reesor, an artist turning everyday spaces into vibrant, story-filled experiences.

Known for her striking large-scale murals that blend realism with imaginative design, Paige shares how her journey began (quite literally) on the walls of her childhood home and evolved into a career transforming businesses, neighb...

In the second episode of our Arizona series (and our 200th episode!), we step into a creative mirror with Phoenix-based video podcaster Joshua Kotzen, whose videocast is known as The Baby J Show.

This is a dual podcast experience: we’re recording Joshua as he records us. It’s a behind-the-scenes look at storytelling from both sides of the lens, where conversation, camera, and curiosity all intersect.

Joshua creates ...

The Ali & Callie Artcast heads to the Southwest in the first of a three-part Arizona series, spotlighting creatives whose work is deeply connected to community, story, and spirit.

In this episode, we sit down with Phoenix-based silk artist MJ Okawa, whose luminous pieces capture the movement, texture, and quiet power of the natural world. Blending traditional Japanese silk painting techniques with a contemporary, expressive sty...

In this episode of the Ali & Callie Artcast, we sit down with Chris Grant, Former Orchestra Manager of the Coeur d’Alene Symphony to talk about an exciting season ahead. From upcoming performances and special events to the vision behind this year’s programming, Chris gives us a behind-the-scenes look at how the Symphony continues to bring world-class music to North Idaho.

We explore what audiences can expect ...

In this episode of the Ali & Callie Artcast, we sit down with Karin Wedemeyer, founder and Executive Director of the Music Conservatory of Sandpoint, to explore her vision for this dynamic and deeply valued cultural hub in downtown Sandpoint.

Karin shares the Conservatory’s origin story and how it has grown into an international school of performing arts rooted in a classical framework while remaining ope...