Episodes
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Ep 230: Fifty Years of Mud, Magic & Mastery with Gina Freuen
What happens when you spend 50 years getting your hands dirty, trusting the process, and occasionally handing a little creative control over to the kiln? Magic! This week, we sat down with the amazing potter Gina Freuen to talk about her remarkable five-decade journey with ceramics. Gina shares…
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Ep 229: CDA ACT - A Wonderland Where Everyone Shines
Fall down the rabbit hole with CDA ACT! This week we are joined by Jamie Sciarrio, Artistic Director; Janet Waterdown, CDA ACT President; Jan Frank, Shadow; and actors Abbey Waterdown, Olya Scheel, and Corrina Hill to talk about the company's upcoming production of Alice in Wonderland, Jr.…
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Ep 228: Good Things Are Brewing at Tubbs Coffee Roasters!
What makes a great cup of coffee? Ali & Callie sit down with Jason Kilmer, owner and roaster of Tubbs Coffee Roasters, to explore the art and science behind choosing the right beans, creating the perfect blends, and bringing out the delicious nuances in every cup. We talk coffee origins, brewing...
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Ep 227: Behind the Scenes of the North Idaho Film Festival
Lights, camera, North Idaho! Ali & Callie sit down with Matt Edwards, Executive Director of the North Idaho Film Festival, to celebrate the festival’s successful third year and explore what goes into bringing this cinematic experience to life. Matt shares why film festivals matter, what happens...
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Ep 226: The Bard is Back! Shakespeare CDA Brings Henry V to the Stage
What makes Shakespeare’s work still resonate more than 400 years later? This week on the Ali & Callie Artcast, we’re joined by Mary Bowers, Artistic Director, and Shelby Marcott, Marketing and Social Media Coordinator for Shakespeare CDA, to talk about their current production of Henry V. We’ll…
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Ep 225: The Sound of Storytelling with Rylan Butera of Paradox Studios
What does it take to create the perfect sound for a story? This week on Ali & Callie Artcast, we’re talking with Rylan Butera, music composer and creative force behind Paradox Studios in Coeur d’Alene. Working closely with his brother Caden, Rylan helps bring creative visions to life through the...
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Ep 224: Practicing What We Preach - Ali & Callie Get Creative!
This week, we're turning the microphones on ourselves and sharing a little of what we've been up to creatively! Callie takes the stage with a look back at her performance for the CDA Library Foundation fundraiser on September 29, Well-Read and Slightly Improper: The Songs and Satire of Tom…
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Ep 223: Where the Wild Things Bloom with Toby Keough
Get ready for a lively conversation with the wonderfully dynamic Toby Keough, botanical artist and co-owner of Modus Fine Art Gallery! Toby shares what inspires her colorful, expressive work and what it’s like being part of a gallery that brings together a collective of talented artists and...
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Ep 222: Sculpting Stewardship, The Living Lake Project, Part 2
We're back with the second installment of our deep dive into the Living Lake Project, an initiative of 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. This time, we sit down…
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Ep 221: Kiki Miller - A Lifetime of Making a Difference
For 13 years, Kiki Miller has been a familiar and unstoppable force on the Coeur d’Alene City Council—but her impact on this community goes far beyond City Hall. From championing the arts and public art to tackling housing issues and historic preservation, Kiki has spent decades turning ideas…
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Ep 220: Mad About Opera - Madison Leonard
Opera singer Madison Leonard joins us for a fascinating conversation about her journey into the world of opera, the places her music has taken her, and the passion that keeps her performing. From discovering her voice to traveling the world as a professional singer, Madison shares the…
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Ep 219: Finding His Voice - Kenneth Booher
What happens when you grow up surrounded by music? For young musician and songwriter Kenneth Booher, music isn’t just something he discovered—it’s been woven into his life and family from the very beginning. In this episode of the Ali & Callie Artcast, we sit down with Kenneth to talk about his...
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Ep 218: A New Gallery in Spokane’s West End - Front Room Art Gallery
In this episode, we meet Chelsea Cordova and Kelly Baker, the creative duo behind Front Room Fine Art Gallery, Spokane’s newest addition to the West End Arts District. Located at the corner of S. Adams and Railroad Alley, Front Room is part of an eclectic pocket of Spokane where galleries…
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Ep 217: From Vegas Showgirl to Storyteller, Liz Thorpe’s 22 Years on Stage
What happens when you spend 22 years under the bright lights of Las Vegas? You collect some great stories! Former Las Vegas dancer and showgirl Liz Thorpe joins us to share the behind-the-scenes tales of her remarkable career on the Strip, including working with legendary designer Bob Mackie and...
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Ep 216: Meet Me at the Q - Jeremy Whittington's Vision for Cinema Quattro
Step inside the future of entertainment with Jeremy Whittington, founder and creative director of Cinema Quattro, the exciting new boutique cinema opening this November in The NoLL at Liberty Lake. More than just a movie theater, Cinema Quattro is being designed as a creative community gathering...
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Ep 215: Tap, Tunes & Timeless Gershwin with Paisley Siemens
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...
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Ep 214: Pour Decisions with Winemaker Fiona Mac
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...
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Ep 213: From Coeur d’Alene to Hollywood - Clark Shotwell Takes Flight
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.…
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Ep 212: Life on the Edge - JD Walker's BASE 37
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...
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Ep 211: Finding the Blues in North Idaho with Carol Davis
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...
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Ep 210: Michael Koep Returns with Music, Mythology & a Summer of Creativity
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...
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Ep 209: Summer Concerts at Riverstone - Music is the Answer
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...
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Ep 208: More Than Glass - The Remarkable Journey of Atsuko Kroetch
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…
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Ep 207: NIC's X-Lab Project - Learning Beyond the Classroom
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...
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Ep 206: The Living Lake Project
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...
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Ep 205: Coeur d’Alene’s new Modus Fine Art Gallery
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…
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Ep 204: Royally Ridiculous: Lake City Playhouse presents Once Upon a Mattress
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…
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Ep 203: The Village Bakery: Different Abilities, Shared Purpose
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...
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Ep 202: Aspire brings Shrek the Musical to the Stage
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…
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Ep 201: Big Walls, Bigger Stories with Muralist Paige Reesor
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…
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Ep 200: A Double Take with Podcaster, Joshua Kotzen
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...
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Ep 199: Silk, Light & the Desert: MJ Okawa
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,...
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Ep 198: Inside the Season of the Coeur d’Alene Symphony
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...
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Ep 197: The Music Conservatory of Sandpoint: A Living Art
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…
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Ep 196: Birch Bark & Imagination with Kristina Ludwig
In this episode, we sat down with Kristina Ludwig, a nature-inspired artist based in Sandpoint, whose work transforms the raw beauty of the forest into extraordinary art. Kristina is best known for her intricate creations made from birch bark—including a breathtaking gown crafted entirely from…
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Ep 195: Inside the World of Singer/Songwriter Dario Ré
Welcome Dario Ré, a genre-bending artist who lives off-grid in the mountains above Sandpoint, Idaho. Ré is the lead singer-songwriter of Heat Speak, a highly collaborative, ever-evolving ensemble known for its eclectic instrumentation and richly layered sound. Blending indie rock, chamber folk…
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Ep 194: Britt Thurman, Museum of North Idaho's Next Chapter
Season six of the Ali & Callie Artcast kicks off with Britt Thurman, Executive Director of the Museum of North Idaho. Britt joins us to share how the museum’s first year in its new home at the base of Tubbs Hill has gone, along with a look at upcoming exhibits, community events, and what’s ahead...
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Ep 193: The Uncrushable Spirit Behind Matt’s Place Foundation
In this special episode, Ali & Callie sit down with Theresa Wild, co-founder of Matt’s Place Foundation, an organization dedicated to supporting families facing the devastating challenges of ALS. Theresa shares the deeply personal story behind the foundation, the innovative housing solutions...
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Ep 192: Behind the Curtain at Lake City Playhouse, Jessica Peterson on Little Women
Lake City Playhouse is bringing a beloved holiday classic to Coeur d’Alene with its production of “Little Women,” opening tonight and running through December 7. This heartwarming story filled with sisterhood, sacrifice, and timeless charm is the perfect way to ease into the spirit of the season....
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Ep 191: Brian Crain’s Musical Journey
Brian Crain is an American pianist and composer whose music has been streamed more than six billion times. Born in Hollywood, Brian grew up creating melodies by ear—often whistling tunes he made up on the spot. His father was an award-winning educational filmmaker, and Brian spent part of his…
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Ep 190: Jim Lien - from One Night to 39 Years
What started as a one-night gig in 1986 turned into a nearly 40-year tradition of good music, good people, and very good times. Back then, the school district needed a band for a levy victory party — and teacher/musician Jim Lien basically said, “Yeah, I know some folks.” He rounded up a crew of...
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Ep 189: Dancing with Heritage: Kultura de Filipino Dance Company
We’re joined by Gatieh Nacario and Anna Caldwell, founders of the Kultura de Filipino Dance Company — a passionate, independent Filipino cultural dance company in Spokane dedicated to preserving and showcasing the beauty of their heritage through authentic performances. More than just a dance...
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Ep 188: The JACC: 20 Years of Art in Post Falls
For over 20 years, the Jacklin Arts & Cultural Center, also known as The JACC, has brought the Post Falls community together through the transformative power of the arts. What began as a mission to save a historic building has blossomed into a thriving hub where creativity, connection, and…
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Ep 187: Making Waves with Ripple Dance Company
We sit down with Crystal Bain, Owner and Artistic Director, and Jessie Tulleners, Assistant Artistic Director of Ripple Dance Company — the first and only professional contemporary-modern dance company in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. Founded by Crystal, Ripple Dance Company gives advanced and...
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Ep 186: The Inland Northwest Opera, Up Close and Unforgettable
Established in 2003, Inland Northwest Opera brings world-class talent to our region while providing a stage for local professionals to share their artistry with an engaged and inspired community. Mike Bullard, board member, volunteer, and performer, talks to us about this valuable organization…
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Ep 185: The fabulous Junk2Funk is back!
The fabulous Junk2Funk is back for Lucky #13! We sat down with event MC Shannon Irwin and artist/model Brooke Wood for a lively chat about this wildly popular event happening Saturday, October 18. Junk2Funk isn’t just a fashion show — it’s a “trashion” extravaganza! Every outfit on the runway is...
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Ep 184: WAXfest at Stylus Wine and Vinyl
It was such a treat to chat with Robby French, co-owner of Stylus, and Paul Irwin, vinyl DJ extraordinaire, about their upcoming event: WAXfest, happening Sunday, October 5, from 12:00 to 5:00 p.m. WAXfest will be the area’s very first record and vendor fair, transforming the Stylus parking lot…
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Ep 183: The Glittering World of Holly Dolly, Burlesque Dancer/Producer
Meet Holly Dolly—an internationally published pinup model with a sparkle in her step and a love for all things burlesque! She first leapt onto the stage in 2015 with a contemporary dance troupe in the Tri-Cities, and by 2019, she was dazzling audiences as an independent burlesque artist. These...
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Ep 182: The CDA Library "Right to Read" Calendar
Library Foundation board members have revived a beloved idea from 20 years ago—a literary-themed calendar—but with a timely new twist: celebrating the Right to Read. Mary Sanderson, Bette Ammon, and Ruth Pratt discuss the role of the Foundation and why this fundraiser is so important to the...
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Ep 181: Emerge: Where Art Comes Alive
Meet Jeni Riplinger, the visionary force behind Emerge Gallery in Downtown Coeur d’Alene—a vibrant hub where creativity comes alive. Emerge isn’t just a gallery, it’s a collective art experience that sparks imagination, connects community, and gives emerging artists the chance to shine. From...
About this show
To inform, educate, entertain and to keep arts and culture alive and kicking in our community and yours.
Hosted by
Ali Shute
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