Pratfalls Of Parenting

“I hate to be categorized as a thing.” Artist Peter Haakon Thompson talks about not wanting to bedefined by any one element of his work or life. He talks about going from a focus on photography to wanting to broaden out what he calls his art practice. And he shares how his interests always find […]

“I’m amazed at how neurotic and superficial I am about my kid.” New mother to an 18 week old daughter Jacquie Fuller talks about how having worked in radio for several years prepared her for the lack of sleep that comes with new parenthood. She talks about the tension a newborn can put between new […]

“You slap a wig on me, I’ll talk to you all day!” Actors Emily and Josh Jabas talk about how theater is what brought them to one another and the challenges parenthood has presented in trying to continue making theater. Josh and Emily talk about how sharing a circle of friends made their relationship easier […]

  “I consider myself the uber-listener.” Minnesota Public Radio Program Director Steve Nelson talks about the changing world of public radio and the job of being an “Uber-Producer.” He talks about launching MPR’s music station, The Current, eight years ago and how that opportunity helped bring him to Minnesota. And Steve shares how writing for […]

  “No matter how fast you’re moving, you’re always two hours behind.” Video and Film-maker Justin Staggs talks about how many years of long hours spent shooting and editing videos prepared him for the long-term sleep deprivation of parenthood. He talks about using the family camcorder as a child and remaking his own versions of […]

“I feel like I’m raising dangerous boys.” Metal worker Marlaine Cox talks about how she got into working with metal and sculpture. She talks about being the odd maker and builder of the family and how that showed itself early on. And Marlaine talks about creating how own private world within the bunk beds she […]

“I never really had any other career path.” Writer and editor Ira Brooker talks about the difference between working as a corporate copy writer and writing about entertainment. He talks about trying to make freelance writing his full time job. And Ira talks about the value he got from studying writing at University. “Getting how […]

“He just learned this year that not every dad goes away 30 weeks a year for work.” Chef, writer, TV maker Andrew Zimmern talks about how traveling for work 30 weeks a year puts pressure on his family. He talks about how his being away a lot is normal for his son but still has […]

“I decided at a very early age that I wanted to learn everything.” Kate-Madonna Hindes talks about her desire to learn literally everything in the world. She talks about not needing to the work that’s driven by passion be the work that generates the most income. And she talks about being a poor single-mother and […]

“Boring a child is one of the kindest things you can do to a child.” Teacher and poet Heid Erdrich talks about the solitary work of writing poetry. She talks about becoming a curator of work by visual artist due to her desire to collaborate with more artists. Heid talks about how curating can be […]

“Oh my god, all you do is walk really slow all the time or just stand and wait.” Visual artist Karen Kasel talks about her Low Tech/High Joy collaboration as well as the work of a full time mom. “I couldn’t think about the world. I had dirty diapers everywhere.” Karen talks about her kids […]

“At least you got a laugh.” Laura Zabel is the executive director of Springboard for the Arts. She is also married to the host of this podcast “My job fulfills a lot of the same things that acting did for me.” Laura talks about how she thinks about the work Springboard does and how it’s […]

“What it really comes down to is no one’s ever happy.” Writer, performer, producer Joshua Will talks about comedy, writing, performing, and how his kids reminded him how to “just be a pirate.” Joshua talks about getting into Monty Python in 6th grade even though he didn’t really get most of the jokes. He talks […]

“I parent the same way I write a story” Writer Todd Smith talks about the work ethic it really takes to be a writer “If you want to be a writer you should have better reasons than being rich” Todd shares the baggage that comes with the name Todd Smith. And he shares his goal […]

“When I started writing this I was a lot closer to these girls than to being the mother of a girl” Writer Stephanie Watson talks about writing for young audiences and being a single parent. “I’m hoping to teach her about following her own passions by example” Stephanie talks about getting into theater as a […]

“Amy and I share a language, a passion” Kurt Schweickhardt is an actor, theater teacher, and director and his daughter Amy Schweickhardt is an actor. “I try to direct the way I would like to be directed as an actor” Kurt talks about being an acting coach more than a director because his focus tends […]

“I feel like its kind of my job to not chicken out of what my dreams are.” Improviser, writer, and movie maker Eric Knobel talks about his almost two decades of experience as a performer and becoming a father to twins. “I have no constructive criticisms other than “Hey, don’t do that.” Eric talks about […]

“Kids, it just kind of makes what’s fractured more fractured and what’s solid more solid.” Graphic designer Kelly Munson and musician and music producer Scott LeGere talk about parenthood changing their work, their goals, and their relationship with one another. “If you’re not as talented as Prince, how do you find a side job.” Scott […]

“In some ways I’m doing what I wanted to do as a preadolescent” Songwriter, Musician, Teacher and Honeydogs frontman Adam Levy talks about teaching songwriting and how to approach a career as a musician.  He talks about the work required of a bandleader, particularly when performing for an audience full of children who will not […]

“I always wanted to impress girls but I had no talent” Director of Career & Alumni Services at McNally Smith David Lewis talks about becoming a concert promoter at age 15 mostly in an attempt to meet girls.  He talks about being driven by punk ideals in the creation and promotion of art. David talks […]