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Scientist, author, TV presenter, teacher, musician, and visual artist Liz Lee Heinecke, Kitchen Pantry Scientist, stops by for a visit. Liz's passion for science and education has taken her on many inspiring adventures. We discuss the importance of finding your niche, the value of collaboration, and what it means to be a role model.  

Author, speaker, theologian, and pastor Clint Schnekloth returns for a second appearance on our podcast! We discuss the impact of Clint's first book, boundary-pushing in the arts, and the problem of leaders who don't want to be too interesting. Also: Humans always fall in love with robots.

Author and educator Roseanne Cheng and the Rundmans are neighbors, and they meet for the first time live on the podcast! She writes young adult novels, and helps schools and parents to teach literature to kids. Her organized and practical approach to a creative life is inspiring! Plus she shares her favorite word "ostensibly," and Jonathan shares his least favorite word "great."

Songwriter, fiddler in the bluegrass supergroup Barnstar, multi-instrumentalist, and producer Jake Armerding exudes inspiration, wisdom, and maturity! A must-hear for musicians, performers ...and everybody else, too! We discuss industry conferences like Folk Alliance and SXSW, confidence, humility, the need for mentors, and the power of mystique. Take notes!

Designer and jewelry artist Tia Salmela Keobounpheng of Silvercocoon officially meets the Rundmans after years of peripheral acquaintanceship. Discussion topics include: the discovery of an artist's creative voice, the freelancer's strategies on social media, how new technology can lead to a creative epiphany, parenting, and our shared Nordic heritage. Also, stewardship of artistic materials...you have to eat the donut hole!

Songwriters, musicians, and performers George Baum and Michael Bridges of the duo Lost And Found join us at the eve of their band's retirement. We discuss their unconventional 29-year career, their prioritizing of the Three Ms (message, money, and music), various lessons learned from KISS, and their stated goal as a band: "that strangers would become friends."

Poet (and Jonathan's cousin!) Beth Roberts is our first family-member podcast guest! We discuss hyperbole, poetic license, the raising of personal artistic standards, and Jonathan's struggle to balance artistic passion with the paranoia over inward wankery. Plus, Beth reads to us two poems: the new "Sober," and "Learning to Spell" from her 2001 book BRIEF MORAL HISTORY IN  BLUE.

Comedian, folk humorist, and musician Mary Mack was on our earliest wish-list for guests on our podcast, so we're thrilled to have her on this episode! You've seen her on NBC's Last Comic Standing, heard her on NPR's Wits and Cartoon Network's Adult Swim, and smelled her annual Holiday Meat Raffle variety show wafting down from Minneapolis. She's funny and inspiring. Listen!

Actor, dancer, singer, and life coach Dawn Trautman brings her laser focus and inspirational vibes to the Rundman kitchen table. A must-listen episode for the freelance performer, we discuss the myth of the overnight sensation, how to build a personal brand,  advice for rural Midwesterners who want to work in showbiz on the coasts, life on the road, and what it's like to audition for a broadway show. "I cannot not lead!" Jonathan and the Dawns, unabashed! Get ready.

Voiceover artist, improv comedian, and actor Taj Ruler brings her sparkle and insight to the Rundman kitchen table. Taj shares the "yes, and" philosophy of improv comedy, and provides a glimpse behind the scenes of a commercial voiceover recording session. Plus, we discuss vulnerability, safety, euphoria, chasing the dragon, and being an introvert in showbiz!

Grammy-nominated recording artist, songwriter, and children's musician Justin Roberts visits the Rundman kitchen amidst his gigs at the Minnesota State Fair. Justin discusses his career from college rock to kindie rock, with many insights from along the journey: The awesome Chicago music scene in the 1990s! A life-changing interaction with renown scholar Martin Marty! Artist advocacy from Chicago to Washington DC! And throngs of adoring intergenerational fans! I lost the tooth I lost!

Bassist, touring musician, producer, and aspiring fashion designer Ben Kelly meets the Rundmans for the first time. This conversation goes from zero to sixty immediately, and Ben wastes no time digging into some very surprising and provocative topics! We discuss how being in a band is like pulling off a heist, the contraction of "entrepreneur" and "producer," Ben's faith that the system will work, and reflections on how the grass is always greener on the other side. And, we keep talking about boats. Fast-paced fun abounds. Get ready.

Panel discussion recorded before a live audience! Guests include Joel & Aimée Pakan of TANGLED BLUE, Holly Hansen of ZOO ANIMAL, New Testament scholar Dr. Audrey West, and potter/musician/professor Keith J. Williams. Topics include improvisation, hiddenness, going on hiatus, the influence of tools and technology, self-care, and the value of high stakes art. Lots of wisdom from cool people, recorded during the inaugural Faith Creative retreat in the Northwoods of Wisconsin. 

Lawyer, scientist, and unapologetic nerd David Casimir adds "armchair futurist" to his list of descriptors! Dave's return appearance at the Rundmans' kitchen table features discussions about the singularity, medical advances, the Silicon Valley dot com boom of the '90s, and many other creativity-related topics, all with a frosting of optimism. Are these conversations themselves a luxury? I am the chemicals in my body! Good grief!

Producer, musician, and songwriter Matt Patrick of The Library Recording Studio gives us some perspective from the other side of the studio glass. Very practical advice abounds for musicians and recording artists, as well as for anyone in the creative arts. Cool fact: Matt is the producer for Jonathan's 2015 album LOOK UP!

Art professor and multi-media stuff-maker Kjellgren Alkire shares his inspiring thoughts with the Rundmans. Lots of wisdom in this episode: Talent and inspiration don't exist! Good art comes from generosity! And Jonathan confesses his seething masculinity issues.

Musician, songwriter, curator, and host of the Composer Quest podcast Charlie McCarron visits the Rundman kitchen. Discussion topics include: balancing creativity and business, exploring all genres, advice for podcasting, and Jonathan's lack of soul. This episode proves how podcasting and art brings complete strangers together!  

Theologian, philosopher, writer, musician, and veteran podcaster Tripp Fuller visits Minnesota from California. We discuss Heidegger's thoughts on authenticity, pitching a comedy to Fox television, the impact of '90s rock bands like Counting Crows and Bill Mallonee & Vigilantes Of Love, and reaching optimism via brutal honesty.

Photographer Jason DeBose talks to the Rundmans about his journey from being a network TV producer in Hollywood to becoming a gallery-show photographer in Helsinki (and beyond). Special connections in this show for Finns and Yoopers!

Comedy writer, actor, and co-founder of Four Humors Theater company Matt Spring sits down at the Rundmans' kitchen table. Discussion includes: lessons learned from Skeletor, writing for animated characters, and how years as an aquatics director at a swimming pool can inform a career in theater.