When do you get to officially identify as an artist?

Endless amazingness with this human. Shantell has done so much for the Spokane community through, arts, advocacy, kindness, and working with college students and developing equity programming. On this episode we talked about being nerds, art, somatic healing work, organizing, coming back to your mission, play as an adult and so much more. I can't believe it took me 20 years to meet Shantell but it is perfect timing and I am so grateful I did. Follow this badass activist, artist, writer and all her amazing work and her latest art "blk box gallery' on insta.

Be afraid of the man who practices a joke more than 1000 times…. from NYC to Spokane Ibrahim is bringing his dry wit and making the scene more interesting. I’ve been lucky to see his journey of open mic to hosting, to being booked, over the past 2 years. On this episode we talk about how poetry led him to comedy, the grind and practice of crafting jokes, writing, Batman, dyslexia, psychology, and swim instructing. Go follow and check out his comedy journey.

We have sound! Thanks to Estimate I learned how to turn up the sound in garage band. That's why it is helpful to have a producer in the studio. Matt, or Estimate, is not only savvy with making things sound good but he makes a damn good drink. We first met at, Radio Bar, my favorite local bar in Spokane. Soon after becoming his number 1 customer - I ran into Estimate in the music scene in Spokane and got to see him preform. I was enthralled with his rapping and producing ability and had to have him on the podcast. His talent for making rap, and smooth beats, are like no one else in Spokane. This episode we talked about his influences for being a producer and rapper, how he stays focused in his home town, what it is like being from here, music being healing, bartending and the world of bartending, and the music scene of Spokane. Thanks to, Estimate, for also giving me the “Casual Disasters” theme song.

We prefunked this episode by getting our artists pics for Terrain! Both Matt and I will be featured for the big event. Go see him perform, Thursday October 3rd at 7pm, for Terrains preview night.

Mariah McKay - Season 2 guest opener for "Casual Disasters".

I even have a theme song and logo for this season! Upping my podcast game. Thanks to Estimate for the theme song and Garrett Doll for the logo.

But back to the guest - there are endless cheers I could give to Mariah. She has been huge for the Spokane Community. As "multipotenialites" we unite over our masking, ADHD/VAST (Variable, Attention, Stimulus, Trait) being from this area, and bonding over our passion for Spokane. This interview dives into alternative learning, being an exceptional learner sent to an alternative school, local politics, the beginning of TERRAIN and the art scene, implementing co-housing, Spokane Independent Metro Business Alliance (SIMBA), and the many hats she wears for this community. Give it a listen and follow the amazing things she does for this place. This is part 1 of many episodes.

Off the track of Bloomsday to record this episode. My bestie joins me on casual disasters to discuss our 23+years of friendship, neurodivergence (ADHD, OCD, Anxiety), dating late in adulthood, the culture of Spokane, the helping profession, and our journey through recovering from codependency.

Episode 8 Anthony joins Wilma and I to discuss the art of comedy, racism in America, trauma, and of course Donald Trumps new shoes. Anthony is growing the comedy scene in Spokane and healing our community through his work for the Spokane Resource Center. An amazing convo!

Ben Tobin, “Capturing Spokane”, photographer joins me on episode 7. He has spent the last 7 years doing street photography and immersed himself in the streets of downtown. We talk about the unhoused community of Spokane, working with Range News, “the unfinished love stories”, humanity, his work as a professional photographer, drinking culture and being sober, and the 1000+ miles he’s walked in our city. Check out his photography on insta under Ben Tobin or Capturing Spokane.

Reese joins me on episode 6 to discuss education, his work around equity and inclusion, and we dive into the use of language. Originally from Philadelphia, Reese, is learning the complexities of living in the PNW. He has made the move to Pullman and is deep in his work to make our Vet School at WSU more inclusive.