The Art Box

MJ sits down with Laura Buxton, President of the Virgin Valley Junior Golf Association, to discuss how the organization is helping shape the next generation of golfers and community leaders. Laura shares the association's mission of creating a positive, inclusive, and growth-oriented environment where young athletes develop not only their golf skills, but also confidence, discipline, teamwork, respect, and a lifelong love of the game.

The conversation explores the exciting programs, clinics, and opportunities planned for this summer, along with the dedicated volunteers and community support that make youth golf thrive in Virgin Valley. Whether your child...

In this engaging episode of The Art Box, MJ Stiles sits down with Mesquite's own Kathy Cho, a woman whose creative talents seem to know no bounds. Kathy is a professional golfer, sought-after golf instructor, accomplished artist, internationally recognized clothing designer, and musician whose curiosity and passion continue to inspire those around her.

Kathy shares her journey in the world of golf and her dedication to teaching players of all ages, helping beginners and seasoned golfers alike find confidence and joy in the game. Beyond the fairways, she discusses her work as a celebrated fashion designer and...

Every once in a while, The Art Box likes to pause from our usual conversations and celebrate the days that quietly stitch together the fabric of our shared lives. Holidays. Cultural moments. National remembrances. Days that ask us not simply to wave a flag or mark a calendar… but to reflect.

One of the beautiful things about nearly five hundred episodes of conversations is that along the way, we’ve gathered an extraordinary family of artists, storytellers, musicians, poets, historians, dreamers, and deep thinkers. And on special occasions like this, we’re honored to invite some of those...

From international stages to television studios, bestselling author, speaker, artist, and creativity advocate Judi Moreo has spent a lifetime helping others discover what they're truly capable of. In this inspiring conversation, Judi shares her journey of resilience, reinvention, and creative courage, along with lessons learned while speaking in 29 countries and empowering countless individuals to pursue their dreams. We also discuss her newest passion project, The Center for Creative Expression, and why she believes creativity is not reserved for artists, it's one of the most important survival tools we possess as human beings.

A thoughtful conversation about embracing...

On Episode 447 of The Art Box, we sit down with one of Mesquite's most beloved performers, volunteers, writers, and community champions, Cheryl Kilker.

From her days traveling the world with Up with People as Cheryl Kirking to her years on stage, in community service, and as an author, Cheryl has spent a lifetime creating connections and inspiring others. We talk about her remarkable journey, her love of music and performance, her experiences as Ms. Senior Mesquite and Ms. Senior Nevada, and the life lessons that inspired her book, 100 Ripples of Joy.

Along the way, Cheryl...

Turn it up, Art Box listeners!

For our milestone Episode 450, MJ takes The Art Box on the road to the Headliners Club for an electrifying evening with Petty Fever, one of the nation's premier Tom Petty tribute bands. From the first guitar riff to the final encore, the energy was off the charts as fans packed the venue to celebrate the timeless music of one of rock's most beloved songwriters.

MJ goes backstage and behind the music to chat with the talented musicians who bring the spirit, sound, and soul of Tom Petty and the...

On Episode 446 of The Art Box, we conclude our Gardnerville, Nevada road trip with Scott and Vicki, owners of Uninhibited: A Craft Brew Experience.

What began as a love of craft beer has grown into something much larger, a gathering place where neighbors become friends, conversations flow as easily as the beverages, and community is always on tap. Scott and Vicki share the story behind their unique business, the welcoming atmosphere they've created in Gardnerville, and their mobile craft beer experience that brings people together at block parties, holiday celebrations, community festivals, and special events throughout the...

On Episode 445 of The Art Box, recorded during our Gardnerville, Nevada road trip, we visit with tattoo artist and business owner Jennifer Sutton of Above the Bar Tattoo.

Jennifer shares stories from her early life, her path into the world of tattoo artistry, and the creative journey that eventually led her and her husband Nick from Venice, California to the Carson Valley. What they found in Gardnerville was more than a place to open a business—it was a place to build community.

Today, Above the Bar Tattoo serves as much more than a tattoo st...

On Episode 444 of The Art Box, recorded during our Gardnerville, Nevada road trip, we visit with artist Will Pender at the lively atmosphere of DST Coffee.

Will shares stories of being the kid who was always drawing, how his artistic talents unexpectedly led him into a career as a law enforcement sketch artist, and how retirement has opened new doors for exploration, creativity, and curiosity. Today, Will is known for his striking travel poster artwork, capturing the character and beauty of places.

Join us as we discuss the intersection of art and observation, the fascinating...

Nestled in the heart of Gardnerville, Nevada, Luminary Books is much more than a bookstore, it is a community gathering place where creativity, curiosity, and connection thrive. In this episode of The Art Box, Steve sits down with owner Marissa Mills, an artist, dance instructor, passionate reader, and champion of all things creative.

Marissa shares the story behind one of Steve's favorite independent bookstores, her love of literature and the arts, and the many imaginative events she creates, from book discussions and author visits to painting experiences that bring people together. Along the way, they explore the...

Step back in time with us as we visit Gardnerville, Nevada, and meet Rielynn, the creative force behind Eye of Rie Tintype Photography. In an age of smartphones and instant images, Rielynn has embraced one of photography's oldest and most fascinating processes, creating stunning tintype portraits that connect modern subjects with the rich history of the photographic arts.

In this episode, we explore Rielynn's journey into historic photography, the challenges and rewards of working with nineteenth-century techniques, and why people are increasingly drawn to handcrafted images in our digital world. We discuss chemistry, creativity, patience, and the...

Recorded in Gardnerville, Nevada, Steve sits down with Jen Tune, Executive Director of Main Street Gardnerville, for a conversation about the power of creativity, collaboration, and community vision in rural Nevada.

Jen shares how Main Street Gardnerville works to support local businesses, strengthen economic development, celebrate the arts, and create a vibrant sense of place for residents and visitors alike. From revitalization efforts to community events, she discusses the challenges and opportunities that come with helping a small rural town thrive in a rapidly changing world.

The conversation explores how curiosity fuels innovation, why the...

Poet, scholar, and proud Arab American Rayann Hijazi joins The Art Box Podcast to discuss the powerful intersection of poetry, culture, and science. A former Poetry Out Loud national competitor and current Microbiology and Immunology student at the University of Nevada, Reno, Rayann shares how her Palestinian heritage influences her writing, the challenges of finding your voice between different worlds, and why poetry remains one of the most powerful tools for understanding ourselves and each other.

Thoughtful, insightful, and wise beyond her years, Rayann reminds us that curiosity and creativity belong in every field of study. Sometimes...

Join us as Wyoming Poet Darrell Holden recites his poem "Thanks" and Mesquite, Nevada resident DJ Van Dyke sings a beautiful Memorial Day ballad. 

Episode 438 steps into the sharp edges of perseverance, trust, resilience, and the relentless pursuit of possibility. In this conversation, Steve sits down with author, climber, speaker, teacher, and lifelong seeker Dierdre to discuss her new book, Success in 7 Steps, and the lived experiences that shaped it.

From rock climbing partnerships where lives quite literally hang in the balance, to navigating difficult personal chapters with grit and tenacity, Dierdre reflects on the lessons that taught her how dreams are not simply wished into existence — they are climbed toward, one deliberate hold at a time. Along the way, she sh...

What happens when four talented photographers who first met through creative wanderings across the American West finally sit down together for a roundtable conversation?

A whole lot of laughter, insight, storytelling… and a deep appreciation for the art of noticing.

In this special The Art Box Podcast roundtable episode, Steve welcomes returning guests Tiffany Weems, Sue Beauchamp, Teresa Wasiak, and Marla Aufmuth for an engaging conversation about photography, creativity, travel, human connection, and the stories waiting quietly behind the lens.

Steve first met Tiffany, Sue, and Teresa through Travel Nevada FOCUS photography conferences, wh...

In this heartfelt and wide-ranging episode of The Art Box, Steve sits down with Kristi Tausinga, manager of the Mesquite Works STEAM Center, to explore creativity, mentorship, healing, and the joy of helping young minds discover those unforgettable “aha” moments.

A retired police officer turned educational leader, Kristi brings a deeply human perspective to her work with students. Known for thinking outside the box, she helps create unique hands-on learning experiences that encourage curiosity, confidence, and imagination. And if you ask the students, they’ll tell you the same thing—Kristi genuinely cares, and it shows.

Steve...

From England to Southern Africa to the Nevada desert, Stephen Murray has lived a life shaped by travel, reinvention, observation, and story. In this thoughtful episode of The Art Box, Steve sits down with the author, retired software entrepreneur, and host of Gift of Giving on WWDBTV in Las Vegas to explore how a lifetime of experiences eventually found their way into fiction.

Stephen shares reflections on writing six novels across multiple genres, the importance of strong character development, and why he believes dialogue should reveal who a character is without always needing to say their name...

In this heartfelt and deeply reflective episode of The Art Box, Steve sits down with one of his best friends in Mesquite, Kaye Ashbridge, for a conversation centered around intuition, healing, self-reflection, and leading with the heart.

Kaye shares thoughts from her intuitive practice and her work with tarot cards—not as tools to predict a fixed future, but as gentle doorways into deeper thought, self-awareness, and personal growth. Together, Steve and Kaye explore the Hawaiian practice of Ho'oponopono, the importance of listening inwardly, and the idea that sometimes the answers we seek are already quietly waiting in...

In Episode 433 of The Art Box, Steve welcomes Virginia poet Tom Snarsky for a thoughtful and wonderfully wandering conversation about poetry, mathematics, the internet, rejection, collaboration, and the strange beauty of language in modern life.

Tom is the author of several poetry collections including Light-Up Swan, Reclaimed Water, and his newest release A Letter From The Mountain & Other Poems. Living in the mountains of northwestern Virginia, Tom writes poems that are at once deeply conversational, intellectually curious, and quietly human.

Together, Steve and Tom explore how poems begin with fragments, titles, sounds, and passing observations...

In June of 2023, we sat down with Michael Napper for one of our most poignant episodes—Episode 10 of Clouds in the Sand—where he shared his powerful journey as a healthcare worker navigating the challenges of COVID, offering care, compassion, and presence during one of the most difficult times in recent history.

Now, Michael returns.

This time, we step into a different side of his story—one that has been with him just as long.

With over 40 years as an LPN and decades of musical exploration, Michael shares how music—first discovered as a young...

Spring 2026 East Fremont Festival of Arts | Downtown Container Park, Las Vegas

Sometimes the best episodes aren’t planned—they’re discovered.

In this special on-location episode of The Art Box, Steve heads to the vibrant Spring East Fremont Festival of Arts, hosted by our friend Liezl Siojo of ART BOX, at the ever-energetic Downtown Container Park.

Under a sky full of color, music, and creativity, we set up and invited something simple… and powerful:

Share a poem.

What followed was a beautiful, spontaneous collection of voices—artists, vendors, and visitors a...

In this episode of The Art Box, host MJ sits down with Joe Dwyer, whose life’s work spans from representing workers as a Teamster in Billings, Montana to serving on state boards for three governors as Chairman of the Montana State Fund. Born in New Brighton, Pennsylvania, Joe reflects on a lifetime of service, leadership, and advocacy—before ultimately finding his way to Mesquite, Nevada with his wife of 52 years Kathy. It’s a conversation about purpose, perseverance, and what it means to serve others throughout a lifetime.

In this episode of The Art Box, Steve sits down with Mills Kelly, a retired history professor whose work bridges the worlds of storytelling, education, and public engagement. From decades in academia to creating a podcast on the history of the Appalachian Trail, Mills shares how curiosity, patience, and archival discovery shape his process.

Together, they explore the idea that history, much like a long trail, is something we move through, question, and rediscover along the way. It’s a thoughtful conversation about learning, humanity, and the quiet ways we can all contribute to making the world a...

In this heartfelt episode of The Art Box, Steve sits down with artist and musician Rachelle McMullin to explore a creative journey that is anything but linear—and all the more powerful because of it.

Rachelle’s story begins with a home filled with creativity, guided by a mother who believed art and music were essential to life. From a cracked violin and an out-of-tune piano to the deep resonance of the cello, creativity was always within reach. But like many artists, her path took unexpected turns, and for nearly two decades, art and music quietly slipped away...

Step into a dimly lit coffeehouse where the espresso is strong, the saxophone hums low, and the words still matter.

In Episode 427 of The Art Box, Steve sits down with returning guest Dawn Amundson for a deep and delightfully free-flowing conversation about the Beat Generation, what it was, what it challenged, and why it still pulses through today’s creative world. After first scratching the surface months ago, Dawn went all in, diving into research, revisiting the voices, and reflecting on her own personal experiences with Beat-inspired art and culture.

Together, Steve and Dawn trace a...

So this episode is a bit noisy as we recorded outside at the Alamo Inn, right on Nevada Route 93, the Great Basin Highway, where we had to contend with AC's and rural traffic.

What if rock art isn’t just something you see… but something you hear?

In this fascinating episode of The Art Box, Steve sits down with archaeologist Chester Liwosz to explore the emerging field of archaeoacoustics—the study of sound in ancient cultural landscapes—through the lens of the White River Narrows Archaeological District in eastern Nevada.

At the crossroads of the G...

Today we head into the bright lights and deeper truths of Las Vegas with author Brian Rouff—a writer who has spent decades exploring the thin line between luck and consequence, chance and choice.

From cult classic novels like Dice Angel to his powerful memoir A Long September, Brian takes us behind the scenes of a city built on probability, and reveals the very human stories that live underneath it all.

This is a conversation about storytelling, survival, and what happens when life doesn’t follow the odds.

This episode pairs well with epis...

In this special solo episode of The Art Box, our always-curious research assistant Addie takes the mic for the very first time, venturing down a literary rabbit hole with The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster.

After a suggestion from Episode 425 guest writer Brian Rouff, Steve sent Addie off on a mission: read the book, unpack its meaning, and see what wisdom might be hiding behind its wonderfully strange characters and wordplay.

What follows is a delightful and thoughtful exploration of Milo’s journey through the Lands Beyond, where boredom gives way to curiosity, language bends in...

In this episode of The Art Box, we sit down with photographer Marla Aufmuth for a warm and engaging conversation about the craft, business, and heart behind photography. From her early days in a high school darkroom—watching images come to life—to building a career across music, weddings, events, and portraiture, Marla shares how curiosity and problem-solving have shaped her journey.

We explore her evolving relationship with photography—from film to digital—and her thoughtful perspective on technology as a creative tool. Marla also dives into her powerful project Love the Ride, highlighting women and their air-cool...

In this episode of The Art Box, we sit down in the Red Rock Canyon Conservation area visitors center with the incredible paper-mâché artist Vanessa Maciel, a bright light in the Nevada arts community and someone we’ve been hoping to have on the show for quite some time.

Currently serving as Artist in Residence at the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, Vanessa creates remarkable large-scale masks and life-sized figures inspired by folklore, identity, and imagination. But beyond her artwork, it’s her spirit and generosity that truly shine. Through her workshops and outreach, especially with y...

Joining us from Placerville, California, returning guest Gwen Reid (Episode 400) brings a thoughtful and heartfelt perspective on freedom, creativity, and the ties that bind us to place and purpose. In a time often filled with noise and celebration, this episode offers a quieter reflection—on what it means to be independent, to create, and to belong.

A perfect companion for a summer day—rooted in story, spirit, and a deep appreciation for the American landscape.

Thank you for being loyal listeners.

In this episode of The Art Box, Steve sits down with hiker, reader, poet, and lifelong lover of language Dawn Amundson for a conversation that celebrates the simple and powerful beauty of words.

Dawn shares how her connection to reading began almost from the moment she entered the world—a lifelong relationship with books that carried her through careers as a school teacher and librarian, and continues to shape her days today. Whether she’s turning pages, writing poetry, or walking the trails of the Mojave Desert, Dawn brings a deep sense of curiosity and appreciation to every...

I absolutely love this episode, Jacqui is such a treasure to our creative communities.

In this episode of The Art Box, Steve sits down with theatre director and technical theatre specialist Jacqui Thomassen to talk about the craft, collaboration, and purpose behind live theatre.

Jacqui shares how what began as a simple bucket-list audition quickly turned into a full-fledged career, eventually leading her to earn a degree in technical theatre and work in a $25-million professional theatre. Along the way she discovered a passion for lighting design and directing, and developed a thoughtful process for...

In this episode of The Art Box, Steve sits down with filmmaker, entrepreneur, and all-around storyteller Josh Wilson for a wide-ranging conversation that starts with his feature-length independent film American Nobody and quickly wanders into all sorts of unexpected territory.

Josh shares the long road it took to bring the film to life, including building much of his own camera gear when professional equipment was out of reach. From homemade camera jibs and sliders to improvised lighting setups, his story is a reminder that determination and creativity often matter more than a big budget.

But...

In this episode of The Art Box, Steve sits down with Tom Burns, Executive Director of the Nevada Governor's Office of Economic Development, for a thoughtful conversation about how opportunity grows communities.

Tom shares an idea that has guided much of his work: raising the top step of the stool. When individuals are given the chance to reach higher, through education, opportunity, and economic growth, it lifts families, neighborhoods, and entire communities along with them.

Appointed by Joe Lombardo in 2023, Tom brings decades of experience in business, finance, and civic leadership to the role. A...

We first discovered Leigh Ratterman during a Poetry Open Mic session at the National Cowboy Poetry Gathering in Elko. She stopped by our remote studio at the Elko Convention Center for a quick chat in Episode 405, and we immediately knew there was much more to her story. So we invited her back for a full conversation, and we’re very glad she said yes.

In this episode of The Art Box, Steve visits with Leigh, a cowboy poet from Arlee, Montana whose journey west began in suburban Connecticut after seeing Dances With Wolves as a kid and re...

I first met Montana songwriter, storyteller, and cowboy poet Ben Larson in Elko at the National Cowboy Poetry Gathering, where he appeared in one of our short episodes (Episode 402). It was immediately clear that Ben had far more stories to share, so I reached out and invited him to join us for a full conversation. In this episode, Ben calls in from his home in Philipsburg, Montana, and we explore the winding path that led him from the backwoods of Vermont to a life of music, writing, and storytelling in the rural West.

Ben walks his own...

If you listen to just one podcast this year, make it this one.

Award-winning author Patricia Leavy joins us for a fascinating conversation that takes listeners behind the scenes of her beloved works of fiction and the characters who continue to live on in her imagination long after the final page is written. Patricia shares how storytelling first took root in her life through the influence of her grandmother, who instilled in her a deep love for stories and the magic they can hold.

We explore Patricia’s creative process, the way her characters seem to...

In this episode of The Art Box, we sit down with Marie Alvery, the reigning 2025 Ms. Senior Mesquite, along with Becky Boyd, the longtime leader and administrator of the Ms. Senior Mesquite Pageant in Mesquite.

Marie shares her personal experience as this year’s titleholder and how participating in the pageant has opened doors to new friendships, community service, and personal growth. Becky offers insight into the heart behind the program and how it celebrates the wisdom, talents, and life stories of senior women in our community. Together they discuss the many benefits the pageant brings, not on...