This holiday season, we’re highlighting local businesses as part of our #StayLocal2020 campaign. Scroll to the bottom for more information. It’s been quite the year in storytelling: here are 18 stories that inspired us and made us feel hopeful this year, and we hope they can inspire you too. Local Photographer’s Front Porch Project Leaves the Light on for Shelter Pets –

“I think it’s important to put all of yourself on the chopping block every once in a while, look at every aspect of your life and think, do I really like this? Does this really matter to me?” – Miranda Aisling Miranda Aisling (she/her/hers) is an interdisciplinary artist, community organizer, entrepreneur, and author. In 2013, she launched her book Don’t

“In times of chaos, that’s when magic is possible. Chaos is from the Greek, it’s the primordial force by which all things are created.” – Peter Mercury Peter Mercury (he/they) is a non-binary aerialist, movement artist, and circus arts performer whose wild and wicked way has brought them to venues around the world. Their work has been featured in notable

Daybar and Phillip Bugler, along with their son Phil Bugler IV – aka Burrito –  are the hosts of the Eat Drink Explore Podcast, a podcast celebrating the best of the North Shore’s food scene and the chefs, sommeliers, bakers, baristas, and front of house staff that make those experiences possible. Excited by the sights, smells, and flavors of the

Editor’s Note: In the podcast preamble I mention two organizations where you can donate to right now that are doing what is needed in Minnesota and nationally. They are: Black VisionsNational Bail Out Fund #BlackLivesMatter #EnoughisEnough Bail Funds/Legal Help by City Lisa Kawski is a sound healer, kirtan practitioner, and the owner of Sound Healing for the Soul. She joins

Christian Sterling Hegg joins Joey Phoenix on The Chaos Within podcast to talk about Tales from the Dragon Eye Galaxy, following your curiosity, and asking important questions like hey, what day is today anyway? Christian is a graphic designer, cosplayer, actor, singer, performer, writer, and director. He’s worked with theatres in New York, Utah, and Massachusetts, designed t-shirts and book

“Can we create a village? Could we create a community so that something like this happens that it’s easier, it’s already there, the systems are already in place, there is someone to help care for you and your family and you’re not just on your own?” Tia Cole Tia Cole is a local artist, soapmaker, community organizer, and arts advocate.

Accessibility Note: Scroll to the end of this post to find the audio transcript. Bekah Jordan is a jill-of-all-trades director, producer, writer, designer, teacher, installation artist, and performer. She joins Joey Phoenix on the podcast to talk about art as a lifeline, children’s literature, her in-the-works zine Attn: Pandemic and how well-produced immersive theatre can ruin your life in the

Accessibility Note: Scroll to the end of this post to find the audio transcript. Jessica Murdock joins Joey Phoenix on the podcast today to talk about starting what you finish and creating art through all seasons of life. There will also be a bit about her rescue doggo Pixie, who is featured in many of her art pieces, and her

Accessibility Note: Scroll to the end of this post to find the audio transcript. If we’re thinking of this as a pressure cooker – me creating things is the steam release valve. And for some people, the release valve is sending memes back and forth, it’s napping, it’s sitting and doing nothing, it’s finding a little time to read when