Artifice Artifice Podcast by Emily Merrell

Hailing from Narembeen in the wheatbelt of Western Australia, Jordan is a metal artist specialising in one-of-a-kind animal sculptures. Using retired tools, machine parts and recycled farm scrap sourced throughout rural Western Australia, Jordan finds inspiration in the animal kingdom and brings his sculptures to life.

Now in his tenth year as a full time sculptor, Jordan builds a variety of pieces, ranging from small garden sculptures such as Willy wagtails and dragonflies, to large show-stopping sculptures such as the Australovenator and the Camel. Many of his pieces sit proudly in private homes, however he also has some public pieces across the country to be viewed by tourists and locals alike.

Website https://www.jordanspriggsculptures.com.au
Socials (Facebook, Instagram, TikTok) @jordanspriggsculptures

Jen Cunha is an attorney, animal cognition trainer, writer, and international speaker, focusing on animal literacy and communication. A "parrot mama" for over 16 years, Jen has been developing cognition training techniques for almost a decade. Her training manuals have been translated and distributed throughout Europe, and she’s been featured in Bird Talk magazine. Jen has twice written articles for the International Association of Applied Behavior Consultants Journal and is a frequent lecturer at science conventions and companion bird gatherings around the world. Jennifer collaborates on animal literacy and communication projects with university researchers, and her research has been published in peer-reviewed scientific proceedings. Her birds, Ellie and Isabelle, have passed university-designed blind tests on phonics and reading comprehension skills and are considered the very first animals who have learned how to read.

https://parrotkindergarten.com/
https://www.instagram.com/parrotkindergarten/

Casey Drake is a self-taught artist, author, illustrator, and mother currently based in Orlando, Florida. While always driven by a strong, intrinsic need to create, her artistic journey took an unexpected turn when her whimsical sidewalk chalk creations gained widespread recognition in 2020. Before this, Casey obtained a bachelor’s of science in Biology, served as a Peace Corps volunteer in South Africa, and taught in under-served schools in Arizona and Florida. However, this sudden and extreme attention to her art ignited a newfound passion within her for illustration, as well as the motivation to pursue an artistic career path. Her diverse background in biology, education, and humanitarian work has led to an unique artistic perspective and irreverence in her work.


In 2021, Casey unveiled her debut children's picture book, 'Hi, My Name is Why!', a passion project that resulted in a fully funded Kickstarter campaign and physical book. Currently pursuing a graduate degree in Business of Art and Design at Maryland Institute College of Art, Casey's vision extends beyond her personal artistic endeavors. She envisions establishing a combination community art and maker space—a convergence of art, creation, and community—in her future home of Washington State. This space will fuse a coffee bar with a maker space to cultivate a haven for creativity and connection. As she navigates through grad school and cultivates her artistic identity, Casey Drake stands poised to leave an indelible mark.

CaseyDrake.com
instagram.com/caseydrakemakes

From Anna's Obituary: Mary Annaleen Mooy, beloved sister, aunt, teacher, and devoted friend to many, age 65, peacefully passed away on January 15, 2024, due to complications of a brain tumor.

I'm so grateful I have this conversation with Anna to remember and cherish, along with some truly impactful memories from my time as her student. It feels right to honor her by sharing this interview a second time. Rest in peace, beautiful Anna.

Anna's Bio:

Mezzo-soprano Anna Mooy received Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in voice from BYU, Provo, and did doctoral study at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis, where she studied with Glenda Maurice. She has received many honors, including Regional Finalist for the Metropolitan Opera Auditions on two occasions. She has also performed with many of the world’s finest choral organizations including the Dale Warland Singers, VocalEsssence and the Mormon Tabernacle Choir; both as choral member and soloist. Performances with other organizations include the Minnesota Orchestra, the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra, and the Utah Symphony, among many others. She has also been a judge for the the Metropolitan Opera District auditions in Utah and North Dakota. Active as a recitalist, she has performed widely through the Midwestern United States, as well as the Rocky Mountain West and Hawaii. She has been on the voice faculties of St. Olaf College, Bemidji State University, Brigham Young University, Provo, and BYU Hawaii.

Pham was born in a Malaysian refugee camp in 1979. His parents are Vietnamese and fled the country during the Vietnam War. The family moved to the United States when he was five months old and has lived in the U.S. ever since.
Pham was teased often as a young child, and has said that he began to "resent being Asian" because of this bullying. He often avoided traditional Asian food while growing up, opting for McDonald's hamburgers, because he thought "if I could eat American food, it would make me feel more American.
Pham attended culinary school in San Francisco but began his career in software. His first chef job was at Casey's Irish Pub Downtown where he was hired in 2006 upon graduating from Le Cordon Bleu. After working in San Francisco, owner Blake Ballard convinced Chef Pham to join Spark Restaurant and Lounge in Provo, Utah. In 2009, Pham opened his own restaurant, Forage, in Utah with co-Chef Bowman Brown. In 2011 Pham received the Best New Chef Award from Food & Wine Magazine. In 2012, Pham was an Iron Chef America winner by beating Chef Bobby Flay. He also appeared on the second season of Extreme Chef. In 2018, he faced off against Chef Bobby Flay again on Beat Bobby Flay, securing a second victory against him.
In 2016 Forage closed, with Pham and Brown parting ways. Pham's next project was the fast-casual fried chicken restaurant, Pretty Bird Hot Chicken. Starting in downtown Salt Lake City, the Pretty Bird brand has expanded to four locations as of the end of 2022. These include the original downtown location as well as Sugar House, Midvale, and Park City.

https://www.instagram.com/chefvietpham/
https://www.instagram.com/prettybirdchicken/

Evan Werner is an avid woodworker, chef, outdoorsman, and entrepreneur. Living in a rural community in Utah has allowed him to spend more time with his artistic passions. He runs South Slope Wood-fired Pizza with his wife Priscilla. When he’s not serving up delicious wood fired pizza he’s in the mountains fly fishing or searching for unique logs to harvest to create furniture and wood turned pieces. He enjoys sharing his passion with others. There is great reward in teaching someone to have greater success in the kitchen or in the field.

https://www.facebook.com/southslopepizza2020/