A mirror that stares back at a goddess. A studio that runs on play. A maker who treats mistakes like maps. Walk with us and David Wiseman along the LA River as we trace the making of a seven-foot grotto mirror bound for Chatsworth House and the winding path that led from deer wall hooks to Dior ceilings. This story is about process as much as product, how a single wax drip can become a piece’s DNA, how deadlines sharpen invention, and how the right mold can multiply originality instead of cloning it.

David opens the door to his compound and his philosophy. We get inside the feedback loop of an artist-run foundry, where modular stalactite “archetypes” allow real-time composition and patina chemistry compresses weeks into days. He threads myth and material with a light touch, Diana’s grotto meets peyote faces and desert toads, reminding us that wonder belongs in serious work. We talk Victorian follies, garden hermits, and the joy of looking at nature until it reveals itself, then building a form that feels discovered rather than imposed.

The journey arcs through RISD, early “deer guy” days, and the aha of bronze, into collectible design, editions, and the practicalities of wiring, structure, and safe installation. Along the way, David shares how he builds a community of “no-people,” hosts Thursday art nights, and reframes failure as information. He’s candid about scaling a practice, balancing life around a 26-person studio, and the ambition to make beautiful, meaningful objects more affordable, yes, even exploring an IKEA collaboration, without extinguishing the spark that makes the work alive.

If you care about craft, sculpture, design, and the slippery line where they overlap, this walk is a field guide. Hit play, then tell us where you find your spark.

How do you make a feature film for less than $30,000 that attracts A-list talent? Pete Ohs reveals his unconventional approach to filmmaking that throws out the rulebook and returns to what makes creativity truly fulfilling.

Pete shares how his journey began simply as a teenager making videos with friends, not aspiring filmmakers creating art, just kids having fun with a camera. This foundation of joy-first creation became the philosophical cornerstone of his professional methodology. After studying computer science and pivoting to video production, Pete developed a filmmaking approach that prioritizes creative freedom and enjoyment over traditional structures.

What makes Pete's process remarkable is its radical simplicity. No scripts, just brief outlines. Minimal crews, often just himself handling camera, sound, and direction. Two-week shooting schedules in single locations with small casts who become co-writers. The first week is spent filming the first half of the story, then everyone takes a day off while Pete determines how it should end. This approach has attracted collaborators like Julia Garner and Charli XCX, who value the opportunity to create without the pressure of justifying massive budgets.

Throughout our conversation, Pete opens up about recent personal struggles, his father's passing and a relationship ending, revealing a stark contrast between his professional confidence and personal insecurities. His mantra "smaller is better" applies not just to filmmaking but reflects a deeper philosophy about finding meaning in process rather than outcome: "If the journey isn't enjoyable, the end result won't be worth it."

Whether you're a filmmaker, artist, or anyone seeking a more fulfilling creative life, Pete's approach offers a refreshing alternative to the bigger-is-better mindset. Subscribe now to hear more conversations with creators who are redefining what's possible in their fields.

What happens when we're faced with our deepest vulnerabilities? Who guides us through those darkest moments when words fail and understanding seems impossible?

Meet Peggy Kelly, a hospital chaplain at Cedars-Sinai in Los Angeles, whose extraordinary work places her at the intersection of life's most profound transitions. Far from the religious stereotype many might expect, Peggy reveals the nuanced art of spiritual care – a practice that serves people of all faiths and none, focusing not on conversion but connection.

With disarming honesty, Peggy shares her unlikely journey from aspiring actress to "soul doctor," sparked by witnessing children's existential questions after 9/11. She details the rigorous path to becoming a chaplain – a seven-year journey requiring clinical training, theological education, and thousands of hours of patient care. This isn't volunteer work; it's a calling that demands both professional expertise and profound humanity.

The conversation takes breathtaking turns as Peggy recounts experiences with dying children whose wisdom transcends their years, including a five-year-old boy who, after watching his mother die, simply observed, "I guess she's all done with school." Such moments reveal how even in our most broken times, unexpected beauty and clarity can emerge.

What makes this exchange particularly powerful is its embrace of contrasting perspectives. As the host shares his atheistic viewpoint shaped by losing his mother at eleven, Peggy listens without judgment, demonstrating the very approach that makes her work so effective – meeting people exactly where they are. Their respectful dialogue creates a rare space where faith and skepticism can coexist, united by shared human experience.

Whether you're grappling with mortality, supporting someone through illness, or simply curious about how we find meaning in suffering, this conversation offers rare insights into life's most challenging moments. Listen now to discover how spiritual care transcends religious boundaries to touch what makes us most human.