The Art Box - Episode 410 - A Ranch Musical - Meet Natalie Aramendia and Kristyn Harris

The Art Box - Episode 410 - A Ranch Musical - Meet Natalie Aramendia and Kristyn Harris

As part of our continuing coverage of the 41st Annual National Cowboy Poetry Gathering in Elko, Nevada, Steve Dudrow welcomes filmmaker Natalie Aramendia and singer, songwriter, and actress Kristyn Harris to discuss the creation of the award-winning film A Ranch Musical. Recorded during our nineteenth conversation connected to this year's Gathering, Natalie and Kristyn take listeners behind the scenes of bringing this heartfelt story to life on a working ranch in Tuscarora, Nevada. They share the challenges and triumphs of planning, filming, and now distributing a movie that celebrates the people, landscapes, traditions, and music of the rural American West. The conversation also takes a wonderfully personal turn as Kristyn shares the excitement surrounding the birth of a new foal on her Texas ranch, while Natalie reflects on the recent arrival of her young son. Their stories reveal the deep connections between family, creativity, ranch life, and the enduring values that inspired the film. Filled with laughter, memories, and behind-the-scenes adventures, this touching episode offers a glimpse into the passion and perseverance required to transform an idea into an award-winning motion picture. Special thanks to the Nevada Arts Council for the grant support that makes our annual journey to the National Cowboy Poetry Gathering possible, allowing us to share the stories of the artists, musicians, poets, filmmakers, and cultural traditions that make the American West such a remarkable source of inspiration. Follow Kristyn Harris: https://kristynharris.com/ [https://kristynharris.com/] Follow A Ranch Musical: https://www.ranchmusical.com/ [https://www.ranchmusical.com/]

The Art Box - Episode 452 – Building Confidence One Swing at a Time: Laura Buxton and the Virgin Valley Junior Golf Association

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 is picking up a club for the first time or looking to improve their game, Laura explains how the association is committed to helping every young golfer succeed both on and off the course. Join MJ and Laura for an inspiring conversation about mentorship, youth development, healthy lifestyles, and the enduring lessons that golf can teach. Find the Virgin Valley Junior Golf Association at: https://www.vvjga.com/ [https://www.vvjga.com/] For more information: Rick Smith (rixtersmith@gmail.com)

The Art Box Podcast – Episode 451 - From Fairways to Fine Art – Meet Kathy Cho

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 artist, exploring how creativity fuels every aspect of her life. As if that weren't enough, Kathy is also a musician who enjoys playing both the ukulele and accordion, adding yet another layer to her rich creative life. Throughout the conversation, MJ and Kathy explore the connections between art, music, design, and sport, discovering how each discipline teaches patience, expression, and lifelong growth. Join us for a delightful conversation with a true Renaissance woman whose life demonstrates that creativity has no limits and that it's never too late to keep learning, creating, and sharing your gifts with the world. Golf: http://www.kathychogolf.com/ [http://www.kathychogolf.com/] Art: https://www.facebook.com/kathychoartspace/ [https://www.facebook.com/kathychoartspace/]

The Art Box - Episode 449 - Flag Day 2026 Special - Old Glory

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 voices back to help us celebrate through their own unique creative gifts. Today, in recognition of Flag Day 2026, we welcome back our friend Stephen Murray. Many of you may know Stephen as the host of Gift of Giving on WWDBTV in Las Vegas, where he shines a light on small nonprofit organizations and the people working quietly behind the scenes to make a difference in their communities. For this special episode, Stephen lends his voice to a stirring essay written by Ralph Champion titled Old Glory. Flags can mean many things to many people. History. Sacrifice. Hope. Complication. Unity. Memory. In the hands of artists and writers, symbols often become invitations—not demands—to think more deeply about who we are, where we’ve been, and what we still hope to become. So wherever you may be listening from today—across the desert, across the nation, or somewhere far beyond our borders—we invite you to settle in for a few thoughtful moments of reflection. This… is Old Glory. Written by Ralph Champion. Read by Stephen Murray.

The Art Box - Episode 448 - Reinventing Creativity – Meet Judi Moreo

From international stages to television studios, bestselling author, speaker, artist, and creativity advocate Judi Moreo [https://judimoreo.com/] 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 possibility, overcoming limitations, and rediscovering the creative spark that lives within all of us. Find out more about Judi at: https://judimoreo.com/ [https://judimoreo.com/]