We Never Met

We Never Met

A weekly podcast where host, Sam Kirkegaard, chats with an interesting stranger he has never met before. Everyone has a story to tell.

  • 1 hour 6 minutes
    Emma Daisy | Artist & Muralist | Ep. 125
    In this episode, Sam meets the talented artist and muralist, Emma Daisy. They chat about being a Korean adoptee, growing up in white suburbs of Milwaukee, identity, home economics, social media culture, working on murals, Banksy, growing up constantly drawing, parents keeping art, higher education, BTS, flip phones, and doing things because you love it.
    4 October 2021, 9:30 am
  • 51 minutes 39 seconds
    Zachariah Thompson | The Scatter Joy Project | Ep. 124
    In this episode, Sam meets founder of The Scatter Joy Project, Zachariah Thompson. They chat about what The Scatter Joy Project is, stigma, mental health, the journey of finding a therapist, his life threatening heart condition, suicidal ideation, having strength in your story, anxiety, shame, and your identity.
    27 September 2021, 9:30 am
  • 55 minutes 58 seconds
    Aremy Stewart & Anne Meyer | Artists | Ep. 123
    In this episode, Sam meets two brilliant artists, Aremy Stewart and Anne Meyer. They chat about their collaborative art work and show in Portland, Aremy’s relationship with abstract art, Anne’s versatility in the art world, how they met, growing up in Minnesota, being “stuck”, motherhood and art, Anne’s deep dives into her artistic work, their relationship now, and growth in artistic work.
    20 September 2021, 9:30 am
  • 28 minutes 21 seconds
    Madison Olsen | Stained Glass Artist | Ep. 122
    In this episode, Sam meets stained glass artist, Madison Olsen. They chat about how she got into stained glass art, studying in the UK, traveling, her artistic style, pen and ink drawing, her mother fostering her creativity, growing up in Utah, whitewater rafting as a kid, viewing an eclipse, her largest stained glass piece, and sociology.
    13 September 2021, 9:30 am
  • 35 minutes 20 seconds
    Amber Stafford | Makers of We | Ep. 121
    In this episode, Sam meets artist and rug maker Amber Stafford. They chat about where the name Makers of We came from, why she got started making rugs, empowerment through art, her previous job as an interior designer, creative fulfillment, pursuit of purpose, being raised by a single mother, perfectionism, creating a special space, Lisa Frank, and embracing chaos and uncertainty.
    6 September 2021, 9:30 am
  • 43 minutes 44 seconds
    Cris Siqueira & Shelly McClone-Carriere | Lion's Tooth | Ep. 120
    In this episode, Sam meets owners of Lion’s Tooth bookstore, Cris Siqueira and Shelly McClone-Carriere. They chat about why they started a bookstore, cybercafes in Brazil, Cris’s dislike of Spiderman, finding what you love to read, Cris’s award-winning documentary about sideshows, translating comic books, Shelly being one of the founders of the Riverwest Co-op, learning from kids, surveillance states, roller derby, Shelly’s trip to Brazil, and the impacts of the pandemic.
    30 August 2021, 9:30 am
  • 28 minutes 15 seconds
    Bennett Young | Photographer & Filmmaker | Ep. 119
    In this episode, Sam meets filmmaker, photographer, and content creator, Bennett Young. They chat about his early love of art and drawing, his first camera, being inspired by Nat Geo, his early days of concert photography, why cabin photography is so popular, the story he’s trying to tell with his art, Great Lakes surfing, working with Honda, and places he has traveled that had a profound impact on him.
    23 August 2021, 9:30 am
  • 38 minutes
    Matt Wessel | Milwaukee Pretzel Company | Ep. 118
    In this episode, Sam meets owner and COO of Milwaukee Pretzel Company, Matt Wessel. They chat about making the Milwaukee Bucks logo as a pretzel, living in Germany, making Bavarian-style pretzels in Milwaukee, their first German Fest jumping off point, being a musician, his thoughts on starting a business, balancing work and life as business owners, growing the business year over year, the idea of entrepreneurship compared to actually running a business, and the dynamic of Chip and Joanna Gaines.
    16 August 2021, 9:30 am
  • 28 minutes 32 seconds
    Roger Porter | Planty McPlanterface | Ep. 117
    In this episode, Sam meets plant enthusiast and owner of the amazing plant shop, Planty McPlanterface. They chat about where his iconic plant shop name came from, plant tattoos, plant clubs in California, moving to Portland, being an all in hobbyist, his favorite plant family, starting the business in his yard, his ceramic collection, fake Christmas trees, and whole sale plant shops.
    9 August 2021, 9:30 am
  • 52 minutes 18 seconds
    Brody Day, Anna Buxton, and Anne Aviles | Steeplejack Brewing Company | Ep. 116
    In this episode, Sam meets the Steeplejack Brewing Company team, including Brody Day, co-owner, Anna Buxton, head brewer, and Anne Aviles, lead brewer. They chat about how they all met, finding the best people, women in brewing, why Brody started a brewery, going to university in China, brewers playing instruments, the chair system, personalities of cities, rap battles, time capsules, and the first beer the ever made.
    2 August 2021, 9:30 am
  • 53 minutes 28 seconds
    Kat Topaz & Jim Abeles | Topaz Farm | Ep. 115
    In this episode, Sam meets the owners and farmers at Topaz Farm, Kat Topaz and Jim Abeles. They chat about two hummingbirds landing on Kat’s finger, why they moved to Portland, working at Willamette Week, starting companies, pivoting careers, the Muhammad Ali app, buying a tugboat, living on Sauvie Island, buying a farm, their amazing corn mazes, and the special moments on the farm.
    26 July 2021, 9:30 am
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