Arts & Culture

Chakras, energy, emotion: intangible concepts that are constantly shifting and intervening with life. Could it be that a psychic is what it takes for your spiritual power to maintain or return to normalcy?

Featuring psychic Cathy Kearnes.

Jewelry, tableware, clothing and chocolates. What do these things all have in common? You can find all of them at the Handmade Idaho market, all of which are produced by local vendors. Idaho Matters talks with market organizers about their upcoming holiday event.

Anna Wiese loves politics and history, so it was a shock when the 11-year-old girl found an important exhibit lost in a corner of the Idaho Capital. The showcase on Idaho's women legislators was recently moved into a more acceptable location due to the efforts of the Hailey native. Reporter James Dawson talks to Idaho Matters about his experience meeting the bright and driven young woman.

Okay, so who's shootin' skeet in the hills above south Boise? And when are they doing it? And why? Also: if you had to make a bet — who would hit a target first, LD or Joel?

In this episode we uncover the story of a medium that first experienced tragedy, then days later a life-changing experience. Listen to hear the obstacles, advantages and reality that come with talking to the deceased.

Featuring medium Kerry Ryan.

Idaho Dance Theater has committed themselves to creating, performing and teaching the art of dance for three decades. They talk to Idaho Matters about their latest season and what their ambitions are going into the new decade.

The Broadway hit musical 'Waitress' tells the story of a pie maker who fights to escape her small town and tumultuous marriage. The show is set to head out on tour around North America, making its first stop in Boise. George Prentice sits down with lead actress Bailey McCall to discuss the tour and the Morrison Center performance.

McCall's Lardo Bridge was recently updated with some new sculptures. These were done by local artist Susan Madacsi, who received a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts. Madacsi joins Idaho Matters to discuss her work amd her inspiration.

What’s the word, bird? And why are we suddenly hearing so much about this place serving up tacos, burritos, and buckets of drumsticks and thighs? Spoiler alert: it’s the chicken. Also: extra-special-guest-who-actually-knows-something-about-food!

Waitress, the smash musical currently playing on Broadway, is about to launch a new North American tour, and its first stop is Boise's Morrison Center. The show, featuring a score penned by pop star Sara Bareilles, stars Bailey McCall who pours her heart into her pies, such as "The Key (Lime) to Happiness Pie" and "My Husband is a Jerk Chicken Pot Pie."

Learn how your everyday actions and routines might be affecting the way you dream. It could be that these dreams are the sense of guidance and truth you've been searching for.

Featuring dream specialist Rubin Naiman.

The Idaho Shakespeare Festival has become a staple of summer time in the Boise area. But as we get ready for the long dark days of winter, festival planners are already preparing for summer entertainment. We talk with the festival leadership about their upcoming slate of five plays that will run from May through September of 2020.

New York Times bestselling author and Idaho native Cynthia Hand’s ninth book comes out today.

If you have a teen living in your home, you might be familiar with New York Times bestselling author Cynthia Hand. She has written several bestselling books, including the "Unearthly Trilogy" and "The Last Time We Say Goodbye." Hand also happens to be an Idaho native; she was raised in Idaho Falls and now lives in Boise, where she received her MFA from Boise State University.

In 1600, a Basque-born nun named Catalina de Erauso escaped the nunnery in Spain where they lived and began to dress as a man. They boarded a ship to South America where they spent 17 years fighting as a male conquistador. De Erauso returned to Spain where both the king and the pope gave them permission to live openly as a transgender man. This unbelievable story is the subject of a 17th Century Spanish play based on real events. Boise State professor Mac Test is translating the play to English, and joins Idaho Matters.

Shipping bees across state lines in semi trucks is a thing. It's actually a very big thing, maybe the biggest in the business of bees. Then of course there's the honey making (and tasting), hive checking, and wax collecting. Bottom line? Bees are pretty darn interesting.

Opera Idaho has been a Gem State staple for close to 50 years, but they are about to do something they never have before: perform a Frederick Handel production. "Acis & Galatea" will be on stage this November and features Emmy Award Winner Karim Sulayman. Idaho Matters talks with the tenor and conductor Robert Franz about what makes this opera unique.

In this episode, we not only define hypnosis, but also break down the fears and myths that are commonly associated with the term. You might even find that this ominous practice is actually a part of your everyday life.

Featuring hypnotherapist John Wylie.

It’s that time of year when many of us head out to corn mazes, pumpkin patches...or haunted houses. But some people want more than the typical haunted house. How about getting waterboarded, electrocuted or even force-fed maggots? That’s the world of extreme haunted houses. Mountain West News Bureau reporter Nate Hegyi visited one in Utah, and shares his frightening experience on Idaho Matters.

Story Story Night creates events for people to hear stories and share real-life experiences. They are holding a special event where the stories will all feature a united theme: the constellation Orion. The event named “Starry Story Night” will take place October 29, at JUMP in downtown Boise. Event organizers join Idaho Matters to explore the story event.

The holidays are just around the corner, and are usually a time for cheer, giving and family. But this time of year can also give way to overwhelming emotions for those who have lost a loved one. Many people struggle to cope with these feelings, which is why Boise artist Danica Thurber has set up a workshop to help people through the tough times -- using art therapy. She joins Idaho Matters to tell her story about how she became inspired to help others.

First thing's first — this is easily 'top five' for best podcast episode name. Now that we've got that out of the way, join us for a trip to the mountain town of Crouch, where we learn what attracts big-city folk to the local watering hole & we attempt the scariest task to date: interuppting a quilting class.

Fall has a lot of symbolic events, from the changing leaves to pumpkin carving to autumn arangements. The gourd is often seen in some autumn arrangements, but these fruits are used for much more. Ron Swank of the Idaho Gourd Society joins Idaho Matters and carves a thunder gourd live in studio, which is named after the sound it creates. Check out the time-lapse of the gourd carving below.