The Human Canvas Podcast
Real conversations with real people living lives worth exploring.
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A farmer who teaches writing to incarcerated men. A mental health counselor who visits death row. A mother of two who raises chickens and garlic on a community farm. Sometimes that's the same person.
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Each episode, host Nicholas Graham Hall sits down with someone whose life tells a story worth hearing. No scripts. No soundbites. Just honest conversation about the moments, choices, and work that shape who we become.
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New episodes every other Monday.
Laura LaSuertmer: Writer, Community Organizer, and Mental Health Professional
Today's guest is Laura LaSuertmer, a writer, community organizer, and mental health professional based in Bloomington, Indiana. She is deeply involved in local social justice and creative initiatives, focusing on building inclusive spaces for personal and collective growth. Laura serves as the Assistant Creative Director and Outreach Coordinator for the Bloomington chapter of Women Writing for (a) Change. Since joining the staff in 2021, she has facilitated creative writing circles for diverse groups, including students at The Academy of Science and Entrepreneurship, clients at Stone Belt, and individuals incarcerated at the Monroe County Jail. Her essays and articles have appeared in publications such as *Limestone Post Magazine*, *About Place Journal*, *The Ryder Magazine*, and *Communities Magazine*. Her writing often explores themes of community, social justice, and land connection. She recently received her Master’s in Mental Health Counseling, integrating therapeutic awareness and multicultural competencies into her community facilitation work. Laura is a co-founder of Common Home Farm, an interfaith, intentional farming community located north of Bloomington. The farm emphasizes radical hospitality and sustainable living. https://commonhomefarm.org/author/lauralasuertmer/
Ryan Stringer: Food Competition Judge
Today's guest is Ryan Stringer, a food competition judge certified by the World Food Championships and Kentuckiana BBQ Pitmasters, with 16 events under his belt, including judging at the WFC in Indianapolis. He’s cooked in professional kitchens, is a fearless home cook who dives into cuisines from Korean to Greek, and even forages and cooks with wild mushrooms. Ryan’s passion for food began in childhood, cooking side-by-side with his mom, and he brings that lifelong curiosity and love of flavor to every table he sits at.
Bart Smith: Metal Detecting Enthusiast
Hailing originally from Portsmouth, England, Bart Smith is a seasoned corporate and political communications manager currently living in Nashville, Tennessee. From advising Mayors and Members of UK Parliament on their PR to polishing the corporate communications of CEOs, he's worked in the UK and US on a wide variety of work. A Politics and History major, in his spare time he loves nothing more than to search for ancient artifacts and medieval coins with his trusty metal detector across the fields and shores of England. Check out Bart's channel: / @metaldetectingwithbart
