Driftwood Conversations

In Part 2 of my conversation with artist and filmmaker Gordon Clark, we go deeper into the heart of his story-driven work. Gordon reflects on photographing gang leaders, child subjects, and spiritual seekers, capturing not just portraits but decades of transformation. We talk about growing up in apartheid South Africa, finding truth through frequency, and how trauma and perspective shape both art and identity. Gordon shares powerful moments with Quintino, a boy he photographed from age 4 to 15, and Ernie Lustick, a gang leader seeking redemption. This is a conversation about presence, perception, and the sacred act of witnessing.

Gordon Clark: Art, Witness, and the Frequency of Connection (Part 1)
Today on Driftwood Conversations, I’m sharing Part 1 of my conversation with Gordon Clark — an artist, photographer, and filmmaker whose work defies the quick snapshot or surface impression. Gordon doesn’t just document people; he walks beside them, sometimes for years, through grief, beauty, transformation, and all the human terrain in between.
 

In this episode of Driftwood Conversations, I sit down with John Gearty, an immersive media pioneer and founder of Pulse Jet Studios, to explore the frontier where music, technology, and storytelling intersect. John shares his journey from working on Apple’s Vision Pro to collaborating with artists like Björk and Lil Chris on groundbreaking virtual reality music experiences. We discuss what it means to create spaces that extend beyond the stage, how VR can transform the way we connect with art and the spiritual threads that run through even the most futuristic work. This is a conversation about sound, presence, and the radical possibilities of human creativity.

In this episode of Driftwood Conversations, I sit down with sound artist and meditation specialist Kate Cline, known artistically as RSI. We explore Kate’s journey into the world of sound — from her work as a producer to her deeply intuitive approach to sound meditation. Kate shares how sound frequencies can influence brainwaves, foster healing, and open doorways to presence and transformation. This intimate conversation transcends technique into the spiritual responsibility of working with sound, reminding us that every vibration carries meaning, even those we cannot perceive.

Janis Commentz
Painter and educator Janis Commentz discusses finding beauty in the desert and in everyday life. This conversation delves into her artistic evolution, her dedication to community art education, and how she utilizes creativity as a means of spiritual connection and expression.

In Part Two of Driftwood Conversations with Sant Khalsa, we delve into her recent projects, her community-centered practice in Joshua Tree, and her reflections on legacy, teaching, and how we might reimagine our relationship to the land and each other. Sant is one of those rare people whose presence feels both grounding and expansive. I can’t wait for you to hear her story. 

Sant Khalsa is an artist, activist, educator, and longtime resident of Joshua Tree whose life and work embody the kind of transformation this podcast seeks to illuminate.
In Part 1 of this episode, Sant shares the early influences that shaped her, from her Jewish heritage to her spiritual awakening, her name change, and the beginnings of her creative and political journey. We discuss the power of art to reveal what’s unseen, the roots of her photography practice, and the pivotal moment when a California wildfire led her to environmental work that has now spanned decades.

Driftwood Conversations: Wendee & JoyceIn this episode of Driftwood Conversations, Hilary Sloane speaks with environmental journalist Wendee Nicole and her daughter Joyce. What begins as a story about reporting in Uganda and founding a nonprofit unfolds into a moving exploration of identity, adoption, resilience, and love across cultures and generations. Through personal storytelling, the episode reveals the complex journey of building connections within the community and forming a sense of family.
Music Introduction (for description or narration):This episode features Ugandan music that celebrates cultural pride and modern rhythm. You'll hear tracks by Pinky and Jokwiz Klean, which are included with the artists' permission. Their music brings the vibrant energy of Uganda into this story of resilience and transformation. Sheebah, Mudra D. Viral, and other rising voices from Uganda's contemporary music scene are also mentioned: artists redefining sound in East Africa.

In a conversation with Jill Lust, we dive into creativity, nomadic living, and the courage to reinvent oneself. Jill speaks about art, spirit, and the practice of being present with life’s transitions, offering wisdom from her years as a traveler, artist, and seeker.

Jeff Frost
In this episode, I sit down with Jeff Frost, an artist, filmmaker, musician, and self-proclaimed alien. His life and work move between chaos and beauty, collapse and transformation. From painting inside abandoned desert homes to capturing California wildfires in haunting time-lapse, Jeff’s story is one of survival, spiritual awakening, and the healing power of art.