Origin Stories Transistor (https://transistor.fm) https://feeds.transistor.fm/memories-reflections A podcast series featuring reflections on being an artist In Progress style. © 2021 In Progress 59e7ffe9-3ca5-5410-8a76-e6d9d909441c no en Mon, 08 Sep 2025 14:14:10 -0500 Tue, 02 Dec 2025 17:25:18 -0600 https://in-progress.org https://img.transistor.fm/QSnfzYk96mo1JSAjkfD8gpR-nxSwCgAoAlXTA9zhMWI/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:1400/h:1400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS9zaG93/LzI2NDUxLzE2Mzgx/NDUxNTMtYXJ0d29y/ay5qcGc.jpg Origin Stories https://in-progress.org episodic Kristine Sorensen A podcast series featuring reflections on being an artist In Progress style. A podcast series featuring reflections on being an artist In Progress style. arts, stories, memories, digital artmaking, history Kristine Sorensen No No Aaliyah McQueen circa 2019 15 15 Aaliyah McQueen circa 2019 full 8b1b23af-9751-4fcb-bba0-fb7cba52b95d https://share.transistor.fm/s/5a7dff63 Aaliyah McQueen is a versatile artist whose passion for creativity has shaped a dynamic and meaningful career. An active member of In Progress for over five years, she now serves as the organization’s Artist Services Coordinator. In this role, she brings her enthusiasm for artistic exploration to every project and community she engages with.

Aaliyah’s artistic journey has included a wide range of experiences, from photographing the Rice Street Parade to curating exhibits and designing postcards. She has hosted family portrait sessions that celebrate community and connection and has taught camera skills to youth at the McDonough Recreation Center. Her work reflects a commitment to using art as a way to build relationships and inspire others.

As an artist, Aaliyah believes in the importance of continuously expanding her perspective and learning new skills. She is a firm believer that age is no barrier to growth and that it is never too late to develop new passions. Her dedication to lifelong learning has allowed her to thrive creatively and to encourage others to embrace their own artistic journeys.

]]> Aaliyah McQueen is a versatile artist whose passion for creativity has shaped a dynamic and meaningful career. An active member of In Progress for over five years, she now serves as the organization’s Artist Services Coordinator. In this role, she brings her enthusiasm for artistic exploration to every project and community she engages with.

Aaliyah’s artistic journey has included a wide range of experiences, from photographing the Rice Street Parade to curating exhibits and designing postcards. She has hosted family portrait sessions that celebrate community and connection and has taught camera skills to youth at the McDonough Recreation Center. Her work reflects a commitment to using art as a way to build relationships and inspire others.

As an artist, Aaliyah believes in the importance of continuously expanding her perspective and learning new skills. She is a firm believer that age is no barrier to growth and that it is never too late to develop new passions. Her dedication to lifelong learning has allowed her to thrive creatively and to encourage others to embrace their own artistic journeys.

]]> Mon, 08 Sep 2025 14:14:10 -0500 iIn Progress iIn Progress 317 Aaliyah McQueen is a versatile artist whose passion for creativity has shaped a dynamic and meaningful career. An active member of In Progress for over five years, she now serves as the organization’s Artist Services Coordinator. In this role, she brings her enthusiasm for artistic exploration to every project and community she engages with.

Aaliyah’s artistic journey has included a wide range of experiences, from photographing the Rice Street Parade to curating exhibits and designing postcards. She has hosted family portrait sessions that celebrate community and connection and has taught camera skills to youth at the McDonough Recreation Center. Her work reflects a commitment to using art as a way to build relationships and inspire others.

As an artist, Aaliyah believes in the importance of continuously expanding her perspective and learning new skills. She is a firm believer that age is no barrier to growth and that it is never too late to develop new passions. Her dedication to lifelong learning has allowed her to thrive creatively and to encourage others to embrace their own artistic journeys.

]]> aaliyah mcqueen, writer, artist, producer, leader, youth, community, in progress, poet No Kazua Melissa Vang circa 2014 14 14 Kazua Melissa Vang circa 2014 full efba34b3-18b4-4a3a-9709-19e20aac058b https://share.transistor.fm/s/c5ae1e3e Kazua Melissa Vang is a Hmong-American multidisciplinary artist, filmmaker, photographer, and cultural producer based in Minnesota. Her work is deeply rooted in personal narrative, cultural memory, and the desire to amplify underrepresented voices within her community and beyond. A gifted visual storyteller, Vang’s photography has been exhibited at numerous respected venues, including In Progress, Second Shift Studio Space, Indigenous Roots, Quarter Gallery at the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities, The Catherine G. Murphy Gallery, The Gordon Parks Gallery at Metro State University, and the Minneapolis College of Art and Design. 

]]> Kazua Melissa Vang is a Hmong-American multidisciplinary artist, filmmaker, photographer, and cultural producer based in Minnesota. Her work is deeply rooted in personal narrative, cultural memory, and the desire to amplify underrepresented voices within her community and beyond. A gifted visual storyteller, Vang’s photography has been exhibited at numerous respected venues, including In Progress, Second Shift Studio Space, Indigenous Roots, Quarter Gallery at the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities, The Catherine G. Murphy Gallery, The Gordon Parks Gallery at Metro State University, and the Minneapolis College of Art and Design. 

]]> Mon, 18 Aug 2025 13:02:39 -0500 In Progress In Progress 1070 Kazua Melissa Vang is a Hmong-American multidisciplinary artist, filmmaker, photographer, and cultural producer based in Minnesota. Her work is deeply rooted in personal narrative, cultural memory, and the desire to amplify underrepresented voices within her community and beyond. A gifted visual storyteller, Vang’s photography has been exhibited at numerous respected venues, including In Progress, Second Shift Studio Space, Indigenous Roots, Quarter Gallery at the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities, The Catherine G. Murphy Gallery, The Gordon Parks Gallery at Metro State University, and the Minneapolis College of Art and Design. 

]]> kazua melissa vang, filmmaker, artist, producer, leader, hmong, family No Kristine Sorensen circa 1987 13 13 Kristine Sorensen circa 1987 full 232a83a8-0319-4087-870e-041e5a0e4351 https://share.transistor.fm/s/efbb3c5b Kristine Sorensen is one of the founding artists of In Progress.  She serves both as the executive director for the organization and is a teaching artist that mentors youth and adults throughout the state of Minnesota.  She tells her story of what it means to be an In Progress artist. 

]]> Kristine Sorensen is one of the founding artists of In Progress.  She serves both as the executive director for the organization and is a teaching artist that mentors youth and adults throughout the state of Minnesota.  She tells her story of what it means to be an In Progress artist. 

]]> Mon, 18 Aug 2025 12:58:20 -0500 in progress in progress 577 Kristine Sorensen is one of the founding artists of In Progress.  She serves both as the executive director for the organization and is a teaching artist that mentors youth and adults throughout the state of Minnesota.  She tells her story of what it means to be an In Progress artist. 

]]> artist, in progress, artwork, No Dhoua Vue circa 2011 12 12 Dhoua Vue circa 2011 full 33bbfaa2-db56-4a6c-99ca-af44c5a72e03 https://share.transistor.fm/s/5a3a3b70 Dhoua Vue is a young talented storyteller who is dedicated to creating short films about her life and real life situations that affect young people. Dhoua was born into In Progress and is 3rd generation Hmong and 2nd generation filmmaker.  She tells her story of what it means to be an In Progress artist. 

]]> Dhoua Vue is a young talented storyteller who is dedicated to creating short films about her life and real life situations that affect young people. Dhoua was born into In Progress and is 3rd generation Hmong and 2nd generation filmmaker.  She tells her story of what it means to be an In Progress artist. 

]]> Mon, 04 Aug 2025 16:49:18 -0500 In Progress In Progress 247 Dhoua Vue is a young talented storyteller who is dedicated to creating short films about her life and real life situations that affect young people. Dhoua was born into In Progress and is 3rd generation Hmong and 2nd generation filmmaker.  She tells her story of what it means to be an In Progress artist. 

]]> artist, dhoua vue, film artist, filmmaker, storyteller, hmong, in progress No Mickies Kiros / circa 2023 11 11 Mickies Kiros / circa 2023 full 77dcfa21-4596-4f5d-a9ac-6717acd0aa36 https://share.transistor.fm/s/efdc159f Mickies Kiros is a passionate creative writer and storyteller who is dedicated to capturing his unique perspective on the world through words. Always seeking inspiration in his surroundings, he is actively honing his skills in story and narrative writing. His commitment to developing his craft has led him to attend multiple writing workshops and to study and draw from all forms of art, while building connections with fellow creatives and writers throughout the Twin Cities.

]]> Mickies Kiros is a passionate creative writer and storyteller who is dedicated to capturing his unique perspective on the world through words. Always seeking inspiration in his surroundings, he is actively honing his skills in story and narrative writing. His commitment to developing his craft has led him to attend multiple writing workshops and to study and draw from all forms of art, while building connections with fellow creatives and writers throughout the Twin Cities.

]]> Wed, 16 Jul 2025 15:57:00 -0500 Azomali Obisakin & Dhoua Vue Azomali Obisakin & Dhoua Vue 263 Mickies Kiros is a passionate creative writer and storyteller who is dedicated to capturing his unique perspective on the world through words. Always seeking inspiration in his surroundings, he is actively honing his skills in story and narrative writing. His commitment to developing his craft has led him to attend multiple writing workshops and to study and draw from all forms of art, while building connections with fellow creatives and writers throughout the Twin Cities.

]]> filmmaker, artist, in progress, ethopian, film, saint paul, No Morgen Arguelles / circa 2016 10 10 Morgen Arguelles / circa 2016 full ca6004cf-fa36-4f21-8629-8aa3933ecfae https://share.transistor.fm/s/8b3d961f Morgen Arguelles shares her story as a developing artist, the making of her film 4600 Children, and her work as a curator for In Progress's Studio 110 in Crookston Minnesota. 

]]> Morgen Arguelles shares her story as a developing artist, the making of her film 4600 Children, and her work as a curator for In Progress's Studio 110 in Crookston Minnesota. 

]]> Tue, 27 Aug 2024 14:14:26 -0500 In Progress In Progress 548 Morgen Arguelles shares her story as a developing artist, the making of her film 4600 Children, and her work as a curator for In Progress's Studio 110 in Crookston Minnesota. 

]]> arts, stories, memories, digital artmaking, history No Masyn Arguelles / circa 2017 9 9 Masyn Arguelles / circa 2017 full bb9c08bb-1bce-4763-b6cf-cd6be16ae739 https://share.transistor.fm/s/eb4ef29c Masyn Arguelles has been an active In Progress artists since they were the age of 11.  Masyn is a photographer and writer and presents in this interview how she first recognized her talent as a writer.  In their own words:  "On my own time, I write a lot. It is usually poetry/spoken word. It may not be considered deep poetry, but it’s something I enjoy.  Once Masyn graduates high school, they are considering a career in the military.  

]]> Masyn Arguelles has been an active In Progress artists since they were the age of 11.  Masyn is a photographer and writer and presents in this interview how she first recognized her talent as a writer.  In their own words:  "On my own time, I write a lot. It is usually poetry/spoken word. It may not be considered deep poetry, but it’s something I enjoy.  Once Masyn graduates high school, they are considering a career in the military.  

]]> Tue, 27 Aug 2024 13:51:43 -0500 Kristine Sorensen Kristine Sorensen 399 Masyn Arguelles has been an active In Progress artists since they were the age of 11.  Masyn is a photographer and writer and presents in this interview how she first recognized her talent as a writer.  In their own words:  "On my own time, I write a lot. It is usually poetry/spoken word. It may not be considered deep poetry, but it’s something I enjoy.  Once Masyn graduates high school, they are considering a career in the military.  

]]> arts, stories, memories, digital artmaking, history No McKinna Amiot / circa 2022 8 8 McKinna Amiot / circa 2022 full a42dff26-7960-4805-b6c9-8a2219393df7 https://share.transistor.fm/s/7cc52637 McKinna Amiot participated in our summer Storytellers Project at Studio 110 in Crookston.  She has a deep love of nature and photography.   

]]> McKinna Amiot participated in our summer Storytellers Project at Studio 110 in Crookston.  She has a deep love of nature and photography.   

]]> Tue, 27 Aug 2024 10:59:34 -0500 Kristine Sorensen Kristine Sorensen 137 McKinna Amiot participated in our summer Storytellers Project at Studio 110 in Crookston.  She has a deep love of nature and photography.   

]]> arts, stories, memories, digital artmaking, history No Kao Choua Vue / circa 2007 7 7 Kao Choua Vue / circa 2007 full 125814aa-037a-464d-950e-6abe5ac43b9e https://share.transistor.fm/s/bb9cfc40 Kao Choua got her start with In Progress around 2007.  She became a documentary filmmaker and founder of the Qhia Dab Neeg Flim Festival while working for In Progress.  She now lives in northern California but continues to check in with us with dreams of bring back the Qhia Dab Film Festival in 2025.  

]]> Kao Choua got her start with In Progress around 2007.  She became a documentary filmmaker and founder of the Qhia Dab Neeg Flim Festival while working for In Progress.  She now lives in northern California but continues to check in with us with dreams of bring back the Qhia Dab Film Festival in 2025.  

]]> Fri, 14 Jun 2024 13:09:16 -0500 Kristine Sorensen Kristine Sorensen 838 Kao Choua got her start with In Progress around 2007.  She became a documentary filmmaker and founder of the Qhia Dab Neeg Flim Festival while working for In Progress.  She now lives in northern California but continues to check in with us with dreams of bring back the Qhia Dab Film Festival in 2025.  

]]> arts, stories, memories, digital artmaking, history No Azomali Obisakin / circa 2020 6 6 Azomali Obisakin / circa 2020 full dab3b03c-4f62-49df-abce-32093067b31d https://share.transistor.fm/s/1c9ae0ba Thu, 04 Aug 2022 12:21:52 -0500 Kristine Sorensen Kristine Sorensen 508 In this episode, artist Azomali Obisakin talks about her history as a filmmaker, the acknowledgements she has received with the completion of her first film, and an upcoming movie she is producing about the impact of racism on children. In this episode, artist Azomali Obisakin talks about her history as a filmmaker, the acknowledgements she has received with the completion of her first film, and an upcoming movie she is producing about the impact of racism on children. storytelling, latinx, in progress, art, digital, family, culture, storytelling, filmmaking, artist, crookston, studio 110, racism, community No Calixtra Bouchard / circa 2018 5 5 Calixtra Bouchard / circa 2018 full 0776da42-2443-4ccd-822f-19ef6def5b62 https://share.transistor.fm/s/831345c3 Thu, 04 Aug 2022 12:20:15 -0500 Kristine Sorenson Kristine Sorenson 310 In this episode, artist Calixtra Boucahrd talks about why she likes to movies and shares her history as an artist with In Progress working from Crookston Minnesota. In this episode, artist Calixtra Boucahrd talks about why she likes to movies and shares her history as an artist with In Progress working from Crookston Minnesota. storytelling, latinx, in progress, art, digital, family, culture, storytelling, filmmaking, artist, crookston, studio 110 No Prue Cha / circa 2022 4 4 Prue Cha / circa 2022 full f1e09fa6-5c29-40e8-9eb5-0813f3c053a7 https://share.transistor.fm/s/1e1aac9c Tue, 02 Aug 2022 11:04:35 -0500 Kristine Sorenson Kristine Sorenson 369 In this episode, artist Cha Prue talks about why she likes to create animated videos and shares some special memories she carries of playing with her cousin Ghia Vue. In this episode, artist Cha Prue talks about why she likes to create animated videos and shares some special memories she carries of playing with her cousin Ghia Vue. storytelling, Hmong, in progress, art, digital, family, culture, memories No Sai Thao / circa 1992 3 3 Sai Thao / circa 1992 full 6f5a6e2b-06e5-4532-bace-3346cc205937 https://share.transistor.fm/s/54dda0a8 Sat, 09 Jul 2022 11:45:46 -0500 Kristine Sorensen Kristine Sorensen 702 In this episode, artist and co-founder of In Progress Sai Thao, explores her early days as an artist, her work as a teaching artist and what is on the horizon as she continues to develop programs for storytelling. In this episode, artist and co-founder of In Progress Sai Thao, explores her early days as an artist, her work as a teaching artist and what is on the horizon as she continues to develop programs for storytelling. storytelling, hmong, in progress, art, digital, family, culture, grief No Yeeleng Vue / circa 2007 2 2 Yeeleng Vue / circa 2007 full b8517a6b-0616-4aff-a744-4f500d419c51 https://share.transistor.fm/s/d605a9d9 I would say dream big. I would say come here and don't be afraid to do what you need to do and express what you wanna do. Cuz we can always find a space for you here.

Yeeleng's interview is part of the Origins Podcast Series where In Progress founder Kristine Sorensen speaks with artists about their artistic development,  values and insights.

]]> I would say dream big. I would say come here and don't be afraid to do what you need to do and express what you wanna do. Cuz we can always find a space for you here.

Yeeleng's interview is part of the Origins Podcast Series where In Progress founder Kristine Sorensen speaks with artists about their artistic development,  values and insights.

]]> Thu, 03 Feb 2022 19:00:00 -0600 Kristine Sorensen Kristine Sorensen 544 In this episode artist Yeeleng Vue discusses how he first got involved with In Progress and how he now uses many of the skills he learned in his professional life. In this episode artist Yeeleng Vue discusses how he first got involved with In Progress and how he now uses many of the skills he learned in his professional life. artists, in_progress, stories, digital_arts, arts, community, reflections, memory No Jem Ebony / circa 2019 1 1 Jem Ebony / circa 2019 full 2964d4e2-a2b4-4b30-b80c-5072139ae797 https://share.transistor.fm/s/5fb8ba0f Being an artist is not defined by any particular moment in your life. You as an artist, have the freedom to practice your expression in any way and at any time that you feel. So don't limit yourself to one thing. Take time to master the things that you commit to.  -- Jem Ebony 12/31/21

Jem's interview is part of the Origins Podcast Series where In Progress founder Kristine Sorensen speaks with artists about their artistic development,  values and insights.

]]> Being an artist is not defined by any particular moment in your life. You as an artist, have the freedom to practice your expression in any way and at any time that you feel. So don't limit yourself to one thing. Take time to master the things that you commit to.  -- Jem Ebony 12/31/21

Jem's interview is part of the Origins Podcast Series where In Progress founder Kristine Sorensen speaks with artists about their artistic development,  values and insights.

]]> Thu, 06 Jan 2022 19:00:00 -0600 Kristine Sorensen Kristine Sorensen 435 In this episode artist Jem Ebony explores her early days as an artist with In Progress. She shares her insights on how she explores her own creativity and provides thoughtful guidance on how to live your life as an artist. In this episode artist Jem Ebony explores her early days as an artist with In Progress. She shares her insights on how she explores her own creativity and provides thoughtful guidance on how to live your life as an artist. artists, in_progress, stories, digital_arts, arts, community, reflections, memory No