Riverside Chats

My guest today is artist Rachel Mindrup.   Mindrup was raised in Omaha and received her Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of Nebraska Kearney before receiving her Master of Fine Arts from the Art Institute of Boston at Lesley University.  She is an associate professor of drawing and painting and the Richard L. Deming, MD Endowed Chair in Medical Humanities at Creighton University. We’re talking about how Mindrup balances medicine, healing, and identity through her artistic practice, as well as her work advocating for Neurofibromatosis on Capitol Hill.

My guest today is Jennifer Sheshko Wood.   Wood is a native to Canada, and grew up in Montreal, QB. She came to the states to pursue her MFA in Costume Design from Indiana University. As a costume designer and crafts artisan, her American credits include the Utah Festival Opera & Musical Theatre, Indiana University, Indiana Festival Theatre, the American Players Theatre, and Opera Theatre St. Louis. Jenn worked in Montreal with Geordie Productions, The Segal Center for the Arts, Table d’Hote Theatre, and Fallen Angel Productions.

My guest today is advocate Christopher McCroy.   McCroy was born and raised in North Omaha, and received his Bachelor of Arts in Religious Studies from Morehouse College and is completing his PhD in higher education at UCLA. He has been the executive director of 100 Black men of Omaha since the fall of 2023. The 100 Black Men of Omaha, Inc. (100) was established in 1995, an alliance of leading African-American men from a myriad of professions including community leaders, business executives, physicians, attorneys, entrepreneurs, elected officials, and educators volunteering their time to better the community. ”Real Men Giving Real Time.” They are having their 20th annual men of honor fundraiser celebrating 30 years of impact in their community anniversary this Saturday, November 15th Here is my conversation with Christopher McCroy.

My guest today is Drew Newlin.  Newlin grew up in various parts of Omaha, where his passion for skateboarding began after playing some Tony Hawk video games. He attended the University Of Nebraska Omaha, where he received his bachelors in political science. He continued skateboarding along the way, and began incorporating advocacy with his shredding, which led to working at the Bay. The Bay originated out of Lincoln in 2010, and is a non profit that offers free or pay what you can programming in music, art, media, fashion, and skateboarding. They opened a second location in 2024 at the Benson Community Center.  Today, we’re discussing our favorite skateboarders, how advocacy needs new approaches to reduce harm in 2025, and the steps required for establishing a community skate park.