Breaking the Blocks
Episodes
Breaking the Pattern: Finding Your Inherent Worth
13 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Quilter Vendulka Battais shares her healing journey from realizing that external validation (including winning awards) made her happy, but didn't...
Breaking Free: Healing Through Life's Toughest lessons (my own journey)
18 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Taking a break between Season 2 and Season 3 to reflect on the journey and lessons learned throughout Breaking the Blocks. Thousands of listeners have...
The Art of Resilience: Mackenzie Thorpe's Creative Journey
05 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Mackenzie Thorpe shares his extraordinary journey from a dyslexic child in working-class Middlesbrough to a globally celebrated artist whose work touc...
Finding Your True North When Life Shifts
21 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Janet Clare joins Rachel to explore the journey of creative growth and authenticity in a world that often feels chaotic and judgmental. Together they ...
Breaking Through: Art, Healing, and Redemption in Women's Prison
07 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Sarah Humphreys transforms lives teaching arts and crafts in a women's prison, helping incarcerated women rebuild their identities through creati...
The Art of Imperfection
24 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Rachel Pierman sits down with textile artist Judy Martin for a profound conversation about creativity, mortality, and finding healing through art. The...
Finding Your Voice as a Full-Time Carer Requires Immense Inner Strength
10 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Resilience emerges as the central theme when textile artist Caz Holmes shares her journey as a full-time carer for her husband following his debilitat...
Stitching Together Cultural Identities When You Don't Belong Anywhere
26 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Davey Powell shares his journey as a queer traveller, navigating the complexities of growing up in fairgrounds while knowing he was gay from a young a...
You don't have to see the whole staircase, just the next step.
12 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Sarah Spencer takes us on a journey of transformation, from corporate employee to artist, radio host, and community activist while navigating major li...
What happens when life's greatest challenges become your most powerful teachers?
29 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Leo Ransom shares his transformative journey from being in the wrong place at the wrong time to becoming an accomplished portrait quilter who channels...
Breaking Cycles of Childhood Trauma
15 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Becca Shifflett shares her powerful journey from childhood abuse to becoming a successful YouTuber with a thriving community, revealing how she learne...
Grief and Growth: Josh's Journey Beyond Loss
01 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
A poignant exploration of grief and healing unfolds as Josh Dunn shares his transformational journey following the loss of his mother. He discusses ho...
The Art of Healing: David's Journey Through Adversity
15 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
David Owen Hastings' inspiring journey reveals how he transformed past trauma into a meaningful, creative life. He stresses the importance of emb...
Rediscovering Self in the Whirlwind of Literary Success with Matt Eicheldinger
01 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this insightful episode, we engage with author Matt Eicheldinger, who returns to discuss the complexities of navigating success after achieving his...
Embracing Vulnerability and Discovering Self-Worth with Trudi Wood
18 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This episode explores the transformative journey of resilience, creativity, and self-discovery through the experiences of Trudi Wood. Listeners are en...
From Firefighter to Quilter: Brandy Maslowski's Journey of Resilience and Healing
04 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Brandy Maslowski's journey from firefighter to quilter illuminates the complexities of trauma and resilience. She shares her experiences with dis...
From Grief to Growth: Nicole Leth on Affirmations, Compassion, and Creative Healing
21 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
After experiencing the profound pain of losing a loved one to suicide, Nicole Leth discovered the power of affirmations as a lifeline to healing. Her ...
Empathy and Inclusion: Ian Garland's Creative Journey and Advocacy for Change
07 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Join us on Breaking the Blocks as Rachel Pierman welcomes Ian Garland, a charismatic quilter with a thriving YouTube community and a passion for foste...
Artistic Transformation: Zak Foster on Quilting, Community, and Ancestral Reflection
23 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Join me for an inspiring conversation with Zak Foster, a trailblazer in the artistic quilting community, whose journey from a high school Spanish teac...
Crafting Calm: Lucy Brennan on Creativity, Self-Worth, and Embracing Change
14 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Crafting holds a meditative power, a truth that Lucy Brennan, also known as @CharmAboutYou (and she does a Saturday Night Craftalong on Instagram). em...
The Art of Letting Go. Dee Bushrod Embraces Change
26 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Ever felt trapped by the roles others expect you to play? Quilter Dee Bushrod of @pixelquilts knows that feeling all too well. Renowned for her intric...
From Struggle to Strength: Chris Marchini's Inspiring Quilting Journey
12 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
What if embracing your true identity could unlock a world of healing and self-discovery? Join us in this heartfelt episode of Breaking the Blocks as w...
Navigating Step-Parenting and Personal Growth with Amanda Oros
28 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Have you ever wondered how a passion for quilting can become a powerful tool for self-discovery and healing? Join me as I chat with Amanda Oros, the d...
Sustainable Quilting and Emotional Healing: Sherri Lynn Wood's Creative Journey
14 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Join us for an inspiring kick-off to season two of "Breaking the Blocks" with your host, Rachel Pierman. This episode features a heartfelt c...
Quilting Emotions: Lucy Engles on Art, Therapy, and Creative Resilience
27 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
What if your quilt could capture a century of emotions? In this spellbinding episode of Breaking the Blocks, we sit down with the talented quilter and...
A Life Stitched with Creativity: Nicholas Ball's Story
13 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Why do some creatives break boundaries successfully while others struggle to find their spark? Join us as we sit down with the renowned improv quilter...
Quilting Through ADHD: Kate Sandford’s Creative Lifeline and Journey of Self-Discovery
29 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
What happens when quilting becomes a lifeline for someone managing ADHD? Artist Kate Sandford joins us on Breaking the Blocks to share her transformat...
Emily Watts on Overcoming Illness with Creativity
15 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
How do you keep your creative spirit alive while facing the challenges of a chronic illness? Emily Watts, an accomplished animator and passionate quil...
Threads of Emotion: Sarah Hibbert's Personal and Artistic Growth
01 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
What happens when bold, vibrant quilt designs meet a quiet, humble artist? On this episode of Breaking the Blocks, we welcome the extraordinary Sarah ...
From TV Sets to Setting Intentions, Life Coach, Elliot Moscow's Path to Inner Peace
25 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Join us on a heartening journey with my friend and life coach Elliot Moscow as we traverse the transformative world of personal growth. Elliot, transi...
Crafting Resilience: Mathew Boudreaux’s Journey of Self-Acceptance and Creative Defiance
18 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
When the weight of the world seems to press upon our shoulders, where do we find the strength to rise above? This episode, featuring Mathew Boudreaux’...
Healing our Life: Carl Brown on Coping with Grief
04 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
When the threads of life unravel, where do we find the strength to sew them back together? I, Rachel Pierman, along with former cancer nurse and fiber...
Pencil Lines and Life's Echoes, Timothy Foss on the Symphony of Art
19 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
When Timothy Foss wields his graphite to sketch, it’s more than art—it's a tranquil haven for his restless mind. Our latest episode unfurls a...
'Say yes' is the thread that stitches life together: Cindy Grisdela shares her motto.
06 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, I chat with the vibrant artist Cindy Grisdela. From the halls of Capitol Hill to the heart of the art world, Cindy's career is...
Nurturing Dreams from Schoolhouse to Bookshelves with Matt Eicheldinger
23 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
As I sat across from Matt Eicheldinger, I couldn't help but feel drawn into his extraordinary voyage from a humble classroom to the dazzling worl...
Embracing Transformation: Geri Berman on the Healing Stitches of Craft
09 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Embark on a transformative exploration as Geri Berman, a dressmaker with an extraordinary talent for Sashiko, shares her journey of personal growth th...
The Emotional Quilt: Scott Culley on Art as a Form of Therapy
02 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Embark on a heartfelt exploration of familial ties and the art of quilting with Scott Culley, our renowned guest, whose narrative stitched into his Qu...
Fabric of Emotions and Earth-Friendly Art: Russell Barrett
24 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
When the vivid threads of Russell Barrett's life are sewn together, they create a quilt that tells a story as deep and varied as his art. Step in...
Stitching Identity: Ben Millett's Journey of Self-Discovery Through Quilting and Activism
10 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Disclaimer:In this episode, Ben was very open and honest about his thoughts on the Mormon faith, and how, as he began to uncover his true self, he rea...
A Stitch in Time: Hannah Austin on the Art of Living Authentically
27 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Embark on an intimate exploration of art's interplay with life's rich tapestry, as we welcome the profoundly skilled artist Hannah Austin to...
Passion and Purpose: Varuschka Zarate's Journey from Psychology to Quilting
08 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Have you ever stumbled upon a passion so profound that it reshapes your life's trajectory? Veruschka Zarate joins us on the Breaking the Blocks p...
How do we overcome challenges in life?
08 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Life is full of challenges that can be difficult to overcome and I'm sure you've experienced some already. Maybe you've lost someone cl...