A look inside the mind of Rachel Maryam Smith, 2025 – present
This is a series of discussions between the artist Rachel Maryam Smith and her former patron Dohn Grube who met at the Ugly Mug open mic on a Monday evening in 2023. That June, Grube and Smith traveled to Manhattan for Smith to perform in Exploring the Earth as Lover: Ecosex and the City, a four-day symposium by Beth Stephens and Annie Sprinkle to forge new relationships with the environment at Performance Space New York. They produced two live-film performances in Santa Cruz of Smith’s Tuna Can Cabaret. Both have masters degrees from University of California, Davis with Grube in Dramatic Art and Smith in Art Studio.
Fair Avenue Ferrell’s Donuts on 5 January 2026
Rachel Maryam Smith and Don Grube discuss Rachel’s new ventures and projects. Rachel mentions moving her podcast office to Scotts Valley and her interest in karaoke as a community-building activity. She reflects on documentaries like “1975” and “Join or Die,” which explore historical and cultural themes. Rachel also talks about her performance art, including a recent show at Woodhouse, and her collaboration with DJs and producers. She expresses concerns about sound quality in her performances and plans future projects, including a potential collaboration with Numinous Designs and developing her website. Rachel emphasizes the importance of provenance in art and her ongoing efforts in community building.
Santa Cruz Coffee Roasting Company on 30 December 2025
Rachel Maryam Smith and Dohn Grube met at the Santa Cruz Coffee Roasting Company on December 30, 2025, to discuss Rachel's life and work. The duo discussed the topic of being grateful. Rachel reminisced over the undergraduate Eduardo Carrillo grants she received and her idea of being a local art tour guide. She discussed her dislike for deodorant, her gratitude for her family's lineage, and her involvement in various artistic projects. David Thiermann joined and the trio mused over creativity and meeting on Tuesday morning again for the second week in a row, the ecosexual performance art symposium by Beth Stephens and Annie Sprinkle at PS 122 in New York and Smith’s collaboration with Sergio Togliatti. The conversation concluded with reflections on friendship, gratitude, and the value of artistic expression. Saying goodbye at the end of the conversation Thiermann said: I’m not a futurist I’m a past-ist because I like pasties.
A look inside the mind of Rachel Maryam Smith,
Where gratitude and memory entwine in gentle myth.
On December thirtieth, where coffee aromas climb,
She met with Dohn Grube there to speak of work and time.
They spoke of grants and guiding hands, Carrillo’s open door,
Of art tours rooted locally, of lineage and more.
No scent disguised, just honest breath and projects taking form,
A family past, a present fire, a self that won’t conform.
Then David Thiermann joined the talk—Tuesday again arrived,
They mused on art and friendship, how creativity survives.
From ecosexual stages to films and futures cast,
“I’m not a futurist,” he laughed, “I’m a past-ist—I like the past.”
Zachary’s Restaurant on 23 December 2025
At Zachary’s on 23 December Rachel Maryam Smith and Dohn Grube discuss their experiences and reflections on life and art in Santa Cruz. Rachel reflects on the changes in the city post-COVID and shares her journey as a performance artist, her status as a local icon, and the unauthorized use of her image on the Santa Cruz activity guide. Rachel also talks about her creative endeavors, including her third chair character Bubbles on the radio show One Season in the Sun, and her interactions with the community. Dohn shares experiences with gender affirming hormone replacement therapy and the positive impact it has had. The conversation closes with a discussion of their hopes and plans for future projects and collaborations. During the conversation employees visiting the table are Trinity who has nothing to say, Noel sings for us, and Jerome composes a spontaneous joke: You’re like a country inn, no ball room.
Zachary’s Restaurant on 16 December 2025
Rachel Maryam Smith discusses her art practice, networking, and creative development during a convivial recording with Dohn Grube. Interviewing Smith over Tuesday breakfast is among Grube’s creative work since October 2025. Since Spring 2023 Grube has developed Smith’s voice as patron, having together accomplished live film performances at legend Santa Cruz and Manhattan venues Kuumbwa Jazz Center, r. Blitzer Gallery, and Performance Space New York. The duo believes in fun.
In this episode Smith reflects on time management, mentorship from figures like Guggenheim Filmmaker Beth Stephens, and building a supportive social network to sustain artistic work. Rachel describes organizing events—bubble performances, band recordings, and studio collaborations—while connecting artists such as Kevin Dietz with opportunities. She composes the Dan White Writing Method while exploring the philosophical influence of South Korean rhetorician Byung Chul Han, noting marginalia and intellectual curiosity. Rachel candidly addresses personal struggles: generational self-hatred, anger, and resilience, using humor as coping. She emphasizes staying “neutral to positive,” the power of generosity, and community as foundations for artistic growth and public engagement.
Zachary’s Restaurant on 9 December 2025
Rachel Smith discusses her multifaceted role as a third-chair DJ on a Santa Cruz live stream podcast, where she delivers weekly segments. She reflects on her writing practice, which helps her prepare for her radio shows and cope with psychological stress.
Rachel also mentions her various projects, including a live film performance series in Santa Cruz, and her collaboration with Laurus Myth on an art project funded by $100,000 called The Junction Keep. Laurus and Rachel were successful in engaging the team at San Francisco’s Great Northern x Breakfast of Champions to bring the performance sculpture mobile installation to the 1 January event. She emphasizes the importance of rest and preparation, drawing from her experiences and the concept of the long thought in history. Rachel concludes by highlighting the urgency of her voice and the need to balance her work with self-care.
Zachary’s Restaurant on 2 December 2025
Rachel Maryam Smith and Dohn Grube discuss Rachel's creative process, focusing on her use of a Moleskine journal and a Pentel Graph Gear 500 pencil. Rachel shares her experiences with various art forms, including collage, photography, beadwork, and fire art. Smith reflects on her time at UC Davis, where she faced challenges in her doctoral program. Rachel also talks about her involvement in the Santa Cruz Opera Project and her upcoming performances. She mentions her financial struggles but remains optimistic about her creative endeavors, including her acceptance as an artist at Unscrews and her upcoming gigs at the Almar Street Fair and Winter on the Wharf.
Ocean Street Ferrell’s Donut’s on 25 November 2025
Rachel Smith and Dohn Grube discuss Rachel’s busy life, including her work with Sean Ahern, a music producer, and his stepdaughter Amelia. Rachel is involved in organizing a collaboration between bubble performers Graham Maxwell and Gordon Kirkwood in Santa Cruz. She reflects on her frustrations with people using her for their own gain and her struggles with balancing her personal and professional life. Rachel also mentions upcoming performances and events, including a sunset bubble show on November 30 and a collaboration with the Public Parish House. She expresses her desire for peace and rest amidst her hectic schedule.
Heavenly Roadside Cafe on 18 November 2025
Rachel Smith and Dohn Grube discuss their creative lives and ongoing projects. Rachel reflects on her memories at Heavenly Roadside Cafe and her interactions with Joshua Volden and Tiger, a fisherman. She plans a five-minute performance at Circus Church for Pajaro Pride and a rehearsal with the Free to Be Band at Woodhouse. Rachel also mentions her involvement in a film project, "Tuna Can Cabaret," and her experiences covering a Santa Cruz Warriors game. She emphasizes the importance of archiving her work and the challenges of balancing live performances with filming. Dohn highlights the significance of their regular creative conversations.
Zachary’s Restaurant on 13 November 2025
Rachel Maryam Smith, Dohn Grube, and Chris Connor discussed personal networks and losses and coping mechanisms, including music and YouTube artists like Tom Rosenthal over breakfast at Zachary’s. Table busser Noelle was convinced to sing for the table demonstrating his beautiful voice. The group shared experiences with grieving and the importance of community support. The group touched on the performance project: Santa Cruz Bubble Interviews, highlighting collaborations between Rachel, Chris Connor and Sergio Togliatti. They discussed the challenges of project management, the value of documentation, and the need for clear communication and roles. The meeting concluded with plans for future collaborations and expressions of gratitude for the supportive community at Zachary's.
Walnut Street Cafe on 4 November 2025
Rachel Maryam Smith and Dohn Grube discussed their recent activities and reflections. Rachel shared her dedication to her mother and recounted her experiences at the Walnut Street Cafe, including her artwork and a recent radio show. She detailed her involvement in the Santa Cruz Afrobeats Halloween contest and her collaboration with Joseph Abbati for the Castro Art Walk. Rachel also mentioned her daughter Maryam’s artistic talents and her use of index cards for documenting her life and work. They agreed to continue their meetings and document their conversations for future reference.
Bagelry Downtown on 28 October 2025
Rachel Smith and Dohn Grube discussed their ongoing meetings and projects. Rachel listed her eight projects, including "Bubbles," "Laurus Myth’s The Junction Keep," and "Santa Cruz: A 60-minute live uncut interview." She detailed her busy schedule, including performances at the Brookdale Lodge and Circus Church. Rachel also mentioned her financial reliance on her ex-husband, Colin, and the potential shift in their financial arrangement. Dohn shared his plans to meet with an artist for meditation and a Zen Dharma talk. They emphasized the importance of rest and maintaining focus amidst their hectic schedules.
Location on 21 October 2025
Rachel Maryam Smith and Dohn Grube discussed various projects and personal reflections. Rachel shared her “Orange Card” project, a series of scripted stories inspired by real encounters, including a meeting with Brian on West Cliff Drive. Dohn mentioned the ongoing project installed in Zachary’s. They reminisced about their friendship, meeting at the Ugly Mug, and Rachel's involvement in the Tuna Can Cabaret. Rachel also spoke about her upcoming performance with David Olof Smith’s band Free to Be and her desire to be post-capitalist in her art. They concluded by agreeing on the title “A Look into Rachel Maryam Smith’s Mind.”