Where subculture, social activism, and spirituality come together.

I'm on a mission to help people feel more alive in their bodies and more connected to each other—whether that's through the music that moves us, the food that roots us, or the practices that ground us.

As DJ Ricki Free, I use vinyl as a vehicle for storytelling, vibe-shifting, and community-building. My collection features the alternative subcultures of yesteryear, ranging from vintage country and rockabilly to soul, funk, and disco. I curate sets that invite people to rediscover a truth that their bodies have always known: DANCING IS MEDICINE. When I'm not behind the decks, you'll likely find me twirling across a dance floor myself.

As a writer and student of food and place, I explore what we eat as a lens into who we are—tracing the threads of identity, land, and community that run through every meal. I'm drawn to seasonal and plant-forward cooking, to the anthropology of the table, and to the stories that live at the intersection of culture and cuisine. My broader writing practice spans personal narrative, poetry, and lyrics, with work published in VegNews.com, Driftless Magazine, and From the Waist Down (Papeachu Press).

As a strategic operations leader and culture builder, I contribute 10+ years of experience in people operations, organizational development, and project management to a responsible tech non-profit working to strengthen social trust and connection in our communities. I hold a holistic health certification from the Academy of Healing Nutrition and find myself endlessly curious about the ways ancient wisdom shows up in modern kitchens. While I draw spiritual nourishment from the desert and the sea, my hometown of Chicago is my forever muse.

Photo by Alex Connor @viciousiris