JX Arts: Roundtable discussion of music, art and culture around our region

By Mike Green,

Natalie Golay, Vanessa Finney, Dave Jackson

Published August 18, 2025 at 10:01 AM PDT

Dave Jackson is host of JPR's Open Air and Vanessa Finney hosts JPR podcasts, The Creative Way and My Better Half.

In a new series we call JX Arts, the Jefferson Exchange host Mike Green visits with Vanessa Finney, host of JPR podcasts, The Creative Way and My Better Half. She is joined by Dave Jackson, host of JPR's Open Air and curator of music on JPR's Rhythm and News Service.

(Mentioned during the conversation: Greenwood Theatre Collaboration and Tales From the Direwood). The troupe opens with the play “Tales of the Direwood.” Scheduled for 7 p.m. Friday through Sunday, Aug. 22-31, at the Rogue Valley Brainery & Ludoteca, located at 3721 Colver Road in Phoenix.

Vanessa Finney, JPR arts reporter and host of The Creative Way and My Better Half podcasts, Mike Green, Jefferson Exchange host, and Dave Jackson, host of Open Air on JPR's Rhythm and News Service. Photo taken following the JX program on August 19, 2025.

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Mike Green

Mike Green is host of the Jefferson Exchange. Mike has lived in Southern Oregon for more than two decades. He is an award-winning journalist with over 20 years experience in media, specializing in media innovation, inclusive economics and entrepreneurship.

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Natalie Golay

Natalie Golay is the Senior Producer of the Jefferson Exchange. She has a B.A. in Visual Arts, a certificate of recommendation in multimedia from the Vancouver Film school, and a law degree from the University of British Columbia. A communications professional for over 20 years, Natalie is a natural storyteller with extensive audio and video production skills.

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Vanessa Finney

Vanessa Finney is JPR's All Things Considered host. She also produces the Jefferson Exchange segments My Better Half - exploring how people are thriving in the second half of their lives - and The Creative Way, which profiles regional artists.

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Dave Jackson

Dave Jackson curates the music on JPR's Rhythm and News Service, manages music staff and hosts Open Air, JPR's hand-picked house blend of music, JPR Live Sessions and Open Air Amplified. The exploration of music has been one of his lifelong passions.

See stories by Dave Jackson