Independent Publishers Discussion

Michael Kurt is an author, artist, and co-founder of Berm. From 2014 to 2021, Michael co-hosted the podcast Talking to Ghosts, which interviewed creatives about their lives and ran on a bi-weekly schedule. In 2021, Michael also self-published his first chapbook of fiction, called Heaviness Leaves The Body. After ending the Talking to Ghosts podcast, Michael and Wes went on to found Berm Magazine. In 2023, the video art piece In Distance Time Moves was selected to be shown at Moscow Contemporary, in Moscow, Idaho as part of the Timescape(s) group exhibition.

Wesley Mueller (they/them) is a designer, musician, and co-founder of Berm. They have worked on several small art-focused games, including Memories of Lillies, Cry With Me, and Uphill. Additionally, from 2014 to 2021, Wesley was a co-host and researcher for Talking To Ghosts, a podcast that focused on interviewing creatives about their lives and practices. Wesley also wrote reviews of music and games for the Talking To Ghosts website. Wesley's creative practice is currently focused on Berm, a contemporary arts magazine that releases twice a year.