Episode 8: Rachael Harms Mahlandt

Mar 9

What happens when you put joy on your sidewalk?

In this episode of Tiny Worlds, Big Stories, I sit down with Rachael, co-creator of the Sidewalk Joy movement & owner of @PDXdinorama, the woman behind mug exchanges, dino swaps, tiny art installations, and a worldwide map of nearly 800 community-built joy spots. We talk about:

✨ Growing up obsessed with tiny (and giant!) things

✨ Moving every three years and learning about the fleeting nature of life

✨ Motherhood and feeling “buried in sand but buzzing with ideas”

✨ Building the first Dino Exchange in 20 minutes

✨ What she did when it got vandalized

✨ How whimsy became a global movement

✨ Kelly Clarkson, NPR, and the surprising power of small things

This is a conversation about choosing openness over retreat. About making something imperfect and putting it out anyway. About how one tiny act can ripple into connection across the world. If you love miniatures, community art, public joy, or creative courage, you’re going to love this one.

0:00 – Host introduction

0:42 – Rachael introduces herself

1:30 – Rachael explains how she got started

3:10 – Rachael talks about early challenges

5:25 – Rachael shares biggest career lesson

8:00 – Rachael on current projects

10:15 – Rachael gives advice to newcomers

12:00 – Closing comments from Rachael

https://www.instagram.com/pdxdinorama

https://www.instagram.com/sidewalkjoy

https://www.tiktok.com/@pdxdinorama

https://www.pdxsidewalkjoy.com/