Stirred By Words: Meditations and Conversations about Writing and Wellness

Send us Fan Mail Chrissy opens today’s episode with a chakra meditation, then shares the definition of the word LEGACY, and invites us to consider the question: what kind of legacy do you want to leave behind and why? Merle Saferstein also joins the conversation to discuss the importance of journaling as an educator, author, and pioneer in legacy journaling. Together, Chrissy and Merle discuss how...

Send us Fan Mail Chrissy opens today’s episode with a loving kindness meditation, then shares the definition of the word LIGHT, and invites us to consider the question: what does the concept of light mean to you? Liz Kinchen , author of Light in Bandaged Places: Healing in the Wake of Young Betrayal , also joins the conversation. Together, Chrissy and Liz discuss meditation, Buddhism, and the heal...

Send us Fan Mail Chrissy opens today’s episode with a mantra meditation, then shares the definition of the word ACCEPTANCE, and invites us to consider the question: What are some common barriers to acceptance in ourselves and others? Chrissy is also joined by her husband Scott for a special conversation about her new book, Finding Sunlight ! Together, Chrissy and Scott discuss the meaning of accep...

Send us Fan Mail Chrissy opens today’s episode with a body-scan meditation for feeling supported, then shares the definition of the word FAITHFUL, and invites us to consider the question: how do you stay faithful to yourself and your values in a world that pressures us to conform? Podcaster Amber White also joins the conversation to share her journey as a formerly faithful, which she talks about o...

Send us Fan Mail Chrissy opens today’s episode with a walking meditation on the power of telling your truth, then shares the definition of the word TELL, and invites us to consider the question: how does the way we tell a story impact its meaning? Writer and journalist Fran Hawthorne also joins Chrissy to share her love of storytelling. Together, they discuss how stories can inspire change, the im...

Send us Fan Mail Chrissy opens today’s episode with a box breathing practice, then shares the definition of the word belonging, and invites us to consider the question: what role does acceptance play in creating a sense of belonging? Stacey Chomiak also joins the conversation to discuss the challenges of feeling whole and accepted as a queer person of faith. Together, Chrissy and Stacey discuss fi...

Send us Fan Mail Chrissy opens today’s episode with a nature visualization meditation, then shares the definition of the word purity, and invites us to consider the question: how have societal expectations or the idea of purity impacted your mental health? Erica Smith also joins the conversation to discuss her work as an award-winning sexuality educator and consultant with over 20 years of experie...

Send us Fan Mail Chrissy opens today’s episode with a meditation on being present in nature, then shares the definition of the word weather, and invites us to consider the question: how does the weather influence our emotions and behaviors? Therapists and writers Gretta Keene and Bill Murray of Mind Your Weather also join the conversation. Together, they explore how we can attune to the outer weat...

Send us Fan Mail Season two of Stirred By Words has come to a close, and I'm very excited to share that while we're on break, I'm launching my first book on Kickstarter! Finding Sunlight is a memoir about love within the wreckage of purity culture. It's about my journey to unpack my sexuality, faith, and mental health to help me uncover my own truth and navigate love with pride...

Send us Fan Mail Chrissy opens today’s episode with a meditation on creating positive change, then shares the definition of the word IMPACT, and invites us to consider the question: how can we build effective collaborations to achieve impact? Dara Beevas and Amy Quale of Wise Ink Creative Publishing also join the conversation to share the impact stories have had on their lives and communities. Tog...

Send us Fan Mail Chrissy opens today’s episode with a meditation on rest and worthiness, then shares the definition of the word burnout, and invites us to consider the question: how can you learn to set boundaries to avoid taking on too much and contributing to burnout? Stress and resiliency expert Anastasia Galka also joins the conversation to share her favorite definition of burnout, its early s...

Send us Fan Mail Chrissy opens today’s episode with a meditation on vulnerability, then shares the definition of the word vulnerable, and invites us to consider the question: how can we be more comfortable with vulnerability in our lives? Britta and Lizzy, hosts of the Attention Spam podcast also join the conversation to discuss their thoughts on vulnerability in relationships. Together, they disc...

Send us Fan Mail Chrissy opens today’s episode with a meditation on challenges we’re facing and how to release them. Then she shares the definition of the word RECKONING and invites us to consider the question: how would our world be different if we took more time to consider the consequences of our decisions? Adele Holmes, MD also joins the conversation to share a bit about her new book Winter’s...

Send us Fan Mail Chrissy opens today’s episode with a meditation on experiencing discomfort in our bodies, and then shares the definition of the word PAIN, and invites us to consider the question: how do you manage emotional pain in your life? Katie Kaufmann also joins the conversation to share her experience of twenty years of chronic back pain and her work as a pain recovery coach. Together, Chr...

Send us Fan Mail Chrissy opens today’s episode with a meditation on secrecy, then shares the definition of the word SECRET, and invites us to consider the question: how can the power of secrecy shape our interactions with others? Laura Hall also joins the conversation to discuss her book Affliction: Growing Up with a Closeted Gay Dad . Together, Chrissy and Laura discuss the difference between sec...

Send us Fan Mail Chrissy opens today’s episode with a meditation on abundance, then shares the definition of the word MONEY, and invites us to consider the question: how does money shape our perceptions of success and happiness? Lauren Cañafranca also joins the conversation to discuss her joyful relationship with money as an Accredited Financial Counsellor® Canada and the owner of Elbie Cashflow C...

Send us Fan Mail Chrissy opens today’s episode with a meditation on the past and present, then shares the definition of the word MEMORY and invites us to consider the question: how does memory shape our understanding of the world? Barbara Rubin also joins the conversation to discuss her memoir More Than You Can See , a story of joy and sorrow mixed with humor and rage as both a mother and advocate...

Send us Fan Mail Welcome back to Stirred By Words! In this transition episode, Chrissy shares some exciting news about the show ! Then she provides guided meditation to help ground the conversation. She defines the word CHANGE, and answers the questions: How can we create meaningful change in our lives, and how does that create a better world? Chrissy then describes this week's book recommend...

Send us Fan Mail In this finale episode of Season 1, Chrissy gives a mental health tip about self-care, defines the word PAUSING, and answers the question:  What is your top tip for pausing and practicing self-care? Previous listeners responded to this question, including Becca & Holly (Episode 001: Community),   Martina (Episode 003: Health),  Carolyn (Episode 005: Romantic), Lisa (Episode 00...

Send us Fan Mail Chrissy starts the episode with a health tip about learning new things, defines the word CREDENTIAL, and ponders the question: How have credentials impacted your life? If they're important, why? If not, why not? Lizzy Miller, MS, MPH, NBH-HWC, RDN, shares her thoughts on the question.  You can find her on Instagram @lizzydmiller and on LinkedIn .  Chrissy then describes this...

Send us Fan Mail Chrissy starts the episode with a health tip about gratitude, defines the word ABILITY, and ponders the question: What are some of your strengths and abilities, and how does that impact how you see the world? Amy Coleman, a freelance writer and content creator, shares her thoughts on the question. You can find her at http://www.acolemanconsulting.com/ Chrissy then describes this w...

Send us Fan Mail Chrissy starts the episode with a health tip about the benefits of yoga, defines the word BALANCE, and ponders the question: What does  'balance' mean to you, and how would someone achieve it? Dr. Melanie G., a worklife psychology coach, shares her thoughts on the question. You can find her at https://www.melaniecgallo.com and on Instagram @worklifejoydoc Chrissy then de...

Send us Fan Mail Chrissy begins the episode with a health tip about the benefits of meditation, defines the word TRANQUILITY, and ponders the question: How do you find peace and tranquility in your life? After, listener Julie T. (Instagram: @juliethutruong) shares her thoughts on the question. Chrissy then describes this week's book recommendation: One Blade of Grass: Finding the Old Road of...

Send us Fan Mail Chrissy begins the episode with a health tip, defines the word RELATIONSHIP, and ponders these questions: What do you look for in a relationship, and why is that important to you? Two listeners share their stories and thoughts on the question. L.M. Bennett : Author of Wax and Wane , Black Cherry , and The Accidental Tsundere . L.M.  writes good stories about women behaving badly....

Send us Fan Mail Chrissy begins the episode with a health tip, defines the word ROMANTIC, and ponders this question: What are the top three gestures or qualities that make you feel someone is romantic? Two listeners share their stories and thoughts on the question. Carolyn Lee Arnold : Author of Fifty First Dates After Fifty: A Memoir . You can find her on Instagram @carolyn.lee.arnold, Facebook @...