By Firelight

Kristin Keir joins Betsy for this moving conversation. Kristin is a lifelong writer and part of the original writing group that this podcast was born from. Her life work is in hospice care as a nurse, but in her own life she encountered a devastating loss when the love of her life passed while competing in an Iron Man race. She has written her way through her grief and shares her tender-hearted jo...

Betsy is joined by mindfulness colleague and author, Alicia Larsson, to discuss her recent e-book publication of Let That Sh*t Go. Alicia is a college professor and new to writing, in fact, it was By Firelight that inspired her to begin her journey in writing and publishing. Betsy and Alicia explore all things mindfulness, beginning writing as a practice, and self-publishing on Amazon. Alicia has...

Betsy is joined by Shannon Algeo to discuss his new book, The Power in Your Hands, which explores how our growing attachment to smartphones is reshaping attention, relationships, and even brain function. Drawing on his graduate research, he explains how technology can dysregulate the nervous system, reduce empathy, and fragment focus, contributing to a more compulsive relationship with devices. He...

Victoria Andrews is the author of a vegan cookbook, The Ayurvegan Chefbook, and yoga teacher/trainer. Steeped in wisdom from Eastern and Western traditions, Victoria engages her audience with curiosity, compassion, and intention. Betsy and Victoria discuss her unique take on meridians and alignment in yoga as well as her conviction to live a vegan lifestyle. Host: Betsy Delzer Producers: Jamie Gal...

Lisa Ann Markuson, known as LAMARKS, joins Betsy for this poetic coversation. Lisa Ann Markuson is a poet and co-creator. A leader in the performance art of typewriter poetry, she has made her mark as a business owner, coaching and training creatives in the art form and coordinating meaningful experiences of live-time poetry writing at events for clients across the globe. With a newly published bo...

Lodro Rinzler is back as a guest on By Firelight with the publication of his eighth and newest book ‘You Are Good, You Are Enough.’ In this episode Lodro and Betsy explore the concept of innate 'basic goodness' in ourselves, those around us, and society at large. Steeped in meditation practices and grounding advice, Rinzler shares wisdom from his years as a meditator and teacher in the unv...

The student behavior crisis is real, but it's also solvable. Return guest and author Nathan Maynard joins Betsy once again to discuss his new book, The Science of Discipline. Maynard has seen the strategies he writes about work in some of the toughest schools in America and in classrooms around the world. Betsy and Nathan deep dive into scenarios, solutions, and ideas that will spark anyone wh...

James McCrae is known for his instagram poetry, hosted on Words Are Vibrations. Formatted in memes, he's an expert in his own right, tapping into his intuition and creating poems that conjure the sacred in every day. An author of three books and host of a creative community that spans the globe, Sunflower Club, James joins Betsy to share about his journey from a New York City brand strategist to i...

Rachel Weisel joins Betsy for this colorful episode. Rachel is the author of a "flower cookbook," where she shares 45 recipes for making floral bouquets using Trader Joe's flowers. 'Beautiful Bouquets with Trader Joe's Flowers' is a book she recently designed and wrote, inspired by her wildly popular Instagram account, @happy_arranging. With Betsy's first job being in...

Betsy is joined by Cecily Mak to dive into their shared experience of living "undimmed," that is, a life as clear as possible. The title of Cecily’s book and podcast, Undimmed holds a guide for anyone looking to live with greater clarity, heightened awareness, and with less noise from substances. Host: Betsy Delzer Producers: Jamie Gale and Betsy Delzer Music: LagitoMusic and Pond5 Conta...

Exploring the inner world is a comfort zone for both Betsy and her guest for this episode, musician East Forest. They delve into the creative process involved in inquiry and introspection, bringing us along through their discussion of philosophy, spirituality, and how creativity factors into the journey. Host: Betsy Delzer Producers: Jamie Gale and Betsy Delzer Music: LagitoMusic and Pond5 Contact...

In light of the traditions and rituals that come with closing a year, Betsy shares an interactive episode. Grab a journal or paper and pen and try one of the three exercises she offers listeners. Betsy talks through a fire ritual (apropos!), selecting words for the year, and shares a piece she wrote the day in December on which she recorded this episode and springboard prompts from this work. You...

Stephanie Greene is a yoga teacher, writer, healer, and guide. She joins Betsy for this episode to share about her custom Inner Territory training and her writing. Through her teaching, she blends the world she has reformed and revised since finding a pivot that took her life in a totally new (and healing) direction. She generously offers what she has learned about change, living in the present, a...

Elena Brower joins Betsy to discuss her new book, Hold Nothing , a contemplative guide to letting go, forgiveness, and presence. Elena shares personal stories of ritual and transformation, inviting listeners to release old narratives and meet life’s transitions with stillness. The conversation centers on surrender as strength and learning to “hold nothing” so we can hold everything with more grace...

Zoe Larson joins Betsy as the next coversation in the Teen Writers Series. Zoe is a force in her age of becoming! A curious thespian, fashion designer, artist of multi-media and writer, she passionately expresses herself through many forms and avenues. Zoe provides us with a fresh dose of self-assuredness and vulnerability in only the way she can. Called an "icon" by her classmates, her one-of-a-k...

Betsy is joined by Paul Gorski, educator, author, and founder of the Equity Literacy Institute, to explore what it means to engage in activism within education. Paul shares insights on how educators can move beyond performative equity work to create real systemic change in schools. Betsy and Paul also talk about his forays into other forms of writing, from personal reflection to poetry, and how th...

Betsy welcomes writer Aaron Nelson who shares how he immerses himself in self-discovery and creative expression. Aaron emphasizes the nurturing aspects of exploring inner landscapes and the importance of authentic self-expression. Host: Betsy Delzer Producers: Jamie Gale and Betsy Delzer Music: LagitoMusic and Pond5 Contact Betsy Delzer: Instagram @byfirelight Contact Aaron Nelson: Instagram @aaro...

By Firelight is one year old! In this special anniversary episode, host Betsy Delzer welcomes back her first guest, Jen Brady, for recollections and celebrations. Jen and Betsy share what they've written in the past year and learned in the time lapsed. Host: Betsy Delzer Producers: Jamie Gale and Betsy Delzer Music: LagitoMusic and Pond5 Contact Betsy Delzer: Instagram @byfirelight Contact Jen...

Nicole Polk is a "provocateur of goosebumps" and dedicates her living to finding the sensuous space of aliveness. In this episode, Nicole joins Betsy Delzer to discuss how to begin feeling the body to tap in and know the its wisdom. Nicole explains embodiment and the close connection to the creative process of finding the voice inside oneself and how to approach finding ones inner knowin...

High school freshman, Stella June, shares her passion for writing with host Betsy Delzer for this episode, reflecting on her personal growth, the impact of influential teachers, and the importance of being unapologetically oneself. Stella also discusses her experiences during COVID, the challenges young people face, and offers words of hope and encouragement for those feeling hopeless. Host: Betsy...

Emma Brady, teenage singer-songwriter, joins Betsy Delzer and processes the depth of her feels and experiences of modern adolescence through her words and music. Wise beyond her years, she speaks about the struggles teens have today and, even more personally, how her lived experiences have shaped her. Host: Betsy Delzer Producers: Jamie Gale and Betsy Delzer Music: LagitoMusic and Pond5 Contact Be...

Betsy Delzer is joined by textile and fiber artist, Cynthia Reynolds, who stitches beauty into every piece she creates, be it a piece of visual art or poetry. A long-time member of the eponymous writing group that inspired this podcast, Cynthia shares her lived and learned wisdom while gracing us with extra readings through this heart-bending episode. Host: Betsy Delzer Producers: Jamie Gale and B...

Betsy Delzer is joined by entrepreneuer and educator, Renee Metty, who shares insights from her book, 'Six-Word Lessons for Raising Conscious Children,' which helps parents build more mindful and intentional connections with their children. Renee and Betsy discuss the importance of respecting and understanding children's unique essences, Renee’s personal journey through career pivots,...

April Kigeya joins Betsy Delzer to share her journey of beginning therapy and sharing her learnings and musings with her community through her online writings and her new book. Overcoming the idea that therapy is for the weak, she found strength in her healing and from sharing her stories and insights with sarcasm and humor from a raw, honest, and real place. Vote for By Firelight as Best Local Po...

Betsy Delzer has led a writing group for twenty years, one that she created, and that was the inspiration behind the podcast. In this epiosde, Betsy shares key components and first steps for listeners who are inspired to start a writing group of their own. Vote for By Firelight as Best Local Podcast in Best of Madison 2025! Click this LINK to vote! Host: Betsy Delzer Producers: Jamie Gale and Bets...