Courageous Wordsmith

In this two-part season finale, Ray DePaola and I discuss ancestral lineage as a path to healing, his through a treasured family story, mine through a strong resistance to tracing my family tree. After these final two episodes, I'm taking Frau Amy's World on hiatus until September, giving myself permission to dig deeper into my second book, Where the Other Me Lives . But what perfect conversations...

Barbara Deese couldn't not write. After a tragic loss with painful repercussions, writing became the source of healing that worked. After a while, that writing evolved into something much more, an entire mystery series centered on powerfully authentic women (members of a fictional book club), who investigate murder mysteries set in the Minnesota landscape where Barbara lives (for real). Barbara is...

Writers will tell you that moving into old stories can open old wounds, especially around loss. That energy resides deep in our bodies, and it comes in waves. The trick is to let ourselves mourn, whenever that happens. Recently, Amy experienced this while working on her next book and reached out on Facebook for support. Fortunately, fellow Master Coach Jennifer Bauer answered the call. They reflec...

Jillian Rae does well as a up-and-coming rockstar. She plays plenty of concerts. Minnesota Public Radio's music station The Current often features her music. And now she's about to release a long-awaited LP album. Jillian gives us a backstage look at how the album came together. Jillian's Website Facebook Instagram Twitter YouTube Listen to the new album here Amy Hallberg is the author of Tiny Alt...

Ten days and counting until Katherine Quie releases Raising Will: Surviving the Brilliance and Blues of ADHD . But she was never in this alone. Behind the book, there's Will and his life, his ADHD, his mom, and his music. Last summer, before leaving for college, Will sat down to talk about that. Will's 2012 MN State Fair Performance Amy Hallberg is the author of Tiny Altars: A Midlife Revival and...

Writing a book is like parenting. We think we'll write a book, but really the book also writes us -- and changes us in fundamental ways. Amy and Katherine talk about how that happens. By her own (skewed) estimation, Katherine Quie has been writing her memoir for five billion years, but now here she stands, on the verge of launching Raising Will: Surviving the Brilliance and Blues of ADHD . At this...

Allyson Scammell spent years in shadow careers that led her to learn about Core Gifts. First she tapped into her own, and now she helps soul-guided women entrepreneurs tap into theirs. A dreamer of big dreams, Allyson is a master coach, EFT practitioner, and intuitive consultant who dreams of one day owning a buffalo farm. Allyson's Website (Act Quick for her May Offer!) Amy Hallberg is the author...

Liz Olds was one of the first writing peers I met when I began taking classes in Creative Nonfiction. She was unapologetically herself, both in dress -- she has a banjo tattooed on her arm -- and in sharing her life's stories -- including trips through shadowlands. And through her example, I gained courage to begin sharing my stories. Over the years, I have come to know Liz's storied life well, an...

Amy Bernier left teaching in debilitating pain. Her body was telling her what her people-pleasing mind refused to admit: She was killing herself by trying to fit in. Since then, she's made radical changes. Amy shares her thoughts on how she chooses herself, and how that helps her be present for others. Being Brave Podcast Facebook Page Amy Hallberg is the author of Tiny Altars: A Midlife Revival a...

Keri Mangis and Amy reflect on a particular challenge of memoir. How do we stay true to our stories, honor the people around us, and navigate the space between the two? Especially when the book is about your spiritual journey, this question matters. Plus, a glimpse into the mind of a first-time author approaching the launch of her book. Embodying Soul: A Return to Wholeness comes out in October. K...

Amy Hallberg's writing partner Katherine Quie interviews Amy on her path from small town teacher's kid visiting the Berlin Wall to published author of German Awakening: Tales from an American Life. Buy Amy's Book Here Readers' & Writers' Guide KQ's Website Amy Hallberg is the author of Tiny Altars: A Midlife Revival and German Awakening: Tales from an American Life . She is the host of Courage...

When her traditionally successful life fell apart at midlife, Kiki Kelley saw two choices before her: go down a destructive path, or inspire her daughter and explore her creative side. Kiki chose art. In this episode, she walks us through her creative process and the unconventional results. See Kiki's Work on My Website Amy Hallberg is the author of Tiny Altars: A Midlife Revival and German Awaken...

Did you ever notice that when people ask how we are, we often answer, "I'm OK," even when we're clearly not? Even when we feel the opposite of OK, we tend to hide it. Master Certified Life Coach and Nature's Wingman Ray DePaola helps people find their footing and navigate change, especially with men who want to face and heal painful patterns. Ray shares his own experiences with finding c...

Three voices converge to shape your true-life story: Practice, Platform, Persona. Amy talks about how she works this process, with examples from her telling of German Awakening: Tales from an American Life... and from the talk itself. Originally prepared as a talk for Author's Studio at Edina Art Center, Amy recorded this podcast episode due to a Minnesota Winter delay. Why this location matters?...

Jenn Bauer was a casual photographer who developed a deeper passion on an African trip. Now nature imagery occupies a central place in her life coaching practice. She believes nature's clues can open us up to healing and transformation. And the one animal seldom in her photos? Turtles. She loves them so much she forgets to take pictures. Learn how you can travel with her to see them for yourself....

Rockstars are portrayed as larger than life. But how does a real-life person survive -- and thrive -- longterm as a working musician? Amy riffs with Jillian Rae, violinist, vocalist, and songwriter. Jillian's Website Jillian's Instagram Jillian's First Album Jillian's YouTube Amy Hallberg is the author of Tiny Altars: A Midlife Revival and German Awakening: Tales from an American Life . She is the...

We often look at other people's stories and make our own meaning from there. But what's uniquely ours? And how do others inform us? How releasing the Readers' & Writers' Guide for German Awakening: Tales from an American Life helped Amy Hallberg gain fresh perspective on her book's origin story. Get the FREE Readers' & Writers' Guide here. Buy the signed book at Bookclub Prices here. Amy H...

What does a Neuropsychologist who counsels others on ADHD do when ADHD comes home to her? If you're Katherine Quie, you adjust to this new normal, and then you write a book, the forthcoming Raising Will: Surviving ADHD's Brilliance and Blues. Meet my writing partner, KQ. Will Quie's MN State Fair Performance Amy Hallberg is the author of Tiny Altars: A Midlife Revival and German Awakening: Tales f...

Cory Busse talks about resisting the title of Artist and how he gave himself permission to create. And not only does he create, but he's written an honest-to-goodness novel about "foolish" things, namely Werewolves. Amy Hallberg is the author of Tiny Altars: A Midlife Revival and German Awakening: Tales from an American Life . She is the host of Courageous Wordsmith Podcast and founder o...

Amy unpacks scenes from her true-life novel, German Awakening: Tales from an American Life. Here, at a distance of 30 years, she reflects on her graduation speech about the Berlin Wall. Buy the signed book here at Bookclub Pricing. Amy Hallberg is the author of Tiny Altars: A Midlife Revival and German Awakening: Tales from an American Life . She is the host of Courageous Wordsmith Podcast and fou...

Sarah Bamford Seidelmann was a Board-Certified Pathologist who longed for something more. Think golden handcuffs, combined with an irresistible urge to wander in nature. She details that journey and where it's led her in Born to Freak: A Salty Primer , Swimming with Elephants , and most recently The Book of Beasties . In this Conversation with Real-Life Creatives, Sarah shares how she connected wi...

Frau Amy's World (precursor to Courageous Wordsmith Podcast) presents conversations with Real-Life Creatives. Author, Certified Master Coach, and Story Mentor Amy Hallberg poses this question: How do we find and (give ourselves permission to) follow our Creative callings? Amy Hallberg is the author of Tiny Altars: A Midlife Revival and German Awakening: Tales from an American Life . She is the hos...