Fill To Capacity (Where Heart, Grit and Irreverent Humor Collide)

Send us Fan Mail When Alice Grasset faced breast cancer at 40, her world was upended, leaving a corporate career to co-found the Yapura Wellness Center in North Carolina. This personal and professional collision led to the creation of 'Sparkles of Grace' – a holistic program guiding women through the emotional and physical labyrinth of cancer recovery emphasizing the power of yoga, medit...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we set sail on a voyage into the heart of storytelling and sea-bound living with Liz Shipton, an indie author who has carved out a life that's as unconventional as it is inspiring. Living with her boyfriend Trevor, and their dog Aloy on their 43’ sailboat, Liz gives us a glimpse into the realities of her day-to-day life at sea and how it feeds into her creati...

Send us Fan Mail Explore the power of creativity in self-discovery and healing with Kris Frykman, an acclaimed artist, educator, and art therapist. In this engaging podcast, Kris unveils how art therapy goes beyond aesthetics, becoming a vital tool for self-expression, healing, and coping with life's complexities.  Discover her transformative work with the Suicide Survivors Club, where art th...

Send us Fan Mail What if resilience and compassion were life tools forged  in a violent childhood where poverty, alcohol and illness were constants? Could they pave the way for an unshakable sibling bond that becomes a journey of purpose and connection?  Listen as Mick Cochrane, acclaimed writer and professor answers this question in his captivating narrative of growing up alongside his remarkable...

Send us Fan Mail Get ready for this electrifying episode with Lori Grace Bailey, professional photographer, and storm chaser who not only survived being struck by lightning but has an incredible story to tell! 🌩️  In this eye-opening conversation, we delve into Lori's incredible journey, from chasing tornadoes and capturing lightning strikes to facing dramatic dust walls in the Southwest. Her...

Send us Fan Mail Join us on a journey of cultural exploration with Vesna Kittelson, a tri-located citizen of the world, gracefully navigating Croatia, Cambridge, and Minneapolis. Raised in Communist Yugoslavia, her compelling life story reflects the power of curiosity, offering unique perspectives on the world. Vesna’s artistic journey transcends not only borders but also linear time, weaving anci...

Send us Fan Mail Ready to ride the winds of innovation? Explore Windswept Kite Turbines, a game-changing technology led by visionary CEO Rod Read, located in the Shetland islands. Discover how these trailblazing kites are reshaping renewable energy by harnessing high altitude winds and their adaptability to various land or ocean locations. Rod shares insights on DIY kite turbine construction, safe...

Send us Fan Mail Ready for takeoff? Join us as we soar into the captivating world of aviation with Mina Carlson. From high school dreams to becoming a certified private and commercial pilot, flight instructor, and serving in the Air Force Reserves as a flight engineer, Mina shares her remarkable journey while balancing multiple roles. Explore the future of women in aviation, the pilot shortage and...

Send us Fan Mail Peter Hurley’s journey to Mangone is where roots meet route. It's a trip where genealogy and family research become a roadmap to understanding. He proves that when you dig deep into your family tree, you don't just find names and dates—you find destinations. Peter sets off on a 28-day odyssey to Mangone, his mother's ancestral village in Southern Italy. Though his l...

Send us Fan Mail Step into the world of equine therapy, guided by the inspiring Lynn Moore, CEO of Acres for Life Therapy & Wellness Center. Listen to Lynn’s own transformative tale, one marked by mental health struggles and search for meaningful connection. Take a virtual tour of Acres sprawling, verdant pastures where horses - each with a personality as diverse and layered as the humans they...

Send us Fan Mail Ever feel trapped in the same old routine, and everything becomes a chore? Discover the delicate balance between comfort and creativity and decipher what a rut really means. Please Note: The views expressed by our guests do not necessarily reflect the views of the podcaster. Follow me on Instagram!

Send us Fan Mail Ever felt a story tug at your heart, altering your mood or even your view on life?  Join Patti Christensen as we unravel the magic of storytelling, time travel and its remarkable power to impact lives.   Patti is a professional storyteller, drama specialist, and licensed clinical social worker who uses the intricate art of storytelling and story- listening as  tools for building c...

Send us Fan Mail In this touching episode, dive into the transformative world of nature therapy with Taylor Eagan and the Nature Connection team. Explore how they use nature to heal and boost mental health, igniting responsibility and trust with at-risk youth through therapeutic animal interactions. Discover moving tales of personal growth, like a young boy overcoming his fears with a bearded drag...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, embark on an extraordinary artistic journey with Ed Charbonneau. From teenage mural painter to aspiring Disney animator, Ed’s path takes unexpected twists. Join him as he ventures to Alaska, returns to study art, and discovers a passion for large-scale abstract painting and buildings in need of murals. Ed openly talks about his mental health challenges and the vit...

Send us Fan Mail “In the sacred space where history and art intersect...”    Watch on YouTube Podcast Transcript: How Do You Remember What You Never Forget? © 2023  Pat Benincasa  All Rights Reserved  “Like a relentless yo-yo, history swings back and forth, repeating its ominous patterns as it coils and spins from learned to unlearned events. Yet in this cycle of repetition, certain moments emerge...

Send us Fan Mail In this moving episode, Cori Levin delves into the profound journey of elder advocacy, finding joy and making a meaningful impact. Discover how Cori fills healthcare gaps, explores alternatives in healing, and imparts wisdom that challenges society’s fear of death. Listen as she describes how her end-of-life doula work took on new significance during the pandemic. Gain insights in...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode: Defy perfection or what price creative freedom? Watch on YouTube   Podcast Transcript: Perfection-ISM or Perfection-ISN’T © 2023  Pat Benincasa  All Rights Reserved  “OK, fasten your listening seatbelt! This is a topic that has a stubborn reach, deep into our creative psyche! In a world that glorifies success & fame 24/7, perfectionism sings a siren song, sayi...

Send us Fan Mail In this deeply moving episode, Jennifer Bichanich, shares her personal story of tragic loss, including the death of her husband in a remodeled church-building fire. Despite immense grief and despair, Jennifer found ways to rebuild her life and discover her own creative resilience. Working with a shamanic energy healer, doing art therapy, and joining the Modern Widows Club, she fou...

Send us Fan Mail In this thought-provoking episode, Rabbi Avi Olitzky explores complexities and detrimental effects of toxic work environments and offers invaluable insights for fostering a more balanced work life. With expert analysis, he discerns signs of workplace toxicity, and provides guidance in navigating the blurred boundaries of digital connectivity to cultivate a positive and fulfilling...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Benincasa creatively explores the mystique of prayer beads and personal mantras for transformative meditation and moments of tranquility. Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cH3Kf7Dztek   Sacred Currency: My Artistic Approach to Prayer Beads By Pat Benincasa © 2023  Pat Benincasa  All Rights Reserved "I was always curious about prayer beads, how...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Pat Benincasa shares powerful life lessons on resilience and determination as a daughter of immigrants.  Growing up, she navigated two very different  worlds of customs, languages and traditions and found  valuable insights and a profound sense of belonging. Pat Benincasa is a visual artist, art educator and podcaster whose work has  received national and internat...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode Kathy Greiner gives eye-opening insights to what it means to age in place or have wheelchair mobility to ensure that families and individuals can live independently and safely in their homes. Kathy Greiner is Executive Director of Rebuilding Together Minnesota. Since 1997 this  nonprofit serves low-income homeowners who are seniors, individuals living with disabili...

Send us Fan Mail FTC in-btwns are quick  insights at the intersection of art and life!  In this episode:  When breaking free counts.    Please Note: The views expressed by our guests do not necessarily reflect the views of the podcaster. Follow me on Instagram!

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Peter Mui challenges the unsustainable practice of accepting non-repairable items, “junk by design,”  from appliances to smart phones that quickly end up in landfills. Do we accept purchase without ownership? What is our relationship to consumption? Peter Mui, MIT graduate IS  founder and organizer of the Fixit Clinic -a “pop-up” community repair workshop where pe...

Send us Fan Mail FTC in-btwns are quick  insights at the intersection of art and life! In this episode:  For or against ourself, we choose. Please Note: The views expressed by our guests do not necessarily reflect the views of the podcaster. Follow me on Instagram!