Language of the Soul Podcast

Join Dominick and Virginia as we unravel the intricate dance between narrative and politics, as well as the age-old role of STORY in political campaigning. In this episode, we spotlight the media's role in shaping perceptions and its troubling relationship with misinformation. Our discussion warns against inflammatory rhetoric and champions the return of nuance to policy discussions (in lieu...

Angela Van Breemen’s story is a testament to the magic that happens when you follow your heart. In this episode, Angela shares her inspiring journey from co-owning a dental supply company to diving into her true passions—writing, music, and wildlife rehabilitation. She talks about her work with the Procyon Wildlife Rehabilitation Center and how a baby squirrel ignited her love for wildlife. Angela...

What does it take to remain committed to uncovering the truth in the face of personal danger? Join us as Pepper Ann, a true crime author from Texas, shares her riveting journey. From death threats to computer hacking, Pepper Ann’s relentless pursuit for justice comes with harrowing experiences and invaluable lessons. Her collaboration with private investigators brings an authentic and detailed per...

Can midlife be a time of renewed agency and potential for women? Discover the transformative possibilities with our guest, Andrea M. Slominski, PhD, a renowned women's therapeutic midlife and menopause coach. Andrea introduces us to "Regency," a new life stage spanning ages 45 to 70 and beyond. Drawing from her extensive research and personal journey—returning to academia at 55 to e...

Join us as we sit down with John Bukowski, whose novel "Project Suicide" draws from a rich tapestry of personal and professional experiences. We'll uncover the intricate process of weaving real-world scientific concepts into compelling fiction, creating stories that thrill while ringing plausible and authentic. John shares his journey from technical writing to fiction, shedding ligh...

We chat with Terry Tucker, a college basketball player who defied familial expectations to pursue a career in law enforcement, inspired by his grandfather's legacy. Through his moving story of battling cancer for 12 years and eventually writing "Sustainable Excellence," we explore themes of service, familial bonds, and the ever-evolving nature of purpose. Terry's journey illust...

Dominick and Virginia welcome the walking embodiment of creativity in action, a guest who will inspire with her intimate knowledge of the creative drive and her championing self-expression for all.  Shelley Finance is also a friend of Dominick's from high school. They grew up in the next-door-to-Hollywood but ironically unglamorous provincial town of Burbank, CA.  The two, along with Virginia...

Have you ever gazed at the night sky and felt a profound connection? Join us as we explore the intersection between art and human experience with iconic American Illustrator Greg Spalenka. We begin by reminiscing but also lamenting the deep disconnection from nature revealed by L.A.'s 1994 Northridge Earthquake when city-bound Los Angelesnos found themselves baffled by the suddenly visible Mi...

Have you ever considered the stories you tell yourself might just be the blueprint for your life? This edition of Language of the Soul delves into the remarkable world of narrative therapy with Virginia Grenier , who shares her wisdom on how our personal narratives can be both a sanctuary and a battleground for our mental well-being. We don't just recount tales; we live and breathe them, shap...

Have you ever found yourself spellbound by a song that seemed to narrate your life story? Bill Abernathy, our troubadour for the soul, joins us to reveal how his melodies weave the fabric of our lives into song. An enlightening discussion ensues on the enduring influence of singer-songwriters who have used their platforms to make social statements. Icons like Jackson Browne and Neil Young are ment...

We are joined this week by filmmaker Jay J. Levy, who offers us a peek behind the curtain of his creative process as a storyteller, his location services business, and his current collaboration with comedy writer Russ Woody: a comedic web series titled, 'Poster Pickers.' Jay does not identify as a gay filmmaker but rather as a filmmaker who happens to be gay. In other words, he strives f...

When the veil between life and death seems fragile, where do we turn for answers? Join us as we discuss the afterlife with writer and musician-turned-filmmaker Ben Harl. In recent years, Ben has moved his passion for storytelling from the page to the screen, learning the craft of filmmaking through trial and error (and a huge amount of help from fellow local filmmakers!) As owner and Creative Dire...

Join us as we embark on an auditory adventure that spans the evolution of narrative in songwriting, the serendipitous paths life carves, and the dynamic shifts in personal identity that define our existence. This episode is an ode to the courage and clarity it takes to embrace one's voice in a world often obsessed with categorization and conformity. With Glenda's insight into her creativ...

Life IS story. It’s around us all day, every day, shaping our worldviews and society’s paradigms. Language of the Soul Podcast highlights master storyteller in the arts and entertainment, as well as the literary realm, all of whom share our passion for narrative! Story has the power to transform the individual and through the ripple effect, change the world. We can get our hands in the clay. Indiv...

Have you ever considered that the tales we tell are the very threads that weave the fabric of society? Virginia and Dominick explore this notion, unraveling the complex relationship between storytelling and its pervasive impact on both personal growth and cultural evolution.  Language of the Soul's latest episode is an eclectic mix of discussions around the essence of art, the intricate balan...

A recent health scare has lit a fire, inspiring ninety-year-old Nancy to recommit to the resilience, intellectual curiosity, and brain plasticity that defines her. She has always ministered by example and through her craft, but more and more, that contribution inspires others to live their best lives at any age and remain engaged, productive, and relevant.   Nancy reflects on her core essence, whi...

We're joined by the soulful and captivating Marina Bakica— actress, filmmaker and multi-media artist. Together, we discuss the power of narrative to not only mirror our world but to reshape it. From Marina's impressive theater training through her latest vehicles of expression—photography and cinema—this episode promises a panoramic view of how story, in all its forms, can sow seeds of e...

We are all born intuitive beings. Over time, social conditioning can lead us to abandon or mistrust our innate guidance systems. Krystal Parry, evidence-based medium and Reiki master, shares her personal journey toward embracing her unique gifts and abiding the call to share them with the collective.            Join us as we discuss energetic healing work, metaphysics, and the pursuit of holistic...

Dominick and Virginia both have a ‘horse in the race’ when it comes to LGBTQ Representation: Dominick as a Queer author and filmmaker and Virginia raised a trans child. Their passion for the topics of Diversity and Inclusion, as well as Representation of underrepresented communities, means they have long awaited this episode. It was finally time to fit it in, in order to lay the groundwork for fut...

This episode is Part 2 of a 2-part series: LGBTQ Representation. Part one laid out the history of Queer Representation in cinema. This episode follows up by chronicling Dominick's personal experience as a gay man in the context of Tolerance, Diversity & Inclusion and Media Representation. Together, both episodes are meant to lay the groundwork for future conversations with guests equally...

Join us as we chat with Elizabeth Suggs of Collective Tales Publishing and Editing Mee. Her literary prowess in Speculative Fiction, among other genres,  is as inspiring as it is eye-opening. We discuss the written word from the perspective of both writer and publisher, hats Elizabeth wears equally well. Our conversation ventures from the driving force behind the human compulsion to tell stories,...

Guest Johnny Tan seasoned this week's episode, like a good recipe, with anecdotes of family nurturance. From the Malaysian kitchen of his childhood through those of the nine-strong women he went on to call Mom, these culturally rich tales were not just about the food that passed his lips but also the recipes--life lessons-- that have fed his soul. This wealth of nurturing guidance led to the...

Have you ever found yourself tracing your roots, only to uncover stories that seem to leap straight from the pages of a novel? Dominick had the pleasure of sitting down with his cousin, author Robin Ray, to unearth the rich tapestry of their family's legacy in the Wild West. Robin's transition from leadership teacher to a writer with six books to her name is nothing short of serendipitou...

A stimulating conversation with Harvard scholar Ted Young, presently Associate Provost at Art Center College of Design. We explore the nuances of Historical Fiction, Foundational Fictions, and even modern trends toward whitewashing, revisionist history and aspirational retellings. We parse between propaganda and Renaissance-style self-fashioning, exploring the intent of a given work versus its ult...

When Buffy BRATT speaks, you can't help but be drawn into her world—a place where music meets tenacity amid the struggles and triumphs of a trans-hip-hop artist. Buffy lays bare the emotional journey from losing her mother and navigating foster care to finding solace and power in her craft. It's a testament to her unwavering spirit, and throughout our conversation, she teaches us about t...