Stories of Change & Creativity

Do you struggle with sugar?   Are you on a journey to live a healthier life?   This is the interview for you.    On this episode I talk with Certified Tiny Habits Coaches Andrea Spyros and Juni Felix. Juni Felix is a bestselling author of You are Worth the Work – Moving Forward from Trauma to Faith.  She's a member of Dr. BJ Fogg’s Stanford University Behavior Design Teaching Team, a C.S. Lew...

Maci Wescott is a digital marketer and messaging strategist who brings words and solutions together like magic.  She works with clients on their copy, brand and launch planning.  I've experienced Maci's expertise first hand.   Maci dives deep to get to know her client and their business.  But that's not where she started.   Listen in and you'll hear how Maci took an unpaid inte...

Listen in as three good friends meet over margaritas and talk about family and the meaning of friendship. I've wanted to do an interview with my two friends - Wendy Conklin and Grace Capwell - for some time.  Wendy is the founder of Chair Whimsy.    Grace Capwell is a strategic communications leader.    Over the years we've shared our experiences as women......moms, wives, daughters, aun...

Travel - Just do it Talking with Lea Lane is like having coffee or a glass of wine with a dear friend.  Interesting, educational and just plain fun. Over the years, Lea's been to more than 100 countries. During the pandemic she started her award-winning podcast, Places I Remember with Lea Lane.     Lea Lane has written more than a thousand travel pieces and columns, and contributed to Fodor’s...

I'm honored to share this interview with my former Texas State University colleague Dr. Cassandra LeClair.  She's an author, professor, communication consultant, and motivational speaker.   Dr. LeClair's story is powerful. For many years as a child, Cassandra was the victim of sexual abuse.  For decades, she never told a soul. She shares the heartbreaking story of her abuse in her b...

  Pivot  (verb)      to make a significant change in position, strategy, or process On this episode, I had the pleasure of interviewing Personal and Professional Development Coach Pam Danyluk from her office in Canada.  Pam Danyluk is an engineer-turned-coach, with a life story full of pivots. Her personal experience with CliftonStrengths shifted the way she approaches not only her career, but the...

Improve your public speaking skills In this episode, you'll learn 5 simple tips to help you become a more effective communicator.  Andrea Spyros , Behavior Design expert and Tiny Habits Certified Coach, shows leaders and their teams a simple, science-based system to solve challenges with ease. Her keynotes and workshops help organizations break through the Myth of Motivation to see real resul...

Adoption, Culture and Family On this episode I was honored to interview Natalie Pappas.  She was adopted from the Hunan Province of China when she was two years old.   I was there on that September day.  My husband and I adopted our oldest daughter from the same orphanage.  A life changing event. Natalie Pappas created the online project Tiger Lily Stories to provide a space and a platform for ado...

Andrea Spyros, Behavior Design expert and Tiny Habits Certified Coach, shows leaders and their teams a simple, science-based system to solve challenges with ease. Her keynotes and workshops help organizations break through the Myth of Motivation to see real results in all areas of operation. Spyros admits that she never really 'fit the mold.' She says her journey was messy.  You'll...

On this episode you'll hear my interview with entrepreneur, author and fitness enthusiast Jack Lowe.  I reached out to Jack after reading an article on the Ageist media site.   I'm fascinated by his successful business career and what Jack calls his " end of career story. "  At almost 80 years old, he's on a mission to change the idea of aging.  Early this year, Jack Lowe...

On this episode, I talk with Anna Orenstein-Cardona. She's a London-based financial coach and an FEC certified financial educator. Anna is on a mission to close the gap in financial literacy. You'll hear about her fascinating journey and why she started her business, Wear Your Money Crown . I hope you enjoy our conversation. Key Takeaways For well being, we all need mental, spiritual, ph...

1000 Day Streak - September 24, 2021 Athlete Sandra Mikulic is an inspiration.  She's been running  or walking 5 kms EVERY DAY since January 1, 2019.  Sandra keeps MOVING and encourages us to do the same. "I don't fear showing up.  I don't fear being seen."  Sandra Mikulic is a mother of 4, a Plus-size Athlete, full-time banker and advocate for all size athletes.  She want...

Many people search for their purpose.  For Mindy Henderson, purpose found her.  She gave her first speech at the age of 4.  Mindy was the Texas representative for the Jerry Lewis Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) Telethon .  I was honored to talk with speaker, author and coach Mindy Henderson about change, determination and life as an entrepreneur.     She was recently recognized by Austin Woma...

Augusto Valverde is the creative force behind Global Child TV, the new generation world travel show that blends luxury, adventure and life lessons. He is also the founder of the BIG Foundation , a non-profit organization that brings together Christians, Jews and Muslims to help people in need, regardless of their faith or beliefs. Augusto Valverde grew in Mexico City and moved to Canada at the age...

I've been moved by recent violence and racism against our Asian American communities.  Years ago my husband and I adopted two daughters from China.  Our family is a blend of culture and color.  I found a thoughtful Facebook post by Asian adoptee Anna Rochelle Rangel.  I contacted Anna and interviewed her on Zoom.  Anna describes herself as   Phenomenally Asian & Proud Adoptee. Here's...

Movement doesn’t have to be complicated to be powerful. In this episode, Lisa Byrne reminds us that feeling better starts with moving a little—and that the smallest steps can lead to the biggest shifts in both body and mindset.  Lisa Byrne is an Exercise Physiologist, Certified Pilates Instructor and Movement Coach.  I noticed her creative posts on Instagram.   Lisa inspires me to find simple ways...

Show Notes March is Women’s History Month.  And Monday, March 8, 2021 is International Women's Day.   The 2021 International Women's Day theme is is Choose to Challenge .  To recognize women who choose to challenge, I’m shining the spotlight on some of our outstanding guests from season 1.    A solo entrepreneur for more than 25 years, Elisa Victoria Jimenez decided at the age of 15 that...

Marla Lackey's life changed when her mother was diagnosed with breast cancer.  Her mother had been her best friend, her rock.  Now the roles were reversed.  Marla, a registered nurse for years, took on the role of caregiver.    Throughout her journey, Marla started to experience what she describes as ‘full-circle” or ‘spiritual aha’ moments.   She wrote her memoir to share her story and  help...

Anna Mazurek's number one priority in life is to travel.   So far, she has traveled to more than 50 countries around the world.  And she's done it on a budget.  Anna Mazurek is a freelance travel photographer, writer and university lecturer based in Austin, Texas. Her work has appeared in The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal, AFAR and Rolling Stone. She is a budget travel expert...

Show Notes Have you ever wanted to buy a van, hit the road and travel the United States?  Well, that's just what YoungWa decided to do.  She moved to Austin from Seattle two years ago.  YoungWa grew tired of corporate life and decided to make a life change.  Using her savings, she bought a Storyteller Overland van and started making plans.  In late October 2020, YoungWa and her dog, Kimchi, s...

Show Notes  Stories of Change and Creativity - Shorts Takes   features savvy strategies and life lessons from experts.    Best-selling author and Ramsey Personality Anthony ONeal connects with young people and college students with a positive message about how they can reach their goals.    In this short take, Anthony talks about the importance of relationships and planning.    You can buy Anthony...

Stories of Change and Creativity - Shorts Takes   features savvy strategies and life lessons from experts.    Chair Stylist Wendy Conklin created her company, Chair Whimsy , in 2012. She designs custom, one of a kind chairs and shares her expertise consulting and teaching online classes . In this short take, Wendy talks about what she hopes her daughters learn from her journey.  We discuss courage...

Todd Salzman is on a mission to help people deal with and understand depression and anxiety.  He knows about it first hand.  At the top of his game, Todd struggled with what he calls, the dragon.  You can find Salzman's book, Slaying Dragons: A Layman's Guide to Understanding Depression and Anxiety and Killing It! ,   on Amazon. Book Description One day while driving, Todd Salzman drifte...

LaVonna Roth is a savvy thought leader who blends education, science and psychology. She works with educators and business professionals, teaching them how to connect, engage and motivate.    Roth is the creator and owner of Ignite your S.H.I.N.E. The acronym stands for: S elf H eart I gnite N avigate E xceptional LaVonna Roth is on a mission to provide professional development – virtual or on-sit...

Please join me for a two-part interview with Texas Fine Art Photographer Melissa Fontenette-Mitchell.  In our first episode, we talk about Melissa's career path and some of her landmark projects. In part two of our interview, Melissa comments on the power of images and how video and photographs help illustrate stories about racial injustice.  Hope you enjoy our conversation.  ARTIST STATEMENT...