The Creative Soul Podcast

Hi loves! I'm back after a podcast pause to share a life update at 13 months postpartum. In this episode, I talk about: 13 months postpartum reflections Motherhood, identity + becoming more yourself Grief, marriage shifts + changing relationships Overwhelm, mental load + healing old patterns Trusting intuition in parenting Traveling to Morocco with a 1-year-old Creativity in a full season of l...

In today's solo episode, I share what it feels like being 8 months postpartum. We talk about: Postpartum nourishment Navigating changing postpartum identities Yoga & why the practice makes me feel held SLEEP, caffeine, & my DC matcha tour Herbal infusions Postpartum hair loss and the spiritual reasons behind it Making friends and finding community as a new mom Travel anxiety Planning m...

In this episode, I share what’s currently lighting up and inspiring my creative soul. We dive deep into synchronicities, creative inspiration, and gentle reminders that magic exists in the details of daily life. We talk about: The lessons and magic from my September writing group, Mundane into Magic How to build a simple, consistent creative practice The power of a 5-minute brain dump and the “10...

HAPPY 5 YEAR BIRTHDAY TO THE CREATIVE SOUL PODCAST! In this heartfelt solo episode, I reflect on five years of podcasting and what it takes to show up for your art - even amidst transition and change. We talk about: The journey of celebrating the 5-year anniversary of The Creative Soul Podcast and 160+ episodes recorded. What it means to treat creative projects like living beings with birthdays, g...

I'm so excited to share this conversation I had with my pregnancy, birth, and postpartum doula, Elizabeth Beeker! We talk about the role of a doula in birth and the spiritual aspects and elements of birth. We also talk about: What observing birth work in Kenya taught her about Western birth practices Surrender in birth The importance of prenatal preparation What to do if you're experiencin...

What if your everyday life could feel like art? In this creative minisode, I share a simple daily writing practice to transform the mundane into magic and help you reconnect with your creative soul. Plus you'll receive an invitation to a live 4 week writing circle starting September 9th, 2025. We talk about: Why the mundane moments of your life hold the most creative inspiration A simple daily...

In this solo episode, I share the magic of the summer season - from what I'm buying at the farmer's market, to reframing our creative purposes, to making our day jobs work for us, to balancing multiple identities, to navigating seasons of change and transformation. We talk about: The sensual, creative magic of summer abundance What I’m cooking and loving from the farmer’s market Living sea...

Dalia is an Assyrian-American director and writer focusing on explosive theatricality and subverting existing narratives. She was listed in the Forbes 30 Under 30 Hollywood and Entertainment 2025. Her Broadway credits include serving as Associate Director of  Sweeney Todd  and as the Resident Director at  Phantom of the Opera . In this episode, we talk about: What it really means to be a director...

In this solo episode, Leya shares her life updates being four months postpartum. We talk about: The importance of honoring and processing our birth stories How you can reflect and honor your birth story, months and even years later! What I'm navigating postpartum Feeling more feminine becoming a mother Why motherhood is bringing me deeper into compassion How motherhood is strengthening my spir...

Lindsey Simcik is a creative force, entrepreneur, and media personality best known as the co-founder and co-host of the critically acclaimed Almost 30 podcast. Alongside her co-host Krista, she also launched Morning Microdose, a wildly popular daily show serving up the best bits of Almost 30. She created “New Mom on the Block”, a brand designed to support new moms in owning their unique flavor of...

In this creative minisode, Leya provides tips on how to navigate this nuanced and complex topic for creatives: 📝 How can you write and share your personal story—especially in memoir or creative nonfiction—without damaging relationships with family and loved ones? If you've ever felt creatively blocked by the fear of how others will react to your truth, this episode will offer both comfort and...

In this deeply nourishing episode of The Creative Soul Podcast, I sit down with energy healer and spiritual guide Maya for a raw, real, and inspiring conversation about transformation, intuition, and the power of trusting your path, especially when everything is falling apart. Maya shares her evolution from full-time coach and entrepreneur to stepping away from her business, working a corporate jo...

In this week's solo mini-sode, I answer one of YOUR questions - how do you keep going on a creative project when you feel un-inspired? We talk about: Why the creative process is non-linear How to navigate creative blocks or when you feel stuck The importance of taking time away How to stay committed and keep showing up to your creativity Trusting the timing of your creative projects Why inspir...

Kacie is a travel content creator living in Florence, Italy. After a life-changing solo trip and her own little ‘Under the Tuscan Sun’ moment, she made the official move to Italy in January 2021. Through positivity, authenticity, and humor, she began sharing culture shocks, travel tips, and life abroad across her social media, where her following quickly grew to a community of over 1.5 million peo...

In this special solo episode, Leya shares the birth story of her first son, Alexander Boaz Henderson who was born March 10th, 2025 at 11:22 pm. Tune into get the full story of surprising twists and turns and surrendering our plans for something greater. Connect with Leya: @leyavandoren

Amie McNee is an author, speaker, creative guide, and the founder of the popular Instagram account @InspiredtoWrite. She writes historical fiction novels and writing guides and is known for speaking, teaching, and coaching artists all over the world and helping them to achieve their creative dreams. In this episode, we discuss: Creativity as a path to self love How to gentle parent the inner criti...

In this from the heart episode, Leya shares vulnerably how she's feeling as she's entering the birth portal. We discuss: What fears and resistances have come up before entering motherhood Moving through fear and anxiety around labor and childbirth Why birth feels like the ultimate embodiment experience Allowing our experiences to be unique and universal at the same time Why motherhood is n...

Mari Andrew is a New York Times bestselling author, artist, and speaker, who has gained an international reputation for joyfully philosophical illustrations and essays that meander between deep and light, bitter and sweet. Mari is in the business of paying attention, and her work reflects her specific observations turned into universal life lessons. In this episode, we discuss: Connecting to your...

In this solo episode, Leya shares how to make creativity a habit and how you can SHOW UP for your creative soul this year. We discuss: How to value your creativity and prioritize it Cultivating a creative practice Why we face resistance in our creative practice and how to move through it How to show up consistently to your creativity How to see your creative ideas come to life How to take the pres...

In this solo episode, I share my updates from week 35 of pregnancy! We talk about: How I'm feeling at 35 weeks pregnant What prenatal care decisions I made and why How I chose my birth team Hiring a doula How I chose my birth plan (and why I'm planning for a home birth) Why birth is not a medical event Managing blood sugar during pregnancy Prepping for postpartum Creative Resources Mention...

In this episode, we talk about: Creating our creative soul projects Being in creative flow and getting "stuck" and how to move through Writing retreats Using myths and fairytales to tell our stories Publishing Hero and heroine journeys Elisabeth Sharp McKetta is a storyteller and the author of thirteen books across genres, including Edit Your Life (2023); Awake with Asashoryu (2022); She N...

In this solo episode, Leya shares a letter from the heart on the final processing of 2024 and sets intentions for 2025. Tune into be inspired as you process on your own year and reflect on what 2025 may have in store for you. We also talk about: Beginnings and endings Words of the year The death of the maiden and rebirth of the mother Favorite Creative Soul podcast episodes from 2024 Connect with...

In this solo episode, Leya shares her reflections, lessons, and celebrations for her 30th birthday! We talk about: The importance of reflection on your birthday Highlights from her 29th year Being proud of how far you've come The lessons she learned in her twenties Dealing with purpose anxiety, identity, home, and belonging The next phase she's moving into for her thirties How to deal with...

Rachael Cohen is a spiritual guide, space holder, Nature connector, intuitive activator, energy transformer and author. She is the creator and founder of Infinite Succulent and Our Infinite Nature. When her experiences as an environmental educator, wild animal specialist and mother left her anxious and distraught over society’s destruction of Nature, Rachael learned to cultivate a creative relatio...

In this special solo episode, Leya shares about how she found out she was 6 months pregnant. We talk about: What it was like finding out at 6 months Leya's journey with hormonal birth control & cycles The physical experience of finding out you're pregnant in your third trimester The spiritual and emotional work that led to this The healing retreat Leya attended earlier this year Healin...