Creative Spirit

Danna Schmidt is an accomplished artist, creator of rituals, mother, and celebrant who describes her work this way: “Joseph Campbell once observed that it is the great pleasure of a lifetime being who you are. And indeed, it is so. For me, this means being a commemorator, connector, creator, cartographer, and compassionista." Find out from Danna in this inspiring interview how to mark your days in a deeply meaningful and inspiring way.

When it comes to celebration, Sherry Richert Belul has a simple philosophy: make moments into gifts. As the founder of Simply Celebrate, Sherry helps people appreciate who they are and the people they love through customized tribute books and other one-of-a-kind imaginative and impactful gifts, life coaching, and inspirational books/articles. Learn more about why she encourages people to say it now ... and celebrate now. 

Ronita Johnson is a circle practitioner, certified integral coach, speaker/facilitator, creative artist, author, and elder. She is also a founding convener of The Millionth Circle, and has led circles at the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women; the Parliament of World's Religions in South Africa, Barcelona, and Salt Lake City; Omega Institute; Findhorn; and numerous circles across Europe, Africa, South America, Indonesia, and the United States. In this fascinating interview, find out how community can be created and sustained in the sacred container of circles.

New Zealander Grace Bower has been making connections and community through her creativity for many years. With the advent of social media and the Internet, Grace's community is now worldwide; her friends around the globe are inspired not only by her spirit of generosity, but also by the beauty of the prayer shawls she knits, creating not only community but also comfort through her craft. You'll be inspired, too, after listening to Grace!

Susan Harrow is a top media coach, PR expert, and author of Sell Yourself Without Selling Your Soul. For 25 years she’s worked with clients from rock stars and celebrity chefs to CEOs of Fortune 500 companies, as well as entrepreneurs, authors, coaches, consultants, and speakers, and the socially conscious. She shows her clients and course participants how to increase their business community (and profits) with PR by using sound bites effectively; find out from this Aikido black belt how creating community can be as simple as getting really authentic about who you are and what you offer.

Judy Ranieri is a creativity coach, workshop leader, joy facilitator, wisdom circle leader, and spiritual alchemist who creates a sacred space for people to use creativity to access their deeper wisdom. Judy loves to hold up a mirror for others to see themselves, to see their gifts, and see their greatness; then she encourages them to go forth and shine their light where needed. Find out the many ways Judy uses art to create community—sometimes literally out of the box!

A transformative coach and brand consultant with a background in creativity, entrepreneurship, and spirituality, Elka Vera is an artist who believes business is an art, communication is an art, and transforming consciousness is an art. She says: “As an artist, I seek to channel divine energy toward the creation of some good. That good may be a positive change in a client’s life, an elegant articulation, the success of an enterprise, or an actual work of what we commonly call 'art.'” Learn more about her approach to curiosity in this inspiring interview!

Darren Main is a yoga and meditation instructor and author. His books include Yoga and the Path of the Urban Mystic, Inner Tranquility, The Yogi Entrepreneur and Hearts and Minds: Talking to Christians About Homosexuality. He is also working on a new book, The River of Wisdom: Reflections on Yoga, Meditation, and Mindful Living. Darren facilitates workshops and gives talks on yoga and modern spirituality throughout the United States and teaches yoga inside San Francisco’s iconic Grace Cathedral, which regularly attracts hundreds of participants. Find out why Darren thinks that curiosity is a spiritual impulse in this fascinating interview! 

A college professor of philosophy, humanities, and psychology in Northern California, Javy Galindo literally wrote the book on thinking differently; his popular creative-thinking manual is titled The Power of Thinking Differently: An Imaginative Guide to Creativity, Change, and the Discovery of New Ideas. Javy will explore the subject of creativity and curiosity from his unique vantage point of author, musician, philosophy professor, and former electrical engineer ... you won't want to miss this!

Tonia Jenny describes herself as “an editor, an artist, a life-purpose coach, a fellow divine spirit.” Her resume includes being the acquisitions editor and senior content developer for North Light Mixed Media Books … and she herself is also a mixed-media artist and jewelry designer. Find out how she uses her sense of curiosity to inform her life and her art in this fascinating interview!

Monte Farber is now the world's foremost creator of interactive personal-guidance systems, selling more than 2 million copies of his 40 books, divination systems, DVDs, and meditation CDs published around the world in 14 languages. In addition to this creative work, Monte also works as a business consultant, leadership trainer, and offers investment services, using his psychic ability to give guidance to his clients. Find out how you can use your inner guidance in your business, creative pursuits, and spiritual explorations from a true expert!

Anne Sagendorph-Moon is a business coach and a color consultant whose focus is to help others solve the mystery and reveal the artistry of who they are so that they trust their own beauty, choices, and expressions—what she calls the art of Visual Persuasion. Eighty-six percent of all communication is visual whether you are speaking, marketing, or simply walking into a room … so Anne helps her clients to know what their Soul Vision is, what their Natural Marketing Style is, and how to Dress for Your Future … be an authentic presence that moves others to trust and engage with you. Listen to this fascinating interview with Anne and find out how you can too!

C.J. Hayden is the author of four books, 14 CDs, and more than 400 articles—so she is clearly a creative entrepreneur! She is best known for her book Get Clients Now! which has sold more than 100,000 copies. C.J. is a business coach who, since 1992, has been helping self-employed professionals get clients, get strategic, and get things done. She’s currently working on a book about overcoming self-imposed blocks to success. Learn how C.J. stays creative and productive in this inspiring interview.

A teacher, coach, writer, and creativity expert, Julie Daley's passions are women's leadership and embodiment of the sacred feminine. Her work as a coach and teacher has varied with the setting; Julie works with corporations, nonprofits, and individuals. She teaches "Creativity and Leadership" at Stanford University Continuing Studies and has coached hundreds who lost loved ones in 9/11. Listen to this exciting interview and discover how Julie weaves her design background—and her sense of the sacred—into her coaching and consulting.

Mary Corrigan has almost two decades of entrepreneurial experience as an organizational consultant, coach, and facilitator specializing in employee engagement and thriving through change. Mary also coaches individuals in transition and leads private retreats and workshops including “Creativity for the Rest of Us,” “Life by Design,” “Reclaiming a Spiritual Life,” and “The Spirit of Circle—the Art and Craft of Convening Circles.” In this interview, Mary will explore the path of the Solopreneur—and if you’ve ever wanted to work for yourself (or are already), you won’t want to miss this!

Lucia Capacchione is a best-selling author of 18 books and audio CDs. A registered art therapist and pioneering expressive arts therapist, she conducts workshops and professional training using her innovative methods. Known internationally as an expert in creativity in all areas of life, Lucia is the perfect person with whom to conclude our series on "Creativity and Healing." Give yourself the treat of listening in!

Come join us for our interesting interview with the director of the Arts and Healing Network, Mary Daniel Hobson. Danny, an artist herself, will tell us about the many outreach programs of the Arts and Healing Network and the exciting ways people are using art to heal. If you're at all interested in the topic of creativity and healing, this episode will be especially fruitful to listen to!

Artist and activist Clare Campbell will be joining us from Liverpool, England, to talk about her latest project, Big Love Sista, a global initiative that has resulted in women and girls in marginalized communities finding a new sense of worth and self-esteem through creating artworks that have even been displayed in London's Tate Gallery. Tune in for this powerful look at how creativity has been a life-saving endeavor for the women Clare has brought together through art.

Dr. Linda Shanti McCabe is a licensed clinical psychologist who has worked in the field of eating disorder, chemical dependency, and codependency recovery since 1999. She has taught expressive-arts therapy to fellow professionals and at colleges; and continues to use activities including Vision Boards and SoulCollage (r) with clients. You won't want to miss this soul-full look at how art can aid in the recovery process!

Rev. Matthew Fox is an internationally acclaimed spiritual theologian, an Episcopal priest, and an activist who was a member of the Dominican Order for 34 years. He has written 30 books that have been translated into 48 languages and have received numerous awards, including Original Blessing, The Reinvention of Work, and Creativity. He has been renewing the ancient mystical tradition of Creation Spirituality, which is feminist, welcoming of the arts and artists, wisdom-centered, prophetic, and committed to eco-justice, social justice, and gender justice. He is the perfect person with whom to conclude our monthlong look at "Creativity and Worship."