Frau Amy's World

From Amy:Timing for creative work is interesting. Sometimes you start a project that, for whatever reason, doesn't want to come together right then. Later the perfect timing arises, and you understand that this project was preparing itself to meet the moment.I recorded this conversation with Sigrid K. Nielsen two years ago; then my podcast went on a forced hiatus. (As in, my editor quit to be a musician, causing me to rework my production process.) Which meant that this and other conversations never got produced, but I kept them in reserve.Now it's Pride Month 2025; now is the moment.What I said then is equally true today: Sigrid K Nielsen lights up a room. I have spent time with her on many occasions, live and on Zoom calls, 1:1 and in groups, and she's never been anything but her most authentic, fully expressed, and yes, BLISSFUL, free self. That's a choice on her part. When you read Sigrid‘s book (forthcoming) you'll see what I mean: Sigrid is incredibly vibrant. But you don't have to wait for the book to meet her. You can listen today.Be forewarned, Sigrid will force you to rethink things you thought you were certain of. Because she sure has rethought things. Courageously so.Back to the timing: As I release this episode, it's Monday, June 23. I wanted to release it on Friday, but that just didn't want to happen, even though it was ready. All the things were conspiring to delay publication. Then on Saturday evening, we learned that bombs were illegally dropped on Iran without notice and without any justification except to make an old man feel good about himself. As with so much right now, there is so much distraction.And I'm going to say this part out loud: Othering trans people, making them scapegoats for all the harms in the world, is keeping US ALL from being who WE ALL truly are, seeing what's right there for us to see. WE ALL have it in us to be compassionate, kind, loving people, when we're not running scared from each other. But that requires awareness.We can make another choice.This othering is not a new tactic. It was there in the 30's in Germany, when trans people were targeted (we forget that part because their libraries, their history, their rich artistic culture was obliterated), and it was there in the 80's when Sigrid and I were coming of age, and only rockstars could dress as they wanted. Because it was a "costume."Performance, you see. Heaven forbid YOU be queer. Or other. Sigrid's former self knew that assignment.But that required hiding in plain sight. Even from yourself. And once you're aware of what's really there, you can't not see it. Pretending not to see is exhausting. You want to stop making believe.Isn't that true for us all?Sigrid is a trans woman who transitioned at nearly 50 years old. AND. This is who she's always been.As much as I have always recognized Sigrid's voice as powerful, her writing sublime, her presence uplifting and joyous, there has never been a moment when her message was more essential.We have solutions to find for our one small, beautiful planet's great problems. Queer people are not one of those problems. They deserve all the love.They are leading the way, ahead of their time.It's going to require all of us to face our deepest fears and embrace our most profound gifts. Our humanity. And to be abundantly clear, this doesn't mean YOU have to be TRANS. Unless you are.We need YOU to be YOU. That's our agenda.Because, as Sigrid often reminds me, though our stories may look vastly different on the surface— hers is from the perspective of a trans woman who came out at midlife, and mine is a different kind of midlife revival—our real-life stories are universal.We are all human and we are all in this together.Thanks Sigrid!Love, AmySigrid K. Nielsen stepped into her truth in May 2021 and has been living her best self ever since. Her life is better now than anything she ever imagined in her wildest dreams. She works with people and companies as a speaker, coach, and Financial Advisor. Amy Hallberg is the author of Tiny Altars: A Midlife Revival and German Awakening: Tales from an American Life. She is the host of Courageous Wordsmith Podcast and founder of Courageous Wordsmith Circle for Real-Life Writers. As an editor and writing mentor, Amy guides writers through their narrative journeys—from inklings to beautiful works, specifically podcasts and books. A lifelong Minnesotan and mother of grown twins, Amy lives in the Twin Cities with her husband and two cats. Get Amy's Books and AudiobooksLearn about Courageous Wordsmith Circle for Real-Life WritersWork with Amy 1:1

From Amy:Cara Pacific Campbell was the first person who took me up on my offer of a 1:1 Book Writing Mentorship and put her trust in me. I was grateful that someone so vibrant felt drawn to working with me, but looking back, it makes perfect sense. When we are paying attention, we're drawn to our people. Cara and I are both high-performing women who worked way too hard and paid a steep price with our health. As in, our bodies made us quit our careers when our minds thought that we could—had to—power through. Instead, we were sidelined.And why did we think we had to power through? Well... how else would we have any meaningful impact in life? How else did we have value? Which is a societal misperception that has needed addressing for a very long time. What we've been through, many are going through now.Also... we are both people who communicate who we are through our colors of choice. I think of Cara in vibrant yellows and reds.These lively signature colors are very much at odds with what Cara was living with in her battle with chronic Lyme disease.There's a huge silver lining. Cara finally connected to her dreams of work in Peru, tapping into ancient knowledge that now infuses this book. And hey, I taught beginning Spanish for a few years. I've always thought that teaching Spanish was a way station on the journey to something beyond that. This book was one of those meaningful stops on the journey. Oh, and also...Pretty sure that Cara and I are going to host a Writing Revival in Peru someday.Picture yourself there with us. How awesome would that be?Meanwhile, you can actively witness the culmination of her book journey if that's calling to you, or simply take courage from hearing how it came into being. Me? I got to help Cara infuse this book with her witty, deep, infectious wisdom. I feel profoundly proud and grateful to know that I was there at Cara's beginning as an author, and that she was there at my beginning as a book writing mentor. What a beautiful testament to my vision for Courageous Wordsmith.It's a full-circle episode and it feels like that.Enjoy! Cara Pacific Campbell is a top-performing sales leader turned author, coach, and resilience expert. After a medical collapse ended her high-achieving career, she began an unexpected healing journey—one that blends neuroscience, ancient wisdom, and the gritty reality of burnout recovery. Her upcoming book is part memoir, part roadmap for ambitious women ready to succeed without self-destructing. Cara helps high performers reconnect with their power, rewrite their patterns, and rise—on their own terms.Cara's Links:www.linkedin.com/in/carapacificcampbell https://www.instagram.com/carapacificcampbell/ https://www.facebook.com/carapacific Join the book mailing list Amy Hallberg is the author of Tiny Altars: A Midlife Revival and German Awakening: Tales from an American Life. She is the host of Courageous Wordsmith Podcast and founder of Courageous Wordsmith Circle for Real-Life Writers. As an editor and writing mentor, Amy guides writers through their narrative journeys—from inklings to beautiful works, specifically podcasts and books. A lifelong Minnesotan and mother of grown twins, Amy lives in the Twin Cities with her husband and two cats. Get Amy's Books and AudiobooksLearn about Courageous Wordsmith Circle for Real-Life WritersWork with Amy 1:1

From Amy:When Keri and I recorded this episode in late 2022, I was still editing my second memoir for publication and she was drafting a book that's also now nearing publication. The podcast never got produced at that time, but I happened onto the recording this past winter and it caught my attention. Keri and I are still writing today. I'm starting new books and she's preparing to deliver a TED-x Talk this summer.And this conversation feels like a divinely timed gift from our former selves, and a personal invitation to you if you want it. Because yes, I absolutely am writing for my life. I know Keri still agrees.I had a stage one cancer diagnosis this past month. That's all I care to say about that right now, because this gets to be my story first. For now, I want you to know that I have emerged on the other side, and am currently cancer free with a heightened sense of awareness: One reason I need to survive IS FOR MY WRITING. I need to write this story for me. And I will share it someday.I have wisdom I am still gaining, and knowledge that people will need.I don't need to justify that impulse nor ask permission. I don't need to know now how it turns out. I am healing. I will be creating. I live into my passions.How about you? Keri Mangis is more than just an author and speaker—she's a guide for those seeking deeper meaning and transformation in a chaotic world. With over 20 years of experience as a wholeness advocate and spiritual teacher, Keri understands the frustration of feeling stuck and disconnected. Through her writing and teachings, Keri helps people break free from limiting beliefs to rediscover their true essence and align with their core values. Her spiritual and personal growth studies and certifications have run the gamut over the years from yoga, Ayurveda, energy work, and meditation. Most recently, she has taken on studying Alchemy, Jungian Psychology, archetypes, and rites of passage. She has completed several courses with Sharon Blackie, Michael Meade, and the Center of Applied Jungian Studies. Her writing has appeared in Spirituality and Health Magazine, Star Tribune, Elephant Journal, and others. Her first book, *Embodying Soul: A Return to Wholeness*, received multiple awards, including the 2020 IPA award for Mind, Body & Spirit and the 2020 Readers' Favorite Gold Medal in Non-Fiction Spiritual and Supernatural. She is currently working on her second book, an illuminating exploration of personal and collective transformation that will empower readers to evolve their consciousness for an uncertain future. Keri's Links:BookInstagramFacebookYouTube Amy Hallberg is the author of Tiny Altars: A Midlife Revival and German Awakening: Tales from an American Life. She is the host of Courageous Wordsmith Podcast and founder of Courageous Wordsmith Circle for Real-Life Writers. As an editor and writing mentor, Amy guides writers through their narrative journeys—from inklings to beautiful works, specifically podcasts and books. A lifelong Minnesotan and mother of grown twins, Amy lives in the Twin Cities with her husband and two cats. Get Amy's Books and AudiobooksLearn about Courageous Wordsmith Circle for Real-Life WritersWork with Amy 1:1

From Amy:I am so ridiculously proud of my latest podcast episode with Corinne Bauer of Tiny Art Maui.And I really hope you will listen to it. Everything about this conversation and how it came to be is unexpected. I met Corinne at an art show in a Hawaiian hotel lobby. But when I talk about Shiny Objects and allowing myself to play freely in their presence, this is what I'm talking about.On the surface I was drawn to Corinne's delightful Tiny Art Maui display because, as she herself says, it's so stinking cute. And because I couldn't ignore the synchronicity with my book Tiny Altars, which includes framed dollhouse art in its opening chapter. So I indulged my fascination and asked her about her dainty landscapes and frames and how they came to be. That's the draw of Shiny Objects.But underneath that whimsical façade that allowed us to connect, we quickly discovered the powerful foundational beliefs that Corinne and I both share as Gen X women who came to our artistry later in life. Namely that art is absolutely necessary for our humanity. That we are so much more creative than we give ourselves credit for being. And that we absolutely get to claim our gifts.So just as Corinne came to believe that the world needs Tiny Art Maui, I believe that the world needs to hear this gorgeous, candid, spontaneous podcast conversation. En-JOY.Love, AmyPS—The TED Talk Corinne references in our conversation is HERE. With a steady hand and an eye for intricate detail, watercolor artist, Corinne Bauer creates captivating miniature paintings that invite viewers into tiny worlds of wonder. Each piece, often smaller than a matchbox, celebrates light, color, and the power of special moments captured in time. Based on Maui, Corinne draws endless inspiration from the island's vibrant landscapes, tranquil seascapes, and lush flora. Her process involves using brushes as fine as a needle and holding her breath to achieve extraordinary precision in every stroke. These tiny masterpieces invite the viewer to slow down, lean in, and immerse themselves in the infinite beauty of Hawaii's natural world. Corinne's work has been featured in galleries, artist showcases, and private collections.Follow here:InstagramWebsite Amy Hallberg is the author of Tiny Altars: A Midlife Revival and German Awakening: Tales from an American Life. She is the host of Courageous Wordsmith Podcast and founder of Courageous Wordsmith Circle for Real-Life Writers. As an editor and writing mentor, Amy guides writers through their narrative journeys—from inklings to beautiful works, specifically podcasts and books. A lifelong Minnesotan and mother of grown twins, Amy lives in the Twin Cities with her husband and two cats. Get Amy's Books and AudiobooksLearn about Courageous Wordsmith Circle for Real-Life WritersWork with Amy 1:1

From Amy:I always knew that I loved writing. But I'm not sure I understood—until I went through a major transition, and not by my own choice—that writing is healing. At first it's writing just for me, raw and unwieldy and terrifying, but I always have the sense that this writing is something that, when I'm ready, is meant to be shared. Because stories tell us we're not alone. And they help people find us so that we can be there for each other.Meanwhile, I let myself stay in that first stage of book writing as long as I need to, a stage I call ALLOWING. Allowing it all to be whatever it is. And that allowing makes room for the most powerful stories come through. One of the biggest compliments I ever receive as a writer, and how I know my words have landed, is when people feel inexplicably drawn to tell me THEIR stories. It comes from the deepest parts of them, as a welcome release. I can feel it. Because I've processed my hard things, I'm able to listen to theirs and that helps.And even if we never meet at all, these readers and I, stories of healing help people. Yes, we write for ourselves first, but it doesn't stop there. Memoir is not selfish. It's the most generous thing you can do. Does that make sense? Because if you take nothing else away from this episode, it's that you can write your hardest things, yes, the very worst of them, and you can transform them into beautiful writing. So the next question people ask me is: How?How to you get from that very worst moment of heartbreak to a beautiful completed book? Well...I remember when Nikki Kindred Halvorson's husband was killed by a drunk driver in March 2020, because a mutual friend reached out to let me know what had happened. Nikki would need to work with me, this mutual friend said. She didn't know when, but she wanted to let me know. And she was absolutely right. I felt called to work on this project as Nikki's mentor and editor in due time. Eventually, she reached out.After Allowing, you progress into other stages: Composing, Revision, Editing, and now Sharing. That's where I came in.(Do you see the acronym? ACRES? My shorthand for: If you're transforming a landscape, you do it acre by acre.)There was nothing expected or pretty about the loss of John Erik Halvorson—Nikki's longtime best friend and husband—a tragedy compounded by so many things. Such as the old house they were restoring together, all torn apart. A pandemic. And more.But the process of salvaging stories for a beautiful book? (Or several...) There's nothing like it.So if you're wondering how you do that, write a book about your worst nightmare and feel proud of it and even grateful?Nikki pulls back the curtain in this episode. You'll want to listen.Nikki Kindred Halvorson works as a pediatric speech-language pathologist and is active in historical preservation. She realized a lifelong dream in 2014 when she became caretaker of a great old house with her husband, Erik. Widowed in 2020 at age 32, Nikki has continued to rehab her house and has begun building a new life on the foundation of her old one as she heals. She's currently in the process of realizing another lifelong dream of becoming a published author. Amy Hallberg is the author of Tiny Altars: A Midlife Revival and German Awakening: Tales from an American Life. She is the host of Courageous Wordsmith Podcast and founder of Courageous Wordsmith Circle for Real-Life Writers. As an editor and writing mentor, Amy guides writers through their narrative journeys—from inklings to beautiful works, specifically podcasts and books. A lifelong Minnesotan and mother of grown twins, Amy lives in the Twin Cities with her husband and two cats. Get Amy's Books and AudiobooksLearn about Courageous Wordsmith Circle for Real-Life WritersWork with Amy 1:1

From Amy:As long as I've known Sara Taylor, I've thought of her as a gifted writer who—when she gained momentum—would write volumes I want to read. Which is how she was an early participant in what has become my Circle for Real-Life Writers; I've been an up-close witness. Sara's subject matter and how she frames it fascinates me. If I'm interested in the inner working of stories around generational trauma and healing, Sara's a healing practitioner who delves deep into underlying patterns behind stories AND fearlessly applies these lessons in her own life.Her work is groundbreaking. I really believe that. But writing about such things takes time.So when Sara sent out a newsletter sharing how she gained traction on a writing practice thanks to the website 750words.com, I took note. The previous day, I'd heard a random podcast where a prolific author credited the same unknown-to-me website with her own momentum. This was a welcome synchronicity. For months, I've been looking for a way back into the earliest drafting stage of book writing. It's been a long time since I typed the early free-written content that became my two memoirs, random thoughts I saved in Pages with only the vaguest idea of what my book wanted to be (singular, I thought) in the dark forty-five minutes before I awoke my seven-year-old twins. This followed years to work up a strategy and courage to write, and only after I stole the playroom from my kids where I still write today. Initially Pages worked. Afterwards, I had all these document files to wade through and got bogged down again in subsequent stages.Writing tools have evolved since 2011; I'm a different writer too. As in, I think of myself as a writer. Sara talks about this shift too.There's no one tool to write a book. It's just what works for you. But! Within two days, two women I respect described this site as a game changer. And I was intrigued. Because knowing where you're going to write, with a simple set-up, helps calm down resistance. So I signed up for the website, to try it out for myself. The next thing I did was invite Sara to record this conversation.It's one of many tools, but it might be the one that will get you—finally—writing.Because we want you to have options for your practice too. Sara Taylor, PhD, is a neuroscientist turned generational and existential life coach who helps deep thinkers and creatives break free from inherited patterns and lingering existential unease. With a deep understanding of generational trauma, she works with those who've done extensive personal work—especially around anxiety and depression—but still feel stuck, disconnected, or like life is passing them by. She helps people recognize and shift the hidden influences shaping their lives so they can move beyond dissatisfaction into greater potential, meaning, and momentum.Follow here: IG: @sarabtaylorphd Substack: @sarabtaylorphd Amy Hallberg is the author of Tiny Altars: A Midlife Revival and German Awakening: Tales from an American Life. She is the host of Courageous Wordsmith Podcast and founder of Courageous Wordsmith Circle for Real-Life Writers. As an editor and writing mentor, Amy guides writers through their narrative journeys—from inklings to beautiful works, specifically podcasts and books. A lifelong Minnesotan and mother of grown twins, Amy lives in the Twin Cities with her husband and two cats. Get Amy's Books and AudiobooksLearn about Courageous Wordsmith Circle for Real-Life WritersWork with Amy 1:1

From Amy:My junior year in high school, we read Thornton Wilder's play Our Town in English class. My senior year, that same English teacher, Carol Ottoson, directed the play and cast me as the Stage Manager. That role, which spends so much time reflecting on details in life and their meaning, had a huge influence on how I see the world, and I'm certain that's rubbed off on me as a writer of creative nonfiction: how I make sense of small details, the things that matter, the people around me, and how they all connect to each other. It seems to me that I would be a different person if not for that experience, and the understanding that I had a voice that carries, and that I can use it for good in the world.So when I went with my husband to a recent production of Our Town at a neighboring high school, I was delighted to run into my old castmate (and previous podcast guest) Cory Busse, himself a writer, whose daughter was now in the show. We both agreed that this play was something special, something that had a huge impact on both of us, and something that holds up across time. So I reached out to our former English teacher, Carol Ottoson, and the three of us recorded a reunion conversation. It's the perfect introduction to my latest podcast season.I am reminded all the time that story is powerful. Connection to each other is powerful. And we have no idea the impact that stories will have on us until long after they're told. Some stories have our attention a moment. But some stories—and some people—make an indelible mark.And if that's not a worthy reason to make our artwork and write our stories and engage in creative play with each other, I'm not sure what is. Carol Ottoson (Otto) retired from teaching, coaching, and directing after 36 years in the classroom, including 24 in the Prior Lake Savage (MN) School District. She continues to sub in the district. She directed theater for thirty years and coached speech for 34 years. Carol and her husband Keith have been married for over 51 years and have two adult children, Heather and Andy, two sons-in-law, Collan and Branden, and two grandsons, Zach and Jameson. Carol and her husband enjoy traveling and are frequently on the road somewhere. Carol also occasionally preaches at her local church (htumc.org). They are a reconciling congregation, and promote inclusivity.Follow Carol on Facebook  or email her directly at ottoem50@aol.com.  Cory Busse was once voted "Sexiest Man Alive" by Cory Busse Magazine whose audience boasts more than zero Cory Busses.Follow "Tales from the Christmas Village," a way to keep the spirit of snark alive in your heart all year long.   Amy Hallberg is the author of Tiny Altars: A Midlife Revival and German Awakening: Tales from an American Life. She is the host of Courageous Wordsmith Podcast and founder of Courageous Wordsmith Circle for Real-Life Writers. As an editor and writing mentor, Amy guides writers through their narrative journeys—from inklings to beautiful works, specifically podcasts and books. A lifelong Minnesotan and mother of grown twins, Amy lives in the Twin Cities with her husband and two cats. Get Amy's Books and AudiobooksLearn about Courageous Wordsmith Circle for Real-Life WritersWork with Amy 1:1

It's a new season for Courageous Wordsmith. My first two books are launched and I'm focused on helping Real-Life Writers find their voices. Here's what has my attention, and why.Amy Hallberg is the author of Tiny Altars: A Midlife Revival and German Awakening: Tales from an American Life. She is the host of Courageous Wordsmith Podcast and founder of Courageous Wordsmith Circle for Real-Life Writers. As an editor and writing mentor, Amy guides writers through their narrative journeys—from inklings to beautiful works, specifically podcasts and books. A lifelong Minnesotan and mother of grown twins, Amy lives in the Twin Cities with her husband and two cats.   Get Amy's Books and Audiobooks Learn about Courageous Wordsmith Circle for Real-Life Writers Work with Amy 1:1

From Amy:This year, more than ever, I wanted to honor Black History Month, at a time when attempts have been made to erase it. I invited my friend Terry Newby to help me do that. As a white woman in America, I loved literature, but I did not grow up reading many marginalized voices. While I knew the name James Baldwin, I couldn't have told you what he stood for. And now? I know him as a Black man and a gay author. And what else? I've admired him interview clips. He feels important. How do I talk about his contributions, beyond a surface level?I'm no expert in Black literature. I'm still very much learning. But this is knowledge that Terry brings.I'm also not German, and I taught those stories for seventeen years, within a historical context. That was not an accident. I was trained by some excellent literature teachers. I learned about the authors as people within their life circumstances in concert with reading their writing. For our six-hour comprehensive graduation exam, we German majors were required to know all relevant information, literary terminology, authors, character names, themes, and dates for all literary movements and a selection of eighty German canonical works. And were required to figure out what "relevant" meant for ourselves. It was brutal. I read some in the German original, some in translation, and met with fellow German majors to compare notes. We passed, all six of us, which is to say: We graduated, none of us with honors in our major, not even my classmate who graduated Summa Cum Laude. I will always remember how Julie Klassen, our beloved mentor, brought us strawberry tea and donuts for a break three hours in. It was more than perfect. She gave us a powerful lesson, better than acing the test, honestly. We didn't know everything we were asked, but we could prepare, come close enough, and celebrate our exploration of writers.This took place in a language that wasn't even mine until I was fourteen. Let that sink in for a moment. Their voices were truly foreign to me. But they came from a context I needed to learn and these were their authentic voices. What a gift. So what I have, really, is the training to ponder the authors I read. Where do they come from, and what does that bring to their writing?What's there for me to take away from the reading?Please understand, I don't mean that an author intended to include all the meaningful connections that show up in their writing. I firmly believe that things land in creative works that a writer never consciously intended to add, but readers see them, because I have experienced this in my own writing. It's magic, really. It's the fullest expression of what it is to be human, and it's essential. The writer's gifts take on a life of their own. But what the writer does, and must do, is gather the courage to show up and publish the words. And readers make meaning.We, the readers, can ask the questions together and individually and trust that it's going to be a good journey, whatever we find.James Baldwin had courage in spades. I've seen him in those video clips and thought of him as another mentor, albeit not one I know well. And when Terry Newby came into my world, we started having conversations that make us both think deeply, as I once did with my German major peers. (You'll hear this in the interview. I pose some questions where it's clear that I'm formulating. I have no idea where we'll end up. Terry laughs and calls me out and responds with his own surprises. Not all of it makes it into the final product. Terry can attest to that.)It's a creative process we capture, just as Baldwin was known to say unexpected things on the video clips that I've seen and admired.This is actually the antidote to that star-student perfectionism that society trains us to reach for. When we don't have to be the expert, this makes room for us to appreciate the experience of all the interesting, diverse voices around us. Terry and I agree: We must do this NOW.I appreciate how James Baldwin led the way, refusing to be someone that he was not, nor a stereotype of the richly gifted person he was. Baldwin didn't parse words. And because he grounded us so fully in his experience, I can extrapolate. I can learn where I stand and maybe take steps in another direction. And I loved seeing where Terry came from as a writer, with Baldwin as one of his key influences.Thank you to Terry for introducing me to James Baldwin as one of the authors that influenced him most as a writer.We ended with a list of Terry's favorite books for Black History Month, or frankly, whenever you want a good read.Terrance Newby's Recommendations:Another Country, by James BaldwinThe Bluest Eye, by Toni MorrisonInvisible Man, by Ralph EllisonNative Son, by Richard WrightBeloved, by Toni MorrisonThink fast: If you enjoyed this conversation and you're in Minnesota, you can see a play by Terry this Friday, February 28 at 7:00. Landmark Center in St. Paul is staging an encore performance of Little Rock, 1942, by Terrance Newby and James Lundy. Terry not only co-wrote this play, but he's in it. I saw the premiere and I learned so much. Seriously good. Buy your tickets in advance here. Only $10, only one night.Terrance C. Newby is an attorney, novelist, and playwright based in St. Paul, Minnesota. His plays The Cage, The Body Politic, Reunion Forever, and The Piano Teacher have been professionally staged in Twin Cities theaters.Terry's novel, Dangerfield's Promise, was published in April 2022, and has received five-star reviews from the Seattle Book Review, Manhattan Book Review, Chicago Book Review, and the Midwest Book Review, among others. Terry is currently working on a sequel to Dangerfield's Promise.Terry's LinkedIn Amy Hallberg is the author of Tiny Altars: A Midlife Revival and German Awakening: Tales from an American Life. She is the host of Courageous Wordsmith Podcast and founder of Courageous Wordsmith Circle for Real-Life Writers. As an editor and writing mentor, Amy guides writers through their narrative journeys—from inklings to beautiful works, specifically podcasts and books. A lifelong Minnesotan and mother of grown twins, Amy lives in the Twin Cities with her husband and two cats. Get Amy's Books and AudiobooksLearn about Courageous Wordsmith Circle for Real-Life WritersWork with Amy 1:1

From Amy:Welcome to my 100th Episode! Thank you for celebrating with me.When I launched this podcast as Frau Amy's World on January 1, 2019, Sarah Bamford Seidelmann was my very first guest. As the original name suggests, I was still transitioning out of my teaching career, through the life coach world, into this literary life as a writer and editor of my own unfolding design. My first true-life novel, German Awakening: Tales from an American Life, had come out in October 3, 2018. This book was much more timely than I anticipated, which made me nervous to talk much about it. As a woman who had stood on both sides of the Berlin Wall at seventeen, two years before it unexpectedly fell, and then went on to teach 20th-century German film and literature for most of my career, I saw too many themes from my book echoing out in my own native land concurrent with publication. How on earth would I talk about that? Such a unique problem for memoir writers.But / and / also universal to all human beings living on this planet together. We're longing for language to meet these times.And how did I possibly talk about this life-coaching-meets-narrative-craft world I've been shaping for myself ever since?Indirectly, via my podcast. The podcast helped me get used to the idea of talking about timely topics. I don't really shape this content. The topics present themselves to me. I read something or I cross paths with somebody. I reach out. Almost invariably they say yes. (Though I must say: ONE famous author that I admire sent me an incredibly gracious no thanks! All I could say was: SHE WROTE ME BACK! But also: I ask knowing she can say no, which likewise requires grace on my part.) I've spoken with many gracious guests, and some amazing humans have partnered with me, especially Will Quie, my first editor, and now Brooke Roy.All that collaboration requires me to know where I stand, and where others begin. Which gets to this special 100th episode: Boundaries Make Love Possible, also the title of Sarah's most recent beautiful book. And I've seen Sarah live those words.In saying yes, Sarah was my ideal first guest. Like me, she was a published author (who had graciously blurbed my front cover!) and had left an established career (in her case, as an MD) and gone through Master Coach Training. At the time—and I did look to see—Sarah was the only other Martha Beck Certified Master Life Coach in Minnesota when I graduated. (That name has since changed too. It's now Wayfinder Master Coach Training. Anyway... Sarah is a mentor, a few steps ahead of me in many ways.) The more things change, the more they stay the same, to quote a cliche. I am still a teacher. Sarah is still a healer.America is still changing fast. It's still hard to talk about it.But also... we have come a long way in those six years. As I write this, this podcast is nearing 6400 downloads.Sarah is now known as an artist, and I have always considered myself a working, real-life creative. Which is why it was such an honor to interview Sarah about her most recent workbook that combines Sarah's writing and her distinctive artwork. You really might want to read it. It's lovely and colorful, and I find myself relying on the wisdom inside and quoting sections to friends. Several of them have received Sarah's book from me for birthdays and Christmas. It really is that relevant and timely.I have a few more episodes with Sarah coming up in April to celebrate my second book's second birthday.Meanwhile, inspired by Sarah once more, I'm unveiling new show art. Enjoy!Here's to 100 episodes. And here's to 100 more.Sarah Bamford Seidelmann is a 4th generation physician, accomplished author, artist and shamanic healer. Her celebrated and unconventional work aims to restore the soul. “Sarah Seidelmann is a true medicine woman and everything she creates is good for what ails us.” —Martha Beck, New York Times bestselling author of The Way of Integrity.Boundaries Workbook Amy Hallberg is the author of Tiny Altars: A Midlife Revival and German Awakening: Tales from an American Life. She is the host of Courageous Wordsmith Podcast and founder of Courageous Wordsmith Circle for Real-Life Writers. As an editor and writing mentor, Amy guides writers through their narrative journeys—from inklings to beautiful works, specifically podcasts and books. A lifelong Minnesotan and mother of grown twins, Amy lives in the Twin Cities with her husband and two cats. Get Amy's Books and AudiobooksLearn about Courageous Wordsmith Circle for Real-Life WritersWork with Amy 1:1

From Amy:This episode, in which my dear colleague and peer Orla Collins interviewed me in 2023, introduces my 52-card Tiny Altars oracle deck. My books are available through distributors other than me, and I haven't been interested in opening a storefront to sell these decks. I already tried that with my first book and my first products, and I could do that again, but it's not where I want to put my energy. And I only want to focus on what I am truly here to do as a working creative. I could market the cards to someone else, a distributor who could make them available widely. I do believe they're that good. But I don't want to.I grew up watching my sign-painter grandpa make branded gifts for his clients, and his remaining golden yardsticks (two that I use daily) bring me profound joy. So instead, I only sell these cards locally in Minnesota and make them available as gifts to my Courageous Wordsmith clients that I work with personally. Which is an intentionally small group. That doesn't make the cards any less powerful or any less profound or any less beautiful. They are in fact the capstone of my self-appointed curriculum on the path to becoming a working creative, my odyssey while I healed myself from the intensive trauma of my teaching career. Now I do what I want. And so... since for all these many reasons, you can't buy the cards on the Internet, I have held off on releasing this episode until now. And then, recently, I listened to the beautiful gift that my friend Orla gave me.She would not let me deflect my attention away from what I have accomplished with these cards.These cards represent the complete set of my life-coach-meets-narrative-craft questions around which I framed Tiny Altars. The cards in turn shaped the final book revisions. Both are distilled thanks to that process.So here's why I'm sharing this episode now:Because it gives a behind-the-scenes look at what it is to put your creative work into the world, and to remind you that maybe you too feel like hiding as I have, but there's good work that you have to share, however you do. You have choices and agency about how you show up in the world. And furthermore these cards are now, more than ever, at the heart of my work in Courageous Wordsmith, including my recent premiere one-day Writing Revival. So you might want to work with me.And as I say, for those of you without an artist grandfather to model your life on, who still want to be a real-life working creative, it helps to know what it might look like for you.Orla Collins, aka the Irish Orlacle, profoundly understands how constant people-pleasing damages relationships, drains energy, producing anxiety, anger and despair. Originally from Dublin, Orla lives in Toronto with her husband, is mum to four, young adults, and a snuggly goldendoodle. Orla loves a well-made cup of tea, speaks with a soft Irish accent, swears occasionally, while using her experience and humour to help her clients dissolve unhealthy, inherited, people-pleasing patterns, strengthen their intimate relationships, and create peace in their homes.Orla's podcast: Tea with the Irish OrlacleInstagram: @orlacle_coaching Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/orla.collins.5811/ Website: www.orlaclecoaching.comSubscribe to Orla's newsletter  Amy Hallberg is the author of Tiny Altars: A Midlife Revival and German Awakening: Tales from an American Life. She is the host of Courageous Wordsmith Podcast and founder of Courageous Wordsmith Circle for Real-Life Writers. As an editor and creative mentor, Amy guides writers through their narrative journeys—from inklings to beautiful works, specifically podcasts and books. A lifelong Minnesotan and mother of grown twins, Amy lives in the Twin Cities with her husband and two cats. Get Amy's Books and AudiobooksLearn about Courageous Wordsmith Circle for Real-Life WritersWork with Amy 1:1

From Amy:When Cara Pacific Campbell first inquired about working with me as a 1:1 Book Writing Mentor, she was reluctant, but not because she was my first book writing client per se. She was reluctant because she'd never written a book, especially about such tender topics, but she was determined to write her book because it wouldn't leave her alone. As in, she was still living the experience she was writing about. A lot of people who end up working with me are like that. They have something to say, and it's tender and personal and ongoing. I can teach them to write in their own language while they bear witness to what's going on.Cara's trust in me meant a lot because I too was starting over, at least wearing the hat of a developmental editor. People had started to approach me for writing guidance even before I retired from teaching high school languages, and I'd been coaching writers since then, and edited some. But Cara was the first person to hire me for a longitudinal book development project.And I got to recapture what I love best about teaching languages: seeing fluency, awareness, and pride build over time.People come to me at all different stages of writing. In Cara's case, she couldn't even get started. So that's what we worked on. Time passed while Cara lived into the rest of the story, and now she's nearing publication of her memoir. So I asked her to reminisce with me about what it's like writing a book when you've never been a writer before. I know that many people out there are wondering how you get started, and if it's all worth it. This is how, and in Cara's opinion: Yes. Yes it is. Cara Pacific Campbell is an award-winning sales leader, consultant, and author of an upcoming memoir about her battle with Lyme disease and the path to deeper healing. Known for coaching leaders to create thriving, high-performing teams, Cara blends strategy with heart to help people achieve more—without the burnout. Whether she's teaching reps how to close million-dollar deals or sharing hard-earned life lessons, Cara inspires growth from the inside out.  www.linkedin.com/in/carapacificcampbell https://www.instagram.com/carapacificcampbell/ https://www.facebook.com/carapacific Amy Hallberg is the author of Tiny Altars: A Midlife Revival and German Awakening: Tales from an American Life. She is the host of Courageous Wordsmith Podcast and founder of Courageous Wordsmith Circle for Real-Life Writers. As an editor and creative mentor, Amy guides writers through their narrative journeys—from inklings to beautiful works, specifically podcasts and books. A lifelong Minnesotan and mother of grown twins, Amy lives in the Twin Cities with her husband and two cats. Get Amy's Books and AudiobooksLearn about Courageous Wordsmith Circle for Real-Life WritersWork with Amy 1:1

Bridgette Boudreau is a Master-Certified Coach and Advisor for business owners. Bridgette's coaching philosophy is rooted in compassion and finding one's intrinsic motivation versus pushing or hustling. She acts as a strategic thought partner, providing a confidential and supportive environment for her clients to grow their businesses and themselves. With over 15 years of coaching experience, she has developed the Mosaic Framework which is designed to help people create a fulfilling third act of life. Bridgette's coaching style is like the love child of Bob Ross and Mary Poppins: She's going to love and encourage the hell out of you to do it your way, and you're going to get it done.You can find Bridgette and learn more about her offerings at https://www.bridgetteboudreau.com.https://www.linkedin.com/in/bboudreau/ Amy Hallberg is the author of Tiny Altars: A Midlife Revival and German Awakening: Tales from an American Life. She is the host of Courageous Wordsmith Podcast and founder of Courageous Wordsmith Circle for Real-Life Writers. As an editor and creative mentor, Amy guides writers through their narrative journeys—from inklings to beautiful works, specifically podcasts and books. A lifelong Minnesotan and mother of grown twins, Amy lives in the Twin Cities with her husband and two cats. Get Amy's Books and AudiobooksLearn about Courageous Wordsmith Circle for Real-Life WritersWork with Amy 1:1

From Amy:I met Nicole Diaz in the life-coaching world around the time that I was first envisioning my online community for real-life writers. She demonstrated a brilliant understanding of the creative process, and I had this idea of hosting Idea Parties as the centerpiece of my work with writing groups, with Parker Palmer's work as my model. Nicole was a Parker Palmer fan too. So for a few years, we collaborated to host once-a-month calls on Saturday mornings where we let beautiful words draw us into our writing.Afterwards, people spoke their voices into the room, and nobody corrected or coached or edited each other. Instead, we let you be at the heart of your story and reflected your words back. And books began to be written and friendships began to be made.Together, Nicole and I developed a flexible and potent Idea Party format that works to this day, even after she has moved on.There were other experiments Nicole and I tried, among them this little series of three podcasts. It was going to be available in the community library only, as one of many exclusive features. Since then I've streamlined my online Writing Circle space to center on writing calls and there's no reason to house a three-part podcast series with a leader who's no longer there.On the other hand, Nicole and I agree that these three episodes would make a beautiful Winter Solstice gift to YOU, my podcast listeners, at a time when creativity could bring us all comfort if we could just calm down about the creative process itself.These are shorter than my other episodes, and I find talking with Nicole delightful. I hope you enjoy.Happy holiday season.Love, AmyPS–Nicole sends her love too.Nicole Diaz is a creativity coach and business strategist. She works with business professionals to access their creative flow, and with creatives to build the structure they need to stay on track without losing inspiration. Through private coaching and workshops, she helps people balance strategy and creativity so they can bring their ideas to life. www.nicolemdiaz.com Amy Hallberg is the author of Tiny Altars: A Midlife Revival and German Awakening: Tales from an American Life. She is the host of Courageous Wordsmith Podcast and founder of Courageous Wordsmith Circle for Real-Life Writers. As an editor and creative mentor, Amy guides writers through their narrative journeys—from inklings to beautiful works, specifically podcasts and books. A lifelong Minnesotan and mother of grown twins, Amy lives in the Twin Cities with her husband and two cats. Get Amy's Books and AudiobooksLearn about Courageous Wordsmith Circle for Real-Life WritersWork with Amy 1:1

From Amy:I met Nicole Diaz in the life-coaching world around the time that I was first envisioning my online community for real-life writers. She demonstrated a brilliant understanding of the creative process, and I had this idea of hosting Idea Parties as the centerpiece of my work with writing groups, with Parker Palmer's work as my model. Nicole was a Parker Palmer fan too. So for a few years, we collaborated to host once-a-month calls on Saturday mornings where we let beautiful words draw us into our writing.Afterwards, people spoke their voices into the room, and nobody corrected or coached or edited each other. Instead, we let you be at the heart of your story and reflected your words back. And books began to be written and friendships began to be made.Together, Nicole and I developed a flexible and potent Idea Party format that works to this day, even after she has moved on.There were other experiments Nicole and I tried, among them this little series of three podcasts. It was going to be available in the community library only, as one of many exclusive features. Since then I've streamlined my online Writing Circle space to center on writing calls and there's no reason to house a three-part podcast series with a leader who's no longer there.On the other hand, Nicole and I agree that these three episodes would make a beautiful Winter Solstice gift to YOU, my podcast listeners, at a time when creativity could bring us all comfort if we could just calm down about the creative process itself.These are shorter than my other episodes, and I find talking with Nicole delightful. I hope you enjoy.Happy holiday season.Love, AmyPS–Nicole sends her love too.Nicole Diaz is a creativity coach and business strategist. She works with business professionals to access their creative flow, and with creatives to build the structure they need to stay on track without losing inspiration. Through private coaching and workshops, she helps people balance strategy and creativity so they can bring their ideas to life. www.nicolemdiaz.com Amy Hallberg is the author of Tiny Altars: A Midlife Revival and German Awakening: Tales from an American Life. She is the host of Courageous Wordsmith Podcast and founder of Courageous Wordsmith Circle for Real-Life Writers. As an editor and creative mentor, Amy guides writers through their narrative journeys—from inklings to beautiful works, specifically podcasts and books. A lifelong Minnesotan and mother of grown twins, Amy lives in the Twin Cities with her husband and two cats. Get Amy's Books and AudiobooksLearn about Courageous Wordsmith Circle for Real-Life WritersWork with Amy 1:1

From Amy:I met Nicole Diaz in the life-coaching world around the time that I was first envisioning my online community for real-life writers. She demonstrated a brilliant understanding of the creative process, and I had this idea of hosting Idea Parties as the centerpiece of my work with writing groups, with Parker Palmer's work as my model. Nicole was a Parker Palmer fan too. So for a few years, we collaborated to host once-a-month calls on Saturday mornings where we let beautiful words draw us into our writing.Afterwards, people spoke their voices into the room, and nobody corrected or coached or edited each other. Instead, we let you be at the heart of your story and reflected your words back. And books began to be written and friendships began to be made.Together, Nicole and I developed a flexible and potent Idea Party format that works to this day, even after she has moved on.There were other experiments Nicole and I tried, among them this little series of three podcasts. It was going to be available in the community library only, as one of many exclusive features. Since then I've streamlined my online Writing Circle space to center on writing calls and there's no reason to house a three-part podcast series with a leader who's no longer there.On the other hand, Nicole and I agree that these three episodes would make a beautiful Winter Solstice gift to YOU, my podcast listeners, at a time when creativity could bring us all comfort if we could just calm down about the creative process itself.These are shorter than my other episodes, and I find talking with Nicole delightful. I hope you enjoy.Happy holiday season.Love, AmyPS–Nicole sends her love too.Nicole Diaz is a creativity coach and business strategist. She works with business professionals to access their creative flow, and with creatives to build the structure they need to stay on track without losing inspiration. Through private coaching and workshops, she helps people balance strategy and creativity so they can bring their ideas to life. www.nicolemdiaz.com Amy Hallberg is the author of Tiny Altars: A Midlife Revival and German Awakening: Tales from an American Life. She is the host of Courageous Wordsmith Podcast and founder of Courageous Wordsmith Circle for Real-Life Writers. As an editor and creative mentor, Amy guides writers through their narrative journeys—from inklings to beautiful works, specifically podcasts and books. A lifelong Minnesotan and mother of grown twins, Amy lives in the Twin Cities with her husband and two cats. Get Amy's Books and AudiobooksLearn about Courageous Wordsmith Circle for Real-Life WritersWork with Amy 1:1

From Amy:Molly Darling is a mixed media artist, storyteller, and creative guide with a passion for uncovering the beauty in life's messiest moments. Rooted in the philosophy that “it's all compost,” Molly's work transforms the highs and lows of existence—love, shame, resilience, and struggle—into layered, thought-provoking pieces that invite viewers to explore their own stories. In addition to her art, Molly is the creator of Compost & Creation, a Substack where she shares behind-the-scenes glimpses of her creative process, reflections, and poetry. She also co-hosts the podcast Behind the Studio Door, where she interviews fellow creatives about their journeys and the human side of making art. Through her work, Molly inspires others to embrace vulnerability and creativity as tools for self-discovery and connection, whether through her courses, community projects, or mentorship. She believes that every layer of life has something to teach us—and that art has the power to hold it all.thedarlingrevolution.org compostandcreation.substack.cominstagram.com/thedarlingrevolutionthedarlingrevolution.org/podcast Amy Hallberg is the author of Tiny Altars: A Midlife Revival and German Awakening: Tales from an American Life. She is the host of Courageous Wordsmith Podcast and founder of Courageous Wordsmith Circle for Real-Life Writers. As an editor and creative mentor, Amy guides writers through their narrative journeys—from inklings to beautiful works, specifically podcasts and books. A lifelong Minnesotan and mother of grown twins, Amy lives in the Twin Cities with her husband and two cats. Get Amy's Books and AudiobooksLearn about Courageous Wordsmith Circle for Real-Life WritersWork with Amy 1:1

From Amy:From the beginning of my work as a "real" writer (which I had tried to be on my own for a very long time, but I couldn't move past the journaling stage... no matter how "gifted" anyone said I was at wordsmithing...) I have found that I cannot succeed without the support of collaborative partners whose gifts and vision complement mine. That's true of this podcast, and it's definitely true of an audiobook. So when my long-time podcast editor moved on to brighter things (he's a gifted musician who graduated from college and spends his time performing on stage), and I couldn't get traction recording and editing my second audiobook (surprise, surprise), I reached out to K.O. Myers, whose work I had long admired from Natalie Miller's Mindwitchery podcast.I could not have been more pleased with the results, and I have to let you in on a secret. This was an experiment I was conducting not just for my own audiobook, but because I refer my writing clients to professionals I know firsthand.So let this be my ringing endorsement: I love the audiobook that K.O. produced for me. He's got skills and profound wisdom. Beyond that, I felt supported and seen—or should I say, heard. If you're wondering what the process looked and felt like, for curiosity sake or even because you're considering if audio work is for you, this episode lets you in behind the scenes.K.O. Myers is the founder an lead editor of Particulate Media, a full-service audio production company that helps podcasters and audiobook presenters sound more professional without sacrificing their authenticity.https://particulatemedia.comK.O.'s Podcast is https://roll-factory.captivate.fmhttps://www.facebook.com/particulatemediahttps://genvexed.bsky.social Amy Hallberg is the author of Tiny Altars: A Midlife Revival and German Awakening: Tales from an American Life. She is the host of Courageous Wordsmith Podcast and founder of Courageous Wordsmith Circle for Real-Life Writers. As an editor and creative mentor, Amy guides writers through their narrative journeys—from inklings to beautiful works, specifically podcasts and books. A lifelong Minnesotan and mother of grown twins, Amy lives in the Twin Cities with her husband and two cats. Get Amy's Books and AudiobooksLearn about Courageous Wordsmith Circle for Real-Life WritersWork with Amy 1:1

From Amy:We were originally hoping for a November 22 release of my Tiny Altars audiobook on Audible, but that date came and went while it awaited its turn in Quality Assurance for over two weeks. Now it's December 3, and the audiobook has arrived, which reminds me that books, like children, arrive in their own time and way, no matter how we try to control it.Fun fact: From my first callings to write my personal narrative, I kept seeing the number 123 in association with my writing. This book always knew and was telling me what it wanted to be, even if I didn't see it.The part of me that likes to watch such things notes that it's arriving nearly one year to the day that I first met K.O. Myers at Particulate Media, who created this audiobook with me. The meeting was an unexpected development, but a fortuitous one.There's what we think we're doing, and there's what wants to happen. Then we start wrap our head around what's really there. Especially in narrative craft.In this episode, I talk about the surprise of mothering twins. This book, Tiny Altars, was like that. Unexpected. I didn't want to write about the dollhouse on the cover that represents something much bigger than me. I thought I was writing a different book when this dollhouse origin story snuck into my manuscript. I tried to fit it into my German-themed book. The dollhouse image took over. It had its own story it wanted to tell. Not about Germany, but a story much closer to home. I'm so glad I let it.Which is how it ended up on the cover. The origin story of the dollhouse wraps up this episode. I hope you enjoy.Let me also introduce you to K.O. Myers, the producer of this episode and my Tiny Altars audiobook.K.O. Myers is the founder an lead editor of Particulate Media, a full-service audio production company that helps podcasters and audiobook presenters sound more professional without sacrificing their authenticity.https://particulatemedia.comhttps://www.facebook.com/particulatemediahttps://genvexed.bsky.social Amy Hallberg is the author of Tiny Altars: A Midlife Revival and German Awakening: Tales from an American Life. She is the host of Courageous Wordsmith Podcast and founder of Courageous Wordsmith Circle for Real-Life Writers. As an editor and creative mentor, Amy guides writers through their narrative journeys—from inklings to beautiful works, specifically podcasts and books. A lifelong Minnesotan and mother of grown twins, Amy lives in the Twin Cities with her husband and two cats. Learn about Courageous Wordsmith Circle for Real-Life WritersWork with Amy 1:1

From Amy: I had hopes of my audiobook being one thing, and instead it's another. It's my memoir on coming to deeper awareness of the role I play in my homeland, and how I let myself wander and grieve. Anyway, I've said it before and I'll say it again. A book comes into the world in exactly the timing it wants to. The paperback came out on April 21, 2023.This audiobook wanted to come into the world on November 22, 2024.Listening to it in this light, I've thanked my former self for writing her story. It contains many things perfectly timed for this time, in ways that I could not have anticipated them landing so fully.And so although I had already agreed with K.O. Myers that I would share this Foreword and another chapter coming out as podcast episodes to celebrate the release of Tiny Altars, the audiobook, I had no idea how to introduce them until Election Day had come and gone. There are many takeaways and many ways to proceed, too many to list here, especially since my book is not about politics but the context of one woman's life, specifically mine. The takeaway I unpack in this introduction is the one that Tiny Altars has been pointing me to for several years now, as a white Minnesota woman born into a mainstream Christian Protestant tradition. It's the message contained in this Foreword:It's time to tell your story and stop counting on others (more interesting or worthy) to give you permission.This Foreword is the frame for my book. Every story has one. Don't forget it. Thanks for listening.Let me also introduce you to K.O. Myers, the producer of this episode and my Tiny Altars audiobook.K.O. Myers is the founder an lead editor of Particulate Media, a full-service audio production company that helps podcasters and audiobook presenters sound more professional without sacrificing their authenticity.https://particulatemedia.comhttps://www.facebook.com/particulatemediahttps://genvexed.bsky.social Amy Hallberg is the author of Tiny Altars: A Midlife Revival and German Awakening: Tales from an American Life. She is the host of Courageous Wordsmith Podcast and founder of Courageous Wordsmith Circle for Real-Life Writers. As an editor and creative mentor, Amy guides writers through their narrative journeys—from inklings to beautiful works, specifically podcasts and books. A lifelong Minnesotan and mother of grown twins, Amy lives in the Twin Cities with her husband and two cats. Learn about Courageous Wordsmith Circle for Real-Life WritersWork with Amy 1:1

From Amy: I have been a fan of Linda's gorgeous imagery ever since I met her in an online writing forum. At the time, we were both publishing our books with birds on the cover. The thing about poetry is, sometimes, especially at a moment like now—one week out from pivotal presidential elections in the United States—where the rhetoric has gotten QUITE LOUD, and it's already been a LOUD nearly-decade, our nervous systems need a break. We need soothing words that speak to our humanity. And so this episode is intentionally timed for right now... Beyond that, I love talking with Linda about how she works her magic, and I suspect you will love to hear what she says too.Linda Flaherty Haltmaier is an award-winning author and the Poet Laureate Emeritus of Andover, MA. Named the winner of the Robert Frost Poetry Prize, she is known for her “sensational imagery, her deft ear for the music of language, and her emotional sonar for sounding the depths of love (and anger).” Her new collection, Shadows Set to Burn, was recently honored with the 2024 International Book Award for Narrative Poetry. Her debut collection, Rolling up the Sky, claimed the Homebound Publications Poetry Prize and her follow-up, To the Left of the Sun, was the winner of the American Bookfest Award for Poetry. Additional accolades include winning the JuxtaProse Poetry Prize and the Palm Beach Poetry Festival Competition, as well as Finalist honors for the Princemere Poetry Prize, the New Millennium Award for Poetry, the Joy Bale Boone Poetry Prize, the Tucson Festival of the Book Literary Award, and more. Nominated for four Pushcart Prizes, Linda's work has been featured widely in journals and anthologies. A graduate of Harvard, Linda leads poetry workshops, gives readings, and promotes poetry on the North Shore of Boston where she lives with her husband and daughter.https://www.instagram.com/linda.thepoet/Buy Linda's book here & write a review Amy Hallberg is the author of Tiny Altars: A Midlife Revival and German Awakening: Tales from an American Life. She is the host of Courageous Wordsmith Podcast and founder of Courageous Wordsmith Circle for Real-Life Writers. As an editor and creative mentor, Amy guides writers through their narrative journeys—from inklings to beautiful works, specifically podcasts and books. A lifelong Minnesotan and mother of grown twins, Amy lives in the Twin Cities with her husband and two cats. Learn about Courageous Wordsmith Circle for Real-Life WritersWork with Amy 1:1

From Amy: I met Sonya at a Minneapolis bookstore, where she was reading from her latest collection of essays. Her writing voice is engaging. But it's the multiplicity of roles she occupies as a writer that fascinates me: from established professor of creative writing and published author, to her embrace of various voices still waiting to be released. For the people in my audience who long to write but feel constricted by "what's permitted," this conversation just may feel freeing.We end with three promising writing prompts to try for yourself.Sonya Huber is the author of eight books, including the new essay collection, Love and Industry: A Midwestern Workbook as well as the writing guide, Voice First: A Writer's Manifesto, and an award-winning essay collection on chronic pain, Pain Woman Takes Your Keys and Other Essays from a Nervous System. Her other books include the Supremely Tiny Acts: A Memoir in a Day, Opa Nobody, Cover Me: A Health Insurance Memoir, and The Backwards Research Guide for Writers. Her work has appeared in the New York Times, Brevity, Creative Nonfiction, The Atlantic, The Guardian, and other outlets. She teaches at Fairfield University and in the Fairfield low-residency MFA program.www.sonyahuber.comhttps://www.instagram.com/sonyahuber/The What Happened ProjectThe Three Words That Almost Ruined Me As A Writer: Show, Don't Tell  Amy Hallberg is the author of Tiny Altars: A Midlife Revival and German Awakening: Tales from an American Life. She is the host of Courageous Wordsmith Podcast and founder of Courageous Wordsmith Circle for Real-Life Writers. As an editor and creative mentor, Amy guides writers through their narrative journeys—from inklings to beautiful works, specifically podcasts and books. A lifelong Minnesotan and mother of grown twins, Amy lives in the Twin Cities with her husband and two cats. Learn about Courageous Wordsmith Circle for Real-Life WritersWork with Amy 1:1

From Amy: Gin Hammond is a friend of a friend, and when I heard about Returning the Bones, Gin's fictionalized account of her beloved Aunt Bebe, I very much wanted to talk with her. Gin had one request: that we release it before elections because this book's themes are so timely. Twenty days out from Election Day, that's what I'm doing. I highly recommend the audiobook.1946. Bebe Hammond, a shy bookworm with a wild imagination yearns to find her own voice in the world, but is held captive by the expectations of her family and the realities of the Jim Crow south. When faced with an odds-defying opportunity, does she risk her life in the fight for Civil Rights, or abandon her home, and fiancé, and flee to Paris to live a life she's always dreamed of? Returning the Bones is a novel that will transport you through many miles, perspectives, and epiphanies.Gin Hammond is an award-winning Harvard University/Moscow Art Theatre graduate, as well as an actor, writer, director, and has performed onstage both nationally and internationally. A certified teacher of Fitzmaurice Voicework ®, Gin teaches voice and speech, public speaking, voice-over, and accents and dialect. Gin received a Helen Hayes Award for Outstanding Lead Actress for The Syringa Tree and NEA grants for multiple plays. She is also co-founder of the Meditations for Actors mobile app. Her book, Returning the Bones, is a National Indies Excellence Finalist and a Gold Winning INDIES Book of the Year winner.www.returningthebones.comwww.instagram.com/returningtheboneswww.instagram.com/livingincognegromovie/  Amy Hallberg is the author of Tiny Altars: A Midlife Revival and German Awakening: Tales from an American Life. She is the host of Courageous Wordsmith Podcast and founder of Courageous Wordsmith Circle for Real-Life Writers. As an editor and creative mentor, Amy guides writers through their narrative journeys—from inklings to beautiful works, specifically podcasts and books. A lifelong Minnesotan and mother of grown twins, Amy lives in the Twin Cities with her husband and two cats. Learn about Courageous Wordsmith Circle for Real-Life WritersWork with Amy 1:1

From Amy: Terry Newby and I met in the spring of 2023 and found resonance between our writing that led us to trade books. We wanted to explore what it was to write about real people related to us, Terry in historical fiction and plays, me in creative nonfiction, specifically memoir. This is the third and final episode that resulted from that conversation. While Terry and I write different genres, the fact remains that we're writing around similar troublesome themes in American history, a history that is very much still playing out in modern-day patterns. We simply come to our understandings from different vantage points. Mine came through a longtime study of German literature as a lens on challenges closer to home, and I talk about that narrative path. But it wasn't until I read Isabel Wilkerson's Caste that I finally had a name for what I've seen all along in my homeland. Terrance C. Newby is an attorney, novelist, and playwright based in St. Paul, Minnesota. His plays The Cage, The Body Politic, Reunion Forever, and The Piano Teacher have been professionally staged in Twin Cities theaters.Terry's novel, Dangerfield's Promise, was published in April 2022, and has received five-star reviews from the Seattle Book Review, Manhattan Book Review, Chicago Book Review, and the Midwest Book Review, among others. Terry is currently working on a sequel to Dangerfield's Promise.Terry's LinkedInTerry has two upcoming plays being staged. See you there?Little Rock 1942: The true story of a civil rights lawsuit that brought Thurgood Marshall to St. Paul, and led to the landmark Brown v. Board of Education decisionOctober 3 & 4, 7 pm | October 5, 2 pm, 2024.  Landmark Center, St. Paul, MN.https://www.landmarkcenter.org/history-play/Our Dearest Friends (the second play of the night)Thu, Nov 21, 2024 7:00 PM  Sun, Nov 24, 2024 2:00 PM.  The Hive Collaborative, St. Paul, MN.https://www.thehivecollaborativemn.com/events/a-woman-over-forty Amy Hallberg is the author of Tiny Altars: A Midlife Revival and German Awakening: Tales from an American Life. She is the host of Courageous Wordsmith Podcast and founder of Courageous Wordsmith Circle for Real-Life Writers. As a story coach and book writing mentor, she guides writers through their narrative journeys, from inklings to beautiful works. A lifelong Minnesotan and mother of grown twins, Amy lives in the Twin Cities with her husband and two cats. Learn about Courageous Wordsmith Circle for Real-Life WritersWork with Amy 1:1

From Amy: Terry Newby and I met in the spring of 2023 and found resonance between our writing that led us to trade books. We wanted to explore what it was to write about real people related to us, Terry in historical fiction and plays, me in creative nonfiction, specifically memoir. This is the second of three episodes that resulted from that conversation. While Terry writes about real people using fiction to convey larger truths, he wondered what it's like when the people I write about are real people, and my contract with a reader of creative nonfiction says that anything I write about has to have happened. The very fact that I'm writing about any events or relationship already tells you that everything wasn't simply perfect. (Because... boring.) How we treat real people in writing is a question I regularly navigate with writers. Terry and I talk about how I navigate that in my work.Terrance C. Newby is an attorney, novelist, and playwright based in St. Paul, Minnesota. His plays The Cage, The Body Politic, Reunion Forever, and The Piano Teacher have been professionally staged in Twin Cities theaters.Terry's novel, Dangerfield's Promise, was published in April 2022, and has received five-star reviews from the Seattle Book Review, Manhattan Book Review, Chicago Book Review, and the Midwest Book Review, among others. Terry is currently working on a sequel to Dangerfield's Promise.Terry's LinkedInTerry has two upcoming plays being staged. See you there?Little Rock 1942: The true story of a civil rights lawsuit that brought Thurgood Marshall to St. Paul, and led to the landmark Brown v. Board of Education decisionOctober 3 & 4, 7 pm | October 5, 2 pm, 2024.  Landmark Center, St. Paul, MN.https://www.landmarkcenter.org/history-play/Our Dearest Friends (the second play of the night)Thu, Nov 21, 2024 7:00 PM  Sun, Nov 24, 2024 2:00 PM.  The Hive Collaborative, St. Paul, MN.https://www.thehivecollaborativemn.com/events/a-woman-over-forty  Amy Hallberg is the author of Tiny Altars: A Midlife Revival and German Awakening: Tales from an American Life. She is the host of Courageous Wordsmith Podcast and founder of Courageous Wordsmith Circle for Real-Life Writers. As a story coach and book writing mentor, she guides writers through their narrative journeys, from inklings to beautiful works. A lifelong Minnesotan and mother of grown twins, Amy lives in the Twin Cities with her husband and two cats. Learn about Courageous Wordsmith Circle for Real-Life WritersWork with Amy 1:1

From Amy: Terry Newby and I met in the spring of 2023 and found resonance between our writing that led us to trade books. We wanted to explore what it was to write about real people related to us, Terry in historical fiction and plays, me in creative nonfiction, specifically memoir. This is the first of three episodes that resulted from that conversation. In Terry's case, the relative was Dangerfield Newby, a newly-emancipated black Virginian determined to buy his wife and children out of slavery, and the first of John Brown's men to be killed in the ill-fated raid on Harper's Ferry. Dangerfield's modern counterpoint is fictitious surgeon Michael Turner, who becomes a surrogate for Terry in tracking his ancestor Dangerfield's path. Through this novel, Terry brought historical circumstances to life for me on many levels, and I'm excited to share our discussion.Terrance C. Newby is an attorney, novelist, and playwright based in St. Paul, Minnesota. His plays The Cage, The Body Politic, Reunion Forever, and The Piano Teacher have been professionally staged in Twin Cities theaters.Terry's novel, Dangerfield's Promise, was published in April 2022, and has received five-star reviews from the Seattle Book Review, Manhattan Book Review, Chicago Book Review, and the Midwest Book Review, among others. Terry is currently working on a sequel to Dangerfield's Promise.Terry's LinkedInTerry has two upcoming plays being staged. See you there?Little Rock 1942: The true story of a civil rights lawsuit that brought Thurgood Marshall to St. Paul, and led to the landmark Brown v. Board of Education decisionOctober 3 & 4, 7 pm | October 5, 2 pm, 2024.  Landmark Center, St. Paul, MN.https://www.landmarkcenter.org/history-play/Our Dearest Friends (the second play of the night)Thu, Nov 21, 2024 7:00 PM  Sun, Nov 24, 2024 2:00 PM.  The Hive Collaborative, St. Paul, MN.https://www.thehivecollaborativemn.com/events/a-woman-over-forty  Amy Hallberg is the author of Tiny Altars: A Midlife Revival and German Awakening: Tales from an American Life. She is the host of Courageous Wordsmith Podcast and founder of Courageous Wordsmith Circle for Real-Life Writers. As a story coach and book writing mentor, she guides writers through their narrative journeys, from inklings to beautiful works. A lifelong Minnesotan and mother of grown twins, Amy lives in the Twin Cities with her husband and two cats. Learn about Courageous Wordsmith Circle for Real-Life WritersWork with Amy 1:1

A note from Amy about this excerpt from Tiny Altars: A Midlife RevivalEvery book, like every child, seems to arrive in its own divine timing and have its own significant birthday, and this is especially true for this memoir of history witnessed in real time. Because I had abruptly ended my teaching career midyear, I was available to be an up-close observer of a remarkable period in America, as a longtime student of 20th century German literature and film.And that's just a taste of my curriculum vitae.I always intended to release an audiobook of Tiny Altars, originally published in paperback and ebook in April 21, 2023. (On the anniversary of Prince's passing, a significant event in my book and for Minnesotans. Among other reasons.) For whatever reason, this audiobook production didn't align until early 2024. As in, it steadfastly refused to get going—until it did. All year, I've slowly but surely recorded and listened to every chapter, bringing this version to life, in collaboration with K.O. Myers at Particulate Media.Recently, K.O. and I have been weighing which chapters I'd like to excerpt here first, on my podcast.As I've revisited my own words aloud, it has fascinated me to recognize JUST HOW TIMELY AND RELEVANT this book has become in the summer of 2024. So much so that when my beloved Joe Biden (I saw him speak in Minneapolis when he was campaigning for Barack Obama's second term) stepped down from his candidacy for reelection as President of the United States, passing the torch to Kamala Harris, we both knew this was the section for me to start with. K.O. set about producing the episode for me.That was even before my beloved Minnesota Governor Tim Walz joined the ticket. You won't see his name in my book. It's too late to add him to this episode. But he's in it. Along with this, our Minnesota Nice culture, once again in the world's spotlight.Yesterday Kamala and Tim accepted the nomination, and it occurred to me that today, the third day of the DNC in Chicago, is exactly the right day to release this episode. Two notes on its content: My book is about finding personal responsibility and freedom in my American homeland, and this chapter is about my personal and political lineage.I do mention two characters. My aunt "Vivian" and my paternal grandmother "Doris" are significant elders to me.I believe that Tiny Altars, my audiobook, will premiere on October 3, 2025—leading up to the election.But we'll see!Thanks for listening now.Love, Amy Amy Hallberg is the author of Tiny Altars: A Midlife Revival and German Awakening: Tales from an American Life. She is the host of Courageous Wordsmith Podcast and founder of Courageous Wordsmith Circle for Real-Life Writers. As a story coach and book writing mentor, she guides writers through their narrative journeys, from inklings to beautiful works. A lifelong Minnesotan and mother of grown twins, Amy lives in the Twin Cities with her husband and two cats. Learn about our upcoming Courageous Wordsmith Writing Revival, a 4-day retreat in Prior Lake, Minnesota, October 3–6, 2024

In this episode of Courageous Wordsmith, Amy chats with Erika Jones about their upcoming writing retreat focused on embodied writing. They discuss the healing process through writing, and how their collaboration brings together their unique expertise in writing and somatic nervous system work. Erika shares her journey of processing trauma through storytelling and how the retreat can offer transformative experiences for participants. The retreat, called Writing Revival, takes place in Prior Lake, Minnesota from October 3-6.Erica Jones is a Transformational Coach, Multidimensional Healer, Musician, Author, and Mystic. A passionate explorer and voracious researcher, Erica lives in the intersection between science and spirituality. Her practical, evidence-based approach is a blend of 22 years of professional training and experience, inspired by her living connection with spirit. Clients call her the goddess of understanding, she has a keen ability to translate the wonders of the world, the wisdom of the body, and the whispers of the soul into actionable, aligned steps towards a life of passion and purpose. Erica's background as a massage therapist, health educator, bodywork practitioner, sound healer, somatic practitioner, trauma-informed coach, podcast host, author, and retreat leader has helped clients around the United States, ranging from Olympic athletes, CEOs, directors of nonprofits, and community leaders, with a focus on helping high-performing women to come home to the themselves and experience feeling welle, within.https://www.instagram.com/wellewithin https://open.substack.com/pub/wellewithin https://m.facebook.com/wellewithin/ Amy Hallberg is the author of Tiny Altars: A Midlife Revival and German Awakening: Tales from an American Life. She is the host of Courageous Wordsmith Podcast and founder of Courageous Wordsmith Circle for Real-Life Writers. As a story coach and book writing mentor, she guides writers through their narrative journeys, from inklings to beautiful works. A lifelong Minnesotan and mother of grown twins, Amy lives in the Twin Cities with her husband and two cats. Learn about our upcoming Courageous Wordsmith Writing Revival, a 4-day retreat in Prior Lake, Minnesota, October 3–6, 2024

In this episode of Courageous Wordsmith, author and story coach Amy Hallberg reflects on her personal and professional journey over the past year, marked by the decision to re-center her business and hire a virtual assistant, Brooke Roy.  Amy discusses the importance of finding collaborative partners, learning from missteps, and understanding her own creative and working style through the lens of Human Design.  The episode features a candid conversation with Brooke about her life-changing trip to Egypt and its metaphoric significance in their working relationship and creative process.  The episode underscores the necessity of support, authenticity, and courage in embodying one's creative voice.  Brooke Roy, is a virtual assistant and medical intuitive.  She is a Reiki Master and has been on this journey of self-exploration and wellness for almost 20 years.  She believes we can help our over health by being aware of our emotions and surroundings.  Brooke's passion is providing people with insights through her medical intuitive readings.  You can find Brooke on FB & IG. Facebook InstagramSchedule a Medical Intuitive Reading  Amy Hallberg is the author of Tiny Altars: A Midlife Revival and German Awakening: Tales from an American Life. She hosts Courageous Wordsmith Podcast and is the founder of Courageous Wordsmith Circle for Real-Life Writers. As a story coach and book writing mentor, Amy guides writers through their narrative journeys, from inklings to beautiful works. Learn about our upcoming Courageous Wordsmith Writing Revival, a 4-day retreat in Prior Lake, Minnesota, October 3–6, 2024

This is an old recording I found (or that found me) while I was working with audio files, and it seemed like the perfect timing to give you a  sense of what it's like to work with me in a group writing session... which I offer regularly in my Circle for Real-Life Writers and when I facilitate writing retreats. Even if you don't want to write, the first part of the recording talks about some of the push and pull between different parts of your mind that make it hard to get traction with writing. In case you were wondering.I hope you enjoy it. Amy Hallberg is the author of Tiny Altars: A Midlife Revival and German Awakening: Tales from an American Life. She hosts Courageous Wordsmith Podcast and is the founder of Courageous Wordsmith Circle for Real-Life Writers. As a story coach and book writing mentor, Amy guides writers through their narrative journeys, from inklings to beautiful works. Learn about our upcoming Courageous Wordsmith Writing Revival, a 4-day retreat in Prior Lake, Minnesota, October 3–6, 2024

Dr. Martha Jo Atkins, professional counselor, author, and speaker, guides individuals and families through end of life journeys. With three decades of experience, and a passion for storytelling through photography and film, Dr. Atkins fosters a space where fear lessens and courage and understanding bloom, allowing us to embrace the sacredness of dying and what it means to be alive.FacebookInstagram

Emily P. G. Erickson is a Minnesota-based writer specializing in mental health and parenting. You can find her bylines in major digital publications, including Everyday Health, Health, The New York Times, Parents, Romper, Verywell Mind, Wired, and more. A former PTSD researcher for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Emily also holds a master's degree in counseling psychology. Today her work focuses on bringing personal insights, scientific findings, and expert advice to the public through writing.Sign up for Emily's newsletterhttps://emilypgerickson.com/FacebookTwitterInstagram

It's a whole new season of Courageous Wordsmith. I've published my second memoir, Tiny Altars, and I'm ready to podcast.

Bradley Bodeker is an author of poetry and horror fiction. He is also an illustrator, musician, actor, and ordained minister of the Church of the Latter Day Dude. Bradley is currently working on two novels and a horror anthology.Facebook:https://facebook.com/KingBeeRadleyAmazon:https://amazon.com/author/bradleybodeker 

Michelle Wolff teaches, podcasts, and coaches using story, humor, and some salty language. She holds a Master's degree in Education, has 25 years of experience working with people, and loves to help multi-passionate people stop procrastinating, focus up, and get stuff done. She's been a therapist specializing in trauma, mental health, and addictions. She's now an author, trauma-informed coach, Human Design Specialist, and the creator of Forest Reiki™ energy healing. She uses laser-sharp intuition, channeled information, and at times communications from those who've crossed over, to guide people from confusion to clarity and from resistance to inspired action.Facebookwww.fb.com/michellewolff11Instagramwww.instagram.com/michellewolff11Sovereign Storytellers PodcastSovereign Storytellers and can be found on all players and www.thatmichellewolff.com/podcast

Michelle Wolff teaches, podcasts, and coaches using story, humor, and some salty language. She holds a Master's degree in Education, has 25 years of experience working with people, and loves to help multi-passionate people stop procrastinating, focus up, and get stuff done. She's been a therapist specializing in trauma, mental health, and addictions. She's now an author, trauma-informed coach, Human Design Specialist, and the creator of Forest Reiki™ energy healing. She uses laser-sharp intuition, channeled information, and at times communications from those who've crossed over, to guide people from confusion to clarity and from resistance to inspired action.Facebookwww.fb.com/michellewolff11Instagramwww.instagram.com/michellewolff11Sovereign Storytellers PodcastSovereign Storytellers and can be found on all players and www.thatmichellewolff.com/podcast

Amy Hallberg is the award-winning author of German Awakening: Tales from an American Life. She is a podcaster, story coach, book writing mentor, and the founder of Courageous Wordsmith. A lifelong Minnesotan, Amy lives in the Twin Cities with her husband and two cats.https://amyhallberg.comhttps://write.courageouswordsmith.comYou can read more about Tiny Altars here.You can buy Tiny Altars here. Emma Magenta is a feminist Life Coach who helps people-pleasers, overachievers, and perfectionists stop being so hard on themselves, and start feeling at home in their lives. As a coach, her North Star is radical self-love. She's particularly effective at coaching highly sensitive ADHD women, because she is one!Emma loves dogs, long walks in foul weather, Broadway theater, reading, eating, singing, and resting.https://emmamagentacoaching.com/FacebookInstagramYouTube 

Bradley Bodeker is an author of poetry and horror fiction. He is also an illustrator, musician, actor, and ordained minister of the Church of the Latter Day Dude. Bradley is currently working on two novels and a horror anthology.Facebook:https://facebook.com/KingBeeRadleyAmazon:https://amazon.com/author/bradleybodeker 

Michael Trotta is a mentor, storyteller, natural learning specialist, proud dyslexic, unapologetic troublemaker (the good kind), artist, hopelessly addicted fly-fisherman, and host of the Story Mischief podcast.After ten years in education, Michael set out to prove to himself that it was possible to create a life and living on his terms. One more deeply rooted and aligned with his passions and values. In the nearly twenty years since, he's been using a unique blend of mentoring, myth, nature, and mischief to help people get unstuck and do the very same thing for themselves.From businesses to coaching retreats, writer's workshops to community gatherings, small groups to 1:1, Michael knows how to use stories to generate inspiration, conversation, and transformation, inside and out.It's a well-known fact he was raised by coyotes and is now raising one of his own on the bones of an old farm nestled along the banks of a tiny trout stream somewhere in Westchester County, New York.WebsiteYou can learn more about Michael and his work at www.StoryMischief.com

Magdalena DeRosa is a psychic medium, Reiki practitioner, tarot reader, doula, psychotherapist in training, and creative jack of all trades. In their experience, finding our voice as a writer is closely related to our ability to trust our intuition. And they believe everyone can develop our intuition just as we can hone our creative craft.Lena is also Amy's partner in Courageous Wordsmith, where among their many gifts, they hold space for deep dives in the psyche for those of us ready to face ourselves along the path of our personal mythology.Websitewww.magdalenaderosa.comJoin Courageous Wordsmith Community for Real Life Creatives

Emma Magenta is a feminist Life Coach who helps people-pleasers, overachievers, and perfectionists stop being so hard on themselves, and start feeling at home in their lives. As a coach, her North Star is radical self-love. She's particularly effective at coaching highly sensitive ADHD women, because she is one!Emma loves dogs, long walks in foul weather, Broadway theater, reading, eating, singing, and resting.Websitehttps://emmamagentacoaching.com/Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/emmamagentacoaching/Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/emmamagenta/YouTubehttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxQjr8dG9O40og0JcDeVPjA

Magdalena DeRosa is a psychic medium, Reiki practitioner, tarot reader, doula, psychotherapist in training, and creative jack of all trades. In their experience, finding our voice as a writer is closely related to our ability to trust our intuition. And they believe everyone can develop our intuition just as we can hone our creative craft.Lena is also Amy's partner in Courageous Wordsmith, where among their many gifts, they hold space for deep dives in the psyche for those of us ready to face ourselves along the path of our personal mythology.Websitewww.magdalenaderosa.comJoin Courageous Wordsmith Community for Real Life Creatives

Sara Taylor is an existential life coach for people with tendencies toward anxiety, depression, and ADHD.  She collaborates with clients to facilitate generational and self healing so they can find more meaning and satisfaction in life, whether it's in parenting, in profession, or other creative endeavors.Websitehttps://sarabtaylor.com/Instagram@sarabtaylorphdFacebook@sarabtaylorphd

Allyson Scammell is a master intuitive business coach, psychic medium, and expert energy healer. Her mission is to help soul-guided leaders, influencers and entrepreneurs with big soul missions to earn more, serve more, and grow spiritually along the way.Websitehttps://allysonscammell.com/The Story of My Near Death Experience:https://allysonscammell.com/episode35/https://allysonscammell.com/episode36/https://allysonscammell.com/episode37/

Michelle Wolff teaches, podcasts, and coaches using story, humor, and some salty language. She holds a Master's degree in Education, has 25 years of experience working with people, and loves to help multi-passionate people stop procrastinating, focus up, and get stuff done. She's been a therapist specializing in trauma, mental health, and addictions. She's now an author, trauma-informed coach, Human Design Specialist, and the creator of Forest Reiki™ energy healing. She uses laser-sharp intuition, channeled information, and at times communications from those who've crossed over, to guide people from confusion to clarity and from resistance to inspired action.Facebookwww.fb.com/michellewolff11Instagramwww.instagram.com/michellewolff11Podcast is Sovereign Storytellers and can be found on all players and www.thatmichellewolff.com/podcast

Katherine Quie is the author of Raising Will: Surviving the Brilliance and Blues of ADHD and hosts The Brilliance and Blues of ADHD Podcast. As a licensed child psychologist who has specialized in ADHD for the last 20 years, Katherine founded ADHDandU because she believes that every child deserves the support to thrive. Currently, we're falling short as a nation in understanding ADHD. This is so sad because kids with ADHD are some of the sweetest, smartest, most creative human beings she knows! Her mission is to cultivate the brilliance in every ADHD child.Katherine is also Amy's longtime trusted writing partner.Websitehttps://kqadhdandu.comPodcasthttps://kqadhdandu.com/podcast/

Bev Barnes is a Soul's Calling® Coach, Instructor & Life Coach Mentor. She coaches Life Coaches, healers, creatives, and meaning seekers, to outwit their fear and self-doubt so that they can shine their light and do the work that they were meant for.Bev holds a master's degree in the Human Behavior Sciences, a graduate diploma in Brief & Strategic therapy, graduate training in Career Counseling, and Master Life Coach certification. She's the creator of the Soul's Calling® Method and is known as a highly intuitive yet grounded Facilitator & Coach.Website:https://www.soulscallingacademy.com/Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/barnesbevSoul's Calling® Academy on Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/soulscallingacademy

Keri Mangis is an author, speaker and owner of Curiosa Publishing, LLC. Her work has appeared in Spirituality and Health magazine, Star Tribune, Elephant Journal, Addicted to Success, and many others. Embodying Soul: A Return to Wholeness—A Memoir of New Beginnings, won several awards, including the 2020 IPA award for Mind, Body & Spirit. Book her to speak at your next event! And check out Embodying Soul, now available as an audiobook.Website:http://www.kerimangis.com/Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/kerimangiswriterTwitter:https://twitter.com/KeriMangisPinterest:https://www.pinterest.com/kerimangis/_created/Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/kerimangis/

Rebecca Shisler Marshall, PhD, believes in holistic wellness that combines the wisdom of the body, mind, emotions, energy, and spirit. As a recovering stress addict, she found (again and again) that holistic rest, shamanic work, and wellness has profound ripple effects on both herself and her clients. The Centered Wellness Framework she developed helps women overcome exhaustion and have more energy. You can experience powerful shamanic and energetic rest in her community, A Place to Rest.www.centeredyou.com https://www.centeredyou.com/a-place-to-rest/https://www.facebook.com/yogiprofhttps://www.instagram.com/centeredyou/https://www.tiktok.com/@centeredyou 

Magdalena DeRosa is a psychic medium, Reiki practitioner, tarot reader, doula, psychotherapist in training, and creative jack of all trades. In their experience, finding our voice as a writer is closely related to our ability to trust our intuition. And they believe everyone can develop our intuition just as we can hone our creative craft. Lena is in Courageous Wordsmith to hold space for deep dives in the psyche for those of us ready to face ourselves along the path of our personal mythology. 

Katherine North is a writer and executive coach, helping high achieving, secretly sensitive women declare dominion over their demanding lives. She is the author of Holy Heathen: A Spiritual Memoir, a story of her metamorphosis from a scared missionary kid growing up in Japan to a thriving heathen mystic. She and her husband Nick North made an award-winning documentary, Just Another Beautiful Family, and recently appeared on Discovery Plus show Life Under Renovation. Their blended “rainbow” family of seven lives off the coast of Canada.http://declaredominion.comhttps://instagram.com/declaredominion https://www.facebook.com/declaredominionhttps://twitter.com/declaredominionhttps://pinterest.com/declaredominionhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/katherine-north-01955a12/