Episodes

Norwegian Music Therapist, Karette Stensæth joined me recently to talk about how she got into the field, current projects, what she hopes for the future of music therapy, as well as diving into philosophy, and the importance of the here and now. Dr. Karette Stensæth is Associate Professor in Music Therapy at the Norwegian Academy of Music, where she also works as the Director of CREMAH (Centre of Research in Music and Health). In addition to engaging in research, she's the author of the book Re...

Fellow podcaster Melissa Bright of THE BRIGHT SIDE OF LIFE PODCAST joins to talk about podcasting, fave music, the power of holding space, and gets real about her journey and where she wants to go. Host and creator of bright side of life podcast. Her podcast focuses on talking with people that have had struggles in their life and how they found their path back to the bright side, whatever that means to them. Melissa believes that happiness and looking on the bright side is all about mindset and...

Laura Weymouth, author of young adult fantasy novel THE LIGHT BETWEEN WORLDS and the forthcoming RUSH OF WINGS joins me on the show to talk about creative process, authors who inspired her, breaking stereotypes, and more. Website https://lauraeweymouth.com/ Twitter: www.twitter.com/lauraeweymouth Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/lauraeweymouth To purchase her books follow these links: The Light Between Worlds: IndieBound | Bookshop | Books-A-Million | Book Depository | Barnes & Noble | Chapters/In...

Chef Chris Spear is on the show to talk about his amazing business, Perfect Little Bites, and his podcast, Chefs Without Restaurants. Chris Spear is the chef and owner of Perfect Little Bites, an in-home personal chef business based in Frederick, Maryland. You might also know him as the host of the Chefs Without Restaurants podcast, and the man behind the culinary networking organization of the same name. Chris graduated from Johnson & Wales University with a B.S. in culinary arts, and has been...

Creative artist, Michael "Flip" Yingling joins me on the show to talk about how he got into the field, life at LEGO, gets serious about living a creative life, and does a deep dive into Danish food and desserts. Don't miss this insightful look at life in the arts from this talented individual. Michael Yingling, also know as Flip, as Sr Product Lead at LEGO working on digital experiences for kids. A seasoned creative and voice over performer, Flip has worked in the the theater, on television, fo...

Musician and Bandleader, Alex Mendham of the illustrious Alex Mendham and His Orchestra graces the show to talk about the struggles of getting a niche group together, the successes, his musical inspirations, and what's next for this group which has become a mainstay on the BBC radio, and stages worldwide. Mesmerised from a young age by the music of a forgotten time, Essex-born musician, singer, and lyricist Alex Mendham made a name for himself, having burst onto the scene by forming his own orc...

Author John Cotter is the latest guest on the podcast, which marks the 25th episode. John gives one of the most moving interviews to date as he goes deep sharing stories of personal health struggles with Meniere's Disease which sparked his upcoming memoir, LOSING MUSIC. We also discuss the creative process, music that touches our souls, and more. John Cotter is the author of the memoir Losing Music, forthcoming from Milkweed Editions, portions of which have appeared in Raritan, Catapult, Indian...

Chef Jacqueline Myer of Broth and Brine, a new restaurant in the Houston area joins me today to discuss her path to the culinary arts, her hot take on food as medicine, and much more. Jacqueline Myers is chef-owner of Broth & Brine | Dedicated Craft Kitchen as well as GF Personal Chef | Gluten Free & Paleo. In addition to her role as chef-owner-manager at Broth & Brine, she is also a personal chef and a food and wellness consultant. She intercedes for clients on their healing journeys using a fo...

A.S. Hatch, brilliant author of the stunning thriller, THIS LITTLE DARK PLACE, joins the podcast to discuss his favorite writers, books that changed his life, his creative process, and shares the story of how he got published. To learn more about A.S. Hatch or to buy his books click here. IG: https://www.instagram.com/as_hatch/?hl=en Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ashatchauthor/ Support the showLove the show? *Click here to leave a review!* Blog https://tstakaishi.wixsite.com/music Insta @c...

Versatile violinist, Filip Pogády joins me on the show today. He talks about how he got his start, what inspires him, a mutual adoration of Bach, Beethoven, and Mozart, his thoughts on shoulder rests, and more. To learn more about Filip, his current projects, or to take virtual lessons, check out his websites and social media pages below. www.pogady.com IG: www.instagram.com/filippogady FB: www.facebook.com/pogady YT: www.youtube.com/filippogady Violinist Filip Pogády has been praised by the p...

Artist and educator, Melanie Trout Anderson joins to show to talk about teaching during the pandemic, what inspires her, how she got her start, her ADORABLE dog art, and more. Anderson earned her BFA in Graphic Design from the University of Memphis and her Masters of Art Education from Memphis College of Art. She began her career as a graphic designer and served as the Director of Advertising for Catherine's Stores Corporation for fifteen years before becoming an art educator. She is a working ...

The brilliant Thomas Echols joins the show today to talk about musical barriers in his life, various philosophies, current trends in electronic music (hint it's quite a surprise), his diverse career, and more. To find out more about Thomas Echols, follow his websites below. http://www.thomasechols.com/ http://www.manwomanfriendcomputer.com/ Thomas Echols’s work is an amalgam of classical, modernist, and pop music forays. As visiting artistic director for Austin Classical Guitar, Thomas curated...

Music Therapist and researcher, Dr. Claire Ghetti joins me on the show today. She shares a moving story of how she came into the field, her current research, life in Norway, and more. Dr. Claire Ghetti is Associate Professor, Program Coordinator, Integrated Master's Program in Music Therapy; Assistant Leader, GAMUT - The Grieg Academy Music Therapy Research Centre The Grieg Academy – Department of Music For information about Dr. Ghetti and the program at the University of Bergen in Norway, clic...

Jessica Conick is a vibrant, eco-friendly fashion designer and founder of MOUNT INDIGO. Mount Indigo was founded by Jessica Conick. She speaks about what inspired her to start her company, what we can do to make a difference, and more Jessica started Mount Indigo as a passion project after working in the fashion industry for years and realizing that it is one of the most polluting industries in the world. She knew she had to do something to be a part of the solution and spread awareness, but wa...

Award winning, multimedia artist Janet O'Neal joins the podcast today! Janet shares heartwarming, and interesting stories from her career of over 30 years (and still going strong!), as well as current projects, including collaborations with musicians and other creatives. To learn more about Janet O'Neal, please visit www.janetoneal.com Janet O'Neal is an award winning multimedia artist, photographer and teacher. She is best known for her colorful energetic abstracts and multimedia assemblages. ...

Former classmate, and talented poet, Keith Mark Gaboury joins me on the show today. He talks about his creative process, current projects, inspirations for poems and more. Keith Mark Gaboury earned a B.A. in English: Concentration in Creative Writing from Baker University (2008), a M.A. in English: Concentration in Literature from San Francisco State University (2010), and a M.F.A. in Creative Writing: Concentration in Poetry from Emerson College (2013). For more than fifteen years, Keith Mark...

I'm joined by cellist, and professor, Jennifer Kloetzel. Jennifer share delightful stories, and wonderful insights from her perspective as a long-time performer and educator. A graduate of The Juilliard School and a Fulbright Scholar, cellist Jennifer Kloetzel has concertized throughout the United States, Europe and Asia as a soloist and chamber musician. A founding member of the San Francisco-based Cypress String Quartet (1996-2016), Ms. Kloetzel has toured the globe and performed at such reno...

Singer, songwriter, Amy Elizabeth Clarke joins the show and talks bluntly about being a freelance musician during the pandemic, her current projects, her take on Taylor Swift, and more. To learn more about Amy click here for her Facebook page and here for her Patreon account. Support the showLove the show? *Click here to leave a review!* Blog https://tstakaishi.wixsite.com/music Insta @creative_peacemeal_podcast FB @creativepeacemealpod Bonfire https://www.bonfire.com/store/creative-peacemeal/...

My former professor, Dr. Brian Abrams joins us on the show today and it's such a treat to pick the brain of someone so revered in the field of music therapy. He speaks about his beginnings in the field, compassion fatigue, what's it's like to teach during a pandemic, and more. Brian Abrams, Ph.D., MT-BC, LCAT, Analytical Music Therapist and Fellow of the Association for Music and Imagery, has been a music therapist since 1995, with experience across a wide range of clinical contexts. Prior to h...

Shakuhatchi master, and composer, Shawn Head joins the show today! He's full of amazing stories, and wise words. Shawn Head has an active career as a Shakuhatchi soloist, along with being a composer, and educator. He studied at the prestigious Cleveland Institute of Music. He also became the youngest non-Japanese Shakuhatchi master at 23. Head emphasizes the possibilities and coherence between Eastern and Western ideas; mixing the aesthetics and sensibilities of Japanese music with a Western mu...

Honored to have Dr. Jennifer Higdon, a Pulitzer Prize and three-time Grammy winning composer on the show today! Tune in to hear the story of her musical beginnings, what it's like to win the Pulitzer, and what she was up to in 2020 (hint A TON OF COMPOSING), inspirations behind one of her most popular pieces, and more. Jennifer Higdon, a Pulizer Prize and three-time Grammy winner, is one of the most performed living American composers working today. She is the recent recipient of Northwestern U...

Author, and one of my besties, Cheyanne Young joins the podcast today! Tune in for honest book talk, witty banter, the writing rule(s) she breaks, the authors she can't get enough of, and more! Cheyanne Young is a Young Adult Author of THE LAST WISH OF SASHA CADE, and THE BREAKUP SUPPORT GROUP, among others . If you haven’t picked up her books yet, do so. They are witty, and full of heart--a perfect weekend read that will leave you smiling. To learn more about Cheyanne, or to purchase her books...

Just in time for Valentine's day, Romance Author, Allison Ashley of PERFECT DISTRACTION joins me on the show to talk about what it was like to debut in 2020, how her work as a clinical pharmacist impacts her writing, what she can't live without, writing tips, and more. To find out more about Allison, or to order her book visit here. The website Allison recommended was called One Stop for Writers here Support the showLove the show? *Click here to leave a review!* Blog https://tstakaishi.wixsite...

Independently published Christian author, Catherine Brusk joins me today on the podcast to talk about FINDING FAITH, her Christian Romance series. The series deals with adult topics and we briefly touch on the subject matter in her books so listener discretion is advised. Additionally. she talks about the realities of being an independently published author, her writing tips, and reveals a family recipe that made it into her books! For more information about Catherine Brusk, or to order her bo...