Stories From Women Who Walk

Hello to you listening in Aukland, New Zealand! Coming to you from Whidbey Island, Washington this is Stories From Women Who Walk with 60 Seconds for Wednesdays on Whidbey and your host, Diane Wyzga. I’ve been walking in the rain to settle my restless, anxious spirit. I live in Washington. It rains. If don’t walk in the rain I’d probably never walk.   As I walked I reflected on something my teacher Thich Nhat Hanh said about people and the sturdiness of trees, “When you look at the tree during the storm you can see that the top of the tree is not solid. You can only see the tiny branches and a number of leaves on the top of the tree swaying back and forth under the effect of the wind. You have the impression that the tree is very vulnerable but if you look down to see the big branches and the trunk of the tree you see that the tree is strongly rooted in the ground. The impression that the tree is vulnerable will vanish. You see that the tree is much more solid than it looks at the top. We are like that, too." Practical Tip: When you feel anxious, uncertain or vulnerable you can practice to get solid and peaceful again. The stability of your body will help bring about the stability of your mind. Sit beautifully and practice saying: “Breathing in I see myself grounded, breathing out I feel solid, peaceful.” And so you will become. Guaranteed. You're always welcome: "Come for the stories - Stay for the magic!" Speaking of magic, I hope you’ll subscribe, share a 5-star rating and nice review on your social media or podcast channel of choice, bring your friends and rellies, and join us! You will have wonderful company as we continue to walk our lives together.  AND!  Stop by my Quarter Moon Story Arts website, check out the Communication Services, email me to arrange a no-obligation Discovery Call, and stay current with me as Quarter Moon Story Arts on Substack. Stories From Women Who Walk Production Team Podcaster: Diane F Wyzga & Quarter Moon Story Arts Music: Mer’s Waltz from Crossing the Waters by Steve Schuch & Night Heron Music ALL content and image © 2019 to Present Quarter Moon Story Arts. All rights reserved.  If you found this podcast episode helpful, please consider sharing and attributing it to Diane Wyzga of Stories From Women Who Walk podcast with a link back to the original source.

Hello to you listening in Brisbane, Australia! Coming to you from Whidbey Island, Washington this is Stories From Women Who Walk with 60 Seconds for Motivate Your Monday and your host, Diane Wyzga. It’s wretched madness, stupidity, corruption, and greed! Yes, this is the time we’re living in. While chances are it could get worse, I can also say that it is impermanent. When does it end? How does it end? No clue. But then again I don’t know how electricity works. I can’t see it until it flares in a lightbulb. Maybe electricity is like faith: “the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” What I have seen is the growing momentum of good trouble. Will it continue? Count on it. I’ve lived long enough to believe that We the People have the momentum to crush the madness. What this growing momentum is made of, how it will manifest, or where it will come from is yet to be seen.     Meanwhile, “When you get into a tight place and everything goes against you, till it seems as though you could not hang on a minute longer, never give up then, for that is just the place and time that the tide will turn.” [~ Harriet Beecher Stowe] Guaranteed! You're always welcome: "Come for the stories - Stay for the magic!" Speaking of magic, I hope you’ll subscribe, share a 5-star rating and nice review on your social media or podcast channel of choice, bring your friends and rellies, and join us! You will have wonderful company as we continue to walk our lives together.  AND!  Stop by my Quarter Moon Story Arts website, check out the Communication Services, email me to arrange a no-obligation Discovery Call, and stay current with me as Quarter Moon Story Arts on Substack. Stories From Women Who Walk Production Team Podcaster: Diane F Wyzga & Quarter Moon Story Arts Music: Mer’s Waltz from Crossing the Waters by Steve Schuch & Night Heron Music ALL content and image © 2019 to Present Quarter Moon Story Arts. All rights reserved.  If you found this podcast episode helpful, please consider sharing and attributing it to Diane Wyzga of Stories From Women Who Walk podcast with a link back to the original source.

Hello to you listening in Alexandria, Virginia! Coming to you from Whidbey Island, Washington this is Stories From Women Who Walk with 60 Seconds for Story Prompt Friday and your host, Diane Wyzga. Growing up in a family of 9 I remember a never-ending stack of dishes, cups, bowls and silverware to wash and dry. There was also the never-ending arguing about whose job it was to wash the dishes. Eventually our parents caved and bought a dishwasher; but the arguing didn’t end there. Did you know there is a right way and a wrong way to stack items in a dishwasher? Who knew? Dishes face this way, cups face that way, silverware goes like so. One person’s different system was perceived as wrong by someone else. Believe it or not, one of the advantages of living in a big family is the ever-present teaching moment, like this one: "Just because you do things differently, you are not wrong.” Story Prompt: When in your personal or professional life have you done something differently only to be told it was wrong? What happened next? Write that story and share it out loud!  You're always welcome: "Come for the stories - Stay for the magic!" Speaking of magic, I hope you’ll subscribe, share a 5-star rating and nice review on your social media or podcast channel of choice, bring your friends and rellies, and join us! You will have wonderful company as we continue to walk our lives together. Be sure to stop by my Quarter Moon Story Arts website, email me to arrange a no-obligation Discovery Call, and stay current with me as Quarter Moon Story Arts on Substack. Stories From Women Who Walk Production Team Podcaster: Diane F Wyzga & Quarter Moon Story Arts Music: Mer’s Waltz from Crossing the Waters by Steve Schuch & Night Heron Music ALL content and image © 2019 to Present Quarter Moon Story Arts. All rights reserved.  If you found this podcast episode helpful, please consider sharing and attributing it to Diane Wyzga of Stories From Women Who Walk podcast with a link back to the original source.

Hello to you listening in Woodburn, Oregon! Coming to you from Whidbey Island, Washington this is Stories From Women Who Walk with 60 Seconds for Wednesdays on Whidbey and your host, Diane Wyzga. We all want it - don’t we? Perfection! We wait to ship our work until it looks right, feels right, sounds right. We hold back on letting go of the paintbrush and calling it art. We want another rewrite of the story before we’re willing to share it out loud. We want our work to be perfect. But what did perfect ever do for you? Your being perfect won’t help the world get better; but I guarantee you that shipping your imperfect work into the world will. How do I know? I’ve seen it happen. I’m not saying my imperfect work changes the world; but I‘m not saying it doesn’t. When we trust ourselves to ship our imperfect work, we gain an opportunity to feel the magic of taking a leap of faith, welcome the unexpected, and connect with someone who has been waiting for our work. Join me! And thank you for listening!  You're always welcome: "Come for the stories - Stay for the magic!" Speaking of magic, I hope you’ll subscribe, share a 5-star rating and nice review on your social media or podcast channel of choice, bring your friends and rellies, and join us! You will have wonderful company as we continue to walk our lives together. Be sure to stop by my Quarter Moon Story Arts website, email me to arrange a no-obligation Discovery Call, and stay current with me as Quarter Moon Story Arts on Substack. Stories From Women Who Walk Production Team Podcaster: Diane F Wyzga & Quarter Moon Story Arts Music: Mer’s Waltz from Crossing the Waters by Steve Schuch & Night Heron Music ALL content and image © 2019 to Present Quarter Moon Story Arts. All rights reserved.  If you found this podcast episode helpful, please consider sharing and attributing it to Diane Wyzga of Stories From Women Who Walk podcast with a link back to the original source.

Hello to you listening in Auckland, New Zealand! Coming to you from Whidbey Island, Washington this is Stories From Women Who Walk with 60 Seconds for Motivate  Your Monday and your host, Diane Wyzga. As the oldest of 7 children I learned early on the innate wisdom toddlers bring to the game of life. They know how to say No! And then the world shows them the error of their ways. We grow up saying Yes when we mean No! What changed? We were taught that saying Yes is right, good, proper, helpful even and saying No! is just plain wrong. The problem is the more we say Yes when we mean No we forget how to make choices in our own best interest and well-being. This self-sabotage robs us of our ability to choose wisely, of our personal power, of our legitimate right to say No! with certainty, confidence, and clarity. Of course, there’s nothing wrong with saying Yes so long as we agree with ourselves, are not limited in our options, feeling compelled, or thinking we will be rejected or worse.  It takes practice to practice saying No! As you get better at it you will come to value saying what you mean and meaning what you say.   Practical Tip: When asked to take on work you want to decline, say this, “No. It’s good work; but it’s not my work.” And thank you for listening!    You're always welcome: "Come for the stories - Stay for the magic!" Speaking of magic, I hope you’ll subscribe, share a 5-star rating and nice review on your social media or podcast channel of choice, bring your friends and rellies, and join us! You will have wonderful company as we continue to walk our lives together. Be sure to stop by my Quarter Moon Story Arts website, email me to arrange a no-obligation Discovery Call, and stay current with me as Quarter Moon Story Arts on Substack. Stories From Women Who Walk Production Team Podcaster: Diane F Wyzga & Quarter Moon Story Arts Music: Mer’s Waltz from Crossing the Waters by Steve Schuch & Night Heron Music ALL content and image © 2019 to Present Quarter Moon Story Arts. All rights reserved.  If you found this podcast episode helpful, please consider sharing and attributing it to Diane Wyzga of Stories From Women Who Walk podcast with a link back to the original source.

Hello to you listening in Pasadena, California! Coming to you from Whidbey Island, Washington this is Stories From Women Who Walk with 60 Seconds (and a bit more) for Story Prompt Friday and your host, Diane Wyzga. I’ve been binge-watching The Big Bang Theory TV series as I do this time each year to humor me through our Pacific Northwest November to May Rain Festival. As you might know a consistent theme is the characters’ devotion to comics and superheroes. Why? The characters are highly intelligent, socially awkward nerds who have difficulty navigating society whereas the superheroes possess save-the-day abilities, rare powers, and bravery. Comics can be a safe place to fantasize living idealized versions of themselves as the nerd-turned-hero. But what do the Superheroes have to say about living life as a Superhero? Following are 7 quotes: 1. “When you decide not to be afraid you can find friends in super unexpected places.” — Ms. Marvel 2. “Everybody’s story begins “once upon a time,” and it’s up to us to cherish the time we’re given to ensure we live happily ever after.” — Scarlet Witch 3. “I have no idea where I’m going to be tomorrow but I accept the fact that tomorrow will come and I’m going to rise to meet it.” — Donna Troy 4. “The fate of your planet rests not in the hands of gods. It rests in the hands of mortals.” — Thor 5. “The future is worth it. All the pain. All the tears. The future is worth the fight.” — Martian Manhunter 6. “The door is more than it appears. It separates who you are from who you can be. You do not have to walk through it… You can run.” — Franklin Richards 7. “A hero can be anyone. Even a man doing something as simple as putting a coat around a little boy’s shoulders to let him know the world hasn’t ended.” — Batman Story Prompt: For a long time your character has felt that she is more than she appears to be but does not believe she has what it takes to show up fully in her power until one day a door appears in a wall and she .... write that story and share it out loud!    You're always welcome: "Come for the stories - Stay for the magic!" Speaking of magic, I hope you’ll subscribe, share a 5-star rating and nice review on your social media or podcast channel of choice, bring your friends and rellies, and join us! You will have wonderful company as we continue to walk our lives together. Be sure to stop by my Quarter Moon Story Arts website, email me to arrange a no-obligation Discovery Call, and stay current with me as "Wyzga on Words" on Substack. Stories From Women Who Walk Production Team Podcaster: Diane F Wyzga & Quarter Moon Story Arts Music: Mer’s Waltz from Crossing the Waters by Steve Schuch & Night Heron Music ALL content and image © 2019 to Present Quarter Moon Story Arts. All rights reserved.  If you found this podcast episode helpful, please consider sharing and attributing it to Diane Wyzga of Stories From Women Who Walk podcast with a link back to the original source.

Hello to you listening in Olympia, Washington! Coming to you from Whidbey Island, Washington this is Stories From Women Who Walk with 60 Seconds (and a bit more) for Wednesdays on Whidbey and your host, Diane Wyzga. I am a storyteller of the old school. What do I mean? For over 30 years I’ve taught (and continue to teach) my clients and students the same thing: “Put down the paper and nobody gets hurt!” Why? Because storytellers have something to say that comes from their aliveness, which is what people most want to feel and connect with. Sharing our stories out loud brings them to light and life, and  encourages us to do what most folks fear more than snakes: stand up and speak up in public.   Story spoken aloud is what we leave of ourselves in another person. A story is an intimate lasting legacy, a permanent inheritance much like a vow or an oath. When we share our stories out loud, we connect with each other, we belong to each other. We might not realize it but we are creating a verbal promise, a vow, an oath of belonging. Think about how many times we’ve heard  someone say, "Repeat after me: I solemnly swear..." Marrying couples pledge faithfulness through the challenges and joys of marriage. Lawyers uphold the law, maintain client confidentiality, and act as an officer of the court. Doctors focus on ethics, patient care and societal responsibilities. Politicians preserve and defend the Constitution. US military support and defend the Constitution against all enemies. Immigrants becoming US citizens swear the Oath of Allegiance to the United States during a formal naturalization ceremony. From the time we are children in school we recite The Pledge of Allegiance, a patriotic promise of loyalty to the United States flag and the republic for which it stands. What happens when we share our stories out loud? They become real. We say what we mean, we mean what we say. We—and those hearing us—know what we stand for and what we won’t stand for. Yes, you might write a story but it needs to be shared out loud to enrich and include the wider world. That’s the legacy of the stories we leave in those who have heard them spoken aloud. CTA:  If you’d like to learn more, email me at info@quartermoonstoryarts.net for a no obligation Discovery Call. And thank you for listening!  You're always welcome: "Come for the stories - Stay for the magic!" Speaking of magic, I hope you’ll subscribe, share a 5-star rating and nice review on your social media or podcast channel of choice, bring your friends and rellies, and join us! You will have wonderful company as we continue to walk our lives together. Be sure to stop by my Quarter Moon Story Arts website, email me to arrange a no-obligation Discovery Call, and stay current with me as "Wyzga on Words" on Substack. Stories From Women Who Walk Production Team Podcaster: Diane F Wyzga & Quarter Moon Story Arts Music: Mer’s Waltz from Crossing the Waters by Steve Schuch & Night Heron Music ALL content and image © 2019 to Present Quarter Moon Story Arts. All rights reserved.  If you found this podcast episode helpful, please consider sharing and attributing it to Diane Wyzga of Stories From Women Who Walk podcast with a link back to the original source.

Hello to you listening in Spokane, Washington! Coming to you from Whidbey Island, Washington this is Stories From Women Who Walk with 60 Seconds for Motivate Your Monday and your host, Diane Wyzga. Christopher Armitage writing The Existentialist Republic on Substack posted an article entitled Democrats Can Launch Criminal Investigations into DOGE, Today. According to Armitage dozens of state investigations have the power to bring criminal actions to hold Musk/DOGE accountable for pirating private Social Security Administration (SSA) data and releasing it to third parties. Click HERE to read the article and get ready to take steps to e-mail your County Prosecutor, Governor and Attorney General.     Following are three email templates you can use if you live in the Great State of Washington. For all other states, please check the Substack article comments to find yours. If you don’t see your state, comment in the post to receive your state's relevant statutes and templates to email. Thank you for listening and taking action wherever your feet touch the ground! Email 1: To your Washington State County Prosecutor Dear, I'm writing to request that your office refer a matter to Attorney General Nick Brown for criminal investigation under RCW 43.10.232. In a January 16, 2026 court filing in AFSCME v. Social Security Administration (D. Md., No. 1:25-cv-00596), the U.S. Department of Justice admitted that employees of the Department of Government Efficiency, while embedded at the Social Security Administration, transferred agency data to an unauthorized third-party server called Cloudflare outside all SSA security protocols. The SSA has confirmed it cannot determine what data was shared or whether it still exists on that server. A DOGE team member also sent an encrypted file believed to contain the names and addresses of roughly 1,000 people to the Department of Homeland Security and DOGE leadership, and the SSA has been unable to access the file to verify its contents. The filing further revealed that a DOGE employee signed a "Voter Data Agreement" with a political advocacy group seeking to match Social Security records against state voter rolls to overturn election results in certain states. The SSA made two Hatch Act referrals to the Office of Special Counsel as a result. Separately, NPR has reported that DOGE engineer Aram Moghaddassi contacted the Florida governor's office about state voter data while working simultaneously at SSA and DHS, and that a DOGE associate publicly claimed to have matched SSA data against voter rolls at a political rally. SSA records include the personal information of Washington residents in [your county]. This conduct may constitute violations of Washington's identity theft statute (RCW 9.35.020) and the Washington Cybercrime Act (RCW 9A.90). Federal officials do not have blanket immunity from state criminal prosecution when they exceed the scope of their authorized duties. I'm asking you to refer this matter to Attorney General Brown so his Criminal Justice Division can investigate whether Washington residents were victims of state crimes. The AG's office has confirmed it needs a referral from a county prosecutor or the governor to act. You have the authority to open that door. Thank you for your time and your service to our community. Sincerely, [Your Name] [Your Address] Email 2: To the Washington State Governor Ferguson Dear Governor Ferguson, I'm writing to request that your office refer a matter to Attorney General Nick Brown for criminal investigation under RCW 43.10.232. In a January 16, 2026 court filing in AFSCME v. Social Security Administration (D. Md., No. 1:25-cv-00596), the U.S. Department of Justice admitted that employees of the Department of Government Efficiency, while embedded at the Social Security Administration, transferred agency data to an unauthorized third-party server called Cloudflare outside all SSA security protocols. The SSA has confirmed it cannot determine what data was shared or whether it still exists on that server. A DOGE team member also sent an encrypted file believed to contain the names and addresses of roughly 1,000 people to the Department of Homeland Security and DOGE leadership, and the SSA has been unable to access the file to verify its contents. The filing further revealed that a DOGE employee signed a "Voter Data Agreement" with a political advocacy group seeking to match Social Security records against state voter rolls to overturn election results in certain states. The SSA made two Hatch Act referrals to the Office of Special Counsel as a result. Separately, NPR has reported that a DOGE engineer contacted the Florida governor's office about state voter data while working simultaneously at SSA and DHS, and that a DOGE associate publicly claimed to have matched SSA data against voter rolls at a political rally. These actions may constitute violations of Washington's identity theft statute (RCW 9.35.020) and the Washington Cybercrime Act (RCW 9A.90). The personal information of millions of Washington residents is contained in SSA records. Federal officials do not have blanket immunity from state criminal prosecution when they exceed the scope of their authorized duties, and a state conviction cannot be erased by a presidential pardon. The Attorney General's office has confirmed it requires a referral from a county prosecutor or the governor to investigate and prosecute criminal matters. I'm asking you to make that referral so Attorney General Brown can determine whether Washington residents were victims of state crimes. Thank you for your leadership. Sincerely, [Your Name] [Your Address] Email 3: To the Washington State Attorney General's Office The Honorable Nick Brown, I understand that the Washington Attorney General's office requires a referral from a county prosecutor or the governor to investigate and prosecute criminal matters. Toward that end I've written to both my [insert your county's name]  County prosecutor [insert the prosecutor's name] and Governor Ferguson requesting that they make such a referral. Specifically, I've asked them to refer the matter of DOGE employees' handling of Social Security Administration data, as described in the January 2026 DOJ court filing and subsequent reporting, for investigation under Washington's identity theft statute (RCW 9.35.020) and the Washington Cybercrime Act (RCW 9A.90). I wanted your office to be aware that this request is coming, and I hope Attorney General Brown will be prepared to act when the referral arrives. Sincerely, [Your Name] [Your Address You're always welcome: "Come for the stories - Stay for the magic!" Speaking of magic, I hope you’ll subscribe, share a 5-star rating and nice review on your social media or podcast channel of choice, bring your friends and rellies, and join us! You will have wonderful company as we continue to walk our lives together. Be sure to stop by my Quarter Moon Story Arts website, email me to arrange a no-obligation Discovery Call, and stay current with me as "Wyzga on Words" on Substack. Stories From Women Who Walk Production Team Podcaster: Diane F Wyzga & Quarter Moon Story Arts Music: Mer’s Waltz from Crossing the Waters by Steve Schuch & Night Heron Music ALL content and image © 2019 to Present Quarter Moon Story Arts. All rights reserved.  If you found this podcast episode helpful, please consider sharing and attributing it to Diane Wyzga of Stories From Women Who Walk podcast with a link back to the original source.

Hello to you listening in Samish, Washington!Coming to you from Whidbey Island, Washington this is Stories From Women Who Walk with 60 Seconds for Story Prompt Friday and your host, Diane Wyzga.Imagine this: a storyteller in a room full of litigators. No! Not alligators - litigators. Trial attorneys who are curious about learning the tools to engage with their own narrative so that they could connect to the stories of their plaintiff clients - not as lawyers but as people. Once they know how to access their own stories they can engage the experiences of the jury, find common ground with the plaintiff’s story and, be well on their way to winning the trial.Over 30 years my clients have learned that before you tell someone else’s story be very clear about your own. Do the hard work of an archeological dig on your narrative. Once we understand how our narrative shapes and re-shapes our life, our purpose, the relationships we have with others we are well on our way to knowing what we stand for, what we won’t stand for, and how we can be of service. Our story can become one of advocacy, leadership, and healing. Our story can shift attitudes, behaviors, even cultures.CURIOUS TO LEARN MORE? Email me at info@quartermoonstoryarts.net for a no-obligation Discovery Call  Story Prompt: Your life isn't about what happened to you; it's about what you did next!  What have you learned as you journeyed from There to Here, and how might it be a healing story of growth? Write that story and share it out loud!You're always welcome: "Come for the stories - Stay for the magic!" Speaking of magic, I hope you’ll subscribe, share a 5-star rating and nice review on your social media or podcast channel of choice, bring your friends and rellies, and join us! You will have wonderful company as we continue to walk our lives together. Be sure to stop by my Quarter Moon Story Arts website, check out the Communication Services, email me to arrange a no-obligation Discovery Call, and stay current with me as "Wyzga on Words" on Substack.Stories From Women Who Walk Production TeamPodcaster: Diane F Wyzga & Quarter Moon Story ArtsMusic: Mer’s Waltz from Crossing the Waters by Steve Schuch & Night Heron MusicALL content and image © 2019 to Present Quarter Moon Story Arts. All rights reserved.  If you found this podcast episode helpful, please consider sharing and attributing it to Diane Wyzga of Stories From Women Who Walk podcast with a link back to the original source.

Hello to you listening in Bellingham, Washington!Coming to you from Whidbey Island, Washington this is Stories From Women Who Walk with 60 Seconds for Wednesdays on Whidbey and your host, Diane Wyzga.There is nothing quite so still as an old growth forest to settle the anxiety I feel in these times of madness. Walking deep in the woods of the island’s old growth forests a stillness beckons me to stop and listen deeply. The stillness asks if I can hear the immense power and depth of silence. I am reminded that all sounds arise from silence and fade back into silence.When we take the time to stop and experience silence we calm our mind, still the crazy chatter, breathe more deeply. Allow stillness. Stay with silence as long as you can. Tune in to your intuition, see clearly, hear your heartbeat, feel the blood coursing in your fingertips, and sense the steadiness of your breath coming and going easily. Remind yourself that we are alive and connected to all beings.Question: How does it feel to seek a bit of refuge in the stillness of the present moment? How does it feel to be alive, vibrant, and in tune with silence?   You're always welcome: "Come for the stories - Stay for the magic!" Speaking of magic, I hope you’ll subscribe, share a 5-star rating and nice review on your social media or podcast channel of choice, bring your friends and rellies, and join us! You will have wonderful company as we continue to walk our lives together. Be sure to stop by my Quarter Moon Story Arts website, check out the Communication Services, email me to arrange a no-obligation Discovery Call, and stay current with me as "Wyzga on Words" on Substack.Stories From Women Who Walk Production TeamPodcaster: Diane F Wyzga & Quarter Moon Story ArtsMusic: Mer’s Waltz from Crossing the Waters by Steve Schuch & Night Heron MusicALL content and image © 2019 to Present Quarter Moon Story Arts. All rights reserved.  If you found this podcast episode helpful, please consider sharing and attributing it to Diane Wyzga of Stories From Women Who Walk podcast with a link back to the original source.

Hello to you listening all over the world as we get ready to greet the Chinese Lunar New Year of the Fire Horse last celebrated in 1966!Coming to you from Whidbey Island, Washington this is Stories From Women Who Walk with 60 Seconds for Motivate Your Monday and your host, Diane Wyzga.Imagine this: you’re a podcaster, storyteller, writer, or entrepreneur. You have honest-to-goodness talent, outshine all the rest of the competition on the field talent! But, what if talent isn’t enough? What do you need? Connection!We are connected to allies, friends, colleagues and supporters who believe in us, who want us to succeed, who will go the distance for us. Think of your cohort of connections as a mini-culture. When we belong to a culture that embodies our beliefs, dreams and values they know us, we know them. We can ask for a trusted hand up when the time comes. What do we do in the meantime?Practical Tip: “Each One Lift One is the way we roll here!” Before you ask for a hand up, give a hand up. Look around for those talented unheard voices you could help. Be a generous champion for them and their skills. In turn, someone will do the same for you. Guaranteed!You're always welcome: "Come for the stories - Stay for the magic!" Speaking of magic, I hope you’ll subscribe, share a 5-star rating and nice review on your social media or podcast channel of choice, bring your friends and rellies, and join us! You will have wonderful company as we continue to walk our lives together. Be sure to stop by my Quarter Moon Story Arts website, check out the Communication Services, email me to arrange a no-obligation Discovery Call, and stay current with me as "Wyzga on Words" on Substack.Stories From Women Who Walk Production TeamPodcaster: Diane F Wyzga & Quarter Moon Story ArtsMusic: Mer’s Waltz from Crossing the Waters by Steve Schuch & Night Heron MusicALL content and image © 2019 to Present Quarter Moon Story Arts. All rights reserved.  If you found this podcast episode helpful, please consider sharing and attributing it to Diane Wyzga of Stories From Women Who Walk podcast with a link back to the original source.

Hello to you listening in Layton, New Jersey and Hancock, New Hampshire!Coming to you from Whidbey Island, Washington this is Stories From Women Who Walk with 60 Seconds for Story Prompt Friday the 13th and your host, Diane Wyzga.I’m an East Coast Girl born and raised. Winter was always a time of mystery and majesty. All that snow! All that wild and welcome time to trek, ski, snowshoe, winter camp, and skate frozen ponds. I yearn for the winter activities being enjoyed by my family still Back East; but even more I want what is yet to be. I want Winter’s Promise.Winter’s Promise“I do an awful lot of thinking and dreaming about things in the past and the future…the timelessness of the rocks and the hills... all the people who have existed there.I prefer winter and fall, when you feel the bone structure of the landscape,the loneliness of it, the dead feeling of winter. Something waits beneath it,the whole story doesn’t show.” –Andrew WyethStory Prompt: What is the promise your life holds for you now? What will you do to realize that promise? What are the stakes? Write that story and share it out loud!You're always welcome: "Come for the stories - Stay for the magic!" Speaking of magic, I hope you’ll subscribe, share a 5-star rating and nice review on your social media or podcast channel of choice, bring your friends and rellies, and join us! You will have wonderful company as we continue to walk our lives together. Be sure to stop by my Quarter Moon Story Arts website, check out the Communication Services, email me to arrange a no-obligation Discovery Call, and stay current with me as "Wyzga on Words" on Substack.Stories From Women Who Walk Production TeamPodcaster: Diane F Wyzga & Quarter Moon Story ArtsMusic: Mer’s Waltz from Crossing the Waters by Steve Schuch & Night Heron MusicALL content and image © 2019 to Present Quarter Moon Story Arts. All rights reserved.  If you found this podcast episode helpful, please consider sharing and attributing it to Diane Wyzga of Stories From Women Who Walk podcast with a link back to the original source.

Hello to you listening in Long Beach, California! Coming to you from Whidbey Island, Washington this is Stories from Women Who Walk with 60 Seconds for Wednesdays on Whidbey and your host, Diane Wyzga.  Might there be an antidote to what feels like escalating badness and madness in the world? Yes! The good in our lives. Some may say I’m a Dreamer, but I’m not the only one.Inviting the good - even if we do it grudgingly - has the power to lighten and brighten our life. Donald Altman created a particularly useful approach for creating a positive attitude toward life. Of course it’s called G.L.A.D. Click HERE to learn more:Practical Tip: At the end of your day record a wee bit of Gratitude granted, a Lesson learned, an Accomplishment accomplished, and a Delight that delivered wonder, curiosity, maybe even discovery. Take a chance, give it a go; the GLAD is guaranteed!   You're always welcome: "Come for the stories - Stay for the magic!" Speaking of magic, I hope you’ll subscribe, share a 5-star rating and nice review on your social media or podcast channel of choice, bring your friends and rellies, and join us! You will have wonderful company as we continue to walk our lives together. Be sure to stop by my Quarter Moon Story Arts website, check out the Communication Services, email me to arrange a no-obligation Discovery Call, and stay current with me as "Wyzga on Words" on Substack.Stories From Women Who Walk Production TeamPodcaster: Diane F Wyzga & Quarter Moon Story ArtsMusic: Mer’s Waltz from Crossing the Waters by Steve Schuch & Night Heron MusicALL content and image © 2019 to Present Quarter Moon Story Arts. All rights reserved.  If you found this podcast episode helpful, please consider sharing and attributing it to Diane Wyzga of Stories From Women Who Walk podcast with a link back to the original source.

Hello to you listening in South Bend, Indiana!Coming to you from Whidbey Island, Washington this is Stories From Women Who Walk With 60 Seconds for Motivate Your Monday and your host, Diane Wyzga.  The line on the birthday card from my sister goes like this: “The sun is up and you are alive to see it. Start there.” [Lin-Manuel Miranda] It’s just what I need to light my way in the early morning dark to the coffee pot in the kitchen.  Following are 5 inspirations chosen for you. Dance with the one that calls today:  “Well, I've often felt that dreams are answers to questions we haven't yet figured out how to ask.” [David Duchovny playing the character Fox Mulder The X-Files 1995)]“Roll out, snakes! It’s daylight in the swamp!” [The Night Watchman by Louise Erdrich]“Always remember Bilbo, when your heart wants lifting, think of pleasant things...  Eggs and bacon. A good, full pipe. My garden at twilight.” [Gandalf & Bilbo Baggins]"When nothing's working, it might be a cosmic conspiracy to get you to experiment." [Caroline Casey]“What’s really important is not the big things others have created but the continuous, each-by-each little things you are bringing into being. Never underestimate your singular power as a creator.” [Diane Wyzga]And thank you for listening.You're always welcome: "Come for the stories - Stay for the magic!" Speaking of magic, I hope you’ll subscribe, share a 5-star rating and nice review on your social media or podcast channel of choice, bring your friends and rellies, and join us! You will have wonderful company as we continue to walk our lives together. Be sure to stop by my Quarter Moon Story Arts website, check out the Communication Services, email me to arrange a no-obligation Discovery Call, and stay current with me as "Wyzga on Words" on Substack.Stories From Women Who Walk Production TeamPodcaster: Diane F Wyzga & Quarter Moon Story ArtsMusic: Mer’s Waltz from Crossing the Waters by Steve Schuch & Night Heron MusicALL content and image © 2019 to Present Quarter Moon Story Arts. All rights reserved.  If you found this podcast episode helpful, please consider sharing and attributing it to Diane Wyzga of Stories From Women Who Walk podcast with a link back to the original source.

Hello to you listening in Marion, Ohio!Coming to you from Whidbey Island, Washington this is Stories From Women Who Walk with 60 Seconds for Story Prompt Friday and your host, Diane Wyzga.They say that when Marco Polo returned from his decades of travels through Asia along the Silk Roads, he had gems sewn in his cloak to prove the fantastical nature of his stories.Where might we find the fantastical, the unexpected gift in our stories? What did we bring home from our journey? What was the agent of change? How were we transformed? And does any of it matter to someone else? “It’s strange to think that there might be things we know that people who live one hundred years from now would like to know. We forget to say them.” [William Stafford]The story we bring back from our journeys is the gift of grace that was passed to us as we journeyed through our fears, doubts, and failures bringing us from There to Here.Story Prompt: What insight, glimpse of wisdom, shiver of compassion, or wee bit of knowledge have you received as you walk the story of your life? Write that story and share it out loud.You're always welcome: "Come for the stories - Stay for the magic!" Speaking of magic, I hope you’ll subscribe, share a 5-star rating and nice review on your social media or podcast channel of choice, bring your friends and rellies, and join us! You will have wonderful company as we continue to walk our lives together. Be sure to stop by my Quarter Moon Story Arts website, check out the Communication Services, email me to arrange a no-obligation Discovery Call, and stay current with me as "Wyzga on Words" on Substack.Stories From Women Who Walk Production TeamPodcaster: Diane F Wyzga & Quarter Moon Story ArtsMusic: Mer’s Waltz from Crossing the Waters by Steve Schuch & Night Heron MusicALL content and image © 2019 to Present Quarter Moon Story Arts. All rights reserved.  If you found this podcast episode helpful, please consider sharing and attributing it to Diane Wyzga of Stories From Women Who Walk podcast with a link back to the original source.

Hello to you listening in Stellenbosch, South Africa!Coming to you from Whidbey Island, Washington this is Stories From Women Who Walk with 60 Seconds for Wednesdays on Whidbey and your host, Diane Wyzga.It’s a tradition to light the candles on a birthday cake and say, Make a wish! Blow out the candles!Where did this tradition begin? Maybe it’s true or maybe it isn’t, but as the story goes the ancient Greeks in the time of Zeus brought round-shaped cakes adorned with lit candles when they visited the temple of Artemis, the goddess of the hunt and the moon. The Romans called her Diana. As you can imagine, the lit candles made the round cakes glow like the moon. Others believed that the smoke from the candles carried the wishes and prayers heavenward where they would be granted - in time - although not always in the form they were expected.  Practical Tip: What Birthday Wishes of yours might have come true but not in the form they were expected? When it’s your birthday light the candles, make a wish and expect the unexpected will again come true for you. Birthday wishes are like that! Guaranteed!You're always welcome: "Come for the stories - Stay for the magic!" Speaking of magic, I hope you’ll subscribe, share a 5-star rating and nice review on your social media or podcast channel of choice, bring your friends and rellies, and join us! You will have wonderful company as we continue to walk our lives together. Be sure to stop by my Quarter Moon Story Arts website, check out the Communication Services, email me to arrange a no-obligation Discovery Call, and stay current with me as "Wyzga on Words" on Substack.Stories From Women Who Walk Production TeamPodcaster: Diane F Wyzga & Quarter Moon Story ArtsMusic: Mer’s Waltz from Crossing the Waters by Steve Schuch & Night Heron MusicALL content and image © 2019 to Present Quarter Moon Story Arts. All rights reserved.  If you found this podcast episode helpful, please consider sharing and attributing it to Diane Wyzga of Stories From Women Who Walk podcast with a link back to the original source.

Hello and Happy Birthday to you listening in Daniels, West Virginia!Coming to you from Whidbey Island, Washington this is Stories From Women Who Walk with 60 Seconds for Motivate Your Monday and your host, Diane Wyzga.I’m often asked: What was the most difficult lesson on my Camino de Santiago pilgrimage? Letting go. Letting go of the way I was. Letting go of my old self. Giving myself over to the walking.You think it’s easy? Get up in the dark, pack in the dark, head out in the dark. Walk 15 or 20 miles a day, no matter how hot or cold or wet you feel. No matter how rocky or lonesome or tired. Nothing prepares you for walking Camino but to walk Camino.How do you do it? Here’s a tip: surrender. Give yourself over. You are here now. Make the most of it. When you want to stomp around and make furious gestures, make the most of that. Make the most of your joys as well as complaints. Give voice to them all.And then give yourself back to the only job you have: to walk. Every day my Camino lesson shows up like this: “Just walk it off, Diane!”Question: What single-minded purpose of yours guides you along your way? And how are you walking? You're always welcome: "Come for the stories - Stay for the magic!" Speaking of magic, I hope you’ll subscribe, share a 5-star rating and nice review on your social media or podcast channel of choice, bring your friends and rellies, and join us! You will have wonderful company as we continue to walk our lives together. Be sure to stop by my Quarter Moon Story Arts website, check out the Communication Services, email me to arrange a no-obligation Discovery Call, and stay current with me as "Wyzga on Words" on Substack.Stories From Women Who Walk Production TeamPodcaster: Diane F Wyzga & Quarter Moon Story ArtsMusic: Mer’s Waltz from Crossing the Waters by Steve Schuch & Night Heron MusicALL content and image © 2019 to Present Quarter Moon Story Arts. All rights reserved.  If you found this podcast episode helpful, please consider sharing and attributing it to Diane Wyzga of Stories From Women Who Walk podcast with a link back to the original source. 

Hello to you listening in Gaborone, Botswana!Coming to you from Whidbey Island, Washington this is Stories From Women Who Walk with 60 Seconds for Story Prompt Friday and your host, Diane Wyzga.Maybe like me you have spent time looking for something even if you don’t know what it is.  After feeling stuck in the cross-roads of my life where the true way was wholly lost to me, I set out on a new road. I left everything I knew: a home, a community of 20 years, a successful national litigation consulting practice and drove 1500 miles north washing up on the shores of Whidbey Island. Why Whidbey? Pretty place, nice people, good pie.Little by little over the past 7 years I’ve cobbled together a home, a community, my Quarter Moon Story Arts business, a global podcast (still holding in the top 3% worldwide), and being of use.I’m forging the life I want even if I don’t know all that it could be.  I’m curious to learn, “What happens next? And now what?”Story Prompt: What you’re looking for is looking for you. How are you preparing yourself to meet it? Write that  story and share it out loud!You're always welcome: "Come for the stories - Stay for the magic!" Speaking of magic, I hope you’ll subscribe, share a 5-star rating and nice review on your social media or podcast channel of choice, bring your friends and rellies, and join us! You will have wonderful company as we continue to walk our lives together. Be sure to stop by my Quarter Moon Story Arts website, check out the Communication Services, email me to arrange a no-obligation Discovery Call, and stay current with me as "Wyzga on Words" on Substack.Stories From Women Who Walk Production TeamPodcaster: Diane F Wyzga & Quarter Moon Story ArtsMusic: Mer’s Waltz from Crossing the Waters by Steve Schuch & Night Heron MusicALL content and image © 2019 to Present Quarter Moon Story Arts. All rights reserved.  If you found this podcast episode helpful, please consider sharing and attributing it to Diane Wyzga of Stories From Women Who Walk podcast with a link back to the original source.

Hello to you listening in Corning, New York!Coming to you from Whidbey Island, Washington this is Stories From Women Who Walk with 60 Seconds for Wednesdays on Whidbey and your host, Diane Wyzga.One of the first signs of recognition a new mother looks for in her infant is - a smile. Look! She’s smiling at me! Yes! Baby sees you. Baby recognizes you.From earliest days we are cued to the smiles of other human beings. Remember what we missed in the COVID time with masks masking our smiles? Sure, we crinkled our eyes to signal a smile but it wasn’t the same as receiving a smile from another human. Sometimes the tone of our voice was a good substitute. The “music of the spoken word” stood in for our smile. We did the best we could with what we had.  Like a smile, the "music of the spoken word" brings written text to life with inflection, pause, tone, emphasis, and  cadence. Reading text alone is quick, cheap, and easy but the human voice lends expression and emotional meaning.I create each 60 Seconds episode with you in mind to offer a measure of hope, delight and imagination, as well as thoughts to ponder, stories to share, a practical tip to lighten and brighten your day. Thank you for taking the time to listen to my podcast episodes. My voice is me smiling at you.  You're always welcome: "Come for the stories - Stay for the magic!" Speaking of magic, I hope you’ll subscribe, share a 5-star rating and nice review on your social media or podcast channel of choice, bring your friends and rellies, and join us! You will have wonderful company as we continue to walk our lives together. Be sure to stop by my Quarter Moon Story Arts website, check out the Communication Services, email me to arrange a no-obligation Discovery Call, and stay current with me as "Wyzga on Words" on Substack.Stories From Women Who Walk Production TeamPodcaster: Diane F Wyzga & Quarter Moon Story ArtsMusic: Mer’s Waltz from Crossing the Waters by Steve Schuch & Night Heron MusicALL content and image © 2019 to Present Quarter Moon Story Arts. All rights reserved.  If you found this podcast episode helpful, please consider sharing and attributing it to Diane Wyzga of Stories From Women Who Walk podcast with a link back to the original source.

Hello to you listening in Mountain View, California!Coming to you from Whidbey Island, Washington this is Stories From Women Who Walk with 60 Seconds for Motivate Your Monday and your host, Diane Wyzga.  Hand on heart: I can still behave like an over-stretched, over-committed, dutiful, responsible, and driven first-born daughter. Do it right or don’t do it at all.Maybe like me you find yourself doing it all wrong by trying to do it all right. We have these notions--born of long-ago outdated, outmoded stories--about what we’re supposed to do, have, create, earn, market, publish, reconfigure, reorganize, envision, and connect. But I can’t and I don’t want to do it all perfectly. I want to Be rather messy in my life.  Practical Tip: Let’s stop for a moment. How would it feel if we “should” less on our own good selves? What if - even for a moment - we invite the power of the pause, peace and space. Did you just breathe a deep sigh of relief? Perhaps drop your shoulders? Maybe even smile at your silly human self? Me, too. You're always welcome: "Come for the stories - Stay for the magic!" Speaking of magic, I hope you’ll subscribe, share a 5-star rating and nice review on your social media or podcast channel of choice, bring your friends and rellies, and join us! You will have wonderful company as we continue to walk our lives together. Be sure to stop by my Quarter Moon Story Arts website, check out the Communication Services, email me to arrange a no-obligation Discovery Call, and stay current with me as "Wyzga on Words" on Substack.Stories From Women Who Walk Production TeamPodcaster: Diane F Wyzga & Quarter Moon Story ArtsMusic: Mer’s Waltz from Crossing the Waters by Steve Schuch & Night Heron MusicALL content and image © 2019 to Present Quarter Moon Story Arts. All rights reserved.  If you found this podcast episode helpful, please consider sharing and attributing it to Diane Wyzga of Stories From Women Who Walk podcast with a link back to the original source.