Angela Van Breemen’s story is a testament to the magic that happens when you follow your heart. In this episode, Angela shares her inspiring journey from co-owning a dental supply company to diving into her true passions—writing, music, and wildlife rehabilitation. She talks about her work with the Procyon Wildlife Rehabilitation Center and how a baby squirrel ignited her love for wildlife. Angela also gives us a glimpse into her creative world with her debut novel "Past Life's Revenge" and h...
What does it take to remain committed to uncovering the truth in the face of personal danger? Join us as Pepper Ann, a true crime author from Texas, shares her riveting journey. From death threats to computer hacking, Pepper Ann’s relentless pursuit for justice comes with harrowing experiences and invaluable lessons. Her collaboration with private investigators brings an authentic and detailed perspective to her stories, ensuring every narrative is meticulously crafted and profoundly impactfu...
Can midlife be a time of renewed agency and potential for women? Discover the transformative possibilities with our guest, Andrea M. Slominski, PhD, a renowned women's therapeutic midlife and menopause coach. Andrea introduces us to "Regency," a new life stage spanning ages 45 to 70 and beyond. Drawing from her extensive research and personal journey—returning to academia at 55 to earn her MA and PhD in women's psychology and mythology—Andrea provides invaluable insights into the profound cha...
Join us as we sit down with John Bukowski, whose novel "Project Suicide" draws from a rich tapestry of personal and professional experiences. We'll uncover the intricate process of weaving real-world scientific concepts into compelling fiction, creating stories that thrill while ringing plausible and authentic. John shares his journey from technical writing to fiction, shedding light on how his diverse experiences fuel his creative process and the "what if" scenarios that drive his narratives...
We chat with Terry Tucker, a college basketball player who defied familial expectations to pursue a career in law enforcement, inspired by his grandfather's legacy. Through his moving story of battling cancer for 12 years and eventually writing "Sustainable Excellence," we explore themes of service, familial bonds, and the ever-evolving nature of purpose. Terry's journey illustrates that our true calling can emerge from adversity, reshaping our lives unexpectedly. &...
Dominick and Virginia welcome the walking embodiment of creativity in action, a guest who will inspire with her intimate knowledge of the creative drive and her championing self-expression for all. Shelley Finance is also a friend of Dominick's from high school. They grew up in the next-door-to-Hollywood but ironically unglamorous provincial town of Burbank, CA. The two, along with Virginia, discuss how creative efforts serve the individual and the products of them serve soc...
Have you ever gazed at the night sky and felt a profound connection? Join us as we explore the intersection between art and human experience with iconic American Illustrator Greg Spalenka. We begin by reminiscing but also lamenting the deep disconnection from nature revealed by L.A.'s 1994 Northridge Earthquake when city-bound Los Angelesnos found themselves baffled by the suddenly visible Milky Way. We discuss the power of image—narrative and conceptual—to shift personal and societal paradig...
Have you ever considered the stories you tell yourself might just be the blueprint for your life? This edition of Language of the Soul delves into the remarkable world of narrative therapy with Virginia Grenier, who shares her wisdom on how our personal narratives can be both a sanctuary and a battleground for our mental well-being. We don't just recount tales; we live and breathe them, shaping our lives with every story we hold dear. You're invited to immerse yourself in a celebration of sto...
Have you ever found yourself spellbound by a song that seemed to narrate your life story? Bill Abernathy, our troubadour for the soul, joins us to reveal how his melodies weave the fabric of our lives into song. An enlightening discussion ensues on the enduring influence of singer-songwriters who have used their platforms to make social statements. Icons like Jackson Browne and Neil Young are mentioned, prompting a reflection on the role of music in both reflecting and shaping societal values...
We are joined this week by filmmaker Jay J. Levy, who offers us a peek behind the curtain of his creative process as a storyteller, his location services business, and his current collaboration with comedy writer Russ Woody: a comedic web series titled, 'Poster Pickers.' Jay does not identify as a gay filmmaker but rather as a filmmaker who happens to be gay. In other words, he strives for the universal. Even so, he shares his views on LGBTQ representation in cinema. We engage in an honest co...
When the veil between life and death seems fragile, where do we turn for answers? Join us as we discuss the afterlife with writer and musician-turned-filmmaker Ben Harl. In recent years, Ben has moved his passion for storytelling from the page to the screen, learning the craft of filmmaking through trial and error (and a huge amount of help from fellow local filmmakers!) As owner and Creative Director of Silver Compass Studios, Ben has written, directed, and produced several award-winning sho...
Glenda Benevides is an esteemed award-winning singer-songwriter, a healer, an author, and an altruist with a career that spans decades. Her music, described as the soulful synthesis of Heart, Janis Joplin, and Bessie Smith, resonates with power, emotion, and authenticity. A Recording Academy voting member and Grammy-considered artist, Glenda's songs weave narratives that touch the soul, captivate audiences with emotionally moving performances while exploring the complexities of life, love, an...
Life IS story. It’s around us all day, every day, shaping our worldviews and society’s paradigms. Language of the Soul Podcast highlights master storyteller in the arts and entertainment, as well as the literary realm, all of whom share our passion for narrative! Story has the power to transform the individual and through the ripple effect, change the world. We can get our hands in the clay. Individually and collectively, we can tell our own story!Here are inspiring highlights from just...
Have you ever considered that the tales we tell are the very threads that weave the fabric of society? Virginia and Dominick explore this notion, unraveling the complex relationship between storytelling and its pervasive impact on both personal growth and cultural evolution. Language of the Soul's latest episode is an eclectic mix of discussions around the essence of art, the intricate balance between artistic freedom and societal responsibility, and the subtle ways in which implicit bi...
A recent health scare has lit a fire, inspiring ninety-year-old Nancy to recommit to the resilience, intellectual curiosity, and brain plasticity that defines her. She has always ministered by example and through her craft, but more and more, that contribution inspires others to live their best lives at any age and remain engaged, productive, and relevant. Nancy reflects on her core essence, which she discovered while performing as a child. Onstage, she felt like a vessel— a conduit for somet...
We're joined by the soulful and captivating Marina Bakica— actress, filmmaker and multi-media artist. Together, we discuss the power of narrative to not only mirror our world but to reshape it. From Marina's impressive theater training through her latest vehicles of expression—photography and cinema—this episode promises a panoramic view of how story, in all its forms, can sow seeds of empathy while nurturing tolerance through exposure to 'the other.'Guest Bio: Marina Bakica is an actress bor...
We are all born intuitive beings. Over time, social conditioning can lead us to abandon or mistrust our innate guidance systems. Krystal Parry, evidence-based medium and Reiki master, shares her personal journey toward embracing her unique gifts and abiding the call to share them with the collective. Join us as we discuss energetic healing work, metaphysics, and the pursuit of holistic wellness. Krystal explains the tradition of Reiki to our listeners--how wo...
This episode is Part 2 of a 2-part series: LGBTQ Representation. Part one laid out the history of Queer Representation in cinema. This episode follows up by chronicling Dominick's personal experience as a gay man in the context of Tolerance, Diversity & Inclusion and Media Representation. Together, both episodes are meant to lay the groundwork for future conversations with guests equally invested in LGBTQ Representation. Sharing a Reader's Digest v...
Dominick and Virginia both have a ‘horse in the race’ when it comes to LGBTQ Representation: Dominick as a Queer author and filmmaker and Virginia raised a trans child. Their passion for the topics of Diversity and Inclusion, as well as Representation of underrepresented communities, means they have long awaited this episode. It was finally time to fit it in, in order to lay the groundwork for future guests who are equally invested in not just positive but accurate representation.This episode...
Join us as we chat with Elizabeth Suggs of Collective Tales Publishing and Editing Mee. Her literary prowess in Speculative Fiction, among other genres, is as inspiring as it is eye-opening. We discuss the written word from the perspective of both writer and publisher, hats Elizabeth wears equally well. Our conversation ventures from the driving force behind the human compulsion to tell stories, through quieting voices of doubt in order to take command of an author's voice, to the delic...