The Creative Soul Podcast (Leya Van Doren)
Explore every episode of The Creative Soul Podcast
| Pub. Date | Title | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 23 Jun 2022 | Ep 88: How to Host a Blessing Way for Pregnant Mothers | 00:27:52 | |
Are you pregnant or do you know someone who is? Tune into this episode where we discuss how to host and curate a blessingway which is similar to a baby shower, but focuses more on the mother's journey from maiden to mother to create an intentional ceremony to honor her in this transition. We also talk about:
Creative Resources Mentioned: Connect with Leya leyavandoren@gmail.com | |||
| 26 Sep 2024 | Ep 135: ft. Varsha Mathur on Dating Intentionally and Finding Long-Lasting Love | 00:57:22 | |
Varsha Mathur, J.D, PCC, a certified dating and relationship coach with over seven years of experience, guides clients worldwide to effortlessly find and sustain lasting love with their ideal partners. Through her tailored coaching approach, Varsha empowers both singles and couples to cultivate confidence, ignite attraction, and build partnerships that withstand the test of time. We talk about:
Creative Resources Mentioned:
Connect with Varsha: Website: coachingbyvarsha.com THE SOUL RADIANCE RETREAT, JANUARY 17TH-20TH, 2025 SAN DIEGO, CA Find more info here. | |||
| 13 Jun 2023 | Ep 104: WE'RE GETTING MARRIED IN TWO WEEKS! A Convo with Paxton on Spirituality, Love, and Growth | 01:40:58 | |
In this episode, Leya and Paxton discuss their 5 year journey on the road to marriage, with their upcoming wedding in 2 weeks! They discuss:
Connect with Leya: | |||
| 11 Mar 2021 | Ep 29: ft. Shaun Leisher on Dramaturgy, being a New Play Doula, and Redefining Regional Theater | 00:48:31 | |
Shaun Leisher (he/him/his) is a Philadelphia-based dramaturg and producer. As a dramaturg, Shaun has worked on productions of CLYBOURNE PARK by Bruce Norris and SMART PEOPLE by Lydia R. Diamond under the direction of nationally-recognized theatre artist and educator, Kashi Johnson at Lehigh University. As a producer, Shaun has organized play readings and new work festivals throughout Eastern Pennsylvania. Shaun is also a passionate advocate for arts education and is thrilled to have recently joined the team of the theatre and education consulting company, Re:Theatre. In this episode, we talk about that theater has shifted and adapted during the pandemic, what we miss about live theater, the challenges and issues that theater faces today, the role of the dramaturg in the creative process, and Shaun gives us a taste of how he works with actors to select new audition material. Creative Resources Mentioned: New Play Exchange Delejos by Julie Piñero Cobra Kai Moment Work by Moises Kaufman & Barbara Pitts McAdams Connect with Shaun: @shaunaturgy shaunleisher.com | |||
| 24 Mar 2022 | Ep 77: ft. Emily Nachazel on Finding the Career that Serves Your Soul | 01:13:14 | |
Emily Nachazel is an intuitive career coach who believes we all deserve to spend more time doing what we love. She supports entrepreneurs & conscious corporate individuals who want work that better supports their souls. In this episode we talk about:
+more! Creative Resources Mentioned:
Connect with Emily: $50 off Career Clarity Session here Join the mastermind here | |||
| 23 Sep 2021 | Ep 57: On Identity, Home, and Creativity as a Practice of Presence | 00:40:53 | |
In this episode, Leya shares about her travels to Mexico City, and explores the global identity crisis, finding home, and belonging, and navigating change and transition. She shares the ways in which creativity can be a practice for presence and shares a writing exercise that will help tap you into your senses and the present moment. Creative Resources Mentioned: The Diary of Frida Kahlo Connect with Leya: | |||
| 21 Oct 2021 | Ep 61: Healing Yourself and Your Past Through Creativity | 00:32:11 | |
In this episode, Leya shares how creativity has been a healing act for her while doing deep, inner work in therapy. She shares what she's been learning and working on in therapy and how she has been using creativity to help in the healing and feeling process. Creative Resources Mentioned:
Leave a rating and review and receive a free guided writing meditation! Thank you so much for your support. | |||
| 30 Nov 2023 | Ep 111: The Creative Soul Practice is HERE! & Heart Chakra Writing Meditation | 00:34:50 | |
The Creative Soul Practice is officially LIVE! It's a 7 day guided writing meditation series to help you reconnect back to your writing practice and your creative soul. Listen to this episode as I share the WHY behind creating The Creative Soul Practice and what you can expect inside +++PLUS a SNEAK PEEK of the practice - Get Day 4 completely free inside this episode, connecting you to your heart <3 The Heart Chakra Meditation starts at 16:29 Purchase the Creative Soul Practice HERE Use code "CREATIVESOUL10" for 10% off Discount Available through December 21st, 2023 Website: www.leyavandoren.com The Creative Soul Practice: https://leyavandoren.com/the-creative-soul-practice | |||
| 05 Nov 2020 | Ep 11: ft. Yulia Van Doren on Creative Constraints, Crystals, and Professional vs Amateur Artists | 00:53:23 | |
Yulia Van Doren is a Grammy-nominated international opera singer and sound healer and is one of the innovators of the modern holistic wellness movement. Her first book, Crystals is an international bestseller and has won several awards and been translated into multiple languages. In this episode we discuss creative constraints, on making money as a creative, professional vs amateur artists, and her career transition from opera singer to crystal healer. Connect with Yulia: https://www.instagram.com/goldirocks.co/ http://www.goldirocks.co/ | |||
| 26 Jan 2023 | Ep 99: ft. Kat Daou on Family Constellations Therapy Healing Generational Trauma | 01:16:52 | |
Kat Daou is a Family Constellation Therapy Facilitator helping people clean up intergenerational trauma and support them back to their innate wholeness. She is trauma informed and utilizes parts work, inner child work, felt sense bodily awareness, and intuitive guidance to support clients in moving from "what's wrong with me" to "what happened to me". With a philosophy of one foot in the spiritual world and one foot in the physical 3D, FCT brings life force energy back into the family system and creates healing for 14 generations backwards, and forwards. We talk about:
Resources Mentioned:
Connect with Kat: | |||
| 13 Jun 2024 | Ep 127: ft. Shannon Keating on Connecting to your Authentic Self (+ Details on The Soul Radiance Retreat!) | 00:56:44 | |
Shannon Keating is a Holistic Life Coach for Women, Teen Girls in Middle/High School, & Young Adult Women in College. She supports women with self empowerment, self love, and gaining the tools to cultivate self awareness guiding them back home to their hearts. In this episode, we discuss:
Ep 75: ft. Shannon Keating on Cultivating Female Friendships October 18th-21st, 2024 San Diego, CA Learn more here Email soulradianceretreat@gmail.com for any questions Connect with Shannon: @shannonkeating Podcast: Unmasked and Open Hearted | |||
| 22 Jul 2021 | Ep 48: ft. Ari Afsar on Activism and The Artist's Responsibility | 00:41:23 | |
Ari Afsar is a singer/songwriter with placements on ABC, Disney, and Amazon. A graduate of Ethnomusicology from UCLA, Afsar just released her Concept Album distributed by Sony Masterworks, "We Won’t Sleep" She is the composer of Broadway-bound We Won’t Sleep the Musical, as named by Playbill. It was developed at the O'Neill NMTC where Afsar won the Lyricist Award. She has been commissioned for her compositions at the La Jolla Playhouse, Warren Miller Performing Arts, and The Berkshire Theater Group. Afsar has opened for Michelle Obama, Gloria Steinhem, Jane Fonda, Madeleine Albright, Misty Copeland, Michelle Kwan, Ani DiFranco and opened at the ACLU national conference with Bryan Stevenson as the keynote speaker. Her credits include starring in the Netflix original movie, “Wedding Season”, originating Eliza in Chicago's Hamilton, Miss California 2010, top 10 at Miss America 2011, and top 36 American Idol Alum. She is the co-founder of "Until We Do It" which provided masks to communities disproportionately affected by Covid-19. In this episode, we talk about activism and the role and responsibility of the artist, how to find your collaborators and mentors, cultural representation in the arts, the making of her new musical, being a multi-hyphenate artist and the power of art to affect cultural & political change. Creative Resources Mentioned:
Connect with Ari: @ariannaafsar @wewontsleepmusical Listen: https://open.spotify.com/album/4VLwAYBfhNy8YtgNkGLI29 | |||
| 29 Jul 2021 | Ep 49: ft. Hanna Francis on Balkan Folk Dance, Songwriting, and the Power of Music | 00:51:19 | |
Hanna Francis is a singer-songwriter and Balkan folk-dance teacher who is obsessed with self-help and believes you can be a little happier *right now* with the intentional use of music (both experiencing and creating). Her songs, weekly blog, monthly newsletter, podcast and YouTube dance lessons are all rooted in the belief that music is a form of therapy and self-hypnosis. She consciously uses the power of song to, with your permission, elevate you up the emotional ladder. In this episode we talk about her journey growing up around Eastern European musicians, balkan folk dance, moving to Sweden, using songwriting as a form of therapy, how to navigate both the input and output of the creative process, and the healing power of music and community. Creative Resources Mentioned:
Connect with Hanna:
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| 10 Oct 2024 | Ep 136: 5 Tips on How to Start (and Finish) Your Creative Projects | 00:21:01 | |
In this solo episode, Leya shares 5 tips on how to start and finish your creative projects. We talk about:
Connect with Leya: The Soul Radiance Retreat January 17th-20th, San Diego, CA Find more info here | |||
| 20 May 2021 | Ep 39: ft. Anne Ditmeyer on Map Making, Valuing Yourself as a Creator, and Paying Inspiration Forward | 00:54:42 | |
Anne Ditmeyer (@pretavoyager) is an American creative coach and workshop facilitator based in Paris, France. She pulls from her background in design, anthropology, art history, and global communication as she helps people Write Your Own Rules and Map Your Path through fun, engaging experiences that encourage exploration and play. She's been blogging at Prêt à Voyager (translation: ready to travel) since 2007 where she explores the intersection of travel and design, as well as on her Biz Blog at anneditmeyer.com. In this episode, we talk about community building, creative constraints, how she became French, how blogging and travel helped develop her perspective, creating your work style as a creator, learning to value yourself and your skills, and paying inspiration forward. Creative Resources Mentioned:
Connect with Anne: https://www.anneditmeyer.com/ https://www.pret-a-voyager.com/ | |||
| 15 Oct 2020 | Ep 8: ft. Mandy Sham on Storytelling through Travel and Food | 00:48:43 | |
Mandy Sham is a photographer, writer, and yogi seeking the power of human stories through travel and food. She has befriended, documented, and eaten her way through sixty countries. When not traveling, she is a freelance sound designer and food writer based out of Toronto, Canada. In this episode we discuss finding creativity in the mundane, how to shed past identities, how yoga and creativity are connected, and her process on expressing your experiences from travel through creativity. Connect with Mandy: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/peach.punk/ Blog: https://orenji.co/ Gobe: https://mygobe.com/blogs/ambassadors/mandy-sham Creative Resources Mentioned: The Artists Way by Julia Cameron Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert Wild by Cheryl Strayed | |||
| 07 Jul 2022 | Ep 90: ft. Albert Flynn DeSilver on Writing as a Path to Awakening | 00:51:51 | |
Albert Flynn DeSilver is an internationally published poet, writer, speaker, and workshop leader. His latest book is Writing as a Path to Awakening (based on his popular workshops by the same name) published by Sounds True. Albert served as Marin County, California’s very first Poet Laureate from 2008-2010. His work has appeared in more than 100 literary journals worldwide and is the author of the memoir Beamish Boy. Albert is also a speaker and trainer who has taught writing workshops at the Esalen Institute, the Omega Institute, Spirit Rock Meditation Center, and literary conferences nationally. In this episode, we talk about:
Creative Resources Mentioned:
Connect with Albert: Free writing coaching session here Writing as a Path to Awakening | |||
| 01 Jul 2021 | Ep 45: ft. Jyoti Chadda on Moon Wisdom, Menstrual Cycles, and Yogic Philosophy | 00:53:03 | |
Jyoti is the founder of My Wellness Company, a cyclical living mentor, yoga & meditation teacher and holistic wellness practitioner. She is here to guide you back home to yourself and empower you on your journey as you peel back the layers, reclaim your truth & step into your power. She does this using a range of holistic wellness modalities including menstrual cycle mentoring, yogic philosophy, moon wisdom, ayurveda, pranayama and journaling. Jyoti has many offerings including one-to-one mentoring, women’s circles and more. In this episode we talk about her experience growing up in the UK while being Indian, what led her to study yoga in India, the four phases of the menstrual cycle, how to build a personal relationship with your menstrual cycle, how to develop a moon practice, the 8 limbs of yoga, and the cultural appropriation and white-washing of yoga and how we can responsibly practice yoga. Creative Resources Mentioned:
Connect with Jyoti: @mywellnesscompany | |||
| 07 Jan 2021 | Ep 20: ft. Lindsay Kinder on Food as Creativity, Entrepreneurship, and Listening to Your Own Advice | 00:48:09 | |
Lindsay quit a 5-year career selling corporate life insurance to pursue a dream of learning to cook in France. After backpacking solo for six months, working with local farmers exchanging labor for room and board, and receiving a Cuisine Certificate from Le Cordon Bleu Paris, she arrived in San Francisco. She is the founder of FOOD LA LA and curates unique creativity-inducing food and cocktail experiences. She's worked with brands such as Louis Vuitton, The Fairmont, Williams-Sonoma, Pinterest, Bloomingdales, Saks, Salesforce, Alaska Airlines, Google, Airbnb, and Facebook. Lindsay believes deeply in the healing power of creativity and leverages food as the perfect blank canvas. In this episode, we talk about following your intuition and living life by your design, how she discovered her love for French Macarons and why it's the perfect blank canvas for creativity, food as an experience, and how to make cooking a fun, accessible, creative activity for all. She also gives some great tips on entrepreneurship and how to listen to your own advice. As a gift to our listeners, Lindsay is offering one month free of the Food LaLa Cooking Club! TRY 1 MONTH OF FOOD LALA COOKING CLUB FOR FREE! Sign up HERE and use code CREATIVESOUL Creative Resources Mentioned: Untamed by Glennon Doyle How I Built This with Guy Raz Connect with Lindsay: https://www.food-la-la.com/ | |||
| 11 Nov 2021 | Ep 64: ft. Eleri Ward on Songwriting Magic and Sondheim | 00:56:24 | |
Eleri Ward is an actor, singer, musician, and songwriter originally from Chicago. She studied Songwriting at Berklee College of Music before transferring and graduating from The Boston Conservatory with a BFA in Musical Theater. Aside from theater, she also makes pop music and has released two EPs of original songs. Most recently she released a full length album of indie-folk Sondheim covers that she recorded in her closet and produced herself, which landed her a distribution deal with Ghostlight Records. You can listen to Eleri Ward on all streaming platforms. In this episode we talk about her songwriting process, the importance of having an audience for an artist, why your art isn't about you, how she landed a distribution deal with Ghostlight Records, the power of Tik Tok, and the best way to make space for your creative magic. Creative Resources Mentioned: Caroline Polachek Sarah Kinsley Connect with Eleri: | |||
| 11 Nov 2022 | Ep 94: SOLO Wedding Planning as a Spiritual & Creative Process - Part 2 | 00:48:54 | |
Leya shares an update on why the podcast has been on a short break and returns with part 2 of what she is learning during the wedding planning process. She shares vulnerably about managing finances, feeling unsupported, feeling unworthy of love, and the body image issues that came up while shopping for her wedding dress. She also shares an update of how the vision of the wedding has changed and evolved in this perfect, co-creation with the universe. She also shares:
Episodes Mentioned: Wedding Planning as a Spiritual & Creative Practice - Part 1 Unmasked & Open Hearted Podcast: Healing in Relationships with Leya Van Doren Connect with Leya: Rate and review the podcast to receive a free guided writing meditation! | |||
| 21 Dec 2023 | Ep 113: Receiving PRESENCE for my 29th Birthday | 00:20:42 | |
Happy winter solstice and happy 29th birthday to our host, Leya! In this episode, Leya shares what she's celebrating for her 29th birthday, including a celebration of this year and her favorite podcast episodes from the past year. Today is the LAST day to receive 10% off The Creative Soul Practice using code "CREATIVESOUL10". After today, the price will remain at $44.00. Leave a rating and review to get a free guided writing meditation. Creative Resources Mentioned: It Didn't Start With You by Mark Wolynn | |||
| 19 Dec 2024 | Ep 141: Reflections & Lessons for my 30th Birthday | 00:59:13 | |
In this solo episode, Leya shares her reflections, lessons, and celebrations for her 30th birthday! We talk about:
We end the episode with a special herbal reading to guide us through the end of the year and new year! Creative Resources Mentioned:
Leave a rating and review as a birthday gift! Connect with Leya @leyavandoren | |||
| 16 Jun 2022 | Ep 87: ft. Kari Lynn Cotone on Copywriting & Creative Careers | 00:56:46 | |
Kari is a New York City-based freelance writer and performing artist. As a copywriter and strategist, she works with creative entrepreneurs and small businesses to develop their brand voice and craft high-converting messaging to support their business. She also writes a weekly newsletter sharing writing tips, content inspiration, and personal stories about life as a creative freelancer. We talk about:
Connect with Kari: JOIN THE SUMMER WRITING CIRCLE! July 11th - August 8th, 2022 Creative Resources Mentioned:
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| 26 Aug 2021 | Ep 53: ft. Jordy Alexander on NFT's, Experiments, and The Creator Economy | 00:53:34 | |
Jordy Alexander aka Xndr is a director and startup addict currently based in Kauai. After creating his first viral video in 2013, "Hallway Swimming" he was blown away by the power of leveraging the internet. He spent the next seven years traveling and developing social content, documentaries and commercials for brands and influencers. Today, he is building Obtainable.io, Cibukan, Logos MMXX and some odd 13 other projects and is passionate about the startup world and helping others make money on the internet. In this episode, we talk about what NFT's are and how they will impact the creator economy, how to experiment with your creativity, the value of art, how technology can help creatives, and the three realms we exist in today. This episode is perfect for people who have no idea what NFT's are and want to dive in! Creative Resources Mentioned:
Connect with Xndr: | |||
| 01 Feb 2024 | Ep 117: ft. Ning Tendo on Dreamwork and the Gifts of Grief | 01:05:06 | |
Ning is a published poet, grief guide, spiritual healer and dream yogi specializing in the intersection of the healing power of dreams, rituals, and spiritual constellations as potent tools for helping the bereaved evolve and continue their relationship with their dead loved one and find the light side of grief. Her work as a grief guide is an integration of 10+ years of Tibetan dream yoga, 6+ years of Spiritual Healing and Constellations work, shamanic breathwork, African mourning and grief rituals, western grief models, sleep and dream science, a master’s degree in Spiritual Psychology from Columbia University as well as an embodiment of her personal experience grieving the death of her mother in 2018. Her life’s work is to inspire people to develop a softer relationship with death and grief by learning how to consciously journey into their pain, evolve relationships with their dead loved ones, and extract the medicine, soul gifts and purpose hidden within their grief. In this episode we discuss:
Connect with Ning: Website: www.dreamreunions.com Ning's Poetry Book: Death Song in Green Creative Resources Mentioned:
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| 03 Jun 2021 | Ep 41: ft. Ashley Sondergaard on Cosmic Self-Care, Motherhood, and Yoga Magic | 00:41:46 | |
Ashley Sondergaard is a self care coach, a yoga teacher, an astrology enthusiast and host of the Yoga Magic podcast. For 9 years, she has studied yoga, meditation, astrology and mindfulness practices that prioritize self-care and self-discovery. After having her two girls, Ashley discovered the hard way that taking care of yourself first is the only way to take care of others. Today, she supports her students & clients in up leveling their everyday routines into magical self-care rituals. In this episode, we talk about cosmic self care which are ideas for self care based off your natal chart, motherhood and the lessons its taught her, finding expanders along your path, and what led her to starting the Yoga Magic podcast and the benefits of podcasting. Creative Resources Mentioned: Buy Yourself The F*cking Lilies by Tara Schuster The Universal Christ by Richard Rohr Nikki Novo Connect with Ashley: @ashleysondergaard.yoga @yogamagicpodcast www.ashleysondergaard.com | |||
| 13 May 2021 | Ep 38: On Trusting the Process as it Unfolds | 00:26:18 | |
In this month's solo episode, Leya shares authentically about her process on learning how to trust the process as it unfolds. She also shares about duality, specificity in the details, the two antidotes to any creative block, the importance of having a daily creative practice, and the possibilities of the unknown. Creative Resources Mentioned: Janne Robinson Mari Andrews Sign up for Leya's weekly newsletter: | |||
| 02 Dec 2022 | Ep 95: SOLO on Stories From Going on a Safari in South Africa | 00:53:25 | |
The perfect solo episode to kick off Sagittarius season - this one's all about travel, new experiences, expansion, and joy. I share about my recent once in a lifetime trip going on a safari in South Africa and the stories and lessons it taught me. In this episode we talk about:
Resources Mentioned: Connect with Leya: | |||
| 22 Aug 2024 | Ep 132: ft. Emma Andrews on Connecting to your Intuitive Gifts | 00:58:32 | |
Emma Andrews is an Intuitive, Medium and Intuition Teacher. She specializes in clairvoyance, energy healing and somatic therapy. She offers virtual and in-person Intuitive and Mediumship Sessions and leads intuition workshops and wellness retreats around the world. In this episode, we talk about:
Connect with Emma: Website: https://www.emma-andrews.com/ Instagram: @emmarews | |||
| 28 Jul 2022 | Ep 92: On Foraging and Feminism and What It's Teaching Me about Value | 00:53:42 | |
In this episode, Leya shares what is currently fueling her creative soul in this season of life. She shares how taking a vacation showed her how to practice being, why she is questioning how we work and why we work, tying your worth and value to how much you can produce, feminism and capitalism, unlearning hustle culture, and how we can look to nature to teach us how to be truly creative and create from a place of rest, ease, and flow. She also shares how foraging and learning about herbalism is connecting her to the magic within. Stay to the end to hear the story on how she almost died from eating a potentially poisonous plant. Creative Resources
Connect with Leya leyavandoren@gmail.com Leave a rating and review and receive a free guided writing meditation! | |||
| 02 Sep 2021 | Ep 54: Creativity as a Grounding Practice & Guided Meditation | 00:25:37 | |
In this month's solo episode, Leya shares a life update and her tips for using creativity as a grounding practice. She shares two practices that have been helping her stay grounded in times of stress, overwhelm, and facing the unknown. PLUS she shares a special 10 minute guided meditation for grounding into your body and the earth. Meditation starts at 12:34 Meditation music licensed by BlueTree Audio Creative Resources Mentioned:
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| 05 Oct 2023 | Ep 107: ft. Jamie Varon on Identity Shifts and Writing her Book, Main Character Energy | 01:08:43 | |
Jamie Varon is a Writer, Course Creator, Branding Expert and Executive Producer. Her first book “Radically Content” (along with the companion journal Radically Content: The Journal) was released in 2022 and her fiction book, Main Character Energy was released in 2023. She also created a course called Live With Intention and writes a newsletter on Substack called Plot Twist. In this episode, we talk about:
Creative Resources:
Connect with Jamie: Website: https://www.jamievaron.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jamievaron/ DM @leyavandoren for first access to The Creative Soul Practice - a 7 day guided writing meditation series to start your daily creative practice. | |||
| 04 Nov 2021 | Ep 63: My Relationship with Cannabis and Creativity | 00:44:20 | |
In this episode, Leya tunes in from Peru and shares about her personal relationship to plant medicine and how cannabis has been a tool to support her creative and spiritual practice. She shares how her relationship has evolved with it, the lessons it teachers her, how she uses it as a ritual, the fine balance between using plant medicine consciously/unconsciously and how to tell the difference within yourself. Last Prisoner Project: Donate and learn more here. Connect with Leya: @leyavandoren | |||
| 02 Jun 2022 | Ep 85: ft. Kelly Smith on Yoga and the True Self | 01:03:55 | |
Kelly Smith is a globally celebrated yoga and meditation teacher, E-RYT 500 /YACEP, founder of Yoga For You, and host of the iTunes chart topping podcasts, Mindful in Minutes and Meditation Mama. Kelly believes that there is not a one-size-fits-all approach to yoga and meditation and encourages her students to find their own personal practice, listen to their bodies, and find inner joy by accessing their most authentic selves and owning their power. Kelly specializes in the non physical limbs of yoga and is best known for her master trainings in meditation, restorative yoga, and yoga nidra and her international retreats. In this episode we talk about:
and so much more! Connect with Kelly: Podcast: Mindful in Minutes | |||
| 28 Mar 2024 | Ep 122: ft. Val Alcorn on Herbal Bitters, Ancestors, and Gardening as a Spiritual Act | 01:05:35 | |
Val is an herbalist, gardener, writer, and artist. She is the owner of Woodspell Apothecary where she cultivates resources for folks to connect to the plant world around them. In this episode we talk about:
Connect with Val: Instagram: @woodspell.apothecary Substack: Medicine Garden and Under the Linden Tree Connect with Leya: @leyavandoren Join Us for The Poetry Of Plant Magic Connect To Your Writing Practice & Deepen Your Connection With Nature When: April 9th-April 30th, 2024 Where: Anywhere in the world via Zoom
Creative Resources Mentioned:
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| 23 Dec 2021 | Ep 67: ft Alejandra Diaz on Illustration and Drawing Everyday Moments | 00:47:59 | |
Alejandra Diaz aka Ale is an illustrator and designer from Mexico City. She has a degree in Industrial Design, but soon discovered a passion for graphic design and went to Shillington for illustration and graphic design. She uploads her illustrations on Instagram @ale_sketch. In this episode we talk about how the best inspiration is drawing the everyday moments, finding yourself in your mess, her journey to studying Graphic Design and finding her passion for illustration, how she got to study with artists in Paris and discover her own drawing style. Creative Resources Mentioned:
Connect with Ale: | |||
| 25 Feb 2021 | Ep 27: ft. Ashmi Pathela on Following Your Heart, Higher Consciousness, and the Ascension Journey | 00:49:11 | |
Ashmi Pathela is an artist and writer who left her career in Silicon Valley with this intention: "Show me the power of my heart, and I will teach the world." Her travels took her all over the world, finding love in Bali, moving to Australia… but of course, the greatest journey was within. It opened her eyes to a new way of living – in joyful alignment with her heart. This week, she launched preorders for her book, Awakening the Heart of Humanity (available through @ashmi.path). It is a tribute to this unprecedented time of global awakening, an activation for the soul. She shares videos on the ascension journey with her partner Joel on @theinnerawakening. In this episode we talk about her journey to the path of her heart, what practices helped her connect with her heart, painting and writing, 3D & 5D Consciousness, the collective awakening of humanity, New Earth, and why she wrote her new book. Creative Resources Mentioned: The Energetic Alchemist Connect with Ashmi: @ashmi.path ashmipathela.com | |||
| 10 Dec 2020 | Ep 16: ft. Kuhoo Verma on Being a Fully Formed Artist and Developing New Musicals | 00:52:20 | |
Kuhoo Verma (she/they) is an NYC based artist who has been seen at Joe's Pub, 54 Below, UCB, and countless developmental workshops. Favorite roles include Zubeida (X-Files Girl) in Academy Award Nominated The Big Sick and Velma in Dave Malloy's OCTET (Lucille Lortel Award for Outstanding Featured Actor). Upcoming: The film Plan B coming to HULU and a show at The Public. In this episode, we chat about how she found her path as an artist, her refreshing prospective on manifestation and gratitude, on the similarities of dating and auditioning, the development process of creating new musicals, cabarets and her time doing Octet. Connect with Kuhoo: @whatisakuhoo Creative Resources Mentioned: Esperanza Spalding James Blake Lizzie McAlpine Pen15 BoJack Horseman https://www.cheeyang.com/maya | |||
| 30 Dec 2021 | Ep 68: 2021 Year in Review | 00:35:48 | |
In this episode, Leya shares the process of her year and the lessons she learned. She talks about seeking truth, how her definition of truth has shifted, internal vs external experience, feeling lost, how her relationship with creativity has evolved, why writing is an act of love, and what she's learned from doing her 10 things as a daily creative practice this year. She ends this episode with some journal prompts to reflect on! Creative Resources Sapiens by Yuval Noah Harari | |||
| 27 Jan 2022 | Ep 70: ft. Cara Wodka on Life on the Road as a Traveling Musician | 00:53:01 | |
Cara has had a love for music and adventure since her toddler years. Her mom discovered she could sing well and hold a harmony at age 4 and the rest is history. She studied theater at UC Irvine and moved to NYC after graduation. It was there that Cara met her partner Michael, and the two decided to hit the road in an RV playing music across the country. They have been gigging on the road since June of 2021, where Cara also teaches vocal and creative master classes for high schoolers across the country and curates an online voice studio as well. She dedicates all performances to her cat, Merlin. In this episode, we talk about what it's like living on the road as a traveling musician, the lessons it's taught her, the importance of self-care on the road, the connection between the body and creativity, & self-management for artists. Creative Resources Mentioned:
Connect with Cara | |||
| 29 Apr 2021 | Ep 36: ft. Alyssa Lauren on Astrocartography and Travel as a Creative Process | 00:50:54 | |
Alyssa Lauren is an astrocartographer and the founder of Nomad Astrology which combines her love of travel with the magic of astrology. She helps other's align with their soul purpose and find an energetically supportive destination where they can thrive. In this episode we talk about how travel mirrors the creative process, what astrocartography is and why you might use it, how to listen to your intuition and see where you feel called, and Alyssa shares some of the travel experiences she's had using her astrocartography chart as a guide. Connect with Alyssa: @nomad_astrology www.nomadastrology.com Creative Resources Mentioned: The Line with Ashley Wood | |||
| 15 Apr 2021 | Ep 34: Creative Cycles & Seasons | 00:16:28 | |
In this month's solo episode, I share all about the different creative cycles and seasons and how to determine which one you're experiencing. From creative spring to summer to fall to winter, how can we honor our creativity as cyclical beings and allow ourselves to ebb and flow? I also take a moment to honor the life and passing of Episode 23's guest, Amy Oestreicher. Sign up for Leya's newsletter list: | |||
| 30 Jun 2022 | Ep 89: ft. Corrie Legge on Creating Your Own Work | 01:11:02 | |
Corrie Legge is a multi-passionate artist and productivity coach for creatives. As an actor and voiceover artist, she has appeared in many independent films, national commercials, animation, video games, audiobooks, and more. She's also a filmmaker with several short films under her belt, and multiple feature scripts in the works! As a coach, Corrie hosts Your Creative Life, a creative community designed to helps multi-passionate actors take control over their dreams and build thriving creative careers without sacrificing the holistically fulfilled life they deserve. In this episode, we talk about:
Creative Resources Mentioned:
Connect with Corrie: corrie@corrielegge.com | |||
| 27 May 2021 | Ep 40: ft. Rukmini Poddar on the 100 Day Project, Creative Evolutions, and Drawing Emotions | 00:48:35 | |
Rukmini Poddar is an artist, designer, and educator. Her creative passion lies at the intersection of emotional wellness and creative storytelling. She is also a self-proclaimed 100dayproject artist and author of the book, 100 Obscure Emotions. She believes what is most personal is most universal. The sooner we realize how alike we are, the more we can create a culture of empathy and personalism. She draws regularly and posts on her Instagram: @rockinruksi In this episode, we talk about what the 100 day project taught her, leaning into your creative cycles and resistance, how she grew on Instagram and what it's like to create for other people, how to grow and evolve as an artist, the importance of quantity over quality, and the enneagram. Creative Resources Mentioned:
Connect with Rukmini: https://dearruksi.com/ | |||
| 06 Jan 2022 | Ep 69: ft. Liliana Herrera on Andean Cosmovision and Being Your Own Healer | 01:00:19 | |
Liliana Herrera is originally from Cusco, Peru and was born in a high Andean community. She is an Andean Therapist, facilitator for retreats of sacred plants and offers energetic alignments and oracle readings with the coca leaf virtually or in person in English and Spanish. She is the author of the book “Children of Pachamama” which is a guide to self awareness of human technology from the ancestral knowledge of the Andean Cosmovision. Her next project is a Youtube channel with stories for adults and children. In this episode, we talk about what the Andean cosmovision is and the laws that guide it, ancestral knowledge, her work with ayahuasca, and why you are your own healer. We also talk about:
Connect with Lili: | |||
| 03 Dec 2020 | Ep 15: ft. Kerri Van Kirk on Human Design | 00:51:56 | |
Kerri Van Kirk is a multidisciplinary storyteller, energy untangler, human design guide & soul-led coach for writers, performers, leaders and deep creatives. She has a podcast called The Cleaner I Get, orders nachos weekly, and is trying to choose between a hot tub and infrared sauna for her new house in Maine. She also loves TikTok. In this episode we talk about her story living in NYC for 12 years, writing a one woman show and finding her voice, and what led her to human design. She gives us all the details on the five different energy types and how that relates to your creativity and how human design helps you figure out what you have energy for whether that be in creativity, activism, or life. Connect with Kerri: kerri@kaylocreative.com (for a free intro to human design course) www.kerrivankirk.com Creative Resources Mentioned: Tanya Taylor Rubenstein Podcast: Conspirituality | |||
| 03 Feb 2022 | Ep 71: ft. Vienda Maria on Intuition, Feminine Business, and Being | 00:51:45 | |
Vienda Maria is a writer & creative who teaches women how to redefine every aspect of life through the lens of psychology blended with spirituality and psychosomatic practices in online courses, classes & live events. Using an interactive teaching style — anecdotes, stories & real-world tools — she takes you on a heart-opening journey. In this episode we talk about the magic of liminal space, feminine business, being over doing, embracing the full spectrum of human emotions and the paradox of this experience, her writing process, and how to co-create with the universe. Connect with Vienda: | |||
| 04 Jan 2024 | Ep 114: 2023 Year in Review - Highs & Lows | 01:15:30 | |
Tune into this special solo episode where Leya reflects on the highs and lows of 2023, the lessons learned, and some of her hopes for 2024. From spending the first six months of the year wedding planning, to hosting a bachelorette retreat trip in Tulum, to being a bridesmaid in a friends wedding, to getting married in June, to honeymooning in Mexico, to moving to D.C., to connecting with family and ancestors, and experiencing the contrasts of life, this year was one to remember! Creative Resources Mentioned:
Connect with Leya: leyavandoren@gmail.com Purchase The Creative Soul Practice for $44 here. | |||
| 09 Jun 2022 | Ep 86: Wedding Planning as a Spiritual & Creative Process - Part 1 | 00:26:46 | |
In this week's solo episode, Leya takes us behind the scenes for her wedding planning process. We talk about why wedding planning might bring up difficult emotions, how wedding planning is the ultimate act of manifestation & creation, how being engaged feels like a portal, why wedding planning has caused Leya to look at and re-evaluate all areas of her life, and the details & process of finding her wedding venue. Whether you're planning a wedding, have planned a wedding, or would like to plan one in the future, tune into this fun episode where we explore wedding planning as a spiritual & creative practice. Connect with Leya: Rate and review the podcast to receive a free guided writing meditation! | |||
| 09 Feb 2023 | Ep 101: ft. D'Ana Joi Spencer on Focus & Prioritization as a Multi-Passionate Creative | 01:07:28 | |
Joi is a multi-passionate, educator, community builder, and content creator. She believes having many passions is a gift, not a burden and she’s on a mission to rewrite the narrative around “choosing one thing” being the only path to success. Through her e-book, signature course, and podcast, Joi teaches creatives how to make friends with focus, overcome overwhelm, and step into their Multi-Passionate Mastery. In this episode we talk about:
Creative Resources Mentioned:
Connect with Joi: Website: www.joi-knows-how.com Priority Mapping Method Free Training Here Podcast: Multi-Passionate Mastery | |||
| 24 Oct 2024 | Ep 137: ft. The Creative Soul Retreat and The Importance of Investing in Yourself ft. Najma Treadwell | 00:57:06 | |
In this episode, Leya invites one of the retreat participants from The Creative Soul Retreat, Najma Treadwell to share more about her experience, what she got from the retreat, and what it opened up for her in her life. Najma homeschools her 6 children, is a birth doula, and community service advocate. We talk about:
If you're interested in coming on retreat, our next retreat is The Soul Radiance Retreat, January 17th-20th, 2025 in San Diego, CA. Find more info here. Connect with Leya: leyavandoren@gmail.com | |||
| 19 Nov 2020 | Ep 13: ft. Lizzie Markson on Creative Flow, Interpretive vs Generative Artists, and Balance | 00:48:56 | |
Lizzie Markson is a theatre artist, an acting teacher/coach, and a movement/meditation teacher. Her mission in everything she does is to empower others to open their hearts so they feel held in unity and catharsis. As an actor, she has appeared as Sophie in the “Mamma Mia!” Farewell National Tour, Anybodys in “West Side Story” at the IHI Stage Around Tokyo, and Natalie in “Next to Normal.” Every week she sends a newsletter to her mailing list called “Return To You” where she empowers creatives to come back home to their wholeness via blog posts, workshops, and classes. In this episode we go deep on how to tap into the creative flow, setting intentions before creating, how to deal with dread and resistance, the importance of a daily creative routine, and the difference between interpretive vs generative artists. Connect with Lizzie: www.lizziemarkson.com insta: @lizziemarkson Creative Resources Mentioned: Free Play by Stephen Nachmanovitch Keep Moving by Maggie Smith The Intent to Live by Larry Moss Heart Talk by Cleo Wade Lester Mayors - In & Out; of Life!" https://www.instagram.com/p/CB1HnGspcPn/ | |||
| 18 Apr 2024 | Ep 123: Creating for your Future Self | 00:16:24 | |
Tune into this week's solo episode where Leya shares a mini message on changing our mindsets on how we view success and how we can start creating for our future self, and creating our legacy. We talk about:
Leya's poetry book: Mermaid Musings: Stories of Sea, Sex, and Spirituality Connect with Leya: @leyavandoren | |||
| 19 Oct 2023 | Ep 108: ft. Amikaeyla Gaston on Music as Medicine | 00:55:16 | |
Amikaeyla Gaston is a force for change. Proclaimed as one of the “purest contemporary voices” by National Public Radio (NPR), Amikaeyla is a public keynote speaker, performer, educator, and author. She travels the world serving as a Cultural Arts Ambassador for the State Department and is the Founder of the International Cultural Arts and Healing Sciences Institute and co- Executive Director for World Trust Educational Services Organization. In this episode we talk about:
Creative Resources:
Connect with Ami: Get on the waitlist to be the first to know when The Creative Soul Practice launches! DM @leyavandoren | |||
| 02 Nov 2023 | Ep 109: On Body Love And Self Acceptance | 00:51:30 | |
In this episode, Leya shares about her soul sister retreat weekend in San Diego and talks about the lessons she learned from letting herself be seen in her most natural form in a photoshoot. We also talk about:
Resources: Connect with @leyavandoren Photographer: @ashleycreatrix | |||
| 10 Feb 2022 | Ep 72: ft. Kat Norton aka Miss Excel on Using Manifestation to go Viral | 00:43:31 | |
Kat Norton energetically teaches Microsoft Excel to individuals, businesses and educational institutions. Since launching Miss Excel in June 2020, she has grown a community of over 1 million people on TikTok & Instagram (@miss.excel) through viral Excel trick videos infused with creativity, music and dance. Kat was recently awarded the Microsoft MVP award and featured in Business Insider, Fortune Magazine and the Verge as a pioneer in the "Excel Influencer" space. In this episode we talked about how she uses meditation, manifestation, and creativity to create viral tik toks and the business of her dreams, her creative process, how to get into alignment with your future self to create abundance, and more. Creative Resources: Breaking the Habit of Being Yourself by Joe Dispenza Kundalini Yoga: @choices_outcomes Connect with Kat: | |||
| 08 Apr 2021 | Ep 33: ft. Kate Lumpkin on Creativity & Capitalism, Point of View, and the Art of Personal Adornment | 00:47:45 | |
Kate Lumpkin (she/her) is the Founder of and Lead Casting Director at Kate Lumpkin Casting, CSA. Collectively, as a casting professional, she has worked on over 40 TV/Film productions and 80 theatrical productions in New York City and across the USA including shows at The Kennedy Center, The Actors Theatre of Louisville, The A.R.T, NYTW, and many others. Kate teaches workshops in New York and at numerous Colleges + Universities and is a professor at James Madison University as well as a private coach to clients all around the world. Kate is also the host of Broadway WELLness for Playbill. In this episode we talk about creativity and capitalism, how to develop your point of view, being a casting director, and she drops the best advice I've heard about finding creative resources! Connect with Kate: kate-lumpkin.com @katelumpkin playbill.com/socialselects nomarketingsociety.com Creative Resources Mentioned:
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| 24 Sep 2020 | Ep 5: ft. Elizabeth Woolf on Discovering Your Unique Voice, Following Your Fears, and Collaboration in the Creative Process | 00:36:52 | |
Elizabeth Woolf is a singer/songwriter/guitarist who grew up in California singing along to early Frank Sinatra show tune recordings in the backseat of her mom's gray minivan, and found her voice while belting and sobbing to Sara Bareilles and Bon Iver from the driver’s seat of her dad’s hand me down Saab convertible. Once she discovered Stevie Wonder in ear buds on the BART, she knew it was time to fuse these influences into a sound of her own. Over the past two years, Elizabeth has been refining her voice, finding her storytelling, and collecting her favorite sounds. Her passion for music has turned into a craft, as she creates her own sound, based off of her interpretations of the LA indie music scene, where she currently resides. Her debut album is set for release on October 16, you can pre-order on Bandcamp here: https://ewoolf.bandcamp.com/album/til-its-dark-outside Find Elizabeth on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ewoolf/ Creative Resources Mentioned: Folklore by Taylor Swift | |||
| 08 Jul 2021 | Ep 46: How to Create Your Own Artist Retreat | 00:38:32 | |
In this month's solo episode, I share a practice that has been meaningful to me throughout the years - creating your own artist retreat! We go over what an artist retreat is, how to set intention, how to figure out what to do on your artist retreat, how to hold yourself accountable, and some at-home artist retreat ideas. I also share about some of the past artist retreats I've taken and the benefits they can provide in cultivating a relationship with you and your creativity! Creative Resources Mentioned:
Need ideas for your next artist retreat or someone to hold you accountable? Connect with Leya on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leyavandoren/ | |||
| 11 Jul 2024 | Ep 129: Life Updates, Summer Travel, and Writing my Memoir! | 00:53:50 | |
In this solo episode, Leya shares a seasonal life update! We talk about checking in on our goals midway through the year and what she's been learning through her own creative process, as well as recapping a trip she recently took to Italy and Greece! We discuss:
Creative Resources Mentioned: Ep 84: How I Self Published a Book of Poetry Contact Leya: @leyavandoren | |||
| 02 Feb 2023 | Ep 100: Celebrating 100 Episodes with a SONG! | 00:10:49 | |
Tune into this special episode to celebrate 100 episodes of The Creative Soul Podcast. Leya shares a prayer and offering from her heart and sings for the very first time on the podcast. Song begins at 5:25 Song: Please Prepare Me by Beautiful Chorus Take a moment to pause, integrate, and celebrate how far you've come. Leave a rating and review on the podcast and receive a free guided writing meditation. Connect with Leya: @leyavandoren | |||
| 24 Dec 2020 | Ep 18: 2020 Year in Review - reflections & lessons | 01:10:40 | |
In this episode, I share the lessons I learned during 2020. We discuss moving to NYC to follow your dreams, the economic privilege of being an artist, social media, my journey with ayahuasca and plant medicine, hosting creativity workshops, leading Writing Magic, facing your shadow, plants in Hawaii, shedding old dreams, and what navigating this year of ups and downs has taught me. Take what you need and leave what you don't, I hope my journey can simply serve as a reflection for yours. Creative Resources Mentioned: Reach Out by Molly Beck Signs by Laura Lynne Jackson Read the blog: https://www.the-modernmermaid.com/blog Connect with Leya: https://www.instagram.com/the_modernmermaid/ RATE & REVIEW the podcast and receive a free writing meditation! Just screenshot your review and send a dm @the_modernmermaid | |||
| 10 Sep 2020 | Ep 3: Creativity is your Gift - Mini Message | 00:12:17 | |
In this episode, I share a mini message on how creativity is your gift. Listen to this one if you've ever struggled with fear on sharing your work - whether it be an offering, a piece of art, etc! I share a personal story on how I was able to move through this particular creative block. Trust that your creativity is a gift! | |||
| 22 Oct 2020 | Ep 9: ft. Erica Schaeffer on Choosing What You Love and the Privilege of Being an Artist | 00:55:45 | |
Erica (she/her/hers) is a multi-hyphenate performing and visual artist based in the Los Angeles area. She has an extensive background in Musical Theatre, and is a graduate of UC Irvine's Claire Trevor School of the Arts (where she met Leya!). When she is not on stage acting through song and dance, you can find her creating visual works (most often paint, collage, and mixed media), writing poetry, or making jewelry out of polymer clay. She also loves a good hike, thrift shopping, spending time with loved ones (like her partner Nikko), and exclaiming "DOG!" whenever she sees a dog in public. In this episode, we discuss starting a business during quarantine, on dealing with imposter syndrome and perfectionism, what it's like to have a creative relationship with your mom, on the transition from college into the "real world", support jobs as an artist, and singing at funerals. Creative Resources Mentioned: The Collected Poems of Audre Lorde Everything is Fucked by Mark Manson Madison Cunningham - singer/songwriter Connect with Erica: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ericaschaeff/ https://www.instagram.com/schaefferclaymaker/ Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/shop/schaefferclaymaker GoFundMe: https://www.gofundme.com/f/the-imagination-machine-help-us-stay-open | |||
| 01 Apr 2021 | Ep 32: ft. Christina Sutra on the Art of Receiving, Painting, and the Messages in Dreams | 00:51:10 | |
Christina Sutra is an artist, painter, and helps women rewild themselves. She shares authentically on her social media platform with her community of over 60,000 followers. In this episode, we talk about being authentic on social media, sensuality as the art of receiving, the power of gratitude as a ritual, the messages in our dreams, and more. Creative Resources Mentioned: Shambhala Connect with Christina: https://www.instagram.com/christina_sutra/ | |||
| 17 Mar 2022 | Ep 76: Writing Practice & Guided Writing Meditation | 00:50:08 | |
Tune into this special episode where Leya breaks down writing practice and shares the practice with you to do anytime, anywhere. We explore:
Guided Writing Practice starts at 19:08 Meditation music via Blue Tree Audio Creative Resources Mentioned:
“Writing practice brings us back to the uniqueness of our own minds and an acceptance of it. We all have wild dreams, fantasies, and ordinary thoughts. Let us to feel the texture of them and not be afraid of them.Writing is still the wildest thing I know.” ― Natalie Goldberg, Wild Mind | |||
| 19 Jan 2023 | Ep 98: ft. Nadia Last on Using Human Design to Connect to your Life Path | 01:09:24 | |
Nadia is a Human Design teacher, spiritual mentor, and host of The Current podcast, a show unpacking the changing energetic tides of our collective consciousness. Nadia also assists psychedelic therapy retreats and is currently a therapist-in-training. In this episode we talk about:
Creative Resources Mentioned:
Connect with Nadia: | |||
| 30 May 2024 | Ep 126: ft. Heather Eck on Synesthesia and Color Therapy | 00:43:56 | |
HEATHER ECK is a multimedia abstract artist and writer. Heather interprets people, places, and experiences through color, a condition known as synesthesia. Her work has been exhibited in more than 30 shows, and she offers an inspiring perspective on connecting healing through color, symbolism, and form. In this episode we discuss:
Creative Resources Mentioned:
Connect with Heather: THE CREATIVE SOUL RETREAT Apply for The Creative Soul Retreat by June 1st! Learn more here. | |||
| 04 Aug 2022 | Ep 93: ft. Natalie Calzadilla on Low Self Worth, Codependency, and How it Suppressed her Dreams of Being an Artist | 01:12:37 | |
Natalie Calzadilla, MBA is a Cuban-American T1D mom, mystic, illustrator, 1/1 NFT artist, and podcaster born and raised in Miami, FL. She teaches women how to connect to their inner knowing, experience divinity, and connect to their child-like wonder so they can feel empowered to face all of life’s situations and have the courage to be themselves. In this episode we talk about:
Creative Resources Mentioned:
Connect with Natalie: Website: nataliecalzadilla.com Podcast: Pachanga and Possibility Leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts and receive a free guided writing meditation! | |||
| 03 Mar 2022 | Ep 74: Is Social Media Helping or Hurting Us? | 00:38:36 | |
Tune into this candid conversation with Leya as she shares her decision to go off social media. With social media being so embedded in our daily life, how do we connect with our communities now that we’ve gone so digital? How much information is healthy for us to consume? Is social media keeping us from being present with what's real and true in our own lives? What is junk food creativity? While we have more questions than answers, if you've been feeling overwhelmed with the state of the world and social media isn't helping, tune into this episode. Connect with Leya: leyavandoren@gmail.com | |||
| 16 Sep 2021 | Ep 56: ft. Sydney Weiss on Navigating Burnout, True Rest, and Seek the Joy Podcast | 01:00:07 | |
Sydney Weiss is a lawyer and the creator, host, and producer of Seek The Joy Podcast, your go-to podcast for heartfelt storytelling and conversations on all things self-love, joy, connection, wellness and spirituality. Sydney’s greatest mission is to uplift and empower others to find their authentic voice, encourage them to step into their vulnerability and courage, all to seek their joy and bring about greater healing. In 2020, Sydney launched Stories of Inspiring Joy, a new space dedicated to sharing your stories, in your words. There is real power in storytelling, and when we come together around shared love, loss, laughter, joy and vulnerability, we build connection, create inspiration, and come together in community. We all have a story to share and a voice that is meant to be heard, and we want to share yours. In this episode, we talk about Sydney's journey to becoming both a lawyer and podcast host, navigating burnout, the different types of rest, the evolution of Seek the Joy and healing your voice through podcasting, and living in your purpose. Creative Resources Mentioned:
Connect with Sydney: | |||
| 25 Jun 2024 | Ep 128: The Spiritual Transformation from Maiden to Bride (+ Wedding Day Recap!) | 01:48:36 | |
In this special solo episode, Leya shares ALL the details about her wedding day on the first anniversary of her wedding! We talk about:
Enjoy and send to any friends who are getting married or have gotten married! Songs Mentioned:
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| 29 Feb 2024 | Ep 119: Creative Habits, Writing to Feel, and Friendship Breakups | 00:32:23 | |
In this solo episode, Leya shares the two intentions she made for 2024 and how sticking to her habits has created more stability, structure, and safety. We discuss:
DM @leyavandoren or email me at leyavandoren@gmail.com with the word "RETREAT" for more info on The Soul Radiance Retreat May 17-20th, 2024. The deadline to sign up is March 17th. Discover Your Creative Soul Playlist: Listen here. | |||
| 12 Jan 2023 | Ep 97: ft. Megan Leatherman on Aligning your Life & Career with Nature's Seasons | 00:59:00 | |
Megan Leatherman is a career coach, mother, writer, podcast host and amateur ecologist living in the Pacific Northwest. Through her nature-based and seasonal perspectives, she’s helped thousands of professionals reconnect to their strengths and to what deeply matters to them. She has a Master’s degree in conflict resolution, a background in Human Resources, and believes that our work can be a spiritual practice. In this episode we talk about:
Creative Resources Mentioned: Women Who Run With The Wolves by Clarissa Pinkola Estes Circle Round by Starhawk Meditation Teacher: Jessica Snow Martin Shaw The Living Myth Podcast by Michael Meade Connect with Megan: Website: www.awildnewwork.com Order her book: Winter at Work: Navigate Mystery and Cultivate New Vitality on your Vocational Journey Podcast: A Wild New Work | |||
| 15 Jul 2021 | Ep 47: ft. Kelly Collins on the Chakras and Living an Aligned Life | 01:06:40 | |
Kelly Collins is a yoga teacher and your “go-to” Spiritual Coach and Trusted Advisor to women who are burnt out, uninspired in their career or relationships and feel disconnected from their true selves. Kelly supports clients through a holistic life audit and provides actionable spiritual tools all while using her celebrated methodology Soul Spark ™. Within a month, clients have stronger relationships, feel more fulfilled in work, have a greater sense of self-trust, and report feeling a “special spark”. Kelly’s signature coaching has captured the attention of 3.5 million readers on her blog, Paleohacks.com, and her highly-regarded podcast Soul Spark with Kelly Collins. In this episode, Kelly shares about her spiritual awakening, going from fitness coach to yoga teacher, and gives us a masterclass on the chakra system. She goes through each chakra, sharing the energetics and qualities of each one, how to tell when it's out of balance, and how to bring it back to balance with self-care practices and mantras. Creative Resources Mentioned:
Connect with Kelly: www.kellycollinswellness.com @thesoulsparkpodcast | |||
| 12 Nov 2020 | Ep 12: ft. Florrie Bagel on Embodying Your Fullest Expression and Creating as Energy Exchanges | 00:54:46 | |
Florrie Bagel is a songbird artist who weaves with words, music, soul and wildflowers. She created Through the Smoke, an intimate cabaret evening honoring the wit, grit and jazz in the music of Amy Winehouse. She made her Broadway debut last year in The Rose Tattoo and has performed with City Center Encores! and National Tours. In this episode we go deep on how to use breath, movement, and sound to move through fear and creative blocks, release old stories, and choose the stories you want to tell. We talk about Florrie's Broadway debut in The Rose Tattoo, creating sacred spaces in her dressing room, and on performance as an energetic exchange. This episode is really helpful to anyone who deals with stage fright, performance anxiety, and more! Connect with Florrie: https://florriebagel.com/ Creative Resources Mentioned: International School of the Temple Arts | |||
| 24 Feb 2022 | Ep 73: Engagement Story and Relationship Q&A | 01:12:13 | |
In this special episode, Leya shares the story of her recent engagement to her fianceé, Paxton on 1/08/2022. She shares the story of how they met, their decision to get married, how the engagement happened, and answers questions from you! We also cover
Enjoy this special celebration of love and partnership! Write a review of the podcast and receive a free guided writing meditation: leyavandoren@gmail.com | |||
| 31 Dec 2020 | Ep 19: ft. Carly Valancy on Reaching Out, Building Habits, and Possibility | 00:51:51 | |
Carly is an artist, community builder, dot connector, softball player and slam poet. She is the founder of The Reach Out Party, a course where individuals with diverse minds and from seemingly disparate industries gather to cultivate connection, community and collaboration. She is a curious questioner, nuanced communicator and mind map lover who has experienced the power of reaching out every single business day since July 27, 2019, and because of it, has found a new world of possibility and new avenues to bring art to artless spaces In this episode we talk about cultivating habits, accountability fatigue, how to reach out to build community and connection, how reaching out helped her find her voice, imposter syndrome, the intersection between art & science, and how you can start reaching out TODAY for free! Connect with Carly: www.carlyvalancy.com @carlyvalancy Creative Resources Mentioned: Rachel Rodger's Podcast You Can't Stop Us - Nike Commercial Letters to a Young Artist by Anna Deveare Smith Moth Stories Ted Talk: Derek Sivers: How to Start a Movement | |||
| 30 Sep 2021 | Ep 58: ft. Sarah Mac on Entrepreneurship and Money Mindset for Creatives | 00:55:06 | |
Sarah Mac is a Creative Business Coach who supports creative entrepreneurs to hit 5-figure months in fun ways in their dream business. She helps her clients to share their unique gifts through powerful storytelling that magnetizes dream clients to their offers with ease. Originally from the UK, Sarah is now based in New York. She's also a songwriter and performer. In this episode, we talk about her experience doing a vipassana in India, entrepreneurship, how to balance personal life and entrepreneurship, money mindset, rewriting your own rules, and why artists should be making more money. Creative Resources Mentioned: Connect with Sarah: | |||
| 08 Oct 2020 | Ep 7: ft. Alicia Albright on Going Inward, a Career on Broadway, and Mermaids | 00:56:23 | |
Alicia Albright is an NYC based broadway performing artist, choreographer, creator, avid traveller and theatre dance/yoga/meditation and empowerment teacher and is starting her own company called The Feed Your Soul Project. She has appeared on Broadway as an original cast member and swing in Disney's Frozen the Musical, and was also as the Dance Captain/Swing of Wicked on Broadway. We talk about going inward to discover your creative soul, discerning between intuition and the mind, the lessons she learned performing on Broadway, and what being a mermaid means to us. Connect with Alicia: https://alicia-albright-njsj.squarespace.com/ Creative Resources Mentioned: Permission to Feel by Marc Brackett Finding Fred Podcast Chicken Soup from the Soul of Hawaii Journey of Souls by Michael Newton Signs by Laura Lynne Jackson When God Winks by Squire Rushnell | |||
| 02 Jan 2023 | Ep 96: SOLO 2022 Year in Review | 00:44:32 | |
Can you believe it's already 2023? Tune into the first solo episode of 2023 where Leya share some of the lessons and learnings from the last year. We talk about:
+ Leya shares a reading from a poem she wrote, a sacred offering and expression of her heart. Connect with Leya: | |||
| 16 May 2024 | Ep 125: What Nature Teaches Me about Creativity | 00:36:28 | |
Tune into this solo episode where Leya shares how she has developed a deep connection to nature, and what nature has taught her about her own creative soul. We discuss how nature and creativity are mirrors, connecting with our childhood self, and Leya shares personal stories about how plants got re-introduced in her life and how nature has inspired her. She also shares details, about The Creative Soul Retreat, happening July 26th-29th and invites you to attend to deepen your sense of connection to nature, and to yourself. For more info, email leyavandoren@gmail.com or message @leyavandoren on instagram. Website: Creative Soul Retreat | |||
| 04 Mar 2021 | Ep 28: ft. Kim Alexandrescu on Human Connection, End of Life Work, and Divine Inspiration | 00:54:02 | |
Kim Alexandrescu is the owner of Sacred Space Astoria, a yoga studio and healing center created to fully support your spiritual journey. Born in Michigan, she’s made New York City her home since 2006. A 200-hour yoga teacher since 2012, Kim is also a reiki master, Urban Zen Integrative Therapist, End-of-Life Companion and Mama to 3 awesome kids. In this episode we talk about end of life work and the lessons it has taught her, her own spiritual process of processing through the chakras, following your intuition, the process of creating her yoga studio, in person vs digital connection, and on motherhood and creativity. Creative Resources Mentioned: Gather by Octavia Raheem Deep Human Connection by Stephen Cope @josielewisart Connect with Kim: https://www.sacredspaceastoria.com/ @mindfulmama.nyc | |||
| 11 Feb 2021 | Ep 25: ft. Shauna Cummins on Hypnosis, Being an Artist of Your Life, and Her New Book, Wishcraft | 00:44:44 | |
Shauna Cummins is a Hypnosis Practitioner and Trainer, board certified through the National Guild of Hypnotists in 2012. She is the author of Wishcraft: A Guide to Manifesting a Positive Future and Founder of The Divine Feminine School of Hypnosis. Her work as a hypnotist and performance artist has been showcased worldwide at The Center for Contemporary Art in Glasgow, Scotland, The Queens Museum of NYC, Borealis Music Festival, Norway, Obonjan Island, Croatia, The National Gallery of Denmark and in publications such as The Independent, YAHOO news, NYLON, BUST, Refinery 29, and in the Jet Blue documentary HUMANKINDA among others. She maintains a private practice in NYC at The Center for Integrative Hypnosis. In this episode, we talk about the difference between hypnosis, meditation, and manifestation, how to use hypnosis to engage your imagination in a creative way, what drew her to hypnosis, a simple wishcraft ritual to cultivate a loving relationship with yourself, and the process of writing and releasing her new book, Wishcraft. Creative Resources Mentioned: Take a nature walk Connect with Shauna: http://www.shaunacummins.com/ Get the book: http://www.shaunacummins.com/book | |||
| 05 Dec 2024 | Ep 140: Self-Care for Eco Anxiety with Rachael Cohen | 00:55:53 | |
Rachael Cohen is a spiritual guide, space holder, Nature connector, intuitive activator, energy transformer and author. She is the creator and founder of Infinite Succulent and Our Infinite Nature. When her experiences as an environmental educator, wild animal specialist and mother left her anxious and distraught over society’s destruction of Nature, Rachael learned to cultivate a creative relationship with plants and Nature that transformed her life and awakened her spiritual gifts. In this episode, we talk about:
Connect with Rachael: Website: ourinfinitenature.co Instagram: @ourinfinitenaturerachael Rachaels Books:
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| 22 Apr 2021 | Ep 35: ft. Malorine Mathurin on the Akashic Records, Developing your Psychic Gifts, and Intuitive Astrology | 00:41:27 | |
Malorine Mathurin is an Intuitive Astrologer who uses her clairvoyant, clairsentient, and clairaudient skills in her Akashic Records, Tarot, Numerology, and Divination readings to help her clients. Malorine has studied various forms of Divination and spirituality through her Caribbean roots and ancestry and is a self-taught Astrologer and Cartomancer with over 25 years experience. Malorine has been featured in Mind Body Green as one of the 40+ black spiritual thought leaders to follow and learn from. In this episode we talk about how she discovered and developed her psychic gifts, growing up in the Caribbean community in New York, the akashic records: what it is, how to access it, and why you might consult it, past lives, the different clair senses, and spiritual fatigue and how she decompresses. Creative Resources Mentioned:
Connect with Malorine: @moonladyastrology Book a reading: 130moonlady@gmail.com | |||
| 08 Aug 2024 | Ep 131: ft. Anat Peri on Inner Child Healing and Feeling your Feelings | 01:05:36 | |
Anat Peri is an Inner-Child Healing Expert in the coaching and wellness space whose background blends traditional healing arts and modern psychology, with somatic and inner-child reparenting techniques that have enabled her to guide hundreds of practitioners, business owners, and their teams, through her TCS Method. In this episode we talk about:
Connect with Anat: Website: https://trainingcampforthesoul.com/ Instagram: @anat.peri | |||
| 10 Jun 2021 | Ep 42: Spirituality - My Personal Journey & Awakenings | 00:58:28 | |
In this month's solo episode, Leya goes deep and shares about her personal journey with spirituality. She explores religion vs spirituality, her experience living on an ashram as a teenager, how she got introduced to yoga and meditation, studying yoga in India, traveling to Bali and Thailand, plant medicine, therapy, and lessons in staying present and expanding our consciousness. Creative Resources Mentioned:
Connect with Leya: @leyavandoren www.leyavandoren.com | |||
| 29 Aug 2024 | Ep 133: On Loving and Letting Go of our Creative Dreams | 01:30:01 | |
In this solo episode, Leya shares her personal experience with her first creative love - the theater, and how she navigated heartbreak, rejection, and letting go of her dreams. We talk about:
This is a beautiful heart warming episode for any creative who has ever loved the arts, has faced rejection, and still keeps going! Resources Mentioned: Ep 57: On Identity, Home, and Creativity as a Practice of Presence Connect with Leya: | |||
| 18 Feb 2021 | Ep 26: How to Find Inspiration Anywhere & Everywhere | 00:12:18 | |
Are you the type of creative that only creates when you're inspired? What do you do when you don't feel inspired? In this episode, I share a mini message on inspiration and how to find inspiration anywhere and everywhere. I define the two different types of inspiration and share three ways you can find endless wells of inspiration. Creative Resources Mentioned: SparkFile - Susan Blackwell & Laura Camien Lubalin: Random Internet Drama Connect with Leya: https://www.instagram.com/leyavandoren/ | |||
| 21 Jan 2021 | Ep 22: What is a Creativity Circle? | 00:36:08 | |
In this special solo episode, Leya explains what is a creativity circle, where the idea came from, the meaning behind the "circle" and what makes it sacred, and the four pillars that guide Leya's creativity workshops. Then, she guides us through a mini creativity circle - complete with a guided meditation and writing prompts. Make sure you listen to this episode someplace where you can get comfortable and grab something to write with. Creative Resources Mentioned: The Circle Way Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer Attend a Creativity Circle: https://www.the-modernmermaid.com/offerings Connect with Leya: https://www.instagram.com/the_modernmermaid/ | |||
| 06 May 2021 | Ep 37: ft. Rachael Ferrera on Following the Unknown Path, The Power of Breath, and Discovering Portals to your Creativity | 00:51:35 | |
Rachael Ferrera is a Certified Reiki Practitioner, Life Guide, and Spiritual Teacher. Founder of the Align & Shine movement, Rachael specializes in helping ambitious artists, creatives, and multi-passionates to level-up their lives and careers by learning to deeply love themselves, trust their intuition, and follow their unique paths. Rachael is also an artist who believes in the powerful intersection of mindfulness and creativity. She is an actress and singer who originated a role on Broadway, has performed on the Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, and can be seen on Netflix. In this episode we talk about how to remove obstacles to your creativity, how to deal with “should’s” and “supposed tos” as a creative, how saying NO to Harvard and saying YES to the path of the unknown led Rachael to where she is today, her love for reiki, the power of breath, and discovering portals to your creativity. Creative Resources Mentioned: Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert Connect with Rachael: Website: effortlesseasecoaching.com Instagram: instagram.com/therachaelferrera Free Align & Shine Facebook Group: facebook.com/groups/effortlesseasecoaching | |||
| 14 Jan 2021 | Ep 21: ft. Madeline Sayet on Story Medicine, Indigenous Theater, and Multi-Disciplinary Artistry | 00:47:07 | |
Madeline Sayet is a citizen of the Mohegan Tribe and Executive Director of the Yale Indigenous Performing Arts Program. For her work as a theater maker she has been honored as a Forbes 30Under30, TED Fellow, and recipient of The White House Champion of Change Award from President Obama. In this episode, we talk about how growing up with both Mohegan stories and Shakespeare shaped her, the responsibility of storytelling, the tenants of good theater, the process of writing and performing her solo show in Shakespeare's Globe, exploring the sacredness of theater, and being a multi-disciplinary artist. Creative Resources Mentioned: Ty Defoe Tara Moses Vera Starbard Perseverance Theater Melissa Tantaquidgeon Zobel Connect with Madeline: https://www.madelinesayet.com/ | |||
| 07 Oct 2021 | Ep 59: How Solo Travel Will Change Your LIfe | 00:47:33 | |
In this episode, Leya shares fun, personal stories about what she learned from the past month traveling solo through Mexico! She shares what led her to start solo traveling, the benefits of solo travel, what she learned from taking her first in-person yoga class since pre-pandemic, how a practice helps you evolve, developing perspective, and what the Basilica of Guadalupe taught her about meaning. | |||
| 28 Oct 2021 | Ep 62: ft. Sarah Van Doren on Motherhood and Mental Health | 00:52:31 | |
In this episode, I get to talk with my sister, Sarah Van Doren. Sarah is the mother to two beautiful boys and lives in New York City. We talk about what it was like growing up in a huge, unique, artistic family, what doing ballet full-time as a child taught her about life, what she didn't expect about motherhood, the difference between her first and second pregnancy, post-partum anxiety, and the spirituality of being a parent. Creative Resources Mentioned: The Wisdom of Anxiety by Sheryl Nissinen Connect with Sarah | |||
| 19 Aug 2021 | Ep 52: ft. Nicole Gulotta on The Writing Life, Creative Cycles, and Yoga Nidra | 00:51:27 | |
NICOLE GULOTTA is the author of Wild Words: Rituals, Routines, and Rhythms for Braving the Writer’s Path and Eat This Poem: A Literary Feast of Recipes Inspired by Poetry, which was inspired by her blog of the same name. Her winning poetry chapbook, Migration, was published by Flyway: A Journal of Writing and Environment at Iowa State University. As the founder of the Wild Words community, she helps fellow writers embrace the season they’re in, create at their own pace, and care for their minds and bodies along the way. Nicole holds an MFA in poetry from Vermont College of Fine Arts and her writing has appeared in Life & Thyme, LitHub, Motherwell, The Write Life, The Portland Review, Georgetown Review, and others. As a Daring to Rest™ yoga nidra facilitator, she guides women to feel both physically rested and tapped into their creative potential. In this episode we talk about how to write in the margins, how to stay organized as a writer, the story of how she got her first book deal, how motherhood taught her to work within her seasons and cycles, writing rituals from her book, Wild Words, what to do with your old journals, and how yoga nidra can be a tool for your writing practice. Creative Resources Mentioned:
Connect with Nicole: | |||
| 25 Mar 2021 | Ep 31: ft. Jessica Soares on Self-Sovereignty, Fear of Success, and Tarot as a Creative Practice | 00:45:29 | |
Jessica Soares is an empowerment and self-sovereignty coach specializing in helping women overcome the fear of success and learn how to use their emotions to build a life by design rather than default. She is all about the doing and works to get people from the awareness stage into aligned action. She is also an actor and writer, wildly passionate about bringing original stories to the big screen. Dance floors are her church, she loves ice cream, and she hates mushrooms (except the magic kind) In this episode, we talk about how to overcome the fear of success, the parallels between acting and coaching, on being a storyteller, how to cultivate your creative toolkit, movement as meditation, becoming a clear channel, self-sovereignty and discernment, and how she uses tarot for her creative practice. Creative Resources Mentioned:
Connect with Jessica: https://www.jessicasoarescoaching.com/ https://www.uneditedvoices.com/ Sign up for Discover Your Creative Soul https://leyavandoren.com/ | |||
| 10 Sep 2020 | Ep 2: ft. Ameya Ajay on the Freedom to Follow your Passions and Mixing Art & Business on Instagram | 00:42:46 | |
Ameya Ajay is an artist, designer, musician, photographer, writer, and entrepreneur living in Melbourne, Australia. In this episode, she shares her thoughts on how to follow your passions, how to navigate being a multi-passionate creative, and how to turn your passions into a career! Follow @ameyasrealm on Instagram and check out her incredible poetry books, cosmic cards, and cosmic art. Follow her band @KeaperMusic and stay tuned for their upcoming EP! Creative Resources Ameya Mentions: The Secret Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle Untethered Soul by Michael Singer Power vs. Force by David Hawkins 2001: A Space Odyssey | |||
| 17 Sep 2020 | Ep 4: ft. Taylor Fagins on Creating Art for Social Change, Writing as Healing, and Unfinished Projects | 00:52:21 | |
Taylor Fagins is a writer and storyteller. Through music, scripts, books, and speeches, he tells the story of the human experience from every lens possible. In this episode, we talk about his writing process, being a black artist in America, recording new songs on voice memos, the positive and negative feedback he got from his new song, We Need More, what to do when you have too many ideas, his experience working at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, and more. https://www.taylorfagins.com/ "We Need More" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BDf2Yl3nSmY Taylor & Leya's duet: "Run Away With Me" https://youtu.be/C6L-3etM8wA Creative Resources Mentioned: Writing Better Lyrics by Pat Pattison King of the World by Jason Robert Brown | |||