(5/1) A WORD TO THE HEART

Poetry as an act of resilience. Poetry as an act of activism. If that isn't part of how you kick off a Season 5 slate, are you even doing it right? We had the incredible honor of having Richmond, Virginia's inaugural poet laureate, Douglas Powell, in the studio! Douglas, AKA Roscoe Burnems, who is an educator, a parent, an author, and an entertainer, unsurprisingly brought a ton to the table to discuss!

You can find out more about Roscoe and what we discussed here: 

roscoeburnems.com
defyne // roscoe's latest book
rewriting masculinity // TEDx talk

(4/19) AN EMPATHETIC EXCELLENCE

We both met guest Erin Riley two decades ago and though we were not who we are today, even then, we sensed immediately that she was destined for great things. Our hunch is no attempt at taking credit for all she's accomplished—which is a ton, including her current role as CEO of TBWA\Chiat\Day United States. This conversation was a lively run through: the power of diverse views, mothers who CEO, keeping groundbreaking creative as a mission in a quickly changing world, and the benefits of colliding intelligence and daring, parenting and corporate leadership, empathy and excellence! It was an honor to have Erin as our last guest of Season 4, and it's a must-listen for anyone involved in, well, anything!

(4/18) A FUTURE TO LOOK FORWARD TO

Guest Katya Moorman has always loved beautiful things—and as you'll hear, she wasn't afraid to "find" them. Armed with that appreciation and an eye for what moves youth, she casually thrust herself into NYC's fashion scene and then into a life-changing pivot: sustainable fashion and the co-creation of No Kill Magazine. Per usual, we covered a ton in a short period of time. Thankfully, we've got the links below for you to dig into it all even deeper!

https://www.nokillmag.com/
https://www.instagram.com/nokillmag/
book To Dye For
https://www.amazon.com/Dye-Toxic-Fashion-Making-Sick/dp/0593422619
Creatives for Climate
https://www.creativesforclimate.co/
Purpose Disruptors
https://www.purposedisruptors.org/
The True Cost Movie
https://truecostmovie.com/
Other Info
https://www.fashionscapes.co.uk/films

(4/17) CONSTRUCTIVE CONFLICT

"Difficult conversations are opportunities in disguise, if you know how to have one." Hard to put it better than guest Natalie Garramone has. It might be worth your time to take the conflict style test linked here before listening, or listen and then take it—bottom line: we ALL have a ton to learn and a real opportunity for more peaceful, constructive professional and personal lives via the practices, observations, and wisdom that Natalie employs with her conflict resolution venture ONE EIGHTY.

Take the conflict style quiz here: Conflict Styles Assessment

You can also connect with Natalie via the following links:
Natalie on LinkedIn
ONE EIGHTY on LinkedIn

(4/16) MORE GRACE MORE JOY

Dr. Picara Vassallo helps people with stress-related health issues that manifest physically, emotionally, or spiritually. The why and the how are tucked neatly into this enlightening conversation we had with her. As two people who spend a lot of time thinking about various forms of healing, we'll be the first to say that we added so much more to our own toolkits in real-time, thanks to the journey Dr. Picara has undertaken!

For more on the topics we covered, visit the following links:

Thea Elijah, acupuncturist, herbalist and Sufi healer
Dr. Ibrahim Jaffe, MD, Sufi spiritual healer
Dr. Elaine Aron's website on Highly Sensitive People
Dr. Gabor Mate, MD - learn more about the Bio-Psycho-Social aspects of healing. He's also an expert on addiction, trauma, and childhood development.  

(4/15) GONNA BE A BLAST

Animator and Show Creator C.H. Greenblatt came by the KWVH studios to share his journey with us, which includes parlaying a lifelong love of cartoons and television into a decorated career creating animated series for Nickelodeon, Cartoon Network, and more. The hour was so much more than a how-to. Within his story, we came across some themes that are dear to us, and well, there are a lot of reasons to listen to this show, chiefly, like the man himself used to say to Peter on the regular, it was a blast!

(4/14) NOTHING NEW

Jess Brown is the absolute right person to run designer brand House Of JX and living proof that eye-on-the-prize has no set timeline. After all, there's so much to see and do in the world, and Jess has done and seen a ton. Some of which wasn't great to discover—but the extra fire she needed to know the time was right for her 100% circular fashion accessories company to storm the world. This was an eye-opening conversation about sobriety, impulse, intuition, and the human experience. Enjoy.

(4/13) BEHIND THE SEEN

Our conversation with music industry veteran Beau Colburn wasn’t so much about how to make it in the music business itself as it was about identifying your passion, doing what you can to surround yourself with what and who interests you, and then boldly raising your hand to ask questions or pitch in. As always, we found ourselves spinning off into many other interesting topics for a show you can't help but love. Promise. 

(4/12) LIVING ON THE EDGE OF TIME

One could sit across from writer/author Josh Epperson and talk about many, many things. Such is the way with multifaceted, huge thinkers who've arrived where they stand via atypical pathways. And we did! Our conversation with him covered a lot, including his thoughts and ideas around getting a hold of our choices so that we can take our lives where we want them to go. His book, Living on the Edge of Time, is an efficient must-read for anyone, at any stage, who practices or wishes to practice a framework that aligns every new day with your authentic self.

To learn more about Josh and the topics we covered, visit these links:
Website: josheppersonwrites.com
Book Instagram: @edgeoftimebook

(4/11) OPEN TO HOPE

Colette Kenny Verdes' journey into grief work as a therapist is a powerful story, but it wasn't always a happy one. Her experiences have left her uniquely qualified and passionate about helping others navigate trauma. A full life with boundless love for others comes with grief. No one is immune. In this wonderfully rich conversation, we cover Colette's origin story before diving into the practices and rituals she and other grief counselors employ so that we may honor our loved ones while taking good care of ourselves.

***Dear listeners, pregnancy loss is integral to this episode's conversation. While we feel it is essential to make discussions around grief and recovery from pregnancy loss more common, we also understand that, for some, the topic is too painful.

To learn more about Colette and the things we discussed, consider visiting the following links:

Noe Sage Counseling & Consulting
Instagram
Linkedin Profile
Grief Resources
Pregnancy Loss Group
Grow Therapy
Psychology Today
MISS Foundation
Certified Grief Educator
STAR Legacy Foundation Video
Open to Hope Author

(4/10) WE’RE ALL MAD HERE

One of our absolutely very favorite people to ever soberize (trademark pending), Reid Miller, joined us to share a bit about his recovery from addiction and to talk about what goes into his sober lifestyle. Reid is a decorated New York City advertising veteran who most recently co-founded the agency 3 Mad Fish. More importantly, he's a genuinely kind person who, even as a drunk, has always sought out ways to tame his demons (some utterly outrageous, too). We always have a blast talking to other former addicts—and this hour was no exception!

(4/9) DREAM A BIG SCARY DREAM

Confronted with any opportunity, former President and Managing Director of Wieden + Kennedy, Jess Monsey, asks herself: will this bring me light? Will this bring me joy? If it does? She follows those things. Her incredible enthusiasm and optimism have always been pointed at unearthing goodness and good things and passionately championing them. And lucky us (all of us), Jess has moved into some fantastic new directions, including working as an Executive Coach for Creative Leaders and Entrepreneurs, while also putting her talents toward helping people—young and old—lean hard into what brings them the most joy. It was an absolute pleasure to have her on the show!

(4/8) PUTTING THE WE BACK IN WELL

This hour with Ashley Williams, a Mind-Body Therapist and Wellness Educator, is truly "a something amazing for everyone experience." With BareSOUL Yoga and Wellness and The Well Collective, Ashley has put the power of her journey through the fields of education, behavioral and mental health, and community programming to work, creating accessible mind-body offerings and a multicultural community space that centers intergenerational well-being, restorative practices, healing modalities, and education. If you aren't in Richmond, Virginia, this conversation is an excellent quick-hit alternative to enriching your journey with her immediately! 

Learn more about Ashley and the work she does at the following links:
https://www.iamashleywilliams.com/
https://www.thewellcollective.space/
https://www.baresoulyoga.com/
Ashley Williams on LinkedIn

(4/7) AFRAID FOR A LIVING

Author Johnny Compton came by the KWVH studios for a second visit! It's been about a year since the release of his critically acclaimed debut novel The Spite House and there was plenty we wanted to ask about the ride since. Shenanigans is the word he used—and we covered his and so much more—including a little tease of his forthcoming novel Devils Kill Devils. At WWKWWD, we don't play favorites—but we don't mind telling you we absolutely love Johnny, his mind, and the way he so graciously moves through this world!

(4/6) BEING A COPYWRITER DOESN’T HURT

At WWKWWD, we love a good career trajectory deviation. Steph Price’s one-way ticket to Port-au-Prince to help Haitians after the 2010 earthquake is one of our favorites. Before she was Head of Creative Strategy & Verbal Identity at co:collective, and before she was the Executive Director of EIM Haiti, Steph Price was a creative in New York’s advertising industry looking to make a difference and wondering, as so many have, “What else can I do with these skills?” The short answer? So so much. This conversation with her is all the proof you need. 

To find out more about the organizations Steph works with, visit these links:
EIM Haiti
co:collective

(4/5) EVERYONE LOVES A TRASHY STORY

Liz Picarazzi, founder of CITIBIN and a serial entrepreneur, had a ton-ton-TON to share with us about what is possible in the service of authentic self and bringing huge ideas to life to better the world. Fostering her intense curiosity has, at times, been obsessive (see Russia). Still, that same huge spirit of inquiry saw her evaluate and change a life that was working "just fine" to turn it into a life beyond her wildest dreams.

(4/4) A MORE EQUITABLE THEATRE

Desirée Dabney, Head of Musical Theatre at VCU, joined us for a lightning-quick hour on performing, directing, teaching, musical theatre, and the effect she and those disciplines have had on her personally and on others. The arts move us all, and therefore, the arts belong to us all and should include everyone! Her journey and the ripple effect it's had on so many is an inspiration, and it was an honor to have her on.

To learn more about Desirée Dabney, check out these links:
https://arts.vcu.edu/community/vcuarts-faculty-and-staff/directory/desiree-dabney/
https://www.facebook.com/theatredivaproductions?mibextid=2JQ9oc

(4/3) FIND YOUR GREATNESS

“I get to have conversations where you hear a tear in the space-time continuum.” Yes. Yes. Yes! If that doesn't hook you into this episode with Sarah Watson—life and career coach, and so much more—trust us, there's plenty more to feast on. From "self-remembering" to "identifying your superpower," Sarah is brilliantly efficient at leaving you peacefully aware of what inspires you and ready for action. No cape necessary. 

(4/2) A NECESSARY EDUCATION

Citizen Scientists. Possibilitiests (Peter's new word). An Environmental Stewardship School! This is the tip of the iceberg in this episode with Blanco River Academy's Kristie Kimbell (Director) and Kelley Shand (Faculty). We love exposing listeners to different types of learning, programs, schools, and educational philosophies because we've seen how the right fit bolsters confidence, achievement, and more. There's no one-size-fits-all in schooling, and we're grateful they stopped by to share their approach!

Have a listen and learn more about Blanco River Academy in Wimberley, TX, here:

https://www.blancoriveracademy.org/

(4/1) EVERY DROP COUNTS

The title says it all. Doug Bennett, one of the masterminds behind turning Las Vegas into a global leader in water conservation and education, was gracious enough to stop by the Wimberley Valley Radio studios for a chat. He shared a ton of positive information: What he's learned, what can be done privately and publicly, and what to expect moving forward as we all put increased attention to protecting the water we use for drinking, agriculture, our recreation/economy, and infrastructure. We hope you enjoy this important hour as much as we did!

Find out more about Doug Bennet and water management and conservation here:

Doug Bennett on LinkedIn
How Sin City Finally Learned to Sustain Itself
Alliance For Water Efficiency