I am soooo excited to bring you this conversation, a Roundtable with the Rebels for Peace leaders!

Here’s how Zoom summarized the conversation…

In this Roundtable, Rebels for Peace Prince Jimmar, Logan Griggs-Mitchell, Devlin Chestang and Melina Navarette explored the concept of peace and its impact on their personal and professional lives, sharing their experiences before and after joining the organization.

The team discussed the importance of being rebels for the right reasons and how their work with youth in Chicago has transformed their own lives and perspectives.

They also shared their visions for expanding Rebels for Peace nationwide and worldwide, emphasizing the need for social-emotional learning and creativity in education.

The conversation highlighted the team's commitment to empowering youth and creating positive change in their community.

Nuts & Bolts

Find Rebels for Peace in Instagram by clicking here, and in Facebook by clicking here.

Hear more deeply from each Rebel: Here you can find each of our individual conversations, Melina Navarette’s here, Devlin Chestang’s here, Prince Jimmar’s here, and Logan Griggs-Mitchell’s here.

Thank you for being here!

Invitations to Play

* I’m offering online workshops throughout 2026, and an in-person retreat here in Maine in September - see more at https://kaylockkolp.com/events

* If community is something you value, consider joining Dreamers & Doers. Here is where you can check it out: https://www.skool.com/dreamers-and-doers-8465/about

* Connect with me to talk about coaching or facilitation

* Or, apply to work 1-1 with me (currently waitlisted)

Cheers and lots of love to you today!

Art Creativity & Wellbeing is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit kaylockkolp.substack.com/subscribe

Today I’m speaking with Melina Navarrete, Lead Facilitator, Lead Bilingual Facilitator, and Lead Trainer for Rebels for Peace. I am SO excited to share this one with you!

Here is how Zoom summarized our conversation, I think it did a pretty good job..

Melina shared her personal mental health journey, including struggles with depression and anxiety during high school, hospitalizations, and how she found healing and purpose through her work with Rebels for Peace after completing an internship there.

She discussed how the organization helped her feel supported and valued, leading to a permanent role where she now helps train new interns and facilitate programs for youth.

The conversation explored themes of self-care, family dynamics around mental health, and the importance of letting others grow independently rather than trying to solve all their problems.

They also discussed the metaphor of carrying "security items" for dreams and aspirations, with Melina sharing her vision list of 400 goals and her Bible as key items she keeps with her.

Nuts & Bolts

Find Melina in LinkedIn by clicking here.

Find Rebels for Peace in Instagram by clicking here, and in Facebook by clicking here.

Next up: Our Rebels for Peace Roundtable! Get pumped with each of our individual conversations, Melina’s here in this space, Devlin Chestang’s here, Prince Jimmar’s here, and Logan Griggs-Mitchell’s here.

Thank you for being here <3

Invitations to Play

* I’m offering online workshops throughout 2026, and an in-person retreat here in Maine in September - see more at https://kaylockkolp.com/events

* If community is something you value, consider joining Dreamers & Doers. Here is where you can check it out: https://www.skool.com/dreamers-and-doers-8465/about

* Connect with me to talk about coaching or facilitation

* Or, apply to work 1-1 with me (currently waitlisted)

Cheers and lots of love to you today!

Art Creativity & Wellbeing is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit kaylockkolp.substack.com/subscribe

Get ready for a quickie meditation today! I take you to your very own beautiful deserted island, and we spend the majority of this episode exploring there.

If you'd like to explore some more, you are cordially invited to this Monday's workshop, That Time You Found Yourself on a Deserted Island:

In a lovely spot on the island you’re hanging out on, you find a letter that the Universe wrote to you.

What does it say?

Come find out.

60 minutes; Monday, May 18, 2026, 6 PM Eastern; via Zoom, link sent prior to the workshop. $34, or $21 for Dreamers & Doers members.

Find out more/register: https://kaylockkolp.com/events

Hope to see you there!

Cheers and much love, Kay

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit kaylockkolp.substack.com/subscribe

As we go through this magical series of conversations with the leaders of the Rebels for Peace, I just keep feeling more and more inspired… Hope you enjoy this one!

Here’s the Zoom summary…

In this heartfelt conversation, Kay interviewed Devlin Chestang, the Lead Youth Facilitator at Rebels for Peace, about his personal journey and his work with young people in Chicago.

Devlin shared his challenging upbringing, including growing up in a single-parent household and dealing with undiagnosed ADHD, which led to him being labeled as a "bad kid" in school.

He described how a close friend's death in 2021 inspired him to pursue his creative passions, leading to a career in multimedia and eventually to his current role at Rebels for Peace.

Devlin discussed his approach to teaching and mentoring young people, emphasizing the importance of creating safe spaces for them to express themselves and overcome the stigmas they face.

He also shared his personal philosophy of "knowing myself, trusting my intuition, and taking accountability," which he uses to navigate his busy life balancing his work at Rebels with his own creative projects.

The conversation concluded with Devlin offering insights on how society can better support young people, including reducing assumptions, combating consumerism, and breaking down labels that separate individuals.

Nuts & Bolts

Find Devlin in LinkedIn by clicking here.

Find Rebels for Peace in Instagram by clicking here, and in Facebook by clicking here.

Next up: Rebels for Peace Lead Trainer, Lead Facilitator, and Lead Bilingual Facilitator Melina Navarette.

Thank you for being here <3

Invitations to Play

* I’m offering online workshops throughout 2026, and an in-person retreat here in Maine in September - see more at https://kaylockkolp.com/events

* If community is something you value, consider joining Dreamers & Doers. Here is where you can check it out: https://www.skool.com/dreamers-and-doers-8465/about

* Connect with me to talk about coaching or facilitation

* Or, apply to work 1-1 with me (currently waitlisted)

Cheers and lots of love to you today!

Art Creativity & Wellbeing is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit kaylockkolp.substack.com/subscribe

Hello lovely, I challenged myself to a short and sweet episode that shares what feels true for me in this moment. I hope it finds you well <3

* May’s Hug Yourself excerpt is coming for supporters. This month it’s about one of the most important self care practices I use. Can’t wait to share!

* I’m offering online workshops throughout 2026, and an in-person retreat here in Maine in September - see more at https://kaylockkolp.com/events

* If community is something you value, consider joining Dreamers & Doers. Here is where you can check it out: https://www.skool.com/dreamers-and-doers-8465/about

Cheers and lots of love from me!

Art Creativity & Wellbeing is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit kaylockkolp.substack.com/subscribe

WHAT a conversation we get to experience today! Rebels for Peace Co-Founder and Executive Director Prince Jimmar joins me to share deeply about his own journey, and how connected his journey is with the beautiful organization he now leads.

Growing up, Prince felt cast into roles that were the opposite of how he knew himself to be. Hearing him share about breaking free of those roles, it becomes clear how inevitable Rebels for Peace was. How inevitable that Prince found a way to serve and support from his full and open heart.

Over the coming weeks we’ll get to spend time with several of Prince’s Rebels for Peace team (we heard last time from Program Coordinator and Lead Facilitator Logan Griggs-Mitchell), and we will wind up the series with a Roundtable. What fun!

Hope you enjoy this wonderful conversation about choosing with awareness the roles that we inhabit. Choosing to love ourselves and then seeing what gets created from there… and taking a deep dive into the magnificent co-creation today's guest has co-founded and grown.

Nuts & Bolts

Find Prince in Instagram by clicking here, and in Facebook by clicking here.

Find Rebels for Peace in Instagram by clicking here, and in Facebook by clicking here.

Next up: Rebels for Peace Youth Leader and Facilitator Devlin Chestang.

Thank you for being here!

Invitations to Play

I am offering a series of workshops throughout 2026! They are designed to help you feel aligned and alive.

Learn more and register at my events page.

Come to the retreat that I’m hosting in September

Or, hear more about it

Come be in company with some like-minded souls in the Dreamers and Doers Online Community

Connect with me to talk about coaching or facilitation

Or, apply to work 1-1 with me

Cheers!

Love, Kay

Art Creativity & Wellbeing is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit kaylockkolp.substack.com/subscribe

I'm so excited to bring you this conversation with Logan Griggs-Mitchell, Lead Facilitator and Program Coordinator of Rebels for Peace, a youth-led nonprofit on Chicago's South Side. The Rebels for Peace support kids to "let their environment be a product of them,” rather than feeling like they're stuck being a product of their environment.

Over the coming weeks we'll get to spend time with several of Logan's colleagues in Rebels for Peace, and we will wind up the series with a Roundtable conversation.

Today, settle in for a wonderful conversation about fostering resiliency beginning at very young ages; the simple and joyful ways that Rebels for Peace brings in the money that fuels their programs; and what it really looks like to build trust with kids who so often get discounted or pushed away.

Thank you for being here!

Nuts & Bolts

Find Logan in LinkedIn by clicking here.

Learn more about Rebels for Peace by clicking here.

Next up: Rebels for Peace Co-Founder and Executive Director Prince Jimmar.

Invitations to Play with Coach Kay

Learn more and register at my events page.

Come to the retreat that I’m hosting in September

Or, hear more about it

Come be in company with some like-minded souls in the Dreamers and Doers Online Community

Connect with me to talk about coaching or facilitation

Or, apply to work 1-1 with me

Cheers!

Love, Kay

Art Creativity & Wellbeing is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit kaylockkolp.substack.com/subscribe

Once I began reflecting on the verbs that got me into trouble as a kid, I got curious about two things:

First, how might these verbs show me myself as I am now?

And second, what are your verbs?

Zoom Summary:

In this episode of Art, Creativity, and Wellbeing, Kay Lock Kolp discussed the concept of identifying and examining "verbs" as a way to understand behavior, curiosity, and interests. Drawing from her experience as an early childhood educator and personal reflections on her health journey, Kay explained how focusing on verbs can help people reconnect with activities that bring joy and well-being. She shared how certain behaviors that were once seen as problematic, such as talking excessively or creating art, can be reclaimed as positive aspects of life. Kay announced a series of upcoming workshops focused on various themes including favorite verbs, creativity, and well-being, with the first workshop "A Few of Your Favorite Verbs" scheduled for April 27th.

Invitations

Upcoming workshop: A Few of Your Favorite Verbs

Learn more and register at my events page.

Come to the retreat that I’m hosting in September

Or, hear more about it

Come be in company with some like-minded souls

Connect with me to talk about coaching or facilitation

Or, apply to work 1-1 with me

Thank you for being here with me. Cheers!

Love, Kay

Art Creativity & Wellbeing is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit kaylockkolp.substack.com/subscribe

What an interesting podcasting experiment, to return to the same subject matter once each month and see what shows up.

March was a wild ride, in the way that whitewater rafting is. See below for links that come up today, and the invitations I'm offering now.

Also, click here - my homepage in Substack - for the portrait I painted of Jesse, at the Butterhorn Bakery in Frisco, Colorado, last week. You'll find it at Episode 474, it's called The Fluffy Seedheads of Potential, Days of Creation 2026, Part 3/12.

Thank you for being here with me. I’m glad to be here with you.

Love, Kay

Nuts & Bolts

Days of Creation 2026: Read about – and play along at – the Days of Creation 2026 game (that this episode is about) by clicking here.

View Art Creativity & Wellbeing in YouTube here, find it in your favorite podcast app, or subscribe below so it shows up right into your inbox.

Invitations

Come to the retreat that I’m hosting in September

Or, hear more about it

Come be in company with some like-minded souls

Connect with me to talk about coaching or facilitation

Or, apply to work 1-1 with me

Cheers!

Art Creativity & Wellbeing is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit kaylockkolp.substack.com/subscribe

3 A’s Framework for Aliveness

Kay discussed the final portion of a series on aliveness, focusing on the “3 A’s” framework which includes awareness, acceptance, and agency. She explained how agency represents growth that continues beyond these stages, creating a spiral of ongoing development and self-understanding. Kay mentioned that the podcast, which has over 470 episodes, is approaching its 11th birthday in May and is available on the Substack platform.

Agency and Feeling Alive

Kay discussed the concept of agency and its relationship to feeling alive, explaining how the words “disconnected,” “exhausted,” and “fearful” represent states before having awareness, acceptance, and agency respectively. She outlined the three components of agency as courage, choice, and creativity, using examples like a woodpecker’s creative problem-solving and the idea that people always make their best choice at any moment. Kay encouraged listeners to reflect on times when they demonstrated courage, made choices, or acted creatively, emphasizing that these actions are fundamental to experiencing agency and feeling alive.

Agency and Control Diagram Discussion

Kay discussed the opposite side of a diagram representing missing agency, focusing on feelings of overwhelm, paralysis, and suffering that arise when individuals don’t feel in control. She encouraged participants to reflect on when they feel most agency and invited them to use the chart as a tool for self-reflection when facing challenges. Kay shared a personal example of how the diagram helped her during a morning walk, demonstrating how it can provide clarity and guidance in navigating difficult situations.

Dynamic Aliveness and Money Perspectives

Kay discussed the dynamic nature of aliveness and shared insights from the book “Love Money, Money Loves You,” which describes money as beings that observe and facilitate human requests. Kay noted how people often panic when positive changes begin to happen, thinking they cannot handle the new experiences, but emphasized that they actually can manage these changes. The discussion concluded with an invitation for the audience to use the series for personal growth and experiencing life.

Workshop and Community Announcements

Kay announced plans to offer a workshop on the “3 A’s to feel alive” later in spring or summer 2026. She invited listeners to join her Dreamers and Doers community and mentioned that while her one-to-one coaching practice is currently full, interested parties can join a waiting list by responding to a series of questions. Kay also announced an upcoming series featuring interviews with the leadership of Rebels for Peace, a youth-led initiative in Chicago.

Invitations from Me

Come to the retreat that I’m hosting in September

Or, hear more about it

Come be in company with some like-minded souls

Connect with me to talk about coaching or facilitation

Enjoy some love from the pines

Love, Kay

Art Creativity & Wellbeing is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit kaylockkolp.substack.com/subscribe