Beyond the Portrait

What if I told you that wonder and play were responsible for keeping your brain young. Do you ever struggle with perfectionist tendencies? If busyness were a competitive sport, would you get top marks? Then this episode might be for you.

Join in on this fascinating conversation with Irene Salter. Irene has a PhD in
Neuroscience, a master’s degree in psychology, spent years as a science educator, and now an executive and leadership coach. Among her many accolades.

Irene has the exceptional gift of explaining how the brain works, in an easy-to-follow, relatable way complete with practical tips you can start immediately that cost zero dollars.

We discuss the science of beauty, the brain on wanderlust and how to recreate the benefits of travel without leaving home, of learning to thrive not just survive, and the fictitious lie that is successful multi-tasking. (Hint, it’s not a thing.)

Irene shares about the expectations with being the eldest child of immigrant parents that led her to a life of high achievements, of finding herself again with a walk in the desert to confront her anger, and the importance of bringing together all the pieces of herself to create wholeness.

Episode resources:

- Irene's website
- Leadership Playground
- Anjan Chatterjee’s book, TED talk, and research on the three components to beauty in the brain
- Semir Zeki’s work on beauty

Credits:

Brittany's website

Graphic Design - Stefanie Brueckler

Video Production - Juan Paolini Díaz

Have you ever been asked “What’s your sign?”

Whether you believe in astrology or not, this conversation with two of the world’s leading astrologers, Ophira and Tali Edut of the AstroTwins, discuss how you can understand yourself, and the world around you, by utilizing this cosmic tool.

In this lively conversation, Ophi and Tali elaborate on how growing up in their diverse neighborhood, the 9th Mile, in Detroit, Michigan, they gained perspective and a skillset on how to live and thrive with various cultural and belief systems, how they learned the balance of being an individual as identical twins while also growing an inclusive community.

We discuss the AstroTwins’ shared ideals of creativity and resourcefulness while going with the flow of your unique nature to achieve your dreams. Their first entrepreneurial venture was in elementary school and now have a global lifestyle brand with millions of readers!

Ophi and Tali also share about their brand-new book, The Astrology Advantage, and how they’ve used their decades of experience to make astrology more accessible using their I*AM system with practical tips to ensure your success in your personal and professional life.

This conversation is not to be missed and may help illuminate an often misunderstood modality that could change your life.

Episode resources:

• Astrotwins website
• The Astrology Advantage on Amazon

Credits:

Brittany's Website

Stefanie Brueckler - Graphic Design

Juan Paolini Diaz - Video Production

When you were a little kid, did you color inside the lines or did you color outside the lines?

In this candid conversation, acclaimed interior designer, Noz Nozawa, shares her
philosophies of creative liberation, of radical self-acceptance that cultivates a sense of belonging and community, and the true meaning of success.

We discuss Noz’ realization that it’s never too late to unburden from boring and her subsequent career change from marketing for Clorox and tech startups in San Francisco to a successful design firm. Of living life in color, in the literal sense as well as a philosophical endeavor.

Noz shares about her life experiences as a Japanese American, of growing up as an outsider and the compassion that grew from that perspective, being a child free dog momma, and finding connection and spirituality rooted in the cosmos.

This conversation will inspire you to explore infinite ways to make a version of the world for yourself that is bold and free.

Episode Resources:

• "The Unspeakable World"- speech by Alan Watts, music by Adi Goldstein 
  • Medium link
• "Why You Want a Physicist to Speak at Your Funeral" by Aaron Freeman 
  • NPR link
• Noz Design's Website
• Noz Nozawa Instagram

Credits:

Brittany's Website

Stefanie Brueckler - Graphic Design

Juan Paolini Diaz - Video Production

What could you accomplish in life, if you believed you could achieve it and then took actionable steps to get there?

In this episode, celebrated interior designer, tv personality, and author, Jeremiah Brent, recounts defining moments throughout his life and his ability to always find the beauty, no matter the circumstance. 

We discuss Jeremiah’s ability to transform difficulty into a superpower, the art of ceremony and ritual, of healing generational trauma, and his prowess in providing nurturing connection to every life he touches.

Jeremiah also shares a preview of his experience filming the upcoming season of Queer Eye and his full circle moment, where Jeremiah provides a legacy for his children that only he could give them. 

It’s a wild ride and one that at the very least, will touch your hearts and bring a smile.

Episode resources: 

• Jeremiah Brent's website
• "The Space That Keeps You" by Jeremiah Brent:
  • Barnes & Noble
  • Amazon
• Jeremiah Brent Instagram
• Jeremiah Brent Design Instagram

Credits:

Brittany's website

Stefanie Brueckler - Graphic Design

Juan Paolini Díaz - Video Production

In the premiere episode, Beyond the Portrait’s host, photographer Brittany Ambridge, begins with a solo episode.

Brittany shares her personal ethos, sets intentions of what this new show will look like and her hope of what it might illuminate for the listener, and thoughts on why this is new chapter is a part of her expansion as an artist.

Every good story begins with a fire and in this journey, that holds true too.

Episode references:

• "Fresh Banana Leaves: Healing Indigenous Landscapes through Indigenous Science" by Jessica Hernandez
   
  Website: www.JessicaBHernandez.com
  Publisher: www.PenguinRandomHouse.com
  Amazon: www.amazon.com/gp/product/1623176050?
  
  
• Quote by Anaïs Nin: "And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom."

Brittany's website: www.BrittanyAmbridge.com

Graphic Design: www.StefanieBrueckler.com

Video Production: www.PowerfulPromoCreator.com