Davey Powell shares his journey as a queer traveller, navigating the complexities of growing up in fairgrounds while knowing he was gay from a young age. Through therapy, sobriety, and quilting, he's found a way to unite his traveller heritage with his queer identity to become the authentic person he was always meant to be.

• Growing up between two worlds - never "traveller enough" for the traveller community and too "traveller" for the outside world
• Experiencing violence and fear on the fairgrounds, forcing him to develop a tough exterior that conflicted with his sensitive nature
• Hiding his gay identity from age 8-9 until university, when he finally came out
• Facing rejection from his parents, culminating in his father saying "I've hated you since you were 15"
• Battling severe depression and suicidal thoughts while trying to find his place in the world
• Finding healing through therapy, sobriety, and quilting, which started during a difficult period in Canada
• Creating vibrant quilts that incorporate fairground aesthetics to unite his traveller heritage with his queer identity
• Learning to speak to his inner child and angry teenager to heal from past trauma
• Proudly embracing both his showman/traveller background and his gay identity after years of feeling they couldn't coexist
• Using traditional fairground fonts and sign-painting techniques to reclaim positive aspects of his heritage

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Sarah Spencer takes us on a journey of transformation, from corporate employee to artist, radio host, and community activist while navigating major life transitions and personal growth.

• Moving from Canada to Chicago represents a complete life reset
• Transitioning from property appraiser to artist required sitting with uncomfortable feelings of identity loss
• Meeting her husband at Burning Man led to love, marriage, and eventually motherhood
• Postpartum anxiety pushed her toward therapy, which became a transformative force
• Overcoming extreme fear of public speaking by trying stand-up comedy
• Using privilege for community good rather than feeling guilt
• Creating art as therapy during emotionally challenging times
• Finding your authentic voice and accepting that not everyone will appreciate it
• Learning to face fears rather than avoid them—bravery isn't absence of fear but acting despite it
• Developing the mantra: "I am a spirit having a human experience"

Find Sarah's art on Instagram @IOtheAlien and join her for the upcoming Picture This VIP Club at CraftyMonkies starting in June 2025.

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Leo Ransom shares his transformative journey from being in the wrong place at the wrong time to becoming an accomplished portrait quilter who channels his experiences of prejudice and hardship into creating meaningful art.

• Started quilting at 16 and progressed from traditional to portrait quilting
• Learned resilience after being arrested by association with drug dealers despite being innocent
• Faces ongoing racial profiling and prejudice as a Black quilter in Texas
• Developed a philosophy of patience and dignity when confronting discrimination
• Found his voice through portrait quilting that captures subjects' essence
• Married to a white man and found acceptance in their church community
• Uses his art to process societal trauma, particularly during difficult periods like the George Floyd murder
• Aims to expand charitable work creating quilts for children in homeless shelters
• Discovered his grandmother was a quilter only years after starting himself
• Graduated college at 50 after life circumstances interrupted his education

"Don't ever say that you can't; say that you can, jump in with both feet and see what happens."

Follow Leo on Instagram @lions_den_quilting

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Becca Shifflett shares her powerful journey from childhood abuse to becoming a successful YouTuber with a thriving community, revealing how she learned to shine her light after years of being taught to dim it.

• Experiencing severe childhood trauma including physical and sexual abuse
• Being removed from her parents at age 14 and placed into foster care
• Learning to process trauma rather than compartmentalizing it 
• Finding healing through forgiveness without excusing harmful behavior
• Discovering creativity and self-expression through sewing
• Managing imposter syndrome while building a YouTube channel with 42,000+ subscribers
• Breaking generational trauma cycles with her own daughter
• Cultivating a positive mindset despite past experiences
• Understanding that authenticity attracts genuine connections

Remember that taking care of your mental health is essential - put your own oxygen mask on first so you can help others.

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A poignant exploration of grief and healing unfolds as Josh Dunn shares his transformational journey following the loss of his mother. He discusses how creativity, particularly quilting, became a source of connection and solace in his life. The episode dives deep into personal stories and valuable lessons learned through navigating grief and toxic relationships.

• Josh talks about his close relationship with his mom and the impact of her passing 
• The role of therapy in understanding and processing grief 
• How creativity, specifically quilting, became a medium for healing 
• Stories about making masks from his mother's fabric during the pandemic 
• Insights on toxic relationships and personal growth post-grief 
• Awareness on colorectal cancer and the importance of early detection 
• Josh’s aspirations for creating a quilt that memorializes his mother 
• Discussing the healing journey and lessons learned through loss 
• Final reflections on love, memory, and embracing life amidst grief 

If you enjoyed this episode, please like or comment on our podcast page to help spread the message.

You can follow Josh on Instagram @liftingandstitching

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David Owen Hastings' inspiring journey reveals how he transformed past trauma into a meaningful, creative life. He stresses the importance of embracing our experiences, seeking community support, and using creativity as a healing tool.

• Discussion on David's challenging childhood and family dynamics 
• The significance of crafting as a coping mechanism 
• Insights into navigating life as a gay man during the AIDS epidemic 
• The power of creativity to foster joy and resilience 
• The role of community in personal healing and growth 
• Reflection on future aspirations and leaving a legacy

Follow David on Instagram @davidowenhastings

www.davidowenhastings.com

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In this insightful episode, we engage with author Matt Eicheldinger, who returns to discuss the complexities of navigating success after achieving his dreams. With reflections on imposter syndrome, the joys of connecting with readers, and the importance of community, Matt emphasizes the significance of staying genuine through every stage of the creative journey. 

• Matt shares his experiences since becoming a bestselling author 
• He discusses ongoing struggles with imposter syndrome 
• Finding fulfillment in interactions with young readers 
• The challenges of isolation in a writer's career 
• Importance of maintaining mental health and balance 
• Matt's future aspirations beyond middle-grade literature 
• The value of community and connection for creative growth 
• Emphasizing authenticity in the journey of an artist

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This episode explores the transformative journey of resilience, creativity, and self-discovery through the experiences of Trudi Wood. Listeners are encouraged to reflect on their own emotional challenges and the importance of community and forgiveness in the healing process. 
• Trudi has shares her unexpected transition from the Air Force to quilting 
• Discussion on the impacts of solitude and loneliness 
• The recognition of self-sabotaging behaviors 
• Insights into the complexities of forgiveness 
• The significance of faith and community in healing 
• Encouragement to practice kindness and self-compassion 
• The importance of making conscious choices for personal growth

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Brandy Maslowski's journey from firefighter to quilter illuminates the complexities of trauma and resilience. She shares her experiences with discrimination, PTSD, and ultimately, how creativity became her healing mechanism, inspiring others to recognize the strength within their own stories.

• Brandy's background as a firefighter with familial ties to the profession 
• The discrimination experienced as a woman in a male-dominated field 
• Impact of workplace toxicity on mental health and the onset of complex PTSD 
• Deciding to leave her firefighting career for personal well-being 
• The transition to quilting as a form of healing and self-expression 
• Insights on the importance of support systems and self-care in overcoming adversity

Follow Brandy @quilteronfire on Instagram and YouTube.
Her website is: https://quilteronfire.com/

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After experiencing the profound pain of losing a loved one to suicide, Nicole Leth discovered the power of affirmations as a lifeline to healing. Her journey from personal tragedy to creating My Affirmation Project is a testament to resilience and creativity. Nicole shares how she transformed her grief into a mission of compassion, spreading messages of self-love and hope through various mediums like graffiti, quilts, and billboards. Her story is a powerful reminder that even in the darkest times, creativity can light the way to healing.

Nicole's poignant reflections on navigating addiction and trauma with empathy invite listeners to consider the deep connections between personal struggles and creativity. She recounts her close relationship with her father, marked by shared experiences at AA meetings, which profoundly shaped her understanding of addiction. Through her candid storytelling, Nicole reveals how vulnerability and artistic expression can transform grief into a source of strength and connection.

In examining the complex dynamics of relationships affected by trauma and addiction, Nicole offers valuable insights into the importance of personal healing and understanding. She candidly discusses her experiences with partners facing similar struggles and the lessons learned about codependency and empathy. Nicole's journey explores the beauty of embracing compassion and self-care, reminding us all of the strength found in softness and vulnerability. Join us for this heartfelt conversation as we explore the transformative power of affirmations and the enduring impact of compassion in the face of life's challenges.

Foolow Nicole on Insta @myaffirmationproject
and her website is www.myaffirmationproject.com

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