Chit Chat with the Queer and Creative

In this episode of Chit Chat with the Queer and Creative, I interview the very talented Maggie Sharar. Maggie is an Artist, mother and birth doula. She has used the pandemic as an opportunity to jump full time into her art.

Through the use of meditation, music and visual inspirations Maggie creates portraits that are extremely soothing. Maggie does commission work and has begun teaching classes on Patreon. 

You can find Maggie and her video’s on her Facebook page and Instagram. Looking for a gift for the creatives in your life, purchase an original piece or a print by Maggie this holiday season. 

 https://www.facebook.com/maggie.sharar

https://www.instagram.com/infinite_rebirth/

https://www.patreon.com/maggiesharar?l=es

Chit Chat with the queer and Creative is a weekly podcast where host Melissa DaSilva interviews individuals who are changing their lives and the world through their creativity.

Melissa introduces herself and the show in this episode.

Dr. Steve Yacovelli has been in the leadership, learning and development, change management, and diversity and inclusion consulting space pretty much his whole career (about twenty-five years). In his consulting experience he’s seen some leaders completely excel in their effectiveness, and some completely crash and burn due to their lack of competence in leadership skills. Steve’s desire was to help both types of leaders be more effective, through coaching, formal and informal training, and just generally being there to support their leadershippiness.

A few years ago, Steve realized that the focus on specifically developing LGBTQ+ Leaders wasn’t really top of mind for many organizations. Sure, there were a few conferences sessions, some random webinars, or even university-sponsored certificate programs, but nothing in a programmatic, cross-association, and at all levels within the leadership savviness scale. In short, a patchwork of effort and not necessarily a cohesive focus or movement.

So, “The Gay Leadership Dude” was born. It’s Steve’s brand to “come out” and acknowledge the role he wants to take to give back to the LGBTQ+ Community: to serve as a “lightening rod” of sorts to start a movement to grow LGBTQ+ Leaders to be even more effective, in a consistent, thoughtful, and mindful manner, especially those up-and-coming Leaders within the broader movement for equality and fairness for all LGBTQ+ people and well beyond.

Connect with Steve on his

Website

LinkedIn

I always enjoy speaking with Rick Clemmons and look forward to sharing that pleasure with you. Rick Clemmons is a coach, a motivational speaker, author of “Frankly my Dear, I’m Gay”, podcast host of “Life Uncloseted” and part-time wine connoisseur. 

Rick and I dive into his joy of living in wine country (3:20) and how he ties it in to his business and marketing skill-set. We discuss how he connects with other queers and the natural attraction to one another, especially during the hard times of a pandemic. Rick also discusses how the internet and social media has progressed through his life and the effect it has on him and his career now, along with what he feels is the difference between coaching and therapy and what it means to him.

Make sure to follow Rick on Instagram @therickclemmons

Don’t forget to subscribe to this podcast for weekly episodes, and follow me on Instagram @realmelissadasilva

It was so lovely to have the opportunity to speak with Erika Owens, one half of the first same-sexed couple to be featured on TLC’s 90 Day Fiancé: Before the 90 Days. She captured the world’s heart with her colorful outfits, hair and especially her sweet personality.

Erika and I discuss what it was like to come out as bi-sexual to her parents in front of the entire world (3:40). We also discuss the aftermath and what it is like dealing with people on social media and whether she will be ever able to date a man now that she identified as bi-sexual. 

You can follow Erika on her Instagram @glitterbuggin

Don’t forget to subscribe to this podcast for weekly episodes, and follow me on Instagram @realmelissadasilva

“Guide me and heal me so that I might be of greater service to others” is her life mantra~

Chamica Dennis’ entrepreneurial spirit and desire to empower others lead her on a spiritual journey to finding her voice. She was being called as a healer and she answered. On her journey back home she rediscovered her sensuality and her sexuality, more importantly she found herself. Chamica was called to a more indigenous and Eastern holistic approach of treating the whole person and the importance of women’s health. It was then that Monarch Zen Healing Arts was created and she began sharing her medicine with the world. It is now her passion and purpose with the world. It is now her passion and purpose to facilitate other women in freeing themselves and reclaiming their body sovereignty.

Today she teaches women how to find their voice, releasing shame and guilt (7:58), how to show up authentically and reconnect with their bodies through breath, movement and energy healing which allows them to work through anxiety and stress to experience life as they were meant to be.. Wild and Free. 

She is also the creator of Sacred Womb Talk and currently teaches workshops throughout the valley, hosts retreats, teaches private yoga, reiki, life and soul coaching and is a C.H.T.

Follow Her on Instagram @thebutterflymystic and @venusmooncreations

Don’t forget to subscribe to this podcast for weekly episodes, and follow me on Instagram @realmelissadasilva

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