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It's been a whirlwind of a month over here at Cream City Dreams! Which, as you know, is a one-woman-show. (that's me!) Today, after a month away from the airwaves, I'm returning with an update of what's next for Cream City Dreams ... or what I'm beginning to envision and dream into life. I'm not quite ready to be consistent yet ... it's still in the planning stages ... but today, a glimpse into what I'm throwing into the pot to let simmer. 

I'm still on hiatus, but lots happening behind the scenes. Thanks for sticking with me! 

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Thank you thank you thank you! From the bottom of my heart, thank you for listening, subscribing, sharing and enjoying the pod. In today's episode a look at what might be ahead for Cream City Dreams after an indeterminate hiatus. See what's been reverberating in my mind as I think about the next iteration. 

If you've missed any of the episodes in Season 8, now would be a great time to go back and listen to the incredible women of Milwaukee! 

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Another week, and this time hear from FOURTEEN of this season's guests about JOY. I've taken snippets from each conversation with these incredible women and compiled them to help YOU, dear listeners, find more joy in your own life. 

I hope you take their words to heart. I hope you find YOUR joy. 

And if these snippets inspire you, I hope you'll go back and listen to their episodes in their entirety. They are all such awe-inspiring women with phenomenal stories that deserve to be heard, far and wide. 

Thank you for being a part of this season of JOY. 

Until next time Milwaukee, keep on dreaming! 

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Another week off the socials ... and I thought this week I'd FINALLY hop back online to see what I've missed. But I just couldn't pull the trigger. Find out why in this week's short and sweet Cream City Digest. 

But if I would have popped back on, it would have only been to promote the Party in the Park at the site of the new (coming in 2026!) Stella's Playground. It's happening this Sunday at Kilbourn Reservoir Park from 2-5pm. More info can be found HERE. 

If you've enjoyed this summer digest series, I'd love to hear from you. Shoot me a text from the link above (remember to leave your name) OR drop me an email HERE. 

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Another week, another incredible Milwaukee woman! 

She's back, for the last episode (with a guest) of the summer, and today we are reflecting on a summer off the socials. The JOMO, the FOMO, the emotional triggers (and baggage) that come with our digital lives, our hopes for taking what we've learned back into the season of routine (aka, the fall), and how the language around addiction can help us identify and reflect on our journey off screens. 

There will be more to come on this topic, I have no doubt. 

Stay tuned, and sign up for the Cream City Dreams newsletter HERE so you are the first to know what's next for the podcast! 

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Every so often, I reread books. I don't have that many that I'll put up with again and again, but Elizabeth Gilbert's Big Magic is one of them. So today, a little excerpt from the book for you. Something *I* needed to re(read) this week, so in case it helps you ... here it is! 

I'd love to hear the fears you're facing and how you're living creativity despite them! 

Back next week with another INCREDIBLE Milwaukee woman! 

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Rese Schneider is Stella’s mom. And when life handed her the kind of news no parent should ever have to hear, she didn’t shut down—she rolled up her sleeves. 

When Stella was eight, she looked at a neighborhood playground and said, 

“That playground isn’t for me.” 

After a cancerous brain tumor diagnosis in 2023, the slides, swings, and monkey bars that once brought joy had quietly become off-limits to this sweet, dragon-loving girl who was struggling to walk and even smile on her own. 

Instead of accepting that reality, Rese set out to change it—not just for Stella, but for every child in Milwaukee. The result is Stella’s Playground, a universally inclusive play space where everyone belongs, coming to Reservoir Park in late summer of 2026. 

Today we talk about the story of this playground, and one mother's fierce, fierce love for her daughter. Grab a Kleenex for this one, you might need it, I know I did! 

🐲 🛝 More about Stella & Stella's Playground online: 

Website: https://stellasplayground.org

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stellasplaygroundmke/

Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/stellasplaygroundmke/

Meet Stella, MACC Fund Featured Fighter

Stella on TMJ4

Stella in Milwaukee Journal Sentinel 

Stella on FOX6

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Another Digest and I've got lots of links for you, SO MANY incredible Milwaukee women doing cool things this summer. I would have shared ALL of these online (and more) had I been on the socials ... so instead, a summer roundup. 

Here are the links I mention: 

Girls Rock Showcase

Marissa Jablonski Greenwashed & Confused Pilot Episode

Magical Mondays with Karlies Kelley

Art Blaze with Joy Engine

Style Pop Cafe

Fruition MKE 

Interwovxn Newsletter (and DANCE PARTY info)

Forest Bathing with Juniper Trails

We Got This MKE

 Motherhood for Good Newsletter with Kate Duffy

Persisters Newsletter

But honestly, there is SO much in Milwaukee, it's hard to list them all! 

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Another week, TWO more incredible Milwaukee women! 

If today's episode is the first time you're hearing about Creative Mornings, you are in for a TREAT. A global movement with a chapter here in Milwaukee, Creative Mornings is the monthly burst of creative caffeine you need to feel inspired and connected to the Milwaukee community.  Today I'm talking with the inimitable chapter hosts, Annie Werner and Kelly Winarski. 

But this episode is SO much more than just an explanation of these intentional monthly gatherings. This episode is why I started this podcast. I love the stories behind the women who start these ventures. Women who bring their full selves to the stage, even if their full selves include a tinge of stage fright. It's SO relatable. And I think you'll hear that in today's interview with Annie and Kelly. So grab a cup of coffee or head for a walk, click the link below and enjoy! And then don't forget to get your ticket to the next Creative Mornings Event ... the third Friday of every month. 

🎟️ Creative Mornings Milwaukee online: 

https://creativemornings.com/cities/MKE

CM on Instagram

CM on Facebook 

Join their mailing list HERE

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This week's episode is chock FULL of tips on how to set boundaries if and when we decide to return to social media after this summer detox. If you've been following along on your own detox, but fear the dip back into the socials like I do, this is the episode you don't want to miss. Thekla and I talk all about protecting ourselves and being mindfully aware of our intentions upon return. 

And if you want to dive more into some of the research we talk about in today's episode, here are the links you'll want (h/t Thekla!) 

Self-Compassion in the Age of Social Media Resources

Scholarly Articles

1. Castelo, N., Kushlev, K., Ward, A.F., Esterman, M., & Reiner, P.B. (2025). Blocking mobile internet on smartphones improves sustained attention, mental health, and subjective well-being. PNAS Nexus, 4(2): pgaf017. https://doi.org/10.1093/pnasnexus/pgaf017. PMID: 39967678; PMCID: PMC11834938.
2. Kuchar AL, Neff KD, Mosewich AD. Resilience and Enhancement in Sport, Exercise, & Training (RESET): A brief self-compassion intervention with NCAA student-athletes. Psychol Sport Exerc. 2023 Jul;67:102426. doi: 10.1016/j.psychsport.2023.102426. Epub 2023 Mar 28. PMID: 37665879.
3. Wadsley M, Ihssen N. A Systematic Review of Structural and Functional MRI Studies Investigating Social Networking Site Use. Brain Sci. 2023 May 11;13(5):787. doi: 10.3390/brainsci13050787. Erratum in: Brain Sci. 2023 Jul 17;13(7):1079. doi: 10.3390/brainsci13071079. PMID: 37239257; PMCID: PMC10216498.

Websites/Organizations

1. Center for Humane Technology. humanetech.com
2. Digital Wellness Lab at Boston Children's Hospital. digitalwellnesslab.org
3. After Babel by Jonathan Haidt. (Substack)

Scales/Measures

• The Bergen Social Media Addiction Scale (BSMAS)

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