Creative Impact Podcast

My conversation today is with Dr. Katherine Millis, a Physical Therapist with a Certification in Sports and Orthopedic Manual Therapy (CSOMT). I love her passion for helping artistic athletes attain their personal goals. Dr. Millis earned her Bachelors of Science in Kinesiology from Texas A&M University and her Doctorate of Physical Therapy from the University of the Incarnate Word. After graduating from PT school, she continued her education by pursuing her Certification in Sports and Orthopedic Manual Therapy (CSOMT), and she was a Fellow with the American Academy of Orthopedic and Manual Physical Therapists (FAAOMPT).

As a dancer herself, Dr. Millis understands the specific needs of dancers and the benefits of working with a PT who understands dance. She is actually still performing professionally today, and she started her own business called Excelerate Physical Therapy! In our conversation, we talk about her journey as well as what it looked like to start her business in the midst of the pandemic. Dr. Millis gives practical tips for dancers and athletes, and we chat about how every aspect of our wellness is interrelated.

Check out our website https://creativeimpactpodcast.com for the full show notes that include Katherine's biography and additional links mentioned in this episode. You can be sure not to miss a Creative Impact conversation by subscribing through your favorite podcast app.  We are so grateful to have you as a part of the Creative Impact community and would love it if you would share the show with your friends!

Angie Weiss, Registered Dietitian Nutritionist and Dance Instructor/Choreographer, joins me for episode 90! Angie and I recently met at the Texas Dance Educators Association Convention, where we both participated as exhibitors.

Angie is a dancer, dance educator, and choreographer with a background both in the studio world and drill team. She was a member of the Kilgore College Rangerettes on the 68th Line and graduated with a B.A. in Dance from Texas Woman's University. Angie also graduated with a B.S. in Nutritional Sciences from Texas A&M University.

During our conversation, Angie shares her journey with dance and teaching as well as her passion for nutrition and dietetics. Angie has recently combined her love of dance and nutrition by co-founding a new business called HEAL Nutrition and Wellness. She provides workshops and customized nutrition education for dancers and recreational athletes. We chat about some practical steps each of us can take to move towards more health and wellness in our lives.

Check out our website https://creativeimpactpodcast.com for the full show notes that include Angie's biography and additional links mentioned in this episode. You can be sure not to miss a Creative Impact conversation by subscribing through your favorite podcast app.  We are so grateful to have you as a part of the Creative Impact community and would love it if you would share the show with your friends!

I’m so honored and excited to have one of my mentors, Cynthia Newland, back on the podcast for episode 89! Cynthia first came on the podcast in July 2020 on Episode 6. Cynthia is a dance artist, choreographer, and collegiate professor. She is also a certified Life Coach and Wellness Consultant and licensed Health Minister. We chat about identity, belonging, balance in our life/art/work, and the idea of fulfilling our calling in different seasons of life. This conversation is a great way to start off the year!

Cynthia is the founder of Alible3 – Nourishing the Body, Soul and Spirit and Dancer Wellness Care – Nurturing Healthy Performance, providing educational resources and equipping tools for holistic health. Cynthia is the host of “Learn to Listen”, and the visionary for other virtual conversations and meeting places for artists and creatives to gather for inspiration and celebration of wellness, the arts and faith.

Check out our website https://creativeimpactpodcast.com for the full show notes that include Cynthia's biography and additional links mentioned in this episode. You can be sure not to miss a Creative Impact conversation by subscribing through your favorite podcast app.  We are so grateful to have you as a part of the Creative Impact community and would love it if you would share the show with your friends!

This week’s episode is a special conversation as we remember the loss of my sister, Bethany, which took place two years ago. I’m so grateful to have GriefShare facilitators, Richard Rogers and Donnel Schmidt, join me to share their experience with loss and grief. We remember their daughter, Tracie Lynn Hester, and the profound impact her life and death have had on countless lives. We chat about the power of community in grief, healthy versus unhealthy ways to process our grief, and finding ways to honor the life of a loved one we’ve lost.

If you are walking through loss, you can find community and resources for the journey at griefshare.org. We all deal with different losses in life that have a profound impact on us. Wherever you find yourself today, I hope this conversation will be a source of encouragement and hope for you.

Check out our website https://creativeimpactpodcast.com for the full show notes and additional links mentioned in this episode. You can be sure not to miss a Creative Impact conversation by subscribing through your favorite podcast app.  We are so grateful to have you as a part of the Creative Impact community and would love it if you would share the show with your friends!

Our guest for episode 87 is one of my dear friends from college, Rebecca Spencer. She is a dance educator and yoga instructor living in the Pacific Northwest. Rebecca recently started her own yoga business called Abiding Place Yoga. In today’s episode we talk about Rebecca’s background as a dancer, performer, and teacher. Then, we dive into the topic of health and wellness. So often our identity can become wrapped up in our ability (especially as dancers) and in our health. Rebecca opens up about her journey dealing with health struggles during pregnancy. I'm so grateful for Rebecca sharing her story, because I think it's going to resonate with you as you listen.

One of my favorite things Rebecca shares is that just because you can do all the things, doesn’t mean you should do all the things right now. And that it’s okay to adjust in life based on the season. I came away from our conversation feeling encouraged and reminded that there is permission to slow down, rest, and recognize the season I’m living in. I hope this conversation does the same for you!

Check out our website https://creativeimpactpodcast.com for the full show notes that include Rebecca's biography and additional links mentioned in this episode. You can be sure not to miss a Creative Impact conversation by subscribing through your favorite podcast app.  We are so grateful to have you as a part of the Creative Impact community and would love it if you would share the show with your friends!

I am so honored to have Luke LeFevre join us for episode 86! I first heard Luke on the EntreLeadership Podcast back in 2020, and his work has been so impactful on my life. Luke has led many creative teams over the years and most recently served as the Chief Creative Officer for Ramsey Solutions. Luke led the branding, design and video teams that served all of Ramsey Solutions. He led and contributed to the creative efforts behind many of the company’s best-selling and most popular media (The Dave Ramsey Show, The John Delony Show, The Rachel Cruze show, and more) and products (EveryDollar, Financial Peace University, Smart Money Smart Kids, Start, Love Your Life Not Theirs and countless others).

Through over 20 years of experience working with creatives and business owners, Luke has seen time and time again that people have an internal pull inside of them towards...creating. Something that MUST be created. It could be a business, it could be the pull to become a mom, get married, adopt, write a book, start painting or millions of other things. These pulls have been in us since before we were born. The things we can't help but be. In our conversation, Luke shares how you can unlock this Pull and recognize that you are on a path and that following this path is not just necessary to live a fulfilled life, but it is Holy.

Check out our website https://creativeimpactpodcast.com for the full show notes that include Luke's biography and additional links mentioned in this episode. You can be sure not to miss a Creative Impact conversation by subscribing through your favorite podcast app.  We are so grateful to have you as a part of the Creative Impact community and would love it if you would share the show with your friends!

Throughout the Christmas season, we have been enjoying a special series, “Stories of Faith & Transformation.” This week, as we wrap up 2022, we are wrapping up this mini-series with my beautiful friend, Jocelyn Lewis! Jocelyn was previously a guest on episode 62 of the podcast, and she joins us again today to share the powerful story of her unplanned pregnancy. In the midst of the unknown, she experienced an impactful journey of faith.

Jocelyn recounts her experience from the moment she found out she was pregnant, to finding herself in an abortion clinic, and the events that unfolded from there. I am so grateful for Jocelyn's willingness to share her story. Her journey is such an encouragement to my faith, and I believe it will be to yours as well!
 
Extended conversation with Jocelyn is available for free on our Patreon page! She speaks from her heart a word of encouragement to anyone who may find themselves in an unplanned pregnancy. I encourage you to listen whether or not that is your circumstance, as her words are a beautiful guide for encouraging others in your life! You can find it at https://creativeimpactpodcast.com/patreon

Check out our website https://creativeimpactpodcast.com for the full show notes that include Jocelyn's biography and additional links mentioned in this episode. You can be sure not to miss a Creative Impact conversation by subscribing through your favorite podcast app.  We are so grateful to have you as a part of the Creative Impact community and would love it if you would share the show with your friends!

Merry Christmas, friends! During the Christmas season, we are bringing you a super special series, “Stories of Faith & Transformation.” I cannot think of a better gift than this conversation today! Our guest for part two of this series is author, speaker, and adventurer, Kim Meeder. I have been so excited to share this conversation with you. Ever since I heard about Kim Meeder and started reading her books, my life has been so impacted. I am inspired by her faith, and I believe you will be too!

Through her own experience of deep loss as a child, Kim encountered the love of God in a profound way. Inspired by Jesus’ love, in 1995, Kim and her husband Troy transformed their 9-acre cinder quarry into a ranch for kids and Crystal Peaks Youth Ranch was born. This unique non-profit organization rescues abused and neglected horses and is a safe place for kids and families to come find hope. As they help nurture the horses back to health, they find healing as well. Something I find incredible is that their work with each participant is one-on-one, with one leader, one horse and one child . . . always free of charge.

Kim has written and released six books (Hope Rising, Bridge Called Hope, Blind Hope, Fierce Beauty, Encountering our Wild God and Revival Rising). Her radio interviews with Focus on the Family and Family Talk remain as some of the most requested shows in their broadcast history.

Kim has spoken across the globe in a variety of settings, and I am so grateful that she took time to share with us today. Kim’s life radiates the truth that your pain has a purpose. On today’s episode, she shares incredible stories from her own life as well as from Crystal Peaks Youth Ranch. We get into some of the topics from her newest book, Revival Rising. Kim and I talk about faith and overcoming fear, what it looks like to rely on the Holy Spirit, and how God has designed you uniquely–for this time and season. I encourage you to check out the ministry of Crystal Peaks Youth Ranch at crystalpeaksyouthranch.org

*Disclaimer: Towards the beginning of our conversation, Kim shares her story which includes some heavy losses. I just wanted to give you a heads up in case you want to listen on your own first before sharing with our young listeners.

Check out our website http://creativeimpactpodcast.com for the full show notes that include Kim's biography and additional links mentioned in this episode. You can be sure not to miss a Creative Impact conversation by subscribing through your favorite podcast app.  We are so grateful to have you as a part of the Creative Impact community and would love it if you would share the show with your friends!

During the Christmas season, we are bringing you a super special series, “Stories of Faith & Transformation.” Our guest for part one is professional dancer Kevyn Butler. Kevyn shares a powerful story of transformation in his life!

Kevyn has worked with Ad Deum Dance Company, Oakland Ballet, Störling Dance Theater, Zion Dance Project, Ronald K. Brown, EVIDENCE, a dance company and is a current member of Bruce Wood Dance in Dallas, TX. Kevyn started out in visual art and discovered a love of dance in high school. During his time training to be a professional dancer in New York City, he really started searching for his true identity, and he ended up on an EPIC faith journey!

I loved hearing from Kevyn about how his view of dance has shifted over the years and about the power of truly loving others. I was so moved by this conversation with Kevyn, and I believe you will be inspired and moved as well!

*Disclaimer: we do talk about some heavy topics during this episode. If you typically listen with young ears in the room/car, you may want to listen to this episode alone first.*

Check out our website http://creativeimpactpodcast.com for the full show notes that include Kevyn's biography and additional links mentioned in this episode. You can be sure not to miss a Creative Impact conversation by subscribing through your favorite podcast app.  We are so grateful to have you as a part of the Creative Impact community and would love it if you would share the show with your friends!

Today's episode is a special Q&A with Rachel about her new book, Healthy Relationships = Healthy Team: Ten Keys for Building Positive Dance Team Culture. Mary Wendt (from episode 77) joins as the guest host! You'll hear what inspired Rachel to write the book, more about the content, behind the scenes of the writing process, and exciting details about the upcoming book launch on December 14th!

Check out our website http://creativeimpactpodcast.com for the full show notes that include Rachel's biography and additional links mentioned in this episode. You can be sure not to miss a Creative Impact conversation by subscribing through your favorite podcast app.  We are so grateful to have you as a part of the Creative Impact community and would love it if you would share the show with your friends!