Creative Mamas Unplugged

“Doing the inner work just gets you closer to this original blueprint, your soul essence blueprint.”

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Our children’s wisdom, sharing that we, as parents, don’t have the answer, this is what scares me, this is what makes me mad, and how that gives our children a stronger foundation to  interact with life (2:04), Julie shares about psychic school and how those teachings help to educate others about how to tap into your own self-knowledge (12:06), how as humans we are meant to interact and be in a community and as women to embrace our soft power (17:48), encouraging our children to have their own belief systems and to be able to argue for their opinions (28:42).

Hosts: Cherice Barton and Shelly Hutchinson  

Guest: Julie Nguyen

Producer: Jessica O’Keefe, Breatheasy Productions  

Support Us via Patreon @CreativeMamasUnplugged

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Instagram @jujulove_nguyen

Podcast The Spiritual Shitshow Podcast

Website www.NuminousWisdom.com

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Extended summary:

In this episode of Creative Mamas Unplugged, we’re joined by our radiant friend Julie Nguyen — movement artist, intuitive guide, trauma-informed somatic practitioner, and mama. Julie shares her powerful journey from performance to presence, offering insight into what it truly means to live and parent from a place of authenticity. We talk about the importance of letting our children see all parts of us — not just the polished, put-together version — and how honoring our intuition is less about mysticism and more about connecting with our inner truth. Julie also opens up about a life-altering shift that brought unexpected clarity and freedom, reminding us that the inward journey is where real transformation begins. Together, we explore the rise of the divine feminine, the strength in softness, and the deep wisdom that lives within us all. This is a heartfelt, grounding conversation about showing up fully — as women, mothers, and creators — and embracing the beautiful mess of becoming.

“Every child needs love” (2:25), Arthur shares how his love for life has him shine, be positive, confident in this world and make life beautiful from his time as a refugee to going out and having all his successes (11:23), Arthur’s and Brian’s inspirational focus to always make time for their kids but also to work hard for their children (35:38).

Hosts: Cherice Barton and Shelly Hutchinson  

Guest: Arthur Gourounlian

Producer: Jessica O’Keefe, Breatheasy Productions

Follow Arthur

THE AG LOOK

Death Becomes Him by BDG

TIKTOK @arthurgourounlian

Website: Arthur Gourounlian

Instagram: @gourounlian

Facebook: @arthurgourounlian

Vimeo @arthurgourounlian

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Arthur Gourounlian is a Creative Director, Choreographer, Professional Dancer, and Author. He is also a judge on Dancing With The Stars Ireland. In March 2023, Arthur and his husband Brian released their documentary on RTÉ One. Brian and Arthur’s Very Modern Family encapsulates their journey with surrogacy in Ireland. In October 2023, Arthur released his first book, Brian Dowling and Arthur Gourounlian’s Modern Family: Births, Marriage, Deaths and Everything in Between, which was a number-one bestseller. In 2025, Arthurtook part in High Road Low Road on RTÉ One alongside Donal Skehan. Arthur was born in Armenia in 1980, but his family was forced to flee when he was just 13 years old as a result of his country's war with Azerbaijan and sought asylum in Belgium. Arthur initially trained as a barber before travelling across Europe working as a dancer in nightclubs.

Arthur has a successful career as a back-up dancer for musicians including, One Direction, Rihanna, Leona Lewis, Girls Aloud, Beyoncé, P!nk, Pussycat Dolls, Bananarama, Will Young, Kylie Minogue and Cheryl. As a creative director, he has worked on campaigns for some of the most recognisable brands in the world including Christian Louboutin, Diesel, Puma, Jean-Paul Gaultier, Mary Kay, Walkers Crisps, and Coca-Cola. In 2019, he appeared as the Armenian judge on The World's Best alongside host, James Corden and main judges, Drew Barrymore, Faith Hill and RuPaul. Later that year, Arthur and his husband, Brian Dowling appeared on a charity special of Ireland's Fittest Family where they finished in third place, earning €1,000 for charity. Arthur Gourounlian and Brian Dowling Gourounlian created the Death Becomes Him podcast in 2020. When Brian lost his mum, Rosie, in 2018, it changed his outlook on life. Grief is a complicated journey, and Brian is joined by his nearest and dearest as they grow to understand death through open conversation, humour, and honesty. The number one podcast has four seasons to date.

Management [email protected]

“Your intuition doesn’t scream—it whispers”

Julie invites us all to connect to our physical selves and we go on an exploration of what it means to follow our intuition, what does our intuition sound like and how do we recognize it (1:42) a discussion of what self-love is (11:13) Julie shares her journey (12:59), and the fun of experiencing life with her child, dance, Reiki, bubbling up and grounding oneself (22:50).

Hosts: Cherice Barton and Shelly Hutchinson  

Guest: Julie Nguyen

Producer: Jessica O’Keefe, Breatheasy Productions  

Support Us via Patreon @CreativeMamasUnplugged

Follow Julie: 

Instagram @jujulove_nguyen

Podcast The Spiritual Shitshow Podcast

Website www.NuminousWisdom.com

Follow Us: 

Instagram @creativemamasunplugged

Facebook @creativemamasunplugged

Apple Podcasts  @CreativeMamasUnplugged

Spotify  @CreativeMamasUnplugged

Amazon Music  @CreativeMamasUnplugged  

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Extended Summary:  

“Let it happen”

How we overcome toughness with the idea of “let it happen” and by following our curiosity (1:32), new moms multi-tasking work and baby (8:24), Yumi shares about sleep, time by herself and reading comics (17:32)

Hosts: Cherice Barton and Shelly Hutchinson  

Guest: Yumiko Takeshima

Producer: Jessica O’Keefe, Breatheasy Productions

Follow Yumiko

YUMIKO brand https://www.yumiko.com/

Instagram @yumiko

Costume Design at Nationale Opera & Ballet https://www.operaballet.nl/en/yumiko-takeshima

Youth America Grand Prix https://yagp.org/yumiko-takeshima/

Support Us via Patreon @CreativeMamasUnplugged

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Extended  Summary : 

In this inspiring conversation, Che sits down with dancer, designer, and entrepreneur Yumiko Takeshima to explore the delicate balance between motherhood, creativity, and career longevity. Yumiko shares her journey of building a global dancewear brand while raising a family, reflecting on the importance of setting healthy boundaries, carving out time for self-care, and learning to say no without guilt. Together, they dive into the evolving definitions of success, the courage it takes to slow down in a fast-paced world, and the power of community in sustaining both artistic and personal growth. This honest and heart-centered discussion offers wisdom for anyone navigating the complexities of motherhood, creative life, and self-preservation

Born in Asahikawa, Japan, to parents who owned a small Kimono business, Takeshima began dancing at the age of four in Sapporo, Japan. At the age of 14 she left home to study ballet with Miharu Ishikawa and the San Francisco Ballet. She was a solo dancer with Universal Ballet, Alberta Ballet, Feld Ballet NY, Dutch National Ballet and the Dresden Semperoper Ballet. Yumiko Takeshima was awarded the gold medal at the Serge Lifar International Ballet Competition in 1996. 

In early 2002 she launched YUMIKO dancewear and the YumiGirl Network. Her dancewear was also used in the 2010 film "Black Swan", among others. 

Since 2002, Takeshima has continued to develop her made-to-order line, as well as a ready-to-wear line, of high quality, great fitting, and beautifully designed dance and fitness wear for women and men. In addition, since moving to Amsterdam, Netherlands, Takeshima has designed costumes for numerous choreographers, most notably David Dawson and William Forsythe and has been praised in the press not only as a dancer, but also for designing some of the most elegant, simple, and aesthetically beautiful dance costumes in the European dance world. Some costumes Yumi has designed for include:

The Human Seasons (2013) David Dawson for the Royal Ballet

Kings 2 Ends (2011) Jorma Elo for the Scottish Ballet

A Million Kisses to my Skin (2000) David Dawson for the Dutch National Ballet

Yumiko Takeshima has danced the principal roles in all of the classical repertoire as well as the choreographies by J. Cranko, J. Neumeier, H. Lander, B. Cullberg, F. Ashton, W. Eagling, T. Tharp, R. van Dantzig, G. Balanchine, H. van Manen, C. Bruce, P. Lacotte, A. Messerer, J. Kylian, W. Forsythe, M. Graham, D. Dawson and many others. She created roles in Giselle, Psychic Whack, A Million Kisses to my Skin, The Grey Area, 00:00, Morning Ground, The Gentle Chapters, Das Verschwundene | The Disappeared; On the Nature of Daylight;  The World According to Us ( all - D. Dawson); Donna Elvira/Don Giovanni, Voice, Derde Symfonie (K. Pastor); Frank Bridge Variations; Six Piano Pieces (H. van Manen); Solitaire (A. L. Ochoa); Meditation & Variation on La Sylphide (D. Byrd); Subliminal Instant, Spazio Tempo (J. Godani); Even The Angels Fall (Redha); Access all Areas (Redha, A. Page); La Fille mal Gardée, Endymion Variations (R. Tobias); Spiegels Bevriezend (T. Van Schayk).

Yumiko Takeshima was featured in The Grey Area In Creation/ D. Dawson (Documentary – 2004) the Dutch National Ballet (Amsterdam); Kinno A-Sama, Ginno A-Sama (Documentary-2006) Japan TV; Giselle, fritten-film (Germany, 2008)

"It is a reinvention"

Invite to reach out to Cher, single moms, creatives, we need each other (00:55), Cher on pushing away our fear during divorce, gratitude for our children and staying close with them during this next chapter (1:46), Cher, the girls and curtains story (5:17), discussion of whether through the divorce it is a rebirth and or a reinvention (9:13).

Hosts: Cherice Barton and Shelly Hutchinson  

Producer: Jessica O’Keefe, Breatheasy Productions

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Yumiko’s global fame and a discussion of travel and bringing our kids with us when we travel (1:52) Cher and Yumiko reminisce traveling with Yumiko’s husband Mark through Spain, and how Yumiko’s and Mark’s child enjoys life with the YUMIKO business (8:02)   Yumiko shares about her transition from being a prima ballerina to having the worldwide YUMIKO brand (13:08).

Hosts: Cherice Barton and Shelly Hutchinson  

Guest: Yumiko Takeshima

Producer: Jessica O’Keefe, Breatheasy Productions

Follow Yumiko

YUMIKO brand https://www.yumiko.com/

Instagram @yumiko

Costume Design at Nationale Opera & Ballet https://www.operaballet.nl/en/yumiko-takeshima

Youth America Grand Prix https://yagp.org/yumiko-takeshima/

Follow Us 

Instagram @creativemamasunplugged

Facebook @creativemamasunplugged

Apple Podcasts  @CreativeMamasUnplugged

Spotify  @CreativeMamasUnplugged

Amazon Music  @CreativeMamasUnplugged  

YouTube  @CreativeMamasUnplugged

iHeart Radio  @CreativeMamasUnplugged

Podbean  @CreativeMamasUnplugged

Extended  Summary : 

In this inspiring conversation, Che sits down with dancer, designer, and entrepreneur Yumiko Takeshima to explore the delicate balance between motherhood, creativity, and career longevity. Yumiko shares her journey of building a global dancewear brand while raising a family, reflecting on the importance of setting healthy boundaries, carving out time for self-care, and learning to say no without guilt. Together, they dive into the evolving definitions of success, the courage it takes to slow down in a fast-paced world, and the power of community in sustaining both artistic and personal growth. This honest and heart-centered discussion offers wisdom for anyone navigating the complexities of motherhood, creative life, and self-preservation

Born in Asahikawa, Japan, to parents who owned a small Kimono business, Takeshima began dancing at the age of four in Sapporo, Japan. At the age of 14 she left home to study ballet with Miharu Ishikawa and the San Francisco Ballet. She was a solo dancer with Universal Ballet, Alberta Ballet, Feld Ballet NY, Dutch National Ballet and the Dresden Semperoper Ballet. Yumiko Takeshima was awarded the gold medal at the Serge Lifar International Ballet Competition in 1996. 

In early 2002 she launched YUMIKO dancewear and the YumiGirl Network. Her dancewear was also used in the 2010 film "Black Swan", among others. 

Since 2002, Takeshima has continued to develop her made-to-order line, as well as a ready-to-wear line, of high quality, great fitting, and beautifully designed dance and fitness wear for women and men. In addition, since moving to Amsterdam, Netherlands, Takeshima has designed costumes for numerous choreographers, most notably David Dawson and William Forsythe and has been praised in the press not only as a dancer, but also for designing some of the most elegant, simple, and aesthetically beautiful dance costumes in the European dance world.

Costumes designed for:

The Human Seasons (2013) David Dawson for the Royal Ballet

Kings 2 Ends (2011) Jorma Elo for the Scottish Ballet

A Million Kisses to my Skin (2000) David Dawson for the Dutch National Ballet

Yumiko Takeshima has danced the principal roles in all of the classical repertoire as well as the choreographies by J. Cranko, J. Neumeier, H. Lander, B. Cullberg, F. Ashton, W. Eagling, T. Tharp, R. van Dantzig, G. Balanchine, H. van Manen, C. Bruce, P. Lacotte, A. Messerer, J. Kylian, W. Forsythe, M. Graham, D. Dawson and many others. She created roles in Giselle, Psychic Whack, A Million Kisses to my Skin, The Grey Area, 00:00, Morning Ground, The Gentle Chapters, Das Verschwundene | The Disappeared; On the Nature of Daylight;  The World According to Us ( all - D. Dawson); Donna Elvira/Don Giovanni, Voice, Derde Symfonie (K. Pastor); Frank Bridge Variations; Six Piano Pieces (H. van Manen); Solitaire (A. L. Ochoa); Meditation & Variation on La Sylphide (D. Byrd); Subliminal Instant, Spazio Tempo (J. Godani); Even The Angels Fall (Redha); Access all Areas (Redha, A. Page); La Fille mal Gardée, Endymion Variations (R. Tobias); Spiegels Bevriezend (T. Van Schayk).

Yumiko Takeshima was featured in The Grey Area In Creation/ D. Dawson (Documentary – 2004) the Dutch National Ballet (Amsterdam); Kinno A-Sama, Ginno A-Sama (Documentary-2006) Japan TV; Giselle, fritten-film (Germany, 2008)

Cher’s youngest sets up a movie projector (1:18), Shelly and her husband’s Atlantic City adventure (3:24), Shelly enjoys and stays calm with new teen experiences (9:07) Cher opens up about single-mom-ing (14:10).

Hosts: Cherice Barton and Shelly Hutchinson  

Producer: Jessica O’Keefe, Breatheasy Productions

Follow Us 

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Podbean  @CreativeMamasUnplugged

Shelly shares some dog shenanigans (00:55), Cher discusses how as a creative you feel invigorated by work when you are tapped out (2:49), how half the battle is showing up, getting in your car, to do something that fills you up with energy, a daily practice (6:47), growing up scrappy and releasing desire for control (11:53).

Hosts: Cherice Barton and Shelly Hutchinson  

Producer: Jessica O’Keefe, Breatheasy Productions

Support Us 

@ patreon.com/CreativeMamasUnpluggedPodcast

Follow Us 

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"I did have to learn to stop asking for permission."

Chi Chi shares how when Kane when Kane was a baby it worked best for both Kane and Chi Chi that he went to work with her (1:04), a chat of how your energy allows for flow and adaptability in our lives (4:49), how you make decisions and not asking for permission (8:53). 

Hosts: Cherice Barton and Shelly Hutchinson  

Guest: Charlene “Chi-Chi” Smith

Producer: Jessica O’Keefe, Breatheasy Productions

Follow Charlene “Chi-Chi”

YouTube @DanceChi

LinkedIn 

La Danse School of the Performing Arts

Broadway Dance Center

IMDb

Dance Magazine Article

Support Us 

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In this episode, Chi-Chi shares about 

Hailing from the South Bronx, Chi-Chi’s roots in funk, soul, hip-hop, and Latin music have shaped her dynamic career. She has  worked with top choreographers in the industry performing alongside legends such as Missy Elliott, LL Cool J, and Mary J. Blige.

Her choreography credits span major brands, hit TV shows like The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, and Broadway. Up next, she’s set to portray Damita Jo Freeman in Hippest Trip—The Soul Train Musical.

A dedicated dance educator, Chi-Chi teaches at Pace and Rutgers University, bringing her signature Groove Theory to the next generation—all while being a devoted mom to her SONshine, Kane.

BIO

Hailing from the South Bronx, Chi-Chi’s roots in funk, soul, hip-hop, and Latin music have shaped her dynamic career. A Rutgers graduate, she’s worked with top choreographers like Hi Hat, Fatima Robinson, and Rich & Tone, performing alongside legends such as Missy Elliott, LL Cool J, Janelle Monáe, and Mary J. Blige.

Her choreography credits span major brands like Crest and Xfinity, hit TV shows like Younger and The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, and Broadway, where she debuted in Holler If Ya Hear Me. Up next, she’s set to portray Damita Jo Freeman in Hippest Trip—The Soul Train Musical.

A dedicated dance educator, Chi-Chi teaches at Pace and Rutgers University, bringing her signature Groove Theory to the next generation—all while being a devoted mom to her SONshine, Kane.

“The more I feel that I'm not alone, the more I listen to other women's stories and journeys. The more inspired I am, the more I feel I have the courage to lead by example.“

A discussion of  using your body to overcome your mental state and “sitting practice” or “quiet practice” (1:58), the doubt we feel versus the trust we must embrace to structure time for activities and relationships (12:21), Alexandra shares how the good we have comes from a lot of work, we have to put ourselves first, invest in ourselves, be wisely selfish so our self-love dominos outward to all around us (19:17), the importance of  circles like the podcast where our community shares and grow together even from afar (21:22).

Hosts: Cherice Barton and Shelly Hutchinson  

Guest: Alexandra Damiani

Producer: Jessica O’Keefe, Breatheasy Productions  

Follow Alexandra Damiani:

Instagram: @alexandra_damiani. Website: www.damianidance.com

Follow her work with Ballets Jazz Montréal

Instagram: @balletsjazzmontreal Website: www.bjmdanse.ca

Follow Jonathan Angelilli & Breathe Move Nourish – Program especially conceived to

support women and moms over 40.

Instagram: @bmn.coach - DM him BREATHE and he will send you Busy Mom's Intro to

Breath Work Guide.

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Extended summary:

 In this deeply insightful episode of Creative Mamas Unplugged, we welcome the extraordinary Alexandra Damiani, Artistic Director of Ballets Jazz Montréal and a powerful force in the international dance community. A mother of two, a visionary leader, and a passionate advocate for balance in both artistry and motherhood, Alexandra shares her journey of navigating personal and professional life with intention and clarity.

Together, hosts Cher and Shelly dive into a candid discussion with Alexandra about prioritization, presence, and the art of letting go—especially as mothers in high-demand careers. From her time shaping world-class dancers at Cedar Lake Contemporary Ballet and Juilliard to her role as a devoted mother, Alexandra reveals how she learned to focus on what truly matters, release societal pressures, and embrace a harmonious, purpose-driven life.

The conversation explores:

We also dive into her husband’s transformative program, "Breathe, Move, Nourish," designed to empower mothers through movement, breathwork, and nutrition. Plus, Alexandra gives us a sneak peek into her upcoming book project, which promises to inspire women to redefine success, wellness, and motherhood on their own terms.

This episode is a must-listen for any mother, artist, or professional striving to find grace in the juggle. Tune in for wisdom, inspiration, and a refreshing reminder that by taking care of ourselves, we take better care of everything—and everyone—else. 🎧💫