If Rita Smith-Wade-El is truly “like a shark,” as her son Ismail says, she swims through a world full of injustice and want, intent on destroying the poverty, injustice, and apathy that have been her prey since childhood. A discalced Carmelite nun, she is as devoted to her church as she is to the NAACP, women’s rights, and generally being an activist. I asked how she chooses which causes to support, and she answered that she doesn’t. In short, her mission is boundless. Although Rita is a long-time warrior against cancer, most recently in the form of a brain tumor, the vigor in her voice conveys her seemingly inexhaustible store of energy. We talked long after I wrapped the interview, and I suspect she could have kept going even longer. I was—and am—in awe of her.

Rita’s definition of art is as expansive as her mission field. To her, art and culture are synonymous, which is why preserving and supporting the arts is of paramount importance. Our discussion swerved into a number of topics, and she approached each one with her characteristic passion.

How many of us can say we’ve done much more than prove the butterfly effect? There’s nothing wrong with being devoted to ordinary challenges, like raising healthy children, or becoming a functional (as opposed to dysfunctional) member of society. Still, it’s always inspiring to meet someone like Darryl Taylor, who truly embraces the challenge to make a difference.

I came away from my conversation with Darryl impressed by sense of mission. He saw a void—the lack of resources about African American Art Song—and filled it with scholarship and performances, making sure to grant access to his body of work so others would avoid the obstacles he faced. Darryl’s work is important because marginalized people in particular get both underestimated and pigeonholed. As he noted, it’s difficult to gain any recognition if your work is only performed in February. A consummate artist who is also both playful and warm, Darryl is the kind of person who will give you the shirt off his back—or at least, the tie from his neck (I’m a witness). He told me that his energy comes from a desire not to complete his earthly stay without helping someone or leaving a mark. “There is so much work to do,” he noted. Indeed.

Patricia Thompson's articles have been published by Forbes, TIME, and a host of other prominent media outlets. The thing that sticks with me about my conversation with this accomplished psychologist and consultant, who lists major corporations among her clients (and is also one of the most together people I’ve ever met), is her willingness to try new things without getting too caught up in the outcomes.

When I asked about her efforts to build her profile, she mentioned that she realizes she has no idea what will work and what won’t, so she gives her best effort and lets the chips fall where they may, without investing too heavily in the outcome. This is a great recipe for avoiding discouragement, and isn’t discouragement the enemy of progress? It is if it’s allowed to dominate.

Patricia Thompson wants others to succeed and be happy—or, more accurately, be happy and succeed. Since moods are contagious, her strategies can create a sense of well-being not only within a workplace, but also within a family, or any other group. I hope you enjoy meeting this advocate for success through positive interactions with not just those around us, but ourselves.

Do artists have a responsibility to society? Kevin Wood thinks so. An educator and author with experience in all aspects of classical music, from the stage to recording companies to managing orchestras, Kevin has strong, informed opinions that may surprise you.

Perhaps it isn’t surprising that Kevin cares so deeply about the people around him, since his first aspiration was to be a collaborative—not solo—pianist. Playing songs with words in something other than English spurred an interest in other languages, which led him to other opportunities. Along the way, he learned to shun xenophobia and embrace the power of art.

Love philosophy? Have I got an interview for you!

Peter Black is a London-based virtuoso guitarist/composer, seeker, and amateur philosopher who is equally at home playing classical, Latin, flamenco, jazz and the blues . His corporate clients include 20th Century Fox, Google, Bvlgari Jewels, Audi, General Motors, Sainsbury, United Coffee, 3-mobile, Fiat and many more. He has performed for celebrities such as Emma Thompson, Dustin Hoffman, Catherine Zeta-Jones and Michael Douglas, as well as appearing all over the UK in venues such as the Ritz, Claridges, St. Paul’s Cathedral, Ronnie Scott’s, Fulham Palace, and Kensington Palace. He also works internationally, with performances in France, Monaco, Spain, Germany, Sweden, Morocco, Dubai and Qatar.

Join me as I probe the mind of this intriguing, engaging artist.

For Jeanne Krausman, music is a “mitzvah.” Every day, she wakes up determined, responding to a call that is changing her in ways she doesn’t quite understand. And yet, she is certain of one thing: as long as she feels this way, her life will continue. For an anxiety-prone woman of 92, this sort of certainty is precious.

Jeanne fell in love with the piano as a young girl, but didn’t perform her first public recital (for friends and family) until she was in her 60’s. In her 70’s, she learned two virtuoso works, Beethoven’s “Waldstein” Sonata and Schumann’s Carnaval, performing both from memory and, for the most part, at tempo. She has continued to perform, despite failing eyesight, arthritis, and issues of mobility. She sums it up this way: “I can’t stop.”

Although striving to unlock the mysteries of such masterpieces as the last movement of the Schumann Fantasy—the piece that drew her back to the instrument two years ago and resulted in her special friendship with the famous pianist who is now her teacher—is a driving force in her life, Jeanne’s musical mission goes far beyond personal fulfillment. She is remembered by many as a beloved teacher, both in the classroom and privately, and choral instructor whose commitment to the music of the Jewish temple led her to direct annual cantatas well into her 80’s.

My question of the day is this: what if each of us focused on one positive goal, despite our limitations, and embraced both the courage and hard work required to lay the foundation for true inspiration?

With a broad nose, full lips, and brown skin, Ruby Taylor always knew she was beautiful, but she soon realized that the world didn’t necessarily agree. Watching her niece struggle with the idea of being created in God’s image spurred this former social worker to write her first book. Ruby further bolstered her niece’s self-image by commissioning artist Shanequa Gay to paint her. When Ruby saw the painting’s uplifting effects, she commissioned a series of similar portraits for other girls, then made a documentary so that young women of color she couldn’t afford to immortalize on canvas could see their skin, hair, and features reflected and affirmed in a film. Then she organized an event, named after one of her favorite historical figures, Augusta Savage, a pioneering African American sculptor and art educator, to screen the film and pamper the audience.

It’s worthy of mention that Ruby had a major car accident in 2014, which left her with a brain injury that makes getting through each day an exhausting challenge. The documentary came later. (Let that sink in for a moment.) She is constantly tired, but she is also tireless, because she feels she has a mission from God. Or rather, she has missions from God. The next one: “a book and movement to embrace God’s love for all.”

Here’s my question of the day: what if we refused to let our challenges, even the major physical ones, define us? We all have limits, but what if we made inspiring other people—even one other person—a greater focus than our own pain and trouble?

In her acclaimed debut novel, Lilli de Jong, Janet Benton seeks to “crack open” the hearts of those who devalue and dismiss the arduous job of motherhood. Although the tale is set in the 19th century, the struggle to find affordable childcare, especially among single mothers, still hits a bit too close to home. Despite the odds against single mothers raising healthy babies, Lilli remains determined, which isn’t surprising, given the background of her creator, the daughter of an ardent feminist, who began her career as an intern at Ms. Magazine.

Janet has taught at several colleges, worked as an editor, and established The Word Studio, a haven for aspiring novelists who are wise enough to absorb her encyclopedic knowledge of craft. As an author, her star is rising, however, it was her passion for the cause of motherhood that led me to seek her out as a guest on Finding Beauty.

The first guinea pig for _Finding Beauty _needed to come from somewhere, so I looked in my backyard, or rather, down the hallway upstairs, and asked my daughter, very nicely, if she wouldn’t mind helping me out. Our conversation turned out to be brief, but revealing. We have an excellent relationship, but there are things I never would have asked about her thoughts on music and life if not for the more formal setting an interview creates, and her answers demonstrated her depth in ways that weren’t shocking, but still managed to surprise me.

If I had to choose one thing she said to reflect on, it would be her definition of beauty. Kiana told me that when she writes songs, she isn’t focused on loveliness, but rather, vulnerability and honesty. I love that idea, because if we were all truly vulnerable and honest, the resulting authenticity would be something truly beautiful. The catch is that we’d all have to do it, because in the current climate, vulnerability and honesty are often met with violence, whether emotional, mental, or physical. But if we add resilience to the mix, the kind of beauty Kiana mentions could endure.

So here’s my question of the day: what would happen if we all chose to be just a bit more truthful, and a bit more vulnerable?

P.S. Wondering what the subtitle means? Listen to the episode!

And finally: The wrong version of her song, "Show Your Love" was included in the podcast. To hear the official version, click the link: https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/show-your-love-single/1243786769