No Such Word as Can’t

Samantha Hankey is an American mezzo-soprano opera singer who graduated from The Juilliard School, where she received both her Bachelor and Master of Music degrees and was recognized with several distinctions. A native of Marshfield, Massachusetts, Samantha embraced her passion for music from an early age after performing in a local production of Annie at age six. Now performing in operas worldwide, Samantha sheds some light on what the modern day Opera is like...and why it is an artform for the ages

https://www.samanthahankey.com/

Paula Lafferty is a fantasy author querying her debut novel 'La Vie de Guinevere', and Arthurian retelling set in the present day where Guinevere has no memory of her past. Paula talks about the traditional publishing world and the route to getting a novel published that way - querying, agent rejections, and the elusive book deal! We discuss the importance of resilience in dealing with constant rejection - especially with creative projects.

Find Paula Here:

https://www.tiktok.com/discover/paula-lafferty-books?lang=en

Shari Tarantino is the executive director of the Orca Conservancy. The orca conservancy is a non-profit which aims to spread awareness as well as actively help to save the endangered Southern Resident killer whales and conserving the area that they call home. Shari talks about her experience working around the Southern Residents and fighting for their rights, as well as her thoughts on the proposed move of Lolita (Tokitae) to her 'home waters' of the Pacific Northwest.

If you wish to donate to help save the Southern Residents from extinction then click the link below:

https://www.orcaconservancy.org/?gclid=CjwKCAjw1YCkBhAOEiwA5aN4AeVIvgsW10TcOPIFpTdysHbXIP7zD8sYLZhz012yHPUDIzsOvopR7BoCzBQQAvD_BwE

If you wish to get involved with the fight to stop the relocation of Toki and improve her welfare where she is currently, then more information can be found here:

https://www.truth4toki.com/

Rebecca Thorne is a well-known fantasy author, best known for her Tomes and Tea series. She is a wealth of knowledge when it comes to all things indie publishing and takes us through her journey to publishing, with plenty of tips and advice on how you can do it too. Rebecca has an MFA in Popular Fiction Writing and Publishing from Emerson College. She was the commencement speaker for the School of the Arts in May 2023, and has a fierce passion for publishing education

https://rebeccathorne.net/

We have a repeat guest for this week's episode where I speak to the wonderful Manda Young who just happens to be one of my best friends, for this open and honest conversation about motherhood, the choice to have children, mental health, and the pressures facing women from society. 

Jo Ruxton is a seasoned environmentalist who has worked for the WWF, BBC and is the Founder of Ocean Generation She speaks about her passion for educating the next generation of conservationists through her programs in Ocean Generation, and shares her hopes for the future of marine ecosystems everywhere. 

Learn More:

https://oceangeneration.org/

Cat Rust is a former marine mammal trainer who has worked at multiple different facilities in the US with dolphins. Now a forensic scientist, she discusses her hopes for the future of the industry, techniques that she feels are outdated and how we can continually strive to put the animals first.

Marlies and Linda are two friends who have known each other since high school. Coming from the famous bulb region near Lisse, near the Keukenhof in the Netherlands, both ended up marrying flower farmers. 

For years they watched their husbands growing tubers and bulbs, which after harvest were sent in batches to wholesale and export companies who in turn sold them all over the world. Marlies and Linda decided that the flowers themselves deserved some recognition, and that they wanted to know where they ended up - and so FAM Flower Farm was born. 

Find them here:

https://www.famflowerfarm.nl/over-ons

https://www.instagram.com/famflowerfarm/?hl=en

Mark Simmons was one of the lead trainers involved in the failed release of the 'Free Willy' whale Keiko. Despite his best efforts to re-train Keiko for relocation and eventual release - Mark explains why the whale he knew was never the best candidate for the project in the first place. He shares his thoughts on the proposed relocation of Lolita (Tokitae) and his own fears around what could become of her should the proposed plan go ahead. 

https://www.truth4toki.com/

https://www.change.org/p/don-t-free-lolita

Kristina Girod is the founder of the Power + Flow studio and is taking TikTok by storm!

Power+Flow was established in September 2020 and Kristina was bent on changing the fitness landscape in the valley. What began as a small dream, quickly turned into a full studio in only one years time.

Kristina coaches from the heart while leading her class through both mental and physical barriers that discover their true potential.

https://www.power-flowstudio.com/the-team

https://www.tiktok.com/@_powerandflow/video/7131205979856719150

https://www.instagram.com/thekristinagirod/?hl=en