Seeds of Sunshine - A mother-daughter podcast

Season 2, Episode 77

Join your hosts Carmen and Sophia Micsa to learn how you can improve your writing and how to self-publish your books by following our award-winning author guest Karl Beckstrand's advice. 

Karl Beckstrand is a college media instructor, as well as the best-selling author/illustrator of twenty-seven multicultural/multilingual books, and 65 ebooks. Beckstrand has received great reviews from Publisher’s Weekly, Kirkus, The Horn Book, and School Library Journal).

Raised in San Jose, California, he has lived abroad, earned a B.A. in journalism, an M.A. in conflict resolution, and a broadcast & film certificate. His western novel To Swallow the Earth won a 2016 International Book Award and was a Laramie Award finalist.

Beckstrand loves volleyball and singing (in rock bands or choirs). His young adult stories, e-book mysteries, biographies, Spanish/bilingual books, and STEM books feature diverse characters—and usually end with a twist.

On this Seeds of Sunshine:

• Learn the difference between traditional and self-publishing and which one is better. 
• Why marketing is best done by the author and how to market. 
• Learn about our cultural differences and why they are our gifts. 
• The difference between memoir and autobiography.
• Why reading both fiction and non-fiction will make us better writers and will enhance our intellect. 
• Beckstrand's best writing advice. 

To connect with Karl Beckstrand and buy his books, please go to:
https://kidsworldbooks.com/book-author-beckstrand
Karl Beckstrand (@karlbeckstrand) • Instagram photos and videos
Amazon.com: Karl Beckstrand: books, biography, latest update
(20) Kids World Books by Premio (@KidsWorldBooks) / X (twitter.com)
Kids World Books by Premio Publishing - YouTube

Support the show

Full editing credit & art design to my daughter Sophia Micsa. 
There are three ways to support our podcast:
1.  You can become a monthly subscriber to our podcast https://www.buzzsprout.com/1999885/support to help us continue our journey of sprinkling as many seeds of sunshine your way. When you become a subscriber, we will also give you a shout-out on our next episode and promote your business! No strings attached and you can cancel at any time.
2. Please donate any amount at https://ko-fi.com/carmenmicsa.
3. To follow me on social media, buy my books, or contact me about real estate, please visit https://linktr.ee/carmenmicsa, or email me at [email protected]

Season 2, Episode 76

Join your hosts Carmen and Sophia Micsa to learn about 2024 real estate market trends and how to build wealth.

Carmen Micsa is the Broker/CEO of her own company Dynamic Real Estate. She is a creative nonfiction writer and poet who has earned both her BA and MA degrees in English from Sacramento State University. 

Micsa has published creative nonfiction, a tennis book Change Your Grip on Life Through Tennis, two poetry books The Poetics of Running, A Book of Poetry in Motion and Morsels of Love, A Book of Poetry and Short Form, Holistic Journey Toward Wellness, a Dancing Elephants Press book project, The Joy of Life, a Collection of Articles,  Moments of Eternity, a Collection of Poetry, and her most recent book of short forms Inspirational Signs for More Sunshine in Your Life.

Micsa is also an avid marathon runner, who ran 16 marathons, including Boston, New York, Chicago, London, Berlin, and Tokyo marathons.

 On this Seeds of Sunshine:

• To buy or not to buy in 2024?
• Market predictions and stats. 
• Why you should consider building an ADU, or accessory dwelling unit on your property.
• Will the real estate market crash? Listen to why it won’t happen in 2024, according to economists.

To buy or sell with Carmen Micsa, mention this episode to receive up to $2,000 towards closing costs when buying with me, and a discount on commission when selling. Also, feel free to go to my website.
 Sacramento Real Estate | Carmen Micsa (dynamicsacramentohomes.com)

To buy Carmen Micsa's books:
Amazon.com: Carmen Micsa: books, biography, latest update

To connect with Carmen Micsa:
carmenmicsa | Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok | Linktree
Facebook
Carmen Micsa (@carmenseedsofsunshine) • Instagram photos and videos
Carmen Micsa, MA in English, podcaster – Medium

Support the show

Full editing credit & art design to my daughter Sophia Micsa. 
There are three ways to support our podcast:
1.  You can become a monthly subscriber to our podcast https://www.buzzsprout.com/1999885/support to help us continue our journey of sprinkling as many seeds of sunshine your way. When you become a subscriber, we will also give you a shout-out on our next episode and promote your business! No strings attached and you can cancel at any time.
2. Please donate any amount at https://ko-fi.com/carmenmicsa.
3. To follow me on social media, buy my books, or contact me about real estate, please visit https://linktr.ee/carmenmicsa, or email me at [email protected]

Season 2, Episode 75

Join your hosts Carmen and Sophia Micsa to learn about Matt Barrios
and his ideas about the importance of a foundational level at home for people to have a good quality of life.

Matt Barrios is a researcher, writer, and transformational coach based in San Francisco, CA. He has over 10 years of experience helping 1000+ people grow into greater clarity & confidence. His research interests focus on the intersection of home, personal growth, and human-centered design. You can find his work at homelifedesignlab.com.

On this Seeds of Sunshine episode:

• Learn why Matt thinks we must envision ourselves as happy and fulfilled and why this word is important. 
• Find out what the link between mental health and home life is.
• Why it is important to surround ourselves with beautiful things that are inspiring us.
• Why we should use the word negotiation instead of compromise.  For instance, when we negotiate, we get to bring everybody's interest to the table and the goal is to make everybody happy with the outcome.
• One way to hold that space visually and kind of sense orally is to light a candle, dim the lights, and let that be your evening.
• Learn what Matt's cornerstone habit of the home is.

To connect with Matt Barrios:
Matt Barrios (bento.me)
Matt Barrios (@mt_barrios) • Instagram photos and videos
(2) Facebook
Homelife for Extraordinary Impact - YouTube
(20) Matt Barrios 🏡🚢 (@mt_barrios) / X (twitter.com)

Support the show

Full editing credit & art design to my daughter Sophia Micsa. 
There are three ways to support our podcast:
1.  You can become a monthly subscriber to our podcast https://www.buzzsprout.com/1999885/support to help us continue our journey of sprinkling as many seeds of sunshine your way. When you become a subscriber, we will also give you a shout-out on our next episode and promote your business! No strings attached and you can cancel at any time.
2. Please donate any amount at https://ko-fi.com/carmenmicsa.
3. To follow me on social media, buy my books, or contact me about real estate, please visit https://linktr.ee/carmenmicsa, or email me at [email protected]

Season 2, Episode 74

Join your hosts Carmen and Sophia Micsa to learn about Daniel Tancredi, our statistician guest’s top five seeds of sunshine for 2023. 

Daniel Tancredi is a Professor in Residence of Pediatrics at UC Davis, where he contributes his experience and training as a statistician to teams in a variety of research areas, including autism, perinatal epidemiology, and nutrition. 

Top 10 Seeds of Sunshine episodes/guests selected by Carmen Micsa and Daniel Tancredi:
Being Perfectly Imperfect with Nanci Reed, Author of Happily Ever Now
How to Cook Delicious Homemade Meals with Michelin-star Chef Rafael and His Wife Toni
Three Ways to Become a Conversation Master with Leadership Coach Beth Wonson
Advice on How Women Can Excel in Sports with Christine Yu, Award-Winning Journalist/Author of Up to Speed
How to Enhance Your Mental Health with ‘Chopped’ Champion and memoir author Brooke Siem
Running with Joy with Emily Hawgood, Fifth Female at The Western States 100-mile Race
Ace Your Life with Dr. Michelle Maidenberg
Running & Life Coaching Tips with Two-time Olympian Kim Conley and her Husband Drew Wartenburg
Master Your Mindset
“Why Can’t She See Me?” with Madigan and Aimee Duffy, MD
Daniel's podcast Science, Microbes & Health: https://isappscience.org/for-scientists/podcasts/ 
To connect with Daniel Tancredi: Daniel Tancredi | UC Davis Profiles
Facebook

Support the show

Full editing credit & art design to my daughter Sophia Micsa. 
There are three ways to support our podcast:
1.  You can become a monthly subscriber to our podcast https://www.buzzsprout.com/1999885/support to help us continue our journey of sprinkling as many seeds of sunshine your way. When you become a subscriber, we will also give you a shout-out on our next episode and promote your business! No strings attached and you can cancel at any time.
2. Please donate any amount at https://ko-fi.com/carmenmicsa.
3. To follow me on social media, buy my books, or contact me about real estate, please visit https://linktr.ee/carmenmicsa, or email me at [email protected]

Season 2, Episode 73

Join your hosts Carmen and Sophia Micsa and learn more about vibrational astrology with Michael Spremulli. 

 Michael Spremulli is a data-driven workplace personality expert who is a professional astrologer with almost 30 years of interpreting astrology charts. Michael Spremulli's approach to astrology is both unique and practical. He combines his therapist and workplace personality expert expertise with modern, cutting-edge, scientifically validated astrology interpretation techniques. 
 
Michael's journey with astrology began with a reading from a professional astrologer before he started grad school. The experience changed his life.

 On this Seeds of Sunshine episode:

•  Find out why Micheal chose vibrational astrology.
• Sharing his love of metaphysics.
• As a personality expert, Michael believes in data.
•  Michael will teach us how the planets interact and how that affects our mood, performance, etc. 
• Vibrational astrology shows us how the energy is optimally designed to flow for us individually.
•  Astrology is a great tool to get various answers to our life’s dilemmas. 
• The time, date, and birth location are crucial to vibrational astrology.
•  Michael is great at providing a vibrational astrology forecast.

To connect with Michael Spremulli:
Blue Ridge Astrology | Professional Astrology Services
Michael Spremulli (@blueridgeastrology) • Instagram photos and videos
(5) Facebook
Blue Ridge Astrology - YouTube
Blue Ridge Astrology (@blueridgeastrology) | TikTok

Support the show

Full editing credit & art design to my daughter Sophia Micsa. 
There are three ways to support our podcast:
1.  You can become a monthly subscriber to our podcast https://www.buzzsprout.com/1999885/support to help us continue our journey of sprinkling as many seeds of sunshine your way. When you become a subscriber, we will also give you a shout-out on our next episode and promote your business! No strings attached and you can cancel at any time.
2. Please donate any amount at https://ko-fi.com/carmenmicsa.
3. To follow me on social media, buy my books, or contact me about real estate, please visit https://linktr.ee/carmenmicsa, or email me at [email protected]

Season 2, Episode 72

Join your hosts Carmen and Sophia Micsa to learn more about Leigh Shulman’s ideas about creativity and writing. 

Author and writing mentor Leigh Shulman founded The Inspired Writer Community, a women writers network for writers at any stage in their writing lives. Her bestselling book The Writer's Roadmap: Paving the Way To Your Ideal Writing Life helps thousands find their way in the writing world. She writes for the Washington Post, Wired, and Insider among others. Shulman lives with her family in the mountains of Argentina.

 On this Seeds of Sunshine episode: 

• Shulman talks about moving from New York to Argentina and how her lifestyle has changed to a simpler life not centered on money, as it used to be when she lived in the US. 
• Working directly with writers, Shulman realized that people don't really know what they want, so she created a writer’s roadmap, which matches accomplishing more in life as well. 
• When it comes to writing and pursuing one’s goals, Shulman’s salient advice is to be really, really selfish in carving up time to write and devote to one’s passion.
• Writing is not an indulgence, but our livelihood.
• The idea behind the Inspire Writers Community is to help people figure out what they want and then really make it happen.

To purchase her book The Writer’s Roadmap: Paving the Way to Your Ideal Writing Life, please go to Amazon, and wherever books are sold.  

 To connect with Leigh Shulman:

 Facebook

 Leigh Shulman (@theleighshulman) • Instagram photos and videos

 (20) Leigh Shulman @writing.exchange@leighshulman (@TheLeighShulman) / X (twitter.com)

Support the show

Full editing credit & art design to my daughter Sophia Micsa. 
There are three ways to support our podcast:
1.  You can become a monthly subscriber to our podcast https://www.buzzsprout.com/1999885/support to help us continue our journey of sprinkling as many seeds of sunshine your way. When you become a subscriber, we will also give you a shout-out on our next episode and promote your business! No strings attached and you can cancel at any time.
2. Please donate any amount at https://ko-fi.com/carmenmicsa.
3. To follow me on social media, buy my books, or contact me about real estate, please visit https://linktr.ee/carmenmicsa, or email me at [email protected]

Season 2, Episode 71

Join your hosts Carmen and Sophia Micsa and learn about our guest Rahul Karan Sharma, who believes that anything is possible with grit, determination, and perseverance. With over 20 years of experience in Corporate America, he has proven that his transformational abilities are unparalleled. 

Rahul Karan Sharma is a dynamic leader from India, currently residing in Ashburn, VA. With an MBA in Human Resources from Pune University and a Master's Degree in Organization Development from Bowling Green State University, Rahul has dedicated his life to building mindsets that achieve excellence.

In his corporate role, he is entrusted with training and equipping leadership teams, while on the personal development front, he inspires others to adopt positive mind-talk conversations. His audience is captivated by his powerful storytelling skills and his unwavering passion for serving others.

Rahul, an acclaimed author of the #1 new book releases Be Action Oriented and Habits4Miracles is igniting a powerful positive transformation within the community. Through his profound words and insightful wisdom, Rahul's books empower individuals to embrace action, unlock their true potential, and cultivate habits that lead to miraculous outcomes.

On this Seeds of Sunshine episode:

• Rahul learned there about the habit of reading books on self-development leadership, which inspired him to pursue my management MBA in human resources. 
• He urges us to keep a gratitude journal for thankful for today, as it will allow us to know how blessed we are that would be the first thing I would recommend. 
• Networking is one of the critical skills in today's environment.

To purchase Rahul Karan Sharma's books, go to his website, or wherever books are sold.

To connect with Rahul Karan Sharma, please follow him on:
 (3) Facebook
Rahul Karan Sharma (@preparewithrahul) (instagram.com)
(20) Rahul Karan Sharma (@rahulphr) / X (twitter.com)

Support the show

Full editing credit & art design to my daughter Sophia Micsa. 
There are three ways to support our podcast:
1.  You can become a monthly subscriber to our podcast https://www.buzzsprout.com/1999885/support to help us continue our journey of sprinkling as many seeds of sunshine your way. When you become a subscriber, we will also give you a shout-out on our next episode and promote your business! No strings attached and you can cancel at any time.
2. Please donate any amount at https://ko-fi.com/carmenmicsa.
3. To follow me on social media, buy my books, or contact me about real estate, please visit https://linktr.ee/carmenmicsa, or email me at [email protected]

Season 2, Episode 70

Join your hosts Carmen and Sophia Micsa to learn more about why being happy now with author Nanci Reed will change your life. 

Nanci Reed is the author of Happily Ever Now, as well as a Sacred Embodiment Coach, Intuition Amplifier, Pilates Instructor, and longtime Student/Teacher/ Facilitator of ‘A Course In Miracles’. She supports successful, empathic, and mission-driven women to embrace their perfectly imperfect selves with curiosity and gentleness, so they learn to trust the wisdom of their soul, live from their dreams--not their perceived limitations, and live their happily ever NOW--not after everything else is perfect.

On this Seeds of Sunshine episode: 

• How impossible things become possible, such as Nanci getting married, divorced, and then remarried to her husband.
• How the author stopped waiting for everything else to be perfect and how she didn't need any external validations.
•  How Nanci put her perfectionism gently aside to write this book that had been speaking to her heart, her whole life about wanting to share her story.
• As a sacred embodiment coach, Nanci has lots of wisdom to share about coming into alignment on the level of mind, body, and spirit in a way that is personally meaningful.
• Nanci shares her insight about perfectionism and why it's important to look at it with kindness and curiosity rather than judgment.
• Nanci's biggest belief in life is of being perfectly imperfect.
• Embracing this perfectly imperfect experience, and recognizing that everything can have a purpose and that we get to decide what that purpose is for.

To follow Nanci Reed and purchase her wonderful book Happily Ever Now, please go to:
Happily Ever NOW: (Not AFTER everything else is perfect): Reed, Nanci: 9798385649204: Amazon.com: Books
Happily Ever Now - Happily Ever Now (happilyevernowbook.com)
Nanci Reed (@happilyeverliving) • Instagram photos and videos
(3) Facebook

Support the show

Full editing credit & art design to my daughter Sophia Micsa. 
There are three ways to support our podcast:
1.  You can become a monthly subscriber to our podcast https://www.buzzsprout.com/1999885/support to help us continue our journey of sprinkling as many seeds of sunshine your way. When you become a subscriber, we will also give you a shout-out on our next episode and promote your business! No strings attached and you can cancel at any time.
2. Please donate any amount at https://ko-fi.com/carmenmicsa.
3. To follow me on social media, buy my books, or contact me about real estate, please visit https://linktr.ee/carmenmicsa, or email me at [email protected]

Season 2, Episode 69

Join your hosts Carmen and Sophia Micsa and learn more about cooking right in time for Thanksgiving with our guests Chef Rafael and his wife Toni Gonzalez.

 With three decades of professional culinary experience, Rafael Gonzalez has graced the kitchens of Michelin-starred restaurants, luxury hotels, five-star resorts, and private estates. Alongside his wife Toni, an experienced event planner, their mission is to empower others to bring the luxurious essence of their favorite restaurants right into their own home. 

 “If you love something, you always make time for it.” – Chef Rafael Gonzalez

 On this Seeds of Sunshine episode: 

• Rafael has worked in five Michelin-star restaurants and loves to share the art of cooking with all of us. His lovely and talented wife Toni sets a beautiful table.
•  With a Cuban-Spanish background, Chef Rafael continues to learn more about cooking and loves the fact that it is different every day. 
• Rafael believes that with the right ingredients, curiosity, and creativity, we can all learn to cook Michelin-star meals at home. 
• He also emphasizes the importance of perseverance in cooking just like in life. 
• Rafael loves that cooking requires creativity and that we can all create something out of nothing with the right ingredients. 
• Cooking with various herbs/spices is a wonderful way to decompress for both Rafael and Tony, as well as to spend quality time together. They also love to teach their kids about cooking and to expand their culinary palates. 
• Chef Rafael's famous grilled cheese recipe on this episode and try it at home. 
• Listen to the end of this episode to find out how many times a child needs to eat something before liking it. 
• Last, but not least, cooking together allows us to make memories around the kitchen counter.  

To dazzle your partner with your cooking, check out Chef Rafael’s

The Art of Five-Star Date Nights at Home (chefrafaelgonzalez.com) To connect with Chef Rafael Gonzalez and his wife Toni:
Chef Rafael Gonzalez | Culinary Courses
Rafael Gonzalez | Culinary Courses (@chef.rafael.gonzalez) • Instagram photos and videos
(3) Facebook
Chef Rafael Gonzalez - YouTube

Support the show

Full editing credit & art design to my daughter Sophia Micsa. 
There are three ways to support our podcast:
1.  You can become a monthly subscriber to our podcast https://www.buzzsprout.com/1999885/support to help us continue our journey of sprinkling as many seeds of sunshine your way. When you become a subscriber, we will also give you a shout-out on our next episode and promote your business! No strings attached and you can cancel at any time.
2. Please donate any amount at https://ko-fi.com/carmenmicsa.
3. To follow me on social media, buy my books, or contact me about real estate, please visit https://linktr.ee/carmenmicsa, or email me at [email protected]

Season 2, Episode 68

Join your hosts Carmen and Sophia Micsa and learn about our guest Beth Wonson, who is a conversational guru and will teach you to become one as well! 

Beth Wonson developed the Navigating Challenging Dialogue® process out of a desire to help herself become a better manager, leader, parent, and friend. As she began working with the tools she developed, she got requests to help people, teams, and organizations become better at having tough, but essential, conversations. In 2010, Beth Wonson & Company was launched.

Since then, Beth has been speaking, coaching, mentoring, and training individuals and teams. Now, Fortune 500s, nonprofit organizations, government agencies, and schools use the tools and strategies of NCD to become communicators who empower others through meaningful, drama-free conversations. NCD is now a proven tool for improving culture, clarity, and retention in organizations. To reach even more people, Beth has now published two books for implementing NCD:
1. Turn This Conversation Around: The 4-Stage Process for Communication with Connection
2. Mastering Feedback: Everything You’ve Never Been Told About How to Give Feedback.

 On this Seeds of Sunshine episode: 

•  Beth Wonson talks about the four-stage process when it comes to communication.
• The first step is the story. 
• Step two is sifting just like a kid, who goes to the beach and uses those little plastic sifters. You put all the sand in and shake it and what's left, hopefully, are treasures, rocks, stones, and things that are important shells.
• Step three is how to manage our own emotions. So in stage three, we're kicking the tires and making sure that it's our conversation. Everything we're bringing to the conversation needs to be relevant. 
• Step four is a process of managing ourselves so that we show up in the best way possible way.
•  Wonson’s powerful communication tool is the phrase that she expands upon during our conversation “Grace is in the space,” which is about pausing, being present, and not rushing to respond. 
• Curiosity and understanding are crucial in fostering good conversations. 

 To purchase Beth Wonson’s books, go to her website, or wherever books are sold.

 To connect with Beth Wonson, please follow her on:

 Navigating Challenging Dialogue (ncdsolution.com)

(3) Facebook

Support the show

Full editing credit & art design to my daughter Sophia Micsa. 
There are three ways to support our podcast:
1.  You can become a monthly subscriber to our podcast https://www.buzzsprout.com/1999885/support to help us continue our journey of sprinkling as many seeds of sunshine your way. When you become a subscriber, we will also give you a shout-out on our next episode and promote your business! No strings attached and you can cancel at any time.
2. Please donate any amount at https://ko-fi.com/carmenmicsa.
3. To follow me on social media, buy my books, or contact me about real estate, please visit https://linktr.ee/carmenmicsa, or email me at [email protected]