Spark My Muse

"Loneliness is the end result of not being fully connected and present with other human beings and myself," says Michael Wright, who is my guest today.

Today, I am making good on my commitment to bring more of the arts into my programming this year. I want to dig deeply into the words and ideas of thoughtful people that are writers, poets, musicians, and creators–Michael Wright covers much of this territory and this episode is full of gems.

Michael (MA is Theology and the Arts) is the Associate Editor for FULLER Studio and magazine. Our conversation is rich and deep and includes details of Michael's difficult journey with bipolar II (including his two serious bouts of mania that helped him understand the nature of his mental illness); and the consequences which still hinder his his ability to create music and poetry (as of January 2017).

We also talk about the life-giving occasions called "Story Table" hosted by FULLER Studio which offer a dynamic but loosely guided time of sharing conversation, personal stories on specific themes and shared in a vital way. (Videos of these encounters are available to watch and include themes such as reconciling race, hospitality, women, restoration, and more. Also with the videos is a free guide to encourage "Story Table" in your own home, school, church setting, or community. Show notes have links to all these resources, if you miss the contact information given Michael.)

Additionally, Michael reads some short and remarkable poetry (by three different well-known poets). These pieces have been cherished companions to him along the way through loneliness, pain, confusion, depression, mania, and all the in-betweens of life.

Be sure to get the Show Notes if you want QUICK access to the many links to the people, books, keywords/ideas, websites and much more mentioned in the episode. Those will be at https://patreon.com/sparkmymuse (They cost just $1 - per month. Your contribution unlocks show notes each week (and all previous show notes too). WOW. Seriously. I know...what a crazy good deal!)

- - THANK YOU to everyone who has sent in handwritten letters (hear episode SSL67 #FebFREEDOM, if you missed it, for information about that). It's amazing to read them. If you'd like to slow down and send me a handwritten letter - mail it to Lisa DeLay c/o Ovation Enterprises 49 S. 2nd Street, Cressona PA 17929, USA

-- - - - BIG ANNOUNCEMENT- - - - EARLY BIRD Tickets to the SOUL SCHOOL FIELD TRIP weekend getaway - July 28-30th, 2017- ARE HERE!

Get information OR tickets here http://soulschoolfieldtrip.eventbrite.com (very limited space available - Early Bird offer ends in April.)

- - - - LAST CALL! - - Need a shinny new coffee mug, or t-shirt, or hoodie to cloth your nakedness or impress your friends? - Then snag your "Analog Strong" design items before they disappear VERY SOON - Feb 5. http://teespring.com/analogstrong (it's the perfect way to show the world that you're not JUST digitally savvy - but savvy offline too!) These are collector's items for sure, my darlings!

May you enjoy the show and pass it along.

ALSO -- please write an iTunes review.

HOW DO YOU DO THAT? you ask. Easy-peasy! 1) Just go to the iTunes main page (on the phone it's in the podcast app, or on your computer it's in iTunes); 2) then do a plain old SEARCH for the show (Spark My Muse); 3) then click "Reviews"; 4) then click "Write Review"- It's that EASY!) - (It takes about 2-4 minutes total.)

I am SO GRATEFUL!

XOX

~Lisa

"Loneliness is the end result of not being fully connected and present with other human beings and myself," says Michael Wright, who is my guest today.

Today, I am making good on my commitment to bring more of the arts into my programming this year. I want to dig deeply into the words and ideas of thoughtful people that are writers, poets, musicians, and creators–Michael Wright covers much of this territory and this episode is full of gems.

Michael (MA is Theology and the Arts) is the Associate Editor for FULLER Studio and magazine. Our conversation is rich and deep and includes details of Michael's difficult journey with bipolar II (including his two serious bouts of mania that helped him understand the nature of his mental illness); and the consequences which still hinder his his ability to create music and poetry (as of January 2017).

We also talk about the life-giving occasions called "Story Table" hosted by FULLER Studio which offer a dynamic but loosely guided time of sharing conversation, personal stories on specific themes and shared in a vital way. (Videos of these encounters are available to watch and include themes such as reconciling race, hospitality, women, restoration, and more. Also with the videos is a free guide to encourage "Story Table" in your own home, school, church setting, or community. Show notes have links to all these resources, if you miss the contact information given Michael.)

Additionally, Michael reads some short and remarkable poetry (by three different well-known poets). These pieces have been cherished companions to him along the way through loneliness, pain, confusion, depression, mania, and all the in-betweens of life.

Be sure to get the Show Notes if you want QUICK access to the many links to the people, books, keywords/ideas, websites and much more mentioned in the episode. Those will be at https://patreon.com/sparkmymuse (They cost just $1 - per month. Your contribution unlocks show notes each week (and all previous show notes too). WOW. Seriously. I know...what a crazy good deal!)

- - THANK YOU to everyone who has sent in handwritten letters (hear episode SSL67 #FebFREEDOM, if you missed it, for information about that). It's amazing to read them. If you'd like to slow down and send me a handwritten letter - mail it to Lisa DeLay c/o Ovation Enterprises 49 S. 2nd Street, Cressona PA 17929, USA

-- - - - BIG ANNOUNCEMENT- - - - EARLY BIRD Tickets to the SOUL SCHOOL FIELD TRIP weekend getaway - July 28-30th, 2017- ARE HERE!

Get information OR tickets here http://soulschoolfieldtrip.eventbrite.com (very limited space available - Early Bird offer ends in April.)

- - - - LAST CALL! - - Need a shinny new coffee mug, or t-shirt, or hoodie to cloth your nakedness or impress your friends? - Then snag your "Analog Strong" design items before they disappear VERY SOON - Feb 5. http://teespring.com/analogstrong (it's the perfect way to show the world that you're not JUST digitally savvy - but savvy offline too!) These are collector's items for sure, my darlings!

May you enjoy the show and pass it along.

ALSO -- please write an iTunes review.

HOW DO YOU DO THAT? you ask. Easy-peasy! 1) Just go to the iTunes main page (on the phone it's in the podcast app, or on your computer it's in iTunes); 2) then do a plain old SEARCH for the show (Spark My Muse); 3) then click "Reviews"; 4) then click "Write Review"- It's that EASY!) - (It takes about 2-4 minutes total.)

I am SO GRATEFUL!

XOX

~Lisa

Your phone buzzes, or your see that you have a notification–do you feel a little crazy until you can attend to it? Maybe you feel like you should check your voicemail or email, or that text that just came in–the anticipation and the little jolts of pleasure we get throughout the day is something most of us are very familiar with.

Today, I'm talking briefly about the brain chemistry behind that. I was shocked by my findings and the longer term effects these types of imbalances have on mental and physical health and well being. I'm also introducing #FebFREEDOM and inviting your handwritten letters-listen for the details (send your post here: 49 South 2nd Street, Cressona, PA 17929 USA).

Special Edition, limited Quantity Merchandise!

The "ANALOG STRONG" shirts, mugs, and hoodies will be gone February 4th - so HURRY and grab yours at https://teespring.com/analogstrong (More designs are in the works that work to fund the show–keep a look out and submit YOUR ideas!) All PATRON supports get a $3 off coupon off this and all merchandise in 2017.

Get show notes for $1 per month by becoming a PATRON. Go to patreon.com/sparkmymuse

Stop by the hub-the broadcast and resource website: SparkMyMuse.com

Or connect with your host at @lisadelay (TWITTER)

Or @lisacolondelay (INSTA)

The Facebook page: Facebook.com/SparkMyMuse

Enjoy the show!

Your phone buzzes, or your see that you have a notification–do you feel a little crazy until you can attend to it? Maybe you feel like you should check your voicemail or email, or that text that just came in–the anticipation and the little jolts of pleasure we get throughout the day is something most of us are very familiar with.

Today, I'm talking briefly about the brain chemistry behind that. I was shocked by my findings and the longer term effects these types of imbalances have on mental and physical health and well being. I'm also introducing #FebFREEDOM and inviting your handwritten letters-listen for the details (send your post here: 49 South 2nd Street, Cressona, PA 17929 USA).

Special Edition, limited Quantity Merchandise!

The "ANALOG STRONG" shirts, mugs, and hoodies will be gone February 4th - so HURRY and grab yours at https://teespring.com/analogstrong (More designs are in the works that work to fund the show–keep a look out and submit YOUR ideas!) All PATRON supports get a $3 off coupon off this and all merchandise in 2017.

Get show notes for $1 per month by becoming a PATRON. Go to patreon.com/sparkmymuse

Stop by the hub-the broadcast and resource website: SparkMyMuse.com

Or connect with your host at @lisadelay (TWITTER)

Or @lisacolondelay (INSTA)

The Facebook page: Facebook.com/SparkMyMuse

Enjoy the show!

Your phone buzzes, or your see that you have a notification–do you feel a little crazy until you can attend to it? Maybe you feel like you should check your voicemail or email, or that text that just came in–the anticipation and the little jolts of pleasure we get throughout the day is something most of us are very familiar with.

Today, I'm talking briefly about the brain chemistry behind that. I was shocked by my findings and the longer term effects these types of imbalances have on mental and physical health and well being. I'm also introducing #FebFREEDOM and inviting your handwritten letters-listen for the details (send your post here: 49 South 2nd Street, Cressona, PA 17929 USA).

Special Edition, limited Quantity Merchandise!

The "ANALOG STRONG" shirts, mugs, and hoodies will be gone February 4th - so HURRY and grab yours at https://teespring.com/analogstrong (More designs are in the works that work to fund the show–keep a look out and submit YOUR ideas!) All PATRON supports get a $3 off coupon off this and all merchandise in 2017.

Get show notes for $1 per month by becoming a PATRON. Go to patreon.com/sparkmymuse

Stop by the hub-the broadcast and resource website: SparkMyMuse.com

Or connect with your host at @lisadelay (TWITTER)

Or @lisacolondelay (INSTA)

The Facebook page: Facebook.com/SparkMyMuse

Enjoy the show!

Leaders are usually trained to find solutions that are feasible, in the budget, and quickly actionable, (The "HOW" of problem-solving). This means that the creative and best solution (which is unproven and untried) that can solve the more important WHY of the problem, can be overlooked time and again.

Even in the most creative companies in Silicon Valley, something very strange happens. Employees will their hide creative solutions and projects from their superiors, until they they can prove their viability first–because their creative ideas are routinely rejected. Leaders, companies, and groups almost always say they love and want new and creative answers. They say they encourage it, but then creative ideas are quashed.

Today, we address what's behind this issue mentally at the level of leadership and we will learn more about the dynamic inner working of groups as they function, and how to better present innovative thinking and come to better solutions too.

My guest, Jennifer Mueller, has her PhD in social psychology and has taught at some of the most prestigious business schools. Her new book "Creative Change" unmasks the dark side of creative change and how leaders and groups can come up with better solutions while avoiding the common traps groups can succumb to during the process.

Spark My Muse comes to you weekly - on Wednesdays. Visit SparkMyMuse.com for articles, resources, and links to extras, like detailed show notes.

Support at just $1 a month for weekly Show Notes, merchandise discounts, news, and plenty more at patreon.com/sparkmymuse

Reach out to your host, Lisa DeLay, at Twitter: @lisadelay

On Facebook: facebook.com/sparkmymuse

Or write a letter to the studio:

49 S. 2nd Street, Cressona, PA 17929

Thank you so much for listening and passing along what you've learned or sharing this program with a friend!

Leaders are usually trained to find solutions that are feasible, in the budget, and quickly actionable, (The "HOW" of problem-solving). This means that the creative and best solution (which is unproven and untried) that can solve the more important WHY of the problem, can be overlooked time and again.

Even in the most creative companies in Silicon Valley, something very strange happens. Employees will their hide creative solutions and projects from their superiors, until they they can prove their viability first–because their creative ideas are routinely rejected. Leaders, companies, and groups almost always say they love and want new and creative answers. They say they encourage it, but then creative ideas are quashed.

Today, we address what's behind this issue mentally at the level of leadership and we will learn more about the dynamic inner working of groups as they function, and how to better present innovative thinking and come to better solutions too.

My guest, Jennifer Mueller, has her PhD in social psychology and has taught at some of the most prestigious business schools. Her new book "Creative Change" unmasks the dark side of creative change and how leaders and groups can come up with better solutions while avoiding the common traps groups can succumb to during the process.

Spark My Muse comes to you weekly - on Wednesdays. Visit SparkMyMuse.com for articles, resources, and links to extras, like detailed show notes.

Support at just $1 a month for weekly Show Notes, merchandise discounts, news, and plenty more at patreon.com/sparkmymuse

Reach out to your host, Lisa DeLay, at Twitter: @lisadelay

On Facebook: facebook.com/sparkmymuse

Or write a letter to the studio:

49 S. 2nd Street, Cressona, PA 17929

Thank you so much for listening and passing along what you've learned or sharing this program with a friend!

Leaders are usually trained to find solutions that are feasible, in the budget, and quickly actionable, (The "HOW" of problem-solving). This means that the creative and best solution (which is unproven and untried) that can solve the more important WHY of the problem, can be overlooked time and again.

Even in the most creative companies in Silicon Valley, something very strange happens. Employees will their hide creative solutions and projects from their superiors, until they they can prove their viability first–because their creative ideas are routinely rejected. Leaders, companies, and groups almost always say they love and want new and creative answers. They say they encourage it, but then creative ideas are quashed.

Today, we address what's behind this issue mentally at the level of leadership and we will learn more about the dynamic inner working of groups as they function, and how to better present innovative thinking and come to better solutions too.

My guest, Jennifer Mueller, has her PhD in social psychology and has taught at some of the most prestigious business schools. Her new book "Creative Change" unmasks the dark side of creative change and how leaders and groups can come up with better solutions while avoiding the common traps groups can succumb to during the process.

Spark My Muse comes to you weekly - on Wednesdays. Visit SparkMyMuse.com for articles, resources, and links to extras, like detailed show notes.

Support at just $1 a month for weekly Show Notes, merchandise discounts, news, and plenty more at patreon.com/sparkmymuse

Reach out to your host, Lisa DeLay, at Twitter: @lisadelay

On Facebook: facebook.com/sparkmymuse

Or write a letter to the studio:

49 S. 2nd Street, Cressona, PA 17929

Thank you so much for listening and passing along what you've learned or sharing this program with a friend!

When people go into professions like medicine, police work, or education, they are often guided by values that they might readily disconnect from once they acquire money, power, or responsibility. The familiar refrain about "power tending to corrupt" has a fulcrum: disconnection disconnection from original values that have been thwarted by something people never saw coming.

That "something" and what to do about it is the topic of today's episode.

Thank you for listening today and for spreading the word about the show. A review on iTunes is deeply appreciated and remember that show notes are available at https://patreon.com/sparkmymuse ($1 gets you an entire month of show notes). The show notes this time will connect you with the scientific studies mentioned.

The show website is sparkmymuse.com

The best way to connect with me is TWITTER: @lisadelay

I think you're great.

~Lisa

When people go into professions like medicine, police work, or education, they are often guided by values that they might readily disconnect from once they acquire money, power, or responsibility. The familiar refrain about "power tending to corrupt" has a fulcrum: disconnection disconnection from original values that have been thwarted by something people never saw coming.

That "something" and what to do about it is the topic of today's episode.

Thank you for listening today and for spreading the word about the show. A review on iTunes is deeply appreciated and remember that show notes are available at https://patreon.com/sparkmymuse ($1 gets you an entire month of show notes). The show notes this time will connect you with the scientific studies mentioned.

The show website is sparkmymuse.com

The best way to connect with me is TWITTER: @lisadelay

I think you're great.

~Lisa