STOPTIME: Live in the Moment.

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What if the change you want doesn’t require a leap, just a quiet step toward a familiar doorway? We guide you through a calm, sensory-rich visualization designed to slow your breath, soften your body, and open the mental space where clarity tends to appear. You’ll build an inner room that feels safe, notice the quality of light and air, and approach a doorway that leads to the version of you who has already said yes to a possibility you’ve been holding at arm’s length.

Together, we pause at the threshold and let the body lead—feeling the ground, steadying the heart, and letting curiosity take the place of certainty. On the other side waits your future self: clear-eyed, grounded, and generous. You’ll study their posture and presence, receive a message in whatever form feels natural—words, image, or sensation—and accept a small symbolic gift that captures the possibility waiting for you. That token becomes a portable reminder you can carry into daily life, a touchstone for trust when resistance shows up.

Rather than chasing a dramatic overhaul, we honor subtle shifts: a softer breath, a tiny opening, a willingness to try. The practice closes with a gentle return to the room, an affirmation over your heart, and a felt sense that the small yes you made already opened a door. If you’ve been craving ease, clarity, and a kinder way to move forward, press play and meet the you who chose expansion. Subscribe for more guided practices, share this with someone who needs a calm reset, and leave a review to tell us what message your future self offered.

Support the show

🌟✨📚 **Buy 'The Places Where There Are Spaces: Cultivating A Life of Creative Possibilities'** 📚✨🌟 
Dive into a world where spontaneity leads to creativity and discover personal essays that inspire with journal space to reflect. Click the link below to grab your copy today and embark on a journey of self-discovery and unexpected joys! 🌈👇 
🔗 Purchase Your Copy Here: https://a.co/d/2UlsmYC

🌟 **Interested in finding out more about working with Lisa Hopkins? Want to share your feedback or be considered as a guest on the show?** 
🔗 Visit Wide Open Stages https://www.wideopenstages.com

📸 **Follow Lisa on Instagram:** @wideopenstages https://www.instagram.com/wideopenstages/

💖 **SUPPORT THE SHOW:** [Buy Me a Coffee] https://www.buymeacoffee.com/STOPTIME

🎵 **STOPTIME Theme Music by Philip David Stern** 
🔗 [Listen on Spotify]
https://open.spotify.com/artist/57A87Um5vok0uEtM8vWpKM?si=JOx7r1iVSbqAHezG4PjiPg

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In his book “The Four Agreements”,  Don Miguel Ruez says be impeccable with your word…"Speak with integrity, honesty, and truthfulness and say only what you mean."

But unless we choose our words carefully, how are we able to do that?

If you are enjoying the show please subscribe, share and review! Word of mouth is incredibly impactful and your support is much appreciated!

Support the show

🌟✨📚 **Buy 'The Places Where There Are Spaces: Cultivating A Life of Creative Possibilities'** 📚✨🌟 
Dive into a world where spontaneity leads to creativity and discover personal essays that inspire with journal space to reflect. Click the link below to grab your copy today and embark on a journey of self-discovery and unexpected joys! 🌈👇 
🔗 Purchase Your Copy Here: https://a.co/d/2UlsmYC

🌟 **Interested in finding out more about working with Lisa Hopkins? Want to share your feedback or be considered as a guest on the show?** 
🔗 Visit Wide Open Stages https://www.wideopenstages.com

📸 **Follow Lisa on Instagram:** @wideopenstages https://www.instagram.com/wideopenstages/

💖 **SUPPORT THE SHOW:** [Buy Me a Coffee] https://www.buymeacoffee.com/STOPTIME

🎵 **STOPTIME Theme Music by Philip David Stern** 
🔗 [Listen on Spotify]
https://open.spotify.com/artist/57A87Um5vok0uEtM8vWpKM?si=JOx7r1iVSbqAHezG4PjiPg

Let us know what you enjoy about the show!

Unlock the profound connection between movement and mindfulness with our guided walking meditation practice. Ever wonder how a simple walk could transform your day? Experience the calming and energizing effects of walking meditation as we guide you to embrace the sensations of each step, the rhythm of your breath, and the myriad sensory details around you. This episode promises a refreshing escape from autopilot mode, empowering you to integrate a state of relaxed awareness into your daily routine, whether you're navigating a bustling city or strolling through the tranquility of nature.

As you conclude your walking meditation, you'll find yourself grounded in newfound spaciousness and clarity. We offer gentle guidance on marking the end of your practice with intention, standing still to reflect before re-entering the pace of daily life. By embracing the art of mindful walking, you'll carry a sense of peace and connection with each stride, enhancing your day-to-day experiences. Join us and discover how this practice can serve as a gift you can revisit whenever you seek to recenter and recharge. Namaste, dear friends, as you take steps towards a more mindful existence.

If you are enjoying the show please subscribe, share and review! Word of mouth is incredibly impactful and your support is much appreciated!

Support the show

🌟✨📚 **Buy 'The Places Where There Are Spaces: Cultivating A Life of Creative Possibilities'** 📚✨🌟 
Dive into a world where spontaneity leads to creativity and discover personal essays that inspire with journal space to reflect. Click the link below to grab your copy today and embark on a journey of self-discovery and unexpected joys! 🌈👇 
🔗 Purchase Your Copy Here: https://a.co/d/2UlsmYC

🌟 **Interested in finding out more about working with Lisa Hopkins? Want to share your feedback or be considered as a guest on the show?** 
🔗 Visit Wide Open Stages https://www.wideopenstages.com

📸 **Follow Lisa on Instagram:** @wideopenstages https://www.instagram.com/wideopenstages/

💖 **SUPPORT THE SHOW:** [Buy Me a Coffee] https://www.buymeacoffee.com/STOPTIME

🎵 **STOPTIME Theme Music by Philip David Stern** 
🔗 [Listen on Spotify]
https://open.spotify.com/artist/57A87Um5vok0uEtM8vWpKM?si=JOx7r1iVSbqAHezG4PjiPg

Let us know what you enjoy about the show!

Lisa is the guest this time around in this appearance on the Soulbound Podcast. Join us as she explores the concept of cultivating a creative life in a rich conversation that highlights the importance of mindset in pursuing artistic endeavors. By shifting our perspectives from obligation to creative opportunity, we can embrace the power of personal choice while learning to appreciate the small moments in life that inspire our greater journeys.

• Lisa shares her book and its guiding principles 
• The significance of recognizing beauty in mundane moments 
• Discussion on the shift from 'I have to' to 'I get to' 
• Balancing technique with the freedom of expression 
• The importance of mindfulness in fostering creativity 
• Navigating challenges as an artist or creator 
• Emphasizing community and connection in the creative process 

Takeaways and Nuggets:

1. Living a Creative Life:
   • Creativity isn't just about art—it's about seeing and embracing opportunities in everyday moments.
   • The magic lies in the spaces between—the leaping and the landing, the pause before the next word, or the moment of stillness in our busy lives.
2. Embracing the Journey:
   • The journey itself holds value. As Lisa says, "The journey is the thing." Growth and possibilities live in the process, not just in the destination.
3. The Power of Mindset Shifts:
   • Language matters. Replacing “I have to” with “I get to” can reframe even mundane or challenging tasks, transforming obligation into gratitude.
4. The Importance of a Self-Care Menu:
   • Create a flexible "menu" of self-care practices. Choose one daily, not just when stressed, to build a resilient foundation for life’s challenges.
5. Exploring Energetic Choices:
   • Lisa introduces a powerful framework of energetic choices: 
     • I can’t → I have to → I should → I could → I want to → I get to.
   • Progressing through these choices empowers us to live with intention and gratitude.
6. Unscripted Creativity:
   • True artistry emerges when we step beyond technique and allow space for natural expression and intuition.
7. Reframing Fear and Strengths:
   • Fear isn’t an enemy—it’s a passenger on the journey. Use it wisely but don’t let it drive.
   • Defaulting to strengths can overshadow other abilities. Growth happens when we explore beyond our defaults.
8. The Book as a Conversation Starter:
   • Lisa’s book, The Places Where There Are Spaces: Cultivating a Life of Creative Possibilities, isn’t just a read—it’s an invitation for reflection, journaling, and conversation.
9. Boundaries Are for You:
   • Boundaries aren’t about controlling others; they’re about honoring yourself and preserving your energy.
10. Freedom in Connection:
    • True freedom comes from creating a life aligned with your values and choices, embracing paradoxes, and living mindfully in the moment.

Take a moment to reflect on how you can incorporate creativity into your life. Start exploring the possibilities today!

If you are enjoying the show please subscribe, share and review! Word of mouth is incredibly impactful and your support is much appreciated!

Support the show

🌟✨📚 **Buy 'The Places Where There Are Spaces: Cultivating A Life of Creative Possibilities'** 📚✨🌟 
Dive into a world where spontaneity leads to creativity and discover personal essays that inspire with journal space to reflect. Click the link below to grab your copy today and embark on a journey of self-discovery and unexpected joys! 🌈👇 
🔗 Purchase Your Copy Here: https://a.co/d/2UlsmYC

🌟 **Interested in finding out more about working with Lisa Hopkins? Want to share your feedback or be considered as a guest on the show?** 
🔗 Visit Wide Open Stages https://www.wideopenstages.com

📸 **Follow Lisa on Instagram:** @wideopenstages https://www.instagram.com/wideopenstages/

💖 **SUPPORT THE SHOW:** [Buy Me a Coffee] https://www.buymeacoffee.com/STOPTIME

🎵 **STOPTIME Theme Music by Philip David Stern** 
🔗 [Listen on Spotify]
https://open.spotify.com/artist/57A87Um5vok0uEtM8vWpKM?si=JOx7r1iVSbqAHezG4PjiPg

Let us know what you enjoy about the show!

The world rarely gives you a quiet minute, so we made one. This guided micro meditation helps you step out of noise and back into yourself without leaving your chair, your car, or your to‑do list. No special setup, no perfect posture—just your breath, a softer body, and the pause that’s already there.

We start by noticing the breath exactly as it is, then invite a gentle inhale through the nose and a slow exhale through the mouth. As shoulders melt and the jaw releases, the nervous system begins to settle. From there, we explore the stillness at the top of your inhale and the bottom of your exhale—the tiny spaces where nothing is required and everything feels possible. That pause becomes a felt sense of presence, a reminder that peace isn’t earned after the work is done; it’s available now and can travel with you into whatever comes next.

This short practice is perfect between meetings, before sleep, or anytime stress ramps up and attention frays. You’ll learn how to use physical cues to calm the mind, how awareness of breath pauses builds resilience, and how a one‑minute reset can shift your entire day. Whether you’re new to meditation or returning to it, this session offers a simple, repeatable way to get grounded and stay open to possibility.

Press play, breathe with us, and let the quiet do its work. If this helped you reset, follow the show, share it with someone who needs a pause, and leave a review so more people can find their breath again.

Support the show

🌟✨📚 **Buy 'The Places Where There Are Spaces: Cultivating A Life of Creative Possibilities'** 📚✨🌟 
Dive into a world where spontaneity leads to creativity and discover personal essays that inspire with journal space to reflect. Click the link below to grab your copy today and embark on a journey of self-discovery and unexpected joys! 🌈👇 
🔗 Purchase Your Copy Here: https://a.co/d/2UlsmYC

🌟 **Interested in finding out more about working with Lisa Hopkins? Want to share your feedback or be considered as a guest on the show?** 
🔗 Visit Wide Open Stages https://www.wideopenstages.com

📸 **Follow Lisa on Instagram:** @wideopenstages https://www.instagram.com/wideopenstages/

💖 **SUPPORT THE SHOW:** [Buy Me a Coffee] https://www.buymeacoffee.com/STOPTIME

🎵 **STOPTIME Theme Music by Philip David Stern** 
🔗 [Listen on Spotify]
https://open.spotify.com/artist/57A87Um5vok0uEtM8vWpKM?si=JOx7r1iVSbqAHezG4PjiPg

Let us know what you enjoy about the show!

Broadway can look like a straight line from the outside, but Nathan Levy’s path is anything but. When we first spoke, he was a teenager hired as an understudy for Dear Evan Hansen and literally waiting to go on when the world shut down. Six years later, he’s back with a stacked resume, a clearer sense of self, and a new headline: stepping into a lead role in the first-ever Broadway production of The Fantasticks.

We talk honestly about the stuff performers rarely say out loud: the fear of burning bridges, the constant temptation to look side to side at friends’ careers, and the weird emotional whiplash of loving a show while your body begs for a reset after two years of eight shows a week. Nathan shares how he stays present by remembering the audience, leaning on community, and accepting that “your best” changes day to day without making you any less talented.

The conversation lands on what might be the most practical career advice of all: everyone is talented, and it costs nothing to be kind. We unpack leadership that isn’t loud, the value of being someone people want to be in the trenches with, and how to build a life with more balance while still chasing big dreams in musical theater.

If this hits home, subscribe for more conversations on living in the moment, share the episode with a friend who needs it, and leave a review. What part of your life are you ready to stop rushing?

If you are enjoying the show please subscribe, share and review! Word of mouth is incredibly impactful and your support is much appreciated!

Support the show

🌟✨📚 **Buy 'The Places Where There Are Spaces: Cultivating A Life of Creative Possibilities'** 📚✨🌟 
Dive into a world where spontaneity leads to creativity and discover personal essays that inspire with journal space to reflect. Click the link below to grab your copy today and embark on a journey of self-discovery and unexpected joys! 🌈👇 
🔗 Purchase Your Copy Here: https://a.co/d/2UlsmYC

🌟 **Interested in finding out more about working with Lisa Hopkins? Want to share your feedback or be considered as a guest on the show?** 
🔗 Visit Wide Open Stages https://www.wideopenstages.com

📸 **Follow Lisa on Instagram:** @wideopenstages https://www.instagram.com/wideopenstages/

💖 **SUPPORT THE SHOW:** [Buy Me a Coffee] https://www.buymeacoffee.com/STOPTIME

🎵 **STOPTIME Theme Music by Philip David Stern** 
🔗 [Listen on Spotify]
https://open.spotify.com/artist/57A87Um5vok0uEtM8vWpKM?si=JOx7r1iVSbqAHezG4PjiPg

Let us know what you enjoy about the show!

Transitions are woven into the fabric of our lives, yet many of us struggle with the uncertainty they bring. Whether you're navigating a minor shift or standing at the threshold of major change, this meditation offers a sanctuary of calm amid life's inevitable transitions.

At the heart of this practice lies a powerful truth: while change is unavoidable, our suffering is optional. The meditation gently guides you to notice how your mind creates stories about change—often worst-case scenarios of loss, failure, or rejection. But what if these stories are merely rehearsals for pain that may never arrive? What if your fear stems not from the change itself but from the narratives you've constructed around it?

Through guided breathwork and mindful awareness, you'll discover the freedom that comes with releasing your attachment to knowing how everything will unfold. Rather than bracing against change, you'll learn to breathe into it; rather than clinging to certainty, you'll practice opening to possibility. The meditation reminds you that you are not lost or behind—you are whole, capable, and resilient in each moment.

Perhaps most transformative is the realization that not knowing isn't something to fear—it's the birthplace of every creative possibility. It's where new ideas emerge and where you get to write the next chapter of your story. By returning to your breath and to choice whenever uncertainty feels overwhelming, you'll cultivate a new relationship with change—one based on openness, trust, and unexpected grace.

Next time you feel that familiar tightening against life's transitions, remember: you are not at the mercy of change. You are in relationship with it, and the nature of that relationship is entirely up to you. Take a deep breath, stay open, and trust that possibility lives in the unknown.

Support the show

🌟✨📚 **Buy 'The Places Where There Are Spaces: Cultivating A Life of Creative Possibilities'** 📚✨🌟 
Dive into a world where spontaneity leads to creativity and discover personal essays that inspire with journal space to reflect. Click the link below to grab your copy today and embark on a journey of self-discovery and unexpected joys! 🌈👇 
🔗 Purchase Your Copy Here: https://a.co/d/2UlsmYC

🌟 **Interested in finding out more about working with Lisa Hopkins? Want to share your feedback or be considered as a guest on the show?** 
🔗 Visit Wide Open Stages https://www.wideopenstages.com

📸 **Follow Lisa on Instagram:** @wideopenstages https://www.instagram.com/wideopenstages/

💖 **SUPPORT THE SHOW:** [Buy Me a Coffee] https://www.buymeacoffee.com/STOPTIME

🎵 **STOPTIME Theme Music by Philip David Stern** 
🔗 [Listen on Spotify]
https://open.spotify.com/artist/57A87Um5vok0uEtM8vWpKM?si=JOx7r1iVSbqAHezG4PjiPg

Let us know what you enjoy about the show!

🍂 That unmistakable shift in the air signals more than just the turning of seasons—it touches something deeper within us. The angle of sunlight, the rustle of leaves, the crisp blue sky—all converge to create what I call that inescapable fall feeling. ✨

In this episode, I guide you through a simple mindfulness exercise to reflect on the past year—what was hard, what came easily, what surprised you, what sparked curiosity, and what amazed you. 🌟 This practice offers a new vantage point for self-reflection and reveals insights that might otherwise remain hidden.

I also share a reading from my book on fall’s unique duality—how it feels like both an ending and a beginning, holding space for nostalgia and new possibilities. 🍁 Remember how as children, fall brought excitement and uncertainty in equal measure? That wisdom is still available to us.

So, as you feel that unmistakable fall feeling, consider it an invitation to slow down, embrace your inner child, and fully inhabit the present moment—with your favorite sweater, a good book, and permission to simply be. 🧘‍♀️📖✨

If you are enjoying the show please subscribe, share and review! Word of mouth is incredibly impactful and your support is much appreciated!

Support the show

🌟✨📚 **Buy 'The Places Where There Are Spaces: Cultivating A Life of Creative Possibilities'** 📚✨🌟 
Dive into a world where spontaneity leads to creativity and discover personal essays that inspire with journal space to reflect. Click the link below to grab your copy today and embark on a journey of self-discovery and unexpected joys! 🌈👇 
🔗 Purchase Your Copy Here: https://a.co/d/2UlsmYC

🌟 **Interested in finding out more about working with Lisa Hopkins? Want to share your feedback or be considered as a guest on the show?** 
🔗 Visit Wide Open Stages https://www.wideopenstages.com

📸 **Follow Lisa on Instagram:** @wideopenstages https://www.instagram.com/wideopenstages/

💖 **SUPPORT THE SHOW:** [Buy Me a Coffee] https://www.buymeacoffee.com/STOPTIME

🎵 **STOPTIME Theme Music by Philip David Stern** 
🔗 [Listen on Spotify]
https://open.spotify.com/artist/57A87Um5vok0uEtM8vWpKM?si=JOx7r1iVSbqAHezG4PjiPg

Let us know what you enjoy about the show!

Feeling stuck or uninspired? This gentle guided meditation helps you clear mental clutter, center your energy, and reconnect with your creative spark. Perfect for starting your week, centering before work, or recharging midday, you’ll be guided through grounding breathwork, calming visualization, and a warm ignition of your imagination. Breathe in possibility, breathe out distraction — and step back into your day inspired.

Support the show

🌟✨📚 **Buy 'The Places Where There Are Spaces: Cultivating A Life of Creative Possibilities'** 📚✨🌟 
Dive into a world where spontaneity leads to creativity and discover personal essays that inspire with journal space to reflect. Click the link below to grab your copy today and embark on a journey of self-discovery and unexpected joys! 🌈👇 
🔗 Purchase Your Copy Here: https://a.co/d/2UlsmYC

🌟 **Interested in finding out more about working with Lisa Hopkins? Want to share your feedback or be considered as a guest on the show?** 
🔗 Visit Wide Open Stages https://www.wideopenstages.com

📸 **Follow Lisa on Instagram:** @wideopenstages https://www.instagram.com/wideopenstages/

💖 **SUPPORT THE SHOW:** [Buy Me a Coffee] https://www.buymeacoffee.com/STOPTIME

🎵 **STOPTIME Theme Music by Philip David Stern** 
🔗 [Listen on Spotify]
https://open.spotify.com/artist/57A87Um5vok0uEtM8vWpKM?si=JOx7r1iVSbqAHezG4PjiPg

Let us know what you enjoy about the show!

Have you ever felt guilty for resting in a world that glorifies constant productivity? This gentle, meditative episode offers a powerful antidote to our culture's obsession with perpetual action through a beautiful Buddhist parable about balance and renewal.

At the heart of this episode is the story of Kansho and Yuma – the mighty waterfall and the still pond. Their relationship reveals the profound truth that power and stillness aren't opposing forces but complementary energies that sustain each other. The waterfall's thunderous strength depends entirely on the pond's quiet ability to receive, hold, and renew. This ancient wisdom speaks directly to our modern struggle with burnout, perfectionism, and the relentless pressure to perform.

Through guided breathing and thoughtful narration, this episode creates a sanctuary for listeners to experience what it teaches – that rest isn't weakness but the source of our strength. You'll be invited to recognize yourself as both waterfall and pond, understanding that your moments of quiet reflection are just as valuable as your periods of dynamic action. The episode concludes with a powerful reminder that "by choosing to rest, you are not giving up your power, you are increasing it." Take this opportunity to pause, breathe, and rediscover the restorative power of stillness. What might change in your life if you honored both your need for achievement and your need for renewal?

Support the show

🌟✨📚 **Buy 'The Places Where There Are Spaces: Cultivating A Life of Creative Possibilities'** 📚✨🌟 
Dive into a world where spontaneity leads to creativity and discover personal essays that inspire with journal space to reflect. Click the link below to grab your copy today and embark on a journey of self-discovery and unexpected joys! 🌈👇 
🔗 Purchase Your Copy Here: https://a.co/d/2UlsmYC

🌟 **Interested in finding out more about working with Lisa Hopkins? Want to share your feedback or be considered as a guest on the show?** 
🔗 Visit Wide Open Stages https://www.wideopenstages.com

📸 **Follow Lisa on Instagram:** @wideopenstages https://www.instagram.com/wideopenstages/

💖 **SUPPORT THE SHOW:** [Buy Me a Coffee] https://www.buymeacoffee.com/STOPTIME

🎵 **STOPTIME Theme Music by Philip David Stern** 
🔗 [Listen on Spotify]
https://open.spotify.com/artist/57A87Um5vok0uEtM8vWpKM?si=JOx7r1iVSbqAHezG4PjiPg