STOPTIME: Live in the Moment.

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What happens when the way you've always expressed yourself is no longer possible? And what might become visible when you're invited to see things differently?

In this inspiring and thought-provoking conversation, Lisa Hopkins welcomes visual artist and author Aimee Stevland, whose creative journey is as much about honoring others as it is about rediscovering herself.

Growing up in Detroit, Aimee found refuge in drawing and inspiration in the music that surrounded her. What began as a childhood fascination with album covers and cartoons evolved into a career creating artwork for some of music's biggest names. But when focal dystonia affected her ability to draw, the life and identity she'd built around her artistry were suddenly called into question.

Rather than simply trying to reclaim what she'd lost, Aimee began exploring new ways to create—through music, movement, roller skating, and eventually a distinctive visual style that would become the foundation of her book, Portraits of Excellence.

At the heart of her work is a commitment to respect, representation, and amplification. Through her portraits, Aimee celebrates the Black musicians and cultural pioneers whose contributions have too often been overlooked, inviting us to see not only their extraordinary achievements but also their humanity.

Together, Lisa and Aimee explore the relationship between creativity and identity, the freedom that comes from moving beyond familiar ways of doing things, and the power of recognizing possibilities in ourselves that we may not yet see.

Along the way, they discover something unexpected about the art of seeing—and being seen.

In this episode, you'll explore:

• How creativity can offer refuge, connection, and a sense of belonging.
• What happens when our identity becomes intertwined with what we do.
• Finding new forms of expression when familiar ones are no longer available.
• The importance of respectful representation and amplifying overlooked voices.
• How music and movement can reconnect us with ourselves.
• The difference between recognizing someone's accomplishments and truly seeing their humanity.
• Why living in the moment might be less about striving and more about simply being.

From the rhythms of Detroit to the wisdom of Mary Oliver, this conversation is a celebration of creativity, resilience, cultural appreciation, and the extraordinary possibilities that emerge when we allow ourselves to see differently.

About Aimee Stevland

Aimee Stevland is a visual artist and author whose work celebrates the Black musicians and cultural pioneers who have shaped American music and popular culture. Drawing on decades of experience in music merchandising and illustration, she creates distinctive portraits that honor artistic excellence, challenge historical omissions, and invite a more inclusive understanding of cultural legacy.

https://aimeestevland.com/portraits-of-excellence-book/#direct

https://aimeestevland.com/

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!

Tired of tossing and turning, your mind racing with a million thoughts, when all you crave is a peaceful slumber? Tonight, we're going to guide you on a peaceful journey into relaxation and sleep that promises to quieten those thoughts and help you drift off effortlessly. 

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!

What if the things we’ve lost aren’t really missing, but simply traveling? This tender retelling of a story attributed to Franz Kafka offers a profound perspective on change, transformation, and how we might relate differently to what we feel we’ve lost.

Through the tale of a little girl whose doll goes missing in a Berlin park, we discover a beautiful metaphor for life’s transitions. When a thin man suggests the doll isn’t lost but traveling, he begins delivering letters that chronicle her adventures around the world. With each note, we learn alongside the child how “a postcard can be a doorway, how a suitcase can be a spine, how homesickness is just love with somewhere to go.”

The story culminates in recognition and acceptance when the girl receives a new doll—embodying the way experience changes us. A short guided reflection invites you to consider your own “traveling dolls”: aspects of life that may be changing form rather than disappearing. What might they write to you today? What wisdom have they gathered on their journey?

Whether you’re navigating a transition, processing a loss, or simply curious about new ways to meet change, these six minutes offer a quiet pause to breathe, listen, and perhaps write your own postcard from whatever is moving in your life now.

Note: This is a contemporary retelling of a story often attributed to Franz Kafka; the original letters were never found.

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!

We explore the importance of reconnecting with our creative essence and overcoming the blocks that dim our inner spark. This meditation guides you through remembering your creative self, beyond judgment and beyond comparison.

• Creativity exists beyond resumes or past achievements – it's about tapping into intuition and letting go of self-judgment
• Fear often blocks creativity – particularly fear that our next creation won't measure up to past work
• Visualization helps reconnect with moments when we felt creatively alive, remembering the sensations and emotions
• Personifying creativity as a spark or firefly creates a relationship with our creative essence
• Asking "What would I create if I didn't need it to be perfect?" liberates us from perfectionism
• Transforming limiting beliefs about creativity through conscious affirmations rebuilds creative confidence
• Small daily creative acts maintain our connection to creativity without overwhelming pressure
• Creativity can be quiet – "sometimes the spark is in the whisper"

Take a moment today for one small creative act that's just for you. Your spark is still here, and it's yours to tend.

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!

What if the key to a more fulfilling life isn't about squeezing more productivity from every minute but rather making space for unscheduled joy? Join me as I share the surprising lessons I've learned from playing impromptu badminton games with my husband on the narrow green strip between our cottage and the lake.

These spontaneous matches—where he strategically positions me with the wind at my back, sends the birdie soaring into tree branches, and lunges dramatically for returns while I laugh until I cry—have become a treasured ritual. You won't find these games on our calendars or to-do lists. They serve no purpose beyond the moment itself, yet they've become invaluable to our wellbeing.

Through these playful interludes, I've discovered that while I deeply believe in hard work and dedication, success isn't defined solely by hours logged, words written, or money earned. There's diminishing value in working so relentlessly that we're too exhausted to enjoy the rewards. Paradoxically, when we return from these breaks, we find ourselves more energized and connected—not just to each other, but to whatever we're focusing on. We may put the "bad" in badminton with our lack of skill, but as I like to say, the score is always "love-love." I encourage you to find your equivalent of lakeside badminton—that activity that brings you pure, purposeless joy. Your productivity (and your heart) might just thank you for it.

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!

As WANTED prepares for its first Broadway preview on October 15, we're revisiting a very special conversation with the musical's creators, composer Ross Baum and playwright and lyricist Angelica Chéri.

What does it take to nurture a creative dream for twelve years without losing yourself—or each other—along the way?

Inspired by Angelica's own family history, WANTED tells the remarkable story of the Clarke sisters. But behind this new Broadway musical is another extraordinary story: one of creative partnership, perseverance, trust, and the courage to keep showing up.

From their early days collaborating at NYU to the long and unpredictable road to Broadway, Ross and Angelica share what has sustained their partnership through setbacks, uncertainty, and the ever-changing landscape of musical theatre.

Together, we explore the art of collaboration, the importance of living a full life beyond our work, and the difference between pursuing a dream and becoming attached to its outcome.

And perhaps most poignantly, what happens when we recognize that the journey we've been working so hard to complete is already something worth celebrating?

With WANTED beginning Broadway previews at the James Earl Jones Theatre, this conversation is a timely reminder that success isn't only about where we arrive, but how we choose to live along the way.

Join us for a conversation about creativity, connection, and finding joy in the journey.

See WANTED on Broadway

Theatre: James Earl Jones Theatre
138 West 48th Street, New York, NY 10036

First Preview: October 15, 2026, at 8 PM
Official Opening Night: November 8, 2026

Tickets and performance schedule: https://wantedmusical.com

Official ticketing: https://www.telecharge.com

Experience the extraordinary story of Mary and Martha Clarke, brought to life on Broadway by Ross Baum, Angelica Chéri, and an exceptional creative team.

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!

Ever feel like the chaos of the day has knocked you off balance? This episode offers a serene escape to help you reclaim your center and find peace in the present moment. Journey with us as we guide you through a short yet powerful meditation designed to refresh your mind and spirit. We focus on the simple yet profound act of breathing, allowing you to notice the natural rhythm of your breath and release any lingering thoughts from the past or expectations of the future. This pause in your day is more than just a breather—it's a chance to reset and ground yourself.

We'll also guide you in setting a personal intention for what lies ahead, inspired by your own intuition and the endless possibilities of life. Experience the power of gratitude as you breathe in positivity and let go of anything weighing you down. Whether you're seeking clarity, peace, or simply a moment of calm, this meditation offers a gentle reminder that being present is a gift you can give yourself anytime, anywhere. Close your eyes, take that deep breath with us, and return to your day with renewed energy and focus. Namaste for joining us on this journey and for taking this valuable time for yourself.

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!

What if living a remarkable life was as simple as slowing down and truly engaging with our surroundings? Listen in as we discuss the importance of being present and mindful, cultivating a life of compound interest, where every interaction and experience adds value to your life and the lives of others. Join me in this inspiring conversation and start living your remarkable life 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!

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

Let us know what you enjoy about the show!

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