STOPTIME: Live in the Moment.

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This week on STOPTIME: Live in the Moment, Lisa sits down with powerhouse producer and global live entertainment leader Anna Robb for a deeply thoughtful conversation about creativity, leadership, risk-taking, and what it truly means to live fully in the present.

Originally from Australia and now based in Hong Kong, Anna has spent more than 25 years producing and leading some of the most ambitious live entertainment projects in the world — from The Beatles LOVE with Cirque du Soleil in Las Vegas to The House of Dancing Water in Macau and large-scale global productions across five continents.

But beyond the titles and productions, this conversation explores the human being behind the extraordinary career.

Together, Lisa and Anna dive into:

•  Why the biggest leaps in life often happen when we jump into the unknown 
•  The difference between reckless risk and grounded, intentional risk 
•  Leadership under pressure and making high-stakes decisions in real time 
•  The beauty of imperfection in live performance and in life 
•  Raising children while navigating a demanding global career 
•  Creativity, discipline, and finding flow state 
•  Cross-cultural leadership and understanding people deeply 
•  Presence in a digitally distracted world 
•  Why community and human connection matter more than ever 
•  Letting go of control and releasing responsibility for others’ behavior 
•  Mortality, legacy, and living without regret 

Anna also shares moving reflections on motherhood, resilience, creative purpose, and the importance of creating spaces where people feel seen, connected, and inspired.

This episode is a masterclass in grounded leadership, creative courage, and remembering what truly matters.

About Anna Robb

Anna Robb is one of the world’s leading producers of live entertainment. Originally from Australia and now based in Hong Kong, her career has spanned more than 25 years across five continents.

She began backstage at the Sydney Opera House before joining Cirque du Soleil as Stage Manager for The Beatles LOVE in Las Vegas. She later became General Stage Manager for The House of Dancing Water in Macau and served as COO for visionary director Franco Dragone.

Today, Anna is the Executive Producer at Our Legacy Creations and CEO of StageLync, where she continues to shape the future of the global performing arts industry through innovative storytelling, leadership, and community-building.

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

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Can cultivating gratitude truly transform your life? Join us on a journey of self-discovery as we explore the profound impact of gratitude meditation on our well-being. This episode promises to guide you through a powerful exercise that not only lifts your mood but also enhances creativity and problem-solving skills. Imagine starting with a simple breathing technique, releasing all tension and distractions, and then shifting focus to the countless gifts life has bestowed upon you—from the basic joys of existence to the unsung heroes who enrich our daily lives. 

As we guide you further into this practice, you'll discover how maintaining a gratitude journal can be a game-changer, providing you with a reservoir of positivity and resilience. Whether it's jotting down three things you're thankful for or reflecting on personal reasons for gratitude, this exercise is designed to invigorate your spirit and contribute to a ripple effect of positivity in the world. We end by expressing our heartfelt gratitude to you, our listener, for embarking on this transformative meditation journey with us. Together, let's celebrate the enhancement of your gratitude practice and look forward to continuing this meaningful exploration. Namaste.

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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What if your home was not just a place to live, but a living, breathing extension of your very essence? Inspired by the poignant words of Khalil Gibran's "The Prophet," I, Lisa Hopkins, invite you on a journey through the philosophical and spiritual dimensions of what it means to call a place home. We uncover Gibran's insightful vision of houses that inspire freedom and untamed passion, challenging the notion that comfort should define our living spaces. Through his eloquent prose, we are urged to see our homes as masts that propel us forward, not anchors that hold us back, and to fill our spaces not just with objects, but with peace, beauty, and meaningful memories.

This episode asks you to reflect deeply on what you truly hold within the walls of your home. Are they shelters of peace and beauty, or merely fortresses of comfort that stifle the soul's yearning for freedom? As we explore Gibran's poetic call to live restlessly within rest, we delve into the idea of letting your spirit dwell in the vastness of the sky, unconfined by physical boundaries. Join me in embracing the wisdom of Gibran, and let his words inspire you to live in the moment, with a newfound understanding of the profound essence of home. Stay safe and healthy, and allow this exploration to resonate with you as it has with me.

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!

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!

When the spotlight hits, the heart races; it's the thrill of the stage, the power of a story well-told. That's precisely the electrifying energy Tamar Greene, our star guest who's currently donning the revolutionary boots of George Washington in the Broadway hit "Hamilton," brings to this episode. Tamar isn't just a performer; he's a first-generation American with a tale of resilience, a beacon of social advocacy, and a tech-savvy maestro who weaves his cultural tapestry into every note he sings. Our candid conversation traverses the many layers of his life—from the rhythms of his dual heritage to his work with HAM for Progress, diving into how his academic pursuits in Music and Computer Information Systems lend a distinctive timbre to his artistic voice. 

Every artist's journey is marked by personal crescendos and cadenzas, and Tamar's is no different. We share a laugh over the humbling experience of mastering a manual transmission, and Tamar bares his soul about the metamorphosis from backstage jitters to center stage triumphs. His insights on fatherhood resonate with anyone trying to juggle life's many roles, underlining the beauty and growth found in life's upheavals. Moreover, Tamar's story echoes the sentiment that challenges—be it a high-stakes performance or the intimate release of a personal music album—are merely stepping stones to our greatest versions.

Wrapping up our heart-to-heart, Tamar pulls back the curtain on the less glamorous side of the limelight. From vocal mishaps to financial faux pas, he shares the wisdom gleaned from each stumble and the fortitude to rise again. It's a testament to the passion that fuels the performing arts, where ambition meets authenticity. As Tamar discusses his harmonious dance between opera and musical theater, his soul's resonance with the latter, and his aspirations for sharing his gifts, we're reminded that the journey is as captivating as the destination. So, brace yourself for an episode that strikes a chord and sings to the dreamer in all of us.

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!

Your body doesn’t need a perfect routine, it needs a reliable reset. When stress shows up as tight shoulders, a clenched jaw, or a mind that won’t stop spinning, a few minutes of guided breathing and grounding can change the whole tone of your day. We walk you through a short nervous system reset you can do anywhere, with simple cues that help you feel supported in your body right now.

We start with the basics of mindfulness for stress relief: noticing contact points like the chair beneath you or your feet on the floor, then taking a slow inhale and an even longer exhale. That longer breath out becomes a signal to soften. From there, we add gentle somatic release by inviting the shoulders to drop, rolling them to unwind built-up tension, and then moving into jaw relaxation. If you’ve been clenching through meetings, errands, or scrolling, the jaw and tongue cues can feel surprisingly freeing. We also soften the space behind the eyes, a small shift that often brings immediate calm.

Then we take a different approach to anxiety and overwhelm: instead of forcing relaxation, we look for one place in your body that already feels neutral or slightly at ease. We let your attention rest there and imagine that area gently expanding, reminding your system that not everything is tense. Finally, we use a hand-on-body grounding anchor to create steadiness, return to natural breathing, and reorient you back to the room with a little more space and a little less urgency.

If this helped, subscribe for more short guided resets, share it with a friend who’s been holding it all together, and leave a review so more people can find simple tools for calm. What part of your body relaxes first when you try 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!

Pulitzer Prize finalist and Tony-nominated librettist Christopher Diaz joins us to share the rhythm and passion behind his creative journey. In this episode, Christopher opens up about balancing his multiple roles as a playwright, screenwriter, and educator at NYU while maintaining a fulfilling family life. He reflects on how teaching adds a unique cadence to his schedule, allowing him to stay grounded amidst the whirlwind of theater. With warmth and honesty, Christopher talks about his lifelong love affair with theater, emphasizing the importance of gratitude and celebrating achievements, no matter how long they take to materialize.

We also explore the enlightening process of recognizing success in the moment, even when it's not immediately obvious. Christopher shares past experiences that shaped his path, including the clarity he found from a brief, yet illuminating stint in catering. These reflections provide us with a lens into how personal growth and professional choices are deeply intertwined, offering a sense of empowerment and self-awareness. Join us for an engaging conversation about the art of living a life that is true to one's values and passions, and the fulfillment found in aligning work with personal integrity.

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!

Your mind won’t stop replaying, analyzing, and forecasting. Instead of treating that as a problem to fix, we offer a different path: step slightly to the side of the mental spiral and learn how to choose your attention again.

We start with a simple grounding sequence you can do anywhere, no perfect posture required. We soften the body first, dropping the shoulders, unclenching the jaw, and easing the space behind the eyes, then shift to breath awareness without trying to control it. As thoughts keep coming, we work with them directly using a clear metaphor: each thought is like a browser tab. You don’t have to close every tab to feel better, you just stop clicking on them.

From there, we add one question that cuts through overwhelm: “What actually needs my attention right now?” That prompt helps separate what’s urgent from what’s just loud. We also name a truth that makes this practice kinder and more realistic: clarity doesn’t require silence, it just requires a place to stand. If you’re looking for a short guided meditation for anxiety, overthinking, stress relief, and present-moment focus, this is a gentle reset you can return to anytime.

If it helps, subscribe, share it with a friend who’s stuck in their head, and leave a review so more people can find a calmer way back to now.

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!

Ever been stumped by the question 'What do you do?' We've got you covered in our latest podcast episode! Discover the art of curating an answer that invites curiosity & truly represents your unique essence. This engaging chat takes the fear out of networking and provides you with the tools to not just survive, but thrive in any networking situation.  You'll learn about the pitfalls of fear-based thinking and its impact on your networking abilities, as well as the significance of the two C's of curation and curiosity in making sure you put your best foot forward. 

Moving away from the traditional and limited view of networking as merely a card-collecting exercise, we delve into the heart of what networking really is - building authentic and meaningful relationships. We guide you on a path of self-discovery to help you connect with your unique essence. I share my personal journey from being a card collector to recognizing the power of genuine connection. This conversation is sure to inspire you to view networking in a whole new light, empowering you to unlock your full potential. So why wait? Tune in and prepare to transform your networking experience.

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!

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