The Fresh Start Podcast

Have you talked yourself out of making a career change? Have you second-guessed whether you should go back to school later in your life? Our guest for this episode, Angela Litwiler, will always tell you, “Just do it!” Angela, a self-proclaimed change avoider became a change adorer. Over the course of her life she has lived in multiple countries, pursued career transitions, completed a masters program, and is open to even more possibilities ahead. In our conversation she brings a fresh perspective to making fresh starts in life, location, career, and more.

Find Angela on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/angela-litwiler/ 

Enneagram prompts from Stacey:

"What's one area of knowledge you'd like to expand? How can you start learning about it today?"

• Thinking (Intellectual Exploration):  Identify gaps in your knowledge and areas of interest
• Feeling (Emotional Connection): Connect with your curiosity and passion for learning
• Doing (Action & Application):Find and engage with a resource (book, course, video) on the topic

The Fresh Start Podcast: When you know it’s time to be curious, think differently, and hit reset!

Hosted by Marcia Ramirez and Stacey Wynn, MDIV, PCC

https://www.thefreshstartpodcast.com

Marcia Ramirez is a singer/songwriter, author and non-profit director. To learn more about Marcia Ramirez: https://linktr.ee/marciaramirez

Stacey Wynn is a professional certified coach, speaker and author. To learn more about Stacey and to connect for iEQ9/enneagram coaching: https://linktr.ee/clarityunleashed

Thank you for listening! Please like, subscribe, and share.

Our podcast is sponsored by God and My Girlfriends, a women's non-profit which helps women nurture the three most important relationships in their lives: God, friends, and self. For more information on God and My Girlfriends, go to: www.godandmygirlfriendsministries.org

Support the show

This episode is sponsored by God and My Girlfriends, a women's non-profit which helps women nurture the three most important relationships in their lives: God, friends, and self. For more information on God and My Girlfriends, go to: www.godandmygirlfriendsministries.org 

Join us for an inspiring conversation with James Casto, a man who embodies the spirit of fresh starts. From corporate success to musical passion, James's journey is a testament to the power of following one's heart. After earning his MBA and building a thriving business, James made a life-altering decision in the wake of 9/11 to pursue his true calling in music. Now a respected figure in the Nashville music scene, James has written for notable artists and founded HOME BY DARK, a unique concert series that celebrates the transformative power of music. 

Since 2007, HOME BY DARK has captivated audiences with one of the most powerful and unique concert events in America. Inviting the best songwriters and musicians in the world to its stage, HOME BY DARK is a Nashville meets New York meets L.A. meets Atlanta, storytelling, romantic, pierce your heart, laugh til it hurts, reminds me of momma, dance in the aisle, that's my favorite song, evening you'll never forget.

Each show weaves stories, humor, improvisation and magical performances that truly happen once in a lifetime and are unique to each audience. James notes, “Our goal each night at HOME BY DARK is to reach your heart, make you feel something, and prove that a song can change your life.” 

Tune in as we explore James's remarkable transition and the lessons he's learned about reinvention, courage, and the impact of following your dreams.

Marcia mentions Cure for the Common Life by Max Lucado. In it, Lucado offers tools explore our strengths and how to put them to action in order to live in your “sweet spot.” Find it here: https://a.co/d/7sPIJll

For more information about James and Home by Dark:  https://www.homebydark.com/jamescasto

Follow James on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/3rqviMHi2pLsydj6f07Mxl

Enneagram prompts from Stacey:

• Thinking (Intellectual Exploration):
   
  • As you consider your fresh start, Reflect on a moment in your life when you made another significant change. What factors were holding you back, and how did you overcome them? Is there an opportunity for change in your life right now? What are you thinking of doing next? How will you balance preparation and leave room for 
• Feeling (Emotional Connection):
   
  • Imagine the mix of excitement and fear you might feel as you make a major life change. What's your biggest fear about change? How can you use that fear as motivation?
• Doing (Action & Application):
   
  • This week, take one small step towards a dream or passion you've been putting off. It could be as simple as researching a new skill or reaching out to someone in a field you're interested in. What's one tiny action you can take today? How will you hold yourself accountable?

Marcia Ramirez is a singer/songwriter, author and non-profit director. To learn more about Marcia Ramirez: https://linktr.ee/marciaramirez

Stacey Wynn is a professional certified coach, speaker and author. To learn more about Stacey and to connect for iEQ9/enneagram coaching: https://linktr.ee/clarityunleashed

Support the show

This episode is sponsored by God and My Girlfriends, a women's non-profit which helps women nurture the three most important relationships in their lives: God, friends, and self. For more information on God and My Girlfriends, go to: www.godandmygirlfriendsministries.org 

Looking for a dose of hope and inspiration? This week, we're honored to host Staci Frenes, singer/songwriter, author, and passionate advocate for love and acceptance. Staci bravely shares her evolving understanding of faith and family as she embraced her daughter's LGBTQ+ identity, and how this journey impacted her role as a Christian worship leader. This episode is a must-listen for anyone seeking to understand the power of love, authenticity, and evolving faith. It's a conversation about acceptance and the courage to re-examine deeply held beliefs. Staci's authenticity and gift for storytelling will resonate with your heart and soul.

Tune in and discover how to find beauty and grace in every chapter of your life.

“I either had to redefine the way I understood my faith, or the nature of my relationship with my child would have to change.”

For more information about Staci:  https://www.stacifrenes.com

Purchase her book, “Love Makes Room

And Other Things I Learned When My Daughter Came Out”

https://www.broadleafbooks.com/store/product/9781506468631/Love-Makes-Room

Staci's episode on the GAMG Podcast here.

Enneagram prompts from Stacey:

• Thinking (Intellectual Exploration):
   
  • What core beliefs, religious or otherwise, have you held onto without truly questioning why you believe them? What new information or experiences might challenge those beliefs? Are you willing to look into those challenges? 
• Feeling (Emotional Connection):
   
  • How would you describe the feeling of letting go of the safety and comfort of old beliefs? What fears or anxieties surface when considering a different perspective? What does it feel like when your beliefs are challenged?
• Doing (Action & Application):
   
  • What's one small step you can take this week to actively explore a new perspective on a belief you currently hold? Where can you go to find some of that new information? Could you have a respectful conversation with someone who holds differing views, read a book, or listen to a podcast episode exploring alternative viewpoints?

The Fresh Start Podcast: When you know it’s time to be curious, think differently, and hit reset!

Hosted by Marcia Ramirez and Stacey Wynn, MDIV, PCC

https://www.thefreshstartpodcast.com

Marcia Ramirez is a singer/songwriter, author and non-profit director. To learn more about Marcia Ramirez: https://linktr.ee/marciaramirez

Stacey Wynn is a professional certified coach, speaker and author. To learn more about Stacey and to connect for iEQ9/enneagram coaching: https://linktr.ee/clarityunleashed

Thank you for listening! Please like, subscribe, and share.

Our podcast is sponsored by God and My Girlfriends, a women's non-profit which helps women nurture the three most important relationships in their lives: God, friends, and self. For more information on God and My Girlfriends, go to: www.godandmygirlfriendsministries.org

Support the show

This episode is sponsored by God and My Girlfriends, a women's non-profit which helps women nurture the three most important relationships in their lives: God, friends, and self. For more information on God and My Girlfriends, go to: www.godandmygirlfriendsministries.org 

In this episode of Fresh Start, we sit down with V.L. Cox, a renowned artist and activist. In addition to learning about the intersection of her art and activism, we discuss how individuals can make their own fresh start as activists. We hear some of her impactful conversations from her past and explore strategies for developing the skills now that we need to be present in our world in ways that effect change in what is an even more complex social landscape.

ABOUT V.L. COX

Cox was born in 1962 in Shreveport Louisiana and raised in Arkansas. She acquired a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Henderson State University in 1991.

Cox is a professional artist of 30 years whose work has been highly active in projects that involve Human Rights and Equality. In 2015 she launched her National ‘End Hate’ project, an anti-discrimination series based on segregation era doors in response to HB1228, a dangerous Religious Freedom Bill in Arkansas. The doors were placed twice on the steps of the Arkansas State Capitol then twice at the base of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C. The response was overwhelming. Images of the door installation went viral and were seen on Yahoo News, USA Today, in numerous newspapers across the country and as far away as India and South Korea.

In 2020, Cox was one of twenty artists in the nation to be featured in "Ministry of Truth: 1984/2020,” a New York City billboard project which made the New York Times “Most Important Moments in Art in 2020” list. Her work has opened at prominent locations such as The LGBT Center in New York, NY, The Virginia Longwood Center for the Visual Arts Museum, the Rosa Parks Museum in Montgomery, Alabama , The National Memorial for Peace and Justice opening, the Virginia Holocaust Museum in Richmond, Virginia and the Delta Cultural Center in Helena, Arkansas to commemorate the 100 Year Anniversary of the Elaine Massacre. In 2023 Cox was awarded a Distinguished Alumni Award from Henderson State University and in 2024 was one of 120 artists selected nationwide for the exhibition ‘Into Action 2024’ sponsored by Taskforce, promoting change and the power of voting during the Democratic National Convention in Chicago. 

Cox currently lives in the Artists District in Peekskill, New York. 

You can connect with V.L. on her website: https://www.vlcox.com/ and on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vlcoxart

Stacey took us on a different thought prompt today that you’ll hear at the end of the podcast. So the prompt below is extra credit!

"How can I engage in social justice work when I feel overwhelmed by uncertainty?"

• Thinking: Identify a cause that deeply resonates with me and research credible sources to better understand its complexities.
• Feeling: Acknowledge the full spectrum of emotions I experience when confronting social injustices, from frustration to hope, and use these feelings as motivation rather than obstacles.
• Doing: Commit to one tangible action this week, no matter how small, that contributes to my chosen cause - whether it's signing a petition, attending a local meeting, or having a meaningful conversation with a friend about the issue.

Support the show

This episode is sponsored by God and My Girlfriends, a women's non-profit which helps women nurture the three most important relationships in their lives: God, friends, and self. For more information on God and My Girlfriends, go to: www.godandmygirlfriendsministries.org 

In this episode we dive into a recent retreat that gathered an incredible tapestry of women from diverse backgrounds and faith perspectives. What began as a gathering of strangers evolved into a profound connection. This experience embodies the essence of a fresh start: stepping outside our comfort zones, creating space for authentic connection, and remaining open to unexpected inspiration.

Listen to We n’ de ya ho, Cherokee Morning Song: https://shorturl.at/xRVvA

Teachings from the Muskrat: https://muskratmagazine.com/teachings-from-the-muskrat/

This episode’s enneagram prompt is: "How can I leverage diverse insights to shift my own perspective?”

• Thinking: Analyze the key ideas I have encountered and consider their potential impact on my work and life.
• Feeling: Take a moment to tune into my emotional response to these new insights. What excites or challenges me?
• Doing: Select one innovative concept or method to deliberately incorporate into my daily routine this week.

ABOUT JEN:

Jen Hoeft is a certified Human Design Analyst and Integrative Therapist. A Truth-Seeker, poet, teacher, author, yogi, drummer, artist. If you want to learn more about Human Design or connect with Jen, go to:

https://humandesignwithjen.com/

ABOUT AMIE:

Amie Pronk is a Canadian, daughter, mother, friend, and lover of humanity, God, and earth. She seeks to grow in curiosity of herself, others, and God.  Living and learning.  To connect, find her on Facebook and IG.

https://www.facebook.com/amie.dawn.56232

https://www.instagram.com/amiepronk

The Fresh Start Podcast: When you know it’s time to be curious, think differently, and hit reset!

Hosted by Marcia Ramirez and Stacey Wynn, MDIV, PCC

Marcia Ramirez is a singer/songwriter, author and non-profit director. To learn more about Marcia Ramirez: https://linktr.ee/marciaramirez

Stacey Wynn is a professional certified coach, speaker and author. To learn more about Stacey and to connect for iEQ9/enneagram coaching: https://linktr.ee/clarityunleashed

Thank you for listening! Please like, subscribe, and share.

Our podcast is sponsored by God and My Girlfriends, a women's non-profit which helps women nurture the three most important relationships in their lives: God, friends, and self. For more information on God and My Girlfriends, go to: www.godandmygirlfriendsministries.org

Support the show

This episode is sponsored by God and My Girlfriends, a women's non-profit which helps women nurture the three most important relationships in their lives: God, friends, and self. For more information on God and My Girlfriends, go to: www.godandmygirlfriendsministries.org 

Welcome to the first episode of Fresh Start! We're thrilled to bring you a lineup of inspiring guests who have experienced fresh perspectives, career transitions, life shifts, and more. Each episode, we'll explore the transformative power of new beginnings and how to navigate life's biggest changes.

On this episode, Marcia mentioned Bruce Feiler's TedX talk, "Need a Fresh Start? How to Master a Life Transition." You can watch it here: https://youtu.be/GxfNq0gIMso?si=H7_YyHfkqo1Lzdmq. Bruce offers powerful strategies for handling uncertain, painful, and confusing times, which he calls "lifequakes.”

At the end of each episode, we'll provide Enneagram-based perspective prompts to help you integrate your thoughts, emotions, and instincts as you pursue your own fresh start. Our prompt for this episode is: "What is your next fresh start?"

• Thinking: Identify one area in your life that would benefit from a fresh start
• Feeling: Connect with your emotions about this change (What is your why)
• Doing: Take one small, actionable step to begin

Remember, as Bruce Feiler says, "Transitions are essential to life," and learning to master them can help us turn upheaval into growth and renewal.”

We'd love to hear from you! 

Stacey Wynn is a professional certified coach, speaker and author. To learn more about Stacey and to connect for iEQ9/enneagram coaching: https://linktr.ee/clarityunleashed

Marcia Ramirez is a singer/songwriter, author and non-profit director. To learn more about Marcia Ramirez: https://linktr.ee/marciaramirez

The Fresh Start Podcast

When you know it’s time to be curious, think differently, and hit reset!

Hosted by Marcia Ramirez and Stacey Wynn, PCC

Support the show

This episode is sponsored by God and My Girlfriends, a women's non-profit which helps women nurture the three most important relationships in their lives: God, friends, and self. For more information on God and My Girlfriends, go to: www.godandmygirlfriendsministries.org