Tranquility du Jour

In this week's edition of Tranquility du Jour, I muse on creativity—ways to practice it, tools for making it happen, benefits, and more.

New to Tranquility du Jour? Learn more here.

Join me bi-weekly Love Notes and access Tranquil Treasures.

Upcoming Events

Tranquility in the Topics: February 16-23 in Costa Rica {2 spots left}

TDJ Live: March 24 at 8pm {Free, online}

Pigs, Pugs & Pinot: April 28, 3-5pm

Yoga + the Animals: June 8 at Burleigh Manor Animal Sanctuary

Tranquility in Tuscany: July 13-20 in Italy {8 spots left}

Savvy Sources Mentioned in the Podcast

TDJ Tenets PDF Everyday Creativity PDF Creativity Infographic E-course giveaway

Tranquility du Jour Online

• NEW Book: Year of Tranquility (comes with FOUR bonuses)
• New Year's TDJ Live replay available
• Eye candy on Instagram
• Pin along with me on Pinterest
• Let's connect on Facebook
• Follow moi on Twitter
• Watch via YouTube

More Tranquility

• Shop seasonless, vegan, locally-made, eco-friendly fashion: TranquiliT
• Browse my 6 Books
• Tranquility-filled E-courses
• Download the Tranquility du Jour Podcast App: iPhone and Android
• Read about my passion for animals

Favor

• Pen a review on iTunes and/or share this podcast via social media.
• Pen a review of my books on Amazon or Goodreads.

Techy

• To listen, click on the player at the top of the post or click here to listen to older episodes.
• New to podcasting? Get more info at Podcast 411.
• Do you have iTunes? Click here and subscribe to the podcast to get the latest episode as released.
• Get the Tranquility du Jour apps to download the podcast "automagically" on iOS or Android

In this week's edition of Tranquility du Jour, Christine Mason Miller and I discuss her new book, The Meandering River of Unfathomable Joy. Hear about her adventures, travel takeaways, and how India brought her closer to God.

** Share a takeaway from this podcast in the comments section below by Sunday, February 3 and enter to win a copy of her book. **

New to Tranquility du Jour? Learn more here.

Join me bi-weekly Love Notes and access Tranquil Treasures.

Direct download: Tranquility du Jour #441: The Meandering River of Unfathomable Joy

Upcoming Events

Tranquility in the Topics: February 16-23, 2019 in Costa Rica {2 spots left}

TDJ Live: March 24 at 8pm {Free, online}

Yoga + the Animals: June 8 at Burleigh Manor Animal Sanctuary

Tranquility in Tuscany: July 13-20, 2019 in Italy {8 spots left}

Guest: Christine Mason Miller

Christine Mason Miller is an author and artist who has been guiding others toward a meaningful life for more than twenty years. Her experience with writing, publishing, licensing, and teaching have established her as an experienced, compassionate authority on how to bring dreams to life, particularly those related to writing and publishing a book. Her online course, The Conscious Booksmith, has supported hundreds of aspiring authors on their book creation journey. Christine is the author, artist and illustrator of four books, each one distinctive and unique in its topic, scope, and design. Her latest book, The Meandering River of Unfathomable Joy: Finding God and Gratitude in India, was just released.

A graduate of Virginia Tech and the University of Georgia, Christine's career began in 1995 with the creation of an independent greeting card line called Swirly. Over the course of a decade, Swirly evolved into an internationally known brand with more than 1200 retailers and clients that included Target, Barnes + Noble, JoAnn Fabrics, and the Girl Scouts of America. Swirly designs were licensed for a wide array of gift, stationery, and home decor items and an illustrated gift book translated into three languages. After shifting her creative efforts to original mixed media artwork, she organized and participated in over a dozen gallery shows and exhibits before launching her second gift and stationery line, The Christine Mason Miller Collection, in 2009.

In addition to The Meandering River of Unfathomable Joy, Christine is the author of Moving Water: A Memoir, Ordinary Sparkling Moments: The Art of Finding Yourself, Desire to Inspire: Using Creative Passion to Transform the World, and Plant Your Dreams and the Miracles will Grow. She has been a regular contributor to numerous print publications such as Bella Grace, Somerset Life, and Somerset Studio, and her essays have been featured in Skirt! magazine, Modern Creative Life, and Dharma Mamas. She has facilitated workshops and retreats at venues across the country, including Esalen Institute in Big Sur, was a speaker at the 2016 and 2018 Brave Girl Symposium, and was one of ten artists featured in Indie Kindred, a documentary film by Jen Lee about artistic collaboration.

Christine lives in Milwaukee, Wisconsin with her husband and their chocolate lab Tilda.

Savvy Sources Find Christine

Website Book Instagram Pinterest

Former Tranquility du Jour interviews: #428 Transitions, #384 Moving Water, #235 Desire to Inspire, #153 Ordinary Sparkling Moments

Mentioned in the Podcast William Dalrymple Travel agent Books: Shantaram and Holy Cow Sikh temple with the hangar (free kitchen): Movies: Slumdog Millionaire, Best Marigold Hotel, Darjeeling Limited Help Animals India Dharmasala Animal Rescue Tranquility du Jour Online

• NEW Book: Year of Tranquility (comes with FOUR bonuses)
• New Year's TDJ Live replay available
• Eye candy on Instagram
• Pin along with me on Pinterest
• Let's connect on Facebook
• Follow moi on Twitter
• Watch via YouTube

More Tranquility

• Shop seasonless, vegan, locally-made, eco-friendly fashion: TranquiliT
• Browse my 6 Books
• Tranquility-filled E-courses
• Download the Tranquility du Jour Podcast App: iPhone and Android
• Read about my passion for animals

Favor

• Pen a review on iTunes and/or share this podcast via social media.
• Pen a review of my books on Amazon or Goodreads.

Techy

• To listen, click on the player at the top of the post or click here to listen to older episodes.
• New to podcasting? Get more info at Podcast 411.
• Do you have iTunes? Click here and subscribe to the podcast to get the latest episode as released.
• Get the Tranquility du Jour apps to download the podcast "automagically" on iOS or Android

In this extra edition of Tranquility du Jour, Tim Mooney and I discuss our 15 years together. Hear about our anniversary surprise (omg, Gloria Steinem), why we're unmarried and childless by choice, our passion for pugs, how we manage working together and living in a tiny space, and more.

New to Tranquility du Jour? Learn more here.

Join me bi-weekly Love Notes and access Tranquil Treasures.

Direct download: Tranquility du Jour #440: 15 Years Together

Upcoming Events

Tranquility in the Topics: February 16-23, 2019 in Costa Rica {3 spots left}

TDJ Live: March 24 at 8pm {Free, online}

Tranquility in Tuscany: July 13-20, 2019 in Italy {8 spots left}

Guests: Me + Tim Mooney

Tim Mooney is a Washington, DC-based attorney and entrepreneur with a passion for technology and the law. Tim's legal career began in Oregon where he was a co-founder and legal counsel for Columbia Riverkeeper.

In 2001, Tim relocated to Washington, DC and served as senior counsel at Alliance for Justice. There, he worked with nonprofits across the United States to strengthen their ability to influence public policy.

Tim's next decade was spent as General Counsel and Director of Operations for Tranquil Space, Hip Tranquil Ventures and TranquiliT. He helped grow the yoga studio from a single location in Dupont Circle, to multiple locations and eventual sale to YogaWorks in 2017. Tim continues to serve as attorney and advisor for Hip Tranquil Venture and TranquiliT, and he also runs online media and designs e-courses for the businesses' owner, creative entrepreneur Kimberly Wilson.

Tim also serves as a board member of Tranquil Space Foundation, a public charity that champions caregivers and advocates that support animal welfare. He provides legal advice and design work for the Pigs & Pugs Project of the Foundation.

Tim maintains a solo law practice focusing on a small number of nonprofit clients. He is also the founder of Nineball Media, an independent podcast and social media production outfit based in Washington, DC.

Most recently, Tim has discovered the joys of bike touring and has launched an online community and podcast devoted to bike touring lifestyle, Pedalshift. He was also one half of the 2013 book tour -slash- 11,000 mile North American RV adventure that was Tranquility Tour.

Tim received a B.S. from Syracuse University/SUNY College of Environmental Science & Forestry and a J.D. from Pace University School of Law. He splits time between the Dupont Circle neighborhood of Washington, DC and his cabin retreat in Berkeley County, West Virginia with his multi-talented girlfriend Kimberly Wilson and their pugs, Mookie, Belle Starr, and Gizmo, and their cat Jackson.

Savvy Sources

Website: Tim-Mooney.com Instagram: instagram.com/timm00ney/

Mentioned in the Podcast

Year of Tranquility is now available and comes with four bonuses! Share your Year of Tranquility photos using #yearoftranquility Tranquility du Jour app

Social Media

• Eye candy on Instagram
• Pin along with me on Pinterest
• Let's connect on Facebook
• Follow moi on Twitter
• Watch via YouTube

More Tranquility

• Shop seasonless, vegan, locally-made, eco-friendly fashion: TranquiliT
• Browse my 6 Books
• Tranquility-filled E-courses
• Download the Tranquility du Jour Podcast App: iPhone and Android
• Read about my passion for animals

Favor

• Pen a review on iTunes and/or share this podcast via social media.
• Pen a review of my books on Amazon or Goodreads.

Techy

• To listen, click on the player at the top of the post or click here to listen to older episodes.
• New to podcasting? Get more info at Podcast 411.
• Do you have iTunes? Click here and subscribe to the podcast to get the latest episode as released.
• Get the Tranquility du Jour apps to download the podcast "automagically" on iOS or Android

Happy 2019! In this week's edition of Tranquility du Jour, Ashlee Piper and I discuss her book Give A Sh*t. Learn ways to simplify, save money, and do good for your health, animals, and the environment. Plus, she's such a lively interviewee!

New to Tranquility du Jour? Learn more here.

Join me bi-weekly Love Notes and access Tranquil Treasures.

Direct download: Tranquility du Jour #439: Give A Sh*t

Upcoming Events

4-Week Tranquility Salon in DC: Starts January 20 {1 spot left}

Tranquility in the Topics: February 16-23, 2019 in Costa Rica {3 spots left}

TDJ Live: March 24 at 8pm {Free, online}

Tranquility in Tuscany: July 13-20, 2019 in Italy {8 spots left}

Guest: Ashlee Piper

Ashlee Piperis a political strategist turned vegan and eco-lifestyle expert, writer, and TV personality whose work has been featured in/on GLAMOUR, Refinery29, Apartment Therapy, Design*Sponge, Women's Health, Reader's Digest, The Chalkboard, Mind Body Green, VegNews, Vegetarian Times, AOL, NBC, CBS, ABC, and FOX News, to name a few. (Reel here)

Her book on stylish, sustainable living, Give a Sh*t: Do Good. Live Better. Save the Planet. (Running Press) debuted June 2018 and can be purchased here.

Piper is also a brand strategist and influencer for some of the world's most ethical and innovative companies. Her clients and collaborations include: LUSH, Eileen Fisher, Airbnb, bkr., Kia Motors, Jill Milan, Olivine Atelier, Home Chef, Nicora Shoes, Vegan Cuts, Follow Your Heart, So Delicious, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, and The Humane Society of the United States.

Prior to dedicating herself to eco-evangelism, Piper was a political strategist and cabinet-level advisor to some of the country's most high-profile politicians and governmental organizations, including Governors Mitt Romney and Deval Patrick, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, where she worked on campaign and policy strategy surrounding universal healthcare, child welfare, and public housing.

She holds a BA from Brown University, an MA from the University of Oxford, UK, and a degree in Holistic Health from The Institute for Integrative Nutrition and Columbia University. She is a 12+ year veteran of Best Buddies, International, a volunteer and adopter with the Anti-Cruelty Society, and a Board Member of HEART, Humane Education Advocates Reaching Teachers. Ashlee lives in Chicago, IL.

image from the tree kisser

Savvy Sources

Website: ashleepiper.com Book: ashleepiper.com/book/ Facebook: facebook.com/thelilfoxes Instagram: instagram.com/ashleepiper/ Twitter: twitter.com/TheLilFoxes

Mentioned in the Podcast

Year of Tranquility is now available and comes with three bonuses! New Year's TDJ Live Tranquility du Jour app

Social Media

• Eye candy on Instagram
• Pin along with me on Pinterest
• Let's connect on Facebook
• Follow moi on Twitter
• Watch via YouTube

More Tranquility

• Shop seasonless, vegan, locally-made, eco-friendly fashion: TranquiliT
• Browse my 6 Books
• Tranquility-filled E-courses
• Download the Tranquility du Jour Podcast App: iPhone and Android
• Read about my passion for animals

Favor

• Pen a review on iTunes and/or share this podcast via social media.
• Pen a review of my books on Amazon or Goodreads.

Techy

• To listen, click on the player at the top of the post or click here to listen to older episodes.
• New to podcasting? Get more info at Podcast 411.
• Do you have iTunes? Click here and subscribe to the podcast to get the latest episode as released.
• Get the Tranquility du Jour apps to download the podcast "automagically" on iOS or Android

My end of year review process: reflection, intention & action.

In this week's edition of Tranquility du Jour, Shannon Ables of The Simply Luxurious Life and I discuss her brand new book, Living the Simply Luxurious Life, how to master the complexity of simplicity, what it means to be your own brand, and how to build community.

New to Tranquility du Jour? Learn more here.

Join me bi-weekly Love Notes and access Tranquil Treasures.

Upcoming Events

New Year's Mini Retreat in DC: December 31

New Year's Salon in DC: January 1 {2 spots left}

TDJ Live online: January 6

Writing Salon in DC: January 12 {5 spots left}

4-Week Tranquility Salon in DC: Starts January 13 {2 spots left}

Tranquility in the Topics: February 16-23, 2019 in Costa Rica {3 spots left}

Tranquility in Tuscany: July 13-20, 2019 {8 spots left}

Guest: Shannon Ables

Shannon Ables is the founder and editor of the internationally recognized lifestyle blog The Simply Luxurious Life (est. 2009) which inspired her first book Choosing The Simply Luxurious Life: A Modern Woman's Guide (2014), and her second Living The Simply Luxurious Life: Making Your Everydays Extraordinary and Discovering Your Best Self (2018).

What does living simply luxuriously look like?

"The simply luxurious life is something I believe every one of us can attain if indeed we are seeking quality over quantity, sensibility rather than frivolity, personal style instead of trendy fashions and a truly fulfilling life instead of being led around by the nose, thereby creating a life of true contentment."

Shannon also shares inspiration and tips on how to curate your very own simply luxurious life on her iTunes podcast The Simple Sophisticate which airs each Monday, pairing intelligent living with signature style. The Simply Luxurious Kitchen vodcast (video series) began where Shannon steps into her own kitchen using seasonal fare to elevate the everyday meal.

Savvy Sources

Websites: shannonables.com and simplyluxuriouslife.com Books: thesimplyluxuriouslife.com/book-2 Facebook: facebook.com/thesimplyluxuriouslifeblog Instagram: instagram.com/thesimplyluxuriouslife/

Mentioned in the Podcast

Shannon's previous Tranquility du Jour interviews: #340 and #210

Release of the Year of Tranquility book: January TBA The secret to living with charm, grace, balance and joie de vivre—it's all here in Year of Tranquility!—Jamie Cat Callan, author of Parisian Charm School

Book Cover voting: #3 it is!

Social Media

• Eye candy on Instagram
• Pin along with me on Pinterest
• Let's connect on Facebook
• Follow moi on Twitter
• Watch via YouTube

More Tranquility

• Shop seasonless, vegan, locally-made, eco-friendly fashion: TranquiliT
• Browse my 5 Books
• Tranquility-filled E-courses
• Download the Tranquility du Jour Podcast App: iPhone and Android
• Read about my passion for animals

Request

• Pen a review on iTunes and/or share this podcast via social media.
• Pen a review of my books on Amazon or Goodreads.

Techy

• To listen, click on the player at the top of the post or click here to listen to older episodes.
• New to podcasting? Get more info at Podcast 411.
• Do you have iTunes? Click here and subscribe to the podcast to get the latest episode as released.
• Get the Tranquility du Jour apps to download the podcast "automagically" on iOS or Android

In this week's edition of Tranquility du Jour, author Beth Howard and I discuss moving abroad for love, the challenges of a new country, living in the American Gothic House, the practice of writing, and the power of pie.

New to Tranquility du Jour? Learn more here. Join me bi-weekly Love Notes and access Tranquil Treasures.

Upcoming Events

New Year's Mini Retreat in DC: December 31

New Year's Salon in DC: January 1 {4 spots left}

TDJ Live online: January 6

Writing Salon in DC: January 12 {5 spots left}

4-Week Tranquility Salon in DC: Starts January 13 {2 spots left}

Tranquility in the Topics: February 16-23, 2019 in Costa Rica {3 spots left}

Tranquility in Tuscany: July 13-20, 2019 {8 spots left}

Guest: Beth Howard

Beth M. Howard is an author, blogger, and radio commentator. She is also known for being the (former) resident of the American Gothic House, where from 2010 to 2014 she ran the Pitchfork Pie Stand. Her books include Making Piece: A Memoir of Love, Loss, and Pie; Ms. American Pie: Buttery Good Pie Recipes and Bold Tales from the American Gothic House; and the forthcoming memoir, Hausfrau Honeymoon: Love, Language, and Other Misadventures in Germany. She has written for the New York Times, Real Simple, Country Living, and many other publications; she's been featured on CNN, CBS This Morning, BBC, and NPR; and she has given a TEDx talk about the healing powers of pie. She blogs at The World Needs More Pie. (View full bio.)

Savvy Sources

Website: bethmhoward.com Books: bethmhoward.com/books Facebook: facebook.com/TheWorldNeedsMorePie Instagram: instagram.com/theworldneedsmorepie

Mentioned in the Podcast:

Ted Talk: The Healing Power of Pie

Social Media

• Eye candy on Instagram
• Pin along with me on Pinterest
• Let's connect on Facebook
• Follow moi on Twitter
• Watch via YouTube

More Tranquility

• Shop seasonless, vegan, locally-made, eco-friendly fashion: TranquiliT
• Browse my 5 Books
• Tranquility-filled E-courses
• Download the Tranquility du Jour Podcast App: iPhone and Android
• Read about my passion for animals

Request

• Pen a review on iTunes and/or share this podcast via social media.
• Pen a review of my books on Amazon or Goodreads.

Techy

• To listen, click on the player at the top of the post or click here to listen to older episodes.
• New to podcasting? Get more info at Podcast 411.
• Do you have iTunes? Click here and subscribe to the podcast to get the latest episode as released.
• Get the Tranquility du Jour apps to download the podcast "automagically" on iOS or Android

In this week's edition of Tranquility du Jour, I discuss resilience with Linda Graham. Learn about neuroplasticity, the five different intelligences, how to strengthen your resilience, and care for your brain.

New to Tranquility du Jour? Learn more here. Join me bi-weekly Love Notes and access Tranquil Treasures.

Upcoming Events

New Year's Mini Retreat in DC: December 31

New Year's Salon in DC: January 1 {5 spots left}

TDJ Live online: January 6

Writing Salon in DC: January 12

4-Week Tranquility Salon in DC: Starts January 13 {2 spots left}

Tranquility in the Topics: February 16-23, 2019 in Costa Rica

Tranquility in Tuscany: July 13-20, 2019 {8 spots left}

Guest: Linda Graham

Linda Graham, MFT, is an experienced psychotherapist who integrates modern neuroscience, mindfulness practices, and relational psychology in her international trainings on resilience and well-being. She is the author of Resilience and also Bouncing Back, the winner of a 2013 Books for a Better Life Award. Visit her online at lindagraham-mft.net.

Savvy Sources

Website: lindagraham-mft.net Book: Resilience: Powerful Practices for Bouncing Back from Disappointment, Difficulty, and Even Disaster Facebook: facebook.com/BouncingBackLindaGraham/ Twitter: twitter.com/LindaGrahamMFT

Mentioned in the Podcast:

Bouncing Back: Rewiring Your Brain for Maximum Resilience and Well-Being Paris + DC Resources {NYC to come}

Social Media

• Eye candy on Instagram
• Pin along with me on Pinterest
• Let's connect on Facebook
• Follow moi on Twitter
• Watch via YouTube

More Tranquility

• Shop seasonless, vegan, locally-made, eco-friendly fashion: TranquiliT
• Browse my 5 Books
• Tranquility-filled E-courses
• Download the Tranquility du Jour Podcast App: iPhone and Android
• Read about my passion for animals

Request

• Pen a review on iTunes and/or share this podcast via social media.
• Pen a review of my books on Amazon or Goodreads.

Techy

• To listen, click on the player at the top of the post or click here to listen to older episodes.
• New to podcasting? Get more info at Podcast 411.
• Do you have iTunes? Click here and subscribe to the podcast to get the latest episode as released.
• Get the Tranquility du Jour apps to download the podcast "automagically" on iOS or Android

In this week's edition of Tranquility du Jour, I discuss the gift of calligraphy with Maybelle Imasa-Stukuls. Learn how to get started with calligraphy, what tools are helpful, and various projects that would make wonderful holiday gifts!

New to Tranquility du Jour? Learn more here. Join me bi-weekly Love Notes and access Tranquil Treasures.

Upcoming Events

New Year's Mini Retreat in DC: December 31

New Year's Salon in DC: January 1 {5 spots left}

TDJ Live online: January 6

Writing Salon in DC: January 12

4-Week Tranquility Salon in DC: Starts January 13 {2 spots left}

Tranquility in the Topics: February 16-23, 2019 in Costa Rica

Tranquility in Tuscany: July 13-20, 2019 {8 spots left}

Guest:

Artist and calligrapher Maybelle Imasa-Stukuls finds beauty in imperfection, a widely acclaimed and distinctly modern approach to calligraphy. With over 10 years of experience, Maybelle has been commissioned for bespoke wedding invitations, letterpress stationery, and editorial features, exhibiting her elegant and playful signature style for a range of clients. Her work has appeared in Martha Stewart Weddings, Sunset Magazine, Victoria, Better Homes and Gardens, and Brides, and has been featured on Design*Sponge, Besotted, Brooklyn Bride, Oh Happy Day, Snippet & Ink, Sunday Suppers, and Style Me Pretty.

Drawing inspiration from botanical engravings, vintage alphabet specimens, and her numerous travels abroad, Maybelle has been known to journey to Paris for just the right calligraphy nib. Her love of ephemera and faraway places inspired a collaboration with Chronicle Books: Belle Calligraphy Kit, Materials and Inspiration for Modern Script.

She developed Calligraphy in the 21st Century, a popular San Francisco workshop booked months in advance, as a way to share her passion with the creative community. This year, Maybelle offers the course in some of her favorite cities: New York City, Los Angeles, Portland, Santa Barbara, and Sydney, Australia.

Raised in Hawaii, Maybelle lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with her husband and twins.

Mentioned in the Podcast:

Website: may-belle.com Book: The Gift of Calligraphy Instagram: instagram.com/maybelleimasa

Social Media

• Eye candy on Instagram
• Pin along with me on Pinterest
• Let's connect on Facebook
• Follow moi on Twitter
• Watch via YouTube

More Tranquility

• Shop seasonless, vegan, locally-made, eco-friendly fashion: TranquiliT
• Browse my 5 Books
• Tranquility-filled E-courses
• Download the Tranquility du Jour Podcast App: iPhone and Android
• Read about my passion for animals

Request

• Pen a review on iTunes and/or share this podcast via social media.
• Pen a review of my books on Amazon or Goodreads.

Techy

• To listen, click on the player at the top of the post or click here to listen to older episodes.
• New to podcasting? Get more info at Podcast 411.
• Do you have iTunes? Click here and subscribe to the podcast to get the latest episode as released.
• Get the Tranquility du Jour apps to download the podcast "automagically" on iOS or Android

In this week's edition of Tranquility du Jour, I discuss my solo trip to Paris—takeaways, delights, and challenges.