Have you ever felt disconnected from your body—or grieved the version of it you used to know? I have. And in this episode of Unleash Your Inner Creative, I’m talking with disability advocate and author Jayne Mattingly about something we don’t hear enough about: body grief, and how it can quietly block our creativity and self-love.

Here’s what I’ve come to realize: when we lose trust in our bodies, we often lose connection to ourselves and therefore our creative voice. But when we start rebuilding that trust—even slowly—we open the door to healing, peace, and creative freedom.

Jayne created a powerful framework to help us understand and move through body grief, and in this episode, she shares her story, how it applies to you, and how getting into a relationship with your body can shift everything—from how you heal to how you create.

From this episode, you’ll learn:

-What body grief is and how to recognize it in your own life
-The 7 stages of body grief and how to move through them

-How to begin rebuilding trust with your body—at any stage
-Why healing your relationship with your body can unlock your creativity

TW: Eating Disorders and Mental Health

More on Jayne

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✨ Want personalized support to reconnect with your creativity yourself and share your work with the world? I’m a creative coach who helps artists, entrepreneurs, and multi-passionate creatives move through self-doubt and unleash their authentic voice.

📩 Reach out for a free discovery call at [email protected] or visit https://www.laurenlograsso.com/contact/ 

-Remember to subscribe/follow the show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your pods. Please leave us a rating and review- it helps SO much in getting the show out there. And tell a friend about the show- podcasts are very personal and tend to be spread person to person. If this show helped you or made you smile, share the love :) 

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Hi Creative. As you may have seen, last week was a very scary week for me. My Dad, who I am extremely close to, was in the ICU for a subdural hematoma. At some point, I will tell the full story, but for today, I am sharing just a little behind the scenes of what has been going on, as well as resharing one of my favorite episodes in honor of my Dad. Please keep him in your prayers and good thoughts for a full recovery. I appreciate you.

Original Description:

Ciao, Creativo🇮🇹✨! Today I'm going to take you inside my deeply joyful and emotional journey back to Sicily. On this trip I reconnected with my ancestral roots and got to introduce my parents to our long-lost relatives (first cousins) after over seven decades. Throughout the episode, you'll hear me delve into the cultural lessons gleaned from my Sicilian ancestry, the formative role family has played in shaping my creativity, why I actually love language barriers and even some funny takeaways about Sicilan food and culture. We will also explore why your ancestry is a rich resource for creative inspiration and talk through how YOU can better understand yourself through addressing familial and generational grief. Hope you love it! Strap in for a Sicilan Adventure 🍝

Chapters: 

00:04Introduction and Ancestral Journey

00:23The Importance of Knowing Your Roots

01:02The Privilege of Knowing Your Ancestry

02:12The Role of Family in Creativity

02:26The Power of Finding YOUR Creative Topic 

04:29My Sicilian Origin Story

06:31The Unexpected Family ReunionS

10:04The Emotional Impact of Meeting Family

13:31The Trip to Sicily: A Homecoming

15:41The Healing Power of Family Connection

25:17The Role of Creativity in Sicilian Culture

40:53The Grief of Losing Cultural Roots

55:09The Miracle of Sicily Jo Ann 

59:15Michelin Stars Are Overrated + I HATE Small Foods

01:00:37 The Uniqueness of Italian Culture

01:03:21The Healing Power of Ancestral Connection

01:06:12The Importance of Family in Creative Expression

-Remember to subscribe/follow the show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your pods. Please leave us a rating and review- it helps SO much in getting the show out there. And tell a friend about the show- podcasts are very personal and tend to be spread person to person. If this show helped you or made you smile, share the love :) 

• Follow the show: @unleashyourinnercreative 

• Follow me: @LaurenLoGrasso

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Are you feeling stuck, torn between two (or more) options, and unsure which path to take? Whether it’s a major life decision or something as simple as choosing what to eat for dinner, I’ve got you.

In today’s solo episode, I’m sharing my foolproof, go-to decision-making trick that has never led me astray. This simple yet powerful tool helps you tune into your body’s natural wisdom, so you can ditch overthinking, trust your intuition, and make the right choice—instantly.

🔹 From this episode, you’ll learn:

-How to drop from your head into your body to access true clarity

-A simple method to tell whether a decision is right for you—without second-guessing

-Why logical pros & cons lists will only take you so far (and what actually works)

-A guided visualization exercise to help you apply this method to a real decision in your life

If you’ve been stuck in indecision, this episode will change the way you make choices forever.

🎙️ Connect & Work with Me:
If you love this episode and want personalized support to break through creative blocks, build confidence, and finally share your work with the world, I’d love to help. As a creative coach, I work with artists, entrepreneurs, and multi-passionate creatives to unleash their inner voice and build a thriving creative life from a place of self-love. ✨ Want to work together? Email me at [email protected] or visit https://www.laurenlograsso.com/contact/ to book a free 15-minute discovery call.

-Remember to subscribe/follow the show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your pods. Please leave us a rating and review- it helps SO much in getting the show out there. And tell a friend about the show- podcasts are very personal and tend to be spread person to person. If this show helped you or made you smile, share the love :) 

• Follow the show: @unleashyourinnercreative 

• Follow me: @LaurenLoGrasso

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What if healing after trauma wasn’t just about survival—but about creativity, reclamation, and transformation? Today’s guest, Marlee Liss, is living proof that healing can look radically different than what we’ve been taught. After experiencing sexual violence, she was thrown into the justice system and quickly realized something: the traditional punitive approach wasn’t leading to healing—it was retraumatizing. So, she did something groundbreaking.

Marlee became the first person in North America to advocate for and successfully secure a court-ordered restorative justice process, requiring her assailant to undergo mandated therapy instead of incarceration. Through this process, she proved that true justice isn’t always about punishment—it can be about deep, lasting accountability, healing, and even transformation.

This is the second episode in my series on using creativity to change the world—because creativity isn’t just for art. It’s for how we think, how we heal, and how we rebuild broken systems.

✨ From this conversation, you’ll learn:

• The radical question that changed everything for Marlee—and how it can change your life, too

• Why the justice system often fails survivors—and what a real, healing alternative looks like

• How creativity can be used to solve even the world’s toughest problems

• The surprising key to true healing: reclaiming joy, pleasure, and personal freedom

-Remember to subscribe/follow the show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your pods. Please leave us a rating and review- it helps SO much in getting the show out there. And tell a friend about the show- podcasts are very personal and tend to be spread person to person. If this show helped you or made you smile, share the love :) 

• Follow the show: @unleashyourinnercreative 

• Follow me: @LaurenLoGrasso

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Hi, creative cutie, as you know, I've been very open and honest about my journey with codependency on the show: my struggles with it, my healing from it, my trying to understand it...In 2022, I was lucky enough to have Melody Beattie author of Codependent No More on the podcast.

A couple days ago, Melody's daughter Nichole Beattie posted on her socials sharing that her mother had passed away on February 27th at 10pm. So today, in memory of Melody, and her world-altering and life-changing work, I am resharing our episode. Thank you, Melody, your work changed my life, It helped so many people heal....And it's going to continue to do that for years to come. May you rest in peace and may your work live on forever--teaching all of us to release our shame and to love ourselves at least as much as we love others.

Original Description:

Today’s guest is Melody Beattie. She’s a New York Times Best Selling Author known for titles such as The Language of Letting Go, Playing It by Heart, The Grief Club, Beyond Codependency, and her most famous book, Codependent No More-which just came out with a revised and updated edition that you should check out! Codependent No More, has sold over 7 million copies since its release in 1986. Melody is a true pioneer in this field and has helped millions find healing. Her work has changed my life, and it might just change yours, too!

From our chat you’ll learn:

-The true meaning of codependency and whether you might be codependent

-How to heal codependency through creativity

-What it REALLY even means to love yourself 

-How to not turn on yourself when you're disappointed

-How to trust the creative process--even if it takes YEARS!

-Why Codependent No More IS Actually a romance novel

-Plus never-before-heard insight into Melody’s creative process and how she birthed the original Codependent No More!

-And More! 

Check out Melody's work and get her new edition of Codependent No More here: https://melodybeattie.com/ 

-Remember to subscribe/follow the show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your pods. Please leave us a rating and review- it helps SO much in getting the show out there. And tell a friend about the show- podcasts are very personal and tend to be spread person to person. If this show helped you or made you smile, share the love :) 

• Follow the show: @unleashyourinnercreative 

• Follow me: @LaurenLoGrasso

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BOO! I’m the ghost of your creative past, and I have one question for you: Do you have unfinished projects haunting you in creative purgatory? What if I told you they're the KEY to getting Unstuck?

Have you ever abandoned a creative project, only to forget it existed? What if your best idea is already sitting in your notes, voice memos, or sketchbook—unfinished, unseen, and full of potential?

In this episode, I take you inside my own creative ‘graveyard’—a place filled with forgotten voice memos and half-finished songs. What I found completely shocked and inspired me… and it might do the same for you.

🎙️ In this episode, you’ll learn:
✅ Why creatives abandon work—and how to reclaim it
✅ The emotional power of revisiting old projects
✅ How I rediscovered hidden creative gold in my old voice memos
✅ A step-by-step challenge to reconnect with your past creative self
✅ How this process can help you get unstuck, inspired, and back in flow

This is your sign to stop overlooking your old work—your next big creative breakthrough could already be written.

✨ Ready for the challenge? Hit play and let’s take a journey through creative purgatory together.

-Remember to subscribe/follow the show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your pods. Please leave us a rating and review- it helps SO much in getting the show out there. And tell a friend about the show- podcasts are very personal and tend to be spread person to person. If this show helped you or made you smile, share the love :) 

• Follow the show: @unleashyourinnercreative 

• Follow me: @LaurenLoGrasso

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What would you do if climate change threatened your home? That’s the reality I faced during the devastating California wildfires—an experience that changed my entire perspective on the climate crisis and our role in it. I realized that climate change isn’t just about the environment—it’s about our safety, our homes, our families, and our future. It’s a human issue. And while it can feel overwhelming, there are ways to fight back—and creativity might just be our greatest tool.

So, I’m kicking off a brand-new series on Unleash Your Inner Creative—all about using creativity to solve the world’s biggest issues. And we’re starting with climate change.

Today’s guest is Patrick Murphy, a climate expert, nonprofit leader, and a dear friend. He’s here to break down where we’re really at with the climate crisis, why you should care, and the practical steps you can take to make a difference—creatively.

From This Episode, You’ll Learn:

-Why climate change is one of the greatest human rights issues of our time—and how it impacts racism, classism, and inequality.

-How the California wildfires + my love for people woke me up to the climate crisis.

-Why creativity is a powerful tool in the fight against climate change—and how you can use it

-Practical, doable steps you can take today to help the planet and your community.

-How to stay hopeful + resilient in the face of climate anxiety.

Support Patrick’s Work: 

-Learn about Delta Institute - https://delta-institute.org/

-Donate to upcoming event in Chicago he’s organizing: https://delta-institute.org/event/green-soapbox-climate-refugees/

-Check out his LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrickmurphy09/

-Click HERE to get a long list of resources and information Pat mentioned.

On Pat: Patrick T. Murphy serves as the Director for Donor Stewardship at Delta Institute, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that collaborates with communities to solve complex environmental challenges. He is an Advanced Certified Nonprofit Professional as accredited by the Nonprofit Leadership Alliance and has 15 years of experience in fundraising and marketing for nonprofits. He is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Organizational Leadership from Adler University.

-Remember to subscribe/follow the show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your pods. Please leave us a rating and review- it helps SO much in getting the show out there. And tell a friend about the show- podcasts are very personal and tend to be spread person to person. If this show helped you or made you smile, share the love :) 

• Follow the show: @unleashyourinnercreative 

• Follow me: @LaurenLoGrasso

  
  

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Have you ever felt creatively empty—like your spark is just gone? What if I told you that you actually have way more creativity inside you than you realize, but you just haven’t tapped into it yet?

In this episode, I had an unexpected moment of inspiration (let’s just say it involved water… and a mess 😅). That moment made me realize something huge about creativity—something that might just change the way you see yourself as a creator.

✨ From this episode, you’ll learn:

-How to knock over your own creative glass and unleash what’s hiding inside you

-The surprising ways constraints and challenges bring out your best ideas

-Small but powerful shifts to unlock your creativity (even when you feel stuck)

-Why messiness and imperfection are essential to the creative process

-How to turn pain, boredom, and even burnout into your next big breakthrough

Your creativity is waiting for you—it’s time to let it flow. 💡

Want to work with me as your creative coach? Book a free discovery call by emailing me at [email protected] or on my website under the coaching tab :) 

-Remember to subscribe/follow the show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your pods. Please leave us a rating and review- it helps SO much in getting the show out there. And tell a friend about the show- podcasts are very personal and tend to be spread person to person. If this show helped you or made you smile, share the love :) 

• Follow the show: @unleashyourinnercreative 

• Follow me: @LaurenLoGrasso

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Are you constantly stressed, overwhelmed, or running on empty?  In today’s episode, I sit down with Nahid de Belgeonne, a renowned somatic movement and nervous system expert, to uncover why we’re all stuck in survival mode—and how to break free. If you’re feeling wired but tired, creatively blocked, or stuck in the cycle of hustle culture, this episode is for you. 

Nahid, known as the "nervous system whisperer," is the founder of The Human Method and the author of Soothe: Restoring Your Nervous System from Stress, Anxiety, Burnout, and Trauma. Her work has helped high achievers, creatives, and professionals learn how to regulate their emotions, release stress, and reconnect with their bodies. Nahid shares practical, science-backed tools to reset your nervous system, reclaim your energy, and stop operating like a machine.

From this episode, you’ll learn:

-How stress, anxiety & trauma rewire your nervous system—and what to do about it

-The fastest way to calm your nervous system using breath & movement

-Why most stress relief methods don’t work—and what actually does

-The secret to regulating emotions daily (in just a few minutes)

This conversation will help you stop pushing, start listening to your body, and finally find sustainable peace. 🎧 Tune in now to start calming your nervous system & escaping burnout!

-Remember to subscribe/follow the show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your pods. Please leave us a rating and review- it helps SO much in getting the show out there. And tell a friend about the show- podcasts are very personal and tend to be spread person to person. If this show helped you or made you smile, share the love :) 

• Follow the show: @unleashyourinnercreative 

• Follow me: @LaurenLoGrasso

Book a free creative coaching consult by filling out this form: https://www.laurenlograsso.com/contact

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When life feels chaotic, how do you hold onto your creativity? After living through the LA fires, I’ve been reflecting on how to keep creating during difficult times—and today, I’m sharing the exact tools that have helped me navigate fear, uncertainty, and emotional exhaustion.

In this deeply personal episode of Unleash Your Inner Creative, I break down how to stabilize yourself, calm your nervous system, and reconnect with your creative spark—even when life feels overwhelming. Whether you’re dealing with personal challenges, burnout, or collective trauma, these insights will help you move forward with more peace, resilience, and creative clarity.

✨ In this episode, you’ll Learn:

-How to protect your energy & find emotional stability before creating

-The unexpected link between self-compassion and creative breakthroughs

-Why staying off your phone (especially in the morning) can reignite your creativity

-How to nurture yourself like a toddler (yes, really!) to regain creative momentum

-How to turn pain into purpose and use creativity to heal yourself and others

If you’ve ever struggled to create during a difficult time—or found yourself creatively blocked after a tough season—this episode will remind you that your creativity is always there and can be a powerful tool for healing. 🎧 Tune in now to learn how to create, even when life feels impossible.

-Remember to subscribe/follow the show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your pods. Please leave us a rating and review- it helps SO much in getting the show out there. And tell a friend about the show- podcasts are very personal and tend to be spread person to person. If this show helped you or made you smile, share the love :) 

• Follow the show: @unleashyourinnercreative 

• Follow me: @LaurenLoGrasso

Some Guided Meditations I like:

-Protection Meditation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qXXeN49sQZA

-Chakra Balancing Meditation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ReawG6MxLo8&list=PL5wU2sSCequLJM3PTeyOTCraI10qjSI5B&index=4

-Self-Image Meditation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t7dEiclZP60&t=567s

-Abraham Hicks Rampage: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TP_5TC9bDJk&t=346s

-Self-Love Meditation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cFeCUfw657g

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