Robyn Burns: The Power of Food to Build Community

Machel Piper: Beyond the Resume & Trusting the Leap

In this thoughtful and grounding episode of Creativity Connects, host Mikki Wilson sits down with Machel Piper, Development Director at Centerboard and a purpose-driven leader whose journey spans education, nonprofit leadership, healing, and community impact. From living off the grid in northern Wisconsin to building a career rooted in service, Machel shares how trusting her intuition, reconnecting with herself, and embracing unexpected pivots have shaped the woman she is today. Together, Mikki and Machel explore what it means to slow down, listen to the quiet signals guiding our decisions, and build a life centered around purpose rather than expectation. Their conversation moves beyond titles and resumes into the deeper experiences that shape how we show up for our communities, our work, and ourselves. Key Topics Discussed How The Artist’s Way helped Machel reconnect with herself and her creativity What living off the grid taught her about healing, simplicity, and self-trust Her path from teaching and music into nonprofit leadership and social impact Why intuition matters when making big life decisions The role of nature, reflection, and community in staying grounded Memorable Quotes from Machel Piper “Listen to that little whisper in your gut.” “You never know where that leap is going to lead — it might lead to something frickin’ awesome.” “Books have been my guiding tool throughout life.” “I see my life as service to others.” “There’s someone ahead of you on the ladder reaching down their hand and bringing you up with them.” About the Guest Machel Piper is a communications and development leader with a passion for social impact, inclusive leadership, and community engagement. She currently serves as Development Director at Centerboard, where she supports initiatives addressing housing stability, youth services, and community well-being. Her work spans nonprofit, higher education, government, and philanthropic sectors, where she focuses on storytelling, strategic communications, and building meaningful partnerships that strengthen communities. About the Host Mikki L. Wilson is your host, a team member of Creative Collective and the founder of Dot Connector Consulting, where she builds sustainable support systems for women that amplify their value, voice, and visibility. Known as The Dot Connector, Mikki brings women together, creates space for real conversation, and builds meaningful relationships that move work—and communities—forward. About the Podcast Creativity Connects with Mikki Wilson is a Creative Collective podcast that goes beyond the brand to explore the authentic journeys of women entrepreneurs and community leaders. Hosted by Mikki Wilson, founder of Dot Connector Consulting, the podcast highlights the moments, motivations, and lived experiences that shape how women show up in leadership and service. Produced by Randyll Collum for Peabody TV. Sponsored by Jenni Stuart Fine Jewelry.

Old Soul Young World: Jessie Elly on Purpose, Mental Health, and Creative Impact

Old Soul Young World: Jessie Elly on Purpose, Mental Health, and Creative Impact In this powerful episode of Creativity Connects, Mikki Wilson sits down with Jessie Elly, Founder and CEO of Old Soul Young World LLC—a motivational media platform rooted in inspiration, creativity, and mental wellness. Jessie shares her deeply personal journey as a multidisciplinary artist, youth mentor, and mental health advocate, revealing how spoken word, painting, and vulnerable communication became tools for survival, purpose, and impact. Through an intimate conversation, Jessie reflects on the educators, creatives, and lived experiences that shaped her voice, her commitment to youth empowerment, and her vision for building a healthier media future. From launching the Old Soul Young World podcast in 2021 to growing it into a multi-layered media ecosystem, this episode explores what it means to trust yourself, build community, and turn struggle into meaningful change. Key Topics Discussed The origin and evolution of Old Soul Young World LLC Creativity as a lifeline: poetry, painting, and self-expression Mental health advocacy and vulnerable communication Youth empowerment and healthy digital footprints Building purpose-driven media and generational impact Community, unity, and the role of Creative Collective Memorable Quotes from Jessie Elly “I really believe my one word in this lifetime is inspire.” “Healing can be resistance if you’re not moving forward.” “A paintbrush lets me express what I can’t say out loud.” “This isn’t just a podcast anymore—it’s a movement.” “If you can light one flame, that flame can burn for generations.” About the Guest Jessie Elly is the Founder and CEO of Old Soul Young World LLC, a motivational media platform dedicated to inspiring and empowering entrepreneurs and youth through inspiration and creativity. With a background in communications, media creation, and extensive experience as a youth program director and Coach Mentor, Jessie brings a unique blend of leadership and artistic vision to her work. From producing and hosting the Old Soul Young World podcast from inception through Season 3—with over 95 guests—Jessie is a seasoned emcee, motivational mental health advocate, and youth speaker. As a multidisciplinary artist with over a decade of experience in painting, writing, and spoken word poetry, she is passionate about helping young people embrace their purpose early in life. Her advocacy for mental wellness, particularly within youth and media spaces, underscores her commitment to vulnerable communication and meaningful, lasting change. About the Host Mikki L. Wilson is your host, a team member of Creative Collective and the founder of Dot Connector Consulting, where she builds sustainable support systems for women that amplify their value, voice, and visibility. Known as The Dot Connector, Mikki brings women together, creates space for real conversation, and builds meaningful relationships that move work—and communities—forward. About the Podcast Creativity Connects with Mikki Wilson is a Creative Collective podcast that goes beyond the brand to explore the authentic journeys of women entrepreneurs and community leaders. Hosted by Mikki Wilson, founder of Dot Connector Consulting, the podcast highlights the moments, motivations, and lived experiences that shape how women show up in leadership and service. Produced by Randyll Collum for Peabody TV. Sponsored by Jenni Stuart Fine Jewelry. Connect with Jesse / Old Soul Young World Email: oldsoulyoungworldpodcast@gmail.com Website: https://www.oldsoulyoungworld.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/oldsoulyoungworldpodcast/

Shantel Alix Fernandex: Leading From Lived Experience

In this episode of Creativity Connects, Mikki Wilson sits down with Shantel Alix Fernandez to explore how identity, lived experience, and community-centered leadership shape the way we show up for others. Shantel reflects on her journey as an immigrant, Afro-Latina, and trans woman, and how navigating systems that weren’t built for her informed the values she brings into her work today. This conversation goes beyond titles to examine leadership rooted in empathy, representation, and widening access for the next generation. Key Topics Discussed Leading from lived experience and identity Representation, mentorship, and belonging in leadership spaces Community-centered work and relational impact Navigating systems while staying grounded in humanity What it means to widen the path for others Memorable Quotes “When I look at myself in the mirror and think about who I am—as an immigrant, as a person of color, as an Afro-Latina, as a trans woman—it can be hard to say, ‘I belong there.’” — Shantel Alix Fernandez “That’s what I love about my job—I get to interact with people’s reality.” — Shantel Alix Fernandez “Representation is so important. A great mentor sees something in you that you can’t see in yourself—and knows how to pull that out.” — Shantel Alix Fernandez “That’s how change happens—you widen the path behind you so it’s easier for the next person.” — Shantel Alix Fernandez About the Guest Shantel Alix Fernandez is a community leader whose work centers equity, representation, and human-centered impact. Drawing from her lived experience as an immigrant, Afro-Latina, and trans woman, Shantel brings empathy, awareness, and intentionality into every space she leads. Her work focuses on building systems and relationships that honor people’s realities while expanding access and opportunity across the North Shore. About the Host Mikki L. Wilson is your host, a team member of Creative Collective and the founder of Dot Connector Consulting, where she builds sustainable support systems for women that amplify their value, voice, and visibility. Known as “The Dot Connector,” Mikki brings women together, creates spaces for real conversation, and builds meaningful relationships that move their work forward. About the Podcast Creativity Connects with Mikki Wilson is a Creative Collective podcast that goes beyond the brand to explore the authentic journeys of women entrepreneurs and community leaders. Hosted by Mikki Wilson, founder of Dot Connector Consulting, the podcast highlights the moments, motivations, and lived experiences that shape how women show up in leadership and service. Produced by Randyll Collum for Peabody TV. Sponsored by Jenni Stuart Fine Jewelry. Connect with Shantel Alix Fernandez About Shantel: https://northshorecdc.org/staff/shantel-alix/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shantel-esmeralda-alix-fernandez-163752163/ Email: shantel@northshorecdc.org Connect with North Shore Community Development Coalition Website: https://www.northshorecdc.org Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/northshorecdc/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NorthShoreCDC/

Alyssa Conary: The Work of Holding Community

In this episode of Creativity Connects with Mikki Wilson, we sit down with Alyssa Conary, Membership Director at Creative Collective, for a grounded conversation about what it really means to hold community. Rather than focusing on growth for growth’s sake, Alyssa reflects on community-centered leadership as a practice rooted in care, consistency, and responsibility. Drawing from her work supporting women entrepreneurs and her involvement with Historic Salem, Inc., she shares how history, place, and stewardship shape the way she approaches leadership—both formally and behind the scenes. This conversation goes beyond surface-level ideas of connection and explores the quieter labor of maintaining trust, setting boundaries, and making decisions that honor both people and institutions over time. Alyssa offers a thoughtful perspective on sustainability, reminding us that not everything needs to scale—some things simply need to be held well. * What community-centered leadership looks like in practice * How history and place influence modern leadership decisions * Holding institutions, not just moments or momentum * The unseen labor of maintaining trust and sustainability * Why care, boundaries, and pacing are strategic leadership tools “Community isn’t just about bringing people together. It’s about what you’re willing to hold when people show up as their full selves.” “A lot of the work I do is invisible. It’s listening, following up, remembering details, and creating a sense of safety people don’t always realize they need.” “You can’t build trust through systems alone. Trust comes from consistency, presence, and doing what you say you’re going to do.” “Holding community doesn’t mean carrying it all yourself. It works best when responsibility is shared.” “People think community is events, but it’s really about relationships — and relationships take care.” Alyssa Conary is the Membership Director for Creative Collective, where she supports and nurtures a community of entrepreneurs and creatives across the North Shore. Alyssa is known for her human-centered approach to community care, helping members feel welcomed, supported, and connected while strengthening the relationships that make the creative economy thrive. She is also involved with Historic Salem, Inc., bringing a place-based and preservation-minded lens to her leadership work. Mikki Wilson is the host of Creativity Connects with Mikki Wilson and the founder of Dot Connector Consulting. Known for her ability to facilitate meaningful connections, Mikki cultivates conversations that go beyond the brand to highlight the lived experiences, leadership, and “messy middles” behind women’s entrepreneurial journeys. Creativity Connects with Mikki Wilson is a Creative Collective podcast that goes beyond the brand to explore the authentic journeys of women entrepreneurs in the creative economy. Produced by Randyll Collum for Peabody TV, the series amplifies the voices of Creative Collective members and the moments, motivations, and pivots that shape their work. Sponsored by Jenni Stuart Fine Jewelry. Website: creativecollectivema.com [http://creativecollectivema.com]LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alyssa-conary-1b59173b/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/alyssa-conary-1b59173b/]Email: alyssa@creativecollectivema.com [alyssa@creativecollectivema.com]Instagram: @alyssagaconary [https://www.instagram.com/alyssagaconary/?hl=en] Key Topics DiscussedMemorable Quotes About the GuestAbout the HostAbout the PodcastConnect with Alyssa Conary

Robyn Burns: The Power of Food to Build Community

In this heart-centered episode of Creativity Connects, host Mikki Wilson sits down with Robyn Burns, Executive Director of The Salem Pantry, to explore how food can do more than feed—it can connect, dignify, and transform communities. From her creative roots in Pittsburgh’s film and DJ scene to leading a North Shore nonprofit through the pandemic, Robyn shares how her journey redefined what it means to lead with empathy, creativity, and collaboration. Key Topics Discussed How a carpool to an organic farm sparked a lifelong passion for food systems and equity Leading The Salem Pantry through COVID and designing access with dignity Building partnerships across Salem’s Food Policy Council and creative community Why authentic leadership and vulnerability are essential in community work Memorable Quotes “There’s so much power in food—whether it’s learning about people and cultures or creating spaces where exchange of ideas can happen.” “Folks can just come up and access… it’ll be here next week.” Robyn’s story shows that food is more than sustenance—it’s a creative pathway to belonging and collective care. About the Guest Robyn Burns is the Executive Director of The Salem Pantry, a nonprofit increasing equitable access to nutritious food across the North Shore. She also serves on the Salem Food Policy Council, shaping local approaches to food justice and community well-being. About the Podcast Creativity Connects with Mikki Wilson is a Creative Collective podcast that goes beyond the brand to explore the authentic journeys of women entrepreneurs. Hosted by Mikki Wilson, founder of Dot Connector Consulting. Produced by Randyll Collum for Peabody TV. Sponsored by Jenni Stuart Fine Jewelry. Connect with The Salem Pantry Website: thesalempantry.org Instagram: @thesalempantry Facebook: facebook.com/thesalempantry