How Three Women Built a Band, a Community, and a Movement with Folk Band The Little Mercies

How Three Women Built a Band, a Community, and a Movement with Folk Band The Little Mercies

This episode has been a long time coming. Back in February, I played my first live show in years and had the honor of opening for The Little Mercies. Their performance was so joyful, heartfelt, and magnetic that I immediately wanted to know more about them and share them with all of you. We talk about building a life outside the norm, women supporting women, creativity, music therapy, community, and what it really takes to follow your own path. They also share a few beautiful songs and plenty of stories from the road. In this episode we cover a lot of ground: •Building a touring folk band from friendship, grit, and a shared love of adventure •Why having fun is a serious creative strategy •Leaving your hometown and becoming who you're meant to be •Women supporting women in music and business •The realities of making a living as independent artists •Turning big dreams into practical action •Teaching music to children and empowering creativity •Music therapy, memory care, and the power of song •Following your joy even when the path gets messy •Balancing art, relationships, family expectations, and personal growth •The magic of folk music, storytelling, and shared experiences •Creating spaces where people feel free to dance, play, and be themselves •The importance of community in an increasingly disconnected world •Cats, campfire energy, and a whole lot of laughter A quick note: this was my first time recording an interview like this, and the video disappeared for the first half of the conversation. If you're listening, you'll never know. If you're watching on YouTube, the video kicks in about halfway through. I loved this conversation and these women. I think you will too. Xo, Greta Learn more about The Little Mercies at: www.thelittlemercies.com Join me on Substack for the full details of this episode: https://substack.com/@thoughtexperimentcalledlife 👉Get 20% Off and help your cells age brilliantly with liposomal NAD+ (and more) with Sunny Within (get the Strawberry Lime flavor…it’s much better than the Watermelon!!) Use my code: THOUGHTEXPERIMENT https://sunnywithin.com/THOUGHTEXPERIMENT ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Feral Hearts, National Parks, & Punk Rock Side Quests with Writer and Musician, Emily Pennington

My guest this week lives a life that inspires to me to my core. I first learned about Emily Pennington through former guest, Anthony Elio, when my song ‘Think You’re In Love’ was played on his podcast. Emily’s story grabbed me instantly as she took a year of her life to travel to every national park and wrote a book about it called Feral. In addition, she is also the front woman of her ‘Rowdy Alternative Folk Rock’ band called Trouble’s Braids, so naturally I wanted to hear more about her very unconventional life path. In this conversation we discuss: - Starting over creatively in your 30s and 40s - Building an unconventional life rooted in meaning instead of societal expectations - Overcoming fear of being “bad” at something new - Adult learning, side quests, and creative reinvention - Grief, loss, and how it changes your relationship with time - Conservation, native plants, and protecting public lands - Why creativity and wonder are essential parts of being human Also, Trouble’s Braids is coming out with a brand new EP on June 5th. Stay in touch with everything they’re up to here: https://open.spotify.com/artist/1nN66NEHxiYwSeLGB2t3tF?si=sLCOnjsvT62I5jn46D9qAw www.troublesbraids.com Click here to read Feral: https://a.co/d/0cjYfkIK Join me on Substack for the full details of this episode: https://substack.com/@thoughtexperimentcalledlife 👉Get 20% Off and help your cells age brilliantly with liposomal NAD+ (and more) with Sunny Within (get the Strawberry Lime flavor…it’s much better than the Watermelon!!) Use my code: THOUGHTEXPERIMENT https://sunnywithin.com/THOUGHTEXPERIMENT ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

BJJ World Champion Emily Kwok on Conscious Leadership, the Art of Becoming Yourself, and Having the Courage to Take the Leap

This week I’m so honored to share my conversation with Emily Kwok, a World Champion Brazilian Jiu Jitsu 4th degree Black Belt, peak performance consultant, teacher, mother, creative thinker, and one of the most deeply insightful people I’ve had the gift of speaking with. While Emily has played an enormous role in paving the way for women in jiu jitsu, this conversation reaches far beyond BJJ. We talk about conscious leadership, creativity, performance, taking risks, learning how to trust yourself, letting go of old versions of your life, and what it really means to become more fully yourself. I first met Emily when I was a blue belt at an all-women’s BJJ workshop that completely changed my life, but over the years I’ve come to admire her for so much more than her accomplishments on the mat. This is one of those conversations that feels like it has gems tucked into every corner, and I hope it leaves you feeling inspired, challenged, and a little more ready to climb whatever mountain is in front of you. Learn more about Emily Kwok at www.emilykwok.com Join me on Substack for the full details of this episode: https://substack.com/@thoughtexperimentcalledlife 👉Get 20% Off and help your cells age brilliantly with liposomal NAD+ (and more) with Sunny Within (get the Strawberry Lime flavor…it’s much better than the Watermelon!!) Use my code: THOUGHTEXPERIMENT https://sunnywithin.com/THOUGHTEXPERIMENT ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

The Rise of Third Spaces & Creative Culture in Denver: Creating Spaces Where People Feel Seen with Hayley Featherston of BlendCo Denver

You know an interview is going to go well when you and your guest show up wearing almost the exact same leopard print pants. Hayley Featherston, one of the co founders of BlendCo, one of Denver’s most inspiring new ‘third spaces’ (meaning a place that is not our home or our workspace), mission is crystal clear: build community by providing a cozy, welcoming place for humans to gather, and make sure they know they are welcome to stay a while, there is no rush. The idea of a ‘third space’ in regard to BlendCo makes me think of the ‘Room of Requirements’ in Harry Potter. It can transform into whatever you need it to be at any given time. Hayley, one of the founders of BlendCo has a deep dedication to building community and bringing people together, especially in a cozy and warm environment. Her intentions of community care are crystal clear, you will hear it in our conversation. Learn more about BlendCo here: https://www.blendcolorado.com/ Join me on Substack for the full details of this episode: https://substack.com/@thoughtexperimentcalledlife 👉Get 20% Off and help your cells age brilliantly with liposomal NAD+ (and more) with Sunny Within (get the Strawberry Lime flavor…it’s much better than the Watermelon!!) Use my code: THOUGHTEXPERIMENT https://sunnywithin.com/THOUGHTEXPERIMENT ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Creativity, Mental Health, & Building Community with Anthony Elio of Locals Aloud Denverse Podcast

The stars aligned for my conversation with host of the Locals Aloud Denverse Podcast, Anthony Elio. We talked about everything from personal growth as someone who lives an unconventional life, to staying creatively ‘unlocked’, to that time I was attacked by an owl (true story), and we both shared a lot personally about our journeys with mental health and strategies for living a full life. Anthony is such a great podcast host that I had to make sure I was the one asking questions and not the other way around haha. Truly this is a heartfelt and fun conversation and a perfect example of what I love about the podcasting space in general. For me, I fell in love with podcasts because I loved hearing two people have real genuine conversations over scripted shows. I would put these kinds of podcasts on while I clean, or cook, or get ready to go somewhere…like having friends sharing the thoughts that we all have about this human experience. Sometimes offering new insights, perspectives, and ideas for your own path. I hope you enjoy this unfiltered, genuine conversation and I hope you check out Anthony’s podcast ‘Local’s Aloud’ as well: https://open.spotify.com/show/6gjiyT3d5e9QL9ISjosfSE?si=c998e3bee3fc43fa From my heart to yours, Greta Join me on Substack for the full details of this episode: https://substack.com/@thoughtexperimentcalledlife 👉Get 20% Off and help your cells age brilliantly with liposomal NAD+ (and more) with Sunny Within (get the Strawberry Lime flavor…it’s much better than the Watermelon!!) Use my code: THOUGHTEXPERIMENT https://sunnywithin.com/THOUGHTEXPERIMENT ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.