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

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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!!)

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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

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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

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I have spent my life as a creative and around creatives as well. In my recent conversation with the president and one of the founders of the Outdoor Museum of Art in Denver, Cynthia Madden Leitner, we talked a little bit about connecting with our muse as a creative. I share a little about how I connect with my muse and my creative spirit, and I wanted to share that in a little more depth today for anyone who may find it useful.

I’ve seen brilliant creatives completely paralyzed by their own potential for genius up close many times in my life. These experiences challenged me to find ways to have a healthy “muse connection practice,” if you will, in my own endeavors. And here is what I have learned…please take what resonates.

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

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Filmmaker and father of 3 girls, David Chavez is a shining example of what it looks like when you choose yourself instead of waiting for someone else to choose you or create your path. Born and raised in NYC, filmmaking called to him at an early age but after working on the set of Iron Man 2 and Bad Boys 3, he knew that he wanted to create something of his own instead of following in the conventional paths.

Cut to present day, Chavez, has created some truly special waves in Colorado as a filmmaker. He is the co-founder of both Maxxed Out Films and the 72 Hour Kickass Film Fest, bringing filmmakers all across Colorado together, creating opportunities for creation and growth on their own terms. This year there were over 40 short films submitted to the 72 Hour Kickass Film Fest, which when you realize that each film team has 10+ people involved, says a lot about the growing film community in Colorado.

I met Chavez a few months ago when I was asked to do the score for one of the films for Kickass, 2012. I am super honored to also have been nominated for my film score work…the awards show is on May 3rd…I’ll keep you posted.

This conversation is special for so many reasons and I cannot wait for you to extract the gems and takeaways from our conversation. If you know someone whom you think may find this conversation inspiring, please share this with them.

Also, if you want to watch Chavez’s Bond Film Promo that we talk about, go here.

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

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I’m so excited to share this beautiful conversation with Cynthia Madden Leitner, President and Founding Executive Director of the Museum of Outdoor Arts in Denver.

Cynthia co-founded MOA in 1981 with her parents, John W. Madden Jr. and Marjorie Madden, with a vision of a “museum without walls” bringing art into everyday spaces. What began with 12 sculptures has grown into more than 85 installations across the Denver metro area, and her work has earned her the Colorado Governor’s Award for Excellence in the Arts.

In this episode, we talk about sacred geometry, following your creative path, carrying a family legacy, and what it really means to devote your life to beauty.

This conversation left me smiling long after it ended… I hope it brings you that same sense of inspiration and joy.

Xo,

Greta

Learn more about the Museum of Outdoor Arts here: https://moaonline.org/

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

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This is a conversation with my incredible mentor, dear friend, and powerful shaman, Eagle Skyfire...to say that I am excited to share this conversation with you would be a complete understatement.

Eagle Skyfire shares her insight, wisdom, and resources for our community as we navigate some very heavy times in our world.

If you have been feeling this weight and are looking for the light (spoiler…it’s you)…this conversation is the reminder you may need right now. We talk about past lives, collective karma, clinical hypnotherapy, our sacred power and so much more.

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

🎧Listen to @altarviolet : https://open.spotify.com/artist/35baZytw3wVzxHHcr5dmq5?si=778Bylm4SR2tWC41fIXVxw

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