Michael Manzi, Drama Therapist, and Musician talks power of the arts, and more

Send us a textUSA Today bestselling author, Trilina Pucci is on the show to discuss all things writing, and her latest novel, Trilina Pucci, a #1 Amazon and USA TODAY Bestselling Author, is a connoisseur of pop culture and SANPELLEGRINO, but her true passion lies in crafting tantalizing romantic novels that delve into the depths of desire, emotion, and even hearty belly laughs.When she's not penning steamy love stories, you'll find her indulging in Netflix marathons with her husband, Anthony (Residence is a fan fave), and their three not-so-little ones. Pucci's journey into the world of writing was born from impulse, a wild hare of a checkmark on her “what now” list, but what began as a petty whim (nobody thought she could do it) has blossomed into a profoundly fulfilling vocation. Now, she can't imagine her life without her beloved characters, devoted readers, and the vibrant reader community that surrounds her.In every sentence, Pucci embodies a commitment to understanding and exceeding her readers' expectations, delivering narratives that pulse with passion and resonate with raw emotion. Through her words, she invites readers to escape into a realm of romantic escapades, where every encounter is as unforgettable as the last.ttps://trilinapucci.com/Creator/Host: Tammy TakaishiAudio Engineer: Alex Repetti  Visit the Self-Care Institute at https://www.selfcareinstitute.com/ Visit www.creativepeacemeal.com to leave a review, fan voicemail, and more!Insta @creative_peacemeal_podcastFB @creativepeacemealpodRedbubble CPPodcast.redbubble.comCreative Peacemeal READING list here Donate to AhHa!Broadway here! Donate to New Normal Rep here! Interested in the Self-Care Institute with Dr. Ami Kunimura? Click here Interested in Corrie Legge's content planner? Click here to order!

Send us a textFans of Maggie Rogers, Kacey Musgraves, and Suki Waterhouse will LOVE Pien! Dutch indie-Americana artist PIEN is gearing up for the release of her debut EP “According to Plan”, out May 23rd. Following the releases of some of the singles on the EP, "Not Yet" and "I Know," PIEN continues to explore her distinctive sound, blending catchy moments with relatable, reflective lyricism."I Know," PIEN’s second single, is an enchanting track featuring dreamy melodies, driving percussion, and tastefully layered backing vocals. It addresses the internal battle of trusting one’s instincts, highlighting PIEN’s ability to create songs that resonate emotionally and can be played in any setting. Collaborating once again with long-time producer Hattie Murdoch, “I Know” was destined to be a song that leaves a lasting impression, and given the attention the song has already gained, this impact shows no signs of stopping.Both "I Know" and the earlier track "Not Yet" have received enthusiastic praise, with the latter introducing PIEN's new direction- a blend of indie-Americana and introspective balladry. The full “According to Plan” EP will feature tracks like the title song "According to Plan," "Done," and the reflective "Heet Laatste Hoofdstuk" (The Last Chapter), each showcasing PIEN's evolving musical journey.PIEN describes “According to Plan” as “an EP about finding peace with reality and how unpredictable and unfair life can feel/be sometimes. It’s about accepting that dreams and perspectives can change and that’s okay. This EP feels extra special to me because I feel this is the first time in my career (so far) that I really showed all of my colours and the truest version of myself. It also showcases the best of my vocal and writing abilities up to date. I can’t wait to share this little piece of me with the rest of the world!”With over 22,000 streams on her single "WTF" and growing recognition on platforms like BBC Introducing and Dutch radio stations, PIEN is gaining momentum. Fans of indie-Americana and artists like Maggie Rogers, Kacey Musgraves, and Suki Waterhouse will find PIEN’s magical voice and honest storytelling hard to resist.“According to plan is an EP about finding peace with reality and how unpredictable and unfair life can feel/be sometimes. It’s about accepting that dreams and perspectives can change and that’s okay. This EP feels extra special to me because I feel this is the first time in my career (so far) that I really showed all of my colours and the truest version of myself. It also showcases the best of my vocal Visit the Self-Care Institute at https://www.selfcareinstitute.com/ Visit www.creativepeacemeal.com to leave a review, fan voicemail, and more!Insta @creative_peacemeal_podcastFB @creativepeacemealpodRedbubble CPPodcast.redbubble.comCreative Peacemeal READING list here Donate to AhHa!Broadway here! Donate to New Normal Rep here! Interested in the Self-Care Institute with Dr. Ami Kunimura? Click here Interested in Corrie Legge's content planner? Click here to order!

Send us a textJ.T. Ellison, a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, crafts domestic noir and psychological thrillers that hook readers deep into the night. She created the Taylor Jackson and Dr. Samantha Owens series, alongside standalone hits like A Very Bad Thing, It’s One of Us, and Lie to Me. With Catherine Coulter, she co-authored six of the "A Brit in the FBI" novels packed with international intrigue—because a good spy twist never gets old. Her books span 30 countries and 18 languages, with millions sold and several optioned for TV. She’s received accolades including the ITW Thriller Award for The Cold Room, Indie Next picks, COSTCO nods, SIBA Okra Picks, LibraryReads selections, Amazon Editor’s Pick honors, and Book of the Month recognition, with Field of Graves and No One Knows hitting the SIBA Southern Book Prize longlist in 2017. She’s now at work on her 35th novel, ready to raise the stakes again.Ellison co-hosts A Word on Words on Nashville PBS, an Emmy-winning gig that shows she’s as sharp on screen as on the page. She founded Two Tales Press for her short fiction, runs The Wine Vixen, blending her love of food and wine with storytelling flair, and pens The Creative Edge blog to spark inspiration for fellow writers. As Joss Walker, she launched the Jayne Thorne, CIA Librarian series, with Tomb of the Queen taking the 2021 Silver Falcon for Best Fantasy Novel. To learn more about J.T. Ellison check out her website here https://www.jtellison.com/Creator/Host: Tammy TakaishiAudio Engineer: Alex Repetti Visit the Self-Care Institute at https://www.selfcareinstitute.com/ Visit www.creativepeacemeal.com to leave a review, fan voicemail, and more!Insta @creative_peacemeal_podcastFB @creativepeacemealpodRedbubble CPPodcast.redbubble.comCreative Peacemeal READING list here Donate to AhHa!Broadway here! Donate to New Normal Rep here! Interested in the Self-Care Institute with Dr. Ami Kunimura? Click here Interested in Corrie Legge's content planner? Click here to order!

Send us a textMy colleague and good friend Michael Manzi (a Drama Therapy Masters student at time of recording) sits down to discuss his unique career, the power of the arts, and his personal journey and what drama therapy, music therapy, and music mean in his life, and so much more.Creator/Host: Tammy TakaishiAudio Engineer: Alex Repetti  Visit the Self-Care Institute at https://www.selfcareinstitute.com/ Visit www.creativepeacemeal.com to leave a review, fan voicemail, and more!Insta @creative_peacemeal_podcastFB @creativepeacemealpodRedbubble CPPodcast.redbubble.comCreative Peacemeal READING list here Donate to AhHa!Broadway here! Donate to New Normal Rep here! Interested in the Self-Care Institute with Dr. Ami Kunimura? Click here Interested in Corrie Legge's content planner? Click here to order!

Send us a textThomas Cullen jumps on the show to discuss his venture into YA fiction writing, authors who've inspired him, how his career has shaped this new segment of his life, and more. Thomas Cullen is a federal trial judge and former U.S. attorney in Virginia. He is also an accomplished writer, regularly publishing op-eds and essays for national and regional media outlets over the past decade. Thomas graduated near the top of his class from William & Mary Law School and was recently honored as its 2024 Carter O. Lowance Fellow. A native of Richmond, Virginia, Thomas studied history and ran track at Furman University in Greenville, South Carolina, which recently awarded him an honorary doctorate. Charlie-Man is his first novel.Creator/Host: Tammy TakaishiAudio Engineer: Alex Repetti Visit the Self-Care Institute at https://www.selfcareinstitute.com/ Visit www.creativepeacemeal.com to leave a review, fan voicemail, and more!Insta @creative_peacemeal_podcastFB @creativepeacemealpodRedbubble CPPodcast.redbubble.comCreative Peacemeal READING list here Donate to AhHa!Broadway here! Donate to New Normal Rep here! Interested in the Self-Care Institute with Dr. Ami Kunimura? Click here Interested in Corrie Legge's content planner? Click here to order!

Send us a textRita Lussier, an award-winning journalist and writer whose column “For the Moment” was a popular feature of The Providence Journal for a dozen years. Her writing has also been featured on National Public Radio, in The Boston Globe, The New York Daily News, and many more. Rita enjoys coaching writers, conducting workshops and has worked as a publicist and editor. She has taught at both the University of Rhode Island and Rhode Island College.Learn more about Rita, and order her latest book at https://www.ritalussier.com/Creator/Host: Tammy TakaishiAudio Engineer: Alex Repetti Visit the Self-Care Institute at https://www.selfcareinstitute.com/ Visit www.creativepeacemeal.com to leave a review, fan voicemail, and more!Insta @creative_peacemeal_podcastFB @creativepeacemealpodRedbubble CPPodcast.redbubble.comCreative Peacemeal READING list here Donate to AhHa!Broadway here! Donate to New Normal Rep here! Interested in the Self-Care Institute with Dr. Ami Kunimura? Click here Interested in Corrie Legge's content planner? Click here to order!

Send us a textRoslyn Bernstein is the author of four books: Boardwalk Stories, a collection of 14 fictional tales set from 1950 to 1970; the co-author with the architect Shael Shapiro of Illegal Living: 80 Wooster Street and the Evolution of SoHo; Engaging Art: Essays and Interviews from Around the Globe, a collection of 60 of her online avant-garde art pieces; and most recently, a novel, The Girl Who Counted Numbers.Since the 1980s, she has been reporting from around the globe for such print publications as the New York Times, Newsday, the Village Voice, New York Magazine, Parents, and the Columbia Journalism Review. She has also reported for various online publications including Medium, Tablet, Huffington Post, and Guernica, focusing primarily on cultural reporting and contemporary art, with in-depth interviews with artists, curators, and gallerists.Currently, Professor Emerita in the Department of  Journalism and the Writing Professions at Baruch College of the City University of New York (CUNY), she taught journalism and creative writing classes from 1974-2016. A devoted teacher, she served as an advisor to Ticker, the college newspaper and established Dollars and $ense, the Baruch College business magazine. During her time at Baruch, she served as the director of the Journalism Program and was the Founding Director of the Sidney Harman Writer-in-Residence Program, a residency that has brought over 30 distinguished poets, playwrights, critics, and journalists to campus to teach intensive classes for gifted students. Prof. Bernstein is a recipient of the College’s Distinguished Awards for Teaching and Service.Before coming to Baruch, she worked at Esquire and attended graduate school. She holds a Bachelors Degree from Brandeis University and aMasters and Ph.D in English Literature from New York University Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. https://www.roslynbernstein.com/Creator/Host: Tammy TakaishiAudio Engineer: Alex Repetti Visit the Self-Care Institute at https://www.selfcareinstitute.com/ Visit www.creativepeacemeal.com to leave a review, fan voicemail, and more!Insta @creative_peacemeal_podcastFB @creativepeacemealpodRedbubble CPPodcast.redbubble.comCreative Peacemeal READING list here Donate to AhHa!Broadway here! Donate to New Normal Rep here! Interested in the Self-Care Institute with Dr. Ami Kunimura? Click here Interested in Corrie Legge's content planner? Click here to order!

Send us a textOne of my former professors, and an all around amazing women, Dr. Erin Joyce joins the show to discuss her journey as a Wellness Coach, her resilience in life, mindfulness, and so much more.Erin Joyce is a Wellness Coach, specializing in yoga instruction, Reiki, and Ayurveda.  She will be launching an online program this summer about a holistic approach to quitting drinking alcohol.  She is also a French professor at Truman State University.  She lives in West Chester, PA with her two cats, Pippin and Chuck.  To learn more and to contact Erin, please go to erinjoycecoach.com.Creator/Host: Tammy TakaishiAudio Engineer: Alex Repetti Visit the Self-Care Institute at https://www.selfcareinstitute.com/ Visit www.creativepeacemeal.com to leave a review, fan voicemail, and more!Insta @creative_peacemeal_podcastFB @creativepeacemealpodRedbubble CPPodcast.redbubble.comCreative Peacemeal READING list here Donate to AhHa!Broadway here! Donate to New Normal Rep here! Interested in the Self-Care Institute with Dr. Ami Kunimura? Click here Interested in Corrie Legge's content planner? Click here to order!

Send us a textMy friend Dr. Rebekah Louisa Smith returns to the podcast to dish on her latest adventures and projects! This episode, and her previous one, is perfect for directors, actors, and those interested in cinema!To learn more about her, go here: https://www.thefilmfestivaldoctor.com/dr-rebekah-louisa-smith/Creator/Host: Tammy TakaishiAudio Engineer: Alex Repetti  Visit the Self-Care Institute at https://www.selfcareinstitute.com/ Visit www.creativepeacemeal.com to leave a review, fan voicemail, and more!Insta @creative_peacemeal_podcastFB @creativepeacemealpodRedbubble CPPodcast.redbubble.comCreative Peacemeal READING list here Donate to AhHa!Broadway here! Donate to New Normal Rep here! Interested in the Self-Care Institute with Dr. Ami Kunimura? Click here Interested in Corrie Legge's content planner? Click here to order!

Send us a textBy any normal measure, John McCutcheon, at age seventy-two, should beretired. He’s punched the clock in the international folk music world for overa half century. He’s been a respected archivist of Appalachian music. Hewas in the forefront of popularizing the hammer dulcimer and is considereda world master on the instrument. He helped revolutionize children’s andfamily music with five consecutive Grammy-nominated albums. He co-founded and led the fastest-growing Local in the Musicians Union. Hissongwriting is hailed around the globe and his instruction books introducedthousands to the joys of their own music making. He recorded andreleased tribute albums to Woody Guthrie, labor musician Joe Hill, and hisfriend and mentor, Pete Seeger. He even starred in a one-manmusical, Joe Hill's Last Will, which toured nationally and internationally.And he has consistently been one of the most popular touring musicians inthe folk world. Yes, by any normal standard, he could proudly hang up thebanjo and retire.But John McCutcheon is just getting started.“I feel as though I’m finally getting the hang of doing my job well.”During the pandemic, when a lot of the music world shut down,McCutcheon wrote and released three recordings of new material. Heproved that Zoom could be used for good as well as for evil by forgingonline songwriting partnerships with a half dozen fellow writers, not theleast of whom was the iconic Tom Paxton. They even released a jointalbum, Together, which not only won critical raves but was dubbed “thebest album I’ve ever done, period.” by Grammy Lifetime Award winnerPaxton.And, just when you think he can’t surprise you anymore, he drops album#45: Field of Stars (release date: Janary 10, 2025), a stunning collectionof original and cowritten songs people are calling “the best of his career.”Field of Stars was supposed to be recorded and released in 2020.Musicians were hired, studio dates booked. And then came COVID. So,the songs where shelved until it was safe to go into a small windowlessspace with some of your best mates. But then came the explosion ofwriting that John produced during the lockdown. Three albums in threeyears, each seemingly better than the last. After tackling theMcCutcheon/Paxton project, he was ready to take the long-delayed 2020album down from the shelf and get back to work on it. But times hadchanged....Field of Stars is not only his 45thalbum in a 52-year career, it Visit the Self-Care Institute at https://www.selfcareinstitute.com/ Visit www.creativepeacemeal.com to leave a review, fan voicemail, and more!Insta @creative_peacemeal_podcastFB @creativepeacemealpodRedbubble CPPodcast.redbubble.comCreative Peacemeal READING list here Donate to AhHa!Broadway here! Donate to New Normal Rep here! Interested in the Self-Care Institute with Dr. Ami Kunimura? Click here Interested in Corrie Legge's content planner? Click here to order!