On the Human Spectrum

For today's episode I got to talk to the author of The Therapist Who Came Undone about the healing power of writing, of seeing yourself more clearly and letting yourself be seen. I found her thoughtful essays on Substack under her pen name (The Therapist Who Came Undone) last year when I lived in Strasbourg, France. Then while reading one of her essays months later, I was startled to recognize that we had been neighbors in the US. We would often cross paths and chat as we each walked our dogs on the neighborhood trails.  Funny, no? I thoroughly enjoyed our conversation, and I hope you will as well. The link(s) to her excellent Substack (Either/both should get you there.)https://becomingreal.substack.com/https://substack.com/@becomingrealSend a comment/question to On the Human Spectrumhttps://onthehumanspectrum.org/

"Did you know you could just do things?"I got to talk to Amber Stewart about her new book, In the Garden: An Almanac for Uprooting, a memoir in essays about doing just that - uprooting from her life in Tennessee and moving to Montevideo, Uruguay with her wife. In addition to her memoir in essays, she's started a new magazine, Unbordered...https://substack.com/@unborderedmagfor the book... In the Garden: An Almanac for UprootingeBook and Paperback... (among other of the usual places)https://www.indigo.ca/products/in-the-garden-an-almanac-for-uprootinghttps://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/in-the-garden-amber-stewart/1150315710?ean=9789915441184https://bookshop.org/p/books/in-the-garden-an-almanac-for-uprooting-amber-stewart/73085559c514d316?ean=9789915441191&next=tSend a comment/question to On the Human Spectrumhttps://onthehumanspectrum.org/

It was great to talk with Priya about her move from the US to Spain, as well as her cookbook plans(!) :DHere is the link for the Nourish issue of On the Human Spectrum MiniZine I mentioned, where you can find Priya's article...  (link opens up to a little booklet with flip sounds:)https://simplebooklet.com/onthehumanspectrumnourishYou can also find this issue (and others) on my website and click there, or on my Substackhttps://substack.com/@onthehumanspectrumSend a comment/question to On the Human Spectrumhttps://onthehumanspectrum.org/

A few minutes of just me talking about some updates, upcoming podcast guests and minizine issue, and moving to Vancouver for a publishing program:) Link for the On the Human Spectrum Substack (with more info about all of the above plus photos of sweet doggie Felix and Strasbourg, France:)https://substack.com/@onthehumanspectrumSend a comment/question to On the Human Spectrumhttps://onthehumanspectrum.org/

For today's episode I got to speak with the wonderful Brenna Maag, an absolutely delightful person and artist, about her Camera Illumina: an invitation to notice, an invitation to connect, and about the Valley of Doubt that artists visit when creating and sharing their art. I know I'm going to be coming back to listen to her words frequently for excellent company. You can find out more about Brenna at https://www.brennamaag.ca/https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/brennamaagcalendar/this-made-me-think-of-youFor the On the Human Spectrum MiniZine we talk about, this link should click open to a fun simple booklet form:) https://simplebooklet.com/onthehumanspectrumminizinesept2025Send a comment/question to On the Human Spectrumhttps://onthehumanspectrum.org/

My husband and I talk about why we left the US.  I thought that we would focus on the more fun or positive aspects of the move, but of course the feelings of loss and the less fun parts showed up too. That's part of any adventure, isn't it? Send a comment/question to On the Human Spectrumhttps://onthehumanspectrum.org/

For today's episode I got to ask a smart and thoughtful international student Maria Eduarda all about moving from Ecuador to France for college. (I've recently moved from the US to France myself and wonder about how other people make these sorts of decisions.)  I start off curious about the role of encouragement in her decision making, and realize that I was stuck on the role of specific people rather than communities. I was glad to have my view expanded. I really enjoyed our conversation and hope you do too.Send a comment/question to On the Human Spectrumhttps://onthehumanspectrum.org/

My guest today is RAHELI HARPER. Raheli is an artist, with a focus on fiber arts, and writer who lives in upstate New York, where she homesteads and homeschools. She’s the creator of The Snail’s Guide to Wandering, an awesome workshop on creativity. You can find her on Instagram: @raheliharper  https://www.instagram.com/raheliharper/  and athttps://raheli.com/about/  I got to talk to her about homesteading, homeschooling, or rather unschooling, and how the creative process interrelates. Plus, the thrill of gear and delighting in your own brain. [This episode was originally recorded in 2023; adding my usual outro and republishing time stamps it to 2025. Shoulder shrug:)] Send a comment/question to On the Human Spectrumhttps://onthehumanspectrum.org/

For today's episode I got to talk to Amy Hoffman about her new podcast with her husband- Work From Bed Friday, where they explore- well, I can't say it better than they do!  Here's their description:) "A committed couple of 30+ years, Amy and Tommy get ready to launch their first podcast! Funny, spicy, and insightful, they discuss marriage, sex, and connection through the lens of contemporary books and media. Every Friday. From bed. Their two-person way-better-than-a-bookclub discussion starts by analyzing Miranda July's All Fours. They dissect one chapter per episode, using it as a jumping off point for thoughts on life, marriage, art, desire, midlife, and so much more."https://www.iheart.com/podcast/1333-work-from-bed-friday-269157153/episode/work-from-bed-friday-trailer-269157160/and for the photo of Amy as a Burlesque Clown- see the link above or her substack herehttps://substack.com/@amyhoffmann?r=1m2wj9&utm_medium=ios&utm_source=profileMy substack:https://substack.com/@onthehumanspectrum?r=1m2wj9&utm_medium=ios(hopefully the links work- let me know if not, or of course, can google)Also mentioned: Good Inside podcast & book by Dr. Becky Kennedy& all about love by bell hooksand of course the wonderful STASIA SAVASUK(!)https://www.stasiasavasuk.com/perhaps enough links for one episode? ;)Send a comment/question to On the Human Spectrumhttps://onthehumanspectrum.org/

For today's episode, I wanted to take a few minutes to talk about the 100 DAY PROJECT and THE LIGHTMAKER'S MANIFESTO by Karen Walrond. And how both can be a source of support, and yes-  encouragement - for when you're feeling overwhelmed.   SiDEWAYS "100 days of encouragement" on SubStack (I try to avoid IG/FB)https://onthehumanspectrum.substack.com/      (or see my website link below)The 100 DAY [art] PROJECT https://www.the100dayproject.org/&The LIGHTMAKER'S MANIFESTO How to work for change without losing joy.by Karen Walrond, her site(s) below...https://www.chookooloonks.com/booksOn substack: Karen Walrond's the Make Light Journalhttps://chookooloonks.substack.com/and - this one, so hopeful for if/when overwhelmed by the world," a quick primer for handling overwhelmor, how to keep making light in dark times" https://www.chookooloonks.com/blog/a-quick-primer-for-overwhelmSend a comment/question to On the Human Spectrumhttps://onthehumanspectrum.org/