Creativity With Purpose

My wife Nancy died of ALS while I was fighting my own cancer. Here's what that taught me about finding real joy every day.
I met my wife Nancy in 2001. She was a deeply spiritual person who practiced yoga, meditated daily, and listened with her heart to every challenge the people around her faced. We married in 2010. On the evening of May 15, 2025, after two years of fighting ALS, she died in my arms. Around that same time, I was also facing my own terminal cancer diagnosis. Both of those experiences woke me up to how little time we actually have, and that's what led me to write Finding Joy in Daily Living.
About MichaelMichael J. Riso is an author, motivational speaker, and PGA associate golf instructor dedicated to helping individuals find joy in their everyday lives. Finding Joy in Daily Living includes 72 individual sections, each one titled with a single word. Every word is designed to help you notice something in your life you may have overlooked.
Inside, you'll find heartfelt stories paired with powerful themes meant to inspire you to reach higher than you may have ever dreamed. Michael's mission is to guide others toward a more fulfilling life, filled with joy, happiness, and a level of introspection that's key to living at a higher, more conscious level.
Finding daily joy means staying conscious. It means responding to life's ups and downs instead of reacting to them. It starts with letting go of even the smallest bit of blame toward anyone or anything that's happened, and choosing to be happy anyway. We're all on this journey. Let's do it together.
Read sample chapters or pre-order your copy at FindingJoyDaily.com
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Contact Michael at FindingJoyDaily.com
Contact Ann at: nn@annmraek.comHe latest book is Symphony of Self: Compose your Lifewww.amazon.com/dp/B0H2H8Y99C
#FindingJoyInDailyLiving #MichaelRiso #ALSAwareness #TerminalCancer #FacingMortality #InnerPeace #LettingGo #AuthorInterview #FindingJoy #GriefAndPeace

What happens when your carefully crafted life plan shatters? My guest today, Fiona Bayliss, found out at 23, and she's spent the years since rebuilding, again and again.
In How to Thrive When Life Doesn't Go As Planned, Fiona shares her deeply personal journey through chronic illness, career upheaval, single parenthood, trauma, and resilience. Diagnosed with epilepsy at 23, her life quickly diverged from the future she imagined, forcing her to rewrite her story again and again.
From international travels and career reinventions to navigating a hidden disability, medical crises, abuse, and loss, Fiona's memoir, 98% Normal, is a brutally honest and inspiring roadmap for anyone who's had life take an unexpected turn. Her reflections are filled with hard-earned wisdom, humor, raw vulnerability, and reminders that healing, growth, and purpose are still possible even when things fall apart.
About FionaFiona Bayliss is a seasoned financial consultant, dedicated community volunteer, and inspiring author whose journey is a testament to resilience and adaptability. With a rich background in financial planning and a deep commitment to helping others, Fiona has faced significant health challenges with unwavering strength and grace. Her new book, 98% Normal, reflects her unique insights and experiences.
Whether you're facing a chronic illness, recovering from divorce, coping with trauma, or simply struggling with change, Fiona's story will help you feel seen, understood, and empowered to thrive on your own terms.
link to purchase 98% Normal www.amazon.com/dp/B0F4RG57MH[FILL IN: Fiona's website or social links]
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#98PercentNormal #ChronicIllnessWarrior #EpilepsyAwareness #ResilienceJourney #TraumaRecovery #WomenWhoThrive #MemoirAuthor #AnnsPodcast #OvercomingAdversity #LifeAfterDiagnosis

What does it actually take to reach a student who refuses to open up?Nancy Regas spent 22 years as a school counselor, working with teenagers who were struggling, shut down, or invisible to everyone around them. She learned that connection comes before guidance — and that without trust, nothing else works.In this conversation, Nancy shares what she learned across two decades in public education: how she protected her time without losing her students, why every counselor needs to hear the phrase "a career is an expression of who you are," and the story of a girl who never spoke — until she sang Taylor Swift in Nancy's office.She's also the author of The Art of Being a School Counselor: Leading with Confidence, Compassion, and Authenticity — a book for counselors, teachers, administrators, parents, and anyone who guides other people.In this episode:• Why building the relationship always comes before the work• How Nancy juggled administrators, teachers, parents, and students — without losing anyone• Her practical system for protecting face-to-face time with students• The single piece of advice she gives every overwhelmed new counselor• What 22 years of student stories taught her about passion, purpose, and showing up. Get Nancy's book: The Art of Being a School Counselor www.amazon.com/dp/B08YFJPR5M
Connect with Ann:Email:  ann@annmracek.comWebsite: https://annmracek.com
Ann's books are available on Amazon"Symphony of Self" -  www.amazon.com/dp/B0H2H8Y99C "Unpacking the Attic" - www.amazon.com/dp/0976648873
Disclaimer: This video is intended solely for entertainment and educational purposes, opinions shared by the guest are their personal views. We do not intent to defame or harm any person/ brand/ product/ country/ profession mentioned in the video. Our goal is to provide information to help audience make informed choices.

Can a white noise machine impact baby hearing loss? We examine the potential risks of using white noise for babies after a personal experience.White noise machines are in millions of nurseries right now. Pediatricians mention them. Baby product sites recommend them. Exhausted parents buy them without a second thought.But what does the science actually say?Beverly Hansen, R.N., M.B.A. — registered nurse with 40 years of clinical experience and founder of Clinical Brainiacs — joins Ann Mracek for a direct conversation about what emerging neuroscience reveals about white noise exposure in infants and why the question most parents never think to ask may be one of the most important ones they can.In this conversation:
Why white noise machines were originally designed for adults — and what that means for a developing infant brain. How extended exposure to loud sound can damage the sensory hair cells in the ear that send signals to the brain — and why those cells don't regenerate TLCWhy animal research shows continuous white noise exposure can delay development of the auditory cortex — the brain region responsible for processing all sound CBDVWhy no long-term studies confirm white noise is safe for infant brain development Alabama PoliticsWhy speech-rich environments are critical for language acquisition, and how constant background noise reduces the varied acoustic input a developing brain needs most CBDVWhat Beverly did when she saw white noise machines surrounding her own grandchildren — and the personal cost of speaking up
Beverly Hansen is the author of White Noise–Dark Impact, winner of the 2025 International Impact Book Awards, and founder of Clinical Brainiacs — a nonprofit dedicated to education, awareness, and advocacy for optimal pediatric brain development.📖 Get Beverly's book: https://stan.store/ClinicalBrainiacs               also at www.amazon.com/dp/B0GBKYFRHV🌐 Clinical Brainiacs: https://www.clinicalbrainiacs.org📄 Free fact sheet — Risks of White Noise: https://stan.store/ClinicalBrainiacs/p/get-my-free-white-noise-dangers-overview
Connect with Ann:Email:  ann@annmracek.comWebsite: https://annmracek.com
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Ann's Best Selling book "Symphony of Self: Compose Your Life" is now available on Amazon www.amazon.com/dp/B0H2H8Y99CAnn's book "Unpacking the Attic: A Path to Healing Your Inner Child" is also available on Amazon www.amazon.com/dp/0976648873
 

What happens when the life you worked so hard to build suddenly disappears?In this episode, Ann M. Mracek welcomes author and financial freedom educator Paris Woods for a powerful conversation about money, identity, resilience, and what it really takes to create security in an unpredictable world.Paris shares her personal journey from growing up in a working-class family in St. Louis, to attending Harvard, to building a career in education, to facing a sudden pandemic layoff that confirmed what she already knew: job security is never guaranteed.But this conversation is not just about money. It is about dignity. Choice. Preparation. And learning how to build a life that does not collapse when one paycheck ends.Paris is the author of The Black Girl’s Guide to Financial Freedom and The Student’s Guide to Financial Freedom. Her work helps women, teens, and young adults break free from debt, understand money, build wealth, and make financial decisions with clarity instead of fear.Ann and Paris talk about:• Why education alone does not guarantee financial security• The emotional weight of growing up with financial struggle• How debt can hide beneath success• Why young people need money education earlier• How women can reclaim financial power without shame• The connection between self-worth, choice, and financial independenceThis episode is for anyone who has ever looked successful on the outside while quietly wondering, “Why do I still feel behind?”Listen in for a grounded, honest conversation about rewriting your money story and creating your next chapter with more confidence, preparation, and freedom.Learn more about Paris Woods and her books:The Students Guide to Financial Freedom: www.amazon.com/dp/1737606623Connect with ParisWebsite: https://pariswoods.com/
Connect with Ann:Email:  ann@annmracek.comWebsite: https://annmracek.com
Subscribe for more conversations with extraordinary guests.
Ann's book "Unpacking the Attic" is available on Amazon www.amazon.com/dp/0976648873Ann's book Symphony of Self: Compose Your Life is coming soon
Disclaimer: This podcast is intended solely for entertainment and educational purposes, opinions shared by the guest are their personal views. We do not intent to defame or harm any person/ brand/ product/ country/ profession mentioned in the podcast. Our goal is to provide information to help audience make informed choices.

Your life is not random noise. It is a symphony waiting to be conducted. Welcome to the Symphony of Self Podcast, hosted by author, composer, and transformational guide Ann M. Mracek. In these podcasts, Ann explores how creativity, healing, and personal growth come together to form the unique composition of a human life. Every experience becomes a note. Every challenge becomes a key change. And every act of courage becomes a new movement in the music of who we are. Formerly known as Creativity with Purpose, the podcast is evolving into Symphony of Self to reflect a deeper message: #that each of us has the power to compose a life filled with meaning, resilience, and harmony. Through conversations, stories, and insights, this podcast invites you to: • Discover the creative force within your life • Transform adversity into growth • Reconnect with your authentic voice • Conduct your life with intention and purpose If you believe creativity can heal, transform, and illuminate the human journey, you are in the right place.

How do leaders build resilience in a volatile and uncertain world? In this episode of Creativity with Purpose, we talk with Dr. Lisa Patierne, leadership expert and coach with more than 30 years of experience helping individuals and organizations overcome limiting beliefs, build resilience, and lead with confidence. Dr. Patierne works with leaders, first responders, healthcare professionals, educators, and teams to strengthen leadership, prevent burnout, and thrive in today’s VUCA world (Volatile, Uncertain, Complex, and Ambiguous). Through her RESPONSIVE Leadership framework, she shares practical tools that help people lead authentically and create lasting personal and organizational success. Dr. Patierne is also a contributor to the book Women Who Shine, a collection of inspiring stories that encourage readers to discover their core essence—their inner light—and live their life’s purpose. The book shares the journeys of women who overcame challenges, embraced authenticity, and found the courage to rise and make a positive impact in the world. Topics in this episode • Leadership in a VUCA world • Preventing burnout and vicarious trauma • Building resilience in high-stress professions • Discovering your inner light and life purpose • Authentic leadership and personal growth Connect with Lisa Website: https://lisapatierne.com/ Connect with me: Email: ann@annmracek.com Website: https://annmracek.com Subscribe for more conversations with extraordinary guests. Ann's book "Unpacking the Attic" is available on Amazon www.amazon.com/dp/0976648873 Ann's book Symphony of Self: Compose Your Life is coming soon Disclaimer: This audio is intended solely for entertainment and educational purposes, opinions shared by the guest are their personal views. We do not intent to defame or harm any person/ brand/ product/ country/ profession mentioned in the audio. Our goal is to provide information to help audience make informed choices.

What happens when a biomedical anthropologist leaves academia and becomes a global pharmaceutical strategist… then writes a medical thriller? In this episode of Creativity with Purpose, Dr. Elizabeth “Betsy” Aden shares her remarkable journey from hepatitis B research in the South Pacific to Senior Vice President of Global Strategy for a major Swiss pharmaceutical company. Her work spans epidemiology, immunology, virology, and personalized medicine, and her experiences inspired her debut medical thriller The Goldilocks Genome, where science and suspense collide. We also explore her upcoming nonfiction book Mud, Microbes, and Medicine (2026), which recounts her field research in Vanuatu, where hepatitis B was endemic and where Nobel Prize–winning research shaped modern understanding of the virus. If you love conversations about science, global health, creativity, and the stories behind groundbreaking careers, this episode is for you. 📚 Pre-order Betsy’s upcoming book: www.amazon.com/dp/B0FD46QV76 Connect with Elizabeth Website: https://elizabethreedaden.com/ FaceBook: https://www.facebook.com/elizabeth-reed-aden-author-100105132420558 Instagram: https://instagram.com/elizabeth_r_aden/ X: https://x.com/eliz_reed_aden LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabeth-redd-aden Connect with me: Email: ann@annmracek.com Website: https://annmracek.com Subscribe for more conversations with extraordinary guests. Ann's book "Unpacking the Attic" is available on Amazon www.amazon.com/dp/0976648873 Ann's book Symphony of Self: Compose Your Life is coming soon Disclaimer: This audio is intended solely for entertainment and educational purposes, opinions shared by the guest are their personal views. We do not intent to defame or harm any person/ brand/ product/ country/ profession mentioned in the audio. Our goal is to provide information to help audience make informed choices.

Perimenopause symptoms explained. Author Karen A. Herrera joins Creativity with Purpose to discuss hormonal changes, emotional shifts, and how women can navigate this stage of life with clarity. Our guest today is Karen A. Herrera the author of Perimenopause Clarity and a writer who believes that laughter is medicine, honesty is power, and that sharing our stories, especially the messy middle parts, can help others feel less alone. A 1997 graduate of the University of Texas at Austin, Karen has been writing off and on for years, but her lifelong “someday” dream of being an author didn’t fully move from intention to action until March of 2025. She hasn’t looked back. Perimenopause Clarity is her first full book, born from her own search for answers during a confusing and often isolating phase of life. What started as a witty essay she was writing in her spare time, a career pivot in midlife caused her to reassess her own goals. What started as personal research quickly became a mission to help women navigate hormonal shifts with humor, hope, and a healthy dose of science. Her goal is simple: help women feel seen, supported, and empowered to take charge of their health and happiness. But Perimenopause Clarity is just the beginning. Through her publishing imprint, Studio Infinity Publishing, Karen plans to release more books that uplift, entertain, and spark real-life change. A serial entrepreneur, she loves freedom to explore her own path. Her writing blends warmth, wit, spirituality, and relatable life insights, inviting readers to laugh out loud one moment and feel deeply understood the next. Her future work isn’t limited to women’s issues; it’s rooted in the universal human experiences that shape us, the humor that keeps us grounded, and the resilience that helps us rise again and again. Karen writes to connect, to comfort, and to challenge readers to see themselves with a little more compassion, depth, and a lot more clarity. If she’s learned anything so far, it’s that a good laugh and a spark of truth can take you a long way. Get the Book: 📖 Perimenopause Clarity — https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FW5Q767F Connect with Creativity with Purpose: ✨ Subscribe to find your creative spark. 🎙️ Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Podbean 💬 Leave a comment: How do you listen to your body and heal yourself? Connect with Karen Website: https://karenaherrera.com FaceBook: https://www.facebook.com/KarenAHerreraAuthor/ Instagram: https://instagram.com/karenaherrera.author X: https://x.com/KarenAAuthor LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karenaherrera/ Connect with me: Email: ann@annmracek.com Website: https://annmracek.com Subscribe for more conversations with extraordinary guests. Ann's book "Unpacking the Attic" is available on Amazon www.amazon.com/dp/0976648873 Ann's book Symphony of Self: Compose Your Life is coming soon Disclaimer: This audio is intended solely for entertainment and educational purposes, opinions shared by the guest are their personal views. We do not intent to defame or harm any person/ brand/ product/ country/ profession mentioned in the audio. Our goal is to provide information to help audience make informed choices.

What happens when a Microbiologist/Historian and a high-level CEO decide to see the world together? You get a masterclass in living an exhilarating life.In this episode of Creativity With Purpose, we are joined by the incredible mother-daughter duo, Evelyn Kelly, PhD, and Natalie Kelly, MS. Together, they have trekked across all seven continents, visited 88 countries, and explored every single US state.They aren’t just tourists; they are storytellers and explorers who believe that travel is the ultimate "ticket" to a more creative and purposeful existence. From the halls of the Florida Senate and Washington D.C. to the most remote corners of the globe, Evelyn and Natalie share how their adventures have shaped their careers, their bond, and their new book, Have a Love Affair with Travel: Your Ticket to an Exhilarating Life.In this episode, we explore:The Academic & The Executive: How their diverse backgrounds in science, politics, and communications influence the way they see the world.The Mother-Daughter Bond: Lessons learned from navigating 88 countries as a duo."Armchair Adventures": How to cultivate a spirit of exploration even when you aren't on a plane.Travel as Transformation: Why a "love affair with travel" is the secret to staying inspired in your professional and personal life.About Our Guests: Evelyn Kelly, PhD, is an author of 22 books, ranging from genetics encyclopedias to travel memoirs. With a background in microbiology and history, she brings a deep, investigative lens to every journey.Natalie Kelly, MS, is a veteran CEO, public speaker, and lobbyist who has spent 35 years at the intersection of communications and leadership. She was the youngest female staff director in the Florida Senate and continues to lead and inspire in Tallahassee.
Get the Book: 📖 Have a Love Affair with Travel: Your Ticket to an Exhilarating Life — https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DLTPBS4P
Connect with Creativity with Purpose: ✨ Subscribe to find your creative spark. 🎙️ Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Podbean💬 Leave a comment: What stories shaped your worldview as a child?
Connect with Evewlyn and Natalie:Website: https://travelersatheart.comFacebook:  @adventuresofmoInstagram: @realadventuresofmo
Connect with me:Email:  ann@annmracek.comWebsite: https://annmracek.com
#Travel #CreativityWithPurpose #MotherDaughterTravel #EvelynKelly #NatalieKelly #Leadership #GlobalExploration #AuthorInterviewSubscribe for more conversations with extraordinary guests.
Ann's book "Unpacking the Attic" is available on Amazon www.amazon.com/dp/0976648873
Disclaimer: This audio is intended solely for entertainment and educational purposes, opinions shared by the guest are their personal views. We do not intent to defame or harm any person/ brand/ product/ country/ profession mentioned in the audio. Our goal is to provide information to help audience make informed choices.