Language of the Soul Podcast

Have you ever considered the stories you tell yourself might just be the blueprint for your life? This edition of Language of the Soul delves into the remarkable world of narrative therapy with Virginia Grenier, who shares her wisdom on how our personal narratives can be both a sanctuary and a battleground for our mental well-being. We don't just recount tales; we live and breathe them, shaping our lives with every story we ho...

Have you ever found yourself spellbound by a song that seemed to narrate your life story? Bill Abernathy, our troubadour for the soul, joins us to reveal how his melodies weave the fabric of our lives into song. His journey from corporate America back to his musical roots is a serenade to the enduring power of passion and a testament to the transformative magic of storytelling through music.

An enlightening discussion ensu...

We are joined this week by filmmaker Jay J. Levy, who offers us a peek behind the curtain of his creative process as a storyteller, his location services business, and his current collaboration with comedy writer Russ Woody: a comedic web series titled, 'Poster Pickers.' 
       
Jay does not identify as a gay filmmaker but rather as a filmmaker who happens to be gay. In other words, he strives for the universal...

When the veil between life and death seems fragile, where do we turn for answers? Join us as we discuss the afterlife with writer and musician-turned-filmmaker Ben Harl. In recent years, Ben has moved his passion for storytelling from the page to the screen, learning the craft of filmmaking through trial and error (and a huge amount of help from fellow local filmmakers!) As owner and Creative Director of Silver Compass Studios, Ben...

Glenda Benevides is an esteemed award-winning singer-songwriter, a healer, an author, and an altruist with a career that spans decades. Her music, described as the soulful synthesis of Heart, Janis Joplin and Bessie Smith, resonates with power, emotion, and authenticity. A Recording Academy voting member and Grammy-considered artist, Glenda's songs weave narratives that touch the soul, captivate audiences with emotionally movi...

Life IS story. It’s around us all day, every day, shaping our worldviews and society’s paradigms. Language of the Soul Podcast highlights master storyteller in the arts and entertainment, as well as the literary realm, all of whom share our passion for narrative! Story has the power to transform the individual and through the ripple effect, change the world. We can get our hands in the clay. Individually and collectively, we can te...

Have you ever considered that the tales we tell are the very threads that weave the fabric of society? Virginia and Dominick explore this notion, unraveling the complex relationship between storytelling and its pervasive impact on both personal growth and cultural evolution.  Language of the Soul's latest episode is an eclectic mix of discussions around the essence of art, the intricate balance between artistic freedom and soc...

A recent health scare has lit a fire, inspiring ninety-year-old Nancy to recommit to the resilience, intellectual curiosity, and brain plasticity that defines her. She has always ministered by example and through her craft, but more and more, that contribution inspires others to live their best lives at any age and remain engaged, productive, and relevant.

Nancy reflects on her core essence, which she discovered while per...

Welcome to another inspiring episode of Language of the Soul. We're joined by the soulful and captivating Marina Bakica— actress, filmmaker and multi-media artist. Together, we discuss the power of narrative to not only mirror our world but to reshape it. From Marina's impressive theater training through her latest vehicles of expression—photography and cinema—this episode promises a panoramic view of how story, in all it...

We are all born intuitive beings. Over time, social conditioning can lead us to abandon or mistrust our innate guidance systems. Krystal Parry, evidence-based medium and Reiki master, shares her personal journey toward embracing her unique gifts and abiding the call to share them with the collective. 
       
Join us as we discuss energetic healing work, metaphysics, and the pursuit of holistic wellness. Krystal explains ...

Dominick and Virginia both have a ‘horse in the race’ when it comes to LGBTQ Representation: Dominick as a Queer author and filmmaker and Virginia having raised a trans child. Their passion for the topics of Diversity and Inclusion, as well as Representation of underrepresented communities, means they have long awaited this episode. It was finally time to fit it in, in order to lay the groundwork for future guests who are equally i...

This episode is Part 2 of a 2-part series: LGBTQ Representation. Part one laid out the history of Queer Representation in cinema. This episode follows up by chronicling Dominick's personal experience as a gay man in the context of Tolerance, Diversity & Inclusion and Media Representation. Together, both episodes are meant to lay the groundwork for future conversations with guests equally invested in LGBTQ Representation.

Join us as we chat with Elizabeth Suggs of Collective Tales Publishing and Editing Mee. Her literary prowess in Speculative Fiction, among other genres,  is as inspiring as it is eye-opening. We discuss the written word from the perspective of both writer and publisher, hats Elizabeth wears equally well. Our conversation ventures from the driving force  behind the human compulsion to tell stories, through quieting  voices of doubt ...

Have you ever found yourself tracing your roots, only to uncover stories that seem to leap straight from the pages of a novel? Dominick had the pleasure of sitting down with his cousin,  author Robin Ray, to unearth the rich tapestry of their family's legacy in the wild west. Robin's transition from leadership teacher to a writer with six books to her name is nothing short of serendipitous, and she shares how the act of w...

Guest Johnny Tan seasoned this week's episode, like a good recipe, with anecdotes of family nurturance. From the Malaysian kitchen of his childhood through those of the  nine strong women he went on to call Mom, these culturally rich tales were not just about the food that  passed his lips but also the recipes--life lessons-- that have fed his soul. This wealth of nurturing guidance led to the creation of his cookbook, 'F...

A stimulating conversation with Harvard scholar Ted Young, presently Associate Provost at Art Center College of Design. We explore the nuances of Historical Fiction, Foundational Fictions, and even modern trends toward whitewashing, revisionist history and aspirational retellings. We parse between propaganda and Renaissance-style self-fashioning, exploring the intent of a given work versus its ultimate exploitation in historical di...

        When Buffy BRATT speaks, you can't help but be drawn into her world—a place where music meets tenacity amid the struggles and triumphs of a trans hip-hop artist. Buffy lays bare the emotional journey from losing her mother and navigating foster care to finding solace and power in her craft. It's a testament to her unwavering spirit, and throughout our conversation, she teaches us about the resilience that is forge...

This week, we had the pleasure of chatting with Ryan Chenier, as we journeyed into the world of 3D modeling and game development, a fascinating realm where art and technology intricately intertwine. Ryan shared invaluable insights into the complexities of creating 3D models, the breathtaking advancements in tech that fueled the industry, and the critical balance between technical and creative aspects that bring a game to life. We a...

 How can  sports impart valuable life lessons?  In our latest episode of Language of the Soul, we're joined by multifaceted author and speaker, David Smith, who is also the proud owner of the United Racquet Club. Sharing his journey as a storyteller, David unveils the motivation behind writing his first book and his commitment to inspiring others to document their unique narratives.

Our conversation zigzags through th...