Unwritten
Join us for Unwritten, where we delve into the inspiring stories of individuals who have made drastic changes to find their most authentic selves. After all, the path is still unwritten.
Episodes
From sewing costumes during the London Blitz to painting watercolors in Baraboo, Marjorie Cutting’s life is a living tapestry of creativity, courage, and reinvention.
Born in England in 1933, Marjorie began her journey in the arts during WWII. She went on to design costumes for theater, opera, and ballet before studying social psychology and education at the London School of Economics. Her story spans decades, disciplines, and conti...
Welcome to another episode of Unwritten with Steph Shanks
Today's Guest is Marielle School, you can find out more about her here:
https://www.marielleschoolyoga.com/
After a divine encounter in a hospital room, Mariela’s life took a dramatic turn. But awakening wasn’t instant—it required years of integration, shadow work, and resilience. In this intimate episode, she and Stephanie dive into real talk about feminine leadership, me...
Krystle Frey didn’t just start a podcast—she built a business. In this episode, we talk about valuing your work, knowing your worth, and how one “yes” can change everything. Whether you're launching a podcast or navigating a new season of life, you’ll walk away inspired and informed.
Krystle Frey is the founder of Pivot Ball Change, a podcast editing company designed to support busy female entrepreneurs. What began as her own c...
What if the scariest transitions in life—divorce, death, or starting over—could be handled with peace, clarity, and even empowerment? In this episode of Unwritten, I sit down with family law and estate planning attorney Shaunis Mercer, co-founder of Peaceful Law, to explore how women can navigate divorce and life planning without fear-based tactics or emotional burnout.
We talk about:
- Why peaceful legal support matters more than ...
🎙️ Lessons in Partnership & Pleasure with Christie Bemis
What does it mean to be truly seen and met in love—especially after 40? In this candid conversation, psychotherapist and women’s empowerment leader Christie Bemis shares her journey through divorce, dating in midlife, and building deeply authentic relationships. We talk about emotional safety, erotic intelligence, communication patterns, and how to unlearn shame so ...
In this episode, I sit down with Seth Taft—professional archaeologist and director of Downtown Baraboo—for a deep dive into local history, mental health, the power of small towns, and living life with purpose. From sacred effigy mounds to the magic of Main Street, Seth shares his personal journey and why Baraboo is more than just a dot on the map.
✨ Topics We Cover:
- Archaeology in Wisconsin and Native effigy mounds
- How Baraboo bui...
Andrea Andrea went from an overwhelmed corporate achiever to an intuitive leadership coach — and in this conversation, we unpack how. Tune in for real talk about entrepreneurship after 30, healing through breathwork, embodying your inner guidance, and finally charging your worth without guilt or fear.
Bio:
Andrea did everything she thought a successful woman was supposed to do—college, career, marriage, kids. When she finally p...
“You are here” isn’t just a map marker—it’s a mindset. Nancy shares how journaling, retreat hosting, and learning to speak up helped her go from invisible in the workplace to designing a legacy rooted in alignment. We talk fear, leadership, writing books, and why it’s never too late to become who you really are.
Follow Along with Nancy at
https://www.kalsowcoach.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/nancykalsow/
Buy Her Book:
https://www.ama...
From gigging musician to psychology grad and beloved teacher, Shawndell Marks shows us what it looks like to honor your creative calling—no matter where you are in life. This conversation is all about giving yourself permission to be heard.
www.shawndellmarksmusic.com
takeaways
- Creativity is a lifelong journey that never ends.
- Music has the power to evoke deep emotions and memories.
- Education can be a transformative experi...
Kelly Kendall joins me for a heartfelt conversation about identity, healing, and the magic of capturing someone’s soul through photography. We go deep into worthiness, self-acceptance, and what it means to truly be present in your life—on and off camera.
You can follow Kelly and her beautiful work at:
📸 @kellykendallstudios on Instagram and Facebook
📍 Prairie du Sac, Wisconsin
About Kelly:
Kelly Kendall is a port...
Brett Topham believes local government can be where big problems get solved. We dive into his unconventional path—from hospitality to finance to politics—and explore his ideas for smart fiscal planning, public-private partnerships, and why a hundred-year-old pool might just hold the heart of a town.
https://www.instagram.com/stephshanksphotography
Amber Swenor trusted the quiet inner whisper—and it changed everything. In this episode, we talk about making bold moves, releasing external expectations, and building a life that feels as good as it looks. Tune in for a heart-centered convo on business, bravery, and what it means to be free.
Learn more about Amber Here:
https://www.amber-swenor.com/
Kyle Martin started out in the skateboarding world, running a skate shop and park in Reedsburg, WI. But when a devastating flood washed it all away, he picked up a paintbrush—and never looked back. Nearly two decades later, Kyle has become a staple artist in Wisconsin, capturing its beauty through vibrant landscape paintings. In this episode, we talk about his winding journey from skate decks to easels, the mental game of creativit...
What happens when you step away from the career you’ve built for decades? Shelley Mordini shares her incredible transformation—from high school teacher to intuitive medium, travel expert, and guide for those seeking deeper meaning in their lives.
https://www.barabootours.com/
shelleymordini@gmail.com
https://www.instagram.com/stephshanksphotography
Susie Moon never saw herself as a leader—until she became one. In this conversation, we unpack how she turned a love of connection into a thriving business, the lessons she learned from corporate life, and why being true to yourself is the best marketing strategy. Plus, she shares some game-changing networking tips for introverts and extroverts alike.
Find more info about Susie here:
https://susiemoon.net/
What does it mean to truly savor life, even in the face of uncertainty and grief? My guest, Andrea Auten, is a writer, teacher, and widow who has learned to navigate life’s biggest transitions with grace and courage. We discuss everything from honoring the past to stepping into an unknown future and the lessons we can all take from her incredible journey.
What if the way we move through life is just like a dance? In this episode, Amy Torseth-Teelan reflects on her journey of teaching dance, nurturing relationships, and finding meaning after loss. We dive deep into the give and take of relationships, the beauty of resilience, and how allowing ourselves to feel pain can lead to deeper healing.
Bravery, Business & Breaking the Mold with Laura Hulleman
What if your business was designed to love you back? 💡 In this episode, I sit down with Laura Hulleman, creator of the Endotype Formula and host of the Raving Coaches podcast. After spending four transformative months working with Laura, I can tell you—her approach to branding and marketing is unlike anything else.
We dive into:
✨ Why traditional marketing strategies ...
In this episode of Unwritten, host Stephanie interviews Tori Putman, a massage therapist and entrepreneur who shares her journey of starting Baraboo Therapeutic Massage. Tori discusses her approach to massage therapy, focusing on chronic pain and emotional healing, and emphasizes the importance of breathwork and self-care. The conversation delves into the challenges of entrepreneurship, the significance of community support, and th...
Welcome to Unwritten, the podcast where we celebrate transformative journeys and uncover the beauty of embracing change. Hosted by Steph Shanks, a portrait photographer, retreat leader, and soon-to-be author, this podcast is dedicated to helping you reconnect with your most authentic self.
Each week, we dive into heartfelt conversations with inspiring individuals who’ve rewritten their own stories, proving it’s never too late to emb...
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