ORIGINALity episode 28 header

Originality podcast episode #28: 50% Art Stuff, 50% Life Stuff

In the past year I’ve had many occasions to think about the value of community and having a close-knit cadre of friends you can count on. It’s key to my mental health, my creativity, and everything that’s important to me. And that’s what this episode is about.

For about a year and a half I’ve been part of an artist’s collective with five other amazing woman who inspire me with their creativity and their compassion: Alethea Kontis, Monica Valentinelli, Stina Leicht, Shveta Thakrar, and Leanna Renee Hieber. I wanted them on the podcast to discuss the wonderful microcommunity we’d built and so I could talk with Aleen about how to take what we’ve done and apply it across time and space. Leanna, unfortunately, could not join us, but I got the other four together for a conversation and the whole thing turned out far better than I’d hoped.

This is one of the episodes of ORIGINALity I’m proudest of and I hope you’ll give it a listen.

It’s also a nice intro into a post going up later this week in which I expand on many of the ideas discussed here about community and trust. That one’s been brewing a while…

You can listen to the podcast below or on the episode page where you can see the show notes and also subscribe.

Meet Alethea Kontis | #FriendlyFriday

It’s #FriendlyFriday, the day I tell you all about my fabulous friends and the brilliant things they’re up to. Have a fabulous friend of your own? Share a link to their awesomeness in the comments or on Twitter and Instagram using the hashtag.

I’m moving Friendly Friday posts over from Patreon to my blog. This is where I’m posting all content going forward and the design over here is better, anyway!

I don’t plan to repost the old Friendly Fridays here, though I’m making an exception today. Why? Because today is the birthday of the illustrious Alethea Kontis, who is not only my dear friend but also the person who came up with this great concept. Wish her a happy birthday by dropping a buck or two into her birthday fundraiser :)

If you’ve been following me for a while, you may recognize Alethea’s name from my frequent visits to Florida. She and I have ranted about fairy tales together, challenged people together, and had magical times at the Space Center as well as the beach. Most of the time when I tell people I know her they ask: “So, the princess thing–is she like that ALL the time?” As with most beautifully complex people, the answer is a complicated mix of yes and no.

Continue reading “Meet Alethea Kontis | #FriendlyFriday”

Tempest Challenge #13: The Woodcutter/Arilland Series by Alethea Kontis

Series Month continues on the Tempest Challenge. This week’s books are Enchanted, Hero, & Dearest by Alethea Kontis. And guess who helped me talk about these fabulous books? Alethea Kontis! Always awesome when I can get an author to talk to me about their books.

We didn’t talk about it in this episode since the video was recorded long ago, but the first book in Alethea’s parallel series is also out now! Trixter takes place during books two and three of the Woodcutter Sisters books. Read that, too!

And, as always, you can support me making Tempest Challenge vids by clicking the links below when you…

Buy Enchanted from Powell’s or Amazon; or Hero from Powell’s or Amazon; or Dearest from Powell’s or Amazon; or Trixter from Amazon.