Jill Mott is a “cultural lens shapeshifter,” photographer, and photojournalist who brings a unique, sparkling energy to everything she does. Armed with only her camera and imagination, she once traveled the world from England to Zimbabwe… with a stop in Italy for art school!

Today, Jill teaches and shares her understanding of communication and storytelling — across a myriad of forms — particularly with the camera.  Jill lives in beautiful Fort Collins, Colorado with her husband and family. Her work has been recognized by the National Press Photographers Association. She’s exhibited her work in solo shows and group exhibitions around the country. 

Listen to this episode and join us as we discuss:

• A love of African masks and how Zimbabwe has shaped (and continues to shape) Jill’s work

• The relationship of art and storytelling

• Why good feedback is critical to growth as an artist

• Jill’s charitable collaboration with the Fort Collins Museum of Art in Colorado and teaching experiences

• Plus, how she met her husband and how they chose their son’s distinctive name 

Discover more about Jill Mott during her interview on the Bowing to Elephants Podcast, which you can listen to here.

Enjoy the show, and let me know what you think!

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My deepest gratitude to you! 

Mag

P.S.

In case you missed it, check it out at bowingtoelephantspodcast.com and follow, rate, and leave a comment!

Andrew and Liya Truong are stunningly talented chefs. They own and run Terrapin Creek Cafe & Restaurant in the sleepy, small town of Bodega Bay, California. Their fantastic menu garnered them a Michelin Star in 2011. And they have the love and devotion of Bodega Bay citizens and all those traveling along the coast who happen to stop by for a bite.

Liya and Andrew met at culinary school in the early 2000s. Each went on to work at high-end San Francisco restaurants before marrying in 2007 and opening Terrapin Creek Cafe in 2008 (And succeeding, during a recession!). When not working at Terrapin Creek, you can find the Truongs caring for their three children. 

Listen to this episode and join us as we discuss:

• How Liya’s roots influence her culinary style

• The story behind “the perfect spot” for Terrapin Creek and how they made the business a success… during a recession!

• What not to miss if you’re in Bodega Bay (Andrew & Liya’s favorite items on their menu!)

• What it took to land their Michelin Star

• Balancing a busy restaurant life with time at home with their three kids

Discover more about the Truongs during their interview on the Bowing to Elephants Podcast, which you can listen to here.

Enjoy the show, and let me know what you think!

Follow, Like, and Subscribe:

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My deepest gratitude to you! 

Mag

P.S.

In case you missed it, check it out at bowingtoelephantspodcast.com and follow, rate, and leave a comment!

An author, a poet, and phenomenal woman, Bella Mahaya Carter is a writing teacher and coach who promotes self-awareness and mindfulness. Bella believes in the power of writing to heal and transform lives. She sees publishing one’s work as an opportunity to deepen self-awareness, nourish meaningful connections, and delight in peak experiences while being of service. 

Her latest book, Where Do You Hang Your Hammock? is a delightful, funny, and deadly serious book that reminds the reader over and over how far self-awareness can take you. She’s also the author of her memoir, Raw: My Journey From Anxiety to Joy, and a book of poetry, Secrets of My Sex.

Listen to this episode and join us as we discuss:

• The difference between “knowing in the mind and knowing in the body”

• Bella’s past as a dancer and how she first discovered her love of literature

• How to finally write that manuscript (that’s stuck in your head)

• Struggling with anxiety and persevering

• Great influencers like Pablo Neruda and John Kabat-Zinn

• Bella’s latest book, Where Do You Hang Your Hammock?

Discover more about Bella Mahaya Carter during her interview on the Bowing to Elephants Podcast, which you can listen to here.

Enjoy the show, and let me know what you think!

Follow, Like, and Subscribe:

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My deepest gratitude to you! 

Mag

P.S.

In case you missed it, check it out at bowingtoelephantspodcast.com and follow, rate, and leave a comment!

A creative soul and lifelong scholar, Sands Hall is a blessing to everyone and shares her brilliant spark as a teacher, musician, actor, and writer. Today, she joins us to talk about her memoir, Reclaiming My Decade Lost in Scientology. In this moving book, Sands shares what first led her to Scientology, the darker undercurrents of L. Ron Hubbard’s leadership, and how she eventually disentangled herself from the Church. 

Sands is also the author of a novel, Catching Heaven, and a writer’s handbook, Tools of The Writer’s Craft. She has extensive theater experience as a playwright, actor, and director. A woman of many talents, Sands is also a singer and songwriter. She currently resides in California, where she teaches at Franklin University and Marshall College. 

Listen to this episode and join us as we discuss:

• Constructed belief systems, organized religion, and finding your true purpose

• The darker side of Scientology and why Sands now considers the Church of Scientology to be a cult

• Why Mary Magdalene would be at the top of her dinner party list (if she could invite anyone in the world… (dead or alive)!

• Sands’ beloved brother and his life-altering injury

• Why Sands focused on writing her memoir, not publishing it

Discover more about Sands Hall during her interview on the Bowing to Elephants Podcast, which you can listen to here.

Enjoy the show, and let me know what you think!

Follow, Like, and Subscribe:

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My deepest gratitude to you! 

Mag

P.S.

In case you missed it, check it out at bowingtoelephantspodcast.com and follow, rate, and leave a comment!

Meet Author Gretchen Cherington, who, after many years of silence, chose to share her story of abuse. Sexually molested by her father, Richard Eberhardt, a Pulitzer Prize-winning poet, Gretchen broke decades of silence to share what life with him was really like.

Gretchen’s memoir, Poetic License, is an authentic, brave piece of work that details what it was like growing up around literary geniuses such as Robert Frost and Allen Ginsberg.  It wasn’t until Gretchen chose to share what happened that she could finally start to heal and discover the incredible freedom found in forgiveness: not for the forgiven, but for the person who makes the choice to forgive. 

Gretchen worked as an executive management consultant for 35 years, gaining powerful insights into what makes powerful men tick. Poetic License has won multiple awards, and Gretchen’s essays appear in multiple literary publications. When she’s not writing, Gretchen loves being outdoors.  

Listen to this episode and join us as we discuss:

• Gretchen’s memoir, childhood, and father’s “legacy of narcissism.” 

• How writing a memoir forces you to deal with the things that have been too painful to look at 

• Why Gretchen stayed silent about her molestation for decades

• Understanding narcissism more and one writer’s healing  

Discover more about Gretchen Cherington during her interview on the Bowing to Elephants Podcast, which you can listen to here.

Enjoy the show, and let me know what you think!

Follow, Like, and Subscribe:

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My deepest gratitude to you! 

Mag

P.S.

In case you missed it, check it out at bowingtoelephantspodcast.com and follow, rate, and leave a comment!

Tania Casselle calls herself a book doctor, a spiritual practitioner, a therapist, and a teacher. This multi-talented woman emigrated from England to the United States, where she now lives in Taos, New Mexico.

Tania’s received multiple awards for her writing and is published in books, magazines, newspapers, and online media worldwide. She has a rich spiritual practice rooted in Zen Buddhism and Christian contemplative traditions. A writer and an editor for over 20 years, Tania also holds a master’s in Transpersonal Psychotherapy. With her husband, Sean, she’s helped build such wonderful groups as the Sage Institute for Creativity and Consciousness. 

Listen to this episode and join us as we discuss:

• The seasons of life and how they shape our experiences here on Earth

• How Tania discovered psychology and developed her spiritual practice

• The idea for Tania’s book (a work in progress)

• The authors and mentors who most influenced Tania’s journey 

• Why she made Taos her home

Discover more about Tania Casselle during her interview on the Bowing to Elephants Podcast, which you can listen to here.

Enjoy the show, and let me know what you think!

Follow, Like, and Subscribe:

iTunes

Spotify

My deepest gratitude to you! 

Mag

P.S.

In case you missed it, check it out at bowingtoelephantspodcast.com and follow, rate, and leave a comment!