Stories and pictures. What are we documenting and for whom? Photographer Samia Minnicks has a pretty simple ask: "What brings genuine joy into your life? Do me a favor and close your eyes to take a minute to think about it." Do that for her, do that for us, and then—and only then—press play on this episode.

Beyond what you can see, photography connects us to emotions—even, as was the case with Samia, with family we never had the chance to meet. Her gift to the world goes well beyond the exquisite photographs she captures for her clients, and to be blunt, her ardor for those connections can not be summarized here.

After you've listened to this show, check out more from Samia here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h5Gzo39mNfg

https://www.samiaminnicks.com/

This conversation with Heather Carter and Nazish Pasternak from projectART was an absolute delight. If you are a Wimberley local, you already know about all the amazing things projectART has done and is doing in our community. And if you haven't, you must visit their gallery, ARTSPACE. If you aren't local, guess what?! There's a lot of important information and themes and ideas in this talk with this dynamic duo about: the importance of introducing art to children early, the relationship between mentors and students, and perhaps the inspiration to seek out something like projectART in your own hometown to help support!

Artist Chad Rea is creating from an unusual place in his soul these days: JOY. It would be hard to summarize his journey any better than he has done himself in the description of his latest creation, Cult of Happy: "A love letter to the human spirit, a joyful rebellion against negativity, and proof that art doesn’t just transform spaces—it transforms lives." Trust us when we say this was another feel-good, leave-better-than-you-came-in hour for us. If that sounds appealing to you, join the cult today. Kidding. But do listen to the show.

You can also visit these links for more from the show:

https://www.lockharthousetx.com/

https://www.instagram.com/cult.of.happy/

Guided by a deeply ingrained three-pronged family approach to service, guest Megha Desai's passions ultimately led her to a role she may have been destined for: president of the Desai Foundation. Her and the foundation's commitment to empowering women and children through community development to enhance health, livelihood, and menstrual equity is so wonderfully significant. Spoiler alert: we venture elsewhere in this conversation because her philanthropic inclination permeates everything she impacts!

Ramen might seem an odd thing to hang a show upon, but add the entrepreneurial firebrand Sarah Gavigan, and trust us, you have one heck of an hour ahead of you! Sarah's journey has been expansive in scope but anchored by one very key ingredient: obsession. What that word can mean is on tap in this talk, as well as her experiences and expertise as Founder / President at Otaku Ramen in Nashville, TN, plus much more!

Barbara Thomas's journey from USAF Jet Engine Mechanic to owner of downtown San Antonio's Pandora's Bookstore and Coffee Bar (and all the fantastic things in between) can be summed up in two words: Why not? If you're a listener, you already know we are rabid fans of "why not." So it's no surprise that we had a blast talking with her about motivations, learning as you go, books, entrepreneurship, and the power of collaboration, even when serendipitous.

Bad news: we forgot to talk about League of Space Pirates with artist, author, and activist Noah Scalin—but boy howdy, did we cover a ton else! You might say our conversation was timely, but honestly, we believe that art, creativity, and their impact on society—and what the process unlocks within us all—are always relevant. As a founding partner of Another Limited Rebellion, Noah brings his extensive experience to the lives of others. It’s been said that creativity is the essential skill of the 21st century, and we hope this conversation strengthens that declaration.

Some shows splinter quickly into a thousand wonderful possibilities. We love it when they do, even when the anchor subject is, ironically, a steady mind! Guest J Miles, Yogi, martial artist, bodyworker, retired breakdancer, community activist, and student of Eastern arts and philosophy, joined us for just such a conversation. Given how important movement is to him and us, perhaps it was no surprise that we covered so much ground in an hour that left all three of us feeling steady, calm, grateful, and headed out to seek more joy.

Find out more about J by visiting Maha Vira Yoga.