There are some artists who teach technique. And then there are artists who invite you back to yourself. Tracy Verdugo is the latter.

Tracy Verdugo is an inspiration instigator, prolific painter, and bestselling author whose work radiates color, intuition, and deep connection. She lives in an artsy adobe home along the shores of Jervis Bay, Australia, where she paints in her little purple studio and hosts transformative creative workshops around the world.

Since 2000, Tracy has held 18 solo exhibitions, and her vibrant, intuitive mixed media works are held in private collections both in Australia and internationally. Inspired by global travel, texture, pattern, and bold color, she allows storytelling and instinct to guide each painting, often discovering the meaning within the layers as the piece unfolds.

At the heart of her work is connection — to one another, to the natural world, to the divine, and to the greater tapestry we are all part of. She gently reminds us that in every moment we have a choice: to participate in the creating or in the unraveling.

Above all, she is devoted to her family — visiting her daughters, delighting in her granddaughters, and adventuring through life with her beloved Marco — grounding her expansive creative world in love.

Website: https://tracyverdugo.com [https://tracyverdugo.com/]

Instagram: @tracyverdugo

Big thank you to our sponsor: Jet Creative: A women-owned marketing firm committed to community and empowerment. Whether you’re launching a podcast or building a website, Jet Creative can help you get started. Visit JetCreative.com/Podcast to kickstart your journey!

The Art of Connection: A Conversation with Tracy Verdugo

There is something meaningful about beginning again.

As we step into our third season of ReBloom, we find ourselves reflecting on all that has unfolded—both in the in-between spaces and in the moments that asked more of us than we expected. Seasons have a way of doing that. They stretch us, reshape us, and invite growth we could not have planned.

In this opening episode of the year, we sit down together to talk honestly about where we have been, what we have learned, and the steady ways we are choosing to rebloom. Not through dramatic declarations, but through everyday decisions. Through paying attention. Through making room for hope. Through believing that beauty still has a place, even after difficult chapters.

At its heart, ReBloom is a conversation between friends. It is also about resilience—the choice to begin again and the recognition that creative growth rarely moves in a straight line.

As we welcome this new season, we hope that these conversations feel like a companion to your own journey. Whether you are in a season of growth, rest, grief, joy, or somewhere in between, there is space for you here. There is always the possibility of new life, new perspective, and beauty ready to unfold.

Thank you for being part of this community. We are grateful to begin again—with you.

Peace, Love and ReBloom
Jamie & Lori

Follow us on @rebloom.podcast, @lorisiebert.studio and @alajamie

Big thank you to our sponsor: Jet Creative: A women-owned marketing firm committed to community and empowerment. Whether you’re launching a podcast or building a website, Jet Creative can help you get started. Visit JetCreative.com/Podcast [https://jetcreative.com/podcast] to kickstart your journey!

Season 3: ReBlooming Again!

What happens when creativity, courage, and a deep love of home collide?
You get Wendy Conklin, better known as Chair Whimsy.

In this ReBloom Podcast episode, Wendy shares her journey from finding a creative outlet to building a joy-filled brand rooted in play, color, and confidence. What began as a weekend upholstery class quickly bloomed into a business that reimagines antique chairs, expands into vibrant art and textiles, and nurtures a thriving community of creative women.

Wendy believes every woman deserves a home that reflects who she truly is—and she shows us how creativity can be both accessible and transformative. From boldly mixing fabrics to trusting your instincts, her work invites us to loosen perfection, take creative risks, and let whimsy lead the way.

Whether you’re a maker, a creative entrepreneur, or simply longing to bring more personality into your home, this conversation is a gentle reminder that creativity doesn’t have to be complicated—it just needs permission. And we all give you that permission to create with joy!

Listen in and be inspired to ReBloom, one joyful project at a time.

Website: https://chairwhimsy.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chairwhimsy/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/DIYwithChairWhimsy

Book: https://chairwhimsy.com/book/

Shop: https://www.whimsyandco.com/

Big thank you to our sponsor: Jet Creative: A women-owned marketing firm committed to community and empowerment. Whether you’re launching a podcast or building a website, Jet Creative can help you get started. Visit JetCreative.com/Podcast [https://jetcreative.com/podcast] to kickstart your journey!

ReBloom Podcast: Finding Joy, Color & Confidence with Wendy Conklin of Chair Whimsy

We loved our conversation with Carrie Schmitt—a radiant artist, author, and creative guide who lives in devotion to Creativity as a sacred, healing force. Carrie began painting in 2009 after a life-changing diagnosis and soon discovered art not as a skill to master, but as a spiritual path to presence, comfort, and connection.

Her vibrant floral paintings and mixed-media pieces are collected internationally and have been featured in BBC News, Where Women Create, In Her Studio, and Spirituality & Health. But what moves us most is her intention: she isn’t trying to “get better” at art. She is continually seeking a deeper intimacy with the spirit behind the art—the presence she feels each time she creates.

Carrie’s newest book, Awakening Creativity: A Sacred Journey to Reclaim Your Inner Artist (October 2025), invites us to view creativity not as a personal talent, but as a loving companion longing to collaborate with us. She expands this work through upcoming retreats and a 10-month Creative Pilgrimage designed for anyone yearning to live more artfully, soulfully, and awake to beauty.

You can explore more of Carrie’s work, classes, and creative community at

Website: carrieschmittdesign.com [http://carrieschmittdesign.com/]

Instagram: @carrieschmitt [https://www.instagram.com/carrieschmitt/]

Direct link to order from Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Awakening-Creativity-Sacred-Journey-Reclaim/dp/1950253694/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8

Two free chapters of Awakening Creativity delivered to your inbox and order it if you like it here: https://hierophantpublishing.com/books/awakening-creativity/

Join Carrie for a free online book club to discuss the book. https://www.carrieschmittdesign.com/book-club/

Awakening Creativity with Carrie Schmitt: How Art Becomes a Sacred Path to Healing and Wholeness

On this week’s episode of ReBloom, we welcomed yoga and meditation guide Matthew D. Lyons, whose path reminds us tha t purpose rarely arrives all at once. More often, it appears in quiet signals that we only understand in hindsight. After nearly twenty-six years in politics and government relations, Matthew realized that the career he had built no longer aligned with what brought him joy. Looking back, he reflects, “I see that I was laying breadcrumbs for my heart a long time ago.”

Those breadcrumbs eventually led him to leave his former profession and begin teaching yoga in Washington, D.C. What started with a single Bikram class opened the door to yin and restorative yoga, Yoga Nidrā, meditation, and sound healing — practices that helped him reconnect with what felt meaningful rather than merely impressive. Today, Matthew guides students toward presence, steadiness, and inner clarity. Through stillness-based practices, he invites others to pause, reassess, and follow what feels true. As he shared, “If it’s truly your calling, it will keep calling you.”

Matthew’s story is not just about changing careers. It is about listening deeply, honoring what is real, and allowing life to unfold at a pace that feels human. Growth does not require perfection, only a willingness to begin.

https://www.matthewdlyons.com/about

Big thank you to our sponsor: Jet Creative: A women-owned marketing firm committed to community and empowerment. Whether you’re launching a podcast or building a website, Jet Creative can help you get started. Visit JetCreative.com/Podcast [https://jetcreative.com/podcast] to kickstart your journey!

From Capitol Hill to the Meditation Mat: How Matthew D. Lyons Rewrote His Life

From the fast pace of Silicon Valley to the gentle rhythm of creative living, Mansi's journey is one of choosing presence over productivity. She calls herself The Ripple Maker—and for good reason.

A writer, artist, and teacher, Mansi spent two decades in journalism, nonprofits, and education before finding her way to a slower, more intentional life. What began as a creative outlet during the isolating days of motherhood—when she was caring for a child with life-threatening allergies—slowly grew into The RIPPLE Practice™, a six-step approach to creating authentic connection through small, imperfect acts of generosity.

Her upcoming book, Little Tokens, Big Ripples (Schiffer Craft, Fall 2026), is a reminder that creativity isn’t about talent—it’s about listening to the quiet whispers of the heart and having the courage to follow them.

Mansi now lives in California with her family, practicing what she teaches: presence first, everything else second. She’s building a global community around the simple but powerful idea that small acts of kindness can create ripples far beyond what we can see.

Learn more or connect with Mansi:

Website: http://littletokensbigripples.com/

Gatherings: littletokensbigripples.com/rsvp [https://littletokensbigripples.com/rsvp]

Community: circle.littletokensbigripples.com [https://circle.littletokensbigripples.com/]

Download the Free Ripple Practice™ Workbook: https://littletokensbigripples.com/the-ripple-practice

Big thank you to our sponsor: Jet Creative: A women-owned marketing firm committed to community and empowerment. Whether you’re launching a podcast or building a website, Jet Creative can help you get started. Visit JetCreative.com/Podcast [https://jetcreative.com/podcast] to kickstart your journey!

Little Tokens, Big Ripples: The Art of Gentle Change with Mansi 

We’re thrilled to welcome Justina Blakeney to the podcast—an extraordinary Los Angeles–based artist, designer, and New York Times bestselling author. Best known as the founder of the iconic lifestyle brand Jungalow®, Justina has inspired millions to live more vibrantly, more creatively, and more connected to nature and themselves.

Her signature style—lush, colorful, and rooted in nature—infuses everything she creates, from interiors to artwork to bestselling books. Named to Architectural Digest’s prestigious AD100 list of top designers and tastemakers, Justina has redefined what it means to design not just a home, but a life.

Through her work, Justina encourages us to reconnect with the wild, untamed parts of ourselves that are often hidden away. Her art and storytelling invite us to uproot binary thinking, embrace radical self-expression, and honor the deep interconnectedness of all living things.

When she’s not painting, designing, or writing, Justina finds joy in family life at home in Los Angeles with her husband Jason, their kiddo Ida, two curious cats—Juju and Nova—and a flourishing jungle of houseplants.

This conversation is a celebration of creativity, soul, and the power of design to transform not just spaces, but the way we see the world.

Tune in to hear Justina’s story, her philosophy on creativity, and how she continues to inspire a global community to live with beauty, nature, and joy at the center.

Website: http://www.justinablakeney.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/justinablakeney/

https://www.instagram.com/thejungalow/

· Jet Creative: A women-owned marketing firm committed to community and empowerment. Whether you’re launching a podcast or building a website, Jet Creative can help you get started. Visit JetCreative.com/Podcast [https://jetcreative.com/podcast] to kickstart your journey!

Justina Blakeney: Designing a Life of Color, Creativity, and Connection We’re thrilled to welcome Justina Blakeney to the podcast—an extraordinary Los 

On the ReBloom Podcast, we had the joy of speaking with Ziggy Attias and Beulah van Rensburg, the creative forces behind Chateau d’Orquevaux. Tucked away in the French countryside, the Chateau has become a world-renowned residency welcoming artists from more than 125 countries—a true haven for creativity, connection, and inspiration.

Ziggy, an artist, designer, entrepreneur, and award-winning filmmaker, co-directs the residency with the vision of building community and giving artists a home to grow. Beulah, Co-Founder and Residency Director, brings over 20 years of experience championing artists. As a practicing artist herself, she guides residents through studio visits and critiques, drawing on her experience as founder of Van Rensburg Galleries and her role on the curatorial board at Artfinder.

Together, they’ve transformed Chateau d’Orquevaux into a place where artists from around the world come not just to create, but to belong. Don’t miss this inspiring conversation about art, belonging, and the transformative power of community. Listen to the latest episode of ReBloom wherever you get your podcasts.

Website: https://www.chateauorquevaux.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chateau_orquevaux/?hl=enThank You to Our Sponsors: Jet Creative and UrbanStems!

· Jet Creative: A women-owned marketing firm committed to community and empowerment. Whether you’re launching a podcast or building a website, Jet Creative can help you get started. Visit JetCreative.com/Podcast [https://jetcreative.com/podcast] to kickstart your journey!

· UrbanStems: Your go-to source for fresh, gorgeous bouquets and thoughtful gifts, delivered coast to coast. Treat yourself—or someone you love—with 20% off! Use code BLOOMBIG20 at checkout

From Vision to Community: The Chateau d’Orquevaux Residency with Ziggy Attias and Beulah van Rensburg

In this powerful episode of ReBloom, we are honored to sit with Denyce Graves Montgomery—one of the most celebrated mezzo-sopranos of our time—for a conversation that moves far beyond the stage. From her childhood roots in Washington, D.C. to performances in the world’s most iconic opera houses, Denyce shares not just the milestones of her legendary career, but the deep intention behind it all.

We talk about her life in music—the roles that shaped her, and the careers she’s now helping shape as a director, educator, and founder of The Denyce Graves Foundation. Through this work, she’s not only nurturing the next generation of vocalists, but also ensuring the stories of overlooked musical pioneers are finally brought to light.

This conversation is about voice in every sense—how we use it, how we protect it, and how we pass it

Thank You to Our Sponsors: Jet Creative and UrbanStems!

Denyce Graves Website: https://www.thedenycegraves.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gravesmontgomery/

Foundation Website: thedenycegravesfoundation.org [http://thedenycegravesfoundation.org/]

ReBlooming with the incredible Denyce Graves Montgomery-- Opera Icon. Educator. Advocate.

Angela Howenstein is a fashion stylist and content creator known for helping women over 40 rediscover their personal style with everyday, affordable chic. She believes getting dressed should feel fun, expressive, and confidence-boosting—not confusing or overwhelming. Her signature approach mixes high-low fashion—pairing timeless luxury pieces with budget-friendly finds to create looks that are polished yet totally approachable.

Angela’s career has taken her from the style capitals of New York and Los Angeles to collaborations with brands like Lilly Pulitzer and Oscar de la Renta. But it’s her heart for real women that sets her apart. She’s built a loyal community of women who want to look good, feel great, and answer that all-too-familiar question with style: “Where are you going in that?”

Now based in Harbor Springs, Michigan, Angela shares stories of motherhood, marriage, and midlife with humor and heart—and proves that great style has no age limit.

Website: https://angelahowenstein.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/angelahowenstein/

LTK: https://www.shopltk.com/explore/angelahowenstein

Shop: https://shop.angelahowenstein.com/shop/My-Shop

Thank You to Our Sponsors: Jet Creative and UrbanStems!

Where Are You Going in That? Angela Howenstein on Style, Confidence, and Reinvention After 40

The ReBloom Podcast is an inspiring, in-depth conversation with individuals who have flourished in one career, taken a courageous leap to follow their creative calling, and rebloomed into heart-centered work. Hosted by Lori and Jamie, each episode introduces artists, makers, nature lovers, and creative entrepreneurs who share meaningful stories of reinvention, purpose, and creative living—encouraging listeners to pivot, rediscover joy, and bloom again.

Jamie Jamison

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