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

John O’Donnell is the founder and CEO of Johnnie-O, the clothing brand known for coining “West Coast Prep”—a signature style that blends the laid-back vibe of California with the polish of classic menswear. A Chicago native and former UCLA golfer, John grew up with Midwestern values and a deep appreciation for authenticity. After two decades in the corporate world, he made a bold pivot in 2005: selling golf shirts with four buttons and a pocket out of the back of his car.

He never imagined that small idea would grow into Johnnie-O, a nationally recognized lifestyle brand offering premium-quality clothing for men, women, and boys—all without a hint of pretentiousness.

In this episode of ReBloom, John reflects on taking creative risks, honoring your roots, and the 20-year journey that turned a simple shirt into a soulful, enduring brand. Sometimes, as he says, you just hit the ball right.

Thank You to Our Sponsors: Jet Creative and UrbanStems!

Website: www.johnnie-o.com [http://www.johnnie-o.com/]

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

Use code "rebloom20" during July 2025 and save 20% at Johnnie-O!

Building a Brand with Soul: John O’Donnell of Johnnie-O on the West Coast Prep Lifestyle

Diane Kappa is a lifelong artist and the daughter of an artist. After founding her art licensing business nearly 20 years ago, she spent many years designing to creative briefs—a challenge she still enjoys for its problem-solving aspects. But in recent years, her focus has shifted toward more personal exploration, a journey that has deepened her creative practice and enriched her commercial design work.

Linoleum block printing has become her most personal and expressive medium. Drawn to its tactile process, bold shapes, and the meditative rhythm of carving by hand, Diane often combines her hand-carved prints with stitching and layered details. Her work explores the interplay of texture, pattern, and process—three themes that guided her recent artist residency. Texture is revealed through physical and visual layers; Pattern draws inspiration from sources like tattered wallpaper and vintage textiles; and Process honors the thoughtful, hands-on journey behind each piece.

Travel continues to inspire her work. Having lived in Budapest for four years, she regularly attends creative retreats in India, France, Mexico, and across the U.S.—experiences that provide time to reset, refocus, and reconnect with what matters most in her art.

A passionate teacher, Diane offers block printing classes from her studio, nurturing creative community and helping others reconnect with their artistic voice.

Website: https://www.dianekappa.com [https://www.dianekappa.com/]

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

Retreat: https://www.artistsrising.net/diane-kappa-2026

Thank 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.

Carving a Creative Path: Diane Kappa on Texture, Pattern, and Process

Samantha Dion Baker has always seen the world a little differently. From her childhood days sketching in her grandmother’s sculpture studio and watching her mother make intricate designs on a drafting table to a decades-long career in graphic design, her creative path has been shaped by curiosity, beauty, and a deep desire to pay attention. In this episode of ReBloom, Sam shares her inspiring journey of rediscovery—how picking up a sketchbook in her forties led her back to herself and helped her reimagine a life as a full-time artist, illustrator, and author.

Known for her evocative visual journaling and beloved books, Sam invites us into her process—one rooted not in perfection, but in presence. As she says, “Drawing isn’t about making something perfect—it’s about paying attention.”

Tune in to hear how she made the courageous shift from designer to artist, why she believes creativity is for everyone, and how drawing the everyday can lead to extraordinary transformation.

This conversation is a beautiful reminder that it’s never too late to start again—and that sometimes, the most meaningful reblooms begin with a pencil and a page.

Links:

Substack:  https://samanthadionbaker.substack.com/

Website: https://www.sdionbaker.com/

IG: https://www.instagram.com/sdionbakerdesign/

Books: https://www.sdionbaker.com/books

Pre-Order Signed Copy:  https://www.booksaremagic.net/preorders/samantha-dion-baker

Shop: https://www.sdionbaker.com/shop-2020

Thank You to Our Sponsors: Jet Creative and UrbanStems!

Reawakening Wonder Through the Sketchbook: A Conversation with Samantha Dion Baker

In this episode of ReBloom, we’re joined by artist Juliette Crane, whose work blends the whimsical and the profound. Based in the Driftless Region of Wisconsin, Juliette’s colorful mixed-media paintings explore memory, imagination, and the natural world—inviting viewers into layered worlds where abstraction meets figuration.

Juliette shares how losing her job in 2009 led her back to painting, and how embracing imperfection and play transformed not just her creative process, but her life. We talk about the stories behind her characters, the symbolism of layering, and how she continues to evolve as an artist, mentor, and teacher.

To learn more about Juliette’s work, retreats, or online classes, visit JulietteCrane.com [https://www.juliettecrane.com/] or follow her on Instagram @juliettecrane [https://instagram.com/juliettecrane].

Website: www.julietteCrane.com [http://www.juliettecrane.com/]

IG: https://instagram.com/juliettecrane

Inquiries: info@juliettecrane.com

Thank 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.

Layers of Imagination: Painting, Play, and Personal Growth with Juliette Crane

This week on the ReBloom Podcast, we’re joined by Calvert Crary—owner of FlowerSchool, internationally recognized master educator, and author of Flower School: A Practical Guide to the Art of Flower Arranging and The Encyclopedia of Cut Flowers.

Calvert began his career as a lifestyle and fashion photographer before making a bold pivot into floral design in 2006. Since then, he has launched and led three successful flower businesses in New York City and become a trusted mentor to thousands of aspiring floral professionals around the world. Through immersive travel programs and hands-on workshops, Calvert shares his deep expertise, creative vision, and sharp business insight with a global community.

In this episode, Calvert shares his journey of reinvention, how he blends artistry with entrepreneurship, and what it takes to thrive in the floral industry today. Whether you’re a budding creative or a seasoned designer, this conversation is sure to leave you blooming with inspiration.

Website: https://www.flowerschoolny.com/

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

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwB8T0u_YX94aKuZTPjIvkg

Thank 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 Lens to Bloom: Calvert Crary on Creativity, Reinvention, and the Business of Flowers

Navah Perlman Frost’s journey from renowned concert pianist to a brilliant baker and cake artist is a story of passion, resilience, and creativity. Navah built an impressive career performing on some of the world’s most prestigious stages. Her deep connection to music took her across the globe, where she also developed a love for local cuisines and bakeries.

When the pandemic put concerts on hold, Navah embraced a new form of artistry—baking. A self-taught baker, she turned her love of food into Frosted by Navah, a thriving cake business in New York City. What began as a creative escape soon became a sensation, with her botanical buttercream cakes and cupcakes captivating food lovers everywhere.

Tune in to the ReBloom Podcast to hear how Navah transformed her artistry from music to baking, proving that creativity knows no limits. Listen now!

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

Cake Order Form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScBef58N-gXakHMreCJwoH796LPHaHpaL4eUtiyHcA6qFXWkg/viewform

Thank 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 Piano Keys to Pastry Bags with Navah Frost

Annie Sloan is one of the most influential figures in interior design and decorative painting. An artist, inventor, educator, and entrepreneur, she has spent over three decades helping people rediscover creativity and self-expression—making the world more colorful, one brushstroke at a time.

In 1990, Annie revolutionized the DIY world with her invention of Chalk Paint™—a versatile, fast-drying paint that adheres to almost any surface without sanding or priming. It gave people permission to be bold, to transform old furniture, and to embrace creative freedom.

Today, Annie Sloan Interiors remains a family-run business based in Oxford, England, where Annie continues to lead with heart and innovation. Her line now includes richly pigmented Wall Paint and Annie Sloan Satin Paint for smooth, soft-sheen finishes on wood and metal.

Author of 27 books and a global authority on design, Annie’s work is rooted in art history and shaped by global decorative traditions. In 2023, she was awarded a CBE for her outstanding contributions to interior design.

But Annie’s legacy is about more than accolades—it’s about empowerment. She believes everyone can reclaim their creativity and make sustainable choices that bring new life to their homes.

We’re thrilled to welcome Annie Sloan to the ReBloom Podcast. Listen in as we explore her inspiring journey—and why she believes everyone can find their own authentic path.

Thank 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.

Website: www.anniesloan.com [http://www.anniesloan.com/]

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

Books: https://www.anniesloan.com/products/books/

Annie Sloan and the Joy of Paint and Colour

Gayle Kabaker is an award-winning illustrator, writer, and visual storyteller whose work celebrates femininity and beauty in all forms. After graduating from the Academy of Art in San Francisco, she began as a freelance fashion illustrator, setting the stage for her artistic evolution.

Her career took a pivotal turn in 2012 when her piece June Brides became the first of ten New Yorker covers, celebrating marriage equality. She later painted 100 portraits for Vital Voices: 100 Women Using Their Power to Empower, featured in a book and an exhibition at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C.

During the pandemic, Gayle documented her experience through The Washington Post column Sketching My Way Through Crisis, showcasing the therapeutic power of a sketchbook practice. More recently, she painted her way around Australia in a collaboration with Condé Nast Traveler and The New Yorker for Tourism Australia.

A dedicated educator, Gayle teaches workshops globally with her teaching partner Jennifer Orkin Lewis and shares her work through her online shop (gkabaker.com). Her original cover art is currently featured in a New York City exhibition celebrating 100 years of The New Yorker covers, marking yet another milestone in her ever-evolving creative journey.

Tune in to the ReBloom Podcast as we share Gayle’s incredible art journey!

Thank 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.

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

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

Conde Nast Traveler:

https://www.cntraveler.com/sponsored/story/where-to-go-and-what-to-do-on-your-next-australian-vacation

The Art of Transformation with Gayle Kabaker

The ReBloom Podcast is an in-depth conversation with those who have “bloomed” in one career, taken a leap of faith to follow their creative heart, and “rebloomed” to share their heart-centered passions. Lori and Jamie will introduce you to fabulous friends, nature lovers, makers and artisans who will inspire you to pivot and find your creative joy too!

Jamie Jamison

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