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

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

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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