Show Schedule | CONVERSATIONS LIVE with VICKI ST. CLAIR | Talk Radio to Inspire, Inform, Stimulate.

Oct 26: Tuesdays in Jail with Author Tina Welling

October 26, 2022

What I Learned Teaching Journaling to Inmates

When Tina Welling volunteered to teach journaling at her local county jail, little did she know how much she’d learn about herself, and how much she and the inmates had in common.

Eleven years into her teaching journey, Tina shares some of the stories from her new book Tuesdays in Jail. We discuss what she learned about even the most hardened criminals. What working with inmates taught Tina about self-awareness, and helped her overcome some of her own limitations, providing growth in ways she didn’t expect.

About Tina Welling

The author of the novels Cowboys Never Cry, Fairy Tale Blues, and Crybaby Ranch, Tina Welling also wrote Writing Wild: Forming a Creative Partnership with Nature (listen to our podcast on Writing Wild.) Tina Welling is the recipient of a Wyoming Arts Council writing fellowship, and has been conducting Writing Wild workshops for ten years. She lives in Jackson, Wyoming. More on Tuesdays in Jail.

Fiction, Non Fiction, Short Stories, Writers on Writing

Oct 19: Gary Lippman One Sentence Stories

October 19, 2022

Stories for People with Short Attention Spans

Why one-sentence stories? Because author Gary Lippman wanted to rise to the challenge, and “…because imperfection is easier to tolerate in small doses.”

He’s kidding about that last part, of course, and ended up writing more than 300 one-sentence stories. Some true, some partially true, some total fiction—all are well told, and full of wit and wisdom. So, what went into writing We Loved the World But Could Not Stay, and which stories are true? Listen up!

About Gary Lippman

We Loved the World But Could Not Stay is Gary Lippman‘s second book. His first, a novel, Set the Controls for the Heart of Sharon Tate was published in 2019. Lippman’s play Paradox Lust ran off-Broadway in 2001, and his journalism has appeared in The Paris Review, Literary Hub, VICE, The New York Times, and Fodor’s Travel Guides. Gary Lippman has a law degree from Northwestern University, and has worked with New York City’s Innocence Project.

Memoir, Non Fiction

Oct 12: Escaping the Children of God Cult – Daniella Mestyanek Young

October 12, 2022

Uncultured: A Memoir

Daniella Mestyanek Young was a third-generation Family member to a group better known as the Children of God. She was raised from birth to believe the world outside was dangerous, full of evil people — and that childhood sex with multiple older men was normal. It was God’s will.

Yet when she was just 15 years old, Daniella had the fortitude to escape everything she knew, put herself through school, and forge a new career — only to find herself back in another “cult”.

We discuss how to identify culture vs. cult. The three phases to leaving a cult. How telling her story after many years of hiding the truth helped Daniella overcome imposter syndrome and build a healthy new life with a real family.

About Daniella Mestyanek Young

American author and speaker Daniella Mestyanek Young was raised in the religious cult the Children of God. She later served as an intelligence officer for more than six years in the US Army, achieving the rank of captain, and became one of the first women in US Army history to conduct deliberate ground combat operations on a Female Engagement Team. Daniella’s the recipient of the President’s Volunteer Service Award and is currently finalizing her master’s degree in industrial and organizational psychology from the Harvard Extension School. Her new book is Uncultured.

Memoir, Non Fiction

Oct 05: White Flag – A Memoir with NYT Bestselling Author Judy L Mandel

October 5, 2022

70% of kids who try drugs before 13 develop a substance abuse disorder within 7 years

When Judy Mandel made a deathbed promise to her sister, she had no idea how that promise would end. From an early age, Judy’s niece Cheryl struggled with addiction and the horrors that came with it – from imprisonment to living in shelters, and ultimately, a fatal overdose.

Trying to understand Cheryl’s life and where things went wrong, Judy Mandel drew on her investigative journalism skills and set out on a painful but revealing journey. The result is her latest memoir, White Flag.

About Judy Mandel

Judy Mandel is a former reporter and marketing executive. She has an MFA in create writing from Stony Brook University, and her essays have appeared in numerous publications including American Writers Review and Complete Wellbeing Magazine. She’s the New York Times bestselling author of Replacement Child. Her second memoir is White Flag.

*According to NCDAS: National Center for Drug Abuse Statistics

Health & Wellness, Personal Development, Self-help

Sep 28: Good Burdens: Living Joyfully in the Digitial Age with Christina Crook

September 28, 2022

Re-imagining a Life of Joy in the Age of Tech

It’s time to Forget #FOMO and aim for #JOMO with the Marie Kondo of Digital. Christina Crook shares why the internet was making her a lazy thinker, writer, and friend – and why seeing a priest bless an old Blackberry was her tipping point.

We discuss the elements of joy, the importance of commitment, the immense power of being brave. What it takes to realign your energy and prioritize your wellbeing so that tech works for you versus the other way around. Her book Good Burdens offers conrete solutions on how to thrive in the age of the internet.

About Christina Crook

A digital mindfulness thought leader, speaker, writer, and host of the JOMO(cast) podcast, Christina Crook is a premiere voice in the world of digital wellbeing. The author of the award-winning book The Joy of Missing Out: Finding Balance in a Wired World and the leader of a global #JOMO movement, she regularly shares her insights in outlets including The New York Times, Harper’s Bazaar and the BBC. Christina’s latest book is Good Burdens: How to Live Joyfully in the Digital Age.

Journalism, Memoir, Non Fiction

Sep 21: Rebel with a Clause – Ellen Jovin

September 21, 2022

Tales and Tips from a Roving Grammarian

Ellen Jovin‘s journey of almost 30,000 miles around America began outside her Manhattan apartment, with a folding table, and a sign saying GRAMMAR TABLE. From lawyers , couples, and families, to writers, students, and rappers, passers-by had questions for Ellen — and she had answers.

But how did this take Ellen to 49 cities and towns, by five modes of transport? We discuss why people stopped by the Grammar Table, how that led to the documentary film and Ellen’s book. And why this isn’t just about words, language, and grammar, but connection, community and — yes — sometimes just wanting to be right.

About Ellen Jovin

Ellen Jovin is the author of four books on language, and a cofounder of Syntaxis, a communication skills training consultancy. She has a B.A. in German studies, an M.A. in comparative literature … and studied 25 languages just for fun. Her latest book is Rebel with a Clause: Tales and Tips from a Roving Grammarian.

Memoir, Non Fiction

Sep 14: Missing – A Memoir by Cornelia Maude Spelman

September 14, 2022

Discovering the truth behind her mother’s story helped heal this author

When Cornelia Maude Spelman ventured on a quest to understand her deceased mother’s early life, little did Cornelia know how much she’d learn about her own life.

We discuss how Cornelia put the puzzle of her mother’s past together through letters and interviews and journals. Some of the mysteries and emotional legacies that her family — like many families — never discussed. And how her journey to discover what made her mom tick, helped Corenlia grow and heal.

About Cornelia Maude Spelman

Cornelia Maude Spelman, MSW, was a family therapist before turning fulltime to writing and art. She’s the author of 10 books for children including The Way It Feels series, which helps children recognize and manage emotions. Cornelia has awards from the Illinois Arts Council, was a finalist for the Penelope Niven Creative Nonfiction, and earned the Bernard De Voto Fellowship for Nonfiction at Bread Loaf Writers’ Conference.

Non Fiction, Personal Development, Psychology, Self-help

Sep 07: Get Unstuck & Out of Your Own Way Using Voice Dialogue

September 7, 2022

A Deeper Dive Into The Final 8th with Bridgit Dengel Gaspard

What stops us reaching a goal that we say we really want? Why do we walk away right before the finish line? It’s often because not every part of us wants what we think we want, says returning guest Bridgit Dengel Gaspard.

In our follow up conversation about Bridgit’s work with inner selves and voice dialogue, she explains: How neuroscience backs up this innovative technique, and how we can turn our inner critic, and other inner selves, into allies. Why we often stay too long in a situation or relationship. How our nice and scared selves can create negative patterns. And how to practice “safe success” and keep the saboteurs at bay.

About Bridgit Dengel Gaspard

As a therapist and founder of the NY Voice Dialogue Institute, Bridgit Dengel Gaspard has led workshops for Omega Institute, New York Open Center, and many other organizations. She’s a former performer and comic, and as therapist and voice dialogue expert, specializes in overcoming creativity blocks. The foreword to The Final 8^th:Enlist Your Inner Selves to Accomplish Your Goals is written by the original creators of voice dialogue, Hal and Sidra Stone.

Creativity, Non Fiction, Personal Development, Writers on Writing

Aug 31: Propel Your Creative Life with Matthew Dicks

August 31, 2022

Winning Strategies to Take You From Dreaming to Doing

Returning guest Matthew Dicks is a jack of all trades, but a master of … several? How does he wear so many hats yet still remain super creative and extremely prolific?

Matthew’s goal is to help you go from dreaming to doing, from talking to creating, wiping out those excuses of being too spent or not having enough time along the way. We discuss black holes, living a life of YES, performative productivity, the power of accountability, the importance of gathering your tribe … and much more.

About Matthew Dicks

It might be easier to list the things Matthew Dicks hasn’t done than those he has! Among his accomplishments are bestselling novelist, nationally recognized storyteller, playwright, communications consultant, award-winning elementary schoolteacher, humor and advice columnist, minister, wedding DJ, and professional public speaker. He’s won multiple Moth GrandSLAM story competitions. And with his wife, Elysha, created the organization SPEAK UP. Vicki last talked with Matthew Dicks about his first book on creativity, Storyworthy – podcast. Today we discuss his latest, Someday is Today: 22 Simple, Actionable Ways to Propel Your Creative Life.

Career, Creativity, Personal Development, Self-help

Aug 24: Push Past The Final 8th and Accomplish Your Goals

August 24, 2022

Tap Into the Most Powerful Resource You Have to Accomplishing Your Goals: Your Inner Selves

Why is it that the final hill to achieving a goal is often the most difficult to climb? Bridgit Dengel Gaspard helps you cross the finish line in The Final 8th: Enlist Your Inner Selves to Accomplish Your Goals.

You’ll learn why our inner selves frequently have competing motives. Why symptoms such as body aches and insomnia could be caused by inner selves that don’t communicate verbally. Bridgit also shres tools and resources to help you stop self-sabotaging.

About Bridgit Dengel Gaspard

Bridgit Dengel Gaspard is a therapist, coach, and master facilitator of voice dialogue. She’s led workshops for the Omega Institue, the National Association of Social Workers, the Actors Fund, and others. A former performer and comic, Bridgit has a private practice in New York where she specializes in helping clients overcome creativity blocks, transitions, and being stuck short of the finish line. The Final 8th: Enlist Your Inner Selves to Accomplish Your Goals is Bridgit’s first book.

Oct 26: Tuesdays in Jail with Author Tina Welling

What I Learned Teaching Journaling to Inmates

About Tina Welling

Oct 19: Gary Lippman One Sentence Stories

Stories for People with Short Attention Spans

About Gary Lippman

Oct 12: Escaping the Children of God Cult – Daniella Mestyanek Young

Uncultured: A Memoir

About Daniella Mestyanek Young

Oct 05: White Flag – A Memoir with NYT Bestselling Author Judy L Mandel

70% of kids who try drugs before 13 develop a substance abuse disorder within 7 years

About Judy Mandel

Sep 28: Good Burdens: Living Joyfully in the Digitial Age with Christina Crook

Re-imagining a Life of Joy in the Age of Tech

About Christina Crook

Sep 21: Rebel with a Clause – Ellen Jovin

Tales and Tips from a Roving Grammarian

About Ellen Jovin

Sep 14: Missing – A Memoir by Cornelia Maude Spelman

Discovering the truth behind her mother’s story helped heal this author

About Cornelia Maude Spelman

Sep 07: Get Unstuck & Out of Your Own Way Using Voice Dialogue

A Deeper Dive Into The Final 8th with Bridgit Dengel Gaspard

About Bridgit Dengel Gaspard

Aug 31: Propel Your Creative Life with Matthew Dicks

Winning Strategies to Take You From Dreaming to Doing

About Matthew Dicks

Aug 24: Push Past The Final 8th and Accomplish Your Goals

Tap Into the Most Powerful Resource You Have to Accomplishing Your Goals: Your Inner Selves

About Bridgit Dengel Gaspard

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