Welcome to Transformation Talk. Every Thursday for a year, starting in September 2012, I’ll post an interview with someone who is a force for good in the world. These men and women have either deepened their passion or found their calling after experiencing a loss, trauma or diagnosis.

I want to broaden the conversation around grief and its transformative power. My hope is that in their words you’ll find echoes of your story. In their inspired actions, you’ll see yourself and your immense possibility.

*Special Request: The technology of Skype is amazing and imperfect. Please listen with your heart and forgive the occasional blips on the screen.

Today’s interview is with Vivienne McMaster, who uses photography, specifically self-portraiture, to help people fall in love with themselves. It was in her life-altering Be Your Own Beloved course this past February that I took many of the photos I’ve used in my blog posts recently. She talks about how finding photography brought her out of a time of deep grief and depression, and led her to the beautiful work she does today.

Running time is 21 minutes. Bio and link to download audio version are below. If you’re getting this via email, click through the title to watch the video.

Right-click or control-click here to download the audio version.

Vivienne McMaster is a Vancouver based Photographer with a big heart and a spirit of playfulness.  She leads workshops and online classes inviting people to cultivate self-love through self-portraiture.  Having found her way back to herself after a rough patch through the magic of photography, she believes that self-portraiture and creative exploration can save our lives.  She shares her colourful visual stories over at her website www.viviennemcmaster.com.

You can also find her on Facebook and Twitter.

Welcome to Transformation Talk. Every Thursday for a year, starting in September 2012, I’ll post an interview with someone who is a force for good in the world. These men and women have either deepened their passion or found their calling after experiencing a loss, trauma or diagnosis.

I want to broaden the conversation around grief and its transformative power. My hope is that in their words you’ll find echoes of your story. In their inspired actions, you’ll see yourself and your immense possibility.

*Special Request: The technology of Skype is amazing and imperfect. Please listen with your heart and forgive the occasional blips on the screen. (And this week, we have added background love from Kerrie’s dog and my cat, who was determined to break down the office door!)

Kerrie is a pleasure catalyst and life strategist, who treasures her sense of lightness and ease because she is familiar with the dark. She shares her story of journeying through depression and grief, her commitment to experiencing life as fun and how that led her to following her bliss and helping others do the same.

Running time is 27 minutes. Link to bio and to download the audio version are below. If you’re getting this via email click through the title to access the video.

Right-click or Control-click here to download the audio-only version.

Here’s Kerrie in her own words:

Hi, I’m Kerrie Blazek.
Think of me as your fairy godmother … on punk rock.

I’m all about pleasure, ease, and creating excuses for mini-celebrations.
(‘Cause life is way better when you feel good. Obvious, but oddly difficult. Amiright??)

I’ve taught middle-school kids science (talk about the importance of fun!).  I’ve traveled the country for a year, living out of my car (helloooo magical memoirs!).  I’ve hunkered down, dug deep, let go, and redefined myself countless times. (School of hard knocks? I’ve got a Ph.D.!)

Along the way, I’ve discovered a hefty bunch about happiness.  What it is, what it isn’t, and how to feel more of it — even on those crappy days we all have.

Miss Dyana Valentine calls my superpower: “TLC on Acid.”
(Radical gratitude? Very necessary. Psychedelics? Totally optional.)

Everywhere I go, I leave people brighter, shinier, and happier.  It’s a gift, an art, and a pretty fantastic way to roll.

•••••

You can find her at www.KerrieBlazek.com. Be sure to check out her 40-Day Feel Good Challenge (I’ll be guest teaching with her on Wednesday May 1st!)

Welcome to Transformation Talk. Every Thursday for a year, starting in September 2012, I’ll post an interview with someone who is a force for good in the world. These men and women have either deepened their passion or found their calling after experiencing a loss, trauma or diagnosis.

I want to broaden the conversation around grief and its transformative power. My hope is that in their words you’ll find echoes of your story. In their inspired actions, you’ll see yourself and your immense possibility.

*Special Request: The technology of Skype is amazing and imperfect. Please listen with your heart and forgive the occasional blips on the screen.

Today’s interview is with visual artist Lori Portka, whose mission is to radiate love and happiness through her art. She shares the story of how art helped her recover from the shock and grief of divorce, and led her from teaching and counseling to being a full-time artist. It also happens to be my 25th Transformation Talk, which means we’re half way through! Woohooo! 25 amazing people have shared their stories here. I am honored and grateful.

Lori has generously agreed to give one lucky viewer the gorgeous print you see at the top of this post. (If you’re not seeing it in your email, click through the title to view) The winner will be randomly chosen next Wednesday and will be announced here and contacted via email. To enter, please leave a comment below. You can just say hi, but I’d love it if you’d share one way you’ve stepped into your own creativity lately.

Lori’s bio and the link to download the audio version are below. Running time is just over 21 minutes.

Right-click or control-click here to download audio version.

Lori Portka is a full-time artist with a mission to spread happiness.   Her designs appear on greeting cards, prints, calendars, prayer flags and magazines internationally. Lori is also the creator of A Month of Thank Yous Pack, which includes 30 art postcards for practicing gratitude.  All of her artwork is made with an open heart and the intention to spread love and healing.
Find her at LoriPortka.com

Welcome to Transformation Talk. Every Thursday for a year, starting in September 2012, I’ll post an interview with someone who is a force for good in the world. These men and women have either deepened their passion or found their calling after experiencing a loss, trauma or diagnosis.

I want to broaden the conversation around grief and its transformative power. My hope is that in their words you’ll find echoes of your story. In their inspired actions, you’ll see yourself and your immense possibility.

*Special Request: The technology of Skype is amazing and imperfect. Please listen with your heart and forgive the occasional blips on the screen.

Today’s interview is with Grace Quantock. Grace amazes me with her poise and well, grace. Just 25 years old, she has been living with chronic and debilitating illness for about 15 years and has turned from “Sick Chick to Trailblazer”. Unable to find an example of anyone living well with illness, she became her own example and has since created a wonderful community where people come together to share their stories and support each other. She’s also the founder of the non-profit Healing Boxes, which she’ll tell you about in the interview!

A quick note: at the end, she talks about her prowess in upsailing, which is what we might call rappelling, thanks to her years as a tree-protecting activist. I hate to the spoil the surprise, but I wanted to make sure everyone outside the UK knows what she’s talking about.

Running time is almost 25 minutes. Bio and link to audio download are below. If you’re receiving this via email, click through the title to view the video.

Right-click or control-click here to download the audio-only version.

Grace Quantock is a wellness provocateur, writer and founder of Sick Chick to Trail Blazer and Healing Boxes CIC.

She is thriving with multiple autoimmune illnesses and lives in Wales.

You can find her at GraceQuantock.com

Healing Boxes can be found at www.healing-boxes.com and on Facebook.com/Healing.Boxes.

Join the Trail Blazers’ Movement by signing up to the newsletter at www.sickchicktotrailblazer.com and follow Grace on Twitter @grace_quantock