Gifts to Humanity Talks

Day 1

The Gift of Gratitude with Michelle Vitale.

Michelle is a dear friend and an incredible human who spends her days guiding others through holistic + compassionate psychotherapy. She is from Venezuela, living here in Rhode Island, is bilingual (English + Spanish), bicultural, and was raised in a biracial family. She is also a mediation and yoga guide, a group facilitator of therapy circles, and workshops that span topics from creativity to compassion to belonging.

As I say at the top of our conversation, when I think of gratitude, I think of Michelle. She embodies the virtue, not only through her work but through the way in which she moves through the world.

You can learn more about her story and her work by visiting michellevitale.com, or by connecting with her on Instagram @michelle.vitale.

Day 2

The Gift of Acceptance with Brittanny Taylor.

Brittanny is a longtime partner-in-creativity, a former partner-in-business, and a forever partner-in-life. She is a Providence, Rhode Island-based photographer working in New York, New England, and beyond, and her ever-growing list of credentials also includes certification as a hot yoga (26 +2) teacher, and soon-to-be certified practitioner in Life & Success Coaching, Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP), T.I.M.E.™ Techniques, Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT), and Clinical Hypnosis. Oh, yah, and did I mention, she’ll happily read your (tarot) cards?

Brittanny's "middle vibes" approach to life is refreshing— an invitation to release the density most of us allow to occupy our brain space— and to start from neutral. At first, it might seem counter-intuitive, but as she explains during our conversation, the mantra actually invokes activation. You might want a pen and journal handy because she drops some brilliant "damn-that-is-good-I-better-write-that-down" lines throughout this chat.

You can view her robust, impressive photography portfolio at brittannytaylor.com, and get to know her even better through her Instagram account @brittanny. (Her content is part tough love, part @brittanny.taylor, part @aloftinprovidence, part @percivalofprovidence, and part laughable taste tests with her partner Kyle → #givethepeoplewhattheywant).

Day 3

The Gift of Understanding with Dave Ursillo.

Dave is a writer and author, writing coach and leadership coach, and to me— an invaluable mentor and dear friend. After knowing each other for quite some time, we finally connected after consistently running into each other at a local coffee shop. (Shout out to Shannon at The Nook Coffee House located in East Greenwich, RI, for creating such a magical, cozy spot for community connection). Years later, when my dad's health declined, I called on Dave to support me in writing accountability because I knew I'd regret it if I didn't capture that season somehow.

Dave spends his days supporting creatives, professionals, and small business owners as they strive to express themselves in today’s world. Our work together, in many ways, has contributed to my clarity of vision for the future of And Celebrate, led me to create the And Celebrate Manifesto, and readied me to birth this particular project into the world. I couldn't be more grateful.

Each time we talk, I am always taken aback by his thoughtful and methodical use of words and the ability to translate complex ideas into beautiful, easily digestible nuggets of wisdom for integration into everyday life. This conversation is no different. In a short time frame, we cover the ever ongoing cyclical nature of life, the value of doing the work to understand ourselves better to reach a place of understanding and compassion for others. If you listen to the end, he shares a valuable tool for navigating boundaries, which can be especially tricky this time of year.

You can find out more about Dave by signing up for his newsletter, 'Chronicles of a Self-Storied Life," at DaveUrsillo.com/Newsletter or by connecting with him on Instagram @DaveUrsillo.

Day 4

The Gift of Curiosity with Victoria Volk.

Victoria Volk has navigated loss the majority of her life. She's found her purpose in her pain, and today helps other grievers move beyond loss as an Advanced Certified Grief Recovery Specialist both in-person and online. She's also a Reiki Master, Self-Published Author, and hosts her own podcast, Grieving Voices, available on all platforms.

She is a natural questioner (something we share in common). As she shares during our conversation, curiosity has connected her with people, opportunities, experiences, and a personal purpose that has led her to lead a life of richness and fulfillment.

One of the things I love most about Victoria is that she is someone who explores life's questions and lives her way to the answers (a line straight from the And Celebrate Manifesto)— and inspires others in her orbit to do the same. Toward the end of the conversation, she poses this question for consideration: "I wonder what it would be like (or feel like) to experience (_____)?" As you set some intentions for the new year, think about how you can live your way to answering that question in small and big ways. And, be sure to share the results of your pondering on Instagram by tagging @andcelebrate + @theunleashedheart.

When Victoria is not working her day job in crop insurance, or side-hustling in her business, The Unleashed Heart, you can find her enjoying quiet living with her husband, 3 teens, and pooch in rural ND. You can connect with Victoria by visiting her website theunleashedheart.com or saying hello on Instagram using the handle shared above.

Day 5

Lauren Giammarco

Lauren is a dear friend, curator of cozy spaces, and a wizard with words. She is a self-published author, working on a second book, and an active contributing writer at Elephant Journal. And, she is currently navigating a deep healing journey.

About a year ago, Lauren was diagnosed with CFS/ME, fibromyalgia, and chronic Lyme. After taking it in, and crying it out, she made the decision that those labels would not define who she is. She decided to look at them as terms that would be the starting point for her healing. The acceptance, as Brittanny shared her perspective on, Day 2, became a starting point for a new path forward.

Witnessing Lauren navigate her way back to wellness with fortitude and faith has been nothing short of inspiring. When doctors had no answers, she took matters into her own hands, and that is when the slow, but steady transformation began.

Lauren connects so many dots for me during this conversation regarding the interconnectedness of the key themes that comprise the And Celebrate philosophy and the tie back to faith— and you'll notice I couldn't help but speak them out loud.

Toward the end of the conversation, Lauren shares an idea that has helped her reconnect with her inner knowing and deepen her faith over the last several months. If you feel inspired to integrate that idea into your own life, we'd love to hear about it. Be sure to share with us on Instagram by tagging @andcelebrate + @heartbased_healing.

She has created a true healing oasis in her home and has an incredible support system through family and friends. You can learn more about Lauren by visiting heartbasedhealing.org, organizedforlife.net, or saying hello on Instagram @heartbased_healing, @laurengiammarco, or @organizedforlife.

Day 6

Inge Geleyn

Inge's heart can be felt through every interaction we’ve ever had and we live thousands of miles away— she in Belgium, I in Rhode Island in the US. Inge is someone who loves generously and often, so much so that she has built an entire business to express love and appreciation for others. It's called Thoughtful Gesture.

Inge has been referred to as a "shopping sleuth extraordinaire", and has a great nose for discovering lesser-known products, services, and stores, which guarantees that the gift suggestions she finds are also a little out of the ordinary.

Right at the top of our conversation, Inge drops a beautiful "truth bomb" as she declares, "kindness is the gateway to connection." That line really struck. As a collective, we could sure benefit from connection more than ever. And to think we could get there if we all walked through our daily lives being a touch more thoughtful and kind, that blows my mind. It is such a delightful conversation all the way through, and if you're anything like me, you might find yourself reflecting on this one for days to come.

In true Inge fashion, she was kind enough to create a beautiful gift guide offering 10 cozy and mindful gift ideas. Not only are the gift ideas great, but the guide is beautiful! When you visit her website and sign-up for her newsletter, you'll receive instant access.

Inge, like many of us, hangs out on Instagram @thoughtfulgesture, so be sure to find her and say hello.

Day 7

Stefan Di Pippo

Stefan wears many creative hats; he is an actor, an artist, a living statue, a fine art film photographer, a carpenter, a comedian— and one of the funniest people I know. We first connected a couple of years ago through a mutual friend and a fast friendship was formed. Since then, we've gone on to create and collaborate in a variety of ways. He's the kind of friend who gives you the confidence to be yourself. And, one who regularly invites laughter and a different way of looking at things in the conversation. For all of these reasons and many more, I couldn’t think of a better guest to deliver the gift of laughter.

This popcorn conversation (idea, tangent ... new, slightly-related-idea, tangent) will likely keep you on your toes and have you laughing often and contemplating more than maybe you thought you would.

We cover the benefits of laugher, unpack both sides of the emotional laugh|cry coin, dip into the origins of comedy, and spend a good amount of time chatting about one major Universal truth. Can you guess what it is? Then, toward the end of our conversation, Stefan reflects on a cross-country road trip he took with his cousin last year, and he leaves us with some excellent considerations for preserving truth.

You can hello to Stefan on Instagram at @stefan_dipippo or @sd_filmfoto. And, be sure to check out his website, fineartfilmphotography.com. His work is powerful, and his gift for storytelling matches the imagery he has beautifully captured; it brings you right to that moment of truth in real-time. A master of truth preservation in his own right, if you ask me.

Day 8

Michelle Marsh

With education and experience in both mental and physical well-being, Michelle specializes in helping others connect with themselves to bring about self-awareness and personal growth.

Michelle has created a practice called Aromanosis which she teaches through her Aromanosis Practice Group, workshops, and retreats. Journaling, ritual, and meditation form the cornerstones of Aromanosis but the practice is continuously evolving, incorporating a range of modalities to better support her growing community. The practice couldn't be more perfectly aligned with today's gift of emotion, and I'm so excited for you to listen to the wisdom Michelle openly and lovingly shares.

To record this conversation, Michelle and I connected as the sun was rising in Perth, Australia, and the sun was setting here in Providence, Rhode Island. I meeeannn, come on, how cool is that?

Being in conversation with Michelle feels like being embraced in a warm hug. Michelle‘s enchanting way with words sets the tone for a deeply visual and enriching conversation (and let’s be honest hearing anything delivered in an Australian accent only amplifies the richness of the words being shared, am I right? There’s is something innately magical about the land Down Under and the people living there, no doubt).

She is someone who wears her heart on her sleeve, and in doing so, invites others to do the same. When we bury the "emotional coin" as Michelle describes, we risk not feeling anything at all. If we numb ourselves to life, then are we really even living? Michelle shares some extremely tangible tools for learning to read our emotions clearly and how to begin using them as a guidance system for creating a life of alignment and celebration.

Of all the social media platforms available to us, Michelle, like many of us, loves to hang out on Instagram. You can find her there at @happymemichelle or @aromanosis— please be sure to say hello. Additionally, you can find an abundance of resources available for free on her website, aromanosis.com.au.

Day 9

Olivia Rodrigues

Olivia is multi-faceted, multi-passionate, and multi-lingual. She is delightfully original, masterfully creative, and fiercely stylish. (Ahem, check out this bio photo! Today, we might be talking about play, but she did not come to play in this stunning image).

Olivia is someone who has serious ambition, yet takes a playful approach to this game called life. As I reflect on our shared history, past business partnership, and longtime friendship, play has been prevalent throughout it all. I couldn’t think of a better person to deliver the gift of play.

As creative director at Antou Studio, a styling agency showcasing African fashion and design through style and creative direction, she relies on play to bring her editorial visions to life. As a personal stylist, she encourages her 1-on-1 clients to play with the items in their closets and have fun mixing-and-matching their wardrobe. And, as a mom to a vibrant 7-year-old, she is constantly reminded to shake it up, sing, dance, laugh, and be silly when she finds herself getting too serious, or feeling stuck on a specific task.

Olivia delivers several “Oooooh-I-better-take-note-of-this” nuggets throughout this conversation, so keep a pen and notebook ready.

You can learn more about Olivia by connecting with her on Instagram at her personal account, @theoliviarodgiues, where she shares content that will spark your creativity and remind you to have some fun along the way. And, be sure to visit her website antoustudio.com— inspired by her mom, Antoinette, this venture is a celebration of personal style and individuality. It is heritage and cultural awareness. It is about stories of triumphs and dream building. It’s about strength and resilience. You can stay informed & inspired via Instagram and Facebook @antoustudio.

Day 10

Phoebe Mroczek

Phoebe is an author, podcaster, and thought leader in the spiritual growth and consciousness space. She is exceptional at helping others gain clarity, make great decisions, and stay true to their calling.

We first connected in San Francisco on-set of a Creative Live taping back in January of 2017. We happened to sit together during a break and she mentioned a podcast she was co-hosting at the time. As the Universe would have it, during my long flight back to the East Coast, that particular podcast was the only one I could get to play. (Airplane Wifi, oh, it has been so long). We stayed in touch and later went on to form a coaching relationship, a collaborative community building partnership, and a lasting friendship.

Phoebe embodies the concept of Unbecoming®— in fact, she is on a mission to unravel the misconception that you need to become something or anything other than who you are to be the person, do the work, and have the impact you want in your life. There are people in our lives that serve as mirrors to help us see parts of ourselves we cannot see. Then, there are people who see right through all the layers of us and invite us to step into our soul’s evolution. Phoebe has been the latter for me. I believe everyone deserves to have a Phoebe in their lives.

One of the aspects of unbecoming involves practicing presence. Presence has been an ongoing practice of Phoebe’s for quite some time. But, as she shares during our conversation, just over a year ago, she experienced a traumatic accident. And, it has been the practice of presence that has become an essential component of her healing. I could think of no better person to explore this topic with. In true Phoebe fashion, she delivers TRUTHbump moment after TRUTHbump moment. Get a pen and notebook ready!

You can learn more about Phoebe and her mission of Unbecoming® by tuning into her leading podcast and nationally-syndicated radio show by the same name anywhere podcasts are shared. And, say hello to her on Instagram at @phoebemroczek.

Day 11

Carolyn Jayne

Carolyn has a Master's degree in Expressive Arts Therapy. She is an artist, a teacher, an astrologer, and a spiritual guide for those interested in living out their highest potential. She uses tools like Human Design, the Gene Keys, visual journaling, and meditation, to help others connect more deeply with themselves and live in alignment with their truth.  

Carolyn and I first connected about 5 years ago at a fundraiser for the Providence, Rhode Island-based Center for Sexual Pleasure and Health— she was a contributing artist, and I was a member of the event planning committee. We quickly hit it off and got to talking about all things astrological, magical and mystical.

At the time, Carolyn was just starting to offer readings in Human Design, and I treated myself to one for my birthday. (She and I share the same sun sign, Scorpio sisters!) It was incredibly illuminating. Much time has passed since we first connected, but around our birthdays again this year, we were reconnected and I feel so blessed to be learning more about myself and the interconnectedness of all things through her guidance.

Carolyn is a natural teacher. She has a gift for eloquently synthesizing complex ideas, which you'll pick up on right away during this conversation. I could listen to her share her knowledge for hours, and this conversation is the first in the series that goes slightly over our 30-minute timeframe! (Oops!) You can feel Carolyn's energy and enthusiasm for life through this audio, but if you ever have the opportunity to enter her physical space, that energetic exchange will be felt on a whole different level. Her art covers her walls, and her fairy houses that she's built from scratch occupy unexpected corners of her home/studio. She talks in-depth about creativity and believes that creativity is synonymous with life force energy. To be alive is to be creative! Toward the end of our conversation, she shares a visual journaling practice that has been integral for her in cultivating a relationship with Source. Have your pens and notebooks ready!

Carolyn is a gem and she would love to connect with you on Instagram— you can find her at @cjayneart, or send her an email at cjayneart@yahoo.com.

Day 12

Jon Hope

Jon is a Hip Hop lyricist and creator based here in Providence, Rhode Island. He has built a loyal following through his inspirational quotables and authentic stories about life in the PVD. His talent can be seen and heard through collaborations with industry heavyweights like Diddy and on platforms such as REVOLT, BET, and Billboard.

We connected several years ago when Jon popped in on Brittanny Taylor (Gift of Acceptance, Day 2) and I happened to be at her place. We got to chatting about life and business and creativity and the pursuit of passion as a means of contribution in the world— despite setbacks, adversity, and hardship.

That conversation all those years ago is one that stuck with me. He is someone I deeply admire. Not only is his artistry in service to the world, but he is someone who is passionately and unapologetically living his truth. In doing so, he is inspiring others to do the same. I've loved watching him continue to rise over the last few years.

His message of hope is timeless, but at this moment it feels especially timely. I'm so honored that he enthusiastically agreed to record this conversation without hesitation or much notice. The wisdom and perspective he shares feels like the ideal endcap to this series. You'll definitely want to have a notebook and something to write with ready.

You can learn more about Jon by visiting his website, jonhopepvd.com, and connecting with him on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook under the handle @JonHopePVD. Find and follow him on SoundCloud or Spotify too because you're not going to want to miss the release of his upcoming album, "Hope All Is Well."