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When Words Hesitate – Get Messy with Paint, Scissors, Glue
A mixed-methods approach to journaling offers a different and fun approach to reflection that can enhance creativity and create a flow state.

Brenda Riojas
22 hours ago5 min read


I Start Wondering Conversation: Journaling as Life’s Compass
In this podcast, Brenda Riojas and Lydia Pesina describe how journaling can tap into transformative inner wisdom to guide a woman’s life.
ISW Conversation
Nov 83 min read


Panning for Gold – The Power of Journaling
The act of journaling can significantly enrich our lives through offering a place to record dreams, reflections, and context from our day.

Brenda Riojas
Oct 114 min read


Revisit: Chaos Layers, Birds, and Finding My “Tempo Giusto”
Sometimes we need to commit to creativity. Dare yourself to embrace a budding passion by investing time and money, and enjoy a little chaos.

Brenda Riojas
Aug 94 min read


Carolyn Dahl and the Emotional Journey of Archiving
Women and creativity, older women and creativity, life review, Carolyn Dahl, I Start Wondering and creativity, I Start Wondering Conversations, older women and archiving, older women’s creativity, older women’s history, women’s history, creating a personal archive, emotions and archiving, Brenda Riojas
ISW Conversation
Apr 194 min read


Carolyn Dahl: Creating a Personal Archive
Archiving offers a process that preserves history for future generations. This podcast, which is the second in a three-part series feature
ISW Conversation
Jan 255 min read


Carolyn Dahl: Reviewing a Life Immersed in Arts
Women often have been creative throughout their lives. Looking historically through a life review shows that creative thread.
ISW Conversation
Dec 7, 20243 min read


The Art of Ritual: Embracing Life's Sacredness
Sometimes, women’s lives can seem like a gushing stream of responsibilities. However, creating a ritual can add sacredness to life’s tasks.

Brenda Riojas
Apr 27, 20244 min read


ISW Conversation: Story's Role in Our Lives
Women's lives are built around the stories we tell. This ISW Conversation contemplates the implications of those narratives.
ISW Conversation
Mar 23, 20241 min read


Wheee-ee-ee! Savoring Each Moment, Finding Springtime Joys
The changing season provides an opportunity for older women to immerse themselves in delight and tap into their creativity.

Brenda Riojas
Mar 2, 20243 min read


Making Space for the New
The world invites us to keep adding--but to do so well we need to subtract. What do you need to release to open space for the new?

Brenda Riojas
Dec 30, 20231 min read


The Gift of Chaos Layers
We often think of creative projects but hesitate to start. Luckily, adopting the approach of “chaos layers” can help shift our mindset.

Brenda Riojas
Nov 11, 20231 min read


Navigating Storms, Riding the Waves, Adjusting the Sails
With chaos seemingly becoming more common, it’s important for women to learn how to ride the waves through adjust life’s sails.

Brenda Riojas
Oct 28, 20233 min read


Changing Our Ways: Overcoming Bad Habits or Addictions
Older women often want to embrace life in new and empowering ways. Yet creating space in life also may require breaking bad habits.

Brenda Riojas
Apr 8, 20234 min read


Chaos Layers, Birds, and Finding My “Tempo Giusto”
Sometimes we need to commit to creativity. Dare yourself to embrace a budding passion by investing time and money, and enjoy a little chaos.

Brenda Riojas
Jan 14, 20234 min read


Momento Mori: Let’s Talk About Death
Death can make us squeamish as we get older. Maybe it’s time to reframe our thoughts to consider how we live the remainder of our days.

Brenda Riojas
Nov 5, 20224 min read


Finding the Way Back to Creativity Through ‘The Artist’s Way’
Emerging staleness can be challenging as we age. Using “The Artist’s Way” process, women can find and reengage our innate creativity.
Dorian Martin
Sep 24, 20227 min read


Learning to Optimize Energy Levels
Women often take energy levels for granted. But aging tinkers with these levels, making it critical to take steps to protect and replenish o

Brenda Riojas
Sep 10, 20224 min read


New Life Chapter Includes Love, Joy, Thorns
One of life’s blessings is becoming a grandparent. Yet this wonderful new chapter also calls for changes in how we approach life.

Brenda Riojas
Jul 30, 20224 min read


Respectful Listening in a Noisy World
Today, everybody wants to air their views. But stopping to understand another's message is where our power lies.

Brenda Riojas
Apr 1, 20224 min read
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