Essential Astonishments

“It’s not about what happens to us, it’s about who we become going through it.” Gina Mazza In this episode of 15 with Fosca, I sit down with author, editor, and self-described “word provocateur” and “creative alchemist”, Gina Mazza, for a grounded and expansive conversation about writing, fear, consciousness, and why storytelling may be the most powerful force we have.Gina has built a career not only as a writer, but as a guide for other writers. She helps authors shape their ideas, find their voice, and navigate the often intimidating world of publishing, whether traditional, hybrid, or self-publishing. We talk about her award-winning poetry collection, Essential Astonishments, which was born in an extraordinary way, through 3 a.m. awakenings where she felt called to “take dictation” from something beyond herself. Listening to her describe that experience reminded me of my own early-morning writing sessions, those moments when the words seem to arrive fully formed, as if they’ve been waiting for us.Gina asks a question that I haven’t stopped thinking about: “What must I say before I die?” It’s a powerful way to frame the writing process; not as something we “should” do because it looks impressive, but as something that feels necessary. We also talk about the emotional reality of publishing. How vulnerable it feels. How rejection stings. How launching a book can feel like stepping off a cliff. And how important it is to have both creative support and practical strategy, because books aren’t just written, they’re raised.What I loved most about this conversation is Gina’s duality: she moves easily between the spiritual and the strategic, the intuitive and the practical. She understands that writing is both art and product, soul-work and marketing reality.At its heart, this episode is about courage; the courage to listen to that quiet voice, to follow the spark when it arrives (even if it’s at 3 a.m.), and to trust that our stories matter.If you’ve ever felt the pull to write, or the fear that stops you, this conversation is for you.Gina Mazza Biography and Links Gina Mazza has worked and played with words on a professional basis for nearly four decades. She’s an award-winning journalist and author of five books in the personal growth category, including Everything Matters, Nothing Matters (St. Lynn’s Press), which was praised in Publisher’s Weekly. Her latest release, Essential Astonishments: Poetic Reflections for Awakening, answers the soul’s longing to speak with intimacy about the bliss and bewilderment of the human experience.Gina runs a company that helps other writers bring forth their creative expressions, particularly in the spirituality/consciousness/wellness space. Her offerings include ghostwriting, editing, publishing consulting, “creative musing”, book promotion and branding. Gina also has a solid background in PR and advertising, media writing, corporate communications, entrepreneurship and the use of intuitive guidance to elucidate one's work, mission, passion and purpose.https://ginamazza.comFacebook: gina.mazzaInsta: @ginamazza_poetryLinkedIn:ginamazzaShare, like, comment, review, and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. Podcast Producer: Andrew Niklas Curtis Production Intern: Nicole StevensRecorded via Zoom, post-production Lorenzo Maiani, Faminore Sound Agency