The Qreative Life

Find Yasmin Ali online:Artist Website: https://www.yasminaliart.comSaatchi Art profile: https://www.saatchiart.com/yasminaliEtsy shop: https://twistedbrushdesigns.etsy.comMore about Yasmin Ali:Yasmin Ali is a Chicago-based, self-taught painter working primarily in oils. Her heavily textured, carved abstract paintings are inspired by natural systems—trees, water, wind, and roots—and the ways they hold growth, pressure, and resilience over time. Her process is intuitive and layered, with each mark responding to the one before it. Through building, cutting, and carving the paint surface, she creates compositions that reflect inner states as much as external ones, exploring identity, memory, and how what’s underneath the surface informs what’s above it. Yasmin’s practice also extends into digital and AI-informed work, creating an approach that sits where art tradition and experimentation meet. Through her brand TwistedBrush, she brings her work into everyday spaces through prints and designed objects. With a background in music, performance, and community organizing, she approaches painting as a form of composition—built through the rhythm, balance and movement that create s

In this episode of The Qreative Life podcast, Q talks to her friend and former co-worker, Sarah Orman. Orman has left behind her days as an attorney and is now pursuing a degree in poetry from Texas State University. Listen in as they discuss their shared interest in reading and writing, and what it's like to make profound life changes in middle age.More about Sarah Orman:Sarah Orman used to practice law. Now she writes personal essays and poetry. Her work has been published in The Barbed Wire, Narrative, Witness, the Barbed Wire, and elsewhere. Her essay, "How She Suffered," received honorable mention in the 2024 Plentitudes Prizes. By day, she is a writing coach, freelance editor, and Assistant Editor for Narrative. She is a poetry MFA student at Texas State University and lives with her family in Austin.Find Sarah Orman online:WebsiteSubstackSign up for the TQL newsletter with monthly reflections, creative inspiration, and updates on podcast guests.

In this episode, Q sits down with film prof, journalist, and podcaster extraordinaire, Zaki Hasan. They discuss new and upcoming films, the threat that AI and modern media pose to storytelling, and the role of our humanity in making great films. More about Zaki Hasan: Born and raised in Chicago before settling in the Bay Area, Zaki Hasan is an award-winning journalist with more than 30 years of experience in media scholarship and criticism. In addition to co-hosting the long-running MovieFilm Podcast, his reviews and analyses appear regularly in The San Francisco Chronicle, TheWrap, and IGN. He is co-author of Geek Wisdom: The Sacred Teachings of Nerd Culture, and other books on the Star Wars, Star Trek, Planet of the Apes, and Blade Runner franchises, and a member of the Hollywood Creative Alliance and the San Francisco Bay Area Film Critics Circle. Find Zaki Online: The MovieFilm Podcast on Patreon: https://www.youtube.com/@moviefilmpodcast - Personal Blog http://www.zakiscorner.com/ - Zaki Hasan on Rotten Tomatoes https://www.rottentomatoes.com/critics/zaki-hasan/movies Find Zaki on Social Media: Zaki on Threads - https://www.threads.com/@zakiscorner Zaki on BlueSky - https://bsky.app/profile/zakiscorner.bsky.social Zaki on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/zakiscorner/?hl=en -------------------Sign up for the TQL newsletter with monthly reflections, creative inspiration, and updates on podcast guests: https://mailchi.mp/d81f5edab394/amanda-quraishi-newsletter-sign-up

In this episode of The Qreative Life podcast, Q chats up indie author Georgina Kiersten, a queer, disabled writer of romantasy novels. They discuss Kiersten's creative path, from being diagnosed with dyslexia to embracing their passion for writing to taking the bold step to publish their own work. The conversation covers topics ranging from claiming your own creative power through fanfic to the futility of using AI to fulfill your creative urges. More about Georgina Kiersten:Georgina Kiersten is a romance author from San Antonio, Texas. They are best known for their wide range of LGBTQ+ romance novels featuring Black queer and trans individuals. Kiersten's experience being a Black queer trans disabled person who has dyslexia, ADHD, and who is also autistic gives them a unique perspective when it comes to writing romance. Their unique lived experiences only further drive their passion for creating diverse and inclusive romance stories.Find Georgina Kiersten online:- Author Website: https://georginakiersten.com- Author Blog: https://loudinthemargins.com/Find Georgina Kiersten on social media:- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Author-Georgina-Kiersten/100075258071473/- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ingloriousgigi/--------------------Sign up for the TQL newsletter with monthly reflections, creative inspiration, and updates on podcast guests:https://mailchi.mp/d81f5edab394/amanda-quraishi-newsletter-sign-up

In this episode, Q interviews Houston-based author E.A. Williams. They discuss Williams' transition from screenplay writer to novelist, and the value of writing what you love. Williams shares her childhood struggle with dyslexia, her family's enthusiasm for her artistic career choices, and the value of cultivating an authorial persona, à la Anne Rice.Find E.A. Williams online:- Website: https://eawilliamsbooks.com- Bookshop: https://eawilliamsbooks.com/shop/Find E.A. Williams on social media:- TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@eawilliamsbook- Instagram: instagram.com/e.a.williamsbooks/- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/E.A.WilliamsLitAbout E.A. Williams:A graduate of the University of North Texas where she studied film and playwriting, E.A. Williams often imbues her stories with the diverse and challenging landscape of her home state. From her thrilling debut series, The Line of Tepes to her short stories featured in publications like Mixed Bag of Tricks, Femme Fairytales, and Grimoire for Honeyed Spells, no matter how fantastical, Williams brings a unique Texan voice to her writing. Williams learned just how invaluable a writing community could be while helping run a writer’s collective during university. Whether she is working on her own writing or helping to coordinate events for Armadillo Authors Society, Williams is always looking for ways to connect with the arts community.

In the first-ever video version of The Qreative Life podcast, Q is joined by her bestie and creative partner, Ilene Haddad. The two discuss their upcoming co-launch for their books, why creators all seem to suffer from the same kinds of insecurities, and how Ilene went about writing and illustrating a memoir about her marriage.Find Ilene Haddad online:https://casaweenie.com/Find Daniela Quirke (Q's nom de plume) online:https://www.danielaquirke.com/

In this episode of The Qreative Life podcast, Q chats with her friend and fellow creative, Jo Hunter. They discuss Jo's unique use of both creativity and engineering in her work, and her lifelong passion for aircraft.More about Jo Hunter:Jo has always had one foot in each of the two camps of art and science. She grew up in the UK and emigrated to Texas in 2006 with her husband Alan. They lived in Austin for 15 years before moving to Kerrville in 2022, where Jo now uses a combination of digital artwork, laser cutter and 3D printing to make custom clocks, lamps and astronomical instruments. Jo has also enjoyed aviation photography for almost 30 years, during which time she has been published in a variety of magazines, and spent a similar amount of time working as a website coder.While she does not yet have her pilot certificate, she has accumulated a number of rides in interesting aircraft. The pandemic forced a shift into digital illustration rather than photography, which then led to many of the patterns and shapes used in her current art.Jo enjoyed several years as a glass artist before discovering lasers, and would like to continue that if she ever gets her workshop uncluttered. She dabbles in other creative pursuits such as painting and leatherwork, believing that a good art class now and again leads to cross-pollination of skills and ultimately, more ways to achieve the visions in her head.Find Jo Hunter online:Aviation Photography Website: http://futurshox.netHandmade items from Jo's workshop: http://wavytail.comFind Jo on social media:Bluesky (@futurshox.net): https://bsky.app/profile/futurshox.netMastodon: @[email protected] (@Wavytail_art): @[email protected]

In this episode, Q talks with her friend and former co-worker, photographer Virginia Hernandez. They discuss Virginia’s new venture, striking out as a full-time working creative, her latest creative partnership, the value of a creative community, and the importance of having space to figure out who you are as an artist.More about Virginia:Virginia Hernandez is an award-winning photographer and video producer with a lifelong passion for visual storytelling. Her journey began at the age of eight when she received her first film camera—a bright red Vivitar that quickly became her prized possession. She later expanded into video production during college, taking on nearly every role on student documentary sets and eventually contributing to television shows and live broadcasts.Known for her ability to capture authentic moments, Virginia excels at building a natural sense of comfort and openness with her subjects, both in front of and behind the lens. Her photography has been featured on Reagan Billboards, included in the Austin History Center archives, and published in magazines and newspapers across Texas. Her video work has reached national audiences, appearing on digital billboards and at large-scale corporate events throughout the state.A native Texan and longtime Austin resident, Virginia has called the city home for over 20 years. Outside of her professional work, she enjoys spending time with her family and her many beloved cats. She finds joy and creative fuel in live music, playing bass guitar, cooking, traveling, and delivering a steady stream of bad jokes.Find Virginia online:WEBSITE:  virginiahernandez.comWEBSITE:  streamlinecreativeatx.comINSTAGRAM: @virginia.hernandezphotoINSTAGRAM: @streamlinecreativeatx

In this episode of The Qreative Life podcast, Q reconnects with Rita Toikka, an artist who has followed an unconventional path - first as a frontwoman of an L.A.-based rock band, then as a visual artist and educator. Toikka shares the story of her life, with all its successes and challenges, in this fascinating and heartfelt conversation.About Rita Toikka:Exquisite lucid dreams, sleep paralysis, and experimentation inspire my creations. I abstract my subconscious experience into more concrete forms to explore my connection to the spaces I occupy physically and existentially. It simultaneously drives me to collapse into myself, while exposing my precious oddities to others in an effort to deepen my worldly connections. Metal, wood, resin, and any other material I may encounter facilitates my need to build. I create, deconstruct, and rearrange to transform fragments of images, feeling, and wonder into more complete thoughts that add to my understanding of what it means to exist.Find Rita Toikka online:Website [ritatoikka.com]Instagram [@ritatoikka]

In this episode, Q fangirls over guest Curtis Roush, a guitarist, singer, songwriter, producer, and recording engineer for 25 years, and founder of The Bright Light Social Hour. They discuss the challenges of being a full-time indie rock band, and Roush's creative process for composing and producing music.Find Curtis online:Instagram (@curtisroush)Spotify Find The Bright Light Social Hour online:Website (thebrightlightsocialhour.com)Bandcamp (thebrightlightsocialhour.bandcamp.com)SpotifyInstagram (@tblsh)

In this episode, Q interviews Rabbi Ruth Abusch-Magder – a community connector, an artist, and a mom with a PhD. in Religious studies from Yale University and rabbinical ordination from Hebrew Union College. Originally from Canada, she now lives in Atlanta, GA, where she and her husband do pottery at the Spruill Arts Center. Ruth loves cooking and especially baking challah. Please help us reach new listeners by rating our show and subscribing wherever you get your podcasts.

In this episode, Q talks to Jena Kirkpatrick of Evermore.org, Jackie O’Brien of The Bright Light Social Hour, and Erin Walter of Parker Woodland about grief, and the role art plays in processing after monumental loss.  Buy tickets for Love is Evermore benefit show on 11/17/24:  https://evermore.org/love-is-for-evermore Find Evermore online: Website: https://evermore.org Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/EvermoreforAll Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EvermoreForAll Find Jackie O’Brien online: tblsh Website: https://www.thebrightlightsocialhour.com tblsh Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tblsh Starflake Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/itsjackobrien Find Erin Walter online: Parker Woodland Website: https://www.parkerwoodland.com Parker Woodland Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/parkerwoodlandband Parker Woodland Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/parkerwoodlandband

In this episode, Q talks to her friend Tarik Trad, founder of Focus Relief Photography for Charity. They discuss Tarik's lifelong love of photography, a chance encounter that led him to Antarctica, and his passion for service that resulted in founding Focus Relief. Tarik is a wildlife photographer, digital strategist, storyteller and author who’s photography has led him to explore and capture distant and not-so-distant destinations, such as the Antarctic Peninsula; the Galapagos Islands; Havana, Cuba; Mendenhall Glacier in Alaska; the Na Pali Coast of Hawaii; the Lacandon Jungle of Mexico; the backcountry of Yosemite and Patagonia; and many other unique places across the globe. He has worked for such industry giants as the Los Angeles Times, Ernst & Young and Northrop Grumman and served as a backcountry ranger in Yosemite National Park. In 2022, he published his first book, “Antarctica – A Photographic Expedition.” In a limited-edition run, this full-sized, 92-page coffee table book is filled with nearly 100 one-of-a-kind photos along with intimate stories from his transformative journey. It sold out almost immediately. He was born, raised, and resides in the Los Angeles area where, among other things, he is trying to understand why we drive on a parkway yet park on a driveway. Find Tarik online: Focus Relief - www.focusrelief.com Photo Blog - www.tariktrad.com/in-a-flash The Way South - A Digital Expedition of the Antarctic Peninsula www.focusrelief.com/tws Find Tarik on social media: instagram.com/tarikofthenorth facebook.com/tarikofthenorth

In this episode Q hangs out with Erin Walter and Andrew Solin of the indie rock trio, Parker Woodland. The three of them discuss the evolution of Parker Woodland, their respective creative histories and processes, and their new album “There’s No Such Thing as Time” due out in September 2024.  More about Parker Woodland: Fast-rising indie rock trio Parker Woodland began as neighbors jamming in a small church in Austin, TX, and soon evolved into a powerful, sweat-soaked live experience. At the center is joyfully expressive frontwoman Erin Walter, a justice activist from the Girls Rock Camp and LGBTQIA+ scene, and Unitarian Universalist minister. 
The World’s On Fire (and We Still Fall In Love) -- Parker Woodland's 2021 debut EP, recorded with Jonas Wilson of Mr. Pink Records -- pulses with life-affirming energy, fuzzy riffs, and catchy, shout-along vocals. Parker Woodland spent 2021-22 putting out a live EP and music video trilogy, all while on a unique 120-city virtual tour (including a peace benefit with Willie Nelson, a women’s conference, Rock the Vote events, and UU churches). In 2022, guitarist Andrew Solin and drummer Keri Cinquina joined Parker Woodland, and the band began writing their first full-length album, playing a cathartic new live set of pandemic-era anthems. "When you write a song, that’s often where you discover what you really believe," Walter says. "I believe life is short, beautiful, and hard, and we will get through it together.” Read The Austin Chronicle’s coverage of the first single and video from their new album, "Makeup, " inspired by the fight for trans youth rights in Texas.  Find Parker Woodland online: Website [parkerwoodland.com] Spotify  Bands In Town Soundcloud Connect with Parker Woodland on social media: Instagram [instagram.com/parkerwoodlandband] Facebook [facebook.com/parkerwoodland] X [x.com/parkerwoodland]

In this episode, Q talks with Austin-based writer and author Roanna Flowers about Roanna's lifelong obsession with the written word, how she 'found her voice', and the benefits of breaking your own rules to overcome creative resistance. About Roanna: Roanna Flowers is a writer based in Austin, Texas. Her short story "The Bitches of Eastwick" was recently published in the anthology, Mixed Bag of Tricks. She is the writer of three award-winning short films, one of which played in over 30 festivals world-wide including the Cannes Short Film Corner. Roanna is the former editor of Treatment Today magazine, for which she interviewed the Ann Richards, General Colin Powell, and composer Paul Williams. Her claim to fame was asking a question that made Ann Richards speechless. Find Roanna Online: Website / Blog Connect with Roanna: BlueSky X Instagram Read Roanna Mixed Bag of Tricks (anthology)

In this episode of TQL podcast, Q talks with her friend Debra Haas about making jewelry and why its so important to her as a creative act. They discuss the difference between an art and a craft; how important it is to listen to practice self-care as an artist; and the value of having creative community. About Debra Haas: After 30+ years as a parent and policy wonk, Deb started taking introductory metal-smithing classes when she became an empty nester. The pandemic forced a premature hiatus, but now she's back at the bench living he best life, taking classes at Austin Community College in the jewelry department - for the pure joy of learning and creating. Find Deb on Social Media: Instagram (@facetsofmyself) Shout out to: Petals Inc.

In this episode of The Qreative Life podcast, Q is joined by musician and frontman Nelson Valente Aguilar, founder of the nuevo cumbia band Como Las Movies. Listen as Aguilar describes the origins of his musical career, starting when he was five-years-old, and listen as he overcomes social, economic and creative obstacles to lead one of the most exciting emerging American-based Latin acts of the past decade. Nelson Valente Aguilar, an Austinite by way of the border town McAllen Texas, is chief composer for his indie-cumbia-pop project, Como Las Movies. He combines his pan-Latin and contemporary influences into a duality that NPR described as “...a colorful, cultural soundscape from a unique blend of instruments.” KCRW observes that their music “is occupies a space where traditional Tejano, Cumbia, and Son Jarocho music meet face to face with synth-heavy new wave inspiration. It’s not a dense space with many inhabitants…in fact they may be there by themselves.” Joel Moya, Remezcla says “Don’t be surprised if you hear them in the near future on the big screen, scoring the next mexploitation movie, and Kevin Curtin, The Austin Chronicle adds CLM’s musical palette is “...expressly cinematic, but thrives on spacey Latin pop tunes…” Listen to Como Las Movies (and buy their music + merch) on Bandcamp: Como Las Movies Follow Como Las Movies on Social Media: Instagram TikTok

Geoff Marslett is a director, writer, producer, animator and actor. His career started with the punk rock animated short Monkey vs. Robot before directing three narrative films Quantum Cowboys, MARS and Loves Her Gun, as well as producing on and acting in the experimental feature documentary Yakona and the upcoming film Before I Fade Away Into Nothing. He has appeared onscreen in films like Thou Wast Mild and Lovely and Tombstone Rashomon and even a TV guest starring role as the unibomber. He currently resides in Tucson, Austin and Boulder, splitting his time between filmmaking and teaching. His work has played at over 100 festivals including SXSW, Sundance, BFI London; and he was named one of Filmmaker Magazines 25 New Filmmakers to Watch in 2009. He is launching his first ever online writing platform on Substack later this year to share some of his anecdotal experience in this crazy biz. He grew up a cowboy with an interest in physics and art, and has a place in his heart for feral cats. He still loves making things. FIND GEOFF ONLINE: Swerve Pictures [swervepictures.com] IMDB [imdb.com/name/nm0004082] Youtube [youtube.com/user/swervepictures] Vimeo [vimeo.com/channels/785892] FIND GEOFF ON SOCIAL MEDIA: Personal Instagram - @gmarslett Film Instagram - @quantum_cowboys

Tanzila “Taz” Ahmed is a political strategist, storyteller, and artist based in Los Angeles. She creates at the intersection of counternarratives and culture-shifting as a South Asian American Muslim 2nd-gen woman. She’s turned out over 500,000 Asian American voters, recorded five years of the award winning Good Muslim Bad Muslim podcast and made #MuslimVDay cards for a decade. Her essays are published in the anthologies, New Moons, Pretty Bitches, Whiter, Good Girls Marry Doctors, Love Inshallah, and in numerous online publications. She’s published poetry collections Emdash and Ellipses (2016) & The Day The Moon Split in Two (2020), is featured in Tia Chucha’s Coiled Serpent (2016) and her poetry has been commissioned by the Center for Cultural Power, PolicyLink, the Garment Worker Center, KPCC’s Unheard LA, and more. In July 2023, her first solo visual art show “Aunties with Deadly Stare” was exhibited at LA Artcore and her art has been shown in various exhibits including the Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art in the Acts of Faith exhibit and the Smithsonian APA Center’s “H-1B” exhibit. A protest sign she designed for the 2017 Women’s March sits in the permanent archives of the Smithsonian Museum of American History. Her latest poetry collection “Grasping At This Planet Just to Believe” will be published April 2024 with Writ Large Projects. Website [www.tazzystar.me] Etsy Shop [https://www.etsy.com/shop/TazzyStarShop] New Poetry Book OUT NOW - "Grasping at this Planet Just to Believe" [https://www.writlargeprojects.com/shop/p/tanzila-ahmed-grasping-at-this-planet]

In this episode of The Qreative Life podcast, Q sits down with LA-based PR and marketing expert Ericka Simone who has been working for decades in the music industry. They discuss what it takes to “make it” in the music business, and why Simone chose to follow her own particular path helping to launch and promote artists.  About Ericka: Website: https://www.espr.media Social Media: instagram.com/_erickasimone_ https://pixelfed.social/i/web/profile/659257075609224914

In this episode of The Qreative Life podcast, listen in as host Amanda Quraishi (aka Q) chats up journalist and film critic Zaki Hasan. The two of them discuss what makes for great storytelling, and what we can expect from the next generation of filmmakers. ABOUT ZAKI: Zaki Hasan is an award-winning journalist whose film reviews and analyses appear regularly in The San Francisco Chronicle, IGN, and The Wrap. He is also a member of the San Francisco Bay Area Film Critics Circle and Hollywood Creative Alliance and co-host of the MovieFilm Podcast, a weekly discussion show featuring news, reviews, and interviews with some of the biggest names in Hollywood. Find Zaki online: Website The MovieFilm Podcast Find Zaki on social media: Instagram [instagram.com/zakiscorner] Twitter [twitter.com/zakiscorner] BlueSky [bsky.app/profile/zakiscorner.bsky.social] Threads [threads.net/@zakiscorner]

In this episode of The Qreative Life podcast, Amanda Quraishi (Q) chats with Austin-based photojournalist Michael Maly. Maly began taking his photography seriously just five years ago, and since that time has earned a reputation for his work photographing musical acts in Austin’s robust live-music scene. ----- About Michael Maly: Wide-eyed, curious, and feeding an insatiable appetite for knowledge through relationships, conversations, exploration, and knowledge. Expressing my personal experiences with the people and the world through a lens and occasionally with words. Open to possibilities and encouraging change through understanding.  Everyone has a story that is waiting to be told. Live a great story.  Music + People + Life ----- Find Michael Maly online: https://mmalyphotography.com Find Michael Maly on Social Media: Instagram: @mmalyphotography Facebook: /mmalyphotography

In this episode of The Qreative Life podcast, Q talks with her longtime friend, Tom Myer. They dig into Myer’s creative past and his recent reclamation of painting as a medium; and they talk about the meaning and purpose of art. This episode was recorded on a Friday evening, so prepare yourself for a slightly unhinged, swear-word-filled conversation between two self-proclaimed assholes. About Tom Myer: Tom Myer is an artist, writer, hiker, flyfisherdude, showshoer, blues guitar player, gadfly, grumpy old sod, and dog dad. He’s what happens when you mix colonizer (German/Scottish/Spanish) with indigenous (Haudenosaunee & Ngabe-Bugle). He’s “anti-fascist and anti-Trump as fuck.” In his spare time he’s a “defender of public libraries and basically anything that will piss off the far right and/or evangelicals and/or NIMBY Karens.” Find Tom Myer online: www.myerman.art Find Tom Myer on Instagram: @myerman.art [https://www.instagram.com/myerman.art]

In this episode Q talks with textile artist and tai-chi instructor Natalie Durkin. They discuss what it took for Natalie to reclaim her creativity as an adult and make it her occupation; and they discuss the benefits of paying attention to our ‘drunken muses’ when they tell us to do random, interesting things.  About Natalie: Natalie Durkin is an artist currently specializing in using repurposed and upcycled textiles to create fabric portraits and other functional and decorative textile creations.  After decades of being told it was unrealistic and irresponsible to earn a living from her creativity, Durkin decided she owed it to her true self to take back her creative power. The shift began in 2020 as a result of the pandemic which also coincided with her being diagnosed with a connective tissue disorder that caused joint instability, repeat injuries and chronic pain. This one-two punch led her to the discovery of her passion for repurposed textiles as her artistic medium as well as the unplanned but necessary retirement from a 23-year career as a structural and rehabilitative massage therapist in the summer of 2022. Because her condition made it potentially dangerous and unwise to continue being an LMT,  she decided that it was the time to make living and earning creatively as an artist her priority.  Durkin is currently growing an online audience and working on incoming commissions while continuing to learn how to balance her physical stamina. She’s also a professional martial arts instructor with black belts in Taekwondo, Yang and Chen Styles of Tai Chi, and Hung Gar Kung Fu.  Find Natalie Online: Instagram:  @natalie_durkin_textile_arts Facebook: Natalie Durkin Textile Artist (https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61554240999966 ) Featured by Austin Creative Reuse (https://austincreativereuse.org/blog/artist-spotlight-natalie-durkin)

This episode is a conversation with author Laury Silvers. She’s a retired academic and activist who took up fiction writing six years ago. Since then has published four books - a detective series set in 10th century Baghdad. Listen along as Laury and I discuss the process of changing careers at midlife, how to take legitimate criticism; and the importance of being open to accepting help and  helping others, as we live our creative lives. About Laury: Laury Silvers is a North American Muslim, raised in the United States but finally at home in Canada. Her research and publications as a historian of religion focused on early Islam, early Sufism, and early pious and Sufi women. She taught at Skidmore College and the University of Toronto. Silvers also published work engaging Islam and Gender in North America in academic journals and popular venues, was actively involved in the woman-led prayer movement, and co-founded the Toronto Unity Mosque. She has since retired from academia and activism and hopes her novels continue her scholarship and activism in their own way. She lives in Toronto under Treaty 13. Find Laury online: llsilvers.com And on social media: Twitter: @waraqamusa Instagram: @laurylsilvers Facebook: /laurylsilvers Threads: @laurylsilvers

In this episode of The Qreative Life podcast, Amanda Quraishi (Q) talks with Aly Cardinalli, a professional dancer/dance teacher. Aly talks to Q about his early influences, creative challenges that he faced throughout his lifetime, and the differences between being an “artist” and a “performer.”As an adult, Aly developed his innate, latent psychic abilities and he now teaches traditional spiritual disciplines at the fastest growing school of witchcraft and psychic development in the United States which he founded in 2018. Aly and Q discuss the connection between spirituality and creativity, and the importance of continuously evolving in both aspects as long as we are alive.Connect with Aly online:bearbridgeacademy.com OtsoSalon.comalycardinalli.com Connect with Aly on social media:instagram.com/bearbridgeacademy instagram.com/otsosalon instagram.com/alycardinalliMore about Aly:Aly Cardinalli is an accomplished witchdoctor, performing arts specialist, psychic, and master educator with over twenty years of experience in his fields. He has dedicated his life to promoting traditional practices and spreading knowledge about culture. Born a dark medium and oversensitive psychic into a family of traditional healers, Aly grew up surrounded by spirits and natural remedies that were used to cure both physical and spiritual ailments. He learned from his family the art of healing, witchcraft, and spirituality, gradually developing a deep passion for indigenous and creolized practices. As a young man, Aly decided to pursue a career in the performing arts. He studied music, dance, and theatrical arts, and quickly made a name for himself as a talented performer, exceptional choreographer (as an expert in over eighteen styles of dance), and an award winning director. His unique knowledge of the arts and culture, along with his exceptional stage presence, made him an instant hit with audiences across the globe.Despite his success in the performing arts, Aly never forgot his roots. He continued to practice traditional healing techniques. Aly has also developed an innovative training and classification system for psychics, mediums, and sensitives. Because of his genius and prodigy youth, his knowledge and aptitude in the inclusive disciplines of culture, healing, spirituality, mysticism, and storytelling is unmatched. Over the years, Aly has gained immense popularity as a master educator in his fields. He continues to conduct numerous workshops and training sessions for healthcare professionals, spiritual healers, psychics, performers, and other practitioners. Aly has been the dean of education for a performing arts school, the headmaster at a witchcraft and psychic development school, and the education director for a healing arts institute. Thanks to his dedication and hard work, Aly Cardinalli is now widely recognized as a commodity to cultural education. His talent, passion, and expertise have inspired countless people to embrace rich and vibrant culture and to seek healing through the power of music, dance, and other forms of artistic & ancient cultural expression.

Welcome to The Creative Life Podcast! In this inaugural episode, host Amanda Quraishi (Q) chats with longtime friend Rabia Chaudry, an immigration attorney, criminal justice activist, New York Times bestselling author, and produce/host of five podcasts including Undisclosed, Q and Rabia discuss Rabia’s foray into the world of podcasting, her writing process, and how she’s adapted her lifestyle to accommodate her creative pursuits. Learn all about Rabia Chaudry on her official website. Follow Rabia on social media:
 X Instagram Listen to Rabia’s podcasts on Apple Podcasts (or wherever you listen): Undisclosed Rabia and Ellyn Solve the Case Nighty Night with Rabia Chaudry The Hidden Djinn The 45th Read Fatty Fatty Boom Boom Read Adnan's Story ------ Support The Qreative Life by subscribing and leaving a review on: Apple Podcasts: https://shorturl.at/ajtOT Spotify: https://shorturl.at/nsxzW Amazon Music: https://shorturl.at/eiPXZ RSS Feed (manual add): https://shorturl.at/dhwxZ Visit theqreativelife.com to learn more.

Join me, Amanda Quraishi, as your host in a new podcast series featuring conversations with diverse artists and other creatives. I’ll speak to writers, poets, painters, musicians, photographers - both the professional and the passionately amateur - to learn how they have prioritized their creativity and are living their best creative lives. The first episode launches this December of 2023. Subscribe now wherever you get your podcasts. Visit theqreativelife.com for more information.