The Promise of Possibility

With a professional career spanning over 38 years, Vera Mann is one of the most prolific actors and performers The Netherlands and Belgium has known. With a professional career spanning over 38 years, Vera Mann is one of the most prolific actors and performers The Netherlands and Belgium has known. With leading roles ranging from Evita, Éponine inLes Misérable, Eliza Doolittle in My Fair Lady, Diana, Peter Pan, Donna inMamma Mia!, Fosca in The Passion, Mrs. Lovett inSweeney Todd, and many more, Vera is a bona fide "Musical Star". Themany awards she has won for her work most definitely speak to that. But think twice about using the term "musical star' to describe her, as the all-around performer feels this label carries a connotation that significantly negates the breadth of work a multifaceted actor/ performer is capable of. And this is definitely true of Vera - besides shining in major commercial musicals, she has appeared in scores of smaller musicals, is a celebrated straight play actor, has done TV shows, lent her voice to Fiona in the Flemish version of Shrek, and has headlined concerts accompanied by renowned orchestras like The Metropole Orchestra on many occasions. She also wrote and starred in her one woman show, Goesting - a beautiful, intimate journey through her life. During our candid and open conversation, Vera vulnerably speaks of her youth and what it's like to age in an industry where careers are fleeting, while holding up a sobering mirror to point out where changes need to be made. In true 'Vera fashion' she'll have you laughing throughout, even as she touches on some hard truths that resonate and will stay with you long after the conversation is over. 00:00:00 Sound bites 00:00:51 Introduction Vera Mann 00:02:23 Amsterdam is home 00:05:50 How playing Diana influenced my accent 00:06:40 The story of a girl, a calf, and the love for the piano and Chopin 00:10:52 Music lessons and ballet - a refuge 00:14:10 A difficult childhood 00:18:24 The body keeps the score 00:21:51 Age is just a number… 00:23:40 Studying acting, music, and dance 00:25:01 Labels: musicals vs straight plays 00:29:30 Anecdotes from an incredible repertoire of roles and shows 00:35:10 Never get too comfortable in a role 00:40:57 Being vulnerable 00:46:33 The fear and shame of losing your voice 00:53:07 Appreciating the gift 00:54:51 It's all about people 00:59:22 The solo show 01:08:31 The story behind playing Fosca in The Passion 01:13:36 A new show in the works with Ellen Evers - a comedy about Ageism 01:16:49 A lifetime of experience vs 'Instagram famous' - it's all about marketing 01:21:40 Holding up a mirror to the industry 01:24:37 For the love of art 01:26:54 Talent, perseverance, and a deep love for your craft 01:30:23 A knack for long conversations: the story of Vera and Maruja's reunion after 18 years 01:33:34 Grateful for a privileged and blessed journey 01:35:23 Deep losses and new beginnings 01:39:50 A challenge to the next "Vera and Maruja" duetFollow Vera: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/veramannofficial/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vera-mann/Follow Maruja: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marujabogaardofficialFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/marujabogaardofficial/https://marujabogaard.comhttps://marujamusic.comGet in touch: [email protected]

When an early love for writing and a dream to be a novelist is deferred, Leara pursues her love for writing elsewhere. First as a journalist, working in Trinidad, Haiti, Dominica, and Atlanta, then as an Associate Emerita of Journalism at the University of Georgia. Leara is the author of academic books, and manypapers, journals, and magazine articles. But the dream of one day writing anovel remained alive within her. A dream that has now become a reality✨ On the release date of this podcast episode,Spancill Hill, Dr. Rhodes' first novel, published by Old Fort Publishing, isout and available everywhere. At 73, after an illustrious career in journalismand academia, the dream of a nine year old poet has come to fruition. SpancilHill is set in Ireland and New York in the late 19th century, and tells thestory of Cahey. Leaving Ireland, he embarks on a journey to New York, and thepursuit of a dream to become the most sought-after horse trainer at theVanderbilt American Horse Exchange in 1901. Find Spancil Hill everywhere books are sold online, and look out for Leara's second novel coming out in October: The Darkest Midnight in December. 00:00 Sound bites 00:38 Introduction Dr. Leara Rhodes 01:51 Love for the Caribbean 03:38 An early love for writing nurtured at ayoung age 05:15 From poetry to a love of journalism 07:46 A dream deferred09:03 The academic path 10:21 A love for Ireland 14:38 A writer of academic books, journals,papers and magazine articles 17:52 Today a novelist… at 73! 19:38 Spancil Hill by Leara Rhodes 22:01 Writing the novel while living in Ireland 23:35 The importance of experience life in the surroundings you write about 26:21 The research 31:15 Experiencing cultural richness 33:56 A second novel due for release in the Fall: The Darkest Midnight in December 39:02 Working on novel number three 40:48 A source of inspiration 42:22 Having great people around you 44:56 A focused path Follow Leara: https://leararhodes.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leararhodesFollow Maruja: https://www.instagram.com/marujabogaardofficial/ https://www.facebook.com/marujabogaardofficial/https://marujabogaard.comhttps://marujamusic.comGet in touch: [email protected]

Victoria Theodore's name is synonymous to child prodigy and virtuoso, and from a very young age she quickly drew the attention of some of the best music schools in the world. It doesn't come as a surprise that her musical journey led her to working with some of the industry's biggest icons, and solidifying her place as a top instrumentalist.But Victoria didn't stop there... she went on to working on TV and in films, as a Musical Director on Broadway, and working with some of the most prolific names in Musical Theater.Captivating to watch and listen to, Victoria's beautiful spirit shines through like a beacon during the course of this conversation, as she shares her journey, and how it has led her to now being an artist in her own right. 00:00 Sound bites01:35 Down memory lane 04:28 Early beginnings06:10 Picking up a piano book06:45 Being seen 08:13 The Young Musician's Program - UC Berkeley11:58 A real-life F.A.M.E.14:00 Conservatory and Stanford17:08 On the road with All girl band Oaktown 35718:30 New York City20:00 Back to California and to music21:53 Building a reputation24:45 The right kind of network27:40 THE audition34:00 The beginning of an era with... Stevie35:20 The story of becoming a background vocalist37:37 Trained to rise "beyond" the occasion39:25 In the company of superlative musicians42:49 Playing for President Obama44:10 The Arsenio Hall Show47:02 Meeting Prince49:04 The greatest talents don't have ego's51:07 Struggling as a working musician51:51 THE audition - part 253:54 Here comes Mrs. Carter...54:38 The Formation Tour57:13 Difficult decisions 01:01:04 Working with yet another genius - Lin-Manuel Miranda01:03:20 The book: Classical Piano Pieces That You can Actually Play01:04:40 Settling into being a Creative01:06:13 EnSPirits - being an artist in my own right01:07:57 Beauty in the journey01:11:21 Figure out your why then do it for the love01:14:02 Grateful and Human01:15:40 What the future holdsFollow Victoria:All links: https://linktr.ee/victoriatheodoreInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/victoriatheodoremusichttps://victoriatheodore.comWatch "Human": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xIRsvamo_M0 EnSPirits:https://enspiritsmusic.comFollow Maruja:https://www.instagram.com/marujabogaardofficial/https://www.facebook.com/marujabogaardofficial/https://marujabogaard.comhttps://marujamusic.comGet in touch:[email protected]

Award winning novelist and screenwriter, Denise Deegan, summarizes all she is and does in the best of ways: "I'm a storyteller." And what a storyteller she is. In this candid conversation, she takes us back to deciding to give up a lucrative business to write a novel, her ability to move past fears and doubts by always following her gut, and pivoting to one of her favorite mediums - film. This conversation is sure to inspire not only budding novelist, but anyone who lets fear hold them back from pursuing their passions.Writing women's fiction under the pen name Aimee Alexander (the combined name of her two kids), and Young Adult titles under her own name, Denise's books have been published by Penguin Random House and Hachette. Her coming-of-age novels include the much-loved trilogy, The Butterfly Novels: And By The Way, And For Your Information and And Actually and the epic novel of Irish revolution, Through the Barricades. And For Your Information was nominated for an Irish Book Award and is being adapted for film with Treasure Entertainment.Denise's short comedy film, The Innkeeper,  has won multiple awards, including Best Comedy and Best Actor awards at the Canberra Short Film Festival.00:00 Sound bites00:37 Introduction Denise02:31 A love for writing04:47 Following your gut to write a novel without no previous experience06:28 Starting at zero07:00 A day in a writer's life09:28 The first book11:23 An agent, a publisher, and a novel within 9 months12:16 The Butterfly Novels13:43 A passionate, angry, sarcastic, vulnerable teenage girl's voice in my head14:42 How a story 'comes' to you?15:12 A trilogy: the story of three teenagers15:47 Writing for the character of Sarah18:32 Self-publishing after being with traditional publishers19:50 Revisiting and editing  the first books to republish21:00 Writing about mental health issues22:42 Exploring the many facets of life is the best thing for your career23:35 A passion for the medium of film25:21 Award-winning short film "The Innkeeper"30:00 The process of writing for TV and film vs writing novels36:00 Turning novels into scripts38:15 Moving beyond your fears to pursue your passions at any age42:16 Advice to aspiring storytellers45:14 Journaling or walking in nature to gather ideas45:56 The empowering world of self-publishing48:05 The importance of building a community around you - your personal brand51:56 Advice to parents of budding storytellers57:05 Through the barricade: a historical love story59:42 A dedication 01:00:55 Have fun and playFollow Denise:X: @denisedeeganInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/denisedeegan/https://denisedeegan.com/Through the Barricades 📖And By The Way 📚And For Your Information 📚And Actually 📚Available on Amazon under Denise DeeganThe Accidental Life of Greg Millar 📖Available on Amazon under Aimee AlexanderFollow Maruja:https://www.instagram.com/marujabogaardofficial/https://www.facebook.com/marujabogaardofficial/https://marujabogaard.comhttps://marujamusic.comGet in touch:[email protected]

Born in the Dutch Caribbean and raised on a small beautiful island with just over 3,000 inhabitants, Shirma paved her way to become a force on the global music scene. From singing background vocals for Chaka Khan, Micheal Bolton, Al Jerreau and many, many more to eventually going solo and paying her final respects to her musical idol, Aretha Franklin, in Detroit, Michigan, and cultivating a beautiful friendship with Miss Franklin's niece and granddaughters. Shirma's personality is as big as her voice, and her self confidence is palpable. Be inspired as Shirma shares the gifts her parents have instilled in her, how she navigates setting goals for herself, and how she plants a seed of what is possible in her mind, and steps out on faith to watch it come to fruition. Follow Shirma:https://shirmarouse.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/shirmarouse/What's Missing from Medicine:available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Apple BooksFollow Maruja:https://www.instagram.com/marujabogaardofficial/https://www.facebook.com/marujabogaardofficial/https://marujabogaard.comhttps://marujamusic.comGet in touch:

Dr. Saray Stancic went from being a physician to being an MS patient in the blink of an eye, at just 28 years old. After 8 years of living a compromised life and worsening symptoms, while still pursuing her dreams of having a successful medical career, her AHA Moment came in the form of an obscure medical journal and blueberries...🫐Today, she has not only gone from walking with a cane to running a marathon, but she has become a force of inspiration, empowering patients and doctors to live to their greatest potential, free of chronic disease. How? By incorporating these 6 factors into our daily lives:Food: eat more plants 🥗Exercise: play more 🤸🏻Managing stress: stay present 🧘🏻‍♀️Sleep: rest well 💤Substances: thrive withoutConnection: grow love 00:50 Introduction Dr. Saray Stancic02:38 Saray's story - being diagnosed with MS04:21 What is Multiple Sclerosis?08:57 Climbing the career ladder while living a compromised life11:11 The AHA moment14:16 Numbing away the pain15:50 Finding hope and a pathway forward18:07 Devising a plan of action19:03 Exercising one minute at a time20:38 "I had my life back"23:59 A drive to improve the medical education system25:20 Scientific evidence to back up the power of lifestyle changes26:45 Maruja's AHA moment31:21 Sharing this with the world: What's Missing from Medicine and Code Blue36:50 Reducing the risk of breast cancer by 50%41:00 Empowering the patient43:00 Addressing every aspect of the lifestyle medicine wheel48:03 An anti inflammatory lifestyle53:00 The impact of stress57:30 A reminder "I have MS"59:58 Burn out01:02:24 Advice on adapting our lifestyle01:08:40 Building coping skills and not depending on numbing substances01:11:50 A balance of feeling pain and experiencing joy01:14:00 Silencing the noise of social media01:16:45 Freebie to start the journey01:17:47 What inspires Saray to continue this mission01:18:45 A hope for everyone to live to their greatest potentialFollow Dr. Stancic:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drstancic/https://www.instagram.com/code_blue_doc/What's Missing from Medicine:available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Apple BooksCode Blue:https://www.codebluedoc.com/Available on Apple TV, Vimeo, Amazon, Google PlayFollow Maruja:https://www.instagram.com/marujabogaardofficial/https://www.facebook.com/marujabogaardofficial/https://marujabogaard.comhttps://marujamusic.comGet in touch:[email protected]