From a small town in Scotland to the hearts of hundreds of teenagers, this magnificent human has championed the arts & theatre in education for 31 years. Listen in to this deep dive into her own story of taking control of how others see and connect with her on her terms despite the bullying she endured around weight & appearance. Be inspired by how she used comedy & storytelling to bridge the social connections needed to survive and how these skills have helped her be the most exceptional drama teacher. Learn how theatre in schools holds the emotional aspect of your child's development and why being able to communicate in real time about real things face to face is more crucial now than ever in this social media led world. This is a conversation full of humility as I try and tease out her own recognition of her brilliance. She is a true rock of raw realness who would never say that about herself. What a pleasure to honour my long time ex-colleague and good friend, Amanda Dawson. A legend in her own living room.
 
Amanda does not have a website or social media. She is a gem to be found if your child is lucky enough to have her as a teacher. #unsungheroes
 
To learn more about your host go to www.vikkiparker.com
To access a FREE guided meditation to celebrate your Inner Treasure sign up here 
https://mailchi.mp/a9bd77df04d0/artywisdomnews 
 
Podcast music composed & sung by Vikki Parker
Music Production by Hilary Burt www.hilaryburtmusic.com 

Have you ever considered the power of quiet, the strength of gentleness & the potency of poetry to speak into the parts of yourself that have been whispering, wanting to be heard? Come with me on this deep dive into the poetic world of Visibility Mentor Rionach Aiken, as we move softly through the lived experience of painful shyness and sensitivity, the unfolding of treasure within & the possibility of expansion without, through the embodiment of words that can help us share the magic of who we are with no need to shout, displace others or be in conflict with the world. Be inspired to embrace the worth of your core self through poetry and take up the space in the world that is yours. May you find a poem that shows you how to sprinkle your own magic & hear your own voice.
 
Find Rionach's work here https://www.rionachaiken.com/
Download your free copy of poetry inspiration here -  https://www.rionachaiken.com/poetryguide
 
To learn more about your host go to www.vikkiparker.com
To access a FREE guided meditation to celebrate your Inner Treasure sign up here 
https://mailchi.mp/a9bd77df04d0/artywisdomnews 
 
Podcast music composed & sung by Vikki Parker
Music Production by Hilary Burt www.hilaryburtmusic.com 

Join us on this gentle, fluid journey through the cycles of nature, women's menstruation, and motherhood as a creative initiation with author, poet, singer-songwriter & wild muse, Khalsa Morgan. From a childhood of solitude in nature and a navigation of losing joy for her creative spark through the restrictions of education and its incessant drive for goal oriented output, to coming full circle living in a caravan in a field, we witness how writing supported her through periods of homelessness and the deep grief of being separated from her son. If you have ever felt like you needed to recover from systems and restrictions and reconnect with your magical child within, whilst honouring the sacredness of your own cycle (men included!) listen in to how autobiographical writing can help you make sense and meaning of your individual path.
 
Khalsa has found deep healing and connection in communities & circles of likeminded people that see & hear her for exactly who she is. She encourages you to find this for yourself and offers the opportunity to begin that sharing journey here.  https://www.khalsamorgan.com/wildmuse-portal-membership
 
To learn more about your host go to www.vikkiparker.com
To access a FREE guided meditation to celebrate your Inner Treasure sign up here 
https://mailchi.mp/a9bd77df04d0/artywisdomnews 
 
Podcast music composed & sung by Vikki Parker
Music Production by Hilary Burt www.hilaryburtmusic.com 

Listen in to this delicious conversation with creative firestarter, Moyra Scott, as we weave our way through her Wild Art Journaling process, the potency and freedom of destruction and breaking through your limits doing messy art. As we explore the symbolism of layers, hidden aspects of self & how we can find solace and answers in the spaces we can make for ourselves to reflect, we touch upon the breakthroughs we can have beyond our stuckness, especially in relation to our global experience of lockdown and how establishing a creative toolkit for supporting the smaller challenges in life can prepare you for facing the sudden death of a parent. 
 
Find out more about Moyra's work at https://www.moyrascott.com
 
To learn more about your host go to www.vikkiparker.com
To access a FREE guided meditation to celebrate your Inner Treasure sign up here 
https://mailchi.mp/a9bd77df04d0/artywisdomnews 
 
Podcast music composed & sung by Vikki Parker
Music Production by Hilary Burt www.hilaryburtmusic.com 

Such a delight to interview Ann O'Keife, the super community legend, creative writing tutor, laughter yoga practitioner, rune reader & wise woman. What an honour to dive deep into the play memories of imaginary friends and the inner world of a quiet child and her relationship with the spirit world. She explores her journey of embracing being seen and heard & how her own creative toolkit supported her through extraordinary levels of loss and grief. If you need a soothing voice that encourages you to 'give it a go', just as you are, then Ann is a beautiful example of the grounded, warm hearted presence that can support you in your unique unfolding & expression as she models the ways in which we could all speak to ourselves.
 
See more of Ann's work at  https://www.livinglifefully.net/
 
To learn more about your host go to www.vikkiparker.com
To access a FREE guided meditation to celebrate your Inner Treasure sign up here 
https://mailchi.mp/a9bd77df04d0/artywisdomnews 
 
Podcast music composed & sung by Vikki Parker
Music Production by Hilary Burt www.hilaryburtmusic.com 

Breaking free of restrictions & rules around creativity is a foundational norm for my next guest Sarah Chaplin. As a jazz musician, jazz radio presenter for Jazz London Live, children's author in the climate fiction genre & mum, she recalls her unruly childhood and her journey into full creative expression of all the creative portals she has found herself skilled in. Listen in to this rich conversation about deep personal awareness, grief & inspiring children to write poetry & save the environment.
 
As an author she writes under the name Sarah Holding. You can read about her books here at www.sarah-holding.com or follow her on Instagram at www.instagram.com/officialsarahholding/ 
For Jazz London Live go to https://jazzlondonlive.com/ 
 
To learn more about your host go to www.vikkiparker.com
To access a FREE guided meditation to celebrate your Inner Treasure sign up here 
https://mailchi.mp/a9bd77df04d0/artywisdomnews 
 
Podcast music composed & sung by Vikki Parker
Music Production by Hilary Burt www.hilaryburtmusic.com 
 

A beacon of hope in the Brighton community is my first guest. You don't want to miss this in depth conversation with Annie Murray, founder of Edit Sweet Ltd & Horizon Media Course. We get deep into talk about addiction, homelessness, childhood play memories & what it feels like to be pioneering media skills for those in recovery. This is a very candid interview about the raw reality of addiction.
If you are seeking recovery for yourself you can go to www.alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk  for more information
 
Check out her pioneering work in the community at www.myhorizon.rocks
Book her for your professional film production at https://editsweet.rocks/ 
 
To learn more about your host go to www.vikkiparker.com
To access a FREE guided meditation to celebrate your Inner Treasure sign up here 
https://mailchi.mp/a9bd77df04d0/artywisdomnews 
 
Podcast music composed & sung by Vikki Parker
Music Production by Hilary Burt www.hilaryburtmusic.com 

Welcome to the Art Yourself Alive Podcast.
Thankyou for coming on this journey with me to explore stories of transformation and mental health through creative process. My story found it's public voice in 2017, after decades of healing. After writing a one-woman show for Brighton Fringe called 'Voice', I embarked on the next 5 years exploring my right to be here, alive and thriving, embracing creativity, calling myself an Artist, and making the changes I needed to fully embody my purpose. This first episode takes us back to the first public speaking I ever did, just before the I performed the show.
Recorded live at Inspiring Talks Brighton in May 2017
We all start telling the truth somewhere and test out our capacity to hold that truth and let it be witnessed.
 
Personal Journey Series #1
 
To learn more about your host go to www.vikkiparker.com
To access a FREE guided meditation to celebrate your Inner Treasure sign up here 
https://mailchi.mp/a9bd77df04d0/artywisdomnews 
 
Podcast music composed & sung by Vikki Parker
Music Production by Hilary Burt www.hilaryburtmusic.com