"Creativity often gets put on the back burner because we don't see it as a priority. But it's one of the most accessible healing tools that we can use."

In this episode, I had a wholehearted conversation with Lesley about the vital connection between creativity, intuition, and emotional well-being, particularly for women and mothers. Lesley highlights that even small creative acts—like drawing with chalk or humming a tune—can rejuvenate our spirit and help us reconnect.

Lesley also emphasized the importance of tapping into our inner child through creativity to release pent-up emotions and help us rediscover a sense of playful freedom. Tackling the topic of guilt surrounding creativity, Lesley shares her journey from creating out of obligation to embracing a more intuitive approach with less struggle.

We delved into parenting, where Lesley offered invaluable advice: trust your intuition, even if it means going against the norm. Her refreshing perspective reminded me that we can carve our own paths in both creativity and parenting, making space for those micro moments of joy and self-expression.

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• www.lesleyturner.ca

• Instagram: @the.emotional.archaeologist and @realtalkwithcollsandles

• Journal: https://www.amazon.ca/Intuitive-Mama-experience-intuitive-discover/dp/B0CX4XZNL1/ref=mp

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Hi, I'm Lesley Turner, the Emotional Archaeologist and your woo-woo best friend. A year and a half ago I blew up the trajectory of my life by dropping my Naturopathic medical license and diving deeper into emotional health. I embraced a side of myself I had buried for years, the side that has strong intuition and can channel messages and insights from a higher realm. Yes I just said realm.
When I had my son in 2020 at the beginning of a world-wide pandemic, my priorities shifted entirely and I began to see things from a perspective I'd never experienced before. The core values of integrity and authenticity became my cornerstones of life and business and I knew change needed to happen. Fast forward 4 years, I'm now seeing clients for a myriad of issues but always coming back to a compassionate lens of allowing and honouring what's here.
I now live an incredibly simple life with my husband, our son, and an Australian shepherd, Penny. This life is full of wonder and awe because I've slowed down long enough to notice!

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Lauren’s Best invites you to curiously consider art and life as host, Lauren Best, illuminates the creative process as an entrepreneur, mother and interdisciplinary artist. Join one-on-one reflections with Lauren, and delve into intriguing conversations with compelling creators, as together we discover insightful connections over surprising common ground.

Join Lauren’s Best on Substack to be the first to comment on new episodes: laurenbest.substack.com

Lauren’s Best is co-produced by Sam Blake and Lauren Best.

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• Work with Lauren: bestpracticearts.com
• Follow Lauren on Instagram: instagram.com/bylaurenbest/
• Let’s connect: linkedin.com/in/lauren-best-48a71232/

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Give the gift of poetry, to yourself or a friend, with Just Leaves, an "intimate and unflinching" poetry collection. Paperback or audiobook: laurenbest.com/poetry

In this episode, I’m with Dr. Moyo Rainos Mutamba, an innovative educator and founder of the Ubuntu Learning Village in Gutu, Zimbabwe.

Moyo is an artist who uses his gifts to create community and contribute to creating a world where everyone fits.

In our conversation he shares his vision of creating a global learning community that emphasizes social justice, environmental stewardship, and the interconnectedness of all beings. He discusses the unique approach of his free school, which fosters a loving and respectful environment for children.

Moyo reflects on his experiences as a father to two sons. He emphasizes the importance of listening, moving quickly toward repair in their interactions, and creating space for open conversations.

Through his insights, Moyo illustrates the profound impact of nurturing the next generation with love and purpose, sharing how both parenting and social change are shared journeys that go beyond individual experience.

Dr. Moyo Rainos Mutamba is an educator, writer, and Director of Educational Equity at Sheridan College. He founded the Ubuntu Learning Village and Ubuntu Free School in Gutu, Zimbabwe, dedicated to Indigenous cultural revitalization (www.ubuntuearth.org).

Holding an MSW in Social Justice and Diversity and a Ph.D. in Social Justice Education, he specializes in Anti-Racism, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (ARDEI) consulting.

Moyo also lectures at the University of Waterloo on topics including diversity and mental health. A passionate mbira player, he enjoys storytelling and performing with his band, Nhapitapi, blending his cultural interests with his passion for social justice.

www.ubuntuearth.org
www.bloomworld.org

Instagram and Threads: @mumoyo
Facebook: Moyo Rainos Mutamba

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Lauren’s Best invites you to curiously consider art and life as host, Lauren Best, illuminates the creative process as an entrepreneur, mother and interdisciplinary artist. Join one-on-one reflections with Lauren, and delve into intriguing conversations with compelling creators, as together we discover insightful connections over surprising common ground.

Join Lauren’s Best on Substack to be the first to comment on new episodes: laurenbest.substack.com

Lauren’s Best is co-produced by Sam Blake and Lauren Best.

- - -

• Work with Lauren: bestpracticearts.com
• Follow Lauren on Instagram: instagram.com/bylaurenbest/
• Let’s connect: linkedin.com/in/lauren-best-48a71232/

- - -

Give the gift of poetry, to yourself or a friend, with Just Leaves, an "intimate and unflinching" poetry collection. Paperback or audiobook: laurenbest.com/poetry

In this solo episode, I'm diving into my pregnancy journey along with news for the podcast. We're now in our third season, and for this season I'm enjoying spotlighting conversations with parents who are also creatives.

At 34 weeks pregnant, I'm reflecting on how this experience differs from my previous pregnancies. I've been dealing with more morning sickness this time around, which has been challenging but also eye-opening. It's forced me to reevaluate my priorities and listen to my body more.

I share my approach to staying active during pregnancy, focusing on weight training and simple stability exercises while balancing rest. I'm all about being "inconsistently consistent" - making an effort over time, even if individual days aren't perfect. This has made a huge difference in how I feel physically and mentally.

I also touch on my ongoing poetry project inspired by my great-grandmother's 1933 parenting handbook. It's been a fascinating and deeply personal journey exploring the intersection of creativity and parenthood, and I can't wait to share more with you all soon!

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Lauren’s Best invites you to curiously consider art and life as host, Lauren Best, illuminates the creative process as an entrepreneur, mother and interdisciplinary artist. Join one-on-one reflections with Lauren, and delve into intriguing conversations with compelling creators, as together we discover insightful connections over surprising common ground.

Join Lauren’s Best on Substack to be the first to comment on new episodes: laurenbest.substack.com

Lauren’s Best is co-produced by Sam Blake and Lauren Best.

- - -

• Work with Lauren: bestpracticearts.com
• Follow Lauren on Instagram: instagram.com/bylaurenbest/
• Let’s connect: linkedin.com/in/lauren-best-48a71232/

- - -

Give the gift of poetry, to yourself or a friend, with Just Leaves, an "intimate and unflinching" poetry collection. Paperback or audiobook: laurenbest.com/poetry