From Amy:

I am not a fangirl. I'm not that person who waits at the stage door to talk with famous people after a concert or someone who would approach a famous person at a restaurant to ask for an autograph. I'd rather go home and sleep than attend a loud afterparty where I have to engage in group small talk. Better still, I love to connect one on one, in a quieter setting, uninterrupted, around the stories behind the performance.

Which is why this podcast episode is both surprising and not. Because it's all about connecting through creativity on genuine, human level.

I've heard Jeremy Messersmith's name around the Twin Cities for years. His music is frequently played on The Current, the Minnesota Public Radio music station. Some years back, I heard that he was doing these house concerts where he played his ukulele in people's living rooms. Last summer, I attended one of these parties where I had a front row seat and interacted more with Jeremy than I would have expected. Afterwards, over catered appetizers, we got into a conversation around the parallels between his creative process and mine.

Which led to this conversation around Jeremy Messersmith's creative process, and where he gets his inspiration and courage.

In a world where it's loud out there and human presence feels increasingly rare, Jeremy has found a way to perform his songs and connect with people personally, much in the intimate way that a storyteller does. He's sharing this human experience. And it goes beyond performance to the creation. Jeremy interacts with fellow musicians to write his music, and his engagement with audience members reflects back meaning.

And isn't that why we create?

It's a good conversation. Enjoy.

Travel safely,

Love, Amy

PS—Twin Cities real-life creatives....read below for my take on an interactive living room party for writers.

Jeremy Messersmith is a singer/songwriter based in Minneapolis, MN.

Instagram @jeremymessersmith

Jeremy's linktree

Coming Sunday, August 10, 9:45–noon in St. Paul, Minnesota: Courageous Wordsmith Sunday Morning

Interested in my iteration of a Courageous Wordsmith Twin Cities living room party, inspired in part by Jeremy's idea? Join us for my first-ever Courageous Wordsmith Sunday Morning, part parallel writing session, part reflective circle. Get inspired in the company of kindred writers.

$25 for a session, FREE for members of the Courageous Wordsmith Circle for Real-Life Writers.

Email me at amy @ amyhallberg (dot) com for the details and payment link.

Amy Hallberg is the author of Tiny Altars: A Midlife Revival and German Awakening: Tales from an American Life. She is the host of Courageous Wordsmith Podcast and founder of Courageous Wordsmith Circle for Real-Life Writers. As an editor and writing mentor, Amy guides writers through their narrative journeys—from inklings to beautiful works, specifically podcasts and books. A lifelong Minnesotan and mother of grown twins, Amy lives in the Twin Cities with her husband and two cats.

Get Amy's Books and Audiobooks

Learn about Courageous Wordsmith Circle for Real-Life Writers

Work with Amy 1:1

From Amy:

Cara Pacific Campbell was the first person who took me up on my offer of a 1:1 Book Writing Mentorship and put her trust in me. I was grateful that someone so vibrant felt drawn to working with me, but looking back, it makes perfect sense. When we are paying attention, we're drawn to our people. Cara and I are both high-performing women who worked way too hard and paid a steep price with our health.

As in, our bodies made us quit our careers when our minds thought that we could—had to—power through. Instead, we were sidelined.

And why did we think we had to power through? Well... how else would we have any meaningful impact in life? How else did we have value? Which is a societal misperception that has needed addressing for a very long time. What we've been through, many are going through now.

Also... we are both people who communicate who we are through our colors of choice. I think of Cara in vibrant yellows and reds.

These lively signature colors are very much at odds with what Cara was living with in her battle with chronic Lyme disease.

There's a huge silver lining. Cara finally connected to her dreams of work in Peru, tapping into ancient knowledge that now infuses this book. And hey, I taught beginning Spanish for a few years. I've always thought that teaching Spanish was a way station on the journey to something beyond that. This book was one of those meaningful stops on the journey. Oh, and also...

Pretty sure that Cara and I are going to host a Writing Revival in Peru someday.

Picture yourself there with us. How awesome would that be?

Meanwhile, you can actively witness the culmination of her book journey if that's calling to you, or simply take courage from hearing how it came into being. Me? I got to help Cara infuse this book with her witty, deep, infectious wisdom. I feel profoundly proud and grateful to know that I was there at Cara's beginning as an author, and that she was there at my beginning as a book writing mentor.

What a beautiful testament to my vision for Courageous Wordsmith.

It's a full-circle episode and it feels like that.

Enjoy!

Cara Pacific Campbell is a top-performing sales leader turned author, coach, and resilience expert. After a medical collapse ended her high-achieving career, she began an unexpected healing journey—one that blends neuroscience, ancient wisdom, and the gritty reality of burnout recovery. Her upcoming book is part memoir, part roadmap for ambitious women ready to succeed without self-destructing. Cara helps high performers reconnect with their power, rewrite their patterns, and rise—on their own terms.

Cara's Links:

www.linkedin.com/in/carapacificcampbell

https://www.instagram.com/carapacificcampbell/

https://www.facebook.com/carapacific

Join the book mailing list

Amy Hallberg is the author of Tiny Altars: A Midlife Revival and German Awakening: Tales from an American Life. She is the host of Courageous Wordsmith Podcast and founder of Courageous Wordsmith Circle for Real-Life Writers. As an editor and writing mentor, Amy guides writers through their narrative journeys—from inklings to beautiful works, specifically podcasts and books. A lifelong Minnesotan and mother of grown twins, Amy lives in the Twin Cities with her husband and two cats.

Get Amy's Books and Audiobooks

Learn about Courageous Wordsmith Circle for Real-Life Writers

Work with Amy 1:1

From Amy:

When Keri and I recorded this episode in late 2022, I was still editing my second memoir for publication and she was drafting a book that's also now nearing publication. The podcast never got produced at that time, but I happened onto the recording this past winter and it caught my attention. Keri and I are still writing today. I'm starting new books and she's preparing to deliver a TED-x Talk this summer.

And this conversation feels like a divinely timed gift from our former selves, and a personal invitation to you if you want it.

Because yes, I absolutely am writing for my life. I know Keri still agrees.

I had a stage one cancer diagnosis this past month. That's all I care to say about that right now, because this gets to be my story first. For now, I want you to know that I have emerged on the other side, and am currently cancer free with a heightened sense of awareness:

One reason I need to survive IS FOR MY WRITING. I need to write this story for me. And I will share it someday.

I have wisdom I am still gaining, and knowledge that people will need.

I don't need to justify that impulse nor ask permission.

I don't need to know now how it turns out.

I am healing. I will be creating.

I live into my passions.

How about you?

Keri Mangis is more than just an author and speaker—she’s a guide for those seeking deeper meaning and transformation in a chaotic world. With over 20 years of experience as a wholeness advocate and spiritual teacher, Keri understands the frustration of feeling stuck and disconnected. Through her writing and teachings, Keri helps people break free from limiting beliefs to rediscover their true essence and align with their core values. Her spiritual and personal growth studies and certifications have run the gamut over the years from yoga, Ayurveda, energy work, and meditation. Most recently, she has taken on studying Alchemy, Jungian Psychology, archetypes, and rites of passage. She has completed several courses with Sharon Blackie, Michael Meade, and the Center of Applied Jungian Studies. Her writing has appeared in Spirituality and Health Magazine, Star Tribune, Elephant Journal, and others. Her first book, *Embodying Soul: A Return to Wholeness*, received multiple awards, including the 2020 IPA award for Mind, Body & Spirit and the 2020 Readers’ Favorite Gold Medal in Non-Fiction Spiritual and Supernatural. She is currently working on her second book, an illuminating exploration of personal and collective transformation that will empower readers to evolve their consciousness for an uncertain future.

Keri's Links:

Book

Instagram

Facebook

YouTube

Amy Hallberg is the author of Tiny Altars: A Midlife Revival and German Awakening: Tales from an American Life. She is the host of Courageous Wordsmith Podcast and founder of Courageous Wordsmith Circle for Real-Life Writers. As an editor and writing mentor, Amy guides writers through their narrative journeys—from inklings to beautiful works, specifically podcasts and books. A lifelong Minnesotan and mother of grown twins, Amy lives in the Twin Cities with her husband and two cats.

Get Amy's Books and Audiobooks

Learn about Courageous Wordsmith Circle for Real-Life Writers

Work with Amy 1:1

From Amy:

I am so ridiculously proud of my latest podcast episode with Corinne Bauer of Tiny Art Maui.

And I really hope you will listen to it. Everything about this conversation and how it came to be is unexpected. I met Corinne at an art show in a Hawaiian hotel lobby. But when I talk about Shiny Objects and allowing myself to play freely in their presence, this is what I’m talking about.

On the surface I was drawn to Corinne’s delightful Tiny Art Maui display because, as she herself says, it’s so stinking cute. And because I couldn’t ignore the synchronicity with my book Tiny Altars, which includes framed dollhouse art in its opening chapter. So I indulged my fascination and asked her about her dainty landscapes and frames and how they came to be. That's the draw of Shiny Objects.

But underneath that whimsical façade that allowed us to connect, we quickly discovered the powerful foundational beliefs that Corinne and I both share as Gen X women who came to our artistry later in life. Namely that art is absolutely necessary for our humanity. That we are so much more creative than we give ourselves credit for being. And that we absolutely get to claim our gifts.

So just as Corinne came to believe that the world needs Tiny Art Maui, I believe that the world needs to hear this gorgeous, candid, spontaneous podcast conversation. En-JOY.

Love, Amy

PS—The TED Talk Corinne references in our conversation is HERE.

With a steady hand and an eye for intricate detail, watercolor artist, Corinne Bauer creates captivating miniature paintings that invite viewers into tiny worlds of wonder. Each piece, often smaller than a matchbox, celebrates light, color, and the power of special moments captured in time. Based on Maui, Corinne draws endless inspiration from the island’s vibrant landscapes, tranquil seascapes, and lush flora. Her process involves using brushes as fine as a needle and holding her breath to achieve extraordinary precision in every stroke. These tiny masterpieces invite the viewer to slow down, lean in, and immerse themselves in the infinite beauty of Hawaii’s natural world. Corinne’s work has been featured in galleries, artist showcases, and private collections.

Follow here:

Instagram

Website

Amy Hallberg is the author of Tiny Altars: A Midlife Revival and German Awakening: Tales from an American Life. She is the host of Courageous Wordsmith Podcast and founder of Courageous Wordsmith Circle for Real-Life Writers. As an editor and writing mentor, Amy guides writers through their narrative journeys—from inklings to beautiful works, specifically podcasts and books. A lifelong Minnesotan and mother of grown twins, Amy lives in the Twin Cities with her husband and two cats.

Get Amy's Books and Audiobooks

Learn about Courageous Wordsmith Circle for Real-Life Writers

Work with Amy 1:1

From Amy:

I always knew that I loved writing. But I'm not sure I understood—until I went through a major transition, and not by my own choice—that writing is healing. At first it's writing just for me, raw and unwieldy and terrifying, but I always have the sense that this writing is something that, when I'm ready, is meant to be shared. Because stories tell us we're not alone. And they help people find us so that we can be there for each other.

Meanwhile, I let myself stay in that first stage of book writing as long as I need to, a stage I call ALLOWING. Allowing it all to be whatever it is. And that allowing makes room for the most powerful stories come through. One of the biggest compliments I ever receive as a writer, and how I know my words have landed, is when people feel inexplicably drawn to tell me THEIR stories. It comes from the deepest parts of them, as a welcome release. I can feel it. Because I've processed my hard things, I'm able to listen to theirs and that helps.

And even if we never meet at all, these readers and I, stories of healing help people. Yes, we write for ourselves first, but it doesn't stop there. Memoir is not selfish. It's the most generous thing you can do. Does that make sense? Because if you take nothing else away from this episode, it's that you can write your hardest things, yes, the very worst of them, and you can transform them into beautiful writing.

So the next question people ask me is: How?

How to you get from that very worst moment of heartbreak to a beautiful completed book? Well...

I remember when Nikki Kindred Halvorson's husband was killed by a drunk driver in March 2020, because a mutual friend reached out to let me know what had happened. Nikki would need to work with me, this mutual friend said. She didn't know when, but she wanted to let me know. And she was absolutely right. I felt called to work on this project as Nikki's mentor and editor in due time. Eventually, she reached out.

After Allowing, you progress into other stages: Composing, Revision, Editing, and now Sharing. That's where I came in.

(Do you see the acronym? ACRES? My shorthand for: If you're transforming a landscape, you do it acre by acre.)

There was nothing expected or pretty about the loss of John Erik Halvorson—Nikki's longtime best friend and husband—a tragedy compounded by so many things. Such as the old house they were restoring together, all torn apart. A pandemic. And more.

But the process of salvaging stories for a beautiful book? (Or several...) There's nothing like it.

So if you're wondering how you do that, write a book about your worst nightmare and feel proud of it and even grateful?

Nikki pulls back the curtain in this episode. You'll want to listen.

Nikki Kindred Halvorson works as a pediatric speech-language pathologist and is active in historical preservation. She realized a lifelong dream in 2014 when she became caretaker of a great old house with her husband, Erik. Widowed in 2020 at age 32, Nikki has continued to rehab her house and has begun building a new life on the foundation of her old one as she heals. She’s currently in the process of realizing another lifelong dream of becoming a published author.

Amy Hallberg is the author of Tiny Altars: A Midlife Revival and German Awakening: Tales from an American Life. She is the host of Courageous Wordsmith Podcast and founder of Courageous Wordsmith Circle for Real-Life Writers. As an editor and writing mentor, Amy guides writers through their narrative journeys—from inklings to beautiful works, specifically podcasts and books. A lifelong Minnesotan and mother of grown twins, Amy lives in the Twin Cities with her husband and two cats.

Get Amy's Books and Audiobooks

Learn about Courageous Wordsmith Circle for Real-Life Writers

Work with Amy 1:1

From Amy:

As long as I've known Sara Taylor, I've thought of her as a gifted writer who—when she gained momentum—would write volumes I want to read. Which is how she was an early participant in what has become my Circle for Real-Life Writers; I've been an up-close witness. Sara's subject matter and how she frames it fascinates me. If I'm interested in the inner working of stories around generational trauma and healing, Sara's a healing practitioner who delves deep into underlying patterns behind stories AND fearlessly applies these lessons in her own life.

Her work is groundbreaking. I really believe that. But writing about such things takes time.

So when Sara sent out a newsletter sharing how she gained traction on a writing practice thanks to the website 750words.com, I took note. The previous day, I'd heard a random podcast where a prolific author credited the same unknown-to-me website with her own momentum. This was a welcome synchronicity. For months, I've been looking for a way back into the earliest drafting stage of book writing.

It's been a long time since I typed the early free-written content that became my two memoirs, random thoughts I saved in Pages with only the vaguest idea of what my book wanted to be (singular, I thought) in the dark forty-five minutes before I awoke my seven-year-old twins. This followed years to work up a strategy and courage to write, and only after I stole the playroom from my kids where I still write today. Initially Pages worked. Afterwards, I had all these document files to wade through and got bogged down again in subsequent stages.

Writing tools have evolved since 2011; I'm a different writer too. As in, I think of myself as a writer. Sara talks about this shift too.

There's no one tool to write a book. It's just what works for you. But! Within two days, two women I respect described this site as a game changer. And I was intrigued. Because knowing where you're going to write, with a simple set-up, helps calm down resistance.

So I signed up for the website, to try it out for myself. The next thing I did was invite Sara to record this conversation.

It's one of many tools, but it might be the one that will get you—finally—writing.

Because we want you to have options for your practice too.

Sara Taylor, PhD, is a neuroscientist turned generational and existential life coach who helps deep thinkers and creatives break free from inherited patterns and lingering existential unease. With a deep understanding of generational trauma, she works with those who’ve done extensive personal work—especially around anxiety and depression—but still feel stuck, disconnected, or like life is passing them by. She helps people recognize and shift the hidden influences shaping their lives so they can move beyond dissatisfaction into greater potential, meaning, and momentum.

Follow here:

IG: @sarabtaylorphd

Substack: @sarabtaylorphd

Amy Hallberg is the author of Tiny Altars: A Midlife Revival and German Awakening: Tales from an American Life. She is the host of Courageous Wordsmith Podcast and founder of Courageous Wordsmith Circle for Real-Life Writers. As an editor and writing mentor, Amy guides writers through their narrative journeys—from inklings to beautiful works, specifically podcasts and books. A lifelong Minnesotan and mother of grown twins, Amy lives in the Twin Cities with her husband and two cats.

Get Amy's Books and Audiobooks

Learn about Courageous Wordsmith Circle for Real-Life Writers

Work with Amy 1:1

From Amy:

My junior year in high school, we read Thornton Wilder's play Our Town in English class. My senior year, that same English teacher, Carol Ottoson, directed the play and cast me as the Stage Manager. That role, which spends so much time reflecting on details in life and their meaning, had a huge influence on how I see the world, and I'm certain that's rubbed off on me as a writer of creative nonfiction: how I make sense of small details, the things that matter, the people around me, and how they all connect to each other. It seems to me that I would be a different person if not for that experience, and the understanding that I had a voice that carries, and that I can use it for good in the world.

So when I went with my husband to a recent production of Our Town at a neighboring high school, I was delighted to run into my old castmate (and previous podcast guest) Cory Busse, himself a writer, whose daughter was now in the show. We both agreed that this play was something special, something that had a huge impact on both of us, and something that holds up across time. So I reached out to our former English teacher, Carol Ottoson, and the three of us recorded a reunion conversation. It's the perfect introduction to my latest podcast season.

I am reminded all the time that story is powerful. Connection to each other is powerful. And we have no idea the impact that stories will have on us until long after they're told. Some stories have our attention a moment. But some stories—and some people—make an indelible mark.

And if that's not a worthy reason to make our artwork and write our stories and engage in creative play with each other, I'm not sure what is.

Carol Ottoson (Otto) retired from teaching, coaching, and directing after 36 years in the classroom, including 24 in the Prior Lake Savage (MN) School District. She continues to sub in the district. She directed theater for thirty years and coached speech for 34 years. Carol and her husband Keith have been married for over 51 years and have two adult children, Heather and Andy, two sons-in-law, Collan and Branden, and two grandsons, Zach and Jameson. Carol and her husband enjoy traveling and are frequently on the road somewhere. Carol also occasionally preaches at her local church (htumc.org). They are a reconciling congregation, and promote inclusivity.

Follow Carol on Facebook or email her directly at ottoem50@aol.com.

Cory Busse was once voted "Sexiest Man Alive" by Cory Busse Magazine whose audience boasts more than zero Cory Busses.

Follow "Tales from the Christmas Village," a way to keep the spirit of snark alive in your heart all year long.

Amy Hallberg is the author of Tiny Altars: A Midlife Revival and German Awakening: Tales from an American Life. She is the host of Courageous Wordsmith Podcast and founder of Courageous Wordsmith Circle for Real-Life Writers. As an editor and writing mentor, Amy guides writers through their narrative journeys—from inklings to beautiful works, specifically podcasts and books. A lifelong Minnesotan and mother of grown twins, Amy lives in the Twin Cities with her husband and two cats.

Get Amy's Books and Audiobooks

Learn about Courageous Wordsmith Circle for Real-Life Writers

Work with Amy 1:1