Episodios

  • Julie Nguyen, Part 1: “Your intuition doesn’t scream—it whispers”

    Julie Nguyen, Part 1: “Your intuition doesn’t scream—it whispers”
    May 20 2025

    “Your intuition doesn’t scream—it whispers”

    Julie invites us all to connect to our physical selves and we go on an exploration of what it means to follow our intuition, what does our intuition sound like and how do we recognize it (1:42) a discussion of what self-love is (11:13) Julie shares her journey (12:59), and the fun of experiencing life with her child, dance, Reiki, bubbling up and grounding oneself (22:50).

    Hosts: Cherice Barton and Shelly Hutchinson

    Guest: Julie Nguyen

    Producer: Jessica O’Keefe, Breatheasy Productions

    Support Us via Patreon @CreativeMamasUnplugged

    Follow Julie:

    Instagram @jujulove_nguyen

    Podcast The Spiritual Shitshow Podcast

    Website www.NuminousWisdom.com

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    Extended Summary:

    In this episode of Creative Mamas Unplugged, we are joined by the radiant Julie Nguyen, a movement artist, intuitive, trauma-informed somatic practitioner, and beautiful mama. Julie shares her journey of learning to trust her intuition, emphasizing that it’s not something we chase but something we allow. We explore the soft power of the divine feminine energy, the importance of listening to our hearts over our minds, and how to prioritize self-love in our busy lives as mothers. Julie offers practical insights on how to reconnect with ourselves and create space for joy amidst the chaos. This conversation is a beautiful reminder of the wisdom we all carry within, and we are honored to have Julie in our lives. Tune in for a dose of healing, authenticity, and inspiration.
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    34 m
  • Yumiko Takeshima, Part 2: The discipline of rest, a secret to creative longevity

    Yumiko Takeshima, Part 2: The discipline of rest, a secret to creative longevity
    May 13 2025
    “Let it happen” How we overcome toughness with the idea of “let it happen” and by following our curiosity (1:32), new moms multi-tasking work and baby (8:24), Yumi shares about sleep, time by herself and reading comics (17:32) Hosts: Cherice Barton and Shelly Hutchinson Guest: Yumiko Takeshima Producer: Jessica O’Keefe, Breatheasy Productions Follow Yumiko YUMIKO brand https://www.yumiko.com/ Instagram @yumiko Costume Design at Nationale Opera & Ballet https://www.operaballet.nl/en/yumiko-takeshima Youth America Grand Prix https://yagp.org/yumiko-takeshima/ Support Us via Patreon @CreativeMamasUnplugged Follow Us Instagram @creativemamasunplugged Facebook @creativemamasunplugged Apple Podcasts @CreativeMamasUnplugged Spotify @CreativeMamasUnplugged Amazon Music @CreativeMamasUnplugged YouTube @CreativeMamasUnplugged iHeart Radio @CreativeMamasUnplugged Podbean @CreativeMamasUnplugged Extended Summary : In this inspiring conversation, Che sits down with dancer, designer, and entrepreneur Yumiko Takeshima to explore the delicate balance between motherhood, creativity, and career longevity. Yumiko shares her journey of building a global dancewear brand while raising a family, reflecting on the importance of setting healthy boundaries, carving out time for self-care, and learning to say no without guilt. Together, they dive into the evolving definitions of success, the courage it takes to slow down in a fast-paced world, and the power of community in sustaining both artistic and personal growth. This honest and heart-centered discussion offers wisdom for anyone navigating the complexities of motherhood, creative life, and self-preservation Born in Asahikawa, Japan, to parents who owned a small Kimono business, Takeshima began dancing at the age of four in Sapporo, Japan. At the age of 14 she left home to study ballet with Miharu Ishikawa and the San Francisco Ballet. She was a solo dancer with Universal Ballet, Alberta Ballet, Feld Ballet NY, Dutch National Ballet and the Dresden Semperoper Ballet. Yumiko Takeshima was awarded the gold medal at the Serge Lifar International Ballet Competition in 1996. In early 2002 she launched YUMIKO dancewear and the YumiGirl Network. Her dancewear was also used in the 2010 film "Black Swan", among others. Since 2002, Takeshima has continued to develop her made-to-order line, as well as a ready-to-wear line, of high quality, great fitting, and beautifully designed dance and fitness wear for women and men. In addition, since moving to Amsterdam, Netherlands, Takeshima has designed costumes for numerous choreographers, most notably David Dawson and William Forsythe and has been praised in the press not only as a dancer, but also for designing some of the most elegant, simple, and aesthetically beautiful dance costumes in the European dance world. Some costumes Yumi has designed for include: The Human Seasons (2013) David Dawson for the Royal Ballet Opus.11 (2013) David Dawson for the Semperoper Ballett 5 (2013) David Dawson for the Semperoper Ballett Overture (2013) David Dawson for the Dutch National Ballet day4 (2012) David Dawson for the Dutch National Ballet Apollo (2012) George Balanchine for the Semperoper Ballett Dido & Aeneas/DnA (2012) Darrel Toulon for Opera Graz Bach, Handel, Berio Pas de Deux (2012) William Forsythe for the Semperoper Ballett Killer Sweet (2012) Jorma Elo for the Royal Ballet of Flanders Run For It (2012) Martin Lawrance for the Scottish Ballet timelapse/ (Mnemosyne) (2011) David Dawson for the Dutch National Ballet Golden Partita (2011) Jorma Elo for the Basel Ballet Switzerland Kings 2 Ends (2011) Jorma Elo for the Scottish Ballet A Sweet Spell of Oblivion (2010) David Dawson for the Semperoper Ballett (re-design) dancingmadlybackwards (2010) David Dawson for the Norwegian National Ballet The Third Light (2010) David Dawson for the Royal Ballet of Flanders Red in 3 (2010) Jorma Elo for the Scottish Ballet Faun(e) (2009) David Dawson for the English National Ballet The World According to Us (2009) David Dawson for the Semperoper Ballett Suit Murder (2008) Jorma Elo for the Finnish National Ballet Giselle (2008) David Dawson for the Semperoper Ballett On the Nature of Daylight (2007) David Dawson for the Semperoper Ballett A Million Kisses to my Skin (2007) David Dawson for the English National Ballet (re-design) The Second Detail (2007) William Forsythe for the Semperoper Ballett A Sweet Spell of Oblivion (2007) David Dawson for the Royal Ballet of Flanders The Disappeared (2006) David Dawson for the Semperoper Ballett The Gentle Chapters (2006) David Dawson for the Dutch National Ballet Reverence (2005) David Dawson for the Mariinsky (Kirov) Ballet Solitaire (2004) Annabel Lopez Ochoa for the Dutch National Ballet Morning Ground (2004) David Dawson for the Dutch National Ballet 00:00 (2004) David Dawson for the Dutch National Ballet The Grey Area (2002) David Dawson for the Dutch...
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    22 m
  • Cher and Shelly: Divorce, Rebirth, Reinvention and Letting Go

    Cher and Shelly: Divorce, Rebirth, Reinvention and Letting Go
    May 6 2025

    "It is a reinvention"

    Invite to reach out to Cher, single moms, creatives, we need each other (00:55), Cher on pushing away our fear during divorce, gratitude for our children and staying close with them during this next chapter (1:46), Cher, the girls and curtains story (5:17), discussion of whether through the divorce it is a rebirth and or a reinvention (9:13).

    Hosts: Cherice Barton and Shelly Hutchinson

    Producer: Jessica O’Keefe, Breatheasy Productions

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    Más Menos
    18 m
  • Yumiko Takeshima, Part 1: Adventures of a Global Dancewear Family

    Yumiko Takeshima, Part 1: Adventures of a Global Dancewear Family
    Apr 29 2025
    Yumiko’s global fame and a discussion of travel and bringing our kids with us when we travel (1:52) Cher and Yumiko reminisce traveling with Yumiko’s husband Mark through Spain, and how Yumiko’s and Mark’s child enjoys life with the YUMIKO business (8:02) Yumiko shares about her transition from being a prima ballerina to having the worldwide YUMIKO brand (13:08). Hosts: Cherice Barton and Shelly Hutchinson Guest: Yumiko Takeshima Producer: Jessica O’Keefe, Breatheasy Productions Follow Yumiko YUMIKO brand https://www.yumiko.com/ Instagram @yumiko Costume Design at Nationale Opera & Ballet https://www.operaballet.nl/en/yumiko-takeshima Youth America Grand Prix https://yagp.org/yumiko-takeshima/ Follow Us Instagram @creativemamasunplugged Facebook @creativemamasunplugged Apple Podcasts @CreativeMamasUnplugged Spotify @CreativeMamasUnplugged Amazon Music @CreativeMamasUnplugged YouTube @CreativeMamasUnplugged iHeart Radio @CreativeMamasUnplugged Podbean @CreativeMamasUnplugged Extended Summary : In this inspiring conversation, Che sits down with dancer, designer, and entrepreneur Yumiko Takeshima to explore the delicate balance between motherhood, creativity, and career longevity. Yumiko shares her journey of building a global dancewear brand while raising a family, reflecting on the importance of setting healthy boundaries, carving out time for self-care, and learning to say no without guilt. Together, they dive into the evolving definitions of success, the courage it takes to slow down in a fast-paced world, and the power of community in sustaining both artistic and personal growth. This honest and heart-centered discussion offers wisdom for anyone navigating the complexities of motherhood, creative life, and self-preservation Born in Asahikawa, Japan, to parents who owned a small Kimono business, Takeshima began dancing at the age of four in Sapporo, Japan. At the age of 14 she left home to study ballet with Miharu Ishikawa and the San Francisco Ballet. She was a solo dancer with Universal Ballet, Alberta Ballet, Feld Ballet NY, Dutch National Ballet and the Dresden Semperoper Ballet. Yumiko Takeshima was awarded the gold medal at the Serge Lifar International Ballet Competition in 1996. In early 2002 she launched YUMIKO dancewear and the YumiGirl Network. Her dancewear was also used in the 2010 film "Black Swan", among others. Since 2002, Takeshima has continued to develop her made-to-order line, as well as a ready-to-wear line, of high quality, great fitting, and beautifully designed dance and fitness wear for women and men. In addition, since moving to Amsterdam, Netherlands, Takeshima has designed costumes for numerous choreographers, most notably David Dawson and William Forsythe and has been praised in the press not only as a dancer, but also for designing some of the most elegant, simple, and aesthetically beautiful dance costumes in the European dance world. Costumes designed for: The Human Seasons (2013) David Dawson for the Royal Ballet Opus.11 (2013) David Dawson for the Semperoper Ballett 5 (2013) David Dawson for the Semperoper Ballett Overture (2013) David Dawson for the Dutch National Ballet day4 (2012) David Dawson for the Dutch National Ballet Apollo (2012) George Balanchine for the Semperoper Ballett Dido & Aeneas/DnA (2012) Darrel Toulon for Opera Graz Bach, Handel, Berio Pas de Deux (2012) William Forsythe for the Semperoper Ballett Killer Sweet (2012) Jorma Elo for the Royal Ballet of Flanders Run For It (2012) Martin Lawrance for the Scottish Ballet timelapse/ (Mnemosyne) (2011) David Dawson for the Dutch National Ballet Golden Partita (2011) Jorma Elo for the Basel Ballet Switzerland Kings 2 Ends (2011) Jorma Elo for the Scottish Ballet A Sweet Spell of Oblivion (2010) David Dawson for the Semperoper Ballett (re-design) dancingmadlybackwards (2010) David Dawson for the Norwegian National Ballet The Third Light (2010) David Dawson for the Royal Ballet of Flanders Red in 3 (2010) Jorma Elo for the Scottish Ballet Faun(e) (2009) David Dawson for the English National Ballet The World According to Us (2009) David Dawson for the Semperoper Ballett Suit Murder (2008) Jorma Elo for the Finnish National Ballet Giselle (2008) David Dawson for the Semperoper Ballett On the Nature of Daylight (2007) David Dawson for the Semperoper Ballett A Million Kisses to my Skin (2007) David Dawson for the English National Ballet (re-design) The Second Detail (2007) William Forsythe for the Semperoper Ballett A Sweet Spell of Oblivion (2007) David Dawson for the Royal Ballet of Flanders The Disappeared (2006) David Dawson for the Semperoper Ballett The Gentle Chapters (2006) David Dawson for the Dutch National Ballet Reverence (2005) David Dawson for the Mariinsky (Kirov) Ballet Solitaire (2004) Annabel Lopez Ochoa for the Dutch National Ballet Morning Ground (2004) David Dawson for the Dutch National Ballet 00:00 (2004) David Dawson for the Dutch ...
    Más Menos
    20 m
  • Cher and Shelly: Being The Calm in the Storm & Single Mom-ing

    Cher and Shelly: Being The Calm in the Storm & Single Mom-ing
    Apr 22 2025

    Cher’s youngest sets up a movie projector (1:18), Shelly and her husband’s Atlantic City adventure (3:24), Shelly enjoys and stays calm with new teen experiences (9:07) Cher opens up about single-mom-ing (14:10).

    Hosts: Cherice Barton and Shelly Hutchinson

    Producer: Jessica O’Keefe, Breatheasy Productions

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    Más Menos
    19 m
  • Cher and Shelly: Letting Control Go and Staying Scrappy

    Cher and Shelly: Letting Control Go and Staying Scrappy
    Apr 15 2025

    Shelly shares some dog shenanigans (00:55), Cher discusses how as a creative you feel invigorated by work when you are tapped out (2:49), how half the battle is showing up, getting in your car, to do something that fills you up with energy, a daily practice (6:47), growing up scrappy and releasing desire for control (11:53).

    Hosts: Cherice Barton and Shelly Hutchinson

    Producer: Jessica O’Keefe, Breatheasy Productions

    Support Us

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    Más Menos
    18 m
  • Charlene “Chi-Chi” Smith, Part 2: Dynamic Phenomenon, Mother, Dancer, Actor, Choreographer and Educator

    Charlene “Chi-Chi” Smith, Part 2: Dynamic Phenomenon, Mother, Dancer, Actor, Choreographer and Educator
    Apr 9 2025

    "I did have to learn to stop asking for permission."

    Chi Chi shares how when Kane when Kane was a baby it worked best for both Kane and Chi Chi that he went to work with her (1:04), a chat of how your energy allows for flow and adaptability in our lives (4:49), how you make decisions and not asking for permission (8:53).

    Hosts: Cherice Barton and Shelly Hutchinson

    Guest: Charlene “Chi-Chi” Smith

    Producer: Jessica O’Keefe, Breatheasy Productions

    Follow Charlene “Chi-Chi”

    YouTube @DanceChi

    LinkedIn

    La Danse School of the Performing Arts

    Broadway Dance Center

    IMDb

    Dance Magazine Article

    Support Us

    @ patreon.com/CreativeMamasUnpluggedPodcast

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    In this episode, Chi-Chi shares about

    Hailing from the South Bronx, Chi-Chi’s roots in funk, soul, hip-hop, and Latin music have shaped her dynamic career. She has worked with top choreographers in the industry performing alongside legends such as Missy Elliott, LL Cool J, and Mary J. Blige.

    Her choreography credits span major brands, hit TV shows like The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, and Broadway. Up next, she’s set to portray Damita Jo Freeman in Hippest Trip—The Soul Train Musical.

    A dedicated dance educator, Chi-Chi teaches at Pace and Rutgers University, bringing her signature Groove Theory to the next generation—all while being a devoted mom to her SONshine, Kane.

    BIO

    Hailing from the South Bronx, Chi-Chi’s roots in funk, soul, hip-hop, and Latin music have shaped her dynamic career. A Rutgers graduate, she’s worked with top choreographers like Hi Hat, Fatima Robinson, and Rich & Tone, performing alongside legends such as Missy Elliott, LL Cool J, Janelle Monáe, and Mary J. Blige.

    Her choreography credits span major brands like Crest and Xfinity, hit TV shows like Younger and The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, and Broadway, where she debuted in Holler If Ya Hear Me. Up next, she’s set to portray Damita Jo Freeman in Hippest Trip—The Soul Train Musical.

    A dedicated dance educator, Chi-Chi teaches at Pace and Rutgers University, bringing her signature Groove Theory to the next generation—all while being a devoted mom to her SONshine, Kane.
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    15 m
  • Part 2 with Alexandra Damiani: Prioritizing Life’s True Needs as a Mother

    Part 2 with Alexandra Damiani: Prioritizing Life’s True Needs as a Mother
    Apr 1 2025

    “The more I feel that I'm not alone, the more I listen to other women's stories and journeys. The more inspired I am, the more I feel I have the courage to lead by example.“

    A discussion of using your body to overcome your mental state and “sitting practice” or “quiet practice” (1:58), the doubt we feel versus the trust we must embrace to structure time for activities and relationships (12:21), Alexandra shares how the good we have comes from a lot of work, we have to put ourselves first, invest in ourselves, be wisely selfish so our self-love dominos outward to all around us (19:17), the importance of circles like the podcast where our community shares and grow together even from afar (21:22).

    Hosts: Cherice Barton and Shelly Hutchinson

    Guest: Alexandra Damiani

    Producer: Jessica O’Keefe, Breatheasy Productions

    Follow Alexandra Damiani:

    Instagram: @alexandra_damiani. Website: www.damianidance.com

    Follow her work with Ballets Jazz Montréal

    Instagram: @balletsjazzmontreal Website: www.bjmdanse.ca

    Follow Jonathan Angelilli & Breathe Move Nourish – Program especially conceived to

    support women and moms over 40.

    Instagram: @bmn.coach - DM him BREATHE and he will send you Busy Mom's Intro to

    Breath Work Guide.

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    Extended summary:

    In this deeply insightful episode of Creative Mamas Unplugged, we welcome the extraordinary Alexandra Damiani, Artistic Director of Ballets Jazz Montréal and a powerful force in the international dance community. A mother of two, a visionary leader, and a passionate advocate for balance in both artistry and motherhood, Alexandra shares her journey of navigating personal and professional life with intention and clarity.

    Together, hosts Cher and Shelly dive into a candid discussion with Alexandra about prioritization, presence, and the art of letting go—especially as mothers in high-demand careers. From her time shaping world-class dancers at Cedar Lake Contemporary Ballet and Juilliard to her role as a devoted mother, Alexandra reveals how she learned to focus on what truly matters, release societal pressures, and embrace a harmonious, purpose-driven life.

    The conversation explores: ✨ The power of undivided attention in work, family, and personal passions ✨ Letting go of perfectionism and choosing battles that truly matter ✨ The importance of community and support for mothers, especially post-pandemic ✨ Self-care as an investment, not a luxury—and why it’s crucial for our families’ well-being ✨ Alexandra’s personal evolution as a mother, leader, and woman finding balance amidst life’s chaos

    We also dive into her husband’s transformative program, "Breathe, Move, Nourish," designed to empower mothers through movement, breathwork, and nutrition. Plus, Alexandra gives us a sneak peek into her upcoming book project, which promises to inspire women to redefine success, wellness, and motherhood on their own terms.

    This episode is a must-listen for any mother, artist, or professional striving to find grace in the juggle. Tune in for wisdom, inspiration, and a refreshing reminder that by taking care of ourselves, we take better care of everything—and everyone—else. 🎧💫
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    30 m
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