Hi loves! I'm back after a podcast pause to share a life update at 13 months postpartum. In this episode, I talk about:13 months postpartum reflectionsMotherhood, identity + becoming more yourselfGrief, marriage shifts + changing relationshipsOverwhelm, mental load + healing old patternsTrusting intuition in parentingTraveling to Morocco with a 1-year-oldCreativity in a full season of lifeNew book project: “10 things” from baby’s first yearPRE ORDER MY NEW BOOK! I Collect Stories Like Seashells. Pre-order here.@leyavandoren

In today's solo episode, I share what it feels like being 8 months postpartum.We talk about:Postpartum nourishmentNavigating changing postpartum identitiesYoga & why the practice makes me feel heldSLEEP, caffeine, & my DC matcha tourHerbal infusionsPostpartum hair loss and the spiritual reasons behind itMaking friends and finding community as a new momTravel anxietyPlanning mine and babies first international trip & lots more! PRE ORDER MY NEW BOOK! I Collect Stories Like Seashells. Pre-order here.The First Forty Days by Heng Ou@leyavandoren

In this episode, I share what’s currently lighting up and inspiring my creative soul. We dive deep into synchronicities, creative inspiration, and gentle reminders that magic exists in the details of daily life.We talk about:The lessons and magic from my September writing group, Mundane into MagicHow to build a simple, consistent creative practiceThe power of a 5-minute brain dump and the “10 Things” daily writing ritualReflection from reading Elizabeth Gilbert’s memoir All the Way to the RiverWhat it really means to let go and let GodHow surrender is shaping my journey as a new momThe process of writing and self-publishing my upcoming memoir, I Collect Stories Like SeashellsThe reminder that your creative legacy can begin with your immediate communityCreative Resources Mentioned:Mundane into MagicCreate for Yourself, First on SubstackAll the Way to the River by Elizabeth GilbertEmma Watson on On PurposeElizabeth Gilbert on Soul BoomConnect with Leya @leyavandorenPre-Order I Collect Stories like Seashells: https://leyavandoren.com/book

HAPPY 5 YEAR BIRTHDAY TO THE CREATIVE SOUL PODCAST! In this heartfelt solo episode, I reflect on five years of podcasting and what it takes to show up for your art - even amidst transition and change.We talk about:The journey of celebrating the 5-year anniversary of The Creative Soul Podcast and 160+ episodes recorded.What it means to treat creative projects like living beings with birthdays, growth, and their own evolution.Lessons I've learned about trusting my voice, creating sustainable rhythms, and navigating overwhelm.The cosmic synchronicity of the podcast anniversary aligning with my baby’s six-month birthday.Why creative structures (like journaling, voice memos, or podcasting) help build trust and confidence in your artistic voice.Encouragement to honor your own creative soul projects and start, even if it feels messy, small, or unknown.Whether you’re in a season of transition, doubting your creative voice, or looking for inspiration to start your own project, this episode is an invitation to trust your soul’s nudges and celebrate the art you’ve already birthed into the world.Creative Resources Shared:Ashley Love CreativesConnect with Leya: @leyavandoren

I'm so excited to share this conversation I had with my pregnancy, birth, and postpartum doula, Elizabeth Beeker! We talk about the role of a doula in birth and the spiritual aspects and elements of birth.We also talk about:What observing birth work in Kenya taught her about Western birth practicesSurrender in birthThe importance of prenatal preparationWhat to do if you're experiencing prodromal laborNavigating miscarriage and lossWhy hiring a doula for birth is keyCreative Resources MentionedIna May's Guide to ChildbirthCall the MidwifeConnect with Elizabeth:Facebook: By Design Birth Services

What if your everyday life could feel like art? In this creative minisode, I share a simple daily writing practice to transform the mundane into magic and help you reconnect with your creative soul. Plus you'll receive an invitation to a live 4 week writing circle starting September 9th, 2025.We talk about:Why the mundane moments of your life hold the most creative inspirationA simple daily practice to spark creativity in just a few minutes a dayHow to overcome fear, perfectionism, and the resistance of the blank pageThe power of record-keeping through writing and journalingHow to tell the stories your creative soul wants to tellWays to romanticize your everyday life and infuse it with beautyHow writing connects you to your inner voice and creative soulJoin the live writing class: Mundane into Magic hereConnect with me on Instagram @leyavandorenRead my Substack here

In this solo episode, I share the magic of the summer season - from what I'm buying at the farmer's market, to reframing our creative purposes, to making our day jobs work for us, to balancing multiple identities, to navigating seasons of change and transformation.We talk about:The sensual, creative magic of summer abundanceWhat I’m cooking and loving from the farmer’s marketLiving seasonally and honoring nature’s rhythmsSaying goodbye to our Michigan home and honoring the woman I became thereThe cyclical nature of change: beginnings, middles, and endingsWhy I stopped feeling shame about my “day job” and how I reframed it as part of my creative purposeCreativity, authenticity, and the soul’s calling in a content-driven worldRedefining success as a creative and understanding your role in the collectiveCreative Resources Mentioned:The Social Change Ecosystem Map by Deepa IyerBirth Story WorkshopMy upcoming book I Collect Stories Like Seashells – releasing Fall 2025Subscribe to my Substack for weekly writing, seasonal rituals, and soulful musings: leya.substack.comLet’s stay connected:Instagram: @leyavandoren

Dalia is an Assyrian-American director and writer focusing on explosive theatricality and subverting existing narratives. She was listed in the Forbes 30 Under 30 Hollywood and Entertainment 2025. Her Broadway credits include serving as Associate Director of Sweeney Todd and as the Resident Director at Phantom of the Opera.In this episode, we talk about:What it really means to be a directorLearning to trust your creative visionMaking mistakes in the rehearsal processHow overstimulation kills creativityWhy collaboration is a mirror for self-growthTelling ancestral storiesFinding the stories that matter to usCreative Resources Mentioned:Everything is Waiting for You by David WhyteSteal Like an Artist by Austin KleonConnect with Dalia:@your_gal_dalwww.daliaashurina.com

In this solo episode, Leya shares her life updates being four months postpartum.We talk about:The importance of honoring and processing our birth storiesHow you can reflect and honor your birth story, months and even years later!What I'm navigating postpartumFeeling more feminine becoming a motherWhy motherhood is bringing me deeper into compassionHow motherhood is strengthening my spiritualityBirth Story Reflection Workshop: Find the replay here.Read my Substack here.Connect with Leya @leyavandoren

Lindsey Simcik is a creative force, entrepreneur, and media personality best known as the co-founder and co-host of the critically acclaimed Almost 30 podcast. Alongside her co-host Krista, she also launched Morning Microdose, a wildly popular daily show serving up the best bits of Almost 30. She created “New Mom on the Block”, a brand designed to support new moms in owning their unique flavor of motherhood through resources, products, and a vibrant community.In this episode, we talk about:How to know when is the right time for a creative ideaDetermining what season you're inWhat to do in a waiting seasonNavigating a healing season, integration season, and chaos season (Hello Saturn Return!)Embodying different roles in marriageFinding embodiment through motherhoodAllowing our creative and spiritual practices to change with the seasons of lifeCreative Resources Mentioned:Time Passages AppRead the Book: Almost 30: A Definitive Guide to a Life You Love for the Next Decade and BeyondConnect with Lindsey: @lindseysimcik