VS Grenier ~ Award-Winning Author, Speaker & Podcaster

  Our latest episode of Language of the Soul podcast welcomes David Smith, a multifaceted author and speaker, who owns the United Racquet Club. His rich experience provides a unique perspective on the interconnected nature of passion, storytelling, and legacy. David's journey as a storyteller began with his desire to document his father's legacy, inspiring him to encourage others to record their narratives. Diving into the enchanting world of Disney books, we explore the magic of storytelling and character development. These narratives, like a magical theme park ride, take readers on a historical fiction journey, creating a universal connection with characters and evoking emotions that transcend boundaries. Drawing inspiration from acclaimed books like Mitch Album's "The Five People You Meet in Heaven" and Dan Brown's "The Da Vinci Code," we discuss the spiritual journey these narratives can create for readers. Shifting our focus to sports, we uncove

  As the Yuletide season wraps the world in a blanket of frost and festive lights, it offers a moment for pause and reflection, a time to immerse ourselves in the magic of mindfulness and spiritualism. In the stillness of winter, the Yuletide season provides a serene backdrop for introspective practices. Nature invites us to slow down and engage in mindful reflection in its quiet dormancy. These moments of solitude, whether on a crisp morning walk or in the quiet of a snowy evening, become profound exercises in mindfulness. This practice, deeply rooted in spiritualism, resonates with the principles of mental well-being, emphasizing the importance of being present and connected with our inner selves. The kitchen often becomes a focal point during Yuletide. Here, the act of preparing meals transforms into a meditative practice, where the rhythmic stirring of a pot or the careful measuring of ingredients becomes an exercise in mindfulness. This culinary meditation, a form of spiritual pra

In the latest episode of our podcast, we delve into an intriguing conversation with Johnny Worthen, an award-winning author, and teacher, about the power and impact of storytelling on cultures and societies. Known for his famous series "Tony Flannery, Slacker Detective" and his science fiction masterpiece "Koranon", Worthen has earned his place in the world of storytelling, using his unique approach to shed light on important societal issues. The episode begins with a look at storytelling's role in culture. We discuss Johnny's journey as a writer, his diverse background, and how it influenced his writing. We explore his popular series and his unique approach to teaching creative writing, which includes a course on Buddhist lessons for writers. The discussion emphasizes the cultural impact of storytelling and how it has shaped Johnny's life and career. The conversation then moves onto the themes, genres, and power of stories. We explore the creative proce

  The transformative power of storytelling and spirituality is a captivating subject. In a recent episode of the 'Language of the Soul' podcast, we had the pleasure of hosting Connet Tegan, a renowned children's author and energy therapist. The focus of the discussion was the intersection of storytelling, spirituality, and their influence on personal growth and development. Storytelling has been an integral part of human culture for millennia. It shapes our identities, beliefs, and even our spiritual paths. Connet Tegan's work beautifully intertwines the power of words and music, creating a universe where communication skills and character building are paramount. This not only makes her a phenomenal author but also a catalyst for positive change.  In today's rapidly evolving educational landscape, the role of storytelling often gets sidelined. However, the significance of narratives in understanding complex issues cannot be overstated. From personal experiences to s

  There is something magical about storytelling. It has the power to transport us to different worlds, challenge our perspectives, and trigger a wide range of emotions. In the podcast episode "Unlocking Creativity and Personal Growth through Storytelling," we delve into this power with our guest, Renee Urbanovic, a TEDxTalk speaker, creativity coach, and Humanities through the Arts Professor.  Renee's story is one of triumph over adversity. After suffering a vocal injury that left her voiceless, she earned a degree in creativity and embarked on a journey to understand the complex world of creativity. Her exploration revealed that creativity is not merely a skill or talent, but a global philosophy deeply ingrained within our DNA. This perspective on creativity offers a new lens through which we can view our personal growth and collective evolution. The episode begins with Renee sharing her unique philosophy on creativity, which she explains through the metaphor of a pot, r

In a recent podcast episode, we had an enlightening discussion with Rosalyn Lehman, a retired educator and anthropologist, and Menci Kang. We ventured into the healing powers of narrative, the potential of epigenetics to rewire these narratives, and the transformative role of yoga in dealing with trauma. Stories play a crucial role in our perception of ourselves and the world around us. They influence our beliefs, shape our identities, and can even impact our physical bodies through the field of epigenetics. Particularly in the context of trauma, narratives can either perpetuate harm or be a tool for healing and transformation. The stories we tell ourselves about ourselves are of paramount importance. In this episode, we also delved into the therapeutic potential of yoga in dealing with trauma. Yoga, as a lifestyle of discipline, can help shift little proteins and methyl groups in the body, altering our genetic makeup. We discussed the cognitive process of releasing emotions and the co

In our latest podcast episode, we had the privilege to journey through the remarkable life of Joshua Lloyd Fox, an indie author and master storyteller who embarked on his writing career at the age of 40. Joshua's diverse background as a soldier, aircraft mechanic, technical writer, and more for both the US and foreign militaries, his profound insights on faith, transformation, and creativity make for an engaging conversation.  Joshua's story of personal transformation and the therapeutic power of storytelling is truly compelling. His battle with childhood trauma and how it shaped his life and creative process is a testament to resilience and the human spirit. During our conversation, we delved into his experience with Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy and the potential therapeutic benefits of micro-dosing hallucinogens. It was enlightening to see how writing served as a powerful tool for Joshua to reframe his personal narratives and confront his darke

The journey of raising a child with Trisomy 21, more commonly known as Down Syndrome, is often filled with challenges and blessings. Nancy M. Schwartz, mother to Alex - a cellist with Trisomy 21, shares her journey and the profound influence of stories and words on education, inclusivity, and understanding the unique gifts of those with disabilities. Through the deep dive into Nancy's journey, she shares her experiences and insights that challenge conventional education systems and societal perceptions. Her son Alex, diagnosed with Trisomy 21, was initially perceived as incapable of fitting into conventional education frameworks. However, Nancy's relentless belief in Alex's abilities and the transformative power of storytelling turned barriers into breakthroughs. Nancy's narrative is a testament to resilience and the overlooked abilities of those with disabilities. It urges us to see the unique gifts they bring and to rethink our approach to education, especially in th

In the launch episode of Language of the Soul Podcast, we had the pleasure of introducing our audience to the host, filmmaker Dominic Domingo and producer/co-host, psychology major and children and YA author Virginia Grenier for a deep dive into the transformative power of storytelling. Both share their personal journeys and offer insights into how storytelling shapes our personal beliefs, habits, and ultimately, our worldview. Dominic, who has a diverse background in creativity, from a successful filmmaker to a writer, discussed his evolution as a storyteller. His experiences at the Art Center College of Design, where he learned invaluable lessons about the enigmatic creative process, offer listeners a unique perspective on the intersection of creativity and storytelling. Virginia, on the other hand, shares her journey from the marketing world of fashion to writing and being in the editing room to following her dreams into victim advocacy and mental health. She has navigated diverse r

  Greetings, dear readers! Our journey together has taken us on a path of self-discovery, embracing optimism, redefining the elusive work-life balance, and learning to effectively manage our energy. Today, we embark on a profound exploration—a topic that delves into the very core of human existence: the concept that meaning is the motivation that moves us (Frankl, 1946). Join me as we unravel the significance of finding purpose and how it can inspire us to lead more fulfilling lives.   The Quest for Meaning   Throughout our lives, we are driven by a profound innate desire to uncover meaning and purpose (Baumeister, 1991). This universal pursuit lies at the core of our existence, guiding our choices, actions, and aspirations. The magnetic pull propels us forward, providing us with a compelling reason to greet each new day with enthusiasm and purpose.   In Viktor Frankl's seminal work, "Man's Search for Meaning," this unwavering quest for purpose is illuminated in the m

  Dear readers, in our previous exploration, we confronted the conventional wisdom surrounding work-life balance and understood that it might be more of a myth than an attainable reality. We discussed the importance of actively managing our energy levels rather than fixating on the elusive concept of equilibrium (Schwartz, 2017). Today, we take the next step in this journey by delving into the practical realm of energy management. Join me as we uncover a toolkit of practical strategies to harness vitality and optimize our daily lives.   Practical Strategies for Energy Management As we embark on this illuminating journey through energy management, we will explore the what and how—practical strategies that empower us to make the most of our natural energy rhythms. These strategies are not mere theories but actionable approaches that can be seamlessly integrated into your daily routine.   1. Self-Awareness: Navigating Your Energy Patterns The foundation of effective energy management lies

Dear readers, our journey together has taken us through a fascinating exploration of optimism and the art of positive framing. We've uncovered the power of a positive mindset and its transformative effects on our lives. Today, we venture into a new realm of understanding—one that challenges our preconceived notions about work and life balance. Welcome to "Harnessing Vitality: Why Work-Life Balance is a Myth."   Redefining Work-Life Balance   In our previous discussions, we've often heard about the concept of work-life balance, an ideal state where our professional and personal lives are thought to coexist harmoniously. However, this ideal can be elusive and often leads to frustration and disappointment. As we journey through this topic, we'll come to realize that achieving an exact balance between work and life is an unrealistic expectation (Elsbach & Cable, 2012).   The Myth of Equilibrium   The traditional notion of work-life balance assumes that our energy