The Laws of Human Nature By Robert Greene

Credit: The Laws of Human Nature

Overview

Robert Greene is a master guide for millions of readers, distilling ancient wisdom and philosophy into essential texts for seekers of power, understanding and mastery. Now he turns to the most important subject of all, understanding people's drives and motivations, even when they are unconscious of them themselves. We are social animals. Our very lives depend on our relationships with people. Knowing why people do what they do is the most important tool we can possess, without which our other talents can only take us so far. Drawing from the ideas and examples of Pericles, Queen Elizabeth I, Martin Luther King Jr, and many others, Greene teaches us how to detach ourselves from our own emotions and master self-control, how to develop the empathy that leads to insight, how to look behind people's masks, and how to resist conformity to develop your singular sense of purpose. Read more here. Credit: Abe Books.

The Correspondent By Virginia Evans

Credit: The Correspondent 

Overview

Filled with knowledge that only comes from a life fully lived, The Correspondent is a gem of a novel about the power of finding solace in literature and connection with people we might never meet in person. It is about the hubris of youth and the wisdom of old age, and the mistakes and acts of kindness that occur during a lifetime.  Sybil Van Antwerp has throughout her life used letters to make sense of the world and her place in it. Most mornings, around half past ten, Sybil sits down to write letters—to her brother, to her best friend, to the president of the university who will not allow her to audit a class she desperately wants to take, to Joan Didion and Larry McMurtry to tell them what she thinks of their latest books, and to one person to whom she writes often yet never sends the letter. Read more here. Credit: The Correspondent.

Writers Series Welcomes Frank DiMaio

 

Credit: Writers Series - Guest Frank DiMaio

Meet the Author  - Frank DiMaio

Frank holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Providence College, his Doctorate from New York Chiropractic College, and a Master of Science degree from Troy State University. Born and raised in Rhode Island, he grew up in the restaurant business. This engendered a strong work ethic and a love of food, which helped him develop his perseverance, determination, and faith to be adventurous and driven.

As a published author, keynote speaker, and artist, he shares his journey. Teaching others through presentations, workshops on resilience, and keynote speeches about the healing power of positive language, and to help others shift the influence of negative words and learned behavior. *To Be and To Be With…The Yin and Yang of Emotional Prosperity*, his most recent work, offers perspectives on shifting negative emotion within the context of Chinese philosophy. Credit: Frank DiMaio; Emotional Prosperity Network. 

Frank's appearance on Writers Series is available @❤️iHeartRadio.

 

Credit: To Be .. To Be With; Author Frank J. DiMaio

"Hello Anxiety, My Old Friend" By Natalie Kohlhaas

 

Credit: Hello Anxiety, My Old Friend

Meet Natalie Kohlhaas, the Winner of the Georgia Author of the Year Award for Inspiration, the 2023 Book Fest Award, the Pencraft Award, and the Book Pro E-Book Award. Natalie has been featured on ABC, NBC, the FOX network, and multiple magazines. As an Executive Coach, Therapist, and Seminar Leader, she is widely known for her work with anxiety disorders and helping individuals create clarity of mind, emotion, and action that helps them reach the highest levels of success. Her most recent book, “Hello Anxiety, My Old Friend,” is available on Amazon, and her online course, “Executive Clarity,” is a resource for you or your family. Credit: Natalie Kohlhaas; Serenity Tree.

Credit: Natalie Kohlhaas - Executive Coach, Therapist, Author

Natalie discusses her career insights and her latest book release with 🎧ExecuPeaks.

She Comes Undone By Wally Lamb

 

 

 

Credit: She's Come Undone, Wally Lamb

 

Overview

Meet Dolores Price. She's thirteen, wise-mouthed but wounded, having bid her childhood goodbye. Beached like a whale in front of her bedroom TV, she spends the next few years nourishing herself with the Mallomars, potato chips, and Pepsi her anxious mother supplies. When she finally rolls into young womanhood at 257 pounds, Dolores is no stronger and life is no kinder. But this time she's determined to rise to the occasion and give herself one more chance before really going belly up. In this extraordinary coming-of-age odyssey, Wally Lamb invites us to hitch a wild ride on a journey of love, pain, and renewal with the most heartbreakingly comical heroine to come along in years. At once a fragile girl and a hard-edged cynic, so tough to love yet so inimitably lovable, Dolores is as poignantly real as our own imperfections. She's Come Undone includes a promise: you will never forget Dolores Price. Credit: She's Come Undone; Wally Lamb Books.

Kaizen Forever By Bob Emiliani

Credit: Kaizen Forever

Kaizen Forever introduces you to the teachings of Chihiro Nakao. Mr. Nakao co-founded the Shingijutsu Company in 1987 at the behest of Taiichi Ohno to teach the principles and practices of the Toyota Production System to a wider audience.Nakao-san’s teachings will enlighten you on wide-ranging subjects related to business, management,leadership, and more. He does so in ways that nobody else has, and as no one else alive can. This book will make a deep impact on you in practical, intellectual, and emotional ways. It will inspire you to think differently, to be practical and take action, and to learn and improve.There is no end to kaizen. There is no end to what you can learn from this book. Credit: Kaizen Forever; Bob Emiliani.

"Mind Wiping" - Eliminate Destructive Emotions

Credit: Mind Wiping | www.mindwiping.com

 

Overview

What erases with Mind Wiping? 

"All negative, destructive emotions. We've yet to find a negative emotions that refuses to be erased using Mind Wiping. Many do not realize that they made a decision an instant before feeling a negative emotion. An emotion is always attached to a painful experience. First we decide, then we feel. Mind Wiping erases only the emotion. The decision will stay in the subconscious mind until it is erased. Later we'll go back and erase any negative decisions, but it takes another technique(s) to do that. Which is why we keep track of the emotions we erase."  Credit: Mind Wiping; Learn more about the authors Sarah and Jessica Meredith. 

Explore Mind Wiping and purchase the book here.

Emotional Intelligence by Daniel Goleman

Credit: Daniel Goleman

Overview

Everyone knows that high IQ is no guarantee of success, happiness, or virtue, but until Emotional Intelligence, we could only guess why. Daniel Goleman's brilliant report from the frontiers of psychology and neuroscience offers startling new insight into our “two minds”—the rational and the emotional—and how they together shape our destiny. Drawing on groundbreaking brain and behavioral research, Goleman shows the factors at work when people of high IQ flounder and those of modest IQ do surprisingly well. These factors, which include self-awareness, self-discipline, and empathy, add up to a different way of being smart—and they aren’t fixed at birth. Although shaped by childhood experiences, emotional intelligence can be nurtured and strengthened throughout our adulthood—with immediate benefits to our health, our relationships, and our work. Read more here. Credit: Daniel Goleman; DG Books.

The New Executive Brain by Elkhonon Goldberg

 

Credit: The New Executive Brain

Elkhonon Goldberg's groundbreaking The Executive Brain was a classic of scientific writing, revealing how the frontal lobes command the most human parts of the mind. Now he offers a completely new book, providing fresh, iconoclastic ideas about the relationship between the brain and the mind. In The New Executive Brain, Goldberg paints a sweeping panorama of cutting-edge thinking in cognitive neuroscience and neuropsychology, one that ranges far beyond the frontal lobes. Drawing on the latest discoveries, and developing complex scientific ideas and relating them to real life through many fascinating case studies and anecdotes, the author explores how the brain engages in complex decision-making; how it deals with novelty and ambiguity; and how it addresses moral choices. At every step, Goldberg challenges entrenched assumptions. For example, we know that the left hemisphere of the brain is the seat of language--but Goldberg argues that language may not be the central adaptation of the left hemisphere. Apes lack language, yet many also show evidence of asymmetric hemispheric development. Goldberg also finds that a complex interaction between the frontal lobes and the amygdale--between a recently evolved and a much older part of the brain--controls emotion, as conscious thoughts meet automatic impulses. The author illustrates this observation with a personal example: the difficulty he experienced when trying to pick up a baby alligator he knew to be harmless, as his amygdala battled his effort to extend his hand.

In the years since the original Executive Brain, Goldberg has remained at the front of his field, constantly challenging orthodoxy. In this revised and expanded edition, he affirms his place as one of our most creative and insightful scientists, offering lucid writing and bold, paradigm-shifting ideas. Credit: Oxford University Press

AWE by Dacher Keltner

Credit: Awe by Dacher Keltner

In Awe, Dacher Keltner presents a radical investigation and deeply personal inquiry into this elusive emotion. Revealing new research into how awe transforms our brains and bodies, alongside an examination of awe across history, culture, and within his own life during a period of grief, Keltner shows us how cultivating awe in our everyday life leads us to appreciate what is most humane in our human nature. And during a moment in which our world feels more divided than ever before, and more imperiled by crises of different kinds, we are greatly in need of awe. If we open our minds, it is awe that sharpens our reasoning and orients us toward big ideas and new insights, that cools our immune system’s inflammation response and strengthens our bodies. It is awe that activates our inclination to share and create strong networks, to take actions that are good for the natural and social world around us. It is awe that transforms who we are, that inspires the creation of art, music, and religion. At turns radical and profound, brimming with enlightening and practical insights, Awe is our field guide, from not only one of the leading voices on the subject but a fellow seeker of awe in his own right, for how to place awe as a vital force within our lives. Credit: AWE

Kiss My Boots by Jennifer Learmont

 

Credit: Jennifer Learmont

Jennifer, Welcome to Authors by Sasha. Kiss My Boots is a memoir described as provocative & steamy reflecting your adventures in the 80's and 90's in Hollywood. What made you decide it was the right time to pen a memoir? 

​I wasn't sure what the right time was to write this memoir, but it started out with my ex-husband writing his own.  I am in a couple of his chapters which didn't shine a great light on me;  it didn't explain where I came from, or where I ended up or why his story unfolded the way it did. He contacted me in 2017 and I worked with him for a couple of years, doing some research.  Then I thought I should write my story from a girl’s point of view.

I was tired of hiding my past;  people would ask me questions and my answers just provoked more questions, so I decided to just put it all out there.  It started out as a journal for my family, but it just took its own journey into a book.  I thought, “take me or leave me but here is the story.”

What was your backstory prior to embarking upon a three month journey to the United States that resulted in a twenty year tenure in the country? 

​My back story was from a very dysfunctional childhood, which I thought was a good segue into why I did what I did, and the choices that I made.  I couldn't wait to go to the USA;  I loved everything about it - the music, the entertainment industry, Tinseltown.  It was very intriguing to me as a young girl;  it was where all my heroes were from.

Adhering to no rules comes with risk. What were you trying to accomplish by abolishing all constraints which could affect your growth and success at a young age?   

Really, I didn't even think of what “no rules” or “no limits” were.  It wasn't a plan;  it was just the way I was, my makeup.  I was a free spirit and I had no plans.  I have to say that time of my life was a time that I lived purely in the moment, not thinking of consequences at all but just living.  It was so exciting;  it was pure freedom.  I’m really glad I got to that; it’s rare. 

What is the greatest risk you’ve taken in life that has paid off?

All the risks that I have taken, whether it be with criminals or being a Domme, paid off because I have an incredible story to tell.  The adventures that I lived in were unique.  I have amazing friends to this day from that life whether it be ex-clients, girls I've worked with or just all the colorful characters I met along the way.  I've always lived life to the fullest and wanted to experience everything, so to me that life paid off in that way. 

Jennifer, what was the younger version of yourself seeking from life and how have your life experiences evolved for what you’re seeking today?

I had a childhood of neglect, no security, going to so many schools, never staying in one place for very long, always being a new kid at school.  I think I was seeking to belong and maybe that's why I experienced everything that was thrown at me, to fit in. Don’t get me wrong;  I was wild and had so much fun seeking all this.

​I have learnt a lot.  Today I'm seeking the opposite: pure health and peace of mind.  I'm also very careful of who I choose to spend time with, but I think I'm still seeking security in some sort of way. 

Having lived the sex, drugs and rock n’ roll lifestyle, what surprised you the most about the celebrity lifestyle?   

Well, as the old cliché goes, celebrities are no different than everybody else;  they still have the same insecurities.  Still, it did surprise me, the sheer decadence and wealth of some of these people, especially with me coming from a poor background. 

What is the greatest misconception about Hollywood?

Well, everybody goes to Hollywood thinking it's this amazing place where your dreams may come true, but in reality it's very dangerous.  It's very dark and it's very sad.  Everybody has stars in their eyes but it's also very hard to avoid substance abuse, especially if it's not going so well.  It's a bad place to just go to without knowing anyone because you’re basically a sitting duck. Having said that, I had some of the best times of my life, saw and heard some of the best music and met some of the best people.  Hollywood's a funny place; it's bright and dark, comic and tragic.  Everywhere has that but in Hollywood it's magnified millions of times.

Credit: Kiss My Boots

Among your adventures referenced in your memoir Kiss My Boots, you’ve also worked as a dominatrix for fourteen years. How were you introduced to the exciting and exotic world of dominatrix prior to becoming a professional in the field?

How I became a Domme was simply that I had met a girl at the gym that thought I was perfect for a Domme:  I was beautiful with a strong personality.  I also needed a job.  I built up the courage to go in and have an interview, and the rest is history. 

Dominatrix represents a woman who physically and / or psychologically dominates her partner in sadomasochistic encounters. It's considered a healthy channel of sexual exploration.   What appealed to you about this lifestyle?  

So to be clear, being a professional Domme does not involve physical sex;  it’s all mind play.  To be a good Domme you have to have tons of empathy and compassion, even be a therapist to these men.  A lot of professional Dommes don’t live the lifestyle out of work.

I feel the job as a Domme filled a very important need for these people.  Where would they go and what would they do without it??  It’s a serious need for many.

What appealed to me with this job was that I met some of the most amazing people, and I was attracted to how bizarre it all was.  I liked seeing the grey side of life and the parts of people that nobody sees;  to me that's very interesting, and that's exactly what you see in this job.  These clients confided in us so deeply, I'm sure they told us things that nobody else on the planet knew about them. Believe me, there was a lot of humor in this job, too;  it could be incredibly funny.

I have definitely learned that you can't judge a book by its cover, some of the most powerful men have some of the darkest fetishes. I did learn that most of these fetishes and needs came from early childhood. I learned to practice the art of non-judgement;  everyone is just trying to get along in this world and some needs of this kind help them.  I've always had a big heart and a lot of compassion, and I became stronger with this job;  I really appreciate it. 

There are many channels present for one to connect with their higher source. How were you introduced to the Interdenominational Church and its activities which also included a gospel choir? 

I was doing a lot of cocaine and one of my clients who was a reformed drunk suggested I come with him to this church called The Sanctuary.  It was right up my alley; there were celebrities, there were rock stars, and there was amazing music.  Everyone was really healthy, and when I heard the gospel choir that was it for me!  Of course, I didn't get involved in the choir right away because I had to pay my dues and attend for a while. Music was in my blood;  all my family were musicians, so I really felt that I  belonged there.​

All the people that went there were musicians, artists or actors;  so many celebrities there.

I couldn't believe how healthy everyone was and when I found out they were into power yoga, they showed me a new way of living which was life-changing.

Labeled as a self-proclaimed fearless child, did you ever encounter fear while living the highs and lows of the American lifestyle? 

Yes, I did encounter fear, but I think I processed it differently than most people.  I was resilient and strong, so I just brushed myself off and kept going.  I never ever felt like I was a victim.  I still have the fearless child in me but I'm a lot more responsible now.  It's different when you're living a healthy clean life;  you make good choices and choose your friends very carefully.

Everyone perceives fear to be different. In your opinion, what is the opposite of fear?

The opposite of fear is living a life without crazy experiences, as the old saying goes;  your life begins at the end of your comfort zone, and that includes fear. 

The memoir Kiss My Boots also presents a survival story. Keeping secrets can be considered a survival skill. Secrets can also be dangerous. What impact did living a secretive life have on your health, heart and sanity? 

Keeping my life secret, I thought, was for survival but it was very damaging.  I felt no one ever really knew me, and how could they?  They definitely didn't understand me because my whole life was a façade.  It was not real and it was a lie, what I told my family and friends was a made-up story.  I wasn't sure what they would think of me.

Every person responds differently when existing outside of their comfort zone. Did you ever encounter homesickness when away from Australia?

I didn't get homesick for Australia so much, but I missed my family a lot.  Once in a while I'd wake up in a panic, wondering “what am I still doing in the US,” but it just kept me hooked and I couldn't seem to leave. 

The book Kiss My Boots has been nominated for Indie Book Awards (Non-Fiction), NSW Premier's Literary Awards (Non-Fiction & New Writing) and Queensland Literary Awards (Non-Fiction).  How would you describe your writing experience from the point of conceptualizing the book to launching it in the market?

My writing experience so far has been mainly cathartic, purging deep things inside me that I have kept bottled up for so long.  Offloading those experiences and putting them on paper make me feel light and free. I had never written anything before or even trained in the art of writing, but I just knew I had to get this down on paper.  I think I did a good job.

What part of the writing process did you enjoy the most when penning Kiss My Boots?

It isn't easy launching your book onto the market.  The whole process takes years with a lot of rejection.  In the end I put it down on paper and no more have to lie.

Were there any parts of the book that were challenging to write?  

I enjoyed the way the words just flowed out of me.  I don't even know where it came from;  it just came out. The pure freedom of it all! I laughed and I cried writing this book;  it was fun and it was a great experience. 

Can you kindly share two writing tips that can benefit new and seasoned writers? 

I think the best tip is to really put out the nitty gritty and don’t hold back.  I think people like the messy side of life.  Be humble and honest, no matter how hard it is to expose yourself, especially if it's a memoir. 

While growing up, what type of literature did you enjoy reading?  

I have to say I didn't get a chance to read a lot because of my unstable upbringing and going to so many different schools.  I did enjoy English and I was into reading a lot of the old classics, which I loved. 

Is there a book that you enjoy reading which you wished you had written?

Catcher in the Rye. 

Jennifer, as a proud Australian, how is the American social culture different from the Australian lifestyle?  

I never thought that Australia and the USA were that much different.  I don't think I ever had a huge culture shock except for the fact that everything's tenfold in America;  it's like Australia in the future.  It's a lot easier in Australia;  the quality of life is a lot better.  

Are there any new hobbies, or endeavors you’ve embarked upon since your return to Australia?

My hobbies now are still yoga.  I'm a marriage celebrant.  I love reading, being really healthy, friends, food, gym, writing and music. 

What exciting new projects are you working on that audiences should keep an eye on?

I'm just about to start a second edition which will start in Hollywood and do a deep dive into all these characters, and especially the Domme world.  

Please share with readers how they can support your work. 

Please follow me on Instagram at jennifer_learmont and also at Shawline Publishing, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Goodreads.

The Myth of Normal by Dr. Gabor Maté

 

Credit: the Myth of Normal

Overview

In the Myth of Normal, renowned physician Gabor Maté eloquently dissects how Western countries that pride themselves on their healthcare systems are actually seeing an upsurge in chronic illness and general ill health. Prescription drug usage, high blood pressure, mental illness, and so many other troubling issues are on the rise. Dr. Gabor Maté is A renowned speaker, and bestselling author highly sought after for his expertise on a range of topics including addiction, stress and childhood development.Credit: Dr. Gabor Maté

Cindy Di Xin Discusses Filmmaking & Emotions

 

Credit: Cindy Di Xin, Filmmaker

Cindy, can you share with us how you were introduced to the art of filmmaking?

Mine was really simple. Things that inspired me were my own experience and loneliness. I am the only one who has experienced all of the dramatic moments, then I started to feel lonely in my life. I tried to share with my friends by telling them, but I couldn’t bring them into my scenario and feelings. After I studied communication in my undergrad, I got to know about visual arts. I started to shape my and other people’s story with motion pictures and sounds, then I met the charm of filmmaking.

There are many modes of storytelling which include writing, photography, still art, etc. What makes filmmaking to be a powerful tool for communicating stories about life?

​In my opinion, filmmaking is a combo within writing, photography, music, and other platforms of arts. It combines all the beauties from each of the modes to one thing that can stimulate the audience all at once, which makes the audience explore and get into the motion arts journey as how they experience their own life. This kind of experience is powerful.

As an Alum from the School of Visual Arts in New York, can you please share your academic experience when working on your first degree in directing? From all the specialties to explore in film production, what made you gravitate towards directing?

It was my first time having a chance to get to know filmmaking and what a director is. It was an intense and concentrated program that let you get to know about the filmmaking industry in a professional way. Our professors were super supportive and tried to make you successful in your own artistic way.

I always think directing is the most difficult job in film production, but also it is the most exciting job. I enjoy collecting and supporting each department’s artist to create new things based on their understanding of the story. The director also has a role to make sure everything is on the same page and have good communication. I love to be a listener to my crew and help them solve all of the problems. The director is the person who gives the direction, and also is the person who tries to collect all of the outcomes from each department towards the final destination. For instance, I love working with actors and their performances always give me so many inspirations to leverage in my work and life.

What is your directorial style? How does it differ from other directors in how they approach their craft of storytelling?

I don’t know if that is my unique way or not. Hahahah! Instead of just giving my actors instructions, I always want to hear more from them. I enjoy making a connection between the actors’ real-life experiences and the characters in the movies, then letting them use that relationship to improvise or come up with something new. Together with the performers, I like constructing the character.

What is one non-negotiable element (or rule) of film making that all directors must adhere to?

Safety is first. Nothing deserves anyone’s life.

Cindy, as a transplant from China, what were your initial impressions of the United States and its people?

Nothing has a right or wrong answer. I remember when I just transferred to an American high school. I was really impressed that everyone was eager to express and share their feelings and opinions. When I was in Chinese school, it was rare to see many students raise their hands up; because we always have a mindset that there is a right answer to each question.

You’ve had the privilege of living in a few states within the United States, how have these experiences shaped your senses in how you narrate your stories before global audiences?

​I’ve lived in lower and upper states on the east and west coasts, and these experiences have made me aware of how backgrounds influence people. Background factors include family, personal experience, weather, and locale. These encounters gave me incredibly beneficial chances to get to know all types of individuals, and they also helped me develop a character for a tale. Furthermore, I discovered that nothing in the world is liked by everyone. However, if you create a story that is authentic to you and plausible, some others will identify with it.

Presently short films are trending in the markets. Why is this trend gaining momentum on different online and offline platforms?

In my opinion, the main cause of this is that people’s lives and jobs are moving much more quickly and intensely than they did in the past, and technology makes it possible for individuals to obtain information more quickly and easily. Because of this, people would rather use or spend less time enjoying or taking a break from their life or between their jobs. The condensed substance of short films is similar to that of other resources that people are using in the present. Because of this, short films are popular in today’s markets.

Cindy, you’ve mentioned “let the story determine how long it lasts”. Is there a rule of thumb you’ve established under which a story can be told in an undefined time frame? If a story runs long in film, do you believe it should be delivered to audiences in one delivery, or should the story be presented in a few movie sequels, i.e. trilogies?

​Based on my experiences, I think character driven stories should be told in an undefined time frame because a character driven film is just like a journey you want to bring your audience on and feel. I do believe some of the stories can be presented in a different chapter or a few sequels. Everything has its own stages. If putting the story into several movie sequels can make the audience have a better understanding or tighter connection, I think we should break the story into pieces. In a movie, telling a story is not only about starting a plot; it’s about using a story’s elements to engage the audience’s hearts and minds.

What type of stories are best told in a short film? Which stories are better aligned to be presented in a long filmmaking format?

A short film should, in my opinion, have a straightforward, simple plot or setup with dramatic twists so that the audience may be hooked quickly.

It would be more of a character-driven or character’s journey film for a long film format. Additionally, a story that is based on the creation of a new universe or a new society should be presented in the form of a lengthy film.

As the recipient of the International Independent Film Awards and Tokyo Film Awards, what was your reaction when learning that your work is raising awareness on the global stage?

​First, I am so grateful and happy that my work has been seen and connected with other people. Second, these awards encourage me to believe in my own works and give me more confidence in my creations. Additionally, they demonstrate to me that a well-developed story may be tied to and connected to a larger world than just the close surroundings.

The movie VOICELESS is a true story which explores complicated emotions involving a student who is sexually assaulted by her mentor. The film sheds light on voiceless victims that are granted an opportunity to be seen and heard through this powerful presentation. What was the process like from articulating this true story to recreating the story for an on-screen presentation?

I have talked to people who may or may not have the similar experiences and tried to understand their feelings and their actions. Most of the answers I got are isolation and silence with different kinds of trauma nightmares. In order to make my audience feel all of those feelings in a dramatic way, I created this intense and dramatic action for the character at the end of the film.

When casting characters for your film, how involved are you in the process? Is there a team of professionals conducting auditions for these roles? What type of attributes do you seek when casting actors and actresses in your films?

As all of my films are independent and low-budget filmmaking set up. I am in charge of most of the casting and audition process. I usually look for actors who have a related feeling or story to the story first, then I will try to see what the chemistry between me and the actors is. Lastly, I would love to see how they take my directions to their performances.

As a filmmaker, do you have any auditioning tips for any prospective actors and actresses reading this interview?

Try to dig into your own experiences first before acting, then try to have your own understanding of the story before hearing from the director.

Credit: A day, at the Beach

The movie The day, at the Beach paints a story highlighting the main character’s experience with family separations and reunions. If family is a root for everyone’s life, how has your family influenced your relationship with the world today?

​Based on my own family story and background, I have seen different layers or stages in me and my family relationships. I am always wanting to set myself as an observer of the world. I don’t think everything should have a conclusion, but everything should have attitudes and causes. I try to be open minded to the world and be a listener to the world.

What type of hobbies do you enjoy practicing in your leisure?

I love watching movies for sure, to see how other filmmakers’ job and how they use their ways to shape stories. Other than film, I enjoy both traveling and taking still pictures. I am able to get close to real life, real people, and real stories through travel. Being a still photographer allows me to establish truly undercover intimacy with strangers.

Do you have a favorite filmmaker whose work you admire? How has their personality and portfolio of work influenced your outlook on work?

​Chloe Zhao. She is a delicate and talented filmmaker. I really like how she shapes the story. Her films not only provide us with entertainment, but also take us on a journey with her character.

Cindy, what are the top two qualities that make a good filmmaker?

​Being open minded, and to be a good listener.

Emotions serve as a potent theme in your films. What emotion do you identify the most with and why?

Loneliness. I think it is the most common and the first emotion that people would feel in their life. People also have different reactions and actions to this emotion. Moreover, loneliness is the emotion that is easiest and the most difficult to connect. That is why I am obsessed with loneliness.

Can you share a favorite quote on filmmaking?

“No matter how many WEAPONS you have, no matter how great your TECHNOLOGY might be, the world cannot live without LOVE.” — ‘Castle in the Sky’ 1986 by Miyazaki

I always wanted to talk with other people and get advice when I was first deciding what I wanted to be. I realize that what other people always tell me is that you need this and that kind of skill and equipment to be successful. At first, I tried to implement all of the suggestions made by others, and I realized that I was losing myself and becoming confused about my life and goals. My life revolves around passion and love. I always give my best effort and a kind heart to work and work with people because I enjoy what I do and am grateful to those who are willing to work with me. I believe that love gives meaning to everything.

Please share with audiences how they can support your work.

​People can follow my personal IG account: Cindyxxindi

My film accounts: TDATB_shorfilm, and Voiceless_shortfilm. Thanks!

Emotional Agility by Dr. Susan David

Credit: Emotional Agility

Brief Overview: The counter-intuitive approach to achieving your true potential, heralded by the Harvard Business Review as a groundbreaking idea of the year.

The path to personal and professional fulfillment is rarely straight. Ask anyone who has achieved his or her biggest goals or whose relationships thrive and you’ll hear stories of many unexpected detours along the way. What separates those who master these challenges and those who get derailed? The answer is agility—emotional agility.

Emotional agility is a revolutionary, science-based approach that allows us to navigate life’s twists and turns with self-acceptance, clear-sightedness, and an open mind. Renowned psychologist Susan David developed this concept after studying emotions, happiness, and achievement for more than twenty years. She found that no matter how intelligent or creative people are, or what type of personality they have, it is how they navigate their inner world—their thoughts, feelings, and self-talk—that ultimately determines how successful they will become.

The way we respond to these internal experiences drives our actions, careers, relationships, happiness, health—everything that matters in our lives. As humans, we are all prone to common hooks—things like self-doubt, shame, sadness, fear, or anger—that can too easily steer us in the wrong direction. Emotionally agile people are not immune to stresses and setbacks. The key difference is that they know how to adapt, aligning their actions with their values and making small but powerful changes that lead to a lifetime of growth. Emotional agility is not about ignoring difficult emotions and thoughts; it’s about holding them loosely, facing them courageously and compassionately, and then moving past them to bring the best of yourself forward. Credit @ Emotional Agility  Learn more about author Susan David here.

"Think Again" by Adam Grant

* Sasha's Book Pick *

Credit: Think Again, Adam Grant

Author Overview

Adam Grant is an organizational psychologist at Wharton, where he has been the top-rated professor for seven straight years. A #1 New York Times bestselling author and one of TED's most popular speakers, his books have sold millions of copies and been translated into 35 languages, his talks have been viewed over 25 million times, and his podcast WorkLife has topped the charts. His pioneering research has inspired people to rethink fundamental assumptions about motivation, generosity, and creativity. He has been recognized as one of the world's 10 most influential management thinkers and Fortune's 40 under 40, and has received distinguished scientific achievement awards from the American Psychological Association and the National Science Foundation. His work has been praised by J.J. Abrams, Richard Branson, Bill and Melinda Gates, Malcolm Gladwell, Daniel Kahneman, John Legend, and Malala Yousafzai. Adam received his B.A. from Harvard and his Ph.D. from the University of Michigan, and he is a former Junior Olympic springboard diver. He lives in Philadelphia with his wife and their three children. Credit: Amazon Authors

Beverly Hills Psychotherapist Pens "GROUP"

 #ComingSoon

Lynne Turner shares her author insights on Moving Mountains with Sasha.

Credit: Lynne Turner

Meet the Author

Lynne Turner is a psychotherapist in practice in Beverly Hills, California, where she has practiced for over 30 years. She grew up on the East Coast, in the aptly named seaside town of Point Pleasant, New Jersey. After earning her Bachelor of Arts degree in English Literature from Montclair State University, she moved to Los Angeles, where she earned her Master of Science degree in psychology at California State University, Los Angeles. In addition to her practice and her writing, she is a Los Angeles-focused street photographer, which has afforded her the opportunity to take a closer look at the human condition from yet another perspective. She lives with her daughter and two dogs in the Hollywood Hills. Credit: Lynne Turner

Credit: Group by Lynne Turner

Group @ Amazon

Group @ Friesen Press

Follow Lynne on Instagram here

Celebrating Authors - Julie Coraccio

Authors by Sasha recognizes past guest Author and Entrepreneur Julie Coraccio. 

Credit: Clear Your Clutter, Julie Coraccio
Courtesy of Reawaken Your Brilliance

Learn more about Julie here.

 

About Clear Your Clutter Inside & Out

Clutter is stuck stagnant energy and prevents you from creating the life you choose, desire and deserve. We discuss clutter in all its forms: energetic, spiritual, emotional, mental & physical, relationships, health, finances and more. We share tips and take action steps for clutter free living and how to organize your life and death with end of life planning. We’re thinking outside the box on areas where people might not realize where clutter is blocking them. When we remove clutter from our lives we can discover our passions, lead the extraordinary lives we are all meant to live and share our gifts with the world. (Credit: RYB site)

Interested members can purchase the book here.