It was such a joy to reconnect with my beautiful friend Elisabeth Mather for episode 131, part 4 of our Belhaven Dance Alumni Series! Elisabeth is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and Certified Substance Abuse Counselor. With a background as a professional dancer and educator, she brings a unique and impactful perspective to her work as a Counselor. In our conversation, we dive into Elisabeth's journey—from her roots in Hawaii to her pursuit of dance at Belhaven University, her transition from...
Jun 17, 2025•56 min•Ep. 131
I loved catching up with the lovely Brittany Walker for part three of our Belhaven Dance Alumni Series! Brittany is the founder of Evolve Dance Project based in Southern Colorado. Listen in to this inspiring episode as we dive into Brittany’s journey from her formative years, to her time at Belhaven University, to her current role as a choreographer and dance instructor. Brittany shares the story behind the founding of Evolve Dance Project and her heart for positively impacting the southern Colo...
May 01, 2025•1 hr•Ep. 130
We are back for part two of our Belhaven Dance Alumni Series with my amazing friend, Joanna (Tan) Koleth! Joanna was a guest on the podcast back in November 2020 for episode 24. It is a delight to have her back and to hear about her journey since we last spoke! Joanna is a dance-artist, educator, choreographer, and comprehensively certified BASI Pilates teacher. Her business, MADE TO MOVE STUDIO, merges her passions for dance and Pilates to empower people to move with purpose and freedom across ...
Apr 23, 2025•53 min•Ep. 129
We are kicking off our Belhaven Dance Alumni Series with the incredible Cheri Orr! Cheri is the artistic director of Jubilee Dance Company and co-founder of Jubilee Arts Collective in Colorado Springs. Cheri is also a company dancer with Ormao Dance Company and serves as an adjunct dance instructor at the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs. Cheri was an early graduate from the Belhaven University Dance Department and helped to build the foundation for the generations of Belhaven dancers ...
Apr 11, 2025•50 min•Ep. 128
I am so excited to share this special episode of the Creative Impact Podcast with you! In this episode, I have the joy of interviewing various leaders in the dance community! These interviews took place live during the Project Dance Houston event in March 2024. The conversations explore the intersection of dance, worship, and community, emphasizing the importance of using dance as a form of worship and intercession. You'll hear from Bess Trew (Enoch Contemporary Ballet), Randall Flinn (Ad Deum D...
Dec 31, 2024•45 min•Ep. 127
What a joy to have Jordan Haley EuDaly joining me for episode 126! Jordan is a painter, wife, mother, and inspiring creative living in Eureka Springs, Arkansas. Jordan is a working artist who goes by the name Jordan Haley. Her husband Brent is founder of The Serious Toy Company, and together they are working towards building a unique treehouse bnb experience on their property. With a passion for hospitality and art making, which she often calls ‘mark making’, Jordan serves as an Art Guide by pro...
Oct 30, 2024•57 min•Ep. 126
I absolutely loved this conversation with creativity coach Lauren Spangler! Lauren shares about her journey of being a multi-passionate artist, the challenges of burnout, and the importance of finding balance in our creative pursuits. We then jump into a mini coaching session where she guides me (Rachel) through exploring what it would look like to cultivate a healthy relationship with my creativity. Lauren offers so much encouragement and wisdom today! Take Lauren's free "Spark or Sputter?" Sel...
Sep 27, 2024•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 125
I am so excited to have the lovely Hannah Anderson back on the podcast for episode 124! Hannah joined us previously on episode 39 where she shared more about her professional dance journey and backstory. Hannah is currently the director of Earthen Image Movement , and she is currently producing a collaborative dance concert entitled “For the Beauty of the Earth.” In this conversation, Hannah reflects on the creative process, her personal journey of learning to acknowledge her limitations, and ho...
Jun 05, 2024•55 min•Ep. 124
I am so grateful to have Shannon Dooling-Cain joining me for episode 123! Shannon is a dance educator, choreographer, writer, and founder of The Holistic Dance Teacher. She combines her love of writing with her love for the dance community in her work with The Holistic Dance Teacher. Through her blog, resource collection, and in-person events, Shannon helps dancers, choreographers, and dance teachers elevate their dance life and find more joy in the dance studio. I also love how her approach hel...
Apr 16, 2024•54 min•Ep. 123
What a joy to connect with Misty Lown, founder of More Than Just Great Dancing!® More Than Just Great Dancing!® is a licensed dance studio affiliation program positively impacting over 120,000 dance students around the globe each week. Misty is a recognized teacher, speaker, business coach, and author. In this episode, she shares valuable wisdom and insight from her experience as an entrepreneur. In addition to More Than Just Great Dancing!®, Misty is the founder and president of Misty's Dance U...
Mar 08, 2024•56 min•Ep. 122
What is the impact of the arts around the world? Enjoy this bonus episode wrapping up our mini-series where we are diving into conversations focused on the global impact of the arts. It is such a joy to have Cheryl Cutlip back on the podcast! Cheryl Cutlip is the founding director of The Project Dance Foundation, formed in 2002 as a mission to bring hope and healing to the world through the universal language of dance. Cheryl currently directs The Space @ Project Dance, the foundation’s dance tr...
Feb 23, 2024•56 min•Ep. 121
I’m honored to be joined by mentor and friend, Anthony Gurley, for episode 120. Anthony spent thirty years at his alma mater, Guilford College, as the Director of Financial Aid, retiring in 2009. He recently published his first book, Deadly Dilemma: A Memoir . I originally met Anthony through a scholarship and mentorship program he founded called Mo-T-Vation Ministry. Anthony would describe himself as just an ordinary guy with a story to tell, and I am so grateful that he has recorded his story ...
Jan 17, 2024•1 hr
We are kicking off December with this fun and rich conversation with my new friend, Gabe Baker! Gabe is a singer/songwriter and cellist who is currently on tour with Grammy-winning group For King + Country. Their “A Drummer Boy” Christmas tour is happening now, and if you happen to be near one of the cities included in the tour - I highly recommend you check it out! Gabe is a former college football athlete, has worked as as civil engineer and government policy strategist, has appeared on multip...
Dec 03, 2023•1 hr 2 min
What is the impact of the arts around the world? During this mini-series, we are diving into conversations focused on the global impact of the arts. I am honored to have Keith and Kathy Thibodeaux joining me for part eight of this series! Keith and Kathy are the Founders and Directors of Ballet Magnificat!, an arts organization dedicated to presenting the good news of Jesus Christ to the whole world. Kathy was born in Memphis, TN, but trained and has lived in Jackson, MS, most of her life. She w...
Nov 17, 2023•47 min
What is the impact of the arts around the world? During this mini-series, we are diving into conversations focused on the global impact of the arts. For part seven of this series, I am so excited to introduce you to Chelsea Dawn! Chelsea serves on the global and regional arts faculty with the University of the Nations for Youth WIth A Mission (YWAM) and hosts the new dance and faith podcast called Dance & The Sacred. Originally from New Mexico, USA, Chelsea currently lives in San José, Costa...
Oct 19, 2023•53 min
What is the impact of the arts around the world? During this mini-series, we are diving into conversations focused on the global impact of the arts. I am so grateful for the opportunity to connect with Jeff and Natalie Lewis of Arrows International for part six of this series! Jeff and Natalie Lewis are the Founders and Directors of Arrows International, which is a full time training program and dance company, based in Oklahoma, designed to nurture, disciple, and prepare trained artists to go ou...
Oct 12, 2023•1 hr 2 min
What is the impact of the arts around the world? During this mini-series, we are diving into conversations focused on the global impact of the arts. It is an honor to connect with Jeremiah and Mona Enna for part five of this series! Jeremiah and Mona Enna are the Co-Founders of The Culture House in Kansas City. The Culture House is an award winning community arts organization succeeding in excellence, education, and social engagement. The Culture House includes The Culture House Academy of the P...
Oct 02, 2023•1 hr 4 min
What is the impact of the arts around the world? During this mini-series, we are diving into conversations focused on the global impact of the arts. It is a joy to have Edwin Santini of Imaginare! Arts International join me for part four of this series! Originally from Puerto Rico, Edwin and his family currently live in West Palm Beach, Florida, where he is a professor at Palm Beach Atlantic University. He and his wife Vilmarie have been involved with ministry through worship and the arts for ov...
Sep 05, 2023•46 min
What is the impact of the arts around the world? During this mini-series, we are diving into conversations focused on the global impact of the arts. Mother-daughter duo Karen Sudds and Ainsley Sudds join me from Calgary, Alberta, Canada, for part three of this series! I loved getting to know both Karen and Ainsley and hearing their heart for community and mentorship in the dance studio setting. Karen has over 30 years of experience in both the pedagogical and artistic performance aspects of danc...
Aug 22, 2023•55 min
What is the impact of the arts around the world? During this mini-series, we are diving into conversations focused on the global impact of the arts. I am so excited to have Zoé Zuno Golden and her husband, David Golden, on the podcast today for part two of this series! Zoé and David live in Guadalajara, Mexico, and are making an incredible impact through their arts company, Procora. Procora began as a local event, but has become a production gathering more than 1,500 people from over 11 differen...
Aug 15, 2023•56 min
What is the impact of the arts around the world? Over the next several weeks, we will dive into a mini-series focused on the global impact of the arts. It is truly an honor to have Rev. Dr. Byron Spradlin on the podcast today to start off this series! Byron is the Founder and President of Artists in Christian Testimony International, a missions and ministry sending board for artists and creatives. A.C.T. International currently has over 650+ innovative staff in more than 51 nations. For over 50 ...
Aug 08, 2023•1 hr 8 min
Rachel shares a quick update about what's coming up next on the podcast. Hear about the new Global Impact mini-series starting on August 8, 2023! To learn more about the podcast, check out our website https://creativeimpactpodcast.com! You can be sure not to miss a Creative Impact conversation by subscribing through your favorite podcast app. We are so grateful to have you as a part of the Creative Impact community and would love it if you would share the show with your friends! Support the show...
Aug 01, 2023•3 min
I am so excited to share my conversation with friend and mentor, Bea Sprouse! Bea is an author and educator whose faith and wisdom are truly an inspiration. She recently released her book “Life in the Faith Lane: Overcoming the Traditions of Men,” which I couldn’t put down! Bea shares so many nuggets of wisdom throughout our conversation today. We talk about what it means to live our lives walking by faith, how to move from head knowledge to heart knowledge, understanding our true identity, and ...
Jul 25, 2023•49 min
I am honored to have David and Micah Gamboa from Elijah Rising joining me on the podcast for episode 109! Elijah Rising is a nationally-recognized anti-trafficking agency based in Houston, Texas. Micah serves as the Executive Director of Elijah Rising, and David serves as Communications Director. Through their work with Elijah Rising, they are pursuing the eradication of sex trafficking in the Gulf Coast region. In our conversation, we chat about the development of Elijah Rising, from the early ...
Jul 18, 2023•51 min
Marcus Medina, founder and owner of M.Medina Productions, joins me for episode 108! M.Medina Productions is an all-inclusive, one stop shop production company offering services in photography, videography, choreography, stunt work, and more. Marcus has a heart for creating opportunities for artists and helping them thrive in their careers without compromising their values. I enjoyed getting to know Marcus through our conversation. We dive into his journey as an artist–from his early years in an ...
Jul 11, 2023•50 min
I am so excited to share this inspiring conversation with my friend, Barbara “Barbs” Vega, for episode 107! Barbs and I met through the dance team world, and I loved getting to hear more about her journey with dance and faith. Barbs is the Assistant Dance Director at Tomball Memorial High School and is the visionary behind Behold 2023: A Christian Retreat for Dance Directors, taking place in August 2023! Born and raised in Mexico, Barbs shares her experience moving to California and then to Texa...
Jul 04, 2023•49 min
My new friend, Maria McCain, joins me for episode 106! Maria is the Director of Dance at University of St. Thomas in Houston, Texas. She received her degree in Communication Disorders from Louisiana State University and her Master of Fine Arts in Dance from Belhaven University. Maria shares about how her pursuits in life shifted as she witnessed the power of dance to speak about topics of faith through the language of movement. She took multiple steps of faith with God, which eventually led her ...
May 30, 2023•47 min
What a JOY to spend time with the lovely Sarah Matzke! Sarah describes herself as “a human that uses the studio as laboratory and movement as choreographic medium.” She is a professor of dance at Texas Christian University and The University of Texas at Dallas and teaches as a guest artist globally. Sarah is the co-founder of Aaron + Hur, a non-profit organization that equips leaders in developing countries to use somatic movement for healing and community reconstruction. In our conversation, Sa...
May 23, 2023•45 min
I enjoyed getting to know Kendall Hoeft for episode 104! Kendall is a dancer, published poet and educator with over 20 years of professional teaching experience. She is published in a variety of journals, dances and speaks at events, leads workshops, and creates teaching videos. Kendall shares how her creative upbringing, professional experiences, and faith journey have influenced her current work and grown her desire to see people moving in freedom, unabashed joy and creative expression. In our...
May 16, 2023•54 min
I am so excited to have Blake Quimby joining me on the podcast for episode 103! Blake is the host of the UnSung Podcast: A podcast about those that play a behind the scenes role in everyday life. Those Lifting the Limelight. Blake is the Communications Director at The Bible Seminary and has served in local church ministry leadership for over 20 years. Blake shares his journey as a musician and in ministry. I love his thoughts on the creative process: get it out, be honest, find your why, and don...
May 09, 2023•52 min
