Season 4

SC Perot is the perfect guest for these trying times. She’s the author of the USA Today bestselling book Styles of Joy, which prompts readers to examine joy in their own lives. And while the book is about joy, it sprang from a place of deep grief. After leaving her corporate law career, then enduring a divorce, which resulted in losing family, friends, and her dog, and reeling in a post-pandemic world, SC experienced a tidal wave of loss. She found solace in walking and while she walked she listened to the uplifting music of Harry Styles. Before she knew it, she was seeing 17 Harry Styles concerts across five countries in 10 months. SC not only transformed from a Stanford-educated, rule-following corporate lawyer into a bedazzled, boa-wearing fan girl, dancing in a mosh pit with complete strangers, but she also rediscovered her joy — and her creativity — in the process.

Our guest, Barry Dean, is a double threat. Not only is he a writer of No.1 country and pop songs but he’s also the CEO of Luci, a company dedicated to creating smart wheelchair technology for individuals with disabilities, like his daughter Catherine. Our conversation is one of the most compelling we’ve had on the show — he’s a fantastic, funny, and wise storyteller. He talks about his journey from aspiring rock star (at 19 he “ran out of brave”) to businessman and shadow artist to songwriter (not starting until his mid-30s) and then CEO in a new-to-him industry where he challenged the entrenched powers-that-be, and helped to create innovative technology that is changing lives. His curiosity, creative process, and courage are beyond inspiring.

In this episode, I talk with documentarian Abby Epstein about her creative journey becoming a theater and film director and women’s health advocate. A co-creator of the landmark film, The Business of Being Born, Abby tells honest women’s stories — from periods to menopause and everything in between. She shares her experiences in creating compelling documentaries, the importance of creative partnerships, and the challenges faced when your creativity rocks society’s boat. Abby also talks about her new project, Midlife Monologues, which explores the narratives surrounding women in midlife and is sure to start another movement. Both curious and fearless, Abby takes on the status quo and her work is essential to making sure women’s stories are truthfully told.

In this episode, I’ve invited three women on the show who also happen to be my dear friends — they don’t know each other, but I’ve known them for decades. And in this past year, I’ve watched each of them explode with creativity. Carolyn Blank Cary published a cookbook, which became a mini memoir; Beth Huddleston developed an app introducing infants and toddlers to the sounds of languages and music from around the world; and Amy Meyers pivoted from a lifetime of executive recruiting and political consulting and started her own business, Mrs. Meyer’s Etiquette.

All of these women are over 60, which on its own is inspirational. But more importantly, they’re using their creativity for connection — to create a world where people are kinder to one another, understand one another, and break bread with one another.

Vince Gill is a music icon, winning armloads of awards over his 50-year musical career, including 22 Grammys, 8 Academy of Country Music Awards, and 18 CMA awards. He’s collaborated with every possible country music great like Dolly Parton and Reba McEntire, but also music legends in other genres like Sting and Barbra Streisand. Along with his unforgettable tenor voice, Vince is an extraordinary guitar player, and has shared the stage with guitar legends like Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, B. B. King, and Carlos Santana. He’s been playing with his good pal Joe Walsh and the Eagles for the past nine years, stepping in for the late Glenn Frey. But I asked Vince to be on the show because he continues to make courageous choices not only for his career but also for all of us, using his music to make the world a better place.

At 68, Vince believes he’s making the best music of his career. No matter where you are in your artistic journey, you will leave this conversation inspired.