Stories of Change & Creativity

What to Say When Someone You Love Is Dying: The Good Goodbye with Dr. Maureen Keeley

What do you say when someone you love is dying—and you know your time together is limited? In this practical and compassionate episode, Judy Oskam talks with Dr. Maureen Keeley, a leading researcher on end-of-life communication, from Texas State University.  Dr. Maureen Keeley offers a research-based framework for anyone caring for an aging parent, supporting a loved one through illness, or anticipating loss.  Listeners will learn what matters most in end-of-life conversations and how small, everyday moments can become the memories that last a lifetime.What You’ll Learn in This EpisodeHow to rethink “final conversations” so you don’t wait until it’s too lateWhy there is no perfect goodbyeHow everyday routines can provide comfort, meaning, and connection at the end of lifeHow these conversations help you, not just the person who is dying The Six Themes of Final Conversations (Research-Based)Love messages – expressing love, reassurance, affection, and presenceIdentity messages – affirming strengths, values, and who someone has been in your lifeSpiritual or religious messages – faith, meaning, beliefs about death or the afterlifeEveryday talk – routine conversations, humor, shared activities, normal lifeHealing difficult relationships – addressing unresolved tension, softening anger, finding peaceTaking care of the business of death and dying – wishes, living wills, memorial plans, passwords, and practical guidanceDr. Maureen Keeley is a Professor of Interpersonal Communication at Texas State University.  She has studied end-of-life communication for more than two decades.  You can find Dr. Keeley and Dr. Yingling's book below: The Good Goodbye:  The Transformative Power of Conversation at the End of Life by Maureen P. Kelley, Ph.D. and Julie M. Yingling, Ph.D. Hi Friend - Thanks for listening! Check out my TEDx talk. Why you should take action - then figure it out.

Try January: A New Year Mindset That Begins with Trying

January is often framed as a month of restriction—Dry January, less sugar, less indulgence, less everything. But what if January wasn’t about giving things up? What if it was about trying?In this Try January episode, Judy Oskam weaves together powerful insights from past conversations to explore how meaningful change begins. Experts comment on building identity capital and setting goals, mentorship, creativity, adventure, and kindness.  This episode reminds us that change often starts with a choice… and the courage to try.What You’ll Learn in This EpisodeWhy trying is powerful How everyday choices shape identity and personal growthAn effective way to think about goals: learning vs. performanceThe lasting impact of mentorship and paying it forwardHow stepping into unfamiliar places can transform who we becomeWhy creativity begins with our surroundingsA gentle reminder to be kind—to others and to yourselfFeatured Voices Dr. Meg Jay, psychologist and author, on identity capital and why we are shaped by what we do, not just who we think we are. You can hear our podcast interview here.  Caroline Adams Miller, goal-setting expert, on dreaming boldly and balancing learning goals with performance goals.  We discussed Caroline's goal strategy in our 2025 interview.  Dr. Kelly Damphousse, President of Texas State University, on mentorship and paying it forward.  I'm honored Dr. Damphousse was my 100th podcast episode.  Wendy Conklin, artist and founder of Chair Whimsy, on how our environments spark joy and creativity.  Wendy wrote the book on creativity - you can find it here.Dr. Cliff Redford, veterinarian and global adventurer, on kindness.  You can listen to our interview at this link.  Students Jamin Ochoa and Angie Olmos, reflecting on how studying abroad in Scotland changed their perspective and confidence.  Check out my Scotland mini series here. If this episode resonated with you, please share it with someone who might need encouragement to try something new this January. Thanks for listening—and here’s to making it a Try JanuaryHi Friend - Thanks for listening! Check out my TEDx talk. Why you should take action - then figure it out.

Coming Home: Navajo Designer Amy Denet Deal on Identity, Healing, and Sustainable Fashion

What is home? Is it a place, a memory, a landscape—or a journey? In this episode, Judy Oskam explores the transformative meaning of home with Amy Denet Deal.  She's the founder of 4 Kinship, Indigenous Futures Forever, and the Diné Skate Garden Project.Amy’s story is one of remarkable courage and clarity. In her mid-50s, she left the corporate fashion world and returned to her Navajo roots. Her journey home reveals how healing and creativity intersect in powerful ways.In this episode, Judy and Amy talk about adoption and culture.  They both share an adoption connection. Returning to Her RootsAmy shares her early life story of being adopted out of her Navajo community in the 1960s—before the Indian Child Welfare Act.Amy describes the moment she chose to “come home” in 2019. Selling everything and driving to New Mexico to reconnect with her culture.Healing and IdentityAmy shares about meeting her birth mother for the first time .The emotional work of reconnecting with family, community, and heritage.From Fashion Executive to Indigenous Fashion LeaderA look inside Amy’s career in corporate fashion and the ethical concerns that pushed her toward sustainable design.The founding of 4 Kinship, a brand rooted in Indigenous artistry and community impact. Creating Spaces for the Next GenerationWhy skateboarding became a tool for youth empowerment, health, and suicide prevention.Long-term dreams of a fiber farm—possibly in Scotland—to support her daughter’s fashion future.The deep connection between land and clarity of purpose.Memorable Quote“Home to me is a feeling of calmness and clarity. Coming back to my homelands quieted the noise and helped me understand exactly why I’m here.” - Amy Denet DealA Reflection for YouJudy closes the episode with a question for listeners: What does home mean to you? Is it a place, a person, a memory—or a journey you're still traveling?Photo by Shaun Price. Hi Friend - Thanks for listening! Check out my TEDx talk. Why you should take action - then figure it out.

Why Celebration Is Essential: Rituals, Meaning, and Maya Wisdom with Dr. R. Jon McGee

What if celebration isn’t something “extra,” but something essential to living a meaningful, connected life?  If you're like me, you're always looking for reasons to celebrate and enjoy life.   In this episode of Stories of Change and Creativity, I sit down with Dr. R. Jon McGee—anthropologist, author, and longtime Texas State University professor— to explore the topic of celebration.  We met at the Live Oak Podcast Studio on the campus of Texas State University.  For more than forty years, Dr. McGee lived with and learned from Maya communities in southern Mexico. He explained how rituals create order in chaotic times and help people navigate change.Inside Maya Ritual LifeProfessor McGee takes us inside ceremonies shaped by rainforest ecosystems and centuries of tradition—incense drifting prayers spoken in a distinct ritual voicebalché, a fermented mead used to open a sacred, altered stateHe reveals how metaphors woven into healing incantations—birds, winds, heat, and fever—carry cultural memory and symbolic meaning. Why Rituals Matter in Our Everyday LivesFrom Christmas and communion to Thanksgiving tables and graduation, Professor McGee helps us see how our own traditions carry histories and stories forward. These familiar symbols—colors, foods, candles, music—are  anchors that help us mark time and feel connected.How to Bring More Celebration Into Your LifeIf you’re craving more meaning, we discuss some practical ways to create moments of celebration:Gather the people who matter mostChoose symbols your group already lovesEngage all five sensesMake space for recognition and storytellingKeep it small—simple gestures can make a big differenceHow do you celebrate? I’d love to hear.If you enjoyed this episode subscribe, share with a friend who might need to celebrate more often, and leave a review.   Tell me the one ritual you’d never give up.Learn more about Dr. R. Jon McGee here.Recorded at Live Oak Studios on the campus of Texas State University.Hi Friend - Thanks for listening! Check out my TEDx talk. Why you should take action - then figure it out.

The United States of Sport: Dr. Kenon Brown on Branding and the Future of Sports Communication

How do sports, culture, and communication shape who we are?  In this episode, Judy Oskam talks with University of Alabama Sports Scholar Dr. Kenon Brown.   Dr. Brown is a professor of advertising and public relations, co-director of the Beyond Sports Initiative, and co-author of the book -  The United States of Sport: Media Framing and the Influence of the Intersection of Sports and American Culture.  During our conversation we explore how sports reflect American society, how branding and communication shape identity, and how career pivots can open doors to purpose and passion. From the rise of women’s sports to the connection between hip-hop and the NBA, Dr. Brown offers a powerful look at creativity and change through the lens of sport.In this episode you'll learn:  - The 'perfect storm' moment that connected passion and purpose, resulting in a career change - How sports mirror American culture — from equality in pay to pop culture and hip-hop - Why authenticity and consistency matter in personal branding, especially for NIL athletes - The powerful link between sports, mental health, and communication - What’s next in global sports: the 2026 World Cup and 2028 OlympicsQuotes - Dr. Kenon Brown“It was the perfect storm — the right people at the right time helped me make the pivot.”  “Sports are a microcosm of society. Every major cultural shift is reflected on the field or court.”  “Be authentic. Be consistent. That’s the foundation of a strong personal brand.”  “The intersection of communication, culture, and sports is where real change happens.”Resources and Links- The United States of Sport: Media Framing and the Influence of the Intersection of Sports and American Culture by Kenon Brown, Josh Dickhaus, and Mia Long Anderson - Beyond Sports Initiative, University of Alabama Dr. Brown kicked off a university lecture series in sports media at Texas State University, coordinated by Professor and Regents' Teacher of Advertising Dr. Mike Devlin.  This interview was recorded at Live Oak Studios, School of Journalism and Mass Communication, Texas State University. Hi Friend - Thanks for listening! Check out my TEDx talk. Why you should take action - then figure it out.