Stories of Change & Creativity

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.

Understanding Your Relationship with Money — Financial Psychology with Mary Liz Burns

What’s your relationship with money? Do you worry about having enough? Does money guide all of your decisions?  In this episode of Stories of Change and Creativity, I talk with Mary Liz Burns about the psychology of money. She has more than two decades of experience in personal finance communications and media.  Mary Liz has an MBA with a focus on financial psychology and is a certified senior advisor.After a successful career in corporate communications and public relations — including 22 years with AARP — Mary Liz realized the missing piece in most money conversations: the human connection. Now, she helps people understand their personal “money stories” and develop healthier, more compassionate relationships with money.In this episode, you’ll learn:Why our relationship with money is emotional, not rational — and how fear and shame can hold us backThe four money scripts that shape financial behaviorHow childhood experiences and “financial flashpoints” form our money beliefsHow our relationship with money changes in different stages of lifePractical steps to begin your own money awareness journey — where to startQuotes“My goal from now until the day I die is to reduce the fear and shame we have around money — and to help people have open, honest conversations, starting with themselves.”  — Mary Liz Burns“Financial education alone is not enough to change behavior. We have to bring the human piece to it.”   — Mary Liz BurnsResources & LinksTake the free Money Scripts Test (by Dr. Brad Klontz)Learn more about Mary Liz Burns and her work in financial psychology https://www.marylizburns.money/Note:  This content is not intended as specific legal or financial advice, and listeners should consider their individual circumstances when applying this information and to seek professional assistance if needed. Hi Friend - Thanks for listening! Check out my TEDx talk. Why you should take action - then figure it out.

Texas State’s Dr. Kelly Damphousse on Connection & Student Success

For our 100th episode, I sit down with Dr. Kelly Damphousse, the 10th president of Texas State University. A sociologist by training, President Damphousse talks candidly about the midnight moment that set the tone for his presidency.   He shares his personal journey – from growing up in a trailer court with no plans for college to becoming a university president.We also discuss the university’s momentum — from a campus master plan to the research trajectory toward R1 and a move to the Pac-12 that reshapes TXST’s national profile.In this episode you’ll learn:Why athletics is the “front porch” of a university The power of mentorship and paying it forward What belonging looks like in practice: presence, notes of gratitude, and saying “yes” to studentsHighlights of TXST’s 10-year master plan Practical advice for students: engage beyond class, build faculty relationships, and find your “why”Quotes -  Dr.Kelly Damphousse“You belong here.”“If someone poured into you, your job is to pay it forward.”“I’m duty-bound to show up — not for me, but because the presidency matters to people.”Hi Friend - Thanks for listening! Check out my TEDx talk. Why you should take action - then figure it out.