Stories From Women Who Walk

Diane F Wyzga * Podcaster * Communication Problem Solver * Story Strategizer * Founder Engaged Storyism® Method

Daily 60 Seconds doses of hope, motivation, time out, imagination, wisdom, healing, story prompts, & more! Diane-on-Mic episodes offer tips on storytelling & communication problem-solving. Guests with true-life, practical, funny, heartbreaking, insightful human experience stories from (mostly) women walking their lives while Life walked them & the lasting difference their journeys have made. You’ll see yourself here. I’m your host, Diane Wyzga. "Come for the stories - stay for the magic!"

  1. 1d ago

    Wednesdays on Whidbey: A Pivot: Women Claiming Their Own Narrative & Voice

    Coming to you from Whidbey Island, Washington this is Stories From Women Who Walk with Wednesdays on Whidbey and your host, Diane Wyzga. Maybe like me you’ve experienced that profound shift where you stop adjusting your presence to fit the room and start defining who you are on your own terms.   Five years ago I pivoted from guest interviews to daily 60 Seconds podcast episodes. COVID kept us home. I needed a new way to talk with listeners who were no longer commuting to work in cars. 60 Seconds fit the bill for me. I could offer you, my listeners, sound-bytes designed to delight, inspire, motivate, comfort, and prompt you to recognizing and working on your own stories. I developed hundreds of clear, concise and cogent episodes just for you—and me, too.   Now as I find myself at the crossroads of Identity and Invisibility I want to use our time together to speak directly to that internal ache for self-discovery, self-expression, and self-confidence—mine right alongside yours. An emotional weight occupies so many of us in this middle season of life. I call it "Middle-Earth-Aged"© for the magic, the wisdom, the insight we possess. Ours is a restless ache that asks: But who am I when no one is asking me to be anything for them? When you start to investigate that ache, you move past the surface. You enter the space of self-discovery. You realize that you aren't just a collection of roles you perform for other people. You are claiming your own narrative and voice; maybe for the first time. CTA: Join me in an experiment here as we embark on the emotional journey of "Middle-Earth-Aged-Women"© seeking ourselves while mirroring each other’s quest for a newer and truer Identity.  You’re always invited: “Come for the stories - stay for the magic!” Speaking of magic, subscribe & spread this episode  with a generous 5-star review & comment—it helps us all—& join us next time! AND!  Stop by my Quarter Moon Story Arts website during reconstruction, email me [info@quartermoonstoryarts.net] to arrange a no-obligation Discovery Call, and stay current with me as Quarter Moon Story Arts on Substack. Stories From Women Who Walk Production Team Podcaster: Diane F Wyzga & Quarter Moon Story Arts Music: Mer’s Waltz from Crossing the Waters by Steve Schuch & Night Heron Music ALL content and image © 2019 to Present Quarter Moon Story Arts. All rights reserved. Enjoy my work? Share & attribute it to Diane Wyzga of Stories From Women Who Walk podcast with a link back to the original source.

    Wednesdays on Whidbey: A Pivot: Women Claiming Their Own Narrative & Voice
  2. 3d ago

    Motivate Your Monday: Nothing Motivates Like a Parade; Especially Yours!

    Coming to you from Whidbey Island, Washington this is Stories From Women Who Walk with Motivate Your Monday and your host, Diane Wyzga. Maybe like me you know all about taking your turn, pulling the laboring oar, playing nice with others, holding up the roof, offering a hand up instead of a hand out, and wildly  applauding the achievements of friends and colleagues. But what about you? We women do not even begin to give ourselves credit for all the ways in which we add to the good of the world. You totally deserve your own parade today! Not just any small-town parade but a great big turn-out the city in your honor tickertape parade with high school marching bands, street dancers, fireworks, flag twirlers, bling-tossers, cheering crowds, and you standing tall and proud and magnificent on your very own Mardi Gras-style float. Get quiet for a moment and imagine yourself being celebrated as the most wonderful, brilliant, creative, resilient, imaginative, productive, wise, kind-hearted, and generous, playful, curious, funny, supportive, magical, and bountiful, insightful, cherished, charming, delightful, and energetic spirit that you are. I am so very proud to celebrate you.         You're always welcome: "Come for the stories - Stay for the magic!" Speaking of magic, subscribe & spread the word with a generous 5-star review & comment - it helps us all - and join us next time! AND!  Stop by my Quarter Moon Story Arts website during reconstruction, email me [info@quartermoonstoryarts.net] to arrange a no-obligation Discovery Call, and stay current with me as Quarter Moon Story Arts on Substack. Stories From Women Who Walk Production Team Podcaster: Diane F Wyzga & Quarter Moon Story Arts Music: Mer’s Waltz from Crossing the Waters by Steve Schuch & Night Heron Music ALL content and image © 2019 to Present Quarter Moon Story Arts. All rights reserved. Enjoy my work? Share & attribute it to Diane Wyzga of Stories From Women Who Walk podcast with a link back to the original source.

    Motivate Your Monday: Nothing Motivates Like a Parade; Especially Yours!
  3. 6d ago

    Story Prompt Friday: Stop Reporting Just the Facts. Start Inquiring Into the Depth of Your Story

    Coming to you from Whidbey Island, Washington this is Stories From Women Who Walk with Story Prompt Friday and your host, Diane Wyzga Pull up a chair and let’s talk about something I’ve been exploring lately. It’s the “depth of inquiry” that steers a nice essay into a memorable story. That sounds a bit academic, right? But here on Front Porch Friday© what it really means is the difference between just surviving your life, and actually understanding the truth of what you’ve lived through. Too often, as women, we get into the habit of just reporting the facts. We tell our stories like a laundry list of events. "I raised the kids, I worked the job, I did what was expected, and now I’m here." There’s no story magic because you are missing. We do the same thing when we speak out loud to the world—we say what’s polite, or what keeps the peace, instead of saying what we actually mean. Think about a moment where you had to say a hard "no" to someone, or maybe you finally picked up a hobby you abandoned years ago. The surface story is simple: "I was too busy for another commitment," or "I just wanted a new creative project." But looking deeper we feel the memorable story.  The truth is more than protecting your calendar or buying art supplies; you realized that your time and your passions don't belong to everyone else anymore. You decided that you are finally ready to be seen and heard exactly as you are, without adapting yourself so others feel comfortable. That shift right there? That is “depth of inquiry.” It’s stopping the report and starting the investigation, the exciting archeological dig on your life. Story Prompt: As you go about your day, take a deep look past the surface of your own daily routine as if gazing into a wishing well. Don't just report the facts of your life to yourself. Find the glimmering coins of a deeper truth under the surface; write that story and share it out loud! You're always welcome: "Come for the stories - Stay for the magic!" Speaking of magic, please subscribe, share a 5-star rating and nice review on your social media or podcast channel of choice, bring your friends and rellies, and join us! You will have wonderful company as we continue to walk our lives together. AND!  Stop by my Quarter Moon Story Arts website during reconstruction, email me [info@quartermoonstoryarts.net] to arrange a no-obligation Discovery Call, and stay current with me as Quarter Moon Story Arts on Substack. Stories From Women Who Walk Production Team Podcaster: Diane F Wyzga & Quarter Moon Story Arts Music: Mer’s Waltz from Crossing the Waters by Steve Schuch & Night Heron Music ALL content and image © 2019 to Present Quarter Moon Story Arts. All rights reserved.  If you found this podcast episode helpful, please consider sharing and attributing it to Diane Wyzga of Stories From Women Who Walk podcast with a link back to the original source.

    Story Prompt Friday: Stop Reporting Just the Facts. Start Inquiring Into the Depth of Your Story
  4. Jul 15

    Wednesdays on Whidbey: Middle-Earth-Aged Women ReClaiming Expression

    Coming to you from Whidbey Island, Washington this is Stories From Women Who Walk with Wednesdays on Whidbey and your host, Diane Wyzga. Maybe like me you love hearing stories by women who know who they are. They don’t waste words on small talk. They don't give "nice" little speeches. When they speak, the whole room stops. Many of us spend our lives doing the exact opposite. We say what we think people want to hear. We shy away from speaking our truth, offering our ideas. For example, recall a time when you spoke up in a meeting. The surface story is: “I pitched an idea, it got rejected, and I sat down.” That’s a report, not a story. The real story happens when you ask yourself why rejection stung so bad. It wasn’t about the project; it was the moment you sat down and realized you’ve been shrinking yourself to make other people comfortable—and you’re finally done with that. The memorable story—the one that sits in your chest—arises from your “depth of inquiry.” You’re not looking for glory; you’re fighting for your right to be seen and heard. TIP: Expressing yourself creatively isn't about being showy. It’s about standing in your own shoes, saying exactly what you mean, and meaning what you say. Speak your truth like you know what you’re talking about... because you do.  And, I can help. Email me: info@quartermoonstoryarts.net You're always welcome: "Come for the stories - Stay for the magic!" Speaking of magic, please subscribe, share a 5-star rating and nice review on your social media or podcast channel of choice, bring your friends and rellies, and join us! You will have wonderful company as we continue to walk our lives together. AND!  Stop by my Quarter Moon Story Arts website during reconstruction, email me [info@quartermoonstoryarts.net] to arrange a no-obligation Discovery Call, and stay current with me as Quarter Moon Story Arts on Substack. Stories From Women Who Walk Production Team Podcaster: Diane F Wyzga & Quarter Moon Story Arts Music: Mer’s Waltz from Crossing the Waters by Steve Schuch & Night Heron Music ALL content and image © 2019 to Present Quarter Moon Story Arts. All rights reserved.  If you found this podcast episode helpful, please consider sharing and attributing it to Diane Wyzga of Stories From Women Who Walk podcast with a link back to the original source.

    Wednesdays on Whidbey: Middle-Earth-Aged Women ReClaiming Expression
  5. Jul 13

    Motivate Your Monday: What Can Standing in Awe of the Natural World Teach Us? with Getting Unstuck’s Jeff Ikler & guest Tom Reed

    Coming to you from Whidbey Island, Washington this is Stories From Women Who Walk with Motivate Your Monday and your host, Diane Wyzga. I am delighted to spotlight my friend, writer and devoted flyfisher, Jeff Ikler, host of Getting Unstuck - Cultivating Curiosity podcast as he talks with his guest Tom Reed, explorer, writer, landscape photographer, and wellness coach. Episode Notes excerpt: “The conversation explores how skill and serendipity intersect in creative work, the role of mindfulness in perceiving opportunities, and the thread of vitality that connects Reed's diverse pursuits. The discussion also turns to climate change and environmental degradation, with Reed emphasizing acceptance without apathy—a stance rooted in spiritual maturity and non-judgment. Ultimately, Reed's work invites us to reconsider why certain landscapes move us so profoundly—and what that says about our relationship to the natural world.” NOTE: Direct Episode Links to What Can Standing in Awe of the Natural World Teach Us? featuring Tom Reed are available below across multiple platforms, plus hundreds more Getting Unstuck episodes, and links to contact Tom Reed & Jeff Ikler. Thank you for listening! Spotify: Stream the audio immediately via the Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/7v0ZdparDH0ldX8ZE0aeQi While you’re there check out the Reference Links to Tom Reed’s TEDx talk and books/prints for purchase. Substack: You can listen and read the episode details directly on the Jeff Ikler Substack Episode Page. https://jeffikler.substack.com/p/405-what-can-standing-in-awe-of-the Quetico Coaching: Read the host's companion article and listen on the Quetico Coaching Blog Post. https://www.queticocoaching.com/blog/405-what-can-standing-in-awe-of-the-natural-world-teach-us Direct Link to all Getting Unstuck episodes: https://open.spotify.com/show/53ib1Qm2LK7AgC7iMSOS1G Apple Podcasts: Access the full catalog on the  Getting Unstuck Apple Podcasts Show Page. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/getting-unstuck-cultivating-curiosity/id1439952788 You're always welcome: "Come for the stories - Stay for the magic!" Speaking of magic, please subscribe, share a 5-star rating and nice review on your social media or podcast channel of choice, bring your friends and rellies, and join us! You will have wonderful company as we continue to walk our lives together. AND!  Stop by my Quarter Moon Story Arts website during reconstruction, email me [info@quartermoonstoryarts.net] to arrange a no-obligation Discovery Call, and stay current with me as Quarter Moon Story Arts on Substack. Stories From Women Who Walk Production Team Podcaster: Diane F Wyzga & Quarter Moon Story Arts Music: Mer’s Waltz from Crossing the Waters by Steve Schuch & Night Heron Music ALL content and image © 2019 to Present Quarter Moon Story Arts. All rights reserved.  If you found this podcast episode helpful, please consider sharing and attributing it to Diane Wyzga of Stories From Women Who Walk podcast with a link back to the original source.

    Motivate Your Monday: What Can Standing in Awe of the Natural World Teach Us? with Getting Unstuck’s Jeff Ikler & guest Tom Reed
  6. Jul 10

    Story Prompt Friday: How to Transform a Nice Essay Into a Memorable Story

    Coming to you from Whidbey Island, Washington this is Stories From Women Who Walk with Story Prompt Friday and your host, Diane Wyzga.   I teach my personal narrative clients and students that their rigorous “depth of inquiry” steers them way from writing surface-level, first-available answer drafts to crafting a memorable story. What do I mean? Nice personal essays often recount the superficial events of what happened and to whom. Maturing storytellers grow their essays into unforgettable narratives by deeply exploring why what happened to them matters, probing motivations, and reflecting on how those experiences shaped their world view. For example, a nice personal essay focuses on content. Facts tell the reader what you did, the places you went, or the most obvious outcomes of an event. A memorable story focuses on context—the situation or circumstances the facts took place in. Together content plus context create meaning. Meaning reveals your underlying emotions, struggles, doubts, and the personal truths you uncovered along the way. Story listeners are drawn to meaning like filings to a magnet. Tip: To transform a nice essay into memorable story, dig deep by asking yourself 5 probing "depth of inquiry" questions: 1. What did you desire? 2. What choices did you make to get it? 3. What were the consequences of those choices? 4. Did you achieve what you desired, or fail? 5. How did the experience change you? Story Prompt: Think of a time when you were offered an unlikely opportunity. You said “Yes! Come what may!” What happened next? Write that story and share it out loud! You're always welcome: "Come for the stories - Stay for the magic!" Speaking of magic, I hope you’ll subscribe, share a 5-star rating and nice review on your social media or podcast channel of choice, bring your friends and rellies, and join us! You will have wonderful company as we continue to walk our lives together. AND!  Stop by my Quarter Moon Story Arts website during reconstruction, email me [info@quartermoonstoryarts.net] to arrange a no-obligation Discovery Call, and stay current with me as Quarter Moon Story Arts on Substack. Stories From Women Who Walk Production Team Podcaster: Diane F Wyzga & Quarter Moon Story Arts Music: Mer’s Waltz from Crossing the Waters by Steve Schuch & Night Heron Music ALL content and image © 2019 to Present Quarter Moon Story Arts. All rights reserved.  If you found this podcast episode helpful, please consider sharing and attributing it to Diane Wyzga of Stories From Women Who Walk podcast with a link back to the original source.

    Story Prompt Friday: How to Transform a Nice Essay Into a Memorable Story
  7. Jul 8

    Wednesdays on Whidbey: Choosing to Incorporate Our Shortcomings

    Coming to you from Whidbey Island, Washington this is Stories From Women Who Walk with Wednesdays on Whidbey and your host, Diane Wyzga. We humans have shortcomings in common. Certain personal and professional imperfections—such as procrastination, impatience, and difficulty with public speaking, among others—that we naturally work to improve or manage. Maybe like me you’ve struggled to perfect your shortcomings only to discover that a better use of your energy might be to put them in service to self-awareness. Developing a habit of proactive personal growth identifies shortcomings without excessive self-shame and focuses on practical strategies for improvement, rather than dwelling on the weakness itself. No more “Should on you!” What if instead of focusing on what I’m not because of a standard set by someone else, I assess all I’ve done, accomplished, overcome, created, and become over the course of my life thus far because I learned how to fall down 7 and get up 8? What if I make up my mind to attend to projects and ideas that are achievable and meaningful to me despite my shortcomings—because I say so! Question: How are you incorporating your shortcomings to live the life you want, where you want, how you want, with whom you want, and for the reasons you want? We determine who we are, shortcomings and all! You're always welcome: "Come for the stories - Stay for the magic!" Speaking of magic, I hope you’ll subscribe, share a 5-star rating and nice review on your social media or podcast channel of choice, bring your friends and rellies, and join us! You will have wonderful company as we continue to walk our lives together. AND!  Stop by my Quarter Moon Story Arts website during reconstruction, email me [info@quartermoonstoryarts.net] to arrange a no-obligation Discovery Call, and stay current with me as Quarter Moon Story Arts on Substack. Stories From Women Who Walk Production Team Podcaster: Diane F Wyzga & Quarter Moon Story Arts Music: Mer’s Waltz from Crossing the Waters by Steve Schuch & Night Heron Music ALL content and image © 2019 to Present Quarter Moon Story Arts. All rights reserved.  If you found this podcast episode helpful, please consider sharing and attributing it to Diane Wyzga of Stories From Women Who Walk podcast with a link back to the original source.

    Wednesdays on Whidbey: Choosing to Incorporate Our Shortcomings
  8. Jul 6

    Motivate Your Monday: Eliza Young’s Journey From Survival to Spain with host Steve Ramona

    Coming to you from Whidbey Island, Washington this is Stories From Women Who Walk with Motivate Your Monday and your host, Diane Wyzga. “Each One Lift One” is the way we roll here! Recently I introduced my friend, Eliza Young (the genius behind my Quarter Moon Story Arts logo and soon-to-be-revealed overhauled website) and the author of Life in Captivity to my other friend and podcast colleague Steve Ramona of Doing Business With a Servant’s Heart. It was a match! Their powerful and poignant conversation highlights this truth: “You can’t change what happened to you; but you can choose where you go in the future.”   From the June 11th 2026 Episode Notes: “In this deeply moving episode of Doing Business with a Servant’s Heart, Steve Ramona sits down with Eliza Young, author of Life in Captivity, a memoir born from a childhood marked by medical trauma, family conflict, repeated separation, and the long road back to self-trust. Their conversation is a splendid reminder that this season of your life is not the whole story.” Click this LINK to access the episode on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MKbEuVR4HGs] Connect with Eliza Young:  Web: https://substack.com/@captivatingeliza  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCodDmXVVWdOCGrePbSevQDw    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/creativeliza   Connect with Steve Ramona:  Web: https://steveramona.com/  LinkedIn:   https://www.linkedin.com/in/steveramona  IG: https://www.instagram.com/bizopportunitynow/  Podcast: https://www.servinginbusinesspodcast.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkgN4ZO83lPjCJtuv0LeOJw Eliza: https://youtu.be/MKbEuVR4HGs And thank you for listening.  You're always welcome: "Come for the stories - Stay for the magic!" Speaking of magic, I hope you’ll subscribe, share a 5-star rating and nice review on your social media or podcast channel of choice, bring your friends and rellies, and join us! You will have wonderful company as we continue to walk our lives together. AND!  Stop by my Quarter Moon Story Arts website during reconstruction, email me [info@quartermoonstoryarts.net] to arrange a no-obligation Discovery Call, and stay current with me as Quarter Moon Story Arts on Substack. Stories From Women Who Walk Production Team Podcaster: Diane F Wyzga & Quarter Moon Story Arts Music: Mer’s Waltz from Crossing the Waters by Steve Schuch & Night Heron Music ALL content and image © 2019 to Present Quarter Moon Story Arts. All rights reserved.  If you found this podcast episode helpful, please consider sharing and attributing it to Diane Wyzga of Stories From Women Who Walk podcast with a link back to the original source.

    Motivate Your Monday: Eliza Young’s Journey From Survival to Spain with host Steve Ramona
4.8
out of 5
35 Ratings

About

Daily 60 Seconds doses of hope, motivation, time out, imagination, wisdom, healing, story prompts, & more! Diane-on-Mic episodes offer tips on storytelling & communication problem-solving. Guests with true-life, practical, funny, heartbreaking, insightful human experience stories from (mostly) women walking their lives while Life walked them & the lasting difference their journeys have made. You’ll see yourself here. I’m your host, Diane Wyzga. "Come for the stories - stay for the magic!"

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