Painting Your Path

Clarissa Castillo-Ramsey
  • 5.0 (78)
  • Self-Improvement
  • Weekly

If you’ve asked yourself “Am I living the life I want to live or have I been living for someone else?” Maybe you’re 40+ and asking: “What do I really want to do when I grow up?” If so, this podcast is for you. It’s time for you to do the thing you’ve been waiting to do but maybe didn’t think it was possible. Here’s what I know: You can be, do, and have whatever you set your mind to. Create life on your terms. This podcast features interviews with inspiring people who share their stories about stepping out and creating a life they love. You can also expect solo episodes where I share what’s on my mind and heart, all to help you continue to paint your path.

  1. 1d ago

    Creative Care Through Art, Rhythm & Breath with Casey Muze and Precious Burger

    Creative care can start with one small act of curiosity. In this episode of Painting Your Path, I speak with Creative Care Summit facilitators, Casey Muze and Precious Burger, about how creativity, play, rhythm, and breath can help us reconnect with ourselves. Casey shares how his work in mental health, music therapy, and trauma care informs his focus on cadence, breath, and rhythm, including a simple “micro reset” practice. Precious reflects on 30 years as an elementary art teacher and how embracing play, intuition, and the “messy middle” can help adults rediscover wonder. The conversation also explores the pressure of perfectionism, the value of making art just for yourself, and the liberating practice of letting your voice out. In this episode: What creative care means to Casey and PreciousHow adults can reconnect with play and childhood wonderHow daily artmaking helped Precious reconnect with herselfA preview of Casey’s summit session on the “micro reset”Practical creative self-care tools you might not have ever consideredConnect with our guests: Casey Muze’s book: https://bracednomore.online/Precious Burger:Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/preciousburgerartist/ Website: https://www.preciousburger.com/ The Retreat is under Creative Offerings.VIP Collector’s Mailing List: https://preciousburger.myflodesk.com/collectors-vault Connect with Clarissa: Free Virtual Creative Care Summit | Nov 9-12: https://fromemployee2entrepreneur.live/creativecaresummit2026In-Person Vision Board workshop |Nov 4 Upland, CA: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/vision-board-workshop-dream-it-create-it-upland-ca-tickets-2003686263552Join the Painting Your Path™ membership waitlistInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/clarissacastilloramsey.artWild Canvas Women’s Retreat | Peoria, AZ: https://www.cydniejocelyn.com/retreats/arizona/Support the show

    Creative Care Through Art, Rhythm & Breath with Casey Muze and Precious Burger

  2. Oct 15

    Art, Resilience & Community: SukiMoonPie and the Story of ALTA Arts Collective

    What do rusty nails, handmade kittens, and a community art fair have in common? Meet SukiMoonPie, mixed-media artist, creative force, and co-founder of ALTA Arts Collective. In this episode of Painting Your Path, Suki shares her wonderfully unconventional artistic journey, the unlikely beginnings of ALTA Arts Collective, and how a shared love of art has helped bring people together in Altadena. Our conversation takes a heartfelt turn as we reflect on the Eaton Fire, the artists whose lives were forever changed, and the role creativity continues to play in rebuilding our community. You’ll hear stories of friendship, resilience, unexpected opportunities, and what happens when people come together around a shared vision. Plus, join us at the ALTA Art Fair! Saturday, October 17, 2026 | 11 AM–5 PM Fraternal Order of Eagles 455 E. Woodbury Road, Altadena, CA Come meet local artists, explore their work, and participate in the final gathering of our Community Canvas Project. Because sometimes art is about so much more than what we create. It’s about who we connect with along the way. Support the show

    Art, Resilience & Community: SukiMoonPie and the Story of ALTA Arts Collective

  3. Oct 9

    Leah Ferrazzani on Food, Community, and Building a Business in Altadena

    Leah Ferrazzani, founder of Ferrazzani’s in Altadena, joins me for a thoughtful conversation about food, creativity, and the connections that make a community feel like home. Together, we talk about finding a path that makes room for both work and life, the meaning of serving others, and how neighbors can support local businesses as Altadena rebuilds. Listen in for a warm, honest conversation about making, belonging, and creating a life that feels like your own. Ferrazzani's Pasta & Market: https://www.facebook.com/Ferrazzanis Connect with Clarissa: Art of Becoming Masterclass: https://fromemployee2entrepreneur.live/artofbecoming2026Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/clarissacastilloramsey.artSupport the show

    Leah Ferrazzani on Food, Community, and Building a Business in Altadena

  4. Sep 24

    You Don’t Have to Know Where It’s Going. You Just Have to Start.

    What’s the idea you keep coming back to? Maybe it’s written in more than one notebook. 😂 Maybe you’ve talked about it for years. Maybe you keep telling yourself, “Someday…” Here’s what I’ve been thinking about lately: Some of the most meaningful things in my life started much smaller than what they eventually became. And I definitely didn’t know where they were going when I began. In this episode of Painting Your Path, I’m sharing a few stories about what can happen when we stop waiting to see the whole path and simply give an idea a beginning. If there’s something you’ve been carrying around for a while, this one is for you. And if you’re ready to take one of those ideas out of the “someday” pile, join me for my free masterclass: From Someday to Started September 30th Bring your idea(s). Bring the messy notebook. We’ll start there. Connect with Clarissa: Sept 30th Free Masterclass From Someday to Started Masterclass: https://fromemployee2entrepreneur.live/from-someday-to-startedJoin the Painting Your Path™ membership waitlistInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/clarissacastilloramsey.artSelf-Paced Vision Board Workshop: https://fromemployee2entrepreneur.live/visionboardPainting Your Path Guide: https://clarissastudio.activehosted.com/f/7Support the show

    You Don’t Have to Know Where It’s Going. You Just Have to Start.

  5. Sep 11

    Painting Your Path with Artist & Mentor Michelle Armas

    This season is dedicated to Eaton Fire Survivors, caregivers, and the community groups supporting Altadena and Pasadena. Even though Michelle isn’t from my area, her mentorship has been a steady, grounding presence as I’ve navigated my vocal condition, the grief of losing my dad, and the impact of the fire on my community. In this conversation with abstract artist and mentor Michelle Armas, we explore what it really means to paint your path: How Michelle went from a high-pressure graphic design job at Landor to building a long-term abstract painting career, one small step at a time.Why she believes art is mostly inner work, and how that perspective has helped me keep creating in the middle of grief and uncertainty.The heart behind Paint Week and Catalyst Academy, and why those spaces feel so welcoming for people who’ve been told their creativity isn’t “practical enough.” How making art can become both a sanctuary and a mirror when you’re healing from loss or moving through big life shifts.I share a bit about how joining Michelle’s community and doing Paint Week gave me structure, play, and a sense of possibility at a time when so much felt heavy. If you’re curious about abstract art, craving a creative community, or wondering if art could actually support your healing, this episode is for you. 👉 Listen now and, if it resonates, consider joining me for Michelle’s next Paint Week to explore your own creative path. Connect with Michelle: Join me and Michelle in Paint Week Sept 21-25Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michellearmas007 Connect with Clarissa: Sept 12th in-person Movement + Meditative Art at Buzzworthy Beverages in Claremont, CA: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/movement-meditative-art-tickets-1999131560312Sept. 20th in-person vision board workshop at The Hive, South Pasadena. Only $55. RSVP by email: TheHiveSouthPasadena@gmail.comJoin the Painting Your Path™ membership waitlistInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/clarissacastilloramsey.artSelf-Paced Vision Board Workshop: https://fromemployee2entrepreneur.live/visionboardPainting Your Path Guide: https://clarissastudio.activehosted.com/f/7Support the show

    Painting Your Path with Artist & Mentor Michelle Armas

  6. Sep 4

    From Ashes We Gather: Photography, Community, and Healing with Gayle Nicholls-Ali

    In this episode of Painting Your Path, I  sit down with award-winning arts educator, photographer, and advocate Gayle Nicholls-Ali. Gayle shares her 33-year love story with Altadena, how her creative path evolved from oil painting and graphic design into photography, and how the Eaton Fire changed everything—destroying her home, studio, and a beloved collection of cameras. From that devastation, Gayle founded Altadena Photographers, building community through resource sharing, creative education, and wellness-focused art practices. She talks about photography as a wellness practice, why she always makes sure there’s a therapist in the room for workshops, and how her zine-making sessions have helped fire survivors process grief, memory, and hope. We also talk about community organizing—like taking a bus of Altadena residents to Sacramento to advocate for fire survivors’ rights alongside leaders such as Joy Chen, Founder of Every Fire Survivors Network—and what it means to rebuild a home and a life with intention. This conversation runs longer than usual, and that’s intentional: these stories of hope, resilience, creativity, and wellness deserve time and space. In this episode, you’ll hear about: Gayle’s journey from Barbados to New York to Altadena, and why Altadena became homeHow she moved from oil painting and graphic design into a deep love of film photographyThe impact of the Eaton Fire on her home, studio, and extensive vintage camera collectionThe origin story of Altadena Photographers and what it offers the communityWhy Gayle sees photography and zines as therapeutic practicesHow zine-making workshops support healing, storytelling, and resilience for fire survivorsGayle’s advocacy trips to Sacramento and the fight for fair compensation and protections About Gayle Nicholls-Ali Gayle Nicholls-Ali is an award-winning arts educator, photographer, and advocate with over two decades of experience. A key architect of California’s arts education standards, she has received the CAEA Lifetime Achievement Award, NAEA Leadership Award, AME Leadership Award, and the 2025 Judy Chu Congressional Woman of the Year honor. Following the Eaton Fire, Gayle founded Altadena Photographers to support photographers and artists through resource recovery, creative education, and wellness-centered programming. She co-chairs the Eaton Fire Collaboratory’s Arts & Culture Coalition of Altadena and facilitates community zine workshops that promote healing and resilience. Connect with Gayle: Instagram: @altadenaphotographersEmail: altadenaphotographers@gmail.comFacebook: Closed group “Altadena Photographers” (request to join)Sept 18-20th Retreat & event info: https://forms.gle/2y3EjKN6vBnaWRRk7 Connect with Clarissa: Sept 12th in-person Movement + Meditative Art at Buzzworthy Beverages in Claremont, CA: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/movement-meditative-art-tickets-1999131560312Sept. 20th in-person vision board workshop at The Hive, South Pasadena. Only $55. RSVP by email: TheHiveSouthPasadena@gmail.comJoin the Painting Your Path™ membership waitlistInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/clarissacastilloramsey.artSelf-Paced Vision Board Workshop: https://fromemployee2entrepreneur.live/visionboard Mentioned in this Episode Altadena Photographers – community-based photography and arts organizationEvery Fire Survivors Network – founded by Joy Chen, supporting fire survivors and advocating for just policiesEaton Fire Collaboratory / Arts & Culture Coalition of Altadena“From Ashes We Gather” exhibition and community eventMarinell nuns sanctuary in Monrovia – site of Gayle’s creative wellness retreatSupport the show

    From Ashes We Gather: Photography, Community, and Healing with Gayle Nicholls-Ali

  7. Aug 27

    From Sacred Trust to Senior Care: Reshma Syed on Amanah Senior Living

    In this episode, I sit down with Reshma Syed, co‑founder of Amanah Senior Living, a six‑resident senior care home in Altadena, CA. We talk about how a lifelong commitment to service, family, and community turned into a calling to care for older adults. If you’ve ever wondered what “good” elder care can look like, or you’re navigating care for an aging parent or loved one, this conversation will speak to your heart. What You’ll Hear About The personal path that led Reshma and her husband to create Amanah Senior LivingWhy the word “Amanah” holds so much meaning for the way they care for eldersHow their small, home‑like model changes the experience of aging, for residents and familiesThe role community has played in bringing Amanah to life in AltadenaA powerful story about one special elder who’s already shaping the heart of the homePlus, in a fun rapid‑fire round, you’ll get a peek into Reshma’s everyday life, from her favorite morning drink to the colors that inspire her creativity. Connect with Reshma: Visit & virtual tour: https://amanahcares.comLocation: 400 East Calaveras Street, Altadena, CA 91001Social: Instagram & Facebook – @AmanahCares Connect with Clarissa: Sept. 20th in-person vision board workshop at The Hive, South Pasadena. Only $55. RSVP by email: TheHiveSouthPasadena@gmail.comJoin the Painting Your Path™ membership waitlistInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/clarissacastilloramsey.artSelf-Paced Vision Board Workshop: https://fromemployee2entrepreneur.live/visionboardSupport the show

    From Sacred Trust to Senior Care: Reshma Syed on Amanah Senior Living

  8. Aug 20

    The Idea That Won’t Leave You Alone

    What if clarity isn’t about finding a brand-new idea? What if it’s about finally paying attention to the one that keeps coming back? In this episode of Painting Your Path, I’m sharing a realization I’ve been having lately about some of the things I’m creating: from my Movement + Meditative Art sessions to the new Painting Your Path membership. Sometimes the ideas we brush off as too small, too simple, or not “important” enough are actually trying to tell us something. In this episode, I invite you to think about the idea, dream, or curiosity that keeps tapping you on the shoulder. In this episode: Why some ideas keep returningWhat I’m learning from finally trusting a very simple desireThe difference between a passing thought and an idea worth paying attention toA question to sit with this week Connect with Clarissa: In-person Art + Fashion Pop-Up: Friday, August 21st 11am to 5pm. Atelier Pasadena, 3330 East Colorado Blvd. Pasadena, CA. Street parking all around.Join the Painting Your Path™ membership waitlistInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/clarissacastilloramsey.artSelf-Paced Vision Board Workshop: https://fromemployee2entrepreneur.live/visionboardSupport the show

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5
out of 5
78 Ratings

About

If you’ve asked yourself “Am I living the life I want to live or have I been living for someone else?” Maybe you’re 40+ and asking: “What do I really want to do when I grow up?” If so, this podcast is for you. It’s time for you to do the thing you’ve been waiting to do but maybe didn’t think it was possible. Here’s what I know: You can be, do, and have whatever you set your mind to. Create life on your terms. This podcast features interviews with inspiring people who share their stories about stepping out and creating a life they love. You can also expect solo episodes where I share what’s on my mind and heart, all to help you continue to paint your path.

Information

  • Creator
    Clarissa Castillo-Ramsey
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    221
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Painting Your Path
  • Show Website
    Painting Your Path