Writers Rotation

Kathie Stamps
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Kathie Stamps interviews people in various professions about words and writing.

  1. 3d ago

    50 Robyn Rabbeth Leach: former television broadcaster

    Send us a text message about this episode! Robyn Rabbeth Leach spent 20+ years in radio and television broadcasting working at WHAS in Louisville, WLAP radio and WLEX TV in Lexington, Kentucky. She is a Louisville native and graduate of Western Kentucky University. Robyn has been married for 38 years to Tom Leach, voice of the University of Kentucky Wildcats men’s basketball and football. They are parents to Connor, a chef, and Caroline, a data scientist. Lately, Robyn has been restoring her home, traveling, and lingering with friends and family. Kathie’s note: Robyn is my longest-running BFF, though neither of us runs. We met at WLAP radio in the 1900s, hahahaa, where she was in news and I was a disc jockey. The station had an actual news department (!) with at least three or four people on the news staff. Talk about a previous lifetime. And it was such a full, full life, we don't reminisce about the same stories over and over. Plus, we have plenty of current things to talk about these days. Writers Rotation intro/outro recorded at Dynamix Productions in Lexington, Kentucky. Support the show

    50 Robyn Rabbeth Leach: former television broadcaster

  2. Jul 30

    49 Molly Sonsteng: entrepreneur, magic maker

    Send us a text message about this episode! Molly Sonsteng is a producer and experience designer who believes play is serious business. She co-founded Caveday, a community that helps people find deeper focus and a healthier relationship to work, and she runs Madcap Factory, a production house that builds games and experiences designed to bring more mischief into everyday life. Before any of that, Molly trained as an opera singer at the University of Minnesota and later earned a master's in Educational Leadership from Columbia. She taught preschool, ran a political campaign office, developed curriculum at Carnegie Hall, and produced early morning dance parties around the world.  She also co-founded Inconspicuous Games, running secret field games in landmarks and public spaces for companies looking to shake up how their teams connect. These days she splits her time between Caveday and Madcap, building experiences that get people out of their heads and into the moment.   Find and follow Molly on her website, Substack & IG: www.madcapfactory.com mollysonsteng.substack.com www.instagram.com/mollysonsteng   And of course, Caveday, the online coworking body-doubling space. www.caveday.org Kathie’s note: You know those people who are so grounded they exude a “you look calm and friendly too!” persona? Unpretentious, accepting, calm, cool & collected, all that. That’s Molly! She was one of the first faces I saw when I joined Caveday on January 1, 2021. I found it on CreativeMornings, one of their first FieldTrips. According to my calendar, it was July 8, 2020. “CreativeMornings, Brooklyn, get shit done in the cave: deep work.” I took notes about the breakout sessions the first couple of years. As a guide one day, Molly’s breakout prompt was to describe your activities as a child vs. today. I said, “As a kid, it was music, books, and staying away from my brothers. Today I like music, books, and Zooming with my brothers.” (I mean, we change but we don’t, ya know?)   Writers Rotation intro/outro recorded at Dynamix Productions in Lexington, Kentucky. Support the show

    49 Molly Sonsteng: entrepreneur, magic maker

  3. Jul 10

    48 Maria Zeta: embodiment and human potential guide

    Send us a text message about this episode! Maria Zeta is the founder of Embody Your Human Potential, facilitating online wellness classes and guided lectures that assist women worldwide in finding their center and restore ease and balance. She designs and curates classes, webinars, talks, retreats, and other events that assist people in realizing their health, wholeness, and happiness needs. She took up yoga meditation and went to India in 1998 to learn the benefits of vegetarianism, positive thinking, and stress-free living, and in 2002 learned Sivananda and Ashtanga yoga. A year after, she began teaching in international spas and gyms all over Metro Manila, promoting health and fitness. She has her certification for level three of the Integrated Mind and Body Yoga Wellness Program, which integrates ancient and scientific mind/body techniques. Maria concentrates her abilities in designing and facilitating embodiment and human potential programs that empower people to enjoy and realize their most cherished wellness ideals and desires in life.  Maria has taken an active role in helping empower both the earth and mankind at large through initiatives that anchor sustainable living and development through environment cleanups, tree planting, mind and body wellness and empowerment initiatives. Maria earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in communication from Ateneo de Manila University, where she played varsity volleyball.   Embody Your Human Potential www.EmbodyYourHumanPotential.com Facebook: Embody Your Human Potential Instagram: @EmbodyYourHumanPotential   Kathie’s note: I met Maria through Astrology Hub, one of my absolute favorite spaces on the internet. I kept seeing this bubbly face, always smiling, and just embodying happiness in her whole face. And then she offered some one-on-one yoga classes, and I got to experience her delightful happiness in person (haha) every week. She’s a peach! Writers Rotation intro/outro recorded at Dynamix Productions in Lexington, Kentucky. Support the show

    48 Maria Zeta: embodiment and human potential guide

  4. Jun 26

    47 Debra Locker: PR professional, entrepreneur

    Send us a text message about this episode! Debra Locker Griffin provides big-city caliber public relations with small-town charm by applying the same inquisitive spirit that served her so well in television news journalism. Her three-plus decades of professional excellence have put her in the absolute vanguard of her field.  Based in Kentucky, Debra’s company, the Debra Locker Group, is an award-winning boutique agency specializing in the lifestyle, spa, travel, spirits, and wellness markets, and is a constant champion for female entrepreneurs.  Debra founded DLG in 2008 after working in corporate public relations and having a successful career in TV news. The company has been chosen five times as the best PR firm in Louisville by the readers of LEO Weekly, and the editors of Louisville Business First named Debra one of 20 people to know in Advertising, PR, and Marketing.  Prior to launching DLG, Debra was the Public Relations Director for the International SPA Association. Ingrained in the spa industry since 2001, Debra received the 2020 Women in Wellness PR & Marketing Award from American Spa. Before beginning her PR career, Debra was a reporter and producer at TV stations throughout the Southeast. She has been nominated for three Regional Emmy Awards for her production work. Debra’s free time is spent traveling, gardening, working out, and trying new restaurants. She is married to her college sweetheart, is mom to an incredible son who is a rising sophomore at the University of Illinois, and is a fur mom to a vivacious Great Pyrenees/Border Collie mix named Freya. https://debralockergroup.com/ https://www.instagram.com/debralockergroup https://www.linkedin.com/in/debralockergriffin/ Kathie’s note: I've been a freelance writer receiving Debra's PR requests and introductions for stories about her clients. She has also offered up a couple of Writers Rotation podcast guests! I met Debra in real life in the fall of 2019 on a fam tour in Shelbyville, Kentucky. What a fun couple of days that was, and she is so gracious. Writers Rotation intro/outro recorded at Dynamix Productions in Lexington, Kentucky. Support the show

    47 Debra Locker: PR professional, entrepreneur

  5. Jun 12

    46 Steven Puri: flow state coach

    Send us a text message about this episode! Steven Puri is the founder and CEO of The Sukha Company, with the mission to help millions of people find their focus, achieve more, and have a healthy work life.  Steven is one of the few people on earth who has been a senior executive at two motion picture studios and also raised over $20MM in venture capital. He’s produced the digital effects for Independence Day, which won the Oscar for Visual Effects and in addition to his film work, he’s founded three startups: one successful exit and two failures. He lectures now on the lessons in sustainable high-performance he learned working alongside some of the world’s more productive people.  Steven's career started as a newscaster/interviewer for the #1 youth news show in the DC/Baltimore market (on WTTG-TV) and then as a junior software engineer and Thomas J. Watson Scholar at IBM. After attending USC in Los Angeles, he began working in film production. The Sukha Company - ‘sukha’ means ‘happiness from self-fulfillment’ in Sanskrit. Sukha is a focus app that bundles all the tools necessary to enter into a flow state and a have healthy, productive workday.  https://www.thesukha.co Kathie's note: Steven is in his get-on-podcast season, so when he reached out via email one day, I said sure! We had a lovely conversation, and I must say, I'm a sucker for big words. You'll hear 'germane' and 'bifurcate' in this interview, among others. I had to edit out 'empirical' due to a glitchy glitch, but just pretend it's in there somewhere. Writers Rotation intro/outro recorded at Dynamix Productions in Lexington, Kentucky. Support the show

    46 Steven Puri: flow state coach

  6. May 29

    45 Jessica Dawkins: historian

    Send us a text message about this episode! Jessica Dawkins, president and CEO of Historic Locust Grove in Louisville, Kentucky, has been a  museum professional and local historian for over 20 years.  She received a bachelor’s  degree in History from the University of Louisville and a master’s degree in Business  Communication from Spalding University, both of which were fully funded by the Jack  Kent Cooke Foundation in Washington, DC.  She is also a graduate of the History Leadership Institute, class of 2016.  Her passion lies in 19th century Ohio Valley history, and this focus brought her to work  within historic house museums in the Louisville area. As the southeast regional director  for the Indiana State Museum & Historic Sites, she directed three sites in Southern Indiana:  Culbertson Mansion in New Albany, Corydon Capitol in Corydon, and Lanier Mansion in  Madison. She then served as deputy director of the Kentucky Historical Society and was  most recently the executive director of Liberty Hall Historic Site in Frankfort, Kentucky.  By taking an interdisciplinary and comprehensive approach to museum management,  Jessica demonstrates a tangible, authentic commitment to audiences and communities  served. She believes historical organizations are visitor-serving and mission-based, and  they are also local businesses, economic drivers, and cultural generators.  Through  inspirational storytelling, creative programming, and intentional collaboration, Jessica is a  passionate advocate for history as a crucial tool in the life of the everyday citizen.  She also serves on nonprofit boards and committees, including Louisville Public Media’s  Community Advisory Board and Happy Birthday Park. She was Board Chair for  Farmington Historic Plantation and was named one of Business First’s “20 People to Know  in Tourism & Hospitality.” https://locustgrove.org Keep up with @HistoricLocustGrove on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok. Kathie’s note: Debra Locker introduced Jessica and me to each other. Instant bonding! Right before our interview, lightning struck the grounds of Locust Hill and every electronic device on the property was out of commission. Lights and computers and everything, so she recorded on her phone. I thought it was the old house's way of saying, "Enough with your technology!" and Jessica said she has always known that historic homes get what they want. For example, an unlikable employee or a visitor can get invited not to say. "But since I've come to Locust Grove, I realize the land gets what it wants," she said.  Writers Rotation intro/outro recorded at Dynamix Productions in Lexington, Kentucky. Support the show

    45 Jessica Dawkins: historian

  7. May 15

    44 Shelley Thomas: artist, composer, spiritual coach

    Send us a text message about this episode! Shelley Thomas is an artist and CEO of The Mystical Creative LLC. She is a visionary composer-producer, photographer, astrologer, and Dream Fulfillment Coach. Through her multifaceted work, she creates exquisite custom music and photos for client visual media needs. As a coach, she helps people gain insight, clarity, and confidence, guiding them to heal and activate their potential. She uses modern technology alongside astrology, tarot, and her gift of intuition to assist people in realizing their goals and dreams. She specializes in working with multi-passionate entrepreneurs to support bringing their dreams to life: whether through coaching, creating beautiful music for film + tv uniquely branded with her magical sonic signature, or delivering elegant portraits that capture the special spirit of each person. Shelley has a B.F.A. in World Music from CalArts and an M.A. from Berklee College of Music in Interdisciplinary Music Studies, as well as numerous accolades, international tours and multiple Grammy-winning credentials. She is a world-class vocalist and musician who plays oud, percussion piano, and guitar. She also draws upon a depth of intense life experiences including heartbreak, addiction, illness, trauma, creative blocks, depression, and anxiety. These blessings in disguise have given her immense empathy and wisdom to share in her work with others. She learned to heal through 7 years of sobriety, deep spiritual work, self-love, and the power of artistic alchemy. Her purpose is to uplift and inspire people through her work, shattering limitations and empowering others through creative expression. Listen to Shelley’s singles, including her spring '26 release of "Infinite Sea" and watch her music videos on her website. Shelley Thomas www.themysticalcreative.com www.instagram.com/themysticalcreative    Kathie’s note: One day during a one-hour or three-hour Caveday session (www.caveday.org), I looked at all the people on the Zoom screen and saw someone playing an instrument. Was that a lute? It was definitely of the string kingdom, guitar class, but I had no idea what genus. It turned out to be Shelley playing her oud. But without any audio, wah. She's super chill, always a calming presence. So enjoyed talking with her on this episode. Writers Rotation intro/outro recorded at Dynamix Productions in Lexington, Kentucky. Support the show

    44 Shelley Thomas: artist, composer, spiritual coach

  8. Apr 13

    43 Katie Fussenegger: connector, memory maker

    Send us a text message about this episode! Katie Fussenegger serves as Executive Vice President of the Kentucky Derby Museum, where she helps lead one of Kentucky’s most iconic cultural attractions with vision, creativity, and a deep love for the stories of the horse. Before joining the museum, Katie spent more than a decade as President & CEO of ShelbyKY Tourism, where she built a reputation for innovation, collaboration, and community impact. She’s a proud University of Louisville graduate and holds her CTIS certification through Indiana and Purdue Universities. Katie has held leadership roles across the state and beyond, serving as chair of the Kentucky Tourism Industry Association & KY Bourbon Horses & History Region, President of the Kentucky Association of Convention & Visitors Bureaus, and twice as President on the international stage of Skal International Louisville. She’s also a graduate of Leadership Kentucky, Leadership Louisville, and Leadership Shelby. Her work has earned her recognition as one of the Lane Report’s Top Women in Business, Louisville Business First’s 20 People to Know in Tourism & Hospitality, recipient of the Way to Go Woman in Leadership Award by Today’s Woman Magazine, and a 2024 Forty Under 40 honoree by Business First, chosen from over 600 applications. A passionate advocate for tourism, hospitality, and community growth, Katie brings both strategy and heart to everything she does.    Kentucky Derby Museum https://www.derbymuseum.org/ https://www.instagram.com/derbymuseum/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/kentucky-derby-museum Connect with Katie on Instagram @CocktailsandTeacups Kathie’s note: You know how some people just remind you of sunshine? That’s Katie Fussenegger. Always happy, always smiling. I met her on a fam trip (which stands for familiarization, not family) with three other freelance writers in the fall of 2019. We toured a Saddlebred farm in Shelby County, a pumpkin patch and several other tourist attractions, and had some fabulous meals and camaraderie. I still think about those people and places! Writers Rotation intro/outro recorded at Dynamix Productions in Lexington, Kentucky. Support the show

    43 Katie Fussenegger: connector, memory maker
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About

Kathie Stamps interviews people in various professions about words and writing.

Information

  • Creator
    Kathie Stamps
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    51
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Writers Rotation
  • Show Website
    Writers Rotation