The Imaginals with Ashley Wick

Ashley Wick
  • 5.0 (6)
  • SOCIETY & CULTURE
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UNVARNISHED STORIES OF TRANSFORMATION FROM CREATIVE, WISE WOMEN  You are the co-creator of your life, but what happens when you find yourself on the precipice of change and unsure of what’s next? The Imaginals podcast invites you to explore seminal moments of personal change. Together, we move forward, drawing wisdom and inspiration from creative and insightful women as we explore their journeys of transformation. Imaginal cells are those responsible for a caterpillar's incredible transformation into a butterfly. In these conversations, we explore the moments of impact, the messy middles, and the most surprising elements of meaningful change. Authentic, brave and warm, The Imaginals will inspire you to claim the center of your own story. Join host, Transformational Coach, Ashley Wick to witness how they put their whole being into action to light up the world.  ----- Ashley Wick has an intimate understanding of the pitfalls of perfection. Born and raised in San Francisco, she grew up in a family where high performance was the maxim. For years it served her to be the ultimate doer: a straight-A student; a Duke athlete; a Vogue Magazine executive; and founder of her own fashion PR agency. By all accounts, her efforts were propelling her toward her life’s desires. That all changed when she learned of her newborn daughter’s heart condition. She couldn’t “do” anything, she simply had to be. By processing moments of uncertainty with her own coach, she came to understand the power of working in communion with other women as a foundation for creating meaningful change. It is this framework that transformational coach Ashley Wick brings to her practice and her new podcast, The Imaginals.

  1. Indie-folk Artist Emma Rose on Creative Stagnation, Freedom, and Flow

    JUN 10

    Indie-folk Artist Emma Rose on Creative Stagnation, Freedom, and Flow

    In this intimate live episode recorded in Boulder, Colorado, host Ashley Wick sits down with 26-year-old indie-folk artist Emma Rose for a soulful, humorous conversation about creativity and resilience. Emma opens up about growing up with touring folk musician parents, her journey from playing bass in other bands to leading her own project, Sound of Honey, and the bold choice to leave the breakout bluegrass band Big Richard at its peak.   They explore the struggles of breaking through in a competitive industry, the addictive pull of constant digital connection, and the pressure to keep producing in a culture that prizes speed and visibility. Emma shares candid reflections on reclaiming the freedom to create without comparison, embracing rest, and reconnecting with her inner artist.   For creatives who feel the pressure to always be “on,” Emma’s story is a powerful invitation to slow down, tune out the noise, and come home to your own creative voice.   Stay tuned for a rare, live performance of Emma’s beloved and unreleased songs. Chapters: 01:43 Introducing Emma Rose: A Talented Musician 03:06 Emma's Musical Journey and Family Background 05:36 Choosing Music: A Personal Decision 09:52 High School Challenges and Musical Growth 19:18 COVID-19: A Time for Reflection 21:13 The Rise and Success of Big Richard 23:30 The Rise and Fall of Big Richard 24:09 Trusting Your Gut and Making Hard Decisions 24:47 The Struggles of Life on the Road 27:22 The Impact of Social Media on Self-Worth 28:59 Navigating the Music Industry 33:12 Balancing Creativity and Spirituality 36:31 The Practice of Being an Artist 39:54 Finding Flow and Overcoming Stagnation 43:35 Final Thoughts and Recommendations   Links: Emma Rose Big Richard Band Sound of Honey Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert Julia Cameron’s The Artist’s Way / Morning Pages Tool The Creative Act by Rick Rubin   With thanks to… Jamie and Davis at Stone Cottage Studios for hosting and producing this special live episode, and to our sponsors Plantgem, Low Rider, Boulder Wine Merchant, Suerte Tequila, and Little Saints for making the evening extra special. Ashley Links: Finding The Current Within Retreat: https://peggymarkel.com/adventures/finding-the-current-within/ Ashley Wick Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ashleywick The Ingenius Life Workshop: https://www.ingenius.life Take The Leap Course: https://www.taketheleapwomen.com/ Sign up for Ashley’s newsletter for free coaching reflections, tools and news: https://view.flodesk.com/pages/643399411150f24bd562b5f5 Podcast artwork by George Bangs. Photography by Cary Jobe This podcast is made possible thanks to our amazing partner Plantgem. Get 20% off your order when you use the code IMAGINE.

    43 min

  2. MAY 13

    Renée Rosillo on Leaps of Faith and Risking Everything to Live Authentically

    Some life changes are quiet pivots. Others require a full leap—one where you lose everything but trust that something truer will rise in its place. Renée Rosillo is a Latina trans woman, technologist, and community builder who’s taken more than one of those leaps. She began her career at the UN, championing global youth initiatives, and went on to cofound multiple start-ups—including Prism, an open banking platform used across Latin America, and FounderFamilia, now the largest network of Latina venture-backed founders. Today, she’s building AO Labs, where they’re developing AI that learns like humans do—with empathy at the core. But Renée’s most powerful leap wasn’t professional—it was personal. After selling one of her companies, she finally slowed down. In that quiet, she realized she was living out of alignment with who she truly was. Facing long-buried gender dysphoria, she made the brave decision to leave everything behind: her wife, her child, her home, and her company. This final episode of Season 1 is a conversation about identity, reinvention, and what it takes to build a beautiful life—and a world—that reflects the truth of who we are. Renée’s story is full of grace, hope, and the kind of clarity that only comes from risking it all.  Chapters:  Links: Website: https://reneerosillo.com/  Twitter @reneerosillo Instagram 0xrerosillo Linkedin @rrrosillo Newsletter Subscribe here https://www.joinprism.xyz/ https://www.founderfamilia.com/ https://www.aolabs.ai/ Ashley Links: Finding The Current Within Retreat: https://peggymarkel.com/adventures/finding-the-current-within/ Ashley Wick Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ashleywick The Ingenius Life Workshop: https://www.ingenius.life Take The Leap Course: https://www.taketheleapwomen.com/ Sign up for Ashley’s newsletter for free coaching reflections, tools and news: https://view.flodesk.com/pages/643399411150f24bd562b5f5 Podcast artwork by George Bangs. Photography by Cary Jobe This podcast is made possible thanks to our amazing partner Plantgem. Get 20% off your order when you use the code IMAGINE.

    51 min
  3. Christine Carter on Choosing Purpose Over Happiness, Overcoming Anxiety, and Accepting Loss

    MAY 6

    Christine Carter on Choosing Purpose Over Happiness, Overcoming Anxiety, and Accepting Loss

    In this episode of The Imaginals, host Ashley Wick sits down with Christine Carter, Ph.D. — sociologist, coach, and author of The Sweet Spot, Raising Happiness, and The New Adolescence. For over 25 years, she’s been a guiding voice in the science of well-being, helping shape UC Berkeley’s Greater Good Science Center and bringing insights to stages like TED and The Oprah Show. Christine spent her career studying happiness, purpose, and the conditions that allow us to truly thrive- gaining knowledge and skills that would prepare her for what she later called her “summer of hell.” In a single season, Christine was diagnosed with breast cancer, lost her mother, her best friend from college, a cousin she considered a brother, and her beloved dog. She was being asked to live everything she’d taught — to find stillness in chaos, clarity in grief, and purpose in the face of deep loss. Christine comes from a long line of anxious women, and like so many of us, she’s made a life’s work of teaching what she needs to know. In this tender and humorous conversation, they discuss perfectionism, why purpose ( not happiness ) is one of the strongest predictors of well-being, and how it’s possible to be happy amidst profound pain.. This episode is an offering for anyone finding their way through anxiety or loss. Chapters:  01:27 Guest Introduction: Christine Carter 01:51 Christine's Journey Through Personal Loss 04:40 The Dinner Table Epiphany 09:45 Purpose vs. Happiness 15:02 Arthur Brooks' Insights on Happiness 16:53 Christine's Personal Growth and Overcoming Anxiety 19:10 Overcoming Anxiety: Key Strategies 20:09 The Role of Meditation and Cognitive Practices 22:26 Embracing Emotional Acceptance 23:27 The Impact of Menopause on Anxiety 26:44 Perfectionism and Connection 29:17 Navigating Loss and Grief 35:42 Acceptance Practice and Final Thoughts Links: Christine Carter Website | Instagram  | LinkedIn Greater Good Science Center at UC Berkeley Acceptance Meditation Ashley Links: Finding The Current Within Retreat: https://peggymarkel.com/adventures/finding-the-current-within/ Ashley Wick Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ashleywick The Ingenius Life Workshop: https://www.ingenius.life Take The Leap Course: https://www.taketheleapwomen.com/ Sign up for Ashley’s newsletter for free coaching reflections, tools and news: https://view.flodesk.com/pages/643399411150f24bd562b5f5 Podcast artwork by George Bangs. Photography by Cary Jobe This podcast is made possible thanks to our amazing partner Plantgem. Get 20% off your order when you use the code IMAGINE.

    39 min
  4. Violinist Yuki Numata Resnick on Music as a Tool for Change and Finding Purpose Beyond the Applause

    APR 29

    Violinist Yuki Numata Resnick on Music as a Tool for Change and Finding Purpose Beyond the Applause

    Violinist, educator, and nonprofit leader Yuki Numata Resnick has spent her life exploring the transformative power of music—not only as an artist, but as a changemaker. Originally from Vancouver, Yuki has performed on some of the world’s most iconic stages, from the Sydney Opera House to Carnegie Hall, and has recorded with artists including The National, Arcade Fire, Lisa Hannigan, and Taylor Swift. But it’s her work offstage that tells an even deeper story. As co-founder and former Executive Director of Buffalo String Works, Yuki helped build a music program that now serves over 150 refugee, immigrant, and historically marginalized youth—demonstrating how music can become both a source of belonging and a catalyst for social change.  Today, as the Director of Arts and Culture at the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo, she is leading a historic $100 million initiative to secure the future of Western New York’s arts and culture sector and most importantly, finding ways to get funding into the hand of the deepest community organizers and challenging pre-conceptions about where wealth.  In this conversation, Yuki shares her reflections on discovering her why, leadership challenges, career pivots, and the quiet courage it takes to step into the unknown.  Chapters: 01:17 Meet Yuki Numata Resnick: Violinist and Visionary02:45 Navigating Career Shifts and Personal Growth03:07 Sponsor Highlight: Plant Gem03:55 Yuki's Early Years and Musical Journey05:26 Challenges and Triumphs in Music Education15:09 The Birth of Buffalo String Works20:18 Building a Community Through Music23:38 Inspiration Behind Buffalo String Works27:12 Launching and Growing the Nonprofit28:02 Growth and Learning in Buffalo String Works29:00 Taking on Leadership and Challenges34:34 Balancing Personal and Professional Life41:50 Transition to Philanthropy45:57 Reflections and Future Aspirations49:57 Closing Thoughts and Resources Links: Yuki Numata Resnick Yuki Numata Resnick Instagram Buffalo String Works Arts and Culture at the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo Indra Nooyi Quote Toni Morrison Quote Ashley Links: Finding The Current Within Retreat: https://peggymarkel.com/adventures/finding-the-current-within/ Ashley Wick Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ashleywick The Ingenius Life Workshop: https://www.ingenius.life Take The Leap Course: https://www.taketheleapwomen.com/ Sign up for Ashley’s newsletter for free coaching reflections, tools and news: https://view.flodesk.com/pages/643399411150f24bd562b5f5 Podcast artwork by George Bangs. Photography by Cary Jobe This podcast is made possible thanks to our amazing partner Plantgem. Get 20% off your order when you use the code IMAGINE.

    55 min
  5. World-class Climber Sasha DiGiulian on Pushing Boundaries, Facing Criticism and Coming Home to Herself

    APR 15

    World-class Climber Sasha DiGiulian on Pushing Boundaries, Facing Criticism and Coming Home to Herself

    In this episode of The Imaginals, world champion climber and author Sasha DiGiulian joins host Ashley Wick for a candid conversation about identity, ambition, and the challenges of forging her own path in a male-dominated sport — all in the public eye. From the outside, Sasha’s achievements are staggering: world titles, groundbreaking climbs, and over 30 first female ascents around the globe. But as she reveals in her memoir Take The Lead, another story was unfolding beneath the surface — quiet battles with body dysmorphia, the hunger for belonging, and the reckoning that came after being cyber-bullied by a fellow climber. Sasha reflects on how her drive to discover what she was capable of fueled her early rise — and how that same fire, at times, left her burned out and at odds with herself. Today, she’s balancing an audacious new climbing goal in Yosemite with her role as founder and CEO of Send Bars. She speaks to the tightrope so many women walk: wanting to go big, but feeling the pressure to play small and be likable — and how the right people around you can make all the difference. In the wake of eating disorders, injury, and abusive online harassment, Sasha shares how she continues to find her way back to herself — on and off the rock. Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to Imaginal Cells and Podcast Purpose01:17 Guest Introduction: Sasha DiGiulian's Climbing Achievements01:47 Sasha's Personal Struggles and Triumphs03:46 Balancing Climbing and Entrepreneurship05:49 Challenges and Growth in Climbing and Business14:02 Overcoming Cyberbullying and Finding Inner Peace26:15 Empowering Women and Building a Supportive Community33:12 Launching Send Bars and Future Goals46:20 Closing Thoughts and Inspirational Advice48:43 Conclusion and Sponsor Message Links: Sasha DiGuilian  Sasha DiGuilian Instagram  Take The Lead Book  Here to Climb Documentary Send Bars  Books by Jim Collins  Why by Simon Sinek Ashley Links: Finding The Current Within Retreat: https://peggymarkel.com/adventures/finding-the-current-within/ Ashley Wick Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ashleywick The Ingenius Life Workshop: https://www.ingenius.life Take The Leap Course: https://www.taketheleapwomen.com/ Sign up for Ashley’s newsletter for free coaching reflections, tools and news: https://view.flodesk.com/pages/643399411150f24bd562b5f5 Podcast artwork by George Bangs. Photography by Cary Jobe This podcast is made possible thanks to our amazing partner Plantgem. Get 20% off your order when you use the code IMAGINE.

    51 min

  6. APR 8

    Kristy Caylor on Walking Away with Integrity and Making Sustainability Stick

    In this episode, host Ashley Wick sits down with Kristy Caylor, who is on a mission to change the way we think about fashion and waste. The industry produces a staggering 100 billion garments a year, and 85% of that ends up in landfills. It’s a cycle that feels impossible to break—but Kristy is proving otherwise. As the CEO of Trashie, a company making textile recycling easy and even fun, she’s tackling the problem head-on. Her journey started in industrial engineering before she found her way to fashion, leading projects like Gap’s Product RED and later co-founding Maiyet, one of the first ethical luxury brands. At Maiyet, Kristy poured her heart into proving that high fashion and conscious business could go hand in hand. But after six years, Kristy faced an excruciating decision. Some of Maiyet’s inner workings didn’t align with her values, and she had to ask herself: Was she willing to stay and compromise, or would she walk away from the company she loved? She chose integrity, letting go without a clear next step. What followed was a period of uncertainty, but also a powerful reset. In this conversation, Kristy shares the question that stumped her and ultimately reshaped her approach to leadership. She talks about failure, the role of intuition in big decisions, and how asking “What if?” has fueled her most innovative ideas. They also explore behavior change—why guilt and shame don’t work, and how Kristy is using joy and ease to shift the way people think about recycling their stuff.  Chapters: 01:17 Meet Kristy Caylor: Fashion Industry Innovator01:52 Kristy's Journey with Maiyet13:19 The Decision to Leave Maiyet16:48 Building a New Business with Integrity25:02 The What-If Mindset and Consumer Behavior32:27 Introducing Trashy: A Circular Economy Solution36:41 Proposing Partnerships to Brands37:49 Marketing and Storytelling in Sustainable Fashion41:16 Building a Community and Measuring Impact42:11 Staying Resilient Amidst Fast Fashion44:58 The Journey of Shifting Business Models51:05 Balancing Startup Demands and Family Life54:03 Defining Success and Personal Values55:26 Tools and Practices for Transformation Links: Trashie For Days Wayne Dyer Neville Goddard Michael Singer Tim Ferriss x Diana Chapman Podcast Episode Diana Chapman’s Full Body Yes meditation Ashley Links: Finding The Current Within Retreat: https://peggymarkel.com/adventures/finding-the-current-within/ Ashley Wick Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ashleywick The Ingenius Life Workshop: https://www.ingenius.life Take The Leap Course: https://www.taketheleapwomen.com/ Sign up for Ashley’s newsletter for free coaching reflections, tools and news: https://view.flodesk.com/pages/643399411150f24bd562b5f5 Podcast artwork by George Bangs. Photography by Cary Jobe This podcast is made possible thanks to our amazing partner Plantgem. Get 20% off your order when you use the code IMAGINE.

    1h 4m
  7. The Founders of Carve Designs on Surf, Partnership, and Bold Entrepreneurial Leaps

    APR 1

    The Founders of Carve Designs on Surf, Partnership, and Bold Entrepreneurial Leaps

    In this episode of The Imaginals, host Ashley Wick sits down with Jennifer Hinton and Thayer Sylvester, lifelong friends and co-founders of Carve Designs. Their journey began, as so many do, with a conversation—this one on a surf trip to San Pancho, Mexico, about the frustration of ill-fitting women’s board shorts. That conversation sparked an idea, and what started as a simple need soon grew into something much bigger: a brand that would empower women, challenge expectations, and take on a life of its own. At the heart of their story is partnership—not just in business, but in the deep trust and shared vision that allowed them to build something purposeful together. Jennifer and Thayer take us behind the scenes of what it really means to start something from nothing. Neither had a background in fashion, and there was no guarantee it would work. But they took the leap anyway—one bold decision at a time. They share what it’s like to grow alongside the business, how stepping away from societal expectations led to personal transformation, and why success isn’t just about the outcome. We also explore the interplay between entrepreneurship and motherhood—how learning to navigate risk, relinquish control, and trust the process has shaped not just their business, but the way they raise their children. If you’ve ever felt misaligned in your career, wondered whether to trust that inner nudge, or needed a reminder that success doesn’t have to mean going it alone, this conversation is for you. Chapters: 01:46 The Journey of Carve Designs02:03 Personal Transformations and Challenges02:35 Redefining Success and Empowering Women03:02 Sponsor Message: Plant Gem03:57 Interview with Jennifer Hinton and Thayer Sylvester04:49 The Struggles Before Carve Designs06:13 The Decision to Start Carve Designs12:38 Defining Success and Overcoming Challenges23:52 Balancing Motherhood and Leadership34:45 Closing Thoughts and Resources Guest Links:  Carve Designs website: https://www.carvedesigns.com ​​ Carve Designs Instagram: @carvedesigns https://www.instagram.com/carvedesigns ‘On Children’ by Kahil Gilbran from The Prophet: https://poets.org/poem/children-1   Calvin Coolidge on Persistence: https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/2749-nothing-in-this-world-can-take-the-place-of-persistence  Ashley Links: Finding The Current Within Retreat: https://peggymarkel.com/adventures/finding-the-current-within/ Ashley Wick Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ashleywick The Ingenius Life Workshop: https://www.ingenius.life Take The Leap Course: https://www.taketheleapwomen.com/ Sign up for Ashley’s newsletter for free coaching reflections, tools and news: https://view.flodesk.com/pages/643399411150f24bd562b5f5 Podcast artwork by George Bangs. Photography by Cary Jobe This podcast is made possible thanks to our amazing partner Plantgem. Get 20% off your order when you use the code IMAGINE.

    41 min
  8. DEI expert Daisy Auger-Domínguez on Overcoming Burnout, Navigating a Corporate Crisis and Leading With Heart

    MAR 25

    DEI expert Daisy Auger-Domínguez on Overcoming Burnout, Navigating a Corporate Crisis and Leading With Heart

    Daisy Auger-Domínguez is a powerhouse in the evolution of work and leadership. With senior roles at Disney, Google, and Vice Media, a TEDx talk, and regular contributions to Harvard Business Review, she has long been at the forefront of building workplaces that truly work for everyone. She’s also the author of Inclusion Revolution and her newly released book, Burnt Out to Lit Up: How to Reignite the Joy of Leading People. But even the most passionate and purpose-driven leaders can hit a breaking point. After three intense years navigating the uncertainty of the pandemic and the Great Resignation, Daisy found herself in deep burnout—managing mass layoffs, weathering a corporate crisis, and facing personal attacks that took a profound toll. In this candid conversation, we go beyond the glossy leadership narratives and into the messy, human side of what it means to hold responsibility in turbulent times. Daisy shares the three dimensions of burnout, how to find your way back from exhaustion, and the key shifts that drive real, lasting change. She reminds us that true leadership starts from within—and that to light the way for others, we must first rekindle our own fire. Chapters: 01:18 Meet Daisy Auger Dominguez: A Leader's Journey01:58 Navigating Burnout and Corporate Crisis05:05 The Viral Tweet and Its Aftermath08:28 Personal Attacks and Professional Resilience11:50 Finding Strength Amidst Chaos22:22 Burnout: The Breaking Point24:27 A Heartbreaking Call: Empathy in Leadership27:02 Realizations of Parenting and Team Dynamics28:33 The Importance of Self-Awareness and Understanding32:21 The Concept of Hungry Ghosts33:43 Overcoming Deep-Seated Traumas38:54 The Power of Candor in the Workplace42:11 Offering Grace to Yourself and Others44:47 Deepening Self-Awareness to Combat Burnout49:36 Final Thoughts and Staying Connected Guest Links:  Website: https://www.daisyauger-dominguez.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daisyaugerdominguez  ‘Instagram: @daisyaugerdominguez Daisy’s books: https://www.daisyauger-dominguez.com/books  TedEx Talk: Inclusion Revolution TEDx Talk  Ashley Links: Finding The Current Within Retreat: https://peggymarkel.com/adventures/finding-the-current-within/ Ashley Wick Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ashleywick The Ingenius Life Workshop: https://www.ingenius.life Take The Leap Course: https://www.taketheleapwomen.com/ Sign up for Ashley’s newsletter for free coaching reflections, tools and news: https://view.flodesk.com/pages/643399411150f24bd562b5f5 Podcast artwork by George Bangs. Photography by Cary Jobe This podcast is made possible thanks to our amazing partner Plantgem. Get 20% off your order when you use the code IMAGINE.

    52 min
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UNVARNISHED STORIES OF TRANSFORMATION FROM CREATIVE, WISE WOMEN  You are the co-creator of your life, but what happens when you find yourself on the precipice of change and unsure of what’s next? The Imaginals podcast invites you to explore seminal moments of personal change. Together, we move forward, drawing wisdom and inspiration from creative and insightful women as we explore their journeys of transformation. Imaginal cells are those responsible for a caterpillar's incredible transformation into a butterfly. In these conversations, we explore the moments of impact, the messy middles, and the most surprising elements of meaningful change. Authentic, brave and warm, The Imaginals will inspire you to claim the center of your own story. Join host, Transformational Coach, Ashley Wick to witness how they put their whole being into action to light up the world.  ----- Ashley Wick has an intimate understanding of the pitfalls of perfection. Born and raised in San Francisco, she grew up in a family where high performance was the maxim. For years it served her to be the ultimate doer: a straight-A student; a Duke athlete; a Vogue Magazine executive; and founder of her own fashion PR agency. By all accounts, her efforts were propelling her toward her life’s desires. That all changed when she learned of her newborn daughter’s heart condition. She couldn’t “do” anything, she simply had to be. By processing moments of uncertainty with her own coach, she came to understand the power of working in communion with other women as a foundation for creating meaningful change. It is this framework that transformational coach Ashley Wick brings to her practice and her new podcast, The Imaginals.

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