You're overthinking your art | Monika Filipek, Artist & Gallerist

I met Monika while walking the streets of Oxford on a trip in 2024. I was immediately enchanted by Monika, her art, and her story. I'm thrilled to bring her wisdom on artmaking, sustainability, and creativity to the show.

In this episode of Be Alive with Kate Manser, Kate interviews Monika Filipek, an artist known for her unique upcycled cart gallery discovered in Oxford, UK. Monika shares her journey from Poland to the UK, detailing her passion for sustainable living, upcycling, and creating art from found objects. She discusses her artistic process, the importance of intuition, and the impact of embracing creative freedom.

In this episode:

🫠How to overcome self-criticism

👁️ On following one's creative intuition

🗑️ Finding beauty in trash, sustainability, & everyday life

00:00 Introduction to Art Creation

00:59 Meet Monika Filipek

02:00 The Journey of the Cart Gallery

02:56 Sustainable Living and Upcycling

03:48 The Magic of Oxford

04:39 Creative Intuition and Process

20:04 Advice for Aspiring Artists

26:37 Embracing Artistic Possibilities

27:06 Dealing with Criticism and Haters

27:50 The Collective Project of Art

29:54 Observations on Humanity

36:11 The Decision to Move to the UK

43:33 The Influence of English Art and Culture

48:08 Conclusion and Future Plans

About Monika Filipek, artist & founder of CArt Gallery

I am a Polish artist living and working in the UK, with a focus on ecophilosophy and sustainability. Over the last six years, I have been connected to Oxford and London, where I’ve developed my creative practice, experimenting with sustainable art movements and initiatives rooted in the circular economy and sustainable development. As the founder of The CArt Gallery—a mobile art space—and active participant in other initiatives supporting sustainability, I actively engage in creating innovative projects that bridge art, ecology, and social movement.

Connect with Monika:

monikafilipek.com

cartmobileartgallery.com

Instagram

Monika's answer to, "What does it mean to you to be alive?" To be alive means to me to create my own vision of reality, where even small steps and actions have a powerful impact on the rest of the world and can make a big change. I believe that we are all connected somehow, and only through our unique skills and individuality we can make a change. By sharing our unique gifts and ideas with the world we can grow all together as a society. I believe that even small actions and initiatives have the potential to change the world. For me, being alive is to be aware of your mission and what your skills are and follow this path without fear, even if it seems to be uncomfortable. By choosing trust over fear, risk over conformism, and, by seeing the results of this, you can really feel alive:)

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Be immersed in living an alive life. Get Kate’s weekly text: Text ALIVE to 512-898-7850

Thanks for being alive with me ⚡️

ICU Nurse: What I Learned about Dying | Megan Titcomb

What are the lessons about living and dying that stick with an ICU nurse for life? Megan Titcomb shares the challenges of navigating the survival-focused medical system, the importance of listening to one's intuition about when it’s time to "call it," and her own journey transitioning career paths. The episode highlights the beauty and courage in facing mortality honestly and using that awareness as a catalyst to experience life fully.

⚕️Why navigating the healthcare system requires understanding about its survival-driven mindset.

❤️‍🩹What to do to prepare for unexpected illness or death (for you and the people you love)

🌻How an ICU Nurse lives after being around illness & death for years

👉Key points

(01:10) Introducing Megan Titcomb: A Journey from ICU Nurse to Life Coach

(03:03) The Realities of Nursing and Burnout

(04:41) Transitioning to Coaching: Finding New Purpose

(05:44) Defining Holistic Nursing

(07:44) Experiences in the ICU During COVID

(09:16) The Importance of Accepting Mortality

(12:35) Navigating the Medical System and End-of-Life Decisions

(22:43) Living in Alignment: Coaching for a Fulfilled Life

(30:25) Introduction to Dr. Irvin Yalom's Work

(31:36) Transition to Physical Wellness Coaching

(34:18) Personal Growth Through RV Renovation

(35:15) Facing Fears and Building Confidence

(40:55) The Nomadic Community Experience

(43:59) Reflections on Alternative Lifestyles

(49:10) Future Plans and Affirmations

(54:55) Closing Remarks and Gratitude

⚡️Megan’s answer to: What does living your most alive life mean to you?

It means living a life that is in line with my values and not a life of fear or hiding my true self. It means embracing the fact that one day I will die and I want to be prepared for that in both the logistical ways ("having affairs in order") and emotional and spiritual ways.

I've had many experiences with death throughout my life, each shaping my beliefs around it. A few particularly profound moments during my time working in the hospital have stood out, offering me great comfort and deepening my understanding.

About Megan Titcomb

Megan is a Registered Nurse, Certified Health and Wellness Coach, Yoga teacher, and Certified Critical Care nurse. For years, I've straddled the divide between conventional medicine and holistic healing. Unfortunately, these worlds often operate independently. My passion is bridging that gap. I'm dedicated to helping others navigate the complex world of Western medicine while uncovering their own inner compass, allowing them to make informed life (and end-of-life) choices. Thus empowering them to live a more purposeful life that honors them and their uniqueness.

🌐Follow Megan Instagram

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Be immersed in living an alive life. Get Kate’s weekly text: Text ALIVE to 512-898-7850

Thanks for being alive with me ⚡️

Radical Accountability & Energy Alignment with Laura Morrice

Laura Morris is a speaker and coach from Scotland who teaches chakra healing and radical accountability. I am a huge proponent of coaches and healers who blend energetic practices with tangible mindset work. Laura’s work blends chakra & energetic alignment with healing for body and mind. She teaches her clients to align their energy centers AND intentionally work on thought patterns and conditioning.

In this episode, Laura begins with her story of going from being a heroin addict at 16 years old...to the awakening that led her to spiritual centering and radical accountability. Listen to this episode (and follow Laura lauramorrice_thechakracoach ) to cut the BS and align your body, mind, and soul.

👉Key points

(01:21) Meet Laura Morrice: A Force of Nature

(04:37) Laura's Early Life and Struggles

(11:02) The Turning Point: Discovering 'The Secret'

(13:27) Embracing Energy Healing and Chakras

(31:43) Living in Alignment: Mind, Body, and Spirit

(34:46) The Inner Voices: Navigating Daily Decisions

(35:29) Choosing Love Over Negativity

(38:01) Radical Responsibility and The Secret

(39:34) Aligning with Love and Higher Self

(44:17) Understanding Chakras and Emotional Healing

(47:10) Leadership and Divine Feminine Power

(57:17) Embracing Radical Responsibility and Personal Power

(59:41) Daily Practices for a Joyful Life

(01:03:09) Working with Laura Morris

(01:06:37) Conclusion and Future Plans

About Laura Morrice

Laura Morrice is not just an energy healer and mindset coach – she's a catalyst for transformation, a beacon of light guiding you towards alignment with your truest self and your highest potential. With over two decades of experience in her arsenal, Laura has honed her craft to perfection, specializing in removing the blockages that hinder your path to greatness.

Certified in an array of modalities including Reiki, Crystal Healing, EFT/TFT Tapping, Meditation, and Life Coaching, Laura seamlessly weaves together science-backed techniques with ancient wisdom to deliver profound results. Her approach is holistic, her methods are grounded, and her impact is undeniable.

Through her guidance, clients embark on a journey of self-discovery, shedding limiting beliefs, and stepping into their authentic power. Laura's mission is clear: to empower women leaders, visionaries and entrapreneurs to lead from their true essence, making a profound impact in every facet of their lives and the world at large.

Laura’s book: Signposts to Source

Get it in the US

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What does living your most alive life mean to you? For me, it's about doing everything from a place of energetic alignment. Everything is energy and everything has it's optimal vibrational frequency. I am passionate about living a life that is aligned with my highest purpose and potential.

I envision a future where the children of tomorrow don't have to go through the same amount of trauma healing as we have, so that they can experience and begin to grow from a place of optimal alignment. I believe my work (and other healers’ work) to create aligned conscious leaders now will help to create the bright new future for all.

Alignment = authority and we must all become the authors of our own life!

🌐Follow Laura IG

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Connect with your host, Kate Manser

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katemanser

Be immersed in living an alive life. Get Kate’s weekly text: Text ALIVE to 512-898-7850

Thanks for being alive with me ⚡️

My Wife Died 6 Months Ago - What I Know So Far | Danny LesslieMy Wife Died 6 Months Ago - What I Know So Far | Danny Lesslie →

This episode is a message from the edge of everything from Danny Lesslie, a girl dad of 2 whose wife died just 6 months ago. This episode is a must-listen for anyone who will go through a profound challenge in life -- so, it's for all of us.

📌Preorder Danny & Rafaella's book, Thank you, Cancer

This episode will speak into your heart and help you:

🫶 Reawaken to the preciousness of the time with the people you love

🌊 Get a true look into what raw grief feels like and how to move through it

💔 Hear about what Danny is doing to take his broken heart and turn it into love and art

👉Key points

(00:41) Reading Danny's Profound Instagram Post

(04:36) Interview kicks off: Welcoming Danny Lesslie

(05:25) Coping with Loss and Sharing the Journey

(07:39) The Nature of Grief

(11:11) Finding Balance Amidst Grief

(26:53) The Role of Resilience

(36:41) Exploring Grief and Individual Journeys

(37:39) Practical Exercises for Coping: Weighted vest, memory wall & more

(38:08) Memories and Honoring Loved Ones

(41:05) Challenges of Moving and New Beginnings

(42:30) Navigating Relationships and Avoiding Complacency

(44:39) The Power of Writing a Death Letter

(54:48) Finding Purpose Amidst Pain

(01:00:03) Faith and Miracles in Difficult Times

(01:06:53) Concluding Thoughts and Future Plans

More About Danny Danny Lesslie is a Widower, Girldad, and Coach. He and his girls live in Texas.

Follow Danny on Instagram: @momentumwithdanny

What does living your most alive life mean to you? I think about swimming in the moments. After my wife passed I can't imagine moving through life without purpose. I lived the majority of my life pretty numb, in my marriage I found a depth of joy and love I had never known. In that feeling, I find that I feel alive. God lights my path.

-Danny

👉Connect with your host Kate Manser: Text ALIVE to 512-898-7850 Get free weekly heart messages when you need them most & 1:1 replies from Kate

Kate on Instagram

Kate’s website

Thank you for being alive with me ⚡️

The Art of Seeing: Marfa Models CEO Arianna Alexis

👉What does it mean to see the world like an artist? This episode will inspire you to think differently, see opportunity where you thought there was none, and take risks in your art and your life. Arianna Alexis is a fashion designer, CEO of Marfa Models, and has a working art gallery in her laundry room. The message of this episode featuring this interesting human? Creativity is in you. Do the thing...and be who you are.

In this episode, you'll hear:

🧺 How Arianna created an art gallery in her laundry room

🦵 Learn about pushing the edges of figure drawing to include all body types

👁️ How to see life with a creative, curious artist's eye

👉Key points

(00:00) Intro to the Show

(01:01) Meet Ariana Alexis: Artist and Founder

(01:25) The Birth of Galerie Ego

(02:06) The Unique Concept of Galerie Ego

(04:32) Experiencing Galerie Ego

(07:09) The Vision Behind Galerie Ego

(19:17) Ariana's Journey in Fashion and Art

(24:14) The Evolution of Mind Lines and Marfa Models

(28:51) The Importance of Presence and Creativity

(32:21) Generational Perspectives

(33:25) Challenging the Status Quo

(36:15) The Power of Art

(45:55) Flow State and Meditation

(53:20) Final Thoughts and Inspirations

More About Arianna Alexis

Arianna Alexis is a visual artist and filmmaker known for her multidisciplinary and performative work that exhibits and reflects the duality of the body as a model and mechanical being. Encouraging the alienation of self, her work hones to body image, idealization, self discipline and representation of labor within fashion. She received her MFA, at Parsons Paris where she resided for 5 years. Relocating to Marfa, TX she continues her artistic practice, where she has founded Marfa Models & galerie ego

What does it mean to Arianna to feel alive? Being in tune with your true self and being honest with yourself which effects the path and purpose of living in alignment of authenticity, which to me equals to being most alive!

🌐Check out Arianna on the web: marfamodels and galerieego

Arianna's Instagram: @ariannaalexis   / ariannaalexis  

Connect with Kate Manser On Instagram: thealivekate⁠

Visit Kate’s website⁠

Get Kate’s free textspirations: Text ALIVE to 512-898-7850

Thank you for being alive with me ~

How I Got Out of a Deep Depression

I went from battling thoughts to end my life to today, being the happiest I have ever been in my life. Here's exactly what I did. This is an in-depth personal story of how I slipped into depression, how bad it got, and then how I got back. It spans from 2022-2024.

Subscribe for more real-life stories that could change your life.

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katemanser

Check out my book: You Might Die Tomorrow by Kate Manser And my movement