Magic in the Making

The School of Creative Magic symposium 2025

Magic in the Making Symposium is A FREE online coming together of creative women sharing their stories, struggles and strategies for navigating the gifts and challenges of getting older and becoming more and more fully ourselves.

IN TELLING our stories

We discover

new possibilities

Together

Artistic logo for The School of Creative Magic, a celestial design featuring moon and sunburst elements in gold.

how do we really feel about aging?

When was the last time you had an honest and vulnerable conversation about aging?

We are inundated with information about how to hang onto youth, how to dress for our age and how to age ‘gracefully’, but where are the discussions about…

…what it’s like to stop recognizing yourself in the mirror.

…how you move through a world that only sees you as ‘an old lady’ not as an individual.

…dealing with increasing limitations and the fear of pain, infirmity and dying.

…taking care of your aging loved ones, while you are aging yourself.

…the fear that no one will be there to take care of you.

…worry around financial insecurity.

…becoming invisible in the eyes of the world.

…falling out of step with the world.

…navigating ageism.

…the fear of never reaching your potential, fulfilling your purpose or getting to follow your heart.

WE MAY NOT HAVE THE ANSWERS, BUT WE ARE SURELY GOING TO ENGAGE WITH THE QUESTIONS HERE IN THE CRONE CONVERSATIONS SYMPOSIUM.

Is it all downhill from here?

We surveyed our community here at The School of Creative Magic about how we, as women, feel about aging.

What emerged was a DEEP HUNGER.

We are hungry for a different narrative - one that frames aging as a journey of becoming more fully ourselves, of claiming our wisdom and power, of embracing the full range of our experience and emotions. 

Let’s tell this new story, a story that celebrates the gifts and opportunities of our later decades, even as it acknowledges the challenges.

With The Crone Conversations we hope to make a start at moving the narrative from dread and diminishment to curiosity and self-compassion, from fighting what is to discovering what can be.

We want to be HONEST.

We want to be REAL.

We want to be in it TOGETHER.

Imagine the ripple effects of a generation of women stepping into their older years with confidence, creativity and joy, redefining what it means to age on their own terms.

Imagine the art that would flow from that place, the wisdom that would be shared, the connections that would be forged!

Our New Story Begins
September
17

what we’ll explore

EVOLVING CREATIVITY AND SHIFTING LEGACIES: From changing physical abilities to changing priorities, we'll explore how our creative practices and perspectives on "leaving our mark" transform as we do.

CULTIVATING RESILIENCE AND JOY IN THE FACE OF CHANGE: Aging brings its share of challenges, from ageism to loss. We'll dive into the mindsets and practices that help us weather the tough stuff with grace (and humour).

CARING FOR OUR AGING BODIES WITH LOVE AND COMPASSION: From menopause to chronic pain, the physical changes of aging can be confronting. We'll talk honestly about embracing and nurturing the bodies we're in.

REDEFINING WORTH, BEAUTY AND VISIBILITY AS WE AGE: How do we unlearn the toxic narratives that equate youth with value, and claim our place in the world at every age?

BUILDING COMMUNITIES OF BELONGING AND SUPPORT: No woman is an island, especially as we age. We'll explore how to find and create spaces of mutual care, inspiration and celebration with other women on the journey.

DARING TO TAKE UP SPACE AND SPEAK OUR TRUTH: In a world that often wants to shrink and silence older women, we'll explore how to amplify our voices and own our power.

HARNESSING THE POTENCY OF AGING: Wisdom, self-knowledge, zero f’s given - aging comes with some serious gifts. We'll unpack how to leverage the strengths and possibilities of our later decades.

AGING WITH CURIOSITY, CREATIVITY AND COURAGE: We'll imagine new narratives and possibilities for our older years, and share resources for making the most of this wild, precious life.

Your Host

Jamie Ridler

Writer, artist and creative coach Jamie Ridler, wearing glasses and jewelry, smiling, with a hand resting on her chin. The background shows string lights, plants, and artwork.

Writer, Artist, DJ & Creativity Coach

I remember asking my mom, “How do you feel about aging? How are you handling it?” Incredulous, she looked at me and said, “You think about that?”

Do I ever!

In my 40s, I found my changing face and body unnerving. Perimenopause sent me down a spiral that could have easily had me tearing apart my life. I had hoped I would grow older with fire and grace but instead, I grew smaller, frightened and increasingly invisible. When I finally shared the truth with other women, it became clear I was not alone.

THAT IS WHY I AM HOSTING THE CRONE CONVERSATIONS.

Open, honest and vulnerable discussions about aging are deeply needed. I've been a creative coach for 20 years. I’ve interviewed hundreds of phenomenal creatives on the popular Creative Living with Jamie podcast. Now, as the the founder of The School of Creative Magic, I am hosting our first symposium to provide a courageous space for open, rich and meaningful conversations.

We have 12 inspiring interviews, a lively panel discussion with The Artists of Devotion, 4 magical mixes from phenomenal DJs and we’ll end The Crone Conversations with a LIVE dance party on the Autumn Equinox!

Our Guests

OUR SPEAKERS

  • Black & white photo of writer Pixie Campbell, author of 7 books for healing our insides so we can affect change in the outer world, wearing a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses, denim shirt, sitting outdoors, crossed arms, looking to the side.

    Pixie Lighthorse

    WRITER

    Pixie Lighthorse is the author of 7 books for compassionately healing our insides so we can affect change in the outer world. She resides in Central Oregon, on the traditional and ancestral homelands of The Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs.

  • Wild heart queen Chris Zydel, expressive arts facilitator and compassionate creativity guide, with platinum blonde hair, wearing multiple beaded necklaces and an orange top, stands in front of a desert landscape. The Crone Conversations.

    Chris Zydel

    WILD HEART QUEEN

    Chris Zydel, AKA the Wild Heart Queen, is head creative goddess at Creative Juices Arts. She has 45 years of experience as an expressive arts facilitator and compassionate creativity guide and an unshakeable faith in the power of creative self expression to heal hearts and change lives. She knows deep in her bones that everyone is deeply, wonderfully and gloriously creative and is on a relentlessly love-soaked mission to prove that to the world.

  • Writer and teacher Susannah Conway with long, wavy blonde hair sitting on a beige chair in a room with white shelves filled with blue books. She is holding a notebook and a pen, wearing a navy blue patterned blouse. The Crone Conversations.

    Susannah Conway

    WRITER AND TEACHER

    Susannah Conway is a writer and teacher living in London with her kittens, Mousey & Lolly, and she’s been sharing her heart online since 2006 (old school blogger!). She is the author of the memoir This I Know: Notes on Unraveling the Heart and spends her days helping people access their creative joy and nurture a deeper kinder relationship with themselves.

  • Thriving Mindfully Coach Ananda Leeke wearing large blue glasses, a colorful yellow and pink patterned dress, and pearl necklace, sitting outdoors near a stone wall. Interviewed for The Crone Conversations.

    Ananda Leeke

    THRIVING MINDFULLY COACH
    ARTIST, AUTHOR, AND HUMAN DESIGN DOULA

    Ananda Leeke is a Thriving Mindfully Coach, Human Design Doula, artist, and author. Ananda discovered mindfulness and self-care when her career as a lawyer stressed her out. During her healing journey, she became a yoga + meditation teacher, reiki practitioner, and artist-in-residence at Howard University Hospital and Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. She penned Love’s Troubadours, a yoga-inspired novel; That Which Awakens Me, a mindful creativity memoir; and Digital Sisterhood, a mindful technology memoir.

  • Lifelong learner and educator Ginny Lennox, an older woman with short gray hair, blue eyes, wearing pearl earrings and a black button-up shirt against a black background. Interviewed for The Crone Conversations.

    Ginny Lennox

    EDUCATOR

    Ginny Lennox is a 78 year old educator who considers aging a privilege. Ginny is a lifelong learner, educator, and someone who loves to encourage others to follow their heart. Ginny uses many of the strategies that she learned as a Kaizen-Muse Creativity Coach to not only embrace aging but to enjoy every moment of this new and exciting stage of life. Ginny believes you are never too old to believe in yourself and your dreams.

  • Writer, indie author, cultural critic and food and body liberation coach. Sabina Singwell with short red hair, wearing glasses and headphones, speaking into a microphone in a recording space. Interviewed for The Crone Conversations.

    Dr. Sabina Singwell

    FOUNDER
    SCHOOL OF BITCHCRAFT

    Sabina McAllister Singwell is a writer, indie author, cultural critic and food and body liberation coach. She teaches women and non-binary people how to stop apologizing for their apologies and start apologizing to them. She brings together feminism, pop culture and body positivity in her hilarious and insightful newsletter and blog called School of Bitchcraft. Her book, Love Letters From Your Body, is out now and you can order it from her website or anywhere you buy books.

  • Marketing mentor and master gardener Joy Agcongay with black hair, glasses, & a maroon jacket, smiling while holding an open book and writing in it with a pen. There are green plants in the background. Interviewed for The Crone Conversations.

    Joy Agcongay

    MARKETING FLOWFINDER
    MENTOR & GARDENER

    Joy Agcongay is a marketing mentor, guiding women introvert entrepreneurs to increase their visibility. She integrates expressive arts and contemplative practices to align marketing strategies with personal values, rhythms, and innate wisdom. Joy holds introvert-friendly space for gentle exploration and deep reflection, while curating sustainable marketing approaches to nurture authentic connection. She helps grow thriving businesses that resonate with her clients true nature, transforming marketing from a challenge into a compassionate practice of creative self-expression.

  • Author of The Spiritual Path of Aging Jo Ann Levitt with short, grey hair, wearing a purple turtleneck sweater, black jacket, and earrings, standing outdoors with trees in the background. Interviewed for The Crone Conversations.

    Jo Ann Levitt

    AUTHOR
    THE SPIRITUAL PATH TO AGING

    Jo Anne Levitt is currently engaged as a Spiritual Wellness provider at Canyon Ranch in the Berkshires. She has been a Kripalu faculty member for more than 30 years. As nurse, counselor and Healing Touch therapist, her focus has been providing healing and alignment through a variety of services, including meditation, energy healing, channeled dialogue and spiritual guidance. She is the author of The Spiritual Path of Aging.

  • Psychotherapist & host of the Tranquility du Jour podcast, Kimberly Wilson, blonde wavy hair, bright red lipstick smiling, wearing a black shirt and beige scarf, big black ring on her finger, touching her hair against a light pink background.

    Kimberly Wilson

    PSYCHOTHERAPIST
    & MIDLIFE MUSE

    Kimberly Wilson is a psychotherapist in private practice, author of seven lifestyle books, and host of the Tranquility du Jour podcast. She also designs an eco-fashion capsule collection and serves as president of Pigs & Pugs Project. For 25 years, she has been devoted to studying, practicing, and teaching the art of tranquility to global audiences. Kimberly’s mission is to help midlife women discover more balance and beauty in their everyday lives.

  •  DJ and Facilitator of Expression Shoshana Kuttner with curly brown hair smiling and wearing a teal V-neck shirt and a gold necklace, against a dark background. Interviewed for The Crone Conversations at The School of Creative Magic.

    Shoshana Kuttner

    EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
    YOUNG ACTORS PROJECT

    Shoshana Kuttner is on a life-long mission to help humans find and share their real voice from a confident, relaxed state of being. She honed these skills in three decades of storytelling as a Performer, Director, Producer and Sound Designer. Shoshana is co-founder of the non-profit Young Actors Project, holds a B.A. in Drama, an M.A. in Social Entrepreneurship and a PhDJ. She travels the world sparking up systems of transformation as a DJ and Facilitator of Expression.

  • Subtle energy healer Beckah Reed with short gray hair and glasses, smiling outdoors among green trees, wearing a blue scarf and earrings. Interviewed for The Crone Conversations at The School of Creative Magic.

    Beckah Reed

    SUBTLE ENERGY HEALER

    Beckah Reed had a substantial career as a modern dance performer, teacher and choreographer, which took her to communities across the globe, focusing on connection and humanistic issues. The dance of life led her into practicing and studying specific formal healing and meditation modalities, which she now shares with clients seeking transformation through subtle energy and spiritual embodiment.

  • Professional organizer, life coach, author & mentor Sunny Schlenger sitting on a rock formation with a scenic forest view in the background, wearing a hat and sunglasses. Interviewed for The Crone Conversations at The School of Creative Magic.

    Sunny Schlenger

    MENTOR

    Sunny Schlenger has been a flowmaster, professional organizer, life coach, author and mentor. She helped launch the "custom-tailored" approach to getting organized which was licensed by Harvard University's training program. She has worked with thousands of people, assisting them in their quest for self-realization, productivity and peace. Sunny is a resident of Sedona, Arizona.

BONUS INTERVIEW

Leadership coach Tanya Geisler wears a sequined jacket and smiles at the camera.

Tanya Geisler

Speaker, Leadership Coach
CEO of Tanya Geisler CoachinG

Tanya Geisler is a certified Leadership and Executive Coach, an in-demand international TEDxWomen speaker, and a writer who teaches leaders how to combat the Trailblazers' Complex (often called the Imposter Syndrome) and lead with ICONIC impact to achieve their ultimate goals. Her clients include best-selling authors, VCs, industry leaders, MPs, movement makers, founders, entrepreneurs, and legendary motivators.

OUR COMMUNITY OF WISDOM

Close-up of a candle wick with a flame, creating a flower-like glow against a deep blue background, an image of Devotion at The School of Creative Magic

our art & our age

A panel discussion with the artists of devotion

One of the core programs here at The School of Creative Magic is Devotion, a deep 3-month immersion into developing a body of work and fully owning your identity as an artist. With sensitivity, insight and a shared language of creative expression, seven graduates of this program dive deeply into the question of evolving creativity and more.

Panelists are: Allyson Gunnell, mixed media artist; Candi Byrne, encaustic artist; Gouri Krishna, botanical artist; Helen Yee, musician; Kim LeClair, improv artist and founder of The Mystery Department; Sam Tucker, writer and painter; Susan Miller, visual artist.

Our DJS

  • Mostly-retired entrepreneur and badass DJ Joanna O’Neal with short light hair holding a disco ball above her head with both hands, standing in front of a pink background. Contributing DJ to The Crone Conversations at The School of Creative Magic.

    Joanna O’Neal

    Joanna O’Neal is a mostly-retired entrepreneur who has developed, owned, and/or operated several health-focused businesses. In 2019 Joanna divorced, entered semi-retirement. She now works to expand her consciousness and her love and connectedness to self and others. Joanna also spends time helping non-profit organizations that share her passion for dogs, children, and health. She recently completed a master level embodied leadership course preparing her to create and hold conscious dance floors as a badass DJ.

  • Movement artist & DJ Anne Marie Hogya with long dark hair and bangs stands in a field of tall, dry grass during sunset, wearing a white dress and a light-colored embroidered jacket, with her hand extended and her eyes closed, smiling softly.

    Anne Marie Hogya

    Anne Marie Hogya is a movement artist, DJ, and occupational therapist with over two decades of dance training and clinical practice. A cross-genre, elixir-mixer, she plays music that moves you into intelligent motion. Her dance floors are brave places of permission to push your edges and pray with your feet. As an embodiment leader she apprenticed and trained with Gabrielle Roth, creator of 5Rhythms dance, and has been teaching this free-form practice since 2008.

  • DJ, producer and sound designer System of Yes with curly hair wearing a black hat and a colorful, patterned shirt, holding a microphone in front of a light blue background. Contributing DJ to The Crone Conversations at The School of Creative Magic.

    SYSTEM OF YES

    A DJ, producer, and sound designer, System of Yes blends diverse musical styles for manifold bodies. Highlighting and celebrating global music and artists of the African diaspora, System of Yes believes that music and dance is the answer. Exploring multiple genres - she celebrates global music of the African diaspora - from AfroHouse and ampiano; deep house, electro, and techno; to Balearic, soul, funk, R&B, disco and experimental.

  • DJ CIANA, a bilingual creative force with dark, wavy hair smiling outdoors, wearing a colorful, embroidered floral top. Contributing DJ to The Crone Conversations at The School of Creative Magic.

    CIANA

    CIANA is irreverent, devoted to the divine, and a gatherer of people. She’s also a bilingual creative force: writer, translator & gallery owner, who’s lived in Latin America, Italy, New York, Los Angeles, and San Francisco. At age 55, she became a DJ. Her sets fuse world beats, house, funk & pop remixes. Her music makes people sweat and sway, go deep & take flight. Maestra of whimsical, raucous ritual, CIANA invites it all.

To close, we discover how crones like to dance.

Sanctuary Session

As the day and night reach perfect balance, set your inner crone free. Dance like no one is watching at DJ Starshyne’s (aka our host Jamie Ridler’s) debut dance party!

Expect a night where we abandon the mundane in favour of magic. Expect music that crosses genres and eras. Expect the funky, the moody, the uplifting, the nostalgic, the raging, the irrepressible, the stirring, the soulful. Expect magic & mystery.

Starshyne’s musical ministration and the sanctity of her dance floor will lovingly remind you that you are more than any definition could hold. You are a creature of magic capable of great wonders. On the dance floor, you will remember.

Don’t miss this magical LIVE EVENT on the Fall Equinox (Sept 22) where nature’s transition will align with our collective crone energy on the dance floor.

Logo for DJ Starshyne, the text "STARSHYNE" surrounds a sparkling sun and crescent moon design with stars.

Join Us

REGISTER NOW TO RECEIVE EXCLUSIVE ACCESS TO:

➤ TWELVE inspiring video interviews with emerging and established creative crones covering topics like resilience, courage, creativity and more!

➤ SEVEN artists of Devotion sharing their wisdom about art and aging in our engaging panel discussion.

➤ FOUR powerhouse DJ mixes created on the theme of THE CRONE - all by women with a personal relationship to this stage in life!

➤ A LIVE Dance Party and the debut of DJ Starshyne on September 22nd at 7:30 pm EST, The Fall Equinox.

THE CRONE CONVERSATIONS happens September 17 - 22nd, from the Full Corn Moon to the Fall Equinox. Interviews and mixes will be released daily through email and you will receive a Zoom link for our dance party on the day. Note: You will have access to recordings throughout 2025, so please don’t stress about missing out or getting behind!

If you're ready for some real talk about the complex & creative experience of aging, we'd love to have you.

 The Crone Conversations

The School of Creative Magic symposium 2024

The Crone Conversations are now Complete.

Thank you to interviewees, DJs, panelist and attendees for your generous contributions.

Magic in the Making