“Full of heart and impassioned insight . . . Creatrix Rising empowers and inspires midlife women with the author’s hard-earned wisdom, providing a framework for readers to come into their own revolutionary power as a Creatrix.”
—BookLife

“The disparity between the cultural perception of midlife women and how women actually see themselves has opened the door for a new archetype, the Creatrix. In her new book on the theme of positive aging, Creatrix Rising, Stephanie Raffelock offers a reimagining of midlife as the most powerful and creative time in a woman’s life, celebrating her strengths and redefining her beauty. This is a book that shifts the paradigm of what’s possible as women age and ushers in a much-needed cultural transformation that benefits everyone.”
—Joan Borysenko, PhD, New York Times best-selling author and founding partner of Mind/Body Health Sciences, LLC

“The perfect topic at the perfect time, Stephanie Raffelock’s self-help memoir, Creatrix Rising, identifies a new archetype, the Creatrix, that transcends the old archetype of Crone. Her stories and insights about how far women have come is nothing short of inspirational. A must-read for any woman who wants to embrace the strength and creativity of midlife.”
—Marci Shimoff, #1 New York Times best-selling author of Happy for No Reason and Chicken Soup for the Woman’s Soul

“Poetic and philosophical, Creatrix Rising will inspire readers to claim the courage and confidence that already lives inside of them. An intimate story of transformation, of journeying through life on your own terms without apology.”
—Richard Blanco, 2013 Presidential Inaugural Poet and author of How to Love a Country

“The new archetype Stephanie Raffelock assigns to midlife women underscores the assets and wisdom older women bring to our culture and to the greater good. Creatrix Rising is an affirmation and celebration of the feminine story taking place in leadership and creativity throughout our country.”
—Gabby Reese, volleyball legend, Nike’s first female spokeswoman, and New York Times best-selling author

“Prompts for reflection, journaling, and action-taking are amply provided in Stephanie Raffelock’s Creatrix Rising—an eclectic, personable, encouraging, deep-pondering, and potentially life-changing ode to ladies coming into their own.”
—IndieReader

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“Exemplifies how useful negativity serves as a catalyst to improve one’s life.”
—Maria Doncaster, PhD, Psychologist

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“The book combines a personal guide and business manual with a culinary story . . . lays out a series of plain-sounding but persuasively thoughtful principles organized around the straightforward contention that there really isn’t much difference between the two disciplines, asking a deceptively simple question: ‘Can implementing business values improve personal lives?’ . . . A lucid, step-by-step guide to personal and professional success—with vichyssoise mixed in.”
—Kirkus Reviews

“The Business of Being sets itself apart through engaging stories, actionable steps, and a dash of humor. Deftly closing the gap between business and spirituality, it encourages current or prospective business owners to live in alignment with inner values without compromising integrity. Those who take this book to heart will undergo a powerful transformation in both their personal and business lives.”
—Stephen J. Hopson, the world’s first deaf instrument-rated pilot and author of Obstacle Illusions: Transforming Adversity into Success

“When we allow ourselves to show up authentically—be who we are—we’re in alignment. The Business of Being helps us unlock the power to reach our full potential and thrive.”
—Rachael O’Meara, transformational leadership and executive coach, sales executive at Google, and author of Pause: Harnessing the Life-Changing Power of Giving Yourself a Break

“The Business of Being is an important resource that will enable individuals to discover their calling and transform their personal and professional lives.”
—Dr. Lynn Schmidt, leadership development expert, executive coach, keynote speaker, and award-winning coauthor of Shift Into Thrive: Six Strategies for Women to Unlock the Power of Resiliency

“Laurie Buchanan is a master storyteller. In The Business of Being, she expertly weaves the development story of a French restaurant business with the exploration story of personal being. Individuals considering creative business partnerships will gain insights on charting a successful business and collaboration. However, the essence of the book is an imaginative and resource rich guide to hearing and responding to the internal call to one’s authentic raison d’etre. It offers a pleasurable recipe for stirring our personal being and responding to it.”
—Audrey B. Denecke, Senior Leader Coach and Organizational Change Consultant

“ The Business of Being is the best silent partner I ever took on.”
—Terrill Welch, gallery owner and author of Leading Raspberry Jam Visions Women’s Way: An Inside Track for Women Leaders

“Unlike so many others in the self-help book business, Laurie Buchanan makes no promises that you will ‘think and grow rich.’ Even though she uses business best practices as teaching moments, the goal is sustainability over wealth, integrity over profit, and the joy of the journey over the destination. Unlike many spiritual writers, she does not denigrate the physical world or the sensory world. In fact, quite the opposite! The business she chooses to use as the example of combining self and business is a restaurant, featuring the most sensory of all cuisines—French. I found myself totally absorbed in the story of how La Mandarine Bleue came into existence as an extension of relationships among talented friends whose love of good food and wine, and whose shared values but varied gifts, make a compelling story that illustrates the thesis.”
—Shirley Hershey Showalter, former president of, and professor at, Goshen College, and author of Blush: A Mennonite Girl Meets a Glittering World

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“Buchanan treats the concept of choice as a crucial one, explaining that everyone makes decisions as to what his or her life purpose is, and that what one isn’t changing, one is choosing. Such prompts effectively encourage deep, introspective exploration. A well-organized, thorough guide to self-acceptance.”
—Kirkus Reviews

“Relevant to our times, this important read can easily be considered a manual for intentional living; allowing us to embrace a well-crafted plan for revival, beyond the hypnotic hold of the human condition. Note to Self offers an inspired jumpstart into conscious living for both the beginner, as well as an enthusiastic reminder for the seasoned traveler on the path.”
—Alison Elliot, international speaker, energy enrichment coach, and author of Hot Flashes Cool Wisdom: A Rumble Through the Jungle of Midlife

“Laurie Buchanan has a knack for helping others find positive, creative, and clear solutions to life’s challenges. Reading this book was like watching the sun rise for me; every page had bright rays of wisdom that made me smile. Delightful indeed!”
—Christine DeSmet, author, screenwriter, and writing teacher at University of Wisconsin-Madison Continuing Studies

“One of the best gifts I can give my clients is to share the wisdom of this book.”
—Susan Wisehart, MS, LMFT, holistic psychotherapist, and author of Soul Visioning: Clear the Past, Create Your Future

“What a dazzling rainbow of wisdom Laurie Buchanan has assembled into one volume! Drawing on a wide range of spiritual teachers and scientific discoveries, Buchanan guides the reader on an exciting journey of self-discovery. She is a modern oracle at Delphi, and this book a modern temple with ‘Know Thyself’ written on every page. Highly recommended for daily spiritual practice (a list of 365 questions at the end will guide journal writing). Leaders of retreats, and spiritual seekers will be sharing well-thumbed, dog-eared copies soon.”
—Shirley Hershey Showalter, former president of Goshen College and author of Blush: A Mennonite Girl Meets a Glittering World

“While we are all passengers on a planet called Earth, we can choose to enhance the way in which we travel: emotionally, spiritually, intellectually, and physically. In fact, we can, through the pages of this book, discover new ways to travel that are lighter, more fluid, and life-enhancing. The author, a wise and dedicated traveler, is also the right kind of kind of guide―caring, inspiring, uplifting, knowledgeable―for your journey of self-discovery. I recommend this tremendous book to anyone seeking the companionship of good energy and joyful presence. A five-star read in every way! ”
—D.A. Hickman, author of The Silence of Morning: A Memoir of Time Undone

“Don’t read this book. Do it instead! Based on the seven chakras, this is a self-help book that can help you let go of emotional baggage and reclaim your highest and best self.”
—New Spirit Journal

“Everyone has baggage. It varies in styles and shape but it is always frustrating, inconvenient, and disruptive. In Note to Self, Laurie Buchanan dives deep into unloading this emotional baggage we all carry around. Full of real-life, emotional examples as well as an action to take at the end of each chapter, this book will lead to a better, more happy you.”
—PopSugar

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“Babs Walters recounts her life through vivid imagery capturing the long-lasting impact of trauma and survival. Her memoir is a testament to quiet resilience and will encourage other survivors to do the same.”—Dr. Vanessa Dunn Guyton Survivor Advocate and Executive Director of HUSH No More

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“Deb Miller cleverly mines the lore of the ubiquitous princess fairy tale to examine her own life and relationships. By acknowledging the clichés of these stories, including in Disney’s beloved animated versions, the author reminds us that we can’t always tread along the same narrative paths. She generates her own lessons from her experiences rather than falling into the trap of these archetypal characters, encouraging readers to embrace a happy ending that might not look like the one they expected.”—Emily Zemler, author of Disney Princess: Beyond the Tiara

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“In The Wild Why, Laura Munson deploys self-exploration, self-sabotage, confession, contrition, ‘bonfires,’ undying love for Montana, and her own line of full-fledged writing retreats, all aimed at healing the familial, cultural, and inter-relational wounds that curtail our sense of wonder. The wonder I felt in finishing Laura’s epic? Her recipe worked!”—David James Duncan author of The River Why, The Brothers K, and Sun House

“In The Wild Why, Laura Munson invites readers to answer ‘the most powerful and wonder-full question’ for themselves: ‘What can I create?’ This book is an open-hearted invitation to explore the connections between wonder and empathy, intuition and serendipity, self-compassion and creativity—and to live a bigger, braver life.”—Maggie Smith, New York Times best-selling author of You Could Make This Place Beautiful

“The ability to feel wonder is part of the human experience, but life moves us further from that childlike state. The Wild Why is part memoir, part self-exploration, workbook, and tutorial on how we can reach inside and use our own sense of wonder to remove barriers, quiet naysayers, and enrich our lives.”—Lee Woodruff #1 New York Times bestselling author

“Laura Munson’s exuberant book The Wild Why is for anyone seeking to heal their wonder wound and reclaim their wild wonder. Rich with serendipitous adventures and a fresh perspective on personal vulnerability, this book contributes a welcome voice to the growing literature on wonder. Get this book and get your magic back.”—Jeffrey Davis, author of Tracking Wonder: Reclaiming a Life of Meaning and Possibility in a World Obsessed with Productivity

“The Wild Why will inspire you to re-discover your wonder, find your true voice, and bring back the pieces of yourself you lost along the way. This book not only reminds us about the importance of our one precious life—but helps us understand how to live it well.”— Amy B. Scher, best-selling author of This Is How I Save My Life and How To Heal Yourself When No One Else Can

“The late great William Kittredge said that acts of imagination lead to acts of empathy. This wise, generous, and dazzling craft-book for the soul does just that, and in so doing resurrects in the reader the state of wonder that is so vital to our survival.”—Chris Dombrowski, author of The River You Touch

“The Wild Why is an invitation and a permission slip, a beckoning and a reckoning. It’s more than a book—it’s a chill-giving, tear-inducing, wide-grinning experience. Laura Munson writes with astonishing generosity and authenticity, like she’s raising the velvet curtain to her own heart. This book is a gift to those who know there’s more to life than following rules and checking boxes. There is medicine and magic in these pages. Devour them.”—JJ Elliott, author of There Are No Rules for This

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