Today we’d like to introduce you to Kristina Ambrosia.
Hi Kristina, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
En media res. Aren’t we always there in some ways. “In the middle” – that’s the translation of the Latin, and where a great deal of epic stories begin.
As famed author Margaret Atwood says, “When you are in the middle of a story it isn’t a story at all, but only a confusion; a dark roaring, a blindness, a wreckage of shattered glass and splintered wood; like a house in a whirlwind, or else a boat crushed by the icebergs or swept over the rapids, and all aboard powerless to stop it. It’s only afterwards that it becomes anything like a story at all. When you are telling it, to yourself or to someone else.”
So let me tell you my story – from my now current middle.
I’m a seeker – of people, of places, of ideas. I move quickly and impulsively, but in what seems an odd paradox I also overthink and try to compulsively control. I’m put together and pulled apart. And I share so openly because selfishly I need to know I’m neither crazy nor alone.
I’m a writer, mama, world traveler, and creative midwife (I help birth ideas – not babies). But the evolution of some of those selves came after a grappling and grasping – a losing (or letting go) of other identities I’ve owned – wife, drinker, etc.
The work I’ve come to love is about learning how to integrate all of those seemingly disparate parts of myself.
It’s encouraging to look back and see how the painful, dark experiences, can be doors. Enchanting, magical, beautiful passageways that lead to future versions of you – to future versions of us.
For me, one of the doors creaked (actually more like furiously blew) open after my divorce almost a decade ago. I had been with my ex-husband for some 17 years (since high school) and the year we separated was largely spent sleepless, and tear-streaked, and scared. (Happy to report that now we are good friends.) Once I was able to regain some type of equilibrium, I recognized how essential my girlfriends had been in coaxing me back to a world where I smiled, and hoped, and planned once again. As a way to thank them, I curated a night of festivities to celebrate what their support had meant to me – I hired a chef to come to the house to cook for us, scheduled a private yoga class in my backyard, and hired a fortune teller to meet with each woman as a magical end cap to the night.
It was amazing and fun and I didn’t want that night to end. So, I decided it shouldn’t. That night has morphed into much of the work I do now – facilitating wellness workshops, authoring oracle decks, co-hosting retreats, building community, showing up vulnerable, chasing dreams.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
“Has it been a smooth road?” That question actually made me snort-laugh.
Is the hero’s/heroine’s journey ever smooth? Would it be much of a story if it were? Some of my more memorable pain points include: a collapsed house, the aftermath of addiction, a lost job, a dead dog, breakups, makeups, breakups – you get the point.
Let’s just say there have been ample opportunities to hone my spirituality as well as my ability to rebuild again (both in terms of home and heart).
The cool thing is that I’ve learned that I can choose to build in a different style and with different materials, and that whatever I assemble will be ok – until it’s not – and then I trust that I will have the capacity to architect my life yet again.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’ve worked in higher ed the last twenty years teaching English Composition, chairing creative events, and working as an instructional designer. Currently, I manage a team of learning experience designers at National University. But I know my real life’s work extends beyond the traditional college classroom as I help people find their way back to their natural creative states.
Aside from hosting pop-ups and facilitating creativity and wellness retreats I also recently authored an online course titled: How to live (and write) creatively and co-published an oracle deck with Lake County Artist Janie Walland. You can also find my work in Elephant Journal, Rebelle Society, Parents Magazine, on Amazon, and at www.kristinaambrosia.com.
Two individuals that I currently have retreat/corporate creativity training offerings with our Jen Ezell and Jen Jones Donatelli. If you want to learn more about how to revamp your relationships with the best versions of you – just holler! We are all happy to come in with the assist 😉
Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
God, so many people. I’m already paranoid I’m going to forget someone I shouldn’t. My family has always made me believe I’m pretty much capable of anything. I know I drive my mom crazy with worry – hopping on planes to meet strangers in Paris or participating in a magic man’s healing ceremony in Bali, but it was really her ‘can do’ attitude and air of independence that had such an influence on me growing up – so sorry Mom – you only have yourself to blame. I get my free spirit and confidence from my dad, and a great deal of my therapy from my sister (along with a few trusted girlfriends – thank you Gina, Christy, and Jen). Ash- I can’t imagine doing any of this crazy life without you. You’re my memory keeper, safe place, and best friend.
I’ve had so many other amazing creatives trust me enough to collaborate with me which always feels so damn humbling – Jen E., Janie and Robert W., Jen D., Scott S., Sarah S., Bridget K., and Sarah G.
I have had amazing bosses that gave me the freedom to try, and who assured me that it’d be okay even if I failed. Dwayne – I’m not sure you’ll ever fully comprehend how much your belief in me meant then, and continues to mean to me now.
Thank you, Bili Z., for the pep talks, resources, and job leads over the years. Shannon for reminding me, perhaps when I needed to hear it the most, that “my future was blazingly bright.”
Christy L. – for just being so totally responsible, always an avid listener, and an ever-incredible Tia.
Olivia – thank you for sharing me with the world. You are far more patient, selfless, and graceful than your mom. I do hope that you’ve seen that there is still room for dreamers here. I only ever want to love you right.
Nick – for reminding me of the critical threshold, the gift of a wrong note, and more pep talks than I can count. You’ve taught me so many extraordinary things. Your musical acumen, wit, raw talent, and Scrabble skills continue to astound me.
I feel like I just won an Emmy – did I just win an Emmy?
Pricing:
- How to Live (& Write) Creatively Course $75
- Soulscape Deck $30
- Small group yoga (up to ten people) $100
- 3 card oracle reading $10 (10 min)
Contact Info:
- Website: www.kristinaambrosia.com
- Instagram: kristinaambrosia or k_ambrosia5
- Facebook: Kristina Ambrosia
- Linkedin: Kristina Ambrosia-Conn
Image Credits
Ryan Bassett
Masha Weenink
