Izolda Trakhtenberg, Storyteller

Playwright, Author, Director, Podcaster

about

Writer, speaker, singer, educator

Category: music

  • Moving Beyond Terror = Showing Up

    Yesterday, when I promised to write about this topic, I thought I would be rarin’ to go. I’m amazed how insidious that self-doubt can be. I’ll do anything to avoid getting my butt in the seat and doing the work. I’ll walk the dog, I’ll meditate (again). I’ll drink more water. By themselves, these things…

  • Finding Strength In Weakness

    My thoughts this morning turn to finding strength in my weakness. I was working with clients over the weekend. One of them talked about how he felt weak and that he wanted to go back and be strong how he used to be. I said, “Wait, don’t try to go backward to find that strength.…

  • Aladdin on Broadway – Review

    I try to review at least one show, movie, or tv show a week on Review Mondays. Here is this week’s review of Aladdin on Broadway. Aladdin on Broadway, New York, NY  Overall, the production was tons of fun. It was lavish, outlandish, and a treat for the eyes and ears. The sets were lovely:…

  • Happenstance Art – A lesson in mindfulness

    I love Happenstance Art. It sneaks up on me and throws fairy dust in my eyes. It challenges me to stop what I’m doing and pay attention. It reminds me to be mindful. I think that most of the time, art is placed as something separate from our day to day lives. We tend to…

  • My many roles as wedding officiant

    Last night, I had the best meeting with the couple I’m marrying in a few weeks. We ironed out the ceremony (which is going to rock and from which I can’t *wait* to see pictures) and I know my roles and responsibilities. Now, I have to find an all black gown and a good looking…

  • Song lyrics and my curious need to have them make sense!

    I am the first person to say that some of my pet peeves are completely ridiculous. And yet, they’re mine so here goes… A few years ago there was a song that got a lot of airplay. The lyrics of the first verse were the following: “If I could grant you one wish, I wish…

  • In high school, I played Jennie Parsons in our production of “Down in the Valley.” There is a point at which Jennie must scream the scream to end all screams, at which point, the entire action of the show comes to a dead stop and it’s just her scream that sounds and sounds and sounds.…

  • Childlike fun is on the menu, today.

    What fascinating cards today! We have Six of Cups, the Page of Pentacles, and the Sun! Today, let’s think about children, or ourselves as children. What did you like to do for fun when you were a kid? Do you still do it? Or, has it fallen off by the side of the road? If…

  • Change, sacrifice, and what I eat

    Rich informed me last night that Thanksgiving is the official National Day of Overeating and that he plans on doing just that. I have not known this fact. And in fact, I don’t plan to overeat. Why? There are a few reasons. First, as I get older, I can’t brush off overindulging as easily as…