Betsy is joined by Paul Gorski, educator, author, and founder of the Equity Literacy Institute, to explore what it means to engage in activism within education. Paul shares insights on how educators can move beyond performative equity work to create real systemic change in schools. Betsy and Paul also talk about his forays into other forms of writing, from personal reflection to poetry, and how these different outlets inform and deepen his approach to social justice and advocacy.
Host: Betsy Delzer
Producers: Jamie Gale and Betsy Delzer
Music: LagitoMusic and Pond5
Contact Betsy Delzer:
Contact Paul Gorski:
Website: www.paulgorski.org
Instagram: @paulcgorski
By Firelight is a Lit Path Studios Production.
Betsy welcomes writer Aaron Nelson who shares how he immerses himself in self-discovery and creative expression. Aaron emphasizes the nurturing aspects of exploring inner landscapes and the importance of authentic self-expression.
Host: Betsy Delzer
Producers: Jamie Gale and Betsy Delzer
Music: LagitoMusic and Pond5
Contact Betsy Delzer:
Contact Aaron Nelson:
By Firelight is a Lit Path Studios Production.
By Firelight is one year old! In this special anniversary episode, host Betsy Delzer welcomes back her first guest, Jen Brady, for recollections and celebrations. Jen and Betsy share what they've written in the past year and learned in the time lapsed.
Host: Betsy Delzer
Producers: Jamie Gale and Betsy Delzer
Music: LagitoMusic and Pond5
Contact Betsy Delzer:
Contact Jen Brady:
By Firelight is a Lit Path Studios Production.
Nicole Polk is a "provocateur of goosebumps" and dedicates her living to finding the sensuous space of aliveness. In this episode, Nicole joins Betsy Delzer to discuss how to begin feeling the body to tap in and know the its wisdom. Nicole explains embodiment and the close connection to the creative process of finding the voice inside oneself and how to approach finding ones inner knowing with curiosity and wonder.
Host: Betsy Delzer
Producers: Jamie Gale and Betsy Delzer
Music: LagitoMusic and Pond5
Contact Betsy Delzer:
Contact Nicole Polk
Instagram: @theshapeofwonder
By Firelight is a Lit Path Studios Production.
High school freshman, Stella June, shares her passion for writing with host Betsy Delzer for this episode, reflecting on her personal growth, the impact of influential teachers, and the importance of being unapologetically oneself. Stella also discusses her experiences during COVID, the challenges young people face, and offers words of hope and encouragement for those feeling hopeless.
Host: Betsy Delzer
Producers: Jamie Gale and Betsy Delzer
Music: LagitoMusic and Pond5
Contact Betsy Delzer:
By Firelight is a Lit Path Studios Production.
Emma Brady, teenage singer-songwriter, joins Betsy Delzer and processes the depth of her feels and experiences of modern adolescence through her words and music. Wise beyond her years, she speaks about the struggles teens have today and, even more personally, how her lived experiences have shaped her.
Host: Betsy Delzer
Producers: Jamie Gale and Betsy Delzer
Music: LagitoMusic and Pond5
Contact Betsy Delzer:
Contact Emma Brady:
Instagram: @emmabradymusic
Tiktok: @emmabradymusic
By Firelight is a Lit Path Studios Production.
Betsy Delzer is joined by textile and fiber artist, Cynthia Reynolds, who stitches beauty into every piece she creates, be it a piece of visual art or poetry. A long-time member of the eponymous writing group that inspired this podcast, Cynthia shares her lived and learned wisdom while gracing us with extra readings through this heart-bending episode.
Host: Betsy Delzer
Producers: Jamie Gale and Betsy Delzer
Music: LagitoMusic and Pond5
Contact Betsy Delzer:
Contact Cynthia Reynolds:
Website: www.cynthiareynoldstextileartist.com
By Firelight is a Lit Path Studios Production.
Betsy Delzer is joined by entrepreneuer and educator, Renee Metty, who shares insights from her book, 'Six-Word Lessons for Raising Conscious Children,' which helps parents build more mindful and intentional connections with their children. Renee and Betsy discuss the importance of respecting and understanding children's unique essences, Renee’s personal journey through career pivots, and wisdom for parents feeling overwhelmed by the beautiful and challenging journey of raising children.
Host: Betsy Delzer
Producers: Jamie Gale and Betsy Delzer
Music: LagitoMusic and Pond5
Contact Betsy Delzer:
Contact Renee Metty:
Website: www.reneemetty.com
Instagram: @withpause @the_cove_school
Facebook: @reneemetty
Resources:
Book: Six-Word Lessons for Raising Conscious Children
By Firelight is a Lit Path Studios Production.
April Kigeya joins Betsy Delzer to share her journey of beginning therapy and sharing her learnings and musings with her community through her online writings and her new book. Overcoming the idea that therapy is for the weak, she found strength in her healing and from sharing her stories and insights with sarcasm and humor from a raw, honest, and real place.
Vote for By Firelight as Best Local Podcast in Best of Madison 2025! Click this LINK to vote!
Host: Betsy Delzer
Producers: Jamie Gale and Betsy Delzer
Music: LagitoMusic and Pond5
Contact Betsy Delzer:
Contact April Kigeya:
Book: Couch Confessions: The Chronicles of a Black Woman in Therapy
Facebook: April Kiyega
By Firelight is a Lit Path Studios Production.
Betsy Delzer has led a writing group for twenty years, one that she created, and that was the inspiration behind the podcast. In this epiosde, Betsy shares key components and first steps for listeners who are inspired to start a writing group of their own.
Vote for By Firelight as Best Local Podcast in Best of Madison 2025! Click this LINK to vote!
Host: Betsy Delzer
Producers: Jamie Gale and Betsy Delzer
Music: LagitoMusic and Pond5
Contact Betsy Delzer:
By Firelight is a Lit Path Studios Production.
Human Design expert and author of "How Do You Choose?" Erin Claire Jones joins host Betsy Delzer to talk about the mystical but ultra-practical blueprint Human Design offers to better understand how we are wired and how to best use our design. Erin guides us through an overview of its framework and discusses her process in writing her first book.
Vote for By Firelight as Best Local Podcast in Best of Madison 2025! Click this LINK to vote!
Host: Betsy Delzer
Producers: Jamie Gale and Betsy Delzer
Music: LagitoMusic and Pond5
Contact Betsy Delzer:
Contact Erin Claire Jones:
Instagram: @erinclairejones
Website: https://humandesignblueprint.com/
Discount code: “BYFIRELGHT”
By Firelight is a Lit Path Studios Production.
Betsy Delzer is joined by writing coach, teacher, editor, and novelist, Susanna Daniel. Betsy and Susanna discuss the middle point of life and the quandary it creates, finding oneself radicalized on the other side of change, and how to tell the story from beginning, middle, to the end. Susanna lives in questions of vulnerability and next decades, while acutely aware of how to scaffold the way back to the pen and page as writers after and through the inner critic's editing process.
Host: Betsy Delzer
Producers: Jamie Gale and Betsy Delzer
Music: LagitoMusic and Pond5
Contact Betsy Delzer:
Contact Susanna Daniel:
By Firelight is a Lit Path Studios Production.
Recently retired Curator of Rare Books, Micaela Sullivan-Fowler joins host Betsy Delzer for this beautiful conversation. Micaela shares a life leaning in to her calling in her career, her care of rare books and students, and her whimsical nature that inspires her visual art, written pieces, and living, loving relationships. Micaela is a rarity herself and pauses to delight in the ordinary, capture the moments around her, and stockpiles treasures in the form of boxed ephemera and blooming aura.
Host: Betsy Delzer
Producers: Jamie Gale and Betsy Delzer
Music: LagitoMusic and Pond5
Contact Betsy Delzer:
Contact Micaela Sullivan-Fowler:
Instagram: @lovesoldbooks
By Firelight is a Lit Path Studios Production.
Betsy Delzer is joined by meditation teacher and author, Lodro Rinzler, to discuss his path to his practice, his teaching and his writing as well as to share key wisdom for listeners on life, religion, heartbreak, anxiety and compassion. Betsy and Lodro cover practical tools for navigating emotions and for integrating meditation into daily life.
Host: Betsy Delzer
Producers: Jamie Gale and Betsy Delzer
Music: LagitoMusic and Pond5
Contact Betsy Delzer:
Contract Lodro Rinzler:
Website: www.lodrorinzler.com
Substack: the laundry
Instagram: @lodrorinzler
By Firelight is a Lit Path Studios Production.
Betsy Delzer is joined by author, entrepreneur and racial justice advocate, Sara Alvarado, to discuss Sara’s writing journey and her personal memoir, ‘Dreaming in Spanish.’ In sharing about her life and her work, Sara weaves together stories about her relationship with with her mom, both during her upbringing and after her mom’s death, her relationship with her husband, and her relationship with with her writing.
Host: Betsy Delzer
Producers: Jamie Gale and Betsy Delzer
Music: LagitoMusic and Pond5
Contact Betsy Delzer:
Contact Sara Alvarado:
Website: www.saraalvarado.com
Instagram: @saralilacalvarado
By Firelight is a Lit Path Studios Production.
Betsy Delzer is joined by Nathan Maynard, an educational consultant and author, about his journey in education and his unique approach to transforming school discipline through empathy and restorative practices. Nathan reflects on his upbringing, his path to becoming a school administrator, and his work in influencing school settings around the world. Nathan shares insights from his writing process and his published book, 'Hacking School Discipline,' as well as his upcoming book, 'The Science of Discipline.'
Host: Betsy Delzer
Producers: Jamie Gale and Betsy Delzer
Music: LagitoMusic and Pond5
Contact Betsy Delzer:
Contact Nathan Maynard:
By Firelight is a Lit Path Studios Production.
Betsy Delzer is joined by author, educator and mental health advocate, Chuck Murphree, who discusses his path to becoming an educator and his writing process. This heartfelt conversation includes insights into his novels and an upcoming book based on letters he wrote to his mother during her final days, aimed at connecting with and helping others through their grief.
Host: Betsy Delzer
Producers: Jamie Gale and Betsy Delzer
Music: LagitoMusic and Pond5
Contact Betsy Delzer:
Contact Chuck Murphree:
IG: @chuckmurphreeauthor
Website: chuckmurphree.com
By Firelight is a Lit Path Studios Production.
Betsy Delzer is joined by educator, advocate, speaker and author, Percy Brown, who shares about his work highlighting his family's rich history and the broader narrative of black history. Percy discusses the release of his memoir and discusses the pivotal moments that shaped his life.
Host: Betsy Delzer
Producers: Jamie Gale and Betsy Delzer
Music: LagitoMusic and Pond5
Contact Betsy Delzer:
Contact Percy Brown:
Website: www.percybrownjr.com
By Firelight is a Lit Path Studios Production.
Betsy Delzer joined by author, poet, and creative writing instructor Victoria Erickson, who shares her journey from a childhood passion for writing to leading international poetry retreats and online workshops. Victoria explains the therapeutic nature of writing and reflects on her writing process and her sources of inspiration as well as the ways she supports others in their writing journeys.
Host: Betsy Delzer
Producers: Jamie Gale and Betsy Delzer
Music: LagitoMusic and Pond5
Contact Betsy Delzer:
Contact Victoria Erickson:
Instagram: @victoriaericksonwriter
Facebook: Victoria Erickson
Website: victoriaerickson.com
By Firelight is a Lit Path Studios Production.
Betsy Delzer is joined by Bethany Toews, a transpersonal therapist and writer known for her raw vulnerability and authenticity. Their conversation explores themes of self-discovery, the importance of emotional honesty, and the power of exploring one’s inner world through free writing. Betsy and Bethany touch on childhood experiences, living a non-traditional life, and the deep connections made through shared vulnerability.
Host: Betsy Delzer
Producers: Jamie Gale and Betsy Delzer
Music: LagitoMusic and Pond5
Contact Betsy Delzer:
Contact Bethany Toews:
Instagram @bethanytoews
Website www.bethanytoews.com
Substack https://bethanytoews.substack.com/
By Firelight is a Lit Path Studios Production.
