Laura Dowling served as the White House Chief Floral Designer from 2009-2015 during the Obama administration. In this episode she shares her favorite White House projects and tips for holiday decor. I loved hearing about her experience interviewing for the job at the White House. Inspiring and honest, I loved every minute of this conversation! Laura's latest book, Designing Christmas, will be out this fall and I can't wait to order it.

Martha Brettschneider is an experienced gardener, nature photographer, a positive intelligence mental fitness coach and a mindfulness teacher. In this conversation she talks about the role gardening has played in her life and how this relationship has evolved over the years. Martha is the author of Blooming into Mindfulness - How the Universe Used a Garden, Cancer and Carpools to Teach Me that Calm is the New Happy. I loved every moment of this conversation and can't wait to be present again in my garden as soon as I can get out there.

Bio

Martha Brettschneider is a certified PQ® Mental Fitness Coach, mindfulness teacher, and author dedicated to helping individuals transform stress into strength and embrace their evolving potential. A former international economist, she guides clients to cultivate resilience, clarity, and purpose through the power of presence and daily mental fitness. Her business, Damselwings, LLC, also includes a visual mindfulness arm—creating nature-inspired wall art that brings grounding energy into homes, offices, and wellness spaces. Whether through coaching, teaching, or photography, Martha empowers others to reconnect with their inner wisdom and lead from a place of trust, calm, and authentic strength. Her book Blooming Into Mindfulness: How the Universe Used a Garden, Cancer, and Carpools to Teach Me That Calm Is the New Happy chronicles her journey, including the central role that her garden played.

Sign up for Martha’s mailing list and receive a free meditation download here: https://damselwings.com/meditation-optin/

Websites : https://damselwings.com/ and https://www.damselwingsphotography.com/

Upcoming Programs

30-Day Mindfulness Meditation Challenge Starting May 5 LEARN MORE AND REGISTER HERE

Sage Photography Retreat May 17-18 in Blueridge Mountains, Woodville, VA LEARN MORE AND REGISTER HERE

Deeper work of tending to our inner garden and strengthening our root systems through Positive Intelligence Mental Fitness coaching SCHEDULE A DISCOVERY CALL WITH MARTHA HERE

Email: martha@damselwings.com

Book link: https://www.amazon.com/Blooming-into-Mindfulness-Universe-Carpools/dp/0996935223

Follow Martha on Instagram @marthabrett and @the_sage_photography_project

I learned so much about owning a successful floral design business from Oscar Andrade of Petals to the Metal. After 8 years owning this business and growing up working in his aunt's flower shop in Miami, Oscar has floristry in his blood. During our conversation Oscar gives some great advice to new and experienced floral designers. He also describes working with wire service providers and explains how he sources most of his flowers. Be sure to follow Oscar on social media and reach out if you need a mentor or want to partner up with him!

Instagram- @petalstothemetalfloristdc

Website: www.districtpetals.com