Show notes
Sometimes, the most powerful stories aren’t the ones told with perfect polish — they’re the ones told as is.
In this episode of Communication Queens, host Kimberly Spencer dives deep with Emmy-nominated filmmaker, producer, and motivational speaker Tricia Creason-Valencia to explore the transformational art of storytelling through chaos. From motherhood to mental health, adoption to artistry, Tricia unpacks the raw truth of what it means to show up when life falls apart — and how those cracks let the light (and connection) in.
This isn’t your average “five-step-to-success” chat. This is a full-bodied, tear-streaked, truth-soaked conversation about creativity, resilience, and the radical act of gentle acceptance. You’ll hear how Tricia turned crisis into creative fuel, motherhood into mentorship, and pain into purpose — all while redefining what it means to be a “multi-hyphenate” in a world obsessed with labels.
If you’ve ever found yourself in the messy middle, wondering what’s next — this episode will remind you that just showing up is enough.
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Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, or your other favorite podcast listening platform. You can also watch the episode on Youtube.
What You’ll Learn in this Episode:
🎭 1. The Power of Showing Up “As Is”
You don’t need to be perfect to make an impact — you just have to be present.
Tricia reminds us that showing up, even in the messy middle, is one of the most courageous and transformative acts of leadership. Whether it’s motherhood, artistry, or personal growth — your willingness to keep showing up, even when you’re not okay, is what actually changes lives.
💬 “You don’t have to fix it. You just have to keep showing up.”
💖 2. Connection Is Greater Than Control
This episode beautifully reframes what it means to love others — and yourself.
Tricia shares the deeply vulnerable truth that love alone isn’t always enough. Real transformation comes from connection: showing up with empathy, without needing to fix, rescue, or perfect. That lesson applies in parenting, leadership, and relationships alike.
💬 “I thought love was enough. It wasn’t — connection was.”
🧘♀️ 3. Gentle Acceptance Over Radical Perfection
We live in a “hustle and heal” culture that glorifies perfection even in personal growth. Tricia flips that script with her message of gentle acceptance — the practice of giving yourself grace instead of judgment. It’s not about surrendering; it’s about softening into what is, and finding peace in the gray.
💬 “Radical perfection was breaking me — gentle acceptance saved me.”
🎨 4. Creativity Is a Lifeline
As a filmmaker, educator, and community builder, Tricia shows how storytelling and creativity can be tools for healing — not just self-expression. When words fail, art speaks. Whether it’s collage, filmmaking, or teaching, she uses creativity as connection and transformation.
💬 “People don’t connect to perfection — they connect to truth.”
🌱 5. Chaos Is a Catalyst for Growth
Tricia’s story isn’t one of instant triumph — it’s one of evolution through chaos. The pandemic, parenting struggles, mental health crises, and identity shifts didn’t break her — they reshaped her. The episode teaches that chaos isn’t the opposite of creation; it’s the birthplace of it.
💬 “I believe in the chaos of creation — because that’s where real transformation happens.”
👑 6. Your Story Has Power — Exactly As It Is
Kimberly drives home the heart of the Communication Queens message: your story, in all its rawness, can save at least one life. You don’t need to wait until it’s polished, healed, or “done” to share it. The honesty of your now is enough to inspire someone else’s next step.
💬 “Your story doesn’t need to be perfect to be powerful.”
💫 In Short:
This episode is a masterclass in transformational storytelling and emotional leadership.
It teaches you how to:
Lead through love, not control
Heal through honesty, not perfection
Create through chaos, not certainty
Connect through presence, not performance
Quotes:
“I thought love was enough. It wasn’t — connection was.” - Tricia Creason-Valencia
“Gentle acceptance felt better than radical acceptance. I needed to give myself grace.” - Tricia Creason-Valencia
“People are gratified to hear it’s hard for me too — because that’s what makes us human.” - Tricia Creason-Valencia
Links & Additional Resources:
Connect with Tricia Creason-Valencia.
Website: https://www.tricia-speaks.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tricia-speaks/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/flacafilms/
Moments of Note:
🕐 [00:00 – 01:00] | Intro: Finding Joy Through Storytelling
Kimberly opens the episode with warmth and humor, setting the tone for a raw, real conversation.
🕐 [01:00 – 02:30] | Meet Tricia Creason-Valencia: Emmy-Nominated Filmmaker, Speaker, & Storyteller
Tricia introduces her multi-hyphenate journey — from documentary filmmaker to motivational speaker and community builder.
🕐 [02:30 – 06:00] | From Filmmaking to Speaking: The Art of the Pivot
Tricia reveals the crossroads of her career and how she’s redefining storytelling to include her whole self — filmmaker, mother, educator, and leader.
💬 Key takeaway: You don’t have to fit into one box to tell a powerful story.
🕐 [06:00 – 10:30] | When the Pandemic Changed Everything
Tricia shares how the pandemic forced her to reevaluate teaching, art, and motherhood.
🎥 From in-person classrooms to Zoom fatigue, she exposes the grief of losing creative connection — and the courage it took to start over.
🕐 [10:30 – 14:00] | The Breaking Point: Motherhood, Mental Health, and Meaning
Tricia vulnerably opens up about her daughter’s mental health crisis and how motherhood became both her greatest challenge and teacher.
💔 Quote: “I thought love was enough. It wasn’t — connection was.”
🕐 [14:00 – 19:30] | Radical Acceptance, Real Connection, and the Dark Night of the Soul
Through tears and truth, Tricia talks about learning radical (and gentle) acceptance — a turning point that helped her rebuild connection with her daughter and herself.
💫 Key message: You can’t fix everything, but you can always show up.
🕐 [19:30 – 24:00] | The Healing Power of Community
Tricia shares how her circle of women showed up — no questions, no conditions. They walked, listened, fed her, and kept her anchored when she couldn’t stand on her own.
🌸 Lesson: Healing happens in community, not isolation.
🕐 [24:00 – 28:00] | The Art of Permission: Storytelling with Consent
Tricia reflects on learning to honor her children’s stories as their own, and the balance between transparency and privacy in storytelling.
💬 Quote: “It’s their story to tell, not mine.”
🕐 [28:00 – 32:00] | From Radical Perfection to Gentle Grace
Tricia introduces the life-changing idea of “gentle acceptance” — giving yourself permission to release control and let healing be imperfect.
💖 Quote: “Radical perfection was breaking me — gentle acceptance saved me.”
🕐 [32:00 – 36:00] | Chaos as the Catalyst: Creating in the Messy Middle
Tricia and Kimberly dive deep into the chaos of creation — how mess, uncertainty, and pain are not obstacles but portals for transformation.
⚡ Lesson: Creation and chaos coexist — and that’s where the gold is.
🕐 [36:00 – 40:00] | The Power of Storytelling in Healing and Leadership
Kimberly connects Tricia’s journey to the greater mission of transformational storytelling — using your voice to build empathy and impact.
🎤 Quote: “People don’t connect to perfection — they connect to truth.”
🕐 [40:00 – 43:00] | Redefining Optimism and Joy
Tricia explores her evolution from wide-eyed optimist to joy seeker. Her message: happiness isn’t naive — it’s a discipline.
🌞 Lesson: Joy isn’t found after the chaos; it’s created inside it.
🕐 [43:00 – 46:00] | Showing Up As Is: The Only Strategy That Works
Kimberly and Tricia close with the episode’s heartbeat: keep showing up as you are.
No filters, no fixes — just full presence and truth.
💬 Quote: “Your story doesn’t need to be perfect to be powerful.”
🕐 [46:00 – 49:00] | Closing Reflections + Tricia’s Contact Info
Kimberly invites listeners to explore Tricia’s world — keynote speaking, creative workshops, and community activism.
Tricia shares her platforms: TriciaSpeaks.com and @flockoffilms on Instagram.
Transcript:
For a full episode transcript, it can be found here. https://www.communicationqueens.com/blog
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