Marcia Peck is an award-winning writer and accomplished musician, celebrating over 50 years as a cellist with the Minnesota Orchestra. 

Inspired by the rhythms and sounds of music echoed in language, her debut novel, Water Music: A Cape Cod Story, combines all of her passions –music, writing, and Cape Cod. The book has received critical acclaim and has received many book awards, including Literary Titan Gold, National Indie Excellence Award, New England Book Festival Regional Lit Winner, and Feathered Quill Reviewers Choice Award Winner. Additionally, she was a finalist for American Writing Awards, Eric Hoffer Award Grand Prize, Firebird Book Awards, and Wishing Shelf Book Awards. Pacifica book Awards designated it as a “Notable Book” and her book was long-listed by both Historical Fiction Company Book-of-the-Year Award and Somerset Book Awards. 

Peck's writing has received awards from New Millenium Writings (First prize for "Memento Mori"), Tamarack Awards (honorable mention for "An Unexpected Cadence"), Lake Superior Writers' Conference (First Prize for "Pride and Humility"), Glimmer Train(finalist for Very Short Fiction Award for "The Flavor of Borscht"),Flash quake (nomination for Pushcart Prize for "Long Distance"), and MnArtists Mini Stories (Winner for "Little Vladimir's Father").

 She is the grateful recipient of Artist Fellowships from the Minnesota State Arts Board, Loft-McKnight, and the Jerome Foundation as well as residencies at Hambidge Center in Georgia and Ragdale in Illinois. A cellist with the Minnesota Orchestra for her entire musical career, she is inspired by the rhythms and sounds of music echoed in language. Peck graduated from the legendary Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia. She studied with famed Italian cellist Antonio Janigro in Germany for two years. 

Her articles have appeared in Musical America, Strad Magazine, Strings Magazine, Senza Sordino, the magazine of the Minnesota Orchestra and the op-ed pages of the Minneapolis Star Tribune. Her fiction has appeared in Chautauqua Journal, New Millenium Writings, Gemini Magazine, Glimmer Train, 26 Minnesota Writers (Nodine Press), Tribute to Orpheus 2(Kearney Books), and three volumes of Open to Interpretation: Fading Light(Taylor and O'Neill).

Her work has been supported by the Minnesota State Arts Board, The Loft Literary Center, and the Jerome Foundation, Ragdale Foundation and Hambidge Center. Peck grew up in New Jersey and summered in Cape Cod. Her love for Cape Cod has been a strong and deep current throughout her life. She and her sisters still return to the house their father built in Orleans. She lives in Minnetonka, Minnesota with her husband and two very naughty dogs For more information, please see: www.marciapeck.com.

Artifice

Ep. 218: Marcia Peck

"when you're friends with your crush and wondering if they are thinking and feeling all the same things as you." ~ SheRocks

The Unknown captures the sweet tension of wondering what’s between you and your crush. Written June 23, 2004, it's filled with the rush of anticipation—the part of love that’s both exhilarating and tender.

“The unknown is the excitement, the unknown is the sorrow. I want to get beyond the unknown and look to tomorrow.”

The song walks you through the moment when you’re hooked by someone—nervous about what comes next, yet longing for every little piece: their smell, their voice, their touch. It’s an invitation to leap toward connection—even if you can’t see the whole picture yet.

~~~ The Unknown ~~~

The unknown is the excitement
The unknown is the sorrow
I want to get beyond the unknown
And look to tomorrow

Be-cause, I want to....know
(And, you know you wanna know too)
Wanna know if you'll love me out loud
Wanna know if you can put me on that cloud
Wanna know your smell, your touch
To know these things would mean so much
(Yea, you wanna know too)
(Yea, you wanna know too)

Lets get beyond this
Wanna know the unknown
Wanna know your kiss
Wanna know your kiss

Hip-hop, country, or rock-n roll
The dirty joke that you just told
Favorite color, song, movie, and book
These are some I know
And already I'm hooked

Be-cause, I want to....know
(And, you know you wanna know too)
Wanna know (And, you know you wanna know too)
Wanna know if you'll love me out loud
Wanna know if you can put me on that cloud
Wanna know your smell, your touch
To know these things would mean so much
(Yea, you wanna know too)
(Yea, you wanna know too)

Let's get beyond this
Wanna know the unknown
Wanna know your kiss

Hip-hop, country, or rock-n roll
The dirty joke that you just told
Favorite color, song, movie, and book
These are some I know
And already I'm hooked
Already I'm hooked

You can say I am guessin
You can say I don't have clue
And I won't fight it,
Be-cause the one thing I know is true
This is how I feel for you
This is how I feel for you

You can say I am guessin
You can say I don't have clue
And I won't fight it,
Be-cause the one thing I know is true
This is how I feel for you

Lets get beyond this
Wanna know the unknown
Wanna know your kiss
Yea I wanna know your kiss
Your kiss, your kiss, your kiss

The unknown is the excitement
The unknown is the sorrow
I want to get beyond the unknown
And look to tomorrow

Your kiss, your kiss, your kiss
Be-cause, I want to....know
Be-cause, I want to....know
Wanna know if you'll love me out loud
Wanna know if you can put me on that cloud

The Unknown

"funny how all these years i have just wanted to find a man that i could depend on, that i could count on and be able to have a teammate. i have always had to be the "strong one" in the relationship, meaning, the one that makes all the decisions...i don't want to make all the decisions!" ~ SheRocks

Weak is the moment strength meets surrender, when you realize the strongest kind of love is the one that lets you rest. Written July 8, 2025, it’s the soulful confession from someone who's always carried the weight—but now, they meet someone who invites them to lay it down.

“I am strong… I’ve done it all on my own… Finally met a man strong enough to make me weak.” It’s a testament to finding trust, partnership, and the surprising power in letting someone else lead.

This track is for anyone who's played the role of "strong one" for too long—and finally meets a love that makes vulnerability feel like home.

~~~ Weak ~~~

I am strong
I've done it all on my own
A career, a home, been divorced twice
Or maybe three

I've got nothing to prove
No one to impress
Let go of used to be
Let them be what they wanna be

I've come close a couple times, maybe three
But never been brought to my knees
Never wanted so much
More like a need
Yea, you make me weak

I never knew of a love, a man so strong
One I can lean on without fear
Depend on, who is always near
Seen it with others before but never believed
It could happen for me
Finally met a man strong enough to make me weak

I've come close a couple times, maybe three
But never been brought to my knees
Never wanted so much
More like a need
Yea, you make me weak

It could happen for me
Finally met a man strong enough to make me weak

I've come close a couple times, maybe three
But never been brought to my knees
Never wanted so much
More like a need
Yea, you make me weak
Yea, you make me weak

Weak

"sometimes optics keep you from pursuing what you might be feeling...this was me daydreaming that my crush liked me just as much, but couldn't get past the optics....the gift of love is sometime packaged differently than what you expected." ~ SheRocks

The Gift unravels the quiet ache of falling for someone when nothing else makes sense—and yet every dream speaks louder than optics. Written on February 27, 2011, it's about missing what could be, wrapped in all the reasons it can’t.

Lyrics like “A gift in disguise… This precious gift… Just want to know what happens next” tether hope to longing as your heart crafts a perfect scenario—even from a distance.

This one’s for the dreamers who've ever wondered if someone sees beyond the surface—and hopes they’ll wake up and follow.

~~~ The Gift ~~~

Betcha can't wait to fall asleep
And dream of me
I tell myself that sometimes
But don't believe
You ever see me
Beyond the package
Your dream come true
When you close your eyes
A gift in disguise

Trying to remember the reasons
Why we can't be together
All superficial
All lies
All the things to say
But too scared
To realize
It's more than just
Butterflies

My dream scenario
Is you waking up with me
I know every detail
My heart lifts
Deep breath
Exhale
This precious gift
Just want to know
What happens next

Trying to remember the reasons
Why we can't be together
All superficial
All lies
All the things to say
But too scared
To realize
It's more than just
Butterflies

My dream scenario
Is you waking up with me
I know every detail
My heart lifts
Deep breath
Exhale
This precious gift
Just want to know
What happens next

Always see me running away
To see if you will follow
Wondering if you will
Stop being a desperado
Don't let this dream go
Wake up and be alive

I tell myself sometimes
Betcha can't wait to fall asleep
And dream of me

I tell myself sometimes
Betcha can't wait to fall asleep
And dream of me, of me

Wondering if you will follow
Happy to be alive
I tell myself sometimes
Betcha can't wait to fall asleep
And dream of me

The Gift

"this was written about all the guys that run away from love .... dare you say it to one of them and watch them runnnnnnn!" ~ SheRocks

A Word Like That is the quiet confession that unsettles—written on March 20, 2011, it’s about the ones who run at the sound of the L-word. A brave whisper that fractures the easy façade, and exposes what we’re really afraid of: feeling deeply, and possibly failing.

“Love, I run away from… A word like that. Too afraid of feeling something… and then… fallen flat.” These lines lay bare the desperate dance between longing and fear—challenging us to say more, feel more, dare more.

This track is for anyone who's felt the weight of honesty and the pull of what could be, even when it scares you most.

~~~ A Word Like That ~~~

When you wake up
In the morning
Are you wrapped around
The one you wanted

As the day goes by
Do you look around
Looking for something more
Turn around your frown

Didn't expect to feel this way
Wondering why I didn't play
Why I had to breakaway

Love, I run away from
A word like that
To afraid of
Feeling something
And then
Fallen flat
Should I say this
Should I say that
Love yea
I run away from
A word like that

Ya never know
What could happen
Ya never know
When ya stop with conditions
All the misconceptions
The games
The comparisons

Didn't expect to feel this way
Wondering why you didn't play
Why you had to breakaway

Love, you run away from
A word like that
To afraid of
Feeling something
And then
Fallen flat
Should you say this
Should you say that
Love yea
You run away from
A word like that

When you wake up
In the morning
Are you wrapped around
The dream you wanted

A Word Like That

"inspired by one of my favorite scenes, dirty dancing: when baby goes to johnny's cabin after her dad helps penny. she says "I am scared of walking out this room and never feeling, the rest of my whole, the way i feel when i'm with you"." ~ SheRocks

Scared pays homage to that unforgettable moment in Dirty Dancing—where fear of leaving means fear of losing a feeling you can’t get anywhere else. Written May 24, 2011, it captures the quiet panic and longing that crash through you when something—or someone—makes your heart come alive.

“Scared of leaving the room and never feeling this again… too scared to feel something real.” These lyrics are the confession of a heart that knows true connection when it happens—and sees how fragile it is.

This track is for anyone who's felt joy teeter on the edge of fear, and knows that sometimes, stepping closer feels riskier than stepping away.

~~~ Scared ~~~

I guess I'm scared
Yea I know I am
That there will never be another
That makes me feel like
When me and you are together

The feeling of just being in your sight
You noticing me
Giving me just enough attention
To make my heart tickle
Without any intention

My friends think I should
Lets say I did
But don't
Some say you would
I can admit
You won't

Scared of leaving the room
And never feeling this again
So hard for me to stay
And be content with us
Staying this way

My friends think I should
Lets say I did
But don't
Some say you would
I can admit
You won't

Scared of leaving the room
And never feeling this again
So hard for me to stay
And be content with us
Staying this way

My friends think I should
Lets say I did
But don't
Some say you would
I can admit
You won't

Energy this big
Fills the room
Everyone can feel it
I know you do too
Too big to conceal it

Scared  to feel
Too scared to feel
Something real
Something you may want
Some say you would
I can admit
You won't
So scared
You won't
You won't
You won't
Something real
Something you may want
Some say you would
I can admit
You won't
So scared
You won't

Scared

A dove in flight – a message of love from afar.

This ballad by KAT is about connection beyond distance,
about carrying each other through silence and time.
Gentle, ambient, poetic – a song of vulnerability and quiet strength. 

Collaboration with MrNightQc.

Die Taube

Fear of my own greatness. Not of mistakes. Not of rejection.
But of the quiet power that doesn’t ask for applause –
and yet fills the room when I stop making myself small.

This spoken word piece by KAT is about growing into your true size,
learning to wear it like a dress that first feels strange,
and realizing that being ‘much’ does not mean being ‘too much’.


Angst vor der eigenen Größe

In this episode, Mel and Jay dive into the topic of vulnerability with loads of takeaways and depth from their own experience. If you’re going to listen to any episode, make it this one. 

Links mentioned:
Brené Brown - https://brenebrown.com/
Brené Brown TED talk - The Power of Vulnerability https://www.ted.com/talks/brene_brown_the_power_of_vulnerability
Pink Floyd - The Wall - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Wall 


EPISODE SPONSOR: 

TTJ.Ayadose.com from Great Spirit Farm, their Ayahuasca microdose tincture

Website: TTJ.Ayadose.com

Coupon Code: TTJ10

====================================

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THANK YOU for listening! If you feel you received value from this or any episode, please consider supporting the show in any way you’re inspired. You can make a one-time donation or join the Trust the Journey family on Patreon. 

When you become a Patreon supporter, you will be added to our private Facebook group, which is our safe community space for those looking to connect, get support, heal, and grow. Our monthly private, virtual integration calls facilitated by Mel and Jay personally are included with your Patreon membership. 

Patreon Link – www.patreon.com/user?u=6057426

One-time donation: https://trustthejourney.today/donation/ 

You can also join our integration coaching circles one time through this link:

Integration circle: https://trustthejourney.today/integration/ 

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We are also looking for values-aligned sponsors to support Trust the Journey. Today! If you are inspired to become an advertising partner, please drop us a direct email at trustthejourney.today@gmail.com or a DM on Instagram, www.instagram.com/trustthejourney.today

Our mission is Living, Laughing, Loving, and Learning Together, Creating and Cultivating Conscious Connections Through the Practice of Openness, Honesty, Vulnerability, Humility, and Trust. 

If you have a guest you’d like to recommend or think you’d be a values-aligned guest, we’d love to hear from you, too! Please drop us a direct email at trustthejourney.today@gmail.com or a DM on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/trustthejourney.today/ 

Connect with Mel directly here: MelanieCurtis.com @melaniecurtis11 

Connect with Jay directly here: JasonMoledzki.com 

We love you! 

Mel and Jay ❤️🌈💫


179: The Power of Vulnerability

In today’s cybersecurity briefing: a critical Apple CarPlay flaw leaves vehicles exposed, Microsoft battles a major Exchange outage, and a new phishing-as-a-service platform emerges. Oracle unveils AI-powered patient tools, researchers warn of the VMScape CPU attack, and Apple alerts users to state-sponsored spyware threats. Plus, ransomware surges across the Middle East, putting banking and oil sectors under siege.

Global Cybersecurity Briefing: Apple Flaws, Microsoft Outage, and Rising Ransomware Risks

The Daily HEAL Security Dispatch Podcast is a leading source for up-to-the-minute news and deep insights in the realm of healthcare cybersecurity and threat intelligence. 

At the heart of HEAL Security's vision is the commitment to equipping organizations and individuals with rapid, contextually rich cybersecurity updates, establishing itself as a pivotal force in unifying practice and data against the ingenious tactics of criminal and malicious entities. HEAL Security is fervently devoted to constructing a robust resource and community that champions the defense of the healthcare sector against the growing cyber threats from organized crime groups and antagonistic nation-states. Our core focus encompasses the protection of vital IT infrastructures, the security of sensitive patient and clinical information, the safeguarding of critical healthcare systems, and the assurance of continuous, undisturbed patient care services.

Just a girl who has written many lyrics of love and heartache throughout the years, with a dream of hearing them as a song.

I am KAT — poet, musician, and catalyst.

I move between silence and voice, between quiet intimacy and bold confrontation.
My art whispers where words cannot, and shouts when truth demands to be loud.

I know what I stand for — with depth, courage, and no apology.
I step forward decisively, ready to be heard.

My vision goes beyond music:
I long for still mornings, for art rooted in nature,
for communities built on resonance, not noise.
I believe healing and creation belong together —
that my own path of rebirth can open space for others.

Discover Vienna Skies and Heavenly Cries, my debut project with AXAXC — a journey through voice, sound, and poetic space.

Current collaborations:
with Marol – [@zophrenia] (metal, cinematic sound, spoken word)
with Samuel – [@mrnightqc] (soulful songwriting, voice experiments, raw ballads)

New project: Kat Poetry Voices — short poems spoken by animals.
Instagram: [@kat.poetryvoices]

#KATseries #poetry #spokenword #hiphop #gothicmetal
#folkmetal #cinematic #storytelling #femalevocals
#quietstrength #musicthatmoves #authenticvoice
#artiststatement #catalyst #musicconnects #fearlessart
#marol #mrnightqc #axaxc

Living, Laughing, Loving and Learning Together
Creating and Cultivating Conscious Connections 
Thru the Practice of Openness, Honesty, Vulnerability, Humility and Trust
With Melanie Curtis and Jason Moledzki

Great art almost feels like magic—it opens our minds to brand new ideas, and teaches us to see ourselves and our world more clearly. Of course, behind all great art, there are artists. And that’s where the real magic happens…

As we go beneath the art itself to explore how different artists do what they do, we see glimpses of the sorts of creativity, resilience, and bravery that lead to the art that moves our world. And maybe we can learn to borrow some of that magic for our very own thinking.

Join professional musician Emily Merrell for conversations with artists of all kinds. Together, we examine the mysteries of our own experiences, our muses and fears, our gifts and foibles, our beliefs about the origins of creativity, and the secret magic we’ve discovered in our unique creative processes. 

Mediums include: studio art, graphic design, dance, cooking, illustration, creative writing, storytelling, comedy, music composition, music performance, film making, acting, production, fashion design, photography, and more.

Visit https://emilymerrellmusic.com/artifice-podcast/  for more information.

- Theme Song "As You Are" by Emily Merrell @emilymerrellmusic
- Illustration and Graphic Design by Sarah Keele @sarahkeeleart
- Photography by Jen Palmer @jenpalmerphoto
- HMU by Shawna Turner @shawnaturnerdesigns

New tracks tagged #vulnerability