Creativity, Connection, and Climate Action: A Conversation with Leigh Medeiros
It all begins with an idea.
Catching up with Leigh Medeiros on Blissful Spinster felt like reconnecting with an old friend—because she is one! Leigh and I go way back, and it was such a joy to talk about her work as an author, screenwriter, and creativity coach. Leigh’s book, The 1-Minute Writer, is a playful guide to sparking creativity, and her recent ventures include co-producing a climate-focused pitch fest and founding the Linden Place Writers Residency. Leigh’s warmth, curiosity, and cheerleading spirit reminded me why I’ve always adored her.
Leigh’s journey in the arts began with early experiences of collaborating with something she describes as “an invisible creative force.” This intuitive relationship with creativity blossomed into a career spanning writing, coaching, and supporting other artists through various endeavors, including founding the Linden Place Writers Residency. For Leigh, uplifting others isn’t just a career; it’s a calling. “Creativity is about connection,” she explained. “It’s about being a cheerleader for one another.”
One of the most inspiring topics we explored was Leigh’s work combining environmental messaging with storytelling. Leigh is an advocate for embedding climate change themes into art, encouraging writers to consider how they can adapt their stories to reflect today’s realities. “We’re living in a climate crisis,” she said.“It’s not just a dystopian future; it’s happening now. Writers can make impactful changes by rethinking their scripts through a sustainability lens.”
She suggested innovative ways to incorporate these messages, from integrating weather events as obstacles to reimagining the plot of a heist film to revolve around stolen carbon-capture technology. Leigh is also co-producing climate-focused events, such as a pitch fest with Young Entertainment Activists, to inspire others to use their platforms for meaningful change.
Leigh and I also reflected on the universality of creativity. “Every human is creative,” she said, emphasizing that while not everyone may identify as an artist, everyone has the capacity for original thought and expression. Her belief in nurturing creativity extends to her coaching practice, where she helps writers overcome perfectionism and lean into the collaborative nature of their craft.
Leigh’s enthusiasm for storytelling as a force for activism and personal growth is downright contagious—and being able to share this conversation with a friend made it all the more special. Whether through her writing or the way she champions others, Leigh shows how art can ignite important conversations and create real change. By the end of our chat, I felt reinvigorated by her optimism and dedication. Leigh’s work is a testament to how creativity, connection, and collaboration have the power to truly transform the world—and she inspires me every time.
Find out more about Leigh on her website
Connect with Leigh on Instagram
Finding Joy in Autonomy: A Conversation with Gina Fattore
It all begins with an idea.
When I sat down with Gina Fattore—an accomplished TV writer and author of the The Spinster Diaries—our conversation uncovered a shared love for storytelling, a passion for feminism, and an appreciation for the autonomy that comes with spinsterhood. With a career that spans Gilmore Girls, Better Things, and her TEDx Talk, Become What You Believe, Gina has spent her life challenging traditional narratives.
We bonded over how 70s television, like The Mary Tyler Moore Show, shaped our feminist outlooks. As Gina reflected, “Shows like that put women’s independence on screen for the first time. Mary wasn’t just single; she was thriving on her own terms.” These portrayals were groundbreaking and deeply influential, reminding us that happiness doesn’t hinge on traditional milestones like marriage.
Gina’s novel, The Spinster Diaries, explores this idea further. The book’s protagonist, a voice-driven character Gina lovingly describes as “unreliable but funny,” resists the societal pull toward traditional endings. As Gina explained, “There’s this expectation that women’s stories only end when they fall in love. I wanted to write an ending that felt true to my experience.”
Our conversation also delved into the challenges of being a single woman in a world designed for couples. Gina shared a sentiment I deeply relate to: “Autonomy and freedom are values that deserve celebration. Society often sees being single as a tragedy, but I’ve found it to be the opposite—it’s liberating.”
From discussing career hurdles, like breaking into a male-dominated TV industry, to celebrating the power of friendship, Gina’s insights reminded me of the strength found in owning your path. Her reflections on solitude as a necessity for creativity particularly resonated. “Being alone isn’t lonely,” she said. “It’s where my best ideas come to life.”
As our conversation wrapped, I couldn’t help but feel grateful for voices like Gina’s that challenge the status quo and celebrate the unconventional. Her journey—and her work—offer a reminder that there’s no single path to fulfillment. For Gina, for me, and for so many others, spinsterhood isn’t just a label. It’s a badge of honor.
Find out more about Gina on her website
Connect with Gina on Instagram