#10: 'Love Is The Ultimate Powerful Source In The World'

What do a childhood memory, a grandmother's unconditional love, a theater stage, a trip across Europe, and the hero's journey have to teach us about mortality, confidence, art, courage, and belonging?

In this episode, I talk with Patty from California about the experiences that shaped her life as an artist, teacher, actor, novelist, and storyteller. She shares how her grandmother boosted her sense of confidence and how she discovered the power of art to convey experiences for which we lack words.

Patty also reflects on how seeing life's uncertainty at a young age made her think deeply about death — not in a morbid way, but as a reminder that human life is brief yet meaningful. She shares why she believes art exists, in part, to help us process our mortality, see ourselves reflected, and remember that we're not alone.

Along the way, Patty talks about the vulnerability required in live theater, the courage she mustered to travel alone in Europe before cell phones and GPS, the importance of representation in the arts, and why she believes young people need opportunities to discover what makes their souls come alive. 

In this episode, we explore:

• The childhood moment that helped Patty understand life's fragility
• Why talking about death can help us live with more meaning
• How art gives us a mirror for our own humanity
• The role of theater, books, and storytelling in helping us feel less alone
• How unconditional love can build confidence and belonging
• Why representation matters on stage, on screen, and in the stories we tell
• The courage of travel, vulnerability, and learning to trust yourself
• Why schools need art, music, theater, shop, and other creative outlets for kids

Sincere thanks to Lee Williams for his fantastic production of this and every episode of Perennial Pen.

Reflection question:
Who has loved you in a way that helped you belong and feel fully accepted? How might you share that kind of love with someone else?

More about Patty:

Patty Flores Reinhart is an actor, author, dancer, singer, writer, and advocate for equal and accurate representation of BIPOC artists. She was born in El Salvador, immigrated to the United States at age three, grew up in Southern California, graduated from UCLA with a bachelor's in theater arts, appeared on English- and Spanish-language TV in Los Angeles, taught elementary school, and has performed with theater companies throughout the San Francisco Bay Area. Patty's novels include High Water, published in 2021, and Journeys, published in 2025. High Water is a story of emotional healing, friendship, community, and art. Its sequel, Journeys, explores resilience, human connection, purpose, and healing.

Patty's website: https://www.pattyfloresreinhart.com/
Patty's published work: https://www.pattyfloresreinhart.com/work
High Water: https://books2read.com/u/3LYXG0
Journeys: https://books2read.com/u/380oZd

Call to action:

If you or someone you know has a meaningful, life-affirming story to share on Perennial Pen, email me at nate@silvermaplestrategies.com. I respond to every message personally!

Chronicle your loved one's stories or your organization's anniversary/milestone: 

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