Living with inner elegance
Living With Inner Elegance is a powerful state where dignity and grace are not just qualities we possess; they become the essence of our actions. This alignment of mind, body, and spirit empowers us to craft genuine and effective solutions to the most demanding problems in our fast-paced society.
ELEGANT ASPIRATIONS
may / 25
Resilience
How to Measure Your Strength
In 2011, I produced a play at Woodbourne Correctional Facility with Rehabilitation Through the Arts (RTA). There, I met John Divine “G” Whitfield, who was wrongfully imprisoned for twenty-five years. Despite his situation, he earned degrees and published books, showing great resilience.
His story raises important questions about overcoming challenges and maintaining balance in life. Resilience requires a strong sense of self and purpose. Divine demonstrates this by helping others and understanding the impact of his actions.
Aired on May 22 - 2025
What does it really mean to be resilient when life throws curveballs your way? On a recent episode of the Up and Running Morning Show with Rick on 98.1 KZE, Caroline Phipps—founder of Living with Inner Elegance — dives into the story of Divine G. Whitfield. Divine’s story is nothing short of extraordinary: wrongfully incarcerated for 25 years, he embraced the arts to not only survive but thrive, turning his pain into purpose and inspiring others to do the same. Through heartfelt conversation, the show uncovers practical wisdom for building resilience and spotlights what’s possible when you choose to rise above your circumstances. If you’re searching for real-life inspiration and actionable strategies to handle life’s toughest moments, this episode delivers.
latest articles
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Keeping Your Sanity - Part 3
Whenever people's power and divisive force collide, as they do today, power succeeds when truth empowers the people's will.
May 2025
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Keeping Your Sanity - Part 2
These are chaotic times. Chaos is always a catalyst for change, but it also comes with opportunity and possibility. What that change will look like is entirely in our hands. The more resilient we are personally and collectively, the greater our opportunity to create a just and peaceful world for all.
March 2025
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Keeping Your Sanity
In the face of global chaos, we must embrace our interconnectedness and take meaningful action while remaining strong.
February 2025 -
Happy NEW YEAR?
Inspired by the legacy of former President Jimmy Carter, shifting focus from hard-to-keep self-centered resolutions to nurturing your spirit will create a kinder and more peaceful year to come.
January 2025
Featured Video of the Month
June 2025
Resilience
How to Measure Your Strength
Caroline discusses resilience through the story of John Divine “G” Whitfield, who was wrongfully imprisoned for twenty-five years. Despite his circumstances, Divine earned academic degrees and published books, exemplifying remarkable strength and purpose. His involvement in the performing arts at Woodbourne Correctional Facility with Rehabilitation Through the Arts (RTA) contributed to the program’s success, evidenced by a recidivism rate below three percent. After his release in 2012, Divine pursued exoneration, toured with a rap artist, and received an Oscar nomination. His story highlights how resilience, a strong sense of self, and helping others can lead to personal transformation and positive societal impact.
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Please donate to the Living With Inner Elegance initiative by Caroline Phipps so we can continue creating inspirational content for our relationships with each other and the Earth.
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LAST MONTH ARTICLE
April 2025
Keeping Your Sanity Part 3
We Have a Powerful Place at the Table
Caroline Phipps, founder of Living With Inner Elegance, discusses the power of collective action and truth in times of division and rapid change. Using metaphors like spring following winter and referencing historical examples such as the fall of the Berlin Wall and Gandhi’s nonviolent resistance, she emphasizes that attempts to divide and deceive people are unsustainable and require immense effort. In contrast, unity, truth, and peaceful resistance are naturally empowering and lead to meaningful change. Phipps stresses that every action has consequences—physical, ethical, and societal—and that individuals have both the power and responsibility to shape the future. She urges readers to recognize their influence, act with integrity, and trust that aligning with truth and supporting each other can overcome deep divisions and injustice.
Keeping Your Sanity Part 3
on WKZE 98.1 FM with DJ Rick Schneider
Aired on April 24, 2025 - 9 am
On Air
Podcasts
WISDOM WITH
INNER ELEGANCE
The Wisdom with Inner Elegance Roundtable Series
June 25 Edition
Hosted by Caroline Phipps, Founder of Living With Inner Elegance, and Deborah Kelly, Director at The Wisdom House Retreat and Conference Center.
Our Roundtable Series is designed to deliver a monthly dose of spiritual inspiration and connection, sharing wisdom, knowledge, and ideas to help you navigate our rapidly changing world.
Resilience
How To Measure Your Strength
lIve talks
LIVE TALKS
April Guest:
JANE STRONG
Co-Founder of Equus Effect
As a child, Jane grew up riding horses. After leaving the world of competitive riding behind, she studied anthropology and history, fascinated by what makes humans behave the way they do. Following a successful career in market research, she found her way back to the world of horses and had an epiphany. Upon hearing the alarming statistic that twenty-two veterans commit suicide every day, she knew she had to do something to help. Jane understood that engaging mindfully with the horses offers an effective way to build healthy, authentic relationships. Horses can be trusted to provide honest, nonjudgmental feedback instantly. By mirroring human behavior, they help us better understand ourselves and how we impact others. From this modest beginning to date, The Equus Effect has helped thousands of people improve the quality of their lives and relationships and is expanding to welcome adults and children from all walks of life.
VIDEOS
May 31, 2015
Listen!
What Do You Hear?
Although society prioritizes speaking and promoting ideas, we actually spend more time listening—yet most people aren’t taught how to listen well. This lack of effective listening leads to misunderstandings, intolerance, and weakened communities because people often only hear what matches their own beliefs. True listening is challenging; it requires openness, attention, and a willingness to understand rather than judge or just wait to respond. The author notes that poor listening habits—like interrupting or fidgeting—undermine real dialogue and turn conversations into competitions. To become better listeners, we need to be motivated, fully present, patient, and try to look beyond the surface to understand others’ intentions. Strong listening skills improve relationships, help solve problems, and are key to good leadership and teamwork. Ultimately, if we want to be heard, we have to be willing to listen.
articles archive
WHO ARE YOU?
WHEN LABELS LIMIT US
In ‘Who Are You?’ Caroline explores the complexity and implications of societal labels, particularly regarding identity, sexuality, and political beliefs. While labels can help create a sense of identity and belonging, they may also limit authentic connections and promote division. The author argues that excessive labeling can be counterproductive and lead to negative assumptions, as illustrated by a personal experience at an airport. The text critiques how politicians exploit divisions among groups, urging a more compassionate approach that acknowledges our shared humanity. Ultimately, it calls for reconsidering labels to foster belonging and connection.
recently visited inspirational events
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![Orange Theory Fitness logo with an orange splat design and text.]()
REFLECTIONS ON DEMOCRACY & PHILANTHROPY SERIES
June 19th 2024
The Du Bois Freedom Center in Great Barrington, Massachusetts, held its first conversation in their Reflections on Democracy series on June 19th at 6:00 p.m. In recognition of Juneteenth, the former Harvard Visiting Scholar, President Barack Obama, Staffer Michael Blake, and United States Congresswoman Nikema Williams. -
![Logo of The Clark Art Institute with "THE CLARK" in rainbow colors and "ART INSTITUTE" in gray.]()
GUILLAUME LETHIÈRE (1760–1832)
June 13th 2024
The Clark Art Institute presents its first exhibition on the pioneering work of Guillaume Lethière. He was a key figure in French painting during the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries, navigating the French Revolution's turmoil to achieve acclaim. A favorite artist of Napoleon's brother, Lethière held prestigious positions and advocated for women artists. Don't miss this extraordinary exhibition celebrating Lethière's life and work! -
!["Norman Rockwell Museum" text on teal background]()
WHAT, ME WORRY? THE ART AND HUMOR OF MAD MAGAZINE
June 7th 2024
The unforgettable art and satire of MAD, from its beginnings in 1952 as a popular humor comic book to its emergence as a beloved magazine that spoke truth to power and attracted generations of devoted readers through the decades. -
![Logo for Gedney Farm in New Marlborough, featuring a stylized barn illustration above the text.]()
GEDNEY FARM SOMMELIER SERIES: VINAS MORA
June 27th 2024
The Gedney Farm Sommelier will their friend Kreso Petrekovic and his stellar wines from Croatia. Kreso sources from old vines in Plješivica and lower Styria (Slovenia) from farmers who are longtime friends of the family. Some of the grapes like Riesling and Pinot Gris are familiar while others such as Sipalj, Stajerka, Kraljevina, Smarnica and Plavec are more localized to these central European terroirs. Gedney Farm’s Chef Michele Ragussis will design a menu to perfectly complement these wines.
MONTHLY APPEARANCES
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Please donate to Caroline Phipps' Living With Inner Elegance initiative so that we can continue creating inspiring content for our lives and relationships with each other and the Earth.
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