Conversations with Calyn Liberati

Today we’d like to introduce you to Calyn Liberati.  

Hi Calyn, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today.
A mother of two wonderful baby boys, Rowan (5) and Griffin (3). I have a dream to see a ‘universal harmony’ one day. Not only for them but for all of humanity. And I don’t intend on seeing this fail. I will continue striving for all of my aspirations to come true, no matter how long it takes, as we ALL have the ability to be the change we seek with patience and virtue. And my aspirations are to spread love, light, and unity one voice at a time through the best way I know how… creative expression. This is how I came up with the concept behind ‘Bridges & Butterflies, Inc.’ and how it all started. It was in my darkest hour I grew the strength to pursue this career and help spark a bright and beaming light for not only myself but others as well! 

COVID majorly shifted the way the world operated when it first struck; when everything shut down no one knew what was going to happen. I went from barely surviving, trying to tackle an education, being a mother, and working full time to pay the bills while also being pregnant with Griffin (born January 19th right before the pandemic struck) to a quarantine and wondering how we were going to manage everything now that our income was no longer secured. I was engaged at the time to the father of my boys, Timothy Bem. We had an apartment together in Mount Pleasant, MI, where I was finishing my degree at Central Michigan University (BFA). Due to everything we had to file bankruptcy and move back in with my parents. This happened right when the pandemic started in March 2020. 

As grateful as I am for my parents taking us in, the quarantine left us locked in the house and unable to have any personal space. It wasn’t a very big space as is; we were all working diligently with the small amount of money we had to finish the upstairs attic and turn it into a living space for my small family, as we were not sure how long we would be there. All of us being very headstrong adults with much passion. There were many dark times. I started to meditate and self-reflect majorly; I had no idea where my life was going, and I always knew I was capable of more. 

I have always wanted stability and security for myself growing up; my childhood was no easy experience. My mom has Crohn’s disease; my dad has Dilated Cardiomyopathy; both have been pushing to live when the doctors have all said they’d be gone a long time ago. I grew up very poor, and there was a time my mother was on 13-14 painkillers 3-4 times a day prescribed by the doctors because of her illness… this was no joke, and the addiction slowly took her over. I told myself one day I would make it, and I would inspire others that have been through major darkness and trauma that it doesn’t need to take over your life and that if you believe in yourself and show strength and courage you CAN overcome anything, even the most horrific of experiences. Saying this now is a very mild description of my uphill battles throughout my life, an ongoing challenge and true test of my abilities as a soul. 

So, I mediated, I asked the universe for guidance, and I started to expand my mind instead of shutting it down… my kids being my major inspiration to keep fighting at a time in my life where I wasn’t sure how much fight I had left. And then the idea came to me. I always wanted to be a creative director, but I am also a performer; I like to consider myself a creative 360°. Anything creative I do, and I have shown my versatility throughout my performance skills, creative writing ability, and media design. I sing, act, write (poetry, stories, plays, songs), direct, produce, design, draw, paint… 

The image of our logo came into my head. I started blending all ideas I believe in, a blended whole of all religious, spiritual, and scientific beliefs… that’s where “Bridges & Butterflies” came into my head. The idea of expanding opportunities for those who need guidance and otherwise may not know they exist, and the idea of evolving as an individual (a caterpillar eventually evolves and transforms into a beautiful butterfly). I drew out my concept and started formulating the idea of what a dream come true vision would look like if I had no limitations to where this could go; if I were to make this happen, how far could I take this mission? Then I started to set goals and think smaller, and formulate a plan to move forward. I remember mentioning this to the mother of my ex-fiancé, Kristy Bem, and she told me, “We all can dream. That’s what keeps us going…” and I gave a self-conscious giggle. This was even more motivation to not just dream but DO. To take action and make it happen. 

With COVID shutting everything down, I had the time to self-teach myself EVERYTHING there is to know about starting a business. The ups and downs of every which way to go about it. I didn’t go to school for that, I researched for countless hours on my own and dove into all the schematics of different forms of businesses and all the legalities behind them all. During this time, I finished developing my original play called “The Change” and got a copyright. I started to self-produce the script and cast the virtual production through Backstage. I had over 1,200 applicants interested in my script! A humbling experience. I couldn’t believe the response I was receiving for something I wrote. 8 years of development, pieces of my life experience throughout. 

A summary of my script: An up-and-coming script meant to provoke a shift in perspective and to enhance spiritualism within us all. Reflecting on the darkness inside all of us, a dense script with horror undertones. Revolves around the two lives and afterlives of Giovanna Ryan and Evelyn Clarke (two unique opposites) and the ripple effect that stems from their wake. A twisted and thrilling symbolism of the world around us, inspiring new ways of thinking. Many themes are explored throughout their stories as well the character ‘Him’ (a depiction of the devil himself). 

At the same time, I was looking to get out of my parents’ house. We moved into Grand Rapids January of 2021. After a month of research and countless hours surfing the internet, it was time… I couldn’t afford any legal help or any help really. So, I did it all on my own. This was all while I was workshopping and self-producing my virtual production working with actors from all around the world! At the same time building my entire website from the ground up myself. I applied for incorporation for my nonprofit and legitimized the business, and updated my initial v1.o website into a v2.0 with all new features. We were growing our online family at a rapid rate. Creative minds from everywhere sparked interest in my movement. “Igniting change one voice at a time.” is our motto. In this time of darkness, we can help each other find the light. Helping to build security, protection, stability, foundation, and connections to others. A creative agency and community network with vast potential to impact the world through creative expression. 

I had to apply for tax exemption on my own too, which is a very tedious task… the business was formed July 2021 officially, and we received our public charity status officially March 2022. We continue to grow every day, and this year I chose to risk everything I have to truly help B&B prosper in ways I only dreamed. I stepped away from my salary management position working for Mainstreet Ventures, where I was soon to be promoted to GM. I stepped away from the daily serving routine and said “This is it! It is now or never!” Since the end of December, I have put 100% of my focus on Bridges & Butterflies and everything this charity has to offer. I am now able to spend more time with my kids, build a dream career while also helping build others. I created an improv troupe through the charity we are performing locally downtown Grand Rapids, offer online workshops, produce original works and published plays, produce performance showcase events, and “The Change” will be hitting the stage come October 2023 at Wealthy Theatre-like it was originally intended. I have also been in touch with the CEO of United Palace, a Broadway venue in New York City. Within the next couple years, my script will be seen on the big stage. We are re-launching our innovative virtual-style production this year. Streaming virtually live May/June 2023 to prep for the stage debut! We have big plans to help all ounces of creative minds flourish while helping humanity flourish as well. 

It doesn’t stop here… 

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Much of this was mentioned in the last question I answered quite specifically… To add, there was a time where I was forced to take a major step back from the charity. I wanted to dedicate time to my mission, but I also have kids and bills to pay. I was working so much serving, going through the breakup with the father of my kids, we had rent and other bills to pay. I had to figure out our living situation while maintaining a job once everything started to open up again and the world was no longer shut down… and as I worked on building the charity and keeping events going here and there… it became very difficult to keep up. I then left a serving job because I didn’t like the way they treated their employees, started working at Palio, downtown Grand Rapids (Mainstreet Ventures Restaurant Group), and after only a few months received my promotion to Dining Room Manager. A salary job where I worked 40-50 hours a week and had little to no time for my new boyfriend Zachary Valdez (I met October 2022) my kids, or myself even… I went into a major depression. 

Money is not everything, but without it how do you survive? I have only ever wanted security and stability in my life, and with my kids in the picture, it became even more crucial for me to find it. I thought this salary job was the answer, and I was great at it! But we went a year without anything going on with Bridges & Butterflies after all the momentum we built, just nothing… I had no life other than the restaurant at this point. Signs were thrown at me everything saying, “be yourself, don’t forget your dream.” I reminded myself that in order to get what you want out of life, you need to TAKE ACTION! 

My relationship was going into a dark place, my kids never saw their mother, I was becoming a shell just going through the motions trying to get by. And then I told myself it was time to make a change. To do this the right way. I quit the managing position, got another serving job where I could work during the day and be there for my kids at night and start working on diving into my charity again… but even this felt wrong… 

Zack’s dad was diagnosed with throat cancer, and he had to make an extended trip to Jacksonville, FL to be with his dad during the duration of chemotherapy. This was the first time I had “alone time” in over 8 years. I then decided to “risk it for the biscuit” and step away from everything else career-wise other than this charity. The little makings I had saved up being my only safety blanket to make it through while I launch the charity the way I have always pictured. And now, we are truly making strides and flourishing. During these strides it has not been easy, a true grind in the life of an entrepreneur… and this entrepreneur’s life has NEVER been easy. Challenge accepted, and I will keep pushing until the big goals for Bridges & Butterflies and the world as a whole are met. 

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I went to Central Michigan University for 7 years to work towards my ‘BFA: Acting/Directing Concentration.’ I have learned a countless number of skills from not only my course work but throughout my experiences in life. You name it; I’ve done it! Well-rounded in all creative endeavors, I have been working effortlessly as an ‘entrepreneur of light’ to strive for excellence and work towards the B&B community’s main mission and purpose. 

I have built my website from the ground up, creating new ideas to add to its’ development every day! I am very proud to invest as much time as possible to ensure her vision of ‘Bridges & Butterflies’ Creative Collaborative comes to life. It has a long way to go, but soon enough it will reach its’ heights as it continues to grow more and more as the days pass. 

Content creating since Sept. 2020 to start building the brand, I wrote and produced the new series ‘Unify the Unicorn: A New Trending Way of Life.’ Includes a unique comedic series ‘POPPiNG BUBBLES: Metaphorically Speaking’ as well as diverse topics of different “TiME FiLLER SERiES” all related to the main mission of Bridges & Butterflies. Currently merging into new outlets and expanding every day. I have been offered to be paid for my content on TikTok with this series. 

Over the last 8 years, I developed a versatile script called ‘The Change’; 

An up-and-coming script meant to provoke a shift in perspective and to enhance spiritualism within us all. Reflecting on the darkness inside all of us, a dense script with horror undertones. Revolves around the two lives and afterlives of Giovanna Ryan and Evelyn Clarke (two unique opposites) and the ripple effect that stems from their wake. A twisted and thrilling symbolism of the world around us, inspiring new ways of thinking. Many themes are explored throughout their stories as well the character ‘Him’ (a depiction of the devil himself). This was the debut collaborative production of our growing creative community, and we are relaunching the virtual version of this now! I am the director and producer. This show isn’t just another script; it is meant for big things and is making its’ way into the entertainment industry. Debuting on stage for the first time this October 2023. 

I have been singing since I was 5 years old, writing since I can remember. I never wanted to be held back by limiting myself to just one talent, so I branched off and continued working on as many different creative mediums as possible. 

I have been a performer since early grade school… 

A LIST OF SOME OF MY ACHIEVEMENTS/AWARDS: 

Bettisworth Endowed Scholarship award in Directing (2019) 

Irene Ryan Nominee for Acting in Marvin’s Room as Lee (2016) 

Nominated for best supporting actress as Lucy in Dracula: The Musical (2013) 

Alumni Kappa Theta Cast MEMBER of Alpha Psi Omega Honorary Theatre Fraternity (2013-2017) 

Elected PR Head of Fraternity consecutively for multiple semesters (2014-2016) 

Former President of Woman’s Acapella Choir “Acabellas” (2011-2012) 

When I was little, it was more about being “famous” and being a popstar or film actress leading lady… but now it’s about more than that… it’s about reaching new heights to leave a lasting footprint on society so that when my time is up, my message and mission remain. 

Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
My uniqueness and my big heart. Without compassion we have nothing. Balance is key. Compassion is the door. To simply love, inspiring change. Having a very intellectual and open mind allows me to channel this big heart for something greater, and my self-driven determination helps me put it into action and not just be left as words. 

Pricing:

• Any donations help… (donation receipts given)
• Standard ticket fees are $25 but sometimes alter depending on production..
• Workshop prices differ.
• Membership into our community is 100% free for a lifetime.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.bridgesandbutterflies.org/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bridges_and_butterflies/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bridgesandbutterflies
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bridges-and-butterflies-inc
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/XpressNConnect
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCyIFPrT5o5f9vh-xYjVGP9A
• SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/calyn-nicole-liberati
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@universal_harmony?_t=8aXAhw80jpW&_r=1