About Me
MICHELLE CHAPPEL, Ph.D. (Princeton) has been a professor, artist, businesswoman, and creativity coach. Two years after she was voted Most Inspirational Professor of Psychology at UC Santa Cruz, her debut CD (PolyGram Records) made the top 10 on the radio charts overseas. For the past decade she has led self-actualization and creativity workshops and helped thousands of people on the road to personal fulfillment and success. She’s also served as an international research consultant for companies such as Virgilio, Google, eBay, TiVo, and Yahoo!
2008 Billboard Song Award
No Place Like Home 
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Overcoming Adversity
Born in a small rural village in France, the young Michelle Chappel was raised in Atlanta, Georgia, where she suffered under the unseen shadow of child abuse. Through sheer determination, she was able to escape to schools in other states by winning scholarships, and eventually got a Ph.D. in cognitive psychology from Princeton.
As a professor she quickly gained a dedicated following of students who were inspired by her playfully rebellious teaching style. But deep inside she began to hear her long forgotten melodies calling her on a quest to heal her broken child spirit, and recover the crushed blossom of her musical brilliance.
Her songs, workshops, and music videos are a testament to the journey we all must take to shine as our true selves.
Time to Shine in 2009
Let this uplifting blend of country-folk-pop music inspire you to follow your heart and thrive!
SHINE was featured in “The Santa Cruz Sentinel,” “The Santa Cruz Weekly,” “The Metro,” “The Santa Clara” and “City on a Hill Press,” and compared to Joni Mitchell’s music in “Science of Mind.” The music video for the title track “Do Some Livin’” won an award from “The New Musical Express,” a popular UK music magazine, in Dec 2009.
It’s Never Too Late
You’re closer than you think to getting the life you really want. Start making positive lasting changes today with this soothing and motivational meditation CD.
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Welcome
I ditched a successful career as a psychology professor to follow my dream to be a rock-n-roll star. What is your heart urging YOU to do?
- If you could wave a magic wand, what would you wish for?
- If you could leave the past behind, who would you become?
- You’re closer to getting the life you want than you think.
This website contains monthly lessons, inspirational songs, fun videos, and other content to help you discover your true calling, build the courage to go after your dreams, persist through setbacks, and accomplish your aims. The guidance is simple, and it works!
Lesson of the Month:
Embrace Your Inner Weirdo
There’s no one like you. You have unique talents, interests and passions that set you apart from others. What makes you different makes you special, even if it seems weird or wacky. Accept yourself for who you are, warts and all, and you will truly shine. Watch this video to find out more!
Endorsements
- Michelle’s music heals. I haven’t seen anything like Michelle since I interviewed Shakti Gawaiin (author of Creative Visualization), and John Gray (author of Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus) before he made it big. She’s a star. Emmy Moore Minister, host of the TV show Voice of the Valley
- Shine is just terrific! The songwriting is strong and Michelle has a fantastic sound that occasionally reminds me of Lucinda Williams whom I used to go hear at bars in Austin before she became a star. Daniel Gilbert, Ph.D., Harvard professor of psychology and international best-selling author of Stumbling on Happiness
- The message that we should be who we really are permeates Michelle Chappel’s music. She instructs us not to mold ourselves to fit the expectations of our parents, teachers, bosses, or anyone else, but instead to realize our authentic selves. This message follows and amplifies the greatest psychologists and counselors of the 20th century—people like Carl Rogers, Abraham Maslow, and Viktor Frankl. David Felman, Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology and author of The End-of-Life Handbook
- In a world filled with “cookie cutter” recording artists, Michelle Chappel stands head and shoulders above the crowd. Greg Edmunson, music composer for the hit TV series King of the Hill
- Michelle has really hit a chord with people. Just about everyone says she’s the best instructor they ever had, and that her classes have changed their lives. Judy Rose, Director of Humanities, University of California, Santa Cruz Extension
- Michelle’s creativity transforms lives. In her workshops, music, and consulting, she touches our hearts to reveal powerful new possibilities. Diane Dreher, Ph.D. , author of The Tao of Inner Peace
Let Your Layoff Be Your Payoff
Revitalize Your Life
Many people are getting laid off. Some are scared, others depressed. I went out on a limb and made a controversial music video to give them hope, make them laugh, and let them know they’re not alone. The video is called “S**** You Yahoo” because “Yahoo” rhymed the best of all the companies to cut jobs. (Watch in HD.)
Layoffs, divorce, and other major losses are beginnings, not just endings. When we’re forced to leave a way of life behind, it frees us up to create one that suits us better.
The key to lasting positive change is patience. Steering a boat ever so slightly to the left will lead it to a whole new destination over time. Use this opportunity to nurture yourself, be with loved ones, rekindle old passions, discover new skills, and start building the life you really want.