Meet Pina Justpina

We were lucky to catch up with Pina Justpina recently and have shared our conversation below.

PINA , thanks so much for taking the time to share your insights and lessons with us today. We’re particularly interested in hearing about how you became such a resilient person. Where do you get your resilience from?

My resilience comes from both of my parents. My dad was an immigrant. He came to this country from Italy when he was 12 years old.
I share parts of his story in my one woman show, “Mafia Anonymous; The Women Speak.”
Pops: “When I came to this country, they put the poor people on the bottom of the boat. I used to sneak up to the high levels where the rich were.”
At age 37, with a high school diploma, my dad was a self-made man and an entrepreneur.
A big dreamer. I retained my vision to dream from him. He was accepted into art school, but he didn’t go. Instead, he married my mom when he was 21. He used his artistic talent to bring Rome to the United States through architecture.
The houses that he and my mom designed felt like we were in Italy—huge pillars, Roman statues, a fountains with David.
beautiful.
Throughout my younger years, I watched my father be told that he couldn’t do something, and he did it anyway. He also told me that I could do whatever I wanted, and I could do it better than anybody else.
For the majority of his life, my dad was able to fall down and get back up again. Mind you, he had my mother by his side . My mother was unwavering support in dad’s success.
It’s in my bones to keep on going.
My spiritual resilience comes from my mother. She introduced me to tarot cards when I was young. She tried to protect me from the “dark cards, “like the Tower. Putting it back on the deck after I saw it.
Mom has a deep spirituality. “A Course on Miracles” is one book in the huge library that her and dad created. Victor Frankel’s book” Search for Meaning “was in our bathroom as I grew up. I still take sneak peek-reads of pages of books my mother is reading. Marianne Williamson, Thich Hahn, etc.
My mom paints, writes and runs her own Tuxedo business. She took care of 3 kids and my dad when he had a stroke in 2012. My father passed away in 2018. To be fair, mom took care of my dad his whole married life. ? LOL.
Mom is still here, going strong at age 80. She works so hard she wore the heel of her foot out.
One of my dad’s sisters, my Aunt Lucy used to say, “How is that juvenile dad of yours?”
Both my parents have had their trials and tribulations.
Natalie Goldberg has a book called Writing Down the Bones.
It’s in my bones to be resilient. The fruit doesn’t fall far from the tree. Both of these people who I chose as my parents give me strength.
When I want to quit, I hear my father ‘s voice. I ride the Chariot in the tarot deck towards my dreams. When I need faith. I feel my mother’s spirit. I engage in Yoga Nidra and Meditation. I walk when my Italian manifesto gets too loud.
Resilience to me is like a second language. One can learn it. But it helps to me both with it. Both my parents speak Italian. We kids only learned the bad words. The words the adults spoke in front of us. As a body-based mental health professional, I believe “What the mind forgets, the body remembers.” I retained the strength of the Italian language in my blood. When I’m speaking, my hands and arms fly all over the place. My reflection on resilience comes from my parents’ experiences. It captures a blend of strength, creativity, and spirituality. This has shaped me. As a writer/performer I continue to weave my parents’ stories into my own. I carry my parents’ strength with me in everything I do, using it as fuel to pursue my dreams. I am grateful to be a by-product of both of these people who I chose as my parents.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

About Me:
I am PINA. PINA is a derivative of my formal name Giuseppina in Italian. I am a 61-year-old writer and performance artist originally from Detroit, Michigan, and now residing in Phoenix, Arizona. My artistic journey spans several decades and encompasses a deep engagement with visual and performing arts, as well as the written word. My work is centered around the use of personal narrative to tell compelling stories, revealing the essence of who I am through the lens of transformative experiences.
Artistic Approach and Mission:
Personal narrative is the cornerstone of my artistic practice. It serves as a powerful tool to explore and explain my identity, using the phrase, “Because of this event, this is who I am,” to frame my stories. This approach is akin to an archaeological dig, unearthing the truest truths buried beneath layers of life experiences, often leading to surprising revelations. Through this narrative arts practice, I strive to remain authentic, shedding superficial layers to connect more deeply with my audience.
A fundamental part of my mission as an artist is to challenge the status quo. I am committed to independently producing work that reflects my vision and passion, particularly through fringe arts festivals where my projects might otherwise go unseen. My lifelong exploration focuses on the transformation of marginalized individuals as they grapple with oppression and the damaging effects of societal labels.
My artistic achievements have been recognized with several awards and grants, including :The Best Writing Award at the Atlanta Audio Fringe for “Mafia Anonymous; The Women Speak,” the Beyond Borders Award from Tucson Fringe, an Artist Grant from The Brelby Foundation, and multiple Individual Artist Awards from The Arizona Arts Commission.

Career Highlights:
My journey in theatre began at age 18, where I initially faced typecasting as the misfit or outcast. Determined to reclaim my narrative, I began writing monologues for myself, empowering me to present a new definition of beauty and challenge stereotypes. This shift in approach allowed me to represent myself as my own leading lady, expanding the concept of the ingenue.
One significant moment occurred when I auditioned for a role that required partial nudity. Initially excited, I was disheartened to discover the role’s description as “Crippled Pregnant Whore,” which labeled me as a freak. This experience only reinforced my resolve to reshape my narrative.
In my 40s, after extensive acting experiences in Los Angeles, San Francisco, and New York, I returned to Arizona and became involved with Space 55, a community dedicated to underrepresented and innovative theatre artists. At Space 55, I attended a fellow solo writer and performer group to develop my first one-woman show, “Pinhead Number One”. This show explores the journey of an outcast who finds love with a transgender playwright, leading her to confront her role as Pinhead Number One. The show premiered in 2014 and was performed at festivals worldwide, including the Adelaide Fringe (2016) and Edinburgh (2018).
In 2020, I created my second one-woman show, “Mafia Anonymous: The Women Speak”, which premiered in 2021 at the Whitefire Theatre Festival in Sherman Oaks, California. This work delves into the lives of women affected by their connections to the Mafia, exploring themes of hidden trauma and personal resilience. The piece was well-received, earning an Individual Artist Grant Award from the Arizona Commission of the Arts in 2021 and 2024. This support enabled me to present the show at the Cannonball Festival in Philadelphia (2022) and secure further recognition, including the Beyond Borders Award at the Tucson Fringe Festival (2023) and the Best Writing Award at the Atlanta Fringe Audio Festival (2024).
In 2025, “Mafia Anonymous: The Women Speak” will be featured at the Binge Fringe in Santa Monica, where I will also facilitate a workshop titled “Family Secrets, Culture, & The Construction of a New Gender.” This interactive workshop will draw on my background as a Masters Level Therapist trained in Counseling Psychology and Expressive Arts. It will invite participants to explore family secrets, cultural taboos, and the concept of gender, fostering a creative space for constructing new identities.
My career continues to be driven by a passion for storytelling, a commitment to challenging societal norms, and an unwavering dedication to amplifying marginalized voices.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

The qualities I value most are accepting, attentive, and assertive. My Catholic upbringing has instilled in me a deep belief in God, while Buddhism has become my greatest coping skill. I actively engage in mindfulness through daily walking, swimming during the hot Arizona summers, and nurturing my artistic practice as a writer and performer.
In 2006, I wrote my thesis titled “Becoming a Mindful Therapist,” which includes a section called “The Artist of the Ordinary Day.” Inspired by Thich Nhat Hanh, a Buddhist monk who emphasizes mindfulness in everyday activities, this section promotes the idea of using creativity to enhance well-being. I see myself as a life artist, similar to Linda Montano and Yoko Ono.
Through my experiences, I’ve learned that people often seek understanding rather than advice. As Virginia Satir said, “We come here to love and be loved.” We all crave belonging. As a guide for personal growth, I encourage self-acceptance, which fosters empathy and compassion for others.
Self-acceptance helps us remain present in the moment, attentive to our surroundings, and open to the creative flow of everyday life. Balancing the rational and emotional aspects of our being allows us to thrive in a material world. When we feel good about ourselves, we become positively assertive, sharing our stories with authenticity and vulnerability. I recommend exploring the works of Brene Brown and Thich Nhat Hanh for further insight.
Connecting with nature is vital; the beauty of our planet, especially the bluest skies of Arizona, invites us to embrace its resources. Being present requires effort, starting with simple deep breaths or guided meditation. I am certified in Yoga Nidra, a practice that helps return us to our pure, original selves. Engaging in yoga or any practice of your choice can help you reconnect with your inner self and recognize the divine in all of us.
This journey reminds me that I am not alone. I have God and a source of strength that keeps me centered. While life can sometimes throw us off balance, resilience allows us to return to our strengths.
I encourage you to tap into inspiring podcasts, read enriching literature, and reflect on art and poetry. Find your own unique ways to express yourself and enhance your journey of self-discovery.

Who has been most helpful in helping you overcome challenges or build and develop the essential skills, qualities or knowledge you needed to be successful?

The Gift of Mentorship: Honoring Those Who Guide Us
I have been truly blessed with incredible mentors throughout my journey. These individuals—coaches, therapists, and teachers—have not only helped me build essential qualities and knowledge but have also been instrumental in moving me forward in life.
In the spirit of honoring their contributions without turning this into a novella, I’d like to share my gratitude for a few special people in my life, using first names only to maintain their anonymity.
Jessica: My Solo Coach
Jessica was pivotal in developing my current one-woman show, Mafia Anonymous: The Women Speak. After my first one woman show, I realized I wanted to focus on family themes. With Jessica’s guidance, I explored deeply vulnerable areas of my life. Initially, I hesitated to build the show solely on truth. Jessica encouraged me to incorporate fiction, and although I didn’t see myself as a fiction writer, this approach allowed me to share stories that profoundly shaped my life.
A storytelling workshop I attended recently reminded me of a valuable insight: “There is a difference between wounds and scars. Wounds are for exploring in therapy; scars we can share on stage.” This boundary is vital in entertainment. The collaborative environment Jessica fosters among writer-performers has also provided me with invaluable feedback and support.

Cappi: My Academic Mentor
In my master’s program in Counseling Psychology, Cappi played an essential role in encouraging my unique voice. My experience at Prescott College was unconventional—research papers sent via snail mail and colloquiums every three months. Cappi’s handwritten feedback was a source of love and acceptance. Through our exchanges, I learned about unconditional love, and I still cherish every paper I wrote during that time. Cappi, now in her 80s, remains a significant part of my journey.

Laura: The Dance Therapist
Laura, a dance therapist I studied with from 2004 until her tragic murder in 2012, was another incredible mentor. Like my father, she embodied the entrepreneurial spirit, inspiring my current show. Laura’s multifaceted talents—creating Pilates tapes, painting, writing poetry—were a testament to her creativity. She taught me that great mentors nurture great teachers, and her legacy continues to influence my work.

Krista: My Current Therapist
Finally, my current therapist, Krista, is a gift in my life. Coming to her during my grief over Laura’s loss was a turning point for me. Krista, a former refugee with a rich background in art therapy, has provided unwavering support and wisdom. I strive to emulate her grace and compassion in all I do.

All my mentors are brilliantly gifted, exemplifying professionalism, humanism, and unconditional love. It is my intention to carry forward the lessons I’ve learned and to be a guide for others on their paths to personal growth and well-being. Through writing, performing, counseling, and expressive art therapy techniques, I aim to share these gifts with the world.

I encourage everyone to seek out mentors and to honor those who guide us, as their impact is immeasurable.

As Bob Proctor wisely said, “A mentor is someone who sees more talent and ability within you than you see in yourself and helps bring it out.”

Similarly, Oprah Winfrey reminds us, “A mentor is someone who allows you to see the hope inside yourself.”

Finally, Steven Spielberg beautifully encapsulates the essence of mentorship: “The delicate balance of mentoring someone is not creating them in your own image but giving them the opportunity to create themselves.”

Contact Info:

• Website: Pina | Actor|Writer|Performer (itspina.com) Mafia Anonymous; The Women Speak ….. – Home (weebly.com) PINA | ONE WOMAN SHOW : Mafia Anonymous ; The Women Speak. | Patreon
• Instagram: pinaoh1
• Facebook: pinaoh1
• Other: Mafia Anonymous; The Women Speak ….. – Home (weebly.com)

  PINA | ONE WOMAN SHOW : Mafia Anonymous ; The Women Speak. | Patreon

  Pina | Actor|Writer|Performer (itspina.com)

Image Credits

Gypsy Headshot: Yucel Yalim
:
Glasses and Drama Headshot: Kelli Leslie

Show Shots: Abel Cornejo

Poster Shot: Pina & fiverrr.