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Ruth Hogan on Writing, Creativity, and Her Latest Novel, The Phoenix Ballroom
In this final episode of the Summer Authors Special, host Nikki Vallance sits down with Sunday Times bestselling author Ruth Hogan. Known for her evocative and heartwarming novels with eccentric characters, Ruth shares her journey from a career in local government to becoming a Bestselling author. They discuss the importance of creativity in everyday life, the inspiration behind Ruth's latest book, "The Phoenix Ballroom," and the significance of embracing second chances at any age. Ruth also delves into her writing process, the impact of life experiences on her work, and the value of intergenerational friendships.
Ruth Hogan Bio:
Ruth Hogan was brought up in a house full of books, fostering an unsurprising passion for reading and writing. She also loved (and still does) dogs and ponies, seaside piers (particularly the Palace Pier in Brighton), snow globes, cemeteries, and potatoes. Initially aspiring to be a vet, show jumper, gravedigger, or potato farmer, Ruth eventually found her calling as a writer. She studied English and Drama at Goldsmiths College, University of London, where she hennaed her hair, wore dungarees, and had aspirations to be the fourth member of Bananarama. After a decade-long career in local government, a car accident left her unable to work full-time, prompting her to start writing seriously.
In 2012, Ruth was diagnosed with cancer, which led to an exciting hair journey from bald to a peroxide blonde Annie Lennox crop. During sleepless nights caused by chemo, she wrote her bestselling debut novel, "The Keeper of Lost Things," a Richard and Judy Book Club pick. Ruth has since published three more novels: "The Wisdom of Sally Red Shoes," "Queenie Malone's Paradise Hotel," and "Madame Burova." She lives in a chaotic Victorian house with an assortment of rescue dogs and her long-suffering husband. Ruth is a magpie, always collecting treasures (or 'junk' depending on your point of view), a huge John Betjeman fan, and dreams of having a full-size galloping horses carousel in her back garden.
Episode Highlights:
- [00:05] - The Edge
- [06:13] Ruth Hogan's Introduction and Career Background
- [07:21] What Creativity Means to Ruth
- [09:15] Navigating Life and Career Transitions
- [18:11] Ruth's Switching Moment: From Local Government to Writing
- [23:40] Overcoming Challenges: Ruth's Battle with Cancer and Finding an Agent
- [32:22] The Inspiration Behind "Keeper of Lost Things"
- [40:15] The Genesis of "The Phoenix Ballroom"
- [50:21] Themes of Second Chances and Intergenerational Friendships in Ruth's Work
- [57:03] The Importance of Representing Older Characters in Fiction
- [58:57] Creative Adventures
Four Creative Nuggets
"I've always had a really strong sense of who I am. I didn't always have the courage to show it." - Ruth Hogan
“You will make time because you have to write. It's not a question of I want to write, it's a question of I need to write." - Ruth Hogan
"It's never too late to start; age should not define your creative journey." - Ruth Hogan
Creativity " is the expression of the thing that is only me" - Ruth Hogan
Links
Ruth Hogan
https://facebook.com/https://www.facebook.com/RuthHoganAuthor/
https://instagram.com/https://www.instagram.com/ruthmariehogan/
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Richard Tyler on Embracing Creativity and Overcoming Adversity
This is the second of three bonus episodes in the Summer Authors Special where Nikki Vallance talks to 3 talented and insightful writers as they dig into their inspirational stories and discuss the new books they have written.
In this episode of "The Creative Switch," host Nikki Vallance delves into the transformative power of creativity with guest Richard Tyler. Richard, a former West End star turned psychotherapist and author, shares his journey from the heights of musical theatre to the depths of battling stage four lymphoma. He discusses the importance of creativity in his life, how it has helped him navigate severe anxiety and cancer, and the therapeutic process of writing his new book, "As a Kite Falls." The conversation explores the essence of creativity, the societal pressures that stifle it, and the need for spaciousness and self-expression. Richard's story is a testament to resilience and the healing power of creative pursuits.
Richard Bio
Richard Tyler is a multifaceted individual: a dad, husband, musician, actor, writer, psychotherapist, and coach. He has transitioned from leading roles in iconic West End productions like Phantom of the Opera and Les Misérables to becoming a significant figure in the personal development industry. Richard's latest creative project is his book "As a Kite Falls," which explores his journey through cancer and the profound lessons learned along the way.
TRIGGER WARNING Episode covers topics such as severe anxiety and cancer and has an open, frank and moving discussion which contains some swearing.
Episode Highlights
- [01:56] - The Edge
- Nikki shares up-to-date creative news and views, including a discussion on the benefits of failure and how to reframe it as a earning opportunity.
- Highlights from Tom May's article on failure and Elizabeth Gilbert's book"Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear."
- [05:20] - Richard's Background and Creative Journey
- Richard shares his diverse roles and recent move from London to Wiltshire.
- Discussion on the challenge of defining oneself as a creative.
- [06:52] - Defining Creativity
- Richard explores the distinction between being a creative and doing creative things.
- Creativity as self-expression and soul expression.
- The importance of attunement and balancing heart and head in creativity.
- [17:02] - Early Influences and Career in Theatre
- Richard's early inspiration from a performance of Barnum at the London Palladium.
- His journey from amateur dramatics to leading roles in major West End productions.
- Transition from feeling creatively fulfilled to experiencing performance anxiety and burnout.
- [29:09] - Transition to Personal Development and Psychotherapy
- Richard's shift from theatre to working in leadership development and executive coaching.
- Incorporating music and theatre into corporate training.
- Training as a psychotherapist and focusing on one-to-one work.
- [46:35] - Impact of Cancer Diagnosis
- Richard's stage four lymphoma diagnosis and its profound impact on his life.
- The role of writing and haiku in processing his experience and emotions.
- The concept of "descent" and its importance alongside "ascent" in personal growth.
- [57:28] - Richard's Book: "As a Kite Falls"
- The book's inspiration and structure, including haiku and contextual
narratives.
- Themes of spaciousness, creativity, and the balance of ascent and descent.
- Publication details: Launch...
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Melanie Cantor's Creative Switch: Celebrity Agent to Novelist
In this first of three special summer bonus episode of The Creative Switch, Nikki Vallance chats with Melanie Cantor, a former celebrity agent who has successfully transitioned into a celebrated author. Melanie shares her journey from the world of TV publicity to becoming a novelist, offering invaluable insights into the creative process, the importance of tenacity, and the reality of facing rejection.
Melanie Bio
Melanie started her career working in theatre PR on shows including CATS, ANNIE and MY FAIR LADY. Towards the end of 1982, she was headhunted to be press officer at TV-am which launched in February 1983 with the ‘Famous Five’ but left in April 1984 to start her own PR company. She worked with clients from Adam Ant, Angela Rippon, Selina Scott, Michael Parkinson and Michael Aspel as well as magazines including New Woman, OK! and Tatler.
In 1991 she turned her hand to becoming an agent representing Ulrika Jonsson for seventeen years from weather person to Shooting Stars and beyond. In 1998 she teamed up with two other agents to start Take Three Management.Here she represented Melinda Messenger, Julia Carling among several others. She also went on to look after Melanie Sykes.
In 2008 she gave it all up to start a second career and pursue her passion: writing novels. It took ten years, four manuscripts and hundreds of rejections before she finally landed an agent in 2018. Her first book Death & Other Happy Endings (which became Life & Other Happy Endings as a paperback during the pandemic) was sold to eleven territories including US, China, Portugal, Israel, Czech Republic and Sweden. Her second book The F**k It! List was published by Penguin in May 2024. She is represented by Felicity Blunt at Curtis Brown.
Alongside these two careers, Melanie hosted a television show in 2004 called Making Space where she tidied up people’s messy houses (a forerunner to Marie Kondo!) The show of 25 episodes was broadcast by Channel 4. It is still shown on demand on All 4. She was also scouted to be a real model for two Dove campaigns. No underwear was seen.
Melanie has two grown up sons and lives between Dorset and London with her dog Mabel.
Timestamps
● [00:05] – Introduction and Welcome
● [01:43] – The Edge – Up-to-date Creative News and Views
● [05:11] – Melanie Cantor's Background and Career
● [07:49] – Transition to Writing
● [10:32] – First Rejection and Perseverance
● [16:16] – The Yearning to Write
● [20:50] – Dealing with Rejection
● [24:51] – What Creativity Means to Melanie
● [28:56] – Balancing Creativity and Mental Health
● [32:39] – Understanding the Publishing World
● [35:35] – Where to Find Melanie Cantor and Upcoming Events
● [38:17] – Creative Adventures Segment
Four Creative Nuggets
"Rejection is what makes you a writer." - Melanie Cantor
"Failure is just a stepping stone on the path to success." - Melanie Cantor
"You have to believe in yourself, and then others start to believe in you too." - Melanie Cantor
"Lower your expectations to avoid crashing and burning." - Melanie Cantor
Links
The Edge
Publishers Association Annual Report
https://www.publishers.org.uk/publishingin2023/
Creative Adventures
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Behind the Flash: Tigz Rice and the Art of Empowerment Photography
**TRIGGER WARNING - Contains discussion around burlesque, boudoir and body dysmorphia.
Empowerment photographer, Tigz Rice, is one of the UK's most inspirational and dynamic female entrepreneurs. She has an impressive biography full of accomplishments and accolades, but it is her generosity of spirit and her unapologetic determination to celebrate everyone as unique and special, which shines through everything she does.
Tigz Bio
Tigz helps fearless humans re-connect with their bodies & feel empowered, confident & unapologetically present in both their personal and professional adventures. Combining luxury editorial photography with her own signature style of retouching, Tigz has been helping her clients level up their digital visibility since 2009, providing a portfolio of beautiful images that perfectly portray their unique personality, style and values.
Working with clients from all backgrounds, Tigz's photography has supported her clients to reconnect and/or reclaim their bodies after life-changing events including cancer treatment, surgical procedures, trauma and abuse. She also actively works with her clients to promote self-worth and a positive body image.
Based in Hertfordshire, UK, Tigz has toured Europe extensively over the years, as well as travelling the world virtually via her Virtual Shoot offering - attracting clients from Australia, Canada, Guadeloupe, New Zealand and more than 20 of the US States. Gaining a reputation as one of the world’s most sought-after empowerment photographers, in 2019 she published her award-winning book STRIP/TEASE with American publishing house Working Class Publishing, documenting a decade of work within the burlesque community.
Tigz is also a founding member and Director of Photography for The Underpinnings Museum, a radical innovation in showcasing and documenting exquisite objects, dedicated to the evolution of underwear through the ages. Offering free access to all, the museum creates an invaluable community resource with high-quality photography capturing garments dating as far back as the 1700s in exquisite detail. Each object is accompanied by extensive technical and historical contextual information, providing lingerie lovers, fashion students, historians and home sewers an unparalleled depth of insight and fresh perspectives on the world of undergarments through the ages and across the globe.
Consistently pushing creative boundaries wherever possible, in 2021, Tigz was named as one of Digital Women's Top 40 Digital Women To Watch, making the shortlist for Digital Woman of the Year. In 2022, she was shortlisted for Digital Creator of the Year, and in 2023, she was named as one of the UK’s most inspirational and dynamic female entrepreneurs by the f:Entrepreneur ‘#ialso100’ campaign, in partnership with Small Business Britain.
● [01:43] – The Edge – up to date creative news and views
● [06:01] – Tigz introduces her empowerment photography business
● [08.26] – Bringing together, Burlesque, Boudoir and Branding photography.
● [11:35] – The evolution of Tigz’s Brand
● [13:59] – Tigz shares her thoughts on creative freedom
● [15:08] – Nikki and Tigz discuss the Creative, Mentor and Expert sides of Tigz
● [19:45] – The privilege of being an artist and why it’s important to Tigz to give back.
● [22:08] – Being a photographer wasn’t the plan, Tigz and her backwards switch.
● [25:04] – Nikki asks about the Burlesque world and Tigz’s early photography career.
● [30:00] – Tigz talks about the Underpinnings museum
● [32:38] – An obsession with
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A Kitchen Makeover, a Blank Canvas, and No Regrets: Mike Hall’s Transition from Marketing to Bespoke Artistry
Dive into the creative world of Mike Hall, founder of MJH ArtStudio Limited, who has mastered the art of merging aesthetics with function. From his journey transitioning from a technical illustrator to a marketing director, and finally to an artist, Mike shares invaluable insights into building a brand and staying true to your craft. Tune in to learn about his creative journey, his philosophy of ‘no regrets’, and how his business all started with a kitchen refurbishment.
Mike Bio
Mike is the founder of MJH ArtStudio Limited, a company dedicated to producing affordable, unique abstract art tailored to clients' brand or home colours. With a technical illustration background from the '80s and over 35 years of experience in marketing, illustration, and design, he knows how to merge aesthetics with function.
Mike has worked extensively with large blue-chip companies, SMEs, and start-ups, applying his expertise to a variety of business landscapes. He spent 30 years working for an agency, working his way up from technical illustrator to being Managing Director. After that he spent another seven years setting-up and jointly running a new marketing agency before returning to his true passion—creating art.
He has a unique seven-step process that ensures client involvement at every stage, making each piece a collaborative effort. While he's been an artist for over three years, his new business became officially registered in June 2023. His mission is to partner with business owners to breathe life into their brand spaces and collaborate with interior designers to add that extra flair.
Besides his artistic pursuits, Mike is also a Level 2 Badminton of England qualified Coach with over 45 years of playing experience. A believer in seizing opportunities, he lives by the motto 'no regrets,' and thinks good art shouldn’t break the bank.
● [01:56] – The Edge – up to date creative news and views
● [06:31] – Mike introduces his business
● [07.04] – Creativity and what it means to Mike
● [08:05] – A kitchen makeover, a blank canvass led to a creative switch
● [10:48] – Mike’s explains how he transitioned from technical illustrator to marketing to his branded art business
● [12:52] – Lessons learnt from launching a marketing business and how they apply now
● [14:31] – Why staying visible is essential to building a brand.
● [18:23] – Know your audience, what you offer them and why they would want it.
● [23:58] – Networking is just talking to people, being curious and listening.
● [29:23] – How Mike decided how to make art for a target market
● [32:52] – Nikki and Mike discuss the difference between making physical and digital art
● [35:35] – Future plans for MJH Art Studio Ltd
● [36:37] – One piece of advice for getting a new creative practice going
● [39:27] – Creative Adventures and advice from Holly Matthews on exploring your creative identity
Four Creative Nuggets
“It's everything a bit at a time.” It’s important to put the essentials in place first. A dedicated space doesn’t need to cost the earth.
“It takes ages to build a brand and reputation."
“It's about staying true to what I can do rather than trying to be something else and enjoying it.”
“Go trust your gut. Give it a go. What's the worst thing that can possibly...
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The Art of Rebellion: Martyn Spendlove’s Transition to Acting
Corporate trainer turned actor Martyn Spendlove believes in being “Rebellious” and pushing back against anything preventing us from achieving our potential. Find out what happened when he asked himself “Are you really doing what you want to be doing? And how his Martial arts training set him up for success.
Martyn Bio
Martyn is an up-and-coming British actor who you will see starring in feature films “The Mystery of Mr E” written by bestselling author, Sophie Hannah and “The Demonic Fae” by Simon Wells and new writer, James Wrench.
You can also see Martyn featured as the villain in “Fortune Favours the Fantabulous”, a magical short film from the sensational new director, Emmauel Li, available to stream on the All 4 app.
Martyn became a professional actor shortly after finding himself redundant from his full-time role as a Learning and Development Consultant, for a large group of UK businesses.
Martyn now works on the art, skill and business of being an actor while running training courses for clients as a freelancer.
With 2020, came a realisation that Martyn wanted to perform professionally. He immediately researched actor training, found Mark Pegg at The Acting Academy and threw himself into an unknown industry.
Three years later and Martyn has representation with Vella Wozniak Talent and a healthy selection of credits to his name. He is a husband, a dad (2 kids, 3 dogs!), a martial artist and a vegan.
● [02:09] – The Edge – up to date creative news and views
● [08:39] – Martyn’s views on the meaning of creativity.
● [10.14] – The origins of Martyn the Performer
● [13:21] – Being sensibly successful and putting acting second
● [15:50] – Covid and Martyn’s creative switching moment
● [18:02] – The Freelancer mindset.
● [20:30] – Martyn shares the practical steps to turn a dream into a goal into action.
● [23:57] – Nikki and Martyn discuss the business of acting
● [27:47] – Rebellious, and why it is Martyn’s mantra.
● [30:28] – Excuses, reasons and the difference between the two
● [34:21] – The martial arts mindset and how it underpins Martyn’s creative practice
● [37:33] – Landing a dream role in The Mystery of Mr E, Sophie Hannah’s Murder Mystery Musical Feature Film.
● [44:20] – The pros and cons of Big Fat Hairy Audacious Goals.
● [48:25] – Creative Adventures and advice from Holly Matthews on finding a way through when you feel stuck
Four Creative Nuggets
“Excuses can get in the way of creativity and stifle creativity.”
“Are you really doing what you should be doing?”
“I can keep going as long as I'm able to go in whatever it is that I want to pursue."
“Just do one bit at a time and see where it takes you. Enjoy the journey because you don't know where it's going to go.”
Links
Martyn
https://www.twitter.com/MartynSpendlove
https://www.instagram.com/martynspendlove
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Dancing Through Life: The Unfolding of Claire Waite Brown’s Creativity
Nikki chats to fellow podcaster and host of Creativity found, Claire Waite Brown. Her on entrepreneurial spirit has brought her from a degree in dance to a career as a nonfiction editor to podcasting. But what are the origins of her love for performance? And how did she end up becoming an accidental champion of creativity after a tough period in her life?
Claire Bio
Claire Waite Brown is host of the Creativity Found podcast and founder of creativityfound.co.uk, and she is all about helping adults to tap into their creativity. She is also a book editor, dance lover, wife and mother.
In 2016, while suffering with anxiety, and as a way of focusing her attentions, Claire founded Open Stage Arts, fun drama and singing classes for adults who don’t want to commit to putting on an actual show. No experience necessary. Lots of the adults who came to the workshops were looking for a creativity that had been put to one side during their sensible, grown-up years.
Claire found this to be a common experience among other creatives too, and was inspired to start the Creativity Found podcast, in which she chats with painters, crafters, photographers, writers, printmakers, actors, musicians, and more, who have found, or re-found, their creativity as adults.
Making the podcast helped Claire tap into her own creativity and was the inspiration behind creativityfound.co.uk. Claire wants her listeners, and others, to know that they can try something new and creative at any stage in their lives – and not to worry that they might make a mess of it! If you are in search of a creative outlet for yourself, visit creativityfound.co.uk to find workshops, courses and online events or access kits, books and materials to help you to get creative at home.
The creative facilitators featured on the website are members of a promotional and networking collective for artists and crafters, as well as for business-support enterprises who use their expertise to help those artists and crafters to grow their businesses.
● [02:09] – The Edge – up to date creative news and views
● [04:37] – Claire introduces herself, her podcast and her business
● [06:29] – Creativity as problem solving, ideation and adaptability.
● [10.29] – The ‘rolling switch’ of Claire’s creative journey.
● [16:51] – How Creativity Found grew out of Open Stage Arts during lockdown
● [18:58] – Claire explains how the membership supports creative businesses and creative individuals
● [24:35] – How empathy and giving to others plays a big role in Claire’s work
● [16:33] – Nikki and Claire get to the heart of why Claire loves podcasting
● [30:13] – The ups and downs of not knowing who our listeners are.
● [32:12] – Creative control within podcasting and why it matters to Claire
● [35:21] – What’s next for Claire as podcasting develops
● [38:52] – Creative Adventures and advice on finding your creative direction.
Four Creative Nuggets
“What your aim was doesn't have to be what the result is, if the result is still fabulous for you.”
“The piece of pie that is something for yourself, just doing something for fun for yourself. Nothing. I couldn't put anything in there.”
“You can do what you want.”
“With editing text and audio, it's what you take out that nobody knows that makes what's left in sparkle and be wonderful.”
Links
Claire
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Crafting Brilliance: Harriet Kelsall's Bespoke Jewellery Journey
In today’s episode, explore the remarkable path of a multi-award-winning designer who ignited a revolution in bespoke jewellery from her kitchen table. Uncover how Harriet’s vision transformed the jewellery industry, making bespoke design accessible to all while championing ethical practices.
Harriet Bio
Harriet Kelsall is one of the most respected bespoke designers and business trailblazers working in the UK jewellery industry today. She founded her multi-award-winning business from her kitchen table in 1998, with the ambition to inspire and celebrate individuality through creativity. It is with these aspirations she started a wave to bring reachable bespoke jewellery design to the high street for the first time, whilst also pioneering ethics and sustainability within the industry too. Since then the business has become one of the UK’s leading bespoke jewellers, with a team of over 40 across four studios.
Harriet has been the HSBC Forward Ladies “Retail Businesswoman of the year”, Everywoman’s “Retail Woman of the Year”, and one of The Institute of Directors magazine’s six “women who have most changed the business world”. She is a Freeman of the Worshipful Company of Goldsmiths and of the City of London.
She has sat on numerous boards as a non-executive director including the Responsible Jewellery Council, the British Hallmarking Council and she has been the chair of the National Association of Jewellers. She currently sits on the Board for both the Intellectual Property Office and the British Allied Trades Federation.
Harriet is passionate about helping creative businesses and individuals flourish, which motivated her to write her book “The Creative’s Guide to Starting a Business” which won an award at the2019 Business Book of the Year Awards. She is a regular keynote speaker on starting and growing creative businesses and the benefits of dyslexia and she speaks nationally and internationally about responsible business. Harriet lives in Cambridge in the UK and has 2 children.
● [02:09] – The Edge – up to date creative news and views
● [05:06] – Harriet describes her business and the many hats she wears
● [08:06] – Creativity as Harriet sees it – thinking in three dimensions.
● [10.26] – How pottery lessons help surgeons cut in straight lines
● [12:41] – The importance of considering who you are creating for
● [15:02] – Harriet’s book. What it’s about and why she wrote it.
● [17:15] – Dyslexia and everything else which lead to the kitchen table moment.
● [18:50] – The internet and Harriet’s jewellery website, a first in 1996!
● [21:41] – The moments which led to the ‘switch.’
● [23:04] – Non Executive directorships and giving back.
● [26:43] – Harriet explains the process of creating bespoke jewellery.
● [29:41] – Creative Adventures – tackling the fear of doing something new
Four Creative Nuggets
“When I'm thinking at my most creatively, I'm thinking like layers of an onion.”
“You can combine things that are preexisting but combined in a completely new way. And that's definitely creative, too.”
The right team makes the difference. “We can do this together because we can be better than the sum of our parts.”
“It's really important to let people stand on your shoulders and let people grow.”
Links
Harriet
https://www.hkjewellery.co.uk/
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Switching Stories: From PR to Audiobiography with Caroline Pearce
In today’s episode we delve into the story of how Biographer Caroline Pearce transitioned from working in PR, through a career in ghost writing to running the Audiobiographers.
Caroline Bio
After living a fairly conventional suburban north London childhood, Caroline left for New York City at the age of nineteen without a work permit, a return ticket, or a plan. For the next twenty years Caroline moved between New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco and London, raising two children and acquiring dual citizenship along the way. Working in public relations gave Caroline a taste for writing about people, which led eventually to completing a bachelor’s degree in English Literature with Creative Writing in her mid-forties, and later an MA in Biography and Creative Non Fiction.
During her ghostwriting career Caroline has worked with a 1930s Barnardo’s child, a GI baby who found his father after decades of searching, an Auschwitz survivor, a Polish woman who spent her early childhood years in Siberia, an Australian gynaecologist who pioneered colposcopy, and many more. She is fascinated with stories of ordinary lives as well as the extraordinary, and recognises the enormous power of the human voice in conveying the emotions, nuances and infections of each individual believing that audio biographies can capture and preserve the very essence of a person.
Apart from working, Caroline enjoys spending time with the people she cares about, walking on expansive sandy beaches and singing her heart out.
● [02:09] – The Edge – up to date creative news and views
● [05:52] – Caroline explains what she does and her career path to this point
● [08:18] – The switching moment
● [10.57] – Returning to study creative writing as a mature student
● [14:31] – Why Caroline chose Biography
● [15:03] – Nikki and Caroline talk about writing poetry
● [18:51] – Caroline talks about writing her own life story.
● [22:50] – Creating our stories for our children
● [27:49] – All the other ways Caroline enjoys creativity
● [32:37] – Writing with a pen on paper
● [35:00] – Digital detox on holiday
● [37:47] – The process of creating an audio biography
● [42:50] – Creative Adventures – How to make time to build a side hustle
Four Creative Nuggets
Studying as an adult is a way of exploring your creative passion. “I just really enjoyed the experience of being in the classroom and being around other people who wanted to learn.” CP
If there’s something you enjoy and know you are good at start there. “Why create a challenge that's really unrealistic.” CP
“I have had to deal with not giving myself permission to do things that I enjoy.” CP
“We close doors or we see them as closed doors, when actually they're not closed doors.” CP
Links
Caroline
www.audiobiographers.co.uk
https://www.facebook.com/theaudiobiographers
https://www.instagram.com/audiobiographers/
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S2Ep5 Andrew Szczech.
In this episode, we delve into the fascinating journey of Andrew Szczech, a creative switcher who has transitioned from the world of IT to the realm of fine art.
Andrew Bio
From 1987 to 2017, Andrew worked in IT, both in-house and for solution providers. At the outset he was the link between the user community and the developers, ensuring that their requirements were met by new systems. He moved into more of a sales role as his career progressed.
Towards the end of his IT career, he was the Director of Legal Technology Services at Kroll Ontrack and was responsible for the growth and delivery of legal technologies services in the EMEA region. These services included ediscovery, computer forensics and consulting which were provided in order to assist clients in multiple practice areas including dispute resolution and antitrust.
Andrew’s main focus was always to ensure clients were able to maximise the benefits of using technologies within their organisations.
From 2017 to 2020, he studied for a BA in Fine Art at City and Guilds of London Art School (CGLAS) and was a awarded a first class degree.
From 2020 to 2021 Andrew then studied for an MA in Fine Art at CGLAS and was awarded a distinction.
He now works as a visual artist expressing his interest in the socio-politica landscape through traditional painting techniques.
● [02:43] – The Edge – up to date creative news and views
● [06:37] – Andrew’s views on the meaning of creativity
● [08:28] – Comparing expectations of an artistic life vs the reality
● [13:41] – A discussion about the tension between artistic creation and commercial need.
● [17:38] – Andrew shares his switching moment -the push and the pull.
● [21:12] – Nikki talks about the different phases of a creative journey
● [23:42] – Details about Andrew’s artistic practice and the inspirations behind it.
● [32:42] – Andrew explains the different stages of his work
● [33:53] – A discussion about wearing ‘all the hats’.
● [35:30] – Marketing is a very different thing.
● [39:51] – A sound piece of advice from Andrew about priorities
● [42:43] – How to put your transferable skills and experiences from a previous career to good use.
● [44:27] – Nikki shares a tip on turning rejection into a positive
● [47:38] – Creative Adventures – How curiosity can guide your creative path
Four Creative Nuggets
“It's creativity that the ideas you get are things you get through hard work, through research, through making things, through deciding from the things you make, which things work well, which don't work well, and using those as a springboard to move forward.” AS
The making and the selling, “Are completely parallel worlds. They are actually worlds which conflict.” AS
“I can find a location that represents the things that I'm interested in, and then I can make work that responds to that location..” AS
“Find ways of bringing creativity higher up your list of priorities.” AS
Links
Andrew
https://www.andrewszczech.com/
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Creativity is a valuable skill that can help you in many aspects of life, but it can also be challenging to cultivate and maintain. You may feel stuck or uninspired, and you can't seem to generate any new or original ideas. Today’s guest, Helena Holrick has some great tips to help you get unstuck, reframe your fear of making mistakes and keep your creative passion burning.
Helena Bio
Helena Holrick is the Chief Cheerleader at Helping You Shine, where she gets entrepreneurial creative souls into alignment or back on track. She helps you ‘Succeed As You’ through personal growth, practical learning and professional guidance.
Having trained thousands of people in diverse organisations for over 30 years, and coached hundreds of entrepreneurs, Helena knows that structure and systems are the key to success for every business. She’s trained in many tools, models and qualifications to support personal and business growth – including Clean Language, NLP and Strategy On A Page. She’s strategic and creative, using her perspectives and learning to define and reframe individual success, so it’s sustainable and manageable and growth is possible for all those she works with.
Her core philosophy at Helping You SHINE is to help you ‘Find, Own and Share Your Brilliance’. Her signature programme ‘Trust Yourself To Start Anew’ is focused on getting you the clarity, certainty, and confidence to live a life you love - sharing what you know, making the impact you want to make and bringing your unique brand of creativity and perspective into the world.
She’s tireless about helping you overcome your hesitation and step out of hiding so you can make your difference by using your creativity, building connections and being the contribution you want to be.
● [02:33] – The Edge – up to date creative news and views
● [04:37] – Helena tells us about her brand of creativity
● [08:07] – Nikki asks Helena ‘What are the common things that hold people back?’
● [12:25] – Nikki shares a useful tool to combat comparisonitis - The 4 stages of learning
● [13:38] – Helena talks about the fifth stage – reflective competence
● [18:37] – The foundational steps to take before a creative switch.
● [22:33] – Helena advises taking the time to learn and enjoy the learning
● [23:52] – Nikki recalls a recent mindfulness tip from Jay Shetty
● [25:54] – A life ‘On your TERMS’ – Helena explains what it means.
● [28:47] – Finding your Creativity – it’s all about the ‘exploring’
● [32:00] – A discussion around connections and connectivity.
● [35:58] – Finding your purpose and then what?
● [44:08] – Creative Adventures – How to deal with feeling vulnerable about your creativity
Four Creative Nuggets
“Belief systems are pesky...” To replace an old unhelpful belief, ”you might have to have three or four interim beliefs” to embed a new one." HH
“If you really want to master your expertise or your creativity, it pays to actually go. And how am I learning that? And what am I actually doing that allows that to happen?.” HH
“You know that you're feeling creative simply by the feeling.” HH
“Inspiration is the spark that helps to join the dots.” NV
Links
Helena
https://www.helpingyoushine.com/
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If you have school age children or are passionate about the importance of education, you'll probably be aware of the general push towards the STEM subjects. That's science, technology, engineering and maths. Of course, the world needs these and studying towards careers in these disciplines is sensible, right? Today's guest Nick Corston has an alternative view. In the last ten years, Nick has been described as a man on a mission by Wired magazine and the Guardian. Dad and co founder of community interest company STEAM Co. joins me to talk about that mission and why the A in STEAM is so vital.
Nick Bio
Nick’s mission is to’ raise a million quids to inspire a million kids to aim higher than his high viz’, powered by their creativity and our communities. Sir Ken Robinson and Prof Sugata Mitra have both endorsed Nick for a TED Fellowship. In the last year he was a finalist as Art Council England’s Digital Evangelist and for Digital Transformation, a Finalist in the Charity Film awards awards and listed in the #EdTech50. Prior to founding STEAM Co. to help connect our kids with their art and communities with their schools, Nick was a pioneer launching two of the country’s first digital agencies and creating the first beer ad on a CD ROM for Heineken, Microsoft’s first web cast and helping launch the PS2. But Nick says he’s just a dad, and if you have any tricky questions to ask a teacher. He now flies round the UK in #StarShip22 and blames Chris Dyson and John Jackson for most of the adventures he’s had in the last few years with cardboard, code and creativity.
This year his work was recognised and turbo charged when McLaren put the STEAM Co. logo on the front of their cars at the British Grand Prix and made this film about STEAM Co's work.
● [02:37] – The Edge – up to date creative news and views
● [04:37] – Why Nikki wanted to talk to Nick
● [05:36] – Nick talks about three key pillars of his skills, being a Blue Peter kid and the origins of STEAM Co.
● [13:00] – Sir Ken Robinson and Seth Godin, Nick discusses their views on creativity and art.
● [14:55] – Nikki shares a story about creativity at her primary school
● [16:10] – Nick’s view on how schooling has changed from the environment he experienced
● [16:44] – The origins and creation of Mr Bear and his world.
● [18:10] – STEAM Co. and how it works
● [20:02] – The history and future of STEAM Co.
● [26:32] – Living the Dream?
● [28:37] – Challenges for community involvement and funding
● [36:44] – The Unbox Festival, SEE Monster and Benji
● [40:59] – Creative Adventures - Tip for not feeling good enough
Four Creative Nuggets
“Allow your children to be bored, because boredom is the engine of imagination.” Prf Guy Claxton“I've never considered not using all the talents I have.”In the past, “I think we took for granted that creativity, arts and crafts and drama were just an accepted part of the curriculum, part of the thread. ” “Art is the coal of the creativity revolution.”Links
Nick
https://www.steamco.org.uk/
https://www.nickcorston.com/
#ourmillion23
The Edge
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Why stick with your planned episodes when you can add in another one? Lorna Gibson, joins me for a bonus seasonal episode. Formerly a ski instructor and latterly a personal trainer, she combined her loves of all things wintry, drawing and woodland animals to create the world of Mr. Bear. Hear how both her stories, and her own journey to becoming a stop motion animator are full of magical moments, not least of which is the Stephen Fry connection.
Lorna Bio
Lorna Gibson is the founder of Toots Design. A self taught author and illustrator, she creates powerfully beautiful words and illustrations which touch the hearts of both adults and children. She has captured the hearts of those who are grieving with her resonating story Love Never Dies. Yet she manages to perfectly balance her delicately comforting work with the creation of worlds which are heart-warmingly joyful and which delight in the magic of the everyday. Her illustrated Tales Of Mr Bear have a nostalgic charm which Lorna recently bought to life when she taught herself to animate and created the magical short film Mr Bear’s Christmas. Since creating her first animation, Lorna has continued to bring subsequent stories to life creating further animations based on stories in her much-loved book The Tales Of Mr Bear.
● [01:31] – The Edge – up to date creative news and views
● [04:07] – Nikki asks Lorna where her creativity first started
● [05:54] – Lorna’s academic start and her unconventional early career
● [05:30] – How our brains have evolved to react to the new and the different.
● [07:45] – Turning a hobby into a business
● [12:47] – Inspiration for becoming an animator and how that unfolded
● [16:44] – The origins and creation of Mr Bear and his world.
● [18:59] – Leaning into the uncertainty of creative freedom
● [20:46] – The bonkers Stephen Fry story!
● [26:34] – How to deal with a drop in confidence.
● [26:34] – The benefits of letting go of the idea of a linear pathway.
● [33:36] – Where to catch Mr Bear’s Christmas
● [50:24] – Creative Adventures
Four Creative Nuggets
“What if I had no one telling me what to do? What would I do?.”
Ideas are “A bit like having something tugging at your coattails. It's like an idea that just keeps coming and keeps coming.”
“Sometimes you have to wait a little bit and that space can be uncomfortable, but I think keep repeating a bit of faith and patience and belief.”
“I would choose to focus more on the thing that feels more in my heart than in my mind.” Trust in the process and yourself.
Links
Lorna
https://www.instagram.com/tootsdesign
https://www.tootsdesign.co.uk/
The Edge
https://www.theguardian.com/film/2023/nov/20/wallace-and-gromit-studio-aardman-animations-running-out-of-clay
Nikki
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Meet the wonderful Kevin Chesters, author of Amazon bestseller the Creative Nudge as shares his knowledge from years of experience leading strategy for both creative agencies such as Saatchi and Saatchi and his clients. He gives us some unmissable tips on brand building, and how to overcome the evolutionary and societal forces challenging our creativity and how to live a happier, healthier, wealthier life.
Kevin Bio
Kevin Chesters has 25+ years’ experience leading strategy for both agencies and clients – including W+K London, Saatchi & Saatchi and most recently as CSO at Ogilvy. He has also been the Head of Strategy on the client-side for British Telecom. He is a prolific industry commentator and lectures on creativity and storytelling at four UK universities. His first book, “The Creative Nudge” was an Amazon best-seller and he is now writing his second
● [00:00] – The Edge – up to date creative news and views
● [02:43] – Kevin explains his latest shift in direction
● [03:59] – Creativity - the problem with the misuse of the word
● [05:30] – How our brains have evolved to react to the new and the different.
● [13:39] – The tribe and the societal impact of being different
● [18:45] – Where are the beans? The Von Restorff effect and Optimal Distinctiveness
● [22:48] – Kevin talks about his book, The Creative Nudge and why he wrote
● [29:38] – Nikki and Kevin discuss the impact of AI on creativity and technology hype cycles
● [40:23] – Kevin’s Doubting Doris story, his grandmother’s life and the inherited impact.
● [43:45] – Tip for dealing with self doubt.
● [50:24] – Creative Adventures
Four Creative Nuggets
- “Never fear getting old. The alternative for getting old isn't anything you want to aspire to.”
- “When new technology shows up, it's a little bit like an uninvited, unexpected guest turning up at your dinner party.”
- Sigourney Weaver said, “Please God, don’t let me be normal.” Different is good.
- “Would you stand in front of your boss and say “I’m not original?” Everyone is creative.
Links
Kevin
https://kevinchesters.com/
https://thecreativenudge.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-chesters-953818a/
The Edge
8 Ways To ‘Think In New Ways’ (forbes.com)
Nikki
https://nikkivallance.com/the-creative-switch-podcast/
https://www.nikkivallance.com/join-creative-switch-community/
https://www.twitter.com/Nikki_Vallance/
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We are round rounding off the season with a double Doubting Doris story and a cracking conversation with founder of the Happy Me Project, Holly Matthews. As an actor, author, entrepreneur and mum, she discusses creativity with Nikki and how it plays an important part in everything she does, from helping her clients, to bringing joy and fun into her daily routines.
Holly Bio
Former TV actress (Waterloo Road, Casualty & Byker grove) and singer (Sony Music) a widowed Mum of 2, Self-Development Coach & founder of The Happy Me Project. The Happy Me project is an online and in person, straight talking self-development membership, podcast and award-winning, best-selling book (Bloomsbury Publishing).
Holly’s Ted Talk has been watched by half a million people and she has appeared on Lorraine, BBC, ITV, Talk Radio, Channel 5 News and featured in The Daily Mail, Mirror, The Sun, Closer, Hello, Psychologies Magazine, Spirit & Destiny and Prima Magazine.
The Happy Me Project boasts two sell out workshop tours across the UK and more recently two sell out RESTIVAL events (a positive mindset festival event with guest speakers, activities and the punchy Happy Me Vibe running throughout). The Happy Me Project has a focus on simplifying self-development and takes the ‘fancy’ out of positive thinking.
Holly is a popular guest expert on podcasts, radio and TV, with her being the 'go to' in self-development on BBC radio, where producers call her the ‘motivator in chief’.
Holly is neurodivergent and has diagnosed ADHD which informs much of her work. She is nominated for a Diversity Award for her work and the accessibility she aims to create for people across all brain types.
Holly has amassed over 50,000 followers across her social media platforms and her award winning YouTube Channel ‘Happy Me TV’ also offers regular advice on navigating life and all it’s challenges. Holly used this space to vlog about the death of her husband to brain cancer, which generated huge press interest in her story and allowed her to turn her pain into something positive.
● [01:08] – The Edge – up to date creative news and views
● [04:39] – Holly gives an overview of her TV, Writing and businesses.
● [09:05] – What is Creativity to Holly?
● [14:30] – Nikki asks Holly how creativity and happiness are connected
● [15:06] – Tips and tricks from Holly on using play to get unstuck and access creativity
● [22:57] – Holly reflects on how her family supported her to be herself, be confident and explore her acting passion
● [33:04] – Nikki shares a fun and creative way to look at age.
● [38:59] – Why Holly’s husband knew she wasn’t destined to be Queen of the Pompoms
● [42:17] – Holly explains why we are like gnarly old trees.
● [48:10] – Who is your Doubting Doris? Author, Coach and Ghostwriter, Nicole Johnston met double Doubting Dorises en route from her politics career.
Four Creative Nuggets
‘All of us, whether we see ourselves as creative or not, we are creative by default.’
Research shows that play and creativity help with happiness, wellbeing, resilience, problem solving.
‘Let the Pompoms be the pompoms.’ Not everything has to have an end goal to be valuable to you.
If you’re stuck, wherever you are, there’s always a way through.Links
Holly
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Did you dream of being a star when you were small but have kept your talent hidden? Are you worried it's too late? Listen to my conversation with soprano Nadine Benjamin to hear how she switched direction at the age of 35 and has since realized her childhood dream.
Nadine
Nadine Benjamin MBE - Soprano and Empowerment Coach/Mentor
Certified High Performance Coach
Accredited NLP Mind Coach
Founder of Everybody Can! Opera and Mentorship Programme
Former English National Opera Harewood Artist
Member of the Institute of Mind Coaches
Trustee Board Member of Fuel Theatre
Board Member of Opera Brava
Nominated (vocal category) for Emergence: Emily Dickinson at the international Classical Music Awards
Sky Arts Awards Presenter - 2021
Sky Arts Awards Nominee - The Times Arts Award 2019
Ambassador - London Music Masters Since 2017
"Highly Commended" at the Aviva Women of the Future Awards 2016
Winner of the Fulham Opera Verdi Prize 2015
Finalist of the Genesis Competition
DipMus Music (Performance)
Agent: Robert Gilder
Personal Manager: Rita Grudzien
Engagements 2021/2022 Season:
January 18th - Strauss Four Last Songs with Lambeth Orchestra
February 3rd - Shakespeare - soprano soloist - St James's, Piccadilly
February 21st Songs of Joy - Music by Black and Mixed Raced Composers - Barbican, Milton Hall
March 18th - Elgar Coronation Ode - Soprano Soloist - with Waynflete Singers, Winchester Cathedral
April/May - BLUE - Role: Mother - English National Opera
10th June - Verdi Gala - Warwickshire Symphony Orchestra
11th June - Strauss Four Last Songs - Worthing Symphony Orchestra
● [01:20] – The Edge – up to date creative news and views
● [05:12] – Nadine’s childhood dream and ‘Having the twinkle’
● [08:10] – The moment of switching from a banking career to Opera
● [12:17] – How training as a coach, NLP and therapy have played a huge role in Nadine’s success.
● [19:29] – Why as a creative, you need to understand your value
● [24:39] – Nadine talks ‘curveballs’ and ‘terror barriers.’
● [24:39] – Nikki and Nadine discuss education
● [28:56] – Nadine talks about her Doubting Doris's and how they are her greatest gift.
Four Creative Nuggets
“I wrote a business plan for becoming an opera singer and sent it off to about 150 people and got people to sponsor me.”
“If there’s one ingredient I would never miss, it was that study of NLP.”
“Think how limitless you are and get really curious about discovering new pathways, even the ones that you don't even know are there yet.”
Your visibility and sharing your creative being with the world is vital. “Your work needs to be seen. Your books need to be read. Your voice needs to be heard.”Links
Nadine
https://www.instagram.com/nadinebenjaminsoprano/
https://www.instagram.com/everybodycanwithnadinebenjamin/
https://www.everybodycan.com/
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What does it mean to be highly creative? Listen to my conversation with artist, musician and coach Tessa Richter, to find out and hear her views on creativity, health and accessing your full potential.
Bio Tessa Richter
Musician, Artist, Business Owner, Coach and author.
Having been diagnosed as a Highly Creative Person, she has become an expert on the topic, as well as on how living our potential is connected to our wellbeing. Fascinated by what humans can accomplish, her journey has taken her to explore practices from ancient cultures, such as meditation and mindset techniques, on to the realms of modern physics as a way to understand the world we live in. In 2020 she published her findings in her second book, Our secret potential - a new approach to purpose, performance and wellbeing in the 21st century.
For the last 10 years Tessa has been coaching individuals, including C-level executives, who have lost their jobs, are facing health issues or wish to take their creative or leadership skills to the next level. Her research over the past decades into understanding how creative processes work and how this energy can be harnessed for a sustainable future for all of us, as well as specifically for those with this gift, has inspired her to write her third book, to be published soon.
● [00:54] – The Edge – up to date creative news and views
● [04:40] – Tessa tells what she does including the meaning of the term Highly Creative
● [14.14] – Nikki and Tessa discuss the connection between creative energy and wellbeing.
● [18:07] – Techniques for connecting with your creativity
● [22:30] – Tessa talks about working on her latest book.
● [27:00] – How can you tell the difference between AI and human generated music?
● [33:41] – Who is your Doubting Doris? – A double Doubting Doris story
Four Creative Nuggets
- Being creative is not being artistic. Expressing artistically can be one form of being creative, but is not per se creative.
- what happens in a creative brain is that parts of our brains that normally don't interact connect.
- Channelling your creativity into your purpose ‘Triggers your potential’.
- Synaptic connection that is not predictable in human creativity.
Links
Tessa
www.oursecretpotential.com
The Edge
AI Outperforms Humans in Creativity Test - Neuroscience News
https://mindmatters.ai/2023/07/does-chatgpt-pass-the-creativity-test/
Grammys CEO on new AI guidelines: Music that contains AI-created elements is eligible. 'Period.' | The Independent
Nikki
https://nikkivallance.com/the-creative-switch-podcast/
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What happens when you smush your creative passion with your career in mental health and well being? Listen to my conversation with guest Emma Bailin, founder of Shared Harmonies, to find out how she did it.
Guest Emma Baylin
Emma has approaching 30 years’ experience of supporting transformation for people, communities and organisations. She is a highly recognised facilitator, working on the development and delivery of a number of national programmes for clients including NHS England as well as bespoke programmes for individual organisations.
In 2013 Emma founded Shared Harmonies CIC, a not for profit organisation specialising in creative development services for companies & communities, improving connection, confidence & wellbeing through inspirational singing.
Shared Harmonies help organisations explore leadership, team working and wellbeing working with some of the UK’s leading companies including Nissan, Hermes, Royal Canin, Pinsent Masons and PwC. The profits from this work support the delivery of Shared Harmonies community programmes working with participants affected by health & wellbeing conditions including COPD, poor mental health, cancer, Parkinson’s and dementia.
During the pandemic, Shared Harmonies developed many creative ways to still connect, offering services through Zoom and Facebook, interactive DVD’s & Ring & Sing services. They connected hundreds of people through producing co-creative songs, winning awards and coming runner up in the Song for Yorkshire competition. Emma was awarded a Prime Ministers Point of Light Award for services to communities and was invited to become a Fellow of the Royal Society for the Arts
Emma is also co-author of Amazon best seller Awakening Legacy, curated by Sarah Parkes and Shine On You Crazy Daisy Vol.5 curated by Trudy Simmons
● [00:58] – The Edge – up to date creative news and views
● [03:51] – Emma tells the story of the beginnings of her singing passion
● [08:31] – The science behind why singing together is good for wellbeing
● [13:11] – Emma explains the work of Shared Harmonies and it’s impact
● [17.38] – Nikki asks whether Emma would rather be a performer and her other creative interests
● [29:24] – Emma shares her own doubts about her writing ability and overcoming her fear of telling her own story
● [36:06] – Who is your Doubting Doris? Hear coach and creative, Amy Bose’s story
Four Creative Nuggets
- The stretch zone is where we get our biggest most powerful learning experiences.
- Creativity can give us that mechanism to look at something through a different lens.
- Being told you can’t sing is “as ludicrous as somebody going into a maths class at age five and being told well that's it, you'll never be able to do maths.”
- Our voices are how we project ourselves into the world. Being told yours isn’t good enough can leave deep trauma. Singing can liberate these.
Links
Emma
https://www.linkedin.com/in/emma-baylin-frsa-121123b6/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/shared-harmonies-cic
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How do you build creative freedom into your working day? You'll find out in this episode, one possible way from my guest Sara Nisha Adams, along with the story of how her dream of becoming an author at 16 eventually came true.
Guest Bio
Sara Nisha Adams is a writer and now freelance editor. She lives in London and was born in Hertfordshire to Indian and English parents. Her debut novel The Reading List was a finalist in the Goodreads Choice Awards for Fiction 2021. Her second novel, The Twilight Garden, is just out, published in June 2023 and she is currently working on her third novel.
●[00:00] – The Edge – up to date creative news and views
●[04:38] – Sara’s path to becoming an author through working in publishing.
●[14:17] – Working in publishing was an advantage and a disadvantage
●[19:15] – The success of The Reading List through word of mouth befits the story
●[20:46] – Tips from Sara’s creative writing process – procrastination is a good thing
●[27:00] – Nikki and Sara discuss knitting and walking as ways to unlock creativity
●[36:06] – How and Why Sara switched to full time writing
●[37:32] – Who is your Doubting Doris?
Four Creative Nuggets
“I spent an hour before work writing. And it felt so satisfying to
have done that before I've even started my working day.”
Often the most inspiring stories are those where success comes to
an author several books into their career.
So much is unknown in publishing, you just have to write the books
you really want to write.
Walking and talking are great ways to resolve plot holes
Links
Sara
https://www.instagram.com/saranishaadamsbooks/
Sara Nisha Adams - author | Linktree
The Edge
https://www.innovatorsmag.com/why-walking-is-going-to-make-you-more-creative/
Nikki
https://nikkivallance.com/the-creative-switch-podcast/
https://www.nikkivallance.com/join-creative-switch-community/
https://www.twitter.com/Nikki_Vallance/
https://podchaser.com/TheCreativeSwitch/
Can everybody sing? Join Nikki and Emma Baylin, founder of Shared Harmonies, to find out the truth about singing and its many benefits.
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Are you in need of tips to stop creative procrastination, or fear of being judged ‘not good enough?’ Lean in to this episode where Coach, Rachel Bamber share brain-friendly techniques to overcome these challenges and the neuroscience behind them.
Guest Bio
Rachel Bamber is an expert in using powerful, brain-friendly strategies to deliver peak performance. She helps people to work with their brain to get what they want - faster and with zero stress.
Among the pioneering adventurers who have hired her include people in the public eye, elite sport, corporate leaders and super-ambitious business owners. Rachel’s clients become skilled at working and leading with their brain, rather than against it!
Rachel is renowned for her bold and intuitive coaching, creating a motivating and powerful transformative experience which is also sustainable and fun!
Challenges her clients have overcome include lost confidence, leadership development of a new team, increasing visibility across international organisations, at a career crossroads and unsure of direction to take, improving effectiveness, work-life balance, enhancing creativity, improving communication and relationships, increasing wellbeing and stress management, and eliminating procrastination and lack of motivation.
In addition, Rachel’s trained and assessed thousands of corporate professionals in brain-based coaching skills located on six continents. Antarctica tbc...
A nominee for the GLE Rising Star Award in business, Rachel is the first person in the world to be awarded the Postgraduate Diploma in the Neuroscience of Leadership. Rachel also supervises new and established coaches to support and enhance their professional practice, increase their confidence and skills. Plus, she enjoys mentoring coaches towards their ICF accreditation.
A keen writer, Rachel’s Brighter Thinking Tips have been published online since 2008 and she’s currently editing her first book. Regularly challenging herself, Rachel became a digital nomad in 2023.
● [01:08] – The Edge – up to date creative news and views
● [04:21] – Rachel explains her training in the Neuroscience of Leadership differentiates her coaching methodology
● [07:03] – How creativity shows up in the brain and differs between people
● [13:43] – Nikki and Rachel discuss creativity and AI
● [23:10] – The neuroscience behind creativity and wellbeing, travel and more
● [27:00] – Brain-friendly Tips from Rachel on Procrastination, fear of mistakes, inner critic
● [36:06] – Who is your Doubting Doris? Graphic designer Col Dixon’s story.
Four Creative Nuggets
“We exercise muscles, we tone them up. So with our brain, the same, the more creative endeavors we do, the more likely then that's going to help us.”
Writing down with pen and paper has been shown to be more effective than actually typing on a keyboard. The motor part of the brain has been shown to be really essential in learning
Wherever we put ourselves in new situations, see new things, hear new things, have new experiences, our brain is going to do is have new insights, make new connections.
“Courage is acting in spite of fear.”Links
Rachel
http://www.rachelbamber.com/
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