Hello Couragemakers!
May is Mental Health month and this week I couldn’t be happier to be chatting to Lauren Bersaglio. Lauren Bersaglio is the founder and editor of Libero, a nonprofit peer support community and magazine championing mental health and she is someone I’ve been wanting to interview for Couragemakers for quite some time!
In this episode, Lauren shares her journey of sharing her own mental health story and how that inspired the birth of Libero Network and we dive into how we can break free from the internal lies we tell ourselves.
We have a great conversation about liberating yourself, how sharing your story is like a yawn, how feeding truth into your mind is the most powerful antidote to the lies and the shame surrounding success.
This is such a practical episode and Lauren shares so much wisdom, from finding your own supportive community, looking after yourself while you work to make the world a brighter place, a 360 gratitude practice which I love and advice on finding a therapist.
Lauren has such a refreshing attitude to mental health and as someone who struggles with anxiety, depression and OCD, and having spent the past week really feeling like depression is sucking my spirit, this episode is truly like a breath of fresh air.
There are so many ways to get involved in Libero and I’ve put links in the show notes to the Share Your Story Project, the Free From Challenge as well as their current It Gets Better campaign and fundraiser.
I love Lauren’s perspective that while it takes dedicated work to build a life you love, it take more work hating your life and I know you’re going to get so much out of today’s episode.
Enjoy today’s show!
About Lauren
Lauren Bersaglio is the Founder and Editor of Libero, a nonprofit peer support community and magazine championing mental health. She started Libero in April 2010, when she first shared her story online and sought help for an eating disorder and depression that she'd lived with for years. Today, Lauren uses her writing and videos to advocate mental health and self-love. In her spare time, she enjoys playing strategy board games, baking, and going for runs with her Goldendoodle, Zoey.
Website | Libero Instagram | Personal Instagram | Twitter | YouTube | It Gets Better Campaign
Resources
About Couragemakers and your host
I’m Meg and I’m the host of Couragemakers and founder of That Hummingbird Life. I’m an INFJ creative and multi-passionate who has a bit of a notebook and post-it note obsession, loves foot-stomping country music and likes her hot chocolate with way too much chocolate.
I started Couragemakers because I wanted to create a platform for passionate and unconventional women to have honest conversations and to share their stories, struggles and dreams. The intention behind this podcast is to inspire and encourage creative and mission-driven women to live a wholehearted life and follow the beat of their drum.
When I'm not recording episodes, writing bullshit-free Sunday pep Talks to my wonderful Couragemakers community or working 1:1 with clients, I'm usually covered in paint or walking my wonderfully weird cockapoo Merlin.
After a short hiatus (I explain all in this episode!), I am BACK! This week's solo show is for anyone who needs a bit of encouragement and rebel-rousing to keep going!
If you're looking for connection, community and hope, come join the Couragemakers community over on Instagram.
Show Notes
About Couragemakers and your host
I’m Meg and I’m the host of Couragemakers and founder of That Hummingbird Life. I’m an INFJ creative and multi-passionate who has a bit of a notebook and post-it note obsession, loves foot-stomping country music and likes her hot chocolate with way too much chocolate.
I started Couragemakers because I wanted to create a platform for passionate and unconventional women to have honest conversations and to share their stories, struggles and dreams. The intention behind this podcast is to inspire and encourage creative and mission-driven women to live a wholehearted life and follow the beat of their drum.
When I'm not recording episodes, writing bullshit-free Sunday pep Talks to my wonderful Couragemakers community or working 1:1 with clients, I'm usually covered in paint or walking my wonderfully weird cockapoo Merlin.
Hello Couragemakers!
This week on The Couragemakers Podcast, I’m thrilled to be chatting to previous guest Jessie Harrold!
Jessie is an author, women’s mentor, coach and doula. She does what she likes to call “women’s work,” which means she helps women bring their babies earthside, creates community and holds brave spaces for women to find themselves in, helps women reconnect with their bodies and the earth, and offers up a dose of word medicine wherever she can. The thread that weaves all of this work together is Jessie’s unwavering commitment to helping women and mothers unearth and reclaim their connection to themselves, their power, and their sovereignty. Jessie lives in an oceanside cottage with her little family, and is currently celebrating the release of her first book, Project Body Love: my quest to love my body and the surprising truth I found instead.
It would be easier to share with you what we didn’t talk about during our conversation, as we covered so much ground.
We dive into changing identities and rites of passage and the grief that can often accompany it, finding spaces online and offline to support you, why group wisdom is so important, the importance and scarcity of deep listening and building communities. Jessie shares the story behind her book and her own creative process and Jessie’s answer to the one thing she would share with the world sends a shiver down my spine.
I love Jessie’s philosophy and I have so much admiration for the work she does. If you’re in the mood for honest talk, creative inspiration and want a big reminder that you’re doing just fine, I know you’re going to love this episode!
So settle in and enjoy the show!
About Jessie
Jessie Harrold is an author, women’s mentor, coach and doula. She does what she likes to call “women’s work,” which means she helps women bring their babies earthside, creates community and holds brave spaces for women to find themselves in, helps women reconnect with their bodies and the earth, and offers up a dose of word medicine wherever she can. The thread that weaves all of this work together is Jessie’s unwavering commitment to helping women and mothers unearth and reclaim their connection to themselves, their power, and their sovereignty. Jessie lives in an oceanside cottage with her little family, and is currently celebrating the release of her first book, Project Body Love: my quest to love my body and the surprising truth I found instead.
Website | Facebook | Instagram |
Things We Talked About
Rites of passage
The grief that comes with changes in our identity
Finding spaces online
Being open about the complexities of life
Writing the truth and Jessie’s experience of writing her book
Group wisdom vs expert mentality
Resources
About Meg + That Hummingbird Life
About Meg + That Hummingbird Life
I’m Meg and I’m the host of Couragemakers and founder of That Hummingbird Life. I’m an INFJ creative and multi-passionate who has a bit of a notebook and post-it note obsession, loves foot-stomping country music and likes her hot chocolate with way too much chocolate.
I started Couragemakers because I wanted to create a platform for passionate and unconventional women to have honest conversations and to share their stories, struggles and dreams. The intention behind this podcast is to inspire and encourage creative and mission-driven women to live a wholehearted life and follow the beat of their drum.
Hello Couragemakers and welcome to episode 113 of The Couragemakers Podcast!
Today I am SO excited to share with you my conversation with Roanna van Voorst. I’ve been buzzing ever since we had our conversation and let me tell you, you are in for a treat.
Roanne van Voorst is an internationally published writer, a social scientist, a podcaster and public speaker. She has conducted research all around the world on courage and successful personal leadership and now teaches people through her online trainings how to overcome fears and become more courageous, and how to create your best work and be’ productive – without stress or overwhelm. Roanne is also the host of the Writers Mastermind, through which she helps writers write and publish their books in 1 year. She is currently working on her new book: Once we ate animals.
During our conversation, Roanne shares her journey, from training as a journalist, to re-training as an anthropologist and living in some of the most dangerous parts of the world with some of the bravest people in the world.
Roanne has been researching fear and courage for over a decade, and she shares a really refreshing view that courage is something we can actually learn. She shares three ridiculously practical, gentle and compassionate strategies to help deal with your fears and really debunks the myth that some people are simply born brave and others aren’t.
We dive into the links between procrastination and fear, how as a society we’re addicted to being busy and how that can really limit us as creative people, developing a relationship with our creativity, and why it’s absolutely essential when you work with your brain to find time to rest and find inspiration.
This is the perfect episode if you’re struggling to make time for creativity, if you ever find yourself paralysed by fear, if you’ve ever thought that people are either born courageous or not, or if you’re someone who loves to use their creativity and would love to put more creative stuff in the world.
I can’t even begin to tell you how happy I am to be sharing this episode with you. I could honestly listen to everything Roanne says on repeat. Roanne shares so many much-needed reminders for creatives, and she shares so many compassionate strategies which you can start using straight away.
I know you’re going to absolutely love this episode, so enjoy the show!
About Roanne
Roanne van Voorst (Ph.D.) is an internationally published writer, a social scientist, a podcaster and public speaker. She has conducted research all around the world on courage and successful personal leadership and now teaches people through her online trainings how to overcome fears and become more courageous, and how to create your best work and be friggin’ productive – without stress or overwhelm. Roanne is also the host of the Writers Mastermind, through which she helps writers write and publish their books in 1 year. She is currently working on her new book: Once we ate animals.
Website | Facebook | Instagram | Monthly Letters | The Focus Collective Facebook Group |
Things We Talked About
Roanne’s journey from training as journalist, re-training as an anthropologist and her deep research
Debunking the myth of naturally courageous people
How courage is something you can learn
3 practical strategies to become more courageous and deal with fear
The link between procrastination and fear
The importance of having time to rest and refill your creative cup when creativity is your job
The importance of energy over hours
Resources
About Meg + That Hummingbird Life
I’m Meg and I’m the host of Couragemakers and founder of That Hummingbird Life. I’m an INFJ creative and multi-passionate who has a bit of a notebook and post-it note obsession, loves foot-stomping country music and likes her hot chocolate with way too much chocolate.
I started Couragemakers because I wanted to create a platform for passionate and unconventional women to have honest conversations and to share their stories, struggles and dreams. The intention behind this podcast is to inspire and encourage creative and mission-driven women to live a wholehearted life and follow the beat of their drum.
Hello Couragemakers and welcome to episode 112 of The Couragemakers Podcast!
This week I’m speaking to Connie Pollock. Connie describes herself as an unapologetic wild soul adventuring across the globe to figure out what this shit is all about. Last August Connie moved to New Zealand, alone at 18, to begin adventuring our beautiful planet in all is glory and has not had time to look back since. Now 19, with a few grazed limbs and a brain full of lessons, she endeavours to document her exploration in its rawest, realest most brutal and blissful form. When Connie isn’t adventuring or trying to make a meal out of half a microwaveable rice packet, she spends her time working on the 60000 ideas and dreams she has for this life and is probably photographing something awesome, Skyping her dog or designing your soon to be favourite sustainable cloth.
In this week’s episode, Connie shares all about her decision to move to New Zealand, the importance of finding your people when you’re blazing your own trail and taking a different path than society lays down for us and what has got her through some really hard times. She shares the shares about the not so glamorous side of travelling, and we have a great discussion about not sacrificing your path for other people and the importance of having people around you who not only accept you but appreciate you for who you are and lift you up. We also dive into how Connie keeps her own light lit and what Connie describes as a yellow state of mind.
This episode is the perfect reminder to keep shining bright, to not dull your shine for anyone, and that it’s okay to break away from the people in your life who make you feel shitty for who you are. And it’s also a breath of fresh air for those of us who have ever been described as too much or intimidating because we dare to shine bright and be ourselves.
I love Connie’s honesty and her open-ness in sharing all of the highs and lows of her adventure, and her bright, vibrant adventurous spirit is simply contagious.
I just want to give you a heads up that we do discuss sexual assault in this episode, so look after you and if you feel you need to skip this episode right now, please do.
Look after you, keep shining bright and enjoy today’s show.
About Connie
Connie Pollock describes herself as an unapologetic wild soul adventuring across the globe to figure out what this shit is all about. Last August Connie moved to New Zealand, alone at 18, to begin adventuring our beautiful planet in all is glory and has not had time to look back since. Now 19, with a few grazed limbs and a brain full of lessons, she endeavours to document her exploration in its rawest, realest most brutal and blissful form. When Connie isn’t adventuring or trying to make a meal out of half a microwaveable rice packet, she spends her time working on the 60000 ideas and dreams she has for this life and is probably photographing something awesome, Skyping her dog or designing your soon to be favourite sustainable cloth.
Things We Talked About
Connie’s decision to move to New Zealand
Connie’s journey in becoming unapologetic and her journey to getting there
The not so glamorous and hard side of travelling
The importance of finding your people when you’re blazing your own trail and taking a different path than society lays down for us
Not sacrificing your path for other people
How Connie keeps her own light lit and what Connie describes as a yellow state of mind.
About Meg + That Hummingbird Life
I’m Meg and I’m the host of Couragemakers and founder of That Hummingbird Life. I’m an INFJ creative and multi-passionate who has a bit of a notebook and post-it note obsession, loves foot-stomping country music and likes her hot chocolate with way too much chocolate.
I started Couragemakers because I wanted to create a platform for passionate and unconventional women to have honest conversations and to share their stories, struggles and dreams. The intention behind this podcast is to inspire and encourage creative and mission-driven women to live a wholehearted life and follow the beat of their drum.
Hello Couragemakers, and welcome to the first interview of 2019!
This week I’m speaking with the fabulous Sarah Bater and we’re chatting all things word of the year related. Whether you’ve chosen your word, you’re still deciding like me or you have no idea what I’m on about, this episode is for you!
This is how Sarah describes herself:
I’m a typical Gemini with a penchant for worrying needlessly but also having bursts of productivity that would have even the most efficient conveyer belt running for the hills. I have a whole ton of new ideas generating every day in my brain to ponder and worry over while I procrastinate with My favourite past times which include sniffing new books, nosing at houses for sale on the internet and most recently, pretending that I have my shit together. With a husband, two children, a full time job and a secret Netflix obsession, I am frantically striving to thrive whilst just about surviving. In amongst the madness is me. An ‘on the outside’ confident sometimes, ‘well put together’ working mum and loving wife but secretly, an introverted quickly approaching 40 year old with a thirst to find my true calling and a mad obsession to be a better wife and a less tired mother.
Sarah emailed me a while ago to tell me about her experience with choosing a word of the year. I related to so much of her journey and I just knew that she would make a brilliant guest for Couragemakers and I’m thrilled that she said yes when I asked her to be the first guest of 2019.
During our conversation, Sarah shares about her word of the year for 2018 and how much it has changed her life. She shares about her experience with anxiety and how her word of the year has helped her to breathe and be more present and how journalling and writing things down has made such a difference. This is such a practical episode and Sarah gives so much great advice on choosing a word of the year, how to get it to stick, what to do if you feel overwhelmed about your word of the year and the biggest things she learned in 2018.
If you’re looking for encouragement and inspiration, you are in the right place. I love how frank and honest Sarah is, and how willing she is to let us all in to her behind-the-scenes to show just how much having a word of the year can change your life.
I am so excited to share this episode, and i know you are just going to LOVE Sarah!
Enjoy today’s show
Things We Talked About
How Sarah’s word of the year has helped her to look at things differently
Sarah’s experience of anxiety and how her word of the year has made a difference
Getting your word of the year to stick
The importance of journaling and writing things down
Becoming more present and be able to breathe
The biggest things Sarah has learned from her word of the year
Advice if your word of the year feels overwhelming
How to pick your word of the year
About Couragemakers and your host
I’m Meg and I’m the host of Couragemakers and founder of That Hummingbird Life. I’m an INFJ creative and multi-passionate who has a bit of a notebook and post-it note obsession, loves foot-stomping country music and likes her hot chocolate with way too much chocolate.
I started Couragemakers because I wanted to create a platform for passionate and unconventional women to have honest conversations and to share their stories, struggles and dreams. The intention behind this podcast is to inspire and encourage creative and mission-driven women to live a wholehearted life and follow the beat of their drum.
This week’s episode is the final instalment in a solo three-part series looking at welcoming this new season in with courage. This week is all about hope: finding it, keeping it and protecting it.
If you're looking for connection, community and hope, come join the Couragemakers community over on Instagram.
Show Notes
About Couragemakers and your host
I’m Meg and I’m the host of Couragemakers and founder of That Hummingbird Life. I’m an INFJ creative and multi-passionate who has a bit of a notebook and post-it note obsession, loves foot-stomping country music and likes her hot chocolate with way too much chocolate.
I started Couragemakers because I wanted to create a platform for passionate and unconventional women to have honest conversations and to share their stories, struggles and dreams. The intention behind this podcast is to inspire and encourage creative and mission-driven women to live a wholehearted life and follow the beat of their drum.
This episode is part two of a three-part series of wrapping up this year Couragemakers style. We started part one talking all about fear and uncertainty, and this week we’re diving into looking back on the year with self-compassion.
Show Notes
Create the space and take the time to write yourself three letters:
Letter 1: imagine yourself a year ago and write a letter to your present self.
Letter 2: write a letter to your past self.
Letter 3: from the perspective of your future self, write a letter to the past and present you.
About Meg & That Hummingbird Life
I’m Meg and I’m the host of Couragemakers and founder of That Hummingbird Life. I’m an INFJ creative and multi-passionate who has a bit of a notebook and post-it note obsession, loves foot-stomping country music and likes her hot chocolate with way too much chocolate.
I started Couragemakers because I wanted to create a platform for passionate and unconventional women to have honest conversations and to share their stories, struggles and dreams. The intention behind this podcast is to inspire and encourage creative and mission-driven women to live a wholehearted life and follow the beat of their drum.
As we wrap up the year, I thought what a better way to end the year of Couragemaker episodes than with some snappy pep talks full of wisdom and practical things you can take into the next year.
From taking action and moving forward, to self-forgiveness and self-preservation, for the next three episodes, I’m going to be sharing with you the three biggest ah-hah moments and nuggets of wisdom I’ve learned this year.
And today we’re starting with taking risks, leaving your comfort zone and the danger of standing still.
About Meg & That Hummingbird Life
I’m Meg and I’m the host of Couragemakers and founder of That Hummingbird Life. I’m an INFJ creative and multi-passionate who has a bit of a notebook and post-it note obsession, loves foot-stomping country music and likes her hot chocolate with way too much chocolate.
I started Couragemakers because I wanted to create a platform for passionate and unconventional women to have honest conversations and to share their stories, struggles and dreams. The intention behind this podcast is to inspire and encourage creative and mission-driven women to live a wholehearted life and follow the beat of their drum.
Hello Couragemakers and welcome to another episode of the Couragemakers episode!
For this week’s episode, I’m chatting with the inspiring Nomi from Piquetures. Nomi is a creative adventurer seeking to push the boundaries of the audio-visual experience! She is currently experimenting with creating videoscapes, playing tourist everywhere she goes with her camera, digitally illustrating, and producing music (her newest interest!). Growing up as an Asian American and taught to believe that there is a clear division between what is considered "science" and what can be called "arts," she graduated college with a Bachelor of Science in Molecular Biology and certified to teach high school level sciences feeling unfulfilled. After years of being torn between her multiple interests and "identities," Nomi is finally happily studying computer science at her 9-5 web developer job and reserves her evenings for her creative pursuits!
In this week’s episode, we’re really diving into claiming our identities and who we are, the importance of scheduling time for our art and practical things you can do to preserve, sustain and maintain your creative energy.
We dive into struggling to come to terms with your identity as an artist, why it’s okay for things to take time and Nomi’s advice for anyone who struggles to find what makes them unique.
I absolutely love this episode. Nomi’s approach to her art is beyond refreshing and in an online world where we feel like we have to find a way to make a full time living from our art and we’re made to feel having a side hustle isn’t valid, it’s so good to have a real conversation about finding creative fulfilment in your life alongside having a 9-5, and why doing it that way can be so wonderful.
If you love talking about all things creativity and sometimes struggle to describe yourself and what you do and make time for creativity in your life, this is the perfect episode for you!
Enjoy the show!
About Nomi
Nomi is a creative adventurer seeking to push the boundaries of the audio-visual experience! She is currently experimenting with creating videoscapes, playing tourist everywhere she goes with her camera, digitally illustrating, and producing music (her newest interest!). Growing up as an Asian American and taught to believe that there is a clear division between what is considered "science" and what can be called "arts," she graduated college with a Bachelor of Science in Molecular Biology and certified to teach high school level sciences feeling unfulfilled. After years of being torn between her multiple interests and "identities," Nomi is finally happily studying computer science at her 9-5 web developer job and reserves her evenings for her creative pursuits!
Things We Talked About
Nomi’s journey of becoming comfortable with identifying as an artist and a scientist
Keeping your art living and breathing
Choosing not to do art as your 9-5
Maintaining, preserving and sustaining your time for creative work
Making art a priority in your life
Disrupting this notion that we all have to monetize our art
About Meg & That Hummingbird Life
I’m Meg and I’m the host of Couragemakers and founder of That Hummingbird Life. I’m an INFJ creative and multi-passionate who has a bit of a notebook and post-it note obsession, loves foot-stomping country music and likes her hot chocolate with way too much chocolate.
I started Couragemakers because I wanted to create a platform for passionate and unconventional women to have honest conversations and to share their stories, struggles and dreams. The intention behind this podcast is to inspire and encourage creative and mission-driven women to live a wholehearted life and follow the beat of their drum.
This week we're diving into everything enthusiasm related! Enthusiasm is a topic very close to my heart and today's episode is a very practical one and perfect for you if you're struggling with enthusiasm!
Things Mentioned in Today's Show!
About Meg & That Hummingbird Life
I’m Meg and I’m the host of Couragemakers and founder of That Hummingbird Life. I’m an INFJ creative and multi-passionate who has a bit of a notebook and post-it note obsession, loves foot-stomping country music and likes her hot chocolate with way too much chocolate.
I started Couragemakers because I wanted to create a platform for passionate and unconventional women to have honest conversations and to share their stories, struggles and dreams. The intention behind this podcast is to inspire and encourage creative and mission-driven women to live a wholehearted life and follow the beat of their drum.
Hello my lovely Couragemakers family and welcome to episode 105 of The Couragemakers Podcast! This week I’m chatting with Sandra Dawes and I just know you are going to LOVE how practical this episode is!
Sandra is a recovering control freak and excuse maker who works with clients struggling with similar issues. She holds an Honors BA, an MBA and a certificate in Dispute Resolution. After the passing of her father and circumstances that followed, she suffered from bouts of depression and sought the help of psychotherapists. Unwilling to seek pharmaceutical assistance to deal with her chronic unhappiness, she was lead on a journey of self-awareness and forgiveness that changed her life in deep and meaningful ways. Sandra lives in Brampton, Ontario, Canada and enjoys spending time with friends and family, her partner Satnam and her dog Lulu and reading self-help books and watching superhero movies in her spare time. Sandra is the host of the Embrace Your Destiny Podcast and she was was added to the Wall of Role Models by the Diversity Advancement Network in 2016.
In this week’s episode, Sandra shares how her experience of losing her father started a journey and how it was his biggest gift and the changes that happened which led her to doing the work that she does today.
We’re getting seriously practical and chatting about all things people-pleasing, saying no and learning to not care what other people think. We have a great conversation about well-intentioned dreamshitters and being mindful about the people you share your dreams with, the lost art of patience as well as some really actionable tips Sandra has about putting boundaries in place and learning to stop people-pleasing.
This episode is really getting behind the scenes and into the nitty gritty of HOW we can stop people pleasing, putting everyone before ourselves and choosing to live the life that only we can live. I loved how Sandra shared so much about her processes, and this episode is a great reminder that there are tangible things we can start doing today to change our lives for the better.
This episode is one huge bundle of hope and I know you’re going to love this one!
Enjoy the show!
About Sandra
Sandra Dawes is a recovering control freak and excuse maker who works with clients struggling with similar issues. She holds an Honors BA, an MBA and a certificate in Dispute Resolution. After the passing of her father and circumstances that followed, she suffered from bouts of depression and sought the help of psychotherapists. Unwilling to seek pharmaceutical assistance to deal with her chronic unhappiness, she was lead on a journey of self-awareness and forgiveness that changed her life in deep and meaningful ways. Sandra enjoys spending time with friends and family, her partner Satnam and her dog Lulu. She published her first book Embrace Your Destiny: 12 Steps to Living the Life You Deserve in 2013. Sandra was added to the Wall of Role Models by the Diversity Advancement Network in July 2016.
Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter
Things We Talked About
How Sandra’s experience of losing her father started a journey and how it turned out to be his biggest gift
Being mindful of who you share your dreams with
How saying no as a full and complete sentence
Well-intentioned dreamshitters
Choosing not to be superwoman anymore
The lost art of patience
Resources
About Meg & That Hummingbird Life
I’m Meg and I’m the host of Couragemakers and founder of That Hummingbird Life. I’m an INFJ creative and multi-passionate who has a bit of a notebook and post-it note obsession, loves foot-stomping country music and likes her hot chocolate with way too much chocolate.
I started Couragemakers because I wanted to create a platform for passionate and unconventional women to have honest conversations and to share their stories, struggles and dreams. The intention behind this podcast is to inspire and encourage creative and mission-driven women to live a wholehearted life and follow the beat of their drum.
This week's episode is a solo special and I'm diving into the anatomy of fear, my rather bizarre fear analogy and some helpful things to help you find the courage to shine bright in the world!
Resources mentioned in today's episode:
The Doing Scary Things Podcast
Episode 8 with Anabel Roque Rodríguez
About Meg & That Hummingbird Life
I’m Meg and I’m the host of Couragemakers and founder of That Hummingbird Life. I’m an INFJ creative and multi-passionate who has a bit of a notebook and post-it note obsession, loves foot-stomping country music and likes her hot chocolate with way too much chocolate.
I started Couragemakers because I wanted to create a platform for passionate and unconventional women to have honest conversations and to share their stories, struggles and dreams. The intention behind this podcast is to inspire and encourage creative and mission-driven women to live a wholehearted life and follow the beat of their drum.
Hello my lovely Couragemakers and welcome to Episode 103 of The Couragemakers Podcast! This week I couldn’t be happier to share this WONDERFUL heartwarming episode with the inspiring Rachel Flower.
Rachel is a multi-passionate, full time lover of life, non-traditional wife, mum to two gorgeous girls, recovering former-suit-wearing lawyer, almost actress, singer, constantly curious question asker and loyal friend who lives in Yorkshire in the UK. She is a disruptive entrepreneur, an ambassador for growth and greatness, recovering lawyer turned business coach helping women to grow and scale sustainable businesses. Rachel runs courses on run courses on Happiness because we teach what we most need to learn and spends her time inspiring others to create lives of impact and independence.
In this week’s episode, we explore what what it means to build resilience, the lessons we learn from really hard times and the courage it takes to show up and be yourself.
We dive deep into so many aspects of Rachel’s story, from building her business, slowing down, and her and her daughter Bella’s journey of being diagnosed with leukaemia aged 2, and what Bella has taught her along the way.
We dive deep into the courage it takes to raise the next generation, the sheer pressure we put on ourselves as women and the importance of having a community and feeling heard, understood and importance.
Along the way we also talk about decluttering friendships, how we’re not a problem to be fixed, well intentioned dreamshitters and drag queens.
This episode is one hell of a ride and my cheeks were aching from smiling and laughing by the end of this episode. Rachel’s vulnerability, resilience and positivity is awe-inspiring, and I know you’ll be thinking about this episode long after you listen to it.
If you’re craving some soul food, you are in for a treat.
Enjoy the show!
About Rachel
Rachel Flower is a multi-passionate, full time lover of life, non-traditional wife, mum to two gorgeous girls, recovering former-suit-wearing lawyer, almost actress, singer, constantly curious question asker and loyal friend who lives in Yorkshire in the UK. She is a disruptive entrepreneur, an ambassador for growth and greatness, recovering lawyer turned business coach helping women to grow and scale sustainable businesses. Rachel runs courses on run courses on Happiness because we teach what we most need to learn and spends her time inspiring others to create lives of impact and independence.
Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter
Things We Talked About
the importance of community
how Rachel builds her own resilience
the courage it takes to raise the next generation
the pressures we face as women
the importance of feel heard, feeling understood, feeling supported
Resources
About Meg & That Hummingbird Life
I’m Meg and I’m the host of Couragemakers and founder of That Hummingbird Life. I’m an INFJ creative and multi-passionate who has a bit of a notebook and post-it note obsession, loves foot-stomping country music and likes her hot chocolate with way too much chocolate.
I started Couragemakers because I wanted to create a platform for passionate and unconventional women to have honest conversations and to share their stories, struggles and dreams. The intention behind this podcast is to inspire and encourage creative and mission-driven women to live a wholehearted life and follow the beat of their drum.
Hello Couragemakers and welcome to episode 102 of The Couragemakers Podcast!
This week I’m talking to the fabulous Justine Froelker. Justine is an advocate for speaking about shame and learning to thrive when life doesn't turn out how you hoped, dreamed, or even planned that it would. Full of grit and grace, Justine uses her fiery passion, the occasional curse word, and her witty humor to share her vulnerability and truth to light up the world. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor, a Certified Daring Way™ Facilitator with over 19 years of experience (based on the research of Dr. Brené Brown), speaker, and Professional Network Marketer. She is the author of her best-selling books, Ever Upward and The Mother of Second Chances and recently gave two TEDx talks. Justine currently lives in Saint Louis with her husband, Chad, and their three dogs. She enjoys her childfull life by spending time with friends and family, practicing creative self-care, laughing (many times at herself) and building butterfly gardens on her acre of land, which has made her an accidental butterfly farmer.
In this week’s episode, we dive into Justine’s story and why she believes we must stop describing our stories as hard. Justine shares her story, from spending two six months periods in a body cast, her surrogacy and infertility journey and what has led her to doing the work she does today.
We dive into why Justine loathes the phrase never give up, the importance of grace-filled permission and compassion and how Justine pours into herself.
We also chat about rumbling with shame, choosing to do the hard work and show up and stand in your own sacred truth every day and dropping the armour or perfectionism, people pleasing and care giving.
This episode is full of so many practical takeaways and I could honestly listen to this episode on repeat. I loved asking Justine what she loves about herself and what living in raw authenticity means to her and hearing how she will never apologise for her a lot ness.
If you’re struggling right now, if you struggle to prioritise yourself or you just need a new way to look at your own story, this is the perfect episode for you. Justine epitomises what it means to live unapologetically and I couldn’t be happier to be sharing her episode with you today.
Enjoy the show!
About Justine
Full of grit and grace, Justine Froelker uses her fiery passion, the occasional curse word, and her witty humor to share her vulnerability and truth to light up the world. Justine is an advocate for speaking about shame and learning to thrive when life doesn't turn out how you hoped, dreamed, or even planned that it would. Justine is a Licensed Professional Counselor, a Certified Daring Way™ Facilitator with over 19 years of experience (based on the research of Dr. Brené Brown), speaker, and Professional Network Marketer. She is the author of her best-selling books, Ever Upward and The Mother of Second Chances and recently gave two TEDx talks. Justine currently lives in Saint Louis with her husband, Chad, and their three dogs. She enjoys her childfull life by spending time with friends and family, practicing creative self-care, laughing (many times at herself) and building butterfly gardens on her acre of land, which has made her an accidental butterfly farmer.
Website | Facebook | Instagram
Things We Talked About
Why we must stop describing our stories as hard
Why Justine loathes the phrase never give up
Justine’s big stories and what they have taught her
Why netflix, wine and ice cream won’t love you back
Grace filled permission to struggle
What living in raw authenticity means to Justine
What Justine loves about herself
Resources
About Meg & That Hummingbird Life
I’m Meg and I’m the host of Couragemakers and founder of That Hummingbird Life. I’m an INFJ creative and multi-passionate who has a bit of a notebook and post-it note obsession, loves foot-stomping country music and likes her hot chocolate with way too much chocolate.
I started Couragemakers because I wanted to create a platform for passionate and unconventional women to have honest conversations and to share their stories, struggles and dreams. The intention behind this podcast is to inspire and encourage creative and mission-driven women to live a wholehearted life and follow the beat of their drum.
Hello Couragemakers!
Welcome to episode 101! Today I couldn’t be happier to share with you my conversation with Lisa Pascoe. Lisa Pascoe is an inspirational Speaker, Intuitive Master NLP Practitioner, and Recovering Perfectionist who is passionate about empowering women to tap into their inner wisdom and intuition, so they can live more authentic lives. Lisa runs rewilding retreats, 1:1 coaching and soul-nourishing circles for sensitive women ready for change. She believes kindness is key and intuition and wellbeing reign supreme because we all know that you can’t pour from an empty cup. Lisa currently lives in Southsea with her partner Bekky and their wire-haired sausage dog Henry. She has a penchant for cake, oracle cards and walks in the woods.
I don’t even know where to start when it comes to sharing what we talked about during today’s episode. To say we really went there is an understatement!
Lisa shares her journey into working to create spaces for women to to drop out of their heads and get into their hearts, embracing the dark as well as the light (we also have a great conversation about the dangers of spiritual bypassing) and Lisa’s journey of living a life that feels aligned and true.
We talk about not living on autopilot, the value of having a space where you are simply listened to, the difficulties that come with being an empath, and how important seasons, cycles and sanity are for women and how we can use them to live a life that is led by our intuition. And SO much more!
If you need some fire in your feminist belly, if you’re looking for a way to tune into your intuition or you’re sick of this whole idea that there’s a prescribed path or blueprint to how you should live your life, you are going to love this episode. This episode is a great dollop of permission to own and change your story and to write your own chapters.
Lisa and I first connected back in 2015 when I worked on her branding, and I am so happy our paths have crossed again. Her work is currently influencing me more than I can tell you and our conversation just filled my soul. Here’s to rising as women and changing the world!
About Lisa
Lisa Pascoe is an inspirational Speaker, Intuitive Master NLP Practitioner, and Recovering Perfectionist who is passionate about empowering women to tap into their inner wisdom and intuition, so they can live more authentic lives. Lisa runs rewilding retreats, 1:1 coaching and soul-nourishing circles for sensitive women ready for change. She believes kindness is key and intuition and wellbeing reign supreme because we all know that you can’t pour from an empty cup. Lisa currently lives in Southsea with her partner Bekky and their wire-haired sausage dog Henry. She has a penchant for cake, oracle cards and walks in the woods.
Website | Facebook | Instagram
Topics
Connecting women with nature and a space for women to drop out of their heads and get into their hearts
Women, money and self worth
The problem with spiritual bypassing
Giving yourself permission and validation
How we all have the choice to be stuck in a story or change the story
Resources
About Meg & That Hummingbird Life
I’m Meg and I’m the host of Couragemakers and founder of That Hummingbird Life. I’m an INFJ creative and multi-passionate who has a bit of a notebook and post-it note obsession, loves foot-stomping country music and likes her hot chocolate with way too much chocolate.
I started Couragemakers because I wanted to create a platform for passionate and unconventional women to have honest conversations and to share their stories, struggles and dreams. The intention behind this podcast is to inspire and encourage creative and mission-driven women to live a wholehearted life and follow the beat of their drum.
This week we’re celebrating 100 episodes of Couragemakers! I’m sharing what Couragemakers means to my soul and what I’ve learned so far about courage, about women, and our stories along the way!
About Meg & That Hummingbird Life
I’m Meg and I’m the host of Couragemakers and founder of That Hummingbird Life. I’m an INFJ creative and multipassionate who has a bit of a notebook and post-it note obsession, loves foot-stomping country music and likes her hot chocolate with way too much chocolate.
I started Couragemakers because I wanted to create a platform for passionate and unconventional women to have honest conversations and to share their stories, struggles and dreams. The intention behind this podcast is to inspire and encourage creative and mission-driven women to live a wholehearted life and follow the beat of their drum.
When I’m not recording episodes, writing bullshit-free, very vulnerable and encouraging Sunday emails to fellow couragemakers (join the party here!) or making new friends with the wonderful guests, you can find me working on all manners of magic over at That Hummingbird Life. THL is the online home for unconventional creatives and multipassionates who want to show up unapologetically and intentionally as who they are, and really own, live and share their many stories. It’s made for couragemakers who have so much great shit to give the world and want
Hello, hello and welcome to episode 99 of The Couragemakers Podcast!
Can you believe next week is going to be episode 100? I’m still very much working out what to do to honour the occasion!
If you’ve got any ideas, come say hi and let me know over on Instagram I’ve just started a 100 day challenge to get over my fear of video by being on Instagram stories every day - I’m on day 6! - and I’d love to connect with you over there!
So for today’s episode, I’m chatting with Bryn Bamber. Bryn is a Burnout and Intuitive Business Coach who works with other creative introverts to help them find a career that supports them.
Bryn came to this work after working in the non-profit world with marginalised youths and burning out herself. Now Bryn helps people find a career and a business that’s aligned with their purpose. The things that make Bryn the happiest are dancing, walking in the forest, chatting with clients, working on my memoir, relaxing with friends and listening to inspiring podcasts.
In this week’s episode, Bryn shares her journey from working in a non-profit to starting her own business. We dive into the difference between heart vs logic decisions and how truly scary and risky it can be going after what you want.
We dive into how to find your intuition, Bryn’s great 10 year exercise to find out what your heart wants and being able to enjoy the phase you’re in.
We also have a great conversation about the unique challenges we face as multi-passionates when it comes to burnout, the magic of being a multi-passionate and how much it adds to our lives and Bryn shares her advice for multi-passionates dealing with overwhelm and burnout.
This is a perfect episode for you if you struggle with justifying heart-based decisions in a world where logic rules, if you’re a multi-passionate and you sometimes struggle to keep your own light lit, and if you’re thinking of a career change or doing something more in line with what your heart wants.
Enjoy the show and here’s to finding joy in the phase you’re in right now!
About Bryn
Bryn Bamber is a Burnout and Intuitive Business Coach who works with other creative introverts to help them find a career that supports them.
Bryn came to this work after working in the non-profit world with marginalised youths and burning out herself. Now Bryn helps people find a career and a business that’s aligned with their purpose. The things that make Bryn the happiest are dancing, walking in the forest, chatting with clients, working on my memoir, relaxing with friends and listening to inspiring podcasts.
Website | Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | Free Checklist
Things We Talked About
Resources Mentioned
About Meg & That Hummingbird Life
I’m Meg and I’m the host of Couragemakers and founder of That Hummingbird Life. I’m an INFJ creative and multipassionate who has a bit of a notebook and post-it note obsession, loves foot-stomping country music and likes her hot chocolate with way too much chocolate.
I started Couragemakers because I wanted to create a platform for passionate and unconventional women to have honest conversations and to share their stories, struggles and dreams. The intention behind this podcast is to inspire and encourage creative and mission-driven women to live a wholehearted life and follow the beat of their drum.
When I’m not recording episodes, writing bullshit-free, very vulnerable and encouraging Sunday emails to fellow couragemakers (join the party here!) or making new friends with the wonderful guests, you can find me working on all manners of magic over at That Hummingbird Life. THL is the online home for unconventional creatives and multipassionates who want to show up unapologetically and intentionally as who they are, and really own, live and share their many stories. It’s made for couragemakers who have so much great shit to give the world and want to leave their mark but have too much self doubt standing in the way!
Hello Couragemakers!
Can you believe that we’re just one episode away from the 100th episode of Couragemakers?!
I’m still thinking of a way to celebrate, so if you have any ideas of what you’d love to see, please do get in touch at meg@thathummingbirdlife.com! I absolutely love hearing from Couragemaker listeners and I do reply, so I’d love to hear your thoughts!
For this week’s episode, I’m chatting with the wonderful Nadia Finer. Nadia is a powerhouse business coach, wickedly funny international speaker and author of Little Me Big Business and works to help people unleash their bigness in their business.
All of her life Nadia has had a really little voice. Over the years, Nadia has learned to embrace her little voice rather than hide behind her insecurities, by turning it into her secret weapon and building a unique personal brand around it.
Nadia lives in the UK and spends her time helping clients grow their businesses, hanging out with her fuzzy dog Bobby and getting feisty in the boxing ring.
In this episode Nadia shares her journey, from learning at fifteen she had a really small voice and making the decision to play small, to embracing her uniqueness and playing big.
We talk all about playing bigger in your life, how keeping yourself small deprives the world of so many wonderful things and how fear is never as big as your head tries to convince you it is.
We really dive into the power of doing something different in your life and your business, how the online business world can make you feel like you should be doing what everyone else is doing (and why we think that’s wrong!) and how you can step outside of this Stepford Wives type model of running your life and business and find things that actually work for you and align with you values.
Playing small is something we all struggle with. It can feel scary to take up space and it can feel terrifying to show up in the world as fully ourselves, but like the fantastic quote Nadia shares in this episode by Joseph Campbell, “the cave you fear to enter holds the treasure you seek."
Courage truly is contagious and my hope for this episode is that Nadia’s courage and her story will help you get courageous in your own life and take a tiny step towards entering your own cave you fear to enter.
Nadia is a breath of fresh air and I can’t tell you how much I loved our conversation!
I know you’re going to absolutely love this episode!
So enjoy the show.
About Nadia
Nadia is a powerhouse business coach, wickedly funny international speaker and author of Little Me Big Business and works to help people unleash their bigness in their business.
All of her life Nadia has had a really little voice. Over the years, Nadia has learned to embrace her little voice rather than hide behind her insecurities, by turning it into her secret weapon and building a unique personal brand around it.
Nadia lives in the UK and spends her time helping clients grow their businesses, hanging out with her fuzzy dog Bobby and getting feisty in the boxing ring.
Website | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | YouTube | Free Chapter
Things We Talked About
Nadia's experience of learning at fifteen she had a really small voice and making the decision to play small
How keeping yourself small deprives the world of so many wonderful things and how fear is never as big as your head tries to convince you it is.
The power of doing something different in your life and your business, how the online business world can make you feel like you should be doing what everyone else is doing (and why we think that’s wrong!) and how you can step outside of this Stepford Wives type model of running your life and business and find things that actually work for you and align with you values.
Resources Mentioned
About Meg & That Hummingbird Life
I’m Meg and I’m the host of Couragemakers and founder of That Hummingbird Life. I’m an INFJ creative and multipassionate who has a bit of a notebook and post-it note obsession, loves foot-stomping country music and likes her hot chocolate with way too much chocolate.
I started Couragemakers because I wanted to create a platform for passionate and unconventional women to have honest conversations and to share their stories, struggles and dreams. The intention behind this podcast is to inspire and encourage creative and mission-driven women to live a wholehearted life and follow the beat of their drum.
When I’m not recording episodes, writing bullshit-free, very vulnerable and encouraging Sunday emails to fellow couragemakers (join the party here!) or making new friends with the wonderful guests, you can find me working on all manners of magic over at That Hummingbird Life. THL is the online home for unconventional creatives and multipassionates who want to show up unapologetically and intentionally as who they are, and really own, live and share their many stories. It’s made for couragemakers who have so much great shit to give the world and want to leave their mark but have too much self doubt standing in the way!
Hello Couragemakers!
It is so good to be back after a summer break! Over the last couple of weeks, I’ve been having all sorts of wonderful conversations for Couragemakers and I can’t wait to share them with you!
For this week’s episode, I’m chatting to the lovely Hannah Jane Thompson. Hannah is a personalised mindfulness meditation coach for professional, ambitious women at Breathe Like A Badass. She uses 100% personalised mindfulness meditation techniques to help professional women feel calm and confident; chill out more; appreciate the moment; get a clear direction of what they want, and how to achieve it - and enjoy life too.
Hannah discovered mindfulness meditation over a decade ago, after years of struggling with anxiety, depression, lack of career direction and confidence, and even less self-compassion and she shares her story on today’s show.
Now, as a certified life coach and a meditation student at the University of Oxford Mindfulness Centre, she is a true mindfulness geek, and totally passionate about speaking openly about the reality of life as an ambitious-yet-anxious, creative and joyful entrepreneur and human. She practices daily meditation and yoga; adores sunny countries and gin; eats too much chocolate and olive oil; is slightly obsessed with Instagram and podcasts; loves the colour fuschia; gets excited around terrier dogs; and lives in southwest London with her partner Oli.
During our conversation, Hannah shares her journey from working as a trained journalist and restaurants writer to starting Breathe Like A Badass. We dive deep into the reality of what it means to build a life you love, relying on yourself for validation and the courage it takes to do things your own way. We get really open and honest about the behind the scenes of what it takes to change career and how ultimately the only person who’s validation and permission you need to seek is your own.
We also dive deep into the world of meditation and I loved asking Hannah all of my burning questions as someone who’s new to the world of meditation.
If you’re dreaming of doing your own thing, if you’re feeling overwhelmed and intrigued about meditation and practical ways to bring it into your life, this is the perfect episode for you!
I love how open and transparent Hannah I and I loved getting to catch up with her when we both lived in London last year and I can tell you she is as wonderful in real life as she is on the show!
Enjoy the show!
About Hannah
Hannah Jane Thompson is a personalised mindfulness meditation coach for professional, ambitious women at Breathe Like A Badass. She uses 100% personalised mindfulness meditation techniques to help professional women feel calm and confident; chill out more; appreciate the moment; get a clear direction of what they want, and how to achieve it - and enjoy life too.
Hannah discovered mindfulness meditation over a decade ago, after years of struggling with anxiety, depression, lack of career direction and confidence, and even less self-compassion.
Now, as a certified life coach and a meditation student at the University of Oxford Mindfulness Centre, she is a true mindfulness geek, and totally passionate about speaking openly about the reality of life as an ambitious-yet-anxious, creative and joyful entrepreneur and human. She practices daily meditation and yoga; adores sunny countries and gin; eats too much chocolate and olive oil; is slightly obsessed with Instagram and podcasts; loves the colour fuschia; gets excited around terrier dogs; and lives in southwest London with her partner Oli.
Things We Talked About
Hannah's journey from working as a trained journalist and restaurants writer to starting Breathe Like a Badass
The myth that we’ve got everything sorted out
The realities of working for yourself
How meditation has changed Hannah's life and the practical ways we can begin meditating and fit it into our lives
Resources/Mentioned
About Meg & That Hummingbird Life
Hello Couragemakers! This week I’m so excited to share with you my conversation with Tamara Burgess!
Tamara calls herself a bit of a "digital doer". She owns a writing and marketing business based in the UK. Tamara started freelancing a few years ago after she left her corporate career to move to Japan and start travel writing – and things have progressed from there! Tamara love having bullshit-free discussions about controversial topics with an open heart and the four things she loves the most are being outside exploring something green, listening to people, idea sharing and laughing so much that she cries.
And a bullshit-free discussion definitely happens during this episode! We dive into so many thing during this episode from Tamara's journey from growing up and only seeing herself as a mathematician and not creative to leaving the corporate world and moving to Japan and starting a freelance career in writing and marketing, the myth that every has it all figured out and finding time in your time to do the things that bring you joy.
We have a great discussion about self awareness, prejudice and judgement, attitudes to money as a creative and the problems we both share with the minimalist movement.
This episode is really about giving yourself permission to be yourself, embracing the things that make you you and really getting to know yourself. Tamara’s ability to tell it as it is is so refreshing and she shares so much practical wisdom from her own journey about accepting yourself where you are right now. If you’re craving a a shitload of encouragement, a good laugh and really bullshit-free conversation about the reality of creating a life you love, this episode is for you.
Enjoy the show Couragemakers!
About Tamara
Tamara calls herself a bit of a "digital doer". She owns a writing and marketing business based in the UK. Tamara started freelancing a few years ago after she left my corporate career to move to Japan and start travel writing – and things have progressed from there! Tamara love having bullshit-free discussions about controversial topics with an open heart and the four things she loves the most arebeing outside exploring something green, listening to people, idea sharing and laughing so much that she cries.
Website | Bio | LinkedIn | Pinterest | Twitter
Things We Talked About
Tamara's journey from growing up and only seeing herself as a mathematician and not creative to leaving the corporate world and moving to Japan and starting a freelance career in writing and marketing
The myth that we’ve got everything sorted out
The realities of working for yourself
The 'scattering' of things that bring Tamara joy and how she builds them into her daily life
Les Brown quote -“The graveyard is the richest place on earth, because it is here that you will find all the hopes and dreams that were never fulfilled, the books that were never written, the songs that were never sung, the inventions that were never shared, the cures that were never discovered, all because someone was too afraid to take that first step, keep with the problem, or determined to carry our their dream.”
About Meg & That Hummingbird Life
I’m Meg and I’m the host of Couragemakers and founder of That Hummingbird Life. I’m an INFJ creative and multipassionate who has a bit of a notebook and post-it note obsession, loves foot-stomping country music and likes her hot chocolate with way too much chocolate.
I started Couragemakers because I wanted to create a platform for passionate and unconventional women to have honest conversations and to share their stories, struggles and dreams. The intention behind this podcast is to inspire and encourage creative and mission-driven women to live a wholehearted life and follow the beat of their drum.
When I’m not recording episodes, writing bullshit-free, very vulnerable and encouraging Sunday emails to fellow couragemakers (join the party here!) or making new friends with the wonderful guests, you can find me working on all manners of magic over at That Hummingbird Life. THL is the online home for unconventional creatives and multipassionates who want to show up unapologetically and intentionally as who they are, and really own, live and share their many stories. It’s made for couragemakers who have so much great shit to give the world and want to leave their mark but have too much self doubt standing in the way!
Hello Couragemakers!
This week I’m so excited to be chatting to the wonderful Gina Greenwood. This episode feels like it’s been a long time coming and I’m so excited to share it with you!
Gina is a salon owner, hairstylist, leader, mentor, and self-confessed master of badassery. She has made it her mission to change the world one head at a time. Not only is she doing that by giving people the added confidence that comes from looking and feeling their very best but also by encouraging anyone and everyone to live an intentional life.
In this week’s episode, we’re really diving into what it means to live an intentional life. Gina learned the power of intentional living when she was nearing her 39th birthday. Gina’s Mother was tragically killed in an automobile accident at the young age of 39. It was when Gina began to near that age herself that she truly began to realise what a gift every moment of every day truly was. She made the decision to live her life intentionally.
During our conversation, Gina shares how her life has changed now she brings intention into her daily life, how perspective is everything and the power of her ‘fuck it’ mentality. We also chat about holding parallel truths, having a growth mindset and about the imaginary rules we create for ourselves and how we can free ourselves. Gina also shares behind the scenes of what it looks like to own a fantastic hair salon, how her approach to leadership has changed as well as the one thing every single person does without fail at the end of an appointment.
Gina’s approach to life is so refreshing I love her philosophy about perspective being everything. Her positivity is contagious and this episode is like taking a big sigh of relief. I know you’re going to love this one!
So enjoy today’s show!
About Gina
Gina Greenwood is a salon owner, hairstylist, leader, mentor, and master of badassery. She has made it her mission to change the world one head at a time. Not only is she doing that by giving people the added confidence that comes from looking and feeling their very best but also by encouraging anyone and everyone to live an intentional life.
Website| Salon | Facebook| Twitter | Instagram | YouTube
Things We Talked About
About Meg & The Couragemakers Podcast
I’m Meg and I’m the host of Couragemakers and founder of That Hummingbird Life. I’m an INFJ creative and multipassionate who has a bit of a notebook and post-it note obsession, loves foot-stomping country music and likes her hot chocolate with way too much chocolate.
I started Couragemakers because I wanted to create a platform for passionate and unconventional women to have honest conversations and to share their stories, struggles and dreams. The intention behind this podcast is to inspire and encourage creative and mission-driven women to live a wholehearted life and follow the beat of their drum.
When I’m not recording episodes, writing bullshit-free, very vulnerable and encouraging Sunday emails to fellow couragemakers (join the party here!) or making new friends with the wonderful guests, you can find me working on all manners of magic over at That Hummingbird Life. THL is the online home for unconventional creatives and multipassionates who want to show up unapologetically and intentionally as who they are, and really own, live and share their many stories. It’s made for couragemakers who have so much great shit to give the world and want to leave their mark but have too much self doubt standing in the way!
Hello Couragemakers! I'm back this week with a solo show and I'm sharing the only analogy you'll ever need for the creative process! If you struggle with putting yourself out there and if you ever feel in a creative slump, this one is for you my friends.
About Meg & That Hummingbird Life
I’m Meg and I’m the host of Couragemakers and founder of That Hummingbird Life. I’m an INFJ creative and multipassionate who has a bit of a notebook and post-it note obsession, loves foot-stomping country music and likes her hot chocolate with way too much chocolate.
I started Couragemakers because I wanted to create a platform for passionate and unconventional women to have honest conversations and to share their stories, struggles and dreams. The intention behind this podcast is to inspire and encourage creative and mission-driven women to live a wholehearted life and follow the beat of their drum.
When I’m not recording episodes, writing bullshit-free, very vulnerable and encouraging Sunday emails to fellow couragemakers (join the party here!) or making new friends with the wonderful guests, you can find me working on all manners of magic over at That Hummingbird Life. THL is the online home for unconventional creatives and multipassionates who want to show up unapologetically and intentionally as who they are, and really own, live and share their many stories. It’s made for couragemakers who have so much great shit to give the world and want to leave their mark but have too much self doubt standing in the way!
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Hello Couragemakers and welcome to episode 93 of The Couragemakers Podcast.
This week I’m talking with the lovely Kimberly Myhill and I can honestly say this is one of the most refreshing conversations I’ve ever had about mental health.
Kimberly Myhill is from Norwich, UK and has lived with depression for as long as she can remember and for a long time had no idea that was what was happening. Kimberly has had many ups and downs, more downs than ups over the years but now that has changed.
Kimberly works for Equal Lives, an opportunity she believes has changed her life. She works in development, and it gives her the chance to meet so many different people and carry out projects for people who like her, who really need support living with long-term health conditions.
Both in and out of work, Kimberly advocates for talking about mental health as easily as talking about a headache. She believe in trusting your instincts to keep you centred and well, and that we can all support one another to reduce stigma, be open and honest and be the best version of ourselves we can be.
During today’s episode, Kimberly shares her story, from living with depression, reaching out to get help and a very vulnerable and behind-the-scenes look at what Kimberly’s repair work and recovery journey has looked like.
We talk about how life-changing it can be to have a supportive employer, the importance of listening to your gut feeling and how Kimberly has been able to break things down and focus on her wellbeing.
We dive into how life can change when we feel able to ask for help, how to talk to people in your life about your mental health and Kimberly’s fantastic advocacy brand and the work she is doing.
As someone who has depression and anxiety, I can’t tell you how much I loved this episode and how in awe I am of Kimberly’s work and how she is able to communicate so many things I struggle to find the words for. I found our conversation incredibly healing and reassuring.
Before we get into today’s episode, I want to let you know that attempted suicide is mentioned throughout this episode, so if you feel this episode might trigger you, please look after yourself and do what’s best for you which might mean skipping this episode right now.
I started Couragemakers to have real conversations and really go behind the curtains and I couldn’t be happier to bring you this episode.
I’d love to know what you think of today’s episode.
Enjoy the show.
About Kimberly
Kimberly Myhill is from Norwich, UK and has lived with depression for as long as she can remember and for a long time had no idea that was what was happening. Kimberly has had many ups and downs, more downs than ups over the years but now that has changed.
Kimberly works for Equal Lives, an opportunity she believes has changed her life. She works in development, and it gives her the chance to meet so many different people and carry out projects for people who like her, who really need support living with long-term health conditions.
Both in and out of work, Kimberly advocates for talking about mental health as easily as talking about a headache. She believe in trusting your instincts to keep you centred and well, and that we can all support one another to reduce stigma, be open and honest and be the best version of ourselves we can be.
About Meg & That Hummingbird Life
I’m Meg and I’m the host of Couragemakers and founder of That Hummingbird Life. I’m an INFJ creative and multipassionate who has a bit of a notebook and post-it note obsession, loves foot-stomping country music and likes her hot chocolate with way too much chocolate.
I started Couragemakers because I wanted to create a platform for passionate and unconventional women to have honest conversations and to share their stories, struggles and dreams. The intention behind this podcast is to inspire and encourage creative and mission-driven women to live a wholehearted life and follow the beat of their drum.
When I’m not recording episodes, writing bullshit-free, very vulnerable and encouraging Sunday emails to fellow couragemakers (join the party here!) or making new friends with the wonderful guests, you can find me working on all manners of magic over at That Hummingbird Life. THL is the online home for unconventional creatives and multipassionates who want to show up unapologetically and intentionally as who they are, and really own, live and share their many stories. It’s made for couragemakers who have so much great shit to give the world and want to leave their mark but have too much self doubt standing in the way!
Nina Hart is an Asheville, NC based writer, performer, and creativity coach trained in the Kaizen-Muse method. She is also a certified Gateless Method writing teacher. Her first collection of surreal short fictions called “Somewhere in a Town You Never Knew Existed Somewhere” was selected as a Short Stories (Adult Fiction) category finalist in Foreword Reviews’ prestigious 2014 IndieFab Book of the Year Awards. Nina was also an original member of the experimental dance troupe Contraband, in San Francisco and, playing a purple electric bass, has recorded and performed with numerous bands. Nina spends her time as a right-brained, highly sensitive, creative entrepreneur. She is passionate about helping artists and writers find their voice and reclaim the hooligan kid spirit that most people have buried under an “adult” veneer. Nina considers herself to be an improvisational writer – she was a blocked writer until she rediscovered the curious part of herself who could play, experiment, and explore.Nina is the founder of a unique method of teaching writing called “Writing from the Top of your Head,” which combines group Creativity Coaching with creative writing. She offers online Writing from the Top of Your Head workshops, both live and self-study, as well intensive retreats and 1:1 coaching. To sign up for a chat, or for more information visit www.writingfromthetopofyourhead.com