190: Overcoming overthinking and practicing everyday mindfulness with Sam Isles
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episode summary
This week, I'm chatting with the fabulous Sam Isles, and I am so excited to share our conversation! If you've been around here a while, you'll know that I am nothing but practical. And practical is exactly where we go this episode.
During our conversation, Sam is so generous in sharing so many practical tips to overcome overthinking, and be more mindful in your everyday life.
I really, really love her focus on everyday mindfulness. I learned so many things from our conversation and I absolutely love colour walks to this day.
In this episode we chat about:
Sam’s journey to becoming a life and mindfullness coach and why she does the work she does
Practical tips to overcoming overthinking and overwhelm
The power of release writing and practical coaching
about sam isles:
Sam is based in the UK, and is a friendly, practical, no nonsense life and mindfulness coach, and she is all about helping overthinkers manage their frustrations and move forward confidently. Sam has this saying that I absolutely love, and it's all about getting out of your head, and into your life.
Sam is passionate about helping others. She's worked many jobs to find the right path - she's been on this path for a decade, fuelled from a desire to help overthinkers, and to continue learning and growing.
connect with SAM:
About Meg & The Couragemakers Podcast
📷 credit: Rachel Burt
I’m Meg and I’m the host of The Daily Pep! and The Couragemakers Podcast and founder of The Rebel Rousers. I’m a coach, writer and all-round rebel-rouser for creative and multi-passionate women to do the things only they can do and build a wholehearted life.
When I'm not recording episodes, writing bullshit-free Letters of Rebellion to my wonderful Rebel Rousers community or hosting workshops/group programmes, I'm usually covered in paint or walking my wonderfully weird cockapoo Merlin.
Website | Instagram | The Daily Pep! Podcast | Letters of Rebellion | Rebel Creators
188: Self-validation and Quiet Pride with Helen Jones
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episode summary
This week we're talking to the wonderful and fabulous Helen Jones.
Helen is a disabled, bisexual woman living in York, England. She's been called an encyclopedia of weirdness, in the nicest of ways! She's curious about the world, passionate about learning and a compassionate activist. She writes about nature, disability, sexuality and tarot, she is a perpetual student and describes herself as finding herself, and I am finding her way through a prickly, untrodden path.
I first met Helen on Twitter in 2015 and later in person, and I am so lucky to have her in my life. She is one of the most interesting people I've ever met and the way she encourages and validates everyone she comes into contact with is so fucking remarkable.
In this episode we chat about:
Helen's experience of retiring in her late 20s and reconfiguring her life
How Helen's wheelchair liberates her
Helen's 5 things that anchor her each week and fulfil her
The first ever Quiet Pride event and the inspiration behind it (as well as the Quiet Pride Manifesto)
about helen jones:
Helen is a disabled, bisexual woman living in York, England. She's been called an encyclopedia of weirdness, in the nicest of ways! She's curious about the world, passionate about learning and a compassionate activist. She writes about nature, disability, sexuality and tarot, she is a perpetual student and describes herself as finding herself, and I am finding her way through a prickly, untrodden path.
connect with HELEN:
resources mentioned:
About Meg & The Couragemakers Podcast
📷 credit: Rachel Burt
I’m Meg and I’m the host of The Daily Pep! and The Couragemakers Podcast and founder of The Rebel Rousers. I’m a coach, writer and all-round rebel-rouser for creative and multi-passionate women to do the things only they can do and build a wholehearted life.
When I'm not recording episodes, writing bullshit-free Letters of Rebellion to my wonderful Rebel Rousers community or hosting workshops/group programmes, I'm usually covered in paint or walking my wonderfully weird cockapoo Merlin.
Website | Instagram | The Daily Pep! Podcast | Letters of Rebellion | Rebel Creators
187: Having fierce loyalty to yourself with Claire Frances Turner
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episode summary
This week I'm joined by one of our fabulous Rebel Creators Claire Frances Turner! Claire is a writer, spiritual philosopher, and a creative advocate for disabled young adults.
In this episode, Claire shares her journey of conscious transformation and we chat bout how hard it can be to move on from dreams, either through choice or circumstance. Claire shares her process of controlling her own narrative, and how others can do that too. We dive into life living with chronic illnesses and disabilities, and Claire's words of wisdom and compassion for people feeling alone and in similar circumstances. We also chat about the very real need for self-validation and the opposite of gas-lighting!
In this episode we chat about:
Claire's journey of controlling her own narrative
Chronic illness and disability
Self validation and the opposite of gaslighting
about claire frances turner:
Claire specialises in conscious self-transformation.
You can explore Claire’s writing and spoken poetry and sign up for her Monday moment emails through her website.
Claire is working on a project series called Illness my Teacher, beginning with Soul Evolution via Illness: awareness, identity, and formal and informal meditation. You can listen to Intro to Illness my Teacher: A Spiritual Exploration to learn more, or search for Claire Frances Turner on Spotify, etc. Someone told Claire it was the best podcast episode she's ever heard!
Alongside Claire’s writing and spiritual work, she’s studying web development. Claire has to work from home due to her disability, but it's important to Claire to get out of the house on a regular basis. She decided to feed her adventurous spirit by studying in 101 different places in the area, and her project 101 Spaces was born! Claire’s writing about each place she visit, and it's turned into a casual anthropological survey of how Claire as a chronically ill young white woman in Cambridge Massachusetts, get on in different spaces in her surrounding area.
When Claire’s not musing about human nature and metaphysics, writing, or studying, you can find her tending to the tiny indoor farm in her bedroom, going on long walks, and studying sacred geometry.
You can read about how Claire’s psychic readings center around transformation of the soul; she also offers live and written options for her readings.
connect with CLaire:
Claire’s Website
Sign up to Claire’s newsletter!
Claire’s Instagram
If you’d like to get in touch, you can email her here!
resources mentioned:
It's Not Always Depression, Hilary Jacobs Hendel
Hilary Jacobs Hendel The Change Triangle
About Meg & The Couragemakers Podcast
I’m Meg and I’m the host of The Daily Pep! and The Couragemakers Podcast and founder of The Rebel Rousers. I’m a coach, writer and all-round rebel-rouser for creative and multi-passionate women to do the things only they can do and build a wholehearted life.
When I'm not recording episodes, writing bullshit-free Letters of Rebellion to my wonderful Rebel Rousers community or hosting workshops/group programmes, I'm usually covered in paint or walking my wonderfully weird cockapoo Merlin.
Website | Instagram | The Daily Pep! Podcast | Letters of Rebellion | Rebel Creators
186: Coming home to yourself with Rachel Warrillow
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episode summary
I'm chatting with the fabulous paper crafter, and community leader Rachel Warrillow! Rachel is the the founder of The Quirky Quillers, and is on a mission to mission to inspire and encourage others to enrich their lives with more creativity, and to find community and connection with other crafters.
In this episode we chat about:
Rachel's homecoming
Wearing different hats (figuratively + literally!)
How hard it can be to change direction + let go of old dreams
How creativity is so good for our mental health
The path of stepping into our zone of genius
The benefits of crafting together
How embracing who you are creates a huge ripple effect
Rebuilding our self image
Building a life that reflects exactly who you are
about rachel warrillow:
Rachel lives in a beautiful spot in a village called Heptonstall, at the top of a hill in West Yorkshire, having returned to her home county after 21 years away and is at her happiest when she's making things, thinking about making things or talking about making things. Crafting is her passion, therapy, business, and a way to connect to the world. She adores pattern and colour, her rescue cats, books, being in her pyjamas and amazing vegan food.
connect with RACHEL:
The Quirky Quillers Collective (launching 1st February 2023!)
Rachel’s Rebel Directory
About Meg & The Couragemakers Podcast
📷 credit: Rachel Burt
I’m Meg and I’m the host of The Daily Pep! and The Couragemakers Podcast and founder of The Rebel Rousers. I’m a coach, writer and all-round rebel-rouser for creative and multi-passionate women to do the things only they can do and build a wholehearted life.
When I'm not recording episodes, writing bullshit-free Letters of Rebellion to my wonderful Rebel Rousers community or hosting workshops/group programmes, I'm usually covered in paint or walking my wonderfully weird cockapoo Merlin.
Website | Instagram | The Daily Pep! Podcast | Letters of Rebellion | Rebel Creators
185: Pivots, experiments and creative joy with Consie Sindet
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episode summary
In this episode we chat about:
How we can keep creative joy in our life
Pivoting
Making a change
Finding a job that suits you and your creativity
Building a life you love
During our conversation, Consie takes us on a whistle stop journey of her life so far and all of the many jobs she's done! We have some fabulous conversations about how we can keep creative joy in our life. Consie shares how she tried to quit being creative and how that turned out, and we just really go there when it comes to all things pivoting, making a change and experimenting. We also have a really refreshing chat about finding a job that really suits you and your creativity and building a life you love.
Consie inspires me no end! She is full of so much wisdom, so much joy, and she also shares in this episode a practice she calls dailyish, which I think you are going to love if you struggle with consistency or put loads of pressure on yourself.
about consie sindet:
Consie is from South Carolina and she has a day job as a bookkeeper, and runs a business as a creativity coach and teacher called Atop Serenity Hill. She uses mixed media art journaling to help herself and others play, have fun and find themselves through the process of creating. She loves hiking, kayaking, practicing yoga, reading and hanging with her husband.
connect with CONSIE:
About Meg & The Couragemakers Podcast
📷 credit: Rachel Burt
I’m Meg and I’m the host of The Daily Pep! and The Couragemakers Podcast and founder of The Rebel Rousers. I’m a coach, writer and all-round rebel-rouser for creative and multi-passionate women to do the things only they can do and build a wholehearted life.
When I'm not recording episodes, writing bullshit-free Letters of Rebellion to my wonderful Rebel Rousers community or hosting workshops/group programmes, I'm usually covered in paint or walking my wonderfully weird cockapoo Merlin.
Website | Instagram | The Daily Pep! Podcast | Letters of Rebellion | Rebel Creators
184: Finding and living by your values with Clare Sutton
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episode summary
In this episode we chat about:
finding and living by your values
not settling
how your experiences lead to things
Clare's journey of finding what she wants to do
Clare's year of courage
leaps of faith and overhauling everything
Clare describes herself as a multipassionate human who is always looking for ways she can grow, develop and generally make the most of life. She is fascinated by people and strongly believes in the power of connection, community and creativity.
This has been a common thread through her career in the arts and in the charity sector where she has a background in volunteering, community engagement and client involvement. And she is now moving into coaching, specifically a people centred approach, strength based and founded in the belief that everyone is capable of using their unique strengths, wisdom and resources to make positive change.
As you’ll hear during the episode, she's going through a lot of big life changes and I am so excited to share our conversation. In it, we really dive into Clare’s view of courage and what led her to making decisions that really turned a lot of her life upside down. We talk about listening to our intuition, which wants more, when things might look really great on the outside and how we can choose to refuse to settle. Clare shares how so many of her life experiences, interests and passions have led her to a new phase in her life. And it is really fascinating to see all the jigsaw pieces coming together. And this is a great episode if you're not sure how everything's going to fit together, but you're hopeful that at some point it's all going to make sense and the breadcrumbs will really add up.
Clare also shares some really helpful tips and practical stuff around finding your values, making your values into actionable, things that you live by, and how she is creating a life aligned with her values. We dive into so much good stuff in this episode. I am so grateful to Clare for being so vulnerable and so honest in sharing her journey. I know you're going to get so much out of this episode!
about clare sutton:
I’m passionate about giving people a supported space where they are heard, are encouraged to think deeply and creatively, and to understand themselves and their actions better, to make positive change in their lives.
My coaching practice is people-centred, strengths-based and founded in the belief that everyone is capable of using their unique strengths, wisdom and resources to make positive change.
I am an experienced people management and development professional with a background in volunteering, community engagement and client involvement within the third sector. I am a trained teacher, experienced facilitator, and am hugely passionate about connection, collaboration and community.
connect with CLARE:
About Meg & The Couragemakers Podcast
📷 credit: Rachel Burt
I’m Meg and I’m the host of The Daily Pep! and The Couragemakers Podcast and founder of The Rebel Rousers. I’m a coach, writer and all-round rebel-rouser for creative and multi-passionate women to do the things only they can do and build a wholehearted life.
When I'm not recording episodes, writing bullshit-free Letters of Rebellion to my wonderful Rebel Rousers community or hosting workshops/group programmes, I'm usually covered in paint or walking my wonderfully weird cockapoo Merlin.
Website | Instagram | The Daily Pep! Podcast | Letters of Rebellion | Rebel Creators
183: Celebrating life with Tori Ames
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episode summary
In this episode we chat about:
Changing our definitions of success
The power of habits
Holding on to tangible and intangible wins
Tori’s process of rebuilding her life
about tori ames:
Tori is an artist and colour loving creative living in Norwich in the UK. She describes her life as an adventure so far, and hopes it will always continue to be that way, whether it's in her life or in her art.
She describes her art as eclectic in style, but inspired by her love of colour, light and texture, which brings her joy and hopefully does to others. Collage is her favourite medium, as it seems to celebrate the trinity of qualities: colour, light and texture. She loves her magpie collection of papers!
Tory is passionate about more things and experiences than she could list, but boiled down, they would probably all have a thread of connection, laughter, exploration, sunshine and creativity running through them. Tori has a never-ending fierce variety kaleidoscopes of changing sights, sounds, experiences and wonderful people in her life, which makes her very busy life, but one that fuels rather than zaps energy from her.
Tori shares her journey so far, she shares her experience of rebuilding her life. Tori really takes us behind the scenes and shares her experiences of struggling with depression and an eating disorder. We really dive into what recovery means, examining definitions of success. And Tori really takes us on the journey of how she has rebuilt so many areas of her life, the courage that it took, the decision she's made, and my goodness, Tori is just a phenomenal woman.
We also dive into the power of habits, how to hold on to tangible and intangible wins. Tori shares the practices that she's found most helpful that she does to this day. We have such an honest conversation and Tory is the epitome of a courage maker in how she approaches her life and the vulnerability and honesty in which she shares her journey.
connect with Tori:
About Meg & The Couragemakers Podcast
📷 credit: Rachel Burt
I’m Meg and I’m the host of The Daily Pep! and The Couragemakers Podcast and founder of The Rebel Rousers. I’m a coach, writer and all-round rebel-rouser for creative and multi-passionate women to do the things only they can do and build a wholehearted life.
When I'm not recording episodes, writing bullshit-free Letters of Rebellion to my wonderful Rebel Rousers community or hosting workshops/group programmes, I'm usually covered in paint or walking my wonderfully weird cockapoo Merlin.
Website | Instagram | The Daily Pep! Podcast | Letters of Rebellion | Rebel Creators
182: Living in the messy middle with Emily Richardson
listen here:
episode summary
In this episode we chat about:
Identity and how it is affected when we’re living in the messy middle
Over achieving and how hard we can be on ourselves
Emily’s approach to themed journalling
The parallels between self-improvement and language learning
Self expression and how to be you
about emily richardson:
Emily describes herself as a tiny and colourful polyglot, and she is the host of the Language Confidence Project, which is a daily podcast, and it is just simply brilliant!
During the pandemic, Emily lost her job, her home, and two very important people. But she also founded a business, learned Portuguese, and released a series of language journals. And we really dive into that today. Two years later, she's on the way to rebuilding a more colourful, creative and intentional life to help people realise they can learn a language and they can do it in a way that feels enjoyable and meaningful.
So during our conversation, we have a really good chat about what it means to live in the messy middle and what that means for our identity. Emily shares where she is right now, figuring things out, how she is finding her place in the world, and my goodness, does she bring so much magic and colour to the world? We also dive into overachieving, Emily shares how she does themed journaling, which I think you're going to absolutely love. And I'm just so excited to share our conversation, Emily's energy is so contagious, she genuinely lights up every room. And if you're feeling a bit uncertain and like you don't know where you're going at the moment, I think you're going to find both solace inspiration and a shitload of encouragement and get so much out of it.
connect with emily:
resources mentioned
About Meg & The Couragemakers Podcast
📷 credit: Rachel Burt
I’m Meg and I’m the host of The Daily Pep! and The Couragemakers Podcast and founder of The Rebel Rousers. I’m a coach, writer and all-round rebel-rouser for creative and multi-passionate women to do the things only they can do and build a wholehearted life.
When I'm not recording episodes, writing bullshit-free Letters of Rebellion to my wonderful Rebel Rousers community or hosting workshops/group programmes, I'm usually covered in paint or walking my wonderfully weird cockapoo Merlin.
Website | Instagram | The Daily Pep! Podcast | Letters of Rebellion | Rebel Creators
181: Walking in your truth with April Showers
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episode summary
In this episode we chat about:
Gratitude
Confidence
Walking in your truth
Consistency
April's journey and the inspiration behind Afro Unicorn™.
April's mission to inspire fellow small business owners and her grassroots and community oriented approach to building Afro Unicorn™.
about april showers + afro unicorn™
April Showers is a multiple business owner, single mother of two, and in May 2019, she started a movement of likeminded, black unicorns through apparel and accessories. She is the founder and CEO of Afro Unicorn™, a brand designed to remind women and children of colour how unique, divine and magical they are.
In May 2022, she launched in Walmart as the first black woman and first black licensed brand in party supplies for a major retailer. Her goal from the beginning was to help normalise black beauty, give black and brown girls a unicorn that represents them and encourages them to love the skin that they're in and embrace the crown on their heads.
So during our conversation, April shares her journey and inspiration behind Afro Unicorn™. She shares her mission to inspire fellow small business owners and really takes us behind the scenes of the grassroots and community oriented approach to building Afro Unicorn™.
We dive into so much great stuff, including just how important gratitude is, how walking in your truth is absolutely central to everything April does, the importance of consistency. And I feel like this entire episode is just like an incredible masterclass in confidence. And I really ended this episode feeling like I can take on the world!
connect with April + afro unicorn™:
resources mentioned
Who Not How: The Formula to Achieve Bigger Goals Through Accelerating Teamwork, Dan Sullivan & Dr Benjamin Hardy
Afro Unicorn™ in Walmart!
About Meg & The Couragemakers Podcast
📷 credit: Rachel Burt
I’m Meg and I’m the host of The Daily Pep! and The Couragemakers Podcast and founder of The Rebel Rousers. I’m a coach, writer and all-round rebel-rouser for creative and multi-passionate women to do the things only they can do and build a wholehearted life.
When I'm not recording episodes, writing bullshit-free Letters of Rebellion to my wonderful Rebel Rousers community or hosting workshops/group programmes, I'm usually covered in paint or walking my wonderfully weird cockapoo Merlin.
Website | Instagram | The Daily Pep! Podcast | Letters of Rebellion | Rebel Creators
180: Diving into our inner wisdom with Anna Mould
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episode summary
In this episode we chat about:
How Lockdown led Anna to write her first book
Our inner wisdom
The joys and perils of social media
Friendship breakups
Leaning into our inner wild woman
about anna mould
I've known Anna for quite some time now, and she just has such infectious energy, and I know you're going to love her! Anna describes herself as a 40 something multipassionate, creative wannabe-wild woman.
By day, she works as a mental health nurse with older adults, she is also an author, and facilitates workshops where she guides you through the process of writing a letter to your younger self, and has a membership with monthly letter writing prompts.
What makes her happy is spending time with like minded women, as well as spending time in nature and the sea. Annie lives with her husband, two grown up sons, she's also a stepmom and Nana Anna to two gorgeous boys.
connect with Anna:
resources mentioned
Green Pigs & Me, Anna Mould
When Green Pigs Fly (and other musings), Anna Mould
Steal Like an Artist, Austin Kleon
One of Us is Dead, Jeneva Rose
7 Types of Rest, TedX talk by Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith
About Meg & The Couragemakers Podcast
📷 credit: Rachel Burt
I’m Meg and I’m the host of The Daily Pep! and The Couragemakers Podcast and founder of The Rebel Rousers. I’m a coach, writer and all-round rebel-rouser for creative and multi-passionate women to do the things only they can do and build a wholehearted life.
When I'm not recording episodes, writing bullshit-free Letters of Rebellion to my wonderful Couragemakers community or hosting workshops/group programmes, I'm usually covered in paint or walking my wonderfully weird cockapoo Merlin.
Website | Instagram | The Daily Pep! Podcast| Letters of Rebellion | Rebel Creators
178: Owning Your Weird with Austin Kleon
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episode summary
Today I am sharing a conversation that I had with the brilliant Austin Kleon for the the 10 year anniversary of Steal Like an Artist. I cannot even begin to tell you how excited I am to share this conversation, how many sheer gold nuggets are in this episode, and how inspiring it is! (And also how fucking proud I am that I didn't cry and make a massive tit out of myself, which I'm usually prone to do, and I meet my idol!)
Today's guest is the one and only Austin Kleon. He describes himself as a writer who draws, and he is the New York Times bestselling author behind books such as Steal Like an Artist, Show Your Work and Keep Going. And all three of those books are books that I am continually recommending to the fabulous women I work with.
In this episode we chat about:
How to show up and get the work done
Owning your weirdness
Staying true to yourself no matter what
about austin kleon:
Austin describes himself as a writer who draws, and makes art with words and books with pictures. Austin Kleon is the New York Times bestselling author of a trilogy of illustrated books about creativity in the digital age: Steal Like An Artist, Show Your Work!, and Keep Going. He’s also the author of Newspaper Blackout, a collection of poems made by redacting the newspaper with a permanent marker. His books have been translated into dozens of languages and have sold over a million copies worldwide. He’s been featured on NPR’s Morning Edition, PBS Newshour, and in The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal. New York Magazine called his work “brilliant,” The Atlantic called him “positively one of the most interesting people on the Internet,” and The New Yorker said his poems “resurrect the newspaper when everybody else is declaring it dead.” In previous lives, he worked as a librarian, a web designer, and an advertising copywriter.
connect with austin:
Resources mentioned:
About Meg & The Couragemakers Podcast
📷 credit: Rachel Burt
I’m Meg and I’m the host of The Daily Pep! and The Couragemakers Podcast and founder of The Rebel Rousers. I’m a coach, writer and all-round rebel-rouser for creative and multi-passionate women to do the things only they can do and build a wholehearted life.
When I'm not recording episodes, writing bullshit-free Letters of Rebellion to my wonderful Rebel Rousers community or hosting workshops/group programmes, I'm usually covered in paint or walking my wonderfully weird cockapoo Merlin.
Website | Instagram | The Daily Pep! Podcast | Letters of Rebellion | Rebel Creators
151: Shining Bright Online & Finding Your Rhythm Natasha Samuel
This week I'm chatting to Natasha Samuel. Natasha is the host of The Shine Online Podcast and founder of Sol Studio, an Instagram creative studio that specializes in storytelling and strategy. She offers small businesses and creative entrepreneurs Instagram content creation, strategy sessions, and educational resources. We’re diving into Natasha’s journey of starting her business, how to become confident on Instagram and video, how she has found her rhythm and so many practical tips to help you shine online!
Listen on your browser now:
ABOUT NATASHA
Natasha is the host of The Shine Online Podcast and founder of Sol Studio, an Instagram creative studio that specializes in storytelling and strategy. She offers small businesses and creative entrepreneurs Instagram content creation, strategy sessions, and educational resources. She helps clients shine on social media through effective strategies and intentional execution.
Website | The Shine Bright Online Podcast | Instagram | Facebook
TOPICS
Natasha’s journey of building her business while in the last year of college
Rest as a perspective and matching your energy and skillset to the different tasks you do
Changing your mindset about Instagram - as a fun way to connect with your people online
The importance of having hobbies outside of your business
The power of having a ‘hype-up’ routine
How Natasha sees everything as content.
ABOUT MEG &
THAT HUMMINGBIRD LIFE
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 and walking my jolly cockapoo puppy, Merlin.
I’m Meg and I’m the host of The Couragemakers Podcast and The Daily Pep! Podcast 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.