Episode 61: Magic In The Mess with Michelle Madrid-Branch
In this episode, Michelle shares her journey, from being born in the UK and placed in the foster care system to being adopted by an American family and learning to untangle labels she had been given and finding her own identity.
Listen on your browser now:
ABOUT
Michelle is an author, speaker, life wellness coach, and global advocate for women and children. She is the author of Adoption Means Love: Triumph of the Heart, The Tummy Mummy, and Mascara Moments: Embracing the Woman in the Mirror. Michelle lives in Santa Barbara, CA, with her husband, children , three dogs and a bunny. Michelle advocates on behalf of women and children who are marginalized and left feeling isolated in our society. Michelle is happiest when using her life journey in an effort to serve others and help others rise up from their pain. She is currently in the process of writing her fourth book.
Website | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook
TOPICS
What Michelle has learned since she has realised her unique strengths and has started to bring them to the world
How Michele found the courage to own who she is
The beauty of imperfection and the miracles from the mess
RESOURCES
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 thinking of imaginative ways of hide my would-be dog from my landlord.
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.
RELATED EPISODES:
Episode 62: Creative Resilience & Being An Unsinkable Creative with Nikki Sinay Torres
During this episode, Nikki shares her journey from being the weird girl in school, to the mother of two daughters with cystic fibrosis, a self employed mural artist and creative resilience coach.
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ABOUT
Nikki Sinay Torres. is a certified Kaizen Muse Creativity Coach, US Army Master Resilience Trainer, Army wife and former FRG leader, mom of two teenage girls with Cystic Fibrosis, self-employed mural artist, and Main Muse at Serendipity Creative Coaching Services. Nikki runs creative resilience workshops and retreats, and The Unsinkable Creative Society Art Camp for teen girls in North Carolina, as well as working one to one online with creatives.
Nikki describes herself as a blend of Lucille Ball, Frida Khalo, a Mermaid and Mr. Bean, which I think you’ll agree, is very accurate.
Nikki has a very exclusive offer of a 30 minute coaching session for Couragemakers, for $25. To take advantage of her offer, you can find Nikki’s email below:
TOPICS
- Nikki’s journey, from being the weird girl in school, to the mother of two daughters with cystic fibrosis, self employed mural artist and creative resilience coach
- The importance of art in the healing process
- How creativity can help us slow down and problem solve
- A fantastic exercise to help you build your creative resilience.
RESOURCES
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 thinking of imaginative ways of hide my would-be dog from my landlord.
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.
RELATED EPISODES:
Episode 63: Getting Personal with Your Creativity with Zee Southcombe
In this episode, Zee Southcombe shares her journey, from teaching, to making a huge personal decision to start writing and choose her creativity.
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ABOUT
Zee is a children’s author, illustrator & fine artist who approaches all her work with vigour and imagination. Zee works to promote other artists, especially young creatives, through collaboration, workshops, encouragement, and publishing opportunities.
When not making stuff, Zee can be found with a cup of tea and a good book, planning her next creative adventure, or out for a walk in the beautiful forests of Aotearoa.
Website | Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | Shop
TOPICS
- Zee’s decision to become a writer and be creative
- The importance of feeling like you’re making a difference
- How being open about her creativity has helped Zee’s mental health
- What gives Zee the courage to put herself out there
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 thinking of imaginative ways of hide my would-be dog from my landlord.
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.
RELATED EPISODES:
Episode 64: Reconnecting To Your Creativity with Deb Dane
In this episode of Couragemakers, Deb Dane shares her journey of reconnecting to her creativity after twenty years and many sliding door moments that have led her to where she is now.
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ABOUT
Deb Dane is a New York City girl who married an English man and settled in Australia. Along with 14 house moves they have found their way to life with two teen daughters and two female rescue dogs.
After 20 years away from creative pursuits Deb finally accepted that she was spending a lot of her free time longingly watching artist tutorials on you tube without actually doing anything. Pretty soon after dipping her toes back in the art world she was cracked wide open and had a creative re-awakening.
She writes on her blog Inner Compass Designs about following your own path in life, taking care of your own needs and living an authentic life.
She is passionate about helping women give themselves permission to follow their heart and intuition, know their own power and self-worth, and know that they are never alone.
Her art, wall hangings and jewelry all bring these ideas to life so you have reminders of your story and your journey to where you want to go and who you want to be,
Website | Instagram | Newsletter
TOPICS
- Deb’s journey to reawaken her creativity after twenty years
- Creating for the sake of enjoyment and pleasure
- The time it takes to make a creative business profitable and taking the pressure off your art
- Giving yourself permission to walk your own path
RESOURCES
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 thinking of imaginative ways of hide my would-be dog from my landlord.
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.
RELATED EPISODES:
Episode 65: Stepping Out As Your Authentic Self with Rachel Shillcock
In this episode, we’re really diving into the topic of stepping out as your authentic self. Rachel Shillcock shares her journey from starting her own web design business to using her values to make decisions and create a life that works for her.
Listen on your browser now:
ABOUT
Rachel is an award-winning designer + photographer hailing from Manchester, UK. Rachel runs Rachilli, an online creative studio dedicated to helping creative entrepreneurs build more powerful brands + businesses, aligned with their values + purpose. She helps entrepreneurs find flow + consistency in their creative business, through visual branding, purposeful web design, and powerful brand strategy. Rachel is a fellow INFJ and a proud geek, obsessed with all things designy, patterns, and her two dogs, Storm and Jasper.
Website | Twitter | Instagram | Creative Market | Products
TOPICS
- How Rachel’s life started to change when she started to be more open
How Rachel integrates her values with her everyday life and uses them as a decision making tool
- Rachel’s experience of opening up about her chronic illness and taking off her mask
- Changing the world and the ripple effect
RESOURCES
- Calm app
- Macklemore – “Freedom is acknowledging the mask you have on and possessing the strength to take it off”
- Mary Ann Radmacher – “Courage doesn’t always roar. Sometimes courage is the little voice at the end of the day that says I’ll try again tomorrow.”
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 thinking of imaginative ways of hide my would-be dog from my landlord.
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.
RELATED EPISODES:
Episode 66: Playing The Long Game with Mary Ann Clements
In this Couragemakers episode, Mary Ann shares her journey as a change making woman, from her background in the international development and women’s sector, to burning out and creating a community for change making women.
Listen on your browser now:
ABOUT
Mary Ann is founder of Jijaze: a community supporting women to replenish and take care of themselves as they work to change the world and co-host of the Change Making Women podcast with Ziada Abeid a Tanzanian broadcaster. Originally trained as an anthropologist she has many years experience in International Development as a leader and grant maker. She’s also a storyteller, podcaster, writer, connector, #nia teacher, action learning facilitator and shadow work coach. She co-founded both The Story Party and the Red Tent Directory. Her work is all about bringing women together to make big change happen in the world.
Website | Podcast | Twitter | Facebook Group
TOPICS
What Mary Ann does to light herself up
Taking your self worth out of your usefulness and productivity, and giving yourself permission to spend your resources on yourself
- How sometimes we need more resilience and commitment to ourselves than we ever thought possible
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 thinking of imaginative ways of hide my would-be dog from my landlord.
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.
RELATED EPISODES:
Episode 67: Using Creativity To Heal Yourself with Lily Calfee
In this episode, Lily Calfee shares her journey, from being a creative and going to art school to opening a bakery and later becoming a nutritionist and using creativity to redirect self criticism and as a way to help people with their health.
Listen on your browser now:
Just to give a quick heads up that a very brief reference to sexual assault is mentioned during this episode around the six minute mark.
ABOUT
Lily Calfee is a creative health coach and describes herself as a foodie, health nut, and journal scribbler who lives in Denver, Colorado. Lily is a baker-turned-nutritionist, a control freak-turned-intuitive eater, and manages her own private practice coaching women who want to experience more freedom and ease with food and their bodies.
Website | Instagram | Twitter | Pinterest | Facebook
TOPICS
- Lily’s journey, from being an artist, a creative and the owner bakery in rural Vermont, then finding nutrition and working as a women’s creative health coach
- The importance of how we speak to ourselves
- The problem with the word deserving
- How looking after yourself is radical
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 thinking of imaginative ways of hide my would-be dog from my landlord.
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.
RELATED EPISODES:
Episode 68: Hard Times, Difficult Choices & Rising Up with Lea Rice
In this episode, we really getting into the nitty gritty of the hard choices we have to make when chasing our dreams and looking after ourselves and the importance of the stories we don’t hear about all the time.
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ABOUT
Lea Rice is the siren-haired, stiletto-clad lady behind Lea Rice Communications. Based in London, Lea is a Digital Marketing Specialist dedicated to changing lives in big and small ways through digital media. Lea does this through working with organisations and individuals to unleash their offerings and find their voice online. Lea spends her time mostly working at her business but also planning how to make her way back into burlesque dancing, wandering around Hampstead in a daydream and watching endless episodes of only Fools and Horses.
Website | Instagram | Twitter | Pinterest | Facebook
TOPICS
The long term impacts of being in a bad workplace environment
We’re really diving into the trenches and opening the discussion of workplace bullying, and the real behind the scenes of making really difficult decisions.
- The importance of seemingly crazy ideas
RESOURCES
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 thinking of imaginative ways of hide my would-be dog from my landlord.
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.
RELATED EPISODES:
Episode 69: Life As Art with Zoë Dearborn
In this week’s episode, Zoë Dearborn is sharing her many stories, from growing up wanting to be an actress, starting a rock band, living off the grid and a really important Excel spreadsheet that brought everything full circle.
Listen on your browser now:
ABOUT
Zoë Dearborn is a creativity teacher, art coach, expressive arts therapist, writer, performer & artist. She holds a Master’s in Counseling Psychology and Expressive Arts Therapy and her life’s work is developing and teaching her Life As Art philosophy and methodology through her classroom laboratories, writing, songs, drawing, dance, video & design. She is deeply committed to helping humans awaken to their deepest potential and highest purpose and inspiring artists to make their most meaningful and authentic work. Brooklyn born and bred, she now lives off the grid in a homemade desert homestead in Baja, Mexico with her husband and 8 year old son.
Zoë’s greatest loves include: quirky art rock, dance of all varieties, comedy, improvisation, social practice art, fashion & graphic design, true deep stories, sad songs, mythology & Jungian psychology, children’s books, Fisher Price toys, tarot, embracing duality, inspiring documentaries, the open sky, wildflowers, hugs, creative collaborations and elegant theories that connect everything in the universe.
Website | Online Creative Intensive – October | Instagram| Twitter |
TOPICS
Remembering our own values and who we are
The tools of our arts is about communication of human expression
Why we need to have an ego – a way of negotiating with the world
Being all of ourselves and not cramming ourselves into one identity
RESOURCES
ABOUT MEG &
THE REBEL ROUSERS
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 thinking of imaginative ways of hide my would-be dog from my landlord.
I’m Meg and I’m the host of Couragemakers, as well as it’s sister podcast, The Daily Pep! and founder of The Rebel Rousers. 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.
RELATED EPISODES:
Episode 70: Creating A Multi-Passionate Career with Kaite Welsh
In this episode of Couragemakers we’re diving into how Kaite Welsh created her own multi-strand multipassionate career, the process of writing her debut novel and lots and lots of practical things you can do right now to help make decisions, get organised and chase your dreams.
Listen on your browser now:
ABOUT
Kaite Welsh is an author, critic and journalist. Her work has appeared in various publications from The Times Literary Supplement to Cosmopolitan and she covers LGBT issues for the Daily Telegraph. She is also Books Editor of DIVA. Her short fiction, featuring roller derby, Greek myths and ghosts, has been published in several anthologies and she guest lectures on Creative Writing at universities around the UK.
Kaite lives in Edinburgh with her wife, three cats and a lot of books. Kaite is a a devoted aunt, would-be mother, amateur gardener and someone who is trying to define herself by things other than her job and her bylines.
Website | The Wages of Sin | Twitter | | Facebook
TOPICS
- Kaite’s multi-strand career of creativity, supporting other creatives and promoting other people’s art
Not needing or feeling you need to be a shiny polished version of yourself
- Becoming aware of your work cycles and energy cycles
RESOURCES
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 thinking of imaginative ways of hide my would-be dog from my landlord.
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.
RELATED EPISODES:
Episode 71: Kindness, Parallel Truths & Guttural Decisions with Lara Heacock
In this Couragemakers episode Lara Heacock really dives into kindness, reclaiming the world selfish and the standards we hold ourselves and others to.
Listen on your browser now:
ABOUT
Lara Heacock is an Executive Life Coach. She brings a 15 year background in recruiting and leadership, an MBA and a life coaching certification, as well as her experience running an online business. Lara is passionate about empowering professionals to feel more confident, achieve goals and enjoy the lives they work so hard to build. Lara is an INFJ Myers Briggs personality type and is a travel lover and self confessed total animal nut.
Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Instagram
TOPICS
Lara shares her journey to running online magazine Kind Over Matter and becoming an executive life coach, the year that changed everything for her and fantastic advice for saying no and setting boundaries.
Looking after yourself not being selfish
- The power of making gutteral, intuitive decisions.
RESOURCES
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 thinking of imaginative ways of hide my would-be dog from my landlord.
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.
RELATED EPISODES:
Episode 72: Getting Honest About Mental Health with Melissa Boyle
In this Couragemakers episode, Mel Boyle and I really dive headfirst into our own mental health experiences. We have a really open discussion about what it’s like to struggle with OCD from a young age and Mel shares her journey of seeking support and how it has helped her.
Listen on your browser now:
ABOUT
Melissa Boyle or Mel as she likes to be known, is a social media executive, the blogger behind Geek Magnifique and the creator of Honey Bee cards – a card range specifically designed to give comfort and reassurance to people who struggle with their mental health. Mel is based in Bournemouth UK and is an unstoppable cat-cuddler who is also partial to the occasional dog.
Mel strongly believes that mental health needs to be an honest and open conversation. She is all about breaking down those walls and stamping out stigma, which is why Mel blogs about her own struggles and the experiences she’s had. Mel hope that by sharing her journey she can help others to feel less alone.
Blog | Twitter | Honey Bee Cards |
TOPICS
- Our shared experience of struggling with OCD from a young age
- Sharing openly about mental health – going against the grain and being public about it
- Advice for people who struggle with their mental health and maintaining friendships
RESOURCES
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 thinking of imaginative ways of hide my would-be dog from my landlord.
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.