This is the episode to listen to, if you feel trapped in a job and want to hear about creative courage paying off beautifully. Micah's story is one of guts, grit and fantasy fiction. I've been privileged to get a front row seat of his story - he's a great friend and someone that consistently encourages me to do the creative work, I find hard to reach.

Micah's experienced a ton of change and challenges - from breaking out of hum-drum 9 to 5, to published author. I like to remind him he's taken on the marathon running of creativity - writing and breathing life into rich and mythic worlds that are vivid and aching to be seen on screen. Both his books took very different time frames to write - Lost Gods was 12 years in the making and Pale Kings done in 5 months. His first novel, Lost Gods, was a Brave New Words finalist, and also nominated for a British Fantasy Award.

Since we recorded this episode, Micah left care work and now works full time as a writer and content creator. My observation of Micah's creative courage - it has multiplied - in his own story and for others hearing it too.

Lost Gods on Amazon
Pale Kings on Amazon

Keep being courageous,
Rachael x

www.calloncourage.com/podcast/micah-yongo

WHO'S BEHIND THIS PODCAST?

I'd ridden pretty high on the creative career rollercoaster. At times it was exhilarating (and occasionally it was terrifying.) It takes stamina, guts and more than a smattering of resilience. Don’t panic, this isn’t another podcast telling you to hustle harder. I’ve been there and got the burnout badge to prove it.

I'm looking to find people who are doing the work they love, but it's been a bumpy ride.

Starting over can be wonderful, agony and pants shakingly scary all at the same time. There are others who did it. Who are right in the centre of figuring that out. I'm trying to find the people, I needed to hear, at the time I felt I was free-falling from the loop-di-loop.

BUILD A KICKARSE CREATIVE BUSINESS

I’m able to make this podcast because I get a small income from some kickarse affiliate products. If you use any of these products with my link I can receive a small percentage back. Which honestly, does help!

These are products that I use everyday to make Call On Courage happen. If you’re running an online business they just make your life easier.

Go to https://www.calloncourage.com/kickarse to find out more.

PLEASE CAN YOU HELP THIS PODCAST REACH MORE PEOPLE?

If you've enjoyed any of these episodes or think this conversation on courage would help a friend, I'd appreciate a review. It takes less than 30 seconds and can really boost the chances of Call On Courage being discovered by others. Thanks :)

Go to https://ratethispodcast.com/courage

Burt was hospitalised after a period in his life when he'd experienced a lot of loss and personal disappointments. His previous normal had been high capacity and making a lot of stuff happen. Burt's doctor told him he wouldn't be able to continue in any working environment that involved pressure or requiring mental stamina.

That crushing knock was the start of a healing journey and internal re-wiring that led him to knowing love and acceptance in a new and powerful way. As his internal world shifted, he knew he needed to create a different way of working and new business idea. TLT (Tomorrow's Leaders in Training) was born, and within less than 12 months Burt was in conversation with the South African education department about how to deliver leadership skills into schools.

Burt believes we are frequently mis-sold leadership. It's not a job title and you don't obtain it. Leadership is available to be built within anybody. It's something you can nurture and practice. He feels too many people miss out on experiencing, the gift that leadership can be.

TLT now offers it's leadership training online.
Wherever you are, go to tltprogram.co.za
Or instagram.com/tlt_southafrica to discover more.

Keep being courageous,
Rachael x

www.calloncourage.com/podcast/burt-ronald

WHO'S BEHIND THIS PODCAST?

I'd ridden pretty high on the creative career rollercoaster. At times it was exhilarating (and occasionally it was terrifying.) It takes stamina, guts and more than a smattering of resilience. Don’t panic, this isn’t another podcast telling you to hustle harder. I’ve been there and got the burnout badge to prove it.

I'm looking to find people who are doing the work they love, but it's been a bumpy ride.

Starting over can be wonderful, agony and pants shakingly scary all at the same time. There are others who did it. Who are right in the centre of figuring that out. I'm trying to find the people, I needed to hear, at the time I felt I was free-falling from the loop-di-loop.

BUILD A KICKARSE CREATIVE BUSINESS

I’m able to make this podcast because I get a small income from some kickarse affiliate products. If you use any of these products with my link I can receive a small percentage back. Which honestly, does help!

These are products that I use everyday to make Call On Courage happen. If you’re running an online business they just make your life easier.

Go to https://www.calloncourage.com/kickarse to find out more.

PLEASE CAN YOU HELP THIS PODCAST REACH MORE PEOPLE?

If you've enjoyed any of these episodes or think this conversation on courage would help a friend, I'd appreciate a review. It takes less than 30 seconds and can really boost the chances of Call On Courage being discovered by others. Thanks :)

Go to https://ratethispodcast.com/courage

Anne grew up in Dublin, with a big obsession for music. She came of age in the 90s - at the height of Britpop - all rock and roll swagger and women on MTV with guitars. She went to a school mate's party and saw a girl place a Roots Manuva record on the decks. That was the ignition she needed to think, hmm maybe I could have a go at that. 

Anne had already built up her vinyl collection, when she decided to invest in making her dream a reality. She purchased her first set of turntables and the classic DJ manual - 'How to DJ (properly)' by Bill Brewster. Bill is hailed as the DJs' DJ. Anne experienced her learning come full circle, getting to play at the same gig as him, before lockdown.

Anne has built a varied and interesting career - she's had residencies at The Jazz Café, Spiritland and The Social. She's been booked by MGMT and Beth Ditto to do their after show parties and even graced the judging panel at The Brits. Her attitude to being creative is - hone your natural instincts and don't be a perfectionist.

Discover more: djannefrankenstein.com
instagram.com/djannefrankenstein

Keep being courageous,
Rachael x

www.calloncourage.com/podcast/anne-frankenstein

WHO'S BEHIND THIS PODCAST?

I'd ridden pretty high on the creative career rollercoaster. At times it was exhilarating (and occasionally it was terrifying.) It takes stamina, guts and more than a smattering of resilience. Don’t panic, this isn’t another podcast telling you to hustle harder. I’ve been there and got the burnout badge to prove it.

I'm looking to find people who are doing the work they love, but it's been a bumpy ride.

Starting over can be wonderful, agony and pants shakingly scary all at the same time. There are others who did it. Who are right in the centre of figuring that out. I'm trying to find the people, I needed to hear, at the time I felt I was free-falling from the loop-di-loop.

BUILD A KICKARSE CREATIVE BUSINESS

I’m able to make this podcast because I get a small income from some kickarse affiliate products. If you use any of these products with my link I can receive a small percentage back. Which honestly, does help!

These are products that I use everyday to make Call On Courage happen. If you’re running an online business they just make your life easier.

Go to https://www.calloncourage.com/kickarse to find out more.

PLEASE CAN YOU HELP THIS PODCAST REACH MORE PEOPLE?

If you've enjoyed any of these episodes or think this conversation on courage would help a friend, I'd appreciate a review. It takes less than 30 seconds and can really boost the chances of Call On Courage being discovered by others. Thanks :)

Go to https://ratethispodcast.com/courage

Here's a confessional for you - I've been locked down for a number of months, wondering (amongst other things) - what makes a man courageous? Add to that too much time spent falling into a YouTube wormhole. The result? I've ended up with quite a bad Joaquin Phoenix crush.

Here's some of my findings, studying a movie star who possesses a rock n roll heart and doesn't care much for fitting in.

Keep being courageous,
Rachael x

https://www.calloncourage.com/podcast/what-have-i-learnt-from-my-joaquin-phoenix-crush

WHO'S BEHIND THIS PODCAST?

I'd ridden pretty high on the creative career rollercoaster. At times it was exhilarating (and occasionally it was terrifying.) It takes stamina, guts and more than a smattering of resilience. Don’t panic, this isn’t another podcast telling you to hustle harder. I’ve been there and got the burnout badge to prove it.

I'm looking to find people who are doing the work they love, but it's been a bumpy ride.

Starting over can be wonderful, agony and pants shakingly scary all at the same time. There are others who did it. Who are right in the centre of figuring that out. I'm trying to find the people, I needed to hear, at the time I felt I was free-falling from the loop-di-loop.

BUILD A KICKARSE CREATIVE BUSINESS

I’m able to make this podcast because I get a small income from some kickarse affiliate products. If you use any of these products with my link I can receive a small percentage back. Which honestly, does help!

These are products that I use everyday to make Call On Courage happen. If you’re running an online business they just make your life easier.

Go to https://www.calloncourage.com/kickarse to find out more.

PLEASE CAN YOU HELP THIS PODCAST REACH MORE PEOPLE?

If you've enjoyed any of these episodes or think this conversation on courage would help a friend, I'd appreciate a review. It takes less than 30 seconds and can really boost the chances of Call On Courage being discovered by others. Thanks :)

Go to https://ratethispodcast.com/courage

When people ask me what does your Dad do, I say he worked on cancer cures. Not exactly in a lab or near the patients. But he was the guy who made the software that analysed the data that they test the new drugs on. Did I get that right Dad?

My Dad's story is one of extreme perseverance with work and turning round a tough financial situation. He barely had any work for a few years and decided to stop counting job applications after he hit 800 attempts. After that he just kept going until something changed. My Dad started over at 47, this is his understated take on what happened.

Keep being courageous,
Rachael x

WHO'S BEHIND THIS PODCAST?

I'd ridden pretty high on the creative career rollercoaster. At times it was exhilarating (and occasionally it was terrifying.) It takes stamina, guts and more than a smattering of resilience. Don’t panic, this isn’t another podcast telling you to hustle harder. I’ve been there and got the burnout badge to prove it.

I'm looking to find people who are doing the work they love, but it's been a bumpy ride.

Starting over can be wonderful, agony and pants shakingly scary all at the same time. There are others who did it. Who are right in the centre of figuring that out. I'm trying to find the people, I needed to hear, at the time I felt I was free-falling from the loop-di-loop.

BUILD A KICKARSE CREATIVE BUSINESS

I’m able to make this podcast because I get a small income from some kickarse affiliate products. If you use any of these products with my link I can receive a small percentage back. Which honestly, does help!

These are products that I use everyday to make Call On Courage happen. If you’re running an online business they just make your life easier.

Go to https://www.calloncourage.com/kickarse to find out more.

PLEASE CAN YOU HELP THIS PODCAST REACH MORE PEOPLE?

If you've enjoyed any of these episodes or think this conversation on courage would help a friend, I'd appreciate a review. It takes less than 30 seconds and can really boost the chances of Call On Courage being discovered by others. Thanks :)

Go to https://ratethispodcast.com/courage

Helen got the writing bug from an early age but she never imagined she'd get paid to write - let alone make the jump from freelance copywriter to a six-figure business owner. In this episode Helen gives her take on doing leadership well, why it's good for creatives to take the reins on leading and how to help your team mates flourish.

Helen's big driver is service - why it's courageous and how it’s different to people pleasing. We pack in a lot, also discussing the craft of writing, UX and knowing your financial worth.

Keep being courageous,
Rachael x

Discover more about what Helen does here: incredibble.co.uk

WHO'S BEHIND THIS PODCAST?

I'd ridden pretty high on the creative career rollercoaster. At times it was exhilarating (and occasionally it was terrifying.) It takes stamina, guts and more than a smattering of resilience. Don’t panic, this isn’t another podcast telling you to hustle harder. I’ve been there and got the burnout badge to prove it.

I'm looking to find people who are doing the work they love, but it's been a bumpy ride.

Starting over can be wonderful, agony and pants shakingly scary all at the same time. There are others who did it. Who are right in the centre of figuring that out. I'm trying to find the people, I needed to hear, at the time I felt I was free-falling from the loop-di-loop.

BUILD A KICKARSE CREATIVE BUSINESS

I’m able to make this podcast because I get a small income from some kickarse affiliate products. If you use any of these products with my link I can receive a small percentage back. Which honestly, does help!

These are products that I use everyday to make Call On Courage happen. If you’re running an online business they just make your life easier.

Go to https://www.calloncourage.com/kickarse to find out more.

PLEASE CAN YOU HELP THIS PODCAST REACH MORE PEOPLE?

If you've enjoyed any of these episodes or think this conversation on courage would help a friend, I'd appreciate a review. It takes less than 30 seconds and can really boost the chances of Call On Courage being discovered by others. Thanks :)

Go to https://ratethispodcast.com/courage

Vivi is a marketer with a great reading habit. You'll find her firmly planted in the non-fiction aisle, devouring books on mindset, marketing and memoirs. Vivi is on Instagram mainly - her grid is a book lovers' paradise. The authors she talks about are diverse and brave, Trevor Noah, Helen Tupper, James Clear, Simon Sinek and Michelle Obama.

We chat about why Vivi started The Cultured Marketer Reads, juggling motherhood, female leadership and the issues around productivity and hustle culture.

Keep being courageous,
Rachael x

You can find out more about Vivi's work here: www.theculturedmarketer.co.uk

WHO'S BEHIND THIS PODCAST?

I'd ridden pretty high on the creative career rollercoaster. At times it was exhilarating (and occasionally it was terrifying.) It takes stamina, guts and more than a smattering of resilience. Don’t panic, this isn’t another podcast telling you to hustle harder. I’ve been there and got the burnout badge to prove it.

I'm looking to find people who are doing the work they love, but it's been a bumpy ride.

Starting over can be wonderful, agony and pants shakingly scary all at the same time. There are others who did it. Who are right in the centre of figuring that out. I'm trying to find the people, I needed to hear, at the time I felt I was free-falling from the loop-di-loop.

BUILD A KICKARSE CREATIVE BUSINESS

I’m able to make this podcast because I get a small income from some kickarse affiliate products. If you use any of these products with my link I can receive a small percentage back. Which honestly, does help!

These are products that I use everyday to make Call On Courage happen. If you’re running an online business they just make your life easier.

Go to https://www.calloncourage.com/kickarse to find out more.

PLEASE CAN YOU HELP THIS PODCAST REACH MORE PEOPLE?

If you've enjoyed any of these episodes or think this conversation on courage would help a friend, I'd appreciate a review. It takes less than 30 seconds and can really boost the chances of Call On Courage being discovered by others. Thanks :)

Go to https://ratethispodcast.com/courage

Are you interested in developing your personal brand, story or ideas on social media? Clare Hooper embodies the "just have a go!" attitude with style and creative flair. She's a natural in front of the camera and loves kick starting social media newbies' confidence.

Her art teacher creds are evident. She's a coach rather than a hard to reach influencer. I've learnt tons from her attitude.

On the quiet, she's sharing her grombre videos (that's grey + ombre hair colour if you're not there yet) to nearly 3 million people monthly on Tik Tok.

Keep being courageous,
Love Rachael x

Find Clare on Tik Tok: https://vm.tiktok.com/ZSTjxd6J/

WHO'S BEHIND THIS PODCAST?

I'd ridden pretty high on the creative career rollercoaster. At times it was exhilarating (and occasionally it was terrifying.) It takes stamina, guts and more than a smattering of resilience. Don’t panic, this isn’t another podcast telling you to hustle harder. I’ve been there and got the burnout badge to prove it.

I'm looking to find people who are doing the work they love, but it's been a bumpy ride.

Starting over can be wonderful, agony and pants shakingly scary all at the same time. There are others who did it. Who are right in the centre of figuring that out. I'm trying to find the people, I needed to hear, at the time I felt I was free-falling from the loop-di-loop.

BUILD A KICKARSE CREATIVE BUSINESS

I’m able to make this podcast because I get a small income from some kickarse affiliate products. If you use any of these products with my link I can receive a small percentage back. Which honestly, does help!

These are products that I use everyday to make Call On Courage happen. If you’re running an online business they just make your life easier.

Go to https://www.calloncourage.com/kickarse to find out more.

PLEASE CAN YOU HELP THIS PODCAST REACH MORE PEOPLE?

If you've enjoyed any of these episodes or think this conversation on courage would help a friend, I'd appreciate a review. It takes less than 30 seconds and can really boost the chances of Call On Courage being discovered by others. Thanks :)

Go to https://ratethispodcast.com/courage

Lockdown 3.0 here we go.

What's it like when you're trying to build a creative business and nothing much is happening?
Where do you find encouragement?
What validates your creativity?
What makes you uncomfortable before your audience has grown or shipping plenty of orders?

I say you. I've been mainly asking these questions of myself in the last few months. I have no neat answers. But I am coming round to (slightly) appreciating the benefits of being hidden.

Keep being courageous,
Rachael x

WHO'S BEHIND THIS PODCAST?

I'd ridden pretty high on the creative career rollercoaster. At times it was exhilarating (and occasionally it was terrifying.) It takes stamina, guts and more than a smattering of resilience. Don’t panic, this isn’t another podcast telling you to hustle harder. I’ve been there and got the burnout badge to prove it.

I'm looking to find people who are doing the work they love, but it's been a bumpy ride.

Starting over can be wonderful, agony and pants shakingly scary all at the same time. There are others who did it. Who are right in the centre of figuring that out. I'm trying to find the people, I needed to hear, at the time I felt I was free-falling from the loop-di-loop.

BUILD A KICKARSE CREATIVE BUSINESS

I’m able to make this podcast because I get a small income from some kickarse affiliate products. If you use any of these products with my link I can receive a small percentage back. Which honestly, does help!

These are products that I use everyday to make Call On Courage happen. If you’re running an online business they just make your life easier.

Go to https://www.calloncourage.com/kickarse to find out more.

PLEASE CAN YOU HELP THIS PODCAST REACH MORE PEOPLE?

If you've enjoyed any of these episodes or think this conversation on courage would help a friend, I'd appreciate a review. It takes less than 30 seconds and can really boost the chances of Call On Courage being discovered by others. Thanks :)

Go to https://ratethispodcast.com/courage

Ever wondered what might have happened if Emma Watson hadn't landed the role of Hermione Granger? In a parallel universe, JK Rowling had Hermione's backstory starting out in Croydon, rather than Oxfordshire.

Yep. Little known fact. My sista from a different mister auditioned for Harry Potter. Hannah is someone who I've known to be consistently courageous. The audition knock back at 10 years old, set Hannah up well for choosing a fast paced career in law.

In this episode we get into the tricky zone of courage in friendship and what challenges come with facing up or backing out of difficult conversations with friends.

Keep being courageous,
Love Rachael x

WHO'S BEHIND THIS PODCAST?

I'd ridden pretty high on the creative career rollercoaster. At times it was exhilarating (and occasionally it was terrifying.) It takes stamina, guts and more than a smattering of resilience. Don’t panic, this isn’t another podcast telling you to hustle harder. I’ve been there and got the burnout badge to prove it.

I'm looking to find people who are doing the work they love, but it's been a bumpy ride.

Starting over can be wonderful, agony and pants shakingly scary all at the same time. There are others who did it. Who are right in the centre of figuring that out. I'm trying to find the people, I needed to hear, at the time I felt I was free-falling from the loop-di-loop.

BUILD A KICKARSE CREATIVE BUSINESS

I’m able to make this podcast because I get a small income from some kickarse affiliate products. If you use any of these products with my link I can receive a small percentage back. Which honestly, does help!

These are products that I use everyday to make Call On Courage happen. If you’re running an online business they just make your life easier.

Go to https://www.calloncourage.com/kickarse to find out more.

PLEASE CAN YOU HELP THIS PODCAST REACH MORE PEOPLE?

If you've enjoyed any of these episodes or think this conversation on courage would help a friend, I'd appreciate a review. It takes less than 30 seconds and can really boost the chances of Call On Courage being discovered by others. Thanks :)

Go to https://ratethispodcast.com/courage