Creative Courage

By Matt Essam

Are you a creative business owner? Do you ever feel like you’ve got more to give? That there’s a bigger impact you could make? Or is there an innate fear that’s stopping you from achieving your full p... more

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FAQs about Creative Courage:

How many episodes does Creative Courage have?

The podcast currently has 84 episodes available.

Creative Courage episodes:

July 02, 2025The Hidden Cost of Ignoring Your Intuition with Liza Leiss
Do you ever feel like you’re building a business based on someone else’s blueprint rather than what feels authentic to you?
Following strategies that don’t quite sit right.
Building relationships that just feel… off.
Pushing yourself down a path that looks good on paper, but feels heavy and draining.
If this sounds familiar, you probably need to reconnect with your intuition.
In this episode, I’m joined by leadership coach Liza Leiss, and we’re diving into how to reconnect with your intuition and build a business that actually feels good to run - while still achieving your goals.
Liza has an MBA and has helped hundreds of founders scale without burning out, and she shares practical strategies to help you get back on your own path and move forward with clarity.
Covered in this episode:
Why so many creative business owners ignore their intuition and the hidden costs this has.
How to spot the symptoms of building a business that’s out of alignment.
What really creates fulfillment in your life.
The mindset shift that will help you stop overthinking and start trusting yourself again.
And much more…
If you get value from this episode, follow Creative Courage on your favourite podcast app for more transformational content to help you thrive as a creative.
PS: If you want a custom roadmap to grow a creative studio that works for you, rather than the other way around. Click this link - https://resources.mattessam.co.uk/.

LEARN MORE
Liza Leiss - https://lizaleiss.com/
Liza on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/liza.leiss/
Work with Matt to grow your agency - https://www.mattessam.co.uk/creative-life-accelerator
CONNECT
Liza Leiss on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/liza-marie-leiss-90b00014b/
Matt Essam on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattessam
LISTEN
Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/2LSpLIyYtBLe03JBC8LjvT
Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/creative-courage/id1721515799
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@Matt_Essam
...more
44min
June 25, 2025Build Real Confidence and Stop People Pleasing with Adil Hussain
You know what you need to do to grow your business, but something’s holding you back from taking action.
Maybe it’s fear of how people will react... Maybe it’s the voice in your head that tells you you're not good enough.
In this episode, you might just learn how to break through these invisible barriers.
I sit down with my friend and Coach Adil Hussain who shares a powerful story that allowed him to stop people pleasing, push through fear and start leading his life and business with confidence.
Covered in this episode:
The real reason most people stay stuck.
The formula for building true confidence.
How to double your prices.
The power of archetypes and understanding yourself better.
And more…
If you get value from this episode, follow Creative Courage on your favourite podcast app for more transformational content to help you thrive as a creative.
PS: If you want a custom roadmap to grow a creative studio that works for you, rather than the other way around. Click this link - https://resources.mattessam.co.uk/.

LEARN MORE
Work with Matt to grow your agency - https://www.mattessam.co.uk/creative-life-accelerator
CONNECT
Adil Hussain on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/adilhussain001/
Matt Essam on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattessam/
LISTEN
Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/2LSpLIyYtBLe03JBC8LjvT
Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/creative-courage/id1721515799
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@Matt_Essam
...more
46min
June 18, 2025How To Take Holiday Without Your Business Falling Apart
I know what it’s like to feel trapped in your business.
You’re desperate for a holiday, but you know that things will fall apart if you take more than a couple of days away.
The team can’t match the level of quality your clients expect.
Operations become chaotic.
And you tell yourself it’d be easier to keep handling it on your own.
But this isn’t sustainable. It leads to burnout, and makes scaling much harder.
That’s why, in this episode, I’m sharing 3 key principles that will help you remove yourself from the day-to-day without your business breaking. So you can focus on the work you want to do and take time off without stress.
Covered in this episode:
Why so many creatives feel stuck in their business.
How to ensure your team matches the level of quality you expect.
The 3 principles to free yourself from day-to-day operations.
How to stop micromanaging and still get results.
How to grow your business without creating more stress in your life.
If you get value from this episode, follow Creative Courage on your favourite podcast app for more transformational content to help you thrive as a creative.
PS: If you want a custom roadmap to grow a creative studio that works for you, rather than the other way around. Click this link - https://resources.mattessam.co.uk/.

LEARN MORE
Work with Matt to grow your agency - https://www.mattessam.co.uk/creative-life-accelerator
CONNECT
Matt Essam on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattessam/
LISTEN
Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/2LSpLIyYtBLe03JBC8LjvT
Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/creative-courage/id1721515799
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@Matt_Essam
...more
18min
June 11, 2025 Never Worry About Competitors Again Using THIS Strategy
Losing a project to a competitor can be gutting.
You know your work is good. You know you can solve the client’s problem. But for some reason, they picked someone else.
I’ve been there. Back when I ran my creative studio, I’d come across competitors with great work - sometimes even better than ours - often charging less. And I’d wonder why a client would choose us over other studios.
I was assuming clients only cared about the work. But I was wrong.
And in this episode, I’m sharing what really matters when it comes to winning clients. It’s a strategy I call ‘The River of Life’, and it’s going to help you cut through the noise, make the competition irrelevant, and charge what you’re really worth.
Covered in this episode:

- What clients actually care about when choosing who to work with.
- Why your skills alone won’t win 6-figure projects.
- How to position yourself as uniquely fitted to solve your ideal client’s problems.
- How one creative business owner quadrupled his revenue with this approach.
- And more…
PS: If you want a custom roadmap to grow a creative studio that works for you, rather than the other way around. Click this link - https://resources.mattessam.co.uk/.

LEARN MORE
Work with Matt to grow your agency - https://www.mattessam.co.uk/creative-life-accelerator
CONNECT
Matt Essam on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattessam
LISTEN
Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/2LSpLIyYtBLe03JBC8LjvT
Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/creative-courage/id1721515799
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@Matt_Essam
...more
11min
June 04, 2025The 3 Biggest Profit Killers In Your Creative Business with Marcel Petitpas
Are you tired of getting to the end of the month and finding that there’s no money left?
If you aren’t making the level of profit you want to in your business, this episode is for you.
I’m joined by Marcel Petitpas - a profitability expert who’s worked with hundreds of agencies to help them increase their profit margins without sacrificing their creativity or sanity.
If you’re tired of working hard and still feeling like you’re underpaid for your talent, this is a must-listen.
We dig into the practical numbers, the mindset shifts, and the systems you need to get clear on what your business actually earns - and how to earn more.
Covered in this episode:
The biggest pricing mistakes creatives make.
The 3 levers every agency owner needs to understand to boost their profit.
Why most creatives are underpricing (and how to fix it).
The exact profit margins you should be aiming for.
Why a lack of clients isn’t always the cause of low profits - and what the real issue is.
How to balance profitability with freedom and creativity.
And much more…
If you get value from this episode, follow Creative Courage on your favourite podcast app for more transformational content to help you thrive as a creative.
PS: If you want a custom roadmap to grow a creative studio that works for you, rather than the other way around. Click this link - https://resources.mattessam.co.uk/.

LEARN MORE
Free Toolkit - https://parakeeto.com/toolkit/?utm_source=Earned+Media&utm_medium=Podcast+Appearance&utm_campaign=Matt+Essam
Parakeeto Foundation Course- https://course.parakeeto.com/?utm_source=Earned+Media&utm_medium=Podcast+Appearance&utm_campaign=Matt+Essam
Model Beta - https://form.asana.com/?k=1OSsviJBE_luDSLhqMwoRA&d=1156118475728463/?utm_source=Earned+Media&utm_medium=Podcast+Appearance&utm_campaign=Matt+Essam
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkq1Fcy_x3ZcNjMZEaSvSpw
Blog - https://parakeeto.com/blog/
Work with Matt to grow your agency - https://www.mattessam.co.uk/creative-life-accelerator
CONNECT
Marcel Petitpas on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcelpetitpas/
Matt Essam on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattessam/
LISTEN
Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/2LSpLIyYtBLe03JBC8LjvT
Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/creative-courage/id1721515799
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@Matt_Essam
...more
57min
May 28, 2025The Secret To Creating Content That Lands Six-Figure Projects
How do you find new clients when things go quiet?
Ask for referrals? Send cold emails or DM's? Post content on social?
All of these things work. If you know how to work them. And in this episode, I want to show you how to create content that attracts ideal clients.
Most people create content that attracts peers not prospects. They get likes and comments not projects.
It can feel frustrating and demoralising.
It makes you want to give up.
That’s why I’m unpacking what makes the difference between content that flops and content that wins 6-figure deals. Once you understand the 3 simple concepts that I share, you’ll be able to create content that pulls in ideal clients on autopilot.
Covered in this episode:
How to create content lands five and six figure deals.
How to get your ideal clients to practically write your content for you.
Why you might not be getting recognition for your work and how to fix that.
How to position yourself as the go-to expert with your content.
And much more…
If you get value from this episode, follow Creative Courage on your favourite podcast app for more transformational content to help you thrive as a creative.
PS: If you want a custom roadmap to grow a creative studio that works for you, rather than the other way around. Click this link - https://resources.mattessam.co.uk/.

LEARN MORE
Work with Matt to grow your agency - https://www.mattessam.co.uk/creative-life-accelerator
CONNECT
Matt Essam on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattessam/
LISTEN
Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/2LSpLIyYtBLe03JBC8LjvT
Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/creative-courage/id1721515799
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@Matt_Essam
...more
24min
May 21, 2025Are You Building The Right Business?
Are you building your dream business or someone else's?
Are you doing the things YOU need in order to be successful or what someone else has told you to do?
It's easy to look at high-performing entrepreneurs and feel like you aren't doing enough.
They seem to always be winning awards, getting invited on podcasts and having their work featured in all of the high profile magazines.
Maybe they get up at 5am and have a crazy morning routine.
Is that you though?
Is that what you really want?
I think we are missing an important concept.
We aren't comparing apples with apples.
It's a powerful idea that doesn't get spoken about enough.
I just spent 20 minutes unpacking it in my latest podcast episode and it might be the difference between you feeling inferior and feeling content.
There’s no one-size-fits-all when it comes to entrepreneurship. And if you want to achieve the life and business you set out to, this episode is going to help clarify whether or not you’re on the right path - and how to get back on track.

Covered in this episode:
What your personality type says about the kind of business you should run…
…and how to figure out what your personality type is.
The hidden cost of building a business that you aren’t in alignment with.
Understanding what success looks like for you.
And more…
If you get value from this episode, follow Creative Courage on your favourite podcast app for more transformational content to help you thrive as a creative.
PS: If you want a custom roadmap to grow a creative studio that works for you, rather than the other way around. Click this link - https://resources.mattessam.co.uk/.

LEARN MORE
Work with Matt to grow your agency - https://www.mattessam.co.uk/creative-life-accelerator
CONNECT
Matt Essam on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattessam/
LISTEN
Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/2LSpLIyYtBLe03JBC8LjvT
Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/creative-courage/id1721515799
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@Matt_Essam
...more
19min
May 14, 2025Scale Your Agency Without Growing Your Team with Grant Hushek
How much of your week was spent working within your genius zone?
And how much of it was lost to admin, chasing emails, or fixing broken systems?
In this episode, I’m joined by Grant Hushek. Grant helps marketing and creative agencies grow and scale without increasing their headcount using AI and automation.
We uncover actionable strategies that you can start implementing today to eliminate the grunt work in your business for a fraction of the cost of hiring a new team member.
I guarantee this episode will have something for you, and will allow you to do less of the work you hate doing so you can grow your business faster without burning out
In this episode, we cover:
How to scale your creative business without hiring more people.
Identifying what you can automate in your business today.
Using AI to create a steady stream of content ideas targeted to your ideal client.
How to automate your sales process without losing the personal touch.
Streamlining onboarding to improve client experience.
The exact tools to use and how to set them up.
What the future of the creative agency looks like.
And much more…
If you get value from this episode, follow Creative Courage on your favourite podcast app for more transformational content to help you thrive as a creative.
PS: If you want a custom roadmap to grow a creative studio that works for you, rather than the other way around. Click this link - https://resources.mattessam.co.uk/.

LEARN MORE
Grantbot - https://www.grantbot.co/
Try Call To Content - https://www.grantbot.co/call-to-content
Work with Matt to grow your agency - https://www.mattessam.co.uk/creative-life-accelerator
CONNECT
Grant Hushek on LinkedIn/social - https://www.linkedin.com/in/grant-hushek/
Matt Essam on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattessam/
LISTEN
Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/2LSpLIyYtBLe03JBC8LjvT
Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/creative-courage/id1721515799
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@Matt_Essam
...more
59min
May 07, 2025How To Find 6-Figure Deals Hiding In Your Existing Network with Daniel Ocock
What if your next six figure deal was right in front of you?
What if you don't need more leads, you need to get better at finding the opportunities in your existing network?
This is how Daniel Ocock landed a six figure deal in less than 90 days after we started working together.
Before that, his branding agency was ticking along, but the spark wasn't there.
His business felt stale, and he knew he wanted more. More revenue, more growth and more impact. But doing more of the same wasn’t moving the needle.
Instead of looking for new opportunities, we focused on what already existed within his network.
In this week’s episode of the Creative Courage podcast, Daniel shares behind the scenes of his coaching journey and explains how he landed a multiple six figure deal from an existing client.
If you want to learn how to close more 6-figure deals and find more opportunities within your existing network, this episode is for you.
In this episode, we cover:
The mindset shift that helped Daniel break out of a business rut.
How to uncover hidden opportunities within your existing network.
The secrets to boosting revenue without working longer hours.
The key to staying motivated and knowing when to make a change in your business.
Why you need a mentor and how to find the right one.
And much more…
If you get value from this episode, follow Creative Courage on your favourite podcast app for more transformational content to help you thrive as a creative.
PS: If you want a custom roadmap to grow a creative studio that works for you, rather than the other way around. Click this link - https://resources.mattessam.co.uk/.

LEARN MORE
CSTMR - https://www.cstmr.com
Daniel Ocock - https://www.danielocock.com
Work with Matt to grow your agency - https://www.mattessam.co.uk/creative-life-accelerator
CONNECT
Daniel Ocock on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielocock/
Matt Essam on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattessam/
LISTEN
Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/2LSpLIyYtBLe03JBC8LjvT
Apple Podcasts -
https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/creative-courage/id1721515799
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@Matt_Essam
...more
33min
April 30, 2025Close Six Figure Deals On Upwork (Client Case Study)
What do you do when your biggest client walks away and they’re the only one keeping the lights on?
This week, I’m speaking with Sergey Pantileev, a client was on the verge of closing his business and getting a job after losing one of his biggest clients.
Fast forward two years, and Sergey is now closing multiple six-figure deals with ideal clients through Upwork and is no longer worrying about when the next opportunity will show up.
In this episode, Sergey shares the exact mindset shifts and sales strategies that helped him:
Win multiple six figure deals using Upwork
Lead sales calls that put you ahead of lower-cost competition.
Spot red flags from prospects before it’s too late.
Keep an abundance mindset - even when cash flow is tight.
If you get value from this episode, follow Creative Courage on your favourite podcast app for more transformational content to help you thrive as a creative.
PS: If you want a custom roadmap to grow a creative studio that works for you, rather than the other way around. Click this link - https://resources.mattessam.co.uk/.

LEARN MORE
Work with Matt to grow your agency - https://www.mattessam.co.uk/creative-life-accelerator
CONNECT
Sergey Pantileev on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/sergeypantileev/
Matt Essam on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattessam
LISTEN
Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/2LSpLIyYtBLe03JBC8LjvT
Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/creative-courage/id1721515799
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@Matt_Essam
...more
50min

FAQs about Creative Courage:

How many episodes does Creative Courage have?

The podcast currently has 84 episodes available.

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