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Matt Payne is a full-time landscape photographer, mountain climber and adventurer living in Durango, Colorado. He also hosts the hugely popular weekly F-Stop Collaborate and Listen podcast producing candid conversations with photographers.

Join Margaret in their conversation where they explore numerous topics from how Matt found his creative purpose and how he gets great joy from promoting other photographers.

His weekly podcasts have given him back so much. He loves the wonderful conversations, listening to lots of viewpoints and sharing and uplifting others' work and we talk about my own favourite episode of his where he highlighted women in Landscape photography.

Matt takes the approach that 'Perfection is the enemy of good enough' and uses it in all sorts of ways. Give yourself permission to fail and start to identify areas of improvement.

In August 2023 he got the opportunity to experience the Colorado trail and walked 500 miles home.  During this time he pontificated about life and himself and he subsequently became a full time photographer. Watch out for the book in time to come

Matts podcast page on his website
Matts Instagram
Matts' podcast facebook page

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Out on the kayak on the Isle of Harris, Margaret shares her thoughts along with the sounds of the birds and the water all around.
Immerse into the peace and quiet of the early morning on the island with Margaret.
Margaret shares thoughts about overwhelm and how to narrow down which channels to use for yourself.
A comment on Neale James' recent podcast with Sean Tucker where they chat about overthinking and how to learn to listen to your own intuition and not be distracted by whether your art or writing or music will be liked by others.

Some thoughts on journalling and how writing things down can mean the difference between remembering important things. As well as some readings from Margaret's notebooks. 

Neale James Photowalk podcast with Sean Tucker
 

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Listen in to Margaret as she shares her thoughts on this period of rest, regeneration, and self-compassion that she has been practicing recently.

She covers numerous topics and, in her own unique way, explains how she has consciously slowed her life down, prioritizing rest recuperation and meditation, which she instinctively knows is needed for her well-being. 

Sometimes, that space to breathe and not to be doing, reading and mindful activities can really spark creativity and thought processes back into action. She is particularly enjoying listening to the sounds of nature at the moment - the birds and barking seals, for instance, are all very soothing.

Neale James Podcast episode 

Joey Hulins website 

Find Beach art by Dorothy atTraigh Alba 

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Join Margaret whilst she chats with Laurence Winram, a professional photographer from Aberdeen and now based in Edinburgh. It's fascinating to hear how he balances his diverse commercial and unusual creative work. Laurence describes in detail how he creates his beautiful land art  At these times, he is embracing the moment,  whilst practising gratitude and mindfulness.  He loves the connection to nature. He creates his design, takes the image and within hours the scene can degrade and be returned to nature.Enjoy this gentle insight into Laurence's life. it will make you think.  Be sure to tap into his @shapednature page on Instagram - you won't be disappointed.

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Join Margaret as she introduces us to some sounds, thoughts and feelings she experienced during her recent trip to Kerala, India.

Since 2016, she has regularly headed to India for Ayurvedic treatments and the time felt right for her to return this March . She explains how her time there helped with ongoing feelings of grief, gave her space to write and to think and, as always, use creativity as an outlet. A calming, thoughtful reflection of her time at this retreat.

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Anni Townend is a Leadership Partner, Coach and Mentor to Executive Teams and Senior Leaders, as well as being an Author, Facilitator, and Entrepreneur and Podcast Host of Leaders in Conversation with Anni Townend.Join Margaret  as they talk about the benefits of walking and talking. Anni explains that walking is one of the ways in which she renews herself and this has always been a criteria for her when deciding where she lives.They further explore  the equation of creativity, collaboration and conversation. A really inspirational chat which shouldn't be missed as it emphasises the importance of finding an outdoor activity which resonates with each of us.  Finding cracks and crevices in our busy lives to take time to stop is crucial.Anni advocates taking small pauses every day and reading!  Listen in to hear how to greet each day as a mini adventure!Anni's Podcast Anni's Website Anni's Instagram

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Listen in to Margaret explain how she is navigating the various stages of grief she is experiencing.  As always she instinctively turns to creativity and nature, whilst at all times listening to what her body needs, tuning in to what makes her feel better.

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Brie Stockwell is a photographer, confidence coach and lifelong creative.  Join Margaret as they chat about the benefits of sharing their creative work

Whilst both enjoy spending time to reflect and create solo, they explore the value of having 'pockets' of people whose feedback and encouragement is vital. Listen whilst they discuss Brene Brown's Square Squad  and having a small group whom you respect and whose opinions matter.

They explore how Brie's coaching is very important to her and how she encourages her clients to become more conscious and  motivated, thus empowering them to make decisions..  Sustainability  creativity!

The concept of Brie's new Podcast, Wild Women in Photography, supports and  celebrates women in photography. She loves to record  their 'stories'.

This discussion gives a fascinating insight into these two creatives' minds.

Brie's Instagram
Creative Affair podcast
Creative minds coach Instagram
Wild women in Photography 

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Thoughts around self-care and well-being at Christmas - a solo episode with Margaret 

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A roundup of the Creative Light Festival, its speakers,  masterclasses, and activities. Snippets from Christina Golian's  'Spark Your Creativity' masterclass, an extract from  Lisa Paulson and an exciting announcement about future festival dates that you can look forward to - the 2024 event at Broughton Sanctuary and a community-focused 2025 event in Harris.

You can see details of the new festivals here 

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