"Convenience is a lie because it doesn't save time. You might save time in that moment, but it steals your energy moments after." - Sarah Bayliss

In this candid conversation, nutritional therapist Sarah Bayliss shares her journey from struggling with severe dyslexia throughout her education to finding her purpose in nutrition. 

After pushing through the educational system and landing in a high-stress marketing career that led to burnout, Sarah discovered the profound impact of proper nutrition on her health, which inspired a career change. Despite her learning challenges, she pursued a degree in nutritional therapy, even tackling biochemistry. 

Sarah explains how she helps clients understand that their environmental inputs - from food to sleep to relationships - directly impact their physical and mental function. She advocates for simple, intentional changes rather than quick fixes, emphasizing awareness of how daily choices affect long-term health.

Do Nourish: How to eat for resilience - Paperback out now 

Key Takeaways

• Sarah's early diagnosis with severe dyslexia created educational challenges that framed her mindset as a "survival journey" rather than pursuing what she loved.
• After achieving success in marketing, Sarah experienced burnout and health issues that led her to discover the transformative power of nutrition.
• Despite her dyslexia, Sarah boldly pursued nutritional therapy education, including biochemistry, motivated by wanting her daughter to see her happy in her work.
• Sarah views symptoms as the body's communication system - signals that something is functionally not optimal that should be addressed rather than ignored.
• She emphasizes understanding how environmental inputs (food, sleep, light, movement, relationships) impact function, rather than just treating symptoms.
• Sarah cautions against "convenience" foods, which may save time in the moment but steal energy and health in the long run.
• Breaking out of "autopilot" requires self-awareness and connecting behaviors to deeper purpose - making small, consistent changes that accumulate over time.
• Rather than prescribing specific meal plans, Sarah helps clients develop awareness of their own habits and make sustainable changes within their capabilities.
• The gut microbiome is crucial for immunity and digestion - both fermented foods (probiotics) and fiber-rich foods (prebiotics) are important for gut health.
• Simple changes made consistently can have profound effects - adding one healthy choice daily equals 365 positive inputs per year.

Mindful Creative: How to understand and deal with the highs and lows of creative life, career and business

Paperback and Kindle > https://amzn.to/4biTwFc
Free audiobook (with Audible trial) > https://geni.us/free-audiobook
Signed books https://novemberuniverse.co.uk

Lux Coffee Co. https://luxcoffee.co.uk/ (Use: PODCAST for 15% off)

November Universe https://novemberuniverse.co.uk (Use: PODCAST for 10% off)

Welcome to five-minute magic from Mindful Creative Podcast. A short bonus episode, sharing tips and insights from the book's pages of the same title. 

Every week I'll share one or two ideas that can give you an actionable takeaway for your creative process or work/business, or just the food for thought for the weekend ahead. 

These bonus episodes share content from the audio book, and you can find the link to the full version in the show notes.

Mindful Creative: How to understand and deal with the highs and lows of creative life, career and business

Paperback and Kindle > https://amzn.to/4biTwFc
Free audiobook (with Audible trial) > https://geni.us/free-audiobook
Signed books https://novemberuniverse.co.uk

Lux Coffee Co. https://luxcoffee.co.uk/ (Use: PODCAST for 15% off)

November Universe https://novemberuniverse.co.uk (Use: PODCAST for 10% off)

In this heartfelt conversation, Glasgow-based designer Chris Wilson shares his journey as the one-person creative studio. 

He discusses his decision to embrace his solo status rather than pretending to be a larger agency, his traumatic experience being attacked with a knife as a university student, and how work became a crutch that ultimately led to burnout and hospitalisation. 

Chris opens up about discovering therapy later in life, managing client expectations by setting boundaries, and his ongoing evolution as a designer navigating new technologies and personal growth. His story reveals the challenges and rewards of running a small design business while prioritizing well-being.

Key Takeaways

• Being authentic about running a solo studio created more trust with clients than pretending to be larger.
• Work can become a dangerous crutch that helps avoid dealing with emotional trauma.
• Setting clear boundaries with clients (four-day workweek, email-only communication) helped establish healthier work patterns.
• Traumatic events can significantly impact creative confidence and career choices.
• It's important to recognize burnout warnings before health deteriorates seriously.
• Therapy can be transformative even years after experiencing trauma.
• Embracing technological change (like AI) is essential for staying relevant in the creative industry.
• Finding a balance between personal development, client work, and emotional well-being is an ongoing journey.
• Small studios can build meaningful client relationships by guiding them through the entire creative process.
• Self-acceptance is crucial for both personal health and authentic creative work.

Mindful Creative: How to understand and deal with the highs and lows of creative life, career and business

Paperback and Kindle > https://amzn.to/4biTwFc
Free audiobook (with Audible trial) > https://geni.us/free-audiobook
Signed books https://novemberuniverse.co.uk

Lux Coffee Co. https://luxcoffee.co.uk/ (Use: PODCAST for 15% off)

November Universe https://novemberuniverse.co.uk (Use: PODCAST for 10% off)

Welcome to five-minute magic from Mindful Creative Podcast. A short bonus episode, sharing tips and insights from the book's pages of the same title. 

Every week I'll share one or two ideas that can give you an actionable takeaway for your creative process or work/business, or just the food for thought for the weekend ahead. 

These bonus episodes share content from the audio book, and you can find the link to the full version in the show notes.

Mindful Creative: How to understand and deal with the highs and lows of creative life, career and business

Paperback and Kindle > https://amzn.to/4biTwFc
Free audiobook (with Audible trial) > https://geni.us/free-audiobook
Signed books https://novemberuniverse.co.uk

Lux Coffee Co. https://luxcoffee.co.uk/ (Use: PODCAST for 15% off)

November Universe https://novemberuniverse.co.uk (Use: PODCAST for 10% off)

"I feel togetherness is inevitable. From a philosophical standpoint, we're more connected than ever, despite the imaginary frontiers that exist." - Johanna Roca

Jo Roca shares her transformative journey from Colombia to global creative leadership, discussing how leaving home at 16 shaped her perspective on identity, belonging, and creativity. 

She reveals her struggles with cultural stereotypes, the pressure to assimilate, and her eventual path to self-acceptance. Jo speaks passionately about the need for collaborative approaches in the creative industry, drawing parallels to how nature thrives through interconnection. 

She explores the ethics of AI in design, describes developing ethical frameworks for creative work, and emphasizes the importance of empathy in both personal relationships and professional projects.

Key Takeaways

• Jo's early experiences as a Colombian abroad taught her empathy through lived experiences that now inform her creative approach.
• Self-acceptance was a gradual process for Jo, catalyzed by motherhood and place-branding work that explored belonging.
• Jo believes "togetherness is inevitable" and sees potential in creative collaboration rather than competition.
• The creative industry should move away from celebrating "lone geniuses" toward recognizing collective contributions.
• Jo advocates for ethical frameworks in AI adoption, balancing innovation with responsibility toward creative communities.
• Personal values can guide professional choices, though Jo acknowledges the privilege in being able to decline certain projects.

Mindful Creative: How to understand and deal with the highs and lows of creative life, career and business

Paperback and Kindle > https://amzn.to/4biTwFc
Free audiobook (with Audible trial) > https://geni.us/free-audiobook
Signed books https://novemberuniverse.co.uk

Lux Coffee Co. https://luxcoffee.co.uk/ (Use: PODCAST for 15% off)

November Universe https://novemberuniverse.co.uk (Use: PODCAST for 10% off)

Welcome to five-minute magic from Mindful Creative Podcast. A short bonus episode, sharing tips and insights from the book's pages of the same title. 

Every week I'll share one or two ideas that can give you an actionable takeaway for your creative process or work/business, or just the food for thought for the weekend ahead. 

These bonus episodes share content from the audio book, and you can find the link to the full version in the show notes.

Mindful Creative: How to understand and deal with the highs and lows of creative life, career and business

Paperback and Kindle > https://amzn.to/4biTwFc
Free audiobook (with Audible trial) > https://geni.us/free-audiobook
Signed books https://novemberuniverse.co.uk

Lux Coffee Co. https://luxcoffee.co.uk/ (Use: PODCAST for 15% off)

November Universe https://novemberuniverse.co.uk (Use: PODCAST for 10% off)

"When you give somebody freedom to roam, you never know what creativity you'll unlock. That freedom brings happiness and retains relationships." - Alex Suchet

In this episode, Radim Malinic interviews Alex Suchet, founder and CEO of Mystery Box, a digital production company. Alex shares his journey from TV production runner to agency owner, discussing how having successful family members inspired rather than pressured him. 

He introduces the "Red Car Theory" of opportunity - the idea that when we focus too narrowly on specific goals, we miss opportunities around us. Alex emphasizes the importance of freedom in creative work and building businesses, explaining how Mystery Box has thrived by being adaptable rather than rigid in its approach. 

He also discusses the challenges of imposter syndrome as an agency founder who wasn't previously a designer or developer himself, and how financial success provided validation but not happiness. Throughout the conversation, Alex highlights the value of authentic relationships with clients and team members, comparing business relationships to friendships that should develop organically rather than through aggressive marketing or social media.

Key Takeaways

• Being exposed to successful people can either inspire you or create unhealthy pressure - Alex chose inspiration.
• The "Red Car Theory": If you only look for red things, you'll miss blue opportunities around you.
• Freedom leads to retention - in business, relationships, and creative teams.
• Financial success can provide validation but doesn't necessarily create happiness.
• The best client relationships come organically through quality work, not aggressive marketing.
• Creative businesses need flexibility to evolve with changing markets and technologies.
• Building a team requires different perspectives and skills - "a team full of Alex Suchets" wouldn't work.
• Success comes from being open to where opportunities take you, not rigidly following a predetermined path.
• Remote work models (which Mystery Box adopted in 2011) can be both efficient and fulfilling.
• Authenticity in relationships matters most - whether with clients, team members, or creative partners.

Mindful Creative: How to understand and deal with the highs and lows of creative life, career and business

Paperback and Kindle > https://amzn.to/4biTwFc
Free audiobook (with Audible trial) > https://geni.us/free-audiobook
Signed books https://novemberuniverse.co.uk

Lux Coffee Co. https://luxcoffee.co.uk/ (Use: PODCAST for 15% off)

November Universe https://novemberuniverse.co.uk (Use: PODCAST for 10% off)

Welcome to five-minute magic from Mindful Creative Podcast. A short bonus episode, sharing tips and insights from the book's pages of the same title. 

Every week I'll share one or two ideas that can give you an actionable takeaway for your creative process or work/business, or just the food for thought for the weekend ahead. 

These bonus episodes share content from the audio book, and you can find the link to the full version in the show notes.

Today, we'll conclude the chapter Mindful. For the last few episodes, I've been sharing useful tips, advice, breathing techniques and information on alternative exercises that can provide that element of calm for a busy mind. 

If you missed any of these, start from episode 49 and work your way here. In this episode, we'll run through a summary of other useful tools and focus on the idea of being a creative athlete who is constantly building healthy habits, always showing up and making the right kinds of small efforts to succeed. 

Mindful Creative: How to understand and deal with the highs and lows of creative life, career and business

Paperback and Kindle > https://amzn.to/4biTwFc
Free audiobook (with Audible trial) > https://geni.us/free-audiobook
Signed books https://novemberuniverse.co.uk

Lux Coffee Co. https://luxcoffee.co.uk/ (Use: PODCAST for 15% off)

November Universe https://novemberuniverse.co.uk (Use: PODCAST for 10% off)

"In the beginning I was more fearless because I had nothing to lose. Now I've developed a reputation, but I'm better at saying no." - Stephanie Boutari

Stephanie Boutari shares her journey from studying architecture to becoming a mural artist in Southern Ontario, Canada. Originally from Bahrain with Egyptian heritage, Stephanie initially chose architecture as a "safer" career path despite her lifelong passion for art. After years of suppressing her creative identity, she reconnected with her artistic roots during her master's thesis by exploring color, surfaces, and architecture. 

Her first mural experience—painting outside her architecture school where everyone could see her—marked the beginning of her transition. After working in architecture left her physically ill (culminating in a ruptured appendix), she finally embraced mural art as her full-time career. Stephanie approaches each project with a deep consideration for the architectural context, integrating existing features like windows and structural elements into her compositions. 

She now dreams of expanding her reach to paint multi-story buildings and participating in international street art festivals.

Key Takeaways:

• Stephanie uses architectural principles in her art, creating geometric murals that play with depth and three-dimensional effects on two-dimensional surfaces
• Her first mural came from simply asking a building owner if she could paint their wall, showing the power of initiative
• Each completed mural naturally led to more commissions through visibility and word-of-mouth
• She balances creative freedom with client needs, but always stays true to her artistic vision
• Physical challenges of mural painting include weather limitations, construction site complications, and physical fatigue
• Social media metrics aren't as meaningful as genuine audience connection and feedback
• Her evolution as an artist includes being more selective about projects and setting boundaries while still pushing her creative comfort zone

Mindful Creative: How to understand and deal with the highs and lows of creative life, career and business

Paperback and Kindle > https://amzn.to/4biTwFc
Free audiobook (with Audible trial) > https://geni.us/free-audiobook
Signed books https://novemberuniverse.co.uk

Lux Coffee Co. https://luxcoffee.co.uk/ (Use: PODCAST for 15% off)

November Universe https://novemberuniverse.co.uk (Use: PODCAST for 10% off)

Welcome to five-minute magic from Mindful Creative Podcast. A short bonus episode, sharing tips and insights from the book's pages of the same title. 
 
Every week I'll share one or two ideas that can give you an actionable takeaway for your creative process or work/business, or just the food for thought for the weekend ahead. 

These bonus episodes share content from the audio book, and you can find the link to the full version in the show notes.

In this episode of five-minute magic, we are continuing with content shares from the Mindful section. This time, it's a bumper episode about understanding and acceptance. We'll zoom in on the following:  understanding our thoughts, how to spot and understand stress and how to tune into the right signals. 

Mindful Creative: How to understand and deal with the highs and lows of creative life, career and business

Paperback and Kindle > https://amzn.to/4biTwFc
Free audiobook (with Audible trial) > https://geni.us/free-audiobook
Signed books https://novemberuniverse.co.uk

Lux Coffee Co. https://luxcoffee.co.uk/ (Use: PODCAST for 15% off)

November Universe https://novemberuniverse.co.uk (Use: PODCAST for 10% off)