In this episode of Out of the Clouds, host Anne Mühlethaler welcomes Tijana Tamburic, a storyteller, creative director and co-founder of Female Narratives. After a decade as a model combined with a UCL history degree and experience in publishing and editorial roles, she co-founded Female Narratives to disrupt the outdated advertising industry. Named Forbes 30 Under 30 for Media & Marketing (and later serving as a judge), Tijana has worked on creative campaigns for brands like Bumble, BBC Studios and Allbirds, helping them tell real human stories. She's also the host of The Slow Down podcast and a board advisor for social enterprise OK MENTOR.

Anne discovered Tijana through The Slow Down, which offers what Tijana calls the career advice she never got in her twenties, aka conversations with people who've redefined success beyond hustle culture. Tijana shares her journey from arriving in London as an 18-month-old Serbian immigrant to being raised for autonomy by hardworking parents. She candidly discusses her teenage antics, keeping her modeling career at arm's length, staying in education, and initially hiding her avant-garde editorial modeling work from friends.

She tells Anne about her Burning Man transformation, meeting her future business partner on a flight to Ibiza, and her first ayahuasca ceremony, noting how these experiences introduced her to patient, graceful women who helped her step into her feminine energy after years of operating from a masculine, confrontational stance.

This shift led to founding Female Narratives, which initially got swept up in girl boss culture's demands to scale and sell. After two years on this path, Tijana and her co-founder had a crucial conversation about what kind of life they actually wanted. They worked backwards to design a boutique agency requiring a handful of projects yearly to meet their goals, allowing them to be selective about clients and maintain work-life balance.

Tijana reflects on her relationship with her archetypal masculine mother, a Serbian pharmacist who became a professor at London College of Fashion. The conversation also explores Tijana's past addiction to stress, her journey through burnout, and her ongoing practice of stepping into feminine energy through active listening and moving from scarcity to abundance mindset. 

A candid conversation about building a business that serves your life, balancing masculine and feminine energies, and why vulnerable conversations are gifts that help us feel seen and understood.

Selected links from episode:

• The Female Narratives website 
• The Slow Down podcast
• Tijana's Instagram: @tamburic
• Tijana's TEDx Bucharest talk titled ‘When my masculine met my feminine’
• Heart Diffraction Glasses (as featured at Burning Man)
• The Whisperers by Orlando Figes
• Julia Astok
• Esther Perel on autonomy vs loyalty

Visit our website Out of the Clouds : https://outoftheclouds.com/

Find us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_outoftheclouds

Anne on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/annvi/

Anne on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/annvi.bsky.social

Anne on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anne-v-muhlethaler/

Please subscribe and leave us a review ✨

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In this episode of Out of the Clouds, host Anne Mühlethaler welcomes artist and designer Serge Mouangue for a rare and intimate conversation about his remarkable creative journey. Born in Cameroon and now based between France and Japan, Serge has built an artistic practice that explores the deep cultural resonances between West Africa and Japan through his Wafrica project.

The conversation begins with Serge sharing his early life in Cameroon, where he explains the incredible linguistic diversity of his homeland through a striking example - counting from one to ten in his mother's and father's dialects, which sound completely different despite being from villages only 100 kilometers apart. He describes himself as a dreamy child with endless imagination who, growing up in government housing in France without many material possessions, would imagine all the things that were missing - vacuum cleaners, appliances, furniture - developing his ability to give shape to dreams through drawing.

Serge's path led him from interior design to industrial design, and eventually to Japan through his work in automotive design at Nissan. It was there, in 2006, that he discovered unexpected parallels between Japanese and West African cultures: complex hierarchy systems, animistic spirituality that sees souls in all things, and deep reverence for elders. These discoveries sparked what would become his signature artistic exploration.

The heart of the conversation centers on Serge's Wafrica project - kimonos made with African fabrics that blur the boundaries of identity and belonging. He shares a moving story about a Japanese customer who, wearing one of his kimonos, said she felt like she was "wearing world heritage" and no longer felt bound by the traditional submissive role associated with the garment. His other works include the Blood Brothers - African pygmy stools lacquered with Japanese urushi (described poetically as "African wood covered by the blood of a Japanese tree") - and installations like the Seven Sisters, exploring women's secrets and shared experiences.

Throughout the interview, Serge reveals his unique creative process, emphasizing how he "puts feelings first" and trusts his intuition "literally a hundred percent." He describes holding stories in his imagination for years - sometimes six or seven - before they're ready to be born into physical form. His deep relationship with sound emerges as central to his practice, from recording strangers' stories in Australia as a young man to his ongoing fascination with everything from Pygmy hunting songs to the sound of children playing.

The conversation also touches on profound themes of identity and belonging. As Serge notes, "cultural identity is not a given. It's a journey. It's something that you build through time." His work ultimately transcends the specific dialogue between West Africa and Japan to speak to anyone who has felt at home somewhere unexpected or questioned where they're truly from.

Anne and Serge discuss his advice for those with dreams: acknowledging the risks while emphasizing persistence, hard work, and the importance of luck - which he notes comes to those who "put everything around it so that it happens." When asked about his favorite word, Serge chooses "transcend," explaining how it encompasses both transformation and the spiritual dimension he seeks in all his work.

A deeply thoughtful and poetic conversation with an artist who rarely gives interviews, making this intimate discussion all the more precious.

Selected Links from Episode:

• Serge Mouague’s website: wafrica.art
• Akaa Design Fair (October 24-26, Paris): akaafair.com

Visit our website Out of the Clouds : https://outoftheclouds.com/

Find us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_outoftheclouds

Anne on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/annvi/

Anne on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/annvi.bsky.social

Anne on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anne-v-muhlethaler/

Please subscribe and leave us a review ✨

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In this deeply moving episode of Out of the Clouds, host Anne Mühlethaler welcomes Ashley Bernardi, an award-winning podcaster, author, media relations expert, and founder of Nardi Media. Ashley served as a network television news producer for nearly a decade, with credits including CBS News, energyNOW! on Bloomberg TV, and Washington Post Live. She has helped multiple authors launch their books and become New York Times Best Sellers, including Mel Robbins, Dr. Susan Peirce Thompson, and Dr. Gabrielle Lyon, with client placements in top-tier outlets like The Washington Post, The New York Times, TODAY, Good Morning America, CBS This Morning, NPR, Fortune, and hundreds more.

Ashley's personal story begins with profound childhood trauma - losing her father to a sudden heart attack at age 11 - and traces her journey through decades of burying her emotions while excelling professionally as a journalist and PR expert.

Ashley shares with Anne how she grew up in a creative military family, with her father serving as an Army colonel at the Pentagon and her mother running a successful dance studio in the DC area. The sudden loss of her beloved dad became a defining moment which brought her to suppress her grief and emotions for over two decades, channeling her energy into professional achievement while struggling with various coping mechanisms.

The conversation takes a profound turn as Ashley describes how unprocessed trauma eventually manifested in her body through a severe case of Lyme disease following the birth of her third daughter. After being medically gaslit by numerous doctors, Ashley experienced what she refers to as her "dark night of the soul" –- a moment of complete surrender that finally opened the door to processing her long-buried grief for her father.

Ashley details her healing journey, which involved developing daily practices of meditation, journaling, breathwork, therapy, coaching, and more. She explains how learning to "feel her feelings" in real-time became the foundation for both her physical healing and her relationship with her deceased father. The experience transformed her approach to life and work, impacting the work she does at Nardi Media, a PR agency specialising in health, wellness, spirituality, and mission-driven organisations.

Throughout their conversation, Anne and Ashley explore the importance of storytelling as both a healing tool and a way to connect with others. Ashley shares practical advice for those wanting to share their own stories, emphasising the difference between written and spoken communication and the necessity of practicing your story out loud. She also discusses her work with renowned clients like Dr. Jill Bolte Taylor and Dr. Emma Seppälä, and how her personal healing journey informed her professional mission.

The interview concludes with Ashley's insights on the transformative power of authentic connection, the importance of honoring both masculine and feminine energies, and her belief that everyone has healing wisdom within them. She emphasises that feelings are meant to be felt and processed, not buried, and that our authentic power comes from getting quiet and listening to our inner wisdom.

A raw, honest, and ultimately hopeful conversation about trauma, healing, and the courage it takes to live authentically.

Connect with Ashley:

• Ashley Bernardi's website: ashleybernardi.com
• Nardi Media: nardimedia.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nardi_media 

Visit our website Out of the Clouds : https://outoftheclouds.com/

Find us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_outoftheclouds

Anne on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/annvi/

Anne on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/annvi.bsky.social

Anne on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anne-v-muhlethaler/

Please subscribe and leave us a review ✨

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In this episode of Out of the Clouds, host Anne Mühlethaler welcomes Karen Salmansohn, a bestselling author who has sold over 2 million books globally and describes herself as someone who puts "Psychology Today and Mad Magazine in a blender and presses frappé." Known for writing self-help books for people who wouldn't be caught dead reading self-help and pioneering the self-help book with attitude—she was the first personal development author to put a curse word in a book title with "How to Be Happy, Dammit"—Karen brings her signature blend of wisdom and wit to every conversation.

In her interview with Anne, Karen speaks about how her journey from senior VP creative director in advertising to bestselling author began with a bold leap of faith driven by pure passion. After achieving early success in advertising (including winning a Clio in her first six months on the job), she realised she wanted to write a novel. After threatening to quit, she finally did. Karen shares the story of how this bold decision led to a remarkable career spanning novels, self-help books, and everything in between. After her first novel, she started to pen books meant to inspire people to think in new ways, which she found more fulfilling than writing copy to convince the same people to switch toothpaste brands. 

Next Anne and Karen explore the inspiration behind Karen's latest book, "Your To-Die-For Life," which emerged from both her experience of "near-life experiences" (being life-adjacent rather than fully present) and the profound impact of her father's death. Karen shares how giving her father's eulogy prompted her to write her own, which led to a thorough reassessment of her priorities and inspired her to move from working in "beast mode" to what she now calls "best mode."

The discussion delves deep into Karen's practical framework for living intentionally, including her seven core values that she reverse-engineered from the top regrets of the dying (Authentic, Brave, Curious, Discerning, Empathic Love, Fun, and Gratitude). Karen also explains her powerful concept of identity-based habits and "to-die lists"—daily practices that help align your actions with who you want to become, using the format "I am [core value] and so I do [action]."

One of the most compelling parts of their conversation centers on Karen's marble jar ritual—a tangible way to practice mortality awareness with each marble representing a remaining month of life, creating a monthly ritual of reflection and intentional living. Karen describes herself as a "middle of life doula:" someone helping people create meaningful change while there's still a runway ahead.

Throughout the interview, Karen demonstrates her gift for making profound concepts accessible through humor and practical tools. From her early days writing silly poems about chemistry homework to helping readers navigate life's heaviness with levity, she embodies her belief that humor is a great survival tool and that we can find awe and meaning in everyday moments.

The conversation touches on behavioral change, the importance of meaningful relationships, the power of curiosity as an antidote to fear, and how mortality awareness can awaken us to make each day more beautiful and purposeful. Karen's approach isn't about morbid fixation on death, but rather using awareness of life's finite nature to live more vividly and intentionally.

A thoughtful and inspiring conversation that offers both practical tools and philosophical insights for anyone seeking to live more fully and authentically.

Happy listening!

Out of the Clouds website: https://outoftheclouds.com/

Out of the Clouds on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_outoftheclouds

The Mettā View website: https://avm.consulting/metta-view

Anne on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/annvi/

Anne on Threads: https://www.threads.net/@annvi

Anne on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anne-v-muhlethaler/

Connect with Karen:

• On Instagram @notsalmon
• On Facebook https://www.facebook.com/Notsalmon/
• On LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/karensalmansohn/
• On Youtube https://www.youtube.com/@karensalmansohn-OFFICIAL

Karen's Work:

• Your To Die For Life - Karen's latest book and website
• Karen's Substack: The Stand-Up Philosopher
• Legacy Lab coaching with Karen
• You’re never too old to re-jigger your life - a video masterclass
• Her TEDxTalk: Fun is your high-performance fuel

Referenced in the Interview:

• Jonathan Fields interviews Karen Salmansohn for the Good Life Project

Karen's Notable Books Mentioned:

• "How to Be Happy, Dammit" - The book that started it all
• "Even God Is Single, So Stop Giving Me a Hard Time"
• "The Clitourist: A guide to one of the hottest spots on Earth"
• "How to Make Your Man Behave in 21 Days or Less Using the Secrets of Professional Dog Trainers"

Karen's Song Picks:

• Alanis Morissette - "You Learn"
• Sarah Bareilles - "Brave"

Philosophical References:

• Aristotle's philosophy on living a good life
• The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying
• Regina Spektor (artist Karen admires)

Links: 

• Jonathan Fields interviews Karen Salmansohn for the Good Life Project

Some of Karen’s most successful titles:

•  How to be Happy, dammit
•  Even God Is Single, so stop giving me a hard Time.
• The Clitourist :  A guide to one of the hottest spots on Earth for people with a clitoris, or people who love people with one

The upcoming book:

https://yourtodieforlife.com/

Karen’s picks for the song that best represents her 

https://open.spotify.com/track/2yx1kAK1Fe2zTOsaDKSNBk?si=4a71f79f8dd54b55

Alanis Morissette You Learn (live) 

Brave by Sarah Bareilles https://open.spotify.com/track/6Uy6K3KdmUdAfelUp0SeXn?si=4b6e66955a8743f2

This episode is brought to you by Le Trente

Are you a purpose-driven individual seeking clarity in your personal narrative? Is your brand struggling to communicate authentically with your audience? Looking for a thought partnership that transforms how you connect with the world?

Le Trente is a global community that emboldens purpose-driven individuals and organizations to communicate authentically. Headquartered in Geneva but serving clients worldwide, we coach both individuals and brands through their communication journey—from identity exploration to strategy development—all grounded in mindful leadership and compassionate, holistic communication.

Our mission is to be a catalyst for positive change. We inspire open-minded people and organisations to build better worlds through community-building salons, strategic consulting, mindful coaching and storytelling.

Ready to transform your approach to communication and create ripples of positive change? Get in touch, we like to make magic happen. 

FIND OUT MORE ABOUT LE TRENTE HERE.
 

***

If you enjoyed this episode, click subscribe for more, and consider writing a review of the show on Apple Podcasts, we really appreciate your support and feedback. And thank you so much for listening!

For all notes and transcripts, please visit Out Of The Clouds on Simplecast - https://out-of-the-clouds.simplecast.com/

Sign up for Anne's email newsletter for more from Out of the Clouds at https://outoftheclouds.com.

Follow Anne and Out of the Clouds: IG: @_outoftheclouds or @annvi Or on Threads @annvi On Youtube @OutoftheClouds

For more, you can read and subscribe to Anne's Substack, the Mettā View, her weekly dose of insights on coaching, brand development, the future of work, and storytelling, with a hint of mindfulness.

Visit our website Out of the Clouds : https://outoftheclouds.com/

Find us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_outoftheclouds

Anne on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/annvi/

Anne on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/annvi.bsky.social

Anne on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anne-v-muhlethaler/

Please subscribe and leave us a review ✨

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In this episode of Out of the Clouds, host Anne Mühlethaler welcomes Joanna Bloor, a creative thinker and self-proclaimed "Potentialist" who has spent decades helping people and organisations unlock their untapped potential. With a background spanning from selling high-end swimwear to pioneering work in emerging technology during the dot-com era, Joanna brings a unique perspective on how we buy and sell human potential in today's world.

The conversation begins with Joanna's transformative journey from moving from England to Texas at 15 (going from "Hogwarts without boys or magic to Americana") to her pivotal moment entering the tech world in 1995 when "nobody had a rule book." She shares how these experiences taught her that future you is who people want to get to know and shaped her approach to helping others articulate their potential.

At the heart of the discussion is Joanna's revolutionary framework for understanding potential. She explains her concept that humans are essentially "emerging technology" - complex, upgradeable, and often misunderstood products that we buy and sell using outdated methods like resumes and job descriptions. Her famous principle that "every decision made about you and your opportunities is made in a room that you're not in" becomes the launching point for a deep dive into how to make yourself "easy to buy."

The conversation takes a delightful turn as Joanna deconstructs the Cinderella story, which is the heart of her book, Tales of Potential, revealing how she reframed the fairy tale princess to reveal a strategic marketing genius who understood the importance of leaving the right "marketing materials" (the glass slipper) behind. This leads to a rich discussion about authenticity, power dynamics  in professional settings, and why women need to shift from playing non-zero sum games to positive sum games - essentially, making more pie rather than fighting over slices.

Joanna shares practical advice for people who want to unlock insights to better talk about their own potential, including her "three words exercise" for discovering how others perceive you, and discusses the four power dynamics at play in any interaction: being liked, wanted, invited, or honored. 

The episode concludes with Joanna's vision for bringing more magic into the corporate world, including her dream of standing on stage unironically in a sequin ball gown with a wand to help people see the potential in themselves and others. 

A warm, funny and deeply insightful conversation, which is sure to leave you thinking differently about your own potential. Happy listening! 

Connect with Joanna:

• Joanna's website
• Follow Joanna on LinkedIn
• Joanna's Substack, The Potentialist, a dispatch from the edge of what’s emerging.
• Follow Joanna on social media: @JoannaBloor
• Joanna’s book, Tales of Potential: The Cinderella Story You Didn’t Hear
• Joanna’s TED talk “How 3D printing helped me lose weight”

Resources mentioned:

• The quantum pen article on Joanna's Substack
• "Clever Lazy" by Joan Badger - the book that inspired 12-year-old Joanna
• PT Barnum 
• Angus Harvey quote on monsters and superstition: “The old world is dying and while the new world struggles to be born, now is the time of monsters  because we are unable to distinguish between what feels good and what is true.”
• The other quote Joanna was looking for: “Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic." Arthur C. Clarke
• "Playing Big" by Tara Mohr - recommended book for women
• Introduction makeover examples by Joanna with a host of wonderful people on YouTube (a must watch!)

Books Joanna recommends:

• "Humans" by Matt Haig
• "The First Fifteen Lives of Harry August" by Claire North
• "The Sudden Appearance of Hope" by Claire North

Other references:

• Positive sum games vs zero sum games
• Songs: "Everything's Coming Up Roses" and "I'm Still Here"

This episode is brought to you by Le Trente

Are you a purpose-driven individual seeking clarity in your personal narrative? Is your brand struggling to communicate authentically with your audience? Looking for a thought partnership that transforms how you connect with the world?

Le Trente is a global community that emboldens purpose-driven individuals and organizations to communicate authentically. Headquartered in Geneva but serving clients worldwide, we coach both individuals and brands through their communication journey—from identity exploration to strategy development—all grounded in mindful leadership and compassionate, holistic communication.

Our mission is to be a catalyst for positive change. We inspire open-minded people and organisations to build better worlds through community-building salons, strategic consulting, mindful coaching and storytelling.

Ready to transform your approach to communication and create ripples of positive change? Get in touch, we like to make magic happen. 

FIND OUT MORE ABOUT LE TRENTE HERE.
 

***

If you enjoyed this episode, click subscribe for more, and consider writing a review of the show on Apple Podcasts, we really appreciate your support and feedback. And thank you so much for listening!

For all notes and transcripts, please visit Out Of The Clouds on Simplecast - https://out-of-the-clouds.simplecast.com/

Sign up for Anne's email newsletter for more from Out of the Clouds at https://outoftheclouds.com.

Follow Anne and Out of the Clouds: IG: @_outoftheclouds or @annvi Or on Threads @annvi On Youtube @OutoftheClouds

For more, you can read and subscribe to Anne's Substack, the Mettā View, her weekly dose of insights on coaching, brand development, the future of work, and storytelling, with a hint of mindfulness.

Visit our website Out of the Clouds : https://outoftheclouds.com/

Find us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_outoftheclouds

Anne on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/annvi/

Anne on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/annvi.bsky.social

Anne on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anne-v-muhlethaler/

Please subscribe and leave us a review ✨

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In this episode of Out of the Clouds, host Anne Mühlethaler welcomes Alice Ruby Ross and Rebecca Monserat, the founders of Forivor, an award-winning sustainable children's brand known for its innovative, dual-sided bedding designs that transform from educational nature scenes by day to magical, enchanted worlds by night.

To begin, Rebecca and Alice share their fascinating personal journeys and how they crossed paths and led to their working together and their wonderful friendship. As they tell it in their own words, it all started with Rebecca growing up in a 400-year-old house without electricity and surrounded by nature in rural Wales and Alice being raised in West London in a creative Anglo-Indian family where their dining table was the center of artistic expression. The pair describe how they first met (through a mutual friend named Roxy), and what was initially a professional relationship quickly evolved into a deep friendship and business partnership that has sustained them through the ups and downs of entrepreneurship.

The conversation turns to the origin story of their brand. It began with Rebecca having a half-awake vision while trying to write a story for her goddaughter while on a train journey that was taking her from London to Hong Kong. The products she dreamt up — children’s bedding — originally featured a unique day and night concept, with one side depicting accurate natural landscapes with hidden wildlife, accompanied by educational fact cards, while the other side transforming those same creatures into mystical creatures with enchanting stories. The brand name is a tribute to Rebecca's father, Ivor (as in, “for Ivor”), who passed away in 2005. 

The two founders then tell Anne about their in-person research process, which included visiting the Anglesey Sea Zoo to observe British marine wildlife for their "Legends of the Sea" collection, and how their immersive approach brings authenticity to their designs. And Alice, who creates all the illustrations, explains the delicate balance of making the creatures on their bedding designs both scientifically accurate and magically transformed, while Rebecca details the educational components that connect children to the natural world.

The pair also candidly address the challenges of working toward sustainable manufacturing, particularly their ongoing efforts to eliminate plastic from their supply chain and create products with minimal environmental impact. They articulate an acute awareness of the irony in their efforts to try and save the planet while simultaneously creating more products — a tension they navigate thoughtfully by focusing on longevity, education and exploring how their brand concept might live beyond physical goods and focusing on quality of life over forever growth. They summarise their philosophy as such: "The business is there for us to enjoy our life within it, not for us to serve the business." naming their approach prioritising creative fulfillment and. As Alice and Rebecca look to the future, they share their desire to expand Forivor's mission beyond products, potentially through workshops and experiential offerings like a Forivor Camp where children can connect directly with nature.

Throughout the conversation, Alice and Rebecca describe their work as "an ode to children's imagination," meant to celebrate the magical thinking that comes so naturally to young minds while also nurturing their connection to the natural world. The interview concludes with the three women reflecting on what grounds them (nature for Rebecca and people-watching for Alice) and what brings them happiness.

A warm, inspiring conversation with two talented women whose friendship is a bedrock for creativity, sustainability and the power of storytelling to connect children with the natural world.

• Forivor website
• Anglesey Zoo - Where they researched marine wildlife for their "Legends of the Sea" collection
• Environmental Justice Foundation - Where Rebecca previously worked
• Katharine Hamnett - Designer Rebecca worked with
• X-Trillion - Documentary about plastic pollution by Eleanor Church
• The Great Pacific Garbage Patch - Referenced when discussing plastic pollution
• House of Hackney - Company that gives the environment a place on their board
• Faith & Nature - First company to give nature a seat on their board
• Fashion Reimagined - Documentary about sustainable fashion featuring Amy Powney
• Mother of Pearl - Amy Powney's sustainable fashion brand
• "My Family and Other Animals" by Gerald Durrell - Rebecca's favorite book
• "Magical Changes" by Graham Oakley - Alice's favorite book
• "Trouble for Trumpets" - Book that inspired aspects of Forivor designs
• The Beatles "Blackbird" - Song that represents Rebecca
• Eric Clapton "Promises" - Song that represents Alice
• The playlist from guests of Out of The Clouds answering ‘What song best represents you?’

This episode is brought to you by Le Trente

Are you a purpose-driven individual seeking clarity in your personal narrative? Is your brand struggling to communicate authentically with your audience? Looking for a thought partnership that transforms how you connect with the world?

Le Trente is a global community that emboldens purpose-driven individuals and organizations to communicate authentically. Headquartered in Geneva but serving clients worldwide, we coach both individuals and brands through their communication journey—from identity exploration to strategy development—all grounded in mindful leadership and compassionate, holistic communication.

Our mission is to be a catalyst for positive change. We inspire open-minded people and organisations to build better worlds through community-building salons, strategic consulting, mindful coaching and storytelling.

Ready to transform your approach to communication and create ripples of positive change? Get in touch, we like to make magic happen. 

FIND OUT MORE ABOUT LE TRENTE HERE.
 

***

If you enjoyed this episode, click subscribe for more, and consider writing a review of the show on Apple Podcasts, we really appreciate your support and feedback. And thank you so much for listening!

For all notes and transcripts, please visit Out Of The Clouds on Simplecast - https://out-of-the-clouds.simplecast.com/

Sign up for Anne's email newsletter for more from Out of the Clouds at https://outoftheclouds.com.

Follow Anne and Out of the Clouds: IG: @_outoftheclouds or @annvi Or on Threads @annvi On Youtube @OutoftheClouds

For more, you can read and subscribe to Anne's Substack, the Mettā View, her weekly dose of insights on coaching, brand development, the future of work, and storytelling, with a hint of mindfulness.

Visit our website Out of the Clouds : https://outoftheclouds.com/

Find us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_outoftheclouds

Anne on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/annvi/

Anne on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/annvi.bsky.social

Anne on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anne-v-muhlethaler/

Please subscribe and leave us a review ✨

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In this episode of Out of the Clouds, host Anne Mühlethaler interviews André Anderson, an author, educator, and the founder of Freedom and Balance art college. Anne first encountered Andre during his impactful TEDx talk at Hackney Empire in London and was immediately drawn to his innovative approach to storytelling.

André tells Anne about his journey from a creative child who loved making imagery, writing stories and dreaming of his own media empire to becoming a self-published author and community storyteller. He explains how his first book "Ultra" — written in just 12 days on his Blackberry — opened unexpected doors and taught him the principle that "the more you create, the freer you become."

Their conversation also explores André's groundbreaking project "Authors of the Estate," for which he transformed his Northwest London council estate into a publishing house. Andre explains how this initiative challenged negative narratives about his community by empowering residents to author their own stories. He likens this work to the tradition of oral historians in West Africa (called griot), highlighting how storytelling serves as both cultural preservation and a political act. André also mentions "Chalk Hill," the second book that followed "Authors of the Estate" in his publishing journey.

Anne and André discuss the etymology of words like "author" and "education," as André explains how understanding their roots has shaped his approach to creativity and teaching. André also explains how his art college, Freedom and Balance, creates environments for people to discover their unique creative language through play. He shares his realization that facilitation is about asking powerful questions rather than providing all the answers, describing his role memorably: "I am Gandalf, and all of my tools, or all of my magic, is tools of play."

Anne and André delve into the importance of aspirational play for adults in an increasingly AI-driven world, with André suggesting that play might be the most distinctly human activity that cannot be replaced by technology. They examine how imperfection, vulnerability and the willingness to make mistakes can become powerful educational tools and discuss André's project "Love Letters for My Peoples," which uses love as a framework for creativity and connection.

Throughout the conversation, André shares his philosophy of "heart work" — creative work that incorporates strands of one's authentic self — and reflects on the importance of process over product. André even makes a compelling comparison between his "Authors of the Estate" project and Nas's seminal album "Illmatic," referring to it as his defining work that fans always want to hear again. The episode concludes with André's thoughtful responses to Anne's closing lightning round questions, revealing his deep connection to creativity, his appreciation for his mother's early support of his creative pursuits and his belief that happiness comes from knowing the world has heard you.

A profound conversation about reclaiming narratives, finding freedom through creativity and the transformative power of play. Happy listening!

About André Anderson

Freedom & Balance is an Art College for the artist in everyone. They create programs that help organizations shape their future through play and help communities playfully grow into the type of leaders their world looks for. Andre and his team have worked with notable organizations including BBC, Google, Samsung, Estee Lauder, and The Guardian.

Selected links from episode

• Authors of the Estate
• Chalk Hill - Andre's follow-up book
• Freedom and Balance Art College
• Andre's TEDx talk on Aspirational Play
• https://www.freedomandbalance.com/loveletters
• Gamestorming book
• A Beautiful Constraint book
• Nas - Illmatic - The album Andre compared to his "Authors of the Estate" project
• The Arthur theme song “Believe in yourself”
• Follow Andre on Instagram
• Connect with Andre on LinkedIn

This episode is brought to you by Le Trente

Are you a purpose-driven individual seeking clarity in your personal narrative? Is your brand struggling to communicate authentically with your audience? Looking for a thought partnership that transforms how you connect with the world?

Le Trente is a global community that emboldens purpose-driven individuals and organizations to communicate authentically. Headquartered in Geneva but serving clients worldwide, we coach both individuals and brands through their communication journey—from identity exploration to strategy development—all grounded in mindful leadership and compassionate, holistic communication.

Our mission is to be a catalyst for positive change. We inspire open-minded people and organisations to build better worlds through community-building salons, strategic consulting, mindful coaching and storytelling.

Ready to transform your approach to communication and create ripples of positive change? Get in touch, we like to make magic happen. 

FIND OUT MORE ABOUT LE TRENTE HERE.
 

***

If you enjoyed this episode, click subscribe for more, and consider writing a review of the show on Apple Podcasts, we really appreciate your support and feedback. And thank you so much for listening!

For all notes and transcripts, please visit Out Of The Clouds on Simplecast - https://out-of-the-clouds.simplecast.com/

Sign up for Anne's email newsletter for more from Out of the Clouds at https://outoftheclouds.com.

Follow Anne and Out of the Clouds: IG: @_outoftheclouds or @annvi Or on Threads @annvi On Youtube @OutoftheClouds

For more, you can read and subscribe to Anne's Substack, the Mettā View, her weekly dose of insights on coaching, brand development, the future of work, and storytelling, with a hint of mindfulness.

Visit our website Out of the Clouds : https://outoftheclouds.com/

Find us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_outoftheclouds

Anne on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/annvi/

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Anne on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anne-v-muhlethaler/

Please subscribe and leave us a review ✨

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Out of the Clouds, host Anne Muhlethaler interviews Dina Fierro, creative thinker and seasoned omni-channel marketer with expertise spanning fashion, beauty and luxury. Dina is a specialist in content strategy, cross-platform storytelling and reshaping consumer engagement.

Dina's career has spanned fashion, beauty and luxury, including leadership positions both agency and brand-side, including a few years where she worked with Anne at Christian Louboutin. In her most recent role at Shiseido Americas, she led the organisation's digital innovation group, partnering with portfolio brands including NARS, Shiseido, Clé de Peau Beauté and Drunk Elephant to create highly engaging consumer experiences anchored in emerging technology.

Anne and Dina explore Dina's fascinating journey from her early aspirations in journalism to becoming a pioneering voice in the digital marketing landscape. Dina shares her path from launching one of the early fashion and beauty blogs in 2006, Eye for Style, to spearheading groundbreaking digital initiatives for prestigious brands. The pair discuss Dina's work creating virtual ambassadors for Nars, immersive retail experiences, and exciting gaming integrations that are pushing the boundaries of how brands in the beauty or luxury space connect with their customers.

The conversation delves into the evolution of Web3, AI, and immersive technologies (with Dina offering some explanation for the meaning of the terms), examining how these tools are transforming brand storytelling. They explore the broadcast-to-dialogue shift - how brands in Web3 are moving away from one-way communication toward more interactive relationships with their audiences. Dina explains her vision for a more integrated approach to experiential marketing and how technology can enhance rather than replace physical experiences.

Anne and Dina exchange thoughts on their favorite platforms in 2025, discussing platforms that really reinforce the dialogue between brands and consumers. They share insights on Substack, Reddit, and the untapped potential of audio, while expressing their mixed feelings about Meta and TikTok. The conversation also touches on the hazards of the subscription economy and makes a case for why more brands should embrace audio for deeper connection with their audiences.

Throughout the discussion, Dina reveals her thoughtful approach to both personal and professional growth, touching on resilience, the importance of human connection in an increasingly digital world, and finding balance between control and vulnerability.

A thought-provoking conversation that bridges the past, present, and future of digital marketing while offering valuable insights for anyone interested in the intersection of technology, creativity, and brand building.

Happy listening!

Selected Links from Episode

You can connect with Dina: 

Dina's Substack: Yet Another Substack

Dina's Instagram: @dinafierro

Other links: 

Daydream - AI-powered luxury shopping experience

Xiidra - Multisensory VR experiences

ZEPETO - Immersive metaverse-style app popular in Asia

Unreal Engine - Platform within Epic Games for photorealistic environments

Dimension Studio - London-based studio specializing in Unreal Engine development

Patty Wilson - Renowned stylist who styles NARS campaigns

Vogue Business - Business publication featuring Dina's work with virtual ambassadors

Roblox - User-generated platform where NARS launched Color Quest

Kiki World - Co-creation platform disrupting the beauty industry

DS & Durga - Niche perfume house with Spotify playlists including commissioned music

Barilla Pasta Timer Playlists - Curated music for pasta cooking times

Substack - Newsletter platform Dina uses for her publication

Leandra Medine (Man Repeller) - Fashion writer and former blogger Dina follows

Amy O'Dell - Former Editor-in-Chief of The Cut with original reporting on Substack

Marie Claire - Publication with sophisticated content strategies beyond print

Bloomberg on Telegram - Example of legacy media embracing alternative channels

Meta Ray-Ban Smart Glasses - Wearable technology Dina finds compelling

Tom Petty - "I Won't Back Down" - Song that represents Dina

Michael Pollan - "The Omnivore's Dilemma" - Book that changed Dina's relationship with food

Eric Ripert - Chef whose culinary memoir Dina enjoys

Gabrielle Hamilton - Chef and author Dina mentioned for her culinary writing

This episode is brought to you by Le Trente

Are you a purpose-driven individual seeking clarity in your personal narrative? Is your brand struggling to communicate authentically with your audience? Looking for a thought partnership that transforms how you connect with the world?

Le Trente is a global community that emboldens purpose-driven individuals and organizations to communicate authentically. Headquartered in Geneva but serving clients worldwide, we coach both individuals and brands through their communication journey—from identity exploration to strategy development—all grounded in mindful leadership and compassionate, holistic communication.

Our mission is to be a catalyst for positive change. We inspire open-minded people and organisations to build better worlds through community-building salons, strategic consulting, mindful coaching and storytelling.

Ready to transform your approach to communication and create ripples of positive change? Get in touch, we like to make magic happen. 

FIND OUT MORE ABOUT LE TRENTE HERE.
 

***

If you enjoyed this episode, click subscribe for more, and consider writing a review of the show on Apple Podcasts, we really appreciate your support and feedback. And thank you so much for listening!

For all notes and transcripts, please visit Out Of The Clouds on Simplecast - https://out-of-the-clouds.simplecast.com/

Sign up for Anne's email newsletter for more from Out of the Clouds at https://outoftheclouds.com.

Follow Anne and Out of the Clouds: IG: @_outoftheclouds or @annvi Or on Threads @annvi On Youtube @OutoftheClouds

For more, you can read and subscribe to Anne's Substack, the Mettā View, her weekly dose of insights on coaching, brand development, the future of work, and storytelling, with a hint of mindfulness.

Visit our website Out of the Clouds : https://outoftheclouds.com/

Find us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_outoftheclouds

Anne on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/annvi/

Anne on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/annvi.bsky.social

Anne on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anne-v-muhlethaler/

Please subscribe and leave us a review ✨

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Out of the Clouds, host Anne Mühlethaler interviews Francesca Hogi, a TED speaker, host of the Dear Franny Podcast, and internationally recognized expert on dating and relationships. She's been featured in media outlets such as The Today Show, Marie Claire, The New York Times, Harper's Bazaar and The Huffington Post, and is the founder of The True Love Society, a community for people seeking deeper self and romantic love.

Anne and Francesca’s conversation begins with Francesca sharing her life story, revealing how she was a deeply romantic child who devoured her older sister's romance novels, foreshadowing her future career path. She was working as a corporate lawyer when she began her journey toward love coaching by blogging about dating. She then turned to matchmaking for several years before finding her true calling as a love coach.

Francesca tells Anne about her holistic approach to helping people find love. She also discusses some elements of her book, ​​How to Find True Love: Unlock Your Romantic Flow and Create Lasting Relationships, in which she breaks down four key components for readers to establish the foundations for a true love relationship: mindset, heartset, soulset, and skillset. Francesca challenges the conventional hierarchies of love, explaining how we tend to put romantic love up on this pedestal, thinking of it as the pinnacle and then assuming failure if we don’t find it in our lives. Instead, she advocates for adapting our intentions to have love through all parts of our lives.

Then Anne and Francesca delve into the realities of modern dating, particularly the evolution and impact of dating apps. Francesca pointedly reminds listeners that "swiping on a dating app is not dating — going on dates is dating," and emphasises the importance of "developing the skills — because it is all skill — to be able to meet people more organically as they live their lives."

Francesca explains what she asks her clients (and readers of her book) to develop more self-awareness, like: "What do I actually believe about myself when it comes to love?" and "In the love story of your life, what is the role that you play?" She highlights how many people hold beliefs about themselves and their romantic possibilities that are not truly in alignment with what they want, and these questions guide us back to our focus.

Their conversation turns to exploring the deeper spiritual dimensions of finding love through what Francesca calls one’s soulset: considering faith and connection to a higher power. She adds that serendipity, for example, is something that you can court intentionally, and how practicing gratitude makes you more aligned with love. She offers that having that soul-level connection and understanding our romantic energy is essential because while often we understand mind,emotion, and action, we tend to misunderstand energy. 

To conclude, Anne asks her favourite questions, which has Francesca share her grounding practices, in particular her daily morning and evening journaling sessions, and her love of walking in any weather. 

A warm, insightful, and empowering conversation that challenges conventional wisdom about modern love and offers a refreshing perspective on how to center love in all aspects of life. 

Happy listening!

Selected links from episode

Out of the Clouds website: https://outoftheclouds.com/

Out of the Clouds on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_outoftheclouds

The Mettā View website: https://avm.consulting/metta-view

Anne on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/annvi/

Anne on Threads: https://www.threads.net/@annvi

Anne on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anne-v-muhlethaler/

Find more about Francesca at FrancescaHogi.com

Her book, "How to Find True Love: Unlock Your Romantic Flow and Create Lasting Relationships"

How to date with intention, Francesca’s online course

Francesca’s True Love Society on Patreon  

Find Francesca on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dearfranny

On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dearfranny

On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DearFranny

Follow Francesca’s podcast Dear Franny on Instagram 

Or subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts

Selected links from episode:

The princess industrial complex 

The Love Inside, a book by Jessica Faith Graham

U2 I still haven’t found what I’m looking for 

The book  The Untethered Soul by Michael Singer

This episode is brought to you by Le Trente

Are you a purpose-driven individual seeking clarity in your personal narrative? Is your brand struggling to communicate authentically with your audience? Looking for a thought partnership that transforms how you connect with the world?

Le Trente is a global community that emboldens purpose-driven individuals and organizations to communicate authentically. Headquartered in Geneva but serving clients worldwide, we coach both individuals and brands through their communication journey—from identity exploration to strategy development—all grounded in mindful leadership and compassionate, holistic communication.

Our mission is to be a catalyst for positive change. We inspire open-minded people and organisations to build better worlds through community-building salons, strategic consulting, mindful coaching and storytelling.

Ready to transform your approach to communication and create ripples of positive change? Get in touch, we like to make magic happen. 

FIND OUT MORE ABOUT LE TRENTE HERE.
 

***

If you enjoyed this episode, click subscribe for more, and consider writing a review of the show on Apple Podcasts, we really appreciate your support and feedback. And thank you so much for listening!

For all notes and transcripts, please visit Out Of The Clouds on Simplecast - https://out-of-the-clouds.simplecast.com/

Sign up for Anne's email newsletter for more from Out of the Clouds at https://outoftheclouds.com.

Follow Anne and Out of the Clouds: IG: @_outoftheclouds or @annvi Or on Threads @annvi On Youtube @OutoftheClouds

For more, you can read and subscribe to Anne's Substack, the Mettā View, her weekly dose of insights on coaching, brand development, the future of work, and storytelling, with a hint of mindfulness.

Visit our website Out of the Clouds : https://outoftheclouds.com/

Find us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_outoftheclouds

Anne on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/annvi/

Anne on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/annvi.bsky.social

Anne on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anne-v-muhlethaler/

Please subscribe and leave us a review ✨

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Out of the Clouds host Anne Mühlethaler explores the evolution of digital spaces with Sari Azout, founder of Sublime, a personal knowledge management tool for creatives. 

Born in Barranquilla, Colombia — the magical hometown of Shakira and Gabriel García Márquez — Sari describes herself as a cerebral child who found her intellectual home first at Brown University, where she developed a "fiercely independent mindset" and discovered the joy of the library as a social space.

With remarkable foresight( Sari "could always see around corners") she strategically planned her path to remain in the U.S. as an international student and got into banking, ultimately landing at Barclays during the 2008 financial crisis. This experience taught her valuable lessons about the importance of connecting work to meaningful impact.

Next the pair discuss Sari’s project, Sublime. Sari articulates her vision as both practical and philosophical, calling it "the personal knowledge management tool of my dreams." She explains that in a world where "intelligence is being commoditized," what remains valuable are "conviction, point of view, courage, intention — the artist's way." This connects to her writing practice, which has revealed that "ideas never come to me before I write. They always come to me in the process of writing."

Their conversation delves into Sublime's three core promises: never lose a valuable idea, never be uninspired, and transform from passive consumption to active creation. Sari emphasizes wanting to "facilitate helping people make things, not just consume things," noting that "being a consumer is just a state of helplessness." Drawing inspiration from books and Marshall McLuhan's quote that "the medium is the message," she envisions a "sublime internet" that moves away from quantifiable metrics toward meaningful engagement.

Sari also speaks candidly about the tension between selfishness and selflessness in entrepreneurship, and her "willingness to be misunderstood for a longer period." She shares her vision of transitioning from the attention economy to the intention economy, reframing digital tools as something "people use instead of products people consume."

The episode concludes with Sari sharing her perspective on happiness and describing her version of "paradise on earth" as working all day alone in anticipation of an evening in great company. This interview with Sari is a fascinating exploration of how we might build more intentional, meaningful digital spaces that serve our creativity rather than just our consumption. Happy listening!

Selected links from episode

Out of the Clouds website: https://outoftheclouds.com/

Out of the Clouds on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_outoftheclouds

The Mettā View website: https://avm.consulting/metta-view

Anne on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/annvi/

Anne on Threads: https://www.threads.net/@annvi

Anne on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anne-v-muhlethaler/

Sublime.app

Join Sublime via this exclusive link

Sari Azout on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/saraazout

Sari on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/sariazoutbaka/

Subscribe to Sari’s newsletter https://substack.com/@sariazout

And to the Sublime newsletter https://substack.com/@sublimethenewsletter

Tyler Cowel quote: “One of the highest value things you can do in life is raise other people's aspirations.”

Robert Green’s book, the 48 Laws of Power

Can you imagine a library of possibilities for reimagining the web -

Austin Kleon

Ev Williams

The Disappearance of Rituals by philosopher  Byung Shul Han

The Zine

Non-Stop from the Hamilton musical soundtrack

The story of Aleph, the first letter of the Hebrew alphabet

The Aleph by Jose Luis Borges

X 10 Coffee https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j0BbDdRh2A4

What song best represent you, the Spotify playlist featuring guest answers from Out of the Clouds"

Ride of a Lifetime by Bob Iger

Invention - A Life - the James Dyson biography

Shoe Dog, a memoir by Phil Knight, the creator of Nike

This episode is brought to you by Le Trente

Are you a purpose-driven individual seeking clarity in your personal narrative? Is your brand struggling to communicate authentically with your audience? Looking for a thought partnership that transforms how you connect with the world?

Le Trente is a global community that emboldens purpose-driven individuals and organizations to communicate authentically. Headquartered in Geneva but serving clients worldwide, we coach both individuals and brands through their communication journey—from identity exploration to strategy development—all grounded in mindful leadership and compassionate, holistic communication.

Our mission is to be a catalyst for positive change. We inspire open-minded people and organisations to build better worlds through community-building salons, strategic consulting, mindful coaching and storytelling.

Ready to transform your approach to communication and create ripples of positive change? Get in touch, we like to make magic happen. 

FIND OUT MORE ABOUT LE TRENTE HERE.
 

***

If you enjoyed this episode, click subscribe for more, and consider writing a review of the show on Apple Podcasts, we really appreciate your support and feedback. And thank you so much for listening!

For all notes and transcripts, please visit Out Of The Clouds on Simplecast - https://out-of-the-clouds.simplecast.com/

Sign up for Anne's email newsletter for more from Out of the Clouds at https://outoftheclouds.com.

Follow Anne and Out of the Clouds: IG: @_outoftheclouds or @annvi Or on Threads @annvi On Youtube @OutoftheClouds

For more, you can read and subscribe to Anne's Substack, the Mettā View, her weekly dose of insights on coaching, brand development, the future of work, and storytelling, with a hint of mindfulness.

Visit our website Out of the Clouds : https://outoftheclouds.com/

Find us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_outoftheclouds

Anne on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/annvi/

Anne on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/annvi.bsky.social

Anne on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anne-v-muhlethaler/

Please subscribe and leave us a review ✨

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.