Passion Chats

What really happens when you decide to write a book?

In this special edition of Passion Chats, host Laura Best sits in the guest seat as Michelle Yu — co-founder and CEO of Josie, TEDx speaker, and one of Laura’s favourite past guests — interviews her about the journey of creating Born to Buzz: How to Spark Your Passions (Without Quitting It All).

Together, they dig into:

• The surprising things Laura learned while writing her first book
  
  
• How to overcome self-doubt when pursuing big creative goals
  
  
• What the book-writing process really looks and feels like 
  
  
• Why now is the time to start your own passion project — whatever it is
  
  

Whether you’ve been “thinking about writing a book” for years, or you’re chasing another dream that keeps getting pushed aside, this conversation will give you an honest, inspiring look at what it takes to start — and keep going.

Listen now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favourite podcast platform!

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Born to Buzz launches 9 September in hardcover and eBook on Amazon. Get your copy, write a review, and join the movement to do more of what you love in work and life.

Passion Collective is a global community of people who are discovering and pursuing their passions in work and life. We offer courses, coaching, and Passion Perks — a unique rewards program for Passion Seekers.

Sign up for our monthly newsletter The Passion Seeker at www.passioncollective.co/newsletter

Discover more inspiration at www.passioncollective.co

Learn more about Josie here: https://myjosie.com/about/

Passion Collective is a global community of people who are pursuing their passions. 

Discover more inspiration at www.passioncollective.co

What if bringing structure to chaos could be your unique passion and strength? 

In this episode, Gelareh Chafin, chemical engineer and team leader at global organisation LyondellBasel, joins host Laura Best to explore how finding order in complexity can become a source of joy. Drawing from her journey from aspiring doctor to global turnaround specialist, Gelareh shares how she discovered her passion for creating clarity amidst ambiguity.

You'll hear Gelareh's insights on:

• Why structure creates freedom rather than rigidity
• How to define "your all" in different seasons of life
• The connection between confidence and problem-solving
• Practical advice for leading teams through complex challenges

Whether you're navigating career transitions, balancing multiple responsibilities, or trying to understand your unique strengths, this conversation offers wisdom on embracing your natural talents and defining success on your own terms.

Listen now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast platform!

Passion Collective is a global community of people who are discovering and pursuing their passions in work and life. We offer courses, coaching, and Passion Perks - a unique rewards program for Passion Seekers.

Sign up for our monthly newsletter "The Passion Seeker" at www.passioncollective.co/newsletter

Passion Collective is a global community of people who are pursuing their passions. 

Discover more inspiration at www.passioncollective.co

What if self-reliance could help you do more of what you love? 

In this episode, Maha Abouelenein, author and self-reliance advocate, joins host Laura Best to explore how trusting yourself leads to both professional success and personal fulfillment. Drawing from her experience moving to Egypt and turning setbacks into opportunities, Maha shares practical wisdom on building confidence through small, intentional steps.

You'll hear Maha's insights on:

• How self-reliance becomes a source of energy, not a drain on your resources
• Why listening to your intuition shapes decisions that align with your goals
• Practical strategies for making time for personal development, even when you're busy
• The surprising connection between learning and building self-trust

Whether you're feeling stretched too thin, exploring your next career move, or looking to reconnect with your strength, this conversation offers a fresh perspective on creating the opportunities you want.

Listen now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast platform!

Passion Collective is a global community of people who are discovering and pursuing their passions in work and life. We offer courses, coaching, and Passion Perks - a unique rewards program for Passion Seekers.

Sign up for our monthly newsletter "The Passion Seeker" at www.passioncollective.co

Learn more about Maha at: https://www.mahaabouelenein.com/ and order Maha's book here: https://bookshop.org/a/82083/9781401978662

Passion Collective is a global community of people who are pursuing their passions. 

Discover more inspiration at www.passioncollective.co

What if returning to work after parental leave could feel less like starting over and more like stepping forward? How can workplaces better support parents while nurturing their career passions?

In this episode, Michelle Yu, co-founder and CEO of Josie and advocate for working parents and workplace inclusivity, joins Laura Best for a candid conversation about navigating the intersection of parenthood and career ambitions. Drawing from her own journey as a mother and management consultant, Michelle shares insights on how becoming a parent reshaped her perspective on workplace culture and sparked her passion for change.

You'll hear Michelle's take on:

• Why supporting working parents is more than just a nice-to-have
• How small changes in workplace culture can create big ripples of impact
• The unexpected ways motherhood can spark entrepreneurial drive
• Practical steps for organizations to retain talented parents

Whether you're a parent juggling career aspirations, a leader looking to build a more inclusive workplace, or someone searching for ways to merge passion with your profession, this conversation offers fresh perspectives on finding joy and meaning in our work lives.

Listen now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast platform!

Passion Collective is a global community of people who are discovering and pursuing their passions in work and life. We offer courses, coaching, and Passion Perks - a unique rewards program for Passion Seekers.

Sign up for our monthly newsletter "The Passion Seeker" at www.passioncollective.co

Learn more about Josie here: https://myjosie.com/

Josie's I Wish I Had This database can be found here.

Passion Collective is a global community of people who are pursuing their passions. 

Discover more inspiration at www.passioncollective.co

Fear - it's something we all experience but rarely discuss openly. What if understanding our fears, rather than fighting them, could help us do more of what we love?

In this powerful episode, Dr. Tonya Jackman Hampton, executive coach and business leader, joins Laura Best for an honest conversation about fear. Author of the new book "The Myth of the Fearless Leader: Exposing a New Path Beyond Fight, Flight, and Freeze," Dr. Tonya challenges the notion that we need to be fearless to pursue our passions, drawing from both professional expertise and personal wisdom passed down from her grandparents.

You'll discover:

• Dr. Tonya's Engage, Explore and Execute model for working with fear rather than against it
• The lessons she learned from her grandparents' legacy of action and courage
• Practical strategies for transforming fear from a barrier into a catalyst for growth

Whether you're navigating corporate leadership or pursuing personal passions, this conversation offers a new perspective on embracing fear as a tool for change. 

Listen now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast platform!

Learn more about Dr. Tonya here (and buy her book!): https://www.drtonyajackmanhampton.com/. 

Passion Collective is a global community of people who are discovering and pursuing their passions in work and life. We offer courses, coaching, and Passion Perks - a unique rewards program for Passion Seekers.

Sign up for our monthly newsletter "The Passion Seeker" at www.passioncollective.co

Passion Collective is a global community of people who are pursuing their passions. 

Discover more inspiration at www.passioncollective.co

What does the word "purpose" mean to you? Is it something that gets you out of bed every morning? Or maybe it's a way that you move in the world. Or perhaps a belief, practice or idea that helps you with your path ahead. 

Either way, "finding our purpose" is very  much like "finding our passions" - sounds good in theory, not so easy in practice! 

Amanda Brinkman, CEO of Sunshine Studios, joins Laura Best, founder of Passion Collective, on this latest episode. Amanda is a producer, film-maker, branding expert and sought-after keynote speaker, sharing her “Do Well By Doing Good” philosophy on stages around the country. 

In this Chat, you’ll hear Amanda talk about: 

• her passion for bringing “goodness” and “business” together
• how we can all pursue our purpose
• her journey, especially over the last two years of figuring out her own purpose. 

Listen now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, or your favorite podcast platform!

Passion Collective is a global community of people who are discovering and pursuing their passions in work and life. We offer courses, coaching, and Passion Perks - a unique rewards program for Passion Seekers.

Sign up for our monthly newsletter “The Passion Seeker” at www.passioncollective.co

Learn more about Amanda and her work at: https://amandakbrinkman.com/, and on Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram as @amandakbrinkman

Passion Collective is a global community of people who are pursuing their passions. 

Discover more inspiration at www.passioncollective.co

With our busy lives, it’s sometimes hard to find the time, or the energy to act on the big issues that are facing our world.

Climate Change has been described as a Global Emergency for years. The news stories of flooding, wildfires, and famine can either make us want to hide under the duvet or do anything we can to help. But, it can feel hard to know where to start, and also how we can care, how we can be “passionate” about it, without allowing the devastation and crises to affect our daily lives.

Jeff Curtes (he/him), a VP at Auer Steel and Heating Supply Company, began his career as a professional snowboarding photographer. He spent years knee-deep in snow, jumping out of helicopters, and taking incredible shots of athletes pushing themselves to their limits. As he became a parent, he began to pay more attention to the legacy that we’re leaving for the next generation. He’s now a passionate advocate in the fight against climate change.

In this episode, you’ll hear Jeff and Laura talk about:

• How we can “find the yes” and the fun in our passions
• How Jeff stays optimistic and curious with the fight against climate change
• Why Jeff believes in “One More” and also “One Less”.

Tune in to hear Jeff’s inspiring journey and discover practical ways to stay motivated and positive while making a difference.

Listen now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast platform!

Passion Collective is a global community of people who are discovering and pursuing their passions in work and life. We offer courses, coaching, and Passion Perks - a unique rewards program for Passion Seekers.

Want to go deeper? Here are a few handy links:

Get Jeff's beautiful book, Chasing Epic here.

Get to know Jeff's company, Auer Steel.

Get monthly tips on how to pursue your passions here.

Passion Collective is a global community of people who are pursuing their passions. 

Discover more inspiration at www.passioncollective.co

Discovering and pursuing our passions can sometimes take work, and that can hold us back from starting what could be a life changing experience. After a long day, it can be hard to pick up the hobby we’ve been meaning to get to or work on our business idea. 

In this episode, Val Stones shares her story with our host, Laura Best, and talks about how as a grandparent and semi-retired headteacher, she participated in the Great British Bake Off—the hugely successful TV show that pulled in up to 15 million viewers per episode during her season!

In this Chat, you’ll hear Val talk about:

• her lifelong passion for baking
• how she approached the heavy workload involved in being part of one of the world’s most popular TV shows
• her working relationship with Paul Hollywood (!)
• her philosophy on why we should always choose the more challenging path in life.

So, cut yourself a slice of cake, pour a cup of tea and enjoy the conversation!

Listen now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, or your favorite podcast platform!

Passion Collective is a global community of people who are discovering and pursuing their passions in work and life. We offer courses, coaching and Passion Perks - a unique rewards program for Passion Seekers. 

Sign up for our monthly newsletter “The Passion Seeker” at www.passioncollective.co

Buy Vals' book, "The Cake Whisperer" at: https://valstones.com/

Passion Collective is a global community of people who are pursuing their passions. 

Discover more inspiration at www.passioncollective.co

Is your “comfort zone” holding you back from doing more of the things you love? 

In this episode, Kristi Jacobson shares how, as a 42 year old finance leader and mother of two, she decided to – literally – take the plunge and rediscover her childhood love of waterskiing. 

Now, Kristi didn’t just “dip her toe in”, she joined a water ski TEAM – yep, one of those acrobatic, pyramid skiing teams! 

Host Laura Best talks with Kristi about her motivations, including how Kristi’s remembrance for a beloved family member inspired her to act,  and what she’s learned along the way. 

If, like Laura, you can’t dream of how standing on someone’s shoulders in spandex while speeding through freezing cold lake water, in front of hundreds of people, could ever be fun (!), you’ve got to listen to the pure joy that Kristi shares, as she tells us about why this passion means so much to her. Trust us, it will warm your heart. 

And, even if you’re not a water skier, our hope is that this episode will inspire you to take a deep breath and try that “thing” you have been putting off, for fear of discomfort in any form. 

Learn more about Bald Eagle Waterski Shows at: www.baldeaglewaterskishows.net, and Tradition Capital Bank at: www.tradition.bank

And, while you’re exploring, check out Passion Collective too! Find us at: https://www.passioncollective.co/

Thank you to our sponsor, Coverhound, for their support!
Learn more about how Coverhound prepares you for life’s unexpected events at www.coverhound.com

Passion Collective is a global community of people who are pursuing their passions. 

Discover more inspiration at www.passioncollective.co

Have you ever felt the burning passion of an idea, yet hesitated to bring it to life? Do the fears of judgment and uncertainty about where to take your dream hold you back? 

In this episode, we unravel the emotional journey of Susie Cery, a former advertising powerhouse who dared to turn her adventurous dreams into reality.

Join Passion Collective Founder Laura Best as she chats with Susie about the highs and lows of her journey,  from the bustling streets of Mumbai to backpacking through SE Asia with her 1 year old son, Alfred, and the creation of a second travel business during Covid. 

In this episode, you’ll hear Susie’s advice on pursuing passion projects, the true meaning of community, and her perspective on the rewards of stepping outside the corporate comfort zone. 

Join us for a conversation that will encourage and reassure all of the dreamers out there!

Thank you to our sponsor, Coverhound, for their support!
Learn more about how Coverhound prepares you for life’s unexpected events at www.coverhound.com

To learn more about Susie's businesses, visit: www.familyhomeswaps.com and 
www.ourtribetravels.com

Passion Collective is a global community of people who are pursuing their passions. 

Discover more inspiration at www.passioncollective.co