You know what they say - diamonds are created from pressure! And that is exactly what my guest Nikki Elmer used in order to conquer her old fears of performing in front of an audience. Now she is a full-time member of the UK rock band Papa Shango actively performing and playing flute on stage in front of full venues. Listen in to learn the exact method she used to master her fear.

To learn more about Nikki and her band, you can visit the following links:

Website: https://www.papashango.co.uk

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/papashangomusic/

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Mike's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebeatdoc

There's certainly one quick way to learn a new skill and it is a technique that my guest on this episode has absolutely mastered. Listen to learn more about how Zoe radically transformed her life and how you can too.

To learn more about Zoe and to connect with her further, please visit the following links:

Website: https://www.zoegregoryphoto.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Zoe-Gregory-Photography-107447530779936/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zoegregoryphoto/

Email: [email protected]

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Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/reconnectingtotheartistwithin

Mike's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebeatdoc

How many of you can relate to this next scenario? You've been a creative your whole life. From very early on you were using your gifts to brighten your own world and those around you. 

And yet ever so slowly the pressure from society (parents, teachers, peers) kicks in and you succumb to the conventional standards of a 9-5 for the foreseeable future. 

What if it didn't have to be that way? What if you were prepared for when the Universe threw a wrench in your plans, so that you could turn that loss of a career around into something truly special?

In today's interview I speak with Garon Whited about how he took the loss of a job as an opportunity to finally put some intention behind the book he had finished years prior.

It's a powerful story, filled with Garon's quick wit, and one you will not want to miss.

To learn more about Scott and to connect with him further, please visit:

Website: https://garonwhited.com/

Books on Amazon: https://cutt.ly/8vAlq5I

Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/GaronWhited

Facebook "Spoilers" Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/gwspoilers

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Mike's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebeatdoc

Multi award-winning and chart-topping Australian recording artists and musicians, Thomas and Tessa Libreri burst onto the country music scene in 2017. 

They have accrued many #1 hits and awards following the release of their three albums: Changes; Makin Music; Take Me Back in Time and two EPs: 'From the Heart' and 'Special Songs'. 

They are a popular class act, who perform 'country, rock and soul' original music during their live shows.

Speaking to them about their journey to becoming full time musicians and how they met was an absolute joy. Their energy and love for music and each other is infectious and I know you will feel it too while listening.

Enjoy the show!

To learn more about Tessa and Thomas please visit the following links:

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/DestinyBandOz

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/destinybandoz/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/destinybandoz/

Website: https://destinyband.webs.com

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We all have dreams when we are children. Whether that is to perform on stage in front of a crowd of thousands or to release a novel to critical acclaim.

Your dreams are valid and they are more than possible. Persistence and unwavering belief in yourself is always key.

In this episode Mike and his guest Rob from circus rock band "Papa Shango" talk about what it took to realise his childhood dream and he climbed the stairs onstage to the biggest performance of his career (so far).

We also discuss the balance between work and play and how to maintain an enjoyment of both. 

Papa Shango has been quoted by the Observer as being ""Outlandishly entertaining" and NME has stated that "The internet has killed live music...Papa Shango are saving it"

To learn more about Rob and his music, you can visit the following links:

Website: https://www.papashango.co.uk

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/papashangomusic/

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Like most of us, Scott started off as young child completely infatuated with the creative arts. In his case it was music. 

Unfortunately, as we all already know, most often our support network of parents and teachers take it upon themselves to remind us how hard it is to make it as a musician (artist, writer, etc...) and we generally listen.

That's exactly what Scott did, and he found himself working in sales and then teaching, until one day when one of his most memorable students set him straight.

It's a powerful story of learning to listen to all of the signs around you and your path towards your creative pursuits. In Scott's case, there was a couple of signals that were pretty hard to miss.

Scott Wilcox has an infectious personality and was an absolute joy to have on the podcast. I loved speaking with him and I know you will love listening to him share his story.

(**yes the audio drops out at times, but I promise you that Scott's story and personality is worth forgiving the audio for)

To learn more about Scott and to connect with him further, please visit:

Website: https://scottwilcox.net/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SongwriterScottWilcox/

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How many of us grew up completely obsessed with music, art, dance, creative writing, etc...??

It is easily the most natural state of being for children (and arguably ALL humans, regardless of age).

But by now most of us know how that goes...

Why is the following an all too familiar story?

Child grows up loving the arts. 

Society tells child to "get a real job". 

And that child goes on to live and apathetic and lethargic existence in a mediocre career that they never planned on as a kid. 

Just like us, this week's guest can relate. 

But he also drew a line in the sand and realised that if anyone was going to turn things around, it was going to be HIM.

If you want to find out how Adam Fiasco, frontman for Pop-Punk band "The Fiasco", shifted from uninspired at work to truly inspired again through music, and the effects that that shift had on his full time career, then make sure you check out this week's episode. 

To learn more about Adam and his music, you can visit the following links:

Website: https://www.adam-fiasco.com

Band: https://www.facebook.com/thefiascomusic

Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1936919183305142

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Are you aware of how resilient you really are?

Think about your life for a moment...

The adversities you have faced...

The triumphs you have achieved...

All of the things you had to overcome to reach this exact point in time.

There is an unfathomable strength inside you.

The strength to keep pressing on towards your dreams is always within your reach.

Even if you don’t fully realize it yet, I promise you that it’s in there.

I know what it’s like to feel overwhelmed and defeated. But life is too short to give up on your vision.

There is a deep satisfaction that comes from letting go of the stories that are blocking you from taking action.

Listen to today’s chat with Chana Studley - author, costume designer and transformational coach - to hear more about how she overcame multiple life traumas in order to go on living an extraordinarily creative life.

You can connect and learn more about Chana in the following places:

Website: https://www.chanastudley.com

Books: https://www.amazon.com/Chana-Studley/e/B07L85C1T6?ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1&qid=1615544484&sr=8-1

Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/understandinganxietystressandtrauma

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What happened to the natural creativity you possessed as a child? At what point in your life did it get put on the back burner? 

The signs come at you from all directions - well meaning parents, teachers and mentors - urging you to "get a real job to support yourself"

But what does life look like a few years down that line when you're working that mundane full time job?

All of a sudden your months and years are flying by in an endless cycle of wake, work and repeat...

Without any energy or time left to pursue the goals you set for yourself as a young artist. 

Like you, I remember hearing ALL THE TIME, about how hard it was to "make it as an artist".

It's no wonder that most of us don't bother to try.

And it's all no surprise that most of us wake up 3-5 years later in a passionless career wondering why we're so unhappy inside. 

Life wasn't meant to be lived without passion and it doesn't have to continue to be that way. 

With the right mindset shifts and practical habit changes you too can start to quiet that inner unfulfilled voice and not let another day slip by without creating the life changing art that you know you are capable of. 

In this episode, full-time painter and artist Maranda Cromwell dives deep into her transformative journey to help you discover those inner shifts that will help you unleash your creativity into the world. 

She shares some fantastic practical advice for creatives at the end of the episode about what it takes to build a loyal fanbase for your art, so be sure to listen to the whole episode for that golden nugget of wisdom.  

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To learn more about Maranda or to connect even deeper you can go to the following links and reach her directly:

Facebook Personal: https://www.facebook.com/maranda.cromwell.94

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marandacromwell

Website: https://www.marandart.com

Frog Website: https://spongefrog.neocities.org

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Honestly, this might be one of the most value packed interviews you will ever hear on the artistic process. Graham dives deep into the lessons on creativity and productivity that he has learned through years of introspection, coaching, and personal development. 

If you are looking to get unstuck from the creative blocks that are holding you back from experiencing more creativity in your life, then THIS is the interview for YOU.

Sometimes I think that my own creativity is wide open and rocking & rolling, and then I have a conversation like this and I realize how much more open it could be. 

It was an absolute honor and joy to speak with Graham, and like me, I'm sure you will walk away with some great insights on how you can fall even deeper into your creative flow. 

To learn more about Graham or to connect even deeper you can go to the following links and reach him directly:

Facebook Personal: https://www.facebook.com/grbrx

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/grbrx/

Website: https://www.stealmyworkflow.com/songwriter-playbook

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Mike's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebeatdoc