Writer, author and educator Samantha Dunn joins host Holly Hughes on today’s episode of The Holly Hughes Podcast. 

Coming from a background in writing rooted in journalism, Samantha Dunn always writes with the idea that someone, somewhere will read what she’s writing. From that foundation, Samantha has authored numerous books, short stories, essays and memoirs, including Faith in Carlos Gomez: A Memoir of Salsa, Sex and Salvation. She is now the editor of PREMIUM Magazine for the Southern California News Group, and also teaches at Chapman University.

Samantha and Holly talk about their creative processes, the influence of journalism on her writing, her love of horses, and living with Parkinsons.

Find Samantha online at samanthadunnwriter.com.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Setting the Scene

03:03 The Creative Journey and Writing Process

06:00 The Role of Personal Narrative in Writing

08:59 Navigating the Challenges of Writing and Journalism

12:08 The Impact of Social Media on Storytelling

15:08 Defining Success and the Creative Identity

17:55 Finding Your Voice and Overcoming Obstacles

21:00 The Journey to Los Angeles and Personal Growth

23:31 Dancing Through Life

25:49 Creative Vulnerability and Transparency

27:06 Managing Challenging Personalities

29:06 The Burden of Teaching

30:31 Kintsugi - A Japanese art form using gold to repair broken pottery

32:22 The Art of Memoir

34:52 Cataloging Life Experiences

38:39 Facing Chronic Illness

40:08 Connection with Horses

46:38 Life-Changing Accidents

48:07 The Beauty of Scars and Friendship

49:04 The Art of Memoir: Truth vs. Fiction

50:11 Memory and Its Intricacies

52:30 Foundational Memories and Their Impact

54:44 Writing About Personal Experiences

57:19 The Process of Writing and Reflection

01:00:01 Transforming Material: From Memoir to Essays

01:02:34 The Challenge of Finding a Home for Writing

01:06:51 Embracing the Past: The Trailer Life

01:11:19 Caution: Frequent Stops Ahead

Misha Fair is no stranger to music and the industry surrounding it. Growing up in Georgia, she was raised by a family that had deep connections to music, including parents who were in the SOS Band, a grandfather who was friends with Sammy Davis Jr., and another grandfather who was nicknamed “King of the Stroll.”

It’s no surprise that Misha has learned a lot from her family about the music industry, and today is a singer, songwriter and producer herself. Misha records and performs under her own name and draws from those intrinsic experiences to create her own brand of country music that resonates with a diverse audience.

Misha Fair joins host Holly Hughes on today’s episode of The Holly Hughes Podcast to talk about her experience growing up in a rich musical family, breaking into the industry with her own unique sound, mentoring younger artists and connecting across multiple generations through a shared love of music.

Visit Misha Fair online at mishafair.com.

Chapters

00:00 The Creative Journey Begins

02:56 Musical Heritage and Influences

06:02 The Role of Family in Music

08:57 Finding One's Voice Through Music

11:56 The Power of Songwriting

15:01 Emotional Depth in Music

18:06 The Intersection of Pain and Creativity

20:45 Crafting Songs from Life Experiences

24:04 The Evolution of Musical Identity

27:11 Live Performances and Audience Connection

29:59 Balancing Emotion and Discipline in Creativity

32:13 Creative Processes and Inspirations

36:59 The Role of Rituals in Creativity

41:14 Writing for Others: The Songwriter's Journey

46:32 Nurturing Talent: Mentoring Aspiring Artists

50:12 Defining Success in the Creative World

56:50 Family Connections Through Music

The world we live in is bigger than we can fully grasp and holds more diversity than we know exists. While it would be easy to continue creating from a place of familiarity, discovering new places and people will challenge us as creatives to have a more complete perspective.

Chris Georgiev is a software engineer, graphic designer and founder of Imagga, and AI-powered image recognition software. Chris is Bulgarian, but has lived in Seoul, South Korea for more than a decade. Chris and Holly began a friendship while sharing time in Seoul, and have remained friends ever since.

In today’s episode of The Holly Hughes Podcast, Holly talks to Chris about being a foreigner living in Seoul, how Chris got there, and what it means to adopt a new culture as your own.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Chris Georgiev and His Journey

03:06 The Unexpected Path to Korea

06:04 Finding Home in Korea

09:05 The Start of Content Creation

11:56 The Evolution of Tours and Connections

15:03 Cultural Insights and Experiences in Korea

18:03 Navigating Language Barriers

20:47 Future Plans and New Adventures

24:00 Closing Thoughts and Reflections

No matter who you are or what you do, life has a way of challenging you. It’s never easy, but the way we react to things not working out the way you’d like often is the catalyst for personal growth. 

Today’s guest on The Holly Hughes Podcast makes midlife look like a dream. In her forties, Wendy Valentine found herself battling debt, divorce, unemployment, the passing of family, chronic illness and of course depression. From that low point, Wendy began a journey of rediscovery and transformation. Today, Wendy is a successful life coach, podcaster, and author.

Wendy Valentine joins Holly Hughes for a discussion about creativity, personal growth, and the challenges of mental health. They discuss the importance of self-care, the impact of loss on creativity, and the need to embrace imperfection. Finally, Wendy talks about the significance of detaching from external validation and the freedom that comes with pursuing one's passions.

Visit Wendy online at wendyvalentine.com. Buy a copy of Wendy's book, "Women Waking Up", here.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Podcast Launch

02:45 Creative Journeys and Personal Growth

05:52 Facing Depression and Anxiety

11:43 The Journey of Change and Self-Discovery

13:57 Evaluating Life: The Wheel of Midlife

16:03 Stepping into Your Light

19:02 The Power of Words and Creativity

21:17 Finding Your Voice as a Writer

25:16 Navigating Emotional Highs and Lows

32:49 Navigating Public Perception and Personal Detachment

35:11 Embracing Life's Impermanence and the Beauty of Existence

36:53 Redefining Success and Failure in Creative Pursuits

39:27 Finding Your Creative Rhythm and Process

41:56 Overcoming Creative Overwhelm and Embracing Change

44:58 The Importance of Connection and Authentic Expression

48:59 Embracing Your Unique Creative Journey

51:29 The Future of Creativity and Personal Growth

In the very first episode of The Holly Hughes Podcast, Holly sits down for a conversation with actor, writer and teacher Jamie Rose. Rose began her Hollywood career as a child actor starring in commercials for Kool-Aid and Mountain Dew before becoming a full time actor. She would have starring roles in TV shows such as Falcon Crest and Lady Blue in the 1980s, and would have regular appearances on Chicago Hope, Ally McBeal and Walker, Texas Ranger in the 90s.

Jamie Rose now owns her own acting studio, JRose Studio in Los Angeles, where she teaches the next generations of actors.

In today’s podcast, Jamie shares her experiences in the entertainment industry, the challenges she faced, and how she reinvented herself after significant loss. Holly and Jamie dive into the creative process, the importance of self-expression, and the tools she uses to overcome self-doubt. Jamie also introduces her upcoming book, “Facing Madame X” which focuses on feminine power and personal growth. 

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Jamie Rose

02:58 The Journey of an Actress

06:02 Transitioning from Acting to Writing

08:49 Life Changes and New Beginnings

12:02 The Complexity of Film Production

15:05 The Art of Storytelling

18:00 Writing Books and Overcoming Challenges

20:57 Coaching and the Power of Archetypes

25:32 The Birth of Madame X

27:10 Facing Madamax: The Journey of Self-Discovery

30:01 Tools to Combat Part X

34:03 The Dance of Masculine and Feminine

39:10 Creative Independence and Future Aspirations