Follow Your Curiosity

My guest this week is Richard Wilmore, the host and executive producer of the wildly successful daily talk and variety series Make Your Day Richer TV. From 2016 to 2022, he hosted the award-winning The Richard Wilmore Show. He also co-hosts the Wolf Media Fest podcast. Behind the scenes, Richard helps numerous podcasts and livestreams with production, editing, and talent booking needs through his company, Make Your Day Richer. Richard talks with me about how he found his calling as a talk show host, why you should start where you are with what you have, the challenges of making work for hire and turning your art into a business, the importance (and difficulties) of listening to yourself, and a lot more. Episode breakdown: 00:00 Introduction 04:09 Supportive parents let Richard explore. 09:06 Young Richard pretended to be a weatherperson, then talk show host. 13:11 Performing as himself felt natural, but nerves still linger. 17:16 Richard describes building colorful sets to energize his shows. 22:18 Created talk show sets in basements, bedrooms, and studios. 27:04 Richard and Nancy reflect on starting shows with minimal gear. 32:44 Burnout can happen even doing what you love most. 37:15 Turning creativity into business poses unexpected challenges for artists. 41:21 Listening to your gut is crucial but not always easy. 46:29 Self-doubt and outside opinions complicate creative decisions and direction. 51:49 Guests surprise Richard; reaching out directly often leads to yes. Want more? Here are handy playlists with all my previous interviews with guests in writing and theatre. If you enjoyed our conversation, I hope you’ll share it with a friend. Check out the full show notes at fycuriosity.com, and connect with me and fellow creatives on Substack. Please leave a review for this episode—it’s really easy and will only take a minute, and it really helps me reach new listeners. Thanks!

All those little things you think are weird about you? They're the things that make you unique. That make you stand out. It's time you embrace them instead of running from them. I'll tell you why in this short episode. If you’re tired of waiting for “someday”—which is NOT a day of the week—to get unstuck and step toward your creative dream, we should talk. Want more tips? Check out all my previous Creative Pep Talks in this playlist! Could you leave a review? It's really easy, and it helps SO much. Thanks! If you'd like to stay up to date on things like my courses and also get podcast and event updates, and my latest musings, subscribe to The Spark!

There's a pervasive notion out in the world that art requires suffering, that suffering for it makes you more noble...etc. etc. etc. If you've fallen prey to this belief, you can relax: I'm about to tell you why it's nonsense. If you’re tired of waiting for “someday”—which is NOT a day of the week—to get unstuck and step toward your creative dream, we should talk. Want more tips? Check out all my previous Creative Pep Talks in this playlist! Could you leave a review? It's really easy, and it helps SO much. Thanks! If you'd like to stay up to date on things like my courses and also get podcast and event updates, and my latest musings, subscribe to The Spark!

Nev Fountain is an award-winning writer, chiefly known for his work on the BBC sketch show 'Dead Ringers' in both TV and radio incarnations. He has alsocontributed to many other programmes, including Have I Got News for You and Newzoids. He is a principal gag writer for satirical magazine Private Eye and contributes to every issue. He first came to write for Doctor Who when he script-edited the BBC online story "Death Comes to Time" in 2001, and has gone on to write some of Big Finish’s most popular audios, including "The Kingmaker" and "Peri and the Piscon Paradox." His books include The Mervyn Stone Mysteries, The Fan Who Knew too Much, and its sequel, Lies and Dolls, which was released in July. Nev talks with me about how he got his start writing radio comedy, the challenges of writing comedy even about very serious events, writing for various forms and media, leaving room to be surprised as you’re writing, and more. Episode breakdown: 00:00 Introduction 04:02 Teachers encouraged Nev; family humor shaped his view. 08:21 Comedy influences: The Young Ones, Blackadder, Hitchhiker’s Guide. 12:27 Breaking into radio comedy. 16:03 Playwriting taught Nev what makes audiences laugh—live. 20:22 Writing comedy about tragic events; satire offers relief and perspective. 24:23 Dead Ringers’ hiatus, revival, and Jon Culshaw’s Tom Baker calls. 28:47 Sketches with Ozzy Osbourne, behind-the-scenes stories from TV comedy. 33:46 Nev’s serendipitous first Doctor Who project, "Death Comes to Time." 39:23 The process and impact of "Death Comes to Time" explained. 46:31 Challenges and expectations of writing “big” stories in franchises. 52:18 Emphasizing medium-specific storytelling; novels, radio, TV all differ. 58:14 Enjoying creative surprises; writing unfolds beyond outlines or plans. Want more? Here are handy playlists with all my previous interviews with guests in writing, theatre, and Doctor Who. If you enjoyed our conversation, I hope you’ll share it with a friend. Check out the full show notes--with videos of Nev's work and links to his books—at fycuriosity.com, and connect with me and fellow creatives on Substack. Please leave a review for this episode—it’s really easy and will only take a minute, and it really helps me reach new listeners. Thanks! If you’re tired of waiting for “someday”—which is NOT a day of the week—to get unstuck and step toward your creative dream, we should talk. Https://fyc.quest/Contact

Hamstrung by the notion that you're not enough? This is the episode for you. I have two reasons why you're wrong in this short episode. If you're tired of feeling like you can't get out of your own way and want to FINALLY make some progress toward your creative dreams, let's talk! Want more tips? Check out all my previous Creative Pep Talks in this playlist! Could you leave a review? It's really easy, and it helps SO much. Thanks! If you'd like to stay up to date on things like my courses and also get podcast and event updates, and my latest musings, subscribe to The Spark!

Elle Jaye supports powerful and resilient working moms who want to put an end to the power struggles with their child, so they become a strong team instead of adversaries. The working moms realize they are women first, and mothering is another job they do. By disrupting this mindset, the women step into their power and resilience as an extension of their values and intent for their children. Elle joins me to talk about how she discovered her creative side in her 20s, how we normalize and pass on relationship and parenting patterns, how we can see adults as atrophied children rather than seeing children as mini adults, and more. Episode breakdown: 00:00 Introduction 04:24 Childhood curiosity suppressed, later recognized as problem-solving and questioning. 08:00 Creativity awakens through coloring and relaxing with children. 12:00 Daughters express creativity differently; family talents traced back generations. 16:26 Watching movies as family sparks deeper curiosity and connection. 20:10 Analyzing shows reveals generational patterns, manipulation, and emotional awareness gaps. 24:39 Parenting styles shaped by media; Cosby Show inspires new possibilities. 28:27 Realizing art and creativity were present through connection and escapism. 32:00 Family meetings on TV offered models for healthy communication. 36:41 Adults repeat childhood patterns unless they intentionally choose to change. 41:00 Children should not be seen as mini adults; generational shifts. 46:00 Letting go of control, discovering healthy ways to parent. 51:00 Play, fun, and creativity help shift negative energy and judgment. 56:00 Awareness of presence, connecting with nature improves perspective and creativity. Want more? Here are handy playlists with all my previous interviews. If you enjoyed our conversation, I hope you’ll share it with a friend. Check out the full show notes (now including transcripts!) at fycuriosity.com, and connect with me and fellow creatives on Substack. Please leave a review for this episode—it’s really easy and will only take a minute, and it really helps me reach new listeners. Thanks! If you’ve been tearing up when you encounter other people’s art because you’ve lost touch with your own creativity, we should talk.

In the wild, chaotic world of 2025, we tend to think we have to pay attention to EVERYTHING. Here's why you might want to challenge that belief. If you're ready to reconnect with your creativity, join me on July 24 and 31, 2025, at 1pm ET as I lead the Pink Lady Posse Power Hour in a gentle hour of reconnection and rediscovery of your creative spirit. It's free! Register here. You can attend one or both sessions, though the second will build on the first. Want more tips? Check out all my previous Creative Pep Talks in this playlist! Could you leave a review? It's really easy, and it helps SO much. Thanks! If you'd like to stay up to date on things like my courses and also get podcast and event updates, and my latest musings, subscribe to The Spark!

Actress and writer Lizzie Hopley was born in Liverpool and trained at RADA. As an actress, she has worked for the Royal Shakespeare Company and the Globe Theatre and recent screen work includes Black Doves and upcoming feature film Fackham Hall. As a writer, her radio sitcom Green won Pozzitive TV’s Funny Dot Comp 2021 and TV series Bloody Betty is currently in development. She has written and appeared in over 90 Big Finish audio adventures including Dark Shadows and Doctor Who, and her Doctor Who audio play The Curse of Lady Macbeth won the 2022 Scribe Award. Lizzie joins me to talk about how her childhood love of writing and acting became a vocation, auditioning for RADA—twice—and how she ended up continuing to write even as a drama student, how learning to think of acting and writing as having a target changed her work, and a whole lot more. Episode Breakdown: 00:00 Lizzie Hopley shares her creative childhood and love for books. 04:56 Acting out movie scenes alone sparked early passion for performance. 08:45 Family encouraged storytelling, costumes, and imagination at home. 13:11 Difficulties pursuing creative careers; importance of following passion. 17:33 University and RADA experiences shaped her acting and writing path. 22:24 Writing plays began due to lack of desired acting roles. 27:29 Rewriting and feedback are crucial for improving both crafts. 32:54 Learning to target audience while writing; acting versus writing focus. 37:22 Acting training emphasizes focusing on scene partner, not yourself. 43:48 Importance of editors and learning to kill your darlings. 48:21 Confidence and caring less about others’ opinions increases with age. 53:07 Acting and writing overlap at Big Finish; playing her own roles. 57:16 Big Finish’s community impact, creative freedom, and professional development. 01:02:18 Target books and early Doctor Who fandom as creative inspiration. 01:07:04 Embrace varied interests; open doors for yourself in creativity. Want more? Here are handy playlists with all my previous interviews with guests in writing, theatre, and Doctor Who. If you enjoyed our conversation, I hope you’ll share it with a friend. Check out the full show notes (now including transcripts!) at fycuriosity.com, and connect with me and fellow creatives on Substack. Please leave a review for this episode—it’s really easy and will only take a minute, and it really helps me reach new listeners. Thanks! If you’ve been tearing up when you encounter other people’s art because you’ve lost touch with your own, we should talk.

You've almost certainly heard the advice to "Fake it till you make it." It's good advice—some of the time. We don't talk about when it's best to avoid it, and that's what I'm talking about in this very short episode. I teach women how to reignite their lost creative spark. If you’ve been tearing up when you encounter other people’s art because you’ve lost touch with your own, let's talk. Want more tips? Check out all my previous Creative Pep Talks in this playlist! Could you leave a review? It's really easy, and it helps SO much. Thanks! If you'd like to stay up to date on things like my courses and also get podcast and event updates, and my latest musings, subscribe to The Spark!

Since her first published novel, Time of the Dark, in 1982, Barbara Hambly has touched most of the bases in genre fiction, including fantasy, science fiction, horror, media tie-ins, graphic novels, screenplays, murder mysteries, and Saturday morning cartoons. Her work has been nominated for numerous Locus Awards, and her novel Those Who Hunt the Night won for Best Horror Novel in 1989. She’s also an avid martial artist. Barbara joins me to talk about marital arts and how they influence her writing, how she plots her work, the joys of research, trying to choose her favorite genre, and more. Episode breakdown: 00:00 Introduction. 04:20 Learning new skills for writing adventure stories: research hands-on. 08:37 Creativity exists beyond making a living; people pursue passions. 12:21 Encouragement versus discouragement shapes creative confidence in childhood. 16:27 Teased for writing fanfic, Hambly stopped sharing at school. 20:59 Martial arts experience improves fight scenes and knowledge in writing. 24:13 Hands-on weapon training reveals challenges for historical accuracy. 28:37 Martial arts philosophy influences character development and approach to life. 32:08 Aikido teaches problem-solving—step aside from incoming challenges. 36:27 Hambly outlines her novels; prefers clear goals in stories. 40:08 Timelining and detailed research ensure realistic historical fiction. 44:53 Exploring world-building, food, and logistics in fantasy and sci-fi. 48:22 Hambly’s favorite projects: historical fiction, fantasy, and vampire series. 52:02 Writing across genres, balancing commercial market and creative joy. 55:24 Hambly’s creative journey spans genres, driven by passion. If you enjoyed our conversation, I hope you’ll share it with a friend. Check out the full show notes (now including transcripts!) at fycuriosity.com, and connect with me and fellow creatives on Substack. Please leave a review for this episode—it’s really easy and will only take a minute, and it really helps me reach new listeners. Thanks! If you’ve been tearing up when you encounter other people’s art because you’ve lost touch with your own, we should talk.

What do you tell yourself when things get hard? Here's a short take on a different perspective to help keep you on track. I teach women how to reignite their lost creative spark. If you’ve been tearing up when you encounter other people’s art because you’ve lost touch with your own, let's talk. Want more tips? Check out with all my previous Creative Pep Talks in this playlist! Could you leave a review? It's really easy, and it helps SO much. Thanks! If you'd like to stay up to date on things like my courses and also get podcast and event updates, and my latest musings, subscribe to The Spark!

Terise Lang is a certified life, health, and wellness coach with a lifelong interest in and love of all things creative. She joins me today for a wide-ranging discussion of the power of creativity, including the way she uses creativity in her work, how our creativity is so often socialized out of us in the name of more conformity, our tendency to define creativity too narrowly and then decide that we don’t have it, the hidden creativity in fields like software engineering and cooking, how managers unconsciously limit their staff’s creativity while trying to foster it, the impact of artificial intelligence on our creative lives, and more. Episode breakdown: 00:00 Introduction 04:21 Creativity gets socialized out, but it's dormant, not gone. 08:16 Everyone's unique perspective shapes creativity, even in simple family plays. 12:31 Start simply; creativity can revive with sketching, coloring, small experiments. 16:57 Software engineers, tech support, and problem-solving require creativity daily. 21:12 Recognize personal talents; downplaying strengths limits growth and joy. 25:24 Curiosity is essential—asking questions and exploring fuels creativity. 30:01 Coaching methods benefit from creativity; adapting routines yields effective results. 34:42 Tapping uses creativity; modifying it improves outcomes for clients. 38:56 Taking breaks, doing creative activities, and doodling refresh the mind. 44:14 Act your age debate; enjoying creativity is ageless and joyful. 48:13 Managers must encourage and credit staff creativity to boost morale. 52:47 Joy and growth flourish when creative self-expression is valued. 55:43 Society elevates machines, but AI can't replace human creativity. 01:00:42 AI uses resources, regurgitates information, can't replicate unique human writing. If you enjoyed our conversation, I hope you’ll share it with a friend. Check out the full show notes (now including transcripts!) at fycuriosity.com, and connect with me and fellow creatives on Substack. Please leave a review for this episode—it’s really easy and will only take a minute, and it really helps me reach new listeners. Thanks! If you’ve been tearing up when you encounter other people’s art because you’ve lost touch with your own, we should talk.

Over the years, I've come to the often frustrating conclusion that we know more than we think we do. I tell you why in this short episode. I teach women how to reignite their lost creative spark. If you’ve been tearing up when you encounter other people’s art because you’ve lost touch with your own, we should talk. Want more tips? Check out with all my previous Creative Pep Talks in this playist! Could you leave a review? It's really easy, and it helps SO much. Thanks! If you'd like to stay up to date on things like my courses and also get podcast and event updates, and my latest musings, subscribe to The Spark!

Writer, teacher, and humanitarian aid worker Alex Poppe joined me last year to talk about her journey from acting to teaching to writing, and how her experiences abroad influenced her journey. She returns to the show today to talk about her new memoir, Breakfast Wine, which chronicles her time teaching in Iraq. We also talk about what we each learned from living abroad at different ages and for different amounts of time, the special magic of teaching teens and young adults, and the way the arts teach us empathy and are a uniquely human way to give life meaning. Alex, who worked for USAID, also gives us a glimpse of the power of humanitarian aid around the world. Episode breakdown: 00:00 Introduction 04:18 Teaching international students changes perceptions about other cultures. 08:16 Political divisions and cultural nuances within Iraq explained. 12:26 Americans are insulated from ongoing events in Iraq. 16:09 Motivations for living abroad differ by age and situation. 20:47 Financial reasons and curiosity drive educators to work overseas. 24:39 The emotional impact of teaching youth in conflict regions. 28:14 Teachers and students mutually influence each other's lives deeply. 32:34 Adjusting to working with USAID and NGO environments. 36:00 Culture shock of returning to the US after years abroad. 40:26 Living abroad changes your outlook and maturity in many ways. 44:11 Encountering anti-American sentiment versus curiosity abroad. 48:09 The arts foster empathy and human connection in society. 52:28 Creative collaboration and failing exuberantly in brainstorming sessions. 56:01 The writing process of Breakfast Wine was messy and surprising. 01:03:34 Personal journey revealed through the writing process. If you enjoyed our conversation, I hope you’ll share it with a friend. Check out the full show notes (now including transcripts!) at fycuriosity.com, and connect with me and fellow creatives on Substack. Please leave a review for this episode—it’s really easy and will only take a minute, and it really helps me reach new listeners. Thanks! If you’ve been tearing up when you encounter other people’s art because you’ve lost touch with your own, we should talk.

Here's a super-short story: something a friend said to me once that's stuck with me, and why I think it might help you keep some needed perspective on yourself and your creative efforts. Want more tips? Check out with all my previous Creative Pep Talks in this playist! Could you leave a review? It's really easy, and it helps SO much. Thanks! If you'd like to stay up to date on things like my courses and also get podcast and event updates, and my latest musings, subscribe to The Spark!

Jocelyn Hastie spent 30 years as an accountant before the combination of a stage 4 cancer diagnosis and a sudden job loss forced a radical turn, leading her to work full-time with horses as a way to foster leadership skills and personal growth. She joins me to talk about why it’s not fair to judge accountancy as boring, how bad management and leadership happens (including her own realization that she was a bad manager), what we lose when we forget the lessons of the natural world and our roots in it, what we can learn from the animals around us—including horses—and more. Read about a lesson I learned from Jocelyn here. Episode breakdown: 00:00 Introduction 04:25 Family influence suppressed creativity; art rediscovered after cancer diagnosis. 08:32 Jocelyn reflects on common misconceptions about accounting creativity. 12:39 Accountants add value, not just boring number crunchers. 16:32 Jocelyn’s career choice influenced by her father and education. 20:06 Radical life change after cancer and job loss in 2016. 24:35 Horses revealed Jocelyn's management flaws; learned new leadership styles. 28:09 Importance of authenticity and boundaries, not pleasing everyone. 32:25 Animals and nature as teachers for leadership and mindfulness. 36:05 Jocelyn describes her non-riding retreats and somatic awareness. 40:34 Emphasizes intentional learning versus just-in-case learning. 44:05 Life shifts can come from crisis or noticing “little knocks.” 48:54 Childhood expectations shaped independence; cancer forced acceptance of help. 52:23 Lessons from herd dynamics and horses’ instinct to regain calm. 56:07 Gestalt coaching emphasizes honoring emotions and shaking off fear. Check out the full show notes (now including transcripts!) at fycuriosity.com, and connect with me and fellow creatives on Substack. Please leave a review for this episode—it’s really easy and will only take a minute, and it really helps me reach new listeners. Thanks! If you enjoyed our conversation, I hope you’ll share it with a friend.

It's counterintuitive, but sometimes limitations are your best friend, especially when you're doing something creative. I explain why in this super-short episode. Listen to my conversation with Nick Morrison here. Want more tips? Check out with all my previous Creative Pep Talks in this playist! Could you leave a review? It's really easy, and it helps SO much. Thanks! If you'd like to stay up to date on things like my courses and also get podcast and event updates, and my latest musings, subscribe to The Spark!

My guest today is Josh Mendoza, an award-winning filmmaker known for his post-apocalyptic feature film, What Still Remains. His debut novel, Shadow of the Eternal Watcher, which combines sci-if and film noir, was released in January. Josh joins me to talk about his start in creative writing and his move into film, the similarities and differences in writing fiction and film, the necessity of learning through failure, the democratization of creative pursuits like filmmaking, and more. Episode breakdown: 00:00 Introduction 04:42 Family support fuels persistence in creative pursuits. 08:51 Emphasizing positivity over negativity in sharing creative feedback. 13:40 Unexpected audience reactions highlight creators' limited control. 16:25 Importance of not focusing on negative reviews or criticism. 20:14 Film structure rules help shape and tighten storytelling in novels. 24:05 Editing and trimming elevate both novels and screenplays significantly. 28:14 Books become lasting physical achievements compared to shelved scripts. 32:07 Movie-making demands flexibility and compromise with real-world constraints. 36:02 Intellectual property’s role in getting projects greenlighted discussed. 39:56 Technology enables democratization, but creates challenges in standing out. 44:02 Bad creative work is necessary learning for improved future art. 48:13 Letting characters shape the story often leads to authenticity. 52:10 Duster Raines, Josh's protagonist, is both flawed and compelling. 55:38 Genre mashups and series building. Check out the full show notes (now including transcripts!) at fycuriosity.com, and connect with me and fellow creatives on Substack. Please leave a review for this episode—it’s really easy and will only take a minute, and it really helps me reach new listeners. Thanks! If you enjoyed our conversation, I hope you’ll share it with a friend.

Building on my conversation with Amber Petty last week: I look at how and why you should celebrate your accomplishments in this short episode. Want more tips? Check out with all my previous Creative Pep Talks in this playist! Could you leave a review? It's really easy, and it helps SO much. Thanks! If you'd like to stay up to date on things like my courses and also get podcast and event updates, and my latest musings, subscribe to The Spark!

Amber Petty helps creatives get bylines and build audiences. She's written for the New York Times, Parade, Bustle, and others, and her clients have been published in outlets like the New Yorker, Washington Post, New York Times and many more. Amber talks with me about how she moved from teaching singing to teaching freelancing, how easy it is to downplay our accomplishments when we really should give ourselves credit for them, how to take feedback, and more. Episode breakdown: 00:00 Introduction 01:29 Amber switched from voice lessons to freelancing after job loss. 04:23 Created workshops for performers seeking side jobs during pandemic. 05:43 First freelance writing course launch led to quitting her job. 07:33 Freelance writing felt like an easier, better business fit. 08:32 Past failures helped narrow focus to what worked best. 10:23 If work always feels hard, something may be misaligned. 12:43 Take the easy road; hard will come anyway. 13:08 Writing doesn’t have to be endlessly difficult to succeed. 16:35 Feedback from editors is about publication needs, not personal. 21:35 Read feedback calmly; editors rarely mean or hate you. 24:37 Many creatives downplay paid accomplishments and published work. 30:06 Sending pitches and getting published takes courage and effort. 33:48 Freelancing’s satisfaction surprised amber, compared to acting career. 36:57 All career experiences contributed to teaching and coaching today. 38:18 Theater skills like public speaking helped with business webinars. 42:02 Quiet audiences don’t signal dislike—perceptions often mislead. 44:10 Assume options beyond “they hate me”—people may just be busy. 45:27 Improv’s yes-and mindset can help overcome self-doubt. 46:22 Problems aren’t permanent; things can change for the better. 47:06 Students found unexpected success—published, books pitched, media attention. 49:29 Some students freelance full time; others keep it as side work. 50:32 Amber created a musical webinar from a silly idea. 52:29 Perfectionism reappeared in singing, unlike writing, requiring self-kindness. 54:48 Goals for fun and engagement matter more than perfection. 57:12 High expectations distort satisfaction; audience just wants entertainment. 58:25 Perfectionism never vanishes, but panic time decreases with practice. 59:49 Giving yourself credit builds confidence, even in small steps. Check out the full show notes (now including transcripts!) at fycuriosity.com, and connect with me and fellow creatives on Substack. Please leave a review for this episode—it’s really easy and will only take a minute, and it really helps me reach new listeners. Thanks! If you enjoyed our conversation, I hope you’ll share it with a friend.