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The Couragemakers Podcast | Encouragement, Inspiration & Rebel Rousing for Mission Driven Doers, Makers & Shakers | - 092: Reclaiming Your Creativity & Being Yourself with Nina Hart
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092: Reclaiming Your Creativity & Being Yourself with Nina Hart

Explicit content warning

06/19/18 • 78 min

The Couragemakers Podcast | Encouragement, Inspiration & Rebel Rousing for Mission Driven Doers, Makers & Shakers |
Hello Couragemakers! I can’t tell you how excited I am to share this week’s episode with you! ​ This week I’m talking with Nina Hart about all things creativity and I seriously could have chatted to Nina all day. Before our conversation Nina shared how finding kindred spirits is like finding a fellow lightening rod and I certainly feel like I’ve found a fellow lightening rod and I’m pretty sure you will too. Nina is an Asheville, NC based writer, performer, and creativity coach trained in the Kaizen-Muse method and also a certified Gateless Method writing teacher. Her first collection of surreal short fictions called “Somewhere in a Town You Never Knew Existed Somewhere” was selected as a Short Stories (Adult Fiction) category finalist in Foreword Reviews’ prestigious 2014 IndieFab Book of the Year Awards. Nina was also an original member of the experimental dance troupe Contraband, in San Francisco and, playing a purple electric bass, has recorded and performed with numerous bands. Nina spends her time as a right-brained, highly sensitive, creative entrepreneur. She is passionate about helping artists and writers find their voice and reclaim the hooligan kid spirit that most people have buried under an “adult” veneer. Nina considers herself to be an improvisational writer – she was a blocked writer until she rediscovered the curious part of herself who could play, experiment, and explore. Nina is the founder of a unique method of teaching writing called “Writing from the Top of your Head,” which combines group Creativity Coaching with creative writing. She offers online Writing from the Top of Your Head workshops, both live and self-study, as well intensive retreats and 1:1 coaching. During our conversation, we dive into Nina’s story and how she always knew she was an artist, how safety plays a huge role in creativity and the art of throwing yourself back on yourself – Nina has a wonderful definition of how this works. We talk about real and not-shiny creativity, how vulnerability can be a strength and how life is so much richer when you say yes to your creativity. We also have a very vulnerable conversation about the loneliness that often comes with not fitting in and being an artist and how important it is that you keep going and give the world what only you have to give. The theme of this episode is really rediscovering and reclaiming your creativity rather than finding something that wasn’t there before and my hope with this episode is that it will help you reclaim and rediscover some things that really make you feel like yourself and make you feel alive. I found this episode seriously healing and it’s a great reminder that you’re not alone, and as creative, unconventional and multi-passionate women, we need to keep together and help keep each other’s fires lit. ​I know you’re going to absolutely love this episode, so settle in and prepare to be inspired. About Nina

Nina Hart is an Asheville, NC based writer, performer, and creativity coach trained in the Kaizen-Muse method. She is also a certified Gateless Method writing teacher. Her first collection of surreal short fictions called “Somewhere in a Town You Never Knew Existed Somewhere” was selected as a Short Stories (Adult Fiction) category finalist in Foreword Reviews’ prestigious 2014 IndieFab Book of the Year Awards. Nina was also an original member of the experimental dance troupe Contraband, in San Francisco and, playing a purple electric bass, has recorded and performed with numerous bands. Nina spends her time as a right-brained, highly sensitive, creative entrepreneur. She is passionate about helping artists and writers find their voice and reclaim the hooligan kid spirit that most people have buried under an “adult” veneer. Nina considers herself to be an improvisational writer – she was a blocked writer until she rediscovered the curious part of herself who could play, experiment, and explore.Nina is the founder of a unique method of teaching writing called “Writing from the Top of your Head,” which combines group Creativity Coaching with creative writing. She offers online Writing from the Top of Your Head workshops, both live and self-study, as well intensive retreats and 1:1 coaching. To sign up for a chat, or for more information visit www.writingfromthetopofyourhead.com

Website | Facebook | Instagram |

Things We Talked About
  • How life is so much richer when you say yes to your creativity
  • How we can feel connected to our aliveness
  • Rediscovering and reclaiming your creativity rather than finding something that wasn’t there before
  • The cult of criticism and the heartbroken artist
  • The loneliness that can come with n...
plus icon
bookmark
Hello Couragemakers! I can’t tell you how excited I am to share this week’s episode with you! ​ This week I’m talking with Nina Hart about all things creativity and I seriously could have chatted to Nina all day. Before our conversation Nina shared how finding kindred spirits is like finding a fellow lightening rod and I certainly feel like I’ve found a fellow lightening rod and I’m pretty sure you will too. Nina is an Asheville, NC based writer, performer, and creativity coach trained in the Kaizen-Muse method and also a certified Gateless Method writing teacher. Her first collection of surreal short fictions called “Somewhere in a Town You Never Knew Existed Somewhere” was selected as a Short Stories (Adult Fiction) category finalist in Foreword Reviews’ prestigious 2014 IndieFab Book of the Year Awards. Nina was also an original member of the experimental dance troupe Contraband, in San Francisco and, playing a purple electric bass, has recorded and performed with numerous bands. Nina spends her time as a right-brained, highly sensitive, creative entrepreneur. She is passionate about helping artists and writers find their voice and reclaim the hooligan kid spirit that most people have buried under an “adult” veneer. Nina considers herself to be an improvisational writer – she was a blocked writer until she rediscovered the curious part of herself who could play, experiment, and explore. Nina is the founder of a unique method of teaching writing called “Writing from the Top of your Head,” which combines group Creativity Coaching with creative writing. She offers online Writing from the Top of Your Head workshops, both live and self-study, as well intensive retreats and 1:1 coaching. During our conversation, we dive into Nina’s story and how she always knew she was an artist, how safety plays a huge role in creativity and the art of throwing yourself back on yourself – Nina has a wonderful definition of how this works. We talk about real and not-shiny creativity, how vulnerability can be a strength and how life is so much richer when you say yes to your creativity. We also have a very vulnerable conversation about the loneliness that often comes with not fitting in and being an artist and how important it is that you keep going and give the world what only you have to give. The theme of this episode is really rediscovering and reclaiming your creativity rather than finding something that wasn’t there before and my hope with this episode is that it will help you reclaim and rediscover some things that really make you feel like yourself and make you feel alive. I found this episode seriously healing and it’s a great reminder that you’re not alone, and as creative, unconventional and multi-passionate women, we need to keep together and help keep each other’s fires lit. ​I know you’re going to absolutely love this episode, so settle in and prepare to be inspired. About Nina

Nina Hart is an Asheville, NC based writer, performer, and creativity coach trained in the Kaizen-Muse method. She is also a certified Gateless Method writing teacher. Her first collection of surreal short fictions called “Somewhere in a Town You Never Knew Existed Somewhere” was selected as a Short Stories (Adult Fiction) category finalist in Foreword Reviews’ prestigious 2014 IndieFab Book of the Year Awards. Nina was also an original member of the experimental dance troupe Contraband, in San Francisco and, playing a purple electric bass, has recorded and performed with numerous bands. Nina spends her time as a right-brained, highly sensitive, creative entrepreneur. She is passionate about helping artists and writers find their voice and reclaim the hooligan kid spirit that most people have buried under an “adult” veneer. Nina considers herself to be an improvisational writer – she was a blocked writer until she rediscovered the curious part of herself who could play, experiment, and explore.Nina is the founder of a unique method of teaching writing called “Writing from the Top of your Head,” which combines group Creativity Coaching with creative writing. She offers online Writing from the Top of Your Head workshops, both live and self-study, as well intensive retreats and 1:1 coaching. To sign up for a chat, or for more information visit www.writingfromthetopofyourhead.com

Website | Facebook | Instagram |

Things We Talked About
  • How life is so much richer when you say yes to your creativity
  • How we can feel connected to our aliveness
  • Rediscovering and reclaiming your creativity rather than finding something that wasn’t there before
  • The cult of criticism and the heartbroken artist
  • The loneliness that can come with n...

Previous Episode

undefined - 091: A Mid-Year Review Special

091: A Mid-Year Review Special

Hello wonderful Couragemakers and welcome to episode 91 of The Couragemakers Podcast!

This week it’s just me and you as I have a solo mid year review special for you today.

So we’re halfway through 2018. I don’t know about you but it simultaneously feels like it’s flown by and like we’ve been living in 2018 for about a century. It feels like 2017 was a lifetime ago, but at the same time, I can’t believe it’s June!

For today’s episode I thought it would be a great opportunity to just stop, pause and reflect for a minute. We’re approaching the halfway through the year mark, and I thought this would be a great opportunity to take stock, see what’s working for you, what could be improved and imagine what you would like the rest of the year to be like.

So grab a notepad and pen, get ready to get honest and compassionate with yourself and let’s reflect on the year so far and put some plans into place to make the next six months really work for you!

You can listen to today’s episode here!

About Meg & That Hummingbird Life

I’m Meg and I’m the host of Couragemakers and founder of That Hummingbird Life. I’m an INFJ creative and multipassionate who has a bit of a notebook and post-it note obsession, loves foot-stomping country music and likes her hot chocolate with way too much chocolate.

I started Couragemakers because I wanted to create a platform for passionate and unconventional women to have honest conversations and to share their stories, struggles and dreams. The intention behind this podcast is to inspire and encourage creative and mission-driven women to live a wholehearted life and follow the beat of their drum.

When I’m not recording episodes, writing bullshit-free, very vulnerable and weekly pep talks to fellow couragemakers (join the party here!) or working one to one with fellow creatives and multi-passionates, you can find me working on all manners of magic over at That Hummingbird Life. THL is the online home for unconventional creatives and multipassionates who want to show up unapologetically and intentionally as who they are, and really own, live and share their many stories. It’s made for couragemakers who have so much great shit to give the world and want to leave their mark but have too much self doubt standing in the way!

Next Episode

undefined - 093: Being Open & Honest about Mental Health with Kimberly Myhill

093: Being Open & Honest about Mental Health with Kimberly Myhill

Hello Couragemakers and welcome to episode 93 of The Couragemakers Podcast.

This week I’m talking with the lovely Kimberly Myhill and I can honestly say this is one of the most refreshing conversations I’ve ever had about mental health.

Kimberly Myhill is from Norwich, UK and has lived with depression for as long as she can remember and for a long time had no idea that was what was happening. Kimberly has had many ups and downs, more downs than ups over the years but now that has changed.

Kimberly works for Equal Lives, an opportunity she believes has changed her life. She works in development, and it gives her the chance to meet so many different people and carry out projects for people who like her, who really need support living with long-term health conditions.

Both in and out of work, Kimberly advocates for talking about mental health as easily as talking about a headache. She believe in trusting your instincts to keep you centred and well, and that we can all support one another to reduce stigma, be open and honest and be the best version of ourselves we can be.

During today’s episode, Kimberly shares her story, from living with depression, reaching out to get help and a very vulnerable and behind-the-scenes look at what Kimberly’s repair work and recovery journey has looked like.

We talk about how life-changing it can be to have a supportive employer, the importance of listening to your gut feeling and how Kimberly has been able to break things down and focus on her wellbeing.

We dive into how life can change when we feel able to ask for help, how to talk to people in your life about your mental health and Kimberly’s fantastic advocacy brand and the work she is doing.

As someone who has depression and anxiety, I can’t tell you how much I loved this episode and how in awe I am of Kimberly’s work and how she is able to communicate so many things I struggle to find the words for. I found our conversation incredibly healing and reassuring.

Before we get into today’s episode, I want to let you know that attempted suicide is mentioned throughout this episode, so if you feel this episode might trigger you, please look after yourself and do what’s best for you which might mean skipping this episode right now.

I started Couragemakers to have real conversations and really go behind the curtains and I couldn’t be happier to bring you this episode.

I’d love to know what you think of today’s episode.

Enjoy the show.

About Kimberly

Kimberly Myhill is from Norwich, UK and has lived with depression for as long as she can remember and for a long time had no idea that was what was happening. Kimberly has had many ups and downs, more downs than ups over the years but now that has changed.

Kimberly works for Equal Lives, an opportunity she believes has changed her life. She works in development, and it gives her the chance to meet so many different people and carry out projects for people who like her, who really need support living with long-term health conditions.

Both in and out of work, Kimberly advocates for talking about mental health as easily as talking about a headache. She believe in trusting your instincts to keep you centred and well, and that we can all support one another to reduce stigma, be open and honest and be the best version of ourselves we can be.

Instagram | Equal Lives

Things We Talked About
  • Kimberly’s experience of living with depression since she can remember
  • How Kimberly has learned to be comfortable with how you feel about something
  • The importance of listening to your gut feeling
  • how employers can have a massive impact on how you are able to manage your mental health
  • Kimberly’s advocacy work – Hourglass Mental Health

About Meg & That Hummingbird Life

I’m Meg and I’m the host of Couragemakers and founder of That Hummingbird Life. I’m an INFJ creative and multipassionate who has a bit of a notebook and post-it note obsession, loves foot-stomping country music and likes her hot chocolate with way too much chocolate.

I started Couragemakers because I wanted to create a platform for passionate and unconventional women to have honest conversations and to share their stories, struggles and dreams. The intention behind this podcast is to inspire and encourage creative and mission-driven women to live a wholehearted life and follow the beat of their drum.

When I’m not recording episodes, writing bullshit-free, very vulnerable and encouraging Sunday emails to fellow couragemakers (join the party here!) or making new friends with the wonderful guests, you can find me ...

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