The Wilderness of Creativity

Hosted by Lucy Colgan

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115

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Nov 2026

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About the show

If you’re looking for depth, vulnerability and a sense of belonging while feeling lost or 'in between', then you have finally found your tribe! The Wilderness of Creativity is the platform for creatives, thinkers and dreamers to share their stories of survival. Through meaningful conversations with inspiring guests and solo reflections, we will brave the wilderness of creativity together as a means to gain creative clarity, confidence and connection. Welcome to your next adventure!

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60 recent

November 12, 202622 min

Do you dare to dream?

What happens when the plans you had for yourself suddenly change? How do you find the confidence to pick yourself up, rethink your direction and dare to dream bigger? Sometimes, the thing that gets us moving again isn't a grand plan, but a conversation. In this episode, we chat to Sallie King about interiors, home staging and the power of creating spaces that make people feel welcome and 'at home'. But beyond the world of interiors, this is a conversation about resilience, rediscovering your confidence and finding the courage to pursue something you've always wanted. Sallie shares how contributing small-space living ideas to Kate Watson-Smyth's concept book opened up new possibilities, and how a disappointing publishing experience left her needing time to regroup and find her momentum again. Through networking and conversations with other women, Sallie began to see fresh opportunities for her own book ambitions. She reflects on the importance of women encouraging one another, sharing ideas and creating the space to think differently. Whether we're renovating a home, starting a new chapter in our lives or pursuing a long-held ambition, sometimes what we need most is a sense of security from which to take our next leap! I’d love to hear from you! You can find us on Instagram , Facebook and YouTube - be sure to subscribe here so you never miss an episode - and check out our FREE Substack newsletter ! Enjoying the show? You can rate and review the podcast here - your feedback helps more listeners discover the show, builds our community, and keeps the episodes coming! About the Host: Lucy Colgan is a seasoned creative leader, educator and podcast host with nearly two decades of experience in the arts and education. She holds a PGCE in Drama & Performing Arts and a Professional Diploma in Dance from Trinity Laban, and has worked as a freelance artist, project manager, and director across the creative sector. She launched The Wilderness of Creativity in 2024 and invites listeners to explore what it really means to 'take the road less travelled', combining vulnerability, practical insight and inspirational storytelling. Want to learn more about today’s guest? Check out their full bio and links below! Sallie King is a London property stager known for transforming small spaces into homes that feel bigger, lighter and designed for how people really live. With a background as the founder of Urbansize, she combines design insight with a deep understanding of how people live in compact spaces. Sallie has featured in Kate Watson-Smyth’s most recent book giving tips about small space living. @salliekinginteriors on Instagram Sallie's Website Sign up to join the Trailblazer membership today. Mary Noble Krystyna Monica King Cadell - Little Paper Post Debra Urbacz Elizabeth Hitchman Lindsey - Pause, Reset, Reflect Becky Oakland

November 5, 202620 min

Are you playing it too safe?

How do you know when it's time to stop playing safe and start backing yourself? In Part 1 of this conversation, we welcome back returning guest, founder of 'Calluna and Tyme' Amber Lucas, to discuss what she's been up to since we last met in the wilderness. We talk navigating comfort zones in business, the evolution of a family bakery into a creative venture and the challenges faced in the wedding industry, particularly regarding social media's influence on client expectations. Amber shares her experience of going viral and the importance of authenticity in building a brand. We also reflect on growing a business while balancing family life and the challenges and triumphs of entrepreneurship. The conversation highlights the significance of investing in oneself and the joy of helping others through one's work. Thank you for listening, Stay wild I’d love to hear from you! You can find us on Instagram , Facebook and YouTube - be sure to subscribe here so you never miss an episode - and check out our FREE Substack newsletter ! Enjoying the show? You can rate and review the podcast here - your feedback helps more listeners discover the show, builds our community, and keeps the episodes coming! About the Host: Lucy Colgan is a seasoned creative leader, educator and podcast host with nearly two decades of experience in the arts and education. She holds a PGCE in Drama & Performing Arts and a Professional Diploma in Dance from Trinity Laban, and has worked as a freelance artist, project manager, and director across the creative sector. She launched The Wilderness of Creativity in 2024 and invites listeners to explore what it really means to 'take the road less travelled', combining vulnerability, practical insight and inspirational storytelling. Want to learn more about today’s guest? Check out their full bio and links below! Mentioned in this episode: You Tube channel

November 5, 202618 min

Sometimes doing less is just as important as doing more

In part two of this week's episode with Amber Lucas, we pick up where we left off chatting about what happens when a post goes viral and the unexpected confidence boost that can come with it. Amber shares how the experience brought her even closer to her existing followers, encouraging her to speak up, share her opinions and even explore new opportunities in public speaking. We also get into the reality of juggling business and motherhood, finding time for focused work and learning to take the pressure off ourselves to be productive every single minute of the day. Sometimes doing less is just as important as doing more Don't forget, if you are loving the conversations we are having here in the wilderness and want a little bit more, you can join the Trailblaze membership for exclusive bonus content. It's a great way to get even more inspiration, insights and behind the scenes extras. Sign up for the Trailblazer Membership here - go on, it's less than a fiver!

November 2, 20263 min

NEW GAMESHOW! Knowing me, knowing you

We give you the answers… but can you guess the questions? Welcome to our brand-new game show, Knowing Me, Knowing you! Three questions, three answers… but here's the twist: you only get to hear the answers! Can you work out what the questions were? Play along and see if you can get all three right. No cheating! Got a question of your own? Want to take part in a future episode? Get in touch with us via Instagram or Facebook. We'd love to hear from you! Share your guesses on socials and tag The Wilderness of Creativity #knowingmeknowingyou NEW EPISODE OUT THURSDAY! I’d love to hear from you! You can find us on Instagram , Facebook and YouTube - be sure to subscribe here so you never miss an episode - and check out our FREE Substack newsletter ! Enjoying the show? You can rate and review the podcast here - your feedback helps more listeners discover the show, builds our community, and keeps the episodes coming! About the Host: Lucy Colgan is a seasoned creative leader, educator and podcast host with nearly two decades of experience in the arts and education. She holds a PGCE in Drama & Performing Arts and a Professional Diploma in Dance from Trinity Laban, and has worked as a freelance artist, project manager, and director across the creative sector. She launched The Wilderness of Creativity in 2024 and invites listeners to explore what it really means to 'take the road less travelled', combining vulnerability, practical insight and inspirational storytelling.

October 22, 202612 min

Can we all just have a little lie down?

Book your place on the Lost and Found workshop here Feeling creatively exhausted as the year comes to an end? You’re not alone! As the year draws to a close, we reflect on the challenges of maintaining creative energy, navigating motivation dips, and finding balance when everything feels like a lot. Through personal insights and thoughtful questions for reflection, Lucy reminds us that feeling tired, uninspired or ready for a break is a natural part of the creative process. This episode is an invitation to practise self-compassion, celebrate the small wins, and recognise how far you’ve come, rather than focusing only on what’s left to do. Lucy explores the importance of rest, community, and connection in sustaining creativity, particularly for creatives and educators who often feel pressure to keep giving. Sometimes, the most creative thing you can do is pause, breathe, and give yourself permission to rest. Thank you for listening, Stay wild x I’d love to hear from you! You can find us on Instagram , Facebook and YouTube - be sure to subscribe here so you never miss an episode - and check out our FREE Substack newsletter ! Enjoying the show? You can rate and review the podcast here - your feedback helps more listeners discover the show, builds our community, and keeps the episodes coming! About the Host: Lucy Colgan is a seasoned creative leader, educator and podcast host with nearly two decades of experience in the arts and education. She holds a PGCE in Drama & Performing Arts and a Professional Diploma in Dance from Trinity Laban, and has worked as a freelance artist, project manager, and director across the creative sector. She launched The Wilderness of Creativity in 2024 and invites listeners to explore what it really means to 'take the road less travelled', combining vulnerability, practical insight and inspirational storytelling.

October 15, 202626 min

Repeat after me: I am important!

What happens when we give ourselves permission to say yes to new opportunities? From saying yes to new opportunities to watching creative projects evolve into podcasts, speaking engagements and photography exhibitions, Miriam Cunliffe highlights the power of embracing the unknown, trusting the process and allowing creativity to grow naturally. This conversation is a powerful reminder that we don't have to be perfect to make a difference. By showing up authentically and supporting one another, we can create meaningful connections and experiences that enrich both our lives and the lives of others. Thank you for listening, Stay wild x I’d love to hear from you! You can find us on Instagram , Facebook and YouTube - be sure to subscribe here so you never miss an episode - and check out our FREE Substack newsletter ! Enjoying the show? You can rate and review the podcast here - your feedback helps more listeners discover the show, builds our community, and keeps the episodes coming! About the Host: Lucy Colgan is a seasoned creative leader, educator and podcast host with nearly two decades of experience in the arts and education. She holds a PGCE in Drama & Performing Arts and a Professional Diploma in Dance from Trinity Laban, and has worked as a freelance artist, project manager, and director across the creative sector. She launched The Wilderness of Creativity in 2024 and invites listeners to explore what it really means to 'take the road less travelled', combining vulnerability, practical insight and inspirational storytelling. Want to learn more about today’s guest? Check out their full bio and links below! Mentioned in this episode: Membership

October 8, 202636 min

What if everything works out?

Sign up for the Trailblazer Membership to gain access to Part 2 of this episode! What happens when we stop seeing change as something to fear and start seeing it as an invitation to listen and learn? Andrea Clare describes herself as an eternal optimist, someone who, even when things are uncertain, difficult or not going to plan, can’t help but wonder: what if this turns out better than I imagined? I love this about her! Andrea's story is one of curiosity and resilience. Her upcoming event the 'Scottish Pause Summit' continues to open doors and into conversations about women's health, menopause and the importance of understanding our own bodies. In this episode, we talk about the physical and emotional impact of hormones, the challenges women can face when navigating healthcare and support systems, and why education makes such a difference to helping young women prepare for periods of change. Underneath all of this, is a creative mindset: the ability to imagine that there might be another way. Creativity isn't always about making something, sometimes it's about being willing to ask a different question, to stay curious when you don't have the answer and to look at a difficult situation and think, there must be another possibility here. Thank you for listening, Stay wild x I’d love to hear from you! You can find us on Instagram , Facebook and YouTube - be sure to subscribe here so you never miss an episode - and check out our FREE Substack newsletter ! Enjoying the show? You can rate and review the podcast here - your feedback helps more listeners discover the show, builds our community, and keeps the episodes coming! Membership About the Host: Lucy Colgan is a seasoned creative leader, educator and podcast host with nearly two decades of experience in the arts and education. She holds a PGCE in Drama & Performing Arts and a Professional Diploma in Dance from Trinity Laban, and has worked as a freelance artist, project manager, and director across the creative sector. She launched The Wilderness of Creativity in 2024 and invites listeners to explore what it really means to 'take the road less travelled', combining vulnerability, practical insight and inspirational storytelling. Want to learn more about today’s guest? Check out their full bio and links below! Andrea is an artist and menopause educator , helping women navigate midlife creatively. Andrea’s mission is to empower women with knowledge and, with this in mind, she is founder and host of a ground-breaking menopause event - the Scottish ‘Pause Summit - taking place in Glasgow City Centre on Sunday 18th October. The Scottish ‘Pause Summit is a holistic wellness day featuring 15 experts and workshops in a supportive and caring environment. The event is all about the audience; supporting them in a caring and inclusive environment. Everyone will leave with a simply to implement strategy that will change their life. Andrea's Facebook page Andrea's Website For more information and tickets for the Scottish pause Summit visit the website here Mentioned in this episode: Membership

October 1, 202630 min

I'm not having a midlife crisis; it's an awakening

Are you midlife, midcareer and mid-crisis? You’re in the right place! In this episode, Menstrual Cycle Coach Amy Blakeman returns to The Wilderness of Creativity to further explore the hot topic of the midlife awakening, hormonal shifts and how they impact self-perception, and why showing up to discuss this significant life transition can often be the starting point for creativity! You can listen to our first conversation (Episode 29 'Creativity and your hormonal flow') here and find out more information about the Wellbeing in the Workplace event hosted by Nesha Canvas Creations and book tickets here ! Thank you for listening, Stay wild x I’d love to hear from you! You can find us on Instagram , Facebook and YouTube - be sure to subscribe here so you never miss an episode - and check out our FREE Substack newsletter ! Enjoying the show? You can rate and review the podcast here - your feedback helps more listeners discover the show, builds our community, and keeps the episodes coming! About the Host: Lucy Colgan is a seasoned creative leader, educator and podcast host with nearly two decades of experience in the arts and education. She holds a PGCE in Drama & Performing Arts and a Professional Diploma in Dance from Trinity Laban, and has worked as a freelance artist, project manager, and director across the creative sector. She launched The Wilderness of Creativity in 2024 and invites listeners to explore what it really means to 'take the road less travelled', combining vulnerability, practical insight and inspirational storytelling. Want to learn more about today’s guest? Check out their full bio and links below! With a background in Theatre and a thriving career in HR, Amy Blakeman has seamlessly blended her creative spirit with her passion for women’s health and wellbeing. After becoming a certified coach in 2021 and earning her Menstrual Cycle Coach accreditation, she’s on a mission to help women understand their menstrual cycles in a whole new way! @Lifesync_coach on Instagram Amy's Facebook page

September 24, 202651 min

Jack of all trades, master of none!

What can linguistics teach us about creativity and the way we perceive the world? In this episode, PhD Applied Linguist Abi Kinsella joins Lucy in the wilderness once more to explore the unexpected connections between linguistics, creative writing, media representation, research and, most importantly, personal growth. Key discussion points: How language plays an important role in shaping public perceptions and attitudes. How interdisciplinary research can reveal connections that might otherwise be missed and why exploring diverse fields can broaden our thinking and open up new possibilities. Constraints can be a powerful catalyst for creativity and why. I’d love to hear from you! You can find us on Instagram , Facebook and YouTube - be sure to subscribe here so you never miss an episode - and check out our FREE Substack newsletter ! Enjoying the show? You can rate and review the podcast here - your feedback helps more listeners discover the show, builds our community, and keeps the episodes coming! About the Host: Lucy Colgan is a seasoned creative leader, educator and podcast host with nearly two decades of experience in the arts and education. She holds a PGCE in Drama & Performing Arts and a Professional Diploma in Dance from Trinity Laban, and has worked as a freelance artist, project manager, and director across the creative sector. She launched The Wilderness of Creativity in 2024 and invites listeners to explore what it really means to 'take the road less travelled', combining vulnerability, practical insight and inspirational storytelling. Why not become a Trailblazer member? Click here to sign up today and gain access to Part 2 of this episode with Abi. Want to learn more about today’s guest? Check out their full bio and links below! Applied Linguist passionate about harnessing creativity in language and communication to make knowledge accessible and enjoyable for as many people as possible! @abi_k_27_schwa on X

September 17, 202628 min

I met a psychic in a hospice residence once...

Trigger warning: this episode explores death, dying, grief and end-of-life experiences. What if talking about death could actually help us live differently? What if ritual could help us process what words can't? In this episode, I’m joined by Jade Adgate, a Certified Death Doula, founder of Farewell Fellowship and mentor through Farewell Education. Jade brings us into the world of death work, exploring the calling to support people at the end of life, the importance of ritual, the practice of detachment and compassion, and the delicate balance between loving someone deeply and knowing when to step back. We talk about what it actually means to become a death doula, the role of community and mentorship, and how literature, art and storytelling can help us normalise conversations around death. This conversation isn't just about dying; it’s about how we live, how we remember and how we hold space for the people we love when there are no easy answers. I’d love to hear from you! You can find us on Instagram , Facebook and YouTube - be sure to subscribe here so you never miss an episode - and check out our FREE Substack newsletter ! Enjoying the show? You can rate and review the podcast here - your feedback helps more listeners discover the show, builds our community, and keeps the episodes coming! About the Host: Lucy Colgan is a seasoned creative leader, educator and podcast host with nearly two decades of experience in the arts and education. She holds a PGCE in Drama & Performing Arts and a Professional Diploma in Dance from Trinity Laban, and has worked as a freelance artist, project manager, and director across the creative sector. She launched The Wilderness of Creativity in 2024 and invites listeners to explore what it really means to 'take the road less travelled', combining vulnerability, practical insight and inspirational storytelling. Want to learn more about today’s guest? Check out their full bio and links below! Ready to join the Trailblazer membership? Click the link and sign up today to continue to listen to part 2 of this conversation: Membership Mentioned in this episode: Membership