The Wilderness of Creativity

Hosted by Lucy Colgan

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107

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Aug 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

September 10, 202615 min

Living life in all its fullness

What does it mean to live life in all its fullness? In this reflective solo episode, I wanted to explore the themes of change, living life fully and embracing uncertainty. At the beginning of August, I talked about different frameworks outlined in 'The 12 Week Year', and I wanted to continue to reflect on some personal insights as well as invite you to consider what living in fullness means for you. Key discussion points: The importance of accountability, commitment, and greatness in the moment The emotional cycle of change and the concept of living life in all its fullness The impact of new beginnings, re-emerging after setbacks and practical strategies for taking action despite lack of motivation! 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.

August 19, 202628 min

100 conversations that changed my life

It's hard to believe we've reached 100 episodes of The Wilderness of Creativity . To celebrate this milestone, I headed to Lyrebird Studios to record a very special episode with the brilliant Sarah McDowell . Together, we reflect on the podcast so far, the lessons, the unexpected twists and what 100 conversations have taught me. Whether you've been listening since episode one or you've only just discovered the podcast, this is a celebration of creativity, community and everything in between! It's heartfelt, hilarious, a little bit chaotic, but absolutely worth a listen. Thank you for listening, Stay wild x Fancy becoming a Trailblazer member? Join today! 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. Mentioned in this episode: Membership Membership

August 6, 202619 min

How can daily creativity shape your future?

Are you feeling the pressure to make the rest of the year count? In this episode, I reflect on why mid-year goal setting has often left me feeling restricted rather than motivated and share a simple shift in perspective that has recently changed the way I think about my creative progress. Inspired by The 12 Week Year and the recording of our 100th podcast episode, we explore the power of shorter creative seasons, consistent habits and why what we choose to practise every day has the potential to change everything. Key takeaways: Why annual thinking can leave us feeling overwhelmed and behind. How six-week creative 'sprints' can help you build momentum and what sport can teach us about periodisation and focused practice. How our thinking shapes our actions and our actions shape our results. Download your free Creative Habits Reflection Template - a simple resource to help you identify one creative habit, track your progress over the next six weeks, and reflect on what you're learning along the way. Share your thoughts using #taketheroadlesstravelled and tag @the_wildernessofcreativity so I can cheer you on! Also mentioned: The 12 Week Year This week's Substack on Creative Habits Previous podcast conversations exploring creativity, consistency and showing up (links below) Urmi Hussain Una Cartwright '94 Years' Young' (Lifelong creativity, ageing with purpose and the joy of staying curious.) John Darvell, 'Workin 9-5' (Dance, LGBTQ+ experiences and creative habits that help us) Don't miss it! Episode 100 will be available from Thursday 20th August, 5am GMT! 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. Mentioned in this episode: You Tube channel

July 30, 20261 min

100 conversations later

Before we celebrate Episode 100, here's a quick preview of what's coming! We discuss some of the biggest moments, favourite conversations and lessons learned from the wilderness so far, and look ahead at what's next! A huge thank you to Sarah for hosting the 100th episode and thanks to every single one of you for being part of the first 100 episodes. The best is still to come! Save the date! The 100th episode will be available on 20th August 2026! 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. Co-host of The SEO Mindset podcast

July 23, 202636 min

Is the story you're telling helping you or holding you back?

What if the biggest thing standing between you and your next chapter is the story you've been telling yourself? In this episode, founder of Calluna and Tyme Amber Lucas reflects on her journey from the wedding industry to becoming a website designer and digital product creator for wedding businesses. She shares the mindset shifts, fears and defining moments that shaped her path and why rewriting your own narrative can unlock the confidence to move forward. 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! Amber is a Showit website designer based in the UK, working with wedding businesses and female service based businesses to design websites that book the right clients. Through Showit website templates, Showit template customisation, VIP Days, Website Audits & Strategy sessions, Amber uses her 14 years of wedding industry knowledge to design strategic sites that attract the right clients, show why you’re different and become the obvious choice. @Callunaandthyme on Instagram Amber's Website Mentioned in this episode: You Tube channel

July 16, 202612 min

What if you became the main character of your own story?

Sometimes the greatest act of courage isn't holding on, it's imagining something entirely new. In this episode, Lucy challenges conventional ideas of resilience, revealing that true transformation begins when we dare to let go of what no longer serves us and embrace the uncertainty of becoming. Her message is a powerful reminder that change isn't the end of our story, it's often where our most meaningful chapter begins. 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.

July 9, 202618 min

What can improv teach us about our creative potential?

What if the key to innovation, resilience and personal growth isn't working harder, but learning to play again? In this episode, we explore how the principles of improvisation can help individuals and organisations overcome fear, unlock creativity, and create environments where people feel energised, alive and empowered to adapt in an ever-changing world. The full episode with Michelle James is out next week! Don't miss out - subscribe to The Wilderness of creativity podcast today! 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! Michelle James, founder of The Center for Creative Emergence, is a seasoned applied creativity facilitator, coach, and pioneering catalyst who has been using creative principles and practices, and the process of emergence, as the basis for her work with thousands of people—corporations, nonprofits, government agencies, universities, and communities of practice—for over two decades. Michelle also works with passion-centered entrepreneurs in her Creative Emergence Coaching and Creative Facilitation Coaching practices Michelle performed full-length improvised plays with Precipice Improv for ten years, and currently performs with Virginia Playback Theater. She is an abstract painting artist, CoreSomatics™ Movement and Bodywork Master Practitioner, and TEDx speaker. Her book, Patten Breaks: A Facilitator’s Guide to Cultivating Creativity, is available now. Connect with Michelle at www.creativeemergence.com and creativeemergencecoaching.com Get her book at patternbreaks.com Michelle's Facebook page Michelle's Facebook group Michelle's Website @CreatvEmergence on X Michelle on YouTube

July 2, 202636 min

How can music transform a community?

What role does music play in building confidence, creating community and supporting mental health? Becky Oakland is a musician, choir leader and music educator. With more than 17 years of experience teaching and leading singers of all ages, Becky shares how music education can shape children's learning, why community choirs are thriving and how singing creates meaningful connections between people. We also chat about creative process behind arranging songs, the challenges and rewards of running a community music business and the balancing act between strategic planning and creative freedom. Becky also reflects on the teachers who inspired her musical journey, her decision to leave classroom teaching to focus on community music projects, and her vision for growing inclusive musical opportunities for people of all ages. If you're interested in music, wellbeing, creativity, education, or community building, this is an episode you won't want to miss. 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! Becky Oakland is a musician, singing leader and music educator with over 17 years of experience helping people of all ages build confidence and discover the joy of music. Having studied piano to Grade 8 and learned multiple instruments from a young age, she is passionate about the positive impact singing can have on wellbeing and mental health. In 2024, Becky left classroom teaching to focus on Becky Oakland Music and her growing community projects. She works with Beeston Voices and BVYC, hosts the Beeston Big Sing, and balances her musical career with family life as a wife and mum. Becky's Facebook page @beckyoaklandmusic on Instagram Becky's Website Mentioned in this episode: Like this show?

June 25, 202636 min

Is social media working for you?

Feeling overwhelmed by social media? Wondering what content to post, which platform to focus on or whether the algorithm is working against you? In this episode, I'm joined by Katie Shaw, founder of Shaw Socials and a trusted social media sidekick for small business owners. Katie helps businesses build an authentic online presence through social media training, content creation, masterclasses, and full social media management. We explore what's working on socials right now, discuss content creation tools like Canva and the Edits app, chat the latest trends and explore practical ways to build genuine engagement and community online. Whether you're just getting started or looking to refresh your social media strategy, this conversation is for you! 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! Katie Shaw is the founder of Shaw Socials, helping small businesses navigate the challenges of social media with confidence and clarity. Through social media training, online masterclasses, content creation, and full social media management, she supports business owners in building an authentic online presence that reflects who they are. Katie acts as a trusted social media sidekick, helping to reduce the time, pressure, and overwhelm that often comes with creating content and showing up online. Whether providing hands-on support or strategic guidance, she works alongside her clients every step of their social media journey, usually with a coffee close by. Katie's Facebook page @ShawSocials on Instagram Katie's Website

June 18, 20266 min

Am I in the wrong room?

What does it really mean to live your brand? This week, Lucy introduces her new podcast 'In the Wrong Room,' designed to support Secondary teachers transitioning into Primary or EYFS settings. She shares her reasons for launching this new platform, how she continues to build a life and career that embraces multiple passions as proof that you don't have to be defined by one title, industry or expectation. You can listen to 'In the Wrong Room' here 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. Mentioned in this episode: You Tube channel