the quiet fire podcast

anoushka hem
  • 5.0 (1)
  • Self-Improvement
  • Updated Weekly

the quiet fire podcast is about building a meaningful creative life and navigating mental health through the process of becoming who you are. rooted in lived experience, each episode unpacks the tension between ambition and wellbeing, structure and freedom, and who we are versus who we are becoming. this podcast is a space for thinking out loud, making sense of life in real time, and learning how to move through the world with more intention, self-awareness, and care. you are amazing, you are loved, and i thank you for being here 3

  1. 3d ago

    the best side quests weren't part of the plan

    in this episode of the quiet fire, i wanted to explore the unexpected experiences that shape our lives without ever being part of the original plan. we’re often encouraged to stay focused, be intentional, and make sure everything we do is moving us towards a specific goal, but what happens when the things that matter most are the things we never planned for? from unexpected opportunities and new interests to friendships, creative experiments, and seemingly unrelated experiences, this conversation explores why our “side quests” can give us skills, perspective, and connections we never could have planned for. because sometimes the detour isn’t taking you away from your path, it’s quietly helping you become the person who can walk it.

    the best side quests weren't part of the plan

  2. Aug 16

    chasing my dreams: the first year

    a year ago, i moved to london because i wanted to build a life that felt bigger than the one i was leaving behind. i thought the biggest challenge would be finding opportunities. instead, the real challenge was learning to live with uncertainty, rejection, slow progress, and the daily decision to keep believing in a future that didn’t exist yet. in this episode, i reflect on the first year of intentionally chasing my dreams, the expectations i had, the realities i found, and the quiet lessons that only reveal themselves once you’re actually living the life you spent years imagining.

    chasing my dreams: the first year

  3. Aug 9

    what if you can't just go all in?

    in this episode of the quiet fire, we question the common advice to “quit your job and chase your dreams,” and what it means when that narrative doesn’t reflect your reality at all. for those navigating job rejections, instability, or limited access to opportunities, this conversation explores the frustration and disconnect that can come with oversimplified success stories. it offers a more grounded perspective on building a creative life in less-than-ideal circumstances, reminding you that your path is still valid, even if it doesn’t look like the one everyone talks about.

    what if you can't just go all in?

  4. Aug 2

    when the future feels heavy

    in this episode of the quiet fire, we gently explore the difficult question of how you’re supposed to build a life when you don’t even feel connected to living it. for many people, especially creatives, there can be moments where the future feels heavy, distant, or overwhelming, making ambition and long-term goals feel almost irrelevant. this conversation doesn’t try to fix that feeling, but instead creates space to sit with it, reflecting on emotional disconnection, pressure, and the quiet ways we can begin to reconnect with life, one small moment at a time.

    when the future feels heavy

  5. Jul 26

    when are you allowed to call yourself an artist?

    in this episode of the quiet fire, we explore the quiet hesitation many creatives feel when it comes to claiming titles like “writer,” “artist,” or “musician.” reflecting on imposter syndrome and the pressure to feel “qualified,” this conversation unpacks why we often wait for external validation before allowing ourselves to own our identity. it’s a gentle reminder that creative titles aren’t something you earn at a certain level, they’re something you grow into by simply continuing to show up.

    when are you allowed to call yourself an artist?

  6. Jul 19

    don’t let the algorithm become your audience

    in this episode of the quiet fire, i wanted to explore the complicated relationship between creativity and social media. while platforms can open doors, build communities, and create incredible opportunities, they can also quietly shift our attention away from the work itself and towards performance, comparison, and constant validation. i wanted to unpack how to use social media as a tool without letting it define your creative identity, why your craft should always come before the algorithm, and how to protect the joy of making things in a world that encourages us to measure everything in likes and views. if you’ve ever wondered whether you’re creating because you genuinely have something to say or because you’re hoping it will perform well, this conversation is for you.

    don’t let the algorithm become your audience

  7. Jul 12

    your dreams don't have to pay the bills yet

    what if your day job isn’t the thing standing between you and your creative life, but the thing making it possible? in this episode of the quiet fire, i wanted to explore the reality of building something meaningful alongside a 9–5, from navigating the tension between stability and ambition to learning how to create without burning out. i talk about the pressure to “go all in,” the guilt of not doing enough, and why a slower, more sustainable path doesn’t make your dreams any less real. if you’ve ever wondered whether you’re falling behind because your creativity isn’t your full-time job, this conversation is a reminder that meaningful careers are often built quietly, one consistent step at a time.

    your dreams don't have to pay the bills yet

  8. Jul 5

    what are you waiting for?

    in this episode of the quiet fire, i wanted to explore our complicated relationship with time and the quiet belief that one day, we’ll finally feel ready. we spend so much of our lives waiting for the perfect moment to start a project, have a difficult conversation, take a risk, or pursue the life we imagine for ourselves. but what if the day we’re waiting for doesn’t actually exist? this conversation reflects on the illusion of control, why we postpone the things that matter most, and how accepting that time is both limited and unpredictable can help us live with greater clarity, courage, and intention. perhaps the goal isn’t to wait for the perfect moment, it’s to recognise that the time we have is enough to begin.

    what are you waiting for?
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About

the quiet fire podcast is about building a meaningful creative life and navigating mental health through the process of becoming who you are. rooted in lived experience, each episode unpacks the tension between ambition and wellbeing, structure and freedom, and who we are versus who we are becoming. this podcast is a space for thinking out loud, making sense of life in real time, and learning how to move through the world with more intention, self-awareness, and care. you are amazing, you are loved, and i thank you for being here 3

Information

  • Creator
    anoushka hem
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    89
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © anoushka hem
  • Show Website
    the quiet fire podcast