The Wilderness of Creativity

Lucy Colgan

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!

  1. Aug 19

    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

  2. Aug 6

    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 YearThis week's Substack on Creative HabitsPrevious 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

  3. Jul 23

    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 the founder of Calluna & Thyme, a Showit website design studio built exclusively for the wedding industry. After years working inside weddings, she noticed the same pattern everywhere - brilliant, experienced wedding businesses with websites that didn’t come close to saying how good they actually were. Now she helps wedding professionals turn their websites into something that finally reflects the creativity and care they put into their work, while building a business of her own that fits around family, freedom, and a well-earned cup of tea! @Callunaandthyme on Instagram Amber's Website Mentioned in this episode: You Tube channel

  4. Jul 9

    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

  5. Jul 2

    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?

  6. Jun 25

    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

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

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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