Eric Hemian, is atalented music and sound producer and we chat about the reality of pursuing a creative profession. His transition from performing musician to a successful freelance composer and producer is not only inspiring but is also filled with practical advice. He discusses the balancing act between creative expression and earning a living, and why he prefers commissioning custom music pieces over generic ones. Eric's journey is a tale of unlearning and discovering joy in new creative...

After a recent workshop led by  Kate Jones from Neon Living in my Creative Haven community, I wanted to share some of my own thoughts on how I work with my own inner critic. Join me on an early morning walk on the Outer Hebrides with Skye my whippet, as I talk about whats happening in my life at the moment as well as how I cope with my inner critic!  𝐘𝐨𝐮 may also 𝐛𝐞 i𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐢𝐧 t𝐡𝐞𝐬𝐞 links: My Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/margaretsoraya/ Online Creative Haven community ...

Join me as I chat with Adele and Max Warner Tate about making YouTube videos. We discuss how creating video content for personal enjoyment can help overcome the intimidation of public critique. We talk about of working with a partner,and how this eases the workload. Talking through why there arent more females on YouTube. Talking about time constraints and the delicate balancing act between personal and professional commitments. Tune in for our tips on carving out space for passion projects...

My conversation with David uncovers how photography transcends the mere act of capturing a moment. It's about forming deep connections, understanding the essence of a place. We talk about how childhood experiences can influence our work.   Passion drives us, and David's unwavering passion for the outdoors is a testament to that. So, prepare to immerse yourself in the magic and wonders of Aviemore through the fascinating lens of David Russell from Highland Wildscapes 𝐘𝐨𝐮 may also 𝐛𝐞 i𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐝...

This episode recounts my journey to the Shiant Isles with Immerse Hebrides. Initially, my vision was to photograph birds, but the landscape had other plans. It offered me a different kind of surprise - jellyfish, something I had never thought of photographing. The experience emphasized a key insight, that openness and adaptability can lead to rewarding adventures in photography. Immerse Hebrides Instagram Immerse Hebrides website 𝐘𝐨𝐮 may also 𝐛𝐞 i𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐢𝐧 t𝐡𝐞𝐬𝐞 links: My Instagram:...

Join me as I have a conversation with the extraordinary Claire Walsh, an accomplished Irish free diver and author. We venture into her exhilarating world, exploring her book 'Underwater,' her unique writing process, and how she managed to overcome self-doubt during its creation. We delve into the arduous rewrites, the tension of planning a wedding amidst it all, and her feelings post book-release. Claire and I talk about our personal bouts with COVID-19, revealing the physical and mental...

From the depths of self-reflection to the height of imagination, I recount my recent struggles and triumphs in this episode.  An in-water photography exhibition, my new book "Within Hebridean Seas," and the upcoming Creative Light Festival in Scotland. Plus, I've got some exciting news on an offer from Creative Haven to help you find your voice.  On location on the Isle of Hoy, I talk about  insights from Deepak Chopra , helping us to focus on our purposes, passions, and gratitude. A few...

Listen in to hear Margaret reflect upon her inspiring day which began with a chat with Claire Walsh for next week's upcoming podcast, moved on to a photography teaching session with the delightful Keela and culminated in some evening beach down time and swim.  Chatting about what she learned from both experiences, Margaret gives an insight into her life, health and battles.  An incredible free spirit, Claire explained that to create freely, you must create for yourself alone. Powerful,...

 Being alone often fosters my most innovative thoughts and it's a necessity for me to spend some quiet time each morning, letting my mind wander and create. However, creativity isn't just about enjoying solitude, it's about finding the right balance of alone time and meaningful interactions. Engaging in deep, thought-provoking conversations, whether it's during my podcast interviews or within my online community, can also spark a wave of creative ideas. It's not uncommon for you to find me...

 Join Kj nNasrul and myself as we dive into this thought-provoking topic and uncover the essential role of self-awareness in our lives. With the COVID pandemic forcing us to confront our own reflections on screens, the importance of understanding ourselves has never been more crucial. In this episode, we discuss self-esteem, perfectionism, and the inner critic while touching on the uncomfortable yet rewarding practice of mirror work. Discover the connection between self-awareness,...

During my recent retreat experience, I realized the immense value of self-care for our mental and creative well-being. Join me in this episode as I open up about my retreat reflections and discuss the importance of self-care with some of my fellow retreat participants. Together, we explore the significance of putting on our own oxygen mask before helping others, especially when it comes to parenthood. Having a supportive partner can make all the difference in creating an environment that...

A podcast recorded on location as I revisit the beach in Holland that holds a special place in my heart. I share personal, nostalgic moments of my childhood and discuss the importance of family connections and ideas around generational patterns.   I am beginning to explore how these experiences have shaped my life and work. I also touch on the value of scheduling time for creative pursuits and personal growth. From beach trips in Holland to a retreat in Italy, discover the importance of...

Imagine taking a leap of faith and stepping out of your comfort zone, only to discover a newfound sense of confidence and personal growth. That's precisely what happened to our incredible guest, Lesley Lintott, who conquered her chronic shyness by participating in a masterclass last year. In today's episode, we delve into Lesley's inspiring journey and discuss the power of vulnerability in both our connections and our creative pursuits. Together, we explore the delicate balance between...

A first-ever outdoor podcast recorded during a trip to the Isle of Mull.  In this solo episode Margaret talks about the great things that happen when we have space and time. You can also see the video version over on YouTube.  𝐘𝐨𝐮 may also 𝐛𝐞 i𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐢𝐧 t𝐡𝐞𝐬𝐞 links: My Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/margaretsoraya/ Online Creative Haven community https://creative-haven.newzenler.com Creative Festival https://creative-light.co.uk/ YouTube...

Wendy Bagnall is a photographic artist who lives in Surrey, England, the natural landscape being the inspiration behind her work. Wendy tells us about her unsettled feelings about  her photography. She is unsure quite what's troubling her but finds herself in a funny phase, questioning lots of things, feeling a loss of identity and possibly a lack of a challenge. She's been doing a lot of reflecting and reading,  not forcing anything, just giving herself space.   Co-incidentally, Margaret...

Margaret has been thinking for a long time about sharing more of her lifestyle whilst being out and about in Harris, passionately believing in the physical and mental benefits of the outdoors. Be transported from her doorstep in Harris to the beautiful beaches. Wondering why it has taken so long to do this she has realised that starting something new takes time and 'letting go' is the hardest part.  Once we let go of the outcome, what other people think, worrying about it all, the process...

Christina Golian is a creative and well-being coach based in Scotland. Her career has taken many twists and turns over the years including wedding photography, journalism and coaching. In common with many people, she re-assessed her work and family life during lockdown and we learn where this has taken her. Listen in to hear Margaret and Christina explore the origins of self belief, where it comes from.  Acknowledging that most people carry self-doubt, they chat about the possible reasons...

Lisa Poulsen creates beautiful digital landscapes using photographs of Caithness Stones from her studio by the sea in Thurso, in the far North of Scotland. Join Margaret as they chat about her beautiful, individual style of artistry. She describes her process of building upon her chosen landscape template and adding multiple layers in photoshop, producing delicate and wonderful results. Her talent and empathy shines through. She believes the story, the why, behind her work is almost as...

Listen to Margaret's inspirational and moving description of  her long journey home to Harris. Creating a home as a single parent for her 2 young boys was the start of her 20 year struggle to get to where she is today and she expresses her emotions beautifully. She persevered, working tirelessly to provide a stable family life whilst following her own belief in her ability to develop her business through creativity. Sign up to her newsletter to hear about new retreats and future developments...

Margaret catches up with Carien Borst, an artist who lives and works in the Netherlands. She chats about how she struggled with creating a business while maintaining her art's authenticity.  A flow state (being in the moment and creating freely, forgetting everything around you) was hard to achieve during this period. Carien explains that art is like a muscle you can train. You can create conditions that may help pave the way for a flow state . For instance, you can take time, go to a...

Kaisa Siren is a photojournalist, gallery owner and nature photographer, known for her mastery of colour in her photographs, whilst capturing the wilderness of Lapland. She chats with Margaret about the concepts and ideas behind her  ICM photography. In contrast to the documentary-type work of her day job, Kaisa finds her passion for colourful ICM fascinating and liberating - beautiful work which is almost fully abstract. Kaisa shares some childhood memories which have unconsciously shaped...

Margaret shares her own thoughts on gratitude in the episode after the monthly theme in Creative Haven was gratitude in December. To find details of joining Creative Haven please go to https://creative-haven.newzenler.com To find details of the Creative light Festival go to https://creative-light.co.uk 𝐘𝐨𝐮 may also 𝐛𝐞 i𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐢𝐧 t𝐡𝐞𝐬𝐞 links: My Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/margaretsoraya/ Online Creative Haven community https://creative-haven.newzenler.com Creative...

Maria Murray is a multi-talented and passionate artist who uses whatever media is appropriate to create the image she wants to produce.  Based in the beautiful village of North Waltham, she is described as a nature-obsessed, flower-loving, story telling artist.  She explains her deep understanding of the why behind her work - a blend of a love of gardening coming from covid and a deep and long interest in relationships leading to the creation of her flower scanography . As she chats with...

Bill Ward is a photographer and actor living in Bristol, specialising in creative landscape photography. His photography is mainly project based and he has a strong leaning towards water and enjoys creativity using abstract, ICM and multiple exposure.  Margaret welcomes back Bill to the first episode of her 2023 podcasts.  Always highly entertaining, he describes how he manages his busy life, whilst Margaret explains how, with her house up for sale and a move to Harris imminent, her life is...