Was It Chance?

By: Alan Seales Heather Vickery & Broadway Podcast Network
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  • Summary

  • People talk about manifestation as a thing that you can just think into existence. Unfortunately, it’s not that easy. When it comes to making your creative dreams come true, what really matters is putting yourself in a position to thoughtfully and intelligently take advantage of the opportunities presented to you. And sometimes these opportunities show up in very unexpected ways. We’re Heather Vickery and Alan Seales, two perfect strangers who met by chance and embraced opportunity! Listen in as we chat with other successful people about the risks they took, and continue taking, to put themselves on a path to creative success. WAS IT CHANCE? The podcast about embracing opportunity and taking intentional risks for your creative life.
    Alan Seales, Heather Vickery & Broadway Podcast Network
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Art Entertainment & Performing Arts Hygiene & Healthy Living Personal Success Psychology
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Episodes
  • #77 - Janusz Domagala: Baking with Pride on on Reality TV

    #77 - Janusz Domagala: Baking with Pride on on Reality TV
    Nov 12 2024
    Join us for a delightful conversation with Janusz Domagala, the charming and talented baker from The Great British Baking Show and Crime Scene Kitchen. Janusz shares his inspiring journey from Poland to the UK, driven by a desire to improve his English and live openly as his authentic self. We dive into his natural passion for baking, which began as a therapeutic hobby with his mother. Janusz reveals the surprising way he ended up on The Great British Baking Show, the intense casting process, and the unique experience of competing during the COVID season. He shares candid insights about judges Paul and Prue, the lasting bonds with fellow contestants, and the whirlwind of opportunities that followed his time on the show. We also discuss his exciting experience on Crime Scene Kitchen, the importance of queer visibility, and his empowering approach to embracing challenges and failure. This episode is a heartwarming celebration of pursuing one's passions and living authentically. Connect with Janusz on Instagram, and TikTok and grab a copy of his book Baking With Pride. Make sure to follow this podcast everywhere you find podcasts, leave a rating and a review, and slip into our Instagram DMs at @wasitchance. More about Heather via @heather_vickeryandco on Instagram, @Braveheather on TikTok, and listen to The Brave Files More about Alan via @theatre_podcast on Instagram and listen to The Theatre Podcast with Alan Seales Episode Takeaways: The power of pursuing opportunities for personal growth and self-expression. Baking as a form of therapy and creative expression. The intense process of getting cast on The Great British Baking Show. The unique experience of competing on a reality TV show during a pandemic. The importance of queer visibility and representation in media. Embracing failure as a crucial part of the learning and growth process. The value of a "why not try?!" approach to life's opportunities and challenges. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    1 hr and 15 mins
  • #76 - Kaitlin Johnstone: Kindess Rooted in Justice, Grounded in Action and Open to Change

    #76 - Kaitlin Johnstone: Kindess Rooted in Justice, Grounded in Action and Open to Change
    Oct 22 2024
    "You can't be what you can't see.' This is the hard reality many kids face when they don't see themselves reflected in the stories they read. This week on Was it Chance, we're shining the spotlight on the entrepreneur on a mission to change that narrative. Meet Kaitlin Johnstone, the powerhouse behind Kind Cotton. What started as a frustration in Kaitlin's kindergarten classroom has blossomed into a movement to put diverse books into the hands of kids. Through her clothing brand, Kaitlin is not just selling t-shirts – she's sparking a more inclusive future. With refreshing honesty, Kaitlin shares the lessons learned along the way, from redefining what success means to her to reframing her approach to failure. Tune in to hear Kaitlin's story and discover how one person's passion can create a ripple effect of kindness and change that resonates far beyond what we can imagine. GET YOUR KIND COTTON GEAR! We chatted a lot about Human Design - Curious to know YOUR Human Design? Get more information here. Connect with Kaitlin and Kind Cotton on their website, Instagram, and TikTok Make sure to follow this podcast everywhere you find podcasts, leave a rating and a review, and slip into our Instagram DMs at @wasitchance. More about Heather via @heather_vickeryandco on Instagram, @Braveheather on TikTok, and listen to The Brave Files More about Alan via @theatre_podcast on Instagram and listen to The Theatre Podcast with Alan Seales Episode Takeaways: From Teaching to Social Impact: Kaitlin's experience as a kindergarten teacher in Florida revealed the lack of access to diverse books for kids. This sparked the idea for Kind Cotton, a clothing brand that raises money to provide these much-needed books. Pivoting in the Face of Challenge: When COVID-19 hit, Kaitlin decided to focus on Kind Cotton full-time rather than return to an unhealthy teaching environment. This pivot allowed her to build the brand and its impact. The Power of Representation: Books play a crucial role in providing representation for kids. Kind Cotton's monthly book fairs in the community and different schools help ensure young readers see themselves in the stories they read. Redefining Success: Kaitlin's definition of success has evolved from selling one product a day to feeling good about the positive change she's creating in the world. Her goal now is to put a million books into the hands of kids. Kindness Rooted in Justice: Kaitlin shares her definition of kindness as being rooted in justice, equity, and openness to change. It's about holding nuanced empathy, not just being nice. Gratitude Shifts Our Perspective: Kaitlin opens up about her struggles with negative self-talk and how connecting with gratitude has helped her approach failure in a healthier way. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    58 mins
  • #75 - Nikki Payne: Writing Black Women Into Their Happily Ever After

    #75 - Nikki Payne: Writing Black Women Into Their Happily Ever After
    Oct 8 2024
    What happens when a passion for social justice meets a gift for storytelling? You get Nikki Payne. By day, Nikki works as a civic anthropologist, making government services more accessible. But by night, she's a celebrated novelist, using her words to challenge the status quo and write Black women into the spotlight. Nikki's debut novel, Pride and Protest, has earned widespread acclaim, and she's joining us on Was It Chance to discuss how her diverse pursuits fuel her creativity. From her childhood love of documentaries to her current work in philosophy and fiction, Nikki is proof that embracing multiple passions can lead to something truly remarkable. Get ready for an inspiring conversation about the power of creativity, the importance of representation, and the journey of a woman who refuses to be limited by convention. Grab both of Nikki’s books: Pride and Protest, Sex, Lies and Sensibilities Checkout Nikki’s podcast Unbound. Connect with Nikki on Instagram or her website. Make sure to follow this podcast everywhere you find podcasts, leave a rating and a review, and slip into our Instagram DMs at @wasitchance. More about Heather via @heather_vickeryandco on Instagram, @Braveheather on TikTok, and listen to The Brave Files More about Alan via @theatre_podcast on Instagram and listen to The Theatre Podcast with Alan Seales EPISODE TAKEAWAYS The Power of Persistence: Nikki's story is a testament to the power of perseverance in the face of rejection. Her novel went from being deemed a failure to finding national success, showing that potential can be found in work others may initially overlook. Diversity Drives Innovation: By placing Black women at the center of her stories, Nikki is challenging the lack of representation in classic literature and offering fresh perspectives. Her background in anthropology ensures diverse viewpoints enrich her characters and plots. Writing as Social Change: Nikki sees her work as a way to spark a movement and incite change. She's proof that fiction has the power to challenge the status quo and push for a more equitable world. The Financial Reality of Creative Pursuits: While Nikki's story is one of success, she's candid about the financial challenges of making a living as a writer. Her journey highlights the need for more sustainable models to support emerging authors, particularly those from underrepresented backgrounds. Embracing Multi-Passionate Creativity: Nikki's work as both a civic anthropologist and novelist shows the value of embracing multiple passions. Her diverse pursuits fuel her creativity and offer unique lenses through which to view the world. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    1 hr and 10 mins

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