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  • Tijana Tamburic on being raised for autonomy, the gift of vulnerable conversations, and building a business that serves your life

    02:04:34|
    In this episode of Out of the Clouds, host Anne Mühlethaler welcomes Tijana Tamburic, a storyteller, creative director and co-founder of Female Narratives. After a decade as a model combined with a UCL history degree and experience in publishing and editorial roles, she co-founded Female Narratives to disrupt the outdated advertising industry. Named Forbes 30 Under 30 for Media & Marketing (and later serving as a judge), Tijana has worked on creative campaigns for brands like Bumble, BBC Studios and Allbirds, helping them tell real human stories. She's also the host of The Slow Down podcast and a board advisor for social enterprise OK MENTOR.Anne discovered Tijana through The Slow Down, which offers what Tijana calls the career advice she never got in her twenties, aka conversations with people who've redefined success beyond hustle culture. Tijana shares her journey from arriving in London as an 18-month-old Serbian immigrant to being raised for autonomy by hardworking parents. She candidly discusses her teenage antics, keeping her modeling career at arm's length, staying in education, and initially hiding her avant-garde editorial modeling work from friends.She tells Anne about her Burning Man transformation, meeting her future business partner on a flight to Ibiza, and her first ayahuasca ceremony, noting how these experiences introduced her to patient, graceful women who helped her step into her feminine energy after years of operating from a masculine, confrontational stance.This shift led to founding Female Narratives, which initially got swept up in girl boss culture's demands to scale and sell. After two years on this path, Tijana and her co-founder had a crucial conversation about what kind of life they actually wanted. They worked backwards to design a boutique agency requiring a handful of projects yearly to meet their goals, allowing them to be selective about clients and maintain work-life balance.Tijana reflects on her relationship with her archetypal masculine mother, a Serbian pharmacist who became a professor at London College of Fashion. The conversation also explores Tijana's past addiction to stress, her journey through burnout, and her ongoing practice of stepping into feminine energy through active listening and moving from scarcity to abundance mindset. A candid conversation about building a business that serves your life, balancing masculine and feminine energies, and why vulnerable conversations are gifts that help us feel seen and understood.Selected links from episode:The Female Narratives website The Slow Down podcastTijana's Instagram: @tamburicTijana's TEDx Bucharest talk titled ‘When my masculine met my feminine’Heart Diffraction Glasses (as featured at Burning Man)The Whisperers by Orlando FigesJulia AstokEsther Perel on autonomy vs loyalty

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  • 1. Serge Mouangue on aesthetic dialogue, the spirituality of design and transcending cultural boundaries

    01:29:14||Season 5, Ep. 1
    In this episode of Out of the Clouds, host Anne Mühlethaler welcomes artist and designer Serge Mouangue for a rare and intimate conversation about his remarkable creative journey. Born in Cameroon and now based between France and Japan, Serge has built an artistic practice that explores the deep cultural resonances between West Africa and Japan through his Wafrica project.The conversation begins with Serge sharing his early life in Cameroon, where he explains the incredible linguistic diversity of his homeland through a striking example - counting from one to ten in his mother's and father's dialects, which sound completely different despite being from villages only 100 kilometers apart. He describes himself as a dreamy child with endless imagination who, growing up in government housing in France without many material possessions, would imagine all the things that were missing - vacuum cleaners, appliances, furniture - developing his ability to give shape to dreams through drawing.Serge's path led him from interior design to industrial design, and eventually to Japan through his work in automotive design at Nissan. It was there, in 2006, that he discovered unexpected parallels between Japanese and West African cultures: complex hierarchy systems, animistic spirituality that sees souls in all things, and deep reverence for elders. These discoveries sparked what would become his signature artistic exploration.The heart of the conversation centers on Serge's Wafrica project - kimonos made with African fabrics that blur the boundaries of identity and belonging. He shares a moving story about a Japanese customer who, wearing one of his kimonos, said she felt like she was "wearing world heritage" and no longer felt bound by the traditional submissive role associated with the garment. His other works include the Blood Brothers - African pygmy stools lacquered with Japanese urushi (described poetically as "African wood covered by the blood of a Japanese tree") - and installations like the Seven Sisters, exploring women's secrets and shared experiences.Throughout the interview, Serge reveals his unique creative process, emphasizing how he "puts feelings first" and trusts his intuition "literally a hundred percent." He describes holding stories in his imagination for years - sometimes six or seven - before they're ready to be born into physical form. His deep relationship with sound emerges as central to his practice, from recording strangers' stories in Australia as a young man to his ongoing fascination with everything from Pygmy hunting songs to the sound of children playing.The conversation also touches on profound themes of identity and belonging. As Serge notes, "cultural identity is not a given. It's a journey. It's something that you build through time." His work ultimately transcends the specific dialogue between West Africa and Japan to speak to anyone who has felt at home somewhere unexpected or questioned where they're truly from.Anne and Serge discuss his advice for those with dreams: acknowledging the risks while emphasizing persistence, hard work, and the importance of luck - which he notes comes to those who "put everything around it so that it happens." When asked about his favorite word, Serge chooses "transcend," explaining how it encompasses both transformation and the spiritual dimension he seeks in all his work.A deeply thoughtful and poetic conversation with an artist who rarely gives interviews, making this intimate discussion all the more precious.Selected Links from Episode:Serge Mouague’s website: wafrica.artAkaa Design Fair (October 24-26, Paris): akaafair.com
  • 31. Ashley Bernardi on the cost of untold stories, giving herself the permission to feel and healing into her authentic power

    01:35:41||Season 4, Ep. 31
    In this deeply moving episode of Out of the Clouds, host Anne Mühlethaler welcomes Ashley Bernardi, an award-winning podcaster, author, media relations expert, and founder of Nardi Media. Ashley served as a network television news producer for nearly a decade, with credits including CBS News, energyNOW! on Bloomberg TV, and Washington Post Live. She has helped multiple authors launch their books and become New York Times Best Sellers, including Mel Robbins, Dr. Susan Peirce Thompson, and Dr. Gabrielle Lyon, with client placements in top-tier outlets like The Washington Post, The New York Times, TODAY, Good Morning America, CBS This Morning, NPR, Fortune, and hundreds more.Ashley's personal story begins with profound childhood trauma - losing her father to a sudden heart attack at age 11 - and traces her journey through decades of burying her emotions while excelling professionally as a journalist and PR expert.Ashley shares with Anne how she grew up in a creative military family, with her father serving as an Army colonel at the Pentagon and her mother running a successful dance studio in the DC area. The sudden loss of her beloved dad became a defining moment which brought her to suppress her grief and emotions for over two decades, channeling her energy into professional achievement while struggling with various coping mechanisms.The conversation takes a profound turn as Ashley describes how unprocessed trauma eventually manifested in her body through a severe case of Lyme disease following the birth of her third daughter. After being medically gaslit by numerous doctors, Ashley experienced what she refers to as her "dark night of the soul" –- a moment of complete surrender that finally opened the door to processing her long-buried grief for her father.Ashley details her healing journey, which involved developing daily practices of meditation, journaling, breathwork, therapy, coaching, and more. She explains how learning to "feel her feelings" in real-time became the foundation for both her physical healing and her relationship with her deceased father. The experience transformed her approach to life and work, impacting the work she does at Nardi Media, a PR agency specialising in health, wellness, spirituality, and mission-driven organisations.Throughout their conversation, Anne and Ashley explore the importance of storytelling as both a healing tool and a way to connect with others. Ashley shares practical advice for those wanting to share their own stories, emphasising the difference between written and spoken communication and the necessity of practicing your story out loud. She also discusses her work with renowned clients like Dr. Jill Bolte Taylor and Dr. Emma Seppälä, and how her personal healing journey informed her professional mission.The interview concludes with Ashley's insights on the transformative power of authentic connection, the importance of honoring both masculine and feminine energies, and her belief that everyone has healing wisdom within them. She emphasises that feelings are meant to be felt and processed, not buried, and that our authentic power comes from getting quiet and listening to our inner wisdom.A raw, honest, and ultimately hopeful conversation about trauma, healing, and the courage it takes to live authentically.Connect with Ashley:Ashley Bernardi's website: ashleybernardi.comNardi Media: nardimedia.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/nardi_media 
  • 30. Karen Salmansohn on finding humor in life's heaviness, identity-based habits, and your to-die-for life

    01:29:33||Season 4, Ep. 30
    In this episode of Out of the Clouds, host Anne Mühlethaler welcomes Karen Salmansohn, a bestselling author who has sold over 2 million books globally and describes herself as someone who puts "Psychology Today and Mad Magazine in a blender and presses frappé." Known for writing self-help books for people who wouldn't be caught dead reading self-help and pioneering the self-help book with attitude—she was the first personal development author to put a curse word in a book title with "How to Be Happy, Dammit"—Karen brings her signature blend of wisdom and wit to every conversation.In her interview with Anne, Karen speaks about how her journey from senior VP creative director in advertising to bestselling author began with a bold leap of faith driven by pure passion. After achieving early success in advertising (including winning a Clio in her first six months on the job), she realised she wanted to write a novel. After threatening to quit, she finally did. Karen shares the story of how this bold decision led to a remarkable career spanning novels, self-help books, and everything in between. After her first novel, she started to pen books meant to inspire people to think in new ways, which she found more fulfilling than writing copy to convince the same people to switch toothpaste brands. Next Anne and Karen explore the inspiration behind Karen's latest book, "Your To-Die-For Life," which emerged from both her experience of "near-life experiences" (being life-adjacent rather than fully present) and the profound impact of her father's death. Karen shares how giving her father's eulogy prompted her to write her own, which led to a thorough reassessment of her priorities and inspired her to move from working in "beast mode" to what she now calls "best mode."The discussion delves deep into Karen's practical framework for living intentionally, including her seven core values that she reverse-engineered from the top regrets of the dying (Authentic, Brave, Curious, Discerning, Empathic Love, Fun, and Gratitude). Karen also explains her powerful concept of identity-based habits and "to-die lists"—daily practices that help align your actions with who you want to become, using the format "I am [core value] and so I do [action]."One of the most compelling parts of their conversation centers on Karen's marble jar ritual—a tangible way to practice mortality awareness with each marble representing a remaining month of life, creating a monthly ritual of reflection and intentional living. Karen describes herself as a "middle of life doula:" someone helping people create meaningful change while there's still a runway ahead.Throughout the interview, Karen demonstrates her gift for making profound concepts accessible through humor and practical tools. From her early days writing silly poems about chemistry homework to helping readers navigate life's heaviness with levity, she embodies her belief that humor is a great survival tool and that we can find awe and meaning in everyday moments.The conversation touches on behavioral change, the importance of meaningful relationships, the power of curiosity as an antidote to fear, and how mortality awareness can awaken us to make each day more beautiful and purposeful. Karen's approach isn't about morbid fixation on death, but rather using awareness of life's finite nature to live more vividly and intentionally.A thoughtful and inspiring conversation that offers both practical tools and philosophical insights for anyone seeking to live more fully and authentically.Happy listening!Selected links from episodeOut of the Clouds website: https://outoftheclouds.com/Out of the Clouds on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_outofthecloudsThe Mettā View website: https://avm.consulting/metta-viewAnne on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/annvi/Anne on Threads: https://www.threads.net/@annviAnne on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anne-v-muhlethaler/Connect with Karen:On Instagram @notsalmonOn Facebook https://www.facebook.com/Notsalmon/On LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/karensalmansohn/On Youtube https://www.youtube.com/@karensalmansohn-OFFICIALKaren's Work:Your To Die For Life - Karen's latest book and websiteKaren's Substack: The Stand-Up PhilosopherLegacy Lab coaching with KarenYou’re never too old to re-jigger your life - a video masterclassHer TEDxTalk: Fun is your high-performance fuelReferenced in the Interview:Jonathan Fields interviews Karen Salmansohn for the Good Life ProjectKaren's Notable Books Mentioned:"How to Be Happy, Dammit" - The book that started it all"Even God Is Single, So Stop Giving Me a Hard Time""The Clitourist: A guide to one of the hottest spots on Earth""How to Make Your Man Behave in 21 Days or Less Using the Secrets of Professional Dog Trainers"Karen's Song Picks:Alanis Morissette - "You Learn"Sarah Bareilles - "Brave"Philosophical References:Aristotle's philosophy on living a good lifeThe Tibetan Book of Living and DyingRegina Spektor (artist Karen admires)Links: Jonathan Fields interviews Karen Salmansohn for the Good Life ProjectSome of Karen’s most successful titles: How to be Happy, dammit Even God Is Single, so stop giving me a hard Time.The Clitourist :  A guide to one of the hottest spots on Earth for people with a clitoris, or people who love people with oneThe upcoming book:https://yourtodieforlife.com/Karen’s picks for the song that best represents her https://open.spotify.com/track/2yx1kAK1Fe2zTOsaDKSNBk?si=4a71f79f8dd54b55Alanis Morissette You Learn (live) Brave by Sarah Bareilles https://open.spotify.com/track/6Uy6K3KdmUdAfelUp0SeXn?si=4b6e66955a8743f2 This episode is brought to you by Le TrenteAre you a purpose-driven individual seeking clarity in your personal narrative? Is your brand struggling to communicate authentically with your audience? Looking for a thought partnership that transforms how you connect with the world?Le Trente is a global community that emboldens purpose-driven individuals and organizations to communicate authentically. Headquartered in Geneva but serving clients worldwide, we coach both individuals and brands through their communication journey—from identity exploration to strategy development—all grounded in mindful leadership and compassionate, holistic communication.Our mission is to be a catalyst for positive change. We inspire open-minded people and organisations to build better worlds through community-building salons, strategic consulting, mindful coaching and storytelling.Ready to transform your approach to communication and create ripples of positive change? Get in touch, we like to make magic happen. FIND OUT MORE ABOUT LE TRENTE HERE. *** If you enjoyed this episode, click subscribe for more, and consider writing a review of the show on Apple Podcasts, we really appreciate your support and feedback. And thank you so much for listening!For all notes and transcripts, please visit Out Of The Clouds on Simplecast - https://out-of-the-clouds.simplecast.com/Sign up for Anne's email newsletter for more from Out of the Clouds at https://outoftheclouds.com.Follow Anne and Out of the Clouds: IG: @_outoftheclouds or @annvi Or on Threads @annvi On Youtube @OutoftheCloudsFor more, you can read and subscribe to Anne's Substack, the Mettā View, her weekly dose of insights on coaching, brand development, the future of work, and storytelling, with a hint of mindfulness.
  • 29. Joanna Bloor on potentialism, humans as emerging technology and positive sum games

    02:01:35||Season 4, Ep. 29
    In this episode of Out of the Clouds, host Anne Mühlethaler welcomes Joanna Bloor, a creative thinker and self-proclaimed "Potentialist" who has spent decades helping people and organisations unlock their untapped potential. With a background spanning from selling high-end swimwear to pioneering work in emerging technology during the dot-com era, Joanna brings a unique perspective on how we buy and sell human potential in today's world.The conversation begins with Joanna's transformative journey from moving from England to Texas at 15 (going from "Hogwarts without boys or magic to Americana") to her pivotal moment entering the tech world in 1995 when "nobody had a rule book." She shares how these experiences taught her that future you is who people want to get to know and shaped her approach to helping others articulate their potential.At the heart of the discussion is Joanna's revolutionary framework for understanding potential. She explains her concept that humans are essentially "emerging technology" - complex, upgradeable, and often misunderstood products that we buy and sell using outdated methods like resumes and job descriptions. Her famous principle that "every decision made about you and your opportunities is made in a room that you're not in" becomes the launching point for a deep dive into how to make yourself "easy to buy."The conversation takes a delightful turn as Joanna deconstructs the Cinderella story, which is the heart of her book, Tales of Potential, revealing how she reframed the fairy tale princess to reveal a strategic marketing genius who understood the importance of leaving the right "marketing materials" (the glass slipper) behind. This leads to a rich discussion about authenticity, power dynamics  in professional settings, and why women need to shift from playing non-zero sum games to positive sum games - essentially, making more pie rather than fighting over slices.Joanna shares practical advice for people who want to unlock insights to better talk about their own potential, including her "three words exercise" for discovering how others perceive you, and discusses the four power dynamics at play in any interaction: being liked, wanted, invited, or honored. The episode concludes with Joanna's vision for bringing more magic into the corporate world, including her dream of standing on stage unironically in a sequin ball gown with a wand to help people see the potential in themselves and others. A warm, funny and deeply insightful conversation, which is sure to leave you thinking differently about your own potential. Happy listening!  Selected Links from EpisodeConnect with Joanna:Joanna's websiteFollow Joanna on LinkedInJoanna's Substack, The Potentialist, a dispatch from the edge of what’s emerging.Follow Joanna on social media: @JoannaBloorJoanna’s book, Tales of Potential: The Cinderella Story You Didn’t HearJoanna’s TED talk “How 3D printing helped me lose weight”Resources mentioned:The quantum pen article on Joanna's Substack"Clever Lazy" by Joan Badger - the book that inspired 12-year-old JoannaPT Barnum Angus Harvey quote on monsters and superstition: “The old world is dying and while the new world struggles to be born, now is the time of monsters  because we are unable to distinguish between what feels good and what is true.”The other quote Joanna was looking for: “Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic." Arthur C. Clarke"Playing Big" by Tara Mohr - recommended book for womenIntroduction makeover examples by Joanna with a host of wonderful people on YouTube (a must watch!)Books Joanna recommends:"Humans" by Matt Haig"The First Fifteen Lives of Harry August" by Claire North"The Sudden Appearance of Hope" by Claire NorthOther references:Positive sum games vs zero sum gamesSongs: "Everything's Coming Up Roses" and "I'm Still Here" This episode is brought to you by Le TrenteAre you a purpose-driven individual seeking clarity in your personal narrative? Is your brand struggling to communicate authentically with your audience? Looking for a thought partnership that transforms how you connect with the world?Le Trente is a global community that emboldens purpose-driven individuals and organizations to communicate authentically. Headquartered in Geneva but serving clients worldwide, we coach both individuals and brands through their communication journey—from identity exploration to strategy development—all grounded in mindful leadership and compassionate, holistic communication.Our mission is to be a catalyst for positive change. We inspire open-minded people and organisations to build better worlds through community-building salons, strategic consulting, mindful coaching and storytelling.Ready to transform your approach to communication and create ripples of positive change? Get in touch, we like to make magic happen. FIND OUT MORE ABOUT LE TRENTE HERE. *** If you enjoyed this episode, click subscribe for more, and consider writing a review of the show on Apple Podcasts, we really appreciate your support and feedback. And thank you so much for listening!For all notes and transcripts, please visit Out Of The Clouds on Simplecast - https://out-of-the-clouds.simplecast.com/Sign up for Anne's email newsletter for more from Out of the Clouds at https://outoftheclouds.com.Follow Anne and Out of the Clouds: IG: @_outoftheclouds or @annvi Or on Threads @annvi On Youtube @OutoftheCloudsFor more, you can read and subscribe to Anne's Substack, the Mettā View, her weekly dose of insights on coaching, brand development, the future of work, and storytelling, with a hint of mindfulness.
  • 28. Alice Ruby Ross & Rebecca Monserat on bedtime magic, the 'Forivor' story, and creating with care

    01:56:43||Season 4, Ep. 28
    In this episode of Out of the Clouds, host Anne Mühlethaler welcomes Alice Ruby Ross and Rebecca Monserat, the founders of Forivor, an award-winning sustainable children's brand known for its innovative, dual-sided bedding designs that transform from educational nature scenes by day to magical, enchanted worlds by night.To begin, Rebecca and Alice share their fascinating personal journeys and how they crossed paths and led to their working together and their wonderful friendship. As they tell it in their own words, it all started with Rebecca growing up in a 400-year-old house without electricity and surrounded by nature in rural Wales and Alice being raised in West London in a creative Anglo-Indian family where their dining table was the center of artistic expression. The pair describe how they first met (through a mutual friend named Roxy), and what was initially a professional relationship quickly evolved into a deep friendship and business partnership that has sustained them through the ups and downs of entrepreneurship.The conversation turns to the origin story of their brand. It began with Rebecca having a half-awake vision while trying to write a story for her goddaughter while on a train journey that was taking her from London to Hong Kong. The products she dreamt up — children’s bedding — originally featured a unique day and night concept, with one side depicting accurate natural landscapes with hidden wildlife, accompanied by educational fact cards, while the other side transforming those same creatures into mystical creatures with enchanting stories. The brand name is a tribute to Rebecca's father, Ivor (as in, “for Ivor”), who passed away in 2005. The two founders then tell Anne about their in-person research process, which included visiting the Anglesey Sea Zoo to observe British marine wildlife for their "Legends of the Sea" collection, and how their immersive approach brings authenticity to their designs. And Alice, who creates all the illustrations, explains the delicate balance of making the creatures on their bedding designs both scientifically accurate and magically transformed, while Rebecca details the educational components that connect children to the natural world.The pair also candidly address the challenges of working toward sustainable manufacturing, particularly their ongoing efforts to eliminate plastic from their supply chain and create products with minimal environmental impact. They articulate an acute awareness of the irony in their efforts to try and save the planet while simultaneously creating more products — a tension they navigate thoughtfully by focusing on longevity, education and exploring how their brand concept might live beyond physical goods and focusing on quality of life over forever growth. They summarise their philosophy as such: "The business is there for us to enjoy our life within it, not for us to serve the business." naming their approach prioritising creative fulfillment and. As Alice and Rebecca look to the future, they share their desire to expand Forivor's mission beyond products, potentially through workshops and experiential offerings like a Forivor Camp where children can connect directly with nature.Throughout the conversation, Alice and Rebecca describe their work as "an ode to children's imagination," meant to celebrate the magical thinking that comes so naturally to young minds while also nurturing their connection to the natural world. The interview concludes with the three women reflecting on what grounds them (nature for Rebecca and people-watching for Alice) and what brings them happiness.A warm, inspiring conversation with two talented women whose friendship is a bedrock for creativity, sustainability and the power of storytelling to connect children with the natural world. Selected links from episodeForivor websiteAnglesey Zoo - Where they researched marine wildlife for their "Legends of the Sea" collectionEnvironmental Justice Foundation - Where Rebecca previously workedKatharine Hamnett - Designer Rebecca worked withX-Trillion - Documentary about plastic pollution by Eleanor ChurchThe Great Pacific Garbage Patch - Referenced when discussing plastic pollutionHouse of Hackney - Company that gives the environment a place on their boardFaith & Nature - First company to give nature a seat on their boardFashion Reimagined - Documentary about sustainable fashion featuring Amy PowneyMother of Pearl - Amy Powney's sustainable fashion brand"My Family and Other Animals" by Gerald Durrell - Rebecca's favorite book"Magical Changes" by Graham Oakley - Alice's favorite book"Trouble for Trumpets" - Book that inspired aspects of Forivor designsThe Beatles "Blackbird" - Song that represents RebeccaEric Clapton "Promises" - Song that represents AliceThe playlist from guests of Out of The Clouds answering ‘What song best represents you?’ This episode is brought to you by Le TrenteAre you a purpose-driven individual seeking clarity in your personal narrative? Is your brand struggling to communicate authentically with your audience? Looking for a thought partnership that transforms how you connect with the world?Le Trente is a global community that emboldens purpose-driven individuals and organizations to communicate authentically. Headquartered in Geneva but serving clients worldwide, we coach both individuals and brands through their communication journey—from identity exploration to strategy development—all grounded in mindful leadership and compassionate, holistic communication.Our mission is to be a catalyst for positive change. We inspire open-minded people and organisations to build better worlds through community-building salons, strategic consulting, mindful coaching and storytelling.Ready to transform your approach to communication and create ripples of positive change? Get in touch, we like to make magic happen. FIND OUT MORE ABOUT LE TRENTE HERE. *** If you enjoyed this episode, click subscribe for more, and consider writing a review of the show on Apple Podcasts, we really appreciate your support and feedback. And thank you so much for listening!For all notes and transcripts, please visit Out Of The Clouds on Simplecast - https://out-of-the-clouds.simplecast.com/Sign up for Anne's email newsletter for more from Out of the Clouds at https://outoftheclouds.com.Follow Anne and Out of the Clouds: IG: @_outoftheclouds or @annvi Or on Threads @annvi On Youtube @OutoftheCloudsFor more, you can read and subscribe to Anne's Substack, the Mettā View, her weekly dose of insights on coaching, brand development, the future of work, and storytelling, with a hint of mindfulness.
  • 27. André Anderson on aspirational play, upward spirals and how the world belongs to the people who tell stories

    01:29:55||Season 4, Ep. 27
    In this episode of Out of the Clouds, host Anne Mühlethaler interviews André Anderson, an author, educator, and the founder of Freedom and Balance art college. Anne first encountered Andre during his impactful TEDx talk at Hackney Empire in London and was immediately drawn to his innovative approach to storytelling.André tells Anne about his journey from a creative child who loved making imagery, writing stories and dreaming of his own media empire to becoming a self-published author and community storyteller. He explains how his first book "Ultra" — written in just 12 days on his Blackberry — opened unexpected doors and taught him the principle that "the more you create, the freer you become."Their conversation also explores André's groundbreaking project "Authors of the Estate," for which he transformed his Northwest London council estate into a publishing house. Andre explains how this initiative challenged negative narratives about his community by empowering residents to author their own stories. He likens this work to the tradition of oral historians in West Africa (called griot), highlighting how storytelling serves as both cultural preservation and a political act. André also mentions "Chalk Hill," the second book that followed "Authors of the Estate" in his publishing journey.Anne and André discuss the etymology of words like "author" and "education," as André explains how understanding their roots has shaped his approach to creativity and teaching. André also explains how his art college, Freedom and Balance, creates environments for people to discover their unique creative language through play. He shares his realization that facilitation is about asking powerful questions rather than providing all the answers, describing his role memorably: "I am Gandalf, and all of my tools, or all of my magic, is tools of play."Anne and André delve into the importance of aspirational play for adults in an increasingly AI-driven world, with André suggesting that play might be the most distinctly human activity that cannot be replaced by technology. They examine how imperfection, vulnerability and the willingness to make mistakes can become powerful educational tools and discuss André's project "Love Letters for My Peoples," which uses love as a framework for creativity and connection.Throughout the conversation, André shares his philosophy of "heart work" — creative work that incorporates strands of one's authentic self — and reflects on the importance of process over product. André even makes a compelling comparison between his "Authors of the Estate" project and Nas's seminal album "Illmatic," referring to it as his defining work that fans always want to hear again. The episode concludes with André's thoughtful responses to Anne's closing lightning round questions, revealing his deep connection to creativity, his appreciation for his mother's early support of his creative pursuits and his belief that happiness comes from knowing the world has heard you.A profound conversation about reclaiming narratives, finding freedom through creativity and the transformative power of play. Happy listening!About André AndersonFreedom & Balance is an Art College for the artist in everyone. They create programs that help organizations shape their future through play and help communities playfully grow into the type of leaders their world looks for. Andre and his team have worked with notable organizations including BBC, Google, Samsung, Estee Lauder, and The Guardian.Selected links from episodeAuthors of the EstateChalk Hill - Andre's follow-up bookFreedom and Balance Art CollegeAndre's TEDx talk on Aspirational Playhttps://www.freedomandbalance.com/lovelettersGamestorming bookA Beautiful Constraint bookNas - Illmatic - The album Andre compared to his "Authors of the Estate" projectThe Arthur theme song “Believe in yourself”Follow Andre on InstagramConnect with Andre on LinkedIn This episode is brought to you by Le TrenteAre you a purpose-driven individual seeking clarity in your personal narrative? Is your brand struggling to communicate authentically with your audience? Looking for a thought partnership that transforms how you connect with the world?Le Trente is a global community that emboldens purpose-driven individuals and organizations to communicate authentically. Headquartered in Geneva but serving clients worldwide, we coach both individuals and brands through their communication journey—from identity exploration to strategy development—all grounded in mindful leadership and compassionate, holistic communication.Our mission is to be a catalyst for positive change. We inspire open-minded people and organisations to build better worlds through community-building salons, strategic consulting, mindful coaching and storytelling.Ready to transform your approach to communication and create ripples of positive change? Get in touch, we like to make magic happen. FIND OUT MORE ABOUT LE TRENTE HERE. *** If you enjoyed this episode, click subscribe for more, and consider writing a review of the show on Apple Podcasts, we really appreciate your support and feedback. And thank you so much for listening!For all notes and transcripts, please visit Out Of The Clouds on Simplecast - https://out-of-the-clouds.simplecast.com/Sign up for Anne's email newsletter for more from Out of the Clouds at https://outoftheclouds.com.Follow Anne and Out of the Clouds: IG: @_outoftheclouds or @annvi Or on Threads @annvi On Youtube @OutoftheCloudsFor more, you can read and subscribe to Anne's Substack, the Mettā View, her weekly dose of insights on coaching, brand development, the future of work, and storytelling, with a hint of mindfulness.