The Complicated by Choices Podcast

The Complicated by Choices PodcastSeeking to understand humanity better through the choices we make.This week I was lucky enough to speak to Amethysta Herrick, from Colorado. After establishing a successful career in science and tech, serving as a chemist, professor, software engineer, and manager, Amethysta made a transformative shift. She embraced her passion for writing full-time, centering her narratives around her transgender experience and delving into the profound exploration of origin and identity. Over the past few years, Amethysta has navigated significant changes and made life-altering decisions. Her journey of self-discovery promises to be a compelling story.In an endeavor to introduce a narrative element to my podcast, I asked Amethysta to be my test subject this week, inviting her to be a character in a unique storytelling experiment. I led her through a hypothetical, life-altering scenario, punctuated by a series of critical decisions she had to make. This proved not only fun but profoundly revealing. By the end, Amethysta and I concurred that a society's success is intimately tied to its willingness to embrace change.Keep up to date with Amethysta’s journey: Listen to the podcast on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.If you found this enjoyable, inspiring, or simply would like to support me, please subscribe, buy some merchandise, and / or share to help me grow my following.Your support is everything. Thank you.For more original art, photographs, and to buy merchandize, please visit my website. Get full access to It's David Coupland at davidcoupland.substack.com/subscribe

The Complicated by Choices PodcastSeeking to understand humanity better through the choices we make.This week, I had the delightful opportunity to chat with Maya Emelle, the founder of High Ground for Humanity (HGFH), a life skills academy dedicated to nurturing young minds.In Maya's own words, "HGFH is a mission-driven education tech company that creates experiences to empower teens with the skills, expertise, and community they need to navigate their own emotional and physical well-being."Under Maya's guidance, HGFH has crafted trauma-informed programs that help build resilience in young people, addressing contemporary challenges through inspiration and practices drawn from real-life experiences.In today's episode, we dive into the hows and whys of Maya's choices and experiences that inspired her to create HGFH. We also found common ground in our shared appreciation for mindfulness, a practice Maya strives to incorporate into every facet of her life, and one that consistently yields positive results.We hope you enjoy our conversation, and if you’d like to know more about HGFH or connect with Maya, please follow the links below. Higher Ground for HumanityDonate to HGFHMaya's LinkedInListen to the podcast on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.Don't miss out on this special offer! For one week only, enjoy a 20% discount on all merchandise at my website. Explore a wide range of unique items like canvas prints, tote bags, magnets, mugs, and more, all inspired by the creative journey of Complicated by Choices. Whether you're treating yourself or looking for the perfect gift, there's something for everyone. Hurry, this limited-time offer ends on Friday 12th May!Visit my website and use the promo code MAY20 at checkout to claim your discount. Happy shopping!If you found this enjoyable, inspiring, or simply would like to support me, please subscribe, buy some merchandise, and / or share to help me grow my following.Your support is everything. Thank you. Get full access to It's David Coupland at davidcoupland.substack.com/subscribe

The Complicated by Choices PodcastSeeking to understand humanity better through the choices we make.REFLECTION AND GROWTHWhile writing last week's article, "The Fourth Time I Might Have Died," I found myself reflecting on my work thus far for Complicated by Choices.I realized that although I've already published a lot, I've been subtly discovering my style and striving to better understand what I hope to achieve with my work. This process has given me a clearer sense of my approach, the impact I want to create in the world, and, importantly, has instilled greater confidence in myself.This personal growth has allowed me to let go of the insecurities I felt when pressing "publish" and, fittingly for today, when conducting interviews for the podcast. Initially, I was hesitant to ask guests to be vulnerable, even though they knew the purpose of the podcast was to delve into the complexities of humanity, necessitating vulnerability from both them and me.By reminding myself of the advantages that these open conversations bring to me, my guests, and our audience, my confidence in embracing my role as an interviewer has been bolstered. I believe this newfound assurance will lead to more engaging content and valuable learning experiences for everyone involved.TODAY’S GUESTGillian Davis, founder of Overtime Leader, is a seasoned leadership coach and consultant who specializes in helping fast-growing companies like Spotify, WeTransfer, and Typeform scale through collaboration and alignment. Known as the "architect of the unseen," Gillian excels at identifying and resolving organizational and leadership challenges faced by businesses and teams. With a passion for progressive leadership development, she is a published author of "First Time Leader: Foundational Tools to Inspire and Enable Your Team", an early-stage founder advisor, and a sought-after speaker on progressive leadership practices. Originally from just outside Montreal, Canada, Gillian moved to London a decade ago to pursue her dream of starting a business that empowers leaders to reach their full potential. Today, she channels her aspirations into her work, providing valuable tools to improve the lives of both individuals and companies.Gillian was incredibly kind, open, and easy to talk to, which undoubtedly contributes to her popularity among her clients. So, a big thank you to Gillian for her generosity with her time and spirit, and to our audience, we hope you enjoy our conversation and stay tuned for more engaging discussions, as well as more opportunities to learn from others' experiences.To connect with Gillian or learn more about her work, please visit LinkedIn. Listen to the podcast on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.If you found this enjoyable, inspiring, or simply would like to support me, please subscribe, buy some merchandise, and / or share to help me grow my following.Your support is everything. Thank you. Get full access to It's David Coupland at davidcoupland.substack.com/subscribe

The "Complicated by Choices" PodcastExploring the human experience through the decisions we make. Good morning! Today, I invite you to embark on a captivating journey with me as I begin to unravel the intricate tapestry of human choices in the 'Complicated by Choices' podcast. Each episode will serve as a link to my weekly newsletter, inviting you to explore the depths of what it means to be human.In the enchanting first episode, I have the pleasure of conversing with Will Linn, a brilliant mythologist whose knowledge is as vast and winding as a labyrinthine forest. Will offers his unique insight into the subtle art of making choices, weaving together a theme that guides him through life. As he eloquently states, "I'm often trying to write memories into existence because they are the most precious treasures that we have.”Will not only shares his personal wisdom but also channels the intellectual prowess of history's greatest minds. With him, no conversation is ever one-dimensional; there's always a hidden layer waiting to be uncovered. Our stimulating exchange ultimately reveals the core tenet of human existence: balance.Don't miss this opportunity to delve into an insightful and inspiring dialogue that will leave you eager for more.Music composed by Coco Reilly. If you’re interested in being a guest on the podcast, please email me at: davidcouplandart@gmail.comIf you found this enjoyable, inspiring, or simply would like to support me, please subscribe, buy some merchandise, and / or share to help me grow my following. Your support is everything. Thank you. Get full access to It's David Coupland at davidcoupland.substack.com/subscribe