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In this episode of Out of the Clouds, host Anne Mühlethaler welcomes Kulsum Shadab Wahab, a Bangalore-based philanthropist and social entrepreneur, Executive Director of the Hothur Foundation and founder of Ara Lumiere. Kulsum has dedicated her life to empowering women who have survived acid attacks. Through Ara Lumiere, she creates sustainable livelihoods through handcrafted garments and accessories that not only foster economic independence but also restore dignity, confidence and purpose. Ara Lumiere champions a new vision of social responsibility within the fashion industry, one that merges artistry with advocacy. This commitment was honoured in 2022, when the brand received the Social Impact Award at the Sustainable Fashion Awards of the Camera Nazionale della Moda Italiana (CNMI), Italy's national chamber of fashion. Kulsum speaks with Anne from the heart of that work, and about its cost: what it means to witness such trauma day after day, and how she holds feeling strong one hour and breaking the next. Kulsum shares with Anne how as a little girl, she felt deeply affected whenever someone was excluded from a group, and what an influence her grandfather was when it came to giving and sharing resources. She reflects on the gap between feeling for someone and acting for them (she was born with empathy, she says, but action is something she learnt much later). She also explains why, when it comes to her work with Ara Lumiere and the Hothur Foundation's support of those women survivors, survival is only ever the beginning. Later, Anne and Kulsum explore the meaning of healing when someone's lost their identities, the work that lies after the surgeries, and Kulsum explains how her background in psychology shapes the way she listens to each woman, rather than deciding for her what she needs (the foundation, she says, is not rehabilitating a case but a person, a story). The pair also discuss skin banking, a cause close to Kulsum's heart, and why pledging your skin matters (see resources below). Of course, Kulsum also tells Anne how Ara Lumiere came to be, a story of doors opening where no one imagined there was a door. She recalls how a therapeutic workshop at the foundation led her and women survivors all the way to Milan Fashion Week. She also describes what it meant for them, not least to have their creativity seen and celebrated before their pain: a victory over violence, and pain transformed into power. Kulsum shares updates about Ara Pret, where each garment becomes a story of resilience, beauty and renewal. She affirms her refusal to build a brand on sympathy, choosing courage instead, along with timelessness over trends and slow, steady growth. She also offers an exciting glimpse of what's ahead, with an upcoming collaboration with her friend, the artist Raghava KK. And she speaks about The Phoenix Circle, the community she created to uplift survivors of acid attacks and female genital mutilation, striving for a world free from such violence. Along the way, Kulsum's rebel streak shines through. A moving, fierce and warm-hearted conversation about dignity, identity and the courage it takes to rebuild a life. Happy listening! Selected links from episode You can connect with Kulsum and Ara Lumiere: Ara Lumiere website: https://aralumiere.com/ Kulsum Shadab Wahab on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/kulsumshadabwahab/ Ara Lumiere on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/ara.lumiere/ Hothur Foundation on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/hothurfoundation/ On skin and tissue donation: Swisstransplant - Tissue donation explained in simple language (in French) Donate Life America - Register as an organ, eye and tissue donor in the US - NHS Blood and Transplant - Tissue donation in the UK MOHAN Foundation Other links: Raghava KK - Artist collaborating with the women of Ara Lumiere "Unwritten" by Natasha Bedingfield - Song that represents Kulsum Story is The Strategy - Anne's 2h on-demand masterclass Website: https://outoftheclouds.com/ Subscribe to The Mettā View: https://annevmuhlethaler.com/the-metta-view Follow Anne on IG: https://www.instagram.com/annvi/ BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/annvi.bsky.social LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anne-v-muhlethaler Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Out of the Clouds, host Anne Mühlethaler welcomes Dr. Paule Valery Joseph: nurse scientist, clinician, entrepreneur, writer and 2025 Guggenheim Fellow. Born in Venezuela to Haitian parents and trained at Hostos Community College, Pace University and the University of Pennsylvania, Dr. Joseph is a Senior Investigator at the National Institutes of Health, where she leads the Section on Sensory Science and Metabolism. She is also the co-founder of the Global Consortium for Chemosensory Research, a network spanning more than 70 countries, and the founder and CEO of Anchor Health. Her work sits at the intersection of neuroscience, nutrition, behaviour, and prevention — and her driving question is both simple and radical: what if our senses are not secondary to health, but among the body's earliest and most intelligent warning systems? The conversation starts with Dr Joseph sharing her life story, growing up between Spanish, French and Haitian Creole, in a household shaped by two cultures and a mother who was a community nurse. She describes how her early years in Venezuela planted questions she would spend her career answering. The path from bedside nursing in the Bronx to becoming one of the world's leading chemosensory scientists was not a straight line, but it was guided, she says, by an accumulation of questions she could not accept leaving unanswered. Anne and Paule discuss what it means to be a nurse scientist, a researcher who begins with the patient's experience and considers a discovery unfinished until a nurse in a community clinic or a patient's living room can actually use it. Paule explains how her early observations in long-term care facilities and later work with bariatric surgery patients first drew her attention to taste and smell: patients whose food no longer tasted the same, whose appetite had shifted, whose relationship to flavour had fundamentally changed. These observations led her to the Monell Chemical Senses Center and to a career studying the molecular mechanisms behind chemosensing. The conversation goes deep into what taste and smell can tell us about overall health. Paule describes how smell loss can predate a diagnosis of Parkinson's disease or Alzheimer's by four to ten years, and shares the story of her mother-in-law, whose subtle changes in cooking first signalled something was wrong and ultimately led to a diagnosis of frontotemporal lobe dementia. It is one of the most striking illustrations in the episode of what she calls the body's sensory early warning system, and of the fact that most clinicians still do not routinely test for it. Other themes include the Ozempic tongue phenomenon and what GLP-1 drugs are revealing about the relationship between the gut, the brain and flavour perception; the emerging field of urban smellscapes and how scent has been used across cultures and centuries as a way of marking place, time and memory; and what it might mean to treat smell and taste as vital signs, as routinely assessed as vision or hearing. Paule speaks with equal warmth about the personal dimensions of her work: the mentorship she received and pays forward, the responsibility she feels as the first nurse scientist in 100 years to receive a Guggenheim Fellowship, the joy of her TED Fellowship and the unexpected collaboration it opened with a cacao expert, and the book she is writing at the intersection of smell, health and wellbeing. She closes with the word she might tattoo on herself — ancestor — and with Celia Cruz, whose defiant joy she describes as a Caribbean inheritance she carries everywhere. A memorable conversation with a scientist who studies the senses and a host who has been learning, since their first meeting, to follow her nose. Happy listening! Connect with Paule: Paule Valery Joseph's websitePaule Valery Joseph on LinkedInPaule Valery Joseph on InstagramPaule Valery Joseph on BlueSkyPaule Valery Joseph on YouTube For more, head over to https://OutoftheClouds.com/the-Podcast Story is The Strategy - Anne's 2h on-demand masterclass Website: https://outoftheclouds.com/ Subscribe to The Mettā View: https://annevmuhlethaler.com/the-metta-view Follow Anne on IG: https://www.instagram.com/annvi/ BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/annvi.bsky.social LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anne-v-muhlethaler Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Saskia Wheeler is a strategist and researcher working at the intersection of neuroscience and design, translating cognitive and sensory science into frameworks that guide how creative work is felt and experienced. For the past six years, she has worked with designers, agencies and hospitality brands to help them close the gap between the experience they intend to create and the one people actually feel. Saskia studied philosophy at Trinity College Dublin before completing a Master's in Neuroaesthetics at Goldsmiths, University of London. In this episode of Out of the Clouds, Saskia tells Anne about her upbringing in a creative London household (her mother was an art director who often had photographers living in the family home) and how she developed an early sensitivity to the way art and design bring atmosphere and meaning to everyday environments. Drawn to questions of consciousness and perception, she explains what led her from philosophy to neuroaesthetics, and why she felt she could not go further into questions of consciousness without first understanding the brain. Saskia and Anne discuss what neuroaesthetics actually is: the scientific study of how art, design, music and architecture measurably change our brains and bodies. Still a relatively young field, it draws on rigorous research to show that beauty and aesthetic experience are not decorative concerns but deeply embedded in how we evolved. The most surprising thing Saskia has learned in the field: just how deeply wired we are to respond to beauty. She also shares an insight that sits at the crossroads of philosophy and neuroscience and that has stayed with her since her studies: that lived experience is not simply made up of what we perceive in the present moment. It is co-created by our past memories, which don't merely inform the present but actually shape and in part create it. This is why two people can occupy the same space and have entirely different experiences of it, and why, Saskia reflects, understanding this has given her more compassion for herself and others. Saskia and Anne discuss the applications of neuroarchitecture and design, and what the research tells us about what makes spaces feel good to be in. Saskia identifies three things people value most: homeness (warmth and comfort), coherence (how well the space meets expectations and guides movement through it) and fascination (how much it surprises and interests). She also makes the case for touch as the most underestimated sense when it comes to comfort, linked to the neurochemical oxytocin and the experience of trust, and explains why this extends beyond physical contact with other people to the materials we come into contact with in our environments. Creativity is also an emerging area within neuroaesthetics, and Saskia speaks about it as an increasingly recognised fifth pillar of health and wellbeing, alongside exercise, sleep, nutrition and social connection. What she says here is worth sitting with: the benefits of creativity come from the expression and the doing, rather than the output. The inner critic is so often the biggest obstacle, because creativity has long been tied to being good at something rather than simply doing it. Anne and Saskia also share a practice: both are devoted morning pages writers. The conversation also touches on cognitive load and clutter (including research suggesting that disorganisation in our environments creates low-level vigilance even when we are not consciously aware of it), biophilic design, the science of lighting, and Anne's own plans for Le Trente, a social learning studio she is developing in Geneva. A rich exchange with a thinker who is quietly changing how the built world gets made. Happy listening! Selected links Connect with Saskia: Saskia Wheeler on Instagram: @neuro.aestheticWebsite: https://www.saskiawheeler.co.uk/Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/saskiawheeler/Story is The Strategy - Anne's 2h on-demand masterclass Website: https://outoftheclouds.com/ Subscribe to The Mettā View: https://annevmuhlethaler.com/the-metta-view Follow Anne on IG: https://www.instagram.com/annvi/ BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/annvi.bsky.social LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anne-v-muhlethaler Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Out of the Clouds, host Anne Mühlethaler welcomes back Caitlin Krause for their second conversation. Caitlin is a globally recognised experience designer, educator, author and founder of MindWise, whose work spans digital wellbeing, immersive design, contemplative practice and creative expression. She holds an MFA in poetry, has taught internationally across Belgium and Switzerland, and built the digital wellbeing program about wellbeing and technology at Stanford University. She teaches at the University of Oregon. She advises organisations including TED, The U.S. Air Force, LinkedIn, Google, Meta, Oracle, Evernote, and the U.S. State Department. Caitlin creates human-centered experiences mediated by technology, fusing creativity, meditation, storytelling, collaboration, and emotional intelligence for full life thriving. She is the author of six books, including her most recent work on digital wellbeing and a forthcoming collection of poetry, Poems of Root and Light. Caitlin and Anne first met at TED 2023, whose theme that year was Possibilities — and the thread of possibility runs through their exchange. Anne and Caitlin discuss her newest book, Digital Wellbeing, A transformative guide to thriving in the digital age. The conversation explores the etymology of the word 'digital' itself — a thread Caitlin traces from the digits of the hand through Shakespeare's Lady Macbeth to the immersive computing she works with today. Caitlin speaks to her motivation behind the book: not to produce a manual of healthy habits, nor to surrender to the idea that the machines have already won, but to offer an entry point for people to approach digital technology with less fear and hopefully less overwhelm that so many leaders and teams experience.The book is designed around the conviction that your body is your testing ground, that you get to have your experience and own it, and that the question of technology is ultimately a question of being. Caitlin's framework for immersive design, seven themes she calls the seven Es, anchored in what she describes as wonder-rich spatial computing design, runs through the conversation as both a professional methodology and a personal philosophy.  Anne and Caitlin also discuss Caitlin's Shadow Storytelling experience, in which she guided participants from a Zoom call into a shared metaverse landscape for a meditation and storytelling session built around Jungian themes, winter imagery and candlelit caves. Both women explore the question of technology as a dance partner rather than a destination, and what it means to be the embodied physical human deciding how and whether to layer with it. Caitlin also tells the story of how the spirit of play, cultivated through an itinerant childhood in a foreign service family, has directly informed her pedagogy and her approach to guiding people into transformative experiences through technology. The conversation closes with Caitlin reading two poems from her forthcoming collection — 'The Middle Path' and the title poem 'Root and Light' — bringing the episode to a still and luminous end. Connect with CaitlinCaitlin's website: caitlinkrause.comMindWise — Caitlin's consultancyPoems of Root and Light — forthcoming poetry collectionDigital Satori — Caitlin's 2023 poetry collectionCaitlin’s upcoming course at Kripalu Centre ‘Awakening Awe’:  Referenced in the episode:John O'Donohue — Irish poet and philosopherMartha Graham — choreographer and dance pioneer, quoted in the episodeDavid Whyte — poet and author whose work Caitlin referencesJoy Harjo — poet, referenced by CaitlinUrsula K. Le Guin — writer, whose quote about 'there, there' Caitlin sharesEsther Perel — referenced for her TED moment about putting down our phonesWorld Economic Forum — referenced in the context of new wellbeing metricsThe Story of You — Anne's coaching methodologyStory is The Strategy - Anne's 2h on-demand masterclass Website: https://outoftheclouds.com/ Subscribe to The Mettā View: https://annevmuhlethaler.com/the-metta-view Follow Anne on IG: https://www.instagram.com/annvi/ BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/annvi.bsky.social LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anne-v-muhlethaler Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Out of the Clouds, host Anne V. Mühlethaler welcomes Katia Dayan Vladimirova, a senior sustainability policy expert with almost fifteen years of research experience at the intersection of fashion, policy, and social change. Katia is the founder of the Post Growth Fashion Agency, a boutique advisory service working with local and national governments and NGOs to transform how we consume and dispose of fashion. She is also the author of the Substack Post Growth Fashion, the founder of the International Research Network on Sustainable Fashion Consumption — now hosted at Yale and bringing together close to 180 researchers globally — and the founder of Well Rounded, the first plastic-free underwear brand made in Europe, with a supply chain traced all the way to cotton fields in Greece. She holds a double PhD in climate ethics and political science, and has studied and worked at institutions including the London School of Economics, MIT, ULB in Brussels, LUISS in Rome, and UNIGE in Geneva. The conversation begins with Katia sharing her story. Anne and Katia then get into the ideas at the heart of Katia's work. She unpacks degrowth and sufficiency, making the case that the labels do these concepts a disservice, since studies show overwhelming public support for the underlying principles once they are actually explained. Applied to fashion, she is interested not in restricting creativity but in shifting how we experience clothing: through swapping, renting, repairing, community events, and a deeper relationship with what we already own. She talks about the Rule of Five, how we would each need to limit ourselves to in order to stay within the planetary boundaries aligned with the Paris Agreement's target. The pair also discuss the role of cities in managing textile waste and Katia's work with Geneva, Luxembourg, Amsterdam, and others to make sustainable fashion alternatives viable at a local level. She notes that in Geneva, only 3% of donated garments are redistributed locally; the rest enter a global stream that ends up, in large part, in open-air landfills in West Africa. Katia then shares the argument at the heart of her essay The Trojan Horse of Fashion: that the oversupply of secondhand. itself a product of fast fashion overproduction, is creating a bubble that will burst within five to ten years, forcing a major restructuring of the industry. An exceptionally knowledgeable, warm, and surprisingly joyful conversation on one of the most urgent topics of our time. Happy listening! Connect with Katia Dayan Vladimirova: Find Katia on LinkedIn Post Growth Fashion Substack Post Growth Fashion Agency International Research Network on Sustainable Fashion Consumption Well Rounded — Katia's circular underwear brand Referenced in the episode:The True Cost movie — Documentary (2014) directed by Andrew Morgan Rana Plaza — Background on the 2013 factory collapse in Dhaka, Bangladesh Hot Cool Institute — Berlin-based think tank; co-authors of the 2022 global fashion consumption report The Rule of Five — Campaign inspired by the five-garment-per-year finding Paris Agreement — The 2015 climate accord and its 1.5-degree target Vestiaire Collective — Secondhand platform referenced by Anne HUT / Caritas Luxembourg — One-stop sustainable fashion hub in Luxembourg Kate Fletcher — Pioneer in sustainable fashion, featured in Katia's webinar series Dilys Williams — Sustainable fashion academic, featured in Katia's webinar series Jason Hickel — Degrowth scholar referenced in the conversation Project 333 — Capsule wardrobe challenge referenced in the conversation Gabriela Hearst — Designer referenced by Anne for her approach to materials Satoshi Kuwata — Milan-based designer mentioned by Katia as an example of genuine creative resilience Tim Lomas — Positive psychology professor, featured in an earlier Out of the Clouds episode, Your Story Your Map: — a contemplative guide to help you trace the arc of your life with intention. Get it here Story is The Strategy - Anne's 2h on-demand masterclass Website: https://outoftheclouds.com/ Subscribe to The Mettā View: https://annevmuhlethaler.com/the-metta-view Follow Anne on IG: https://www.instagram.com/annvi/ BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/annvi.bsky.social LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anne-v-muhlethaler Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Out of the Clouds, host Anne V. Mühlethaler welcomes Zsofia Jamieson, co-founder of The Fertility Class, for an illuminating conversation about reproductive health, entrepreneurship and the power of becoming your own health advocate. Zsofia is a certified Aviva Method teacher, entrepreneur and former fashion executive who served as Global Head of Business Operations for luxury e-commerce group Net-a-Porter. Diagnosed with severe PCOS as a teenager and told she might never conceive, she was surprised to heal naturally through movement and nutrition, and today dedicates her work to helping women worldwide reconnect with their bodies and reproductive health. Zsofia tells Anne about her upbringing in a small town in Hungary, where she grew up during the transition from socialism to capitalism. At just 15, she moved to the United States as an exchange student, an adventure that would shape her into the resilient, driven woman she is today. She shares how she went on to study business and logistics, and how she found her calling at the intersection of operations and luxury fashion. Zsofia then goes on to explain the health struggles that had been simmering beneath her high-powered career. Diagnosed with PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome) as a teenager, she spent a decade on birth control pills that masked her symptoms. When she came off the medication to start a family, all her symptoms returned with a vengeance. This crisis became a catalyst for transformation. Through her own research, Zsofia discovered the Aviva Method, a Hungarian practice of therapeutic fertility exercises that she would later introduce to the UK and US. The Fertility Class is a science-backed exercise method for fertility and hormonal health: a guided movement programme designed to support reproductive health naturally. Through gentle, targeted exercises that enhance pelvic circulation and hormonal balance, it helps the body create the ideal conditions for conception. Practiced for decades and trusted by doctors, the method empowers women to take an active role in their fertility from home, on their own time. It addresses menstrual health, supports those trying to conceive, and helps with conditions including PCOS, endometriosis and fibroids. Anne and Zsofia explore the science behind these exercises, which Zsofia describes as a way to counteract the effects of our sedentary lifestyles on reproductive health. The pair discuss how sitting for extended periods essentially cuts off blood flow to our reproductive organs, depriving them of oxygen, hormones and nutrients. The fertility exercises work by rhythmically contracting and releasing the muscles surrounding these organs, pumping blood flow and tapping into reflexology points connected to hormone-producing glands. Zsofia speaks passionately about the gap in women's healthcare, the vast space between doing nothing and pursuing invasive medical treatments. With one in six couples struggling with infertility, 10% of women affected by PCOS and another 10% by endometriosis, she sees The Fertility Class as filling a crucial need for accessible, evidence-based tools that empower people to rebalance their hormones, restore pelvic circulation and reconnect with their bodies naturally. An empowering conversation about health advocacy, the wisdom of listening to our bodies and creating tools that truly serve reproductive wellbeing. Happy listening! Selected links from episodeThe Fertility Class websiteThe Fertility Class on InstagramThe Fertility Class Men's ProgrammeNet-a-PorterMr PorterThe OutnetNatalie MassenetThe Aviva MethodPCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome) - NHS informationEndometriosis Hypothalamic AmenorrheaThe playlist from guests of Out of The Clouds answering 'What song best represents you?'The Song that best represents Zsofia (especially on HIGH volume:) The Shapeshifters: Lola's ThemeZsofia’s favorite book: Magda Szabo: Iza's Ballad (Original Hungarian title: Pilátus)Story is The Strategy - Anne's 2h on-demand masterclass Website: https://outoftheclouds.com/ Subscribe to The Mettā View: https://annevmuhlethaler.com/the-metta-view Follow Anne on IG: https://www.instagram.com/annvi/ BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/annvi.bsky.social LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anne-v-muhlethaler Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 Story is The Strategy - Anne's 2h on-demand masterclass Website: https://outoftheclouds.com/ Subscribe to The Mettā View: https://annevmuhlethaler.com/the-metta-view Follow Anne on IG: https://www.instagram.com/annvi/ BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/annvi.bsky.social LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anne-v-muhlethaler Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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.comStory is The Strategy - Anne's 2h on-demand masterclass Website: https://outoftheclouds.com/ Subscribe to The Mettā View: https://annevmuhlethaler.com/the-metta-view Follow Anne on IG: https://www.instagram.com/annvi/ BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/annvi.bsky.social LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anne-v-muhlethaler Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 Story is The Strategy - Anne's 2h on-demand masterclass Website: https://outoftheclouds.com/ Subscribe to The Mettā View: https://annevmuhlethaler.com/the-metta-view Follow Anne on IG: https://www.instagram.com/annvi/ BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/annvi.bsky.social LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anne-v-muhlethaler Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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/_outoftheclouds The Mettā View website: https://avm.consulting/metta-view Anne on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/annvi/ Anne on Threads: https://www.threads.net/@annvi Anne 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=4a71f79f8dd54b55 Alanis Morissette You Learn (live)  Brave by Sarah Bareilles https://open.spotify.com/track/6Uy6K3KdmUdAfelUp0SeXn?si=4b6e66955a8743f2 This episode is brought to you by Le Trente Are 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 @OutoftheClouds For 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. Story is The Strategy - Anne's 2h on-demand masterclass Website: https://outoftheclouds.com/ Subscribe to The Mettā View: https://annevmuhlethaler.com/the-metta-view Follow Anne on IG: https://www.instagram.com/annvi/ BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/annvi.bsky.social LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anne-v-muhlethaler Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 Trente Are 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 @OutoftheClouds For 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. Story is The Strategy - Anne's 2h on-demand masterclass Website: https://outoftheclouds.com/ Subscribe to The Mettā View: https://annevmuhlethaler.com/the-metta-view Follow Anne on IG: https://www.instagram.com/annvi/ BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/annvi.bsky.social LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anne-v-muhlethaler Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 Trente Are 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 @OutoftheClouds For 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. Story is The Strategy - Anne's 2h on-demand masterclass Website: https://outoftheclouds.com/ Subscribe to The Mettā View: https://annevmuhlethaler.com/the-metta-view Follow Anne on IG: https://www.instagram.com/annvi/ BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/annvi.bsky.social LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anne-v-muhlethaler Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 Anderson Freedom & 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 episode Authors 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 LinkedInThis episode is brought to you by Le Trente Are 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 @OutoftheClouds For 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. Story is The Strategy - Anne's 2h on-demand masterclass Website: https://outoftheclouds.com/ Subscribe to The Mettā View: https://annevmuhlethaler.com/the-metta-view Follow Anne on IG: https://www.instagram.com/annvi/ BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/annvi.bsky.social LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anne-v-muhlethaler Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Out of the Clouds, host Anne Muhlethaler interviews Dina Fierro, creative thinker and seasoned omni-channel marketer with expertise spanning fashion, beauty and luxury. Dina is a specialist in content strategy, cross-platform storytelling and reshaping consumer engagement. Dina's career has spanned fashion, beauty and luxury, including leadership positions both agency and brand-side, including a few years where she worked with Anne at Christian Louboutin. In her most recent role at Shiseido Americas, she led the organisation's digital innovation group, partnering with portfolio brands including NARS, Shiseido, Clé de Peau Beauté and Drunk Elephant to create highly engaging consumer experiences anchored in emerging technology. Anne and Dina explore Dina's fascinating journey from her early aspirations in journalism to becoming a pioneering voice in the digital marketing landscape. Dina shares her path from launching one of the early fashion and beauty blogs in 2006, Eye for Style, to spearheading groundbreaking digital initiatives for prestigious brands. The pair discuss Dina's work creating virtual ambassadors for Nars, immersive retail experiences, and exciting gaming integrations that are pushing the boundaries of how brands in the beauty or luxury space connect with their customers. The conversation delves into the evolution of Web3, AI, and immersive technologies (with Dina offering some explanation for the meaning of the terms), examining how these tools are transforming brand storytelling. They explore the broadcast-to-dialogue shift - how brands in Web3 are moving away from one-way communication toward more interactive relationships with their audiences. Dina explains her vision for a more integrated approach to experiential marketing and how technology can enhance rather than replace physical experiences. Anne and Dina exchange thoughts on their favorite platforms in 2025, discussing platforms that really reinforce the dialogue between brands and consumers. They share insights on Substack, Reddit, and the untapped potential of audio, while expressing their mixed feelings about Meta and TikTok. The conversation also touches on the hazards of the subscription economy and makes a case for why more brands should embrace audio for deeper connection with their audiences. Throughout the discussion, Dina reveals her thoughtful approach to both personal and professional growth, touching on resilience, the importance of human connection in an increasingly digital world, and finding balance between control and vulnerability. A thought-provoking conversation that bridges the past, present, and future of digital marketing while offering valuable insights for anyone interested in the intersection of technology, creativity, and brand building. Happy listening!   Selected Links from Episode You can connect with Dina:  Dina's Substack: Yet Another Substack Dina's Instagram: @dinafierro   Other links:  Daydream - AI-powered luxury shopping experience Xiidra - Multisensory VR experiences ZEPETO - Immersive metaverse-style app popular in Asia Unreal Engine - Platform within Epic Games for photorealistic environments Dimension Studio - London-based studio specializing in Unreal Engine development Patty Wilson - Renowned stylist who styles NARS campaigns Vogue Business - Business publication featuring Dina's work with virtual ambassadors Roblox - User-generated platform where NARS launched Color Quest Kiki World - Co-creation platform disrupting the beauty industry DS & Durga - Niche perfume house with Spotify playlists including commissioned music Barilla Pasta Timer Playlists - Curated music for pasta cooking times Substack - Newsletter platform Dina uses for her publication Leandra Medine (Man Repeller) - Fashion writer and former blogger Dina follows Amy O'Dell - Former Editor-in-Chief of The Cut with original reporting on Substack Marie Claire - Publication with sophisticated content strategies beyond print Bloomberg on Telegram - Example of legacy media embracing alternative channels Meta Ray-Ban Smart Glasses - Wearable technology Dina finds compelling Tom Petty - "I Won't Back Down" - Song that represents Dina Michael Pollan - "The Omnivore's Dilemma" - Book that changed Dina's relationship with food Eric Ripert - Chef whose culinary memoir Dina enjoys Gabrielle Hamilton - Chef and author Dina mentioned for her culinary writing This episode is brought to you by Le Trente Are 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 @OutoftheClouds For 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. Story is The Strategy - Anne's 2h on-demand masterclass Website: https://outoftheclouds.com/ Subscribe to The Mettā View: https://annevmuhlethaler.com/the-metta-view Follow Anne on IG: https://www.instagram.com/annvi/ BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/annvi.bsky.social LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anne-v-muhlethaler Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Out of the Clouds, host Anne Mühlethaler interviews Francesca Hogi, a TED speaker, host of the Dear Franny Podcast, and internationally recognized expert on dating and relationships. She's been featured in media outlets such as The Today Show, Marie Claire, The New York Times, Harper's Bazaar and The Huffington Post, and is the founder of The True Love Society, a community for people seeking deeper self and romantic love. Anne and Francesca’s conversation begins with Francesca sharing her life story, revealing how she was a deeply romantic child who devoured her older sister's romance novels, foreshadowing her future career path. She was working as a corporate lawyer when she began her journey toward love coaching by blogging about dating. She then turned to matchmaking for several years before finding her true calling as a love coach. Francesca tells Anne about her holistic approach to helping people find love. She also discusses some elements of her book, ​​How to Find True Love: Unlock Your Romantic Flow and Create Lasting Relationships, in which she breaks down four key components for readers to establish the foundations for a true love relationship: mindset, heartset, soulset, and skillset. Francesca challenges the conventional hierarchies of love, explaining how we tend to put romantic love up on this pedestal, thinking of it as the pinnacle and then assuming failure if we don’t find it in our lives. Instead, she advocates for adapting our intentions to have love through all parts of our lives. Then Anne and Francesca delve into the realities of modern dating, particularly the evolution and impact of dating apps. Francesca pointedly reminds listeners that "swiping on a dating app is not dating — going on dates is dating," and emphasises the importance of "developing the skills — because it is all skill — to be able to meet people more organically as they live their lives." Francesca explains what she asks her clients (and readers of her book) to develop more self-awareness, like: "What do I actually believe about myself when it comes to love?" and "In the love story of your life, what is the role that you play?" She highlights how many people hold beliefs about themselves and their romantic possibilities that are not truly in alignment with what they want, and these questions guide us back to our focus. Their conversation turns to exploring the deeper spiritual dimensions of finding love through what Francesca calls one’s soulset: considering faith and connection to a higher power. She adds that serendipity, for example, is something that you can court intentionally, and how practicing gratitude makes you more aligned with love. She offers that having that soul-level connection and understanding our romantic energy is essential because while often we understand mind,emotion, and action, we tend to misunderstand energy.  To conclude, Anne asks her favourite questions, which has Francesca share her grounding practices, in particular her daily morning and evening journaling sessions, and her love of walking in any weather.  A warm, insightful, and empowering conversation that challenges conventional wisdom about modern love and offers a refreshing perspective on how to center love in all aspects of life.  Happy listening! Selected links from episode Out of the Clouds website: https://outoftheclouds.com/ Out of the Clouds on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_outoftheclouds The Mettā View website: https://avm.consulting/metta-view Anne on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/annvi/ Anne on Threads: https://www.threads.net/@annvi Anne on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anne-v-muhlethaler/ Find more about Francesca at FrancescaHogi.com Her book, "How to Find True Love: Unlock Your Romantic Flow and Create Lasting Relationships" How to date with intention, Francesca’s online course Francesca’s True Love Society on Patreon   Find Francesca on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dearfranny On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dearfranny On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DearFranny Follow Francesca’s podcast Dear Franny on Instagram  Or subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts   Selected links from episode: The princess industrial complex  The Love Inside, a book by Jessica Faith Graham U2 I still haven’t found what I’m looking for  The book  The Untethered Soul by Michael Singer This episode is brought to you by Le Trente Are 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 @OutoftheClouds For 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. Story is The Strategy - Anne's 2h on-demand masterclass Website: https://outoftheclouds.com/ Subscribe to The Mettā View: https://annevmuhlethaler.com/the-metta-view Follow Anne on IG: https://www.instagram.com/annvi/ BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/annvi.bsky.social LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anne-v-muhlethaler Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.