Creative Soundscapes with Margaret Soraya

In this conversation, Emma Simpson shares her journey from being an air traffic controller to becoming a writer. She discusses the healing power of open water swimming and how it led her to explore women's relationships with water globally. Emma reflects on the impact of grief in her life, particularly the loss of her brother, and how it shaped her writing. The discussion also touches on cultural perspectives on grief, the challenges of writing authentically, and the importance of community in the creative process. Emma's upcoming book, 'Breaking Waves,' delves into these themes and aims to connect with readers on a deeper level.Pre Order Breaking Waves Join Emma for a writing workshop in Harris at the Creative Light Festival Find Emma on Substack Find Emma on Instagram Get full access to Quiet Moments at margaretsoraya.substack.com/subscribe

Debbie Hartmann shares the incredible stories of her photography projects that helped her mum as she was experiencing Parkinson's disease and Dementia and her friend with brain cancer. Debbie turned her creativity into positive, fun projects that lift both her and others during difficult times in a natural and intuitive way. Her enthusiasm for life and helping others is contagious. This episode is possibly one of the most heartwarming stories of humanity and love tied up in photography projects. Debbie is an extraordinary person who always seeks out the positives in life and allows herself to connect naturally to who she is and use that in her photography. She finds beauty everywhere and recently set out on a photography project to better help her "like" the harsh Minnesota winters. Please take a look at her projects and beautiful photography on her website. https://www.heyhartmann.com/ Get full access to Quiet Moments at margaretsoraya.substack.com/subscribe

Dear readers, I hope you enjoy this meditation, which I wrote while thinking about a time of year when there can be many pressures. It is accompanied by a video from my home in Harris, and the music was a commissioned piece by Will Collant. Sending love, Margaret Get full access to Quiet Moments at margaretsoraya.substack.com/subscribe

Send us a textDr Marie-Lise Schlappy joins me to chat about HSP's ( Highly Sensitive Persons.) HSP, is a term coined by psychologist Elaine Aron who has written several books on the subject. You can find more on her website https://hsperson.com/We chat about how the traits are different to introversion, but a large proportion of introverts are HSP's Sign up to the next Creative Light Festival here: https://creative-light.co.uk/ Sign up to my newsletter to hear first about new retreats: Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/margaretsoraya/ Join my online Creative Haven community :https://creative-haven.newzenler.com Get full access to Quiet Moments at margaretsoraya.substack.com/subscribe

Send us a textIn this conversation, Margaret Soraya interviews Bill Ward about his approach to photography, specifically his use of intentional camera movement (ICM) and his connection to water. They discuss the importance of being open and generous in the photography community, as well as the role of movement in both acting and photography. Bill explains how movement is central to his photography and how intentional camera movement allows him to add his own unique touch to his images. They also explore the relationship between a photographer's personality and their photographic style, emphasizing the importance of authenticity and self-expression in photography. In this conversation, Bill Ward and Margaret Soraya discuss their experiences with underwater photography and the challenges they face with their equipment. They also explore the idea of projects and how they evolve over time. They touch on the process of exhibiting and creating books, and the importance of choosing the right images and writing to accompany the work. They emphasize the need to keep photography interesting and fresh by constantly exploring new subjects and techniques.TakeawaysBeing open and generous in the photography community can lead to a more collaborative and supportive environment.Movement is central to Bill Ward's photography, and intentional camera movement allows him to add his own unique touch to his images.A photographer's personality and personal experiences can influence their photographic style and subject matter.Authenticity and self-expression are important in photography, and photographers should strive to create work that resonates with their own passions and interests. Underwater photography can be challenging due to equipment issues, such as aligning the camera correctly in the housing.Projects in photography are ongoing and can evolve over time, allowing for exploration and growth.Exhibiting and creating books are valuable ways to showcase and present photographic work.Choosing the right images and writing is crucial when putting together an exhibition or book.It's important to keep photography interesting by constantly exploring new subjects and techniques.Sound Bites"There's a temptation to be territorial, but as you say, being open and generous is important.""Intentional camera movement is about adding your physicality to the photographs.""Movement is absolutely central to what I really like doing in terms of photography.""It's the going back and back and back that's the thing... that's where the good stuff comes from."Sign up to the next Creative Light Festival here: https://creative-light.co.uk/ Sign up to my newsletter to hear first about new retreats: Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/margaretsoraya/ Join my online Creative Haven community :https://creative-haven.newzenler.com Get full access to Quiet Moments at margaretsoraya.substack.com/subscribe

Send us a textListen in to Margaret as she shares her thoughts on this period of rest, regeneration, and self-compassion that she has been practicing recently.She covers numerous topics and, in her own unique way, explains how she has consciously slowed her life down, prioritizing rest recuperation and meditation, which she instinctively knows is needed for her well-being. Sometimes, that space to breathe and not to be doing, reading and mindful activities can really spark creativity and thought processes back into action. She is particularly enjoying listening to the sounds of nature at the moment - the birds and barking seals, for instance, are all very soothing.Neale James Podcast episode Joey Hulins website Find Beach art by Dorothy atTraigh Alba Sign up to the next Creative Light Festival here: https://creative-light.co.uk/ Sign up to my newsletter to hear first about new retreats: Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/margaretsoraya/ Join my online Creative Haven community :https://creative-haven.newzenler.com Get full access to Quiet Moments at margaretsoraya.substack.com/subscribe

Send us a textJoin Margaret as she introduces us to some sounds, thoughts and feelings she experienced during her recent trip to Kerala, India.Since 2016, she has regularly headed to India for Ayurvedic treatments and the time felt right for her to return this March . She explains how her time there helped with ongoing feelings of grief, gave her space to write and to think and, as always, use creativity as an outlet. A calming, thoughtful reflection of her time at this retreat.Sign up to the next Creative Light Festival here: https://creative-light.co.uk/ Sign up to my newsletter to hear first about new retreats: Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/margaretsoraya/ Join my online Creative Haven community :https://creative-haven.newzenler.com Get full access to Quiet Moments at margaretsoraya.substack.com/subscribe

Send us a Text Message.Listen in to Margaret explain how she is navigating the various stages of grief she is experiencing. As always she instinctively turns to creativity and nature, whilst at all times listening to what her body needs, tuning in to what makes her feel better.Sign up to the next Creative Light Festival here: https://creative-light.co.uk/ Sign up to my newsletter to hear first about new retreats: Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/margaretsoraya/ Join my online Creative Haven community :https://creative-haven.newzenler.com Get full access to Quiet Moments at margaretsoraya.substack.com/subscribe

Send us a textA roundup of the Creative Light Festival, its speakers, masterclasses, and activities. Snippets from Christina Golian's 'Spark Your Creativity' masterclass, an extract from Lisa Paulson and an exciting announcement about future festival dates that you can look forward to - the 2024 event at Broughton Sanctuary and a community-focused 2025 event in Harris. You can see details of the new festivals here Sign up to the next Creative Light Festival here: https://creative-light.co.uk/ Sign up to my newsletter to hear first about new retreats: Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/margaretsoraya/ Join my online Creative Haven community :https://creative-haven.newzenler.com Get full access to Quiet Moments at margaretsoraya.substack.com/subscribe

Send us a textI am talking with the amazing Joe Cornish, a landscape photographer known for his woodland images at this years creative light festival. Joe gave a talk and led some outdoor workshops during the festival and it was his spirit of kindness and generosity that really grabbed me. We also talk about how community and connection can inspire and influence our creative process, a concept embodied at the Creative Light Festival. Talking through the importance of gratitude and generosity in our creativity. It was a real honour to spend time with Joe Cornish. Sign up to the next Creative Light Festival here: https://creative-light.co.uk/ Sign up to my newsletter to hear first about new retreats: Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/margaretsoraya/ Join my online Creative Haven community :https://creative-haven.newzenler.com Get full access to Quiet Moments at margaretsoraya.substack.com/subscribe

Send us a textA solo episode around the idea of making mistakes and moving on rather than dwelling. Why we beat ourselves up about the small things. Then onto a recording made at home in Harris in front of the fire where I speak about taking the pressure off and how taking small steps in your creative time can lead to happier and more joyous moments. Sign up to the next Creative Light Festival here: https://creative-light.co.uk/ Sign up to my newsletter to hear first about new retreats: Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/margaretsoraya/ Join my online Creative Haven community :https://creative-haven.newzenler.com Get full access to Quiet Moments at margaretsoraya.substack.com/subscribe

Recorded on the beach with the backdrop of crashing waves, I wanted to talk about comparing our progress with others and feeling inadequate with how much we are doing. And It's okay to not be doing as much as others. We all have different lives, commitments, and work paces. The important thing is taking small steps forward. Get full access to Quiet Moments at margaretsoraya.substack.com/subscribe

Eric Heimon is a talented music and sound producer, and we chat about the reality of pursuing a creative profession. His transition from performing musician to a successful freelance composer and producer is not only inspiring but is also filled with practical advice. He discusses the balancing act between creative expression and earning a living, and why he prefers commissioning custom music pieces over generic ones.Eric's journey is a tale of unlearning and discovering joy in new creative avenues. This episode is filled with practical advice, and a whole lot of inspiration. Tune in and join us on this exciting exploration of creativity, passion, and music. You can see Eric's Instagram here https://www.instagram.com/eric_hemion/Erics website is here http://www.erichemion.com/ Get full access to Quiet Moments at margaretsoraya.substack.com/subscribe