Tracy Tully’s journey is one of resilience, courage, and unwavering commitment to doing what is right. As a high school principal in a remote area of Queensland, Australia, Tracy faced immense challenges, including a life-threatening flood and the difficult decision to close her school against departmental resistance. Her actions as a whistleblower led to adversity and retaliation, but Tracy’s determination to prioritise safety and justice never wavered. She reflects on how her upbringing in a defence family and the influence of her father, a doctor in the Royal Flying Doctor Service, shaped her adaptability and resolve.

Tracy shares vivid accounts of life in frontier country, marked by violence and lawlessness, and the challenges of addressing these realities within an often rigid and mismatched education system. She highlights the importance of tailoring programmes to meet the specific needs of communities and discusses her innovative Veterans in Schools initiative, which brings military veterans into classrooms to mentor and guide students. Tracy also opens up about the personal toll of systemic failures, sharing her son’s traumatic experiences and the lack of support provided by the education system.

From her transition into paramedical cosmetic tattooing to her vision of expanding the Veterans in Schools programme internationally, Tracy’s story is a testament to her drive to make a difference. Her candid reflections on bullying, self-esteem, and the power of mentorship offer valuable insights into creating positive change for children and veterans alike. This episode is a compelling look at Tracy’s extraordinary journey and her dedication to fostering stronger, more supportive communities.

Book links

FEARless

Website

https://tracytully.com/

Social Media

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/tracy-tully-3879a2122/

If this conversation inspired you, please leave me a Rating & Review! Here are some instructions on how: https://podcast.notastraightline.life/rate.

And share the episode with a friend.

Would you like to be a guest, or know someone who should be? Visit https://podcast.notastraightline.life/guest.

for his audio engineering excellence

You can find out more about his services at https://www.mbpod.com/.

James Middleton's journey is a powerful testament to resilience, self-discovery, and the courage to embrace authenticity. Growing up, he faced the pressures of societal and familial expectations, yet found strength in sports and teamwork, which provided a sense of belonging and purpose. His decision to join the Air Force marked a pivotal point, exposing him to both camaraderie and the intense challenges that would later shape his life.

James opens up about his struggles with PTSD, shedding light on the impact of military service on mental health and the long road to recovery. He highlights the importance of compassionate self-acceptance, a critical element in his healing journey. Through community support and a commitment to helping others, James has found a renewed sense of purpose in sharing his story, hoping to inspire those who face similar battles.

In this candid conversation, James emphasises the value of authenticity and encourages others, especially the younger generation, to embrace who they truly are. His story is a reminder that healing often comes from connection, and that the strength to move forward lies in self-acceptance and the support of those around us.

Social Media

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-middleton1/

If this conversation inspired you, please leave me a Rating & Review! Here are some instructions on how: https://podcast.notastraightline.life/rate.

And share the episode with a friend.

Would you like to be a guest, or know someone who should be? Visit https://podcast.notastraightline.life/guest.

for his audio engineering excellence

You can find out more about his services at https://www.mbpod.com/.

Venetia Norrington’s story is rooted in resilience and a deep empathy for children. Growing up in Devon with older parents, her father’s passing at age four marked her early years, creating a childhood filled with noise, chaos, and a strong need for solace in nature. Venetia’s own experiences of navigating a challenging upbringing inspired her passion for fostering and advocating for children. She believes that no child should have to wait until adulthood to receive the support they need and brings a unique perspective to her work with children in need.

As Venetia reflects on her journey, she shares how societal expectations clashed with her desire for adventure and purpose. Despite attempts to find fulfilment in conventional office roles, her heart was drawn to more meaningful pursuits. A pivotal experience came when she embarked on an Overland truck trip across Africa, sparking her love for the continent and leading her to work as a tour leader before transitioning into photography. Her journey wasn’t without challenges, including health issues and the loss of her mother, yet through therapy, Venetia discovered her true calling: fostering.

Today, Venetia is a dedicated foster parent, initially providing emergency and respite care before becoming a full-time carer. Her approach combines internal family systems and somatic techniques, supporting children in regulating their emotions and creating a safe space for them to thrive. Venetia’s vision is to offer children an environment where they can connect with nature and find healing support from caring adults, embodying her commitment to making a difference in the lives of vulnerable youth.

Website: https://www.venetianorrington.com/

Social Media:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/venetianorrington/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/venetianorrington/

If this conversation inspired you, please leave me a Rating & Review! Here are some instructions on how: https://podcast.notastraightline.life/rate.

And share the episode with a friend.

Would you like to be a guest, or know someone who should be? Visit https://podcast.notastraightline.life/guest.

for his audio engineering excellence

You can find out more about his services at https://www.mbpod.com/.

Charlie Palmeiro’s story is one of resilience, self-discovery, and the power of reinvention. In this episode, Charlie opens up about navigating the twists and turns of life—from failed marriages and career setbacks to moments of deep disappointment and depression. Each challenge, he shares, became a wake-up call to pursue personal growth and take control of his path. Inspired by self-help classics like The Mountain is You and What to Say When You Talk to Yourself, Charlie embraced a journey of self-awareness and resilience.

Reflecting on his career evolution, Charlie discusses how he transitioned from business to a fulfilling role in sales, finding joy in helping others along the way. His story highlights the importance of following one’s passion, embracing non-linear paths, and reinventing oneself at any stage of life. We explore his experiences in Dan Coe’s Writers Bootcamp, where he found a sense of community and camaraderie, underscoring the power of shared learning and mutual support.

This conversation is a reflection on navigating life’s unexpected detours, cultivating self-awareness, and creating memories that matter. Charlie’s journey serves as an inspiring reminder to be present, embrace reinvention, and cherish the moments with loved ones.

Book links

The Mountain Is You

What To Say When You Talk To Yourself

Website

https://charliepalmero.com

Social Media

X: @_CharliePalmero

Threads: @charliepalmero

If this conversation inspired you, please leave me a Rating & Review! Here are some instructions on how: https://podcast.notastraightline.life/rate.

And share the episode with a friend.

Would you like to be a guest, or know someone who should be? Visit https://podcast.notastraightline.life/guest.

for his audio engineering excellence

You can find out more about his services at https://www.mbpod.com/.

Ania’s journey is a powerful narrative of self-discovery, resilience, and the pursuit of personal growth. In this episode, Ania opens up about leaving a toxic relationship and embarking on a quest to find her self-worth. Reflecting on her childhood as an immigrant in England, she candidly shares her struggles with feeling like an outsider, grappling with a sense of not belonging, and finding refuge in books and daydreams of being rescued.

Throughout our conversation, Ania reveals the emotional challenges of her youth, including the painful separation from a childhood friend and the strained relationship she had with her parents. She delves into her search for freedom and self-identity, which led her on a winding path through academia, where she studied languages and art despite the difficulties posed by dyslexia. She discusses the pressure to pursue an academic career, the toll it took on her sense of self, and the journey through various jobs—teaching, recruitment—until she finally found her passion in coaching and health.

Ania also bravely addresses her obsession with food and health, her fear of therapy due to her family’s mental health history, and the life-changing events surrounding her father’s death and her brother’s accident. She reflects on the profound impact of grief, her father’s absence during her teenage years, and the complex process of mourning his loss.

Through this deeply personal discussion, Ania highlights the importance of a supportive community, self-awareness, and the pursuit of fulfillment beyond material success. Her story emphasises the significance of embracing neurodiversity, personal growth, and the power of self-awareness. Ania closes the conversation by expressing her gratitude for the dialogue and recommending the podcast as a source of inspiration for others.

Website

https://wholisticwealthcompany.my.canva.site/

Social Media

https://www.linkedin.com/in/aniahulsman/

If this conversation inspired you, please leave me a Rating & Review! Here are some instructions on how: https://podcast.notastraightline.life/rate.

And share the episode with a friend.

Would you like to be a guest, or know someone who should be? Visit https://podcast.notastraightline.life/guest.

for his audio engineering excellence

You can find out more about his services at https://www.mbpod.com/.

Maurice Jenkens’ story is a powerful exploration of resilience, self-discovery, and the role of intuition in navigating life’s challenges. In this episode, Maurice reflects on his experience with burnout, sharing how it prompted him to reassess his path and reconnect with his inner signals. He begins by recounting his upbringing in a rural village in Holland, where a longing to experience different cultures and languages inspired him to pursue international relations. This desire led him on a zigzag journey, from studying in the US to meeting his wife, all while seeking freedom from the confines of his small village.

Throughout our conversation, Maurice delves into the concept of intuition and how it guided him during his recovery from burnout. He shares his belief that intuition is a natural part of our DNA, often suppressed by education and societal expectations, but essential for true alignment. Maurice discusses the importance of reconnecting with oneself, trusting those inner signals, and translating them into action. He offers practical steps for harnessing intuition, including listening to intuitive thoughts, reflecting on them, and making meaningful decisions.

In reflecting on leadership, Maurice emphasises the role of intuition in decision-making and underscores that intuition is always present if we’re willing to acknowledge it. His story is a reminder of the importance of tuning into our inner guidance and trusting ourselves to find the right path in life. Maurice’s journey offers inspiration and insights for anyone seeking to navigate the complexities of modern life with authenticity and purpose.

Podcast

https://www.intuitiveleader.net/podcast

Website

https://www.intuitiveleader.net/power-intuitive-leadership

Social Media

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mauricejenkens/

If this conversation inspired you, please leave me a Rating & Review! Here are some instructions on how: https://podcast.notastraightline.life/rate.

And share the episode with a friend.

Would you like to be a guest, or know someone who should be? Visit https://podcast.notastraightline.life/guest.

for his audio engineering excellence

You can find out more about his services at https://www.mbpod.com/.

Maite's journey is a vibrant exploration of energy, self-expression, and the courage to pursue a purpose-driven life. In this episode, she shares her transformative experiences, including a life-changing decision at 30 that set her on a path of self-discovery through travel, writing, and ultimately, a mission to help businesses evolve with benevolence at their core.

We discuss Maïté's challenge of being "an elephant in a mouse world," learning to embrace her unique energy, and her reflections on navigating a society that often values conformity over authenticity. Her story reveals how she found her way to writing a utopian novel, a project that envisions a more compassionate and optimistic world.

Throughout our conversation, Maïté dives into the importance of benevolence in business, explaining her company's mission to "shake up" organisations by focusing on people, purpose, and positive impact. She shares insights into the societal shift she believes is needed towards cooperation and sustainability and the role that personal courage plays in overcoming fear and pursuing one's passions.

Maïté's narrative offers a powerful reminder of the impact we can have when we align our work with our values. Her experiences highlight the value of creating space for meaningful conversations and the power of storytelling as a catalyst for change. Her journey is a source of inspiration for anyone seeking to blend purpose with professional life and to create an environment where authenticity and benevolence can thrive.

Website

https://www.marketrotters.com

Social Media

https://www.linkedin.com/in/maitegrisard/

If this conversation inspired you, please leave me a Rating & Review! Here are some instructions on how: https://podcast.notastraightline.life/rate.

And share the episode with a friend.

Would you like to be a guest, or know someone who should be? Visit https://podcast.notastraightline.life/guest.

for his audio engineering excellence.

You can find out more about his services at https://www.mbpod.com/.

Joshua Morgan's journey as an actor and entrepreneur is a compelling exploration of the balance between creativity and business. In this episode, Joshua shares how his early love for theatre led him to train at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts and the University of North Carolina School of the Arts. He candidly reflects on the challenges he faced in realising that his appearance might limit his commercial success in Los Angeles or New York, which inspired him to take control of his career by founding his own theatre company.

Throughout our conversation, Joshua emphasises the importance of artists taking charge of their own paths, navigating the business side of their careers with strategy and entrepreneurship. He shares valuable insights into the fear many artists experience when stepping outside traditional career paths and the need for embracing their own agency. Joshua stresses the importance of understanding the problems artists solve, their mission, and the value they bring to the industry.

We also dive into the critical role of marketing, particularly through social media, in reaching wider audiences and promoting artistic work. Joshua discusses the balance between practicality and passion in the arts, as well as his work with Artist Strategy, where he helps fellow artists develop entrepreneurial mindsets and navigate the business challenges of their careers.

This episode is a thought-provoking discussion on the power of mindset, the significance of knowing your audience, and the importance of solving problems as both an artist and an entrepreneur. Joshua's journey is a reminder that success in the arts often requires a blend of creativity and business acumen, and his story offers inspiration to anyone looking to forge their own path in the creative industries.

Website

https://www.artists-strategy.com/

https://www.joshuamorganofficial.com/

Social Media

https://www.instagram.com/jmorganarts/

https://www.facebook.com/jmorganarts/

https://www.instagram.com/artists.strategy

https://www.facebook.com/artistsstrategy

If this conversation inspired you, please leave me a Rating & Review! Here are some instructions on how: https://podcast.notastraightline.life/rate.

And share the episode with a friend.

Would you like to be a guest, or know someone who should be? Visit https://podcast.notastraightline.life/guest.

for his audio engineering excellence. You can find out more about his services at https://www.mbpod.com/.