A single interview can change how you see your future. We’re back at the mic after months away, and we’re telling the honest story behind the pause: a long PhD preparation process, walking into an interview that felt unwelcoming, and the moment it became clear something was off. When you’re interrupted, thrown off your flow, and leave feeling small, it raises a bigger question than “Did I get it?” It asks, “Would I be okay living in that environment for three years?”

We talk about the emotional fallout and how hard it is to rebuild confidence after a professional experience that feels unfair. That stretch turned into what we can only describe as a “year of no” with rejection after rejection, plus the constant pressure of explaining what happened. If you’ve ever searched for advice on confidence after rejection, career setbacks, imposter feelings, or how to find direction again, you’ll hear the messy middle here, not a polished highlight reel.

Then we share what actually helped: a trip to Spain, a true digital detox, and a reminder that reset is a skill. And yes, there’s a paddleboarding story where the ocean humbles us in real time, which somehow becomes the perfect metaphor for learning to keep going when you feel behind.

We’re also setting a new theme for what comes next: visibility, fear of being seen, and doing things scared without waiting to feel ready. If this hits home, subscribe, share this with a friend who needs a comeback story, and leave a review with your own “door closed for a reason” moment.

Thank you for tuning into this episode! If you enjoyed this episode please consider subscribing, rating, and leaving a 5* review on your favorite podcast platform. Your feedback helps to reach more listeners and continue sharing meaningful content.

"ZapSplat" is the resource used for the intro and outro music in this podcast. You can check them out for your own music requirements at the link below:
https://www.zapsplat.com/music/get-the-groove-an-uplifting-energetic-funky-modern-disco-pop-with-the-feel-of-a-band-piano-drums-guitar-disco-strings-and-more/

For more insights, updates or to contact the show, please follow Tranquil Topics on social media @tranquiltopics or send us an email at tranquiltopics@gmail.com

In this episode of Tranquil Topics, host Stephanie Graham welcomes back Corrina Morris of Guiding Stars Feng Shui, a modern-day Feng Shui consultant, to discuss how Feng Shui can help alleviate the stress of the Christmas season. Corrina explains the principles of Flying Star Feng Shui, the impact of holiday decorations on energy flow, and practical tips for creating a peaceful home environment during the festive period. The conversation covers everything from colour choices in decorations to managing clutter and preparing for guests, all while emphasising the importance of mindfulness and energy awareness.

December doesn’t have to feel like a pressure cooker. Corrina shares simple, modern ways to keep your home calm during the holidays—without redecorating or spending a fortune. We dig into why classic red can spark more arguments than joy, how too many spiky ornaments at the front door invite edgy energy inside, and why an artificial tree placed in the centre of your home might leave everyone feeling run down.

Corrina explains Flying Stars Feng Shui in plain English, mapping the home by true compass directions and linking areas to health, love, wealth, and career. You’ll hear practical ideas for the dining table that encourage warmth and kinder conversations, including rounded decor, grounding metallics, and supportive crystals like rose quartz, amethyst, citrine, and black tourmaline. We also tackle the silent holiday saboteur—clutter—and share quick strategies to keep the front door clear so good energy can flow into every room.

Hosting, gifting, and resetting your space gets easier with a few rituals: open back windows to release stale vibes, welcome fresh energy through the front door, and use music to break up heaviness fast. As we close out the season, Corrina offers a clear path to the Feng Shui new year in early February with goal-setting tips for each compass area and a rising phoenix symbol. Gentle, doable, and family-friendly, these steps help you protect your peace and design a December that finally feels like home.

To connect with Corrina, please follow the links below:

Email: corrinaedwards@hotmail.co.uk

Website: Guiding Stars Feng Shui

Instagram: @guidingstarsfengshui

Facebook: Guiding Stars Feng Shui

Thank you for tuning into this episode! If you enjoyed this episode please consider subscribing, rating, and leaving a 5* review on your favorite podcast platform. Your feedback helps to reach more listeners and continue sharing meaningful content.

"ZapSplat" is the resource used for the intro and outro music in this podcast. You can check them out for your own music requirements at the link below:
https://www.zapsplat.com/music/get-the-groove-an-uplifting-energetic-funky-modern-disco-pop-with-the-feel-of-a-band-piano-drums-guitar-disco-strings-and-more/

For more insights, updates or to contact the show, please follow Tranquil Topics on social media @tranquiltopics or send us an email at tranquiltopics@gmail.com

Les Jones is a designer, street photographer, writer, artist, speaker and publisher. He is the founder of one-man, creative magazine, Elsie, and the international art publication, Contemporary Collage Magazine. As one client once put it...'Les doesn't just think outside the box, he lives outside the box'.

What if two days in a collage class could reshape a creative life? We sit with Les Jones to explore how a spark in lockdown became Contemporary Collage Magazine, a global artist network, and the first UK contemporary collage conference. Les contrasts the intimate, playful side of Elsie magazine which reached The Museum of Modern Art and the New York Library Journal with the rigor of building a commercial publication that now connects hundreds of artists across continents.

The stories are irresistible. A typed letter from Tom Hanks about lost gloves leads to a handwritten interview. An afternoon hunt for street posters ends with a single scrap of paper printed with “Les,” a wink from the universe to keep going. A lifelong admiration for Sir Peter Blake turns into an in-person interview and an original collage made just for Les. Threaded through it all is a simple rule with big consequences: when you do stuff, other stuff happens.

We go deep on the mindset that keeps the work alive. Les shares how to make for yourself first, why comparison drains joy, and how to find creative flow through tactile making. He offers practical tools for blocks and three street photography principles that scale to any craft: be receptive, be bold, and don’t be afraid to ask. If you’ve ever felt “not an artist,” this conversation hands you permission and a plan.

Please connect with Les using the links below:

Email: hello@contemporarycollagemagazine.com

https://www.contemporarycollagemagazine.com/

@lesjonescollage

@contemporarycollagemagazine

Thank you for tuning into this episode! If you enjoyed this episode please consider subscribing, rating, and leaving a 5* review on your favorite podcast platform. Your feedback helps to reach more listeners and continue sharing meaningful content.

"ZapSplat" is the resource used for the intro and outro music in this podcast. You can check them out for your own music requirements at the link below:
https://www.zapsplat.com/music/get-the-groove-an-uplifting-energetic-funky-modern-disco-pop-with-the-feel-of-a-band-piano-drums-guitar-disco-strings-and-more/

For more insights, updates or to contact the show, please follow Tranquil Topics on social media @tranquiltopics or send us an email at tranquiltopics@gmail.com