How to Write About Family Without Repeating the Past | Monica Macansantos

She Almost Quit Music. One Conversation Changed Everything. | Tara Connaghan

What does it really take to become a confident creative? In this episode of The Holly Hughes Podcast, Holly sits down with award-winning Irish fiddle player, educator, and podcast host Tara Connaghan to explore the connection between creativity, confidence, community, and personal growth. Tara shares how one challenging lesson from her music teacher completely changed the trajectory of her life, why creativity is about far more than natural talent, and how Irish traditional music became both a form of healing and a lifelong calling. Together, Holly and Tara discuss performance anxiety, artistic growth, finding your creative voice, overcoming the fear of being seen, and why surrounding yourself with the right community can transform both your confidence and your career. Whether you're a musician, entrepreneur, artist, writer, podcaster, or simply someone searching for the courage to create, this conversation is filled with practical wisdom and inspiring stories about embracing who you are and trusting your creative journey. What you’ll learn in this episode: * Why confidence is built through practice, not perfection * How creativity helps us process grief and difficult emotions * The surprising connection between community and artistic growth * What Irish music sessions teach us about collaboration and belonging * How Tara built an award-winning podcast from a simple idea * Why fear of visibility holds so many creatives back * The mindset shift every artist needs to keep growing If you enjoy conversations about creativity, storytelling, personal growth, podcasting, and authentic living, be sure to subscribe for more episodes of The Holly Hughes Podcast. We talk about: 00:00 Meet Tara Connaghan and finding your creative path 01:25 Losing her sister, discovering the fiddle, and finding purpose 05:17 The tough lesson that completely changed her work ethic 13:20 Why music became an outlet for grief, healing, and emotion 19:01 What Irish music sessions really are (and why community matters) 20:38 The surprising reason Tara started her award-winning podcast 24:36 Winning five podcast awards and embracing creative success 30:18 Creative confidence, visibility, and overcoming the fear of being seen 38:20 Why partnership beats sponsorship for creatives 46:15 The biggest mistake aspiring creatives make 54:10 Tara's warning label, perfectionism, and final advice Connect with Tara  * Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61576848312798 [https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61576848312798]  * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tarafiddle/ [https://www.instagram.com/tarafiddle/]  * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/session-etiquette/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/session-etiquette/]  * Website: https://www.sessionetiquette.com/ [https://www.sessionetiquette.com/]  Connect with Holly  * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/holly_hughes_intuitive/ [https://www.instagram.com/holly_hughes_intuitive/] * YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@hollyhughesintuitive [https://www.youtube.com/@hollyhughesintuitive] * Get Holly’s book here: https://hollyhughesintuitive.com/my-book/ [https://hollyhughesintuitive.com/my-book/] * Website: https://hollyhughesintuitive.com/ [https://hollyhughesintuitive.com/]  #CreativeConfidence #IrishMusic #PerformanceAnxiety #CreativeMindset #CreativeCommunity #ArtistMindset #IrishTraditionalMusic #MusicianLife #Podcasting #Storytelling #CreativeJourney #OvercomingFear #FiddlePlayer #PersonalGrowth #AuthenticLiving #CreativeProcess #WomenWhoPodcast #HollyHughesPodcast #TaraConnaghan #IrishCulture

Oscar Producer Left It All to Film a War | Bob Degus

Hollywood burnout and spiritual awakening don't happen overnight, and no one knows that better than Bob Degus.  After more than a decade producing Oscar-nominated films and overseeing blockbusters at New Line Cinema, Bob hit a wall that no amount of money or credits could fix. If you've ever wondered whether the life you built is actually the life you want, this episode will shake something loose in you.  Holly Hughes, TEDx speaker, intuitive healer, and author of Real, Not Perfect, sits down with her former mentor for an honest conversation about what happens after the dream you chased turns into something you barely recognize.  Bob shares how nearly 100 nights of ayahuasca, a spontaneous trip into a war zone, and 35 hours of interviews with Ukrainian yoga teachers led to his most meaningful work yet: Yogis of Ukraine, a documentary and companion book now available on Amazon in six languages. What you’ll learn in this episode: * Why Hollywood burnout often has roots in childhood trauma, and how Bob connected his tolerance for chaos on set to the household he grew up in  * How Bob went from saying no to Ukraine to boarding a plane three days later, and what that moment taught him about following an inner voice  * The story structure principle Bob used on Pleasantville that still shapes every project he makes: start with the ending to build a powerful arc  * What happened when Bob sat in ayahuasca ceremonies nearly 100 times in Peru, and the single moment of self-compassion that ended the entire journey  * How Ukrainian women practicing Kundalini yoga in bomb shelters and on military bases became the subject of a documentary that leaves audiences talking for two hours after the screening  * Why Bob conducts film interviews in languages he doesn't speak, and what that forced him to rely on instead of words  * The "surrender" moment Bob experienced in a Kyiv hotel during an air raid siren, and how it mirrors what the women of Ukraine live with every single day We talk about: 00:00 How Holly and Bob met working on low-budget Hollywood productions 04:00 What Hollywood in the 1990s actually felt like from the inside 07:00 Why friendships evaporate the moment you stop being able to hire people 09:00 Did working on Pleasantville feel different from other films? 11:00 What made Bob walk away from producing and start over 16:00 How your Hollywood training prepares you for everything that comes after it 17:00 How did a two-day phone call turn into a trip to a Ukrainian war zone? 20:00 What it feels like to interview women when you don't speak their language 24:00 The subtitle editing challenge: feeling sentence endings you cannot hear 26:00 Yogis of Ukraine: test screenings, the book, and the World Peace Tour plan 30:00 Why Bob said yes to ayahuasca and what nearly 100 nights in Peru revealed 33:00 How Bob found Laia and chose which 35 women to interview from 250 35:00 What a Ukrainian yogi said that stopped Bob from trying to rescue anyone 40:00 The Kyiv hotel air raid siren and the moment surrender became real 44:00 Theatrical release plans and where to find the book right now 47:00 Bob's warning label: a bike accident, a brain injury, and a flat face that fooled everyone Connect with Bob  * Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DirectorBobDegus/ [https://www.facebook.com/DirectorBobDegus/] * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bobdegus/ [https://www.instagram.com/bobdegus/]  * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bobdegus/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/bobdegus/] * Website: https://www.bobdegus.com/ [https://www.bobdegus.com/] * Film: https://www.yogisofukraine.com/ [https://www.yogisofukraine.com/]  Connect with Holly  * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/holly_hughes_intuitive/ [https://www.instagram.com/holly_hughes_intuitive/] * YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@hollyhughesintuitive [https://www.youtube.com/@hollyhughesintuitive] * Get Holly’s book here: https://hollyhughesintuitive.com/my-book/ [https://hollyhughesintuitive.com/my-book/] * Website: https://hollyhughesintuitive.com/ [https://hollyhughesintuitive.com/]

From Burnout to Jeju: The Tour Guide Helping the World Discover Korea’s Most Magical Island | Soraya Ho 허소라

What happens when you walk away from a successful corporate career with no real plan, follow your curiosity across continents, and accidentally build an entirely new life? In this episode, Holly sits down with Soraya Ho, multilingual tour guide, podcaster, former software developer, and one of Jeju Island's most passionate cultural ambassadors. After years of intense corporate work in South Korea, Soraya made a life-changing decision to leave it all behind and travel through Latin America. What began as a short trip turned into a complete career pivot, leading her into tourism, language learning, cultural storytelling, and eventually a new life on Jeju Island. Together, Holly and Soraya explore the realities of Korean work culture, the unique identity of Jeju, the legendary Haenyeo women divers, ancient traditions, local myths, and what it means to create a life guided by curiosity instead of certainty. If you've ever wondered what life looks like outside the expected path, this conversation is a beautiful reminder that sometimes the best opportunities begin when you stop trying to control the outcome. What you’ll learn in this episode: * Why Soraya left a demanding corporate IT career in South Korea * How a six-month Latin America trip changed the direction of her life * The surprising connection between travel, language, and reinvention * What makes Jeju Island so different from mainland South Korea * The truth about Jeju's legendary Haenyeo women divers * Why Jeju is often called the "Hawaii of South Korea" * The unique culture, mythology, and traditions that still exist on the island * How to become a great tour guide and read people quickly * Why curiosity is one of the most powerful life skills you can develop * What it looks like to build a life around adventure instead of expectations We talk about: 00:00 Meet Soraya Ho and her unexpected path to Jeju Island 02:00 Life inside South Korea's corporate IT world 04:00 The personal loss that sparked a major life change 05:00 Traveling across Latin America and discovering a new direction 08:00 Becoming a tour guide and leading month-long international trips 13:00 Moving from Seoul to Jeju during the pandemic 16:00 Reading people, managing groups, and guiding travelers 19:00 Why sometimes it's better not to overthink big decisions 20:00 Launching a podcast and sharing Jeju with the world 21:00 The growing fascination with Jeju's Haenyeo women divers 24:00 Jeju spirituality, traditions, and local rituals 27:00 Training to become a Haenyeo diver herself 31:00 The future of Jeju's diving culture and younger generations 34:00 What makes a truly great tour guide 36:00 The best time of year to visit Jeju Island 38:00 Common misconceptions visitors have about Jeju 41:00 Why Jeju's culture feels different from anywhere else in Korea 43:00 Living as an outsider in a place with deep traditions 47:00 Soraya's personal warning label and philosophy for life * Call or Text or Chat the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline 988. Hours are available 24/7 and the cost is free. OR * Text HOME to 741741 to reach a trained Crisis Counselor through Crisis Text Line, a global not-for-profit organization. Free, 24/7, confidential. Connect with Soraya  * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vamosajeju/ [https://www.instagram.com/vamosajeju/] * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/soraya.jeju/ [https://www.instagram.com/soraya.jeju/]  Connect with Holly * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thehollyhughes/ * YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@hollyhughesintuitive * Get Holly’s book here: http://bit.ly/4ggvAamWebsite: * https://hollyhughesintuitive.com/ #JejuIsland #SouthKoreaTravel #Haenyeo

The Man Behind Mad Men Tells All: Emmys, Streaming, and How Hollywood Really Works | Dwayne Shattuck

What does it actually take to go from fire department paramedic to Emmy-winning studio head, with zero plan, zero roadmap, and zero interest in the spotlight?  In this episode, Holly sits down with veteran Hollywood producer and ITV Studios executive Dwayne Shattuck, a man with multiple Emmy, Golden Globe, DGA, and PGA awards, 20+ television series under his belt, and a record of never once going over budget.  Dwayne's career started with a back injury, a bored colleague, and an offer to get paid to sit around on a movie set. What followed was four decades of climbing the industry ladder, from set medic to PA, first AD to UPM, line producer to studio head, including a pivotal role building the infrastructure behind the iconic series Mad Men.  This conversation is a rare inside look at how Hollywood actually works: the budgets, the crew dynamics, the streaming wars, and what it really takes to lead at the highest levels of the industry without burning out or blowing up.  If you've ever wondered what goes on behind the camera, or what it looks like to build a career out of calm, consistency, and simply not quitting, this episode is for you. What you’ll learn in this episode: * How Dwayne went from fire department paramedic to Emmy-winning studio head * Why the best careers in Hollywood are rarely planned, and what that means for yours * The one mentor conversation that changed his entire trajectory * How Mad Men was made on $2.2 million per episode and why constraint created the show's magic * What it actually means to never go over budget across 20+ series * The leadership philosophy that kept him respected on every set he ever ran * Why the film industry doesn't let you retire, it just lets you fade We talk about: * 00:00 Meet Dwayne Shattuck and the career that was never supposed to happen  * 01:30 How a back injury on the fire department launched a Hollywood career  * 03:00 Bronco Lustig, Schindler's List, and the mentor who opened the door  * 05:00 Why paramedic skills translate directly to producing, stress tests, scenarios, and calm under fire  * 07:00 What a first AD actually does and why nothing gets shot without one  * 09:00 Early career collisions with Reese Witherspoon, Ben Affleck, and Matt Damon  * 11:00 Traveling the world as a first AD and why the industry made it impossible to leave  * 13:00 Moving from set life to studio life and going in-house for the first time  * 15:00 The Mad Men origin story: $2.2M per episode, seven-day shoots, and a crew built on loyalty  * 18:00 Watching 22 Emmys get announced from a hotel suite during the writers' strike  * 20:00 The dark side of success: security cameras, conspiracy theories, and choosing privacy  * 22:00 Leadership, culture, and why respect travels faster than fear on a set  * 25:00 How to run a budget with full transparency and why it builds better teams  * 27:00 The state of LA production right now and where the industry actually went  * 29:00 Netflix, Apple, Amazon, and the end of the streaming wars  * 31:00 Why episode counts dropped from 22 to 8 and what that really costs  * 33:00 How streaming platforms decide when and how to release episodes  * 35:00 What production management is really like (boredom means everything is working)  * 37:00 Family, marriage, and raising kids while running a TV show across the country  * 39:00 Leading ITV Studios and what makes a company culture actually work  * 41:00 How to say no without destroying the relationship  * 43:00 The F1 series at Amazon and what's on the horizon  * 45:00 The warning label that says it all Connect with Dwayne  * IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0789443/ [https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0789443/]  * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dwayne-shattuck-50bb03b/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/dwayne-shattuck-50bb03b/]  Connect with Holly * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thehollyhughes/ * YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@hollyhughesintuitive * Get Holly’s book here: http://bit.ly/4ggvAamWebsite: * https://hollyhughesintuitive.com/ #MadMen #HollywoodInsider #TheHollyHughesShow

When the Plan Falls Apart… Follow the Path Instead | Michael Cain

What do you do when the life you built… disappears? In this episode, Holly sits down with award-winning film producer and creative changemaker Michael Cain to unpack what it really looks like to rebuild your life when the plan falls apart. Because this isn’t a story about success.It’s a story about redirection. After losing everything in his twenties, Michael found himself at a crossroads with no roadmap, no certainty, and no clear way forward. What came next wasn’t a perfectly executed comeback. It was a series of decisions, risks, and moments of trust that slowly revealed a completely different life than the one he originally planned. From breaking into film, to producing dozens of projects, to creating film festivals that give other storytellers a platform, Michael’s journey is a masterclass in what happens when you stop forcing the outcome… and start following the path. This conversation is about resilience, reinvention, creative purpose, and the courage it takes to keep moving when nothing feels guaranteed. If you’ve ever felt like you’re off track, behind, or starting over… this episode will shift how you see it. What you’ll learn in this episode: * Why losing everything can become the moment your real life begins * The difference between forcing a plan and following a path * How to rebuild your life without a clear roadmap * Why resilience is less about strength and more about willingness * The role of trust, intuition, and timing in a creative career * How setbacks create clarity you wouldn’t find any other way * Why relationships and collaboration shape long-term success * The truth about creative careers that no one talks about * How to create impact through storytelling and community * Why not quitting is often the most important decision you’ll make We talk about: * 00:00 Meet Michael Cain and the story behind his creative path * 01:10 Early love of film and the unexpected start to his career * 02:30 Losing everything in his twenties and what it revealed * 05:30 Starting over with no clear plan or safety net * 06:30 What loss teaches you about resilience and identity * 07:30 Following the path instead of forcing a fixed outcome * 09:00 Why producing became his role in storytelling * 10:30 Building relationships and creating opportunities from nothing * 12:00 Leadership, collaboration, and creative environments * 13:30 The importance of respect and culture on set * 15:00 Transitioning from low-budget work to larger opportunities * 16:30 Supporting emerging talent and recognizing potential early * 18:00 Creating a film festival in the middle of personal loss * 19:30 Turning pain into purpose through cancer support initiatives * 21:00 Building community through storytelling and shared experiences * 22:30 How film festivals actually work and why they matter * 24:00 Why most ideas never happen and what makes execution different * 25:30 Finding support, funding, and momentum when resources are limited * 27:00 Scaling impact from grassroots beginnings to major platforms * 28:30 The power of storytelling to create real change * 30:00 How media consumption is shifting and what it means for creators * 31:30 Why community experiences still matter more than ever * 33:00 The future of film festivals and collaboration in creative industries * 35:00 Balancing ambition, family, and personal priorities * 36:30 Choosing projects that align with purpose and impact * 38:00 The long-term ripple effect of creative work * 40:00 Redefining success and building a meaningful life * 42:00 The warning label that says it all Connect with Michael  * IG: https://www.instagram.com/mcaindallasfilm/ [https://www.instagram.com/mcaindallasfilm/]  * IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0128937/ [https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0128937/]  * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaeldcain/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaeldcain/]  * Website: http://letsgom3.com/ [http://letsgom3.com/]  Connect with Holly * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thehollyhughes/ * YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@hollyhughesintuitive * Get Holly’s book here: http://bit.ly/4ggvAamWebsite: * https://hollyhughesintuitive.com/ #CreativeCareer #Resilience #FindYourPath