Creating my own Substack Universe with Suzy Walker

It was a JOY to meet my pal Suzy Walker for the Sparkle on Substack podcast. Suzy talks to us about ‘starting from scratch’, making the most of our presence online and following your heart even when it tells you to leap!Suzy is a coach (once named one of the top ten in the UK) and former Editor-in-Chief of Psychologies magazine.She’s been privileged to have interviewed some of the best self-development greats in the world, from Oprah to Brené Brown, and loves finding tools, books, and experts that support us in making our own leaps in life.When I met Suzy, my entire life and the way I was building it felt more possible. She told me; “Claire look at this, you are living it.” And I felt that. Those moments where friends, colleagues, new pals really see you - it’s like a lightening bolt. Suzy is my lightening bolt of confirmation often. At the time, two things were true; I was living it and my husband was very sick and I was very scared. Later in our friendship, we met for coffee and I was telling her my goals for Sparkle on Substack and my hope for replacing income from a tricky commissioned project. She looked at me again and said - £350 a month? You can do that. And again I realised yes, yes I can. The income arrived in a flash and I let go of that tricky comissioner. “You can build your own creative universe on Substack. It’s like heaven and you can also earn money. I can’t believe it.” Suzy Walker Here’s Suzy Walker in her own words;The Heart Leap newsletter is about tools, ideas, and people who help us make a leap in thinking so we feel inspired and uplifted rather than trapped, stuck, and downhearted.It’s for writers who want to write and get their books out into the world but who find writing a hard slog but don’t want to give up the dream. Think of Heart Leap as your very own cosy writing nook.Heart Leap is also for people starting again, literally or metaphorically. I’ve just left a big job and my life in London to start again in the wilds of Northumberland, so I’m right here beside you.For paid subscribers, we have the Heart Leap Club, which has monthly self-development workshops with brilliant experts and weekly writing hours where you get to hang out with writers for two hours a week and get your books and blogs finished.(Here’s me by my magic tree on a hill, which overlooks a fairy tale castle and whispers ideas and grants wishes.)“Live a life that makes your heart leap”Suzy Walker Timeline00:00 Loving work, overwhelmed but in growth phase.04:06 Transitioned from busy London to peaceful Northumberland.08:23 Substack offers new freedom for creators.12:41 Substack fosters creativity and kindness in business.14:32 Sustainable, joyful approach to consumer education.17:09 Excited to collaborate on self development portal.20:30 Substack offers collaboration and networking opportunities.25:35 Honing in on sophisticated editing process.26:56 Finding audience interest through experimentation and response.30:14 You are kind, reassuring, and trustworthy.34:22 Prioritising safety and giving oneself grace.38:05 Podcasting allows for diverse and engaging content.39:21 Juliet Thomas turns play into successful novel.44:19 Positive impact of memoir serializations on sales.48:16 Embracing neurodiversity, simplicity, and pursuing dreams.49:45 Balancing digital consumption for a clearer mind.52:35 Finding a space for uplift and joy.More connects * Weekly writing sessions - https://heartleap.substack.com/p/room-to-write* Suzy on Instagram * Buy the Heart Leap necklace!! * Join the Heart Leap community. * Juliet Thomas at Under the Trees * Alnwick Story Fest website - 28 Feb - 2 March 2025 - see you there!! Also in this episode* The Rejection Palace - Open Call We’d LOVE to hear from you in the comments!Claire and Suzy Walker 💕Thank you to my WONDERFUL 💎 Diamond Members for sponsoring season 2 of the podcast. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sparkleon.substack.com/subscribe