the ash gracie podcast
by anoushka hem
hey wholesome humans, welcome to the ash gracie podcast! there are lessons in all of us. there are perspectives that each and every one of us has to share, and i believe that everyone should get to tell their stories, as you never know who you can inspire! you are amazing, you are loved, and i thank you for being here :)
Episodes
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who are you when no one is watching?
who are you when no one is watching? when there’s no audience, no engagement, and no one to tell you that what you’re doing matters? in this episode of the quiet fire, i’m reflecting on how easy it is to start experiencing our lives through the lens of how they might look to other people,...
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when the goalpost keeps on moving
why is it that even when we’re creating, improving, and achieving the things we’ve worked towards, we can still feel like we’re not quite good enough? in this episode of the quiet fire, i’m exploring why creatives so often tie their sense of worth to their work, and what happens when every...
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why can't i be enough for me?
in today's episode of the quiet fire, i’m talking about the story behind my latest song, enough for me, but also what turning 23 has been teaching me about growing up, letting go of expectations, learning to trust myself, and becoming enough for myself. we’ll talk about the pressure to be...
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the art of trusting yourself
there’s a particular kind of uncertainty that comes with building a creative life: wanting to trust yourself while having very little proof that you’re on the right path. in this episode of the quiet fire, i’m exploring what self-trust actually means when you don’t know if something will work,...
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not everything has to move you forward
when you’re building a creative career, it’s easy to start seeing everything through the lens of whether it’s useful. will this help my career? will i meet someone? could this become content? should i be doing something more productive instead? but not everything you do needs to move you forward....
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you don't have to earn joy
we’re so used to treating happiness like something that comes after. after the job, after the move, after the project, after we’ve achieved enough or become enough. but what happens when there’s always another goal waiting for us? in this episode of the quiet fire, i’m exploring why we so often...
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sometimes one step forward is enough
in this episode of the quiet fire, i wanted to explore why we so often overlook the small steps that are quietly changing our lives. we’re surrounded by milestones, breakthroughs, and dramatic transformations, and it can be easy to feel like progress only counts when we have something significant...
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your creativity shouldn't get what's left of you
in this episode of the quiet fire, i wanted to explore the pressure creatives often feel to keep working long after the workday ends. we’re surrounded by the idea that if we’re truly serious about our craft, we’ll find the extra hours, late nights, early mornings, weekends, and every spare moment...
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learning to live without a roadmap
in this episode of the quiet fire, i wanted to explore what it feels like to build a non-linear life when you’re someone who finds comfort in having a plan. we’re often taught to think about progress as something that happens in a straight line, with clear steps, timelines, and milestones, but…
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the best side quests weren't part of the plan
in this episode of the quiet fire, i wanted to explore the unexpected experiences that shape our lives without ever being part of the original plan. we’re often encouraged to stay focused, be intentional, and make sure everything we do is moving us towards a specific goal, but what happens when…
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chasing my dreams: the first year
a year ago, i moved to london because i wanted to build a life that felt bigger than the one i was leaving behind. i thought the biggest challenge would be finding opportunities. instead, the real challenge was learning to live with uncertainty, rejection, slow progress, and the daily decision to...
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what if you can't just go all in?
in this episode of the quiet fire, we question the common advice to “quit your job and chase your dreams,” and what it means when that narrative doesn’t reflect your reality at all. for those navigating job rejections, instability, or limited access to opportunities, this conversation explores…
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when the future feels heavy
in this episode of the quiet fire, we gently explore the difficult question of how you’re supposed to build a life when you don’t even feel connected to living it. for many people, especially creatives, there can be moments where the future feels heavy, distant, or overwhelming, making ambition…
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when are you allowed to call yourself an artist?
in this episode of the quiet fire, we explore the quiet hesitation many creatives feel when it comes to claiming titles like “writer,” “artist,” or “musician.” reflecting on imposter syndrome and the pressure to feel “qualified,” this conversation unpacks why we often wait for external validation...
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don’t let the algorithm become your audience
in this episode of the quiet fire, i wanted to explore the complicated relationship between creativity and social media. while platforms can open doors, build communities, and create incredible opportunities, they can also quietly shift our attention away from the work itself and towards...
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your dreams don't have to pay the bills yet
what if your day job isn’t the thing standing between you and your creative life, but the thing making it possible? in this episode of the quiet fire, i wanted to explore the reality of building something meaningful alongside a 9–5, from navigating the tension between stability and ambition to...
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what are you waiting for?
in this episode of the quiet fire, i wanted to explore our complicated relationship with time and the quiet belief that one day, we’ll finally feel ready. we spend so much of our lives waiting for the perfect moment to start a project, have a difficult conversation, take a risk, or pursue the…
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some people are worth the inconvenience
in this episode of the quiet fire, i wanted to explore one of the simplest yet most meaningful ways we show people that we love them: by showing up. whether it’s catching a late-night bus, sitting in the audience at a friend’s performance, travelling across the city for a coffee, or simply being...
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more than my story
in this episode of the quiet fire, i wanted to explore what it feels like when people become fascinated by your story before they truly engage with your work. our backgrounds, identities, and lived experiences shape who we are, and they deserve to be honoured, but they are only one part of a much...
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feeling small in big rooms
in this episode of the quiet fire, i wanted to explore the uncomfortable experience of being surrounded by people who seem more experienced, more confident, or further along than you. whether it’s a creative room, a work environment, or a conversation that feels slightly beyond your comfort zone,...
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the stories that stay with us
in this episode of the quiet fire, i wanted to explore the power of storytelling and why the stories that stay with us are rarely the most polished or impressive ones. whether you’re creating music, writing online, building a business, or simply sharing your experiences with others, storytelling...
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when someone sees your light before you do
in this episode of the quiet fire, i wanted to explore the quiet power of being seen during a season of becoming. before confidence feels natural and before the path ahead feels certain, there are often moments when someone else recognizes something in us that we haven’t fully recognized in...
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when the dream falls apart
in this episode of the quiet fire, i wanted to explore the quiet grief that comes when the thing you wanted most doesn’t work out. whether it’s a dream, a relationship, a version of your future, or an identity you built your life around, losing something you deeply believed in can feel like…
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the craft of the portfolio career
in this episode of the quiet fire, i wanted to explore how to build a portfolio career in a world that constantly pressures us to choose one path. from creative identity and financial stability to personal branding and the fear of looking “scattered,” this conversation unpacks what it really…
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am i building a life, or hiding in one?
in this episode of the quiet fire, i wanted to explore the complicated relationship between stability, fear, and ambition. what does it mean to truly want a grounded life, and when does “playing it safe” become a form of self-protection that keeps us small? through reflections on creativity,...
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you don’t have to pick one dream
what happens when you don’t have just one dream, but many? in a world that constantly asks you to choose a single path, it can feel overwhelming to hold multiple ambitions at once. this episode of the quiet fire podcast explores what it means to be someone with many interests, many ideas, and…
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navigating the concept of home as someone who has many
in this episode of the quiet fire, i wanted to gently explore the layered, evolving concept of home, especially as someone who has experienced it in many forms, places, and people. moving beyond the idea of home as a fixed location, this conversation reflects on how home can shift over time, how…
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building a life vs. building a dream
in this episode of the quiet fire, i wanted explore the often unspoken tension between building a life and building a dream, and why it can feel like you have to choose between the two. this conversation gently unpacks the difference between the stability, routines, and relationships that support...
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do it scared.
in this episode of the quiet fire, i wanted to explore the quiet courage it takes to move forward even when fear is still present. in a world that often tells us to wait until we feel ready or confident, this conversation gently challenges the idea that fear needs to disappear before we begin....
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your relationship with ambition
in this episode of the quiet fire, i wanted to explore the evolving relationship we have with ambition, what it really means, where it comes from, and how it can both support and overwhelm us. in a world that often equates success with constant growth and productivity, this conversation gently...
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staying motivated while waiting for your dreams to come true
in this episode of the quiet fire, we explore how to stay motivated during the quiet, often challenging stretch between starting a dream and seeing it come to life. reflecting on the tension between effort and timing, this conversation unpacks the reality that while you can control how…
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why do we create?
in this episode of the quiet fire podcast, i wanted to explore the subtle shift from creating for joy to creating in order to feel useful, wanted, or valued, and how easily creativity can become tied to validation and external approval. this conversation gently unpacks the pressure…
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chasing dreams vs. wanting fame
in this week's episode, i wanted to explore the often-overlooked difference between chasing a dream and chasing fame. in a culture and society that equates visibility with success, it’s easy for creatives to feel pressure to be seen, validated, and constantly performing. this conversation gently...
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actions are loud, but words are clear
in this episode, we explore the nuanced truth that while actions often speak loudly, words can offer the clearest insight into what someone truly feels, believes, or is capable of giving. in relationships, creative work, and personal growth, we’re often told to only trust what people do, but...
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making the most of every day
in today’s episode of the podcast, i wanted to explore the gentle reminder that making the most of your day isn’t the same as doing everything all at once. in a world that constantly equates productivity with worth, this conversation unpacks the pressure to maximize every moment, the fear of...
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we're all on our own path
in today's episode, i wanted to gently explore the quiet, heavy feeling of being “behind” in life: behind your peers, your goals, or the timeline you once imagined for yourself. through reflecting on comparison, societal expectations, and the myth of linear success, this conversation invites you…
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making decisions that honour you
in today's episode, i wanted to gently explore the lifelong process of knowing yourself and making decisions that truly support who you are becoming. moving beyond surface-level self-discovery, this conversation reflects on why self-knowledge can feel uncomfortable, how to recognize your…
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the ins and outs of making friends
in today's episode of the quiet fire podcast, we gently explore the often-unspoken challenges of making friends in adulthood, especially as a creative. from why friendships feel harder to form as life gets busier, to what healthy, nourishing connection actually looks like, this conversation…
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societal norms: work edition
in today's episode, i wanted to gently unpack the societal expectations around work: from the traditional 9-5, to freelancing, to entrepreneurship, and question why certain paths are labeled as safe, risky, or brave. rather than ranking these choices, this conversation explores where these norms...
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what conflict reveals about us
today i wanted to explore the subject of conflict - not the loud, dramatic moments, but the quieter, more intimate tensions that live beneath the surface of our everyday relationships. through the lens of fight, flight, freeze, and fawn, this conversation gently unpacks how our nervous systems...
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the role that birth order plays in our creativity
today i wanted to explore how birth order can subtly shape who we become: the roles we step into, the patterns we carry, and the way we approach creativity. from firstborn responsibility to middle-child adaptability, youngest-child boldness, and the depth of the only child, this conversation…
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being creative: hobby vs. career
in today's episode, i wanted to explore the space between creativity as a hobby and creativity as a career, and what stability really means for different creatives. i wanted to share more about the pressure to monetise what we love, how to recognise whether turning your art into a job supports or...
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starting 2026 with gentle intention
in today's episode of the podcast, i want to invite you all to embrace a softer start to the new year. instead of rigid resolutions, explore the power of setting gentle intentions that focus on sustainable growth and creativity. i hope this episode provides you with insights on nurturing your...
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the art of rest
in a season that’s meant to shimmer with joy but often leaves us feeling stretched thin, this episode of the quiet fire podcast offers a gentle invitation back to yourself. as holiday noise swells, schedules fill, expectations rise, and creative energy wanes, we make space for something…
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navigating loneliness as a creative
loneliness is a quiet companion for many creatives: the long hours alone, the unseen work, the feeling that no one quite understands the path you’re on. in today's episode, we explore why creatives are especially vulnerable to loneliness, what psychology and creative history can teach us about…
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music as medicine for the creative mind
music is more than sound, it’s medicine. today, we explore the powerful ways music supports our emotional, mental, and creative wellbeing. if you’ve ever leaned on a song to carry you through a hard moment, this episode is an invitation to let music meet you exactly where you are.
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the power of rituals
today we're exploring the quiet power of rituals: the small, consistent practices that help creatives anchor themselves and enter a state of flow. if you’ve ever struggled to get started, stay focused, or feel grounded in your creative process, this episode offers gentle tools to help you…
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why creative mistakes matter
in today's episode, we explore the part of the creative journey that no one likes to talk about: failure. if you’ve been avoiding a project, grieving something that didn’t work out, or carrying the weight of perfectionism, this episode is a reminder that failure isn’t the end. it’s evidence that...
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the creative burnout cycle
in today's episode, i wanted to explore the quiet, heavy weight of creative burnout. that slow, creeping exhaustion that turns something you love into something that feels impossible. if your creative fire has been flickering, this episode is a reminder that burnout isn’t the end, it’s a signal...
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overcoming creative paralysis
in today's episode, i wanted to explore something almost every creative faces but rarely names out loud: creative paralysis. that frozen moment when the desire to create is strong, but the fear, overwhelm, or exhaustion is stronger. if you’ve been staring at a blank page or avoiding the thing you...
About this show
hey wholesome humans, welcome to the ash gracie podcast! there are lessons in all of us. there are perspectives that each and every one of us has to share, and i believe that everyone should get to tell their stories, as you never know who you can inspire! you are amazing, you are loved, and i thank you for being here :)
Hosted by
anoushka hem
Categories