Creative Courage: The Creative Business Podcast

Do you remember the feeling of sending the proposal and then patiently waiting to see if you won the project? What if you never had to feel like that again, and there was a better way...

In this episode, I break down why PDF proposals lose projects and what to do instead. I talk about framing, uncovering the real objections and moving people from "let me think about it" to "When do we start?" 

You can also grab a copy of my One Page Sales Framework which has been used by hundreds of creative founders to close more deals and raise prices.

Send me a message on LinkedIn and I will send you a copy back

What would it be like if you could eliminate procrastination by improving the relationship with your inner child? Sounds like  a strange concept right? That's exactly what happened to Lucio in this session.

This episode pulls back the curtain on a real coaching session. What starts as business stress quickly becomes something deeper: a childhood wound, a lonely 6‑year‑old, and a surprisingly simple way to reconnect that unlocks confidence and better decisions.

It’s honest, intimate, and practical. You’ll hear the moment Lucio meets that younger part of himself, the 5‑minute practice he commits to, and how a week later things have already shifted. Stick around; this one feels like a chat with a friend that actually helps.

Connect with Lucio on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucio-di-giacinti/ 
Connect with Matt on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattessam/ 
Apply to work with me 1:1: https://social.mattessam.co.uk/coaching

If you’ve ever found yourself choosing the "safe" path over the one you really want to pursue, this episode is for you. I break down why security is actually an illusion and how to avoid falling into the trap. 

I've personally found that the energy you bring to what you do, is far more important than what you actually do. When you choose work that lights you up, you’ll find that challenges are just temporary obstacles and opportunities show up in unexpected ways.

Consider this episode a gentle nudge to re-examine the choices you’re making: are you chasing security, or are you chasing something that lets you show up fully alive? A small but courageous decision can change everything.

I would love to know what you think of this episode. You can connect with me on Instagram @matt_essam or LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattessam/ 

PS: Next month I'm opening up five spaces to work with me 1:1. If you are interested in finding out more, send me a DM on Instagram or LinkedIn

Imagine feeling like every day is one of your best days. In this episode, I walk you through my “When Life Works” list: a handful of controllable habits and inputs that reliably make your days feel more energized, grounded, and joyful. No long rituals or 5am fads just practical, personal things you can use to see subtle but real shifts in how you feel day to day.

Give it a go and see what changes after seven days. If you enjoyed this please share this episode with a friend. 

Connect with me on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattessam/

Humans are terrible at predicting what will actually make them happy. So how do we avoid wasting years of our life chasing things that won't give us what we are actually looking for. Today I'm breaking down "goal renting", which involves deliberately testing a goal in real life before committing years of sacrifice to it. I walk through my own experiment as well as many other examples. Ultimately closing the the gap between what you think you want and what you actually want. 

You'll learn:

Why stress-testing a goal beats logically reasoning your way to it

How to compress the time between clarity and experience

A simple framework for testing big life goals (more free time, relocating, buying property) in weeks instead of years

Why the people who already have what you want are your best and most honest source of information

How I reward myself along the way to a long-term goal, instead of only at the finish line

Whether you're craving more time, eyeing a lifestyle change, or just chasing a goal you've never actually tested, this episode gives you a practical way to find out if it's really what you want.

I'm Matt Essam the business coach to creative studio founders and author of The Creative Studio Roadmap.

🎧 Subscribe for weekly episodes on courage, creativity, and building a business (and life) on your own terms.
🔗 Connect with me on LinkedIn.