'The Art of Fluffing' - Karen Creith: Interview

Karen Creith has just launched her first book, 'The Art of Fluffing.'

The coffee table book teaches the simple tips and tricks on how to style your home.

Here is the book cover:

“The Art of Fluffing is my attempt to teach all Australians, regardless of location, budget, creative direction or available resources, to really embrace their style and create their own sanctuary,” says Karen.

She adds, “Interior design is a real passion of mine. I appreciate how a space can change you. There is nothing better than coming home to a place that relaxes you, comforts you and allows you to really feel safe and carefree.”

The easy to read book encouarges learning how to establish your own style, and finding inspiration via Karen’s unique approach to styling it all up, aka "the art of fluffing", while becoming comfortable with the principals of design and executing something beautiful.

A self-made and enthusiast interior stylist and business woman from Parkes in regional NSW, Australia, Karen's aim is to educate and inspire all Australians to create their dream home – irrespective of creative direction or budget.

The opening chapters feature snippets of Karen’s own story of how she came to be a noted interior stylist, published feature writer and ultimately the editor of a magazine bearing her own name.

Here is the Josie's Juice interview with Karen:

Okay, so I consider myself to be hopeless at decorating. I just don’t have the knack. Are you saying it’s something an amateur can learn?

Yes there are certainly steps and basic rules that anyone can follow to start bringing their decorating dreams to life it is just having the confidence to make a start. Most times it is the fear of the unknown that seems to stop people in their tracks. I think with the fact that my book has so many pictures to help as visual aids that the journey should not seem as scary and will encourage that very first step to be taken.  And once you know the rules it is like you have been given a cheat sheet that will guarantee you success in all your future fluffing endeavours.

If I had $200 to spend on home updates, what would you advise I buy?

Of course the natural answer would be to find some gorgeous cushions, throw a few accent pieces in of the must have colour of the moment and instantly a living room can be freshened up and made to feel different but I would like to take another approach. I think the money would be really well spent getting advice and having a consult with a stylist. A home visit with a fresh set of eyes from a stylist may open your eyes to possibilities and styling tips and tricks that may never have even been considered before. This I think will ensure that all money spent on the pursuit of styling in the future will have you absolutely loving the results.

How would you approach a hoarder when decorating their home? Throwing out is not going to be easy…

If you can show someone the possibility of a clutter free life and the joys that can be attached to having a home that you are proud to welcome people into then the pressure of not wanting to throw away items can be lessened. I find if  I try the approach of streamlining the surfaces of one room in a home as an example for what we could achieve throughout the entire home suddenly there will be a substantial shift in thinking. And of course, we also have to get to the bottom of the hoarding issue to make sure that when I leave the problem won’t begin to develop again.

What led you to write this book? What was the catalyst for you?

The Art of Fluffing became to me a natural extension and flow on from my national magazines. They seemed to really appeal to women who have always yearned for a home that they love but felt was unachievable to them for a variety of reasons. I am very passionate that regardless of your finances it is always possible to make a huge and dramatic difference to the way you feel about your home. And if you have a home that you absolutely love to come home to each and every night then it can have such a positive and powerful flow on effect to our self esteem and the rest of the way we approach our lives. Each time I see the joy and excitement on the face of a client after we have fluffed together then I feel so humbled and touched that I have helped them bring their decorating dreams to life. I can see that they can’t wait to start enjoying and spending time in their homes and that is such a nice feeling.

What do you want most for people to get out of this book?

This book is very special to me and hopefully it will be to others as well. The fact that this book also tells my story of the amazing set of events that occurred to give me this opportunity for a career that I never would have ever dreamt possible for myself may also inspire others to just have the confidence to be themselves and to open themselves up to accepting opportunities when they are presented to you. As  women we put so much pressure on ourselves to try and achieve all our dreams at once and sometimes you just need to relax and enjoy the journey along the way.

Each and every time I receive feedback from my readers it makes me so happy and touched that they have enjoyed my advice and found it so helpful in making their homes beautiful places for them to enjoy. So if the book can provide inspiration and then help to othersI will feel a great sense of achievement.

'The Art of Fluffing', RRP $39.95, is available at selected stores and online. See www.karencreith.com.au for more details.

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'Frankie's Girl' - Christmas Cards + Profile on Sarine Badelian

Sarine Badelian knows her stuff when it comes to design. Oh, and food and drinks and fesitivities.

So, the clever art director from Sydney, Australia put all her passions together to celebrate this festive season with a bunch of gorgeous Christmas cards - in different languages!

Says Sarine: "I was searching for foreign Christmas Cards to send to relatives and couldn't find one that wasn't the traditional backdrop of the nativity scene or Santas on sleighs. I wanted to create cards that were fresh but had a handmade charm to them so I hand-drew all the lettering of traditional Christmas sayings that people could connect to. I chose Armenian and Italian as they are the backgrounds of my husband Frank (Italian) and myself, and are a small celebration of our two cultures that have come together."

And here is where you can buy them all.

Here is a preview of some of the super stylish cards:

And you can see all the rest here.

Make sure you give the Frankie's Girl Facebook page a 'like' while you are there.

And you can read more about Frankie's Girl on their etsy page here.

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Timomatic: Interview - MTV EMA Live Site at Federation Square Melbourne

Timomatic - 'Australia's Got Talent' judge and successful Australian singer/songwriter and dancer - will be headlining the MTV EMA Live Site at Federation Square, Melbourne on November 11.

He'll perform his new single 'Waterfalls' - out now - from 6pm as part of a live concert (which includes Peking Duk and The Potbelleez) to celebrate the MTV EMA (airing live on MTV).

I interviewed Timomatic - his stage name; real name 'Tim' - on his involvement with the event, plus his plans to be a global artist, and what he thinks of radio shock jock Kyle Sandilands, his fellow AGT judge.

I asked Timomatic how he felt to be nominated for the 'Worldwide Act' catergory for MTV EMAs - he's nominated for  Best Australian Act, along with Cody Simpson, Empire of the Sun, Flume, and Iggy Azalea (click here for the event promo video).

"Everything in my being is charged for being a global act, to be in the global spotlight."

When Timomatic's song appeared on 'The Ellen DeGeneres Show' (fantastic clip below), it placed him firmly on that world map:

Says Timomatic about the inclusion of his hit song 'Set It Off' on the show: "Ellen is such a massive global brand, and she has a brand that I have so much synergy with - she embraces music and pure joy and dancing, so for her to use my song on her show I feel like, yes I am doing the right thing, I am on the right track! I feel like I am 100% working towards being global."

"I think you get there by winning each moment you’re given – a small or big performance, a song... they all culminate to make you global artist.

"When Ellen played my music, that image was accessible to a lot to a people around the world. That made me so happy."

Timomatic started performing at age 18 (he's 26 now) and signed to Sony Music at age 24, after appearing as a contestant on the fifth season on the very show he is now a judge on: 'Australia's Got Talent'. Before that, the Nigerian-born Australian was a contestant on 'So You Think You Can Dance' Australia in 2009 and placed seventh in that competition. 

We all know marketing and branding is such an integral part of a music career, and Timomatic seems across how it all works. But is he being his authentic self?

"Yes. You definitely learn from mistakes. Things that may not have worked... you learn from that.

My anchor is my brand, and high energy, positivity, joy and fun – that’s me. That's what I am all about."

I asked Timomatic how he'll measure a successful performance when he sings at the MTV EMA Live Site?

"For me it’s all about the people there, and the reaction they have. For whoever sees me perform live - I want it to exceed expectations, and that's the way I can gauge it... how people react. I try to give people more than they expected.

"I love turning someone into a fan if they haven't seen me perform before.

Timomatic is certainly making in inroads in the US.

"Yes, I am," agrees Tim. "It’s a long hard road," he laughs, "But it's all about the right timing."

With the AGT final almost upon us, I ask Timomatic what has been his experience, and his expectations, throughout the show.

"I have learned so much about TV. I am learning how to articulate myself so I get to the point quickly. This is also thanks to incredible team I have sitting beside me."

Of Kyle Sandilands, the controversial 2Day FM radio host, Timomatic says the fellow judge is definitely misunderstood.

"He is a sweet guy with a big heart and he says what he means and is not afraid to be honest - it’s just the way you take it. And, if you fight him, he can fight back," he laughs.

"Dawn [French] has been incredible – a rock for me on the panel, in terms of throwing back ideas, and a great support.

"Geri [Halliwell] is a just a ball of fun; both ladies have been so open with their lives, and the ups and downs they've experienced, and they have really helped me learn about the industry.

To find out more about the MTV EMAs click here. And to vote for your favourite artists - I just did! - click right here.

Watch the ‘2013 MTV EMA’ LIVE from the new Ziggo Dome in Amsterdam on Monday November 11 at 6am Aus (or 8am NZ time) only on MTV.

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Tina Arena: Interview - Jetstar Magazine

I had the pleasure of interviewing Tina Arena for the first time in 2001.

I remember the date vividly - September 10, 2001 - because it was the day before that fateful day which changed the world, September 11.

Tina was gorgeous and charming and warm and smart. We met at Sydney's Ivy, on the second floor of the venue's 'Ivy Lounge'.

She was as open and giving in the interview as I'd hoped. And the love affair I - and millions of fellow Australians - well and truly continued.

That interview appeared in 'Cream magazine.'

I then had the opportunity to speak to Tina again last year, in line with her series of highly anticipated Australian concerts (the Sydney concert at the Sydney Opera House was something else).

That interview appeared in Jetstar magazine, as a cover story.

Here is the first part, cut and pasted from the Jetstar magazine site (click link below for more).

Tina, you continue to be an (Italo) Australian treasure.

Every single 'Young Talent Time' clip of Tina Arena on tonight's 'Sunday Night' reminded me of innocent times in the 1970s when I'd sit on the carpet in the 'old house' and watch Tina thisclose to the TV, and hear my parents talk about being SO proud to see an Italian (Sicilian, even!) on an Aussie TV show.

C'mon Italo-Aussies, you know it! Our folks would even hint that maybe, just maybe, we too could be on that show!

Tina's new album 'Reset' is out this week, as is her autobiography 'Now I Can Dance.' For more, click here.

BACK WHERE IT BEGAN

From representing Australia on the world stage, to embracing her new TV role which honours her performance roots, Tina Arena is truly a national icon

WORDS JOSIE GAGLIANO

You could kick off a story about Tina Arena citing all the obvious descriptions and accolades — cut her teeth in showbiz at age seven; a huge star in France; one of the most enduring talents of our time. But you could also start a piece on Arena highlighting she's one of the nicest, most giving, honest, funny women Australian showbiz has ever seen.

Born Filippina Lidia Arena to Sicilian immigrant parents Giuseppe and Franca in East Keilor, Victoria, 44 years ago, Tina clearly had a natural knack for entertaining from an early age. She made her TV debut on an Australian talent show called Young Talent Time (YTT) at the tender age of "seven and a half".

Arena recalls: "Our time wasn't as complicated as it is today; we were much more happy-go-lucky, nonchalant kids. It wasn't a generation of high technology and internet, so we didn't have all those 'stumbling blocks'. It was a very innocent time."

Read more here.

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Lanolips: Kirsten Carriol Interview

Have you tried Lanolips yet? You may be one of few who are yet to trial this beauty phenomenon.

Here's the Lanolips range below, and the Lanolips story. It's a very impressive, uniquely Australian one.
Lanolips was created by Kirsten Carriol. The inspiration for Lanolips came from a humble sheep farm in Lucindale, South Australia where Kirsten spent her childhood.

Lanolin (the main ingredient in the Lanolips range) is a natural substance taken from freshly shorn sheep’s wool, and it was in the farm shed where Kirsten spent her summer holidays. Couple that with her DNA professor father’s passion for using natural ingredients that really worked and you have the foundation for Kirsten’s love of lanolin ("nature’s wonder moisturiser"), and ultimately Lanolips.

Kirsten set out to create a completely natural, ultra-pure lanolin lip ointment, one that gave the best moisturisation available and that had a lush, glossy finish while remaining natural – something that didn’t exist in the cosmetics world. For six years Kirsten pestered and prodded until she created her perfect “I want to wear that formula”, a formula that was: nourishing, moisturising, comfortable wear, made her lips feel great and was based on completely natural, ultra-pure medical grade lanolin.

Kirsten is a beauty industry powerhouse, and I have known her since my days as beauty editor at Cream magazine, when she was director at her PR company Buzz Consulting. While still heading up Buzz, repping myriad high-end beauty brands, she launched Lanolips.

Here, founder/director Kirsten is interviewed by Josie's Juice on the whole phenomenon:

Josie's Juice: Tell me about how your love for lanolin came about?

Kirsten: My love for lanolin is life long, as a child I spent my school holidays at my grandparent’s sheep farm in Lucindale, South Australia. My father, who is a Professor of Genetics, swore by lanolin (which is a by-product of wool) for treating dry skin - It was literally the only ingredient he would use on my siblings and I, he truly believed it was nature’s best moisturizer and he passed that belief on to me.

How much did you commit in order to get Lanolips up and running?
Kirsten: Lanolips was six years in the making, it took years of hard-work, research, and product testing to create the perfect formula; I was turned away by many factories who could not work with a high percentage of lanolin, it took a lot of perseverance an belief in my product, but I eventually found the right factory to make my product.

There are so many different elements involved with creating a product and a brand, obviously the quality of the lanolin was the major focus for me, but I also needed to create branding assets like logos and packaging which sounds fun, but is also a slow process from beginning to end – you want it to be perfect!

What has been your proudest achievement so far for the brand?

Kirsten: I always feel really proud when I receive a letter from a happy customer; it’s a really warm and satisfying feeling to know that Lanolips has helped someone. I have received letters from customers with inexplicably dry skin as a result of undergoing radiation therapy or illness, and it is quite touching to think that it helped them so much they were compelled to write a letter.


Tell me more about how the perception of lanolin may be a little misunderstood?

Kirsten: Lanolin has been used as a skincare product in one form or another since the time of the ancient Greeks; but in more recent history it became popular for skin care companies to advertise their products as ‘lanolin free’. As a result for a long time there was a stigma attached to lanolin, consumers were educated by way of packaging that it was a ‘nasty’ ingredient that caused skin irritation. Funnily enough, there is no substantial scientific evidence to support the theory that lanolin is an allergen, if anything there is more scientific evidence to suggest it isn't. 

Lanolin is a 100% natural product of the wool industry. In nature it acts as a barrier, protecting sheep from wet and cold weather, and is extracted from the shorn fleece of a sheep after their annual shear.  Its role in skin care is very similar to the role it plays in nature, a moisturiser and protectant. Lanolin is an extraordinary natural emollient-style moisturiser and is able to imitate and augment many of the functions of human skin lipids. The moisturisation properties of lanolin itself are amazing, it can hold over 200% of its own weight of water, acting as a moisture reservoir to help maintain the hydration of the skin.

The ultra medical grade lanolin we use in Lanolips goes through a stringent refining and cleaning process; cleansing the raw lanolin of all external impurities, scent and colour, making it the purest, most natural form of lanolin available – lanolin is one of the few products that is not better organic – and the ultra pure medical grade lanolin we use is the absolute best quality lanolin you can buy in the world. 

What’s new with Lanolips...
Kirsten: This August I unveiled beautiful new illustrated boxes to house my products; I wanted something that would protect them in-store from fluorescent lights and to prevent sticky-fingers touching the products in store.

To do this I collaborated with an amazing Melbourne-based Illustrator, Sarah Hankinson, who I had discovered last year when we held an 'Artist Search' – she didn’t win that competition but I knew from her delicate and gentle entry illustration of the 101 Ointment that we would work together. I used her to create a bespoke Lanolips Christmas card last year and loved her work, so when I decided to tweak the Lanolips packaging I knew I had to work with her. 

Here are Kirsten's Lanolips ads as they have appeared on 'Mornings'. I think they are the best advertorials around. Full of all the info you'd like to know about the products, and a great rundown on the history behind the brand:

To see where Lanolips is sold in-store, and to buy Lanolips online, click here.

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'Perfect North' by Jenny Bond: Interview

When I was sent this book - 'Perfect North' by Jenny Bond - I was a little floored.

Two things. Jenny has secured a two-book contract with Hachette Australia (the Aussie arm of a huge global publisher). For a new author, this is virtually unheard of.

And second, she has been referred to as a 'modern-day Jane Austen.'

How much more excited could I get, gosh darn it!

Here is Jenny Bond:

A little tip to those reading the book: don't start reading this beauty before bedtime. It's engaging, and delicious, and so beautifully written and well researched, you're drawn in immediately and kinda don't want to let go.

The story is inspired by true events, and while ever deep love and deceit are involved, it's as compelling as you expect it to be.

The gist, and how it came to be? Best answered by the author herself.

Here, Jenny Bond answers some questions just for Josie's Juice:

Tell me about the catalyst for writing the book?

Jenny: Seventeen years ago on the day of our marriage my husband toasted his new wife with a heartfelt speech. The only part of the speech I remember is the part saluting me as his inspiration to write a novel.

Over the years, Chris has written the first two chapters of many novels. But the demands of paying the mortgage, raising a family and walking a dog have meant all the beginnings have remained without middles and endings. I have often reminded him of his words at our wedding, hoping he would be driven to action.

In 2010 I broached the subject again. Believing that my suggestion was conveyed in the most friendly and supportive of tones, I was shocked when he turned to me and said, quite crankily, “Why don’t you write a book?”

“Well, I will then,” I snapped in reply.

That was the catalyst for Perfect North.

What was the inspiration for writing the book?

Jenny: Around the same time that Chris threw down the gauntlet I came across the fascinating and tragic story of a Swedish balloon expedition to the North Pole in the late 1800s in The New Yorker magazine. It was the lunacy of the plan that gripped me the most and I thought it would be an excellent starting point for a novel. It became a story of adventure, love, loss and the people the adventurers left behind.

How do you feel now that it’s out (just released today):

Jenny: I’m thrilled that Perfect North is finally in book stores but that feeling has grown very slowly over the past few weeks. It seems so long ago that I began on the massive undertaking of writing Perfect North. Since then I have completed my second novel and begun my third so Perfect North hasn’t been on my radar for a while. But the excitement I have felt from my publisher, friends and family has rubbed off on me. Likewise, discussing the novel and the characters again with journalists has rekindled my absolute delight in the tale.

Who would you like to have read the book?

Jenny: I’d love to have Steven Spielberg read Perfect North. It seems like a story that would be right up his alley – adventure/romance/mystery. It would make a fantastic summer blockbuster! We can always hope, yes?

YES! What do you hope the reader gets from reading the book?

Jenny: I hope, first and foremost, that readers will simply enjoy reading Perfect North. I hope the characters resonate with them long after they’ve finished reading as they still resonate with me.

Here is the beautiful book cover:

Follow Jenny Bond's journey, plus Jenny's tips on the book writing process, and much more, right here.

Perfect North is on sale now, at bookstores and Big W outlets across Australia and NZ.

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Ross Matthews: 'Hello Ross' on E! - Interview

E! Favourite Ross Mathews Brings His Over-the-Top Love for All Things Pop Culture to New Series 'Hello Ross'.


The Australian premiere date is Saturday, September 7 at 9.30pm, soon after it airs in the US - 'Express From the US' as is Foxtel's tagline.

I was given the opportunity to interview Ross this week in the lead up to the global debut of his show.

Ross was as affable, lovable, smart, genuine, and adorable as you'd imagine, and added some fabulous words of wisdom and strong convictions about life. It's hard not to warm to Ross.

Here's my Josie's Juice blog interview with Ross Matthews:

Josie's Juice: So, set the scene: where are you right now?

Ross Matthews: I'm in my office at Universal Studios in Hollywood, where we're shooting my talk show. Even saying it out loud is just like, I can't even believe it!

JJ: It must be a massive dream come true for you!

RM: It is! Even growing up as a kid in a farm town I always wanted to be a talk show host. I remember being eight years old and telling my mom, "I want to be a talk show host", because I wanted to meet celebrities - but not just meet them, but also have a conversations with them.

Every decision I've made since I was eight years old has been to get here. And now to be here is like... it's very thrilling! But now, more than ever, it's like, let's get to work!



JJ: I mean, how can anyone not love you?

RM: To have confidence when you're like me - and I am a big gay cartoon of a person - you're going to have to be 1000% in, and never apologise, and just go forward and that's what I am good at.

The subtitle of my book 'Man Up' is 'Tales of My Delusional Self-Confidence' and I really mean that. I just kind of go forward and it's all about fun and positivity and like, everyone just hop on if you like it, come on board!

Having faith in you, I think - not to be all hippy dizzy about it - but I just think, "Why not me?" I shouldn't have ever thought this should have ever have happened to me, but I thought, "Why not me?!"

JJ: I love that. That is honestly my credo too! I'd imagine you'd inspire men, young gay men, and young people in geveral all the time?

RM: Absolutely. And my story is not just a gay story. I define 'man up' - the title of my book - as embracing and celebrating what makes you different, so you stand out from the crowd. So, my story is not just a gay story, it's a universal story of self acceptance. Because we all have something, we all have that thing that makes us different that we're ashamed of. Some of us have three or four (laughs). I have... well, I can give you a list!

At a certain point, it's... I can hate myself or I can love myself, and go 1000% and that's what I've done, and I think that's really resonated with the auduence. And, I am so excited - I am such a fan of pop culture, and that's what 'Hello Ross' the show is about. It really is a place for pop culture, because I love the stuff, you love this stuff, let's talk about it.

JJ: So tell me, what can we expect from the show?

RM: My show is for the super fans. There are so many shows that tear down pop culture, and say, "Isn't she lame?!" My show is more like, "I love this stuff, you love this stuff, let's talk about it. My co-shot on the show is the audience. It's built in the round. So when we're talking about the biggest stories of the week, I will be talking to the audience in the studio.

And when we have a guest on the show, the studio audience can ask them questions. And it's not just limited here to Hollywood - we will be video chatting to people from across the world, so people in Australia, New Zealand, Germany, all around the world... people can ask the biggest stars in the world their question.

When I say it's about pop culture and people coming together, I mean it! 

JJ: This really follows the way pop culture is manifested these day: it's propelled by social media.

RM: Yes! I remember when I was a kid and I said I wanna be talk show host, I would watch talk shows and I would watch Rosie (O'Donnell) and Oprah... and I would talk to the TV and I would think, why can't they hear me, and in 2013, we can!

So there's no reason that the people can't be a part of the show.

You can't reinvent the wheel of a talk show, I knew that early on, but what you can do is bring your perspective and your piont of view. And everyhing I bring into this, not only is it new and fresh, and - I think - really needed in pop culture, but it's authentic, it really is.

These are the conversations I'm having wth people anyway, and we're just opening it up to the rest of the world. You know, I took my entire staff to see the 'One Direction' documenary and we sat around afterwards and just talked about it, and debated who is the best one and who is the cutest, and what is the best song (laughs). And that's what this show is going to be about.

JJ: I agree. This are what we about now. We can talk politics and important issues, but we also talk about Miley Cyrus and what Kim Kardashian's baby looks like.

JJ: So how can people in Australia, and around the world take part?

RM: To take part, follow us on Twitter and tweet us, or go to the 'Hello Ross' website and leave messages... we are scouring social media all the time.

When we know we're going to talk about Lady Gaga, we are scouring Lady Gaga's website, and fan forums - we don't want the fans here in the audience to be straight out of casting central; we want these people to be running Iloveladygaga.com... we want these people to really care and be having this dailogue anyway and we're just giving them a platform.

JJ: You just know 'Hello Ross' will do what it says it will: deliver fun, discussion, and a huge dose of pop culture to those who love this stuff. I am thrilled for you.

RM: I feel that, and I feel people really rooting for us and I will deliver, I promise you.

Screen details are below for 'Hello Ross.Universally been adored for his appearances on 'The Tonight Show with Jay Leno', 'Chelsea Lately', and E!’s red carpet coverage, and now, Ross will give viewers a fresh take on the latest news from Hollywood.

Here is the latest teaser promo for the first show:



And here is an interview with Ross on 'The Better Show' on US TV:



'Hello Ross' premieres express from the US on Saturday, September 7 at 9:30pm AEST only on E! (E! is available on Foxtel on Channel 121)

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Kirsty Spraggon: 'The Next Oprah'

Kirsty Spraggon is a name to remember. She's an Australian woman making huge inroads in the US. Here's Kirsty:

I saw this clip on the weekend 'Today' show in Australia recently, and was very keen to know more about her:



So... I popped her a line. And I was introduced to the warm, engaging, friendly and super-inspiring world of Kirsty Spraggon.

I mean, anyone dubed "The Next Oprah" - who happens to be an Aussie - is important on my radar.

I interviewed Kirsty just for Josie's Juice on her journey so far. Here's what she said:

Josie's Juice: Tell me about the journey that led you from Perth to Sydney?

Kirsty Spraggon: October 3rd, 2007, and it’s a glorious sunny day in Perth. I am out by the lake running and “destination unknown” is playing on my ipod. I am singing while I run with my hands in the air. I feel so free and I don’t have a care in the world.

A week before my life had changed and change can happen in seconds, moments, days or years but for me it happened in seconds. There I was at the height of my career in real estate at the top of my field, ranked in the top 1 percent globally and I was living the dream. I had a successful career. I had invested we’ll from a young age. I had a gorgeous convertible, so hot! I was traveling the world while having three months off a year and most importantly I was able to contribute back through charity work. Yet I wasn’t completely happy I had this niggling feeling that something was missing. I felt I wasn’t living my purpose.

As I was sitting in a hotel room in Melbourne, I asked myself the question: "What could you change in your life?".  So I started writing on the hotel pad. What if I decided to follow my dream. What would need to change. It may sound strange but I had never thought about other options. I think sometimes we can get stuck in a box. A role in life or a certain identity and thats how we see ourselves or how other people see us. I was Kirsty the successful real estate agent. When I started to think about it what I realised was I had other options, other choices. Within seconds my life changed as I realised the possibilities and the opportunities I had available to me.

I made the decision to take a risk, a leap of faith and believe in me. To go and live my purpose I felt so strongly drawn to. To become a speaker, author and TV host. I returned home two days later and resigned before I could change my mind. It has been the most extraordinary journey. Not a day goes by when I dont feel exhilarated and challenged. I have no regrets and am so glad I took that leap of faith. It was life changing.

And the journey from Sydney to the US?

Once I got to Sydney I started to feel like I was supposed to go to America but I didn’t feel emotionally ready. As much as  I had no regrets. Dont get me wrong it hadn’t been easy. There had been plenty of tears. Leaving everything I knew, my family, friends, home and going from the pinnacle of my success back to the bottom of the food chain. Starting all over again. It was the most challenging difficult time for me but out of that comes strength, resilience, learning and growth. I learned what I am capable of.

So once I felt strong enough to make the next jump. I did.

 It’s been 18 months since I sold everything I owned, at the height of my career in Australia and moved across the planet with 2 suitcases to Los Angeles, or “Lala Land” as some like to call it to build a talkshow.

What was the catalyst for you to head into the journey you are on now?

I can’t really explain it in any way other than to say I felt divinely guided. Where other career moves have really been jobs & work in some way or another the inner drive around this felt more like a calling, an inner knowing that this was what I was supposed to be doing. That sense was what gave me the initial momentum to just do it.

I wish that sentence was longer, more profound and not as easy for people to throw away because that cliche is gold! Keep in mind that I am not super human and building a show without any experience as a host, or interviewer and no camera training whatsoever, has left me paralysed with fear at times.

If I were to sum up my toughest times, I would say that Sir Edmund Hillary said it best, “It’s not the mountains we conquer, but ourselves.”  It really has been about conquering myself emotionally and mentally.  

What keeps me going at even the most challenging of times is that ‘inner knowing’ that this is what I am supposed to do, an inner guidance that keeps pushing me forwards.

I saw you on Today show in Australia dubbed as 'The Next Oprah'. What does this tag mean to you?

I think it is a huge compliment  that Oprah has left such a mark on the talk show space that anyone entering in, is always compared.

However there is only one ‘O’ and I plan to be the "Next Kirsty". I am a huge Oprah fan and can only hope to have half the career she has had. Oprah has conducted over 30,000 interviews over a 25 year career. I on the other hand, am just at the beginning of my journey. I certainly hope to follow in her footsteps in terms of sharing meaningful stories that are important to tell and help people heal.

I hope to look back one day & to have left a legacy such as Oprah's and to have made such a difference in the world is something I certainly aspire to.

What’s happening with you right now – explain to those who are unfamiliar with you.

We’ll we launched 10 weeks ago now. We are on our 10th interview up and we share 1 story a

week an interview with a guest, a couch group discussion on the topic and an expert

conversation. Every week our number of viewers grows at warp speed, it has been such an

exciting time.

We have been filming in my apartment I started with 2 camera guys and now have a small crew of 7.

There are over 80 interviews available online. I have chatted with everyone from celebrities to experts, speakers, authors and every day people whom all share thier personal stories.

New videos go up every Tuesday and Thursday (Los Angeles time) at 3pm. Our channel is at http://www.youtube.com/KirstySpraggonTV

What’s your plan for the next 12 months?

The show is constantly evolving as I learn and grow. I would love to go live on air with a 1 hour

format. One of the biggest plans is to partner with a corporate sponsor so that we can start

filming in a studio and have live audiences to the show, where guests can interact with the

audience.

What do you ultimately hope to achieve? 

We are all about the power of sharing stories. I believe when people share their stories they

heal themselves and they heal others. So I want to help people heal.

My hope is that people will feel less alone, and see themselves in someone elses story. I want

for everyone to be at peace with who they are warts and all and to learn, grow and heal.

You can connect on several platforms with Kirsty:

Sign up to her website: http://www.kirstytv.com/

Subscribe to her YouTube channel: http://www.youtube.com/KirstySpraggonTV

Like her on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KirstyTV

Tweet her on Twitter: https://twitter.com/KirstyTV

Follow her on Google + here: gplus.to/KirstyTV

Here are some pics of Kirsty red carpets, on the interview couch, and on our TVs:

Kirsty with Oprah's partner Stedman Graham 

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