Show notes
When lockdown cancelled her in-person writing retreats, bestselling author Laura Davis faced a choice: let her teaching career stall or reinvent it online.
Laura, famed for The Courage to Heal and her new memoir The Burning Light of Two Stars, challenged her own beliefs about digital learning – and discovered it could be just as transformative.
‘I didn’t think online teaching could match an in-person retreat – but I was pleasantly surprised’ – listen to Laura’s story of creative reinvention.
Episode summary
Laura Davis
Laura Davis is the co-author of the classic guide The Courage to Heal and author of the memoir The Burning Light of Two Stars. Her work has sold millions of copies in eleven languages and pioneered a pathway to healing for survivors of trauma.
For the past 25 years she has taught writing and personal transformation at retreats worldwide. When the pandemic struck, Laura boldly took her deep, intimate workshops online – proving that virtual spaces can host genuine healing.
Big ideas in this conversation
- Pivoting to virtual teaching – how to adapt deep healing work to online classes.
- The power of writing practice – using unfiltered writing and reading out loud for transformation.
- Creating and sustaining community – building intimacy and support in both in-person and online settings.
- Courage to reveal – the creative bravery required to write one’s most vulnerable truth.
Advice worth hearing in full
- Embrace the closed door – write for 20 minutes without stopping on prompt and read your words out loud.
- Create your container – establish clear guidelines for safety and self-care in online workshops.
Where next?
You can read the opening chapters of The Burning Light of Two Stars here.
And you can find out more about the book and where to buy it here.
Laura is now back to teaching in-person retreats again, as well as online classes – you can learn about all of thes at her website LauraDavis.net.
About The 21st Century Creative podcast
Hosted by creative coach and award-winning poet Mark McGuinness, The 21st Century Creative podcast helps you succeed as a creative professional amid the demands, distractions and opportunities of the 21st century.
Each episode features insights from Mark and interviews with outstanding creators – including artists, writers, performers, commercial creatives, directors, producers, entrepreneurs and other creative thought-leaders.
Make sure you receive every episode by subscribing in Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you listen.
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The post Taking Deep Work Online with Laura Davis appeared first on Creative Coach | Mark McGuinness.
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