The Imaginals with Ashley Wick
UNVARNISHED STORIES OF TRANSFORMATION FROM CREATIVE, WISE WOMEN
You are the co-creator of your life, but what happens when you find yourself on the precipice of change and unsure of what’s next?
The Imaginals podcast invites you to explore seminal moments of personal change. Together, we move forward, drawing wisdom and inspiration from creative and insightful women as we explore their journeys of transformation.
Imaginal cells are those responsible for a caterpillar's incredible transformation into a butterfly. In these conversations, we explore the moments of impact, the messy middles, and the most surprising elements of meaningful change.
Authentic, brave and warm, The Imaginals will inspire you to claim the center of your own story. Join host, Transformational Coach, Ashley Wick to witness how they put their whole being into action to light up the world.
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Ashley Wick has an intimate understanding of the pitfalls of perfection. Born and raised in San Francisco, she grew up in a family where high performance was the maxim. For years it served her to be the ultimate doer: a straight-A student; a Duke athlete; a Vogue Magazine executive; and founder of her own fashion PR agency. By all accounts, her efforts were propelling her toward her life’s desires. That all changed when she learned of her newborn daughter’s heart condition. She couldn’t “do” anything, she simply had to be. By processing moments of uncertainty with her own coach, she came to understand the power of working in communion with other women as a foundation for creating meaningful change. It is this framework that transformational coach Ashley Wick brings to her practice and her new podcast, The Imaginals.
The Imaginals with Ashley Wick
Indie-folk Artist Emma Rose on Creative Stagnation, Freedom, and Flow
In this intimate live episode recorded in Boulder, Colorado, host Ashley Wick sits down with 26-year-old indie-folk artist Emma Rose for a soulful, humorous conversation about creativity and resilience. Emma opens up about growing up with touring folk musician parents, her journey from playing bass in other bands to leading her own project, Sound of Honey, and the bold choice to leave the breakout bluegrass band Big Richard at its peak.
They explore the struggles of breaking through in a competitive industry, the addictive pull of constant digital connection, and the pressure to keep producing in a culture that prizes speed and visibility. Emma shares candid reflections on reclaiming the freedom to create without comparison, embracing rest, and reconnecting with her inner artist.
For creatives who feel the pressure to always be “on,” Emma’s story is a powerful invitation to slow down, tune out the noise, and come home to your own creative voice.
Stay tuned for a rare, live performance of Emma’s beloved and unreleased songs.
Chapters:
01:43 Introducing Emma Rose: A Talented Musician
03:06 Emma's Musical Journey and Family Background
05:36 Choosing Music: A Personal Decision
09:52 High School Challenges and Musical Growth
19:18 COVID-19: A Time for Reflection
21:13 The Rise and Success of Big Richard
23:30 The Rise and Fall of Big Richard
24:09 Trusting Your Gut and Making Hard Decisions
24:47 The Struggles of Life on the Road
27:22 The Impact of Social Media on Self-Worth
28:59 Navigating the Music Industry
33:12 Balancing Creativity and Spirituality
36:31 The Practice of Being an Artist
39:54 Finding Flow and Overcoming Stagnation
43:35 Final Thoughts and Recommendations
Links:
Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert
Julia Cameron’s The Artist’s Way / Morning Pages Tool
The Creative Act by Rick Rubin
With thanks to…
Jamie and Davis at Stone Cottage Studios for hosting and producing this special live episode, and to our sponsors Plantgem, Low Rider, Boulder Wine Merchant, Suerte Tequila, and Little Saints for making the evening extra special.
Ashley Links:
Finding The Current Within Retreat: https://peggymarkel.com/adventures/finding-the-current-within/
Ashley Wick Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ashleywick
The Ingenius Life Workshop: https://www.ingenius.life
Take The Leap Course: https://www.taketheleapwomen.com/
Sign up for Ashley’s newsletter for free coaching reflections, tools and news: https://view.flodesk.com/pages/643399411150f24bd562b5f5
Podcast artwork by George Bangs. Photography by Cary Jobe
This podcast is made possible thanks to our amazing partner Plantgem. Get 20% off your order when you use the code IMAGINE.