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Some of the most interesting and inspiring stories I’ve heard are about people’s creative journeys and what they’ve learned along the way. The world needs to hear more of those stories, and now you can hear them on the Follow Your Curiosity podcast. Twice a month, you’ll hear a new interview where we delve into one person’s creative journey. Some of these folks will be better known than others, but they’ll all hold up a mirror to the importance of creative endeavor in every life. In the alternating weeks, you’ll hear short Creative Pep Talk episodes where I feature a creativity tool or tip to help you keep your creative energy flowing. You’ll find something you can use in every episode of Follow Your Curiosity!
Episodes
Wednesday Jun 04, 2025
Wednesday Jun 04, 2025
Writer, teacher, and humanitarian aid worker Alex Poppe joined me last year to talk about her journey from acting to teaching to writing, and how her experiences abroad influenced her journey. She returns to the show today to talk about her new memoir, Breakfast Wine, which chronicles her time teaching in Iraq. We also talk about what we each learned from living abroad at different ages and for different amounts of time, the special magic of teaching teens and young adults, and the way the arts teach us empathy and are a uniquely human way to give life meaning. Alex, who worked for USAID, also gives us a glimpse of the power of humanitarian aid around the world.
Episode breakdown:
00:00 Introduction
04:18 Teaching international students changes perceptions about other cultures.
08:16 Political divisions and cultural nuances within Iraq explained.
12:26 Americans are insulated from ongoing events in Iraq.
16:09 Motivations for living abroad differ by age and situation.
20:47 Financial reasons and curiosity drive educators to work overseas.
24:39 The emotional impact of teaching youth in conflict regions.
28:14 Teachers and students mutually influence each other's lives deeply.
32:34 Adjusting to working with USAID and NGO environments.
36:00 Culture shock of returning to the US after years abroad.
40:26 Living abroad changes your outlook and maturity in many ways.
44:11 Encountering anti-American sentiment versus curiosity abroad.
48:09 The arts foster empathy and human connection in society.
52:28 Creative collaboration and failing exuberantly in brainstorming sessions.
56:01 The writing process of Breakfast Wine was messy and surprising.
01:03:34 Personal journey revealed through the writing process.
If you enjoyed our conversation, I hope you’ll share it with a friend.
Check out the full show notes (now including transcripts!) at fycuriosity.com, and connect with me and fellow creatives on Substack.
Please leave a review for this episode—it’s really easy and will only take a minute, and it really helps me reach new listeners. Thanks!
If you’ve been tearing up when you encounter other people’s art because you’ve lost touch with your own, we should talk.
Wednesday Mar 13, 2024
Wednesday Mar 13, 2024
Alex Poppe decided when she was in her 20s to leave her corporate job and become an actor, with no acting experience at all. After acting for 12 years, she followed her travel instincts, becoming certified to teach English overseas and moving to multiple countries, including Iraq, to pursue teaching and humanitarian work, and writing. Alex is the author of four works of fiction: Duende, Jinwar and Other Stories, Moxie, and Girl, World. Her writing has won numerous awards, including the International Book Award, Reader’s Choice Book Award, and a 35 over 35 Debut Book Award. Alex tells me about her decision to become an actor, how she made the move into teaching abroad—and what she’s learned from both experiences—how her time abroad has influenced her writing, and more.
Episode breakdown:
05:28 16 years teaching, actor training influences writing.
09:55 Networking in theater leads to humanitarian aid.
15:13 Teaching experiences in Middle East were heartfelt.
17:59 Studied and worked in Erbil and Germany.
21:55 Children witnessing war, finding innocence amid turmoil.
25:40 Homesickness, friendships, and social pressures at boarding school.
32:42 Shocked friend describes disturbing bar experience.
33:30 A shocking experience inspired her book writing.
37:14 Returned to the States, started writing in 2010.
41:49 Lyrical book with dense language.
47:30 Exploring character, tone, and emotion in writing.
51:56 Navigating uncertainty in creative process with flexibility.
55:33 Book inspired by old photo, friendship celebration.
Check out the full show notes at fycuriosity.com, and connect with me and fellow creatives on Substack.
Please leave a review for this episode and in it, tell us about a time when you took a risk.
If you enjoyed our conversation, I hope you’ll share it with a friend.
Want more? Here's a handy playlist with all my previous interviews with guests in writing.