In this episode of The Journey : In Conversation, we sit down with Phil Bean—author, father, and creator of things—to explore the evolution of a creative journey that began in kitchens and led to bookshelves.

Phil shares how blogging during his solo travels in China sparked a lifelong creative practice. From navigating the publishing world with a rhyming children’s book to learning how to balance artistic integrity with the realities of self-promotion, Phil offers vulnerable and insightful reflections on how to just start—and how to keep going.

We explore :

• Why accountability to strangers can be more motivating than feedback from friends
• The 80% rule, and why perfectionism kills momentum
• What it really takes to self-publish a book (spoiler : it’s more than writing)
• How kids, collaborators, and creative tools (even AI!) can help unblock your brain
• The difference between writing for yourself and writing for recognition

This episode is a must-watch for anyone considering making the leap into writing, blogging, or publishing. Phil’s message? Do it for you—and don’t wait for permission.

Read the full post or listen to the podcast edition here : https://6catalysts.substack.com/p/in-conversation-with-phil-bean