Your Life Is Your Own (and other hards truths about backing yourself)

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What do you do when you have a burning dream, two kids depending on you, and absolutely no safety net? You ship it anyway.

Jessica Mudditt knows a thing or two about backing yourself when the stakes are high. As a journalist who spent a decade navigating international media across London, Bangladesh, and Myanmar—including being the only foreign journalist at a propaganda newspaper during Myanmar's most politically volatile period—Jess has faced real danger and lived to tell the tale.

Now she's channeling that same fearless energy into revolutionising the publishing world as founder of hybrid publishing company Hembury Books, proving that sometimes the best business decisions come from those who've already stared down genuine fear.

In this raw and inspiring conversation, Jess shares why she started her business the day after her father's funeral, how living through political uncertainty taught her to distinguish between real danger and limiting beliefs, and why her motto "ship it" has become the foundation of everything she does.

This isn't just another entrepreneur success story—it's a masterclass in resilience, risk-taking, and what it really means to make your life your own.

Website - ⁠Hembury Books⁠Instagram - ⁠@hembury_books⁠Books: Available on Amazon and Booktopia

• Oliver Berkman's "Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals"

If this episode resonated with you:

1. Ask yourself: What's the one thing you've been waiting to start? What would "shipping it" look like for you?
2. Try Jessica's fear test: Will you remember this decision in five years? If yes, it's worth the nerves.
3. Remember: Your life is your own. What would you do if you truly believed that?

Ready to take the next step? Book a discovery call with Danielle to explore what's possible when you finally back yourself.

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Share with someone who needs to hear Jessica's story—because sometimes we all need permission to make our lives our own.

00:00 Welcome and Introduction

01:03 Taking the Leap: From Freelance Journalism to Publishing

02:18 The Birth of Hembury Books

03:58 Overcoming Challenges and Finding Success

05:01 The Importance of Iteration and Risk-Taking

06:19 Personal Journey and High-Risk Appetite

11:06 Experiences in Myanmar

23:48 Navigating Financial Anxiety as an Entrepreneur

27:33 Resilience and Self-Kindness

30:30 Disrupting the Publishing Industry

35:13 Final Thoughts and Encouragement