Meet Madeleine Goforth

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Madeleine Goforth. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Madeleine, so excited to have you with us today and we are really interested in hearing your thoughts about how folks can develop their empathy? In our experience, most folks want to be empathic towards others, but in a world where we are often only surrounded by people who are very similar to us, it can sometimes be a challenge to develop empathy for others who might not be as similar to us. Any thoughts or advice?

I was always a deeply perceiving child, but didn’t know until I grew up that there is a term for it. Highly Sensitive People (or HSPs) have a biological trait called “sensory processing sensitivity”-it’s literally hardwired. They notice everything and make more connections between all they take in than neurotypical people. Often drawn to the arts, music, and medicine, these are people that see below the surface and think and feel things deeply.

I built my empathy muscle first through reading books. My library card was like a credit card with no limit! When I found acting, it was the perfect expression channel to continue exploring what makes us human. I started my studies as a psychology major, then worked as a licensed massage therapist, then finished college with a B.S. in Film & Digital Media. Empathy is at the top of the list when it comes to acting, interviewing, and writing. You have to be able to put yourself in someone else’s shoes, whether it’s a character you’re playing, helping a patient in pain, or a client you’re consulting.

With one foot in health and wellness and the other in the creative, my empathy was once something that overwhelmed me. Now, I see it for the gift that it is.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

My path has been more of a spiral than a straight line, but with the same thread. I’ve been a writer since I could read, but didn’t understand the influence our words have until later. What we say, to ourselves and to our clients, truly matters. My business, Blue Quill Creative, is directly inspired by my love of stories on paper and on screen. As an Archetype Copywriter, I help soulful small businesses and creatives match their copy with their calling online. With the rise of AI, stories that speak to humans, not just algorithms, are vital for businesses to have longevity.

Why archetypes? Because they’re something people immediately connect with whether they realize it or not. Archetypes are symbols or characters that recur throughout mythology, literature, and films, recognized enough to be universal concepts. In other words, they’re the secret sauce of writers, film directors, AND business owners who make their audience feel things. Identifying the “character” behind your brand is vital for copywriting clarity, and that’s why archetypes inform my process. When you’re crystal clear about the archetype that aligns with your business, you can be specific in your marketing around it.

I’ve been writing conversion (sales) copy and marketing video scripts for 8 plus years, and love working with people who want to make the world a better place. Websites, landing/sales pages, marketing emails, and online videos are my sweet spot. I’ve even served as a beta reader for 3 nonfiction books, all in different stages of publishing. Over the years, I’ve worked with video production companies, keynote speakers, social workers, and artists. They span industries, but all have the same thing in common; they put their heart and soul into their work, and that’s the kind of energy we need more of.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

The top three qualities I’ve honed as a creative and a business owner are courage, clarity, and expression. Courage, because you have to take that initial leap to explore what’s calling you. It’s scary and it’s exhilarating. After the exploration phase comes clarity: do you really want to go for it, whatever that “it” is? It might be writing your own music or starting that side venture you can’t get out of your head. Then comes expression: you have to actually go do the thing! You take the idea and bring it to life. The words become song lyrics, and the clay you’ve been spinning becomes mugs for sale in a corner shop window.

As for advice, follow your fascination and see where it leads you. Ikigai is a Japanese concept that blends two words, “iki” meaning “to live” and “gai” meaning “to reason”, translating to “a reason to live.” It’s where four categories overlap: what you love (your passion), what the world needs (the market), what you are good at (your vocation), and what you can get paid for (your profession). If you take what you’re naturally skilled at and identify where it might be needed as a service, that’s a realistic way to find purpose in your work. I believe that our gifts are given to us for a reason, and while they might not always lead to income, they are always worth pursuing. I count myself lucky that I truly enjoy writing, and copywriting is a much-needed service for businesses in every stage of growth.

Tell us what your ideal client would be like?

Soulful small businesses and creative entrepreneurs are my tribe. If you help people feel better with your services + products, value ethical marketing, and your business is also your calling, we should chat. Bonus points if you measure success not solely by income, but in the relationships you build and the lives you touch.

I’ve come full circle from healing arts professional, to patient with a debilitating diagnosis, to helping those who helped me recover, mind and body. That’s why I’m passionate about working with healers, helpers, and artists. You might be a therapist, yoga teacher, holistic healthcare provider, photographer, graphic designer, or course creator. Whatever your title, if you do it with intention, I salute you, because the world needs your medicine. It’s deeply meaningful to help my clients identify their archetype, crystallize their message, and expand their reach. If you’d like to connect, send me an email: I’d love to get to know you and explore what working together would look like.

I’ll leave you with this quote, which brilliantly encapsulates the types of clients I serve.

“The universe buries strange jewels deep within us all and then stands back to see if we can find them. The hunt to uncover those jewels, that’s creative living. The courage to go on that hunt in the first place, that’s what separates a mundane existence from a more enchanted one.”
~Elizabeth Gilbert (Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear)

Contact Info:

Image Credits

Anna Enger Rich, High Shoals Photography, Orchard Photo

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