We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Michelle Magdalena Maddox a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Michelle Magdalena , so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?
There is a difference between working to pay the bills and making contact with something that your soul knows is important, not just to you but to humanity. I started on a road to purpose after watching my father die from caner when I was 19. My world view and priorities all changed when I found out that cancer is caused by our bodies genetics in the environment. I found myself suddenly shifting from a focus on being a fashion photographer to being inspired to protect our environment and ally myself everyone else doing the same. It took me on a rabbit hole of learning, activism and community building. I began to notice an invisible web of humanity and purpose tangible in the network of connections I was making following my nose for stories of purpose that would ultimately become published in my collection of stories and recipes for health in Magdalena Magazine.
As I reflect on what my purpose is, it is to bring conscious awareness and community connection to issues that support and protect the natural environment and sustainable communities of regions local to California and all around the world. Consciousness defined as something of an awareness of the higher good for all beings transmuted by means of visual and journalistic story telling and intentional experiences.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
I am the editor and publisher of a manuscript so beautiful it’s hardly a magazine, one that is so precious, it is more of a manuscript. Magdalena Magazine is a wholistic visual feast, featuring diverse leading voices in environmental stewardship to inspire hope for a new cultural awareness to be in living reciprocity with our natural world, bodies and spirits. With beautiful seamless double page spreads to inspire, all we want to sell you on is positive outlooks on necessary changes to support our existence on the planet. The magazine has been completely community supported with pre-sales, events and limited sponsored ads for aligned brands that become a resource to our readers. As a visual storyteller and fine art photographer I have long wished to find a singular home for my art and stories. My name Magdalena, which calls upon a woman’s name in Biblical history that has been so misunderstood, she seems to be the crucible of every woman’s modern day struggle to find connection, support and empowerment. Which is why so much of the Magazine’s focus is on empowered women. In supporting women, I resolve that supporting men and all genders is essential to rebuilding the many lines of division that exist in our world in a time when we are needing to come together more than ever.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Self worth. I gave so much work away for free because of the myth that you need to work for free to gain traction as an artist. I struggled for years to have stability and relied on convenient relationships instead of having independence. An old story, I think. The sooner you can take small steps to valuing yourself and what you have to offer the better. Even starting small is important!
Self Care. Rest is essential. It’s truly amazing how we can heal and bounce back but nothing dirties the relationship to your creativity like an over worked artist. I would have never believed that having more money in the bank is more important than staying in relationship with your spirit and connection to your purpose. On that note… I really need a little day trip into nowhere.
Getting to work- as much as no one would believe me when I say I am lazy I do in-fact take my time getting around to the many tasks it takes to be a business owner and creator. Research has shown that the hardest step can be the very first step but doing so proves to the universe we are ready and willing and before you know it, you have something you can be really proud of.
Is there a particular challenge you are currently facing?
As much as releasing these manuscripts has given me great purpose, I don’t think I can go on alone. I need to find brand partnerships to take this publication to the next level where I can finance a small team to keep it going with dignity. Yes this is a self worth moment! This means greater distribution and meaningful partners. This means getting help with events and social media and building a community of inspired creators to keep the stories blossoming. I would love a savvy business partner to balance out my creativity, see the purpose of the Magazine and partner with me on the business side of this beautiful creation.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.michellemagdalena.com
- Instagram: @maddfoxmagdalena
- Linkedin: Michelle-Magdalena-Maddox
Image Credits
All images ©MagdalenaMagazine2023
