Phil Morphew is his journey. He is living the life many would love the courage to lead. He is creative, compassionate and intelligent but more than that he shows empathy to his fellow human beings.

And during this interview Phil courageously shares his darkest moments. He shares those challenges with truth and sincerity.  I respect him for “opening up” – and hanging his washing on the line for all of us to see. Phil is a human being like us – if he can do – so can we. We are all learning.

He encourages others to grab their gifts and use them. For many, fear keeps us trapped. The fear of rejection, ridicule, failure or the fear of success.

Sadly many of us today are on somebody’s else’s journey – the decisions that change our lives are made by others.

The Fire of Desire – Phil Morphew

Phil uses this phrase with passion. And listening to the interview you’ll discover that he leads the life he encourages others to lead. Passion wins Olympic Medals. Passion gets us out of bed earlier than others. Passion means fighting for what we believe.

The Tribe

Phil Morphew talks about surrounding ourselves with members of our tribe. This doesn’t mean family. It’s the people we connect with who help us grow and challenge us. The people who walk a similar walk.

 Phil’s Favourite Books

Most people will share the “usual suspects” but Phil’s favourite three are from the library of the ancients. This wisdom has been around for longer than most of us have been alive – urging us to find that special thing within.

As a Man Thinketh – James Allen (1902)

The Game of Life – Florence Scovel Shinn (1921)

In Tune with the Infinite – Ralph Waldo Trine (1892)

Never Give Up

Phil Morphew shares this over and over. Never to give up on our dreams. Phil believes our education system doesn’t allow kids to follow their passion. He should know – he was told by his teacher to be “realistic”.

He was. He kept that teacher’s negativity as a sign.  His interpretation of “realistic” was to “believe”. He still does.

Gale Collins bought the Black Queen in Lightning Ridge over a decade ago. And what a journey it has taken her on.

Gale originally from the US was leading a normal life with her husband and looking forward to retirement after a career in design. They went north on long service holidays. The journey Cobbitty to Cairns. But a friend suggested they visit the Black Queen in Lightning Ridge on route. Gale was horrified when she saw the town – in fact, she thought it was disgusting and wondered why anyone would want to live there.

Gale Collins – Serendipity or Mystical?

Joan Collins a breast cancer survivor who built the Black Queen invited Gale and her husband inside.  Gale stood in the Black Queen and froze. Since she was 19 she had been having a recurring dream – now she was standing in that dream. Her dreams took her to a place full of coloured circles and patterns.   And right there and then Gale was standing in a room filled with coloured circles and patterns.The Black Queen was built from 14,000 bottles – and the reflections and patterns send Gale into a frenzy. She bought the place immediately – her husband thought she was mad.

The Black Queen – Back to Life

Together they refurbished the place that had gone into disrepair. The white ants had wanted full control – but were soon evicted.

Gale Collins is a person who does things. So Gale and Roger left work and put their energies into creating something with the Black Queen. Today it is a major tourist attraction. And why?

Gale wrote a play. She was not a playwright.  But she scribed three acts. Two acts are about Joan’s journey building the Black Queen. And the third is about the old bottles they have collected – some over 4,000 years old.

Gale started acting. She was not an actor. But created a routine. And for six months in the winter she performs the play and tells the story. Some say the spirit of Joan takes over and leads you on her journey.

One Decision – Many Journeys

Gale and Roger never made it to Cairns. Gale drove Joan back to Sydney. Roger drove their car back to Sydney. And their whole new adventure started.

Joan passed on a few years later. Knowing that her Black Queen had taken a new lease on life. Thanks to Gale Collins.

You may have passed Sarah Allen in the street and not given her a glance. She is your average teenager with an infectious smile. But that wasn’t why I asked her to come into the studio for an interview.  She had 56 million hits on her youtube video – Girl with a Funny Talent.

Some time ago a video of mine had jumped ten thousand youtube hits in a week and I was quite excited. It is called – Secrets to Hanging the Wash Correctly.  The local paper did a story and I was quite beside myself.

Until I met Sarah and was quickly brought back to earth. I held my head in shame at only have 55k hits to her 55 Million.

How 36 Seconds made Sarah Allen a Worldwide Star

Young Sarah Allen had seen a television commercial where a girl moved her eyebrows in a strange way. That commercial has special effects to make it work. But Sarah practiced in the mirror until she mastered the art. A friend did a video and put it up on his account. It was shot in a local library and went for 36 seconds. Just a fun thing. Then it started climbing. And climbing.

Sarah says the music in the background (copyright) prevents them from making money. Here is the radio interview with Sarah.

The Music Career of Sarah Allen

Sarah has appeared on Australia’s Got Talent with a few friends and is studying at JMA. She also has a manager who took her to Japan to appear on a program “Unbelievable”.

Sarah Allen’s future looks pretty bright. She’s writing, recording, acting and ferociously making youtube videos – she knows the value of PR.

Here is her official youtube channel.