People talk about manifestation as a thing that you can just think into existence. Unfortunately, it’s not that easy. When it comes to making your creative dreams come true, what really matters is putting yourself in a position to thoughtfully and intelligently take advantage of the opportunities presented to you. And sometimes these opportunities show up in very unexpected ways.
We’re Heather Vickery and Alan Seales, two perfect strangers who met by chance and embraced opportunity! Listen in as we chat with other successful people about the risks they took, and continue taking, to put themselves on a path to creative success.
WAS IT CHANCE? The podcast about embracing opportunity and taking intentional risks for your creative life.
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#95 - Tad Stoermer: The Founding Fathers Were Not Your Heroes
Episode 95
Tuesday, August 5, 2025 • Duration 01:21:31
In this deeply compelling and eye-opening episode, we sat down with historian and viral TikTok creator Tad Stoermer, whose work dismantles the "Patriot Myth" and reimagines the American narrative. With a resume that includes Colonial Williamsburg, Johns Hopkins, Harvard, and a PhD in history, Tad is anything but your typical academic. We unpack how his journey from Capitol Hill to the classroom — and eventually to social media — led him to challenge everything he’d been taught about the founding of the United States. His powerful deconstruction of the sanitized version of history we’ve all been fed is nothing short of radical truth-telling.
Tad’s upcoming book, Resistance: A History of the United States, aims to reframe the American story through the lens of those who have fought back — often at great personal cost — in the name of equity and justice. In this episode, we dig into why real resistance isn’t about fast wins, how joy itself can be an act of rebellion, and why he believes the stories we’ve erased are actually where the real American heroes live. Oh, and we talk about why Alexander Hamilton might’ve been, well, kind of an asshole. You’ll laugh, you’ll gasp, and you’ll walk away changed.
CONNECT WITH TAD:
📚 Look out for this book: Resistance: A History of the United States (March 2026)
📱 TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, Patreon, and Substack: @tadstoermer
CONNECT WITH US:
📩 Email us at wasitchancepodcast@gmail.com
🎧 Follow Was It Chance? on your favorite podcast platform
📱 Connect with us on TikTok and LinkedIn
✨ More about Heather at her website, subscribe to her Substack and on LinkedIn, YouTube, and more
EPISODE TAKEAWAYS:
The “Patriot Myth” isn’t just a distortion — it’s a strategic narrative rooted in exclusion.
Real resistance is a long game, not a quick fix.
Deconstructing history means challenging your own education.
Joy, creativity, and curiosity are essential tools of resistance.
TikTok might be the most unexpected — and effective — classroom in America right now.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
#94 - Victoria Christopher Murray: An Overnight Sensation After 25 Years
Episode 94
Tuesday, July 22, 2025 • Duration 54:18
Victoria Christopher Murray always knew she was born to be a writer—she was literally introduced as one at the age of seven when her second-grade class performed her first play. That moment sparked a lifelong passion, even if it took decades to pursue professionally. Now a New York Times bestselling author with more than 30 books under her belt, Victoria’s work blends powerful storytelling with faith, moral conflict, and deeply rooted historical truths. Her historical fiction—including the breathtaking Harlem Rhapsody—shines a light on extraordinary Black women who have been erased from the pages of history.
In this candid, funny, and deeply moving conversation, Victoria shares the circuitous path that led her from corporate success to full-time author, the invaluable support of her late husband, and how she guerrilla-marketed her way into a major publishing deal. She talks about the creative joy (and challenge!) of co-authoring with Marie Benedict, immersing herself in research by living in Harlem, and her unwavering belief that it’s never too late to chase your purpose. Victoria’s art is her resistance, and this episode is full of wisdom, inspiration, and a little bit of magic.
Connect with Victoria:
📚 Website: victoriachristophermurray.com
📘 Instagram & Facebook: @victoriachristophermurray
🎬 Watch her Lifetime movies based on The Seven Deadly Sins series
📖 Read Harlem Rhapsody, The Personal Librarian, and more wherever books are sold
Connect with us:
📩 Email us at wasitchancepodcast@gmail.com
🎧 Follow Was It Chance? on your favorite podcast platform
📱 Connect with us on TikTok and LinkedIn
✨ More about Heather at her website, subscribe to her Substack and on LinkedIn, YouTube, and more
EPISODE TAKEAWAYS
You can’t write a book in your head—start with just one word a day
History untold is history erased—write what deserves to be remembered
Your dream isn't just for you; it's meant to serve and inspire others
It’s never too late: Victoria hit the NYT bestseller list at 65
Mistakes ≠ failure—learning from them is how we grow
Guerrilla marketing 101: postcards, bookstores, and creative hustle
Collaboration can unlock new creative superpowers
Your path may not be linear—but it's always right on time
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
#93 - Laura Wood: Therapy, Romance, and Embracing the Chaos
Episode 93
Tuesday, July 8, 2025 • Duration 01:21:16
This week’s guest is the brilliantly charming and very British Laura Wood — author of 17 (yes, seventeen!) books including her newest adult rom-com, Let’s Make a Scene. Laura is a screenwriter, novelist, unapologetic romantic, and former PhD student whose creative journey started as the ultimate procrastination project. In this episode, we dig into how a last-minute writing contest entry changed her entire life, the difference between writing for adults and young readers, and why procrastination might just be a secret creative superpower.
Laura opens up about her writing process (spoiler: she’s a speed demon), her love of dual timelines, and what it really takes to create effortless, seamless storytelling. We also get into why blank pages are terrifying, how she structures her novels like a mad genius, and how therapy — both real and fictional — shapes her characters. This conversation is part author confessional, part comedy, and part creative masterclass. Also, someone please get Laura to Costa Rica.
Connect with Laura:
📚 Check out her latest book Let’s Make a Scene
🌐 More about Laura: https://laurawoodauthor.com
📸 Follow her on Instagram: @lauraclarewood
Connect with the Hosts & Show:
📩 Email us at wasitchancepodcast@gmail.com🎧 Follow Was It Chance? on your favorite podcast platform
📱 Connect with us on TikTok and LinkedIn✨ More about Heather at her website, subscribe to her Substack, and follow her on LinkedIn and YouTube
EPISODE TAKEAWAYS:
Sometimes procrastination leads to brilliance — and publishing deals.A blank page is the enemy, but structure can be salvation.
Therapy isn’t just healing; it can also be hilarious and plot gold.
Adulting doesn’t mean the end of coming-of-age.
Celebrate your wins. Don’t let the goalposts keep moving without you.
Creative success isn’t about one big break — it’s built slowly, consistently, and authentically.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
#92 - Serena Burdick: When Your Grandmother’s Nude Sparks a Novel
Episode 92
Tuesday, June 17, 2025 • Duration 01:06:14
USA Today bestselling author Serena Burdick is living proof that creative success doesn’t follow a straight line. In this deeply personal and inspiring episode, Serena shares how her journey from aspiring actor to celebrated novelist came with plenty of unexpected twists—including returning to waiting tables in her 40s while raising kids and chasing her dream. With honesty and humor, she opens up about the realities of artistic life, the power of resilience, and the value of believing in your own story—especially when others don’t see it yet.
We dive into Serena’s new book, A Promise to Arlette, and the fascinating real-life inspiration behind it—her grandmother’s connection to avant-garde photographer Man Ray and a long-lost nude photograph that sparked a fictional journey through postwar France and conservative 1950s America. Serena talks about balancing fiction with history, channeling her theatrical background into richly drawn characters, and navigating the emotional tightrope of writing stories that sometimes go to very dark places. This is a must-listen for anyone who's ever wanted to rewrite their own story.
Connect with Serena Burdick:
📘 Buy A Promise to Arlette anywhere books are sold
🖋️ Follow Serena on Instagram: @serenaburdick
📚 Learn more at Zibby Media to purchase signed copies and support indie authors
Connect with the Hosts & Show:
🎧 Follow Was It Chance on your favorite podcast platform
📱 Connect with us on TikTok and LinkedIn
✨ More about Heather at her website, subscribe to her Substack, and follow her on LinkedIn and YouTube
EPISODE TAKEAWAYS
Your first creative dream doesn’t have to be your last
Failure is part of the process—and can sometimes lead to unexpected wins
Historical fiction is a powerful tool for preserving and imagining untold stories
Creative careers often require privilege and sacrifice—acknowledge both
Be open to feedback, but stay grounded in your artistic voice
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
#91 - Nick Rashad Burroughs: Living the Life You Were Meant to Create
Episode 91
Tuesday, June 10, 2025 • Duration 58:06
This episode is a masterclass in following your gut, showing up fully, and creating your own path—even when it’s not the one you planned. Nick Rashad Burroughs joins us to share the wild and wonderful story of how a missed ride after school led to an accidental audition… and an entirely new life trajectory. From growing up in a deeply religious, sports-focused family in Alabama to starring on Broadway in Kinky Boots, Something Rotten, and Tina, Nick has lived a life powered by guts, grit, and creative risk.
Nick opens up about the struggle to reconcile his artistic truth with his upbringing, the challenges of coming out, and what it meant to have his mother watch him perform in drag on Broadway. He also shares the deeply personal origin of his music career, his viral music video that Beyoncé reposted (!!!), and how he’s living in the center of a manifestation with his latest role in Goddess at The Public Theater. This conversation is packed with honesty, vulnerability, inspiration—and a whole lot of laughter.
EPISODE TAKEAWAYS:
Inspiration is a gift—don’t waste it.
You can do it scared.
Self-advocacy creates opportunities.
Your unique voice and background are assets, not limitations.
Fear doesn't go away—it just gets quieter when you're doing what you love.
Connect with the Hosts & Show:
📩 Email us at wasitchancepodcast@gmail.com
🎧 Follow Was It Chance on your favorite podcast platform
📱 Connect with us on TikTok and LinkedIn
✨ More about Heather at her website, subscribe to her Substack and on LinkedIn, YouTube, and BlueSky
🎭 More about Alan via @theatre_podcast and check out The Theatre Podcast with Alan Seales
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
#90 - Lena Hall: Finding Your True Voice by Saying “F** It”*
Episode 90
Tuesday, May 27, 2025 • Duration 01:16:56
Tony Award-winning performer Lena Hall joins Heather and Alan for a wide-ranging and often hilarious conversation about discovering her true creative voice—literally and metaphorically. From her roots as a ballerina bred by artistic parents, to reinventing herself after vocal surgery, Lena shares how a mix of chance, grit, and gutsy choices helped her chart a bold path in musical theater, TV, and rock music. Whether she’s fronting a band, redefining her Broadway persona, or belting out Radiohead in her latest TV role, Lena proves that creative success comes from embracing the unexpected—and never losing your sense of play.
You’ll hear about her journey through roles in Cats, Kinky Boots, and Hedwig and the Angry Inch, her stint on All My Children as a hooker-turned-potential-series-regular, and the life-changing audition that landed her a role opposite Jon Hamm in Your Friends and Neighbors. Lena opens up about perimenopause, social media pressures, creative burnout, and how she’s learned to stop taking rejection personally—well, mostly.
Key Takeaways:
Lena’s vocal transformation after tonsil surgery that unlocked a whole new range and sound
Why she left ballet and the Broadway grind to find a truer, edgier artistic path
Her surprising and circuitous road back to Broadway—and then into TV and film
How taking bold, creative risks (like bringing her own amp to an audition) led to breakout roles
The importance of having financial and creative buffers to survive the industry’s constant rejection
How Lena navigates social media with a “learned skin,” not just a thick one
Follow Lena:
📱 Instagram: @lenarockerhall
🎵 TikTok (or as Lena calls it, "ShitTok"): @lenarockerhall
📺 Watch Your Friends and Neighbors on AppleTV+
Connect with the Hosts & Show:
📩 Email us at wasitchancepodcast@gmail.com
🎧 Follow Was It Chance on your favorite podcast platform
📱 Connect with us on TikTok and LinkedIn
✨ More about Heather at her website, subscribe to her Substack and on LinkedIn, YouTube, and BlueSky
🎭 More about Alan via @theatre_podcast and check out The Theatre Podcast with Alan Seales
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
#89 - Becky Mollenkamp: Redefining Success on Your Own Terms
Episode 89
Tuesday, May 6, 2025 • Duration 01:10:17
What does it mean to live gutsy? In this episode, we sit down with mindset coach Becky Mollenkamp, the powerhouse behind the Gutsy Boss brand. Becky’s journey from journalist to entrepreneur to feminist coach is full of brave pivots, hard-earned wisdom, and a whole lot of intentional unlearning. After the sudden loss of her brother, she started asking the big questions—and her life hasn’t been the same since.
We talk about what it takes to break free from patriarchal conditioning, how people-pleasing sneaks into our lives and businesses, and why redefining success is an act of rebellion. Becky shares how she helps women-identified and nonbinary folks reclaim their agency, set boundaries without guilt, and build lives aligned with their values. If you’ve ever felt stuck in who you “should” be, this conversation will light something up in you.
Connect with Becky:
🌐 Gutsy Boss Website
📬 Subscribe to her newsletter
📱 Follow Becky on Instagram
Connect with the Hosts & Show:
📩 Email us at wasitchancepodcast@gmail.com
🎧 Follow Was It Chance on your favorite podcast platform
📱 Connect with us on TikTok and LinkedIn
✨ More about Heather at her website, subscribe to her Substack and on LinkedIn, YouTube, and BlueSky
🎭 More about Alan via @theatre_podcast and check out The Theatre Podcast with Alan Seales
EPISODE TAKEAWAYS
Grief can be a catalyst for transformation—Becky’s life changed profoundly after losing her brother.
Unlearning patriarchal thinking is a powerful, ongoing process that requires self-awareness and community.
People-pleasing often feels safe, but it limits our growth and authenticity.
Success isn’t about external achievement—it’s about living in alignment with your values.
Boundaries are a radical act of self-respect, not selfishness.
Feminism isn’t just theory—it can be a daily practice in how we lead and live.
Reinvention is possible at any stage of life and career.
Coaching isn’t about fixing people—it’s about helping them access their own power.
Vulnerability and honesty are business strengths, not weaknesses.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
#88 - Mei Lee: Blending Ancient Practice with Modern Applications
Episode 88
Tuesday, April 22, 2025 • Duration 54:04
What happens when you blend ancient wisdom with modern science? Meet Mei Lee, a powerhouse entrepreneur who retired from a 30-year career in finance to follow her passion for natural healing and skincare. Growing up in Hong Kong, Mei watched her father practice traditional Chinese medicine, instilling in her a deep respect for holistic wellness.
After years as an avid tennis player, the sun took a toll on her skin, leading her back to her roots. She founded Ageless Zen, merging herbal healing with cutting-edge research to create a skincare line that’s as effective as it is natural. But Mei didn’t stop there—she built a technology platform to help others launch their own skincare brands and launched the Ageless Zen Community Partnership to give back. In this episode, Mei shares the differences between Eastern and Western medicine, the power of persistence in entrepreneurship, and why integrity is non-negotiable. Get ready for an inspiring conversation about reinvention, resilience, and giving back.
Connect with Mei & Ageless Zen:
Ageless Zen Website – Explore and shop the products.
Ageless Zen Community Partnership – Support an organization or become a partner.
Make sure to follow this podcast everywhere you find podcasts, leave a rating and a review, and slip into our inbox by emailing wasitchancepodcast@gmail.com. Connect with us on TikTok and LinkedIn and help us grow those platforms!
More about Heather via her website, subscribe to her Substack and connect with her on LinkedIn, YouTube, and BlueSky. Listen to The Brave Files
More about Alan via @theatre_podcast on Instagram and listen to The Theatre Podcast with Alan Seales
Key Episode Takeaways:
Eastern medicine focuses on natural healing with fewer side effects, a philosophy Mei built Ageless Zen on.
After 30 years in finance, Mei embraced a new passion—creating a skincare line rooted in traditional Chinese medicine and scientific research.
She’s personally tested her products for five years, ensuring top quality and effectiveness.
Entrepreneurship is a long game—don’t quit, and surround yourself with a supportive community.
Integrity is everything. She’s committed to making sure her products actually work!
Mei’s Circle of Giving Foundation and Ageless Zen Community Partnership support important causes like metastatic breast cancer awareness and community fundraising.
Failure isn’t an end—it’s a business opportunity. Mei’s optimism helps her take risks and keep going.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
#87 - Don Mamone: Different Doesn't Mean Broken
Episode 87
Wednesday, April 9, 2025 • Duration 01:10:44
Ever feel like you’re living a life that doesn’t quite fit? Don Mammone knows that feeling all too well. After years of thriving in the hospitality industry, Don took a leap of faith, leaving behind the “shoulds” and societal expectations to pursue photography, coaching, and a life lived authentically. Heather and Alan go deep in this heart-felt conversation with Don about their journey of self-discovery, navigating identity, and challenging the binary mindset. As a proud non-binary advocate, speaker, and brand new author of Different Doesn’t Mean Broken: Living Courageously Outside the Binary, Don shares what it means to embrace your truth, even when it scares the hell out of you.
Don’s story is a reminder that being different isn’t a flaw—it’s a strength. Grab your copy of Different Doesn’t Mean Broken: Living Courageously Outside the Binary and learn more about Don’s work at www.donmammone.com.
Make sure to follow this podcast everywhere you find podcasts, leave a rating and a review, and slip into our inbox by emailing wasitchancepodcast@gmail.com. Connect with us on TikTok and LinkedIn and help us grow those platforms!
More about Heather via her website, subscribe to her Substack and connect with her on LinkedIn, YouTube, and BlueSky. Listen to The Brave Files
More about Alan via @theatre_podcast on Instagram and listen to The Theatre Podcast with Alan Seales
EPISODE TAKEAWAYS
Authenticity Is a Superpower: Living as your true self isn’t just freeing—it’s transformational. Don’s journey shows that embracing who you are changes everything.
Risk Isn’t Reckless: Real courage means owning your truth, even if it challenges the status quo.
Ask the Awkward Questions: Don welcomes genuine questions about being non-binary—curiosity fosters understanding.
Fail, Learn, Repeat: Don doesn’t like failure, but they love what it teaches. Each setback is a setup for growth.
You’re Always in Control: Even when life feels out of control, you have the power to choose your path.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
#86 - Venessa Vida Kelley (from the vault)
Episode 86
Wednesday, March 26, 2025 • Duration 01:32:58
Originally aired Jan 30th, 2024, we are bringing this back because When the Tides Held the Moon is now available for (pre) order!
Venessa Vida Kelley is a Washington, DC-based author, illustrator, and sequential artist. Her work focuses on magical realism, fantasy, and culturally diverse romance. Venessa has been featured alongside the works of such authors as Casey McQuiston, TJ Klune, Everina Maxwell, Sophie Gonzales, Becky Albertalli, Sarah Rees Brennan, Alexis Hall, Jennifer Weiner, and others, as well as the marketing campaign for Amazon Studio’s highly-anticipated movie adaptation, “Red White & Royal Blue.” Her graphic novel debut, MANU FACES THE MUSIC, is in development with Oni Press, with her first illustrated adult historical fiction novel WHEN THE TIDES HELD THE MOON set to debut with Erewhon Books in 2025.
Connect with Venessa on: Instagram or her website. And support her work via Patreon and Etsy.
Make sure to follow this podcast everywhere you find podcasts, leave a rating and a review, and slip into our inbox by emailing wasitchancepodcast@gmail.com
More about Heather via her website and connect with her on LinkedIn, YouTube, and BlueSky. Listen to The Brave Files
More about Alan via @theatre_podcast on Instagram and listen to The Theatre Podcast with Alan Seales
EPISODE TAKEAWAYS
Venessa dreamed of being an animator as a child and fell in love with sequential art
Sequential artist is the fancy term for comic art
One of the original viral “fan artists,” Venesssa never lost sight of her passion even when working in voiceover and marketing for The Federal Government
When her day job got a little too heavy, Venessa would retreat to a novel for pleasure and create sketches from those works. A random share on Twitter turned viral and catapulted Venessa to the core of fandom love.
Much of Venessa’s artwork is driven by the desire to get books she loves in front of a larger audience.
She has always worked to support BIPOC and LGBTQ authors and help raise awareness for their work.
Venessa’s art is mostly digital art because it’s fast and doesn’t take a lot of expensive resources but she begins with pencil and paper sketches.
Eventually, it became impossible to have a day job and make art professionally. She chose her own graphic novel and we’re all so glad she did.
Be the ladder - Venessa loves helping other artists to value themselves and fight for their fair share, especially in the face of AI art.
We love Venessa’s approach to “failure” She believes in a “Bless your mistakes” approach to life.
In the episode, we talk about emotional deficit - what it is and how to deal with it.
There is NO wasted time - ever. All of Venessa’s past experiences are showing up in her own work and she’s wildly grateful for all of her experiences.
It wasn’t until Venessa was in her 30s that she began to untangle her identity and embrace her Queer identity.
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