Episode 8

full
Published on:

1st May 2025

Reclaiming Creativity & Power: Shani Pride on Surrender, Storytelling & Inner Genius

Episode Summary:  

In this bold and soul-stirring episode of Wine, Whiskey & Life, Michelle Burke sits down with powerhouse creative Shani Pride a seasoned actor, speaker, and creative consultant who’s redefining what it means to live authentically. With 20+ years in the entertainment industry, Shani shares her evolution from actress to impact-driven storyteller, revealing how surrendering control opened doors, healed wounds, and transformed her career.

They dive deep into the intersection of creativity, courage, and conscious living—covering everything from imposter syndrome and the myth of perfection to how reconnecting with your inner artist can change the trajectory of your life. Whether you’re burnt out, stuck in autopilot, or simply craving more purpose, this conversation will ignite your creative fire and show you that you're more powerful than you think.

Perfect for women in their 40s+ who are ready to remember who the hell they are this episode is a masterclass in transformation, truth, and tapping into untapped magic.

Key Takeaways & Lessons:

  • Creativity = Transformation: Creativity isn’t fluff—it’s a survival skill and a pathway to personal evolution.
  • Surrender Opens Doors: Letting go isn’t giving up. It’s trusting the process and making space for real magic.
  • Imposter Syndrome Reframed: Instead of fear, use admiration and inspiration as fuel to evolve.
  • Healing Through Accountability: Own your patterns, ditch victimhood, and start asking the hard questions.
  • Creativity in Work & Life: From boardrooms to kitchens, creativity is the bridge back to joy and purpose.


Timestamps & Chapters:

  • [00:00] Welcome + Shani’s 20-Year Journey in Entertainment
  • [02:00] The Power of Surrender: How Letting Go Changed Everything

  • [03:30] Defining Creativity as a Force of Transformation

  • [05:50] Rekindling the Creative Spark as Adults

  • [07:55] Shani’s Series Bronzeville Redemption & Storytelling with Purpose

  • [09:30] Rethinking Imposter Syndrome Through the Lens of Inspiration

  • [12:30] Heartbreak, Hard Questions & Self-Sabotage

  • [16:40] What’s Next: New Film Projects & Creative Consulting

  • [18:15] Creativity in the Workplace = Better Culture + Better Humans

  • [20:00] Journaling, Stillness & Reclaiming Everyday Creativity


Resources:

Grab my book Hot Mess Magic HERE

Take Shani’s Creative Assessment HERE


Follow: 

Follow Me: @michelleaburke 

Follow Hot Mess Magic Media: @hotmessmagicmedia

Follow Shani:  @shani_pride


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About the Podcast

Wine, Whiskey & Life
Because sometimes you're raising a glass to cheers and other times to drown your sorrows.
This podcast is for the ones who’ve lived too much to pretend, felt too deeply to fake it and are sick of faking it and still show up scarred, sacred, and sipping something strong.

Hosted by Michelle A. Burke an author, speaker, and the no-BS voice behind Hot Mess Magic, Wine, Whiskey & Life is where real talk flows like a good pour. No filters. No fluff. Just raw, rebellious conversations about the moments that break us, make us, and everything in between.

We go there: into the unraveling, the rebuilding, the identity crises, the quiet grief, the messy healing, and the unexpected joy that comes from not giving up on yourself.

Sometimes it’s deep. Sometimes it’s funny. Sometimes it’s a punch to the gut with a shot of truth on the side.

Grab your drink of choice. You’re not alone here and you’re sure as hell not meant to do life on mute.

Welcome to the show which feels like a night with old friends full of real talk, big laughs and zero judgment.

About your host

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Michelle Burke

Michelle Burke is an author, speaker, and no-BS truth-teller who’s lived through enough reinventions to know that life doesn’t come with a script. Known for her raw honesty, dark wit and unapologetic depth, she brings decades of experience, resilience, and realness to everything she touches. Whether on stage, on the page, or behind the mic, Michelle shows up scarred, sacred, and ready to burn the façade to the ground one conversation at a time.