We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Bree Luck. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Bree below.
Bree, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Let’s start with the story of your mission. What should we know?
At Awkward Sage Media, our mission is to celebrate and embrace the beautifully awkward moments that make us human.
We create spaces where people can share their cringeworthy, hilarious, and heartwarming experiences without judgment.
The inspiration for this mission comes from a simple truth: life is inherently awkward. We’re all stumbling through it, making mistakes, and (hopefully) laughing with ourselves along the way.
For many years, I tried to fit the glossy bossgirl prototype — to achieve success by hiding my awkwardness as much as possible. (I’m pretty awkward, though, so that was a tall order…)
After years of working as a theater artist, drama therapist, and non-profit executive, I realized that my superpower was not being an aspirational leader but helping people feel less alone in their quirkiness. I also recognized that the more we embraced and shared our fully human foibles through stories, lessons, and art, the richer our lives could be!
This philosophy became the cornerstone of Awkward Sage Media.
We wanted to create a platform that not only entertains but also brings people together through shared experiences of our most imperfect moments. By turning radical and empowered vulnerability into an asset, we break down barriers and remind each other that we’re all in this together, awkwardness and all.
Our flagship podcast, “Well, That Was Awkward,” is a direct manifestation of this mission. Each episode is a celebration of real-life awkward stories from our listeners, reminding us that no matter how embarrassing or cringe-worthy a moment might feel, we are definitely not alone. With a little compassion and a heavy dose of laughter, we aim to foster a sense of community and belonging.
But Awkward Sage Media is more than just “Well, That Was Awkward.” We produce podcasts for coaches, healers, and educators, creating content that inspires, educates, and supports personal growth. We also host weekly “Rehearsal Rooms” and offer creative coaching to storytellers, podcasters, and writers.
Our mission extends to empowering individuals and communities by amplifying the voices of those dedicated to making a positive impact. Whether it’s a life coach sharing transformative insights, a healer discussing holistic practices, or an educator bringing new information to light, we believe in the power of authentic storytelling to foster connection and drive change.
And hey, if we can make you laugh until you snort your coffee, consider our mission accomplished.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
Like many folks, I did a lot of soul-searching in 2020. After working for more than 25 years as a theater artist, educator, and non-profit executive, the pandemic shutdowns nudged me to explore creative opportunities that didn’t take place in a black box. I turned my focus toward cultivating a global community, and after a few stops and starts (changing careers is inherently awkward), I pivoted into creative coaching and podcasting in 2021.
As I connected with more coaches and healers interested in podcasting, it hit me: the real magic lies in helping people amplify their messages to a broader audience. Stories have this incredible power to unite, heal, and inspire, which drove me to start Awkward Sage Media. Together with a brave beta group of clients, we set out on a mission to create podcasts that resonate on a deeply personal level.
What We Do
At Awkward Sage, we specialize in producing podcasts for coaches, healers, and educators. Whether it’s developing a podcast strategy, writing episodes, finding guests, recording, editing, or marketing, our goal is to amplify voices that promote personal growth, holistic healing, and innovative education.
One of the things I adore about podcasting is its broad reach and deep impact at a relatively low cost. It’s accessible and powerful, both for creators and audiences.
We also offer group and individual coaching for other creatives, performers, and writers – we’re always ready to help a story grow!
What Sets Us Apart
We have a fiercely unwavering commitment to fostering deeply personal production processes. We know how challenging it is to throw your ideas into the seemingly endless void – and we want to make it a joyful and supportive experience! We’re not just about producing podcasts; we’re about nurturing projects and building communities.
We solve several key problems for our clients:
Content Creation: We provide end-to-end podcast production services, from concept development to final editing and marketing, ensuring high-quality content that resonates with audiences.
Storytelling: We help our clients craft their messages authentically and engagingly, turning their expertise into stories that inspire and educate.
Audience Engagement: We assist in building and nurturing communities around the content, fostering deeper connections between our clients and their audiences.
What I’m Most Proud Of
The impact our work has had on our listeners and clients fills me with immense pride. Hearing that an episode made someone laugh on a tough day or helped a coach build their community and connect with new clients is incredibly rewarding.
One podcaster told me that working on her podcast boosted her confidence in communicating her beliefs and ideas. Knowing that our efforts help people share their stories and connect deeply with others is profoundly fulfilling.
But this week, a particular story stands out. A creative coaching client of mine has been working on a storytelling project for the last couple of months. This brilliant man had written a short story and wanted to adapt it for a live storytelling event. He performed the piece last weekend and was thrilled with how it was received. However, the real power lay in how reframing and digging into his tale made him a better storyteller and helped him find greater compassion for himself and others. We both sobbed during our last session. That’s one that will stay with me for a long time!
I’ve never been afraid to shed a tear over work – but I used to cry because I was overwhelmed and frustrated – now I cry tears of joy!
Key Takeaways
Embrace the Awkward: We believe in the power of genuine, foible-filled, heartfelt stories to connect and inspire.
Collaboration: We work closely with our clients to ensure their vision and voice are authentically represented.
Community: We are dedicated to building communities around our content, fostering connections that go beyond the podcast.
Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?
In 2019, my older daughter had just graduated from high school, and I had one of those midlife reckonings that caused some midlife mamas to buy a new car or go blonde, but it made me blow up my career.
I had spent over 25 years building a reputation in the theater industry as a director, drama therapist, educator, and executive. But I was tired of being stuck in a box (literally), missing out on time with my kids, and the relentless grind of trying to keep a non-profit running.
So, I was looking for a way out when the pandemic hit, and the shutdown forced me into a period of deep soul-searching.
There are things I love about theater—the community, the power of storytelling, and the transformative magic that can happen in a rehearsal room. Performances get all the glory, but my heart has always been in those messy, intimate rehearsals where real growth and revelation occur.
I knew I couldn’t give up those aspects that I cherished. So, I pivoted. Creative coaching allowed me to keep that “rehearsal room” spirit alive, working closely with individuals to develop their creative projects. But I needed more than that.
That’s when I turned to podcast production. Podcasts offered a way to share stories and reach an audience without the constraints of a physical theater. We could connect with people globally on a scale I had never imagined. Every week, Awkward Sage podcasts reach thousands of listeners worldwide, sharing content that resonates, educates, and entertains.
This pivot wasn’t just a career move; it was a lifeline. It allowed me to balance my professional passions with my personal life, be present for my family, and continue to create and foster a community. It’s been a challenging journey, but it’s also been incredibly rewarding to see the impact of our work resonate with so many people.
How’d you meet your business partner?
I have two important partnerships, so I’m sending you info about both.
How I Met My Associate Editor, Laura Brunk:
My journey with Laura began on a local soccer field when she was just a six-year-old moppet. Laura was a fierce creature — the only girl on the soccer team, and she ran circles around those boys. She was powerful, driven, and also one of the sweetest first graders I’ve ever met.
I’m not a sporty person – I was only present for that soccer game because of a volunteer commitment – so I didn’t really reconnect with Laura until she was an adolescent and walked into the theater where I worked, ready to give it her all. I knew that if 12-year-old Laura brought half the spark to the rehearsal room that 6-year-old Laura gave on the field, she would be a formidable artist. And she is.
When Laura was a teenager, she started working with me in various roles—as an apprentice director, assistant director, and eventually my executive assistant. Over the years, Laura’s growth has been phenomenal. She’s now a full-fledged grownup woman living in Manchester, England, and working as a bona fide theater professional. (I’m so proud!)
Despite her busy schedule, Laura still finds time to work on podcasts with me, and I was thrilled when she joined the Awkward Sage staff this spring.
Laura embodies the collaborative spirit and commitment to creative excellence that define Awkward Sage. Working with her has been a joy, and seeing her flourish in her career while continuing to contribute to our projects is a testament to the enduring power of mentorship and collaboration.
How I met my creative partner, Mendy St. Ours:
I’m also deeply indebted to my creative partner Mendy St. Ours, who is the cohost of our flagship podcast, “Well, That Was Awkward”. Mendy and I have known each other for 20 years. We first met at Live Arts, in Charlottesville, VA, acting in “Angels in America,” and that was the beginning of a beautiful friendship. We’ve been telling stories with each other ever since.
Our children are exactly the same age, and when the kids were young, we both had partners who were on the road a lot, so we navigated young motherhood together. We’d tag-team bedtime stories, from Dr. Seuss to Harry Potter, doing a lot of voices and figuring out how to sneak pureed spinach into brownies.
As our kids got older, we relayed stories about our days to each other just to work through the tangles of life. We had a lot of hot tub confessionals at the gym, and we still call each other on the phone for advice about our own awkward situations in real life. (In fact, the working title for “Well, that was Awkward” used to be “Delete This Voicemail”)
No conversation is safe now.
Mendy and I are very different — she’s super smart, funny, and playful, while I’m a bit more reserved. We balance each other out. And working with her makes awkward moments way more fun.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.awkwardsagemedia.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/awkwardsagemedia
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/breeluck/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@awkwardsagemedia
Image Credits
The first photo (two women in the pool) should be credited to Ezé Amos, photographer, and also includes my creative collaborator, Mendy St. Ours