We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Cécile Beauvillard Burman a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Cécile , appreciate you joining us today. Let’s start with the story of your mission. What should we know?

I produce a podcast called Voices of a Body, which gathers voices of women from all ages and backgrounds reflecting on pivotal moments in their lives, through the prism of their body. The idea came from a book I am writing, which was a reflection on my own story or the story of my body, the road towards self-acceptance and the many steps it took to get there.

It was personally enriching writing it but at some stage I got bored of writing about myself and wondered: how can I make this a broader topic, reach more people, and I got so curious about learning about other people’s experiences? I told a friend: “I’d like to read all of these women’s stories, have a bookshelf full of them” and she replied: “well, that sounds like a podcast!”

Childhood, puberty, pregnancy and giving birth, sex and pleasure, a relationship with food, sexual harassment in one way or another, sickness, menopause, a gender change… Some of these are universal experiences, the list goes on and on. The point is, some of these life experiences will be universal, but my work aims at giving a life to women’s voices, to the diversity of their stories. The body is universal and yet our lived experience of it is intrinsically and completely unique.

Each episode invites you to explore the rich tapestry of women’s experiences as they share pivotal moments in their lives through the lens of their bodies, the diverse voices from women of all ages and backgrounds, reflecting on the intricate connections between their physical selves and life’s defining moments.

From triumphs to challenges, these stories celebrate resilience, identity, and the power of womanhood. I believe it helps us to connect, and share in the journey of embracing our bodies and the narratives they carry.

The great thing is that it feels like listening to a friend’s voice note, sharing something vulnerable and intimate and inviting you to reflect in turn on your own experience…
I hope this work promotes empathy through understanding the Other. After three successful series of the podcast in French, I’m currently producing the first English season. If you’re an English speaker, do reach out! All voice notes can remain anonymous.

Reach out through the podcast’s Instagram @voicesofabody

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.

I am a creative industries professional with a background in senior-level producing in the performing arts. I have a strong track-record of producing live events, often with a focus on PR and Fundraising strategy.

I currently work as Head of Events and PR for the Genesis Foundation, a foundation dedicated to nurtuting and supporting artists through creative development programmes in the UK, and work as a Fundraising consultent for Bristol Old Vic. I am currently undertaking an Executive Master in Fundraising and Sponsoring for the Performing Arts with the Teatro alla Scala in Milan, Italy because I’m passionate about raising funds to produce better art in the future, in a framework of dwindling public resources for the arts, which are a fundamental part of what it is to be human.

I dedicated much of my career to script development as part of my producing roles with theatre / opera companies and individual artists at the beginning of their creative journey, which is a great passion of mine.

I also write and translate literary fiction, and I speak various languages and my work spans across different countries, mainly the UK, France and Italy.

Do you think there is something that non-creatives might struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can shed some light?

I’d call myself an “explorer”, in the sense that I have phases that will push me in a direction or another, which can be sometimes surprising. Non-creatives might struggle to understand the desire to engage in multiple creative endeavors simultaneously without specializing in just one. For me, the journey as a creative has always been about exploration and expressing different facets of my passions. I find fulfillment in writing, producing events, creating a podcast, and even fundraising for non-profits. Each project offers unique challenges and opportunities for growth. I get passionate about a particular project and basically can’t shut up about it until I’ve birthed it in some way, and then I move on to another, or I start five at a time.

This approach can sometimes feel overwhelming, as it often leads to a constant juggling of different timelines and creative processes. However, the beauty lies in the interconnectedness of these experiences. Each endeavor informs the others, enriching my perspective and imbuing my work with a depth that specialization might not allow.

For those who share a similar inclination to dabble across various creative fields, my insight would be to embrace that versatility. It’s okay to be a multi-hyphenate! Each step you take contributes to your overall narrative as a creative. Instead of feeling pressured to choose one path, allow your diverse interests to coexist, and prioritize what feels most urgent or inspiring at any given moment. Your unique journey is what will ultimately resonate with others. You’re allowed to get from A to B through a maze that feels messy and haphazard sometimes, and you might jump over B and get straight to C, discover something new along the way, go in a complete direction from what you anticipated.

A key advice, which I am forcing myself to take, even though taking your own advice is TOUGH is… remember boredom? Remember walking aimlessly, without phone or music, remember lying on the floor of your bedroom as a teen, looking at the wall? That literally never happens anymore as we can’t even stand three seconds of empty, and yet… this is so often where an idea will pop up. So embrace boredom, embrace silence, make space for your own sense of self to blossom in those tiny pockets throughout the day. Flex that muscle (and drop your phone).

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

At the heart of my creative journey is a powerful mission: to widen access to the arts and champion diversity and inclusion within the creative landscape. I believe that art should be a universal language, accessible to all, regardless of background or circumstance. By creating platforms and opportunities that showcase a range of voices and experiences, I aim to break down barriers and invite more people into the conversation.

This commitment not only enhances the richness of the artwork itself but also fosters a deeper understanding and appreciation among audiences. I strive to produce great art that reflects the diversity of our society and resonates with a broad spectrum of emotions and experiences. Ultimately, my goal is to create a space where everyone feels represented and empowered to express themselves, inspiring a community that celebrates creativity in all its forms.

We live in an age where government funds are limited and the projections are not looking good. Who cares about funding theatre when the world’s burning? I’d love for governments, HNWI and companies to understand that making great art and enabling its sharing to as many people as possible is a sure way to drive social change. The studies on the impact of visiting a museum, singing in a choir, playing music, doing drama for your mental and physical health are now commonly known, there’s hard evidence that adds up to everyone’s intuition. We would all be better citizens of the world, able to effect change, if culture was a priority.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://cecilebvd.com
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cecilebeauvillard/