Today on the podcast we talk to Ika Nurain Mudzar who is a communications specialist and fiction writer by night. She’s also a sculptor and we find out where in the day she manages that while also talking about the pros and cons of workplaces as ‘families’, taking leaps of faith and the surprising outcomes you can have when you trust your worth (or trust other people who keep telling you to trust yourself) 

Ika has 15 years experience as a communications expert working across many different sectors including the oil and gas industry, publishing sector, international humanitarian emergencies, and accountancy. Her fiction has been published internationally in several pro and semi-pro rated markets. 

As usual, we hit Ika up with the important Qs: 

Last meal: Her mum’s risolas  

Currently reading: Joe Abercrombie fantasy novelist

Currently watching: BoJack Horseman

Listening to: Low fi music, classical playlist, gaming soundtracks, and 9 to 5 with Avi and Anita! Check out the episode with Victoria Cavanagh which inspired Ika's negotiating success.

Favourite unwind: the gym three or four times a week; writing if she’s in the mood or sculpting - create something with her hands: “I think it's such a good balance to work with your hands rather than staring at the computer screen all day.”

What advice would Ika give to someone who's wondering about the next step in their career?

Find a weekend or a time where you can be quiet with your thoughts and detach from the craziness of work, the craziness of your day-to-day, to just listen to your gut and see where that is going. Find that one voice in your head that keeps on repeating that particular thing that resonates with you.

A little about your co-hosts:

Anita Dullard is studying a MSc Climate and Energy Policy, taking time out from media advocacy; Avigail Shai is a diplomatic and policy adviser, and former diplomat – they met working in the international humanitarian sector, stayed for the chat and hilarity.

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