What is the best thing that I love about my work?
One of the things I love the most about writing is to tell stories that can make people feel emotions. Whether we laugh or cry, I consider it a very important part of our lives. When I feel sadness, happiness, fear, hope through the character of a story told by someone else I feel grateful to the author for having given me the chance of feeling something, feeling alive. Another thing I love about my work is that every time is different, every time is a new experience and a new challenge.
What is my idea of happiness?
I consider happiness a very complicated word that is really fragile. I think it’s made of moments and it’s not a proper state of mind. For example, I could feel happy and sad during the same hour of the same day. I feel happy when I know I don’t have to set an alarm in the morning, or when I eat something I love, or when I meet my family and friends after months living far from them, or when I smile at a stranger in the street and he/she smiles back, or when it’s raining outside and I am at home with my partner watching a nice series, or when I achieve a new personal running record, or when I hear people laughing or crying for something I wrote, or when I see the beach and the sea of my childhood in Calabria every summer.
What is my greatest fear?
Deception. Oh, and snakes.
What is the trait that I most deplore in myself?
I always need to control everything. Sometimes it’s very stressful. I wish I could let things go a little bit more. This leads to the second trait I don’t like about myself which is being too harsh and demanding with myself.
Which living persons in my profession do I most admire?
Stefano Massini, Fausto Paravidino, Filippo Gili, Jasmine Reza, Natasha Lyonne, Spike Lee, Carlo Verdone.
What is your greatest extravagance?
Not being extravagant?
On what occasion would I lie?
I hate lies, I’m super bad at lying and I always choose to be honest even when it’s hard. If I really have to, I would lie to keep someone I care away from pain or danger but I always end up to keep the lie not longer than a couple of days.
What is the thing that I dislike the most in my work?
The long moment of waiting between a project and its realization.
When and where was I the happiest, in my work?
Recently during my first show in New York. I wrote, translated, directed and produced Lions Don’t hug with amazing actors. Listening to the audience crying and laughing for my thoughts, in a foreign language and Country has been a real moment of happiness.
If I could, what would I change about myself?
I would be more patient and softer.
What is my greatest achievement at work?
Produced a show in New York City after one year and a half I moved here, and to win the Italian Golden Globe for the short movie L’Appuntamento (The date)
Where would I most like to live?
Where I currently live: Brooklyn.
What is my most treasured possession?
My memories and the objects linked to them like my grandmother’s wedding ring or my grandfather’s watch.
What is my most marked characteristic?
Being reliable and loyal.
What is my most inspirational location, in my city?
The city itself, most of all the Subway and the buses.
What is my favorite place to eat and drink, in my city?
Too many good places to mention one! I love Asian cuisine so I would say all the Asian – fusion restaurants. Among the Italian ones, Pizzarte is my favorite for sure.
What books influenced my life and how?
Kafka’s Metamorphosis, Of Mice and Men by Steinbeck, Menzogne di una notte by Gesualdo Bufalino, Il fu Mattia Pascal by Pirandello, Cathedral by Raymond Carver. They made me fall in love with telling stories.
You Only Die Once. What music would I listen on my last day?
I would make a compilation of Awolnation, Cigarettes after Sex, Nick Cave, Neil Young, De Gregori.
Who is my hero or heroine in fiction?
Walter White and The Big Lebowski
Who are my heroes and heroines in real life?
Working moms, orphans, single dads, loyal partners.
Which movie would i recommend to see once in a lifetime?
Leon by Luc Besson
What role plays art in my life and work?
It’s the protagonist
What do the words ‘You are the storyteller of your own life’ mean to me?
That we are responsible for our choices.
Who is my greatest fan, sponsor, partner in crime?
My partner, some of my friends and my family
Which people or companies would I like to work with in 2020?
I would love to take my show to the Vineyard Theater, to the Lucille Lortel or the Cherry Lane Theater.
Which people in my profession who can make a real difference in my creative career would i love to meet in 2020?
Sarah Treem, Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Laura Eason, Dan Fogelman, A24 producers, Tina Sattler, David Lan, Simone Stone, Natasha Lyonne, Spike Lee, Carlo Verdone.
What project, in 2020, am I looking forward to work on?
My first feature film here in New York.
Where can you see me or my work in 2020?
In an off-Broadway theater in Nyc and on my blog https://ninablabla.wordpress.com/
What do the words “Passion Never Retires” mean to me?
That you better answer to your passion because sooner or later it will yell at you that she is there, waiting for you to take care of your soul, for real.
Which creative heroines should Peter invite to tell their story?
Natasha Lyonne
How can you contact me?
This is my website.
Here follows a message of Peter de Kuster, founder of The Heroine’s Journey
Are you a creative leader or creative professional looking to develop your business skills and storytelling?
Amidst today’s uncertainty, it is more important than ever to reconnect with yourself and others, develop your creative business, and build your story. Dive deep into your unique business style and areas for growth with the coaching of Peter de Kuster.
IS THE HEROINE’S JOURNEY COACHING FOR YOU?
You are a creative leader or creative professional who is interested in developing yourself, your business, and your story.
-
You are aware that there are no quick fixes. Learning is a journey that works when you are fully committed to it. Coaching can bring awareness and help you navigate, but in the end it’s you who is in charge of your growth.
-
You want to learn more about how to resource yourself, learn about blind spots, and get feedback.
-
You are curious and want to engage in online learning.
-
You are motivated to work in-between sessions on yourself (e.g. working on homework assignments that will help you develop new storytelling, skills, and behaviors).
WHAT’S YOUR COACHING QUESTION?
The Heroine’s Journey Coaching is all about your development. To make the most out of your sessions, we ask you to prepare topics to work on with Peter. These topics can serve as a starting point for further in-depth exploration with Peter.
These coaching topics typically resonate with the creative leaders Peter works with:
How can i tell the most powerful story possible about myself and my creative business?
How can I handle self promotion and marketing of my creative business better?
How do can I stay authentic and with focus when having difficult conversations with potential clients?
What are my creative values and how do I align these with my business values?
How can I manage my time and energy better?
How can I radiate confidence to my clients while feeling anxious inside?
How can I steer myself towards creative excellence without becoming rigid?
About Peter de Kuster
Peter de Kuster is the founder of The Heroine’s Journey & Hero’s Journey project, a storytelling firm which helps creative professionals to create careers and lives based on whatever story is most integral to their lives and careers (values, traits, skills and experiences). Peter’s approach combines in-depth storytelling and marketing expertise, and for over 20 years clients have found it effective with a wide range of creative business issues.
Peter is writer of the series The Heroine’s Journey and Hero’s Journey books, he has an MBA in Marketing, MBA in Financial Economics and graduated at university in Sociology and Communication Sciences.
PRICING
The Heroine’s Journey Coaching online sessions last 50 minutes and the fee is Euro 189 excluding VAT per session. The Heroine’s Journey Coaching is suitable for people at any stage in their career.
FAQ
Who can sign up for The Heroine’s Journey online coaching?
Creative leaders and creative professionals who wish to improve their business story and develop their business skills and mindset.
Should I choose 1:1 coaching?
Our The Heroine’s Journey experiences in world cities allow you to learn not only from the coach but also from your peers. For the small group coaching (1 – 4 people), we have selected important, relevant topics that we find regularly come up for creative professional: purpose, storytelling, creative confidence, self promotion, time & money and resilience.
If you would prefer to work alone or on a different topic, individual coaching is a better fit for you.
What language do we speak in the coaching sessions?
English.
Can I buy coaching for my organization?
Yes, you can! We support many organizations around the world with their coaching needs. Please contact us for more information.
Can I bring my own topics?
Yes, for individual coaching you get to choose your own topic.
Are coaching sessions confidential?
Yes. Peter will not share anything that is discussed in the coaching sessions.
Where will the coaching sessions take place?
Sessions will take place online (as per the times we live in) via an online tool like Zoom or Skype. Peter will let you know.
How do I sign up?
Send Peter a mail to theherojourneyquestionnaires@gmail.com to start booking your coaching sessions.
How do I pay?
After you send the mail, you will receive an email with a link to pay.
How do I book and reschedule sessions?
Once we’ve received your payment, Peter will contact you and book your coaching sessions. He will also support you with rescheduling sessions if needed.
What is your cancellation policy?
Individual coaching sessions can be postponed up to one week before the session.
The Heroine's Journey 