A Welcome to the Wizards
On Courage, Compassion, and Creativity.
Full disclosure: This is our welcome email. In the future, new subscribers will receive this the moment they sign up for the Grimoire - but I wanted to make sure that you had access to these free resources for creative living even if you were on the fence about subscribing. No strings attached.
Hello my friend! You’ve done it!
You’ve made a seemingly small - yet bold - commitment to your growth. In magical language we call that an initiation, or new beginning. Many people never make this critical first step, but you have! That means you’re a brave one, a real one, and it also means that you’re going to fit right in with the wild gang of dreamers, misfits, and inspiringly unique individuals that make up our Cult of Creativity.
We’re big fans of the the magic that happens when you combine courage, compassion, and creativity. This newsletter is fundamentally a Grimoire - which is a fancy word for book of magic - where we share the creative spells that we’re seeing work to create transformation in ourselves, and out in the real world.
My name is Evan Bourcier - I’m the current headmaster of the wizarding academy here, and inside this Grimoire you’re going to be receiving writing channeled directly from my soul - No AI (except where clearly labelled, and generally as a joke). I promise.
I am so glad you’re here, and so excited to explore together!
Speaking of messages from my soul, I was given one today - just for you: I trust you’ll know what it’s talking about.
Your first lesson in creative magic is that your calling is what calls you, and that the universe never gives a dream to someone incapable of actualizing it.
Your dream could be dancing, painting, running, parenting, building homes, planting gardens, building a business, or taking care of the dying like my beautiful friend David Morin. Most likely it’s some incredibly unique combination of all of the above. All paths are valid, and only you know what secret combination of activities, values, and behaviors will fulfill your heart’s desires.
As far as I’m concerned, that secret combination is what we’re all looking for here. As a wise man once said “Where your Heart is, there will your treasure be also.”
“We do not serve our children, our friends and partners, our society by living partial lives, and being secretly depressed and resentful. We serve the world by finding what feeds us, and, having been fed, then share our gift with others.”
~ James Hollis
Our mission at Challenger is never to tell you how to live your life, or to push you to look like us - because there is no world where your heart is exactly the same as anyone else’s. Our job is to provide the tools to challenge your beliefs, expand your own awareness of your heart, take consistent next steps, and become your most fulfilled, thriving, creative Self. Someone who is a bastion of inspiration and resources to themselves and everyone around them. Are you willing to commit to that?
If your heart said yes, please close your eyes, take a few deep breaths, and spend 30 seconds visualizing what that dream is for you. Your head may say “I don’t know”, to which you can gently reply - “If you did know, what might it be?” Once you’ve received any tidbit of an answer, take one more deep breath of gratitude before gently whispering “Long Live the Dream”.
Congratulations, you’ve now been initiated into the next chapter of your journey. This is a moment you’ll often look back on, amazed at how much impact that little magic spell did.
“If you’re brave enough to say goodbye, life will award you with a new hello.”
~ Paulo Coelho
I almost forgot to go over the rule!
There’s only one: See for Your Self.
I trust you can make that work.
Now that you’ve been initiated, you’ll start receiving new dispatches and resources right here in your inbox. You can also log into the website to read the full archives or access a clean, ad-free reading experience in the Substack app.
If you’re thirsty for more resources, check out our podcast Second Order Change, where we dive into deep conversations about the beautiful, irreversible process of human transformation. I’ll toss a few of my favorite episodes in here.
Greig Fraser is an Oscar-Award-Winning Cinematographer whose work includes The Mandalorian, Star Wars: Rogue One, The Batman, Dune, and Zero Dark Thirty.
We actually had this call while he was in the Middle east location scouting for for a yet to be announced Dune 2, days after he had won the Oscar for best cinematography. We discuss finding the fire in your belly, picking the right tool for the job, and navigating the world of creative insurance inside big budget projects. It’s quick, and worth your time.
Greig is the best, and I highly recommend you follow him on Instagram.
Ian Maxwell is many things, but is currently focused on coaching founders, executives, and other high-performers into unlocking new levels of success and fulfillment by working on their way of being. I’ve personally been coached by Ian and experienced the transformative power of this work - it played a huge part in you receiving this email today! In this conversation we dig into the difference between changing a behavior and changing who you are - and how authenticity fits into that picture.
If you’re interested in working with Ian, you can learn more HERE.
Michael Dalton is an incredible Creative director and Filmmaker who runs Hustle Media. In this episode Michael shares his journey with losing his dad, experiencing and expressing grief as a man, and unlocking greater levels of creativity as his relationship to evangelical fundamentalism has changed. It gets deep, with me also sharing my experience with divorce after being married for 10 years.
You can find Michael on Instagram.
There are many more, and Season 3 is launching soon - find Second Order Change on Youtube or wherever your listen to podcasts.
Can you keep a secret?
We’re launching a community for the members of our Cult of Creativity and I’ve honestly never been so excited about anything in my life. I don’t know about you, but I know that it’s something I need if I want to keep progressing.
The last few years I have felt the pangs of isolation and fear creep in more than ever before, and I have seen the power of community to bring everyone into new levels of success, together.
Whether it’s having real conversations about money, pricing, copy-writing, selling that doesn’t feel icky, telling stories that actually hit you in the chest, or learning some new skills as you build your most creative life - we’re here for it.
It’s going to be a platform for finding the hidden pattern your soul is seeking. This isn’t just about filmmaking or social media, it’s about Comprehensive Creative Living - mind, body, and spirit - a place where we can all have real honest conversations about our goals, struggles, and the path forward.
We like to call it the Super Secret Secret Keepers Club, because your shame and your dreams are both secrets that must be revealed to move forward in life.
"Shame dies when stories are told in safe spaces." -Ann Voskamp
If you decide to join this cult of Creative Living, you’re going to be surrounded by fellow creatives focused on living a life of actual impact and fulfillment. We’ll be moving from awareness to education and onward into actual action as you find your calling, identify your blocks, and move into creative flow. You’ll have access to deep subject-matter experts, exclusive interviews with incredible people like Greig, creative, financial, and physical workshops, and life-changing relationships with other people who share your values.
You also will have the opportunity to share your gifts and perspective with others on their journey, participating in the chain of creative human evolution which we are all beneficiaries of. Spoiler alert: that feels incredible.
I’m not gonna push anything on you - this is only for those who are really committed to their path, willing to be 100% honest with themselves and others, and ready to make bold moves forward - reach out if you want in, and I’ll see you on the other side.
Before you leave…
I assume you’re still reading this because something I’ve shared resonated - so I’d like to ask you a small favor. Can you share what resonated with you, with someone you love? It takes 5 seconds, and it could easily change both of our lives forever.
Whether you’re just beginning your creative journey or a seasoned inner-work pro, I’d love to get to know a bit more about you, your story, and how you’re feeling called to show up. My Instagram DMs are always open, and you can also reach me at evan@ebourcier.com.
Remember: I believe in you, 100%, and everything you do ripples out into eternity.
Long Live the Dream.
A note from the headmaster:
Well, you made it! Hopefully you found some free magic that helps you in your quest.
We put a ton of care into everything we share, and we’d love to keep sharing with you.
The best part is that if you’ve made it this far, when you hit the button below you’re one of the few who gets to skip the welcome email - lucky you ❤️🔥