Today we’d like to introduce you to Bridget Cook-Burch.
Hi Bridget, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.
After an intense near-death experience in college, I began to look at humanity in a much different way! I discovered I was no longer afraid of the darkness or the messiness of humanity, but realized how much inherent beauty lies in every single person, and every single story.
I thought I would become a fictional writer (which is still a plan someday when I’m 95 and semi-retired), but the non-fiction stories that come across my plate are magical, and often to me, much more riveting, inviting, and powerful than anything that can be made up.
My books have been showcased on Oprah, Dateline, CNN, GMA, The History Channel, NPR, and in People among many others, and it has less to do with any miraculous talent that I have and more to do with these miraculous stories that lie behind them. I have been a business owner for many years in a variety of industries. I owned and operated a small PR firm, a good-sized trucking company, and ran a magazine and a phone book. It was all enlightening and taught me a lot, but nothing has been more fulfilling than the work I do now. As the Founder of Your Inspired Story, I have the honor of assisting authors to understand the depth of their own important stories; for these emerging leaders to own their voice and power in an accelerated manner.
It has been an honor and delight to become a New York Times and Wall Street Journal Bestselling Author, and I feel each one of these stories has been a huge contribution to society–to inform, educate and change our world in a positive way. Now that I’m also offering coaching and writers’ retreats, we attract stories from all around the world.
Still, it’s also been nice to highlight regionally with the people connected to our local Utah area. In our book, The Witness Wore Red, co-written by Rebecca Musser, we come to learn how incredible this woman raised in Utah actually is—and how her bravery has continued to benefit thousands of people. Rebecca and her sister, Elissa, have been recently featured in the documentary miniseries, Keep Sweet: Pray and Obey, trending top 10 on Netflix.
A lot of stories tend to be told from LA, Chicago, or NY, and not many other cities and areas of the nation are as frequently found in the spotlight. I think it’s important for people worldwide to know that Utah and surrounding areas have much to offer as far as stories, leadership, and inspiration. Like this Inspiring Gem series, it’s a wonderful thing to be able to support and highlight some people linked to this local region.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
With every single book, with every single story, and with every single client, I have been invited – and forced – to grow as a person.
Oftentimes my own prejudices and intolerances are blind spots to me until God brings me a story. Then it all comes flooding out and I make sure I show up in my very best capacity. Most of my struggles lie with time. Sometimes I wish I could clone myself to be able to capture more extraordinary stories.
Honestly, the biggest challenge I face is making a living doing what I love while creating a beautiful life. Of course, isn’t that what we all face?
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Through my company, Your Inspired Story, we’ve been providing Inspired Writer’s Retreats for nine years, and teaching and coaching with clients nationwide and worldwide, including, London, Italy, Canada, Ireland, Australia, and New Zealand.
I continue to write and mentor stories that I think have vital social benefits. My team and I love to create opportunities, networking, and accelerated paths for up-and-coming authors as well as renowned authors who are coming back for more. We’ve attracted movie stars, songwriters, healers, famous coaches, CEOs, housewives, and entrepreneurs among others because everyone has an inspiring story.
My clients call me “The Book Whisperer”, yet I also found too often that beautiful stories were not able to be published or published well and given an extraordinary birth. Therefore, my team and I created Inspired Legacy Publishing. As an indie publisher, we create greater access for authors to publish their transformational stories and get them out into the world in a HUGE way, which makes us very happy.
Navigating the waters of writing and publishing tend to be overwhelming. Even though 9 out of 10 Americans want to write a book, less than 1% ever get it done. We’re here to change that with our retreats, online courses, and executive coaching.
Alright, so to wrap up, is there anything else you’d like to share with us?
I’d like your readers to consider that the stories we tell ourselves are the most important stories, and no matter what, to recognize that our past, no matter how hard, actually holds the seeds to our greatest glory. Things we’ve had to overcome are usually where we’ve become strongest.
We have been the victim of either inside our own minds and our own actions or because of situations or traumas or abuse. Still, everything that has happened to us can be incredible stepping stones to a beautifully fulfilled life. The first step is to not be afraid of our own stories and the second step is to not be afraid of our own darkness.
The third step is to know we can write a new story at any time… and always know that as the sun rises at the beginning of a new day, we can write a bold new chapter in our lives. The only question is what will we write on the page?
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.yourinspiredstory.com/
- Instagram: @bridgetcookburch
- Facebook: Your Inspired Story with Bridget Cook-Burch
- Twitter: @inspiritwriter
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUQhQtjoIHq3Xcrmm7QXmJg
Image Credits
Season Atwater (https://seasonatwaterphotographysap.pic-time.com/client)
