The Download Podcast, with Jill Marshall

• A Ship Called Inspiration: The Quiet Companion Who Never Left

  The Friend Called Inspiration: How a Life Cracks Open and Creates AgainThis episode's image - “A Ship Called Inspire Me” - is doing double-duty. Yes, it’s a nod to a certain Deacon Blue earworm - but it’s also a play on the modern sense of “I ship this.” This episode explores what happens when you finally decide to ship your own relationship with Inspiration - not as a fleeting spark, but as a consistent, quiet companion that’s been trying to get your attention for years.In this deeply personal episode of The Download, Jill explores her lifelong relationship with Inspiration — from childhood to the “millennium moment” in Jan 2000 that launched her into over a decade of publishing success, to the fall-out in and from 2011 that took everything away … and the surprising creative resurgence that followed.This isn’t an episode about productivity. It’s about listening. Following. Trusting.It’s about the friend who never leaves - even when the world does.If you’ve ever felt creatively lost, cut off from opportunity, or afraid the magic has gone… this episode will remind you that Inspiration doesn’t disappear. She simply waits for you to hear her again.🎧 What You’ll LearnWhy creativity often erupts after heartbreak or lossHow to tune in when inspiration is whispering - or screamingWhat Jung, Leonard Cohen, Wilke, Goethe and other greats understood about inspiration as an autonomous forceThe difference between external success and true creative alignmentHow inspiration fuels life choices, not just artistic outputPractical ways to “make space” for Inspiration to return🔑 Key Moments00:03 — Meeting Inspiration as a lifelong friend like Bridget Jones 06:40 — The Millennium Moment:  the lightning bolt 10:20 — The golden decade of publishing success 16:55 — The 2011 collapse & the fall-out era 23:15 — Writing in the wilderness years 28:30 — Inspiration beyond books: moves, performances, podcasts, apps 33:00 — What Jung and the greats say about inspiration 39:45 — Nine essential lessons for living an inspired life 45:00 — Closing invitation to the listener💬 “Inspiration isn’t fragile. She’s the friend who walks through fire with you - even if everyone else walks away.”Enjoying the Bridget alignment? Listen to Jill's episode on creative vision in 'The Bridget Jones Blueprint'.  And Message Us! Like to work with Jill? Try Jill's unique six-month mentorships: Fiction Editor and The Her-ro’s Journey. The Fiction Editor Mentorship Programme isn’t about proofreading or copy editing — it’s a full developmental editing immersion and an entry point to a business choice, built on Jill's careers as both author and editor. The Her-ro’s Journey Mentorship Programme is a contemporary take on the Hero’s and Heroine’s journeys, exploring many of the themes we cover here on The Download. Find out more about Jill’s best-selling fiction and storyworlds on girlpowerpublishing.com. Find The Download Podcast on YouTube, FaceBook, Instagram, Apple Podcasts, Spotify and LinkedIn

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• The Castle, the Clio, and the Queen’s Wave

  Who Do You Think You Are? Join Jill Marshall on The Download: Season of Friends as she celebrates 25 years of adventures with her friend, Sally. From castles and ancestral mysteries to hilarious mishaps and unforgettable encounters, their friendship turns explorations of ancestry and folklore into a playground. This special birthday episode is full of laughter, discovery, and the magic of saying “yes” to every adventure.Jill recounts their numerous explorations and historical jaunts, ranging from Edinburgh to Dover and Versailles. Both driven by a love for ghost stories, history and mystery, their journeys are filled with laughter, unexpected encounters and genealogical discoveries. This special birthday tribute captures their shared adventures and the deep, soulful bond that has developed over the years, blending stories of ancestral ties, historical landmarks, and the magic of lifelong friendship.00:00 Welcome to the Download00:34 The Season of Friends: Celebrating Sally01:20 Adventures in Castles and Beyond03:22 The Orange Coat Incidents04:37 Versailles and the Golf Cart Escapade05:00 Who Do You Think You Are?06:01 Belvoir Castle and Ancestral Discoveries11:20 The Living Tapestry of Friendship12:30 A Birthday Tribute to SallyMessage Us! Like to work with Jill? Try Jill's unique six-month mentorships: Fiction Editor and The Her-ro’s Journey. The Fiction Editor Mentorship Programme isn’t about proofreading or copy editing — it’s a full developmental editing immersion and an entry point to a business choice, built on Jill's careers as both author and editor. The Her-ro’s Journey Mentorship Programme is a contemporary take on the Hero’s and Heroine’s journeys, exploring many of the themes we cover here on The Download. Find out more about Jill’s best-selling fiction and storyworlds on girlpowerpublishing.com. Find The Download Podcast on YouTube, FaceBook, Instagram, Apple Podcasts, Spotify and LinkedIn

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• Encore: In Memory of Jane - and the Musical Miracle that Reconnected Us

  A Miraculous Reunion and the Essence of FriendshipHours before her dear friend Jane’s passing, Jill experienced a miracle that reunited them. In this encore episode, she reflects on love, timing, and the creative threads that bind friendship across time and memory. In this episode of The Download, host Jill Marshall commemorates her dear friend from childhood and adolescence, Jane, who tragically passed away two years ago. Jill shares the miraculous story of reconnecting with Jane just hours before her untimely death. Jill's heartfelt narrative delves into teenage memories, lifelong friendships, and the intertwining of past and present. The episode also explores the origins of creative ideas and the deeper themes behind them, using Jill's young adult book 'Fan Mail' as an example - which is hugely founded on Jill and Jane's friendship as teenagers. The encore episode highlights the power of love and timing, the significance of deep connections, and how art can resonate profoundly with its audience and especially its creator.00:00 Introduction and Tribute to Jane00:43 Welcome to The Download Podcast01:22 The Origin of Stories and Ideas02:51 The Miracle Meeting with Jane03:15 Fan Mail: The Story Behind the Story06:13 Reconnecting with Jane08:06 Jane's Tragic Accident09:12 The True Meaning of Fan Mail10:10 A Final Miracle and Tribute11:39 Conclusion and ReflectionsIf you'd like to read Fanmail (YA fiction, fun for all!) it's available free on Amazon Kindle from 5th to 10th November 2025, to commemorate Jane's larger than life spirit and presence. Fanmail eBook : Marshall, Jill: Amazon.co.uk: Kindle StoreFanmail is also available in paperback from Amazon and your local bookstore, and as an Audible Audiobook, narrated by the brilliant Leo Haig. Message Us! Like to work with Jill? Try Jill's unique six-month mentorships: Fiction Editor and The Her-ro’s Journey. The Fiction Editor Mentorship Programme isn’t about proofreading or copy editing — it’s a full developmental editing immersion and an entry point to a business choice, built on Jill's careers as both author and editor. The Her-ro’s Journey Mentorship Programme is a contemporary take on the Hero’s and Heroine’s journeys, exploring many of the themes we cover here on The Download. Find out more about Jill’s best-selling fiction and storyworlds on girlpowerpublishing.com. Find The Download Podcast on YouTube, FaceBook, Instagram, Apple Podcasts, Spotify and LinkedIn

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• Trendship. Friendship. Fellowship - A Season of Friends

  A reflection on the friendships that grow, the ones that ground, and the fellowships that make us whole. Join host Jill Marshall in this heartfelt episode of The Download Podcast as she explores the intricate dynamics of friendships in her 'season of friends'. From fleeting 'trendships' rooted in shared passions to lifelong bonds that transcend external changes, Jill delves into the reasons, seasons, and lifetimes of friendships. Using literary examples and personal anecdotes, she reflects on how each type of friendship plays a vital role in personal growth and grounding. Whether you're navigating new connections or cherishing old ones, this episode invites you to appreciate the magic of friendships in all their forms. 00:00 Welcome to the podcast00:38 Exploring the Concept of 'Trendship'02:51 Friendship in Literature and Life04:54 The Dynamics of Seasonal Trendships06:56 The Essence of Lifelong Friendships09:32 Trendship and Friendship Through Life Stages13:03 A Love Letter to Friends14:14 Closing Thoughts and Gratitude   You can find The Two Miss Parsons on Amazon and Audible and for order in your local bookstore.   For more about Jill’s books, mentorship and collaborations, go to girlpowerpublishing.comMessage Us! Like to work with Jill? Try Jill's unique six-month mentorships: Fiction Editor and The Her-ro’s Journey. The Fiction Editor Mentorship Programme isn’t about proofreading or copy editing — it’s a full developmental editing immersion and an entry point to a business choice, built on Jill's careers as both author and editor. The Her-ro’s Journey Mentorship Programme is a contemporary take on the Hero’s and Heroine’s journeys, exploring many of the themes we cover here on The Download. Find out more about Jill’s best-selling fiction and storyworlds on girlpowerpublishing.com. Find The Download Podcast on YouTube, FaceBook, Instagram, Apple Podcasts, Spotify and LinkedIn

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• A World Book Transmission from a Fairy House

  In this 'Friends Season' of The Download, Jill shares 'a tale of two writers' that bridges books, friendship, and the mysterious ways the universe weaves them together. What begins as a reflection on World Book Day unfolds into the friendship frequency - and a children’s book that somehow finds its way, decades later and half a world away, into the hands of the next generation.It’s a story about friendship that endures across time and distance, about intuitive connections that defy logic, and about the magical threads that run through our creative lives. From Winchester to Auckland, from one Fairy House to another, this is a gentle reminder that stories have their own frequencies — and they always know where to find us.Along the way, Jill celebrates World Book Day, her long friendship with author Kelly McKain, and the synchronicity of a book rediscovered at the exact right moment.Listen if you love: real-life magic, creative friendships, and stories that remind you the universe is always in conversation.Links:World Book Dayhttps://www.worldbookday.com/Kelly McKain’s booksJane Blonde The Perfect Spylet - a World Book Day Mini MissionMessage Us! Like to work with Jill? Try Jill's unique six-month mentorships: Fiction Editor and The Her-ro’s Journey. The Fiction Editor Mentorship Programme isn’t about proofreading or copy editing — it’s a full developmental editing immersion and an entry point to a business choice, built on Jill's careers as both author and editor. The Her-ro’s Journey Mentorship Programme is a contemporary take on the Hero’s and Heroine’s journeys, exploring many of the themes we cover here on The Download. Find out more about Jill’s best-selling fiction and storyworlds on girlpowerpublishing.com. Find The Download Podcast on YouTube, FaceBook, Instagram, Apple Podcasts, Spotify and LinkedIn

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