In this episode, Kim sits down with journalist and founder of Muse Paper, Nicole Fuge, to explore her journey from traditional media into building a purpose led digital platform dedicated to women’s stories. Nicole shares how her career evolved from community newspapers to feature writing, and how motherhood, redundancy, and a desire for more meaningful work led her to launch Muse Paper in 2024. She reflects honestly on balancing journalism with raising children, navigating postpartum challenges, and redefining her identity beyond career and motherhood.

This conversation explores self belief, the art of capturing powerful personal stories, and the importance of intentional reading in a world of doom scrolling. This is an inspiring and practical conversation about reinvention, authenticity, and building something meaningful that truly supports women at every stage of life.

About Nicole
Nicole Fuge is an Australian journalist with 19 years’ experience across print and digital media. She began her career in newspapers before moving into magazines, later spending seven years in the digital space.

At the beginning of 2025, she launched Muse Paper, a modern digital publication for women seeking thoughtful stories, honest conversations, and a sense of connection.

Having experienced shifts in her health, hormones and identity, Nicole realised how much women pour into others – family, work, life – often leaving little space for themselves. Muse Paper was born from that: a place to explore the many evolving seasons of womanhood, from motherhood to menopause and everything in between.

A mum of two, Nicole has intentionally created a flexible life and career, working around nap times and often writing deep into the night when the house is quiet and still. Her work is grounded in self-trust, timing, and the power of backing yourself.

Her definition of Self Love is: Self-love is taking care of yourself in a way that only you know how.

Her favourite quote is from: Anything you lose by speaking your truth isn’t a loss, it’s alignment.

Story with Kim: https://musepaper.au/signature-stories/kim-morrison-self-love

Links to follow:
Website: https://wordsbynicole.com/ & https://wordsbynicole.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/words.bynicole/ & https://www.threads.com/@musepaper.au
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/musepaper.au/
Threads: https://www.threads.com/@musepaper.au
Pintrest: https://au.pinterest.com/musepaperau/

Quotes:
I have always been curious and a little bit nosey and I think that is what drew me to media in the first place.
I remember the guidance counsellor said to me, you will never be a journalist, because you don’t have the grades, and I have carried that with me to this day.
It wasn’t until I went to uni and studied journalism that I actually thrived.
I have always looked at people and been curious of their stories and I know that everyone does have a story.
Most people are just ordinary people going about their lives.
Everyone has a story to share and I am now realising that includes me too.
I loved it and that was where I feel like my genius came out.
I didn’t want to let go of who I was before becoming a mum.
I was someone totally new, I wasn’t who I was before and I wasn’t just a mum.
I was taking care of everyone else and I needed to take care of myself as a woman, not just a mother.
I needed to count myself as a person.
If I am tired and cranky, the kids are quite often cranky too, because they pick up on that energy.
I think it is okay to want more because that is just part of being human.
When we do get to where we want to be, it is important to actually sit with that and enjoy it.
We are so busy wanting the next thing that we don’t really spend much time just sitting with where we are.
Motherhood is so hard to prepare for, but it is also so hard to explain.
It is that unspoken understanding between mothers.
It is not until you talk to another mum that they actually get it.
Those little details are what make it truly personal.
Not getting that job felt like a rejection, but in hindsight, it was a redirection.
Muse paper is written for women like me.
We needed a platform that honours all of the seasons of motherhood.
Trust the nudge even when it doesn’t make sense yet.
 

SELF LOVE PODCAST SPONSOR LINKS

THANKYOU FOR LISTENING… If you would like to share your feedback on this podcast please head to my Facebook and Instagram pages below. Thanks so much if you take the time to give me a 5-star rating on iTunes so that others find this podcast easily and I sincerely appreciate all of your feedback and comments. It makes it all worthwhile as I know this podcast can plant a seed where big things can indeed grow!

If you would love to work with Kim one on one coaching or be a part of her Self Love & Wellness Mentorship Program to continue to master the art of self-love click here – www.kimmorrison.com

SIGNATURE ‘ESSENTIAL SELF CARE WEEKEND’ EVENT with Kim Morrison

Immerse yourself in a whole weekend for you, dive into the powers of your physical, mental and emotional wellbeing and how essential oils can create magic and change in your life. Learn the importance of self-care and what it means to indulge and recharge every day… after all you deserve it!

Click here for more information and locations for your Standard or VIP ticket – https://twenty8.com/events-and-workshops/

PODCAST SPONSOR:
Twenty8 Essentials – https://twenty8.com/
DISCOUNT CODE:
Discount Code for SLP Listeners – selflovepodcast

LINKS:

Twenty8 Essentials
Website: https://twenty8.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/twenty8essentials
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/twenty.8.essential/

Kim Morrison Website: www.kimmorrison.com

Essential Self Mastery Program: https://www.kimmorrison.com/essential-self-mastery

Essential Self Care Weekend: https://twenty8.com/events-and-workshops/

The Art Of Self Love – https://twenty8.com/product/the-art-of-self-love/

Self-Love & Wellness Mentoring Program – https://www.kimmorrison.com/mentorship

Essential Oils 101 Program – https://www.kimmorrisontraining.com/essential-oil-101

Kim Morrison Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kimmorrison28/

Kim Morrison Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KimMorrisonTraining

MUSIC INTRO & OUTRO
Many thanks to Wes and Charlotte Carr – https://wesleydeanmusic.com/