Episode 12 – Proving It’s Never Too Late
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Episode Overview
In this inspiring episode of Big Dreams & Little Things, Karina and Maria explore one of the most powerful truths in life: it’s never too late to begin again. Whether it’s a buried dream, a creative calling, or a complete reinvention — the shift you’ve been craving might be closer than you think. Join us for a real, reflective, and science-backed conversation about:
- Why it’s so hard (and so necessary) to change direction later in life
- How fear shows up in our brains when we’re on the edge of transformation
- Stories of iconic late bloomers like Vera Wang, Julia Child, and more
- How to take small, doable steps toward your next chapter
Plus: We introduce a brand new segment — “Tiny Experiments”
Topics Covered
- That quiet whisper you can’t ignore — “What if I did this for real?”
- Creative energy, summer workshop reflections, and real talk on showing up when it’s hard
- Why change — even the scary kind — is a powerful turning point
- Vera Wang’s story: From editor to iconic designer — starting at 40
- Karina & Maria’s personal “aha” moments of late reinvention
- Science Spotlight: The brain on fear vs courage — what actually happens when we change
- Neuroplasticity, the “fresh start effect,” and why joy matters more than pressure
- How to Begin Again (Backed by Science)
- Tiny Experiments debut
- Myth-busting segment: Late bloomers who changed the world — after 40, 50, and beyond
Karina’s Tiny Experiment: The Poetry Challenge
This week, Karina took on a Tiny Experiment inspired by her love of language and lyrical expression:
The Poetry Challenge — 20 minutes a day for 7 days.
Each day, she chose a single poem or poet to dive into.
She read deeply, got inspired, analyzed structure and style — then wrote a piece of her own.
Not to perfect anything, but to reconnect with rhythm, emotion, and creative courage.
“I didn’t know where it would take me — but that was the point.” – Karina
Here’s one example of her process:
Original poem: Vierge Moderne by Edith Södergran
(“I am no woman. I am a neuter…”)
“Jag är ett språng i friheten och självet…”
“I am a leap into freedom and self…”
Jag är ingen kvinna. Jag är ett neutrum.
Jag är ett barn, en page och ett djärvt beslut,
jag är en skrattande strimma av en scharlakanssol…
Jag är ett nät för alla glupska fiskar,
jag är en skål för alla kvinnors ära,
jag är ett steg mot slumpen och fördärvet,
jag är ett språng i friheten och självet…
Jag är blodets viskning i mannens öra,
jag är en själens frossa, köttets längtan och förvägran,
jag är en ingångsskylt till nya paradis.
Jag är en flamma, sökande och käck,
jag är ett vatten, djupt men dristigt upp till knäna,
jag är eld och vatten i ärligt sammanhang på fria villkor…
The poem was written in 1916. right in the middle of the female revolution. Women claiming the vote. Cutting noth hair and dresses. Stepping into the work market. Taking their space in the world. WOW!
Now more than 100 years later. Where are we?
I wrote a new poem called I am the modern woman. Influences by Edit. Same anaphor structure, 13 lines.
This is my version:
I am the modern woman
I am a catalysis waiting to explode
I am the spoken, unhinged, outrageous
I am against the storm
I am a no on an autobahn of dissonance
I am brave light-heartedness at play
I am the unbending will to live
I am the mother of wildest dreams
I am the whisper in young women’s ears
I am a mountain climb of demolition
I am the wide eyed ancient queen
I am creativity in motion
I am a constant learning to grow
By Karina Kampe (All Rights Reserved)
Want to Try the Poetry Challenge Yourself?
We’ve put together a free downloadable Poetry Challenge PDF so you can follow along.
It includes:
💬 7 curated daily prompts
✍️ Famous inspiration poems (like Vierge Moderne – in both Swedish and English)
🧠 Reflection questions
🎨 Space to write your own pieces