We’re looking forward to introducing you to Holly Raven *(Mandarich). Check out our conversation below.
Good morning Holly, it’s such a great way to kick off the day – I think our readers will love hearing your stories, experiences and about how you think about life and work. Let’s jump right in? What do the first 90 minutes of your day look like?
It’s not always the first 90 minutes, but it’s most definitely everyday.
I keep a routine of pulling 1 oracle card for “what’s the most important thing I need to know for today?” Then I move into my journaling practice. Which always consists of the same 7 questions that I learned in a coaching program I took:
1. What do you feel in your body 2. What’s on your heart 3. What’s good in your life 4. What are you grateful for that you have yet to have (future pacing) 5. What’s your next step 6. If you were allowed to want 3 impossible things what would they be? 7. What do you feel in your body.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
First and foremost I’m a storyteller. Within titles I play the role of commercial photographer, graphic designer, and coach. I helps brands and seekers rediscover wonder in the world through soul-led imagery, purposeful design, and storytelling that inspires connection—to nature, the self, and the mysteries beyond.
For me it’s all about that soul calling. I think everyone feels it with different things. It’s indescribable, but more of a knowing, for me that manifests in seeking the deeper truths in life.
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. What’s a moment that really shaped how you see the world?
I remember being 19 years old and hiking out to Little Treat Farm in Northern Michigan on the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore.
It was a repeat hike, one I had done at this point 10s of times.
Each time I brought people out there, varying groups, we’d have different experiences, but always a similar resonance that this was the reality of the world.
That here was nature, here was magic, here was presence and through that no greater grounding or ecstasy could be experienced.
Somehow hiking really embodied that all for me. Ever since, I can’t help but see the world when I’m outside as magic.
What have been the defining wounds of your life—and how have you healed them?
My childhood. I was provided almost every example of what NOT to do.
Ever since I’ve vowed to do everything I can to EMPOWER my life and take accountability for my reality. To not be the victim, but instead be my own hero.
Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. What important truth do very few people agree with you on?
That we should feel our emotions. I know so many people who want to run from their emotions. Feeling our emotions gives us information. It doesn’t mean the emotion we’re having in the moment is the truth, but it gives us information as to how we’re experiencing the world. Once you know this, you know freedom.
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. What do you understand deeply that most people don’t?
That there is no pole in life you can fully prescribe too. When we prescribe to poles, we seek freedom through attaching to a defined structure, which then in turns avoids self reflective discernment. It’s inevitable we will make mistakes as humans, and the shame people try to outrun through prescribing to a pole will always fail them eventually, instead being willing to be vulnerable and discern each decision with your intuition, building that muscle will take you so much further than any pole every could.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.hollyraven.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/holly.raven_/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hollymandarich/
- Twitter: https://x.com/hollyraven_
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/neatureandcompanyllc/
Image Credits
Holly Mandarich
