Creator Spotlight: Courtney Cunningham

Meet the writer behind one of the most thoughtful and inspiring corners of Substack

Creator Spotlight

This Week’s Featured Creator

This week, I’m delighted to introduce Courtney Cunningham, the writer behind Not a Niche.

Quick Introduction

When I first arrived on Substack over a year ago, Courtney was one of the first creators I connected with.

I deeply admire the honesty and openness Courtney brings to her writing.

Through her reflections and stories, she shares her journey with authenticity, courage, and grace, creating a space where readers feel both welcomed and understood.

I loved reading Courtney’s thoughtful responses to the questions below and learning more about the heart behind her work.

I hope you enjoy getting to know her as much as I have. 💖

Conversation with Courtney Cunningham

What is the heart of your Substack, and what do you hope readers experience when they spend time there?

My Substack is called Not a Niche because it’s about life– all of life. I share the stories I’ve lived and the lessons I’ve learned along the way. I’ve learned lessons through relationships, jobs, nature, family, and so much more. When I share these stories my intent is to provide comfort, connection and hope. I want others to see that they too can overcome challenges and learn from them. Some of my biggest lessons have involved counting my blessings, staying patient, being true to me, and keeping the faith. These themes reoccur throughout my writing.

My writing space | Here’s me ~ stand up paddle boarder with my sweet pup!

What inspired you to begin writing or creating on Substack?

I’ve been on Substack for almost a year and a half. I discovered it because a friend said they had started one. At that point, I’d heard of Substack before but had no idea what it was. I followed the link to hers and started exploring. It was love at first sight.

I had no idea there was a writing focused platform like this. I’d been wanting to write for some time but didn’t have a place to do so. That changed the moment I found Substack. I had so much to say that had been inside me for years. I started writing immediately and haven’t looked back. It’s my therapy. I process through writing. So, it was a place to write at first but then I stayed because the community is so incredible. I’m constantly inspired by everyone here. Their words, images, ideas, art– it’s all a reminder to do what you love.

Is there a topic, question, or idea that continually calls you back in your work? If so, what is it and why does it matter to you?

I get called back every time I realize a lesson I’ve learned, which is a lot. I view challenges as lessons. Whenever life presents me with obstacles, I know they’re going to result in growth. When the lessons appear clearly, I feel called to write. I’d say this is the #1 thing that calls me back. Other times, I’m working through the lesson and writing helps me realize it. It matters to me because I want to help others. If life taught me something through a challenge, maybe someone else has faced a similar situation and my lesson will help them. It all comes back to providing a space of comfort, connection, and hope.

With my students in Vietnam

If your writing or creative work could make one meaningful difference in someone’s life, what would you hope that difference would be?

If I can make just one person realize that they are perfect just the way they are, that would be the difference I hope to make. My biggest lesson has been that staying true to me and my heart’s call– living in complete alignment– has led me to be my happiest self and once that happened, opportunities started flowing to me. The truer we are to ourselves the more life opens up for us.

A Favorite Photo

This photo was taken at the top of Cutthroat Pass in Washington. It’s not that the picture is necessarily a favorite but the day was monumental. I had been struggling for a couple of years– I wanted to move back to North Carolina but my husband didn’t. It had become a major issue in our relationship. When we rode the trail on this day, I saw Golden Larches at their peak for the first time in my life. I’d dreamed of witnessing this natural occurrence. I had no idea that they were peaking when we started the ride that day. My head was filled with worry and concern about what I wanted versus my husband and how we weren’t seeing eye to eye. When I rounded the corner to see those Golden Larches, I knew in an instant that everything would work out. Seeing something in person that I’d dreamed of seeing for so long made me realize that all things come at the right time.

The next day, we were visiting a dear friend who lives in Washington but owns a home in North Carolina. While we were visiting, they learned that the man renting their property in N.C. had unexpectedly passed away. We also learned that the rent on the house which sits on 20 acres was $500. Long story short, we now live in that house. I’m back in North Carolina and couldn’t be happier.

This photo fully captures me feeling and knowing that everything would work out in time.

I chose it to remind others that your dreams will come true when the time is right. Be true to you, keep the faith, and stay patient. It’s all coming.

Featured Article

I’d like to share a link to my article focused on a goal setting model I created, The HEART Guide. Here is the article. This guide was born when I’d had enough with writing SMART goals and needed something more focused on following my heart. It’s helped me so much and I hope it helps some of you.

My name is Courtney Cunningham and my Substack is Not a Niche. Link to it here.

As always, sending love.

Me and my sweet hubs the day we arrived in North Carolina. | The three of us.

If This Resonates With You

One of the most meaningful ways to support a creator is simply to read their work and stay connected to it.

If something here speaks to you, I encourage you to take a moment to explore Courtney’s Substack.

You can also support their work in small but powerful ways:

• Subscribe to their publication so you don’t miss new writing

• Leave a comment to let them know what resonated

• Restack or share a piece you loved

• Pass their work along to someone who might need it

These small actions are what help independent writers continue creating and what make spaces like Substack feel alive.

Interested in Being Featured?

Creator Spotlight exists to celebrate writers, artists, and creators whose work brings meaning, reflection, creativity, and connection to the Substack community.

If you’d like to be considered for a future feature, feel free to reach out. I’m always open to discovering new voices and sharing work that deserves to be seen.

You may also enjoy this earlier reflection on lifting voices and supporting one another within the Substack community:

Lifting Others Lights the Way

Want More Discoveries Like This?

If you’re enjoying Creator Spotlight, I invite you to subscribe to Savor Life Studio.

Each week, I feature a creator whose work brings insight, creativity, encouragement, and heart into the world.

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Thank you for being part of a space where creators support creators and thoughtful work is shared and celebrated. Your presence here means the world to me.

With much love and gratitude,

Lis 💖

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