In May, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Astrid Jorgensen, founder of Pub Choir, for a conversation that was equal parts hilarious, insightful, and deeply inspiring.
From the moment we began, Astrid’s warmth, wit, and authenticity shone through. We explored the early days of Pub Choir and the people who first recognized and encouraged her extraordinary talent. What started as a local Brisbane concept has grown into a global phenomenon, with Pub Choir now performing on international stages, and bringing thousands of people together through the joy of collective singing.
Astrid shared stories about the remarkable opportunities that have unexpectedly landed in her inbox over the years and her philosophy of saying yes to new experiences, even when they feel daunting.
Her openness about embracing uncertainty and following curiosity offered valuable lessons for anyone pursuing an unconventional path.
We also discussed her pre-show rituals and how she prepares to step on stage before each performance.
One of my favorite moments was hearing her describe the flow state she experiences during a Pub Choir event—the magical point where the audience, the music, and the energy in the room come together as one and art is created.
Another intriguing part of the conversation was hearing Astrid talk about her new book, Average at Best, which will be released in the United States this August.
She shared the story of how the idea for the book first came about and what it was like to move from the spontaneity of Pub Choir to the much more deliberate process of writing. Unlike her live performances, which are largely unscripted and fueled by the energy of the audience, writing a book gave her the chance to slow down, think deeply about what she wanted to say, and keep refining it until it felt right.
I loved hearing her describe the editing process as an opportunity to make each chapter stronger and more honest. It was clear how much care went into the book and how proud she is of the finished result.
What really resonated with me, though, was the message at the heart of Average at Best. Astrid spoke candidly about how much of our culture is focused on celebrating winners and extraordinary success stories, when the reality is that life is often much more ‘average’. Sometimes we work incredibly hard, take a big swing, and things don’t go exactly to plan. Sometimes we’re simply average at best. And, that’s okay. In fact, Astrid argues that’s where most of us spend much of our lives. Rather than seeing that as a negative, she encourages us to embrace it with humour, self-compassion, and perspective. It was a refreshing and uplifting reminder that our worth isn’t determined by whether we’re the best, and I have no doubt the book will resonate with readers on both sides of the Pacific.