Creativity Cocktail

  We are thrilled to welcome back the extraordinary Tomina Ward to our show! Tomina is a remarkable individual—a decorated Marine Veteran who served our country with distinction, a gifted public speaker who captivates audiences with her captivating stories and insightful perspectives, and a devoted mother of two.  She has inspired so many with her vision and insight.     There are two compelling reasons why you absolutely must not miss this episode:   First, witness Tomina's transformative journey from the front lines to the center stage. She will share her unique perspective on courage, resilience, and how the discipline and leadership skills honed in the Marines have profoundly impacted her impactful work as a speaker and her experiences navigating the beautiful chaos of motherhood. Her story is a testament to strength and transformation that will leave you feeling empowered and ready to confront your own challenges with renewed vigor.   Second, gain invaluable insights into the art of courageous communication. As a seasoned public speaker, Tomina will offer valuable advice on how to find your voice, speak your truth authentically, and connect with your audience on a deeper level. Whether you're seeking to overcome speaking anxieties or simply want to enhance your communication skills in any aspect of your life, Tomina's wisdom is not to be missed.   Hosted by Winston A. Wilson https://risingtidescharity.org https://winstonawilson.com

I'm convinced that by simplifying areas will unlock my creativity.  Let me know what you think.  

From the streets of Roosevelt, NY, to today's podcast!

  JASON C. LOUDER: A Master Storyteller! His Most Powerful Appearance Yet! Film, TV, and the Heart of Babatunde Discover the Courage to Tell Your Unique Story!

It's interesting to see all the things we see on the news, and we all have some anxiety. Keeping our values first puts us in the best position to maintain our productivity moving forward. https://winstonawilson.com Join the show, and let's talk about your system and life. https://winstonawilson.com

This conversation will inspire you.  Tarnesha is an amazing person with an incredible story.   Tarnesha Small is the daughter of two army veterans, father Carlton J Robinson and mother Annie Robinson. After her parents retired, they raised her and her two older sisters in Columbus, Ga. As a child she always had a passion to entertain and has a background in singing, dancing, cheering, and modeling (commercial print and runway). Once she decided to officially pursue acting on a professional level, she began training with seasoned Emmy Award Winning Actor/Writer GregAlan Williams. More recently she's trained with celebrity coach Sarah Mornell.Tarnesha made her first television appearance on CBS's The Inspectors as Wanda Sellick. She's best known for her recurring role as Traci on FOX's Our Kind of People, her recurring appearance on Celebrity Prank Wars executive produced by Kevin Hart and Nick Cannon and her thrilling lead performance in BET's Distorted playing the role of Rae.

"Hey everyone, it's Winston here, and I wanted to take a moment to express my sincere gratitude for an amazing year. This year has been a journey filled with incredible experiences and the support of some truly wonderful people. I'm especially grateful for my men's group from Buckhead Church. These guys are incredible. They recently went above and beyond by delivering meals to a family member in need for two whole weeks. It's a powerful reminder of the impact of community and the importance of supporting each other. Beyond my church group, I've had the privilege of being part of some amazing organizations this year. The Atlanta Black Theatre Festival and the Atlanta Dramatists have provided incredible opportunities for growth and inspiration. My "Modified by MS" men's group has also been a source of unwavering support and camaraderie. On a personal note, I've been deeply inspired by Tiago Forte's "PARA" method. It's revolutionized how I approach knowledge management and productivity. In the realm of entertainment, "Arcane" captivated me with its stunning visuals and compelling story, while "Dune: Part Two" delivered breathtaking visuals and a powerful exploration of destiny. As we move into the new year, I'm filled with hope and excitement for the future. I'm eager to continue learning, growing, and connecting with all of you. If you're enjoying this podcast, please consider subscribing and sharing it with your friends. Your support means the world to me. Thank you again for an incredible year. Here's to an even brighter future!" https://www.winstonawilson.com https://atlantabtf.org https://atlantadramatisits.org.

I love A.I. (for the most part).  I uploaded some of my letters to Notebook LM (from Google) and the hosts created this awesome conversation.       

"Welcome to the Courageous Creativity show where we dive deep into the stories that shape our world and explore the art that inspires change. We'll be talking about one of the most pressing issues of our time—school shootings and their devastating impact on families, communities, and society as a whole. Joining me is Leroy Barrett, the brilliant writer and creator behind the thought-provoking film "Dying to Learn."

Join us for a captivating conversation with Jeanette Hill, an award-winning playwright who's using her words to illuminate the complexities of Black life. From exploring themes of racism and domestic abuse to advocating for mental health awareness, Jeanette's work is a powerful force for social change. In this episode, we delve into the inspiration behind her plays, the challenges she's faced as a Black woman in the theater industry, and her unwavering commitment to telling authentic stories. Discover how Jeanette's collaboration with community organizations and her involvement in prestigious theater festivals is making a lasting impact. Don't miss this opportunity to hear from a truly inspiring artist. https://www.jeanettehill.com/ https://risingtidescharity.org  

  "Hey everyone, it's Winston here. I'm still riding high from the incredible response to my play, LYRICS. The Atlanta Black Theatre Festival was an absolute dream, and I'm so grateful to everyone who came out to see it. A huge shoutout to our amazing cast and crew. Your talent, hard work, and dedication brought LYRICS to life in a way I could never have imagined. Thank you for your incredible performances and for making this experience so special. And of course, a massive thank you to the Atlanta Black Theatre Festival for providing us with this incredible platform. Your support means the world to me. If you missed LYRICS at the festival, don't worry! You can still follow the journey of this play on our website [Website Link] and on Instagram @lyrics_theplay. Stay tuned for updates on future performances and behind-the-scenes content. Once again, thank you all for your love and support. I'm so excited to see what the future holds for LYRICS. Until next time!"

We all have a familiar experience, one we share countless times a day. We stand before a mirror. In my case glance at it when I'm on my way to the you-know-where. Sometimes it's a glance, checking our hair or outfit. Other times, it's a more deliberate moment, taking stock of ourselves. When you look at the mirrors what is one thing you usually notice But have you ever stopped to think about what a mirror truly reflects? It shows us not just our physical appearance, but also our emotional state, our energy, and perhaps most importantly – our choices. In my case it lets me know I probably shouldn't have had that desert. The truth is, we constantly reflect on the world around us. i will share with you what I see, what I do , and hopefully what we can all do. Now, I know for myself, living with MS, those reflections can sometimes be challenging. There are days when symptoms attempt to dim my usual spark. The limitations of the disease can be frustrating. But here's the thing, the mirror doesn't lie, and that's a good thing. It's a constant reminder to prioritize self-care. My mornings now begin with twenty minutes of gentle exercise. It might not seem like much, but it sets the tone for the day. Just like a mirror reflects the light we shine on it, prioritizing my health allows me to shine brighter for myself and my loved ones. Speaking of loved ones, spending time with family is a non-negotiable. My Mom turns 88 in a month and my Dad is 83 in a few weeks. Their love and story fuels me. Their laughter, their support – those are the true reflections of a life well-lived. They inspire me to fight, to keep pushing forward, and to use the challenges I face to build a better life, not just for myself, but for them. The future can feel daunting sometimes, but the mirror offers a powerful tool – perspective. It allows me to see how far I've come, and how much I've overcome. That perspective fuels my hope for the days ahead. So, take a moment the next time you stand before a mirror. Reflect not just on your appearance, but on your life. Are you prioritizing your well-being? Are you nurturing your relationships? Are you building a future you can be proud of? Today, I challenge you to use that reflection as a call to action. Make a change, big or small, that will positively impact your life. For those of us living with chronic illness, let's use our challenges as inspiration to live even fuller lives. Let's become reflections of resilience, of strength, and hope.

I know there are many thoughts and practices out there about creating characters.  The way I think creating characters may be different than some others.  I hope you find value in this quick message.   Website: https://winstonawilson.com  Get tickets to the latest play: https://lyricstheplay.com   

Angel returns to share her story about how we continue to grow and connect as Actors.   Thank you Angel for returning to the podcast.   https://www.instagram.com/iamangelhenderson/ https://www.threads.net/@iamangelhenderson

Join Di Thomas as Di shares guidance on being focused as a creator.  Di's film career is growing and expanding in many wonderful directions.  You will love this conversation.   Thank you so much, Di!     https://instagram.com/dthomaspictures https://risingtidescharity.org https://winstonawilson.com  

What do I use to be creative? I use several things, but the main thing I use is a place to store my ideas. You've heard me talk about Notion recently, and that is a place where I have an idea, and then I put it in there. But I also create a roadmap, so if I have an idea for a blog or a podcast, I use a template that says, this is an idea stage, and then I go from there. The cool thing, for everyone listening, there are multiple ways to do this. You can do this with a tool like Notion, but you can also use it with other planning tools. So if you have an iOS device, you can use reminders where you can set it up in a Kanban style, where you have one thing to the left that says, this is something that's in the queue,

I love productivity, not because of apps but because it helps me creatively.  I'm hopeful this may give you some insight into my process.  Please let me know if you have any questions.  Also if you have any ideas for topics please let me know.    https://winstonawilson.com

When I was growing up, the character Wolverine from the X-Men resonated with me. I like many growing up was filled with rage. I was bullied incessantly and at any moment felt like I could burst and go berserk (Wolverine's greatest fear). I know this episode is a departure from my typical topics, but I wish to give you some insight into why productivity and having a modicum of self-discipline are important for my life.

In 2023 Caesar Winston Wilson performed "The Broken Wings of Young Black Male" by Winsphere Jones.  At the Atlanta Black Theatre Festival.  This was for the annual Doctor Doris Derby Monologue Competition.  He did this while serving as an intern at this year's festival.   We are so proud of him.  To learn more about the festival, please check: https://Atlantabtf.org and  https://winstonawilson.com

It is such a pleasure to have Jeneen Hammond join us on the CCshow.  I've had the pleasure of experiencing her show "Journey" on more than one occasion.  Her spirit and love for us will be an inspiration to everyone.  Don't forget to become a member of the site for the full video version as well as many cool creative content,   https://www.jeneenhammond.com/ My Website: https://winstonawilson.com

I created a song to represent the first episode in my making of the "Lyrics" series.  In the video, I share that I begin with what is the "Inciting Incident" that drives the story,  Check out the video and subscribe for more.   https://youtu.be/XCAsBoqH6bE  

I've known Portia for many years. She has personally been there for me as an actor in one of my staged readings. Since then I've followed her journey and her relentless focus on spirituality. I'm so honored to have her join our conversation. She is one of the most intelligent and insightful people I know.  Check out her website. Join my website for the video version and exclusive content.  

Leroy shares his powerful journey with us.  This was one of the most provocative conversations we've ever conducted. This film not only has a stirring title, (Dying to Learn) but also teaches a lesson about trauma. Brother Leroy Barrett is an incredible filmmaker and educator. You will feel moved by his commitment to our young people and his love for film.  Website: www.RosesNowVisions.com. https://youtu.be/GcxdataD3b https://pro.imdb.com/title/tt11410154/?ref_=m_recent_view

I've been so proud to talk to creatives of all types.  They have honored me and our audience with us all that they have learned and overcome.  I've learned something that seems obvious, all of us have something that we've gone through.  Many that have been part of our conversations are strong and use the power of creativity to help themselves and the world.  I'm so looking forward to our future and our ability to create safe spaces for all of us.   https://www.risingtidescharity.org https://linktr.ee/winstonawilson  

We are so thrilled to have Keith Franklin join the Creativity Cocktail Podcast. He exemplifies what it means to have courageous creativity. His story is about collaboration and a genuine love for the art of theatre. Check out his performing art company and subscribe to our wonderful show about creators and their journey! Thank you so much, Keith.   https://www.newafricangrove.com/about httpS://www.instagram.com/creativitycocktail  

Anjil Jeter is one of the most caring and talented individuals I know.  She shares her heart as she continues her journey.  In this conversation she will an authentic blueprint about her life and the future.  Thanks for coming back to the show Anjil.   https://www.risingtidescharity.org https://www.imdb.com/name/nm4307996/   Please subscribe and share your feedback.  We are proud of this podcast as it will be coming up on four years.    

 My Son is such a wonderful person. In this conversation he shares his journey and his view on his future.  He has been my focus and I get a bit emotional in this podcast.  Please help me celebrate this wonderful milestone of his college graduation.  

     I had a chance to take part in my first ever Southeastern Theatre Conference.  It was in Lexington Kentucky a city I've never visited.  I always get a thrill from going to new places, especially ones in which I've been near but never spent any time.  As many places I visited I truly dug the city.  It was a cool place that you could walk around pretty quickly. The conference itself felt...like I was amongst my people.  I don't say this lightly.  I was impressed by many things at the 74th year of the conference.   Toni Simmons Henson is the newly appointed Executive Director and I saw how she navigated which I'm sure behind the scenes was a logistical adventure.  It seemed flawless.   The amount of young people and educators that are passionate about the art of Theatre was eye opening.  The gleam in their eyes and the care of the educators was evident.  The amount of events, workshops, and productions was a bit overwhelming, In a good way.  There is no way a person could see it all.   I'm part of the Leadership Initiative which meant I was exposed to some of the strategies and vision for the future.  It was a showcase of the past, present, and future for the organization.  The engagement about creating a beautiful future for Theatre was inspiring.  I would be remiss if I didn't share something that was special and surprising.  There was a session for Theatre practitioners of Faith.  Having a chance to link my love of Theatre with following of Jesus was a moment I'll never forget.  I'm so looking forward to the future of the conference and the art of Theatre. https://www.setc.org/ About the Southeastern Theatre Conference   The Southeastern Theatre Conference is a 501(c)3 nonprofit and dynamic membership organization serving a diverse constituency and reaching out across 10 states* in the southeast region of the United States and beyond. As of July 13, 2020, the membership has 4,461 active individual members and 347 organizational members (theatres, educational institutions and arts organizations). Hover over the map to see how many active SETC members are in each U.S. state as of June 19, 2019. * The 10 state region includes Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia.

     Alethea McCollin shares with us how can begin to overcome obstacles to our collective journey.  Everything from battling through the early days of Covid,  to the challenges of writing, and managing life.   Do you have a similar story?  Plug into this conversation to hear the inspiration which will help us all.  Do you have an inspiring story as a creative?  Perhaps you know someone that does.  Reach out us at CCpodcast@risingtidescharity.org.    Reach out Alethea at the below links.  Thanks again Alethea for being on the podcast and bringing your powerful energy!   https://aletheamccollin.com/ https://www.facebook.com/AletheaMcCollin.playwright/   Join the Rising Tides Community today for exclusive content.  This includes educational classes, productivity sessions, and business strategies.  https://risingtidescharity.org   Our signature event Quiana's Voice is entering its second year and we need your help to hit our goal.  We will use all of our funding to give creative tools to young people in our community., https://quianasvoice.org

Quiana's voice had a successful first year.  We raised three thousand dollars towards our goal.   Our board member David V. Wilson shares a powerful and inspirational poem that we know you'll love.   Our goal is five thousand dollars.  We will be delivering this to a deserving young creator. Click here. https://quianasvoice.org https://risingtidescharity.org Join us in our mission to help young people (and young at heart) creators find their voice.      

   I want to thank everyone for helping us bring to Quiana's Voice. to the world.  In this message I will share my gratitude and what drives me.   https://quianasvoice.org https://risingtidescharity.org

When I loss many friends and family to external violence, diseases, and suicide before they had a chance to fully share their creative voice it hurt.  I felt that if I and all of us, who aspire to be spiritual and creative souls could begin to pour into people. We would do this one person at a time and we could make a difference.  My personal belief is that once we do this, it will create a rising tide of love that contrasts the belief that we are disconnected from each other.  November 12th at 5pm at Mary Mac's Tea Room. It is going to be amazing.   Get your ticket below.   https://www.eventbrite.com/e/quianas-voice-tickets-291844754517 Learn more about Quiana's Voice https://www.winstonawilson.com/quianas-voice.html  

The five leadership superpowers is a framework created by Jay Weiser to help organizations handle the present and prepare for future disruptions.  He shares that our most recent situations are opportunities to create plans and integrate them with the daily activities of our organizations and lives.  You will love this conversation.  This is applicable to creatives as we synthesize world events into our art.     https://www.jayweiser.com/

Jasmine shares her journey as an actor, producer and educator.  She is an incredible testament to never giving up.  You will enjoy this conversation with a rising star.   https://www.risingtidescharity.org https://quianasvoice.org

Dana Stringer returns to the show to share her incredible journey.  She has created her own path in pursuit of her art.  What I always have loved about Dana is that she is making her own "box" and is finding an audience.   Donate to "Quiana's Voice" to help us raise $5k to give to a young deserving creative.   go to Quiana's Voice to submit your name and help us with this goal.    

Being personally productive has helped my creativity immensely.  It gives me the margin to be present with my art.  There was another channel called "TimeBuster Tools" which I  shared my practices.  This channel shared my philosophy as well as some of the solutions that I use (and stopped using).  Linking the success of Creativity Cocktail with TBT, that channel will now be known as "Productivity Cocktail."  Episodes here will now begin to alternate between "Creativity" and "Productivity."  These are my two loves and my goal is to help you be excellent and grow in both.   TimeBuster Tools will continue on in blog form with an emphasis on short-term tips.  I'm so excited, so don't forget to subscribe and let me help, help you.  Thank you to do those all over the world that have helped us get to this amazing moment.  Productivity Cocktail on YouTube. Creativity Cocktail on Apple Podcasts  TimeBuster Tools blog.

Clutter is everywhere. Not just physical items but digital items.  I share my thoughts on this ongoing war and my thoughts on consumerism and how it effects my creativity.  

As artists and business owners we try to find a broad base of people that will dig what we are doing.  I've been guilty of this is in the past.  There is more work to find our audience but it's rewarding.  There is an audience for each of us, no matter what are good or service.  

One of our most popular guests return to share with us her journey.  If you've ever wanted to find out how to balance being a creative, a business owner, and a family, Elyse Davis gives you a powerful roadmap.   Thank you Elyse!  

One of the things I'm asked, is what do I use for writing.  In this short conversation I share what I use and a few steps to get writing and loving every minute of it.  

Join and subscribe.  Being effective with time allows me to be creative and spend moments with those I love.  The world is trying to distract and pull time away from you.  I share my story and would love for you to join me for the first of many Time Leadership hours.  Each donation goes to Quiana's Voice.  This will award a deserving creative a suite of tools to help them on their journey.    Click here to reserve your spot.   https://www.winstonawilson.com

I recorded this earlier and had a chance to reflect on it recently.  I would to hear from you.  Email me at writer@winstonawilson.com Join my Time Leadership event.  It is going to be a blast.   Click here.   Thank you and keep leading your time.    

Each one of us deserves to create the life we want.   The world tries to distract us one small piece of our soul at a time.  Start with fifteen minutes today.   Deeply breathe and think of that small step you can take which will impact your day .  Once you've stopped you have done it.  That deep thought can be it.  It can be the small step for today.   Tomorrow take another.   Check out our productivity channel TimeBuster Tools  

As I grow as a leader, I have learned so much on the journey to becoming more effective.  In this short talk I hope impart some thoughts on this. Please subscribe and share your views on what you may learned as you grow your leadership capacity.   https://www.winstonawilson.com.     

Dan Guyton returns to share how we can live a life full of creativity at every minute.  If you have ever wondered how you can juggle multiple creative pursuits, Dan tells us how.   Thank you for coming back to share your wisdom Dan! https://danguyton.com/

Elisa is a dedicated writer that has been focusing on her writing and supporting her community.  This is a candid conversation about her path and the challenges along her journey.   

Gina is a wonderful way to end 2021.  She has the ability to balance her priorities by focusing on who and what is important.  This is a wonderful conversation.  She will definitely be back.   https://www.risingtidescharity.org 

Jeanine Hunter is the first person I've ever met that has multiple sclerosis (which I have).  Her story gave me hope.  It is possible to balance all of life.   It's a challenge and in this episode she gives you some practical ways to move forward.  We love her focus and you will as well.   https//www.instagram.com/cbdofsmyrnaga and visit our site... https://www.risingtidescharity.org  

Cherise Jefferson returns with a powerful message about how the pandemic and the current state of Georgia politics can intersect many of our creatives lives.  You will not only hear her thoughts on our upcoming political runoffs but also about funding for the arts community.  You must really listen to Cherise's powerful words.  Thank you Cherise!

Do you wish to find your reason for doing and being? Listen to Tomina as she returns to share her story of triumph and love. I personally feel so inspired by her commitment to her country and her family. I hope you will feel inspired as well. Thank you so much Tomina. https://www.coachtominaward.com https://www.risingtidescharity.org     

Cindy is one of my dearest friends.  She has been my inspiration.  To have her join the podcast is such an amazing moment.  She has been a producer for some of the most iconic radio stations in New York. If you have ever wanted a glimpse behind the curtain on one of the most demanding jobs in entertainment, you will love this conversation.    https://www.risingtidescharity.org   https://www.winstonawilson.com