Podcasts about creative practice

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London Writers' Salon co-founder Matt Trinetti and Head of Writer Experience Lindsey Trout Hughes share prompts from our Dreaming Big in 2026: Creative Goal Setting for Writers workshop – designed to help writers get clear on what they actually want from their writing life in 2026, and translate that desire into a plan that can survive reality in the first 1-3 months of the year.Through 8 steps – from identifying desire to committing to a 48-hour move – Matt and Lindsey step through over a dozen prompts, discuss why each is important for writers to think about, and share what's coming up for them personally for the year ahead.Download the free workbook: community.londonwriterssalon.com/dreamingbigTimestamps:(00:00) Introduction(02:07) Step 0: Two Words (bringing in & leaving behind)(08:05) Step 1: Identifying what we truly desire(17:42) Step 2: Vision (translating desire into clear vision)(25:18) Step 3: Moving from wanting to deciding(34:35) Step 4: Building a project bank(42:02) Step 5: Finding a first season focus(47:32) Step 6: Designing your creative practice(59:00) Step 7: Your 30-day plan & 48-hour move(01:04:50) Step 8: Opening up to support(01:09:40) Conclusions and next steps You'll learn:A simple “two words” ritual to decide what you're bringing into 2026 (and what you're leaving behind).Prompts to identify what you truly desire, including what you might feel embarrassed to say out loud.How to reframe desire as a helpful signal instead of something “selfish” you should downplay.How to build a project bank so you can choose one focus without feeling like you're abandoning your other ideas.Ways to use simple lists to spark clearer project options.How to choose a first-season focus (a three-month container) so you're not trying to hold the entire year at once.The importance of defining what “done” looks like for the season and setting milestones that make progress visible.How to design a writing practice while planning for obstacles before they derail you.How to set a measurable 30-day goal, choose your first moves, and turn intention into proof.   About London Writers' Salon:London Writers' Salon is a community and membership that helps writers make meaningful progress on their work, stay committed to a writing practice, and find creative friends around the world. Members can build consistency through Writers' Hour, develop craft through interviews and workshops, and connect with a global community of writers.  Resources & Links: Download the free workbook at: community.londonwriterssalon.com/dreamingbigJoin Writers' Hour - daily silent writing sessions: writershour.comAttend live events and workshops – Become a Member: community.londonwriterssalon.com/membership For show notes, transcripts and to attend our live podcasts visit: podcast.londonwriterssalon.com.For free writing sessions, join free Writers' Hours: writershour.com.*FOLLOW LONDON WRITERS' SALONTwitter: twitter.com/​​WritersSalonInstagram: instagram.com/londonwriterssalonFacebook: facebook.com/LondonWritersSalonIf you're enjoying this show, please rate and review this show!

To make good creative work, you'll inevitably do a lot of bad work along the way. So building a thriving creative practice relies on showing up and doing the work consistently, whether you feel inspired or not. And we can get trapped into thinking that if only we had the perfect space, or the best pen, or right notebook, it would all be easier. This is a preview of a premium episode. To listen to the full interview, visit: https://designbetterpodcast.com/p/austin-kleon But our guest today, Austin Kleon, has built a remarkable creative practice around a deceptively simple toolkit: index cards, newspapers, scissors, and glue. He's the bestselling author of Steal Like an Artist, Show Your Work, Keep Going, and Don't Call it Art. What makes Austin's approach so valuable is how he's translated these ideas into a sustainable daily practice that's lasted over a decade. In our conversation, Austin shares why he starts every day writing in his diary before he picks up the phone, how constraints (time, space and materials) actually unlock creativity rather than limiting it, and why the path to doing your best digital work might start with picking up a pen. If you've ever struggled to maintain a creative practice, felt overwhelmed by tools and options, or wondered how to keep going when the work feels hard, this episode is for you. Bio Austin Kleon is the New York Times bestselling author of a trilogy of illustrated books about creativity in the digital age: Steal Like An Artist, Show Your Work!, and Keep Going. He's also the author of Newspaper Blackout, a collection of poems made by redacting the newspaper with a permanent marker. His books have sold over two million copies and have been translated into over 30 languages. He's been featured on NPR's Morning Edition, PBS Newshour, and in The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal. New York Magazine called his work “brilliant,” The Atlantic called him “positively one of the most interesting people on the Internet,” and The New Yorker said his poems “resurrect the newspaper when everybody else is declaring it dead.” He speaks for organizations such as Pixar, Google, Netflix, SXSW, TEDx, Dropbox, Adobe, and The Economist. In previous lives, he worked as a librarian, a web designer, and an advertising copywriter. He lives in Austin, Texas, with his wife and sons. Visit him online at www.austinkleon.com

Send us a textIn this episode, we're joined by illustrator, letterer, and YouTuber Chris Piascik for a wide-ranging conversation about building a creative career without a grid master plan and why showing up consistently can change everything. Chris shares how a daily challenge that started as a way to reconnect with drawing quietly became the foundation of his entire career. We talk about what it means to play the long game as a creative, how personal work can naturally lead to apid opportunities, and why focusing on making matters more than chasing the perfect strategy. We also dig into YouTube as a creative outlet and income stream, how Chris balances client work with products and content creation, and the realities of building systems that work with (not against) an ADHD brain. From style evolution and experimentation to shipping physical products and dealing with internet opinions, this episode is packed with honest insights and plenty of laughs.All that and more when you listen to this episode:How a daily drawing habit shaped Chris's entire careerWhy personal work and client work can feel like the same thingThe unexpected path from illustrator to YouTuberCreating structure and rules to stay consistentWhat actually helps your style evolve over timeWhy making more work matters more than making “perfect” workBuilding income beyond client projects through products and contentThe realities of running an online shopWhat makes YouTube different from other social platformsLetting curiosity, experimentation, and fun lead the wayConnect with Chris PiascikInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/chrispiascik/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@chris-piascik Website:https://www.chrispiascik.com/ Shop: https://www.chrispiascik.com/shop Mentioned in this episode:Follow Your Art Book: https://www.abramsbooks.com/product/follow-your-art_9781419776823/SkillshareAdobe FrescoProcreateTom Froese (illustration improv exercises)Connect with Katie & Ilana from Goodtype Goodtype Website Goodtype on Instagram Goodtype on Youtube Love The Typecast and free stuff? Leave a review, and send a screenshot of it to us on Slack. Each month we pick a random reviewer to win a Goodtype Goodie! Goodies include merch, courses and Kernference tickets! Leave us a review on Apple PodcastsSubscribe to the showTag us on Instagram @GoodtypeFollow us on Tiktok @lovegoodtypeLearn from Katie and IlanaGrab your tea, coffee, or drink of choice, kick back, and let's get down to business!

Translator, performance artist, writer, and educator Haleh Liza Gafori on translating Rumi with fidelity and music, and what his poetry can teach us about liberation, attention, and love.You'll learn:Habits Haleh uses to re-centre and get quiet enough to work. How she learned to trust sound and rhythm first, and let meaning arrive through the ear. The moment she realised she needed to make her own translations, and what triggered that decision. A simple test for “is this translation working?”, including why one wrong image can flip the whole poem. Principles Haleh uses to keep translations clear, musical, and emotionally true in English. What an editor can mean by “find your voice,” and how to develop a consistent voice as a translator. How to work with old texts honestly, including naming what doesn't align with your ethics today. What Rumi can teach modern readers about attention, ego, and compassion in daily life. How love shows up in Rumi as a discipline, not a vibe, and why that matters in hard times. What Haleh is building next, and how teaching can deepen (not dilute) your creative practice. About Haleh Liza Gafori:Haleh Liza Gafori is a New York City-born translator, performance artist, writer, and educator of Persian descent. A 2024 MacDowell fellow, she has translated the poetry of the Persian mystic and sage Rumi. Her book of translations, Gold: Poems by Rumi, was published by New York Review Books in 2022. Her second volume of translations, Water: Poems by Rumi, was released in 2025, also by NYRB Classics. Supported by an NYSCA grant, Gafori has created a musical and cross-media performance based on the book, and has presented her work through performances, lectures, and workshops at institutions such as Lincoln Center, Stanford University, the Academy of American Poets, and Sarah Lawrence College. Her book of translations Gold has been incorporated into curricula at universities across the country. For show notes, transcripts and to attend our live podcasts visit: podcast.londonwriterssalon.com.For free writing sessions, join free Writers' Hours: writershour.com.*FOLLOW LONDON WRITERS' SALONTwitter: twitter.com/​​WritersSalonInstagram: instagram.com/londonwriterssalonFacebook: facebook.com/LondonWritersSalonIf you're enjoying this show, please rate and review this show!

Pre-Order My New Book “Mysterious Things” and Help Us Spread the Word! --- Do you have a toxic relationship with goal setting and New Year's resolutions? Have you already given up this year?! If so, this episode is for you. In this episode, we will explore the easy and impactful starting place that can help you make this season count for your creative practice. At the end, I share the “Select Your Seed” Venn diagram exercise for figuring out where to focus your energy and how to kick things off in an easy, deep, holistic way. SHOW NOTES: Fresh Start Psychologyhttps://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/4000-mondays/202412/fresh-starts-the-psychology-behind-new-year-motivation/amp Study on Result Goals vs Process Goalshttps://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/1750984X.2022.2116723#abstract The One Thing https://the1thing.com Producer / Editor: Sophie Miller http://sophiemiller.coAudio Editing / Sound Design: Conner Jones http://pendingbeautiful.coSoundtrack / Theme Song: Yoni Wolf / WHY? http://whywithaquestionmark.com SPONSORS:SQUARESPACEHead to https://www.squarespace.com/PEPTALK to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using code PEPTALK AEROPRESSCheck out Aeropress and use my code PEPTALK for a great deal: https://aeropress.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of Living Myth, Michael Meade turns to the realms of art and practice as ways to avoid overwhelm and find coherence in an increasingly chaotic world. Since the world will not settle soon, the unity and wholeness so sorely missing must be found within us. Fortunately, as fears and uncertainty grow, a balancing imagination and healing energy tries to awaken within our souls. The creative arts and spiritual practices are the traditional paths that can lead us to the deep resources and inner resiliency of our self and soul.     The two traditional roads of practice appear as the inward path of contemplation, meditation and deep reflection and the expressive path of creative arts, such as music and dance, painting and writing. Some people are more drawn to one than the other; others go back and forth or mix the two. They each have their value, and each can connect us to the ground of being and the ever-resilient core of life.     Whether it be through meditation and introspection or art and creative expression, a practice helps us gain an emotional seating and a place of refuge to return to again and again. Having a meaningful practice can give us ways to awaken further and grow within ourselves, while also becoming more able to contribute to the healing and restoration of the world.     Thank you for listening to and supporting Living Myth. You can further support this podcast by becoming a member of Living Myth Premium. Members receive bonus episodes each month, access to the full archives of over 740 episodes and a 30% discount on all events, courses and book and audio titles.   Learn more and join this community of listeners at patreon.com/livingmyth     If you enjoy this podcast, we appreciate you leaving a review wherever you listen and sharing it with your friends. On behalf of Michael Meade and the whole Mosaic staff, we wish you well and thank you for your support of our work.

Forget rigid resolutions that lead to disappointment. Today we're sharing a fresh approach to setting sewing goals for 2026 that focuses on how you want to feel, not just what you want to accomplish. We'll walk you through a simple process for creating meaningful, flexible goals that support your creative journey. Take the Intentional Wardrobe Pledge for 2026 and get our free wardrobe planning kit plus 25% off an annual Seamwork membership Join Seamwork to create your wardrobe with us each month. Get our free sewing planner and start designing. Get our free Snippets newsletter Download our free fitting journal Watch our tutorials and see what Sarai's making on YouTube Follow us on Instagram Find us on TikTok Seamwork is the online sewing community that supports the whole sewing process, from design to closet. We help you uncover your style, what matters to you, and how to express yourself through sewing. Join us on this creative journey!

In the first episode of 2026, Margo invites listeners to join her in a conversation about beginning the year with intention—rather than pressure. Inspired by a recent Substack article by writer Suleika Jaouad, Margo reflects on themes of release, gentleness, and honoring the creative process over rigid resolutions and why this approach is so important for creatives. She also shares real responses from the Windowsill Chats community about what they're letting go of this year, from comparison and self-doubt to perfectionism and "shoulds." Margo explores why finite, manageable containers—like daily sketching, journaling, or mindful walks—can create scaffolding for a sustainable and supportive creative life. Mentioned in this episode: The Isolation Journals (Suleika Jaouad's Substack): https://theisolationjournals.substack.com/ Against resolutions - Suleika Jaouad on ritual, repetition, and the fantasy of starting over: https://post.substack.com/cp/182964621 Connect with Margo: Website: www.windowsillchats.com Instagram: @windowsillchats www.patreon.com/inthewindowsill https://www.yourtantaustudio.com/thefoundry

If you're heading into the new year feeling creatively overwhelmed — with too many ideas, unfinished projects, and uncertainty about where to focus — this episode is for you. So many singer-songwriters struggle not because they lack inspiration, but because choosing one direction feels risky. What if you pick the wrong project? What if you lose momentum? What if you don't follow through? In this episode, we explore a gentler, more sustainable approach to creative focus: choosing one creative practice instead of forcing yourself to commit to a specific outcome or project. Rather than asking, “What should I make this year?” we shift the question to, “What is asking for my devotion?” You'll hear: Why having too many ideas can create creative paralysis The difference between choosing a project and choosing a practice How focusing on one creative practice builds clarity, consistency, and trust A guided listening exercise to help you tune into what wants your attention right now How devotion to practice can naturally support songwriting, singing, and creative momentum This episode is an invitation to slow down, listen inward, and release the pressure to have everything figured out. You don't need to chase every idea — you only need to choose the practice that can hold them all. If you're craving creative clarity without burnout, and focus without force, this conversation will meet you right where you are.  

Neuroaesthetics researcher Susan Magsamen and Google design leader Ivy Ross on creativity as a biological necessity, intuition, and the aesthetic mindset for a good life.   You'll learn:Habits that Susan and Ivy turn to when they need to re-centre.What Susan and Ivy are trying to change in the world with their day jobs. The beginning of Susan and Ivy working together.Clear evidence that proved to Susan and Ivy that their work was needed.Advice for using your intuition to be more creative.How a writer might find their voice.Questions to ask yourself if you're writing a similar book to Your Brain on Art.Principles that Susan and Ivy use to help them live a good life. The link between nature and neuroaesthetics.The transforming power of journaling.Resources and Links:

I'm honoured to bring to you this in-depth conversation with the brilliant musician, writer, composer and storyteller Gabriel Kahane as my first episode of Season 6 of this podcast. You'll be hearing many short clips from several of his albums including his piano concerto Heirloom, written for his father Jeffrey Kahane. This is a wide-ranging interview and you'll hear about Gabriel's upcoming book project, the impact of his early theatre training, how learning to conduct is helping him as a composer, and reflections from his hiatus from the internet and social media. Fans who love Book of Travelers and Magnificent Bird will hear clips and insights from those projects and we also got into his work as an artist-citizen in his large-scale work “emergency shelter intake form” commissioned by the Oregon Symphony about homelessness and the housing crisis. The track and album names are specified in the timestamps and everything is linked in the show notes, including other suggested episodes and ways to support this independent podcast: Complete Show NotesGabriel Kahane Website00:00) Intro(02:25) Book of Travelers, train trip, American Guide Series, Baedeker with clip from Book of Travelers(08:19) Book of Travelers, Pattern of the Rail, November with clip(10:45) Book of Travelers, arranging songs for ensembles, clip of Model Trains(16:24) train trip, more stories(19:20) piano concerto Heirloom, decimated press landscape, clip of beginning of first movement “Guitars in the Attic”, Heirloom piano concerto(22:58) Jeffrey Kahane, Heirloom bringing vernacular music into the concert hall with clip of first movement “Guitars in the Attic”, Heirloom piano concerto which uses Where Are the Arms(29:24) orchestration of Where Are the Arms and how it relates to the concerto with clip (from Heirloom album, the final track)(35:14) about the 2nd movement “My Grandmother Knew Alban Berg” and 3rd movement “VERA'S CHICKEN-POWERED TRANSIT MACHINE”, Heirloom piano concerto, with clips of both(38:52) pandemic move to Portland, living without the internet for a year, Magnificent Bird album(47:27) To Be American with clip from Magnificent Bird(50:27) other linked episodes and ways to follow and support this podcast!(51:15) story of Gabriel's grandmother's late life romance, clip of Sit Shiva from Magnificent Bird(55:24) Gabriel's writing and upcoming book project, the importance of creativity(01:08:06) duo with Pekka Kuusisto “Council”(01:09:52) conducting orchestras(01:21:23) creative process, storytelling, challenges of internet distraction(01:28:21) “emergency shelter intake form” with clip XI. A Brief History of The Subprime Mortgage Loan Crisis and housing crisis, clip III. Where Did You Stay Last Night(01:35:11) CraigslistliederPhoto: Jason Quigley

Send us a textIn this conversation, Samorn Selim, daughter of Lao refugees, Berkeley Law grad, and career coach shares how she moved from poverty to Big Law, faced a toxic workplace, and rebuilt a life anchored in truth, art, and service. She talks about journaling as a “place of truth,” the power of five-minute practices to beat burnout, and the shift away from always chasing more. Along the way are tender moments, hard-won clarity about self-worth, and practical ways to find joy and energy again. If you need a gentle, grounded nudge to reconnect with yourself, this one's for you. Get to know Samorn more at https://www.careerunicorns.com/.Support the showLearn more about the Take an Art Break Movement on the Art is Moving website here.

How does Leadership Psychology, Martial Arts, and Creative Practice help high-achievers move from pressure to presence?Are you desiring to take your leadership potential to a higher level with a unique approach? This episode is for you!Paul is the creator of the GRACE Framework® and founder of GRACEWorks.After two decades in global consulting with PwC, Capgemini, and IBM, Paul now guides leaders and teams beyond performance to develop GRACE.Blending leadership psychology, martial arts, and creative practice, he helps high-achievers move from pressure to presence, creating resilience, clarity, and impact without burnout.  Connect with Paul:Website:  https://graceworkscollective.substack.com/LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulcrick/Email:  hello@theelevatepartnership.comLocation: UK (available globally online) CONNECT WITH DEBIDo you feel stuck?  Do you sense it's time for a change, but are unsure where to start or how to move forward? Schedule a clarity call!Free Clarity Call: https://calendly.com/debironca/free-clarity-callWebsite – https://www.debironca.comInstagram - @debironcaEmail – info@debironca.com Check out my online course!Your Story's Changing, Finding Purpose in Life's Transitionshttps://course.sequoiatransitioncoaching.com/8-week-programThe Family Letter by Debi Ronca – International Best Sellerhttps://www.amazon.com/dp/B07SSJFXBD

In this special episode, Alex Whitton and Alex Swallow take the reins to interview Robbie about the release of his new book, The Power to Choose: Finding Calm and Connection in a Complex World.What unfolds is a warm, honest and surprisingly vulnerable exploration of choice, mindset, relationships, and the inner work that helps us meet complexity with more skill and less fear.Across the conversation, Robbie shares the nine-year journey behind the book - from a powerful coaching question asked by Joel Monk in 2016 through to the resistance, the rewrites, and the emotional cost of releasing something deeply personal into the world.Together, the three of them explore themes at the heart of both the book and coaching itself.In this episode they explore:Why in almost every moment, there's more choice available than we think.The idea of the Higher Self - and why we all have moments where we forget it.How curiosity becomes an antidote to reactivity and contraction.What really happens when we assume others are doing their best.Why connection and calm matter so much in a complex world.How writing a book becomes its own developmental journey.The castle metaphor for working with shadow parts of ourselves.The stories that shape us - and the ones we get to rewrite.Why none of this work is ever really finished.Robbie also shares two stories that bring these ideas to life in very human ways: a tense exchange with a neighbour, and a moment on a crowded train that turned into a masterclass in choosing calm rather than escalating conflict.This episode is thoughtful, grounded and full of practical wisdom - for coaches, and for anyone navigating the complexity of modern life.For more information about Robbie, visit https://www.robbieswale.com/To buy The Power to Choose, visit http://geni.us/powertochooseFor more information about Alex Whitton, visit http://www.exploregrowbe.com/For more information about Alex Swallow, visit https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexswallow/Read more about The Coach's Journey at www.thecoachsjourney.com.Get Robbie's ebook for coaches, An Introduction to The Coach's Journey Flywheel at https://www.thecoachsjourney.com/the-coaching-business-flywheelMusic by My Good Man William: listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/4KmeQUcTbeE31uFynHQLQgTo support the Coach's Journey, visit www.patreon.com/thecoachsjourney and to join the Coach's Journey Community visit www.thecoachsjourney.com/community. THINGS WE TALKED ABOUT THAT YOU MIGHT BE INTERESTED IN:The Power to Choose: Finding Calm and Connection in a Complex World http://geni.us/powertochoose Joel Monk on The Coach's Journey Podcast https://www.thecoachsjourney.com/podcast/episode-6-joel-monk-conversations-at-the-cutting-edge-of-coaching Gay Hendricks' idea, The Zone of Genius https://www.robbieswale.com/the-12-minute-blog/2022/2/3/the-zone-of-genius-the-most-powerful-thought-experiment-for-personal-transformation Robbie interviewing Alex Swallow on The Coach's Journey Podcast https://www.thecoachsjourney.com/podcast/episode-62-alex-swallow-life-is-better-when-we-choose Jennifer Garvey Berger on The Coach's Journey Podcasthttps://www.thecoachsjourney.com/podcast/episode-42-jennifer-garvey-berger-the-answer-to-either-or-is-both Philip Crocker on The Coach's Journey Podcast https://www.thecoachsjourney.com/podcast/88-philip-crocker-coaching-is-the-most-natural-thing-in-the-world Minor Arias on The Coach's Journey Podcast https://www.thecoachsjourney.com/podcast/episode-3-minor-arias-living-by-design-glz56 Robbie on Neil Mackinnon's podcast, Creative Practice https://creative-practice.net/2021/01/29/robbie-swale-coach/ Rising Strong — Brené Brown (referenced re: “everyone is doing their best”) https://brenebrown.com/book/rising-strong/Man's Search for Meaning — Viktor Frankl https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/1033737/man-s-search-for-meaning Useful Not True — Derek Sivers (idea referenced about beliefs & utility) https://sive.rs/useful Robbie's article about Harry Kane https://www.robbieswale.com/the-12-minute-blog/2021/12/15/sometimes-it-doesnt-matter-if-what-you-believe-is-true-it-matters-whether-it-is-useful Meaningful Productivity Blueprint (Robbie's framework mentioned in the conversation) https://www.robbieswale.com/meaningful-productivityAn Introduction to The Coach's Journey Flywheel https://www.thecoachsjourney.com/the-coaching-business-flywheel “It's Not About the Chicken” — Fred Kofman story referenced in the episodehttps://www.robbieswale.com/the-12-minute-blog/2023/2/3/its-not-about-the-chicken-harry-its-about-the-last-20-years The early Choose Your Own Adventure reference https://www.cyoa.com/David Gemmell (author referenced) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_GemmellHow to Start When You're Stuck (12-Minute Method Book 1) https://geni.us/startwhenyourestuck

What makes you a designer? ...Today, Abbie, Claudia, and Chris explore radical changes in learning around systems thinking and design over time, along with the implications for future designers, which includes all of us. This conversation was recorded in front of a live audience as part of the RSDX Online Festival on Sunday, October 5, 2025. Join the RSDX Zoom Event here to watch the recording of Claudia and Chris' presentation 'Configuring Incompossible Futures'....Claudia Westermann is an artist-researcher and licensed architect. She is Associate Professor of Creative Practice in the School of Design and the Built Environment at Curtin University in Perth, Australia, a member of the German Chamber of Architects, Vice President of the American Society for Cybernetics (ASC), and co-editor of the journal Technoetic Arts. Claudia Westermann's projects have been widely exhibited and presented, including at the Venice Biennale, the Moscow International Film Festival, ISEA Symposium for the Electronic Arts, and the Center for Art and Media (ZKM) in Germany. She has received awards for her practice and teaching, including two provincial and three national awards. For her visionary engagement fostering systemic education, research, and practice, she received the Margaret Mead Prize from the American Society for Cybernetics in 2024.Chris Speed FRSE, FRSA is Professor of Design for Regenerative Futures at RMIT, Melbourne, where he works with communities and partners to explore how design supports transitions toward regenerative societies. He has a strong record of leading major grants and educational programmes with academic, industry and third-sector collaborators, applying design and data methods to address social, environmental and economic challenges. From 2022 to 2024, he served as Director of the Edinburgh Futures Institute, where he led the transformation of the historic Old Royal Infirmary into a world-leading centre for interdisciplinary teaching, research and innovation. Between 2018 and 2024, he directed Creative Informatics, a £7.4 million UKRI-funded cluster that supported data-driven innovation in the creative industries. From 2012 to 2022, he was Co-Director of the Institute for Design Informatics at the University of Edinburgh, which he helped build into the College's largest research centre and a nationally recognised leader in interactive media. In 2020, he received the University of Edinburgh Chancellor's Award for Research and was elected Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh....Stories Lived. Stories Told. is created, produced & hosted by Abbie VanMeter.Stories Lived. Stories Told. is an initiative of the CMM Institute for Personal and Social Evolution....Music for Stories Lived. Stories Told. is created by Rik Spann....⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Explore all things Stories Lived. Stories Told. here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.Explore all things CMM Institute here.

In this luminous conversation, Francesca de Valence speaks with acclaimed songwriter Abbie Cardwell about her newest album Love is an Amplifier. From van-life touring days to a creative rebirth through I Heart Songwriting Club, Abbie shares how her perfectionism softened, how love and loss shaped the sound of her album, and how she and her partner-producer Matthew Engelbrecht found their way back to each other through music. For anyone navigating creativity, heartbreak, or healing — this conversation is a reminder that the world needs you to do just what you love.About Abbie: Abbie Cardwell, award-winning songwriter and performer, returns with Love Is An Amplifier, a heartfelt album exploring love's transformative power. Blending electronic textures, dreamy pedal steel, and rock influences, Abbie's music is shaped by personal loss, introspection, and resilience. She's performed at WOMAD, Splendour in the Grass, and shared stages with legends. Contact Abbie: Website / Facebook / Instagram Song Credit: “Just What You Love" - Written by Abbie Cardwell. Performed by Abbie Cardwell. Ready to deep dive into songwriting? Join our 10-week online intensive course to write 10 new songs with lessons, personalised mentorship and practical tools to refine your craft. Learn more at iheartsongwritingclub.com/songwritingcourses.Find out more and contact us at I Heart Songwriting Club & Francesca de Valence.Get your creativity, confidence, and songwriting output flowing. Join The Club and receive the support and structure to write 10 songs in 10 weeks and get feedback from a private peer community. Just getting started on your songwriting journey and need more hands-on support? Establish a firm foundation and develop your musical and lyric skills with our Beginner Songwriting Courses. Don't struggle to write your next album - write an album a year with ease! Watch our Free Songwriting Masterclass. Get songwriting insights from I Heart Songwriting Club: Instagram / Facebook / YouTubeBe inspired by Francesca on socials: YouTube / Facebook / InstagramTheme song: “Put One Foot In Front Of The Other One” music and lyrics by Francesca de Valence If you love this episode, please subscribe, leave a review and tell everyone you know about The Magic of Songwriting.

Send us a textIn this episode of Art Wank, we focus on Australian artists Michelle Cawthorn and Peter Sharp and their recent creative residency at the Josef and Anni Albers Foundation in Connecticut, USA. Together, they reflect on how this experience produced a new body of work and the opportunity to explore the foundations archives. During her residency at the Albers Foundation, Cawthorn immersed herself in collage of birds and particularly focussed on the work of Anni Albers. Sharp engaged directly with the legacy of Josef Albers, exploring how colour, geometry and perception can reveal new ways of seeing the landscape by painting on Albers book on colour, reinterpreting the pages for himself. Michelle Cawthorn – BioMichelle Cawthorn is a Sydney-based multidisciplinary artist whose practice is rooted in drawing and extends across collage, painting, sculpture and installation. Her work explores memory, identity and belonging through an autobiographical lens, often using repetition, pattern and sensory triggers to evoke fragments of experience.Cawthorn holds undergraduate degrees in Fine Art and Art Education from the University of New South Wales, and completed a PhD in Fine Arts in 2021. She has held numerous solo exhibitions and participated in over sixty group shows across Australia. Her work is represented by OLSEN Gallery, Sydney.Peter Sharp – BioPeter Sharp is an Australian artist whose practice has, for more than three decades, investigated how the natural world can be understood through abstraction. Working across drawing, painting, printmaking and sculpture, Sharp captures the structural and rhythmic essence of nature rather than its surface appearance.He holds a Bachelor of Art Education from the City Art Institute (now UNSW Art & Design) and a Master of Fine Arts from UNSW. Sharp has exhibited widely in Australia and internationally.Join us as Michele Cawthorn and Peter Sharp share insights from their transformative experience at the Albers Foundation. Apply for the residency here.Thanks, Peter and Michele, for speaking with us, it was a fascinating insight into your time at the Albers Foundation, and we're really looking forward to seeing the work that emerges from the experience. 

Creativity as a Lifeline: A Conversation with Jaime TownzenWhat happens when grief, loss, and uncertainty open a doorway back to creativity? In this soulful episode of The Creative Genius Podcast, host Kate Shepherd speaks with artist and author Jaime Townzen about how watercolour became her lifeline during a dark time, and how following her spark led her to write and publish her debut novel Absorbed. Together they explore creativity as healing, intuition as guidance, the courage to embrace being an artist, and how art helps us through times of crisis.Listeners will hear about Jaime's journey from stay-at-home mom to professional artist and novelist, the power of daily creative rituals, the role of curiosity as an antidote to anxiety, and how to trust your own calling. This conversation is a balm for anyone longing to reconnect with their creative spark and live more fully as themselves.This week on the Creative Genius Podcast, I sat down with artist and author Jaime Townzen. Her story is one of grief, healing, and rediscovering herself through creativity — a path that eventually led her to publish her first novel Absorbed.We talked about why art matters in times of crisis, how daily creative rituals can reorient your whole life, and what it means to follow your calling even when it doesn't make sense on paper.Jaime's journey is a beautiful reminder that creativity isn't indulgent — it's essential.

It's been a minute fam! Tune in for a transparent episode with Lauren on her recent journey through grief, depression, major life changes and returning to her joy! In this episode she'll share practical ways to navigate grief and how to give yourself grace as you embark on your own healing journey. We'll unpack:1. The power of transparency2. Asking for helps as means for healing3. Returning to your creative practice to help ground you Feedback/Questions? thriveandthread@gmail.com--If you enjoyed today's episode, please leave us a 5-star rating and review on Apple Podcasts and Spotify - let us know what you'd like to hear more about so we can best support you in your creative journey! Coaching, Classes & Events: Join our Newsletter for mindset letters, goodies & updates: https://thriveandthread.myflodesk.com/Saturday 10/11 at 10:30A EST - Online | mindful morning workshop: Self-Compassion: http://lauren-devera.as.me/wellness1:1 Coaching with Lauren: https://www.honeybook.com/widget/the_lions_den_187621/cf_id/6462a88daec1a30c3afd99f8The Lion's Den: Dance & Wellness | IRL & Online: https://www.lauren-devera.com/thelionsdenThrive and Thread Online:Lauren's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thelaurendevera/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thriveandthread/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thriveandthreadThrive and Thread Meditations: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7FdHtKeTP0zxzRtm2QMxqb?si=4c3c474d22e74339

The Devil from Tarot's Major Arcana is one of the more magnetic, complex and shadowy archetypes from the deck, and Hannah Levy thinks it is high time we tune into their compelling frequency. Hannah is a writer, and the editor-in-chief of The Rebis, is a print-only tarot themed literary journal of creative writing and art. The theme of this year's journal is The Devil, with creative contributions navigating themes of addiction, sexuality, liberation, and more. Tune in for Hannah's creative take on working with tarot, their story of upstarting a literary journal, and meditations on The Devil archetype. ❤️‍

In this week's episode, Kat is joined by Chelsey Pippin Mizzi, author of The Shadow Path, to explore how shadow work can deepen your creative process and bring more honesty and depth into your art. Together, they discuss how the parts of ourselves we often avoid might hold the key to the work we're truly meant to make. Discover gentle, practical ways to meet your shadow through tarot, dream journaling, and ritual—and learn how to see this work as a safe retreat rather than a confrontation.

“My goal isn't to win the hours. I want to be present.” — Shelley EvansWhen a “good career” starts to feel like a bad relationship, walking away is just the start. After you escape the grind, you realize the grind is YOU, and the work has just begun. Shelley and Matt share how crisis-mode and productivity hacks kept them reactive—and what changed when they chose a self‑sustaining creative practice over the fool's gold of trying to do it all, all at once.In this open, honest discussion, we look at why mainstream productivity culture fails creative people—and what actually works instead.Shelley describes realizing her Hollywood career was akin to an “abusive spouse”. After she chose to step away to write her novel, her biggest achievement wasn't logging more hours, it was moving from punishing deadlines to presence, using “marbles in a jar” to measure engaged time and pulling the Creative Focus Workshop “ripcord” to recenter herself when she got off track.Matt shares how 100-hour weeks in tech and spinning in endless “preparation” felt productive but in fact kept him from writing. When he (finally!) chose a single project, he created steadiness and progress he could trust.We talk about “finish and ship” as the foundation of art as communication, why the Motion AI calendar that postponed lunch until April is the clearest sign yet that productivity hacking is a dead end, and how short, ten‑minute sessions beat perfectionism because you discover better questions once you're in motion.If you're stuck in reactive mode, or drowning in “optimizing,” this conversation gives you simple, human practices to return to your work and keep going.Why “crisis‑competence” isn't a creative practiceThe exact moment Shelley realized the Hollywood grind was “an abusive spouse,”How “marbles in a jar” beats self‑punishment when you're stuckWhen to pull the ripcord and return to Creative Focus“Finish and ship” as the completion of an act of creative communicationThe fine line between useful tooling/worldbuilding and sophisticated procrastination“I teach productivity, but I hate ‘productivity'” — e.g. the Motion AI calendar that tried to schedule lunch in April.The value of ten‑minute sessions over painstaking perfectionYour Next StepIf you're ready to swap punishment for presence with your creative work, and actually finish, watch the free Creative Engine workshop. Master the 4 simple steps to finishing your dream creative projects!GuestsShelley Evans is a screenwriter and teacher (Harvard Extension School) whose credits include ABC, CBS, Showtime, USA, Hallmark, and Lifetime. She's now focused on her novel and on building a sustainable, presence‑based creative practice.Matt Griffin is a writer, adjunct professor (NYU IDM/ITP), conference producer (NarraScope 2025), consultant, 3D printing and biofabrication expert (MakerBot/Ultimaker). He's currently writing an interactive novel for Choice of Games.Links and resourcesThe Creative Focus Workshop (CFW)The Creative Engine class: 4 Simple Steps to Finish Your Dream Creative Projects (Live Oct 9; replay after)Choice of Games

Is the audience more than a gaggle of consumers? What role do they play in the creative process of an artist? Should they, as Rick Rubin says, "come last"? Are they always right? Or is there a more nuanced and sustaining way to approach this question? In this episode of The Gentle Rebel, I explore this question with Steve Lawson. I bumped into Steve towards the end of the summer at Greenbelt Festival. We rapidly got deep in conversation about his recently completed PhD, A Study Towards a New Model for Subscriber Audience Involvement in Improvised Music. Steve's approach to music-making and creative practice has always resonated with me. Over the past twenty-five years, he has carved out a living as a solo improvisational bass player, developing a thoughtful and sustainable model for art that resists the common assumptions that drive an obsession with numbers and scale. His thesis turns that lived experience into a lens for questioning many of the assumptions baked into how we think about creativity today. https://youtu.be/BB362bVySiI Notes from our conversation... The Audience Comes With What happens if we treat the audience as part of the story that shapes and sustains our practice? A way of looking at the influential relationship between artist and audience is to create spaces where the rationale (the philosophical approach) can be presented, and work can emerge as part of a conversation with the audience. For Steve, listening to how people (who respect your work) engage with it, whether “that reminds me of…” or “my Dad just died and all I can listen to is you,” becomes so much more meaningful than having a reviewer who doesn't know what you are doing or why, and place it in a pile of other CDs. What matters is how people relate it to their lives, and what it means to them. Creating spaces for this dialogue became central: a mailing list, website forum, Twitter, and eventually a subscription model through Bandcamp. Non-Algorithmically Defined Community Spaces This meant integrating community with the economic rationale for making music. The audience emotionally sustains the music and financially supports its creation, along with the maintenance of the space where both artist and audience belong as equals. When the audience has already paid for the music before it is made, there is no need to rationalise it with hype or spectacle. Instead, it connects with people who already share the philosophical approach. This is a form of patronage, supporting the artist because of how they create, not only what they make. Scenius (Brian Eno) Genius is not an individual trait but the manifestation of the collective intelligence of a scene. Famous names are simply the visible tip of a larger iceberg, as with Russian painters in the early twentieth century. Reception Theory (Stuart Hall) Audiences actively interpret media texts by encoding and decoding. They may align with the intended meaning (dominant reading), reject it (oppositional reading), or negotiate it. Instrumental music does not encode meaning in a concrete way. Its sense of meaning emerges cumulatively, with artist and audience encoding together. Decoding and recoding become a collective process, shaped by new work and ongoing observations. The Space of the Talkaboutable (David Darke) Great works expand the “space of the talkaboutable,” an invitation to discuss ideas and broaden horizons. While Darke sees this as arriving around the work, Steve sees the space as built first (through mailing lists, forums, Twitter, Bandcamp), with the work then released into it. Meaning is collectively encoded, decoded, and recoded in this shared space. “The Audience Comes Last” The PhD began with the desire to make better music. What became clear was how much the audience contributes to the process, and what happens when that is denied. Rubin's statement that the audience should be ignored overlooks the wisdom, care,

Margo is joined by artist and founder behind Beenanza Design, Bethany Andrews Nichols. A returning friend of the show, Bethany shares how her creative practice has evolved over the past few years—expanding her Burlington, Vermont studio into a hub for block printing workshops and collaborations with brands like King Arthur Flour and Cabot Cheese, developing her new DIY printing kit Coverall, and launching a block-printed fabric line with Stash Fabrics. Along the way, she opens up about navigating feedback, balancing motherhood and entrepreneurship, and the persistence it takes to keep moving forward. Margo and Bethany discuss: How Bethany's studio has evolved into a creative hub for workshops and collaborations Developing a DIY block printing kit Using feedback (even tough feedback) to refine ideas and keep creativity alive Building accountability and creative connections that move projects forward Balancing motherhood, entrepreneurship, and creative exploration Why starting before you're “ready” is often the best way forward Connect with Bethany: https://www.beenanzadesign.com/partnerships https://www.instagram.com/beenanza.design/ https://www.beenanzadesign.com/monthly-calendar/sept-25 Connect with Margo: www.windowsillchats.com www.instagram.com/windowsillchats www.patreon.com/inthewindowsill https://www.yourtantaustudio.com/thefoundry   Sign Up for the Sylva Solace Creative Resilience Retreat: https://www.bdi-create.today/sylva-retreat    

How does artmaking serve as a pathway for reclaiming our sense of agency?How do we practice boundaries and self-care as performers?How do we tend to our creative well and emotional health through entrepreneurship?In this super fun and alive conversation with creative coach and luminary Jamie Ridler, we explored the meeting places between art and magic.We discussed:

On today's episode I share the BTS of my creative practice, how I get started, develop ideas and the routines, habits and mindset that I use to get them out into the world.    Join our October Coaching Academy My recent Substack on Motivation Recent Podcast on Taking the Leap to Just Start

Send us a textWhat you'll hear:Woo corner is coming out in the next couple of days, hop on into the sandbox!  This will also be the best place to learn about when The Audacity Project opens to the public next week. Request #1:  "Guilt about landing a contract and not enjoying/liking it" -Anya  2:45Why I think not liking an opportunity is pretty exciting (as long as you use that information for future you) 5:00Request #2:  "How to schedule when time has no meaning. Basically, when you are the mistress of your own time, but are a roomba when left to your own devices, any tips on how to stick to that "I will start at 10am, and finish at 7pm" thing" -Kat 7:00Schedules are tools, but they are only useful if they increase your accessibility to engage with your life  8:30"Know thyself and act accordingly" a schedule that doesn't consider your chronotype and accessibility needs won't be worth a damn. 9:003 Reasons you might be rebelling against your own schedule 11:30You don't want to be controlledYou don't value the thing you're in pursuit ofYou don't perceive promises to yourself as worth keepingRequest #3:  "Building a sustainable art practice since art is infinite. I think about this a lot. There is no finish line. Art is like an endless mountain.  At some point you progress beyond safe school showcases and events organised by others." -MichelleAn essential skill for sustainable artistic pursuit over a lifetime 19:00Don't go back to sleep.xoRachelSign up here for monthly blasts and functional wooFind me on InstagramSupport this podcast on Patreon

In this episode of Wellspringwords: The Podcast, Nkem reflects on wisdom and questions from the Wellspringwords® community on the theme of “the writing journey”. What does it mean to live a writer's life? This episode touches on cultivating intimacy with the craft of writing through facing self-doubt with courage, a holistic view of the editing process, being a spiritual weaver in the creative experience, and more. We hope this episode offers timely insights on your sacred and unique journey of creation. Please enjoy and share it with another beloved writer who would benefit!Let us know what this episode brought to mind or heart for you in a podcast review, ⁠on Instagram⁠, or via email at bewell@wellspringwords.love. Be well!***Timestamps:00:10 - Introduction to the podcast and theme: The Writer's Life3:03 - Writer's Wisdom & Reflection: Writing as a way of living…5:46 - Nkem's journey with organically starting her writing life7:22 - A soulful perspective on writing as a journey of self-discovery9:15 - Maturing as a writing “craftsperson”13:00 - Staying connected to the heart of the writing in the face of self-doubt24:37 - Finding true completion in the artwork30:16 - Invitation to cultivate your craft as a writer in our Creative Enrichment Studio36:51 - Open call for writing and visual art for Issue 4 of our Literary Anthology!38:53 - Editing practices and approaches48:32 - Cultivating inner creativity54:34 - How has writing changed my life?58:51 - Stay connected & continue the conversation!***References mentioned in this episode:Words as Witness: A Conversation on Connection & Community with Courtney and Brittany podcast episodeCourtney's writing for Wellspringwords' former Digital AnthologyResna's writing for Issue 3 of Wellspringwords' Literary Anthology, “The Sensualist…”Heart Translation™ 8-week embodied creative writing course this AutumnWellspringwords® Creative Enrichment StudioThe Art of Creative Practice podcast episodeFind Wellspringwords® here:⁠⁠⁠⁠www.wellspringwords.love/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@wellspringwords⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Wellspringwords® newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠Find Nkem here:⁠⁠⁠⁠www.bynkem.co/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@bynkemstudio⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@a.more.nuanced.way⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@nourishandembody⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Nkem's personal newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Nkem's poetry collections⁠***Don't forget to rate, review, share, and subscribe!Want to show more love? ⁠⁠⁠Leave us a tip⁠⁠⁠ to support this growing platform. :)

A couple of years ago, I discovered PJ Milani, aka Milani Creative, an illustrator who publishes the coolest visual metaphors on the internet. I reached out to him and invited him on the show to discuss creativity. Enjoy the conversation!Links- PJ Milani's Newsletter - https://idea-milanicreative.beehiiv.com/- Milani Creative - https://www.milanicreative.com/- Thinking in Visual Metaphors - https://maven.com/milanicreative/visualthinking- Join Better Writers: https://fabiocerpelloni.com/privateBooks and stuff we mentioned:- Steal Like an Artist by Austin Kleon- Ship 30 for 30 – a writing cohort/course PJ joined early in his creative journeyTime Stamps00:00 – Intro02:24 – Creating Daily08:05 – The Start of PJ Milani's Creative Journey23:22 – The Creator Economy33:10 – Creating for Yourself vs Creating for Others38:46 – The Goal of Visual Metaphors45: 25 – PJ Milani's Creative Process53:37 – On Being Original1:01:18 – PJ Milani's Book1:06:25 – Words of Encouragement for Creatives1:16:40 – Conclusion & where to find PJKeywords (ignore)creativity, daily practice, visual metaphors, content creation, artistic process, self-awareness, personal growth, creative practice

Celebrating over thirty years of creative work, Clare-based artist Carmel Madigan will be showcasing more than 40 artworks, with a special preview on Saturday the 9th of August and an opening event on Sunday the 10th of August. For more about the inspiration behind her work and what visitors can look forward to Derrick Lynch was joined by Artist, Carmel Madigan.

Feeling lost on the creative journey? Download our 7 step Creative Career Path Handbooklet for FREE by signing up to our newsletter: andyjpizza.substack.com --- Social media has become a very difficult space for artists and lots of folks are looking for other places to share their work. Before we all bail, there are a few things to consider. This episode identifies 3 essential needs we have been attempting to satisfy with social media, so that we can be clear on what it is we're leaving and how we may go about finding these things elsewhere if necessary. SHOW NOTES: Chief Audience Officerhttps://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/chief-audience-officer/id1534942246 Co-Writing / Editing: Sophie Miller http://sophiemiller.coAudio Editing / Sound Design: Conner Jones http://pendingbeautiful.coSoundtrack / Theme Song: Yoni Wolf / WHY? http://whywithaquestionmark.com SPONSORS:SQUARESPACEHead to https://www.squarespace.com/PEPTALK to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using code PEPTALK Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Artistic practice, cultural traditions, cultural practice, folk traditions… These are all places where we have where wisdoms that might otherwise have been lost have been protected, sheltered or found refuge. And like, artists have this like hoarding tendency sometimes, right? Like maybe not all artists, but a lot of us, you know, we look for, for these neglected things, the things that people don't care about so much. We make special or we keep special. And then it's through the artists right now, through the peoples who've kept the stories, kept the cultures, kept the artifacts or the practices that we can reconnect and collapse time. We can close some of that distance between who I am, where I am today, and ancestors from way before through those practices.My conversation with interdisciplinary artist, researcher and consultant Helen Yung who leads the Laboratory for Artistic Intelligence, an artist-driven transdisciplinary research group that specializes in reimagining how things work in the world. Led by artists, this Lab collaborates with people in community, culture, astronomy, physics, psychology, medicine, immigration, mental health, information sciences, education, and more. Helen is a sparkplug of creativity and innovation. I had the pleasure of attending a presentation by Helen about her work at the Worldmaking as Creative Practice gathering in Tkaronto on May 29 and 30, 2025 which was hosted by the Creative Communities Commons at University of Toronto's School of Cities and led by Artist-Researcher-in-Residence Shannon Litzenberger. You'll hear Helen and I refer to this Worldmaking gathering throughout our conversation, for example, when I ask Helen about art as refuge. At the end of the episode Helen invite listeners to join the to the Forum for Artistic Intelligence (ART/INForum). A note of thanks to EM Luka, a good friend and collaborator of Helen's, who participated in the conversation but was not included in the final edit due to time constraints. Show notes generated by Whisper Transcribe AIAction pointsRecognize art as a refuge for spirituality, soulfulness, and cultural preservation in times of conflict.Explore your roots and kinship to tap into reservoirs of knowledge and wisdom.Understand the continuum between art for art's sake and applied arts, and how they intertwine.Embrace the concept of pluriversalism to appreciate diverse perspectives and imaginations.Join the Forum for Artistic Intelligence to connect with like-minded individuals.Story PreviewImagine a world where art safeguards culture, bridges divides, and sparks imagination. Helen Yung shares her vision of art as a sanctuary and a catalyst for understanding our pluriversal world, challenging us to reconsider the role of creativity in society.Chapter Summary00:00 The Value of Cultural Practices01:24 Introducing Helen Yung03:42 Pluriversalism and Artistic Practice07:05 Art as a Refuge11:14 Roots and Artistic IdentityFeatured QuotesArtists have this like hoarding tendency sometimes… we look for, for these neglected things, the things that people don't care about so much. We make special or we keep special.Art has been a sort of holding space or a placeholder for many other things that humanity craves and needs.I believe very much in the role of the artist is to do our best to exhibit in our subjectivity in society… So to bring our artistic practice and our artistic being in relation to the rest of the world, to whatever extent you're able to…Behind the StoryHelen Yung discusses her work with the Laboratory for Artistic Intelligence, emphasizing the importance of bringing artistic methods into various societal sectors. The episode touches on the Worldmaking as Creative Practice gathering, where ideas of art as refuge were explored. Helen advocates for pluriversalism, highlighting the need to appreciate and integrate diverse perspectives in a global context. *END NOTES FOR ALL EPISODESHey conscient listeners, I've been producing the conscient podcast as a learning and unlearning journey since May 2020 on un-ceded Anishinaabe Algonquin territory (Ottawa). It's my way to give back.In parallel with the production of the conscient podcast and its francophone counterpart, balado conscient, I I publish free ‘a calm presence' Substack see https://acalmpresence.substack.com.Your feedback is always welcome at claude@conscient.ca and/or on social media: Facebook, Instagram, Linkedin, Threads, BlueSky, Mastodon, Tik Tok, YouTube and Substack.Share what you like, etcI am grateful and accountable to the earth and the human labour that provided me with the privilege of producing this podcast, including the toxic materials and extractive processes behind the computers, recorders, transportation systems and infrastructure that made this production possible. Claude SchryerLatest update on July 8, 2025

Margo is joined by Jennifer Orkin Lewis and Gayle Kabaker—two powerhouse painters, illustrators, authors, and beloved art teachers whose friendship and creative partnership has taken them (and their students) around the world. Jennifer and Gayle each spent years in fast-paced industries—Jennifer as a textile designer in NYC, Gayle as a fashion illustrator and editorial artist—before embracing slower, more intuitive practices rooted in daily sketchbooking, storytelling, and teaching. Together, Jennifer and Gayle lead collaborative retreats and online workshops that encourage creative exploration and self-expression. Their work is joyful, bold, and filled with heart—and they're deeply committed to helping others find their voice. In this rich and honest conversation, they talk about letting go of “shoulds,” walking away from stale opportunities, and trusting their own timing—whether that meant leaving agents behind, stepping into teaching, or creating space for personal transformation. Margo, Jennifer, and Gayle discuss: How daily sketchbook practice became their creative anchor Why process is more important than perfection How their retreats have opened doors for their students—and for themselves The power of artistic community and creative friendship Why five minutes a day can change everything How their individual journeys led them to a shared mission in teaching and creating Mentioned in this episode: July 27th Class: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/painting-faces-florals-and-pattern-play-with-gayle-jennifer-registration-1459034243699   Portugal Retreat:  https://uptrek.com/retreat/transformative-sketchbook-retreat-artists-jennifer-orkin-lewis-gayle-kabaker-portugal   Chloe Ward Yoga: https://www.chloeward.yoga/   Zig Markers: https://www.markersupply.com/zigartgrtwma.html?srsltid=AfmBOop1y1ZX-zYJX7i3b7ByZnqncJPHQ7NZ9tRDzucQ3KLAc-YukjFU   Tombow Markers: https://www.dickblick.com/products/tombow-dual-brush-pens/?srsltid=AfmBOorG6HNbBOGAP7igbmAxApp9GwjjeT6vqaJn0B7EBkt-IFO7SS5j   Connect with Jennifer:  https://www.augustwren.com/  https://augustwren.substack.com/subscribe https://www.instagram.com/augustwren/   Connect with Gayle: www.gkabaker.com https://gaylekabaker.substack.com https://www.instagram.com/gaylekabake   Connect with Margo: www.windowsillchats.com www.instagram.com/windowsillchats www.patreon.com/inthewindowsill https://www.yourtantaustudio.com/thefoundry  

In this episode, I explore the connection between relationships and a creative practice, and how both might be triggering your avoidance in the same way.If you like my thoughts and insights, follow me on my socials below for more! To be clear, I am not a therapist! I am just very interested in and passionate about self-awareness and personal growth :)Book a 1:1 session ☕️

Rachael and Lauren continue to answer listener questions! They discuss their silly, self-indulgent projects, ideas on building community, and navigating the more tedious aspects of living a creative life.Topics CoveredThe silliest things the hosts created that made their souls smile. Ways to respond when people say “you should sell these,” if you don't want to turn your passion into a business. Finding a creative community that also aligns with your values. Balancing the tedious parts with the joyful parts of your creative business. Tips on how to prioritize your creative energy and calm a chaotic brain when you have so many ideas and decision fatigue.Episode MentionsCheck out Peen Cuisine hereSponsorsCreative Coaching with Rachael Renae Hom Sweet Hom Mural MockupsThe transcript for this episode can be found here! Cover art designed and photographed by Kristle Marshall for Hom Sweet HomIf you love what we are doing and want to support us, head to patreon.com/chaoticcreativesFollow the pod on Instagram @chaoticcreativespod and tag us in the projects you're working on while listening!Say hi or tell us a silly lil joke: chaoticcreativespodcast@gmail.comLauren's links:WebsiteInstagramOnline ClassesRachael's links:WebsiteInstagramPrioritize Play WorkshopStyle Course

This episode is a dream come true. I sit down with bestselling author and poet Maggie Smith, whose viral poem Good Bones captured hearts around the world. We talk about navigating creative life with honesty and resilience—from managing unsupportive friends to staying grounded when the world starts watching. We also dive into her newest book, Dear Writer, and how artists can protect their joy, set boundaries, and thrive in the AI era by getting weird, staying real, and honoring their process. If you're a writer, artist, or creative soul trying to stay true to your work in a noisy world—this one's for you. In this episode, we talk about: What happened when Good Bones went viral (14:40) Why you don't need to monetize everything you make (18:25) Dealing with unsupportive family and friends (30:00) How to write personal stories safely and honestly (42:10) Maggie's approach to creative rhythm vs. consistency (52:30) Why imperfection, eccentricity, and “making it weirder” matter now more than ever (1:02:00) Guest Bio: Maggie Smith is the author of You Could Make This Place Beautiful, Good Bones, Goldenrod, and Keep Moving. Her poems and essays have appeared in The New York Times, The New Yorker, The Paris Review, and Best American Poetry. A recipient of fellowships from the National Endowment for the Arts and Ohio Arts Council, her next book Dear Writer: Pep Talks & Practical Advice for the Creative Life will be released in April 2025. Connect with Maggie Smith: Website: maggiesmithpoet.com Instagram: @maggiesmithpoet Substack: For Dear Life Presented by Create! Magazine Submit to our open calls or subscribe to the digital edition at createmagazine.co Let's connect: Instagram: @createmagazine Host: @katerinaspopova

Margo is joined by Swedish designer, illustrator, and educator Tina Backman for an inspiring conversation about creativity, self-discovery, and the winding path of a creative life. From a shy childhood filled with drawing, journaling, and music, Tina shares how creativity became her truest language—and how that expression evolved into an international career in design, education, and branding. Margo and Tina explore the realities of navigating a creative career: the pressure to pursue “practical” paths, the challenges of freelance life, and the courage it takes to follow your inner voice. Tina also opens up about rebuilding her creative presence after losing her Instagram account, the magic of physical creative spaces, and why gathering with other women has been essential to her journey. It's a rich, vulnerable, and empowering episode filled with lessons on resilience, reinvention, and reclaiming creative joy.   Topics discussed by Margo and Tina: Using creativity as a safe space and communication tool in childhood The tension between societal expectations and following an artistic path Tina's experiences studying in the UK vs. Sweden—and how that shaped her work Transitioning from international freelance work to teaching design How to recognize when a project isn't the right fit (and why that matters) Why Tina created her own studio—and how it reignited her inspiration The importance of community and local creative gatherings for women Balancing creative work with full-time roles, like branding for a Swedish municipality Tips for presenting creative ideas in a way that resonates with clients Honoring your past creative work, even when life gets busy Connect with Tina: https://tinabackman.se/ https://www.instagram.com/tinabackmandesignstudio/   Connect with Margo: https://www.tantaustudio.com https://www.instagram.com/windowsillchats/ https://www.patreon.com/c/inthewindowsill https://www.yourtantaustudio.com/thefoundry

In this heartfelt and grounding conversation, Kat reconnects with her former professor, artist and printmaker Cheryl Agulnick Hochberg, to explore what it truly means to live a creative life—on your own terms.   Cheryl shares how her work is shaped by place, walking, and deep observation—drawing inspiration from time spent in Wyoming, China, Finland, and her new home in Arizona. Together, they reflect on life after academia, the courage to start over, and the unexpected clarity that comes with experience, loss, and listening to the land.   This episode is a balm for any artist feeling overwhelmed, out of place, or unsure of what comes next. It's a reminder that your work doesn't have to be impressive—it just has to be yours.   In this episode, they discuss: Life after academia and what changed in higher education Making time for your art while raising a family or working full-time How Cheryl approaches residencies, place-based work, and listening Letting go of external pressure and creating from authenticity The real markers of a fulfilling creative life Advice for artists just beginning—or beginning again Cheryl Agulnick Hochberg Website: www.cherylagulnick.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cherylhochberg     ✨ Resources to Support Your Creative Path: Submit to Create! Magazine's open call: createmagazine.co/call-for-art Explore free artist tools + micro-courses at Create U

The Robyn Engelson Podcast Ever wish you had a life mentor with over decades of experience whispering million dollar wellness tips in your ear? That's exactly what you will get each week when you tune into The Robyn Engelson Podcast. I'm your host, a sought after burnout recovery coach for high-achieving women and help you heal from burnout and survival mode, so you can reclaim your energy, joy, and rediscover your voice. Each week, I bring you inspiring guests, insights, and tools to empower you to be energized, compress time, and start living instead of existing.   Episode Title: Can Creativity Really Be Your Career Superpower? Host: Robyn Engelson Guest:  Kassi Kincaid Episode Summary: In this inspiring episode, we sit down with Kassi Kincaid, speaker, trainer, author, and founder of Book Days, an international children's literacy movement, to explore how creativity isn't just for artists, it's a powerful tool for leadership, innovation, and personal growth. Kassi shares her journey of turning a small passion project into a global mission, and reveals how reconnecting with your creative spark can lead to breakthroughs in both your career and your confidence. We dive deep into: What a creative mindset really is (hint: it's about perspective, not talent) Why most adults lose their creativity—and how to get it back The 5-step framework that helps you turn ideas into action How childhood joy holds clues to your purpose today The confidence-creation connection—and how small steps fuel big change Whether you're feeling stuck, burnt out, or disconnected from your spark, this episode is your reminder: creativity isn't lost, it's waiting to be reawakened.   You'll learn: What a Creative Mindset Really Is Discover why creativity isn't just artistic talent—it's a way of seeing possibilities, solving problems, and leading with vision in any role. How to Reignite Your Inner Spark Uncover why most adults lose their creative genius—and how reconnecting with your childhood passions can unlock purpose and joy. Kassi's 5-Step Creativity Framework Learn how to move from idea to action with Kassi's simple, powerful cycle: Imagine → Pursue → Overcome → Rest → Reflect. Why Confidence Fuels Creativity Explore how tiny moments of courage build lasting creative confidence—and how to take the first step without waiting for perfection. The Link Between Play and Innovation See how playfulness, curiosity, and joy can lead to bold breakthroughs in your career and life. How to Lead Creatively at Any Level Discover why creativity is the secret weapon of impactful leadership—and how to apply it whether you're a CEO or just starting out. Why Rest is a Creative Practice Burnout blocks brilliance. Learn why stepping back is not quitting—but a vital part of the creative process. From Passion to Global Impact Be inspired by Kassi's journey from a small classroom initiative to a global literacy movement, and what it teaches us about dreaming big.   Memorable Quotes:  "Creativity isn't missing, it's waiting. And confidence is how you unlock it."  "You don't have to be an artist to be creative. You just have to be curious."  "Joy is productive. If it lights you up, it leads you somewhere important."  "Most big ideas start small. The magic is in taking the first step." "Your inner child doesn't want you to be perfect, just present."  "Rest isn't a break from creativity. It's a vital part of it."  "Creative confidence is built, not born. One brave idea at a time."   Resources & Mentions: Nonprofit Initiative: Book Days – A global children's literacy movement founded by Kassi, dedicated to inspiring creativity and reading joy in kids around the world. Creativity Framework: The 5-Step Creativity Cycle – Kassi's practical model to spark and sustain creativity: Imagine → Pursue → Overcome → Rest → Reflect  Key Concept: Creative Confidence – The belief that your ideas matter, and that small steps can lead to bold innovation—no matter your profession. Professional Titles: Speaker | Trainer | Author | Founder of Book Days   Actionable Steps for Listeners: 1. Reconnect with Your Inner Child Think back to what made you feel most alive as a child—drawing, building, storytelling, dancing? Write down 2–3 activities that brought you joy, and explore how they can show up in your adult life today. 2. Identify Where You're Playing Small Ask yourself: “Where am I holding back creative ideas because I'm afraid they're not good enough?” Choose one area and take a small, low-stakes action (e.g., pitch that idea, start that project, share your perspective). 3. Use the 5-Step Creativity Cycle Apply Kassi's framework in your work or personal life this week: Imagine → Pursue → Overcome → Rest → Reflect Start with just one idea. Don't aim for perfect—aim for progress. 4. Practice Creative Confidence Daily Each day, do one thing that affirms your creativity: Say a creative affirmation (“My ideas are valid”) Set a 10-minute timer and journal freely Try something new, even if you're not “good” at it 5. Rest Without Guilt Schedule intentional breaks where you disconnect from productivity. Creativity flourishes when you allow space. Let rest be part of your process, not a reward after burnout. 6. Start Small, Dream Big Kassi began Book Days with 50 kids—it now impacts 20,000+. Write down one small, meaningful action you can take this week toward a bigger dream or passion project.   Final Thought: You were born creative and that spark never left you. It's not about being artistic; it's about seeing the world with curiosity, courage, and heart. Creativity begins when you give yourself permission to imagine more and trust your ideas. Whether you're leading a team, launching a project, or just trying to feel like yourself again, your creativity is your power. Start small. Honor your joy. And remember: confidence doesn't come first, it's built through every step you take. The world doesn't need a perfect version of you—it needs your true one. So go create something only you can.   What listeners have to say: Kassi Kincaid's episode is sparking creative breakthroughs for professionals, educators, and leaders who thought they had “lost” their spark. Alyssa R., an elementary school teacher, said reconnecting with her childhood love of storytelling reminded her why she started teaching in the first place, and inspired her to launch a classroom reading project. David L., a product manager, shared that Kassi's 5-step creativity framework gave him the courage to finally pitch an idea he'd been sitting on for months—and it led to a new innovation initiative at work. Renee M., a nonprofit director, reflected on how Kassi's insight about “rest being part of the creative process” helped her step back from burnout and return to work with clarity and purpose. These stories remind us: creativity isn't a talent—it's a tool. And it's available to all of us, at any time.   Now it's your turn: What moment, quote, or idea from Kassi's story helped you see yourself, or your work differently? We'd love to hear from you. Share your reflection and inspire someone else to reconnect with their creative courage.   Loved this episode? If you found value in this conversation, don't forget to leave a review! Scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Your feedback helps us create content that supports your journey to thriving, not just surviving.   Connect with Kassie Kincaid: LinkedIn Instagram About Kassi Kincaid: Kassi Kincaid is a speaker, trainer, and author, dedicated to helping leaders and teams harness creativity to drive innovation and engagement. As the visionary behind Book Days, an international children's literacy initiative, Kassi has witnessed firsthand how creative thinking transforms ideas into global impact. Her journey from launching a literacy movement to inspiring professionals in HR, leadership, and talent development has shaped her mission: to equip organizations with practical creativity frameworks that spark innovation, boost employee engagement, and drive meaningful change. Kassi believes that creativity is the key to solving complex challenges and unlocking new opportunities. Through her interactive workshops and keynotes, she empowers professionals to reignite their creative potential and build dynamic, future-ready workplaces.    Connect with Robyn: Bring Robyn to Your Stage Get Robyn's #1 best selling book, Exhausted To Energized - 90 Days To Your Best Self Get Robyn's Free Video Sign up for Robyn's Unapologetic Personal Letter   View Robyn's Website Follow Robyn on LinkedIn Robyn's Facebook Watch Robyn on Instagram  

Ceramicist, Malene Barnett, returns to the Noize! We learned all about her amazing book Crafted Kinship and now we learn all about her artistic practice. From designing rugs to ceramics walls Malene's curiosity and passion has pushed her in new directions. After discovering her love for hand building clay she has been on a journey to learn the craft and make work in all forms. We talk about her ceramic murals, how residencies helped her learn about ceramics, being a part of a community of artists, and the structure she uses to keep her on track in the studio. Malene has some great insights in to clay and how it connects her to her ancestors. More of that good art talk that you love on the Noize! Listen, subscribe, and share!Episode 202 topics include:Crafted Kinship world tourworking in clayfinding residencies to study clay being a part of the ceramics communitybeing objective about your worksturcture and discipline in art practiceceramic muralstraveling to Ghana for research Malene Djenaba Barnett is an award-winning multidisciplinary artist, textile surface designer, and community builder. She earned her MFA in ceramics from the Tyler School of Art and Architecture and undergraduate degrees in fashion illustration and textile surface design from the Fashion Institute of Technology. Malene received a Fulbright Award to travel to Jamaica in 2022–23 as the visiting artist at Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts in Kingston. Malene's art reflects her African Caribbean heritage, building on her ancestral legacy of mark-making as a visual identity, and has been exhibited at galleries and museums throughout the United States, including the Mindy Solomon Gallery in Miami, the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago, Sugar Hill Children's Museum of Art & Storytelling in New York City, the African American Museum of Dallas, and Temple Contemporary in Philadelphia. Malene's art and design work has appeared in numerous publications, including the New York Times, Galerie, Elle Decor, Architectural Digest, Departures, and Interior Design. In addition, Malene hosts lectures on advocating for African Caribbean ceramic traditions and has participated in residencies at Anderson Ranch Arts Center, Watershed Center for the Ceramic Arts, Greenwich House Pottery, Judson Studios, the Hambidge Center, and Haystack Mountain School of Crafts. In 2024, Malene released her first book, “Crafted Kinship: Inside the Creative Practice of Contemporary Black Caribbean Makers” (Hachette), which includes interviews with over 60 artists of Caribbean heritage, taking readers on an important journey through the world of Black Caribbean creativity. This groundbreaking collection is the first to feature Caribbean makers' intimate stories of their artmaking processes, and how their countries of origin—the “land” —influences and informs how and what they create. See more: Malene Barnett website + Malene Barnett IG @malene.barnettFollow us:StudioNoizePodcast.comIG: @studionoizepodcastJamaal Barber: @JBarberStudioSupport the podcast www.patreon.com/studionoizepodcast

Send us a textAs makers, we often believe that stability - often in the form of continuous access to the same studio and materials - is essential for building a creative business, but Eva Champagne's nomadic journey reveals a different path. Throughout our conversation, Eva shares how she's built a ceramics practice while constantly relocating - from Florida to the Virgin Islands, Bali to Montana, and numerous residencies in between - by prioritizing experience and adaptation over permanence. Despite the challenges of restarting with new materials, kilns, and glazes in each location, Eva embraces this constant reinvention as part of her creative process. Rather than seeing her nomadic lifestyle as an obstacle, she's transformed it into a strength, connecting with ceramic communities worldwide and developing a unique artistic voice that thrives on curiosity and discovery. Could insatiable curiosity and a willingness to constantly try new things be a new approach to unlocking something new for your own creative journey?Resources in this Episode:Evas' InstagramLove this podcast? Support an episode! Click here to learn more. Follow The Maker's Playbook on Instagram @themakersplaybookHave questions about the show or want to say Hi? Email us at: podcast (at) makers-playbook (dot) com

Margo is joined by creative couple Steve and Mary Jo Hoffman for a tender, thought-provoking conversation about resilience, reinvention, and the art of intentional living. In the wake of losing their family home to a fire, Steve and Mary Jo open up about what it means to rebuild—not just a house, but an entire way of living. They share how their individual creative practices continue to evolve, how they support one another through parallel play and creative autonomy, and how loss clarified what truly matters. About Mary Jo Hoffman: Mary Jo is an artist and photographer best known for her project STILL, a daily nature photography practice that blossomed into a decade-long blog and the book STILL: The Art of Noticing. Her images and essays capture the quiet beauty of everyday natural objects and invite readers to see the world with fresh eyes. She lives in Shoreview, Minnesota, with her husband Steve and their puggle Jack, who joins her on daily foraging walks. About Steve Hoffman: Steve is a James Beard Award–winning writer whose debut memoir, A Season for That, chronicles his family's relocation to southern France and the unexpected beauty found in ordinary food, people, and rhythms. A tax preparer by day and food writer by heart, Steve's work has appeared in The Washington Post, Food & Wine, and The Minneapolis Star Tribune. He lives with Mary Jo on Turtle Lake, surrounded by bees, cranes, and creative inspiration. Margo, Steve, and Mary Jo discuss: Navigating loss and rebuilding with intention after the fire that destroyed their home and studios How daily creative rituals can ground and guide us through upheaval The power of noticing: Mary Jo's journey with STILL and the discipline of paying attention Writing memoir and confronting vulnerability in Steve's A Season for That What it means to live in a “total work of art” and create a life aligned with your values How partnership and creativity intertwine without merging Embracing slow living, meaningful routines, and the grace found in the everyday Previous Episodes with Mary Jo & Steve Episode 197: "Finding Beauty in Everyday Life: The Power of Creative Practice and the Art of Noticing with Mary Jo Hoffman" Episode 209: "A Season for Change: Steve Hoffman on New Perspectives, Culture, and Finding a Sense of Belonging"   Connect with Steve Hoffman: www.sjrhoffman.com https://www.instagram.com/sjrhoffman/   Connect with Mary Jo Hoffman: https://www.instagram.com/maryjohoffman/ STILL: The Art of Noticing http://eepurl.com/bTvh4n (Newsletter)   Connect with Margo: www.windowsillchats.com www.instagram.com/windowsillchats www.patreon.com/inthewindowsill  

Jono Hey, author of Big Ideas Little Pictures and creator of Sketchplanations, shares insights from over a decade of explaining the world through sketches. We discuss: The power of visual thinkingBuilding a new identity when changing careers Knowing when a piece is done and ready for publishingTips to get started with sketching& lessons from long-term creative projects, including illustrating for Bill Gates.*ABOUT JONO HEYJono Hey is the author and illustrator of Big Ideas Little Pictures, a collection of the best of Sketchplanations—his decade-long project dedicated to explaining complex ideas through simple sketches. With a background spanning academia, business, design, product development, and engineering, Jono has helped build two successful companies and holds a Ph.D. from the University of California, Berkeley. His work has been featured in Bill Gates's book How to Prevent the Next Pandemic, and he co-hosts Sketchplanations – the Podcast, where he and two friends dive deeper into the ideas behind his sketches. Find his latest work at sketchplanations.com.*RESOURCES

I'm so excited to introduce you to Sarah Mac, the author of The 6-Figure Creative and someone who truly embodies the intersection of creativity, wellness, and abundance. Sarah is a Creative Brand Strategist and Money Mindset Coach who's here to help you scale your brand to 6+ figures without burning out. Sarah blends mindset work, astrology, and soulful business strategy to support you in scaling your creative business while staying aligned with your values and well-being. Her approach empowers you to rewrite your money story, tap into your unique gifts, and build a business that feels aligned, joyful, and sustainable. If you've ever doubted whether your creative work can be both fulfilling and financially abundant, this conversation is your reminder that the world not only needs your creativity, it desires it. So let's dive in and explore what's truly possible for you. Follow Sarah:  https://www.instagram.com/sarahmacmagic/ https://www.instagram.com/creativemagicclub/ Work with Sarah:  https://withsarahmac.com Want to dive deeper? Check out Sarah's podcast, where she interviews me about three movement practices to spark creativity and ease aches and pains. Listen here: Podcast Link  

In this mini-episode, we explore the unexpected parallel between toe yoga and creative practice. Through her personal experience with a daily exercises, our host, Martine Severin, reveals how small, consistent efforts lead to remarkable changes over time – both in physical flexibility and creative mastery. Martine challenges the myth of natural talent, showing how persistence and consistent practice often triumph over innate ability. This episode serves as your permission slip to begin that creative project you've been postponing – no matter how small your daily commitment might be. Chapters:  00:00 Introduction to Creative Journeys  00:27 Understanding Toe Yoga  04:22 The Metaphor of Toe Yoga in Creativity  08:10 Taking Action and Consistency in Practice Key Takeaways: The benefits of toe yoga extend beyond foot health to our entire physical structure Just 1-5 minutes of daily practice can lead to significant improvements in any skill Consistent practice often trumps natural talent in creative pursuits You don't need expensive equipment or extensive training to begin your creative journey Stop waiting for permission and start with small, manageable commitments  Stay in touch: Website: MartineSeverin.com Follow on Instagram: @martineseverin | @thisishowwecreate Subscribe to the Newsletter: Martine's Substack - Creative Matters

Whether you consider yourself a “creative person” or not, if you're a human, you have the capacity for creativity. Today I'm sharing 5 ways that I believe developing a creative practice can be both life-altering and life-giving, from helping us reach new levels of authenticity, to transforming our relationship with uncertainty and imperfection, and lots more.SUBSCRIBE | Join the Rewilding newsletter & community **** Did you enjoy this episode? Leaving a review is a TOTALLY FREE way to share the love and support the show. Thank you!

In this deeply moving episode, Kate Shepherd sits down with Gabrielle Savory Bailey for a Listener Lab conversation that explores creativity as a force for connection, healing, and resistance in difficult times. Gabrielle shares her experiences as a Quaker, an artist, and a facilitator of creative communities, weaving together insights on spirituality, vulnerability, and the power of shared creative expression.Together, they discuss:✨ How creativity helps combat loneliness and fosters belonging✨ The role of spirituality in creative practices✨ The power of creativity as resistance in a divided world✨ How difficult conversations can lead to deeper understanding✨ Why creativity is not frivolous—it is necessaryThrough stories, laughter, and moments of deep reflection, this conversation highlights the essential role creativity plays in restoring balance and helping us navigate life's challenges.Takeaways:

Join our January Virtual Pep Rally by supporting on Substack or Patreon! andyjpizza.substack.com https://www.patreon.com/c/creativepeptalk Things change fast these days. If I started my creative practice in 2025 I would do things very differently than when I started out over 15 years ago. Tune into this episode to hear the 7 sequential steps I would take if I was starting out today. SHOW NOTES: Co-Writing / Editing: Sophie Miller http://sophiemiller.co Audio Editing / Sound Design: Conner Jones http://pendingbeautiful.co Soundtrack / Theme Song: Yoni Wolf / WHY? http://whywithaquestionmark.com   SPONSORS: SQUARESPACE Head to https://www.squarespace.com/PEPTALK to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using code PEPTALK Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week I spoke with Jezmina Von Thiele and Paulina Stevens, co-hosts of the Romanistan podcast. I talked to them about the tragic fires in LA and their advice on navigating dark times and finding personal and collective resilience. They shared advice on healing and self-care during crises, looking at the tarot card of the year, what they do when they're feeling uninspired or creatively blocked, embracing resilience, and the importance of bringing diverse perspectives to ancient traditions. Their new book, Secrets of Romani Fortune-Telling, introduces the history of the Romani people and their long-standing relationship with fortune-telling, exploring techniques like card reading, palmistry, dream interpretation, and tea leaf and coffee reading, many of which were created or popularized by the Roma. We discussed their distinct cultural upbringings—Paulina's roots in a traditional Romani community and Jezmina's mixed heritage—and how they each work with people today. And at the end they each pulled a card that's meant to be a message of anyone who listens. Show notes:- Good comprehensive list of how to help LA by my friend Kate: here- Find me on IG: @letitouttt + @katiedalebout | Substack - Find Jez @jezmina.vonthiele & Paulina @romaniholistic- Their book | podcast- Vent Method: visit ventmethod.com to learn more & book a session - Resolutions Reframe journaling workshop- Zine shop is here! or become a paid Substack member and I'll mail you a copy of Pivot! - COMING 2025- FRESH NEW (!!) In Process: Experimental Creative Group semester coming up: sign up for the waitlist If you liked this episode, try out from the archive:Lenea Sims epsisode here please