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Hi Cutie! Today I'm resharing an episode that changed my life! Listen to hear the advice that shifted everything in my creative career. Love this episode with Mural Artist, Patrick Ganino! Check it out. Original Description below: Today's guest is Patrick Ganino. He is an artist, author, and social media expert. He is best known for creating absolutely spectacular murals and paintings for celebs such as Hulk Hogan, Chevy Chase, Rosie O'Donell and many more as well as his own book, ‘The Business of Faux,' and his ability to create and curate online communities.Patrick hustled his way to become a professional artist--from the start, he approached his art as a business and was relentless in his drive to pursue it. He doesn't let perfectionism or overthinking get in the way of creating -he always just goes for it and trusts his instincts. From this conversation you'll learn:What characteristics you need to redefine your relationship with fearHow to bust through a creative block The power of rest in the creative projectWhy Delegating is a powerful tool as a creative What the benefits are to creating quickly and living by the moto “less think, more do”How to find ways to build up your personal business and start from the ground upThe most effective To-Do list, EVER!How to figure out ANYTHINGHow to move past creative blocksThe power of taking a break from your creativity How to self-promote authenticallyHow set a price for your business and work & WHEN to get paidWhy it's important to be a light in the roomAdvice for people who haven't made money from their passion YET Why I believe in going where you're not expected creatively
It's HUMP DAY and the Good Moms are joined by artist, fashion designer, creative director, and single mother Aazhia for a raw conversation about motherhood, femininity, ambition, and refusing to lose yourself after becoming a parent. Together, they unpack why women are expected to sacrifice their identity for motherhood, how single moms navigate dating and independence, and why being a great mother doesn't require becoming a smaller version of yourself. From ADHD and creativity to relationships, sexuality, and raising sons, this conversation is an honest reminder that women deserve to be fully expressed in every season of life. In this episode, you can expect to hear: Why motherhood shouldn't cost you your identity Dating as a single mom and choosing yourself The pressure women feel to sacrifice for relationships Raising sons while embracing your femininity Creativity, entrepreneurship, and building your own path ADHD, mental health, and finding your flow Why women are conditioned to shrink themselves Learning to love being single Balancing sensuality with motherhood Bad Decisions, dating horror stories, and teenage chaos Watch this episode & more on YouTube! Catch up with us on Patreon for full visual episodes, bonus content, and early episode releases. Connect With Us: @GoodMoms_BadChoices @Good.GoodMedia @WatchErica @MILAH_MAPPSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
JOIN US LIVE FOR AN EA POP-UP EVENT IN NYC!Sunday/Monday, August 9–10 | Williamsburg, BrooklynJoin me for two days of embodied astrology, creative practice, and collective care in Brooklyn, NY. Nine astrologers, mystics, movers, makers, and diviners will offer a series of 30–90 minute workshops designed to help us meet this moment together through the wisdom of our bodies, relationships, and imaginations. Click here for more details
As tensions and conflicts in the outer world continue to escalate, fears and anxieties intensify inside each of us. Increasing polarization leaves us deeply uncertain about the future as well as increasingly disoriented and further divided against each other. While the poles of a polarity appear to be irreconcilable opposites, they can also be seen as parts of a hidden unity waiting to be found. The true aim of oppositions is the revelation of a "hidden third" that not only relieves tension, but also renews the spirit of life. Thus, the unity missing in the outer world must be sought within ourselves. Michael Meade tells an ancient myth from Iran which depicts how the medicine we are looking for is to be found inside us. In this old understanding, the secret aim of the tension of opposites is not simply to divide and destroy, but to awaken a deeper sense of wisdom and imagination that can reconnect us to the process of ongoing creation. Creativity is the only outcome of conflict that can satisfy the soul. 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 750 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 Along with these free weekly podcasts, you can now read free weekly essays and long form posts by Michael Meade on Substack. Learn more and subscribe at michaeljmeade.substack.com 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.
Acclaimed comedian Skyler Higley discusses the highs, lows and potential pot-holes of using cannabis as a creative tool, While also recalling his own weedy journey as a stand-up, writer for The Onion and the New Yorker, and frequent collaborator with Conan O'Brien. Don't miss this episode if you want to know how to have more (and better) high-deas while getting lit. And the check out Skyler's new podcast, Help Me Be Black
On today's episode, I'm joined by my doula, Lori Bregman, for an honest and empowering conversation about everything first-time moms need to know to prepare for pregnancy, labor, and postpartum. Lori shares what doulas actually do, how to choose the right care provider, and why educating yourself before birth can help you feel more confident and avoid unnecessary birth trauma. We also discuss the truth about inductions and C-sections, how to advocate for yourself during labor, ways to prepare your body for birth, what can help reduce tearing, and how to protect your energy throughout pregnancy. Lori also shares her framework for postpartum recovery, including the importance of building a support system, setting realistic expectations, and prioritizing healing during the first 40 days after birth. Whether you're currently pregnant, trying to conceive, or simply want to feel more informed about the birth experience, this episode is packed with practical advice to help you feel prepared and empowered. Enjoy!To connect with Siff on Instagram, click HERE.To connect with Siff on Tiktok, click HERE.To learn more about Arrae, click HERE. To check out Siff's LTK, click HERE.To check out Siff's Amazon StoreFront, click HERE. To connect with Lori on Instagram, click HERE.To check out Lori's website, click HERE.This episode may contain paid endorsements and advertisements for products and services. Individuals on the show may have a direct, or indirect financial interest in products, or services referred to in this episode.Visit www.sleep.me/dreambigger to get up to $255 off your Chilipad 2.0 with code dreambigger. This special offer is available for Dream Bigger Podcast listeners – and only for a limited time!Make your summer wardrobe feel easier. Go to Quince.com/dreambigger for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too. That's Quince.com/dreambigger for free shipping and 365-day returns. Quince.com/dreambiggerHead to vitaclean.co and use code DREAM at checkout (Shower Head Starter Kits). Get up to $200 off Square hardware when you sign up at square.com/go/dreambigger ! #squarepodProduced by Dear MediaSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Some marketing ideas capture attention for a moment. The very best ones become part of culture. And you could say...that's priceless.Recorded live at the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity, Jim sits down with Jill Kramer, Chief Marketing and Communications Officer at Mastercard, to discuss what it's like to lead one of the world's most iconic brands. Mastercard, known globally for its “Priceless” platform and its role at the center of everyday commerce, has spent decades building trust, emotional connection, and cultural relevance across markets. After nearly a decade as Chief Marketing and Communications Officer at Accenture, where she led the company's "Let There Be Change" brand transformation, and earlier leadership roles at BBDO and DDB, Jill stepped into one of marketing's most influential positions with the responsibility of guiding Mastercard's next chapter.In this wide-ranging conversation, Jill shares her approach to earning trust as a new leader, building creative cultures where ideas can thrive, and why her philosophy of "early, ugly, often" has helped teams create better work. She also discusses how Mastercard is evolving its brand beyond payments, leaning into experiences, partnerships, and technology, and how the company is approaching AI, creator collaborations, and innovation while staying true to the timeless principles that have made it one of the most respected brands in the world.Whether you're leading a global organization or a small team, Jill offers thoughtful lessons on curiosity, creativity, change, and why the best leaders never stop learning.—This week's episode is brought to you by Infillion.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
We were made by a Maker to be makers. Bruce Herman joins Evan Rosa to diagnose the quiet illness of a passive consumer culture that trains us to sit in front of screens and scroll and take, rather than make. “When we're not making something, we're not whole. We're not healthy.“ His cure is stubbornly ordinary: go make a loaf of bread, grab a stick and start carving, make a good meal or a good cocktail for the person visiting you—anything is resistance to this hypnotic, passive culture. From episode 216 of the podcast, in this segment, Herman traces what it means to receive art not as a consumer but through submission—not master and slave, but subject to subject, that vulnerable openness that lets a poem or a painting change your life. He reflects on making as human wholeness, the difference between art and info-tainment, why suffering can rip us open to beauty (from Walker Percy's writing to Christian Wiman's poetry), Rilke's charge that “you must change your life,“ hospitality as the ultimate act of art, and Herman's closing counsel to make out of love, not fear. Episode Highlights We are in relationship, and we were made by a Maker to be makers. If we let that go somehow and we become mere consumers, I think we begin to enter into some kind of illness of one sort or another. When we're not making something, we're not whole. We're not healthy. And I don't want to make an idol out of health either, but I do think our culture is unhealthy right now. We think of it as, we're discerning buyers. But the fact is we're being turned into very passive creatures. One of the best things you can do is go make a loaf of bread. Go out and grab a stick and start carving it. Anything is resistance to this sort of hypnotic passive culture. If you want to really receive what a poem is communicating, you have to submit to it. You have to let yourself go and enter into what might feel like a bad risk of being changed. Not submit in a sense that I'm a master and you're my slave. It's more like you're a subject and I'm a subject. Mutual submission. We're so guarded so much of the time that it takes something catastrophic to open us up again. Do away with the nonsense that you're not an artist. You can't help it. You were made by a Maker to be a maker. End of story. The ultimate act of art is hospitality, where you're welcoming someone in, to make something beautiful for them. Challenge the bad news with a recognition that daily kindnesses are being poured out everywhere, on every street. Don't give in to fear, because it's not a basis for anything good. About Bruce Herman Bruce Herman is a painter, writer, and educator whose work has been shown in more than 150 exhibitions across the United States and internationally, and held in collections including the Vatican Museums in Rome, the Cincinnati Museum of Fine Arts, and the Grunewald Print Collection of the Hammer Museum in Los Angeles. He taught at Gordon College for nearly four decades, where he founded the art department and held the Lothlórien Distinguished Chair in Fine Arts. His books include “Through Your Eyes“ and “Ordinary Saints,“ and he was a collaborator on the touring “QU4RTETS“ project with Makoto Fujimura, Christopher Theofanidis, and Jeremy Begbie. His most recent book, “Makers by Nature: Letters from a Master Painter on Faith, Hope, and Art,“ was published by IVP Academic in 2025. Helpful Links and Resources Makers by Nature, Bruce Herman's 2025 book from IVP Academic: https://www.ivpress.com/makers-by-nature Bruce Herman's website and painting archive: https://www.bruceherman.com Bruce Herman, artist bio and background: https://www.bruceherman.com/about Archaic Torso of Apollo by Rainer Maria Rilke (“You must change your life“), trans. Stephen Mitchell: https://poets.org/poem/archaic-torso-apollo Real Presences by George Steiner, on courtesy and hospitality in art: https://press.uchicago.edu/ucp/books/book/chicago/R/bo3684420.html Christian Wiman: https://poetryfoundation.org/poets/christian-wiman QU4RTETS, the collaborative project on T. S. Eliot's Four Quartets: https://www.bruceherman.com/series Show Notes Made to make We are in relationship; identity begins there, not in isolation Makers by nature—letting the maker-impulse go tips us toward illness, moral, mental, and emotional Wholeness and health—the claim that not-making leaves us unwell, without idolizing health Consumer culture—the commercial aim to sell, and to keep us passive in front of screens Discerning buyers, or passive creatures? The illusion of control while being trained to take Screens and scrolling Political theater and infotainment—very little real journalism left, mostly consumer entertainment Neil Postman and amusing ourselves to death as the frame for the diagnosis Making as resistance—bake bread, carve a stick, do anything against the hypnotic pull Reception as submission—a word out of fashion, reclaimed away from enslavement Mutual submission—the erotic analogy, and desire's corruption in the sexual sins To receive a poem you must risk being changed Rilke's Grecian torso and the charge, you must change your life Subject to subject, not master and slave Walker Percy's museum story—a painting that blazed into life, then went quiet Bringing a friend to re-enter the original encounter vicariously The workman through the skylight—catastrophe reopens what habit had closed Guardedness—why it can take suffering to break us open Christian Wiman—cancer, poetry, and being ripped open toward receptivity You might be changed, and it might not be what you wanted; the risk of real encounter Make from love, not fear Do away with the nonsense that you're not an artist Everyday making—a loaf, a meal, a good cocktail, hospitality Hospitality as the ultimate art; George Steiner's Real Presences and courtesia Beauty can be complex, not merely pretty Fear-mongers left and right—and why not to listen Daily kindnesses—the neighbor, the shoveled driveway, the half-decent casserole Welcome to the festival; let the festival begin #BruceHerman #MakersByNature #ForTheLifeOfTheWorld #FaithAndArt #TheologyOfMaking #ArtAndFaith #Creativity #Hospitality #MakeNotConsume #YaleFaithAndCulture
After thinking over and over about the concept of strategy, Pete turns to Jen to help him unravel what strategy actually is and how it can be best utilized by individuals and companies. Specifically, in this episode Jen and Pete talk about: What even is strategy? How might we move from our goals to a clear strategy? What are some tactics to stay focused on the things we actually have control over? More from us in your inbox. Subscribe to Box O' Goodies. A weekly email with the books, podcasts, quotes, and other noodles Jen and Pete are mulling over.Listen to all episodes and read full transcripts at thelongandtheshortpodcast.com.Reach us: hello@thelongandtheshortpodcast.comPete's work: humanperiscope.com · Jen's work: jenwaldman.com
In this episode of Creative Becoming, Helen and Elizabeth explore how life's unexpected disruptions can become catalysts for creativity. Elizabeth shares her progress in quieting her inner critic and finding joy in drawing flowers, while Helen reflects on how her graphic art diaries became a lifeline during some of her most challenging experiences.Together they discuss how artists have used uncertainty, chance, and disruption as creative tools, and how adapting to unexpected circumstances can open new pathways for self-expression. The conversation also explores stimming, emotional regulation, and the ways creativity can help us navigate periods of change.In this episode:Creativity through disruption and changeArtists who embrace chance and unpredictabilityHelen's experience of creativity during a long hospital stayFinding creative space while away from homeTurning setbacks into new artistic opportunitiesUnderstanding stimming and emotional regulationResources and LinksHelen's graphic diary archive: https://arted.online/blog/diaries/Graphic diary template: https://arted.online/toolbox/resource-diary-template/The 10 Pillars of Autistic Culture: https://www.autisticculturepodcast.com/p/the-10-pillars-revisited-episodeInformation about stimming from the National Autistic Society: https://www.autism.org.uk/advice-and-guidance/about-autism/repeated-movements-and-behaviour-stimmingContact: creativebecomingpod@gmail.comSupportIf you are experiencing distress, please contact your GP or a relevant support service in your area.DisclaimerCreative Becoming is connected to Helen Shaddock's practice-based PhD, "Welcome to My Messy World": A practice-based, messy auto-ethnographic artistic exploration into multimedia storytelling as an integral method towards creative becoming.
What if the secret to feeling more creative, grounded, and connected was simply slowing down? Textile artist, teacher, and community-builder Elizabeth Duke unlocks this art alongside Robert Peterpaul in a heartfelt conversation centered on mindfulness, handmade acts of kindness, and the surprising power of hand stitching. This positive podcast episode: how a small act of kindness during the pandemic blossomed into a thriving creative community why handmade gifts are more meaningful for both the giver and receiver how we can avoid burnout in a go-go-go world how simple practices like journaling, collaging, and making with our hands can help us reconnect with ourselves and others, plus much more Whether you're an artist, a maker, or someone craving a little more calm, this episode is a beautiful reminder to take life one stitch at a time. ELIZABETH DUKE is a textile artist, teacher, and creative community-builder whose hand stitching workshops have inspired makers around the world. Through sewing, mindfulness, and creativity, she helps others slow down, connect, and cultivate a joyful practice of self-expression. Follow Elizabeth: www.edukedesigns.com IG: @Sewist44 Follow us: @artofkindnesspod / @robpeterpaul Support the show! (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/theaok) Music: "Awake" by Ricky Alvarez & "Sunshine" by Lemon Music Studio. We are supported by the Broadway Podcast Network. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
84% of the time, buyers choose a brand that was already on their radar before they ever started shopping. So why do so many marketing budgets only chase the people ready to buy today?This week, Elena, Angela, and Rob talk with brand strategist and author James Hurman about his new book, Future Demand. James breaks down why brands hit a growth ceiling when they lean too hard on performance marketing. He also explains why feelings outlast facts in memory, and why that changes which channels deserve your investment. Marketers will leave with a clearer case for building demand among tomorrow's customers, not just converting today's.Topics covered:[05:00] Defining current demand versus future demand[07:00] Splitting budgets 50/50 between brand and performance[12:00] Why American marketers lag on brand-building principles[18:00] Measuring future demand through brand tracking[22:00] Why feelings outlast facts in memory[26:00] The case for creativity in earning attention[35:00] James's own future demand brand: Land RoverTo learn more, visit marketingarchitects.com/podcast or subscribe to our newsletter at marketingarchitects.com/newsletter.Resources:Resources: 2021 WARC White Paper: https://www.warc.com/the-rise-of-digital-commerce 2026Future Demand Book: https://futuredemand.com/ James Hurman's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jameshurman/Get more research-backed marketing strategies by subscribing to The Marketing Architects on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.
As AI takes on more repetitive marketing tasks, agencies are being forced to rethink what they're selling. Omnicom Media Group North America CEO Ralph Pardo joins Digiday from the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity to talk about the future of agency talent, the rise of “capability companies” and why human judgment still matters.
THE (MAGAZINE) DOCTOR IS IN — Megan Schertler wants to help you make magazines. Yes, you … and you … and you too. But she also wants to ensure that once you make a magazine, you make another one. And then one after that. She wants to make sure that you know it's not easy to create a magazine or to run one or to publish a second one or to sustain a magazine or media brand or to run a business. Megan is big on print. She's one of those extremely rare people who's held down numerous magazine jobs while never working on the digital side of things. Yes, really. People like her exist. So she knows more than many her age that print is more engaging, produces more loyalty, and creates a deeper and more meaningful connection with the message on the page than any other medium. And so with her partners, Megan now helms In Real Life Media to help would-be magazine makers sure, but also some of the world's largest brands navigate the realities of the magazine world. Because while we all love print here, it's hard, it's expensive, and it is, quite frankly, a pain in the ass. But it also results in something glorious, and Megan travels the world speaking at conferences and to people like me to spread the word.. — This episode is made possible by our friends at Freeport Press. A production of Magazeum LLC ©2021–2025
How much of your life are you living for...someone else?In this episode of Magic Made, we're talking about the pressure to fit in, follow trends, please clients, and become the version of ourselves we think everyone else wants.We've both experienced seasons of shrinking ourselves, second-guessing our creativity, and worrying about what other people might think. But the more we tried to fit in, the further we drifted from the work we were actually meant to create.This conversation is about finding your authentic voice, trusting your style, letting go of comparison, and building the confidence to choose yourself again and again.✨ In this episode:Why people pleasing keeps creatives stuckThe danger of comparisonFinding your authentic styleWhy your dream clients want the real youHow affirmations quiet self-doubtBuilding confidence through actionChoosing yourself without guiltIf this episode resonates, tell us in the comments:
On Your World of Creativity, we travel the world talking with creative practitioners about how they get inspired, organize ideas, and turn imagination into impact.Today's guest believes that imagination isn't just a creative skill—it's infrastructure.Adelia Schleusz has built a career at the intersection of commercial interior design, behavioral psychology, sensory design, research, and strategic foresight. As the founder of What If LAB, she helps organizations use creativity, science, and cross-disciplinary thinking to design better experiences, better environments, and perhaps even better futures.Adelia 's Website@adeliapcs on InstagramConnect on LInkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/adelia-c-schleusz-rid-ncidq-iida-195b116/If you've ever wondered how curiosity becomes innovation—or how asking "What if?" can transform the way we work, create, and collaborate—this conversation is for you.Guest BioAdelia C. Schleusz is the Founder of What If LAB, LLC, a creative consultancy operating at the intersection of interior environments, human experiences, strategy, and science.A licensed and registered interior designer, Adelia has spent her career exploring how creativity, behavioral psychology, research, and sensory design can work together to shape meaningful experiences. Her work has earned numerous industry honors, including the prestigious Interior Design 2023 HiP Award, recognizing the most innovative people in commercial design.Adelia is a public speaker, SXSW workshop facilitator, and recipient of the IIDA 2025 Kimball International Makers of a Better Future Fund Award. Through What If LAB, she helps organizations cultivate curiosity, challenge assumptions, and design solutions that bridge imagination and practical impact.Her philosophy is simple: stay curious, ask better questions, and never stop exploring the possibilities hidden inside "What if?"1: Imagination as InfrastructureOne phrase that immediately caught my attention is your description of using "imagination as infrastructure."Many people think of imagination as something abstract or artistic, but you see it as foundational to innovation and problem-solving.What does "imagination as infrastructure" mean to you, and how has that philosophy shaped your career journey from interior design into strategy, research, and future-focused thinking?Are organizations doing enough to nurture imagination—or are they unintentionally designing it out of the workplace?2: The Soul of Your BrandWhen I look at What If LAB, I don't see an interior design firm. I see a curiosity engine. A place where diverse disciplines collide to create new possibilities.How has your mission evolved as you've gained experience working across industries and disciplines?3: Designing for Human ExperienceYou've worked extensively in commercial interiors, behavioral psychology, sensory design, and research. Many people think design is about aesthetics. But your work suggests it's really about human behavior and experience.What have you learned about how environments influence the way people think, collaborate, create, and even feel?What are some simple design principles listeners could apply in their own workspaces or creative environments?Have you seen examples where changing a space transformed the outcomes of a team or organization?4: The Power of Cross-Disciplinary ThinkingA recurring theme on this podcast is that creativity often happens at the intersection of disciplines. You've intentionally built a career that connects design, psychology, research, science, business strategy, and innovation.Why do breakthroughs so often emerge when we bring together people with different perspectives, and how can leaders create environments where that kind of collaboration thrives?5: Living in the "What If?"In a world increasingly focused on efficiency, certainty, and immediate results, curiosity can sometimes feel like a luxury. If listeners wanted to strengthen their own curiosity muscle this week, what's one question they should begin asking themselves?If you enjoyed today's conversation, please subscribe, rate, and review the podcast.
How to Recover from Entrepreneur Burnout and Reignite Your Creativity Are you trapped in a Groundhog Day loop where even your weekends feel like a compressed version of your work week? Most entrepreneurs and professionals struggle with burnout because they believe every hour must be optimized and every hobby must have a monetization strategy. In this episode of Join Up Dots, we explore why reigniting your creativity through unstructured play is actually the ultimate business strategy. Discover how fixing your personal life first creates a powerful knock-on effect for your professional success. Learn how icons like Steve Jobs, Richard Branson, and Albert Einstein used play for major breakthroughs, and walk away with a practical three-step action plan to clear mental fatigue, stop chasing constant productivity, and find joy without spending a fortune. Listen now to Join Up Dots, subscribe for more episodes, and share this episode with anyone looking to build a better business and a better life. #entrepreneurs #businessowners #freedom #wealth #productivity #lifestyledesign #mindset #personalgrowth #burnoutrecovery #worklifebalance #solopreneurs #simplicity #minimalism #joinupdots #businessstrategy #entrepreneurship #mentalhealth #creativity
Our mission is to foster personal and cultural transformation through Love, Creativity, and Justice. We are a diverse community that seeks to live our faith in an authentic way, we long for the undiluted gospel, and for the world to see and know how good God really is. Listen Here: Spotify: https://expression58.org/spotify Apple Podcasts: https://expression58.org/apple Follow us: Website: https://www.expression58.org Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/expression58/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/expression58/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/Expression58media
What if your best employee is not burned out or ready to quit, but is slowly losing the energy, curiosity, and enthusiasm that once made them exceptional? In this episode, Dr. CK Bray explores the emerging concept of quiet cracking, the slow and often invisible erosion of engagement and human potential that can occur long before performance begins to decline. Drawing on neuroscience and organizational psychology, he explains why it happens, why leaders often miss it, and what they can do to create workplaces where people do not simply survive the demands of work, but truly thrive. If you care about building healthy, high performing teams while helping people become the best version of themselves, this is an episode you will not want to miss. QUOTES FROM DR. BRAY "We stop asking what's possible and start asking what is only necessary. Curiosity quietly gives way to caution. Creativity is replaced by efficiency." "Many people quietly assume this is simply what success feels like — that adulthood or leadership or ambition inevitably requires living in a state of constant depletion. I don't believe they do." "Work should challenge us, but it shouldn't slowly diminish us."
Creativity through the lens of an Artist, Author and Art Teacher,"Nature has been my greatest art teacher."Marquiss has been a professional artist, art teacher and writer in Bend, Oregon, for 34 years, and the author of Behind the Painting – An Artist's Memoir, published May 7, 2026.She developed her interest in art as a child, surrounded by the lush beauty of the Willamette Valley in Oregon. Marquiss attended both the University of Oregon and UCLA, earning her Bachelor of Science degree in psychology. After graduating she became the Marketing Director for the first private psychiatric hospital in Reno, Nevada, and then a product manager for HCA in Nashville, TN.When her daughter was born, she left her corporate career and returned to her art and writing. “I focused primarily on watercolor because it can be surprising and has a beautiful transparency. Painting with watercolor also teaches about control – when to take it and when to let go –as in life,” she explains. “The abstract cruciform design followed - after years of painting large format florals.”Her recent memoir holds ten of her paintings and a personal story behind each one over a thirty year period. Over time, her paintings created a circular language between her art and her life.This book takes the reader on artistic adventures in Paris and Southern France, the process of finding her artistic style and through tough challenges she faced including divorce, family suicide, a stroke and cancer.As a character voice actor, her daughter Katherine Tole joined Marquiss on the audiobook edition.Her original art and book information can be seen at www.marymarquiss.com.Send us Fan Mail
Ok - I talk about harp happiness a lot. Really a lot. That's because playing the harp has always brought me happiness. Sure, playing the harp is hard work sometimes, and I've had my share of frustration too, but for me the challenges are outweighed by the joy every time. It's the joy that keeps me going and I hope that your own harp happiness sustains and inspires you too. I mention this because I have a special guest on today's show and she positively radiates harp happiness. Her name is Alexandra Chang, and if you haven't heard of her already, just listening to her talk about her love of music and the harp is going to make you fall in love with her. Alex is an electric acoustic harpist and composer and as you will hear, much of her performing is collaborative improvisation, particularly with the Rock City Falls Trio, a cross-genre ensemble. She recently completed a Jazz and Sonic Music residency at the Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity for performance and composition and premiered the work A Shared Woven Melody at the Jazz and Sonic Arts Concert as part of their 2024 Gather Listen Hear Summer Arts Festival. She was awarded the 2025 Art Connects Artist Grant. Art Connects is supported in part by the National Endowment for the Arts & New York State. She teaches at Rutgers University as an Associate Professor of Practice at the Arts, Culture and Media Department. She is also the co-director of Improv Spaces and runs the Improv Spaces Music Festival, based in upstate New York, with creative partner percussionist Adam Forman. But before I play our conversation for you, I want to preview three things she mentions that give a more complete picture of her musicianship than just the raw facts from her bio. First, she practices the pedal harp every day. Second, she always has music by Bach on her music stand. And third, she's only been playing the harp for six years. Yep, I couldn't believe it either. I will play a clip from one of the selections on her album at the end of our conversation. I want you to hear from her first. So without any more delay, here is my conversation with harpist Alexandra Chang. Links to things I think you might be interested in that were mentioned in the podcast episode: Where to find Alex: Her website: https://www.alexchangmusic.com/ Her bandcamp link: https://alexchang.bandcamp.com/ The Topos Festival where Alex will be playing with the Rock City Falls Trio: Improv Spaces | Experimental Media and Performing Arts Center (EMPAC) Improv Spaces Music Festival on Sept. 6: Improv Spaces Music Festival | Troy Savings Bank Music Hall Get involved in the show! Send your questions and suggestions for future podcast episodes to me at podcast@harpmastery.com Looking for a transcript for this episode? Did you know that if you subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts you will have access to their transcripts of each episode? LINKS NOT WORKING FOR YOU? FInd all the show resources here: https://www.harpmastery.com/blog/Episode-271
At 20 years old, Queen Margaret University student Laura Stevenson traveled from Scotland to Martha's Vineyard for a six-month study abroad internship. At the time, it felt like nothing more than a graduation requirement. She had no idea she was living through a defining moment.In this episode of Stories of Change & Creativity, Laura reflects on the experience that changed her life. And she didn't recognize it until years later. Together, we explore how defining moments sometimes reveal their true value - in the rear view mirror.Laura shares how living and working in the United States helped build her confidence and independence. It wasn't until she began helping students prepare for their own international experiences that she realized the greatest value of study abroad wasn't the work itself—it was the personal growth that came from stepping outside her comfort zone.So far, Laura has traveled to nearly 50 countries and serves as an International Officer at Queen Margaret University. In this role, she helps students recognize the life-changing value of international education while they're still living it.As I listened to Laura's story, I was reminded that defining moments rarely jump up and grab us. Sometimes we only understand their significance when we look back and connect the dots. I certainly can relate.In This EpisodeWhy Laura almost overlooked one of the most important experiences of her lifeHow a study abroad internship became a defining momentWhy reflection is essential to personal growthHow international experiences prepare us for life—not just careersLaura's passion for travel, including why Paris captured her heartDid you enjoy this episode? send me a text! Stories of Change & Creativity explores the defining moments that shape who we become—and the lessons we learn along the way. Hosted by professor, storyteller, and proud Texan Judy Oskam. Together, we explore what happened and what we learn from the experiences that define us. Whether you're navigating a career transition, seeking personal growth or looking for inspiration to take your next step, you'll discover practical wisdom you can apply to your own life.Learn, grow, teach. Do you have an idea for a guest interview? Please let me know. Check out my TEDx talk. Why you should take action - then figure it out.
I'm writing my next book! In this episode, I lay out all the details for why I'm taking a risk, where the book fits in the market, and just how much of a delusional project this might be.Then, listen to the empathy statement—a kind of prologue or "starter dough" writing which sets the tone and answers the question, "Why should I care?"Be sure to subscribe to my newsletter for book updates, exclusives, and behind-the-scenes, as well as the chance to submit your stories for inclusion!EPISODE CREDITS:Written and produced by me, Jay Acunzo.Music for Why They Resonate is by Embleton (Instagram - Facebook).***ABOUT ME, JAY ACUNZOI'm a public speaking and storytelling advisor trusted by bestselling authors, TED speakers, seven-figure coaches, and brands like Mailchimp, Wistia, and Salesforce. Before starting my advisory firm (where I work 1:1 with clients and run group programs), I was a digital media strategist at Google and head of content for 3 organizations, including HubSpot.I've given keynotes across the US and several other countries to marketers and managers, designers and dentists, leaders and landscapers, and my journey as a speaker has been featured in 3 different books.Today, I teach business leaders how to communicate with greater clarity, influence, and resonance.Learn more about my advisory work at jayacunzo.comBook me to speak at jayacunzo.com/keynotesWatch video versions of some episodes, plus get regular insights into stronger public speaking and growing a speaking business, at youtube.com/jayacunzo***IF YOU ENJOY THE SHOW:Leave a review on Apple Podcasts Leave a rating on Spotify Thanks for your support! Keep making what matters.
Send us Fan MailKeith Carne stops by the the show to discuss his solo release Magenta Light, the inspiration behind it, touring and more. ***After sitting behind the drum kit for celebrated indie-pop/alternative band We Are Scientists for the last 13 years, NYC-based musical multi-hyphenate KEITH CARNE is stepping into the spotlight with his debut single "Look for the Moon," adding to the largely unexplored notion that he who makes the most noise makes the most beautiful music. Built on glistening synth textures and a steady pulse straight out of the '90s Madchester craze, “Look For The Moon” pairs grounded vulnerability with a pastoral, cinematic scope. The single (out today) is a tender, skybound love song released in tandem with the announcement of his debut solo album, Magenta Light . Written for his wife, artist Hayley Youngs, the single captures the strange emotional and measured altitude of touring life - where love is measured in miles, time zones, and the quiet glow of a shared moon. The lyrics drift between airplane cabins and existential free-fall, landing somewhere intimate and disarmingly human. It's a song about longing without melodrama - about finding ritual and reassurance in something as simple as looking up toward the common sky.Magenta Light, an album that marks both a departure and an arrival for Carne. While his position for the last 13 years as drummer and backing vocalist for We Are Scientists continues onward, Carne steps toward centerstage as songwriter, producer, and multi-instrumentalist. Across eight melancholic pop songs threaded together by expansive and transcendent passages, Magenta Light blurs the lines between ethereal tonality and propulsive dance rhythms, all anchored by an indie-pop spine.****If you would like to contact the show Dauna@betertopodcast.comFollow us on Social MediaYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCX0ETs2wpOHbCuhUNr0XFTw?view_as=subscriberInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/author_d.m.needom/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bettertopodcastwithdmneedomSupport the podcast here: https://www.patreon.com/bettertopodcastwithdmneedom©2026 Better To...Podcast with D. M.NeedomSupport the show
Hello Beautiful, I'm so grateful you're here with me.
In episode 259 , Rick Sorenson challenges us to embrace our innate creativity. While he has always been artistically-gifted, he believes all of us -- being made in the image of a Creator -- are creativity, and challenges us to embrace that Truth. Whether you know your are creative or doubt it, this conversation will challenge you.How has God revealed your innate creativity?Read "Imago Creare":https://codyartrva.wordpress.com/2022/04/18/imago-creare/Discover more from Rick:https://www.thelanyaplife.com/ricksorensonhttps://www.facebook.com/rick.sorenson.3https://www.linkedin.com/in/rick-sorenson-05b53b19/https://ricksorenson.substack.com/publish/posts/published~Paul creates this as part of his full-time volunteer ministry.If you appreciate what God is doing through this podcast, you can help keep it going through financial support. Tax-deductible gifts are processed at https://worldoutreach.org/707 ~"Something in the Froth" is available for pre-order!www.wheredidyouseeGod.com/something-in-the-frothThe "Year of Books":www.wheredidyouseeGod.com/year-of-books~Have a story to share? Hard questions to process? A desire for authentic, accessible space? Send Paul Granger a message on PodMatch:https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/wheredidyouseegodLearn more about having a conversation (with a twist!) at www.wheredidyouseegod.com/conversation-with-a-twist~Check out our website: www.WhereDidYouSeeGod.com ~One of these books will be relevant to your life right now:https://amazon.com/author/paulgranger~Wear an amazing conversation-starter!https://www.bonfire.com/store/where-did-you-see-god/~The music in this episode is "You'll walk, you'll run" by Urban Doxology, from their amazing album "Bread for the Journey."~Learn more about how God's calling us:Pray: tinyurl.com/GrangerPrayFollow: tinyurl.com/GrangerListGive: worldoutreach.org/707~#authenticspace #dialogue #Godstillspeaks #WDYSG #conversation #invitation #Riversidefm #PodMatch #faith #stories #calling #invitation #faithfulness #ministry #listening #healing #prayer
AI is making creative production faster while increasing the value of human craft, imperfection, and hands-on creative control.Drew and Rory start with Netflix's 300 AI-assisted programs and somehow end up defending Blockbuster, boxy cars, greasy roommates, and the radical act of making creative work harder on purpose. Between the usual intellectual potholes, they uncover why invisible AI succeeds, why perfect outputs are becoming exhausting, and why human-made work may become the premium signal.Covered in this episode:Netflix generative AI workflows span concept development, pre-visualization, visual effects, post-production, and release. Suno, Udio, Strudel, Foley artistry, AI music licensing, Runway visual storytelling, Claude, ChatGPT, Figma shaders, Photoshop retouching, creative consistency, nostalgic design, imperfect aesthetics, and hybrid human-AI production define the broader creative shift.---⏱️ Fast Hour00:00 Why are guests returning to Fast Hours?03:45 Why does summer trigger nostalgia?10:49 How is Netflix using generative AI?20:39 Could Blockbuster have become Netflix?24:04 What AI tools has Netflix open-sourced?28:36 What did the Suno breach reveal?32:21 Should AI be used to make music?43:31 Breaking down Runway's lamp film—hy does it work?51:43 How many movie story arcs exist?53:32 Does AI increase the value of human craft?57:53 Why are creators rejecting AI perfection?01:06:16 Why is nostalgic design returning?01:17:09 Why do simple stories feel better?01:23:09 How do AI projects maintain consistency?01:25:43 Who should Fast Hours interview next?#GenerativeAI #AIFilmmaking #AIMusic #CreativeProcess #FastHours
Hello, Beautiful...I'm so grateful you're here with me. Creativity rarely arrives when we're forcing it. This uplifting morning meditation helps clear mental blocks, spark inspiration, and reconnect you with your natural creative energy. Let fresh ideas flow as you begin the day feeling open, curious, and inspired. Love,
This episode was recorded in France at the 2026 Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity and features a panel called “How Retail Media Becomes a Growth Engine” which was produced by EMarketer and sponsored by Sensor Tower, featuring Albertsons Media Collectives' Liz Roche, Omnicom's Claudia Johnson, EMarketer's Sarah Marzano, Goodway Group's Angela Myers & Bain & Co's Shweta Bhardwaj.Following Liz Roche on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eroche1Follow Sarah Marzano on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahzmarzanoFollow Claudia Johnson on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/claudia-johnson-b133436Follow Angela Myers on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/angela-myers-2257aa1Follow Shweta Bhardwaj on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bhardwajshwetaFollow EMarketer online at: http://emarketer.comCPG Guys Website: http://CPGguys.comFMCG Guys Website: http://FMCGguys.comSheCOMMERCE Website: https://shecommercepodcast.com/Rhea Raj's Website: http://rhearaj.comLara Raj in Katseye: https://www.katseye.world/DISCLAIMER: The content in this podcast episode is provided for general informational purposes only. By listening to our episode, you understand that no information contained in this episode should be construed as advice from CPGGUYS, LLC or the individual author, hosts, or guests, nor is it intended to be a substitute for research on any subject matter. Reference to any specific product or entity does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by CPGGUYS, LLC. The views expressed by guests are their own and their appearance on the program does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent.CPGGUYS LLC expressly disclaims any and all liability or responsibility for any direct, indirect, incidental, special, consequential or other damages arising out of any individual's use of, reference to, or inability to use this podcast or the information we presented in this podcast.
"Innovation is what makes me excited to show up to work." — Emma Grace MoonThis episode is your invitation to rethink what success looks like and how creativity can become your greatest competitive advantage. I'm joined by founder of Praize, Emma Grace Moon, for a conversation about AI, entrepreneurship, creativity, burnout, and why moving from New York City to Paris transformed the way she leads her business and her life.Emma shares how building a data-driven strategy consultancy has taught her that creativity isn't limited to artists. Whether she's helping brands understand AI search, measuring the impact of PR, or building innovative strategies for clients, creativity shows up through curiosity, experimentation, and staying ahead of what's next.We also explore the relationship between creativity and place. After years of building her business in New York City, Emma realized she was burnt out and disconnected from herself. A series of travels led her to Paris. She shares how shorter workdays, stronger boundaries, and creating space outside of work have actually made her a better leader while helping her business grow.Toward the end of our conversation, Emma shares her approach to public speaking, creative confidence, and moving through self-doubt. Rather than over-preparing, she trusts the knowledge she's built through years of experience. In addition to the support of affirmations, breathwork, and nervous system regulation.Whether you're navigating burnout, building a business, exploring AI, dreaming of living abroad, or looking for new ways to nourish your creativity, this conversation is a reminder that your environment, curiosity, and willingness to evolve (and shut the laptop) all shape the work you're here to create.Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts and Spotify, or on your favorite podcast platform while you cook, clean, or create. Get the full show notes & transcript here.Leave a comment on Substack or connect with us on Instagram @chefcarlacontreras and @emmagracemoon to share your takeaways from the episode.xo CarlaPS: Need space for your creative projects and dreams? Upgrade to paid for access to Nourished Creator Studio, weekly Creative Study Hall Sessions, and Creative Chat.Disclaimer: Always seek the counsel of a qualified medical practitioner or other healthcare provider for an individual consultation before making any significant changes to your health, lifestyle, or to answer questions about specific medical conditions. If you are driving or doing an activity that needs your attention, save the meditation practice for later. This podcast is for entertainment and information purposes only. Note: Some of these are affiliate links. I receive a small percentage of the sales. I appreciate your support of my small Latina & women owned business. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit chefcarla.substack.com/subscribe
We're back—and I couldn't be more excited to relaunch the podcast with my fabulous guest, Dave Ross.I met Dave shortly after I moved to Miami three years ago, and we instantly connected over our shared love of spiritual practice, self-discovery, and exploring the mysteries that exist just beyond what we can explain.Dave is an artist, a connector, and a true community builder. Through his legendary—and somewhat secret—Henley Dinners, he has brought together fascinating people from around the world for evenings of conversation, connection, and unexpected magic.In this episode, we dive into creativity, intuition, community, and what it really means to live a life of curiosity and purpose. I can't wait for you to meet him.
summary In this episode, James Stephan-Usypchuk, AI deal architect and founder of Solutions, shares insights on how AI is transforming deal sourcing, growth strategies, and the importance of creativity in AI development. Discover how AI can be leveraged ethically to drive strategic growth and innovation. key topics AI-driven deal origination and sourcing Growth engine systems and strategic scaling Ethical considerations in AI development Personalization and automation in sales and marketing Future trends in AI and entrepreneurship takeaways AI can originate thousands of off-market deals in a short period. Personalization in AI messaging enhances engagement and response rates. Ethical AI development is crucial to maintain trust and privacy. AI can be a magnet for the right opportunities when tuned properly. Creativity and innovation are essential for AI to solve new problems. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Guest Background 01:16 Solutions' History and Focus 02:01 Evolution of AI in Business 03:15 AI in Deal Sourcing and Growth 04:18 How Ecliptica Uses AI for Growth 05:51 Investment and Capital Strategies 07:14 Success Stories in AI Deal Origination 10:02 Targeting the Right Opportunities 12:55 Balancing Automation and Personalization 15:41 The Role of Human Touch in AI 18:20 AI in Investor and Market Analysis 20:57 Advice for Future AI Innovators The AI for Sales Podcast is brought to you by BDR.ai, Nooks.ai, and ZoomInfo—the go-to-market intelligence platform that accelerates revenue growth. Skip the forms and website hunting—Chad will connect you directly with the right person at any of these companies.
What if the very thing you've been hiding is the key to unlocking everything you want? In this episode, Lacy and Jessica explore a gentler chapter of manifestation: one rooted in authenticity, self-trust, and coming home to who you truly are. They share updates from the Be Seen Challenge and unpack the subtle ways we hide: people-pleasing, over-explaining, perfectionism, and chasing external validation. True visibility isn't about being louder or more performative — it's about feeling safe enough to own your desires, trust your intuition, and let your authentic self become your strongest signal. Plus, they answer listener questions on confidence, manifestation tests, relationship shadows, finances, and embodying the liberating “f*ck it” energy that comes from truly trusting yourself. Ready to tap into what's waiting to be seen? Take the Be Seen Challenge kickoff quiz (also in the TBM app) and discover the places in your life that are ready to transform. Full show notes → https://tobemagnetic.com/expanded-podcast Resources: Last Chance: $23/Month Ends Monday Our lowest price of the season disappears Monday, July 20 at 11:59pm PST. Don't miss this chance to lock in your Pathway membership for just $23/month and start manifesting the life you deserve. The Be Seen Challenge Quiet your inner critic, stop playing small, and start manifesting the life you truly want. Now live inside The Pathway. Free Masterclass: Step Into Your F*ck It Energy If you missed our live masterclass with Lacy and Jessica — don't worry, you can still watch the replay! Learn how to step into your f*ck it energy and feel genuinely safe being seen. Join the Pathway Membership Use code EXPANDED for 20% off your first month! The Pathway Membership gives you unlimited access to all of our manifestation workshops—including How to Manifest, Unblocking Your Inner Child, Shadow, Love, Money, Rock Bottoms, Ruts, and Energetic Updates —plus 70+ self-hypnosis tracks designed to unlock your full potential. LEARN MORE HERE Get the latest from TBM Join the Pathway now - Return to Magic Challenge, Money Challenge, and Nervous System Reset available now! New to TBM? Free Offerings to Get You Started Learn the Process! Expanded Podcast - How to Manifest Anything You Desire Get Expanded! The Motivation - Testimonial Library Ready to find out what's holding you back? Try our Free Clarity Exercise Be an EXPANDER! Share Your Manifestation Story Submit to Be a Process Guest What did you manifest during the Return to Magic Challenge? Share a voice note of your question, block, or Process to be featured in an episode! This Episode Is Brought to You By: Nutrafol - Get $10 your first month's subscription + free shipping with code TBM Nutrafol Women Fatty15 - go to fatty15.com/TBM use code TBM at checkout to get an additional 15% off your 90-day subscription Starter Kit In this episode we talk about: The energetic shift from the Year of Stripping to the Refinement Era Why authenticity is becoming the most magnetic frequency Updates and breakthroughs from the Be Seen Challenge Understanding your authentic signal versus performing for validation The feminine version of "f*ck it" energy How people-pleasing quietly blocks manifestation Why disconnecting from technology strengthens intuition Manifesting a home that reflects your authentic self Recognizing manifestation blinders caused by overstimulation Working through time pressure, urgency, and manifestation timelines How relationship shadows appear when you begin expanding Learning to trust your own desires without seeking permission Ancient beauty rituals for nervous system regulation and intuitive connection Simplifying finances and creating energetic spaciousness Why raw authenticity will become more valuable than perfectly curated content Mentioned In the Episode: Learn more about Signal and authenticity in our Signal Ep Learn more about the energetics of 2026 and 2027 and the Refinement Era in The Hidden Fear Blocking Your Manifestations Right Now Tune into Lacy's Substack! - By Candlelight - Join Here Jessica's fave for hair health: Nutrafol, Act & Acre Shampoo Lacy's fave for hair health: Mason Pearson brush, Act & Acre Dermastamp Find our Be Seen Challenge plus all our workshops and all workshops mentioned inside our Pathway Membership! (Including the Worst Case Scenario DI, Golden Shadow DI, Safe to Be Seen DI) HOW TO MANIFEST by Lacy Phillips (with exercises by Jessica Gill)Available now! The Expanded Podcast, from To Be Magnetic™ (TBM), is the leading manifestation podcast rooted in neuroscience, psychology, and energetics. Hosted by TBM's Chief Content Officer Jessica Gill, with monthly appearances from founder Lacy Phillips, Expanded is where science and the mystical meet to help you manifest in the most grounded, practical, and life-changing way.At TBM, we've redefined manifestation through Neural Manifestation™—our proven, science-backed method developed with neuroscientist Dr. Tara Swart. This process helps you reprogram limiting beliefs at the subconscious level so you can create the life most aligned with your authenticity.Each week, we take you inside the TBM practice to help you expand your subconscious to believe what you desire is possible. Through expert interviews, thought leader conversations, TBM teachings, and real member success stories, you'll learn how to: – Rewire your subconscious mind and step into your worth – Heal your inner child and integrate shadow work – Set boundaries, strengthen intuition, and reclaim self-worth – Manifest relationships, careers, abundance, and experiences that align with your true selfWith over than 40 million downloads and a global community in over 100 countries, Expanded has become the gold standard in manifestation content. Think of it as your weekly practice for expanding your mind, believing what you want is possible, and manifesting the life you're meant to live.Past guests include leading voices such as Mel Robbins, Lewis Howes, Jenna Zoe, Martha Beck, Dr. Joe Dispenza, Dr. Gabor Maté, Mark Groves, and Brianna Wiest. Where To Find Us!@tobemagnetic (IG)@LacyannephillipsLacy Launched a Substack! - By Candlelight - Join Here@Jessicaashleygill@tobemagnetic (youtube)@expandedpodcast
Stewart Alsop sits down with investor and entrepreneur Adnan Hassan on the Crazy Wisdom Podcast to explore his thesis on creating a small state asset class, using evolutionary insights from asteroids, dinosaurs, and mycelium as a framework for understanding resilient systems. Hassan brings his background in Silicon Valley technology, New York and Washington finance, and sovereign funds—including senior leadership roles at the World Bank—to explain why 162 of the world's 200 states are actually small states with populations under 12 million, and why these distributed, autonomous entities might be best positioned to survive the coming global shocks from AI, currency disruption, and the wobbling international order. For more information about Hassan's work, visit www.sac-holding.com (SAC stands for Small State Asset Class), where you can find two-minute videos explaining his approach to building this new financial architecture.Timestamps00:00 Introduction and the asteroid, dinosaur, mycelium thesis as a framework for understanding evolutionary survival patterns across billions of years05:00 Global order institutions are wobbling while currency systems evolve and AI emerges, creating simultaneous shocks that favor adaptable networked systems over large centralized structures10:00 Small states defined as populations under 12 million represent 162 of 200 global economies, contradicting assumptions that most nations are large centralized powers15:00 States behave as selfish entities seeking regulatory control while individuals seek autonomy, creating tension as the Westphalian system undergoes fundamental transformation20:00 Cooperation versus competition in human systems, examining how KYC requirements and state surveillance are expanding globally including in America and Argentina25:00 Small states are most interested in rule-based global order because they need protection from larger powers, unlike powerful nations that prefer unconstrained action30:00 Of the twenty richest countries by per capita GDP, seventeen are small states, yet no small state asset class exists in financial markets35:00 Uncorrelated assets provide diversification protection for investors, while small states offer geographic distribution across Caribbean, Africa, Europe, Gulf, and Pacific regions40:00 Cross-border family business collaboration between small states will increase, leading to knowledge sharing and a proposed Davos for small states event45:00 The individual sits at the core of this framework, with AI enabling creative minds in small places to access world-class resources previously impossible50:00 Demonstration of accessible technology costing only ten dollars shows how AI removes barriers, allowing creativity to become the distinguishing factor for entrepreneurs globallyKey Insights1. Adnan Hassan presents a thesis grounded in billions of years of evolutionary data, arguing that systems which survive major shocks share common characteristics: they are autonomous, networked, cooperative, resilient, and lack single points of failure. He uses the asteroid strike that killed the dinosaurs as his central metaphor, noting that while massive dinosaurs went extinct, smaller organisms like mycelium, ants, bees, and marsupials survived because of their distributed and adaptable nature. Hassan believes we are currently experiencing a similar asteroid-level shock to our global systems through the simultaneous disruption of the rule-based global order, currency systems, and artificial intelligence, all happening at once over the next three to five years.2. Hassan identifies 162 out of 200 global states and economies as small states, defined as having populations under 12 million people. This number surprises most people, including sophisticated observers who typically guess around 60 or 70. Even more striking, 17 of the 20 richest countries by per capita GDP are small states, representing 85 percent of the wealthiest nations. These small states have disproportionate resources to deploy internationally and the greatest interest in maintaining a rule-based global order since they have the most to lose from chaos and cannot rely on size or military power for protection.3. The current global institutional framework established after World War Two, including the UN, IMF, World Bank, and WTO, is fundamentally wobbling and reaching the end of an era. Hassan argues that states are inherently selfish creatures addicted to regulatory sovereignty and control, but the systems designed to give these states structure and credibility are now failing. This represents the first major restructuring of the global order since the post-World War Two period, which itself followed 400 years of colonial systems. The transition period will be characterized by significant chaos and convulsions throughout the global system.4. Hassan advocates for creating a new small states asset class in financial markets, which does not currently exist despite small states representing the majority of countries and the wealthiest per capita economies. This asset class would provide large institutional investors like pension funds and sovereign wealth funds with globally diversified, potentially uncorrelated assets while simultaneously supporting political and economic structures that embody the evolutionary principles of survival through distributed, autonomous, networked cooperation. The small states asset class represents both sound evolutionary strategy and pragmatic investment opportunity.5. Technology without philosophy is efficiency without purpose, a concern Hassan raised as early as 1994 when he helped prototype the first electronic trading market on the internet. He witnessed the naive optimism of Silicon Valley technologists who believed simply throwing tools over the wall would create a better world, but this approach made both good and bad activities more efficient. Social media demonstrated this danger by efficiently creating disruption and loss of trust in political systems. Hassan warns that the same mistake is being made with AI, where powerful tools are being deployed without adequate philosophical framework or consideration of consequences.6. Small states and their leading families will find more common language and shared understanding with each other across geographic boundaries than with larger neighboring states. A family business in Montevideo has an easier conversation with counterparts in Singapore or New Zealand than with businesses in Sao Paulo because small state actors recognize each other's unique realities and circumstances. Hassan plans to create a Davos for small states in 2027 to facilitate this knowledge sharing among the mycelium colony, allowing different nodes to exchange innovations and strategies across the distributed global network of small state actors.7. The optimistic future involves unleashing individual creativity globally by giving people access to AI-enabled tools that provide world-class legal, financial, and consulting advice in their language of choice. The solopreneur can now become a conglomerate, with individuals no longer constrained by lack of access to execution machinery. Hassan envisions young people in places like Gabon, Swaziland, or Uruguay having the same access to sophisticated business infrastructure as those in traditional power centers, with the distinguishing factor being creativity of mind rather than geographic or institutional privilege. Small states can pivot faster on regulatory frameworks, sometimes achieving in a dinner meeting what takes large states three years of legislative, executive, and judicial wrangling.
SummaryIn this episode, Benjamin Lee and his sister Tanya DePeiza explore the importance of hobbies for mental health, creativity, and personal growth. They share insights from Walt Disney's hobbies to practical tips on how hobbies can serve as a joyful escape and a source of inspiration.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Hobbies and Their Importance02:31 Tanya's Passion for Crafting09:41 Walt Disney's Hobbies and Their Impact15:36 The Therapeutic Nature of Hobbies21:59 Finding Joy in Hobbies Without Pressure29:08 Sharing Hobbies and Community EngagementConnect with Me! Newsletter and Podcasts: https://icandopodcast.comBlogs: https://benjaminlee.blogBooks: https://benjaminlee.blog/books-2/Apparel: https://benjaminlee.blog/resources/#!/Youtube: https://youtube.com/@icandopodcast?si=h9-JkT27jwynZZ-X
Creativity through the lens of a commercial lawyer turned Leadership Counsel and a member of the Notery profession"Creativity is about bringing your whole self into the activity and not relying on tech or tools to the creative work you do."Dawn Stallwood is a corporate and commercial lawyer turned Leadership Counsel, Chief Integrity Officer, and one of only 770 Notaries Public in the UK. With nearly 30 years' experience across private practice, in-house roles, partnership in a UK Top 100 law firm, and independent consultancy, she has advised boards, founders, and leadership teams through growth, deals, and crisis. Founder of Floodlight Business and author of Beautiful Leadership, Dawn champions human-centred, integrity-led leadership, reframing success as service, intention, and professional competence in an AI-driven age.LinksLinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/impactwithintegrity/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dawnastallwood/#YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DawnStallwoodBook: https://thebeautifulleader.com/Send us Fan Mail
Can the space around you influence your happiness, creativity, and success? In this episode of Everything Is Personal, Len May sits down with Steve Griggs, founder of Steve Griggs Designs, to discuss entrepreneurship, creativity, outdoor living, leadership, business growth, and how thoughtful design can shape everyday life. Steve shares lessons from more than four decades of building luxury outdoor spaces, growing a successful business, working with high-profile clients, and creating environments that inspire people to live better. The conversation also explores resilience, customer experience, creative thinking, branding, and what it takes to build a lasting reputation. EndoDNA: Where Genetic Science Meets Actionable Patient Care EndoDNA bridges the gap between complex genomics and patient wellness. Our patented DNA analysis platforms and AI technology provide genetic insights that support and enhance your clinical expertise. Click here to check out to take control over your Personal Health & Wellness Connect with EndoDNA on SOCIAL: IG | X | YOUTUBE | FB Connect with host, Len May, on IG Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
In this Huberman Lab Essentials episode, I explain the biology, symptoms and types of bipolar disorder (sometimes called bipolar depression), a condition characterized by extreme, maladaptive shifts in energy, mood and perception. I describe the diagnostic criteria that distinguish bipolar I from bipolar II, including mania and hypomania and the different patterns of mood cycling. I discuss the remarkable history and discovery of lithium and how it works, in part by reducing inflammation, providing neuroprotection and supporting the interoceptive neural circuits affected in bipolar disorder. I also cover talk therapies, electroconvulsive therapy and nutraceuticals such as omega-3 fatty acids and inositol, and I explore the intriguing relationship between mood disorders and creativity. This episode should interest anyone who has or knows someone with bipolar disorder, as well as those interested in how the brain balances mood, energy and focus. Read the show notes at hubermanlab.com. Thank you to our sponsors AG1: https://drinkag1.com/huberman BetterHelp: https://betterhelp.com/huberman Eight Sleep: https://eightsleep.com/huberman Timestamps (00:00:00) Bipolar Disorder (00:01:09) Bipolar I; Manic Episode Symptoms (00:05:00) Bipolar II, Hypomania; Depressive Episodes & Cycling (00:09:00) Sponsor: BetterHelp (00:10:09) Lithium Discovery, Dr. John Cade, Uric Acid (00:12:14) Lithium Urate & Guinea Pigs, Control Experiments (00:13:19) Lithium Salts Paper, Toxicity & Monitoring (00:15:40) How Lithium Works: Inflammation & Neuroprotection (00:16:50) Exteroception vs. Interoception, Neural Circuit Atrophy (00:19:04) Sponsor: AG1 (00:20:29) Drug vs. Talk Therapies (00:20:40) Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Interpersonal & Social Rhythm Therapy (00:22:30) Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT), Treatment-Resistant Depression (00:24:07) Caution: Rely on Prescribed Treatment, Suicide Risk (00:24:59) Tool: Lifestyle Support, Sleep, Exercise, Nutrition & Sunlight (00:26:05) Tool: Inositol & Omega-3 Fatty Acids, Fish Oil Study (00:29:53) Sponsor: Eight Sleep (00:31:10) Creativity & Mood Disorders, Eminent Individuals Study (00:34:00) Recap & Key Takeaways Disclaimer & Disclosures Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In this episode the guys sit down with Nick Hexum, lead singer and co-founder of 311, just hours before a live show. Nick opens up about how the band has stayed together for 35 years, his path to sobriety in 2005-06 and how the band stuck by him through it, bringing weights on the road since 1993 and having a full gym dressing room on every tour, and why exercise was his earliest tool for managing anxiety and depression. He covers the study showing dance and exercise outperform SSRIs for depression by one and a half times, how he syncs his workouts to BPM-specific playlists, working with a vocal coach who saved his career, losing his youngest brother to an overdose and finally writing a song about it, Shaq showing up to their music video during the NBA playoffs with two left shoes and a siren on his SUV, meeting Joe Strummer of The Clash and finding a 311 sticker on his boom box, the Rick Rubin creativity principle of audience coming last, and his new Americana solo project with mandolin and fiddle. He also shares his thoughts on AI in the music industry, how the Grateful Dead touring model saved them from the Napster collapse, and why he surfed ten-foot Santa Cruz waves the day before this interview. MAPS Upper Lower: https://mapsupperlower.comCode: LAUNCH for 40% off. Includes male and female programs, workout videos, exercise demos, coaching videos and live coaching with Cole. SPONSORS Seed Daily Synbiotic: https://seed.com/mindpumpCode: 25MINDPUMP for 25% off your first month. GUEST LINKS Nick Hexum: https://www.instagram.com/nickhexum 311 Official: https://www.311.comWater Tower Band: https://www.watertowerband.com LINKS Mind Pump Store: https://mindpumpstore.comMaps Fitness Products: https://mapsfitnessproducts.com Instagram: @mindpumpmedia 0:00 - Intro 1:59 - How 311 has stayed together for 35 years — democracy, gratitude and knowing you're better together 9:06 - Nick's sobriety journey in 2005-06 and how the band helped him get there 11:17 - Bringing weights on the road since 1993 — gym dressing room on every 311 tour 13:09 - Why outliers and creative people are more drawn to self-medicating 16:32 - How the music industry changed through CDs, Napster, Spotify and now AI 20:57 - Why the Grateful Dead live touring model protected 311 from the Napster collapse 25:47 - The inspiration behind Amber and how it was written in one hour on a Saturday morning 29:58 - Writing a song about losing his youngest brother to an overdose 36:41 - Exercise 1.5x more effective than SSRIs for depression — the meta-analysis 43:16 - How Nick syncs his workouts to BPM-specific playlists for different exercises 47:17 - Breaking through fear as the key to growth — busking and surfing ten-foot waves before this interview 51:21 - How Nick warms up before a show and why working out 90 minutes before performs better 54:05 - Working with a vocal coach who saved his voice 57:42 - Three teenage daughters and the 90s resurgence making him the cool dad again 59:27 - First big purchase after getting signed: a 1969 Lincoln Continental with suicide doors that caught fire 1:01:23 - The Shaq story — two left shoes, an illegal siren through LA traffic and the NBA playoffs secret 1:04:36 - Nick's current fitness routine — F45, trail running in Topanga Canyon and tour prep
In this episode, I sit down with Miroki Tong, co-founder and CEO of StoryEngineDeck.com, where she sells a product most people can’t describe until they hold it in their hands. Miroki walks through how she and her co-founder turned a set of creative writing prompt cards into a million dollar Kickstarter campaign, and how they still run Meta ads at a 4-5x ROAS while refusing to use AI for anything creative. If you’ve ever worried your product is too weird, too niche, or too hard to explain to sell online, this one is for you. Enjoy the episode! What You’ll […] The post 647: How To Make $2M Selling Creativity In a Box With Miroki Tong appeared first on MyWifeQuitHerJob.com.
In this encouraging episode of 5 Minutes of Peace, author, poet, and publisher Dr. Nick Courtright shares a simple yet powerful insight for anyone who has ever felt stuck, overwhelmed, or afraid to begin.Nick reflects on the familiar experience of "writer's block," suggesting that it isn't always a lack of inspiration—but often a reluctance to start. Rather than waiting for the perfect idea or the right moment, he encourages us to simply begin. Even if the first words aren't perfect, the creative process has a way of building its own momentum.As we continue taking small steps, our thoughts become clearer, our confidence grows, and inspiration begins to flow. What starts as uncertainty can gradually transform into clarity through action.Nick extends this lesson beyond writing. Whether we're pursuing a creative dream, launching a new project, or making an important life change, he reminds us that meaningful opportunities often come to those who are willing to put themselves out into the world. Instead of waiting for circumstances to change, we can choose to take the next step with courage and trust.His closing message is both practical and inspiring: "Nothing ventured, nothing gained." Sometimes peace isn't found in having all the answers—it begins with the willingness to move forward, one small action at a time.About Today's GuestDr. Nick Courtright is the founder and CEO of Atmosphere Press, an independent publishing company based in Austin, Texas. A poet, author, editor, and publishing advocate, Nick is passionate about helping writers bring their stories and ideas into the world. Through Atmosphere Press, he has supported hundreds of authors in transforming inspiration into published books.Learn more at:atmospherepress.comnickcourtright.comThank you for listening—and thank yourself for taking Five Minutes of Peace.We are all connected on a path of love, service, and peace for ourselves and others. We're grateful to walk that path with you.If you'd like to learn more about The Peace Room, our Reiki treatments, crystal healings, training classes, and workshops, visit:www.ThePeaceRoom.loveJoin us again whenever you need Five Minutes of Peace.
Join us for a captivating journey as host Buzz Knight takes you on an inspiring stroll through the creative mind of David Duchovny, a true renaissance man in the world of entertainment. Known for his iconic roles in 'The X-Files' and 'Californication,' Duchovny is not just a legendary actor but also a talented musician and poet. In this episode of 'Taking a Walk,' we delve deep into his latest album, 'Prince of Pieces,' where he explores poignant themes of love, loss, and resilience. Buzz Knight expertly navigates through Duchovny's early memories of music discovery, reflecting on how these moments shaped his artistic journey and influenced his songwriting evolution since his debut album. As they talk, David Duchovny shares his first concert experiences, illustrating the profound impact music has had on his life. The conversation highlights the nuances of the creative process behind his music, emphasizing collaboration with long-time partners and the importance of spontaneity in live performances. Duchovny articulates the emotional connection that music provides, drawing a distinction between writing lyrics and poetry. The discussion also touches on the beauty of imperfection in music and how it enriches the listening experience. Towards the end of this enriching episode, Duchovny opens up about personal anecdotes involving his father, weaving nostalgia into his artistic narrative. This heartfelt exploration not only showcases his diverse career but also reflects his continuous quest for creativity. With insights into the world of indie music, classic rock history, and the vibrant Nashville music scene, this episode is a treasure trove for music lovers and those interested in the stories behind songs. Buzz Knight's engaging storytelling shines through as he shares his passion for music history and the journeys of legendary musicians and songwriters. Whether you're an indie music fan or someone who appreciates the rich tapestry of American music, this episode of 'Taking a Walk' promises to be both enlightening and entertaining. Tune in for a unique blend of musician storytelling and creative journeys that will inspire and resonate with you. Don't miss out on this opportunity to hear from one of the most iconic artists of our time, as we explore the intersection of music, art, and personal stories in a way only Buzz Knight can deliver. Support the show: https://takinawalk.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Hi Creative! For today's best of, I am going DEEP into the archives: back to 2019! This was the first-ever time my parents came on the podcast. We shared our relationship and they spoke about how to raise a creative child. It felt appropriate given the fact that my baby boy is going to be arriving in the next 3-4 weeks! I can't wait to revisit this episode with you and continue on this journey down memory lane! LOVE YA!Original Description! On today's very special episode of Unleash Your Inner Creative, Lauren Talks with her parents, Jo Ann and Mike LoGrasso. They talk all about what it was like to raise a creative child, their tips for parents who are raising or hope to raise creative children and tips for people who might not have had that encouraging base as a start. They also reveal the first time they realized Lauren was creative, the dreams that they still hope to achieve and the most difficult part of raising a passionate child. Check it out!
At 75, Deborah Santana Proves It's Never Too Late to Choose YourselfMany people first came to know Deborah Santana through her 34-year marriage to legendary musician Carlos Santana. But as the former CEO of the Santana organization, a philanthropist, author, and lifelong advocate for women and girls, Deborah has built an extraordinary legacy of her own.In this heartfelt conversation, Deborah shares what happened when she made the courageous decision to leave her marriage—not because it was easy, but because it was no longer authentic. What followed was a profound journey of healing, self-trust, freedom, and discovering who she was always meant to become.At 75 years old, Deborah reminds us that it's never too late to choose yourself, trust your intuition, and create a life that feels deeply aligned with your values and purpose.Whether you're navigating midlife, rebuilding after divorce, searching for greater purpose, or simply wondering what's next, this conversation will leave you feeling hopeful, inspired, and ready to take your own next step.✨ In this episode, you'll discover:
What if the greatest gift we could offer someone wasn't fixing their challenges—but helping them discover new possibilities? In this inspiring episode of The Motivatarian Exchange, Dionne Woods sits down with occupational therapist, author, speaker, and founder of Pam's Den of Creative Fun, Pamela Fox Denzler, to explore what it truly means to help people of all abilities thrive. Pam has spent more than 40 years supporting adults with developmental disabilities while empowering caregivers, activity professionals, educators, organizations, and families with practical, creative strategies that encourage participation, confidence, communication, and joy. Known as a Possibility Architect, Pam shares how her personal journey—including growing up as a twin alongside her sister Paula, who had cerebral palsy—shaped her lifelong mission of helping people discover purpose, adapt creatively, and recognize that every individual has unique gifts to offer. Together, Dionne and Pam explore: • The Possibility Loop and how it helps us move forward when we feel stuck • Why every person deserves to be seen, heard, and valued • Creative wellness and the power of meaningful participation • Helping caregivers find practical, low-cost solutions • Adaptability as a pathway to confidence • Occupational therapy beyond traditional healthcare • Quieting your mind through creativity and intentional pauses • The importance of inclusion, encouragement, and human connection • Why creativity is one of the greatest tools for transformation Whether you're a caregiver, occupational therapist, educator, parent, creative entrepreneur, or someone searching for renewed purpose, this conversation will leave you inspired to see new possibilities—in yourself and in others. Learn more about Pamela Fox Denzler Website Pam's Den of Creative Fun Facebook Pam's Den of Creative Fun Instagram Pamela Fox Denzler (@pamsdenofcreativefun) • Instagram profile YouTube Pam's Den of Creative Fun If this conversation encouraged you, please subscribe, share this episode with someone who needs it, and leave a comment sharing one possibility you see differently today. ** Fun fact! Pam is a twin, and she married a twin! #OccupationalTherapy #Caregivers #SpecialNeeds #CreativeWellness #Inclusion #CreativeActivities #DisabilityAwareness #MotivatarianExchange #PamelaFoxDenzler #CreativeLiving
What if your fear of success is actually a fear of being seen? Today, Sarah sits down with multidisciplinary artist and writer Maya Mackrandilal for an intuitive reading exploring the fear of visibility, the wound of being misunderstood, and the ancestral patterns that can keep us from fully expressing ourselves. Through tarot, somatic practices, and compassionate inquiry, Sarah and Maya uncover what happens when we begin meeting our protective parts with curiosity instead of judgment. On this episode of Moonbeaming you'll hear: Why the fear of success is often rooted in the fear of being truly seen How childhood experiences of being misunderstood can shape your creative life Why rejection can activate protective parts of ourselves and how to work with them compassionately How ancestral patterns can influence visibility, creativity, and self expression A gentle somatic practice for working with the parts of yourself that hold fear Why learning to truly see yourself is the first step toward allowing others to see you too If you're navigating a season of transformation, this conversation offers a powerful reminder that your greatest gifts often live beyond the fear that holds you back. --- More on Maya: Maya Mackrandilal is a multidisciplinary artist and writer whose practice spans performance, sculpture, video, and text. Her work investigates themes of ancestry, identity, and the body as a site of memory and transformation, with presentations in the U.S. and internationally, including India. Alongside her artistic practice, she is a tarot reader and spiritual practitioner, integrating intuitive insight with creative expression. You can learn more here: https://mayamackrandilal.com/home.html --- Join Our Community: Join the Moon Studio Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/themoonstudio Buy the 2026 Many Moons Lunar Planner: https://moon-studio.co/products/many-moons-2026?srsltid=AfmBOopThx1yrmKl0tMjecc_EFeeN5DAiIafqPqvQ4Uke1WEi5droeam Subscribe to our newsletter: https://moon-studio.co/pages/newsletter Find Sarah on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gottesss/
After more than a decade of releasing this show on Mondays, I'm moving it to Wednesdays, and this is the first episode of the new time slot. On the one hand, this might sound like nothing at all, but it's also a big deal, for you and for me, and in this episode, I explain why I'm making the change, and past guests give some tips on sustainable creativity for the long term. Joanna Penn is an award-winning New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of thrillers, dark fantasy, short stories and travel memoir under J.F. Penn and also writes non-fiction for authors and hosts The Creative Penn Podcast. Why the podcast is moving to Wednesdays (1) Take time out to question what you're doing (2) Learn to pivot if you want to keep going long term(3) Set a sustainable pace, and don't build reader expectations you can't deliver on (4) Don't try to do it all, and try to identify the fear that might be driving your choices (5) Question what still serves you, especially as things continue to change(6) Consider different approaches to creativity. It doesn't have to be every day, or every week(7) Creative humans evolve. Build a body of work for the long term. You can find the backlist episodes at TheCreativePenn.com/podcast, just click into the episode to find the transcript. Why The Podcast Is Moving To Wednesdays, And 7 Tips for Sustainable Creativity Here's my big news! After more than a decade of releasing this show on Mondays, I'm moving it to Wednesdays, and this is the first episode of the new time slot. On the one hand, this might sound like nothing at all, but it's also a big deal, for you and for me! I know many of you have a routine of listening to the show during a certain thing on a Monday, so I'm sorry to have to disrupt that, and I hope I don't lose you along the way — although I guess you could just save the episode for Monday! For me, it's a much bigger deal, because a Monday show has meant I have often recorded the intro and edited and scheduled the episode over the weekend. The main reason is that I need to record in the mornings when I have energy and when the house is less noisy, since Jonathan is often on the phone since he works from home as well. So I would prepare the episode on Fridays, and I type out this intro before reading it, and source the news and my thoughts and all that — and then I'd record it Saturday morning, or Sunday morning if Saturday was busy — and so recently, I have felt like something has to change. Moving the show to a Wednesday means that I can prep on Monday and Tuesday, which is perfect. Its so funny because I agonised over this, in the same way I agonised over changing the theme tune a few years back. Some of you may remember that — and it also turned out to not be a big deal at all. We build things up in our minds and then sometimes the problem can be solved in a different way. So instead of going to ad hoc episodes, or once every two weeks, I hope that moving to Wednesday makes the show more sustainable again, because let's face it, there's a lot going on, and if I did a show every 2 weeks, I might have to make them longer to get through everything! So, same show, just on Wednesdays from now on. And this change underscores what today's episode is about: sustainable creativity over the long term. How do you keep writing, and publishing, and podcasting — and creating for years — and I am now at two decades — without burning out, and without becoming a slave to the algorithm, or the market, or even your own audience's expectations? The goal is not to just survive this year's release schedule, or to keep feeding the machine until you crumble under the speed of it all. The goal is to still be creating, and still be enjoying it, next month, next year, in five years, in 10 years, in 20, in 30. Who knows how many years we all have left — but for sure, we are NOT machines, we are not AI — and we cannot churn it out – and what is the point of that anyway? So in today's show, I'll share some thoughts and tips from me and also other authors from the show on this topic, and you can find the full episodes in the backlist, and links as ever in the show notes on TheCreativePenn.com/podcast (1) Take time out to question what you're doing In early 2024, The Tim Ferriss Show, one of the biggest podcasts in the world, hit its ten-year anniversary with over a billion downloads and over 750 episodes, and Tim decided to take a sabbatical. He paused the show for four months and seriously questioned whether to continue. Not because it was failing, it was hugely profitable and he enjoyed talking to people, but because the landscape had changed. Podcasting had gone from a wide-open space in 2014 to a saturated market, and his question wasn't “can I keep competing?” It was “is this still the game I want to play?” Just a little note here, I started The Creative Penn Podcast in 2009 when there were even fewer shows so I know a lot about a changing podcast market! After four months, Tim came back from what he called a sabbatical with a blog post on My New Rules for Podcasting — To Keep Things Interesting. He starts with the sheer number of podcasts, saying, “Having a good show is no longer good enough. Having a great show is no longer good enough. If you want to survive in the mindshare of listeners, you need differentiation.” I think this is true for us as authors as well as podcasters, or YouTubers, or social media, or anything. But the good news is that your differentiation can be you. Regular listeners will know that I have questioned ending the show over the years, worried that I was no longer useful, or that my voice no longer mattered when there are so many podcasts on similar topics. But after your wonderful feedback, and the fact that the show still gets a lot of downloads every week, and the growth in my Patreon Community, I don't worry about that anymore. It's unlikely that any of us will have a podcast as big as Tim Ferriss's or sell as many books as The Four Hour Work Week, but that's OK, because we are not Tim. I am Jo Penn and you're here because you find my take on the publishing industry is still useful in some way. When it's not anymore, you will go elsewhere, and I find myself at peace with that. Back to Tim's article — he asks some questions of himself, including:If I get to do this for another decade, or had to do this for another decade, what new rules might I create to keep it interesting? Of course, we all have different ideas of what this means for us. And I have already implemented one of these rules, which is that I interview people on topics I find interesting. I frequently get pitched by more famous authors and bigger names, but most of the time I turn them down, and choose to talk to people who are not famous but are more interested in serving you, my audience, because that is the point of this show. I also have people on that I enjoy talking to, because checking in with my friends while you listen in, can be useful too, since my friends are often authors who've been in the industry a while now. I have to make the interviews time that I find interesting or useful or fulfilling as well. But the point is to stop and take time to consider what might need to change, even if you are really successful. You cannot be a slave to the algorithm, to the media, to your audience, for the long term. You have to put some circuit breakers in sometimes. It's the old adage about the small business. You have to work ON in the business, not just IN the business, which means you need to step away. This does sometimes mean that you have to get away physically. I had this realisation while we were in Bruges in Belgium talking to Jonathan about what changes I could make because I just felt a lack of freedom — and freedom is my highest value, so I really need to honour that. So, the first question for you is: If you feel like you need a change, if your routines are becoming too much, or your workload is too much, or you are eating into time you need for rest and recovery or family or whatever you need, can you schedule time out to have a think about what you need and how things can change? You don't need to burn it all down. You might find the answer is just moving the show from a Monday to a Wednesday! (2) Learn to pivot if you want to keep going long term I love talking to authors who have been doing this career for a long time, and in December 2025 in episode 839, I talked to Jennifer Probst, the New York Times bestselling romance author of more than sixty books, about why some authors build decades-long careers while others vanish after one breakout. Jennifer has been through the indie gold rush, the fallout, traditional deals, Kickstarter, all of it, and I asked her how she thinks about how everything keeps changing, and we start with marketing but it goes much further than that. Writing Free: Romance Author Jennifer Probst On A Long-Term Author Career *** Jo: In terms of how we do marketing, TikTok is still a thing, and we can see maybe generative AI search coming on the horizon and agentic buying. A decade ago it might have been different, more Facebook ads or whatever. Then before that it might have been something else. So there's always things changing along the way. Jennifer: Yes, there definitely is. It is a very oversaturated market. They talk about, I don't know, 2010 to 2016 maybe, as the gold rush, because that was where you could make a lot of money as an indie. Then we saw the total fallout of so many different things. I feel like I've gone through so many ups and downs in the industry. I do love it because the longer you're around, the more you learn how to pivot. If you want this career, you learn how to write differently or do whatever you need to do to keep going, in different aspects, with the changes. To me, that makes the industry exciting. Again, perspective is a big thing. But I have had to take a year to kind of rebuild when I was out of contract with a lot of things. I've had to say, “Okay, what do you see on the horizon now? Where is the new foundation? Where do you wanna restart?” Sometimes it takes a year or two of, “Maybe I won't be making big income and I cut back,” but then you're back in it, because it takes a while to write a few new books, or write under a pen name, or however you want to pivot your way back into the industry. Or, like you were saying, diversifying. I did a lot of non-fiction stuff because that's a big calling for me, so I put that into the primary for a while. I think it's important for authors to maybe not just have one thing. When that one thing goes away, you're scrambling. It's good to have a couple of different things like, “Well, okay, this genre is dead or this thing is dead or this isn't making money. Let me go to this for a little while until I see new things on the horizon.” *** I love that from Jennifer, because there are always new things on the horizon, and we try new things and we pivot, and we bring in other streams of income as some drop off, and we go again and we keep creating. Authors with longevity are authors who pivot over their careers. They may lament the end of one era, but they don't stop, they find a new way forward. (3) Set a sustainable pace, and don't build reader expectations you can't deliver on Kevin J. Anderson is one of the most productive writers alive, with hundreds of books, most of which he writes with dictation while out hiking, and he has been on this show many times. In January 2025, in episode 791, we talked about building a long-term author business, and how authors need to be careful about setting reader expectations around pace of releases. Building A Long Term Author Business, Dictation, Kickstarter, and Short Story Collections With Kevin J Anderson Kevin: Now, again, we get back to the longevity of a career. It is exhausting to write lots of books a year, and most people can't keep doing that for 20 years or 30 years. That's one of the reasons, especially indie authors, where readers expect you to write several books a year. Some indie authors I know are writing a book a month. I couldn't do that for any long period. Well, I couldn't do that probably for a single year. You start building expectations, and when you fail to meet those expectations, they will leave you very quickly. That's why you should have Plan Bs. If you really, really can't stand writing your steampunk vampire romance series after book number 29, well, make sure that you have some other series you're starting and building up. Well, Hugh Howey's got several series that are going. Michael Anderle has all kinds of series, and Craig Martelle has all kinds of series. You don't just put all your eggs in one basket. You need to have Plan B and Plan C, to circle around to what I started with. *** Whatever cadence you choose, for your books, your email newsletters, or or your podcast, or your social media, choose a pace you can still be keeping up in a decade, because this is a long term career, and longevity in the market is one of the most important things. It's better to pace yourself than burn out. (4) Don't try to do it all, and try to identify the fear that might be driving your choices I couldn't do an episode on sustainability without Becca Syme! Becca is an author coach who has worked with thousands of writers, she is the creator of the Better-Faster Academy and the Quit books, and the QuitCast podcast — and In January 2023, in episode 668, at the end of our conversation about intuitive writing and marketing, I asked her what authors who sustain long careers have in common. Intuitive Writing And Book Marketing With Becca Syme *** Joanna: So in terms of sustainability, let's talk about that. You coach writers every day, you see writers on every spectrum of every personality type, and people who write differently and release differently and publish differently. So what do you see as your recommendations or, I guess, commonalities for authors who want this sustainable career as a writer for the long term in order not to burn out? What are you seeing in terms of the best way to be sustainable in a creative career? Becca: Conquering the fear that we have that we're not going to get what we want out of the career, like 100%. Because the fear is the thing that's driving us to burn ourselves out. The fear that if I don't do it this way, I'm not going to make money. If I don't do it this way, I'm not going to have a long career. I'm going to miss out on something if I don't do absolutely everything. And then I think the most important knowledge that we can have is that everyone in this industry who's a nonfiction person, including me, is giving you a perspective on how author life can be done. Every single one of us, not the perspective on how it should be done in order to have success. And if we could just change our expectations of how we look at the people who are helping us who are being good, helpful people who are very sure that their way is the correct way and who should be, again, because like all experts, they've had success doing what they are doing. But the downside is from someone whose job is to sit with authors for 45 minutes at a time, all day, every day, I see the outcome of the people who have tried to “do it all,” in quotes, with capital letters, and who are burned out because they were doing everything out of a fear place. And I think one of the best things that can happen in our — and what burnout often does is it forces us to reckon with the fact that we were doing all of this because we were afraid. My book isn't going to sell, I'm not going to be able to do this, I have this dream that I'm holding on to and what happens if it doesn't manifest itself. Then we make a lot of our decisions about how much to take on based on fear, and we don't know it. Because we don't realize that our brains are wired for survival, and so anytime fear kicks in, your brain is like, well, we have to do that because if you're afraid of it, then that must mean that we need it in order to survive. And we don't. We will survive if our books don't sell. We have to calm that fear and answer the question. Like, what will happen if in five years, I have not sold more than $1,000 on every book that I am writing? Like if each of the individual books that I write have not made more than $1,000. And I have to reckon with what might happen if that happens, because if I don't, that fear is going to drive me to burnout over and over and over and over again. That is why we're making so many of our decisions, including: do I pay for this class or conference? Do I pay for this book? Do I spend money on this advertising? Do I hire this expert consultant? So many of us are making those choices out of fear and we don't realize it. And that's why when we do our public live coaching, and whenever I'm at a conference, I'm always listening for, “but what are you afraid is not going to happen? Or what are you afraid is going to happen?” Because if we don't deconstruct that part of yourself and calm your survival mechanism down, you're going to continue over and over again to make those decisions out of fear. Then you're going to not listen to your intuition because you think it's risky to listen to it. And so I really think, and some of this might include therapy for some of us, I'm just going to acknowledge some of us have trauma around not getting what we want or around not actualizing our desires, and we can't just talk ourselves into letting the fear go. But some of us do just need to consistently confront the fear and make a plan for what happens and then act in spite of that fear because we are not making good decisions when we are in survival mode. *** Becca is very wise, and also pretty hardcore! So if you feel like you are trying to do it all, and you are on the edge of burning out, can you identify the fear beneath it? (5) Question what still serves you, especially as things continue to change Sometimes we keep doing things the same way, even when things have changed. What is lost if we give things up? What is gained? And what kind of game do you want to play? In episode 845, Claire Taylor, humour and mystery author, owner of FFS Media, certified Enneagram coach, talks about how social media has changed and why she gave it up. Leaving Social Media, Writing Iconic Characters, and Building Trust With Claire Taylor *** Joanna: One thing I know will have perked up people's ears is: “I left social media.” Tell us a bit more about that. Claire: This was a move that I could feel coming for a while. I didn't like what social media did to my attention. Even when I wasn't on it, there was almost a hangover from having been on it. My attention didn't feel as sharp and focused as it used to be, back before social media became what it is now. So I started asking myself some questions: What is lost if I leave? What is gained if I leave? And what is social media actually doing for me today? Because sometimes we hold on to what it used to do for us, and we keep trying to squeeze more and more of that out of it. But it has changed so much. There are almost no places with sufficient organic reach anymore. It's all pay-to-play, and the cost of pay-to-play keeps going up. I looked at the numbers for my business. My Kickstarter was a great place to analyse that because they track so many traffic sources so clearly. I could see exactly how much I was getting from social media when I advertised and promoted my projects there. Then I asked: can I let that go in order to get my attention back and make my life feel more settled? And I decided: yes, I can. That's worth more to me. Joanna: There are some things money can't buy. Sometimes it really isn't about the money. I like your question: what is lost and what is gained? You also said it's all pay-to-play and there's no organic reach. I do think there is some organic reach for some people who don't pay, but those people are very good at playing the game of whatever the platform wants. So, TikTok for example—you might not have to pay money yet, but you do have to play their game. You have to pay with your time instead of money. I agree with you. I don't think there's anywhere you can literally just post something and know it will reliably reach the people who follow you. Claire: Right. Exactly. TikTok currently, if you really play the game, will sometimes “pick” you, right? But that “pick me” energy is not really my jam. And we can see the trend—this “organic” thing doesn't last. It's organic for now. You can play the game for now, but TikTok would be crazy not to change things so they make more money. So eventually everything becomes pay-to-play. TikTok is fun, but for me it's addictive. I took it off my phone years ago because I would do the infinite scroll. There's so much candy there. Then I'd wake up the next morning and notice my mood just wasn't where I wanted it to be. My energy was low. I really saw a correlation between how much I scrolled and how flat I felt afterwards. So I realised: I'm not the person to pay-to-play or to play the game here. I'm not even convinced that the pay-to-play on certain social media networks is being tracked in a reliable, accountable way anymore. Who is holding them accountable for those numbers? You can sort of see correlation in your sales, but still, I just became more and more sceptical. In the end, it just wasn't for me. My life is so much better on a daily basis without it. That's definitely a decision I have not regretted for a second. **** To be clear, we're not saying you should give up social media, but it's about questioning how things make you feel, and what you can sustain and how you want to spend your time. I did question once again whether to give up this show entirely, but it is an important part of my creative body of work, and quite frankly, I reach more people with the podcast than I do with my books, and I still love talking to people, and I learn, and it underpins my business. I don't do much social media though. I learn about AI things on X and I do post photos and things on Instagram but I don't do much else. You have to decide what is right for you, but also, what is right for you might change over time. If we have a long term career, or a long term anything, things will change, and we will need to move on sometimes, or at least question whether it is still working in the way it used to. (6) Consider different approaches to creativity. It doesn't have to be every day, or every week. In April 2026, in episode 858, I talked to Sara Rosett, USA Today bestselling mystery author and co-host of the Wish I'd Known Then podcast, about low-key marketing, and a more seasonal approach, or phased approach to podcasting as well as writing. Special Editions, Seasonal Podcasts, and the Art of Low-Key Book Marketing with Sara Rosett *** Jo: Although I must say I had forgotten about your Mystery Books podcast and going to seasonal. I also had my second podcast, Books and Travel, which is now on a kind of hiatus, but going to a seasonal approach is actually really interesting. Do you find that listeners come back to that podcast? Sara: Yes, and it surprises me because I've always thought you have to be weekly with a podcast to gain any traction at all, which I think is the best way to do it. You can build an audience quickly then, but I just knew I couldn't sustain that. So when I set out, I started with maybe seven to ten episodes and I did them each year — each year has had a season — and I do five to ten episodes. Readers find it, and I have highlighted specific books. I think maybe they're searching for a podcast about the Thursday Murder Club or something like that. They find it that way, and I get downloads, just steady downloads throughout the year, and I don't do much. I do some Pinterest pins for that, and that's about all I do. This is one of those things — it's the kind of low-key marketing that's low threshold, but it does work. I think if your readers are looking for stuff to listen to about the topic you write about, it could be a good way to do some low-cost, long-tail marketing. I love it. I keep doing it because I love it. Jo: That just seems more sustainable to me. I didn't like doing everything every day or every single week. Sara: Me either. I like switching it up, and I do enjoy the different phases of writing. I like the research and then I like doing the — well, I don't like the drafting that much, but once I get a draft done, I like the editing. And then when it comes time to promote it or do a special edition or whatever, I enjoy that part. Finding whatever I'm going to use for the interior photos and stuff — just things like that. I enjoy each phase and I like switching it out. Jo: I think that's really good. Some people think this writer's life is you write new words every single day and you manage your ads every single day. That seems to be what some people do, but that's certainly not us, is it? Sara: No. And that's great if you want to do that. I just don't want to. And I think we've come to the point now where each person can do this as they want. Hopefully people don't feel the pressure to meet these self-imposed deadlines or parameters that don't exist. There's no rules for writing or publishing. You can do whatever you want. *** I am definitely a seasonal creator, I don't write every day. I never have. I binge write when a book emerges, or binge create. As I record this I am working on the treatment and trailer for what is now called Cathedral Zero, a positive futurist sci-fi feature film that I am entering in the FutureVision X Prize in the next week or so, and then I will move to the next project. I also love Kickstarter launches for this reason. They feel much more sustainable because it's such a focused marketing push. My Books and Travel Podcast is still on hiatus, but I may still resurrect that at some point. I still feel the pull of it. And of course, this show remains weekly, but the Wednesday shift will hopefully help keep it this way. I can't see me going seasonal with this, but never say never! The main thing is to consider seasonality, or consider phased approaches to your work, rather than trying to do exactly the same thing week in week out. (7) Creative humans evolve. Build a body of work for the long term. Roz Morris first came on this podcast in 2011, and in March 2026, in episode 853 we talked about her memoir, discovery writing, and slow, sustainable book marketing. Roz is an award-nominated literary author and former bestselling ghostwriter, an editor and I always appreciate her perspective as she has been doing this far longer than I have. **** JOANNA: Do you still actively choose indie for a particular reason? ROZ: I do. I really like building my own body of work, and I'm now experienced enough to know what I do well, what I need advice with, and help with. I mean, we don't do all this completely by ourselves, do we? We bring in experts who will give us the right feedback if we're doing a new genre or a genre that's new to us. I choose indie because I like the control. Because I began in traditional publishing—I was making books for other people—I just learned all the trades and how to do everything to a professional standard. I love being able to apply that to my own work. I also love the way I can decide what I'm going to write next. If I was traditionally published, I would have to do something that fitted with whatever the publisher would want of me, and that isn't necessarily where my muse is taking me or what I've become interested in. I think creative humans evolve throughout their lives. They become interested in different things, different themes, different ways of expressing themselves. I began by thinking I would just write novels, and now I've found myself writing memoirs as well. That shift would have been difficult if someone else was having to make me fit into their marketing plans or what their imprint was known for. But because I've built my own audience, I can just bring them with me and say, “You might like this. It's still me. I'm just doing something different.” **** Inspiring words from Roz there — “It's still me, I'm just doing something different.” And indeed, I am a very different Jo from the new author who started this podcast back in March 2009. I have evolved and this show has evolved and this is not the end, it is a new phase. It's funny because it's just a shift of two days, but it also breaks a habit, for you listening and for me creating. It changes a time slot, and that itself can be a way to change energy, to change direction, to shift what matters and how we do things. So that's what I want to leave you with today. A question around how shifting something, even something small, might make a big difference to your creative body of work, the quality of time you have for yourself or your family, and I'd love to know what you think about today's episode and what we covered, as well as your thoughts on the Wednesday shift. Please leave a comment on the show notes, or the YouTube channel, or email me. I will see you next Wednesday, so happy writing and I'll see you next time!The post Why The Podcast Is Moving To Wednesdays, And 7 Tips for Sustainable Creativity first appeared on The Creative Penn.
On today's episode, I'm joined by my husband and Co-Founder Nish Samantray for a fun conversation breaking down some of the biggest brand launches, marketing campaigns, and consumer products making headlines right now. We share our honest takes on what's genuinely smart marketing, what's overhyped, and which brands we think have the potential to become long-term successes. From Kylie Jenner's Meta glasses and celebrity-founded brands to influencer partnerships, experiential marketing, and functional food launches, we discuss what separates brands that create lasting customer loyalty from those that rely on buzz alone. We also dive into why authenticity matters more than ever, how in-person experiences can build stronger brands in the age of AI, and the marketing strategies we believe every entrepreneur should be paying attention to. Whether you're building a business, obsessed with branding, or simply love following the latest consumer trends, this episode is packed with insights, hot takes, and marketing lessons you won't want to miss. Enjoy!To connect with Siff on Instagram, click HERE.To connect with Siff on Tiktok, click HERE.To learn more about Arrae, click HERE. To check out Siff's LTK, click HERE.To check out Siff's Amazon StoreFront, click HERE. To connect with Nish on Instagram, click HERE.This episode may contain paid endorsements and advertisements for products and services. Individuals on the show may have a direct, or indirect financial interest in products, or services referred to in this episode.Get 15% off Branch Basics with the code DREAMBIGGER at https://branchbasics.com/DREAMBIGGER #branchbasicspodShopify.com/dreambiggerText DREAM to 64000 to get 20% off all IQBAR products, plus FREE shipping. Message and data rates may apply.The Korean skincare brand everyone is talking about. Our listeners get 20% off their entire order by using code DREAMBIGGER at Jiyuskin.com #JiYu #adOur listeners can buy one prescription pair and get 20% off additional pairs at WarbyParker.com/DREAMBIGGER – and using our link helps support the show. #WarbyParker #adProduced by Dear MediaSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Great brands do more than meet a need. They transform that need into desire. But in an increasingly crowded and fragmented media landscape, how can brands earn attention, turn that attention into affection, and ultimately inspire people to act?Recorded live at the Havas Café during the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity, this special roundtable is the first in a three-part series exploring the many dimensions of desire. Jim is joined by three marketing leaders approaching that challenge from very different industries: Manu Orssaud, Chief Marketing Officer at Duolingo;Benoit Vatere, Chief Media and Digital Commerce Officer at Liquid Death; and Oliver Walker-Jones, who leads Marketing, Communications and Brand at Joby Aviation.Together, they explore how modern brands use media to create lasting desire. Manu shares how Duolingo combines planned cultural moments with the flexibility to build stories alongside its community. The conversation explores why fun is an underrated business advantage, how brands can move quickly without chasing every cultural moment, and where AI can strengthen a company without replacing the human creativity behind great marketing. —This week's episode is brought to you by Havas and Infillion.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
01:13 Things disney is already updating/will never update 02:33 Magicband+ 05:20 Epcot lighting 06:23 Closed counter service areas 08:06 Naming conventions 10:05 Animal Kingdom at night 11:44 My Disney Experience app 12:58 Attraction fixes 17:55 Guest experience 21:36 Creativity from Imagineering on new attractions 22:31 More transportation options 25:30 Disney dos and don'ts