We all know that spark of inspiration that easily happens when we go somewhere out of the ordinary, or feel like we're doing something for the first time. Do we need that sense of newness to spark creativity, and what do we do if we can't find it?

In this episode we talk to writer Amanda Machado and neuroscientist Christine Liu to learn exactly what's happening in our brains when we have new experiences and how it impacts our creative process.

Head over to CreativeFuelCollective.com for more creative inspiration, prompts, online workshops and a robust creative community.

Hosted by Anna Brones

Co-Produced by Anna Brones & Gale Straub

Engineering by Steph George

Theme Music is by cleod9 music

Season 1 is Made with Support by Big Cartel

Featuring:

Christine Liu: A neuroscientist currently conducting postdoctoral research at UCSF, where she explores how psychedelic drugs alter neural circuits. She earned her PhD research from UC Berkeley, focusing on the relationship between nicotine and the brain's dopamine system. She's an artist at heart, and uses art as a means of scientific communication and is the co-founder of the art collective Two Photon Art.
- Links:
Amanda Machado: A writer and facilitator whose work explores how race, gender, sexuality, and power affect the way we travel and experience the outdoors. Amanda has been published in The Atlantic, Guernica, The Washington Post, Slate, The Guardian, Harper’s Bazaar, NBC News, Vox, The Week, Outside, REI Co-Op Journal, Quartz, Sierra Magazine, and others. In addition to writing, Amanda also is a guest speaker and workshop facilitator on issues of justice and anti-oppression for organizations around the world.
- Links:
  - Website: AmandaEMachado.com
Kashmir Thompson (Featured in our Midroll): With a repertoire of black pop culture inspired paintings and a massive social media following, Kashmir Thompson is creating her own lane and dominating it. Her unique artistic creations have attracted the likes of celebrities such as Angela Bassett, Issa Rae, Spike Lee, Tisha Campbell-Martin, Tasha Smith, and more. A graduate of the Cleveland School of the Arts, Kashmir is a credentialed, creative and credible artist with a sharp focus on building a sustainable brand and taking it worldwide. She desires to continue to create art that inspires others and attracts art lovers everywhere.
- Links:
  - Her Big Cartel Shop: KashmirVIII.com
  - Instagram: @KashmirVIII

Resources Mentioned & Places to Learn More

Audre Lorde: Uses of the Erotic
Instinct to Ruin: L. Mathis Book of Poetry
Interested in some of the research on newness and creativity? Three places to start
- Why Inspiration Matters
- The relationship between curiosity and creativity
- How to cultivate curiosity

Sponsor Links

Big Cartel believes you don't have to sell out to sell online. With their simple stores for artists, makers, and creators, you won't be surprised by hidden fees and they don't take a cut of your sales like some other platforms. The sky's the limit on your sales and your success. Open your own shop at bigcartel.com.

Rico Smith on Winning the Primary Election, Tackling Hurricane Relief, and Lowering Florida Insurance Rates