Your World of Creativity

In this podcast episode of "Unlocking Your World of Creativity," host Mark Stinson interviews Adam Alter, the author of the book "The Anatomy of a Breakthrough." The episode explores the concept of getting unstuck creatively and provides strategies to overcome creative blockages. Alter's book is well-researched and practical, focusing on four steps to getting unstuck: help, heart, head, and habit.Adam's Website The first section, "Help," aims to demystify the experience of being stuck and emphasizes that it is a universal phenomenon. The subsequent sections provide strategies for addressing the emotional consequences of feeling stuck (heart), using cognitive strategies to get unstuck (head), and taking action to overcome stuckness (habit).Alter highlights the experiences of well-known individuals like Harper Lee and George R. Martin, demonstrating that even highly successful and talented people face creative blockages. The discussion emphasizes the importance of understanding that being stuck is a common experience and that there are ways to overcome it.The podcast also explores the concept of "lifequakes," major life-altering events that can contribute to feeling stuck. Alter references the work of Bruce Feiler, who emphasizes the universality of these changes and the need to navigate them effectively.The episode further delves into the idea that creativity often involves recombination rather than radical originality. It highlights examples like Bob Dylan, who combined elements from different musical genres to create something new. Additionally, the benefits of crowdsourcing and diverse perspectives in overcoming creative blockages are discussed.The final section of Alter's book, "Habit," emphasizes the need to break free from old ideas and explore new approaches to getting unstuck. The podcast concludes by highlighting the extensive list of techniques provided in the book, offering listeners numerous ways to overcome creative blockages.Key Quotes from Adam Alter:- "A lot of us don't fully understand what it is to be stuck. We seem to be blindsided by stuckness and by change... That first section is designed to demystify what it is to be stuck, to explain it, and to tell people that it's gonna happen, so they should be ready for it." - "The best ideas, even if they look like they're radically new, are actually a combination of two or three or more things that existed before. The genius is in the new combination."- "You want people, specialists, from all sorts of different areas so that they all bring their own lens to the problem." - Adam Alter@adamleealter on X Adam's Facebook page Adam Alter is a professor of marketing, and the Stansky Teaching Excellence Faculty Fellow at New York University’s Stern School of Business. He also holds an affiliated professorship in social psychology at NYU’s psychology department. In 2020 he was voted professor of the year by the faculty and student body at NYU’s Stern School of Business, and was among the Poets and Quants 40 Best Professors Under 40 in 2017. Alter is the New York Times bestselling author of two books: Drunk Tank Pink and Irresistible. Copyright 2025 Mark Stinson

Ross Symons is our guest today on the Unlocking Your World of Creativity podcast.Ross is an origami expert, and he has become an internet sensation by fusing this skill with animation and video production. Origami is the ancient Japanese art of paper-folding that's never really gone out of fashion and is now becoming a modern fad in the era of YouTube instructions and Instagram.Here is an example of his work: https://www.instagram.com/reel/CdNKaSjqi00/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=He has created engaging stop motion animations for some of the world's biggest brands, including Red Bull, Adidas, Disney Plus, Nordstrom, Sony, PlayStation, Converse, McDonald's, Samsung, and Dior, which has helped them stand out in the crowded digital landscape.Ross successfully completed a 365-day origami Instagram project in 2014 and 2017, folding and posting a different origami figure each day for an entire year onto Instagram, all the while making animations between the single photo posts.The projects grew his following on the platform from 120 to 100K+ and helped him to capture the attention of the big brands he works with today.Like many entrepreneurs, Ross worked a 9 to 5 job as a website developer at Ogilvy, one of the top advertising, marketing, and PR firms in the world, before founding his company White on Rice.Over time, he came to realize that working for someone would never allow him to live the happy, free life he desired, and he took the risk of leaving a secure and well-paying profession in 2014 to pursue his passion for origami, which he had done since 2002 as a hobby.Ross's gamble paid off as he grew his business into a sought-after creative agency in less than four years. He has been featured on major media outlets, including CNN, Business Insider, and The Times.On the podcast, Ross talks about:How he built a thriving creative business that collaborates with some of the world's biggest brands out of his genuine passion for origami.How agencies and creatives can help brands they work with standout using stop motion animations and origami.Do you want to quit your 9-to-5 job to become a creative entrepreneur? Ross's reasons you should do it and advice on how to successfully make the switch from employment to entrepreneurship.How to connect with other creatives online using social media. The importance of understanding money and entrepreneurship as a creative/artist. Ross's tips for young creators who are just starting out.The impact of A.I. on the creative industry.Ross's Website @white_onrice on Instagram Ross on YouTube Ross's Facebook page Copyright 2025 Mark Stinson

Today's guest is Egle Karalyte, a brand strategist and creator of multiple branding tools, including the Bloomerang Game. Over the last 15 years, Egle has been catching waves of creativity with top brands on almost every continent. She had worked with Adobe/Fotolia, Google Campus London, Paris Telecom, MTV Lebanon, etc. She has lived and worked in the world’s most captivating cities: NYC, London, Paris, Santiago de Chile, Casablanca, Barcelona, and Beirut. In fact, we caught up with Egle on her travels to Lisbon, Portugal. Here are some ideas we discuss in this episode with Egle:Next Generation Creator’s Mindset on Creating a Meaningful Brand for the WorldCreativity Activation in Teams: how to harmonize and mobilize a team for a common good?Creativity and EntrepreneurshipHow to Build a Meaningful Brand that’s aligned with your vibe, values, and lifestyleweb: www.https://karalyte.com/Instagram: egle.karalyteYouTube: @bloomerang-gameLinkedIn: ekaralyteCopyright 2025 Mark Stinson

Jude Warne, Rock Reviewer on Bob DylanThis podcast welcomes Jude Warne, a rock biographer, music reviewer, and author. We discuss Bob Dylan's creativity in his book “The Philosophy of Modern Song” -- as well as the book “Folk Music of Bob Dylan: Biography in Seven Songs.”Bob Dylan's book, The Philosophy of Modern Song, captures the mystery and creativity of his immense body of work with references to other famous songwriters. It showcases his creative voice as a critic, author, and biographer to discuss the writerly quality of other musicians' songs and their lives.Jude says, “It highlighted for me a lot of the songwriters and songs that he touches on, he brings out their mystery or the mystery going on with the characters in each of the songs he talks about. So there's, the theme really is consistent in my opinion throughout the whole book.”I replied, “It's exciting. And mystery is a nice word because how many people have tried to interpret a Bob Dylan song, and it's like how much meaning could we infuse in it? But often to look at it the other way and say, how does somebody like Bob Dylan interpret other people's songs?”·     Bob’s creative, conversational tone has opened listeners' minds as he riffs and creates new stories for his songs that showcase his writing talent and insight.·     Bob is an experienced music reviewer who notes the influence of older genres in modern songs, having charted on the Billboard charts since the 1950s and 60s.·     Bob Dylan's selection of music speaks to artists of all eras, regardless of gender, race, or background, showing his unique creative vision and critical insight. Even though it may not seem like a “diverse” selection of artists to profile.·     Through reflection on the works of great artists Bob Dylan questions if sacrificing one's personal identity is necessary to create strong and meaningful works.·     We shared a laugh while envisioning Bob Dylan doing some real-life mundane tasks like sorting the photos used in the book, because of his persona of a philosophical approach to writing.In the second half of the interview, we discussed a Bob Dylan biography on his creative journey through influences and contributions to history and culture, written by Rolling Stone critic and author Greil Marcus.As we closed, Jude talked personally about her work as a creative critic, author, and biographer—and her secret dream to DJ in her own club where she can choose what songs to play.We promised to keep the conversation going and check in periodically on new books and albums, especially ones that Jude reviews on platforms like The Vinyl District.Jude is now working on a new book about a seventies rock artist which is set to be released in Fall of 2024.Follow her work on the web at www.judewarne.com and on Instagram @judewarnewriterMy thanks to Larry Hughes at Simon & Schuster Publishing for an advanced introduction to the Bob Dylan "Philosophy of Modern Song" book.

Today we talk sonic branding with Jeanna Isham of Dreamr Productions Jeanna creates, consults, and educates on the power of sound in marketing. She is founder and sonic branding composer and started the company back in 2009. Her career in music and marketing has been a 20-year journey in the making. She is well versed in the art of traditional music composition as well as being a thought leader, author, and speaker in the sound in the marketing and advertising industry.Website: https://www.soundinmarketing.comYouTube: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-sound-in-marketing-47922539/episode/sonic-branding-for-the-small-business-108455421/

This is a special BONUS, LIVE episode with my guest, Anita Sonya Sonya is a highly respected live streaming coach and consultant, and the founder of LivePodcast Media. Her passion lies in helping business owners, entrepreneurs, digital creators, and professionals transform their businesses through live streaming.LINKED IN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/livepodcastmedia/YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCly3HVYidu0_6uPa4opqvZgFACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/livepodcastmedia/INSTAGRAM: @livepodcastmediaWEBSITE: https://anitasonya.comSonya has organized multiple international summits, supported by leading brands such as Blubrry, Ecamm Network, Wave.video, and Restream. These events have brought together top expert speakers from diverse industries to share their knowledge and expertise.If you're looking to transform your business through live streaming, Sonya is the partner you've been searching for. With her vast knowledge, experience, and unparalleled passion for helping others, she is the perfect choice to help you take your business to the next level. Don't miss the opportunity to work with her and attend the upcoming Bali LivePodcast Summit, scheduled for September 19-24, 2023.

Today's guest is Henning Svoren of Ocean Sound Recording in Giske, Norway.https://www.oceansound.noHenning is a Norwegian music producer and engineer, who has been part of running the recording studio Ocean Sound on the island of Giske in Norway since 2009.He says, “My responsibilities are pretty wide from developing the business and studio itself to working on the songs and actual music through mixing, recording and producing. In my spare time I like to go hiking or skiing in the mountains and fjords around here.”Here are some of the key topics we discuss:·     Henning believes that the natural surroundings of an island contribute to the creative process. For example, he learned Peter Gabriel's studio was designed with creativity in mind, as the flowing water outside provides inspiration.·     As the owner of the studio, he explains how the studio was built and how it is different from other studios in New York and London.·     Why the artists are drawn to the studio's setting and equipment. They have kept up with the latest technology by installing a Dolby Atmos system in their studio.·     Henning describes how their music is influenced by the environment, ranging in styles which include sixties pop, German hip-hop, jazz, and even meditation sounds.·     “We had one of my favorite Norwegian bands called Motorcycle which I've been a fan of since I was a kid. I was finally asked to work with them as an engineer a couple of years ago. Their guitar player lives in Trondheim, a Norwegian city. He decided that he is not going to bring any guitars or any pedals or anything. He's just going to use what's in the studio because the different instruments will inspire him to play something different than a normal would. So we also try to have a few weird instruments lying around, like strategically placed around the studio. So if you get stuck with a song you're working on, why don't you try this weird Indian thing?”·     The role of the Engineer. Musicians need an engineer to do more than push the buttons and make them sound great. They need someone who is not close to the project with fresh ears to help contribute to the creative process. The studio and engineer can help the band capture their musical vision.·     The challenge of finding the balance between wanting to be popular and wanting to be unique. Ocean Sound wants to help create new tastes in music and that helps decide what sort of projects they would like to work on.As we closed, Henning added, “I'm touched by your enthusiasm, both for the music-making process and for our studio.” Copyright 2025 Mark Stinson

Mary Gauthier, The Healing Power of SongwritingToday's guest is Grammy-nominated folk/Americana/country singer-songwriter Mary Gauthier.We discuss her experiences in:the healing power of writingworking with veteranssongwriting groupsobstacles in the processtours and life on the roadWhat's ahead for music and lifeLearn more about Mary, her music, her book, and upcoming tours dates at:Mary's Website

For marketers, creating a powerful connection with consumers is key — and audio plays an important role in that connection. Audio branding and radio expert Paul Suchman has dedicated his career to honing audio into the perfect tool of engagement for brands large and small. We recently had the chance to sit down with Paul to discuss what it takes to create powerful audio brand experiences, as well as how you can get started leveraging sound in your own marketing efforts.Audacy is a production company specializing in creating narrative audio content for brands, agencies, and networks. "We're always looking for new ways to push the boundaries of storytelling through sound," Paul says. "It's really exciting because there are so many different components that go into producing great audio – sound design, music composition, voice direction – all of these things come together to make something special. But I think the most important thing is finding a way to tell a story that resonates with listeners. That's the key to success." It's truly an art form, and there are endless possibilities that come with creating audio content. You never know what kind of stories you're going to uncover and how they'll be received by your audience. That's what makes it so exciting! "At Audacy we pride ourselves on having some of the best producers in the industry – people who understand how important storytelling is and know how to craft something special out of their work. Our team works hard to ensure that the audio content we create accurately reflects our brand and its values," Paul says.Since Audacy rebranded from Entercom, the team has been working diligently to uphold the mission behind it. "We've worked on creating memorable audio content that resonates with our audience and is in line with our brand identity. We want people to feel like they're connected to us, whether through a podcast or a radio show, and recognize the work that goes into making this content," Paul described. "We are continuously pushing ourselves to create something new and innovative while staying true to who Audacy is as a company – a conglomeration of many different audio brands coming together under one roof. It's an ongoing process, but we believe it's the best way to keep our partners and advertisers engaged and looking forward to what comes next. We strive to maintain a level of transparency when it comes to how we are creating, distributing, and marketing our content so that everyone involved has an understanding of where their investments are going.""We also want to make sure that our team is supported in any way possible – with the right tools, resources, guidance, etc. Our goal is for everyone who interacts with Audacy's brand experience to feel good about what they're getting out of it so that they keep coming back again and again. We believe this is how businesses can not only survive but thrive in today's competitive audio landscape," Paul says. To accomplish this, Paul says they focus on creating a comprehensive experience from the moment our partners decide to advertise with us. Audacy offers detailed insights into our listener base and track their engagement with our content so that they have an accurate understanding of how their campaigns are performing. We also strive to provide regular updates throughout the entire process – from initial strategy meetings before the campaign even launches, to analyzing metrics after it is completed – in order to give everyone involved a clear picture of what has been achieved and where there is still room for improvement. At Audacy, we understand that brand experience matters and are committed to delivering unparalleled support and service to ensure each business partner's success. That's why we constantly refine our approach based on feedback, find and develop new research methods, and continually look for ways to improve our performance. We also place a lot of importance on building strong relationships with our partners, so that we can work together towards common goals. We want to ensure that everyone involved in the process feels confident and excited about how their campaigns are being managed on our platform. In doing so, we believe that both Audacy and our business partners will experience greater success. It's all about creating an effective brand experience for our advertising partners – one that makes them feel supported during each step of the campaign journey. With this goal in mind, we continuously strive to provide valuable insights through data-driven decisions and feedback from both sides so they can get the most out of their partnership with us. We also ensure that each campaign is as efficient and effective as possible by streamlining our process to provide the most relevant, up-to-date information in real time. By doing this, we can be sure that our advertising partners feel taken care of throughout their campaigns with Audacy. We are dedicated to fostering relationships with all stakeholders – from those who use our content to those who advertise on it – because we know that collaboration is key to success in today's ever-evolving digital landscape. Our goal is for everyone involved in these partnerships to come out better for it and for Audacy to continue being an industry leader. That’s why we put so much effort into creating a brand experienceThank you for joining us today, Paul. As the Chief Marketing Officer at Audacy, Paul's insights on how to create moments of listening and motivate audio content creators are invaluable. We especially appreciate his advice to focus our efforts on great content and a great brand experience. Your words have inspired us and we can't wait to see what Audacy achieves in the future.Paul's Website Copyright 2025 Mark Stinson

Today, we're stamping our creative passports in one of my favorite capital cities of the world, Copenhagen, Denmark, and my guest Salome TrambachSalome describes her favorite hidden coffee spot in Copenhagen, which is in a park behind a university. (Landbohøjskolen Garden. In the garden you will find the cozy Væksthuset café where the barista brewed coffee is so good that the place has won the University Post prize for the University of Copenhagen’s best coffee shop.)She talks about the leadership and guidance that is provided to help people start their own businesses. We discuss the idea of moving from founder to leader and what that means for creative people. People often found their own businesses because they feel compelled to break free from the corporate environment.Taking small steps that could be big is an important part of life. The person needs to be passionate about their project and have a good reason for starting it in order for people to want to listen.Founders should make contingency plans, but not let the fear of the worst-case scenario paralyze them.Salome shares her model and her opinion on leadership development and personal development. She says leaders need to understand themselves in order to be effective. Self-awareness and self-mastery lead to trust in oneself, which is necessary to start a business and garner a higher price. It starts with self-worth.Salome was Born in Paris, and grew up in Copenhagen; her bio says that she is half French and half Moroccan. Speaks four languages and loves to travel. Learned a love of dance in Ghana. All these things feed her creative spirit. She tells us how she is inspired by nature and the things she has experienced while traveling. She recommends integrating new experiences into your daily life to increase creativity.Salome 's Website Salomé Trambach offers years of extraordinary success in a series of high-level roles at top-tier companies that include HybridLedelse.dk, Mentoring Club, LifeX, Softbank's Emerge Accelerator, China Experience, PriceWaterHouseCoopers Mexico, P.20, Gaia Solar, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark, Coloplast, JOY 94.9, and AIESEC Denmark. Salomé is one of the members of the Board of Directors at Movinn (Real Estate) and a Senior Leadership Consultant at Safe2Great (Leadership Consultancy). Salomé is a certified Safe2Great Practitioner with a focus on Culture Assessment, Growth Mindset & Psychological Safety. Salomé’s invaluable expertise and broad business experience have powered a history of developing successful process improvements that drive productivity, reliability, and client satisfaction. @salometrambach on Instagram Copyright 2025 Mark Stinson