Your World of Creativity

In this interview with Ozan Varol, the author of "Awaken Your Genius," the conversation revolves around the challenges of embracing creativity and escaping conformity. Ozan Varol's book focuses on breaking free from societal norms and finding one's unique creative voice. The interview emphasizes the importance of authenticity, individuality, and the journey to creativity.Ozan Varol's book, "Awaken Your Genius," encourages individuals to step out of their comfort zones and develop their own perspectives on creativity. The conversation highlights the story of Johnny Cash's audition, where he resisted conformity and showcased his uniqueness, leading to his success. The author emphasizes that true creativity arises when one dares to be different and not just follow the herd.Here are some topics we discussed:1. Can you share with us the inspiration behind writing "Awaken Your Genius"? What motivated you to explore the concept of unlocking one's originality?2. In your book, you talk about discovering "first principles" as a way to tap into our genius. Could you explain what first principles are and how they can help us generate original insights? 3. Creativity often involves letting go of preconceived notions and thinking beyond conventional boundaries. How can we discard what no longer serves us to foster a more creative mindset?4. "Looking where others don't look" and "seeing what others don't see" are intriguing concepts. How can we develop this unique perspective to fuel our creative thinking?5. As we embark on a journey of A WORLD OF CREATIVITY, we might encounter self-doubt or fear of failure. You were born in Istanbul, Turkey, came to US to study, worked on two Mars expeditions, and now lecture ---- How do you suggest overcoming these mental barriers to fully unleash our creative potential?6. Can you share a practical exercise or technique from your book that our listeners can use to kickstart their creativity and begin their path toward awakening their genius?The interview touches on two key aspects of fostering creativity: geographical and disciplinary exploration. Ozan Varol suggests stepping outside one's familiar surroundings, whether by traveling or changing physical environments, as a means to break free from routine thinking. He also emphasizes the value of embracing ideas from various disciplines to create innovative connections and approaches.The conversation ends with Ozan Varol reading a passage from his book's introduction, which focuses on the concept of tapping into one's untapped wisdom and embracing individuality to contribute uniquely to the world. The interview concludes by urging listeners to put themselves on "airplane mode," allowing themselves time and space for reflection and imagination, which are vital for nurturing creativity.Overall, the interview provides insights into Ozan Varol's philosophy on creativity, the essence of his book, and practical steps individuals can take to awaken their own creative genius.If you're in the United States, text his first name, Ozan, to 55444.Ozan's Website Thanks to the folks at HEADFONE for their support. On HEADFONE, you can listen to Premium Audio dramas - like Romance, Thriller, and Horror. For a 10% discount, use coupon code - MARKCREATIVITY10Go to - https://headfone.page.link/MARKCREATIVITY10

Our guest is Christina Wallace, Senior Lecturer of Entrepreneurial Management at Harvard Business School, where she leads HBS Startup Bootcamp, Her latest book is "The Portfolio Life: How to Future-Proof Your Career, Avoid Burnout, and Build A Life Bigger Than Your Business Card."From Hachette Book GroupChristina's Website @cmwalla on Instagram Here are the topics we discussed:1. As a self-described "human Venn diagram," you've crafted a diverse career at the intersection of business, technology, and the arts. How has this unique combination influenced your approach to entrepreneurship and teaching?2. Your latest book, "The Portfolio Life," delves into future-proofing careers and avoiding burnout. Could you share some key insights from the book and how individuals can apply them to build a fulfilling life beyond just their professional identity? 3 tenets of a Portfolio Life:You are more than any one role or opportunity.Diversification will help you navigate change and mitigate uncertainty.When (not if) your needs change, you can and should rebalance.3. You explore portfolio careers. How do you believe these non-traditional career paths can foster creativity and lead to a more fulfilling professional life?4. Co-authoring "New To Big" with David Kidder provided insights into creating like entrepreneurs and investing like venture capitalists. How can companies strike a balance between fostering an entrepreneurial spirit and business profitability while maintaining a focus on people -- their growth and their success – building THEIR portfolio life?5. Your background in edtech startups, corporate innovation, and venture-backed fashion companies showcases your versatility. How has your experience in various industries shaped your understanding of creativity and innovation?6. With a rich background in music and arts, how do you see the integration of creativity in the business world, and what role does it play in fostering innovation and problem-solving? How can individuals leverage their artistic interests to enhance their entrepreneurial endeavors?Copyright 2025 Mark Stinson Thanks to the folks at HEADFONE for their support. On HEADFONE, you can listen to Premium Audio dramas - like Romance, Thriller, and Horror. For a 10% discount, use coupon code - MARKCREATIVITY10Go to - https://headfone.page.link/MARKCREATIVITY10

Tom Vaughan has been writing professionally for nearly thirty years. He studied at the University of Houston with Broadway legend Jose Quintero and three-time Pulitzer Prize winner Edward Albee. It was his work as a writer and director in Houston theatre that got him recognized by Hollywood. WINCHESTER, the film he co-wrote starring Helen Mirren and Jason Clarke, about the infamous Winchester Mystery House, opened nationwide in 2018. His eighth film, THE QUEEN MARY will release in August 2023 and DADDY'S GIRL for XYZ Films will shoot later this year (WGA strike willing.) Tom recently set up MOST WANTED at Miramax with director Ruben Fleischer (ZOMBIELAND, VENOM) attached. He teaches privately at storyandplot.com and is currently the screenwriting instructor at his beloved alma mater, The University of Houston.Tom created a link just for our listeners, with a 10% discounthttps://storyandplot.com/creativity/Here are six questions we asked Tom Vaughan, focusing on creativity, screenwriting, and his experiences in the film industry:1. Can you share with us how your background as an actor and improviser has influenced your approach to screenwriting? How does your experience in theater contribute to your creative process in writing for the screen?2. You've had the opportunity to work with renowned actors and directors throughout your career. How does collaboration play a role in fueling creativity and bringing out the best in a screenplay?3. From writing for television networks like ABC and NBC to major film studios like Warner Brothers and Disney, you've had an impressive range of projects. How do you adapt your creative storytelling to different platforms and audiences?4. The film industry is constantly evolving, with new trends and technologies shaping storytelling. How do you stay creatively inspired and relevant in such a dynamic environment?5. Your film "Winchester" brought to life the mysterious Winchester Mystery House, and "Queen Mary" explores the famously haunted cruise liner. How do you approach writing stories based on real-life events while maintaining a balance between creative freedom and historical accuracy?6. As a seasoned screenwriting teacher, what advice would you give aspiring writers looking to tap into their creativity and make their mark in the industry?Tom's Website Tom on YouTube @storyandplotclasses on Instagram Tom's Facebook page Copyright 2025 Mark Stinson Thanks to the folks at HEADFONE for their support. On HEADFONE, you can listen to Premium Audio dramas - like Romance, Thriller, and Horror. For a 10% discount, use coupon code - MARKCREATIVITY10Go to - https://headfone.page.link/MARKCREATIVITY10

Andrew Chan, author of 'Why Mariah Carey Matters', discusses Mariah Carey's artistic achievements, her mixed-race background, and her influence on globalizing black popular music. The chapter also explores Mariah's unique vocal style, the challenges of writing about her as an artist, and the importance of collaboration and support in writing and publishing.

Esther Lamm is CEO of LAMM Industries, the company her father, Vladimir Lamm, founded. Ever since he brought her to her first Consumer Electronics Show when she was 14, Vladimir instilled in his daughter an abiding interest in the audio industry and in his ongoing pursuit of the purity of sound. In everything she’s done, she’s been preparing herself to honor her father’s legacy from all her experiences. https://www.lammindustries.com/https://www.linkedin.com/in/esther-lamm-6780141/https://www.youtube.com/@estherlamm7559IG: @lamm_industriesFB: https://www.facebook.com/LammIndustriesInc/

The Music We Make: Unlocking Creativity and Making Sense of HumanityThis episode of the "Unlocking Your World of Creativity" podcast features host Mark Stinson interviewing author Michelle Rene DeBellis about her award-winning novel, The Music We Make. Michelle shares her unique approach to creativity, using storytelling to make sense of our humanity. The book, nominated for a Pulitzer Prize, centers around a young man struggling with addiction and grief after losing his mother. As he hits rock bottom, he receives inspiration from his mother to write a song that will help him find solace. The story delves into the power of relationships and explores the importance of growth as creative individuals.Michelle emphasizes the significance of literature in fostering empathy and understanding among people from different backgrounds. She believes that stories have the ability to bridge divides and allow us to connect with unfamiliar human experiences. Writing The Music We Make was a testament to her commitment to personal growth as a writer and a creative person. She mentions the importance of surrendering to the creative process and finding a balance between focused writing sessions and allowing her imagination to roam freely.Quotes from Michelle DeBellis:"I think literature is so incredibly powerful... It helps us to empathize with human experiences that we don't understand.""Growth as creative people is paramount. It is the goal, it is the important thing.""The music we make is really a metaphor for the connections that we make and for the relationships that we make."Michelle highlights the collaborative experience of making music within the story and its reflection on the interconnectedness of human relationships. The novel aims to entertain readers while also delivering a powerful message about the human experience.Overall, this podcast episode offers insights into the creative process, the significance of literature in understanding humanity, and the transformative power of storytelling. The pull-out quotes from Michelle highlight the importance of empathy, growth, and the metaphorical significance of music in the book.Michelle Rene 's Website @Michellerenedebellis on Instagram Copyright 2025 Mark Stinson

Henning Svoren, mastermind behind Ocean Sound Recordings, shares how their unique studio combines retro and cutting-edge technology. They attract a diverse range of genres and emphasize the role of engineers as creative contributors. The podcast explores the studio's distinctive qualities, famous artists they've worked with, and the crucial role of the engineer in capturing musical vision.

In this episode, we travel to Portugal to chat with José Vieira, the owner of Viarco Pencil Co. José shares his perspective on the pencil as a tool for creativity and how his family business, which dates back to 1907, has embraced innovation and collaboration to survive in a competitive market. José discusses the challenges faced by his company in the wake of Portugal's revolution in the 1970s, which led to a loss of competitiveness against larger brands. However, instead of giving up, José and his wife decided to buy the company in 2011 and pursue a different approach. They recognized the heritage and value of their business, and saw an opportunity to create a space for artists to experiment and collaborate.Located in the town of São João da Madeira, known for its labor and textile industries, Viarco Pencil Co. benefits from its close proximity to various craftsmen and access to both traditional craftsmanship and modern technology. José describes their factory, a building with a rich history that houses their production line and even an area dedicated to artistic residencies. This space allows artists from the local community and beyond to freely explore their creativity without any obligations or restrictions.José emphasizes the importance of learning from artists and users of their products to better understand the needs and potential applications of their pencils. By fostering a community of experimentation, Viarco Pencil Co. has gained valuable insights and expanded their knowledge about the diverse possibilities of pencil manufacturing.Throughout the episode, José highlights the significance of combining ideas and embracing creativity to drive innovation. He shares his vision of the future, where Viarco Pencil Co. continues to preserve its heritage while adapting to new technologies and exploring collaborations with artists, companies, museums, and other manufacturers.

In this episode of the podcast "Unlocking Your World of Creativity," Mark interviews Dan Rockwell, author of the upcoming book "The Vagrant: The Inner Journey of Leadership." The interview begins with Mark sharing his personal reaction to the book, noting how it unexpectedly struck a personal chord right from the third page. The conversation delves into the profound nature of leadership as a personal journey, drawing insights from conversations Dan had with influential leaders like Jim Parker, Francis Haine, and Harry Kramer. These conversations led Dan to realize that leadership is about becoming oneself, a transformative and often elusive task for high-performing individuals. Mark also highlights Warren Bennis' quote on the simplicity and difficulty of becoming oneself.Dan explains the significance of the book's title, "The Vagrant," which refers to being blown off course, both in terms of a bird's migration and an individual's journey in leadership. He shares how high performers can sometimes lose sight of themselves and struggle to find their way back on track. The interview touches upon Dan's diverse background, including degrees in theology and ministry, as well as construction and design, and how these areas overlap in the realm of leadership. Mark further explores the commonalities among Dan's varied clientele, ranging from Chick-fil-A to the National Institutes of Health and Royal Caribbean.The conversation then shifts to the creative process behind the book and Dan's collaboration with co-author John David Mann, known for his work on "The Go-Giver." Drawing inspiration from classic parable books, the authors chose a storytelling approach to convey their leadership insights. Dan expresses his gratitude for working with BenBella Books and their valuable contribution to the project. The interview concludes with Dan sharing a leadership insight for individuals who may think they are getting promoted but could potentially face termination. The book will be released in September 2023 and is currently available for pre-order.Overall, the interview explores the personal and collaborative aspects of leadership and creativity, shedding light on the inner journey of leaders and the importance of self-discovery.Dan's Website Dan on YouTube @leadership_freak on Instagram Copyright 2025 Mark Stinson

In this episode of the podcast "Unlocking Your World of Creativity," Mark interviews Katrin Zimmermann, the CEO and Managing Director of TLGG USA consultancy, an Omnicom Group company. Katrin advises some of the world’s leading mobility, healthcare and finance companies on digital and organizational transformation, globalization and business model innovation.We discuss the accelerated speed of innovation and the challenges and opportunities it brings to various industries. Katrin emphasizes the importance of experience design in sectors like hospitality and healthcare, where improving customer/patient experiences can have a significant impact. She also highlights the role of data-driven innovation and technology in enhancing patient interactions, clinical decision-making, and overall outcomes in healthcare.Before joining TLGG, Katrin co-founded the Lufthansa Innovation Hub and led its global business innovation efforts from Berlin to Seoul, served as chief of staff to both the CHRO and CFO at Lufthansa Group and managed growth and restructuring efforts at LSG Sky Chefs Germany.With a proven record of pushing boundaries, Katrin shares her humanistic and humorous perspective on corporate innovation, digital transformation and female empowerment alongside diversity and intercultural competence.Key Points:1. The current era is characterized by rapid innovation, new inventions, and overwhelming possibilities, posing challenges and opportunities for organizations and society.2. Experience design plays a crucial role in industries like hospitality and healthcare, redefining human interaction and leveraging technology for improved customer/patient experiences.3. Healthcare can learn from hospitality by treating patients as guests, incorporating storytelling and customization into product and experience design.4. Data-driven innovation enables better patient outcomes and interactions, leveraging technology like AI, clinical decision support systems, and improved therapeutic approaches.5. Overcoming obstacles to corporate transformation requires fostering a culture of innovation, allowing for creativity, and combining structured processes with effective communication and organizational buy-in.Pull-out quotes from Katrin:- "We are almost in a moment where everyone is halting for a second, thinking of, wow, can we handle all of the things that are potentially possible with the systems and infrastructures and way of thinking that we have today?"- "Experience design heavily influences industries like hospitality, redefining human interaction at different touchpoints and leveraging technology for value creation and moments of delight and surprise."- "Innovation is not just about coming up with ideas; it's about executing them and putting them into practice to create impact and advance models."Katrin holds a Master of Science in Innovative Hospitality Management from the Universitat Ramon Llull in Barcelona and a Bachelor of Arts in International Business from London Open University.Katrin's Website Copyright 2025 Mark Stinson