Your World of Creativity

In Episode 299 of "Unlocking Your World of Creativity," immerse yourself in a dynamic exploration of creative expression through a captivating multi-genre playlist. Featuring fresh, innovative sounds, this episode serves as a musical journey across genres, igniting inspiration for your creative endeavors. From soulful melodies to rhythmic beats, each track offers a unique sonic experience. It's a curated blend of musical inspiration, elevating your creative spirit and providing a diverse soundtrack for the boundless realms of imagination. Let the power of music fuel your artistic journey. All music is copyrighted by the artists and used with permission.Thanks to all the artists and our sponsor, Exact Rush, LLCExact Rush B

Welcome back to "Unlocking Your World of Creativity," where today's episode dives into the transformative power of seasonal rituals and prompts with our guest, poet Jacqueline Suskin. In her latest book, "A Year in Practice," she explores the cyclical nature of creativity, aligning it with the seasons to awaken our cycles of expression. Jacqueline's Website @jsuskin on Instagram - Jacqueline emphasizes the importance of reconnecting with one's creative practice, understanding its rhythm, and recognizing the profound influence of the natural world.- The book unfolds the seasons as chapters, offering insights into when to retreat, reflect, expand, and wind down in alignment with the Earth's cyclical energies.- Creativity is a dance with the seasons, and the book encourages creatives to embrace the ebb and flow of their practice rather than prescribing rigid routines.- The podcast delves into the intersection of creativity and the unpredictability of life, exploring how to turn setbacks into opportunities through strategic preparation.Excerpt:"Imagine all of the life underground that is waiting for spring. Envision the resting roots, the sleeping creatures, and everything below the surface that is paused for the season. Feel the fullness of this stillness. Feel the necessity of this calmness."As we embark on 2024, Jacqueline leaves us with a gentle nudge to embrace the winter season of reflection, urging us to tend to our mind, body, and spirit. By aligning our energy, we create the fertile ground for the next leap in our creative journey. Winter, with its slow pace, becomes the perfect canvas for crafting a vision and setting intentions for the year ahead.If you're seeking a creative mindset and a guide to navigating the creative roller coaster, "A Year in Practice" offers a roadmap. Jacqueline's wisdom reminds us that the Earth constantly provides a wellspring of inspiration and guidance—accessible and free, waiting for us to attune ourselves to its rhythm.Don't just be creative; become a practitioner, crafting your unique rhythm in harmony with the ever-changing seasons.Thanks to our sponsor, Exact Rush, LLCExact Rush B Jacqueline Suskin is a poet and educator who has composed over forty thousand improvisational poems with her ongoing writing project, Poem Store. Suskin is the author of nine books, including The Edge of The Continent Volume 1-3, Help in the Dark Season, Every Day is a Poem, A Year in Practice, and The Verse for Now, with work featured in various publications including the New York Times, the Atlantic, and the Los Angeles Times. An ecstatic earth-worshiper, she lives in Detroit where she works as a teaching artist with InsideOut Literary Arts, bringing nature poetry into classrooms with her Poem Forest curriculum.

Merry Christmas 2023 from UNLOCKING YOUR WORLD OF CREATIVITY.Here is a playlist with all genres of Christmas music, courtesy of MTS Family artists. Track List:Richard Lynch - Santa's Cowboy Town (Original Mix)Miss Freddye - Hey Santa Claus (Original Mix)Lady Redneck - The Christmas Song (Original Mix)Gary Pratt - Angels In The Snow (Original Mix)Sun King Rising - it Must be Christmas (Original Mix)Sarantos - Same Old Christmas (Original Mix)Heistheartist - Holly Jolly (Original Mix)Ludlow Creek - This Baby Boy (Original Mix)Midnight Sky - Retail At Christmas (Original Mix)Richard Lynch - Christmas Time (studio)Music tracks are copyrighted, provided by the artists' management, and used with permission.MTS Management Grouphttp://www.mtsmanagementgroup.comCopyright 2025 Mark Stinson

Podcast Interview with Dr. Rebekah Louisa Smith - Unlocking Your World of CreativityIntroducing Rebekah Louisa Smith:, an award-winning film festival strategist and founder of The Film Festival Doctor. - Rebekah's unique approach, blending practical business skills and spiritual techniques in her work.Origin of Film Festival Strategies: - Question: What inspired you to venture into film festival strategies, particularly focusing on winning and not just participating? - Insights into Rebekah's accidental entry into the world of film festivals and the crucial need for a strategy.Evolution in the Film Festival Landscape: - Question: Over the years, how have you seen the film festival landscape evolve, and what challenges and opportunities does it present? - Exploration of the surge in film festivals, online award festivals, and the changing dynamics of film production.Balancing Creativity and Mental Health:5. **Success Mindset and Mental Health:** - Question: How do you integrate practical business skills with mental and spiritual techniques to foster a success mindset and support filmmakers' mental health? - Discussion on the importance of handling rejection, using vision boards, EFT, and maintaining emotional detachment.Rebekah's Journey and Balancing Creativity: - Question: Having faced anxiety and panic attacks, how do you balance the demands of your career with self-care, and what advice do you have for other creatives? - Insights into finding balance, embracing nature, and the significance of a 50-50 approach to avoid burnout.Encouragement and Next Steps: - Question: What advice do you have for creative individuals working on projects right now, and where can they find additional resources? - Dr. Rebekah's encouragement to seek objective feedback before submissions and her book, "Born to Do It."

Episode Theme: Exploring Sustainable Design for a Greener WorldGuest: Christian Lodgaard, Senior Vice President of Design at Flokk Furniture, NorwayDefining Sustainable Design: - Lodgaard emphasizes that sustainable design should improve industry sustainability and address environmental footprints. - Iconic, eternal objects are praised, but longevity alone isn't enough. The focus must include reducing environmental footprints in production.Circular Design Principles: - Flokk follows circular design principles: low weight, few components, durable materials, long lifespan, and designed for disassembly. - Transparent and intuitive architecture is encouraged to celebrate assembly and promote easy repairability.Brand Building and Transparency: - Lodgaard discusses the importance of transparent brand communication in addressing sustainability. - Flokk's name change and brand redesign aimed to embrace human-centeredness and Scandinavian legacy while maintaining a global perspective.Metrics and Transparency: - Flokk has been transparent about sustainability, implementing environmental product declarations since 2004. - The five, three principle focuses on using as little material as possible, choosing low-carbon footprint materials, and designing for disassembly.Scaling Sustainable Initiatives: - The challenge lies in scaling sustainable initiatives rather than introducing constant innovation. - Discipline, patience, stamina, and joy are essential in creating fewer, high-impact products with longer market presence.Personal Background and Inspiration: - Lodgaard shares a personal story about his mother's influence on his path towards sustainability and industry. - Growing up in Norway, surrounded by nature's challenges, influenced a design tradition favoring essential, durable, and functional products.Future Initiatives and Scaling Challenges: - The future involves scaling existing technologies and practices rather than constant innovation. - Lodgaard stresses the need for systematic approaches and joyful initiatives to create sustainable products with a lasting impact.Closing Thoughts: - Host Mark Stinson emphasizes the importance of face-to-face interactions for meaningful connections and creative inspiration. - The podcast continues to explore global creativity, actionable plans, and making positive impacts in sustainability.Join in for future episodes where global creativity takes center stage.Copyright 2025 Mark Stinson

Unlocking Your World of Creativity with Daniela MarzavanGuest Introduction: - Introducing Daniela Marzovan, a change darer specializing in innovation and creativity. - Setting the podcast scene in Lisbon, Portugal, and highlighting Daniela's expertise in teaching innovation.Cultural Connections: - Discussing the combustible energy between California and Portugal, exploring the shared love for the seaside, waves, nature, and joie de vivre. - Reflecting on the cultural exchange and creative discussions at monthly networking events.Teaching Innovation: - Introducing Daniela's consultancy that not only consults but also teaches innovation tools. - Focusing on the knowledge, attitude, and practice required for creativity and innovation.Tools for Innovation: - Differentiating between creativity and innovation, highlighting the need for processes, rationality, and courage in innovation. - Describing the design thinking process and the importance of courage at each step.Impact in Education and Overcoming Challenges: - Addressing challenges in the education system that hinder creativity, sharing experiences of working with creative teachers, and rekindling their creative confidence. - Discussing the importance of structural changes in education to empower teachers and students.Creativity in Crisis: - Sharing personal experiences of growing up in post-communist Romania and witnessing creative responses to crisis in Barcelona, Tokyo, and Cairo. - Expressing optimism about the potential for creativity to thrive amidst crises, emphasizing the need to channel creative energy effectively.Global Awareness and Creativity: - Suggesting alternative ways to travel globally through books, movies, art, and photography. - Encouraging a deeper understanding of cultures and social issues, even in the absence of physical travel.Inspiring Change in Education: - Advocating for listening to children, allowing them the space to be creative without interruption. - Visioning a future where the role of change darers becomes obsolete as a new generation of little change darers emerges from schools.Copyright 2025 Mark Stinson

Unlocking Your World of Creativity with Tom Bairstow:The podcast explores creativity, inspiration, and organizational methods worldwide.Guest: Tom Bairstow, Founder and creative Director of North House Creative, specializing in immersive visual experiences.Tom's Website @northhouse__ on Instagram North House Creative's Portfolio: - Known for immersive experiences for Coldplay, Queen's Platinum Jubilee, Super Bowl 50, and Disney's Encanto at the Hollywood Bowl. - Combining physical set elements, lighting, and video for a unified fan experience.Evolution of Immersive Experiences: - Started in 2008 with a focus on live music, evolved into brand events and activations. - Embracing multi-sensory experiences, combining physical and digital elements.Creative Process: - Highly collaborative, involving producers, creatives, designers, and technology experts. - Ideation and conceptualization stages are crucial, emphasizing collaboration with clients.Challenges and Contingency: - Addressing challenges in live shows, Super Bowl 50 as an example. - Technical contingency plans with backup servers and projectors, while creatively being adaptive and reactive.Pushing Boundaries and Innovation: - Constant pursuit of the next creative frontier. - Balancing client expectations, adaptability, and innovation to deliver visually stunning and technically flawless experiences.Inspiration Sources: - Drawing inspiration from nature to soften digital elements and incorporate organic materials. - Emphasizes the importance of taking a step back, being present, and allowing time for creative ideation.Upcoming Projects: - Teases upcoming artist tours, brand events, shows, and immersive experiences. - Ongoing projects in Saudi Arabia and Dubai, showcasing diverse creativity across sectors.Key to Immersive Experiences: - Emphasizes the core elements of storytelling, moments, emotion, and shared experiences. - People-first approach, considering the human experience and emotions.Closing Thoughts: - Shared experiences unite people, creating a powerful connection. - Tom Bairstow's insight into balancing creativity, collaboration, and innovation in the evolving landscape of immersive experiences.Tom Bairstow is the visionary Creative Director & Founder of NorthHouse Creative, a multi-award-winning studio that fuses design, motion and technology to create immersive visual experiences for music, brands and live shows. Bairstow's career has been marked by groundbreaking contributions to video, projection, and digital design. Over the past twelve years, he's led the NorthHouse team to play a pivotal role in a range of global events, including the Queen's Platinum Jubilee, the King's Coronation, Coldplay's World Tours and a range of brand events and immersive experiences for the likes of Ferrari, Youtube and the Dubai Expo. With a team of highly skilled designers, directors, technologists, and producers, NorthHouse Creative has emerged as one of the leading companies in live shows and immersive experiences. Together, they strive for excellence and innovation, consistently pushing boundaries to create awe-inspiring visuals that connect people to music, brands and each other. Copyright 2025 Mark Stinson

Welcome back to "Unlocking Your World of Creativity," featuring Amara Emuwa, a leadership coach and author of "The Truth Behind Excuses."- Amara shares insights on authentic leadership, drawing from her corporate HR experience and consulting practice.Amara's Website @AMARAEMUWA on Instagram Amara's Facebook page **Passion for Authentic Leadership:**- "I am particularly passionate about authentic leadership. It answers questions that traditional leadership models did not."- Authentic leadership emphasizes the self, relationships, and the environment, creating a holistic approach to leadership development.**Leadership in a Changing Environment:**- "Leadership development principles are universal, but cultural nuances play a crucial role."- Amara discusses the impact of cultural differences, emphasizing the need for leaders to understand and manage perceptions in multicultural teams.**Authenticity in Power Dynamics:**- "Leadership is about perception, and authentic leadership guides you in managing that process."- Cultural nuances, such as power distance, influence leadership styles. Understanding these dynamics is essential for effective leadership.**Balancing Authenticity and Power:**- "Authentic leaders use their stories to connect and sell their vision, making them relatable."- Leaders must navigate the balance between maintaining authority and being authentic, sharing personal stories to connect with their teams.**Authentic Leadership Transformation Stories:**- "Authentic leaders embrace vulnerability as strength, connecting with what is important to their people."- Amara shares stories of leaders who transformed organizations by prioritizing what mattered to their teams, building trust, and achieving success.**The Journey of "The Truth Behind Excuses":**- "Excuse-giving becomes a habit, reinforcing the pattern of attributing failures to external factors."- Amara delves into the journey of writing her book, exploring the psychological aspects of making excuses and overcoming creative obstacles.**Overcoming Excuses in Creative Endeavors:**- "Excuses kill the desire to aim higher; don't let them devalue your talent."- Amara encourages creatives to overcome excuses, emphasizing the importance of recognizing and addressing patterns that hinder progress.**Upcoming Projects:**- Amara discusses her upcoming projects, including a leadership roundtable, and a new book on leading from the core of excellence."Excuses can rob you of the value and talent you possess; aim higher and unleash your unique leadership strengths."Thanks to our sponsor, Exact Rush, Publishing, Editorial, and Multimedia servicesExact Rush B Copyright 2025 Mark Stinson

Welcome back to our podcast, where we delve into the fascinating world of animation, specifically kids' show animation, covering everything from branding and production to streaming channels. Today, we have the pleasure of talking with the talented Rich Magallanes, executive producer at Nickelodeon. Rich is currently working on an exciting new project, bringing Dora back in a fresh CG reboot.**1. Dora's Comeback:** - "Dora's coming back. We're doing the CG reboot. She's been away for a couple of years, but she's always been beloved by families and the industry worldwide. It's something that's never really lost its steam."**2. A Refreshed Approach:** - "We're reintroducing her in a brand new way. CG animation with a whole new look, updated music, much more entertaining and engaging for today's audience. We're stretching our stories, taking her into new areas we haven't explored before."**3. The Evolution of Characters:** - "When you executive produce, you've got the one show on your mind all the time. It's a constant evolution, experimenting, and executing character development and story development."**4. Challenges in Rebooting Dora:** - "There's so much content out there nowadays. In brainstorming about Dora and how to take it to the next level, the important part is asking, 'What is new about this? What's exciting? What's the next step?'"**5. Principles of Creativity:** - "You have to ask yourself, what is new about this? What's exciting about this? What is the next step? It can't just be, 'Oh, she's in CG.' It's all about storytelling, relationships, interactions, and staying true to the character's identity."**6. Leadership and Team Building:** - "I had to allow myself to be myself. If I'm not having fun doing something, I don't want to do it. Be open-minded, and when someone's saying stuff to you that you don't like, try to break down that wall and have a good creative conversation." - "I'm a big advocate of helping people today. You got to get out there in the world, get into communities, and build your own profile on LinkedIn. That's how you connect and network."Rich Magallanes shares insights into the intricate world of animation, storytelling, and leadership, leaving us with valuable lessons on creativity, team building, and the delicate balance of crafting content for kids.

"Living with Intention: A Conversation with Elizabeth Blake Thomas of Medicine with Words**Elizabeth's Creative Journey:**- Elizabeth reflects on her diverse creative projects, from published books and professorship to producing and directing over two dozen films.- Pull-out quote: "The underlying theme for all my projects is to transform one person's life each day."**Medicine with Words:**- Elizabeth discusses her coaching practice, "Medicine with Words," emphasizing the power of words to heal and transform.- Pull-out quote: "The power of our words is beyond anything we could imagine."**Cabinet Cleanse Exercise:**- Elizabeth introduces the concept of "cabinet cleanse," a practice to declutter the mind and focus on specific tasks.- Pull-out quote: "Monotasking is essential for clarity in creative work."**Butterfly Doula and Metamorphosis:**- Exploring the unexpected role of a "butterfly doula," Elizabeth shares how this experience parallels creative transformations.- Pull-out quote: "Metamorphosis, every stage, how does that connect to us? It was life-changing for me."**Holistic Filmmaking:**- Elizabeth discusses her approach to holistic filmmaking, creating a family environment on set, and her latest project, "Caroleek."- Pull-out quote: "Every element of my work encompasses self-care and self-nourishment."**Living with Intention Book:**- Elizabeth provides insights into her upcoming book, "Living with Intention," sharing stories, tools, and practical exercises for mindful living.- Pull-out quote: "Living with intention means making intentional choices to lead to emotional fulfillment."**Vision Boards and Emotional Goals:**- Elizabeth challenges the traditional concept of vision boards, focusing on emotions and intentional alignment with goals.- Pull-out quote: "It's about how I want to feel, how that process takes place. That is what's crucial."**Fear and Creativity:**- Addressing fear, Elizabeth suggests acknowledging it, understanding the worst-case scenario, and turning fear into a positive force.- Pull-out quote: "Once we break it down and understand our why, fear can be turned into a positive."**Boundaries and Pyramid of Purpose:**- Elizabeth shares her approach to boundaries, using a "pyramid of purpose" to guide choices aligned with long-term goals.- Pull-out quote: "No's and yes's are the same as long as you are living with the intention of what you have chosen at that moment."**Upcoming Retreat and Future Projects:**- Elizabeth talks about her upcoming retreat, collaborating with a nutritionist, and the organic growth of her creative endeavors.- Pull-out quote: "When you start working out what you exactly want, it's amazing the clarity that you get."**Closing and Prescription:**- Mark thanks Elizabeth for the insightful conversation and asks her to share a creative prescription or exercise.- Elizabeth suggests the "Cup of Tea" meditation and the "Patting Yourself on the Back" exercise for acknowledging daily achievements.- Mark wraps up the episode, encouraging listeners to practice intention, gratitude, and mindfulness in their creative journeys.