Your World of Creativity

Welcome back to the podcast "Unlocking Your World of Creativity." The show explores creative practitioners' inspirations, idea organization, confidence-building, and launching strategies.Today's guest is AJ Kumar, founder of the Limitless Company, a high-energy, high-content guest focusing on the creator economy.AJ's Website @ajthedigitalmaestro on Instagram - The Limitless Company is expanding, particularly hiring younger talent from colleges with digital media programs.- AJ's company is labeled a "smart content creation engine" emphasizing talent empowerment, story development, physical production, and brand marketing.- Distinguishes between content and brand, emphasizing the brand as a living organism positioned in people's minds.Challenges in Education:- Discusses the evolving skills and competencies of graduates in digital media programs.- Highlights the importance of understanding the customer journey and non-traditional touchpoints like apps in modern education.Content Creation Challenges:- Describes content creation as a "hamster wheel" and shares his 15-year journey from written to video content.- Breaks down content creation into four core functions: talent empowerment, story development, physical production, and brand marketing.Story Wars and War on Attention:- Draws parallels between the concept of "Story Wars" and the current competition for attention.- Emphasizes the need for the best storytelling to win in the modern content landscape.Human Healing Brands:- Introduces the concept of "human healing brands" and how content impacts people through laughter, learning, and inspiration.- Draws analogies between content creation and food consumption, categorizing content as either "junk" or "nutritional."Feedback and Iteration:- Stresses the importance of qualitative and quantitative feedback in content creation.- Discusses the significance of comments, shares, and bookmarks in social media as indicators of content quality.Return On Attention Created (ROAC):- Proposes a holistic approach to measure content creation effectiveness through ROAC (Return On Attention Created).- Explains that ROAC considers both qualitative and quantitative components to understand the broader impact of content.Strategic Content Creation:- Advises breaking through the overwhelm by starting with small tasks to build momentum.- Compares the feeling of productivity to going to the gym and encourages finding a balance between creativity and productivity.Orchestration and Creativity:- Utilizes the analogy of being a conductor in an orchestra to describe his role as the "digital maestro."- Emphasizes the balance of creativity and orchestration to create a cohesive brand strategy.Limitless Inspiration:- Shares personal experiences that inspired the name "Limitless Company," influenced by the movie "Limitless."- Highlights the transformative potential of the digital world, encouraging individuals to explore beyond traditional boundaries.Closing and Future Projects:- Discusses upcoming projects, including appearing on more podcasts and the release of his book, "Guru Inc."Key Pull-Out Quotes:1. "When it comes down to the fundamentals... it's about doing a little thing and then getting the momentum to do a couple more things." "I see brand as a living, breathing organism, and it's something that is positioned in people's minds." Copyright 2025 Mark Stinson Thanks to our sponsor Exact RushExact Rush B

Mark Stinson welcomes listeners and introduces the episode featuring Riya Sokol, an internationally acclaimed artist and speaker from Warsaw, Poland. The podcast explores Ria's creative journey, focusing on her experiences, insights, and the lessons she's learned in navigating challenges.Riya's Website @riya_sokol on Instagram - Riya reflects on her early experiences as a performer and the impact of negative feedback. She shares her insights into processing difficult feedback and turning it into personal growth. Ria emphasizes the conditioning she underwent as a child performer and the challenges of balancing love and hate from the audience.Thank You, Coronavirus - Riya discusses the inspiration behind her viral poem and video, "Thank You, Coronavirus." She describes the moment of contemplation during the early days of the pandemic in Costa Rica, expressing her desire to make sense of the global crisis. Ria's poem conveyed a message of hope and inspired people to see the situation differently. - The conversation shifts to Riya's evolution from an artist and speaker to an entrepreneur. She shares her motivation to create a business that combines her performances with online offerings. Ria highlights the importance of her mission to inspire others and emphasizes the lessons learned in balancing courage, boundaries, and self-worth as a businesswoman.Creative Routine and Discipline - Riya provides insights into her creative routine, emphasizing the importance of self-talk and her method of "coding" to maintain discipline. She shares how addressing her exhaustion with kindness and a touch of seduction helps her stay motivated. Ria encourages listeners to challenge themselves daily and embrace both feminine and masculine energies.Key Quotes: 1. "Count to three and do it. Don't wait for things to be ready. Just keep doing." 2. "Everyone started from the first move. Just freaking do it." 3. "If you need permission, sign the contract with yourself or come to me. I will give you the permission. You are freaking ready."This episode explores Riya Sokol's transformative journey, from early performances to overcoming negative feedback, creating viral content during the pandemic, venturing into entrepreneurship, and maintaining a disciplined creative routine. Riya's story serves as a powerful inspiration for those seeking to unlock their own world of creativity.Copyright 2025 Mark Stinson Thanks to our sponsor Exact RushExact Rush B

Which Way is North? A Creative Compass for Makers, Marketers, and Mysticswith Will CadyWill's Website @willcady on Instagram Introduction of Guest: Will Cady- Former hospitality professional with a decade of experience.- Discussing his background, starting with barista and server jobs.- Inspiration from seeing others list their full work experience, emphasizing the value of every job.- Today, Global Brand Ambassador for Reddit and former head of Karma Lab.- Advises marketers, executives, and creative individuals, specializing in modern meditation techniques.- Introducing Will's book, "Which Way is North?" and discussing AI's impact on human creativity.AI and Human Creativity- AI is another mind but needs a human heart.- Fear and frustration about AI taking over, but human insight will shape the future.- A comparison to historical creative renaissances and the current technological evolution.Creativity and Transformation- Living in times of transformation is challenging but presents opportunities for greatness.- Empowering people to be creative with unprecedented resources.- Encouraging courage and self-discovery in creative endeavors.Book Introduction: Which Way is North?- Subtitle: A Creative Compass for Makers, Marketers, and Mystics.- A compass as a tool for personal creative journeys.- Will discusses his unique viewpoint as a global brand ambassador for Reddit.Reddit's Structure and Direction- Reddit is structured into contextual environments (communities).- Emphasizing the importance of context in discussions and interactions.- Contrasting Reddit with other platforms and its role in the evolving internet landscape.Creativity Methodology: Curiosities- Curiosity as an object to be found and explored.- Connecting curiosity with meditation practices, mindfulness, and archetypal literacy.- Noticing and exploring unusual elements as a fundamental part of creativity.Book Excerpt: The Creative Journey as a Heart-Centered Activity- Discussing the concept of the universe as an infinite sea.- The center is everywhere, and individuals are their own north stars.- Encouraging readers to explore the story within their hearts and embrace the creative journey.Applying the Book's Principles- The book as a companion for readers, offering multiple layers of understanding.- Written with a lyrical prose that may require multiple readings for full absorption.- Encouraging readers to use the book as an oracle or revisit it as needed.Craftsmanship and Writing Process- The collaborative process of writing a book.- The role of humility in receiving and incorporating feedback from editors.- The emergence of symbols and structures during the writing process.Transforming Anxiety into Creativity- Anxiety as creativity ready to be transmuted.- Embracing anxiety as a source of creative energy.- Connecting anxiety to the unique qualities that differentiate humans from AI.Copyright 2025 Mark Stinson Thanks to our sponsor ...Exact Rush B

This episode features New York Times bestselling author, Jillian Lauren, discussing empathy, storytelling, and creativity. Jillian's diverse creative background includes memoirs, true crime, film scripts, TV pilots, and contributions as a newspaper contributor.Jillian's Website @jillianlauren on Instagram Jillian's Facebook page Jillian on YouTube 1. Creative Fluidity Across Mediums - Jillian emphasizes her ability to flow freely between different creative mediums. - The core of her creative expression lies in the journey and hero's journey archetype.2. Moment of Creative Intensity - Jillian shares a recent creative moment in her life, highlighting the gravity and responsibility she felt during the creation of "Behold the Monster." - Acknowledges the challenges of delving into difficult material and how it affects her creative process.3. Addressing Writer's Block and Discipline - Jillian challenges the concept of writer's block and emphasizes the importance of discipline. - Shares her hardass approach to teaching memoir writing and the belief that consistency leads to successful book writing.4. Creativity as a Constant Challenge - Discusses the misconception that creativity is supposed to get easier over time. - Mentions the psychological concept of "The Reversal of Desire" and the continuous challenge of carving neural pathways in the brain.5.Cross-Medium Creativity - Jillian talks about her experiences writing screenplays and teleplays, both adaptations and originals. - Highlights the reciprocal relationship between writing books and creating screenplays. - Encourages creatives to learn other skills, play musical instruments, or engage in other creative activities to stimulate different parts of the brain. - Advocates for embracing curiosity and expanding one's creative repertoire.Copyright 2025 Mark Stinson Thanks to our sponsor, Exact RushExact Rush B

Welcome back, friends, to another exciting episode of Unlocking Your World of Creativity, the podcast where we explore the depths of creativity with practitioners from around the globe. Today's theme is "Making Your Ideas Understandable and Actionable," and we have an expert in animation, live events, sketching, and graphic recording joining us. Please welcome William Warren, founder of The Sketch Effect.William's Website William on YouTube @thesketcheffect on Instagram William's Facebook group 1. The Birth of The Sketch Effect: William shares the origin story of his business, explaining how his love for sketching turned into a unique service. He highlights the transformative power of visual communication in making complex ideas more understandable and actionable.2. Navigating the World of Graphic Recording: William delves into the world of graphic recording and visual communication. He explains how his team, armed with creative abilities and cognitive skills, captures key ideas and themes during meetings and conferences, enhancing understanding for all involved.3. Building a Team of Visual Communicators: The discussion shifts to the challenges of finding and training talented individuals for The Sketch Effect's team. William outlines the four key criteria: baseline creative ability, cognitive skills for synthesizing information, flexibility for travel, and a strong cultural fit within the team.4. Graphic Recording for Influential Figures: William shares experiences of graphic recording for notable figures like Sheryl Sandberg and Brene Brown. He emphasizes the pressure and trust involved in visually representing the ideas of influential speakers in real-time.5. The Conquering Creative: The podcast transitions to William's recently released book, "The Conquering Creative: Nine Shifts to Build an Unstoppable Creative Business." The book explores the fusion of creative and business aspects, challenging the notion that business is a necessary evil for creatives.Key Quotes:1. "People learn ideas better when information is presented not only verbally but also visually. It's part of how we're wired as human beings to think and process visually."2. "Creativity by its nature is loose, unstructured, free-flowing. The problem is that business requires structure, deadlines, and results."3. "Without a solid business foundation, there's no future for you in doing this creative work unless you want it to just be a hobby."Conclusion:In this episode, we explored the fascinating intersection of creativity and business with William Warren. From the birth of The Sketch Effect to the challenges of building a team and the impact of graphic recording on influential figures, William's journey is a testament to the power of visual communication. Additionally, his book, "The Conquering Creative," serves as a valuable guide for creatives looking to turn their passion into a sustainable business. As we continue unlocking the world of creativity, let's embrace the idea that understanding and actionability are key components of a thriving creative endeavor.Thanks to our sponsor, Exact RushExact Rush B Copyright 2025 Mark Stinson

Unlocking Your World of Creativity with guests, Claire and Andrew Bowen, a husband and wife team specializing in consulting for profitable coffee shops. Highlighting their book, "The Daily Grind: How to Open and Run a Coffee Shop that Makes Money."Andrew and Claire's Website Andrew and Claire on YouTube @coffeepreneurs on Instagram Andrew and Claire's Facebook group 1. **Opening a Coffee Shop:** - Discussing the perception of opening a coffee shop as an easy entry into the hospitality market. - Highlighting the importance of making money in the coffee shop business.2. Challenges in the Coffee Shop Business: - Addressing misconceptions about the ease of opening a coffee shop. - Emphasizing the significance of getting the basics and fundamentals right to avoid financial pitfalls.3. Key Considerations for Coffee Shop Success: - Exploring the concept of being famous for something and finding a unique selling proposition. - Emphasizing the importance of understanding the target market and tailoring offerings accordingly.4. Choosing the Right Location: - Discussing the crucial role of location in the success of a coffee shop. - Mentioning a 74-point checklist to analyze potential locations.5. Hiring, Training, and Service: - Addressing challenges in hiring and retaining good staff in the hospitality industry. - Highlighting the importance of nurturing a positive workplace culture and providing excellent service.Crafting the Book:- Sharing insights into the writing process of "The Daily Grind," including the collaboration between Claire and Andrew.- Acknowledging the support of a friend with an eye for detail who served as a proofreader.- Discussing the decision-making process for considering the book complete and ready for publication.Marketing and Future Plans:- Sharing marketing strategies, including building an audience on LinkedIn and seeking reviews.- Mentioning plans for a potential sequel to the book and leveraging existing content for future projects.Words of Encouragement:- Encouraging aspiring coffee shop owners to be clear on their goals, target market, and the end game.- Emphasizing the importance of choosing the right business partner and establishing a partnership agreement.Key Quotes:1. "Be very clear on your why, what you want to do, what you're going to be famous for."2. "Choose the right business partner. You want a yin and a yang. You want somebody to be opposite."3. "We haven't had any deaths in our coffee shops, just some really stressful owners."

"Embracing Madness for Fearless Creativity with Larry Kasanoff"This episode explores creativity, inspiration, and bringing ideas into the world. Larry Kasanoff, legendary movie producer and CEO of Threshold Entertainment Group, shares insights from his diverse career in film.Lawrence's Website @larrykasanoff on Instagram Lawrence on YouTube 1. Diverse Creative Ventures - Larry's career spans a wide range of projects, from Platoon and Terminator 2 to True Lies and the Lego Star Wars movie. - His creative fingerprint extends across drama, war, comedy, animation, and more.2. Touch of the Madness Philosophy - Larry introduces the concept of a "touch of the madness" as a driving force behind his career. - The philosophy encourages embracing risk, creativity, and innovation to overcome challenges in the business and personal life.3. Essence of Ideas and Communication - Larry discusses the importance of understanding the essence of creative ideas, citing the example of Mortal Kombat. - Effectively communicating the essence of an idea involves grasping its core and translating it across different mediums.4. Persistence and Learning from Setbacks - Larry emphasizes the importance of persistence, even in the face of failures or setbacks. - Drawing parallels to sports, he encourages learning from experiences, adapting, and viewing each project as a new game.5. Mindfulness and Creativity - Larry shares his experience with mindfulness, inspired by Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh. - Mindfulness is viewed as a tool to enhance creativity by fostering focus and being present in the moment.Key Quotes:1. "In business and in life, if you want to excel, you have to swim against the current of the river of life." 2. "Nothing great happens without taking a chance."3. "The problems of the jungle are solved with singing, not violence. It's all about having fun, and fun is wildly underrated."Conclusion:Larry Kasanoff's journey offers valuable insights into the mindset required for fearless creativity. From understanding the essence of ideas to embracing a touch of the madness, his philosophy encourages individuals to take risks, learn from setbacks, and infuse creativity into every aspect of life. The episode concludes with a reminder to find peace within oneself, echoing the idea that personal peace can contribute to a more positive world.Thanks to our sponsor, Exact RushExact Rush B

Unlocking Your World of Creativity Expert Panel on "How To Get Unstuck" and overcome obstacles to launching your work.Speaker 1: Bob GonzalezHttps://flickerinthewater.com Speaker 2: Nejc Susechttps://www.nejcsusec.art/Speaker 4: Sean B. W. ParkerSean BW ParkerThe panel emphasized the importance of embracing creativity, being adaptable, persistent, and willing to take risks to overcome obstacles and get your work noticed worldwide.Thanks to our sponsor ExactRushExact Rush B Copyright 2025 Mark Stinson

In a world awash with musical conformity, Eleyet McConnell emerges as a refreshing, genre-defying force, breathing new life into the music scene. Comprising two distinct talents and creative minds, their music is a fusion of raw emotion, introspection, and unapologetic originality. This dynamic duo, hailing from Central Ohio, is rewriting the rules of music expression, crafting a sound that defies easy categorization. Their songwriting prowess is compelling, with words that resonate deep within the hearts of their audience. Their lyrics are a reflection of personal experiences, universal truths, and the shared human condition, delivered with a vulnerability and honesty that is both rare and refreshing.Angie McConnellBackground: Born and raised in rural Ohio, Angie (formerly Eleyet) was steeped in the musical traditions of her family from a young age. The vibrant melodies of her upbringing, combined with a burning desire to push artistic boundaries, laid the foundation for her powerful singing and songwriting style.Influences: Beth Hart, Led Zeppelin, Heart, Janis Joplin, Fleetwood Mac, Bad Company, Michael McDonald, Merle Haggard, and some gospel greats.Chris McConnellBackground: Chris’s musical journey began at the age of 10 when he joined his first band playing bass. It was here that he discovered the power of music to communicate emotions that words alone could not convey. This revelation ignited a passion that would drive Chris to hone his craft relentlessly for years to come.Influences: All the greats from the 70s. Pink Floyd, Ambrosia, Bread, The Doobie Brothers, America etc.! The musical chemistry exploded between Eleyet and McConnell when they met in 2013. Initially, the two were members of a local music project but the writing began almost instantly and keeps evolving. When Angie is asked about writing with Chris, “…. I never really thought much about writing before I met Chris. He tapped into something I didn’t even know existed…. now it just flows”. Although he has collaborated with many artists writing original music, Chris found a unique connection with Angie, “She and I are on the same musical page. We both feel the same groove. We are both blues and soul. We can relate to each and every song.”The two balance each other very well; so well that they married in 2023. Their ability to tell stories through their lyrics captivates listeners. “We write about very personal experiences, and we know people can relate to our story. The good and the bad--it’s real.” Their chemistry is palpable whether playing in an intimate, storyteller-type venue or with a full, powerful band.Together, Angie & Chris share a common mission - to take listeners on a journey that transcends boundaries and speaks directly to the soul.The stage is where Eleyet McConnell truly comes alive, captivating audiences with a performance that leaves a lasting imprint. Their live shows are immersive experiences that transport the audience to another dimension, a place where music and emotion collide. In a world saturated with sound, Eleyet McConnell is a beacon of authenticity -- true artists who create music from the heart and soul. With an ever-growing fan base and a future filled with promise, Eleyet McConnell is poised to leave an indelible mark on the world of music.Angie and Chris on YouTube Copyright 2025 Mark Stinson Music tracks are copyrighted, provided by the artists' management, and used with permission.  

Welcome back to "Unlocking Your World of Creativity," the podcast where we explore the journeys of creative practitioners around the globe. Today, we're in Zurich, Switzerland, talking to Megan Preston Meyer, a former insights and analytics manager turned creative storyteller.In this episode, Megan shares her transition from a data-driven role to becoming a creative storyteller, emphasizing the importance of authentic storytelling in a world inundated with data. Her latest novel, "Firebrand," the first in the Corporate Elements Mysteries, blends elements of mystery with corporate culture, drawing from Megan's own experiences in the corporate world. She discusses her creative process, from the initial 35-minute train commutes to crafting and editing the narrative.1. Megan's journey from a data-focused career to creative storytelling.2. The inspiration behind "Firebrand" and its unique blend of mystery and corporate culture.3. Megan's writing process, including the balance between creating and editing.4. The unconventional promotion strategies, such as digital billboards, for her self-published book.Quotes:1. On the shift from data to storytelling: "The data tells half the story at best. You can't do anything with the results of an analysis until you interpret it."2. On her creative process: "I wrote in 35-minute chunks on my commute... then sculpted out the actual book during the editing phase."3. On self-publishing and promotion: "I'm going to have some fun with this. I've always wanted a billboard, and I made it happen."Megan's story highlights the broad spectrum of creativity and encourages listeners to redefine their notions of creativity, acknowledging its various forms beyond traditional artistic pursuits. Her unique approach to storytelling and promotion provides valuable insights for aspiring creatives.To stay connected with Megan and learn more about her work, visit her LinkedIn profile or follow her on Twitter and Instagram (@MPrestonMeyer). For details about her book, "Firebrand," and future projects, visit www.alpinechalet.coffee.Join us next time as we continue our journey, unlocking the diverse world of creativity and learning from the experiences of individuals like Megan.Megan's Website @mprestonmeyer on Instagram Megan Preston Meyer is an ex-Insights & Analytics Manager with an MBA (and 0.25 of a Ph.D.) in Operations Management. She spent more than 10 years working in supply chain and analytics; now she focuses on the stories that data doesn’t tell. She's the creator of the SUPPLY JANE & FIFO ADVENTURES, picture books that teach supply chain and operations management concepts to kids, as well as the CORPORATE ELEMENTS MYSTERIES, cozy mysteries for millennials that balance life and work. Megan also helps companies tell their stories authentically. She lives in Switzerland, hikes but doesn't ski, is married, and may or may not have cats. Copyright 2025 Mark Stinson