Creative Genius

The chat between 11 year old Cosmo and his mum Kate Shepherd host of The Creative Genius Podcast highlights the spider's ability to venture into the unknown by climbing to the top of a tree, building a floating web, and letting the wind carry it to a new destination. This serves as a metaphor for human life -  we can all choose to be willing to leave our comfort zones when we feel unfulfilled or in need of change and may very well be rewarded with more than we might imagine. The wisdom drawn from this conversation emphasizes the importance of being brave and open to new experiences, just as the spider is excited rather than scared to see what comes next. It encourages people to trust that taking a leap into the unknown may lead to a more fulfilling and meaningful life. Nature's wisdom, as observed through the spider's behavior, serves as an inspiration for people to be more like children and embrace change with excitement and courage.Sign up for the Creative Genius Patreon Membership, Monthly LIVE WORKSHOPs, bonus episodes, behind the scenes content, guided meditations, and truly so much more. About Kate ShepherdKate Shepherd, Founder of Morning Moon Nature Jewelry and Creative Genius Inc., is a celebrated artist and podcast host, making waves in the world of creativity. Her jewelry has appeared in Netflix's "Yellowjackets" and Disney's "Once Upon a Time," while earning recognition from stars like Andie Macdowell (a repeat customer) and Meghan Markle, who once called her on the phone to tell her how much Kate’s jewelry meant to her. But Kate's story is not just one of artistic achievement; her true passion and calling is for supporting the human spirit to return to its creative roots. Kate believes Humanity is Glitching™ because we have collectively become disconnected from our inner creative gifts, and through her podcasts, meditations, writing, and workshops, she dedicates herself to helping as many people as she can to find and activate their intuition and creativity. Despite a challenging childhood and discouragement from early “teachers” Kate forged her own path with creativity at the helm. Her podcast, "The Creative Genius Podcast," empowers others to find their creative voices, too, it ranks among the top 1% of podcasts, globally.Kate resides in North Vancouver with her two kids and rescue dog, Maggie. Join her newsletter for art classes, workshops, exclusive content, and a chance to win a piece of her work. 

SHOW NOTESHeather believes that everyone has their own clarity, confidence, and courage within, and her mission is to help people access these qualities and begin the journey of "spiralling up." She encourages us to embrace our uniqueness and learn the resilient attributes and practices needed to stop spiralling down when challenges arise.We explore Heather's transformative approach to helping people unhook from the fear-based paradigm and tap into spirit, creativity, and intuition. She shares invaluable insights on how to balance pursuing dreams with daily responsibilities and challenges the idea of five-year vision planning. Her personal experience of teaching piano and its unexpected alignment with her business journey is a testament to her philosophy about how living an intuition led life is where it's at.Heather delves into the importance of addressing deeply embedded limiting beliefs stemming from childhood trauma and how her coaching work speaks to the spirit within us. She shares her top three methods for reconnecting with one's intuition and leaves listeners with a poignant allegory about a girl and her bracelets.We learn about the two forms of restorative rest our spirits require, often neglected due to inadequate self-questioning in our current culture. Heather reflects on a pivotal moment during a keynote speech that transformed her perspective on supporting intuition and creativity.The episode concludes with a treasure trove of non-threatening questions you can ask yourself to initiate a conversation with your spirit. Dr. Heather Penny's remarkable journey and insights inspire us to embrace our uniqueness and lead a life filled with purpose, passion, and growth.What We Talk About:Heather's midlife crisis and reorientling journeyThe lack of research on uplifting women and its impact on her work.Helping individuals access their clarity, confidence, and courage.Unhooking from the fear-based paradigm and embracing spirit, creativity, and intuition.Balancing dreams with daily responsibilities.The limitations of five-year vision planning.Transformative experiences in Heather's life.Challenging limiting beliefs and speaking to the spirit within.Practical accessible ways to reconnect with intuition.What is restorative rest and the importance of it for our spirits.Pivotal moments in Heather's personal perspective shift.Non-threatening questions to connect with your spirit.Rediscovering Your Inner Spark: Dr. Heather Penny's journey from a third-grade teacher to a leadership coach highlights the importance of reconnecting with your innate passion and purpose, especially during midlife crises. Heather's own transformation reflects the idea that it's never too late to rediscover what truly matters to you. Spiralling Up and Unlocking Your Potential: Heather believes that everyone possesses their own clarity, confidence, and courage within. Her life's work is dedicated to helping individuals tap into these qualities and embark on a journey of self-improvement. She emphasizes that spiraling up is not just about preventing a downward spiral; it's about continuously growing and evolving.Letting Go of Fear and Rational Thinking: Dr. Penny discusses the need to unhook from the fear-based paradigm and rational mind that often hinders creativity and intuition. This shift can lead to a more fulfilling and authentic life where you're in touch with your inner spirit.Tapping into the Power of Spirit: Heather and her host explore the concept of spirit, something we all intuitively feel but struggle to articulate. Heather's work focuses on helping individuals connect with this inner essence, which can have a profound transformative effect.Embracing Intuition: In a world that doesn't always acknowledge the value of intuition, Dr. Penny shares three essential steps to reorient yourself toward your own intuition. Her allegory about a girl and her bracelets offers a unique and perspective-changing insight into this process.Restorative Rest for the Spirit: Heather highlights the importance of recognizing the rest our spirits need and how we often neglect this aspect in our lives. The right questions and self-reflection can help us regain the balance between rest and action, which is crucial for creative individuals.The Art of Questioning: A list of non-threatening questions for self-reflection provides a practical tool for initiating conversations with your inner spirit. These questions can help you better understand yourself and your desires.A Culture Focused on Longevity: Dr. Heather Penny's commitment to creating a culture that values longevity, creativity, and passion reinforces the idea that a well-lived life is attainable for everyone.The Transformative Power of Speaking to the Spirit: Heather's coaching work, which speaks to the spirit within individuals, has a profound impact on personal growth and transformation. This highlights the untapped potential within all of us.Nurturing Creativity in "The Rests": Embracing pauses and reflection in the creative process can lead to new breakthroughs. Just as music finds beauty in the rests, so can our creative journeys benefit from moments of rejuvenation and insight.Unlocking the Unseen Potential: Heather's insights provide invaluable guidance for aspiring writers and creative individuals navigating their own unique paths to success. Her story is a testament to the power of persistence and self-discovery.Dr. Heather Penny's journey and the wisdom she shares in this episode can inspire anyone looking to rediscover their passions, connect with their inner spirit, and lead a life filled with purpose and growth.About Dr. Heather Penny: Dr. Heather Penny is not just a leadership coach; she's a trusted advisor, celebrated teacher, engaging speaker, and accomplished author. With a Ph.D. in Human Services and a strong global consulting background, Heather possesses the expertise to guide individuals towards their best lives. Her mission revolves around helping people recognize and harness their unique strengths. Through a wealth of experience, she draws out fresh ideas and actionable goals, igniting forward momentum in her clients.Heather's extensive work in Educational Leadership is a testament to her commitment to personal and professional growth. Her coaching process is a catalyst for clarity, confidence, and courage, enabling individuals to engage more purposefully in their lives and valued relationships. Heather firmly believes that the world is enriched by the unique gifts that each person has to offer.What sets Heather apart is her dedication to fostering creativity, passion, and growth. She aims to create a culture focused on longevity, emphasizing a life well lived. Heather finds her joy in Northern California, where she resides with her husband and two children. Join us for an inspiring conversation with this remarkable thought leader and coach 

In this mini episodeUnearth Your Creative Genius: This episode is dedicated to those who have felt a bit lost in their creative endeavours. Whether you're an artist, musician, writer, or creator of any kind, you may have faced challenges and doubts regarding the value of your work.Navigating Creative Hurdles: The creative journey often involves hurdles, such as fear, self-doubt, and uncertainty. It requires bravery, practice, and resilience to express what's within you and to share your work with the world.The Ripple Effect of Creativity: Your creative work can profoundly touch the lives of others, even when you don't realize it. Just as you've been moved by someone else's art, your creations can be a lifeline for someone in need, providing comfort, connection, and inspiration.The Power of Gratitude: Expressing gratitude for the creative gifts that have touched your soul can shift your energy and deepen your connection with your inner self. Gratitude is the wellspring of your own creativity.The Communion of the True Self: Connecting with your inner gratitude allows you to experience your true self, the radiant core of your being. This communion is what you truly yearn for, more than any external measures of success or achievement.A Practice of Love and Connection: Challenge yourself to write a letter to the creator of something that profoundly affected you, even if they are famous or no longer alive. This simple act can strengthen your connection to your true self and create a ripple effect of love and light.Why Listen to this Episode:This episode is a beautiful reminder that your creative gifts are more valuable than you can imagine. By embracing your inner genius and sharing your creations, you can touch lives, bring comfort to others, and find a deeper connection with your true self. The practice of gratitude and connection explored in this episode offers a tangible way to rekindle your creative spark and create a ripple effect of love and inspiration in the world.So, if you've ever felt uncertain about the value of your creative work or needed a reminder of the profound impact it can have, tune in to Genius Moments Episode 12 and be inspired to embrace your creative power.Note: This episode includes a beautiful card reading. Here is a picture of the card Kate pulled for youStay tuned for the next episode featuring Dr. Heather Penny. In the meantime, take good care of yourself and keep making ripples of love and light in the world.

In this episode, celebrated Author Martha Anne Toll shares her journey of persistence and creativity. Despite fairly constant rejection, Martha pursued her love of writing for 20 years. She emphatically shares with us the importance of tuning into our inner voice the one that urges us to keep going when things get tough. Martha intuitively knew how critical it would be to incorporate writing into all aspects of life - so that she could keep doing it even through the challenging dry times. She shares how she did this and how it kept her spirit alive as she navigated a long desert of rejection. She introduces her Gotham Award Nominated novel, The Three Muses and shares her writing process with listeners. The episode explores the significance of loneliness and yearning in creativity and the creative process as well as how Martha sees role as a writer. We touch on where she is with her second novel, her passion for mentoring other writers, and the value in "the rests" of creativity.Martha's wisdom and the learnings from her journey so far, provide valuable insights and uplifting inspiration for aspiring writers and creative individuals who are living their own ups and downs along the way as they preserve to find their own paths to success.What We Talk About:-Martha's journey of persistence and creativity.-The inner voice that motivates us to keep going.-Incorporating your creative passion into daily life.-Keeping creativity fresh during periods of rejection.-Martha's Three Muses and her writing process.-Techniques for effective writing.-The importance of loneliness and yearning in creativity.-The value of pauses in creativity.-The best place to start creative projects.Martha's wisdom and journey provide valuable insights for aspiring writers and creative individuals seeking to persevere and find their own paths to success.Embracing the Journey: Martha Anne Toll's Inspiring Story of Perseverance & The Creative SpiritIn the world of creativity, few stories are as inspiring as that of Martha Anne Toll. Her journey is a testament to the power of persistence, the magic of embracing one's inner voice, and the art of finding creative fulfillment even in the face of constant rejection. Join us as we delve into Martha's remarkable story and glean valuable lessons on how to keep your creative flame alive.About Martha Anne Toll: Martha Anne Toll is not an overnight success story. Her path to becoming a renowned writer was paved with two decades of rejection, but during that time, she never lost sight of her passion. After receiving her law degree from Boston University School of Law, she embarked on a journey that would ultimately lead her to the world of writing. Her essays and book reviews have graced prestigious publications such as NPR, the Washington Post, The Millions, and many more. Her writing reflects her deep insights, empathy, and her ability to connect with readers on a profound level.The Miracle of the Inner Voice: One of the most striking aspects of Martha's journey is the "miracle" that accompanies her every step of the way. She describes it as the little voice inside that whispers, "keep going." This inner voice is a constant companion that helps her navigate through adversity and rejection. Martha's story reminds us that inspiration is often found within ourselves, and we must listen carefully to that inner guidance.Incorporating Writing into Life: Martha's commitment to her craft is awe-inspiring. Even when her writing career faced countless rejections, she found ways to incorporate writing into all aspects of her life. This dedication allowed her to continue doing what she loved, purely for the love of it. Martha's story teaches us that creativity can flourish when it's woven into the fabric of our daily lives.Keeping Creativity Alive and Fresh: Creativity can wane during times of rejection and failure, but Martha found ways to keep it alive and flowing. She shares practical insights and ideas to help aspiring writers and artists keep their creative practices fresh, no matter how long it takes to achieve their big break.Martha's Three Muses: Music, Discipline, and Memory: In her novel "The Three Muses," Martha introduces us to her creative muses: Music, Discipline, and Memory. These muses inspire her and help her maintain her creative spirit. Learning about these muses can offer valuable guidance on nurturing your own creative loves.Starting in the Middle: One of Martha's unconventional yet liberating pieces of advice is to start in the middle of creative projects. Instead of obsessing over a perfect beginning, she encourages us to dive right into the heart of our creative endeavors. This approach allows for freedom and exploration, leading to unexpected and beautiful outcomes.Paying It Forward: Martha's journey has also inspired her to give back. She mentors other writers, sharing her experiences and insights with those following in her footsteps. Her willingness to support and encourage others underscores the importance of paying it forward in our creative communities.Embracing "The Rests": Martha's wisdom extends to recognizing the beauty in "the rests" of creativity. Just as music finds its magic in the pauses, our creative journeys can benefit from moments of reflection and rejuvenation. Her perspective encourages us to embrace these pauses as essential parts of our creative process.Martha Anne Toll's remarkable journey is a source of inspiration and valuable lessons for anyone pursuing their creative dreams. Her story reminds us that persistence, listening to our inner voices, and finding creative fulfillment in everyday life can lead to profound success. As Martha continues to celebrate the anniversary of her debut novel and works on her second, her story serves as a beacon of hope for all creatives on their own unique journeys.

You contain, inside of you, a small, quiet voice that has the answers to everything that you could ever need to know. It knows what direction you need to move in moment to momoen, it knows what activity you need to explore. It knows what friendships you need to cultivate and which ones it is time to walk away from, what town you need to live in and even what you need to have for dinner. In this Bonus Episode I share a story of how my dedication to cultivating an ability to hear and be led by my own soft quiet voice, allowed me to experience a profound moment right smack dab in the middle of an ordinary day this past week. The story involves a dead bird, school children and a lot of love. How to move your hand when there's a pencil in it, and you're sitting in front of a blank piece of paper or, or your paintbrush at a canvas or. What words right next, if you're writing a a poem or a memoir novel. There is this intelligence that lives inside of us. Quietly wordlessly and never leaves our side. And yet. We have become very accustomed to the experience of sort of shoving it down or allowing this other part of ourselves to be louder. . And it's, you know, the relationship between the rational mind and this ineffable intelligence that is available to us. helping as many people as I can to have access to that soft, quiet voice is what's behind. All of my work with the creative genius podcast and. And creative genius studios. All the meditations and workshops Worksheets and every conversation that I have with somebody for the podcast, it all comes down to wanting to point to that in you. That intelligence in you, because it does exist in you. It exists in every single person. Who is breathing today?When we don't have access to that part of ourselves, we do get glitchy. You know, we don't know how to make the right decision for ourselves when it comes to. You know what to have for dinner sometimes. To bigger decisions like.Leaving a job or pursuing a dream.And it's so important to have practices in our lives. Not just so that our lives run smoothly, but so that we can actually begin to access. A more magical realm that actually exists right here, hidden behind everything else. And I've dedicated so much of my life to cultivating a deep. relationship to this part of myself that I earnestly listened to and reverentially listened to. I'm constantly. Leaning in and trying to hear myself. And catch myself when I'm not doing that and not beat myself up and this week, I had a really powerful experience that I wanted to share with you. It was Wednesday afternoon and my kids get out of school early on Wednesday afternoons there's called early dismissal. I have no idea why. But every Wednesday, since they were in kindergarten, they get off at two o'clock. now they're older. My kids are 10 and eight and we only live. about. A block and half from the school. And what separates our house from the school is maybe two or three other houses and a little miniature forest. There's this really beautiful little wooded path that they walk through to get to school. even though there is an enormous bear in the area. I let my kids come and go, you know, they're at that age where they want to walk to school by themselves and they want to come home by themselves. So. I left them. I'm experimenting with letting go, right? Like letting them go.But on Wednesday. Was about 10 to three. And I'd heard most of the other kids passed by the house as on their way home from school. And I still hadn't seen my kids. Come in yet. And at one point I, I grabbed my sweater and I put it on because it's a little bit of a. Uh, brisk fall day. And I start walking down towards the school. And as I approached the path at the, at the entrance to the little forest. I hear a lot of sort of frantic energy kind of chaotic. not scared, but there was an energy that I, that I wasn't, that's not part of my everyday. And so I rounded the corner. And there was this group of kids. My son included. Poking at something on the ground with sticks and shrieking about how it was dead and. Their energy was really, really high.And so I walked over to see what, what was going on, what was dead? What was this? What was this thing that was happening? And it was a beautiful bird. I don't know the species of this bird. I'm sure we could look it up. I took a picture of it. It may have been a female Robyn. I'm not entirely sure. It had orange plumage and little speckles on it, and it was quite large. It was, you know, smaller than a Crow, but bigger than a chickadee. And it was very stiff. It was almost like, you know, those Christmas decorations that are, that are styrofoam and they're, they're very, they're like star from balls and they're just very stiff. This bird felt like it was stuffed. Like it was very, very, very stiff. When you, when the kids were poking it with their sticks, nothing was really moving. So it was really, it was dead. It wasn't just stunned because sometimes that happens right there. Just stunned.They were kind of, they were big, pretty rough, the bird, they were rolling it over and they are. You know, pushing its feathers backwards with this stick and kind of poking at it and seeing if it's I would open and. And it was a little jarring actually for me, because I immediately felt like just this like sad, soft, like, oh my goodness. The poor thing, Energy towards it. I couldn't name it, And I didn't want to shame them. For, for their reaction to this. You know, it is, death is uncomfortable. Right. And it's, it is a little bit scary. And sometimes when we're scared, it comes out in weird ways, right? Like, Getting really hyper or. Being really loud or kind of being a little note. All these parts come out of us to sort of help us navigate. This uncomfortable new situation. So I didn't want to shame them for having that experience or that reaction to it. And this wasn't conscious. It wasn't like I sat there and I said, okay, what am I going to do? But something in me just began speaking to this bird. So I'm standing amongst all these really hyper children who are poking at this bird with sticks and rolling it over and seeing if its feathers will come out and. And I just began saying to it. How beautiful it is. And how, sorry I am, but it's never going to get to fly again. And how I hope it didn't suffer. Tears are coming to my eyes as I'm sharing the story, but I wasn't crying in that moment. Those words just came out of me spontaneously and.There was sort of a, uh, a calm that fell over the kids that were there as they began to hear me say these words to this bird. And one at a time and pretty soon all of them. Started to go around the forest and collect really beautiful little. Objects my daughter found some beautiful pink flowers that were growing on the forest floor. One of the other little girls found a gorgeous Fern frond, and another one found it. Giant yellow maple leaf. . They all started decorating the ground around this bird And asking if we could do a funeral for it. And so we did, we. went through my son's lunch bag.And found the fork that I had given him for lunch that day. And we dug a hole in the earth. That was deep enough for the bird and we laid it down on its beautiful giant maple leaf. And everybody. Put their offerings inside decorated this bird with the flowers and the little leaves and Fern fronds. And for sprigs that we found. And everybody went around in a little, very informal circle. Just saying something nice to the bird. And everybody said the thing and we, we covered it with dirt and then we decorated the graveside. We marked it with a little stone and everybody was off on, on their way. And for me, the whole thing was a really profound experience, as I reflected on it later that day and into the next day. Because.I think there's a version of me in the past that may have. Muscled in there. And. Maybe even shamed everybody for, Hey, stop poking at that bird. And that's not very nice. And we don't do that or imagine, you know, like somehow shaming them for their reaction, which is very natural, right? Their reaction was very natural and in some ways, very wise, right. To have this protective defensive kind of, this is what happens when I get scared of something unknown. Right. There is a past version of me that may have shamed them for that. And spontaneously. I was able to access another part of me. A much wiser part of me that knew. Too. Just be in the truth. Beat in the love of the situation. And that, that was the part that started speaking to the bird.Me speaking to that bird in that way, transformed their behavior far more than anything I could have ever said to try to correct them. From my rational mind. this is a very powerful example of why it's so important to cultivate our intuition. Because it's that soft, quiet part of ourselves that knows how to be. And when I was able to embody that,There was a transmission that happened from me to them just by the way I was being that reminded them of what they already knew about how to Revere this. This bird and life itself. Like they knew already. I didn't tell them, go get flowers and go get, like, they knew. That was in them. And I just felt like it was such an important reminder of why we need to work really hard to cultivate this part of ourselves because it's, you know, I've been working on it for years and I. I can remember a time when I, when I wasn't working on this and how my reactions were and how I was in the world. And it's just night and day. From now, when I do make a priority of the listening to this voice of distinguishing between my rational mind and the soft, quiet intelligence that lives inside of me. I wrote a little bit more about this. Uh it's on Instagram, you can see a picture of the bird and there'll be a blog post in the coming days on Kate Sheppard, creative.com with some more pictures and a little bit morebut I wanted to bring it to you because I have been offering these intuition workshops. And it's not just like a fun thing that you can do. This is something that can transform your entire life and the lives of the peoplearoundyou.The things that I'm teaching in this workshop are the reason that I'm able to catch myself and. That I'm able to have this really deep connection with my inner voice, even when I'm not quote unquote doing well in life. Right? Like even during the hard times, I can hear that part and I can be led by that part. And that wasn't always the case from that took time that took a lot of practice. And that's why I want to offer this workshop to as many people as possible, because it has been profoundly life-changing for me to have access to that. Inner knowing that wisdom, that intelligence, that compassion and love and knowing it's just like, When the answers come, it's like, you know, like there's no. There's nobody in the world that could debate you out of knowing that that was the answer. That you needed, which is not what happens when you get answers from the rational mind. Like rational mind is very black and white and, you can access an ultimate truth about yourself. and about how to navigate your reality when you practice this.If this part of yourself is something that you are curious about and want to learn more about and want to actually spend a little bit of time. Strengthening. Head over to Kate Sheppard, creative.com and read about my activating intuition and creativity online workshop. It's a once a month workshop It's included in the colorful community tier , if you're a creative genius patron. along with all of the other amazing content that I put into that every month. I continue to be amazed and odd. By how powerfully our lives can transform when we invest in. Strengthening a relationship with this intuitive side of ourselves, this soft, quiet, inner voice. that is the home and breeding ground. And birthplace. Of creativity.  

EPISODE SUMMARYIn this podcast conversation, we delve into the fascinating world of Maria Over, an artist, children's book illustrator, and creative spirit based in Munich, Germany. Maria shares her insights on managing her wild creative spirit while producing art commercially, building a supportive global community of like-minded artists, and nurturing her creativity through a daily morning routine. We'll also explore her impressive list of illustration clients (Random House, eeBoo, Ravensburger Puzzles, Joanne’s Stores, American Greetings, Calypso Cards, The Federal Reserve Bank of New York, Deutsche Telekom, Comedy Central, MTV, Audubon Society, Giorgio Armani, Verizon, Weleda) her artistic journey, and much more.WHAT WE TALK ABOUTBalancing Wild Creativity and Commercial ArtMaria effectively manages the delicate balance between her untamed creative spirit and the demands of producing commercial art. She allows her creativity to explore freely but adapts it to meet client-specific requirements when needed.Building a Global Artistic CommunityMaria has cultivated a strong global community of like-minded artists through online platforms. This community provides mutual support, feedback, and inspiration, contributing significantly to her artistic growth.Daily Morning Routine for CreativityMaria's daily morning routine involves starting her day with a sketchbook and coffee. This ritual helps her stay connected to her creative spirit and sets a positive tone for her day.Embracing Unique Creative SpiritThroughout the conversation, Maria emphasizes the importance of embracing one's unique creative spirit. She encourages artists to recognize that art is not just about technique but also about letting their creativity roam freely.Inspiration for Aspiring ArtistsMaria's journey to artistic success serves as an inspiring example for aspiring artists. Her story reminds others to tap into their creative potential and approach art with playfulness and passion.Managing Creativity and Commercial ArtMaria has mastered the delicate balance between her wild creative spirit and the demands of producing commercial art. She recognizes that her creativity is like a wild horse that needs to be tamed, but not completely controlled. Maria's approach is to let her creativity roam freely, allowing it to explore new ideas and unconventional techniques. However, when it comes to producing art for clients, she knows how to rein in her creativity and adapt it to meet their specific needs.Building a Supportive Global CommunityOne of the keys to Maria's artistic success is her ability to build a supportive global community of like-minded artists. Through social media platforms and online forums, Maria has connected with artists from all over the world who share her passion for creativity. They provide each other with valuable feedback, support, and inspiration. Maria believes that having a strong community of fellow artists is essential for personal and artistic growth.Nurturing Creativity Through a Daily Morning RoutineAnother aspect of Maria's journey to artistic success is her commitment to nurturing her creativity through a daily morning routine. Every morning, Maria starts her day with a cup of coffee and a sketchbook. She spends a few minutes creating whatever comes to mind, allowing her creativity to flow freely. This morning ritual helps her set the tone for the rest of the day and ensures that she stays connected to her creative spirit.Throughout our conversation, Maria's passion for art and her playful approach to creativity shines through. She reminds us that art is not just about technique and skill, but also about embracing our unique creative spirit. Maria's journey to artistic success is an inspiration to all aspiring artists who want to unleash their own creative potential.

In this episode of The Creative Genius Podcast, our guest Dr. Meredith Estevez, a renowned oboist, podcaster, coach, writer, and educator, shares her profound journey of creative recovery and the vital lessons she's learned about finding joy in the act of creation. Through her personal experiences, Merideth explores the effects of creative burnout, the harmful generational cycle of teaching through shame, and the pressure to balance creative impulse with marketability and success. She discusses how she rediscovered her true self using "The Artist's Way," navigated feelings of unworthiness despite achievements, and unveiled the power of surrendering to the creative process. Dr. Estevez also provides practical advice for reducing the stress of needing to know everything and embracing a sense of inner worthiness. Tune in to discover how to align with your calling, overcome self-doubt, and cultivate creativity from a place of joy.HIGHLIGHTSMerideth's journey of creative recoveryExploring the impact of creative burnout and the generational cycle of teaching through shame.Balancing creative impulse with marketability and success in the artistic world.Acknowledging feelings of unworthiness even amidst achievements and accolades.The transformative power of surrender in the creative process.Devotion vs discipline in creative workPractical steps to shift from shame-driven creation to joyful expression.

In this pre-season three episode, Host Kate Shepherd announces the official vision and theme for Season 3, Learning to See. Kate shares a heartfelt personal story about Bob The Foster dog, and how in the face of external pressures she was able to rely on her intuition to help her see what she needed to see in order for navigate a difficult decision. Kate shares some of her techniques for cultivating your own intuition and sets the stage for some of the new things you can expect from Creative Genius in Season three that promise it make it our most exciting and engaging season yet. Exciting announcement about the new monthly workshops - Interactive Creativity & Intuition Workshops she will be holding to support you as you explore Learning to See in terms of both your artistry and personal growth (including a taste of that they will include) Lovely practice for you to experiment with - Kate shares the simple yet powerful practice she committed to this summer that has had a profound impact on her life and how you can begin to cultivate this for yourself.  The episode will leave you listeners inspired to nurture their innate capacities and embark on a journey of learning to see life from a richer perspective, and ready for Season 3 of The Creative Genius Podcast! While you are waiting for season 3 to star in 2 short weeks, why not revisit past episodes and select ones that resonate with them.

Episode Summary: In this episode, host Kate Shepherd interviews Wisconsin based Juliette Crane, a painter, writer, and creative educator, with international recognition and thousands of collectors, customers, and students.Juliette shares pivotal moments along her creative journey and the difficult circumstances that led her to rediscover and her passion for art.  They discuss Juliette's creative journey, her connection to creativity, the themes in her artwork, and the importance of embracing creativity to heal and thrive in life. Juliette shares her experiences, challenges, and insights that have shaped her artistic path and offers valuable advice for aspiring artists.Highlights - What We Talk About:-What she did when she was fired from her job via an email. And how it led her back to the true artist she always was. -The incredible, movie-like moment involving hundreds of butterflies that she took as a sign that she had to make a change in her life. -How the creative process helps Juliette process the world around her and tell stories through her art.-The connection between healing and creativity in Juliette's life.-How she overcame false beliefs and societal dysfunctions by reactivating and trusting her inner creative intelligence.-Juliette's inspiration, intuition, and how she communicates with creativity.Episode Notes: Juliette Crane, a renowned painter, writer, and creative educator from Wisconsin, shares her creative journey, themes in her artwork, and the connection between creativity and healing. She emphasizes the importance of embracing creativity to overcome false beliefs and societal dysfunctions. Juliette talks about her struggles and challenges on her artistic path and the role of intuition in her creative process.To learn more about Juliette Crane and her artwork, visit her Instagram (@juliettecrane) and her website. Juliette offers courses and workshops to help artists get unstuck and unlock their creativity. Take a step towards nurturing your creativity and explore the magic of art with Juliette Crane.Stay Connected: Follow me on Instagram (@kateshepherdcreative) or by subscribing to the newsletterMy sign off message for you from the edge of the end of Season 2 I am so grateful you are here and that we are doing this together - thank you for being here, making time for yourself and your creativity. Please take time to rest during the summer; experiment, play and make some time to re-listen to some episodes of the show, you will be amazed by what you catch the second time around. And join the Patreon community to access bonus episodes, activity prompts, and connect with fellow artists, I think you will wonder why you didn't do it sooner!If you long to express creativity freely but believe you are not good enough or lack the creativity within you, remember this: creativity is the intelligence that animates the entire universe, and it already lives and breathes within you. Embrace play, break the rules, and discover the magic already inside you. I'll be back in September with more inspiring interviews and stories of creativity. See you then!

What we talk aboutJames Miller's journey as a writer and the genesis of A Small FictionThe commitment to daily writing for nearly eight years and its transformative effectsHarnessing creativity as a tool for processing emotions and overcoming anxiety and depressionPractical prompts for accessing flow states in creative endeavoursIngenious solution for utilizing beloved but misfit creative piecesThe relationship between discipline and flow in a healthy creative practiceExploring the value of human creativity and ownership of creative worksJames's poetic vision for society's embrace of creativityOne of the most powerful moments in this episode was when Kate and James talked about James's commitment to daily writing for nearly eight years. The transformative power of a consistent creative practice is hard to ignore. Through his journey, James experienced significant shifts, gained a substantial readership, and secured a publishing deal. The conversation emphasizes the therapeutic nature of creativity, particularly in dealing with anxiety and depression. Listeners are encouraged to tap into their own creative potential and explore the ways in which creative expression can facilitate personal development and emotional well-being.Thank you for joining us on this marvellous conversation with James Miller.Remember to sign up for the 21-day Creative Ritual Challenge on the Creative Genius Patreon platform to experience transformative shifts in your own creative practice. Explore the wealth of bonus episodes, journal worksheets, painting workshops, guided meditations, and more available to Creative Genius Patrons. Visit Kate Shepherd Creative.com or go to Patreon.com/CreativeGeniusPodcast to activate your membership and unlock the creative genius within you.