Unleash Your Inner Creative with Lauren LoGrasso (A Creativity Podcast)

Have you ever listened to a podcast with two living icons as guests? How about one that is ALSO a Christmas special/ Spectacular and filled to the brim with creativity and laughs. Well today, today you’re going to get all that and SO much more!  Usually this show helps you gain tools you to love, trust and know yourself enough to claim your right creativity and pursue whatever it is that is on your heart! Today, we’re just here to have a little fun, spread a little holiday cheer and spend some time with my favorite humans, my parents, the illustrious Jo Ann and Mike LoGrasso…As they join us for the fourth annual Unleash Christmas Spectacular on Unleash Your Inner Creative! On Today’s Pod, You’ll Hear:A Special Game: Overrated, underrated, or perfectly rated - Holiday food edition (7:02) A hilarious and at times heartfelt Christmas Q&A (17:53) Our Christmas Carol Sing-Along (35:12)The longest-ever “summary” of When Harry Met Sally delivered by my Mom (36:53)Holiday wishes for Unleash listeners, the world and each other (50:41)-Remember to subscribe/follow the show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your pods. Please leave us a rating and review- it helps SO much in getting the show out there. And tell a friend about the show- podcasts are very personal and tend to be spread person to person. If this show helped you or made you smile, share the love :) Follow the show @unleashyourinnercreative  Follow me @LaurenLoGrasso Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Today’s guest is Zoë Pawlak. She is an artist, industrial designer, entrepreneurial leader and speaker. Zoe’s work has been featured in places like the Architectural Digest, Interior Design, and Martha Stewart Living. Her paintings are also in the private collections of the Government of Canada, Cobie Smulders, and Club Monaco. She speaks a lot about the power and beauty of getting sober and sobriety. I wanted to have Zoë on because I was super interested in her take on the connection between sobriety and creativity and also because of her interesting insights on self-development, healing and spirituality and how they all intersect with creativity. From today’s chat, you’ll learn: How sobriety could help you creatively unleash and live a more authentic life Techniques to tend to your mental health and move through life as a sensitive humanHow to listen to the wisdom of your heart, gut AND brainHow to find a devotion to journaling + a brand new journaling technique to help you start!-Remember to subscribe/follow the show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your pods. Please leave us a rating and review- it helps SO much to get the show out there. And tell a friend about the show- podcasts are very personal and tend to be spread person to person. If this show helped you or made you smile, share the love :) Follow the show @unleashyourinnercreative  Follow me @LaurenLoGrasso Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Hi Cutie! In this episode, you'll hear my conversation with Bella DePaulo, a social scientist and researcher with an expertise in the benefits of Single life and the author of the new book, Single At Heart. On the pod today, Bella discusses the societal pressures to find a partner, explaining that longterm single life actually leads to happiness for many people. She advocates for recognizing and celebrating personal milestones and achievements that aren't marriage or children-focused. Bella further shares advice for those struggling with societal expectations and how solitude could lead to creativity...Whether you're single or partnered, this episode is an important one to begin to understand and come to peace with the fact that we are forever in relationship with ourselves. The relationship you have with yourself is the one relationship that no matter what, you can always count on being there. This conversation will give you tools to start developing deep self-acceptance, self-love and enjoyment of your own company. Timestamps and links below, my love!  Links: Follow the show @unleashyourinnercreative   Follow me @LaurenLoGrasso  Get Bella's book: https://www.amazon.com/Single-Heart-Rewards-Fulfillment-Singlehood-ebook/dp/B0BPHMX1KF   Timestamps: 00:04 Introduction: Topic Intro/Show Intro 00:53 Guest Intro- Bella DePaulo: The Single Life Expert 01:19 The Misconceptions of Single Life 02:06 The Interview Begins: Bella DePaulo's Story 02:51 The Joy of Being Single: Bella's Personal Experience 04:38 The Science Behind Happiness and Marriage 06:57 The Misrepresentation of Marriage in Society 07:30 The Concept of Being Single at Heart 08:09 The Misunderstanding of Single Life 10:17 The Importance of Self-Acceptance and Self-Love 11:18 The Challenges of Being Single in a Coupled World 14:40 The Importance of Being True to Yourself 27:14 Happily Single People Feel Threatening to Coupled People? 31:08 Questioning Happiness and Conformity 31:23 Why Singles Need the Legal Benefits of Marriage 34:21 Challenging Social Norms and Celebrating Individual Achievements 38:15 Navigating Uncomfortable Questions and Embracing Authenticity 42:23 The Bias and Sexism in Society's Perception of Singlehood 45:06 The Power of Solitude and Self-Partnership 54:51 Defining 'Single at Heart' and Embracing Self-Love 57:32 Closing Remarks and Acknowledgements -Remember to subscribe/follow the show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your pods. Please leave us a rating and review- it helps SO much in getting the show out there. And tell a friend about the show- podcasts are very personal and tend to be spread person to person. If this show helped you or made you smile, share the love :) Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Hi Cutie! Today I sit down with Jeffrey Crane Graham to discuss his journey in creating his feature film 'Always Lola'. Jeffrey or Jeff, as I call him, and I have know each other since we were little 20-somethings working (or in my case, interning) at AfterBuzz TV. Today he shares how he achieved his greatest creative dream: writing, producing and directing a feature film --which is now out on Prime Video, no less! He will talk about how he alchemized. his personal grief into a compelling script, the antidote to imposter syndrome and the importance of staying true to personal vision as an artist. Jeff provides insight into the challenges and benefits of working with one's spouse, vulnerability’s role in the creative process, the changing climate of the industry, and the key tenant to all good stories. It’s a compelling episode between two friends that will give you practical tools to go toward your dreams on a shoestring budget and a full heart. Timestamps and links below!! Love you more than you know.  Link to watch/rent, 'Always, Lola' Here: https://www.amazon.com/Always-Lola-Roxy-Striar/dp/B0CBB4SGZG Follow Unleash: @unleashyourinnercreative Follow Me: @LaurenLoGrasso  TIMESTAMPS: 00:04 Introduction and Guest Introduction 00:52 Jeffrey’s Journey to Filmmaking 02:27 Jeffrey’s Move to New York City 04:49 Jeffrey’s Creative Process and Inspiration 09:26 Jeffrey’s Film Project: Always Lola 12:46 Challenges and Triumphs in Filmmaking 19:23 Collaborating with a University for Film Production 25:53 How to work with a Spouse in Creative Projects 29:35 How to navigate Creative Differences in Film Production 32:35 The Power of Communication in Relationships 33:13 The Challenges of Producing a Micro-Budget Film 34:01 The KEY to Good Storytelling 35:39 The Evolution of your Creative Identity 36:33 The Decision to Write and Direct 42:22 The Power of Vulnerability in Leadership 45:58 The Struggles and Triumphs of film making  48:53 How to navigate Journey of Self-Discovery and Transformation 49:22 The Challenges and Rewards of Casting 52:51 The Impact of the Strike on Film Distribution 54:12 The Joy and Fear of Releasing a creative project  59:59 The Importance of Supporting Independent Film 01:00:26 Final Thoughts and Reflections  Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

The Best Of Unleah (original Episode Description Below!) Anne Helen Petersen is an academic, journalist, and author best known for her work as the former senior culture writer and western correspondent at BuzzFeed, her book Can't Even: How Millennials Became the Burnout Generation, and her most recent gig as a writer at Substack. On top of that, She has been featured in publications such as Forbes, The New York Times, Business Insider, The Wallstreet Journal, NPR and many more. As I mentioned, Anne wrote a book on Millennial burnout and is an expert on it. So I wanted to have Anne on the show, because honestly, I am pretty burnt out. And I have been for a while. Reading her book was a revelation of just how much I’ve been living hand to mouth and my out-of-whack priorities have been.The awareness of what burnout looks like, has helped me start to make small changes to rejuvenate myself and get back in touch with the sweetness and simple joys of life. It’s my hope that this interview can be an inciting moment for you to do the same, if you’re feeling similarly. From This Conversation You’ll Learn: What burnout is and how to know if you have it Why she was drawn to the topic  How to form a practice to deal with your burnout & rest Why millennials suffer for burnout more What our boomer parents/history has to do with it What to do if you feel like you never work hard enough How the pandemic is affecting burnout Why you should talk to trees and plants (REALLY) Why a traditional office setting lends itself to burnout Why employers both overwork millennials and criticize them for not being hardworking enough Why Anne believes it’s sometimes better to do what you really like instead of what you love How to get over Creative heartbreak And more! Get Anne's Book Here!  Download my new song, "Freakshow" Here: ffm.to/laurenlofreakshow  Time codes:  00:00 Introduction and Welcome 00:06 Revisiting the Burnout Episode 01:11 The Importance of Rest and Reflection 01:51 Introducing the Guest: Anne Helen Peterson 02:33 The Burnout Generation: A Deep Dive 03:03 Anne Helen Peterson's Expertise and Background 03:31 Personal Experiences with Burnout 04:18 Understanding and Dealing with Burnout 04:56 Interview with Anne Helen Peterson Begins 06:22 Personal Journey and Burnout Realization 06:34 Understanding Millennial Burnout 10:14 The Impact of Work Culture on Burnout 13:07 The Role of Parenting and Childhood in Burnout 24:46 The Pandemic and Its Effect on Burnout 27:42 The Paradox of Productivity on Slack 28:20 The Impact of Surveillance on Work Culture 29:48 The Journey of Writing a Book 31:58 The Misconception of Millennials and Work 41:43 The Transition from Academia to Journalism 46:52 The Challenges and Freedom of the Gig Economy 53:03 Reflections on Childhood and the Journey to Now 54:31 Closing Thoughts and Acknowledgements Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

This week on Unleash, you'll hear from artist, author and internet sensation, Alexis Devine, who shares her journey of teaching her dog, Bunny, to communicate via the use of talking buttons. The unique approach to pet communication garnered Alexis viral fame on TikTok, with her page 'whataboutbunny'. We delve into Alexis' book, 'I Am Bunny', that details her experiences and revelations about herself and her creativity through teaching Bunny. The conversation also touches on the interesting overlap of creativity and science, Alexis' autism diagnosis, navigating life's unexpected turns, and cultivating patience during the creative process. Timestamps/Chapters: 00:04 Introduction and Guest Introduction 02:38 Interview begins 03:02 Alexis's Artistic Journey/Life before Bunny 06:02 Impact of the Pandemic and Bunny's Arrival 06:16 Teaching Bunny to Communicate 07:58 Alexis's Unexpected Internet Fame 08:21 Reflections on Alexis's Artistic Career 09:46 Transitioning to a New Creative Path 19:24 The Role of Empathy in Communication 22:37 Advice for Teaching Dogs to Communicate. 26:37 The Journey to Writing a Book 27:26 The Process of Writing and Overcoming Challenge 29:01 Releasing the Book and Dealing with Vulnerability 30:12 Sharing Personal Trauma in the Book 31:47 Balancing Light and Deep Moments in the Book 39:34 The Intersection of Art and Science 41:19 Participation in a Canine Cognition Study 42:30 Discovering Autism diagnosis Through Bunny & repairing childhood hurts 46:07 Reflecting on the Journey with Bunny 47:37 Closing Remarks and GratitudeHosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Ciao, Creativo🇮🇹✨! Today I'm going to take you inside my deeply joyful and emotional journey back to Sicily. On this trip I reconnected with my ancestral roots and got to introduce my parents to our long-lost relatives (first cousins) after over seven decades. Throughout the episode, you'll hear me delve into the cultural lessons gleaned from my Sicilian ancestry, the formative role family has played in shaping my creativity, why I actually love language barriers and even some funny takeaways about Sicilan food and culture. We will also explore why your ancestry is a rich resource for creative inspiration and talk through how YOU can better understand yourself through addressing familial and generational grief. Hope you love it! Strap in for a Sicilan Adventure 🍝 Chapters:  00:04Introduction and Ancestral Journey 00:23The Importance of Knowing Your Roots 01:02The Privilege of Knowing Your Ancestry 02:12The Role of Family in Creativity 02:26The Power of Finding YOUR Creative Topic  04:29My Sicilian Origin Story 06:31The Unexpected Family ReunionS 10:04The Emotional Impact of Meeting Family 13:31The Trip to Sicily: A Homecoming 15:41The Healing Power of Family Connection 25:17The Role of Creativity in Sicilian Culture 40:53The Grief of Losing Cultural Roots 55:09The Miracle of Sicily Jo Ann  59:15Michelin Stars Are Overrated + I HATE Small Foods 01:00:37 The Uniqueness of Italian Culture 01:03:21The Healing Power of Ancestral Connection 01:06:12The Importance of Family in Creative ExpressionHosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Today’s guest is Amelia Hruby. She is a writer, educator, podcast host and producer and she also has a PhD in philosophy. She’s the founder of Softer Sounds, a feminist podcast studio that supports women and nonbinary small business owners in creating purposeful, powerful podcasts. She is also the host of Off the Grid which is her podcast about leaving social media without losing all your clients. From this conversation you’ll learn: How to push past fear to go through with big changes How Social media might be inhibiting your creativity  How to recognize when it’s time to leave or lessen your relationship with social media How to actually go about leaving socials  Where to find clients/community outside of socials How to build a valuable email list (and the best platforms to use) How to gain greater risk tolerance Why we should celebrate endings as much as beginnings  And Much More! Here are links to some of the things Amelia mentioned on the pod:  Threshold Moments episode on The Tension Field Samara Bay's book Permission to Speak  Offthegrid.fun  The Interweb -Remember to subscribe/follow the show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your pods. Please leave us a rating and review- it helps SO much in getting the show out there. And tell a friend about the show- podcasts are very personal and tend to be spread person to person. If this show helped you or made you smile, share the love :) Follow the show @unleashyourinnercreative    Follow me @LaurenLoGrasso Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Today’s guest is Dr. Morgan Cutlip. She holds a PhD in Psychology and is a highly sought after relationship expert, content creator and writer whose most recent book Love Your Kids Without Losing Yourself helps women to mother themselves the way they mother their kids and reclaim their own voice.  I wanted to bring Morgan on because, to reiterate, I think we’ve set up a system that isn’t putting Moms in a position to succeed. They are expected to be everything to everyone--of course there’s burnout and a feeling of failure in all areas. Morgan provides a path to see that motherhood isn’t a restriction to your life and creativity, but rather, can be an expansion. From this conversation you’ll learn: How to navigate the journey of motherhood without losing yourself  How to go from dream to releasing your creative project Why it's important to mother yourself as you would mother your children How to let go of the dream of balance and STILL find a way to have a full life Why it's possible AND Probable for moms to still have their great creative renaissance and unleash after birth How to regain your creativity, post-baby How to deal with kids protesting your creative time What is required of a mother’s partner in order to make mothering not feel impossible Why Motherhood is an expansion not a restriction  How to unblock your creativity  And Much More! -Remember to subscribe/follow the show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your pods. Please leave us a rating and review- it helps SO much in getting the show out there. And tell a friend about the show- podcasts are very personal and tend to be spread person to person. If this show helped you or made you smile, share the love :) Follow the show: @unleashyourinnercreative      Follow me: @LaurenLoGrasso Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Neuroscientist Dr. Stephen Porges and filmmaker Seth Porges discuss the Polyvagal Theory and its impact on creativity. They explore stimulating the vagus nerve, the connection between digestion and relationships, trauma's relation to gut issues, and the importance of feeling safe. They also highlight the power of conscious breathing for relaxation and offer gratitude to listeners.