Creator Alchemy

In this episode, I sit down with PJ Milani (you may know him by Milani Creative), a high school film teacher who's built an inspirational brand sharing visual metaphors that's attracted an audience of over 400,000 people across platforms by embracing quantity over quality and abandoning perfectionism. We dive deep into his creative philosophy, the psychology behind consistent output, and how he overcame decades of creative paralysis to become one of the most recognized visual metaphor creators online. PJ shares his approach to handling imposter syndrome, the constraints that fuel his creativity, and why "good enough" might be the secret to unlocking your creative potential. This conversation will completely change how you think about creative work and hitting publish.—CONNECT WITH PJ Milani: https://www.milanicreative.com/artThe visual metaphor we talk about at the end of the episode: https://www.instagram.com/p/DFxaB-Hx2md/—SUBSCRIBE TO THE NEWSLETTER: Subscribe to the Creator Alchemy Newsletter for exclusive content and unlock the Psychology of Success Masterclass for free.Go to https://www.creatoralchemy.com/—JOIN THE COMMUNITY:The Creator Alchemy Lab is a community for ambitious creators taking bold action to transform their businesses, their lives, and themselves.Go to https://www.creatoralchemy.com/lab now to join.—TOPICS DISCUSSED:Perfectionism is often disguised procrastination - Waiting for the "perfect approach" or "right tools" can delay creative output for years, as PJ experienced before finally starting at age 40.Creative accents (your imperfections) become your unique signature - In an AI-dominated world, the way you imperfectly create something is what makes your work distinctly human and memorable."Good enough" should be redefined as "as good as I can make it today" - This shifts the question from impossible perfection to achievable daily excellence within your current constraints.You are not the best judge of what will resonate with your audience - PJ's most viral content was often work he didn't think was his best, proving creators can't predict what will connect with people.Creative practice should align with meaningful work, not just cool achievements - Focusing on work that feels personally fulfilling sustains long-term creative output better than chasing viral moments.Imposter syndrome intensifies with success rather than disappearing - The feeling of not belonging in certain rooms persists even at high achievement levels, requiring ongoing psychological management.Constraints actually fuel creativity rather than limit it - Having boundaries provides a framework that makes creative decisions easier and prevents paralysis from infinite options.—TIMESTAMPS:00:00 - Overcoming Perfectionism Through Consistency06:16 - From Teaching to Creating: PJ's Background24:08 - Crossing the Fame Threshold30:47 - Navigating Imposter Syndrome43:55 - Balancing Cool vs. Meaningful in Creative Work50:45 - The Overwhelm of Being Multi-Passionate56:20 - Metrics of Success: What Actually Matters1:12:02 - The Art of "Good Enough" and Creative Accents1:23:04 - Technical Skills vs. True Creativity1:44:08 - Creative Constraints That Fuel Innovation1:49:18 - How to Overcome Perfectionism in the Creative Process1:58:21 - Finding Inspiration: Active vs. Passive Approaches2:20:25 - Thinking in Visual Metaphors2:34:40 - The One Work PJ Hopes Outlives Him—SOCIAL LINKS:Website: https://coreywilkspsyd.com/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@coreywilkspsydSubstack: https://substack.com/@coreywilkspsyd LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/coreywilkspsyd/Twitter: https://x.com/CoreyWilksPsyDInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/coreywilkspsyd/Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/coreywilkspsyd.bsky.socialDisclaimers: The content provided is for educational, informational, and entertainment purposes only. Nothing here constitutes personal or professional consultation, treatment, diagnosis, or creates a professional-client relationship.

Tobi Emonts-Holley is a CEO, father of seven, and high-performance coach for fathers who want to thrive at home and at work without burning out. In this episode, Tobi shares hard-earned insights about what it takes to be a true leader (and why leadership starts with humility, not ego), how to lead yourself in order to lead others, the power of building systems instead of relying on willpower, how to approach work-life balance and burnout when you can’t clock out, how he manages to stay present as a father and husband raising 7 kids and maintain a happy marriage—and how he manages to do all of this while also staying fit, building a huge social media following, and coaching other high-performers.—CONNECT WITH Tobi Emonts-Holley: http://hybrid-dad.comhttp://instagram.com/tobi_emonts/https://www.youtube.com/@tobi_emonts—SUBSCRIBE TO THE NEWSLETTER: Subscribe to the Creator Alchemy Newsletter for exclusive content and unlock the Psychology of Success Masterclass for free.Go to https://www.creatoralchemy.com/—JOIN THE COMMUNITY:The Creator Alchemy Lab is a community for ambitious creators taking bold action to transform their businesses, their lives, and themselves.Go to https://www.creatoralchemy.com/lab now to join.—TOPICS DISCUSSED:Being a leader means transitioning from being a hard worker to a hard thinker - As you advance in leadership, your most important job becomes creating space to think strategically rather than executing tasks.Leading yourself is a prerequisite for leading others effectively - You can’t inspire or guide others until you've done the inner work to understand and manage your own insecurities and patterns.Self-respect is the root issue behind most fitness and time management failures - People who can't stick to exercise routines or boundaries often lack fundamental self-respect, not discipline or knowledge.Systems and boundaries allow you to be present with family while maintaining performance - Having structured work processes and protected personal time allows you to be fully present during family moments without sacrificing professional output.Different life areas can elevate each other rather than compete - Morning workouts improve emotional stability for parenting, better work boundaries create more family time, and strategic thinking enhances all areas of life.Parenting is about raising future adults, not managing current children - The decisions you make about screen time, work ethic, and presence today shape the adults your children will become.Stillness and uninterrupted thinking time are competitive advantages for leaders - Taking walks without distractions and creating protected space for deep thought leads to better decision-making across all life domains.—TIMESTAMPS:00:00 From Volunteer to CEO07:30 Setting Healthy Boundaries When You’re Always On11:38 Productivity Myths and How to Have It All26:40 The Power of Stillness34:52 Leadership Myths vs. Reality45:03 How Leaders Deal with Self-Doubt48:20 Why You Have to Lead Yourself to Lead Others55:54 Tobi’s 10-Year Vision and His Definition of True Success1:00:53 Breaking Generational Patterns1:10:02 Parenting Advice from a Father of 71:22:06 Tobi’s Creator Journey1:28:37 The Hybrid Dad Philosophy1:43:14 Final Thoughts—SOCIAL LINKS:Website: https://coreywilkspsyd.com/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@coreywilkspsydSubstack: https://substack.com/@coreywilkspsyd LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/coreywilkspsyd/Twitter: https://x.com/CoreyWilksPsyDInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/coreywilkspsyd/Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/coreywilkspsyd.bsky.socialDisclaimers: The content provided is for educational, informational, and entertainment purposes only. Nothing here constitutes personal or professional consultation, treatment, diagnosis, or creates a professional-client relationship.

In this engaging discussion, Jay Yang, a 19-year-old author and entrepreneur, shares his journey from building a six-figure business before high school to working with industry leaders like Alex and Leila Hormozi. He introduces his 'permissionless approach' to personal growth, emphasizing the freedom in pursuing goals without waiting for validation. Jay tackles imposter syndrome and highlights the importance of self-reflection in discovering passions. He also advocates for embracing discomfort and small actions to navigate unconventional career paths, proving it's never too early or too late to chase your dreams.

Jon Denton shares his 20-year journey from games journalist to 500K-subscriber YouTuber, revealing the hidden mental health crisis plaguing creators. We discuss burnout, isolation, surviving online hate mobs, audience capture, and why he's launching a mastermind to help other creators navigate the psychological toll of putting themselves online.—ABOUT JON DENTON: Jon Denton is a "Level 99 Unc," grown his YouTube channel to over 500k. He spends half his time "reacting to stuff," and the other half helping people break through their limits. —CONNECT WITH JON DENTON: Jon's Newsletter: https://jondenton.substack.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jondenton22/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JonDenton—SUBSCRIBE TO THE CREATOR ALCHEMY NEWSLETTER: Subscribe to the Creator Alchemy Newsletter for exclusive content and unlock the Psychology of Success Masterclass for free.Go to https://www.creatoralchemy.com/—JOIN THE COMMUNITY:The Creator Alchemy Lab is a community for ambitious creators taking bold action to transform their businesses, their lives, and themselves.Go to https://www.creatoralchemy.com/lab now to join.—TOPICS DISCUSSED:Why success amplifies past wounds - Why external achievements often make old wounds louder instead of healing them.The creator isolation paradox - Performing connection for thousands while experiencing deep disconnection and loneliness.When your audience becomes your prison - How creators become trapped by audience expectations and lose the ability to evolve.The psychology behind online hate - Understanding that criticism of your work often reflects the attacker's identity issues, not your content.The RAIN protocol for emotional regulation - Practical frameworks for creating space between triggers and responses.Mental health as a strategic advantage - Why emotional regulation is foundational to sustainable creator success, not separate from it.Creating the stimulus-response gap - How to notice faster and recover quicker from criticism and setbacks.Why you can't think away emotional wounds - Why positive thinking alone doesn't work and what actually helps with creator burnout.Creator communities as survival tool - How connection with other creators becomes essential for survival, not just networking.—TIMESTAMPS:00:00 Intro01:35 From Journalist to YouTuber5:45 The Psychology Behind Reaction Videos13:52 The Craft of Being an Entertainer22:50 What Makes Great Music31:06 Meeting The Weeknd - The Power of Putting Yourself Out There38:50 The Fear of Ridicule and Tall Poppy Syndrome 48:50 The Uncertainty of Being a Creator54:34 Burnout and Chronic Fatigue01:01:35 The Inner Journey of Mental Health01:18:14 The Stimulus-Response Gap and Emotional Regulation01:24:35 Handling Online Hate 01:41:04 Scarcity vs. Abundance Mindsets in the Creator Economy01:48:45 Creator Isolation and the Need for Community02:07:40 Final Thoughts—SOCIAL LINKS:Website: https://coreywilkspsyd.com/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@coreywilkspsydSubstack: https://substack.com/@coreywilkspsyd LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/coreywilkspsyd/Twitter: https://x.com/CoreyWilksPsyDInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/coreywilkspsyd/Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/coreywilkspsyd.bsky.socialDisclaimers: The content provided is for educational, informational, and entertainment purposes only. Nothing here constitutes personal or professional consultation, treatment, diagnosis, or creates a professional-client relationship.

In this in-depth conversation, I talk with Dan Bennett, video expert and founder of Hot Sauce Studio, about the psychology of camera confidence (and why your gear only makes up 5% of your success on camera), sharing your expertise with the world, and navigating the insecurities and uncertainties of entrepreneurship. We explore how fear, authenticity, and personal development intersect with being on camera, building a business, and finding your voice as a creator, and share insights into overcoming creative blocks.—ABOUT DAN BENNETT: Dan Bennett helps remarkable people look and sound great on camera. After years working with corporate clients, he shifted his focus to helping entrepreneurs and professionals build camera confidence and create effective video content. His company is currently rebranding as Hot Sauce Studio. Dan emphasizes making video simple (though not necessarily easy) and focuses on the psychological aspects of camera confidence.—CONNECT WITH DAN: Website: danhaslinks.com—SUBSCRIBE TO THE NEWSLETTER: Subscribe to the Creator Alchemy Newsletter for exclusive content and unlock the Psychology of Success Masterclass for free.Go to https://www.creatoralchemy.com/—JOIN THE COMMUNITY:The Creator Alchemy Lab is a community for ambitious creators taking bold action to transform their businesses, their lives, and themselves.Go to https://www.creatoralchemy.com/lab now to join.—KEY TOPICS DISCUSSED:• The psychological barriers to camera confidence and how to overcome them• Dan's "85% rule" - how most of video success is giving yourself permission to be great• The "Four Horsemen of Fear": fear of failure, fear of ridicule, fear of uncertainty, and fear of success• How video acts as "the ultimate mirror" that forces creators to confront themselves• The importance of authenticity versus creating a persona• Both hosts' personal journeys from difficult backgrounds to entrepreneurial success• Craftsmanship and taking pride in your work, whatever that work may be• The power of tactical vulnerability in building audience connection• How entrepreneurs often face their biggest personal growth challenges through building businesses—TIMESTAMPS:00:00 Intro02:57 The Tech Debt Problem10:51 Why Authenticity Beats Perfection17:51 The Psychology of Camera Confidence24:38 The Four Horsemen of Fear30:32 Growing Up Poor and Becoming a First-Generation Entrepreneur46:15 Dan’s 85% Rule for Winning on Camera50:57 Why Video is the Ultimate Mirror54:11 Navigating Imposter Syndrome1:14:38 The Lost Art of Craftsmanship1:33:30 Tactical Vulnerability1:51:27 The Lazy Authenticity Method1:59:45 Final Thoughts—SOCIAL LINKS:Website: https://coreywilkspsyd.com/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@coreywilkspsydSubstack: https://substack.com/@coreywilkspsyd LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/coreywilkspsyd/Twitter: https://x.com/CoreyWilksPsyDInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/coreywilkspsyd/Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/coreywilkspsyd.bsky.socialDisclaimers: The content provided is for educational, informational, and entertainment purposes only. Nothing here constitutes personal or professional consultation, treatment, diagnosis, or creates a professional-client relationship.

In this conversation, Corey Wilks, Psy.D., explores the concept of impostor syndrome, emphasizing that many successful individuals feel like imposters in their respective fields. He discusses the common rooms where people feel they don't belong, highlighting the importance of embracing one's imposter status as a pathway to personal growth and authenticity. Through examples of well-known figures, he illustrates that everyone grapples with self-doubt, yet these feelings can lead to meaningful contributions and connections.—SUBSCRIBE TO THE NEWSLETTER: Subscribe to the Creator Alchemy Newsletter for exclusive content and unlock the Psychology of Success Masterclass for free.Go to https://www.creatoralchemy.com/—JOIN THE COMMUNITY:The Creator Alchemy Lab is a community for ambitious creators taking bold action to transform their businesses, their lives, and themselves.Go to https://www.creatoralchemy.com/lab now to join.—EPISODE LINKS:Danny Miranda: https://www.youtube.com/@DannyMirandaLex Fridman: https://www.youtube.com/@lexfridmanAli Abdaal: https://www.youtube.com/@aliabdaal and check out Ali's book: https://www.feelgoodproductivity.com/Leila Hormozi: https://www.youtube.com/@leilahormozi—SOCIAL LINKS:Website: https://coreywilkspsyd.com/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@coreywilkspsydSubstack: https://substack.com/@coreywilkspsyd LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/coreywilkspsyd/Twitter: https://x.com/CoreyWilksPsyDInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/coreywilkspsyd/Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/coreywilkspsyd.bsky.socialDisclaimers: The content provided is for educational, informational, and entertainment purposes only. Nothing here constitutes personal or professional consultation, treatment, diagnosis, or creates a professional-client relationship.

In this conversation, psychologists Dr. Corey Wilks and Dr. Nick Wignall discuss essential mental health habits tailored for entrepreneurs. They explore strategies to manage overwhelm, anxiety, and burnout, emphasizing the importance of sleep and relaxation. The dialogue also covers building assertiveness and confidence through incremental steps, as well as the distinction between pursuing fleeting pleasures and long-term fulfillment. The conversation is rich with practical tips and insights aimed at fostering emotional well-being in the entrepreneurial journey.—SUBSCRIBE TO THE NEWSLETTER: Subscribe to the Creator Alchemy Newsletter for exclusive content and unlock the Psychology of Success Masterclass for free.Go to https://www.creatoralchemy.com/—JOIN THE COMMUNITY:The Creator Alchemy Lab is a community for ambitious creators taking bold action to transform their businesses, their lives, and themselves.Go to https://www.creatoralchemy.com/lab now to join.—NEWSLETTER: Subscribe to the Creator Alchemy Newsletter for exclusive content and unlock the Psychology of Success Masterclass for free.Go to https://www.creatoralchemy.com/EPISODE LINKS:Nick’s channel: https://www.youtube.com/@TheFriendlyMindNick’s newsletter: https://nickwignall.com/newsletter/Nick’s 13 Spike Points of View on Emotional Health article: https://nickwignall.com/13-spiky-points-of-view-on-emotional-health/Anne-Laure Le Cunff’s Liminal Creativity article: https://nesslabs.com/liminal-creativity—TIMESTAMPS:00:00 Intro02:33 How to overcome overwhelm and close open loops07:52 How to take back control of chronic worry and anxiety16:53 How to overcome self-limiting beliefs24:25 How to overcome insomnia and improve sleep40:20 How to manage burnout47:00 How to build confidence and overcome insecurity59:36 How to jump off the Hedonic Treadmill and do fulfilling work01:04:30 Final Thoughts and Recommended Resources—SOCIAL LINKS:Website: https://coreywilkspsyd.com/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@coreywilkspsydSubstack: https://substack.com/@coreywilkspsyd LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/coreywilkspsyd/Twitter: https://x.com/CoreyWilksPsyDInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/coreywilkspsyd/Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/coreywilkspsyd.bsky.socialDisclaimers: The content provided is for educational, informational, and entertainment purposes only. Nothing here constitutes personal or professional consultation, treatment, diagnosis, or creates a professional-client relationship.

In this conversation, Corey Wilks and performance coach Steve Timoney explore frameworks for reaching one's potential through the concept of the future self. They discuss strategies for defining and aligning with one's ideal future self, the importance of values, the use of feedback loops, and the creation of a mental advisory board to guide decision-making. The dialogue emphasizes the need for clarity in identity and actions to avoid cognitive dissonance and achieve personal and professional goals.—SUBSCRIBE TO THE NEWSLETTER: Subscribe to the Creator Alchemy Newsletter for exclusive content and unlock the Psychology of Success Masterclass for free.Go to https://www.creatoralchemy.com/—JOIN THE COMMUNITY:The Creator Alchemy Lab is a community for ambitious creators taking bold action to transform their businesses, their lives, and themselves.Go to https://www.creatoralchemy.com/lab now to join.—EPISODE LINKS:Steve Timoney's Links:X/Twitter: https://x.com/SteveTimoneyLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephen-timoney-214306101/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@stephentimoney Website: https://www.stephentimoney.com/—TIMESTAMPS:00:00 Intro01:41 How to define your ideal future self07:55 How to focus on what matters and filter out distractions13:46 How to develop a process to align your actions and intentions (and avoid doing unaligned work)23:33 How to overcome short-term thinking and clarify what’s worth your most precious resources31:02 How to leverage feedback loops to get 12 months’ worth of work done in 3 months33:40 How to leverage a Mental Advisory Board to guide yourself toward your ideal future41:30 Final Thoughts on reaching your potential by leveraging “Future Self” frameworks—SOCIAL LINKS:Website: https://coreywilkspsyd.com/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@coreywilkspsydLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/coreywilkspsyd/Twitter: https://x.com/CoreyWilksPsyDInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/coreywilkspsyd/Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/coreywilkspsyd.bsky.socialDisclaimers: The content provided is for educational, informational, and entertainment purposes only. Nothing here constitutes personal or professional consultation, treatment, diagnosis, or creates a professional-client relationship

In this conversation, Corey Wilks, Psy.D., discusses the concept of expiration dates in life, emphasizing the importance of recognizing our limited time and how it can motivate us to prioritize our goals. He introduces the idea of setting micro expiration dates to enhance productivity and accountability, encouraging listeners to reflect on their life choices and make the most of their time.—SUBSCRIBE TO THE NEWSLETTER: Subscribe to the Creator Alchemy Newsletter for exclusive content and unlock the Psychology of Success Masterclass for free.Go to https://www.creatoralchemy.com/—JOIN THE COMMUNITY:The Creator Alchemy Lab is a community for ambitious creators taking bold action to transform their businesses, their lives, and themselves.Go to https://www.creatoralchemy.com/lab now to join.—SOCIAL LINKS:Website: https://coreywilkspsyd.com/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@coreywilkspsydSubstack: https://substack.com/@coreywilkspsyd LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/coreywilkspsyd/Twitter: https://x.com/CoreyWilksPsyDInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/coreywilkspsyd/Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/coreywilkspsyd.bsky.socialDisclaimers: The content provided is for educational, informational, and entertainment purposes only. Nothing here constitutes personal or professional consultation, treatment, diagnosis, or creates a professional-client relationship.

In this conversation, Corey Wilks, Psy.D., discusses the importance of perspective in psychology and coaching. He emphasizes that the way we perceive the world can significantly influence our effectiveness in various disciplines. By learning to see through specific lenses—whether it be psychology, writing, or entrepreneurship—individuals can uncover insights and inspiration from everyday experiences. He also provides practical questions to help listeners develop their own lenses of inspiration, encouraging a deeper engagement with the world around them.—SUBSCRIBE TO THE NEWSLETTER: Subscribe to the Creator Alchemy Newsletter for exclusive content and unlock the Psychology of Success Masterclass for free.Go to https://www.creatoralchemy.com/—JOIN THE COMMUNITY:The Creator Alchemy Lab is a community for ambitious creators taking bold action to transform their businesses, their lives, and themselves.Go to https://www.creatoralchemy.com/lab now to join.—SOCIAL LINKS:Website: https://coreywilkspsyd.com/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@coreywilkspsydSubstack: https://substack.com/@coreywilkspsyd LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/coreywilkspsyd/Twitter: https://x.com/CoreyWilksPsyDInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/coreywilkspsyd/Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/coreywilkspsyd.bsky.socialDisclaimers: The content provided is for educational, informational, and entertainment purposes only. Nothing here constitutes personal or professional consultation, treatment, diagnosis, or creates a professional-client relationship.