Create for No Reason

Kate Volman
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May 6, 2025 • 8min

Two Creative Truths From Dancing With the Gods

Struggling to stay motivated in your creative process? Wondering when your work is “good enough” to share? You’re not alone—and this episode of Create for No Reason is for you.Inspired by two powerful quotes from Kent Nerburn’s Dancing with the Gods, this episode will reignite your passion for creating and help you reframe those frustrating moments of self-doubt. 🎨 In this episode, you’ll discover:Why your art often grows beyond the idea that started itHow feeling lost can actually be part of your creative magicWhen to stop “perfecting” and start sharingThe role of feedback in helping your work (and confidence) evolveA reminder that your next project may be closer than you think
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Apr 29, 2025 • 49min

When Bad Ideas Lead to Great Work with Meg Dalessandro EP 135

In this episode, we're joined by Meg Dalessandro, a talented designer and marketer living her dream at Wistia.We dive into Meg's creative journey — from studying graphic design and UX in art school to landing a pivotal role at Wistia, one of the most beloved brands in video marketing. She shares the full-circle moment that led her there, the story behind her 'Sorry I Missed You' voicemail newsletter, and why embracing bad ideas is often the first step to great work.We also explore how to stay consistent in your creative practice, even when motivation dips, the evolving world of video content, and how balancing scripted and unscripted formats can make your work more authentic and impactful.In this episode, you’ll discover:How Meg turned a playful Wistia video into a career catalystHow to balance scripted vs. unscripted content for more natural videosWhy live video is both exciting and challenging — and tips for doing it wellHow exploring bad ideas can lead to your best creative workPractical tips for managing creative projects and ideasBook recommendations that fueled Meg’s creative growth
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Apr 18, 2025 • 11min

Bridging the Gap Between Taste and Talent

Do you ever feel like you know where you want to be creatively or professionally, but you're just not there yet? You’re not alone. In this inspiring solo episode, Kate reflects on the creative “taste gap,” a concept introduced by Ira Glass, and how it shows up in her own work through poetry, projects, and personal growth.Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned creator starting something new, this episode will remind you why the messy middle matters—and how staying committed to your creative process is the key to growth.🎧 In this episode, you’ll discover:What the “taste gap” is and why it frustrates creatorsHow daily creative challenges can build momentum and confidence Why mediocre work is often a stepping stone to something meaningfulThe power of trusting your taste (even when your skills aren’t there yet)How to stay motivated when the results haven’t shown up…yetEncouragement to keep going, no matter where you are in the journey✨ If you’ve ever doubted your progress or felt stuck in the gap between where you are and where you want to be, this is your reminder that growth is happening—even when it may not feel like it.Resources:📚Get a copy of my book Do What You Love: https://amzn.to/3QVSRQw🔔 To stay up to date with my weekly videos, Subscribe Here: https://goo.gl/zJ6pXA💫💫 Sign up to get my weekly inspiration delivered straight to your inbox: http://MassiveOptimism.com/FIND ME ON:Official Website | http://www.katevolman.com/ DISCLAIMER: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases from the links above.
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22 snips
Apr 8, 2025 • 1h 36min

Living a Creative Life with Derek Sivers EP 133

In a thought-provoking discussion, Derek Sivers, an author and entrepreneur known for his clear thinking, shares insights into living a creative life. He delves into the game-changing idea of "Useful Not True" and how it reshapes perspectives. Derek talks about the importance of journaling for personal growth, the role of muses in creativity, and his approach to selecting projects. He also explores minimalism, emphasizing that less can lead to more fulfillment, urging listeners to embrace their unique creative journeys.
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Apr 1, 2025 • 8min

Poem-A-Day Challenge for National Poetry Month

Poetry isn’t just for writers or artists—it’s for everyone. April is National Poetry Month, and in this episode, we explore how poetry can help you grow personally and professionally. Poetry has the power to unlock emotions, reduce stress, and even make us better leaders. And at the end, I have a fun, creative challenge for you. In this episode, you’ll discover:How poetry helps us process emotions and reduce stressThe surprising connection between poetry and leadershipHow poetry strengthens communication and storytelling skillsA simple way to incorporate poetry into your daily lifeA fun poetry challenge to spark your creativityJoin me in celebrating National Poetry Month and see how poetry can add meaning to your life.
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Mar 25, 2025 • 40min

A Life of Yes: From Politics to Playwriting with Jeff Perlman

In this episode, Kate is joined by Jeff Perlman, an entrepreneur, politician, and community advocate, for a conversation about his eclectic career path. From journalism and local politics to writing screenplays and championing the arts, Jeff shares how embracing new opportunities has shaped his creative life.They dive into the power of saying ‘yes’ to unexpected opportunities, the intersection of creativity and community, and how inspiration can be found in everyday moments.In this episode, you'll discover:Jeff’s journey through journalism, politics, business, and the artsThe power of stepping outside your comfort zoneInsights into local politics and community developmentThe creative and collaborative process of playwriting Tips on sustaining a daily creative practice Why supporting local arts and culture matters
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Mar 18, 2025 • 7min

Two Quotes to Transform Your Creative Process EP 130

In this episode, we explore two powerful quotes from Rick Rubin’s book The Creative Act that inspire a fresh perspective on our creative process. The first quote focuses on the importance of creating without being attached to the outcome, allowing your work to evolve into its truest form. The second quote emphasizes the power of creating something bigger than yourself, whether it's to inspire, educate, or connect with others. Key Takeaways:Let go of the outcome: Focus on the creative process instead of fixating on what the final result should look like. Allow your ideas to evolve freely.Create with a purpose: Your work may have a bigger impact than you realize, inspiring or educating others in ways you hadn’t anticipated.Embrace the journey, not just the destination: Whether your creative project succeeds or fails, each experience brings valuable lessons that help shape your future work.Resources:Free 77 Journaling Prompts to Get Focused and Inspire Action
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Mar 11, 2025 • 39min

Unleash Your Creativity at Any Age EP 129

In this episode, we're joined by fellow creative Angela Kumar to discuss her exciting creative journey. At 57, Angela has embraced everything from interior design and art history to poetry and social media influencing. Discover the power of curiosity, the importance of fostering creativity, and how creativity can serve as a therapy and antidote to life's challenges. Takeaways:Creativity and curiosity are intertwined and essential for personal growth.It's never too late to explore new creative outlets.Self-doubt can hinder creativity, but deadlines can help push through it.Creativity is a muscle that needs to be exercised regularly.Creativity should not be seen as self-indulgent but as a necessity.The process of creating is more important than the end product.Exploring curiosity opens up new opportunities and experiences.
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Mar 4, 2025 • 6min

Art is Never Finished EP 128

In this episode of Create For No Reason, we dive into a powerful quote often attributed to Leonardo da Vinci: "Art is never finished, only abandoned." Kate reflects on how this concept applies not only to creative work but also to our lives and personal growth. Are there dreams, ideas, or creative pursuits you've abandoned? It’s never too late to pick them back up.Kate shares:What it means to be the artist of your life and how you're creating every day, even if it's not through traditional art forms.The importance of showing up for yourself, even when it's difficult, and not abandoning your passions.A personal story about how a year-long break from podcasting turned into a powerful return to what brings joy and purpose.How we often make excuses for not finishing what we start, and why it’s okay to come back to something after a break.Key Takeaways:Embrace the idea that art (and life) is a continuous journey—what you’re working on doesn’t have to be “finished” to be meaningful.It’s never too late to pick up something you’ve abandoned. Whether it's a creative passion or a dream, you can always start again.Journaling prompt: Reflect on something in your life that you’ve abandoned and think about why it’s important to bring it back. What could your life look like if you re-engage with it?If you’ve ever set aside a creative project or a dream, this episode is for you. It’s time to bring it back into your life, and Create For No Reason is here to inspire you to do just that.
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Feb 25, 2025 • 3min

Pursue Dreams, Not Approval EP 127

In today’s episode of Create for No Reason, Kate Volman offers a thought-provoking journaling prompt to help overcome the fear of judgment and move closer to your dreams.What would you try if you didn’t care what others thought?Kate dives into the impact that fear of what others think can have on our ability to pursue our dreams. She explores how this fear often holds us back from launching our businesses, sharing our creative work, or taking the leap into something new. Through this episode, you’ll discover how to shift your mindset, embrace the discomfort, and take meaningful steps toward your goals.Kate also reflects on the beauty of the process—how pursuing our dreams, even if we don’t reach the finish line, leads us to unexpected opportunities and new paths.If you’ve been holding back from pursuing something big (or small), this episode is for you. It’s time to embrace the fear, push forward, and start creating the life you’ve always wanted.Journaling Prompt:What would you try if you didn’t care what others thought?

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