Work, relationships, kids, friends… Do you find that everything comes BEFORE your creative desires?  Or has it been so long that you can’t remember what it’s like to take some time to just be curious, and play with creativity?  Author Eve Rodsky joins Jen Louden in discussing how our patriarchal society has carved away the time and space women need to pursue their creative passions, and how to reclaim that creative space – your unicorn space.  Eve Rodsky has spent years researching the hours of unpaid and unrecognized labor that women are conditioned to do, and how it has affected our ability to be creative. Her book, Fairplay, outlines a new system for managing the household that divides labor fairly, and allows plenty of room for creativity and play.    Her new book, Find Your Unicorn Space talks about reclaiming the space for curiosity, connection and completion needed to live creatively.  Eve and Jen discuss how to engage in curiosity, the importance of connection in establishing a creative routine, and why completion doesn’t have to mean finishing the whole thing.  Listen to the episode to learn more about:  How the unpaid labor that falls on women constrains creativity and curiosity  A new system for putting your unicorn space FIRST  How to spark curiosity and follow that spark  Why creativity is not f*cking optional  Why you don’t need to be afraid of completion  Get a copy of Eve Rodsky’s books here:  Find Your Unicorn Space Fair Play

Do you have to choose between writing for passion and writing for pay?   Getting paid to write seems like a fantasy to most, and getting paid to write something you are truly passionate about seems even more far-fetched.   Bestselling author Susan Shapiro joins Jen Louden in discussing what it takes to write what you’re passionate about AND get published in different genres.    Susan Shapiro is the bestselling author/coauthor of 17 books across multiple genres. She has written novels, memoirs, poetry, and more recently – The Book Bible and Byline Bible, two books that guide writers on how to get their work published.    Susan and Jen discuss how to balance your passion for writing with the practicalities of the publishing world, as well as some hard truths about what it takes to get paid for your writing.    Listen to this episode to learn more about:  How to balance writing about your obsessions with giving your audience what they want Two powerful prompts that will help you write the kinds of stories only YOU can write How to show vulnerability when writing memoirs, while still maintaining boundaries When to accept edits to your piece – and when to push back  The power of literary matchmaking The biggest mistake that holds writers back from being published – and how to avoid it How to create energy for writing, every single day   Get a copy of Susan Shapiro’s books on writing here:  The Book Bible The Byline Bible     Visit jenniferlouden.com/podcastkit to get instant access to a collection of audios that will help you with some of the most common struggles we creatives have to manage, including:    The fear of choosing Falling into compare and despair, managing the inner critic(s) Feeling too exposed and vulnerable when you put yourself or your work into the world

Have you ever had a grand idea for a creative project, only to never actually start it?  You get excited about your big (or small) project, but you can’t wrap your head around how to start it.  In your mind it’s perfect, so how can it ever be as good in reality? Why do you feel fear and dread when you think about starting? Starting a new project can be one of the hardest parts of the creative process.  Some of the greatest writers of our generation have talked about the fear of writer's block. Nobel prize winners like Toni Morrison believed every writer faces it. Emotions of dread and uncertainty at starting a new project can get in your way, and experiencing a creative block before you even start can often nip a project in the bud before it has the chance to come to fruition.  Even in the depths of doubt and overwhelm, there are ALWAYS strategies to get back into it, and figure out how to start making progress on what you desire.  In this solo episode, Jen talks about why starting a project can be scary, and how to implement small strategies to help you get started today.    Listen to the episode to learn:  Why the plunge into the unknown feels so scary – it’s science!  How to create an emotionally safe environment for you to start  Why working in itty bitty containers at a time helps keep the momentum going in your project How to acknowledge progress, instead of chasing perfection Why you don’t always have to start at the beginning How to get honest with yourself about your schedule  A reminder that you’re not married to every project you want   Visit jenniferlouden.com/podcastkit to get instant access to a collection of audios that will help you with some of the most common struggles we creatives have to manage, including:    The fear of choosing Falling into compare and despair, managing the inner critic(s) Feeling too exposed and vulnerable when you put yourself or your work into the world

What are your deepest desires? What is the mystery between you and those desires? Who belongs with you explore those desires?  Even though she wrote and published as part of her career as a psychiatrist, Sarah Flick never considered herself a real writer. Even though she had wanted to write since she learnt how to read at three, a busy professional and personal life got in the way. That is, until she attended a retreat with me! Sarah is my first long time student and client to be on the show and she’s a treasure. Sarah's written a gorgeous book Desire, Mystery, and Belonging and we discuss its long beautiful evolution and much more.   How to give ourselves “permission” to write Why creativity brings us to our most authentic self How to locate and maintain a life of desire A practical barometer for feeling desire in our lives Why creativity will always lead to a sense of belonging "What a marvellous treasure you hold in your hands, an intimate guide to desire, mystery, and belonging, three qualities we all need to live a life of meaning, beauty, and presence"   Get a copy of Sarah's book here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Desire-Mystery-Belonging-Sarah-Flick/dp/1953445217/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1QJNK9EVEDNLF&keywords=Desire%2C+Mystery%2C+and+Belonging&qid=1647956326&sprefix=desire+mystery+and+belonging%2Caps%2C817&sr=8-1     Visit jenniferlouden.com/podcastkit to get instant access to a collection of audios that will   help you with some of the most common struggles we creatives have to manage including fear of choosing, falling into compare and despair, managing the inner critic (s), and feeling too exposed and vulnerable when you put yourself or your work into the world.

In addition to being an actress, improviser, and best-selling author, Sam Bennett is a highly respected creative coach whose business, The Organized Artist, has inspired thousands to channel their creative urges into RESULTS.   Sam is the author of ‘Get it Done’ From Procrastination to Creative Genius in 15 minutes a day, a wonderful book for creatives on how to be more CREATIVE, CONSISTENT, SUSTAINABLE and SANE.  The beauty of Sam's work is that she's her number one customer - as a wildly creative but easily-unmoored creative herself, Sam created this philosophy to help herself, and by extension, she's helped so many.  On today's show, Sam and Jen discuss: Why you might be a terrible judge of your own work How not to get stuck just because you’ve made a decision Performing isn’t just for actors and how acting allows Sam to use 100% of herself How ‘the prison of desire’ can stop you from growing and experiencing new things How to push through the "groan zone" that accompanies every creative project How and why creative productivity can boost our self-esteem The difference between our lives and our "lifestyle." The secret ingredient to knowing whether or not a creative project is "worth it."   Visit jenniferlouden.com/podcastkit to get instant access to a collection of audios that will help you with some of the most common struggles we creatives have to manage including fear of choosing, falling into compare and despair, managing the inner critic (s), and feeling too exposed and vulnerable when you put yourself or your work into the world.

Has your work ever been greeted by a firestorm of furiously polarized tweets, both in fierce support and rampant opposition to what you have to say? In addition to being scathingly funny, bitingly honest, and sharply observant, author, essayist, and humorist Heather Havrilesky's work has always been provocative. And her latest memoir, Foreverland: On the Divine Tedium of Marriage does not disappoint.   By writing honestly (and hilariously) about motherhood, marriage, and the contemporary female experience, Heather has amassed passionate supporters (Jen among them), in addition to nasty critics. But at the end of the day, shouldn't that be our chief aim as artists? In this episode, Jen and Heather unpack HOW creatives can truly get to the root of honesty in our work, so we too can inspire our audience.   How Heather handles negativity and misreading of her work Sometimes the beauty of writing is learning how you feel on the page Writing honestly to accept what you’re made of Readers can see through everything so you’re better off being honest How the editorial process of her latest memoir helped her grow closer to her husband Why Jen was afraid to ask Heather to be on the podcast How self-acceptance feeds your creativity The form and structure of Foreverland, and how it shifted from a collection of essays to a narrative experience How Heather has navigated her career and why she feels like she’s just starting to take her writing more seriously, 25+ years in Taking an experimental approach to writing and learning as she goes Writing about and for women with more and more madness and freedom over time Can you stand behind your work?  Comparing yourself to people you admire and professional envy   Visit jenniferlouden.com/podcastkit to get instant access to a collection of audios that will: help you with some of the most common struggles we creatives have to manage including fear of choosing, falling into compare and despair, managing the inner critic (s), and feeling too exposed and vulnerable when you put yourself or your work into the world.

One of the questions I’m asked often is, ‘how do I stick with a project?’ followed closely by, ‘how do I know when a project is done?’ We want to see our creative endeavors through to completion, but it’s not always easy to do or be done. This is particularly true if a project has hit the skids or we’ve lost our way in the mushy middle or it’s a big damn  project that takes a honking long time.    Seeing your creative endeavors through to a conclusion (notice I did not write THE conclusion), is about asking the right questions…   What do I want out of this?  What financial impact will this project have on me?  If I died doing this, would I be satisfied?  What is finished for me?   These types of questions can help us ground ourselves before we dive in, and not fall into extremes of isolation, apathy, or frustration.   Sit down, buckle up, and grab a journal, because this solo episode is brimming with tips to help you create out loud and know when you have. We also cover...   Why my book Why Bother? took 10 years to write Knowing what you’re looking for in doing a project  Why creative work sometimes gets harder the more experienced you are How to stay motivated throughout your project and avoid common demotivating factors The subtle dangers of easy access to learning  The power of embracing frustration and confusion How to know when you’re finished with a project when you want to keep working on it How to define what finished looks like -- what is “good enough” for you?   Visit jenniferlouden.com/podcastkit to get instant access to a collection of audios that will: help you with some of the most common struggles we creatives have to manage including fear of choosing, falling into compare and despair, managing the inner critic (s), and feeling too exposed and vulnerable when you put yourself or your work into the world.

Sue Monk Kidd is one of the world's most beloved writers, occupying a rare intersection of critical and commercial success writers dream of.    Perhaps most recognized for her #1 New York Times Bestsellers, The Secret Life of Bees, which went on to become the basis for a blockbuster movie, and The Invention of Wings, her earlier works, When the Heart Waits, an autobiographical account of a spiritual awakening, and Dance of the Dissident Daughter, a memoir that explores feminist theology, were groundbreaking for millions of seekers too.   And yet, she's still willing to acknowledge how hard it is to start a new project. Sue says that every time she sits down to start a new project, she feels like a beginner. Fortunately, she listens to her soul and her craft, and together, they get here there.   Jen and Sue also discuss:   How Sue consistently taps into what women are feeling and experiencing Recurring themes throughout her body of work How writing memoir helped her find courage and freed her to write fiction How she pivoted in her spiritual life but maintained her creative beacons Writing as an act of courage that serves your soul Why Sue believes our salvation is in our imagination The importance of writing what you deeply care about  Creativity as playing with what you love  The two questions to ask yourself when starting a novel Using imagery and collages as part of the writing process  Why Sue still feels like a beginner  How she dealt with the staggering success of The Secret Life of Bees How perfectionism stymies writing Method and mystery, beginning the writing process, and writing rituals Doing research for historical fiction What Sue would say to her younger self Reflecting on her spiritual path The importance of the simplicity of being Creating as a spiritual act, writing as prayer Transitioning between projects The tension and energy that goes into writing a book Get a copy of Sue's books here:   The Secret Life of Bees AmazonBookshop   The Invention of Wings AmazonBookshop   When the Heart Waits AmazonBookshop   Visit jenniferlouden.com/podcastkit to get instant access to a collection of audios that will help you with some of the most common struggles we creatives have to manage including fear of choosing, falling into compare and despair, managing the inner critic (s), and feeling too exposed and vulnerable when you put yourself or your work into the world.

Have you seen those beautiful, colorful bottles of Method Soap at Target? They're most likely the work of today's guest, Lisa Congdon, who is one of the world's most recognizable graphic designers, a fine artist, and an illustrator who creates for clients such as Amazon, Comme des Garcons, Crate & Barrel, REI, and MoMA.    She’s also the author of ten books, including Art Inc: The Essential Guide to Building Your Career as an Artist, and Find Your Artistic Voice: The Essential Guide to Working Your Creative Magic, the host of The Lisa Congdon Sessions podcast, and she teaches on the faculty of Northwest College of Art.    But you might be surprised to learn Lisa didn't discover her true passion for design until her 30s, and at that point, she assumed it was too late to make it her career. Little did she know she had an entire journey of discovery ahead of her, and so much of that had to do with finding her voice.    0:42 - Why we tell ourselves we’re too old to be creative 1:40 - How imposter syndrome intensified when her career blew up 6:30 - Learning to stand in your creative power 7:00 - How Lisa manages to handle the various aspects of her career and life that bring her joy 12:18 - How to surround yourself with a great creative team 17:15 - Gauging whether or not to say yes to a creative opportunity 21:15 - Listening to your gut 22:43 - Knowing how much to charge for creative services 28:43 - The complicated nature of social media 33:33 - The elements of artistic voice 39:27 - Remembering that we hit multiple impasses in our creative work and that’s not a problem   44:48 - Working with the pressure to produce 48:15 - Developing grit in your creative life through physical challenges    Get a copy of Lisa’s books here:   Art Inc: The Essential Guide to Building Your Career as an Artist Amazon Bookshop   Find Your Artistic Voice: The Essential Guide to Working Your Creative Magic Amazon Bookshop   Visit Lisa’s shop and world: https://lisacongdon.com/   Visit jenniferlouden.com/podcastkit to get instant access to a collection of audios that will: help you with some of the most common struggles we creatives have to manage including fear of choosing, falling into compare and despair, managing the inner critic (s), and feeling too exposed and vulnerable when you put yourself or your work into the world.

Pamela Slim is a dynamic beloved thought leader and has been in the trenches with creative businesses for decades. Her breakout book Escape From Cubicle Nation hit the scene in 2009, and since then she’s launched many creative projects, including founding a beloved brick-and-mortar small business incubator, The Main Street Learning Lab at K’é, and two more books, Body of Work, and her latest The Widest Net.  Get Pam's free workbook: https://pamelaslim.com/the-widest-net/ If you want to connect with customers but the idea of building an empire makes you queasy, you will adore this episode. We cover so many practical ways to build a values-based creative business including: How Pamela has allowed herself to keep learning, growing, and changing by following the work itself, even though her first book Escape From Cubicle Nation was quite sticky How she sees herself as an author practitioner The branding and audience building price creatives have to play when making pivots How justice, inclusivity, and equity are baked into everything she does and shape her creative choices The complex dynamic of her identity and really understanding the appropriate role to play in community building and issues of human rights and justice Her willingness to take on complexity and hard topics in her work How her latest book The Widest Net uses community building as a framework for finding an audience or customers for a business The creative process as putting pieces of a puzzle together Struggling through the creative process when writing The Widest Net and how she overcame writer’s block Why she wanted to bring The Widest Net framework out into the world as an alternative to all the empire-building, crush it, smash it, look at me, hustle, influencer stuff, which can be harmful and play into white supremacy culture and the patriarchy The harm people experience when searching for a singular life purpose and how she uses the metaphor of finding roots as an alternative The guidance in being drawn toward things that evoke a strong emotional reaction, paying attention to clues for where you might want to contribute through your creative energy The power in focusing on how and who you’re going to serve How introverts can build relationships while staying true to their natural wiring A deep dive into what it means to build a business ecosystem and how Ways to get support in building your business ecosystem How her book launch strategy has changed from book to book The heartbreak of evolving your business, changing relationships, and the emotional skills required to navigate it all Why Pamela is learning about crypto and NFTs while recognizing the disturbing components     Get a copy of Pamela’s book here: Escape From Cubicle Nation Amazon Bookshop   Body of Work Amazon Bookshop   The Widest Net Amazon Bookshop Or get a free copy here: https://pamelaslim.com/the-widest-net/   Visit jenniferlouden.com/podcastkit to get instant access to a collection of audios that will help you with some of the most common struggles we creatives have to manage including fear of choosing, falling into compare and despair, managing the inner critic (s), and feeling too exposed and vulnerable when you put yourself or your work into the world.