Inspirational Creatives

Why do we spend money? Why do we own things? You'd be surprised. In today's short episode I explore with you why we buy and the benefits of living with less. Is less more?  And can we achieve more with fewer things and a simpler financial life. In this short season of 33 short episodes, I want to share with you some ideas that I've picked up towards improving our lives as creative beings - to help you boost your creativity. Find out more at: www.inspirationalcreatives.com/podcast

Do you ever find yourself overwhelmed with all of the things you need to thing about? Clearing our mind of mental clutter by writing things down can reduce overwhelm and anxiety. And keeping lists can help us to prioritise, make better decisions and use our minds more effectively for other things that matter. In this short episode, I explore with you the pros and cons of keeping lists; both written and digital. And how lists can help us to plan our time. We also explore why creativity is as much about getting things down as coming up with things... Resources mentioned in this episode: The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron Getting Things Done by David Allen Interview with Charlie Gilkey from Productive Flourishing Ruth Nuss blog In this short season of 33 short episodes, I want to share with you some ideas that I've picked up towards improving our lives as creative beings - to help you boost your creativity. Find out more at: www.inspirationalcreatives.com/podcast

What does it mean to be honest in our lives and with our creative work or craft? How do we live with greater integrity and truth? Why aren't we honest with ourselves? In today’s short episode I’d like to invite you to think about what it means to you to be honest…. It sounds simple yet I realise how much we tell ourselves, others, and the world, stories: Stories we believe and crazy ideas that we truly believe and fool ourselves about almost anything that appears in our reality. What does it mean to you to be honest I share 5 ideas why a life working towards more honesty, and integrity and can make for a worthwhile journey as a creative. Books mentioned in this episode: Integrity by Martha Beck One Last Talk by Philip McKernan In this short season of 33 short episodes, I want to share with you some ideas that I've picked up towards improving our lives as creative beings - to help you boost your creativity. Find out more at: www.inspirationalcreatives.com/podcast

What’s the one thing that’s important today? Spending time with someone? Working on a creative project? Spending some time alone? Perhaps there's something or somone that needs your focus and attention today. Focussing on one thing that is important to you or your work today can provide us with a sense of satisfaction and accomplishment as well as a feeling of progress or moving forward; even when we face setbacks. In this short season of 33 short episodes, I want to share with you some ideas that I've picked up towards improving our lives as creative beings - to help you boost your creativity. Find out more at: www.inspirationalcreatives.com/podcast

"Instant gratification takes too long..." - Carrie Fisher Cultivating patience is an ongoing process that can improve your experience as a creative being. In this short episode I explore with you how impatience and frustration can be a good clue we need to cultivate our own patience, which is essential for our creative work. Hear how minor setbacks and failures can be stepping stones towards success. And how every creative project has its own timeline: one that requires patience for the best results. In this short season of 33 short episodes, I want to share with you some ideas that I've picked up towards improving our lives as creative beings - to help you boost your creativity. Find out more at: www.inspirationalcreatives.com/podcast

Your own opinion matters. In this short episode, I suggest that your own opinion matters more than anybody else's opinion; Particularly if their opinion is embedded in criticism. Often criticism or feedback or opinion comes from others unsolicited. It can also come from a place of (their) fear. Despite the unsettling nature of criticism and opinion, maintaining a balanced mindset is critical towards authentically expressing yourself. Whilst it's important to listen to the opinions others, you only need to keep what you believe counts. In this short season of 33 short episodes, I want to share with you some ideas that I've picked up towards improving our lives as creative beings - to help you boost your creativity. Find out more at: www.inspirationalcreatives.com/podcast

Nature can induce a calming state and it can help us to change our perspective. This is ideal for problem-solving and generating new ideas, which can lead to breakthroughs. In this short episode I invite you to consider a more present-focused mindset by going outdoors; An opportunity to change your state by going and connect with nature: to enhance your creativity and problem-solving abilities. Are you happy with the results? In this short season of 33 short episodes, I want to share with you some ideas that I've picked up towards improving our lives as creative beings - to help you boost your creativity. www.inspirationalcreatives.com/podcast

Your presence is a very powerful thing. In this short episode, we explore the importance of being present and reflective in our fast-paced world; Rather than a Western focus on constant doing and achieving and working towards a specific outcome. So, today, I want to promote the idea and value of simply being with you. And how experiencing the feeling of being can lead to powerful ideas and inspiration. In this short season of 33 short episodes, I want to share with you some ideas that I've picked up towards improving our lives as creative beings - to help you boost your creativity. www.inspirationalcreatives.com/podcast

Today I want to challenge you to consider what you can subtract from your life to create more joy and power...and a greater sense of being creative. Drawing upon the interview I had in the very early days of Inspirational Creatives, with minimalist blogger, Joshua Becker, I share with you 7 ideas for decluttering your mental, physical, spiritual, and digital space (in just 12 minutes.) Together we can explore the idea of enhancing your life by removing the unnecessary: reassessing commitments, refining priorities, and creating room for reflection. In this series of 33 short episodes, I want to share with you some ideas that I've picked up towards improving our lives as creative beings - to help you boost your creativity. www.inspirationalcreatives.com/podcast  

Today I want to explore with you the importance of dedicating time for your creativity and cultivating a deeper connection with your inner artist. Hear why it's important and some ideas of how to work towards developing a daily routine involving creative play. And why imperfection and exploring different creative activities can help you to overcome creative blocks and resistance. In this series of 33 short episodes, I want to share with you some ideas that I've picked up towards improving our lives as creative beings - to help you boost your creativity. www.inspirationalcreatives.com/podcast

Creating this podcast hasn't been without its challenges. I've faced resistance and perfectionism, and there have been times when I've doubted myself. But despite these challenges, I've felt a strong need to express myself and share my ideas with you. So, in this short episode, I explore with you the importance of authenticity and fearlessness in our creative work. I share some of my own personal experience with resistance and perfectionism, emphasising the need for a little self-care and rewarding oneself when facing challenges such as embracing uncertainty  And I explore with you the connection between fearlessness, courage and love. In this series of 33 short episodes, I want to share with you some ideas that I've picked up towards improving our lives as creative beings - to help you boost your creativity. www.inspirationalcreatives.com/podcast

"The most potent muse of all is our own inner child" - Stephen Nachmanovitch The importance of reconnecting with our inner child to boost our creativity is not be understated. It can lead potentially towards a more fulfilling life. In my experience, the internal dialogue we have with our artist (child) within often offers us the path towards creative gold. Not that this is always an easy journey. In this series of 33 short episodes, I want to share with you some of the best tips that I've picked up towards improving our lives as creative beings - to help you boost your creativity. www.inspirationalcreatives.com/podcast

Have you ever heard of an energy vampire? In this short podcast episode, I explore with you the concept of 'energy vampires', individuals who drain others' emotional, mental, and spiritual energy.  It's important that we reduce exposure to such individuals for our own personal growth and creativity. Have you had the experience of someone who drains your energy? In this series of 33 short episodes, I want to share with you some of the best tips that I've picked up towards improving our lives as creative beings. www.inspirationalcreatives.com/podcast

If you want to change how you feel, change your state. Today I want to explore with you how going for a walk can improve your life and be great for your inspiration, sparking creativity, as a creative being, in 3 simple ways. The book mentioned is: Walking In This World: The Practical Art of Creativity by Julia Cameron. In this series of 33 short episodes, I want to share with you some of the best tips that I've picked up from others and shared with others towards improving our lives as creatives. www.inspirationalcreatives.com/podcast  

How do we navigate a world that is uncertain yet keep the flame of creativity alive? I remember when I was growing up and going through various different emotions and moods and changes and people saying to me, "oh, you've just got to be positive." In this episode, I explore some ideas with you about the importance of cultivating positivity in an uncertain world and the role of positivity in inspiring others. Books mentioned: What To Say When You Talk To Yourself by Shad Helmstetter  Mindset by Carol Dweck In this series of 33 short episodes, I want to share with you some of the best tips that I've picked up from others and shared with others towards improving our lives as creatives. www.inspirationalcreatives.com/podcast    

If you're feeling stuck or some kind of discomfort or uncertainty, there's a number of things that you can do to to transcend or transform your current life experience. In the next 33 short episodes, I want to share with you some of the best tips that I've picked up from others and shared with others and have embodied, I hope, into my own life with some pretty decent results. In this episode of the Inspirational Creatives, celebrating the launch of the podcast 9 years ago today, I'm sharing with you a series of 33 episodes dedicated to supporting you to improve your own creative life. www.inspirationalcreatives.com/podcast

You have created a thing. You need to find the people who want your thing: Your product. Your service. Your piece of creative output. In this very special episode, episode 300, celebrating 7 years of the Inspirational Creatives podcast, we invite founding guest, author and entrepreneur, from episode 3, Pam Slim. We discuss her new book, The Widest Net, and the possibilities of opening up your opportunities by finding a new audience who want your thing. Your audience has evolved…and you may have done so recently, too; but has what you have to offer?

In this episode you'll learn: How Sarah paints from a place of healing to empowerment How Sarah rediscovered her feminine nature through art The power of affirmation ladders How do you make a living from your art? How can you connect with your highest, creative self? These are some of the most frequently asked questions amongst those that see themselves as creative. More so, then ever. And they are questions we explore in this interview today. In this episode, Sandra Lawrence interviews teacher turned artist and painter, Sarah Tomlinson, aka Girl With Many Secrets, from Vancouver, Canada. Sarah is someone who has survived domestic abuse and turned her art in an opportunity to heal and help others. Sarah shares her experience, revealing how, as a relatively new artist she sold her first painting and how she uses morning routines, affirmations and creative blocks as methods towards finding her truest, creative, self. Hear how creative practice is an opportunity for growth and expansion. And how your truest calling will find you - if you offer true self the opportunity to find you. Items mentioned in this episode (quick access): [00:59] Rob introduces this special episode - handing over the mic. [03:20] Sandra introduces Sarah. [03:47] Sarah shares more about herself. [04:28] How long Sarah has been painting for. [05:28] Creating as a child. [06:55] Reconnecting with her own body through art. [08:00] Embodying feminine power. [09:00] How Sarah approaches each piece of her work. [10:34] Sarah shares how her art has helped her to heal from her abusive relationships. [13:00] What creativity means to Sarah. [14:29] Creative education: creativity and schools. [16:05] Animals and biology. Art finding Sarah. [16:20] Sarah and Sandra talk about overcoming creative blocks. [19:09] Bringing something unique into the world. [20:32] Selling art. [20:50] Affirmation ladders. [21:49] Morning routines and creative productivity. [23:16] Yoga, stretching and dance. [23:58] Being aligned to your soul. [24:38] Selling art #2. Becoming a full-time artist. [26:05] Sarah’s advice to aspiring artists. [28:31] Embracing vulnerability. [29:59] Where you can find out more about Sarah and her work. [30:45] Where Sarah came up with her online name. [32:27] Rob offers some reflections on Sarah and Sandra’s chat. Thanks for listening www.inspirationalcreatives.com

If you choose to listen to only one short action episode this year, I highly recommend this one! In this short action episode, Kira and Ilysa reveal the key to how they’ve both created successful lives and a business working together as artists. Their insights might surprise you. Learn the two elements that could fundamentally change your life and business and the way you see and think about creating a business online and in the world today. Kira and Ilysa were interviewed by Sandra. Items mentioned in this episode (quick access): [01:06] Introducing Kira, Ilysa and Sandra and this short action episode. [02:15] How to create a successful business online in 2021. [03:26] How the internet changed things for Ilysa. [04:28] The challenges creatives, artists and podcasters face today. [04:45] Why it’s important to back your own ideas. [05:06] The first tip and how it relates to a phenomena called “Podfade”. [06:47] The two elements that will help you create a successful business and life. [08:08] Why you must be creative in both business and life to succeed. [09:05] The importance of passion, too. [10:07] Summarising this episode. www.inspirationalcreatives.com © 2020 www.inspirationalcreatives.com | Rob Lawrence | All Rights Reserved

Artists, Kira McCoy, and Ilysa Ginsburg, love what they do. In this insightful and revealing chat, interviewed by Sandra Lawrence, Ilysa and Kira share how they’ve have grown their business and what it means to them to create an environment where people love to work; and fans love to learn with them. As artists, they have a love for polymer clay; having created an online global community of followers, hear how they teach through online classrooms and retreats. You’ll also hear how having grown a business around their art from scratch, today they have a growing number of employees, which is allowing the two to grow further. Hear their story and ideas on how you, too, could create a business around a passion you have. Items mentioned in this episode (quick access): New beginnings [00:55] A new beginning for Inspirational Creatives? [01:35] Rob shares some of the current challenges with the podcast. [02:30] More than just a podcast? [03:25] Another branch on the Inspirational Creatives tree. [04:39] Sandra’s live interview featuring Kira and Ilya. Kira and Ilysa [05:51] Sandra introducing Kira McCoy and Ilysa Ginsburg. [06:22] Ilysa shares how the business got started from humble beginnings! [07:12] Kira shares her side of the story of when they both met. [09:06] Creating a podcast and a YouTube channel. [10:00] A multitude of products, 3D-printing, laser printers. [10:25] Online retreats. Podcasting for 7 years. Creating an online classroom. Learning and growing [11:10] How the two artists have created an environment of learning and growing. [12:04] How Ilysa and Kira have grown and created a team. [13:35] Creating fans. Teaching a medium they love so much. [15:10] Big equipment. Laser engraver. [17:40] The importance of backing yourself first. [18:00] Podfading. Success in 2020? [18:31] The number one thing Ilysa and Kira have always done that they attribute their success to. [19:05] Being creative in business. [19:56] Succeeding and how fear can hold you back. [21:20] Creative and innovation. [22:21] How 2020 has affected their creative business. [25:05] Investing in hobbies. [26:16] Fears around marketing in 2020. Community, creativity and collaboration [27:25] Including everyone. [27:40] Retreats and a full year experience. [29:44] The joy of polymer clay. [30:55] Kira shares how she started out as an art teacher. [32:08] Meeting Ilysa on Etsy. What Kira was making at the time. [33:09] Subscription boxes. Inspiration [35:44] Advice on starting your own creative business. [37:00] The importance of showing up. [37:49] Owning lots of domain names. [39:27] What’s inspired Kira and Ilysa recently. [40:35] Giving back. https://www.createalong.com https://www.inspirationalcreatives.com