We had the most incredible conversation with Yumi Sakugawa (she/they) in this week’s episode! Yumi is a second-generation Japanese-Okinawan-American interdisciplinary artist based in Los Angeles and the author of several published books including, I THINK I AM IN FRIEND-LOVE WITH YOU, YOUR ILLUSTRATED GUIDE TO BECOMING ONE WITH THE UNIVERSE, THE LITTLE BOOK OF LIFE HACKS, and FASHION FORECASTS. 

Yumi’s journey is filled with joy and connection, inspired by a fearless pursuit of creativity, play, magic and experimentation. In this very special conversation we explore the importance of getting back to play and even get to hear about Yumi’s recent experience in clown school!

Yumi invites us to examine what creativity can become when we let go of expectations and attachments to output, opening us up to new perspectives and ways of connecting to our own creativity through exploration.

“When we broaden the definition of creativity and start off with the world view that everyone is creative, and creativity is simply disrupting old patterns to consciously co-create new ones, then it makes me think–well, just the whole act of being human from the day we are born to the day we die we are creative, because just our very existence is disrupting old patterns.”

We left this conversation feeling so fulfilled and excited to cultivate new spaces to play in. Get inspired and connect with Yumi on IG @YumiSakugawa ! 

Yumi’s multimedia installations have also been exhibited at the Japanese American National Museum, the Smithsonian Arts & Industries Building, and the Peabody Essex Museum. Learn more about Yumi’s work online at yumisakugawa.com .

Ep. 94 — Permission to Play is now streaming on Apple Podcasts and Spotify Podcasts .