Managing stress, staying focused, and keeping our emotional well-being in check are crucial when you're in the creative field. In this short episode, I dive into my personal journey with meditation and why I think it's a game-changer for many creatives. I share with you three big benefits of meditating regularly. You'll hear how I started my meditation journey back in 2007 with a little gem called Meditation for Dummies by Stephen Bodian . And I also recommend checking out Hurry Up and Meditate ...
Dec 08, 2024•8 min•Season 2Ep. 20
What choices are you making around when you go online? In this short episode, I invite you to explore your internet usage, more consciously, and the impact it may have on your creative output, health and well-being. Hear about my attempts to implement a personal "no internet before noon" policy and how I have found taking offline breaks at weekends to improve focus, sleep quality, and use of time. I invite you to experiment with your own strategies for balancing online and offline time, towards ...
Dec 01, 2024•8 min•Season 2Ep. 19
Today I celebrate 10 years of the Inspirational Creatives podcast. Launched on 24th November 2014, I reflect briefly on my journey of podcasting so far with some personal anecdotes. This episode also celebrates the launch of part two of a two-part series on 33 ways to live a more prosperous and creative life. The topic for this episode is about making more conscious choices: ones that serve a better version of you. I talk about how we can make more conscious choices around money, and what we cho...
Nov 24, 2024•8 min•Season 2Ep. 18
Do you hold a gym membership? Or do you exercise outside? In this short episode, I explore the idea of reconsidering gym memberships in favour of other health and fitness options including outdoor exercise. Choices around our health can lead to new opportunities and the possibility of making new, and sometimes life-long friends or colleagues. Hear how some of my decisions led to meeting my now wife. I invite you to consider your options and choices; ultimately aiming for a balanced approach to h...
Jan 07, 2024•8 min•Season 2Ep. 17
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...
Dec 09, 2023•14 min•Season 2Ep. 16
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...
Dec 08, 2023•11 min•Season 2Ep. 15
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 mea...
Dec 07, 2023•10 min•Season 2Ep. 14
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 th...
Dec 06, 2023•15 min•Season 2Ep. 13
"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 res...
Dec 05, 2023•14 min•Season 2Ep. 12
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 on...
Dec 04, 2023•11 min•Season 2Ep. 11
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 so...
Dec 03, 2023•8 min•Season 2Ep. 10
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 picke...
Dec 02, 2023•8 min•Season 2Ep. 9
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, r...
Dec 01, 2023•12 min•Season 2Ep. 8
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 li...
Nov 30, 2023•8 min•Season 2Ep. 7
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 reward...
Nov 29, 2023•8 min•Season 2Ep. 6
"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...
Nov 28, 2023•15 min•Season 2Ep. 5
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 cr...
Nov 27, 2023•14 min•Season 2Ep. 4
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 creative...
Nov 26, 2023•12 min•Season 2Ep. 3
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 Ca...
Nov 25, 2023•23 min•Season 2Ep. 2
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...
Nov 24, 2023•10 min•Season 2Ep. 1
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 ha...
Nov 26, 2021•1 hr 9 min•Season 1Ep. 300
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 ...
Jan 29, 2021•35 min•Season 1Ep. 299
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 menti...
Dec 16, 2020•12 min•Season 1Ep. 298
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...
Dec 11, 2020•44 min•Season 1Ep. 297
When is the best time to get started with your new idea, product, service or business? It seems that sooner is better than later. That’s the experience of female tech entrepreneur and SupaPass founder, Juliana Meyer. Often we find ourselves needing to plan or have all of the right things in the right place before we get started with an idea but that’s, in many cases, the wrong thing to do. In this short action episode we explore the benefits of getting started on your new idea sooner and before ...
Nov 25, 2020•10 min•Season 1Ep. 296
Juliana Meyer is an award-winning entrepreneur as well as highly qualified and experience musician and engineer. Today, her small software and technology company, SupaPass, is making big changes in the way that artist, musicians, podcasters and creatives of all kinds connect with their audience and super-fans. In this episode, we explore Juliana’s fascinating backstory as a musician growing up in South Africa and how her own frustration turned into an opportunity creating a brand and platform th...
Nov 20, 2020•44 min•Season 1Ep. 295
Have you ever found yourself working hard in your business, doing your creative work, but not getting the results that you want? In this short action episode we discuss the importance of being clear on who you serve and why. Featuring the wisdom of communications expert, Lucy Eckley, from The Leading Story podcast, you’ll hear why identifying who your ideal client is critical to your creative work and business to get the results you are looking for.
Nov 18, 2020•9 min•Season 1Ep. 294
In this episode, Build Your Brand Story founder, Lucy Eckley, shares her own journey from corporate career to communications consultant and how she helps people to day to create outstanding brands. Hear how Lucy helps her clients organise their creative business and brand. And how you can gain clarity and confidence with your brand and business by starting with your audience. We discuss why everyone has an interesting story and how Lucy gets to the essence of who people, and their businesses, re...
Nov 13, 2020•40 min•Season 1Ep. 293
They say that the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results… But what if you’re not getting any results at all? If you’re stuck and struggling to complete a task or project, try this… In this short action episode, artic explorer, podcast host and executive coach, Sue Stockdale, shares her wisdom helping us to refocus towards completing our goals, aims, projects and ambitions; no matter what it is that’s stopping us. What Sue teaches us may...
Nov 11, 2020•11 min•Season 1Ep. 292
Sue Stockdale is the first British woman to have skied to the magnetic North Pole. Having been introduced to the world of coaching working with pioneers such as Sir John Whitmore, Sue brings executive coaching and new leadership thinking to charities and nonprofit organisations amongst many; with the aim of addressing some of the greatest humanitarian and environmental challenges of our time. As well as carrying out a number of pro-bono activities as a coach, co-founder and podcast host for Acce...
Nov 06, 2020•53 min•Season 1Ep. 291
