Follow Your Curiosity

So many of us struggle with procrastination. There are many causes of procrastination—fear of failure, fear of success, perfectionism, comparison, exhaustion, and overwhelm, just to name a few. We often need rest, but procrastination isn't the same--and tends to your inner critic, while eroding your motivation and productivity. If watching your kids build a pillow fort makes you wonder where the heck that zany, wild, playful part of yourself went...we should talk! Want more tips? Check out all my previous Creative Pep Talks in this playlist! Could you leave a review? It's really easy, and it helps SO much. Thanks! If you'd like to stay up to date on things like my courses and also get podcast and event updates, and my latest musings, subscribe to The Spark!

Is multitasking real? Possible? It depends on your definition, but I'd rather talk about how the attempt affects us—why we feel so pushed to do it, and what's the price we pay? I'm sharing my thoughts in this short episode. If watching your kids build a pillow fort makes you wonder where the heck that zany, wild, playful part of yourself went...we should talk! Want more tips? Check out all my previous Creative Pep Talks in this playlist! Could you leave a review? It's really easy, and it helps SO much. Thanks! If you'd like to stay up to date on things like my courses and also get podcast and event updates, and my latest musings, subscribe to The Spark!

Tony Stewart has made award-winning films for college and universities, written acclaimed software, and now has written his first book. That book, Carrying the Tiger: Living with Cancer, Dying with Grace, Finding Joy while Grieving, tells the story of Tony and his late wife, painter Lynn Kotula, as they navigate her Stage IV cancer diagnosis, treatment, and hospice, and Tony’s journey out of grief. Tony joins me to talk about his original journey from writing to software development, how it felt to return to writing via CaringBridge after Lynn’s diagnosis, the process of writing Carrying the Tiger, the nature of grief, and more. Episode breakdown: 00:00 Intro 02:12 Introducing Tony Stewart 03:02 Creative Childhood Experiences 08:02 Shakespeare in the Park 11:34 Understanding Filmmaking Client Needs 17:48 Complex Problems Beyond Machine Solutions 19:15 Joy of Reading Book Reviews 24:58 Returning to Writing 26:39 The Beginning of the Book 29:29 Writing Addiction and Motivation 32:40 Overview of the Book 34:00 Writing in Present Tense 38:38 Memoir as Thriller 41:31 Structuring the Book 42:24 Tony's Memories and Reflections 45:51 Creating Realistic Characters 48:27 Exploring Grief 52:04 Anticipatory Grief 56:58 Individuality of Grief Experiences Want more? Here's a handy playlist with all my previous interviews with guests in writing. Check out the full show notes (now including transcripts!) at fycuriosity.com, and connect with me and fellow creatives on Substack. Please leave a review for this episode—it’s really easy and will only take a minute, and it really helps me reach new listeners. Thanks! If you enjoyed our conversation, I hope you’ll share it with a friend.

It can be one of the hardest things to convince ourselves to do when the voices of doubt, self-judgment, and perfectionism are up to their old tricks, but it really is important to take action, not just think about it. I'll tell you why—and how—in this short episode. If watching your kids build a pillow fort makes you wonder where the heck that zany, wild, playful part of yourself went...it's time to Make Bad Art. Doors are open now for a new cohort starting on October 14. (Use code PODCAST for $100 off!) Want more tips? Check out all my previous Creative Pep Talks in this playlist! Could you leave a review? It's really easy, and it helps SO much. Thanks! If you'd like to stay up to date on things like my courses and also get podcast and event updates, and my latest musings, subscribe to The Spark!

Will Brooks is a freelance artist and designer who mostly works with licensed properties, especially Doctor Who. For five years, Will was the in-house ‘photo’ artist for Titan Comics’ Doctor Who ranges, providing more than 160 covers. He’s also produced artwork for Big Finish Productions and the Doctor Who Experience, and was the lead artist and designer for the second edition of Cubicle 7’s Doctor Who RPG, for which he also wrote material. Will joins me to talk about how he got his start with licensed artwork, the process of creating covers for Titan and Big Finish, the power of just doing something when nothing seems to be coming together creatively, helpful criticism vs. tearing folks’ work down, the effects of leaving social media, and more. If you’re tired of your inner critic running amok in your head and ready to confine it to quarters, Make Bad Art: Ditch Perfectionism and Have Fun Doing It starts on October 14! Episode breakdown: 00:00 Will Brooks shares his journey into Doctor Who fan art. 04:55 Quitting kitchen design led straight to Doctor Who opportunity. 09:26 Doctor Who fandom inspires diverse creativity and unique projects. 13:37 Art school valued exploration more than technique or conformity. 19:07 Pretentious critiques favored invented meaning over sincere creative process. 24:21 Quick, unplanned creative work often received better feedback. 29:27 Boldly emailing Titan Comics landed Will the cover gig. 34:27 Approach to comic covers: last minute inspiration, creative freedom. 39:01 Waiting until deadline often brings creative breakthroughs and clarity. 44:05 Leaving social media improved mental health, creative focus, happiness. 49:33 Social media habits distract from creativity and real connections. 54:32 Will enjoys flexible work, Doctor Who projects, and parenting. Want more? Here are handy playlists with all my previous interviews with guests in Doctor Who and visual arts. If you enjoyed our conversation, I hope you’ll share it with a friend. Check out the full show notes at fycuriosity.com, and connect with me and fellow creatives on Substack. Please leave a review for this episode—it’s really easy and will only take a minute, and it really helps me reach new listeners. Thanks!

You've probably heard someone describe a performance as "electric," or "electrifying," and may even have used that term yourself. But how does that kind of performance happen, and what does it have to tell you about your creative practice? I'll tell you in this short episode. If watching your kids build a pillow fort makes you wonder where the heck that zany, wild, playful part of yourself went...it's time to Make Bad Art. Doors are open now for a new cohort starting on September 29. Want more tips? Check out all my previous Creative Pep Talks in this playlist! Could you leave a review? It's really easy, and it helps SO much. Thanks! If you'd like to stay up to date on things like my courses and also get podcast and event updates, and my latest musings, subscribe to The Spark!

My guest this week is Richard Wilmore, the host and executive producer of the wildly successful daily talk and variety series Make Your Day Richer TV. From 2016 to 2022, he hosted the award-winning The Richard Wilmore Show. He also co-hosts the Wolf Media Fest podcast. Behind the scenes, Richard helps numerous podcasts and livestreams with production, editing, and talent booking needs through his company, Make Your Day Richer. Richard talks with me about how he found his calling as a talk show host, why you should start where you are with what you have, the challenges of making work for hire and turning your art into a business, the importance (and difficulties) of listening to yourself, and a lot more. Episode breakdown: 00:00 Introduction 04:09 Supportive parents let Richard explore. 09:06 Young Richard pretended to be a weatherperson, then talk show host. 13:11 Performing as himself felt natural, but nerves still linger. 17:16 Richard describes building colorful sets to energize his shows. 22:18 Created talk show sets in basements, bedrooms, and studios. 27:04 Richard and Nancy reflect on starting shows with minimal gear. 32:44 Burnout can happen even doing what you love most. 37:15 Turning creativity into business poses unexpected challenges for artists. 41:21 Listening to your gut is crucial but not always easy. 46:29 Self-doubt and outside opinions complicate creative decisions and direction. 51:49 Guests surprise Richard; reaching out directly often leads to yes. Want more? Here are handy playlists with all my previous interviews with guests in writing and theatre. If you enjoyed our conversation, I hope you’ll share it with a friend. Check out the full show notes at fycuriosity.com, and connect with me and fellow creatives on Substack. Please leave a review for this episode—it’s really easy and will only take a minute, and it really helps me reach new listeners. Thanks!

All those little things you think are weird about you? They're the things that make you unique. That make you stand out. It's time you embrace them instead of running from them. I'll tell you why in this short episode. If you’re tired of waiting for “someday”—which is NOT a day of the week—to get unstuck and step toward your creative dream, we should talk. Want more tips? Check out all my previous Creative Pep Talks in this playlist! Could you leave a review? It's really easy, and it helps SO much. Thanks! If you'd like to stay up to date on things like my courses and also get podcast and event updates, and my latest musings, subscribe to The Spark!

There's a pervasive notion out in the world that art requires suffering, that suffering for it makes you more noble...etc. etc. etc. If you've fallen prey to this belief, you can relax: I'm about to tell you why it's nonsense. If you’re tired of waiting for “someday”—which is NOT a day of the week—to get unstuck and step toward your creative dream, we should talk. Want more tips? Check out all my previous Creative Pep Talks in this playlist! Could you leave a review? It's really easy, and it helps SO much. Thanks! If you'd like to stay up to date on things like my courses and also get podcast and event updates, and my latest musings, subscribe to The Spark!

Nev Fountain is an award-winning writer, chiefly known for his work on the BBC sketch show 'Dead Ringers' in both TV and radio incarnations. He has alsocontributed to many other programmes, including Have I Got News for You and Newzoids. He is a principal gag writer for satirical magazine Private Eye and contributes to every issue. He first came to write for Doctor Who when he script-edited the BBC online story "Death Comes to Time" in 2001, and has gone on to write some of Big Finish’s most popular audios, including "The Kingmaker" and "Peri and the Piscon Paradox." His books include The Mervyn Stone Mysteries, The Fan Who Knew too Much, and its sequel, Lies and Dolls, which was released in July. Nev talks with me about how he got his start writing radio comedy, the challenges of writing comedy even about very serious events, writing for various forms and media, leaving room to be surprised as you’re writing, and more. Episode breakdown: 00:00 Introduction 04:02 Teachers encouraged Nev; family humor shaped his view. 08:21 Comedy influences: The Young Ones, Blackadder, Hitchhiker’s Guide. 12:27 Breaking into radio comedy. 16:03 Playwriting taught Nev what makes audiences laugh—live. 20:22 Writing comedy about tragic events; satire offers relief and perspective. 24:23 Dead Ringers’ hiatus, revival, and Jon Culshaw’s Tom Baker calls. 28:47 Sketches with Ozzy Osbourne, behind-the-scenes stories from TV comedy. 33:46 Nev’s serendipitous first Doctor Who project, "Death Comes to Time." 39:23 The process and impact of "Death Comes to Time" explained. 46:31 Challenges and expectations of writing “big” stories in franchises. 52:18 Emphasizing medium-specific storytelling; novels, radio, TV all differ. 58:14 Enjoying creative surprises; writing unfolds beyond outlines or plans. Want more? Here are handy playlists with all my previous interviews with guests in writing, theatre, and Doctor Who. If you enjoyed our conversation, I hope you’ll share it with a friend. Check out the full show notes--with videos of Nev's work and links to his books—at fycuriosity.com, and connect with me and fellow creatives on Substack. Please leave a review for this episode—it’s really easy and will only take a minute, and it really helps me reach new listeners. Thanks! If you’re tired of waiting for “someday”—which is NOT a day of the week—to get unstuck and step toward your creative dream, we should talk. Https://fyc.quest/Contact

Hamstrung by the notion that you're not enough? This is the episode for you. I have two reasons why you're wrong in this short episode. If you're tired of feeling like you can't get out of your own way and want to FINALLY make some progress toward your creative dreams, let's talk! Want more tips? Check out all my previous Creative Pep Talks in this playlist! Could you leave a review? It's really easy, and it helps SO much. Thanks! If you'd like to stay up to date on things like my courses and also get podcast and event updates, and my latest musings, subscribe to The Spark!

Elle Jaye supports powerful and resilient working moms who want to put an end to the power struggles with their child, so they become a strong team instead of adversaries. The working moms realize they are women first, and mothering is another job they do. By disrupting this mindset, the women step into their power and resilience as an extension of their values and intent for their children. Elle joins me to talk about how she discovered her creative side in her 20s, how we normalize and pass on relationship and parenting patterns, how we can see adults as atrophied children rather than seeing children as mini adults, and more. Episode breakdown: 00:00 Introduction 04:24 Childhood curiosity suppressed, later recognized as problem-solving and questioning. 08:00 Creativity awakens through coloring and relaxing with children. 12:00 Daughters express creativity differently; family talents traced back generations. 16:26 Watching movies as family sparks deeper curiosity and connection. 20:10 Analyzing shows reveals generational patterns, manipulation, and emotional awareness gaps. 24:39 Parenting styles shaped by media; Cosby Show inspires new possibilities. 28:27 Realizing art and creativity were present through connection and escapism. 32:00 Family meetings on TV offered models for healthy communication. 36:41 Adults repeat childhood patterns unless they intentionally choose to change. 41:00 Children should not be seen as mini adults; generational shifts. 46:00 Letting go of control, discovering healthy ways to parent. 51:00 Play, fun, and creativity help shift negative energy and judgment. 56:00 Awareness of presence, connecting with nature improves perspective and creativity. Want more? Here are handy playlists with all my previous interviews. If you enjoyed our conversation, I hope you’ll share it with a friend. Check out the full show notes (now including transcripts!) at fycuriosity.com, and connect with me and fellow creatives on Substack. Please leave a review for this episode—it’s really easy and will only take a minute, and it really helps me reach new listeners. Thanks! If you’ve been tearing up when you encounter other people’s art because you’ve lost touch with your own creativity, we should talk.

In the wild, chaotic world of 2025, we tend to think we have to pay attention to EVERYTHING. Here's why you might want to challenge that belief. If you're ready to reconnect with your creativity, join me on July 24 and 31, 2025, at 1pm ET as I lead the Pink Lady Posse Power Hour in a gentle hour of reconnection and rediscovery of your creative spirit. It's free! Register here. You can attend one or both sessions, though the second will build on the first. Want more tips? Check out all my previous Creative Pep Talks in this playlist! Could you leave a review? It's really easy, and it helps SO much. Thanks! If you'd like to stay up to date on things like my courses and also get podcast and event updates, and my latest musings, subscribe to The Spark!

Actress and writer Lizzie Hopley was born in Liverpool and trained at RADA. As an actress, she has worked for the Royal Shakespeare Company and the Globe Theatre and recent screen work includes Black Doves and upcoming feature film Fackham Hall. As a writer, her radio sitcom Green won Pozzitive TV’s Funny Dot Comp 2021 and TV series Bloody Betty is currently in development. She has written and appeared in over 90 Big Finish audio adventures including Dark Shadows and Doctor Who, and her Doctor Who audio play The Curse of Lady Macbeth won the 2022 Scribe Award. Lizzie joins me to talk about how her childhood love of writing and acting became a vocation, auditioning for RADA—twice—and how she ended up continuing to write even as a drama student, how learning to think of acting and writing as having a target changed her work, and a whole lot more. Episode Breakdown: 00:00 Lizzie Hopley shares her creative childhood and love for books. 04:56 Acting out movie scenes alone sparked early passion for performance. 08:45 Family encouraged storytelling, costumes, and imagination at home. 13:11 Difficulties pursuing creative careers; importance of following passion. 17:33 University and RADA experiences shaped her acting and writing path. 22:24 Writing plays began due to lack of desired acting roles. 27:29 Rewriting and feedback are crucial for improving both crafts. 32:54 Learning to target audience while writing; acting versus writing focus. 37:22 Acting training emphasizes focusing on scene partner, not yourself. 43:48 Importance of editors and learning to kill your darlings. 48:21 Confidence and caring less about others’ opinions increases with age. 53:07 Acting and writing overlap at Big Finish; playing her own roles. 57:16 Big Finish’s community impact, creative freedom, and professional development. 01:02:18 Target books and early Doctor Who fandom as creative inspiration. 01:07:04 Embrace varied interests; open doors for yourself in creativity. Want more? Here are handy playlists with all my previous interviews with guests in writing, theatre, and Doctor Who. If you enjoyed our conversation, I hope you’ll share it with a friend. Check out the full show notes (now including transcripts!) at fycuriosity.com, and connect with me and fellow creatives on Substack. Please leave a review for this episode—it’s really easy and will only take a minute, and it really helps me reach new listeners. Thanks! If you’ve been tearing up when you encounter other people’s art because you’ve lost touch with your own, we should talk.

You've almost certainly heard the advice to "Fake it till you make it." It's good advice—some of the time. We don't talk about when it's best to avoid it, and that's what I'm talking about in this very short episode. I teach women how to reignite their lost creative spark. If you’ve been tearing up when you encounter other people’s art because you’ve lost touch with your own, let's talk. Want more tips? Check out all my previous Creative Pep Talks in this playlist! Could you leave a review? It's really easy, and it helps SO much. Thanks! If you'd like to stay up to date on things like my courses and also get podcast and event updates, and my latest musings, subscribe to The Spark!

Since her first published novel, Time of the Dark, in 1982, Barbara Hambly has touched most of the bases in genre fiction, including fantasy, science fiction, horror, media tie-ins, graphic novels, screenplays, murder mysteries, and Saturday morning cartoons. Her work has been nominated for numerous Locus Awards, and her novel Those Who Hunt the Night won for Best Horror Novel in 1989. She’s also an avid martial artist. Barbara joins me to talk about marital arts and how they influence her writing, how she plots her work, the joys of research, trying to choose her favorite genre, and more. Episode breakdown: 00:00 Introduction. 04:20 Learning new skills for writing adventure stories: research hands-on. 08:37 Creativity exists beyond making a living; people pursue passions. 12:21 Encouragement versus discouragement shapes creative confidence in childhood. 16:27 Teased for writing fanfic, Hambly stopped sharing at school. 20:59 Martial arts experience improves fight scenes and knowledge in writing. 24:13 Hands-on weapon training reveals challenges for historical accuracy. 28:37 Martial arts philosophy influences character development and approach to life. 32:08 Aikido teaches problem-solving—step aside from incoming challenges. 36:27 Hambly outlines her novels; prefers clear goals in stories. 40:08 Timelining and detailed research ensure realistic historical fiction. 44:53 Exploring world-building, food, and logistics in fantasy and sci-fi. 48:22 Hambly’s favorite projects: historical fiction, fantasy, and vampire series. 52:02 Writing across genres, balancing commercial market and creative joy. 55:24 Hambly’s creative journey spans genres, driven by passion. If you enjoyed our conversation, I hope you’ll share it with a friend. Check out the full show notes (now including transcripts!) at fycuriosity.com, and connect with me and fellow creatives on Substack. Please leave a review for this episode—it’s really easy and will only take a minute, and it really helps me reach new listeners. Thanks! If you’ve been tearing up when you encounter other people’s art because you’ve lost touch with your own, we should talk.

What do you tell yourself when things get hard? Here's a short take on a different perspective to help keep you on track. I teach women how to reignite their lost creative spark. If you’ve been tearing up when you encounter other people’s art because you’ve lost touch with your own, let's talk. Want more tips? Check out with all my previous Creative Pep Talks in this playlist! Could you leave a review? It's really easy, and it helps SO much. Thanks! If you'd like to stay up to date on things like my courses and also get podcast and event updates, and my latest musings, subscribe to The Spark!

Terise Lang is a certified life, health, and wellness coach with a lifelong interest in and love of all things creative. She joins me today for a wide-ranging discussion of the power of creativity, including the way she uses creativity in her work, how our creativity is so often socialized out of us in the name of more conformity, our tendency to define creativity too narrowly and then decide that we don’t have it, the hidden creativity in fields like software engineering and cooking, how managers unconsciously limit their staff’s creativity while trying to foster it, the impact of artificial intelligence on our creative lives, and more. Episode breakdown: 00:00 Introduction 04:21 Creativity gets socialized out, but it's dormant, not gone. 08:16 Everyone's unique perspective shapes creativity, even in simple family plays. 12:31 Start simply; creativity can revive with sketching, coloring, small experiments. 16:57 Software engineers, tech support, and problem-solving require creativity daily. 21:12 Recognize personal talents; downplaying strengths limits growth and joy. 25:24 Curiosity is essential—asking questions and exploring fuels creativity. 30:01 Coaching methods benefit from creativity; adapting routines yields effective results. 34:42 Tapping uses creativity; modifying it improves outcomes for clients. 38:56 Taking breaks, doing creative activities, and doodling refresh the mind. 44:14 Act your age debate; enjoying creativity is ageless and joyful. 48:13 Managers must encourage and credit staff creativity to boost morale. 52:47 Joy and growth flourish when creative self-expression is valued. 55:43 Society elevates machines, but AI can't replace human creativity. 01:00:42 AI uses resources, regurgitates information, can't replicate unique human writing. If you enjoyed our conversation, I hope you’ll share it with a friend. Check out the full show notes (now including transcripts!) at fycuriosity.com, and connect with me and fellow creatives on Substack. Please leave a review for this episode—it’s really easy and will only take a minute, and it really helps me reach new listeners. Thanks! If you’ve been tearing up when you encounter other people’s art because you’ve lost touch with your own, we should talk.

Over the years, I've come to the often frustrating conclusion that we know more than we think we do. I tell you why in this short episode. I teach women how to reignite their lost creative spark. If you’ve been tearing up when you encounter other people’s art because you’ve lost touch with your own, we should talk. Want more tips? Check out with all my previous Creative Pep Talks in this playist! Could you leave a review? It's really easy, and it helps SO much. Thanks! If you'd like to stay up to date on things like my courses and also get podcast and event updates, and my latest musings, subscribe to The Spark!

Writer, teacher, and humanitarian aid worker Alex Poppe joined me last year to talk about her journey from acting to teaching to writing, and how her experiences abroad influenced her journey. She returns to the show today to talk about her new memoir, Breakfast Wine, which chronicles her time teaching in Iraq. We also talk about what we each learned from living abroad at different ages and for different amounts of time, the special magic of teaching teens and young adults, and the way the arts teach us empathy and are a uniquely human way to give life meaning. Alex, who worked for USAID, also gives us a glimpse of the power of humanitarian aid around the world. Episode breakdown: 00:00 Introduction 04:18 Teaching international students changes perceptions about other cultures. 08:16 Political divisions and cultural nuances within Iraq explained. 12:26 Americans are insulated from ongoing events in Iraq. 16:09 Motivations for living abroad differ by age and situation. 20:47 Financial reasons and curiosity drive educators to work overseas. 24:39 The emotional impact of teaching youth in conflict regions. 28:14 Teachers and students mutually influence each other's lives deeply. 32:34 Adjusting to working with USAID and NGO environments. 36:00 Culture shock of returning to the US after years abroad. 40:26 Living abroad changes your outlook and maturity in many ways. 44:11 Encountering anti-American sentiment versus curiosity abroad. 48:09 The arts foster empathy and human connection in society. 52:28 Creative collaboration and failing exuberantly in brainstorming sessions. 56:01 The writing process of Breakfast Wine was messy and surprising. 01:03:34 Personal journey revealed through the writing process. If you enjoyed our conversation, I hope you’ll share it with a friend. Check out the full show notes (now including transcripts!) at fycuriosity.com, and connect with me and fellow creatives on Substack. Please leave a review for this episode—it’s really easy and will only take a minute, and it really helps me reach new listeners. Thanks! If you’ve been tearing up when you encounter other people’s art because you’ve lost touch with your own, we should talk.