Follow Your Curiosity

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.

Here's a super-short story: something a friend said to me once that's stuck with me, and why I think it might help you keep some needed perspective on yourself and your creative efforts. 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!

Jocelyn Hastie spent 30 years as an accountant before the combination of a stage 4 cancer diagnosis and a sudden job loss forced a radical turn, leading her to work full-time with horses as a way to foster leadership skills and personal growth. She joins me to talk about why it’s not fair to judge accountancy as boring, how bad management and leadership happens (including her own realization that she was a bad manager), what we lose when we forget the lessons of the natural world and our roots in it, what we can learn from the animals around us—including horses—and more. Read about a lesson I learned from Jocelyn here. Episode breakdown: 00:00 Introduction 04:25 Family influence suppressed creativity; art rediscovered after cancer diagnosis. 08:32 Jocelyn reflects on common misconceptions about accounting creativity. 12:39 Accountants add value, not just boring number crunchers. 16:32 Jocelyn’s career choice influenced by her father and education. 20:06 Radical life change after cancer and job loss in 2016. 24:35 Horses revealed Jocelyn's management flaws; learned new leadership styles. 28:09 Importance of authenticity and boundaries, not pleasing everyone. 32:25 Animals and nature as teachers for leadership and mindfulness. 36:05 Jocelyn describes her non-riding retreats and somatic awareness. 40:34 Emphasizes intentional learning versus just-in-case learning. 44:05 Life shifts can come from crisis or noticing “little knocks.” 48:54 Childhood expectations shaped independence; cancer forced acceptance of help. 52:23 Lessons from herd dynamics and horses’ instinct to regain calm. 56:07 Gestalt coaching emphasizes honoring emotions and shaking off fear. 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's counterintuitive, but sometimes limitations are your best friend, especially when you're doing something creative. I explain why in this super-short episode. Listen to my conversation with Nick Morrison here. 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!

My guest today is Josh Mendoza, an award-winning filmmaker known for his post-apocalyptic feature film, What Still Remains. His debut novel, Shadow of the Eternal Watcher, which combines sci-if and film noir, was released in January. Josh joins me to talk about his start in creative writing and his move into film, the similarities and differences in writing fiction and film, the necessity of learning through failure, the democratization of creative pursuits like filmmaking, and more. Episode breakdown: 00:00 Introduction 04:42 Family support fuels persistence in creative pursuits. 08:51 Emphasizing positivity over negativity in sharing creative feedback. 13:40 Unexpected audience reactions highlight creators' limited control. 16:25 Importance of not focusing on negative reviews or criticism. 20:14 Film structure rules help shape and tighten storytelling in novels. 24:05 Editing and trimming elevate both novels and screenplays significantly. 28:14 Books become lasting physical achievements compared to shelved scripts. 32:07 Movie-making demands flexibility and compromise with real-world constraints. 36:02 Intellectual property’s role in getting projects greenlighted discussed. 39:56 Technology enables democratization, but creates challenges in standing out. 44:02 Bad creative work is necessary learning for improved future art. 48:13 Letting characters shape the story often leads to authenticity. 52:10 Duster Raines, Josh's protagonist, is both flawed and compelling. 55:38 Genre mashups and series building. 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.

Building on my conversation with Amber Petty last week: I look at how and why you should celebrate your accomplishments in this short episode. 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!

Amber Petty helps creatives get bylines and build audiences. She's written for the New York Times, Parade, Bustle, and others, and her clients have been published in outlets like the New Yorker, Washington Post, New York Times and many more. Amber talks with me about how she moved from teaching singing to teaching freelancing, how easy it is to downplay our accomplishments when we really should give ourselves credit for them, how to take feedback, and more. Episode breakdown: 00:00 Introduction 01:29 Amber switched from voice lessons to freelancing after job loss. 04:23 Created workshops for performers seeking side jobs during pandemic. 05:43 First freelance writing course launch led to quitting her job. 07:33 Freelance writing felt like an easier, better business fit. 08:32 Past failures helped narrow focus to what worked best. 10:23 If work always feels hard, something may be misaligned. 12:43 Take the easy road; hard will come anyway. 13:08 Writing doesn’t have to be endlessly difficult to succeed. 16:35 Feedback from editors is about publication needs, not personal. 21:35 Read feedback calmly; editors rarely mean or hate you. 24:37 Many creatives downplay paid accomplishments and published work. 30:06 Sending pitches and getting published takes courage and effort. 33:48 Freelancing’s satisfaction surprised amber, compared to acting career. 36:57 All career experiences contributed to teaching and coaching today. 38:18 Theater skills like public speaking helped with business webinars. 42:02 Quiet audiences don’t signal dislike—perceptions often mislead. 44:10 Assume options beyond “they hate me”—people may just be busy. 45:27 Improv’s yes-and mindset can help overcome self-doubt. 46:22 Problems aren’t permanent; things can change for the better. 47:06 Students found unexpected success—published, books pitched, media attention. 49:29 Some students freelance full time; others keep it as side work. 50:32 Amber created a musical webinar from a silly idea. 52:29 Perfectionism reappeared in singing, unlike writing, requiring self-kindness. 54:48 Goals for fun and engagement matter more than perfection. 57:12 High expectations distort satisfaction; audience just wants entertainment. 58:25 Perfectionism never vanishes, but panic time decreases with practice. 59:49 Giving yourself credit builds confidence, even in small steps. 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.

This might be the most functionally important pep talk ever—and you may even know it already! It bears repeating, though, and I tell you why in this super-short episode. 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!

Andrew Darlow is a New Jersey-based photographer, inventor, author, and digital workflow coach. For over 25 years he has helped people preserve, protect and back up their irreplaceable photos, videos and other digital files. His photography, tips and reviews have appeared in many publications and media outlets, including: People magazine, Animal Planet, Reader’s Digest and Professional Photographer Magazine. He is the author of four award-winning books, including his newest book: Focus and Filter. Andrew talks with me about what drew him to photography, what we lost and gained in the shift to digital photography, the improvements in phone cameras in recent years, how best to preserve your photos—and weed out the junk—and more. Episode breakdown: 00:00 Introduction 01:22 Creativity explored in childhood, grandparents encouraged art. 03:57 Transition from drawing on walls to discovering photography. 05:30 Fascination with darkroom photography and its magic. 07:00 Different methods in darkroom, use of contact printing. 10:00 Engagement with photography, schools in Washington D.C. 11:27 Shift from film to digital, instant access vs. patience. 14:41 Improvement in phone cameras, use for scanning documents. 15:59 Loss of thoughtful consideration with digital photography. 19:16 Exploration of aperture and shutter priority. 21:39 Impact of phone cameras on traditional photography. 23:44 Usefulness of phone photography courses. 24:25 Concept of the best camera being the one with you. 26:11 Ethical considerations in photography, respecting subjects. 28:06 Dangers of distractions, selfies, and phone use. 30:01 Tips for safely backing up digital images. 34:06 Managing and organizing digital photo collections. 38:12 Strategies for dealing with physical photo preservation. 40:27 Importance of online backup services like Backblaze. 43:39 Overview of local and cloud backup solutions. 47:31 Andrew's upcoming projects, including course platform. 51:19 Insight into unique, personalized photography prints. 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.

What's your truth? Do you know? You might not—we're often not taught how to tell what's true for us, and instead, we're told what should be true for us. So why should we care, and how do we find out? I'll give you some suggestions in this short episode. 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!

Amy L. Bernstein is a multi-genre novelist, award-winning journalist, speechwriter, playwright, poet, and nonfiction book coach. Her new book is Wrangling the Doubt Monster: Fighting Fears, Finding Inspiration. Amy teaches a variety of writing workshops and is a frequent guest on podcasts to discuss writing, publishing, and creativity. Amy joins me to talk about the difference between writing for hire and writing for yourself, the pros and cons of MFA programs, how deadlines can work for or against us, the universality of self-doubt and how it keeps us stuck, and a lot more. Episode breakdown: 00:00 Introduction 01:14 Creative childhood and family influence. 02:14 Societal expectations and practicality pressures. 06:13 Navigating challenging career paths and personal fulfillment. 09:44 Shift from writing for others to personal projects. 14:25 Distinction between work and personal writing. 18:29 Importance of passion and creative drive. 21:37 Challenges of balancing work and creative pursuits. 25:43 Creativity hindered by productivity culture. 26:58 Thinking as part of the creative process. 31:09 Using local settings in novels and plays. 33:03 Introduction to Wrangling the Doubt Monster. 36:17 Universal nature of self-doubt in creativity. 44:06 Utilizing deadlines in different contexts. 48:39 Self-criticism and perfectionism in creativity. 50:55 The impact of upbringing on creative work. 54:35 Amy’s current projects and book coaching. 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.

Sometimes we don't act on ideas because we're convinced we can't sustain them long-term. Here's why you should take a chance—and how taking the leap on creative pep talks worked out for me. 🎉 Spoiler: This is pep talk ONE HUNDRED!!! 🎉 Want more tips? Check out this playlist with all my previous Creative Pep Talks! 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 today is Wendi Gordon, a mental and spiritual health writer, speaker, and coach. Wendi writes for various digital media outlets, including her own “Changing Lives” newsletter, where she shares her mental and spiritual health struggles and the resources and practices that have helped her change her life to help others change theirs. Wendi talks with me about how she chose to become a pastor, the art of writing in a church environment, including having a weekly prompt and having to deliver the product to a live audience; how sermon writing has influenced her current writing; her surprise decision to move to Maui from Pennsylvania and why she moved to Texas; what she’s learned from spending time in nature, and a lot more. Episode breakdown: 00:00 Introduction to Wendi Gordon and her work in mental and spiritual health. 01:18 Wendi's early creative experiences and the influence of writing in her life. 02:42 The creativity involved in being a pastor and related social work. 03:56 Journey to becoming a pastor inspired by a mentor. 06:22 Life-changing move from Pennsylvania to Maui and experiences in Hawaii. 08:21 Return to pastoral work and the impact of the pandemic on her career. 10:45 Facing political and denominational challenges in the church. 14:37 Transition from pastoral work to freelance writing and coaching. 17:18 The process of writing sermons and the influence of the church lectionary. 20:16 Facing public speaking and feedback as a pastor. 22:53 Unexpected reactions to sermons and dealing with feedback. 25:49 The creative process in freelancing and article pitching. 28:32 Bringing personal struggles into writing and helping others. 32:04 Addressing mental and spiritual health. 36:41 The intertwining of mental health with societal and political realities. 39:17 Sharing personal experiences to connect and help others. 42:14 Deconstruction and leaving behind harmful religious beliefs. 44:13 Viewing creativity as a spiritual experience. 47:27 Influence of nature and photography on creativity. 51:20 Spiritual and collective experiences at Bruce Springsteen concerts. 54:11 Impact of travel and different cultures on creativity. 57:04 Digital detox and the importance of being present in nature. 58:44 Encouragement to engage with nature and stillness. 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.

Why should you start trusting yourself, and how do you start doing it more? I answer these questions in this super short episode. Want more tips? Check out this playlist with all my previous Creative Pep Talks! 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!

Jennae Cecelia is a best-selling author and poet known for her poetry books, Uncaged Wallflower, The Sun Will Rise and So Will We, and Healing for No One But Me. Her mission as an author is to comfort and encourage people. In addition to writing, she is focused on helping other authors learn how to successfully put their writing out into the world. Jennae joins me to talk about how she got her start with poetry, including her family’s reaction to the idea of poetry as a career; the unexpected experience of having a viral self-published poetry book; how she helps other authors master the art of self-publishing; what it’s like writing custom poetry for others, and more. Episode Breakdown: 00:00 Introduction 01:10 Jennae discusses her childhood imagination and family influences 03:55 Role models and seeing creativity as a realistic pursuit 05:16 Leaning into creativity after early publishing success 08:07 Family reactions to pursuing poetry as a career 10:49 Reflecting on misconceptions about job security and risks 13:39 Jennae's self-publishing strategies and viral book success 16:56 Building momentum with multiple books and Amazon rankings 20:36 The importance of poetry in paperback form 22:38 Impacts of viral success on her perspective and career 26:14 Jennae's writing process, journey from simplicity to detail 30:07 Finding readers through specificity in poetry 33:00 Advice for authors and importance of perseverance 37:34 Managing perfectionism in writing and publishing 40:49 Custom poetry projects and their meaningful connections 45:56 Emotional experiences writing for others, from weddings to memorials 49:12 Deciding to traditionally publish for broader reach and goals 55:09 Reflecting on the challenges and anticipation of traditional publishing 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.