Follow Your Curiosity

Sometimes life, and the world around us, gets to be too much. I hereby give you permission to take a break when that happens. Sign up for one of this month's Unconventional Inspiration Circles here, and invite a friend! Could you leave a review? It's really easy, and it helps SO much. Thanks! Want more tips? Check out this playlist with all my previous Creative Pep Talks!

Judith Turner-Yamamoto, an award-winning author hailing from a mill town in rural North Carolina, began her writing journey as an art historian, learning to appraise and describe what moved her. Her debut novel LOVING THE DEAD AND GONE, a Mariel Hemingway Book Club pick, is the 2023 Independent Publisher Book Awards Gold Medalist in Southern Regional Fiction and was shortlisted for the 2023 Eric Hoffer Book Awards Grand Prize and awarded an honorable mention in General Fiction. Her writing assignments have taken her all over the world and include interviews with luminaries such as Frank Gehry, Annie Leibovitz, Marcel Wanders, and Mary Chapin Carpenter. Judith talks with me about the importance of deciding who to listen to, how nothing is ever wasted, how revisiting your work over a period of decades brings new perspective to it, and more—we may even have figured out why some people are predisposed to be plotters and some fly by the seat of their pants. There’s a lot of wisdom here for writers in particular, but it certainly applies in other fields as well. Episode breakdown: 00:00 Introduction 04:10 Library books became salvation in my youth. 09:07 Analyzing art criticism and photography exhibition experiences. 10:48 Curated exhibitions, managed processes, positioned for director. 14:08 Psychic's advice led to successful PR career. 20:09 Structured writing involves quoting experts, evoking places. 23:03 Discovery: Plotters focus on plot, pantsers on journey. 25:35 Friend writes crime mystery, minimal world-building, character depth. 30:12 Patience in revising manuscript based on feedback. 33:12 New York Times: essential for writing inspiration. 35:23 Grieving and death shape personal and literary journey. 38:38 Reading challenge due to overthinking and editing. 43:10 Being selective and positive to avoid negativity. 44:49 Editor resists removing crucial elements from book. 47:50 Endure publishing industry rejection, stay true. Successful. 50:34 Praise for a book with unresolved plot. 55:14 Striving for perfection in book pitching process. 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. Want more? Here are handy playlists with all my previous interviews with guests in writing.

A lot of creative work happens in solitude, but it doesn't have to be that way. Community can be one of your greatest creative tools--I explain why in this short episode, and issue an invitation as well! Sign up for one of this month's Creative Community sessions here, and invite a friend! Could you leave a review? It's really easy, and it helps SO much. Thanks! Want more tips? Check out this playlist with all my previous Creative Pep Talks!

My guest this week is Steve Cole, a bestselling children’s author of more than 200 books. Those books cover many styles and children’s genres, with titles including the Astrosaurs and Young Bond ranges, Go to Sleep or I Let Loose the Leopard, and most recently, Drowning in my Bedroom. Steve is also the creative consultant for BBC Books' Doctor Who list, as well as project editing and writing titles. Steve and I talk about how TV influenced him as a child, beginning his career in editing, how he moved into writing—and how his editing background influences his writing—and more. Read this week's post, The World is Your Creative Fuel, here. Episode breakdown: 00:00 Introduction 01:56 Creative child, loved words, invented imaginative worlds. 05:24 Teacher encouraged imaginative storytelling. 07:39 Writing became unexpected career path. 10:43 Fascination with Incredible Hulk, from production to details. 15:05 Influential writer Enid Blyton's office and typewriter. 16:59 Published short poems on aliens in space. 22:35 Manage 22 novels, videos, audios, and more for BBC Doctor Who range. 25:18 Transitioned from editing to writing children's books. 29:53 Managing editor at Ladybird, facing challenges. 32:13 Writing books on various popular children's shows. 36:48 Pitch: "Star Trek with dinosaurs. Instant publisher interest." 40:21 Authors be clever, editors be wise. 41:57 Juggling edits for US and UK publishers. 47:38 Doctor Who authors now pursue other endeavors. 50:06 Editing for renowned authors was thrilling and intimidating. 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. Want more? Here are handy playlists with all my previous interviews with guests in Doctor Who and writing.

Too often, in our creative lives (and everywhere else), we think we have to go it alone. It's okay, though, to ask for help, and I tell you why in this short episode. Could you leave a review? It's really easy, and it helps SO much. Thanks! Want more tips? Check out this playlist with all my previous Creative Pep Talks! Read this week's post: Get in Trouble If you'd like to: Book a free 30-minute coaching call with me! Here's what we'll do:

My guest this week is Simon Guerrier, a writer and producer who has written numerous books related to Doctor Who, produced five documentaries for BBC radio, and more than 70 audio plays for Big Finish Productions, as well as comics and short stories. He also chairs the Books Committee for the Writers' Guild of Great Britain. Simon talks with me about how he got his start in writing and producing—including just what a producer does—the value of negotiating arrangements that work in everyone’s best interest, the impact of new tools like ChatGPT on creative careers and the creative process, his new book about television pioneer David Whitaker, and more. Read this week's article, on what Ella Fitzgerald can teach us on rolling with what life hands us, here. Want to Reignite Your Creative Spark? Contact me here. Episode breakdown: 00:00 Introduction 08:07 Simon arrived at university alone, connected with English tutor, talked sci-fi. 13:37 Received unexpected validation, leading to pursuing Doctor Who novel submission. 19:18 Advert to management led to diverse projects. 24:36 Producers oversee production, manage money, and ensure payments. 28:44 Beryl Vertue valued fair, lasting relationships over winning in negotiation. 37:09 AI has many uses, but may miss the point of creativity. 43:45 Negative atmosphere on Twitter overwhelms real conversations and connections. 49:49 Connecting with people on Twitter leads to opportunities and potential. 51:14 Choosing joy and creativity over anger and self-doubt. 01:00:41 Teaching and learning through doing and mentoring entry-level positions. 01:05:28 Fascination with AI in science fiction and cautionary tales. 01:08:25 Following the threads of the freelance life. 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! If you enjoyed our conversation, I hope you’ll share it with a friend. Want more? Here are handy playlists with all my previous interviews with guests in Doctor Who and writing.

This is one of the simplest tips, but one of the hardest to do, with ourselves most of all. Here's why we should give it a try anyway. Could you leave a review? It's really easy, and it helps SO much. Thanks! Want more tips? Check out this playlist with all my previous Creative Pep Talks! Read this week's post: Get in Trouble If you'd like to: Book a free 30-minute coaching call with me! Here's what we'll do:

My guest this week is Dominic Glynn, a prolific composer for film and television. Dominic got his start working on Doctor Who, and has provided music for titles as diverse as Red Dwarf and The Simpsons. Dominic tells me how his career began in the mid-80s as a self-taught musician, how incidental music works, what it’s like to write for an orchestra, and more. Read this week's article, on why you should make bad art, here. Want to Reignite Your Creative Spark? Contact me here. Episode breakdown: 00:00 Introduction. 04:55 Member of band transitioned to solo career. 06:25 In the 80s, got obsessed with affordable synthesizers. 10:22 Confidently sought job with Doctor Who in 1984. 13:24 Affordable technology enabled music production from home. 18:27 Editing music reel with time-coded leader tape. 22:00 Working on music synchronization for VHS episodes. 24:50 Luck played a part in minimal changes. 27:40 Excessive music in TV/films can ruin impact. 30:31 Music can enhance storytelling in low-budget productions. 32:41 Cartoon character's appearance affected by budget constraints. 35:50 Electronic music lover disappointed in orchestral shift. 41:31 Doctor Who's evolution from theater to cinema. 44:00 Creating music similar to popular soundtracks for music libraries. 45:29 Unexpectedly finding music in beloved TV shows. 51:06 Creating music that emulates the 50s-60s hits. 54:24 Composer entrusts scoring to orchestra, marvels at musicians' skill. 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. If you enjoyed our conversation, I hope you’ll share it with a friend. Want more? Here are handy playlists with all my previous interviews with guests in Doctor Who and music.

Last month, I invited you to give yourself Permission to Play. I had so much fun meeting some of you, and seeing what came out of those workshops, that I've decided to keep doing them. This month, I'm inviting you to get together with me to Make Bad Art. I know that sounds backwards, maybe even crazy, but I promise there's a method to my madness! In two minutes, I'm letting you behind the curtain on this "backwards" idea, and if that's not enough to convince you, you can read more about the power of making bad art here. Give yourself this powerful gift by joining us on Sunday, June 9 at 1pm New York time here. Or join us on Saturday, June 15 at 4pm New York time here. It's totally free, and you're welcome to bring a friend if you like (just have them register, too, so I have an accurate head count)! If you have any questions, please get in touch! See you there!

Every last one of us got through school, and probably work, by knowing the answers most—if not all—of the time. Is that actually necessary? NOPE. And it can even hinder your creative process. I'll tell you why in this short episode. Could you leave a review? It's really easy, and it helps SO much. Thanks! Want more tips? Check out this playlist with all my previous Creative Pep Talks! Read this week's post: What tech has taken from us, and how to get it back. If you'd like to: Book a free 30-minute coaching call with me! Here's what we'll do:

Ellen Kaplan is an actress, writer, and director, and professor emerita of acting and directing at Smith College. She performs and directs internationally, in places like Pakistan, China, Israel, Costa Rica, Argentina, and Puerto Rico, and she recently edited the new book Theater Responds to Social Trauma: Chasing the Demons. Ellen joins me to talk about her work in and out of the classroom, dealing with “the shoulds,” how easy it is to get in our own way, why we are each a culture unto ourselves, what we’ve each learned from our students, and more. Read this week's article, on how Apple accidentally told the truth about technology and creativity, here. Episode breakdown: 00:00 Introduction 03:15 Self-discovery through teaching experiences 08:42 Importance of humility, listening, and respect 12:27 Cultural differences observed while teaching ESL 18:15 Embracing individuality in students 22:30 Influence of "should" on decision-making 28:05 Pressure of being an expert vs. staying open to learning 34:14 Value of revision in the creative process 38:50 Saying yes in improv and life 44:35 Creating healing spaces through storytelling 48:52 Career serendipity and intrinsic experiences 54:18 Commodification's impact on creativity 58:23 Kitsugi and the beauty of imperfections 01:03:41 Ellen's work in conflict zones and peace efforts 01:09:56 Improvisational recalculating of identity and work Want to Reignite Your Creative Spark? Contact me here. 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 and in it, tell us about a time when you got in your own way. If you enjoyed our conversation, I hope you’ll share it with a friend. Want more? Here's a handy playlist with all my previous interviews with guests in theatre.

We're all told that we have to finish the things we start. But is that true? NOPE. I'll tell you why in this short episode. Could you leave a review? It's really easy, and it helps SO much. Thanks! Want more tips? Check out this playlist with all my previous Creative Pep Talks! Read this week's post: What tech has taken from us, and how to get it back. If you'd like to: Book a free 30-minute coaching call with me! Here's what we'll do:

I've been under the weather, so here's an interview worth revisiting. I'll be back next time with a brand-new conversation! Author Rahna Reiko Rizzuto wrote the way many of us do as a child and teen, but didn’t truly turn to writing until she discovered, at the age of 30, that her Japanese-American mother, and her family, had been stripped of everything and put in an internment camp during World War II. The book she produced in her quest to understand these events, Why She Left Us, won the National Book Award. Her two subsequent books, Hiroshima in the Morning and Shadow Child, continue to explore themes of war, race, and historical blindness. Reiko also teaches writing; we met when she became my first faculty advisor in the Goddard College MFA program in 2007. We talk about Reiko’s start as a writer, including that pivotal discovery and the quest to learn more, her time in Japan just before and after 9/11 as she sought to learn from survivors of the Hiroshima bombing—and how 9/11 changed their willingness to speak—and how she taught herself to write and teaches her students those same techniques. Episode breakdown: [00:00:00] Introduction [00:02:45] Family of writers encouraged reading, faced criticism. [00:10:50] Multiracial Hawaiian culture with loose boundaries. [00:15:19] Uncovering the family's history in the Japanese internment. [00:23:33] Discovering the art of crafting a book. [00:28:33] Learning from students' questions. [00:37:37] Writing to convey human consequences of historical events. [00:40:32] Nonfiction book about survivors of atomic bomb. [00:48:58] Passion for teaching and nurturing writers' stories. [00:56:07] Best job, supportive colleagues, successful publication. [01:03:09] Caregiving, love, loss, hoarding: a personal journey. [01:06:48] Open the portal, practice showing up. Please leave a review and in it, tell us about how discovering a part of your history changed you. Want more? Here are some handy playlists with all my previous interviews with guests in writing and publishing. Check out the show notes at fycuriosity.com, and join the conversation on Threads and BlueSky! If you'd like weekly updates, plus a chance to see where my curiosity is leading me, check out my new (free!) Substack newsletter.

When was the last time you let yourself play? Why are you holding yourself back? In less than four minutes, I'm sharing the biggest creative problem I see in the world, why it's so damn heartbreaking, and why I want to help you bust out of it--for free. (Hint: it's also a big part of why I started this podcast.) Give yourself permission to play on May 5 here. Or join us on May 11 here. It's totally free, and you're welcome to bring a friend if you like (just have them register, too, so I have an accurate head count)! See you there!

It's so easy to keep doing the same thing, or even to actively avoid taking the unknown path. The courageous option is usually the one with the bigger payoff, though. I look at the difference in this short episode. Join me for a free "Permission to Play" workshop on May 5, 2024 (repeated on May 11, 2024) at 1pm eastern! It’s easy for adults to forget that it’s okay to play, and that lack of play can keep us stuck! Join us for approximately 90 minutes so you can reconnect with your playful inner kid and feel your creative energy flowing again. Register: May 5 or May 11 Could you leave a review? It's really easy, and it helps SO much. Thanks! Want more tips? Check out this playlist with all my previous Creative Pep Talks! Read this week's poem, which is called One Step.

Domenic Sciortino is a creative powerhouse. By day, he’s a barber. Much of the rest of the time, he’s an artist, musician, and now, a talent buyer for a local entertainment venue in Pennsylvania. Dom was one of my first guests on the podcast, and I’m thrilled to have him back to talk about the intersection of art and commerce, with stops at creative courage (specifically, the courage to fail in and with a crowd), why you should always aim to please yourself first with your creative work (even if you want to sell it), the effects of ignoring our creative call, and just what happens behind the scenes of the performing arts—especially on the money side. If you missed Domenic's first episode, give it a listen! Read this week's article, which is a longer look at the potential perils of combining art and commerce. Check out my piece on lapsed creatives, too! Episode breakdown: 00:00 Introduction 1:04 Creating art in various forms, sometimes successful. 08:29 Billy Joel forgets lyrics, crowd sings instead. 11:23 Sudden insight into creative life force experience. 16:42 Passion leads to happiness and less spending. 24:28 Robots creating art due to cheaper labor. 31:19 Promo highlights importance of arts education. 37:08 Artists deserve better pay and more transparency. 40:05 National touring artist fees are usually non-negotiable. 43:22 Wilco: Warner pushed Americana band, Tweedy went ambient. 50:27 Scarcity and marketing. 53:56 Existence and purpose: the struggle is worthwhile. 59:26 Don't judge yourself by professional standards. 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 and in it, tell us about your experience with art and commerce. If you enjoyed our conversation, I hope you’ll share it with a friend. Want more? Here are some handy playlists with all my previous interviews with guests in music and visual arts.

One of the hardest things to do when we've created something is to leave room for other people to see it through their own lens. I share some thoughts on why it's a good idea to step back, and how to know which opinions are worth listening to, in this short episode. Could you leave a review? It's really easy, and it helps SO much. Thanks! Want more tips? Check out this playlist with all my previous Creative Pep Talks! Read this week's article, which is on Failure and Regret.

On January 3, 2019, I took a huge leap and launched the Follow Your Curiosity podcast. Five years later, to no one’s amazement as much as mine, I’m still going strong. I wanted to look back at what I’ve learned since 2019, so I asked my friend Domenic Sciortino, who interviewed me back then, to come back and do it again. Together, we look at how the show got started, what initially gave me the idea for a podcast, what curiosity is, who my “dream guest” might be, why you should start where you are, and more. Episode breakdown: 00:00 Amazed by 5-year podcast journey, started spontaneously. 06:34 Audio editing discovery: listen while doing tasks. 08:19 Podcasting with a full-time job. 12:41 To run ads, or not to run ads? 15:37 Curiosity is asking questions, being connected, wanting to know more. 19:51 Prepare questions but have a natural conversation. 20:56 Explore unexpected places in conversation, be flexible. 27:02 Embracing uncertainty. 29:36 Sometimes things just fall into place. 32:13 Go-to interview example of the podcast. 36:33 Emphasis on untold stories, expanding podcast. 38:02 Creating 1 on 1 program to reconnect creatively. 42:21 How a story about Sam Neill led to the podcast idea. 45:04 Choosing authenticity over conforming to others' expectations. 47:44 Overcoming doubts, starting small leads to success. I really would love to hear from you! The easiest way is to connect on Substack, but you can also drop me a note here, or on Instagram, Twitter, or BlueSky. 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 and in it, tell us about a time when you took a leap to try something new. If you enjoyed our conversation, I hope you’ll share it with a friend.

What happens when we let our creativity lapse? You may think there's no effect on us, but you'd be wrong. I explain in this short episode. Read my article on lapsed creativity here. If you recognize yourself here, I'd love to hear your story and learn from your experience. If you can spare 30 minutes, contact me and we'll set something up! Want more tips? Check out this playlist with all my previous Creative Pep Talks! Please leave a review, and in it, tell us about a creative dream of yours. Join my free creative community, The Spark! We celebrate each other's creative courage, and I'll be sharing programs for subscribers and listeners there in the coming months. https://fycuriosity.substack.com

Raquel Drosos started writing when she was five, and has rarely stopped. As a teenager, she wrote and published three young adult novels under her maiden name, Raquel George. Games of Chance is her first book for adults. She also blogs about parenting and the creative process. Raquel talks with me about the intersection between acting and writing, plotting vs. writing by the seat of your pants, the moment when your characters come to life in your head (which is not a sign of madness!), her next novel, and more. She also shares some excellent advice she got from her dad. Episode breakdown: 0:00 Intro 01:09 Parents not artists, but innately creative and supportive. 06:02 Writer surprised by interpretation of their play. 09:55 Supportive parents, writing struggles, novel characters reused. 15:38 Mix of planning and spontaneity in writing. 17:20 Two types of writers: plotters and pantsers. 23:09 Feeding creativity through exposure to art and music. 25:14 Observing people, sparking curiosity, fostering creativity. 27:14 3-year-old nephew's wild story about alligators. 33:00 Characters connect through accents, interviews essential for authenticity. 34:10 The sound of words matters to writing. 40:08 Intense family saga vs. immediate relationship novel. 42:54 Encouraged writer spans genres and age groups. 45:13 Describing book as mix of others important. 48:18 Novel: Parenthood, love, creativity, friendship, humor, advice. 51:51 Jotting down scenes and dialogue, then dedicated. 54:56 Character decides to go left, not right. 58:10 Trust your gut and follow your instincts. 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 and in it, tell us about a moment when your creative work came to life for you. If you enjoyed our conversation, I hope you’ll share it with a friend. Want more? Here's a handy playlist with all my previous interviews with guests in writing.