Libsyn Directory

155. The Power of Self-Portraiture - Nana Frimpong Oduro

Release Date: 07/16/2025

172. Is Money Your Friend or Your Worst Enemy? - Martine Severin

This is How We Create

What's your relationship with money? Is it your friend, your enemy, or something much more complicated? In this episode, I discuss a topic we all think about but rarely talk about: money. We'll explore the science of how money stress affects our creative brains and unpack the family stories that shape our financial habits. We’ll guide you through actionable steps and a few mindset shifts, including the powerful "Honey Money" concept, that have helped me build a healthier, more abundant relationship with my finances. This episode is for any creative who's ready to rewrite...

171. The Unavoidable Path of a Creative Soul - Diana Hendrix

This is How We Create

How do you find your creative voice when the world tries to quiet it? In this powerful episode, I sit down with artist Diana Hendrix, who shares her journey from Chicago's foster care system to carving a vibrant creative career. Diana reveals how to use your work to reshape a challenging world into something beautiful. We explore her path through a detour into law and how an unexpected health diagnosis ultimately forced a profound return to her artistic roots. This is an intimate story about resourcefulness, the power of encouragement, and how the most challenging course corrections can lead...

170. Why Your Clients Want a Discount (And Why You Do, Too) - Martine Severin

This is How We Create

Have you ever found yourself frustrated with a client who wants top-tier, champagne-level results on a beer budget? We've all been there. But what happens when you realize you do the exact same thing in your own life? We are digging into the messy, human psychology of why we all want more than we can sometimes afford. I explore the powerful "first impression effect" that sets our expectations and the tricky mental shortcuts we use that equate price with quality. I will share actionable steps for managing expectations, setting your "non-resentment rate," and protecting your creative...

169. The Unseen Gaze: Art, Technology, and Redefining Womanhood - Yannie Gu

This is How We Create

How do the roles we observe as children shape the art we create as adults? In this conversation, I connect with painter and curator Yannie Gu, whose creative vision was formed by the women in her life in Shanghai. Tune in to hear how Yannie leveraged the power of community to create an experimental pop-up gallery. Yannie offers a beautiful perspective on her use of color and the symbolism of flames in her work, creating a world where her characters are protected and powerful. This episode explores how our past, our passions, and our communities can intertwine to create a voice that is...

168. Are You Showing Up for Your Future Self? - Martine Severin

This is How We Create

In this solo episode, I'm sharing a tough-love truth that might sting a little. It all started during a recent hiring process, where I was struck by how many candidates showed up unprepared for a life-changing opportunity. It got me thinking: how often do we, as creatives, fail to do the basic work our dreams require? I’m digging into the idea of "permission to play" as the baseline preparation and knowledge that’s your ticket into the game. We’re not talking about perfection; rather, we’re focusing on honoring your future self with the simple act of showing up ready. We'll explore why...

167. Why This Lion King Star Says 'Happy Is a Swinging Pendulum.’ And Why That Matters for Creatives - Rashada Dawan

This is How We Create

Have you ever given yourself a deadline to make a dream come true? For singer and actress Rashada Dawan, that deadline was one year. After being laid off and with bills piling up, she made a 12-month commitment to pursue her art full-time before turning to a more “practical” career. Just days before she was set to take an exam to become a police offer, she received a life-altering phone call. In this episode, I sit down with the incredible Rashada Dawan to talk about her journey from Chicago church choirs to national stages. This is a story about faith, resilience, and the courage to...

166. Lessons From Our Creative Mentors - Martine Severin

This is How We Create

Have you ever been at a crossroads, wishing for that one piece of timely advice to light the way? Recently, a conversation with my nieces got me thinking about the incredible wisdom our guests have shared on this podcast. In this special episode, I'm doing things a little differently. I’ve gathered insights from three amazing creators: bestselling author Jasmine Guillory, photographer Amanda J. Cain, and muralist Dorian Sylvain who share the advice they wish they could give their younger selves. Get ready to hear hear tried-and-true tips on the writing process, the power of mentorship,...

165. Painting for a Paycheck vs. Painting for Self-Discovery - Gina Tyquiengco

This is How We Create

What happens when your creative process becomes a mirror, reflecting back the deepest parts of your identity? I sit down with abstract artist Gina Tyquiengco to discuss her winding creative path, from teaching herself graphic design to finding her voice as a painter. Gina explains how her signature black, white, and gold palette is a deliberate reflection of her Guamanian and African American heritage, duality, and spirituality. This is a powerful conversation about trusting the process and the joy of making art alongside your children. Chapters 00:00 - Introduction to Gina...

164. How to Secure Grants for Your Art - Martine Severin

This is How We Create

Have you ever felt like artist grants are just mysterious pots of money reserved for a select few? It’s a feeling so many of us in the creative world know all too well. In this episode, I’m pulling back the curtain on the world of grant funding to show you that it’s not about luck or secret connections. Being awarded a grant has everything to do with understanding the system. I’ll walk you through the essentials: what grants are, where to find the right opportunities for you, and how to strategically prepare yourself for success. If you're ready to stop throwing...

163. How to Build a Design Business with Structure and Soul - Beth Diana Smith

This is How We Create

Have you ever felt a divine nudge? Or maybe a full-on nudge that pushed you toward a life you didn’t plan for? In this episode, I’m talking with the incredible interior designer Beth Diana Smith, who made the courageous leap from a successful career in corporate finance to founding her own celebrated design firm. Beth shares the story of how she went from being the kid who organized her toybox and dreamed of becoming an accountant to a leading voice in contemporary design, known for her bold, eclectic, and maximalist style. We get into the pivotal moment of peace that led her to leave her...

More Episodes

A single moment changed everything for Ghanaian visual artist Nana Frimpong Oduro. It began with a quiet walk, a dying tree, and a gifted camera from a stranger. That moment led him away from architecture and toward a new life in photography.

In this episode, I sit down with Nana to explore how he built a career rooted in emotion, storytelling, and self-discovery. He shares how he creates powerful images without technical equipment. Instead, he relies on instinct, connection, and the people closest to him. His work is raw, painterly, and deeply human.

This conversation is for artists seeking clarity on their path. Nana’s story offers insight, encouragement, and a reminder that your creative voice is worth following. Listen in and reconnect with the reason you started creating in the first place.