162. Navigating Growth Without Losing Yourself - Martine Severin
Release Date: 08/14/2025
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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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,...
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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...
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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...
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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...
info_outlineHave you ever considered how success might change you? That as you grow, you might lose the very essence of what makes you, you?
In this solo episode, I share a story of a startling comment that made me confront my own evolution. We’ll explore the balance between evolving and losing yourself, between growing your craft and abandoning your voice. Join me for a conversation about change, authenticity, and embracing the magnificent artist you are destined to become.
Check out the full video on our YouTube channel!
https://youtu.be/DhHOizsG9Pw
Chapters
00:00 - A Story About Becoming
01:10 - A Car Ride and a Startling Question
03:00 - The Pressure to Change as an Artist
04:00 - The Real Question: Who Will You Become?
04:42 - Staying True Isn't Staying Still
05:30 - Your Roots Are Your Foundation
06:10 - Change is Natural, Like a River
06:30 - A Call to Your Own Magnificent Self
07:07 - Final Thoughts on My Own Evolution
Support the Show
Website: www.martineseverin.com
Follow on Instagram: @martine.severin | @thisishowwecreate_
Subscribe to the Newsletter: www.martineseverin.substack.com
This is How We Create is produced by Martine Severin. This episode was edited by Daniel Espinosa.
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