302. From Music to Movies: Steve Taylor’s Creative Adventures and the Making of Sketch the Movie
Creative Chats podcast
302. From Music to Movies: Steve Taylor’s Creative Adventures and the Making of Sketch the Movie In this episode of Creative Chats, Mike Brennan interviews Steve Taylor, a multifaceted artist known for his work in music and film. They discuss Taylor's creative journey, influences, and the making of his latest film, Sketch. The conversation delves into the challenges of filmmaking, the importance of mental health themes in storytelling, and the collaborative nature of creative projects. Taylor shares insights on staying true to artistic integrity while navigating production challenges and the...
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301. Turning Up Your Hue: Authenticity in Art, Life, and Business
Creative Chats podcast
301. Turning Up Your Hue: Authenticity in Art, Life, and Business In this engaging talk from The Thing Nashville 2025, Mike Brennan explores the themes of creativity, authenticity, and personal expression through the metaphor of color. He emphasizes the importance of embracing one's essence and showing up authentically in the world. By sharing personal anecdotes and insights, he encourages listeners to prioritize resonance over reach, fostering deeper connections with others. The conversation culminates in a manifesto that inspires individuals to recognize and carry their unique colors into...
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300. Building Creative Magic with Simon Rogers: Mission, Meaning, and Making an Impact
Creative Chats podcast
300. Building Creative Magic with Simon Rogers: Mission, Meaning, and Making an Impact In this episode of Creative Chats, Mike Brennan speaks with Simon Rogers, founder of A Little Better Co., about the essence of creativity, his evolution in professional life, and the importance of aligning creativity with personal values. They discuss the challenges creatives face in a tech-driven world, the role of curiosity, and the responsibility of creatives to use their power for good. Simon emphasizes the need for mission-driven creativity and the joy found in the creative process, encouraging...
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299. Breaking Procrastination and Boosting Creativity with Robin J. Emdon
Creative Chats podcast
299. Breaking Procrastination and Boosting Creativity with Robin J. Emdon In this episode of Creative Chats, host Mike Brennan speaks with Robin J. Emdon about creativity, procrastination, and productivity. They explore Robin's early influences in the arts, the importance of thinking time, and strategies for overcoming procrastination. Robin shares insights from his book on understanding procrastination, the role of passion and purpose in achieving goals, and the significance of accountability in personal growth. The conversation emphasizes the need for self-actualization and the importance of...
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298. Following Curiosity and Craft: Nicole Leverett on Honoring Your Creative Process
Creative Chats podcast
298. Following Curiosity and Craft: Nicole Leverett on Honoring Your Creative Process In this episode of Creative Chats, Mike Brennan speaks with Nicole Leverett about her creative journey, exploring her childhood influences, the evolution of her artistic pursuits, and the balance between passion and monetization in creative work. Nicole shares her experiences with photography, graphic design, and the importance of empowering others in their creative endeavors. The conversation highlights the significance of personal projects, technical skills, and the joy of creating without the pressure of...
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297. Unlocking Your Creative Potential: The Power of Books
Creative Chats podcast
297. Unlocking Your Creative Potential: The Power of Books In this episode, Mike Brennan discusses the creative process and the journey of writing and publishing books. He emphasizes the importance of creativity in everyone's life and explores various formats for creative expression, particularly through books. Mike shares his personal experiences with creating multiple books, including 'Dear Snow', 'Dear Human', and 'Make Fun a Habit', detailing the inspiration behind each project and the self-publishing process. He encourages listeners to embrace their creativity and consider writing their...
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296. Finding Your Creative Purpose with Judith Hill
Creative Chats podcast
296. Finding Your Creative Purpose with Judith Hill In this episode of Creative Chats, Judith Hill shares her journey to becoming a successful portrait photographer. She discusses the importance of community, facing fears, and the pivotal moments that led her to pursue her passion full-time. Judith emphasizes the significance of purpose in creative work and how passion projects can reignite momentum. She also highlights the need for connection and support in the creative industry, encouraging others to bet on themselves and follow their dreams. Judith Hill is a Nashville-based portrait...
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295. A Story of Letting Go
Creative Chats podcast
295. A Story of Letting Go In this episode of Creative Chats, Mike Brennan shares his journey of writing his new book 'Blue', a story about letting go and transformation. He discusses the emotional challenges he faced while writing, the importance of authenticity in creative work, and encourages listeners to create meaningful projects that resonate with their personal experiences. Top Three Key Takeaways Creativity as a Tool for Processing Pain and Growth Mike opens up about how his latest book was inspired by a difficult personal experience. He emphasizes that creativity can be a...
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294. From Fear to Action: Building Daily Creative Habits That Move You Forward
Creative Chats podcast
294. From Fear to Action: Building Daily Creative Habits That Move You Forward In this episode of Creative Chats, Mike Brennan explores the relationship between fear and creativity. He discusses how fear can hinder our creative processes and shares personal stories that illustrate the impact of fear on decision-making. Through actionable insights, he encourages listeners to confront their fears, take small steps towards their goals, and embrace imperfection in their creative endeavors. The conversation emphasizes that fear should be viewed as a signal to pay attention to rather than a stop...
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293. Writing for Impact: Shazad Carbaidwala on Creativity and Helping Others
Creative Chats podcast
293. Writing for Impact: Shazad Carbaidwala on Creativity and Helping Others In this episode of Creative Chats, Mike Brennan interviews Shazad Carbaidwala, who shares his journey from a childhood filled with creativity and athletics to becoming an author and mentor. Shazad discusses the importance of personal branding, the role of mentorship in his life, and the challenges he faced while writing his books. He emphasizes the impact of his work on others, particularly through his recent children's book, and reflects on his aspirations to continue helping people through his experiences and...
info_outline284. Lessons in Creativity with Ben Rennie
In this episode of Creative Chats, Ben Rennie shares his journey from a sports-focused upbringing to discovering his creative confidence through nature and personal experiences. He discusses the importance of saying no to opportunities that don't align with one's values, the significance of being present in influential spaces, and the lessons learned from his book, 'Lessons in Creativity.' Ben emphasizes the power of self-discovery and the impact of personal choices on one's creative journey. In this conversation, Ben Rennie discusses the importance of creative confidence, curiosity, and personal growth. He shares insights from his journey of redefining success and the role of nature in fostering creativity. The discussion emphasizes the significance of identity beyond skills and the power of connection and curiosity in the creative process.
3 Key Takeaways:
🎨 The Power of 'No' - Ben emphasizes the importance of saying no to opportunities that do not align with your core values, even if they seem profitable. He shares how this has helped him shape a business that truly reflects his beliefs and goals.
🎨 Evolving Identity - The discussion highlights how creative confidence is pivotal in developing a unique identity, which can drastically change as we grow. Ben shares personal stories about his shift from sports to design, underlining that our careers or passions might take unexpected turns.
🎨 Nature as a Catalyst - Ben and Mike discuss how nature can be an incredible source for recalibration and inspiration. Spending time in nature helped Ben redefine his values and the direction of his business.
Episode Highlights:
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[00:04:23] - Ben describes how his creative journey began later than most, finding his inspiration in nature and long road trips with his mother.
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[00:20:02] - Ben reveals how his mother's passing spurred him to write his book, "Lessons in Creativity," exploring his journey of self-discovery.
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[00:34:36] - Ben shares the decision to take his family on a nature-centered journey to reimagine his business, sacrificing stability for personal growth and exploration.
Links and Resources:
- Lessons in Creativity book - https://amzn.to/4bYf1fk
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Daily Creative Habit Website - http://dailycreativehabit.com
Feeling inspired?
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