298. Following Curiosity and Craft: Nicole Leverett on Honoring Your Creative Process
Creative Chats with Mike Brennan
Release Date: 07/02/2025
328. The Power of the Pause (Live at The Thing Nashville)
Creative Chats with Mike Brennan
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327. Casey Elliott on BROTHERHOOD: A Cinematic Musical, Creative Balance, and the Power of Loving Your Neighbor
Creative Chats with Mike Brennan
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325. The Power of Creativity and Connection with Jim Morris
Creative Chats with Mike Brennan
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Unlocking Creativity by Honing Your Inner Voice with Natalie Hanemann
Creative Chats with Mike Brennan
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323. From History to Screen: Michael Russell Gunn’s Creative Approach to The Brink of War
Creative Chats with Mike Brennan
From History to Screen: Michael Russell Gunn’s Creative Approach to The Brink of War In this episode of Creative Chats, we sit down with Michael Russell Gunn, acclaimed screenwriter and director, for an inside look at the making of The Brink of War. Michael Russell Gunn pulls back the curtain on his creative process, blending historical accuracy with cinematic storytelling, and shares how real-life events continue to shape his work. Whether you’re a filmmaker, writer, or creative thinker, this conversation will inspire you to embrace your journey and seek out the power of story. 3 Key...
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322. The Courage to Leave: Adrienne Dorison on Creative Endings and New Beginnings
Creative Chats with Mike Brennan
322. The Courage to Leave: Adrienne Dorison on Creative Endings and New Beginnings In this episode of Creative Chats, we dive into the art of reinvention and leadership with Adrienne Dorison, Founder & CEO of Level 11 Leaders and co-creator of the transformative Clockwork framework. Adrienne Dorison opens up about navigating creative pivots, letting go of past successes, and building owner-independent businesses. Her powerful story and hard-won wisdom are a must-listen for anyone seeking to grow, reimagine their work, and pursue creative freedom. 3 Key Takeaways: 🎨 Redefining Creativity...
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321. Overcoming Creative Setbacks and Rejection
Creative Chats with Mike Brennan
321. Overcoming Creative Setbacks and Rejection In this solo episode of Creative Chats, host Mike Brennan shares a candid look into the realities of the creative journey. Drawing from a month filled with rain-soaked events, rejection letters, and introspection, Mike offers hard-earned wisdom on what to do when creative opportunities don’t go your way. This episode is an honest companion for artists, makers, and creative thinkers who seek encouragement and practical advice for navigating rejection and creative ruts. 3 Key Takeaways: 🎨 Love the Process – Sustainable creativity isn’t...
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320. Tom Provost on Young Washington, Writing, and Servant Leadership
Creative Chats with Mike Brennan
320. Tom Provost on Young Washington, Writing, and Servant Leadership In this episode of Creative Chats, Mike Brennan sits down with screenwriter, filmmaker, teacher, and creative storyteller Tom Provost for a conversation about his journey through film, writing, teaching, and the making of Tom shares the childhood experiences that sparked his love of stories, the long road of perseverance in Hollywood, and how his creative life has evolved in unexpected but deeply meaningful ways. 3 Key Takeaways for Creatives and Storytellers: Embrace Unexpected Paths: Tom Provost encouraged staying...
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319. Cuffy and the Power of Letting Go
Creative Chats with Mike Brennan
319. Cuffy and the Power of Letting Go In this episode of Creative Chats, Mike Brennan shares a personal story about bowling, his playful alter ego “Cuffy,” and the surprising power of loosening control. What begins as a funny family memory becomes a deeper reflection on perfectionism, creativity, and the freedom that comes from showing up with more joy and less pressure.Mike explains how trying too hard often creates tension, frustration, and disappointing results—whether in bowling, pickleball, drawing, or creative work. He encourages listeners to stop white-knuckling their way...
info_outline298. 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 commercial success.
3 Key Takeaways:
🎨 Nurture Your Curiosity – Nicole shares how exploring multiple creative outlets, from calligraphy and jewelry-making to digital art and photography, helped her discover her unique voice. Embrace experimentation and allow yourself to follow where curiosity leads.
🎨 Balance Passion and Profit – Monetizing creative skills can sometimes drain the joy from a craft. Nicole’s journey is a testament to the importance of protecting your passion projects, being selective with client work, and keeping creativity meaningful.
🎨 Share the Process – Nicole emphasizes the importance of transparency and community, freely sharing her artistic process and encouraging others to demystify creativity. By sharing behind-the-scenes, she invites others into the journey and nurtures collective growth.
Links and Resources:
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Nicole’s Website: staynfocus.com https://staynfocus.com
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Educational Resources: infocuslearning.com (for mentorship, digital and physical e-books, online education, and more)
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Social Media: @staynfocusimages on Instagram, TikTok, and Threads
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Daily Creative Habit Community: dailycreativehabit.com - https://dailycreativehabit.com
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Thank you for listening, now go create something amazing!