How to Be Creative: Recent Episodes
Kat O'Leary
How to Be Creative is a podcast about what it means to be creative across different disciplines, industries, life circumstances, and career structures. You’ll learn tips for fitting creativity into your daily life, and hear from a bunch of different people about how being creative has helped them reach goals, open doors, and live a more rewarding--or at least more interesting--life. I’m your host, Kat O’Leary, and I’m excited to introduce you to some of my favorite creatives, as well as the tools that help me get my most crucial work done.
On this episode, I walk through my daily affirmation writing process and how it helps me a) orient my mindset for the day and b) envision and work toward big-picture goals.
Resources mentioned on this episode:
- The Mantra Project
- Jamie Varon courses
- An affirmation resource I forgot to mention: I Am app
Change is hard. In this episode, I explore five ways to make it easier, and the resources that have helped me get more comfortable navigating change.
Discussed on this episode:
- The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle
- Loving What Is by Byron Katie
- The Work App
- The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron
- Mindset by Carol Dreck
- My Year of New project
In this episode, I talk about how developing consistent, daily habits has changed my life for the better. I cover:
- 6 tangible benefits I've seen from developing a habit practice
- The habits I do every day, + 2 habits I aspire to do daily
- The tools and resources I use to stay consistent and accountable
Resources mentioned in this episode:
- Way of Life: habit tracking
- Headspace: meditation (my link gets you a 30-day guest pass)
- Duolingo: language skills
- Jamie Varon courses
I'm back after a four-year hiatus! This is a short update on where I've been and how it's impacted my creative work.
This week I'm talking to writer, veteran, and tech professional Billy Peters about World War III, the concept of coming home when home doesn't fully exist, and what it means to be a writer with military experience who doesn't want to be a war writer.
This week, I'm talking with director Ivy Jelisavac about intrinsic motivation, creating structure to get things done, and building community online. For the past two years, Ivy's been my creative accountability partner, and I'm tremendously inspired by her grit, talent, and commitment to creating a better world--and film industry.
Today I'm chatting with Jennifer Wiese, founder of Workroom Social, about running a creative small business, authenticity, and the value of hobbies.
Discussed on this episode:
- Jen's upcoming Intro to Garment Sewing Intensive!
- Workroom Social website
- Workroom Social on YouTube
- Workroom Social on Instagram
- Workroom Social on Facebook
- Workroom Social on Twitter
- Workroom Social on Pinterest
- Claryville Jeans
- Saturday Morning Breakfast Cereal: 11 Lives
- In Praise of Mediocrity
- Stanford d.school
- Kat's social presence: Instagram | Twitter
- HTBC Instagram
Find a full episode transcript at https://howtobecreative.org/?p=267
In this solo episode, I talk about taking a break to recover after being in a creative rut.
Discussed on this episode:
- Rachel Syme on Twitter
- Goodreads
- Real Talk Radio with Nicole Antoinette
- Kat’s social presence: Instagram | Twitter
- HTBC Instagram
Today I'm chatting with psychotherapist and entrepreneur Kimberly Wilson about her journey as a multipassionate entrepreneur, getting things done while preserving your energy, and making space in your life for regular creative play.
Kimberly Wilson is a psychotherapist in private practice, serves as president of Pigs & Pugs Project, and designs eco-fashion line TranquiliT.
In 1999 she founded Tranquil Space —named among the top 25 yoga studios in the world by Travel + Leisure—and sold it to YogaWorks in 2017. She's penned a few lifestyle books catered to tranquility seekers and hosted a podcast since 2005.
Here's what we discussed on this episode:
- Kimberly's website
- Kimberly on Instagram
- TranquiliT | Instagram
- Pigs & Pugs Project | Instagram
- Tranquility du Jour Live (Sunday, January 5!)
- The E-Myth
- 12 Secrets of Highly Creative Women
- 12 Secrets of Highly Successful Women
- Saturday Morning Breakfast Cereal: 11 Lives
- Kat's social presence: Instagram | Twitter
- HTBC Instagram
Today I'm chatting with illustrator Shama Hussain about inspiration, her creative process, and discovering new creative pursuits as an adult.
Shama Hussain is a social media strategist and artist living in Manhattan. She currently works at IBM and has previously worked on social media for NBC, UN Women, New York Magazine, Keeping Up with the Kardashians, and the Obama White House. Outside of her day job, she is a self-taught illustrator and likes to create art that shares a story and a message. Shama is a native New Yorker and has lived around the world.
Links from this episode:
- Sketched by Shama on Instagram
- International Rescue Committee
- Chris Saunders Bob Marley sketch
- "God will give you..." sketch
- Tailor Made Shop
- Saturday Morning Breakfast Cereal: 11 Lives
- Kat's social presence: Instagram | Twitter
- HTBC Instagram
Today I'm chatting with writer Theodora Blanchfield about the role creative work has played in her mental health journey. In this candid conversation, Theodora shares what caring for her mental health has meant for her in the aftermath of her mother's death from cancer and while she's navigated other challenges including career changes and breakups.
Where to find Theodora:
- Instagram: @theodorable
- Twitter: @tblanchfield
- Blog: Preppy Runner
As always, you can find show notes, including a complete episode transcript and links to everything discussed today, at howtobecreative.org.
Today I'm talking with coach and writer Tiffany Han about incremental progress, making space, and saying yes to what you really want in life. As a participant in Tiffany's Raise Your Hand Say Yes Inner Circle, I'm so excited about this episode. I've gained so much from working with and getting to know Tiffany over the past year, and I'm thrilled to be able to share just a bit of her wisdom with you!
Links:
- Tiffany Han
- Raise Your Hand Say Yes Inner Circle
- Tiffany on social: Instagram @thetiffanyhan | Pinterest: thetiffanyhan
- Raise Your Hand Say Yes podcast on iTunes
- Kat's social presence: Instagram | Twitter
- HTBC Instagram
You can find show notes, including a complete episode transcript, at https://howtobecreative.org/?p=158
This week I'm talking about how tiny changes--taking a different route to work, stopping to notice your surroundings--can give you a fresh perspective. Can doing little things over time dramatically change your life? Spoiler alert: yes!
Here's what I discussed on this episode:
- Nicole Antoinette/Real Talk Radio
- Atlas Obscura
- Duolingo
- Atomic Habits
- Caveday
- Theodora Blanchfield/This May Be Oversharing... podcast
- Kat's social presence: Instagram | Twitter
- HTBC Instagram
You can find a full episode transcript at https://howtobecreative.org/?p=141
Today I'm talking with artist and activist Kimberly Enjoli about the intersection of art and activism, how to support activist movements beyond being out in the streets, and why art is even more necessary in a deeply troubled world.
Some of the organizations discussed on this episode:
- NYC Shut It Down: Twitter | Facebook
- Equality for Flatbush
- Peoples Power Assemblies
Where to find Kimberly:
- @groundwork_zine on Twitter
- @sugarwaterartdept on Instagram
To support Ramsey Orta:
Sign the letter of support of Ramsey Orta's release on parole
Send letters to Ramsey:
Ramsey Orta 16A4200
Collins Correctional Facility
Middle Road p.o. box 340
Collins, NY 14034
Must include his din # and your whole name and address on the envelope, or it may be sent back
Donate to Ramsey via PayPal at OfficialRamseyOrta@gmail.com (can also email with any questions)
You can find a full transcript of today's episode at https://howtobecreative.org/?p=148
On this episode, I talk about how to get started on your creative work: getting past excuses, making tradeoffs, setting boundaries, and finding a support network.
Here’s what I discussed on this episode:
- Business Christmas podcast
- Theodora Blanchfield/This May Be Oversharing… podcast
- Creative Mornings
- My accountability partner, Ivy Jelisavac | Twitter
- My social presence: Instagram | Twitter
- HTBC Instagram
You can find a full episode transcript at https://howtobecreative.org/2019/08/26/episode-1-getting-started/
Welcome to How to Be Creative, a podcast about what it means to be creative across different disciplines, industries, life circumstances, and career structures. You’ll learn tips for fitting creativity into your daily life, and hear from a bunch of different people about how being creative has helped them reach goals, open doors, and live a more rewarding--or at least more interesting--life.
Subscribe now to receive the first full episode when it drops on Monday, August 26.