Ollie Lewis Podcast: Recent Episodes
Ollie Lewis
Join Ollie and his girlfriend, designer and Studio Hot founder Nicole Cukier, for an honest conversation about the messy & exhilarating process of creating. Together, they share personal stories of hitting walls, pushing past resistance, and finding momentum while building businesses and producing podcasts. This episode dives deep into the psychology of creativity - why openness, sensitivity, and even discomfort can fuel your best work, and how resistance, self-doubt, and critics try to hold you back. Along the way, they explore ideas like Nietzsche’s Will to Power, the importance of childlike wonder and beginner’s mind, and the ongoing tension between art and commerce. Packed with practical strategies and encouraging insights, this conversation will help you overcome creative blocks, embrace vulnerability, and balance artistic passion with real-world demands - so you can bring your ideas to life.
Recorded on June 11, 2025
TIME STAMPS
(0:00) - Coming Up
(1:03) - Introduction
(2:14) - From Designer to Entrepreneur: Nicole’s Story
(8:55) - The Link Between Environment and Creative Ideas
(11:31) - Overcoming Internal and External Creative Blocks
(18:39) - The Truth About Creativity: Who Really Has It?
(23:32) - How to Tap Into Your Inner Drive To Create
(27:35) - How to Avoid Procrastination
(33:54) - Nicole’s Design Business: Studio Hot
(37:10) - The Creative Instinct and Nietzsche's Will To Power
(44:24) - Reclaiming Your Childlike Curiosity and Beginner Mentality
(50:21) - Why What You Consume Shapes What You Create
(54:28) - How Sensitivity Can Be a Creative Superpower
(1:00:58) - The Will to Power & Creative Journeys: Socrates + David Goggins
(1:09:49) - How to Push Through Resistance and Keep Going
(1:18:19) - How to Create Boldly Without Seeking Approval
(1:27:17) - When Creativity Meets Business: Finding Balance
(1:31:35) - How to Keep a Child’s Creativity Alive
(1:37:40) - Momentum Starts When You Begin - Start Now
(1:44:42) - Stop Overthinking, Start Making
(1:55:19) - Embrace Discomfort and Follow Your Heart
BOOKS USED TO CREATE THE EPISODE
- The Creative Act: A Way of Being: https://amzn.to/4725hzK
- The Artist's Way: https://amzn.to/4nZMeMo
- The War of Art: Break Through the Blocks and Win Your Inner Creative Battles: https://amzn.to/4gLwjPn
PODCAST LINKS
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ollielewispodcast
- TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ollielewispodcast
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@ollielewispodcast145
- Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7FYT6QkhkVlVBbzPc3B6XI
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ollielewispodcast/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ollie-lewis-864064315/
- X: https://x.com/OllieLewisPod
Ollie sits down with Pierre Boulliane for a thought-provoking exploration of the human psyche. Together, they unpack some of life’s deepest questions: What is consciousness, and what truly has it? How does the ego form and why does it so often control us? What role does the hidden “shadow” play in shaping our behavior? This conversation goes far beyond theory - it touches on the practical ways we can expand consciousness to improve wellbeing, confront and integrate our shadow, and learn to detach from the destructive side of the ego. Whether you’re curious about mindfulness, the roots of self-identity, or how to find peace, this episode is a deep dive into the inner forces that shape our lives.
Recorded on May 19, 2025
TIME STAMPS
(0:00) - Coming Up
(0:54) - Introduction
(4:37) - The Mystery of Consciousness: What Really Has It?
(11:26) - Why Consciousness May Hold the Key to Ethics
(13:41) - How Expanding Awareness Improves Your Life
(18:54) - Ego Explained: The Self You Think You Are
(23:44) - The Birth of Ego: How It Develops in Childhood
(26:39) - The Role Ego Plays in Daily Survival
(29:34) - Detach From the Destructive Forces of the Ego
(44:38) - Why Ego Always Wants More - How to Stop It
(57:55) - The Shadow Explained: The Dark Side of the Mind
(1:05:38) - Reintegrating the Parts of Yourself You Hide Away
(1:10:01) - Stop Overthinking and Start Accepting Yourself
(1:18:20) - How Solitude Helps You Discover the Real You
(1:28:51) - Exploring the Hidden Shadows Within Religion
(1:33:04) - Shadow Work 101: Exploring Your Hidden Self
(1:43:13) - Exploring Good, Evil, and the Voice Within
(1:49:48) - The Dance Between Ego and Shadow
(1:54:58) - Mindfulness as the Path to Inner Calm
BOOKS USED TO CREATE THE EPISODE
- A New Earth: Awakening to Your Life's Purpose: https://amzn.to/3IGmntM
- Other Minds: The Octopus, the Sea, and the Deep Origins of Consciousness: https://amzn.to/472D1wY
- The Power of Now: A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment: https://amzn.to/46LahaE
- Meeting the Shadow: The Hidden Power of the Dark Side of Human Nature: https://amzn.to/4pKpYHS
- Owning Your Own Shadow: Understanding the Dark Side of the Psyche: https://amzn.to/3KpZ1ZW
- The Laws of Human Nature: https://amzn.to/3ImZewt
- Projections: A Story of Human Emotions: https://amzn.to/42iD9Wr
- The Culture of Narcissism: American Life in An Age of Diminishing Expectations : https://amzn.to/4gN2nCl
- Waking Up: A Guide to Spirituality Without Religion: https://amzn.to/4nvY
PODCAST LINKS
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ollielewispodcast
- TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ollielewispodcast
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@ollielewispodcast145
- Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7FYT6QkhkVlVBbzPc3B6XI
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ollielewispodcast/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ollie-lewis-864064315/
- X: https://x.com/OllieLewisPod
Ollie sits down with Zach Louis-Seize to talk about building a business. Zach is the owner of Crowned Heart Visuals. They talk about the perks of starting a business, how to set up a solid foundation, being effective & efficient, how to differentiate your business from the competition, and much more!
Ollie sits down with Jennifer Horrocks & Kailey Lewis to talk about self regulation! Jennifer Horrocks is a Registered Early Childhood Educator and a Self Regulation Facilitator. They talk about how to improve your self control, how to manage stress, the stages of human development, and much more!
Ollie sits down with Nellie Vieira to talk about negotiating! Nellie is the CEO of True to the Core and an experienced negotiations coach. They talk about how to negotiate to get what you want, personality styles in conflict, avoiding manipulation, and much more!
Ollie sits down with Zach Louis-Seize & Justin Bourgeois to talk about Health & Wellness. They talk in detail about mental, physical, and spiritual health!
Ollie sits down with his good friend Zach Louis-Seize to talk about Social Media: the good, the bad, and the..... future!
Ollie sits down with Kailey Lewis & Sammy Lewis to talk about why you want to make money, how you can get rich, and much more!
Ollie sits down with Brad Beermann to talk about competition! They share stories about competition, talk about why people compete, and much more!
Ollie sits down with Kailey Lewis & Sammy Lewis to talk about philosophies for life! They discuss the value of philosophy, and share their most important life lessons!
Ollie sits down with Tejah Mae to talk about vulnerability! They talk about vulnerability vs weakness, the power of vulnerability, and much more!
Ollie sits down with Dr. Natalia Jaworska to talk about exercise and the brain! Dr. Jaworska is the Director of the Clinical Electrophysiology Laboratory at The Royal’s Institute of Mental Health Research. They talk about the beneficial effects that exercise can have on stress, anxiety, depression, learning, and much more!
Ollie sits down with Torin Macfadyen and Liam Macfadyen to talk about martial arts. They talk about Torin & Liam’s extensive history with martial arts, the psychology of fighting, the skills to be gained in training, and more!
Ollie sits down with his sister Kailey Lewis and cousins Amanda Lewis and Brennan Lewis to talk about family dynamics. They talk about family history, support, competition, and much more!
Ollie sits down with his Grandparents Ronald Lewis & Margaret Lewis to talk about relationships, religion, overcoming tough times, and some of their life stories!
Ollie sits down with Reed Adams to talk about lying! They talk about why people lie, and why it’s better to live an honest life. They bring up some personal situations in which they’ve dealt with lying and uncomfortable truths.
Ollie sits down with Kailey Lewis & Sammy Lewis to talk about the placebo effect and how our thoughts and emotions influence our physical health. They talk about how it’s difficult to change our well-established habits of thinking and behaving, but that it can be done! This conversation brings up many of the ideas from the book You Are the Placebo by Dr. Joe Dispenza!
Ollie sits down with Kailey Lewis to talk about effective communication skills! They discuss their own communication struggles and abilities, and how they could improve!
Ollie sits down with Kailey Lewis & Sammy Lewis to talk about the factors that drive people to work hard, the benefits of working hard, and how to manage your efforts!
Ollie sits down with Kailey Lewis & Sammy Lewis to talk about how to cultivate a calm and clear mind in this noisy world! They talk about many of the ideas from the book Stillness Is the Key by Ryan Holiday!
Ollie sits down with Kailey Lewis & Sammy Lewis to talk about overcoming internal resistances! They talk about many of the ideas from the book The War of Art by Steven Pressfield!
Ollie sits down with Shane Corrigan to talk about the pursuit of happiness! They talk about the ways in which they strive to live happier lives!
Ollie sits down with Chris Satterthwaite to talk about dealing with substance abuse. They talk about personal experiences with substance abuse and ways to overcome addictions!
Ollie sits down with Brad Beermann to talk about motivation! They talk about their personal experiences with motivation and ways to optimize motivation in your life!
Ollie sits down with Kailey Lewis & Sammy Lewis to talk about habits! They talk about many of the ideas from the book The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg!
Ollie sits down with Kailey Lewis & Sammy Lewis to talk about dealing with depression! They talk about many of the ideas from the book Lost Connections by Johann Hari!
Ollie sits down with Kailey Lewis & Sammy Lewis to talk about meditation & mindfulness! They talk about many of the ideas from the book Waking Up by Sam Harris!
Ollie sits down with Kailey Lewis & Sammy Lewis to talk about overcoming obstacles! They talk about many of the ideas from the book The Obstacle Is the Way by Ryan Holiday!
Ollie sits down with Kailey Lewis & Sammy Lewis to talk about finding meaning in life! They talk about many of the ideas from the book Man’s Search For Meaning by Viktor Frankl!