Creative Genius

WHAT WE TALK ABOUT -The importance of storytelling in all its various forms (including journaling) and how it is so much more than just words.  -The thing she would do to change about society (if she had a magic wand) -The quiet yet profound transformation she sees take place over and over again when people start to journal with the technique she developed [https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0514/8124/7898/files/rachel_phillips_quote_feather_480x480.png?v=1676311343] Heart journals course https://plantingmarigolds.teachable.com/p/heart-journal-course/ [https://plantingmarigolds.teachable.com/p/heart-journal-course/]

This episode is a special one. I sat down with the inspiring Roxanne Glaser—artist, educator, and creator of whimsical nature-inspired doodles—to talk about what it really means to live a creative life. We dive into some deeply personal and powerful topics, like how Roxanne used art to process profound grief after experiencing unimaginable loss and how her creative practice became a tool for healing and self-discovery. We talk about the challenges of having too many choices in creativity (I know I’ve felt that paralysis!) and how gentle self-discipline and limitations can actually set us free to create more authentically. This conversation is packed with takeaways about building a sustainable creative practice, embracing the seasons of your life, and creating art for yourself—not for external validation. I’ve also created something special for you to deepen the impact of this episode: the Creative Warrior Activation Sheet, a guided exercise to help you connect with your inner creative warrior and discover how to embrace your unique creative journey. It’s available exclusively for my Patreon supporters, and I can’t wait for you to try it out. What You’ll Walk Away With: How creativity can be a tool for healing, meditation, and self-expression. Why creativity is often born from struggle and necessity. The surprising freedom that comes with setting limitations in your creative practice. The importance of daily practices—no matter how small—and how they can transform your creative life. Why loss can be a powerful clarifier for what matters most in art and life. How to let go of perfectionism and start creating for yourself. Why creativity evolves with the seasons of your life and how to embrace that process. This episode is a beautiful reminder that we are all unique instruments in the creative process, and the magic happens when we honour that. If you’ve been feeling stuck creatively or wondering how to start building a practice that supports you through life’s challenges, I’ve created something special for you. It’s called the Creative Warrior Activation Worksheet [https://www.patreon.com/c/creativegeniuspodcast]—a simple, powerful guide to help you tap into your creative courage, quiet your inner critic, and embrace the joy of creating for yourself. This exclusive resource is available to all my Patreon members. Sign up today [https://www.patreon.com/c/creativegeniuspodcast] to access it and start building your Creative Warrior muscle—you’ve got this, and I’m here to cheer you on

In this first-ever Listener Lab episode, Kate sits down with listener Lindsey Thomas to reflect on Scott Erickson's episode [https://kateshepherdcreative.com/blogs/creative-genius-the-blog/ep-75-the-divine-voice-navigating-art-pain-and-purpose-with-scott-erickson?_pos=1&_sid=61df356f0&_ss=r] and explore creativity, vulnerability, and the ways art impacts personal growth. They dive into strategies for navigating transitions, managing negative beliefs, and using creativity as a tool for self-discovery. Lindsey and Kate discuss the importance of self-compassion, the haunting nature of unexpressed ideas, and how embracing stillness and surrender can lead to new insights. This conversation is a heartfelt journey through the highs and lows of the creative process, inspiring listeners to trust in their unique paths. Key Takeaways: Vulnerability and community engagement can create deep connections. Offering help can be a courageous response to self-doubt. Creativity can feel like a restless energy wanting to be expressed. Mantras and self-compassion are powerful tools in overcoming negative beliefs. Authenticity and trust in one’s own divine power are essential for personal growth. Become a guest! If you’d like to be a guest on a Listener Lab episode or share your thoughts on previous episodes, send me a voice memo via email! KateShepherdCreative@gmail.com [KateShepherdCreative@gmail.com] Thank you for joining us on this very first Listener Lab episode of The Creative Genius Podcast! I hope this conversation with Lindsey Thomas helped illuminate new perspectives on creativity, vulnerability, and the ways we can move through life with a bit more self-compassion and authenticity. Remember, the creative process is a journey, and you’re not alone in it. Whether you’re wrestling with self-doubt, feeling the restless energy of an idea, or just needing a reminder of your own worthiness, this community is here to support you. And don’t forget—The Creative Genius PodClub is launching in January! This is your chance to join a supportive, inspiring community to chat about episodes, share your ah-ha moments, and connect in real time. Head to the show notes on KateShepherdCreative.com [https://KateShepherdCreative.com] for more details, and be sure to send in your voice memos with thoughts, questions, and insights from past episodes. Who knows? Maybe you’ll be my next guest on Listener Lab! LISTENER LAB CHALLENGE This Week’s Challenge: Embrace Vulnerability in Creativity Inspired by Scott Erickson’s insights on vulnerability, here’s your Listener Lab Challenge for the week: 1. Identify a small creative project—it could be a quick sketch, a poem, a journal entry, or a little DIY. 2. Before you start, take a moment to reflect on any negative beliefs or self-doubt that come up around creating. Write these down, then set them aside. 3. Now, create with vulnerability. Aim to express an authentic feeling, thought, or experience, without worrying about the outcome or what anyone else might think. Share Your Experience: Send me a voice memo (or a message) sharing what this challenge brought up for you, any ah-ha moments you had, or realizations about vulnerability and creativity. I’d love to feature some of your insights on a future episode! Submit your voice memo via email kateshepherdcreative @ gmail.com [https://gmail.com]

Episode Summary: In this episode of The Creative Genius Podcast, Kate Shepherd speaks with Kwame Scruggs, the founder of Alchemy Inc., a nonprofit using the transformative power of mythology to inspire and uplift communities. Kwame shares his incredible journey, from working at Goodyear for 15 years while earning his degrees at night to founding Alchemy Inc. He highlights the wisdom we can gain from myths, including how they can help us identify the subconscious beliefs that may be holding us back. Kwame is life work revolves around the transformative power of mythology and creative expression.  Born and raised in Akron, Ohio. He started his career at Goodyear. Where he worked for 15 years at night while earning his M S in technical education with an emphasis on guidance and counseling. Because as you'll hear this man is somebody who really cares about others and has a passion for helping. His passion for helping others was always there, but it wasn't until he discovered the works of Carl Young. Joseph Campbell and Michael Meade. That he found his true purpose. In this episode, Kwame references the powerful myth of the Firebird, which inspired Kate to create a guided meditation [https://www.patreon.com/c/creativegeniuspodcast] that allows listeners to personally interact with mythology for self-reflection. This episode dives deep into how we can use ancient stories to uncover hidden aspects of ourselves, shift our perspectives, and step into the role of hero in our own lives. You’ll also learn about Kwame’s experiences working with high school dropouts and youth, as well as his work that was recognized by the Presidents Award  and his Ph.D. in Mythological Studies. His life’s work revolves around reminding people that myths hold transformative power to help us all grow and heal. If you feel like there’s a gap between your visions and your real-world results, this episode is for you. Kwame Scruggs shows us how myths can bridge that gap and help us uncover what’s holding us back. Key Topics Discussed: * Kwame’s journey from tire factory worker to Ph.D. and nonprofit founder * The myth of the Firebird and its transformative power * How to work with mythology to uncover subconscious beliefs * Kwame's impactful work with youth through Alchemy Inc. * Kate’s guided meditation inspired by the myth of the Firebird * The importance of showing up for your purpose, even when the road is long and winding Resources Mentioned: * Alchemy Inc. (Kwame’s nonprofit organization) * The Myth of the Firebird * Kate’s Guided Meditation & Reflection Packet on the Firebird * Kwame’s Recommended Readings: Carl Jung, Joseph Campbell, Michael Meade Take Action! If you’re intrigued by the idea of using myths for self-reflection, check out my guided Firebird meditation and reflection packet on my Patreon [https://open.spotify.com/show/204KqgQjfwx3LD3KHMsDcW]. You’ll also find a growing library of resources, including bonus episodes, guided meditations, and more, designed to support your creative journey.

Discovering Creativity: An Intimate Conversation with Scott Erickson What does it mean to live a creative life? Is creativity a talent, or is it an innate intelligence that we all possess? In this week’s episode of The Creative Genius Podcast, I had the pleasure of sitting down with the remarkable artist and storyteller, Scott Erickson, to explore these questions and so much more. Scott’s journey as an artist has been deeply influenced by his unique experience with aphantasia—a condition where one cannot visualize images in their mind’s eye—and he opens up about how this has shaped his creative expression. Together, we delve into the haunting nature of creativity, the role of pain in transforming life into art, and the importance of emotional intelligence in understanding the human experience. Scott’s reflections on gratitude, surrender, and navigating the inner voice will resonate with anyone who has ever struggled with self-doubt or felt overwhelmed by the weight of their creative aspirations. But more than that, this conversation serves as a gentle reminder that creativity is not a linear journey. It's messy, it's beautiful, and it’s deeply human. Scott’s raw honesty will inspire you to listen more closely to your inner voice and trust that, even in the chaos, there’s a path to something beautiful.