In this episode, I chat with one of my favorite authors and creatives, Derek Sivers. We explored his unique body of work, the power of asking great questions, and why looking at life through the lens of "Useful Not True" can be transformative.

Derek is known for his clear thinking, thoughtful writing, and ability to challenge conventional ideas—this conversation was no exception.

In this episode, you’ll discover:

• The fascinating concept of “Useful Not True” and how it can change your life
• How Derek thinks about and selects his next creative project
• The role of muses and intuition in the creative process
• The value of journaling as a tool for personal and professional growth
• Insights on minimalism and how less can lead to more fulfillment
• Some of Derek’s favorite books and thought-provoking questions

This episode is packed with wisdom and practical insights to help you navigate your creative journey with more curiosity, clarity, and confidence.

Resources:

Derek's Now Page: https://sive.rs/now

Derek's List of Questions: https://sive.rs/u

Derek's List of Books: https://sive.rs/book

Derek's List of Tools: https://sive.rs/uses

📚Get a copy of Derek's book, Useful Not True: https://sive.rs/u

📚Get a copy of Derek's book, How to Live: https://amzn.to/4ctkprg

📚Get a copy of my book, Do What You Love: https://amzn.to/3QVSRQw

Poetry isn’t just for writers or artists—it’s for everyone. April is National Poetry Month, and in this episode, we explore how poetry can help you grow personally and professionally.

Poetry has the power to unlock emotions, reduce stress, and even make us better leaders. And at the end, I have a fun, creative challenge for you.

In this episode, you’ll discover:

• How poetry helps us process emotions and reduce stress
• The surprising connection between poetry and leadership
• How poetry strengthens communication and storytelling skills
• A simple way to incorporate poetry into your daily life
• A fun poetry challenge to spark your creativity

Join me in celebrating National Poetry Month and see how poetry can add meaning to your life.

In this episode, Kate is joined by Jeff Perlman, an entrepreneur, politician, and community advocate, for a conversation about his eclectic career path. From journalism and local politics to writing screenplays and championing the arts, Jeff shares how embracing new opportunities has shaped his creative life.

They dive into the power of saying ‘yes’ to unexpected opportunities, the intersection of creativity and community, and how inspiration can be found in everyday moments.

In this episode, you'll discover:

• Jeff’s journey through journalism, politics, business, and the arts
• The power of stepping outside your comfort zone
• Insights into local politics and community development
• The creative and collaborative process of playwriting
• Tips on sustaining a daily creative practice
• Why supporting local arts and culture matters

In this episode, we explore two powerful quotes from Rick Rubin’s book The Creative Act that inspire a fresh perspective on our creative process. The first quote focuses on the importance of creating without being attached to the outcome, allowing your work to evolve into its truest form. The second quote emphasizes the power of creating something bigger than yourself, whether it's to inspire, educate, or connect with others.

Key Takeaways:

• Let go of the outcome: Focus on the creative process instead of fixating on what the final result should look like. Allow your ideas to evolve freely.
• Create with a purpose: Your work may have a bigger impact than you realize, inspiring or educating others in ways you hadn’t anticipated.
• Embrace the journey, not just the destination: Whether your creative project succeeds or fails, each experience brings valuable lessons that help shape your future work.

Resources:

Free 77 Journaling Prompts to Get Focused and Inspire Action

In this episode, we're joined by fellow creative Angela Kumar to discuss her exciting creative journey. At 57, Angela has embraced everything from interior design and art history to poetry and social media influencing. Discover the power of curiosity, the importance of fostering creativity, and how creativity can serve as a therapy and antidote to life's challenges.

Takeaways:

• Creativity and curiosity are intertwined and essential for personal growth.
• It's never too late to explore new creative outlets.
• Self-doubt can hinder creativity, but deadlines can help push through it.
• Creativity is a muscle that needs to be exercised regularly.
• Creativity should not be seen as self-indulgent but as a necessity.
• The process of creating is more important than the end product.
• Exploring curiosity opens up new opportunities and experiences.

In this episode of Create For No Reason, we dive into a powerful quote often attributed to Leonardo da Vinci: "Art is never finished, only abandoned." Kate reflects on how this concept applies not only to creative work but also to our lives and personal growth. Are there dreams, ideas, or creative pursuits you've abandoned? It’s never too late to pick them back up.

Kate shares:

• What it means to be the artist of your life and how you're creating every day, even if it's not through traditional art forms.
• The importance of showing up for yourself, even when it's difficult, and not abandoning your passions.
• A personal story about how a year-long break from podcasting turned into a powerful return to what brings joy and purpose.
• How we often make excuses for not finishing what we start, and why it’s okay to come back to something after a break.

Key Takeaways:

• Embrace the idea that art (and life) is a continuous journey—what you’re working on doesn’t have to be “finished” to be meaningful.
• It’s never too late to pick up something you’ve abandoned. Whether it's a creative passion or a dream, you can always start again.
• Journaling prompt: Reflect on something in your life that you’ve abandoned and think about why it’s important to bring it back. What could your life look like if you re-engage with it?

If you’ve ever set aside a creative project or a dream, this episode is for you. It’s time to bring it back into your life, and Create For No Reason is here to inspire you to do just that.

In today’s episode of Create for No Reason, Kate Volman offers a thought-provoking journaling prompt to help overcome the fear of judgment and move closer to your dreams.

What would you try if you didn’t care what others thought?

Kate dives into the impact that fear of what others think can have on our ability to pursue our dreams. She explores how this fear often holds us back from launching our businesses, sharing our creative work, or taking the leap into something new. Through this episode, you’ll discover how to shift your mindset, embrace the discomfort, and take meaningful steps toward your goals.

Kate also reflects on the beauty of the process—how pursuing our dreams, even if we don’t reach the finish line, leads us to unexpected opportunities and new paths.

If you’ve been holding back from pursuing something big (or small), this episode is for you. It’s time to embrace the fear, push forward, and start creating the life you’ve always wanted.

Journaling Prompt:

What would you try if you didn’t care what others thought?

In this insightful and inspiring episode of Create For No Reason, we’re joined by poet and educator Joseph Fasano, who shares his journey through the world of writing and poetry. From diving deep into the emotional side of storytelling to offering practical advice for writers of all levels, Joseph explores how to craft poems that resonate with authenticity and power.

In this episode, you'll discover:

• How to overcome the fear that holds you back from writing
• The secret to creating poems that go beyond vagueness and resonate deeply with readers
• Tips for finding your unique voice and staying true to your craft
• Why silence and stillness might be your secret creative tools

Whether you're a writer, an aspiring poet, or just someone who appreciates beautiful art, this conversation will inspire you to dive deeper into your own creative practice and connect with your inner voice.

In today’s episode, we dive into a powerful quote from Robin Sharma: "Don't live the same year 75 times and call it a life." This thought-provoking statement invites us to reflect on how we approach our time, dreams, and personal growth. Kate shares how this quote has sparked deeper conversations with friends and clients, urging us to be intentional about creating new experiences and memories. We explore the importance of dreaming big, setting new goals, and infusing joy and wonder into our everyday lives. Whether you're feeling stuck or simply looking for creative inspiration, this episode will motivate you to take action and make this year truly different from the last. Get ready to journal, reflect, and, most importantly, start creating the life you’ve always dreamed of.

In this engaging episode of Create for No Reason, Kate reconnects with Raylen Davis, a fellow creator and friend, to explore the journey of content creation fueled by passion and authenticity.

They explore creating with purpose, not perfection, and the importance of creating content that resonates personally, not just following what the so-called "gurus" say will work. They highlight the value of writing and documenting ideas, overcoming perfectionism, and how to overcome self-limiting beliefs. Plus, they geek out over their shared strategy for more effective reading. It's a fun and inspiring conversation on maintaining the joy of creating and how it can inadvertently lead to authentic connection and business growth.

You'll discover:

• How to overcome perfectionism and create meaningful work
• How Raylen found his creative cadence (and you can, too)
• The power of creating daily to fuel your creative process