Create or Die with Marek Hosek

In this episode of Create or Die, host Marek Hosek explores how creativity can be a powerful engine for environmental advocacy with guest Caroline Bray. A dedicated volunteer coach for Drive Electric Colorado, Caroline has transformed her passion for electric vehicles (EVs) into a creative mission to prove that anyone can "EV anywhere". From her roots in a nature-focused Waldorf education to her current work as a digital content creator, Caroline shares how she uses film, social media, and personal branding to debunk EV myths and "vote with her money" for a sustainable future. Join us for a deep dive into the intersection of technology and creativity, the value of small wins, and what it truly means to build a better world for the next generation.
Show Description Talking Points

• The "EV Anywhere" Mission: Caroline explains her work with Drive Electric Colorado, focusing on road trips and car shows to prove that EVs are viable for all types of travel.
  
• Voting with Your Money: A discussion on how purchasing decisions, like choosing an EV over a gas-powered car, act as a vote for the kind of future you want for the next generation.
  
• Creative Advocacy via Social Media: Caroline shares her journey of creating daily video content to build a brand and engage her community, highlighting the importance of "learning by doing".
  
• Waldorf Education & Early Creativity: How attending the Denver Waldorf School shaped Caroline's creative thinking and approach to problem-solving from a young age.
  
• The Inspiration of Environmental Film: The impact of the Colorado Environmental Film Festival on Caroline's work and her interest in regenerative farming and sustainable living.
  

Main Takeaways

• Personal Passion as a Creative Engine: Caroline demonstrates that creativity isn't just about traditional art; it's a tool used to push for causes you believe in, such as environmental sustainability.
  
• The Power of Small Wins: Success doesn't always have to be a major milestone; it can be found in the daily discipline of creating content and having small, impactful conversations with others.
  
• Sustainability is a Lifestyle: From driving EVs to visiting "earthships" in New Mexico, Caroline emphasizes that living creatively involves finding innovative ways to reduce our environmental footprint.
  

Ipassgas.org

https://www.youtube.com/@carolinebray82

https://www.instagram.com/caroline_and_blazerev/

In this episode of Create or Die, I sit down with Kyle Eustice, a seasoned music journalist whose career has been defined by a deep-seated passion for preserving hip-hop history. From her early days finding her voice through writing to becoming a trusted insider in the music industry, Kyle shares the pivotal moments that shaped her path. We discuss her life-altering health crisis and commitment to sobriety that brought her creative mission into sharp focus, the "miraculous" nature of her career, and how a mindset of gratitude allows her to navigate the high-pressure world of major events like the Grammys.

Key Takeaways

• The Power of Encouragement: Kyle traces her writing roots back to childhood praise from her parents and later, a high school teacher who recognized her talent and pushed her to pursue journalism.
  
• Sobriety as a Creative Catalyst: A major health crisis in 2006 led Kyle to stop drinking, a turning point she describes as a "miracle" that allowed her to fully focus on building her successful career.
  
• Authentic Storytelling: Her primary motivation is capturing the honest stories of hip-hop’s "architects and pioneers," ensuring their legacy is preserved on record forever.
  
• Overcoming Industry Doubts: Starting out, Kyle faced skepticism for being a white woman writing about hip-hop, which required her to develop "thick skin" and maintain confidence in her work.
  
• Gratitude as a Daily Practice: Kyle emphasizes that maintaining a sense of gratitude and focus helps her handle the intense pressure of the music industry and stay inspired.
  

The Intersection of Creativity

• Creativity as Documentation: For Kyle, creativity is not just about writing; it is the act of preserving a culture. She sees her work as a mission to give credit to those who built hip-hop, documenting hundreds of hours of conversations to capture the essence of the root culture.
  
• The "Learning by Doing" Approach: Her creative journey took a practical turn in Santa Fe, where she began throwing her own hip-hop shows because the local scene was lacking what she wanted to see. This proactive approach eventually led her career to "take off".
  
• Running as Meditation: Kyle views her daily running habit as a creative tool for focus. She describes it as a form of meditation that brings her back to her breath and helps her manage a fast-paced "ADD" mindset.
  

Reflective Traditions: She maintains a creative tradition of listing her top interviews of the

year every New Year’s Eve, allowing her to reflect on her accomplishments and the "pinch-me" moments of her career.

Follow Kyle:

https://www.instagram.com/therealkyleeustice/

Artist, teacher, and printmaker Hague Williams joins me for an inspiring deep dive into his creative journey—from a childhood marked by constant moves and collecting objects for a sense of place, to discovering art through early sketching.

We explore his time at Black Mountain College and the influence of legends like John Cage, Robert Rauschenberg, and Jasper Johns. Hague shares pivotal moments in his life, including a six-month backpacking trip that became five years living in Europe, earning his MFA from the Art Institute of Chicago, and a chance encounter with a rock in Victor’s Waysculpture garden in Ireland—etched with the words “Create or Die.”

This episode touches on the transformative power of art, meditation as a daily creative ritual, and how artists like Bill Viola evoke deep emotional resonance. We talk about how teaching is not just something Hague does—it’s how he grows. He learns from his students as much as they learn from him, often creating art alongside them during the day. For Hague, teaching and making are inseparable.

He reminds us to stay open to life’s unfolding, saying, “How can you expect the unexpected if you expect?” and “Making plans makes God laugh.” For him, life is something to be traveled through, not tightly mapped.

It’s a conversation about how creativity helps us record what we feel—and how it might just change the world.

Find Hague:

https://www.haguewilliams.com

https://www.instagram.com/haguewilliams/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/hague-williams-77436736/

In this episode, we dive into the transformative power of art therapy with abstract expressionist Michael Norsk, an artist who bets everything on the connection between creativity and mental health. Michael has developed a unique daily scripting practice—one that fosters emotional clarity, self-awareness, and balance. His 'life creative script' allows him to stay present, focus on what matters most—his family and support system—and navigate life with intention.

For Michael, painting isn’t just an artistic pursuit; it’s a therapeutic outlet that provides structure and relief in an often chaotic world. Together, we explore the ways art therapy can help manage mental health through practical tools like:

• Sleep
• Daily check-ins
• Medication management
• Creative outlets
• Exercise & meditation
• Cold/hot exposure
• Building a strong support system

If you’ve ever considered how art therapy could impact your daily life, this episode is packed with valuable insights and actionable knowledge to support anyone struggling with mental health.

Connect with Michael Knorsk: https://michaelanorsk.com"**

Join me as I sit down with my long-time friend and collaborator, Sebastian Kowalski—a freelance photographer and journalist whose lens captures the heart of nature, culture, and humanity. Sebastian’s portfolio spans breathtaking landscapes and vibrant communities across Brazil, Costa Rica, Egypt, Morocco, Greece, Jamaica, Poland, and beyond. Together, we’ve worked on several meaningful projects, including the impactful “Art For Health” initiative.

In this inspiring conversation, we explore:

Buckle up for a thought-provoking journey through stories, insights, and moments that celebrate creativity and exploration.

Discover Sebastian’s work:
Instagram
Website
Photography Instagram
LinkedIn

In this episode, I sit down with the inspirational Janice Ferrante, Founder and Creative Director of Oblique Design. Join us as we explore the transformative power of travel and how living in twelve countries over twelve months can fuel creativity in unexpected ways. Janice shares her incredible journey—from leading teams of up to 15 employees to traveling the globe and working solo on awe-inspiring creative projects.

With a career rooted in NYC and NJ, Janice honed her expertise as a Senior Art Director for global brands like Sony, HBO, Pfizer, Nickelodeon, Fox News, Ricola, PSE&G, and AT&T. Now, as a lifelong learner and avid traveler, she seamlessly weaves international influences into her bold design work.

When Janice isn’t standing at her desk, she’s either cruising on her Vespa, blazing mountain bike trails, practicing yoga, or embracing her latest passion—pickleball.

This episode is packed with invaluable insights and practical lessons, especially for those with dreams of exploring the world. It's a conversation I wish I had heard when I was starting out.

You can connect with Janice at:
Oblique Design
LinkedIn
Instagram
Email: [email protected]

In this inspiring episode, we welcome Paul Lukes, an American-born, Czech-blooded designer, fine artist, and graffiti writer currently residing in Fort Collins, CO. Paul’s life has been a journey across diverse landscapes, growing up between Taos, NM, and various locations in California. These experiences immersed him deeply in hip hop culture, graffiti, gang culture, and the low rider scene.

Paul's professional path began after art school, where he worked at a type foundry while navigating the challenges of street life and earning his degree. He founded his own design shop, Smart Minds, in college and has been a pivotal figure in the music industry for nearly 20 years, creating album art and branding for the hip hop community. His passion for combining design and music is evident in every project he undertakes.

For almost 15 years, Paul has been married to a prolific music journalist, allowing them to collaborate on projects whenever possible. However, beyond his professional achievements, Paul's personal journey as a recovering addict with 11.5 years of sobriety has profoundly influenced his life and creativity. Getting clean and sober not only saved his life but also enriched his artistic vision and personal relationships.

Paul's recovery journey is deeply intertwined with his creativity, providing a therapeutic outlet and grounding him in the present. He emphasizes the importance of maintaining a positive mindset, both in life and in his creative career, and believes in the profound impact design can have on the world. His daily routines, both morning and pre-bed, help him stay focused and balanced.

In our conversation, Paul shares candidly about the pivotal moments in his life, including meeting his wife, his mother's death, and how these events have shaped him. He discusses the stark difference between creating art while numb versus with a clear mind and stresses that there are no negative reasons to being sober. Paul's story is a testament to the power of perseverance, the transformative potential of recovery, and the boundless possibilities when passion meets purpose.

Tune in to hear Paul's inspiring story of redemption and artistic triumph, offering valuable insights into the intersection of creativity and recovery.

Find Paul:

Smart Minds

Culture Conservationist

LinkedIN

In this episode, Diego Dominguez and I delve into the profound impact of artificial intelligence on our daily lives. We'll explore whether A.I. will enhance our creativity and guide us toward new artistic horizons. Diego, a pioneer in digital art for many decades, offers his invaluable perspective on the transformative potential of A.I.

We'll discuss the advantages and challenges of A.I., covering topics such as security, creativity, the evolution of a new generation of artists, workforce implications, and the role of human society in nurturing A.I. development. Just as a baby learns from the knowledge we provide, A.I. depends on us to shape its growth. Join us for an insightful conversation on the future of A.I. and its role in our world.

Where to find Diego Dominguez:

PLAF.com

LinkedIN

Instagram

Canvas Rebel

His influences:

Richard Avedon

Irving Penn

Susan Meiselas

Welcome to our podcast! I'm thrilled to have you join me and creative director Kerry LaCoste as we dive deep into the pros and cons of running our own creative studios. Ever wondered how to keep your studio thriving? How to choose the right work and clients? Or even how to handle health insurance as an independent creative?

We'll explore whether too much freedom can be a double-edged sword and share insights on finding the right balance. With over 40 years of combined experience, we promise you'll walk away with valuable knowledge and a fresh perspective. Buckle up and join us for this enlightening ride—I wish I had access to this kind of wisdom when I first started my solo journey!

Find Kerry LaCoste:

LaCosteDesign.com

LinkedIN

Instagram

Andy Zenz and I engaged in a conversation emphasizing the significance of spending time outdoors, embracing stillness, and how immersing ourselves in nature can enhance our creativity.

Andy and I reflected on our recent experiences while driving down from the mountains after an early morning ski trip. We emphasized the importance of taking breaks from our studios to seek inspiration in nature.

Although you may hear the faint hum of tires rolling down I-70 in the background, we believe our conversation will inspire you to explore the outdoors and discover the creative benefits it can offer.

More on Andy Zenz:

Experienced Art Director with a demonstrated history of working in the graphic design industry. Skilled in Brand Strategy, Corporate Identity, Packaging, Visual Communications, Vector Illustration, Adobe Creative Suite. Strong arts and design professional working closely with individuals and executive teams in a B to B service setting.

Where to find him?

LinkedIn

Instagram