Creative Becoming

How do you turn an idea into a podcast — and what happens when the creative process changes more than you expected?

In the opening episode of Series 2 of Creative Becoming, Helen and Elizabeth return to where it all began, reflecting on the friendship, conversations and creative experiments that brought their podcast to life. From Helen's PhD research and her search for new ways to develop ideas, to Elizabeth's initial doubts about stepping behind a microphone, they explore how an unlikely collaboration became a meaningful part of both their lives.

Together, they discuss the challenges of finding confidence, navigating imposter syndrome and learning to work across different neurotypes. They also consider how creativity can provide connection, purpose and unexpected opportunities for personal growth — and why making something together doesn't have to mean getting everything perfect.

Whether you're thinking about starting a podcast, beginning a creative project or simply looking for the confidence to try something new, this episode is a reminder that sometimes the most important part of creating is simply getting started.

Links & Resources:

Helen's creative work:

• Helen's contribution to Northumbria University's What Are Words Worth 2U2? exhibition
• Divergent Doodlers Symposium – information and tickets
• Helen's Graphic Art Diaries – digital archive
• Helen's Haiku Archive
• Download Helen's Graphic Art Diary Template

Further listening and reading:

• Nadiya Hussain on We Need To Talk with Paul C. Brunson
• Understanding Top-Down and Bottom-Up Processing – Structural Learning
• Cavendish Spaces – Stimpunks

Get in Touch:

Have a question, a creative project you'd like to share or something from the episode that resonated with you?

Helen and Elizabeth would love to hear from you.

Email [email protected] — whether you've got a question, want to share your work or simply fancy saying hello.

Produced for the Autistic Culture Podcast Network.

🎧 Creative Becoming is available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all major platforms.

🌈 Celebrate autistic voices with early access, ad-free listening, and our full archive at AutisticCulturePlus.com

🌐 Visit www.autisticculturepodcastnetwork.com

📲 Follow us on Instagram: @autisticculturepodcast

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Helen and Elizabeth explore the bittersweet subject of endings. Whether it's the final episode of a favourite TV show, the end of a relationship, or deciding whether to continue a project that no longer brings you joy, letting go can be difficult.

Together they discuss why endings can feel so challenging, how periods of transition can create opportunities for growth, and the importance of embracing change as part of the creative process. Through personal reflections and creative examples, they explore how one chapter ending can become the beginning of another.

In this episode:

• Understanding the sunk cost fallacy
• Navigating change with Bridges' Transitional Model
• Creative becoming through life's transitions
• How artists and collaborators approached endings
• Collecting, curiosity, and autistic culture
• Final reflections, lessons, and creative tips

Resources and Links

• Helen's graphic diary archive: https://arted.online/blog/diaries/
• Graphic diary template: https://arted.online/toolbox/resource-diary-template/
• The 10 Pillars of Autistic Culture: https://www.autisticculturepodcast.com/p/the-10-pillars-revisited-episode
• Bridges' Transitional Model overview: https://www.changequest.co.uk/resources/bridges-transition-model/
• Understanding the sunk cost fallacy: https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/how_the_sunk_cost_fallacy_can_drive_bad_decisions

Contact: [email protected]

Support

If you are experiencing distress, please contact your GP or a relevant support service in your area.

Disclaimer

Creative Becoming is connected to Helen Shaddock's practice-based PhD, "Welcome to My Messy World": A practice-based, messy auto-ethnographic artistic exploration into multimedia storytelling as an integral method towards creative becoming.

🎨 Subscribe now to hear future episodes.

🌈 Celebrate autistic voices with early access, ad-free listening, and our full archive at AutisticCulturePlus.com

🌐 Learn more about the network at AutisticCulturePodcastNetwork.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the second half of their exploration of disruption, Helen and Elizabeth dive into the tricky world of social friction, authenticity, and the ethics of sharing creative work. Helen reflects on her commitment to honesty in her graphic diaries and the responsibilities that come with featuring real people in personal storytelling.

Together they explore how changes to routine can spark new creative possibilities, the challenges of navigating boundaries when art involves others, and how autistic values such as justice and honesty can shape the creative process. The conversation also examines rejection sensitive dysphoria, people-pleasing behaviours, and practical strategies for building healthier boundaries.

In this episode:

• Finding creative opportunities through disruption
• The ethics of sharing stories that involve other people
• Justice, honesty, and autistic culture
• Understanding rejection sensitive dysphoria
• People-pleasing and the fawn response
• Strategies for recognising and reducing harmful people-pleasing behaviours

Resources and Links

• Helen's graphic diary archive: https://arted.online/blog/diaries/
• Graphic diary template: https://arted.online/toolbox/resource-diary-template/
• The 10 Pillars of Autistic Culture: https://www.autisticculturepodcast.com/p/the-10-pillars-revisited-episode
• Information about the fawn response: https://ndconnection.co.uk/blog/fawn-the-trauma-response-that-is-easiest-to-miss

Contact: [email protected]

Support

If you are experiencing distress, please contact your GP or a relevant support service in your area.

Disclaimer

Creative Becoming is connected to Helen Shaddock's practice-based PhD, "Welcome to My Messy World": A practice-based, messy auto-ethnographic artistic exploration into multimedia storytelling as an integral method towards creative becoming.

🎨 Subscribe now to hear future episodes.

🌈 Celebrate autistic voices with early access, ad-free listening, and our full archive at AutisticCulturePlus.com

🌐 Learn more about the network at AutisticCulturePodcastNetwork.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Creative Becoming, Helen and Elizabeth explore how life's unexpected disruptions can become catalysts for creativity. Elizabeth shares her progress in quieting her inner critic and finding joy in drawing flowers, while Helen reflects on how her graphic art diaries became a lifeline during some of her most challenging experiences.

Together they discuss how artists have used uncertainty, chance, and disruption as creative tools, and how adapting to unexpected circumstances can open new pathways for self-expression. The conversation also explores stimming, emotional regulation, and the ways creativity can help us navigate periods of change.

In this episode:

• Creativity through disruption and change
• Artists who embrace chance and unpredictability
• Helen's experience of creativity during a long hospital stay
• Finding creative space while away from home
• Turning setbacks into new artistic opportunities
• Understanding stimming and emotional regulation

Resources and Links

• Helen's graphic diary archive: https://arted.online/blog/diaries/
• Graphic diary template: https://arted.online/toolbox/resource-diary-template/
• The 10 Pillars of Autistic Culture: https://www.autisticculturepodcast.com/p/the-10-pillars-revisited-episode
• Information about stimming from the National Autistic Society: https://www.autism.org.uk/advice-and-guidance/about-autism/repeated-movements-and-behaviour-stimming

Contact: [email protected]

Support

If you are experiencing distress, please contact your GP or a relevant support service in your area.

Disclaimer

Creative Becoming is connected to Helen Shaddock's practice-based PhD, "Welcome to My Messy World": A practice-based, messy auto-ethnographic artistic exploration into multimedia storytelling as an integral method towards creative becoming.

🎨Subscribe now to hear future episodes.

🌈 Celebrate autistic voices with early access, ad-free listening, and our full archive at AutisticCulturePlus.com

🌐 Learn more about the network at AutisticCulturePodcastNetwork.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

If you've ever struggled with procrastination, burnout, or simply need a little nudge to get started on a project, Helen and Elizabeth are here to help. In this episode, they explore how consistency, structure, and experimentation can transform creative energy into a sustainable practice, and how to stay engaged when you're feeling uninspired or overwhelmed.

Together they discuss productivity techniques, creative routines, narrative writing, and the ways art can help us process emotions and communicate experiences. They also share practical strategies for overcoming perfectionism and reconnecting with creativity when motivation is low.

In this episode:

• Using the Pomodoro Technique to tackle daunting projects
• Understanding the Zeigarnik Effect and unfinished tasks
• Narrative writing and emotional processing
• Comics and graphic storytelling as communication tools
• Moving from academic understanding to personal experience
• Creative exercises to quiet your inner critic

Resources and Links

• Helen's graphic diary archive: https://arted.online/blog/diaries/
• Graphic diary template: https://arted.online/toolbox/resource-diary-template/
• The 10 Pillars of Autistic Culture: https://www.autisticculturepodcast.com/p/the-10-pillars-revisited-episode
• The Pomodoro Technique: https://www.pomodorotechnique.com/

Contact: [email protected]

Support

If you are experiencing distress, please contact your GP or a relevant support service in your area.

Disclaimer

Creative Becoming is connected to Helen Shaddock's practice-based PhD, "Welcome to My Messy World": A practice-based, messy auto-ethnographic artistic exploration into multimedia storytelling as an integral method towards creative becoming.

🎨Subscribe now to hear future episodes.

🌈 Celebrate autistic voices with early access, ad-free listening, and our full archive at AutisticCulturePlus.com

🌐 Learn more about the network at AutisticCulturePodcastNetwork.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Helen and Elizabeth focus on the first steps of starting a new creative endeavour. Elizabeth shares her search for a creative "cave space", while Helen offers practical advice for sticking with a creative practice when you're still trying to find your groove.

Together they explore the role of repetition, routine, and structure in creative work, discussing how frameworks can support creativity rather than restrict it. From graphic diaries and haiku writing to daily habits and artistic rituals, this episode examines how small, consistent actions can help creativity flourish.

In this episode:

• Using SMART goals to focus creative projects
• Repetition and pattern-making in art
• The work of Yayoi Kusama and Nnena Kalu
• Haiku as a framework for daily reflection
• Letting go of perfectionism and self-editing
• Balancing accountability, routine, and obsession

Resources and Links

• Helen's graphic diary archive: https://arted.online/blog/diaries/
• Graphic diary template: https://arted.online/toolbox/resource-diary-template/
• Helen's daily haiku archive: https://arted.online/haiku/
• The 10 Pillars of Autistic Culture: https://www.autisticculturepodcast.com/p/the-10-pillars-revisited-episode

Contact: [email protected]

Support

If you are experiencing distress, please contact your GP or a relevant support service in your area.

Disclaimer

Creative Becoming is connected to Helen Shaddock's practice-based PhD, "Welcome to My Messy World": A practice-based, messy auto-ethnographic artistic exploration into multimedia storytelling as an integral method towards creative becoming.

🎨Subscribe now to hear future episodes.

🌈 Celebrate autistic voices with early access, ad-free listening, and our full archive at AutisticCulturePlus.com

🌐 Learn more about the network at AutisticCulturePodcastNetwork.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to Creative Becoming, a podcast for the creative and the curious. If you're ready to swap doomscrolling for doodling, this is the show for you!

In this debut episode, hosts Helen and Elizabeth explore the idea of "creative becoming" and how art and storytelling can help us better understand ourselves. Helen shares her experience as a late-diagnosed autistic artist using graphic diaries to navigate identity, while Elizabeth reflects on using creativity to explore a major life milestone.

Together they discuss narrative identity, autistic culture, creative practice, and the importance of creating safe spaces where creativity can flourish.

In this episode:

• What "creative becoming" means
• Graphic diaries and self-discovery
• Narrative identity and storytelling
• Creativity through an autistic cultural lens
• Creating spaces that support creative exploration

Resources and Links

• Helen's graphic diary archive: https://arted.online/blog/diaries/
• Graphic diary template: https://arted.online/toolbox/resource-diary-template/
• The 10 Pillars of Autistic Culture: https://www.autisticculturepodcast.com/p/the-10-pillars-revisited-episode

Contact: [email protected]

Support

If you are experiencing distress, please contact your GP or a relevant support service in your area.

Disclaimer

Creative Becoming is connected to Helen Shaddock's practice-based PhD, "Welcome to My Messy World": A practice-based, messy auto-ethnographic artistic exploration into multimedia storytelling as an integral method towards creative becoming.

🎨 Subscribe now to hear future episodes.

🌈 Celebrate autistic voices with early access, ad-free listening, and our full archive at AutisticCulturePlus.com

🌐 Learn more about the network at AutisticCulturePodcastNetwork.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Creativity isn't a talent. It's a practice.

Welcome to Creative Becoming, a podcast exploring creativity, identity, storytelling, and autistic culture. Part of the Autistic Culture Podcast Network.

Hosted by Helen, a late-diagnosed autistic artist, and Elizabeth, a neurotypical librarian, the series offers practical tools, strategies, and encouragement for anyone looking to develop a more creative life.

Together they explore creative habits, self-expression, artistic confidence, and the challenges that often accompany the creative process. Whether you're autistic or not, experienced or just beginning, Creative Becoming is an invitation to discover what creativity can mean for you.

🎨Subscribe now to hear future episodes.

🌈 Celebrate autistic voices with early access, ad-free listening, and our full archive at AutisticCulturePlus.com

🌐 Learn more about the network at AutisticCulturePodcastNetwork.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.