What if creativity is less about inspiration and more about conditions?

In this episode, I explore the moments, conditions, and patterns that helped me reconnect with a creative flow, first at Disney and now as I am rebuilding my life from scratch in Madrid, Spain.

I dive into the main three key factors that ignite creativity for me:

Alignment with your surroundings and yourself.

Observation and curiosity.

Unconventional growth opportunities.

Through a few real-life stories- from navigating internal Disney interviews to taking unexpected classes that shaped my communication- I share thoughts on recognizing and cultivating the creative spark, even more so when it feels lost.

This episode isn't about magic or randomness, it's about designing the right conditions for creativity to be more present.

If your creativity could speak, what would it tell you about the environments, people and opportunities around you? I hope this episode serves as your thinking partner as you reflect on your own creative flow.

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It's funny, listening to this episode now, I hear myself trying to force creativity into a place it simply couldn't exist.

I don't know if this is a relaunch but it's just a step in sharing something I felt like today. 

Creativity isn't obedient to a schedule. 

Mine was nowhere to be found for a good while. I tried so many things to pull it back, to tap into it but nothing I produced during that time would stick with me.

A year after is flooding back and I don't have enough hours to channel it.

Hello again! This is a personal reflection on life change, creativity and the conscious choices we make to move our life forward.  

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We are back!

After a challenging life change and months of inside-out exploration to find clarity and direction in my career, within my new life, I am ready to continue sharing with you.

This episode is an unscripted life update after a major overseas move and a turbulent year. It hasn't been the picture-perfect sabbatical you often see on Instagram, but that's where the real insights come from. I will be unpacking what it took to choose a direction without a clear plan, but for now, let's start with some high level reflections, especially as so many of us navigate change and uncertainty.

Thanks to everyone who listened to the last episode Unemployment: creativity boost or a killer? Even though it's been a few months, I can't give you a definite answer yet since I am still in the midst of change. However, I can certainly share the insights I am experiencing during this process.

This is just a quick update to open the door to all the career topics we will uncover this second season on Creative Career Thinking!

Thank you for being part of it.

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Join me in reflecting about the nuanced relationship between unemployment and creativity. I am sharing my very personal thoughts and circumstances, exploring how the shift from a bustling career to a period of unemployment prompted a reflection on the impact on creativity. 

Between an ocean of societal pressures and personal expectations, the episode navigates the guilt associated with professional pauses. From layoffs to intentional breaks, each phase of unemployment is discussed, emphasizing its circumstantial nature. 

Let's discuss a topic that oftentimes is still treated like a pest, and challenging societal norms and fostering acceptance of diverse career journeys and unemployment gaps!

#uncertainty #careershift #unemployment #careerbreaks

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In this episode, join me and Luis Labrador as we embark on a journey through the complex landscape of the film industry.  Here's a sneak peek at what we uncover:

• Unlikely Beginnings: Discover the story of how Luis and I first crossed paths at Disney (don't be afraid to make friends and get out there!)
• Passion Ignited: Learn about Luis's entrance into the industry and the sparks that ignited his profound passion for film. We explore his early experiences and how he adapted to the evolving demands of the market.
• Crafting Your Presence: Gain insights into what makes a compelling brand, presentation, and portfolio when presenting yourself to a company. Luis shares  insights from a point of view of 3D modeling.
• The Art of Collaboration: Uncover the importance of collaboration, ego management.  Soft skills are often the unsung heroes in the journey to grow.
• Balancing Act: Explore the delicate equilibrium between technical, artistic and personal skills, with Luis providing examples that bring this balance to life.
• Language, Layers, and Networking: Learn about the layers involved in presenting yourself – from speaking the language of the place you're applying to, to the intricacies of networking both within and outside your workplace.

(I am still not the  host, podcaster nor editor that I would like to be but thank you so much to everyone tuning in and supporting! I am still consider myself in an internship phase of podcasting : )

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In this episode I am introducing you to my friend Maria Castillo! Maria started her journey in the US as a babysitter, 13 years later we are celebrating her recognition in Investment News Magazine list for best financial advisors in the US.

Often times hearing career stories can fuel creativity or spark ideas to others, and we all have to get very creative and resourceful navigating our careers no matter what industry, now more than ever.

Topics we touched:

• How Maria ended up from Spain to the US.
• How she grew and got to position herself as an outstanding professional on her field, overcoming challenges such language, discrimination, no experience nor education in the US.
• Perspective on agency/ Temporary contracts to get feet in the door.
• Mental health within the process of managing a complex journey in another country. 
• Maria’s take and reflection on Networking and the effect to “making it”
• More to come and future topics we will address with Maria!

Note --> We recorded this episode after an exhausting week of work and at midnight Saturday, on top of it I messed up the editing and cut a fun piece of the interview and the actual part where we talked about her award (Sigh, seriously I am a disaster) Thanks to everyone who is joining this conversation and is supporting the show in spite of how the huge learning curve I have producing it.

See you on the next one!

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A friend of mine was recently recognized for her career accomplishments in 40 under 40 list and it sparked thought for reflection on the age topic. I am super excited because I have been celebrating this milestone with her for weeks and you will get to meet her in Episode 5!

This episode is a brief reflection I wanted to make within a broad topic of ageism that affects us all in some degree or another and whether is consciously or unconsciously. 

As the narrative keeps evolving is good to participate in these conversations so you can influence change if you want to,  and also to protect yourself at work and most importantly, your mental health.

If you are having intrusive thoughts or doubting yourself because "it's too late" it's not, there is only the right time.

This one is still within the first episodes I recorded so bear with me as I keep getting better at structuring my topics and in podcasting - I can recognize the exact moment in which  I almost enter in a panic attack mode when speaking lol )

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What is your meaning of a mold career-wise? I have mixed feelings about it! Let’s have a discussion about fitting or not fitting the mold. 

If we understand mold as a company structure there is always a mold, however healthy companies and cultures where you click you won’t feel as much like you have to fit in a mold, like you may feel in those who do not align with your values and work style. 

It is really difficult to manage a situation where we want to fit somewhere but someone else doesn’t want us to fit or when we want to fit but a culture isn’t aligned with our own values. However, there are situations where we can actually align and adjust a few things to be able to succeed and ultimately there will be other instances where we can find a great balanced fit. 

We all will experience at least one or two of these different circumstances amongst our careers so I wanted to introduce this topic in this podcast episode where I will also give you a few insights or ideas on navigating these types of situations.

Apologies for the audio, I am still learning how to properly execute a podcast and of course editing. I was going to disregard the entire episode and eventually I decided to go with it because I choose progress over perfection.

If you have any questions or other points for discussion, you are welcome to DM me on the Instagram Creative Career Thinking account.

Join our Instagram community @creativecareerthinking
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Join our Instagram community @creativecareerthinking
www.creativecareerthinking.com

Fairly frequently I get approach by the question if we should be putting  past employers and big brand on our Linkedin. It is a topic I saw very debated during the pandemic and thought I would do a reflection on it. 

I am not giving you a yes or no for an answer because both are valid but it is always fun to reflect and get to decide what works for you based on the moment you find yourself in and what your goal is on that social media platform. 

Take the chance to go an update your LinkedIN profile! It is one of the platforms you always want to keep up to date, even if you are currently happy with your job and professional situation.

If you have any questions or other points of discussion, you are welcome to DM me on the Instagram Creative Career Thinking account.

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Introduction to Creative Career Thinking Podcast by Gisela. Let's kick this off with a story of my career beginnings in the US that had me cry loud but now makes me feel proud. 

Learn about the type of content you will find here and join us in this journey to discuss highly impactful topics from unique perspectives.

This podcast is not a lecture but a space to discuss relevant approaches to career matters and to share stories so you can find what works for YOU, particularly if you relate to be a creative thinker.

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