Creative Flow: Thinkers and Change Agents

The 52nd episode of The Creative Flow: Thinkers and Change Agents Podcast features Marysia Czarski, CEO and founder of Ignition Creativity in Toronto, Canada. With over twenty years of experience, she transforms organizations by replacing outdated operational approaches with agile, human-centered frameworks. Marysia has an MS in Creativity and Change Leadership from Buffalo State University and an HBA from the Ivey Business School, combining deep academic knowledge with extensive corporate experience at companies like Ralston Purina and Cadbury.

Discover key takeaways from Marysia's journey, from her early career in consumer packaged goods to her current work in corporate innovation. She shares how integrating human-centered design, Creative Problem Solving (CPS), and agile methodologies helps solve complex problems. Listen to her insights on why understanding people is the most critical component of unleashing creativity and driving impactful results within any organization.

Listeners will learn practical tips for developing their own creative abilities and applying these skills in professional settings. This episode provides valuable lessons on navigating ambiguity, challenging the status quo, and using creative processes to foster innovation. Tune in to find inspiration and learn how to leverage the creative potential within yourself and your teams.

The 51st episode of the Creative Flow: Thinkers and Change Agents Podcast features husband and wife Sue Parnes and Bill Hartwell celebrating the legacy of Dr. Sidney J. and Bea Parnes. As world-renowned pioneers in creativity, innovation, and creative problem solving, Sid and Bea's work has inspired many across generations, transforming the way we understand and nurture creative potential.

Their legacy lives on through our guests, their daughter, Sue, and son-in-law, Bill, who both embody the values and inspiration passed down by Sid and Bea in their lives and communities. Listen to reflections from Sue and Bill on how their parents’ dedication to creativity has had a lasting influence on their work and family life. The stories and memories they share about the global impact of their parents’ work fighting apartheid in South Africa highlight the ripple effects of Sid and Bea’s vision.

Tune in for highlights of their remarkable partnership, unique perspective, and a special musical tribute celebrating the spirit of creativity they brought to the world.

Listeners will discover practical insights into creativity and innovation, hear personal stories of how Sid and Bea inspired those around them, and gain a deeper appreciation for the power of creative thinking in families in everyday life.

The 50th episode of the Creative Flow: Thinkers and Change Agents Podcast features an inspiring conversation with John R. Osborn, an advertising veteran and long-time supporter of creative problem solving. With a legacy steeped in innovation, John is the co-founder and CMO of ad tech startup Turnstīl, a former Senior VP at BBDO, and grandson of creativity pioneer Alex Osborn, the inventor of brainstorming and founder of the Creative Problem Solving Institute (CPSI).

This episode explores John’s incredible insights on creativity as a higher state of consciousness and its transformative role in business, education, and personal growth. You'll discover:

• How creativity shaped John’s career in advertising and entrepreneurship 

• Lessons from his time with the Creative Education Foundation 

• Practical applications of deliberate creative problem solving 

Whether you’re a seasoned professional looking to elevate your creative potential or someone curious about the science of creativity, this episode offers stories about how creativity can drive positive change. Tune in and be inspired to harness creativity at a higher level. 

The 49th episode of the Creative Flow Podcast features Kristen Peterson, a master facilitator, trainer, and organizational development consultant with over 20 years of experience working with global giants like Disney, Google, and Starbucks. She’s an alumna and adjunct faculty member of the Center for Applied Imagination at SUNY Buffalo State University and co-founder of Mindcamp Canada. Kristen has spent her career enabling creativity to thrive in organizations and communities.

From her personal story of discovering creativity through the Creative Problem Solving Institute (CPSI) to creating an international space for experimentation at Mindcamp Canada for over twenty years, she is passionate about community. She advocates for teaching creativity in schools and providing people from all walks of life with tools to solve problems creatively. 

Don’t miss this episode, where we learn about her work building impactful programs, such as Facilitators Without Borders, and mentoring professionals worldwide. Tune in to hear Kristen’s insight into developing creative communities and the power of deliberate creativity to build connections through creativity.

The 48th episode of the Creative Flow Podcast features Drs. Molly Holinger and Melodi Özyaprak, esteemed faculty members at the Center for Applied Imagination at SUNY Buffalo State. Molly, an assistant professor with a PhD in educational psychology, researches positive outcomes of creativity. Melodi specializes in creativity in mathematics and gifted education, having founded the first magnet school for gifted students in Turkey. Their careers span roles in institutions like Miami University, the University of Connecticut, and Johns Hopkins, making them pioneers in creativity education and gifted learning.

The episode reveals critical insights into creativity education, emphasizing that creativity is not just a skill but a comprehensive approach to understanding and engaging with the world. Molly and Melodi emphasize the importance of experiential learning, structured creativity models, and integrating both cognitive and non-cognitive aspects of creativity. They also discuss the growing recognition of creativity as a fundamental skill by institutions like the World Economic Forum. Together, they offer actionable strategies for incorporating creativity into curriculum development and differentiated learning approaches.

Don’t miss this episode, which offers a unique blend of personal creativity journeys, academic insights, and passionate discussions about creativity's transformative potential. The conversation provides a deep understanding of how creativity can be systematically learned, applied across disciplines, and used for personal and professional growth.

The 47th episode features Dr. David Gonzalez, a global expert in talent management, cultural strategy, and leadership development. David is known for blending creativity with actionable business strategies and has worked with the Center for Creative Leadership, groundbreaking startups, and multi-national corporations. David holds a Ph.D. in Human Performance Improvement and a Master's in Creative Studies from the Center for Applied Imagination.

What You'll Learn in This Episode

Listeners will discover practical strategies for fostering creativity in both personal and professional contexts. David shares actionable insights on cultivating a creative mindset, building employee engagement, and overcoming barriers to innovation. He examines the role of culture in encouraging bold ideas and shares strategies for helping children lead creative lives. 

David’s Book Recommendation

David recommended Jordan Peterson's "12 Rules for Life: An Antidote to Chaos" to help us "untangle the entanglement we all experience at different points in our lives, which limits our vision, creativity, and possibilities."

Tune in for a deep dive into deliberate creativity, the impact of organizational climate on innovation, and the synergy between AI and human ingenuity. Don’t miss this discussion of the intersection of technology and creativity and tips on leveraging AI tools to complement human thinking.

The 46th episode features Dorte Nielsen sharing her fascinating journey from the advertising world to becoming a leading researcher and educator on deliberate creativity. She is based in Copenhagen, Denmark, and founded Creative Thinker in Copenhagen. With a background in advertising and a Master's Degree in Creative Studies from the Center for Applied Imagination, Dorte has dedicated her career to understanding the neuroscience behind creative thinking and bringing deliberate creativity into educational and professional settings. 

Discover Dorte's insights on the power of connection-making, the role of metaphor in the creative process, and how to think more creatively. She emphasizes the importance of training the brain to make better connections as a core driver of creativity and shares insights on how developing this skill can unlock our innate creative potential. 

Dorte's work bringing deliberate creativity into universities teaching creatives and primary schools, from math to history, showcases the transformative impact of teaching creative thinking across the curriculum. This holistic approach can benefit learners at all levels. Learn about her book "The Secret of the Highly Creative Thinker," a practical guide to creativity translated into 11 languages and sold in 65 countries.

Dorte's work and passion for cultivating deliberate creativity have profoundly impacted schools, corporations, and beyond. Tune in, and Dorte's expertise will provide practical strategies and inspiration for unlocking your creative spark.

The 45th episode of the Creative Flow Podcast features Rebecca Reilly, a Fleet Technician for Reddy Bikeshare who works on special innovative efficiency projects focusing on business operations. She has used the Creative Process in all aspects of her personal and professional life as a bike messenger, US Marine, bike advocate, and podcaster. 

From participating in the Creative Problem Solving Institute's youth program as a child to becoming the youngest leader in the institute's history, Rebecca has embraced creativity as a way of life. Rebecca shares practical advice for parents on fostering creativity in children, including allowing children the freedom to explore, learn from challenges, and develop personal responsibility in the creative process.

Rebecca's experiences in cross-cultural collaborations in Korea highlight the value of incorporating diverse viewpoints and adapting creative problem-solving models to different contexts.  Discover insights on balancing divergent and convergent thinking in the creative process, overcoming the tendency to spend too much time brainstorming and not allowing adequate time for judging and developing ideas into sustainable concepts. 

Don’t miss Rebecca’s vision for the future of creativity, its role in solving societal challenges, and the invaluable lessons she shares about passionately nurturing creativity to break free from societal expectations and pursue your passions.

The 44th episode of the Creative Flow Podcast features Jonathan Vehar and Cathi Brese Doebler, co-authors and Leadership Solutions Facilitators at the Center for Creative Leadership. Jonathan and Cathi share their journeys into the world of deliberate creativity, discussing their backgrounds in advertising, communication, and creative problem-solving. Their work at the Center for Creative Leadership highlights their passion for helping leaders develop self-awareness and leverage their unique strengths. 

Listeners will be inspired by Jonathan and Cathi’s success stories, where they've applied Creative Problem-Solving to help organizations save resources and maintain operations during challenging times. Jonathan recounts a project during the pandemic where he helped a candy manufacturer reduce costs through online creative problem-solving sessions, generating plans for up to $250 million in savings. Kathy reflects on her success in using creativity tools in various projects and a large-group experience with a national women's organization, where she facilitated brainstorming and decision-making processes. Their new book, "How to Make Meetings Not Suck," provide practical tools and tips for planning, running, and following up on effective meetings - whether in-person, virtual, or hybrid.

Jonathan and Cathi share their insights on the future of the science of creativity, emphasizing the importance of making these valuable tools and processes more accessible to people in their everyday lives and work. Don’t miss this episode on practical and process-driven creativity, focusing on clarity and energy when working with groups.

The 43rd episode of the Creative Flow Podcast features a conversation with Sarah Thurber and Blair Miller, the co-founders of Foursight, a company that develops research-based tools and training to help teams think more creatively, work more collaboratively, and achieve better results. They share their personal journeys into the field of deliberate creativity and explore how their shared passion for creativity has shaped their marriage and collaborative efforts. 

Sarah and Blair discuss their new book Good Team, Bad Team:  Lead Your People to Go After Big Challenges, Not Each Other, and provide examples of how they've used creative problem-solving to tackle personal and professional challenges, from managing household finances to leading volunteer efforts in their community. This is your chance to learn the inside story of Foursight, a framework that measures individual and team preferences for four critical types of thinking: clarifying, ideating, developing, and implementing. Their work has deepened the understanding of the interconnectivity between person, process, press (environment), and product in the creative process and shows how self-knowledge can help teams solve complex problems.

Blair and Sarah share their hopes for the future of the science of creativity in leadership development and making creative problem-solving accessible to all. Don’t miss this conversation that explores the power of creativity to transform personal relationships, organizational cultures, and societal challenges.