Creative Happy Hour

What does the Penicillin Cocktail have to do with creativity? What makes things go viral, and why? What does that mean for creatives? How do you make your video or podcast go viral?

Why are we so obsessed about housewives and the concept of the housewife? As creatives, how do we balance the demands of parenthood and home life with creativity and entrepreneurship or making art? What does the American obsession with housewives say about us psychologically and sociologically? And who's your "daddy"? we mean, who do you answer to professionally, creatively, and in your day-to-day life?

What does the Dark and Stormy have to do with living a creative life? You may have guessed it: It's about eliminating the creative and business clichés that make us nauseous and knowing your tropes so you can use, but not overuse them to the best effect. In order to not fall prey to creative cliché, you need to be aware of the most abused ones.

Ever thought about collaborating on a creative project? Launching a business with a partner? Starting a design firm? Co-hosting a podcast? Joining a committee? Collaboration is supposed to make things easier- that's why we do it- but it isn't always the case! In this episode of the podcast, we sample that classic cocktail, the Sidecar, and we also do a deep dive on why creative partnerships can be tough, and how to work successfully side-by-side with another creative or creative entrepreneur.

We go over the history of Irish Coffee, discover an artist who has made coffee into an art form, and then discuss romantic couples where both partners are artists. From collaboration to jealousy and competition, we discuss several famous cases as we explore what makes a romantic creative partnership work, or crash and burn.

At one of his recent concerts, Kanye West had a Hennessy and Coke slushie machine in his changing room. Cohosts Micah Black and Karena Akhavein prepare this cocktail, to discuss its problematic history, the divisive personality that is Kanye, as well as the greater question of whether creatives are a little crazy, whether there is a link between creativity and mental illness, and where you draw the line between crazy, and crazy creative. Get ready to have some of your preconceptions challenged!

We do some daytime drinking with that brunch beverage of champions, the Bloody Mary. What does Bloody Mary have to do with creativity? The consensus online seems to be that, if you don't have a morning routine established that includes meditation, mindfulness, vision boards, and some other BS, you might as well go back to bed. We break down morning routines of the rich and famous, from the ridiculous to the sublime, and some of the reigning theories, all the while sipping on our Bloodies.

What kind of connection can we make between The Admiral cocktail and living a creative life? your intrepid hosts explore Shonda Rhimes' book "Year of Yes," to talk about the creative possibilities that can be unlocked when you say yes. And then we kinda winged it on our cocktail recipe because we're starting to get a little too cocky about our mixology skills. Bulleit Rye, Noilly Prat Dry Vermouth, lemon, ginger... what could possibly go wrong? Watch and find out!

This week, your intrepid hosts, Micah Black and Karena Akhavein go over the scurvy-busting history of that head-piercing sour drink, the Gimlet. What does a cocktail originally made of 144 proof Navy-grade gin, lime, and maybe a little sugar have to do with creativity? We discuss the things that can drive you to sour on creativity, or on a creative project, and offer up some antidotes just as potent as the gimlet. Oh, and we'll have a third co-host this week: Karena's lapdog, Fiona the Lhasapoo.

What does the classic French aperitif, Lillet, have to do with creativity? Your charming co-hosts, Micah Black and Karena Akhavein, will break it down for you. Not only will you learn the history of Lillet, but you'll find out why an aperitif is an important precursor to a meal. You'll also hear us discuss ways to whet your creative appetite.