Creative Mode

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Music connects us all. For all of human history, music has been a staple across cultures, languages and borders. As one of the oldest forms of entertainment, music allows us to express ourselves, share stories, and celebrate in creative ways. Bad Bunny’s performance at the Super Bowl 60 halftime show was filled to the brim with cultural symbolism reflecting his Puerto Rican heritage, language and culture. This inspired me to resume my previously abandoned language learning goals. Hop in for this quick bonus episode where I tell you why I think it's the perfect time, and never too late.

angelazomaya.com/podcast 

Creative Mode is a weekly show about pop culture and creativity. Each week we discuss the most iconic moments in pop culture and media, exploring artistic themes and drawing inspiration for our own creative journeys. 

Creative Mode is an independent production. If you'd like to support the show, please visit https://buymeacoffee.com/azomaya. Your support will help me continue making weekly episodes and improve production quality as the show grows. Thank you! ❤️

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"The process of creating art makes art out of you." - Brandon Sanderson

What happens when we open our mind to the darker parts of our inner artist? 

Dive in for the season one finale of Creative Mode, where Annie shares thoughts on new singles from Harry Styles (Aperture) and Noah Kahan (The Great Divide), thoughts on Markiplier's debut film Iron Lung, and reflections on week three of The Artist's Way. 

Thank you, listener, for joining me on this maiden voyage into the world of podcasting! To keep up with me between seasons, use the links below. 💖

LINKS:

Listener survey 📩

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Website

Brandon Sanderson - The Hidden Cost of AI Art

Creative Mode is a weekly show about pop culture and creativity. Each week we discuss the most iconic moments in pop culture and media, exploring artistic themes and drawing inspiration for our own creative journeys. 

Creative Mode is an independent production. If you'd like to support the show, please visit https://buymeacoffee.com/azomaya. Your support will help me continue making weekly episodes and improve production quality as the show grows. Thank you! ❤️

Send us Fan Mail

"Art changes people. People change the world." 🌍

In this episode of Creative Mode, Annie celebrates 20 years of High School Musical, the movie that started her love of musicals! Then, synchronicity and how being present can lead to transformation in subtle but significant ways. Finally, why the world needs your art now more than ever. 🎨

Links:

📩 LISTENER SURVEY!

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Monica Trinidad

Creative Mode is a weekly show about pop culture and creativity. Each week we discuss the most iconic moments in pop culture and media, exploring artistic themes and drawing inspiration for our own creative journeys. 

Creative Mode is an independent production. If you'd like to support the show, please visit https://buymeacoffee.com/azomaya. Your support will help me continue making weekly episodes and improve production quality as the show grows. Thank you! ❤️

Send us Fan Mail

Take my listener survey here! 💖

What did the future look like in the past? 

In this episode of Creative Mode, Annie discusses the retrofuturism aesthetic of the Fallout franchise (now a hit series streaming on Amazon Prime). 

Also, reflections on Week 1 of The Artist's Way, Olympic figure skating, and the importance of having multiple creative identities.

Links:

Take my listener survey here! 💖

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Reclaim Your Excellence: The Path To A Meaningful & Joyous Life w/ Brad Stulberg

Creative Mode is a weekly show about pop culture and creativity. Each week we discuss the most iconic moments in pop culture and media, exploring artistic themes and drawing inspiration for our own creative journeys. 

Creative Mode is an independent production. If you'd like to support the show, please visit https://buymeacoffee.com/azomaya. Your support will help me continue making weekly episodes and improve production quality as the show grows. Thank you! ❤️

Send us Fan Mail

Zines are an accessible way of self-publishing your art, poetry and creative musings. And they're totally punk rock! 🤘

In this episode, Annie talks about her discovery of zines, beginning The Artist's Way (again), and a failed phone call to Harry Styles HQ. 

Also, all you need is AUDACITY, not talent.

Try it and see what happens. 

Links:

Instagram

Let's Talk About Zines and Why You Should Make One

How to Make a Zine the Old Fashioned Way (brattyxbre)

How to make a Zine in One Hour

Creative Mode is a weekly show about pop culture and creativity. Each week we discuss the most iconic moments in pop culture and media, exploring artistic themes and drawing inspiration for our own creative journeys. 

Creative Mode is an independent production. If you'd like to support the show, please visit https://buymeacoffee.com/azomaya. Your support will help me continue making weekly episodes and improve production quality as the show grows. Thank you! ❤️

Send us Fan Mail

What happens when you try new things and withhold judgement? Something amazing, probably.

In this episode, Annie shares how practicing radical non-judgement can help you reach your personal and creative goals.

Building off of last week's year in review, Annie predicts 2026 will be a year of expansion. Better warm up those hamstrings! 

Links:

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What happens when you start taking creativity seriously? (feat. The Artist's Way)

Creative Mode is a weekly show about pop culture and creativity. Each week we discuss the most iconic moments in pop culture and media, exploring artistic themes and drawing inspiration for our own creative journeys. 

Creative Mode is an independent production. If you'd like to support the show, please visit https://buymeacoffee.com/azomaya. Your support will help me continue making weekly episodes and improve production quality as the show grows. Thank you! ❤️

Send us Fan Mail

What color is your castle? 🏰

In Tarot, the tower is a symbol of upheaval... and transformation. 

In this episode of Creative Mode, Annie reflects on the year 2025, shares an almost prophetic journal entry, and invites you to think about what you want to build for yourself next year. 

Instagram 

Website

Creative Mode is a weekly show about pop culture and creativity. Each week we discuss the most iconic moments in pop culture and media, exploring artistic themes and drawing inspiration for our own creative journeys. 

Creative Mode is an independent production. If you'd like to support the show, please visit https://buymeacoffee.com/azomaya. Your support will help me continue making weekly episodes and improve production quality as the show grows. Thank you! ❤️

Send us Fan Mail

Remember how magical Christmas was when you were a kid? What else gave you that feeling of wonder and whimsy?

In this special Christmas episode of Creative Mode, Annie plays a special message from Santa Claus himself, and revisits some of her earliest childhood memories of art and creativity. 

Later, a throwback to the Hey, Arnold! Christmas episode, the Justin Bieber Christmas album, and little Cindy Lou Who is all grown up. 🎅🎄🎁

💡 Key insights:

• How things from childhood find us again later in life
• Reflecting on the things that made life fun when you were a kid and how they can show up in 2025/2026
• Growing up is magical, too 💖

Links:

Instagram

CQ Santa 

Nickelodeon's Greatest Christmas Special

The Pretty Reckless - Where Are You Christmas?

Creative Mode is a weekly show about pop culture and creativity. Each week we discuss the most iconic moments in pop culture and media, exploring artistic themes and drawing inspiration for our own creative journeys. 

Creative Mode is an independent production. If you'd like to support the show, please visit https://buymeacoffee.com/azomaya. Your support will help me continue making weekly episodes and improve production quality as the show grows. Thank you! ❤️

Send us Fan Mail

Friction: a force that resists movement or causes conflict. 

Friction shows up in our lives in different ways. Now, there are AI tools designed to remove friction for the sake of producing a faster output.

But if you reduce the creative process in this way, what actually comes out the other side?

In this episode of Creative Mode, Annie shares the new buzzword taking over AI conversations and how creatives can actually use friction as a tool for momentum. 

Key insights:

• Any creative process will be met with resistance.
• Ways to reduce friction without removing it entirely.
• How to build an on-ramp for yourself and use friction to create better art.

Links:

Create.Repeat - The Value of Friction in Creativity

Frictionless Creativity by Lawrence Yeo

Designing Friction in an Age of Frictionless Creativity

Creative Mode is a weekly show about pop culture and creativity. Each week we discuss the most iconic moments in pop culture and media, exploring artistic themes and drawing inspiration for our own creative journeys. 

Creative Mode is an independent production. If you'd like to support the show, please visit https://buymeacoffee.com/azomaya. Your support will help me continue making weekly episodes and improve production quality as the show grows. Thank you! ❤️

Send us Fan Mail

From the blockbuster movie Superman to Zara Larsson's new album Midnight Sun, hope and creativity are alive and well. In this episode of Creative Mode, Annie explores themes of self belief and optimism in media and pop culture. Learn how "Hopecore" and the Alive Internet Theory are shaping online narratives and inspiring human creativity.

Key insights:

• Hope is punk.
• Kindness is rebellion.
• Self belief is your superpower.
• The internet belongs to humans, not tech companies.

What inspiring themes have you found in pop culture? Text me at the link above! 📱

Insta: @anniezomaya

links:

The Year Superhero Movies Turned to Hope

Alive Internet Theory - Struthless

Alive Internet Theory - Ali Gallop

Creative Mode is a weekly show about pop culture and creativity. Each week we discuss the most iconic moments in pop culture and media, exploring artistic themes and drawing inspiration for our own creative journeys. 

Creative Mode is an independent production. If you'd like to support the show, please visit https://buymeacoffee.com/azomaya. Your support will help me continue making weekly episodes and improve production quality as the show grows. Thank you! ❤️