No matter what in life, and maybe even moreso, in creativity we have to really understand that CHANGE is going to happen. Most times we don't like change, change is hard, change means that our habits, our rituals, our paths are about to get diverted. We must walk into the unknown.

After many years of working and coaching and learning and leading I have come to realize that this diversion is never simply a good or bad thing. All change comes with its ups and downs in life but the one thing we can do to deal with change is understand and live with what we can control.

What would happen if you walked into every situation, every change with a positive outlook?

A great story of constant change revolves around Ray Kroc and how he expanded the McDonald's operation. For those who like a visual storytelling The Founder does a great job of capturing the story and all the changes that happened along the way.

Want to grow your project? Want to take a risk? Why don't you start with micro-changes?

Not sure where to start or want someone to talk with well that's what the DMCS project is all about. Visit domorecoolshit.com and drop me a note there, I always love chatting all things creative. 

Oh this episode I reflect back on something Samantha Taylor was talking about when I chatted with her, getting in your own way. I really enjoyed the commentary and the responsibility that Samantha took on in our conversation in her success.

What would it look like if your biggest critic in life wasn't you? What if you leaned into believing in yourself a little bit?

Daily affirmations, figure out what really gets you fired up, practice creativity and practice letting go. Practice is something that we have to do to help our rigid selves move forward. We get stuck. We overanalyze. We get paralyzed, but what if you just let go a little bit. Take a different route home from work, try on a pair of shorts (that's right shorts, not pants because...ewww....have you met me.) that you would never in a million years wear. One year I wore all pastel shorts and it was weird and everyone pointed it out and wanted to talk about it. Until it wasn't. And then it was just regular ol' me again. That's what happens with habits and changes...they are scary at first, until they aren't.

Imagine if you just said yes a bit more often. Imagine if every time you looked in the mirror you saw a badass. Imagine if you listened to Episode 30 of this podcast where Lana Dingwall talked about their triumphs when they changed their perspectives on the risks it would be to LEAVE their job to the risks it would be to STAY in the their job. Getting out of their own way! Loved it. Or imagine if you listened to Episode 8 with Chantalle Clarkin where she talked about getting her 10 and 15 year pin for being at work and seeing that as a terrible sign and that she had lost her Chantalleness. She got out of her own way and started anew!

Point is, if you allow yourself to trust your gut, to stop standing in your own way who knows where you might end up.

Links for the episode:

Garrett McNamara on Rich Roll's podcast: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/X5jKdbF7Zbs

Keri Smith:
https://kerismith.squarespace.com/

Jessica's Affirmations:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qR3rK0kZFkg&ab_channel=dmchatster

Bob Dylan's - Trust Yourself:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8oZYl1acLbs&ab_channel=BobDylan-Topic

The very first guest episode of this season and it was with none other than the super talented, hard working musician Samantha Taylor. Samantha has been honing her craft and entertaining crowds for many years now. I first came across Samantha on her Twitch channel: twitch.tv/samanthataylormusic and I was first blown away by her voice, just like everyone else is. Then as I got to know her my appreciation for her voice was only overshadowed by her genuineness, her kindness, and her sense of humour. Then as I dug a little bit deeper I came to realize that Samantha has been following her dream since she was a little kid as evidenced by a video she posted on her own youtube channel 9 years ago. I say 'her own' because as you will hear in the conversation I had with Samantha that was when she was allowed to have her own account. She was in fact playing and posting even before that time on an account her mom had created.

All of these factors just mentioned really has made me admire Samantha and her creativity. I hope that as you listen this episode about putting the work in and you hear Samantha's message about getting out of your own way to create that you feel as inspired as I do.

You can follow along Samantha's journey at the Twitch link posted above or by checking out her Youtube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/@samanthataylormusic or her TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@miss.samantha.taylor

The book that Samantha brought up on stream, known as her Music Bible was, How To Make It in the New Music Business: Practical Tips on Building a Loyal Following and Making a Living as a Musician and can be found here: https://a.co/d/7Tw3qCv

You can also find out more about Hatty Anders here: shorturl.at/PQXY7

It's been a long time coming but hopefully worth the wait. When I signed off in December of 2021 I promised I would be back in February and well...I never said what February so here I am ahead of the curve it's not even February so you are welcome! Ha.

But it is nice to be back speaking with all you creative nerds again. The time I took off, although much longer than anticipated has brough all kinds of wonderful new energy and ideas to the movement and to the podcast. So thank you for sticking with me and if you're new in here welcome in, I hope you like it and I hope you keep coming back.

This year I have 24 solo podcast episodes where I'm hoping to tell a few more stories and dive a little deeper into some of the topics I want to cover. I'm also aiming to have 24 podcast episodes with guests this year for you. It was so much fun sitting down with folks previously to share their stories, their wisdoms, their truths. I know I got a lot of inspiration from them and I am certain with all the folks I have lined up for this year that it won't be any different.

And if you haven't already venture over to http://twitch.tv/domorecoolstuff to check out the fun stuff that is happening there on the First Friday and the Last Monday of every month. I have been going live and it's been a fun start so far, more conversations, more inspiration, more of everything. 

With all of this said, the goal of the Do More Cool Shit movement is still very much to collaborate and support more cool shit getting out in the world. So if you are working on something super fun and interesting I want to hear about or if you have a friend or know of more cool shit happening out in the world let me know. Visit the website and drop me a note there or visit any of the DMCS social media and drop a note there. Lots of people have been writing and it's been amazing to read it all.

In the coming months I'm looking forward to sharing some amazing projects from amazing people with you all. Thanks so much for joining me on this journey. 

Thought you could get away before hearing one last bit of blathering from this fella? Not on my watch. Remember, I yell because I love you. And I want to be here to see and help you succeed when I can. I also need your help to keep pushing all this awesome stuff forward. You all are amazing and I love hearing from you all. 

There is so much more to come in 2022. More podcasts, more collaborations, more giveaways, more deals accomplished. A brand new studio and way more fun times ahead so thank you for joining me. 

On this episode I had the pleasure of sitting down with Lana Dingwall who I have known now for over a decade. Lana is a passionate, creative, community builder among so so many other things. While having this conversation Lana spoke about focusing on the right risks and changing perspectives which was something I had not really ever heard put in those terms. She spoke about the fact that of course there was a risk to leaving her current situation but then she said she shifted her focus on the risk it would be to stay in the current job. What a game changer. 

I urge you to think about risk from all perspectives as you move forward in your creative endeavours. 

Thanks for listening. 

A bit of a deeper somber recording today but one that I think is important. I hope that as we continue to build and create and exist on this planet that we can continue to make this world a better place for ourselves and for those around us so that we may not has competing thoughts that drag us too far from our happiest places. 

With love. Get out there and create and do this things you love, dammit! 

On this episode I got to sit down with Karen and Leigh in their amazing kitchen over at highjinx and it was a great conversation. I have known these two ladies for 10+ years and they have always been creative about the ways they help, it's kind of in the name. So many great nuggets are in this discussion that I hope inspire you to keep pushing your creative limits. A few of the things we cover is the ability to go with the flow, to keep things simple, to work as a team, to start small and there are so many more topics that we cover that I hope you find courage from. 

I hope you enjoy this episode and I hope you take me up on my challenge this week to reach out to someone and tell them something that builds them up. 

Thanks for listening. 

In this episode I wanted to really hit home that practicing in the light is ok. You know why? Because most people don't care. If you release the idea that people care then I guarantee you, you will be able to do a lot more cool shit with your life. Even better, you release the need to care that maybe other people care. Do the things that make you happy.

Want to read more from A.J. Jacobs? Yes! Well then go ahead and READ

No more Randy FeltFace in your life: https://youtu.be/Mq_wZE93ZAY

As always thanks for listening and chat soon. 

Such a great conversation on this episode about finding something that gives you energy. Christina has so many incredible creative outlets from improv, to stand up, to creating a one woman show, to hosting multiple podcasts and so many other things all of which give her energy.   Although she doesn't identify as a creative, she doesn't know.  

My hope when I asked Christina on the show was that you would be able to grab some of the energy I knew she would put out into the world and that she did. I hope you heard her words about remaining who you are and finding the things in life that give you energy. Also she has a regular J.O.B. that's fine toooooo. Ha. 

Have an amazing week. Thanks for listening.