Meet John DeDakis—veteran journalist, former CNN writer, and White House correspondent turned author and writing coach. With a six-book mystery series and decades of newsroom experience, John now helps aspiring writers transform personal stories into powerful fiction. In this episode, he shares how authenticity, grief, and life’s challenges can fuel creativity and deepen connection. Whether you're just starting out or refining your craft, John's insights will inspire you to write with purpose and passion. Explore more at johndedakis.com.

This is a polorizing topic for many people. I believe in God, and I feel that He has had a major influence on my art and my success. Also, I suscribe the the belief that as a creator himself, with us made after his own image, that we are thereby creators in our own sense, and that we should be fully invested in our creative natures.

Enjoy my entreaty on how God can help us succeed in all aspects of business and art.

I am on a journey to go from Hammer to Hollywood, and along the way, I want to learn tools that will help all of us not just be struggling artists, but to also become creative. In this video, I sit down with Ceylan Gunduz, a talented editor and content manager who is passionate about empowering marginalized voices through storytelling. We dive deep into the challenges artists face, the importance of authenticity, and how to navigate the tricky waters of marketability versus genuine expression. Ceylan shares her journey from a self-published teen author to an editor in chief, and we discuss the power of story in connecting with others on a human level. If you're an artist feeling lost or overwhelmed, this conversation is for you! Join us as we explore the beauty of storytelling and the importance of finding your voice in a world that often tries to silence it. Let's break down barriers and create a community where every story matters. Don't miss out on this inspiring discussion that could change the way you view your own creative journey! Learn more about One Brilliant Arc, and how they can help you get your story told at: https://www.obaconnect.com/

Rather than leaving my steady job in the construction world to become a "struggling artist", I've prepared for the last 10 years to be instead, a "working creative".

This is my introductory podcast, letting you know who I am and what my goals are. I hope that on this journey, you as a creative will learn some valuable lessons on your own journey to being a financially fit artist. Though, these lessons will likely apply to all sorts of ventures outside of just us artists.

Stay tuned for more great info, coming your way, from LightMinded Arts.

Dick hu'Mar is the main character in my upcoming Novel: Hard Boiled Cabbage, the 1st book in the new GearLock Series, coming out March 2nd 2026. 

Meet the man who lives in a pre-steampunk world, where brawn beats against brains every day of the week, where Noir is seamlessly blended with fantasy, and every alley you turn down, might just be your last.

To learn more about this upcoming book, check out my website at www.LightMindedArts.com

As I leave my steady construction job, and become a full time self-published writer and independent filmmaker, how does my wife feel about this move?

If you're interested in voiceover work, we'll be releasing he demos on YouTube, and we'll add those links here when that happens, till then, if you want to learn more about her voiceover, let us know in the contact page at www.LightMindedArts.com.