Parenting Creative

Nikko Snyder talks to journalist, dancer, photographer and parent of four, Nichole Huck, about parenting in community; creating meaning by sharing each other's stories; the power of everyday micro-connections; jazz as a metaphor for parenting; listening to people even when you disagree with them; giving ourselves permission to enjoy the different seasons of life; raising boys in the age of impossible masculinity; high-fiving strangers; and the curative properties of Bison heart.

Nichole shares her insights on the role of current events in family life, navigating masculinity with children in today's society, and the power of curiosity in fostering connections with others. The conversation highlights the beauty found in everyday life and the significance of listening to diverse voices. In this conversation, Nichole Huck shares her insights on parenting, community, and the importance of micro connections in daily life. She discusses her experiences as an extroverted parent, the dynamics of raising children with varying personalities, and the significance of community support in parenting. Nichole emphasizes the need to let go of perfectionism and embrace the beauty of small interactions that can make a difference in people's lives. The conversation highlights the importance of finding joy in the chaos of parenting and the value of creating a supportive network for both parents and children.

• Bison (and the curative properties of bison heart!) - An episode of Nichole's show that discussed the return of bison to indigenous communities.
• Buffalo Treaty - An article about the 10-year anniversary of the Buffalo Treaty.
• Raising boys in the age of impossible masculity - An episode of Nichole's show featuring the author of Boy Mom: Reimaging boyhood in an age of impossible masculinity.
• Beautiful Mess - A series created by Nichole that tells the stories of diverse parents and their hard-earned wisdom.

Parenting Creative explores the places where creative life and parenting collide, and all the magic and mess that ensues. Through deep, honest conversations with diverse artist-parents who are walking the walk, we explore both the struggles and the real, practical ways to make creativity and parenthood work—on your own terms, in ways that sustain and inspire you for the long haul. And we do it in community—because neither parenting nor creative life can thrive in isolation.

Visit parentingcreative.com to join our email newsletter, or follow Parenting Creative on Instagram and Bluesky. You can also support the podcast by leaving a tip or becoming a founding member.

Support Parenting Creative

Takeaways

• Creativity is not limited to traditional forms; it encompasses curiosity and connection.
• Current events shape family conversations and children's awareness of the world.
• Finding beauty in everyday moments can be a form of gratitude.
• Navigating masculinity with children requires understanding and empathy.
• Storytelling provides a platform for sharing wisdom and experiences.
• Listening to diverse perspectives enriches conversations and understanding.
• Curiosity fosters inclusion and connection in both journalism and parenting.
• Community and shared experiences are vital in parenting and creativity.
• Micro connections with people can energize and uplift us.
• Community support is essential for effective parenting.
• Letting go of perfectionism allows children to develop competence.
• Small interactions can have a significant impact on others' lives.
• Finding joy in nature can enhance parenting experiences.
• Parenting is a journey of continuous learning and adaptation.
• Every individual has a role in making the world a better place.

Chapters

00:00 The Art of Capturing Moments in Parenting

03:10 Introducing Journalist and Parent Nichole Huck

06:03 The Role of Current Events in Family Life

08:59 Finding Beauty in Everyday Life

11:46 Navigating Masculinity with Kids in Modern Society

14:52 The Power of Storytelling and Community

18:03 Curiosity as a Tool for Connection

28:14 Embracing Micro Connections

32:32 The Dynamics of Extroverted Parenting

36:30 The Importance of Community in Parenting

41:18 Letting Go of Perfectionism

46:58 Finding Joy in Small Interactions

Keywords

parenting, creativity, journalism, community, current events, masculinity, storytelling, photography, curiosity, family, micro connections, extroverted parenting, community support, parenting without perfectionism, small interactions, parenting creativity, parenting challenges, family dynamics, personal growth, emotional well-being

Summary

In this episode, Parenting Creative host Nikko Snyder shares her journey of launching Parenting Creative and exploring the intersection of creativity and parenting. She reflects on her personal experiences, the challenges of maintaining a creative identity while raising children, and the importance of community support for artist parents. Throughout, she emphasizes the need for connection and the value of diverse artistic expressions.

Parenting Creative explores the places where creative life and parenting collide, and all the magic and mess that ensues. Through deep, honest conversations with diverse artist-parents who are walking the walk, we explore both the struggles and the real, practical ways to make creativity and parenthood work—on your own terms, in ways that sustain and inspire you for the long haul. And we do it in community—because neither parenting nor creative life can thrive in isolation.

Visit parentingcreative.com to join our email newsletter, or follow Parenting Creative on Instagram and Bluesky. You can also support the podcast by leaving a tip or becoming a founding member.

Support Parenting Creative

Takeaways

• Parenting requires nothing short of Herculean fortitude.
• Tough times are precisely the time when artists go to work.
• It's easy to lose track of your creative self as a parent.
• Art is vast. It's music, craft, storytelling, film, dance, gardening... everything.
• You don't need formal training for your creative life to be legitimate.
• Life is short. Try the weird hobby.
• Diversity and communicating across our differences matter.
• Community changes everything.
• We cannot and must not be reduced to consumers.

Chapters

00:00 A Recurring Dream of Performance Anxiety

02:20 The Birth of the Parenting Creative Podcast

04:17 Identity and Heritage: A Personal Reflection

05:11 The Challenge of Balancing Parenting and Creativity

07:32 Art is Vast and Your Art Matters

08:01 The Importance of Diversity, Community, and Creating

Keywords

Parenting, Creativity, Podcast, Community, Identity, Art, Artist Parents, Parenting Challenges, Personal Growth, Connection, Diversity

In this episode of Parenting Creative, host Nikko Snyder talks to theatre artist Marya Folinsbee about the relationship between creativity and parenting. They talk about resiliency, absurdism in life and in theater, sneaking up on writing, finding magic in the mundane, perseverance and how art insists upon itself (sometimes over years!), the role of solitude and retreat, redefining creative work and productivity, and Marya's new play, The Mosquitos.

Marya shares her journey as a theater artist, the evolution of her work, and how her experiences as a parent have shaped her artistic expression. The conversation emphasizes the importance of process, the value of modeling resilience and failure to children, and the transformative power of play in both parenting and creativity. Marya emphasizes the value of community and the importance of modeling independence and self-care for children, and she shares practical strategies for navigating creative challenges and redefining what counts as artistic work.

• The Hand that Rocks the Cradle Writes the Book, by Ursula LuGuin
• Material Theatre on Instagram
• The Hand that Rocks the Cradle Writes the Books, by Ursula LeGuin
• Material Theatre

Parenting Creative explores the places where creative life and parenting collide, and all the magic and mess that ensues. Through deep, honest conversations with diverse artist-parents who are walking the walk, we explore both the struggles and the real, practical ways to make creativity and parenthood work—on your own terms, in ways that sustain and inspire you for the long haul. And we do it in community—because neither parenting nor creative life can thrive in isolation.

Visit parentingcreative.com to join our email newsletter, or follow Parenting Creative on Instagram and Bluesky. You can also support the podcast by leaving a tip or becoming a founding member.

Support Parenting Creative

Takeaways

• We are better parents by embracing our own identities.
• Creative life and parenting can coexist harmoniously.
• Art can be found in the mundane aspects of life.
• Modeling resilience and process is crucial for children.
• Failure is an integral part of the creative process.
• Art does not have to be perfect to be valuable.
• The journey of creation is often unpredictable and transformative. Rediscovering joy in art can heal perfectionism.
• Community plays a vital role in the creative process.
• Balancing parenting and art requires intentionality.
• Self-care is essential for effective parenting.
• Children benefit from being included in creative spaces.
• Redefining productivity can enhance artistic growth.
• Artistic pursuits can coexist with parenting responsibilities.

Chapters

02:04 The Intersection of Creativity and Parenthood

06:09 Claiming the Artist Identity

11:55 Navigating Domestication and Wildness

18:12 The Role of Ceremony and Spectacle in Daily Life

23:52 Modeling Resilience and the Creative Process

36:11 The Role of Children in Creative Processes

49:35 The Nitty Gritty and Life Hacks

Keywords

parenting, creativity, theater, absurdism, resilience, identity, art, motherhood, process, wildness, artistic process, parenting, creative challenges, self-discovery, resilience, community, artistic expression, work-life balance, personal growth, emotional waves

Welcome to Parenting Creative, a podcast that explores the places where creative life and parenting collide, and all the magic and mess that ensues.    

This spring we’ll be launching our first season, where host Nikko Snyder will delve into the creative lives of parents making art that ranges from theatre and music to poetry, journalism and craft. 

Our goal is to build community and connection for those living deep in the struggles of caring for others while at the same time prioritizing their own creative lives. 

Parenting Creative resists the pressure to buy more, hustle harder, and chase the impossible standard of ‘perfect’ parenting. We believe parents deserve to be fully realized humans—and that prioritizing our creative lives makes us better parents.

Through deep, honest conversations with diverse artist-parents who are walking the walk, we explore both the struggles and the real, practical ways to make creativity and parenthood work—on your own terms, in ways that sustain and inspire you for the long haul. And we do it in community—because neither parenting nor creative life can thrive in isolation.

Visit parentingcreative.com to sign up for our email newsletter, so you can find out when we launch and when new episodes come out.

And follow us on Instagram and Bluesky at parentingcreative.