Sustaining Creativity Podcast

Creativity through the lens of a systems thinker and human being,

"Creativity is a natural gift"

Mark Firehammer (b. 1962) is a creative entrepreneur, author, and cultural systems thinker. He co-founded Fitstreams.club in 2020 and MyFeelness.com in 2024, offering a thoughtful alternative to conventional fitness focused on physical freedom and embodied well-being.
After a career as a professional musician, Mark founded Attract More Clients in 2004 and continues to consult with Fitness Business Pros. He is the author of The Echo and the Voice, a novel exploring authenticity, creativity, and cultural healing, and is currently at work on The Lens That Changes Everything, a nonfiction project examining how perspective shapes human experience.
As founder of the Creative Humanity Alliance, Mark’s work centers on reconnection—helping people rediscover their voices, their creativity, and one another. A believer in opportunities over obstacles, he’s passionate about living without limits—and he loves cats.
Website: https://markfirehammer.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mfirehammer/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/markfirehammer/

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Before you go: take our 5-question Creativity Archetype Quiz at https://sustainingcreativity.fillout.com/creativityarchetypequiz. It takes under a minute and reveals your dominant creative style, your superpowers, and the #1 bottleneck holding you back.

Thanks for listening!

Creativity through the lens of the founder of Wonderfish

"Creativity means: Pushing the limits to where you're not settling for the first idea."

James Colistra spent nearly 20 years inside top business media brands, beginning at The Economist and later joining Forbes, where he became Executive Director of Integrated Marketing.

Today, he’s the founder of Wonderfish, a done-for-you podcast guesting system that helps founders and expert-led businesses become visible authorities by leveraging content destinations their ideal customers already trust.

Website: https://wonderfish.xyz/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamescolistra/

Substack: https://substack.com/@wonderfishlabs

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Before you go: take our 5-question Creativity Archetype Quiz at https://sustainingcreativity.fillout.com/creativityarchetypequiz. It takes under a minute and reveals your dominant creative style, your superpowers, and the #1 bottleneck holding you back.

Thanks for listening!

Creativity through the lens of a musician, author and entrepreneur 

"I believe that we are created by the Creator to create."

Cliff Beach is a multifaceted creator, storyteller, and motivator whose work bridges hustle culture, personal growth, and creative expression. As the author of Side Hustle & Flow, Side Hustle & Flow: Shape Up!, and now Side Hustle & Flow: The Daily Grind, Cliff draws from his own journey of balancing passion with purpose to help others unlock clarity, ambition, and resilience.

A seasoned radio personality and host at KCSN/KSBR The Socalsound, Cliff also created the podcast and radio show Deeper Grooves, where he blends culture, music, and thoughtful conversation. His writing and media work reflect a commitment to deeper insight and everyday inspiration.

Cliff has navigated the worlds of entrepreneurship, wellness, media, and mentorship with a grounded, honest voice—encouraging readers and listeners to pursue goals without sacrificing wellbeing. Whether through brief daily prompts, in-depth personal essays, or candid interviews, he champions continuous growth, joyful discipline, and the transformative power of reflection.

He lives in California and continues to explore new ways of helping others craft lives of meaning and momentum.

https://sidehustleandflow.net/

Book - Side Hustle & Flow: The Daily Grind: 365 Days To Shine

https://www.facebook.com/cliffbeachmusic

https://www.instagram.com/cliffbeachmusic

https://www.youtube.com/cliffbeachmusic

https://x.com/cliffbeachmusic

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Before you go: take our 5-question Creativity Archetype Quiz at https://sustainingcreativity.fillout.com/creativityarchetypequiz. It takes under a minute and reveals your dominant creative style, your superpowers, and the #1 bottleneck holding you back.

Thanks for listening!

Creativity through the lens of a multi-hyphanate creative

"Creativity is: Authenticity. Helping others find themselves."

Alexandra Beller, Artistic Director of Alexandra Beller/Dances, (2002-present), was a member of the Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Dance Company from 1995-2001. Alexandra has created over 50 original Dance Theatre works, presented at/commissioned by theatres throughout NYC, and companies in Korea, Hong Kong, Oslo, Cyprus, and the US. Alexandra currently choreographs predominantly for Theatre. Credits: Off Broadway: Sense and Sensibility (Helen Hayes Award, Lortel Nomination, IRNE Best Choreography), The Mad Ones (59E59), Bedlam’s Peter Pan (Duke Theatre), How to transcend a happy marriage (Lincoln Center Theatre). Regional: La Jolla Playhouse, The Goodman Theater, Folger Shakespeare Library, ART, Portland Center Stage, Milwaukee Rep. She was on faculty at Princeton from 20152022 and teaches at The Laban Institute for Movement Studies. She currently runs workshops in Somatics, Theater, Laban, Bartenieff, coaches private Somatics clients, and is writing 2 books.

https://www.alexandrabeller.com/

https://www.alexandrabellerdances.org/

https://www.instagram.com/alexandrabellerdances/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexandra-beller-0a56a57/

https://www.tiktok.com/@thelabanista

https://www.facebook.com/alexandrabellerdances

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8suG0TLGKqufov8IpqLrKw

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Before you go: take our 5-question Creativity Archetype Quiz at https://sustainingcreativity.fillout.com/creativityarchetypequiz. It takes under a minute and reveals your dominant creative style, your superpowers, and the #1 bottleneck holding you back.

Thanks for listening!

Creativity through the lens of an author, former CPA, atorney, consultant and grandfather

"Creativity is: circumstance driving outside the box thinking."

AJ Tyler's love for writing began at 16 when he read Dalton Trumbo's
"Johnny Got His Gun." That story's ability to immerse Tyler into the
wounded soldier's mind made him realize the power of writing. Tyler
developed a passion for reading, especially thrillers, and dreamt of
becoming an author, despite his father's encouragement to attend business
school and earn a Master of Laws degree. Tyler's degrees led him into the
business world, providing him with a background that adds authenticity to
his writing.
After practicing for 36 years, he sold his consulting business to a public
company. Tyler then began consulting with troubled businesses, but his
passion for writing was never out of his mind. He satisfied his need to write
by creating innovative and imaginative business plans for his clients. Along
the way, Tyler developed a love for creative cooking and wine. He opened
a restaurant and collaborated with numerous other restaurants, developing
unique menu items and beautiful spaces. He pursued this career for 9
years while secretly working on his manuscripts.
In 2024, Tyler made his initial writing breakthrough by telling the story of
how his grandfather, a 12-year-old orphan, stowed away on a boat and
landed in the United States, where he raised a family of four children. That
book, Immigrant Men, was released in June 2024 and reached #1 in two
categories on Amazon.
Tyler turned his skills to fiction with the release of his first novel, Death
Insured, featuring his hero, Allen Miller, an analytics expert who solves
crimes. Released on October 2, 2024, Death Insured is the first in a series
of Allen Miller novels that incorporate Tyler’s business, personal, and legal
experiences to unravel the twists and turns of extensive murder and other
criminal plots in his tight psychological thrillers.
Tyler is widowed, has three sons, and two grandchildren. He resides in
Fort Lauderdale, Florida, with his rescue dog, Coco, and is an avid sports
fan and rarely misses a game of his favorite team, the Philadelphia Eagles.

https://ajtylerauthor.com/

https://www.facebook.com/AJTylerauthor/

https://www.instagram.com/ajtyler_author

Send us Fan Mail

Before you go: take our 5-question Creativity Archetype Quiz at https://sustainingcreativity.fillout.com/creativityarchetypequiz. It takes under a minute and reveals your dominant creative style, your superpowers, and the #1 bottleneck holding you back.

Thanks for listening!

Creativity through the lens of an author and coach

"My creativity is about seeing patterns."

Lee Baucom is an author and coach with a background in therapy who’s spent more than two decades building a business around his writing. He now works with authors who want clarity on how their book can support their work and lead to a sustainable business.

http://BookToBusinessBlueprint.com

Send us Fan Mail

Before you go: take our 5-question Creativity Archetype Quiz at https://sustainingcreativity.fillout.com/creativityarchetypequiz. It takes under a minute and reveals your dominant creative style, your superpowers, and the #1 bottleneck holding you back.

Thanks for listening!

Creativity through the lens of a Badass Grandpa, mountain climber, adventurer and author

"Creativity - it means being soulfully creative. Creating a meaningful life."

John Graham is an author, adventurer, former diplomat and citizen activist . No guru and no saint, he's repeatedly sought the meaning of his life in many places where it wasn't. He finally found the purpose he sought in service—in helping solve significant public problems, and in making life better for other people. Making and implementing this discovery hasn't only brought him enormous satisfaction—it's been the adventure of his life.

https://www.johngraham.org/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnagraham1/

https://www.facebook.com/JohnAGraham344

https://www.youtube.com/user/JohnGraham29

https://www.giraffe.org/

Send us Fan Mail

Before you go: take our 5-question Creativity Archetype Quiz at https://sustainingcreativity.fillout.com/creativityarchetypequiz. It takes under a minute and reveals your dominant creative style, your superpowers, and the #1 bottleneck holding you back.

Thanks for listening!

Creativity through the lens of the founders of The Brief Collective

"'Creativity is: Sharing your heart.' 'Exploring your mind to the fullest potential.'"

Marisa Burgett: Owner of MB - Creative Agency where she is the brains {& beauty} behind thoughtful, strategic, and unique designs for woman owned business so that their brand can turn heads. 
Coach Marisa quit her corporate job to pursue design & now thrives helping other designers increase their revenue and work life balance by doing the same.
Marisa is obsessed with helping you own your worth and improve your mindset.

Kenzi Green: Kenzi runs Kenzi Green Design, a versatile brand and website design studio that specializes in playful design for female founders.
After graduating fully self-employed in 2019, she now teaches other designers how to achieve financial freedom by doing what they love.
Kenzi is obsessed with helping designers charge like an adult and step into their potential.

https://www.instagram.com/thebriefcollective/

https://thebriefcollective.myflodesk.com/j01wwl76nh

https://www.youtube.com/@thebriefcollective

https://www.tiktok.com/@thebriefcollective

https://www.threads.com/@thebriefcollective?xmt=AQG0ahAbGDdIhU3U14GCv2wuQRNyt4vHd0b-WeX5OH40vxw

Send us Fan Mail

Before you go: take our 5-question Creativity Archetype Quiz at https://sustainingcreativity.fillout.com/creativityarchetypequiz. It takes under a minute and reveals your dominant creative style, your superpowers, and the #1 bottleneck holding you back.

Thanks for listening!

Creativity through the lens of a documentary filmmaker, film professor, author and illustrator

"Creativity should not be something you try to do. IT should be something that's just natural that comes out of you."

Award-winning TV director & documentary filmmaker, Craig D. Forrest, has traveled to 160 countries and 6 continents for such clients as CBS, ABC, Discovery Channel, A&E, Animal Planet, PBS, Fox Sports, Travel Channel, HBO, Warner Bros, Lions Gate Films, World Vision, Samaritan's Purse, Voice of the Martyrs, Far East Broadcasting and many others.

He has covered subjects as diverse as voodoo, Santeria, tribal warfare, cults, miracles, sex-trafficking, terrorism, famine, poverty, demonic possession and the supernatural. 

Over 250 overseas assignments have flung him into hot spots such as Iraq, Cuba, Burundi, the Congo, El Salvador, Palestine, Cambodia, Uganda, Haiti, Burma, Zimbabwe, Morocco, Chad, Bosnia & Kosovo. 

Craig has produced, directed or crewed stories on-location in 111 countries.

His media projects have won or been nominated for 29 film festival, television or video awards. Craig was part of the production team for The Amazing Race (Season 14), which won the 2009 Primetime EMMY for Best Reality Competition Program.

Former host/producer for SIX WAYS TO SUNDAY podcast - 5 seasons - 54 guests - 167 episodes - 71 countries.

Craig is the author of a well-reviewed, engaging memoir NIGHT TRAIN TO CAIRO. Upcoming is a historical novel - THROUGH THE WIRE - about his late grandfather's fighting in the bloody trenches of France during WW1 @ the Battle of the Somme. 

He is also the author of COMMANDO TACTICS FOR DIGITAL FILMMAKERS & THE INFLUENCE OF ALEXANDER MACKENDRICK ON SCOTTISH FILM. 

Upcoming books – BUGSY THE BRAVE BUTTERFLY + ROAD TO MACHU PICCHU.

DocFA - Redemptive Filmmaking @ Kingdom Seminary

MA - Film Studies @ Chapman University

BSc - Theology @ Bethany University

Cert - Executive Leadership @ Cornell University

Former adjunct professor of TV/Film/Media @ Pepperdine U, Regent U, Concordia - Irvine U.

Member - Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (EMMYS)

Member - Travelers' Century Club (100+ Countries)

https://www.facebook.com/craigdforrest

https://x.com/craigdforrest

https://www.pinterest.com/bordeauxinnlodi/

https://www.craigforrest.com/

https://www.youtube.com/@craigdforrest

https://www.instagram.com/craigdforrest/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/craigdforrest/

https://www.tiktok.com/@craigdforrest713

https://www.threads.com/@craigdforrest

https://substack.com/@craigdforrest

Send us Fan Mail

Before you go: take our 5-question Creativity Archetype Quiz at https://sustainingcreativity.fillout.com/creativityarchetypequiz. It takes under a minute and reveals your dominant creative style, your superpowers, and the #1 bottleneck holding you back.

Thanks for listening!

Creativity through the lens of a public speaker, purpose mentor and best selling author

"Creativity is finding your voice and self expression without guilt and sharme."

Cooper Harrison is a mindset and transformation coach who helps people unlock creativity by clearing subconscious blocks and reconnecting with their inner world. His work focuses on removing the internal friction that stifles expression, flow, and authentic creation.

TedX: https://youtu.be/qVg0M1olon4?si=uqqe5UDix9cjG4rp

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/consciouscoop_

website: cooperharrison.org

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@consciouscoop

LinkedIn: Cooper Harrison, MBA | LinkedIn

Amazon author: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B081ZB8NHJ?ingress=0&visitId=2b8f7dce-ede1-4cb9-9102-969d923c45de&ref_=aufs_ap_ahdr_dsk_ab&ccs_id=da96de59-80f9-476c-9294-1b989865373a

Send us Fan Mail

Before you go: take our 5-question Creativity Archetype Quiz at https://sustainingcreativity.fillout.com/creativityarchetypequiz. It takes under a minute and reveals your dominant creative style, your superpowers, and the #1 bottleneck holding you back.

Thanks for listening!