Tapping Creativity

What is the first step to choosing what project to do? For me, it’s the Brain Dump. This is where I pour down on the page all my thoughts and prospects. It answers several questions like: “If I could live 10 lives simultaneously or if money wasn't an object, what kind of things would I do creatively?” “Is this the thing that I really want to do? What are other ways that I could express that?” Or “Am I ready for that? If not, what can I do to prepare myself?”

Here’s a worksheet to guide you through with that. Brain Dump Worksheet

Have a listen and if you have questions or struggles with picking your project, reach out to me and book a 1:1 session here.

You can watch the video here: https://youtu.be/-ZO7XNM3Z3o

Written and Produced by Matthew C. Temple
Edited by Tyen Musa
Original Theme Music by Adrian Lee
Sponsored by WeStrive

Purpose is that wellspring from which we can derive energy when things get challenging. Therefore finding your purpose for creating is essentially the first thing you should do in your creative journey.

In this episode, as we launch the 9 P’s of Powerful and Effective Creating, I’ll share what I’ve observed as the most common pitfalls when it comes to creatives finding their purpose and how this element is iterative as the creative process pans out.

Here is a worksheet to guide you with finding your purpose - getting clear on your “why”.

Link to video: https://youtu.be/D6d0gspqW7A

Creativity is the process of bringing something new into being and it is a creative process. Do you want to know the creative process that I used to make 9 Narrative Feature films, 8 documentaries, a sitcom pilot that I wrote and set up in Kenya, countless short films, music videos, commercials, I toured Europe with my acapela trio and released a CD, launched a couple of blogs and podcasts, and a couple of books? 

I call it The 9 P's of Powerful and Effective Creating.

In the next few weeks we will explore what these P’s are, and how you can use them too to achieve creative success. It is based on my book, The Creative’s Handbook, which can be found here on my website.

Link to video: https://youtu.be/RQS22EtUe5s

Written and Produced by Matthew C. Temple
Edited by Tyen Musa
Original Theme Music by Adrian Lee
Sponsored by WeStrive

How did the great success stories begin?

I asked my past guests to shed light on how they started out their journey as creatives and have mashed up their responses for today's episode. I hope they will resonate and that you will take inspiration from them to chart your own hero's journey.

PS: I have something special cooking for you starting next week.

Written and Produced by Matthew C. Temple
Edited by Tyen Musa
Original Theme Music by Adrian Lee
Sponsored by WeStrive

How do you turn a supposed failure into success? Vinnie Potestivo advises, "Give it time". On this episode you will learn about how to set yourself up for success by pattern breaking and finding what makes you stand out and running with IT.

Our guest this week, Vinnie is an Emmy Award-winning media brand advisor, producer and content coach. He has a proven track record of creating & casting compelling content that has had a direct positive impact on pop culture such as MTV's TRL.

Written and Produced by Matthew C. Temple
Edited by Tyen Musa
Original Theme Music by Adrian Lee
Sponsored by WeStrive

Our guest for this week, Geoffrey Calhoun, used to work as an MRI technician. What turned him to professional screenwriting?  What did he take to make that pivot?

In this episode we discuss several topics from his book, The Guide for Every Screen Writer: ranging from his writing process, writing exercises that have helped us both, and why there is nothing wrong with having a day job as a screenwriter.

Calhoun is a screenwriter, author and creative coach.

Written and Produced by Matthew C. Temple
Edited by Tyen Musa
Original Theme Music by Adrian Lee
Sponsored by WeStrive

Why do true crime series appeal to us? Not the click bait titles actually, but literary works about actual crimes.

According to our guest today, Kim Daly, it’s because of the powers that victim focused stories have. From the power to heal, building community, to informing the readers on what precautions to take in order to limit the chances of falling victim to these crimes.

Kim Daly is an author and editor. Her latest book, The True Crime Files is now available here.

Written and Produced by Matthew C. Temple
Edited by Tyen Musa
Original Theme Music by Adrian Lee
Sponsored by WeStrive

It's commonly said that Genius is one percent inspiration and 99 percent perspiration. I have found this to be true in my projects over the years. Part of the sweat is poured in the research stage so as to flesh out the inspired idea.

Our guest today talks about how he has gone about researching for his three novels. The creative process of each required different approaches: from reliance on introspection, to reading, to interviewing others.

E.C. Hanes is an author, veteran, business leader and former state senator candidate. His latest novel, 'The Bus to Beaulah' , a gripping story about immigration and human trafficking can be found here.

Written and Produced by Matthew C. Temple
Edited by Tyen Musa
Original Theme Music by Adrian Lee
Sponsored by WeStrive

Collaboration is a key part of the creative process. No artist can ever do it all by themselves: whether the project is writing a book or recording music or shooting a film.

On this episode of Tapping Creativity, we revisit conversations we've had with various creatives on what is critical to them when choosing collaborators and how they keep the ball rolling until the professional connection turn into personal relationships that last years.

Have a listen to these tips by the poet and Hiphop artist Propaganda, writer-director Aaron Fjellman, film composer Adrian Lee and filmmaker Brian Crewe.

Written and Produced by Matthew C. Temple
Edited by Tyen Musa
Original Theme Music by Adrian Lee
Sponsored by WeStrive

As creatives, life always reminds us that the application of our creative gifts isn’t limited to our arts and crafts. Creativity is essential in all spheres of our being.

On today’s episode, Omar Garriott shares his insights into how creativity is useful in building professional relationships and business in general.

Omar is a tech entrepreneur for good. Together with a former colleague at LinkedIn, Omar wrote the book ‘Conquer LinkedIn: Get Your Dream Job of the Future’. We discuss this book and especially how  we can leverage our creativity to make the best of social media.


Written and Produced by Matthew C. Temple
Edited by Tyen Musa
Original Theme Music by Adrian Lee