The Amani Experience Podcast

Gary Ware [EP 123] talks about his experience in the improv world, why space and rest is important for creatives and how we should start thinking - "What is the best that can happen?"

Show Notes:

4:58 - Wanting to be a music teacher.

10:27 - "There comes a point when this is not the place for you ... "

13:29 - How improv has changed Gary's life.

19:05 - "No mistakes, only gifts ... "

21:15 - "Creative professionals need rest ... need space ... "

24:23 - Convincing companies that play is important.

29:35 - "Your heart is like a GPS ... "

36:08 - Einstein and the patent office.

44:15 - "Instead of getting furious, get curious ... "

48:12 - The love for Super Mario Bros 3

51:20 - 6th-grade band teacher, Mr. Evans.

54:07 - "It's not about the work ... "

60:22 - "What is the best that can happen?"

64:56 - "Put one foot in front of the other ... "

How to reach Gary: Website | Instagram | Linkedin | Facebook

Book Recommendations:

Play by Dr. Stuart Brown & Christopher Vaughan

Chief Joy Officer by Richard Sheridan

I Can't Make This Up: Life Lessons by Kevin Hart

Creativity Inc by Ed Catmull & Amy Wallace

SuperBetter by Jane McGonigal

Kira Lingman [EP 122] talks about her love for blues music, gives advice to people who are too old/young to learn bass and shares why good art comes from the dark times. Enjoy!

Show Notes:

4:34 - Where and when Kira's desire to play music came from.

6:34 - Elmore James & Muddy Waters.

8:42 - Ori from Gotham Guitars.

10:22 - What inspired Kira to go full-time with her music.

14:20 - The name "The Hollow Legs".

17:44 - Dream collaborations.

20:50 - How Kira stays creatively full.

25:26 - Advice for people who feel they are too old to learn guitar.

30:18 - "Art comes from the dark times ... "

34:03 - The business aspect of the industry.

36:15 - "Don't be fearful ... "

37:18 - Conquering fears.

46:10 - Favorite song to cover.

47:10 - The key to making a memorable song.

How to reach Kira: Website | Instagram | Instagram | Facebook | Spotify

New Album (Amazon Link)

Book Recommendations:

"Becoming" by Michelle Obama

Monica Kang [EP 121] discusses the scarcity mindset, getting through a serious bout of depression and why we need more playtime in our lives! Enjoy.

Show Notes:

5:45 - Monica's definition of creativity.

8:20 - Why creativity is key to personal and professional development.

13:55 - How to get over the scarcity mindset.

20:33 - Advice for people who feel stuck.

32:12 - "Freak out less, live more ... "

35:44 - Working through a serious bout of depression.

42:35 - Fictional characters who inspired Monica.

48:56 - "It's ok to be heartbroken about certain things ... "

52:50 - Playtime!

59:57 - "Find people who ... "

How to reach Monica: Website | Instagram | Linkedin | Twitter

Book Recommendations:

Originals by Adam Grant

Mindset by Carol Dweck

Rethink Creativity by Monica Kang

The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg

1984 - George Orwell

TV Show Recommendations:

The Good Place

One Piece

Shanna Lee [EP 120] discusses how she left a lucrative real estate business to coach and mentor other creatives, keeping fear in check and as a bonus, Shanna gives me a live reading! Enjoy. Show Notes: 5:00 - Becoming a very successful real estate professional. 8:35 - What inspired Shanna to shift her focus and start a new business. 13:15 - "None of that is true and real ... " 15:46 - "Fear is only as big as you think it is ... " 25:01 - Delegating and scaling. 29:55 - Attracting opposing energy. 34:03 - "I stopped blaming other people ... " 36:05 - Why the people who are closest to us don't support us. 43:06 - Be more present. 46:16 - "I help people live healthy, authentic and awakened lives..." 49:46 - Why the love for 'The Artist Way'. 51:30 - A live reading of Amani. How to reach Shanna: Website | Instagram | Podcast Book Recommendations: "The Soul Frequency" by Shanna Lee "Many Lives, Many Masters" by Brian L. Weiss "The Alchemist" by Paulo Coehlo "The Prophet" by Kahlil Gibran "The Artist's Way" by Julia Cameron

Christiane Michaelis [EP 119] talks about never being too old to be creative, Harry Potter and how to grow your creativity muscle. Enjoy! Show Notes: 3:40 - Two things Christiane misses the most about Germany. 5:52 - The transition from tenure track teaching to her creativity business. 8:13 - Where the name "Dirty Easel" comes from. 10:53 - "50% of the people in the world feel they are not creative..." 12:46 - Growing your "creativity muscle" ... 21:09 - A classic scene from Harry Potter. 26:41 - "Opening a business is like opening a big bag of failures ... " 33:04 - "Easy for me to jump and take a leap when my mind is made up ... " 39:14 - People who say they are too old to learn new skills. 44:15 - "We need to be able to drop everything and follow the call of the moment ..." How to reach Christiane: Website | Twitter | Linkedin | Facebook | Instagram Book Recommendations: The Uninhabitable Earth by David Wallace Wells Creativity Inc. by Ed Catmull and Amy Wallace

Azul Terronez (EP 118) shares some wise thoughts on writing, why it is all creatives responsibility to take risks and what he misses most about the classroom.

Show Notes:

3:53 - Not chasing likes on social media and downloads for podcast.

7:47 - What Azul misses about the classroom.

9:10 - What inspired Azul to be a writing coach.

12:54 - 81% of people have a book inside of them, only 3% of people write it.

15:11 - "We have a responsibility to take risks ... "

18:57 - The risk that had the most impact on Azul's life.

22:35 - "I was afraid I had nothing to say ... "

31:08 - "Other people will deal with haters, you don't have to ... "

33:53 - What people did when Azul left his prominent educational career.

36:10 - The writing coach wants to be better at writing.

38:31 - "Courage is the most depleted resource that writers have ... "

41:14 - "When you least expect it, that's when you are who you really are ... "

How to reach Azul: Website | Instagram | Facebook | Linkedin | TED TALK

Book Recommendations:

The Elements of Style by William Strunk Jr. and E.B. White

Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott

On Writing by Stephen King

The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho

Daring Greatly by Brene Brown

Podcast Recommendation:

Born to Write Podcast

Tessa Young [EP 117] discusses lessons learned in her 20's, the benefits of a good hobby and why we should do all of the things. Enjoy!

Show Notes:

3:45 - Valuable lessons learned while owning Grey Matter.

5:25 - The Wherehouse.

8:42 - "Creative professionals need to learn how to be business professionals."

10:18 - Making mixtapes back in the day.

12:58 - "You need to have a say ... "

14:49 - Wishing that she started her DJ career earlier.

16:30 - "Commitment & persistence ..."

18:45 - Advice to young up and coming DJs.

20:07 - Lessons learned in her 20's.

22:35 - The benefits of a good hobby.

25:34 - "Showing up on time ... "

28:26 - "Do all of the things ... "

30:42 - Maintaining self-worth.

How to reach Tessa: Website | Instagram | Prism DJs | Facebook | Linkedin

Book Recommendations:

The Four Agreements - Don Miguel Ruiz

Never Split The Difference - Chris Voss & Tahl Raz

Jonathan Spangler [EP 116] introduces his new invention (a guitar that folds) as he works on his mission to unleash the mobile musician. He discusses grit, solving the friction in your life and how 900 crunches in the morning help him get his day started.

3:20 - What about intellectual law interested Jonathan.

5:42 - Jonathan's two go-to songs on the guitar.

6:37 - "Study the Friction In Your Life ... solve for it..."

9:27 - What is Ciari Guitars?

10:51 - Handling skepticism from traditional guitar players.

16:35 - Definition of grit.

20:44 - "There is no perfect time and no perfect person ... "

24:10 - Music being taken out of schools.

35:06 - Time management and sleep.

35:40 -"Be more self-confident... "

39:31 - "Unleashing the mobile musician ... "

40:14 - 900 crunches a day in 15 minutes!

45:00 - Verbal/Visual demonstration of the Ciari guitar.

51:05 - Where the name Ciari comes from.

How to reach Jonathan: Website | Instagram | Facebook | Linkedin

Book Recommendations:

Play It Loud by Brad Tolinski and Alan di Perna

Mindset by Carl Dweck

David & Goliath by Malcolm Gladwell

Blood and Thunder by Hampton Sides

Dayna Solomon [EP 115] shares an impressive morning routine, the key to staying balanced as a full-time DJ and how she has been able to remain positive amidst many storms. Enjoy! Show Notes: 5:37 - Why did Dayna major in Mass Communications. 11:23 - The first concert Dayna attended. 13:13 - Marine Biology as a second career. 15:39 - Attracting a strong support group. 18:22 - DJ'ing on a cruise ship. 23:09 - How Dayna avoids the comparison trap. 28:24 - "Just Another Day" by Jon Secada 32:30 - Staying balanced. 38:42 - "Remaining positive through the storms ..." 40:01 - Dayna's morning routine. 45:10 - Sleeping tips. How to reach Dayna: Website | Instagram | Facebook Book Recommendations: "The Subtle Art of Not" by Mark Manson Essentialism by Greg McKeown Sleep Smarter by Shawn Stevenson, Sara Gottfried App Recommendations: Shine App

Ross Simmonds [EP 114] shares timely content distribution tactics, why you should stay away from the comparison game and when it the right time to walk away from something or somebody. Enjoy!

Show Notes:

4:34 - Shy Ross.

7:15 - Selling do-rags in high school.

10:08 - "Don't play the game of comparison ... "

12:55 - Advice for people who want to start a side hustle.

18:18 - "I stay in it so I can talk about what is relevant today ... "

20:42 - Medium and Reddit.

34:35 - Content trends to focus on.

36:40 - Advice for people who are scared to put themselves out there.

39:06 - Know when to walk away from people.

43:49 - "Find your allies and embrace your allies ... "

45:56 - Innovators in hip hop today.

How to reach Ross: Website | Twitter | Instagram | Linkedin

Book Recommendations:

The E-Myth Revisited by Michael E. Gerber

How Will You Measure Your Life? by Clayton Christensen