The Creative Minds Podcast

Use promo code CreativeMindsPod for 15% off your first campaign at https://playlistpush.com/spotify-playlists-promotionCome find the free newsletter - https://insidecreativeminds.substack.comAre you stuck in your creative journey — not because you lack talent, discipline, or ideas… but because you’re quietly avoiding the things that might matter most?On this channel, I talk with artists and creatives about expanding their limitations, pursuing unseen goals, and finding deep satisfaction in the work they make. And in today’s episode, I wanted to share three uncomfortable truths that can help you recognise your creative blind spots and start moving toward the work you actually want to create.We explore why perfect work isn’t the goal, why sharing your art in real-world spaces matters more than you think, and why confidence doesn’t come before action — it often comes because of action.If you’re a writer, musician, painter, filmmaker, photographer, designer, or any kind of creative who feels stuck, blocked, or unsure of your next step, this one is for you.And if you enjoyed this episode, pls consider subscribing, liking the video, and sharing it with another creative who might need to hear this.And thanks as always for being here,Will

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Hello, and thanks for being here.

Today I’m bringing you video artist, visual artist, musician, director - all that good stuff - Zahir.

I was out listening to my headphones recently, and one of Zahir’s tracks came on, and without realising who it was, I checked to see the artist and hit save.

Go check out his work. You won’t regret it. And make the link with him too, let’s connect this community beyond my voice.

In this episode I also talk about the coaching/support opportunity that I’m offering here now. The link is here, and come take a look/book a call if you’re interested - I’d love to hear from you.

Enough said, I really hope you enjoy this one.

And peace,

Will

https://open.spotify.com/album/2WCrOoimTXAbWS0zhUiJZJ

https://www.instagram.com/zastarring/

https://www.zaverbs.com/

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On this podcast, I explore creativity through conversations and reflections on how artists expand their limitations and find more satisfaction in their work. Today is just the same (but a particular favourite of mine to work on).

This episode is the second in my series, looking at the intersection between creative practice and Zen. And in this one I’m looking at the idea that our best work doesn’t come from trying harder, but from letting go.

Starting with a quote from Rick Rubin’s The Creative Act, we explore the Zen principle of Wu Wei (action without force), and how presence, non-attachment, and trust in the moment can unlock deeper, more beautiful states of creative practice. I include some of CMs favourite artists - Erykah Badu and Andre 3000, as well as shouting out a new face, Ethel Cain.

And if you do enjoy this one, please do consider sharing it with a fellow creative or just interested friend. Drop it in a group chat. Maybe start a conversation about Zen - whatever takes your fancy.

Most of all have a peaceful and fruitful week. And I’ll see you soon,

Will

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit insidecreativeminds.substack.com/subscribe

Hey, thanks as always for opening this one 👋

Go and check Dom out, and follow his work - https://linktr.ee/domrivetti

And for anyone who wants to apply for the 1-to-1 coaching, pls find the link here - https://forms.gle/Q3GSEtcYXbN9ddQY9

I’m only looking for 6 people to start off, but I won’t be reviewing applications until this coming Friday (16th). So any forms that come in prior to then will be considered.

Thanks for being here as always, hope you enjoyed this one, and speak soon,

Will ✌️❤️

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit insidecreativeminds.substack.com/subscribe

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Another year, another chance to start a fresh - but how? 

This one is about my own current saviour, and something that’s been keeping me level recently, and seriously making me reframe how I think about my creative work (and life).

I’ve been playing with the idea of gathering my writings and research around Zen/mindfulness/creative practice, and trying to get something like a book proposal out this year. So if you do enjoy these works, let me know, or share with a fellow creative. 

More fire to your own work. Love to all those following. And may 2026 allow us to drop those beliefs we don’t want anymore, and find the kind of fruit that will nourish us most greatly. 

Peeeaccce,

Will

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit insidecreativeminds.substack.com/subscribe

Hey, thanks for opening this one, and happy Christmas to you and yours…

At Christmas we often reflect on our creative practice, and can feel pressure to make goals for the new year based around outcomes and expectations. Well-meaning friends and family, can say things to us that might make us focus on measurable goals, or lose sight of the purpose we have for our work, which we’ve fought to define all year.

So as we sit in this gap before the new year, I wanted to offer over some ideas which can help us stay on the right path. And how, in a world obsessed with measurable outcomes, we can sit within a more deeply nourishing model, one which offers the space for truly transcendent creative work and experiences within our journey.

The book I’ve been reading on this recently, is called Zen Mind, Begginer’s Mind - by Shunryū Suzuki. This short text is an absolutely amazing intro to what Zen can offer creatives, in a model based on habitual practice, openness to discovery, and non-attachment to expectations.

Please do pop over to the companion newsletter for any more info you might like on all this, and peace...

Will

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit insidecreativeminds.substack.com/subscribe

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Keep an eye out for the series dropping in early 2026 - The Mindful Creative. I'm hoping this will be the exact kind of stimulus some brains out there need, for a more nourishing and vital start to the new year.

Peace,

Will

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit insidecreativeminds.substack.com/subscribe

This podcast is a companion piece to the article I put out on the newsletter.

Both pieces are intended to be a fishing net - designed specifically for those feeling some lack of motivation or creative burnout. Inside this room I’ve collected a few choice things to surround yourself with, as the winter settles in, and we naturally gear down a bit (or maybe it’s just me?).

In the podcast I talk about writer Ocean Vuong, and introduce painter Agnes Martin, along with the new series for Creative Minds in 2026 - The Mindful Creative.

The caption I used for the background image is - Agnes Martin ‘Untitled 1953’.

At the end of this piece I talk about another podcast episode I enjoyed which centres the topic of self-compassion, and this episode is linked here: https://plumvillage.org/podcast/self-forgiveness-episode-96

I hope you enjoy the episode, and peace,

Will

Can you help support this work? I believe Creative Minds is inherently more valuable if everyone can access everything for free. But I’m balancing building this and paying my bills, and need your help to keep growing this.

I get messages every week from people who say my work is helping them move forward with their projects and feel better about their journey and wellbeing around their creative life. If you can support here, and you think this kind of work matters, please consider dropping me that help, and be part of the engine that allows me to continue this…

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit insidecreativeminds.substack.com/subscribe

Oh sobriety - how you infiltrate the creative space entirely. Listen to interviews with ten of your favourite artists, and a good six or seven will probably mention a strained relationship with the many altered states on offer.

So what can we deduce then? Well, that this sobriety we speak on, is an issue we must discuss and share about.

In this podcast episode specifically, I explore the idea that artists & creatives themselves, might be more susceptible to the kind of obsessive or self-destructive patterns of drug or alcohol abuse, and also that sobriety might open the door to a kind of authenticity, and work ethic, which can offer the most durable approach to actually achieving your hard and interesting creative goals.

What do you think?

I hope you enjoy it at least, I loved making it, and at this time of year… boy is it good to drill these ideas around intentionality and measured action in a little.

Best,

Will

Can you help support this work? I believe Creative Minds is inherently more valuable if everyone can access everything for free. But I’m balancing building this and paying my bills, and need your help to keep growing this.

I get messages every week from people who say my work is helping them move forward with their projects and feel better about their journey and wellbeing around their creative life. If you can support here, and you think this kind of work matters, please consider dropping me that help, and be part of the engine that allows me to continue this…

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit insidecreativeminds.substack.com/subscribe

Use promo code CreativeMindsPod for 15% off your first campaign at https://playlistpush.com/spotify-playlists-promotion

I really hope some people love this one, and get value from it. We are all pushing into 2026 together soon, and let's do that with more gratitude and respect for our creative passion, and more togetherness overall.

Peace, and speak soon,

Will

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit insidecreativeminds.substack.com/subscribe