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Are you feeling stuck, burned out, or just going through the motions? In this episode, I share my raw, personal story of hitting rock bottom as an executive chef—and how creativity, art, and play helped me find hope and purpose again.
You’ll hear about:
The warning signs of burnout and depression
The panic attack that changed everything
How small creative acts like Play-Doh, music, and art can help you heal
Why creativity is for everyone—not just artists
A challenge to help you rediscover your own creative spark
If you’re searching for inspiration, motivation, or a way out of feeling stuck, this story is for you.
Timestamps:
00:00 – Introduction & rock bottom moment
02:00 – Burnout & expectations
05:00 – Signs of depression
07:00 – The panic attack
09:00 – Creative healing
13:00 – Advice for listeners
14:30 – Creative challenge
Connect with me:
Instagram: @creativeodysseypodcast
Email: [email protected]
If this story resonates, please like, comment, and share with someone who needs hope today.
Subscribe for more stories about creativity, mental health, and personal growth!

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What happens when the thing you built with someone you admire… no longer feels aligned?

In this deeply honest episode, I share the story behind one of the hardest creative decisions I’ve ever made: telling my podcast co-host I needed to go solo. Not because of conflict. Not because of ego. But because of a whisper I could no longer ignore.

We’ll talk about:

• 🎧 Why I stepped away from a creative partnership that was working
• 🧠 The power (and pain) of being multipassionate
• 🔥 How community helped me transform chaos into courage
• 💡 The exact 4-step Creative Courage Framework I now use to make bold moves

Whether you’re a storyteller, content creator, or just someone trying to follow your curiosity — this one’s for you.

If you’ve ever felt stuck between who you were and who you’re becoming… this episode will meet you there.

🔔 Subscribe and leave a review — it helps this podcast reach more creatives just like you.
 📩 Want to share your story or get in touch? DM me on Instagram @sheranstories or email [email protected]

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What does it mean to choose the creative path—again and again—when it doesn’t promise stability, clarity, or even recognition?

In this episode of The Creative Odyssey, we’re joined by two storytellers from vastly different disciplines but deeply connected by purpose: Mason Bufkin, an author and educator who writes character-driven fiction for young adults, and Sunami Rodriguez, a Colombian-born actress whose art became her lifeline through immigration, motherhood, and self-discovery.

Together, we explore:

• How childhood, culture, and family influence creative identity
• The breaking points that almost made them quit—and what pulled them back
• Writing and acting as tools for empathy and healing
• What it really means to "help a character speak"
• The hidden emotional labor of storytelling
• Rejection, burnout, perfectionism—and how they’ve learned to move through them

Sunami shares how acting saved her at a time when she felt most lost. Mason opens up about rejection letters, abandoned manuscripts, and what kept him writing. Through honest, unscripted reflection, this conversation reminds us that creativity isn’t about the spotlight—it’s about staying connected to who you are, and daring to shape the world through your voice.

🎥 Watch this episode on YouTube for full visual experience
 🎧 Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you tune in
📥 Download our free listener resources below to support your own creative odyssey

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What if you stopped waiting for permission—and just started building?

In this episode of The Creative Odyssey Podcast, we sit down with Charles and Kyra, the creative powerhouse behind Breakthrough Sounds, one of Cleveland’s rising creative hubs. Their story is anything but typical—no funding, no fancy connections, just $3,000, prayer, and pure grit.

Charles shares how bombing a rap show pushed him to reinvent himself—and how he turned that moment into fuel for something bigger. Kyra opens up about walking away from a “safe” career in computer science to pursue graphic design, trusting the path before she could fully see it.

We get into:

•The messy truth about starting from scratch

•The myth of “natural talent” and why creativity is for everyone

•How to build a creative career withouta million-dollar budget

•Navigating the real-life dynamic of growing together as a couple and collaborators

•And what it means to be part of Cleveland’s creative renaissance

Whether you’re stuck in your own head or sitting on an idea you’re scared to start—this one will light a fire under you.

Start where you are. Build what you can. Stop waiting for perfect.

🎥 Watch this episode on YouTube for full visual experience

00:00 Intro

03:00 Charles’ first rap performance (3rd grade!)

10:50 Kyra’s leap from computer science to design

26:40 The creative shift happening in Cleveland

34:00 The $3,000 studio story

44:30 Creativity + relationships: how they make it work

51:20 A message to creatives who are scared to start

Let’s keep creating:

Follow us on IG →[@Thecreativeodysseypodcast]

Kyra wells [@Kyrajwells] 

Charles Pratt[@toobefresco]

Listen + subscribe for more creative stories that don’t skip the real parts.

If this episode hits home, leave a review or share it with a fellow creative.

It helps more dreamers find their people.

#CreativePodcast #BreakthroughSounds #StartBeforeYoureReady #CreativeProcess #DIYCreatives #ClevelandCreatives #CreativeCouples #CreativeJourney #BuildWithoutPermission #EntrepreneurshipForCreatives

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In this episode of The Creative Odyssey Podcast, we explore the power of curiosity over perfection in the creative process. Whether you're a musician, writer, filmmaker, or any type of creator, perfectionism can be the biggest roadblock to progress. We discuss how embracing curiosity, prototyping your way forward, and reframing your mindset can help you break free from creative paralysis.

We also reflect on our journey from 2024, the success of Odyssey Sounds, and how this podcast has evolved. Plus, hear about our upcoming guests and creative plans for 2025!

Key Takeaways:
🎨 How curiosity fuels creativity
🛠️ Why creating a prototype is more important than making it perfect
🧠 Reframing your mindset for creative freedom
💡 Setting small creative challenges to push past fear
🎶 Behind the scenes of Odyssey Sounds and our creative meetup

Join the conversation! What creative ideas have you been curious about but hesitant to start? DM us or tag us on Instagram @yourhandle with your thoughts!

👉 Follow, rate, and review to help more creatives find their people!

🎧 Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all major platforms

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In this episode of The Creative Odyssey Podcast, Sheran and Ben dive into the transformative power of embracing curiosity over perfection. They reflect on lessons from the Odyssey Sounds creative meetup, the Cleveland 48-Hour Film Festival, and their recent jam session, exploring how collaborative creativity can inspire growth.

The hosts discuss why breaking out of old patterns and trusting new ones is essential for evolving as a creative. Through personal stories and examples (like Seinfeld’s George Costanza!), they unpack the importance of allowing yourself to explore, make mistakes, and follow the spark of curiosity wherever it leads.

This episode challenges you to reframe your creative process—viewing it as an ongoing, messy, and deeply personal journey rather than a race for perfection. Plus, Sheran and Ben share actionable tips to help you identify and commit to your own “new pattern” this week.

🎨 Key Takeaways:

•Creativity thrives on curiosity, not perfection.

•Embrace “messy” creativity—it’s often where the magic happens.

•Trust your intuition and let your creativity lead the way.

Join us as we ride the wave of creativity and discover how to create freely, authentically, and joyfully.

🎧 Tune in now, and let us know: What’s one new pattern you’re ready to trust this week?

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In this episode, we explore the world of artistic expression with three talented guests: Caleb Cameron, and The Zerbo Brothers; Emanuel & Joseph. We explore how music serves as a powerful outlet for creativity, providing both joy and a means of self-discovery. Caleb Cameron starts with how an artist is driven by the need to create something new, expressive, and personal, often breaking boundaries and challenging norms. In contrast, an artisan focuses on mastering their craft, honing skills through repetition and refinement, and often working within traditional frameworks. This discussion highlights the diverse paths within the creative world and the value of both innovation and mastery.

Together, Caleb, Emanuel, and Joseph provide a well-rounded exploration of what it means to be a creative in today's world, sharing stories of growth, passion, and the relentless pursuit of artistic fulfilment.

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Creative Odyssey Podcast Ep7 : Unleashing Creativity with Joey Liberatore

In this exciting episode of "The Creative Odyssey," Sheran and Ben welcome their first guest, Joey Liberatore, a musician with a deep passion for creativity. Joey shares his journey from learning to play the guitar to becoming a versatile creative, exploring how music has been a means of self-expression, escape, and healing for him.

Key Highlights:

• Introduction to Joey Liberatore: Joey discusses his background in music, photography, and how he combines these passions in his creative process.
• The Creative Process: Joey delves into the challenges and rewards of the creative process, including how he deals with creative blocks and the importance of community support among creatives.
• Healing Through Creativity: Joey explains how creating music helps him process emotions and overcome personal challenges, highlighting the therapeutic power of creativity.
• The Prototype State of Mind: The conversation explores the concept of the "Prototype State of Mind," emphasizing the importance of creating without the pressure of perfection.
• The Role of Community in Creativity: Joey, Sheran, and Ben discuss the significance of supporting other creatives and how collaboration can lead to growth and new ideas.
• Overcoming Perfectionism: Joey shares his struggle with perfectionism and how he has learned to release his work, understanding that it doesn’t need to be perfect to be impactful.
• The Future of Creativity: The episode concludes with a discussion on the evolving nature of creativity and the excitement of exploring new projects and ideas.

It is a must-listen for anyone who has ever felt stuck in their creative journey. Whether you're a musician, artist, or someone simply interested in the creative process, Joey’s insights will inspire you to embrace your creativity, overcome obstacles, and find healing through your art. The conversation is packed with actionable advice and personal stories that resonate with the challenges and triumphs of being a creative.

Tune in to hear how you can unleash your creativity and join a community that celebrates the creative journey!

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In this episode we discussed the Prototype idea from our previous conversation and tested various creative block scenarios against it, finding that most passed. Feeling confident, we applied it to tackle our perfectionism, but the process felt unnatural and hindered our creativity. This tension made us doubt our ability to create, highlighting the struggle of breaking away from familiar, comfortable patterns. We reflect on how changing our approach can feel uncomfortable and unfamiliar, a concept supported by Joe Dispenza's insights into the neurological and biochemical basis of habit and change. Dispenza explained that our thoughts produce chemicals that create feelings, which then influence more thoughts, creating a feedback loop that defines our state of being. Embracing the discomfort of the unknown and pushing beyond familiar habits is crucial for genuine change and creative growth.

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Last episode we delved into refining our creative process with a focus on authenticity. We acknowledged that the initial rush of creation, that burst of inspiration every creative feels, shouldn’t be expected to sustain throughout the entire process. 

In this episode we discuss the importance of envisioning the end result and planning for how it should feel upon completion. This shift in perspective allows us to move beyond seeking that initial inspirational rush and instead focus on the overall journey of creation. By addressing creative blocks, we discovered that they often stem from the flawed expectation that the end result will maintain the same feeling as the initial rush. We found that planning a vision and recognizing the desired end feeling can help navigate through these blocks. One effective approach we discussed is creating a "log line"—a brief, purpose-driven statement that encapsulates the vision and feeling of the project, serving as a guide to keep the inspiration alive throughout the process.

Furthermore, we explored the concept of the "Prototype" as a means to alleviate pressure and perfectionism. By viewing our creative projects as prototypes, we remove the expectation of perfection and allow ourselves the freedom to iterate and improve. This approach reduces the anxiety associated with creating and encourages continuous learning and growth, transforming the act of creation into a more fluid and forgiving process. We also highlighted the importance of defining creative intentions in bold letters, like Ben did with his woodworking video idea, to help reconnect with the initial spark when inspiration fades. By embracing the mindset of prototyping and viewing projects as steps towards improvement rather than final products, we mitigate the fear of failure and overthinking, ultimately ensuring that we keep moving forward, learning, and improving, making the creative process 99% creative-block-proof!

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