The Creative Safe Space with Kerry Laster

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There's a voice that shows up right before we share the work. It shows up before the pitch, before we hit publish, and before we walk into the room we worked so hard to get into. It tells us we're not ready. It tells us they're about to figure us out. And no matter how long we've been doing this, it never seems to miss a meeting.

Most of us were taught to push that voice down, fake the confidence, and act like it isn't there. But ignoring doubt doesn't make it leave. It just makes it louder.

In this episode, we look closely at the creature called doubt: what it's really saying, why even Maya Angelou felt it after eleven books, and how we can stop fighting it and start putting it to work.

In this episode:

• Acknowledge it, don't ignore it. Doubt loses some of its grip the moment we name it out loud.
• Let it fuel you. The same voice that tells us we're not enough can push us to go deeper, prepare harder, and care more.
• Prove it wrong. Doubt makes a claim about us. The work is how we answer back.

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Honest conversations. Hard questions. No performance.

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Somewhere along the way, we picked up the idea that there's a correct way to do this. The right routine. The right tools. The right path, on the right timeline, that looks right in the feed. And when our creative life doesn't match it, we assume we're the problem.

We're not. There's no rubric. There never was.

In this episode, we sit with Toni Morrison, who published her first novel at 39, writing before dawn as a single mother with a full-time job, and what her life says about the myth of the "real" creative. We talk about fear and doubt, the noise of social media, and why the only process worth trusting is the one that's actually yours.

Key takeaways:

• Fear and doubt will show up. Don't hand them the keys. They can ride along. They don't get to drive.
• The feed isn't the truth. Social media shows us someone else's highlight reel and sells it as the way. It's just a way, and usually an edited one.
• Trust the process. Your process. Morrison didn't wait for the right conditions. She built her way out of the hours and the life she actually had.

Thanks for spending this one with me.

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Find me on Instagram, TikTok, and Threads. Got something you want me to get into? Tell me. I actually read them.

Honest conversations. Hard questions. No performance.

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Hey. Hi. Hello.

Okay, so — it's been a minute. I know. And I could give you a whole reason. I could make it sound intentional and strategic and part of some larger vision.

I went and lived a little life. That's it. That's the whole reason.

But here's what I can't stop thinking about, and I've been wanting to say this to somebody for a while: how strange is it that we feel like we have to explain that? In this industry, taking time away doesn't read as rest. It reads as slipping. And you start doing the math — how long you've been quiet, whether anybody noticed, whether it's worse if they did or if they didn't.

Nobody makes anything good from empty. And nobody ever made anything worth making while apologizing for the last six months.

So this one's about the people who left. D'Angelo, gone fourteen years because the work turned into something he never agreed to. And Sade, who disappears for a decade at a time, doesn't explain herself to anybody, doesn't do the press run, and then just turns up with a masterpiece like she's been down the road for cigarettes.

Neither of them has a clean story. Neither do I. That's sort of the point.

What we get into:

• Why stepping away is a creative decision, not a failure of one
• Leaving because you're empty vs. leaving because you're honest
• What it costs to come back — and why you don't come back as the person who left

Leaving isn't the opposite of loving the work. Sometimes it's the proof.

Anyway. Sit with me for a minute and let's unpack. 

Thanks for spending this one with me.

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Find me on Instagram, TikTok, and Threads. Got something you want me to get into? Tell me. I actually read them.

Honest conversations. Hard questions. No performance.

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Ever wonder how to stay motivated as a creative—especially when coffee just isn’t enough? In this episode, we share practical motivation tips for artists, writers, and creators facing creative burnout or a lack of inspiration. Learn how to break big projects into small, achievable goals, track your creative progress, and embrace the tough moments that come with the creative process.

Whether you’re battling procrastination, stuck in a creative rut, or just need a fresh burst of creative energy, this episode has the motivation strategies you need. Get ready for a mix of real talk, laughs, and actionable advice to boost your creativity and productivity—no extra espresso required.

Tune in for motivation, creative inspiration, and a reminder that you’re not alone on this journey!

#MotivationForCreatives #CreativeInspiration #StayMotivated #ProductivityTips #CreativeBurnout

Thanks for spending this one with me.

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Find me on Instagram, TikTok, and Threads. Got something you want me to get into? Tell me. I actually read them.

Honest conversations. Hard questions. No performance.

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Change isn’t just part of the journey—it is the journey. In this episode, Carrie invites you to embrace the beauty and discomfort of creative evolution. With heartfelt wisdom and practical insight, she shares three powerful ways to honor your growth, release outdated versions of yourself, and show up fully in your new creative voice—even if it doesn’t feel ready yet.

🌱 Key takeaways:

• How to let go of past creative identities with grace
• Why curation beats comparison every time
• The magic of creating before you “feel ready”

This is your gentle reminder: you don’t need permission from anyone else to grow. You’ve already given it to yourself.

🎙️ Tune in for truth, tenderness, and a creative pep talk you didn’t know you needed.

Thanks for spending this one with me.

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Find me on Instagram, TikTok, and Threads. Got something you want me to get into? Tell me. I actually read them.

Honest conversations. Hard questions. No performance.

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Do you need to be liked to succeed as a creative? Nope. In this episode, we break down the trap of people pleasing and why staying true to your vision matters more. Learn how to let go of outside approval and focus on what really counts—your growth, your goals, and your voice.

Tune in and take your power back.

Thanks for spending this one with me.

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Find me on Instagram, TikTok, and Threads. Got something you want me to get into? Tell me. I actually read them.

Honest conversations. Hard questions. No performance.

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In this episode, we’re diving beneath the surface to explore the questions that shape your creativity, your purpose, and your truth. These aren’t your everyday prompts—these are the ones that crack you open, challenge your why, and invite you to create from a place of deep honesty.

Whether you’re navigating creative blocks, craving more authenticity, or simply ready to evolve as an artist—this episode is your invitation to go deeper.

Thanks for spending this one with me.

If it landed, subscribe, leave a review, and send it to someone who needs to hear it.

Find me on Instagram, TikTok, and Threads. Got something you want me to get into? Tell me. I actually read them.

Honest conversations. Hard questions. No performance.

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In this soul-stirring episode, we dive deep into the raw truth of chasing your dreams—especially when they feel too big, too scary, or too lonely to pursue. Host Kerry Laster reminds us that the road to your vision won’t be easy—but it’s always worth it.

Key Takeaways:

• Why your dream should scare you—and how that’s a sign you’re on the right track.

• What to do when doubt, fear, and outside noise threaten your belief.

✨ Whether you’re feeling stuck, discouraged, or just need a reminder that your dream is valid, this one’s for you.

Tune in and be reminded: You’ve got the spark. Now go make something dope.

Thanks for spending this one with me.

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Find me on Instagram, TikTok, and Threads. Got something you want me to get into? Tell me. I actually read them.

Honest conversations. Hard questions. No performance.

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What do you do when you’re pouring your heart into your art… and it feels like no one’s watching? In this honest and soul-nourishing episode, we explore the quiet, often unseen season of the creative journey—where growth is happening, even if applause isn’t.

From anchoring to your “why” and romanticizing the quiet to building meaningful creative rituals and finding witnesses instead of an audience, this episode is your guide to staying motivated when validation is nowhere in sight.

Key Takeaways:

• How to shift from external to internal validation

• Why obscurity can be your most powerful season

• Creative tips to stay consistent, inspired, and grounded

Whether you’re just starting out or reinventing yourself, this episode is a reminder: you’re not alone—and this part of the process matters. Tune in and get recharged.

Thanks for spending this one with me.

If it landed, subscribe, leave a review, and send it to someone who needs to hear it.

Find me on Instagram, TikTok, and Threads. Got something you want me to get into? Tell me. I actually read them.

Honest conversations. Hard questions. No performance.

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🎙️ The Hard Work Nobody Sees—But Changes Everything

The late nights, the setbacks, the moments of doubt—this is the work that makes the difference. In this episode, we’re diving deep into the real grind: the unseen effort, the sacrifices, and the discipline it takes to turn dreams into reality.

🎯 Key Takeaways:

• Why the hardest work often goes unnoticed—but matters the most.

• How to stay focused when no one is watching.

• The mindset shift that turns struggle into strength.

Success isn’t about talent alone—it’s about showing up, putting in the work, and refusing to quit. If you’re ready to level up, this episode is for you. 🔥

Press play and let’s get to work. 💪 #KeepGoing #CreativeGrind #DoTheWork

Thanks for spending this one with me.

If it landed, subscribe, leave a review, and send it to someone who needs to hear it.

Find me on Instagram, TikTok, and Threads. Got something you want me to get into? Tell me. I actually read them.

Honest conversations. Hard questions. No performance.