The Creative Shift with Dan Blank

The last quarter of every year, I focus on a creative reset. This is time to collect and organize my ideas and with a sense of intention, prepare a sense of creative clarity for the next year. In this episode, I share a bit about that process and why I’m pausing this podcast for the … Continue reading "A Creative Reset"

Today, picture book illustrator and textile designer Veronica Miller Jamison, shares how she made a major career shift, and how that led to illustrating her first book. She discusses the value of surrounding yourself with people who appreciate the craft you are learning, and how that community then became major supporters of her work. She … Continue reading "“I got diagnosed with depression and anxiety, but the book was my bright spot.” My Interview with Veronica Miller Jamison"

Just as Naomi Jackson received a big promotion and raise at a job she loved, she quit. In doing so, she moved from New York City to the cornfields of Iowa with the goal of finishing her novel. In today’s interview, she shares incredible wisdom on the value of having a community around your writing, … Continue reading "Quitting Her Job to Finish Her Novel: The Creative Shift of Naomi Jackson"

Gigi Pandian is a USA Today bestselling and Agatha Award-winning mystery author of 10 books. Today we explore the huge creative shift she made to stop pursuing a PhD in order to fill her life with more creativity develop her career as an author. She shares the long road to getting the first book published, … Continue reading "“Because I was finally following my passion, everything fell into place.” My interview with author Gigi Pandian"

For years, Valerie Bolling worked in education. One day, a visit from her nieces inspired her to write some stories. She set a goal to get published and “wrote and wrote and wrote.” Through a Twitter pitch, her book was acquired by a publisher. To find her agent, it took more than 150 queries (50 … Continue reading "From a 25+ Year Career in Education to Her First Book, with Valerie Bolling"

Today I want to share the story of an amazing creative shift. Steve Sansweet was working as a journalist when he was allowed to see an early screening of Star Wars in 1977. That day changed his life, and he went on to amass the world’s largest collection of Star Wars memorabilia. He eventually left … Continue reading "How Star Wars Led to an Amazing Creative Shift, with Steve Sansweet"

When Malcolm Lemmons shifted his career away from professional basketball, he describes how he struggled to find a new purpose. What gave him a clear path? Writing and storytelling. In today’s episode, we talk about his creative shift. There is so much in this episode that directly applies to the work that writers and artists … Continue reading "From Professional Basketball to Becoming an Author and Entrepreneur. My Interview with Malcolm Lemmons"

“I’m selling more books and the message is getting out there.” This is author Beth Ricanati, M.D. described the results of continuing to promote her book two years after release. She has been running workshops in-person and online in support of her book, Braided: A Journey of a Thousand Challahs. In the process, she is … Continue reading "“It Keeps Growing.” Promoting Your Book 2+ Years Post-Launch, with Beth Ricanati, M.D."

Earlier this year Andrea J. Loney’s book, Double Bass Blues, received a Caldecott Honor. When I asked her about that journey she described how her very first book deal was for her 11th manscript. The next book she sold, Double Bass Blues, was her 17th manuscript. In our interview, she talks about the value of … Continue reading "“The book that won the Caldecott was my 99th story idea.” My Interview with Andrea J. Loney"

Today author/illustrator Vesper Stamper shares powerful wisdom on the lessons she has learned in four decades of creative work. As a child, she found escape in books, she attended the arts high school featured in the movie and TV show Fame, and then pursued music, illustration and writing. She talks about the long road to … Continue reading "“I Can Choose My Outcome.” On Creativity, Identity, and Success, with Vesper Stamper"