The Creative Shift with Dan Blank

Donna Hemans’ first two books were published nearly 20 years apart, and in our interview, she describes the difference in launching each. She also shares the journey between them, where she began two manuscripts that are still unpublished, only to find that her next idea was the one ready to be finished and shared with … Continue reading "“I had to figure out how to make writing the central part of my life.” My Interview with Author Donna Hemans"

Melissa Bernstein is the co-founder of Melissa & Doug, where she has designed nearly 10,000 toys and created a $500 million dollar company. In this conversation, we talk about the importance of failure in the creative process and what it means to live and create with authenticity. She also gets very honest about mental health … Continue reading "“I’ve created nearly 10,000 products, but creating this book was the most incredible experience of my life.” My Interview with Melissa Bernstein"

Skeme Richards has not only found a way to grow his creativity and audience, but fill his life with what inspires him. As a DJ and collector, he has found a way to infuse everything part of his life with the art, culture, and people he appreciates most. We discuss why he chose to not … Continue reading "“I would buy records with my lunch money.” My Interview with DJ Skeme Richards"

Today I talk with KJ Dell’Antonia about the huge creative shift she made from writing nonfiction to fiction. We take a behind the scenes look at her book launch, which she and I began working together on it months before release. She shares specifics of what she did, and how her novel, The Chicken Sisters, … Continue reading "Behind the Scenes of a New York Times Bestselling Book Launch, with KJ Dell’Antonia"

In today’s episode, Anthony Trucks takes us through his story of reaching the pinnacle of his dream — joining the NFL — only to having that dream crash down around him. But then, he found alignment: The clarity, the drive, the balance that so many of us desire. I loved this advice from Anthony in … Continue reading "From the NFL to Helping People Reach Their Full Potential, with Anthony Trucks"

Growing up in New York City’s Greenwich Village, Amanda Stern met Shel Silverstein when she was 12, lived on the same block and Bob Dylan, and described it as: “the whole village was like a stage, and everyone was in a show.” We explore her success as a writer with 9 children’s books, 2 young … Continue reading "How a Creative Community Fuels a Creative Life, with author Amanda Stern"

Today I would like to share the story of how one writer found his path to create, publish, and share his novels. Everything about this journey is so inspiring to me. In this conversation with Julian Winters, we discuss finding permission to create, taking a huge risk to pursue your creative goals, managing mental health, … Continue reading "“I Started Building Creative Muscle.” The Creative Shift of Author Julian Winters"

Last week I sent out my newsletter to thousands of people, and in the very first line was a typo. Today I want to talk about how this typo represents what so many writers and creators tell me they fear: making a simple mistake that will sink their career. This can cause them to resist … Continue reading "Perfection vs Progress"

Today I speak with Amber Coleman-Mortley who shares her wisdom on making a creative shift in your life. It includes “delusions of grandeur,” a “social contribution of making the world a better place,” and “needing to have a plan.” She talks about the difficult parts of transitions: “[When] I took a pivot, I had a … Continue reading "“If there is a moment where you feel lost, find a new path that energizes and inspires you.” My interview with Amber Coleman-Mortley"

Today I look back on the moment 25 years ago that became the birth of this podcast. But not only that, I reflect on why I create, and why I share. In this episode I share the story of how I created a zine in the early 1990s interviewing my favorite bands like Oasis, Blur, … Continue reading "Why I Create and Share"