The Daily Writer

Today’s episode is a little different because we are tackling a heavy topic: mental illness. It’s an issue that affects all of us in one way or another. If you haven’t personally struggled with some type of mental illness, chances are very high that you know someone who has. In today’s conversation, we have a guest who digs deep into his personal experience with this issue and helps point the way forward.

I’m thrilled to be talking with Chris Morris, who is a husband, father of four, CPA, and author. He writes honestly about pain, chronic illness, and hope. He’s the author of the book Perfectly Abnormal and co-author of the excellent new book Whispers in the Pews: Voices on Mental Illness in the Church. 

In our conversation, Chris shares openly about his recent experience in a psych ward. He learned some powerful lessons about the church that all of us need to hear. Chris also offers practical suggestions for church leaders on making the church a safe haven for those struggling with mental illness. He also shares what to do when you are struggling with your own darkness.

This is probably the most important episode of the podcast I’ve published up to this point, so I encourage you to listen to the whole interview and take what Chris says to heart. I can promise you’ll be a better leader, artist, and human being because of his brave example and wise words.

Episode Highlights

In this episode, you’ll discover:

• The story behind Chris’s article “2 Things I Learned About the Church in a Psych Ward” and key lessons Chris learned from this experience.
• The importance of keeping an emotional “baseline” in your life, and recognizing when you lose your baseline.
• Suggestions for pastors on how to address mental health issues.
• How Chris’s pastor made a big difference when Chris was in need.
• Why no two mental illnesses look the same.
• What Chris’s church does well that makes a difference for those with mental illness.
• What it means to “see the person before the health condition."
• Practical steps for Christian leaders and pastors to help those struggling with mental illness.
• Suggestions for those struggling with dark thoughts or going through an emotionally troubling time.

Key Takeaways

1. Be aware of people who are struggling. It’s so easy today to ignore other people. We are busy with jobs, families, church, social media, hobbies, and a million other things. But if you pause long enough to really look and listen, you’ll see others who are struggling. I was heartbroken by Chris’s story of being surrounded by people in a psych ward who were, in his words, “forgotten.” No one should ever be forgotten.

2. Seek help if you are struggling. I’ve written publicly about my own battle with depression (links are in the Resources section below). I know what it’s like to be in a very dark place emotionally and mentally. Please—if you are struggling, call a friend, pastor, or counselor and get help. Your life is too valuable to throw away. 

3. Life is bigger than our “art.” Yes, this podcast is about creativity and making the best art we can. However, we are also part of a bigger community of humanity. This episode is about being aware of others’ pain. It’s about empathy, love, service, and our common humanity with each other. We need to slow down and pay attention to others. That is far more important than any single piece of art we ever create. Why? Because the most important art we create is the art of relationships with other people. You might be a great “artist,” but if you ignore the needs of the people right in front of you, you have missed the bigger picture.

Resources

• ChrisMorrisWrites.com
• Connect with Chris on Facebook
• Follow Chris on Twitter
• Follow Chris on Instagram
• Perfectly Abnormal: Uncovering the Image of God in Chronic Illness by Chris Morris
• Whispers in the Pews: Voices on Mental Illness in the Church by Chris Morris
• 2 Things I Learned About the Church in a Psych Ward by Chris Morris
• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (also call 1-800-273-8255)
• 5 Lies I Believed About Depression by Kent Sanders
• How I Survived a Recent Bout of Depression by Kent Sanders

Podcast Partners:

• Julie Mahan
• Eric Elder
• Anna Reel

Looking for Christmas gift ideas? My book The Artist’s Suitcase: 26 Essentials for the Creative Journey is the perfect gift for the artist or creative person in your life (or even yourself!)

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Stitcher | Spotify | Google Play

For more great resources to help unleash your creative powers, visit my site at KentSanders.net.

Connect with me on social media:

• LinkedIn
• Facebook
• Twitter
• Instagram

 

Someone once said that it takes a village to raise a child. If it’s also true that it takes a village to write a book, one of the most important villagers is the editor. 

On today’s episode, I talk with a good friend who also happens to be a great editor. He helps us understand how why editors are such an important part of the book-making process, and how to choose the right editor for your next book project.

Blake Atwood is an editor, author, and ghostwriter who helps writers tell better stories, choose the right path to publication, and how to best market their words. He is also an instructor for Writing Workshops Dallas, which offers wide-ranging seminars and courses for writers of all kinds by a host of excellent teachers. Many of those are available via live stream.

On this episode, you’ll learn about the different types of editing and why each one is important for your book. Blake also shares how to find the right editor, and how to know when it’s time to let go of your book and move on. In addition, Blake turns the tables on me by digging into the reasons I haven’t finished my own book yet!

One of the most fascinating parts of this conversation is Blake’s story of how he brought his late uncle’s novel to life. This episode is packed with great stories and nuggets of wisdom from Blake! 

Blake has generously offered Born to Create podcast listeners a 10% discount on his editing services if you book him before the end of the year. Make sure to get in touch with him if you need an editor for a current or upcoming book.

Show Highlights

In this episode, you’ll discover:

• How The Chronicles of Narnia, and a specific teacher, inspired Blake to become a writer.
• What Blake loves about editing, and how it fulfills him creatively.
• Different types of editing you will encounter in the publishing process, and why each is important.
• Blake’s advice for correcting some of the most common mistakes writers make.
• Blake’s process for finding the right type of editor.
• How Blake was discovered by Sean McCabe, which led to his work on James Clear’s new book Atomic Habits.
• How to know when a book is finished and move on to the next project.
• How Blake finished his uncle’s novel after his uncle passed away. 
• Habits that have helped Blake be more successful.

Key Takeaways

1. Editors are a key part of the creative writing process. Editors perform a similar function to a record producer. Their job is to take the raw elements and make something beautiful from it. A good editor is not just a hired gun or a cleanup person (although it can certainly involve cleaning up errors and mistakes). Rather, they are collaborators who can make a good book great. 

2. There are three distinct stages in editing. They move from the macro to the micro. First is developmental editing, which is concerned with taking a big picture look at the overall book and its story and/or structure. Second is copyediting, which is concerned with grammar, spelling, and line-by-line corrections. Third is proofreading, which is checking for errors after the book has been formatted for print and digital, since errors can happen in that process. It’s important to understand the different types of editing and what to expect when working with editors.

3. Habits can make or break your success. One theme that you will hear often on this podcast is the importance of good habits. Blake shared how he developed a habit of getting up at 5 a.m., and this habit has served him well. He also talked about getting out of his introvert comfort zone by teaching and public speaking, reading 50 pages a day, and quitting books that don’t hold his interest.-

Resources

• BlakeAtwood.com
• The Father Effect by John Finch with Blake Atwood
• Don’t Fear the Reaper: Why Every Author Needs an Editor by Blake Atwood
• The Gospel According to Breaking Bad by Blake Atwood
• Sins of the Five Fathers by James H. Drury with Blake Atwood
• Connect with Blake on Facebook
• Connect with Blake on LinkedIn
• Follow Blake on Twitter
• Follow Blake on Instagram
• Blake’s articles at The Write Life
• Editorial Freelanders Association
• BookLaunchMentor.com
• K.M. Weiland’s recommendations for editors
• Atomic Habits by James Clear
• Overlap by Sean McCabe
• Day One journaling app
• The War of Art by Steven Pressfield
• Vellum app
• James Clear’s article on reading comprehension
• The Guilt-Free Guide to Choosing Which Books to Read by Kent Sanders
• MelindaMartin.me (publishing and design services)
• Writing Workshops Dallas
• Whispers in the Pews by Chris Morris, ed.

Podcast Partners:

• Jeff Hosey
• Jim Krenning
• Jeni Voss

Looking for Christmas gift ideas? My book The Artist’s Suitcase: 26 Essentials for the Creative Journey is the perfect gift for the artist or creative person in your life (or even yourself!)

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Stitcher | Spotify | Google Play

For more great resources to help unleash your creative powers, visit my site at KentSanders.net.

Connect with me on social media:

• LinkedIn
• Facebook
• Twitter
• Instagram

For many years, “education” meant sitting at a desk in a classroom, listening to a teacher give a lecture. Today that is no longer the case. The world of education, especially for adults, is changing at a rapid pace. I’m thrilled to bring you a conversation with a great educator who helps us think about the future of education and what it means for us, both as learners and teachers.

Today I’m thrilled to be talking with Don Sanders, who is the Staff Development Pastor and Director of the Merold Institute for Ministry at Harvester Christian Church in St. Charles, Missouri. He also just happens to be my older brother! 

Don is not only one of the best educators I know—he’s also a master learner who is currently working on a Doctor of Education degree at The Southern Baptist Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky. In our conversation, you’re going to learn about creativity from an educator’s perspective, and how Don has infused a creative learning approach to The Merold Institute for Ministry, which he directs.

You’ll learn what the future holds for education, as well as some very practical strategies for being a lifelong learner. Don also shares some interesting thoughts about his doctoral program and how it has changed him as an educator.

Episode Highlights

In this episode, you’ll discover:

• Why creativity should flow through every aspect of education.
• How Don defines “creativity” from an educator’s point of view.
• What has changed in ministry training in recent years.
• Why church-based institutes are not in direct competition to traditional Christian colleges.
• What it takes for a church to establish an institute.
• What Don sees as the future of ministry education.
• Don’s experience in pursuing a doctoral degree, and how it has changed him as an educator.
• The value of reading and discussion groups in your personal development.
• How Don keeps creatively sharp, and the role physical exercise plays in it. 

Key Takeaways

1. See yourself as an educator. It doesn’t matter whether you have a title that is associated with education—Professor, Teacher, Educator, etc. You always need to be teaching. You have skills and talents that others need to learn. You have knowledge that can benefit others. What are some of the ways you can teach others? Here are a few: conversations, blog, podcast, speaking, classes, live events, mastermind or small groups, books, articles, mentoring, social media posts, consulting just to name a few.

2. Be a constant learner. My brother and I are both constant readers. You will rarely see either one of us without a book. But reading is only one of many ways to learn. He is working on a doctorate degree. I am constantly participating in webinars, meetups, masterminds, and other learning opportunities. The only way to stay fresh and relevant is to be a constant learner.

Don’t forget about face-to-face interaction. Almost every college offers online education today. (I’m the Director of Online Learning at my workplace, St. Louis Christian College.) But there is still great value in face-to-face learning opportunities. As much as I love the internet and all the opportunities it gives us for influence and learning, there is still something irreplaceable about in-person interaction. I hope you’ll make it a priority to build relationships offline, attend meetups and local events, and schedule lunches with people.

Resources

• The Merold Institute for Ministry
• Connect with Don on Facebook
• The Southern Baptist Seminary

Podcast Partners:

• Aric Marshall
• Faye Ruch
• Yolanda Nelson

Looking for Christmas gift ideas? My book The Artist’s Suitcase: 26 Essentials for the Creative Journey is the perfect gift for the artist or creative person in your life (or even yourself!)

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Stitcher | Spotify | Google Play

For more great resources to help unleash your creative powers, visit my site at KentSanders.net.

Connect with me on social media:

• LinkedIn
• Facebook
• Twitter
• Instagram

As an artist and a creative, one of the most valuable skills you can learn is how to engage people with storytelling. Stories are the way we process information and make sense of the world around us. I’m excited today to bring you this conversation with a friend who helps us learn from the greatest storyteller of all time: Jesus.

Today I’m thrilled to be talking with Doug Phillips, who is the Professor of New Testament and Greek Studies, and the Chair of the Biblical Education Division at St. Louis Christian College, where I am also a Professor. Doug has multiple advanced degrees and is also working on a PhD in New Testament from Asbury Theological Seminary.

On this episode, we’re going to do a deep dive into the topic of storytelling in the Bible. Doug shares his journey to becoming a professor and helps us understand why Jesus’ parables were so powerful. You’ll learn what makes an effective story, the key components of Jesus’ parables, and how to start applying those lessons to your own communication.

Episode Highlights

In this episode, you’ll discover:

• How Doug became a Christian college professor.
• Why Doug had to learn 5 languages for his Ph.D program.
• What draws particular people to Old Testament or New Testament studies.
• What a parable is, and why Jesus used them.
• Why Jesus’ stories have a shock value (and why your stories should have it also).
• The value of reading your Bible slowly and carefully.
• Why the story of Esther is so dramatically satisfying.
• Keys to understanding parables, including: time elements, characters (clothing, speech, etc.), storyline, rising and falling tension, and narrative foils.
• Practical steps for becoming a more effective communicator, no matter what your field.

Key takeaways:

1. Understand your audience. It’s vital that we speak to our listeners or readers in a way where they can relate. Jesus knew his audience and used stories that spoke to their needs and concerns. Take time to identify your ideal audience member or customer and think about how to communicate to them in a way they understand.

2. Use an inductive approach in your communication. It doesn’t work to just say, “Here’s what you should think, believe, or do.” A much better approach is to lead people in a way where they come to a conclusion on their own. Help people process the information you want them to know. As the saying goes, “You can lead a horse to water but you can’t make him drink.” Good storytelling can help us lead people instead of pushing them.

3. Study the Bible to improve your communication. It’s easy to separate your spiritual life from your business or creative work. But you can learn a lot by studying the communication techniques and the literary genres of the Bible. Today’s audiences have a short attention span. Whether you’re a writer, speaker, podcaster, pastor, or other type of communicator, there is a lot you can learn from Jesus’ short, punchy style of storytelling. In addition, a large percentage of the Bible is some form of narrative—40% of the Old Testament, and much of the New Testament (the Gospels, Acts, and most of Revelation.) So, there are a lot of stories that not only teach us on a spiritual and historical level, they also help us to become better storytellers if we are willing to pay attention and learn from this ancient book that is living and active in our lives today.

Resources

• Doug’s faculty page at St. Louis Christian College
• Email Doug
• Connect with Doug on LinkedIn
• Inductive Bible Study: A Comprehensive Guide to the Practice of Hermeneutics by David Bauer and Robert Traina
• Interpreting the Parables by Craig Blomberg
• What is Narrative Criticism? by Mark Allan Powell
• How to Read the Bible as Literature by Leland Ryken
• The Revolutionary Communicator: 7 Principles Jesus Lived to Impact, Connect and Lead by Jedd Medefind & Erik Lokkesmoe
• The Art of Storytelling: Easy Steps to Presenting an Unforgettable Story by John Walsh
• How to Read the Bible YouTube series by The Bible Project
• The ESV Study Bible

Podcast Partners:

• Cliff Ravenscraft
• Eric Elder
• Anna Reel

Looking for Christmas gift ideas? My book The Artist’s Suitcase: 26 Essentials for the Creative Journey is the perfect gift for the artist or creative person in your life (or even yourself!)

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Stitcher | Spotify | Google Play

For more great resources to help unleash your creative powers, visit my site at KentSanders.net.

Connect with me on social media:

• LinkedIn
• Facebook
• Twitter
• Instagram

Have you ever felt discouraged because you started writing a book but didn’t finish it? If so, you’re not alone. Many writers, myself included, have started writing a book … only to later abandon it.

Today’s guest helps us understand how to break through procrastination and finally get that book finished. His name is Jim Woods, and he’s an author, editor, writing coach, and storyteller. Jim understands productivity and time management at a deep level. He also has a gift for seeing the weak spots in a story and knowing how to improve them.

On this episode, you’ll learn lots of practical tips for getting your book finished. You’ll also learn why you should beware of story craft books, how to be more productive, and why it’s important to be a creator and not just a consumer.

Key Takeaways

1. Focus on one scene, chapter, section, or paragraph at a time. This simple advice is easy to ignore, but it makes a world of difference in staying focused and writing in the moment. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed because you have a whole project looming in front of you. By focusing on the small section at hand, you can make steady progress until the whole project is done.

2. Write in the “spare moments” of your day. You don’t need to be at your desk in “writing mode” in order to make progress on your book or project. Take 5-10 minutes here and there to get a bit of writing done, and you’ll be amazed at the results. (If you are serious about making the most of your creative time, check out my post on how to track your time.)

3. Use “habit stacking” to get more writing done. As Jim explains, “habit stacking” is the process of linking two habits together. For example, you can use your lunchtime to write. When you link writing to an activity you’re going to do anyway, you are more likely to make it happen.

Resources Mentioned in This Episode

Jim Woods Writes

Jim’s posts on Medium

Book a coaching call with Jim

Connect with Jim on Facebook

Connect with Jim on LinkedIn

Follow Jim on Twitter

The War of Art by Steven Pressfield

Do the Work by Steven Pressfield

Story Maps Daniel Calvisi

Thanks so much for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to the “Born to Create” podcast. I’d also appreciate it if you can rate and review the show.

Apple Podcasts

Stitcher

Spotify

For more great resources to help unleash your creative powers, visit my site at KentSanders.net.

Want to rise to your true creative potential? Check out my book The Artist’s Suitcase: 26 Essentials for the Creative Journey.

Connect with me on social media:

LinkedIn

Facebook

Twitter

Instagram

What does it mean to have creative freedom in your life? And what’s more, how do you get it? Our guest shows us how he and his family followed a surprising path to creative freedom, and how he is helping others do the same.

His name is Jared Latigo, and he is a personal development consultant who works with individuals, families, and companies in corporate settings. Jared’s writing has reached millions of readers through various online publications such as Addicted2Success, ThriveGlobal, MichaelHyatt.com, 48Days, ProBlogger, and Lifehack. He has also been able to work with companies like Stetson, Mountain Dew, Pier 1 Imports, and more.

Jared shares the journey he and his family took to becoming debt-free, and how it has allowed him to pursue a whole new path in life. You’ll learn why it’s important to have freedom in your life, all about the connection between creativity and being debt-free, how managing your money well sets you up for success as an entrepreneur, and so much more.

Highlights & Key Takeaways

1. Financial wellness is a stewardship issue. It is easy to view our money as its own little “box” in our lives, but it’s intimately connected to every other area, including our creative work. Ultimately, it’s a matter of being a good steward or manager of what God has entrusted to us.

2. Getting out of debt can have a major impact on your ability to be creative and serve others. I asked Jared to come on the show because I wanted to explore the connection between debt and creativity, and he delivered! Jared laid out in clear detail how becoming debt-free has helped reduce stress and expand his family’s ability to explore new directions. It has also given him the freedom to try things that might now work.

3. The importance of having freedom in your life. We don’t often realize how much we are “shackled” to things that weigh us down and hold us back from achieving our dreams. It might be debt, a job you hate, or even a bad relationship. When you are free, you are able to do the things you want and start fulfilling the dreams God has for your life.

4. Getting control of your finances helps you be a better entrepreneur. Something we think, “If only I had a better job or more opportunities, then I could achieve my dreams.” But the reality is that our dreams begin right here, right now with what we have in the moment. Becoming a better manager of our resources, and being a better employee, will help us develop the skills to apply to our entrepreneurial efforts later on.

5. Develop an entrepreneurial mindset in your job. I love how Jared emphasized how we can think like an entrepreneur even while employed by someone else. If fact, that’s how we should think. We should be constantly finding ways to add value to our employer and make our organization more profitable and successful. It’s not only more fun to think this way, it’s also a great way to prove your value to leaders above you.

6. You can quickly generate income. Jared mentioned several ways to generate income quickly: selling things you already have, getting a 2nd job, or taking on extra hours at work. Can you do any of these things to generate some income in the next month?

Resources Mentioned in This Episode

JaredLatigo.com

Connect with Jared on Facebook

Connect with Jared on LinkedIn

Follow Jared on Twitter

Latigo Life YouTube channel

Thanks so much for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to the “Born to Create” podcast. I’d also appreciate it if you can rate and review the show.

Apple Podcasts

For more great resources to help unleash your creative powers, visit my site at KentSanders.net.

Want to rise to your true creative potential? Check out my book The Artist’s Suitcase: 26 Essentials for the Creative Journey.

Connect with me on social media:

LinkedIn

Facebook

Twitter

Instagram

Have you ever wondered what it takes to become a ghostwriter? It’s a mysterious part of the writing industry that, by definition, remains hidden from view much of the time.

Fortunately, our guest today helps shed some light on the world of ghostwriting. His name is Nick Pavlidis, and he is a ghostwriter who specializes in creating professionally-written and designed books to help entrepreneurs, speakers, consultants, and professionals expand their influence and enhance their market positioning. Nick also writes under his own name, most recently with the book Confessions of a Terrible Husband: Lessons Learned from a Lumpy Couch.

Nick also hosts three podcasts:

• Confessions of a Terrible Husband
• Attorney Marketing Institute
• Five Minutes with Dad (hosted with his two kids)

On this episode, you’ll learn how ghostwriting actually works and how a book can help build your career and increase your business. Nick also shares practical tips for being more successful and connecting with influencers.

Highlights & Key Takeaways

1. Take control of your life. Nick was not happy with his life, so he made a shift. He took control and created the life he wanted to live. Are you a passive observer to your own life, watching it go by year after year while your dreams slip away? If so, maybe it’s time to take back control and make a plan to work toward your dreams.

2. It’s OK to not focus on just one business niche. This goes against a lot of conventional business wisdom today. Of course, there is a balance and you need to have a primary focus. But you can be involved in more than one thing, particularly if you are the creative type (and you are!). I love how Nick’s various pursuits all inform and sharpen one another. Plus, there are interesting cross-promotional strategies (for example, he promotes one podcast on another).

3. The goal of any business or organization is to serve people, no matter what type of work you do. This is particularly true of ghostwriting because the nature of that role demands confidentiality and not usually getting the credit for work you have done. However, this service mentality is key no matter what type of work we do. We create art (books, music, painting, dance, etc.) ultimately in service to other people.

4. Use Nick’s strategy for reaching out to influencers. I loved Nick’s ideas about asking influencers for quotes that you can use in a book or other types of writing. This way, they receive value because it promotes their work, but you also receive value because it helps build a new relationship. I love those types of win-win strategies where everyone benefits.

5. The power of getting up early and blocking your time. I am trying to become more and more of a morning … but it’s hard for we night owls to change! Nick reminds us that it’s do-able, and how it can impact your life. I also love his thoughts on blocking out your time and focusing on one thing. This is a powerful strategy that can help you get a lot more creative work done.

6. A book does not sell well based on content alone. The marketing elements of a book are crucial if you want to make sales. This includes a great cover, title, sub-title, back cover copy, endorsements, table of contents.

7. Writing a book can give you authority and credibility. When you put yourself out there as an author, people begin to view you as an expert, as someone who knows what you’re talking about. The fact that you are an author can help lead to increased business.

8. You don’t have to be the world’s greatest writer to create a book. This is perhaps the greatest lesson of this interview. If you want to write books, you can get help from others who specialize in creating books. Whether that’s a ghostwriter, co-author, or simply friends who are giving feedback … bringing a book to life is truly a community effort. Don’t let the fact that you don’t consider yourself a “writer” stand in the way of making an impact by getting a book out into the world.

Resources Mentioned in This Episode

AuthorityGhostwriting.com

NickPavlidis.com

Connect with Nick on Facebook

Connect with Nick on LinkedIn

Follow Nick on Twitter

Confessions of a Terrible Husband by Nick Pavlidis

5 Minutes with Dad Podcast

Attorney Marketing Institute Podcast

Confessions of a Terrible Husband Podcast

The Big Leap by Gay Hendricks

Mindset by Carol S. Dweck

The Dream Manager by Matthew Kelly

Thanks so much for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to the “Born to Create” podcast. I’d also appreciate it if you can rate and review the show.

Apple Podcasts

For more great resources to help unleash your creative powers, visit my site at KentSanders.net.

Want to rise to your true creative potential? Check out my book The Artist’s Suitcase: 26 Essentials for the Creative Journey.

Connect with me on social media:

I’m excited about the re-launch of the Born to Create Podcast, and honored that you’re taking some time to read this post and listen to the episode. I call this a “re-launch” because the first version of Born to Create was simply an audio blog.

The new version of the show features interviews with artists, authors, thinkers, and leaders who can help make a difference in your life and your art.

In the notes below, I’ll share some info about the show so you’ll know what to expect each week. In the show audio, I go into a bit of detail about my background, but if you’re reading this post you can find more detailed information by visiting my About page.

What is the show about, and why should you listen?

Born to Create is a weekly show where we explore the stories, wisdom, and insights of creative thinkers who can help you make a bigger impact in your art and your life. Each show will average around 45-50 mins. total and will feature an interview, plus practical takeaways and action steps.

Here are a few reasons why you should listen:

• You will expand your curiosity and grow your appreciation and awareness of the world around you.
• You will learn practical action steps to help you be more creative in your work, relationship, art, and life.
• You will get to know great thinkers, leaders, artists, and writers who can help you unleash your God-given creative potential.
• You will be entertained! My goal is to make the show fun, educational, and practical.

Who should listen?

There are two answers to this question: the broader audience I have in mind, as well as a more narrow target audience.

The broader audience includes anyone interested in the topic of creativity. This might include artists, leaders, coaches, business owners, pastors, speakers, creative professionals, educators, students, and anyone else who wants to become more creative.

The more narrow target audience is what I would call “Christian creative entrepreneurs.” These are people who operate from a faith-based perspective and want to build a creative business that helps support them and their family. This includes musicians, artists, writers, speakers, designers, filmmakers, actors, etc.

How is the show different from other podcasts on creativity?

While there are many podcasts that focus on creativity, Born to Create blends several features that make it unique:

• A wide variety of guests from many different fields.
• A big focus on curiosity, learning, and application to your creative life and business.
• An emphasis on the creative process—none of us “gets there” overnight. It takes years to rise to our full creative potential. The show will help you develop systems and processes to implement into your life.

4 Convictions about creativity

Let me take a few moments to share several ideas that form the basis of the show. These convictions, in one way or another, drive everything I do. All of these stem directly from what I believe is my vocational mission in life: to help other people release their God-given creative potential.

1. God values creativity.

The very first image of God we see in Scripture is that of a Creator. “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth” (Genesis 1:1). God creates things. He brings them into existence. That’s first and foremost who He is.

We also have creative powers since we are made in God’s image. We can’t create things ex nihilo (“out of nothing”) like God can. But we can take existing materials and put them together in new and interesting ways that benefit society.

From the artistry of the priests’ robes in Exodus, to the poetry and music of the Psalms, all the way to the hymns of Revelation, we see that God is deeply interested in creativity.

2. You were born to create. I don’t normally use a lot of Scripture in my writing since I see it as more of a practical exploration of creativity, and not a Bible study. However, I can’t talk about foundations without including Scripture since it’s the foundation of my faith.

Ephesians 2:10 says, “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” We are literally God’s handiwork, created for good works. In a very real sense, we are born to create.

Your mission in life is to figure out what you were meant to do, and do it to the best of your ability. The author Frederick Buechner said, “The place God calls you to is the place where your deep gladness and the world’s deep hunger meet.” We find the most joy, and we help the most people, when we are doing what we were born to do.

3. Everyone has creative gifts.

There’s a common misconception that creativity is confined to artists (or those who aspire to be). Most people believe that music, painting, film, writing, and similar areas are where true creativity happens. When we read about creative titans such as da Vinci, Steve Jobs, or George Lucas, it’s easy to feel inferior by comparison.

Creativity, by definition, is all about making things. You can do this in many different ways. It’s true that many people express their creativity by creating books, movies, and music. But what about the stay-at-home Mom who creates an orderly household for her family? Or the auto mechanic who has the skill to create a new engine? Or the janitor who creates a clean and orderly environment? Or the counselor who creates trust and rapport with a hurting client?

Creativity is not limited to artists. That’s a seriously narrow way of thinking. We must expand our horizons and realize that everyone has the capability to create by bringing something useful to the world.

No matter what kind of setting you’re in, you can exercise your creative powers and add more value to people — whether you’re in a church, business, entrepreneur, missionary, stay-at-home parent, retail worker, artist, or whatever you do.

4. Creativity is a habit that can be learned.

Creativity is like a muscle that we must exercise. It’s a learned habit, and it’s systematic while also being closely related to curiosity — so there’s a very cool paradox there. It’s great to occasionally feel inspired, but if we want to operate at our creative peak we have to think of creativity as a habit, not an emotion we feel whenever the Muse hits us.

One of the most important qualities you’ll find in the world’s most creative people is that they are lifelong learners. They never stop growing and learning. If we want to do the same, we must commit to constant growth as well. You can find lots of resources fo

The concept of a sabbatical has nearly been lost in our modern culture. Our technology allows us to stay connected 24/7, and many of us can do our work anywhere there is an internet connection. As a result, we have forgotten how to rest.

Sabbaticals are still a reality in some academic settings. Likewise, some lucky pastors also get a sabbatical. But for most everyone else, an extended sabbatical is a dream that will probably never become a reality. That’s why we have to find creative ways to take breaks and refresh ourselves.

In this episode, you’ll learn about the importance of taking a break, why I’m taking a short break from blogging and podcasting, and why you should take a break as well.

For the post that accompanies this episode, head over to http://kentsanders.net/sabbatical.

I definitely appreciate your feedback! When you leave a rating and review on iTunes, it helps other people discover the show, and it also helps me to serve you better. To leave a rating a review for the show, you can do so here: http://KentSanders.net/itunes. If you’re listening on a mobile device, just click the link in the show notes.

Ready to break through your creative barriers, navigate fear & doubt, and get clear on your priorities? That’s why I wrote The Artist’s Suitcase: 26 Essentials for the Creative Journey. Grab your copy here: http://KentSanders.net/suitcase.

Join our growing Born to Create Community on Facebook! Check it out here: http://KentSanders.net/facebookgroup.

One of the core principles that guide my life is the value of learning from different disciplines. All the great creative minds in history drew from various areas of study that informed and enhanced their thinking.

If you want to develop a great mind as well, one of the best places to start is by expanding your reading to areas outside of creativity and the arts. In this episode, I’ll highlight ten books that have helped me become not only a better leader, but a better artist as well.

For the post that accompanies this episode, head over to http://kentsanders.net/leadershipbooks.

I definitely appreciate your feedback! If you’d like to leave a rating & review for the Born to Create podcast, you can do so here: http://KentSanders.net/itunes.   

Ready to break through your creative barriers, navigate fear & doubt, and get clear on your priorities? That’s why I wrote The Artist’s Suitcase: 26 Essentials for the Creative Journey. Grab your copy here: http://KentSanders.net/suitcase.

Join our growing Born to Create Community on Facebook! Check it out here: http://KentSanders.net/facebookgroup.