The Fearless Creative

In this episode, I share my personal morning routine from Creative Morning Magic. I discuss the power of first priorities and why you should "pay yourself first" in terms of creative energy. I also discuss the astounding benefits of meditation — as backed by science.

Get Creative Morning Magic as an e-book or paperback on Amazon.
Get the book on Apple.
Get the book on Barnes & Noble.
Get the book on Google Play.
Get the book on Kobo.

In this minisode, I share my experience at The Gathering of Creatives with Julia Cameron and celebrate the launch of my book, Creative Morning Magic. I share two important messages for writers, artists, and creatives straight from the pages of my book.

Get the e-book or paperback on Amazon.
Get the book on Apple.
Get the book on Barnes & Noble.
Get the book on Google Play.
Get the book on Kobo.

In this episode, I interview Dr. Derek Novacek about the long-term health impact of stress and how stress affects creativity.

Dr. Novacek is a clinical and research psychologist. He earned his PhD in Clinical Psychology from Emory University. He recently completed his clinical residency at UCLA and is now doing his fellowship at the VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System. His research focuses on the consequences of stress exposure for mental health, particularly in marginalized and vulnerable groups.

During our conversation, we discuss how some stress can be beneficial to creative performance. He analyzes my unconventional coping mechanism to beat stress and gives his best tips on staying calm and healthy during those intense times.

Show Notes:

• Read the meta-analysis of studies on stress and creativity.
• Learn the basics of regression as a defense mechanism here.
• Get in touch with Dr. Novacek on Instagram and Twitter.
• Find me on Instagram and Twitter.
• Visit my website, www.writewithtarah.com.

In this episode, I give my best tips for collaborating with other creatives on projects. As an author, I work with an editor and a cover designer on every single book. I've hired graphic designers and interior formatters in the past, and I also have experience on the other side of the freelancer/client relationship as a freelance writer.

Collaboration is wonderful because it allows you to access other people's skills, create a better finished product, and spend more time doing what you do best. But working with other people comes with its own set of challenges.

I discuss how to find quality freelancers, why it's important to set clear expectations from the beginning and pay people fairly, and how to deliver feedback in a way that's sensitive and constructive. I also talk through the pitfalls of working with friends and family on creative projects.

Show Notes:

• Listen to "Boring Books for Bedtime" from this week's Discovery segment.
• Check out 99Designs, Upwork, and Reedsy for quality freelancers. (I've had many positive experiences with 99Designs.)

In this episode, I discuss the feelings of self-doubt that all creative people experience — whether you're a writer, artist, musician, or maker. I share my personal struggles with self-doubt as I get ready to release my first nonfiction book and how I've desensitized myself to self-doubt when it comes to my fiction. I explain why we feel self-doubt in the first place and my tried-and-true methods for getting past self-doubt, gaining more confidence, and managing creative fears long-term.

Show Notes:

• Read "The Unsettlers" by Mark Sundeen from this week's Discovery segment.
• Read about how advertisers convinced Americans they smelled bad (or the social history of commercial deodorant).
• Follow me on Instagram and Twitter @writewithtarah.
• Find me on the web at www.writewithtarah.com.

In this special minisode, I share my reflections from "Happier Labor Day" — the movement sparked by Gretchen Rubin to use Labor Day as a chance to reflect on our work life. I share my "ah-ha" moment on how spending time with other authors helps stoke my own enthusiasm and how I plan to make myself less busy by closing open boxes.

Show Notes:

• Listen to the podcast "Happier" with Gretchen Rubin.
• Learn about Happier Labor Day here.

In this episode, I discuss the issue of using paid advertising to drive traffic to an online creative business. As an author, I rely on a variety of paid ads to drive traffic to my books. But with the rising cost of advertising and the time and energy required, I'm seeking other avenues to promote my author business.

In this episode, I go through some of the problems and pitfalls of paid ads, as well as some alternative marketing strategies. I talk about generating traffic organically, using social media, email marketing, and content marketing to create a more sustainable creative business.

Show Notes

• Learn about Gretchen Rubin's "Happier Labor Day" project.
• Read about how the average person sees 5,000 ads per day.
• Learn about Facebook's declining engagement.
• Read about Facebook's human experiment.

In this episode, I discuss the trait that's most highly correlated with creative success: openness to experience. I'll dive deep into the research on openness and why it's correlated with creativity. I'll share some crazy stories and my top tips for becoming more open to experience in your own life.

Show Notes:

• Read Wired to Create by Scott Barry Kaufman and Carolyn Gregoire.
• Learn about the "Big Five" personality traits and openness here and here.
• Find me on Instagram @writewithtarah and at my website, www.writewithtarah.com.

In this episode, I discuss the four big hurdles that every creative entrepreneur must face when leaving the day job to pursue a creative career. I'll delve into replacing the day-job income, healthcare, creating your own schedule, managing your creative energy, and more.

Show Notes:

• Read A New Earth by Eckhart Tolle from this week's Discovery segment.
• Listen to "A New Earth" — the podcast hosted by Oprah.
• Get Teladoc to fill the gaps in your crappy new health insurance.
• Read my post on hacking the desk life to become a healthier creative.
• Find me on Instagram or at writewithtarah.com.

In this episode, I tackle the five questions that every aspiring entrepreneur needs to ask before turning a creative hobby or side hustle into a profitable small business. I'll cover topics such as determining your costs, your time investment in your final product, working "in the business" versus working "on the business," and how to tap into your local community.

Show Notes:

• Follow me on Instagram @writewithtarah.
• Learn more at www.writewithtarah.com.