The Language of Creativity Podcast

Our next guest spent a magical year in London as a singer-songwriter, only to learn of the tenuous relationship between money, music, and burnout.

After having a “breakup” with her music, Lauren Spangler finished grad school and moved back to the United States, becoming an executive strategist in the corporate world. With newfound stability, she was able to start a family. Now a creative coach and strategist, Lauren helps busy professionals reclaim their inner artist and bring more inspiration, flow, and fulfillment into their lives. To reconnect with her own inner artist, Lauren paints both in watercolor and on a digital tablet. She describes her works as “original art for the young at heart.”

In this well-paced episode, we discuss how to build a healthy relationship with your creativity. Lauren shares the story of her album “To London With Love,” which was self-recorded in her flat in London. We talk about balancing creativity and obligations, and Lauren describes the difficulties of finding time for oneself as a parent of two toddlers. She explains how taking precious moments for painting actually fills her cup, allowing her to return recharged to give her best to her kids. Lauren also recounts the first time someone contacted her on Instagram wanting to buy one of her paintings, which she initially thought was a scam. Finally, we explore what can be done with creative work from over a decade ago, borrowing the idea from Permaculture, “Composting” to re-exhibit past creative work.

In “The Graveyard Song,” Lauren says, “We are born with a story to be worn but they have gone to the pages past the binding.” Although the song was written about her late father, I find it a metaphor for how art lives on, what artists leave behind, and what about all the art that maybe never had a chance to be made.

Guest: Lauren Spangler

Website: LaurenSpangler.com

Featured Music: 

“To London with Love” by Lauren Spangler – Listen on Spotify

Episode References:

Don't Call Us Tori - https://dontcallustori.com/

Design Science Studio

Language of Creativity’s host Steven Leavitt enjoys discussing the ins and outs of all aspects of creating, creativity, and life with his fellow creators: artists, inventors, designers, producers and more. Along the way he hopes to gain perspective and multiply our understanding of what we share in common while creating, living, and learning. www.stevenleavitt.com

Production Credits:

This podcast was produced by I Create Sound

Join us on Substack!

Please review this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Amazon, and Spotify to help other creatives find their tribe!

Tags:

#painting #singersongwriter #London #Hammersmith #studyingabroad #parenting #childrensart #executivestrategist #postpartemdepression #creativity #creativecoach #musician #artist #paytoplay #watercolor #digitalart #artforsale #momlife #worklifebalance #selfcare #musicproduction #ScottFerris #selfrecording #independentartist #creativityandparenting #permaculture #arttherapy #artformentalhealth #artinspiration #creativeburnout #corporatestrategy #reclaimyourcreativity #creativelifebalance #artcommunity #artcareer #selfexpression #creativejourney #musicindustry #artresilience #innerartist #creativewellbeing

Review on Apple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/mm/podcast/the-language-of-creativity-podcast/id1402964967

send a hello note

https://designscience.studio/

#regenaissance

Julia Cameron – The Artists Way

Spaceship Earth Mission Log https://www.youtube.com/@spaceshipeearthmissionlog

Carl Welty, architect https://spaceshipearthmissionlog.substack.com/p/mission-log-6-carl-welty

Della Buford https://dellaburfordartist.ca/2023/07/21/steven-leavitt-interview-with-della-burford-painting-your-dreams-june-20th-2023/

#creativity #AI #consciousness #art #problemsolving #innerdialogue ⁠podcast #contentfactory #youtuberquitting #entrepenaurship #curiousity

Featured Music: E Ku'u Morning Dew (Words by Larry Kimura, music by Eddie Kamae)

Anthony Kauka Stanley

Full episode: https://languageofcreativity.podbean.com/e/thekindnesswarriors-anthonykaukastanley-kalaukulele/

The ukulele is often seen as a simple instrument, a toy or a novelty. Yet, in the hands of a master, it becomes a powerful tool of cultural expression and connection. This humble instrument, with its gentle and voicelike tones, carries within it the soul of the Hawaiian islands, transcending its small form to spread the spirit of Aloha across the world.

Anthony Kauka Stanley was born into a very unique family: being of Hawaiian, Mexican, Greek, Chinese, Irish, Spanish, German, and Cherokee descent, his mother was blessed by the Kumu Hula to start her own Polynesian dance company at the unusually young age of 12. Anthony grew up performing with and would eventually become the music director of his family’s dance company, one of the largest in Southern California. During his time at Occidental College in Glendale, CA, where President Obama once walked the halls, Anthony found a respite from the demanding performance schedule of his family's Polynesian dance company by immersing himself in not just one, but four sports—football, basketball, wrestling and volleyball. Instead of hurting his performance, Anthony found the diversity of activities actually helped him excel at multiple sports; his dancing helped his agility and he remained the captain of multiple teams.

In this conversation, Anthony shares a lot about the value of being completely present. We talk about how Steve met Anthony through his sponsorship with Kala Brand Ukuleles, Anthony shares about the importance of authenticity, community and leadership and how people will always need places they can feel safe, appreciated and inspired. Steve wonders how Anthony can keep up with so many commitments, and relates about how greater success seems to come from leaning harder into creativity. We also talk about the shadow side of performing, and how it’s easy to turn to drugs or alcohol when something used to be a healthy outlet (music) turns into a stressful job. Most notably, Steve askes Anthony about the healing spirit of Aloha and Anthony shares how the ukulele is like a 'Trojan Horse,' able to subtly open doors to deeper connections across diverse communities.

Anthony’s Hawaiian name Kaukaulua’ole means “Fearless Warrior,” and he is truly a warrior of peace and presence to all he meets.

 “To be truly fearless means to be loved.” – Anthony Kauka Stanley

Guest: Anthony Kauka Stanley

Featured Music: E Ku'u Morning Dew (Words by Larry Kimura, music by Eddie Kamae)

Intro Music: Disney Pixar's Up - "Married Life" composed by Michael Giacchino, arranged and performed by Anthony Kauka Stanley. (Video: YouTube)

Episode References:

Heali'i's Polynesian Revue – official website

Carlsbad, California – tourism bureau

Israel Kamakawiwo'ole: The Voice Of Hawaii – NPR

Occidental College Official Website

The Surrender Experiment (book)

Language of Creativity’s host Steven Leavitt enjoys discussing the ins and outs of all aspects of creating, creativity, and life with his fellow creators: artists, inventors, designers, producers and more. Along the way he hopes to gain perspective and multiply our understanding of what we share in common while creating, living, and learning. www.stevenleavitt.com

Production Credits:

This podcast was produced by I Create Sound

Please review this podcast on Google Play, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Spotify and Stitcher to help other creatives find their tribe!

Tags:

#connection, #SanDiego, #California, #Hawaii, #aloha, #triathlete, #football, #baseball, #basketball, #AP, #crosstraining, #nonprofit, #musicteaching, #mindset, #toxictraits, #integrity, #passion, #confidence, #businessmajor, #Obama, #communityresources, #music, #musiceducation, #harrybelefonte, #community, #polynesiandance, #teaching, #culture, #performance, #ukulele, #worldmusic, #creativity, #storytelling, #art, #selfexpression, #musicianship, #inspiration, #family, #spirituality, #multiculturalism, #lifephilosophy, #personaljourney, #podcasting, #artsandculture, #mentorship, #lifegoals, #culturalheritage, #musicaljourney, #entrepreneurship, #presentness, #communityimpact, #personaldevelopment, #emotionalintelligence, #collaboration, #creativespace, #selfcare, #musicindustry, #artistlife, #creativeprocess, #selfdiscovery, #performanceart, #lifelessons, #personalstory, #inspirationaltalk, #culturalawareness, #worklifebalance, #resilience, #wellbeing, #authenticity, #leadership, #mentalhealth, #surrenderexperiment

Meet a former A&R rep who was deeply entrenched in the heart of the music industry with giants like Sire Records and Warner and then chose to leave it all behind.

Jeff Serafine is a man of many facets. He navigated the ever-changing tides of the music industry and rubbed shoulders with icons. Jeff left the big labels to pursue artist management independently, but life took a series of unexpected turns. Realizing he wasn’t fulfilled in the fast-paced world of the music business, Jeff, who initially studied audio engineering and music therapy, ventured into assisting startups until he realized that fledgling businesses were a lot like bands. Jeff's story is a blueprint of daring change, a narrative that challenges the status quo and inspires the maverick in each of us.

In our talk, Jeff delves into his experiences in the music industry, sharing insights from his A&R days and reflecting on the industry's evolution. We explore the intersection of art and business, and Jeff opens up about life's unforeseen turns. He humorously discusses the ubiquity of his name and shares his half-serious dream of one day founding a conference exclusively for people named “Jeff.” Our conversation covers everything from the importance of networking – where a simple ride-share could lead to new opportunities – to his pragmatic shift to financial advising. Jeff's journey is a testament to embracing change and finding new paths when the familiar ones diverge. Finally, Jeff shares his love of stand-up comedy and jokes about possibly giving it a try if everything else falls apart.

Wrapping up our discussion with Jeff, it's clear that his story celebrates life's unpredictability. It’s a narrative that challenges us to find excitement in the unknown and to view each 'hard left' not as a detour but as a pathway to new and exhilarating destinations.

Guest:  Jeff Serafine

Instagram: @JeffLeopardSerafine

Episode References:

Victor Wooten, Music As Language (TED ED: YouTube)

Seymour Stein (Sire Records)

Sire Records (Discogs.com)

Millie Vanilli (Independent.co.uk)

Morning Pages (a description by Chris Winfield)

Sleep Token (official website | Spotify)

Berklee College of Music - https://www.berklee.edu/

Featured Music

Black Cats by Testing Tomorrow (Spotify)

Nothing Wrong by Lobate Scarp (BandCamp)

Language of Creativity’s host Steven Leavitt enjoys discussing the ins and outs of all aspects of creating, creativity, and life with his fellow creators: artists, inventors, designers, producers and more. Along the way he hopes to gain perspective and multiply our understanding of what we share in common while creating, living, and learning.

Personal website and music portfolio - StevenLeavitt.com

Please review this podcast on Google Play, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Spotify and Stitcher to help other creatives find their tribe!

Tags:

#A&R #existentialrabbitholes #procrastination #creativity #film #musicindustry #influence #jazz #VictorWooten #musictheory #musiceducation #artistmanagement #SeymourStein #financialadvising #livemusic #TaylorSwift #socialmedia #musicpromotion #artist #entrepreneurship #art #StoryofTheYear #business #creativity #gigeconomy #bitcoin #NFT #AI #artificialIntelligence #authenticity #overnightsuccess #audienceengagement #RobinWilliams #jokes #standupcomedy #retirement #emotion #connection #positiveenergy #happiness #wingingit #TalyorSwift #LinkinPark #Jersey #NewYork #LosAngeles

Monstrous, a poem by Rebecca Boatwright.

Seething, toiling, snarling within;

Teeth bared, claws dug in

Wild, feral, horrible as Sin,

But how we forget that wolf was once a pup curious, foraging and giddy with freedom. Wrong, hateful, worth shoving aside,

A force so strong it cannot be tamed dances again with passion’s flame unbind it, unbind it!

our heart bleeding and empty without what’s been cursed as Monstrous.

https://www.darlingstarheathen.com/

Reference: Norse Mythology by Neil Gaiman (Goodreads)

We delve into a pivotal moment in Jack's artistic journey, marked by a daring decision in 2018 to transform a manageable fraction of his vast collection of lyrics and melodies into a tangible musical legacy. This endeavor, fueled by a yearning to bring his creative visions to life, almost faced a halt due to a life-threatening heart attack. Fortunately after he recovered, he and Steve were able to put together a remarkable assembly of talent in Burbank, California, where eight session musicians and five singers, amidst a flurry of cameras, breathed life into Leyton's compositions. The session culminated in 'The Clearlake Sessions,' an album that notably features the showstopping vocal group The Satin Dollz on 'Sparky’s Burgers' — a spirited homage to the 1940s-50s era, echoing the essence of The Andrews Sisters.

Jack and Steve note the difficulty inherent in bringing musical visions to life when one relies on others for expression — a reality Jack faces, being a lyricist without the ability to play an instrument, and Steve shares about how he only recently overcame his difficulty expressing himself through lyrics. On the importance of writing, Jack discovered a vital avenue for expression in poetry circles. Reflecting on the fundamental drive that propels their artistic pursuits, Jack encapsulates this shared sentiment with poignant clarity: “We do this because we can’t not write.”

Guest Jack T. Leyton

Website: http://www.jaxsongs.com/

YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@thesoundtrackofmydreams

I Create Sound Artist Creative Services

Richard Widmark - Wikipedia link

Chris Elchico - episode 9 link, Boston Symphony members link

The Satin Dollz - Official website

The Draft and Vietnam - myretrospect.com

Mike Frankovich, producer - Wikipedia link

“We Were Once” music video - YouTube link

Budapest, Hungary - Wikipedia link

The Realms of Mindrin board game - Kickstarter link

The “Gore” Point, impact barriers -  Wikipedia link

“Gateway of Heartache” song - Apple Music

https://www.vrindamedialab.com/ - Directed by Steven Leavitt

Editorial support by Sam Levine

Personal website and music portfolio - StevenLeavitt.com

All songs and poetry used courtesy of Jack T. Leyton and Solemint Publishing

Please review this podcast on Google Play, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Spotify and Stitcher to help other creatives find their tribe!

Tags:

Our guest today has a unique window into the vast creative potential contained in the world of dreams. Della Burford has recorded her dreams as “dream mandalas” for the past 40 years!

Della Burford is an award-winning painter and best selling author of 7 books, she is based on Vancouver Island, Canada. She studied the Mische Technique of painting in Vienna and showed in many of the Society of Art of Imagination shows in Montreal, Ottawa, New York, London, and Peru. She won a prize as the best Graphic Art in an Art Show in Moscow and spoke on Art and Dreams. Her artistic stories have been performed in New York at the Museum of Natural History, Brooklyn Academy of Music, Citycorp, in Washington at the Smithsonian Institute, Korea, Guatemala, and Bali. Her play, Magical Earth Secrets has been performed for seven years in Japan, and Miracle Galaxy is now being performed. Her book “Journey to Dodoland” was turned into an e-zine and a website that was sponsored by Switfshire and has had more than 22 million views worldwide.

Della was mentored by a shaman who studied with Carl Jung and also studied dreams with Robert Moss and Dream Yoga with Tenzin Wagyal Rinpoche. She started painting her dream wheels in 1975, creating one complete wheel for every year. The dream wheels have 3 rings: the center ring is for important everyday events following the seasons; the outer ring is dreams that are creative, inspirational and wise dreams (you can write a title for the dream); and the middle is small drawings which are symbols and like the title reminds you of the dream and is a portal to return.

Her work is for the World, Humanity, and Spirit.

For full show-notes and photos (Apple users), go to https://languageofcreativity.substack.com/p/paintingyourdreams-dellaburford

Guest: Della Burford

Websites - dellaburford.com, dellaburfordartist.ca

Dream Wheels book (Amazon, Canada)

Social Media: YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIN

ArtStarts Eductational workshops (ArtStarts)

Topia (virtual) Worlds:

Sagpipa, Double Flute, Kou Xian (with piano by Steven Leavitt), Atabaque and Bansuri by Richard Struppi Pohl (From Star Galaxy For the World).

In This Together, A Quiet Place, and Place courtesy of Descript Library.

Della Burford on The Spaceship Earth Mission Log podcast (with Steven Leavitt), (YouTube)

Robert Moss - The Way of the Dreamer

Rights of Nature (Columbia.edu)

Design Science Studio

Earnest Fuchs

Dream Journaling

Andrew Gonzales

The Spirit of Writing and Art (YouTube)

Dale Bertrand (bio on DodoLand)

Merian Soto – who danced and choreographed for Dodoland in New York.

I Made Sidia – who collaborated on dances of Dodoland and Magical Earth in Bali and wants to do Star Galaxy for the World.

Wayan Karja (Life As Art Asia) – collaborated in art shows of Dream Wheels, Dream Gifts, workshops.

Kazuko Asaba – who created many art projects around Della’s books in Japan and co-produced “Magical Rainbow” and Magical Earth Secrets.

Ruu Ruu (Amazon books) – Costume Designer & Producer of Magical Earth Secrets and Miracle Galaxy.

Julie Lyon Lieberman – Musical Director of Dodoland in New York.

David Walsh – always supported Della's work. He has made major commitments to Community.

Vern Harper (The Canadian Encyclopedia, Article: Indigenous Toronto) – Della did many projects at the Wander Spirit Survival School.

Pauline Shirt (aabaakwad) – co-Founder at Wandering Spirit in Toronto. Cultural Keeper.

Aaron Zerah – collaborated in the Spirit Storybooks in British Columbia.

Paul Vrenken – created a video of Magical Earth Secrets in Holland. Marijke translation.

Julian Ramirez – worked in co-designing with Della/Dale Star Galaxy for the World (YouTube), and making a 3-D animation for the immersive environment of New Art City.

Thanks to Tom & Sal Williams family & the Burford family: Murray, Glen and Warren. Sister Norah Burford – for organizing Bali workshops. Thanks Glen Burford for media advice. Russell Coull for being there and giving support.

Language of Creativity’s host Steven Leavitt enjoys discussing the ins and outs of all aspects of creating, creativity, and life with his fellow creators: artists, inventors, designers, producers and more. Along the way he hopes to gain perspective and multiply our understanding of what we share in common while creating, living, and learning.

Steven is also an accomplished music producer (website) and helps others learn music production and podcasting through his company I Create Sound.

Please review this podcast on Google Play, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Spotify and Stitcher to help other creatives find their tribe!

Tags:

dreams, creativity, storytelling, painting, mandalas, lucid dreaming, dream journaling, healing journey, dream work, dream yoga, milam, Nyingma, dream symbols, dream interpretation, archetypes creative expression, artistic journey, dream shamanism, symbolism, power animals, nature inspiration, environmental art, transformational art, mythology, ancestral wisdom, Aborigines, inner journey, spiritual art, visionary art, dream collaboration, dream guidance, magic, art, non-local consciousness, dream visitations,  intuition, peaceful art, creativity in storytelling, Carl Jung, Joseph Campbell, ancient wisdom, ogham stones, druids, healing the world, life balance, creative process, inspired by nature, inner balance, sacredness, ancestral connections, spiritual journey, artistic expression, dream narratives, cultural wisdom, environmental protection, dream collage, divine creativity, dream magic, dream teachers, dream manifestation, co-creation

“Artists and healers have a lot in common, actively venturing into the Numinous (unknown spaces, unknown territory) and listening in order to generate and co-create with that which is beyond the earthly apparent.”

So says Clare Hedin, a remarkable musician, educator and artist who integrates the study of consciousness with a passion for healing social systems. Renowned as a sound healer, she employs her ethereal voice and music to create profound and transformative experiences for groups in beautiful spaces like churches and spiritual centers. 

Clare moved to the United States from her birthplace in England for her undergrad in Fine Art and Humanities until she finally found her fit at the California Institute of Integral Studies in San Francisco, “a place for people like myself who tend to butterfly around, so I could finally finish.”

Early in her career Clare worked in the music business (record labels and publishing) before ultimately performing as a singer/songwriter, and then a sound healer with a profound instinct for connecting with the elemental and natural. A true polymath in every sense of the word, Clare has taught Creativity & Innovation to business students at San Francisco State University, guest lectured and advised at St. Martin's Art College in London, and she is also the visionary behind "Dynamic Emergence," a concept she eloquently describes as "the phenomena of novelty arising when two or more elements meet."

“There’s not enough in the world validating… us. As human beings we are not invited to be the whole of who we are… to be in our Living-System-ness.” says Clare. Having crossed paths with many emergent thinkers while living in the Oakland/bay area for 30 years, she got to spend time with Fritjof Capra (The Tao of Physics), a source of her inspiration for Dynamic Emergence, Clare was introduced to the work of R. Buckminster Fuller, and became introduced to the Buckminster Fuller Institute through friends like Mark Smith (who worked in the 70s on the earliest version of what would become “email”) and Amanda Joy Ravenhill. Bucky was famous for suggesting that rather than fight existing systems, essentially “Just create a better party.” 

Fractal alert! This episode weaves together a wide range of topics, from quantum entanglement to healing to what humanity’s emerging intelligence is doing, and how when we interface together new dots are connected. “We are an emergent phenomenon” says Clare, “Each of us is a collective.” “I am the inherited knowledge of all my ancestors and what they left behind, as well as the container (or meeting point) of my immediate and extended environment… trajectories of story intersecting… the web of life.” “I come from the earth. I am the earth. I return to the earth.”

“I think there’s something really beautiful about being able to listen with our senses, to listen with our intuition and to really be open and available.” Clare says. “Reconciliation is not something you make happen, it is something you must allow, and our healing is a part of that journey, it’s not instead of, it’s a part of.”

Please join us on Substack, languageofcreativity.substack.com

Guest: Clare Hedin

Grief and Praise, album (ClareHedin.com Shop)

Featured Audio: The Mountains Breathe by Clare Hedin (YouTube)

Other music in the podcast:

Episode References:

The Buckminster Fuller Institute

California Institute of Integral Studies

The best of Brian Green (YouTube playlist)

Host: Steven Leavitt

Please review this podcast on Google Play, iTunes, Amazon and Stitcher and help other creatives find their tribe!

https://thelanguageofcreativity.com/

Tags: systems thinking, Predictably Irrational, Marin, social equality, Freakonomics, inversion theory, masculinity, a balance of opposites, security, scarcity, thriving, communities, Buckminster Fuller, connection, humanity, emerging intelligence, the internet, San Francisco State, Ticht Nacht Han, connecting to the earth, The Artist’s Way, walking, universal preschool, myopic thinking, embodiment, metaphysics, energy, physiology, sensory awareness, hypersensitivity, empath, vibration, conflict, triggers, karma, interconnectedness, emergent phenomenon, quantum physics, multidimensionality, holobiont, systems, the butterfly effect, ancestors, family systems, society, fears, inherited story, resonance, consonance, dissonance, healing, entanglement, reconciliation, presence, interconnectedness, music, sound, plant consciousness, parallel lives, the language of creativity, compassion, forgiveness, experiencing, relationships, childhood,  elements, earth, sound healing, meditation, the numinous,artists, healers,  forerunners, explorers

Steve just hits publish! Where have you been? ... More episodes to come!

Mentioned in the episode:

https://lobatescarp.bandcamp.com/album/you-have-it-all

https://www.youtube.com/@languageofcreativity

#hopepunk #systemschange #podcasting #dailycreativepractice #business #digitalmarketing #burnout #algorithm #sideprojects #economics #regeneration

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