The Syncreate Podcast: Empowering Creativity

The Rev. Dr. April Stace is Associate Professor of Practical Theology at The General Theological Seminary and serves as the rector of Church of the Epiphany in Trumansburg, New York. A practical theologian, priest, musician, and writer, her work explores the intersections of faith, culture, spirituality, and contemporary life. In addition to her academic and pastoral work, April is an accomplished harpist, composer, and recording artist. She has released seven albums as a solo musician and with her band, Harp 46. Her new album, Aphelion, released in October 2026. Her creative work draws on themes of spirituality, transformation, grief, joy, and the search for meaning.

April is the author of two books, with a third, Poly in the Pews: Reimagining Sex, Relationships, and What It Means to Be Faithful (Fortress Press), forthcoming in March 2027. Her research focuses on contemporary Christian practice, relationships, sexual ethics, and the ways people make meaning within changing social and religious landscapes. Through her teaching, writing, ministry, and music, she seeks to create spaces where people can engage life's deepest questions with curiosity, honesty, and humor.

Our conversation weaves together all of these topics, with a focus on her new album, creative process, and upcoming music tour, as well as her ministry, teaching, and questions of spirituality and artificial intelligence. 

For our Creativity Pro-Tip, April encourages us to embrace empty space and stillness as a pathway to new possibilities in our creative work. 

Credits: The Syncreate podcast is created and hosted by Melinda Rothouse, and produced at Record ATX studios with in collaboration Michael Osborne and 14th Street Studios in Austin, Texas. Syncreate logo design by Dreux Carpenter.

If you enjoy this episode and want to learn more about the creative process in a variety of contexts, you might also like our conversations in Episode 129: Women’s Sexual Energy and Healing with Kristen D’Amato, PhD, Episode 127: The Power of Silence with Olga Lehmann, PhD, and Episode 107: Mindfulness in Life, Work, and Creativity with Hannah Williams.

At Syncreate, we're here to support your creative endeavors. If you have an idea for a project or a new venture, and you’re not sure how to get it off the ground, find us at syncreate.org. Our book, also called Syncreate, walks you through the stages of the creative process so you can take action on your creative goals. We also offer resources, creative process tools, and coaching to help you bring your work to the world. You can find more information on our website, where you can also find all of our podcast episodes. Find and connect with us on social media and YouTube under Syncreate. If you enjoy the show, please subscribe and leave us a review! We’d love to hear your feedback as well, so drop us a line at [email protected]. 

Episode-specific hyperlinks: 

April’s Website: aprilstace.com 

St. Hildegard of Bingen

St. Brigid of Ireland

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Kristen D’Amato, PhD, is an author, speaker, musician, educator, and conscious leader. She’s the author of We Choose Love, a heart-centered guide to self-healing. With her abilities to psychically see and intuitively know information about people's health concerns, Kristen became a medical intuitive and energy healer two decades ago. She’s helped many relieve their symptoms without drugs and surgeries, inspiring empowerment in their healing journeys. 

Kristen completed her PhD in Mind-Body Medicine at Saybrook University, focusing on women’s sexual energy and healing. She is a 600 hour VITA-certified sex and relationship coach, trained energy medicine practitioner, certified contemplative end-of-life care midwife, and has decades of expertise using food as medicine. Our conversation focuses on her healing work, writing, and doctoral research, including how creativity and vital life-force energy go hand-in-hand. 

For our Creativity Pro-Tip, Kristen leads us through a short, mindful practice of body awareness that can help us sense into our vital energy. 

Credits: The Syncreate podcast is created and hosted by Melinda Rothouse, and produced at Record ATX studios with in collaboration Michael Osborne and 14th Street Studios in Austin, Texas. Syncreate logo design by Dreux Carpenter.

If you enjoy this episode and want to learn more about the creative process in a variety of contexts, you might also like our conversations in Episode 19: Creativity, Sexuality & The Sacred Feminine with Leah Shadwick, Marie Commisso and Thais Bicalho Silva, Episode 117: Creativity, Anxiety, and Authenticity with Amanda Beck, PhD, Episode 127: The Power of Silence with Olga Lehmann, PhD. 

At Syncreate, we're here to support your creative endeavors. If you have an idea for a project or a new venture, and you’re not sure how to get it off the ground, find us at syncreate.org. Our book, also called Syncreate, walks you through the stages of the creative process so you can take action on your creative goals. We also offer resources, creative process tools, and coaching to help you bring your work to the world. You can find more information on our website, where you can also find all of our podcast episodes. Find and connect with us on social media and YouTube under Syncreate. If you enjoy the show, please subscribe and leave us a review! We’d love to hear your feedback as well, so drop us a line at [email protected]. 

Episode-specific hyperlinks: 

Kristen’s Website: https://www.kristendamato.com/ 

Kristen D’Amato on Instagram

Book: We Choose Love

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Following a successful career as a Hollywood visual effects designer and studio executive, Steven Puri pivoted to start The Sukha Company, a flow state platform that helps creative professionals work more effectively, more productively, and with more joy. As a studio executive at Dreamworks and 20th Century Fox, and producer on films from Die Hard 5 to The Wolverine, he learned how to inspire a broad range of teams. Our conversation includes insights from Steven’s experiences working with creative teams, as well as his entrepreneurial shift to becoming the Founder and CEO of Sukha, and the science and psychology of flow states.

For our Creativity Pro-Tip, Steven says: Tomorrow, when you wake up, think of the one thing you could do that would move your life forward before you touch your phone. Don't go to sleep until that's done. If you repeat that for 30 days, your life will be different.”

Credits: The Syncreate podcast is created and hosted by Melinda Rothouse, and produced at Record ATX studios with in collaboration Michael Osborne and 14th Street Studios in Austin, Texas. Syncreate logo design by Dreux Carpenter.

If you enjoy this episode and want to learn more about the creative process in a variety of contexts, you might also like our conversations in Episode 123: The Surface Area of Serendipity with with Tech Entrepreneur Charles Cadbury, Episode 125: Figuring it Out with Film Producer & Entrepreneur Marco de Molina, and Episode 127: The Power of Silence with Olga Lehmann, PhD. 

At Syncreate, we're here to support your creative endeavors. If you have an idea for a project or a new venture, and you’re not sure how to get it off the ground, find us at syncreate.org. Our book, also called Syncreate, walks you through the stages of the creative process so you can take action on your creative goals. We also offer resources, creative process tools, and coaching to help you bring your work to the world. You can find more information on our website, where you can also find all of our podcast episodes. Find and connect with us on social media and YouTube under Syncreate. If you enjoy the show, please subscribe and leave us a review! We’d love to hear your feedback as well, so drop us a line at [email protected]. 

Episode-specific hyperlinks: 

The Sukha Company

Steven Puri on LinkedIn

The Psychology of Flow States

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In a world of constant overstimulation, noise, and speed, what is the value of silence and stillness? In this episode, we explore how silence can become a refuge and a source of well-being. We also contemplate the power dynamics of silence, such as when we experience self-silencing or having silence imposed upon us. We also discuss the benefits of poetry and therapeutic writing for working with grief. 

Olga Lehmann, PhD, fondly nicknamed “The Silentist,” by colleagues, is a professor of psychology at Oslo New University College (ONH, Norway), and associate professor in counselling at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU, Norway). She is a mental health advocate, educator, psychotherapist and researcher, with a background in humanistic and existential psychology, as well as cultural psychology. Her core academic and personal interests are the intersection between clinical and community interventions, as well as the functions that silence and poetry have in our everyday lives, and how these can be used to promote wellbeing and human values. Her recent publications include Writing Through Bereavement: A Therapeutic Workbook for Grieving Parents (Routledge, 2025), and Silence. The psychology and the craft for emotional wellbeing (Oxford University Press). 

For our Creativity Pro-Tip, Olga suggests picking a few daily activities, such as drinking your morning tea or coffee, or brushing your teeth, to practice intentionally slowing down, and see what you notice. Another is what she calls “beauty hunting,” or noticing moments when you experience beauty or peace, and noting them in a journal. This is a wonderful way of cultivating appreciation and gratitude.  

Credits: The Syncreate podcast is created and hosted by Melinda Rothouse, and produced at Record ATX studios with in collaboration Michael Osborne and 14th Street Studios in Austin, Texas. Syncreate logo design by Dreux Carpenter.

If you enjoy this episode and want to learn more about the creative process in a variety of contexts, you might also like our conversations in Episode 107: Mindfulness in Life, Work, and Creativity with Hannah Williams, Episode 109: Light and Shadow: The Art of Journaling with Keila Shaheen, and Episode 113: Music Mindfulness and Healing with Dr. AZA Allsop

At Syncreate, we're here to support your creative endeavors. If you have an idea for a project or a new venture, and you’re not sure how to get it off the ground, find us at syncreate.org. Our book, also called Syncreate, walks you through the stages of the creative process so you can take action on your creative goals. We also offer resources, creative process tools, and coaching to help you bring your work to the world. You can find more information on our website, where you can also find all of our podcast episodes. Find and connect with us on social media and YouTube under Syncreate. If you enjoy the show, please subscribe and leave us a review! We’d love to hear your feedback as well, so drop us a line at [email protected]. 

Episode-specific hyperlinks: 

Olga’s Website: olgalehmann.com

Olga Lehmann on LinkedIn

Olga’s Instagram Profile

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In this installment of our Creative Spark series, Charlotte  shares several anecdotes, including the story of a man she met while picking up a load of compost, who told her all about his pet pig, Cosmos. With her superpowers of listening and asking questions, Charlotte has a knack for drawing out people’s stories, which is always a source of creative inspiration. This episode, like the mini-episodes that preceded it, also includes insights from our book, Syncreate: A Guide to Navigating the Creative Process for Individuals, Teams, and Communities.

For our Creativity Pro-Tip, we encourage you to engage with the people you meet in your daily activities–ask questions, get to know them a little bit–and see what possibilities this can open up. 

Credits: The Syncreate podcast is created and hosted by Melinda Rothouse, and produced at Record ATX studios with in collaboration Michael Osborne and 14th Street Studios in Austin, Texas. Syncreate logo design by Dreux Carpenter.

If you enjoy this episode and want to learn more about the creative process, you might also like our conversations in Episode 124: Finding Your Story, Episode 106: Creative Confessions, and Episode 98: Creativity and Humor.

At Syncreate, we're here to support your creative endeavors. If you have an idea for a project or a new venture, and you’re not sure how to get it off the ground, find us at syncreate.org. Our book, also called Syncreate, walks you through the stages of the creative process so you can take action on your creative goals. We also offer resources, creative process tools, and coaching to help you bring your work to the world. You can find more information on our website, where you can also find all of our podcast episodes. Find and connect with us on social media and YouTube under Syncreate. If you enjoy the show, please subscribe and leave us a review! We’d love to hear your feedback as well, so drop us a line at [email protected]. 

Episode-specific hyperlinks: 

Melinda Rothouse Website

Charlotte Gullick’s Website

The Syncreate book by Melinda Rothouse & Charlotte Gullick

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The Syncreate Podcast

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Marco De Molina is Grammy Nominated film producer who has received international acclaim throughout his career at prestigious film festivals worldwide including the Festival de Cannes. He has been recognized for his striking visuals, unique storytelling, a keen eye for developing new talent, and his ability to maximize production value. Marco has produced countless music videos for chart-topping musicians in all genres from metal to pop. He has received numerous nominations and wins at the MTV VMAs, and UKMVAs, including a Grammy Nomination for Best Music Video for LIL NAS X “Montero (Call Me By Your Name.)” He the Co-Founder of SPACEBRAIN Entertainment and One of Us, a prestige spirits platform, both of which he runs with his wife Roza Marchenko. Our conversation traces his journey from aspiring filmmaker to Grammy-nominated producer and creative entrepreneur. 

For our Creativity Pro-Tip, Marco suggests cultivating a daily discipline to hone your craft, and warns not to get caught up in other people’s successes, because as his mother once told him, “Excellence has no competition.”

Credits: The Syncreate podcast is created and hosted by Melinda Rothouse, and produced at Record ATX studios with in collaboration Michael Osborne and 14th Street Studios in Austin, Texas. Syncreate logo design by Dreux Carpenter.

If you enjoy this episode and want to learn more about the creative process in a variety of contexts, you might also like our conversations in Episode 21: The Walk of Faith and Courage with Shakespearean Actor Warren "Ren" Jackson, Episode 56: Asking the Questions with Broadway Stereophonic Cast Member Chris Stack, and  Episode 119: Jazz Lessons with Musical Mathematician Lawrence Udeigwe, PhD. 

At Syncreate, we're here to support your creative endeavors. If you have an idea for a project or a new venture, and you’re not sure how to get it off the ground, find us at syncreate.org. Our book, also called Syncreate, walks you through the stages of the creative process so you can take action on your creative goals. We also offer resources, creative process tools, and coaching to help you bring your work to the world. You can find more information on our website, where you can also find all of our podcast episodes. Find and connect with us on social media and YouTube under Syncreate. If you enjoy the show, please subscribe and leave us a review! We’d love to hear your feedback as well, so drop us a line at [email protected]. 

Episode-specific hyperlinks: 

SPACEBRAIN Entertainment

One of Us Mezcal

Marco De Molina on Instagram

One of Us Mezcal on Instagram

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Storytelling is a huge part of the creative process, and we all carry many stories within us. In this episode of our Creative Spark Series, we explore how to find the stories in our own life experiences, and how to begin working with them. We also explore the healing power of telling our stories, and how our personal (and sometimes painful) experiences can speak to larger, more universal themes. This episode, like the mini-episodes that preceded it, also includes insights from our book, Syncreate: A Guide to Navigating the Creative Process for Individuals, Teams, and Communities.

For our Creativity Pro-Tip, we encourage you to recall life experiences that still feel a little uncomfortable, “spiky,” or have stuck with you over time, and begin to express them in a creative way to see if you can find a new perspective on them. 

Credits: The Syncreate podcast is created and hosted by Melinda Rothouse, and produced at Record ATX studios with in collaboration Michael Osborne and 14th Street Studios in Austin, Texas. Syncreate logo design by Dreux Carpenter.

If you enjoy this episode and want to learn more about the creative process, you might also like our conversations in Episode 122: Sharing Your Creative Self, Episode 118: The Power of Imagination, and Episode 108: Breaking the Glass Ceiling in our Minds. 

At Syncreate, we're here to support your creative endeavors. If you have an idea for a project or a new venture, and you’re not sure how to get it off the ground, find us at syncreate.org. Our book, also called Syncreate, walks you through the stages of the creative process so you can take action on your creative goals. We also offer resources, creative process tools, and coaching to help you bring your work to the world. You can find more information on our website, where you can also find all of our podcast episodes. Find and connect with us on social media and YouTube under Syncreate. If you enjoy the show, please subscribe and leave us a review! We’d love to hear your feedback as well, so drop us a line at [email protected]. 

Episode-specific hyperlinks: 

Carolyn Myss

Melinda Rothouse Website

Charlotte Gullick’s Website

The Syncreate book by Melinda Rothouse & Charlotte Gullick

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The Syncreate Podcast

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What if you began each day outside, in nature, without technology, viewed your daily activities and connections as ways to increase the surface area of your serendipity, and spent Thursday evenings appreciating the sunset with friends? Welcome to Charles Cadbury’s world. A multi-award-winning technologist focusing on human-computer interaction and AI assistance, Charles is a creative entrepreneur who values the alchemy of connection. In this episode, we discuss the power of community and collaboration in innovation, as well as the vital importance of the creative journey itself. We also explore the creative potential of (and concerns around) emerging technologies such as AI assistants and agents. 

For our Creativity Pro-Tip, Charlie suggests taking time each day to unplug from technology and clear the mind, and to distill your to-do list down to three main things you can reasonably accomplish. 

Credits: The Syncreate podcast is created and hosted by Melinda Rothouse, and produced at Record ATX studios with in collaboration Michael Osborne and 14th Street Studios in Austin, Texas. Syncreate logo design by Dreux Carpenter.

If you enjoy this episode and want to learn more about the creative process in a variety of contexts, you might also like our conversations in Episode 111: Stories from the Podcast Studio with Grant Davis, Episode 107: Mindfulness in Life, Work, and Creativity with Hannah Williams, and Episode 14: Anatomy of a Song with George McCormack. 

At Syncreate, we're here to support your creative endeavors. If you have an idea for a project or a new venture, and you’re not sure how to get it off the ground, find us at syncreate.org. Our book, also called Syncreate, walks you through the stages of the creative process so you can take action on your creative goals. We also offer resources, creative process tools, and coaching to help you bring your work to the world. You can find more information on our website, where you can also find all of our podcast episodes. Find and connect with us on social media and YouTube under Syncreate. If you enjoy the show, please subscribe and leave us a review! We’d love to hear your feedback as well, so drop us a line at [email protected]. 

Episode-specific hyperlinks: 

Charles Cadbury on LinkedIn

sayitnow.ai

charlescadbury.com 

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In this episode of our Creative Spark Series, Melinda & Charlotte explore both the fears and the benefits of sharing our creative selves with family, friends, and the wider world. Many creatives feel misunderstood by those closest to us, such as family members who may not “get” or value our work, so we feel hesitant or resistant to share our creative ideas and expressions with them. However, we believe there’s a positive risk in sharing and allowing ourselves to be known in this way, because it can actually allow our loved ones to become interested and invested in our creative lives.This episode, like the mini-episodes that preceded it, also includes insights from our book, Syncreate: A Guide to Navigating the Creative Process for Individuals, Teams, and Communities.

For our Creativity Pro-Tip, we encourage you to identify one trusted person in your inner circle that you could share your creative ideas with, take that initial step, and see where it leads.  

Credits: The Syncreate podcast is created and hosted by Melinda Rothouse, and produced at Record ATX studios with in collaboration Michael Osborne and 14th Street Studios in Austin, Texas. Syncreate logo design by Dreux Carpenter.

If you enjoy this episode and want to learn more about the creative process, you might also like our conversations in Episode 106: Creative Confessions, Episode 108: Breaking the Glass Ceiling in Our Minds, and Episode 120: Putting Yourself Out There. 

At Syncreate, we're here to support your creative endeavors. If you have an idea for a project or a new venture, and you’re not sure how to get it off the ground, find us at syncreate.org. Our book, also called Syncreate, walks you through the stages of the creative process so you can take action on your creative goals. We also offer resources, creative process tools, and coaching to help you bring your work to the world. You can find more information on our website, where you can also find all of our podcast episodes. Find and connect with us on social media and YouTube under Syncreate. If you enjoy the show, please subscribe and leave us a review! We’d love to hear your feedback as well, so drop us a line at [email protected]. 

Episode-specific hyperlinks: 

Melinda Rothouse Website

Charlotte Gullick’s Website

The Syncreate book by Melinda Rothouse & Charlotte Gullick

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The Syncreate Podcast

Syncreate Website

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Austin Writing Coach

What either allows or prevents us from taking action on our creative ideas and bringing them into being? According to our guest Zorana Ivcevic Pringle, PhD, emotions and choice play a major role, including our fears about being judged, as well as both our sense of creative anxiety and identity. How we manage these emotions ultimately guides our creative freedom and efficacy. 

For our Creativity Pro-Tip, if you have more ideas than you can pursue at any given moment, we encourage you to practice what Zorana calls “idea stockpiling,” which involves finding a way to record our ideas, whether in a notebook or voice memos, or even in a physical drawer, so we can return to them later. We also encourage you to notice and utilize your feelings and emotions in service of your creativity, rather than fighting them. For example, energetic moods are great for creative ideation and brainstorming, whereas more subdued moods are better for critical thinking and revision. 

Credits: The Syncreate podcast is created and hosted by Melinda Rothouse, and produced at Record ATX studios with in collaboration Michael Osborne and 14th Street Studios in Austin, Texas. Syncreate logo design by Dreux Carpenter.

If you enjoy this episode and want to learn more about the creative process in a variety of contexts, you might also like our conversations in Episode 62: The Neuroscience of Creativity with Dr. Indre Viskontas, Episode 117: Creativity, Anxiety, and Authenticity with Amanda Beck, PhD, and Episode 119: Jazz Lessons with Musician Mathematician Lawrence Udeigwe, PhD. 

At Syncreate, we're here to support your creative endeavors. If you have an idea for a project or a new venture, and you’re not sure how to get it off the ground, find us at syncreate.org. Our book, also called Syncreate, walks you through the stages of the creative process so you can take action on your creative goals. We also offer resources, creative process tools, and coaching to help you bring your work to the world. You can find more information on our website, where you can also find all of our podcast episodes. Find and connect with us on social media and YouTube under Syncreate. If you enjoy the show, please subscribe and leave us a review! We’d love to hear your feedback as well, so drop us a line at [email protected]. 

Episode-specific hyperlinks: 

Zorana’s Website & Book: The Creativity Choice

Zorana’s Newsletter on Substack

Zorana Ivcevic Pringle on LinkedIn

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The Syncreate Podcast

Syncreate Website

Syncreate Instagram

Syncreate Facebook

Syncreate LinkedIn

Syncreate YouTube

Melinda Rothouse Website

Austin Writing Coach

Melinda Joy Music Website