You spend countless hours perfecting your work, yet your posts keep tumbling into a sea of silent scrollers and soul-crushing algorithms.

In this episode, our podcast marketing specialist, Lina, joins me to unlock the exact digital strategy we used to transform a modest following into a devoted community of over eleven thousand supporters.

Hit play right now to steal our exact marketing blueprint and turn passive scrollers into lifelong champions of your creative journey.

00:00 Best Platforms for Different Types of Creatives

01:45 How Artists Should Engage Online

03:08 Spotting AI vs. True Authenticity

03:46 Building an Audience: Instagram to Substack Strategy

05:50 Essential Tips for Standing Out Online

08:24 Sponsor Message: iCode

08:52 YouTube and Multi-Platform Distribution

09:46 Must-Have Tools for Social Media Growth

11:44 Major Social Media Mistakes to Avoid

13:35 Building Genuine Relationships with Your Audience

16:43 Wrapping Up with Lina

Apple Podcast: http://bit.ly/4fcopgQSpotify: http://bit.ly/4fdkiBs

Website: http://www.martineseverin.comFollow on Instagram: @martine.severin | @thisishowwecreate_ Subscribe to the Newsletter: http://www.martineseverin.substack.com

This is How We Create is produced by Martine Severin. This episode was edited by Daniel Espinosa. Podcast show art is designed by Violetta Encarnación. Music by Timothy Infinite.

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What's the missing key to your biggest artistic breakthrough? You might feel trapped in a demanding day job or paralyzed by fear of rejection, yet your tightest constraints can become your ultimate creative advantage.

Screenwriter Octavia Clahar, reveals how she directed her debut TV pilot inside a video game when traditional funding fell through.

Tune in to discover how you can stop waiting for outside permission, transform your daily routine into creative leverage, and build the resilient support system your dreams demand.

00:00 - Introduction and Directing TV Pilots in The Sims 4

01:03 - Brooklyn Roots and Caribbean Storytelling Traditions

04:06 - Pitching Yourself: Treating Your Identity as the Brand

05:43 - Overcoming Rejection and Refining Your Artistic Voice

08:34 - Reframing Loss: From Corporate Grind to Creative Commitment

11:29 - Mentorship and Ava DuVernay's Core Collaboration Rule

15:46 - Building Story Co-op Across Brooklyn and Paris

21:10 - Navigating Production Constraints and Budget Realities

27:35 - Lessons from Studio Pitch Meetings and Script Revisions

33:50 - Strategies for Sustaining Creativity Through Burnout

39:15 - Creating Sustainable Support Networks for Independent Artists

44:00 - Final Reflections and Closing Remarks

Listen to the show on your favorite streaming platform!

Apple Podcast: http://bit.ly/4fcopgQSpotify: http://bit.ly/4fdkiBsYouTube:

Follow her on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/octavia.nicole.clahar/

Website: https://bio.site/oclahar

Website: http://www.martineseverin.comFollow on Instagram: @martine.severin | @thisishowwecreate_ Subscribe to the Newsletter: http://www.martineseverin.substack.com

This is How We Create is produced by Martine Severin. This episode was edited by Daniel Espinosa. Podcast show art is designed by Violetta Encarnación. Music by Timothy Infinite.

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We accidentally unlocked a strategy that skyrocketed our own community from three hundred quiet listeners to over 11,000 fiercely loyal fans in less than six months. I sit down with our brilliant social media specialist, Lina Monterey, to expose the mistakes that are stopping you from reaching your audience. Lina shares the exact methods she uses to carve irresistible hooks out of everyday conversations. This is the episode you didn't know you needed.

00:00 The terrifying reality of rapid community growth

04:16 Why building a massive platform matters for creatives of color

08:20 Hitting 10,000 followers in under six months

10:57 Overcoming the creative block of self promotion

12:13 Crafting emotional hooks that stop the scroll

14:12 The brutal mistake ruining your audience connection

16:18 Aligning your aesthetic cues with your true target market

18:36 Mapping the customer journey for sustainable growth

Listen to the show on your favorite streaming platform!

Apple Podcast: http://bit.ly/4fcopgQSpotify: http://bit.ly/4fdkiBsYouTube: https://youtu.be/vZdiy5DfKx8

Follow her on Instagram:

Lina's website:

Website: http://www.martineseverin.comFollow on Instagram: @martine.severin | @thisishowwecreate_ Subscribe to the Newsletter: http://www.martineseverin.substack.com

This is How We Create is produced by Martine Severin. This episode was edited by Daniel Espinosa. Podcast show art is designed by Violetta Encarnación. Music by Timothy Infinite.

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Feeling stuck in a safe job while your creative dreams take a backseat? Sometimes an unexpected plot twist is just what you need to leap.

In this episode, I'm chatting with artist Hadiya Williams about how getting laid off helped her build a thriving studio on her own terms. Hear how a 100-day challenge sparked her signature style, how she got into art school without a traditional portfolio, and how she blends AI with handcrafted ceramics.

Hit play and get ready to turn life's scariest curveballs into your next big creative breakthrough!

00:18 - Meet Hadiah Williams: Craft as Living Archive

01:39 - DC Roots, Elizabeth Catlett, and Cultural Memory

04:11 - Accidental Tech Career: Computer Science by Default

05:35 - The Mass Layoff and the Pivot to Graphic Design

07:18 - Applying to Art School with Maxwell Fan Art

11:23 - The Wedding Invitations That Sparked Black Pepper Papery Co.

15:24 - Harnessing Corporate Stress for Entrepreneurial Freedom

20:21 - Finding a Signature Voice Through the 100-Day Challenge

24:34 - Scaling an Art Practice Without Losing Your Soul

28:25 - Blending Generative AI, Clay, and 1970s Analog Nostalgia

Follow her on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hadiyawilliams/?hl=en

Hadiya website: https://www.hadiyawilliams.com/

Website: http://www.martineseverin.comFollow on Instagram: @martine.severin | @thisishowwecreate_ Subscribe to the Newsletter: http://www.martineseverin.substack.com

This is How We Create is produced by Martine Severin. This episode was edited by Daniel Espinosa. Podcast show art is designed by Violetta Encarnación. Music by Timothy Infinite.

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If you want to start a podcast but are paralyzed by the fear of sounding stupid, you may be paying the high price of waiting. In this episode, learn the steps to start your podcast. Stop letting the illusion of readiness stall your momentum; tune in to claim your voice, launch your project, and find and build your dedicated tribe today.

00:13 - Confession: Ten Years of Stalling and Fear

02:10 - The Hidden Power of Podcasting for Creators

04:15 - Finding Your Unique, Obsession-Driven Topic

07:02 - The Power of Hyper-Specificity: Niche Down

08:15 - Naming Your Show: The 50-Name Exercise

09:55 - The Five-Day Warning: Register Your Brand Immediately

11:15 - Fast Artwork and Brand Photos on a Budget

11:58 - Demystifying the Gear: The Twenty-Dollar Microphone Rule

14:24 - Embracing the Bad First Episode and the Dunning-Kruger Effect

15:58 - Your Action Plan for This Week

Listen to the show on your favorite streaming platform!

Apple Podcast: http://bit.ly/4fcopgQSpotify: http://bit.ly/4fdkiBsYouTube: https://youtu.be/xx3cVK1DuQA

Website: http://www.martineseverin.comFollow on Instagram: @martine.severin | @thisishowwecreate_ Subscribe to the Newsletter: http://www.martineseverin.substack.com

This is How We Create is produced by Martine Severin. This episode was edited by Daniel Espinosa. Podcast show art is designed by Violetta Encarnación. Music by Timothy Infinite.

• Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts

• Leave a review

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What does ultimate creative freedom look like? What boundaries do you need to have in your life for this freedom to propel you forward? In this conversation with cookbook author Nicole A. Taylor, we talk code-switching, what it takes to write a book, and how personal ethics might be the fuel for your career. Hit play to hear how drawing your own hard lines can unlock your truest, most powerful creative voice.

00:18 - Introduction to Nicole A. Taylor

01:05 - Sponsor Spotlight: iCode School

01:48 - Finding Freedom in a Georgia Kitchen

04:03 - The Power of Early Confidence and Family Grace

07:59 - The Origin Story of Watermelon and Red Birds

12:01 - Non-Negotiables and Embracing Your Authentic Vernacular

17:10 - The Unvarnished Truth of the Cookbook Publishing Process

22:37 - Rituals, Discipline, and Protecting Your Peace

24:53 - Closing Notes and Substack Support

Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/foodculturist

Website: https://www.nicoleataylor.com/

Website: Martine SeverinFollow on Instagram: Martine | This Is How We CreateSubscribe to the Newsletter: Martine's Substack

This is How We Create is produced by Martine Severin. This episode was edited by Daniel Espinosa. Podcast show art is designed by Violetta Encarnación. Music by Timothy Infinite.

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What should you do about burnout? In this episode, I pull back the curtain on nearly 200 episodes to reveal the psychological shifts and structural changes that rescued me from burnout. These shifts transformed how I approach delegation and audience building.

Listen to this milestone episode to discover the practical, battle-tested blueprints you need to stop merely surviving your creative career and start building a sustainable artistic framework that thrives over the long game.

00:13 The Bedside Book That Challenged My Excuses

02:35 Finding Practical Wisdom Under Fire

04:57 The True Purpose of This Podcast Journey

07:18 Breaking the Cycle of the One-Person Operation

09:38 Shifting Mindsets Through Lived Knowledge

11:59 The Long Game of Building True Community

14:24 Ancient Solutions for Modern Creative Struggles

Website: http://www.martineseverin.comFollow on Instagram: @martine.severin | @thisishowwecreate_ Subscribe to the Newsletter: http://www.martineseverin.substack.com

This is How We Create is produced by Martine Severin. This episode was edited by Daniel Espinosa. Podcast show art is designed by Violetta Encarnación. Music by Timothy Infinite.

• Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts

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Atlanta interior design powerhouse Justin Q. Williams built a celebrated empire by launching his business at just eighteen, but the glittering television features and custom furniture lines mask years of grueling midnight grinds, raw psychological battles with clients, and a devastating early rejection that completely altered his trajectory. I strip away the glossy highlight reel of creative entrepreneurship to expose the exact operational shifts required to transform an exhausting side hustle into an aligned, impactful brand. Run to your favorite app and hit play to discover how to navigate your own professional rejections, anchor your evolving creative voice, and design a business that truly honors your soul.

00:00 Redefining Artistic Authenticity

02:18 Dream Drives and Early Design Software

04:38 Launching a Business at Eighteen

05:27 The First Client and Viral Twitter Fame

07:12 Hustling Between the Church and the Side Business

08:53 Mastering Client Psychology and Expectations

11:14 Why Function Trumps Fashion in Interior Design

13:04 Cultivating an Evolving Design Voice

15:19 Business Lessons from Iconic Mentors

17:09 Paying It Forward and Mentoring the Next Generation

19:25 The Truth Behind the Polished Instagram Grid

24:13 Protecting Mental Health as a Creative Empath

25:16 Enhancing Black Representation on National Television

28:07 Sourcing Global Inspiration for Retail Collections

29:42 Measuring Real Success Beyond the Paycheck

Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/justinqwilliams/

Website: https://www.trademarkdesignco.com/

Website: Martine SeverinFollow on Instagram: Martine | This Is How We CreateSubscribe to the Newsletter: Martine's Substack

This is How We Create is produced by Martine Severin. This episode was edited by Daniel Espinosa. Podcast show art is designed by Violetta Encarnación. Music by Timothy Infinite.

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Every creative hits the wall where a dream client utters the four words: "we have no budget."

In this special community Q&A episode, I pull back the curtain on the subtle business traps that quietly drain your bank account and compromise your artistic integrity.

You will discover the psychological pricing trick that forces clients to pick your ideal rate, the hidden meanings behind sudden timeline demands, and the exact response that shuts down scope creep before you spend hours animating for free.

Stop letting the fear of rejection dictate your pricing strategies and master the insider boundary shifts required to protect your labor while elevating your creative profit.

00:00 - Introduction: Flipping the Script on Creative Struggles

00:30 - Dissecting the "We Have No Budget" Dilemma

02:32 - The Psychology of Tiered Pricing for Photographers

04:20 - Protecting Your Energy with a Non-Resentment Rate

06:00 - Sponsor Spotlight: iCode School

06:33 - The Four Hidden Reasons Clients Hide Their Budgets

07:16 - Defusing Fake Urgent Deadlines Without Losing the Project

09:05 - Shutting Down Scope Creep in Creative Proposals

12:40 - Creative Encouragement and Substack Invite

Listen to the show on your favorite streaming platform!

Apple Podcast: http://bit.ly/4fcopgQSpotify: http://bit.ly/4fdkiBsYouTube:

Website: http://www.martineseverin.comFollow on Instagram: @martine.severin | @thisishowwecreate_ Subscribe to the Newsletter: http://www.martineseverin.substack.com

This is How We Create is produced by Martine Severin. This episode was edited by Daniel Espinosa. Podcast show art is designed by Violetta Encarnación. Music by Timothy Infinite.

• Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts

• Leave a review

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Screenwriter and coach Aleia Kristene survived grueling hustle, but she walked away questioning whether the narrative of the suffering artist is actually a badge of honor or just unexamined trauma. In our conversation, she reveals how she transformed twenty years of family tragedy into a limited series. She also shares the exact pacing mistakes that instantly tank amateur scripts.

If you feel stuck behind a wall of perfectionism or lost in a quiet season of your own creative journey, this episode delivers: an insider guide to reclaim your voice, how to master the production realities of Hollywood, and how to get your biggest ideas onto the page.

00:00 - Redefining the Artist's Struggle

01:23 - Reclaiming Creativity with iCode

02:08 - Writing a Male Cinderella at Nine Years Old

04:17 - Realism over Cartoons: The Influence of Black Cinema

06:35 - Turning Family Tragedy into a Sellable Script

11:15 - Demystifying the Hollywood Table Read

12:47 - Brutal Production Realities from Major Film Sets

17:43 - The Biggest Mistakes Amateurs Make in Action Lines

20:06 - Balancing Mentorship with Personal Creative Output

23:15 - Overcoming the Perfectionism Trap of First Drafts

27:55 - Aleia's Ultimate Dream Project

Listen to the show on your favorite streaming platform!

Apple Podcast: http://bit.ly/4fcopgQSpotify: http://bit.ly/4fdkiBsYouTube: https://youtu.be/4ekuzVLC8_M

Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aleiakristene/

Website: https://aleiakristene.com/

Website: Martine SeverinFollow on Instagram: Martine | This Is How We CreateSubscribe to the Newsletter: Martine's Substack

This is How We Create is produced by Martine Severin. This episode was edited by Daniel Espinosa. Podcast show art is designed by Violetta Encarnación. Music by Timothy Infinite.

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