What’s on your mind, unicorn? 🦄 Send me a text!

Let's talk about why so many people feel like they’re an imposter when it comes to creativity.

Loosely defined as doubting your abilities and feeling like a fraud, imposter syndrome* appears to be keeping it real amongst many of us when it comes to speaking about our own creative abilities. I struggle with it myself!

According to one internationally recognized expert and author on the topic, the only way to stop feeling like an imposter is to stop thinking like an imposter.

My goal for this episode, then, is for you to reconsider the way you think about your own creative capabilities. Particularly if you're a nay-sayer about your own creativity. By the end, I hope you've seen you're own creative light. Say it with me: I am creative.

*There’s a lot of controversy over whether or not imposter syndrome is a real thing, or some symptom of other systematic and gender bias-related problems, but we’re not diving into that question in this episode.

Also in this episode:
Our first Creative Commuter Callout, a way to amplify the courageous and creative things done by spectacular humans in our community! If you’re not in the community yet, be sure to join here.

Casey Taton is an active member of our community and the founder of Little Moments Big Dreams Celebrations. Through her organization, she brings smiles to the faces of children and families who are going through a tough time by throwing celebratory parties – in all kinds of fun and creative ways! 

• Bring a smile to a child's face when you donate an item on her Amazon wishlist.
• Join the Little Moments Big Dreams Celebrations Facebook Group.
• Learn more about her organization in this news feature on Good Day Kansas.

 Do you know a spectacular Creative Commuter who is fueling joy for themselves or others? Take five minutes to let

Support the show

🔥 Ready to step into your next level? Join us at Island Awakening in Saint Martin from June 4-8, 2025! Let’s rise together. 🌴✨

💫 Claim your spot now: jenliss.com/retreat

Support the pod:

• Share an episode and tag Jen on IG @untetheredjen
• Follow/subscribe to get updates of new episodes
• Leave a review!

Music created and produced by Matt Bollenbach

What’s on your mind, unicorn? 🦄 Send me a text!

Spring is in the air, and with it, a sense of newfound motivation. 

The world is beginning to open back up for many of us, and feelings of excitement and anticipation are bounding back in. But also, some new anxieties. This makes right now a really great time to do some mental and physical spring cleaning to clear out space where happiness and creativity can bloom. 

January is the time where we usually set big, beautiful goals for ourselves, but spring is a great time to step back, look at where we’re at and decide if we need to make any shifts or start anew. 

This kind of mental deep breath is important for our happiness. It’s also the true elixir for unblocking ourselves creatively.

In fact, in The Creative Commute community on Facebook, we're focusing the next two weeks on getting our creative energy flowing again. Come join us in there for a true Spring Cleaning, where we'll take part in lots of fun challenges and thoughtful questions.

In this episode, I offer five spring cleaning tips to open your flow of creative energy:

1. Step outside, tilt your head back and feel the sun on your face.
2. Feel green grass with your bare feet.
3. Go through your things, and let go of one item each day. 
4. Find a fresh quote or piece of art, and put it somewhere you’ll see it.
5. Examine the habits you picked up over the past year. What do you want more of? What are you ready to toss?

You might even feel called to try something new creatively right now! If so, I encourage you to listen and lean into those urges. Until next time, Creative Commuter, keep springing about with your magical unicorn self!

Fuel Your Creativity with Creative Fuel
I’ve teamed up with Nameless Coffee, a local roaster here in Wichita, Kansas, who partners with farmers in Guatemala to make the very best fair trade coffee that’s ever graced my creative palate. Every cup of Creative Fuel funds three families - mine, the good people at Nameless Coffee and a farming family in Guatemala. Power your morning with your own fresh batch of Creative Fuel beans! Get them at CreativeCommute.com.

Support the show

🔥 Ready to step into your next level? Join us at Island Awakening in Saint Martin from June 4-8, 2025! Let’s rise together. 🌴✨

💫 Claim your spot now: jenliss.com/retreat

Support the pod:

• Share an episode and tag Jen on IG @untetheredjen
• Follow/subscribe to get updates of new episodes
• Leave a review!

Music created and produced by Matt Bollenbach

What’s on your mind, unicorn? 🦄 Send me a text!

Mindfulness is hard. I mean, how many of us struggle to clear our minds without falling asleep or feeling a compulsive need to write a to-do list?

Angie Bailey knows this, and that’s why she’s so passionate about teaching her skill to others. 

As a burned-out nurse at her wit’s end, Angie needed something to focus her reeling mind. Fortunately, she found it. And now, Angie teaches the creative practice she discovered to help others gain mental peace.

It’s called Calming Calligraphy, and in just 10 minutes a day, Angie teaches you how to get the relaxation and self-care you need – with a pen and paper.

So if you need more self-care, focus and creativity in your life, or if self-judgment holds you back from trying the things you want to do, this is a great episode for you.

Because Angie believes that art can heal, and through a calligraphy practice, you can calm your mind, spark your creativity and create beautiful art in the process. To learn more from Angie, join us in The Creative Commute Facebook group at 11 a.m. CST on Wednesday, March 24.

Join Angie's Facebook group, Calming Calligraphy or follow her on Instagram @angiebaileyartandsoul.

TAKEAWAYS FROM THIS EPISODE

1. Progress over perfection.
2. Do things to enjoy the experience. 
3. The fun is in the process. 
4. It doesn’t have to be this or that. It can be both.

Purchase Creative Fuel, our new coffee created in partnership with local roaster  Nameless Coffee.

Every cup of Creative Fuel funds three small businesses: The Creative Commute, Nameless Coffee and a farming family in Acatenango, Guatemala. Get it at CreativeCommute.com!

Support the show

🔥 Ready to step into your next level? Join us at Island Awakening in Saint Martin from June 4-8, 2025! Let’s rise together. 🌴✨

💫 Claim your spot now: jenliss.com/retreat

Support the pod:

• Share an episode and tag Jen on IG @untetheredjen
• Follow/subscribe to get updates of new episodes
• Leave a review!

Music created and produced by Matt Bollenbach

What’s on your mind, unicorn? 🦄 Send me a text!

Today is The Creative Commute's birthday! Like with any birthday, it’s been a good time for reflection.

I learned so much about myself this year. I did it primarily by doing three things: accepting what is, choosing joy and doing things messy. 

I was going to record a new podcast episode to celebrate this occasion. But then, I relistened to the first episode of this podcast, and I realized I say some very true things in there that are still true today. 

Whether you’re a new listener or someone who’s known me my entire life, this episode has some good nuggets for each of us to reflect on.

There is power in going back to the beginning and seeing how far you've come. And witnessing how a single decision – that one thing you do for yourself – can change everything.

Happy birthday to The Creative Commute!

Support the show

🔥 Ready to step into your next level? Join us at Island Awakening in Saint Martin from June 4-8, 2025! Let’s rise together. 🌴✨

💫 Claim your spot now: jenliss.com/retreat

Support the pod:

• Share an episode and tag Jen on IG @untetheredjen
• Follow/subscribe to get updates of new episodes
• Leave a review!

Music created and produced by Matt Bollenbach

What’s on your mind, unicorn? 🦄 Send me a text!

Outrageous pizzas are spreading joy all over New York City, but they can't be bought.

When the pandemic hit last spring, 30-year-old Gabriele Lamonaca had just begun seriously pursuing his lifelong career dream of opening a pizzeria. Instead, he found himself locked down in his Harlem apartment with his girlfriend and… a whole lot of pizza.

 The predicament gave rise to a creative idea. They thought, “What if we exchange our freezer full of pies for some fries?” 

Gabriele gave his business a name and started bartering his cheesy masterpieces. One year later, Unregular Pizza has earned him not only a varied diet, but the spotlight in publications like the New York Post, appearances on shows like LIVE with Kelly and Ryan, and even a barter with one of his famous Italian pizza-making idols.

Thanks to his creativity, Gabrielle and his cheese masterpieces are now spreading joy, inspiration and hunger pangs to people all over the world.

----

Follow Gabrielle on Instagram @UnregularPizza

If you’re in the New York area, get on the pizza barter list at UnregularPizza.com

-----
Does pineapple belong on pizza? Let me know by leaving a review on iTunes or at RateThisPodcast.com/CreativeCommute

Support the show

🔥 Ready to step into your next level? Join us at Island Awakening in Saint Martin from June 4-8, 2025! Let’s rise together. 🌴✨

💫 Claim your spot now: jenliss.com/retreat

Support the pod:

• Share an episode and tag Jen on IG @untetheredjen
• Follow/subscribe to get updates of new episodes
• Leave a review!

Music created and produced by Matt Bollenbach

What’s on your mind, unicorn? 🦄 Send me a text!

Do what brings you joy. That is the message Michal Kapral is on this planet to spread, and he's doing it one joggling ball at a time. Yes, joggling. 

Michal is one of the most talented – and creative – athletes on the planet. What started out as a silly goal has now earned him the world records for running the fastest marathon and half-marathon while juggling, for the fastest 10-kilometer run while juggling without a drop, and formerly the world record for fastest marathon while pushing a stroller. WHAT.

Michal might even be the original creative commuter! Before COVID, he'd delight commuters young and old as he'd joggle through the streets of Toronto on his way to work.

Listen to this episode to hear me fan girl out about my personal hero in silliness and inspiration.

Here are the takeaways:

• Don't hesitate. 
• If you think you'll enjoy it, do it.
• Even if it seems frivolous. 
• Especially if it seems frivolous.
• If it brings you joy, go do the thing.

Key Quotes:
“If you think it’s something you think you’ll enjoy, even if it’s hard or it’s silly, go for it.”

“I’m glad I didn’t listen to anyone who said, ‘why don’t you focus on something more serious.’”

Website: thejoggler.blogspot.com 
Twitter: @Mkapral

Did you know you can become an official Creative Commute patron? Sign up here.

Support the show

🔥 Ready to step into your next level? Join us at Island Awakening in Saint Martin from June 4-8, 2025! Let’s rise together. 🌴✨

💫 Claim your spot now: jenliss.com/retreat

Support the pod:

• Share an episode and tag Jen on IG @untetheredjen
• Follow/subscribe to get updates of new episodes
• Leave a review!

Music created and produced by Matt Bollenbach

What’s on your mind, unicorn? 🦄 Send me a text!

By choosing to listen to this episode, you are doing the work. You are working toward the life of your dreams. 

Trust that, no matter how far behind you might feel, you are steps ahead of most people. I needed to hear this message this week, and I thought you might, too.

Self-discovery is important work. I still have a lot to discover about myself, but I’m definitely more in tune with what lights me up inside than I’ve ever been before. And I want this for you, too.  

For many of us, there's a big switch that needs to be turned. For so long, we’ve been doing things based on what others want from us. Reacting to the reactions of others. Trying to please. Trying to impress.

In this episode, I talk about the concept of Ikigai,  a Japanese term that guided me throughout 2020 to find what truly lights me up. It is the reason The Creative Commute podcast exists!

The three questions I encourage you to think about over and over:

• What do you love?
• What are you good at?
• What does the world need?

Ask yourself these three questions enough times, and things start to become remarkably clear.

Did you know you can become an official Creative Commute patron? Sign up here.

Support the show

🔥 Ready to step into your next level? Join us at Island Awakening in Saint Martin from June 4-8, 2025! Let’s rise together. 🌴✨

💫 Claim your spot now: jenliss.com/retreat

Support the pod:

• Share an episode and tag Jen on IG @untetheredjen
• Follow/subscribe to get updates of new episodes
• Leave a review!

Music created and produced by Matt Bollenbach

What’s on your mind, unicorn? 🦄 Send me a text!

Does the word "networking" make your palms sweat? 

For most of us, that word instantly conjures up visions of job fairs, giant pad folios and even car salesmen. It feels uncomfortable, icky and scary.

Isabel Sachs wants to change that.

She's a master networker, a skill she recognized when her work as a creative producer dried up at the beginning of COVID. Suddenly, all of her creative friends were looking for work, but no one knew how to network.

That's why she created a networking and mentoring initiative for women and non-binary people to tackle the lack of diversity in the creative industry. I Like Networking quickly took off, even catching the attention of the New York Times.

Isabel is here with us today to share her tips for networking and why today is the best day to start. You'll surely love her as much as I do, and we might have to invite her back sometime to hear more of her dating stories. (Remember: Never date someone who is more obsessed with Harry Potter than you are!)

Set a reminder and bookmark her site because creatives around the world can apply for I Like Networking mentorships on March 22, 2021 at ILikeNetworking.uk.

EPISODE TAKEAWAYS

• Online networking is more personal, easier and less stressful. You can do it with your PJs on!
• People have free time right now. So try it out! Reach out to someone you find interesting on Instagram, LinkedIn or YouTube by asking them a simple question.
• Empathy is on the rise right now, and honestly, successful people love helping people.

ONLINE NETWORKING TIPS

• Be curious.
• Be succinct, direct and human.
• Be willing to hear "no."

SOUND BITES
"The worst thing that can happen is that someone says 'no.'"
"Think about what you can offer the other person."
"Be kind to yourself and to others, but especially to yourself."


ABOUT ISABEL SACHS
Isabel Sachs is a creative producer, public speaker & podcast host with over 15 years of experience in arts, culture & entertainment, passionate about bringing diverse talent into the creative industry - from artists to arts managers.

She founded and sold an award-winning international cultural agency in Brazil, working with emerging artists and servicing brands such as Converse and Red Bull through brand experiences in arts & culture and have since worked in a variety of institutions, delivering international events, curating programs and managing private-public partnerships.

Isabel is the founder of I LIKE NETWORKING, a mentoring & networking initiative for women and non-binary people in the creative industries with the aim of fostering a more diverse workforce through our mentoring initiative, event series, podcast and digital resources. Launched during the pandemic, it attracted over 450 applicants on the pilot program, supporting over 70 mentees directly and featured on vehicles such as Evening Standard and Stylist.

Recent appearances include General Assembl

Support the show

🔥 Ready to step into your next level? Join us at Island Awakening in Saint Martin from June 4-8, 2025! Let’s rise together. 🌴✨

💫 Claim your spot now: jenliss.com/retreat

Support the pod:

• Share an episode and tag Jen on IG @untetheredjen
• Follow/subscribe to get updates of new episodes
• Leave a review!

Music created and produced by Matt Bollenbach

What’s on your mind, unicorn? 🦄 Send me a text!

One year ago, I wrote myself a permission slip. It felt silly and uncomfortable, and I almost didn't do it. But someone convinced me it was worth it, and I'm so glad I listened.

That's why I recorded this episode, and I hope you will give it a try. Even if it feels a little weird. Especially if it feels a little weird.

In this episode, you'll write yourself a permission slip. Giving yourself the head nod, thumbs up, the go-ahead to try things. To fail! To relish in the process of creating, and to have more fun.

-------
Thank you so much for listening to this, and any, episode of The Creative Commute. I truly value your support. If you took anything away from this episode, please leave a rating on the podcast and a review to let me know what you thought.  I might even read it live on the podcast!

Did you know you can become an official Creative Commute patron? Sign up here.
-------
Here's the copy to the permission slip, in case you want to come back and recite it to yourself or write it down. (I highly recommend physically writing it.)

I, {insert your name}

Give myself permission to be creative.

 I give myself permission to try.

I give myself permission to fail.

I give myself permission to have fun.

I deserve to take time to do what is fun for me.

What I do doesn’t have to be perfect.

Because I find joy in the process.

 I am smart. I am capable. I am good.

I am creative.

{Sign your name}

Support the show

🔥 Ready to step into your next level? Join us at Island Awakening in Saint Martin from June 4-8, 2025! Let’s rise together. 🌴✨

💫 Claim your spot now: jenliss.com/retreat

Support the pod:

• Share an episode and tag Jen on IG @untetheredjen
• Follow/subscribe to get updates of new episodes
• Leave a review!

Music created and produced by Matt Bollenbach

What’s on your mind, unicorn? 🦄 Send me a text!

How would it feel to be unstoppable? Well, you're about to find out! Get ready to be guided on a life-changing journey by the only person in history to not only climb Mt. Everest but the highest mountain on every continent, ski to both poles and complete the Hawaii Ironman. And all of this after two terminal cancers, a year-long coma, with one lung.

Meet Sean Swarner, the most superhuman person I’ve ever met. He was voted one of the eight most inspirational people in history, and you're about to hear why. So, listen up, folks.

Sean is giving you a big, beautiful gift today. He is here to help YOU create your own unstoppable story. 

Sean believes everyone has a different perspective. And we have all had our own very, very real struggles, no matter what your struggles are. And that's why he’s focused on giving people the tools to create and achieve their own greatness and become unstoppable. What better person to inspire your unstoppable creative commute than that?

TAKEAWAYS FROM THIS EPISODE

• Care more about what you think of yourself than what others think of you.
• Act, don't react. Are you experiencing life, or simply reacting to things you see?
• Make yourself happy.
• Think more about what you want, rather than what you want to avoid.
• Embrace the suck, but focus on the positive.
• Give your gifts. You have amazing things to share, and people are practically begging for it. So suck it up, step past the fear and give the people what they want

ABOUT SEAN SWARNER
With only one functioning lung, a prognosis of fourteen days to live, and being in a medically-induced coma for a year, Sean Swarner is the first cancer survivor to stand on top of the world... Mt. Everest. Sean has broken through defined human limitations in order to redefine the way the world views success.

Sean has a program called The Summit Challenge where he helps people retrain their brains and overcome amazing obstacles. I highly recommend you go take a look at it and consider joining. I'm honestly tempted. Here's the link: TheSummitChallenge.com

Join Sean’s Facebook group: Inspiring Others: Reaching Your Personal Summit

Other links:
Website: SeanSwarner.com
Instagram: @SeanSwarner
Twitter: @SeanSwarner
YouTube: Sean Swarner

Support the show

🔥 Ready to step into your next level? Join us at Island Awakening in Saint Martin from June 4-8, 2025! Let’s rise together. 🌴✨

💫 Claim your spot now: jenliss.com/retreat

Support the pod:

• Share an episode and tag Jen on IG @untetheredjen
• Follow/subscribe to get updates of new episodes
• Leave a review!

Music created and produced by Matt Bollenbach