Your Creative Mind

What does it really mean to choose yourself when the world keeps waiting to choose you first? In this raw, soul-searching episode, host Izolda Trakhtenberg pulls back the curtain on the psychological trap that snares so many creative entrepreneurs — the addiction to being chosen. Through her personal experience navigating an uncertain teaching position, two powerful Broadway shows, and the morning meditation practice shifting her mindset, Izolda shares why choosing yourself first is the most radical act a working creative can take. You'll walk away with a concrete mantra practice for building creative confidence, plus fresh insights on setting boundaries, releasing guilt around rest, and owning your creative business with clarity. Because the most successful creatives don't wait for permission — they decide.

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This episode is brought to you by Brain.fm.* I love and use brain.fm! It combines music and neuroscience to help me focus, meditate, and even sleep! Because you listen to this show, you can get a free trial and 20% off with this exclusive coupon code: innovativemindset. (affiliate link)

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What if the way you create, on stage, on the page, or in music, could feel as alive, urgent, and meaningful as a live performance? In this episode of Your Creative Mind, Izolda Trakhtenberg shares powerful insights from three unforgettable productions: from live-looped musical storytelling and Broadway-style spectacle to emotionally charged high school theater. You’ll learn how to build layered creativity in real time, strengthen emotional connection with your audience, and treat your work as an offering that invites collaboration and confidence. If you’re a writer, musician, or performer seeking practical ways to deepen artistic expression, overcome fear of being seen, and create work that resonates, this episode gives you inspiring, real-world creative process strategies you can use immediately.

Reviews on three shows: Mexodus, Schmigadoon, and In The Heights.

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This episode is brought to you by Brain.fm.* I love and use brain.fm! It combines music and neuroscience to help me focus, meditate, and even sleep! Because you listen to this show, you can get a free trial and 20% off with this exclusive coupon code: innovativemindset. (affiliate link)

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Have you ever wondered why trusting good things can feel harder than handling the tough stuff? In this solo episode of Your Creative Mind, Izolda pulls back the curtain on what it’s like to be a multi-passionate creative navigating growth, self-doubt, and the surprising intensity of things finally going well. She shares her evolving playwriting journey, the emotional roller coaster of receiving meaningful feedback, and the unique challenges that come with being a generalist who cares deeply about many artistic paths at once.

If you’ve ever questioned your creative direction or wrestled with second-guessing your own progress, this episode offers comforting perspective and grounded insights into the creative process for multi-hyphenate artists.

Water Mandala

Connect with Izolda

Website: https://IzoldaT.com

Book Your Discovery Call: https://calendly.com/izoldat/discovery-call

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This episode is brought to you by Brain.fm.* I love and use brain.fm! It combines music and neuroscience to help me focus, meditate, and even sleep! Because you listen to this show, you can get a free trial and 20% off with this exclusive coupon code: innovativemindset. (affiliate link)

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Have you ever wondered how seeing great theatre can transform your own creative work? In this quick-take episode of Your Creative Mind, Izolda shares candid, heartfelt reviews of four wildly different productions, from powerhouse solo performances to uproarious musical parodies to Broadway heavy-hitters. You’ll hear what each show reveals about creative resilience, character embodiment, staging choices, comedic timing, and the courage it takes to fully commit onstage. Through relatable stories (including the realities of live-audience chaos), you’ll gain practical insights to strengthen your storytelling, sharpen your artistic instincts, and stay inspired. Social proof abounds as Izolda highlights award-winning artists and directors who set a high bar for creative excellence. A must-listen for theatre lovers, playwrights, and creative professionals seeking deeper creative mastery.

A final quick note: Wolffish was written and performed by Kyle June Williams and directed by Melisa Annis.

Have you ever tried your best to communicate clearly only to realize the other person keeps demanding more, pushing harder, and ignoring your boundaries?

In this episode of Your Creative Mind, I explore the psychology of setting healthy boundaries in creative collaboration, volunteer work, and professional relationships. Through real stories, from helping a stranger on subway stairs to handling an email confrontation, I share practical insights on how protecting your time, energy, and creative focus helps you stay productive and emotionally balanced.

If you’ve ever felt drained by difficult people, this episode will help you recognize when generosity becomes overextension, how to hold firm boundaries without guilt, and why protecting your mental space is essential for sustained creativity, effective communication, and a thriving creative life.

Connect with Izolda

Website: https://IzoldaT.com

Book Your Discovery Call: https://calendly.com/izoldat/discovery-call

New Play Exchange: https://newplayexchange.org/users/90481/izolda-trakhtenberg

This episode is brought to you by Brain.fm. I love and use brain.fm! It combines music and neuroscience to help me focus, meditate, and even sleep! Because you listen to this show, you can get a free trial and 20% off with this exclusive coupon code: innovativemindset. (affiliate link)

It’s also brought to you by my podcast host, Podbean! I love how simple Podbean is to use. If you’ve been thinking of starting your own podcast, Podbean is the way to go!**

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This episode explores the science-backed link between creativity, music, and mental wellness, showing how singing together synchronizes heartbeats, activates communication centers of the brain, and restores connection even in Alzheimer’s and dementia patients. You’ll hear how voice, improvisation, and shared music reduce isolation, support emotional regulation, and strengthen human bonding. Through real experiences at immersive music and neuroscience events, Izolda connects creativity, brain health, and expressive arts in a way you can apply immediately. If you care about creativity and mental health, the neuroscience of music, or using your voice for connection and healing, this conversation will stay with you long after it ends.

Soul Paint Avatar update

HeARTbeat at Lincoln Center

Connect with Izolda

Website: https://IzoldaT.com

Book Your Discovery Call: https://calendly.com/izoldat/discovery-call

New Play Exchange: https://newplayexchange.org/users/90481/izolda-trakhtenberg

This episode is brought to you by Brain.fm. I love and use brain.fm! It combines music and neuroscience to help me focus, meditate, and even sleep! Because you listen to this show, you can get a free trial and 20% off with this exclusive coupon code: innovativemindset. (affiliate link)

It’s also brought to you by my podcast host, Podbean! I love how simple Podbean is to use. If you’ve been thinking of starting your own podcast, Podbean is the way to go!**

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How do you build a sustainable creative career when no one is handing you permission? In this episode of Your Creative Mind, Izolda Trakhtenberg talks with playwright and producer Rachel Feeny-Williams about fifteen years of writing, self-producing theatre, and getting work seen by real audiences around the world. Listeners will gain practical insight into independent playwriting, producing your own work, and using audio drama and podcasting to expand creative reach. Rachel also shares what Theatrical Shenanigans has taught her about community, consistency, and creative momentum. This conversation offers grounded guidance, real-world perspective, and an encouraging reminder that creativity grows through curiosity, confidence, and shared voices.

https://www.rfwscripts.co.uk/

Website: https://IzoldaT.com

Book Your Discovery Call: https://calendly.com/izoldat/discovery-call

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This episode is brought to you by Brain.fm. I love and use brain.fm! It combines music and neuroscience to help me focus, meditate, and even sleep! Because you listen to this show, you can get a free trial and 20% off with this exclusive coupon code: innovativemindset. (affiliate link)

It’s also brought to you by my podcast host, Podbean! I love how simple Podbean is to use. If you’ve been thinking of starting your own podcast, Podbean is the way to go!**

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In this solo episode of Your Creative Mind, Izolda Trakhtenberg speaks candidly to writers, musicians, actors, and creative professionals about getting paid, setting boundaries, and refusing the “do it for exposure” narrative. Drawing on decades of real-world experience, Izolda shares practical language for negotiating creative work, mindset shifts that build authority and consistency, and stories that show why professionalism protects both your art and your energy. You’ll gain confidence around rates, contracts, and saying no without apology, while still choosing when generosity truly serves you. This episode supports sustainable creative careers, confident self-advocacy, and treating artistry as meaningful, paid work.

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Connect with Izolda

Website: https://IzoldaT.com

Book Your Discovery Call: https://calendly.com/izoldat/discovery-call

New Play Exchange: https://newplayexchange.org/users/90481/izolda-trakhtenberg

This episode is brought to you by Brain.fm. I love and use brain.fm! It combines music and neuroscience to help me focus, meditate, and even sleep! Because you listen to this show, you can get a free trial and 20% off with this exclusive coupon code: innovativemindset. (affiliate link)

It’s also brought to you by my podcast host, Podbean! I love how simple Podbean is to use. If you’ve been thinking of starting your own podcast, Podbean is the way to go!**

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How can you protect your energy, stay creative, and build meaningful collaborations without burning out? In this episode of Your Creative Mind, I talk with author and activist Kitty Stryker, who has spent over a decade shaping conversations around consent culture, sustainable activism, and healthy creative practices. You’ll learn how to set boundaries that honor your work, pace yourself so your creativity stays strong, and choose your battles with intention. Kitty also shares practical strategies for balancing art and activism, collaborating with respect, and finding joy even when the world feels heavy. If you’re a writer, artist, or changemaker seeking ways to sustain your creativity, this conversation offers tools and inspiration to help you live with more curiosity, confidence, and compassion.

https://thornapplepress.com 

https://kittystryker.com/ 

http://medium.com/@kittystryker 

https://trash-panda-periodical.ghost.io/ 

https://bsky.app/profile/kittystryker.bsky.social 

https://www.facebook.com/officiallykittystryker 

https://thornapplepress.ca/books/love-rebels/

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Submit a Play to the Your Creative Table Read Podcast Series

 https://crossroads.consulting/ 

This episode is brought to you by Brain.fm. I love and use brain.fm! It combines music and neuroscience to help me focus, meditate, and even sleep! Because you listen to this show, you can get a free trial and 20% off with this exclusive coupon code: innovativemindset. (affiliate link)

It’s also brought to you by my podcast host, Podbean! I love how simple Podbean is to use. If you’ve been thinking of starting your own podcast, Podbean is the way to go!**

Listen on These Channels

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What would your creative life look like if your focus felt steady, your ideas flowed more easily, and your work lifted you up instead of wearing you down? In this episode of Your Creative Mind, Izolda sits down with Steven Puri, former EVP, Kurtzman/Orci @ DreamWorks Studios and 20th Century Fox VP. His experience working with world-class filmmakers offers powerful lessons for anyone seeking sustainable, high-creativity practices.

Steven shares the mental strategies and healthy-productivity habits top artists use to stay inspired, avoid burnout, and build long-lasting creative momentum. You’ll gain actionable tools for strengthening your attention, navigating distraction overload, and designing a workflow rooted in well-being.

If you’re committed to a life of creativity, curiosity, and confidence, this conversation will keep you moving forward with purpose.

https://www.thesukha.co/ 

Website: https://IzoldaT.com

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