Your World of Creativity

In this episode of Your World of Creativity, we dive into the minds behind the new book *Assembling Tomorrow: A Guide to Designing a Thriving Future*, co-authored by Scott Doorley and Carissa Carter, with illustrations by Armando Veve.

Scott and Armando discuss the collaborative process behind the book, which blends fiction, essays, and stunning visuals to address the role of design in an ever-changing world. The conversation touches on the challenges and opportunities posed by emerging technologies, the importance of creative partnerships, and the concept of thriving as a guiding principle for the future.

Key Takeaways:

1. Designing in an Unpredictable World: Scott emphasizes the need for flexibility and adaptability in design, especially in an era marked by rapid technological advancements and constant change.

2. Creative Collaboration: The unique partnership between Scott and Armando highlights the power of integrating design and illustration from the start, allowing for a fluid exchange of ideas that enriches both the visual and textual narratives.

3. The Role of Fiction in Design: Incorporating fictional elements into the book was crucial for exploring not just what is, but what could be, encouraging readers to think beyond the present.

4. Human Touch in a Technological World: Armando’s hand-drawn illustrations provide a necessary human element in a book that grapples with complex technological themes, striking a balance between the organic and the mechanical.

5. Thriving as a Design Goal: The book’s focus on thriving—rather than simply improving or progressing—reflects a holistic approach to the future, where harmony, sustainability, and individual potential are paramount.

Pull-Out Quote:

“In an unpredictable world, the goal isn’t to get it perfect, but to create something that’s changeable, something you can shepherd and adapt as the world evolves.” – Scott Doorley

In this insightful episode, host Mark Stinson sits down with Ben Gillenwater, a technology expert with a background as a CTO, former NSA contractor, and entrepreneur. Together, they delve into the critical topic of internet safety in the home, exploring the intersection of creativity, technology, and security.

Ben shares his unique perspective on how the digital age's innovations come with significant privacy and security concerns that every family should be aware of. He offers practical advice on how to protect personal information and minimize risks, emphasizing the importance of staying vigilant in the face of increasingly sophisticated online threats.

5 Key Takeaways:

1. Understanding the Stakes: Internet safety extends far beyond physical threats; it includes privacy, emotional well-being, and protecting against the monetization of our digital behaviors. Major companies like Meta, Google, and Microsoft are financially motivated to collect and utilize personal data to enhance their advertising revenue, often at the cost of user privacy.

2. The Hidden Dangers of Data Collection: Seemingly harmless online activities can lead to significant behavioral and information exposure. For instance, social media platforms like Facebook track user behavior across the internet, leading to data breaches like the Cambridge Analytica scandal, where personal data was exploited for political gain.

3. Children and Internet Safety: Giving children unfiltered access to the internet is akin to leaving your home’s front door unlocked. Ben stresses the importance of monitoring and controlling internet access for children and gradually increasing their exposure as they mature and develop better judgment.

4. The Illusion of Free Services: Many free apps and services are designed to capture and monetize user data. Ben advises listeners to be skeptical of "free" offerings, as they often come with hidden costs, such as compromised privacy and personal information being sold to third parties.

5. Practical Solutions for Families: There are actionable steps that families can take to protect themselves, such as using child safety apps like Bark, which offer comprehensive monitoring of children’s online activities. However, as children grow older, it’s essential to balance technical controls with education on digital literacy and responsible online behavior.

Quote:

*"You are safer removing the locks in your house than you are giving your kids unfiltered access to the Internet." — Ben Gillenwater

Don’t miss this episode if you want to learn how to safeguard your family’s digital life and navigate the complexities of internet safety in the modern age.

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As we transition from summer to fall, we bring you a special episode featuring highlights from some of our most inspiring conversations this summer. Get ready to dive into creativity, innovation, and leadership insights from a variety of exceptional guests. Here’s a quick snapshot of what you’ll hear in this compilation:

- Matt McLean (Uncle Matt's Organic Juices): Discover how Matt built a thriving business from humble beginnings and overcame the unpredictable challenges of agriculture.

- Jeff Wetzler (Author of "Ask"): Learn how to tap into the hidden wisdom of those around you for unexpected breakthroughs in leadership and life.

- Sustainability Book Panel: Explore the collaborative process of bringing together global authors and illustrators to tackle sustainability through creativity.

- John Novello (Musician, Author): Journey through John’s evolution from a Grammy-winning jazz pianist to an author exploring metaphysical creativity.

- Karin Hurt & David Dye (Leadership Experts): Uncover powerful phrases that can foster creativity and resolve conflicts in the workplace.

- Geoff Thatcher (Experience Designer): Delve into the future of AI in storytelling and how it's revolutionizing experience design.

- **Henry Alexander Wiencek (Historian/Author): Revisit the historical significance of North Louisiana’s oil cities and their impact on society and economy.

- Alice Austin (Singer-Songwriter): Enjoy insights from a globetrotting musician who blends creativity with cultural exploration.

Key Quotes:

- Matt McLean: "If you love change, get into agriculture."

- Jeff Wetzler: "We often overestimate sensitivity when people are dying to be asked a question."

- Katja Schimmel: "Use creative thinking to approach the global goals in many different ways."

- John Novello: "As we think and believe within, so without."

- Karin Hurt: "On the other side of disagreement is often where the real creative breakthroughs happen."

- Geoff Thatcher: "AI is just another arrow in my quiver of experience design."

- Henry Alexander Wiencek: "The oil cities of North Louisiana were pivotal from both an economic and societal standpoint."

- Alice Austin: "Music is a universal language that connects us to every corner of the world."

Enjoy these highlights, and don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review *Your World of Creativity* on your favorite podcast platform. It’s the best way to stay inspired and support the show!

Special Thanks to Our Sponsor:

This episode is brought to you by White Cloud Coffee Roasters. Enjoy 10% off online orders with the promo code CREATIVITY at checkout. Visit http://whitecloudcoffee.com to explore their artisan blends!

In this episode of *Your World of Creativity*, host Mark Stinson chats with singer-songwriter Alice Austin. From her Vermont roots to her eclectic musical journey in Los Angeles, Alice shares her insights on creativity, genre-defying music, and the challenges of being an indie artist.

web: https://aliceaustinmusic.com/

IG: @thealiceaustin

YouTube: https://youtube.com/@aliceaustin

Here are five key topics from their conversation:

1. **Genre-Bending Music**: Alice discusses her approach to music, stating, “I just write songs and then figure out the rest later.” Her versatility spans from punk to soft rock to country, reflecting her belief in following the creative element first and foremost.

2. **Finding Your Voice**: Emphasizing artistic authenticity, Alice says, “Finding your voice as an artist is key if you're going to do something like that.” Whether singing metal or Americana, her voice remains distinct and true to herself, similar to how Beck’s diverse music always sounds uniquely like Beck.

3. **The Power of Collaboration**: Alice talks about the transformative power of collaboration, noting, “It's an exercise in surrendering the ego to something greater.” Working with others has pushed her creativity beyond her expectations, leading to richer and more innovative music.

4. **Breaking the Spell**: Reflecting on her album *Break the Spell*, Alice reveals, “It was a departure from anything I'd done...more of a synth-pop album.” The project was a collaboration with producer Dave Drouin, blending 80s influences with modern production to create a nostalgic yet fresh sound.

5. **Authenticity in Marketing**: Alice highlights the struggles of self-promotion as an indie artist, stating, “It's soul-sucking to put yourself out there on social media.” To stay grounded, she released an acoustic album, *Neon Pink*, with minimal marketing, focusing on the therapeutic aspect of creating music.

Alice also shares her excitement for upcoming projects, including her band *Tears on Denim*, and her role as the lead singer for *Black Sabbitch*, an all-female Black Sabbath tribute band.

To aspiring musicians, Alice offers this advice: “There are so many opportunities...keep your mind open and talk to people. There's a different path for you.” Her journey underscores the importance of staying true to oneself while remaining open to new possibilities and connections.

In this enlightening episode of "Your World of Creativity," host Mark Stinson delves into the fascinating intersection of imagination and technology with guest Jeremy Lasman. Jeremy, the founder of The Passion Company and a former SpaceX technologist, shares his vision of elevating humanity through what he calls "imagination technology" and leading a passion revolution.

Jeremy's Website

@1passioncompany on Instagram

Jeremy on YouTube

Jeremy's Facebook page

- **Body, Mind, Spirit as Technology:** Jeremy introduces the concept of treating the body as hardware, the mind as software, and the spirit as the user interface, creating a holistic approach to human potential.

- **Passion as Fuel:** Unlike the fear and negativity that drive the survival of the fittest, Jeremy advocates for passion as the primary energy source for human evolution.

- **Scarcity vs. Abundance:** Jeremy discusses how creatives often struggle with scarcity mentality and how shifting to a mindset of abundance can transform their approach to work and life.

- **Personal Development:** Sharing his personal journey, Jeremy emphasizes the importance of self-discovery and personal growth in overcoming negativity and embracing a passion-driven life.

- **Imagination Technology:** Jeremy explains the new operating system he developed, which challenges the traditional survival of the fittest paradigm and promotes a cleaner, passion-driven energy.

Pull-Out Quote:

"Passion is the fuel of human energy, and especially what distinguishes humans from animals and machines." - Jeremy Lasman

**Resources and Next Steps:**

- Take the "Energy" Quiz at thepassioncompany.org to discover how you can optimize your inner energy.

- Explore the manual and eBook on Imagination Technology for a deeper understanding of Jeremy's revolutionary approach.

- Book a demo call with The Passion Company to see how imagination technology can benefit you.

Jeremy's insights provide a thought-provoking perspective on how we can harness passion and imagination to drive personal and collective evolution. Tune in to learn more about this transformative approach and how it can impact your creative journey.

**Connect with Jeremy Lasman:**

• https://www.thepassioncompany.org

**Special Offer:**

- Save 10% at White Cloud Coffee Roasters with the code "CREATIVITY" at checkout at https://www.whitecloudcoffee.com.

Join us next time as we continue our global journey, exploring the minds of creative entrepreneurs shaping the future with their innovative ideas. Until then, keep unlocking your world of creativity with Mark Stinson.

Oil Cities: North Louisiana’s Oil Boom with Dr. Henry Alexander Weincek

In this captivating episode, we delve into the rich history of North Louisiana's early 20th-century oil boom with Dr. Henry Alexander Wiencek. His new book, "Oil Cities," offers a profound exploration of this transformative period, highlighting the social, economic, and environmental impacts on the region. Host Mark Stinson, with personal ties to North Louisiana, engages in a thoughtful discussion about the intersection of history, community, and industry.

Oil Cities book publisher link

Episode Highlights:

- **Historical Context:** Dr. Wiencek explains how the discovery of oil in 1904 transformed North Louisiana from a sparsely populated agricultural area to a bustling industrial hub.

- **Community Life:** The conversation explores the daily lives of those living in oil boom towns, highlighting the diverse communities that formed, including migrants from various parts of the world.

- **Racial and Social Dynamics:** The discussion covers the racial tensions and societal changes brought about by the oil industry, including the story of Lily Gussie Taylor, one of America's wealthiest Black oil heiresses.

- **Economic Impact:** Insights into how oil wealth was distributed and concentrated, particularly in urban centers like Shreveport, and the resultant infrastructural developments.

- **Environmental and Political Factors:** The episode examines the environmental consequences of the oil boom and the political landscape that allowed for certain economic activities and racial segregation in the industry.

Pull-Out Quote:

"It's pretty striking that you've got a lot of these southern farmers from Arkansas, Texas, living alongside people from Sweden and Ireland and Russia. Pretty remarkable conglomeration of people in the tents."* - Dr. Henry Alexander Wiencek

Thanks to our Sponsor: White Cloud Coffee Roasters

Join us as we continue to explore the fascinating intersections of history, creativity, and industry in various parts of the world. Tune in to discover how inspiration, organization, confidence, and connections drive creative work.

Comedy Goes to Court with Carl Unegbu

In this intriguing episode of *Your World of Creativity*, we explore the fascinating intersection of comedy and the courtroom. Our guest, Carl Unegbu, an attorney, editor, and author of "Comedy Goes to Court," shares his insights on what happens when jokes land comedians in legal trouble.

Carl's Website

Book on Amazon

- **Comedy and Courtrooms**: Unegbu discusses how comedians like Dave Chappelle, Conan O'Brien, and Howard Stern navigate the legal challenges in today’s litigious society.

- **Defamation and the First Amendment**: Understanding the thin line between free speech and defamation in comedy.

- **Legal Battles of Famous Comedians**: Cases involving Jerry Seinfeld, Jimmy Kimmel, and John Oliver highlight the legal pitfalls comedians face.

- **The Creative Process**: Unegbu shares how his background in law and journalism helped him write "Comedy Goes to Court."

- **Practical Advice for Comedians**: Tips on what comedians can and cannot say to avoid legal troubles.

Key Quote:

"Comedy Goes to Court is not just a book about comedy or the law; it's a fascinating combination of both, written in a simple, engaging style that anyone can understand." – Carl Unegbu

Stay tuned for more compelling stories and creative insights on *Your World of Creativity*. Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review our podcast on your favorite platform.

Brand Experiences, Creative Leadership, and AI with Geoff Thatcher

Welcome back to *Your World of Creativity*! In this episode, we are thrilled to have Geoff Thatcher, a creative leader with over 40 years of experience in crafting world-class brand experiences. From Warner Brothers World in Abu Dhabi to the FM Global Center in Singapore, Geoff's projects are renowned globally. Today, we dive into the intersection of creativity and artificial intelligence, exploring how AI is reshaping creative industries and leadership.

Geoff's Website

Geoff on YouTube

@geoffthatcher on Instagram

- **AI in Storytelling:** Geoff discusses the dual perspectives on AI—dystopian fears and its role as a storytelling tool. He shares an example of using AI to create personalized songs for a leadership workshop, highlighting its potential to enhance creative experiences.

- **Historical Context of Technology in Creativity:** Geoff draws parallels between past technologies like Pepper's Ghost and animatronics, emphasizing that AI is simply the next tool in the evolution of storytelling.

- **Universal Languages in Experience Design:** Geoff outlines universal elements in storytelling such as music, geography, time, and light, which transcend cultural boundaries and are fundamental in creating immersive experiences.

- **Experience Design Model:** Geoff explains his experience design model: Attract, Trust, Inform, Internalize, and Act. He illustrates its application across various cultural contexts, including powerful examples like the Holocaust Memorial in Washington, D.C.

- **Global Collaboration and Future of Creativity:** Geoff expresses excitement about the potential of AI and other technologies to facilitate global collaboration and overcome language barriers, enabling richer creative exchanges and projects.

**Key Quote:**

"AI allows us to put guests in a story in ways that are so incredibly fun. It's simply a tool to bring people into an experience. We get all hyperventilating about AI, but it's not any different than when they came out with interactive touch screens or 3D film. It's just another arrow in the quiver of experience design."

Stay tuned for more episodes as we continue our global journey, talking to creative leaders about their inspirations, ideas, and the confidence to bring their work into the world. Until next time, keep unlocking your world of creativity!

Welcome back to Your World of Creativity, where we delve into the minds of innovative thinkers and leaders who shape our creative worlds. Today, we are thrilled to have Karin Hurt and David Dye, the duo behind Let's Grow Leaders.

Karin and David's Website

Karin and David on YouTube

@karinbhurt on Instagram

Karin and David's Facebook page

In this episode, they discuss their latest book, "Powerful Phrases for Dealing with Workplace Conflict," offering practical tools and insights to balance feedback and creativity while handling workplace conflict effectively.

- **Balancing Creativity and Feedback:**

- **Karin Hurt:** "When you have real genuine conversations and are not afraid to bring your perspective to the table, even if the other person disagrees, that's often where real creative breakthroughs happen."

- **Workplace Conflict in Changing Environments:**

- **David Dye:** "70 percent of people said they're experiencing the same or more conflict as they had in the past. The changing workplace is definitely one of the reasons why."

- **Four Dimensions of Productive Conflict:**

- **Karin Hurt:** "Connection and curiosity are so key. If you start by looking for common ground and showing curiosity about what others bring to the table, you can navigate conflict more effectively."

- **Creative Problem Solving:**

- **David Dye:** "One of the GOATs (greatest of all time phrases) for clarity is 'What would a successful outcome do for you?' This helps uncover motivations and craft solutions that work for everyone."

- **Post-Project Celebration:**

- **Karin Hurt:** "Instead of a postmortem, we suggest a post-project celebration to get curious about what worked and celebrate learning, even when things go wrong."

Key Quotes:

- **Karin Hurt:** "When you have real genuine conversations and are not afraid to bring your perspective to the table, even if the other person disagrees, that's often where real creative breakthroughs happen."

- **David Dye:** "70 percent of people said they're experiencing the same or more conflict as they had in the past. The changing workplace is definitely one of the reasons why."

**Resources:**

- Visit Let's Grow Leaders Karin and David's Website

- Check out the Powerful Phrases Resource Center for templates, discussion guides, and job aids.

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate, and leave a review. Stay creative and join us for our next episode as we continue to unlock your world of creativity.

In this episode, we dive into the world of indie filmmaking with Rob Mabry, discussing his journey, challenges, and triumphs in creating his first feature film, "The Legend of El Chupacabra."

Rob's Website

@thechupacabramovie on Instagram

Rob on YouTube

1. **Blending Horror and Comedy:**

- Rob shares insights on balancing horror and comedy, noting their similar structures of anticipation and payoff.

- "Horror and comedy are about anticipation and payoff... jokes build up tension to a punchline, and horror builds tension to a scare."

2. **Character and Creature Development:**

- Emphasizes the importance of character-driven comedy and using real-life inspirations for character behaviors.

- "Good comedy is built out of character... I take a lot of inspiration from my daily life and the people I interact with."

- Discusses working with creature designer Sergio Gara for the Chupacabra costume, highlighting the blend of creativity and engineering.

3. **Production and Logistical Challenges:**

- Rob describes the complexities of indie filmmaking, from crowdfunding to logistical planning.

- "It's stressful... when you're an independent filmmaker, you're not just wearing the director hat; you're managing logistics, locations, and ensuring everyone is fed."

4. **Distribution Strategy:**

- Rob talks about the evolving landscape of film distribution, particularly for indie films, and the importance of physical media.

- "It's a challenging time for indie filmmakers to surface above the noise and get their film out there... taking advantage of social media is crucial."

5. **Creative Roots and Inspiration:**

- Reflects on his early passion for storytelling, from writing plays and comic books to filming with a Super 8 camera.

- "I was that kid always writing my own comic books, writing plays... and my dad, who owned a Super 8 film camera, let me borrow it once in a while."