Your World of Creativity

You know the song

867-5309/Jenny is a ubiquitous icon of the 80's -- ranking number four on VH1's Hits of the 80's.

Now let’s hear the story of the song’s writer: Alex Call

On today’s episode, we’ll hear about his songwriting process for Jenny – and his live acoustic performance of 867-5309, plus three other hits that made the Billboard Hot 100

Power of Love and Perfect World, (written for Huey Lewis and the News)

And Mr. Moon by Elvis Costello

Alex Call has been a hit recording artist and songwriter for over thirty years. His muse is legendary in the industry, and his songs have become musical icons of American pop culture.

I met Alex at a small café several years ago, and had the chance to record our conversation. He shared highlights of his career as told in his book, “867-5309: The Song That Saved Me.”

I didn’t know then that I’d have a podcast on the creative process, so I feel fortunate to have captured this story.

Alex Call was lead singer in the San Francisco cult-fave Country-rock band Clover, along with Huey Lewis and John McFee, now lead guitarist, Doobie Brothers

Clover was the band on Elvis Costello's first hit album, “My Aim is True.” In the introduction to the book, Elvis Costello says, “You've written a vivid, honest feeling memoir Alex and his Clover colleagues were once almost-mythical figures on a record sleeve to me. This book fills in the human story between those photographs and the guys I got to know at the very start of my career and those I am still happy to call my friends. Read this and you'll realize, music has been a passport, an occasional alibi and something to catch you when you fall.”

Alex has been a recording artist for Arista Records, Mercury Records, and Fantasy Records.

Let’s listen to Alex start at the beginning of the story of what became “Jenny, Jenny”…. Including that famous guitar hook

So, as Alex said, he felt he had all the pieces of a hit song. Here’s how it came together…. 

All of the culminated in the song you can’t get out of your head now -- 867-5309/Jenny recorded by Tommy Tutone

This and his songs are featured in movies and TV, and have served as branding for numerous national ad campaigns.

Finally, as promised, let’s listen to acoustic coffee shop performances of 3 other songs from Alex Call

Thanks for listening to this episode featuring Alex Call; his book is “867-5309: The Song That Saved Me.”

and come back again next time for more creative inspiration. I’m Mark Stinson – and we’re Unlocking your world of creativity.

Music tracks are copyrighted and used under fair use for critique

Katie Stoddart founded ‘The Focus Bee’ and is an award-winning, international, high-performance coach. Katie supports founders and executives on sustaining peak performance in their business.

Katie started her career as an engineer, working offshore, mapping the seafloor. From her time at sea, she gained the experience of managing teams under stressful circumstances and this led her towards coaching. She has coached in English, French, Spanish, and German.

Passionate about: leadership, performance, and resilience; Katie challenges each and every person she works with to re-focus on what matters most. Katie frequently speaks at conferences, such as SWE - Society of Women Engineers, STEM re-imagined; her articles have been published in Thrive Global. Her weekly podcast ‘The Focus Bee Show’ is based on interviews with leading experts in performance.

To find out more about Katie: www.thefocusbee.com

In today's episode, we go in-depth with Jay Alders.

Jay Alders is an internationally acclaimed fine artist, photographer & designer whose distinctive style & imaginative prowess is recognized around the world. His intricate brushwork, intense colors & superb compositions bring to life his signature elongated figures & stylized forms.

Alders has collaborated and/or toured with talented friends such as Slightly Stoopid, Stefan Lessard of the Dave Matthews Band, 311, G. Love, Donavon Frankenreiter, Sasha DiGiulian, Citizen Cope, The Expendables, Matt Costa, ALO, Sean Davey, Mishka, Paula Fuga, Greg Noll, John Butler Trio, Rob Machado and Guns N Roses’ guitarist, Ron “Bumblefoot” Thal to name a few.

Prestigious media outlets & organizations like CBS TV, NBC TV, FOX TV, FIOS TV, Surfer Magazine, FuelTV, Surfline.com, Line Up Magazine, Longboard Magazine, Eastern Surf Magazine, FHM Magazine, Penthouse Magazine, Curl Magazine, RagMag & GoOutside Magazine all showcased Jay’s artistic endeavors.

You’ve seen Jay Alders’s artwork on the covers of Surfer’ Path Magazine and Brazil’s Alma Surf Magazine who also named Alders, “The Best Surf Artist of the Past Decade in 2010“. Alders art has graced the covers of albums by such artists as Slightly Stoopid, Echo Movement, and Mishka.

Alders has been pursuing his lifelong dream of becoming a thriving professional artist since he was a child. His outlook on success is best described by him in a recent interview with ESPN, “Some people wait around for opportunity to come knocking. I prefer to just build my own door and open it.”

Jay’s work has been featured in Galleries from both coasts of the United States to Europe, Art Tours in Brazil, Surf Exhibitions on the North Shore of Oahu, and 2008 X-Games. Organizations like Emergen-C, Billabong, Donavon Frankenreiter, and Original Skateboards all have licensed Jay’s Art for their Internationally distributed Product lines.

In November 2009, Jay was described as “The Artist who is Everywhere” by ESPN in recognition of Jay’s routine globe-trotting and impressive industry involvement.

Later this year, Jay plans to publish his first book. (And we'll update these notes with a link!)

https://facebook.com/jayalders

https://instagram.com/jayalders

https://jayalders.com

https://www.youtube.com/user/jayalders

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jayalders/

Meet our guest, JD Gershbein, a LinkedIn Brand Strategist

In 2006, amidst a wicked economic downturn that forced scores of professionals out of work and shook the world into a state of economic chaos, JD Gershbein migrated away from a traditional marketing practice to become one of the world’s first independent LinkedIn specialists. He was a key figure during the early years of LinkedIn and its ascent as the de facto social networking site for business. Today, against the backdrop of a global pandemic, JD remains at the forefront of LinkedIn education and continues to support the goals of businesses intent on tapping into the full potential of the medium.

Having grown up in the healthcare arena, JD brings the perspective of a healer to his work. He is attuned to the challenges imposed on businesspeople in learning how to effectively use LinkedIn and addresses the knowledge gap with unique learning experiences steeped in neuroscience, psychology, emotional intelligence, design thinking, and applied improvisation. He has earned a stellar reputation as a LinkedIn strategist and gained widespread recognition for his thought leadership in personal branding, social networking, new media, online communication, and social entrepreneurship.

In response to the COVID-19 crisis, JD is continuously adapting his practice to meet the needs of professionals whose businesses and careers have been severely compromised. He continues to refine his unique methodology for writing LinkedIn profiles, favoring a rich third-person narrative that gives brand-conscious professionals distinction, elegance, and a competitive advantage. In the consulting arena, his client list includes many globally recognizable brands and SMBs that span a broad spectrum of industries, markets, and verticals. Additionally, he has seamlessly transitioned his global speaking platform to the virtual world, stepping up as a facilitative leader, media producer, and broadcaster.

His LATEST content creation is the 2 DEER IN THE HEADLIGHTS With JD & SYYA Podcast. In one recent episode, JD and Syya riff on the current climate of SALES -- how sellers waltz with buyers, and what it takes to get products and services get sold in today's hyper-distracted environment.

Born in Chicago, JD grew up in Wilmette, Illinois, and attended New Trier West High School in Northfield, Illinois. After receiving his Bachelor of Arts degree in English at the University of Cincinnati, he earned two post-grad degrees at Chicago’s Illinois Institute of Technology, a Master of Science in Industrial/Organizational Psychology, and a Master of Business Administration in Marketing Communications. He is also a student and performer of improvisational and sketch comedy at Chicago’s famed Second City.

Through his events, writings, teachings, and media contributions, JD has become a positive role model to people in all walks of business striving to make their mark in the Digital Age.

♦ EMBRACING A HUMAN-CENTERED DESIGN APPROACH TO LINKEDIN

The pandemic has virtualized business, increased stress levels, and imposed new demands on our time and attention. LinkedIn, in conjunction with Zoom, has become our lifeline. JD is finely attuned to the pain felt by so many who, for whatever reason, cannot extract value from LinkedIn, are stuck on how to best tell their signature story, or cannot fathom the platform. He reaffirms his commitment to minimizing this pain.

♦ REDEFINING THE PROCESS OF LINKEDIN PROFILE WRITING

As one of the first independent LinkedIn consultants in the world, JD understands how to best communicate one's value proposition through an online profile. He brings journalistic flair and a sensitive eye in capturing the key elements of a brand story and positioning his clients for their best possible impression.

♦ LEVERAGING LINKEDIN TO RECLAIM BUSINESS MOMENTUM

Nothing like a global pandemic to derail the plans of businesspeople who had so much on the line and cloud their vision of a bright future. JD offers best-in-class virtual LinkedIn training for companies struggling to execute their strategic plan and keep their teams engaged while working remotely and anticipating a recovery.

Connect (of course) on LinkedIn

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jdgershbein/

Thanks to our new sponsor Designhill -- the world’s # 1 creative marketplace that caters to the creative needs of businesses and individuals alike. You can source high-quality designs from professional designers and unique products created by independent artists.

Exclusive Offer for listeners of the podcast:

Get Exclusive 25% Off on the Designhill Logo Maker Service

Use this link and discount code: WF25

Validity: Offer valid Nov 30 2021

Link: Link: https://www.designhill.com/tools/logo-maker

Our guest is Tim Tortora, Hollywood CFO and Movie Producer with 30+ years of experience in the financing and physical logistics of filmmaking.

In our interview, Tim shares:

"I have countless stories from the road. Living and working all over the world - basically on the road for 13 years of my career. Running Oprah Winfrey's film and long-form TV unit, the Benji franchise, producing at Mandalay Sports Entertainment, working on Jackass: The Movie, The Burton Movie, and countless TV & film projects. I stopped traveling and working in the trenches of film production when I knew I wanted a family -- and not just in name.

"I continue to work in my dream business, but now from the desk of a CFO. Producing movies from 8 to 6 and advising investors in my consulting practice before and after my day as a CFO.

"I wrote a book last year and I create content to help investors and young movie business entrepreneurs find their way through Hollywood - without getting conned. My book is not a tell-all. I could have written something that was sleazy, named many names, and told the inside stories of people who sometimes behave very badly, but instead, I chose to write a book about how not to get hosed by the Hollywood Con Man.

Book: A Hollywood Accounting: It's a Swamp. It's Thick. Difficult to Navigate. Smells Terrible. But I still Love It!: A Roadmap For How Not To Get Duped in Hollywood

"Working in Film Production is tantamount to being an entrepreneur. You are running a business you are creating a brand and that brand is yourself - all the time. You're constantly selling, you're constantly networking and you're constantly staying engaged looking for work or opportunity.

"And I'm here to tell you it does not matter what your education is or the background you came from. In Entertainment you walk in with a clean slate and create the career you want."

Topics We Discuss:

-- Entertainment Investor guidance and future investment strategies

-- Film & TV production

-- Being an entrepreneur in Hollywood

-- Film and TV financing packages

-- How to identify and avoid the Hollywood Con Man

Questions Answered in This Interview:

1. How is film and TV financing put together and managed?
2. What stupid things do movie investors do when choosing a movie to invest in?
3. When did you first encounter/discover "The Hollywood Con Man" and how can you avoid them?
4. What do investors or bankers want to know when you are asking for money?
5. What do development or acquisition executives want to know when you're asking them to buy your movie?
6. How long will it typically take to see a return on investment.
7. What are the changes that you have seen in film production over the past 10 years and what does the future of film production and distribution look like?
8. What's the best advice you could give to someone looking to get an investor "sponsor" in business?

Tim offers mentorships going from fantastic webinars, 4-week courses online, Q&As directly with him, and anything you need to actually make it in this business of content creation. 

Contact Tim

Website

https://timtortora.com/

LinkedIn URL

http://linkedin.com/company/timtortora-com

Facebook URL

https://www.facebook.com/timtortora.blog

Twitter URL

https://twitter.com/timtortora

YouTube URL

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWdOnQHk3kH4K9XXkFRtisw

Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/timtortora/

Thanks to our new sponsor Designhill -- the world’s # 1 creative marketplace that caters to the creative needs of businesses and individuals alike. You can source high-quality designs from professional designers and unique products created by independent artists.

Exclusive Offer for listeners of the podcast:

Get Exclusive 25% Off on the Designhill Logo Maker Service

Use this link and discount code: WF25

Validity: Offer valid Nov 30 2021

Link: Link: https://www.designhill.com/tools/logo-maker

Meet Jay Maaraoui, CEO of Vyyer Technologies

Vyyer has developed an entirely new way to verify IDs that's instant, highly accurate, affordable, and 100% anonymous. "We take this technology and create industry-specific solutions that transform businesses," Jay told me.

Jay announced that Vyyer is going live with our first major customer! "The liquor chain in Boston, Kappy's Fine Wine & Spirits, is beta-testing our 100% anonymous ID verification at all 11 of their stores. This is the first amazing step toward gaining wide adoption of our new verification technology," Jay said.

In addition to the business story, listen to Jay describe his cultural and family influences

Jason Maaraoui

Founder & CEO @Vyyer

www.vyyer.com

Follow Vyyer on LinkedIn!

Email: [email protected]

Thanks to our new sponsor Designhill -- the world’s # 1 creative marketplace that caters to the creative needs of businesses and individuals alike. You can source high-quality designs from professional designers and unique products created by independent artists.

Exclusive Offer for listeners of the podcast:

Get Exclusive 25% Off on the Designhill Logo Maker Service

Use this link and discount code: WF25

Validity: Offer valid Nov 30 2021

Link: Link: https://www.designhill.com/tools/logo-maker

Our guest today joins us from Hollywood, he is Justin Connor. He is a filmmaker, actor, director, and producer. His latest film is currently out on Amazon Prime called The Golden Age: The Life and Times of Maya O’Malley. 

The soundtrack, also written, performed, and produced by Connor, is available on all streaming platforms, with a double vinyl album. 

THE GOLDEN AGE, a musical rockumentary shot over a decade in California and India, introduces us to the character of subversive pop star Maya O’Malley who, after a string of controversial remarks, gets dropped from his music label and sets out on a spiritual pilgrimage throughout India in an attempt to resolve his troubled past. 

Winner of the Audience Award at the AWARENESS FILM FESTIVAL and winner of the Best Performance Award at the NEW HAMPSHIRE FILM FESTIVAL, Connor is also releasing A DAY IN THE LIES, a memoir novel that delves deeper into the life of the film’s main protagonist, Maya O’Malley, which will be released on Amazon later this Summer. 

Justin Connor currently lives in Los Angeles, and splits time between music and painting, and prepping the release of his third album, MATERIAL LIFE. 

You can track the film’s progress on social media as well as at www.justinconnor.com. 

Justin says that he started as an actor but then veered towards music, released an album, and then for this second album as he was trying to figure out how to adjoin writing and directing a film that intertwined music without relying on lip-syncing. He wanted songs that helped tell the story in an organic way. He was also watching a lot of documentaries at that time and decided to play with the ideas of what’s real and what’s fake. 

The character of Maya is born in these moments, he wanted to have a more substantive dialogue on the permutations of fame and pop culture and substantive songwriting. Something similar to Bob Dylan and Roger Waters did. He wanted to tell a story that was partially autobiographical about his own past. The whole document ends up being a comedy, but a comedy that also is supported on reality. It's a satire about material life, documentaries of artists and how artists are broken. He tried to approach the story with sincerity. 

The form of the documentary proved to be challenging because you play a little trick by satirizing. 

The Filmmaking Process 

The process of making a film such as this along with music and the collaboration of a team Justin also said that it was a healing exercise for him. As a survivor of abuse, Justin says that there is an immense amount of shame that people end up struggling with. Those wounds don’t necessarily go away per se but people eventually learn to bridge a different connection with them. Justin got to really challenge himself while making this film. 

Justin also talks about how sometimes the stories that stayed with him after going through a dysfunctional household also make him feel that he had to heal from them like it was a mandatory thing. Which is something that he also wanted to reflect on in this documentary. Victims can heal and grow, just on their own terms and time. 

Currently, Justin is also finishing a book that will accompany the film and will go even deeper into it. He hopes that this story can help others heal. So this whole process has helped Justin heal a lot and come to terms with his wounds. This is why in part the film took so long before he was really wrapped in this and now in the end phase he feels like he is finally starting his life over. 

His multiple roles in filmmaking 

Justin is the creator, director, and actor in this film. He also made music for it and a book.  Justin talks about how his role as a writer is different from his role as a filmmaker. In the film, scenes may need to be cut, which is something that Justin was careful about since he wanted the story to be as complete as possible. 

However as filming goes forward and the time for editing comes, as a director he is able to synthesize the information needed to deliver great storytelling to the audience. As an author, he got to write each scene in detail, as painful as they were. But this also allowed him the liberty of not being limited by time as he would’ve been in a film. 

Advice from Maya

When it comes to what advice the character of Maya would offer, Justin says that his big mantra would be to march to the beat of your own drum. There are a lot of expectations and inclinations about what works with other artists or musicians, actors or filmmakers, whoever they are. And following those expectations may mean that you’ll be going through your life differently from what you want. But you have a life already that is different, embrace it and march to the beat of your own drum. 

Stream Justin’s film on Amazon Prime. The Golden Age: The Life and Times of Maya O’Malley (add link)  is available now.  

THE GOLDEN AGE — Written/Directed by Justin Connor

Synopsis: THE GOLDEN AGE is a musical rockumentary about subversive pop star Maya O’Malley who, after a string of controversial remarks, gets dropped from his music label and sets out on a spiritual pilgrimage throughout India in an attempt to resolve his troubled past. 

FILM:

USA: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08M98K6NJ

U.K.: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B08M9Y1MB6

AUSTRALIA:  https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B08M3W4WSF

Official Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tozcS1RShdc&t=7s

Devotional Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-U-GN6LiZ3w&t=2s

SOUNDTRACK: https://lnk.to/tgafilm

PRESS KIT:  http://tiny.cc/obp1tz

SOCIAL:  https://linktr.ee/justinconnor

Facebook Film: https://www.facebook.com/tgafilm

Facebook Music: https://www.facebook.com/iamjustinconnor

Instagram Film: @tgafilm

Instagram Music: @iamjustinconnor

Music tracks are copyrighted, provided by the artist, and used with permission.

Thanks to our new sponsor Designhill -- the world’s # 1 creative marketplace that caters to the creative needs of businesses and individuals alike. You can source high-quality designs from professional designers and unique products created by independent artists.

Exclusive Offer for listeners of the podcast:

Get Exclusive 25% Off on the Designhill Logo Maker Service

Use this link and discount code: WF25

Validity: Offer valid Nov 30 2021

Link: Link: https://www.designhill.com/tools/logo-maker

Our guest: Katie Leimkuehler

Katie Leimkuehler is an executive producer of the documentary FRESH TRACKS, Senior Manager, and Social Media Coach at Charles Schwab, and the Executive coach for Leimkuehler Media. She is a well-rounded creative person who is not only a social media expert but also a brand consultant. 

Her creative engine

Katie has always liked to learn new things and there is usually a point where you’ve learned as much as you can in a given field, so when she gets to that point she liked to hop on to another project of field and start learning something new. She gets the most joy from the act of creating something, not so much the final product but the actual part of starting from scratch and putting the pieces together to make an idea come to life. 

Background on her documentary story

"Fresh Tracks" is a story inspired by her grandfather who was essentially the first amputee skier in the US. He lost his leg during WWII in the Battle of the Bulge, and came back to Cleveland, Ohio, started a prosthetic business, and wanted to get back into sports. 

And that's when he discovered skiing and design this device called the Outrigger, which is a ski pole with a mini ski attached to the end that helps for balance. He decided not to patent it so other people could have access to it. Fresh Tracks follows his story of designing the device and turning tragedy into triumph by giving adaptive athletes and paralympic athletes today the device they are using today.

Katie originally wanted to write a screenplay but decided against it since she wanted to have more creative control. Choosing to tell her grandfather’s story wasn’t too hard either since it was something she grew up around and inspired her to think that if he could do it, so could she. Which is the mindset she looks to convey with her film, to spread positivity and empowerment even in these dark moments. Katie believes that dark moments in our life do not define us but rather how we pick up from those moments and what we do next. 

Lessons learned along the way

Katie didn’t have a background in film so she had to talk to as many filmmakers and producers as she could first. Everyone had a different process, but it gave her an insight into how to start and find the path that worked best for her. She learned that there is not a formula to make a documentary and that it can sometimes be overwhelming when you’re not sure of the path forward. She interviewed a lot of people, watched similar documentaries, and started to reach out to production companies that produced said films. That’s how she ran into the TFA Group with whom she partnered for the documentary. 

The reaction

So far, the sports community has received her documentary in a great way. She has gotten only positive feedback and a lot of people are just learning the story which is really interesting for them. Most athletes who use the technology are very interested in the story behind the design and recognize it as a crucial part of their equipment. 

The document is currently available on Vimeo on Demand and Amazon Prime. You can find more information about it on freshtracksfilm.com 

Her work as a Personal brand consultant

Katie says that a lot of her work has always been in storytelling. Discovering what is it that her clients want to share and how they can do so. Helping them find what connects them with their target. She works on finding the unique moments, perspectives, or challenges that their clients may have come across to create their branding story. 

What the future holds for her

Katie sees another film in her future, she has some ideas she is working on and looking for the right team and people to work with. 

To know more about Katie, check her LinkedIn account and website.

Thanks to our new sponsor Designhill -- the world’s # 1 creative marketplace that caters to the creative needs of businesses and individuals alike. You can source high-quality designs from professional designers and unique products created by independent artists.

Exclusive Offer for listeners of the podcast:

Get Exclusive 25% Off on the Designhill Logo Maker Service

Use this link and discount code: WF25

Validity: Offer valid Nov 30 2021

Link: Link: https://www.designhill.com/tools/logo-maker

Jodi Krangle, Voiceover, Podcaster, and Clubhouse Host

Jodi is a voiceover actress, singer, and the host of a great podcast called Audio Branding -- as well as a host of a Clubhouse Room called The Power of Sound. 

Creative process

Jodi talks about her creative process and starts by telling Mark that it is different for everyone. It may also depend on what your coaching has been, so if you have a career in voiceover, you likely have had some kind of coaching. In each coaching, you will be given different ways to get into the right headspace for acting. You need to be able to perform the script you are given. It is a performance, an actual conversation. So even if someone gives her a really sales-heavy script, she is still able to talk about it as if it was a simple conversation, especially because she s answering real questions customers may have. 

To get into her acting creative headspace, Jodi says she also needs to know which music they will be using and the emotional context of the piece. So basically, context plays a very important role in voice actors being able to perform adequately the lines that they were given. 

Trends in Audio Branding Space

Jodi tells Mark about how more and more people are paying attention to what it actually is. So, Audio Branding, which is similar to Sonic Branding. they call it a brand sound that represents the identity and values of a brand in a distinctive manner. The audio logo branded functional sounds, brand music, or the brand voice are characteristic elements of audio branding. So it's a bunch of different things that are all working together to make an audio identity for a company and to let people who hear it, understand who that company is viscerally deeply, emotionally on really quickly, actually. So for instance, appliances have different sounds and people use different music on their on-hold and they have a different voice for their commercials that, you know, approximates their brand values. 

So most sound companies are looking to appeal to their target audience so they opt to have a signature voice. What this achieves is that customers are able to hear just seconds of a voice that they recognize and associate with the company.

Her success

Jodi credits her success to being able to track what goes in and comes out. Having an online invoicing system has been huge for her, apps like Zoho and QuickBooks are very much the easiest way to present clients with a professional invoice. So keeping track of everything is monumental to keep your business growing horrible.

What makes a great client

A good relationship with clear communication is the key here. They need to understand that they are paying for a professional service, they are hiring a professional and paying for such experience. Communicating expectations from the start is also big for the voiceover actress to be able to do a good job. 

The road ahead

Currently, Jodi is not sure which direction she may take in the future but she does know that she likes where she is right now, she doesn’t want to limit herself and is open to whatever happens in the next years. She knows she’ll figure it out when the time comes.

If you want to reach her, contact her at www.voiceoversandvocals.com

Listen to her podcast Audio Branding.

You can also join her on Clubhouse every Wednesday at 2PM Eastern, that show is called The Power of sound and it is also definitely worth checking out. 

Thanks to our new sponsor Designhill -- the world’s # 1 creative marketplace that caters to the creative needs of businesses and individuals alike. You can source high-quality designs from professional designers and unique products created by independent artists.

Exclusive Offer for listeners of the podcast:

Get Exclusive 25% Off on the Designhill Logo Maker Service

Use this link and discount code: WF25

Validity: Offer valid Nov 30 2021

Link: Link: https://www.designhill.com/tools/logo-maker

Kiki Oosterbroek  

KOaching Leaders in self-knowing & self-awareness

linkedin.com/in/kiki-oosterbroek

[email protected]

Instagram @kiki.oosterbroek

Kiki is a creativity coach who currently lives in Seoul, South Korea. She will give us insights into what it means to be creative, the nature of creativity, and her own take on creativity and experience. 

Kiki on creativity:

Kiki talks about how creativity is something natural to us humans and that we are meant to express our unique self. Therefore, being human means being creative. Kiki says companies shouldn’t be wondering how to make people more creative but rather, think about what’s stopping their employees from being creative. 

So people are naturally creative, especially as children and then they lose that. What happens exactly? Kiki explains how education inadvertently kills creativity and then fear of judgement becomes our biggest creative detractor as adults. 

Reflecting on decisions

Kiki talks about how she has gotten more in touch with a better understanding of how we give meaning to our life. This allows her to be able to take a step back and in doing so, not only seeing where she is but also see where she is coming from and the possibilities that are in front of her. She believes that there’s also a bit of the ability to also receive inspiration that allows her to do this. She talks about human beings are very spiritual beings, as in, they have a high level of consciousness and that they express in a creative way. 

A lot of being creative falls on using your imagination, and this is where Kiki says she is most talented. 

Experiences are data

Kiki feels how experiences help you collect data and the more you analyze said data, you are more likely to be able to predict future behavior. 

And nowadays, people who are working 9-to-5 jobs may also have creative dreams outside the company but what about those who have dreams within the companies? So what can either of those persons do in order to accomplish them?

Kiki tells us that digging, cleaning, organizing, and making meaningful connections is a great start. Another important factor is letting go of the judgment towards your past, so people see what they’ve experienced, and when they find meaning to it, they are able to contemplate their new creative space without judgment. And at this moment is when they’re able to focus on the now and on the possibilities they will be creating for their future. 

For those interested, you can find Kiki on Instagram as @kikithechamaleon for any inquiries about her coaching practice and insights on creativity.

Thanks to our new sponsor Designhill -- the world’s # 1 creative marketplace that caters to the creative needs of businesses and individuals alike. You can source high-quality designs from professional designers and unique products created by independent artists.

Exclusive Offer for listeners of the podcast:

Get Exclusive 25% Off on the Designhill Logo Maker Service

Use this link and discount code: WF25

Validity: Offer valid Nov 30 2021

Link: Link: https://www.designhill.com/tools/logo-maker