Podcast Interview with Dr. Rebekah Louisa Smith - Unlocking Your World of Creativity

Introducing Rebekah Louisa Smith:, an award-winning film festival strategist and founder of The Film Festival Doctor.

- Rebekah's unique approach, blending practical business skills and spiritual techniques in her work.

Origin of Film Festival Strategies:

- Question: What inspired you to venture into film festival strategies, particularly focusing on winning and not just participating?

- Insights into Rebekah's accidental entry into the world of film festivals and the crucial need for a strategy.

Evolution in the Film Festival Landscape:

- Question: Over the years, how have you seen the film festival landscape evolve, and what challenges and opportunities does it present?

- Exploration of the surge in film festivals, online award festivals, and the changing dynamics of film production.

Balancing Creativity and Mental Health:

5. **Success Mindset and Mental Health:**

- Question: How do you integrate practical business skills with mental and spiritual techniques to foster a success mindset and support filmmakers' mental health?

- Discussion on the importance of handling rejection, using vision boards, EFT, and maintaining emotional detachment.

Rebekah's Journey and Balancing Creativity:

- Question: Having faced anxiety and panic attacks, how do you balance the demands of your career with self-care, and what advice do you have for other creatives?

- Insights into finding balance, embracing nature, and the significance of a 50-50 approach to avoid burnout.

Encouragement and Next Steps:

- Question: What advice do you have for creative individuals working on projects right now, and where can they find additional resources?

- Dr. Rebekah's encouragement to seek objective feedback before submissions and her book, "Born to Do It."

Episode Theme: Exploring Sustainable Design for a Greener World

Guest: Christian Lodgaard, Senior Vice President of Design at Flokk Furniture, Norway

Defining Sustainable Design:

- Lodgaard emphasizes that sustainable design should improve industry sustainability and address environmental footprints.

- Iconic, eternal objects are praised, but longevity alone isn't enough. The focus must include reducing environmental footprints in production.

Circular Design Principles:

- Flokk follows circular design principles: low weight, few components, durable materials, long lifespan, and designed for disassembly.

- Transparent and intuitive architecture is encouraged to celebrate assembly and promote easy repairability.

Brand Building and Transparency:

- Lodgaard discusses the importance of transparent brand communication in addressing sustainability.

- Flokk's name change and brand redesign aimed to embrace human-centeredness and Scandinavian legacy while maintaining a global perspective.

Metrics and Transparency:

- Flokk has been transparent about sustainability, implementing environmental product declarations since 2004.

- The five, three principle focuses on using as little material as possible, choosing low-carbon footprint materials, and designing for disassembly.

Scaling Sustainable Initiatives:

- The challenge lies in scaling sustainable initiatives rather than introducing constant innovation.

- Discipline, patience, stamina, and joy are essential in creating fewer, high-impact products with longer market presence.

Personal Background and Inspiration:

- Lodgaard shares a personal story about his mother's influence on his path towards sustainability and industry.

- Growing up in Norway, surrounded by nature's challenges, influenced a design tradition favoring essential, durable, and functional products.

Future Initiatives and Scaling Challenges:

- The future involves scaling existing technologies and practices rather than constant innovation.

- Lodgaard stresses the need for systematic approaches and joyful initiatives to create sustainable products with a lasting impact.

Closing Thoughts:

- Host Mark Stinson emphasizes the importance of face-to-face interactions for meaningful connections and creative inspiration.

- The podcast continues to explore global creativity, actionable plans, and making positive impacts in sustainability.

Join in for future episodes where global creativity takes center stage.

Copyright 2025 Mark Stinson

Unlocking Your World of Creativity with Daniela Marzavan

Guest Introduction:

- Introducing Daniela Marzovan, a change darer specializing in innovation and creativity.

- Setting the podcast scene in Lisbon, Portugal, and highlighting Daniela's expertise in teaching innovation.

Cultural Connections:

- Discussing the combustible energy between California and Portugal, exploring the shared love for the seaside, waves, nature, and joie de vivre.

- Reflecting on the cultural exchange and creative discussions at monthly networking events.

Teaching Innovation:

- Introducing Daniela's consultancy that not only consults but also teaches innovation tools.

- Focusing on the knowledge, attitude, and practice required for creativity and innovation.

Tools for Innovation:

- Differentiating between creativity and innovation, highlighting the need for processes, rationality, and courage in innovation.

- Describing the design thinking process and the importance of courage at each step.

Impact in Education and Overcoming Challenges:

- Addressing challenges in the education system that hinder creativity, sharing experiences of working with creative teachers, and rekindling their creative confidence.

- Discussing the importance of structural changes in education to empower teachers and students.

Creativity in Crisis:

- Sharing personal experiences of growing up in post-communist Romania and witnessing creative responses to crisis in Barcelona, Tokyo, and Cairo.

- Expressing optimism about the potential for creativity to thrive amidst crises, emphasizing the need to channel creative energy effectively.

Global Awareness and Creativity:

- Suggesting alternative ways to travel globally through books, movies, art, and photography.

- Encouraging a deeper understanding of cultures and social issues, even in the absence of physical travel.

Inspiring Change in Education:

- Advocating for listening to children, allowing them the space to be creative without interruption.

- Visioning a future where the role of change darers becomes obsolete as a new generation of little change darers emerges from schools.

Copyright 2025 Mark Stinson

Unlocking Your World of Creativity with Tom Bairstow:

The podcast explores creativity, inspiration, and organizational methods worldwide.

Guest: Tom Bairstow, Founder and creative Director of North House Creative, specializing in immersive visual experiences.

Tom's Website

@northhouse__ on Instagram

North House Creative's Portfolio:

- Known for immersive experiences for Coldplay, Queen's Platinum Jubilee, Super Bowl 50, and Disney's Encanto at the Hollywood Bowl.

- Combining physical set elements, lighting, and video for a unified fan experience.

Evolution of Immersive Experiences:

- Started in 2008 with a focus on live music, evolved into brand events and activations.

- Embracing multi-sensory experiences, combining physical and digital elements.

Creative Process:

- Highly collaborative, involving producers, creatives, designers, and technology experts.

- Ideation and conceptualization stages are crucial, emphasizing collaboration with clients.

Challenges and Contingency:

- Addressing challenges in live shows, Super Bowl 50 as an example.

- Technical contingency plans with backup servers and projectors, while creatively being adaptive and reactive.

Pushing Boundaries and Innovation:

- Constant pursuit of the next creative frontier.

- Balancing client expectations, adaptability, and innovation to deliver visually stunning and technically flawless experiences.

Inspiration Sources:

- Drawing inspiration from nature to soften digital elements and incorporate organic materials.

- Emphasizes the importance of taking a step back, being present, and allowing time for creative ideation.

Upcoming Projects:

- Teases upcoming artist tours, brand events, shows, and immersive experiences.

- Ongoing projects in Saudi Arabia and Dubai, showcasing diverse creativity across sectors.

Key to Immersive Experiences:

- Emphasizes the core elements of storytelling, moments, emotion, and shared experiences.

- People-first approach, considering the human experience and emotions.

Closing Thoughts:

- Shared experiences unite people, creating a powerful connection.

- Tom Bairstow's insight into balancing creativity, collaboration, and innovation in the evolving landscape of immersive experiences.

Tom Bairstow is the visionary Creative Director & Founder of NorthHouse Creative, a multi-award-winning studio that fuses design, motion and technology to create immersive visual experiences for music, brands and live shows.

Copyright 2025 Mark Stinson

Welcome back to "Unlocking Your World of Creativity," featuring Amara Emuwa, a leadership coach and author of "The Truth Behind Excuses."

- Amara shares insights on authentic leadership, drawing from her corporate HR experience and consulting practice.

Amara's Website

@AMARAEMUWA on Instagram

Amara's Facebook page

**Passion for Authentic Leadership:**

- "I am particularly passionate about authentic leadership. It answers questions that traditional leadership models did not."

- Authentic leadership emphasizes the self, relationships, and the environment, creating a holistic approach to leadership development.

**Leadership in a Changing Environment:**

- "Leadership development principles are universal, but cultural nuances play a crucial role."

- Amara discusses the impact of cultural differences, emphasizing the need for leaders to understand and manage perceptions in multicultural teams.

**Authenticity in Power Dynamics:**

- "Leadership is about perception, and authentic leadership guides you in managing that process."

- Cultural nuances, such as power distance, influence leadership styles. Understanding these dynamics is essential for effective leadership.

**Balancing Authenticity and Power:**

- "Authentic leaders use their stories to connect and sell their vision, making them relatable."

- Leaders must navigate the balance between maintaining authority and being authentic, sharing personal stories to connect with their teams.

**Authentic Leadership Transformation Stories:**

- "Authentic leaders embrace vulnerability as strength, connecting with what is important to their people."

- Amara shares stories of leaders who transformed organizations by prioritizing what mattered to their teams, building trust, and achieving success.

**The Journey of "The Truth Behind Excuses":**

- "Excuse-giving becomes a habit, reinforcing the pattern of attributing failures to external factors."

- Amara delves into the journey of writing her book, exploring the psychological aspects of making excuses and overcoming creative obstacles.

**Overcoming Excuses in Creative Endeavors:**

- "Excuses kill the desire to aim higher; don't let them devalue your talent."

- Amara encourages creatives to overcome excuses, emphasizing the importance of recognizing and addressing patterns that hinder progress.

**Upcoming Projects:**

- Amara discusses her upcoming projects, including a leadership roundtable, and a new book on leading from the core of excellence.

"Excuses can rob you of the value and talent you possess; aim higher and unleash your unique leadership strengths."

Thanks to our sponsor, Exact Rush, Publishing, Editorial, and Multimedia services

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Copyright 2025 Mark Stinson

Welcome back to our podcast, where we delve into the fascinating world of animation, specifically kids' show animation, covering everything from branding and production to streaming channels.

Today, we have the pleasure of talking with the talented Rich Magallanes, executive producer at Nickelodeon. Rich is currently working on an exciting new project, bringing Dora back in a fresh CG reboot.

**1. Dora's Comeback:**

- "Dora's coming back. We're doing the CG reboot. She's been away for a couple of years, but she's always been beloved by families and the industry worldwide. It's something that's never really lost its steam."

**2. A Refreshed Approach:**

- "We're reintroducing her in a brand new way. CG animation with a whole new look, updated music, much more entertaining and engaging for today's audience. We're stretching our stories, taking her into new areas we haven't explored before."

**3. The Evolution of Characters:**

- "When you executive produce, you've got the one show on your mind all the time. It's a constant evolution, experimenting, and executing character development and story development."

**4. Challenges in Rebooting Dora:**

- "There's so much content out there nowadays. In brainstorming about Dora and how to take it to the next level, the important part is asking, 'What is new about this? What's exciting? What's the next step?'"

**5. Principles of Creativity:**

- "You have to ask yourself, what is new about this? What's exciting about this? What is the next step? It can't just be, 'Oh, she's in CG.' It's all about storytelling, relationships, interactions, and staying true to the character's identity."

**6. Leadership and Team Building:**

- "I had to allow myself to be myself. If I'm not having fun doing something, I don't want to do it. Be open-minded, and when someone's saying stuff to you that you don't like, try to break down that wall and have a good creative conversation."

- "I'm a big advocate of helping people today. You got to get out there in the world, get into communities, and build your own profile on LinkedIn. That's how you connect and network."

Rich Magallanes shares insights into the intricate world of animation, storytelling, and leadership, leaving us with valuable lessons on creativity, team building, and the delicate balance of crafting content for kids.

"Living with Intention: A Conversation with Elizabeth Blake Thomas of Medicine with Words

**Elizabeth's Creative Journey:**

- Elizabeth reflects on her diverse creative projects, from published books and professorship to producing and directing over two dozen films.

- Pull-out quote: "The underlying theme for all my projects is to transform one person's life each day."

**Medicine with Words:**

- Elizabeth discusses her coaching practice, "Medicine with Words," emphasizing the power of words to heal and transform.

- Pull-out quote: "The power of our words is beyond anything we could imagine."

**Cabinet Cleanse Exercise:**

- Elizabeth introduces the concept of "cabinet cleanse," a practice to declutter the mind and focus on specific tasks.

- Pull-out quote: "Monotasking is essential for clarity in creative work."

**Butterfly Doula and Metamorphosis:**

- Exploring the unexpected role of a "butterfly doula," Elizabeth shares how this experience parallels creative transformations.

- Pull-out quote: "Metamorphosis, every stage, how does that connect to us? It was life-changing for me."

**Holistic Filmmaking:**

- Elizabeth discusses her approach to holistic filmmaking, creating a family environment on set, and her latest project, "Caroleek."

- Pull-out quote: "Every element of my work encompasses self-care and self-nourishment."

**Living with Intention Book:**

- Elizabeth provides insights into her upcoming book, "Living with Intention," sharing stories, tools, and practical exercises for mindful living.

- Pull-out quote: "Living with intention means making intentional choices to lead to emotional fulfillment."

**Vision Boards and Emotional Goals:**

- Elizabeth challenges the traditional concept of vision boards, focusing on emotions and intentional alignment with goals.

- Pull-out quote: "It's about how I want to feel, how that process takes place. That is what's crucial."

**Fear and Creativity:**

- Addressing fear, Elizabeth suggests acknowledging it, understanding the worst-case scenario, and turning fear into a positive force.

- Pull-out quote: "Once we break it down and understand our why, fear can be turned into a positive."

**Boundaries and Pyramid of Purpose:**

- Elizabeth shares her approach to boundaries, using a "pyramid of purpose" to guide choices aligned with long-term goals.

- Pull-out quote: "No's and yes's are the same as long as you are living with the intention of what you have chosen at that moment."

**Upcoming Retreat and Future Projects:**

- Elizabeth talks about her upcoming retreat, collaborating with a nutritionist, and the organic growth of her creative endeavors.

- Pull-out quote: "When you start working out what you exactly want, it's amazing the clarity that you get."

**Closing and Prescription:**

- Mark thanks Elizabeth for the insightful conversation and asks her to share a creative prescription or exercise.

- Elizabeth suggests the "Cup of Tea" meditation and the "Patting Yourself on the Back" exercise for acknowledging daily achievements.

- Mark wraps up the episode, encouraging listeners to practice intention, gratitude, and mindfulness in their creative journeys.

Welcome back to the podcast "Unlocking Your World of Creativity." The show explores creative practitioners' inspirations, idea organization, confidence-building, and launching strategies.

Today's guest is AJ Kumar, founder of the Limitless Company, a high-energy, high-content guest focusing on the creator economy.

AJ's Website

@ajthedigitalmaestro on Instagram

- The Limitless Company is expanding, particularly hiring younger talent from colleges with digital media programs.

- AJ's company is labeled a "smart content creation engine" emphasizing talent empowerment, story development, physical production, and brand marketing.

- Distinguishes between content and brand, emphasizing the brand as a living organism positioned in people's minds.

Challenges in Education:

- Discusses the evolving skills and competencies of graduates in digital media programs.

- Highlights the importance of understanding the customer journey and non-traditional touchpoints like apps in modern education.

Content Creation Challenges:

- Describes content creation as a "hamster wheel" and shares his 15-year journey from written to video content.

- Breaks down content creation into four core functions: talent empowerment, story development, physical production, and brand marketing.

Story Wars and War on Attention:

- Draws parallels between the concept of "Story Wars" and the current competition for attention.

- Emphasizes the need for the best storytelling to win in the modern content landscape.

Human Healing Brands:

- Introduces the concept of "human healing brands" and how content impacts people through laughter, learning, and inspiration.

- Draws analogies between content creation and food consumption, categorizing content as either "junk" or "nutritional."

Feedback and Iteration:

- Stresses the importance of qualitative and quantitative feedback in content creation.

- Discusses the significance of comments, shares, and bookmarks in social media as indicators of content quality.

Return On Attention Created (ROAC):

- Proposes a holistic approach to measure content creation effectiveness through ROAC (Return On Attention Created).

- Explains that ROAC considers both qualitative and quantitative components to understand the broader impact of content.

Strategic Content Creation:

- Advises breaking through the overwhelm by starting with small tasks to build momentum.

- Compares the feeling of productivity to going to the gym and encourages finding a balance between creativity and productivity.

Orchestration and Creativity:

- Utilizes the analogy of being a conductor in an orchestra to describe his role as the "digital maestro."

- Emphasizes the balance of creativity and orchestration to create a cohesive brand strategy.

Limitless Inspiration:

- Shares personal experiences that inspired the name "Limitless Company," influenced by the movie "Limitless."

- Highlights the transformative potential of the digital world, encouraging individuals to explore beyond traditional boundaries.

Closing and Future Projects:

- Discusses upcoming projects, including appearing on more podcasts and the release of his book, "Guru Inc."

Key Pull-Out Quotes:

1. "When it comes down to the fundamentals... it's about doing a little thing and then getting the momentum to do a couple more things."

"I see brand as a living, breathing organism, and it's something that is positioned in people's minds."

Copyright 2025 Mark Stinson

Thanks to our sponsor Exact Rush

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Mark Stinson welcomes listeners and introduces the episode featuring Riya Sokol, an internationally acclaimed artist and speaker from Warsaw, Poland. The podcast explores Ria's creative journey, focusing on her experiences, insights, and the lessons she's learned in navigating challenges.

Riya's Website

@riya_sokol on Instagram

- Riya reflects on her early experiences as a performer and the impact of negative feedback. She shares her insights into processing difficult feedback and turning it into personal growth. Ria emphasizes the conditioning she underwent as a child performer and the challenges of balancing love and hate from the audience.

Thank You, Coronavirus

- Riya discusses the inspiration behind her viral poem and video, "Thank You, Coronavirus." She describes the moment of contemplation during the early days of the pandemic in Costa Rica, expressing her desire to make sense of the global crisis. Ria's poem conveyed a message of hope and inspired people to see the situation differently.

- The conversation shifts to Riya's evolution from an artist and speaker to an entrepreneur. She shares her motivation to create a business that combines her performances with online offerings. Ria highlights the importance of her mission to inspire others and emphasizes the lessons learned in balancing courage, boundaries, and self-worth as a businesswoman.

Creative Routine and Discipline

- Riya provides insights into her creative routine, emphasizing the importance of self-talk and her method of "coding" to maintain discipline. She shares how addressing her exhaustion with kindness and a touch of seduction helps her stay motivated. Ria encourages listeners to challenge themselves daily and embrace both feminine and masculine energies.

Key Quotes:

1. "Count to three and do it. Don't wait for things to be ready. Just keep doing."

2. "Everyone started from the first move. Just freaking do it."

3. "If you need permission, sign the contract with yourself or come to me. I will give you the permission. You are freaking ready."

This episode explores Riya Sokol's transformative journey, from early performances to overcoming negative feedback, creating viral content during the pandemic, venturing into entrepreneurship, and maintaining a disciplined creative routine. Riya's story serves as a powerful inspiration for those seeking to unlock their own world of creativity.

Copyright 2025 Mark Stinson

Thanks to our sponsor Exact Rush

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Which Way is North? A Creative Compass for Makers, Marketers, and Mystics

with Will Cady

Will's Website

@willcady on Instagram

Introduction of Guest: Will Cady

- Former hospitality professional with a decade of experience.

- Discussing his background, starting with barista and server jobs.

- Inspiration from seeing others list their full work experience, emphasizing the value of every job.

- Today, Global Brand Ambassador for Reddit and former head of Karma Lab.

- Advises marketers, executives, and creative individuals, specializing in modern meditation techniques.

- Introducing Will's book, "Which Way is North?" and discussing AI's impact on human creativity.

AI and Human Creativity

- AI is another mind but needs a human heart.

- Fear and frustration about AI taking over, but human insight will shape the future.

- A comparison to historical creative renaissances and the current technological evolution.

Creativity and Transformation

- Living in times of transformation is challenging but presents opportunities for greatness.

- Empowering people to be creative with unprecedented resources.

- Encouraging courage and self-discovery in creative endeavors.

Book Introduction: Which Way is North?

- Subtitle: A Creative Compass for Makers, Marketers, and Mystics.

- A compass as a tool for personal creative journeys.

- Will discusses his unique viewpoint as a global brand ambassador for Reddit.

Reddit's Structure and Direction

- Reddit is structured into contextual environments (communities).

- Emphasizing the importance of context in discussions and interactions.

- Contrasting Reddit with other platforms and its role in the evolving internet landscape.

Creativity Methodology: Curiosities

- Curiosity as an object to be found and explored.

- Connecting curiosity with meditation practices, mindfulness, and archetypal literacy.

- Noticing and exploring unusual elements as a fundamental part of creativity.

Book Excerpt: The Creative Journey as a Heart-Centered Activity

- Discussing the concept of the universe as an infinite sea.

- The center is everywhere, and individuals are their own north stars.

- Encouraging readers to explore the story within their hearts and embrace the creative journey.

Applying the Book's Principles

- The book as a companion for readers, offering multiple layers of understanding.

- Written with a lyrical prose that may require multiple readings for full absorption.

- Encouraging readers to use the book as an oracle or revisit it as needed.

Craftsmanship and Writing Process

- The collaborative process of writing a book.

- The role of humility in receiving and incorporating feedback from editors.

- The emergence of symbols and structures during the writing process.

Transforming Anxiety into Creativity

- Anxiety as creativity ready to be transmuted.

- Embracing anxiety as a source of creative energy.

- Connecting anxiety to the unique qualities that differentiate humans from AI.

Copyright 2025 Mark Stinson

Thanks to our sponsor ...

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