Your World of Creativity (Mark Stinson)

My guest is Angela Soffe, an award-winning artist raised in Asia, now based in Washington state.

Known for her intimate vocals and piercing lyrics, her songs are morsels of real life wrapped in honest Americana.

Her recent album, "Second Wind" won the nomination for "Americana Album of the Year" by the Independent Music Awards 2019. Her single, "Rocks" also won the Great American Songwriting Contest in 2019. Her work and story have been featured in independent films, commercials, and podcasts worldwide.

She's recording, producing, and releasing her next album in Nashville, TN in 2021. You can support Angela's creative project at https://igg.me/at/angelasoffe/x/25297910#/

In this episode, we discuss her music writing process, how she feels a calling to share a message in the music, and her view of the creative state of the music business.

You'll hear excerpts from two of Angela's songs:

• Rocks
• Freedom

Her official website is https://www.angelasoffe.com/

Follow her on Instagram at @angelasoffemusic

Listen on Spotify at https://open.spotify.com/artist/2DiPUyuW0qulfiinrywML2?si=zsFfD0AKR_eKy2LCB106_g

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

In this episode of the podcast "Unlocking Your World of Creativity," Mark interviews Dan Rockwell, author of the upcoming book "The Vagrant: The Inner Journey of Leadership."

The interview begins with Mark sharing his personal reaction to the book, noting how it unexpectedly struck a personal chord right from the third page. The conversation delves into the profound nature of leadership as a personal journey, drawing insights from conversations Dan had with influential leaders like Jim Parker, Francis Haine, and Harry Kramer. These conversations led Dan to realize that leadership is about becoming oneself, a transformative and often elusive task for high-performing individuals. Mark also highlights Warren Bennis' quote on the simplicity and difficulty of becoming oneself.

Dan explains the significance of the book's title, "The Vagrant," which refers to being blown off course, both in terms of a bird's migration and an individual's journey in leadership. He shares how high performers can sometimes lose sight of themselves and struggle to find their way back on track.

The interview touches upon Dan's diverse background, including degrees in theology and ministry, as well as construction and design, and how these areas overlap in the realm of leadership. Mark further explores the commonalities among Dan's varied clientele, ranging from Chick-fil-A to the National Institutes of Health and Royal Caribbean.

The conversation then shifts to the creative process behind the book and Dan's collaboration with co-author John David Mann, known for his work on "The Go-Giver." Drawing inspiration from classic parable books, the authors chose a storytelling approach to convey their leadership insights.

Dan expresses his gratitude for working with BenBella Books and their valuable contribution to the project.

The interview concludes with Dan sharing a leadership insight for individuals who may think they are getting promoted but could potentially face termination.

The book will be released in September 2023 and is currently available for pre-order.

Overall, the interview explores the personal and collaborative aspects of leadership and creativity, shedding light on the inner journey of leaders and the importance of self-discovery.

Dan's Website

Dan on YouTube

@leadership_freak on Instagram

Copyright 2025 Mark Stinson

My guest today is Siarhei Sadouski, CEO of Goolny Games Development Studio

Goolny Games is a mobile game development outsourcing studio in Belarus.

Siarhei says, "We are professionals who live and breathe art, design and exciting mobile games. Our mission is to create Unity-based projects that will be best remembered by players."

In this episode, we discuss:

TEAM MOBILE GAME DEVELOPMENT PROCESS: turning ideas into successful products in the hyper-casual mobile gaming market.

MOBILE GAME PROTOTYPING: how the developer "MVP"-building and game prototyping

Siarhei has 15+ years of experience in IT, from a software developer to a co-founder, technical manager and project manager. He brings his experience of work in worldwide team environments.

To learn more about Siarhei and his team at Goolny:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/siarhei-sadouski-75b1b095/

Website: https://goolny.com/

michelle clarke

Michelle is an energy maverick, mindset queen, public speaker, author, and intuitive business coach who shows soul-led entrepreneurs how to harness and leverage their energy for quantum business results so they can set themselves free and live in abundance, joy, ease and flow. She is obsessed with showing women how powerful they really are, because together we are rising to change the world. Michelle speaks on how to tap into soul, harness quantum energy, and apply her Success Triangle method to get massive business results in ease and flow.

michelle's Website

michelle's Facebook page

@energymaverick on Instagram

@empowermentempi on X

michelle on YouTube

Mark Stinson

Copyright 2025 Mark Stinson

Your World of Creativity website

I'm happy to add this BONUS interview with Evans Baiya as he shares the key factors in innovation for the future.

With his own brand of enthusiasm and passion, Evans talked with me and my co-host Kirstin Gooldy on our podcast, ENTELECHY LEADERSHIP STORIES.

Dr. Baiya is a technology and innovation strategist with nearly two decades of experience in information technology, product development, health engagement solutions, semiconductor engineering, and intellectual property strategy.

Evans has held global leadership positions in engineering management and strategic product development and marketing. His extensive experience includes the development of technologies and strategies with companies such as Samsung, IBM, Intel, Nokia, Microsoft, Texas Instruments, World International Patent Office, and others.

As a successful author, Evans has published more than 30 peer-reviewed publications and holds several technology patents. He is also the author of The Innovator’s Advantage: Revealing the Hidden Connection Between People and Process, which he co-authored with Ron Price. He holds a PhD in engineering and technology development, a master of business administration, and has completed postgraduate studies in chemistry, electrical engineering, business strategy and intellectual property with Harvard Business School. 

Learn more about Evans' work at theinnovatorsadvantage.com

Thanks to you for being among the first listeners of our new podcast.

Connect with me on LinkedIn www.linkedin.com/in/stinsonmark

Follow me on Facebook www.facebook.com/markstinsonauthor

And visit my website at www.mark-stinson.com

(I host my podcast with Captivate, the world's only growth-oriented podcast host™ - you can too, and get your first 7-days on me! www.captivate.fm/signup )

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.

We are back for another great interview on our podcast on how to unlock your world of creativity. Our guests today join us on our around-the-world journey where we talk to creative practitioners about how they get inspired and how they organize ideas. And most of all, how they gain the confidence and the connections to launch their work out into the world. Today we have the pleasure to  travel to one of my favorite cities in the world, Stockholm, Sweden, to have a chat with Fredrik and Erik of the SNASK agency

SNASK is an internationally renowned creative agency that makes kick-ass branding, design & film. So much so that some of their clients have described them as “Disneyland for graphic designers.” They are a different kind of company they also describe themselves as a creative agency of misfit geniuses conquering the world through fine-looking design and real emotions. Often reminding their clients that they are their client’s future romance.

A few tips that they share with us that all hold steady to their stellar performance in their industry are:

• Passion as a creative is very important.
• Build a team around you that is equally passionate about what they do. It makes it easier for them to show up.
• They remind us that when people have a creative passion they do not come to work at 10:00 A.M. They get up early and go after it. 
• We should not be afraid to stand out in the world no matter what our craft is. And it is ok to be bold and colorful even as a  brand agency in a Minimalistic place like Stockholm 
• Remember to have a balance of both work and fun in order to thrive.

In a  professional world built on conservative ideas and frameworks and structures, one look at their website and you will immediately notice that their work is very emotional. It's very provocative. It's very colorful and energetic. Which has made them stand out as an agency over the years which in fact gave them the creative consistency they needed to stand out in the industry.

In conclusion, they also give us some insight into, pitching the work and how to convince the client which campaign to go with. Both Erik and Fredrik agree that it's all about taking the client by the hand and leading them through the process. Like you lead someone to the dance floor. You can't just throw a new design in their face without an explanation. You need to take them on a journey on the thought behind the strategy, and how it connects with the brand. And then make sure that this makes a lot of sense to them as much as it does make sense to you as the pitcher.

You can find more information about this agency of misfit geniuses on their website https://snask.com

Instagram: snasksthlm

Frederik Öst’s Instagram: freddiemeup

Erik Kockum’s Instagram: fessus

Meet partners in crime - Fredrik Öst and Erik Kockum, Branding Experts with vulnerability and anti-machismo. 

First off, let me tell you a little about who Fredrik Öst & Erik Kockum are…

"Freddie" was adopted from South Korea and raised in Northern Sweden after being found outside a police...

Meet Sherry Fernandez, author of Life Mastery: Personal Progression Toward an Infinite Potential

It's a USA Today & Wall Street Journal Bestseller! Sherry offers a formula for Continual Expansion into Your Own Greatness: Contentment + Progress = Happiness

Though deep in the throes of childhood family chaos with two unstable and unhappy parents -- divorcing, marrying others, then remarrying-amidst constant moving and dysfunctional childrearing -- Sherry Stirling Fernandez still knew that she was destined for great things. She believed in her potential for greatness!

And that is something she wants you to instill in you! 

Along with the clearly defined pathway to achieve it!

Sherry's new USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestseller Life Mastery: Personal Progression Toward an Infinite Potential makes the case that if you are not progressing toward a better version of yourself, you can never achieve any true sense of joy...For happiness comes from recognizing and celebrating the fulfillment of your personal goals no matter how challenging -- and then setting out on the road to the next one. A lifetime of progress toward your infinite potential is what makes you exceptional, fills your heart and enables you to leave your imprint on the world -- your legacy! 

Her incredibly powerful book provides you the keys to embark on this quest-the determination of your WHY -- without which you will likely fail quickly. The WHAT -- what needs your focus and attention to achieve Life Mastery in eight different aspects of your life. And the HOW -- getting an assessment of where you are; what goals and action steps to take; the systems to put in place and the habits you need to instill (or replace). This exceptional manual gives you everything you need to get you on the road to Life Mastery, and inspires you to take that first step!

Along the way, Sherry tells her own inspiring story: how she left home at 17, a wild teen flirting with thievery, drugs and self-destruction, pregnant at 19, married by 22 and living a "hippie" lifestyle with all that implied in the 1970s. She and husband Ken lived on the edge of destitution until they began to explore personal development through books, tapes and live events with leaders in the movement. Slowly they inched themselves and their six-yes, count them! -- six children forward toward a better, more rewarding and financially strong life. 

Much of the impetus for that came from Sherry's relentless pursuit of inner fortitude, wisdom and the goals she set for herself to overcome habits, fears and resistance that held back her progress toward infinite potential -- and sharing with Ken what she learned along the way. Ultimately, Ken started a highly successful construction supply company, and Sherry launched FitMania, boutique fitness and personal development business, that also guided clients on mastery over all aspects of their life that contributed to achieving or exceeding the goals they set for themselves and the dreams they had in their hearts.

Her years with FitMania were rich and rewarding, but it was the transformation of her clients that so inspired Sherry to turn her entire attention to coaching individuals on achieving full Life Mastery by focusing on the physical, the spiritual, relationships, education, motivation, vocation, money, lifestyle and character.

In fact, her book features an excellent assessment tool that let's readers determine what areas of their life need tuning up, and then how to take each of those vulnerable areas forward with the steps to keep moving ahead on the road to improvement...how to stay motivated and committed to the outcome, never losing sight of your WHY!

So often Sherry observed people in personal transformation programs leave excited and vowing

Unlocking Your World of Creativity Expert Panel on "How To Get Unstuck" and overcome obstacles to launching your work.

Speaker 1: Bob Gonzalez

Https://flickerinthewater.com 

Speaker 2: Nejc Susec

https://www.nejcsusec.art/

Speaker 4: Sean B. W. Parker

Sean BW Parker

The panel emphasized the importance of embracing creativity, being adaptable, persistent, and willing to take risks to overcome obstacles and get your work noticed worldwide.

Thanks to our sponsor ExactRush

Exact Rush B

Copyright 2025 Mark Stinson

Meet the energetic and creative Korena Darnelle from Barbados.

As a singer, writer, photographer, and podcaster, Korena embraces her busy life. We talk about how she is balancing all the hats she wears.

I loved the insight she shared about a shift from "aspiring writer" or "someday thriving" -- to embracing the fact she has published work and is already attracting success.

Listen to what inspires Korena. And her big dreams (including lunch with Steve Harvey and Michelle Obama).

Korena invites you to follow her along her journey, as she will encourage you to start living your real life as well.

Read more about her at korenadarnelle.com

And listen to her podcast at anchor.fm/balancing-the-hats

Thanks to you for being among the first listeners of our new podcast.

Connect with me on LinkedIn linkedin.com/in/stinsonmark

Follow me on Facebook facebook.com/markstinsonauthor

And visit my website at mark-stinson.com

(I host my podcast with Captivate, the world's only growth-oriented podcast host™ - you can too, and get your first 7-days on me! www.captivate.fm/signup )

Welcome back to "Unlocking Your World of Creativity." In today's episode, we delved into the world of music composition and performance with the talented Amy Brookes, drummer, vocalist, keyboardist, and percussionist of the band Low Tide Levee.

Here are five key highlights from our conversation (plus you'll hear clips from 3 of her songs):

**1. The Genesis of Low Tide Levee:**

Amy shared the band's origin story, dating back to 2012 when she, along with her husband Sasha and friend Chris, reformed a musical project. She transitioned from being just a drummer to a songwriter and vocalist, a pivotal moment that shaped the band's unique sound.

**2. Creative Process and Musical Essence:**

Amy revealed her creative process, often starting with a melody or phrase that encapsulates the essence of the song. She discussed the collaborative dynamics within Low Tide Levee, highlighting the contributions of guitarist Harold and the recent addition of Dustin Newman, enhancing the band's sound.

**3. Overcoming Creative Obstacles:**

We explored the challenges Amy faced while seeking a guitarist and the sometimes awkward process of finding creative collaborators. Despite initial setbacks, Amy persisted, receiving affirmation from a reputable PR company and media outlets during the album rollout.

**4. Confidence and Sharing Your Work:**

Amy shared her journey of gaining confidence to share her music with a broader audience. The affirmation from external sources and positive feedback during the album release bolstered her belief in the value of Low Tide Levee's music.

**5. Nurturing the Creative Flame:**

In closing, Amy emphasized the importance of treating creative creations like children, believing in them, and constantly refilling the creative well. She highlighted the significance of finding what inspires and fuels one's creativity, ensuring a continuous flow of ideas.

**Pull-out Quotes:**

"I have to be the singer. I can't find someone else to be the singer, but I love being the drummer. So what did I do? I learned to do both at the same time, which was a brand new thing and really fun, really exciting and fulfilling."

"You have to believe in your creation. I feel and in a way that's almost like faith, you just keep going no matter what."

"There's something about, for me, it's going out in nature, but, you have to discover, I think, for yourself what fills your creative well, but to keep doing that through the process, because that's what keeps that flame of inspiration, I think, lit."

In conclusion, Amy Brookes provided valuable insights into her creative journey, the challenges she faced, and the perseverance required to bring her music to the world. To experience the unique blend of blues, psychedelic rock, and funk, check out Low Tide Levee's music and stay tuned for more creative insights on "Unlocking Your World of Creativity."

Amy's Website

@lowtidelevee on Instagram

Amy's Facebook page

Amy on YouTube

Thanks to our sponsor ExactRush

Exact Rush B

Copyright 2025 Mark Stinson

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

Meet our guest, Dr. Mark Ryall, author of the new speculative fiction book, Age-Decoded.

 It took some struggle and two career changes before Mark Ryall discovered his “genuine self” as a teacher. He had always yearned for a career that brought him closer to people, and teaching became the natural place for him. He went on to teach economics and mathematics at Royal St. George's College (Toronto) and Hillfield Strathallan College (Hamilton) for a combined twenty-four years. He also loved coaching cross country running, a sport which he felt makes students stronger mentally and physically, and which promotes teamwork and mutual support. While teaching, he also began painting, specializing in acrylic art depicting historic old buildings and bridges in the Hamilton area, and more recently dabbling in sports portraits and landscapes.

The speculative fiction Age-Decoded is Mark’s first novel. He wrote the first draft about ten years ago while he was teaching, to educate himself and the world about the imminent tsunami of genetic engineering technology. The novel was turned down by traditional publishers, so Mark accepted that rejection and let the novel sit for several years. But with his recent retirement from teaching and the full-blown emergence of CRISPR-like technology on the scientific front, he decided to work hard to update and improve the novel. He finally self-published it two months ago.

Mark feels Age-Decoded is important because genetic engineering will impact human physical and psychological traits − fundamentally affecting what it means to be human. His goal is to educate people about this scientific breakthrough. Many effects will be hugely positive, as scientists work to eradicate diseases such as Alzheimer’s, Huntington’s, cystic fibrosis, HIV, sickle cell anemia, and even cancer. But unintended or intended negative effects are also possible with this technology. The story peers 100-200 years into the future, allowing the reader to critically imagine and feel the potential impact of genetic engineering on human nature. The story focuses on two human changes; one physical (stopping and reversing aging) and one psychological (spoiler alert: you will need to read the novel).

Mark also competes in triathlons and represented Canada in the 2019 World Age-Group Championships in Lausanne, Switzerland. That race was a disaster as he never completed the swim due to “technical difficulties”! But he has vowed to redeem himself, to qualify and compete once again in the Championships sometime soon in the post-Covid era. Mark currently serves as a volunteer cross country coach for Westdale Secondary School in Hamilton. His education includes BSc, MBA, and PhD (University of Toronto, Education).

The retailer link for the book Age-Decoded is:  https://books2read.com/age-decoded

Discover More

http://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-ryall-2b87b2b https://www.quora.com/profile/Mark-Ryall-2

http://www.instagram.com/m.ryall

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/21292342.Mark_P_Ryall

Meet Dr. Lisa

She is a speaker, writer, licensed clinical psychotherapist, PhD in addiction psychology, eating disorder professional, and hypnotherapist changing the view about obsessions.

Dr. Lisa helps readers meet difficult challenges through practical, structured, step-by step advice and reveals how others have found relief and resolution of seemingly never-ending issues.

Her new book Release Your Obsession With AGING: Heal from the Inside Out is a result of a lifelong journey of professional study and patient care, as well as her own self-discovery.

In this episode, we discuss how to overcome many creative blocks -- real and imagined.

Learn more about Dr. Lisa at https://weightcontroltherapy.com/

See all her books at amazon.com/Dr-Lisa-Ortigara-Crego

Click here to get Dr. Lisa's new book at amazon.com

In today’s episode, we chat with Valeria Aloe, the author of Uncolonized Latinas; Transforming Our Mindsets And Rising Together.  Valeria possesses over 20 years of experience in finance, marketing, and business development, she is also a trainer and public speaker. 

Valeria was born in Argentina and after getting her Business degree, she came to the US to get her Masters from Dartmouth University. Her grandmothers are her biggest inspiration because of the sacrifices they made.

According to Valeria, the Latin American countries and Hispanic culture holds limiting beliefs about who they are and what achievements they can get when they go to the US.  The thesis of the book is for Latinos to become more aware of limiting cultural beliefs that hold them back, and then letting them go.  

In her book, Valeria mentions systemic biases and the best way to overcome them is by working on yourself. Not waiting for the system to change, to become responsible for overcoming those limiting beliefs, not being afraid to speak up and ask for what you need to succeed. 

Once you  have identified your limiting beliefs, and have started working on yourself, you must take assertive action which involves two steps: 

• Learning to create your own brand, to bring your full self to the table.  This is about finding your value, understanding what you bring to the table, knowing, knowing what makes you, YOU, and looking to the unique skillset and the values that have to offer. 
• Creating and finding Allyship. Latinas need to do more by going out there and connecting with allies, and asking for what they need, whether it's asking for sponsorship, getting mentorship,  learning from others, observing what works for those who are non-Latino, navigating the system by learning and expanding your network outside of the Hispanic community. 

Valeria’s book writing process was new for her, having corporate background which had taught her to think sequentially but when she started writing her book, the creation process was messy and uncomfortable.  She learned that she had to sit and be open to receiving information without trying to put it into categories.  Her publishing company gave her a lot of support by giving writing workshops, coaching from other writers.

In conclusion, the advice she would give to creatives is to pay attention to your instincts.  Don't try to silence the intuition that you have, follow the intuition in that messy process. It will guide you to the path that is important for people.

As for the allies, offer Latinas help, be willing to lend a hand, to offer guidance,  since they don't speak up and ask for what we need. 

To other Latina women, her message is to believe in themselves, to realize the power they have individually and collectively as a community, and not be afraid to bring their full selves to the world because what they have to offer is needed. It matters. It makes a difference.

You can connect with Valeria on 

LinkedIn: Valeria Aloe

Book: Uncolonized Latinas

Copyright 2025 Mark Stinson

Join our conversation on how live theater can be “modernized” and used to challenge the negative contemporary cultural side effects like extremism and alienation with Award-Winning Playwright, Jack Canfora. 

For centuries people have found inspiration, beauty, and expression in live theater. The Ancient Greeks were the first to wade into the waters of this novel art form, using dance, song, and choral chants to play out their mythic past. 

Today, many see live theater as a dying art as multimedia storytelling modalities, like streaming TV, film, and the internet, hold a monopoly on our attention. In the face of this threatening final nail in the coffin, Jack is dedicated to presenting both new and underproduced plays via the internet, in ways that maintain the essential dramatic spirit while using the theatrical experience to explore the historical, cultural, and psychological forces shaping life in America and beyond in the 21st Century. 

He shares on Unlocking Your World of Creativity how to reshape our storytelling imagination to better understand the beauty and potential this ancient art form still holds. 

Topics Jack Discusses:

1. Re-Lighting The Storytelling Campfire: Why Sharing Stories Is The Glue That Holds Cultures & Communities Together 
2. Live Theater Is NOT Dead (It Just Needs Some Reimagining): How To Make Theater More Available, Affordable, & Widely Attended 
3. “Democratizing” The Theatrical Experience: Bringing Theater Home To Underprivileged, Underserved, & Ignored Audiences 
4. How This Ancient Art Form Can Evolve To Keep Up With The Era Of Netflix & Chill
5. Breaking Down The Barriers That Are Preventing Underproduced, Lesser Known Playwrights From Making On-Stage
6. Using The Theatrical Experience To Change The Culture Of Modern Alienation To One Of Belonging, Empathy & Human Connection

More About Jack:

John Lawrence "Jack" Canfora is an Award-Winning American playwright, actor, musician, and teacher. After receiving his dramatic training at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art, he began his career as an actor in regional theater, working mostly in Shakespearean roles such as Mercutio and Macbeth. He’s been hailed by the Associated Press as “White-hot Entertainment” for his off-Broadway plays including Poetic License, Place Setting, and Jericho, a New York Times “Critics Pick.” He was nominated along with Edward Albee, Elaine May, and Teresa Rebeck for The Newark Star Ledger’s Best Play, 2007. Jack is the recipient of two Edgerton Playwriting Awards, for Jericho (2010) and The Source (2018). He won the 2016 Webby Award for Best Writing in a Web Series. Jack is also the Artistic Director of New Normal Rep.

Jack's Website

@newnormalrep on Instagram

Jack on YouTube

Jack's Facebook page

Jack's Facebook group

Copyright 2025 Mark Stinson

Our chat today is with a multi-passionate creative entrepreneur Allyson Hernandez. Allyson is the author of Ballad of Dreams, an actor, a singer, a composer, a Broadway star, and CEO of AH Coaching Group.

Ballad of Dreams is a love letter to New York City and Broadway theater. The book, which had originally started out as a Broadway musical before Covid, was inspired by two strong women in her life:  her great grandmother who passed away at 96 years and was a mother to 13 children, and her great aunt Laura who lived a spectacular life, being married to a rich talent scout. 

The book is set in the 1940s and it tells the story of how their different life choices changed their life trajectories.   

A few things we can pick up from Allyson's book and as a creative individual  include

• Implement feedback when given

Open your mind to what it could be. Let go of what you wanted something to be and focus on what the future could be like. The sky was the limit when it comes to creativity.

• Art doesn't have to be just one thing.

Human beings are not just one thing. Your art can therefore be a book, a musical, a soundtrack, a stage play a Netflix mini-series. You have enough content for it to be all of those things.

• Take advantage of the InBetween. 

As a creative who lacks time, take advantage of the dead time you may have in between doing other things in your daily life. As long as that creative idea comes to mind in between doing other things, stop and take action for your creativity. it's taking that one step and being committed to and starting small.

In summary, Allyson says as a creative you must be open to where your creativity takes you. 

You can reach out to Allyson on

Allyson’s Website: Allyson Hernandez

LinkedIn: Allyson Hernandez

Book: Ballad of Dreams

Allyson Hernandez

Allyson Hernandez defines the word multi-passionate as a writer, performer, composer, executive coach, and mom. She wrote Ballad of Dreams to explore who her grandmother was and what she wanted before she became a mother, and, in the process, found the same answers for herself. As President and Founder of AH Coaching Group, LLC she empowers clients to embrace their extra and boldly follow their dreams. She has a BFA in Musical Theater from Syracuse University, is a member of Actors Equity Association, and holds her ACC credentials through the International Coaching Federation. Soul Stories, Allyson’s debut EP, can be found on iTunes, Spotify, and YouTube. She has performed at the acclaimed Apollo Theater and toured with the Gospel musical If This Hat Could Talk, directed by Tony award-winning director George Faison. On the weekends you can find Allyson singing at church and proudly cheering on the sidelines at her two sons’ soccer games.

Allyson's Website

@allysonhernandez_extra on Instagram

Allyson's Facebook page

Allyson on YouTube

Copyright 2025 Mark Stinson

Meet today's guest Jeff Venn, a life architect, business owner, and mentor to young entrepreneurs.

​He says, "Many people will tell you where to go, what to do, and how to live, but there's a higher path and calling inside of you that only you can unearth.​ It's time to stop living by other people's scripts and expectations for your life and have your own awakening. I've done this in my own life, taking a forward-thinking, progressive approach to building and running my businesses and how I build and run my days."

​In our interview, we discuss:

• How he started and built Create Studios, a digital marketing agency
• His outreach work at  c o n v e r g e, a community for young entrepreneurs
• How music influences his life

Today we have a guest whose creative journey has taken him from dance floors to construction sites, and now to the silver screen. Join me as we dive into the world of creativity, motivation, and tapping into one's potential -- with Atticus Ray.

Here are the highlights of Mark's questions for Atticus:

1.    Atticus, your journey has been nothing short of fascinating. From creating a dance company to performing at renowned venues and now starring in a musical phenomenon, "Rhythm With Views." Can you share with our listeners how your creative journey began and what drives you to keep pushing your boundaries?

2.     You've worn many hats throughout your career, from dancer to real estate developer. How have these diverse experiences influenced your creative approach and your ability to tap into your potential?

3.    "Rhythm With Views" seems to be a groundbreaking project that combines your passion for performance and music. Can you tell us more about the musical and how your experiences as a dancer and performer have contributed to its success?

4.    You've had the opportunity to work with legends like Bill Monroe and the Blue Grass Boys, as well as business moguls like Tom Monaghan. How have these collaborations shaped your perspective on creativity, mentorship, and seizing opportunities?

5.    Going from the world of construction to production is quite a leap. What advice can you give to aspiring creatives who might be hesitant to take that leap and explore new avenues for their talents?

6.    "Tap Your Potential" is a powerful mantra that encapsulates your journey. As we wrap up our conversation, could you share a few key insights or steps that listeners can take to start tapping into their own creative potential?

Thank you, Atticus, for sharing your journey and insights with us today. From dance floors to the silver screen, your story is a testament to the endless possibilities that come with embracing creativity and pushing your boundaries.

And to our listeners, remember to check out "Rhythm With Views" on Amazon Prime and Apple TV +. For more inspiration and to stay updated on Atticus's journey, make sure to follow him on social media.

Atticus's Website

Atticus's Facebook page

Elan Thunderfeet is a writer, hip-hop artist, and creative mentor that is here to inspire collective actualization.

Whether through his own creative practice or through his creative mentorship, Elan Wayne Thunderfeet is driven to help the world thrive. Creativity has helped him to navigate the challenges of being human in a world that often feels increasingly inhumane. He seeks to use his experience and expression to support other to overcome the obstacles they face. With over a decade and a half of experience in hip hop and creative writing, and two years as a creative coach and teacher, Elan strives to explore and embody the impact that creativity can have.

The Prince of Opposites

Whether through his own creative practice or through his creative mentorship, Elan Wayne Thunderfeet is driven to help the world thrive. Creativity has helped him to navigate the challenges of being human in a world that often feels inhumane. He strives to use his experience and expression to support others to overcome the obstacles they face.

Writing

Elan Thunderfeet’s debut full-length novel is a story that will launch the Trashpunk genre. It is the evolution of cyberpunk while also providing contemporary reflections on the relationship between humanity, technology, and the environment.

Learn more at https://www.theprinceofopposites.com/

Elan's Facebook page

Elan on YouTube

@theprinceofopposites on Instagram

Music track is copyrighted, provided by the artist, and used with permission.

THIS EPISODE IS SPONSORED BY: MAGIC MIND, a matcha-based energy shot infused with nootropics and adaptogens designed to crush procrastination, brain fog & fatigue.

Take advantage of the special offer just for listeners at

www.magicmind.co/creativity

Promo code "Creativity20"

Copyright 2025 Mark Stinson

Mentioned in this episode:

THE ALAURA SHOW

Hey, it's Alaura Lovelight. And if you're enjoying "unlocking your world of creativity," make sure to check out my new show, "The Alaura Show" ... on Roku and Amazon Fire TV.

Alexandr Mashkov, MBicycle Software Development

 About the podcast: Unlocking Your World of Creativity

Unlocking Your World of Creativity is a podcast hosted by best-selling author and global brand innovator, Mark Stinson.

This is a podcast where diverse guests who share in common being creative professionals from all over the world. They talk about how they get inspired, how they organize their ideas and gain confidence to make the connections needed to launch their amazing work. 

Our guest: Alexandr Mashkov and the MBicycle team 

In today’s episode, we welcome our first guests from Belarus, the MBicycle Team. 

First, we have Vlada who is the business development manager, she is in charge of reaching out to potential and current clients. She is the first person you can talk to get introduced into the MBicycle world. 

Then, we have Alex who is the manager of the company and his role focuses on software development. He has worked with Vada for over 11 years and as far as their agencies are concerned, they work creating custom software development in such domains as sports, health, wellness, health tech, and fintech are some of the most common cases they concentrate on. They usually work with startup companies because that gives them an opportunity to feel the fresh air of new ideas that are innovative for any market. 

Alex has spent 25 years living in various parts of Eastern Europe and he started a number of companies and one of those businesses he has was located in Belarus. There he got to know a number of people in the engineering and software development technology fields. While his markets may seem quite separate from each other, from a technical perspective they’re similar. So their most successful case studies are connected to a sports application because they’ve done numerous apps for basketball for players, coaches and fans. 

Up next, Mike works more in the business and finance part of the company. He spoke about how from a competitive standpoint a dynamic market such as Belarus found more expertise in engineering manufacturing. There were a lot of top-rate scientific institutes of technology and technical universities. So the cost structure of a company such as Mbicycle can provide superior services at a much lower cost. That gives them an amazing competitive advantage. 

About potential new customers

Vlada talks about what are some of the differences in what potential new clients are looking for. She says it depends mostly as some people just want the company as a support to their current team. Others just had a general idea and they were looking for a team to help them create something new. To make their ideas into something real and measurable by taking their ideas and concepts and bringing them to life. 

On team organization 

After working for 11 years, they have developed a very good delivery model. They cover the full cycle of delivery. They will propose to start with a discovery stage so the potential client can...

Nicholas Ind is a Professor at Kristiania University College in Oslo, Norway. He is also a Visiting Professor at ESADE, Barcelona and Edinburgh Napier University. He was a founder member of the Medinge Group – an international branding think tank.

In this interview, Nicholas also draws upon his international experience as a consultant for organizations in FMCG, arts and culture, nonprofit, finance and fashion. He has worked on projects for adidas, Telia, Mexx, British Council, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Unilever, The Economist Group, Wallenius Wilhelmsen, Telenor, The Swedish National Theatre, VSO, and Unicef.

Nicholas is the author of thirteen books including The Corporate Image (1990/1992) – selected as a business book of the year; Terence Conran – The Authorised Biography (1995); The Corporate Brand (1997); Inspiration (2004), Living the Brand (2001/2004/2007), Branding Governance (2007), Meaning at Work (2011) and Brand Together (2012), Brand Desire (2016) and Co-creating Brands (2019). He is also the editor of Beyond Branding (2003), Brands with a Conscience (2016) and Branding Inside Out (2017).

Nicholas has a BA degree in English Literature and History, an MBA and a PhD from the European Graduate School. He is a former Director of the Design Business Association, a member of the advisory board of Corporate Reputation Review, the editorial board of the Journal of Brand Management and is the European Editor of European Business Review. 

Learn more about him at http://nicholasind.com/

Connect with him at https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicholas-ind-a90ba23/

Michael Facchinello + Artists of Altamira Gallery

Michael 's Website

Michael Facchinello is the Founder & CEO of Altamira. Altamira is a platform serving contemporary artists from around the world, empowering them to make a living and fostering community between artists, critics, collectors, and fans. It brings artists, fans, and critics together in a space without gatekeepers and pretension. Before starting Altamira, Michael launched, managed and grew 2 offices for a top national design firm working with folks like Red Rocks Amphitheater, Denver Public Art, SendGrid, and Jake Knapp (the creator of the design sprint).

Also, we featured a panel of artists who are on the Altramira gallery platform:

Gina Werfel - Gina is an Abstract artist whose work is vibrant and emotive while still clearly defined. Her training includes Columbia University (MFA), New York Studio School (Certificate) and Hamilton College (BA). She was a Professor of Art at the University of California Davis.  A few of my favorite works by Gina:

• Wave
• Intersection 

Bruce Dean - Bruce is a striking and emotive painting focused on figurative surrealist work. Over the course of his 40-year career, his work has evolved almost as much as it has been featured. He has participated in numerous museum shows and featured in multiple magazines and in the press.  A few of my favorite works by Bruce:

• Intersection
• Dancing Cranes
• Moire

Marlene Llanes - Marlene Llanes is a surrealist artist who paints intriguing images that evoke a sense of peace. By creating unusual combinations of everyday objects with natural elements, Marlene’s works take the viewer to a grounded fantasy. Marlene graduated as a graphic designer from Universidad Vasco de Quiroga in Morelia, Mexico. In 1998 Marlene was awarded a Fulbright Scholarship to study in the USA. She earned a master's degree in Fine Arts at the Savannah College of Art and Design.   A few of my favorite works by Marlene:

• In the Comfort of my Island
• Infinite Rollercoaster Fun

Theresa Destrebecq https://www.linkedin.com/in/theresadestrebecq/

Theresa 's Website

After spending over a decade in traditional education and education leadership, and another decade coaching individuals, Theresa Destrebecq now combines the two to create, lead, and facilitate book-centered learning communities. Her company, Emerge Book Circles, focuses on supporting organizations and individual leaders to move beyond consuming ideas. Instead, she supports them to read deeper, build stronger connections with themselves and others, and then to create new ways of living, working, and leading from the ideas they first read. She believes we can all be theorists, but not all of us will be practitioners. When she isn't kickstarting conversations, you can find her swallowed up in a good book (obviously), exploring the woods behind her house, playing board games with her kids, in some awkward pose on her yoga mat, or behind the stove cooking something yummy. She loves to laugh until her stomach hurts, and prefers to be around people who can make her laugh that hard.

Christian Banach, Agency Growth Strategies

About the podcast: Unlocking Your World of Creativity

Unlocking Your World of Creativity is a podcast hosted by best-selling author and global brand innovator, Mark Stinson.

This is a podcast where diverse guests who share in common being creative professionals from all over the world. They talk about they get inspired, how they organize their ideas and gain confidence to make the connections needed to launch their amazing work. 

Our guest: Christian Banach

Christian Banach is an agency owner, sales team leader, and new business director. He has a passion for helping agency leaders to be empowered and approach their future with greater confidence. 

Christian’s consulting clients range from Reebok to TD Bank among other multinational level businesses. He believes that regardless of the size of the agency it is possible to do something that unique and different than others. And that’s how he gets clients, by offering unique solutions to the specific problems they may have. It is difficult to be good at everything, but when you specialize in a certain area, you will get bigger companies to seek you out. 

His approach to helping them figure out their “one big thing”

When getting clients through word of mouth you may not have a good idea of what type of business they are or what type of client they may be. This creates a situation were they’ve done a lot of different things. So when they get their foot in the door with a client they may have a situation difficult to approach. What an agency does it that it comes up with creative solutions by examining the clients and the problems they come with. They look for commonalities, buckets of work they’ve done, certain types of consumers and targets, and some common themes. 

They take those themes and then they find companies that have the same type of theme and engage them in a development stage where they are finally able to reach solutions and find their unique “big thing” to stand out in the market. 

How he got there

Christian came to the industry almost by accident. He started by working on concert promotions to pay his way through college. He got to work with Grammy Award-winning artists such as Lady Gaga, Pitbull and T-Pain. Along the way, he was approached by an experimental marketing agency that was looking for some help with more street-type activation strategies. For Christian, it was a very natural transition from doing concert promotions and working with sponsors into that experiential marketing. 

Lessons learned along the way

Along the way, when the 2008 recession hit, Christian learned the hard way that promoting his agency through just word of mouth was not enough. He ended up having to hire consultants who provided him with an immense amount of valuable insight. While this help came a little late and Christian had to close his business, he was inspired to go into business and business development a few years later. 

This made him learn that even when times are good, you still need to focus on having a predictable pipeline, price sales process, and word of mouth referral as a bonus only. 

What the future holds for Christian

Christian really enjoys art and has found himself increasingly trying to explore other creative avenues for himself. He is considering turning the Monday motivation newsletter into a book and be able to not only give some valuable insight to others but especially to his daughter. 

Find more about Christian by going to his website www.christianbanach.com and learn more about his agency and what they can do for you.

Don’t forget to tune in for our next guests who

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...

Mark Graban is an internationally-recognized consultant, published author, professional speaker, and blogger. He builds upon a deep education in engineering and management with practical experience working with executives and frontline employees in multiple industries to synthesize and practice methods including Lean management, continuous improvement, statistical methods, and people-centered leadership approaches.

In this episode, I talked with Mark about:

• His favorite mistake (turning the tables to ask him the question he asks guests on his podcast
• Impact of measurement on creativity, including measuring what really matters
• His creative process of writing books and articles (tip: collaboration tools for editors and beta readers)
• What's next for him.
• Lessons from international travel

Mark’s motivation is to humbly help others learn how to improve and sustain performance. In his healthcare work, this means improving the quality of care and patient safety, while also reducing cost and improving the workplace experience. Across multiple sectors, goals also include improving the customer (or patient) experience, to help the development of leaders and employees, and to build stronger, more adaptive organizations for the long term.

He has learned, practiced, and taught these methodologies in settings including manufacturing, healthcare, and technology startups. Working independently since 2010, and in partnership with other consulting groups, Mark enjoys working with organizations that are looking for better ways to improve, with leaders who are willing to lead that charge.

Mark also consults part time as a Senior Advisor for healthcare clients with the firm Value Capture. He is also a Senior Advisor to the technology and software company KaiNexus.

Books and Publications

His latest book is Measures of Success: React Less, Lead Better, Improve More, a management book about using simple, yet practical statistical methods that help leaders at all levels overreact less to their metrics, which frees up time for real, focused, sustainable improvement.

Mark is also the author of the book Lean Hospitals: Improving Quality, Patient Safety, and Employee Engagement (Productivity Press), which was selected for a 2009 Shingo Research and Professional Publication Award, the first healthcare book to win this award. The book has been translated into eight languages.

Mark has also co-authored a second book, titled Healthcare Kaizen: Engaging Front-Line Staff in Sustainable Continuous Improvements, also a Shingo Research

For marketers, creating a powerful connection with consumers is key — and audio plays an important role in that connection.

Audio branding and radio expert Paul Suchman has dedicated his career to honing audio into the perfect tool of engagement for brands large and small. We recently had the chance to sit down with Paul to discuss what it takes to create powerful audio brand experiences, as well as how you can get started leveraging sound in your own marketing efforts.

Audacy is a production company specializing in creating narrative audio content for brands, agencies, and networks. "We're always looking for new ways to push the boundaries of storytelling through sound," Paul says. "It's really exciting because there are so many different components that go into producing great audio – sound design, music composition, voice direction – all of these things come together to make something special. But I think the most important thing is finding a way to tell a story that resonates with listeners. That's the key to success."

It's truly an art form, and there are endless possibilities that come with creating audio content. You never know what kind of stories you're going to uncover and how they'll be received by your audience. That's what makes it so exciting!

"At Audacy we pride ourselves on having some of the best producers in the industry – people who understand how important storytelling is and know how to craft something special out of their work. Our team works hard to ensure that the audio content we create accurately reflects our brand and its values," Paul says.

Since Audacy rebranded from Entercom, the team has been working diligently to uphold the mission behind it. "We've worked on creating memorable audio content that resonates with our audience and is in line with our brand identity. We want people to feel like they're connected to us, whether through a podcast or a radio show, and recognize the work that goes into making this content," Paul described. "We are continuously pushing ourselves to create something new and innovative while staying true to who Audacy is as a company – a conglomeration of many different audio brands coming together under one roof. It's an ongoing process, but we believe it's the best way to keep our partners and advertisers engaged and looking forward to what comes next. We strive to maintain a level of transparency when it comes to how we are creating, distributing, and marketing our content so that everyone involved has an understanding of where their investments are going."

"We also want to make sure that our team is supported in any way possible – with the right tools, resources, guidance, etc. Our goal is for everyone who interacts with Audacy's brand experience to feel good about what they're getting out of it so that they keep coming back again and again. We believe this is how businesses can not only survive but thrive in today's competitive audio landscape," Paul says.

To accomplish this, Paul says they focus on creating a comprehensive experience from the moment our partners decide to advertise with us. Audacy offers detailed insights into our listener base and track their engagement with our content so that they have an accurate understanding of how their campaigns are performing.

We also strive to provide regular updates throughout the entire process – from initial strategy meetings before the campaign even launches, to analyzing metrics after it is completed – in order to give everyone involved a clear picture of what has been achieved and where there is still room for improvement.

At Audacy, we understand that brand experience matters and are committed to delivering unparalleled support and service to...

Today we are combining our storytelling and our creativity to promote social good to overcome some of the issues and challenges we face in our world today. And that's the focus of the creativity of our next guest. Aalia Lanius. 

She is a multiple Award-Winning Novelist, Award-Nominated Executive Producer & Podcast host. As founder of Unsugarcoated Media, a 501(c)(3) social enterprise, she is passionate about using her leadership skills to build a unique media company that focuses solely on projects in media geared at social impact through storytelling. Aalia is also the Producer and host of "Unsugarcoated with Aalia", a social good-centered podcast. The show was nominated for Best Use of Podcast for Social Good in 2020. A powerful advocate for survivors of trauma and mental health education.

She believes as creatives, we have an immense gift that comes with accountability and we have to use it to create a positive social impact in everything. She only chooses to speak on social issues unsugarcoated. Hence the name of her company.  In our chat, she tells us that the most important part of what  Unsugarcoated Media does is provide a place where other creatives can come and collaborate with them, knowing that the goal is social impact.

According to Aalia, “What's the message?” is the first and most important question a creative needs to ask themselves if their goal is social impact through their work. She also enlightens us that If you wanted to have a social message, as an artist, you have to show up to those spaces and say, “This is important to me. This is what I want to happen and if I don't see it, then I'm gonna start creating a wave myself.”

She has experienced so much turmoil. From homelessness to the trauma of domestic abuse, and the cancer fight. And yet there's resilience. Through that, she was able to write a book that has helped so many people who are in those particular situations. Once again she gives us a lesson through it all. She teaches us that that is what influence really is. When you empower the right people to see their own brilliance, and to see their own capacity, and potentially even see a life past trauma.

We need to learn and take away from the experiences that life throws at us how we can learn to be better. It's about understanding that, you wanna grow and that you wanna upgrade your belief systems. You have to yearn to understand yourself better so that you can be more powerful.  So that you can be more concerted on whatever the effort is you're trying to do as navigate the journey life has set before you, and maintain your high creative energy.

In conclusion, she reminds us that there is only trying so long as you learn to fail forward. And that is part of the creative process. And learning about yourself is the most powerful thing and then keep growing. And only look back to see how far you've come. And recognize that that is your big thing. Even though sometimes it may take so long to see, there's always hope. And the hope is you.

To get more on her amazing work: unsugarcoatedmedia.com

Instagram: aalia_unsugarcoated

Aalia Lanius

Aalia's Website

Aalia Lanius is an International Multiple-Award Winning Novelist, Executive Producer and host of the award-nominated globally top-rated social good podcast, UNSUGARCOATED with Aalia. As founder of UNSUGARCOATED Media, a 501(c)(3) media social enterprise, Lanius is creating social...

Welcome back to "YOUR WORLD OF CREATIVITY"! Today, we're exploring the vibrant landscape of creativity in the San Francisco Bay area with our special guest, screenwriter, filmmaker, and producer, Jayson Johnson. Join us as we delve into Jayson's multi-faceted creative journey and discover the secrets behind his signature style.

Jayson's Website

Jayson on YouTube

Highlights:

- Jayson's diverse portfolio showcases a range of styles, from moody club scenes to outdoor landscapes, reflecting his eclectic creative vision.

- His experiences growing up in Chicagoland and exploring the diverse environments of San Francisco have shaped his preference for varied experiences and aesthetics.

- Despite working on notable projects for networks like Discovery, ABC, and Netflix, Jayson remains committed to telling compelling stories that resonate with audiences.

- He emphasizes the importance of collaboration in the creative process, valuing the input of fellow filmmakers and artists.

- Jayson's journey from an entry-level job at Francis Ford Coppola's winery to founding Strike Five Films is a testament to the power of perseverance and seizing unexpected opportunities.

Key Quote from Jayson: "I want to be a filmmaker of the people, for the people. I would love to have your support. Love to earn your support."

Tune in to gain insights into the practical aspects of bringing your creative vision to life and unlocking your full potential in the world of creativity. Until next time, keep creating!

In this episode, Mark talks with Gene S. Jones about his compelling new book Younger and Wiser.

This is a book that travels beyond traditional formats to explore the full spectrum of human emotions and experiences. Utilizing pithy vignettes anchored by clever backstories, Younger and Wiser relates the eclectic saga of the author’s fascinating personal odyssey. The result is a mind-expanding reading adventure that expresses heartfelt emotions and life lessons while demonstrating a deep appreciation for humanity’s ability to improve itself.

Featuring intimate storytelling and witty humor interspersed with profound wisdom, Younger and Wiser delivers bite-sized nuggets of invaluable insights for readers of all ages. (Listen midway through the interview for Gene to read one of the poems, Writer's Block.)

Nationally acclaimed game show host Gene Jones has spent his life entertaining and inspiring other to achieve creative excellence. From seminars on innovation to more than thirty-five years of professional speech writing, the breadth of Jones’s extraordinary career in the world of entertainment spans more than four decades.

Jones has also enjoyed notable success as a professional juggler, fire-eater, magician, producer, director, radio personality, arts administrator, and television sports commentator in addition to serving as Associate Editor of the Guinness Book of World Records. During that span of time, Jones often appeared on national television shows as the official Guinness Book of World Records spokesperson and world record judge.

As a result of his work with the Guinness Book of World Records, Jones created the ingenious GIMME A HINT!® Trivia Game Show. Touring nationwide, he has performed this comedic theatrical game show more than twenty-five hundred times in the past three decades. In addition to hosting game shows, Jones frequently teaches his three signature seminars: The Nine Pillars of Creativity, The Art of Presentation, and The Art of Breakthrough Thinking. For major events and special occasions, Jones often writes customized speeches for his numerous long-time corporate and private clients.

Jones’s most eclectic pursuit is in the field of Sound Healing. Utilizing Tibetan bowls, crystal bowls, tuning forks and exotic musical instruments, Jones has developed a sophisticated transformational sonic protocol. This unique program creates an exhilarating experience for individual clients as well as larger group meditations. In addition to leading transformational sound workshops, Jones is also a recipient of the Friendship Award from the United Nations for his concert performances with crystal bowls.

Throughout his career Jones has written in a variety of genres ranging from radio commercials to murder mysteries. His unique backstory format in Younger and Wiser bridges the gap between literary memoir and free-form prose forming a powerful synthesis that is intimate and insightful.

Penned over the course of Jones’s extensive career, often in exotic locations around the world, the poems of Younger and Wiser were collected in a leather briefcase that became their home for decades before being dusted off and distilled into passionate reflections brimming with wisdom and humor.

Learn more about Gene and the book at dreamquestpublishing.com

Connect with him at linkedin.com/in/genejonestrivia

Capt. Travis Rosbach has spent the last thirty years studying his entrepreneurial skills.

Throughout the previous ten years, Mr. Rosbach has been proud to introduce sourcing, advising, consulting, public speaking, and business coaching to his expertise. His clients include a wide range of industries, celebrities, individuals, and even countries.

He not only shares his tradecraft with others but also practices it in the many startups in which he is currently involved through his Tumalo Group

Esther Weinberg

Esther's Website

Esther Weinberg is a business growth accelerator that equips executives in high-growth industries to create big pivots, big impact and big returns. As Founder & Chief Leadership Development Officer of The Ready Zone, she powerfully fast tracks an organization’s progress by focusing on The Ready Zone’s six Zone Performance Indicators (ZPIs), that are paramount to profitable growth. Esther’s innovative strategies have assisted clients to grow, scale and thrive in the worst and best of times including Netflix, Microsoft, Warner Bros. Discovery, CNN, Adobe, Disney and IMAX. Esther is a member of the Forbes Coaches Council and a contributor to Forbes.

@esther_weinberg on Instagram

Esther's Facebook page

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/estherweinberg/

In this episode, we travel to Portugal to chat with José Vieira, the owner of Viarco Pencil Co. José shares his perspective on the pencil as a tool for creativity and how his family business, which dates back to 1907, has embraced innovation and collaboration to survive in a competitive market.

José discusses the challenges faced by his company in the wake of Portugal's revolution in the 1970s, which led to a loss of competitiveness against larger brands. However, instead of giving up, José and his wife decided to buy the company in 2011 and pursue a different approach. They recognized the heritage and value of their business, and saw an opportunity to create a space for artists to experiment and collaborate.

Located in the town of São João da Madeira, known for its labor and textile industries, Viarco Pencil Co. benefits from its close proximity to various craftsmen and access to both traditional craftsmanship and modern technology. José describes their factory, a building with a rich history that houses their production line and even an area dedicated to artistic residencies. This space allows artists from the local community and beyond to freely explore their creativity without any obligations or restrictions.

José emphasizes the importance of learning from artists and users of their products to better understand the needs and potential applications of their pencils. By fostering a community of experimentation, Viarco Pencil Co. has gained valuable insights and expanded their knowledge about the diverse possibilities of pencil manufacturing.

Throughout the episode, José highlights the significance of combining ideas and embracing creativity to drive innovation. He shares his vision of the future, where Viarco Pencil Co. continues to preserve its heritage while adapting to new technologies and exploring collaborations with artists, companies, museums, and other manufacturers.

Elizabeth Winkler, a renowned journalist and book critic, joins us from Washington, DC to discuss her latest book, "Shakespeare Was a Woman and Other Heresies: How Doubting the Bard Became the Biggest Taboo in Literature."

This thrillingly provocative investigation delves into the Shakespeare authorship question and explores why questioning the identity of the god of English literature has become unacceptable and even considered immoral.

In her book, Winkler taps into the approach of "heresies" to make her research and writing more engaging. She highlights how the theory that Shakespeare may not have written his plays is an unspeakable subject in the history of English literature. Scholars acknowledge the lack of concrete information about the Bard's biography, yet publicly questioning his authorship is deemed blasphemous. Winkler sheds light on the forces of nationalism, empire, religion, mythmaking, gender, and class that have shaped our admiration for Shakespeare over the centuries.

Drawing on the insights of writers and thinkers like Walt Whitman, Sigmund Freud, and Supreme Court justices, Winkler explores the potential identities of the true author hiding behind Shakespeare's name. Could it be a forgotten woman, a disgraced aristocrat, or even a government spy? The plays themselves, with their themes of mistaken identities and concealed truths, add an intriguing layer to the mystery.

As Winkler interviews scholars and skeptics, she also delves into the larger issue of historical truth and how human imperfections shape our understanding of the past. She emphasizes that history is a story, and the narrative we construct depends on the story we seek. By examining stories like the 1964 case of Miss Evelyn May Hopkins, who left a third of her inheritance to the Francis Bacon Society to find the original manuscripts of Shakespeare's plays, Winkler explores the deep-rooted beliefs and biases that influence our perception of history.

Throughout our interview, Winkler shares her inspiration and how it can benefit other writers. She discusses specific tools, exercises, and formulas she used to organize her ideas, such as the captivating story of Miss Evelyn May Hopkins and her connection to the Bacon-Shakespeare manuscripts.

Furthermore, Winkler reflects on how she has made connections and created opportunities to produce and promote her creative work. Her relentless pursuit of the Shakespeare authorship question and her ability to engage with scholars and skeptics have propelled her career as a journalist and literary critic.

Our thanks to Simon & Schuster for supporting this podcast episode.

Elizabeth's Website

@elizabethlaurenw on Instagram

Copyright 2025 Mark Stinson

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.

Welcome back to *Your World of Creativity*, where we dive into the minds of fascinating creatives. Today, we explore the journey of Costas Schuler, founder of Envisionary Design.

costas's Website

**Highlights:**

- **Creative Triumphs:** Costas shares his unique blend of humor and deep insights that have fueled his decades-long career in design.

- **Intuition in Creativity:** Embracing a childlike state allows for intuitive and innovative thinking, leading to effortless creativity.

- **Fractional Creative Direction:** Costas introduces the concept of a fractional creative director, blending a subscription model with high-quality, personalized design services.

- **The Power of Truth:** Through his involvement in the Warrior Week community, Costas emphasizes the importance of truth-telling for personal growth and creativity.

- **Gratitude and Ego:** Costas highlights the role of gratitude in maintaining a fresh perspective and overcoming creative obstacles, cautioning against the pitfalls of ego-driven behavior.

Pull-Out Quote:

"The simplest thing I've discovered is the ego. When the ego gets in the way, things go badly. When it becomes about you and you're blaming other people, you're in for a world of hurt." - Costas Schuler

Thank you for joining us on this enlightening journey with Costas Schuler. Be sure to check out Envisionary Design and stay tuned for more captivating conversations on *Your World of Creativity*.

In today’s episode, we chat with Nikki Nash, an author of the book - Market Your Genius

Nikki is an International Speaker, Podcast Host, Storytelling Expert, Marketing Mentor, and Consultant helping you get known and paid as a go-to industry expert.

If you're one of those people that needs encouragement, inspiration and support to get your ideas up and out of the world, then Nikki Nash is the expert to go to.

Nikki says that you are your own marketing tool because of the knowledge you have in you. When you're able to put your knowledge and expertise into something, you're essentially sharing with others. That’s how to position yourself as an expert. Why you're so magic and, showing them that, you know, a lot about a topic. And it's one of many ways that you can position yourself as an expert.

Here, Nikki shares with us the process of how getting her book developed and published. She says by putting her focused thoughts and all her efforts into getting what she wanted to accomplish and ensuring all her actions were focused towards achieving this goal, she got her book published specifically by Hay House.  So really putting in the time and dedicating and getting laser-focused on something is really how it happened. Thanks to her taking Brendon Burchard's high-performance course. 

Nikki tells us despite having written a marketing book, where thousands of those already exist, the trick is to wrap it into something different.

Although as an author your name is what appears on the cover, there is a lot of supporting collaborators, working in the wings. These collaborators, enabled her to:  Have the accountability and real-talk pressure needed to actually produce. So instead of blaming herself for being a procrastinator, she decided to use procrastination to her advantage. 

Having collaborators gave her the confidence and invaluable  feedback

Nikki gives us tips which are a lot like dating tips, on how we can attract and get to actually work with your dream clients such as being crystal clear on how you’d like your business relationship to look like, what kind of work you’ll be working on, and what their belief systems are. 

In addition, she shares strategies of marketing including the OPP strategy which focuses on the three main ways that people get in front of their audience. These are:

1. Making organic content
2. Paying for your content
3. Partnerships 

Nikki’s parting shot is ... If you are intentional and focused, you have the ability to put yourself in a place where you can make those partnership connections and be a part of new communities. 

Nikki’s Website: https://nikkinash.co/

Nikki’s LinkedIn: Nikki Nash

Nikki’s freebies: Freebies

Brendon Burchard website: Brendon Burchard

Tom Vaughan has been writing professionally for nearly thirty years. He studied at the University of Houston with Broadway legend Jose Quintero and three-time Pulitzer Prize winner Edward Albee. It was his work as a writer and director in Houston theatre that got him recognized by Hollywood.

WINCHESTER, the film he co-wrote starring Helen Mirren and Jason Clarke, about the infamous Winchester Mystery House, opened nationwide in 2018. His eighth film, THE QUEEN MARY will release in August 2023 and DADDY'S GIRL for XYZ Films will shoot later this year (WGA strike willing.) Tom recently set up MOST WANTED at Miramax with director Ruben Fleischer (ZOMBIELAND, VENOM) attached.

He teaches privately at storyandplot.com and is currently the screenwriting instructor at his beloved alma mater, The University of Houston.

Tom created a link just for our listeners, with a 10% discount

https://storyandplot.com/creativity/

Here are six questions we asked Tom Vaughan, focusing on creativity, screenwriting, and his experiences in the film industry:

1. Can you share with us how your background as an actor and improviser has influenced your approach to screenwriting? How does your experience in theater contribute to your creative process in writing for the screen?

2. You've had the opportunity to work with renowned actors and directors throughout your career. How does collaboration play a role in fueling creativity and bringing out the best in a screenplay?

3. From writing for television networks like ABC and NBC to major film studios like Warner Brothers and Disney, you've had an impressive range of projects. How do you adapt your creative storytelling to different platforms and audiences?

4. The film industry is constantly evolving, with new trends and technologies shaping storytelling. How do you stay creatively inspired and relevant in such a dynamic environment?

5. Your film "Winchester" brought to life the mysterious Winchester Mystery House, and "Queen Mary" explores the famously haunted cruise liner. How do you approach writing stories based on real-life events while maintaining a balance between creative freedom and historical accuracy?

6. As a seasoned screenwriting teacher, what advice would you give aspiring writers looking to tap into their creativity and make their mark in the industry?

Tom's Website

Tom on YouTube

@storyandplotclasses on Instagram

Tom's Facebook page

Copyright 2025 Mark Stinson

Thanks to the folks at HEADFONE for their support. On HEADFONE, you can listen to Premium Audio dramas - like Romance, Thriller, and Horror.

For a 10% discount, use coupon code - MARKCREATIVITY10

Go to - https://headfone.page.link/MARKCREATIVITY10

Welcome back, listeners, to "Your World of Creativity", where we explore the journeys and insights of creative practitioners worldwide. Today, I'm honored to have Dr. Esther Sternberg as our guest, exploring the intersection of integrative medicine and workplace well-being.

Dr. Sternberg's book, *Well at Work: Creating Wellbeing in Any Workspace*, offers a comprehensive exploration of integrative health principles applied to the workplace, blending storytelling with scientific evidence to engage readers in a transformative journey.

Listen in the episode as she reads from a chapter in the book.

Key Points from the Episode:

- Dr. Sternberg's journey from rheumatology to research, emphasizing the impact of stress on health and well-being.

- The pivotal role of workplace design in influencing stress levels and overall well-being, illustrated through studies with the General Services Administration.

- The evolution of workplace dynamics post-COVID, highlighting the importance of community and collaboration.

- The concept of an "ecosystem of work" and the need for balance between in-person and remote work.

- Dr. Sternberg's approach to collaborative research, emphasizing multidisciplinary teams and shared insights.

Key Quote:

"The greatest source of creativity is at the interface between different disciplines."

For more insights from Dr. Sternberg and to dive deeper into the discussion, check out the full episode on Your World of Creativity podcast. Don't forget to subscribe for future episodes and unlock the potential of your creativity journey!

Today I'm so lucky to have Maureen Falvey as my guest!

She is a marketing powerhouse, with wide-ranging experience in advertising agencies like Saatchi & Saatchi, and Grey. We were just having a chat about how we might miss those midnight flights from California - but you can't help reminiscing on all that creative energy swirling around us at exciting moments of big launches or strategic brand planning sessions. It's such an honor for me to be talking with this astute ad expert today; let's see what she has in store for us!

Coaching and mentorship in professional fields like advertising can be a huge asset for any individual’s success. But why do even the most seasoned pros need one? Maureen shares her insight here, explaining that we often rely too heavily on our habits when it comes to achieving goals - both good and bad ones! Having an external figure hold us accountable allows us to break out of those patterns and stay focused on what truly matters. It's clear how having someone keeping you motivated along the way is such a critical part of growth- no matter where you are with your career journey.

Mark reflected, “As a long-time industry veteran in advertising, it took me 10 years before I even knew the concept of mentoring. Sadly, this is an environment that often rewards cutthroat competition and short-term wins rather than fostering growth for its professionals. So when did we see a shift to investing more energy into cultivating talent?”

Maureen shared, “Well as experienced by many others like myself, this transition began when people started to leave their positions - prompting us to ask ‘what should we be doing differently?’. From there my journey as a mentor truly blossomed; allowing me now use my expertise gained from decades of playing the game of advertising & marketing talent acquisition.

Many advertising professionals are now looking to develop their leadership and managerial style, beyond individual contribution. It's important for these individuals to not only look after themselves but also extend that care to others in order to create a strong followership. While many people think they're self-aware, the reality is usually far from it - 10% or 15 % of them actually demonstrate this quality due to its complexity. This is where coaching and training come into play as an essential part of professional development.

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to work with a coach?

Exploring the tools and techniques that can reprogram your approach is something many strive for. As an expert, I'm here to offer one of those tools - coaching yourself! With this powerful tool in mind, my wish for everyone is empowerment; harnessing our inner accountability partners so we may reach peak performance levels. At Strong Training & Coaching Inc., not only do coaches receive top-notch Harvard Business Review training but produce results efficiently as well.

Have you ever felt like the obstacles in your way are just too intense to overcome?

Well, we could all agree that there isn't enough time for everything. But what if instead of focusing on why something can't be done, we tried creating contingency plans and dialing down those intimidating challenges? That's where a coach comes into play! Unlike mentors who tell us how things should go and provide answers from their own experiences; coaches ask questions that build our confidence as they guide us toward finding solutions ourselves. They may even offer suggestions based upon years of insight - but ultimately it is up to each individual person’s inner knowledge that will lead the way forward.

Today on the show, we've been talking with Maureen Falvey from

Alex Pappademas and Joan LeMay, "Quantum Criminals": Exploring Steely Dan Characters and Artistic Collaboration

In this episode of "Unlocking Your World of Creativity," host Mark Stinson delves into the fascinating world of storytelling, art, music, and character development with author Alex Pappademas and artist Joan LeMay, the creative duo behind the book "Quantum Criminals: Ramblers Wild Gamblers. Another Soul Survivors from the Songs of Steely Dan." The book explores the rich tapestry of characters found within the songs of the legendary band Steely Dan.

The conversation begins with Alex discussing the genesis of the book and how Joan's idea to base it around characters transformed the project. Their collaboration, guided by a massive spreadsheet of 160 characters created by Joan, allowed them to explore the extensive catalog of Steely Dan's characters and bring them to life in a unique way. Alex highlights how the character-based approach enhanced the writing process, adding depth and humanity to their portrayal of the band's history.

Joan discusses her artistic process and how her lifelong fandom of Steely Dan influenced her visual interpretations of the characters. With a penchant for high chroma and psychedelic aesthetics, her vibrant paintings captured the essence of the colorful and sometimes enigmatic characters. The collaborative nature of the project brought a new dynamic to both Alex and Joan's creative processes, providing support, encouragement, and a fresh perspective.

The interview also delves into the research behind the characters and the extensive exploration undertaken by Alex. While the band members, Donald Fagen and Walter Becker, didn't provide much information about the characters, Alex's research led him down intriguing rabbit holes, uncovering fascinating connections and stories. He shares examples such as the inspiration behind "Kid Charlemagne" and the story of Sayoko Yamaguchi, the model featured on the cover of Steely Dan's album "Asia."

Throughout the conversation, the evolution of Steely Dan's characters over time is explored, with Alex noting that the reunion albums allowed for a clearer understanding of the individual songwriting contributions of Fagen and Becker. The duo's sensibility shifts and a touch of sentimentality emerges in their later work, which can be heard in songs like "Shame About Me."

Highlight Quotes:

·      "I think that was what was exciting about it because I, this started out, I was going to write a Steely Dan book before Joan came into the picture. But the idea to base it around characters was an idea that Joan had." - Alex Pappademas

·      "Joan made a giant spreadsheet. At the beginning of this process that had 160 characters on it, which is like a Robert Altman level of character." - Alex Pappademas

·      "I prior to diving into this I've always painted in a very high chroma way. All of these are gush paintings that are 18 by 24 or nine by 12. And I I've always. I've always painted slightly psychedelic in, in terms of pallet. So it it was an easy, it was an easy application of that natural tendency here, for sure." - Joan LeMay

·      "So I when this project started to I had thought about I, I'd start, I had started. Making a fanzine called Danze, where I was going to depict every single named character in the entire Steely Dan universe." - Joan LeMay

·      "I think for years, Several friends and I who are Steely Dan fans have been like, oh, they're such a major dude. As a, as, just as a colloquial way to refer to somebody referring to the song,...

In today’s episode, we chat with Janet Attwood, a bestselling author with more than 20 books under her name. She is also a passion, fulfillment, and creative coach, a Transcendental Meditation teacher, and an Ayurveda believer.

Janet is the creator of the “Passion Test” -- which is both a test and book that helps you discover your true passion and really start living your life’s purpose. In addition, she has expanded the Passion Test to different areas of life including: Passion Test for kids & teens, and the Passion Test for business. 

She followed up with “Your Hidden Riches: Unleashing your power of rituals to create a life of meaning and purpose.”

Janet says the Passion Test enables individuals to realize that they're not just going through this world on automatic, but they can be able to tap into their genius and really use their creativity to bring out their gifts so that they can share them with the world. It helps you to become a manifestation magnet. 

In this conversation, Janet gives us a toolkit on how to be creative, what to do when you’re dealing with blockers of creativity and how to get rid of limiting beliefs about yourself so as to keep the passion alive and burning. Here is what works for her:

• The first is Transcendental meditation, where she uses rituals to enhance her life and refuel. This relies heavily on meditation. 
• The second is undoing her limiting belief- this is where she changes what she puts her mind to focus on while using positive words when talking to herself.
• The third is TheWork, based on a process developed by Katie Byron. This is a process of self-inquiry that allows you to access the wisdom that lives within you by asking yourself the “Four Questions and a Turnaround method”
• Fourth, Janet uses the Maro-Up process which she also wrote a book on. Here, Janet uses the 10 principles of Wahei Takeda, the Japanese Warren Buffet, who used the Maro-Up teachings of gratitude to make his fortune and live his life.
• Lastly, find a mentor.  A mentor who can untangle and undo the beliefs that you have about your inability to shine a light on your greatness and inspire transformation through love. 

In summary, through Janet's years of Meditation practice, developing the Passion Tests which have been used by millions of people and written bestsellers, Janet believes that in order to live a high level of creativity,  we must share our lovely gifts with the world, no matter what it is, because that's the path to happiness. 

Janets Website: The Passion Test

Maro-Up: Maro Up: The Secret to Success Begins with Arigato: Wisdom from the “Warren Buffet of Japan

Your hidden riches:

Earlier this year, I published Customer CHEMistry with principles of relationship-building and lessons learned from my experiences.

In this episode, I share highlights from an interview about the book that I did with Eric Cabral for Entrepreneurs Circle.

Thanks to you for being among the first listeners of our new podcast.

Connect with me on LinkedIn www.linkedin.com/in/stinsonmark

Follow me on Facebook www.facebook.com/markstinsonauthor

And visit my website at www.mark-stinson.com

(I host my podcast with Captivate, the world's only growth-oriented podcast host™ - you can too, and get your first 7-days on me! www.captivate.fm/signup )

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

Lee Tomlinson had a life many would have considered charmed. A successful world-trotting tennis pro, international businessman, marketing genius behind the American Film Institute's 10-year long 100 Greatest Movies CBS TV specials and multi-million-dollar fundraising campaign, major Hollywood film studio owner, loving husband, and near scratch golfer.

Until the world crashed down, and he was subsequently diagnosed with Stage III+ throat cancer, and subjected to months of life-threatening, debilitating chemo and radiation, and extreme pain--so extreme he could not eat or even swallow.

Towards the end of his grueling treatment, while hospitalized for a severe infection, a never-ending stream of insensitive, unkind acts totally lacking in compassion by the hospital staff, sent Lee into an abyss of emotional despair that made him choose suicide over life.

Fortunately, another doctor, a dear friend, stopped him by deeply apologizing on behalf of a healthcare system that had failed to provide him-and so many others, with even a hint of compassion. And with one simple suggestion--inspired Lee to use his gifts as a speaker, customer service expert and leader to restore compassion to healthcare--not only for patients, but also for all the overworked, under-supported, burned-out healthcare professionals who've literally lost the ability to provide the compassion that got them into medicine in the first place.

Lee's powerful crusade is documented in his new book Compassion Heals: From Self-Care to Healthcare. But there is a message here for more than healthcare professionals (HCPs). There's a message for all of us about the power of compassion to heal others' mental, emotional and physical pain - but to also love and heal ourselves - and in doing so, help heal the world at a critical time in our history.

Lee's book presents the evidence that compassion heals by sighting numerous scientific studies, books and resources. But the most telling statistic he cites is that more than 50% of Americans believe that healthcare and healthcare professionals totally lack compassion. Data shows that people die because of compassionless care, not just from medical errors.

 Compassionless healthcare has become more the norm over the past 25 years. Left unchecked, the future of healthcare is unthinkable.

And that's why Lee is driven to make a difference. He has taken to the stage as "Patient Lee" dressed in nothing but a hospital gown, and presented his mixture of humor, compassion, urgency, encouragement and call-to-action at more than 200 venues, including keynote presentations to Johns Hopkins Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering, UCLA Medical Center, Eli Lilly & Co., Providence Health & Services, David Geffen School of Medicine, Bristol Myers Squibb, Siemens Medical Imaging, City of Hope Cancer Center, Adventist Health, and national conferences for the Oncology Nurse Society (ONS), Academy of Oncology Nurses and Patient Navigators (AONN), Association of Integrated Health and Medicine (AIHM) and Hematology/Oncology Pharmacy Association (HOPA).

The problem, as Lee discovered when speaking with members of his audiences, is that HCPs are totally spent themselves, bereft of energy and emotional sustenance. More than 60 percent of them are suffering from burnout and, as such have zero compassion to give anyone because they're not given themselves enough to stay healthy and able to do so.

So much of Compassion Heals is a recipe for self-care. Ways that healthcare workers can step off the treadmill and restore themselves, so they can freely give from a well of wellbeing and compassion...

Meet today's guest, Amber Fuhriman. She is an attorney practicing immigration and criminal defense in Las Vegas, Nevada. And she is the founder and host of the More Than Corporate Podcast.

Amber says, "When I was growing up, I KNEW that I was going to be successful. I just didn’t KNOW that I got to decide what that meant to me! So, I pushed forward following the only idea of success I had ever known…. a college education and a good job. I’ve had a very blessed life, but it hasn’t been all sunshine and roses. I was convinced that when I got this “good job” based upon my hard work and college education that all my problems would disappear! I actually remember saying to my grandma somewhere around 2008 that one day I was going to make $100,000 in a year and all my problems would be gone…. Yup… I know how ridiculous that sounds now."

Connect with Amber at:

Amber@AmberFuhriman.com

morethancorporate.com 

https://www.facebook.com/groups/morethancorporate

Amber Fuhriman

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

Today we traveled to sunny L.A. to sit down with the Founder and Producer of Pink Poodle Productions, Marlene Sharp. Marlene has quite an impressive resume wearing many different hats in the Entertainment Industry. To name a few, Marlene has worked as a director and producer and an all-around key contributor in both iconic and niche franchises such as YO-KAI WATCH, SONIC THE HEDGEHOG, POWER RANGERS, PINK PANTHER, and POSTMAN PAT.

In this episode we some of the topics we talked with Marlene about are:

• The creative journey from growing up in New Orleans to working in the entertainment industry in Los Angeles.
• Her role as a mentor for autistic artists at The Center for Learning Unlimited, &
• The new film trilogy she’s working on, Young Captain Nemo.  

“I cannot lie and say that developing video game characters was my dream as a girl. It was not. I was interested in all different aspects of the entertainment industry, deal-making, writing, and producing, especially as it concerned me because there aren't as many roles for women.”

Marlene’s Creative Journey 

When Marlene got to Hollywood she fell into the video game-driven content business through her first temp job. She worked for a company called Bandi. The owner of the Bandi worked closely with Japan, which owned Power Rangers at the time. Her company was concerned with selling toys. 

Marlene talks a lot about the anime industry in this segment explaining that 99% of what kids entertainment business is about is first selling stuff, to sustain the business and this is mostly through consumer products. 

1. She would have to follow the development and then the production to make sure that the toys were being played within the correct play pattern to make kids want to buy them. imitating that role-playing in real life. 
2. A lot of the anime she received was very stream-of-consciousness storytelling. Which is not ideal for western audiences. They had to create a beginning, middle, and end.

“There was a lot, there was creativity in the sense that we had to disguise the fact that we were selling so much because it wasn't supposed to be just a commercial for, for toys, there needed to be storytelling.”

1. Marlene attended an all-girls school growing up in New Orleans. She went through what she explains as the hard knocks going through the “mean girl” experience. She feels this prepared her for the cutthroat industry in Hollywood. 
2. She felt a big change coming into Los Angeles from New Orleans with how people are very career conscious in L.A. She said she sees people buckle down and work insane hours and will make all kinds of sacrifices for their careers. 

Being a Mentor

Marlene mentors a special group of artists at a school called The Center for Learning Unlimited in Torrance, California. The school has an animation career training program for adults on the autism spectrum. She works with adults 18 and over. There’s a lot of diversity, age ranges, and backgrounds in the program.  

• Three-year certificate training program 
• When the students finish that program, they go into Brainstorm Productions, the companion studio. 
• The studio serves as a traditional studio that takes work for hire opportunities. 
• It's a bridge between the academic program and working at a big third-party studio.

Young Captain

In this episode, Mark interviews Dr. Paul J. Zak, a distinguished scientist and professor at Claremont Graduate University, known for his extensive research in the fields of creativity, neuroscience, and happiness. Dr. Zak's work has taken him from academia to entrepreneurship, and he's a four-time tech entrepreneur, TED speaker, and author of "Immersion: The Science of the Extraordinary and the Source of Happiness."

1. **The Journey to Understanding Happiness and Creativity:** Dr. Zak's journey began with a passion for helping people lead happier and healthier lives. His research aims to understand the science behind happiness and creativity, ultimately bringing academic findings to the real world.

2. **Immersion Neuroscience:** Dr. Zak founded Immersion Neuroscience, a software platform that measures real-time brain activity to determine what the brain loves. This platform has applications in entertainment, education, advertising, and monitoring emotional wellness.

3. **Narrative Structure Enhances Experiences:** Dr. Zak emphasizes the importance of a narrative structure in creating immersive experiences. By telling stories that engage and emotionally resonate with the audience, businesses can enhance customer experiences.

4. **Measuring and Enhancing Customer Experiences:** Dr. Zak's research highlights the importance of psychological safety, narrative, and passionate delivery in creating immersive customer experiences. Social interactions and connections play a vital role in this process.

5. **Predicting Hit Songs with Brain Science:** Dr. Zak's work extends to predicting hit songs using brain activity data. By understanding how the brain values music, his team achieved 97% accuracy in predicting hit songs three months in advance.

6. **Brain as Predictor:** The brain can serve as a predictor for market outcomes, and measuring brain activity from a moderate number of individuals can yield highly accurate predictions, simplifying the need for massive data collection.

In summary, Dr. Paul J. Zak's research demonstrates the powerful intersection of neuroscience, creativity, and happiness, offering insights into enhancing customer experiences and even predicting hit songs using brain science. This episode provides valuable insights for businesses and individuals seeking to tap into the science behind extraordinary experiences and emotional connections.

Paul's Website

www.getimmersion.com

Copyright 2025 Mark Stinson

Thanks to the folks at HEADFONE for their support. On HEADFONE, you can listen to Premium Audio dramas - like Romance, Thriller, and Horror.

For a 10% discount, use coupon code - MARKCREATIVITY10

Go to - https://headfone.page.link/MARKCREATIVITY10

In today’s episode, we chat with Marc Sellouk, an entrepreneur CEO changing the aviation industry by bringing an on-demand air taxi to the skies called Flewber to the world. 

Flewber connects travelers to hundreds of private aircraft throughout the Northwest region. They leverage their own aircraft along with a vast network of partner operators, to deliver on-demand, private and regional flights. 

Marc spent almost 20 years in the technology industry where he upon selling his company, made a good fortune from it.  His passion had always been to get into aviation as an aviator. but he needed to figure out how to take that passion and turn it into a business. 

Taping into the existing frustrations of frequent flyers, his passion met his entrepreneurial spirit. His journey in the past 4 years since he started Flewber, has included: First-year to identify the void and build that proof of concept. Second-year was about building revenue. Third-year was about putting those two together, putting it out in the marketplace, and getting customers to bite- to buy into the product.

Marc tells us a couple of things he has learned from being the CEO of a groundbreaking company such as Flewbers

• It's important to be able to pivot. As an entrepreneur, you have to be able to be dynamic enough to be able to shift, to acknowledge this isn't working and this is not going to be able to scale.
• Set your objectives by: Surrounding yourself with the right people, executing what you've laid out, and being confident in the product to actually put it out there
• Your sign that whatever product you have built will be a success is when you take that product and put it out in the marketplace and people bite, people are subscribing to try it out, people want to be involved in the initial try out, people are talking about it then you know your product will be a success.
• You have to be able to adapt to scale properly, there are two things Marc considers when scaling: People and how people affect the growth of the company, and systems, how systems play into effect that growth.  
• Team collaboration is very key in any companies growth.  You have to be able to bring on new people and delegate, take on suggestions, listen to people, listen to what they have to say. 

Flewber's focus moving forward into 2022 is customer-centric. Getting right customer experience, customer satisfaction, and customer service. Marc and his team are listening and making those changes and showing the consumers that we're listening to them. 

In addition, Marc and the Flewber team want to take this model and expand not only nationwide, but globally, across various markets.

Resources

Flewber Website: Flewber.com

Flewber on ios Flewber App

Flewber on play store Flewber App

Facebook  Flewber

Twitter FlewberAir

Exploring Musical Creativity: With Mark from Eagle Coffee and Bakery

Join us for a special episode recorded from Eagle Coffee and Bakery where host Mark Stinson merges his passions for podcasting and supporting local artists. Delve into the musical creative process, inspiration, and launching works into the world with insights from various singer-songwriters.

Featured Artists:

- Victoria Simmonds

- Stephen DiJoseph

- Nismah Osman

- Luanne Hunt

- Eleyet

Tune in for future episodes as we continue to explore creativity in various forms and uncover the stories behind talented individuals. Don't miss out on more inspiring conversations and discoveries on Your World of Creativity!

From Lieutenant Commander to CEO!

Nita Kasan's professional career has ranged from serving as a Lieutenant Commander in the United States Naval Reserve Nurse Corps to Chief Nursing Officer roles, and currently is the President and CEO of Innovative Excellence, LLC. Innovative Excellence supports the Consulting and Interim Leadership CANDIDATE needs of multiple organizations and clients.

Nita is also the Principal, Chief Nursing Officer, and VP of Recruitment for Nautilus Evolutions, LLC. She was previously the Vice President, Interim Leadership and Chief Nursing Officer for NHS Solutions, Inc. as well as the Chief Nursing Officer / VP of Interim Services for CTL Consulting and the Chief Nursing Officer for The College Network.

As a Master’s Prepared Registered Nurse, Nita has served in the United States Naval Reserve Nurse Corps, has represented Region II on the Board of Directors for the Florida Organization of Nurse Executives, and has supported the coaching/mentorship of Nursing Leaders nationwide.

Nita’s visionary approach and ability to lead, facilitate and shape organizational change, has greatly impacted the operations of multiple organizations, while championing the creation of innovative patient/family care-focused environments.

The facilitation of both internal and external recognition efforts has also resulted in the creation of centers of excellence for innovative nursing practice and professional development. 

Ketone Highlights:

Why being a happier, healthier version of yourself all starts with ditching dieting techniques that make you feel like a failure (and how to be your best - in a way that feels like self-care)

How to skip the Keto flu, so you can avoid the irritable stage of dieting and enjoy the benefits of an energy boost from day one.

The secret to improving your energy levels, sleep, and brain function, so you can lose body fat and keep it off (hint: it’s what NASA, Navy Divers, and Professional Athletes are doing…)

How Nita’s background as an executive in the Nursing industry guided her decision to go all-in with a consumer brand in the health industry.

https://www.legacyofexcellence.pro/keto4life

Lyndall Farley offers a very different "key" to unlocking your creativity: a sabbatical.

She says, "When we’re stuck in a rut it feels impossible to climb out. Motivation vanishes. I've been there. In fact, 85% of employees globally don’t enjoy their work. We resort to short term solutions to address the pain – a new job, a promotion, a few days off to escape – only to find that in no time, we’re back to where we started."

​This endless cycle comes at a huge cost to our health, our careers, and our organizations. Left unchecked, it can spiral to complete burnout. 

​In today's episode, Lyndall shares her expertise in going beyond just breaks. Pause. Reflect. Recharge.

​She helps people and organizations use the power of an intentional break to make the most of the sabbatical experience.

​Slow down. Recharge. Design the life you want to live.

Lyndall offers a Sabbatical Pitch Pack and other resources at --

https://www.beyondabreak.com/

Connect with her on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/lyndallfarley/

My guest is Mutita Panmook, a business operation strategist, host of GetUNSTUCK radio, and the CEO of Extraordinarily By Mutita

She helps service-based entrepreneurs and business owners around the world to systemize, automate, and delegate their business operations to get back at least 10 hours a week without sacrificing their lifestyle.

She believes that time is the number one commodity in the world that you can’t get back once it’s gone. Because of that, Mutita helps small business owners and entrepreneurs build and design efficient business that supports their lifestyle with the Get UNSTUCK Method.

Mutita’s mission is to help business owners and entrepreneurs getting unstuck from working in the hamster wheel. The goal is to reclaim their time to be with their families, do what they love with joy, or even travel the world, whenever they want, wherever they want, with whomever they want and letting their business work for them.

She is also a host of GetUNSTUCK Podcast that helps entrepreneurs get unstuck in their journey through the guest experts’ experiences. Mutita’s joy is when her clients keep making positive impact on the world and become unstuckable.

Connect at https://www.getunstuckmethod.com/resources/

Find her at https://www.linkedin.com/in/mutitapanmook/

"Stories are my art, and I'm enthusiastic about sharing them," says Erik Slangerup.

Erik is a children's book author, app maker, and storyteller.

"Plucked" is his debut middle grade novel, due for release Summer 2022 by Aladdin Books (Simon & Schuster). "Smacked" is the planned sequel to follow in 2023. Eric's previously published picture books include "Dirt Boy," "Monsterlicious," and "Santa and Me."

Erik is also co-creator of StorySnacker, the award-winning read-aloud app for parents on the go, available on the App Store. In 2019, it was ranked "Top 5 in the World for Family & Kids" by the Webby Awards. It features a library of snack-size stories, and has collected 8 international awards.

Keep track of Erik and his stories on Twitter at @erikslangerup

Thanks to you for being among the first listeners of our new podcast.

Connect with me on LinkedIn www.linkedin.com/in/stinsonmark

Follow me on Facebook www.facebook.com/markstinsonauthor

And visit my website at www.mark-stinson.com

(I host my podcast with Captivate, the world's only growth-oriented podcast host™ - you can too, and get your first 7-days on me! www.captivate.fm/signup )

Morry Zelcovitch 

The World's First And Only Brainwave Entrainment Engineer 

Morry says:

Quantum Brainwave Entrainment started when I was a child. I had many problems. I heard thousands of voices in my head, and I had severe depression. I was always getting into trouble and was unbelievably accident-prone. I have dislocated my shoulders alone over 150 times. I won’t even get into the myriad of broken bones, shredded tendons, and ligaments, concussions, etc.

Something inside me made me start looking into the brainwave entrainment field...

And I began to observe that sometimes, time would seem to move faster and more pleasantly than at other times.

I eventually made the connection that when time seemed to move quicker, the sounds I was hearing were more rhythmic in nature. And when time seemed to be at a painful standstill, the surrounding sounds were far more disjointed in nature".

This experience was the beginning of a 20-year odyssey of deep study and research into the field of quantum brainwave entrainment.

After many years of using other people’s products, with some limited success, I was determined to figure out why these recordings seemed to work only in a minor way when all of the research I read suggested the effects should be more dominant than what I was experiencing.

I decided that my best route to understanding was learning at the feet of an expert in the field. So I contacted the world's foremost expert in the field of brainwave entrainment, David Siever C.E.T. and discovered some invaluable secrets that I just could not get anywhere else.

After several years of learning from David Siever I’m now one of the few in the world who actually can claim to be a "certified Brainwave Entrainment Engineer/Specialist" and have the education to back it up!

Now I’ve conquered those extra voices in my head and severe depression. It's become my mission in life to help others improve their quality of life without the use of dangerous and habit-forming drugs. 

www.themorrymethod.com 

Twitter - @themorrymethod 

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

Katerina Stepanova gives us a great overview of the business of Mobile Home Park Investment & Management.

But even more, Katerina shares her purpose and passion for building communities for people to live, raise families, enjoy outdoor space, and get to know neighbors.

It was fun to learn how Katerina applied her international experience in Advertising, Production, Project Management, and Operations as a part of Ogilvy, BBDO, Columbia Artists, and Citigroup. 

Plus, she opens up about the real-life fulfillment that residential real estate investing brings to her life. 

In this episode, you hear about:

Her company -- mhpteam

The Facebook group -- facebook.com/groups/mhptribe

And a weekly global group -- The Bento Society

Based on an idea introduced in the book -- This Could Be Our Future: A Manifesto for a More Generous World

Connect with her at -- https://www.linkedin.com/in/katerinastepanova/

We are back for another great interview on our podcast on how to unlock your world of creativity. Our guest today joins us on our around-the-world journey where we talk to creative practitioners about how they get inspired and how they organize ideas. And most of all, how they gain the confidence and the connections to launch their work out into the world. Our guest Michaell Magrutsche is an Austrian/Californian multimedia artist (painting, writing, music, film) and art adviser. Who recognizes many similarities that showed up in each art form. His passion is to discover patterns that reveal hidden functions in art. He is known to specialize in using his findings to elevate the exposure of art and foster clearer communication between all involved in the Arts. 

Today we have a conversation about the starving artist, a topic that is well illuminated in his last book, The Smart of Art: A New Art Consciousness To Awaken Our Enthusiasm For Art. A book he wrote because of the insane phenomenon that 95% of all artists worldwide exist around the poverty line. We talk about reclaiming artists’ value and their passion and how a lot of creatives undervalue themselves and their work as well.

In our conversation, we discover that artists have never defined their value. When you go to other professionals, they can tell you exactly why you're paying $3,000 for their work but an artist has no idea how to value his masterpiece. Because the value of art is ultimately mostly assessed through the foreign system of capitalism and economy where other values are the rule. There is little incentive for the economy to make art a tangible system.

The market decides the value of an art piece when an artist creates a piece of art. In our talk, we realize that we know the art market, but we don't know art itself. As art is perceived today, it can no longer reveal its properties and true values because its ultimate evaluation is always tied to success, money, and fame. This is a huge misunderstanding since the art itself is where the value is. That's the purity of creativity is in art

His top tips to artists so that they are not categorized as starving artists are:

• Artists have to compartmentalize the magical process of creating. Because this is where they grow and get instant feedback on their creations.
• An artist has to disengage when they are done with their creation. Although that is a  hard thing for artists. They can't disengage because the experience of creation was so magical
• They need to learn to detach after being done with the magic of creation. After they have milked the moment and they are now saturated. They can give the painting to the market so that their art can be pieced accordingly.
• If they cannot detach themselves then they need to get an expert, a businessman gallerist, or a manager is usually the best because they are detached. Because your attachment to your creation as an artist blinds and blurs, the sales.

If we knew more about creativity and art, we would know that as a creator one can abide but never submit to the creation of ourselves such as economy or technology. It always and only can lead to self-destruction if we try to submit to a system we created. Nature and humans are the most advanced systems on this planet.

Therefore, AI is ultimately nothing more than human frailty on steroids because the data stems from human imperfection. And therefore what the observation of art does is it pushes you into humanity and that's magic.

In conclusion, agree that  we shouldn't be able to name art & poverty in the same breath.Michaell educates us that art is the language of wisdom and that we should get in touch with our wisdom. He invites artists to create art without bothering about the market. And he reminds them to milk...

Free resource for our audience: Bestseller Blueprint Checklist: https://bestsellingbook.com/checklist 

Vikrant’s Bio: https://bestsellingbook.com/vikrantshaurya

Amazon link to Buy the Book: https://go.bestsellingbook.com/get-the-book

Vikrant’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vikrantshaurya/

Website: http://bestsellingbook.com/

Jude Warne, Rock Reviewer on Bob Dylan

This podcast welcomes Jude Warne, a rock biographer, music reviewer, and author. We discuss Bob Dylan's creativity in his book “The Philosophy of Modern Song” -- as well as the book “Folk Music of Bob Dylan: Biography in Seven Songs.”

Bob Dylan's book, The Philosophy of Modern Song, captures the mystery and creativity of his immense body of work with references to other famous songwriters. It showcases his creative voice as a critic, author, and biographer to discuss the writerly quality of other musicians' songs and their lives.

Jude says, “It highlighted for me a lot of the songwriters and songs that he touches on, he brings out their mystery or the mystery going on with the characters in each of the songs he talks about. So there's, the theme really is consistent in my opinion throughout the whole book.”

I replied, “It's exciting. And mystery is a nice word because how many people have tried to interpret a Bob Dylan song, and it's like how much meaning could we infuse in it? But often to look at it the other way and say, how does somebody like Bob Dylan interpret other people's songs?”

·     Bob’s creative, conversational tone has opened listeners' minds as he riffs and creates new stories for his songs that showcase his writing talent and insight.

·     Bob is an experienced music reviewer who notes the influence of older genres in modern songs, having charted on the Billboard charts since the 1950s and 60s.

·     Bob Dylan's selection of music speaks to artists of all eras, regardless of gender, race, or background, showing his unique creative vision and critical insight. Even though it may not seem like a “diverse” selection of artists to profile.

·     Through reflection on the works of great artists Bob Dylan questions if sacrificing one's personal identity is necessary to create strong and meaningful works.

·     We shared a laugh while envisioning Bob Dylan doing some real-life mundane tasks like sorting the photos used in the book, because of his persona of a philosophical approach to writing.

In the second half of the interview, we discussed a Bob Dylan biography on his creative journey through influences and contributions to history and culture, written by Rolling Stone critic and author Greil Marcus.

As we closed, Jude talked personally about her work as a creative critic, author, and biographer—and her secret dream to DJ in her own club where she can choose what songs to play.

We promised to keep the conversation going and check in periodically on new books and albums, especially ones that Jude reviews on platforms like The Vinyl District.

Jude is now working on a new book about a seventies rock artist which is set to be released in Fall of 2024.

Follow her work on the web at www.judewarne.com and on Instagram @judewarnewriter

My thanks to Larry Hughes at Simon & Schuster Publishing for an advanced introduction to the Bob Dylan "Philosophy of Modern Song" book.

Our guest is Roman LC Martinez

Roman is a professional illustrator and a filmmaker in LA. He's founded the Film Reframed studio, and he's also working with a program called the Unhoused Art Initiative. And we're going to talk about how he's working with this program for people who are experiencing homelessness in LA. And we also want to talk about his work, Roman, we want to talk about your projects and also some of the things that you're working on to support these unhoused artists. So we've got a lot to cover in our short time together, but we're going to get through it all. 

Prioritizing work

Roman jokingly thinks having ADHD is a driver for him, when he’s interested in something it's very easy for him to channel a lot of energy and passion towards that particular thing. And seeing that he has a diverse scope of projects and goals like contributing to the world, for him it helps if he hits a wall in one pursuit or maybe there's just a delay in something that he’s working on, for Roman, it’s very easy to shift over to the next one and to the next one. So each goal develops at its own pace.

His passion project: Unhoused Arts Initiative 

Roman tells the story of how he started working with the union rescue mission, which is one of the largest missions on skid row in Los Angeles, serving the unhoused population. He tells of how he wanted to help artists who don't have access to supplies or storage for their artwork, create art that communicated some of their experience. And after going without a real expectation of how it was going to go. Roman had an idea to bring gallery-quality supplies into a situation where there may be artists who want to create something, and to give them the space and the time and the attention to do that, then maybe it will yield beautiful results. 

Unhoused Arts initiative

Roman thinks that the interesting impact of the initiative frames this space that way because when you give people the opportunity to say what they want to say, you're really just providing an opportunity for them to be listened to. He believes that the unhoused population has so much to say that they're always sharing it with people and that the people that provide services for them sometimes start to tune that out, out of necessity for the volume that they go through. Roman tries to provide his full focused attention and just tries to hear what they had to say. 

The mindset, from artist and educator to gallery manager

Roman tells us about the challenges in working with unhoused artists. One of which is you don't have an address to locate them by or a consistent phone number. Roman says they’re not in a state of mind to even remember that they made the art and often times many of them will get up after the session and just walk out into the streets. So some of the artists you will lose complete track of after you've worked with them. Roman explains about being a manager for these artists, how there's really no way to control that force of nature in that situation, that the best that he could do is report everybody's name who came in and record the story they shared with him while they were working on the art. So for Roman, it was about cataloging that information and, and keeping it somewhere safe cause everything just happened in a brief moment.

Roman’s next steps...

Roman goes on to explain that for the Unhoused Arts the next step is to do a personal fundraiser to get a high-quality art book made of the art that was lost so that they can at least show people what there was. Roman explains that it won't be the same tangible experience of seeing it in a gallery. But the importance is that things have meaning. Roman believes that that is the way to help the artwork of the artists and the space they were in at that

In this episode of the podcast "Unlocking Your World of Creativity," Mark interviews Katrin Zimmermann, the CEO and Managing Director of TLGG USA consultancy, an Omnicom Group company. Katrin advises some of the world’s leading mobility, healthcare and finance companies on digital and organizational transformation, globalization and business model innovation.

We discuss the accelerated speed of innovation and the challenges and opportunities it brings to various industries. Katrin emphasizes the importance of experience design in sectors like hospitality and healthcare, where improving customer/patient experiences can have a significant impact. She also highlights the role of data-driven innovation and technology in enhancing patient interactions, clinical decision-making, and overall outcomes in healthcare.

Before joining TLGG, Katrin co-founded the Lufthansa Innovation Hub and led its global business innovation efforts from Berlin to Seoul, served as chief of staff to both the CHRO and CFO at Lufthansa Group and managed growth and restructuring efforts at LSG Sky Chefs Germany.

With a proven record of pushing boundaries, Katrin shares her humanistic and humorous perspective on corporate innovation, digital transformation and female empowerment alongside diversity and intercultural competence.

Key Points:

1. The current era is characterized by rapid innovation, new inventions, and overwhelming possibilities, posing challenges and opportunities for organizations and society.

2. Experience design plays a crucial role in industries like hospitality and healthcare, redefining human interaction and leveraging technology for improved customer/patient experiences.

3. Healthcare can learn from hospitality by treating patients as guests, incorporating storytelling and customization into product and experience design.

4. Data-driven innovation enables better patient outcomes and interactions, leveraging technology like AI, clinical decision support systems, and improved therapeutic approaches.

5. Overcoming obstacles to corporate transformation requires fostering a culture of innovation, allowing for creativity, and combining structured processes with effective communication and organizational buy-in.

Pull-out quotes from Katrin:

- "We are almost in a moment where everyone is halting for a second, thinking of, wow, can we handle all of the things that are potentially possible with the systems and infrastructures and way of thinking that we have today?"

- "Experience design heavily influences industries like hospitality, redefining human interaction at different touchpoints and leveraging technology for value creation and moments of delight and surprise."

- "Innovation is not just about coming up with ideas; it's about executing them and putting them into practice to create impact and advance models."

Katrin holds a Master of Science in Innovative Hospitality Management from the Universitat Ramon Llull in Barcelona and a Bachelor of Arts in International Business from London Open University.

Katrin's Website

Copyright 2025 Mark Stinson

In this engaging podcast interview (re-issued from April 2022 with co-host, Kirstin Hanson), John David Mann and Ana Gabriel Mann, coauthors of "The Go-Giver Marriage," share insights into building a successful and fulfilling relationship. The conversation revolves around the principles outlined in their book, which incorporates the Go-Giver philosophy into the realm of marriage.

https://gogivermarriage.com/

Here are 5 key highlights from the interview:

1. **The Go-Giver Approach to Marriage:** The Manns introduce the concept of applying the Go-Giver principles to marriage, emphasizing the importance of generosity, care, and nourishment in building a lasting relationship.

2. **The Parable and The Practice:** The book is structured into two halves, with the first half presenting a parable about a couple facing challenges, and the second half offering practical advice and actionable steps, referred to as "The Practice," to implement the principles in real life.

3. **The Usness of Marriage:** The metaphor of a tree is introduced to represent the collective entity of a couple – the "us." The tree needs continuous care, symbolizing the importance of nurturing the relationship to ensure its growth and sustainability.

4. **Daily Actions for Lasting Love:** The Manns stress the simplicity and practicality of the five secrets outlined in the book. These daily actions, when consistently practiced, lead to a shift in mindset, fostering a positive and enriching atmosphere in the marriage.

5. **Application Beyond Marriage:** While the book focuses on marriage, the principles are versatile and can be applied to various relationships, including those in the workplace. The Manns encourage listeners to bring these practices into their professional and personal interactions.

The interview offers a compelling blend of personal anecdotes, professional expertise, and actionable advice, making it a valuable resource for anyone seeking to enhance their relationships through a Go-Giver mindset.

Thanks to our sponsor,Exact Rush B

Celebrity cosmetic dentist Dr. Bill Dorfman has been practicing for over 30 years in the Beverly Hills area and has had a career unparalleled to any other dentist in history!

He has transformed the smiles of celebrities such as Katy Perry, Usher, Anthony Hopkins, Fergi, Hugh Jackman, Michael Strahan, Jessica Simpson, Mark Wahlberg, and Eva Longoria, among many others.

Dr. Bill was the only dentist featured on ABC's hit show Extreme Makeover, and is currently a recurring guest co-host on the CBS Emmy Awarded daytime talk show, The Doctors.

Referred to as the ‘Michael Jordan of Dentistry,’ he has also appeared on numerous TV shows including Larry King Live, Oprah, Access Hollywood, E!, Extra,  and Entertainment Tonight.

As the founder of Discus Dental – one of the world's leading dental companies – he helped lead the company from its inception to more than $1.3 BILLION in sales primarily with award-winning tooth whitening products such as ZOOM! and BriteSmile.

Dr. Bill has received 20 lifetime achievement awards, 2 Guinness Book of World Records, is a New York Times Bestselling Author, and recently was the first dentist ever Knighted by the Royal Order of Constantine.

As a passionate philanthropist, together with country singer Garth Brooks and the Crown Council of Dentists, he has helped raise more than $44 million for children's charities. 

Dr. Bill is also the founder of the non-profit LEAP Foundation. LEAP is a week-long motivational/leadership program taught at UCLA every summer to more than 400 students between the ages of 15-25+.

More than just a dentist, Dr. Bill Dorfman is an author, entrepreneur, philanthropist, TV personality, health and fitness enthusiast, and proud father of 3 daughters!

Connect with Dr Bill on Instagram and other social platforms @DrBillDorfman

Today's guest is Henning Svoren of Ocean Sound Recording in Giske, Norway.

https://www.oceansound.no

Henning is a Norwegian music producer and engineer, who has been part of running the recording studio Ocean Sound on the island of Giske in Norway since 2009.

He says, “My responsibilities are pretty wide from developing the business and studio itself to working on the songs and actual music through mixing, recording and producing. In my spare time I like to go hiking or skiing in the mountains and fjords around here.”

Here are some of the key topics we discuss:

·     Henning believes that the natural surroundings of an island contribute to the creative process. For example, he learned Peter Gabriel's studio was designed with creativity in mind, as the flowing water outside provides inspiration.

·     As the owner of the studio, he explains how the studio was built and how it is different from other studios in New York and London.

·     Why the artists are drawn to the studio's setting and equipment. They have kept up with the latest technology by installing a Dolby Atmos system in their studio.

·     Henning describes how their music is influenced by the environment, ranging in styles which include sixties pop, German hip-hop, jazz, and even meditation sounds.

·     “We had one of my favorite Norwegian bands called Motorcycle which I've been a fan of since I was a kid. I was finally asked to work with them as an engineer a couple of years ago. Their guitar player lives in Trondheim, a Norwegian city. He decided that he is not going to bring any guitars or any pedals or anything. He's just going to use what's in the studio because the different instruments will inspire him to play something different than a normal would. So we also try to have a few weird instruments lying around, like strategically placed around the studio. So if you get stuck with a song you're working on, why don't you try this weird Indian thing?”

·     The role of the Engineer. Musicians need an engineer to do more than push the buttons and make them sound great. They need someone who is not close to the project with fresh ears to help contribute to the creative process. The studio and engineer can help the band capture their musical vision.

·     The challenge of finding the balance between wanting to be popular and wanting to be unique. Ocean Sound wants to help create new tastes in music and that helps decide what sort of projects they would like to work on.

As we closed, Henning added, “I'm touched by your enthusiasm, both for the music-making process and for our studio.”

Copyright 2025 Mark Stinson

In this episode of "Your World of Creativity," host Mark Stinson welcomes Jeff Wetzler, author of the new book "Ask."

Jeff's Website

Jeff on YouTube

@askapproach on Instagram

Jeff delves into the simple yet profound idea of asking questions to unlock hidden wisdom and insights from those around us. He explores the psychological and practical barriers to asking and provides a structured approach to overcoming them. This episode is packed with actionable advice and reflective insights that emphasize the transformative power of curiosity and inquiry in both leadership and life.

Key Takeaways:

- Choose Curiosity: Embrace a mindset of curiosity to unlock new perspectives and insights.

- Make It Safe: Create a safe environment for open and honest communication.

- Pose Quality Questions: Ask questions that elicit valuable information and insights.

- Listen to Learn: Practice active listening to truly understand and absorb what others are saying.

- Reflect and Reconnect: Reflect on the information gathered and reconnect with the person to acknowledge their contribution.

Pull-out Quote:

"When you ask someone for directions, maybe you're not just going to find out the fastest route, but also, 'Hey, by the way, there's this great coffee shop that you should stop by.'" - Jeff Wetzler

Highlights:

- Barriers to Asking: Jeff discusses common reasons people avoid asking questions, such as fear of appearing ignorant or imposing.

- The Power of Curiosity: Emphasizing the importance of staying curious to continually learn from those around us.

- Creating a Safe Space: Tips on building trust and ensuring others feel comfortable sharing their honest opinions.

- Quality Questions: Examples and strategies for asking questions that lead to meaningful conversations and insights.

- Reflective Practice: The importance of reflecting on the information gathered and closing the feedback loop with the other person.

Join Mark and Jeff as they explore how the simple act of asking can lead to unexpected breakthroughs and deeper connections. Tune in to learn how to harness the power of questions in your personal and professional life.

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....

As Founder & CEO of Ugly Mug Marketing, Wayne Mullins has inspired clients from more than 100 industries and his work directly influences over 250,000 entrepreneurs/year.

Wayne is a husband, father of 4, and entrepreneur.

"I'm an out-of-the-box, against-the-grain, risk-taking thinker and it has more than paid off for my company and clients. I lead from the heart and am passionate and unapologetic about doing so," Wayne says.

Discover More

https://www.facebook.com/uglymugmarketing/

https://www.uglymugmarketing.com/

Today's guest is Dr. Francisco Aboitiz, from Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile and author of a new book, A History of Bodies, Brains, and Minds: The Evolution of Life and Consciousness.

Here's an overview of our conversation:

• Setting the Stage: Dr. Aboitiz, your book explores one of the most profound mysteries of our time—consciousness. To start, could you summarize the key events in brain evolution that have led to the emergence of consciousness, as you outline in your book?
• Theories of Consciousness: You delve into theories like the Integrated Information Theory (IIT) and the Global Workspace Theory (GWS). What do these theories offer to our understanding of consciousness, and where do they fall short in explaining subjective experience?
• Beyond Humans: Your book raises fascinating questions about consciousness in non-human animals. How do researchers measure consciousness in animals, and what ethical considerations should guide this work?
• Artificial Consciousness: You also explore the potential for consciousness to emerge in artificial systems. Do you believe systems like large language models could one day achieve consciousness, and what would that mean for society?
• Your Creative Process: Writing and publishing a book like A History of Bodies, Brains, and Minds requires a deep creative effort. Could you share a bit about your creative process, any key collaborators or co-creators, and how this project came to life?

We learned so much from Dr. Aboitiz’s insights on the global creative spirit.

Thank you to our sponsor, White Cloud Coffee Roasters. Enjoy a 10% discount on your order when you use the code CREATIVITY at checkout. Visit WhiteCloudCoffee.com to explore their specialty blends.

We are back for another great interview on our podcast on how to unlock your world of creativity. Our guest today is  Nina Boski.  

She is a transformational leader and media executive and founder of LifeBites Global. A dynamic business, energy, and media consultant who believes that people, and their viewpoints and values, make a company what it is. Nina has worked on both sides of the business spectrum, as an entrepreneur and in the corporate world, and understands the creative and administrative sides of the business. She leverages this unique perspective as she coaches organizations through issues involving team, culture, sales, and marketing. Though she believes the people element is of primary importance, an organization’s processes and systems must also be running efficiently to achieve success.

In our interview, we discuss three main topics:

Marilyn

1. What makes this series different from what has already been portrayed about the star?

2. Marilyn appears to be a visionary, given her fragmented upbringing and she still created such success. 

4. Why do you think people are still so fascinated by her after all these years?

Mental health

5. You spend a lot of time educating people about mental illness and addiction. Why is this important to the series, and what kind of alcohol and/or drugs were Marilyn addicted to in her life?

6. How can we take Marilyn’s life and learn from it – teachable moments?

7. Why do you think mental illness and addiction are at an all-time high, even though there are many more tools and resources than back in 1962?

8. What type of mental illness did Marilyn suffer from in her life? What is the difference between Bipolar disorder and borderline personality and how did that affect Marilyn?

9. When you say Marilyn is the ultimate dreamer, what do you mean?

Creative process of series

• Team
• Experts interviewed
• “pitching” the series

Amongst her many achievements, she has produced two projects for the iconic Marilyn Monroe’s 60th anniversary. Today Nina talks to us about “All Things Marilyn,” and sheds light on the important subject of mental health and addiction. As she shares Marilyn’s story, Nina’s hope is to inspire people to build up their own resilience for their future and be determined to create a vision for themselves that can propel their life forward, especially during this pandemic and beyond. 

In the two projects, Behind the Icon, a dramatic podcast about the entire life of Marilyn, and a TV docuseries that deals with the mental health and addiction and the correlation between the two along with the actual investigation of the star’s death, she breaks down for the first time, fact from probability theory to the outlandish rumors. Most of the biographies on Marilyn up until this point, blend all of these elements together and claim it as fact. This 22-expert production makes this complex story more easily digestible for the average listener or audience member and allows us to set the record straight on the decades of rumors and lies. In addition to Marilyn’s story, the TV docuseries highlights the celebrity of today who deals with some of the same things Marilyn did back in 1962, not only with the price of fame with addiction and mental health issues but by being “Propped Up for Profit” by the celebrities’ handlers and even loved ones. 

This unique story gives people a window to look at mental health up close and personal! Nina has spent over 6 years researching Marilyn. She has realized that the icon’s life is filled with inspiration if we search for the teachable moments that can help people heal their lives. Nina’s goal is to make a positive impact in the media with stories that...

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...

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

Exact Rush B

Copyright 2025 Mark Stinson

Today we're going to talk about data and using data in a very creative way. The topic is informatics, especially health informatics.

We have a couple of terrific guests: Dr. Kimberly Khoury and Dr. Michelle Hamland, the principals of a consultancy called InvenTech. What's interesting is they are both doctors and nurses – from a nurse standpoint, they have the practice of nursing, but they are also PhDs in this field of informatics. It's just a fascinating combination.

Kim and Michelle both work for the largest health system in the state of Idaho. They've also recently started a consultancy to help other practices, clinics, and systems take a look at their data and their informatics to make better healthcare decisions.

Together, they define for us the basics of health informatics and what decisions data can inform.

Jake Brown is a music biographer and award-winning author. He has written over 50 books. Jake has written biographies on bands from AC/CD and Heart to rappers like Tupac and R&B singers like Prince. 

His latest project is a streaming TV project called About The Authors TV, where he takes his experience and interviews some of these musicians and artists. 

What he has learned

Jake has defined himself as an instrumentalist of seven instruments since he was five years old. He grew up a musician and PR. Then he started working for record labels in Los Angeles. And from there he got into book writing. He has always been a music kid so to work with something he was already passionate about was a great opportunity he couldn’t miss. 

He started the process of writing Tupac Shakur and the studio book with his state with Afeni Shakur, and what he learned through that process was that there are templates that can be applied to almost any band across any genre. And if you as an author find a way to do so, do it. If you find a niche as an author jump on it quickly and write and publish as much as you can. 

Try to get published by a “real” publisher and not just publish yourself. If you’re starting you can check some forums where publishers may go through contests. If you really want to make it big you need to find a publisher that likes your idea and put money into it, market it, sell it, make a profit from it, and come back and ask you to do another one. 

Back when he was starting, Jake says he pretty much took anything that was thrown at him, he did Jasmine St. Claire who was an adult star in the nineties.

Don't do it just for the money

In 2004 he did his second published book and it was about R. Kelly. He admits that he only did it because he needed the money. Writing about R. Kelly was not easy for Jake and he was even asked to change some of the things in the introduction, changes that were demanded in order to water down the version Jake had written. But Jake needed the book to sell so when the situation wasn’t the same as for the previous book so when it came out he distanced himself from it. 

About building a writing career

Jake talks about how you must take chances when building your writing career, especially in the music industry. It is one of the toughest businesses to get into. But in the end, the opportunity that is actually life-changing will come and open many doors for you. In your career as an author you may not always do things the best way or maybe pick the wrong client but regardless the opportunity presented and previous experience will be key for you to make the right decisions and establish yourself as a prolific music author. 

About The Authors TV

Jake has been filming a new television show all year, you can find more about it on his Youtube channel, you can also find the show on Authors TV where he has taken his experience interviewing some of the most popular. In this show, Jake applies his creative process to interview his guests.

Jake decided to pursue having his own show as another creative outlet aside from the exhausting business of writing biographies. While writing is something he enjoys, he doesn’t want to spend his retirement writing and burning out. 

He has already shot eight of the ten seasons of the show. "I think we have 34 Pulitzer prize winners because I aimed high as I did with the music business." The show is available on Amazon and Hulu and will be available in Britain.

Mark closes the podcast talking about the creativity podcast isn’t just about philosophy. These are the creative and motivational stories of people and their journey to success through their creativity. If you want to read more about Jake

In this podcast update from Oslo Innovation Week, Mark Stinson reports on a presentation by Camilla Gramstad, Head of Sustainability at Elkjøp, Scandinavia's largest consumer electronics retailer. Here's a summary of the key points covered:

- Camilla's presentation sheds light on Elkjop's sustainability commitment to promoting the circular economy in the consumer electronics retail industry.

- Elkjøp operates 414 stores across six countries and employs around 12,000 people.

- The focus of the presentation was on how electronics fit into the circular economy, considering the raw materials, recycling, upgrading, and repairing of electronic products.

- Electronics are a priority product group in the circular economy, given the materials used and their environmental impact.

- Approximately 5.3 billion phones were discarded globally the previous year, leading to increased governmental regulations in Nordic countries.

- Elkjøp's mission is to enable everyone to enjoy technology, emphasizing a vision of being the best partner for customers.

- Four key aspects of Elkjøp's approach include ease of finding products, ease of purchase with sustainability in mind, convenience in receiving products and installation, and providing support and service.

- Elkjøp focuses on spare parts, repairs, trade-ins, recycling assistance, and improving the overall circular nature of the product lifecycle.

• Camilla had to leave the presentation early to meet with the Secretary of State to discuss government collaboration on these sustainability initiatives. They propose reducing or eliminating VAT on repairs to incentivize customers to repair rather than discard products.

- The day also featured case studies from NAV and InnoBoost, highlighting various approaches to the circular economy.

Welcome back to "Unlocking Your World of Creativity." In this episode, host Mark engages in a captivating conversation with Joana Sa Lima, an architect and designer based in Oslo, Norway. They explore the multifaceted nature of creativity, delving into the process of getting inspired, organizing ideas, and building confidence to make impactful connections.

Joana's Website

@comte_bureau on Instagram

Highlights:

1. **Diverse Creative Background:** Joana shares her unique journey from Portugal to Italy, Berlin, Holland, and finally, Oslo. Each experience enriched her creative thinking, providing a unique blend of architectural influences and technical expertise.

2. **Impact of Design on Sustainability:** The discussion focuses on the societal impact of design, particularly in addressing environmental causes and sustainability. Joana emphasizes the importance of research-driven design and how it extends beyond creating aesthetically pleasing structures.

3. **Social Sciences in Design:** Joana's company, Comte Bureau, is a bridge between architecture and social sciences. They use design thinking, sociology, anthropology, and psychology to inform their decisions, solving societal issues through innovative and thoughtful design.

4. **Collaboration and Innovation:** Collaboration emerges as a key theme, both in the academic realm and in addressing global challenges like COVID-19. Joana underscores the need for continued collaboration to overcome societal issues, encouraging a shift from individual achievements to collective impact.

5. **Challenges in the Current Climate:** Joana addresses the challenges posed by the current geopolitical climate, emphasizing the importance of sustained innovation and investment in solving societal problems. She warns against the dangers of defunding innovation and the potential loss of progress made during critical times.

6. **Encouragement for Creatives:** The conversation concludes with a call for creatives to listen actively, break out of echo chambers, and embrace diversity. Joana emphasizes that, now more than ever, understanding different perspectives is crucial for personal and societal growth.

Key Quote from Joana Sa Lima:

*"More than ever, we should be listening. We are in these echo chambers, and we are creating even deeper echo chambers. We only care about those that actually speak the same tone of voice that we do and that care about the same colors that we do. And that is the wrong thing to do, in my opinion. We should actually be much more aware, making this cross or opening up to the differences that we all have is what's going to make us better and what's going to make us survive, in a way."*

In this insightful episode, Joana Sa Lima provides a thought-provoking perspective on the intersection of creativity, design, and societal impact, urging listeners to consider the broader implications of their creative endeavors.

Joana, educated in Porto, Rome, and Berlin, has had a dynamic career with experiences in the Netherlands, New York, and Norway. Working with OMA-Rem Koolhaas, she developed a passion for research-driven design. In 2008, she co-founded 'CONDITIONS,' a Scandinavian architecture magazine, shortlisted for the CICA Pierre Vago Journalism Award and participating in the III Moscow Architecture Biennale and Venice Biennale. In 2012, Joana co-founded Comte Bureau to address societal challenges. This consultancy integrates social sciences and design thinking with architecture to foster conscious innovation and human-centric solutions, shaping policies, services, and urban spaces. Joana's impact extends to academia and architectural competitions, lecturing, and serving as a jury member. She...

Welcome to our episode with Kate Quinn & Emily Day, Bloom Art Experiences

Kate's Website

@bloom_art_experiences on Instagram

Kate's Facebook page

Here's a guide to our conversation:

1. The Bloom Workshop Experience -- Your workshops take place in some incredibly beautiful locations, like flower farms, wineries, and galleries. Could you describe how these unique settings shape the experience for participants? And how do you go about finding and collaborating with local producers and guest artists to make each workshop feel distinctive and immersive?

2. The Origins of Bloom Art Experiences -- Kate and Emily, you both come from diverse professional backgrounds—Kate in social work and Emily in architecture. What inspired you to leave those paths and launch Bloom Art Experiences in 2022? How did your backgrounds contribute to the creation and unique approach of your workshops?

3. Art for All Levels: Breaking Down Barriers -- One of the hallmarks of Bloom Art Experiences is that it’s welcoming to both beginners and hobby painters. What are some techniques or teaching approaches you use to make art accessible and enjoyable for people with different levels of experience? And what’s it like to see participants develop their skills and confidence over the course of a day?

4. Going Digital with Bloom Online -- With the recent launch of Bloom Online, you’ve made it possible for people to enjoy your art experiences from anywhere. What was the process of adapting your in-person workshops to an online format like? And how does Bloom Online continue to capture the spirit of what you do in-person, even in a digital space?

5. Building a Sustainable, Creative Business -- As artists and business owners, you’re balancing both the creative and logistical sides of Bloom Art Experiences. Could you share some of the challenges and rewards of running a creative small business? And what advice would you give to other artists looking to diversify their income or transition from other careers into the art world?

Thanks for Kate and Emily for the dynamic and insightful conversation, helping listeners gain a sense of the creativity, dedication, and community focus that make Bloom Art Experiences so unique.

And thanks to our sponsor, White Cloud Coffee, where you can enjoy a 10% discount with code 'Creativity' at checkout. Visit Whitecloudcoffee.com for your next coffee order.

Julie Broad, founder of self-publishing services firm Book Launchers and Amazon Overall #1 Best Selling Author, knows what it takes to be a successful self-published author. Through Book Launchers and her popular YouTube channel, BookLaunchers.TV, she helps subject matter experts write, publish, and promote nonfiction books that will boost their business.

Julie’s titles include More than Cashflow, which topped Amazon, and The New Brand You, winner of the Beverly Hills Book Award for Best Sales book. Her latest book, Self-Publish & Succeed captures her leading tactics to write, publish and market a nonfiction book.

A recognized real estate investor, successful entrepreneur, and notable speaker, Julie also received the Top 20 under 40 Award for her business and community contributions. She’s been speaking on stages across Canada and the US since 2009, sharing her strategies to write a book that builds your business and have more impact and influence with your brand.

An expert on writing a book with marketing in mind, Julie teaches the best approaches to get results, make an impact, and ultimately, make more money. Julie always leaves people inspired, excited, and with clear steps to take action immediately.

Her advice for authors and investors has been featured in Forbes, Entrepreneur.com, Yahoo! Business, CTV, the Toronto Sun, Medium.com and many local and national TV shows. Born and raised in Canada, Julie currently resides in Los Angeles with her husband and son. When she’s not busy with Book Launchers or her family, you’ll find her at CrossFit or playing poker.

connect:

www.booklaunchers.com

FB: /booklaunchers/

IG /booklaunchers/

LinkedIn /juliebroad/

Dorothy Kolb

After a foundational start at Deloitte and building a 20+ year career in media finance & operations across notable companies including CBS Sports, FOX Sports, NBC & HGTV/Food Network, Dorothy launched dk east associates to bring her world-class background to emerging businesses to help them grow to their fullest potential through outsourced CFO, accounting strategy and HR services. To date, she has helped clients increase their profitability by as much as 85% year over year and hit 7-figure revenues through innovative processes, structure and strategy. She has overseen several horizontal industry acquisitions, making her clients major players in their industries. Dorothy understands the importance of balancing things in life! She became an entrepreneur while raising her 4 teenage sons (including twins!) as a single mom! Part strategist, part basketball coach, part founder!

Questions Dorothy is always ready to answer

• What in my business do I need to look at today in order to be succeed in 6 months from now?
• How do I make sure my business is profitable?
• What made you finally realize that staying in your marriage would cause more harm than leaving? How did you find the strenght?
• How did you prepare for the divorce knowing you would have zero financial support?

Dorothy's Website

Copyright 2025 Mark Stinson

Christina is not only a podcast host of mindset to manifestation, but she is also a real estate broker, a sales professional, and a Reiki master. Christina tells us how her background in art has helped her creativity in selling real estate within New York.

Christina is the phoenix that rose from the ashes. Having grown up from extremely humble beginnings with teenage parents who later exposed her to an environment of drugs, getting married then divorced, and then being one of the oldest students in her undergraduate class, she started doing yoga and meditating. Through this spiritual journey, Christina has emerged as one of the best real estate agents in New York, selling high-end properties and signature developments and with a successful podcast. 

Christina incorporated all these in her real estate business where she shares with us some creativity tips she has used in her industry including:

• Christina believes that 95% of sales is the energy you portray to people as it reflects what you're feeling. It's about how you’re making this person feel when they are around you. When working on the developer/ seller side, you're selling a product, you're meeting new people with every appointment, you must really use those creative juices
• Following her Coaching background, Christina is teaching people how to transfer that energy in sales and real estate sector by making them unlearn some things and then build it back up because people have this preconceived idea of what sales is. This has led to teaching these habits on her Mindset to manifestion podcast.

 What lies ahead for Christina after she has finished reassessing and reinventing herself, and taking time to reflect on herself and what she wants to give back to herself, she wants to make an impact more on a big corporate level because I feel like those leaders in those companies need to have that awareness 

Bio:

Christina Medina is a certified life coach, blogger, and podcast host who is passionate about teaching others how to use the power of manifestation to uncover their inner magic. As the founder and CEO of Mindset to Manifestation, she provides one-on-one coaching, workshops, and other services to people who are serious about wanting to transform their lives.

Christina overcame several obstacles as a child, including growing up with family members who struggled with substance abuse and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Determined to see more of the world and make it on her own, Christina moved out of her family home at the age of 17 and worked several jobs to support herself.

She worked her way through university studying visual art, and in 2007 made her dream come true by moving to NYC. In 2009, feeling the impact of the recession, Christina lost her dream job in an art gallery. Because she was determined to make it work in a city she always dreamed of living in, she started bartending at night to support herself. 

It was during this time that Christina also started working at a yoga studio by day, where she learned more about yoga, meditation, and Reiki. It was then that she had the epiphany that she wanted to help people for a living as a life coach. She received her coaching certification in 2011 and worked with several clients who needed guidance. However, Christina realized that she wasn’t generating enough income to replace her bartending job so she decided to try her hands at real estate too in order to fund her coaching business and expand her services. There she applied her mindset techniques to real estate to attract more abundance, and this is where she truly transformed her life. It wasn’t long before Christina quickly rose to the top of the industry due to her people skills, fierce ambition, and ability to manifest her deepest desires. Despite...

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 talk with Anne Michaud, Author of "Why They Stay"

As a political journalist and a reporter for the Wall Street Journal, Anne Michaud covered Bill Clinton's 1996 re-election campaign, Anthony Weiner's 2005 mayoral bid, and Eliot Spitzer's rise and fall as New York's governor from 2006 to 2008. Few folks have had the front row seat to the spectacular fall from grace of these politicians and the women who endured the cataclysm with them.

Which got her wondering--as so many of us have--why did most of these women stick it out--or stay for as long as they did? Were they simply doing the Stand By Your Man blues, or did they have other motivations?

Why They Stay: Sex Scandals, Deals, and Hidden Agenda of Eight Political Wives is the result of her musings and her deeply researched and fascinating analysis.

Anne chose to look at eight couples and explore the similarities between them -- how the women responded to the crisis and its aftermath. These women made bold decisions that revealed their own agendas. 

· Hillary & Bill Clinton: One masterful decision launched her political career

· Jackie & John F. Kennedy: Coping in bed and all the way to the bank

· Eleanor & Franklin D. Roosevelt: A lifeless marriage sparks a social champion

· Marion Stein & Jeremy Thorpe: Riding out British scandal to provide for her sons

· Wendy & David Vitter: Married to the Party versus married to a man

· Silda Wall & Elliot Spitzer: Real-life drama spawns TV show The Good Wife

· Huma Abedin & Anthony Weiner: How to win against a man and the Media

· Melania & Donald Trump: A foreigner's desire to live the American dream

Anne found some interesting correlations between all of them and Elizabeth Woodville, the "White Queen" of English history. A widow, she married Edward IV for love, endured his promiscuity to stay and wield power, and ultimately, outlasted him to build the Tudor legacy through engineering her daughter's marriage to Edward's successor.

Anne looked at 5 factors in her books­--how deeply are these women committed to being the family emotional caretaker, how patriarchal values drive their actions, how motivated are they about building a family legacy, the degree to which financial and emotional security drives their actions, and do they have a sense of patriotism that inspires them to overlook the misdeeds of their husband for the greater good. She assigned each a "White Queen Quotient" measured against Woodville's iconic role as the ultimate political spouse in the face of scandalous male behavior.

While we as spectators can only speculate about what drives them, Why They Stay makes a great case for what causes each of these women to play out their roles as stay-beyond-the-embarrassment wives. If Hillary Clinton had left her marriage, she might only be known as the spurned wife of a retired politician. Instead, she became the first woman to run for U.S. president on a major party ticket, a U.S. Senator and Secretary of State. These political wives aren't powerless pawns. They are shrewder than you expect. Why They Stay pulls back the curtain to reveal why women throughout history stand by their man...for better and for worse.

In addition to her reportage at the Wall Street Journal, Anne previously wrote a nationally syndicated op-ed column for Newsday from 2008 to 2018. She has won more than 25 writing and reporting awards and has twice been named "Columnist of the Year," by the New York News Publishers Association and the New York State Associated Press Association. Her...

In this episode of "Unlocking Your World of Creativity," host Mark interviews Bill Hammack, the author of "The Things We Make: The Unknown History of Invention, From Cathedrals to Soda Cans."

Book: https://www.amazon.com/Things-We-Make-Invention-Cathedrals/dp/1728215757

Bill, known as the "Engineering Guy," shares insights on engineering and ingenuity, reflecting on his own journey from radio to YouTube fame. Here are five key topics and quotes from Bill Hammack in the interview:

1. **Engineering and Creativity:** Bill discusses how engineering has become an internet sensation through platforms like YouTube. He emphasizes the importance of creativity in engineering and how it's not just about the technical aspects but also storytelling.

> "That is at the heart of your podcast. We're talking about creating things. But there's a way in which at the beginning we were a little bit alone in doing it."

2. **Iterative Process:** Bill explains how he adopts an iterative approach to his creative work, emphasizing the importance of structure and crafting the narrative in his videos.

> "And that's where I spend most of my effort, is what is the order of the information going to do, to, to, what's going to happen with it?"

3. **Collaboration in Invention:** Bill delves into the collaborative nature of invention and how even famous inventors like Edison worked with teams and collaborators. He highlights the importance of acknowledging the collective effort behind inventions.

> "By not looking at it as a system of people that do it, we actually lose the engineering and we lose sight of it."

4. **Creativity as Problem-Solving:** Bill explains that engineering is fundamentally about solving problems before science has all the answers. Engineers use trial and error, rules of thumb, and creative thinking to innovate and make things work.

> "And this is something that I do find upsets people; it is its own method and it uses trial and error."

5. **Embracing Imperfections:** Bill shares the value of embracing imperfections and the idea that every creative work will have its defects. He encourages creators to let go and focus on the beauty within their creations.

> "Let go. Look, everything I've made has defects in it. You're not going to get perfection, and you just have to let it go."

Bill's Website

Bill on YouTube

@billengineerguy on Instagram

Bill's Facebook page

Bill Hammack's insights highlight the intersection of engineering, creativity, and storytelling, offering valuable lessons for creators and innovators in various fields.

Copyright 2025 Mark Stinson

Thanks to the folks at HEADFONE for their support. On HEADFONE, you can listen to Premium Audio dramas - like Romance, Thriller, and Horror.

For a 10% discount, use coupon code - MARKCREATIVITY10

Go to - https://headfone.page.link/MARKCREATIVITY10

We’ve had a chance to travel all over the world, virtually to talk to creative experts and practitioners in all areas of the arts to find out what inspires them to find out how they organize their ideas.

In today’s episode, we're in the world’s live music capital, Austin, Texas. and my guest today is Moody Bank$.

Moody is an up-and-coming R&B singer-songwriter and her music has been described as “Smoky alto sounds over infectious pop hooks.”

During her creative and songwriting process, whenever she hears a beat, Moody asks herself, "What color does this beat make me feel?" By answering this question, she’s able to get a sense of how a song can bring about the feeling of color or energy.  Specific colors help inspire her.

Moody understands that the more a song can bring you to a specific moment or memory or feeling, the more likely people are going to resonate with that song. 

Some of her main musical influences include Erykah Badu & Jill Scott because of their writing and use of real instruments.

What guides Moody & her team during the creative process?  

• Not being attached to your art, to the point where it starts interrupting the flow of it. 
• Not taking the art too seriously and just working from an organic space.
• When collaborating with her band and her music producer, she gives them creative freedom to create openly without attachments and lets them know their voice matters. 

As for conquering the music industry, two pointers from Moody to be able to shine in this industry include:

• Being self-sufficient: Taking care of yourself, knowing how to be all-rounded.
• Going with the flow: Don’t limit yourself to a singular idea  

Youtube: Moody Bank$ & her band Fallen Dollars live recording

Spotify: Moody Bank$

Apple Music: Moody Bank$

Instagram:@M00dybanks

There are definitely challenges throughout this journey but you have to persevere, stay consistent & take control of your life’s trajectory. As she works on her tape “Feeling Colors” Moody’s key takeaway is “If the product is good enough, people are going to see it.” 

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

In this episode, we travel to Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, to chat with Ricky Zhang, the Founder and CEO at Prince of Travel.

https://princeoftravel.com/

https://www.youtube.com/princeoftravel

https://www.instagram.com/princeoftravel/

Ricky shares insights into his journey from a passionate traveler to building a successful travel brand.

1. **The Birth of "Prince of Travel":** Ricky explains how the name "Prince of Travel" originated from his desire to start a travel blog and the struggle to find the perfect domain name. "Prince of Travel" captured the essence of traveling the world on one's terms.

2. **Inspiration Behind the Venture:** Ricky's upbringing, marked by family travels and exposure to diverse cultures, fueled his passion for travel and eventually led to the inception of Prince of Travel.

3. **Strategies for Travel Rewards:** Ricky delves into the world of travel rewards, emphasizing the potential to leverage loyalty programs and credit card optimization to stretch travel budgets and unlock premium experiences.

4. **Building a Strong Digital Brand:** Ricky discusses the importance of upholding high standards in content creation, from video production to website design, to cultivate trust and engagement with the audience.

5. **Navigating the Digital Space:** Ricky offers advice for aspiring entrepreneurs entering the digital space, highlighting the significance of creativity, consistency, and community-building for long-term success.

**Key Quote from Ricky:**

- "The world's becoming more connected...there's more lands of opportunities out there." - Ricky Zhang

Mark expresses gratitude for Ricky's insights and encourages listeners to continue their journey of creativity and exploration. He invites them to join in for future episodes as they unlock the world of creativity together.

This is a special episode of "Unlocking Your World of Creativity" with Mark, recorded in Oslo, Norway.

Mark shares real-time updates during Oslo Innovation Week. He delves into the history and significance of the Nobel Peace Prize, which is set to be announced on October 6th.

Mark takes you on a virtual tour of key sites related to the Nobel Prize, including the Nobel Peace Center, Oslo City Hall, the Parliament, and more. He discusses the unique process of selecting Nobel Peace Prize laureates and highlights the committee's efforts to rise above modern-day politics.

Tune in for a firsthand account of the anticipation surrounding this prestigious award and its impact on global issues.

Learn more about the Center at www.nobelpeacecenter.org

Mark continues to explore the world of creativity, sharing insights and updates from Oslo. Stay tuned for more exciting content in the episodes to come.

In this episode, I talk with Michelle Reeves -- a Business & Life Coach, Director of ThisIsMyEra Academy, Creator of the 5C's Success Solution for Service-Based Business Owners, and Author, Podcaster, Speaker.

She shares tools and models to help capture your creative projects. Then break them down by yearly, quarterly, and monthly goals. That lead to daily tasks.

As promised here are links we discussed in the podcast:

• #ThisIsMyEra 90-day planners: https://thisismyera.com (also available on Amazon)
• 5-day goal setting challenge: https://thisismyera.com/pages/5-day-challenge  
• #ThisIsMyEra blog: https://thisismyera.com/pages/blogs
• #ThisIsMyEra on Instagram: instagram.com/thisismyeraofficial / Facebook: facebook.com/thisismyeraoffical / podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/this-is-my-era-the-podcast-thisismyera/id1330010099
• Reboot Your Life course in our new online academy: https://thisismyera.com/rebootyourlife
• My book: The Happiness Habits Transformation available from Amazon and The Book Depository 

Ed Evarts is the founder and president of Excellius Leadership Development, an organization focused on coaching mid- to senior- level leaders and their teams in business environments.

With over twenty-five years of innovative leadership and management experience, Ed possesses the ability to build awareness, create action, and deliver results.

Known for his business acumen, his ability to resolve complex human relations issues, and his enthusiastic, accessible, and responsive style, Ed partners with managers, leaders, and business teams to explore clarity and communication, and traverse conflict and change.

TAKE THE WHEEL AND STEER TOWARD SUCCESS!

You’re ambitious, talented, and ready to take your career to the next level. It’s time to step into the driver’s seat and set a path for success, with DRIVE YOUR CAREER, this illuminating guide from leadership coach Ed Evarts.

You’ll learn the nine principles of career success, and how to implement them in your own working life. From creating great relationships with your superiors, to using the power of empathy in your employee interactions, you’ll be empowered with the knowledge and personal insight to steer your career to where you want it to be.

Find out:

• How to create a positive relationship with your boss

• The essential questions you need to ask yourself

• The power of curiosity

• How to deliver more effective presentations

• The most important relationships to cultivate at work

• How slowing down can get you to your goals faster

• How to lead with empathy

Filled with real-life examples and practical exercises, Drive Your Career will give you a clear sense of where you are now, what may be holding you back, and how to get to where you want to go. If you have a vision for yourself and you’re struggling to get there, don’t stay sitting in the passenger’s seat. Grab the steering wheel and start driving your career.

Ed's company is at https://www.excellius.com/

Today’s guest is Kyle Kruger. Kyle has a profound gift for bringing the right people together, at the right time to create some powerful momentum in the world. He started his professional career, after earning his bachelor’s degree, in the Aviation Industry as an Air Traffic Controller. He has his private pilot’s license, is an accredited investor, and owns and operates four small businesses.

Kyle is the founder and community builder of “The P.A.C.K Mastermind”. Now, you’re going to love this, this is a virtual mastermind for entrepreneurs and small business owners to develop new business opportunities, innovate with diverse industry experts, and develop lifelong relationships with like-minded people. The mission of the mastermind is for its members to achieve their personal, professional, and financial goals more efficiently and faster than tackling those goals on their own.

He’s a family and businessman with a big heart, and on a massive mission to help people just like you and me to build our dream business by leveraging the power of community.

I’m honored to have Kyle Kruger on the show!

Here is a direct link just for listeners of this podcast:

stinson.thepackmastermind.com

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

Mike Dawes is hailed as one of the world’s finest modern acoustic guitar players. He was voted ‘Best Acoustic Guitarist in the World’ by Total Guitar Magazine & MusicRadar twice consecutively, in both the 2017 & 2018 readers polls with three additional 2nd place rankings. 

His solo music, littered with virtuoso nuances and micro-techniques, has seen him tour almost every continent on the planet. He has recorded with multiple Grammy award-wining and Rock n Roll Hall of Fame inducted artists, featured on international film and TV (including Better Call Saul and Sky TV’s Guitar Star) and achieved over 100 million music video hits online for his solo covers of songs including Somebody That I Used To Know, Slow Dancing in a Burning Room, Jump & One as well as his originals The Impossible, Boogie Shred & more.

Additionally, Mike tours as lead guitar player for Justin Hayward, performing The Moody Blues classics throughout the world. He has also teamed up with grammy-nominated Periphery vocalist Spencer Sotelo and ex Sunrise Avenue multi-platinum producer Jukka Backlund to form Nik Mystery, a Las Vegas popwave trio. Other collaborators include Plini, Fink, Alestorm & Dr. John. Popular YouTube personality Rick Beato has praised Mike’s work as among the top in the genre.

September 2022 saw the release of ‘Accomplice Series, Vol. 3‘ – a sublime duo EP with the legendary Tommy Emmanuel recorded live in a Los Angeles studio with analogue equipment. The EP features 5 cover songs from 5 diverse artists. ‘This is so insanely mental and such a massive honour, wow’ – Matty Healy, The 1975.

Tickets for upcoming tour dates at https://mikedawes.co.uk/tour/

Mark Stinson

Copyright 2025 Mark Stinson

Music tracks are copyrighted by the artists and used for editorial review purposes.

Mentioned in this episode:

THE ALAURA SHOW

Hey, it's Alaura Lovelight. And if you're enjoying "unlocking your world of creativity," make sure to check out my new show, "The Alaura Show" ... on Roku and Amazon Fire TV.

Today's episode features Bob Berry, a principal at AnswerLab, where he’s guiding Google, Amazon, Facebook, and many others to create new, optimal online experiences in this age of coronavirus. He’s also the founder of The Human-Computer MasterMind Academy.

As the world goes virtual to survive COVID19, I guide Apple, Google, Facebook, Amazon to create superb online experiences that drive results.

"I’m now leading concurrent online transformation projects with major global brands. In the early 90s, I led the teams that designed the first-ever e-commerce, e-learning, social media, and cloud services. I led a multi-channel business overhaul at Deluxe Corp. that drove $3.2M in new business - during the Great Recession. I designed and launched new learning systems that have guided 37,000 youth in all 50 states to prepare for life," Bob says

"To ensure my clients can successfully conduct business remotely, I’m currently designing and implementing new remote processes and methods, evaluating platforms, tools, and technology, and training teams and personnel how to succeed in this new business climate," says Bob.

* For most businesses, entrepreneurs, ventures, and professionals, COVID19 is driving the world to digital in a big way.

* We have new ways to win with digital and virtual - and we must figure this out, our survival depends on it. The key is Experience.

* In this new digital world, all outcomes, all winning or losing, will occur only as specific choices made by individuals within the experiences we provide them. Those choices drive all individual businesses and the entire global economy.

* Experiences launched digital business models and systems, and experience drives them now. There have been world-changing events driven by digital, and we are now in the midst of the next one: the global pandemic and the economic collapse.

Bob regularly speak at client events and present research methods and results on user experience, technology interfaces, human-computer interactions, mobile applications, e-commerce, and related.

He presented the results of a national research study on data privacy at the 2019 User Experience Professionals Association Conference.

http://ItsTheUsers.com

http://answerlab.com 

LinkedIn URL

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

Twitter URL

https://twitter.com/_bobberry

In this podcast interview, host Mark Stinson talks to composer Craig Dobbin about his work in the music industry, specifically in TV and film.

Dobbin has been working on the popular TV show "NCIS: LA" for half of its run, and he discusses his creative process for keeping the music engine and score behind the show running smoothly.

CREATIVE PROCESS

He explains that the show follows a weekly schedule, where he watches the episodes on Fridays, has a spotting session on Mondays to discuss music placement, and then works on composing from Tuesday to Saturday. They mix the show on Sundays, and then Dobbin moves on to the next episode. He describes the musical style of "NCIS: LA" as more modern and injected with humor, giving it a slightly different feel from the flagship "NCIS" and "NCIS: Hawaii" shows.

KEEPING IT FRESH

Dobbin shares insights into his creative approach and how he keeps the music fresh every week. He talks about the challenge of working within the established sonic world of the show while injecting his own voice gradually over time. He mentions learning from past experiences where he went too far with his musical choices and had to adjust based on feedback from the production team. Dobbin emphasizes the importance of collaboration and teamwork in the creative process, noting that he is in the service industry, fulfilling someone else's vision. He discusses the need to understand the producers' and writers' perspectives and create music that effectively conveys their vision.

COLLABORATION

The conversation also touches on Dobbin's experience working with the cast of "NCIS: LA" and the collaborative nature of the show. He mentions that he only recently met most of the actors at the show's wrap party, highlighting the separation between different departments in such a large production. Dobbin also briefly discusses his work on other projects, including Shark Week, where he has been composing for 33 years. He shares his long-standing collaboration with a specific editor for Shark Week and the level of understanding they have developed over time.

HIGHLIGHTED quotes from Craig:

1. "I felt like I was jumping onto a treadmill going a hundred miles an hour, and I just had to run as fast as I could to try to catch up and get myself up to speed."

2. "Creativity is the most fun when there are lots of parameters and boundaries that give me... It's like when you can set those limits for yourself, and so you've got this established sonic world, how can I express myself within these confines?"

3. "If you want a career in this, you've gotta get really good at delivering someone else's vision."

4. "I always try to watch something that I'm working on once as a fan, before I start listening to the music and trying to figure out how I'm gonna approach it."

WHAT'S NEXT

Starting to work on the score for a new film, "THE TASTING"

Craig's Website

@cdscores on Instagram

Craig's Facebook page

Copyright 2025 Mark Stinson

Music tracks are copyrighted and used for creative review purposes.

From May, 1979 at KBCL-AM Shreveport.

Thanks to radio legend Larry Ryan for giving me the chance.

Thanks to Marty Johnson for the photo, not to mention the years of radio mentorship

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

In today's episode, we talk with David Cummins, Ph.D. about overcoming blocks to our creativity.

David says, "Since learning Rapid Resolution Therapy (RRT), helping people has become much more effective, quick, and significantly more fun for me and the people I have helped.  I appreciate RRT because I can help people move their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors to where they want them -- without dragging them through the mud of the past. What I have found is that by helping the person get to an open relaxed state, their minds become much more responsive to moving in the direction the person wishes. Clients regularly report that the process was interesting, easy, and left them feeling lighter and clearer."

He adds, "The process uses many painless techniques that naturally moves the person where they want to be going. What I find is that these shifts tend to be effortless and long-lasting because the changes are in the person’s best interest and it happens on multiple levels at the same time. RRT has shown to be effective in helping to clear depression, anxiety, PTSD, grief, guilt, and most other mental health issues."

Feel free to contact David if you have any questions about the process. You may also visit the RRT website for more information.

In addition, David says, "Because of the effectiveness of RRT online, I provide online therapy sessions for those who may need this service."

Conventional wisdom says that emotions have no place in business or leadership. Reiner Lomb will tell you that is a fallacy.

You must master seven critical emotions to be an effective and empowering leader who creates positive change.

Whether you are in a formal leadership role or are a rising leader, entrepreneur, or changemaker driven by a desire to use your voice to create change, in Reiner Lomb’s groundbreaking new book Aspire: Seven Essential Emotions for Leading Positive Change, No Matter Where You Are, you will discover how to positively influence key stakeholders, build trust, lead with optimism, ride the waves of negative emotions, mobilize people to take action, and choose resiliency in the face of setbacks.

Says Lomb: “The essence of leadership is creating a vision of an aspirational new future and then influencing people to change their behavior to make that vision a reality. Your inspiration to create aspirational change may come from your dissatisfaction with the status quo, joyful anticipation of an aspirational new future, or a new insight. To create such a vision and bring it into reality requires an emotional shift from hopelessness to optimism and inspiration, which then can mobilize any group - from dozens to millions.”

Reiner saw this firsthand having grown up just a few miles from the border between East and West Germany, watching a small group of committed leaders peacefully bring down the Berlin Wall by mobilizing millions of people. This is one of many incidences or case studies he shares in Aspire to show the power of emotional IQ.  

The seven critical emotions are:

●       Empathy – The Gate To Caring

●       Compassion - The Commitment To Serving

●       Interest – The Drive To Understanding

●       Optimism – The Lens For Visioning

●       Inspiration – The Energy For Mobilizing

●       Trust – The Fuel For Collaborating

●       Positivity – Being Resilient

Understanding and cultivating these emotions within yourself and others are essential to change your own behavior and influence behavioral change in others. In the book, Reiner shows readers the importance of each of the 7 emotions, best practices to develop these emotions in yourself and others, and then provides practical recommendations for how to do this work as a leader with the people you serve. 

About Reiner Lomb

Reiner is the founder of BoomerangCoach, an executive coaching firm specializing in leadership and career development, innovation, and transformational change. Reiner’s mission is to mobilize and develop leaders to create a more sustainable and positive future for all. As an executive coach, he works with leaders and changemakers in a wide range of organizations, from start-ups and multinational companies to non-profits and local communities - all of whom aspire to create transformational change. Whether he’s working with corporate executives, entrepreneurs, intrapreneurs, or indigenous tribal leaders, Reiner’s clients appreciate his international business and cross-cultural leadership experience.

Before becoming an executive coach, Reiner had a 30-plus-year career in technology, started and developed software businesses, and led leadership development. At Hewlett-Packard, his home for 20-plus years, he launched new software product businesses and helped grow HP Software into a multi-billion...

Many writers don't know the fundamentals of process and mindset management, which results in unnecessary struggle, doubt, and despair. Even worse, they start to believe that if they were only a "better writer" the journey would be easier. That kind of inner critic thinking further dents their confidence.

Fueled by the belief that the writing adventure doesn’t have to be so hard, Christine Carron launched her company Goodjelly in 2021. To do so, she combined her love of writing with 25 years of experience as a process improvement expert and project manager.

The Jam Experience, Goodjelly's multi-signature small-group coaching program, teaches writers how to cultivate flow, handle blocks with ease, build their confidence, and make consistent writing progress. The results have been transformative.

Christine also blogs weekly, furthering her mission to help as many writers as possible take charge of their writing adventure using the three pillars of Goodjelly: Smart Process, Grounded Power, and Inner Kindness.

Today's Interview Topics

·     Sustainable creative productivity

·     Total Writing Work Management

·     Handling your Inner Critic Goodjelly-style

·     How to delight in your creative process

·     Building creative momentum

·     Cultivating a productive mindset

·     Agile for Artists

Questions we explore:

·     What are the 3 keys to unlock sustainable creative productivity?

·     What are the three pillars of consistent writerly progress?

·     What is invisible work and how does it mess with creative momentum?

·     What is code and context and how do those two concepts impact your creative productivity?

·     What are some creative productivity styles and why is it important that writers know (and embrace) their productivity style?

·     What is one no-fail way to get out of a writing slump?

·     What is a "Done Boost" and why should writers want a lot of them?

·     How can writers work through any writing block?

Discover more in these articles

https://www.goodjelly.com/blog/pillars-of-progress

https://www.goodjelly.com/blog/4-productivity-types

https://www.goodjelly.com/blog/7tips-q4planning

https://www.goodjelly.com/blog/bounce

https://www.goodjelly.com/blog/courage-practices

Christine's Website

@leagueofgoodjelly on Instagram

Copyright 2025 Mark Stinson

Honey Larochelle

Sacred Artistry Summit Coach

Singer and Vocal Producer

Performer with Fungineers

honeylarochelle.com

THIS EPISODE IS SPONSORED BY: MAGIC MIND, a matcha-based energy shot infused with nootropics and adaptogens designed to crush procrastination, brain fog & fatigue.

Take advantage of the special offer just for listeners at

www.magicmind.co/creativity

Promo code "Creativity20"

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. Bairstow's career has been marked by groundbreaking contributions to video, projection, and digital design. Over the past twelve years, he's led the NorthHouse team to play a pivotal role in a range of global events, including the Queen's Platinum Jubilee, the King's Coronation, Coldplay's World Tours and a range of brand events and immersive experiences for the likes of Ferrari, Youtube and the Dubai Expo. With a team of highly skilled designers, directors, technologists, and producers, NorthHouse Creative has emerged as one of the leading companies in live shows and immersive experiences. Together, they strive for excellence and innovation, consistently pushing boundaries to create awe-inspiring visuals that connect people to music, brands and each other.

Copyright 2025 Mark Stinson