Category

Creativity

Creativity, Non Fiction, Writers on Writing

Jun 07: You the Story with #1 NYT Bestselling Author Ruta Sepetys

A Writer’s Guide to Craft Through Memory

You the Story with author Ruta Sepetys

Ruta Sepetys is more than just an author. She’s a seeker of lost stories.

After five award-winning works of historical fiction, and countless hours of meticulous research, Ruta Sepetys affirms that the secret to strong writing is embedded within your own life experience.

And that’s what we discuss today: How to tap into emotions, use humor, find rhythm. Discover your voice, your vision. Where to find inspiration. How to draw on your own roots, memories, creativity. And much more.

About Ruta Sepetys

Ruta Sepetys is an internationally acclaimed, #1 New York Times bestselling author of historical fiction published in over 60 countries and 40 languages. Winner of the Carnegie Medal, her books have won or been shortlisted for over 40 book prizes, are included on over 30 state reading lists, and are currently in development for film and television. You The Story: A Writer’s Guide to Craft Through Memory is her first nonfiction book.

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Business, Creativity, Non Fiction, Personal Development, Professional Development

Feb 01: Perfect the Fine Art of Problem Solving with Amy Herman

Bolster your critical thinking skills, overcome obstacles, and make those hard decisions through art

Art historian and lawyer Amy E. Herman has discovered a way to use works of art to teach us how to hone our perceptions and visual intelligence, presenting a paradigm-shattering twist on problem solving that helps us find solutions to the problems we face every day.

In Fixed, Amy E. Herman gives us access to what the FBI, NATO, the State Department, Interpol, Scotland Yard, and many more organizations and their leaders have been using to solve their most intractable problems.  She teaches us to see things differently, using art to challenge our default thinking and open up possibilities otherwise overlooked.

About Amy E. Herman – Author of Fixed: How to Perfect the Fine Art of Problem Solving.

Amy E. Herman developed The Art of Perception, Inc., in 2000 to improve medical student’s observation and communication skills with their patients when she was the Head of Education at The Frick Collection in New York City. She subsequently adapted the program for a wide range of professionals and leads sessions internationally for the New York City Police Department, the FBI, the French National Police, the Department of Defense, Interpol, the State Department, Fortune 500 companies, first responders, the military, and the intelligence community.

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Creativity, Non Fiction, Personal Development, Professional Development, Psychology

Dec 28: Stop Procrastinating, Start Living Your Dreams with Kate Eckman

Eliminate Perfectionism, Shed Self-Doubt, Create a Fun & Fulfilling Life

As many of us think about goals for 2023, we look at why we so often get in our our own … and how we can change that!

Kate Eckman knows first hand how the stories we tell can make or break us. We discuss why you should dare to suck at something new. How naming values helps establish clarity. How creating safe space helps develop the independence needed to live authentically. Why humor and fun and play is imperative!

About Kate Eckman

Former elite athlete Kate Eckman deeply understands sports psychology and performance. She’s a  certified executive coach, working with leaders in business and sports, and the award-winning author of The Full Spirit Workout: A Ten-Step System to Shed Your Self-Doubt, Strengthen Your Spiritual Core, and Create a Fun and Fulfilling Life.

 

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Creativity, Non Fiction, Personal Development, Writers on Writing

Aug 31: Propel Your Creative Life with Matthew Dicks

Winning Strategies to Take You From Dreaming to Doing

Returning guest Matthew Dicks is a jack of all trades, but a master of … several? How does he wear so many hats yet still remain super creative and extremely prolific?

Matthew’s goal is to help you go from dreaming to doing, from talking to creating, wiping out those excuses of being too spent or not having enough time along the way. We discuss black holes, living a life of YES, performative productivity, the power of accountability, the importance of gathering your tribe … and much more.

About Matthew Dicks

It might be easier to list the things Matthew Dicks hasn’t done than those he has!  Among his accomplishments are bestselling novelist, nationally recognized storyteller, playwright, communications consultant, award-winning elementary schoolteacher, humor and advice columnist, minister, wedding DJ, and professional public speaker. He’s won multiple Moth GrandSLAM story competitions. And with his wife, Elysha, created the organization SPEAK UP. Vicki last talked with Matthew Dicks about his first book on creativity, Storyworthy – podcast. Today we discuss his latest, Someday is Today: 22 Simple, Actionable Ways to Propel Your Creative Life. vv

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Career, Creativity, Personal Development, Self-help

Aug 24: Push Past The Final 8th and Accomplish Your Goals

Tap Into the Most Powerful Resource You Have to Accomplishing Your Goals: Your Inner Selves

Why is it that the final hill to achieving a goal is often the most difficult to climb? Bridgit Dengel Gaspard helps you cross the finish line in The Final 8th: Enlist Your Inner Selves to Accomplish Your Goals.

You’ll learn why our inner selves frequently have competing motives. Why symptoms such as body aches and insomnia could be caused by inner selves that don’t communicate verbally. Bridgit also shres tools and resources to help you stop self-sabotaging.

About Bridgit Dengel Gaspard

Bridgit Dengel Gaspard is a therapist, coach, and master facilitator of voice dialogue. She’s led workshops for the Omega Institue, the National Association of Social Workers, the Actors Fund, and others. A former performer and comic, Bridgit has a private practice in New York where she specializes in helping clients overcome creativity blocks, transitions, and being stuck short of the finish line. The Final 8th: Enlist Your Inner Selves to Accomplish Your Goals is Bridgit’s first book.

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Creativity, Journalism, Non Fiction, Science

AUG 10: Matt Richtel’s Journey Through Art, Science, and the Soul

Harness Your Creativity Through Inspiration

Few things in a creator’s life cause more frustration than staring at an empty page or blank canvas in search of that spark of inspiration.  Pulitzer Prize winning journalist Matt Richtel weaves scientific evidence with insight from great creators and his own personal experiences to help you discover how to optimize your creative potential.

“Creative people actually physically see more of the world,” says Richtel.  We talk about The Muse and Hope.  How impact and openness are vital components of creativity.  Why intelligence doesn’t always factor into creativity.  How anyone can become more creative. And more delicious insight from  Inspired: Understanding Creativity, A Journey Through Art, Science, and the Soul.

About Matt Richtel

Narrative storyteller and New York Times Science reporter Matt Richtel was awarded the 2010 Pulitzer Prize for National Reporting for a series on distracted driving. He’s authored three narrative nonfiction books, several novels, and a daily comic strip. His latest book is Inspired: Understanding Creativity, A Journey Through Art, Science, and the Soul.

Catch our previous podcast with Matt Richtel right here A Deadly Wandering.

 

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Creativity, Non Fiction, Personal Development, Writers on Writing

Jun 23: Start Realizing Your Creative Dreams with Matthew Dicks

Someday is Today: 22 Simple, Actionable Ways to Propel Your Creative Life

Like many of us, returning guest Matthew Dicks wears many hats, yet he is super creative and extremely prolific. So how does he get it all done?

Matthew shares some of his winning strategies to wipe out those excuses we make about being too busy or too tired. His goal is to help you go from dreaming to doing, from talking to creating. We discuss black holes, living a life of YES, performative productivity, the power of accountability, the importance of gathering your tribe … and much more.

About Matthew Dicks

Matthew Dicks is a bestselling novelist, nationally recognized storyteller, playwright, communications consultant, award-winning elementary schoolteacher, humor and advice columnist, minister, wedding DJ, and professional public speaker. He’s won multiple Moth GrandSLAM story competitions. And with his wife, Elysha, created the organization SPEAK UP. Vicki last talked with Matthew Dicks about his first book on creativity, Storyworthy – podcast. Today we discuss his latest, Someday is Today: 22 Simple, Actionable Ways to Propel Your Creative Life

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Creativity, Journalism, Non Fiction, Science

Jun 15: Inspired–Understanding Creativity with Matt Richtel

A Journey Through Art, Science, and the Soul

How do we define creativity? How does it work? Where does inspiration spark? How can we optimize our own creative potential? And what do great creators have to share with us?

Pulitzer Prize winning journalist Matt Richtel takes a deep dive into the new science behind creativity and creative minds, and blends it with insight from great creators, and stories of his own. We talk about The Muse and Hope. Why intelligence doesn’t always factor into creativity.  How anyone can become more creative. And more delicious insight from  Inspired: Understanding Creativity, A Journey Through Art, Science, and the Soul.

About Matt Richtel

An American writer, narrative storyteller, and New York Times Science reporter Matt Richtel was awarded the 2010 Pulitzer Prize for National Reporting for a series on distracted driving. He’s the author of three narrative nonfiction books, several novels, and a daily comic strip. His latest book is Inspired: Understanding Creativity, A Journey Through Art, Science, and the Soul.

Catch our previous podcast with Matt Richtel right here A Deadly Wandering.

 

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Arts, Creativity, Essays, History, Non Fiction

JUN 08: Movie Historian John DiLeo – There Are No Small Parts

100 Outstanding Film Performances with Screen Time of 10 Minutes or Less

Today we dive into a few of the stories in John DiLeo‘s fascinating new book There Are No Small Parts.  And that means we’re heading to the movies – vicariously, through John’s book.

In There Are No Small Parts, film expert DiLeo focuses on 100 amazing performances where actors – including some very big names at the top of their game – were on screen for just 10 minutes or less. Why would big names appear in a film for less than 10 minutes? Tune in to find out!

About John DiLeo

Movie historian John DiLeo is the author of six previous books about classic movies. He has been a frequent participant in the Black Bear Film Festival in Pennsylvania, has conducted onstage interviews with many named actors, and is often heard on Sirius XM radio. As a book reviewer, John DiLeo has contributed frequently to the Washington Post.

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Business, Creativity, Non Fiction, Personal Development, Professional Development

Mar 02: Amy Herman with Fixed – How to Perfect the Fine Art of Problem-Solving

How art can help you overcome challenges, make decisions, & sharpen critical thinking skills

Wayne Dyer said “Change the way you look at things, and the things you look at change.” And that concept inspired today’s guest to launch a whole new career as the president of The Art of Perception, Inc., based in New York.

Sometimes, all it takes to solve a problem is a paradigm shift. In Fixed, Amy E Herman shares how we can facilitate that shift and hone our powers of perception by looking at art – from paintings and sculptures to mixed media and photography. She shows how learning to see art more astutely, helps uncover deep-seated truths that often obstruct optimal decision-making.

About Amy E Herman – Author of Fixed: How to Perfect the Fine Art of Problem Solving.

Amy E Herman is the founder and president of The Art of Perception, Inc., an organization that  conducts professional development courses for leaders around the world – from Secret Service agents, the FBI, the Department of Defense, Doctors Without Borders, and NATO. Herman is a lawyer and art historian. She was Head of Education at The Frick Collection, where she oversaw the museum’s educational collaborations and community initiatives.

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