Create for No Reason

What makes some writing so powerful that it stays with us and changes how we see the world? In this episode of Create For No Reason , I talk with poet, educator, and former Malibu Poet Laureate Nathan Hassall about the art of poetry, finding your creative voice, and what it takes to make your writing more meaningful. We explore why simplicity can be more powerful than complicated language, how to...

What happens when the life you’ve built no longer feels like the life you want? In this episode, I talk with coach and entrepreneur Sarah Janzen about reinvention, identity, and what it takes to step into a new chapter of your life. After more than a decade climbing the corporate ladder, Sarah realized the success she had worked so hard to achieve was no longer working for her. But leaving meant c...

What keeps us creating when we’re afraid our best work might be behind us? Zibby Owens has interviewed more than 2,000 authors, and she’s noticed something surprising: even the most accomplished writers struggle with self-doubt. What keeps them going is their willingness to face rejection, keep creating, and put their work into the world anyway. Zibby is a bestselling author, publisher, bookstore...

AI is changing the way we create, but is that always a good thing? Fiction writer, editor, and YouTube creator Kieren Westwood is back for a conversation about AI, creativity, and what we risk losing when we become obsessed with making everything faster and easier. We talk about where AI might belong in the writing process, why struggling through the work matters, and the danger of outsourcing the...

Discover some of the best journaling prompts in your favorite books. I love a great question, but I’ve realized that some of the ideas that inspire me most to sit down and write come from great books. In this episode, I’m sharing five books I return to again and again when I want to think differently, spark a new idea, or find something worth journaling about. From creativity and perfectionism to...

What makes writing actually good ? Andrew Bashford is a writing teacher, author, and creator of the popular YouTube channel Writing with Andrew. With an MFA in Creative Writing and a PhD in Rhetoric, Composition, and Literacy, he has spent years studying what makes writing work. In this conversation, we explore what separates writing that connects from writing that falls flat, why specificity make...

What if confidence isn’t something you need before you start, but something you build along the way? I’ve interviewed a lot of writers, artists, entrepreneurs, and creators over the years, and there’s a common thread I see among so many of them: even people doing incredible work still struggle with self-doubt. In this episode, I share what I’ve learned from those conversations, along with my own e...

Every creator has a different process. The challenge isn't finding the "perfect" one. It's discovering the one that helps you keep creating. This week, fiction writer, editor, and YouTube creator Kieren Westwood joins me for a conversation about creativity, comparison, perfectionism, and why embracing your own creative process is one of the most important things you can do. We talk about finding y...

What's the future of books, creativity, and sharing ideas in an AI-powered world? After reading a fascinating article by Tim Ferriss about the decline of nonfiction book sales, I found myself thinking less about the data and more about my own creative journey. The books I read, the way I create, and even my definition of success have changed over the years. In this episode, I explore why I'm readi...

How do you know what you're meant to create? In this episode of Create For No Reason , I sit down with bestselling author David Kadavy to discuss curiosity, creativity, and what it really means to build a meaningful body of work. David shares why he published a novella under a secret pen name, how following his curiosity has shaped every stage of his career, why quitting the right projects can be...

Do you keep your dreams to yourself? Dream big but struggle to follow through? Or pride yourself on turning dreams into reality? In this episode of Create For No Reason, I share the three types of dreamers we discovered through our work at Floyd Consulting, helping people achieve their personal and professional dreams: the Quiet Dreamer, the Visionary Dreamer, and the Accomplished Dreamer. Each ty...

When you're feeling stuck creatively, where do you turn? For me, it's usually books. There's something about picking one up, flipping to a random page, and finding exactly the sentence or idea you didn't know you needed. In this episode, I'm sharing four books I've been turning to lately when I need a little creative inspiration to keep going, and I hope at least one of them is going to hit for yo...

If you’ve been talking about a creative project but haven't actually started it, this is your nudge to get moving. In this episode, I share what I’ve learned from participating in a 30-day poetry challenge and why challenges are one of the most powerful ways to stop procrastinating and finally create. This is my third year doing it, and every time, it reminds me that creating consistently matters...

What if your message isn’t landing because you’re overcomplicating it? In this episode, I reconnect with Emmy Award-winning storyteller Park Howell to talk about why clarity beats cleverness — and why most creators struggle not because they lack talent, but because they lack structure. Park breaks down the simple storytelling framework that drives powerful brands, walks me through building one liv...

In this episode, I’m reflecting on how we think about problems. Whether you’re building something meaningful, leading a team, or navigating a season of uncertainty, challenges aren’t a sign that you’re off track, they're part of the process. I share a personal story from early in my career, reflect on the discomfort of the messy middle, and explore how a simple shift in perspective can change the...

If you’ve ever felt frustrated by how long something is taking — a project, a dream, or even becoming the best version of yourself — remember that meaningful work takes time. Creating anything that matters isn’t just about producing the work itself. It’s about growing into the person capable of creating it. In this solo episode, I talk about the creative process and why it can’t be rushed, no matt...

What if your life is good… but something is missing? In this episode, I sit down with coach and longtime friend Jen Rose for an honest conversation about intuition, courage, and what it really means to follow the quiet nudge that says, there’s more for you. Jen shares her journey from living a “fine” life to making bold, intentional changes — leaving corporate, relocating across the country, and b...

Are you growing or just consuming more self-help content? In today’s episode, I explore the difference between real personal growth and being addicted to consuming books, podcasts, and videos. With so much content available, it’s easy to stay busy consuming rather than applying what we learn to live a more fulfilling life. In this episode, I explore a challenge so many creative, ambitious people f...

What does it really take to build a fulfilling second act? And do we all need to start a business to feel alive creatively? In this episode of Create For No Reason, Kate sits down with Shannon Russell, host of the Second Act Success podcast and author of Start Your Second Act , to talk about what it means to start over, pursue new dreams, and create a life with no regrets. Shannon shares her journ...

What does success really mean in your creative life? In this solo episode of Create For No Reason, Kate explores how different creators define success. Some build a business around their art, while others create simply for the joy of it. Through stories about friends, the creative process, and even Taylor Swift’s latest album, Kate reflects on why being proud of your work might just be the truest...

My creative friend and poet, Terrance P. Elmore is back! We swap notes on the Poem-a-Day challenge, writing when you’re tired, turning okay drafts into great work, and navigating new creative chapters (including Terrance’s first novel). In this episode, you’ll discover: How a daily poetry challenge builds discipline Why writing tired can unlock surprising lines A mindset shift for “done vs. perfec...

What does it really take to create a podcast that makes an impact? In this episode, Kate sits down with Rachel Elsts Downey, Founder of Share Your Genius, to explore the creative process, podcasting myths, and how to approach content with purpose and authenticity. Whether you’re thinking about starting a podcast or you’ve been creating content for years, this conversation will remind you why it’s...

Mental toughness isn’t just for athletes. It’s for anyone striving to do meaningful, creative, or challenging work. In this episode, Dr. Rob Bell, mental toughness coach and author of eight books, shares what it really takes to perform under pressure, move through setbacks, and keep showing up when things get hard. From training PGA golfers to running 100Ks in the woods, Dr. Bell has lived his mes...

Sometimes the best inspiration is hiding in plain sight—an old notebook, a half-written idea, or a stack of books in the corner. Sometimes inspiration is found in the mess. In this episode of  Create For No Reason , I dive into a little creative spring cleaning. While clearing out my office, I rediscovered lost resources, revisited lessons from Joyce Carol Oates and Austin Kleon, and even sha...

What happens when your biggest idea fails, but you still believe in your dreams? Starr Hall has built businesses, faced legal battles, and reinvented herself more times than most people dare to try. In this candid and inspiring conversation, we talk about the real cost of entrepreneurship, how to decide which creative ideas to pursue, and how AI can be the most powerful creative partner you've eve...