Creative Chats with Mike Brennan

320. Tom Provost on Young Washington, Writing, and Servant Leadership In this episode of Creative Chats , Mike Brennan sits down with screenwriter, filmmaker, teacher, and creative storyteller Tom Provost for a conversation about his journey through film, writing, teaching, and the making of Young Washington . Tom shares the childhood experiences that sparked his love of stories, the long road of...

319. Cuffy and the Power of Letting Go In this episode of Creative Chats, Mike Brennan shares a personal story about bowling, his playful alter ego "Cuffy," and the surprising power of loosening control. What begins as a funny family memory becomes a deeper reflection on perfectionism, creativity, and the freedom that comes from showing up with more joy and less pressure. Mike explains how trying...

318. 14 Years of Daily Creativity: Embracing Imperfection and Rest Mike Brennan shares his personal journey through a health crisis, reflecting on the importance of embracing seasons of pause in creativity, and redefining what it means to practice consistently. This heartfelt episode explores vulnerability, resilience, and the true essence of a sustainable creative practice. 3 Key Takeaways: Embra...

317. Live from Columbia TN: Creative Problem Solving and Jewelry Design with Warren Feld\ In this episode of Creative Chats, we dive into the intricate world of jewelry design and creative problem-solving with Warren Feld, accomplished jewelry artist, designer, educator, and author. Warren shares his journey from creative discouragement in childhood to becoming a master of contemporary jewelry art...

316. Stop Giving Away Your Creative Power In this episode of Creative Chats, Mike Brennan discusses the importance of valuing oneself as a creative individual. He emphasizes the need for creatives to recognize their worth and not to seek validation externally. The conversation explores the challenges faced in the creative job market, including the pressure to accept undervalued work and the import...

315. From Leaving Law to Embracing Creativity: Casey Berman's Journey In this episode of Creative Chats, Casey Berman shares his journey from law to creativity, emphasizing the importance of critical thinking in career transitions. He discusses the significance of identifying one's unique skills and strengths, overcoming fear, and embracing curiosity as a pathway to personal growth. Casey also hig...

314. Finding Beauty in Brokenness Lessons from Kintsugi for Creatives In this episode of Creative Chats, Mike Brennan shares his experience with Kintsugi, the Japanese art of repairing pottery with gold. He reflects on the symbolism of Kintsugi, emphasizing the beauty of embracing imperfections and the stories behind our struggles. Through personal anecdotes, he encourages listeners to find value...

313. Rediscovering Childhood Creativity In this episode of Creative Chats, Mike Brennan explores the themes of creativity, mental health, and the importance of rediscovering childhood creativity. He shares his journey of self-publishing, the significance of networking, and how professional pressures can stifle joy in creative expression. Mike encourages listeners to reconnect with their creative r...

312. Building a Culture of Curiosity with Dustin Black In this episode of Creative Chats, host Mike Brennan speaks with Dustin Black, an executive creative director at Preston Spire. They explore Dustin's unique perspective on creativity, the importance of resourcefulness, and how to teach creativity to the next generation. The conversation delves into the impact of AI on creative processes, the n...

311. How Children's Books Change Lives: Kat Kronenberg's Story and Creative Advice In this episode of Creative Chats, Mike Brennan speaks with children's author Kathryn about the magic of creativity, the journey of writing children's books, and the importance of imagination. Kathryn shares her personal experiences of overcoming doubts and rediscovering her creative spirit later in life. They discu...

310. Creativity, Healing, and Entrepreneurship in Music: Marc Christian's Story In this episode of Creative Chats, Mike Brennan interviews Marc Christian, a talented musician who shares his journey from discovering his passion for music at a young age to navigating the complexities of the music industry. Marc discusses the healing power of music, his creative process, and the importance of buildin...

309. The Art and Magic of Feedback: Navigating Critique as a Creative In this episode of Creative Chats, Mike Brennan discusses the significance of feedback in the creative process. He emphasizes the importance of seeking constructive critique while also learning to trust one's own instincts and taste. The conversation explores the balance between receiving feedback and maintaining personal vision...

308. Are You Cheating Yourself? AI, Creativity, and the Importance of Process In this episode of Creative Chats, host Mike Brennan discusses the struggles of consistency in creativity and the importance of daily creative habits. He emphasizes the need for encouragement and progress tracking in the creative process. The conversation then shifts to the impact of AI on creativity, exploring both the...

307. Why Your Creative Process Needs More Boredom In this episode of Creative Chats, host Mike Brennan delves into the often-overlooked role of boredom in sparking creativity. Drawing from personal experiences and insights from thought leaders like Simon Sinek, Mike explores how moments of boredom can open the door to imagination and innovation. Discover how stepping away from constant stimulation...

306. Painting Life's Moments: How Heidi Schwartz Turns Events into Lasting Art In this episode of Creative Chats, we embark on a journey through the creative mind of Heidi Schwartz, live painter and artist based in Nashville. Heidi opens up about her unconventional path from music to painting, her unique process of painting live at events, and how art has served as both a healing agent and a trans...

305. Lessons in Creativity, Business, and Openness from Shelly Waldman In this episode of Creative Chats, Mike Brennan speaks with Shelly Waldman about her creative journey, from her childhood memories of crafting and photography to her professional experiences in photography. Shelly shares insights on adaptability, the importance of networking, and the challenges of building a creative business....

304. Why Artists Should Embrace Opportunities to Learn Something New In this episode of Creative Chats, Mike Brennan discusses the importance of embracing a beginner's mindset in creativity. He shares personal experiences with live painting and the challenges that come with stepping out of one's comfort zone. Mike encourages listeners to explore new opportunities, ask questions, and learn from oth...

303. Harnessing Creative Flow: Steven Puri's Journey from Hollywood to Tech In this episode of Creative Chats, host Mike Brennan speaks with Steven Puri about his journey through the creative process, from his early experiences in high school to his work in the film industry and his transition into tech with the Sukha Project. They discuss the importance of tenacity over talent, the role of luck a...

302. From Music to Movies: Steve Taylor's Creative Adventures and the Making of Sketch the Movie In this episode of Creative Chats, Mike Brennan interviews Steve Taylor, a multifaceted artist known for his work in music and film. They discuss Taylor's creative journey, influences, and the making of his latest film, Sketch. The conversation delves into the challenges of filmmaking, the importance o...

301. Turning Up Your Hue: Authenticity in Art, Life, and Business In this engaging talk from The Thing Nashville 2025, Mike Brennan explores the themes of creativity, authenticity, and personal expression through the metaphor of color. He emphasizes the importance of embracing one's essence and showing up authentically in the world. By sharing personal anecdotes and insights, he encourages listene...

300. Building Creative Magic with Simon Rogers: Mission, Meaning, and Making an Impact In this episode of Creative Chats, Mike Brennan speaks with Simon Rogers, founder of A Little Better Co., about the essence of creativity, his evolution in professional life, and the importance of aligning creativity with personal values. They discuss the challenges creatives face in a tech-driven world, the rol...

299. Breaking Procrastination and Boosting Creativity with Robin J. Emdon In this episode of Creative Chats, host Mike Brennan speaks with Robin J. Emdon about creativity, procrastination, and productivity. They explore Robin's early influences in the arts, the importance of thinking time, and strategies for overcoming procrastination. Robin shares insights from his book on understanding procrasti...

298. Following Curiosity and Craft: Nicole Leverett on Honoring Your Creative Process In this episode of Creative Chats, Mike Brennan speaks with Nicole Leverett about her creative journey, exploring her childhood influences, the evolution of her artistic pursuits, and the balance between passion and monetization in creative work. Nicole shares her experiences with photography, graphic design, and...

297. Unlocking Your Creative Potential: The Power of Books In this episode, Mike Brennan discusses the creative process and the journey of writing and publishing books. He emphasizes the importance of creativity in everyone's life and explores various formats for creative expression, particularly through books. Mike shares his personal experiences with creating multiple books, including 'Dear Snow...

296. Finding Your Creative Purpose with Judith Hill   In this episode of Creative Chats, Judith Hill shares her journey to becoming a successful portrait photographer. She discusses the importance of community, facing fears, and the pivotal moments that led her to pursue her passion full-time. Judith emphasizes the significance of purpose in creative work and how passion projects can reignite mome...