Creative Genius

After a long and necessary silence, Kate is back - and she comes bearing something real. In this tender welcome-back episode, Kate shares honestly about the months she spent unable to show up: the depression, the grief, the days she couldn't get out of bed, and the slow, quiet process of finding her way back to herself and to this work. She reflects on what it means to be a guide for others when y...

Creativity as a Lifeline: A Conversation with Jaime Townzen What happens when grief, loss, and uncertainty open a doorway back to creativity? In this soulful episode of The Creative Genius Podcast, host Kate Shepherd speaks with artist and author Jaime Townzen about how watercolour became her lifeline during a dark time, and how following her spark led her to write and publish her debut novel  Abs...

What if your nervous system—the very force that protects you—was also the key to unlocking your creativity, joy, and deeper self-connection? In this profound and heartfelt conversation, Kate sits down with emotional healing specialist and nervous system guide Natalie (NatNat) Bédard of LiftOneSelf. Together, they explore how our nervous systems shape our experiences, how integrating soul and human...

In this episode of The Creative Genius Podcast (the finale for Season 4!) Kate sits down with Albert Bramante — talent agent, psychologist, and author — to explore why so many creatives hold themselves back, how to reframe rejection, why fear isn’t the enemy, and how to trust yourself enough to rewrite your own script. From Kate: Today I’m bringing you a conversation that feels especially alive an...

About This Episode What if the collapse of old systems — the patriarchy, relentless productivity, and hollow doing — is really the birth pangs of something necessary and beautiful? In this conversation, I sit down with Leo Marrs, a writer, creative strategist, experience designer, and the author of the upcoming The New Creator: Rise of the Mindful Artist in the New Meaning Economy . Leo’s story be...

In this episode of The Creative Genius Podcast, I talk with designer, writer, and thinker Ben Rennie, author of a new book that explores the transformative power of curiosity and creativity. Together, we unpack the dynamic relationship between curiosity, creativity, and confidence, and how this path can guide us to overcome fear and step more fully into our potential. Ben shares his personal story...

A FEW THINGS WE TALKED ABOUT Why joy is not frivolous—it’s essential. How to observe chaos without absorbing it Alchemizing anger into action Grounding techniques to pull you back to yourself (barefoot walks, simple rituals) Why online friendships and community can be just as real—and healing—as in-person ones How feminine energy can help rebalance a world spinning off its axis What it actually lo...

In the ever-evolving landscape of art and technology, the fusion of creativity and artificial intelligence is opening new horizons for artists worldwide. In a recent episode of Creative Genius , host Kate Shepherd engages in a thought-provoking conversation with Troy Plota, the visionary behind Plotaverse, exploring how AI can serve as a powerful ally in the creative process. The Intersection of A...

What do we do when we feel frozen in the face of manufactured crisis and overwhelm? I sit down with wise and wonderful Sharazad Jamal to talk about finding your way back to your inner truth, using creativity, intuition, and ancient wisdom tools to navigate fear and chaos. In this deeply resonant conversation, artist and soul-guide Sharazad Jamal joins me to explore how we navigate ongoing chaos, c...

As the world feels increasingly unstable, many of us are seeking ways to stay grounded, to keep our hearts open, and to resist despair. In this timely encore episode, Buddhist teacher and author Lama Rod Owens reminds us that  joy is not only possible in times of crisis—it is essential. Lama Rod shares deeply from his lived experience as a Black, queer spiritual teacher in America. We talk about h...

In this episode of the Creative Genius podcast, I interview Rebe Huntman about her debut memoir, "My Mother in Havana, a memoir of magic and miracle." Rebe shares her personal story of losing her mother at a young age and the subsequent decades of feeling disconnected from her memory. Driven by a deep longing and intuition, Rebe embarked on a 30-day DIY pilgrimage to Cuba to seek a different persp...

In this deeply moving episode, Kate Shepherd sits down with Gabrielle Savory Bailey for a Listener Lab conversation that explores creativity as a force for connection, healing, and resistance in difficult times. Gabrielle shares her experiences as a Quaker, an artist, and a facilitator of creative communities, weaving together insights on spirituality, vulnerability, and the power of shared creati...

In this episode The connection between the oppressive forces we see in the world and the inner critic we battle within How to recognize and stop the trance of negative thoughts Why rebuilding the world starts with inner transformation The importance of community and leaning into support systems If you’re craving connection, join us for Pod Club —our live community gathering for Creative Genius lis...

In this encore episode of The Creative Genius Podcast , with a brand new intro - I revisit a powerful conversation with the wise and insightful Jane Dunnewold. In a time of uncertainty and upheaval, I'm reflecting on the emotional rollercoaster so many of us are experiencing—fear, despair, hope, and the flickering light of creativity. I am candidly shares my own struggle with doom scrolling, the p...

In this episode, I explore how the world we’ve known is broken—and how we are the ones being called to rebuild it. But before we can take on the external challenges, we have to confront our own inner bullies—the self-doubt, fear, and conditioning that keep us small. This episode is a call to arms for creatives, visionaries, and healers. The world needs you, but first, you must reclaim your power f...

In this week’s episode, we had the pleasure of speaking with Cami Smith, an incredible artist and community builder who shared her inspiring creative journey. We explored the importance of connecting with our creative selves and overcoming the limiting beliefs that hold us back. Cami spoke of her passion for building community, how her mother influenced her art, her creative evolution from fiber a...

In extraordinary times, fear and despair can feel overpowering. But what if the opposite is true? In this special bonus episode, I share a deeply personal reflection on the battle between light and dark—both in the world and within ourselves. I explore the ways fear tries to convince us that all is lost, and how we can recognize the quiet, unwavering voice of truth and love instead. If you've been...

What does it take to create something truly original? In this episode of The Creative Genius Podcast , I sit down with John Roescher, a visionary thinker who shares profound insights into the creative process. We dive deep into one of creativity’s most elusive challenges: How do you resist the urge to rely on what’s already there in order to allow something new to emerge? Drawing from his own expe...

  Show Notes Lisa’s journey from accounting to art and her rediscovery of creative passion. The healing power of art and its role as a survival tool in challenging times. The importance of connecting with intuition and quieting external noise. Overcoming limiting beliefs and embracing imperfection in the creative process. Building resilience through failure and using creativity to navigate grief....

  WHAT WE TALK ABOUT -The importance of storytelling in all its various forms (including journaling) and how it is so much more than just words.  -The thing she would do to change about society (if she had a magic wand) -The quiet yet profound transformation she sees take place over and over again when people start to journal with the technique she developed Heart journals course  https://planting...

This episode is a special one. I sat down with the inspiring Roxanne Glaser—artist, educator, and creator of whimsical nature-inspired doodles—to talk about what it really means to live a creative life. We dive into some deeply personal and powerful topics, like how Roxanne used art to process profound grief after experiencing unimaginable loss and how her creative practice became a tool for heali...

In this first-ever Listener Lab episode, Kate sits down with listener Lindsey Thomas to reflect on Scott Erickson's episode  and explore creativity, vulnerability, and the ways art impacts personal growth. They dive into strategies for navigating transitions, managing negative beliefs, and using creativity as a tool for self-discovery. Lindsey and Kate discuss the importance of self-compassion, th...

Episode Summary: In this episode of The Creative Genius Podcast , Kate Shepherd speaks with Kwame Scruggs, the founder of Alchemy Inc., a nonprofit using the transformative power of mythology to inspire and uplift communities. Kwame shares his incredible journey, from working at Goodyear for 15 years while earning his degrees at night to founding Alchemy Inc. He highlights the wisdom we can gain f...

Discovering Creativity: An Intimate Conversation with Scott Erickson What does it mean to live a creative life? Is creativity a talent, or is it an innate intelligence that we all possess? In this week’s episode of The Creative Genius Podcast, I had the pleasure of sitting down with the remarkable artist and storyteller, Scott Erickson, to explore these questions and so much more. Scott’s journey...

In this episode of The Creative Genius Podcast , host Kate Shepherd sits down with Cory Allen—author of Brave New You , mindfulness expert, and prolific musician—to explore the journey of breaking free from self-limiting beliefs and reconnecting with the authentic self. Cory shares his own story of overcoming a traumatic childhood, turning inward through Eastern and Western philosophies, and disco...