Creativity Found: Finding Creativity Later in Life

"I know what it feels like to be the bird in the cage that doesn't sing. I know that feeling and I don't want to go back to that again." Sheila Kazan, creator of the podcast Small Talk with Sheila chats with me about navigating the expectations of her Iranian immigrant parents – who envisioned her becoming a lawyer – and her own desire for creative expression.  From discovering...

'I was unaware that it wasn't normal to fall asleep when you're sat still.' This episode was first released in April 2023. Ruth Chipperfield, a goldsmith and jewellery designer, had always experienced excessive tiredness, but didn’t think anything more of it until a chat with a friend at uni revealed to her that not everyone struggled to stay awake at their desk in the same way...

The transformative power of words and music. Singer-songwriter Dennis Welch shares his journey from a Texas childhood filled with libraries and country music to a creative renaissance that has earned him multiple Grammy ballot considerations in his 60s and 70s.  We discuss the pivotal teachers who changed his life path, the moment he almost walked away from music forever, and how dinner with frien...

Merging professional expertise with a lifelong passion for ocean conservation. Jessica Adanich shares her journey from a childhood immersed in creativity to founding Fuzzy Sharks and Sharkapalooza, a non-profit art and conservation festival in Florida. Jessica chats with Claire about the challenges of art school, the resilience required to pivot careers during economic downturns, and the importanc...

Blending filmmaking and fiction: Neil Laird is a veteran documentary filmmaker and television executive who rediscovered a new creative spark in midlife through writing fiction.  In this episode Neil shares his journey from a small steel town in Pennsylvania to directing documentaries for the Discovery Channel and National Geographic, and eventually finding the courage to self-publish his own nove...

Monica Marlatt is a Toronto-based puzzle influencer who rediscovered her love for jigsaw puzzles while navigating the challenges of the empty-nest stage.  In this episode Monica shares how she transformed a solo, traditional hobby into a vibrant creative practice by mastering stop-motion animation, hosting location shoots across her city, and even launching puzzle-themed cruises with Royal Caribbe...

How coloured pencils changed Bonny's life. World-renowned artist and teacher Bonny Snowdon shares how a stressful period in her life and a gift of coloured pencils from her daughter led to a profound creative awakening that helped her manage anxiety and navigate personal challenges. We explore Bonny’s horse-mad childhood in North Yorkshire, her early experiences in the advertising and graphic...

Finding a balance between career and creativity.  Have you ever built a "successful" career only to realize it was draining the very creativity you intended to nurture?  Artist Emily-Jane Sarroff spent a decade navigating the worlds of architecture and high-level business consulting before realizing that her most important work was the art she made for herself.  Emily-Jane shares her jou...

Physiological peace and rewiring a creative soul.  Creative pursuits helped my guest, Jaime Townzen, to overcome years of grief and caregiving stress to complete and publish her first novel, but it's not all about writing! In this episode Jaime shares her journey from high-achieving, people-pleasing pre-med student to embracing her passion for storytelling, a transition sparked by a pivotal m...

From statistics to sustainability via collaboration, community and creativity.  Kathy Kyle is an illustrator and entrepreneur who successfully pivoted from a 25-year career in marketing and statistics to launching her own sustainable art business.  In this episode Kathy shares her journey of finding her creative voice later in life and the courage it took to prioritize joy and beauty over utilitar...

Creativity as a necessity in the age of AI.  Steve Goldberg is a passionate advocate for the role of creativity in a rapidly changing world, and in this episode he shares his conviction that finding meaning and purpose beyond professional life will become increasingly vital as artificial intelligence reshapes the future of work.  Steve, a former tenured professor and global consultant, shares his...

Cultural heritage, a challenging mentor and the bridge between free expression and disciplined practice.  Regina Linke is an illustrator and writer dedicated to celebrating traditional Chinese art and philosophy in a modern way.  Regina's childhood interest in drawing was initially stifled by rigid instruction, and she went on to study business in college followed by a career in international...

Mime, movement and the Relax Kids revolution.  Marneta Viegas, founder of Relax Kids, was the "fame school" student haunted by self-doubt who went on to become a pioneer of accessible children's relaxation. In this episode she details the emotional toll business growth had on her, and how she now fiercely guards her creativity. From Self-Doubt to Mime: Marneta shares her supportive,...

From combat engineer to creative conjurer, discover how Joseph Bolton merges magic, ancestry and the northern lights in his new-found love for writing folklore and fantasy. Joseph joined the US Army straight out of high school, and in his 25 years of service graduated from West Point and Ranger School and worked as a combat engineer (a role that involved building bridges and blowing things up), an...

Jennifer Roig-Francolí shares her journey from a young violinist finding solace in her art, to a place of spiritual exploration and self-discovery. We discuss the challenges she faced in her artistic life, including a pivotal moment when she realized she was not using her creativity in a healthy way, and the profound neck pain that changed her path. Through the Alexander Technique, Jennifer found...

Discovering and sharing the healing power of art. What happens when a distinguished physician with over 150 published papers walks away from a 40-year medical career? For Dr Vasu Tolia, an unexpected artistic awakening filled the void. Dr Tolia's story begins in Calcutta, where she grew up in an academically-driven household with little exposure to the arts. Her path to medicine was serendipi...

Outward success can mask profound inner turmoil. Alexandra Walker talks to me about her path from mathematical prodigy to trauma-informed coach, revealing along the way how creative expression can be hindered by psychological struggles, but also become a pathway to healing.  From an early age, Alexandra displayed dual talents in mathematics and creative arts. A perceptive art teacher recognized ab...

What happens when a satellite engineer's hands stop working, and how can creativity emerge from constraint? For Florrie de Havilland, a period of debilitating ill health  meant reimagining her entire career and discovering unexpected joy in the delicate art of calligraphy and the mechanical precision of letterpress printing. Having had a successful career in mechanical engineering, including...

Escaping the horrors of 9/11 on foot, and coming to terms with the experiences through poetry. First released in September 2021 What happens when tragedy collides with creativity? Andrea Carter Brown's journey from accountant to acclaimed poet was forever altered by the events of September 11, 2001, when she fled her apartment just one block from the World Trade Center. Growing up in a home w...

Cruise ships, corporate climbing and a creative philosophy From a young age, Tricia Duffy was immersed in the arts, singing and writing poetry. Leaving school at 16 with no qualifications, Tricia found a way to fulfill her dream of going to America by working on cruise ships, where her passion for entertainment blossomed.  On returning to the UK Tricia transitioned into the television industry, wh...

How age and life experiences can reignite artistic passions long buried beneath the weight of societal expectations.  For this episode I had the pleasure of speaking with Sally Fox, a once-aspiring artist turned leadership consultant. After years of letting grades and external validation dictate her creative identity, Sally bravely broke free from the chains of self-doubt. Now in her 70s, she reve...

Turning trauma into art when the ocean closed. First released in December 2021 Leanne’s father took her snorkelling when she was young, and she fell in love with the ocean then. As a teenager that culture became something she pulled away from because of its associations with a traumatic experience, the details of which her brain blocked out to protect her. Even though she was drawn to the ocean, s...

I'm excited to introduce you to the Multispective Podcast, where real people share their stories, much like we do here at Creativity Found.  Hosted by Jennica Sadhwani, Multispective delves into diverse perspectives on society and culture, showcasing personal narratives that tackle life's challenges head-on.  Hear more about what to expect and, if you’re looking for a podcast that gives...

Replacing the rigidity of council architecture with the vibrancy of bespoke hat design. Janice Charles is the CEO of House of Charles, a bespoke hat-design business that thrives on making the seemingly impossibe, possible. Janice's father instilled in her a belief that she could achieve anything she set her mind to, an ethos illustrated by the unique, architectural headwear she now designs fo...

Initially skeptical about pursuing a career in film, Tyler Schwanke's younger, practical self chose to take a journalism course at college. However, his true calling in film and storytelling beckoned, and he tried out a number of programs, before completing his mixed degree. After college, back in his high-school bedroom at his parents' home, Tyler needed to earn some money, and took a s...