The Create! Podcast

In this special solo episode, I, Ekaterina Popova, share important updates about the future of the podcast, the magazine, and our community. What began back in 2018 as Art & Cocktails has now grown into more than 400 episodes featuring painters, sculptors, writers, mystics, musicians, and healers. After all these years, it is time for the next chapter. I am bringing the podcast back under the Crea...

In this episode, I, Kat Popova, founder and editor of Create! Magazine and certified master coach, share practical ways for artists and creatives to strengthen their money and success mindset, even during uncertain times. You will learn how to release what is outside your control, rewrite limiting beliefs, focus on your desires and goals, and take small but powerful actions toward the future you w...

Have you ever wanted to quit it all? The studio, the business, the endless to-do list? If so, you're not alone.   In this episode of  Art & Cocktails , I share how I nearly walked away, and what brought me back. From seeing members across the world to a simple but powerful reminder about harmony, I'll take you behind the scenes of my own turning point.   Inside, you'll discover: How to identify yo...

In this episode of Art & Cocktails , Kat Popova sits down with art historian, author, and podcast host Jennifer Dasal to talk about her latest book, The Club: Where American Women Artists Found Refuge in Belle Époque Paris (Bloomsbury, 2025). Jennifer shares the little-known story of the American Girls' Club in Paris—a home-away-from-home for women artists during the late 19th century that became...

Kristy returns to Art and Cocktails to share the inspiring story behind writing and publishing her book. We talk about the dream that began in childhood, the process of bringing it to life, and the milestones that followed. These include holding the finished copy in her hands, receiving an endorsement from Jerry Saltz, and seeing her work translated into Taiwanese. Kristy also addresses the myths...

Hello friends, and welcome to Art & Cocktails . In this solo episode, I'm Ekaterina Popova ( Kat), inviting you to return to the joy, curiosity, and grounding that comes from showing up for your art without overcomplication or pressure. This summer, I started a 100-day painting challenge that has completely reignited my love for the process. I share how working small, limiting my decisions, and co...

In this special episode of Art & Cocktails , artist Danielle Clough joins host Ekaterina Popova (Kat) to share her journey to becoming an internationally recognized embroidery artist. Known for her bold, painterly thread work and playful approach to fiber, Danielle opens up about finding her voice, building a creative career on her own terms, and embracing the power of intuition and process. She r...

In this episode of the Create! Podcast , artist, illustrator, and author Samantha Dion Baker joins host Ekaterina Popova to talk about building a sustainable art practice, finding joy in the everyday, and growing an authentic audience through her sketchbooks and writing. Originally trained as a designer, Samantha spent over two decades in the art world before reconnecting with her creative voice t...

If you've ever felt overwhelmed, awkward, or drained by art openings or networking events, this episode is for you. Host Ekaterina Popova (Kat) shares supportive and practical advice for introverted artists who want to show up with authenticity and confidence without sacrificing their energy. You'll learn how to prepare, what to say, and how to care for your emotional well-being before and after e...

This episode is a dream come true. I sit down with bestselling author and poet Maggie Smith , whose viral poem Good Bones captured hearts around the world. We talk about navigating creative life with honesty and resilience—from managing unsupportive friends to staying grounded when the world starts watching. We also dive into her newest book, Dear Writer , and how artists can protect their joy, se...

In this heartfelt and grounding conversation, Kat reconnects with her former professor, artist and printmaker Cheryl Agulnick Hochberg, to explore what it truly means to live a creative life—on your own terms.   Cheryl shares how her work is shaped by place, walking, and deep observation—drawing inspiration from time spent in Wyoming, China, Finland, and her new home in Arizona. Together, they ref...

In this episode of Art & Cocktails , host Ekaterina Popova speaks with Tatum Dooley—writer, brand strategist, and founder of Art Forecast . Tatum shares how she built a trusted curatorial platform that bridges art, fashion, and design while spotlighting emerging artists and helping demystify the art world.   We discuss:   How Art Forecast evolved from an Instagram account to a Substack and PR stud...

Feeling overwhelmed in your creative business? In this solo episode, Ekaterina Popova (Kat) walks you through how to do a Creative Business Audit—a practical process to clarify what's working, where your time and energy are going, and how to boost your profit without burning out. Whether you're an artist, coach, designer, or creative founder—this episode will help you reset your priorities and bui...

In this uplifting and practical mindset episode, I'm joined by transformational coach and author Olga , whose new book It's Already Yours offers a refreshing and accessible approach to identity, mindset, and aligned creation.   We dive into: How your subconscious mind shapes your day- to- day reality The role of identity and nervous system regulation in reaching your goals Tools to gently shift ou...

In this inspiring episode of Art & Cocktails , Kat Popova sits down with artist, curator, educator, and coach Sergio Gomez to talk about what it truly means to be a successful artist in 2025. Sergio shares his incredible journey—from creating art while working a 9 to 5 job to launching a thriving gallery, curating international exhibitions, and mentoring artists through The Artist NXT Level . We e...

In this honest chat, Kat shares an unfiltered look at what artists like you and me truly need in 2025 and beyond. From  navigating overwhelm and distraction to embracing deeper purpose and aligned visibility, this conversation is a reminder that you're not alone— and that your art, your voice, and your vision still matter. This episode offers grounded encouragement to help you reconnect with your...

In this solo episode, host Kat — artist, certified coach, and founder of Create! Magazine — speaks directly to those navigating the  in-between seasons of life and creativity: when the vision is clear, but momentum feels slow, and nothing seems to be moving fast enough. From reframing your challenges to trusting the pruning seasons, this episode is a reminder that you're not going backwards — you'...

What makes a work of art resonate? Is it the colors, the subject, the symbolism—or something more elusive? In this episode, curator, author, and coach Gita Joshi returns to talk about her new book Framing the Invisible: How We See and Understand Art . We explore how perception, personal experience, and context shape the way we engage with artwork—whether you're an artist, collector, or simply a cu...

If you've ever thought, "Why am I not getting featured?" —this episode is for you. Whether your pitches are met with silence, you're dropping "feature me" comments under open calls, or you're simply unsure how to approach editors, this is the (loving) tough-love conversation you didn't know you needed. In this solo episode, Kat shares raw insight from her unique perspective as both a published art...

In this solo episode of Art & Cocktails , I'm (Ekaterina Popova) celebrating my nine-year self-employment anniversary—marking the moment I walked out of my corporate job and committed to building a life as a full-time artist and creative entrepreneur. This conversation blends personal storytelling with practical strategies for artists who are just starting out, those in the thick of building, and...

In this powerful conversation, Kat sits down with artist Sarah Detweiler to explore the intersections of motherhood, identity, and creative evolution. Sarah opens up about her journey from commercial art to fine art, the deeply personal work in her Hidden Mother series, and her most recent solo show Unmasquerade —a vibrant, layered exploration of ADHD, selfhood, and unmasking in midlife. Together,...

What if joy, trust, and intention were the most powerful tools in your art practice? In this illuminating episode of Art & Cocktails , Kat is joined by Ingrid V. Wells—an artist known for her vibrant, playful still lifes that explore deep themes like resilience, consciousness, and energetic alignment. Her work invites viewers to reconnect with joy as a revolutionary creative force. Together, they...

In this inspiring episode of Art & Cocktails, host Kat sits down with visionary landscape artist Jennifer Peart, whose work explores the intersection of nature, mid-century design, and science fiction. They dive deep into Jennifer's creative inspirations, her experience at the Superfine Art Fair, and how she seamlessly weaves sustainability, community, and imagination into every aspect of her art...

In this episode, Kat dives into a powerful and often emotional topic that touches every creative at some point—money. Whether you've struggled with pricing your work, avoided your bank account, or internalized the "starving artist" myth, this episode offers a grounded, compassionate space to begin rewriting your story. Drawing from personal experiences, years of trial and error, and psychology-bac...

In this episode of  Art & Cocktails , host Kat (Ekaterina Popova) sits down with Dr. A. Yanina Gomez, a psychologist, author, and co-founder of The Art NXT Level Academy. Dr. Gomez is passionate about helping creatives and women entrepreneurs overcome mental and emotional hurdles that hold them back, including shame, self-sabotage, anxiety, and the ever-persistent inner critic. We dive into Dr. Go...