This is How We Create

Have you ever wondered how a movie gets made? Or better yet, where do the ideas from movies come from? And if you have your sight on making a short film, wouldn't it be great if someone helped you buff your idea and make the end product simply spectacular? Shannan E. Johnson is that someone! As a former creative executive at NBCU/The Syfy Channel, Shannan left her full-time gig to become a storyte...

In this mini-episode, we explore the unexpected parallel between toe yoga and creative practice. Through her personal experience with a daily exercises, our host, Martine Severin, reveals how small, consistent efforts lead to remarkable changes over time – both in physical flexibility and creative mastery. Martine challenges the myth of natural talent, showing how persistence and consistent practi...

We welcome fine art painter Rhonda K Brown, whose artistic story is deeply intertwined with a remarkable family legacy in the art world. Join us as Rhonda pulls back the curtain on her creative journey - from the influential gallery environment of her youth to her eventual return to painting after exploring other paths. How did growing up surrounded by prominent artists shape her artistic vision?...

In this essential episode, host Martine Severin draws from her experience creating an artist statement for Scope Miami to provide a practical roadmap for artists struggling with this crucial professional document. From understanding your audience to finding your authentic voice, this episode breaks down the process into manageable steps that will help your work connect with galleries, collectors,...

This week on This Is How We Create: Award-winning photographer Tobi Shinobi reveals his fascinating journey from courtroom to camera lens. Discover the unique productivity framework that transformed his creative process and catapulted his career to global recognition. Episode Highlights The Name: How a playground nickname evolved into one of photography's most recognizable brands The Pivot: Why To...

Have you ever committed to creating even when you didn't believe in yourself? In this mini-episode of 'This Is How We Create,' Martine Severin explores the quiet yet persistent power that drives artists to create even when faced with doubt, external pressures, and self-criticism. She shares a profound revelation from a cinematographer who admitted there were times in her successful career when she...

 Struggling to get your art in front of the right people? Then this episode is your roadmap. Join multidisciplinary artist Courtney Minor on "This Is How We Create" as she unveils the emotional underpinnings of her creative journey—from finding fresh inspiration in Vietnam to transforming personal therapy into powerful art. Courtney doesn't just inspire; she delivers actionable strategies for mark...

Ever find yourself stuck in decision limbo, saying "maybe" to opportunities that deep down you know aren't right for you? In this episode of "This is How We Create," Martine Severin unpacks her game-changing "Waffle Rule," a powerful framework that will transform how you make decisions in your creative career and beyond. You'll discover: Why indecision is actually a form of decision-making (and wh...

What happens when a medical student abandons her stethoscope for a camera, moves to a foreign country where she knows no one, and transforms an abandoned garage into a thriving art collective?   In this episode, we explore the multifaceted world of communication designer and photographer Ankita Das, whose work transcends traditional medium boundaries to create powerful narratives around identity,...

In this mini-episode, we dive into something we ALL struggle with as creatives - the hidden cost of context switching. Ever feel like you've run a mental marathon without actually finishing anything substantial? Turns out there's a name for that overwhelmed feeling: attention residue. Martine shares her personal struggles with toggling between creator, marketer, and business manager modes - and ho...

THIS IS HOW WE CREATE  PODCAST WORKFLOW  Episode Number: 121 Guest Name: Kianne Patrice Hutchinson   Title: 121. How to Develop a Unique Artistic Voice -  Kianne Patrice Hutchinson   Description:    Learn how digital artist Kianne Patrice Hutchinson balances pharmacy and art, blending vibrant textures, augmented reality, and AI. She reflects on her journey from Jamaica, creative themes, and future...

In this episode, we pulls back the curtain on our creative process, revealing the digital ecosystem that brings the podcast interviews to life. If you've ever felt intimidated by the technical side of podcasting, tune in to discover a your new favorite tool. Chapters:  00:00 Introduction to the Creative Journey  00:27 Behind the Scenes of Podcasting  02:53 Tools of the Trade  05:46 Visual and Inte...

We chat with Kyra Wells, a graphic designer and advocate for creative community and mentorship. She reflects on her path from a young artist to her role at American Greetings and leadership at AIGA Cleveland. Kyra explores the role of playfulness in design, supporting emerging creatives, and her course, You Are Not an Imposter, which helps designers gain confidence in their careers.   Episode High...

In this mini episode, we reflect on our progress with the creative goals you set at the beginning of the year. We discuss the common challenges of procrastination and hesitation while offering practical strategies to overcome these barriers and reconnect with creative intentions. Key Points Take time to honestly assess your progress on goals set earlier in the year Recognize that people approach t...

In this illuminating episode of "This is How We Create," host Martine Severin sits down with Ube Urban, a multifaceted creative leader who brings his Pacific Islander heritage to the forefront of his design practice and mentorship approach. Born in Hawaii with Japanese, Black, Native American, and Filipino roots, Ube shares his journey from island life to becoming a head of customer experience in...

What if the biggest creative breakthroughs come from breaking your own rules? In this Black History Month mini-episode, we explore the remarkable artistic journey of 97-year-old sculptor and painter Lillian Thomas Burwell, whose creative evolution spans nearly a century of American history. Episode Highlights: Growing up during the Great Depression, Burwell learned transformative creativity from w...

Ever wonder how top creatives land those dream campaigns with GEICO, Target, and Old Navy? In this episode, art director Ashley Bozeman pulls back the curtain on the art of the perfect pitch. In this episode of This Is How We Create, host Martine Severin sits down with art director Ashley Bozeman for an intimate conversation about creative collaboration, client presentations, and the art of the pi...

This week on our Mini Episode of This Is How We Create, we unpack the revolutionary story of Dr. Margaret Burroughs, who transformed her first-floor living room into the DuSable Museum—one of America's most significant institutions of African American history. This episode explores how creating the spaces we need can spark cultural movements that ripple through generations. In This Episode - The p...

Want to know the real secret to turning your biggest fear into your greatest success?  Today's episode covers the intersection of faith, fear, and artistry. In our conversation, Mojo shared something that stopped me in my tracks – his relationship with heights, a fear he hasn't so much conquered as befriended. IN THIS EPISODE YOU'LL LEARN: A counterintuitive approach to fear helped Mojo scale buil...

In this special mini-episode, we explore the extraordinary legacy of Roy DeCarava (1919-2009), one of the most influential photographers of the 20th century. From the streets of Harlem to the stages where jazz giants performed, DeCarava revolutionized how we see through photography, especially in his groundbreaking representation of Black life and culture. Listen in to hear how you can apply some...

This week's episode reminds us why authenticity is essential to artistic vision. Martine sits down with Adrian Octavius Walker, a mixed-media artist and photographer whose journey from St. Louis to the Smithsonian will inspire you to think differently about your creative path. A note from the content team: In this episode, we discuss grief and the loss of a parent. Episode Highlights Collaboration...

This episode unpacks a powerful truth about creativity: your path isn't linear, and that's exactly how it should be. Host Martine Severin breaks down how three groundbreaking artists navigated multiple streams of life while building their creative practice. Elizabeth Catlett: Merged modernist training with accessibility Charles White: Combined Chicago labor movement work with mastering his craft M...

In this episode, photographer and U.S. Army veteran Chris Charles shares his remarkable journey from military service to creative entrepreneurship. His story is a masterclass in reinvention, resilience, and the unexpected ways our past experiences shape our future success. WHAT YOU'LL LEARN: How military discipline can transform your creative business The power of systems and automation in prevent...

"Trust Your Art in Troubled Times" - When democracy makes you uncertain, should you create or doom-scroll? Host Martine Severin draws wisdom from Black artists who've turned constitutional tension into enduring work - from Baldwin to Amy Sherald. Perfect for: Artists, writers, designers, entrepreneurs, and anyone looking to deepen their creative practice while building sustainable success. #Creati...

Want to hear an honest conversation about what it really takes to build a creative career while staying true to your roots? Today's guest, Kieron Lewis, shares his remarkable journey from a kid in South London to becoming one of the most sought-after editorial designers in publishing. His story will inspire you to embrace change, trust your instincts, and build success on your own terms. You'll le...