Your Creative Mind

Want to Speak with More Confidence? Here’s the Daily Writing Habit That Helps Ever feel stuck staring at a blank page, unsure how to even start writing? In this episode of Your Creative Mind, I share how writing from simple prompts, just one word, can fire up your imagination and sharpen your ability to express yourself clearly, boldly, and confidently. You’ll learn how this technique builds real-...

What’s in your anxiety suitcase, and how can you finally put it down? What if your anxiety wasn’t a life sentence but instead a signal pointing you toward a more creative, confident way of living? In this episode of Your Creative Mind, I open up about my own struggles with anxiety how it shows up in my daily life, where it stems from, and how I’m learning to put down what I call my “anxiety suitca...

Feelin’ Cute and Creatively Connected with Hootenanny Games What if a single card game could spark laughter, connection, and creativity in your life? In this episode, Izolda sits down with the warm-hearted team from Hootenanny Games, the Nashville-based publisher behind Feelin’ Cute, their brand-new game of animal adorableness. You'll hear how this lighthearted game brings out big laughs, encourag...

Game designer, entrepreneur, visionary: Dominic’s guide to purpose-fueled growth Dominic Crapuchettes founded North Star Games in 2003 after several near death experiences as the captain of an Alaskan boat. His designs, which include Evolution, Oceans, Say Anything, and Wits & Wagers, have sold nearly 5 million copies and won countless awards. For the past five years, Dominic has been working...

You don’t need a trendy hook. You need a timeless one that still feels fresh. Here’s how. Are you pitching yourself to podcasts but not hearing back? You might be missing the sweet spot between timely and evergreen, and that’s what gets you booked. In this episode, I share 10 powerful themes that are always relevant and show you how to make each one personal, memorable, and pitch-perfect. You'll l...

Nicole Rank shares how poetry can reconnect you to purpose, peace, and power. What if your creativity was the key to living with more presence, purpose, and peace? In this episode of Your Creative Mind, Izolda sits down with Nicole Rank, author, intuitive guide, and creative mindfulness teacher, whose mission is to help people reconnect with Love through poetry and presence. You’ll hear how shifti...

The Bar Is Open and the Plot Just Thickened with Author Cathi Stoler What if your next big creative breakthrough came wrapped in a mystery and served with a side of bourbon? In this episode, award-winning author Cathi Stoler shares how she writes gripping suspense, unforgettable characters, and twisty plots that keep readers up all night. Plus, Cathi reveals what running a bar (on the page) can te...

Your Voice, Your Power: Why Storytelling Changes Everything What if the one thing holding you back from deeper connection, greater impact, or even your next opportunity is the story you’re not telling? In this episode of Your Creative Mind, Izolda shares why your personal story is one of your most powerful tools for building trust, aligning with your values, and inspiring action. You’ll hear how t...

Gary Morgenstein on Writing Stories That Challenge, Inspire, and Start Conversations What makes a story truly unforgettable? Is it the plot, the characters, or the way it challenges what we think we know? In this episode of Your Creative Mind, I sit down with Gary Morgenstein, a writer who doesn’t just tell stories. He shakes up perspectives. From dystopian worlds that feel eerily close to home to...

Learn How to Use Stories to Educate and Inspire Change with Danielle Wirsansky How can storytelling become a powerful tool for social change and education? In this episode of Your Creative Mind, I sit down with Danielle Wirsansky. She is a playwright, director, and Finance Director of White Mouse Productions. We  explore how she uses theatre to amplify marginalized voices and bring history to life...

Military Spouse. Mom. Actor. Filmmaker. Miranda Roldán Shares the Truth About Creative Leadership What if the most powerful parts of your résumé can’t be measured in bullet points? In this episode of Your Creative Mind, Izolda Trakhtenberg sits down with returning guest and dear friend Miranda Roldán, actor (most recently seen on Netflix’s Sirens), filmmaker, and military spouse, to explore how li...

Why You’re Bored (and What That Feeling Really Means) Boredom Is a Clue: Reframing Discomfort as a Path to Presence and Creativity What if boredom isn’t about having nothing to do but about not wanting to feel what’s right in front of you? When Izolda read Dr. Andrea Bonior’s quote, “Boredom is discomfort with being fully present in the current moment,” it stopped her cold. That one sentence crack...

Want to foster innovation and integrity in your business? Eric Burnik shares his secrets In this episode of the Your Creative Mind Podcast, we sit down with Eric Burnik, a dynamic serial entrepreneur and inspirational speaker renowned for his cross-cultural expertise and dedication to fostering resilience, innovation, and integrity. Eric's 'pay it forward' ethos has transformed countless lives and...

Your Design, Your Story, Your Impact: Let’s Make It Work Ever feel like your ideas are great, but something’s missing when you try to share them? In this episode of Your Creative Mind, we explore the design principles that can turn any creative project—from a product or book to a vision board—into something people get and remember. You’ll learn simple, powerful ways to use contrast, alignment, bal...

Crafting a Brand That Shines: Insights from Brigitte Bojkowszky Ever wondered how to transform your brand into a standout success? In this episode of the Your Creative Mind Podcast, we chat with Brigitte Bojkowszky, a leading expert in brand identity and the author of the bestselling book, Significant Women: Leaders Reveal What Matters Most. Brigitte shares her proven strategies for crafting compe...

What happens when you leave behind a safe career for the unknown? Jaclyn Goldis did it—and built a world of gripping stories along the way. What happens when you trade a law career for a one-way ticket around the world—and a life of writing gripping thrillers? Jaclyn Goldis did just that, and in this episode of Your Creative Mind, she’s sharing the bold choices, creative risks, and storytelling se...

Want Podcast Hosts to Say Yes? Say This First Want to be a guest on the podcasts your audience actually listens to but keep hearing crickets after you pitch? In this episode, Izolda shares exactly what makes a pitch stand out (and what sends it straight to the trash). You’ll get the inside scoop on what thoughtful podcast hosts are really looking for, how to lead with value, and how to build real...

Welcome to Here and Now, Now and Then. This is an experiment in giving you ideas on creative mental well-being. I also talk about two shows I saw this week that took me back to my roots and also to high school - both of which are fraught and full to the brim with lessons I've learned as a creative who also has a strong practical streak.  Solve the Mysteries in History. Buy me a coffee and get the...

I saw Adam Gwon's All the World's a Stage, and it sparked some deep realizations about my own life and the importance the arts played in my development and very survival. This is a special episode as a storyteller and as an artist. I hope you enjoy it. All the World's a Stage at Theatre Row   Written by Adam Gwon (book, music, lyrics) Eliza Pagelle as Sam Jon Michael Reese as Michael Matt Rodin as...

From fiction to true crime, Dawn M. Barclay knows how to keep an audience hooked. What makes a story impossible to put down? Whether you’re a writer or just love a gripping read, today’s episode has something for you. Award-winning author Dawn M. Barclay knows how to craft suspense that keeps readers hooked—and she’s sharing her secrets. Writing fiction and nonfiction, she’s mastered the art of st...

Are We Building the Future We Can’t Control? A Conversation with J. Craig Wheeler What if the technology we create today ends up shaping our lives in ways we can’t control? In this episode of Your Creative Mind, astrophysicist J. Craig Wheeler, author of The Path to Singularity, shares his eye-opening insights into the rapid advancements in AI, genetic engineering, and space exploration. These tec...

From Science Kits to Strategy Games: The Story Behind Thames & Kosmos with Andy Quartin and Ted McGuire Ted McGuire (President) and Andy Quartin (CEO) of Thames and Kosmos What if playing games could make you smarter, more creative, and a better collaborator? In this special Toy Fair 2025 episode, I sit down with Andy Quartin and Ted McGuire from Thames & Kosmos to explore how board games...

The Secret to Better Communication? Play More Games Can a card game make you a better communicator? John Cooper thinks so. A retired NASA engineer turned game designer, John created The Gang, a cooperative twist on poker that reveals how we think, trust, and strategize under pressure. In this episode, we break down the psychology behind the game—how reading subtle cues can sharpen decision-making,...

The missing ingredient in your creative process. What’s more important—saying it how you want or making sure your message is understood? In this episode of Your Creative Mind, Izolda Trakhtenberg challenges us to rethink communication and clarity. Through engaging storytelling, she explores the way we express ourselves, the importance of adapting to our audience, and how to find the balance betwee...

Writing with Grit: Kathleen Marple Kalb Tackles Big Issues in Cozy Mysteries Women in media, publishing, and storytelling—breaking barriers and writing fearlessly How do you balance a high-pressure career, a thriving creative passion, and real-life challenges—all without losing yourself in the chaos? Kathleen Marple Kalb knows. As a top-of-the-hour radio anchor and an award-winning mystery author,...