Your Creative Mind

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,...

What Makes an Idea Stick? Secrets from Two Creative Powerhouses What if your next big idea wasn’t just creative—but also wildly successful? In this episode of Your Creative Mind, I talk with Gavin Lawler and Neal Hoffman, two brilliant minds who have turned their creative visions into real-world wins. From innovative storytelling to building brands that capture hearts and imaginations, they share...

Why Fresh Hell Works: Dialogue that Sizzles and Makes You Laugh This week's Your Creative Table Read with Playwright Brian Cern and Actors Julie Brandon, Barry Wallace, and Izolda Trakhtenberg. Brian Cern, Playwright Brian Cern is a Twin Cities-based actor and playwright whose work has won numerous awards and contests throughout North America. A member of the Dramatists Guild, he received his trai...

What happens when history, activism, and theater collide? The producers of The Return of Benjamin Lay break it down. What happens when a story refuses to be forgotten? The Return of Benjamin Lay isn’t just a play—it’s a powerful lesson in courage, creativity, and using your voice for change. In this episode of Your Creative Mind, I sit down with the producers of the production coming to The Sheen...

Mindfulness Isn’t What You Think—It’s How You Think Do your thoughts ever feel like they’re running the show—pulling you in a hundred directions at once? In this episode of Your Creative Mind, we’re exploring what it truly means to have a mindful mind. Mindfulness isn’t just about stress relief—it’s a game-changer for creativity, focus, and peace of mind. You’ll learn how mindfulness shapes your c...

What if the choices you make today echo beyond this life? In this episode of Your Creative Mind, we bring you a live table read of Expiration Date, a play that explores love, memory, and second chances in a way that will stick with you long after you listen. You'll hear an engaging, thought-provoking performance and gain fresh insight into how storytelling can shift perspectives and spark powerful...

From Tech to Toys: Gayle Keller Inspires Girls to Dream Big How do you balance ambition with fulfillment in your career? In this episode of Your Creative Mind Podcast, Gayle Keller, CEO of Theodora S.T.E.A.M. Girls, shares her powerful insights on overcoming gender biases and empowering women in S.T.E.A.M. fields. With over 20 years in tech, Gayle offers actionable advice on taking strategic risks...

Your Creative Mind Table Read: What if Odysseus had to answer for his choices? A playwright dares to ask. What if the women of The Odyssey had the final say? In this episode of Your Creative Mind, we bring you Odysseus’s Women by Luke Krueger—a powerful reimagining of the Greek epic where the legendary hero faces judgment from the women he left behind. You’ll hear this gripping story come to life...

Three Awareness-Building Techniques Turn Up the Volume on Your Instincts and Creativity Have you ever felt like life is passing by too quickly, leaving you disconnected from your creativity and inner clarity? In this episode of Your Creative Mind, we explore the power of awareness—what it is, why it matters, and how it can transform your life. Awareness isn’t just about noticing your surroundings;...

Playwright Julie Brandon's Hansel and Gretel like you’ve never heard before—tables turned, roles shifted, and a story reborn. What if Hansel and Gretel didn’t go the way we all remember? In this episode of Your Creative Mind, we bring you the second installment of our play table read series with Hansel and Gretel: The Tables Turned by Julie Brandon. You’ll experience the thrill of a fresh script p...

The Power of Diverse Experiences in Creativity Ever wonder how a prolific author maintains a relentless drive while balancing multiple creative pursuits? Join us on Creative Solutions Podcast as we chat with Aaron Ryan, the brilliant mind behind the “Dissonance” series and the sci-fi thriller “Forecast.” Aaron shares his secrets to staying productive, setting goals, and finding inspiration across...

Brian Cern’s Beautifully So: The creative shift—when a script moves from page to performance. What happens when a script jumps off the page and into the voices of live actors? In this special episode of Your Creative Mind, we’re launching a brand-new series featuring table reads of original plays! You’ll hear a fresh script performed for the first time, experiencing the raw energy of actors bringi...

Stop Negative Thoughts from Running Your (Creative) Life Do negative thoughts hold you back from living fully and creatively? In this episode of Your Creative Mind, we’re tackling how the messages you tell yourself shape your actions, your confidence, and your ability to bring your ideas to life. You’ll learn how to spot limiting thoughts, shift them into something empowering, and set the stage fo...

Your Interior World: Why It Matters More Than You Think Why Ignoring Your Thoughts Could Be Holding You Back What’s really happening inside your mind when you’re constantly on the go—or glued to your phone? In this solo episode of Your Creative Mind, Izolda Trakhtenberg dives into the often-overlooked interior world we all carry with us. Learn how to break free from distractions, face your thought...