Why do we spend money? Why do we own things? You'd be surprised. In today's short episode I explore with you why we buy and the benefits of living with less. Is less more? And can we achieve more with fewer things and a simpler financial life. In this short season of 33 short episodes, I want to share with you some ideas that I've picked up towards…

Do you ever find yourself overwhelmed with all of the things you need to thing about? Clearing our mind of mental clutter by writing things down can reduce overwhelm and anxiety. And keeping lists can help us to prioritise, make better decisions and use our minds more effectively for other things that matter. In this short episode, I explore with y…

What does it mean to be honest in our lives and with our creative work or craft? How do we live with greater integrity and truth? Why aren't we honest with ourselves? In today’s short episode I’d like to invite you to think about what it means to you to be honest…. It sounds simple yet I realise how much we tell ourselves, others, and the world, st…

What’s the one thing that’s important today? Spending time with someone? Working on a creative project? Spending some time alone? Perhaps there's something or somone that needs your focus and attention today. Focussing on one thing that is important to you or your work today can provide us with a sense of satisfaction and accomplishment as well as …

"Instant gratification takes too long..." - Carrie Fisher Cultivating patience is an ongoing process that can improve your experience as a creative being. In this short episode I explore with you how impatience and frustration can be a good clue we need to cultivate our own patience, which is essential for our creative work. Hear how minor setbacks…

Your own opinion matters. In this short episode, I suggest that your own opinion matters more than anybody else's opinion; Particularly if their opinion is embedded in criticism. Often criticism or feedback or opinion comes from others unsolicited. It can also come from a place of (their) fear. Despite the unsettling nature of criticism and opinion…

Nature can induce a calming state and it can help us to change our perspective. This is ideal for problem-solving and generating new ideas, which can lead to breakthroughs. In this short episode I invite you to consider a more present-focused mindset by going outdoors; An opportunity to change your state by going and connect with nature: to enhance…

Your presence is a very powerful thing. In this short episode, we explore the importance of being present and reflective in our fast-paced world; Rather than a Western focus on constant doing and achieving and working towards a specific outcome. So, today, I want to promote the idea and value of simply being with you. And how experiencing the feeli…

Today I want to challenge you to consider what you can subtract from your life to create more joy and power...and a greater sense of being creative. Drawing upon the interview I had in the very early days of Inspirational Creatives, with minimalist blogger, Joshua Becker, I share with you 7 ideas for decluttering your mental, physical, spiritual, a…

Today I want to explore with you the importance of dedicating time for your creativity and cultivating a deeper connection with your inner artist. Hear why it's important and some ideas of how to work towards developing a daily routine involving creative play. And why imperfection and exploring different creative activities can help you to overcome…

Creating this podcast hasn't been without its challenges. I've faced resistance and perfectionism, and there have been times when I've doubted myself. But despite these challenges, I've felt a strong need to express myself and share my ideas with you. So, in this short episode, I explore with you the importance of authenticity and fearlessness in o…

"The most potent muse of all is our own inner child" - Stephen Nachmanovitch The importance of reconnecting with our inner child to boost our creativity is not be understated. It can lead potentially towards a more fulfilling life. In my experience, the internal dialogue we have with our artist (child) within often offers us the path towards creati…

Have you ever heard of an energy vampire? In this short podcast episode, I explore with you the concept of 'energy vampires', individuals who drain others' emotional, mental, and spiritual energy. It's important that we reduce exposure to such individuals for our own personal growth and creativity. Have you had the experience of someone who drains …

If you want to change how you feel, change your state. Today I want to explore with you how going for a walk can improve your life and be great for your inspiration, sparking creativity, as a creative being, in 3 simple ways. The book mentioned is: Walking In This World: The Practical Art of Creativity by Julia Cameron. In this series of 33 short e…

How do we navigate a world that is uncertain yet keep the flame of creativity alive? I remember when I was growing up and going through various different emotions and moods and changes and people saying to me, "oh, you've just got to be positive." In this episode, I explore some ideas with you about the importance of cultivating positivity in an un…

If you're feeling stuck or some kind of discomfort or uncertainty, there's a number of things that you can do to to transcend or transform your current life experience. In the next 33 short episodes, I want to share with you some of the best tips that I've picked up from others and shared with others and have embodied, I hope, into my own life with…

You have created a thing. You need to find the people who want your thing: Your product. Your service. Your piece of creative output. In this very special episode, episode 300, celebrating 7 years of the Inspirational Creatives podcast, we invite founding guest, author and entrepreneur, from episode 3, Pam Slim. We discuss her new book, The Widest …

In this episode you'll learn: How Sarah paints from a place of healing to empowerment How Sarah rediscovered her feminine nature through art The power of affirmation ladders How do you make a living from your art? How can you connect with your highest, creative self? These are some of the most frequently asked questions amongst those that see thems…

If you choose to listen to only one short action episode this year, I highly recommend this one! In this short action episode, Kira and Ilysa reveal the key to how they’ve both created successful lives and a business working together as artists. Their insights might surprise you. Learn the two elements that could fundamentally change your life and …

Artists, Kira McCoy, and Ilysa Ginsburg, love what they do. In this insightful and revealing chat, interviewed by Sandra Lawrence, Ilysa and Kira share how they’ve have grown their business and what it means to them to create an environment where people love to work; and fans love to learn with them. As artists, they have a love for polymer clay; h…

When is the best time to get started with your new idea, product, service or business? It seems that sooner is better than later. That’s the experience of female tech entrepreneur and SupaPass founder, Juliana Meyer. Often we find ourselves needing to plan or have all of the right things in the right place before we get started with an idea but tha…

Juliana Meyer is an award-winning entrepreneur as well as highly qualified and experience musician and engineer. Today, her small software and technology company, SupaPass, is making big changes in the way that artist, musicians, podcasters and creatives of all kinds connect with their audience and super-fans. In this episode, we explore Juliana’s …

Have you ever found yourself working hard in your business, doing your creative work, but not getting the results that you want? In this short action episode we discuss the importance of being clear on who you serve and why. Featuring the wisdom of communications expert, Lucy Eckley, from The Leading Story podcast, you’ll hear why identifying who y…

In this episode, Build Your Brand Story founder, Lucy Eckley, shares her own journey from corporate career to communications consultant and how she helps people to day to create outstanding brands. Hear how Lucy helps her clients organise their creative business and brand. And how you can gain clarity and confidence with your brand and business by …

They say that the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results… But what if you’re not getting any results at all? If you’re stuck and struggling to complete a task or project, try this… In this short action episode, artic explorer, podcast host and executive coach, Sue Stockdale, shares her wis…

Sue Stockdale is the first British woman to have skied to the magnetic North Pole. Having been introduced to the world of coaching working with pioneers such as Sir John Whitmore, Sue brings executive coaching and new leadership thinking to charities and nonprofit organisations amongst many; with the aim of addressing some of the greatest humanitar…

Which markets and communities are you interested in serving? What is it you are planning to offer? And what is it that people need in those communities that they aren’t getting yet? In today’s short action episode, Paul and Emily, creators of the Parent Guide to GCSE membership community, share their lightbulb moment when they spotted a gap in a ma…

“Knowledge beats nagging every time” according to Emily and Paul, creators of the parent guide to GCSE. Spotting a gap in a large market, ex-teachers, Paul and Emily, share their experience leaving the teaching profession to educate parents on how to best support their children going through GCSE. Emily shares her story falling out of love with her…

Is now a good time launch a new business, idea or venture? If you’ve got a new idea for a business, enterprise or venture, this short podcast episode is for you. In this short action episode, Neil Foley, from the Business Growth Club, shares his thoughts on when a good time to test out and launch a new business idea or venture is; and when not to l…

Who expected the events of 2020? Here we are 10 months in living with COVID, the shock of lockdown, and all sorts of new challenges and opportunities as creatives… Furloughs, losing jobs, changing careers and new opportunities. So to bridge the gap of a crazy 2020 so far, I invited back on to the show, small business growth expert, Neil Foley from …

What’s the #1 to be thinking about when putting a new idea or service out into the world? For many creatives, entrepreneurs and new business owners, knowing which is the right market for their product, idea or service can be critical to early and ongoing succeeding. Knowing your niche… Yet many owners and creatives are stuck figuring out which the …

Starting a small business can be both tough and exhilarating. Being technically gifted as a master craftsman/woman of your trade is a good place to start. Yet knowing how and when to start is better… And it pays to get help. In this episode, you’ll hear why it’s a good idea to get feedback early on. And how the right kind of mindset can impact your…

In this short action episode you’ll learn: How consistency and persistence can help you to achieve your creative aims The one thing that has kept Aaron and his business going What a creative business is really about What to do if your ideas are not working In this short action episode, Phlearn.com founder and photographer, Aaron Nace, shares his wi…

In this interview, part two, chat with Phlearn founder, Aaron Nace, we explore pictures of friends, (dressed as clowns) to politically inspired, visually stimulating, images… And telling stories with composite photos of cuddly creatures playing hide-and-seek with kids… Aaron is clearly someone who enjoys his life, his work and his photography. As t…

Since launching five years ago, in November 2014, the Inspirational Creatives podcast has grown to over 100,000 downloads with a small yet highly engaged audience dedicated to creating, and leading, a more meaningful life with purpose. To celebrate, host, founder and creator (curator) of Inspirational Creatives, Rob Lawrence, shares how his podcast…

Aaron Nace is an educator and photographer. In 2011 he founded Phlearn to professional teach students around the world, Photoshop and Lightroom skills. With over 600 tutorials and 1.8 million subscribers on YouTube, and counting, today, the Phlearn platform reaches folks through the power of video in 149 countries from their base in Chicago. In thi…

In this short action episode we explore how embracing our vulnerability supports us towards reaching our creative goals. How? It’s about living with uncertainty and detaching from outcomes. Offering a fresh perspective on uncertainty, British painter and theatre director, John Link, shares his wisdom, in this short podcast, by describing how his pa…

In this second chat, artist, John Link, describes how vulnerability and a sense of play both motivate and inspire his creative work. Recorded in the heart of Norwich, England, in his studio, John shares how John’s recent ill health and confronting mortality has changed his outlook to life and his relationship to his painting. We begin by talking ab…

Our own creative process can reveal to each of us something unique, which we didn’t know already about human nature. When we get stuck with our creativity, often it’s because we’ve stopped asking questions. Questions from a place of curiosity - questions that ultimately lead to a story. Almost all art tells a story. In this short action episode, pa…

How do you navigate a career following your dreams? In this second interview of the "Bringing it Home" series on Inspirational Creatives, artist, John Link, describes the relationship he has with his painting and background as a theatre director. Recorded in the heart of Norwich, England, in his studio, John shares his creative process and what his…

Great leaders are relied upon to make great decisions. But what’s needed to make a great decision? Of course, there are many ways to approach decision making. How you reach a decision will depend upon your aims and the criteria you apply. Yet, important decisions are different to urgent, critical, decisions that need to be made. And when it comes t…

What does it take to remain at the cutting edge of education in the creative arts and design? In 2017, Professor John Last was appointed an OBE in the 2017 Queen’s birthday honours list for his services to education. Today Professor Last is the vice-chairman at the Norwich University of Arts and the chair for the New Anglia Local Enterprise Partner…

If you want to create a life and living around the work you love, You probably won’t want to create yourself another job… Instead, you’ll want to learn how to create a business that works for you. So grab a notebook and pen and get ready to take note of these hot tips from, small business owner and marketing guru, Alison Boyle. In episode 273, Alis…

What is the true reality of working for yourself? Alison can tell you. Digital marketing expert, Alison Boyle, began her own business journey juggling children with uncertainty during the launch of her first business. She understands what’s at stake and what’s involved, when starting up under your own steam, pursuing a passion with purpose. In this…

If you’re thinking of starting a podcast, you’ll be interested in this short action episode (< 8 minutes.) One of the most frequently asked questions, amongst creatives, looking to market their output, products or services, is: “Is now a good time to be starting a podcast?” In this short action episode, Rebel Base Media CEO, founder, and podcaster,…

Mark Asquith is the CEO and founder of Rebel Base Media and Podcast Websites. (He’s also a massive DC Comics fan.) More recently, with new products, podcasts and services well underway under the Captivate and Productivity brands, to name a couple, he is somebody who is making a difference to podcasting and globally. As a podcasting coach and mentor…

Stuck? We all get stuck at certain points in our creative lives and career. Often the bigger the game we play, the more likely we are to find ourselves frozen. Frozen with fear, distraction or procrastination. In this short action episode, featuring the wisdom of entrepreneur, coach and expert, Peter Sage, we unpack why we, as creatives, get stuck …

He bought his first Ferrari for cash at the age of 25. He’s spent six months in Pentonville, one of the UK’s toughest and most violent prisons. As an accomplished athlete, skydiver, diver, honorary black-belt, and as someone who claims to have climbed some of the world’s highest peaks, Peter Sage, is known for having created 20 businesses in 15 dif…

You may not have heard of Casper Lee; He’s an internet and social media sensation. My 11 year-old nephew assures me he’s the real deal: Last year he won global social media superstar by global.com Currently he has a growing audience of 18 million combined followers across YouTube, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. And these aren’t just vanity metric…

Ben Jeffries created his first business at the age of 15 and is now a CEO at the age of 22. Partnering up with YouTube sensation Casper Lee, as a co-founder, in 2017, Ben was labelled as one of the young entrepreneurs to watch by both Alphr and Startups.co.uk having created Influencer.com. Quoted as ‘The SOHO house of influencer platforms‘, you’ll …