Have you been saying "no" to that inner-voice begging you to be creative? Are you a working creative who has been feeling especially burned out? It's time to say yes. It's time to Create Out Loud. Hosted by bestselling creative entrepreneur Jennifer Louden, Create Out Loud is a weekly show featuring conversations with creative people about the nitty-gritty of everyday creative life: like how to establish rituals and routines, how to navigate envy, and even how to MAKE MONEY. Yes, even the awkward stuff. So tune in with us every week because it's time for YOU to Create Out Loud...
Tue, October 17, 2023
Join the conversation with one of the most decorated American distance runner Lauren Fleshman as we discuss the mission that drove her to write her NYT's bestselling memoir Good for a Girl: A Woman Running in a Man's World. We talk about how to write when you have a big story to tell, how to write when depressed, and why it's okay to move on from something that has been your calling. Enjoy! Episode resources: Find out how to work with me here. I'd love you to join me on one of my Retreats or Writing Intensives. My book, Why Bother: Discover the Desire for What’s Next, is a great resource for learning to create out loud. Your feedback is so important to me! You can leave a review on Apple podcasts, or email me at jen@jenniferlouden.com
Wed, October 11, 2023
Jen recently shared in a solo episode that she's been working her way through burnout and in this episode, she shares her new project and how she approached it in a new way to refind her spark. Is it possible to change our patterns and create out loud without burnout? Let's find out. Episode resources: Find out how to work with me here. I'd love you to join me on one of my Retreats or Writing Intensives. My book, Why Bother: Discover the Desire for What’s Next, is a great resource for learning to create out loud. Your feedback is so important to me! You can leave a review on Apple podcasts, or email me at jen@jenniferlouden.com
Mon, October 02, 2023
In this bonus episode of Create out Loud, I interview a force of nature, Shannon Watts. In case you don't know Shannon, she founded Moms Demand Action, now the largest women’s volunteer organization in America. She's been called a “summoner of women’s audacity,” named a Time Magazine 100 Most Influential People, a Forbes 50 over 50 Changemaker, and a Glamour Woman of the Year. She writes a popular substack https://shannonwatts.substack.com/about I'm working as a book coach with Shannon on her new book about helping you find your audacious spark and play with fire to change your world. I wanted to talk to Shannon about this transition she is in after 10 years leading Moms Demand Action, about writing, and about sparks. If you wonder how someone like Shannon has accomplished her goals and how you can do it too, in your own wonderful unique way, you'll love this episode. Episode resources: Find out how to work with me here. I'd love you to join me on one of my Retreats or Writing Intensives. My book, Why Bother: Discover the Desire for What’s Next, is a great resource for learning to create out loud. Your feedback is so important to me! You can leave a review on Apple podcasts, or email me at jen@jenniferlouden.com
Mon, September 25, 2023
In this bonus episode of Create out Loud, I explore burnout, the power of quitting, and how your desires are allowed to change - in fact, they must be allowed to morph and grow with you or you will fall into Why Bother. Many of us were raised to believe if you start a project, you have to finish it or you are a failure. But that isn't true! But how to know when to quit, when to change your focus? I'll explore that and more in this short but juicy episode with lots of personal updates including what's happening with my creative life. Episode resources: Find out how to work with me here. I'd love you to join me on one of my Retreats or Writing Intensives. My book, Why Bother: Discover the Desire for What’s Next, is a great resource for learning to create out loud. Your feedback is so important to me! You can leave a review on Apple podcasts, or email me at jen@jenniferlouden.com
Tue, June 07, 2022
In this last episode of season 2 of Create Out Loud, I share with you some tips for creating out loud, making your thing, finding your desire to create, putting pen to paper (and brush to canvas)... Listen to the episode to learn: What it means to give yourself permission to be seen as a creator Why quantity over quality can help you produce better work My top tip for picking a project up again when it’s been forgotten How to be uncomfortable with uncertainty How to create a daily habit without becoming prisoner to it Why forgetting about talent is one of the best things you can do for your creative work Why you are not your work and why you need to remember that This was one of my favorite solo episodes to record, because I got to share with you the tips for creating out loud that I usually only share during one-on-one coaching or on retreats. Episode resources: My book, Why Bother: Discover the Desire for What’s Next, is a great resource for learning to create out loud. Your feedback is so important to me! I’d love to bring back Create Out Loud for a third season, but I need your feedback about what you’d like to hear on the new season. You can leave a review on Apple podcasts, or email me at jen@jenniferlouden.com
Tue, May 31, 2022
Does the thought of the climate crisis decimating our world fill you with thoughts of doom and gloom… Thoughts like: No matter what I do it doesn’t matter… Why bother with ANY of my desires if there won’t be a world to live in?... I’m powerless in the face of large corporations that continue to ignore their impact on the planet so they can profit… Take a deep breath. And another one. In this episode of Create Out Loud, I talk about one of the topics that moved me to write my book, Why Bother? Discover the Desire for What’s Next – climate change. Climate crisis. Climate emergency. Instead of stopping the conversation with “we’re doomed”, I’m challenging you in this episode to think about what you can do, as someone who creates. How can you use your creativity, and your desire to amplify the message, provide support to climate scientists, and spread the message of hope. Because without hope, we give up, and if we give up on trying to solve this problem then we are 100% doomed. Do I know if hoping and creating will cause global change? No. But I know what the immense cost of doing nothing is. Listen to the episode to learn: Why you don’t need to be a climate scientist to talk about climate change How you can leverage your creativity to make a difference Why thinking about global impact will keep you stuck… instead, think about community impact Why we need to make the problem smaller and ourselves bigger Resources: A lot of my thinking about climate change is informed by A Field Guide to Climate Anxiety by Sarah Jacquette RayGet your copy here: Amazon | Bookshop Check out the first chapter of my book, Why Bother: Discover the Desire for What’s Next right here
Tue, May 24, 2022
This episode is all about how seeking wonder can help you bother again and embracing the natural fallow period after you finish a big project. I’m joined by Andrea Scher, author of Wonder Seeker: 52 Ways to Wake up Your Creativity and Find Your Joy, to talk about how to fill up your creative well when its run dry.. We talk about the power of mixing up your routines to try something new – going for a walk and finding a new plant, taking pictures, going to a new restaurant – as a way of sparking creativity and finding desire. Our brains react in fear to trying new things, to hanging out in the liminal space of venturing into the unknown, but it’s when we put ourselves in those spaces that we grow. We also talk about how the pressure to monetize our creativity keeps us stuck not creating. Instead, what would it look like if you created without the expectation of making money, or “being creative”, or even getting better at what you create? What would it look like if you created for creativity’s sake? Listen to the episode to learn: How to seek wonder in your everyday life How to find ambition and creativity as you age Why just being there in life is enough How to bother when it seems like your life is falling apart What Andrea and I’s superpowers are Check out these resources: Andrea’s podcast The Creative Superheroes, and look for me in a recent episode! Andrea’s book Wonder Seeker: 52 Ways to Wake up Your Creativity and Find Your Joy - Get your copy here: Amazon | Bookshop Unbound by Kasia Urbaniak
Tue, May 17, 2022
Not everyone listening to this podcast wants to make money by being creative, but a larger number of people believe that they CAN’T make money from creative pursuits. That is NOT true! I’m joined by the author of The Middle Finger Project and Meat and Hair, Ash Ambirge, to give a big ol’ middle finger to the idea that you can’t make money by being creative. We talk about how important it is to devote time to your happiness, how to manage multiple streams of creative income, and just how important it is to believe that you can make money by being creative. Ash Ambirge runs three businesses that she built herself, and is currently curating a fourth. How did she do it? Ash has ALWAYS had an entrepreneurial spirit, and in today's episode, Jen and Ash discuss how being creative shares a lot in common with running a business. Listen to the episode to learn: How Ash is able to devote two whole days to happiness, not work How to ignore your itty bitty shitty committee telling you that you can’t make money by being creative How Ash is dedicated to giving the middle finger to imposter syndrome Why getting started in your business doesn’t have to be complicated Just how effective a simple newsletter can be How important it is to create a system to sell your work Episode resources: Ash Ambirge’s latest book, The Middle Finger ProjectGet your copy here: Amazon | Bookshop Ash has two amazing newsletters that I highly recommend joiningMeat and Hair, a creative writing newsletter The Middle Finger newsletter for tips on making money online Wynter, a nifty tool to see test how your messaging is landing ConvertKit, an email marketing tool best for deliverability and segmentation Buzzsumo, a tool that shows you what high-quality content looks like Zapier, a productivity platform that connects all of your apps
Tue, May 10, 2022
Do you spend thousands on marketing, or hours researching trendy new marketing strategies… and it doesn’t move the needle forward? Then this episode of Create Out Loud is for you. In this episode, Jen Louden talks about the importance of ecosystem marketing. It’s all about finding out where your people are, and communicating with them there. Not to sell anything. Just to connect. Are you…. sweating just thinking about that? Are you thinking “that’s not me! I don’t do all that social media stuff?” Or do you just desperately wish your book could market itself (don’t we all)? Reaching out and connecting with people can be terrifying, but when we do it IT WORKS. In this solo episode, Jen talks through why ecosystems are so important and how they can be nourishing instead of scary. Listen to the episode to learn more about: What ecosystem marketing is Why relying solely on traditional marketing is giving up control Why YOU are the only one who can build and connect your ecosystems How being in relationship and connection with your audience can make you a stronger writer How connecting with others doesn’t have to mean relying on technology or social media Episode Resources: Check out the Create Out Loud episode with Pam Slim about her book The Widest Net. Buy The Widest Net by Pamela Slim Here’s a great newsletter about making money from creative pursuits. It’s a bit bro-y, so take the good parts and leave the rest. Need an extra push to get started on your non-fiction book? Check out this free resource.
Tue, May 03, 2022
We can be remarkably uncomfortable discussing money, but what if we shifted our relationship with the topic by instead recognizing how money can facilitate freedom, power, and creative potential? This is Paco’s mission. As a creative, author, consultant, and coach, Paco is passionate about empowering people, particularly those who identify as women, to step into their power. On today’s show, Jen and Paco discuss: How business instincts can be artistic, creative, and fulfilling How to make it as independent contractor How to figure out how much you’re “worth” when finding clients What it means to schedule financial “time” Shifting your mindset towards your business to focus on problem solving You will love Paco’s ideas and even more, her comforting truth-telling vibe! Paco de Leon is an author, illustrator, musician. She is the founder of The Hell Yeah Group, a financial firm dedicated to inspiring creatives to engage with their personal and business finances and Hell Yeah, Bookkeeping, a bookkeeping agency for creative businesses. Her career experiences in banking, business consulting, financial planning, and wealth management have informed her financial philosophies. She is a TED speaker and her work has been published or featured in The New York Times, Bloomberg, Vice, TIME, on other publications, and on NPR. She lives in Los Angeles with her wife. https://www.amazon.com/Finance-People-Getting-Grip-Finances/dp/0143136259 https://thehellyeahgroup.com/ https://www.ted.com/talks/paco_de_leon_the_secret_to_being_a_successful_freelancer?language=en LINK TO VIDEO: https://youtu.be/3oS5Sh-NFsg
Tue, April 26, 2022
Work, relationships, kids, friends… Do you find that everything comes BEFORE your creative desires? Or has it been so long that you can’t remember what it’s like to take some time to just be curious, and play with creativity? Author Eve Rodsky joins Jen Louden in discussing how our patriarchal society has carved away the time and space women need to pursue their creative passions, and how to reclaim that creative space – your unicorn space. Eve Rodsky has spent years researching the hours of unpaid and unrecognized labor that women are conditioned to do, and how it has affected our ability to be creative. Her book, Fairplay, outlines a new system for managing the household that divides labor fairly, and allows plenty of room for creativity and play. Her new book, Find Your Unicorn Space talks about reclaiming the space for curiosity, connection and completion needed to live creatively. Eve and Jen discuss how to engage in curiosity, the importance of connection in establishing a creative routine, and why completion doesn’t have to mean finishing the whole thing. Listen to the episode to learn more about: How the unpaid labor that falls on women constrains creativity and curiosity A new system for putting your unicorn space FIRST How to spark curiosity and follow that spark Why creativity is not f*cking optional Why you don’t need to be afraid of completion Get a copy of Eve Rodsky’s books here: Find Your Unicorn Space Fair Play
Tue, April 19, 2022
Do you have to choose between writing for passion and writing for pay? Getting paid to write seems like a fantasy to most, and getting paid to write something you are truly passionate about seems even more far-fetched. Bestselling author Susan Shapiro joins Jen Louden in discussing what it takes to write what you’re passionate about AND get published in different genres. Susan Shapiro is the bestselling author/coauthor of 17 books across multiple genres. She has written novels, memoirs, poetry, and more recently – The Book Bible and Byline Bible, two books that guide writers on how to get their work published. Susan and Jen discuss how to balance your passion for writing with the practicalities of the publishing world, as well as some hard truths about what it takes to get paid for your writing. Listen to this episode to learn more about: How to balance writing about your obsessions with giving your audience what they want Two powerful prompts that will help you write the kinds of stories only YOU can write How to show vulnerability when writing memoirs, while still maintaining boundaries When to accept edits to your piece – and when to push back The power of literary matchmaking The biggest mistake that holds writers back from being published – and how to avoid it How to create energy for writing, every single day Get a copy of Susan Shapiro’s books on writing here: The Book Bible The Byline Bible Visit jenniferlouden.com/podcastkit to get instant access to a collection of audios that will help you with some of the most common struggles we creatives have to manage, including: The fear of choosing Falling into compare and despair, managing the inner critic(s) Feeling too exposed and vulnerable when you put yourself or your work into the world
Tue, April 12, 2022
Have you ever had a grand idea for a creative project, only to never actually start it? You get excited about your big (or small) project, but you can’t wrap your head around how to start it. In your mind it’s perfect, so how can it ever be as good in reality? Why do you feel fear and dread when you think about starting? Starting a new project can be one of the hardest parts of the creative process. Some of the greatest writers of our generation have talked about the fear of writer's block. Nobel prize winners like Toni Morrison believed every writer faces it. Emotions of dread and uncertainty at starting a new project can get in your way, and experiencing a creative block before you even start can often nip a project in the bud before it has the chance to come to fruition. Even in the depths of doubt and overwhelm, there are ALWAYS strategies to get back into it, and figure out how to start making progress on what you desire. In this solo episode, Jen talks about why starting a project can be scary, and how to implement small strategies to help you get started today. Listen to the episode to learn: Why the plunge into the unknown feels so scary – it’s science! How to create an emotionally safe environment for you to start Why working in itty bitty containers at a time helps keep the momentum going in your project How to acknowledge progress, instead of chasing perfection Why you don’t always have to start at the beginning How to get honest with yourself about your schedule A reminder that you’re not married to every project you want Visit jenniferlouden.com/podcastkit to get instant access to a collection of audios that will help you with some of the most common struggles we creatives have to manage, including: The fear of choosing Falling into compare and despair, managing the inner critic(s) Feeling too exposed and vulnerable when you put yourself or your work into the world
Tue, April 05, 2022
What are your deepest desires? What is the mystery between you and those desires? Who belongs with you explore those desires? Even though she wrote and published as part of her career as a psychiatrist, Sarah Flick never considered herself a real writer. Even though she had wanted to write since she learnt how to read at three, a busy professional and personal life got in the way. That is, until she attended a retreat with me! Sarah is my first long time student and client to be on the show and she’s a treasure. Sarah's written a gorgeous book Desire, Mystery, and Belonging and we discuss its long beautiful evolution and much more. How to give ourselves “permission” to write Why creativity brings us to our most authentic self How to locate and maintain a life of desire A practical barometer for feeling desire in our lives Why creativity will always lead to a sense of belonging "What a marvellous treasure you hold in your hands, an intimate guide to desire, mystery, and belonging, three qualities we all need to live a life of meaning, beauty, and presence" Get a copy of Sarah's book here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Desire-Mystery-Belonging-Sarah-Flick/dp/1953445217/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1QJNK9EVEDNLF&keywords=Desire%2C+Mystery%2C+and+Belonging&qid=1647956326&sprefix=desire+mystery+and+belonging%2Caps%2C817&sr=8-1 Visit jenniferlouden.com/podcastkit to get instant access to a collection of audios that will help you with some of the most common struggles we creatives have to manage including fear of choosing, falling into compare and despair, managing the inner critic (s), and feeling too exposed and vulnerable when you put yourself or your work into the world.
Tue, March 29, 2022
In addition to being an actress, improviser, and best-selling author, Sam Bennett is a highly respected creative coach whose business, The Organized Artist, has inspired thousands to channel their creative urges into RESULTS. Sam is the author of ‘Get it Done’ From Procrastination to Creative Genius in 15 minutes a day, a wonderful book for creatives on how to be more CREATIVE, CONSISTENT, SUSTAINABLE and SANE. The beauty of Sam's work is that she's her number one customer - as a wildly creative but easily-unmoored creative herself, Sam created this philosophy to help herself, and by extension, she's helped so many. On today's show, Sam and Jen discuss: Why you might be a terrible judge of your own work How not to get stuck just because you’ve made a decision Performing isn’t just for actors and how acting allows Sam to use 100% of herself How ‘the prison of desire’ can stop you from growing and experiencing new things How to push through the "groan zone" that accompanies every creative project How and why creative productivity can boost our self-esteem The difference between our lives and our "lifestyle." The secret ingredient to knowing whether or not a creative project is "worth it." Visit jenniferlouden.com/podcastkit to get instant access to a collection of audios that will help you with some of the most common struggles we creatives have to manage including fear of choosing, falling into compare and despair, managing the inner critic (s), and feeling too exposed and vulnerable when you put yourself or your work into the world.
Tue, March 22, 2022
Has your work ever been greeted by a firestorm of furiously polarized tweets, both in fierce support and rampant opposition to what you have to say? In addition to being scathingly funny, bitingly honest, and sharply observant, author, essayist, and humorist Heather Havrilesky's work has always been provocative. And her latest memoir, Foreverland: On the Divine Tedium of Marriage does not disappoint. By writing honestly (and hilariously) about motherhood, marriage, and the contemporary female experience, Heather has amassed passionate supporters (Jen among them), in addition to nasty critics. But at the end of the day, shouldn't that be our chief aim as artists? In this episode, Jen and Heather unpack HOW creatives can truly get to the root of honesty in our work, so we too can inspire our audience. How Heather handles negativity and misreading of her work Sometimes the beauty of writing is learning how you feel on the page Writing honestly to accept what you’re made of Readers can see through everything so you’re better off being honest How the editorial process of her latest memoir helped her grow closer to her husband Why Jen was afraid to ask Heather to be on the podcast How self-acceptance feeds your creativity The form and structure of Foreverland, and how it shifted from a collection of essays to a narrative experience How Heather has navigated her career and why she feels like she’s just starting to take her writing more seriously, 25+ years in Taking an experimental approach to writing and learning as she goes Writing about and for women with more and more madness and freedom over time Can you stand behind your work? Comparing yourself to people you admire and professional envy Visit jenniferlouden.com/podcastkit to get instant access to a collection of audios that will: help you with some of the most common struggles we creatives have to manage including fear of choosing, falling into compare and despair, managing the inner critic (s), and feeling too exposed and vulnerable when you put yourself or your work into the world.
Tue, March 15, 2022
One of the questions I’m asked often is, ‘how do I stick with a project?’ followed closely by, ‘how do I know when a project is done?’ We want to see our creative endeavors through to completion, but it’s not always easy to do or be done. This is particularly true if a project has hit the skids or we’ve lost our way in the mushy middle or it’s a big damn project that takes a honking long time. Seeing your creative endeavors through to a conclusion (notice I did not write THE conclusion), is about asking the right questions… What do I want out of this? What financial impact will this project have on me? If I died doing this, would I be satisfied? What is finished for me? These types of questions can help us ground ourselves before we dive in, and not fall into extremes of isolation, apathy, or frustration. Sit down, buckle up, and grab a journal, because this solo episode is brimming with tips to help you create out loud and know when you have. We also cover... Why my book Why Bother? took 10 years to write Knowing what you’re looking for in doing a project Why creative work sometimes gets harder the more experienced you are How to stay motivated throughout your project and avoid common demotivating factors The subtle dangers of easy access to learning The power of embracing frustration and confusion How to know when you’re finished with a project when you want to keep working on it How to define what finished looks like -- what is “good enough” for you? Visit jenniferlouden.com/podcastkit to get instant access to a collection of audios that will: help you with some of the most common struggles we creatives have to manage including fear of choosing, falling into compare and despair, managing the inner critic (s), and feeling too exposed and vulnerable when you put yourself or your work into the world.
Tue, March 08, 2022
Sue Monk Kidd is one of the world's most beloved writers, occupying a rare intersection of critical and commercial success writers dream of. Perhaps most recognized for her #1 New York Times Bestsellers, The Secret Life of Bees, which went on to become the basis for a blockbuster movie, and The Invention of Wings, her earlier works, When the Heart Waits, an autobiographical account of a spiritual awakening, and Dance of the Dissident Daughter, a memoir that explores feminist theology, were groundbreaking for millions of seekers too. And yet, she's still willing to acknowledge how hard it is to start a new project. Sue says that every time she sits down to start a new project, she feels like a beginner. Fortunately, she listens to her soul and her craft, and together, they get here there. Jen and Sue also discuss: How Sue consistently taps into what women are feeling and experiencing Recurring themes throughout her body of work How writing memoir helped her find courage and freed her to write fiction How she pivoted in her spiritual life but maintained her creative beacons Writing as an act of courage that serves your soul Why Sue believes our salvation is in our imagination The importance of writing what you deeply care about Creativity as playing with what you love The two questions to ask yourself when starting a novel Using imagery and collages as part of the writing process Why Sue still feels like a beginner How she dealt with the staggering success of The Secret Life of Bees How perfectionism stymies writing Method and mystery, beginning the writing process, and writing rituals Doing research for historical fiction What Sue would say to her younger self Reflecting on her spiritual path The importance of the simplicity of being Creating as a spiritual act, writing as prayer Transitioning between projects The tension and energy that goes into writing a book Get a copy of Sue's books here: The Secret Life of Bees AmazonBookshop The Invention of Wings AmazonBookshop When the Heart Waits AmazonBookshop Visit jenniferlouden.com/podcastkit to get instant access to a collection of audios that will help you with some of the most common struggles we creatives have to manage including fear of choosing, falling into compare and despair, managing the inner critic (s), and feeling too exposed and vulnerable when you put yourself or your work into the world.
Tue, March 01, 2022
Have you seen those beautiful, colorful bottles of Method Soap at Target? They're most likely the work of today's guest, Lisa Congdon, who is one of the world's most recognizable graphic designers, a fine artist, and an illustrator who creates for clients such as Amazon, Comme des Garcons, Crate & Barrel, REI, and MoMA. She’s also the author of ten books, including Art Inc: The Essential Guide to Building Your Career as an Artist, and Find Your Artistic Voice: The Essential Guide to Working Your Creative Magic, the host of The Lisa Congdon Sessions podcast, and she teaches on the faculty of Northwest College of Art. But you might be surprised to learn Lisa didn't discover her true passion for design until her 30s, and at that point, she assumed it was too late to make it her career. Little did she know she had an entire journey of discovery ahead of her, and so much of that had to do with finding her voice. 0:42 - Why we tell ourselves we’re too old to be creative 1:40 - How imposter syndrome intensified when her career blew up 6:30 - Learning to stand in your creative power 7:00 - How Lisa manages to handle the various aspects of her career and life that bring her joy 12:18 - How to surround yourself with a great creative team 17:15 - Gauging whether or not to say yes to a creative opportunity 21:15 - Listening to your gut 22:43 - Knowing how much to charge for creative services 28:43 - The complicated nature of social media 33:33 - The elements of artistic voice 39:27 - Remembering that we hit multiple impasses in our creative work and that’s not a problem 44:48 - Working with the pressure to produce 48:15 - Developing grit in your creative life through physical challenges Get a copy of Lisa’s books here: Art Inc: The Essential Guide to Building Your Career as an Artist Amazon Bookshop Find Your Artistic Voice: The Essential Guide to Working Your Creative Magic Amazon Bookshop Visit Lisa’s shop and world: https://lisacongdon.com/ Visit jenniferlouden.com/podcastkit to get instant access to a collection of audios that will: help you with some of the most common struggles we creatives have to manage including fear of choosing, falling into compare and despair, managing the inner critic (s), and feeling too exposed and vulnerable when you put yourself or your work into the world.
Tue, February 22, 2022
Pamela Slim is a dynamic beloved thought leader and has been in the trenches with creative businesses for decades. Her breakout book Escape From Cubicle Nation hit the scene in 2009, and since then she’s launched many creative projects, including founding a beloved brick-and-mortar small business incubator, The Main Street Learning Lab at K’é, and two more books, Body of Work, and her latest The Widest Net. Get Pam's free workbook: https://pamelaslim.com/the-widest-net/ If you want to connect with customers but the idea of building an empire makes you queasy, you will adore this episode. We cover so many practical ways to build a values-based creative business including: How Pamela has allowed herself to keep learning, growing, and changing by following the work itself, even though her first book Escape From Cubicle Nation was quite sticky How she sees herself as an author practitioner The branding and audience building price creatives have to play when making pivots How justice, inclusivity, and equity are baked into everything she does and shape her creative choices The complex dynamic of her identity and really understanding the appropriate role to play in community building and issues of human rights and justice Her willingness to take on complexity and hard topics in her work How her latest book The Widest Net uses community building as a framework for finding an audience or customers for a business The creative process as putting pieces of a puzzle together Struggling through the creative process when writing The Widest Net and how she overcame writer’s block Why she wanted to bring The Widest Net framework out into the world as an alternative to all the empire-building, crush it, smash it, look at me, hustle, influencer stuff, which can be harmful and play into white supremacy culture and the patriarchy The harm people experience when searching for a singular life purpose and how she uses the metaphor of finding roots as an alternative The guidance in being drawn toward things that evoke a strong emotional reaction, paying attention to clues for where you might want to contribute through your creative energy The power in focusing on how and who you’re going to serve How introverts can build relationships while staying true to their natural wiring A deep dive into what it means to build a business ecosystem and how Ways to get support in building your business ecosystem How her book launch strategy has changed from book to book The heartbreak of evolving your business, changing relationships, and the emotional skills required to navigate it all Why Pamela is learning about crypto and NFTs while recognizing the disturbing components Get a copy of Pamela’s book here: Escape From Cubicle Nation Amazon Bookshop Body of Work Amazon Bookshop The Widest Net Amazon Bookshop Or get a free copy here: https://pamelaslim.com/the-widest-net/ Visit jenniferlouden.com/podcastkit to get instant access to a collection of audios that will help yo
Tue, February 15, 2022
Creativity psychologist Kim Hermanson almost died in her 20s. After a brutal near-death, head-on collision, Kim was laid-out in the ICU when a nurse whispered for her to "imagine herself floating on a cloud," and she immediately felt the pain and trauma of the horrific ordeal leave her body. This completely shifted Kim's understanding of the power of our brains and completely shifted her path. Since that experience, Kim has become a highly respected thought leader in the world of creativity psychology. Primarily, Kim's research and coaching are centered on METAPHOR, and how considering our work within that paradigm can completely open up our understanding of what we make, and more importantly, why we make it. Kim's work is interesting, provocative, and challenging, but I encourage you to open your mind and your heart, because it may fundamentally shift the way you see your creative life! 2:33 - Accessing another way, shifting into a different way of being 4:20 - How a near death experience pushed Kim towards a creative path 8:23 - Finding metaphor by following what shows up 10:20 - How fascination led Kim to confidently follow her yearnings, even when it was hard 12:38 - Feeling our way through the world with metaphor as a deeper way of knowing 17:10 - How spirituality and a connection to the divine factors into our creative endeavors 19:00 - How science, in a way, backs up what spirituality reveals about creativity 20:45 - The depth, richness, and wisdom of the images and metaphors that speak to us throughout our lives 23:00 - Using metaphor to get unstuck by feeling into it 25:31 - We can only think what we already know, which can be limiting 27:35 - Hallucinogenic drugs and alternative ways of knowing 28:30 - Working with form and structure in the creative 32:10 - How to work with non ordinary intelligence through metaphor 33:00 - The remembrance that you are not stuck because there is a whole other space available to us 33:55 - Practical ways to work through creative blocks by accessing metaphor 42:40 - Using metaphor to tune back into a sense of self and a sense of wholeness 45:00 - The deep agency of creative work 47:00 - Embracing your full self, including your nerdiness Visit jenniferlouden.com/podcastkit to get instant access to a collection of audios that will help you with some of the most common struggles we creatives have to manage including fear of choosing, falling into compare and despair, managing the inner critic (s), and feeling too exposed and vulnerable when you put yourself or your work into the world.
Tue, February 08, 2022
Whether it's on the page, on the canvas, or on the screen, the essence of creativity has always been storytelling. And if anyone understands the power of Storytelling, it's Devi Lockwood, who traveled the world on her bike, documenting the stories of everyday people whose lives have been affected by the increasingly problematic issue of climate change. That journey became a bestselling book: 1001 Voices on Climate Change. Learn how Devi fused her passions for social justice and creativity, "stumbled" upon her project, and learned to embrace the unknown in her quest for fulfillment. Jen and Devi also discuss: 3:30 - How Devi's torn ASL transformed into her "unexpectedly beautiful" passion for cycling. 8:58 - Why our approach to climate change activism is completely wrong. 14:42 - How to mobilize your creativity for social change. 19:22 - How Devi "hitched rides" on 7 boats through Asia and Oceiana to write her book 22:44 - How Devi bounced back from 40 book proposal rejections. 30:16 - How Devi discovered the structure for the book. 33:04 - How YOU can get published in the New York Times? 38:23 - Using the "3 Second Rule" to assess strangers. Purchase Devi's Book!: https://www.amazon.com/001-Voices-Climate-Change-Displacement/dp/1982146710 Visit jenniferlouden.com/podcastkit to get instant access to a collection of audios that will help you with some of the most common struggles we creatives have to manage including fear of choosing, falling into compare and despair, managing the inner critic (s), and feeling too exposed and vulnerable when you put yourself or your work into the world.
Thu, February 03, 2022
Hey Create Out Loud fan! A little peak behind the curtain - we're doing some maintenance with our podcast feed, so we're doing a little test announcement to make sure we're keeping the train on the tracks! As all of you know as creatives, change is a good thing, but sometimes requires a little bit of re-orienting when we pivot. No action required on your end. In the meantime, thanks for being a Create Out Loud fan, and stay tuned for this Tuesday's amazing episode with climate change activist and bestselling author Devi Lockwood!
Tue, February 01, 2022
How many Opera singers/wellness experts/radio broadcaster/racial reconciliation thought leaders do you know? You'll meet one today: the remarkable Celeste Headlee. Celeste is a 3-time bestselling author, including of her most recent book Speaking of Race: Why Everybody Needs to Talk About Racism — And How To Do It, who specializes in studying, articulating, and teaching about the complicated nuance of human conversation. Whether that's professionally, creatively, or even culturally, I promise that Celeste will fundamentally shift the way we view human communication. She will blow your mind. 1:40 - Why Celeste has had conversations about race thrust upon her all her life 2:49 - Celeste's signature themes throughout her diverse career 4:29 - How she gets people back in touch with their base humanity 5:42 - How she balances different “modes” of work: self-help, reporting, speaking, singing, etc. 8:34 - The importance of staying present, and how music has TRAINED Celeste to be super present 11:50 - The actual definition of conversation 13:14 - What are we missing in the essence of conversation? What are our ethical obligations in conversation? 17:30 - If conversations make us feel good, why do we avoid them? 23:17 - Why accepting racial biases is the quickest way to grow out of them 25:20 - How can we begin to overcome our biases? 27:14 - How American gospel music demonstrates our unconscious biases 28:30 - Why it’s important not to shame people while they’re learning about race 35:06 - What to do when you make a mistake when it comes to race 41:44 - How Celeste’s Ted Talk opened doors in her career. (Don’t miss what she has to say about her speaker’s fees!) 44:45 - How making more money allowed her to express more of herself 46:23 - What Celeste’s book Do Nothing taught me about productivity culture and the Industrial Revolution 47:50 - The ridiculousness of “time is money” 49:00 - The shadow of being passionate about your work Get a copy of Celeste’s books here: Speaking of Race: Why Everybody Needs to Talk About Racism — And How To Do It Amazon Bookshop Do Nothing: How to Break Away from Overworking, Overdoing, and Underliving Amazon Bookshop Visit jenniferlouden.com/podcastkit to get instant access to a collection of audios that will: help you with some of the most common struggles we creatives have to manage including fear of choosing, falling into compare and despair, managing the inner critic (s), and feeling too exposed and vulnerable when you put yourself or your work into the world. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/jennifer-louden/support
Tue, January 25, 2022
Comparison is the thief of joy. It may be a cliché, but it is profoundly true, especially when it comes to our creativity. Ask yourself now: when will YOU actually feel like you're "enough" when it comes to your work. When you win a regional award? A Pulitzer prize? An Oscar? Stop waiting for your pat on the back. Pat your own back. Today, we discuss: :35 - Why we "despair" when we compare 2:05 - Understanding and normalizing "the gap" of creativity 4:51 - Understanding "conditions of enoughness" 8:48 - Engage In Facts 9:09 - Establish A Creativity "Container" 11:13 - Determine whether or not this fits in your life 12:19 - CELEBRATE Your Creative Achievements Visit https://jenniferlouden.com/podcastkit/ to get instant access to a collection of audios that will: help you with some of the most common struggles we creatives have to manage including fear of choosing, falling into compare and despair, managing the inner critic (s), and feeling too exposed and vulnerable when you put yourself or your work into the world. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/jennifer-louden/support
Tue, January 18, 2022
One of the most important evolutions in creative history is the emergence of a female voice. Despite cultural sociologists of old focusing on men, Maria is among a number of important voices who can recognize that we can both acknowledge, even honor those historic works, but invite the female voice to break them apart. Do you ever feel overly constricted by ancient, patriarchal models of storytelling? Then THIS is the episode for you. Maria and Jen also discuss: 10:14 - How to avoid culturally repressive tropes in our art. 12:14 - Why was Maria drawn to fairy tales. 16:45 - How to respect the old while still exploring the new in our art. 21:32 - Valuing curiosity in ourselves and our children 24:18 - How storytelling gives us life 27:10 - How promote female models of storytelling while avoiding a gender binary 30:09 - Maria’s writing process 32:55 - Maria’s complicated relationship with Joseph Campbell 36:56 - How Maria collaborates with her students. 39:13 - Finding the bravery to take risks in our creative work. Visit https://jenniferlouden.com/podcastkit/ to get instant access to a collection of audios that will: help you with some of the most common struggles we creatives have to manage including fear of choosing, falling into compare and despair, managing the inner critic (s), and feeling too exposed and vulnerable when you put yourself or your work into the world. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/jennifer-louden/support
Tue, January 11, 2022
The pressure to have to create, to write everyday, to make our creativity a "job" is relentless. But what if we gave ourselves SPACE to pick up a project and put it back down? What if we didn't feel shame when because we have to take a break from our work. If you've been in the creative pressure cooker lately, THIS episode is for you. Thanks to Podchaser: gl8o4U4IdQiuyy4n4ZvF --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/jennifer-louden/support
Tue, January 04, 2022
Though she's now considered one of America's most important novelists, Ruth Ozeki didn't think of herself as a writer until her 30s. Before that, she had stumbled into a career editing schlocky, low-budget Japanese horror movies, struggling to find her way. But wisely, she knew, even then, that the experience would serve her. Because ALL experiences end up serving us in the end, right? Among other things, Ruth and Jen discuss: 3:00 - Inquiry-based creativity and writing. 7:12 - Allowing vulnerability and curious to guide our work 11:16 - Exploring self-trust. 16:14 - Understanding our readers interpret and create work. 20:21 - The profound power of storytelling. 30:31 - “Knowing your ruts.” 38:54 - Process and discipline. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/jennifer-louden/support
Tue, December 28, 2021
When we think of "self-help" we typically think of cheery, bohemian women talking about astrology and crystals, but what if we told you that Edgar Allen Poe - you know, the tragic alcoholic literary genius - was one of America's most valuable self-help voices? Today, we chat Catherine Babb-Muguira about her process of falling in love with Mr. Poe, and he pulled her out of her own dark hole. Drawing deeply on his works and life, she takes the familiar image of Poe in a new and surprising direction in this darkly inspiring self-help book. Despite what you might think, Edgar Allan Poe is the perfect person to teach you to say "Nevermore, problems!" and show you how to use all the terrible situations, tough breaks, bad luck, and even your darkest emotions in novel and creative ways to make a name for yourself and carve out your own unique, notorious place in the world. Jen and Catherine also discuss: :40 - Addressing the dark side of self help. 6:03 - Trust your creative instincts because you never know where things will take you. 9:09 - The process teaches how to write the book. 12:43 - Is it FUN? A great litmus test for creativity. 16:21 - Don’t be afraid to write for an audience. 20:23 - Leveraging a famous subject to find your audience. 29:40 - Embracing and accepting feelings of validity around publication. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/jennifer-louden/support
Tue, December 21, 2021
So often, we get caught up in the idea of who we should be as a creative. I should be a best selling author...I should be an award winning filmmaker...I should be giving my Nobel-prize winning speech. But what about who we already ARE? Even the greats wrestle questions of creativity identity and imposter syndrome, but remember, at the end of the day, YOU are your own greatest create superhero. Learn how to embrace yourself fully as you dive into the creative pool. Visit https://jenniferlouden.com/podcastkit/ to get instant access to a collection of audios that will: help you with some of the most common struggles we creatives have to manage including fear of choosing, falling into compare and despair, managing the inner critic (s), and feeling too exposed and vulnerable when you put yourself or your work into the world. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/jennifer-louden/support
Tue, December 14, 2021
Crystal and Parker are some of the most exciting voices in the world of female-founded tech startups, and their brilliance lies beyond their product. The two of them have sharply navigated the very white and very male world of tech by following their north star - business that focuses on diversity, ethics, and inclusivity. Like their own business philosophy, their company Inclusive Journeys is focusing on inclusivity by developing a digital green book to rate business on their ability to accommodate people of all races, genders, orientations, and abilities. Today, we also discuss 2:03 - Why Crystal Took Up Hunting 6:02 - How Crystal feels about being called a snowflake 12:32 - The nuts and bolts of how the app works 16:51 - Racial hurdles that Crystal and Parker faced as founders. 18:48 - Why shame is an ineffective motivator for moving forward. 28:29 - The mechanics of a creative partnership. 31:34 - The value of hiring an assistant. To support their GoFundMe, check out: https://www.gofundme.com/f/digital-green-book-website Visit https://jenniferlouden.com/podcastkit/ to get instant access to a collection of audios that will: help you with some of the most common struggles we creatives have to manage including fear of choosing, falling into compare and despair, managing the inner critic (s), and feeling too exposed and vulnerable when you put yourself or your work into the world. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/jennifer-louden/support
Tue, December 07, 2021
Beth Pickens is one of the most practical and grounded creative coaches working today. Though she herself doesn't identify as particularly creative, Beth CHAMPIONS creative instincts and argues that when creative people don't fulfill their inner-need to create, their health, well-being, and general productivity will suffer. Need a boost? THIS is the episode for you. Jen and Beth also discuss... 1:00 - Taking a STAND for your art. 2:39 - Creating art isn't optional, it's essential for your health. 4:00 - Separating the practice from your profession. 12:36 - Avoiding burnout. 21:43 - Art CHANGES people. Visit https://jenniferlouden.com/podcastkit/ to get instant access to a collection of audios that will: help you with some of the most common struggles we creatives have to manage including fear of choosing, falling into compare and despair, managing the inner critic (s), and feeling too exposed and vulnerable when you put yourself or your work into the world. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/jennifer-louden/support
Tue, November 30, 2021
Though her work centers on wild, uninhibited creative acts, Keri Smith is a self-proclaimed introvert. The hugely popular bestselling author Wreck This Journal is the first to admit that our creative needs to be a sacred choice, an intentional process that we commit to, despite the voices around us (and in our head), telling us not to. Keri and Jen get vulnerable as they discuss the gap between their public and private personas, and the very real looming specter of burnout that challenges every creative. They also discuss: 1:27 - Book as a sacred object 5:32 - The value of rituals and reptition. 9:47 - The myths around social media 16:53 - Random chance encounters with your creativity. 21:42 - Toxic comparisons with others. 27:46: How to remove the ego and focus on how JOHN CAGE influenced Keri’s work. 32:42: Why Keri doesn't read reviewsVisit https://jenniferlouden.com/podcastkit/ to get instant access to a collection of audios that will: help you with some of the most common struggles we creatives have to manage including fear of choosing, falling into compare and despair, managing the inner critic (s), and feeling too exposed and vulnerable when you put yourself or your work into the world. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/jennifer-louden/support
Thu, November 25, 2021
If you're looking to find more gratitude in your creative life, today's episode is for you! Visit https://jenniferlouden.com/podcastkit/ to get instant access to a collection of audios that will: help you with some of the most common struggles we creatives have to manage including fear of choosing, falling into compare and despair, managing the inner critic (s), and feeling too exposed and vulnerable when you put yourself or your work into the world. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/jennifer-louden/support
Tue, November 16, 2021
For better or worse, so much of the creative life relies on marketing, which can feel icky. But for Toya Gavin, who has brilliantly built her life coaching business through her own ingenious marketing strategies, it doesn't have to feel icky. Instead, it can feel social, constructive, and even beneficial for those who deserve to hear about your endeavors. Though Jen and Toya might both struggle with that instinct to want to be the invisible creative, today's creator economy just doesn't support that, and instead, we should CREATE OUT LOUD! Toya and Jen Also Discuss: :22 - Taking a stand for black and brown women in business. 9:16 - How language fails us when we seek to explain outsider status. 12:42 - Fostering intristic motivation for our work. 20:28 - How identity helps or hurts as creativity 24:50 - The Four essential benchmarks for running your own bussiness. 27:30 - How to market your creativity. 31:57 - Using our own network to sell our creativity. 36:42 - How To Trust Yourself in the room. 43:01 - The viability of creating your own business. Visit https://jenniferlouden.com/podcastkit/ to get instant access to a collection of audios that will: help you with some of the most common struggles we creatives have to manage including fear of choosing, falling into compare and despair, managing the inner critic (s), and feeling too exposed and vulnerable when you put yourself or your work into the world. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/jennifer-louden/support
Tue, November 09, 2021
Laura Davis is the author of six non-fiction books, which have been translated into 11 languages and sold more than 1.8 million copies, that focus primarily on healing, recovery, and the beautiful scars that the challenges of our lives leave behind. In the course of her long career as a communicator, she has been a columnist, a talk show host, and a radio news reporter. Laura’ new book and first memoir, new book, and first memoir, The Burning Light of Two Stars, tells the story of her dramatic and tumultuous relationship with her mother from the time of my birth until her death from a much more dramatic, intimate, and personal point of view. On today’s show, Jen and Laura discuss 5:08 - Why Laura had to return to therapy to write this book. 10:13 - How to learn NEW creative skills: “our learning edge.” 13:33 - How to write about our family members. 19:17 - How to write about what we can’t remember 28:45 - How to make a living as a creative 29:53 - Finding the right publisher for your material 35:11 - How to face the (sometimes grueling) importance of marketing 39:59 - How to market to your “ideal audience.” How To Make Personal Experiences Universal For Your Audience READ THE FIRST FIVE CHAPTERS HERE!: https://lauradavis.net/the-burning-light-of-two-stars/ Visit https://jenniferlouden.com/podcastkit/ to get instant access to a collection of audios that will: help you with some of the most common struggles we creatives have to manage including fear of choosing, falling into compare and despair, managing the inner critic (s), and feeling too exposed and vulnerable when you put yourself or your work into the world. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/jennifer-louden/support
Tue, November 02, 2021
"Why Bother" was the central question of Jen's last book, and so of course, it had to show up on the podcast! But today we go deep: why bother to create, at all? If you've faced creative failure, despair, or you feel like you're facing insurmountable cynicism, it may feel exhausting and impossible to create. Or even worse, it may feel pointless. And trust me, we get it. BUT, there are still a million reasons why the beautiful act of creation is often our way out, and we discuss those reasons today. Visit https://jenniferlouden.com/podcastkit/ to get instant access to a collection of audios that will: help you with some of the most common struggles we creatives have to manage including fear of choosing, falling into compare and despair, managing the inner critic (s), and feeling too exposed and vulnerable when you put yourself or your work into the world. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/jennifer-louden/support
Tue, October 26, 2021
It's hard enough to feel like "our best selves" when we're creating, but here's a little secret no one tells you: we won't, unless we foster a safe space and sacred space around our work! What does that REALLY mean? Tune in to find out. Visit https://jenniferlouden.com/podcastkit/ to get instant access to a collection of audios that will: help you with some of the most common struggles we creatives have to manage including fear of choosing, falling into compare and despair, managing the inner critic (s), and feeling too exposed and vulnerable when you put yourself or your work into the world. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/jennifer-louden/support
Thu, October 21, 2021
Aimee Nezhukumatathil is the author of the New York Times best-selling illustrated collection of nature essays and Kirkus Prize finalist, WORLD OF WONDERS: IN PRAISE OF FIREFLIES, WHALE SHARKS, & OTHER ASTONISHMENTS (2020, Milkweed Editions), which was chosen as Barnes and Noble’s Book of the Year. She has four previous poetry collections, and her writing appears twice in the Best American Poetry Series, The New York Times Magazine, ESPN, Ploughshares, American Poetry Review, and Tin House. On today's show, Jen and Aimee connect over their passion for the natural world, and the unavoidable truth the clock is ticking on that environment. But for both Jen and Aimee, creativity, open-heartedness, and WONDER provide a foundation of hope and could truly change they way we see our own lives, and more importantly, the whole world. In addition, they also discuss: 4:14 - Aimee's experiences with a lack of representation in pop culture and art growing up. 11:14 - Confronting the all-common question of: "How dare you want this?" 13:51 - Aimee's decision to abandon pre-med in favor of the arts. 18:07 - How to avoid becoming a brand. 22:16 - Aimee's turbulent publishing journey. 24:02 - Aimee on "negotiating the line between the color of my skin and the outdoors." 29:13 - Making wonder a habit. 32:11 - The difference between writing poems and essays. 40:34 - Why a lack of wonder makes the world more dangerous. Visit https://jenniferlouden.com/podcastkit/ to get instant access to a collection of audios that will: help you with some of the most common struggles we creatives have to manage including fear of choosing, falling into compare and despair, managing the inner critic (s), and feeling too exposed and vulnerable when you put yourself or your work into the world. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/jennifer-louden/support
Tue, October 19, 2021
Oliver Burkeman is an award-winning thought leader and the author of 4 bestselling books about time, happiness, and strategies for living our best lives. His new book, Four Thousand Weeks, is about making the most of our radically finite lives in a world of impossible demands, relentless distraction and political insanity (and 'productivity techniques' that mainly just make everyone feel busier). On today's show, Jen and Oliver connect over their complicated relationship with the term "self-help," discuss how we can maximize our creative time, and explore how understanding our own limits can make us feel limitless in our creativity. They also discuss: 2:47 - How Oliver avoids nihilism in his approach to time management. 6:15 - How to settle into our work and our creativity. 7:18 - How to give ourselves permission to evolve as creatives. 11:02 - How to establish creative parameters around our material 16:48 - How do we accept ourselves as creatives? 21:08 - How to avoid boxing ourselves into a creative identity. 27:31 - How actively being present helps our creativity. Visit https://jenniferlouden.com/podcastkit/ to get instant access to a collection of audios that will: help you with some of the most common struggles we creatives have to manage including fear of choosing, falling into compare and despair, managing the inner critic (s), and feeling too exposed and vulnerable when you put yourself or your work into the world. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/jennifer-louden/support
Sat, October 16, 2021
Hey Creatives! We are SO excited to be launching season 2 of Create Out Loud and our first episode drops this Tuesday with NYT Bestselling Author Oliver Burkeman. We have TONS of incredible conversations in the can, and we promise a season that's bigger, better, and bolder as we continue to create out loud! Visit https://jenniferlouden.com/podcastkit/ to get instant access to a collection of audios that will: help you with some of the most common struggles we creatives have to manage including fear of choosing, falling into compare and despair, managing the inner critic (s), and feeling too exposed and vulnerable when you put yourself or your work into the world. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/jennifer-louden/support
Tue, August 17, 2021
As much as YOU feel like you've learned a lot from season 1 of Create Out Loud, I promise you, Jen has learned JUST as much. In this very special episode, Jen's producer Jeff asks her some of HIS burning questions about Jen's biggest creative breakthroughs, and we through it back to some amazing moments with Anne-Laure Le Cunff, Rissi Palmer, and Angeline Boulley. Visit https://jenniferlouden.com/podcastkit/ to get instant access to a collection of audios that will: help you with some of the most common struggles we creatives have to manage including fear of choosing, falling into compare and despair, managing the inner critic (s), and feeling too exposed and vulnerable when you put yourself or your work into the world. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/jennifer-louden/support
Tue, August 10, 2021
Bestselling poet Kate Baer has a beautifully truthful relationship with motherhood, with social media, with internet trolls, and with being a woman. It's wrestling with all of this that inspires her poetry, poetry women love (and some men are threatened by) because she tells the truth. Listen to how Kate uses her life, and her critics, to know her truth and develop her craft. It's incredibly brave. Among other topics, Jen and Kate also discuss: - How social media complicates creativity but also lead partially to Kate's new poetry book - Why "a-ha moments" may be a myth - How to not get a trapped in a certain medium - What lead her to write her newest book (hint: it wasn't what I thought!) Visit https://jenniferlouden.com/podcastkit/ to get instant access to a collection of audios that will: help you with some of the most common struggles we creatives have to manage including fear of choosing, falling into compare and despair, managing the inner critic (s), and feeling too exposed and vulnerable when you put yourself or your work into the world. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/jennifer-louden/support
Tue, August 03, 2021
Shedding identities has been at the center of Ashley Sumner's creative journey and her company Quilt, and a good thing as she had to change her company's entire mission at the start of the pandemic. Ashley is the founder of a social media community Quilt dedicate to connection and self-care, creating a unique bridge between Jen's early work and Ashley's company Quilt. Jen and Ashley are both passionate about using story and connection to help women face the climate crisis without being crushed by despair. Jen and Ashley also discuss: - How to follow your signature themes - What it means to shed an identity and why it's been crucial for Ashely - How to quiet our souls to listen to our desires even when we are freaked out - How Ashley's biggest professional setback led her to Quilt Visit https://jenniferlouden.com/podcastkit/ to get instant access to a collection of audios that will: help you with some of the most common struggles we creatives have to manage including fear of choosing, falling into compare and despair, managing the inner critic (s), and feeling too exposed and vulnerable when you put yourself or your work into the world. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/jennifer-louden/support
Tue, July 27, 2021
For bestselling poet and author Maggie Smith, sometimes the secret behind making her poetry interesting, unexpected, and surprising comes to "making it weirder." Maggie's unapologetic, unabashed approach to her work is the reason her work has been read by everyone from Meryl Streep to Dr. Jill Biden. Maggie hits on something essential about successful creativity. How do we be truly honest in our work? Sometimes it means admitting that we DON'T want to write every day. Sometimes it means making sure you don't miss that therapy appointment. Being honest with yourself is the only way you can be certain to be honest in your work. In this interview, Maggie and Jen also discuss: - What if feels like to have written a poem that goes viral when there is a mass shooting or other horror - How to incorporate our everyday experiences into our writing - The art of paying attention - How to unlock a good metaphor - How Maggie navigated her divorce in public and how it became her best-selling book Keep Moving Visit https://jenniferlouden.com/podcastkit/ to get instant access to a collection of audios that will: help you with some of the most common struggles we creatives have to manage including fear of choosing, falling into compare and despair, managing the inner critic (s), and feeling too exposed and vulnerable when you put yourself or your work into the world. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/jennifer-louden/support
Tue, July 20, 2021
Isn't it wonderful to hear widely celebrated NYT's best-selling novelists talk about shitty first drafts? Laurie's acclaimed new bestseller One Two Three "wrote hard," for her, and that's OK! For Laurie, the joy comes in the process, whether it's easy, hard, smooth, bumpy, or annoying - that complicated cocktail is what makes the creative process beautiful. And Laurie gets candid about the other side: PUBLISHING. Sometimes "Creating Out Loud," isn't our first instinct, but it's all apart of what we do as artists. In this conversation, Jen and Laurie also discuss: - Laurie's passion for creative inclusion - Fiction v. non-fiction storytelling - The "Prestige" of "literature v. fiction" - How and why we should study our craft - Navigating the world of a transgender child - Being a story savant Visit https://jenniferlouden.com/podcastkit/ to get instant access to a collection of audios that will: help you with some of the most common struggles we creatives have to manage including fear of choosing, falling into compare and despair, managing the inner critic (s), and feeling too exposed and vulnerable when you put yourself or your work into the world. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/jennifer-louden/support
Tue, July 13, 2021
Tamiko Beyer's acclaimed poetry collection Last Days, was assembled from a collection of poetry written over the course of decade, which speaks to Tamiko's sense of open-minded freedom and patience when it comes to work. For Tamiko, the creative process is all about leaving space for play and imagination. By relieving the pressure and intensity of "generating a product" when it comes to our work, we actually create more space to tell the truth and generate our best, most authentic work. In this conversation, we also discuss: - How creative playfulness can enact social change - How capitalism has corrupted the creative process - How to re-think book launches - Craft advice for writing poetry - How Tamiko's multi-language household informs her work Visit https://jenniferlouden.com/podcastkit/ to get instant access to a collection of audios that will: help you with some of the most common struggles we creatives have to manage including fear of choosing, falling into compare and despair, managing the inner critic (s), and feeling too exposed and vulnerable when you put yourself or your work into the world. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/jennifer-louden/support
Tue, July 06, 2021
Maggie Shipstead is an NYT-Bestselling author of three novels - Seating Arrangements, Astonish Me, and Great Circle (on many best-of lists for 2021) and her work has won a laundry list of awards. She's also written essays and travel articles like her piece for Modern Love. And like all of us, Maggie has to begin again, face the blank page, and watch projects die. Maggie's newest novel "Great Circle" follows pilot Marian Graves who will take to the sky and circumnavigate the globe at all costs - and isn't that so much like the creative process? In this interview, we discuss: - How to make choices in our creative work - Enjoying the experience of creating - What tools and software Maggie uses to write - The "money" conversation - The places Maggie loves to write - How Maggie's travels have inspired her work Visit https://jenniferlouden.com/podcastkit/ to get instant access to a collection of audios that will: help you with some of the most common struggles we creatives have to manage including fear of choosing, falling into compare and despair, managing the inner critic (s), and feeling too exposed and vulnerable when you put yourself or your work into the world. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/jennifer-louden/support
Tue, June 29, 2021
All of us get caught up in the shoulds and I can't of our creative life, but Susan Piver has learned, through decades of meditation and practice, to disregard these inner voices. Susan regards all of her creative endeavors as art projects, a chance to get her hands in the clay of creativity and create something beautiful. Susan has learned to open her heart to the creative yearnings and she's passionate about helping other creatives approach their own work with the same level of curiosity and generosity. In this episode, we also discuss: - How to remove ourselves from the expectations of our audience - How we can use our creativity to teach others - Why sometimes it's the right thing to hide from others - How to give ourselves permission to evolve our creative tastes and passions -How Susan creates while dealing with chronic pain Visit https://jenniferlouden.com/podcastkit/ to get instant access to a collection of audios that will: help you with some of the most common struggles we creatives have to manage including fear of choosing, falling into compare and despair, managing the inner critic (s), and feeling too exposed and vulnerable when you put yourself or your work into the world. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/jennifer-louden/support
Tue, June 22, 2021
Lisa cron is tired of staying quiet. As a bestselling author and widely celebrated story coach, Lisa has worked as a story consultant for decades with best-selling authors, major Hollywood studios, and taught at NYU and UCLA. And now, she's raising her story voice to help us all. Lisa's philosophies around story are deeply researched truths. She knows that understanding the mechanics of storytelling will help us become the best creatives we can be, but will also help us change the world, by elevating our critical thinking and learning to decode the false stories that culture and the patriarchy try to snare us with. We also discuss: - How signature themes define our source material - How to find the courage to tell our truth in our art and activism - Why facts don't change minds - the science behind effective story-telling Visit https://jenniferlouden.com/podcastkit/ to get instant access to a collection of audios that will: help you with some of the most common struggles we creatives have to manage including fear of choosing, falling into compare and despair, managing the inner critic (s), and feeling too exposed and vulnerable when you put yourself or your work into the world. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/jennifer-louden/support
Thu, June 17, 2021
Annie Murphy Paul is one of the most interesting and acclaimed scientist writers working today, and her most recent book, The Extended Mind, may just fundamentally shift your relationship with your creativity and your brain forever. The Extended Mind is all about how our minds are not brain bound and by understanding all the ways we can - and must! - extend our minds, we can learn to work with the challenges of modern life that are so thinking heavy in entirely new ways. Hints: it's good to fidget! The spaces you work in affect how you think! Your brain needs nature. And so much more. In this episode, we discuss: - The myth of our "brain" being our "mind." - How movement and space affect the way we think - How to optimize our creativity with practical strategies - Why grit and the growth mindset aren't enough - Why our brain is NOT a computer Get a copy of Annie's book here!: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07FKB3V5S/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_hsch_vapi_tkin_p1_i0 Visit https://jenniferlouden.com/podcastkit/ to get instant access to a collection of audios that will: help you with some of the most common struggles we creatives have to manage including fear of choosing, falling into compare and despair, managing the inner critic (s), and feeling too exposed and vulnerable when you put yourself or your work into the world. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/jennifer-louden/support
Tue, June 15, 2021
How often do we sit down to face the blank page or canvas, only to get crippled by the paralyzing critic: "You can't do this, you're not good enough....WHY BOTHER?" What if, instead, you told yourself, "keep going, you've got this, your voice matters." This is the self-compassionate approach to creativity, and it's essential to your success. But some days, you need more. That’s where Kristen Neff’s work on fierce self-compassion comes in. Kristin Neff is the pioneer researcher of self-compassion and she has spent the last years studying how women can combine fierceness with self-compassion, which many of us have been in-cultured to reject. Listen in as we talk about: - What fierce self-compassion is and what it isn’t - How it can help your creative process and your social justice work in the world - Why accepting all of ourselves is important for the creative process - The difference between "self-compassion" and "being nice" - The physiological upside to fierce self-compassion - What to do when you aren’t creating regularly Visit https://jenniferlouden.com/podcastkit/ to get instant access to a collection of audios that will: help you with some of the most common struggles we creatives have to manage including fear of choosing, falling into compare and despair, managing the inner critic (s), and feeling too exposed and vulnerable when you put yourself or your work into the world. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/jennifer-louden/support
Tue, June 08, 2021
From the outside, Grace Harry looked like she was living a dream life. A top executive at Def Jam records, married to Usher, hobnobbing with some of the world's most powerful voices in arts and culture, Grace was a powerhouse of creative collaboration and making music happen. But she wasn't happy. Deep down, she wasn't listening to her desires. Gracereinvented her life, leaving behind much of what made her well-known and paid the bills, and she makes her living as a "Joy Strategist." It may sound "woo-woo," but after talking to Grace, you will see how creating intention around what brings us joy is essential. In this episode, we also discuss: How connecting to our childhood can give us a barometer for our creative future How to connect to our inner desires and inner dialogue Why we need to “feel it to heal it” How our spiritual life connects to our creative life. How to transform victim power into creative power How to transform people-pleasing Visit https://jenniferlouden.com/podcastkit/ to get instant access to a collection of audios that will: help you with some of the most common struggles we creatives have to manage including fear of choosing, falling into compare and despair, managing the inner critic (s), and feeling too exposed and vulnerable when you put yourself or your work into the world. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/jennifer-louden/support
Tue, June 01, 2021
Elizabeth Hargrave is one of the world's most respected tabletop game designers, and her bestselling, award-winning board game "Wingspan" came out of a simple desire: she was tired of playing games that wasn't about trolls, castles, and zombies. So guess what? She created her own, and it's about ornithology. Yep, birds. There is so much to learn about this act of defiance. If we yearn for something, chances are, MANY people do too. Elizabeth has since published three games and she's built a beautiful community around her work. We also discussed: - Why creating board games is inherently vulnerable (and what we can learn from that) - Why all notes are valuable if we search for "the note under the note" - How we can use our creative passions to champion social justice - How to champion minority voices in your creative field Enjoy The Show! Visit https://jenniferlouden.com/podcastkit/ to get instant access to a collection of audios that will: help you with some of the most common struggles we creatives have to manage including fear of choosing, falling into compare and despair, managing the inner critic (s), and feeling too exposed and vulnerable when you put yourself or your work into the world. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/jennifer-louden/support
Tue, May 25, 2021
Have you ever been told to "everything happens for a reason" or "things will get better in time" when something truly awful has happened to you? Singer/songwriter and author of How to Lose Everything Christa Couture can relate. Christa has an advanced degree in loss: the loss of her leg to cancer as a child, the lost of two children in their infancy, the loss of a marriage, and temporarily, her voice to thyroid cancer. How she could possibly be creative after such life-shattering tragedy? That's what we explore in this grace-filled conversation. We also discussed: - How to take the leap into our work when we're feeling blocked. - How Christa turned her amputation into art - Christa's philosophies on "person-first" language around disability - Her brief stint in film school - How she channels her indigenous roots into her creative and spiritual life Christa's book HOW TO LOSE EVERYTHING can be found anywhere books are sold: https://www.amazon.com/How-Lose-Everything-Children-Marriage-ebook/dp/B08G4ZSWWT#:~:text=Amazon%20Book%20Clubs-,How%20to%20Lose%20Everything%3A%20A%20Memoir%20about%20Losing%20My%20Children,and%20My%20Voice%20Kindle%20Edition&text=Christa%20Couture%20has%20come%20to,a%20powerful%20and%20wise%20emotion Check Out My Creativity Ebook!: https://jenniferlouden.com/desire/ Visit https://jenniferlouden.com/podcastkit/ to get instant access to a collection of audios that will: help you with some of the most common struggles we creatives have to manage including fear of choosing, falling into compare and despair, managing the inner critic (s), and feeling too exposed and vulnerable when you put yourself or your work into the world. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/jennifer-louden/support
Tue, May 18, 2021
Do you feel like it's too late for your creative desires? For Angeline Boulley, her first major creative success came in her mid-50s, with her debut novel The Firekeeper's Daughter. In addition to debuting at #1 on the New York Times, being optioned by the Obama's for a Netflix TV adaptation, and being chosen for Reese Witherspoon's book club, the novel is celebrated for its honest and multi-layered portrayal of modern indigenous life. How did Angeline become such a literary lightning rod, especially at an age where many may given up? She trusted herself. She trusted her artistic voice, the long journey it took, and never let "time anxiety" get the best of her. Instead, she trusted herself to create the art that would be born when it was ready. If you're feeling stuck, or like it's too late, or you are too old, or are anyway wondering "why bother?" This is the conversation for you! Visit https://jenniferlouden.com/podcastkit/ to get instant access to a collection of audios that will: help you with some of the most common struggles we creatives have to manage including fear of choosing, falling into compare and despair, managing the inner critic (s), and feeling too exposed and vulnerable when you put yourself or your work into the world. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/jennifer-louden/support
Tue, May 11, 2021
Morgan Harper Nichols wears many creative hats beautifully - poet, author, musician, self-taught illustrator, and entrepreneur. And like most of my guests, she has walked a wild and twisty road to find her current creative success. After struggling as a touring musician and freelancer, Morgan channeled her "hitting the bottom" moment into illustrated poetry that was an immediate surprise hit with girls and young women. Even though it wasn't her "immediate plan" for her creative life, she listened to what was happening, followed it, built on it, and is now one of Instagram's most popular illustrated creators. Morgan's work resonates strongly with adolescent girls - so why was her immediate reaction to turn away from that audiencece? And when did Morgan start to earn a great living and support her family? We cover that and lots more! But what's most delightful about this episode is Morgan's heart. Get ready to fall in love with how Morgan Harper Nichols creates out loud! Visit https://jenniferlouden.com/podcastkit/ to get instant access to a collection of audios that will: help you with some of the most common struggles we creatives have to manage including fear of choosing, falling into compare and despair, managing the inner critic (s), and feeling too exposed and vulnerable when you put yourself or your work into the world. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/jennifer-louden/support
Tue, May 04, 2021
What would it take for you to turn down an offer from JJ Abrams (you know the guy who created Lost among other block-busters)? Ask Meg LeFavue, the Oscar-nominated writer of Inside Out, who had to do just that after committing to her creative calling to become a screenwriter. Meg LeFauve and her frequent writing partner and podcast co-host Lorien McKenna get extremely candid about the challenges and essential importance of committing to your artistic path and sticking with it. Listen in as we discuss questions around creative time management, balancing multiple creative projects, when and how to send out drafts of your work, how to take notes, and why failure is an essential part of the creative process. I hope you'll get as much out of this conversation as I did. What these tenacious creators said changed my view of writing and creating in a big wonderful way! Visit https://jenniferlouden.com/podcastkit/ to get instant access to a collection of audios that will: help you with some of the most common struggles we creatives have to manage including fear of choosing, falling into compare and despair, managing the inner critic (s), and feeling too exposed and vulnerable when you put yourself or your work into the world. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/jennifer-louden/support
Tue, April 27, 2021
Anne-Laure Le Cunff is an entrepreneur, and an ex-Googler turned neuroscience student who is leading the conversation around creative anxiety, mental wellness in our modern age, the delicate balance between productivity and creativity, and how we can use technology to make the world better. In today's amazing conversation, we talk releasing ourselves from the pressure or time anxiety, how to align our creative desires with our professional goals, and yes, even how to make money as a creative. Visit https://jenniferlouden.com/podcastkit/ to get instant access to a collection of audios that will: help you with some of the most common struggles we creatives have to manage including fear of choosing, falling into compare and despair, managing the inner critic (s), and feeling too exposed and vulnerable when you put yourself or your work into the world. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/jennifer-louden/support
Tue, April 20, 2021
If anyone understands "creative Rock Bottom," it's Award-winning singer-songwriter Rissi Palmer. After a top-charting, well-received debut album, Rissi entered a vicious court battle with her label, leading her to bankruptcy. After the heartbreak of seeing her own music video playing in the record store at the mall across from the retail store where she was working, Rissi knew it was time to take matters into her own hands. Rissi committed to creating out loud on her OWN terms. Now Rissi is one of country music's most important voices, not only with her music, but her activism in the community. Her partnership with Apple Music lifts BIPOC voices in the music community through her radio show "Color Me Country." I hope Rissi will inspire you to choose yourself lie she did me. Visit https://jenniferlouden.com/podcastkit/ to get instant access to a collection of audios that will: help you with some of the most common struggles we creatives have to manage including fear of choosing, falling into compare and despair, managing the inner critic (s), and feeling too exposed and vulnerable when you put yourself or your work into the world. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/jennifer-louden/support
Tue, April 13, 2021
Anne Lamott is one of our most celebrated creative and spiritual leaders, and for good reason. With 9 bestselling fiction and non-fiction books, including Bird By Bird which many celebrated creatives consider the best book about writing ever written, Anne's one of the wisest teachers about the creative life and definitely one of the funniest. In this episode, Anne offers you prayer, honesty, and ideas on how to change the channel from the critic to the creator. She shares that creative expression is one of the most generous acts we can offer to both ourselves and the people around us. It's not just valuable, it's essential. I hope this conversation inspires you to create out loud! Thanks for tuning into Create Out Loud! If you liked today's episode, PLEASE leave us a review on Apple Podcasts, and you can email us with feedback or topic suggestions at CreateOutLouden@gmail.com. We'll see you next TUESDAY w/ award-winning singer-songwriter and host of Color Me Country Rissi Palmer. Visit https://jenniferlouden.com/podcastkit/ to get instant access to a collection of audios that will: help you with some of the most common struggles we creatives have to manage including fear of choosing, falling into compare and despair, managing the inner critic (s), and feeling too exposed and vulnerable when you put yourself or your work into the world. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/jennifer-louden/support
Thu, March 18, 2021
Do you have an inner-voice begging you to tap into your creativity, yearning to create, and for years, you've been telling it no? Or maybe creativity IS a part of your life and livelihood, and you still get scared, you still get stuck. Whoever you are, it's time for YOU to Create Out Loud. Welcome to Create Out Loud: Conversations w/ Creative People, hosted by bestselling author and creativity mentor Jennifer Louden. Every week, Jen will be chatting with some of the world's most interesting, thoughtful, quirky, and successful creatives about their process. We'll talk about elements like craft and routine, but we'll EVEN get into the awkward nitty-gritty questions, like how to make money. Every week, we'll be featuring award-winning novelists like Anne Lamott, to Oscar-nominated screenwriters like Meg LeFauve, to musicians like award-winning country singer Rissi Palmer, but the unifying thread tying ALL of our guests is the vow that they've made to Create Out Loud! Our first episode drops on April 13th featuring award-winning novelist Anne Lamott, so make sure you're subscribed. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/jennifer-louden/support
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