Awakening With Grace — Creativity & Consciousness

Latest Episodes:

Lesson 45 - ...And We're Back to School! Feb 09, 2022

Show notes

Welcome back to School, Creators!

Listen to this short episode for an update on where I've been, what I've been up to for the last 2 years, and where the show is headed in Season 2.

Please complete this short survey so I can learn a little more about you and what topics you'd like covered on the show!

If you're interested in doing Office Hours with me for a future episode (You can ask me anything about your journey with creativity) fill out this form.

CONNECT WITH CREATIVITY SCHOOL:

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Lesson 44 - The Right Time to Quit with Grace Chon Nov 05, 2019

Show notes

How do you know when you should keep going in pursuit of your wildest dreams, or throw in the towel and walk away?

This is one of my most personal episodes yet, and I share with you the 3 questions I ask myself when I reach obstacles or a crossroads and have to decide which path to choose. I talk about some of the hardest, darkest parts of my 11 year career, things I've never talked about publicly before. These are the times I was so sure I had to stop chasing my dreams of being a pet photographer and choose a more stable path. How did I know I had to keep going? I also talk about how to know it's actually the right time to quit by sharing about the rise and fall of my defunct kimchi business, and why it's ok - no, essential - TO QUIT when you have to!

This is the season finale, folks! See you back here in February 2020. In the meantime, keep in touch with me on Instagram, in the Facebook Group, and keep your brains and spirits filled with goodness by checking out some of my favorite podcasts and books at my website.

Until next time my friends, put something great out there!

**Today's episode is brought to you by Audible! Get started with a free audiobook download and 30 day free trial at www.creativityschoolpodcast.com/audible.

CONNECT WITH CREATIVITY SCHOOL:

Thank you so much for listening!

Subscribe so you never miss an episode, and connect with me online!

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If you have any questions or comments for the show, click here

Lesson 43 - Following Your Intuition and Creating from the Inside Out with Kimothy Joy Oct 29, 2019

Show notes

How can we forever change the course of our life by listening to our inner nudges and "following the feeling?" Our guest this week has a story that exemplifies everything we discuss on this show, and the magic that unfolds when you listen and take action!

This week on Creativity School, I'm talking to Kimothy Joy, a watercolor and pen illustrator passionate about creating artwork that uplifts and empowers women and girls. Kimothy shares how she went from feeling lost, broken, and disconnected from herself to discovering her love of watercolor painting. In a very short amount of time, her work went from simply living on her dining room table, to being seen at Women's Marches all around the world, to then being published in her book That's What She Said: Wise Words from Influential Women.

Listen to learn why it's so important to play and do the things that make you curious, how to begin to listen to the little nudges that are telling you what to do, and how to get into your flow to let your creative path unfold. We also talk about THE SECRET to creating your best work from the inside out, and how most people get this all backwards! If you need a dose of magical inspiration this episode is for you!

**Today's episode is brought to you by Audible! Get started with a free audiobook download and 30 day free trial at www.creativityschoolpodcast.com/audible.

Mentioned in this episode:

The importance of playing and doing what makes you curious
The roadmap to finding what your creative calling is
How to listen to the nudges and learn to distinguish between your wise inner voice and your critical monkey mind
How to get into your flow and allow your creative path to unfold
Developing an abundance mindset
The formula for creating from the inside out

CONNECT WITH KIMOTHY:

Website | Instagram | That's What She Said

CONNECT WITH CREATIVITY SCHOOL:

Thank you so much for listening!

Subscribe so you never miss an episode, and connect with me online!

Instagram | Twitter | Facebook

If you have any questions or comments for the show, click here

Lesson 42 - Manifesting Your Creativity Through the Akashic Records with Helen Vonderheide Oct 22, 2019

Show notes

What are the Akashic Records and how can you use them as a tool to reconnect to who you are and manifest your unique creative expression?

This week on Creativity School, I'm talking to my teacher Helen Vonderheide, Elite Certified Akashic Records Teacher and Practitioner. Helen gave me my Beginning Practitioner Certification, and I'm thrilled she's here to teach us all about what the Akashic Records are, and how we can use them to illuminate our path, manifest our creative greatness, and receive the outcomes we desire.

Helen also gives an Akashic Record reading for all of us, so stay tuned until the end to hear the beautiful message she shares. If you want to learn all about the Akashic Records, keep an open heart and mind as you listen because this episode was made especially for you! ✨

**Today's episode is brought to you by Audible! Get started with a free audiobook download and 30 day free trial at www.creativityschoolpodcast.com/audible.

Mentioned in this episode:

What are the Akashic Records?
What it's like getting information from the Records
Why you don't need to be psychic or have special gifts to access the Records
How to use the Records for manifesting creativity and the outcomes we want
Helen's Akashic Record Reading for all of us!!

CONNECT WITH HELEN:

Website | Instagram

CONNECT WITH CREATIVITY SCHOOL:

Thank you so much for listening!

Subscribe so you never miss an episode, and connect with me online!

Instagram | Twitter | Facebook

If you have any questions or comments for the show, click here

Lesson 41 - Authentically Craft Brand Messaging That Stands Out with Rachael Kay Albers Oct 15, 2019

Show notes

With so much content out there, how can we create brand messaging that actually stands out in a memorable way and reach the right audience for our creative business?

This week on Creativity School, Rachael Kay Albers is here to teach us how to create epic, unforgettable brand messaging and content through humor, connection, and fun! Rachael is a Creative Director and Lead Designer at RKA Ink, and the host of her business sketch comedy show Awkward Marketing. Rachael uses comedy and characters like Brad the Braggy Bro and Carie the Copycat to teach small business owners how NOT to approach their content and marketing.

Rachael shares with us the 5 Marketing Archetypes that can make people feel icky and awkward, and how to start identifying the brand values you want to share by first identifying the ones that make you feel blech. She also shares why it's SO important to create content as a small business owner, why entertaining your audience through your messaging is the holy grail of content, and why we should bring lightness and fun into our message. If you want to learn how to create brand messaging and content that stands out, this episode is for you!

**Today's episode is brought to you by Audible! Get started with a free audiobook download and 30 day free trial at www.creativityschoolpodcast.com/audible.

Mentioned in this episode:

How Rachael's business sketch comedy show Awkward Marketing got started
How to bring humor into your brand without trying to be laugh out loud funny
How to discover your brand values by by tapping into the things you are NOT about
How to find your arch nemesis and turn it into your superpower
Why it's important to create content for your business

CONNECT WITH RACHAEL:

Awkward Marketing | Instagram | Website

CONNECT WITH CREATIVITY SCHOOL:

Thank you so much for listening!

Subscribe so you never miss an episode, and connect with me online!

Instagram | Twitter | Facebook

If you have any questions or comments for the show, click here

Lesson 40 - Celebrate Being a Multi-Passionate Creative with D'ana Joi Spencer Oct 08, 2019

Show notes

We're often told to find our zone of genius and hone in on one area of expertise, but what if you have more than one creative calling? Can you still be successful with your creative talents when everyone else is niching down?

This week on Creativity School, D'Ana Joi Spencer, multi-passionate creative extraordinare, is here to tell us why we should celebrate having multiple creative talents and fully own all of them. If you're naturally curious, interested, and talented at a lot of different things, why should you have to choose?

D'Ana walks us through how to focus and stay productive when you have multiple creative passions, how to manage all your projects without burning out, and how to pivot through your gifts without judgement or shame. She also shares how to grow your confidence in owning all your amazing talents and gifts. If you're a multi-passionate creative and need tools for how to navigate life while creating all the things that excite you, this episode is for you!

**Today's episode is brought to you by Audible! If you want to get started with a free audiobook download and 30 day free trial head over to at www.creativityschoolpodcast.com/audible.

Mentioned in this episode:

Why you don't have to niche down and choose just one topic of expertise to be successful
How to know when to stick with a creative project or pivot
Why you shouldn't feel shame or guilt about letting go of a creative passion
How to focus on multiple creative passions without burning out
Why its important to say no to yourself and not be tempted by shiny object syndrome
How to prioritize your creative projects and know which one to put more energy into – Download D'ana's free Finding Focus Workbook
How to start growing your confidence in owning all of your talents and gifts
Creativity School #33 - Discover Your Unique Purpose with Human Design

CONNECT WITH D'ANA JOI:

Blog | Shop | Membership | Instagram

CONNECT WITH CREATIVITY SCHOOL:

Thank you so much for listening!

Subscribe so you never miss an episode, and connect with me online!

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If you have any questions or comments for the show, click here

Lesson 39 - Unlock Your Creative Potential Through Meditation with Brad Gantt Oct 01, 2019

Show notes

We know that meditation can help you reduce stress and anxiety, among many other health benefits, but can meditation actually help you become more creative? The answer is YES! And through some simple and effective techniques, it doesn't require thought shaming and rigid postures to get there.

This week on Creativity School, Brad Gantt, meditation teacher and creative director, talks to us about how meditation can help rid our internal clutter, get us into a flow state, and allow us to journey deeply into our well of untapped creativity, accessing parts of ourselves that have always been there.

If you' think you can't meditate because you're unable to sit still and quiet your mind, or you just don't have the time, this episode is for you. Listen to find out how meditation can be an easy way to clear out your mental junk, reduce accumulated stress, and unlock your creative potential!

**Today's episode is brought to you by Audible! If you want to get started with a free audiobook download and 30 day free trial head over to at www.creativityschoolpodcast.com/audible.

Mentioned in this episode:

How a panic attack led Brad to seek meditation
How meditation can help us build a resilience to stressful situations
The importance of simply being
How meditation can help us see things with complete clarity
How meditation can help the creative process and make the creative process more enjoyable
How meditation is like a treadmill for an out of shape mind and requires consistency to see the best results
Why you don't need to spend a lot of time meditating to see the benefits of it

CONNECT WITH BRAD:

Website | Instagram

CONNECT WITH CREATIVITY SCHOOL:

Thank you so much for listening!

Subscribe so you never miss an episode, and connect with me online!

Instagram | Twitter | Facebook

If you have any questions or comments for the show, click here

Lesson 38 - Embracing Vulnerability as your Greatest Strength with BJ Williams Sep 24, 2019

Show notes

How can we begin to embrace vulnerability as our greatest strength, rather than a weakness? This week on Creativity School, I'm speaking to BJ Williams about breaking stigmas surrounding mental health and being vulnerable, particularly for black men in America who are 20% more likely to experience mental illness than the general population.

BJ is the creator of a video series called Can I Be Vulnerable?, which encourages black men to face and normalize their vulnerability and mental health. BJ talks about how the series got started completely unplanned, when he shared his own raw and vulnerable video talking about his background and going to therapy. As a result, many men began sharing their own stories and Can I Be Vulnerable? was born.

Listen to find out why destigmatizing mental health and speaking openly about the things that make us vulnerable is so important, and why it's essential to learn healthy emotional intelligence. BJ also shares how he deals with negativity online, and how a lack of resources can lead to great creativity and innovation. Listen to feel inspired and embrace your own vulnerability as a superpower!

**Today's episode is brought to you by Audible! If you want to get started with a free audiobook download and 30 day free trial head over to at www.creativityschoolpodcast.com/audible.

Mentioned in this episode:

What happened after BJ shared a video of himself being extremely raw and vulnerable
Dealing with negativity online especially when what you make is so personal and raw
Deciphering constructive criticism vs trash talking
Breaking generational curses and learning healthy emotional intelligence
The importance of embracing vulnerability and emotional intelligence
How a lack of resources allows for great creativity
BJ's advice on how to get started on your own creative project

CONNECT WITH BJ:

Instagram | CIBV Instagram | CIBV YouTube

CONNECT WITH CREATIVITY SCHOOL:

Thank you so much for listening!

Subscribe so you never miss an episode, and connect with me online!

Instagram | Twitter | Facebook

If you have any questions or comments for the show, click here

Lesson 37 - The Creative and Healing Power of Cannabis with Monica Lo Sep 16, 2019

Show notes

This week on Creativity School, my guest Monica Lo and I have an open minded discussion about cannabis and it's incredible power as a wellness tool for maximizing your creativity and promoting physical, emotional and spiritual healing.

Monica is a photographer and creative director working to change the public perception of cannabis users. She's also the creator of Sous Weed®, a blog dedicated to using cannabis as a superfood ingredient as opposed to merely a psychoactive additive. Our conversation is all about normalizing and destigmatizing cannabis, and how to use it for more than recreational purposes.

I ask her ALL the questions in this episode, like the difference between indica and sativa, how to use cannabis for productivity and creativity, how cannabis can aid in your physical healing and spiritual growth, and more! Whether you're canna-curious, ready to come out of the canna-closet, or a bonafide canna-lover, you'll learn so much in this conversation!

**Today's episode is brought to you by Audible! If you want to get started with a free audiobook download and 30 day free trial head over to at www.creativityschoolpodcast.com/audible.

Mentioned in this episode:

The history of cannabis in traditional Chinese Medicine and how it dates back 3,000 years
How a back injury led Monica down the path of learning about cannabis as a healing and wellness tool
How healing herself led Monica onto a whole new career path
Using cannabis to cultivate your creativity
The difference between indica, sativa and hybrid
Edibles vs smoking
Physical, emotional, and spiritual healing using cannabis
Are certain people more suited for cannabis?

CONNECT WITH MONICA:

Website | Sous Weed | Instagram

CONNECT WITH CREATIVITY SCHOOL:

Thank you so much for listening!

Subscribe so you never miss an episode, and connect with me online!

Instagram | Twitter | Facebook

If you have any questions or comments for the show, click here

Lesson 36 - Make What You Need to See in the World with Jane Gahng Sep 09, 2019

Show notes

What if you have a burning desire to make something that you need to see exist in the world, but you don't have any experience and the thought of creating it terrifies the crap out of you? Do you run away or do you answer the call?

My guest Jane Gahng decided to confront all her fears, and make it anyway! Jane is an illustrator and lettering artist, and she shares her story about how she saw a need for an in-person conference celebrating Asian American/ Pacific Islander women and despite her fears, insecurities and lack of experience, decided to create it herself.

We talk about the process of making something massive in scale and completely beyond your comfort zone, and why Jane felt it was so important to push beyond her fears and create a community for people to feel represented, included and empowered. Jane also shares the visualization techniques she uses to overcome her self doubt and gets back up when she feels knocked down, and how this experience has grown her belief in herself and what she's capable of. Listen to feel inspired and push past your own blocks to make what is calling you to be made!

**Today's episode is brought to you by Audible! If you want to get started with a free audiobook download and 30 day free trial head over to at www.creativityschoolpodcast.com/audible.

Mentioned in this episode:

The importance of pivoting and evolving
The process of making something massive in scale and completely beyond your comfort zone
How to overcome self doubt through the power of visualization
Manifesting what you want by focusing on the feeling you want
How to achieve your goals by asking for help
How to keep yourself accountable when you're scared by sharing what you're doing with others
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