The Syncreate Podcast: Empowering Creativity

Charlotte Gullick’s Website
Book: The Anti-Racist Writing Workshop by Felicia Rose Chavez

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Michael Steiner on LinkedIn

Episode 58: Creative Problem Solving with BEST Robitics Executive Director Michael Steiner Oct 10, 2024

Show notes

Michael Steiner is the Executive Director of BEST Robotics, an annual student robotics competition for middle and high school students that facilitates experiential, complex creative problem solving within the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields. Over 18,000 students across the US participate in the program each fall. Michael is also the co-founder of Your Global Strategy, a consulting agency that works with thought leaders and governments across the globe to manage projects and drive creativity towards growth. In our conversation, we discuss how the BEST Robotics competition fosters creative problem-solving skills among students, as well as Michael’s personal and professional insights into the creative process and how best to prepare young minds for creativity and innovation.

For our Creativity Pro-Tip, we encourage you to explore and gain expertise across fields and domains of knowledge in order to maximize your creative potential and develop your own creative problem-solving skills.

If you enjoy this episode, you might also like our conversations in Episode 16: Creativity, Innovation & Leadership with Robert Cleve, PhD, Episode 38: Leadership for Creativity and Innovation with Jamie Gallagher, and Episode 48: Can You Learn Creativity? with Creative Director Chris McKenna.

At Syncreate, we're here to support your creative endeavors. If you have an idea for a project or a new venture, and you’re not sure how to get it off the ground, find us at syncreate.org. Our book, also called Syncreate, walks you through the stages of the creative process so you can take action on your creative goals. We also offer resources, creative process tools, and coaching to help you bring your work to the world. You can find more information on our website, where you can also find all of our podcast episodes. Find and connect with us on social media and YouTube under Syncreate. If you enjoy the show, please subscribe and leave us a review!

Episode-specific hyperlinks:

BEST Robotics Website

Michael’s Consulting Firm: Your Global Strategy

Creativity Researcher Mark Runco

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Episode 57: Creative Spark Series - Accountability Partnerships with Melinda Rothouse & Charlotte Gullick Oct 03, 2024

Show notes

In this installment of our Creative Spark mini-episodes, we share our insights and best practices on accountability partnerships for our creative work. Accountability partners help us move more quickly and effectively toward our goals. We can form accountability partnerships with creative collaborators, peers, co-workers, coaches, family, friends, and so on. These are people with whom we can share our goals and milestones, and check in with on a regular basis about our progress. This episode, like the mini-episodes that preceded it, includes insights and prompts from our book, Syncreate: A Guide to Navigating the Creative Process for Individuals, Teams, and Communities.

For our Creativity Pro-Tip, we encourage you to find an accountability partner if you don’t already have one. And if you do, reach out to that person to check in, refresh the relationship, and evaluate whether it needs any adjustments.

If you enjoy this episode and want to learn more about the creative process, you might also like our conversations in Episode 24: Creative Planning, Episode 29: Iteration, and Episode 39: Sharing Work in Progress.

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Episode 56: Asking the Questions with Broadway Stereophonic Cast Member Chris Stack Sep 26, 2024

Show notes

Chris Stack plays the role of Simon in the current Broadway sensation Stereophonic, winner of a Tony award for best play, and the most Tony-nominated show of all time. Stereophonic follows a 70’s rock band in the process of recording their groundbreaking album, featuring original music by Will Butler of Arcade Fire. Chris and Melinda also happen to be high school classmates, so in this episode we catch up on Chris’ journey from his formative years in music and theater at Park Tudor School in Indianapolis all the way to Broadway. We also focus on his experiences with The Actor’s Studio in New York, the importance of perseverance in a creative career, and the spiritual side of his creative process.

For our Creativity Pro-Tip, we encourage you to ask, and keep asking the deeper questions, even if there are no immediate answers, as questions open up possibilities for creativity and a greater sense of one’s life and work.

If you enjoy this episode, you might also like our conversations in Episode 8: Grief, Healing, and the Artist’s Life with Anne Myers Cleary, Episode 21: The Walk of Faith and Courage with Shakespearean Actor Warren "Ren" Jackson, and Episode 54: Creativity as a Spiritual Endeavor with Musician and Author Peter Himmelman.

Episode-specific hyperlinks:
Chris Stack on IMDB
Stereophonic on Broadway
Film: School of Rock
Band: Fleetwood Mac
The Actor’s Studio

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The Syncreate Podcast
Syncreate Website
Syncreate Instagram
Syncreate Facebook
Syncreate LinkedIn
Syncreate YouTube
Melinda Rothouse Website

Episode 55: Creative Spark Series - Experimenting Across Media with Melinda Rothouse & Charlotte Gullick Sep 19, 2024

Show notes

In this installment of our Creative Spark mini-episodes, we explore the possibilities that can emerge from experimenting across media in our creative work. For example, if we’re writing a poem, what if we expressed it as a dance? Or if we’re composing a song, how would it translate into a painting? Exploring our ideas across media can open up new possibilities, which can inform and deepen our primary project. This episode, like the mini-episodes that preceded it, includes insights and prompts from our book, Syncreate: A Guide to Navigating the Creative Process for Individuals, Teams, and Communities.

For our Creativity Pro-Tip, we encourage you to explore your current project or idea in a different medium, or even multiple media, and see how it informs the work.

If you enjoy this episode and want to learn more about the creative process, you might also like our conversations in Episode 22: Creative Play, Episode 29: Iteration, Episode 35: Navigating the Creative Wilderness.

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Peter’s Website: peterhimmelman.com

Episode 54: Creativity as a Spiritual Endeavor with Musician and Author Peter Himmelman Sep 12, 2024

Show notes

Peter Himmelman is a Grammy and Emmy nominated singer-songwriter, visual artist, best-selling author, film composer, entrepreneur, and rock and roll performer with over 20 critically acclaimed recordings to his credit. His new book, Suspended by No String, reflects on the spiritual elements that suffuse his life and creative work.In addition to his own creative work, Peter is the founder of Big Muse, a company, which helps organizations to leverage the power of their people’s innate creativity. We discuss Peter’s creative process in connection with his writing and music, and how his spiritual path and practice inform his work.

For our Creativity Pro-Tip, We encourage you to turn off your phone and get your butt in the chair to show up for your creative work on a daily basis. Straight from the man himself!

If you enjoy this episode, you might also like our conversations in Episode 3: Creative Polymathy with Musician, Photographer, and Podcaster Michael Walker, Episode 21: The Walk of Faith and Courage with Shakespearean Actor Warren "Ren" Jackson, and Episode 52: Texas Poet Laureate Amanda Johnston.

Episode-specific hyperlinks:

Peter’s New Book: Suspended by No String

Peter’s First Book: Let Me Out

Big Muse: Peter’s Creativity Consulting Services

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Amparo Garcia-Crow and The Living Room

Episode 53: Creative Spark Series - Preparation vs. Spontaneity with Melinda Rothouse and Charlotte Gullick Sep 05, 2024

Show notes

In this installment of our Creative Spark mini-episodes, we explore the delicate balance between preparation and spontaneity in our creative work. How do we invite structure and planning into our process, while also allowing for freshness, mystery, surprise, and improvisation? Maybe the thought of public speaking terrifies us, so we want to prepare meticulously. But no one wants to hear someone simply read from a prepared paper or script, so how do we prepare fully and then let go? This episode, like the mini-episodes that preceded it, includes insights and prompts from our book, Syncreate: A Guide to Navigating the Creative Process for Individuals, Teams, and Communities.

For our Creativity Pro-Tip, we encourage you to prepare fully for your next creative performance or presentation, and then let go and be in the moment as much as possible. Let us know how it goes!

If you enjoy this episode and want to learn more about the creative process, you might also like our conversations in Episode 20: The Syncreate Model of Play, Plan & Produce, Episode 24: Creative Planning, and Episode 41: Creative Practice, Process, and Product.

Episode-specific hyperlinks:

Toastmasters International

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Amanda Johnston’s Website

Episode 52: Texas Poet Laureate Amanda Johnston Aug 29, 2024

Show notes

Amanda Johnston is the 2024 Texas Poet Laureate, the first Black woman appointed to the role by the Texas State Legislature. She is also the recipient of a 2024 Academy of American Poets Laureate Fellowship. She is the author of two chapbooks, GUAP and Lock & Key, and the full-length collection Another Way to Say Enter. Her work has appeared in numerous online and print publications.
Named one of Blavity’s "13 Black Poets You Should Know," Amanda’s work has been featured on Bill Moyers, the Poetry Society of America’s series In Their Own Words, The Moth Radio Hour, and the Academy of American Poets Poem-a-Day series. She is the Founder of Torch Literary Arts, which amplifies Black women’s voices through publishing opportunities and an annual writer’s retreat. In this episode, we discuss her literary efforts and activities, as well as her creative process, and she recites two of her notable poems.

For our Creativity Pro-Tip, we encourage you to build your creative community by going to events, connecting with other artists, and supporting your fellow creatives. The more you connect with your community, the more opportunities arise.

If you enjoy this episode, you might also like our conversations in Episode 6: Gratitude, Gentleness, and Generosity with Mayela Padilla Manasjan, Episode 9: Music and Psychology: "The Pocket" Experience with Dr. Jeff Mims, and Episode 12: Creativity, Inclusivity and Community Theater with Sharanya Rao.

At Syncreate, we're here to support your creative endeavors. If you have an idea for a project or a new venture, and you’re not sure how to get it off the ground, find us at syncreate.org. Our book, also called Syncreate, walks you through the stages of the creative process so you can take action on your creative goals. We also offer resources, creative process tools, and coaching to help you bring your work to the world. You can find more information on our website, where you can also find all of our podcast episodes. Find and connect with us on social media and YouTube under Syncreate. If you enjoy the show, please subscribe and leave us a review!

Episode-specific hyperlinks:

Torch Literary Arts Website

Praisesong for the People Website

Amanda Johnston on Instagram

Academy of American Poets / poets.org

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Episode 51: Creative Spark Series - Curiosity & Exploration with Melinda Rothouse & Charlotte Gullick Aug 22, 2024

Show notes

In this installment of our Creative Spark mini-episodes, we discuss the role of curiosity, exploration, openness to experience, and the spirit of adventure in the creative process. Following our curiosity opens up new ideas, connections, and inspirations, which then enhance our creative work. This episode, like the mini-episodes that preceded it, includes insights and prompts from our book, Syncreate: A Guide to Navigating the Creative Process for Individuals, Teams, and Communities.

For our Creativity Pro-Tip, we challenge you to go out and do something different, outside of your normal routine, maybe even something you’ve never done before. See what new thoughts, ideas, and inspirations it evokes.

If you enjoy this episode and want to learn more about the creative process, you might also like our conversations in Episode 22: Creative Play, Episode 35: Navigating the Creative Wilderness, and Episode 49: Creativity in Challenging Times.

At Syncreate, we're here to support your creative endeavors. If you have an idea for a project or a new venture, and you’re not sure how to get it off the ground, find us at syncreate.org. Our book, also called Syncreate, walks you through the stages of the creative process so you can take action on your creative goals. We also offer resources, creative process tools, and coaching to help you bring your work to the world. You can find more information on our website, syncreate.org, where you can also find all of our podcast episodes. Find and connect with us on social media and YouTube under Syncreate, and we’re now on Patreon as well. If you enjoy the show, please subscribe and leave us a review!

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Benjamin Kintisch on LinkedIn

Episode 50: Life Review: The Hospice Musical with Benjamin Kintisch Aug 15, 2024

Show notes

Benjamin Kintisch is a cantor, chaplain, and music teacher. He created a musical based on his experiences as a chaplain working with patients and families involved in hospice care, called Life Review: The Hospice Musical. We discuss his inspiration for the musical, his songwriting collaborations, and his pandemic pivots, as well as his involvement with songwriting retreats and teaching music to children. The conversation includes many gems of insight into the creative process.

For our Creativity Pro-Tip, we suggest playing with a different medium, specifically a visual art or non-verbal medium, as a warm-up to a session of writing or songwriting. More broadly, whatever your primary medium, try beginning your work sessions with a few minutes of low-pressure play in a different medium to get your creative juices flowing in a low-stakes setting, and see how this informs your project.

If you enjoy this episode, you might also like our conversations in Episode 9: Music and Psychology: "The Pocket" Experience with Dr. Jeff Mims, Episode 14: Anatomy of a Song with Singer/Songwriter George McCormack, and Episode 27: The Spirit of Collaboration with Attorney and Musician Randy Langford.

At Syncreate, we're here to support your creative endeavors. If you have an idea for a project or a new venture, and you’re not sure how to get it off the ground, find us at syncreate.org. Our book, also called Syncreate, walks you through the stages of the creative process so you can take action on your creative goals. We also offer resources, creative process tools, and coaching to help you bring your work to the world. Find and connect with us on social media and YouTube. If you enjoy the show, please subscribe and leave us a review!

Episode-specific hyperlinks:

Benjamin Kintisch / Life Review Musical on Instagram

Life Review: The Hospice Musical

Freestyle Rapper Harry Mack

Beautiful: The Carole King Musical

Dame Cicely Saunders, Founder of the Modern Hospice Movement

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