Creativity Found: Finding Creativity Later in Life

Creativity as a necessity in the age of AI. 

Steve Goldberg is a passionate advocate for the role of creativity in a rapidly changing world, and in this episode he shares his conviction that finding meaning and purpose beyond professional life will become increasingly vital as artificial intelligence reshapes the future of work. 

Steve, a former tenured professor and global consultant, shares his philosophy of "following my nose" and staying "awake to possibilities," which has led him down some truly "magical and unexpected paths".

In this episode, we explore:

Cultural heritage, a challenging mentor and the bridge between free expression and disciplined practice. 

Regina Linke is an illustrator and writer dedicated to celebrating traditional Chinese art and philosophy in a modern way. 

Regina's childhood interest in drawing was initially stifled by rigid instruction, and she went on to study business in college followed by a career in international development. It wasn't until a move to Taiwan, her parents' homeland, that she reconnected with her artistic passion.

In Taiwan, Regina immersed herself in traditional Chinese brush painting. Despite an initial struggle with the st...

Mime, movement and the Relax Kids revolution. 

Marneta Viegas, founder of Relax Kids, was the "fame school" student haunted by self-doubt who went on to become a pioneer of accessible children's relaxation. In this episode she details the emotional toll business growth had on her, and how she now fiercely guards her creativity.

From combat engineer to creative conjurer, discover how Joseph Bolton merges magic, ancestry and the northern lights in his new-found love for writing folklore and fantasy.

Joseph joined the US Army straight out of high school, and in his 25 years of service graduated from West Point and Ranger School and worked as a combat engineer (a role that involved building bridges and blowing things up), an infantry officer, and even a space operations officer. 

After the passing of his younger brother from ALS in 2013, Joseph felt a profound need to reflect on the value of t...

Jennifer Roig-Francolí shares her journey from a young violinist finding solace in her art, to a place of spiritual exploration and self-discovery. We discuss the challenges she faced in her artistic life, including a pivotal moment when she realized she was not using her creativity in a healthy way, and the profound neck pain that changed her path. Through the Alexander Technique, Jennifer found not just relief from her physical discomfort, but also a new way to reconnect with her creativity. 

Jennifer discusses her creative childhood, Suzuki training and meteoric run of competitions and solo work, before th...

Discovering and sharing the healing power of art.

What happens when a distinguished physician with over 150 published papers walks away from a 40-year medical career? For Dr Vasu Tolia, an unexpected artistic awakening filled the void.

Dr Tolia's story begins in Calcutta, where she grew up in an academically-driven household with little exposure to the arts. Her path to medicine was serendipitous, influenced by a friend who convinced her to take biology despite her inclination toward humanities. This "accidental doctor" went on to build an impressive career as a paediatric gastroenterologist in the United States...

Outward success can mask profound inner turmoil.

Alexandra Walker talks to me about her path from mathematical prodigy to trauma-informed coach, revealing along the way how creative expression can be hindered by psychological struggles, but also become a pathway to healing. 

From an early age, Alexandra displayed dual talents in mathematics and creative arts. A perceptive art teacher recognized abilities she couldn't see in herself, encouraging her artistic development alongside her academic pursuits. This duality continued at university, where she performed Grieg's Piano Concerto with the University Symphony Orchestra and wrote a musical while completing h...

What happens when a satellite engineer's hands stop working, and how can creativity emerge from constraint?

For Florrie de Havilland, a period of debilitating ill health  meant reimagining her entire career and discovering unexpected joy in the delicate art of calligraphy and the mechanical precision of letterpress printing.

Having had a successful career in mechanical engineering, including testing satellites for space missions, Florrie's neurological condition – affecting her hands and arms – forced her to eventually reconsider her career path and find a new way to balance her energy. 

During a two-year recovery period, Florrie had tu...

Escaping the horrors of 9/11 on foot, and coming to terms with the experiences through poetry.

First released in September 2021

What happens when tragedy collides with creativity? Andrea Carter Brown's journey from accountant to acclaimed poet was forever altered by the events of September 11, 2001, when she fled her apartment just one block from the World Trade Center.

Growing up in a home without books or art, Andrea never imagined becoming a writer. "I am the first artist in my family ever," she reveals, crediting her mother for nurturing her love of reading despite not...

Cruise ships, corporate climbing and a creative philosophy

From a young age, Tricia Duffy was immersed in the arts, singing and writing poetry. Leaving school at 16 with no qualifications, Tricia found a way to fulfill her dream of going to America by working on cruise ships, where her passion for entertainment blossomed. 

On returning to the UK Tricia transitioned into the television industry, where she faced the challenge of working in a male-dominated environment that often sidelined women's creative contributions. She recounts how her successful career in television left her feeling unfulfilled and disconnected from h...

How age and life experiences can reignite artistic passions long buried beneath the weight of societal expectations. 

For this episode I had the pleasure of speaking with Sally Fox, a once-aspiring artist turned leadership consultant. After years of letting grades and external validation dictate her creative identity, Sally bravely broke free from the chains of self-doubt. Now in her 70s, she revels in her creativity, embracing art, writing, and performance with newfound vigour. 

We discuss the pivotal moment during a flight from Japan that sparked her artistic renaissance, as she realized that her creative essence co...

Turning trauma into art when the ocean closed.

First released in December 2021

Leanne’s father took her snorkelling when she was young, and she fell in love with the ocean then. As a teenager that culture became something she pulled away from because of its associations with a traumatic experience, the details of which her brain blocked out to protect her. Even though she was drawn to the ocean, she didn’t go in, and didn’t understand why.

Eventually Leanne decided to try surfing just once, while on a break in Mexico. She lo...

I'm excited to introduce you to the Multispective Podcast, where real people share their stories, much like we do here at Creativity Found. 

Hosted by Jennica Sadhwani, Multispective delves into diverse perspectives on society and culture, showcasing personal narratives that tackle life's challenges head-on. 

Hear more about what to expect and, if you’re looking for a podcast that gives voice to the unheard and celebrates human growth and the courage to live authentically, find Multispective wherever you get your podcasts.

Listen to Multispective Podcast here, or on any podcast plat...

Replacing the rigidity of council architecture with the vibrancy of bespoke hat design.

Janice Charles is the CEO of House of Charles, a bespoke hat-design business that thrives on making the seemingly impossibe, possible.

Janice's father instilled in her a belief that she could achieve anything she set her mind to, an ethos illustrated by the unique, architectural headwear she now designs for her clients and that is featured internationally in couture magazines.

Before she got to this point, however, Janice faced a challenging period of ill health linked to workplace stress, but...

Initially skeptical about pursuing a career in film, Tyler Schwanke's younger, practical self chose to take a journalism course at college. However, his true calling in film and storytelling beckoned, and he tried out a number of programs, before completing his mixed degree.

After college, back in his high-school bedroom at his parents' home, Tyler needed to earn some money, and took a security job, where in his mind he began planning a fantasy of how an aspiring filmmaker might make some money – through nefarious means – to fund his passion.

Moving into a recruitment role, Tyle...

Connecting creativity with personal healing. 

Samantha Mackay felt the pressure of conforming to traditional art forms in school, and much later in life found her voice in abstract painting. 

In this episode Samantha and I discuss how the pressures of societal expectations can stifle artistic expression, as she shares her journey from a legal career to rediscovering her creative passions. 

Samantha opens up about the struggles she faced while living in London, grappling with depression and autoimmune issues, and how, years later, creativity became a vital outlet for processing her pain, prompted by an...

Initially hesitant about public speaking, Liz Drury's journey unfolds with unexpected twists, from her scientific studies to her current role as a voiceover artist. 

As an archeological scientist Liz found unexpected fame from her research on 'prehistoric chewing gum', which catapulted her into the media spotlight. 

That sparked her interest in the media world, and Liz volunteered and later worked at a local television channel, but when the funding ran out she moved to working on various projects in a sixth-form college.

During her time as a 'trailing spouse' – we explain what that mean...

Model and content creator Rachel Peru on finding confidence and a creative spark later in life.

Despite facing a lack of belief from educators, Rachel’s early experiences in drama studies and theatre laid a foundation for her creative spirit, which would be reignited much later after significant life changes, including a divorce. 

From participating in local charity fashion shows to  signing with a London agency, Rachel’s modelling career took off in ways she never expected, allowing her to embrace creative opportunities she once thought were behind her. 

In our conversation, Rachel sheds l...

As the first engineer at a pioneering startup specializing in artificial intelligence, John Guiver’s expertise in mathematics and programming laid the groundwork for his technical career. While still working in this field, John began translating the memoirs of survivors of the 1972 Andes flight disaster, which led to the publication of his own book on the subject, entitled To Play the Game. 

Writing not only gave John a new creative outlet, but also a profound connection to the stories of resilience and survival that emerged from that tragedy.

John's early career as an engineer and mat...

Through art activities given in care homes and community groups, Dementia Arts Trust has been bringing joy to people living with dementia and their carers for nearly a decade.

In this episode, as part of Podcasthon, an initiative to raise awareness for charities worldwide, I chat with trust founders Joanne Robinson and Melissa Haddow about how these art activities build self-esteem, evoke memories and show those living with dementia what they can still accomplish, despite their diagnosis. 

Joanne and Melissa share poignant stories, like the emotional moment when a participant recalled cherished memories of her d...

With a rich background in languages and science, creative pursuits were encouraged during Nancy Dillingham Marks' childhood, but not fully embraced by the young Nancy.

On leaving school Nancy's professional life was dominated by analytical roles, and she excelled in various corporate positions, including at Sony Pictures. What Nancy didn't realize at the time was that her path to success was not only fuelled by her organizational skills, but by intertwining those with creative problem-solving. 

A personal and professional shift lead Nancy to explore her mother's enthusiasm for fused glass, which quickly became the creative o...

Cindy Ingram's love for art began early, influenced by Disney classics and a desire to become an animator. With a strong academic focus, Cindy pursued an art history degree and aimed to be a museum educator. However, the reality of museum jobs – limited opportunities and low pay – led her to teaching art in schools instead. 

Cindy started her own online business to support art teachers with resources, but in the midst of her career faced burnout, and her connection to creativity dwindled. She began to reassess her relationship with art, realizing it was no longer a joyful pursu...

The Creativity Found Collective is a vibrant community where creativity thrives and everyone supports one another.
This bonus episode showcases how being part of the Creativity Found Collective can spark inspiration, foster connections and provide valuable support for creative small business owners.
With insights from various members, hear about the importance of collaboration and sharing experiences in the creative realm, as well as the mental health benefits of engaging in artistic activities.
From workshops to online courses, members of the Collective offer a plethora of opportunities for growth and learning for any adults seeking to reignite...

Nina Lenton is a business coach and mentor with a rich background in marketing and project management, who in this episode shares her insights into the world of creativity and the importance of nurturing it in both personal and professional realms. 
Nina discusses her passion for helping business owners rediscover their creative spark, especially when the daily grind threatens to overshadow their artistic pursuits. Nina's approach combines coaching with practical planning, allowing clients to not only express their creativity but also align it with their business goals. 
The conversation flows into Nina's own journey back to creativity th...

Preserving the traditional craft of kilt making.
Paula Duncan is a bespoke kilt maker and tutor, with over 11 years of teaching experience, who has adapted her classes to an online format, making it easier for busy adults to embrace their creativity while learning a new skill.
Paula teaches students from all walks of life, some seeking to create a single kilt while others aspire to turn their newfound skills into a business.
As a member of the Creativity Found Collective, Paula thrives in a community of like-minded creatives, where collaboration and inspiration abound. She believes that...

Running a small business can feel isolating, but finding the right support and community can make all the difference when it comes to achieving your dreams.
Sheena Whyatt is a business coach with over 23 years of experience, who loves to help creative entrepreneurs navigate the challenges they face.
In this chat Sheena and I discuss the common struggles many small business owners – in any field – face, including relentless self-doubt and the nagging voice of the 'gremlin' that often hinders progress.
Sheena emphasizes the importance of accountability in coaching, noting that it's not just about meeting goals but...

Explore the transformative power of mosaic art as a mindful and enjoyable way to express yourself.
Becky Paton teaches mosaic classes for adults of all abilities, and in this episode she is keen to emphasize that anyone, regardless of their perceived creativity, can create beautiful pieces with the right materials and guidance.
Becky tells me about her experiences of creating mosaics with children and families in hospital settings, illustrating how art can provide comfort and a sense of normalcy during challenging times.
The conversation also delves into the importance of community among creatives, highlighting how sharing...

How can engaging in creative activities influence an individual's sense of self and overall fulfillment in life?
Shawna Curee was a very creative child, who loved drawing, writing, and creating games with her siblings. A nurturing home and school environment allowed her to freely explore her artistic inclinations, until, inspired by the film Free Willy, Shawna decided she wanted to be a marine biologist instead of following her creative passions. 
At college she soon realized that wasn't the right path for her, and explored a few other majors before settling on journalism.
Looking back, Shawna recognizes t...

From self-doubting doodler to skilled graphic facilitator, embracing the messiness of creativity can lead to transformative experiences.
Societal pressures initially deterred my guest Ashton Rodenhiser from pursuing the arts in higher education. Instead she went to community college and then on to a role working in parenting programs and prenatal support, followed by transitioning to family support, a facilitation role that Ashton especially enjoyed.
Ashton discovered graphic facilitation through a transformative one-day workshop, a pivotal moment that not only reignited her passion for creative expression, but also led to a career that seamlessly combines her skills in...

Oksana Kukurudza is currently immersed in a deeply personal writing project titled Sunflowers Bend But Rarely Break, which explores her parents' harrowing experiences as forced labourers in Nazi Germany during World War II. Oksana's motivation for writing stems not only from her parents' stories but also from the striking parallels she observes between their experiences and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
Born and raised in Western Ukraine, which was part of Poland before the war, Oksana's mother, just 17 years old in 1941, and her father, 20 at the time, fell victim to Nazi propaganda and coercion that led many Slavs...

Creativity and community
Mark Clay's transition into the arts began later in life, sparked by his experiences as a father. He initially engaged in creative activities to facilitate his daughters' artistic explorations, which led him to rediscover his own potential for drawing. This rekindling of creativity served as a form of 'occupational therapy', allowing him to refill his emotional cup during a stressful period in his life.
Mark's involvement in community activities, such as volunteering at the Hinksey Heights Nature Trail, further enriches his creative life. He notes that engaging with nature and working alongside others has...

Processing the personal struggles through words.
A negative experience in a college creative writing class derailed Mary Adkin's writing ambitions for nearly a decade, and sent her on a whole different path than the one she had planned.
Mary studied public policy and went to law school, but when it came to working in the legal profession, Mary quickly realized that being a lawyer was not her true calling, and she made a bold decision to leave the profession after just seven months.
Mary transitioned to tutoring to support herself while dedicating her days to writing...

There is energy in everything.
In this episode my guest Tina Wells chats about her journey to finding emotional relief and mental wellbeing, along the way showcasing various practices and creative outlets that foster joy and reduce stress.
Tina has always had a deep appreciation for nature and science – including a fascination with energy bonds, organic matter and the interconnectedness of living organisms – leading to a career as an ecologist and surveying butterflies in Bristol (among other roles!).
During a move to San Francisco with her husband and young son, Tina discovered the mental-health benefits of T'ai...

Dealing with personal loss, embarking on a nomadic lifestyle, and ultimately finding solace and purpose through writing.
For author Douglas Robbins the journey to creativity was anything but conventional.
In this episode I chat with Douglas about his early creative influences, including his mother's theatrical background and his own musical experiences, and the cathartic nature of Douglas' travels across the United States, working various jobs to sustain his adventurous spirit while also taking college classes along the way.
Douglas reflects on the significance of making conscious choices in life and how his experiences have fuelled his...

How creativity can fit into the seasons of your life
Gina Farrar has embraced many facets of her own creativity in midlife, and loves to share how doing so can be a great tool for self-discovery and expression.
In this episode I talk with Gina about her desire to and experiences of homeschooling her two girls, and how those same girls were pivotal in Gina's rediscovery of and explorations in watercolour and acrylic painting.
Gina emphasizes that creativity doesn't have to be confined to traditional art forms, but can be expressed through cookery, gardening, home decorating...

At one time or another we all have our inner critics, undermining our confidence, but how do we deal with them?
My guest, Ela Wassell of Truly Boldly You, advocates for acknowledging them, since it is though understanding these voices that we can manage them, an approach that can empower individuals to embrace their authentic selves, free from perfectionism and people-pleasing tendencies.
In this episode Ela also encourages us to seek external support when starting a small business, whether in the form of practical help, mentoring or emotional support, by learning how to ask for help gracefully...

Making websites empathetic can improve your search engine rankings and discoverability.
In this episode I chat with Creativity Found Collective member and expert in search engine optimisation (SEO) Kelly Drewett, about the ways that business owners can improve the usability and accessibility of their websites, which in turn will enhance that site's performance on search engines such as Google.
We consider the different aspects of website work, from illustration, to design to development, as well as how outsourcing business tasks and leveraging the expertise of professionals can save you time and doesn't have to cost the earth.<...

Sewing up a storm.
In this episode of the Mother of All Solutions podcast, Laura Broderick chats with Great British Sewing Bee contestants Lauren Tedstone and Vicki Reid who discuss their careers before entering the Sewing Bee, plus their work, family and sewing lives now.

Mother of all Solutions
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Researched, edited and produced by Claire Waite Brown
Music: Day Trips by Ketsa Undercover / Ketsa Creative Commons License Free Music...

From corporate communications to embracing personal creativity through writing, coaching, and more, Amy L. Bernstein illustrates in this episode that
owning your identity and being true to yourself can lead to a sense of empowerment and fulfillment.
Amy shares how she transitioned from high-paying corporate communications' jobs to pursuing more personally creative endeavours.
Amy's turning point came when she decided to write her first novel during her commutes, which lead her to explore playwriting as well as poetry and non-fiction writing. Now Amy also enjoys helping others to write their own non-fiction books, and encourages any...

Crafting inspired by nature and gardens
The creative workshops offered at Sussex Garden School range from garden design to pressing flowers, fused glass art, natural dyeing and rag weaving, all in a supportive and encouraging environment where adults can explore their creativity and unlock a sense of wonder and playfulness often lost in adulthood.
In this chat, Creativity Found Collective member Juliet Sargeant highlights the significance of fostering an atmosphere of encouragement and relaxation in the school's workshops. By providing a safe space for adults to experiment, make mistakes, and learn without fear of judgement, individuals can...

Buying an embroidery kit is a great way to get started with this craft, and Mary Broddle creates modern kits using traditional methods, as well as teaching online and in person. In this chat, Creativity Found Collective member Mary discusses how embroidery engages the brain's reward centre, reduces stress and offers a productive way to relax. She also discusses her personal experience with chronic pain and fatigue due to Ehlers-Danlos syndrome and how embroidery has been a therapeutic outlet for her.
Mary also highlights the importance of trying new creative activities, especially for adults, to break out of...

Creativity Found is 100 episodes old, something I never could have imagined when I started the show with a secondhand microphone and a good idea.
In this celebratory episode find out the whys, hows and whos of the show so far, including highlights from some of my guests.
And if you haven't listened to all 100 episodes, you'd better get started!!

Guests featured, in order of appearance:
Karen Joy
Gerry Coles
Fish Lee
Rowena Roberts
Rich Chambers
Leanne Tibiatowski
Peter White
Juliet Sargeant
Mary Broddle
Suzanne Noble<...

Growing up, Joanne Robinson was creatively encouraged in primary school and loved to draw for hours at home. However, her passion for art was dampened when she entered secondary school and was told by an art teacher that she wasn't very good. This negative feedback led Joanne to believe that she didn't have a talent for art, and she abandoned her artistic pursuits.
Joanne joined the Royal Air Force and years later, while recuperating with a broken back, learned to paint and rediscovered her love for art.
Joanne learnt that drawing and painting can be taught, and...

Adventures with yarn, needles and hook
Delve into the colourful world of crochet with my guest Jane Crowfoot, also known as Janie Crow, as she shares her journey from average student to renowned crochet designer, author and the founder of her own brand.
Jane opens up about her early creative experiences, her education in textiles, and the pivotal moments that led her to discover her passion for crochet. She discusses the challenges she faced in her career, including a stressful managerial role that stifled her creativity, and how she overcame them to find her true calling.
...

Portraying and valuing everyday family life
As a film photographer Rachel Larsen Weaver captures authentic and imperfect moments, particularly highlighting the nuances of motherhood and family life. Her work showcases the real and raw aspects of these experiences, steering away from the facade of perfection often portrayed in mainstream media and on social platforms.
In this episode Rachel talks about her journey from being academically focused to embracing her creative side amidst the chaos of raising a family.
Rachel's creative pursuits began as a personal necessity, a way to connect with her life and tell her...

Helping everyone to find their sparkle
From a young age, Jessie Elliott struggled with the idea of being her authentic self, feeling the pressure to conform to certain preconceived roles and expectations. She felt the need to shrink herself in order to fit in, stifling her creativity and inner voice.
After the tragic loss of her father, Jessie took a bold step to move from Australia to Scotland, seeking a fresh start where no one knew her past, a period of her life marked by numbing her emotions and avoiding the pain of her loss.
Returning...

Corrie Legge was following Julia Cameron’s The Artist’s Way, and during reading deprivation week – which she expanded to include other external distractions such as TV and social media – was at a bit of a loose end, having put the children to bed at her babysitting job. This period of quiet reflection resulted in a flurry of writing, something that Corrie hadn’t done for many years, having been put off by other people’s comments in her school years.
Despite her creative inclinations as a child, Corrie found the pressure to achieve high grades often stifled her willingn...

Navigating life's ups and downs by embracing creativity. 
In this episode Gaelle Jolly shares her journey from feeling unfulfilled in her job and struggling to find her place in a competitive sector, to discovering a passion for creativity that provided solace during difficult times.
Despite previously not seeing herself as creative, Gaelle has found an outlet in hobbies including photography and calligraphy, which eventually turned into a small business. We talk about Gaelle's love for paper, stationery, words and the art of bookbinding, which led to the creation of her own line of notebooks and other paper p...

Perseverance through practice and imperfection
As a child Bianca Giarola loved drawing, partly influenced by her aunt – who encouraged her and her siblings to explore their creativity – and encouraged by her father – who would buy her those wonderful big colouring sets. However, as she entered elementary school she found that art was not particularly valued by her teachers and society in general, and she eventually stopped drawing altogether.
Writing was a passion for Bianca – she always wanted to write a book – and journalism seemed the right path, followed by digital marketing. However, Bianca found herself struggling with mental hea...

From selling sweets to Cyndi Lauper to being questioned by the US Secret Service, Shirley Novack has lots of stories to tell, but when her father died she came across the story that she wanted to write down.
As a child, Shirley's Eastern European parents’ conventional beliefs were not to her satisfaction, so she worked tirelessly, pursuing education and working alongside pioneers of fetal surgery, despite only holding an associate's degree.
She later shifted gears, bringing life to rooms as an interior designer and capturing the hearts and minds of students as an educator. Each career pivot re...

2023 Great Pottery Throw Down contestant Rebecca Norris tells me how she reignited her creative flame through pottery while navigating the demands of a teaching career.
Rebecca was brought up in Northern England, where working-class values often overshadowed her artistic ambitions. She recounts finding solace in art during her school years and the subsequent pressure to prioritize a pragmatic career over her creative interests. Yet, despite these challenges, Rebecca's story is a beacon of inspiration, showcasing her ability to weave creativity into her life, teaching pottery workshops, crafting her own pieces, and imparting her knowledge at a local art...

How a group of senior ex-servicemen and women experience the calming and therapeutic facets of pottery, and through that explore human connection, creativity, and the sheer joy of crafting.
I was invited by Emily Chilvers to Royal Hospital Chelsea to find out more about the pottery sessions she runs there, to meet and chat with some of the pensioners that enjoy spending time in the pottery studio and, of course, to see what they’ve been making.
The benefits of pottery extend far beyond the act of moulding clay. For many of the residents partaking in the se...

Remember the joy of finger painting as a child or the thrill of your first dance recital? As adults, we often lose touch with these creative pursuits, trading them in for routine and productivity. In this episode of the Feminine Roadmap podcast, Claire Waite Brown (that's me!), the creative mind behind Creativity Found, is here to challenge this notion. She shares her personal journey of reconnecting with her love for the arts, culminating in the formation of an online community for creative learners and educators.
 Claire and host, Gina Farrar, dive deep into the topic of creativity, exploring i...

When the day job is a launch pad for creative exploration.
Tammy Euliano is an obstetric anesthesiologist who has transitioned from authoring a medical textbook with her mentor to penning a mystery novel, and in this episode we dive into her backstory, explore the challenges she has navigated, and discover how her writing journey has enriched her everyday life.
From a young child engrossed in books and music, to a successful medical professional, and finally, a passionate author, Tammy's journey is nothing short of inspiring. She shares with us her academic achievements, her switch to medicine, and...

Heather Moore, a former teacher turned printmaker, shares her journey of rediscovering her passion for art and creativity, and making the decision to leave a stressful career in education. 
As a youngster, Heather believed her art would only ever be a hobby, as many young people do, but after having her daughter she started to realize its importance and value in her life.
In this episode Heather discusses the challenges she faced while promoting art in school curriculums, where increasingly it is data-driven approaches that are given priority. She also tells of how she transitioned from teaching t...

Navigating change and inspiring creativity.
Kerry Lyons shares her inspiring path, starting from her childhood love for art – influenced by her architect father – to overcoming societal expectations and enriching her everyday life through her artistic pursuits.
Kerry opens up about a transformative quarter-life crisis that saw her end a long-term relationship, sell her house, take a solo trip to the US and move to Dublin.
Her career in graphic design progressed through agencies and freelancing,  and Kerry  ventured into crowdfunding to release a purposeful planner that brought together her expertise in manufacturing, design and personal development.
It...

Swapping the 9-to-5 office job for a home recording booth
While managing databases during the day, Martin Whiskin spent all of his spare time gigging with his band as well as handling a lot of the promotion that came with that. He enjoyed learning about photography, videography and design that came with that role, but never considered himself to be creative.
As a shy youngster, music was an expression of self and a confidence builder for Martin, but striking the right balance between a demanding full-time job and a blossoming passion is no mean feat. In this...

Imagine turning a challenging life event into an empowering and cathartic creative outlet. That's exactly what Liz Alterman achieved when she channelled her emotions during a period of unemployment into a blog, and later, a published memoir. As she bravely tackled the stigma and emotional turbulence of job loss, Liz discovered a profound connection with a wider audience.
Liz attributes her love for the written word to her mother's vibrant storytelling, which sparked a creative flame within her, leading to her pursuing an English degree and writing for her college newspaper.
Liz went on to have a...

What is it like to truly reinvent yourself? To take the twists and turns of life and turn them into an opportunity for growth and reinvention? Imogen Tinkler did just that. From her unique upbringing in Pakistan, her work in the charities sector, to her leap of faith into food and foraging, Imogen's story is a testament to the power of resilience, hard work and staying true to your values.
In this guest episode of Naomi Mellor's Smashing the Ceiling podcast, Naomi explores Imogen's story of turning personal loss into fuel for career growth. Imogen shares candidly about...

Rewriting your identity
Ever felt like you've lost yourself along life's journey, and wondered how you could possibly find your way back?
In this episode, Claire chats with Caro Giles, a theatre arts graduate turned actor, teacher, mother, home educator, carer, and now published author. Caro shares her journey of finding and retaining her sense of self amidst the responsibilities of marriage, mothering, and home educating.
Caro explains how writing a book became a way for her to explore her worth beyond being the main breadwinner in the family, and discusses the challenges she has faced...

Art, life and advocacy
In this guest episode of the Narratives of Purpose podcast, Claire Murigande  discusses with editorial illustrator Jean-Philippe Kalonji the role artists and culture play in social change.
JP is an illustrator, comic artist, and painter stationed in the beautiful city of Geneva, Switzerland. We're taking a stroll down memory lane, reminiscing about JP's earliest days of falling in love with art, navigating his way through the practices that he's grown to adore, and recounting the hurdles he's had to leap over. This is a tale of passion merged with practicality as JP shares h...

Creativity, the learning process, and the mesmerizing world of pottery.
In this bonus episode I’m joined by Creativity Found Collective member Kelly Drewett and friend of Creativity Found Carola Moon, as we visit the pottery studio of fellow Collective member Debbie Page.
You’ll hear about how Debbie makes her moon jars – and what they are – as well as a little pottery history.
We discuss everything from the unique ways people manipulate clay to the often overlooked importance of the table as a creative tool. The power of human hands in shaping clay and eliciting emotion...

Ever found yourself scrambling to manage your time, juggling motherhood while nurturing a creative career?
In this episode of the Mother of All Solutions podcast, Laura Broderick chats with  Leona Fensome, remarkable mum of three, owner of an independent production company, and a Heritage Projects and Partnerships Officer at the University of Bedfordshire.
This episode is a deep dive into her journey, her lessons, and how she gracefully manoeuvres the tightrope between nurturing her family and nurturing her dreams.

Mother of all Solutions

If you found value in this episode and would like t...

Navigating the UK criminal justice system and healing through creativity
What happens when creativity and a desire for social reform collide with the harsh realities of the UK criminal justice system? Ella and Harriet of Glasshouse Theatre share their candid experiences of becoming prison officers, revealing the challenges they faced, and the impact the role had on their mental health. They discuss how their initial motivations were fuelled by a white saviour complex and a desire to bring creativity to the prison environment, but the training they received left them woefully unprepared for the job.
Throughout the...

The Creative Brain is a catalyst for change
For many years Anna Stoecklein believed that creativity was limited to traditional forms of art, such as painting or drawing. However, after watching the Netflix documentary The Creative Brain, she realized that creativity is everywhere, and that everyone is creative in their own way. This realization was a game-changer for Anna, as it allowed her to see her own creativity and potential.
Anna had a creative childhood, but that took a back seat during her teenage years and early adulthood.
Anna studied nursing, and after three years of...

Making time for art.
Jackie Sanders primarily works with abstract, geometric shapes, and bold colors using acrylic paint on panels. She creates visually interesting pieces that can be taken at surface value or can communicate deeper concepts and symbolism, allowing viewers to choose what they want to see in the art.
As a child, Jackie was supported and encouraged creatively by her family, who even helped her turn her bedroom closet into a mini studio.
She studied art at Virginia Tech, where she also took advantage of internship programs to learn outside of her subject. Post-graduation...

A printmaking class helps me to get over my fear of 2D.
When Gerry Coles invited me to one of her printmaking workshops my initial reaction was that there was no way I would go because I would be rubbish.
Regular listeners will have heard me saying that that should not be a reason for not trying a new creative activity, so of course I told myself off, and told Gerry I'd love to go.
Find out how I got on, and hear from a few of the other students about their attitudes to getting creative...

I've caught Maria Ramsey at a reinvention stage, having made the decision to stop teaching music and to explore other avenues that feel more creatively fulfilling.
Maria is a multi-talented artist who has explored various creative outlets including visual art, poetry, and floral design.
Growing up in a family that valued creativity and the arts, Maria was encouraged to pursue music, taking lessons in violin, piano, and singing.
Despite having aspirations to study art, Maria eventually majored in music, and fell into teaching after college.  However, she has since realized that teaching classical music does not f...

‘Getting back to being more me’. That’s how Rich Chambers describes just one of the wider benefits he has experienced from taking the decision to ramp up his musical pursuits in midlife.
As a teenager, Rich played guitar and wrote music, and was going to be a rock star. He let his school studies slip, barely passing his graduation year, and set out to become the next ‘big thing’.
Unfortunately, he quickly realized that being a professional musician was not as easy as he had anticipated. After a year of playing in ‘cheesy dives’ and getting ‘you ain’t got it...

Promotion and networking for creative-activity businesses
The Creativity Found Collective offers multiple ways for members to connect and to promote what they do, and in this bonus podcast episode I delve into the origins of creativityfound.co.uk and the Collective, both born out of the Creativity Found podcast. I explain how I wanted to create a platform to help people explore their creativity and support small businesses offering creative activities or business support.
Creativity Found connects creativity seekers with facilitators and businesses, allowing them to learn from each other and grow together.

If you...

'I was unaware that it wasn't normal to fall asleep when you're sat still.'
Ruth Chipperfield, a goldsmith and jewellery designer, had always experienced excessive tiredness, but didn’t think anything more of it until a chat with a friend at uni revealed to her that not everyone struggled to stay awake at their desk in the same way she did.
With the advice of her great uncle in Australia – where the condition was more recognised – Ruth was diagnosed with narcolepsy, an autoimmune disease that affects the brain’s ability to regulate the sleep-wake cycle: when wanting...

How to ease the symptoms of Tourette’s Syndrome and start drawing again, without spilling ink all over the carpet!
Guest  Fish Lee tells me about how his local TV weatherman played a key part in his getting to the bottom of a mystery illness that had plagued him physically, emotionally and behaviourally since he was a child, and how that diagnosis helped him to start drawing again, without spilling the ink.
Fish's Tourette’s Syndrome was not diagnosed until he was in his thirties, after many years of being told he had been faking symptoms for atten...

Facing fears and taking risks. 
Robert and Linda are classical pianists who have found a unique way to combine their music with comedy, stories, and improvisations.
But the shows they devised had never been done before, and were very different to what was expected of concert pianists. So, as classical musicians, Linda and Robert were unsure of how their ideas would be received. The first time they tried out a new idea in front of an audience – including their mentor – they were nervous and afraid. It was not easy for either of them to bite the bullet and r...

Playing piano together (one piano, four hands) was an experimental idea for married couple Linda and Robert, one that taught them a lot about themselves and each other, which you can find out all about in the next, more usual episode of the podcast.

In the meantime, enjoy their beautiful playing in this extract from their show called From Mistresses to Manhattan, whether you are listening while throwing pots in your studio in Canada, as Deborah Hughes Gahr likes to do, enjoying some alone time in the kitchen or forest, as Oxfordshire interior decorator Claire...

Maybe it's not the right time, but never say never.
Natalie Smart loved working with textiles as a youngster, from hand knitting to making her own clothes. Unfortunately, Textiles as an A-Level subject was discontinued at her school just as she was about to join the sixth form.
Natalie was quite academic, so she had other choices.
Faced with the decision of whether or not to take out a loan to go to university, Natalie decided against it, and instead found a job in pensions. Knitting and making clothes were now hobbies enjoyed whenever she could...

The science teacher who chose to break free from practicality, utility and patterns in textiles and paint.
This week’s podcast guest, Claude Larson, has been sewing for years, while also teaching science classes to middle-school age teenagers in the US.
A few years ago, Claude decided to throw out the patterns and instructions in favour of a new era of experimentation. 
She stopped making practical, utilitarian items for the home and family, and began making art quilts.
She studied value, taking fabrics from light to dark and playing with them to see what they cou...

Overcoming concerns about your singing voice post-menopause. 
Suzanne Noble had concerns about the tone of her voice after not having used it for many years. However, as you’ll hear in the show, she needn’t have worried, and with the help of coaching, encouragement and an inquisitive personality, Suzanne now has an ever-evolving musical repertoire.
Suzanne Noble began her university studies – in the US – majoring in Musical Theatre. However, as she considered what her future performing life might involve she realized she would always be cast as:
 ‘. . . the quirky girlfriend’
 and that she was
 ‘not talen...

Childhood memories inspire a self-publishing project in retirement.
When Jill Phillips was growing up, creative pursuits such as painting and writing were not activities that her working-class community ever thought of doing, they were considered luxury pastimes for the more wealthy Londoners.
That was in the mid 1960s. Fast forward to the 2020s and Jill has published a memoir of life on Lamlash Street back then, and found a whole new outlook on life to boot.
Jill had a way with words as a youngster, but failed her A-levels and went to work in a clerical...

How crafting can alleviate MS symptoms.
To keep her hands busy and her mind calm, Helen Hill crochets blankets for orphaned baby rhinos, among other things.
Her passions also help her to manage her MS symptoms, to sit still where usually her symptoms force her to be constantly active, to calm her restless legs, and generally to escape the everyday.
Helen was good at her studies, at school and as an undergraduate studying graphics, but she lacked confidence, in her work, and more generally. Faced with a world where you have to be prepared to take...

The inventor of the revolutionary Chalk Paint believes that everyone is creative.
Annie Sloan had a dreamy, independent young life, which continued into her business career, since without a dream and an independent attitude, Annie's world-renowned Chalk Paint may never had been made.
Annie was 41 years old when she invented and manufactured Chalk Paint, while also painting for clients and writing books while her three sons were at school or in bed.
What shines out most in this episode of the podcast, however, is Annie's absolute belief that everyone is creative, and how much joy she...

How to reveal and release past family traumas. 
In this bonus episode I’m speaking with Silvia Siret about how family constellations can help you get past blockages that may be holding you back, perhaps with regards to trying new creative activities.

Creativity Found is all about helping adults to tap into their creativity. 
As well as inspiring listeners with my guests’ stories of how they found or re-found their creativity as grown-ups and how that has benefitted their everyday lives, here at creativity found I also want to encourage adults of any age to find t...

Helping you find your unique writing voice.
Just because you’ve got a solid background and experience in something that you are good at and successful in, doesn’t mean you have to stick with it if you no longer enjoy it. For this episode I’m speaking with Rowena Roberts, who became disheartened in her role as a sought-after copywriter so, with some guidance and courage, found a new channel for her writing and creativity

If you found value in this episode and would like to show your appreciation, consider supporting the podcast through the Suppor...

Dance, books, drama and singing, and why making this podcast is so important to me.
For this episode I’m speaking with . . . well, actually, for this episode my friend and fellow podcaster Rabiah Coon is speaking with me.
Rabiah’s More Than Work podcast aligns brilliantly with Creativity Found, so please enjoy this episode and head over to More Than Work to find more great listening.
In my own Creativity Found story, I talk about what the Creativity Found podcast means to me, and how it benefits me in so many ways – the social aspect, self-confidence, a sens...

Do you need help navigating the minefield of self-publishing? 

Perhaps you want to write a family history as a keepsake, have already written a book that needs finessing, or have an amazing idea for a novel but don’t know how to start writing it. 

Maybe your book is already published but people just don’t seem to be finding it.

This week’s bonus episode guest can help with any of these stumbling blocks, and more.

Debrah Martin is a prolific author who wants to share her knowledge and experience with adu...

Sally Ward's experiences as a finalist on Sky TV's Portrait Artist of the Year competition
Sally Ward had to decline her well-earned place in Sky’s Portrait Artist of the Year competition in 2019, but in 2020 she entered again and to her utter surprise made it all the way to the final. Sally painted Melanie Sykes, Bernadine Evaristo and Eddie Izzard, and was very relieved that she didn’t trip over any cables.
Find out all about her experience in this second part of a double-bill podcast episode. 

With thanks to Storyvault Films Ltd for audio foota...

Why being an artist DOESN'T mean you have to do it full time
Career-wise, Sally Ward balances her roles as a civil servant and as a portrait artist, and finds fulfilment, enjoyment and challenges in each.
She was a prolific artist as a youngster, and was allowed by her secondary school to go to the local sixth-form college to take life-drawing classes at the age of 14.
She was very interested in her other studies and went on to study music at Cambridge University, before working as an advisor for the Treasury, where she still works, albeit...

How crafting can help you through mentally difficult times.
For this bonus episode I am chatting with Nancy Fellows who founded Creatful CIC to enable people in her community to access mindful, informal arts and crafts events and, where needed, to signpost them to mental wellbeing services, all borne out of a need Nancy identified while struggling with her own mental health.

Creativity Found is all about helping adults to tap into their creativity. 
As well as inspiring listeners with my guests’ stories of how they found or re-found their creativity as grown-ups and how tha...

Can you make a living by being an artist? Yes
For this bonus episode I’m joined by Gillian Park, who teaches a wealth of painting and drawing programmes and courses, for the absolute beginner to those wanting to improve their skills, and even those wanting to make their art their livelihood. 

Guests of the Creativity Found podcast often talk about, as youngsters, not knowing that being an artist could be a job, or not expecting later in life that their new-found artistic passion could make them any money. Which is why I love the concept of...

For this short and sweet bonus episode (while I'm on summer hols) I caught up with Gerry Coles (episode 3) to find out what's new in her world of linocut printmaking.

If you found value in this episode and would like to show your appreciation, consider supporting the podcast through the Support the Show link, or by sending a boostagram , for example in the Fountain app.

CreativityFound.co.uk
Gerry Coles Prints at Creativity Found

Instagram: @creativityfoundpodcast
Facebook: @creativityfoundpodcast and Creativity Found group
YouTube @creativityfoundpodcast
Pinterest: @creativityfound
Twitter: @creativityfoun<...

In this short and sweet bonus episode (while I'm on summer hols) I caught up with Cass Sabo (episodes 3 and 22) to find out what's new in her world of weaving.

If you found value in this episode and would like to show your appreciation, consider supporting the podcast through the Support the Show link, or by sending a boostagram , for example in the Fountain app.

CreativityFound.co.uk
Oxford Weaving Studio at Creativity Found

Instagram: @creativityfoundpodcast
Facebook: @creativityfoundpodcast and Creativity Found group
YouTube @creativityfoundpodcast
Pinterest: @creativityfound
Twitter: @creativityfoun<...

Ella Orr’s parents came to the UK from Mauritius in the 1960s and, understandably, they wanted Ella to do well academically. But they also wanted her and her sister to have a wider outlook and sent them to dancing and music lessons, which Ella loved, so much so that she choose to do a creative arts degree.
But once thoughts turned to earning a living, musical theatre didn’t seem like a lucrative or sensible path, so Ella was encouraged to go into teaching.
More than a decade into her primary education career, Ella found that cons...

Fiona Myles grew up in a small town in Scotland, always aware that she was different from her siblings because she was adopted. As a teenager, she became increasingly isolated and began to rebel. She moved to London to work as a nanny, but quickly got caught up in a world of drugs and alcohol, ending up homeless and sleeping rough in Victoria Station.
She even had a brush with death when she tried to commit suicide, but failed. She realized that she needed to make a change.
She eventually found the supportive network to help her...

Aged 18 Jennifer Baker packed her bags and moved from Florida to New York City to study at the School of Visual Arts, one of the best art schools in the US. It was the 1980s and she says that the school and the experience moulded her as an artist and as a person, but she couldn’t live there forever. 
After graduating Jennifer had no clue of how to make art her profession, although she did try. She loved to travel and moved to Italy with her husband, where she ran a successful translating business for 20 years – but there...

Jo Watson fell into teaching after being told she wasn’t clever enough to study law and that to get into journalism she needed a different degree to the one she had. She loved her first-year placement, and did really well, but at her second school her experience was not so good. She was stifled in her teaching freedom and because of that lost her enthusiasm for the job.
When she left that school with no new job to go to, she once again fell into a placement, this time at a fo...

Have you ever wondered how I find my creativity? Probably not, but let's just say that podcasting has been a revelation to me, and gives me loads of creative 'feels'.
So when I was invited to the Podcast Show in London to record in a pop-up studio on the Shure stand, I decided I would use the opportunity to discuss the creativity of podcasting, and invited along fellow podcaster, and Creativity Found guest too, Rabiah Coon.
We talk about the processes that surround the act of producing a podcast episode - including writing show notes, which is...

Mary Broddle wanted to be an engineer from the age of 5, and has had a very successful career in mechanical engineering – in a typically male-dominated environment. She worked hard and really enjoyed her work in the corporate sphere, but in the background her health was deteriorating, until eventually she had to make the difficult decision to quit it all and focus on her physical, emotional and mental wellbeing.

It was round about this time that she re-discovered a pastime she enjoyed as a youngster, although now is ready to take it to the next level, sh...

Anna Lovind learned to read and write when she was very young, and used writing as a survival mechanism for a while, helping her through, although not understand, things that were happening to her in her young life. It was much later that she realized that writing could be an enjoyable form of expression and a way to explore her voice. Because of past traumas she had to rebuild her life before she could get to that point.
She became a very successful editor and had a busy urban lifestyle, but city life and imposed working structures didn’t...

How to learn a vintage embroidery technique
If you are inspired by my guests' stories of finding their creative passions as adults, and want to tap onto your own creativity, then I'm here to help, with the Creativity Found directory of arts and crafts workshops, courses and kits.
For this episode I am so excited to be able to introduce you to Natalie Smart and Bargello a GoGo. Natalie fell in love with Bargello embroidery after she spotted some examples in her vintage magazines, and she now helps other people to discover this vibrant craft with her...

Anna Lussenburg’s boarding school was sometimes unusual, for example when the staff purposefully put out NOT enough breakfast places for the amount of students, and while Anna wasn’t a shining star academically, she did enjoy literature, and relished being able to study the works of Shakespeare. She had a love of words, something which is apparent in the creative activity she has embraced in more recent times.

Anna’s nanny training involved a lot of observation, something that has stood her in good stead as a super nanny in Canada, and as a writer of satiri...

Juliet Sargeant was an academic child who loved the sciences, and at a young age decided she wanted to be a doctor, and in particular a psychiatrist. She successfully studied and practised medicine, and was on the cusp of specializing, when she took a break to try something different, just for a few years. So how is it that nowadays you can hear her giving advice on the BBC Radio show Gardener’s Question Time rather than giving medical advice to patients? 

In this episode we find out the difference between gardening and garden design, how...