Creative Pep Talk #108: Fake It Till You Make It

Pep Talk Logo

You’ve almost certainly heard the advice to “Fake it till you make it.” It’s good advice—some of the time. We don’t talk about when it’s best to avoid it, and that’s what I’m talking about in this very short episode. Want more tips? Check out this playlist with all my previous Creative Pep Talks! Could […]

Don’t Dream It; Be It with Barbara Hambly

Barbara Hambly

Since her first published novel, Time of the Dark, in 1982, Barbara Hambly has touched most of the bases in genre fiction, including fantasy, science fiction, horror, media tie-ins, graphic novels, screenplays, murder mysteries, and Saturday morning cartoons. Her work has been nominated for numerous Locus Awards, and her novel Those Who Hunt the Night […]

Creative Pep Talk #107: Rethinking “Hard”

Pep Talk Logo

What do you tell yourself when things get hard? Here’s a short take on a different perspective to help keep you on track. Want more tips? Check out this playlist with all my previous Creative Pep Talks! Could you leave a review? It’s really easy, and it helps SO much. Thanks! Join my free creative community, […]

How Curiosity Fuels Your Creative Power with Terise Lang

Terise Lang

Terise Lang is a certified life, health, and wellness coach with a lifelong interest in and love of all things creative. She joins me today for a wide-ranging discussion of the power of creativity, including the way she uses creativity in her work, how our creativity is so often socialized out of us in the […]

Creative Pep Talk #106: You Really Do Know

Pep Talk Logo

Over the years, I’ve come to the often frustrating conclusion that we know more than we think we do. I tell you why in this short episode. Want more tips? Check out this playlist with all my previous Creative Pep Talks! Could you leave a review? It’s really easy, and it helps SO much. Thanks! Join […]

Teaching, Empathy, and Living Abroad with Alex Poppe

Alex Poppe

Writer, teacher, and humanitarian aid worker Alex Poppe joined me last year to talk about her journey from acting to teaching to writing, and how her experiences abroad influenced her journey. She returns to the show today to talk about her new memoir, Breakfast Wine, which chronicles her time teaching in Iraq. We also talk […]

Creative Pep Talk #105: 16 and Faking It

Pep Talk Logo

Here’s a super-short story: something a friend said to me once that’s stuck with me, and why I think it might help you keep some needed perspective on yourself and your creative efforts. Want more tips? Check out this playlist with all my previous Creative Pep Talks! Could you leave a review? It’s really easy, and […]

Harnessing Nature’s Wisdom with Jocelyn Hastie

Jocelyn Hastie

Jocelyn Hastie spent 30 years as an accountant before the combination of a stage 4 cancer diagnosis and a sudden job loss forced a radical turn, leading her to work full-time with horses as a way to foster leadership skills and personal growth. She joins me to talk about why it’s not fair to judge […]

Creative Pep Talk #104: Limitations

Pep Talk Logo

It’s counterintuitive, but sometimes limitations are your best friend, especially when you’re doing something creative. I explain why in this super-short episode. Listen to my conversation with Nick Morrison here. Want more tips? Check out this playlist with all my previous Creative Pep Talks! Could you leave a review? It’s really easy, and it helps SO […]

Building Worlds on Page and Screen with Josh Mendoza

Josh Mendoza

My guest today is Josh Mendoza, an award-winning filmmaker known for his post-apocalyptic feature film, What Still Remains. His debut novel, Shadow of the Eternal Watcher, which combines sci-if and film noir, was released in January. Josh joins me to talk about his start in creative writing and his move into film, the similarities and […]

Creative Pep Talk #103: Celebrate Your Wins

Pep Talk Logo

Building on my conversation with Amber Petty last week: I look at how and why you should give yourself credit for accomplishments in this short episode. Want more tips? Check out this playlist with all my previous Creative Pep Talks! Could you leave a review? It’s really easy, and it helps SO much. Thanks! Join my […]

Navigating Feedback and Building Creative Confidence with Amber Petty

Amber Petty

Amber Petty helps creatives get bylines and build audiences. She’s written for the New York Times, Parade, Bustle, and others, and her clients have been published in outlets like the New Yorker, Washington Post, New York Times and many more. Amber talks with me about how she moved from teaching singing to teaching freelancing, how […]