Follow Your Curiosity

CPT #63: Slow Down

It sounds counterintuitive, but the fastest way to get things done is to slow down (and stop multitasking!). I'll tell you why in this short episode.

Please leave a review, and in it, tell us about how slowing down has helped you.

Check out my new newsletter, The Spark! It's free, and I hope you'll join us!

Want more tips? Check out this playlist with all my previous Creative Pep Talks!

I'd love to hear your feedback, questions, and experience with these ideas! Send me a note at fycuriosity.com, or say hello on Threads!

Music and Mental Illness with Caroline Whiddon

Caroline Whiddon thought she was going to play French horn professionally, but panic and anxiety had other ideas. Fortunately, orchestra administration turned out to be her true home, ultimately leading her to co-found the Me2/ orchestra with her husband, conductor Ronald Braunstein. Braunstein’s bipolar diagnosis left him unable to find work, and Me2/ is the world’s only classical music organization created by and for individuals with mental illnesses and the people who support them. Caroline and I talk about the power of music to create change, what happens when you create stigma-free zones, the documentary, Orchestrating Change, that chronicles Me/2’s journey, and more.

Episode breakdown:

[00:04:31] Following someone else's strict sense of music education vs. having a strong inner sense of musical identity.

[00:07:36] Panic attacks derail performance career, and lead to orchestra administration instead.

[00:16:44] Starting orchestra administration in Savannah.

[00:22:49] Conductor Ronald Braunstein decides to start a non-auditioned orchestra for the mentally ill.

[00:30:49] Challenging beginnings, slow growth, but incredible progress.

[00:35:15] Integration breaks stigma, impacts everyone's lives.

[00:41:08] Music for mental health, supporting and educating.

[00:48:20] A chance discovery leads to inspiring documentary.

[00:51:22] Film documents musician's journey despite challenges.
[00:58:43] Signage promotes safe spaces, challenges stigma.

[01:02:46] Strategic planning for expansion, focus on accessibility.

Please leave a review and in it, tell us about a time when being fully seen made a difference to you.

Want more? Here are some handy playlists with all my previous interviews with guests in music.

Check out the show notes at fycuriosity.com, and join the conversation on Post.news, Spoutible, and Mastodon!

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CPT #62: Follow Your Energy

Which project should you work on next? And what should you do when you feel downright compelled to work on something, even if it's not the next thing on your list? I'll tell you in this short episode.

Check out my new newsletter, The Spark! It's free, and I hope you'll join us!

Want more tips? Check out this playlist with all my previous Creative Pep Talks!

I'd love to hear your feedback, questions, and experience with these ideas! Send me a note at fycuriosity.com, or say hello on Threads!

The Femme Fatale Hypothesis with David Roth

My guest this week is author David Roth, who spent thirty-five years as a professional writer of documentaries, corporate communications, multimedia, and more before turning to creative writing. He completed his MFA in 2017 and published his debut novel, The Femme Fatale Hypothesis in 2019. That book just received the American Book Fest's 2023 International Book Award for Best Literary Fiction. David and I talk about the differences between professional and creative writing, the pros and cons of the MFA, the inspiration for his novel, and more (and yes,  the hypothesis is a real thing!).

Episode breakdown:

[00:03:28] Imagination, challenges, and collaboration in writing.
[00:09:12] Being curious drives David to learn more.
[00:12:46] What is “The Femme Fatale Hypothesis”?
[00:16:59] Pursuing professional writing.
[00:27:02] MA experience: Learn, broaden, and challenge your writing.
[00:29:10] Seek critical feedback to improve your writing.
[00:37:00] Don't copy others, focus on your uniqueness.
[00:44:04] Beginnings of “The Femme Fatale Hypothesis”
[00:48:04] Death: Grief, fear, agency, and choices.
[00:56:16] “The Swerve” as a wake-up call.
[01:01:10] Second novel set in the fictional town of Marsville, Pennsylvania.

Please leave a review and in it, tell us about a time when you knew it was time to quit something and start something new.

Want more? Here are some handy playlists with all my previous interviews with guests in writing and publishing.

Check out the show notes at fycuriosity.com, and join the conversation on Post.news, Spoutible, and Mastodon!

And if you're feeling stuck in your own creative process, get the 6 Creative Beliefs that Are Screwing You Up, plus biweekly updates on what's going on in my world (including upcoming events), all for free!

CPT #61: Unless...

Last time we talked about how sometimes, quitting is the smartest thing you can do. This week, I'm sharing one crucial way to make sure you don't waste time on a project you should abandon.

Want more tips? Check out this playlist with all my previous Creative Pep Talks!

Get the 6 Creative Beliefs that Are Screwing You Up, plus biweekly updates on what's going on in my world (including upcoming events) for free!

I'd love to hear your feedback, questions, and experience with these ideas! Send me a note at fycuriosity.com, or say hello on Threads!

The Wisdom of Morrie with Rob Schwartz

My guest this week is Rob Schwartz—journalist, music/film producer, entrepreneur, and son of the late Morrie Schwartz of Tuesdays with Morrie fame. Rob has founded a number of companies, both in Japan and the US, and has produced numerous film and music projects with
international teams. 

Rob and I talk about his experiences in Japan and India, and how travel enhances creativity, and the role of listening in language learning and the influence of language on thinking and behavior. Rob also tells me about The Wisdom of Morrie, his father’s last book, which encourage readers to challenge stereotypes and find fulfillment in later stages of life. I think you’ll enjoy my wide-ranging conversation with Rob Schwartz.

Episode Breakdown:

[00:03:28] Moving to Japan requires commitment, effort, and learning the language.

[00:08:47] Japan: Disciplined, delicate society with polite etiquette. India: Wonder of world, diverse culturally and geographically.

[00:12:52] Key to learning language: listen, imitate directly.

[00:19:11] Different languages shape different worldviews and personalities.

[00:26:46] French invasion led to mingling of languages.

[00:32:58] Morrie's book found after many years, gets published.

[00:40:20] "Fighting ageism and living a fulfilling life."

[00:48:02] Psychoanalysis exists in many social milieus.

[00:51:40] Mother's influence shaped Morrie's writing and career.

[00:55:52] The irony of Morrie's posthumous fame, and the joy of his legacy.

Please leave a review and in it, tell us about a time when you were encouraged to challenge a stereotype.

Want more? Here are some handy playlists with all my previous interviews with guests in writing and publishing.

Check out the show notes at fycuriosity.com, and join the conversation on Post.news, Spoutible, and Mastodon! And if you're feeling stuck in your own creative process, get the 6 Creative Beliefs that Are Screwing You Up, plus biweekly updates on what's going on in my world (including upcoming events), all for free!

CPT #60: It’s Okay to Quit

We're told all the time that "winners never quit, and quitters never win." That "advice" can get you in all sorts of trouble. I explain why in this short episode.

Want more tips? Check out this playlist with all my previous Creative Pep Talks!

Get the 6 Creative Beliefs that Are Screwing You Up, plus biweekly updates on what's going on in my world (including upcoming events) for free!

I'd love to hear your feedback, questions, and experience with these ideas! Send me a note at fycuriosity.com, or contact me on Post.news, Spoutible, and Mastodon!

Wired for Story with Lucinda Sage-Midgorden

Lucinda Sage-Midgorden has been a story lover since she and her family watched TV and movies together. Her father taught her how to find the deeper layers of a story. This love prompted her to pursue a double major in Religious Studies and Theatre and Speech, a MA in Theatre Arts, and finally a MAEd so she could share her love of stories with her students. Now retired, Lucinda writes her weekly blog, Sage Woman Chronicles, is working on her second novel, manages her online course, "Saving the World One Story at a Time", and produces the bi-weekly podcast, Story-Power.

Lucinda talks with me about the overlap between religion and theater, how story can broaden our understanding of others and help us learn emotional intelligence, how she came to create her online course, and even shares some classic books and movies that are still relevant today.

Episode breakdown:

[00:05:05] Reading fiction helped Lucinda love literature.

[00:08:33] Religious studies to theater.

[00:15:06] Emotional intelligence.

[00:19:18] Father's emotional intelligence led to success.

[00:27:23] From teaching to writing a book, blog, novel, podcast, and online course.

[00:37:12] Language, colors, and stories shape us.

[00:42:58] Acting class teaches medical students empathy skills.

[00:50:44] Movie and book recommendations: awakening journeys and making a difference.

 

Please leave a review and in it, tell us about a time when a story was important to you.

Want more? Here are some handy playlists with all my previous interviews with guests in theatre and writing and publishing.

Check out the show notes at fycuriosity.com, and join the conversation on Post.news, Spoutible, and Mastodon! And if you're feeling stuck in your own creative process, get the 6 Creative Beliefs that Are Screwing You Up, plus biweekly updates on what's going on in my world (including upcoming events), all for free!

Creative Pep Talk #59: ”Should”

Creative work, and in fact, most of life, works better when we're good to ourselves, even if that seems counterintuitive. I'll tell you why in this short episode.

Want more tips? Check out this playlist with all my previous Creative Pep Talks!

Get the 6 Creative Beliefs that Are Screwing You Up, plus biweekly updates on what's going on in my world (including upcoming events) for free!

I'd love to hear your feedback, questions, and experience with these ideas! Send me a note at fycuriosity.com, or contact me on Post.news, Spoutible, and Mastodon!

”Is There Life Outside the Box?” with Peter Davison

I’m absolutely thrilled to be talking this week with actor Peter Davison, star of All Creatures Great and Small, Doctor Who, At Home with the Braithwaites, West End musicals like Spamalot and Gypsy, and much more. He’s also the author of a delightful memoir, Is There Life Outside the Box: An Actor Despairs, and Doctor Who fans also know him as the creator of the 50th anniversary special, The Five(ish) Doctors Reboot. Peter talks with me about many of those things, plus how he came to write his book, the "rise of the nerds," and more. 

Episode breakdown:

[00:01:10] Childhood creativity, music, becoming an actor.

[00:10:08] Taking on Doctor Who, and being unsure how to approach the character.

[00:17:03] Doctor Who, and playing unpleasant characters well.

[00:24:54] All Creatures Great and Small and the lessons learned from Robert Hardy.

[00:35:18] Actors fear of being replaced, and the difference between US and UK actors.

[00:42:13] Acting as the best job.

[00:50:28] Writing his memoir.

[00:55:34] The Five(ish) Doctors Reboot.

[01:03:07] Doctor Who fandom and the "rise of the nerd."

Please leave a review and in it, tell us about a time when a story was important to you.

Want more? Here are some handy playlists with all my previous interviews with guests in theatre and Doctor Who.

Check out the show notes at fycuriosity.com (I have some really cool extras over there for you!), and join the conversation on Post.news, Spoutible, and Mastodon! And if you're feeling stuck in your own creative process, get the 6 Creative Beliefs that Are Screwing You Up, plus biweekly updates on what's going on in my world (including upcoming events), all for free!