The Syncreate Podcast: Empowering Creativity

In this installment of our Creative Spark mini-episodes, Melinda interviews Charlotte about her writing life, creative practices, and how creativity has made her a better person. Charlotte is a writer of both fiction and nonfiction, as well as a professor, Program Manager at Vassar College, and former Chair of the Creative Writing Department at Austin Community College. This episode, like the mini-episodes that preceded it, also includes insights 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 adopt a daily accountability practice, whether using an app or in a more analog form to support a regular creative practice. Credits: The Syncreate podcast is created and hosted by Melinda Rothouse, and produced at Record ATX studios with in collaboration Michael Osborne and 14th Street Studios in Austin, Texas. Syncreate logo design by Dreux Carpenter.If you enjoy this episode and want to learn more about the creative process, you might also like our conversations in Episode 41: Creative Practice, Process, and Product, Episode 49: Creativity in Challenging Times, and Episode 57: Accountability Partnerships.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, and we’re now on Patreon as well. If you enjoy the show, please subscribe and leave us a review! We’d love to hear your feedback as well, so drop us a line at info@syncreate.org. Episode-specific hyperlinks: The Syncreate BookCharlotte Gullick’s WebsiteShow / permanent hyperlinks: The Syncreate PodcastSyncreate WebsiteSyncreate InstagramSyncreate FacebookSyncreate LinkedInSyncreate YouTubeMelinda Rothouse WebsiteAustin Writing CoachMelinda Joy Music Website

Dr. Indre Viskontas is a woman of many talents: an opera singer and director, a neuroscientist, a professor, host of the Inquiring Minds podcast (and several others), and the current president of the Society for the Neuroscience of Creativity. She bridges the worlds of music, performance, neuroscience, and education, sharing her academic insights with the wider world through public speaking, including a TED Talk, her book, titled How Music Can Make You Better, and her podcasts. Our conversation explores Indre’s current research, as well as her own creative process, how she’s teaching her own kids about creativity, and more.For our Creativity Pro-Tip, if you’re feeling stuck, whether it’s a creative project or business presentation, try introducing a plot twist. This is a narrative and storytelling device where instead of telling a story chronologically, you introduce a “but” or “therefore” to create interest or suspense, thus keeping your audience more engaged. Credits: The Syncreate podcast is created and hosted by Melinda Rothouse, and produced at Record ATX studios with in collaboration Michael Osborne and 14th Street Studios in Austin, Texas. Syncreate logo design by Dreux Carpenter.If you enjoy this episode and want to learn more about the creative process, you might also like our conversations in Episode 9: Music and Psychology: "The Pocket" Experience with Dr. Jeff Mims, Episode 25: Creativity, Neuroscience, and Psychedelics with Bradley Cooke, PhD, and Episode 48: Can You Learn Creativity? with Creative Director Chris McKennaAt 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! We’d love to hear your feedback as well, so drop us a line at info@syncreate.org. Episode-specific hyperlinks: Dr. Indre Viskontas’ WebsiteInquiring Minds PodcastSociety for the Neuroscience of CreativityYouTube Video Clip: “But” & “Therefore” with Matt Stone & Trey ParkerShow / permanent hyperlinks: The Syncreate PodcastSyncreate WebsiteSyncreate InstagramSyncreate FacebookSyncreate LinkedInSyncreate YouTube

In this installment of our Creative Spark mini-episodes, we explore how isolation and solitude can show up in our creative process, how to distinguish between the two, and how to work with both. When we feel isolated, it’s important to reach out and connect with our communities. But sometimes we need to cultivate solitude in order to dig deep into 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 encourage you to be strategic about solitude. Perhaps plan a retreat or just some concentrated alone time to focus on your current idea or project. Credits: The Syncreate podcast is created and hosted by Melinda Rothouse, and produced at Record ATX studios with in collaboration Michael Osborne and 14th Street Studios in Austin, Texas. Syncreate logo design by Dreux Carpenter.If you enjoy this episode and want to learn more about the creative process, you might also like our conversations in Episode 31: The Power of Collaboration, Episode 37: Giving Back to the Community, 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, 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! We’d love to hear your feedback as well, so drop us a line at info@syncreate.org. Episode-specific hyperlinks: The Syncreate BookCharlotte Gullick’s WebsiteShow / permanent hyperlinks: The Syncreate PodcastSyncreate WebsiteSyncreate InstagramSyncreate FacebookSyncreate LinkedInSyncreate YouTubeMelinda Rothouse WebsiteAustin Writing CoachMelinda Joy Music Website

Steven Ross is the Co-Founder of Wisdom Pathways, co-host of The Way to Go podcast, and host of the Intuition Radio podcast. He is a gifted intuitive medium, ordained interspiritual minister, wellness facilitator and teacher of traditional yoga and meditation. With 20 years on the yogic path, he is a devotee of Paramhansa Yogananda. Steven holds a masters in divinity from All Paths Divinity School. Our conversation focuses on the connections between intuition and creativity and how we can each cultivate our innate intuitive faculties. Steven also gives Melinda a live reading during the episode so people can get a taste of his work and process.  For our Creativity Pro-Tip, Steven walks us through the process of tuning into our intuition and allowing our creativity to flow naturally. Credits: The Syncreate podcast is created and hosted by Melinda Rothouse, and produced at Record ATX studios with in collaboration Michael Osborne and 14th Street Studios in Austin, Texas. Syncreate logo design by Dreux Carpenter.If you enjoy this episode, you might also like our conversations in Episode 10: Imagination & Creativity with Dr. Diana Rivera, Episode 34: Creativity and Transpersonal Psychology Part 1 with Marina Smirnova, PhD, and Episode 42: Creativity & Depth Psychology with Jennifer Leigh Selig. 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, and we’re now on Patreon as well. If you enjoy the show, please subscribe and leave us a review!Episode-specific hyperlinks: Steven’s WebsiteThe Way to Go PodcastIntuition Radio PodcastWisdom Pathways WebsiteDr. Joe DispenzaFather Thomas KeatingShow / permanent hyperlinks: The Syncreate PodcastSyncreate WebsiteSyncreate InstagramSyncreate FacebookSyncreate LinkedInSyncreate YouTubeMelinda Rothouse WebsiteAustin Writing CoachMelinda Joy Music Website

In this installment of our Creative Spark mini-episodes, we discuss how creativity opens doors, and how saying yes to our creativity also helps to build connection and community. We each share our own experiences of creative connection, and how expressing our creativity has led to new experiences and relationships. 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 reflect on how creativity has opened doors in your own life, and to take concrete action toward opening a new door, such as attending a book reading, an open mic, a gallery opening, and so on. Credits: The Syncreate podcast is created and hosted by Melinda Rothouse, and produced at Record ATX studios with in collaboration Michael Osborne and 14th Street Studios in Austin, Texas. Syncreate logo design by Dreux Carpenter.If you enjoy this episode and want to learn more about the creative process, you might also like our conversations in Episode 31: The Power of Collaboration, Episode 37: Giving Back to the Community, and Episode 57: Accountability Partnerships.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, and we’re now on Patreon as well. If you enjoy the show, please subscribe and leave us a review!Episode-specific hyperlinks: The Syncreate BookCharlotte Gullick’s WebsiteBook: The Anti-Racist Writing Workshop by Felicia Rose ChavezShow / permanent hyperlinks: The Syncreate PodcastSyncreate WebsiteSyncreate InstagramSyncreate FacebookSyncreate LinkedInSyncreate YouTubeMelinda Rothouse WebsiteAustin Writing CoachMelinda Joy Music Website

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. Credits: The Syncreate podcast is created and hosted by Melinda Rothouse, and produced at Record ATX studios with in collaboration Michael Osborne and 14th Street Studios in Austin, Texas. Syncreate logo design by Dreux Carpenter.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 WebsiteMichael Steiner on LinkedInMichael’s Consulting Firm: Your Global StrategyCreativity Researcher Mark RuncoShow / permanent hyperlinks: The Syncreate PodcastSyncreate WebsiteSyncreate InstagramSyncreate FacebookSyncreate LinkedInSyncreate YouTubeMelinda Rothouse WebsiteAustin Writing CoachMelinda Joy Music Website

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. Credits: The Syncreate podcast is created and hosted by Melinda Rothouse, and produced at Record ATX studios with in collaboration Michael Osborne and 14th Street Studios in Austin, Texas. Syncreate logo design by Dreux Carpenter.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.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, and we’re now on Patreon as well. If you enjoy the show, please subscribe and leave us a review!Episode-specific hyperlinks: The Syncreate BookCharlotte Gullick’s WebsiteShow / permanent hyperlinks: The Syncreate PodcastSyncreate WebsiteSyncreate InstagramSyncreate FacebookSyncreate LinkedInSyncreate YouTubeMelinda Rothouse WebsiteAustin Writing CoachMelinda Joy Music Website

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. Credits: The Syncreate podcast is created and hosted by Melinda Rothouse, and produced at Record ATX studios with in collaboration Michael Osborne and 14th Street Studios in Austin, Texas. Syncreate logo design by Dreux Carpenter.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.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, and we’re now on Patreon as well. If you enjoy the show, please subscribe and leave us a review!Episode-specific hyperlinks: Chris Stack on IMDBStereophonic on BroadwayFilm: School of RockBand: Fleetwood MacThe Actor’s StudioShow / permanent hyperlinks: The Syncreate PodcastSyncreate WebsiteSyncreate InstagramSyncreate FacebookSyncreate LinkedInSyncreate YouTubeMelinda Rothouse Website

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. Credits: The Syncreate podcast is created and hosted by Melinda Rothouse, and produced at Record ATX studios with in collaboration Michael Osborne and 14th Street Studios in Austin, Texas. Syncreate logo design by Dreux Carpenter.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.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, and we’re now on Patreon as well. If you enjoy the show, please subscribe and leave us a review!Episode-specific hyperlinks: The Syncreate BookCharlotte Gullick’s WebsiteShow / permanent hyperlinks: The Syncreate PodcastSyncreate WebsiteSyncreate InstagramSyncreate FacebookSyncreate LinkedInSyncreate YouTubeMelinda Rothouse WebsiteAustin Writing CoachMelinda Joy Music Website

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!Credits: The Syncreate podcast is created and hosted by Melinda Rothouse, and produced at Record ATX studios with in collaboration Michael Osborne and 14th Street Studios in Austin, Texas. Syncreate logo design by Dreux Carpenter.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. 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, and we’re now on Patreon as well. If you enjoy the show, please subscribe and leave us a review!Episode-specific hyperlinks: Peter’s Website: peterhimmelman.comPeter’s New Book: Suspended by No StringPeter’s First Book: Let Me OutBig Muse: Peter’s Creativity Consulting Services Show / permanent hyperlinks: The Syncreate PodcastSyncreate WebsiteSyncreate InstagramSyncreate FacebookSyncreate LinkedInSyncreate YouTubeMelinda Rothouse WebsiteAustin Writing Coach