This is How We Create

Martine Severin
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The This is How We Create podcast digs deeper into the creative life of contemporary artists of color. Discover what feeds their creativity and how they found (or are finding) their artistic voice. Through these intimate and candid conversations, you will gain insights into the lives of creative professionals of color that are hard to find anywhere else.

  1. Art as a Language of Resistance - Phoebe Boswell

    2 DAYS AGO

    Art as a Language of Resistance - Phoebe Boswell

    What if art could serve as both a mirror to injustice and a sanctuary for the soul? What happens when the world tries to fit your identity into a narrow predetermined box? I sit down with multi-disciplinary artist Phoebe Boswell to explore the "porous space" between heritage and headline. From the lush landscapes of Kenya to the structured life rooms of London, Phoebe shares how she navigated a "rude awakening" in the West by building a visual language that refuses to be simplified. We delve into the power of multidisciplinary storytelling and the radical act of reclaiming one's voice after it has been challenged by the gatekeepers of industry.  Chapters 00:00 Exploring Identity Through Art 03:47 Childhood Influences and Cultural Displacement 07:05 Navigating Racial Identity in England 09:14 Finding Artistic Voice and Overcoming Criticism 16:48 The Complexity of Storytelling in Art 20:08 Community Engagement and Collaborative Art 26:34 Reclaiming Water and Personal Healing 31:51 The Evolution of Artistic Success 36:43 Redefining the Role of the Artist Connect with Phoebe:   Follow Phoebe on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/phoebe.boswell/?hl=en Phoebe's website: https://www.phoebeboswell.com/ Support the Show Website: http://www.martineseverin.com Follow on Instagram: @martine.severin | @thisishowwecreate_ Subscribe to the Newsletter: http://www.martineseverin.substack.com   This is How We Create is produced by Martine Severin. This episode was edited by Daniel Espinosa. Podcast show art is designed by Violetta Encarnación. Music by Timothy Infinite.   Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts Leave a review Follow us on social media Share with fellow creatives

    45 min

  2. 28 JAN

    The Struggle to Find Your Original Voice as an Artist

    What does the advice, "Just be yourself," mean when you are still figuring out who you are as an artist? In this episode photographer, Martine Severin, shares her "prickly" journey to discovering her creative voice and why the path from imitation to authenticity is rarely a straight line. We discuss the "gap" between our taste and our abilities, the pressure artists of color face to be original yet palatable, and why a simple concept changed how she approaches her work. If you are tired of performing for applause and ready to find a voice that feels like home, this episode is for you. Chapters 00:13 The Taste Gap  02:29 The Portfolio Review 04:40 Imitation vs. Authenticity 07:02 The Trap of Originality 09:20 The Burden of Representation 11:38 Voice as a Garden Support the Show Website: http://www.martineseverin.com Follow on Instagram: @martine.severin | @thisishowwecreate_ Subscribe to the Newsletter: http://www.martineseverin.substack.com This is How We Create is produced by Martine Severin. This episode was edited by Daniel Espinosa. Podcast show art is designed by Violetta Encarnación. Music by Timothy Infinite.   Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts Leave a review Follow us on social media Share with fellow creatives

    14 min
  3. When Your Biggest Failure Becomes Your Signature Style - Shaina McCoy

    21 JAN

    When Your Biggest Failure Becomes Your Signature Style - Shaina McCoy

    Have you ever felt like your inability to master a technical skill was a sign you should quit? In this episode, I sit down with the brilliant painter Shaina McCoy, who transformed a moment of classroom frustration into a profound artistic breakthrough. Shaina opens up about the courage it took to bypass traditional art school to protect her voice, the surprising way she colors her memories, and why she believes making a viewer feel is the ultimate measure of success. If you are struggling to embrace your unique limitations, this conversation might just change your perspective on what it means to be a master of your craft.   Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Shaina McCoy and Her Visual Language  02:16 Early Creative Roots and The Dream of Art School  05:54 The Assignment That Changed Everything: 30 Paintings in 3 Weeks  09:00 Finding Validation in Unexpected Places  11:09 The Choice to Avoid Art School to Protect the Work  15:33 Developing "Blind Faith" in Your Creative Voice  17:16 The Breakthrough: Permission to Stop Painting Faces  19:18 Sculpting with Oil: Mastering the Impasto Technique  20:56 Pop Pop's Archive: The Keeper of Family History  24:29 Color Theory and The emotional Weight of Memory  29:27 Redefining Success: Connection Over Prestige   Connect with Shaina:  Follow Shaina on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wallflowermccoy   Shaina's Work: https://goodmothergallery.com/exhibitions/53-nice-to-finally-meet-you-group-exhibition-curated-los-angeles/works/ https://www.simchowitz.com/exhibitions/shaina-mccoy#tab:slideshow https://shop.simchowitz.com/products/harmonica-2023   Support the Show Website: http://www.martineseverin.com Follow on Instagram: @martine.severin | @thisishowwecreate_ Subscribe to the Newsletter: http://www.martineseverin.substack.com   This is How We Create is produced by Martine Severin. This episode was edited by Daniel Espinosa. Podcast show art is designed by Violetta Encarnación. Music by Timothy Infinite.   Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts Leave a review Follow us on social media Share with fellow creatives

    36 min

  4. 14 JAN

    Welcome to Season Six: A New Look and a Bold Vision - Martine Severin

    Welcome back, friend. We are stepping into Season Six with a fresh energy that I have been dying to share with you. Over the last nine months, my team and I have been working quietly behind the scenes, from the vibrant streets of Medellín to the design studio, to reimagine how this show looks, sounds, and feels. In this episode, I am pulling back the curtain on the major changes we have made, from our stunning new visual identity to the strategic shifts in our programming. I also share why we are pivoting away from our old format and the ambitious goals we have set for growing this community. If you have ever wondered what it takes to evolve a creative project while staying true to its core, this look ahead offers a glimpse into the joyful, sometimes messy work of leveling up. Chapters 00:00 Welcome Back: Kickstarting Season Six from Colombia  01:30 A Visual Renaissance: Collaborating on Our New Identity  03:28 Sonic Shifts: Choosing the New Sound of the Show  04:25 The Strategic Pivot  06:10 The Mission: Growing an Audience to Support Artists  07:45 Season Preview: Creative Crushes and Upcoming Guests  09:15 Solo Episodes: Tackling Paralysis and Finding Your Voice  10:30 Behind the Scenes: Batch Recording and Team Dynamics Support the Show Website: https://www.martineseverin.com/ Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/martine.severin/ | https://www.instagram.com/thisishowwecreate_ Subscribe to the Newsletter: https://www.martineseverin.substack.com/ This is How We Create is produced by Martine Severin. This episode was edited by Daniel Espinosa.

    12 min

  5. 18/12/2025

    How to Do the Scary Things in Life - Martine Severin

    Want to find out the secret to doing the scary things in life? Are you waiting for the right time or for a surge of confidence to finally send that pitch or apply for that residency. In this episode, we explore the psychological traps of "waiting to be ready" and share research-backed strategies to move from stagnant avoidance to meaningful action. If you have been keeping a scary dream on hold, this conversation might be the gentle push you need to start before you feel brave. Chapters 00:00 The internal draft: Why we wait for the right time 01:05 A snowy reflection on the dreams we haven't touched 02:17 The confrontation: When "someday" meets the calendar 03:10 Unlearning the fear patterns that keep us stuck 04:39 The "No Fear Month" challenge and the science of action 05:40 Why feelings follow actions: Insights from cognitive behavioral therapy 06:20 Utilizing temporal landmarks for a fresh start 08:00 Step-by-step: How to schedule your breakthrough 10:30 Keeping promises to yourself: A lesson from my son 12:50 The Pomodoro technique and the power of twenty-five minutes 14:40 Overcoming the discomfort of the "not right now" 16:26 Body doubling and shifting your creative environment   Support the Show Website: https://www.martineseverin.com/ Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/martine.severin/ | https://www.instagram.com/thisishowwecreate_ Subscribe to the Newsletter: https://www.martineseverin.substack.com/ This is How We Create is produced by Martine Severin. This episode was edited by Daniel Espinosa.

    20 min

  6. 11/12/2025

    Letting Go with Grace: When It's Time to Make the Hard Call - Martine Severin

    In our ongoing series about the creative process of building a studio, we've covered when and how to hire a team. But what happens when a hire isn't the right fit? I'm pulling back the curtain on a lesson that cost me months of energy and a piece of my confidence as a leader. You'll often know by week three or four when a new hire isn't going to make it, and waiting six months to act isn't just costly, it's a failure of leadership. I share the difference between a coachable skill gap and a fundamental values misalignment. Discover the two questions that immediately clarify your next move and the three clear, documented conversations you must have before making the final decision. This episode provides a clear, direct process to protect your creative work and act with grace and clarity, because your vision is worth protecting. Chapters 00:00 - An Expensive Lesson in Waiting: Why I Didn't Act for Six Months 01:30 - The Six-Month Rule: Knowing When It's Time to Make a Clear Decision 02:40 - Coaching vs. Cutting Loose: When to Invest in Skill vs. Values 04:05 - Making It Better or Just Different: The Two Defining Questions 04:55 - The Three Clear Conversations Before You Let Someone Go 07:05 - How to Have the Firing Conversation: Clarity is Kindness 08:45 - The Cost of Waiting and Why Acting Fast is Great Leadership 10:40 - Am I Coaching Because I Believe or Because I'm Afraid?   Support the Show Website: https://www.martineseverin.com/ Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/martine.severin/ | https://www.instagram.com/thisishowwecreate_ Subscribe to the Newsletter: https://www.martineseverin.substack.com/ This is How We Create is produced by Martine Severin. This episode was edited by Daniel Espinosa.

    14 min

  7. 25/11/2025

    From Solo Hustle to Successful Delegation: The Art of Onboarding - Martine Severin

    You've made the hire and the contract is signed. Yay. Now we can begin the real work. In this final installment of our mini-series on hiring your first assistant, I'm pulling back the curtain on the first crucial 90 days and the art of proper onboarding. I'll be sharing the systems and intentional frameworks, honed from years of building teams in my photography business and overseeing a 120-person team in a co-owned company, that help a new hire fully absorb your vision, not just your tasks. I'll walk you through the 30-60-90 framework for ensuring your new team member is set up for success. Learn why the first 30 days are purely for learning, when to flip the script on task ownership, and what to watch for by day 60 to prevent costly misalignments. This episode will provide you with the blueprint for creating an operating document, using tools for clear process transfer, and course-correcting early to ensure your future self (and your entire creative business) is amplified, not diluted. Chapters 00:00 - Introduction and Series Recap 02:23 - The Crucial 90 Days: Onboarding vs. Orientation 04:44 - Breaking Down the 30-60-90 Framework 07:04 - Why You Must Encourage "Dumb" Questions 09:16 - Honesty Check: Are You Micromanaging? 11:37 - A Concrete Example: Onboarding for Client Communication 14:02 - Creating Your Operating Document and Role-Playing Scenarios 16:21 - The Week Eight Check-in and the Importance of Documentation 18:48 - Setting People Up for Success: Coaching Versus Cutting Loose   Support the Show Website: https://www.martineseverin.com/ Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/martine.severin/ | https://www.instagram.com/thisishowwecreate_ Subscribe to the Newsletter: https://www.martineseverin.substack.com/ This is How We Create is produced by Martine Severin. This episode was edited by Daniel Espinosa.

    21 min

  8. 18/11/2025

    The Creative's Guide to Screening Your First Hire - Martine Severin

    Hiring your first helper is exciting, but it can also be terrifying. After keeping the wrong person on my team for far too long, I realized I had been focusing on all the wrong things. Skills on a resume are table stakes, but you cannot teach someone to care about the details the way you do. In this episode (Part 2 of our hiring series), I am pulling back the curtain on the screening process that saved me from making that mistake again. I share the specific, behavioral questions I now ask to uncover a candidate's true values, the red flags that signal a poor fit, and the single most important step I take before making any commitment: the paid trial project. This is the guide I wish I had when I started building my team.   Chapters 00:00 Welcome Back & The Hiring Journey 00:45 The Mistake I Made With My First Hire 02:05 Looking Beyond the Resume: Skills vs. Values 03:00 Why "Culture Fit" Is Everything for a Small Creative Business 04:00 The Pre-Screening Trick for Attention to Detail 05:50 How to Ask About Past Work (The "Prioritization" Question) 07:45 Asking About Mistakes and Listening for Ownership 09:30 How Do They Handle Critical Feedback? 10:30 The Importance of a (Paid) Trial Project 11:50 The Truth Revealed in the Trial 12:20 Red Flags: Badmouthing and Vague Answers 13:00 Why the Questions They Ask Matter 13:30 The One Question I Wish I Had Asked 14:00 Final Thoughts: Aligned, Not Perfect   Support the Show Website: https://www.martineseverin.com/ Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/martine.severin/ | https://www.instagram.com/thisishowwecreate_ Subscribe to the Newsletter: https://www.martineseverin.substack.com/ This is How We Create is produced by Martine Severin. This episode was edited by Daniel Espinosa.

    15 min
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About

The This is How We Create podcast digs deeper into the creative life of contemporary artists of color. Discover what feeds their creativity and how they found (or are finding) their artistic voice. Through these intimate and candid conversations, you will gain insights into the lives of creative professionals of color that are hard to find anywhere else.

Information

  • Creator
    Martine Severin
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    196
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Martine Severin
  • Show Website
    This is How We Create

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