Creative Chats podcast

Mike Brennan
Creative Chats podcast

Creativity can be a lonely path. If we want to reach our full potential (and have a good time doing it), we Creatives need cheerleading and insights from our creative colleagues. In the Creative Chats podcast, I speak to some of the best Creatives around, about creativity and their process, and I share stories of Artists, Makers, and Content Creators. In fact, anything that will help you do your best work yet!

  1. 12 HR AGO

    Discover Your Creative Archetype

    Discover Your Creative Archetype In this episode of Creative Chats, your host Mike Brennan, dives deep into understanding different creative archetypes, sharing invaluable insights and experiences that will ignite your creative spirit. 3 Key Takeaways: 🎨 Discover Your Creative Archetype - Understanding your creative archetype can help you harness your strengths and address your challenges. Example: By knowing your archetype, you can tailor your creative process to fit your natural inclinations, whether you're a Visionary, Explorer, Alchemist, Connector, Storyteller, or Architect. 🎨 Collaborate for Success - Strength comes in numbers, especially when working with others who complement your creative weaknesses. Example: Teaming up with individuals who have different archetypes can lead to more efficient and powerful creative outcomes. 🎨 Practical Application - Take action based on your creative archetype to create meaningful work. Example: Mike encourages listeners to use their newfound understanding of their archetypes to set actionable goals and create tangible projects. Episode Highlights: [08:45] - Mike introduces the concept of creative archetypes and explains their significance. [18:30] - An in-depth discussion on the Visionary and Explorer archetypes, including their strengths and challenges. [35:10] - The role of collaboration among different archetypes to enhance overall creative output. Links and Resources: Creative Archetypes Quiz: https://www.mikebrennan.me Mike's Instagram: @MikeBone Daily Creative Habit Community: www.DailyCreativeHabit.com   Feeling inspired? Don’t forget to subscribe to Creative Chats and leave a review! Your feedback helps us bring more amazing content to fuel your creative journey. And if you’re looking to deepen your creative practice, check out the Daily Creative Habit Community at dailycreativehabit.com. For more fun and inspiration, grab a copy of Mike's new book "Make Fun A Habit" at makefunahabit.com!

    38 min
  2. 266. Connecting Through the Lens: Matt Jacob's Insights on Photography and the Creative Journey

    20 NOV

    266. Connecting Through the Lens: Matt Jacob's Insights on Photography and the Creative Journey

    In this episode of Creative Chats, we hang out with photographer Matt Jacob, as he dives into the magic of staying flexible in photography, sharing his journey and some killer tips that will fire up your creative vibe. 3 Key Takeaways: 🎨 Go with the Flow - Matt Jacob talks about rolling with the punches in photography. Have a plan but be open. Sometimes things go off-script, but that’s where the real magic happens. 🎨 Balancing Technical Skills and Storytelling: While technical prowess is essential, true artistry in photography comes from expressing a unique voice and style. Striking a balance between visual appeal and emotional depth is crucial. 🎨 Mentors Matter - Matt shares his struggles finding the right mentor. Now, he’s paying it forward by offering mentoring to help others crush their doubts and grow creatively. Episode Highlights: [10:15] - Hear the touching story behind Matt's unforgettable photo of a young girl in Uganda. [22:30] - A deep dive into balancing tech skills and artistic storytelling in photography. [38:45] - Matt opens up about how emotional intelligence and self-awareness shape his creativity. Links and Resources: Matt Jacob's Website: magicphotography.com/learn Matt Jacob's Podcast: The Mood Podcast Mike Brennan's Daily Creative Habit: dailycreativehabit.com   Feeling inspired? Smash that subscribe button for Creative Chats and drop us a review! Your feedback helps us keep bringing you awesome content. And if you’re ready to up your creative game, check out the Daily Creative Habit Membership at dailycreativehabit.com. Join the fun and let's keep the creative vibes flowing!

    51 min
  3. 265. Creating Connections: 7 Strategies for Successful Networking

    14 NOV

    265. Creating Connections: 7 Strategies for Successful Networking

    In this episode of Creative Chats, Mike Brennan delves into the essentials of event engagement, sharing invaluable insights and experiences from his recent attendance at a conference.  3 Key Takeaways: 🎨 Research & Prepare - Know who'll be attending and speaking at the event to create meaningful connections. Mike emphasizes the importance of thorough preparation, from planning "micro meetings" to packing essentials like business cards and chargers. 🎨 Ask Good Questions - Engage people by being curious and having meaningful conversations. Mike reveals that asking thoughtful questions can lead to deeper, memorable connections and avoid awkward interactions. 🎨 Follow-Up with Purpose - Actively maintain the connections made during the event. Mike stresses the importance of purposeful follow-up to nurture new relationships beyond the event floor. Episode Highlights: [05:30] - Mike discusses his recent experience at the Thing Conference in Orlando [13:45] - Tips for effective networking, including the strategic use of business cards. [22:10] - How to avoid awkward interactions at events and maximize spontaneous opportunities. Links and Resources: Daily Creative Habit Resources dailycreativehabit.com Make Fun A Habit www.MakeFunAHabit.com Join the Facebook Group Facebook Group The Selftact App Selftact App   Feeling inspired? Don’t forget to subscribe to Creative Chats and leave a review! Your feedback helps us bring more amazing content to fuel your creative journey. And, if you’re looking to deepen your creative practice, check out the Daily Creative Habit Membership at dailycreativehabit.com. Join the conversation by sharing your event experiences and tips with Mike via his website, and let's continue to grow our creative community together!

    32 min
  4. Emma Schermer Tamir’s Secrets to Strong Brand Identity

    6 NOV

    Emma Schermer Tamir’s Secrets to Strong Brand Identity

    In this episode of Creative Chats, host MIke Brennan is joined by Emma Schermer Tamir, co-founder of Marketing by Emma. Emma opens up about the symbiotic relationship between creativity and effective marketing, sharing invaluable insights and experiences that will ignite your creative spirit. Looking to understand and connect with your audience? Listen in! 3 Key Takeaways: 🎨 Utilize AI as a Starting Point - Emma discusses how AI tools like ChatGPT can help generate customer avatars using data, but advises against using AI output verbatim. Instead, she encourages using these tools to overcome creative blocks and refine from there. 🎨 Embrace Uniqueness in Branding - Both Emma and Mike stress the importance of having a clear and unique brand identity to stand out in saturated markets. Mimicking top competitors can hinder growth by failing to offer distinct value propositions. 🎨 Curiosity Fuels Growth - Emma highlights the importance of curiosity and lifelong learning in both personal and professional development. Her varied experiences have informed her approach to marketing and branding, emphasizing human psychology and behavior. Episode Highlights: [00:05:30] - Emma discusses the role of AI in generating customer avatars.  [00:18:10] - The importance of evolving and refining target demographics. [00:35:45] - Embracing uniqueness in branding and avoiding imitation traps. [00:48:15] - Emma’s unconventional path to entrepreneurship and personal growth through business challenges. Links and Resources: Marketing by Emma: https://marketingbyemma.com Emma's YouTube Channel: Marketing by Emma YouTube Creative Chats Host Mike Brennan Website: https://www.mikebrennan.me Daily Creative Habit Membership: https://www.dailycreativehabit.com   Feeling inspired? Don’t forget to subscribe to Creative Chats and leave a review! Your feedback helps us bring more amazing content to fuel your creative journey. And, if you’re looking to deepen your creative practice, check out the Daily Creative Habit Membership at https://www.dailycreativehabit.com. Join us and stay connected with a community that supports and shares in your creative adventures!

    50 min
  5. Creativity in Music: Patrick Boylan Talks MuseFlow and Learning Through Play

    30 OCT

    Creativity in Music: Patrick Boylan Talks MuseFlow and Learning Through Play

    In this episode of Creative Chats, Patrick Boylan, co-founder of MuseFlow opens up about his revolutionary approach to music education and the creation of the app MuseFlow, sharing invaluable insights and experiences that will ignite your creative spirit. This episode is packed with wisdom for anyone passionate about embracing creativity through learning and progression (not just for musicians too!) 3 Key Takeaways: 🎨 MuseFlow's Engaging Learning Experience - MuseFlow provides an engaging alternative to passive activities, helping users reconnect with the love of music and learning. Patrick Boylan emphasizes how the app fosters creativity, especially for those who had to abandon music pursuits after high school. 🎨 Daily Practice and Flow - Consistent daily practice, even in short sessions, can lead to a deeper creative flow. Patrick draws parallels between high-profile musicians like Taylor Swift and Paul McCartney, who maintain their creativity through daily practice, and the way MuseFlow is designed to help users access their creative abilities efficiently. 🎨 Revolutionizing Music Education - MuseFlow aims to transform music education by making learning fun and engaging. Boylan discusses how overcoming repetitive, traditional methods of learning can reignite the joy of playing music, leading to personal transformation and growth. Episode Highlights: [00:10] - Introduction to Patrick Boylan and his musical background.  [12:35] - The creation and purpose of Museflow: making music learning enjoyable. [25:50] - Discussion on daily creative practice and its impact on achieving flow.  [38:20] - Challenges faced in developing MuseFlow and the importance of adaptability. Links and Resources: MuseFlow website: http://museflow.ai Use the discount code "MIKE50" for 50% off on http://museflow.ai Daily Creative Habit resources: dailycreativehabit.com   Feeling inspired? Don’t forget to subscribe to Creative Chats and leave a review! Your feedback helps us bring more amazing content to fuel your creative journey. And, if you’re looking to deepen your creative practice, check out the Daily Creative Habit Membership at dailycreativehabit.com.

    51 min
  6. How The “Beneath Me” Mindset is Sabotaging Your Success

    23 OCT

    How The “Beneath Me” Mindset is Sabotaging Your Success

    In this episode of Creative Chats, we dive deep into the notion of seizing every opportunity, no matter how insignificant it may seem, with Mike Brennan, the host of Creative Chats. Mike opens up about combatting the "beneath me" mindset, sharing invaluable insights and personal experiences that will help you navigate and integrate into new creative communities successfully. This episode is a treasure trove of wisdom for any artist, maker, or content creator looking to maximize their growth and contribution to their community. 3 Key Takeaways: 🎨 Assess and Integrate - The importance of evaluating new opportunities and serving the local community without drawing unfavorable comparisons to past experiences. Mike emphasizes the value of proactive involvement and saying "yes" more often to foster personal and communal growth. 🎨 Consistent Effort Over Reputation - Highlighting the need to show actual work consistently and reject "hobby habits." Mike advocates starting tangible projects to present skills and allow for steady improvement. 🎨 Authenticity and Growth - Addressing the dangers of over-inflating one's self-importance and the pitfalls of wanting immediate recognition. Mike discusses the importance of authenticity over posturing and the positive reframe of "paying dues" as genuine skill and network-building. Episode Highlights: [04:15] – Mike discusses the concept of the "beneath me" mindset and how it can hinder growth. [14:32] – The importance of showing consistent effort and engaging in tangible projects. [27:48] – Mike shares personal anecdotes about learning from mistakes and adapting to new communities. Links and Resources: Daily Creative Habit Journal https://amzn.to/3GDv84d Make Fun A Habit Book https://amzn.to/3sIFD1l Facebook Group www.facebook.com/groups/dailycreativehabit Daily Creative Habit Membership www.mikebrennan.me/membership   Feeling inspired? Don’t forget to subscribe to Creative Chats and leave a review! Your feedback helps us bring more amazing content to fuel your creative journey. And, if you’re ready to deepen your creative practice, check out the Daily Creative Habit Membership at www.mikebrennan.me/membership

    39 min
  7. Storytelling Insights from Michael DiMartino, Co-creator of Avatar: The Last Airbender

    16 OCT

    Storytelling Insights from Michael DiMartino, Co-creator of Avatar: The Last Airbender

    In this episode of Creative Chats, we dive into the artistic world with Michael DiMartino, Co-Creator of "Avatar: The Last Airbender" and "The Legend of Korra." Michael shares his experiences balancing large studio projects with personal creative work, providing invaluable insights that will inspire your artistic endeavors. This episode is packed with practical advice and inspiring stories for anyone passionate about animation, storytelling, and creative exploration. 3 Key Takeaways: 🎨 Balancing Artistic Integrity and Collaboration - Creating art in big studios requires balancing personal vision with organizational needs. DiMartino highlights the importance of making compromises and collaboratively improving the final product. 🎨 Embrace the Power of Creative Curiosity - Michael emphasizes the importance of staying curious and continually learning to avoid creative stagnation. He believes curiosity feeds into the creative process, making one's work more impactful and innovative. 🎨 Experimenting with Creative Processes - DiMartino’s experience writing his new novel "Both Here and Gone" shows the value of experimenting with different creative methods. This free-form writing process led to unexpected character and plot development, underscoring the benefits of trying new techniques. Episode Highlights: [04:45] - Michael DiMartino discusses the challenges of working in large studios with significant budgets and scrutiny. [16:30] - How "Avatar" being an outlier at Nickelodeon allowed for more creative freedom in its storytelling. [28:15] - Michael reflects on the importance of balancing client work with passion projects and his transition to novel writing. [35:40] - Host Mike Brennan emphasizes exploring creative ideas in various forms to find the best execution. [47:55] - DiMartino shares insights into overcoming creative blocks by adapting different creative methods based on the medium. Links and Resources: Michael DiMartino’s Website: http://michaeldantedimartino.com Daily Creative Habit: dailycreativehabit.com Mike Brennan’s Website: mikebrennan.me Book: "Both Here and Gone" - Available on Amazon   Feeling inspired? Don’t forget to subscribe to Creative Chats and leave a review! Your feedback helps us bring more amazing content to fuel your creative journey. And, if you’re looking to deepen your creative practice, check out the Daily Creative Habit Membership at dailycreativehabit.com.

    47 min
  8. The Power of Community and Authentic Interaction in Creative Journeys

    9 OCT

    The Power of Community and Authentic Interaction in Creative Journeys

    In this episode of Creative Chats, My friend Terry Weaver, Founder of The Thing conference is back. Terry opens up about building and nurturing creative communities, sharing invaluable insights and experiences that will ignite your creative spirit.  3 Key Takeaways: 🎨 Nostalgia and Authenticity - Terry discusses how nostalgia draws people to certain brands and experiences, but authenticity can fade as businesses grow. He illustrates this with examples from his own dining preferences and fears for beloved restaurants like Chuy's. 🎨 Community Over Competition - Emphasizing the significance of real-life community and support, Terry uses examples from events he has organized to highlight how collective success can come from camaraderie rather than competition. 🎨 Creativity and Human Connection - Terry and Mike explore how the rise of AI and content overload affects human connection. They stress the importance of genuine interactions and the role of vulnerability in fostering creativity and community. Episode Highlights: [00:10] - Introduction to Terry Weaver and his background. [12:45] - Discussion on nostalgia in dining experiences and quality decline in chain restaurants.  [25:50] - The importance of building authentic communities and Terry’s event "The Thing". [37:20] - The role of AI in creativity and the need for genuine human interactions. [48:30] - Mike and Terry emphasize the essential nature of community for creative success. Links and Resources: Terry Weaver’s Website The Thing Event Discount Code for The Thing (Use code "Creative" for 20% off)   Feeling inspired? Don’t forget to subscribe to Creative Chats and leave a review! Your feedback helps us bring more amazing content to fuel your creative journey. And, if you’re looking to engage in a supportive and inspiring event, check out "The Thing" in Orlando, FL this November. Use code 'creative' for a 20% discount on your ticket. Let’s build and nurture our creative communities together!

    1h 22m

About

Creativity can be a lonely path. If we want to reach our full potential (and have a good time doing it), we Creatives need cheerleading and insights from our creative colleagues. In the Creative Chats podcast, I speak to some of the best Creatives around, about creativity and their process, and I share stories of Artists, Makers, and Content Creators. In fact, anything that will help you do your best work yet!

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