The Create! Podcast

Ekaterina Popova
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The Create! Podcast (formerly Art & Cocktails) is your space for inspiration, encouragement, and practical insight at the intersection of contemporary art, creative business, and mindset. Hosted by artist, coach, and Create! Magazine founder Ekaterina Popova, the show is designed to help you grow your art career, expand your creative vision, and build a sustainable, joyful life. Through candid conversations with artists, entrepreneurs, writers, curators, and thought leaders—as well as empowering solo episodes—you'll find tools, ideas, and stories that remind you that life itself is your canvas, and you have the power to create a career and future that truly supports you. Find us at www.createmagazine.co/podcast — where the conversation about art and business starts.

  1. 3 HR AGO

    Art for Everyone: Collecting, Connecting with Buyers, and Building a Career from Anywhere with Liz Lidgett

    Ekaterina Popova sits down with Liz Lidgett, gallery owner, art advisor, and author of the newly released book "Art for Everyone: How to Collect Art and Personalize Your Space on Any Budget." Liz has built a thriving gallery and design practice in Des Moines, Iowa, and has spent her career making the art world feel welcoming, joyful, and genuinely accessible to collectors at every level. In this conversation, they explore the business side of building a sustainable art career, including how artists can better connect with collectors by focusing on home-ready presentation and offering varied price points. Liz also shares what she wishes more artists understood about the collector relationship, and how she turned her location into a superpower rather than a limitation. Whether you are an artist looking to grow your career or someone who has always wanted to bring more art into your home, this episode is full of practical insight and genuine encouragement. In this episode: What inspired Liz to write "Art for Everyone" and who it is for How artists can make their work more collector-ready The importance of varied price points and accessible entry pieces Building a gallery and creative career outside of major art hubs What collectors are really looking for when they walk into a gallery Links and Resources: Get the book: Art for Everyone by Liz Lidgett Liz Lidgett Gallery: lizlidgett.com Follow Liz on Instagram: @lizlidgett Submit your work to Create! Magazine: createmagazine.co/call-for-art

    25 min
  2. You Might Also Like: On Purpose with Jay Shetty

    3 HR AGO ·  BONUS

    You Might Also Like: On Purpose with Jay Shetty

    Introducing Esther Perel: The REAL Reason You’re Struggling to Find Love (Fix THIS to Build Chemistry in Real Life) from On Purpose with Jay Shetty. Follow the show: On Purpose with Jay Shetty Today,  Jay Shetty welcomes back Esther Perel to unpack a growing tension in modern relationships: in a world more connected than ever, why so many people feel deeply disconnected. Esther reframes dating struggles as something deeper than love itself, pointing to a broader loss of real-life social practice. Without the everyday interactions that once taught us how to approach, connect, and handle rejection, dating now feels like a high-stakes performance instead of a natural progression. What was once built through play, curiosity, and gradual connection has been compressed into a single moment of pressure, turning love into something overwhelming rather than something we can explore. Jay and Esther explore the illusion of connection in the digital age, where texting replaces talking and screens replace presence. Esther explains how this disembodied way of relating strips away the elements that create real intimacy, like eye contact, tone of voice, touch, and shared energy. While it can feel like we are communicating more, we are often losing depth, nuance, and emotional resonance. This shift has shaped a culture that avoids friction and discomfort, yet still feels more anxious, lonely, and exhausted. In trying to make relationships easier and more efficient, we may be losing the very experiences that give them meaning. In this episode you'll learn: How to Build Real Connection Offline How to Turn Dating Into Discovery, Not Pressure How to Be More Curious Instead of Judgmental How to Create Attraction Through Presence Not Perfection How to Ask for What You Truly Need How to Build Trust in Small, Consistent Moments How to Balance Independence and Interdependence How to Stay Open to Love Without a Checklist If there’s one thing to hold onto, it’s this: nothing about love is broken, you’re just being asked to approach it differently. The world may have made connection feel more complicated, but at its core, it still comes back to showing up, being present, and allowing yourself to be seen without needing to get everything right. With Love and Gratitude, Jay Shetty JAY’S DAILY WISDOM DELIVERED STRAIGHT TO YOUR INBOX Join 900,000+ readers discovering how small daily shifts create big life change with my free newsletter. Subscribe https://news.jayshetty.me/subscribe   Check out our Apple subscription to unlock bonus content of On Purpose! https://lnk.to/JayShettyPodcast  What We Discuss: 00:00 Intro 01:11 Why Is Gen Z Dating Less? 04:23 The Disappearance of Physical Connection 06:26 Living in a Fully Contactless World 09:54 Connected, Yet Deeply Disconnected 12:01 Dating in the Age of Surveillance 14:11 Why Real Connection Feels Harder Than Ever 17:07 Why Love Falls Flat Without Friction 18:41 The Missing Skills No One Taught Us About Love 24:35 The Hidden Power Struggles Shaping Modern Relationships 27:05 The 4 Pillars of Relational Intelligence 30:07 Have We Lost the Ability to Problem-Solve? 32:38 How to Know If You Can Really Trust Someone 36:44 From “Me” to “We”  38:27 Should You Make a Dating Checklist?  41:04 Why Dating Feels Like a Full-Time Job 43:00 The Pressure Behind “Intentional” Dating 47:50 When Love Doesn’t Speak Your Language 50:25 Why Talking to AI Feels Easier Than People 55:16 The Trap of Wanting Love to Feel Effortless 56:35 Is Love Supposed to Be Hard? 57:58 Why Wanting Love Isn’t “Cringe” 01:02:43 Codependence vs Healthy Love 01:07:09 What Actually Keeps Desire Alive? 01:10:26 Breaking Down Viral Relationship Myths   01:17:38 Esther on Final Five Episode Resources: Website | https://www.estherperel.com/  YouTube | https://www.youtube.com/@estherperel  Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/esther.perel/  Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/estherperelofficial  LinkedIn | https://www.linkedin.com/in/estherperel  TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@estherperel_official  Substack | https://estherperel.substack.com/  Where Should We Begin? with Esther Perel Mating in Captivity: Unlocking Erotic Intelligence See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. DISCLAIMER: Please note, this is an independent podcast episode not affiliated with, endorsed by, or produced in conjunction with the host podcast feed or any of its media entities. The views and opinions expressed in this episode are solely those of the creators and guests. For any concerns, please reach out to team@podroll.fm.

  3. 4 DAYS AGO

    Protecting Art Spaces: Leadership and Fundraising with Amy Cavanaugh Royce

    In this episode of the Create! Podcast, host Ekaterina Popova sits down with Amy Cavanaugh Royce, the Executive Director of Maryland Art Place (MAP). Amy shares her journey from a professional touring cellist and recording artist to a leader in arts administration, providing a candid look at the resilience required to sustain a major contemporary arts hub. The conversation explores the intersection of creative empathy and executive leadership, emphasizing why protecting physical space is vital for the health of a city's creative economy. Episode Highlights The Evolution of a Practitioner: Amy explains how her background as a freelance musician allowed her to bring a unique level of empathy to her leadership role. Understanding the Process: She highlights the importance of leaders understanding what it takes for artists to get to a final product to effectively advocate for them. Protecting Creative Real Estate: A discussion on Amy's commitment to retaining MAP's 20,000-square-foot building in downtown Baltimore to ensure artists stay within the context of general commerce. Fundraising and Resilience: Amy offers insights into the different funding landscapes of DC and Baltimore, noting that persistence is key and that a "no" from a potential donor often simply means "not now". Creating Artist Opportunities: From the "Out of Order" annual auction to managing the Maryland State Arts Directory, Amy explains how MAP connects artists with collectors and public art projects. The Bromo Art Walk: Amy previews the upcoming event on May 14th, featuring a New York–Baltimore exchange curated by Jim Condren and Glenn Goldenberg. About Maryland Art Place (MAP) Maryland Art Place (MAP) inspires, supports, and encourages artistic expression through innovative programming, exhibitions, and educational opportunities while recognizing the powerful impact art can have on our community. MAP creates a dynamic environment for artists of our time to engage the public by nurturing and promoting new ideas. MAP has served as a critical resource for contemporary art in the Mid-Atlantic since 1981. Take Action Submit Your Work: Visit the Create! Magazine Call for Art to find current opportunities to get your work in front of a global audience. Support the Mission: Learn more about Maryland Art Place, become a member, or donate by visiting mdartplace.org.   Visit the Gallery: Explore the current exhibitions at 218 West Saratoga Street, Baltimore, MD.

    16 min

  4. 6 DAYS AGO

    10 Years In: The Failures That Built My Creative Business

    Ten years ago, I took the leap into full-time creative entrepreneurship with no roadmap, no guarantee, and a lot of hope. This episode is my honest look back at what actually got me here, and it is not a highlight reel. I recently had the honor of spending two days at Michigan State University as a guest lecturer and juror for the undergraduate senior show. The organizers asked me to speak about failure, not success. That invitation sent me into a real reflection on the moments that broke me open and ultimately built everything I have today. In this episode I share what I wish I had known at 27, including why I stayed too long in projects that had expired, how learning to quit strategically changed everything, why your non-negotiables have to come before your goals, how I learned to stop shrinking under criticism without losing my empathy, the difference between goals that are truly yours versus ones you inherited from someone else's definition of success, and why every significant thing I have built grew directly out of a previous failure. I also talk about losing our first book deal, a solo show that nearly got canceled, the shadow side of stubbornness, and why knowing what hill you are willing to die on matters more than any strategy. This one is personal. It is also practical. I hope it meets you exactly where you are. Did this resonate? Let's chat! Tag me over at @katerinaspopova on IG To join the Create! Collective membership community, visit createmagazine.co/collective. For our subscription, membership, mini courses, and more, visit createmagazine.co/join.

    29 min

  5. 24 APR

    This Super Simple Confidence Hack for Artists with Marina Granger

    In this episode, Kat welcomes Marina Granger back for another installment of their ongoing series. They dive deep into the nuances of identity, confidence, and a unique manifestation practice Marina has utilized since she was twelve. Whether you are transitioning into a new career phase or simply feeling a dip in your creative self assurance, this conversation offers a quick, actionable ritual to realign with your highest potential. Episode Highlights Identity and Visual Recognition: Marina shares how a recent change in hair color triggered a shift in her confidence because she did not recognize herself in her self referential system. The Power of Upgrading: The conversation explores how our identities grow through the many seasons of life and why it is vital to upgrade your self image as you evolve. Overcoming Paralysis: Marina shares a success story about a client who was paralyzed by doubt but managed to finalize exhibition dates and a press release within 45 minutes of using this technique. Practical Joy: The duo discusses upgrading your everyday experience through small details, like using fancy Italian toothpaste, to create a domino effect of success. The Mirror Technique: A Step-by-Step Guide Marina describes this as the "lazy girl manifesting technique" because it is fast, powerful, and only needs to be done every few years to keep you going. Wisdom for the Creative Journey Marina encourages artists to embrace failure, noting that the more you fail, the more you succeed. For those feeling overwhelmed by the opinions of the industry, she suggests focusing on how you want to feel and taking small daily actions that reflect your desired identity. Resources and Links The Artist Advisory: Discover more mindset and career resources at theartistadvisory.com. The MFA Podcast: Tune in for real life advice on building a sustainable art career. The Artist Academy: Join Marina's career course for practical and "mystical" tactical training. Call for Art: Explore current opportunities to share your work at createmagazine.co/call-for-art. Courses: Start learning now at www.createu.co Connect on Instagram: Follow Marina at @theartistadvisory.

    17 min

  6. 11 APR

    The Timeless Principles of Getting Paid for Your Art (Still Relevant in 2026)

    So much of what we hear right now is about what is changing, what is closing, what is shifting. In this solo episode, Ekaterina Popova cuts through the noise to focus on what has remained true across every platform, every trend cycle, and every era of the art world: the core principles of getting paid for doing what you love. Kat takes us back to her teenage years, painting prom backdrops and dance team sets for a hundred dollars at a time, with no connections, no following, and a kind of blissful confidence that the work would find its people. That early experience shaped a belief system that carried her through years of building a creative business, and she traces exactly where that belief started to crack, what planted it back, and what she wishes she had known sooner. In this episode, Kat shares how her earliest art sales happened long before social media existed, why the doubt she absorbed in art school was some of the most expensive she ever entertained, what the relationship with your own work has to do with whether it ever sells, and how she hired a coach this week with nothing more than an Instagram DM and a clear sense of what she needed. This one is for the artist who keeps waiting for the right moment, the bigger audience, or the better strategy. The strategy, it turns out, has been the same all along. Work with Kat: https://espopova.com/home Connect with Kat at info@createmagazine.com and follow along at @createmagazine on Instagram. Submit to our current call for art: https://www.createmagazine.co/call-for-art

    14 min

  7. 5 APR

    The Secret Financial Lives of History's Most Famous Artists (Yes, Including the Illegal Stuff), with Mason Currey

    What does it actually take to make art and make a living at the same time? This week, Ekaterina Popova sits down with Mason Currey, author of the beloved Daily Rituals series and his brand new book, Making Art and Making a Living (Celadon Books), a rich, research-driven look at how artists across centuries have funded their creative lives. From day jobs and patrons to inheritances, government grants, and a few schemes that fall into grayer territory, Mason has compiled the stories so many of us have needed to hear. In this conversation, he and Kat explore why community matters more than most creatives realize, how constraints can actually be an artist's greatest asset, and the practical power of reverse engineering the career you actually want. If you have ever asked yourself whether you are doing this whole creative life thing right, this episode is your answer. Spoiler: you are in very good company. In this episode: Why community and creative scenes have always mattered more than solo genius How Mason's entire career grew from a blog post he wrote while procrastinating The surprising truth about artists who got everything they wanted, and still couldn't work Baudelaire, Whistler, and what history's most dramatic artistic money struggles can teach us about our own How to reverse engineer the career you want by studying the people who have it Why constraints, including financial ones, are often where the best work comes from The power of doing something, even a small, imperfect, DIY version of your vision Links and resources mentioned: Making Art and Making a Living by Mason Currey: https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250824523/makingartandmakingaliving/ Mason Currey's website and newsletter (Subtle Maneuvers): masonwcurrey.com Best American Essays series (mentioned by Mason as a career research tool) Work with Kat + explore Create! Magazine: Create! Magazine celebrates working artists through features, interviews, and juried open calls. Submit your work, explore available articles, and join the community at createmagazine.co. Ready to grow your art career with step-by-step guidance? Explore micro courses on marketing, sales, visibility, and more at www.createu.co Visit www.createmagazine.co and click Programs to learn more. Private mentorship and coaching with certified master coach, Ekaterina Popova https://espopova.com

    26 min

  8. 1 APR

    How to Climb Out of a Funk and Get Your Passion Back

    If you have been going through a funk, whether it is burnout, a creative slump, seasonal blues, or just feeling stuck, this episode is for you. Kat gets real about the challenges she faced this past winter, including some big personal changes, and shares the honest unglamorous things that helped her climb back out: taking care of her body, dropping what was not serving her, shifting her mindset around showing up, and finding people who cheer her on too. No toxic positivity here, just real talk and practical perspective for anyone ready to get back on track. Ready to stop navigating this alone? Kat works with working artists and creative entrepreneurs through private coaching at espopova.com. If you are ready to get back on track with someone genuinely in your corner, learn more and book a session at www.espopova.com.

    11 min
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About

The Create! Podcast (formerly Art & Cocktails) is your space for inspiration, encouragement, and practical insight at the intersection of contemporary art, creative business, and mindset. Hosted by artist, coach, and Create! Magazine founder Ekaterina Popova, the show is designed to help you grow your art career, expand your creative vision, and build a sustainable, joyful life. Through candid conversations with artists, entrepreneurs, writers, curators, and thought leaders—as well as empowering solo episodes—you'll find tools, ideas, and stories that remind you that life itself is your canvas, and you have the power to create a career and future that truly supports you. Find us at www.createmagazine.co/podcast — where the conversation about art and business starts.

Information

  • Creator
    Ekaterina Popova
  • Years Active
    2018 - 2026
  • Episodes
    442
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Create! Magazine LLC
  • Show Website
    The Create! Podcast

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