Create-Today with Beth Buffington

Beth Buffington

Whether you see yourself as a seasoned artist, or you’re just starting to dip your toes into creativity, this podcast is here to show you how YOUR creativity can benefit your mental health, personal growth, and even professional success. Cool, right? Think of me (Beth Buffington) as your companion on a creative journey to unlock the magic of creativity in your day-to-day. I’ll be here, sharing stories, chatting with other creatives in the know, sharing tips, and laughs as we explore the real-world perks of getting and staying creative. Tune in, and let's journey into the wonderful world of creativity together!

  1. E107 - Happiness & Health (today and tomorrow): The Compound Effect of Creativity

    3D AGO

    E107 - Happiness & Health (today and tomorrow): The Compound Effect of Creativity

    What if just a few minutes of creativity a day could shape your future happiness, health, and resilience? In this episode of Create Today with Beth Buffington, we explore the powerful idea of creative deposits—tiny, consistent creative actions that quietly compound into long-term wellbeing for “future you.” You’ll discover: • Why small creative habits matter more than occasional big projects • How creativity today supports tomorrow’s emotional health, stress reduction, and resilience • The neuroscience behind creative consistency and brain wellbeing • How daily creativity creates an upward spiral of mood, motivation, and mental clarity • Simple, low-pressure ideas for creative deposits you can start today • Why consistency—not talent—is the real secret to creative wellbeing • How present-you can actively support the wellbeing of future-you This episode is an invitation to stop waiting for “more time” or “more inspiration”—and start building your wellbeing through creativity that fits into real life. ✨ Your future self will thank you. Join my Sylva Sessions Creative Wellness Membership:
https://www.bdi-create.today/offers/TYb6qQtg/checkout Register for Create-Today Workshops!
https://www.bdi-create.today/workshop-events-calendar Tutorials and other resources at Create-Today:
https://www.bdi-create.today/almost-free-resources The Create-Today Home Page:
https://www.bdi-create.today Timeline:00:00 Introduction to Creative Deposits 00:41 The Power of Small Creative Actions 02:02 Understanding Creative Deposits 04:19 The Science Behind Creativity 07:31 Benefits of Creative Deposits 09:29 Implementing Creative Deposits 12:28 Creative Consistency and Community 17:02 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

    19 min
  2. Understanding Your Past, Present, and Future Self – Makes You Healthier, Happier, and More Successful ⭐

    12/25/2025

    Understanding Your Past, Present, and Future Self – Makes You Healthier, Happier, and More Successful ⭐

    To Succeed —You need to understand YOUR past, present and future spirits. Creativity isn’t just self-expression—it’s a powerful path to health and happiness.
 In this special holiday episode, Beth explores how understanding your creative
past, present, and future can change how you feel—and how you live —and how you succeed. Learn more about how you can CREATE-TODAY: https://www.bdi-create.today/ Your creativity is powerful: What if one of the most effective ways to feel healthier, happier, and more successful is to better understand yourself—who you’ve been, who you are now, and who you’re becoming? In this holiday-inspired episode of Create Today, Beth shares how creativity supports emotional wellbeing, confidence, resilience, and meaningful personal growth. This reflective conversation helps you reconnect with your creative identity—not as pressure or productivity, but as a form of self-care and self-trust and paths to your goals. In this episode, you’ll discover: 🌿 Why understanding your creative past builds confidence and emotional resilience 🧠 How reflecting on small creative wins improves mental health and self-worth 💛 The connection between creativity, happiness, and long-term wellbeing ⏳ What guarding your creativity may be costing your health and joy 🎯 How turning dreams into goals creates momentum and reduces overwhelm 🚫 Five common mindset traps that quietly block success and fulfillment ☕ A powerful visualization: meeting your future self and learning what truly matters ✨ Why creativity is not extra—it’s essential to a balanced, healthy life This episode is a gentle invitation to slow down, reflect, and choose a more nourishing creative path forward— to a better you. 00:00 Welcome and Holiday Reflections 01:13 The Influence of 'A Christmas Carol' 07:07 Exploring Creativity Past 17:16 Embracing Creativity Present 22:56 Envisioning Creativity Yet to Come 33:53 Meeting Your Future Creative Self 36:40 Final Thoughts and Holiday Wishes Offerings at BDI Create Today
 The Create-Today Membership & Coaching:
https://www.bdi-create.today/membership_coaching Register to Create-Today Workshops!
https://www.bdi-create.today/workshop-events-calendar Register for “Learn the Art of Procreate”
https://www.bdi-create.today/courses Tutorials and other resources at Create-Today:
https://www.bdi-create.today/almost-free-resources

    38 min
  3. E105 - Mini Creations That Calm Stress

    12/18/2025

    E105 - Mini Creations That Calm Stress

    Mini Creations That Calm Stress Feeling overwhelmed or mentally exhausted? What if calming your stress didn’t require hours of meditation or expensive solutions — just a few creative minutes? In this episode of Create Today, Beth Buffington explores how tiny creative acts can gently calm your nervous system and help you build real emotional resilience. Stress doesn’t usually arrive all at once — it accumulates quietly in the body and mind. In Episode 105, Beth shares how mini-creations — small, pressure-free creative moments — can help interrupt stress, settle anxious thoughts, and restore a sense of calm. This episode is a reminder that creativity doesn’t have to be big to be powerful. What You’ll Learn in This Episode • Why daily stress often lingers in the nervous system • What emotional resilience really means (and what it doesn’t) • How brief creative activity can help lower stress hormones • Why creativity works even when you only have a few minutes • Simple, approachable mini-creation ideas anyone can try • How small creative moments help retrain your stress response over time • Why creativity is one of the most accessible forms of self-care Timing of this episode: 00:00 Introduction to Creative Stress Relief02:14 The Power of Mini Creations04:45 Understanding Resilience06:46 Scientific Backing of Creativity10:54 Practical Mini Creation Ideas20:31 Long-term Benefits of Mini Creations22:17 Final Thoughts and Encouragement Create-Today Offerings:
This episode is sponsored by Sylva Sessions, the Creative Wellness Membership. Sylva Sessions is a supportive space where creativity and wellbeing meet. We explore how creativity supports emotional health through the 3 C’s: Core Care – movement, nourishment, rest Creative Care – creativity as a tool for calm and resilience Community Care – connection that strengthens wellbeing Sylva Sessions meets twice a month to reflect, share, and practice creative wellness together.
Here’s the link to join Sylva Sessions:
https://www.bdi-create.today/offers/TYb6qQtg/checkout Create-Today Membership & Workshops 
https://www.bdi-create.today/
Discover more creative excitement is available now —and next!

    24 min
  4. E104 - How 10 Minutes in Nature Will Unlock Your Creativity

    12/11/2025

    E104 - How 10 Minutes in Nature Will Unlock Your Creativity

    Learn more about being healthy and happy using your creativity!Visit:https://www.bdi-create.today/ If you’ve ever felt stuck, tired, or creatively drained — this episode may be the simplest, most useful creative reset you try all year. You'll discover how just 10 minutes in nature can shift your mindset, refresh your energy, and open space for breakthrough ideas. 🌿 In this episode you’ll discover: • Why walking — even just a few minutes — activates divergent thinking, giving you more creative ideas than sitting ever could. • How exposure to nature acts as a gentle “reset button” for your brain, restoring attention and mental energy so creativity can bloom. • Emotional and mental-health boosts from being outdoors — lower stress, improve your mood, provide clearer focus and breakthrough ideas. • Why a 10-minute nature “reset break” can interrupt stuck or repetitive thinking and expand your mental field — making room for fresh, unexpected ideas. • Five practical ways to integrate short outdoor sessions into your creative life: micro-nature breaks, mindful walking, nature-inspired prompts, creative incubation, and idea retrieval rituals. • A guided 10-minute “Outdoor Creativity Reset” you can do with Beth— today. Whether you’re a painter, writer, creator, entrepreneur, crafter, or any type of creative —this episode shows you how to tap into nature as your easiest, most trustworthy creative collaborator. ✨ Want ongoing support for your creative wellness?
 Check out Sylva Sessions, our twice-monthly membership — a gentle, soulful space designed to help you nourish your creative spirit, care for yourself, and build community with like-hearted artists and makers.
Link to register for Sylva Sessions: 👉 http://bdi-create.today/sylvasessions Or go to https://www.bdi-create.today/ 00:00 Introduction: Overcoming Creative Blocks00:48 A Metaphor for Creative Blocks02:56 The Power of Movement and Nature06:13 Scientific Evidence Supporting Nature Walks09:47 Personal Experience: A Walk with Bentley13:29 Practical Tips for Creative Walks16:54 Guided Creative Walking Meditation27:37 Conclusion: Embrace Nature for Creativity

    31 min
  5. E103 - Your Brain on Creativity: The Stress-Relief Paths You Should be Using - with Guest Diane Dreher

    12/04/2025

    E103 - Your Brain on Creativity: The Stress-Relief Paths You Should be Using - with Guest Diane Dreher

    Your Brain on Creativity: The Stress-Relief Paths You Should be Using - with Guest Diane Dreher When life feels heavy, hectic, or overwhelming — your creativity show you paths to solve problems and find answers. In this heartfelt conversation with psychologist, author, and coach Diane Dreher, we explore how art, writing, movement, meditation, and inner work become powerful tools for self-care, mental health, and deep well-being. What you’ll discover in this episode: • A glimpse into Diane’s new book “Pathways to Inner Peace” with an explanation of the 9 pathways you can use through your creativity to create opportunities, find balance and reduce stress. • Creativity isn’t a luxury. It’s a vital self-care resource for emotional health, resilience, and inner peace. • How creativity helps release stress, process emotions, and restore balance when you feel depleted. • The surprising ways creative expression builds self-esteem, clarity, and a sense of purpose — especially when combined with mindful practices. • Practical ideas and gentle exercises to weave creativity into everyday life — even when time, energy, or motivation feels thin. • How integrating creative care + self-care + inner growth supports not just your art, but your mental and spiritual health (the kind of care Diane calls “personal renaissance”). If you’ve ever wondered if your sketches, journaling, or little creative experiments “really matter” — this episode will show you: yes. They matter deeply. They might even be what saves you. ✨ Ready for ongoing support for your creative wellness?
Check out Sylva Sessions, our twice-monthly membership is a gentle, soulful spaceto help you nourish your creative spirit, care for yourself, and build community with like-hearted artists and makers.
👉 http://bdi-create.today/sylvasessions Or go to https://www.bdi-create.today/ Find out more about Diane Dreher:
 Amazon link to Diane’s new book “Pathways to Inner Peace” Diane’s Website: https://www.dianedreher.com/ 00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction 01:08 Diane's Journey and Renaissance Inspiration 03:09 The Concept of Calling and Creativity 04:44 Challenges and Overcoming Adversity 12:26 The Role of Nature and Creativity15:49 Morning Rituals and Meditation 21:21 Building Confidence and Overcoming Obstacles 29:03 Discovering Your Calling and Creativity 29:33 Managing Stress and Finding Solutions 32:00 The Power of Community and Connection 33:50 Introducing 'Pathways to Inner Peace' 34:13 Nine Pathways to Greater Peace 35:05 Mindful Presence and Simple Practices 36:58 Building Community Through Micro Moments 39:21 Meditation and Mantra Practices 40:42 Kindness, Purpose, and Intuition 48:14 The Pathway of Joy and Happiness Habits 52:22 Concluding Thoughts and Gratitude

    57 min
  6. E102 - Creative Rituals Heal Winter Blues and Holiday Stress

    11/27/2025

    E102 - Creative Rituals Heal Winter Blues and Holiday Stress

    Creative Rituals Heal Winter Blues and Holiday Stress Winter & the Holiday Season don't have to drain your energy or dim your spirit! Discover how simple acts of creativity can actually lift your mood, calm your mind, and bring joy back into your days during the dark nights of Winter. In this episode, Beth Buffington shares the science-backed reasons why making art (or doing a creative hobby or even a DIY project) — even for five minutes a day — reduces stress, lowers anxiety, and helps you thrive through the holiday hustle and dark winter months. If you’ve been feeling overwhelmed, tired, or disconnected from yourself, this episode will show you exactly how creativity can become your winter lifeline. Amazing Facts About Winter Creativity: • Creativity lowers stress hormones and shifts your brain out of fight-or-flight into calm regulation. • Why winter and holiday seasons increase overwhelm — and how consistent small creative acts help your mind recover and reset. • The emotional + neurological benefits of art, knitting, collage, journaling, baking, singing, and more! • How five minutes of daily sketching changed Beth’s emotional happiness. • How creative rituals improve emotional intelligence, helping you process feelings, reduce anxiety, and bounce back faster during stressful seasons. • Five guidelines for starting a winter creative practice that you'll enjoy doing daily!  • Five simple creative rituals you can begin now — even if you're overwhelmed, or unsure where to start. • Why small, imperfect creative moments matter more than big artistic achievements. • How creativity strengthens the brain and improves overall wellbeing. In this episode you’ll discover important mindset shifts you need to thrive during this winter (and the holiday season) instead of just surviving it. 00:00 Introduction: Embracing Winter's Challenges 01:15 The Power of Creativity 02:12 Personal Story: Finding Solace in Art 05:53 Science Behind Creativity and Wellbeing 10:04 Guidelines for a Creative Winter Practice 19:42 Creating a Cozy Creative Space 22:48 Movement and Creativity 26:25 Reflecting and Embracing the Season 28:00 Conclusion Let Your Creativity Shine Sylva Sessions Creative Wellness Membership If you’re craving a soft, supportive place to nurture your creativity and wellbeing this winter, join Sylva Sessions — Beth Buffington + Lisa Murphy’s twice-a-month creative wellness membership.
 If you want more joy, more grounding, and a creative community to walk through winter with you… You’re invited.
 👉 http://bdi-create.today/sylvasessions For more creative ways to "Create-Today"  https://www.bdi-create.today/

    32 min
  7. E101 - It’s never too late. As long as you’re alive, you can create.

    11/20/2025

    E101 - It’s never too late. As long as you’re alive, you can create.

    Suzi K Edwards Reinvented Her Creative Life (And How You Can Too) Ever wondered how many creative lives one person can live?
 Suzi K Edwards has reinvented herself again and again — And her story will change how you see your own creativity. In this episode, author, illustrator, public artist, and former fashion designer Suzi K Edwards joins Beth to explore the winding, exciting path of her amazing creative life. From the fashion houses of New York… to public mosaics… to children’s books illustrated entirely in Procreate… Suzi’s story is a testament to courage, curiosity, and starting again. Whether you’re a new creative, a late bloomer, a busy creative with little time, or someone craving the confidence to make something new—this conversation will lift you. 🎧 Listen now and rediscover what’s possible in your creative life. In this episode:
• How Suzi moved from fashion design → yoga → mosaics → children’s books
• Why synchronicity plays a powerful role in creativity
• How Procreate sparked a new creative chapter
• The truth about confidence (and why it’s built in community)
• How dogs, empathy, and compassion shape Suzi’s books
• Why “creativity is godliness”
• Encouragement for creatives at any age or season 📚 Learn more about Suzi K Edwards:
Website: SuziKEdwards.com
Instagram: @SuziKEdwards1
TikTok: @SuziKEdwards
The Doggos Series — available on Amazon Join Beth for more creativity! Join Sylva Sessions: https://www.bdi-create.today/sylva-retreat Come Create-Today with Beth: https://www.bdi-create.today/ 00:00 Welcome and Introduction to Special Guest Susie K Edwards 01:37 Susie K Edwards' Early Life and Career Beginnings 03:05 The Journey to New York and Breakthrough in Fashion 07:13 Transition from Fashion to Public Art and Personal Life 11:04 Creating Children's Books and the Doggos Series 17:18 The Magic of Procreate and Digital Illustration 19:38 Family Legacy and Self-Publishing Journey 21:45 Final Thoughts and Reflections 22:50 Overcoming Childhood Challenges 25:15 Finding Confidence Through Creativity 25:59 The Importance of Community and Support 29:35 Embracing Creativity at Any Age 32:13 Practical Steps to Start Creating 37:14 Current Projects and Future Plans 42:46 Final Thoughts and Encouragement

    46 min
  8. E100 - The world needs your creativity today - here's why!

    11/13/2025

    E100 - The world needs your creativity today - here's why!

    ✨ 100 Episodes of Creative Health and Happiness! ✨
Today, we’re celebrating 100 episodes of Create Today with Beth Buffington! This is a heartfelt milestone built on a simple truth:
Creativity isn’t a luxury. It’s a lifeline. In this joyful, soul-nourishing episode, Beth shares a powerful message about why your creativity matters now more than ever.” You’ll discover why making, doodling, painting, writing, or simply playing creatively isn’t frivolous — it’s vital self-care for your mind, body, and soul. 💛 Join the celebration, reflect on your own creative journey, and learn how giving yourself grace to create can heal, restore, and ripple out to change the world. In This Episode your discover: • Why creativity belongs alongside sleep, nutrition, and movement as a pillar of wellbeing • How small acts of creativity calm the mind and regulate the nervous system • Why giving yourself grace to create is a radical act of self-kindness • How your creativity ripples outward — healing you and inspiring others • The real reason the world needs your imperfect, human, beautiful art • A special invitation to join the Sylva Sessions, a creative renewal experience with Beth and Lisa Murphy Listen and Celebrate with Beth! 🍰🎨 100 episodes means 100 reminders about why your creativity matters.
 Keep shining your light, making your art, and showing up for yourself — one imperfect, beautiful act of creation at a time. 🎧 Listen now, then share this episode with a creative friend who needs a little encouragement to Create Today! How to join Beth for more creativity! Register for Sylva Sessions: https://www.bdi-create.today/sylva-retreat Come Create-Today with Beth: https://www.bdi-create.today/ 00:00 Introduction and Milestone Celebration 01:27 The Importance of Creativity 01:54 Inspirational Story: Amy McNee's TED Talk 03:26 Creativity as a Pillar of Health 04:48 Overcoming Guilt and Embracing Creativity 06:47 Scientific Benefits of Creativity 07:25 Sponsor Message: Sylva Sessions 09:55 Celebrating the Listener's Role 11:03 The Power of Grace in Creativity 13:56 Creativity's Ripple Effect 17:30 Encouragement to Create Imperfectly 20:12 Final Thoughts and Future Episodes

    25 min

Trailer

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
13 Ratings

About

Whether you see yourself as a seasoned artist, or you’re just starting to dip your toes into creativity, this podcast is here to show you how YOUR creativity can benefit your mental health, personal growth, and even professional success. Cool, right? Think of me (Beth Buffington) as your companion on a creative journey to unlock the magic of creativity in your day-to-day. I’ll be here, sharing stories, chatting with other creatives in the know, sharing tips, and laughs as we explore the real-world perks of getting and staying creative. Tune in, and let's journey into the wonderful world of creativity together!

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