Creativity With Purpose

AnnMracek
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Creativity with Purpose is a podcast that celebrates the stories behind the art. Hosted by Ann M. Mracek, the show invites musicians, authors, craft artisans, and creative thinkers from all walks of life to share how their passions were born, what inspires their work, and how creativity shapes their journey. Each conversation goes beyond the finished piece to uncover the personal stories, challenges, and moments of discovery that give art its meaning. Listeners will hear about the sparks of inspiration, the perseverance required to bring ideas to life, and the ways creativity can heal, connect, and transform. From soulful music and powerful writing to handmade crafts and innovative projects, Creativity with Purpose explores the many forms creativity takes—and the impact it leaves on our lives and communities. Whether you’re an artist yourself or someone who simply loves to be inspired, this podcast will encourage you to embrace your own creative purpose.

  1. 1d ago

    Olypmis Insider Turns 20 Years at NBC Into A Thriller

    Free guided meditation: https://symphonyoftheself.com/free-meditation Find Your Frequency quiz: https://symphonyoftheself.com/frequency-quiz Symphony of Self: Compose Your Life: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0H2H8Y99C What happens when an Olympic insider writes a thriller? Joe Battaglia, a 2-time Sports Emmy winner, joins Ann Mracek on Creativity With Purpose, a creativity podcast for creatives who want their work to mean something. Joe spent more than 20 years producing coverage for NBC Olympics, including the Beijing and Sochi Games. In this episode, he talks about the athletes and moments he covered, and how that experience became his debut novel, Beneath the Rings. About Joe Battaglia Joe is a journalist, producer, and author with 3 decades in sports journalism. His work has earned 2 Sports Emmys, along with recognition from the International Sports Press Association, the Track & Field Writers of America, and the International Impact Book Awards. His books Beneath the Rings: A thriller set at the 2040 Summer Games, where athletes start disappearing and a conspiracy unfolds. The ABCs of Track & Field: A first alphabet book for preschoolers and early readers that introduces children to the sport and its history, with athletes such as Babe Didrikson Zaharias and Usain Bolt. Connect with Joe Battaglia Website: Booksbybattaglia.com Books are available at https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FTGJHVL4 About Creativity With Purpose Creativity With Purpose is hosted by Ann Mracek, composer, author, keynote speaker, and creator of Symphony of Self™. Each episode features people doing meaningful creative work. Learn more: https://symphonyofself.com Book is available at: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0H2H8Y99C

  2. Oct 29

    Why Your Grief Isn't Weakness

    Free guided meditation: https://symphonyoftheself.com/free-meditation Find Your Frequency quiz: https://symphonyoftheself.com/frequency-quiz Symphony of Self: Compose Your Life: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0H2H8Y99C Grief in leadership is the cost nobody talks about. Dr. Princess Millens, Leadership Grief Strategist and creator of the Whole-Soul EQ™ Framework, joins Ann Mracek on Creativity With Purpose to discuss the hidden cost of carrying everything. Many leaders, and women especially, carry grief, burnout, and unexpected loss without ever naming it. Dr. Millens created the Leadership Grief Gap™ model to explain the difference between what leaders show in public and what they carry in private. In this episode, you’ll hear [FILL IN: 2 or 3 specific topics from the conversation]. About Dr. Princess Millens Dr. Millens is a Leadership Grief Strategist, resilience educator, author, and educational consultant. She taught middle and high school math for nearly 20 years before moving into full-time grief and resilience work. She is the founder and CEO of Blessed and Beautiful International in Jonesboro, Georgia, and the author of The Cost of Carrying Everything: A Grief-Informed Path to Emotional Resilience, Clarity, and Sustainable Leadership. Connect with Dr. Princess Millens Book and author page: https://www.amazon.com/Princess-S-Millens/e/B091NC14MD LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/princessmillenseds About Creativity With Purpose Creativity With Purpose is hosted by Ann Mracek, composer, author, keynote speaker, and creator of Symphony of Self™. Each episode features people doing meaningful work in their field. #LeadershipGrief #WomenInLeadership #Burnout

  3. Oct 29

    Grief, Faith and Starting Over

    Free guided meditation: https://symphonyoftheself.com/free-meditation Find Your Frequency quiz: https://symphonyoftheself.com/frequency-quiz Symphony of Self: Compose Your Life: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0H2H8Y99C Marcia Regina Cook grew up without electricity on a small rural property in Brazil, where she was told she had no future. She kept dreaming anyway. On this episode of Creativity With Purpose, Ann Mracek talks with Marcia about adversity, faith, and what it takes to begin again. Marcia is an award-winning author, inspirational keynote speaker, and host of Dare to Dream with Marcia. She writes for people going through life transitions, rebuilding confidence, or wondering what comes next. Her message: your worth never left. It only went quiet. Her books include: “Dare to Dream with Eyes Wide Open,” on self-love, forgiveness, and taking the next step toward the life you want. “Hanging by a Thread: A Memoir of What Holds Us Together,” her story of childhood trauma, adoption, grief, immigration, and healing. “The Distance to Morning,” a novel about a lighting designer learning to live again after survival. “Learning to Share Tomorrow,” a conversation with an AI assistant about trust, privacy, faith, and keeping human connection at the center of new technology. MARCIA’S BOOKS Dare to Dream with Eyes Wide Open:www.amazon.com/dp/B0G2KGQYXT Hanging by a Thread: www.amazon.com/dp/B0HDSWK67F The Distance to Morning: www.amazon.com/dp/B0HP5S7PCF Learning to Share Tomorrow: www.amazon.com/dp/B0HPJ1LN92 (Coming out Nov 1, 2026) ABOUT THE SHOW Creativity With Purpose is hosted by composer, pianist, author, and keynote speaker Ann Mracek. Each episode features people who use their creativity to make a difference. Learn more: https://symphonyofself.com Subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/@annmracekofficialchannel #CreativityWithPurpose #MarciaReginaCook #DareToDream #Resilience #GriefAndHealing #WomensMemoir #StartingOver #AuthorInterview

  4. Oct 29

    How Do Musicians Get Heard

    Free guided meditation: https://symphonyoftheself.com/free-meditation Find Your Frequency quiz: https://symphonyoftheself.com/frequency-quiz Symphony of Self: Compose Your Life: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0H2H8Y99C How do independent musicians get heard? Lisa Eva Gold, host of The Sound of Gold radio show, joins Ann Mracek on Creativity With Purpose, a creativity podcast for creatives who want their work to mean something. On The Sound of Gold, Lisa handpicks her guests: independent musicians, music teachers, music venues, and music schools. She plays piano live during the show and talks openly about the challenges musicians face finding venues that pay for live music. In this episode, you’ll hear how music changes lives. About The Sound of Gold The Sound of Gold is a talk radio show for independent music artists and music teachers, covering music history and how to keep good music alive for future generations. It airs live Mondays at 4 PM ET / 1 PM PT on K4HD Radio, Hollywood Talk Radio, and the podcast version is available on Spotify, iHeartRadio, Amazon Music, Pandora, Audible, and more than 100 other outlets. About Lisa Eva Gold Lisa is a piano teacher, musician, actress, and author. She began piano, violin, dance, and singing lessons at age 5, has appeared in 4 seasons of Burn Notice and more than 16 independent films, and has published 8 books. She also serves on the board of a music teachers’ association in Palm Beach, Florida. Connect with Lisa Eva Gold Facebook: Lisa Eva Gold Website: https://justplayproductions.org Listen live: https://www.k4hd.com Podcast: https://www.talk4podcasting.com About Creativity With Purpose Creativity With Purpose is hosted by Ann Mracek, composer, author, keynote speaker, and creator of Symphony of Self™. Each episode features people doing meaningful creative work. Learn more: https://symphonyofself.com  https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0H2H8Y99C

  5. Sep 27

    Why Women Doubt Themselves

    Free guided meditation: https://symphonyoftheself.com/free-meditation Find Your Frequency quiz: https://symphonyoftheself.com/frequency-quiz Symphony of Self: Compose Your Life: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0H2H8Y99C Imposter syndrome wears on women's mental health and keeps capable women playing small. In this episode of Creativity With Purpose, I talk with Kemi Emmanuel, a British mental health nurse, former college principal, publisher, and author of The Woman in Red, about why women doubt themselves and how to lead anyway. We connect Kemi's work on women's leadership with the ideas in my book, Symphony of Self: Compose Your Life, including where self-doubt starts and how to change the story you tell yourself. In this conversation, you'll hear: - How imposter syndrome affects your mental health - What women's empowerment looks like in daily life  - Where self-doubt starts, and how Symphony of Self approaches it  ABOUT KEMI EMMANUEL Kemi is the founder of Kemi Emmanuel Publishing & Academy, where she helps authors, entrepreneurs, and professionals publish their stories. She hosts The Purpose Pathway Podcast and curates the BLOOM Summit for women in leadership. Her books include The Woman in Red, Money Skills for Teens Made Simple, Love Made This Happen, and Muna and Her Superhero Hair. Connect with Kemi: Website: https://www.kemiemmanuelacademy.com/ Books: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B0DCJ7RZCF LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/kemiemmanuelpublishing ABOUT ANN MRACEK Ann Mracek is a composer, pianist, author, and keynote speaker. Her book, Symphony of Self: Compose Your Life, uses the structure of music as a framework for personal change. Get the book: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0H2H8Y99C Free guided meditation: https://www. symphonyofself.com  This conversation is for education and inspiration. It isn't a substitute for care from a licensed mental health professional.

  6. Sep 27

    Why Does Trauma Keep Repeating

    Free guided meditation: https://symphonyoftheself.com/free-meditation Find Your Frequency quiz: https://symphonyoftheself.com/frequency-quiz Symphony of Self: Compose Your Life: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0H2H8Y99C Why do the same painful patterns keep showing up in your relationships, your work, and your money? Cassandra Love Lambert lived with C-PTSD for decades before she found EFT tapping. In this conversation, she shares what finally helped her stop repeating her past. Cassandra is a trauma-trained somatic coach, TV host, artist, and author of the memoir Into the Light: Becoming My Own Hero. She holds certifications in Clinical EFT, Brainspotting, and Somatic Attachment Therapy, and she leads a 10-week Pain into Power Process for women. In this episode of Creativity With Purpose, you'll learn: - What EFT (Emotional Freedom Techniques) is and how tapping works - How childhood trauma shows up years later in work, relationships, and finances - Why Cassandra combined EFT with Brainspotting and somatic work Content note: this conversation includes discussion of childhood abuse. Please watch with care. CONNECT WITH CASSANDRA Free consultation: https://www.cassandralovelambert.com Book: Into the Light: Becoming My Own Hero www.amazon/com/dp/  1917724020 CONNECT WITH ANN Symphony of Self: https://symphonyofself.com   Book: Symphony of Self: Compose Your Life www.amazon.com/dp/B0H2H8Y99C IF YOU NEED SUPPORT US: call or text 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline) RAINN National Sexual Assault Hotline: 800-656-4673 Outside the US: https://findahelpline.com This podcast is for education only and does not replace care from a licensed mental health professional.

  7. Sep 27

    3 Novels of Her Own

    Free guided meditation: https://symphonyoftheself.com/free-meditation Find Your Frequency quiz: https://symphonyoftheself.com/frequency-quiz Symphony of Self: Compose Your Life: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0H2H8Y99C Tanya Ross taught English, history, AVID, and student leadership for 32 years. After leaving the classroom, she wrote The Tranquility Series, 3 young adult novels: Rising Up, Facing Off, and Bleeding Out. Rising Up grew out of something she wanted for her readers and her students: a world where people are kind, compassionate, and upbeat. In this conversation, Tanya talks about writing for young adults, what 32 years of teaching writing taught her about doing it herself, and why she waited until after she retired to start. ABOUT TANYA ROSS Born and raised in San Diego County. Educator for 32 years, now a young adult novelist. When she isn't writing, she's reading, spending time with her husband and 2 kids, or walking her golden retriever. Website: http://www.tanyarossauthor.com/ THE TRANQUILITY SERIES Book 1: Rising Up | www.amazon.com/dp/B0GB54GMFW Book 2: Facing Off | www.amazon.com/dp/B08ZWPKPV6 Book 3: Bleeding Out | www.amazon.com/dp/B0CKB1T3TP Creativity With Purpose is hosted by Ann Mracek, composer, pianist, and author of Symphony of Self: Compose Your Life. Get the book: www.amazon.com/dp/B0H2H8Y99C Website: https://symphonyofself.com Booking and media: ann@annmracek.com

  8. Sep 27

    She Illustrated Her Late Husbands Sci-Fi Novel

    Free guided meditation: https://symphonyoftheself.com/free-meditation Find Your Frequency quiz: https://symphonyoftheself.com/frequency-quiz Symphony of Self: Compose Your Life: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0H2H8Y99C Ksenia Merck is an architect with more than 40 years in the field. She's also the artist behind the illustrations in Ghost Flower, the science fiction novel her late husband William F. Merck II wrote, and the author of the Ghost Flower Companion Journal. Ghost Flower is a story of space, time, and fate, where love carries across eras and human survival depends on connections that outlast them. Ksenia's illustrations give that scale a visual form. The companion journal adds quotes and questions that ask readers to reach their own conclusions. In this conversation, Ksenia talks about drawing a world someone else imagined, where her sketches come from, and what it takes to keep a creative life going next to a demanding career. Ghost Flower and the Companion Journal: https://www.merckiipress.com/ghost-flower All 3 of William's books: https://www.merckiipress.com/books Hosted by Ann Mracek, composer, pianist, and author of Symphony of Self: Compose Your Life. Get the book: www.amazon.com/dp/B0H2H8Y99C Website: https://symphonyofself.com Booking and media: ann@annmracek.com

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About

Creativity with Purpose is a podcast that celebrates the stories behind the art. Hosted by Ann M. Mracek, the show invites musicians, authors, craft artisans, and creative thinkers from all walks of life to share how their passions were born, what inspires their work, and how creativity shapes their journey. Each conversation goes beyond the finished piece to uncover the personal stories, challenges, and moments of discovery that give art its meaning. Listeners will hear about the sparks of inspiration, the perseverance required to bring ideas to life, and the ways creativity can heal, connect, and transform. From soulful music and powerful writing to handmade crafts and innovative projects, Creativity with Purpose explores the many forms creativity takes—and the impact it leaves on our lives and communities. Whether you’re an artist yourself or someone who simply loves to be inspired, this podcast will encourage you to embrace your own creative purpose.

Information

  • Creator
    AnnMracek
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    54
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2025 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    Creativity With Purpose