The Unbound Creative

Valerie & Mak McKeehan
  • 5.0 (58)
  • SELF-IMPROVEMENT
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

A podcast for creatives who refuse to be boxed in. Hosted by husband-and-wife duo Mak and Valerie McKeehan, The Unbound Creative is where creativity meets rebellion. This isn't just another "how-to" podcast—it's a rallying cry for artists, entrepreneurs, and dreamers who are tired of playing by the rules. Through candid conversations, personal stories, and deep dives into the mindset and mechanics of creative living, Mak and Valerie challenge the narratives that keep creatives stuck. Whether you're an artist, writer, musician, business owner, or just someone who knows there’s more inside you waiting to break free, this podcast will give you the tools, inspiration, and courage to step into your fullest creative potential. No more waiting for permission. No more playing small. It’s time to unleash your creativity—boldly, unapologetically, and unbound. Follow now and join the movement.  @valeriemckeehan & @thatmakguy on instagram

  1. 10/14/2025

    What It Really Means to Be Free in Your Art

    What does it really mean to be free as an artist? In this conversation, Mak and Valerie explore the tension between mastery and play, the discipline that builds skill, and the surrender that opens the soul. They unpack how both are essential, how each feeds the other, and why real creative freedom is not about choosing one side but learning to hold both. It is an honest and reflective look at what happens when you stop trying to get it right and start listening to what your creativity and your life actually need. Mentioned in this episode: Magic MakersThanks for listening to The UnBound Creative! If today’s episode resonated with you, share it with a friend or leave us a review, it helps more creatives discover the show. 💌 Connect with us on Instagram: @valeriemckeehan & @thatmakguy (that’s Mak with a K!) Keep creating bravely. We’re so glad you’re here.

    45 min

  2. 10/03/2025

    Stop Saying This If You Want to Thrive

    You’ve probably said this phrase hundreds of times. You’ve definitely heard it. It’s woven into how we talk about work, success, and creativity... but what if it’s been quietly stealing your joy all along? In this episode, Mak and Valerie pull back the curtain on a cultural belief that keeps so many creatives stuck in struggle. They share why this mindset feels noble on the surface but actually creates shame, burnout, and self-doubt… and what to replace it with instead. If you’ve ever wondered why you feel guilty for doing what comes easily, or why joy feels “less valuable” than struggle, this conversation will feel like freedom. It’s time to delete this phrase from your vocabulary and reclaim the delight you were meant to create from. Thanks for listening to The UnBound Creative! If today’s episode resonated with you, share it with a friend or leave us a review, it helps more creatives discover the show. 💌 Connect with us on Instagram: @valeriemckeehan & @thatmakguy (that’s Mak with a K!) Keep creating bravely. We’re so glad you’re here.

    33 min

  3. 05/19/2025

    The Lie You Likely Believe… That’s Costing You Everything

    You’ve likely believed this lie without even realizing it, and it’s keeping you stuck. In this episode, we’re exposing the narrative that’s been holding creatives back for generations and replacing it with something far more powerful. Thanks for listening to The UnBound Creative! If today’s episode resonated with you, share it with a friend or leave us a review, it helps more creatives discover the show. 💌 Connect with us on Instagram: @valeriemckeehan & @thatmakguy (that’s Mak with a K!) Keep creating bravely. We’re so glad you’re here.

    52 min

  4. 05/05/2025

    Delight Is Not a Luxury - It’s Your Superpower

    In Episode 10 of The UnBound Creative, Valerie and Mak celebrate their milestone by diving into a quietly radical idea: delight as a wayfinder. We live in a world that values hustle, productivity, and achievement, and yet, so many of us feel lost or disconnected. What if the missing piece isn’t more effort, but more delight? In this deeply reflective and joy-sparking conversation, you’ll learn: Why delight is not frivolous, but one of your most powerful creative toolsThe difference between false and true delight (and how to tell which one you’re following)How small glimmers of joy can be clues to your next big moveWhy “figuring it out” is less effective than being open, present, and attunedHow to start noticing (and trusting) what lights you up, even in the smallest waysIf you’ve been waiting for permission to soften, pause, and listen to what’s truly calling you, this is it. Thanks for listening to The UnBound Creative! If today’s episode resonated with you, share it with a friend or leave us a review, it helps more creatives discover the show. 💌 Connect with us on Instagram: @valeriemckeehan & @thatmakguy (that’s Mak with a K!) Keep creating bravely. We’re so glad you’re here.

    38 min

  5. 04/28/2025

    5 Ways to Beat Overthinking Today

    Overthinking kills creativity, and it happens faster than you realize. In this episode, we unpack how fear often disguises itself as "preparation" and why it smothers your best ideas before they have a chance to grow. You will learn five simple ways to catch overthinking early, trust your creative spark, and take action before fear takes over. If you have ever gotten stuck in research, comparison, or second-guessing before you even start, this episode is for you. Get ready to move forward, trust the delight, and create with courage. Your magic, and the world, are waiting. Thanks for listening to The UnBound Creative! If today’s episode resonated with you, share it with a friend or leave us a review, it helps more creatives discover the show. 💌 Connect with us on Instagram: @valeriemckeehan & @thatmakguy (that’s Mak with a K!) Keep creating bravely. We’re so glad you’re here.

    37 min

  6. 04/22/2025

    What Everyone Else Is Doing (And Why You Shouldn’t)

    We’re getting honest in this one. So many creatives feel stuck, not because they aren’t talented or motivated, but because they’re silently following the rules everyone else is following. The ones that say: “Be practical. Play it safe. Stick to the plan.” In this episode, we unpack why that mindset is stifling your creativity. We explore left-brain vs. right-brain thinking, the pressure to conform, and how school and culture train us to fear failure and abandon joy. Valerie shares insights from Beyond Anxiety by Martha Beck, and Mak opens up about what it’s like to be labeled “rebellious” just for thinking differently. This is your permission slip to question the shoulds, trust what lights you up, and start living creatively...on your terms. Whether you’re just getting started or deep in a creative rut, this episode will feel like a breath of fresh air. 🎧 Press play. Make the mess. And stop doing what everyone else is doing. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why following the crowd can kill your creativityHow left-brain thinking fuels anxiety and what to do insteadWhy rebellion is often a sign of creative strengthHow school and culture condition us to fear failureThe power of starting messy without a five-year planHow to trust your own creative instincts—even when they go against the normThanks for listening to The UnBound Creative! If today’s episode resonated with you, share it with a friend or leave us a review, it helps more creatives discover the show. 💌 Connect with us on Instagram: @valeriemckeehan & @thatmakguy (that’s Mak with a K!) Keep creating bravely. We’re so glad you’re here.

    40 min

  7. 04/09/2025

    Creative Catastrophe: The Christmas Train That Broke Me

    A true story of public failure, creative heartbreak, and the unexpected path to redemption. This is the most vulnerable, raw, and unforgettable story we’ve told on the podcast so far. In this extended episode, Mak shares the real-life tale of a Christmas train festival gone spectacularly wrong; complete with crushed dreams, media headlines, lawsuits, and a moment that nearly broke him. It's a story of public failure, creative heartbreak, and the surprising redemption that came on the other side. We know this episode is a bit longer than usual, but if you’ve ever chased a big creative dream, risked it all, or wondered if failure means the end — this is one you need to hear. 🔍 What’s inside: 00:00 – The promise we made in Episode 6 03:00 – How failure becomes part of your story 08:45 – The Christmas train begins 16:00 – Going all in on the dream 25:00 – When things start to unravel 33:00 – Public fallout, lawsuits, and heartbreak 45:00 – What came after: rebuilding, redemption, and lessons learned 1:06:00 – Why your worst moments might be working in your favor This one’s for the dreamers. For the ones who’ve dared greatly. For anyone who’s ever failed loudly and still wondered if they’re meant for more. Thanks for listening to The UnBound Creative! If today’s episode resonated with you, share it with a friend or leave us a review, it helps more creatives discover the show. 💌 Connect with us on Instagram: @valeriemckeehan & @thatmakguy (that’s Mak with a K!) Keep creating bravely. We’re so glad you’re here.

    1h 21m

  8. 04/07/2025

    Fear of Failure: Why It’s Stopping You (and What to Do Instead)

    In this emotionally rich and deeply honest episode of The UnBound Creative, Valerie and Mak explore one of the most universal experiences in creative life: failure. They dive into why fear of failure keeps so many creatives stuck, and offer mindset shifts, emotional tools, and gentle practices for moving through it. They discuss: How our brains are wired to avoid risk and how that shows up creativelyThe real meaning behind failure and why it’s rarely finalWhat to do when success brings new fearsWhy emotional processing like crying, journaling, and feeling deeply is part of a creative lifePractical ways to support yourself in moments of failure, including creating a “failure plan” and using music as a toolThe beauty of becoming through failure, and how it shapes who you areThis episode is a permission slip to begin. Whether you’ve failed and are struggling to get back up, or you’ve been too afraid to start at all, this conversation will help you reframe the fear and start walking forward—one imperfect, courageous step at a time. Thanks for listening to The UnBound Creative! If today’s episode resonated with you, share it with a friend or leave us a review, it helps more creatives discover the show. 💌 Connect with us on Instagram: @valeriemckeehan & @thatmakguy (that’s Mak with a K!) Keep creating bravely. We’re so glad you’re here.

    54 min
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About

A podcast for creatives who refuse to be boxed in. Hosted by husband-and-wife duo Mak and Valerie McKeehan, The Unbound Creative is where creativity meets rebellion. This isn't just another "how-to" podcast—it's a rallying cry for artists, entrepreneurs, and dreamers who are tired of playing by the rules. Through candid conversations, personal stories, and deep dives into the mindset and mechanics of creative living, Mak and Valerie challenge the narratives that keep creatives stuck. Whether you're an artist, writer, musician, business owner, or just someone who knows there’s more inside you waiting to break free, this podcast will give you the tools, inspiration, and courage to step into your fullest creative potential. No more waiting for permission. No more playing small. It’s time to unleash your creativity—boldly, unapologetically, and unbound. Follow now and join the movement.  @valeriemckeehan & @thatmakguy on instagram

Information

  • Creator
    Valerie & Mak McKeehan
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2025
  • Episodes
    62
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025 Valerie McKeehan
  • Show Website
    The Unbound Creative