32 episodes

Dear Creative Soul is a podcast for creatives, artists, and the creatively curious. Walking a creative path takes a great amount of courage and it can sometimes feel lonely. It’s easy to get caught in comparison, fear, and lose yourself along the way. Each episode is like a love letter to your heart, filled with honest stories and gentle encouragement. Every week, your host, internationally recognized artist, author and teacher, Valerie McKeehan, helps you come home to yourself, who you are made to be, and the beauty you’re meant to bring to the world. Follow Valerie @valeriemckeehan on Instagram, subscribe to the Dear Creative Soul Podcast and share the show with a creative soul who needs to hear it.

Dear Creative Soul Valerie McKeehan

    • Education
    • 5.0 • 53 Ratings

Dear Creative Soul is a podcast for creatives, artists, and the creatively curious. Walking a creative path takes a great amount of courage and it can sometimes feel lonely. It’s easy to get caught in comparison, fear, and lose yourself along the way. Each episode is like a love letter to your heart, filled with honest stories and gentle encouragement. Every week, your host, internationally recognized artist, author and teacher, Valerie McKeehan, helps you come home to yourself, who you are made to be, and the beauty you’re meant to bring to the world. Follow Valerie @valeriemckeehan on Instagram, subscribe to the Dear Creative Soul Podcast and share the show with a creative soul who needs to hear it.

    Talking Perfectionism and Jealousy

    Talking Perfectionism and Jealousy

    We've been going through The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron in my membership, The Magic Makers. I've been going live on our Facebook community each week to discuss each chapter of the 12-week journey. It has been incredible! This episode includes the audio from one of the Facebook lives. 


    It covers Week 7 in the Artist's Way and we talk a lot about overcoming perfectionism and jealousy. I hope you enjoy the discussion and that it gives fuel to your creative soul!  


    For more information about my membership and becoming a Magic Maker, learn more here: https://valeriemckeehan.com/membership/

    • 59 min
    For The Stressed-Out Creative

    For The Stressed-Out Creative

    Many people talk about creativity or having a creative outlet as a stress-reliever. This can certainly be true, however, what happens when your creativity does just the opposite? 

    When you're stressed out about creating art and your body is sent into flight or fight mode? 

    It's something I think we need to talk about more. In this case, creativity becomes a poison, dripping cortisol into your body, when it should be a life-giving medicine. It can be medicine. In this episode, we'll discuss what happens when you're a stressed-out creative and ways to help. 

    • 30 min
    Turn the Lights Back On

    Turn the Lights Back On

    For the first time in decades, Billy Joel released new music. After listening to the single, I had so many thoughts. Thoughts about creativity, courage, pressure, and succumbing to the praise of others. I asked Mak to join me again on the podcast to have this spontaneous conversation! We talk about the universal fear of creatives, how to decipher your fear, how to build creative resilience, become authentically yourself, and much more. 


    Listen to Billy Joel's new single: https://open.spotify.com/track/1KTemUlHzS0SvVtTjY1NTw?si=2a59b6d224a94878


    Learn about the Magic of Soft Pastel Online Course: https://valeriemckeehan.com/the-magic-of-soft-pastel-on-demand/


    Join the Magic Makers Membership: https://valeriemckeehan.com/membership/

    • 56 min
    What Do You Really Want?

    What Do You Really Want?

    Happy New Year!

    With a new year comes all the talk about setting goals and resolutions. There's a better way of tapping into what you desire and making it happen. It all boils down to the question: how do you want to FEEL?

    In this episode, we talk about letting yourself dream, how to discover what it is you really want, a new way to create a vision board, and a helpful, but simple exercise for feeling your best self each day this year.

    If you want to kick off your 2024 as part of a creative community, feeling inspired, encouraged, and supported, join me in the Magic Makers Membership!

    There is a special trial offer happening to try it out during the month of January! DM me on Instagram @valeriemckeehan and I will send you the details.

    https://valeriemckeehan.com/membership/

    • 25 min
    When You Don't Have Time For Your Art

    When You Don't Have Time For Your Art

    When life gets busy, art is often the first thing to go. I wish this wasn't the case, but what I do know is that heaping on guilt is not the answer! In this episode, I'm sharing a pep talk I recorded for those in my membership community. You'll find encouragement for when you're feeling frustrated and disconnected from your art, especially now as we near Christmas.

    Christmas special!

    You can receive two free months in the Magic Makers Membership as part of your Magic of Soft Pastel On-Demand Course enrollment!

    Plus, save $50 off the course using code: MYCREATIVEYEAR

    Every time I've followed my creative promptings it has led to good things - like pieces of my heart that I didn't even know were lost coming back, making me feel more ME. I believe the same is true for you.

    If you're feeling a tug to express yourself in a new way, delve deeper into your art…these feelings are there for a reason.

    You have beauty to offer. I am passionate about helping you bring it to life.
    Check out the course at: valeriemckeehan.com/coursesCheck out the Magic Makers Membership at: valeriemckeehan.com/membershipMake 2024 your creative year!

    • 16 min
    Chloe Minyon on Finding Creative Authenticity

    Chloe Minyon on Finding Creative Authenticity

    I am thrilled to be joined on the podcast today by my friend, artist, creative entrepreneur, and coach, Chloe Minyon. 
    This candid and vulnerable conversation was part of a live virtual retreat held for members of my Magic Makers Membership! We discuss creative authenticity, how there's always more going on behind the scenes of creative businesses, the pressure of being a full-time artist, knowing when to pivot, how to find your people, and so much goodness for your creative soul. 
    I hope you enjoy!

    You can see more of Chloe's work and purchase The Clear Mind Journal here: 
    https://www.englishteapaperie.com/


    Join the Magic Makers Membership! A supportive, creative artist community to help you tap into your creative genius and live a life filled with beauty and meaning. 
    https://valeriemckeehan.com/membership/


    About Chloe Minyon:
    As an artist, designer, and post-burnout creative, Chloe believes designing a beautiful life begins with heartfelt intention. Encouraging those around her to enjoy life like a fine art gallery, slowly, with emotion and purpose. Guiding away from overwhelm and into working from a place of rest. 

    Having spent the majority of her career as a bespoke wedding stationer in a high-end and fast-paced industry, burnout struck in 2018 and almost led her to quit. Instead, she rested and did the deep work of understanding why creatives are more susceptible to the continual destruction of overwhelm.

    Originally from London, England, Chloe now calls Richmond, Virginia her home. An Enneagram 4w5 and a highly sensitive person (HSP), she always envisioned becoming an artist, bringing poetic expression to the world.

    Chloe has now expanded her offerings beyond beautifully designed wedding papers. She provides a range of tools and resources, including 1:1 coaching, speaking engagements, writing, and thoughtfully created products. Her mission is to eliminate the shame around creative suffering and bring joy back to our days.

    • 1 hr 9 min

Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5
53 Ratings

53 Ratings

MmeBaer ,

Inspiring, honest, creative!

Valerie has a beautiful voice and is a great storyteller full of wisdom and insights. I loved the Brene Brown references! Thanks!

KristinsThoughts ,

Necessary conversations for every single creative soul.

This podcast is the ONE that I listen to every single week consistently since it started. I have been a creative entrepreneur for 10+ years and have followed along on Val’s journey since the beginning but the conversations she is starting with the kindness that Val encompasses throughout are absolutely necessary for all of us to be having as creatives, both with other people in our lives or to build up creative resilience in our own souls. Every time I listen to an episode I leave it feeling renewed and encouraged, and know that I am filling my own cup creatively in a way that soothes my own soul. Whether you are a full-time creative entrepreneur or a hobbyist who loves to be creative in a multitude of ways, this podcast is a blessing for every single one of us to get to listen to.

Adriane0412 ,

So many good episodes

I am so in love with this podcast, I could listen to it over and over again. Sometimes I find myself finishing Valerie’s sentences as she’s saying something, because logically I KNOW it to be true…but sometimes you just need to hear the permission, you need to hear someone else say it out loud for it to register and click in your brain. Valerie does this for me, and I walk away from this feeling so inspired and charged up. What IF I was a creative genius? What IF I followed these inspirations and sparks of creativity? Where would they take me? 👏🏼 it’s so simple but to hear her say it out loud was just a total moment of omg why have I never thought of it that way! 🖤🖤

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