Exploring Creativity: Threads & Bones

Bec Forde
  • 5.0 (2)
  • SOCIETY & CULTURE
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

What’s your story around creativity? What does it mean to be creative - and do we all have that spark within us? Host Bec Forde draws from books, research, and personal stories, unearthing the common threads of creativity, or seeing if they feel frayed or unraveled. Whether you “feel creative in your bones” or that you “don’t have a creative bone in your body” this podcast offers inspiration for curious minds about how, or even if, creativity shows up in our lives. www.thevibrancysociety.com

  1. JAN 1

    S2 E6: Part 2, Unlock Your Creative Habits: A Review of The Art of Creativity

    Didn’t want to leave you hanging so here’s part two of my book review on The Art of Creativity, 7 Powerful Habits to Unlock Your Full Potential, by Susie Pearl. This second (and final) episode looks at habits four through seven. Just a reminder that there are two episodes on the one book because the original, rough recording of the full episode was close to two hours! While I managed to whittle it down to an hour and eighteen minutes, Garage Band told me it was more than the maximum allowable length for a “song”. 📝Notes on this Episode We’re looking at the last four habits that will help us to unlock our full creative potential which are: * boosting our brainwave states & mind-mapping * self-care & nourishing the soul * being a maverick * future gazing. Each Chapter/Habit has many journaling prompts as well as other creative exercises. I did most but not all and share my reflections. 🧠 Habit 4 - Boosting Brainwave States & Mind-Mapping This chapter explores how creativity isn’t just inspiration but is also neurological. Susie looks at all five brainwave states (delta, theta, alpha, beta, gamma), at how they affect us, and how we can shift states to access deeper creativity. She introduces Mind Mapping as a non-linear, visual thinking tool that mirrors how the brain actually works. Mind Mapping helps to connect ideas and expands how we see creative endeavours. We can find possibilities instead of limitations. 🌿 Habit 5 - Self-Care & Nourishing the Soul This chapter reframes self-care as a creative responsibility, not an indulgence. When we’re depleted, whether it be emotionally, physically, or spiritually, our imagination narrows; when we’re nourished, it expands. Susie’s reading from my Pillars of Health playbook, mentioning many of the same things I do for replenishment: good sleep, good food, good relationships, juicy movement, etc. etc. 🧨 Habit 6 - Be a Maverick This chapter is about courage and not being afraid to shake things up. Susie invites readers to question norms, challenge expectations, and trust their inner authority even if it means standing apart. Staying curious and embracing our authenticity will help us find our creativity. 🔮 Habit 7: Future-Gazing The final habit focuses on creativity as a future-shaping tool. In our exceedingly fast paced world and especially with the advent of AI, Susie encourages us to consciously incorporate creativity into our lives, projects, and identities. As we move into the future our humanity and creativity is what separates us from machines. 🔗Links Susie Pearl’s website with book information: https://www.susiepearl.com/books/the-art-of-creativity/ More of Me, your host, Bec Forde: https://www.thevibrancysociety.com/ Get full access to The Vibrancy Society at www.thevibrancysociety.com/subscribe

    40 min

  2. JAN 1

    S2 E5: Unlock Your Creative Habits: A Review of The Art of Creativity, Part 1

    Howdy Listeners, The book review on The Art of Creativity, 7 Powerful Habits to Unlock Your Full Potential, by Susie Pearl is broken into two episodes. This first episode looks at the first three habits. Why? I took sooooooo many notes that the original, rough recording of the full episode was close to two hours! I managed to whittle it down to an hour and eighteen minutes, yay! But, I edit in Garage Band and evidently there’s a maximum allowable length for a “song” and the episode length was too long, boo! 📝Notes on this Episode We’re looking at the first three habits that will help us to unlock our full creative potential which are facing our fears, journaling our inner world, and 🤞mastering mindful presence. Each Chapter has a lot of journaling exercises as well as other creative ways to uncover a different way forward. I share some of my answers and reflections. 🧠 Habit 1 - Fears and Blocks and How to Overcome Them It should be no surprise that fears and internal blocks are universal and not just for those we think of as artists. Susie guides us to identify what holds us back from creative expression encouraging us to meet them with curiosity and gentle awareness. The exercises here are about recognising the stories we tell ourselves that keep us small, and gently shifting our mindset toward possibility instead of limitation. ✍️ Habit 2 - Journaling Susie feels journaling is a hugely important habit for clarity. Journaling allows us to find the emotions and creative impulses that often remain hidden in the subconscious. Throughout this chapter, journaling is presented as a creative outlet and diagnostic tool, helping us to have a conversation with “the self”. 🧘 Habit 3 - Meditation and Breathing Creativity flourishes when the mind is calm and present. This chapter invites readers to explore the power of simple meditation, paying particular attention to the breath, as a portal to creative flow. Susie uses meditation to anchor into her body and breath before creating. 🔗Links Susie Pearl’s website with book information: https://www.susiepearl.com/books/the-art-of-creativity/ Book about Eleanor (& Franklin) Roosevelt, No Ordinary Time, by Doris Kearns Goodwin More of Me, your host, Bec Forde: https://www.thevibrancysociety.com/ Get full access to The Vibrancy Society at www.thevibrancysociety.com/subscribe

    41 min

  3. 12/03/2025

    S2 E4: New Creative Traditions By Letting Your Holiday Decorating Evolve

    This week it’s another I Dibs the Front and it comes to you instead of a book review because what I’m reading to eventually share with you is full of great exercises and I’m committed to doing them and they are taking time - they’re also fun. (sorry about that huge, long, sentence!) So while I work through that reflective process, I’m keeping it topical and bringing you a real-time December episode about holiday creativity and how decorating changes through different stages of life. I talk contrasts: Maximalist to Minimalist, White Christmases to Tropical Summer Holidays. As usual I’ll share stories including the complicated feelings that came with redefining what “festive” looks like and how new traditions can come about and bring you joy. I ask the question: Is it creativity if we’re doing it because we think we “should”? IMHO, my reflections offer a thoughtful take on obligation, nostalgia, and the freedom to let Christmas evolve. 📌Show Notes/Takeaways 🎁 Decorating can shift year to year and that’s normal: energy levels, family dynamics, and your actual space will all shape your holiday creativity. 💫 Meaning often lives in the small, personal details: every ornament tells a story or invokes a memory and even simple displays become part of your history. 🎅 Maximalist displays (even with generators!) and quiet minimalism both count: there’s no “right way” to express creativity during the holidays. 💡 Obligation vs. inspiration is a real tension but both can lead to creative choices: remember limitations can be stifling or sometimes spark something new. 🐉 Decorate unexpected things (like a dragon/giraffe mailbox?): let your creativity surface in non-traditional ways. Listen now and get inspired to weave creativity (like a garland) into your own life and don’t forget to follow, rate or leave a review! More info on me, your host Bec, at The Vibrancy Society where you can see some of my favourite decorations plus that noisy, multi-generator display. Get full access to The Vibrancy Society at www.thevibrancysociety.com/subscribe

    12 min

  4. 11/19/2025

    S2 E3: Unique Small Towns - Creativity As A Marketing Tool

    🚗 In this “I Dibs the Front Seat” episode, I take you along over a three car trip ramble that somehow manages to weave together the movie Babe, giant fruit, failed campground marketing, a local parade, drought-driven ingenuity, and why creativity might be the beating heart of every small town. This episode is one long, meander through how communities use creativity to be seen, remembered, and visited. It’s a bit of a Bec-Brain-Dump episode. 🌟 Episode Takeaways 🎨 How Towns Creatively Tell Their Stories Small towns use art, stories, landmarks, history & events to say, “We’re unique, here’s why you should come visit us.” 🫣 Is Marketing Just Creativity In Disguise? Many creative endeavours are stand outs but not all creative branding hits the mark. A clever logo or charming campground description can absolutely sway where you spend the night but could be an oversold surprise. 🎭 Community Driven Events Are Magic Creativity thrives when communities lead the way and oftentimes doesn’t need polish, just heart and a little bit of ingenuity. 🌱 Creativity Can Be A Survival Strategy Reinvention from drought-born tourism ventures or leaning into local stories can help small towns stay relevant and create community. 🔗Some Fun Links: Find me here: https://www.thevibrancysociety.com/ The Big Pink Pig/Potato: https://www.nsw.gov.au/visiting-and-exploring-nsw/locations-and-attractions/big-potato Explore Longreach, QLD: https://experiencelongreach.com.au/ The Golden Gumboot: https://www.queensland.com/au/en/things-to-do/attractions/p-5e212b7341d42062583e8230-tully-golden-gumboot The Big Mango: https://www.tourismbowen.com.au/the-big-mango/ The Big Pineapple: https://bigpineapple.com.au/ The Fate of the Captain Cook Statue: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-03-18/cairns-captain-cook-statue-finds-new-home/100918772 Get full access to The Vibrancy Society at www.thevibrancysociety.com/subscribe

    13 min

  5. 11/05/2025

    S2 E2: The Joy of Messy Magic with Upcycler Wibke Rettberg

    If you ever want to be creative, just get started. It doesn’t have to be perfect. Better to start imperfectly than never perfectly 🦜In this warm and *ahem* sometimes tangential chat, Bec reconnects with her friend (& old client) Wibke Rettberg who’s a passionate upcycler, nature-lover, and creative spirit. Wibke finds beauty in the overlooked and overused and joy in the process of creation, whatever takes her fancy she pursues. From “messy runs” (yes, you’ll want to hear about those!) to the tug-of-war between creating and selling, this episode celebrates imperfection, curiosity, and the simple ways creativity shows up in everyday life. Re-composing beauty is the way to go. ✨ Show Notes / Takeaways: 🗣️1. Creativity in ConversationSometimes the best chats meander and that’s part of the joy. 🚫 2. Perfectionism is OverratedFollow your muse, go ahead and leave projects unfinished to embrace the act of simply making whatever you’re drawn to. 🧵 3. The Maker’s Dilemma.Handmade and one-of-a-kind creations make the heart full but scaling them can be a tough balance between creativity and the realities of commerce. 🫠 4. The Word of the Day is MessyWibke’s “messy runs” (curbside treasure hunts) or innate ability to create a mess 5 minutes into a project remind us that creativity often begins in chaos. 🐚 5. Small Acts of Creation can Make You HappyWhether it’s rearranging flowers, fashioning a quick necklace, or using empty cartons for a bit of art therapy, creativity can help change your mindset. 🔗 Links & Shout Outs 🫶Here are some of Wibke’s creations but follow her on Instagram for more: knots_loops_individual_unique Follow Me:☀️ The Vibrancy Society – My newsletter on living a bold, creative life 🐉 Dragonfly Pilates & Movement – My movement business and happy teaching place If you loved this episode, please: 💬 Leave a review 📤 Share it with a friend 📌 Follow the podcast wherever you listen Get full access to The Vibrancy Society at www.thevibrancysociety.com/subscribe

    54 min
  6. S2 E1: Building Creative Communities with Heart: Nicole Harper

    10/06/2025

    S2 E1: Building Creative Communities with Heart: Nicole Harper

    📝 Show Notes: OMG, I’m back! Here’s the first episode of Season Two of Exploring Creativity: Threads & Bones! 🎉 I’m kicking things off with Nicole Harper - creative leader, festival director, and community powerhouse. This was such a fun chat! Together we dive into how curiosity and courage fuel a creative life, the power of DIY beginnings, and why thriving communities should be built from the ground up. 🎬 About Nicole: I know Nicole through her work as Festival Director of the Heart of Gold International Short Film Festival. She’s also the Co-Founder and Director of Loose Knit Productions, is co-director of Space Girls Festival, and sits on the boards of both CAGR (Creative Arts Gympie Region) and the Gympie Chamber of Commerce. She’s a passionate advocate for community-driven creativity and regional arts. 😉In this episode, not only do we follow Nicole’s 20 year journey to her current (and amazing) CV, but we get a BTS look at the Heart of Gold fest, running October 9th-12th, 2025, right here in Gympie, QLD. 🌟 Episode Takeaways: 💪 DIY Spirit - Nicole’s adventurous, self-reliant attitude (that her parents had in spades) has carried her through every chapter of her life. 🤝 Community First - Real impact starts from the ground up. When communities lead the conversation, creativity thrives. 🎥 Evolving Leadership - In her second year as Heart Of Gold festival director, Nicole champions openness, access, and experimentation - so many ideas but she is a wolfpack of one! 🌱 Curiosity is Key - Creativity isn’t rare, it’s everywhere and is for everyone. All it takes is curiosity and the courage to explore. 🧐Deeper Dives: 🍿The Heart of Gold International Short Film Festival https://www.heartofgold.com.au/ 🙌Nicole’s IG https://www.instagram.com/nicoleharperart/?hl=en 🎸Space Girls Festival https://www.facebook.com/spacegirlsfestival? 🤩The Vibrancy Society https://www.thevibrancysociety.com/ 🤎Dragonfly Pilates & Movement https://www.dragonflypilates.com.au/ 🎙️Remember your reviews and ratings and shares of this, or any episode, are greatly appreciated. xBec Get full access to The Vibrancy Society at www.thevibrancysociety.com/subscribe

    59 min
  7. S2 E0: Threads & Bones: New Season of Creativity, Stories, & Reviews

    SEASON 2 TRAILER

    S2 E0: Threads & Bones: New Season of Creativity, Stories, & Reviews

    📝 Show Notes Hello hello hello — it’s Bec back behind the mic with the Season 2 trailer of Threads & Bones! After a break for travel and projects, I’m ready to dive into more conversations, reviews, and reflections on all things creativity. Here’s what you can expect this season: SOS DS?(same old s**t different season?)🤔🤣 🎤 Interviews - candid chats with makers, thinkers, and doers about how creativity has shaped their lives and work📚 Book reviews - I’m working my way through gems from my small-town library🛻 I Dibs The Front - ride along as I riff on creativity from my ute📅 Fortnightly drops - with a few flexible surprises along the way And, as always, this season is proudly sponsored by me! Between Dragonfly Pilates & Movement, my retreats, and my writing at The Vibrancy Society, this podcast is one part of the creative ecosystem I’m building for a vibrant life. Basically it’s all one big, crazy experiment! Thanks for listening - whether you’re brand new or have been along for all 20 episodes of Season 1, I’m so glad you’re here. Let’s dive into Season 2 together! cover photo by Dan LeFebvre on Unsplash Get full access to The Vibrancy Society at www.thevibrancysociety.com/subscribe

    5 min

  8. 07/31/2025

    Reviewed and Revisited: Threads & Bones, The First 20

    This solo episode marks the end of Season One - a milestone that’s less about being finished and more about taking a breath. After 20 episodes, I’m reflecting on what’s worked, what’s challenged me, what I’ve learned, and what comes next. I talk about why now felt like the right time to pause, the three episode formats that have taken shape, and what I’ve learned about creativity through this whole podcast experiment. TBH this project has stretched my brain, my introvert edges, and even my handwriting muscles. Sound quality should be good because, hey, I recorded it from the desk in my studio not the car! Hopefully it’s not too rambly. It’s just an honest chat about the joy of starting something you love especially when you’re not sure where it’s heading - I mean what would be the fun in that?? Here’s what I touch on: 🔢 Why I’m calling it Season OneBecause 20 is a nice round number (and tidy demarcations are so satisfying) annnnnnd also because life is lifing - taxes x2, renovation chaos and dust - so much dust, and a brain that needs a breather. It's time for a little space and reflection. 🎙️ The three types of episodes I’ve been making * Interviews: They light me up and I get to experience the conversations twice * Book reviews: Who knew they’d turn into mini research projects (not to mention hand workouts) * Car rants chats: aka “I Dibs the Front Seat,” where the engine noise and my thinking out loud fight for your attention 🎨 Comments on creativityHow the podcast has made me think about product vs process, the tension between unbridled creativity and systems, and the maybe weird-but-true performance energy behind teaching Pilates and podcasting. 🌱 The three biggest benefits I’ve gained * I'm learning (yay for neuroplasticity!) * I’m stretching the edges of my introvert bubble * I’ve felt the warm fuzzies from your lovely feedback and messages 📬 Send Help Got thoughts on the formats? Want more of something? Less of something? A new idea? I'm all ears. Email me (dragonflypilates@earthlink.net), or send it via a carrier pigeon? Either way I'd love to hear what you'd like to hear in Season Two. Remember you can find me at The Vibrancy Society (the music behind me during the body of this episode is from Denis Pavlov) Get full access to The Vibrancy Society at www.thevibrancysociety.com/subscribe

    14 min
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About

What’s your story around creativity? What does it mean to be creative - and do we all have that spark within us? Host Bec Forde draws from books, research, and personal stories, unearthing the common threads of creativity, or seeing if they feel frayed or unraveled. Whether you “feel creative in your bones” or that you “don’t have a creative bone in your body” this podcast offers inspiration for curious minds about how, or even if, creativity shows up in our lives. www.thevibrancysociety.com

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