The Infinite Creator Podcast

Beth Lapides
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The creative life from the inside. bethlapides.substack.com

  1. MAR 11

    Why Are So Many Oscar Nominees About Making Things?

    This week I noticed something surprising looking at this year’s Oscar nominees. More at bethlapides.substack.com A surprising number of them are about artists and art-making — stories about writing, music, theater, filmmaking, and the complicated lives of people who make things. Which made me wonder if that says something about the moment we’re in. In a time shaped by AI, rapid change, and existential questions about what it means to be human, it’s interesting that so many of the stories we’re telling right now are about creativity itself. In this episode I read my recent essay exploring why movies about artists might feel especially resonant right now — and why making things might be one of the most human things we do. Along the way we talk about: • why the word creativity can feel strangely academic• the cycle of making things and how it changes the maker• the artists at the center of this year’s Oscar conversation• why sacrifice and art are often intertwined And yes — there’s a small detour into my grandmother knitting in movie theaters. Because apparently knitting has much better SEO than creativity. Get full access to The Infinite Creator at bethlapides.substack.com/subscribe

    8 min
  2. Season 2: Episode 1

    11/28/2025

    Season 2: Episode 1

    Hey thanks for listening! This is the launch of season 2 of the podcast. Learned a lot from Season 1. The way reveals itself as we walk on the way;) The episode… the thing about gratitude that we don’t usually talk about. A kind of hack that really shifts everything. The Special Black Friday Offer! Schedule a mini-strategy session with me. Thank you for listening! xx B The Infinite Creator is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work and your own, become a free or paid subscriber. Thank you! Get full access to The Infinite Creator at bethlapides.substack.com/subscribe

    13 min

  3. 10/22/2025

    Best Places to Live: AuthentiCity

    We need to talk about what’s real. And here’s an important piece of that conversation That gets buriedBy the AI part. A video from a random TikToker alerted me to the “fact”that on SPANE:The Scale Of Positive And Negative Experiencethe very highest vibration Is… guess!Right - ha ha you read the title of the post. Authenticity. But on all the charts I can find it’s love.Here’s my take. In all my experiences of love - romantic, spiritual, platonic, ecstatic etc the underlying vibration is authenticity. True love happens when we are authentically ourselves. The desire to love and be lovedisn’t just - but certainly includes -The desire to be ourselves. And be seen as ourselves. And for creatives - where one of the great love affairs is with The audience - the viewer It’s this ability to have your own voiceTo be your actual self in your work.I was once at Sardi’s with the actor Judd HirshAfter his show Tuesday’s with Morrie.With ex and my ex-father in law - who was a friend of his. Mid dinner Judd suddenly clocked meAnd though we had already been introduced He asked my EFIL Who are these people.My EFIL gave him my thumbnail - Which at that point - early in my careerWas weighted heavily towards Solo shows and performance art. Judd turns to look at me and says:I love people like you. Real people.And then he pinched my cheek,Hard. Ow.Filed it under ‘uncomfortable moments’. But lately, I’ve come to understand The way universe/god/higher-power speaks to us. I get that the language of signs -Can be subtle But is usually not quiet. In fact loudness is one of the main characteristics.It’s like when people try to talk to each other in foreign languages We just sometimes say the same thing again.But louder! The loudness of a sign might be volume.Or repetition. Or something being out of place.Or a visual sign - words that are so on the nose that they are loud. I’ve experienced a few of those And they are part of It’s A Lot. I bring it up here because that cheek pinch was loud!It was weird. Who pinches cheeks besides grandmothers?And it was hard enough to kind of hurt.And he was such a weird person to be telling meI love people like you real people.My unthought thought: isn’t everyone a real person?Doesn’t everyone want to be a real person?As it turns out, no.And maybe less so now. And this TikTok about authenticity being the highest vibration Jogged this memory. And it felt like - oh that was a message.’God’ speaks through us all.People are always telling me that thing you said - blah blah blah - Changed my life.And yet I have no memory of it.We are vessels. I do value authenticity.I’m drawn to extreme authenticity over extreme virtuoso. I love hearing That’s so you!In my coaching and teaching Helping creatives and comedians find their true voices and their real work Is one of my missions. I have this now rare in person You But Funnier workshop coming up LA.Finally. And importantly.I started to wonder what makes a higher vibration - higher and better. I mean in music the bass - low vibration is no worse - or better Than a wildly high sax.Why do we even aspire to ‘high vibration’. My understanding is that high vibe has to do with being in the now.Acceptance.Lack of resistance. Going with the flow.And in this world right now - where there is so much to resistThat can be tricky.So. How not to resist that which we are better off not resisting:The very nature of our own unique beingness And yet also resist that which requires resistance.You know what I’m talking abut.It’s subtle. We each have to find our own way.But listening to what is loudly being whispered right to us.Understanding that authenticity and love are connected. Allowing ourselves to experiment with trial and error.Not being afraid of error.These are some of the ways. Listening to your own true heart’s desire. Marching to the beat of your own drummer. You do you.Even that means balloon denim.All the love, Beth And if you are in LA please do join me on Friday night for It’s A Lot! The Infinite Creator is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work - and you own - become a free or for $5 a month - a paid subscriber. Get full access to The Infinite Creator at bethlapides.substack.com/subscribe

    6 min

  4. 09/05/2025

    One Year From Now

    Where will you be year from now?Unknown, of course.Because where will we be a year from now?We each have our hopes, our fears.Our searchlights and our blinders. But where you will be The next time Halloween is in your sights And beach sand is still at the bottom of your bagIs at least somewhat up to you.Where you will be the next time The heat of September Feels left over and also predictive.When the moon and the Jewish calendar and the trees whisper Let go…And at the same timeThe school year beckons you toGrab on to your future?Make a schedule and a plan.Letting go and grabbing onAll at once. Because life is a pulse.Not a line Or even a circle. A pulse.And a spiral.DNA, the galaxy, sunflowers… your moods.And when this moment comes back around next year You will be at a different place. And, to some degree at least -You get to decide what that place is. I used to think of myself as a Type A free spirit.Working hard to let the wind blow me where it will. It was a joke, but also true.And about 15 years ago, when I decided to change One of the things that shifted was my relationship with decisions.I decided to decide. And while we can’t know exactly what will unfold In the public realmWhat we can know is that we will fight for our work.That no matter what We will write the book.The script. Paint the pictures.Tell the stories.Work on finding our audiences. Enhancing beauty, joy, mystery.Become the people we need to be to make the workThat is our true heart’s desire. We can know it and we have to know it.Because without the creative sparkWithout you becoming the author of your own lifeYour own authorityWithout you claiming this for the worldOne more piece of the grey fog descends.But in order to do this, for ourselves and for the worldWe have to decide on the project.It sounds so mundane.But we have to create the boundaries.It’s one of the three requirements for momentum.And because life now is decision overwhelmAnd creative life is literally nothing but decisions And your success depends on making this one decision I created Pick Your Next Project to help.Deciding is hard partly because it’s violent. Decide is related to the other cides.Homicide. Suicide. Etceteracide. Cide is a cutting off. Of the other options. So it can be uncomfortable.But we have to decide on projects.Can you change your mind?Yes, sure change your mind.But not every day. And plus, you can’t change your mind until you make up your mind.And then you can’t change your mind just because the draft isn’t good enough. Can you decide to experiment for a month and then decide decide?Sure. Can you talk to everyone you know first?Not everyone. But three types of people, yes.Is it natural to have an aversion to deciding?Yes. You are a creative person.But the thing is, creativity comes from a word meaning to grow.We think it means making stuff.But the making is so we can grow. And once we grow, we make different things.More growth. More evolved work. That’s the process. And it’s an infinity loop. I learned a ton about decision making… by making decisions.Haha.And in some cases avoiding them. By getting less attached to being right.Then I learned more about decisions by helping other people make theirs. Friends and students and clients.Then I learned even more about making decisions When I wrote So You Need To Decide. And now I’m here to help you decide. Next Wednesday, Sept 10, I’m going to help you Pick Your Next Project. It’s a free 90 minute mini masterclass. I’m going to go through the process which you’ll be able to use again and again.And I’ll be answering questions as well. This isn’t one of those webinars that’s really just a sales pitch for the thing.This is the thing.It helps you and it’s also is a great way for me to connect with creatives who are thinking that after making the decision they might like clarity, inspiration, insight and motivation- as well as community - for executing the decision over the next year.That’s what I do in The Infinite Creator.So there will be a special offer at the end of the session.But the session itself, all content. And if you’d like to skip the masterclass and get on a call to explore working with me here’s the link to my calendar, grab a time. Thanks for all your hard work on behalf of the divine spark. And for welcoming me into your process, through these emails. Infinitely Yours… xx Beth The Infinite Creator is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work -and your own - consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Thanks for reading The Infinite Creator! This post is public so feel free to share it. Get full access to The Infinite Creator at bethlapides.substack.com/subscribe

    9 min

  5. 05/05/2025

    Hope So!

    In this week’s episode of The Infinite Creator Podcast, I explore one of the most flummoxing but essential aspects of the creative life: hopeThe episode was sparked by a listener asking (please do ask!) about: how to stay creative in what feels like an anti-creative time — and hope is such a big piece of it. Me? I haven't always been hopeful. And in this episode I dive into a piece of my journey from hopelessness to hope. It features a serendipitous moment involving a greeting card, a miraculous moment on a street corner in Los Angeles, and the unexpected rebirth of UnCabaret. I get into the difference between hope and expectation, the role of imagination in the creative triangle, and why I see hope not as an emotion but as a creative stance. I end with ways to actually nurture your hope. This one tilts towards a personal, spiritually charged meditation on how we keep going—and growing—through these uncertain times. Without hope, there is no imagination. And without imagination, there is no creation. Ready to listen? Hope so! Infinitely Yours, xxBeth The Infinite Creator is a reader and listener supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work - and your own - consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. I hope you do! Thanks for listening to this episode of The Infinite Creator! I hope you enjoyed it. This post is public so feel free to share it. We’re launching our UnCabaret 2025 Initiative. Partnering with a different .org each show. This first show we are working with A Sense of Home, they help kids aging out of foster care find their ‘first-ever’ homes. See what they did there? First ever, forever. They are lovely, we have a great line up and if you are going to be in LA on Friday May 30, I hope you come help us raise energy, awareness and funds for them! Tickets here! Get full access to The Infinite Creator at bethlapides.substack.com/subscribe

    27 min

  6. 04/28/2025

    What If You Did Know?

    In a world of decision exhaustion, how do creators keep their juices flowing? In this episode, Beth Lapides explores the relationship between creativity and decision-making. How to soften the violence of choosing, and why your imagination and your “why” are critical tools for thriving. The difference between micro, macro, and “maxo” decisions Strategies to manage decision fatigue The two (very different) committees How to breakthrough Why stay connected to your evolving why Beth shares insights, tactics, and soul-level encouragement for anyone standing at a creative crossroads. If you liked today’s episode, subscribe, share, and consider becoming a paid subscriber to support the community. 💖 Links mentioned: Mini Strategy Sessions with BethP.S. If you're standing at a crossroads and want clarity and guidance, my next free Pick Your Next Project mini masterclass is Wednesday May 21 at 5 PT — would love to see you there. Register for the free zoom here. And if you are ready to explore my year long transformational program grab a free mini strategy session with me here. Get full access to The Infinite Creator at bethlapides.substack.com/subscribe

    29 min

  7. 04/21/2025

    Creative Rebirth: Revisiting What’s Waiting in the Drawer

    Easter got me thinking about rebirth. And especially as it’s connected to creativity ofc.The projects we leave behind — the ones shoved into drawers or buried in folders. Is the “final-final-FINAL.” actually done. (PS I’ve given up this naming madness and simply call files “name of project’ with the date. You never know it’s the final until later right?) This episode is about revisiting, rebirthing and remembering. About changing. Partly sparked by my billboard. See above! How does self-love help us with rebirthing? Might how does DIY and being able to ask for help track into love? How does loving impact our creative life? Tender. Weird. And hopefully useful. This one’s about the long game, the big shift. And was sparked not just by Easter but also a client who came to me with a question about reworking an old project. How do we decide?Thanks for listening and use the comment section - to comment, sure! - but also to ask questions you’d like me to address in an upcoming episodes. The Infinite Creator is a reader and listener supported publication/podcast. To receive new posts and support my work and more importantly your own , consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Thanks for listening! Sharing is caring - and every time you do it’s like you rebirth the episode!! Friday night 4/27/25 is our April UnCab! Every show is a rebirth! Get your tickets now! Need help deciding which project to do next? Should you resurrect a project? My mini zoom masterclass Pick Your Next Project is coming up on Wednesday may 21 at 5 PT!! Get full access to The Infinite Creator at bethlapides.substack.com/subscribe

    28 min

  8. 04/13/2025

    The Sea Doesn’t Part Until You Step In

    Hey friends, This week’s episode of The Infinite Creator Podcast is part spiritual pep talk, part creative coaching session, and part (slightly damp?) Torah portion. It’s about what it really takes to begin — and keep beginning — especially when things feel unclear, scary, or completely stuck. Because here’s the truth: “In order to do the thing, you have to do the thing.” Yes, it’s simple. But as this episode explores, it’s also complex, emotional, hilarious, and spiritual. I go deep into: * Why clarity comes through doing, not before it * The myth of readiness (and what "red, red, ready" means to me) * Rumi, the Red Sea, and your creative project * Why drafts, mess, and bathingsuit-snags are sacred * Stories about solo shows, Spalding Gray, Bridesmaids, and being a JCC cheerleader (yes, really) This is the one to listen to if: * You’re circling your project but not starting * You’ve started but feel like you're drowning * You just need someone to lovingly shout "WALK INTO THE SEA!" Listen now: 🎧 And if you’re feeling stuck? Confused? Waiting for the creative seas to part…start walking. The clarity lives in the doing. You walk. You get clearer. The clarity helps you move forward, you get clearer.... It’s one of the most beautiful infinite loops of the infinite creator. xo, Beth P.S. If you loved this, please like, subscribe, or share it with another creative soul who might be standing ankle-deep at the edge of their next big thing. The Infinite Creator is a reader and listener -supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work and your own, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Thanks for reading and listening to The Infinite Creator! This post is public so feel free to share it. #CreativeProcess #BethLapides #TheInfiniteCreatorPodcast #JustStart #YouGotThis Our next UnCabaret is Friday April 25. Awesome line up tickets here. If you’d like a free mini strategy call about how to move forward get on my calendar! Get full access to The Infinite Creator at bethlapides.substack.com/subscribe

    28 min
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