The Creative Life with Taylor

Lamplight Universe
Lamplight Universe
  • 5.0 (2)
  • Arts
  • Updated Weekly

An engaging, thoughtful podcast hosted by award-winning author Taylor Thomas Smythe that explores creative journeys over a lifetime, dives deep into the creative process, and inspires listeners to unlock their own creativity and potential in their life now. With guests from a wide array of disciplines and media, listeners will walk away inspired to build a creative life with confidence.

Episodes

  1. 5d ago

    How Casting Professional Daniel Schwab Earned His First Emmy Nomination

    How do you break into the film and television industry? What is it actually like to work in the world of Hollywood casting? How do actors make a living? Today’s guest is Daniel Schwab—an Emmy-nominated casting professional based in Los Angeles, California. His work includes shows on Netflix, Amazon, NBC, Fox, and Apple TV. Before moving to LA, Daniel had extensive experience as an actor in regional theatre stages across his home state of Florida. In my conversation with Daniel, he takes us along on his journey from acting in regional theatre to scoring his first Emmy nomination for his work in casting on Apple TV’s Shrinking. But the reality wasn’t all glitz and glamour. In this episode, Daniel gives a helpful reality check to aspiring actors, breaks down what it’s actually like to be a casting professional in Hollywood, and shares advice for those hoping to join the industry. Along the way, you’ll hear how he defines success as a creative, when he knew it was the right time to move to LA, and what’s in store for him next. Note: We mention the acronym “PBA” a few times throughout the episode. That’s a reference to our alma mater, Palm Beach Atlantic University, where both Daniel and I went to college. Daniel mentioned his latest work on the new season of NCIS, which premieres Tuesday, October 6 on CBS. And catch his Emmy-nominated work on Season 3 of Shrinking on Apple TV.   🔗 Connect with Daniel: Instagram ✉️ Sign up for Taylor’s email list to receive writing and creative tips and news about upcoming releases here. 📚 Find all of Taylor’s books and stories here. The Creative Life with Taylor is an engaging, thoughtful podcast hosted by award-winning author and designer Taylor Thomas Smythe that explores creative journeys over a lifetime, dives deep into the creative process, and inspires listeners to unlock their own creativity and potential in their life now. With guests from a wide array of disciplines and media, listeners will walk away inspired to build a creative life with confidence.  The Creative Life with Taylor is a production of Lamplight Universe. https://www.lamplightuniverse.com/

    How Casting Professional Daniel Schwab Earned His First Emmy Nomination

  2. Sep 29

    How Emily Blaylock Failed Her Way Into Good Songwriting

    How do you become a songwriter even if you didn’t grow up having that interest nurtured? How does a song come into being? And how do songwriters and producers collaborate to create new music? Today’s guest is Emily Blaylock—a singer-songwriter based in Lake Worth Beach, Florida. She released her latest EP, Ceiling is Sky, earlier this year. In my conversation with Emily, she takes us behind the scenes of her latest collection of songs. But, believe it or not, she didn’t always know she wanted to be singer and songwriter. In this episode, Emily gives us a glimpse into the journey of discovering singing and songwriting in adulthood, and the bumpy path it took to get there. Along the way, you’ll hear about how she writes songs that capture feelings, the ways she collaborates with other artists, and how she’s built a local community where songwriters share their work.  🎧 Emily’s Music: Listen on Spotify Listen on Apple Music Lyric Videos on YouTube ✉️Sign up for Taylor’s email list to receive writing and creative tips and news about upcoming releases here. ✍️Get Taylor’s free writing and creative resources here. 📚Find all of Taylor’s books and stories here. The Creative Life with Taylor is an engaging, thoughtful podcast hosted by award-winning author and designer Taylor Thomas Smythe that explores creative journeys over a lifetime, dives deep into the creative process, and inspires listeners to unlock their own creativity and potential in their life now. With guests from a wide array of disciplines and media, listeners will walk away inspired to build a creative life with confidence.  The Creative Life with Taylor is a production of Lamplight Universe. https://www.lamplightuniverse.com/

    How Emily Blaylock Failed Her Way Into Good Songwriting

  3. Sep 22

    How Animator David Urbinati Lets Curiosity Drive His Creativity

    What does it take to pivot to a new creative career after college? How do creatives incorporate and pursue their many different interests? How do artists prioritize their ideas so they can focus their energy on what matters most? Today’s guest is animator and music producer David Urbinati—an animator, motion designer, and music producer based in Lakeland, Florida. David is the owner and director of a boutique storytelling studio called Rocket Powered Milk Truck. In his spare time, he explores photography and film. In my conversation with David, he’ll take us through his journey—from learning classical violin to teaching himself skills in animation and music production.  But his path wasn’t always a clear or linear one. In this episode, you’ll hear how David pivoted from his degree in mechanical engineering to pursue a career in motion graphics, how his fascination with problem-solving led him to explore film and photography, and how heartbreak propelled him into writing and producing music. 👀Find David’s Work: David’s Instagram David’s Website Listen on Spotify Listen on Apple Music ✉️ Sign up for Taylor’s email list to receive writing and creative tips and news about upcoming releases here. 📚 Find all of Taylor’s books and stories here. The Creative Life with Taylor is an engaging, thoughtful podcast hosted by award-winning author and designer Taylor Thomas Smythe that explores creative journeys over a lifetime, dives deep into the creative process, and inspires listeners to unlock their own creativity and potential in their life now. With guests from a wide array of disciplines and media, listeners will walk away inspired to build a creative life with confidence.  The Creative Life with Taylor is a production of Lamplight Universe. https://www.lamplightuniverse.com/

    How Animator David Urbinati Lets Curiosity Drive His Creativity

  4. Sep 15

    How Songwriter Dara Bankole Turns Emotions Into Music

    How do you balance creative projects with a full-time day job? How does a musician find inspiration for their songs? And what does it take to bring a creative vision to life? Today’s guest is Dara Bankole, a singer-songwriter and photographer based in Brooklyn, New York. She recently released an EP, I Tend to Repeat Myself, and is currently working on her debut album. In my conversation with Dara, she’ll walk us through her journey—from early musical influences on her sister’s mix CDs, to discovering her own creative voice with her latest EP. Her journey wasn’t always easy or smooth. Dara also shares how she overcame doubts and constraints along the way. In this episode, you’ll hear how Dara balances a day job with her craft, how she collaborated to bring her vision to life, and get an inside look at the stories behind her songs. 🎧 Listen to Dara’s Music: I Tend to Repeat Myself on Spotify I Tend to Repeat Myself on Apple Music 🎶 Dara’s Upcoming Debut Album: Help Dara Bring Her Debut Album to Life! 📸 Follow Dara on Social Media: Dara Bankole on Instagram Dara’s EP Collaborators: Nicole Rodriguez Tyler Postiglione ✉️Sign up for Taylor’s email list to receive writing and creative tips and news about upcoming releases here. 📚Find all of Taylor’s books and stories here. THE CREATIVE LIFE WITH TAYLOR is an engaging, thoughtful podcast hosted by award-winning author and designer Taylor Thomas Smythe that explores creative journeys over a lifetime, dives deep into the creative process, and inspires listeners to unlock their own creativity and potential in their life now. With guests from a wide array of disciplines and media, listeners will walk away inspired to build a creative life with confidence.  The Creative Life with Taylor is a production of Lamplight Universe. https://www.lamplightuniverse.com/

    How Songwriter Dara Bankole Turns Emotions Into Music

  5. Sep 8

    How Author Ahna Ell Captured Her Life as a Touring Musician in Her Debut Book

    How do artists deal with self-doubt? How does an artist make space for creativity? What does it mean to build a creative life, even if you work a non-creative day job? Today’s guest is Ahna Ell—an author and musician based in Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina. After a decade of writing, recording, and touring the country, she just released her debut book, Everywhere I Go, a memoir about coming home to yourself, living in community, and finding your place in the world. In my conversation with Ahna, she shares about her life—from her early days of getting her first guitar, to the decade of her adult life spent touring as a musician. But while creativity was present in her life from a young age, Ahna’s path wasn’t always clear or easy. In this episode, Ahna shares about her struggle with self-doubt, the challenge of making space for creativity to happen, and the years spent writing and refining her debut book. ✨ Ahna’s Book & Music: Ahna Ell’s Website ✉️ Sign up for Taylor’s email list to receive writing and creative tips and news about upcoming releases here. ✍️ Get Taylor’s free writing and creative resources here. 📚 Find all of Taylor’s books and stories here. The Creative Life with Taylor is an engaging, thoughtful podcast hosted by award-winning author and designer Taylor Thomas Smythe that explores creative journeys over a lifetime, dives deep into the creative process, and inspires listeners to unlock their own creativity and potential in their life now. With guests from a wide array of disciplines and media, listeners will walk away inspired to build a creative life with confidence.  The Creative Life with Taylor is a production of Lamplight Universe. https://www.lamplightuniverse.com/

    How Author Ahna Ell Captured Her Life as a Touring Musician in Her Debut Book

  6. Sep 1

    How Author & Filmmaker Tim DeMoss Turned His Love of Reading into a Thriving YouTube Channel

    How do you choose between multiple different creative paths? How do you grow a YouTube channel to over 30 thousand subscribers in just two years? And how do you gather and collect ideas for future creative projects? Today’s guest is Tim DeMoss—an author, filmmaker, and YouTube creator based in Michigan. In 2025, he released his debut novelette, James Chalk, Fair Buyer of Lightning: or; Peace is a Pile of Mint. He shares videos as part of his popular Reasons to Read series on YouTube, and has a forthcoming book on the same topic. In my conversation with Tim, he reveals the artistic threads that wove together to get him to where he is today: writing books, sharing reasons to read, and running a thriving YouTube channel with over 30,000 subscribers. But he didn’t start out that way. In this episode, Tim details his creative journey from childhood to now, and the practices and habits that got him there. Along the way, you’ll learn Tim’s strategy for battling discouragement, how he gathers inspiration, and how he faces the challenge of choosing between multiple different creative paths. 🎧 Tim’s Creative Projects: YouTube Channel Reasons to Read Video Series Reasons to Read Mail Club James Chalk, Fair Buyer of Lightning: or; Peace is a Pile of Mint by Tim DeMoss 📚Tim’s Reading List / Books Mentioned: Zen and the Art of Writing by Ray Bradbury Atomic Habits by James Clear Show Your Work! by Austin Kleon The Art of Game Design by Jesse Schell The Bhagavad Gita by Vyasa Meditations by Marcus Aurelius ✉️Sign up for Taylor’s email list to receive writing and creative tips and news about upcoming releases here. ✍️Get Taylor’s free writing and creative resources here. 📚Find all of Taylor’s books and stories here. The Creative Life with Taylor is an engaging, thoughtful podcast hosted by award-winning author and designer Taylor Thomas Smythe that explores creative journeys over a lifetime, dives deep into the creative process, and inspires listeners to unlock their own creativity and potential in their life now. With guests from a wide array of disciplines and media, listeners will walk away inspired to build a creative life with confidence.  The Creative Life with Taylor is a production of Lamplight Universe. https://www.lamplightuniverse.com/

    How Author & Filmmaker Tim DeMoss Turned His Love of Reading into a Thriving YouTube Channel

  7. Aug 25

    How Author Ore Agbaje-Williams Finds Inspiration Everywhere

    How does someone become a published author? How do writers find creative inspiration? How do you stay true to your authentic creative voice and vision? Today’s guest is author Ore Agbaje-Williams, a British-Nigerian writer and editor from North London. Her first novel, The Three of Us, was published by Jonathan Cape (UK), Putnam (US) and Penguin Random House Canada in May 2023. She posts short fiction (almost) every Monday at Monday Fictions on Substack.  In my conversation with Ore, you’ll hear how she went from a child telling stories to her sister at bedtime to becoming a published author of an acclaimed debut novel.  But nobody writes a novel overnight.  In this episode, you’ll hear how Ore confronted doubts and failure along the way, how she remained true to her authentic voice, and how she continues to find motivation and inspiration to keep creating. 📚Ore’s Work: Monday Fictions on Substack The Three of Us by Ore Agbaje-Williams Of This Our Country: Acclaimed Nigerian Writers on the Home, Identity and Culture They Know edited by Nancy Adimora and Ore Agbaje-Williams 😍What Ore’s Reading: Transcription by Ben Lerner Kingfisher by Rozie Kelly The Recovery House by Derek Owusu We Go Way Back by Niamh Connolly Smallie by Eden McKenzie-Goddard Olive Kitteridge by Elizabeth Strout ✉️Sign up for Taylor’s email list to receive writing and creative tips and news about upcoming releases here. 📚Find all of Taylor’s books and stories here. The Creative Life with Taylor is an engaging, thoughtful podcast hosted by award-winning author and designer Taylor Thomas Smythe that explores creative journeys over a lifetime, dives deep into the creative process, and inspires listeners to unlock their own creativity and potential in their life now. With guests from a wide array of disciplines and media, listeners will walk away inspired to build a creative life with confidence.  The Creative Life with Taylor is a production of Lamplight Universe. https://www.lamplightuniverse.com/

    How Author Ore Agbaje-Williams Finds Inspiration Everywhere

  8. Season 1 Trailer

    Trailer

    How do people become creative? How does someone take an idea and turn it into art? Where do ideas come from? And how do artists cultivate creativity throughout their lives? Whether you’re facing a creative block or just looking for a bit of inspiration to spark your next project or chapter, I’ve got just the thing for you. Introducing: The Creative Life with Taylor—the show where we explore creative journeys, dive deep into the creative process, and inspire you to unlock your own creativity and potential in your life now.  I’m your host, Taylor Thomas Smythe, and I can’t wait to share this season of The Creative Life with you.  As an author, designer, and songwriter, I’m consistently fascinated by how many unique paths there are to building a creative life, and I love learning from the stories and journeys of my fellow creatives. I hope you will, too. Each episode, you’ll drop in on a conversation between me and one of my incredibly talented guests, giving you insights and tools to further grow your own creativity.  This season, you’ll hear from authors, songwriters, filmmakers, and even an Emmy nominee.  This season, you’ll hear from authors, songwriters, filmmakers, and more! So if you’re looking for a spark to jumpstart your creativity, subscribe and follow along.  This is The Creative Life with Taylor. - - - The Creative Life with Taylor is an engaging, thoughtful podcast hosted by award-winning author Taylor Thomas Smythe that explores creative journeys over a lifetime, dives deep into the creative process, and inspires listeners to unlock their own creativity and potential in their life now. With guests from a wide array of disciplines and media, listeners will walk away inspired to build a creative life with confidence.  Produced by Lamplight Universe. Season 1 premieres Tuesday, August 25!

  • 1 Trailer
    7 Episodes

Trailer

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

An engaging, thoughtful podcast hosted by award-winning author Taylor Thomas Smythe that explores creative journeys over a lifetime, dives deep into the creative process, and inspires listeners to unlock their own creativity and potential in their life now. With guests from a wide array of disciplines and media, listeners will walk away inspired to build a creative life with confidence.

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