Living The Process with host Shannon TL Kearns Shannon TL Kearns

Chandler Baker, a writer of novels and screenplays, shares her creative process and journey to becoming a published author. She discusses how she started writing as a child and eventually pursued it as a career. Chandler talks about the themes that appear in her work, such as the challenges faced by working women and the expectations placed on mothers. She also shares her process, which involves brainstorming ideas, writing without strict outlines, and embracing the commercial aspects of writing. Chandler discusses the impact of creativity on her life and the importance of filling her creative well through reading, podcasts, and other forms of art.

Cooper Lee Bombardier, a queer, trans, American writer and visual artist, discusses his creative process and the intersection of art, teaching, and social justice. He shares his experiences in various creative mediums, including writing, visual art, cooking, and beekeeping. Cooper explores the themes of transformation, healing, gender, and class in his work. He discusses the importance of having a creative practice and the vulnerability of sharing one's art. Cooper also reflects on the challenges of navigating capitalism and societal expectations as a creative person.

Edwin Alexis Gómez is a queer Nicaraguan American director, screenwriter, playwright, and multidisciplinary artist known for work that explores surrealist dream spaces and social justice issues. They create dramedies that rip people's hearts out in the most beautiful way. Edwin's work spans across plays, film, television, and installation artwork. They often draw inspiration from social justice issues, emotional inheritance, microaggressions, domestic violence, and HIV/AIDS. Edwin's creative process is influenced by various sources, including titles, lines of dialogue, music, images, and tarot readings. They believe that creativity is a spiritual practice and that creating art is a way to honor the creator and the creation of ourselves.

Paul William Kruse is a playwright and media artist who tells queer love stories. He draws from his Catholic roots and his evolving experience of family. Paul's work is influenced by his background as a videographer and documentarian. He explores themes of queer love, strange and odd experiences, and the different forms of storytelling. Paul's creative journey began with acting in theater and later transitioned to writing plays and films. His work has evolved over time, with a focus on ephemera and the things that are often dismissed as petty or spectacle. Queerness informs Paul's creative life and practice, and he explores queerness in narrative and story outside of traditional forms. Paul's creative process involves starting with a moment of spectacle and then using structure to shape the story. He values revision and feedback, taking in all notes and deciding what makes sense for the script. In this conversation, Shannon TL Kearns and Paul W Kruse discuss the process of revising and completing a play. They explore the challenges of knowing when a play is done and the importance of trusting one's own instincts. They also discuss the role of trusted readers and the difficulty of finding the right people to give feedback. They share their own revision processes and the impact of social media on their creative work. They debunk creative myths and discuss the spiritual element of their creative practices. Paul shares his upcoming projects, including a podcast about queer experiences of family.

Summary

Dana Balicki is a transformational coach and guide who helps people release the cultural program of fast-paced hustling and cultivate their inner intuitive connection. She draws on her background in political activism and organizing to create spaces for people to explore their past, present, and future. Dana's work includes coaching, podcasting, and world-building. She believes in the co-creation process and focuses on creating intimate containers for individuals to discover their true selves. Dana's coaching work is action-oriented, helping clients design their lives around what is most important to them. In this conversation, Shannon Kearns and Dana Belicki discuss the intersection of creativity and spirituality. They explore the importance of giving oneself space to explore and understand their own creative process. They emphasize the need to trust one's own timing and not judge oneself for resistance or procrastination. They also discuss the practice of sitting in discomfort and the importance of personal risk and vulnerability in creativity. Shannon and Dana share their favorite thinkers, artists, and books that have impacted their creative lives. They conclude by discussing how creativity permeates all aspects of life and the importance of finding magic in the mundane.

Adam Rao, CEO of Triple 20, discusses his career in creating organizations that make a positive impact on people's lives. He shares his journey from working in the church to helping people get out of payday debt, to creating new products in the financial technology sector. He emphasizes the importance of insight, inspiration, and innovation in his work. He also explores the intersection of creativity and entrepreneurship, highlighting the need to understand what people want and need in order to create meaningful solutions. He discusses the differences between the nonprofit and for-profit sectors and the importance of finding a business model that aligns with your goals. Finally, he shares his process of generating ideas by talking to people and understanding their problems and desires. Triple 20 is a company that focuses on creating trade show exhibits that prioritize empathy and solve problems.