This is How We Create

Martine Severin
  • 5.0 (31)
  • Visual Arts
  • Updated Weekly

The This is How We Create podcast digs deeper into the creative life of contemporary artists of color. Discover what feeds their creativity and how they found (or are finding) their artistic voice. Through these intimate and candid conversations, you will gain insights into the lives of creative professionals of color that are hard to find anywhere else.

  1. 23h ago ·  Video

    Stop Posting to Nobody and Claim Your Audience - Lina Monterrey

    We accidentally unlocked a strategy that skyrocketed our own community from three hundred quiet listeners to over 11,000 fiercely loyal fans in less than six months. I sit down with our brilliant social media specialist, Lina Monterey, to expose the mistakes that are stopping you from reaching your audience.  Lina shares the exact methods she uses to carve irresistible hooks out of everyday conversations. This is the episode you didn't know you needed. Chapters 00:00 The terrifying reality of rapid community growth  04:16 Why building a massive platform matters for creatives of color  08:20 Hitting 10,000 followers in under six months  10:57 Overcoming the creative block of self promotion  12:13 Crafting emotional hooks that stop the scroll  14:12 The brutal mistake ruining your audience connection  16:18 Aligning your aesthetic cues with your true target market  18:36 Mapping the customer journey for sustainable growth   Listen to the show on your favorite streaming platform! Apple Podcast: http://bit.ly/4fcopgQ Spotify: http://bit.ly/4fdkiBs YouTube: https://youtu.be/vZdiy5DfKx8 Connect with Lina Follow her on Instagram: Lina's website:   Support the Show Website: http://www.martineseverin.com Follow on Instagram: @martine.severin | @thisishowwecreate_ Subscribe to the Newsletter: http://www.martineseverin.substack.com   This is How We Create is produced by Martine Severin. This episode was edited by Daniel Espinosa. Podcast show art is designed by Violetta Encarnación. Music by Timothy Infinite.   Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts Leave a review Follow us on social media Share with fellow creatives

  2. Jul 29 ·  Video

    A Corporate Layoff Sparked a Design Revolution - Hadiya Williams

    Feeling stuck in a safe job while your creative dreams take a backseat? Sometimes an unexpected plot twist is just what you need to leap. In this episode, I'm chatting with artist Hadiya Williams about how getting laid off helped her build a thriving studio on her own terms. Hear how a 100-day challenge sparked her signature style, how she got into art school without a traditional portfolio, and how she blends AI with handcrafted ceramics. Hit play and get ready to turn life's scariest curveballs into your next big creative breakthrough!   Chapters 00:18 - Meet Hadiah Williams: Craft as Living Archive 01:39 - DC Roots, Elizabeth Catlett, and Cultural Memory 04:11 - Accidental Tech Career: Computer Science by Default 05:35 - The Mass Layoff and the Pivot to Graphic Design 07:18 - Applying to Art School with Maxwell Fan Art 11:23 - The Wedding Invitations That Sparked Black Pepper Papery Co. 15:24 - Harnessing Corporate Stress for Entrepreneurial Freedom 20:21 - Finding a Signature Voice Through the 100-Day Challenge 24:34 - Scaling an Art Practice Without Losing Your Soul 28:25 - Blending Generative AI, Clay, and 1970s Analog Nostalgia   Connect with Hadiya Follow her on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hadiyawilliams/?hl=en Hadiya website: https://www.hadiyawilliams.com/   Support the Show Website: http://www.martineseverin.com Follow on Instagram: @martine.severin | @thisishowwecreate_ Subscribe to the Newsletter: http://www.martineseverin.substack.com   This is How We Create is produced by Martine Severin. This episode was edited by Daniel Espinosa. Podcast show art is designed by Violetta Encarnación. Music by Timothy Infinite.   Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts Leave a review Follow us on social media Share with fellow creatives

    A Corporate Layoff Sparked a Design Revolution - Hadiya Williams

  3. Jul 22 ·  Video

    The Mistake That Cost Me My Brand Name - Martine Severin

    If you want to start a podcast but are paralyzed by the fear of sounding stupid, you may be paying the high price of waiting. In this episode, learn the steps to start your podcast.  Stop letting the illusion of readiness stall your momentum; tune in to claim your voice, launch your project, and find and build your dedicated tribe today.    Chapters 00:13 - Confession: Ten Years of Stalling and Fear 02:10 - The Hidden Power of Podcasting for Creators 04:15 - Finding Your Unique, Obsession-Driven Topic 07:02 - The Power of Hyper-Specificity: Niche Down 08:15 - Naming Your Show: The 50-Name Exercise 09:55 - The Five-Day Warning: Register Your Brand Immediately 11:15 - Fast Artwork and Brand Photos on a Budget 11:58 - Demystifying the Gear: The Twenty-Dollar Microphone Rule 14:24 - Embracing the Bad First Episode and the Dunning-Kruger Effect 15:58 - Your Action Plan for This Week   Listen to the show on your favorite streaming platform! Apple Podcast: http://bit.ly/4fcopgQ Spotify: http://bit.ly/4fdkiBs YouTube: https://youtu.be/xx3cVK1DuQA Support the Show Website: http://www.martineseverin.com Follow on Instagram: @martine.severin | @thisishowwecreate_ Subscribe to the Newsletter: http://www.martineseverin.substack.com   This is How We Create is produced by Martine Severin. This episode was edited by Daniel Espinosa. Podcast show art is designed by Violetta Encarnación. Music by Timothy Infinite.   Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts Leave a review Follow us on social media Share with fellow creatives

  4. Jul 15 ·  Video

    How to Unlock Your Truest Creative Voice - Nicole A. Taylor

    What does ultimate creative freedom look like? What boundaries do you need to have in your life for this freedom to propel you forward? In this conversation with cookbook author Nicole A. Taylor, we talk code-switching, what it takes to write a book, and how personal ethics might be the fuel for your career. Hit play to hear how drawing your own hard lines can unlock your truest, most powerful creative voice.    Chapters 00:18 - Introduction to Nicole A. Taylor 01:05 - Sponsor Spotlight: iCode School 01:48 - Finding Freedom in a Georgia Kitchen 04:03 - The Power of Early Confidence and Family Grace 07:59 - The Origin Story of Watermelon and Red Birds 12:01 - Non-Negotiables and Embracing Your Authentic Vernacular 17:10 - The Unvarnished Truth of the Cookbook Publishing Process 22:37 - Rituals, Discipline, and Protecting Your Peace 24:53 - Closing Notes and Substack Support   Connect with Nicole: Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/foodculturist Website: https://www.nicoleataylor.com/ Support the show: Website: Martine Severin Follow on Instagram: Martine | This Is How We Create Subscribe to the Newsletter: Martine's Substack This is How We Create is produced by Martine Severin. This episode was edited by Daniel Espinosa. Podcast show art is designed by Violetta Encarnación. Music by Timothy Infinite. show   Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts Leave a review Follow us on social media Share with fellow creatives

    How to Unlock Your Truest Creative Voice - Nicole A. Taylor

  5. Jul 10 ·  Video

    The Ancient Answer to Your Burnout - Martine Severin

    What should you do about burnout? In this episode, I pull back the curtain on nearly 200 episodes to reveal the psychological shifts and structural changes that rescued me from burnout. These shifts transformed how I approach delegation and audience building.   Listen to this milestone episode to discover the practical, battle-tested blueprints you need to stop merely surviving your creative career and start building a sustainable artistic framework that thrives over the long game. Chapters 00:13  The Bedside Book That Challenged My Excuses  02:35  Finding Practical Wisdom Under Fire  04:57  The True Purpose of This Podcast Journey  07:18  Breaking the Cycle of the One-Person Operation  09:38  Shifting Mindsets Through Lived Knowledge  11:59  The Long Game of Building True Community  14:24  Ancient Solutions for Modern Creative Struggles    Support the Show Website: http://www.martineseverin.com Follow on Instagram: @martine.severin | @thisishowwecreate_ Subscribe to the Newsletter: http://www.martineseverin.substack.com   This is How We Create is produced by Martine Severin. This episode was edited by Daniel Espinosa. Podcast show art is designed by Violetta Encarnación. Music by Timothy Infinite.   Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts Leave a review Follow us on social media Share with fellow creatives

  6. Jul 1 ·  Video

    Build an Unstoppable Creative Career - Justin Q. Williams

    Atlanta interior design powerhouse Justin Q. Williams built a celebrated empire by launching his business at just eighteen, but the glittering television features and custom furniture lines mask years of grueling midnight grinds, raw psychological battles with clients, and a devastating early rejection that completely altered his trajectory. I strip away the glossy highlight reel of creative entrepreneurship to expose the exact operational shifts required to transform an exhausting side hustle into an aligned, impactful brand. Run to your favorite app and hit play to discover how to navigate your own professional rejections, anchor your evolving creative voice, and design a business that truly honors your soul.    Chapters 00:00 Redefining Artistic Authenticity 02:18 Dream Drives and Early Design Software 04:38 Launching a Business at Eighteen 05:27 The First Client and Viral Twitter Fame 07:12 Hustling Between the Church and the Side Business 08:53 Mastering Client Psychology and Expectations 11:14 Why Function Trumps Fashion in Interior Design 13:04 Cultivating an Evolving Design Voice 15:19 Business Lessons from Iconic Mentors 17:09 Paying It Forward and Mentoring the Next Generation 19:25 The Truth Behind the Polished Instagram Grid 24:13 Protecting Mental Health as a Creative Empath 25:16 Enhancing Black Representation on National Television 28:07 Sourcing Global Inspiration for Retail Collections 29:42 Measuring Real Success Beyond the Paycheck   Connect with Justin: Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/justinqwilliams/ Website: https://www.trademarkdesignco.com/ Support the show: Website: Martine Severin Follow on Instagram: Martine | This Is How We Create Subscribe to the Newsletter: Martine's Substack This is How We Create is produced by Martine Severin. This episode was edited by Daniel Espinosa. Podcast show art is designed by Violetta Encarnación. Music by Timothy Infinite. show   Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts Leave a review Follow us on social media Share with fellow creatives

    Build an Unstoppable Creative Career - Justin Q. Williams

  7. Jun 25 ·  Video

    What Clients Actually Mean When They Say They Have No Budget - Martine Severin

    Every creative hits the wall where a dream client utters the four words: "we have no budget."    In this special community Q&A episode, I pull back the curtain on the subtle business traps that quietly drain your bank account and compromise your artistic integrity.    You will discover the psychological pricing trick that forces clients to pick your ideal rate, the hidden meanings behind sudden timeline demands, and the exact response that shuts down scope creep before you spend hours animating for free.    Stop letting the fear of rejection dictate your pricing strategies and master the insider boundary shifts required to protect your labor while elevating your creative profit.    Chapters 00:00 - Introduction: Flipping the Script on Creative Struggles  00:30 - Dissecting the "We Have No Budget" Dilemma  02:32 - The Psychology of Tiered Pricing for Photographers  04:20 - Protecting Your Energy with a Non-Resentment Rate  06:00 - Sponsor Spotlight: iCode School  06:33 - The Four Hidden Reasons Clients Hide Their Budgets  07:16 - Defusing Fake Urgent Deadlines Without Losing the Project  09:05 - Shutting Down Scope Creep in Creative Proposals  12:40 - Creative Encouragement and Substack Invite   Listen to the show on your favorite streaming platform! Apple Podcast: http://bit.ly/4fcopgQ Spotify: http://bit.ly/4fdkiBs YouTube:   Support the Show Website: http://www.martineseverin.com Follow on Instagram: @martine.severin | @thisishowwecreate_ Subscribe to the Newsletter: http://www.martineseverin.substack.com   This is How We Create is produced by Martine Severin. This episode was edited by Daniel Espinosa. Podcast show art is designed by Violetta Encarnación. Music by Timothy Infinite.   Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts Leave a review Follow us on social media Share with fellow creatives

  8. Jun 18 ·  Video

    From Couch Surfing to Hollywood Sets - Aleia Kristene

    Screenwriter and coach Aleia Kristene survived grueling hustle, but she walked away questioning whether the narrative of the suffering artist is actually a badge of honor or just unexamined trauma. In our conversation, she reveals how she transformed twenty years of family tragedy into a limited series. She also shares the exact pacing mistakes that instantly tank amateur scripts.    If you feel stuck behind a wall of perfectionism or lost in a quiet season of your own creative journey, this episode delivers:  an insider guide to reclaim your voice, how to master the production realities of Hollywood, and how to get your biggest ideas onto the page.  Chapters 00:00 - Redefining the Artist's Struggle  01:23 - Reclaiming Creativity with iCode  02:08 - Writing a Male Cinderella at Nine Years Old  04:17 - Realism over Cartoons: The Influence of Black Cinema  06:35 - Turning Family Tragedy into a Sellable Script  11:15 - Demystifying the Hollywood Table Read  12:47 - Brutal Production Realities from Major Film Sets  17:43 - The Biggest Mistakes Amateurs Make in Action Lines  20:06 - Balancing Mentorship with Personal Creative Output  23:15 - Overcoming the Perfectionism Trap of First Drafts  27:55 - Aleia's Ultimate Dream Project   Listen to the show on your favorite streaming platform! Apple Podcast: http://bit.ly/4fcopgQ Spotify: http://bit.ly/4fdkiBs YouTube: https://youtu.be/4ekuzVLC8_M   Connect with Aleia: Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aleiakristene/ Website: https://aleiakristene.com/ Support the show Website: Martine Severin Follow on Instagram: Martine | This Is How We Create Subscribe to the Newsletter: Martine's Substack This is How We Create is produced by Martine Severin. This episode was edited by Daniel Espinosa. Podcast show art is designed by Violetta Encarnación. Music by Timothy Infinite. show   Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts Leave a review Follow us on social media Share with fellow creatives

    From Couch Surfing to Hollywood Sets - Aleia Kristene
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About

The This is How We Create podcast digs deeper into the creative life of contemporary artists of color. Discover what feeds their creativity and how they found (or are finding) their artistic voice. Through these intimate and candid conversations, you will gain insights into the lives of creative professionals of color that are hard to find anywhere else.

Information

  • Creator
    Martine Severin
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    221
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Martine Severin
  • Show Website
    This is How We Create

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