First, I reflect on my own journey through Covid disruptions – from coaching creatives to writing poetry – and then my friend Joanna Penn interviews me about the inspiration, funding and production behind the show.

UPDATE, 2025: A Mouthful of Air is still going, and has been selected by The Guardian in a list of ‘five of the best’ poetry podcasts, and by Podcast Review for three years running as one of the 11 best podcasts for poetry lovers. So it feels like it was worth the effort to get it started, back in the tense days of the pandemic.

‘For me personally, poetry is the bedrock – it’s the foundation of who I am in everything that I do.’ – listen to my story and Joanna Penn’s interview about launching a podcast amid global upheaval.

Episode summary

Mark McGuinness

Mark McGuinness is an award-winning poet and creative coach whose podcast The 21st Century Creative has guided thousands of creatives. In this episode he unveils how he launched his new poetry show, A Mouthful of Air, against the backdrop of the pandemic.

Big ideas in this conversation

• Poetry as foundation – personal art can anchor and enrich professional work.
• ‘Throw them in the deep end, then give them a lifejacket’ – my approach to poetry podcasting.
• Diverse funding strategies – combine coaching revenue, grants and independence to support creative ventures.

Advice worth hearing in full

• Seize disruption – crises can spur new passion projects and opportunities.
• Play multiple games – pursue both traditional and independent routes to find the best platform for each project.

Where next?

Listen to A Mouthful of Air at amouthfulofair.fm to hear how classic and contemporary poems are made.

About The 21st Century Creative podcast

Hosted by creative coach and award-winning poet Mark McGuinness, The 21st Century Creative podcast helps you succeed as a creative professional amid the demands, distractions and opportunities of the 21st century.

Each episode features insights from Mark and interviews with outstanding creators – including artists, writers, performers, commercial creatives, directors, producers, entrepreneurs and other creative thought-leaders.

Make sure you receive every episode by subscribing in Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you listen.

Join the mailing list to have every episode delivered to your inbox, along with the free 21st Century Creative Foundation Course.

The post How I Created, Funded and Launched My New Podcast (while the World Was in Meltdown) appeared first on Creative Coach | Mark McGuinness.

     

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From crowdfunding a sumi dragon book to renovating a countryside house and launching NFT art, he reinvented his creative practice.

‘Challenging yourself is very important’ – discover how Ichi reinvented his art across mediums.

Episode summary

Ichi Hatano

Ichi Hatano is a Tokyo-based tattoo artist and Suiboku-ga painter whose work honours centuries-old Japanese traditions. When the pandemic emptied his studio, he published a Kickstarter-funded dragon painting book, restored a rural house via YouTube, and exhibited his digital art at CrypTOKYO, Japan’s first in-person NFT show.

Big ideas in this conversation

• Embrace disruption – unexpected challenges can lead to new creative paths.
• Blend old and new – update traditional forms with modern technology.
• Diversify projects – pursue multiple ventures to sustain momentum.

Advice worth hearing in full

• Trial and error is vital – experiment boldly with new mediums to keep your practice alive.

Where next?

Explore Ichi’s sumi ink paintings, digital art and his crowdfunded book at ichihatano.com, and follow his studio on Instagram at @ichi_hatano.

About The 21st Century Creative podcast

Hosted by creative coach and award-winning poet Mark McGuinness, The 21st Century Creative podcast helps you succeed as a creative professional amid the demands, distractions and opportunities of the 21st century.

Each episode features insights from Mark and interviews with outstanding creators – including artists, writers, performers, commercial creatives, directors, producers, entrepreneurs and other creative thought-leaders.

Make sure you receive every episode by subscribing in Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you listen.

Join the mailing list to have every episode delivered to your inbox, along with the free 21st Century Creative Foundation Course.

The post From Tattoos to NFT Art with Ichi Hatano appeared first on Creative Coach | Mark McGuinness.

     

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That was voiceover artist Nicky Mondellini’s dilemma until the pandemic cancelled her film work – and suddenly she had the time to launch her long-planned podcast.

‘If you don’t start now, you’ll never do it’ – tune in to Nicky’s story of seizing her moment in lockdown.

Episode summary

Nicky Mondellini

Nicky Mondellini is a multilingual actor and award-winning voiceover artist whose work spans stage, screen and commercials for brands such as Ford, Google Pixel and Ikea. When the pandemic upended her acting projects in early 2020, she chose to deepen her voiceover skills and launch La Pizarra, her Spanish-language podcast interviewing entertainment professionals.

Big ideas in this conversation

• Lean into your strengths – use existing skills to find new creative avenues.
• Invest in yourself – targeted coaching and training boost confidence and bookings.
• Start imperfectly – launch projects now and refine as you go.
• Use your voice – spoken connection can clarify, engage and open doors.

Advice worth hearing in full

• Perfect is the enemy of done – begin your project now to build momentum and learn from experience.
• Pick up the phone – a quick call can achieve more than dozens of emails.

Where next?

Discover Nicky’s voiceover demos and coaching at nickymondellini.com and listen to her podcast La Pizarra at lapizarrapodcast.com.

About The 21st Century Creative podcast

Hosted by creative coach and award-winning poet Mark McGuinness, The 21st Century Creative podcast helps you succeed as a creative professional amid the demands, distractions and opportunities of the 21st century.

Each episode features insights from Mark and interviews with outstanding creators – including artists, writers, performers, commercial creatives, directors, producers, entrepreneurs and other creative thought-leaders.

Make sure you receive every episode by subscribing in Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you listen.

Join the mailing list to have every episode delivered to your inbox, along with the free 21st Century Creative Foundation Course.

The post Using Lockdown to Launch a Dream Project with Nicky Mondellini appeared first on Creative Coach | Mark McGuinness.

     

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Laura, famed for The Courage to Heal and her new memoir The Burning Light of Two Stars, challenged her own beliefs about digital learning – and discovered it could be just as transformative.

‘I didn’t think online teaching could match an in-person retreat – but I was pleasantly surprised’ – listen to Laura’s story of creative reinvention.

Episode summary

Laura Davis

Laura Davis is the co-author of the classic guide The Courage to Heal and author of the memoir The Burning Light of Two Stars. Her work has sold millions of copies in eleven languages and pioneered a pathway to healing for survivors of trauma.

For the past 25 years she has taught writing and personal transformation at retreats worldwide. When the pandemic struck, Laura boldly took her deep, intimate workshops online – proving that virtual spaces can host genuine healing.

Big ideas in this conversation

• Pivoting to virtual teaching – how to adapt deep healing work to online classes.
• The power of writing practice – using unfiltered writing and reading out loud for transformation.
• Creating and sustaining community – building intimacy and support in both in-person and online settings.
• Courage to reveal – the creative bravery required to write one’s most vulnerable truth.

Advice worth hearing in full

• Embrace the closed door – write for 20 minutes without stopping on prompt and read your words out loud.
• Create your container – establish clear guidelines for safety and self-care in online workshops.

Where next?

You can read the opening chapters of The Burning Light of Two Stars here.

And you can find out more about the book and where to buy it here.

Laura is now back to teaching in-person retreats again, as well as online classes – you can learn about all of thes at her website LauraDavis.net.

About The 21st Century Creative podcast

Hosted by creative coach and award-winning poet Mark McGuinness, The 21st Century Creative podcast helps you succeed as a creative professional amid the demands, distractions and opportunities of the 21st century.

Each episode features insights from Mark and interviews with outstanding creators – including artists, writers, performers, commercial creatives, directors, producers, entrepreneurs and other creative thought-leaders.

Make sure you receive every episode by subscribing in Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you listen.

Join the mailing list to have every episode delivered to your inbox, along with the free 21st Century Creative Foundation Course.

The post Taking Deep Work Online with Laura Davis appeared first on Creative Coach | Mark McGuinness.

     

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Charlotte Abroms, a Melbourne-based music manager, used the enforced shutdown to pioneer new ways to help her roster thrive – from virtual gigs to mentoring emerging talent.

‘If an artist doesn’t have cash flow, the manager usually works on a commission basis – so the manager doesn’t have cash flow either.’ – hear how Charlotte innovated to keep musicians afloat.

Episode summary

Charlotte Abroms

Charlotte Abroms is a Melbourne-based music manager whose roster includes Ainslie Wills, Haarlo and producers Jonathan Steer and John Castle. With a background in digital strategy and as co-founder of the live-music blog Large Noises, she has won the Lighthouse Award, Fast Track Fellowship and Outstanding Woman in Music Award.

When COVID-19 cancelled tours and cut off artist incomes, Charlotte responded by creating virtual gigs, fundraising campaigns and bespoke mentoring for emerging musicians and young managers – showing how resourceful creativity can sustain an entire industry.

Big ideas in this conversation

• Creative resilience – pivoting to virtual concerts and on-demand streams to generate income when live shows were impossible.
• Audience-first marketing – scouting talent and engaging fans online using digital-strategy skills.
• Flexible management models – offering short-term mentoring and consulting instead of long contracts.
• Enhanced accessibility – using high-quality streams and seated events to reach fans unable to attend in person.

Advice worth hearing in full

• Use enforced downtime – invest in virtual projects, mentoring programmes or skill-building when tours are halted.
• Maintain audience connection – produce professional online events and digital content to keep fans engaged and support revenue.

Where next?

Discover Charlotte’s mentoring and music-management services at hearheargroup.com and follow her insights on Instagram at @charlotteabroms.

About The 21st Century Creative podcast

Hosted by creative coach and award-winning poet Mark McGuinness, The 21st Century Creative podcast helps you succeed as a creative professional amid the demands, distractions and opportunities of the 21st century.

Each episode features insights from Mark and interviews with outstanding creators – including artists, writers, performers, commercial creatives, directors, producers, entrepreneurs and other creative thought-leaders.

Make sure you receive every episode by subscribing in Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you listen.

Join the mailing list to have every episode delivered to your inbox, along with the free 21st Century Creative Foundation Course.

The post Helping Musicians Through Lockdown with Charlotte Abroms appeared first on Creative Coach | Mark McGuinness.

     

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Kay Lock Kolp shows how even in crisis you can nurture your artistic spark alongside parenting demands.

‘Each of the next seven nights, take a few moments to look at yourself in the mirror.’ – hear Kay’s nightly ritual for nourishing creativity as a parent.

Episode summary

Kay Lock Kolp

Kay Lock Kolp is a coach, podcaster and author who helps creatives balance parenting and their inner lives. Through her Practical Intuition podcast and one-to-one coaching she guides parents to reclaim self-care, preserve creativity and thrive under pressure.

Big ideas in this conversation

• Creativity and parenting coexist – tiny daily acts sustain your artistic life alongside childcare.
• Self-care fuels resilience – filling your own cup enables better parenting and creative work.
• Permission frees expression – give yourself the right to create and dispel self-doubt.

Advice worth hearing in full

• Think small – even five minutes of creative focus moves you forward.
• Set micro-boundaries – use short timers to balance child care and concentrated work.

Where next?

Connect with Kay at kaylockkolp.com and subscribe to her weekly insights at kaylockkolp.com/weekly.

About The 21st Century Creative podcast

Hosted by creative coach and award-winning poet Mark McGuinness, The 21st Century Creative podcast helps you succeed as a creative professional amid the demands, distractions and opportunities of the 21st century.

Each episode features insights from Mark and interviews with outstanding creators – including artists, writers, performers, commercial creatives, directors, producers, entrepreneurs and other creative thought-leaders.

Make sure you receive every episode by subscribing in Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you listen.

Join the mailing list to have every episode delivered to your inbox, along with the free 21st Century Creative Foundation Course.

The post Parenting for Creatives with Kay Lock Kolp appeared first on Creative Coach | Mark McGuinness.

     

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Amrita Kumar turned the crisis into opportunity by launching Mojo Box – a subscription discovery platform that kept her business alive and engaged 240,000 consumers.

‘Going slow is okay’ – learn how patience became Amrita’s secret weapon.

Episode summary

Amrita Kumar

Amrita Kumar is co-founder and CEO of Candid Marketing, one of India’s most awarded experiential agencies. When in-person activations ground to a halt in 2020, she launched Mojo Box – a home-delivery sampling service that now reaches over 240,000 registered consumers across India.

Big ideas in this conversation

• Reinvent under pressure – turn a long-held idea into a lifeline when your core business stalls.
• Design for all stakeholders – create value for brands, consumers and micro-influencers alike.
• Embrace slow experimentation – launch quickly, gather real feedback and refine as you go.
• Consumer insight drives innovation – real-time feedback sparks better products and services.

Advice worth hearing in full

• Going slow is okay – give yourself permission to build at a sustainable pace.
• Push imperfect launches – if you’re not embarrassed by your first version, you launched too late.
• Charge for commitment – a small fee ensures engaged participants and richer data.

Where next?

Explore sample boxes and join Mojo Box via @iwantamojobox.

About The 21st Century Creative podcast

Hosted by creative coach and award-winning poet Mark McGuinness, The 21st Century Creative podcast helps you succeed as a creative professional amid the demands, distractions and opportunities of the 21st century.

Each episode features insights from Mark and interviews with outstanding creators – including artists, writers, performers, commercial creatives, directors, producers, entrepreneurs and other creative thought-leaders.

Make sure you receive every episode by subscribing in Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you listen.

Join the mailing list to have every episode delivered to your inbox, along with the free 21st Century Creative Foundation Course.

The post Launching a New Business in the Pandemic with Amrita Kumar appeared first on Creative Coach | Mark McGuinness.

     

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Hometeam Productions turned that crisis into opportunity by tapping a global network of local filmmakers to keep content flowing for brands and broadcasters.

‘When the rest of the industry went dark, we already had the solution’ – tune in to discover how Hometeam rewrote the rules of production.

Episode summary

Hometeam

Hometeam is a global content-production network founded by Harrison Winter, Brandon Bloch and Lagan Sebert. They leverage over 500 filmmakers in more than 150 countries to deliver remote shoots for clients such as NBC’s The Voice, HBO Max’s Legendary and Google’s No Easy Answers, keeping projects rolling when travel was impossible.

Big ideas in this conversation

• Remote production as necessity – a pre-existing global model became essential overnight.
• Local talent unlocks authenticity – filmmakers on the ground deliver richer, more vibrant stories.
• Constraints spark creativity – limitations inspire innovative solutions and new possibilities.
• Community over competition – sharing resources builds opportunity for all.

Advice worth hearing in full

• Turn disadvantages into advantages – seek the opportunity in every constraint.
• Stop asking permission – pick up your camera (or pen) and start creating.
• Anticipate reinvention – look proactively for your next creative pivot.

Where next?

Discover how Hometeam can reboot your productions at wearehometeam.com, and explore their case studies of global shoots.

About The 21st Century Creative podcast

Hosted by creative coach and award-winning poet Mark McGuinness, The 21st Century Creative podcast helps you succeed as a creative professional amid the demands, distractions and opportunities of the 21st century.

Each episode features insights from Mark and interviews with outstanding creators – including artists, writers, performers, commercial creatives, directors, producers, entrepreneurs and other creative thought-leaders.

Make sure you receive every episode by subscribing in Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you listen.

Join the mailing list to have every episode delivered to your inbox, along with the free 21st Century Creative Foundation Course.

The post Rebooting Global Filming with Hometeam appeared first on Creative Coach | Mark McGuinness.

     

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Under strict restrictions he turned his camera into a window on the world, creating his Lockdown Series to reimagine confinement as a source of solace and invention.

‘Photography became my place of solace and kept me grounded at a time of uncertainty’ – listen to Earl’s inspiring story.

Episode summary

Earl Abrahams

Earl Abrahams is a South African photographer and filmmaker whose practice investigates race, identity and social mobility through dynamic, movement-based imagery. His Lockdown Series documented life from his apartment block, earning global recognition and new income streams.

Big ideas in this conversation

• Solace through creativity – daily photographic practice provided emotional grounding in lockdown.
• Resourceful vision – a confined field of view became a source of inventive abstraction and storytelling.
• Digital community – sharing work online opened new audiences and sustained him financially.
• Play as practice – gifting himself time to play each day sharpened his eye and unlocked new projects.

Advice worth hearing in full

• Follow the bread crumbs – trust the next intuitive step, even when the path is unclear.
• Gift yourself play – carve out daily time to experiment without expectation.

Where next?

Explore Earl’s Lockdown Series and other work at his website – Lockdown Series and more at earl-abrahams.com.

About The 21st Century Creative podcast

Hosted by creative coach and award-winning poet Mark McGuinness, The 21st Century Creative podcast helps you succeed as a creative professional amid the demands, distractions and opportunities of the 21st century.

Each episode features insights from Mark and interviews with outstanding creators – including artists, writers, performers, commercial creatives, directors, producers, entrepreneurs and other creative thought-leaders.

Make sure you receive every episode by subscribing in Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you listen.

Join the mailing list to have every episode delivered to your inbox, along with the free 21st Century Creative Foundation Course.

The post Lockdown Series: Windows on a Changed World with Earl Abrahams appeared first on Creative Coach | Mark McGuinness.

     

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When his acclaimed production of Young Jean Lee’s Straight White Men was halted by the pandemic, he responded by inventing Rocky Road, a hybrid theatrical-cinematic thriller that reimagined live performance for the Covid era.

‘I aim to make theatre that allows us to feel closer to one another and to collectively imagine better possibilities for how we might all get along.’

Episode summary

Steven Kunis

Steven Kunis is the founding artistic director of Panorama Productions. His work spans theatre, opera and experimental performance, and his UK premiere of Straight White Men earned multiple award nominations and rave reviews.

Big ideas in this conversation

• Creative disruption – Constraints can spark entirely new forms, as Steven’s pivot from stage to screen demonstrates.
• Collective creativity – Theatre thrives on shared experiences and the communal imagination it fosters.
• Embrace your limitations – Your perceived obstacles can become the very fuel for inventive solutions.
• Hybrid storytelling – Blending cinematic techniques with live performance can create fresh, immersive experiences.

Advice worth hearing in full

• List your constraints – Spend six minutes writing down everything that feels like a limitation, then choose one or two and ask how they might become advantages.
• Lean into collaboration – Use the collective intelligence in your rehearsal room or team to uncover ideas beyond your own.

Where next?

For more on Steven Kunis’s work and to stay updated on upcoming projects, visit his LinkedIn page.

About The 21st Century Creative podcast

Hosted by creative coach and award-winning poet Mark McGuinness, The 21st Century Creative podcast helps you succeed as a creative professional amid the demands, distractions and opportunities of the 21st century.

Each episode features insights from Mark and interviews with outstanding creators – including artists, writers, performers, commercial creatives, directors, producers, entrepreneurs and other creative thought-leaders.

Make sure you receive every episode by subscribing in Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you listen.

Join the mailing list to have every episode delivered to your inbox, along with the free 21st Century Creative Foundation Course.

The post The Rocky Road for Theatre through the Pandemic with Steven Kunis appeared first on Creative Coach | Mark McGuinness.

     

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In this final episode of Season 5—Episode 50—Michael returns with his new book, The Advice Trap, to show you how to tame your inner Advice Monster and transform the way you lead and communicate.

‘Our advice is not nearly as good as we think it is.’ – listen to the full conversation.

Episode summary

Michael Bungay Stanier

Michael Bungay Stanier is a coach and author who teaches leaders how to move from rushing to solutions towards being curious a little longer. His first book, The Coaching Habit, became a modern management classic, and his new follow-up, The Advice Trap, tackles the hidden costs of our default advice-giving habit.

Big ideas in this conversation

• The advice-giving habit – defaulting to solutions can target the wrong problem, disempower others and exhaust you.
• The Advice Monster – your urge to tell, save or control undermines autonomy and creativity in your team.
• Stay curious a little longer – delaying advice invites deeper insights and reveals the real challenge.
• Questions over answers – asking ‘What’s the real challenge?’ and ‘What else?’ surfaces better solutions.

Advice worth hearing in full

• ‘What’s the real challenge here for you?’ – a four-step script to uncover the true issue before advising.
• ‘What’s your first idea? And what else?’ – a habit to slow the Advice Monster and empower your team.
• Frame advice as possibilities – offer suggestions tentatively and check if they’re useful.

Where next?

Explore the Advice Monster questionnaire at theadvicetrap.com and find Michael’s free resources, including The Year of Living Brilliantly course, at mbs.works.

About The 21st Century Creative podcast

Hosted by creative coach and award-winning poet Mark McGuinness, The 21st Century Creative podcast helps you succeed as a creative professional amid the demands, distractions and opportunities of the 21st century.

Each episode features insights from Mark and interviews with outstanding creators – including artists, writers, performers, commercial creatives, directors, producers, entrepreneurs and other creative thought-leaders.

Make sure you receive every episode by subscribing in Avoiding the Advice Trap with Michael Bungay Stanier appeared first on Creative Coach | Mark McGuinness.

     

In this episode, Krystal shares her journey from analogue artist to leading a studio at ‘the intersection of delight and clarity through illustration’, and reveals how persistent outreach and smart hat-switching turbocharge a creative business.

‘I really think that it’s big online because this is a way to bring humanity, to bring that expression onto the interface.’ – listen to the full conversation.

Episode summary

Krystal Lauk

Krystal Lauk is an illustrator whose studio crafts engaging visuals that help tech companies humanise their products and tell complex stories with clarity and charm. Her clients range from Google Play and Uber to editorial features in The New York Times, and her work has been recognised by American Illustration and the Society of Illustrators.

Big ideas in this conversation

• Illustration as a humanising interface – use metaphorical visuals to make technology feel approachable and engaging.
• The intersection of delight and clarity – balance playful style with clear communication to guide users.
• Proactive outreach builds opportunity – persistently signal availability and follow up to land big-name clients.
• Hat-switching as entrepreneur – allocate dedicated time for focused creation and for extroverted networking.

Advice worth hearing in full

• Signal you’re open for business – send concise, personalised outreach emails and follow up until you get a response.
• Batch uncomfortable tasks – set aside specific blocks for outreach to build momentum.
• Embrace both introvert and extrovert roles – schedule time for deep creative flow and separate time for client-facing activities.

Where next?

Explore Krystal’s portfolio at KrystalLauk.com and learn more about her studio’s work at LaukHaus.com . Follow her on Twitter or Instagram.

About The 21st Century Creative podcast

Hosted by creative coach and award-winning poet Mark McGuinness, The 21st Century Creative podcast helps you succeed as a creative professional amid the demands, distractions and opportunities of the 21st century.

Each episode features insights from Mark and interviews with outstanding creators – including artists, writers, performers, commercial creatives, directors, producers, entrepreneurs and other creative thought-leaders.

Make sure you receive every episode by subscribing in Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you listen.

Join the mailing list to have every episode delivered to your inbox, along with the free 21st Century Creative Foundation Course.

The post The 21st Century Illustrator with Krystal Lauk appeared first on Creative Coach | Mark McGuinness.

     

In this episode, Cynthia reveals practical strategies—from mindset shifts to time-management hacks—to guide busy creatives through every stage of the book-writing journey.

‘Writing a book is hard! It’s not an easy thing.’ – Cynthia Morris on why commitment and curiosity are your best allies. Listen to the episode.

Episode summary

Cynthia Morris

Cynthia Morris is an author and creative coach who has helped countless writers overcome self-doubt and launch projects since 1999. Her latest book, The Busy Woman’s Guide to Writing a World-Changing Book, offers a step-by-step roadmap for carving out time, managing mindsets and sustaining momentum—no matter how hectic your schedule.

Big ideas in this conversation

• Treat your book as a relationship – schedule ‘writing dates’, show up daily and engage in a creative dialogue with your deeper self.
• Balance Inner Critic with Inner Champion – use free-writing to surface self-doubt, then let your own encouragement emerge in response.
• Capture promotion ideas while writing – note ‘tweetables’, pull-out quotes and themes to streamline marketing later.
• Embrace curiosity over doubt – reframe the question ‘Can I do this?’ into ‘I can’t wait to see what happens.’

Advice worth hearing in full

• Learn free-writing – set a timer, choose a prompt and write without stopping to unlock flow and clarify ideas.
• Write a manifesto – distil your book’s purpose into a rallying cry that reminds you why this project matters.
• Commit monogamously – treat your manuscript like a cherished relationship you nurture each day.

Where next?

Explore The Busy Woman’s Guide to Writing a World-Changing Book and discover Cynthia’s coaching programmes and resources at originalimpulse.com.

About The 21st Century Creative podcast

Hosted by creative coach and award-winning poet Mark McGuinness, The 21st Century Creative podcast helps you succeed as a creative professional amid the demands, distractions and opportunities of the 21st century.

Each episode features insights from Mark and interviews with outstanding creators – including artists, writers, performers, commercial creatives, directors, producers, entrepreneurs and other creative thought-leaders.

Make sure you receive every episode by subscribing in Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you listen.

Join the mailing list to have every episode delivered to your inbox, along with the free 21st Century Creative Foundation Course.

The post Writing a World-Changing Book with Cynthia Morris appeared first on Creative Coach | Mark McGuinness.

     

Her adventurous spirit shines through both her writing and her life – from sailing the seas on a houseboat to roaming the US in an Airstream trailer while building a thriving author‐entrepreneur business.

‘I could do better than that’ – Emily Kimelman on the moment she decided to become a writer (and it turned out she could).

Episode summary

Emily Kimelman

Travel writer turned thriller author, Emily Kimelman has crafted a global career by writing from India’s beaches, Costa Rica’s jungles and even her own Airstream trailer. Her Sydney Rye novels pair unflinching heroines with exotic locales for pulse-pounding adventure.

After overcoming childhood dyslexia, Emily embraced self-publishing on Kindle, leveraged ebook marketing tactics to build a loyal readership and later scaled her operation by delegating business tasks – all while embracing a life of travel.

Big ideas in this conversation

• Write the books you want to read – creating fiction driven by your own passions ensures your work remains fresh and authentic.
• Embrace self-publishing – Kindle’s early algorithms and promotional tools let authors connect directly with voracious readers and build sustainable income.
• Blend travel and writing – working from boats, jungles or trailers can feed both your creativity and your narrative detail.
• Delegate to protect your art – bringing on a business partner frees you to focus on writing while keeping the enterprise moving forward.
• Treat obstacles as adventures – view every interruption as a creative challenge rather than a barrier to your work.

Advice worth hearing in full

• Learn to dictate – training yourself to speak your first drafts makes it possible to write anywhere through headphones or handheld recorder.
• Create Plan Bs for every excuse – list each condition you think you need to write and devise an alternative method to keep going when it fails.
• Forgive your stumbles – a graceful mindset shift from self-criticism to self-compassion helps you bounce back faster.

Where next?

Discover Emily’s globe-spanning thriller adventures and dive into her Sydney Rye series at emilykimelman.com – the perfect gateway to kickstart your own creative expedition.

About The 21st Century Creative podcast

Hosted by creative coach and award-winning poet Mark McGuinness, The 21st Century Creative podcast helps you succeed as a creative professional amid the demands, distractions and opportunities of the 21st century.

Each episode features insights from Mark and interviews with outstanding creators – including artists, writers, performers, commercial creatives, directors, producers, entrepreneurs and other creative thought-leaders.

Make sure you receive every episode by subscribing in Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you listen.

Join the mailing list to have every episode delivered to your inbox, along with the free 21st Century Creative Foundation Course.

The post The Adventure of Writing with Emily Kimelman appeared first on Creative Coach | Mark McGuinness.

     

In this episode she shares her contrarian approach to marketing for creatives – from reframing disempowering beliefs to spotting creativity in the world around you.

‘Creative people are the only people who are good at marketing’ – Naomi Dunford explains why marketing and creativity are inseparable. Listen to the episode.

Episode summary

Naomi Dunford

Founder of IttyBiz and author of irreverent marketing advice for solopreneurs, Naomi rewrote the rulebook on content marketing for small and unusual businesses. She recently retired and passed the baton to her long-time assistant, but generously returned from retirement to share the insights she’s gathered in over 14 years of helping ‘weirdos sell things on the internet’.

Big ideas in this conversation

• Marketing is creativity – advertising and content are fundamentally creative pursuits, and artists already have the essential skills.
• Recondition your beliefs – replace self-defeating narratives about marketing with empowering ones to build confidence and momentum.
• Content shock is opportunity – in a crowded media landscape, doing something truly odd or extreme helps you stand out and build a loyal audience.
• Reverse-engineer your strategy – look at what the most successful examples do, then work backwards to create your own version step by step.
• People still matter most – genuine relationships and reputation are the single most evergreen element of any marketing effort.

Advice worth hearing in full

• Collect creative marketing moments – for seven days, note 25 ads, subject lines or sales pages that strike you as especially inventive, to prove that creativity and marketing live in the same house.
• Embrace normcore marketing – following simple, proven rules isn’t a betrayal of your artistry, it’s the engine that amplifies your unique voice.

Where next?

Explore Naomi’s complete body of work in the IttyBiz Karma Store on pay-what-you-can terms, with proceeds funding micro-loans via Kiva. Dive into her books, courses and audio programmes – all designed to turn your marketing doubts into creative superpowers.

About The 21st Century Creative podcast

Hosted by creative coach and award-winning poet Mark McGuinness, The 21st Century Creative podcast helps you succeed as a creative professional amid the demand

The post Naomi Dunford on Marketing for Creatives appeared first on Creative Coach | Mark McGuinness.

     

This week he explains why smaller can be smarter, how a Bandcamp subscription funds his art, and what the rest of us can learn about making creativity sustainable for the long haul.

‘My priority is twenty years of meaningful creative practice – everything else serves that.’ – listen in to discover Steve’s contrarian blueprint.

Episode summary

Steve Lawson

Steve Lawson is hailed by Bass Guitar magazine as ‘Britain’s most innovative bassist’. Eschewing bands, he layers melodic, ambient textures live with loop pedals and a MIDI controller, creating expansive soundscapes from a single instrument. Beyond the stage he is equally radical: shunning mainstream streaming services, he releases several albums a year through ‘Steve’s Ever-Expanding Digital Box-Set’ on Bandcamp, where a modest annual fee gives fans his entire back-catalogue plus every new release.

The result is a tight-knit community whose support pays his rent and frees him to make music – and teach – entirely on his own terms. In this conversation Steve unpacks the thinking behind the model and offers a refreshing alternative to the ‘million streams or bust’ narrative.

Big ideas in this conversation

• Sustainability first – measure success by how long you can keep creating, not by viral numbers.
• Curate a micro-audience – a few hundred committed supporters can outperform mass indifference.
• Story beats algorithm – invite listeners into an unfolding journey instead of chasing playlists.
• Value through abundance – frequent releases make a subscription feel like a bargain and fund future work.

Advice worth hearing in full

• Retrain your listeners – explain why your new platform benefits them and give them time to move.
• Hold your nerve – early indifference is normal; persistence turns a good model into a livelihood.
• Lead with curiosity – let ‘I wonder what happens if…’ drive both art and business experiments.

Where next?

Immerse yourself in Steve’s music – and explore the subscription – at music.stevelawson.net. His main site stevelawson.net hosts essays on creativity, tech and the changing music economy.

About The 21st Century Creative podcast

Hosted by creative coach and award-winning poet Mark McGuinness, The 21st Century Creative podcast helps you succeed as a creative professional amid the demands, distractions and opportunities of the 21st century.

Each episode features insights from Mark and interviews with outstanding creators – including artists, writers, performers, commercial creatives, directors, producers, entrepreneurs and other creative thought-leaders.

Make sure you receive every episode by subscribing in Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you listen.

Join the mailing list to have every episode delivered to your inbox, along with the free 21st Century Creative Foundation Course.

The post Making Music Sustainable with Steve Lawson appeared first on Creative Coach | Mark McGuinness.

     

In this episode we dig into two of Joanna’s freshest obsessions – razor-sharp productivity and the fast-moving world of audio – and discover why both matter more than ever in an era of lockdowns, online everything and voice-first gadgets.

‘If you can change a writing habit you’ve had for years, what else might be possible?’ – tune in to hear Joanna’s toolkit for reinvention.

Episode summary

Joanna Penn

Joanna Penn is a New York Times and USA Today best-selling thriller writer (as J.F. Penn) and the host of The Creative Penn podcast, a fixture of the indie-publishing world since 2009. She has turned her fascination with the business – and neuroscience – of creativity into a series of practical handbooks that help writers thrive in the 21st century.

Her latest titles, Productivity for Authors and Audio for Authors, arrived just as the pandemic pushed millions of creatives to master new routines and new media. In this conversation Joanna shares field-tested tactics for getting work done at home, plus a tour of the audio landscape from podcasts and smart speakers to AI-generated voices.

Big ideas in this conversation

• Redefine ‘busy’ – separate meaningful creative work from background noise, then guard it with clear boundaries.
• Build an audio ecosystem – podcasts, audiobooks and voice assistants let you reach listeners far beyond the page or studio.
• Experiment with AI narration – synthetic voices will slash production costs and open fresh formats for storytellers.
• Use crisis as catalyst – forced change can reveal new habits, skills and business models you might never have tried.

Advice worth hearing in full

• Start with your body – ergonomic tweaks and movement breaks are the hidden engine of long-term productivity.
• Think ‘one creative groove’ ahead – if a ritual stops working, change the soundtrack, the venue or the method and keep writing.
• Record your voice today – the quickest way to overcome mic fear is to hit ‘record’, answer one question and listen back.

Where next?

Dive deeper at The Creative Penn where you’ll find Joanna’s podcasts, courses and a library of free resources for writers. Fiction fans can explore her thrillers at jfpenn.com, and anyone curious about voice tech can test a sample of Joanna’s AI-generated voice on her site.

About The 21st Century Creative podcast

Hosted by creative coach and award-winning poet Mark McGuinness, The 21st Century Creative podcast helps you succeed as a creative professional amid the demands, distractions and opportunities of the 21st century.

Each episode features insights from Mark and interviews with outstanding creators – including artists, writers, performers, commercial creatives, directors, producers, entrepreneurs and other creative thought-leaders.

Make sure you receive every episode by subscribing in Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you listen.

Join the mailing list to have every episode delivered to your inbox, along with the free 21st Century Creative Foundation Course.

The post Joanna Penn on Productivity and Audio for Creatives appeared first on Creative Coach | Mark McGuinness.

     

From this Victorian workshop in the heart of Bristol, Nick runs the Letterpress Collective and The Department of Small Works, reviving endangered printing skills while collaborating with poets, musicians and designers on fresh-as-today posters, books and playing cards.

‘If you are a wizard, these are the materials you make magic from.’ – discover the spell of antique presses and modern creativity in this episode.

Episode summary

Nick Hand

Designer-turned-printer Nick Hand founded The Department of Small Works and the Letterpress Collective to safeguard Bristol’s last working presses and type. He produces fine letterpress prints, teaches workshops and documents British craft through cycling expeditions that have become three celebrated books of maker interviews.

Big ideas in this conversation

• ‘Own the means of production’ – keeping historic presses working lets creatives control every stage from idea to finished object.
• Slow technology – setting type by hand invites reflection, precision and a deeper relationship with words.
• Old tools, new twists – laser-cut plates and modern design sensibilities keep letterpress fresh and relevant.
• Cycling for stories – Nick’s trips round Britain, Ireland and the Hudson River capture endangered crafts before they disappear.

Advice worth hearing in full

• Start small – a lino block, a spoon and kitchen-table ink can launch a lifelong love of print.
• Embrace accidents – ‘printer’s pie’ and worn type add character no digital font can match.
• Seek out workshops – pottery, sewing, printing or tailoring: hands-on craft restores balance after too much screen time.

Where next?

Browse Nick’s prints and book a workshop at the Department of Small Works, or explore press history and events – including the annual ‘wayzgoose’ – at the Letterpress Collective.

About The 21st Century Creative podcast

Hosted by creative coach and award-winning poet Mark McGuinness, The 21st Century Creative podcast helps you succeed as a creative professional amid the demands, distractions and opportunities of the 21st century.

Each episode features insights from Mark and interviews with outstanding creators – including artists, writers, performers, commercial creatives, directors, producers, entrepreneurs and other creative thought-leaders.

Make sure you receive every episode by subscribing in Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you listen.

Join the mailing list to have every episode delivered to your inbox, along with the free 21st Century Creative Foundation Course.

The post Traditional Crafts in the 21st Century with Nick Hand appeared first on Creative Coach | Mark McGuinness.

     

Du Sautoy’s latest book, The Creativity Code, asks whether algorithms can compose music, paint pictures or write poetry that genuinely moves an audience. Our conversation ranges from AlphaGo’s famous ‘move 37’ to the jazz-improv powers of Sony’s Continuator, shedding light on the opportunities – and limitations – of AI art.

‘Mathematics is a highly creative subject.’ – listen in as Marcus reveals how numbers, patterns and neural nets could reshape the arts.

Episode summary

Marcus du Sautoy

Professor Marcus du Sautoy holds Oxford’s prestigious Simonyi Chair for the Public Understanding of Science. Renowned for demystifying mathematics on television, radio and in seven books, he now turns his attention to algorithms and art. The Creativity Code explores how machine learning is rewriting the rule-book of games, music, painting and storytelling – and what that means for human ingenuity.

Big ideas in this conversation

• AI as collaborator – algorithms can act as creative partners rather than competitors.
• Surprise plus value – true originality lies in moves like AlphaGo’s ‘37’, which shock experts yet still win the game.
• Embodiment matters – code may compose dazzling passages that prove unplayable by human hands.
• Tools and telescopes – today’s systems help artists see further, even if they have no inner world of their own – yet.

Advice worth hearing in full

• Use constraints creatively – like poets and composers, impose rules to push work in unexpected directions.
• Shine a light on bias – DeepDream and other visualisers reveal when training data skews an algorithm’s vision.
• Treat AI as a sketchbook – harvest its outputs for riffs, motifs and patterns you would never invent alone.

Where next?

Experiment with Marcus’s recommended tool at deepdreamgenerator.com, explore his research and media projects via the Simonyi Professorship website, and pick up The Creativity Code for a deeper dive into AI’s creative frontier.

About The 21st Century Creative podcast

Hosted by creative coach and award-winning poet Mark McGuinness, The 21st Century Creative podcast helps you succeed as a creative professional amid the demands, distractions and opportunities of the 21st century.

Each episode features insights from Mark and interviews with outstanding creators – including artists, writers, performers, commercial creatives, directors, producers, entrepreneurs and other creative thought-leaders.

Make sure you receive every episode by subscribing in Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you listen.

Join the mailing list to have every episode delivered to your inbox, along with the free 21st Century Creative Foundation Course.

The post Marcus du Sautoy on AI and the Future of Creativity appeared first on Creative Coach | Mark McGuinness.

     

From cutting scrap steel with a 45,000 °F plasma torch to painstakingly shaping gemstones for life-size anatomical mosaics, Vargas shows how audacity, craft and a good story can ignite a global audience for handmade art.

‘I’ve always made things since I was a wee little kid.’ – dive into the episode to hear how that childhood spark became a blazing career.

Episode summary

Rachael Que Vargas (formerly John T. Unger)

Vargas is a 21st-century artist who forged her reputation with Sculptural Firebowls – recycled-steel fire-pits collected by Calvin Klein, hotels and public spaces on four continents. Now presenting publicly as Rachael, she is tackling her most ambitious work yet: Anatomy Set in Stone, a touring suite of fourteen seven-foot marble mosaics after 16th-century anatomist Bartolomeo Eustachi.

Her story weaves poetry slams at Lollapalooza, bartering mosaics for a mortgage, and harnessing early blogging and e-commerce to sell more than 2,000 firebowls worldwide.

Big ideas in this conversation

• Art as narrative fuel – memorable stories propel sculptures into magazines, museums and music festivals.
• Internet-age craftsmanship – blogging and social media let a self-taught artist bypass galleries and sell direct.
• Turning scrap into luxury – recycled steel and bottle-caps become heirloom objects through design and grit.
• Scale and ambition – investing firebowl profits into a museum-grade marble project aimed at immortality.

Advice worth hearing in full

• Raise the bar on what you already do well – stretch strengths rather than fixating on weaknesses.
• Think centuries, not seasons – choose materials and formats that can outlast trends, even outlast us.
• Seek offline stages – digital buzz matters, but nothing matches the impact of encountering work in the real world.

Where next?

Explore Rachael’s firebowls and mosaics at rachaelquevargas.com, watch her working on projects on her YouTube channel.

About The 21st Century Creative podcast

Hosted by creative coach and award-winning poet Mark McGuinness, The 21st Century Creative podcast helps you succeed as a creative professional amid the demands, distractions and opportunities of the 21st century.

Each episode features insights from Mark and interviews with outstanding creators – including artists, writers, performers, commercial creatives, directors, producers, entrepreneurs and other creative thought-leaders.

Make sure you receive every episode by subscribing in Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you listen.

Join the mailing list to have every episode delivered to your inbox, along with the free 21st Century Creative Foundation Course.

The post John T. Unger (Rachael Que Vargas): 21st Century Artist appeared first on Creative Coach | Mark McGuinness.

     

In this episode she talks candidly about writing her chart-topping album The Sovereign One, creating the award-winning show Mulatto Math and why improvising with your body’s wisdom can change everything.

‘You were born exactly the way you were supposed to be’ – hear how Monique turns that conviction into music and theatre that heals.

Episode summary

Monique DeBose

Los Angeles-based singer-songwriter, playwright and coach, Monique’s third album The Sovereign One debuted at No. 2 on the iTunes Jazz Chart. Her one-woman show Mulatto Math: Summing Up the Race Equation in America weaves stand-up, storytelling and original songs to spark honest conversations about identity and belonging. Off-stage she helps clients live ‘fully expressed, clear and unapologetic’.

Big ideas in this conversation

• Tumour as teacher – a medical diagnosis became the catalyst for radical self-expression.
• Improvisation for healing – letting the body ‘sing’ uncovers hidden emotions and creative fuel.
• Owning every facet – integrating the parts we’re told to hide makes art – and life – magnetic.

Advice worth hearing in full

• Voice your body – daily, ask one body part to make a sound and let it out without judgement.
• Use family stories – personal truth can open universal dialogue when shared bravely.
• Integration beats perfection – stop chasing an ideal and channel the voice you already have.

Where next?

Stream the album on Spotify, catch clips from Mulatto Math and future tour dates at mulattomath.com, or explore Monique’s music and coaching work at moniquedebosemusic.com.

About The 21st Century Creative podcast

Hosted by creative coach and award-winning poet Mark McGuinness, The 21st Century Creative podcast helps you succeed as a creative professional amid the demands, distractions and opportunities of the 21st century.

Each episode features insights from Mark and interviews with outstanding creators – including artists, writers, performers, commercial creatives, directors, producers, entrepreneurs and other creative thought-leaders.

Make sure you receive every episode by subscribing in Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you listen.

Join the mailing list to have every episode delivered to your inbox, along with the free 21st Century Creative Foundation Course.

The post Voicing Your Truth with Monique DeBose appeared first on Creative Coach | Mark McGuinness.

     

Enter Ilise Benun, the ‘Marketing Mentor’ who has spent three decades helping designers, writers and artists promote their work with the same imagination they pour into it.

‘Generosity and curiosity are under-used marketing tools’ – listen in to learn how Ilise turns them into a practical plan.

Episode summary

Ilise Benun

Founder of Marketing-Mentor, Ilise coaches ‘the creatively self-employed’ to earn what their talent deserves. A HOW Design Live programme curator, conference speaker and host of more than 300 podcast episodes, she specialises in turning marketing from dreaded chore into rewarding habit.

Big ideas in this conversation

• Bat-signal content – create material that lights up the exact clients you seek and nobody else.
• Three-tool toolkit – strategic networking, targeted outreach and pain-point content work best in concert.
• Marketing is creative work – apply the same curiosity and experimentation you use in the studio.

Advice worth hearing in full

• Commit 30 minutes a day – make business development a non-negotiable creative practice.
• Let the market speak first – identify the clients who value you most, then tailor your message to them.
• Use generosity & curiosity – ask smart questions, share useful insights, and trust that visibility will follow.

Where next?

Explore Ilise’s free Quick Tips, her downloadable Marketing Planner and details of one-to-one mentoring at marketing-mentor.com.

About The 21st Century Creative podcast

Hosted by creative coach and award-winning poet Mark McGuinness, The 21st Century Creative podcast helps you succeed as a creative professional amid the demands, distractions and opportunities of the 21st century.

Each episode features insights from Mark and interviews with outstanding creators – including artists, writers, performers, commercial creatives, directors, producers, entrepreneurs and other creative thought-leaders.

Make sure you receive every episode by subscribing in Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you listen.

Join the mailing list to have every episode delivered to your inbox, along with the free 21st Century Creative Foundation Course.

The post Bat-Signal Marketing for Creatives with Ilise Benun appeared first on Creative Coach | Mark McGuinness.

     

In this lively episode the London-based author of What’s Your Excuse for Not Succeeding as an Artist? explains why excuses feel protective yet keep us small, and shares practical ways to turn fear into forward momentum.

‘I wanted the book to be a hug on a shelf’ – listen to hear Deborah’s no-nonsense compassion in action.

Episode summary

Deborah Henry-Pollard

Deborah is the founder of Catching Fireworks, a coaching practice dedicated to helping creatives turn big ideas into finished work. Her clients range from West End theatre companies to independent artists and writers. In her debut book she lists the most common self-sabotaging stories – then offers quick, coach-tested antidotes for each one.

Big ideas in this conversation

• Excuses are over-protective friends – they arise to keep us safe, but ultimately fence us in.
• Confidence is renewable – a personal ‘success list’ can reboot self-belief on demand.
• Success is self-defined – knowing what achievement looks and feels like to you is a daily compass, not a distant milestone.

Advice worth hearing in full

• Create an anchor – a physical object or phrase that drops you instantly into your ‘bigger self’ before pitches, launches or shows.
• Compile a ten-item confidence list – record wins large and small; revisit it whenever ‘not good enough’ strikes.
• Reframe self-promotion – sharing work isn’t indulgent, it’s a public service: ‘Your country needs you!’

Where next?

Dive into more excuse-busting tips, coaching options and Deborah’s tango-inspired short film at CatchingFireworks.co.uk.

About The 21st Century Creative podcast

Hosted by creative coach and award-winning poet Mark McGuinness, The 21st Century Creative podcast helps you succeed as a creative professional amid the demands, distractions and opportunities of the 21st century.

Each episode features insights from Mark and interviews with outstanding creators – including artists, writers, performers, commercial creatives, directors, producers, entrepreneurs and other creative thought-leaders.

Make sure you receive every episode by subscribing in Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you listen.

Join the mailing list to have every episode delivered to your inbox, along with the free 21st Century Creative Foundation Course.

The post What’s Your Excuse for Not Succeeding as a Creative? with Deborah Henry-Pollard appeared first on Creative Coach | Mark McGuinness.

     

In this conversation Robert draws on his bestselling manual The Freelance Way and his experience founding one of Europe’s largest freelance communities to share battle-tested advice on money, pricing and reputation management – the essentials he believes every creative needs to master.

‘Freelancing is a way to do business on an individual level without big capital or huge risks’ – listen in for Robert’s roadmap to sustainable independence.

Episode summary

Robert Vlach

Robert is the founder of Na Volné Noze, a 150,000-strong network of Czech and Slovak freelancers, and runs a Prague-based think-tank exploring the future of independent work. His English-language book The Freelance Way distils interviews with hundreds of freelancers, plus insights from thought-leaders such as David Allen and Austin Kleon, into a practical playbook for anyone who works for themselves.

Robert’s own journey – from burnt-out coder to vineyard hand to consultant – fuels a pragmatic approach: freedom is the prize, but solid business systems are the price of admission.

Big ideas in this conversation

• You are your capital – skills, reputation and networks replace factories and funding.
• Price is a signalling device – raising rates filters clients and pushes you to raise your game.
• Finance is self-management – cash-flow tracking and reserves turn feast-and-famine into stability.

Advice worth hearing in full

• Record every penny – monthly income and spending data reveal patterns (and anxieties) at a glance.
• Adjust rates several times a year – stay aligned with demand, capacity and growing expertise.
• Craft a coherent story – a clear narrative of your career helps others spread your ‘good name’.

Where next?

Explore the book, download free resources or contact Robert for consulting at FreelanceWay.eu – the hub for tools, strategies and community events built around The Freelance Way.

About The 21st Century Creative podcast

Hosted by creative coach and award-winning poet Mark McGuinness, The 21st Century Creative podcast helps you succeed as a creative professional amid the demands, distractions and opportunities of the 21st century.

Each episode features insights from Mark and interviews with outstanding creators – including artists, writers, performers, commercial creatives, directors, producers, entrepreneurs and other creative thought-leaders.

Make sure you receive every episode by subscribing in Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you listen.

Join the mailing list to have every episode delivered to your inbox, along with the free 21st Century Creative Foundation Course.

The post The Freelance Way with Robert Vlach appeared first on Creative Coach | Mark McGuinness.

     

In this episode Erik – whose credits include HBO’s Band of Brothers and From the Earth to the Moon – explains the seven-part test he uses to decide whether a story concept is truly worth months (or years) of drafting.

‘If the writer doesn’t start with a rock-solid idea, they’re building a house on sand’ – listen for Erik’s blueprint for the foundations of success.

Episode summary

Erik Bork

Erik is an award-winning screenwriter, producer and script consultant best known for helping Tom Hanks and Steven Spielberg turn epic true stories into acclaimed HBO mini-series. His book The Idea distils decades of industry experience into a practical checklist that shows writers – for screen, stage or page – how to tell at a glance whether their concept could capture a mass audience.

In this conversation Erik recalls breaking into Hollywood from an assistant’s desk, writing under the pressure of multi-million-dollar productions and why he now believes 60 per cent of a project’s success is decided before you outline a single scene.

Big ideas in this conversation

• The 60/30/10 rule – why the logline matters more than structure or dialogue.
• Seven tests of a viable story – a PROBLEM must be Punishing, Relatable, Original, Believable, Life-altering, Entertaining and Meaningful.
• Iterate before you write – refining the premise saves months of futile drafting.
• Borrow and twist – how to generate fresh concepts by tweaking one element of a favourite classic.

Advice worth hearing in full

• Slow down at the start – spend more time thinking, less time typing.
• Pitch early, pitch often – test the temperature of your idea with trusted readers before diving into pages.
• Emotional stakes are king – audiences invest when a dilemma feels life-changing.

Where next?

Pick up The Idea: The Seven Elements of a Viable Story for Screen, Stage or Fiction on Amazon, read Erik’s blog and explore his coaching services at FlyingWrestler.com.

About The 21st Century Creative podcast

Hosted by creative coach and award-winning poet Mark McGuinness, The 21st Century Creative podcast helps you succeed as a creative professional amid the demands, distractions and opportunities of the 21st century.

Each episode features insights from Mark and interviews with outstanding creators – including artists, writers, performers, commercial creatives, directors, producers, entrepreneurs and other creative thought-leaders.

Make sure you receive every episode by subscribing in Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you listen.

Join the mailing list to have every episode delivered to your inbox, along with the free 21st Century Creative Foundation Course.

The post The Essential Elements of a Successful Story with Erik Bork appeared first on Creative Coach | Mark McGuinness.

     

Her ‘mindful drumming’ blends frame drums, clay darbuka and classic kit work into melodic soundscapes that invite listeners to breathe, slow down and feel every beat.

‘When I first sat behind a drum kit it felt like coming home’ – join Maria to hear how that moment sparked a lifelong journey into mindful rhythm.

Episode summary

Maria Bovin de Labbé

Maria is a Swedish drummer, artist and teacher whose ‘mindful drumming’ prioritises presence, lightness and melody over volume and speed. Trained in styles ranging from hard rock to Middle-Eastern hand drums, she now performs solo, with her trio Sweet Like Time and at intimate events, using rhythm to create contemplative space.

In this interview she explains how drumming aided her recovery from anorexia, why silence is as important as sound and what she learned by drumming with pregnant women for a music-therapy research project.

Big ideas in this conversation

• Mindful drumming – connecting body, mind and spirit through rhythm rather than raw power.
• Silence as music – spacious pauses give each beat its emotional weight.
• Art as healing – the drum became Maria’s refuge during illness and stillness remains central to her practice.
• Finding your own voice – abandoning ‘play like a guy’ expectations unlocked her distinctive melodic style.

Advice worth hearing in full

• Practise awareness first – notice your intentions before you strike a note.
• Drop the wrong battles – work on weaknesses that matter, let go of those that do not suit your nature.
• Anchor creativity in the body – listening to your heartbeat is a daily reminder of rhythm at its most fundamental.

Where next?

Experience more of Maria’s music, videos and teaching at BovinDeLabbe.com, and follow her rhythmic experiments on Instagram or YouTube.

About The 21st Century Creative podcast

Hosted by creative coach and award-winning poet Mark McGuinness, The 21st Century Creative podcast helps you succeed as a creative professional amid the demands, distractions and opportunities of the 21st century.

Each episode features insights from Mark and interviews with outstanding creators – including artists, writers, performers, commercial creatives, directors, producers, entrepreneurs and other creative thought-leaders.

Make sure you receive every episode by subscribing in Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you listen.

Join the mailing list to have every episode delivered to your inbox, along with the free 21st Century Creative Foundation Course.

The post Mindful Drumming with Maria Bovin de Labbé appeared first on Creative Coach | Mark McGuinness.

     

In this conversation he traces a journey from graphic designer to globetrotting seeker, artist and coach, sharing hard-won insights into fear, love, money and the creative spirit.

‘We only have two choices – we can come from fear or we can come from love’ – hear why that distinction matters for every creator in this episode.

Episode summary

Peleg Top

Peleg Top is an Israeli-born artist, writer and speaker who spent eighteen years running Top Design, producing more than two hundred album covers and branding for The Grammy Awards and the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Hitting every external marker of success, he realised fulfilment was still missing and embarked on a decade-long exploration of personal growth, spirituality and creativity.

Today he lives in Santa Fe, painters’ apron on one day, coaching hat on the next, guiding creative professionals to balance prosperity with self-awareness and to lead from love rather than fear.

Big ideas in this conversation

• Fear versus love – every decision comes from one or the other; only love unlocks real creativity.
• The ladder on the wrong wall – outward success can conceal deep misalignment until we pause to look inside.
• Money as creative energy – financial freedom arises when you trust your ability to create value and serve.
• Pure service – moving from pleasing clients to truly serving them transforms both relationships and revenue.

Advice worth hearing in full

• Slow the dial – practise daily self-observation to notice whether fear is steering the wheel.
• Give to receive – cultivate abundance by intentionally giving money away with joy, as in Peleg’s Creative Challenge.
• Nourish the free-spirit – engage in non-commercial play (for Peleg it was culinary school) to reignite artistic fire.

Where next?

See Peleg’s latest artwork at ArtbyTop.com, follow his creative adventures on Instagram or explore coaching opportunities at PelegTop.com.

About The 21st Century Creative podcast

Hosted by creative coach and award-winning poet Mark McGuinness, The 21st Century Creative podcast helps you succeed as a creative professional amid the demands, distractions and opportunities of the 21st century.

Each episode features insights from Mark and interviews with outstanding creators – including artists, writers, performers, commercial creatives, directors, producers, entrepreneurs and other creative thought-leaders.

Make sure you receive every episode by subscribing in Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you listen.

Join the mailing list to have every episode delivered to your inbox, along with the free 21st Century Creative Foundation Course.

The post Peleg Top on Fear, Love, Money and Creativity appeared first on Creative Coach | Mark McGuinness.

     

In this episode Nadia opens her toolbox – revealing why a strict 32-page format, a perfectly timed page-turn and the odd shocking punchline are all part of the magic of a picture book.

‘I’m on the side of my reader before anyone else. I am on the kids’ side.’ – listen to discover what that means for every page.’

Episode summary

Nadia Shireen

Nadia Shireen is an award-winning British children’s author and illustrator whose hit titles include Good Little Wolf, The Bumblebear, The Cow Who Fell to Earth and the bestselling Billy series. Her bold artwork, mischievous humour and refusal to patronise young readers have earned her a devoted following among children, parents and booksellers alike.

In conversation with Mark McGuinness, Nadia explains how she balances words and pictures, respects the emotional intelligence of her audience and squeezes maximum impact from every spread.

Big ideas in this conversation

• Two stories at once – text and image should complement, not duplicate, opening a ‘gap’ the reader joyfully fills.
• The 32-page constraint – a fixed length forces clarity, pace and inventive page-turns.
• Respecting children’s feelings – young readers can handle surprise, tension and nuance if you trust them.
• Pacing through design – intricate artwork slows the reader; white space accelerates action.
• Self-amusement keeps the work fresh – in-jokes (a Bowie-inspired cow, for instance) sustain creative joy.

Advice worth hearing in full

• Research your market – know whether you’re writing a picture book, middle-grade or YA before you pitch.
• Use limits as levers – constraints such as page count or trim size can spark originality instead of stifling it.
• Re-discover play – spend 30 minutes doodling with no goal to loosen up a tense creative mind.

Where next?

Explore more of Nadia’s work at nadiashireen.org, follow her lively commentary on Twitter or browse limited-edition prints in her Etsy shop.

About The 21st Century Creative podcast

Hosted by creative coach and award-winning poet Mark McGuinness, The 21st Century Creative podcast helps you succeed as a creative professional amid the demands, distractions and opportunities of the 21st century.

Each episode features insights from Mark and interviews with outstanding creators – including artists, writers, performers, commercial creatives, directors, producers, entrepreneurs and other creative thought-leaders.

Make sure you receive every episode by subscribing in Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you listen.

Join the mailing list to have every episode delivered to your inbox, along with the free 21st Century Creative Foundation Course.

The post Good Little Wolf and Other Stories with Nadia Shireen appeared first on Creative Coach | Mark McGuinness.

     

In this episode Alastair joins Mark McGuinness to explore the surprising overlap between epic expeditions and artistic ambition, from conquering impostor syndrome to squeezing big dreams into the margins of a busy family life.

‘Replace ‘can’t’ with ‘choose not to’ and see where that takes your thought process’ – join the episode to discover how.

Episode summary

Alastair Humphreys

Named National Geographic Adventurer of the Year, Alastair has cycled 46,000 miles through 60 countries, rowed an ocean, trekked deserts and pioneered the global ‘microadventure’ movement. His latest book My Midsummer Morning chronicles a month-long journey across Spain with no money, relying on a beginner’s violin to earn each meal – a feat that reframes adventure as a state of mind rather than a postcode on a map.

Big ideas in this conversation

• Microadventures – short, local escapades that deliver the thrill of exploration without the airfare.
• Rewriting excuses – swap ‘I can’t’ for ‘I choose not to’ to expose self-imposed limits.
• The inner journey – why the mental game of adventure mirrors the creative process, from fear to flow.
• Five-to-nine thinking – carving out 16 off-duty hours for bold experiments when the nine-to-five feels immovable.

Advice worth hearing in full

• Begin before you’re ready – the first pedal-stroke or sentence is harder than the next ten miles or pages.
• Make constraints your ally – time and money limits can spark ingenuity rather than kill ambition.
• Go public for accountability – sharing work (or a wobbly violin recital) raises the stakes and the learning curve.

Where next?

Pick up Alastair’s latest book, explore his website for microadventure ideas, or follow his day-to-day escapades on Instagram and YouTube.

About The 21st Century Creative podcast

Hosted by creative coach and award-winning poet Mark McGuinness, The 21st Century Creative podcast helps you succeed as a creative professional amid the demands, distractions and opportunities of the 21st century.

Each episode features insights from Mark and interviews with outstanding creators – including artists, writers, performers, commercial creatives, directors, producers, entrepreneurs and other creative thought-leaders.

Make sure you receive every episode by subscribing in Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you listen.

Join the mailing list to have every episode delivered to your inbox, along with the free 21st Century Creative Foundation Course.

The post What Creators Can Learn from Adventurers with Alastair Humphreys appeared first on Creative Coach | Mark McGuinness.

     

Founder of Copyblogger, StudioPress, Further and the Unemployable podcast, Brian has spent two decades proving that a tiny, fiercely creative team can out-punch lumbering corporates – and live life on their own terms. In this opening episode of Season 4 he lays out a playbook for anyone who quietly suspects they are ‘proudly unemployable’ too.

‘You can build a very lucrative business out of just yourself or a very small team, or with the aid of freelancers.’

Episode summary

Brian Clark

Brian is the writer-turned-entrepreneur who created Copyblogger – once dubbed ‘the bible of content marketing’. With zero outside investment he spun that blog into an eight-figure suite of digital businesses including StudioPress themes, Rainmaker software and two widely read newsletters (Copyblogger and Further). Today he hosts the Unemployable podcast, championing small, high-profit ventures that prioritise independence over headcount.

Big ideas in this conversation

• Audience first, product second – build the relationship, then create what those people ask for.
• ‘Seven-figure-small’ – lean teams plus technology can out-earn bigger rivals and keep the owner sane.
• Content as leverage – free, useful media does the selling, provided you offer something other than adverts.
• Freedom over scale – growth only matters if it buys you choices, not extra bosses.

Advice worth hearing in full

• Write for the client you want – publish answers to their questions and they will come to you.
• Create your ‘responsibility tribe’ – decide which people you choose to serve, then obsess about helping them.
• Test before you build – use content to prove demand long before you invest in products, staff or code.

Where next?

If Brian’s approach appeals, visit Further.net for practical guidance and real-world examples to help you shape a nimble, profitable practice on your own terms.

About The 21st Century Creative podcast

Hosted by creative coach and award-winning poet Mark McGuinness, The 21st Century Creative podcast helps you succeed as a creative professional amid the demands, distractions and opportunities of the 21st century.

Each episode features insights from Mark and interviews with outstanding creators – including artists, writers, performers, commercial creatives, directors, producers, entrepreneurs and other creative thought-leaders.

Make sure you receive every episode by subscribing in Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you listen.

Join the mailing list to have every episode delivered to your inbox, along with the free 21st Century Creative Foundation Course.

The post Brian Clark’s Career Advice for the Unemployable appeared first on Creative Coach | Mark McGuinness.

     

With more than 2.5 million books sold and awards ranging from the ITW Thriller Award to USA Today bestseller medals, CJ joins the show to reveal how true stories of courage, trauma and hope power her fiction – and how she built a resilient career when traditional publishing almost derailed her debut.

According to CJ, ‘The six most important words in the English language are: “Let me tell you a story.”’ – and she tells some great ones in this episode.

Episode summary

CJ Lyons

CJ describes her work as ‘thrillers with heart’. After seventeen years in emergency medicine she swapped the trauma bay for the keyboard, translating real-world heroism and horror into page-turning fiction. When her first publishing deal collapsed she self-published, built a direct relationship with readers and hit the New York Times list – proof that a doctor’s determination can also save an author’s career.

Big ideas in this conversation

• Stories are survival tools – humans have used narrative to make sense of danger for at least 50,000 years.
• ‘Thrillers with heart’ – honest emotion matters as much as explosions and car chases.
• Know yourself, your story – and your audience – CJ’s three-part formula for creative success.
• Failures can be springboards – the cancelled debut that became a self-publishing triumph.

Advice worth hearing in full

• Delight your readers first – every business decision starts with ‘What will make them dance with joy?’.
• Give something away – a gift builds trust faster than any advert.
• Create your own definition of success – money, impact or mastery – decide what really counts for you.

Where next?

Download Snake Skin free, discover CJ’s other series and join her ‘Thrillers with Heart’ newsletter at CJLyons.net – you’ll also find links to her young-adult suspense, writing resources and live appearances.

About The 21st Century Creative podcast

Hosted by creative coach and award-winning poet Mark McGuinness, The 21st Century Creative podcast helps you succeed as a creative professional amid the demands, distractions and opportunities of the 21st century.

Each episode features insights from Mark and interviews with outstanding creators – including artists, writers, performers, commercial creatives, directors, producers, entrepreneurs and other creative thought-leaders.

Make sure you receive every episode by subscribing in Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you listen.

Join the mailing list to have every episode delivered to your inbox, along with the free 21st Century Creative Foundation Course.

The post Storytelling: a Matter of Life and Death with CJ Lyons appeared first on Creative Coach | Mark McGuinness.

     

In this episode Emily shares the no-nonsense principles behind her acclaimed book Brutally Honest: No-Bullshit Strategies to Evolve Your Creative Business – from firing a client a year to telling over-helpful customers to back off.

‘Parent your clients, prune your portfolio and specialise to survive – tune in for Emily’s trademark tough love.’

Episode summary

Emily Cohen

Based in New York, Emily has spent three decades advising design-studio principals on pricing, positioning, staffing and new-business strategy. Her straight-talking style has made her a sought-after speaker at HOW Design Live and AIGA events, while her self-published tome Brutally Honest has become a cult manual for creative entrepreneurs.

Big ideas in this conversation

• Parent your practice – staff and clients thrive when you set clear rules, praise good behaviour and enforce consequences.
• Choose a specialism – industry, deliverable or process expertise makes you memorable and raises your fees.
• Referrals are not a strategy – proactive outreach keeps you in control of the work you win.
• Executional vs strategic – decide whether you sell labour or insight, then build systems (and prices) accordingly.
• The five silent roles – business vision, operational leadership, creative leadership, business development and financial management all need an owner.

Advice worth hearing in full

• Fire one client a year – dropping the weakest account frees capacity for better opportunities.
• Say ‘no’ to create space – every refusal is an invitation to a more valuable ‘yes’.
• Build your village – curating external allies (lawyers, accountants, suppliers) is as vital as hiring staff.

Where next?

Explore more of Emily’s resources – including her downloadable proposal template – at CasaDavka.com, and order a copy of Brutally Honest (complete with neon ink and fold-out infographics).

About The 21st Century Creative podcast

Hosted by creative coach and award-winning poet Mark McGuinness, The 21st Century Creative podcast helps you succeed as a creative professional amid the demands, distractions and opportunities of the 21st century.

Each episode features insights from Mark and interviews with outstanding creators – including artists, writers, performers, commercial creatives, directors, producers, entrepreneurs and other creative thought-leaders.

Make sure you receive every episode by subscribing in Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you listen.

Join the mailing list to have every episode delivered to your inbox, along with the free 21st Century Creative Foundation Course.

The post Brutally Honest Advice for Your Creative Business with Emily Cohen appeared first on Creative Coach | Mark McGuinness.

     

In this episode he explains how a single sloppy blog post catapulted him from a cubicle in Nebraska to the cafés of Silicon Valley, and on to Medellín where he now writes, codes and records his hit show Love Your Work.

‘Motivational judo, fortress fallacies and typing before you open your eyes – press play to find the heart to start.’

Episode summary

David Kadavy

David is the author of the Amazon-top-20 hit Design for Hackers and, more recently, The Heart to Start. Through his weekly podcast he interviews creators, entrepreneurs and scientists to uncover practical tactics for thriving in the idea economy. His own journey – from Apache-filled all-nighters in the Midwest to a location-independent writing life in Colombia – proves his methods in real time.

Big ideas in this conversation

• Motivational judo – use your perfectionism against itself by ‘barfing’ out a messy first draft.
• The fortress fallacy – grand visions paralyse; shrink the project until action feels inevitable.
• Curiosity convergence – combine seemingly random interests to occupy a niche no rival can reach.
• Listen to ‘the voice’ – capture half-formed thoughts before the critical mind shuts them down.

Advice worth hearing in full

• Type before you wake – tap out 100 words with your eyes still closed to mine dream-state insights.
• Ship, then sharpen – publishing something imperfect today creates momentum – and material – to improve tomorrow.
• Question every rule – when Jason Fried sliced 30-page proposals to one page, clients said yes faster.

Where next?

Download Kadavy’s free Self-Published Sunday email mini-course and explore his books, blog and podcast at kadavy.net.

About The 21st Century Creative podcast

Hosted by creative coach and award-winning poet Mark McGuinness, The 21st Century Creative podcast helps you succeed as a creative professional amid the demands, distractions and opportunities of the 21st century.

Each episode features insights from Mark and interviews with outstanding creators – including artists, writers, performers, commercial creatives, directors, producers, entrepreneurs and other creative thought-leaders.

Make sure you receive every episode by subscribing in Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you listen.

Join the mailing list to have every episode delivered to your inbox, along with the free 21st Century Creative Foundation Course.

The post How to Find the Heart to Start with David Kadavy appeared first on Creative Coach | Mark McGuinness.

     

Fed up with a system where only 4 per cent of venture capital backs female founders, Vicki created SheEO (now Coralus) – an ecosystem where women lend money, expertise and market access to game-changing ventures on radically generous terms.

‘What if capital kept circulating in a perpetual fund – and every loan came with 500 mentors?’ Listen below to find out.

Episode summary

Vicki Saunders

Canadian serial entrepreneur, mentor and author, Vicki has floated a company on the Toronto Stock Exchange and advised governments on innovation. Through SheEO she invites cohorts of 500 ‘Activators’ to contribute $1,100 each, creating zero-interest loans and a powerhouse network for women-led, impact-driven businesses.

Big ideas in this conversation

• Radical Generosity – crowdfund capital and community, then recycle the money for ever.
• The perpetual fund – repayments from one venture bankroll the next, generation after generation.
• Collaboration beats competition – ventures divide the pot themselves and share skills to multiply impact.
• Post-hero leadership – step aside from winner-takes-all and design systems where everyone rises.
• ‘Everything’s broken – hooray!’ – when old structures crumble, creativity gets room to rebuild.

Advice worth hearing in full

• Clean your people closets – curate a circle that lifts you up and ditch voices that drag you down.
• Follow flow, not force – ease is often the sign you’ve found the right solution.
• Profit ＋ purpose – measure success in both finance and social impact.
• Start with what feels simple – solving the ‘easy’ part can unlock a market-changing idea.

Where next?

Discover how to become an Activator – or apply for a zero-interest loan – at sheeo.world (rebranding to Coralus).

About The 21st Century Creative podcast

Hosted by creative coach and award-winning poet Mark McGuinness, The 21st Century Creative podcast helps you succeed as a creative professional amid the demands, distractions and opportunities of the 21st century.

Each episode features insights from Mark and interviews with outstanding creators – including artists, writers, performers, commercial creatives, directors, producers, entrepreneurs and other creative thought-leaders.

Make sure you receive every episode by subscribing in Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you listen.

Join the mailing list to have every episode delivered to your inbox, along with the free 21st Century Creative Foundation Course.

The post SheEO: Women Transforming Entrepreneurship with Vicki Saunders appeared first on Creative Coach | Mark McGuinness.

     

In this conversation Rich reveals the hidden costs of excellence, why the world’s top 4 per cent focus on 4 per cent gains, and how collecting ‘no’s can be the fastest route to a life-changing ‘yes’.

‘Your next breakthrough lives just outside your comfort zone’ – listen below (or on your favourite app) to learn the real price of playing at the highest level.

Episode summary

Rich Litvin

Author of the coaching bestseller The Prosperous Coach, Rich works exclusively with elite performers – from Hollywood directors to Presidential candidates. He also founded 4PC, a mastermind that brings the top 4 per cent of coaches, entrepreneurs and creatives together so they can multiply each other’s impact.

Big ideas in this conversation

• The 4 per cent rule – world-class growth comes from stretching just 4 per cent beyond today’s limit.
• Achievement ≠ fulfilment – chasing titles and trophies won’t satisfy a deeper calling.
• Collecting ‘no’s – reframing rejection as a scoreboard for bold action.
• The loneliness of leadership – why the view from the top can feel empty without the right allies.
• Zone of genius laziness – when work feels effortless, you’re probably on the right track.

Advice worth hearing in full

• Dream bigger  –  step smaller – pair audacious visions with tiny daily moves.
• Say ‘no’ to rise higher – the next level demands ruthless focus.
• Find your 5 uncomfortable conversations – progress hides behind what you’re avoiding.
• Play at intersections – creativity sparks when different worlds collide.

Where next?

Learn more about Rich’s work at at richlitvin.com.

About The 21st Century Creative podcast

Hosted by creative coach and award-winning poet Mark McGuinness, The 21st Century Creative podcast helps you succeed as a creative professional amid the demands, distractions and opportunities of the 21st century.

Each episode features insights from Mark and interviews with outstanding creators – including artists, writers, performers, commercial creatives, directors, producers, entrepreneurs and other creative thought-leaders.

Make sure you receive every episode by subscribing in Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you listen.

Join the mailing list to have every episode delivered to your inbox, along with the free 21st Century Creative Foundation Course.

The post The Price of Being a High Performer with Rich Litvin appeared first on Creative Coach | Mark McGuinness.

     

In this episode we discuss Christina’s unusual route into journalism, why she believes kindness beats cleverness, and how the crisps-and-fizzy-wine philosophy can lift even the darkest day.

‘When everything falls apart, the story you tell yourself will decide what happens next’ – listen below (or on your favourite app) to learn Christina’s art of staying upright.

Episode summary

Christina Patterson

Christina wrote a much-loved column for The Independent, interviewed figures from Gordon Brown to Boy George, and now contributes to The Sunday Times and The Guardian. Her memoir-cum-survival-guide The Art of Not Falling Apart distils the lessons of loss, illness and joblessness into hard-won wisdom for anyone on a precarious creative path.

Big ideas in this conversation

• Failure as material – turning personal disaster into a story that helps others.
• The columnist’s pulpit – writing to move hearts as well as change minds.
• Deceptive simplicity – why short words often land the hardest punch.
• Kindness over cleverness – success is hollow without compassion.
• Everyday joy – coffee, cake, crisps and fizz as creative fuel.

Advice worth hearing in full

• Feel it first – if the writer laughs or cries, the reader will too.
• Write 1,200 tight words – precision breeds power.
• Let curiosity steer the story – discovery happens on the page, not before.
• Simplify relentlessly – aim for Matisse-level clarity, one cut-out at a time.

Where next?

Dive deeper into Christina’s writing, interviews and speaking events at ChristinaPatterson.co.uk.

About The 21st Century Creative podcast

Hosted by creative coach and award-winning poet Mark McGuinness, The 21st Century Creative podcast helps you succeed as a creative professional amid the demands, distractions and opportunities of the 21st century.

Each episode features insights from Mark and interviews with outstanding creators – including artists, writers, performers, commercial creatives, directors, producers, entrepreneurs and other creative thought-leaders.

Make sure you receive every episode by subscribing in Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you listen.

Join the mailing list to have every episode delivered to your inbox, along with the free 21st Century Creative Foundation Course.

The post The Art of Not Falling Apart with Christina Patterson appeared first on Creative Coach | Mark McGuinness.

     

In this episode David explains why brands with a purpose ‘do better and matter more’, how storytelling rescued 400 skilled makers in Cardigan, and why every creative should seek hard problems, not easy wins.

‘A brand’s power,’ David says, ‘is the 18-inch journey from head to heart.’ Listen below (or on your favourite app) to discover how he makes that leap — and how you can too.

Episode summary

David Hieatt

Entrepreneur, author and speaker, David champions businesses that fix problems rather than chase margins. With Hiut Denim he reignited Britain’s largest jeans workforce; with The Do Lectures he inspires others to marry profit with purpose.

Big ideas in this conversation

• Purpose first – brands rooted in a mission spark loyalty far beyond a simple transaction.
• The power of questions – great companies (and careers) begin with asking something original.
• Content factory + product factory – world-class storytelling is as vital as world-class making.
• Reframing competition – stop fighting to be cheapest; aim to be best.
• Hard dreams – choose challenges that stretch you; easy ones rarely change anything.

Advice worth hearing in full

• Lobby for love, not attention — make customers feel something.
• Paint the floor — small symbolic acts unite a team against mediocrity.
• Measure growth in community, not just turnover.
• Ask one great question every day for a week and watch your perspective shift.

Where next?

Read Do Purpose — David’s manifesto for mission-led business — via The Do Book Co.

Explore Hiut Denim and the Cardigan factory revival at hiutdenim.co.uk, and watch hundreds of free talks at TheDoLectures.com.

About The 21st Century Creative podcast

Hosted by creative coach and award-winning poet Mark McGuinness, The 21st Century Creative podcast helps you succeed as a creative professional amid the demands, distractions and opportunities of the 21st century.

Each episode features insights from Mark and interviews with outstanding creators – including artists, writers, performers, commercial creatives, directors, producers, entrepreneurs and other creative thought-leaders.

Make sure you receive every episode by subscribing in Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you listen.

Join the mailing list to have every episode delivered to your inbox, along with the free 21st Century Creative Foundation Course.

The post Don’t Just Sell Something: Do Something! with David Hieatt appeared first on Creative Coach | Mark McGuinness.

     

Her latest guide, The Healthy Writer (co-authored with Dr Euan Lawson), tackles an awkward truth: long hours at a screen can wreck a creative’s body and mind. In this conversation Joanna explains how she swapped painkillers for yoga, loneliness for community and “exercise” for joyful movement — lessons that apply to every creative discipline, not just writing.

‘Creation is therapy,’ Joanna says. ‘But you need a body that will carry you the distance.’ Listen below (or on your favourite app) for a practical, myth-busting guide to becoming a healthy creative.

Episode summary

Joanna Penn

Author-entrepreneur, podcaster and speaker, Joanna bridges commercial success with candid talk about the physical and mental toll of a creative life. Her collaboration with Dr Lawson distils medical research and personal experience into a survival manual for anyone who works at a screen.

Big ideas in this conversation

• Creation as therapy – writing heals trauma and boosts mood, but only if the body is cared for too.
• From discipline to pleasure – swap ‘exercise’ for enjoyable movement and ‘diet’ for mindful food.
• The ergonomics upgrade – desks, laptop stands and voice dictation can prevent years of pain.
• Combatting isolation – online communities, conferences and group activities reverse the health risks of loneliness.
• Myth-busting the tortured artist – you can be prolific, ambitious and well-rested; suffering is optional.

Advice worth hearing in full

• Scan your body – notice tension or aches before they become injuries.
• Schedule movement – morning writing; mid-morning yoga; afternoons for admin.
• Reframe rest – evenings and weekends off aren’t indulgent, they’re fuel.
• Find the right teacher – a supportive instructor can turn exercise hatred into lifelong joy.

Where next?

Explore The Healthy Writer — packed with medical insights and practical tips — at TheCreativePenn.com/healthy-writer or your preferred retailer.

Follow Joanna’s weekly articles and The Creative Penn Podcast at TheCreativePenn.com for advice on writing, publishing and making a living from your craft.

About The 21st Century Creative podcast

Hosted by creative coach and award-winning poet Mark McGuinness, The 21st Century Creative podcast helps you succeed as a creative professional amid the demands, distractions and opportunities of the 21st century.

Each episode features insights from Mark and interviews with outstanding creators — including artists, writers, performers, commercial creatives, directors, producers, entrepreneurs and other creative thought-leaders.

Make sure you receive every episode by subscribing in Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you listen.

Join the mailing list to have every episode delivered to your inbox, along with the free 21st Century Creative Foundation Course.

The post The Healthy Creative with Joanna Penn appeared first on Creative Coach | Mark McGuinness.

     

In this episode we explore how Tyler blends randomness with precision, why he ships each print with the very algorithm that made it, and what generative art might reveal about the future of creativity.

‘When I surrender control to the programme, it surprises me — and that surprise is where the art lives,’ Tyler says. Listen below (or on your favourite app) to hear how he turns code into colour.

Episode summary

Tyler Hobbs

Tyler is a leading voice in generative art, a discipline that uses algorithms to produce images. Collectors buy single-edition prints — each accompanied by the code that generated it — and his essays on process have become required reading for artists and programmers alike.

Big ideas in this conversation

• Painting with code – why Tyler swapped brushes for algorithms to create one-off artworks.
• Randomness as collaborator – giving up control lets unexpected forms (and new ideas) emerge.
• Emotion in the machine – how to move viewers with lines of JavaScript, not brush-strokes.
• Collecting the programme – each purchase includes the source code, turning buyers into curators of the creative process.
• Future horizons – from pen-plotter paintings to AI and VR sculpture, where generative art may lead next.

Advice worth hearing in full

• Trust your reaction – judge success by the emotional jolt the image gives you, not technical cleverness.
• Use constraints creatively – tight rules (or a Fibonacci sequence) can unlock startling results.
• Embrace surprise – the ‘aha’ moment often arrives when the programme misbehaves.
• Let curiosity drive iteration – small code tweaks, run repeatedly, can reveal whole new series.

Where next?

Explore and collect Tyler’s generative artworks — and read his essays — at TylerXHobbs.com.

About The 21st Century Creative podcast

Hosted by creative coach and award-winning poet Mark McGuinness, The 21st Century Creative podcast helps you succeed as a creative professional amid the demands, distractions and opportunities of the 21st century.

Each episode features insights from Mark and interviews with outstanding creators — including artists, writers, performers, commercial creatives, directors, producers, entrepreneurs and other creative thought-leaders.

Make sure you receive every episode by subscribing in Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you listen.

Join the mailing list to have every episode delivered to your inbox, along with the free 21st Century Creative Foundation Course.

The post Tyler Hobbs: the Artist Who Paints with Code appeared first on Creative Coach | Mark McGuinness.

     

This conversation explores why the celebrated Hero’s Journey is just Act One. The real work begins afterwards, when a creator confronts their gift, turns professional and learns to shuttle — hour by hour — between inspiration and logistics. If you feel you’re resisting a call, or wonder how to balance mystique with mundane discipline, you’ll find Steve’s insights bracing, practical and reassuring.

‘Every book I’ve written surprised me,’ Steve says. ‘The works themselves tell you who you are.’ Listen below (or on your favourite app) and decide whether you’re still questing on your Hero’s Journey or already walking the artist’s road.

Episode summary

Steven Pressfield

An ex-advertising copywriter turned historical novelist, Steve has written nineteen books across two intertwined careers. His Ancient-Greek battle epics such as Gates of Fire inspire the US Marines; his creative handbooks — The War of Art, Turning Pro, Do the Work — pepper studio walls from Hollywood to Hackney. The Artist’s Journey distils forty years of that experience into a field-guide for anyone who feels called to make meaningful work.

Big ideas in this conversation

• From Hero to Artist – Campbell’s template is only Act One; the artist’s real apprenticeship starts when you answer your gift. (Think of Good Will Hunting — the film ends where the Artist’s Journey begins.)
• A universal pattern – Luke Skywalker, Odysseus and Dorothy follow the same twelve beats because those beats are coded in us. George Lucas even pinned Campbell’s checklist above his desk while drafting Star Wars.
• Mysticism + mechanics – Rosanne Cash’s late-night epiphany led to athlete-style training and militant diary-keeping. Great art is forged in that daily oscillation between the ether and the calendar.
• Creative bottoming-out – Burn-out, boredom or addiction often precede the decision to turn pro — Steve’s favourite business example is the guilt-stricken Vietnam veteran who founded FedEx.
• The Creative Challenge – Map yourself: are you mid-quest, or have you crossed the threshold into your own Artist’s Journey?

Advice worth hearing in full

• Practise the shuttle – Cultivate the rapid movement between intuition and technique, dozens of times an hour.
• Spot the threshold – Life simplifies the moment you accept the Call and stop running.
• Design your day – Discipline isn’t swagger; it’s the scaffolding that lets inspiration land safely.
• Ask a sharper question – Not ‘How can I be original?’ but ‘What gift am I withholding from the world?’

Where next?

Explore The Artist’s Journey in e-book, print or audio at BlackIrishBooks.com or your preferred retailer.

Read Steve’s weekly ‘Writing Wednesdays’ essays at StevenPressfield.com.

About The 21st Century Creative podcast

Hosted by creative coach and award-winning poet Mark McGuinness, The 21st Century Creative podcast helps you succeed as a creative professional amid the demands, distractions and opportunities of the 21st century.

Each episode features insights from Mark and interviews with outstanding creators — including artists, writers, performers, commercial creatives, directors, producers, entrepreneurs and other creative thought-leaders.

Make sure you receive every episode by subscribing in Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you listen.

Join the mailing list to have every episode delivered to your inbox, along with the free 21st Century Creative Foundation Course.

The post Steven Pressfield on The Artist’s Journey appeared first on Creative Coach | Mark McGuinness.

     

Patricia is also the author of Dream Plan Do, an annual planner journal to help creative entrepreneurs reflect, plan and take action throughout the year.

One of the themes of The 21st Century Creative is ‘something old, something new’ and Patricia is a fantastic example of this – many of the creatives she helps are living in remote areas, using traditional craft skills that go back generations, and they are often working in super-specialised niches.

Patricia helps them thrive by reinventing their business model and their marketing communications so that they can reach their customers wherever they are in the world.

I’ve known Patricia for years and worked with her on several occasions, running workshops or speaking at her events. It’s always fun to go to a Design Trust event, because you’re guaranteed to find yourself in a room full of talented and enthusiastic people who spend their lives creating all kinds of beautiful and useful things.

In this interview Patricia gives us the benefit of her experience of working with hundreds of creatives, about what it really takes to succeed in a small creative business. She has a lot of interesting things to say about the intersection of artistic tradition and our modern connected society.

If you run a creative business of any kind, you’ll find plenty of practical inspiration in this interview. And if you see yourself as good at your creative work but clueless at business, I recommend you listen right to the end, where Patricia points out how your artistic skills could actually be the key to unlocking your success as a creative entrepreneur.

The 2019 edition of Patricia’s Dream Plan Do planner journal for creative entrepreneurs will be available to pre-order in October – if you want to know when it’s available, sign up for updates at Dream-Plan-Do.com.

About The 21st Century Creative podcast

Each episode of The 21st Century Creative podcast features an interview with an outstanding creator in the arts or creative industries.

At the end of the interview, I ask my guest to set you a Creative Challenge that will help you put the ideas from the interview in to practice in your own work.

And in the first part of the show, I share insights and practical guidance based on my experience as a Creative Coach since 1996.

Make sure you receive every episode of The 21st Century Creative by subscribing to the show in iTunes.

The post Creating a Business You Are Proud of with Patricia van den Akker appeared first on Creative Coach | Mark McGuinness.

     

She works with senior leaders and teams in the creative and media industries, education, startups, and female entrepreneurs. In The SHED Method she shares the principles and techniques she uses to help her clients perform at their best under pressure.

Like all top coaches, Sara enlists the help of other coaches to help her reach her own goals. So when she signed a publishing deal for The SHED Method, she came to me for help in getting the book written, and also with making the transition from coach to writer, as she saw that, as a coach who writes books, I had been through the same process myself.

As I worked with Sara and read the successive drafts of her book, I was struck by the down-to-earth nature of a lot of her advice, for top performers. Things like getting a good night’s sleep, staying hydrated, watching your diet and taking time out to exercise – especially when you’re busy.

The kind of things it’s easy to overlook while you’re pursuing your ambitions – especially if you’re a working on a computer, or creating imaginary storytelling worlds, or on a punishing schedule of live performances.

Reading the draft, I got a few flashbacks to my own experience, and times where I hadn’t taken care of myself very well, and had paid the penalty. So I thought it would be helpful to invite Sara on the show to share some of the ideas from the book with you.

In this interview Sara invites you to ‘become a scientist on your own behaviour’ by observing what works and what doesn’t work for you, and experimenting with new ways of doing things.

As well as the foundation of SHED practices, she gives you a new and user-friendly way of looking at your brain, and working with it rather than against it, when you’re trying to achieve or create something extraordinary.

She also talks about her experience of going from a creative practitioner towards becoming a thought leader with a public profile in her industry. So if you’re on a similar journey, from working alone in your studio or with clients, to stepping into the public eye in print, online, in media of any kind, Sara offers a great example of how to find the inspiration and the courage to go for it.

You can get tips and updates about The SHED Method on Facebook and Instagram.

About The 21st Century Creative podcast

Each episode of The 21st Century Creative podcast features an interview with an outstanding creator in the arts or creative industries.

At the end of the interview, I ask my guest to set you a Creative Challenge that will help you put the ideas from the interview in to practice in your own work.

And in the first part of the show, I share insights and practical guidance based on my experience as a Creative Coach since 1996.

Make sure you receive every episode of The 21st Century Creative by subscribing to the show in iTunes.

The post Making Better Choices When it Matters with Sara Milne Rowe appeared first on Creative Coach | Mark McGuinness.

     

Josh hails from Australia and has spent the last few years living and working in the United States. He was one of the founding hosts of HuffPost Live, the innovative online TV network run by the Huffington Post. There he interviewed guests including Russell Brand, Jeremy Irons, Michael Moore, Liz Hurley and Jesse Jackson.

Josh is currently hosting a radio show for ABC, the Australian national broadcaster.

Many of you will know of him through his podcast, #WeThePeople LIVE. The show’s tagline is ‘make debate healthy again’, and it features live panel discussions in front of an audience Josh describes as ‘as wise as it is drunk’, as well as in-depth interviews and very lively discussions with guests including Scott Adams, Richard Dawkins, Joe Rogan and Louis Theroux.

Josh is never afraid to speak his own mind, but one of the hallmarks of his podcast is his willingness to invite people with radically different viewpoints to his own, and to attempt to engage them in a respectful and productive debate. The results are sometimes considered controversial, but never boring.

#WeThePeople LIVE has hit the No.1 Position in the iTunes comedy podcast charts on numerous occasions. And Twitter explodes with outrage on a regular basis.

In this interview Josh talks about his own path to success, and tackles some of the big questions about old and new media and how they relate to each other. He also has some great advice for those of you who want to carve out a career in the media.

Listen to #WeThePeople LIVE on iTunes or get the raw audio feed here. You can follow Josh on Twitter here and get updates about the podcast here.

In the course of the interview Josh mentions a feisty encounter between Madonna and David Letterman, which you can watch on YouTube here.

Episodes of #WeThePeople LIVE he references in today’s interview are his conversations with Ben Shapiro, Scott Adams and Andy Kindler. He also talks about his interview with Jeremy Irons, some of which you can see here (at 2m 8s).

N.b. Josh used to spell his name phonetically as “Zepps” earlier in his career. But as he modestly explains, ‘Now that I’ve become the world’s most successful broadcaster, the original spelling of “Szeps” will do’.

About The 21st Century Creative podcast

Each episode of The 21st Century Creative podcast features an interview with an outstanding creator in the arts or creative industries.

At the end of the interview, I ask my guest to set you a Creative Challenge that will help you put the ideas from the interview in to practice in your own work.

And in the first part of the show, I share insights and practical guidance based on my experience as a Creative Coach since 1996.

Make sure you receive every episode of The 21st Century Creative by subscribing to the show in iTunes.

The post Josh Szeps on 21st Century Media: TV, Radio, Podcasting and Beyond appeared first on Creative Coach | Mark McGuinness.

     

Having earned her own MFA – which for those of us outside the US, is a Master of Fine Arts degree, the main creative writing degree in the States – via the traditional academic route, she founded DIY MFA, to make this kind of education available to writers without the time or money to invest in a degree program.

She teaches via her website DIYMFA.com, her book DIY MFA and her podcast, DIY MFA Radio.

This interview will obviously appeal to you if you’re a writer, but even if you’re not, Gabriela has a lot of valuable insights to share about the mindset it takes to achieve in any creative profession.

One of the big themes of The 21st Century Creative podcast is that it’s up to you and me to take responsibility for our own careers – for making things happen rather than waiting for opportunity to knock. And DIY MFA is a great example of doing this with your education and professional development

Listen to Gabriela and you’ll hear how passionate she is about taking control of your learning process, just as much as you do for other aspects of your career or business.

Whether or not you’re not a writer, I recommend you take on board Gabriela’s approach to education and see what you can take from it and apply to your own professional development.

This is the DIY MFA pie chart, which Gabriela refers to in the interview:

About The 21st Century Creative podcast

Each episode of The 21st Century Creative podcast features an interview with an outstanding creator in the arts or creative industries.

At the end of the interview, I ask my guest to set you a Creative Challenge that will help you put the ideas from the interview in to practice in your own work.

And in the first part of the show, I share insights and practical guidance based on my experience as a Creative Coach since 1996.

Make sure you receive every episode of The 21st Century Creative by subscribing to the show in iTunes.

The post DIY Professional Development for Creatives with Gabriela Pereira appeared first on Creative Coach | Mark McGuinness.

     

If you visit Daniel’s website you’ll see he greets his visitors with the words ‘We love to share your joy’ – this is the guiding principle of Daniel’s business and his mission in life. And if you visit his office in Washington, then he tells me you will see jewellery pieces you won’t see anywhere else.

All Daniel’s creations are custom-made for his clients, and he goes to extraordinary lengths to make something special and appropriate for each client – not only does he spend time getting to know them and their tastes, he also travels the globe to source the materials and craft skills he needs to make the pieces.

In a typical year Daniel and his Vice President Joshua Collier rack up hundreds of thousands of air miles, as they visit mines, industry fairs, private dealers, and craftsmen and women who are the living embodiment of generations of artistic tradition.

As well as serving private clients, Daniel’s jewellery is worn by the USA’s two times Olympic judo champion, Kayla Harrison, and by 10-year-old Clarissa Capuano, a Global Down Ambassador, who raises awareness for people with Down Syndrome.

I’ve been working with Daniel for a few years, and never cease to be astonished by the boldness of his vision and the lengths he is prepared to go to make it a reality. He’s also a very sharp and engaging chap who is excellent company, so it was a pleasure to sit down with him in London to record this interview.

In this conversation Daniel talks about what motivated him to create a very unconventional jewellery business, and how he has dealt with some of the challenges he faces in an industry that has some very well established conventions. He also talks about his approach to designing and creating a unique piece of fine jewellery for each of his clients.

Listen to this interview for an inspiring example of what it takes to succeed in a high-end creative business. You’ll also learn the surprising and charming story behind the name The Intrepid Wendell.

About The 21st Century Creative podcast

Each episode of The 21st Century Creative podcast features an interview with an outstanding creator in the arts or creative industries.

At the end of the interview, I ask my guest to set you a Creative Challenge that will help you put the ideas from the interview in to practice in your own work.

And in the first part of the show, I share insights and practical guidance based on my experience as a Creative Coach since 1996.

Make sure you receive every episode of The 21st Century Creative by subscribing to the show in iTunes.

The post The Business of Sharing Joy with Daniel Boettcher appeared first on Creative Coach | Mark McGuinness.

     

Jarie is inventor or co-inventor on over 10 patents and has published three other books besides The Entrepreneur Ethos: Frustration Free Technical Management, #ENDURANCE tweet — A Little Nudge to Keep You Going, and Business Basics for Entrepreneurs.

He blogs about ‘tips, tools and techniques to be a better entrepreneur’ at TheDailyMBA.com. He also gives talks like this one at San Jose State University about How Not to Be a Jerk.

Not content with the rigours of the startup world, Jarie is also a keen endurance athlete – when I once asked for his definition of endurance athletics, he told me that it’s ‘any athletics event that is so demanding that you can’t finish unless you eat while you’re doing it’.

I met Jarie years ago, when I worked with him as a coaching client, and we have kept up our friendship ever since.

When he told me he was writing a book called The Entrepreneur Ethos, I knew it was a topic I wanted to feature on the podcast. Because there’s so much attention paid to the external aspects of entrepreneurship – the money, the fame, the public controversies and so on. But like any creative endeavour, the internal factors such as mindset, motivation and intention, are critical to success – and are often overlooked.

Jarie’s done a great job of addressing the human factor of entrepreneurship in The Entrepreneur Ethos and it’s a book I will be buying for coaching clients for years to come. In this conversation he shares his thoughts on what it really takes to succeed as an entrepreneur – behind the scenes, away from the spotlight, where the hard work is done and the difficult conversations take place.

He talks about the motivation of top entrepreneurs, and makes the perhaps surprising claim that it’s not about the money.

He also shares some of the unexpected traits of the entrepreneur, including awkwardness. And he touches on some of the problems in the startup sector, particularly in its treatment of women and minorities, and what needs to change for a true Entrepreneur Ethos to emerge.

Jarie’s words about endurance are particularly poignant due to the fact that a few weeks before we were due to speak, his wife Jane died of cancer. I asked if he wanted to postpone the interview, but he was adamant that he wanted to go ahead – partly because he had written the book in response to some of the challenges Jane had experienced as a female entrepreneur in the male-dominated startup world.

In this conversation you’ll hear Jarie speak from the heart about his own journey and what it takes for any of us to overcome the personal and professional challenges life places in our way.

Jarie’s Creative Challenge

At the end of the interview, Jarie sets you the challenge of writing a Business Narrative for your creative business or project. This article will help you complete the challenge: Writing your business narrative.

About The 21st Century Creative podcast

Each episode of The 21st Century Creative podcast features an interview with an outstanding creator in the arts or creative industries.

At the end of the interview, I ask my guest to set you a Creative Challenge that will help you put the ideas from the interview in to practice in your own work.

And in the first part of the show, I share insights and practical guidance based on my experience as a Creative Coach since 1996.

Make sure you receive every episode of The 21st Century Creative by subscribing to the show in iTunes.

The post The Entrepreneur Ethos with Jarie Bolander appeared first on Creative Coach | Mark McGuinness.

     

Mimi was born in Tehran, Iran and grew up on the Isle of Wight in England. She is the author of eight collections of poetry published by Carcanet and the editor of several anthologies. Her latest book is The Very Selected Mimi Khalvati, published by smith|doorstop.

Her awards and commendations include a Cholmondeley Award and being shortlisted for the T.S. Eliot Prize. Mimi is also the founder of The Poetry School, where professional poets teach the art and craft of poetry at its London centre and across the UK.

Fifteen years ago, I walked into Mimi’s class at the Poetry School, and it changed my life. Mimi challenged and encouraged me in a way no other writing teacher has ever done, and I owe her a huge debt of gratitude for the difference she has made to my poetry.

Mimi has a rare gift – not only is she an outstanding poet herself, but she has an extraordinary ability to read other poets’ work and give them feedback that helps them get to the heart of their own writing.

I’ve been quoting Mimi’s words of wisdom for years, with coaching clients, in my books and on this podcast. So I’m delighted I was able to record this conversation and let you hear her for yourself.

In this conversation Mimi talks about her own practice as a poet, and offers some unusual insights into the nature of the creative process, especially the role of criticism, that will apply to you whatever your creative discipline.

Not only that, but Mimi also reads several poems from her latest book, The Very Selected Mimi Khalvati. (Amazon US. Amazon UK.)

Portrait photo of Mimi Khalvati by Caroline Forbes.

About The 21st Century Creative podcast

Each episode of The 21st Century Creative podcast features an interview with an outstanding creator in the arts or creative industries.

At the end of the interview, I ask my guest to set you a Creative Challenge that will help you put the ideas from the interview in to practice in your own work.

And in the first part of the show, I share insights and practical guidance based on my experience as a Creative Coach since 1996.

Make sure you receive every episode of The 21st Century Creative by subscribing to the show in iTunes.

The post Poetry as Discovery with Mimi Khalvati appeared first on Creative Coach | Mark McGuinness.

     

I joked with Todd that he is also the grandaddy of creative podcasters – he has been producing his show The Accidental Creative and sharing “weekly tips and ideas for staying prolific, brilliant, and healthy” since 2005. So if you’re not listening to his show yet, I highly recommend you check it out.

Todd was originally a writer and creative director; these days he consults for creative businesses who want to unleash the full talent of their creative teams. And his latest book offers a lot of insight on this topic. It’s called Herding Tigers – Be the Leader that Creative People Need.

In this conversation I ask Todd about the challenges faced by creatives who make the step up from team member to team leader. He talks about the big shifts in your role and your identity, and the balance of power with your former team members, and the big challenges you will face as a result.

Todd also shares lots of practical advice on the day-to-day business of creative leadership, including what to track to make sure creative projects stay on track, how to keep people fired up to create under pressure, and the surprising importance of stability for creative work.

If you are a creative director or leader of any kind, or you’re about to make the transition into a creative leadership role, then this interview will be essential listening for you. And even if you aren’t – yet – in a leadership role, I think you’ll get a lot out of Todd’s insights about what it takes to create outstanding work in a demanding environment.

And if you think your own boss could do with a little help in getting the most out of your and your co-workers, and you’re feeling brave – and maybe even a little tigerish! – then perhaps you could share this interview with your boss!

About The 21st Century Creative podcast

Each episode of The 21st Century Creative podcast features an interview with an outstanding creator in the arts or creative industries.

At the end of the interview, I ask my guest to set you a Creative Challenge that will help you put the ideas from the interview in to practice in your own work.

And in the first part of the show, I share insights and practical guidance based on my experience as a Creative Coach since 1996.

Make sure you receive every episode of The 21st Century Creative by subscribing to the show in iTunes.

The post Todd Henry: Leading Creatives Is Like Herding Tigers appeared first on Creative Coach | Mark McGuinness.

     

Born in Argentina and raised in Venezuela, he achieved national fame with the band Claroscuro before moving to the UK in 2000.

Javier will need no introduction for fans of Stereophonics – he was the band’s drummer for 8 years, recording albums, touring the globe and playing to packed stadiums, including the Live 8 concert in Hyde Park that was broadcast worldwide in 2005.

These days he records his own albums, as well as playing drums with the likes of Phil Manzanera of Roxy Music, and Zak Starkey. He also produces other artists, composes soundtracks for feature films and documentaries, and creates music for brands including Uniqlo, the BBC, ITV and Hasbro.

Javier on stage with Stereophonics at Live8

As a listener to the 21st Century Creative, you are already familiar with Javier’s work – he composed and recorded all the music and sound effects for the podcast, and his production agency Breaking Waves, produces every episode of the show.

UNIQLO campaign featuring Javier’s music

For this interview we did something very different, which was Javier’s idea. We met up in Hammersmith in London, and walked along the bank of the river Thames while he told me about his journey, from growing up in Venezuela to achieving success with Claroscuro, to moving to London, playing with Stereophonics, and his current work as a composer and producer.

Along the way, he shares his thoughts on what it takes to succeed as a musician, and how the music business has changed radically in the time he’s been involved with it.

As we walk along the river, you can hear the sounds of birds singing, passers-by talking, planes flying overhead and traffic coming and going. Javier wanted to capture the soundscape and to give us a glimpse of what it’s like to live in his world, where he is acutely aware of the sounds around him and the feelings they evoke.

When I listened back to the interview, it reminded me of some of his work for films, where the sounds in the background have a subtle but important effect on the people in the foreground. To experience the effect for yourself, I hope you’ll join Javier and me on a walk along the river and a journey into sound.

You can follow Javier’s further adventures on Instagram and Twitter.

Trailer for The Book of Judith, soundtrack by Javier Weyler and Aleph Aguiar

Music from Dead Seem Old – co-written, produced and engineered by Javier

About The 21st Century Creative podcast

Each episode of The 21st Century Creative podcast features an interview with an outstanding creator in the arts or creative industries.

At the end of the interview, I ask my guest to set you a Creative Challenge that will help you put the ideas from the interview in to practice in your own work.

And in the first part of the show, I share insights and practical guidance based on my experience as a Creative Coach since 1996.

Make sure you receive every episode of The 21st Century Creative by subscribing to the show in iTunes.

The post Javier Weyler: A Journey into Sound appeared first on Creative Coach | Mark McGuinness.

     

It’s taken several months, many hours of work, and in the case of one interview, several thousand air miles, to put the new season together. So I hope you’ll find the result a helpful source of inspiration over the next 10 weeks.

We start Season 2 with an interview with Tina Roth Eisenberg, a designer and entrepreneur based in New York City. She’s known to millions of readers as Swiss Miss – the title of her blog, where she’s been sharing design inspiration since 2005.

Her ventures include Friends Work Here, a co-working space; Tattly, a temporary tattoo business; Teux Deux, a productivity app; and Creative Mornings, a series of free lectures for creatives currently taking place in 183 cities around the world. She also just launched ‘the LinkedIn of the creative world’, called CreativeGuild.

In this conversation Tina tells us about her journey from a small town in rural Switzerland to becoming a successful creative entrepreneur in New York, with an audience and network spanning the globe.

She talks about the challenges she faced, and the amazing opportunities that emerged as if by magic, when she followed her creative instincts to work on a series of labours of love, however unusual or commercially unviable they looked at first.

She has interesting things to say about the opportunities that can come to you if you are generous in sharing your work and ideas, and also has an unusual take on the challenge of bringing up children while running your own business.

Listen to Tina’s interview and you will experience a shining example of a 21st century creative – inspiring, generous, outward looking and consistently surprising.

Follow Tina on Twitter and Instagram.

Portrait photo of Tina Roth Eisenberg by Catalina Kulczar

What’s coming in Season 2 of The 21st Century Creative podcast

This the first of 10 interviews in the new season, including a leading poet, a high-end jeweller, an experienced TV and radio host, a serial entrepreneur and a musician who performed to a global audience at Live8.

And in the first part of the show, I share insights and practical guidance based on my experience as a Creative Coach since 1996.

Make sure you receive every episode of The 21st Century Creative by subscribing to the show in iTunes.

The post Tina Roth Eisenberg’s Labours of Love appeared first on Creative Coach | Mark McGuinness.

     

This week’s guest on the 21st Century Creative Podcast is Aileen Bennett, Roving Creative Director and Idea Thinker Upper.

In today’s interview, we tackle a question that many creative people struggle with – what do you do when you look at the jobs on offer, and none of them seem the right fit? Not even the self-employed ones, like consultant or freelance designer?

Should you try to fit in, like a square peg in a round hole? Or should you do what Aileen did, and create a job that doesn’t exist?

I’m delighted to introduce you to Aileen and her work in this episode, she’s a delightfully creative thinker and maker, and a great example of how being yourself can help your business thrive as well as sparking your imagination.

You can find more inspiration from Aileen, including her books and illustrations, on her website and Aileen’s Notebook on Instagram.

The post Creating a Job that Doesn’t Exist with Aileen Bennett appeared first on Creative Coach | Mark McGuinness.

     

This week’s guest on the 21st Century Creative Podcast is Kristin Linklater, the world-renowned teacher of voice work for actors and speakers, and the author of Freeing the Natural Voice and Freeing Shakespeare’s Voice.

I recorded this interview at Kristin’s Linklater Voice Centre, in her native Orkney, at the end of a week-long course on speaking Shakespearean verse. As a student of Kristin’s I have personally benefitted greatly from her teaching, and I’m delighted to be able to share her work with you in this interview.

Kristin has some very insightful things to say about creativity, authenticity and communication, based on a lifetime spent teaching voice work – so you’ll find it helpful whether you’re an actor or you do any kind of public speaking.

And as we discover in the conversation, working on your voice can have a very interesting and positive effect on your creativity, outside of the realm of performance!

If you want to develop an authentic connection to your own voice – whether for professional performance, creativity or personal development – I highly recommend Kristin’s courses. I’ve taken two courses at the Linklater Voice Centre and it was absolutely worth the effort of travelling to Orkney. As you can see from the photos, it’s a magical setting in which to do some powerful inner and outer work.

The post Freeing the Natural Voice with Kristin Linklater appeared first on Creative Coach | Mark McGuinness.

     

This week’s guest on the 21st Century Creative Podcast is Nick Dunin, co-founder of Beyond Rest, a company that operates float centres in three Australian cities.

Nick is on a mission to help people get in touch with their best selves via floating. He’s also had a very unusual journey as an entrepreneur and he has a lot of interesting things to say about personal development, creativity and business.

I’ve been using floatation tanks for years, and I’ve found floating tremendously beneficial, for my personal and creative development, so I’m delighted to have Nick on the show to explain the what, why and how of floating for creatives.

Where can you float?

If you live in Perth, Melbourne or Brisbane, Australia, you can pop along to your local Beyond Rest float centre and Nick and his team will take good care of you.

I currently float at the Bristol Float Centre, where the staff are always friendly and helpful, if you’re in the area, I thoroughly recommend their service.

If you live somewhere else, Google ‘floatation tank’ plus the name of your town or city to find your nearest float centre.

The post The Floatation Tank: a Short Cut to Your Superpower? with Nick Dunin appeared first on Creative Coach | Mark McGuinness.

     

This week’s guest on the 21st Century Creative Podcast is Jocelyn K. Glei, Founding Editor of 99U, author of Unsubscribe: How to Kill Email Anxiety, Avoid Distractions, and Get Real Work Done, and host of the Hurry Slowly podcast.

Jocelyn was instrumental in turning 99U into the iconic brand for creatives it is today – editing the magazine site 99U.com and the series of 99U books for creatives, and helping the team create the amazing 99U Conferences in New York.

In this interview, Jocelyn talks about the psychology of email – why such a convenient form of communication has become such a drain on our creativity and productivity, and how to reclaim time and headspace for real work.

And as we discovered in the course of the conversation, most of the advice in Unsubscribe is applicable beyond your inbox – the principles of email management can help you get your creative work done amid the daily whirlwind of news, social media and other distractions.

As well as reading the book, you can follow Jocelyn’s thinking on her website and on Twitter.

In the first part of the show, I talk about the four types of work we can spend our time on – and which one creates the most long-term benefits for your creative career.

The post Kill Email Anxiety and Do More Meaningful Work with Jocelyn K. Glei appeared first on Creative Coach | Mark McGuinness.

     

This week’s guest on the 21st Century Creative Podcast is Michael Bungay Stanier, Founder and Senior Partner of Box of Crayons, a company that helps people and organizations all over the world do less Good Work and more Great Work.

Box of Crayons is best known for its coaching programs that give busy leaders the tools to coach in 10 minutes or less.

In this conversation Michael and I talk about the importance of communication skills for creative directors and other leaders of creative teams – as well as for all of us who interact with our fellow human beings in the course of our work.

Michael shares tips and insights from his latest book The Coaching Habit, a brilliantly simple (but not superficial) guide to becoming more influential and helpful to those around you at work.

Here’s the link for the 6 1/2 Habit Gurus download Michael mentions in the interview. You can connect with Michael on LinkedIn and follow him on Twitter @boxofcrayons.

In the first part of the show, I argue that in an uncertain world, your creativity is your security.

The post Say Less, Ask More and Communicate Better with Michael Bungay Stanier appeared first on Creative Coach | Mark McGuinness.

     

This week’s guest on the 21st Century Creative Podcast is Joanna Penn, a best-selling, award-nominated thriller writer, as well as a publishing expert and host of The Creative Penn Podcast.

Joanna is here to talk about mindset for creatives – specifically, the attitudes and ambitions that distinguish creatives who struggle from those who succeed – according to their own definition of success.

She has written extensively about this topic in her book The Successful Author Mindset. For this interview, I’ve asked her to widen the focus to include all kinds of creatives – the essential psychology is the same, so this interview is not just for writers!

One new release from Jo that is just for writers is the new edition of her book How to Market a Book, which is now available for pre-order.

Jo is constantly researching publishing news and trends, and experimenting with the latest marketing methods. Whether you’re self published or traditionally published, if you want to know what works and (what doesn’t) in book marketing in 2017, this is the book to read.

Also for authors is The Author 2.0 Blueprint – a free ebook and email series on how to write, self-publish and market your book.

In the first part of the show, I talk about why 21st Century Creatives should forget the career ladder, and start creating assets.

The post The Successful Creative Mindset with Joanna Penn appeared first on Creative Coach | Mark McGuinness.

     

This week’s guest on the 21st Century Creative Podcast is Laurie Millotte, designer and founder of Outshinery.com.

On a round-the-world tip, Laurie spent time in Vietnam, Thailand, Japan, Hawaii, Mexico and other countries. And not only did she manage to keep running her existing design business from her laptop, she designed and created an entirely new business – Outshinery.

Outshinery takes a new approach to product photography for the wine and beer industries, using 3D digital technology to create images without the hassle of shipping bottles of alcoholic liquid to photographers’ studios. It means they can deliver ‘bottle shots before the wine is bottled’.

The Outshinery team are spread across 3 continents and 4 office spaces, but use technology and teamwork to get things done together.

If you’re curious about the idea of combining exotic travel with your creative work, or if you’re a creative service provider who would like to have more income and impact without having to work longer and longer hours, you’ll find this an eye-opening and inspiring conversation.

As well as her websites, you can connect with Laurie via Instagram and LinkedIn.

In the first part of the show, I talk about why 21st Century Creatives should stay small and go global, for the sake of our creativity and prosperity.

The post Designing a Global Small Business with Laurie Millotte appeared first on Creative Coach | Mark McGuinness.

     

This week’s guest on the 21st Century Creative Podcast is Fabrice Bourrelly, artist, architect and Virtual Reality designer.

As Fabrice talks about his development as a creator, the conversation ranges from the cave paintings of southern France, to raves in 90s Paris, collaboration with Thomas Heatherwick, Google and Epic Games, and how virtual reality will shape the future of fields as diverse as architecture, medicine and shopping.

It’s a mind-boggling journey that will be of interest to anyone curious about the role of the artist in the 21st century.

You can view some of Fabrice’s life drawings in the gallery of his website.

The video below gives a glimpse of some of his dazzling architectural visualisations. For more videos, and tutorials on how to create 3D worlds yourslf, check out Fabrice’s YouTube channel.

The post How Virtual Reality Will Shape Our Future with Fabrice Bourrelly appeared first on Creative Coach | Mark McGuinness.

     

This week’s guest on the 21st Century Creative Podcast is Steven Pressfield, author of the creativity classic The War of Art and a string of other bestselling fiction and nonfiction books.

In today’s show Steve talks about his latest novel, The Knowledge, which he describes as “the origin story of The War of Art“, based on his life as a taxi driver and struggling novelist in 1970s New York. He reflects on the relationship between truth and fiction in his writing, and explains the artistic and editorial decisions he made when fictionalising from his own life experience.

Steve also has some forthright and provocative things to say about some of the myths about creativity that we allow to hold us back – so I’m expecting howls of protest from some quarters this week!

You can pick up The Knowledge via Steve’s imprint, Black Irish Books, as well as Amazon and all the usual bookstores.

I recommend you also subscribe to Steve’s blog, where he shares his hard-won creative wisdom every week.

The post Steven Pressfield on Truth and Fiction appeared first on Creative Coach | Mark McGuinness.

     

Today is the launch of my podcast The 21st Century Creative. It’s designed to help you thrive as a creative professional amid the demands, distractions and opportunities of the brave new world of the 21st century.

We’re living at a time of unprecedented opportunity for enterprising, outward-looking creators. And you’ve probably noticed we don’t have our challenges to seek either – creatively, personally, professionally, politically and environmentally.

So I thought it was time for a show that addresses these issues, from your perspective as a creative professional. I’ll be taking the lead and sharing my thoughts on them in a series of short talks in the first part of each episode. In today’s episode I introduce the show, explain what it’s all about and how it will work (the format is a little different to most podcasts).

And I have a stellar line-up of guests who have given me in-depth, insightful and inspiring interviews – including writers, designers, entrepreneurs, and experts in leadership, productivity, and personal development.

I’m producing the show in seasons of 10 episodes – today is Episode 1 of Season 1 of The 21st Century Creative.

I’d like to say a special thank you to two amazing creatives who have been a huge help in producing the show:

Irene Hoffman, who designs all my books, has created a beautiful and distinctive visual identity for the show.

And Javier Weyler, musician, composer and producer, has composed original music and soundscapes that give the show a unique atmosphere. He and his team are also responsible for producing the show, and making my job a whole lot easier.

Scott Belsky – author, entrepreneur, investor and connector

I’m delighted that my first guest is Scott Belsky, author of Making Ideas Happen, and founder of Behance and 99U, which have been instrumental in providing a focus, platform and opportunities for the creative community in the 21st century.

In today’s show Scott discusses the foundation and purpose of Behance and 99U, the importance of community for creatives, and the role we can play as creators in challenging political and economic times.

You can follow Scott’s work at ScottBelsky.com, on Twitter @ScottBelsky and on Medium at Positive Slope.

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