Your Creative Mind
This podcast explores how creativity can be harnessed to solve critical problems in the world. Host Izolda Trakhtenberg discusses thinking outside the norm, generating ideas, and taking action to address big challenges like starting a novel, drawing, or tackling the climate crisis.
Episodes
What "The Curse Reverse" Tells You About How to Live Your Life Better
A Birthday tale that has changed how I look at ... well ... everything.
This week's card is: The Four of Cups
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Website: https://IzoldaT.com
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What you need to know today. Choose your Real World Tarot card here.
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How to Get the Most Out of Every Single Day as Learned From Sixth Graders
Moving into my 7th Decade and the Lessons I'm Learning
Enjoy this episode. I think you'll get some good stuff out of it.
This week's card: Process
Connect with Izolda
Website: https://IzoldaT.com
Book Your Discovery Call: https://calendly.com/izoldat/discovery-call
New Play Exchange: https://newplayexchange.org/users/90481/izolda-trakhtenberg
What you need to know today. Choose your Real World T
The thing that's blowing my mind and will likely blow yours
I'm reading a fantastic book by Anne Bogart called A Director Prepares. In it she explores a decision-making concept that has blown my mind on the molecular and galactic level.
Listen in as I explore something that is sure to change the way you view and act on every single decision you make.
Connect with Izolda
Website: https://IzoldaT.com
Book Your Discovery Call: https://calendly.com/izoldat/dis
The Tarot Card That Says: Stop Creating and Open Whole New Worlds
Why the Four of Swords may be exactly what you need when pushing harder isn't helping your creative process
A practical tarot-inspired creativity exercise for writers, performers, musicians, and anyone feeling stuck in their creative work
What if the thing blocking your creativity isn’t that you need to work harder—but that you need to stop? In this episode of Your Creative Mind, Izolda Trakhtenbe
The Surprising Link Between Neuroscience and Artistic Freedom with Dr. Charles Limb
A powerful conversation with neuroscientist and surgeon, Dr. Charles Limb, about music, creativity, authenticity, and what helps people thrive together
In this fascinating conversation, Izolda Trakhtenberg sits down with neuroscientist, surgeon, and musician Dr. Charles Limb to explore the powerful connection between music, creativity, and the human brain. You'll learn how creative expression fos
The Edge Where Anxiety Can't Follow
Ever tried to "relax" and found your mind got louder, not quieter? This episode explores a different path to presence, not less engagement, but more: activities demanding enough focus that anxiety and self-consciousness simply run out of room. We break down the three ingredients that make an activity presence-inducing (immediate feedback, real difficulty, a body anchor), and explore a wide range o
How to Create Art and Life from a Place of Bounty and Abundance
A Look at How the Empress Card Can Help You Create the Art and Life You Want.
This is the first of the creative intuition episodes using the Real World Tarot.
In it, I explore the macrocosm and the nanocosm, bounty, abundance, and how to ask for things like you deserve them.
Connect with Izolda
Website: https://IzoldaT.com
Book Your Discovery Call: https://calendly.com/izoldat/discovery-call
New
Bold Creative Choices and the Thrillers They Build with Author, Jaclyn Goldis
The best creative lives are built on bold choices. Jaclyn Goldis proves it one book at a time.
What does it actually take to build a creative life that feels as thrilling as the stories you tell? Bestselling thriller writer Jaclyn Goldis is back on Your Creative Mind, and this conversation is packed with exactly what you need. In this episode, you'll walk away with concrete strategies for sustaini
Real World Tarot Episode: The Hirophant-What the Hierophant Tarot Card Is Really Telling You
New Feature. Every Other Week: Learn about my one of my great passions, The Real World Tarot. It's the method I use to get real clarity on everything from writing to career and life decisions. I created this deck, and I'll be exploring its application in creativity, decision-making, and life-planning. If you find yourself at a crossroads, these episodes will give you ideas on how to make decisions
Don't Miss A Banished Angel, a Secret Nightclub, and One Night at the Blackbird
Tom Mullen and Maria Messias Mendes co-wrote One Night at the Blackbird which Goes Up in August 2026, at the Broadway Bound Theatre Festival.
What does it take to start a playwriting career at fifty-nine or co-write a play with someone whose life experience looks nothing like your own? Meet Tom Mullen and Maria Messias Mendes, co-writers of One Night at the Blackbird, premiering this August at the
Building Stories That Outlive the Page with Author, Rosanne Limoncelli
How WWII historical mystery novels and 1970s NYC thriller writing connect past and present through emotional truth and creative intention with author, filmmaker, and NYU professor, Rosanne Limoncelli
What if the way you write, or create anything, could actually change how you see people?
In this episode, author, filmmaker, and NYU Tisch professor, Rosanne Limoncelli shares how historical fiction
From One Childhood Question to a Hit One-Man Show with Rich Potter
What happens when clown, comedy, and philosophy come together? A masterclass in creative thinking, audience connection, and artistic courage with Rich Potter.
What if asking one better question could change the way you think about creativity, purpose, and possibility? In this episode of Your Creative Mind, I sit down with clown, variety entertainer, storyteller, creator of God! The One-Man Show, a
Networking Without the Ick: A Creative's Guide to Being Seen
Why your talent isn't the problem: your silence is, and how to fix it without feeling fake.
Does the thought of introducing yourself at an industry event make your stomach drop?
You're not alone, and you're not broken. In this episode, you'll learn why so many talented artists, playwrights, and creatives freeze when it's time to talk about their own work, and exactly what to do about it. Drawing f
Raw, Unpolished, and On Air: The Case for Messy Creative Beginnings
Polished creative work starts with messy, uncomfortable first attempts. This episode is one, and that's entirely the point.
What would it take for you to pick up a creative practice you've been avoiding live, on mic, in front of your audience?
In this raw, unfiltered episode, Izolda does exactly that. She returns to guitar after months away, mid-episode, imperfect and unpolished. She reflects on g
Not My Circus, Not My Clowns: A Creative Burnout Wake-Up Call
A memorable lesson in setting boundaries, reclaiming artistic focus, and stopping the cycle of overfunctioning in creative leadership roles.
What happens when the creative work you love starts feeling like one more obligation on an already overloaded list? In this episode of the Your Creative Mind podcast, Izolda Trakhtenberg shares a candid story about burnout, leadership, overcommitment, and the
From Journalism to Fiction: Sarah Seltzer’s Path to Purposeful Creativity
Why Journalists Make Some of the Most Visionary Fiction Writers
What happens when real-life chaos meets a creative calling you can’t ignore? In this episode of Your Creative Mind, Izolda sits down with USA Today bestselling author and longtime cultural journalist Sarah M. Seltzer to explore how storytelling, Jewish feminism, and creative resilience can shape a meaningful artistic life.
You’ll hear
Stop Waiting to Be Picked. The Psychology of Choosing Yourself First
Every creative entrepreneur who's ever felt guilty taking a day off needs to hear this one specific mindset shift before summer starts.
What does it really mean to choose yourself when the world keeps waiting to choose you first? In this raw, soul-searching episode, host Izolda Trakhtenberg pulls back the curtain on the psychological trap that snares so many creative entrepreneurs — the addiction
What Watching Mexodus, Schmigadoon, and In The Heights Taught Me About Creative Confidence and Risk-Taking
Practical lessons for performers, writers, and creative entrepreneurs on taking bold creative risks and trusting your artistic instincts on stage and beyond.
What if the way you create, on stage, on the page, or in music, could feel as alive, urgent, and meaningful as a live performance? In this episode of Your Creative Mind, Izolda Trakhtenberg shares powerful insights from three unforgettable pr
Why Generalists Thrive (Even If They Never Feel Like They Do)
A heartfelt look at why trusting good news is its own creative challenge and how you can build self-belief one win at a time.
Have you ever wondered why trusting good things can feel harder than handling the tough stuff? In this solo episode of Your Creative Mind, Izolda pulls back the curtain on what it’s like to be a multi-passionate creative navigating growth, self-doubt, and the surprising int
What Four Standout Shows Taught Me About Creative Bravery and Committing on Stage
What Titanique, Death of a Salesman, The Balusters, and Wolffish teach us about storytelling that wins hearts
Have you ever wondered how seeing great theatre can transform your own creative work? In this quick-take episode of Your Creative Mind, Izolda shares candid, heartfelt reviews of four wildly different productions, from powerhouse solo performances to uproarious musical parodies to Broadway
Why Creative People Struggle to Set Boundaries (And Why It’s Draining Your Creative Energy)
What happens when your instinct to help others starts draining your creative energy?
Have you ever tried your best to communicate clearly only to realize the other person keeps demanding more, pushing harder, and ignoring your boundaries?
In this episode of Your Creative Mind, I explore the psychology of setting healthy boundaries in creative collaboration, volunteer work, and professional relatio
The Neuroscience of Voice, Creativity, and Human Connection
What if your voice, singing, speaking, or reading aloud, could change your brain, your mood, and your sense of connection?
This episode explores the science-backed link between creativity, music, and mental wellness, showing how singing together synchronizes heartbeats, activates communication centers of the brain, and restores connection even in Alzheimer’s and dementia patients. You’ll hear how
Rachel Feeny-Williams on Playwriting, Self-Producing, and Theatrical Shenanigans
What Happens When You Stop Waiting and Start Producing with Rachel Feeny-Williams
How do you build a sustainable creative career when no one is handing you permission? In this episode of Your Creative Mind, Izolda Trakhtenberg talks with playwright and producer Rachel Feeny-Williams about fifteen years of writing, self-producing theatre, and getting work seen by real audiences around the world. L
Getting Paid Is Part of the Art
The simple question that protects artists, writers, performers, and creative entrepreneurs from unpaid work
What changes when you decide your creativity deserves professional respect and pay?
In this solo episode of Your Creative Mind, Izolda Trakhtenberg speaks candidly to writers, musicians, actors, and creative professionals about getting paid, setting boundaries, and refusing the “do it for ex
Creativity, Boundaries, and Sustainable Activism with Author Kitty Stryker
Staying Creative in Difficult Times: How to Keep Your Spark When the World Feels Heavy
How can you protect your energy, stay creative, and build meaningful collaborations without burning out? In this episode of Your Creative Mind, I talk with author and activist Kitty Stryker, who has spent over a decade shaping conversations around consent culture, sustainable activism, and healthy creative prac
Flow States That Hold You Up: Steven Puri on Sustainable Creative Focus
See why sustainable creativity is less about pushing harder and more about supporting your well-being.
What would your creative life look like if your focus felt steady, your ideas flowed more easily, and your work lifted you up instead of wearing you down? In this episode of Your Creative Mind, Izolda sits down with Steven Puri, former EVP, Kurtzman/Orci @ DreamWorks Studios and 20th Century Fox
Beyond Fear: How Skill Awareness Shapes Creative Confidence
If your creative vision feels bigger than your current skills, you’re not failing. You’re growing.
In this episode of Your Creative Mind, Izolda Trakhtenberg shares a powerful insight from playwright Lauren Gunderson that reframes creative hesitation for writers, musicians, actors, and artists. This isn’t about fear of judgment. It’s about artistic skill, vision, and timing. Through personal stori
What is Doing Your Best Right Now? A Creative Check-In for 2026
For People Who Want Depth, Not Drama and Expression Without Exhaustion
What happens when your creative voice evolves, and you choose to evolve with it?
In this episode of Your Creative Mind, Izolda Trakhtenberg shares why 2026 marks a turning point: a deeper focus on artists, makers, and anyone reclaiming confidence through creative expression. You’ll hear the story behind the new Suit of Voices i
Encore: Grammy Award Winner, Al Petteway on art, artistry, and living the creative life
Al Petteway was arguably one of the top ten guitarists who ever lived. I was also lucky enough to call him a dear friend.
Enjoy this encore episode with a terrific human and a musical master.
New episodes will return in the new year.
This Week's Card to Contemplate: Confidence
Website: https://IzoldaT.com
Book Your Discovery Call: https://calendly.com/izoldat/discovery-call
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Encore: The Excellent Petra Mayer (NPR Books Editor) on Writing, Representation, and Keeping Things Real
NPR Books Editor Petra Mayer
Petra was a great friend of mine. Tragically, she suddenly passed away in November 2021. Her New York Times Obituary noted her many accomplishments. I called her my dear friend.
Enjoy this encore episode of one of the best people ever.
Website: https://IzoldaT.com
Book Your Discovery Call: https://calendly.com/izoldat/discovery-call
New Play Exchange: https://newpla
Art Bath: How Immersive Art Sparks Emotion, Community, and Conversation
Turn Artistic Vision into Real-World Experiences People Can’t Stop Talking About with Liz Yilmaz and Mara Driscoll
How do you create collaborative art that sparks emotion, builds community, and keeps audiences talking long after the performance ends? In this episode of Your Creative Mind, Izolda talks with Mara Driscoll and Elizabeth Yilmaz. They are the visionary producers behind Art Bath, an imm
The Spark Behind Your Best Work and a More Meaningful Life
Curiosity & Beginner’s Mind and Why They Matter
Have you ever felt like your creativity or focus has dimmed even though you’re doing everything “right”?
In this episode of Your Creative Mind, I explore how curiosity and beginner’s mind can lift that heaviness and help you reconnect with clarity, energy, and authentic creative flow. You’ll learn simple, science-supported ways to spark mental op
Meditation as a Power-Up: Teaching Kids Calm, Confidence, and Creativity with Veronica Moya
Learn how mindfulness practices for children can transform how your family or team handles stress, builds focus, and fuels creative flow.
What if teaching your child mindfulness could make your whole family calmer, more creative, and more connected? In this episode of Your Creative Mind, Izolda talks with Veronica Moya, author of Goom Finds His Happy Place and founder of Mindful V, about how medit
Managing Holiday Pressure with These Fab Techniques
Reduce holiday stress and navigate family tension with writing and storytelling
The holidays are meant to be joyful, but for many of us, they bring stress, overwhelm, and tricky family dynamics. What if there was a simple way to feel calmer, clearer, and more in control without rearranging your entire schedule? Today, we’ll explore how writing and storytelling can do exactly that. You’ll learn pr
If Not Now, When? Starting Over and Embracing Creative Confidence After 50
Why I’m Just Getting Started: Creativity, Courage, and Confidence in My Late 50s
What if the best years of your creativity, courage, and confidence are still ahead of you? In this episode of Your Creative Mind, I share my story of directing my very first play on a $50 budget, returning to theater decades later, and reflecting on what shows like And Just Like That reveal (and sometimes miss) about
Comedy as a Creative Superpower: How Lynn Harris Turns Humor into Confidence, Connection, and Creative Growth
Turn laughter into your edge. Learn from Lynn Harris how comedy strengthens creativity, confidence, and communication in every part of your work and life.
Lynn Harris © Denise Winter
What if your sense of humor could become one of your strongest creative and professional tools? In this episode of Your Creative Mind, Lynn Harris, comedian, writer, and founder of GOLD Comedy, shares how the craft o
Why Joy Belongs in Your Creative Routine with Susan Sloate
Breaking Creative Barriers with Outrageous Ideas
What makes a story both unforgettable and transformative? In this episode of Your Creative Mind, I sit down with author and playwright Susan Sloate, whose work spans novels, musicals, and autobiographical love stories. Susan shares why she believes happy endings carry lasting value, how outrageous creative choices often lead to the strongest storyte
The Ancient Secret That Fuels Modern Creativity
From brain science to heart truth. How storytelling is your most powerful tool.
Ever wonder why you feel a pull to tell stories, even if you’ve never written a word? In this episode of Your Creative Mind, we explore the deep-rooted instinct to create and share stories, whether through books, plays, films, or everyday conversations. You’ll learn how storytelling strengthens emotional intelligence,
Directing Plays, Four Theatre Directors Explore Creative Lessons from the Stage
Collaboration Lessons from Theatre Directors That Apply to Any Creative Project with Stacy Zuberi, Sara Ruiz, Basil Rodericks, and Andy Reiff.
What can a directing class teach us about creativity, leadership, and the art of telling stories that connect? In this episode of Your Creative Mind, Izolda Trakhtenberg sits down with fellow directors Basil Rodericks, Andy Reiff, Sara Ruiz, and Stacy Zuber
The Gift of Doing Nothing: How Stillness Restores Creativity and Clarity
Doing Nothing as a Creative Reset: Simple Techniques to Reclaim Your Mind and Mood
What if doing nothing was the most creative thing you could do?
In this episode of Your Creative Mind, Izolda Trakhtenberg explores how intentional stillness restores your creativity, focus, and joy even when you only have five minutes. You’ll learn why pausing your productivity actually strengthens your imagination
Micro Moments, Major Results
How tiny bursts of creativity during your day can help you feel calmer, more focused, and more yourself.
Do you wish you had more time to be creative but feel like every minute is already spoken for? In this episode of Your Creative Mind, Izolda Trakhtenberg shares three simple, proven strategies to help you carve out a few minutes each day for creativity or your favorite hobby without overhauling
Beyond the Words: Acting, Silence, and Human Connection in Pinter's Old Times with Jaqui Shiel, Lori Kee, and Mark Cosby
Three actors, one enigmatic play, and surprising insights into collaboration, craft, and curiosity
What can three actors teach you about memory, silence, and creativity? In this episode of Your Creative Mind, I sit down with Jaqui Shiel, Mark Cosby, and Lori Kee, three accomplished performers who brought Harold Pinter’s Old Times to life in a Zoom performance in Karen Kohlhaas’ directing class tha
Creatives at Work: Simple Stage Techniques That Reignite Attention and Energy
Itzhak Perlman at 80 reminds us: presence and connection matter most
What happens when you’re on stage and suddenly feel your audience slip away? In this Creatives at Work episode of Your Creative Mind, Izolda Trakhtenberg shares why losing an audience isn’t a failure. It’s a normal part of creative life. And, more importantly, how you can bring people back with confidence and grace.
Take the fear
Reclaiming Yourself Through Art with Grammy-Nominated Musician and Activist Mary Lambert
Why Self Trust and Telling the Truth in Your Art is the Most Radical Move You Can Make
What happens when you stop asking for permission and start using your voice fully and unapologetically? In this powerful episode of Your Creative Mind, Grammy-nominated artist, poet, and activist Mary Lambert shares how creative self-trust, emotional truth, and artist activism fuel her work. You’ll hear how she
Creatives at Work - Two Character Play
A brand new segment/episode style of this podcast. When I see, do, or experience creatives at work in a way that highlights curiosity and using our brains and minds to create or change worlds, I'll do an episode like this one.
On this one, I explore Playhouse Creatures' production of Tennessee Williams' Two Character Play starring Irene Glezos and Joseph Rodriguez directed by Anthony Biggs.
I saw
Sound Without Borders: Building Connection Through Music and Culture with Josh Rogosin
Josh Rogosin breaks down the magic behind music that moves people around the world.
What does it take to truly hear creativity across cultures, genres, and geography? In this episode, Izolda sits down with Josh Rogosin, the sound mind behind over 800 NPR Tiny Desk Concerts and founder of Global Sound Concerts. You’ll hear how music becomes a bridge between people, how deep listening changes everyt
The Staybbatical
How I spent my summer vacation ...
Here are my lessons learned from taking time to work on myself, my art, my time management and many other facets of being me for these last four weeks.
I hope these lessons learned will help you set boundaries, do your creative work, and discover how you work best.
Cheers!
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Connect with me
Stop Judging Your Work: How to Quiet Anxiety and Finish What You Start
Finish What You Start: Techniques to Keep Judgment Out of Your Creative Process
Ever start a project only to abandon it halfway through because you judged it too soon? You’re not alone. Millions of half-finished books, paintings, and songs aren’t abandoned because the ideas were bad. They’re abandoned because judgment crept in before the work was ready.
In this episode of Your Creative Mind, Izold
How Writing from Prompts Builds Confidence in Storytelling and Self-Expression
Want to Speak with More Confidence? Here’s the Daily Writing Habit That Helps
Ever feel stuck staring at a blank page, unsure how to even start writing? In this episode of Your Creative Mind, I share how writing from simple prompts, just one word, can fire up your imagination and sharpen your ability to express yourself clearly, boldly, and confidently. You’ll learn how this technique builds real-
Carrying the “Anxiety Suitcase”: How I’m Learning to Put It Down
What’s in your anxiety suitcase, and how can you finally put it down?
What if your anxiety wasn’t a life sentence but instead a signal pointing you toward a more creative, confident way of living? In this episode of Your Creative Mind, I open up about my own struggles with anxiety how it shows up in my daily life, where it stems from, and how I’m learning to put down what I call my “anxiety suitca
How Hootenanny Games Builds Connection One Belly Laugh at a Time
Feelin’ Cute and Creatively Connected with Hootenanny Games
What if a single card game could spark laughter, connection, and creativity in your life? In this episode, Izolda sits down with the warm-hearted team from Hootenanny Games, the Nashville-based publisher behind Feelin’ Cute, their brand-new game of animal adorableness. You'll hear how this lighthearted game brings out big laughs, encourag
Game Design, Growth, and Grit With Dominic Crapuchettes
Game designer, entrepreneur, visionary: Dominic’s guide to purpose-fueled growth
Dominic Crapuchettes founded North Star Games in 2003 after several near death experiences as the captain of an Alaskan boat. His designs, which include Evolution, Oceans, Say Anything, and Wits & Wagers, have sold nearly 5 million copies and won countless awards. For the past five years, Dominic has been working
Be the Podcast Guest Hosts Recommend to Each Other with this Tip
You don’t need a trendy hook. You need a timeless one that still feels fresh. Here’s how.
Are you pitching yourself to podcasts but not hearing back? You might be missing the sweet spot between timely and evergreen, and that’s what gets you booked. In this episode, I share 10 powerful themes that are always relevant and show you how to make each one personal, memorable, and pitch-perfect. You'll l
Stop Reacting, Start Creating: The Power of Love-Based Creativity with Nicole Rank
Nicole Rank shares how poetry can reconnect you to purpose, peace, and power.
What if your creativity was the key to living with more presence, purpose, and peace? In this episode of Your Creative Mind, Izolda sits down with Nicole Rank, author, intuitive guide, and creative mindfulness teacher, whose mission is to help people reconnect with Love through poetry and presence. You’ll hear how shifti
Award-Winning Author Cathi Stoler on Building Stories That Keep Audiences Coming Back
The Bar Is Open and the Plot Just Thickened with Author Cathi Stoler
What if your next big creative breakthrough came wrapped in a mystery and served with a side of bourbon? In this episode, award-winning author Cathi Stoler shares how she writes gripping suspense, unforgettable characters, and twisty plots that keep readers up all night. Plus, Cathi reveals what running a bar (on the page) can t
Everyone Has a Story. How Are You Telling Yours?
Your Voice, Your Power: Why Storytelling Changes Everything
What if the one thing holding you back from deeper connection, greater impact, or even your next opportunity is the story you’re not telling? In this episode of Your Creative Mind, Izolda shares why your personal story is one of your most powerful tools for building trust, aligning with your values, and inspiring action. You’ll hear how t
From Page to Stage: Writing That Demands Attention with Gary Morgenstein
Gary Morgenstein on Writing Stories That Challenge, Inspire, and Start Conversations
What makes a story truly unforgettable? Is it the plot, the characters, or the way it challenges what we think we know? In this episode of Your Creative Mind, I sit down with Gary Morgenstein, a writer who doesn’t just tell stories. He shakes up perspectives. From dystopian worlds that feel eerily close to home t
Turning Stories Into Change: How Theatre Inspires Action with Danielle Wirsansky
Learn How to Use Stories to Educate and Inspire Change with Danielle Wirsansky
How can storytelling become a powerful tool for social change and education? In this episode of Your Creative Mind, I sit down with Danielle Wirsansky. She is a playwright, director, and Finance Director of White Mouse Productions. We explore how she uses theatre to amplify marginalized voices and bring history to life
Redefining Qualified: Actor and Filmmaker Miranda Roldán on Living the Leadership
Military Spouse. Mom. Actor. Filmmaker. Miranda Roldán Shares the Truth About Creative Leadership
What if the most powerful parts of your résumé can’t be measured in bullet points? In this episode of Your Creative Mind, Izolda Trakhtenberg sits down with returning guest and dear friend Miranda Roldán, actor (most recently seen on Netflix’s Sirens), filmmaker, and military spouse, to explore how li
How learning to sit with boredom transforms your mind, sparks creativity, and improves your mental wellbeing
Why You’re Bored (and What That Feeling Really Means)
Boredom Is a Clue: Reframing Discomfort as a Path to Presence and Creativity
What if boredom isn’t about having nothing to do but about not wanting to feel what’s right in front of you?
When Izolda read Dr. Andrea Bonior’s quote, “Boredom is discomfort with being fully present in the current moment,” it stopped her cold. That one sentence crack
How Eric Burnik Uses Innovation to Drive Success
Want to foster innovation and integrity in your business? Eric Burnik shares his secrets
In this episode of the Your Creative Mind Podcast, we sit down with Eric Burnik, a dynamic serial entrepreneur and inspirational speaker renowned for his cross-cultural expertise and dedication to fostering resilience, innovation, and integrity. Eric's 'pay it forward' ethos has transformed countless lives and
The Design Rules That Make Ideas Catch Fire
Your Design, Your Story, Your Impact: Let’s Make It Work
Ever feel like your ideas are great, but something’s missing when you try to share them? In this episode of Your Creative Mind, we explore the design principles that can turn any creative project—from a product or book to a vision board—into something people get and remember. You’ll learn simple, powerful ways to use contrast, alignment, bal
Effective Branding for Creative Entrepreneurs
Crafting a Brand That Shines: Insights from Brigitte Bojkowszky
Ever wondered how to transform your brand into a standout success? In this episode of the Your Creative Mind Podcast, we chat with Brigitte Bojkowszky, a leading expert in brand identity and the author of the bestselling book, Significant Women: Leaders Reveal What Matters Most. Brigitte shares her proven strategies for crafting compe
From Law to Thrillers: Jaclyn Goldis on Taking Big Creative Risks
What happens when you leave behind a safe career for the unknown? Jaclyn Goldis did it—and built a world of gripping stories along the way.
What happens when you trade a law career for a one-way ticket around the world—and a life of writing gripping thrillers? Jaclyn Goldis did just that, and in this episode of Your Creative Mind, she’s sharing the bold choices, creative risks, and storytelling se
Make Them Say Yes: The Art of the Podcast Pitch
Want Podcast Hosts to Say Yes? Say This First
Want to be a guest on the podcasts your audience actually listens to but keep hearing crickets after you pitch?
In this episode, Izolda shares exactly what makes a pitch stand out (and what sends it straight to the trash). You’ll get the inside scoop on what thoughtful podcast hosts are really looking for, how to lead with value, and how to build real
What to do when you fill your creative well too much - a Here and Now, Now and Then episode
Welcome to Here and Now, Now and Then.
This is an experiment in giving you ideas on creative mental well-being. I also talk about two shows I saw this week that took me back to my roots and also to high school - both of which are fraught and full to the brim with lessons I've learned as a creative who also has a strong practical streak.
Solve the Mysteries in History. Buy me a coffee and get the
Why Theatre Arts Are A Crucial Part of Our Development as Artists and People
I saw Adam Gwon's All the World's a Stage, and it sparked some deep realizations about my own life and the importance the arts played in my development and very survival. This is a special episode as a storyteller and as an artist. I hope you enjoy it.
All the World's a Stage at Theatre Row
Written by Adam Gwon (book, music, lyrics)
Eliza Pagelle as Sam
Jon Michael Reese as Michael
Matt Rodin a
The Secrets to Gripping Storytelling: A Conversation with Dawn M. Barclay
From fiction to true crime, Dawn M. Barclay knows how to keep an audience hooked.
What makes a story impossible to put down? Whether you’re a writer or just love a gripping read, today’s episode has something for you. Award-winning author Dawn M. Barclay knows how to craft suspense that keeps readers hooked—and she’s sharing her secrets. Writing fiction and nonfiction, she’s mastered the art of s
What Happens When Technology Surpasses Us? The Path to Singularity by J. Craig Wheeler
Are We Building the Future We Can’t Control? A Conversation with J. Craig Wheeler
What if the technology we create today ends up shaping our lives in ways we can’t control? In this episode of Your Creative Mind, astrophysicist J. Craig Wheeler, author of The Path to Singularity, shares his eye-opening insights into the rapid advancements in AI, genetic engineering, and space exploration. These tec
How board games can help you develop leadership, creativity, and kindness with the CEO and President of Thames & Kosmos.
From Science Kits to Strategy Games: The Story Behind Thames & Kosmos with Andy Quartin and Ted McGuire
Ted McGuire (President) and Andy Quartin (CEO) of Thames and Kosmos
What if playing games could make you smarter, more creative, and a better collaborator? In this special Toy Fair 2025 episode, I sit down with Andy Quartin and Ted McGuire from Thames & Kosmos to explore how board games
Trust, Psychology, and the Power of Play—John Cooper on The Gang
The Secret to Better Communication? Play More Games
Can a card game make you a better communicator? John Cooper thinks so. A retired NASA engineer turned game designer, John created The Gang, a cooperative twist on poker that reveals how we think, trust, and strategize under pressure. In this episode, we break down the psychology behind the game—how reading subtle cues can sharpen decision-making,
Are You Talking to Be Heard or Understood?
The missing ingredient in your creative process.
What’s more important—saying it how you want or making sure your message is understood? In this episode of Your Creative Mind, Izolda Trakhtenberg challenges us to rethink communication and clarity. Through engaging storytelling, she explores the way we express ourselves, the importance of adapting to our audience, and how to find the balance betwee
Women, Words, and Breaking Barriers—A Conversation with Author Kathleen Marple Kalb
Writing with Grit: Kathleen Marple Kalb Tackles Big Issues in Cozy Mysteries
Women in media, publishing, and storytelling—breaking barriers and writing fearlessly
How do you balance a high-pressure career, a thriving creative passion, and real-life challenges—all without losing yourself in the chaos? Kathleen Marple Kalb knows. As a top-of-the-hour radio anchor and an award-winning mystery author,
Creativity That Sells: How to Make Your Ideas Irresistible with Gavin Lawler and Neal Hoffman
What Makes an Idea Stick? Secrets from Two Creative Powerhouses
What if your next big idea wasn’t just creative—but also wildly successful? In this episode of Your Creative Mind, I talk with Gavin Lawler and Neal Hoffman, two brilliant minds who have turned their creative visions into real-world wins. From innovative storytelling to building brands that capture hearts and imaginations, they share
From Chaos to Creativity: Turning Real Life into Art
Why Fresh Hell Works: Dialogue that Sizzles and Makes You Laugh
This week's Your Creative Table Read with Playwright Brian Cern and Actors Julie Brandon, Barry Wallace, and Izolda Trakhtenberg.
Brian Cern, Playwright
Brian Cern is a Twin Cities-based actor and playwright whose work has won numerous awards and contests throughout North America. A member of the Dramatists Guild, he received his tr
Radical Ideas, Bold Theater—How The Return of Benjamin Lay is Sparking Change
What happens when history, activism, and theater collide? The producers of The Return of Benjamin Lay break it down.
What happens when a story refuses to be forgotten? The Return of Benjamin Lay isn’t just a play—it’s a powerful lesson in courage, creativity, and using your voice for change. In this episode of Your Creative Mind, I sit down with the producers of the production coming to The Sheen
How to Stop Feeling Scattered and Start Being Present
Mindfulness Isn’t What You Think—It’s How You Think
Do your thoughts ever feel like they’re running the show—pulling you in a hundred directions at once? In this episode of Your Creative Mind, we’re exploring what it truly means to have a mindful mind. Mindfulness isn’t just about stress relief—it’s a game-changer for creativity, focus, and peace of mind. You’ll learn how mindfulness shapes your c
Which Door Would You Choose? The Expiration Date Play Table Read
What if the choices you make today echo beyond this life?
In this episode of Your Creative Mind, we bring you a live table read of Expiration Date, a play that explores love, memory, and second chances in a way that will stick with you long after you listen.
You'll hear an engaging, thought-provoking performance and gain fresh insight into how storytelling can shift perspectives and spark powerfu
Empowering Women in Tech: Gayle Keller’s S.T.E.A.M. Revolution
From Tech to Toys: Gayle Keller Inspires Girls to Dream Big
How do you balance ambition with fulfillment in your career? In this episode of Your Creative Mind Podcast, Gayle Keller, CEO of Theodora S.T.E.A.M. Girls, shares her powerful insights on overcoming gender biases and empowering women in S.T.E.A.M. fields. With over 20 years in tech, Gayle offers actionable advice on taking strategic risks
Luke Krueger’s Bold Take on a Classic Hero
Your Creative Mind Table Read: What if Odysseus had to answer for his choices? A playwright dares to ask.
What if the women of The Odyssey had the final say? In this episode of Your Creative Mind, we bring you Odysseus’s Women by Luke Krueger—a powerful reimagining of the Greek epic where the legendary hero faces judgment from the women he left behind. You’ll hear this gripping story come to life
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