Courageous Creativity

The Voice of Resilience with Tanya Blackwell | Courageous Creativity Show Description: Welcome back to the Courageous Creativity Show! I am absolutely thrilled to sit down with an amazing creator, writer, and fellow Atlanta Dramatists board member, Tanya Blackwell. In this episode, we explore what it takes to step away from the familiar and ensure your authentic voice truly rises. Tanya recently made the profound decision to leave a highly successful 18-year corporate career in research administration to pursue her creative passions full-time. Navigating life's major transitions requires a strong community and a willingness to step into the unknown. We dive deep into how artistic expression, world travel, and dedicated mentorship can be the ultimate tools for healing and empowerment. Having poured my own creative energy into playwriting with works like LYRICS, I deeply appreciate the sanctuary that the theater world provides, and it is a joy to share that passion with a fellow creator. Why You Should Watch This Episode: The Leap of Faith [08:39]: Hear Tanya’s honest account of leaving the safety of corporate America to fully bet on her writing and creative path. Healing Through Movement [24:27]: Learn about "Shake It Off with Tanya," a unique somatic experience combining Zumba and mindfulness to help you feel, move, and let go of stored trauma. Global Inspiration [27:36]: Get inspired by Tanya's transformative travels, particularly her deep spiritual connection to South Africa, and the realization that incredible experiences are worth infinitely more than material things. The Power of Theater [34:02]: We discuss the immense importance of the Atlanta Black Theater Festival (ABTF) and why protecting and amplifying our stories is more critical than ever. Affirming Our Men [44:20]: Discover Tanya’s beautiful "Good Morning Black Man" project, an intuitive audio series designed to uplift, love on, and inspire Black men before they face the world. Connect & Support: Tanya's Website: http://tanyablackwell.net Tanya's Social Media: @LilCali52 Courageous Creativity Show / Rising Tides Charity: http://risingtidescharity.org My Personal Website: http://winstonawilson.com Watch the full episode here: https://youtube.com/live/EK41voF8DTc?feature=share

The Personal Battle (How I Combat It) You might look at my frameworks or my career and think I’ve got it all figured out. But let me take you back to 2020. I was sitting in a doctor's office, looking at an MRI of my brain showing 40 lesions. In that moment, the ultimate 'Imposter' voice spoke up. It said: 'Winston, you are a fifty-plus-year-old man, an immigrant, and now a patient with progressive MS. You are broken. You can't lead. You can't be productive.' If I had accepted that role as a 'character' in my story, I would have retreated. But I used the concept of Narrative Identity. I realized I wasn't the character; I was the Author. And the Author gets to decide that the diagnosis wasn't the end—it was just a 'line of demarcation'. I combat Imposter Syndrome by looking at the evidence rather than the emotion. When I feel like a fraud, I open my 'Second Brain'. I look at the logs. I look at the history of what I have Created, Attacked, and Maintained. Facts are the antidote to feelings.

Portia returns with a deep conversation about all which swirls around us these days. https://portiacue.com https://winstonawilson.com

We are thrilled to welcome back the extraordinary Tomina Ward to our show! Tomina is a remarkable individual—a decorated Marine Veteran who served our country with distinction, a gifted public speaker who captivates audiences with her captivating stories and insightful perspectives, and a devoted mother of two. She has inspired so many with her vision and insight. There are two compelling reasons why you absolutely must not miss this episode: First, witness Tomina’s transformative journey from the front lines to the center stage. She will share her unique perspective on courage, resilience, and how the discipline and leadership skills honed in the Marines have profoundly impacted her impactful work as a speaker and her experiences navigating the beautiful chaos of motherhood. Her story is a testament to strength and transformation that will leave you feeling empowered and ready to confront your own challenges with renewed vigor. Second, gain invaluable insights into the art of courageous communication. As a seasoned public speaker, Tomina will offer valuable advice on how to find your voice, speak your truth authentically, and connect with your audience on a deeper level. Whether you’re seeking to overcome speaking anxieties or simply want to enhance your communication skills in any aspect of your life, Tomina’s wisdom is not to be missed. Hosted by Winston A. Wilson https://risingtidescharity.org https://winstonawilson.com

From the streets of Roosevelt, NY, to today's podcast! 🎙️ This week, I'm catching up with my dear friend John C. Smith, and we're reflecting on the power of community and the journey of growth. We'll share our experiences of growing up in Roosevelt in the 80s and how those formative years shaped who we are today. Join us on the Courageous Creativity Show for a truly special conversation. #RooseveltCommunity #GrowingUp80s #LifeLessons #FriendshipJourney #CourageousCreativity

It's interesting to see all the things we see on the news, and we all have some anxiety. Keeping our values first puts us in the best position to maintain our productivity moving forward. https://winstonawilson.com Join the show, and let's talk about your system and life. https://winstonawilson.com

"Hey everyone, it's Winston here, and I wanted to take a moment to express my sincere gratitude for an amazing year. This year has been a journey filled with incredible experiences and the support of some truly wonderful people. I'm especially grateful for my men's group from Buckhead Church. These guys are incredible. They recently went above and beyond by delivering meals to a family member in need for two whole weeks. It's a powerful reminder of the impact of community and the importance of supporting each other. Beyond my church group, I've had the privilege of being part of some amazing organizations this year. The Atlanta Black Theatre Festival and the Atlanta Dramatists have provided incredible opportunities for growth and inspiration. My "Modified by MS" men's group has also been a source of unwavering support and camaraderie. On a personal note, I've been deeply inspired by Tiago Forte's "PARA" method. It's revolutionized how I approach knowledge management and productivity. In the realm of entertainment, "Arcane" captivated me with its stunning visuals and compelling story, while "Dune: Part Two" delivered breathtaking visuals and a powerful exploration of destiny. As we move into the new year, I'm filled with hope and excitement for the future. I'm eager to continue learning, growing, and connecting with all of you. If you're enjoying this podcast, please consider subscribing and sharing it with your friends. Your support means the world to me. Thank you again for an incredible year. Here's to an even brighter future!" https://www.winstonawilson.com https://atlantabtf.org https://atlantadramatisits.org.

"Welcome to the Courageous Creativity show where we dive deep into the stories that shape our world and explore the art that inspires change. We’ll be talking about one of the most pressing issues of our time—school shootings and their devastating impact on families, communities, and society as a whole. Joining me is Leroy Barrett, the brilliant writer and creator behind the thought-provoking film "Dying to Learn."

"Hey everyone, it's Winston here. I'm still riding high from the incredible response to my play, LYRICS. The Atlanta Black Theatre Festival was an absolute dream, and I'm so grateful to everyone who came out to see it. A huge shoutout to our amazing cast and crew. Your talent, hard work, and dedication brought LYRICS to life in a way I could never have imagined. Thank you for your incredible performances and for making this experience so special. And of course, a massive thank you to the Atlanta Black Theatre Festival for providing us with this incredible platform. Your support means the world to me. If you missed LYRICS at the festival, don't worry! You can still follow the journey of this play on our website [Website Link] and on Instagram @lyrics_theplay. Stay tuned for updates on future performances and behind-the-scenes content. Once again, thank you all for your love and support. I'm so excited to see what the future holds for LYRICS. Until next time!"

Angel returns to share her story about how we continue to grow and connect as Actors. Thank you Angel for returning to the podcast. https://www.instagram.com/iamangelhenderson/ https://www.threads.net/@iamangelhenderson

What do I use to be creative? I use several things, but the main thing I use is a place to store my ideas. You've heard me talk about Notion recently, and that is a place where I have an idea, and then I put it in there. But I also create a roadmap, so if I have an idea for a blog or a podcast, I use a template that says, this is an idea stage, and then I go from there. The cool thing, for everyone listening, there are multiple ways to do this. You can do this with a tool like Notion, but you can also use it with other planning tools. So if you have an iOS device, you can use reminders where you can set it up in a Kanban style, where you have one thing to the left that says, this is something that's in the queue,

When I was growing up, the character Wolverine from the X-Men resonated with me. I like many growing up was filled with rage. I was bullied incessantly and at any moment felt like I could burst and go berserk (Wolverine's greatest fear). I know this episode is a departure from my typical topics, but I wish to give you some insight into why productivity and having a modicum of self-discipline are important for my life.