Creativity School

Welcome back. After three years away, I'm returning with a lot to share, including a new name for the show, an honest look at what I've been up to, and where we're headed from here. Here's what I know to be true: creativity and spirituality have always been the same thing. After 20 years of building a career as an animal photographer, author, and creator, I'm done keeping those two worlds separate. On Awakening With Grace, we're going all in on consciousness, creation, and the unseen world of energy, metaphysics and more. In this episode, I open up about the single scariest thing I've ever done (hint: it wasn't quitting my corporate job or moving across the country for art school). And I share why I believe your awakening isn't just for you, it's for all of us. In this episode: 0:00 — The rebrand and what's changing 3:27 — The three things that sparked my awakening 7:12 — Why I kept my spirituality hidden, and why I stopped 8:50 — Fully coming out of the spiritual closet 13:20 — The loneliness no one talks about when you're pioneering your own path 18:21 — Why your awakening is bigger than just you 22:30 — Introducing Coffee and the Cosmos and what's coming this season Links and Resources: ☕ Join Coffee and the Cosmos (a free monthly gathering) Follow me on Instagram for weekly spiritual and creative content Awakening With Grace for more info If this resonated with you, share it with someone on their own path of awakening, and leave a review to help others find the show.

This week on Creativity School, I'm talking to Esther Maloney, a multidisciplinary artist, educator and mama. She's the creator of award winning films, an author, a visual artist, and the founding director of Illumine Media as well as a founding member of the Creative Sovereignty Lab. Esther also facilitates The Vitality Collective and Making Sessions, two 10-week, online workshops offered for those ready to make powerful shifts in their creative work. Esther's work is rooted in the belief that our creative life is inseparable from our spiritual life, and she shares how to begin the process of developing trust in ourselves, our creative process, and the forces larger than us. We also discuss the inner voice beckoning creative people to listen, and how we can make space to hear it even when it can seem so hard to do this. Esther also speaks on the connection between nature and our creative practice and how our menstrual cycles and our creativity are deeply intertwined. WORK WITH ME!⚡ BOOK 1:1 COACHING 🌟 BOOK AN AKASHIC RECORD READING CONNECT WITH ESTHER: Instagram | The Making Sessions | The Vitality Collective CONNECT WITH CREATIVITY SCHOOL: Instagram | Facebook Thank you so much for listening! Subscribe so you never miss an episode, and connect with me online! If you have any questions or comments for the show, click here

I believe there is a very strong relationship between creativity and spirituality and I'm excited to share this BONUS episode with you this week! It's a conversation I had with my dear friend Sylvia Beatriz, an intuition coach and psychic medium. This week we chat all about how to know if you're psychic (psst - we all are!), how to start learning this language of sensing, feeling and knowing beyond our 5 physical senses, and how our intuitive abilities can lead us to our most expansive and aligned life. WORK WITH ME! ⚡ BOOK 1:1 COACHING🌟 BOOK AN AKASHIC RECORD READING CONNECT WITH SYLVIA BEATRIZ: Instagram | Website CONNECT WITH CREATIVITY SCHOOL: Instagram | Facebook Thank you so much for listening! Subscribe so you never miss an episode, and connect with me online! If you have any questions or comments for the show, click here

I believe there is a very strong relationship between creativity and spirituality and I'm excited to share this BONUS episode with you this week! It's a conversation I had with my dear friend Sylvia Beatriz, an intuition coach and psychic medium, all about how working with spiritual guidance changed our lives. We talk about: -How to begin to start cultivating a relationship with our intuition. -Why it's SO important to learn to integrate critical thinking and intuition for the world today. -The personal cost of ignoring the call to slow down and tune into what we need …and MORE. If you enjoyed this episode please let me know! WORK WITH ME! ⚡ BOOK 1:1 COACHING🌟 BOOK AN AKASHIC RECORD READING CONNECT WITH SYLVIA BEATRIZ: Instagram | Website CONNECT WITH GRACE CHON: Instagram | Facebook Thank you so much for listening! Subscribe so you never miss an episode, and connect with me online! If you have any questions or comments for the show, click here

Today's episode is the first in a new series called Cultivating Creativity, where I'll be sharing simple and practical tips on how to craft the way you think and ideate TO BE MORE CREATIVE! At the very foundation of cultivating creativity is a simple truth: know what you like and why. Tune in this week to learn about why it's essential to: Get really clear on what you like. Embrace it wholeheartedly with bravado, and without shame or judgement. Allow this connection to yourself and to your own tastes to flow into your creative work. WORK WITH ME! ⚡ BOOK 1:1 COACHING🌟 BOOK AN AKASHIC RECORD READING CONNECT WITH CREATIVITY SCHOOL: Instagram | Facebook Thank you so much for listening! Subscribe so you never miss an episode, and connect with me online! If you have any questions or comments for the show, click here

Creativity is NOT math - there isn't one defined, clear answer on what's right or good. Everything is simply an opinion, completely subjective and in the eye of the beholder. I recently had a portfolio review and had the chance to share my latest photo series with top industry people from photo festivals and museums. This week on Creativity School, I share my top takeaways to remember when you have a disappointing response to your work. Here's a gentle reminder: The point of creating what matters to us, isn't so that it matters to everyone! Feeling like our work is ENOUGH is a key part of building confidence in this wildly subjective world of creativity, and I'm here to walk you through how to do it. WORK WITH ME! ⚡ BOOK 1:1 COACHING🌟 BOOK AN AKASHIC RECORD READING CONNECT WITH CREATIVITY SCHOOL: Instagram | Twitter | Facebook Thank you so much for listening! Subscribe so you never miss an episode, and connect with me online! If you have any questions or comments for the show, click here

This week I'm talking to Jess Keating, a scientist, bestselling author of 23 books, shamanic guide, and holistic money mentor. Jess bridges the gap between science and spirituality, guiding creatives and entrepreneurs to healing their deepest blocks so they share their medicine and message with the world. Jess brings a unique perspective to creativity and the way she intersects the world of science, spirituality and creative expression. She shares how there's a more holistic and natural approach to creative living and money making. We also talk about the connection between nature and our creativity, and how we can look to nature to find the answers we seek because we are all wired to be connected to it. Stay tuned for Part 2 where we dig deeper into building a sustainable creative practice and business by looking to nature for learning how to make slower, deeper moves and blending the natural world with our creative spirit. WORK WITH ME! ⚡ BOOK 1:1 COACHING 🌟 BOOK AN AKASHIC RECORD READING CONNECT WITH CREATIVITY SCHOOL: Instagram | Twitter | Facebook Thank you so much for listening! Subscribe so you never miss an episode, and connect with me online! If you have any questions or comments for the show, click here CONNECT WITH JESS KEATING: Website | Instagram

What happens when the thing you love to make the most completely burns you out? This week on Creativity School, I have a very honest conversation about mental health and burning out with Korean chef and author Seung Hee Lee. Seung Hee is a self proclaimed "disease detective" by day as a full time Epidemiologist, and a classically trained chef and side hustling pop-up chef by night. She's also a traditionally published author of a Korean cookbook, which she worked on and released while working at her day job. We talk about her journey to becoming a chef and author, and how she uses social media to dispel stereotypes about Korean food. Seung Hee also shares how her weekend pop-up events became burdensome and left her feeling depressed and unhappy. She discusses how she began the process of overcoming her burnout and why it's essential to create work that makes you happy instead of making work to please others. WORK WITH ME! 🌟 BOOK 1:1 COACHING🌟 BOOK AN AKASHIC RECORD READING If you're interested in being on an Office Hours episode with me for some 1:1 creative coaching so you can start creating what really matters to you, fill out this form. CONNECT WITH SEUNG HEE: Website | Instagram CONNECT WITH CREATIVITY SCHOOL: Thank you so much for listening! Subscribe so you never miss an episode, and connect with me online! Instagram | Twitter | Facebook If you have any questions or comments for the show, click here

How can you keep following what you authentically enjoy and allow one thing to lead you to the next? Raúl B Fernández is an award winning commercial director and has received recognition for his work for brands such as Chevy, Amazon, and Coca-Cola. But in 2020 when the film industry came to a complete standstill and Raúl found himself out of work, he started making veggie planter boxes for fun. His pandemic hobby unintentionally turned into a business and Victory Garden LA was born. With a booming new business, Raúl quickly hired other out of work film industry types to help "pay our bills, one beautiful planter box at a time". Listen this week to hear all about his incredible journey of pivoting from unemployment to building a thriving business that has been written up in Sunset Magazine, the LA Times, and has attracted a celebrity following. Raúl shares his tips on how to take action without overthinking, how to increase your personal magnetism to attract what you need, and why it's so important to create for the sake of creating. He also shares what it's like to create while struggling with anxiety and depression, and his tips on how he works through imposter syndrome and feeling not good enough. WORK WITH ME! ⚡ BOOK 1:1 COACHING🌟 BOOK AN AKASHIC RECORD READING Thank you so much for listening. If you're interested in being on an Office Hours episode with me for some 1:1 creative coaching so you can start manifesting your wildest creative dreams, fill out this form. CONNECT WITH RAÚL B FERNÁNDEZ: Instagram | Website CONNECT WITH CREATIVITY SCHOOL: Subscribe so you never miss an episode, and connect with me online! Instagram | Twitter | Facebook If you have any questions or comments for the show, click here.

When asked about the number-one ingredient in creative achievement, more than 140 creativity researchers identified growth mindset as the key to success. So what exactly is growth mindset, and how can it help you live to your fullest creative potential? Tune in this week to learn about how traits like intelligence, creativity and the ability to be successful are things that can be cultivated and developed, and how a fixed mindset is actually holding you back from growing and expanding into your highest and most authentic expression. The Power of Believing You Can Improve - Carol Dwek Ted Talk What to Say When You Talk To Yourself - Shad Helmstetter 🌟 WORK WITH ME! BOOK AN AKASHIC RECORD READING Now booking November appointments. 🌟 Thank you so much for listening. If you're interested in being on an Office Hours episode with me for some 1:1 creative coaching so you can start manifesting your wildest creative dreams, fill out this form. CONNECT WITH CREATIVITY SCHOOL: Subscribe so you never miss an episode, and connect with me online! Instagram | Twitter | Facebook If you have any questions or comments for the show, click here.

This week on Creativity School I'm talking to Justine Tiu, co-founder of The Woobles, a company that makes learn-to-crochet kits for complete beginners and helps them build confidence and see their own potential to grow not just in crochet, but in life. Justine shares her story of how she went from working as a User Experience Designer at Google to starting up The Woobles. In just 2 years, Justine has taught 100,000 people how to crochet, sells her crochet kits in retail stores, released a new book, and been on Shark Tank! We discuss the ups and downs Justine experienced as she built her company and how she overcame self doubt along the way. Justine also shares how she grew her self confidence through learning crochet, and why she loves helping people remember that it doesn't matter how old you are, how busy you are, or how crafty you are - you can always learn something new and grow your self confidence, one baby step at a time. Join us as we share why having a growth mindset is crucial to learning and why you don't need your work to be 100% perfect before you release it into the world. 🌟 WORK WITH ME! BOOK AN AKASHIC RECORD READING Now booking November appointments. 🌟 Thank you so much for listening. If you're interested in being on an Office Hours episode with me for some 1:1 creative coaching so you can start manifesting your wildest creative dreams, fill out this form. CONNECT WITH JUSTINE: Website | Instagram CONNECT WITH CREATIVITY SCHOOL: Subscribe so you never miss an episode, and connect with me online! Instagram | Twitter | Facebook If you have any questions or comments for the show, click here.

How much expansion could be possible in your life if you allowed yourself to stay open to new opportunities (even if you feel completely unqualified) and just said YES? This week on Creativity School I'm talking to my good friend and creative powerhouse Sonya Sanford. Sonya is a multi-passionate creative and a chef, food stylist, food writer, and screenwriter for television and film - all while being completely self taught. She shares her story of how she got started in her various careers by consistently allowing her curiosity to lead, and saying yes to new opportunities when she had no experience. We talk about how a near death experience made Sonya realize "life is too short to be crying in a parking lot every day doing something you hate" and why it's so important to do what you love. Sonya also shares what she learned from the failure of having her beloved restaurant close down, and how she balances all her creative interests and passions. Sonya's inspiring journey shows the magic of what can happen if you stay open, say YES, and allow life to unfold in the most unpredictable and delicious way! Thank you so much for listening. If you're interested in being on an Office Hours episode with me for some 1:1 creative coaching so you can start manifesting your wildest creative dreams, fill out this form. CONNECT WITH SONYA: Website | Instagram CONNECT WITH CREATIVITY SCHOOL: Subscribe so you never miss an episode, and connect with me online! Instagram | Twitter | Facebook If you have any questions or comments for the show, click here.

How can you find the courage to believe in your work and keep going with it, despite all the obstacles and rejections that come your way? Our guest this week is Crystal Z. Lee, a Taiwanese American bilingual author. Crystal shares her inspiring story of how she went from working in the corporate world to becoming an award winning author despite facing nearly 100 rejections on her journey to being published. Crystal says she always knew deep down since childhood that she wanted to be a writer, but never had the courage to pursue it until later in her life after working in Public Relations for a decade and becoming a mom. Crystal talks all about her journey to finally finding the courage to write, how she handled her negative self talk when she received nearly 100 rejections while pitching her manuscript to publishers, to ultimately becoming an award winning author of books with beloved readers all over the world! Her novel Love and Other Moods has been a finalist in multiple book awards and received a Gold Award, and her children's book A Unicorn Named Rin was listed in the "Top 120 picture books to add to your kids' reading list in 2021" by PopSugar.com. She also shares with us the importance of knowing who you are as a creator, staying true to your vision, and why she walked away from 2 publishers when she knew it wasn't the right fit for her book. If you're someone that struggles with finding the time for your creativity, or want some inspiration on how to keep going when it feels like the world keeps telling you "No!", this episode is for you. Thank you so much for listening. If you're interested in being on an Office Hours episode with me for some 1:1 creative coaching so you can start manifesting your wildest creative dreams, fill out this form. CONNECT WITH CRYSTAL: Website | Instagram CONNECT WITH CREATIVITY SCHOOL: Subscribe so you never miss an episode, and connect with me online! Instagram | Twitter | Facebook If you have any questions or comments for the show, click here.