Creative Chats with Mike Brennan
by Mike Brennan
Creative Chats is a podcast for artists, makers, and creative thinkers who want to stay creatively alive.In each episode, artist and creative mentor Mike Brennan talks with fellow creatives about their work, their process, and the realities of living a creative life.Through conversations and stories, you'll hear how artists, makers, and creators nurture their ideas, sustain their creativity, and build practices that keep them making meaningful work.If you care about creativity, curiosity, and the creative process, you're in the right place.
Episodes
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329. Returning to Art: Finding Joy, Purpose, and Playfulness in Creative Practice with Carol Hutchison
329. Returning to Art: Finding Joy, Purpose, and Playfulness in Creative Practice with Carol Hutchison In this episode of Creative Chats, Carol Hutchison shares her artistic journey, reflecting on her childhood creativity, education, and the impact of personal life on her art. She discusses the...
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328. The Power of the Pause (Live at The Thing Nashville)
328. The Power of the Pause (Live at The Thing Nashville) In this thought-provoking live episode of Creative Chats, host Mike Brennan takes the stage at The Thing Nashville to share "The Power of the Pause"—an honest, vulnerable exploration of what happens when creators forget to slow down.…
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327. Casey Elliott on BROTHERHOOD: A Cinematic Musical, Creative Balance, and the Power of Loving Your Neighbor
327. Casey Elliott on BROTHERHOOD: A Cinematic Musical, Creative Balance, and the Power of Loving Your Neighbor In this episode of Creative Chats, we sit down with Casey Elliott, an accomplished vocalist, actor, and powerhouse creative. Casey opens up about his journey from high school theater to...
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326. Devon MacDonald on Leadership, Curiosity, and Creative Problem Solving
326. Devon MacDonald on Leadership, Curiosity, and Creative Problem Solving In this episode, Mike Brennan sits down with Devon MacDonald, president of Cairns Oneil, to explore how creativity shows up in media strategy, leadership, and problem-solving. Devon explains how a media agency helps place...
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325. The Power of Creativity and Connection with Jim Morris
325. The Power of Creativity and Connection with Jim Morris In this episode of the Creative Chats podcast, Mike Brennan and Jim Morris explore the profound themes of creativity, connection, and personal growth. Jim shares impactful stories from his childhood that shaped his understanding of...
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Unlocking Creativity by Honing Your Inner Voice with Natalie Hanemann
324. Unlocking Creativity by Honing Your Inner Voice with Natalie Hanemann In this episode of Creative Chats, we welcome Natalie Hanemann, a writer and ghostwriter who thinks deeply about how ideas are formed before they become finished work. This episode is especially useful if you've ever felt...
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323. From History to Screen: Michael Russell Gunn's Creative Approach to The Brink of War
From History to Screen: Michael Russell Gunn's Creative Approach to The Brink of War In this episode of Creative Chats, we sit down with Michael Russell Gunn, acclaimed screenwriter and director, for an inside look at the making of The Brink of War. Michael Russell Gunn pulls back the curtain on...
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322. The Courage to Leave: Adrienne Dorison on Creative Endings and New Beginnings
322. The Courage to Leave: Adrienne Dorison on Creative Endings and New Beginnings In this episode of Creative Chats, we dive into the art of reinvention and leadership with Adrienne Dorison, Founder & CEO of Level 11 Leaders and co-creator of the transformative Clockwork framework. Adrienne...
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321. Overcoming Creative Setbacks and Rejection
321. Overcoming Creative Setbacks and Rejection In this solo episode of Creative Chats, host Mike Brennan shares a candid look into the realities of the creative journey. Drawing from a month filled with rain-soaked events, rejection letters, and introspection, Mike offers hard-earned wisdom on...
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320. Tom Provost on Young Washington, Writing, and Servant Leadership
320. Tom Provost on Young Washington, Writing, and Servant Leadership In this episode of Creative Chats, Mike Brennan sits down with screenwriter, filmmaker, teacher, and creative storyteller Tom Provost for a conversation about his journey through film, writing, teaching, and the making of Young...
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319. Cuffy and the Power of Letting Go
319. Cuffy and the Power of Letting Go In this episode of Creative Chats, Mike Brennan shares a personal story about bowling, his playful alter ego "Cuffy," and the surprising power of loosening control. What begins as a funny family memory becomes a deeper reflection on perfectionism…
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318. 14 Years of Daily Creativity: Embracing Imperfection and Rest
318. 14 Years of Daily Creativity: Embracing Imperfection and Rest Mike Brennan shares his personal journey through a health crisis, reflecting on the importance of embracing seasons of pause in creativity, and redefining what it means to practice consistently. This heartfelt episode explores...
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317. Live from Columbia TN: Creative Problem Solving and Jewelry Design with Warren Feld
317. Live from Columbia TN: Creative Problem Solving and Jewelry Design with Warren Feld\ In this episode of Creative Chats, we dive into the intricate world of jewelry design and creative problem-solving with Warren Feld, accomplished jewelry artist, designer, educator, and author. Warren shares...
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316. Stop Giving Away Your Creative Power
316. Stop Giving Away Your Creative Power In this episode of Creative Chats, Mike Brennan discusses the importance of valuing oneself as a creative individual. He emphasizes the need for creatives to recognize their worth and not to seek validation externally. The conversation explores the...
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315. From Leaving Law to Embracing Creativity: Casey Berman's Journey
315. From Leaving Law to Embracing Creativity: Casey Berman's Journey In this episode of Creative Chats, Casey Berman shares his journey from law to creativity, emphasizing the importance of critical thinking in career transitions. He discusses the significance of identifying one's unique skills...
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314. Finding Beauty in Brokenness Lessons from Kintsugi for Creatives
314. Finding Beauty in Brokenness Lessons from Kintsugi for Creatives In this episode of Creative Chats, Mike Brennan shares his experience with Kintsugi, the Japanese art of repairing pottery with gold. He reflects on the symbolism of Kintsugi, emphasizing the beauty of embracing imperfections…
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313. Rediscovering Childhood Creativity
313. Rediscovering Childhood Creativity In this episode of Creative Chats, Mike Brennan explores the themes of creativity, mental health, and the importance of rediscovering childhood creativity. He shares his journey of self-publishing, the significance of networking, and how professional...
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312. Building a Culture of Curiosity with Dustin Black
312. Building a Culture of Curiosity with Dustin Black In this episode of Creative Chats, host Mike Brennan speaks with Dustin Black, an executive creative director at Preston Spire. They explore Dustin's unique perspective on creativity, the importance of resourcefulness, and how to teach...
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311. How Children's Books Change Lives: Kat Kronenberg's Story and Creative Advice
311. How Children's Books Change Lives: Kat Kronenberg's Story and Creative Advice In this episode of Creative Chats, Mike Brennan speaks with children's author Kathryn about the magic of creativity, the journey of writing children's books, and the importance of imagination. Kathryn shares her...
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310. Creativity, Healing, and Entrepreneurship in Music: Marc Christian's Story
310. Creativity, Healing, and Entrepreneurship in Music: Marc Christian's Story In this episode of Creative Chats, Mike Brennan interviews Marc Christian, a talented musician who shares his journey from discovering his passion for music at a young age to navigating the complexities of the music...
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309. The Art and Magic of Feedback: Navigating Critique as a Creative
309. The Art and Magic of Feedback: Navigating Critique as a Creative In this episode of Creative Chats, Mike Brennan discusses the significance of feedback in the creative process. He emphasizes the importance of seeking constructive critique while also learning to trust one's own instincts and...
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308. Are You Cheating Yourself? AI, Creativity, and the Importance of Process
308. Are You Cheating Yourself? AI, Creativity, and the Importance of Process In this episode of Creative Chats, host Mike Brennan discusses the struggles of consistency in creativity and the importance of daily creative habits. He emphasizes the need for encouragement and progress tracking in…
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307. Why Your Creative Process Needs More Boredom
307. Why Your Creative Process Needs More Boredom In this episode of Creative Chats, host Mike Brennan delves into the often-overlooked role of boredom in sparking creativity. Drawing from personal experiences and insights from thought leaders like Simon Sinek, Mike explores how moments of…
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306. Painting Life's Moments: How Heidi Schwartz Turns Events into Lasting Art
306. Painting Life's Moments: How Heidi Schwartz Turns Events into Lasting Art In this episode of Creative Chats, we embark on a journey through the creative mind of Heidi Schwartz, live painter and artist based in Nashville. Heidi opens up about her unconventional path from music to painting…
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305. Lessons in Creativity, Business, and Openness from Shelly Waldman
305. Lessons in Creativity, Business, and Openness from Shelly Waldman In this episode of Creative Chats, Mike Brennan speaks with Shelly Waldman about her creative journey, from her childhood memories of crafting and photography to her professional experiences in photography. Shelly shares...
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304. Why Artists Should Embrace Opportunities to Learn Something New
304. Why Artists Should Embrace Opportunities to Learn Something New In this episode of Creative Chats, Mike Brennan discusses the importance of embracing a beginner's mindset in creativity. He shares personal experiences with live painting and the challenges that come with stepping out of one's...
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303. Harnessing Creative Flow: Steven Puri's Journey from Hollywood to Tech
303. Harnessing Creative Flow: Steven Puri's Journey from Hollywood to Tech In this episode of Creative Chats, host Mike Brennan speaks with Steven Puri about his journey through the creative process, from his early experiences in high school to his work in the film industry and his transition…
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302. From Music to Movies: Steve Taylor's Creative Adventures and the Making of Sketch the Movie
302. From Music to Movies: Steve Taylor's Creative Adventures and the Making of Sketch the Movie In this episode of Creative Chats, Mike Brennan interviews Steve Taylor, a multifaceted artist known for his work in music and film. They discuss Taylor's creative journey, influences, and the making…
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301. Turning Up Your Hue: Authenticity in Art, Life, and Business
301. Turning Up Your Hue: Authenticity in Art, Life, and Business In this engaging talk from The Thing Nashville 2025, Mike Brennan explores the themes of creativity, authenticity, and personal expression through the metaphor of color. He emphasizes the importance of embracing one's essence and...
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300. Building Creative Magic with Simon Rogers: Mission, Meaning, and Making an Impact
300. Building Creative Magic with Simon Rogers: Mission, Meaning, and Making an Impact In this episode of Creative Chats, Mike Brennan speaks with Simon Rogers, founder of A Little Better Co., about the essence of creativity, his evolution in professional life, and the importance of aligning...
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299. Breaking Procrastination and Boosting Creativity with Robin J. Emdon
299. Breaking Procrastination and Boosting Creativity with Robin J. Emdon In this episode of Creative Chats, host Mike Brennan speaks with Robin J. Emdon about creativity, procrastination, and productivity. They explore Robin's early influences in the arts, the importance of thinking time, and...
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298. Following Curiosity and Craft: Nicole Leverett on Honoring Your Creative Process
298. Following Curiosity and Craft: Nicole Leverett on Honoring Your Creative Process In this episode of Creative Chats, Mike Brennan speaks with Nicole Leverett about her creative journey, exploring her childhood influences, the evolution of her artistic pursuits, and the balance between passion...
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297. Unlocking Your Creative Potential: The Power of Books
297. Unlocking Your Creative Potential: The Power of Books In this episode, Mike Brennan discusses the creative process and the journey of writing and publishing books. He emphasizes the importance of creativity in everyone's life and explores various formats for creative expression, particularly...
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296. Finding Your Creative Purpose with Judith Hill
296. Finding Your Creative Purpose with Judith Hill In this episode of Creative Chats, Judith Hill shares her journey to becoming a successful portrait photographer. She discusses the importance of community, facing fears, and the pivotal moments that led her to pursue her passion full-time.…
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295. A Story of Letting Go
295. A Story of Letting Go In this episode of Creative Chats, Mike Brennan shares his journey of writing his new book 'Blue', a story about letting go and transformation. He discusses the emotional challenges he faced while writing, the importance of authenticity in creative work, and encourages...
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294. From Fear to Action: Building Daily Creative Habits That Move You Forward
294. From Fear to Action: Building Daily Creative Habits That Move You Forward In this episode of Creative Chats, Mike Brennan explores the relationship between fear and creativity. He discusses how fear can hinder our creative processes and shares personal stories that illustrate the impact of...
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293. Writing for Impact: Shazad Carbaidwala on Creativity and Helping Others
293. Writing for Impact: Shazad Carbaidwala on Creativity and Helping Others In this episode of Creative Chats, Mike Brennan interviews Shazad Carbaidwala, who shares his journey from a childhood filled with creativity and athletics to becoming an author and mentor. Shazad discusses the…
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292. Exploring Creativity and Journaling with Lindsey Ellyn: From Shame to Creative Breakthroughs
292. Exploring Creativity and Journaling with Lindsey Ellyn: From Shame to Creative Breakthroughs In this episode of Creative Chats, Mike Brennan and Lindsey Ellyn explore the multifaceted nature of creativity, the importance of journaling, and the journey of writing her book, 'The Shame Game.'...
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291. The Ripple Effect of Creativity: Art, Purpose, and Healing with Reanna Shay Holt
291. The Ripple Effect of Creativity: Art, Purpose, and Healing with Reanna Shay Holt In this episode of Creative Chats, Mike Brennan speaks with Reanna Shay Holt about her multifaceted artistic journey, exploring her childhood memories, the evolution of her creative pursuits, and the balance of...
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290. Creative Transformation: What Thirteen Years of Daily Artmaking Taught Me
290. Creative Transformation: What Thirteen Years of Daily Artmaking Taught Me In this episode of Creative Chats, Mike Brennan shares his personal journey of creativity over the past 13 years, emphasizing the importance of consistency, self-discovery, and the transformative power of engaging with...
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289. Seasons Around the Table: Jessie Sierra Ross Shares Her Creative Journey and Inspiration
289. Seasons Around the Table: Jessie Sierra Ross Shares Her Creative Journey and Inspiration In this engaging conversation, Mike Brennan and Jessie-Sierra Ross explore the multifaceted nature of creativity, from childhood inspirations to professional pursuits in dance and culinary arts. Jessie...
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288. How Art Creates Community and Connection with Jennifer Brener Seay
288. How Art Creates Community and Connection with Jennifer Brener Seay In this episode of Creative Chats, Mike Brennan speaks with Jennifer Seay, an art consultant who shares her journey into the art world, the importance of building relationships within the art community, and the impact of art…
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287. Authentic Influence: How Creators Can Partner with Brands The Right Way with William Gasner
287. Authentic Influence: How Creators Can Partner with Brands The Right Way with William Gasner In this episode of Creative Chats, Mike Brennan speaks with William Gasner, co-founder and CMO of Stack Influence, about the journey of creativity, the importance of taking action, and the evolving...
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286. Lily Clayton Hansen: Inspiring Creative Confidence Through Story and Speech
286. Lily Clayton Hansen: Inspiring Creative Confidence Through Story and Speech In this episode of Creative Chats, host Mike Brennan speaks with Lily Clayton Hansen, a multifaceted artist who shares her journey through writing, acting, and public speaking. Lily discusses her early influences…
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285. Building Dreams from Loss: Jennifer Stavinoha's Artistic Vision on a School Bus
285. Building Dreams from Loss: Jennifer Stavinoha's Artistic Vision on a School Bus In this episode of Creative Chats, Mike Brennan interviews Jennifer Stavinoha, a multifaceted artist and Daily Creative Habit member, who shares her journey through creativity, teaching, and personal challenges....
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284. Lessons in Creativity with Ben Rennie
284. Lessons in Creativity with Ben Rennie In this episode of Creative Chats, Ben Rennie shares his journey from a sports-focused upbringing to discovering his creative confidence through nature and personal experiences. He discusses the importance of saying no to opportunities that don't align...
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283. Navigating Writer's Block: Insights and Strategies with Frank Ewert
283. Navigating Writer's Block: Insights and Strategies with Frank Ewert In this episode of Creative Chats, Mike Brennan and Frank Ewert explore the journey of writing, creativity, and the challenges of self-expression. Frank shares his early experiences with writing, the evolution of his craft,...
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282. Finding Joy Through Self-Expression with Beth Inglish
282. Finding Joy Through Self-Expression with Beth Inglish In this conversation, Mike Brennan and Beth Inglish explore the multifaceted nature of creativity, the journey of self-discovery as an artist, and the importance of embracing one's identity. Beth shares her experiences with self-doubt…
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281. From Graffiti Nights to Gallery Walls: Creativity and Purpose With Shen Shen 210
In this episode of Creative Chats, Mike Brennan welcomes Shen, a pioneering female graffiti artist from the 80s, who shares her journey from street art to professional artistry. They discuss the significance of personal connections in the art world, the evolution of artistic techniques, and the...
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280. Why You Need to Join a Creative Community
280. Why You Need to Join a Creative Community In this episode of Creative Chats, Mike Brennan discusses the significance of creative community and the importance of engaging with fellow creatives. He shares his experiences attending various meetups in Nashville, emphasizing the need to overcome...
About this show
Creative Chats is a podcast for artists, makers, and creative thinkers who want to stay creatively alive.In each episode, artist and creative mentor Mike Brennan talks with fellow creatives about their work, their process, and the realities of living a creative life.Through conversations and stories, you'll hear how artists, makers, and creators nurture their ideas, sustain their creativity, and build practices that keep them making meaningful work.If you care about creativity, curiosity, and the creative process, you're in the right place.
Hosted by
Mike Brennan