Follow Your Curiosity: Ordinary People, Extraordinary Creativity.

Have you ever stood in the middle of a room full of cardboard packing boxes, felt completely paralyzed by the sheer volume of stuff, and realized you needed a way to bypass the dread?   Welcome to the very first actual episode of the Curiosity Clinic: Proceed at Your Own Risk! This is a brand-new, low-pressure playground built for perfectionists who want to take a break from performative adulthood and embrace some nonsense and play.   First, a quick warning: I have absolutely zero scientific, behavioral, or traffic-safety credentials. I am a master creativity coach taking my very best human guesses at your questions, so please do not go betting anyone or testing these theories out on a busy street! In this inaugural clinical dispatch, we diagnose two excellent inquiries from our first "patients": Lin wants to know how to make the exhausting, daunting task of packing up, moving, and unpacking an entire house actually fun. Suzanne wants to know why drivers refuse to stop for pedestrians in unmarked crosswalks when they’re headed toward a red light anyway. For Lin's moving question, we look at how to bypass resistance and make a heavy chore feel lighter using some of my favorite creative coaching tools. For Suzanne's traffic question, I step back from professional coaching to offer my amateur, observational human guess on driver behavior.   Get Your Clinic Takeaways: Grab your free printable Credit Report and Customizable Bingo Card here. Submit your own weird, confusing, or absurd question to the clinic here.   I’m Nancy Norbeck, your Messy Muse Mentor. I help people feel alive again through curiosity and play.

Have you ever shared a creative project that you felt really good about, only to have someone else's casual criticism completely crush your joy and send you into a downward spiral?   In this week's Report from the Creative Closet, I’m sharing a heartbreaking online post that has been on my mind all week. It’s from a grown man who tried music production, had fun, and loved his first creation—until a friend's feedback convinced him he was terrible, leading him to believe that artists are "cowards and liars" who rely on genetic destiny rather than hard work. We unpack this painful situation to look at how adult expectations act as a form of creative amputation, slicing us away from our own souls. I share why your creative practice requires you to protect your quiet "Jiminy Cricket" voice from the loudspeakers of external critics, why the Restorative Creativity Framework(TM) is designed to bring those dormant parts of you back to life, and why the Fifth Doctor’s "Brave heart" rule is the ultimate key to giving yourself permission to create badly.   I’m Nancy Norbeck, and I’m your Messy Muse Mentor. I help people feel alive again through curiosity and play.   In this episode, we discuss: The Zombie Effect: Why society's rejection of adult play cuts us off from the external animal form of our souls. Jiminy Cricket vs. The Loudspeaker: How to keep external critiques from overriding your personal data and enjoyment. The Myth of Genetics: Why assuming creativity is a magical, effortless gift leads directly to despair, and how to embrace the slow process of learning. The Toddler's Rage to Master: Why toddlers fall flat on their faces, laugh, and try again, and why adults lose the patience to do the same. Mark Cuban's AI Mistake: Why iterating instantly with technology destroys the entire psychological benefit of the creative journey. Ready to send your inner critic to summer camp for an hour? We get together once a month for a relaxed, co-working-style session where you can work on whatever you want—without any pressure to do it "right." Join the Creativity Circle.   Episode breakdown:   0:00 Welcome to the Creative Closet 0:07 The heartbreak of suppressed creativity 2:30 Creative Amputation (Are we zombies?) 5:21 When critics kill your joy 10:58 The "genetic" creative myth 12:50 How to fall and laugh like a toddler 19:34 Why Mark Cuban is wrong about AI 21:42 Reconnecting with your aliveness   Please note: The original Reddit post isn’t linked because I don’t want to direct traffic toward the person who wrote it or encourage anyone to contact or harass them. Please don’t try to track them down.

Consider this your official invitation to exit performative adulthood for a few minutes and play in the sandbox of the unknown. This brand-new series is a low-pressure space for the weird, confusing, and delightfully trivial questions that pop into your head when you're supposed to be doing something else.   Episodes will release here and on YouTube as time and interest allow.   What’s your weirdest question? Send it my way and let's tackle it together!   Curiosity Clinic is entertainment and conversation, not professional medical, legal, financial, or other professional advice. I reserve the right to decide which questions I answer.

Have you ever faced a moment where your life was brought to a complete halt, and you realized you needed something deeper than distractions to survive?   This week, my guest is documentary photographer and artist Nathalie Latham, whose life took a dramatic turn when she was diagnosed with stage-three cancer at age 39. Nathalie joins me to share her extraordinary story of how she used oil pastels and drawings as a literal confirmation of life during eight days of intensive, round-the-clock radiation.   We talk about the magic of growing up in a musical family, the power of having just one adult who understands you as a child, and the silent pressure of the "safe" career path. Nathalie also shares why it took fourteen years before she could bear to look at her radiation drawings again, and how she now infuses her mantra practice into drawings of prayers for peace.   It's an invitation to stop overthinking your creative expression and start treating your creative practice as a vital act of self-connection.   I’m Nancy Norbeck, and I’m your Messy Muse Mentor. I help people feel alive again through curiosity and play. In this episode, we discuss: The Power of One Person: Why having just one teacher stand up for your creativity can change the trajectory of your life. The Safety Tangent: Why we often choose the responsible path to please our families, and how we eventually find our way back home. Art Store Radiation: Why Nathalie packed a box of art supplies for her cancer treatment room and how drawing became her proof of life. Befriending the Trauma: The slow, patient process of healing and learning to find wisdom in our most difficult experiences. Prayers for Peace: How to combine spiritual practice with your creative practice to create a landscape of inner calm. Ready to send your inner critic to summer camp for an hour? We get together once a month for a relaxed, co-working-style session where you can work on whatever you want—without any pressure to do it "right." Join the Creativity Circle.   Episode breakdown:   0:00 Introduction 1:21 Growing up in a musical family 5:12 Finding sanctuary in the art room 11:50 Choosing a "safe" career path 18:14 Following curiosity to filmmaking 21:11 Art supplies in the radiation room 32:40 Facing the trauma of the drawings 40:09 Infusing mantra and peace into art 42:05 How traveling shifts your perspective   Want more? Here are handy playlists with all my previous interviews with guests in visual arts. Check out the full show notes at fycuriosity.com, and join us for the Follow Your Curiosity Creativity Circle. Please leave a review for this episode—it’s really easy and will only take a minute, and it really helps me reach new listeners. Thanks! If you enjoyed our conversation, I hope you’ll share it with a friend.

Have you ever looked at your life and realized that while everything is "okay" on paper, you feel like you're speaking a completely different language than everyone around you?   In this week's Report from the Creative Closet, we’re looking at what happens when we challenge our idea of what "normal" is. From the culture shock of a Doctor Who convention to growing up in a family that didn't understand the things I loved, we talk about why normal is a matter of perception, not a fixed rule. I discuss why your creative practice thrives when you find people who finally understand you, and how my Restorative Creativity Framework helps you rediscover the real you hidden under the "shoulds" of adulthood.   It’s an invitation to stop performing for the sake of being "good enough" and start returning to the creative capacity you were born with.   I’m Nancy Norbeck, and I’m your Messy Muse Mentor. I help people feel alive again through curiosity and play.   In this episode, we discuss: The Relative Normal: Why the definition of "normal" changes depending on where you stand. The Power of Recognition: Why being with people who understand your "geeky" interests is a fundamental human need. Masking vs. Truth: How to know who you are under the layers of cultural expectations and performance reviews. Returning to Self: Why the things we love are the signals that tell us who we really are. Ready to send your inner critic to summer camp for an hour? We get together once a month for a relaxed, co-working-style session where you can work on whatever you want—without any pressure to do it "right." Join the Creativity Circle.

What if the very thing you're trying to avoid—making a mistake—was actually the signal that it was finally time to rest?   In this week's conversation, I'm talking with artist Jackie Haynes. We talk about why the rigid discipline of adulthood often makes us fear the very "rinsing" of our skills that leads to new growth. From her more than seventeen years building an indestructible costume business in Manchester to her "handbrake turn" into a PhD in experimental art, Jackie shares why making mistakes is a fundamental part of the creative medicine we all need.   It’s an invitation to stop overthinking your way to a creative solution and start finding the creative oxygen that lets you breathe again.   I’m Nancy Norbeck, and I’m your Messy Muse Mentor. I help people feel alive again through curiosity and play.   In this episode, we discuss: The Mistake Rule: Why Jackie only allowed herself to stop working once she messed up—and how it saved her from burnout. The Handbrake Turn: Why closing a successful business to pursue art was an act of self-trust, not failure. Merz Pies: How Jackie uses local landscapes and found objects to tell stories through experimental art. The Power of Play: Why Jackie’s 800-costume inventory is now a hands-on archive for community research and curiosity. Ready to send your inner critic to summer camp for an hour? We get together once a month for a relaxed, co-working-style session where you can work on whatever you want—without any pressure to do it "right." We send the shoulds and inner critics off to summer camp where they're kept busy rather than getting in our way. Join the Creativity Circle.    Episode breakdown:   0:00 Introduction 1:33 A Creative Kid & The Orange Elephants 4:11 The "Mistake Rule": Working until it breaks 6:40 Starting the Costume Business in Pre-Digital Manchester 11:31 The Yellow Pages Advantage 15:24 Building an Indestructible Inventory 25:54 Digital Revolution vs. Accidental Discovery 33:38 The Handbrake Turn: Closing the Shop for an MA 38:54 What is an Art Practice-Based PhD? 45:41 Merz Pies and the Spirit of Kurt Schwitters 55:09 Making the Examiners Work for It (The Humor Section) 1:03:57 The Costumes as a Community Resource   Want more? Here are handy playlists with all my previous interviews with guests in visual arts. Check out the full show notes at fycuriosity.com, and join us for the Follow Your Curiosity Creativity Circle. Please leave a review for this episode—it’s really easy and will only take a minute, and it really helps me reach new listeners. Thanks! If you enjoyed our conversation, I hope you’ll share it with a friend.

Have you ever tried to force yourself into a new habit through sheer willpower, only to end up exhausted and paralyzed a week later?   In this week's Report from the Creative Closet, I'm exploring the High Expectations Trap. We talk about the deep-seated cultural belief that change only happens through hard work and discipline—and how that belief actually triggers our internal surveillance system to shut us down. From the "Puritanical Trap" of the American work ethic to the reason we need to stop treating our lives like a performance review, we look at how to rebuild trust through permission and play.   It’s an invitation to stop overthinking your way to a "better version" of yourself and start returning to the creative capacity you were born with. I’m Nancy Norbeck, and I’m your Messy Muse Mentor. I help people feel alive again through curiosity and play. In this episode, we discuss: The Discipline Fallacy: Why high pressure is actually the enemy of the pursuit of excellence. Internal Surveillance: Why your inner critic needs a vacation to a local summer camp ropes course. Restorative CreativityTM: How to trade "Transformation Theater" for a genuine return to yourself. The Luke Skywalker Principle: Why the biggest changes always start with tiny, quiet experiments. Ready to send your inner critic to summer camp for an hour? We get together once a month for a relaxed, co-working-style session where you can work on whatever you want—without any pressure to do it "right." We send the shoulds and inner critics off to summer camp where they're kept busy rather than getting in our way. Join the Creativity Circle. 

When was the last time you actually met you? Not the role you perform for your family, your job, or your community, but the version of you that exists when no one else is watching?   In this week's conversation, I'm talking with playwright and actress Anne Odeke. We talk about why the rigid discipline of adulthood often acts like a clamshell that keeps our real selves hidden and how to find the medicine that helps us open back up. From the accidental path to teaching in flip-flops to her history-making play, Princess Essex, at Shakespeare's Globe, Anne shares why being seen—truly seen—is a fundamental human need.   It’s an invitation to stop overthinking your way to a creative solution and start finding the creative oxygen that lets you breathe again.   I’m Nancy Norbeck, and I’m your Messy Muse Mentor. I help people feel alive again through curiosity and play.   In this episode, we discuss: The Clamshell Effect: Why we walk around closed off and how to stay open to your own creative aliveness. Jumping into the Fire: Why the sense of discovery is more important than the end result. Princess Essex: The true story of a woman who pretended to be a princess just to be seen for a day. Creative Oxygen: Why finding what makes you feel human is a necessity, not a luxury. Ready to send your inner critic to summer camp for an hour? We get together once a month for a relaxed, co-working-style session where you can work on whatever you want—without any pressure to do it "right." We send the shoulds and inner critics off to summer camp where they're kept busy rather than getting in our way. Join the Creativity Circle.   Episode breakdown:   0:00 Introduction 0:38 From Teaching to Shakespeare’s Globe 1:52 Storytelling as a Family Nature 6:35 The Drama Teacher Who Led with Care 11:52 Stumbling into a Teaching Career 15:33 The "Yes, And" of Life: Jumping into the Fire 23:59 The Nudge that Led to Drama School 27:18 Mountview Training as Medicine for the Soul 30:17 The Clamshell: Staying Open to Everything 41:05 First Day at Shakespeare’s Globe 46:38 The Origin of Princess Essex 51:29 An Accidental Conversation at the Globe 58:42 Overcoming Imposter Syndrome 1:10:54 Find Your Oxygen: Reclaiming Creativity   Want more? Here are handy playlists with all my previous interviews with guests in writing and theatre. Check out the full show notes at fycuriosity.com, and join us for the Follow Your Curiosity Creativity Circle. Please leave a review for this episode—it’s really easy and will only take a minute, and it really helps me reach new listeners. Thanks! If you enjoyed our conversation, I hope you’ll share it with a friend.

Have you ever had a brilliant "Aha!" moment about your own behavior, only to find yourself repeating the same pattern just a few days later?   In this week's Report from the Creative Closet, I'm looking at the Insight Trap. We talk about why understanding your patterns isn't enough to actually change them—and why your brain is often "too well-trained" to stop self-monitoring just because you noticed it. From the neural grooves that keep us stuck in performative adulthood to the fear of flying without a net during play, we explore how to rebuild trust through messy, low-stakes repetition. It’s an invitation to stop overthinking your way to a solution and start returning to the creative spontaneity you were born with.   I’m Nancy Norbeck, and I’m your Messy Muse Mentor. I help people feel alive again through curiosity and play.   In this episode, we discuss: The Insight Trap: Why patterns don't disappear just because we finally see them. Automatic Self-Monitoring: Why years of scanning for approval become a default "groove" in your brain. The Netless Flight: Why open-ended play feels terrifying to adults used to performing specific roles. Repetition vs. Analysis: Why small repetitions matter more than joining another chapter of Overthinkers Anonymous. Ready to send your inner critic to summer camp for an hour? We get together once a month for a relaxed, co-working-style session where you can work on whatever you want—without any pressure to do it "right." We send the shoulds and inner critics off to summer camp where they're kept busy rather than getting in our way. Join the Creativity Circle.

This episode discusses sensitive subjects, including psychiatric abuse, false memories, psychiatric over-medication, and mental health struggles involving self-harm.   What happens when a culture’s collective fear is weaponized against the very people seeking help?   In this week's conversation, I’m talking with my friend and author Jamie Lyn Weaver. Jamie’s new memoir, Locked in the Psych Ward, chronicles her survival during the Satanic Panic of the 1980s. She was kept in a locked ward for four years, heavily medicated, and coached into "recovering" memories of horrific events that never occurred.   Jamie discusses the audacity it took to finally put her story on paper and how the writing process itself became her path back to aliveness. We explore the role of "retractors" in healing and why her story is a vital warning for the world we live in today.   I’m Nancy Norbeck, and I’m your Messy Muse Mentor. I help people feel alive again through curiosity and play.   In this episode, we discuss: The Anatomy of a Panic: How psychiatric "experts" used leading questions and hypnosis to manufacture a crisis. The Witness Effect: Why having a safe, non-judgmental witness is the most powerful tool for creative and personal recovery. True vs. Not True: The mental struggle of surviving a ward that functioned like a cult. Creative Resilience: How Jamie moved from a childhood belief that she wasn't creative to writing a prize-winning memoir. Ready to send your inner critic to summer camp for an hour and just enjoy some creative company? We get together once a month for a relaxed, co-working-style session where you can work on whatever you want—without any pressure to do it "right." We send the shoulds and inner critics off to summer camp where they're kept busy rather than getting in our way. Join the Creativity Circle.   Episode breakdown:   0:00 About this episode, and content warning 1:05 Introducing Jamie Lyn Weaver: Surviving the Satanic Panic 2:50 The award-winning art Jamie forgot she made 5:53 Inside the Locked Ward: Why Jamie refused art therapy 8:42 The "Braun" Ward: 4 years of false memories and forced meds 12:56 The lack of advocacy and the "insurance game" 15:19 Dungeons & Dragons, Heavy Metal, and the 80s Panic 19:11 From intuitive writing to a completed memoir 24:15 The 100 Moments: Using structure to process the impossible 28:16 Finding the right coach: The power of being witnessed 32:58 "The police will meet you at the bottom of the stairs" 36:52 The "Feeling Wheel" and finding words for trauma 41:50 The "Apothecary" Reality: Surviving over-medication 46:33 Why being a "retractor" is a long road to aliveness 51:43 Jamie’s warning for the modern world   Want more? Here are handy playlists with all my previous interviews with guests in writing. Check out the full show notes at fycuriosity.com, and join us for the Follow Your Curiosity Creativity Circle. Please leave a review for this episode—it’s really easy and will only take a minute, and it really helps me reach new listeners. Thanks! If you enjoyed our conversation, I hope you’ll share it with a friend.

Have you ever looked at your life and realized that while everything is "okay" on paper, you feel like you're just playing a role?   In this week's Report from the Creative Closet, I'm diving into the Performance Trap. We talk about why the modern world is obsessed with optimization and metrics—and how that obsession is actually stripping us of our humanity. From the "proceduralization" of our communities to the internalized pressure to be "endlessly capable," we look at how to reclaim our spontaneity.   It’s an invitation to stop treating your life like a performance review and start returning to the creative capacity you were born with.   I’m Nancy Norbeck, and I’m your Messy Muse Mentor. I help people feel alive again through curiosity and play.   In this episode, we discuss: Dehumanizing Systems: Why HOAs and automated phone lines are designed to block human connection. The Self-Monitoring Trap: Why "metricking" your sleep and hobbies creates more exhaustion, not less. Trusting Your Instincts: How to stop letting external algorithms (and internal critics) drive your decisions. The Power of Play: Why we are starving for spaces where we don't have to be "good enough" to belong. Ready to send your inner critic to summer camp for an hour? We get together once a month for a relaxed, co-working-style session where you can work on whatever you want—without any pressure to do it "right." We send the shoulds and inner critics off to summer camp where they're kept busy rather than getting in our way. Join the Creativity Circle.

What happens when you realize the very things meant to connect us are actually stealing your creative spark?   This week, we conclude our special 30th-anniversary archive release with actor Paul McGann. Originally recorded in 2020, this conversation remains a vital guide for anyone trying to navigate a creative life without losing their humanity to the digital machine.   Paul shares his prolific journey into audio drama with Big Finish, his reflections on the different regenerations of the Doctor, and the fascinating reasons he decided to walk away from social media entirely. From his "favorite" role in Our Mutual Friend to the "theatre of the mind," Paul offers a masterclass in staying true to your own creative fingerprint.   I’m Nancy Norbeck, and I’m your Messy Muse Mentor. I help people feel alive again through creativity, curiosity, and play.   In this episode, we discuss: The Digital De-assimilation: Why Paul decided he didn't want to be the "kind of person" social media was making him. The Power of Audio: Why working in the "theatre of the mind" is qualitatively different and physically freeing. Richard E. Grant: A look at their rare on-screen reunion and the power of natural enthusiasm. The Next Story: Why for a professional actor, the most important role is always the one that’s coming next. Ready to send your inner critic to summer camp for an hour? Join the Creativity Circle.   Episode breakdown:   0:00 Part 2: Celebrating the 30th Anniversary of the TV Movie 1:40 Digital recording & the "wooden rabbit hutches" of Big Finish 4:15 Working fast: How to record a script in 6 hours 10:20 Dropping the extraneous: Learning while doing 12:56 Why Paul never watches or listens to his own work 17:15 Revisiting old roles like "holiday snaps" 19:11 Reunited with Richard E. Grant in Always Crashing in the Same Car 28:30 Stepping into Tom Baker’s shoes for Shada 36:52 Jodie Whittaker: "She cracked it instantly" 40:10 Matt Smith: The "beautiful skinny 12-year-old" alien 46:33 The 1996 audition: Why Phil Segal couldn't tell the brothers apart 51:00 Eugene Wrayburn: The role that "fitted" perfectly 1:09:10 "Are you on Twitter?" (The 2020 Social Media context) 1:15:45 The Jaron Lanier lesson: 10 arguments for deleting your accounts 1:20:20 How social media makes you a person you don't want to be 1:24:45 Richard E. Grant: A master class in natural enthusiasm   Want more? Here are handy playlists with all my previous interviews with guests in theatre and  Doctor Who. Check out the full show notes at fycuriosity.com, and join us for the Follow Your Curiosity Creativity Circle. Please leave a review for this episode—it’s really easy and will only take a minute, and it really helps me reach new listeners. Thanks! If you enjoyed our conversation, I hope you’ll share it with a friend.

Have you ever told yourself you don’t have a creative bone in your body?   This week, we’re looking at why that belief is a trap—and why it’s almost certainly a lie you were taught to believe. In this Report from the Creative Closet, I explore why we’ve narrowed the definition of creativity so far that we’ve lost sight of our own resourcefulness, adaptation, and meaning-making.   It’s an invitation to stop treating creativity like a talent show and start seeing it as the life force that helps you feel human again. We discuss why you don’t need a plan or a portfolio to be creative—you just need the courage to be messy.   I’m Nancy Norbeck, and I’m your Messy Muse Mentor. I help people feel alive again through curiosity and play.   In this episode, we discuss: The "Creative Bone" Myth: Why your school experiences didn't give you the full picture of your potential. Broadening the definition: How the way you solve problems and navigate uncertainty is a deeply creative act. Evaluation vs. Exploration: Why performative art makes us disconnect and how to find your way back. The Aliveness Factor: Why creativity isn't about "fixing" yourself, but returning to the truth of who you are. Ready to send your inner critic to summer camp for an hour? We get together once a month for a relaxed, co-working-style session where you can work on whatever you want—without any pressure to do it "right." We send the shoulds and inner critics off to summer camp where they're kept busy rather than getting in our way. Join the Creativity Circle.

What happens when the "masterpiece" you expected turns out to be just the beginning of a very different journey?   In this first part of a special release from the archives, I’m sharing the beginning of my landmark conversation with the legendary Paul McGann. Recorded in May 2020 and originally released in August 2020, this was Paul’s first-ever podcast interview. While he has hosted many shows since then, this remains the definitive look at the moment he first "went down the rabbit hole" to discuss his life and career with a fan.   To coincide with the 30th anniversary of the 1996 Doctor Who TV movie, Paul shares the story of his childhood Olympic dreams, his "acting family" business, and the "indifference" of show business. We talk about why the fans are the true custodians of the TARDIS and why stories are sometimes the only thing that can save our morale and tip the scales toward kindness.   I’m Nancy Norbeck, and I’m your Messy Muse Mentor. I help people feel alive again through creativity, curiosity, and play.   In this episode, we discuss: The 2020 Perspective: A snapshot of creative survival recorded in May 2020 during the first months of the pandemic. The Failed Athlete: Why Paul’s first ambition wasn't the stage, and how he navigated the "brutality" of not making the cut. The RADA Turning Point: How a "confused kid" who nearly joined the Navy found his way to the Royal Academy. The Custodians of History: Why the fans, not the actors, are the ones who truly look after the Doctor's legacy. Ready to send your inner critic to summer camp for an hour and just enjoy some creative company? We get together once a month for a relaxed, co-working-style session where you can work on whatever you want—without any pressure to do it "right." Join the Creativity Circle.   Episode breakdown:   0:00 Introduction 1:26 Paul's first-ever podcast interview (Recorded May 2020) 3:24 The Liverpool "acting family" business 5:20 Childhood Olympic dreams and the "brutality" of sport 10:15 Auditioning for RADA and being a "confused kid" 13:38 Sharing an agent with three brothers 19:46 2020 Lockdown: Sanity, cycling, and simple things 23:02 Rehearsing with the brothers for a West End hit 33:14 Bruce Robinson's advice: "Just take the next thing" 39:05 From convention skeptic to fan family 45:46 The 1996 Pilot and the 5-year Vancouver plan 54:32 The Power of Stories: Fables, mythologies, and morale 58:30 Reclaiming kindness: Lessons from the Doctor 1:13:58 Keeping the secret: The "Night of the Doctor" return   Want more? Here are handy playlists with all my previous interviews with guests in theatre and  Doctor Who. Check out the full show notes at fycuriosity.com, and join us for the Follow Your Curiosity Creativity Circle. Please leave a review for this episode—it’s really easy and will only take a minute, and it really helps me reach new listeners. Thanks! If you enjoyed our conversation, I hope you’ll share it with a friend.

What if the very thing you think is "childish" is actually the life skill you need most right now?   In this "Report from the Creative Closet," I’m looking at the fear of uncertainty that keeps so many adults stuck. We discuss why we’ve become so uncomfortable with open-endedness and why we feel like we need a manual for everything—even for taking a break.   I share the "Obsolete Child" philosophy, the reality of the "Imagination Lab," and why reclaiming your sense of play is the fastest way to break the cycle of perfectionism. This isn't about making "art"—it's about remembering how to be a person who is willing to try, fail, and stay curious.   I’m Nancy Norbeck, and I’m your Messy Muse Mentor. I help people feel alive again through creativity, curiosity, and play.   In this episode, I discuss: The Adulting Bind: Why we can't do things well because we won't try until we're already perfect. The Instruction Obsession: What a 3-week break taught me about the difference between adults and children. Adaptability vs. Rules: Why "play" is actually the highest form of problem-solving and resilience. The Power of Permission: How to give yourself the green light to move outside the boxes you've built. Ready to send your inner critic to summer camp for an hour? We get together once a month for a relaxed, co-working-style session where you can work on whatever you want—without any pressure to do it "right." We send the shoulds and inner critics off to summer camp where they're kept busy rather than getting in our way. Join the Creativity Circle.

What do you do when the world tells you "no" for seven years straight?   This week, I’m talking with legendary TV and film producer Phil Segal. With a 38-year career that includes everything from Twin Peaks and SeaQuest DSV to Deadliest Catch, Phil is perhaps best known to sci-fi fans as the man who fought for nearly a decade to bring Doctor Who back to the screen in 1996.   Phil shares how climbing over a studio fence led to his first job and why he believes a producer must understand every single role on a set to truly lead. We also discuss his current passion, SprueVerse, and why taking ten minutes for your own "creative release"—even if you think you’ll be bad at it—is the key to staying alive in a high-pressure world.   In this episode, we discuss: The Fence-Climbing Incident: How a literal leap of faith launched Phil's career with one of Hollywood’s greatest casting directors. No Means Yes: Why Phil views rejection as fuel rather than a stop sign, and how that mindset saved the Doctor. The "Indelible" Teacher: The power of the people who see our potential before we do. SprueVerse and Scale Models: Why "owning your time" for a hobby like scale modeling is a vital act of creative survival. Ready to send your inner critic to summer camp for an hour? We get together once a month for a relaxed, low-pressure session where you can work on whatever you want—without any pressure to do it "right." Join the Creativity Circle.    Episode breakdown:   0:00 How to get unstuck through creative curiosity 1:15 Phil Segal’s early life: A creative kid in a wacky world 4:30 Moving from the UK to San Diego: A world of possibilities 7:15 The impact of a great teacher and the legacy of sharing 13:10 Climbing the fence: Phil’s legendary Hollywood break-in 17:40 Learning every job: The secret to being a confident producer 21:30 The 7-year fight for the Doctor Who TV movie rights 33:45 Dealing with rejection: Why "No means Yes" 41:00 On-set memories with Sylvester McCoy 52:10 SprueVerse: Reclaiming joy through scale modeling 56:30 Why you must own your time for yourself   Want more? Here are handy playlists with all my previous interviews with guests in theatre, writing, and  Doctor Who. Check out the full show notes at fycuriosity.com, and join us for the Follow Your Curiosity Creativity Circle. Please leave a review for this episode—it’s really easy and will only take a minute, and it really helps me reach new listeners. Thanks! If you enjoyed our conversation, I hope you’ll share it with a friend.

What happens when you spend so much time being "reliable" that you forget how to be meaningful?   In this third installment of Reports from the Creative Closet, I’m exploring the "Be Good" trap. We often learn very early that being predictable and agreeable is safer than being fully alive, but that safety comes at a high price.   I discuss the Traffic Rule Covenant—a look at how we use rules to reduce uncertainty, and what happens when we stop treating those rules as tools and start treating them as our identity. We'll explore the "quiet grief" of adulting, the friction of being "manageable" in professional environments, and why your "rough edges" are actually the parts of you the world needs most.   I’m Nancy Norbeck, and I’m your Messy Muse Mentor. I help people feel alive again through creativity, curiosity, and play.   In this episode, I discuss: The Social Survival Instinct: Why we’ll do anything to avoid being "thrown out" of the community. The Traffic Light Metaphor: Understanding rules as tools for safety rather than definitions of self. The Reliability Tax: Why professional "manageability" often requires us to override our internal signals. The Adulting Lie: Why being a "grown-up" shouldn't require you to abandon your curiosity and play. If you're tired of thinking about answering a creative call but never actually doing it, come join me for an hour and start feeling like yourself again. The Follow Your Curiosity Creativity Circle is a safe, welcoming, and encouraging environment where we send the shoulds and inner critics off to summer camp where they're kept busy rather than getting in our way. Join us here!

What happens when you realize that "anything you want to be" actually includes the thing people told you wasn't practical?   In this week's conversation, I’m talking with my good friend Katie DeBonville. Katie is an emerging author whose new book, Grace Notes, explores the intersection of music, memory, and the courage it takes to speak your mind.   Katie shares the story of her legendary stand-off with a high school guidance counselor, her journey from wanting to be first-chair flute in the Boston Symphony to earning a writing degree at 50, and why she believes success is not a zero-sum game. We also examine the "audacity" required to follow a creative calling and why your creative spark never truly disappears—it just waits for you to give it permission to play.   I’m Nancy Norbeck, and I’m your Messy Muse Mentor. I help people feel alive again through creativity, curiosity, and play.   In this episode, we discuss: The Practicality Trap: Why creative careers are often discouraged and how to push back against the "shoulds." The "Emerging" Author: The reality of starting a new creative chapter at 53. Finding Your Story: How the right mentors can help you see the patterns in your own life that you’ve been missing. Creative Community: Why having each other's backs is the only way to beat the "plotter vs. pantser" politics. Ready to send your inner critic to summer camp for an hour and just enjoy some creative company? We get together once a month for a relaxed, co-working-style session where you can work on whatever you want—without any pressure to do it "right." Join the Creativity Circle.   Episode breakdown:   0:00 Introduction 1:05 Meeting Katie DeBonville: The "emerging author" at 53 2:53 The blank book obsession and the fear of the first page 3:51 The First Chair Dream: Ambition vs. Reality in the Boston Symphony 8:58 The Guidance Counselor Story: Fighting for a creative life 12:31 Why encouragement changes the data on creative success 17:07 Sibylline Press: Giving a voice to women over 50 2 2:40 The audacity of speaking your mind (and the Communion story) 30:57 Doing an MFA during the pandemic: The right time to commit 42:26 Finding Your Story: Lessons from three legendary mentors 50:24 Flash Fiction and the beauty of the 70-word piece 56:15 Plotters vs. Pantsers: Why there is no "correct" way to write   Want more? Here are handy playlists with all my previous interviews with guests in writing and music. Check out the full show notes at fycuriosity.com, and join us for the Follow Your Curiosity Creativity Circle. Please leave a review for this episode—it’s really easy and will only take a minute, and it really helps me reach new listeners. Thanks! If you enjoyed our conversation, I hope you’ll share it with a friend.

Have you ever realized that "adulting" has become a fancy word for getting really, really good at ignoring your own signals?   In this week's Report from the Creative Closet, I’m exploring the eerie reality that we aren't actually "lost"—we just forgot where we put ourselves. I’m sharing why that "force of will" you had as a five-year-old is the key to breaking free from the mask that is currently exhausting you.   In this episode, I discuss: The Pork BBQ Standoff: Why my five-year-old nephew's legendary refusal to try barbecue is a masterclass in creative clarity. The Adulting Mask: The massive energy cost of spending your whole day saying "I should probably" while your intuition is saying "no". Bad Snowflakes: How a simple, ridiculous drawing exercise can drop your persona and bring your energy back to life. The Creative Attic: Why you didn't lose your spark; you just stuffed it into a box in the attic so you could "go along to get along. Ready to send your inner critic to summer camp for an hour? We get together once a month for a relaxed, co-working-style session where you can work on whatever you want—without any pressure to do it "right." Join the Creativity Circle.

What is the one question that drives every single thing you create?   My guest this week is the self-described "happy hyphenate" Matthew Jacobs. Best known for contributing to major titles like Young Indiana Jones and The Emperor's New Groove and writing the 1996 Doctor Who TV movie, Matthew joins me to coincide with the 30th anniversary of the TV movie’s release.   Matthew tells me about his "No Rules" approach to creativity and his fascinating method for finding your "Creative Fingerprint"—the hidden linking tissue between the stories you love and the work you produce. And his definition of creativity is my favorite—ever.   Whether you're a fan of the Doctor or an exhausted perfectionist looking to reclaim your own creative authority, this conversation is an invitation to stop performing and start feeling human again.   Ready to send your inner critic to summer camp for an hour and just enjoy some creative company? We get together once a month for a relaxed, co-working-style session where you can work on whatever you want—without any pressure to do it "right." Join the Creativity Circle.   Episode breakdown:   0:00 Childhood creativity and early acting origins 3:50 Transitioning from acting to directing and writing 7:15 The dream based approach to starting a script 11:00 Learning the craft by reading professional scripts 15:30 Why there are no rules in the creative process 20:10 The power of the childhood "why?" 24:45 How to find your personal fingerprint question 32:10 Bringing your unique voice to major franchises 38:20 The truth about the 1996 Doctor Who TV movie 45:45 From "The Llama King" to The Emperors New Groove 50:30 Dealing with creative backlash and legacy 54:00 Closing thoughts and appreciation   Want more? Here are handy playlists with all my previous interviews with guests in theatre, writing, and  Doctor Who. Check out the full show notes at fycuriosity.com, and join us for the Follow Your Curiosity Creativity Circle. Please leave a review for this episode—it’s really easy and will only take a minute, and it really helps me reach new listeners. Thanks! If you enjoyed our conversation, I hope you’ll share it with a friend.

Have you ever looked at your life and realized that while everything is "okay" on paper, something is deeply off?   You aren't alone, and I don't think the problem is you. I think the problem is the invisible pressure we all feel to be "good enough" at everything we touch.   Welcome to the first Report from the Creative Closet—a new series of dispatches designed to help you move past the "shoulds" of adulthood and reconnect with your own aliveness. In this inaugural report, I share one of the weirdest but most effective ways I know to escape the perfectionism trap: making bad art on purpose.   In this episode, I discuss: The Falling Down Machines: Why we forget how to learn like toddlers—who fall on their faces and laugh rather than giving up. The 30-Day Experiment: What happened on Day 15 of my journey writing 30 "bad" poems for YouTube. Summer Camp for Critics: How to send your inner critic away on a scary ropes course so you are finally free to play. The Creative Authority: Why doing things "badly" is actually the fastest path back to your real self. My Promise: I will never tell you that you need to force your way through resistance or ignore your intuition to follow a rigid self-help script. I’m here to provide a sanctuary, not another to-do list.   Ready to stop performing and start living? If this resonates, I invite you to join me for a free Creativity Circle. We get together once a month for a relaxed session where you can experiment without any pressure to do anything you don't want to do.

What happens when the role you play on screen starts to close doors in your real life?   My guest this week is actress Nicola Bryant, famously known as the American companion, Peri, on Doctor Who. In a story that sounds like a movie itself, Nicola shares how she pretended to be American for three years—both on and off-set—and how that choice affected her career for decades.   We explore her creative childhood, her transition from ballet to theater, and her deep interest in the power of hypnosis to help others heal and grow. This is a conversation about creativity, identity, and the courage it takes to finally trust your own gut.   If you’re ready to stop performing and start feeling human again, I invite you to join me for a free Creativity Circle—the next one is this coming Saturday, April 25.   Episode breakdown:   0:00 Intro and childhood creativity 4:15 The art of creative cooking 8:30 Perception and seeing the world differently 13:00 From ballet school dreams to acting 17:45 The "act 18" audition story 22:15 Realizing the power of acting choices 27:30 Embodying roles and character work 32:00 The secret Doctor Who audition 37:15 Living a double life as American 42:30 Navigating career typecasting and snobbery 47:45 Getting discovered in the West End 52:15 Returning to Peri on audio 56:30 The science and art of hypnosis 1:00:00 Trusting your gut and the mind body connection Want more? Here are handy playlists with all my previous interviews with guests in theatre and  Doctor Who. Check out the full show notes at fycuriosity.com, and join us for the Follow Your Curiosity Creativity Circle. Please leave a review for this episode—it’s really easy and will only take a minute, and it really helps me reach new listeners. Thanks! If you enjoyed our conversation, I hope you’ll share it with a friend.  

If you're currently fighting with a project that refuses to behave, you might be trying to force an outcome that wasn't meant to be.   In this episode, I share a surprising lesson from Tom Hanks’ performance in Forrest Gump. We often think that being a "pro" means forcing our vision into reality, but sometimes the most professional thing you can do is learn to follow your project’s lead instead.   Whether you're a writer, an artist, or just someone trying to get through a messy creative week, this pep talk is a permission slip to stop the "force" and start the "flow."   Want more tips? Check out this playlist with all my previous Creative Pep Talks! Every episode stands on its own.   If you're ready to stop performing and start feeling human again, I invite you to join me for a free Creativity Circle. (Don't forget to confirm you subscription!) We meet next on April 25.  

If you’ve ever felt frustrated, angry, or deeply misunderstood during a conversation, the culprit might be a single word you didn’t know was dangerous.   In this episode, I’m talking with equity strategist Danielle Marshall about the power of curiosity to bridge divides and change culture. Danielle shares why asking "What else might be true?" is her most powerful tool for connection and why she decided to learn a brand new skill every year once she turned 40.   Whether you're trying to navigate a difficult workplace culture or just want to have better conversations with your kids, this episode is a permission slip to put down the judgment and pick up curiosity instead.   If you're ready to stop performing and start feeling human again, I invite you to join me for our free Creativity Circle.   Episode breakdown:   00:00 Introduction 04:02 Embracing curiosity, asking questions, and building strong connections. 08:14 Making networking meaningful by asking genuine, human-centered questions. 12:20 Being curious instead of judgmental leads to better conversations. 16:13 Dangers of relying solely on AI for answers. 20:14 Approaching organizational culture change through curiosity and pain points. 24:31 Challenges in shifting to a true feedback culture. 28:23 Coaching empowers ownership by guiding with questions, not answers. 32:19 Learning to handle feedback thoughtfully and with discernment. 36:18 Curiosity is like a muscle, build it intentionally over time. 40:09 Start with simple curiosity, apply process to bigger challenges. 44:09 Questions can reveal disconnects between leadership and frontline experience. You can get your copy of Danielle's Curiosity Playbook here.   Want more? Here's a handy playlist with all my previous interviews with guests in writing. Check out the full show notes at fycuriosity.com, and join us for the Follow Your Curiosity Creativity Circle. Please leave a review for this episode—it’s really easy and will only take a minute, and it really helps me reach new listeners. Thanks! If you enjoyed our conversation, I hope you’ll share it with a friend.

If you’ve been feeling like you’re clawing your way up a cement wall by your fingernails just to get through your "to-do" list, this conversation is for you.   I recently realized I was my own worst client. In this Creative Pep Talk, I’m sharing the three-word message I saw on the back of a truck that stopped me in my tracks—and how it helped me save my creative spark.   If you are a perfectionist struggling with burnout or the pressure to over-function, this episode is a "permission slip" to listen to what your own resistance is trying to tell you.   Want more tips? Check out this playlist with all my previous Creative Pep Talks! Every episode stands on its own.   If you're ready to stop pushing and start feeling human again, I invite you to join me for a free Creativity Circle.

Have you ever felt like you need a "permission slip" to try a different creative path, even when you’re already "successful" in another? In this episode, I’m talking with award-winning screenwriter Leslie Rasmussen, who spent years in the high-pressure world of comedy writing for iconic television shows like Roseanne, The Drew Carey Show, and Sweet Valley High before pivoting to her true passion: writing novels. If you are an exhausted perfectionist who feels stuck in a specific professional lane or fears that your creative spark has a deadline, Leslie’s journey from the TV writer's room to the "Wild West" of fiction will show you how to reclaim your own narrative. Most creative advice tells you to pick a lane and stay there or to follow a rigid corporate productivity system. But on this podcast, we believe in messy, joyful creativity for people who are tired of the pressure to perform. We focus on the life force of your work—not just the output.   Episode breakdown: 0:00 Transitioning from TV scripts to fiction 4:15 Growing up creative in Los Angeles 8:30 Breaking into Hollywood as an assistant 12:45 Challenges for women in comedy writing 17:20 The role of mentorship and networking 21:50 Working on ALF and Carol and Company 26:10 How actors help writers find their voice 31:45 The difference between sitcoms and animation 36:30 Outlining vs writing by the seat of your pants 41:15 Working with developmental editors 46:50 The reality of the TV writers room at 2 AM 51:20 From a nutrition business back to storytelling 56:45 The vulnerability of professional book reviews 59:10 Writing about family secrets and sisters 1:00:58 Final advice and closing thoughts   Want more? Here's a handy playlist with all my previous interviews with guests in writing. Check out the full show notes at fycuriosity.com, and join us for the Follow Your Curiosity Creativity Circle. Please leave a review for this episode—it’s really easy and will only take a minute, and it really helps me reach new listeners. Thanks! If you enjoyed our conversation, I hope you’ll share it with a friend.

In this creative pep talk, I'm sharing a personal confession: I realized I was in the middle of nearly burning myself out because I forgot to let myself have enough fun. We live in a culture that wants us to prioritize working all the time and forget that joy is a necessity, not a luxury. I’m sharing the $0 Joy Gift—the tiny, simple things like a piece of classical music or a laugh over $10 aluminum foil—that can save your soul when you feel your creative spark is being drained dry. Most burnout advice tells you to "just crush it" or optimize your schedule. But on this channel, we believe in messy, joyful creativity for people who are tired of the pressure to perform. My Promise to You: 🤦🏻‍♂️ I’ll never tell you that you have to "earn" your joy through high performance. 🤷🏻‍♂️ I won’t ask you to ignore your need for play to fit a rigid corporate system. 😁 I will never treat your need for a creative sanctuary as a failure of discipline. What we’re exploring in this episode: ✨ The Irony of Burnout: Why it’s so easy to give advice and so hard to remember to take it. 🎶 The $0 Joy Gift: How tiny things—like a piece of music or a laugh over $10 aluminum foil—can save your soul. 🧠 The Aptitude Trap: Why being "analytical" can sometimes lead you down a rabbit hole of exhaustion. 💖 The "Importance" Reframe: A reminder that your creativity matters because you matter. Sound good? If this resonates, subscribe to join our rebellion against the "shoulds" and the pressure to perform. And if you want a safe space to explore this way of being with others, the door to our next free Creativity Circle is open. (Don't forget to confirm your subscription!) We meet again on March 21. Want more tips? Check out this playlist with all my previous Creative Pep Talks!

Paul Pape is a creative problem navigator, TEDx speaker, and author known as “Santa for Nerds.” Over the past 20 years, he has built a reputation as the specialty artist companies like Disney, Universal, and Nickelodeon call when they need something that doesn’t exist or their internal teams can’t build. Working from his Nebraska studio, Paul creates custom collectibles, props, and prototypes with tight deadlines and exacting standards. Paul is the creator of Gamify Business and author of The Creative Player’s Handbook to Business, which translates intimidating business concepts into gaming language that creative minds actually understand. Through his books, workshops, and coaching, he helps entrepreneurs build sustainable businesses without sacrificing their creative souls, proving that the “starving artist” stereotype is outdated and unnecessary. Paul first appeared on Follow Your Curiosity in September 2024, and I invited him to come back to tell us about his new Gamify Business program. Paul talks with me about how he recognized the need for a more creative metaphor for entrepreneurship; the danger of losing touch with your passion as your creative business grows; how the focus on what’s NOT possible, plus the constant need to ask permission—even as a adults—can get in our way, and a whole lot more. If you’ve ever been intimidated by the idea of starting a business, especially as a creative, this episode is for you.   Episode breakdown: 00:00 Introduction. 04:10 Using Dungeons and Dragons to explain creative business roles. 08:18 Leveling up business skills with gaming metaphors. 12:00 Business isn’t selling out; creatives deserve a livable wage. 16:05 Building the book through stories and personal experience. 20:13 Learning entrepreneurship by adapting methods to suit yourself. 24:10 Gatekeeping of business concepts and simplifying with new language. 28:47 Kids embrace entrepreneurship because they haven’t been told no. 32:27 Making a fool of yourself helps growth and confidence. 37:08 Confidence from passion attracts opportunities and like-minded people. 41:57 The tipping point: when passion becomes a draining job. 46:53 Failing is natural; our schooling overemphasizes perfection. 51:25 Coaching, permission, and feeling proud support creative entrepreneurship. 56:29 Rediscovering fun and permission helps creativity thrive.   Want more? Here's a handy playlist with all my previous interviews with guests in entrepreneurship. Check out the full show notes (now including transcripts!) at fycuriosity.com, and join us for the Follow Your Curiosity Creativity Circle. Please leave a review for this episode—it’s really easy and will only take a minute, and it really helps me reach new listeners. Thanks! If you enjoyed our conversation, I hope you’ll share it with a friend.

“I am here to help people get their power back. I don’t want people’s power.” Whether you know it or not, you have immense creative and personal power. But in a society that often tries to take that power away—or tells you that you should give your power to a "guru"—it’s easy to feel invisible in your own life. In this video, I explore why creativity is actually the fastest path back to yourself. While traditional tools in psychology and psychotherapy are valuable for understanding our past, messy and joyful creativity focuses on your aliveness in the present. This channel is a sanctuary for those who want to reclaim their agency without the pressure of productivity or performance. My Promise to You: • 🤦🏻‍♂️ I’ll never tell you that you are "broken" or need to be "optimized". • 🤷🏻‍♂️ I won’t ask you to give your power to a "guru" or follow a rigid system. • 😁 I will never prioritize a "crush it" mentality over your need for a safe haven.   What we’re exploring in this episode: • The Power Illusion: Why "power-over" is usually an illusion and how to tap into "power-with" instead. • The Political is Personal: Navigating a world where authoritarianism and "guru culture" try to claim your agency. • Creativity as Self-Relationship: Why playing with colors or words is a radical act of reclaiming your own decisions. • Reclaiming Your Aliveness: How to use your creative power to make a difference in your community. Sound good? If this resonates, subscribe to join our rebellion against the "shoulds." And if you want a physical sanctuary to practice this way of being, join us for our next free Creativity Circle. And if you want a safe space to explore this way of being with others, the door to our next free Creativity Circle is open. (Don't forget to confirm your subscription!) You can find my Substack Live conversation here. Want more tips? Check out this playlist with all my previous Creative Pep Talks!

Dr. Kelly Flanagan is a clinical psychologist whose writing and speaking have resulted in an appearance on the TODAY Show, as well as features in publications including Reader’s Digest  and Success Magazine. He’s no stranger to Follow Your Curiosity, having been on the show twice before to discuss his first book, Loveable, and his first novel, The Unhiding of Elijah Campbell. He chose to write his forthcoming non-fiction book with input from his online community, and the result is The Road Less Triggered: Turning Conflict into Connection with a Single Choice, which will be released on March 3. Kelly talks with me about how he chose to include others in his process and how it influenced the book, why we keep hearing so much about regulating the nervous system, what it means to be open hearted (and how to tell if your heart is closing), and more.   Episode breakdown: 00:00 Introduction. 04:41 Community input shaped the book’s content and direction. 09:35 Feedback engagement valued more than just positive or negative notes. 14:13 Embracing vulnerability and doubt as growth opportunities in writing. 19:22 Walking and voice recording spark creativity and problem-solving. 24:13 Conversation and real-life application deepened the book’s insights. 29:19 Open-heartedness means accepting reality fully, not being a doormat. 34:46 Noticing and reopening a closed heart is a daily practice. 39:46 Nervous system dysregulation is widespread and fueled by social media. 44:30 Catching body’s early warning signs helps stop defensive behavior. 49:59 We intuitively know open versus closed heart through bodily sensations. 54:38 Creativity requires reconnecting with body wisdom and staying open-hearted.   Want more? Here's a handy playlist with all my previous interviews with guests in writing. Check out the full show notes (now including transcripts!) at fycuriosity.com, and join us for the Follow Your Curiosity Creativity Circle. Please leave a review for this episode—it’s really easy and will only take a minute, and it really helps me reach new listeners. Thanks! If you enjoyed our conversation, I hope you’ll share it with a friend.

You don't have to earn your own kindness. This episode is a look at why radical self-compassion is the creative lifestyle shift your exhaustion has been asking for. If you’ve been treating self care like a "treat" for good behavior rather than a necessity for your wellbeing, you aren't alone and you aren't broken. In this episode, I explore why radical kindness is a vital act of resistance for exhausted perfectionists struggling with the pressure to perform. Most mental health and self-help advice tells you to "just crush it" or optimize your way out of burnout. But on this podcast, I provide a sanctuary for messy, joyful creativity that focuses on your aliveness, not your productivity. My Promise to You: • 🤦🏻‍♂️ I’ll never tell you that you need to be "productive" to deserve a break. • 🤷🏻‍♂️ I won't ignore the systemic pressures that make self-compassion feel like a luxury. • 😁 I will never treat your need for rest as a failure of discipline. What we’re exploring today: • The Reward Trap: Why we think we have to "earn" our own kindness. • Creative Resilience: How practicing kindness as a life force changes your creative process. • Finding Five Minutes: Small, gentle ways to improve your well-being without the pressure to be perfect. Sound good? If this resonates, subscribe to join our rebellion against the "shoulds." And if you want a safe space to explore this way of being with others, the door to our next free Creativity Circle is open. (Don't forget to confirm your subscription!)   Want more tips? Check out this playlist with all my previous Creative Pep Talks!

Hi, everyone! I've been traveling, so I'm re-upping what's probably my favorite interview of all time (which is saying a LOT). It's a conversation I think a lot of us probably need right now. If you haven't heard it before, you're in for a treat. If you've heard it before, I promise it's worth a second listen. Either way, enjoy! Original release date: January 31, 2024 -- Tim Myers does a bit of everything: he’s a writer, songwriter, storyteller, visual artist, and senior lecturer at Santa Clara University, where he teaches writing. We got together to talk about the nature of creativity, which Tim calls a “sacred mystery,” including everything from the way our childhood creativity is changed by the culture as we become adults, the necessary role of play in the creative process, the transcendent experiences of awe and wonder and how they fuel us, the wisdom of following your gut, and a whole lot more. Episode breakdown: 01:39 Kids are instantly creative, often play traditionally. 06:50 Creativity influenced by nature, nurture, educators. 15:50 Importance of creativity in education and society. 21:22 Differences between play in childhood versus "professional" adults. 24:56 Nancy switched to teaching, advisor, and writing lit mag. 30:49 Encouraging exploration of language and creative thinking. 37:04 Parents see child, lifetime of giving love. 40:35 Zen story about finding wonder in life. 45:27 Believing in progress through challenging circumstances. 50:34 Art, festivals, play as a primal need. 56:21 Semantic split between "religion" and "spirituality." 01:01:14 Falling in love based on unique personal idiosyncrasies. 01:07:23 Experimenting with writing schedule structure. 01:13:45 Craft is in choosing words for impact. 01:19:22 Writers and feedback. 01:25:00 Tim struggles with generalist vs specialist identity. 01:26:31 Passion for storytelling and visual art emerges. 01:35:38 Weekly writing schedule reduces overthinking and focus on perfection.   Check out the full show notes at fycuriosity.com, and connect with me and fellow creatives on Substack. Please leave a review for this episode and in it, tell us how play influences your creative process. If you enjoyed our conversation, I hope you’ll share it with a friend. Want more? Here's a handy playlist with all my previous interviews with guests in writing.

If you’ve been feeling demoralized by the 24-hour news cycle and the weight of the world, you aren't alone and you aren't broken. In this video, we explore why creating a safe haven for yourself isn’t about denial or being "unproductive"—it’s about reclaiming the aliveness you need to keep going. Most advice tells you to "stay informed" until you're exhausted or "just crush it" despite the chaos. On this podcast, I provide a sanctuary for messy, joyful creativity for people who are tired of the pressure to perform when the world feels like it’s burning. My Promise to You: 🤦🏻‍♂️ I’ll never tell you to force productivity through resistance. 🤷🏻‍♂️ I won’t ask you to ignore your intuition or reality to fit an ideal. 😁 I will never imply you are "broken" because you need a break. What we’re exploring today: The News Cycle Cost: Why it’s okay to say "no" to the constant beating at your attention. Creativity as Survival: Why awe, wonder, and beauty are the things that make being here worthwhile. Finding Five Minutes: How to give yourself permission to pull back and reconnect with yourself. Sound good? If so, subscribe so you don't miss our upcoming guidance on escaping the 'shoulds'! And if you need a safe place to come and be with others right now, I invite you to join us for our next free Creativity Circle. (Don't forget to confirm your subscription!)  

Segun Akinola is a British-Nigerian composer for film and television. He is most known for his music in the three series of Doctor Who starring the first female Doctor, Jodie Whittaker. A BAFTA Breakthrough Brit 2017, Segun’s other work includes scoring Sundance 2019 favorite and World Soundtrack Award nominee The Last Tree, Apple TV+ feature 9/11: Inside The President's War Room, and the BBC's landmark series Black and British: A Forgotten History. His recent projects include Origin: The Story of the Basketball Africa League, which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival in September, and the  BBC series Kingdom, narrated by Sir David Attenborough. Segun talks with me about music as storytelling, the importance of determination and how we undervalue asking for help, the power of curiosity to drive learning, creative growth through collaboration, and a lot more. Episode breakdown: 00:00 Introduction 04:04 Discovering music as a child. 08:37 Transformers film sparked deep interest in movie music. 12:11 Access to YouTube helped him learn about modern composers. 16:39 More composers today due to online resources and courses. 20:19 Networking and persistence led to first professional composing gig. 24:07 Collaboration and peer learning valued as much as formal education. 28:04 Focuses on music as essential part of storytelling. 32:07 Creative growth comes from tackling difficult, unexpected musical challenges. 36:37 Film scores' emotional impact, balancing craft and artistry. 41:08 Fans and social media now deeply engage with film music. 45:27 Composing for Doctor Who brought excitement and creative freedom. 50:52 Always trying new styles, learning, and refining unique sound.     Want more? Here are handy playlists with all my previous interviews with guests in music and Doctor Who.   Check out the full show notes (now including transcripts!) at fycuriosity.com, and join us for the Follow Your Curiosity Creativity Circle. Please leave a review for this episode—it’s really easy and will only take a minute, and it really helps me reach new listeners. Thanks! If you enjoyed our conversation, I hope you’ll share it with a friend.

"No thanks. I’m going to play today." This episode is a little different. If you feel exhausted, demoralized, or like a "ghost of your old self," you aren't broken—you are a human being responding to a global situation that feels less stable every day. In this episode, I explore why creative rebellion is a vital act of resistance. This isn't about being productive or making a statement; it’s about reminding yourself that you are still alive. I’m Nancy Norbeck, Messy Muse Mentor, and I help exhausted perfectionists find gentle, playful ways to spark expression again. This episode is a call to reclaim your aliveness through small, five-minute acts of "useless" play that keep your head above water. What you can expect from this episode (and this show): 🤦🏻‍♂️ No Pressure: I’ll never tell you to force productivity through resistance. 🤷🏻‍♂️ No Bypassing: We won't ignore reality or live in denial; we reconnect with the parts of reality the headlines miss. 😁 No "Shoulds": This is a sanctuary, not a school. There are no requirements to be an "artist" or produce "good" art. I discuss the logic of demoralization and why staying connected to your joy makes you harder to control. If you’ve been yearning for a space to just be without the pressure to perform, this conversation is for you. Ready to join the rebellion? If this episode resonated with you, please subscribe so you never miss a dose of creative permission. Take Action: If you need a physical space of sanctuary right now, I invite you to join our free Follow Your Curiosity Creativity Circle this Saturday at 3:00 PM Eastern. It’s an online, low-to-no pressure space where you can draw, daydream, or simply exist in a creative community. Join the Free Creativity Circle here (don't forget to confirm your subscription!)

Louise Jameson is a classically trained actress whose first love is the stage—she spent two years with the Royal Shakespeare Company at the beginning of her career—but she also became known to millions of British television viewers through her roles in such hugely popular television series as Doctor Who, Tenko, Bergerac  and  EastEnders. Her recent theatre credits include Vincent River and directing the UK tour of Revenge. Her audio credits include Doctor Who (Big Finish), writing ATA Girl, about the women of the Air Transport Authority during World War II, and  multiple titles for BBC Audio and Audible. Louise talks with me about her unusually young start at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, and how her training continued at the Royal Shakespeare Company, how her Doctor Who character, Leela of the Sevateem, reflected the feminism of the 1970s (and how she didn’t), how she started writing, and what she thinks of the opportunities for—and representation of—women in film and TV over the years. If you want to watch this conversation, you can see it here on YouTube!   Episode breakdown: 00:00 Introduction 04:00 Louise describes childhood creativity, daydreaming, and reading early. 08:00 Drama school, age gap with classmates, and strict discipline. 12:00 Acting requires teamwork; Louise reflects on early career. 16:00 Louise's Shakespeare passion, favorite roles and performance experiences. 20:00 Louise talks about landing Leela role in Doctor Who. 24:00 Doctor Who impacts life daily; gratitude for lasting connections. 28:00 Leela's feminist traits and costume choices, fighting stereotypes. 32:00 Leela's intelligence and evolution, relationship with other companions. 36:00 Influence of audio plays; Gallifrey series has strong female fandom. 40:00 Louise discusses writing, self-doubt, and encouragement from collaborators. 44:00 Directing stage, teaching drama; regrets and living in the now. 48:00 Shakespeare’s rhythmic influence on Louise’s writing and teaching. 52:00 Conversation shifts to social media, attention economy, and technology. 56:00 Louise analyzes Shakespeare’s poetic technique and its storytelling power. 01:00 Louise explains collective magic of live theater and storytelling. 01:04 Progress and ongoing challenges for women in TV and film.   Want more? Here are handy playlists with all my previous interviews with guests in writing, theatre, and Doctor Who.   Check out the full show notes (now including transcripts!) at fycuriosity.com, and connect with me and fellow creatives on Substack. Please leave a review for this episode—it’s really easy and will only take a minute, and it really helps me reach new listeners. Thanks! If you enjoyed our conversation, I hope you’ll share it with a friend.

Ready to break free from unrealistic New Year's resolutions and finally make lasting progress on your goals? Let's take a look at a brain-based approach to achieving your resolutions without burning out or resenting yourself. If the light inside you has gone out and you can’t seem to get it to spark again, the One Lock, One Key Illumination Session may be for you. It's a pilot offer with special pricing for the first 20 people who sign up here.   Want more tips? Check out all my previous Creative Pep Talks in this playlist! Could you leave a review? It's really easy, and it helps SO much. Thanks!  If you'd like to stay up to date on things like my courses and also get podcast and event updates, and my latest musings, subscribe to The Spark! 

We're seeing out 2025 with Jocelyn Hastie, another favorite episode from this year, and well worth revisiting.  I'll be back with some fabulous all-new interviews in 2026! Original release date: May 21, 2025 --- Jocelyn Hastie spent 30 years as an accountant before the combination of a stage 4 cancer diagnosis and a sudden job loss forced a radical turn, leading her to work full-time with horses as a way to foster leadership skills and personal growth. She joins me to talk about why it’s not fair to judge accountancy as boring, how bad management and leadership happens (including her own realization that she was a bad manager), what we lose when we forget the lessons of the natural world and our roots in it, what we can learn from the animals around us—including horses—and more. Read about a lesson I learned from Jocelyn here. Episode breakdown: 00:00 Introduction 04:25 Family influence suppressed creativity; art rediscovered after cancer diagnosis. 08:32 Jocelyn reflects on common misconceptions about accounting creativity. 12:39 Accountants add value, not just boring number crunchers. 16:32 Jocelyn’s career choice influenced by her father and education. 20:06 Radical life change after cancer and job loss in 2016. 24:35 Horses revealed Jocelyn's management flaws; learned new leadership styles. 28:09 Importance of authenticity and boundaries, not pleasing everyone. 32:25 Animals and nature as teachers for leadership and mindfulness. 36:05 Jocelyn describes her non-riding retreats and somatic awareness. 40:34 Emphasizes intentional learning versus just-in-case learning. 44:05 Life shifts can come from crisis or noticing “little knocks.” 48:54 Childhood expectations shaped independence; cancer forced acceptance of help. 52:23 Lessons from herd dynamics and horses’ instinct to regain calm. 56:07 Gestalt coaching emphasizes honoring emotions and shaking off fear.   If you’ve been tearing up when you encounter other people’s art because you’ve lost touch with your own, we should talk. Check out the full show notes (now including transcripts!) at fycuriosity.com, and connect with me and fellow creatives on Substack. Please leave a review for this episode—it’s really easy and will only take a minute, and it really helps me reach new listeners. Thanks! If you enjoyed our conversation, I hope you’ll share it with a friend.

Here's a holiday reminder: it's okay to do nothing while you're off work until the new year. And I hope you have a great time, whatever your holiday looks like! Original release date: May 31, 2023 --- It may sound counterintuitive, but doing nothing can be really good for you. (If you just felt your whole body relax at the mere thought, that's a sign!) I'll tell you why in this short episode. Want more tips? Check out this playlist with all my previous Creative Pep Talks! Get the 6 Creative Beliefs that Are Screwing You Up, plus biweekly updates on what's going on in my world (including upcoming events) for free! I'd love to hear your feedback, questions, and experience with these ideas! Send me a note at fycuriosity.com, or contact me on Post.news, Spoutible, and Mastodon!

Because of the way the December holidays fall this year, I'm doing two Listen Again episodes this month, with two favorite episodes from this year. I hope you'll enjoy this interview with children's author and higher ed fundraiser Robert Constant, whether you're revisiting it or hearing it for the first time. Original release date: January 15, 2025 ----- Robert Constant works in higher education fundraising by day, but his side passion is writing children’s books. He is the published author of two children’s books, Hey Tuskegee! and Hello Grandma!, both of which have spent time on Amazon’s bestsellers lists for their category. Robert talks with me about how your creative dream may change your life—and it may change someone else’s, too; that you don’t have enough energy because you’re not doing your creativity, not the other way around; and the fact that it has never been easier for most people to follow their creative dreams than it is right now. Join us for Make Bad Art starting on January 20 and get 2025 off to a fresh creative start! Details at MakeBadArtCourse.com.  Episode breakdown: 00:00 Introduction 01:18 Dreaming of creating, jazz club inspiration. 09:56 University licensed book for bookstore sale. 14:19 Inspiring Tuskegee history: educate, inspire, acknowledge excellence. 17:27 Positive Tuskegee spirit highlighted through historic pride. 24:25 Writing a book changed my life positively. 31:40 Experiencing book signing events feels surreal. 33:39 Signed a book for an appreciative fan. 38:39 The singular experience of seeing your book for the first time. 46:06 City buzz inspires thoughts on future books. 51:13 Fight for self-control and personal ownership. 56:02 The value of finding the way that works for you.   Want more? Here's a handy playlist with all my previous interviews with guests in writing.   Check out the full show notes (now including transcripts!!) at fycuriosity.com, and connect with me and fellow creatives on Substack. Please leave a review for this episode—it’s really easy and will only take a minute, and it really helps me reach new listeners. Thanks! If you enjoyed our conversation, I hope you’ll share it with a friend.    

This message from last year might not just change your holiday, but also your whole life: If you feel like you've lost the joy in the holiday season, you may be overlooking the very simple secret to finding it. I explain how to reclaim it in this short episode (spoiler: it applies to more than just the holidays!). Want more tips? Check out this playlist with all my previous Creative Pep Talks! Could you leave a review? It's really easy, and it helps SO much. Thanks!  

In this week's pep talk episode, I talked about doing less so you can be more in the moment and create a holiday that feels the way you want it to feel. I've decided to create a weeklong quest to help you do exactly that, and I hope you'll join me.  We start on December 15, 2025, and it's free and open to everyone. Learn more and sign up here.

My guest today is Safiya Robinson, a storylistener, writer, and explorer of creativity. She is the author of two books and the host of the Writing Black Joy podcast, a space that celebrates the joyful narratives of Black creatives. Her work centers joy, authenticity, and the belief that creativity doesn’t need permission. In addition, she is a keen world traveller who uses her writing to explore her experiences and philosophy on life. Safiya and I talk about our perceptions of creativity, what writing does for us, how AI may be interfering with those benefits (and when it can be very useful), the power of putting your work out there, what we’ve both learned from choral singing, and more.   Episode breakdown: 00:00 Introduction 04:07 Childhood experiences with writing, music, and letter writing. 08:11 Discovering creativity as an adult, redefining what creativity means. 12:13 Leaning into creativity, starting a blog at age 39. 16:23 Making space for creativity and keeping it alive. 20:25 The impact of AI on student creativity and writing. 24:08 Outsourcing creativity to AI and the value of writing. 28:08 AI and the creative process. 32:00 When AI is useful for cover letters but not for art. 36:02 The balance between making creativity accessible and keeping human uniqueness. 40:05 The origins of Writing Black Joy. 44:10 The courage required to share creative work publicly and its impact.   Want more? Here's a handy playlist with all my previous interviews with guests in writing.   Check out the full show notes (now including transcripts!) at fycuriosity.com, and connect with me and fellow creatives on Substack. Please leave a review for this episode—it’s really easy and will only take a minute, and it really helps me reach new listeners. Thanks! If you enjoyed our conversation, I hope you’ll share it with a friend.

Ever feel like your creative work has to be perfect every single time? In this episode of "Follow Your Curiosity," I share that elite athletes only succeed half the time—and why creative people should lower their expectations and embrace imperfection, too. Discover how shifting your mindset can help you get unstuck, trust the process, and keep going, even if you miss more "shots" than not. If you believe every project you start has to turn out well, this episode is for you. If watching your kids build a pillow fort makes you wonder where the heck that zany, wild, playful part of yourself went... the Stop Performing, Start Living Reset may be for you! It's a pilot offer with special pricing for the first 20 people who sign up. Contact me for more.

Every year at Thanksgiving and Christmas, I offer up my favorite episodes of the year. This year's Thanksgiving selection is my conversation with force of nature Lizzie Hopley. Enjoy! (Original release date: July 16, 2025) — Actress and writer Lizzie Hopley was born in Liverpool and trained at RADA. As an actress, she has worked for the Royal Shakespeare Company and the Globe Theatre and recent screen work includes Black Doves and upcoming feature film Fackham Hall. As a writer, her radio sitcom Green won Pozzitive TV’s Funny Dot Comp 2021 and TV series Bloody Betty is currently in development. She has written and appeared in over 90 Big Finish audio adventures including Dark Shadows and Doctor Who, and her Doctor Who audio play The Curse of Lady Macbeth won the 2022 Scribe Award. Lizzie joins me to talk about how her childhood love of writing and acting became a vocation, auditioning for RADA—twice—and how she ended up continuing to write even as a drama student, how learning to think of acting and writing as having a target changed her work, and a whole lot more. Episode Breakdown: 00:00 Lizzie Hopley shares her creative childhood and love for books. 04:56 Acting out movie scenes alone sparked early passion for performance. 08:45 Family encouraged storytelling, costumes, and imagination at home. 13:11 Difficulties pursuing creative careers; importance of following passion. 17:33 University and RADA experiences shaped her acting and writing path. 22:24 Writing plays began due to lack of desired acting roles. 27:29 Rewriting and feedback are crucial for improving both crafts. 32:54 Learning to target audience while writing; acting versus writing focus. 37:22 Acting training emphasizes focusing on scene partner, not yourself. 43:48 Importance of editors and learning to kill your darlings. 48:21 Confidence and caring less about others’ opinions increases with age. 53:07 Acting and writing overlap at Big Finish; playing her own roles. 57:16 Big Finish’s community impact, creative freedom, and professional development. 01:02:18 Target books and early Doctor Who fandom as creative inspiration. 01:07:04 Embrace varied interests; open doors for yourself in creativity. Want more? Here are handy playlists with all my previous interviews with guests in writing, theatre, and Doctor Who.   If you enjoyed our conversation, I hope you’ll share it with a friend. Check out the full show notes (now including transcripts!) at fycuriosity.com, and connect with me and fellow creatives on Substack. Please leave a review for this episode—it’s really easy and will only take a minute, and it really helps me reach new listeners. Thanks! If you’ve been tearing up when you encounter other people’s art because you’ve lost touch with your own, we should talk.  

What does it really mean to practice patience—especially when life, creativity, or even a home repair puts you to the test? In this episode, I share candid lessons both from a year of waiting and from my 30 Bad Poems in 30 Days challenge: the struggle to slow down, the urge to keep producing, and why patience might be the most creative tool you can cultivate right now. Whether you're wrestling with a stubborn project or just want inspiration for your own journey, this pep talk is for you.   If watching your kids build a pillow fort makes you wonder where the heck that zany, wild, playful part of yourself went...we should talk! Want more tips? Check out all my previous Creative Pep Talks in this playlist! Could you leave a review? It's really easy, and it helps SO much. Thanks!  If you'd like to stay up to date on things like my courses and also get podcast and event updates, and my latest musings, subscribe to The Spark! 

Meg Hamand has had a heart for storytelling since her first poem was published in an anthology in elementary school. Since then, she’s been published in multiple print and online publications, and her debut novel is the award-winning Diamonds in Auschwitz, which simultaneously tells two stories of love, survival, and hope during World War II. Meg joins me to talk about the challenges of working with dark and difficult topics, such as taking care of yourself and navigating the line between too much and too little for your readers; plotting historical fiction; and how to do historical research. She also gives us a sneak peek into her next book, which is currently in progress. Episode breakdown: 00:00 30 Bad Poems in 30 Days; introduction. 04:42 Meg shares why she loves historical fiction and early writing inspiration. 09:03 Meg describes the origins and themes of Diamonds in Auschwitz. 14:00 Discussion of Terezin, visiting Holocaust sites, and historical accuracy. 18:38 Meg explains researching Terezin, children's art, and real accounts. 23:05 Talking about the heaviness of the subject and book’s emotional impact. 27:03 Exploring character contrasts, children’s resilience, and trauma responses. 32:10 Meg outlines her plotting process, changes during writing, and research. 36:35 Importance of Prague’s setting as character, changes during revision. 42:46 Meg details her next book: Post-Revolutionary Charleston and Shakespeare. 47:26 How classic literature influenced new novel structure and motivation. 51:36 Advice for historical research, blending fiction, and traveling to locations. Join me for 30 Bad Poems in 30 Days!   Want more? Here's a handy playlist with all my previous interviews with guests in writing.   Check out the full show notes (now including transcripts!) at fycuriosity.com, and connect with me and fellow creatives on Substack. Please leave a review for this episode—it’s really easy and will only take a minute, and it really helps me reach new listeners. Thanks! If you enjoyed our conversation, I hope you’ll share it with a friend.

So many of us struggle with procrastination. There are many causes of procrastination—fear of failure, fear of success, perfectionism, comparison, exhaustion, and overwhelm, just to name a few. We often need rest, but procrastination isn't the same--and tends to feed your inner critic, while eroding your motivation and productivity. If watching your kids build a pillow fort makes you wonder where the heck that zany, wild, playful part of yourself went...we should talk! Want more tips? Check out all my previous Creative Pep Talks in this playlist! Could you leave a review? It's really easy, and it helps SO much. Thanks!  If you'd like to stay up to date on things like my courses and also get podcast and event updates, and my latest musings, subscribe to The Spark! 

Kelly Flanagan has been one of my favorite guests, and he'll be back to talk to us again in February. Here's his second appearance on Follow Your Curiosity, in case you missed it or want to revisit it. Please note that the book giveaway mentioned in the episode is no longer available. Original release date: November 9, 2022   ***   When I started this podcast in 2019, Dr. Kelly Flanagan was one of my inaugural guests, and his episode, “The Gifts of Creativity,” remains one of my favorites. Kelly has just published his first novel, The Unhiding of Elijah Campbell, and I wanted to talk to him about how that experience differed from writing nonfiction, and about the book itself. We delve into those questions and various subjects raised by the book, including how we look outside ourselves (and sometimes to our creative work) to find our worth, the value of letting out our wild sides, how the things we do for security often actually undermine us, and how Kelly sees the intersection of spirituality and creativity.  The book giveaway is no longer available. Want more? Here's a handy playlist with all my previous interviews with guests in writing and publishing! And you can find Kelly's first appearance on the podcast here. Check out the show notes at fycuriosity.com, and join the conversation on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter! I also post on TikTok, and you can also listen on YouTube. 

Is multitasking real? Possible? It depends on your definition, but I'd rather talk about how the attempt affects us—why we feel so pushed to do it, and what's the price we pay? I'm sharing my thoughts in this short episode. If watching your kids build a pillow fort makes you wonder where the heck that zany, wild, playful part of yourself went...we should talk!   Want more tips? Check out all my previous Creative Pep Talks in this playlist! Could you leave a review? It's really easy, and it helps SO much. Thanks!  If you'd like to stay up to date on things like my courses and also get podcast and event updates, and my latest musings, subscribe to The Spark!