Courageous Introspection Leads to Bold Creativity With Crystal Waddell

“Accomplishing goals is not success. How much you expand in the process is.”

This quote from Brianna Wiest perfectly explains this week’s episode.

This is the first interview I’ve done with a guest in almost a year.

So I’m super excited to share it with you.

Crystal was generous enough to be the first guest to experiment with the new episode format.

We both shared very personal stories from our lives & businesses.

Honestly, this is one of my favorite episodes.

Crystal is a genius SEO Content Marketer and the founder of Collage & Wood.

She is the co-host of the podcast Simple and Smart SEO Show.

You can learn more about her here.

I hope you enjoy this week’s episode!

P.S.

If you’re ready to unlock the doors to the marketing genius inside of you…

…then you’re a perfect candidate for our Immersion Program.

We don’t believe in spoon-feeding people answers.

We believe in giving you the tools & skills you need to discover your own solutions.

So if you’re ready to unleash the storyteller within you then come join us.

Here are the details:

https://tomearl.me/dcminvite

Listen to "Courageous Introspection Leads to Bold Creativity With Crystal Waddell" on Spreaker.

Art, Culture, and Dopeness With Marium Rana

Original Air Date: May 25, 2018

Art, Culture, and Dopeness.  That’s this week’s episode with visual artist Marium Rana. 

Oh, and we talked about Black Panther, AFI, Ramadan and fasting, racism, the impact of art, creativity and courage, being yourself, and tons and tons of brilliant quotes from Marium. 

We laughed A BUNCH and we even talked about the bald eagle American pride tattoo that I have. 

Here’s just a snapshot of Marium’s awesome life: 

Marium Rana is an American-born Pakistani visual artist, who works primarily in ink and aqueous media. She has curated numerous art exhibitions throughout the United States.  She served as the design chair for TEDxFSU.

Be sure to do your patriotic duty and listen to this weeks’ FIRE episode with Marium Rana (say that last part super loud and like a MC bringing someone to the stage).

tomearl.me/acd

Listen to "Art, Culture, and Dopeness With Marium Rana" on Spreaker.

Inspiration & Creativity On Demand

The famous villain we all call: “writer's block.”

This week we’re exploring misconceptions and biases and answering these questions:

👉 Is writer's block real?

👉Can we be expected to create “on demand”?

I’ll cut to the chase… my answers to both are YES.

I’ll admit, perhaps we can’t all just create genius-stand-the-test-of-time works of art on command each time.

But to create the extraordinary we need to go through the ordinary every day.

If we only create when we have a “flash of insight” we might be waiting a long time.

Because creativity is rarely glamorous or sexy. It’s hard work, practice, and pushing through the “mental blocks” that come up.

If creativity is required in any way in your craft then this episode is for you.

There’s even practical tips and reflections on how you can tap into your creativity on demand.

Spoiler alert: turns out every single one of us uses creativity every day.

Let’s do this. 

🎧 Listen now: www.tomearl.me/icd

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Discovering Your Effortless State

“Burnout is not a badge of honor. It is true that hard work can equal better results. But this is true only to a point…

All too often, we sacrifice our time, our energy, and even our sanity, almost believing that sacrifice is essential in and of itself...

...what if, instead, we took the opposite approach? If instead of pushing ourselves to, and in some cases well past, our limit, we sought out an easier path?”

—Greg McKeown

A few week’s ago we explored McKeown’s book Essentialism and this week we jump straight into his follow up book, “Effortless: Make It Easier to Do What Matters Most.” 

Personally, I love grit. 

And hard work. 

And sweat. 

That feeling when I’m in the zone, where everything just flows and all time and surroundings disappear.

Then there’s the feeling where there are a million to-dos on a very long list and I’m waking up in the middle of the night, exhausted, but still feeling the push to get up and start crossing things off that list. 

Then I read these words from Effortless: “Relaxing is a responsibility.” 

Wow.

How does that sit with you? Kind of uncomfortable right? 

I invite you to take this journey together into how we can reach that effortless state while dedicating more of our time to what truly matters to each of us. Because I’m working on it and I think we’re both going to get so much out of it.

Let’s do this. 

🎧 Listen now: www.tomearl.me/es

P.S. You can learn more about Greg McKeown’s book here:

Listen to "Discovering Your Effortless State" on Spreaker.

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Creativity is: Kind, Weird, & A Raucous With Adaora Nwandu Earl and Cet Mohamed-Moore

Creativity can get kinda weird.

And that’s a good thing.

We talked about that and more with this week’s guests.

We got two super creative humans on this special episode where the amazing Cet Mohamed-Moore and Adaora Nwandu Earl.

We explored whether art comes from instinct and how over time you evolve into new versions of yourself.

And how to oldly show up as your full self in life and in what you create.

Catch the fun as we dive into the process of creating on a regular basis.

Since we are all creatives, one way or another, no one should miss the inspiration that came out of this session.

When asked to describe themselves in 6 words or less…

Adaora said: kind. enthusiastic. determined. ambitious. focused. Fun.

Cet said: loving, creative, loyal, weird, protective, and curious.

📲 Wanna hang out with our guests on social media? Go to Instagram for Cet and Adaora.

🎧 Ready to listen to the creative?

Hit Play.

Go to www.tomearl.me/ac

Listen to "Creativity is: Kind, Weird, & A Raucous With Adaora Nwandu Earl and Cet Mohamed-Moore" on Spreaker.

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Creativity Is: Invigorating, Fierce, & Becoming With Dania Ayah Alkhouli & Abstract C.I.M.

What’s more empowering than creativity?

This episode explores how when we tap into our creative side, we become invigorated.

We become fierce. 

And all of us have the ability to tap into our unique creativity.

Our guests, Dania Ayah Alkhouli and Abstract C.I.M. really dive into these topics, sharing what drives them to create meaningful art. 

I am especially inspired by how Dania and Abstract are able to use their art to create change, build a movement, and raise awareness. 

In 6 words or less, Dania describes herself as: “Syrian. Perfectionist. Fierce. Dedicated. Thoughtful. Loyal.”

In 6 words or less, Abstract describes herself as: “Passionate. Creative. Empathetic. Love. balancer. Becoming.”

Ready to listen? Let’s go!

Learn more about Dania here.

Learn more about Abstract here.

​​Listen to "Creativity Is: Invigorating, Fierce, & Becoming With Dania Ayah Alkhouli & Abstract C.I.M." on Spreaker.

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Creativity Is: Passionate, Laughter & Difficult Conversations with Intisar Seraaj and Mitch Del Monico.

Where there is laughter, creativity also exists. 

Creativity is more than just the art on your wall. It’s also what we tap into as we maneuver difficult conversations. 

So then what is Passion? → Creativity’s best friend. 

...And that’s just the tip of the iceberg according to this week’s guests: Intisar Seraaj and Mitch Del Monico! These phenomenal return guests get super deep each time they’re with us. 

In this episode, Intisar and Mitch continue helping us by exploring the question: “What does it mean to be a Creative?”

Get ready to explore your unique creativity. 

In 6 words or less, Intisar describes herself as: “Confident. Creative. Passionate. Loving. Loyal. Trustworthy.”

You can learn more about Intisar here.

In 6 words or less, Mitch describes himself as: “Laughter gets me through it.”

You can learn more about Mitch here.

Listen to "Creativity Is: Passionate, Laughter & Difficult Conversations" on Spreaker.

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My Special Birthday Episode: Reflections, Vulnerability & Celebration

It is my birthday week! 

Each year, I dedicate a podcast episode to speak reflections out loud. 

To give sound to the inside, 

So that vibrations can become lessons learned.

Wisdom is earned, 

Creativity burns bright through consistency. 

To be here for another year is a blessing.

Take the risk and go for it, 

Or spend your 365th-day second-guessing. 

Accountability over blame. 

I’m grateful for the losses

and the gains. 

For the downwind ease

And the uphill pain. 

There is a release of worry,

When you can learn to taste the rain. 

Each misstep a new campfire story. 

The hurricane 

And the boring. 

Even amidst the turbulence 

Finding pockets of stillness. 

I give thanks 

For the new smiles shining with brilliance.

I see now I’m supposed to feel all of this. 

No hiding. 

Sadness.

Mourning.

And then in the morning.

There you are everywhere. 

In the air, 

Alive in our memories. 

Truly, 

It is a blessing. 

To be here for another year. 

InshAllah. 

Will you join me? 

In celebrating my birthday?

I’d like to request a gift. 

Will you share with me:

A memory. 

A story.

Of how we met, 

Of a time our lines crossed.

A moment we connected. 

It would mean the world to me. 

Thank you for being a part of my journey. 

Listen to "My Special Birthday Episode: Reflections, Vulnerability & Celebration" on Spreaker.

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New Year. Who are you?

Do our behaviors influence our identity? Or does our identity influence our behavior?  

And how do thoughts and feelings play into the mix? 

Here’s what we can say for sure - self-awareness is powerful.

As we begin this new year, I invite you to start with this question: who are you? 

What are the ideals you are going to live by this year? 

When you’re stressed, your moral compass is challenged, and your energy is low, what ethos is going to sustain you? 

On this week’s episode, we walk through specifically designed exercises that are intended to help you create a vision for who you want to be. 

We’ll start by constructing the mottos and ideals that make up your best self. 

For example, here are three of my ethos I live by:

Courage Over Fear. 

Creativity Over Regurgitation. 

Consistency Over Perfection.

Don’t let this be one of those things you bookmark and never return to. 

Allow yourself the gift of intention today. 

It will provide the foundation for you to cultivate your best self. 

Let’s do this. 

Hit play.

Listen to "New Year. Who are you?" on Spreaker.

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