Episodes

Andrea Holmes didn’t always believe art could pay the bills. After stints in catering, restaurants, and even TV, she embraced her true calling as a muralist. Now known as “the Bird Lady,” she supports herself and her daughter...

Boldness opens doors that talent alone cannot. This truth radiates through Imani Black's journey from a tiny North Carolina high school to becoming a multi-faceted creative force in Dallas. With refreshing candor, Imani shares how she transformed from the teenager who boldly announced to her entire…

What happens when you grow up as "the outcast among outcasts"? Photographer Curtis Tran joins us to share how being one of only three Asian students in his East Texas high school shaped his approach to creativity, community, and belonging. Curtis takes us on a journey through his unique upbringing …

What does it take to build a restaurant empire with heart? Mico Rodriguez reveals the answer through his extraordinary journey from washing dishes at age five to creating Dallas's beloved Mi Cocina restaurants. Growing up in ...

What happens when a high-powered tech executive trades boardroom meetings for a canvas and paintbrushes? Kevin Whitehurst's journey from 33 years in healthcare technology to becoming "The Art Health Nut" reveals powerful less...

What if your clothing choices were a gateway to personal transformation? In this conversation with stylist Carla Biasi, "The Closet Queen," we uncover how authentic style isn’t about trends… it’s about unlocking your value an...

Creativity isn't just a nice-to-have skill—it's as essential as oxygen, water, and food for meaningful human existence. Artist Patrick Williams draws from decades of experience to reveal how our natural creative abilities become "colonized" as we grow up, often leading to what he calls "creative co…

Send us a text What happens when traditional artistic boundaries dissolve and diverse creators come together? Renuka Rajagopalan answers this through her groundbreaking work with the Garage Arts Project in Plano, Texas. Our conversation reveals how creativity thrives at the intersection of discipli…

Send us a text What happens when we stop running from our pain and instead race toward it with open arms? In this soul-stirring conversation with artist Mark Russell Jones, we discover how embracing our deepest wounds can transform not just our art, but our very humanity. Mark's journey into authen…

What does it mean to live a life driven by boundless curiosity? Surtzy takes us on an extraordinary journey through her creative existence, where each day brings a new project and every experience becomes potential artistic f...

"You've got to have the fire." These words from metal artist Eric Breish capture the essence of the creative journey—that inexplicable burning passion that pulls you back to your craft even after declaring "I'm done" just a day before. Eric's path to becoming a full-time artist winds through unexpe…

What happens when you create art purely from your soul, without worrying if it will sell? For Christi Meril, that authentic approach became the foundation of a thriving artistic career she never planned to have. In this capti...

The way you live your life is an act of art. This profound truth forms the foundation of our conversation with writer Jennifer Locke, who shares how creativity became the organizing principle guiding her journey—from shy coll...

Sara Sparky Baumann's creative journey demolishes the myth that artists must struggle financially. Born into a family of artists but pushed toward traditional careers by her Iranian mother, Sara pursued occupational therapy while nurturing her art on the side. The pandemic became a turning point—wi…

What happens when a creative refuses to choose between passion and practicality? Tony Hale III, professional actor and corporate tech professional, shatters the myth that artists must struggle or sacrifice to pursue their cra...

What happens when we refuse to fit the mold others created for us? Keke Brooks, a musical theater performer and psychology student, joins us for a soul-stirring conversation about turning pain into passion through creative ex...

Ever dismissed your natural talents because they come easily to you? That’s exactly what creativity coach Jill Allison Bryan wants you to stop doing. "When we do something well or have done it a long time, we discount it," sh...

Anna Irvine's life trajectory changed forever when her Bulgarian aunt delivered a simple but profound diagnosis during her darkest mental health struggle: "You don't have a community." This revelation sparked a transformative journey from corporate rigidity to becoming one of Dallas's most passiona…

What happens when your passion collides with cultural expectations? Mukund Kuntimad's journey from computer science student to professional animator reveals the transformative power of persistence and creative community. Growing up with Indian immigrant parents in Texas, Mukund faced the subtle pre…

A revolutionary approach to mental health emerges through Sherry James's powerful concept of "Creating Mental Wealth." Drawing from her 30+ years in corporate America and personal journey through profound loss, Sherry introduces us to a framework that transforms how we understand our emotional well…

What happens when you stop giving your power away to other people's opinions and fully embrace your creative self? April Chavez, host of the Wellness Driven Life Show and CEO of Driven Living LLC, shares her remarkable journey from survival mode to creative thriving in this illuminating conversatio…

In a world that often celebrates individualism, Marissa Heyl's creative entrepreneurial journey reveals something profoundly different: the extraordinary power of community. As program manager for SMU's Social Impact Lab and founder of multiple ventures, Marissa shares how connection has fueled her…

Rich Wright's powerful journey from darkness to hope will resonate with anyone who has struggled with mental health while pursuing artistic passions. After surviving a suicide attempt and twelve weeks of intensive treatment, Rich realized traditional psychiatry couldn't provide the answers he neede…

When 12-year-old Amber Goodwin discovered glass painting in Pakistan, she couldn't have known her creative journey would require breaking free from cultural expectations, an arranged marriage, and toxic artistic communities before finding her authentic voice. Growing up in a traditional household w…