Creative Space with Jennifer Logue

Do you ever feel the pull of an unexplored creative venture? That's exactly the feeling I had a year ago when Creative Space  was nothing but an idea sparked in the heart of the pandemic. Today, we're celebrating an entire year of our journey into creativity. We'll be reminiscing about the birth of this podcast, influenced by my journalism background and a burning passion for creativity. More than just a platform for sharing insights about creativity, this podcast has morphed into a personal chronicle of my rekindled journey as an artist.

As we celebrate this milestone, I'll be sharing some candid learnings from my first year as a podcaster. Tune in as we discuss the demanding time commitment of running a podcast, the need for consistency, the joys of the creative process, and the unexpected personal revelations the podcasting journey triggers. This episode is a treasure trove of tips, lessons learned, and a healthy dose of inspiration for anyone on the brink of starting their own podcast.

Enjoy :)

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To become a patron of the Creative Space Podcast, visit: https://bit.ly/3ECD2Kr.

SHOW NOTES:

0:00—Introduction

0:48—The spark of the idea

2:07—How the podcast quickly evolved

2:58—The amount of work involved

3:47—Consistency

5:18—Allowing your podcast to evolve

6:36—Getting personal

7:30—Learning about yourself

8:32—Thoughts on social media

9:18—Perfection vs. progress

On today’s episode of Creative Space, we have the pleasure of chatting with Christopher Macken, an award-winning writer-director, based in Los Angeles. Having graduated from Emerson College in 2015, Christopher broke into the industry assisting actor-writer Charlie Day on projects like Fist Fight, Pacific Rim: Uprising and Cool Kids. This year, Christopher served as a Co-Producer on Fool’s Paradise, Day’s feature film debut starring Day, Ken Jeong, Kate Beckinsale, and many others. Apart from his work with Day, Christopher recently released his own short film that he directed and wrote, For the Safety of Theo, which is currently in the festival circuit. He also co-created The Gamer and the Mouth, a video game/stand-up comedy show, releasing in Cinemark theaters Oct 7th.

We cover so much ground in this episode, including how Christopher worked his way up from actor’s assistant to Associate Producer to Co-Producer on Day’s feature film debut. We also talk about the importance of getting personal with the art we create. As an example, Christopher’s latest short film, For the Safety of Theo, raises awareness about OCD and sexual intimacy, a topic that most are too scared to talk about. As someone living with OCD, Christopher hopes to raise awareness through the film as well as to help others living with OCD know that they’re not alone.

Finally, we also talk about the origin story behind, The Gamer and the Mouth, which stars Youtuber Jacksepticeye and SNL’s Chris Redd.

For more on Christopher Macken, visit: directorchrismacken.com.

To sign up for the weekly Creative Space newsletter, visit: eepurl.com/h8SJ9b.

SHOW NOTES:

0:00—Introduction

2:00—The writer’s strike and life in LA

3:50—Growing up in Massachusetts

6:58—The influence of Kevin Smith, Todd Phillips and Lonely Island

9:27—What writers can learn from standup comedy

11:31—Deciding to become a film director

15:40—Chris’ definition of creativity

19:11—The role of a film producer

22:30—Have a good attitude and be of service to the project. 

25:13—How Chris initially connected with Charlie Day

35:09—It’s not overnight success, it’s a marathon. 

36:03—Working as a Co-Producer on ‘Fool’s Paradise’

37:56—J. Todd Anderson and storyboarding

44:34—‘For the Safety of Theo’ and raising awareness about OCD

49:45—The importance of making art that’s personal

52:05—”I can help people through my art.”

58:00—What’s next for ‘For the Safety of Theo’

1:00:59—What is ’The Gamer and the Mouth?’

1:03:49—Partnering with Jacksepticeye and SNL’s Chris Redd

1:06:00—What’s next for Chris? 

On today’s episode of Creative Space, we’re going to talk about what to do when someone tells you to quit. I got inspired this week after going through this myself.

As artists, it is inevitable that we face criticism. Whether constructive or non-constructive, these comments can impact our creative process, sometimes causing us to question our dreams and passions. But, what if we could turn this adversity into an opportunity for growth? What if we could use criticism as a fuel for our artistic journey rather than letting it extinguish our creative spark?

I delved into my personal encounter with non-constructive criticism and the profound impact it had on me. The sting these words can leave is a testament to our vulnerability as artists. However, rather than allowing it to hinder our creativity, we can chose to view it as a lesson in resilience, and even use it as fuel for our next piece of work.

Link to Adam Sandler Interview with Brad Pitt
Link to story behind Taylor Swift's song, "Mean"

To sign up for the weekly Creative Space newsletter, visit: eepurl.com/h8SJ9b.

SHOW NOTES:

0:00—Introduction

0:32—Being on the receiving end of non-constructive criticism

2:20—Why criticism hurts sometimes

3:06—What to do when someone tells you to quit

3:13—Remember that your dreams are between you and God

4:04—Consider the source

4:45—Phone a friend

5:09—Adam Sandler being told to quit

5:30—Honor your progress

6:00—Forgive the naysayer

6:15—Remember why you started

6:39—Keep going

6:53—Taylor Swift’s song, “Mean”

7:16—Closing 

On this episode of Creative Space, we meet the creative team behind ‘10 Days in a Madhouse,’ a world premiere opera making its debut at Opera Philadelphia this Thursday, September 21st.

Inspired by the audacious exploits of 19th-century reporter Nellie Bly, who faked madness in 1887 to report on the conditions of Blackwell’s asylum from the inside, the opera is brought to life by composer Rene Orth, librettist Hannah Moscovitch, director Joanna Settle, and conductor Daniela Candillari. 

Together, the creative team  reveals their creative process and the elaborate path to the birth of ‘10 Days in a Madhouse’— from the first spark of inspiration to its realization on stage.

To buy tickets to '10 Days in a Madhouse,' visit: operaphila.org.

To sign up for the weekly Creative Space newsletter, visit: eepurl.com/h8SJ9b.

SHOW NOTES:

0:57—Introduction to ‘10 Days in a Madhouse’

2:30—Meet the Creative Team: Rene Orth, Daniela Candillari, and Joanna Settle

3:00—Deciding on a career in the arts

7:00—Coming together for ‘10 Days in a Madhouse’

9:30—What is creativity?

15:30—What inspired you to do this opera?

17:55—What do you love about Nellie Bly’s story?

19:15—What Daniela loves about Rene’s music

20:55—We look to history to inform us about our present.

24:45—The role of a librettist and composer in opera

25:27—Bringing words and music together

28:00—Rene on rewriting a key scene after becoming a mother

29:42—What Rene loves about working with Hannah

31:30—Joanna’s role as a director

34:00—The question that makes Joanna want to get to work

37:05—Daniela’s role as the conductor

39:00—Opera is a hyper-collaborative form.

41:50—The importance of a strong team in opera

43:30—What’s it like making a world premiere opera?

44:50—Rene’s favorite scenes

45:30—Why a work is never complete

47:25—”Artists can articulate the hard things.”

50:30—Message Rene wants to convey

52:52—”No one does what Opera Philadelphia does."

55:27—What’s next?

On this episode of Creative Space, I share my top five actionable tips to create—even when you absolutely don't feel like it. You'll discover how to acknowledge and honor your emotions, the magic of using a lack of motivation as a creative ingredient, and the power that can come from making a habit of pushing through and doing the work anyway. 

I'll also talk about Steven Pressfield's concept of "creative resistance" from his book, 'The War of Art' as well as my own struggles battling creative resistance. 

Whether you're a musician, filmmaker, artist, or any creative spirit, these strategies are sure to help you break free of the resistance chokehold. Let's navigate through this maze together and turn those low motivation days into golden opportunities for growth and learning. 

For more on me, visit: jenniferlogue.com.

To sign up for the weekly Creative Space newsletter, visit: eepurl.com/h8SJ9b.

To become a patron of the Creative Space Podcast, visit: bit.ly/3ECD2Kr.

SHOW NOTES:

0:00—Introduction
0:55—Steven Pressfield's concept of resistance
2:50—5 tips to push through on low motivation days

Creativity— it's not just a hobby, it's your lifeline to happiness. Imagine, just by setting aside an intentional time slot for a passion project or a creative task, you can significantly boost your well-being and reduce stress.

On today's episode of Creative Space, I'm sharing an insightful journey into the magical realm of creativity, referencing three compelling studies that reinforce its positive impact on our lives. From the power of a simple creative task to uplift mood, to the lower stress levels reported by people in creative professions, and even the therapeutic power of art for those battling with health issues, the science behind creativity is awe-inspiring.

As we wade into the practical side of things, there's a treasure trove of effective strategies waiting for you. I'll guide you through techniques to integrate creativity into your everyday life, even amidst the busiest of schedules.

Don't let your passion projects collect dust— let's make them a part of your daily life.

For more on me, visit: jenniferlogue.com.

To sign up for the weekly Creative Space newsletter, visit: eepurl.com/h8SJ9b.

To become a patron of the Creative Space Podcast, visit: bit.ly/3ECD2Kr.


SHOW NOTES:

0:00—Introduction

0:30—Why it’s important to make time for creativity

0:48—Studies that show positive impact of creativity

2:58—Tips on making time for creativity

Are you ready for an upgrade in the way you perceive your creativity? In our latest episode of Creative Space, it's all about embracing a transformative perspective: the growth mindset. I'll walk you through the process of cultivating this mindset, equipping you with the tools to turn your intelligence, abilities, and talents into learnable skills that can adapt and evolve.

Discover the power of staying present, seeing errors as learning curves, refining your work, and building resilience. Look at failures with a new lens and understand how these supposed 'roadblocks' are actually stepping stones in your creative journey. 

So, tune in to this enlightening conversation, and  see how you can better embrace a growth mindset in your creative journey. 

Don't forget to share your thoughts, experiences, and leave a review wherever you listen to your podcasts—your support is much appreciated!

SHOW NOTES:

0:00—What is a growth mindset?

2:00—Staying present

2:38—Seeing mistakes as learning opportunities

3:30—Refining the work

4:45—Helps you build resilience

5:54—Helps you develop patience

7:15—Helps with decision making

8:08—Makes you a better collaborator

On today’s episode of Creative Space, we have the pleasure of speaking with Jimmy DiResta, a New York-based designer, builder, and maker who’s often referred to by fans as the “Maker Godfather.” A virtuoso craftsman, Jimmy has been working with tools from a very young age and followed that passion to study and later teach at the School of Visual Arts (SVA)  in New York City.

His creative journey has taken him from the classroom to toy making (remember Gurglin’ Gutz?)  to two decades in television, after successfully pitching his first show with his brother, “Trash to Cash.” (His latest TV show, “Making Fun,” is currently available on Netflix and we cover the origin story for that as well.)

Today, he inspires his two million YouTube followers to make and create for themselves, with behind-the-scenes footage of his day-to-day work.

Apart from getting a glimpse into Jimmy’s life before television and YouTube, we cover so much ground, including the impact of technology on creativity, Jimmy’s process when it comes to creating content for social media, and the importance of maintaining a childlike curiosity in creativity and in life.

For more on Jimmy, visit: jimmydiresta.com and follow him on YouTube at jimmydiresta.

To sign up for the weekly Creative Space newsletter, visit: eepurl.com/h8SJ9b.

To become a patron of the Creative Space Podcast, visit: bit.ly/3ECD2Kr.

SHOW NOTES:

0:00—Introduction

2:45—Jimmy’s literal creative spaces in his life so far

6:53—Growing up in Woodmere, NY 

8:10—When Jimmy first started working with tools

9:52—The influence of his dad with carpentry and technology

11:40—Creating content before the digital revolution

13:47—”I want to inspire my audience to make and create.”

15:30—Stepping out of your comfort zone

19:45—Studying (and later teaching) at SVA

28:35—The success of the toy, Gurgling Gutz

32:00—Consistency is the only way you develop an audience.

34:00—Jimmy’s definition of creativity

38:00—Why art is important

40:45—The 3 artists he’d  listen to on a deserted island

41:42—What drives Jimmy as a maker?

43:00—His thoughts on the impact of technology on creativity

46:39—On developing content for YouTube

50:00—Sam Jones shoutout

51:15—What’s a typical day like?

55:40—On buying a house with a graveyard

58:15—How the  ‘Making Fun’ TV show came about

1:02:00—Jimmy’s first TV show and collaborating with his brother

1:04:00—On starting his YouTube channel in 2011

1:09:00—What’s next for Jimmy?

1:11:00—His advice for creatives

On today’s episode of Creative Space,  we have the pleasure of chatting with Jonathan Sposato, a renowned entrepreneur with an impressive track record in the tech and publishing industries. He’s the co-founder of Geekwire, CEO of PicMonkey, owner of Seattle Magazine, as well as the founder and acting editor-in-chief of JoySauce, Jonathan’s latest project that aims to increase American Asian representation in popular culture.

Sposato shares his unique approach to creativity, which involves merging unlikely elements to create something extraordinary. He emphasizes the importance of learning from our mistakes, the exhilarating baptism by fire that comes with starting a company, and the balance between humility and confidence. Drawing from his experiences working with Bill Gates, he provides valuable insights into the art of balancing confidence and humility and finding fulfillment in creativity.

For more information on JoySauce, visit: joysauce.com.

To sign up for the weekly Creative Space newsletter, visit: eepurl.com/h8SJ9b.

To become a patron of the Creative Space Podcast, visit: bit.ly/3ECD2Kr.

SHOW NOTES:

0:00—Introduction

2:17—”I always wanted to do multiple things.”

4:39—The alchemy of creativity

9:38—The freedom in his formative years

11:50—”It’s only by doing that you figure it out.”

12:40—Getting inspired by Star Trek

19:40—Growing up feeling less than 

24:16—The meritocracy of the early tech industry

28:35—His studies at Whitman College

31:22—Becoming an entrepreneur at 21

35:00—The move to Microsoft and working with Bill Gates

42:00—Jonathan’s definition of creativity

47:14—Balancing multiple projects

49:00—The dangers of FOMO

55:00—Digging into JoySauce

1:10:00—Technology and AI

1:16:00—What’s next for Jonathan

On today’s episode of  Creative Space, we have the pleasure of chatting with Alix Rübsaam.  She  is a researcher in the philosophy of technology and the Head of Curriculum and Expertise at Singularity. Currently based in Amsterdam, she investigates the societal and cultural impact of exponential technologies, including something that’s on the mind of a lot of people right now—artificial intelligence or AI.

We cover so much ground in this episode, including that AI as a concept is nothing new. From Descartes comparing the human body to clockwork to Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein and the “spark of life” from electricity,  we have a tendency as human beings to view ourselves in relation to the most ubiquitous  technology of the time. These days, that view is computational.

Alix gives us the lowdown on this latest “AI summer”—when it began, when AI first became a buzzword, and whether or not artists and makers should be fearful of the new technology.

We also talk about where AI gets its data from and the bias that can occur, which she believes is the greatest challenge in the AI space right now.

A few books mentioned in this episode:

Frankenstein—Mary Shelley

Necromancer—Gordon R. Dickson

Snow Crash—Neal Stephenson

Player Piano—Kurt Vonnegut

For more on Alix, visit: su.org/experts/alix-rubsaam.

To sign up for the weekly Creative Space newsletter, visit: eepurl.com/h8SJ9b.

To become a patron of the Creative Space Podcast, visit: bit.ly/3ECD2Kr.

SHOW NOTES:

0:00—Introduction

2:11—Growing up in Amsterdam

6:56—From science fiction fan to AI thought leader

9:17—The influence science fiction has had on technology

17:12—AI summers and AI winters

18:56—How technology shapes how we view ourselves

24:17—Alix’s definition of creativity

28:28—What a typical day is like for Alix

30:56—Where does AI get its data?

33:00—The problem with bias and AI

37:30—What’s the purpose of AI-generated art?

38:25—The automation of creativity

44:23—AIix’s biggest hopes for AI, creativity and representation

52:25—What’s next for Alix

Given this is Independence Day weekend, the subject of freedom has been on my mind, and since this is Creative Space, I wanted to talk about freedom within the context of creativity and being an artist. 

The big idea? I think too much freedom can be a bad thing in the creative process.

Listen to the episode to find out why and let me know your thoughts.

You can reach out to me on social @jenniferlogue or visit my website at: jenniferlogue.com. 

If you like the podcast, be sure to show your support by leaving a review wherever you get your podcasts.

SHOW NOTES:

0:00—Introduction
0:57—The excuses we make
01:37—Total freedom is not required to be creative
03:31—5 reasons too much freedom can be a bad thing for a creative

On today’s episode of Creative Space,  we have the pleasure of chatting with Christian Carl, executive creative director, copywriter, artist, author, musician and entrepreneur.

He most recently served as the Global Executive Creative Director for 160/90, with a client roster that included Lowe’s, Anheuser-Busch, University of Arizona, Marriott, Audi and Reebok.

Apart from his 32-year career in advertising so far, Christian has a number of creative projects outside of work, including his children’s book series, Land of Lots.

We cover a lot of ground in this episode, including how to lead creatives, the importance of having a creative outlet outside of agency life, and Christian’s creative process. 

For more on Christian Carl, visit: thechristiancarl.com.

And for more on Land of Lots, visit: thelandoflots.com.
To sign up for the weekly Creative Space newsletter, visit: eepurl.com/h8SJ9b.

SHOW NOTES:

0:00—Introduction

1:53—Growing up in Elkhart, Indiana

4:38—Early influences: cartoons, fashion and sports

7:30—Losing gracefully, winning gracefully and the importance of hard work

9:00—How Christian ended up in advertising 

10:25—From selling car phones door to door to his first agency job

12:13—The creative path is a scribble

13:51—”I know it’s right when it’s easy to write.”

16:00—There’s a reason you’re hitting that block. 

17:45—How to tell you have a great idea

19:00—Doubting yourself is part of being creative. 

20:35—Rick Rubin and Steven Pressfield shoutout

21:13—Getting to work on Volkswagen 

27:13—Christian’s definition of creativity

30:15—Advertising is like archaeology 

32:00—Christian’s creative process

35:00—The struggle in advertising for a creative

39:30—The work can never come before the people

45:45—The importance of staying creative outside of work

50:36—Two decades of working with PETA

55:33—The power of a great idea

58:00—Getting inspired to create ‘Land of Lots’

01:08:00—”Everything doesn’t have to be amazing and everything can’t be.”

01:12:00—Where Christian sees advertising going

01:18:00—What’s next for Christian

On today’s episode of Creative Space, we have the pleasure of chatting with Mariano Mattei and Fabian Farina of Four Olives Productions, a Philadelphia-based production company that has produced over 10 films and won over 26 film awards from festivals all over the world. Their first feature, One Night, is currently streaming on Amazon Prime and their second feature, Sacrum Vindictae, recently had its theatrical premiere. 

I always like to say, “Friends who make stuff together, stay together,” and Mariano and Fabian have such a beautiful creative friendship that has spanned decades, from their early years growing up together in South Philly to their first band—which stayed together for 20 years!

These days Mariano and Fabian are focused on film, and in the last six years they’ve produced over 10 films through their company Four Olives Productions.

We cover a range of topics, including their unlikely friendship (at first), making the transition from music to the world of film, and the keys to a great collaborative relationship. 

For more information on Four Olives Productions, click here.

To sign up for the weekly Creative Space newsletter, visit: eepurl.com/h8SJ9b.

To become a patron of the Creative Space Podcast, visit: https://bit.ly/3ECD2Kr.

SHOW NOTES:

0:00—Introduction

2:00—Growing up in South Philly

4:00—Mariano’s musical family

4:46—Being 4’9’’ as a highschool freshman

6:12—Learning how to fight back

7:27—”I wouldn’t change growing up in South Philly for anything.”

8:08—What is “deadbox?”

12:28—How Mariano and Fabian first met

14:55—Life before cable and the internet

15:30—As kids, Fabian was jealous of Mariano initially

19:00—Fabian joins the army and Mariano starts writing letters to him

17:15—How Mariano and Fabian’s friendship began

21:45—Mariano’s band that almost made it big, The Edge

23:05—Fabian joins Mariano’s new band

26:39—Learning the drums in 3 months

28:09—”Performing live is better than any drug that you can ever have.”

29:24—The transition from the band to making movies

32:17—”With acting, I can be whoever I want.”

36:12—’One Night’ was our film school. 

38:26—The budget for the first film. 

39:25—Lessons learned from their first feature film

35:31—The day Fabian decided to write a movie

40:58—Preparation is key

46:01—The importance of backstory in creating characters

50:12—Mariano and Fabian’s definition of creativity

54:27—What drives them as artists

58:00—”You either want someone to love it or hate it.”

59:00—The keys to a great collaborative relationship

1:04:11—’Sacrum Vindictae’

1:10:00—What’s next?

On today’s episode of Creative Space, we have the pleasure of chatting with John Faye, a recording artist, producer, and recently retired songwriting professor from Drexel University in Philadelphia, whose career spans over four decades. His various music projects—the Caulfields, John Faye Power Trip, IKE, John & Brittany, and his solo works― have yielded over eight hours of recorded music, song placements in film and TV, and  radio airplay.

With the release of his book, The Yin and Yang of it All: Rock n Roll Stories from the Cusp As Told By a Mixed Up, Mixed Race Kid, John can also add author to his list of creative achievements.

We cover a range of topics in this conversation, including the incredible highs of being one of the only Asian American rock musicians in mainstream 90s rock. We also talk about arguing for the validity of the music middle class, which often gets overlooked in today’s fame-obsessed society.

For more on John Faye, visit: johnfaye.com.

To sign up for the weekly Creative Space newsletter, visit: eepurl.com/h8SJ9b.

To become a patron of the Creative Space Podcast, visit: https://bit.ly/3ECD2Kr.

SHOW NOTES:

0:00—Introduction

1:19—Meeting at Mariano + Michelle’s

4:42—John’s early life growing up in Delaware

6:41—Getting inspired by his family creatively

10:44—Being mesmerized by the B52’s

12:30—Writing song parodies as his first outlet

13:18—There was a songwriter in me before I played an instrument

17:09—It’s never too late for anything

18:26—Dealing with racism from an early age

23:29—Getting signed to A&M records at 27

29:30—Asian  representation back then vs. today

31:40—”We don’t know how to market you.”

35:18—Back-handed compliments + preferring to be invisible 

39:59—John’s definition of creativity

44:30—Plans to adapt the book for the stage

46:30—Where John finds inspiration

51:57—The importance of being a good observer

54:54—The inspiration for ‘The Ying and Yang of it All’

1:00:00—Doing do diligence on memoir writing

1:09:00—Arguing for the validity of the music middle class

1:14:00—Maintaining the artist life for the long haul

1:15:59—What’s next?

On today’s episode of Creative Space, I’m sharing a new step in my creative journey: freeing my voice. For 8 long years, I didn’t talk about my epilepsy diagnosis publicly, and repressing it had a lot of unintended consequences, including blocking my creative flow.

I hope my experience and insight can serve to help anyone else out there who may be feeling stuck creatively.

I only went public about my epilepsy a month ago, with an article I wrote called “What Living With Epilepsy is Really Like,” and you can read that here if you’re interested.

The minute I took that scary step, I felt so much freer. Like a huge weight was lifted off of me.

And the more I allowed myself to examine the impact of hiding my story, I saw how it changed my whole creative trajectory—I gave up music slowly, which really hurt my soul. (If you’re interested in hearing about this, check out the podcast episode all about it, “The Impact of Epilepsy On My Creative Journey.”)

So now, I’m in the process of freeing my voice, both physically (by working with a vocal coach for the first time in decades) and creatively (by being unafraid to write through what I’m going through).

I also found a little inspiration on the day of recording this podcast when I listened to Jay Shetty interview Paris Hilton about her memoir, and how she turned pain into purpose. His podcast is incredible, one of the best, and this episode is so powerful. You can listen here.

For more on me, visit: jenniferlogue.com.

To sign up for the weekly Creative Space newsletter, visit: eepurl.com/h8SJ9b.

To become a patron of the Creative Space Podcast, visit: https://bit.ly/3ECD2Kr.

SHOW NOTES:

0:00—Introduction

0:54—The freedom of opening up about epilepsy

1:20—The fears I fought through

2:25—We all heal in different ways at different paces

3:11—How giving up music chipped away at me

4:13—Burying my own voice

5:00—The journey to reclaiming my voice

5:22—In vulnerability comes healing and empowerment

5:32—Jay Shetty + Paris Hilton interview about turning pain into purpose

6:37—How sharing our story can create a better world

7:40—Asking God for guidance 

7:57—Getting on the mic at Ron DiSilvestro’s Studio 4 Workshop

9:00—Making the decision to resume vocal training

9:21—Freeing my emotional AND physical voice

10:00—Why we should all train our voice to open up creatively

On today’s episode of Creative Space, we have the absolute pleasure of chatting with Shadae Lamar Smith, an old friend of mine who is doing incredible work in film.

As Creative Director for the Grammy Award winning artist and entrepreneur, will.i.am, Shadae has directed a number of music videos and branded spots, including his music video for “FIYAH.” He also directed the short film “Miss Famous,” starring Kristen Wiig and Jimmy Kimmel, which screened at a number of festivals. Shadae’s upcoming feature film, Throw it Back is currently in development.

On the podcast, we talk about the importance of exploring things you’re passionate about, not letting ego get in the way of opportunity, and so much more.

For more on Shadae, visit: shadaelamarsmith.com.

To sign up for the weekly Creative Space newsletter, visit: eepurl.com/h8SJ9b.

To become a patron of the Creative Space Podcast, visit: https://bit.ly/3ECD2Kr.

SHOW NOTES:

0:00—Introduction

0:58—How we met

2:43—Shadae’s early life

5:13—Don’t let your training limit you

8:40—Transitioning from acting to directing

14:30—Shadae’s definition of creativity

18:24—How creativity comes into play as a director

23:34—A day in the life of Shadae

27:18—Staying motivated

32:13—From receptionist to creative director

34:32—The importance of lowering the ego

37:30—The director should be the strongest collaborator

39:08—Shadae’s favorite directors

41:44—Working with will.i.am

43:43—Working with Kristen Wiig and Jimmy Kimmel

46:30—Best practices for bringing a writer’s vision to life

48:16—’Throw it Back’

49:30—The future of the film industry

53:02—Advice for aspiring directors

On today’s episode of Creative Space we have the pleasure of chatting with Lebohang Kganye, a South African visual artist whose work is currently on display at the Barnes Foundation. The exhibition, Tell Me What You Remember, explores apartheid in South Africa, and the generational divide between those who lived through it and a new generation in South Africa, born during the transition to democracy.

Lebohang’s work spans different mediums, working in photography, dioramas and film, to name a few. She describes her art as “a practice,” and presents her family’s stories alongside the larger context of South Africa’s history.

With today being Mother’s Day, it would be remiss of me to not highlight one piece in particular in our conversation, Ke Lefe Laka, that continues Lebohang’s conversation with her late mother. Translating to “my legacy” or “my inheritance,” this series of moving portraits connects past and present and can only be fully experienced by seeing it in person.

Tell Me What You Remember is on display at the Barnes through May 21, so there’s still time.

Also, Lebohang has an exhibition that just opened in Cologne, Germany at the Rautenstrauch Joest Museum.

For more on Lebohang Kganye, visit: lebohangkganye.com. 

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To become a patron of the Creative Space Podcast, visit: https://bit.ly/3ECD2Kr.


SHOW NOTES:

0:00—Introduction

3:01—Growing up in South Africa’s moment of hope

8:15—Finding inspiration from theater, poetry

10:30—The impact of David Goldblatt’s Market Photo Workshop

13:30—”I always felt like art chose me.”

15:10—What drives Lebohang as an artist

17:00—Her definition of creativity

19:26—The trouble with looking for a project

25:00—A day in the life of Lebohang

29:22—Greatest challenges so far

30:22—Growing as an artist and her Cologne exhibit

35:32—’Tell Me What You Remember’ at the Barnes

38:28—The influence of Muthi Nlhema’s book ‘Ta O’reva’

42:00—Continuing the conversation with her late mother

45:00—The meaning of “direto” and its role in preserving black family history

47:40—Being the lightkeeper of her family’s legacy

49:19—How does it feel to share your story with the world?

50:33—What’s next for Lebohang

52:15—Advice for aspiring artists

On today’s episode of Creative Space, we’re going to dive into the two most basic creative types: hawks and hummingbirds.

In my creative journey so far, I’ve encountered people who fall into one of these two categories.

Could there be more? Most definitely. Could we be both hawks and hummingbirds at different periods in our lives? Of course. I myself have had that experience.

But I wanted to bring up this concept today because I think it may be helpful for any creatives out there who have a natural inclination to explore different mediums.

More often than not, it’s frowned upon and seen as failure or quitting.

I encourage you to see the hummingbird approach to creativity to be equally as valid and necessary as the hawk approach.

Would love to know what you think, so feel free to reach out over social media @jenniferlogue or my website: jenniferlogue.com.

To sign up for the weekly Creative Space newsletter, visit: eepurl.com/h8SJ9b.

To become a patron of the Creative Space Podcast, visit: https://bit.ly/3ECD2Kr.

SHOW NOTES:

0:00—Introduction

0:30—The two foundational creative types 

1:33—The hawk approach to creativity

2:54—The hummingbird approach to creativity

4:21—My transition from hawk to hummingbird

6:00—Society’s issue with changing direction

8:09—Hawks and hummingbirds need each other

On today’s episode of Creative Space,  we have the pleasure of speaking with fashion expert and style director of Dressing Jane, Alisa Frederico. A lover of fashion and personal style from a young age, Alisa's career in retail and fashion spans over 25 years at companies like Aldo, Scunci, and URBN. Today through Dressing Jane, Alisa has become a sought after consultant, runway emcee and on-air expert doing everything from personal shopping and closet merchandising to editorial styling. 

In the conversation, we talk about the power of fashion to boost our confidence and level up our lives. We also discuss Alisa’s journey working on the corporate side of the fashion industry before launching her own venture.

For more on Alisa Frederico and Dressing Jane, visit: dressingjane.com. 

To sign up for the weekly Creative Space newsletter, visit: eepurl.com/h8SJ9b.

To become a patron of the Creative Space Podcast, visit: https://bit.ly/3ECD2Kr.

SHOW NOTES:

0:00—Introduction

1:15—How we first met

1:32—The athleisure cover story

3:09—Alisa’s early life and career aspirations

6:08—The influence of mom and Madonna

7:00—Making fashion her life’s work

9:42—Alisa’s career before Dressing Jane

13:24—Lessons learned working for other brands

15:21—Why influencers need real world work experience

18:22—The creative process of a style director

21:00—Inspiring confidence through fashion

24:52—The important role fashion plays

27:31—Launching Dressing Jane

32:34—The evolution of fashion

34:26—Fashion advice for someone with little time

35:30—Let Instagram be your moodboard

39:01—Three fashion rules to live by

40:49—Advice for aspiring stylists

42:34—What’s next for Alisa

On today’s episode of Creative Space,  we have the pleasure of chatting with Melissa Joseph, an opera singer who is making her debut as Musetta in Opera Philadelphia’s spring production of La Boheme, which premieres this Friday. 

Over the course of her career so far, she’s been awarded the Kristin Lewis Foundation Young Artist Award, was a 3rd place winner in Orchestra Noir International Virtuoso Concerto Competition, a Top 10 Finalist in the Franco-American Vocal Academy (FAVA) Grand Concours Competition, as well as a recent district winner of the Minnesota District Met Competition.

We cover a range of topics, including growing up in an immigrant household, her Haitian heritage, the role faith has played in her career, being accepted as a black soprano and of course, what it’s like working with Opera Philadelphia.

For more on Melissa Joseph, visit: melissajosephsings.com.

To purchase tickets to La Boheme, visit: operaphila.org.

To sign up for the weekly Creative Space newsletter, visit: eepurl.com/h8SJ9b.

SHOW NOTES:

0:00—Introduction

1:13—What is a lyric soprano?

2:45—Growing up in Atlanta in a Haitian household

4:35—The fifth love language

6:12—The resilience her parents taught her

7:15—All it takes is one yes

8:27—The influence of Marian Anderson

9:20—Learning to balance pressure with grace

12:39—What is an art song?

15:06—Melissa’s definition of creativity

16:30—The role faith plays in her career

22:09—The day-to-day life of an opera singer

23:00—Being an artist and having a day job

27:00—Giving yourself time to rest

28:00—The greatest challenge she’s faced so far

29:00—The greatest rewards

30:30—Making her Opera Philadelphia debut

34:14—Melissa’s favorite scene in La Boheme

36:45—Being accepted as a black soprano

37:15—Where is opera going in the next 10 years?

38:30—What’s next for Melissa