Heartful: living a wildly creative life

It can be easy and wonderful and rainbow-laden to create when conditions are perfect. It can also be hard to get yourself to create even when you have ideal conditions, so what about when LIFE inevitably happens and you just wanna hide under the covers, throw in the towel, play the victim? How can you keep your creativity alive both in a formal sense, and in the sense of taking an active role in creating your life on purpose when so much is outside your control? In this episode you’ll learn: -how to use creativity as an escape and a balm to heal your own wounds and get you through tough times (even if that seems like an impossible fantasy right now) -easier-than-you-think changes to your creative biz to support your freedom and flexibility so LIFE can happen without everything crumbling -the steps to being an active creator when life throws you hard curveballs--death, diagnosis, health trouble, and unexpected setbacks Mentions: $50 off the Love Soaked Family Photography Course with code '50offyas' : https://brookeschultz.kartra.com/page/lovesoaked50 http://brookeschultzphotography.com/webinar/

We all want to feel better, right? More of those beautiful feelings, more connection, more creativity? And yet, we stay stuck in our same patterns and thoughts without a path to change. In this episode Jesh De Rox brings his decades of studying joy, human emotion, philosophy and art to discuss how we can create more of the emotions we want to create so we can create more of the art we want to create. Jesh is the founder of Kindred, a creative meditation retreat, Superfeel which is a method for photographers to draw emotion out of their subjects, and creator of much more beauty you can follow him over at @jeshderox on ig. In this episode we cover: -the 3 things that need to happen to tap into true joy -the only reason people like art -the process for generating the emotions you want to feel on demand -we also get into some deep waters like the illusions of self and relationship, and how recognizing them can boost your creativity Mentions: Jesh de Rox: https://www.jeshderox.com/ Kindred: http://k-i-n-d-r-e-d.com/intro Superfeel: https://superfeel.com/ http://brookeschultzphotography.com/webinar/

We know about superfoods in nutrition--foods that are nutrient dense and give you tons of health bang for your eatin’ buck. But what about superfoods to nourish your creative life? We can feel full whether we’re eating nutrient rich superfoods or crackers and soda; the same is true of our creative lives. In this episode you’ll learn: -the two flavors of creativity “superfood” and why you need ‘em now -how to incorporate new habits without getting overwhelmed -how to tap into inspiration + flow states more often for max creativity Mentions: Florence Williams the nature fix: http://www.florencewilliams.com/the-nature-fix Forest bathing: https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2017/07/17/536676954/forest-bathing-a-retreat-to-nature-can-boost-immunity-and-mood Cold therapy benefits: https://2mealday.com/article/cold-therapy-incorporate/ http://brookeschultzphotography.com/webinar

Wow, wow. My guest for this episode is someone i’ve admired for a long time and getting to talk to him about something we both care so deeply about--creativity + answering your creative calling--was a thrill I'm so excited to share with you. Chase Jarvis is an artist, an entrepreneur, an innovator and a creator of so many incredible resources and the work he’s doing in the world is spreading change i am just stoked to get behind. He started out as an action sports photographer, photographing campaigns for brands like Apple, Nike, and Red Bull, and then he created an app called Best Camera which was the first photo app to share images to social networks, and he’s the founder of creative live which is an online learning platform for all kinds of creativity with billions of minutes of free streaming video--CreativeLive was the biggest resource i used when i was first starting out in photography, i can’t even quantify how much i learned there. This whole big list of chase’s accomplishments? It's just scratching the surface of his innovations so this episode is gonna be a game changer m’friends. In this episode you'll learn: -Chase's memorable, tangible way to distill the creative process (use this whenever you're feeling overwhelmed or stuck!) -why your creative path is a compass, not a map (and why that’s way more fun) -how to know when to champion your ideas as an innovator and when to let them go -the surprising truth about accomplishing huge things creatively Tag us both on ig @chasejarvis and @brookebschultz and let us know what your biggest takeaway is! Buy a copy of Creative Calling: https://www.amazon.com/shop/brookebschultz?listId=16BFB7LJ9ABI2&tag=aiponsite-20&linkCode=ic5&cv_ct_id=amzn1.idea.16BFB7LJ9ABI2&cv_ct_pg=storefront&cv_ct_wn=aip-storefront Learn more about the book + access special bonuses: https://creativecalling.com/ Chase's work + podcast: https://www.chasejarvis.com/ Creative Live online learning: https://www.creativelive.com/ http://brookeschultzphotography.com http://brookeschultzphotography.com/webinar

Carrie is an artist, photographer, and graphic designer. She came to me because she felt pulled in too many directions and felt she was going nowhere as a result. Can we get Carrie some clarity and focus in creating a business around one or all of her passions? In this episode we work through Carrie's creative blocks + gain insight for what's holding YOU back in your own creativity! Mentions: Book a creative strategy session with Brooke: http://brookeschultzphotography.com/heartfulsesh/ Carrie on instagram: @carrie.ann.hall

A creative life consists of an array of moving parts, and we can often get lost in the weeds and forget the VERY most important thing in creativity. It’s deceptively simple: do the work. Make the creations. CREATE. And yet, there are so many ways we mess this up and get it wrong. In this episode you’ll learn: -the most common traps that hold creators back from doing the work -hidden dangers that keep creators in ruts, stuck, and lead ‘em to burnout -surprising places to cut the fat so you increase your capacity to make more work Chase Jarvis Creative Calling: https://www.amazon.com/shop/brookebschultz Marie Forleo: https://www.marieforleo.com/ Free 5 step framework for shooting families: http://brookeschultzphotography.com/webinar/

Miesh is a wardrobe stylist, photographer and fashion blogger who’s not your typical fashion blogger, she has a great eye for vintage and secondhand finds, she’s very thoughtful about the process and the ‘why’ behind why we wear what we wear. She marries the fantasy world she creates in her editorials with the real-life world of dressing and you’re gonna love her romantic but practical approach. We have to interact with clothes every day. Do you use the power of clothes intentionally, or are you in autopilot? Dressing is an opportunity to express your creativity and Miesh of @mieshclothing is here to show you how! The best news is that you can do it without spending a lot of money, falling into vanity, or putting yourself in a box. Her romantic, playful approach coupled with actionable takeaways is gonna rock your pretty socks, m’friends.   In this episode you’ll learn: -how to use clothes to support yourself emotionally -the biggest mistakes people make in fashion  -how to dress more intentionally without spending a lot of money or becoming ultra vain -how to manage big life changes that also require big wardrobe changes (having a baby, getting a new job, etc.) Mentions: http://mieshclothing.com  https://www.instagram.com/mieshclothing/ http://brookeschultzphotography.com/webinar/

Mentors help you see the forest through the trees, give you perspective and the kick in the booty you need to take your creativity to the next level. But what about imaginary mentors? Before, during and after real-life mentoring relationships, successful peeps of all kinds have interacted with imaginary mentors. It’s a simple thing you can do too that will boost your clarity and inspire you to take more action so you can CREATE more, boo! In this episode you’ll learn: -How to assemble your roster of imaginary mentors and the one person EVERYONE should include -How to interact with your imaginary mentors and when to kick ‘em out of your mentoring cabinet -How being mentored in your mind puts you in an altered state so you can get unstuck way faster Mentions:  https://prsuit.com/finding-imaginary-mentor/ https://yesandyes.org/2013/08/my-imaginary-mentors.html Lewis Howes School of Greatness podcast: https://lewishowes.com/blog/ Heartful episode 19: What to look for in a creative mentor: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ep-19-what-to-look-for-in-a-creative-mentor/id1438076373?i=1000427844212 http://brookeschultzphotography.com/webinar/

Boredom is almost extinct in our modern lives + we’re paying the price in our creative work. If you’re bored with your creative output, the ironic cure might be actively seeking out boredom, white space, and wandering. But HOW can we include these when we hafta get.stuff.done? And when does wandering become just avoiding our creative work and giving into resistance? In this episode you’ll learn: -why giving yourself breaks + white space isn’t just a luxury but is absolutely necessary -why your relationship with time is messed up + how to fix it so you can enjoy the entire process more (in life and art) -the easy-peasy baby step to take now to get more boredom + white space into your life -how wandering aimlessly can amp up your creativity (just ask creative big shots like Walt Whitman, Henry David Thoreau, Aristotle, and Beethoven) Mentions: https://time.com/5480002/benefits-of-boredom/ https://qz.com/1020976/the-scientific-link-between-boredom-and-creativity/ Wander society book: https://www.amazon.com/Wander-Society-Keri-Smith/dp/0143108360 Small move, big change book: https://www.amazon.com/Small-Move-Big-Change-Microresolutions/dp/0670015342 The Big Leap by Gay Hendricks: https://www.amazon.com/Big-Leap-Conquer-Hidden-Level/dp/0061735361/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2B8IRZE4N3FGH&keywords=the+big+leap+by+gay+hendricks&qid=1568229959&s=books&sprefix=big+leap+gay%2Cstripbooks%2C209&sr=1-1 http://brookeschultzphotography.com/webinar/

Starting over holds all kinds of power for unleashing your capacity to create. But how do you know when to persevere and when to start over? What’s the difference between quitting and starting over because it’s in your creativity’s best interest? And how do we find the courage to start over when it doesn’t make any sense and everyone thinks we’re crazy pants? In this episode you’ll learn: - How to start over on an individual creation (the right way) - How starting over on a big project or abandoning an idea is the key to long term clarity - What to do if you’re sure you’re on the completely wrong track and want to blow up everything in your life - How to start over in long term relationships and why everything we think we want in relationships is wrong Mentions: FREE MASTERCLASS for photographers: http://brookeschultzphotography.com/webinar/ Positive Writer http://positivewriter.com/starting-over-is-essential-to-your-creativity-and-success/ Anne Lamott Bird by Bird: https://wrd.as.uky.edu/sites/default/files/1-Shitty%20First%20Drafts.pdf

For this episode my MOM is in the house! (Everyone who has a podcast prob figures out a way to get their mom on but in this case she is doing me a huge favor bc this woman is a genius.) She is a mindfulness and meditation teacher + a writer and in this episode we’re gonna tell you why mindfulness is literally magic for improving your creativity both in your formal creative thing AND in creating your life. In 20 min/day or even less with ZERO side effects you can get so many amazing amazing results. Wanna drastically reduce or eliminate your anxiety + depression, BOOM, mindfulness. Wanna manage your negative thoughts? Mindfulness. Wanna get the courage to write that book, put that creation out into the world? Mindfulness, baby! In this episode you’ll learn: -how mindfulness changes our brains (geekin out science style AND applyin’ it to your creativity right away!) -how to transform your inner critic into your inner BFF and why that’s gonna skyrocket your creativity -tapping into the wisdom of the body to access the two main processes needed for creative output -the counterproductive habit that’s squashin your ability to create and how mindfulness can help -why you need more than just a random meditation app to get all the benefits of mindfulness (but it’s totes doable!) Mentions: Free masterclass for photographers: http://brookeschultzphotography.com/webinar/ Free 1 min mindfulness practice: http://kimberlybeecher.com Free online MBSR course: https://palousemindfulness.com/ Harvard mindfulness study: https://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2011/01/eight-weeks-to-a-better-brain/

Sharing your work can be fun, or it can be drudgery. Where do you want your creations to live, and how do you want people to experience them? Whether you want more outlets for your work to grow your creative biz or simply as a next step in your creative journey, this episode’s gonna help you think about sharing your work in a whole new way. In this episode you’ll learn: -how to know if you’re ready to share your work (and the hack to move yourself along if you’re not ready) -the new way to think about sharing your work that will getcha EXACTLY what you want -out-of-the-box ideas and platforms to share your work with the people who need it most -the ultimate filter guide to new outlets and opportunities for sharing your work (bye bye overwhelm!) Mentions: FREE MASTERCLASS for photographers: http://brookeschultzphotography.com/webinar Mathematician and NFL player John Urschel interview: https://www.goodlifeproject.com/podcast/john-urschel/ American Airlines success history, from the book Loonshots: https://www.wsj.com/articles/loonshots-review-in-praise-of-wild-ideas-11552950159 https://www.amazon.com/Loonshots-Nurture-Diseases-Transform-Industries/dp/1250185963/ref=sr_1_2?keywords=loonshots&qid=1565897691&s=gateway&sr=8-2

“Making the simple complicated is commonplace; making the complicated simple, awesomely simple, that's creativity.” -charles mingus “The main thing is to keep the main thing the main thing.” -stephen covey Being creative isn’t about being weird for the sake of being different or adding fluff or random things to differentiate your creation. The most admired creations in the world are simple. Coco Chanel’s LBD, mona lisa, Bach’s music. Harness the power of simplicity to maximize the impact of your creations. In this episode you’ll learn: -2 clarifying questions to simplify your creative process -what a ‘minimum effective creation’ is and how to use it to ramp up your creativity both in your main niche and in new forms of creativity -how fun contributes to simplicity -the one ironic thing you absolutely need to access simplicity Mentions: FREE MASTERCLASS for photographers: http://brookeschultzphotography.com/webinar Business Management Leadership Tips https://www.theguardian.com/media-network/2015/nov/17/creative-simple-business-management-leadership-tips Brendon Burchard High Performance Habits: https://www.amazon.com/High-Performance-Habits-Extraordinary-People/dp/1401952852/ref=sr_1_2?crid=2Z00EJIF4XV6R&keywords=high+performance+habits&qid=1565382402&s=gateway&sprefix=high+performance+hab%2Caps%2C434&sr=8-2

If you feel like you have no shortage of ideas but at the end of the day you don’t have a lot to show for all your ideas, that your problem is not in GENERATING creative ideas but in following through and bringing those ideas to life, this episode is for YOU. In this episode imma show you why productivity and focus tips are gonna mean absolutely zilch without this one thing, how to pinpoint EXACTLY why you’re not following through with an idea or goal, and the easy-to-remember endlessly repeatable hailed by successful people everywhere tools to make your follow-through skillz soar, baby. Mentions: Free masterclass for family photographers! http://brookeschultzphotography.com/webinar/ Marie Forleo Great opportunities vs. time wasters: https://www.marieforleo.com/2011/07/great-opportunities-vs-time-wasters/ Pomodoro method: https://www.eofire.com/podcast/abbiperets/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pomodoro_Technique

I am freaking good at celebrating. Learn to make celebration a key part of your creative process in art and in life so you can create what you truly want. In this episode you'll learn: -9 ways to boost your creativity with celebration. -different types of celebration(it's not just throwin a party) -the answer to the question, don’t super successful super creative people just constantly create, isn’t celebration kinda a waste of time if you wanna get a lot of stuff done in your life? AND 3 ways to celebrate RIGHT NOW along with 3 ways to celebrate big goals and big deals. Mentions: Free webinar: 5 Step Framework for Shooting Families http://brookeschultzphotography.com/webinar Sara Blakely: https://www.businessinsider.com/the-blakely-family-dinner-table-question-2015-3 Alison Faulkner’s guided gratitude practice: https://thealisonshow.com/podcasts/awesome-with-alison-ep-24-im-freaking-grateful-a-gratitude-practice-to-help-you-love-your-life/ Brendon Burchard High Performance Habits: https://www.amazon.com/High-Performance-Habits-Extraordinary-People/dp/1401952852 Ep 32: Gratitude: creativity’s secret lover https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/ep-32-gratitude-creativitys-secret-lover/id1438076373?i=1000435219272 Meg Cox the book of new family traditions: https://www.amazon.com/Book-Family-Traditions-Revised-Updated/dp/0762443189/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=the+new+book+of+family+traditions&qid=1564613523&s=books&sr=1-1 Mark Sisson on School of Greatness: https://lewishowes.com/podcast/mark-sisson-building-a-200-million-dollar-personal-brand/