How to Share Creativity

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“Creative people are curious, flexible, persistent, and independent with a tremendous spirit of adventure and a love of play.” – Henri Matisse

I’ve often joked that I have a math brain. But have I mentioned how much of a math geek I am? When I was in college, I loved math so much that I looked through all the engineering majors to see which one required the most math classes. That’s how I ended up with an electrical engineering degree.

Nothing in the more than 30 years after I graduated from college has convinced me that I’m a natural creative. Not the three books I’ve published (because two of which are technical so that doesn’t count, right?), more than 2,000 blog posts I’ve written, or anything else.

Until now.

Because Pia Mailhot Leichter’s book, Welcome to the Creative Club, is a myth-busting, research-based, fantastically inspiring book that will change your perspective and power. The clip below gives a small taste of that.

Vicki Atkinson and I were recently blessed enough to be able to talk with the amazing creative director, entrepreneur, and author Pia Mailhot Leichter on the How to Share podcast.

Pia’s book is an incredible invitation into our own creative power. She beautifully weaves agency and awe together in a way that helps bring us alive again. Pia delivers a reminder to move out of autopilot and a perspective to help with adversity, and everything else!

She tells us the story of how coming undone was a trip back to knowing herself and remembering that she’s the creative director of her life. We talk about creating evidence of our resilience.

Pia’s view of creativity will leave you feeling empowered. Which is part of her mission helping others live and lead from creativity.

Takeaways

  • We often need to lose ourselves to find our true selves.
  • Creativity is a response to life’s challenges.
  • Creativity is not just for artists; it’s for everyone.
  • Embracing uncertainty can lead to greater joy and creativity.
  • Vulnerability fosters connection and understanding.
  • Storytelling is a way to honor our journeys and experiences.
  • Collaboration enhances the creative process and outcomes.
  • We are all natural born creators, regardless of our paths.
  • Reclaiming our creativity is essential for a fulfilling life.

This is a great conversation full of energy and inspiration. Buckle up for a beautiful ride. We know you’ll love it!

Here are some ways you can listen and watch this powerful episode:

Please listen, watch, provide feedback and subscribe.

How to Share Our Luck with Gil Gillenwater – How To Share

In this enlightening conversation, Gil Gillenwater is with host Wynne Leon and shares his experiences and insights from over 35 years of philanthropic work along the US-Mexico border. He discusses his book, 'Hope on the Border,' which highlights the transformative power of education and community service. Gil emphasizes the importance of enlightened self-interest over traditional charity, advocating for a model that empowers individuals and fosters dignity. He explores the duality of poverty, the need for sustainable opportunities, and the joy found in serving others, ultimately presenting a vision for a more connected and compassionate world.TakeawaysEducation is the key to breaking the cycle of poverty.Enlightened self-interest can lead to personal and communal growth.Charity should not be viewed as a sacrifice but as a mutual benefit.Volunteering provides a sense of purpose and fulfillment.Welfare can disempower individuals and communities.Community service fosters connections and shared humanity.The disparity in wealth is a significant issue that needs addressing.Experiencing poverty firsthand can change perspectives.Creating opportunities in one's home country can reduce migration.The joy of service is a pathway to personal happiness.Links for this episode:How to Share homeHope on the Border at AmazonGil's organization: Rancho FelizGil Gillenwater on FacebookWynne’s book about her beloved father: Finding My Father’s Faith; Blog: https://wynneleon.com/; Substack: https://wynneleon930758.substack.com/
  1. How to Share Our Luck with Gil Gillenwater
  2. How to Share 1970's Chicago with Doug. E. Jones
  3. How to Share Feedback with Dr. Vicki Atkinson
  4. How to Share the Next Generation with Mari Sarkisian Wyatt
  5. How to Share Impactfully with Social Media Friends with Amy Weinland Daughters

Transcript for How to Share Creativity with Pia Mailhot Leichter

Links for this episode:

Welcome to the Creative Club on Amazon, Audible and Barnes and Noble

Famished a spoken word album on Spotify

Pia’s site: kollektiv studio

From the Hosts:

Vicki’s book about resilience and love: Surviving Sue; Blog: https://victoriaponders.com/

Wynne’s book about her beloved father: Finding My Father’s Faith; Blog: https://wynneleon.com/

(featured photo from Pexels)

68 thoughts on “How to Share Creativity”

  2. interesting food for thought and a good listen on the way to school this morning. My drive is the perfect length 1/2 hour to think and ponder how I can reach 11 and 12-year-olds and inspire them to be curious.

    Liked by 1 person

  4. I like this approach to creativity FAR MORE than the readings from Dynamics of Creation that we discussed at our philosophy group yesterday. That author’s theory seemed to be that only people with extreme psychological pathologies are truly creative. Grrr!!

    Liked by 1 person

  5. Wynne, I didn’t know this about you. How cool! I was a fellow math nerd, making up word problems for fun, a proud Mensa kid, and always in the top 5% on national standardized tests. I truly loved math… until Calc II in college flipped that script! Also, I really appreciate how you described weaving agency and awe; it’s such a true and life-giving combination. Thanks for sharing!

    Liked by 1 person

  6. Creativity takes many forms, and is the enemy of routine. I am not sure how many have the gift, but probably more than use it, some because they are afraid. But here is a question for the moment, not about the self: how does creativity apply to resistance?

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Applying Pia’s definition that creativity is how we respond to life’s challenge to resistance I think is perfectly apt. Being creative about how we respond is way more effective that believing we can’t do anything. Thanks, Dr. Stein!

      Liked by 1 person

      1. I hope this and similar questions are asked of those who might advise those who are attempting to defeat the unfolding police state.

        Like

  7. I love this perspective! It’s so refreshing to hear creativity framed as something for everyone, not just “artists.” I especially love the idea that creativity can be a response to life’s challenges and a way to reclaim our own power. Definitely adding Pia’s book to my reading list—sounds like such an inspiring ride!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thanks for the great comment, Sajida! It is such an INSPIRING read – I know you’ll love it. If you think about how we creatively respond as parents on a daily basis, we have so much to draw from!

      Liked by 1 person

    1. That’s what I thought too, Dana! Our conversation was so inspiring and energizing that I’ve been living in the glow of it ever since it happened. Love all the people and thing that connect us back to our natural states!

      Liked by 1 person

  14. I love this! The myths continue to put people in boxes they don’t belong in. Years ago when I told people I was an artist, they rolled their eyes and proclaimed that I was no good at problem solving, being organized or even being capable of living a normal life. I kind of always resented their projected thoughts, so I set out to prove them wrong.

    I discovered that the people who are best at problem solving and creating organization out of chaos are in fact very creative for it requires a person who can pull together seemingly random data or things, and organize it into a very understandable system.

    I learned to tell people that I was indeed fact a creative problem solvers.

    It’s also a myth that we’re either left brained or right brained. I prefer to use the whole brain, thank you very much my detractors! 😉

    Compartmentalizing ourselves means we reduce ourselves. Embracing the whole picture allows us to grow and stretch in brand new ways!

    Liked by 2 people

  16. “When I was in college, I loved math so much that I looked through all the engineering majors to see which one required the most math classes.” This made me laugh Wynne. We’re as far as two people can get on Math … but love that we have kindred hearts when it comes to creativity. Yes, it’s open to everyone! 🤣🤭🤭😎😎😎

    Liked by 1 person

  22. This was a comforting conversation to listen to, like a bowl of chicken soup, on a very rainy sopping wet commute to work.

    I love Pia’s perspective and journey and how she courageously distilled her life into a 30-pound backpack to see the world after her big life change. The Trans-Siberian train ride is on my bucket list too. I can smell that sauerkraut and BO – not too far off from my commute right now TBH 🤣.

    Love also the perspective on creativity and how life itself is the greatest muse and we’re seated on the director’s seat with our jar of blue M&Ms. So much good stuff on this episode!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Raining? Oh, I’m so glad we were along for your ride, Ab. I’m howling about your commute and the trans-Siberian having some commonalities. Hope you had a lot of blue M&Ms for the trip! 🙂 Thanks for tuning in, my friend! Love your takeaways!

      Liked by 1 person

  23. Almost immediately tuning in to Pia, I was so impressed with her observational and descriptive skills. The smells of the man on the train, the first moment of walking into Beijing (with more smells, too). We were created in our parents egyptian sheets. I mean, it just pours out of her. I love how we can take a negative and use it, reframe it to move forward; how to live creatively in everyday decisions. She is fascinating. Thanks Wynne and Vicki for this chance to listen to a creativity genius (and I don’t use that word lightly.)

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I love the things you highlight, Melanie! Pia is fascinating — you said it perfectly. Talking with her was just so powerful so I’m glad that came across as you listened. She got me fired up — and I love your comment because it has so much positivity resonance that keeps building!! Thank you!!

      Liked by 1 person

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