Escaping the horrors of 9/11 on foot, and coming to terms with the experiences through poetry.

First released in September 2021

What happens when tragedy collides with creativity? Andrea Carter Brown's journey from accountant to acclaimed poet was forever altered by the events of September 11, 2001, when she fled her apartment just one block from the World Trade Center.

Growing up in a home without books or art, Andrea never imagined becoming a writer. "I am the first artist in my family ever," she reveals, crediting her mother for nurturing her love of reading despite not being a reader herself. Though poetry spoke to her unhappy teenage self through Emily Dickinson's words, Andrea followed her natural talent with numbers into bookkeeping, building a successful business career that left little room for creative expression.

The turning point came unexpectedly at a New York poetry reading where "the dam broke" and Andrea began writing poems about her experiences in East Germany. But the most profound chapter in her creative journey began on 9/11 when she witnessed the unthinkable. "I knew I had to flee," she recalls, embarking on a 12-hour odyssey through New York and New Jersey while her husband feared she was dead. The trauma of that day – including respiratory disease from toxic dust exposure – created a profound writer's block that took years to overcome.

Fast forward and Andrea has published a number of poetry collections, including one about her experiences of escaping on 9/11, and the effects of that experience on her and her community in the 20 years in between the event and her publishing the collection, entitled September 12.

In this episode Andrea also reads one of the poems from September 12, that she chose specially for us at Creativity Found.

CreativityFound.co.uk
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Researched, edited and produced by Claire Waite Brown
Music: Day Trips by Ketsa Undercover / Ketsa Creative Commons License Free Music Archive - Ketsa - Day Trips
Artworks: Emily Portnoi emilyportnoi.co.uk
Photo: Ella Pallet

Find out more about the late summer writing retreat

Affordably advertise on this podcast by emailing claire@creativityfound.co.uk, or book a call here.

I would love some financial support to help me to keep making this podcast. Visit buymeacoffee.com/creativityfound

Support the show

Want to be a guest on Creativity Found? Send me a message on PodMatch, here

Podcast recorded with Riverside and hosted by Buzzsprout

Cruise ships, corporate climbing and a creative philosophy

From a young age, Tricia Duffy was immersed in the arts, singing and writing poetry. Leaving school at 16 with no qualifications, Tricia found a way to fulfill her dream of going to America by working on cruise ships, where her passion for entertainment blossomed.

On returning to the UK Tricia transitioned into the television industry, where she faced the challenge of working in a male-dominated environment that often sidelined women's creative contributions. She recounts how her successful career in television left her feeling unfulfilled and disconnected from her creative self.

After experiencing burnout and personal loss, Tricia started her own consulting business, which provided her the flexibility to reconnect with her love for music, as she joined a choir, a covers band, and began writing her own songs.

Tricia applied the philosophy of the 10-year plan, something she had used in corporate environments, to plan for her own creativity, and turned her love for research, and helping others make time for creativity into a podcast called In 10 Years Time: How To Live a Creative Life.

Tricia’s story encourages listeners to challenge their own self-doubt and pursue their passions. As she prepares to embark on a PhD journey, she emphasizes the significance of continuous learning and the joy of living a life dedicated to creativity.

This episode is not just a personal narrative; it’s an inspiring call to action for anyone feeling stuck in their creative pursuits, reminding us that it’s never too late to reclaim our artistic identities and live a fulfilling life.

Find out more about the late summer writing retreat

Affordably advertise on this podcast by emailing claire@creativityfound.co.uk, or book a call here.

I would love some financial support to help me to keep making this podcast. Visit buymeacoffee.com/creativityfound

Support the show

Want to be a guest on Creativity Found? Send me a message on PodMatch, here

Podcast recorded with Riverside and hosted by Buzzsprout

How age and life experiences can reignite artistic passions long buried beneath the weight of societal expectations.

For this episode I had the pleasure of speaking with Sally Fox, a once-aspiring artist turned leadership consultant. After years of letting grades and external validation dictate her creative identity, Sally bravely broke free from the chains of self-doubt. Now in her 70s, she revels in her creativity, embracing art, writing, and performance with newfound vigour.

We discuss the pivotal moment during a flight from Japan that sparked her artistic renaissance, as she realized that her creative essence could no longer be suppressed.

Our discussion also touches on the barriers many face in reconnecting with their creative selves, particularly the pressures of childhood and societal norms that often stifle artistic expression. Sally reflects on her own childhood, where the judgement of others led her to abandon her natural artistic inclinations. Through her narrative, she emphasizes the importance of nurturing creativity in later life, encouraging listeners to reclaim their artistic identities regardless of age. Sally’s insights not only inspire but also challenge us to consider how we can cultivate a more creative existence in our daily lives, reminding us that creativity flourishes when we allow ourselves the freedom to explore, play, and express without fear of judgement.

Whether you’re an artist at heart or someone who has yet to find your creative outlet, this conversation is a gentle nudge to embrace your inner artist and explore the vibrant world of creativity waiting to be unlocked at any age.

creativityfound.co.uk

Instagram: @creativityfoundpodcast
Threads: @creativityfoundpodcast
Facebook: @creativityfoundpodcast and Creativity Found group
YouTube @creativityfoundpodcast

Researched, edited and produced by Claire Waite Brown
Music: Day Trips by Ketsa Undercover / Ketsa Creative Commons License Free Music Archive - Ketsa - Day Trips
Artworks: Emily Portnoi emilyportnoi.co.uk
Photo: Ella Pallet

Find out more about the late summer writing retreat

Affordably advertise on this podcast by emailing claire@creativityfound.co.uk, or book a call here.

I would love some financial support to help me to keep making this podcast. Visit buymeacoffee.com/creativityfound

Support the show

Want to be a guest on Creativity Found? Send me a message on PodMatch, here

Podcast recorded with Riverside and hosted by Buzzsprout