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

Turning trauma into art when the ocean closed.

First released in December 2021

Leanne’s father took her snorkelling when she was young, and she fell in love with the ocean then. As a teenager that culture became something she pulled away from because of its associations with a traumatic experience, the details of which her brain blocked out to protect her. Even though she was drawn to the ocean, she didn’t go in, and didn’t understand why.

Eventually Leanne decided to try surfing just once, while on a break in Mexico. She loved it, but when she got back to her home town of San Diego those associations returned. Luckily she stumbled across a surf therapy group, Groundswell Community Project, that gave her back the joy of surfing and helped her face, navigate and integrate everything she had experienced.

So what happens when a pandemic hits and you are told you can’t go in the ocean? In Leanne’s case a form of artistic expression is released, which completely surprised her, and she has continued to embrace and develop.

CreativityFound.co.uk
Instagram: @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

I'm excited to introduce you to the Multispective Podcast, where real people share their stories, much like we do here at Creativity Found.

Hosted by Jennica Sadhwani, Multispective delves into diverse perspectives on society and culture, showcasing personal narratives that tackle life's challenges head-on.

Hear more about what to expect and, if you’re looking for a podcast that gives voice to the unheard and celebrates human growth and the courage to live authentically, find Multispective wherever you get your podcasts.

Listen to Multispective Podcast here, or on any podcast platform.

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

Replacing the rigidity of council architecture with the vibrancy of bespoke hat design.

Janice Charles is the CEO of House of Charles, a bespoke hat-design business that thrives on making the seemingly impossibe, possible.

Janice's father instilled in her a belief that she could achieve anything she set her mind to, an ethos illustrated by the unique, architectural headwear she now designs for her clients and that is featured internationally in couture magazines.

Before she got to this point, however, Janice faced a challenging period of ill health linked to workplace stress, but it was through this struggle that she experienced a 'happy accident' that pushed her towards her true calling.

Her initial foray into millinery design started as a personal project to customize a hat for a race day, which quickly got her noticed and encouraged her to further explore this side of her creativity. Drawing from her childhood experiences and her father's encouragement, Janice embraced her creativity.

Her bespoke creations, which blend her architectural background with a flair for the unconventional, have garnered attention and admiration, and in thias episode Janice encourages listeners to embrace their unique creative journeys, emphasizing that even from the depths of hardship, beauty and inspiration can blossom.

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

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

Initially skeptical about pursuing a career in film, Tyler Schwanke's younger, practical self chose to take a journalism course at college. However, his true calling in film and storytelling beckoned, and he tried out a number of programs, before completing his mixed degree.

After college, back in his high-school bedroom at his parents' home, Tyler needed to earn some money, and took a security job, where in his mind he began planning a fantasy of how an aspiring filmmaker might make some money – through nefarious means – to fund his passion.

Moving into a recruitment role, Tyler's employer offered funding for further education, and since he had begun dabbling in writing, Tyler took the opportunity to learn more about the craft.

Tyler's first published novel, Breaking In – an evolution of his earlier heist fantasy – was not the first he wrote, and in this chat we explore the challenges and triumphs of Tyler's creative process, as he reveals the value he gleans from feedback and self-critique.

Tyler’s personal anecdotes about balancing his writing with a full-time job and the support of his wife paint a vivid picture of the grit and perseverance required to succeed in the creative arts, while his insights into the publishing process, including the arduous journey of querying agents and working with editors, offer valuable lessons for aspiring writers.

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

Connecting creativity with personal healing.

Samantha Mackay felt the pressure of conforming to traditional art forms in school, and much later in life found her voice in abstract painting.

In this episode Samantha and I discuss how the pressures of societal expectations can stifle artistic expression, as she shares her journey from a legal career to rediscovering her creative passions.

Samantha opens up about the struggles she faced while living in London, grappling with depression and autoimmune issues, and how, years later, creativity became a vital outlet for processing her pain, prompted by an insightful coaching experience that encouraged her to draw without judgment.

We also explore the Enneagram as a tool for understanding our motivations and barriers to creativity, revealing how it can guide us towards a more authentic self-expression.

Along the way, we explore the profound connection between creativity and healing, emphasizing the importance of embracing our unique paths.

This episode is a reminder that creativity is not just about art; it's about how we express our true selves in everyday life.

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