Your World of Creativity
On YOUR WORLD OF CREATIVITY, best-selling author and global brand innovator, Mark Stinson introduces you to some of the world’s leading creative talent from publishing, film, animation, music, restaurants, medical research, and more. In every episode, you'll discover: - How to tap into your most original thinking. - Inspiration from the experts’ own experience. - Specific tools, exercises, and formulas to organize your ideas. - And most of all, you’ll learn how to make connections and create opportunities to publish, post, record, display, sell, market, and promote your creative work. Listen for the latest insights for creative people who want to...
Imagination as Infrastructure, with Adelia Schleusz, Founder of What If LAB
On Your World of Creativity, we travel the world talking with creative practitioners about how they get inspired, organize ideas, and turn imagination into impact.
Today's guest believes that imagination isn't just a creative skill—it's infrastructure.
Adelia Schleusz has built a career at the intersection of commercial interior design, behavioral psychology, sensory design, research, and strategic foresight. As the founder of What If LAB, she helps organizations use creativity, science, and cross-disciplinary thinking to design better experiences, better environments, and perhaps even better futures.
Adelia 's Website
@adeliapcs on Instagram
...Your Brand & Signature Method, with our Creative Roundtable
Welcome back to Your World of Creativity. We travel around the world talking with creative practitioners about how they get inspired, organize ideas, gain confidence, and turn imagination into impact.
Today, we’re doing something special — a roundtable conversation around one of the six themes from my new book, UNLOCK Your World of Creativity — Developing Your Brand with a Signature Method.
We’ve gathered creative leaders from different parts of the country — and a world of different industries — to explore how unique methods become memorable brands.
Joining us today:
Ela Thier, filmmaker, e...
Classical Music and Artistic Perseverance, with David Singer, Clarinetist and Author, "From Cab Driver to Carnegie Hall"
Today, we enter the world of classical music and artistic perseverance — a conversation about resilience, mastery, identity, and what it takes to stay devoted to your craft over a lifetime.
Our guest is David Singer, internationally acclaimed clarinetist, educator, chamber musician, and author of the memoir From Cab Driver to Carnegie Hall.
David's Website
David's Facebook page
David’s extraordinary career has included performances at the White House for Presidents Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton, appearances at Carnegie Hall with Yehudi Menuhin, performances alongside Yo-Yo Ma and Rudolf Serkin, and...
Brand Stories from the Customer’s Point of View, with John Elbing, author of STORYBUILDING
Welcome back to Your World of Creativity, where we travel the globe talking with creative professionals who turn ideas into impact.
Today, we’re stamping our creative passport in Geneva, Switzerland to talk about the power of story — specifically, how organizations can transform their messaging when they stop talking about themselves and start seeing the world through the eyes of their customers.
Our guest is John Elbing, business storytelling consultant, founder of Standpoint, and creator of the Storybuilding method.
https://standpoint.ch
https://linkedin.com/in/elbing
John helps orga...
How Teams Operate At Their Best, with Stephen Frenkel, Voyager Consulting
Welcome back to Your World of Creativity, where we travel the globe talking with creative professionals who turn ideas into impact.
In recent episodes, we’ve explored creativity through design, dance, music, and innovation—how ideas come to life across disciplines.
Today, we’re taking that conversation inside the organization. Because creativity isn’t just about what you make—it’s about how you lead, how you adapt, and how you bring people with you.
We’re focusing on what it really means to perform at your very best, especially during moments of transition, un...
Creative Cultural Expression through the Power of Voice, with Kneet, Global Independent Artist
On Your World of Creativity, we travel around the world talking with creative practitioners who turn ideas into impact.
In just the past few episodes, we’ve been (virtually) exploring creative centers like London, Sydney, and Las Vegas — along with vibrant hubs like Pittsburgh and Austin. Today, we’re in New York City… and even making a stop in Times Square ... with a guest who has quite literally taken her voice global.
I’m joined by Kneet — a Thai Sikh Punjabi independent artist blending Bollywood glam with hip-hop swagger. Her music explores identity, resilience, cultural fusion, and...
Brand Strategy in the Age of AI, with Aurora Winter, Author
On Your World of Creativity, we travel around the world talking with creative leaders who turn ideas into impact.
Last time Aurora Winter joined us, we explored her book Turn Words Into Wealth. Now she’s back with a bold new message: 2026 is “do or die” for experts and entrepreneurs. Today we’re diving into her newest release, Brand Strategy in the Age of AI — and what it takes to build a valuable, future-proof brand in an AI-powered world.
Aurora Winter is a bestselling author, brand strategist, and former TV executive producer who helps experts and entrep...
Flipping the Record Label Model, with Don Rodriguez, Music Producer and Founder I&I Music Studio
On Your World of Creativity, we travel around the world talking with creative professionals who turn ideas into impact. Today we’re diving into music and business with Don Rodriguez — a former general contractor who left a 20-year career to pursue his passion for music… and ended up redesigning the record label model itself.
Don's Website
Don on YouTube
Don's Facebook page
Introduction
Don Rodriguez is an 18-year entrepreneur and general contractor who walked away from a successful construction career after becoming burned out and disillusioned. He pivoted into music...
How to Build a Brand Universe, with Luna Battalia, Business Strategist, Caru Creative and Animist Branding
On Your World of Creativity, we travel around the world talking with creative practitioners who turn ideas into impact. Today we’re exploring the intersection of soul, storytelling, and strategy with Luna Battalia — a leadership mentor and business strategist who helps founders build Brand Universes people don’t want to leave. Luna blends buyer psychology, artistry, and deep purpose to help entrepreneurs communicate with bold, unignorable confidence.
Luna Battalia is the founder of Caru Creative, a full-service brand studio supporting mission-driven leaders and personal brands. She’s also the creator of Animist Branding™, a psychology-driven approach shaped by more th...
How Local Artists Get Discovered, with Allen Halas, music writer, radio host, and podcaster
Today’s guest lives at the intersection of music, media, and the side hustle. If you’ve ever wondered how local scenes get discovered, how independent artists break through, or how creatives build meaningful work alongside a day job—this conversation pulls back the curtain.
Allen Halas is a music writer, radio host, and podcaster based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He currently works for OnMilwaukee, the city’s largest digital media outlet, where he covers arts, culture, and music. He was previously heard on FM 102.1 as the host of Love Local Radio, championing homegrown talent and community voices.
All...
Make Braver, More Embodied Art, with Alexandra Beller, Choreographer, Director, Educator, Author
On Your World of Creativity, we travel around the world talking with creative practitioners who turn ideas into impact. Today we’re stepping into the studio with a guest to explore what it really means to trust yourself, dismantle habits, and make braver, more embodied art. Welcome choreographer, director, educator and author … Alexandra Beller.
Alexandra's Website
@alexandrabellerdances on Instagram
Alexandra on YouTube
Alexandra's Facebook page
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/alexandra-beller-0a56a57
A former member of the Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Dance Company, she is now the...
The Secret Language of Your Body, with Inna Segal, energy medicine, human consciousness, author
On Your World of Creativity, we travel around the world talking with creative practitioners, healers, founders, and changemakers. And today, we’re stamping our creative passport in Brisbane, Australia, to talk with someone who’s helping millions reconnect with the wisdom of their bodies. If you’ve ever felt stuck, depleted, or disconnected from your inner clarity, today’s conversation may open a powerful new door.
Inna Segal is a pioneer in energy medicine and human consciousness, and the internationally bestselling author of The Secret Language of Your Body, translated into 26 languages with more than a million copies s...
Making the Instrument Part of the Art, with Martin Maudal, luthier, songwriter, and producer of Baldy Crawlers
Today’s guest lives at the intersection of craft, sound, and story. If you’ve ever wondered what happens when making the instrument becomes part of the art — and when music leads before meaning — this conversation will invite you to slow down, listen deeply, and sit inside the mystery.
Martin Maudal is a renowned luthier, songwriter, and producer, and a graduate of Berklee College of Music. Raised in Claremont, California at the foot of Mount Baldy, and shaped by years in the New York music scene, Martin blends West Coast soul with East Coast grit.
He is th...
Strategize Your Creativity Like a Profession, with Kern Carter, Author and Creative Entrepreneur
Today’s guest proves that a creative career doesn’t have to rely on algorithms, going viral, or luck. If you’ve ever wondered how to strategize your creativity like a real profession—and build a living from your work—this conversation is for you.
Kern Carter is a former indie and current traditionally published author writing books for Penguin and Scholastic. He writes essays at the intersection of publishing and pop culture, offering candid insight into what it actually takes to make a living as an author and creative entrepreneur.
www.kerncarter.com
https...
Trusting Your Creative Process, with Cathleen Ireland, award-winning singer, songwriter
Cathleen Ireland is an award-winning singer, songwriter, and producer whose work blends warm pop, soul, and coastal R&B with emotional depth and authenticity.
Throughout this conversation, we’ll be playing excerpts from four of Cathleen’s songs:
“Coastin’”
“Golden Sienna”
“In the City”
“Do You Care”
A longtime fixture in Pittsburgh’s music scene, she has earned international recognition for both her music and visual storytelling, with songwriting honors from the USA Songwriting Competition, the UK Songwriting Competition, and the International Acoustic Music Awards, along with more than 70 film festiv...
Talor Stewart, architect and author, Conscious Home Design
Today’s conversation might change the way you think about your home. What if the spaces you live in are quietly shaping your energy, relationships, and sense of purpose—every single day? Whether you own or rent, this episode will show you how to put the mind–body–environment connection to work for you.”
Talor Stewart is a licensed architect with more than 25 years of experience and the author of the #1 bestselling book Conscious Home Design, which has reached the top of the charts in seven countries. An award-winning architect, Talor specializes in single- and multi-family homes as well as...
Leading a Life of No Regrets, with Pallavi Ridout, Founder of ELM Advisory Group
Today’s guest is going to help you answer a question every creative wrestles with: How do I show up with confidence, clarity, and purpose—especially when the stakes are high? If you’ve ever felt stuck, underestimated, or like you’re holding back your best work… this conversation will help you lead with more intention—and live with fewer regrets.
Pallavi Ridout is an executive leadership coach, keynote speaker, facilitator, and emcee who helps leaders unlock confidence, clarity, and purpose. After a 20-year corporate career, she stepped into her calling full-time—guiding individuals and teams through her signature...
The Power of Conversation, with Adrienne Shoch, Founder, 5 to 1 Consulting
Have you ever walked out of a meeting feeling misunderstood, over-explained, or like your best ideas never landed the way you intended? Today’s episode is all about the hidden power of conversation—and how better listening, clearer communication, and stronger trust can unlock creativity, alignment, and real momentum inside any team or organization.
Today, I’m joined by Adrienne Shoch, Founder of 5 to 1 Consulting. Adrienne brings more than 25 years of global experience in communication-focused leadership and team development. Her work blends communication science, positive leadership, neuroscience, and awareness practices to help leaders and teams create meaningful, lastin...
Matthew Harmody, MD, Retired Emergency Physician, Kidney Donation Advocate, Author
Today we’re joined by Dr. Matthew Harmody — a retired emergency physician, living kidney donor, and one of the leading advocates for kidney donation in the United States. Matthew donated a kidney to a stranger, then dedicated his post-medical career to eliminating the national kidney waitlist through education, mentorship, and policy reform.
Matt's Website
@5k50ss on Instagram
Matt's Facebook page
Matt's Facebook group
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-harmody-97988311/
He currently serves as Board Chair of the National Kidney Donation Organization, is a founding member of t...
Dr. Greg Giuliano, Author, Executive Coach, Founder of GA | Ultra Leadership
Today, we welcome Dr. Greg Giuliano, advisor and executive coach to senior leaders and teams around the world, and founder of GA | Ultra Leadership. Greg is the author of three #1 Amazon Bestsellers, including his newest book, Coaching for (a) Change: How to Engage, Empower, and Activate People.
Greg's Website
Greg on YouTube
@ultraleadership on Instagram
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/greggiuliano/
In this book, Greg challenges traditional command-and-control leadership and offers a practical alternative: coaching. Drawing on more than two decades of experience, he introduces the GR8 Coaching...
Sophia Kristjansson, CEO, Lexicon Lens, co-author "Lives Lost and Leadership Found"
Today we’re joined by Sophia Kristjansson, Founder and CEO of Lexicon Lens, a boutique consulting firm that helps leaders close the persistent gap between strategy and execution—so plans don’t just look good on paper, they actually turn into results.
Sophia's Website
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sophiakristjansson/
With more than 25 years of experience guiding organizations through growth, change, and transformation, Sophia works closely with leadership teams to restore clarity, align people and process, and build traction when momentum starts to stall. She also teaches graduate courses in business strategy and or...
Building Places That Connect People, with Bob Campana, Entrepreneur, Founder Redwood Café, Author "Don’t Look Down!"
Today, we’re welcoming Bob Campana, a California-based serial entrepreneur with more than 40 years of experience building businesses across hospitality, travel, real estate, and aviation.
ROBERT's Website
ROBERT on YouTube
From hot tub manufacturing to founding the beloved Redwood Café in Modesto, to leading Redwood Café Tours across Europe, Asia, and Oceania, Bob’s career is a living case study in adaptability, optimism, and grit.
He’s also the author of the book Don’t Look Down! The Improbable Adventures and Battle-Tested Lessons of a Serial Entrepreneur, where he shares candid lessons le...
Teamwork and Collaboration: BONUS GLOBAL ROUNDTABLE
On Your World of Creativity, we travel around the world talking with creative practitioners who turn ideas into impact. In this special roundtable episode, Mark brings together leaders from film, animation, hospitality, consumer brands, immersive experiences, and big-tech UX to explore one powerful theme:
Teamwork.
When creative outcomes depend on dozens—or even hundreds—of contributors, how do you align vision, manage complexity, and still leave room for magic?
Today’s Panelists
Michael Robinson — Hotel & Hospitality Operations LeaderDiego Pulido — Lead UX Designer, Amazon (formerly Google, Walmart, Adobe, JPMorganChase)Matt McLean — Organic Consumer Juice Brand...Leslie Schover, Author of Fission: A Novel of Atomic Heartbreak
Today I’m joined by Leslie Schover, clinical psychologist turned novelist and author of Fission: A Novel of Atomic Heartbreak.
Set during the Manhattan Project in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, Fission explores love, ambition, secrecy, identity, and moral conflict at a moment when the world was being reshaped—both scientifically and emotionally.
Drawing on her parents’ lived experiences and her own deep understanding of relationships, Leslie brings a uniquely human lens to one of history’s most consequential chapters.
From Family Stories to Historical FictionFission is rooted in the stories your parents told about life in Oak R...T. Christian Helms, Founder & Creative Director, Helms Workshop
Today we’re welcoming T. Christian Helms, Founder and Creative Director of Helms Workshop, an award-winning branding agency known for building brands that truly connect.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/tchristianhelms/
T. Christian's Website
Over the past 15 years, Christian has led creative strategy for beloved names like Jack Daniel’s, Hershey, Austin Beerworks, and Howler Brothers—helping them clarify their voice, tell authentic stories, and bring creative visions to life.
But what makes Christian’s creative journey especially powerful is the transformation behind the work. After years struggling with an undiagnosed illness...
Dennis Welch, Songwriter, Author, Storyteller
Today, we welcome Dennis Welch — a lifelong songwriter and creative force who is now experiencing a remarkable musical renaissance in his sixties. Dennis has written more than 500 songs, published two books, played concerts far and wide, and built a body of work anchored in one central identity: storyteller.
Dennis's Website
Dennis on YouTube
@Poo_Welch on Instagram
Dennis's Facebook page
After recording an album in 2000, Dennis continued writing but went 18 years without releasing new music… until a single moment changed everything. When his longtime friend, Little River Band guitarist Rich...
Greig Watts, Music Publisher, Songwriter Mentor, and Author "Keeping the Dream Alive"
Today, we welcome Greig Watts, a powerhouse in songwriting, publishing, and music development. Greig is one-third of the internationally successful songwriting and publishing team DWB, known for selling millions of units worldwide and for pioneering early breakthroughs in markets like Japan and South Korea long before the global rise of J-Pop and K-Pop.
Greig's Website
@greigwatts on Instagram
Greig's Facebook page
Greig's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/greigwatts/
For songwriters who feel stuck, discouraged, or tired of rejection, his mission: help creators overcome setbacks, rediscover joy, and keep...
Aurora Winter, Award-Winning Author, TV Producer, Media Coach
Today’s guest is Aurora Winter — an award-winning bestselling author; TV producer; media coach; ghostwriter; and successful serial entrepreneur. Aurora is founder of SamePagePublishing.com and the creator of the Spoken Author™ method, helping experts craft award-winning books that expand their impact and income.
Her book Turn Words Into Wealth: Blueprint for Your Business, Brand, and Book to Create Multiple Streams of Income & Impact won Outstanding Non-Fiction Book of the Year in 2022 and many other awards since then.
Aurora's Website
@aurorawintermba on Instagram
Aurora on YouTube
Aurora left a lucrat...
Matt Ross, Entrepreneur, Media Executive, and Author of Grow or Fold
Episode 400 – and the start of our 8th year of the podcast!
We welcome Matt Ross — entrepreneur, media executive, and author of the book Grow or Fold: Transform Yourself in Midlife & Beyond.
Matt's Website
Matt's Facebook page
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-ross-entrepreneur/
Matt has spent nearly 30 years building businesses at the intersection of creativity and leadership. He led New York’s legendary rock station Q104.3 and hip-hop station Hot 97, helped scale School of Rock from a struggling startup into a global franchise, and later founded One River School, a firs...
Rachel Burr, Executive Coach, Leadership Consultant, Author of Butterfly Goo
Today, as we wrap up our seventh year and 399th episode of Your World of Creativity, it’s fitting that we welcome a guest who perfectly captures the essence of transformation and growth — Rachel Burr.
Rachel's Website
@Catamentum on Instagram
Rachel's Facebook page
Rachel is an executive coach and leadership consultant with more than 20 years of experience helping leaders navigate the complex, unpredictable world of human dynamics. She knows that leadership can be messy — because people are unpredictable — and most leaders are promoted for technical excellence, not people skills.
Rachel s...
Amani Roberts, Award-Winning Music Business Professor & Author The Quiet Storm: A Historical and Cultural Analysis of the Power, Passion, and Pain of R&B Groups
Today is Episode: 398 as we near the end of our 7th year of Your World of Creativity
I’m thrilled to welcome Amani Roberts — an award-winning music business professor, international keynote speaker, and global DJ performer.
He’s a USA Today bestselling author, and his upcoming book, The Quiet Storm: A Historical and Cultural Analysis of the Power, Passion, and Pain of R&B Groups, offers a powerful deep dive into how Black R&B groups shaped music, identity, and community.
Amani's Website
@amaniexperience on Instagram
Amani on YouTube
From...Stan Lai, Playwright, Director, Author of CreativitRy
Today we’re honored to welcome Stan Lai, one of the world’s most celebrated playwrights and theatre directors. He has been called by one critic ‘the major contemporary Asian playwright of his time, perhaps of all time’ and by the BBC ‘the best Chinese-language playwright and director in the world’.
Stan's Website
@Stanlai99 on Instagram
Stan on YouTube
Born in the U.S. and raised in both America and Taiwan, Stan earned his PhD from UC Berkeley before launching a groundbreaking career in Taiwan that now spans over 40 acclaimed plays, including ma...
Oswald Newbold, Conflict Resolution Expert & Contributing Author, Breaking Chains, Building Futures
Today, we welcome Oswald Newbold, a certified mediator, conflict resolution specialist, and contributing author to the new book Breaking Chains, Building Futures: Pathways to Redemption, Education, and Excellence, edited by Dr. Stanley Andrisse and published by Wiley.
Oswald's Website
Oswald's Facebook page
This powerful collection features first-hand stories from individuals impacted by incarceration — stories of struggle, triumph, and transformation. Oswald’s own journey is especially compelling: sentenced to life at 20, he has emerged as a leader in mediation, education, and criminal justice reform.
Through Breaking Chains, Building Futures, Oswald and his co-a...
Robin Landa, Professor and Author, Branding as a Cultural Force
Today, we’re welcoming Robin Landa back to the show. I first interviewed Robin in February 2023 about her book The New Art of Ideas, and I’m thrilled to continue that conversation.
Robin is a distinguished professor at Kean University and a globally recognized expert in creativity and branding. She received the 2024 Gold Design Education Recognition Award, was named by the Carnegie Foundation among the ‘Great Teachers of Our Time,’ and will be inducted into the New Jersey Advertising Hall of Fame in 2025.
Robin 's Website
@proflanda on Instagram
Robin 's Facebook...
Rand Selig, Author of Thriving!
Today, we welcome Rand Selig — an accomplished investment banker, entrepreneur, coach, Scoutmaster, board member, and hands-on conservationist. Rand brings a unique balance of analytical insight and human understanding to everything he does.
For more than 35 years, he’s led The Selig Capital Group, named the Best Sustainable Investment Banking Firm in the San Francisco Bay Area in 2024 by Wealth and Finance International. Rand is also the author of the award-winning book Thriving! How to Create a Healthier, Happier, and More Prosperous Life — a 333-page guide that’s been inspiring readers around the world since its release through selfpubl...
Ian Ziskin, Author, Lives Lost and Leadership Found
Today, we’re welcoming back Ian Ziskin, President of EXec EXcel Group, a leader with more than 40 years of experience as a business executive, board advisor, coach, consultant, and author. Ian has held senior leadership and Chief Human Resources Officer roles at three Fortune 100 companies, written extensively about the future of work, HR, and leadership, and continues to influence how organizations develop people and purpose.
Ian's Website
Ian first joined us on Your World of Creativity back in 2022, when he shared insights from another collaborative anthology project that brought together diverse voices in leadership. Today, he...
Steven Puri, ex-studio exec & producer, Creator, Sukha Focus App
Today we’re joined by Steven Puri, Founder and CEO of The Sukha Company based in Austin, Texas, whose mission is to help millions of people find their focus, achieve more, and build a healthy work life. His latest creation, the Sukha Focus App, integrates science and soul to help people achieve deep, sustainable focus in a distracted world.
Steven's Website
The Journey from Hollywood to Happiness
Steven, you’ve had such an eclectic career—from film production and tech startups to founding a company devoted to focus and balance. Steven’s creative journey spans jo...Dave Lee, Co-creator of Cardboard Sessions
Today, we’re talking with Dave Lee, the creative engineer and co-creator of Cardboard Sessions, the viral series where paper becomes possibility. In each episode, top-tier artists step into the studio to create unrehearsed sonic magic using fully playable instruments made entirely out of cardboard.
Dave on YouTube
@cardboardsessions on Instagram
From cardboard Stratocasters and Telecasters to full drum kits, Dave and his team turn imagination into reality, documenting the process in stunning behind-the-scenes videos that blend art, science, and pure creative courage.
The Spark of Cardboard Chaos
Dave, where di...Lessons Learned from a Music Career, with Duncan Toombs, Singer-Songwriter and Director
Today, we’re heading to Australia to welcome Duncan Toombs—one of the country’s powerhouse vocalists and storytellers. Duncan’s music reconnects us to our humanity and reminds us of the importance of love, life, and family. I first heard Duncan live this summer when I visited Sydney and stopped into Jolene’s country bar and I was blown away by his performance.
Then, I learned Duncan appeared on Channel Seven’s The Voice, where his raw, powerful vocals won over the hearts of millions. His original song, Steel on Steel, went viral with nearly 3 million viewers tuni...
Kay Smith-Blum, Author of TANGLES
Today, we welcome Kay Smith-Blum, an author whose journey has taken her from the world of fashion to education leadership and now to award-winning historical fiction.
Kay's Website
@discerningKSB on Instagram
Kay's Facebook page
A longtime Seattle resident, Kay has recently been honored with multiple awards for her debut novel TANGLES, including Best Historical Mystery/Suspense at the 2025 American Fiction Awards, Best Debut Fiction by the American Writing Awards, Best Regional Fiction/West by the National Indie Excellence Awards, and Book of the Year by the Literary Global Book Awards.
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