Create the Work of Your Life

34 Episodes
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By: C. Jordan Blaquera

Master-Certified Life & Artist Coach. Co-founder of the Create Anyway Collective // Helping creatives & women bring your big, creative dream to life.Learn more about working with Jordan Blaquera or the Create Anyway Collective (CAC) where visual artists create a new cohesive series in 6 months: www.CreateAnyway.Today/

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34. The Knowledge Trap: When Learning Replaces Creating
34. The Knowledge Trap: When Learning Replaces Creating episode artwork
Last Wednesday at 6:00 PM

What if everything you're learning is actually keeping you from creating? Many artists, entrepreneurs, and creators mistake learning for progress. They read the books, take the classes, watch the tutorials, and collect ideas, yet never fully apply what they've learned. In this episode, Jordan shares his own experience of falling into the "knowledge trap," where consuming information felt productive while his real dream quietly stalled. He explores why knowing something isn't the same as living it, how overconsumption becomes sophisticated avoidance, and why applying what you already know may be the missing bridge between where you are and the creative...


33. When being visible as an artist feels unsafe
33. When being visible as an artist feels unsafe episode artwork
06/24/2026

Master Artist Coach, Jordan Blaquera draws out a critical distinction every creator needs to understand: the difference between feeling discomfort and feeling unsafe. Pushing through discomfort builds capacity. Pushing through a genuine sense of unsafety can backfire — intensifying the very fear you're trying to overcome. Jordan walks through what happens in your nervous system when visibility, exposure, or criticism starts to feel like danger — and what to do instead of forcing your way through it. You'll hear Jordan's own story of living in a high-threat environment and how that shaped a fear of visibility later in life — plus a reflection on Mar...


32: Am I Ready? The Wrong Question Artists Keep Asking
32: Am I Ready? The Wrong Question Artists Keep Asking episode artwork
06/10/2026

Readiness is often control in disguise, and the pursuit of certainty prevents artists from doing their most meaningful work. You'll learn why successful creators don't eliminate uncertainty before they begin, how even masters like Meryl Streep experience doubt, and why willingness is a more powerful creative skill than confidence.If you've been postponing a creative goal, waiting for the perfect moment, or telling yourself you'll start when you feel ready, this episode will challenge that belief and offer a different path forward.The question isn't, "Am I ready?"The question is, "Am I willing?"

Learn more about working...


31: No One Is Coming to Enforce Your Real Work
31: No One Is Coming to Enforce Your Real Work episode artwork
06/03/2026

You keep every deadline someone else sets for you. So why do yours keep falling apart?

In this episode, Jordan Blaquera names what's really happening when artists move, soften, or abandon the deadlines they make for themselves — and it has nothing to do with discipline. It's a self-trust problem. And every broken commitment is quietly costing you more than you think.

Jordan shares the behind-the-scenes story of how this podcast got relaunched — including a peer challenge, a recording session deep into the night before a flight, and the moment she realized: I didn't want the dessert. I wa...


30: Escape Deadline Dependency as an Artist
30: Escape Deadline Dependency as an Artist episode artwork
05/27/2026

What if the deadline isn’t the reason you create? What if you are? In this episode of Create the Work of Your Life, C. Jordan Blaquera challenges one of the most common beliefs artists carry: “I can’t create without a deadline.” Jordan unpacks why deadlines only work when you choose to cooperate with them — and how relying on external pressure can disconnect you from your deepest, most authentic work. This episode explores deadline dependency, creative autonomy, internal authority, and what it really takes to create the work of your life without waiting for permission, pressure, or structure...


29: The Artistic Regret You Can Still Do Something About
29: The Artistic Regret You Can Still Do Something About episode artwork
05/15/2026

What if the regret you fear at the end of your life is already quietly accumulating right now? Explore the hidden pattern of “structured deferral” — the habit of continually postponing your creative work for a future that never actually arrives. Through personal stories about caregiving, loss, fear, and finally stepping into coaching and the Create Anyway Collective, Jordan unpacks why artists so often tell themselves “I’ll do it later,” and why later keeps repeating the same patterns as now. This episode is a direct invitation to stop waiting for the “right time” and begin creating the work of your life today.


28: The Cost of Putting Your Art Last
28: The Cost of Putting Your Art Last episode artwork
05/06/2026

You've probably said it to yourself: "I don't want to be selfish." And then you answered the text. Did the laundry. Took the call. Said yes when you meant no. And your art waited — again. In this episode, Jordan names the word that stops a lot of artists cold — selfish — and reframes what's actually happening when you put your work last. This isn't about blame. It's about the cost. When your art is constantly at the bottom of the list, your work doesn't develop. Your artistic voice — that singular, irreplaceable thing that can only come through you — stays out of reach. You...


27: The Creativity Fantasy that Keeps You From Working
27: The Creativity Fantasy that Keeps You From Working episode artwork
04/29/2026

You don't feel like creating today.

Maybe you're dragging your feet. Maybe the idea that felt exciting last week feels heavy now. Maybe you've been telling yourself you'll start when you feel more ready, more inspired, more like a real artist.

This episode is about that feeling — where it comes from, why it gets louder the closer you get to your real work, and what to do instead of waiting for it to go away.

Jordan shares why she published only seven podcast episodes in two years and three months — not for lack...


26: The Honest Truth: What to Do When Your Spouse Doesn't Like Your Art
26: The Honest Truth: What to Do When Your Spouse Doesn't Like Your Art episode artwork
04/14/2026

What do you do when the person closest to you just doesn't connect with your art? In this deeply personal episode, master artist coach Jordan Blaquera shares the story of her own long struggle with this exact situation — and what she finally did about it. Jordan opens up about the years she spent in silence, afraid that admitting she didn't love some of her partner David's work would be read as a failure of love or support. She unpacks the painful conundrum she found herself in: tell the truth and risk hurting him, or hide the truth and betray herself. Th...


25: Equal, Not Special: A New Way to Think About Being an Artist
25: Equal, Not Special: A New Way to Think About Being an Artist episode artwork
04/10/2026

What if believing you're special as an artist is actually holding you back? In this episode, Jordan Blaquera makes a provocative case that the idea of art — and artists — being uniquely special, mysterious, or reserved for the chosen few is one of the most limiting beliefs a creator can hold. Drawing on six problems with "special" thinking, Jordan explores how it clouds your judgment, fuels feelings of inferiority or superiority, disconnects you from others, and can leave you feeling like a victim of circumstances beyond your control. The antidote isn't lowering your standards — it's rooting your worth somewhere nothing can touch...


24. You Are Not Your Art: Identity Beliefs Every Artist Needs
24. You Are Not Your Art: Identity Beliefs Every Artist Needs episode artwork
04/06/2026

Most artists focus on improving their skills and their work — but Jordan Blaquera argues there's a deeper layer that determines everything: your artist identity. In this episode, Jordan introduces the CORE framework (Circumstance-Optional, Reality-Optional) and makes the case that what you believe about yourself as an artist matters more than any external validation, sale, or review ever could. Drawing from her own journey out of deep self-doubt — and her experience co-founding the Create Anyway Collective (CAC) — Jordan walks through a set of powerful identity beliefs that artists can adopt and make their own. From "I can believe into the void" to "I...


23. 5 Lessons Learned From Running An Art School
23. 5 Lessons Learned From Running An Art School episode artwork
01/27/2026

Being behinds the scenes at an art school and seeing what it takes for a teacher to create a great art classroom experience can help artists go from being a "student" and taking art classes to taking on the role of being an artist who creates with their own Artistic Voice. Tips to help you go from learning in an art classroom to becoming a self-directed artist who creates your own work.

Learn more about working with Jordan Blaquera or the Create Anyway Collective (CAC) where visual artists create a new cohesive series in 5 months: About Jordan Blaquera


22. The Woman & The Jug
22. The Woman & The Jug episode artwork
#22
06/26/2024

An allegorical tale about the journey to express your True Authentic Self.

Learn more about working with Jordan Blaquera or the Create Anyway Collective (CAC) where visual artists create a new cohesive series in 5 months: About Jordan Blaquera


21. Wherever You Go There You Are
21. Wherever You Go There You Are episode artwork
02/28/2024

"Wherever you go, there you are" reminds us that our True Self is not defined by external circumstances. Be mindful of your thoughts, as they directly impact your emotions. Align your vibrations with what you want to attract using the law of attraction. Recognize yourself as a channel of awareness, tapping into your creative potential and fulfilling your purpose. Stay conscious of your thoughts, vibrations, and your role as a conduit of awareness.

https:/www.soulcoach.today/

Learn more about working with Jordan Blaquera or the Create Anyway Collective (CAC) where visual artists create a new...


20. Capacity to Disappoint
20. Capacity to Disappoint episode artwork
#20
11/15/2023

There is an unsung and very overlooked trait that can help you become more authentically you. It will help you to be who you are, express yourself exactly as you are, and go after bigger, more innovative dreams. Discover the Capacity to Disappoint and how to harness it for greater freedom and the personal fulfillment of being uniquely you.

Learn more about Jordan Blaquera: www.SoulCoach.Today/
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Learn more about working with Jordan Blaquera or the Create Anyway Collective (CAC) where visual artists create a new cohesive series in 5 months: About Jordan Blaquera


19. (Part 2) Beyond Ideas of Wrong & Right
19. (Part 2) Beyond Ideas of Wrong & Right episode artwork
#19
11/08/2023

Would you rather be right or happy? "Better than" or peaceful? We humans so don't want to be "wrong," but that leaves us fighting like hell to be "right." What if there is no absolute right and no absolute wrong? Change your life for the better and increase your inner peace by dropping your addiction to being right as well as going beyond ideas of what you consider "wrong."

Learn more about Jordan Blaquera: www.SoulCoach.Today/
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Learn more about working with Jordan Blaquera or the Create Anyway Collective (CAC) where visual artists create a...


18. (Part 1) Invitation to the Field
18. (Part 1) Invitation to the Field episode artwork
#18
11/01/2023

In Rumi's famous poem, he invites us to meet him in The Field. But why would you want to go out beyond ideas of wrongdoing and rightdoing to go to The Field? What is this mysterious Field, and what will you find there? I want you to inspire you to do the work of challenging your perspectives and beliefs in order to find your way to the beautiful freedom and peace of The Field.

Learn more about Jordan Blaquera: www.SoulCoach.Today/
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Learn more about working with Jordan Blaquera or the Create Anyway Collective (CAC...


17. (Part 3) The Frame & What We Expect to See
17. (Part 3) The Frame & What We Expect to See episode artwork
#17
10/25/2023

If being fully & completely ourselves was ALL THAT, we would be doing it already. But most of us have some reservations about letting ourselves be completely visible. Learn the top three reasons we limit ourselves, and how we can let go of the frames we hold that limit the full vista of what's possible.

Learn more about Jordan Blaquera: www.SoulCoach.Today/
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Learn more about working with Jordan Blaquera or the Create Anyway Collective (CAC) where visual artists create a new cohesive series in 5 months: About Jordan Blaquera


16. (Part 2) Being Yourself From Now On
16. (Part 2) Being Yourself From Now On episode artwork
#16
10/18/2023

Do you have parts of yourself that seem unacceptable that you still keep in shadows? What if accepting those parts of you was the next right step? What if that helped others to do the same? Explore the possibilities that open up when we can be ourselves for a day or...when we can be ourselves from now on.

Learn more about Jordan Blaquera: www.SoulCoach.Today/
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Learn more about working with Jordan Blaquera or the Create Anyway Collective (CAC) where visual artists create a new cohesive series in 5 months: About Jordan Blaquera


15. (Part 1) Blinking Back Tears
15. (Part 1) Blinking Back Tears episode artwork
#15
10/11/2023

Have you ever felt there were aspects of you that were uacceptable or unlovable? Have you tried to hide those aspects of you? What if we decided we're no longer going to spend Life Energy hiding these parts of ourselves? It's possible. We can make that choice. I share my own journey of feeling embarrassed by my own tear-y, water-y eyes.

Learn more about Jordan Blaquera: www.SoulCoach.Today/
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Learn more about working with Jordan Blaquera or the Create Anyway Collective (CAC) where visual artists create a new cohesive series in 5 months: About Jordan Blaquera


14. When The Worst Thing Happens
14. When The Worst Thing Happens episode artwork
#14
10/06/2023

Our minds offer us many concerns, worries and fears about the possibility of the "worst thing happening." I won't sugar-coat it. Sometimes the "worst thing" does come to pass. Learn more about how we can navigate our way through rocky periods like this.

Learn more about Jordan Blaquera: www.SoulCoach.Today/
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Learn more about working with Jordan Blaquera or the Create Anyway Collective (CAC) where visual artists create a new cohesive series in 5 months: About Jordan Blaquera


13. There Are No Last Chances
13. There Are No Last Chances episode artwork
#13
09/27/2023

As Creators we will pursue our dreams and go about bringing our creative ideas to fruition in many different ways. We will take many shots at bringing our creative impulses to life. Don't derail the trajectory of your creative path by telling yourself, "This is my last chance." That won't be useful. Discover alternatives in today's track.

Learn more about Jordan Blaquera: www.SoulCoach.Today/
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Learn more about working with Jordan Blaquera or the Create Anyway Collective (CAC) where visual artists create a new cohesive series in 5 months: About Jordan Blaquera


12. Don't Believe Everything You Think
12. Don't Believe Everything You Think episode artwork
09/20/2023

Have you ever thought that you were weird, different or that you didn't belong? Have you ever wondered if there was something wrong with you? It has been said that we think 60,000 thoughts a day. Maybe we don't need to take all of those thoughts so seriously. Especially when many of them make us feel so badly. Ready to question what your brain offers you? Let's dive in.

Learn more about Jordan Blaquera: www.SoulCoach.Today/
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Learn more about working with Jordan Blaquera or the Create Anyway Collective (CAC) where visual artists create a new...


11. The Manicure (Just Don't Close)
11. The Manicure (Just Don't Close) episode artwork
09/13/2023

Overcome with tears, I find myself in public, sitting across from a manicurist, with little place to hide. Feelings of risk, uncertainty and overhwlem overtake me, and I do my best to navigate this very vulnerable proposition -- when strong emotions arise quite inconveniently. It takes everything I have to open myself to The Guest House of being human. To not explain myself. To not believe I am being embarrassing. To not apologize for this very human and authentic experience I am having. This is an example of inviting it all in without collapsing or closing.

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10. Beautiful At Last (Looking Good vs. Feeling Good)
10. Beautiful At Last (Looking Good vs. Feeling Good) episode artwork
09/06/2023

In our society, we are invited to believe that how someone appears on the outside is how they feel on the inside. Pretty on the outside equals pretty feelings on the inside. Appearing confident on the outside means that person must feel confident on the inside. People who look “strong” on the outside must feel strong on the inside. However, how a person appears to you doesn’t necessarily equate to how they actually feel. I beileve that feeling good inside myself, regardless of any external compliments or admiration I may or may not receive, eclipses looking good. Feeling good inside...


9. Parched Earth on the Inside
9. Parched Earth on the Inside episode artwork
08/30/2023

There was a time when my internal emotional environment was extremely Inhospitable. This episode shares a key technique I used to walk my way out of persistent and brutal self-talk and into the creation of a compassion, kind and loving internal voice, which made all the difference in the world.

Learn more about Jordan Blaquera: www.SoulCoach.Today/
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Learn more about working with Jordan Blaquera or the Create Anyway Collective (CAC) where visual artists create a new cohesive series in 5 months: About Jordan Blaquera


8. This is the Part You Came For
8. This is the Part You Came For episode artwork
08/23/2023

When you are part of the way through a challenging situation, path, process or class, your mind may inundate you with thoughts of worry, stress, quitting, and justifying your every complaint. Here is an alternative to following the urgings of your mind by being more deliberate and choosing what you think "on purpose."

Learn more about Jordan Blaquera: www.SoulCoach.Today/
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Learn more about working with Jordan Blaquera or the Create Anyway Collective (CAC) where visual artists create a new cohesive series in 5 months: About Jordan Blaquera


7. Cool Girls (Looking Good vs. Feeling Good)
7. Cool Girls (Looking Good vs. Feeling Good) episode artwork
08/09/2023

Have you ever envied the Cool Girls? Or wanted to be a Cool Girl? Do the Cool People have a different experience than the rest of us? And is there really such a thing as the Cool Crowd. Today's episode explores looking good vs. feeling good. Which one "is" your priority? And which one do you "want" to be your priority.

Learn more about Jordan Blaquera: www.SoulCoach.Today/
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Learn more about working with Jordan Blaquera or the Create Anyway Collective (CAC) where visual artists create a new cohesive series in 5 months: About Jordan Blaquera


6. The Most Important Person in the World
6. The Most Important Person in the World episode artwork
08/02/2023

It is possible to let people love you or hate you, or anything in between. When you know who the most important person in the world is, you can let others sing your praises or not. (And that includes mom, dad, child, spouse, whoever). Learn about the one opinion that matters most.

Learn more about Jordan Blaquera: www.SoulCoach.Today/
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Learn more about working with Jordan Blaquera or the Create Anyway Collective (CAC) where visual artists create a new cohesive series in 5 months: About Jordan Blaquera


5. Your Permission is Required
5. Your Permission is Required episode artwork
07/26/2023

As Eleanor Roosevelt said, "No one can make you feel inferior without your consent." And what if...the opposite is true as well? People can influence us positively or negatively, but ultimately, we own our internal belief systems.

Note: I mis-quote Eleanor Roosevelt in this episode. The correct quote is: "No one can make you feel inferior without your consent."

Learn more about Jordan Blaquera: www.SoulCoach.Today/
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Learn more about working with Jordan Blaquera or the Create Anyway Collective (CAC) where visual artists create a new cohesive series in 5 months...


4. The Moment
4. The Moment episode artwork
07/19/2023

As we bring ourselves and our creations into the world, there are moments when our minds will offer up these questions: What's the point? It doesn't matter anyway? It's never going to work? Are you sure you're cut out for this? Learn how to meet The Moments like these.

Learn more about Jordan Blaquera: www.SoulCoach.Today/
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Learn more about working with Jordan Blaquera or the Create Anyway Collective (CAC) where visual artists create a new cohesive series in 5 months: About Jordan Blaquera


3. Building Rome
3. Building Rome episode artwork
#3
07/13/2023

Do you have a big creative vision that you want to bring to life? Do you think that achievement will finally prove that you are "somebody" or that you're finally "worthy"? Not so fast. Bringing that vison to life will be challenging and require effort, but you're never compensating for worth. Learn a better way to go about builidng your big dream.


Learn more about Jordan Blaquera: www.SoulCoach.Today/
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Learn more about working with Jordan Blaquera or the Create Anyway Collective (CAC) where visual artists create a new cohesive series in 5 months: About...


2. The Diaphragm & The Divorce
2. The Diaphragm & The Divorce episode artwork
#2
07/13/2023

Have you ever thought that you shouldn't even be here, that your birth was a mistake, or that the odds surrounding your survival were so stacked against you that your presence on Earth isn't even warranted? This very personal story details the suffering caused by the painful interpretations we believe about our very existence.


Learn more about Jordan Blaquera: www.SoulCoach.Today/
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Learn more about working with Jordan Blaquera or the Create Anyway Collective (CAC) where visual artists create a new cohesive series in 5 months: About Jordan Blaquera


1. Evisceration
1. Evisceration episode artwork
#1
07/13/2023

Putting your creative work in the world can feel perilous and challenging to your nervous system. Expect it and plan accordingly. The threat of being eviscerated doesn't have to stop you. You can decide that expressing yourself fully is worth the risk.

Learn more about Jordan Blaquera: www.SoulCoach.Today/
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Learn more about working with Jordan Blaquera or the Create Anyway Collective (CAC) where visual artists create a new cohesive series in 5 months: About Jordan Blaquera