Lessons in Creativity with Jenna Masi

Lessons in Creativity with Jenna Masi

by Jenna Masi

Season 1

#4 Rachel Saslaw | Experience Design and Storytelling as Art

In this episode I talked with Rachel Saslaw, the founder of Storytell NYC, a storytelling open mic experience. Rachel turned a desire to connect deeply with others and share meaningful moments into an immersive, connected experience. I recently attended my first StoryTell and was touched by how an experience could be both deeply personal and deeply connected at the same time. Here are some of my main take-aways from our conversation: Identity comes from a practice: Consistent actions or rituals can help us feel more comfort taking on a creative title. Leading with the heart over the head: Rachel has learned how to listen to and lead from her heart and she ties that into her work as an experience designer. Creation without purpose is key to our survival! I highly recommend attending a StoryTell event if you are in NYC. To get tickets, follow the instagram page to keep an eye out for the next ticket launch!

#3 Cara Sullivan | Creativity in Engineering: Balancing the Creative and Practical

Cara Sullivan is a technical leader within biomedical engineering. In our conversation together, Cara dispelled myths of creativity within engineering and highlighted the necessary linkage between structure and creativity. Cara is a huge proponent of women in engineering and highlights the diverse creativity of thought that they bring to the field! Here are some of my main take-aways from our conversation: Structure and creativity are linked, not in conflict: Cara often “doesn’t have the luxury of conflict” between creativity and structure. Instead, she works to bring a creative flare even to the most practical of tasks within engineering. Minorities can enhance creativity: Due to the male-dominated nature of engineering, Cara finds women in engineering bring a deeper level of empathy, advocacy, and creativity due to their experience as a minority. Idea generation during flow state: Cara keeps an ‘ideas list’ when she goes deep into a flow state to tackler her ‘to do list’. She finds when her mind is at ease focusing on a task, new ideas pop up. To get in touch with Cara, reach out to her on Linked in!

#2 Kelli Bruno | Creative Songwriting: Every Artist was an Amateur First

Kelli Bruno is a multi-instrumental singer-songwriter. She has been playing instruments since she was a child and recently released her second album. She has a love for songwriting, creative works, singing in harmony, and seeing an album through. Her latest album, Company explores different types of personal connection and company in this stage of her life. Here are some of my main take-aways from our conversation: Every artist was an amateur first! This is such a freeing reminder to move through perfectionist tendencies in early projects. Creative expression is essential to our humanity: Even with the rise of AI, Kelli believes we have a fundamental need to create which must be nurtured! Art is like a photo album: Kelli uses her songs as a reminder of where she is both in her life stage and in her artistic development at different points of time throughout her life. She can see growth and maturity over time. You can find Kelli on instagram or her website and check out her music on Spotify or Apple Music.

#1 Dr. Alaina Puff | Unleashing Intuition to Unblock Creativity

For my very first episode, I interviewed Dr. Alaina Puff., founder of Flow State Coaching and Consulting and PhD in Child Psychology. Alaina was on a path towards becoming a child therapist when unexpected events caused her to change course. She wound up starting her own coaching business helping children and adults tap into their intuitive gifts to live a fuller life. Her journey is a fascinating and brave story in embracing life’s twists and turns, learning how to tune into your true inner voice, and creating your own path. Here are some of my main take-aways from our conversation: Intuition and creativity are intimately connected and are psychological state-dependent. Creativity is a privilege: Alaina works with many children who live in a survival state. Much of her work involves somatic exercises designed to move us out of the survival state which can block creativity. Identity crisis as a path for growth: Alaina’s story includes clearing her path to make way for a new one. Asking for help: In new creative endeavors, we are all taking on things we don’t know about and need to ask for help. To learn more about Dr. Alaina’s work or work with her, check out her website and instagram.

Season 1 Trailer | Lessons in Creativity with Jenna Masi

Are you curious about how the creative process works? Do you hope to bring more creativity into your own life and career? This podcast is for you. In Lessons in Creativity, we will explore the creative process across multiple disciplines and learn how to harness this natural part of our human experience. We will hear from songwriters, entrepreneurs, creators, innovators, psychologists, writers, and more about their creative processes in the hopes of helping you better access your creativity. Follow along with me to learn from experts and beginners at all stages of the creative process!

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