Origins of Creativity Podcast

What does it take to work with Disney, Marvel, Pixar, and Lucasfilm and then walk away to build something entirely your own? Mike Zagari has done both. In this episode, he traces his path from childhood comic book obsession to the frontlines of multimedia storytelling, sharing hard-won lessons about burnout, creative reinvention, and why the daily practice of making art matters more than the big breaks. Whether you're a creator, a ...

Chris Sickels never stopped drawing. What started as a childhood obsession grew into a career spanning 3D illustration, stop-motion animation, and children's books. In this episode, he pulls back the curtain on how his characters come to life, what it really feels like to work with your hands in a digital world, and the lessons he's picked up about staying curious, embracing vulnerability, and never stopping growing as an artist. T...

In this episode, Emma Speelman, a watercolor artist, shares her journey from the Australian outback to becoming a recognized artist! Emma tells us about her unique minimal water technique, what “self-taught” in watercolors means to her, and the importance of human connection in art.

She advised aspiring artists to pursue their passions, even when faced with fear.

Emma Speelman can be found at:

• Instagr...

In this inspiring conversation, Brielle Griffin, a stained glass and mosaic artist with a background in architecture, shares her journey from a structured academic life to embracing her creative passions! She discusses the influence of nature on her work, the challenges and rewards of commissioned pieces, and the importance of play and experimentation in her artistic process. Brielle highlighted the significance of community suppor...

This time on the Origins of Creativity podcast, I interview Rossano Galante, a composer and film orchestrator, who shares his creative process behind composition and film orchestration. He also reflects on the role of emotion and experience in shaping his music. Music lovers will enjoy this episode as they get a glimpse behind the scenes of how music scores are created!

Rossano Galante can be found on Facebook at https://www.faceb...

This time on the Origins of Creativity podcast, I interview creativity expert Nicole Gnezda. She shares her insights into the nature of creativity, its importance in human life, and its cultural implications! She shares the science behind creativity, her personal journey of researching creativity, and the role of teaching in fostering creative thinking. Niki graciously offered practical techniques for harnessing creativity for all ...

In this engaging conversation, I chat with children's book author and illustrator Larry Daley! He shares his artistic journey from childhood inspiration to his professional career in comics and film. He also gives us a glimpse into the creative process behind his newly released picture book Float, emphasizing the importance of collaboration, character development, and emotional themes. Listen to hear his advice for aspiring creativ...

We start the new year with an interview with Tapestry Artist, Jennifer Edwards. She shares her artistic journey, focusing on her passion for fiber arts and tapestry weaving. Her early experiences with drawing and knitting evolved into a deep love for weaving, particularly tapestry. Jennifer shares the emotional and therapeutic aspects of her work, especially in relation to her mother's Alzheimer's journey. Our conversation explores...

In this episode of the Origins of Creativity, our creative guest, Lisa Manuels, reflects on her creative journey, exploring how childhood wonder, drawing, and the love of building small, imaginative worlds shaped her artistic voice. She discusses navigating burnout, the demands of creative work, and the balance between art, life, and business. She also touches on future hopes like creating more children’s books and games. Lis...

Today, I interview Andy J. Pizza, who discusses the evolution of creative expression, the impact of media on inspiration, and the balance between escapism and depth in creativity! Andy shares his challenges of managing multiple creative outlets, especially with ADHD, and the interplay between teaching and creating. In addition, he shares insights on his future projects and offers advice to his younger self about embracing curiosity...

Today on the Origins of Creativity podcast, I interview Master Craftsman, George Schlub. He shares his journey through music, love, and creativity! Our conversation leads us to how discomfort can lead to innovation and the significance of self-acceptance in personal growth. His pensive interview highlights the power of community and connection in the creative process, inspiring listeners to embrace their artistic journeys and the n...

In this episode of the Origins of Creativity, award-winning children's book author and illustrator Brian Lies shares his journey into the world of writing and illustration, including the influences from his childhood, the importance of curiosity in creativity, and the creative process behind his latest book, Catnap. He highlights the significance of practice, the role of supportive environments, and the transformative nature of cre...

In this episode of the Origins of Creativity podcast, host Becky Gehrisch interviews professional textile artist, Lorraine Turner! Lorraine shares her multifaceted journey as an artist, motivational speaker, and animal communicator. She discusses her transition from graphic design to textile art, emphasizing the importance of creativity, meditation, and following one's passion. Lorraine encourages listeners to trust their intuition...

In this episode of the Origins of Creativity podcast, host Becky Gehrisch interviews professional Storyteller, Kevin Cordi, who is an international award winning educator and author! Kevin discusses the transformative power of storytelling and play in personal and professional contexts. He emphasizes the importance of a narrative mindset, the role of creativity in storytelling, and the need for collaboration and deep listening in t...

In this episode of the Origins of Creativity podcast, host Becky Gehrisch interviews fine artist Julie Borden, who specializes in hand-painted musical instruments! Julie shares her unique journey from designing furniture to creating stunning art on instruments like cellos and saxophones. She discusses the complexities of her craft, the collaboration with clients, and her experiences working on music videos. Julie emphasizes the imp...

In this episode of the Origins of Creativity podcast, host Becky Gehrisch interviews Eddie Gamarra, an Executive Producer and Consultant with extensive experience in both the film and publishing industries. They discuss Eddie's journey into creativity, the intersection of storytelling across different media, and the evolving landscape of creative commerce. Eddie shares insights on the importance of understanding the business side o...

In this episode, multi-genre, Newbery-Honor Winning Author, Rajani LaRocca, shares about her creativity through literacy. Rajani has written twenty books where she has pulled from her own experience in the medical field as well as her love of reading as a child. I had a wonderful time listening to her advice for writers and how to find joy in the creative process. Sit back and listen in on this uplifting discussion!

 You can f...

In this episode of the Origins of Creativity podcast, I interview professional Violinist and Film Composer Patrick Savage. We discuss Patrick's multifaceted career, including his album The Golden Age of Hollywood, the impact of professionalism on creativity, the role of a composer in film, and the importance of collaboration and trust in the creative process!

Patrick shares insights on the challenges and rewards of being a professi...

The Origins of Creativity Podcast is a podcast dedicated to exploring why creative professionals create.

In this episode, meet our guest, Kristy Boyce, a New York Times Best Selling Young Adult Author, seeing amazing success with her books! Over the course of her writing career, she has written four books for young adults and even a book for Disney.

She shares what inspired her to write, to keep writing, and what it took her to suc...