For the Love of Creatives

Creativity rarely follows a straight line, and David Powell’s story proves it. From self-taught web designer to craft cocktail bartender to digital project manager overseeing 20+ bars, his journey is a testament to following curiosity even when it leads to surprising places.

David opens up about the fear of sharing work publicly, recalling how his first poetry reading left him physically ill with anxiety. “The hard part for me is ne...

Elisha Oliver's path from classroom teacher to Executive Director of Texas Folklife offers a masterclass in following creative curiosity. When standardized testing drained her passion for education after nearly twenty years, Elisha found herself at a crossroads that many creatives face: continue the safe, practical path or risk exploring long-buried interests?

What followed was a "happy accident" – discoveri...

Andrea Holmes didn’t always believe art could pay the bills. After stints in catering, restaurants, and even TV, she embraced her true calling as a muralist. Now known as “the Bird Lady,” she supports herself and her daughter through her art, traveling internationally to paint vibrant murals that spark joy in communities worldwide.

What sets Andrea apart is her openness about the business of art. She shares that corporations like St...

Boldness opens doors that talent alone cannot. This truth radiates through Imani Black's journey from a tiny North Carolina high school to becoming a multi-faceted creative force in Dallas.

With refreshing candor, Imani shares how she transformed from the teenager who boldly announced to her entire school that she was "moving to Dallas to be somebody" into exactly that person – an award-winning photographer,...

What happens when you grow up as "the outcast among outcasts"? Photographer Curtis Tran joins us to share how being one of only three Asian students in his East Texas high school shaped his approach to creativity, community, and belonging.

Curtis takes us on a journey through his unique upbringing as a Vietnamese American in Nacogdoches, Texas, where his father—who narrowly escaped execution after the Vietnam War...

What does it take to build a restaurant empire with heart? Mico Rodriguez reveals the answer through his extraordinary journey from washing dishes at age five to creating Dallas's beloved Mi Cocina restaurants.

Growing up in his parents' restaurant, young Mico absorbed invaluable lessons about consistency, customer connection, and the intimate relationship between nourishment and care. His mother's dictatori...

What happens when a high-powered tech executive trades boardroom meetings for a canvas and paintbrushes? Kevin Whitehurst's journey from 33 years in healthcare technology to becoming "The Art Health Nut" reveals powerful lessons for creatives forging their own path to fulfillment.

Kevin's story demolishes the myth that artistic success requires traditional routes. Instead of chasing gallery representation, he tra...

What if your clothing choices were a gateway to personal transformation? In this conversation with stylist Carla Biasi, "The Closet Queen," we uncover how authentic style isn’t about trends… it’s about unlocking your value and beauty.

Carla shares her journey from teen fashion lover to financial advisor before launching her styling business at 53, inspiring anyone who feels it might be “too late” to pursue a creative calli...

Creativity isn't just a nice-to-have skill—it's as essential as oxygen, water, and food for meaningful human existence. Artist Patrick Williams draws from decades of experience to reveal how our natural creative abilities become "colonized" as we grow up, often leading to what he calls "creative collapse" in various domains of expression.

Patrick's journey from a child doodling on church ...

What happens when traditional artistic boundaries dissolve and diverse creators come together? Renuka Rajagopalan answers this through her groundbreaking work with the Garage Arts Project in Plano, Texas. Our conversation reveals how creativity thrives at the intersection of disciplines, cultures, and community.

Renuka's journey begins with a charming childhood story from India, where as a third-grader she independently sought ...

What happens when we stop running from our pain and instead race toward it with open arms? In this soul-stirring conversation with artist Mark Russell Jones, we discover how embracing our deepest wounds can transform not just our art, but our very humanity.

Mark's journey into authentic artistic expression wasn’t linear. Coming from a working-class background where art was relegated to "hobby status," he initially pur...

What does it mean to live a life driven by boundless curiosity? Surtzy takes us on an extraordinary journey through her creative existence, where each day brings a new project and every experience becomes potential artistic fuel.

From crafting avant-garde moss shoes for sustainable fashion shows to performing as an aerialist, Surtzy embodies the spirit of fearless exploration. Her story begins at just four years old, when her parent...

"You've got to have the fire." These words from metal artist Eric Breish capture the essence of the creative journey—that inexplicable burning passion that pulls you back to your craft even after declaring "I'm done" just a day before.

Eric's path to becoming a full-time artist winds through unexpected territory. From Marine Corps service to IT work to audio engineering, he eventually discovered hi...

What happens when you create art purely from your soul, without worrying if it will sell? For Christi Meril, that authentic approach became the foundation of a thriving artistic career she never planned to have.

In this captivating conversation, Christi shares how a simple act of love—creating a handmade menorah for friends—unexpectedly launched her journey as a multidimensional artist. Despite no formal training, she&apos...

The way you live your life is an act of art. This profound truth forms the foundation of our conversation with writer Jennifer Locke, who shares how creativity became the organizing principle guiding her journey—from shy college student avoiding creative writing classes to professional ghostwriter and aspiring novelist.

Jennifer reveals the delicate balance of pursuing artistic passion while managing family life with three young chi...

Sara Sparky Baumann's creative journey demolishes the myth that artists must struggle financially. Born into a family of artists but pushed toward traditional careers by her Iranian mother, Sara pursued occupational therapy while nurturing her art on the side. The pandemic became a turning point—witnessing life’s fragility in healthcare settings sparked her resolve to follow what truly fulfilled her.

What sets Sara apart isn’t ...

What happens when a creative refuses to choose between passion and practicality? Tony Hale III, professional actor and corporate tech professional, shatters the myth that artists must struggle or sacrifice to pursue their craft.

Growing up watching classic films with his grandfather in Memphis, Tony's path to acting wasn't straightforward. A fateful high school elective class introduced him to theater, where his teacher im...

What happens when we refuse to fit the mold others created for us? Keke Brooks, a musical theater performer and psychology student, joins us for a soul-stirring conversation about turning pain into passion through creative expression.

Keke opens her heart about growing up as a preacher's kid who "never felt like she fit in," struggling with social anxiety and ADHD while simultaneously developing her gifts as...

Ever dismissed your natural talents because they come easily to you? That’s exactly what creativity coach Jill Allison Bryan wants you to stop doing. "When we do something well or have done it a long time, we discount it," she explains, encouraging us instead to celebrate these gifts.

Through an engaging conversation with hosts Dwight and Maddox, Jill shares her remarkable journey from Nashville advertising copywriter to C...