Creative Mode
Creativity is resistance. In a world where the lines between art and output grow increasingly blurry, how can we preserve our human creativity? From pop culture to indie movements, each week I discuss imagination-generated content and the real life inspiration behind it. This is Creative Mode.
Episodes
New music from Harry Styles and Noah Kahan, Markiplier at the movies, and art as a means of becoming
"The process of creating art makes art out of you." - Brandon Sanderson
What happens when we open our mind to the darker parts of our inner artist?
Dive in for the season one finale of Creative Mode, where Annie shares thoughts on new singles from Harry Styles (Aperture) and Noah Kahan (The Great Divide), thoughts on Markiplier's debut film Iron Lung, and reflections on week three of The Artist's Way.
Thank you, ...
"Art changes people. People change the world." 🌍
In this episode of Creative Mode, Annie celebrates 20 years of High School Musical, the movie that started her love of musicals! Then, synchronicity and how being present can lead to transformation in subtle but significant ways. Finally, why the world needs your art now more than ever. 🎨
Links:
Creative Mode is an independent ...
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What did the future look like in the past?
In this episode of Creative Mode, Annie discusses the retrofuturism of the Fallout franchise (now a hit series on Amazon Prime).
Also, reflections on Week 1 of The Artist's Way, Olympic figure skating, and the importance of having multiple creative identities.
Links:
Zines are an accessible way of self-publishing your art, poetry and creative musings. And they're totally punk rock! 🤘
In this episode, Annie talks about her discovery of zines, beginning The Artist's Way (again), and a failed phone call to Harry Styles HQ.
Also, all you need is AUDACITY, not talent.
Try it and see what happens.
Links:
What happens when you try new things and withhold judgement? Something amazing, probably.
Building off of last week's year in review, Annie predicts 2026 will be a year of expansion. Better warm up those hamstrings!
Links:
What happens when you start taking creativity seriously? (feat. The Artist's Way)
Creative Mode is an independent production. If you'd like to support the show, please visit https://buymeacof...
What color is your castle? 🏰
The tower is a symbol of upheaval... and transformation.
In this episode of Creative Mode, Annie reflects on the year 2025, shares an almost prophetic journal entry, and invites you to think about what you want to build for yourself next year.
Creative Mode is an independent production. If you'd like to support the show, please visit https://buymeacoffee.com/azomaya. Your support w...
Remember how magical Christmas was when you were a kid? What else gave you that feeling of wonder and whimsy?
In this special Christmas episode of Creative Mode, Annie plays a special message from Santa Claus himself, and revisits some of her earliest childhood memories of art and creativity.
Later, a throwback to the Hey, Arnold! Christmas episode, the Justin Bieber Christmas album, and little Cindy Lou Who is all grown up. 🎅🎄🎁
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Friction: a force that resists movement or causes conflict.
Friction shows up in our lives in different ways. Now, there are AI tools designed to remove friction for the sake of producing a faster output.
But if you reduce the creative process in this way, what actually comes out the other side?
In this episode of Creative Mode, Annie shares the new buzzword taking over AI conversations and how creatives can actually use friction as ...
When Superman premiered in theaters this summer, it shifted the entire timeline in the best possible way. Okay, maybe not, but what if. . . ?
In this episode of Creative Mode, Annie explores themes of hope, self belief, and optimism in 2025 pop media and culture.
Key insights:
- Hope is punk.
- Kindness is rebellion.
- Self belief is your superpower.
- The internet belongs to humans, not tech companies.
Reflect on some of the most uplif...
This week, Annie shares her thoughts on the premier of Stranger Things 5 and reflecting on the hit Netflix series as a cultural phenomenon.
Instagram: @anniezomaya
Creative Mode is an independent production. If you'd like to support the show, please visit https://buymeacoffee.com/azomaya. Your support will help me continue making weekly episodes and improve production quality as the show grows. Thank you! ❤️
Bad is the new good. At least when it comes to creativity.
In this episode of Creative Mode, Annie shares three ways to move past artist's block and put pen to paper (or whatever your medium may be).
💡 Key insights:
- Perfectionism is an excuse (!!!)
- Why you should embrace the drafting process
- Failure is a skill and bad art is still good art
Later, Annie shares news about the return of Vine and the upcoming Hunger Games pr...
How is an album release like having a baby? I've done neither, but apparently they have more in common than I thought.
This week on Creative Mode:
- Annie does a deep dive on the latest release from Florence + The Machine, including the real-life events that inspired the album
- Charli xcx is (creatively) pregnant!
- "Is AI an instrument?" - The rise of AI singers and music with no soul
Links: Charli xcx on Substack
Hav...
Creativity is an act of resistance. In a world where generative AI blurs the lines between art and output, how can we preserve our human creativity?
Each week, I'll share trending topics in entertainment, from pop culture to the indie web, and discuss the creative inspiration behind them.
This is a celebration of 100% imagination-generated content. This is Creative Mode.
Creative Mode is an independent production. If you'...
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