Shows
The Creative Exponent5.3 Deep Work Vs. Shallow Work 1Hey podcast friends! This week our conversation was sparked by a book, Deep Work by Cal Newport, Marian is reading. So what is deep work? What is shallow work? We think these answers are personal to you, and the work you do. We chat about:
Defining deep and shallow work in your life & the difference between the two
How the online climate is pushing us to work in the shallows and we can struggle so much to work in the digital world, when so much of our work is deep.
How we sense the shift of peers on social media...2024-04-2445 minThe Creative Exponent5.2 Talent & Work, Let's Discuss…5.2 Talent & Work, Let's Discuss… by Marian Parsons & Shaunna West2023-09-1934 minThe Creative Exponent5.1 We're Back & Talking About When Life Is Bananas5. 1 We’re back and talking about when life is bananas
So where have we been, what have we been up to, and what has been going on in our lives in the last year?? By the way, we can’t believe it’s been a year, we have MISSED YOU, but you’ll certainly get a better understanding into why it has taken this break to begin recording again.
So when life is actually bananas…not just sort of busy, but very, very up in the air, where does our creative work go? Anywhere, everywhere, nowhere, somewhere, and all the seeds plan...2023-04-1838 minThe Creative Exponent4.4 - Living A Life In Art4.4 - Living A Life In Art by Marian Parsons & Shaunna West2022-04-1937 minThe Creative Exponent4.3 - Know What You Want Out Of Social Media Before Opening The App 14.3 - Know What You Want Out Of Social Media Before Opening The App 1 by Marian Parsons & Shaunna West2022-02-1537 minThe Creative Exponent4.2 - Say Yes, Life After The Death Of Dream With Scott Erickson4.2 - Say Yes, Life After The Death Of Dream With Scott Erickson by Marian Parsons & Shaunna West2022-01-2547 minThe Creative Exponent4.1 - Filling Your Space With Pieces You Love4.1 - Filling Your Space With Pieces You Love by Marian Parsons & Shaunna West2022-01-1841 minThe Creative Exponent3.24 - Permission To Change Your Mind3.24 - Permission To Change Your Mind by Marian Parsons & Shaunna West2021-12-2135 minThe Creative Exponent3.23 - Cozy White Cottage Season & Blogs aren't dead with Liz Marie Galvan3.23 - Cozy White Cottage Season & Blogs aren't dead with Liz Marie Galvan by Marian Parsons & Shaunna West2021-11-161h 03The Creative Exponent3.22 - On Judging Your Creative Work Fairly3.22 - On Judging Your Creative Work Fairly by Marian Parsons & Shaunna West2021-11-1035 minThe Creative Exponent3.21 - Taking Calculated Risks3.21 - Taking Calculated Risks by Marian Parsons & Shaunna West2021-10-2640 minThe Creative Exponent3.20 - Ruth Chou Simons & Creating A Market For Your Work3.20 - Ruth Chou Simons & Creating A Market For Your Work by Marian Parsons & Shaunna West2021-10-1943 minThe Creative Exponent3.19 - All Of The Details About Getting Published3.19 - All Of The Details About Getting Published by Marian Parsons & Shaunna West2021-10-121h 01The Creative Exponent3.18 - When You Hit A Life Wall3.18 - When You Hit A Life Wall by Marian Parsons & Shaunna West2021-10-0537 minThe Creative Exponent3.17 - Creative Collaboration3.17 - Creative Collaboration by Marian Parsons & Shaunna West2021-06-2941 minThe Creative Exponent3.16 - Showing Up On Social Media In Your Own WayThis topic comes up a LOT for us in our mentoring group and Community, in conversations with other creatives, between ourselves...we are consistently talking through this and striving to navigate the weird world of social media in our own ways.
Todd Henry says, “Technology is really outpacing us.” We talk about this and why it is so difficult to show up as yourself, as you are, on social media and also why we all just can’t stop talking about it. How do we use it as a tool, and use it positively for ourselves, without absorbing all of the ne...2021-06-2240 minThe Creative Exponent3.15 - Your Style Is Your Voice With Jena Holliday 1We love having guests...we love the rich conversation, and so do you guys. And when we asked Jena from A Spoonful of Faith one of many questions, “So tell us about your style,” her answer blew us away. “Your Style is Your Voice.” You will love hearing Jena’s story around the beginnings of her business, how she discovered her voice, and how she tries to use her platforms and work to bring beauty into the world and to bless others with positivity and goodness.
You can find Jena on Instagram @aspoonfuloffaith and her website https://www.spoonfuloffaith.com.
You can fi...2021-06-1546 minThe Creative Exponent3.14 - Let's Talk About The Midlife Crisis Of A Creative BusinessIt happens. You’ve gotten older. You’ve gotten wiser. You have so much experience, and a lot of it is good. Out of nowhere, it seems just like in our lives, we face situations and feelings within our business that force us to feel like it’s just not like it used to be.
After you have been in business for quite a while, there is simply more time for things to go wrong and to face disappointments. In the beginning, even though you may not be where you want to be yet, there is literally nowhere to go but up...2021-06-0839 minThe Creative Exponent3.13 - How To Prepare For A Creative Retreat3.13 - How To Prepare For A Creative Retreat by Marian Parsons & Shaunna West2021-05-2531 minThe Creative Exponent3.11 - How Overthinking Kills Creativity & Joy3.11 - How Overthinking Kills Creativity & Joy by Marian Parsons & Shaunna West2021-05-1835 minThe Creative Exponent3.12 - The Importance Of Having Creative Mentors & ApprenticesIf the feeling of other humans helping you out sounds amazing right about now, today's podcast episode is for you. We said this recently on Instagram, "I think for us, it's probably the reason we fell into coaching other creatives outside of our own art and writing. We know what it means to be mentored well, and mentored wholly."
And boy, do we. We mentor each other and we've had other mentors. We get coached and we coach. Today's episode is all about the beauty of being a master and apprentice wherever you are in your creative/work journey. It's...2021-05-1144 minThe Creative Exponent3.10 - Seeking Your Creative Purpose3.10 - Seeking Your Creative Purpose by Marian Parsons & Shaunna West2021-05-0429 minThe Creative Exponent3.9 - Conscious Creativity With Philippa Stanton3.9 - Conscious Creativity With Philippa Stanton by Marian Parsons & Shaunna West2021-04-2051 minThe Creative Exponent3.8 - Bouncing Back From NosThe no’s are just hard. They are so hard, as a matter of fact. Getting a no can feel devastating, and it may take serious effort to move forward, but getting a no can also be a beautiful thing. We have both gotten so many no’s to opportunities, to pitches, to product lines...we have been there. Getting negative feedback & criticism, or even receiving a no is worth feeling. Feel the no. Feel the frustration and disappointment, and keep going. It may sound simple and a little fluffy, but believe us, allowing yourself to feel the no’s, and ke...2021-04-1338 minThe Creative Exponent3.7 - Imagination Vs. Reinvention - How Do You CreateThis week’s podcast episode was born from a conversation between us. Marian loves to create from a reference photo or from her love of old things. I love to create from my imagination, using past experiences and images in my mind. We think this is an important realization to have for yourself; after all, self-awareness is a powerful tool. We talk about identifying how you create, and identifying ways to expand your boundaries and try creating differently. Choosing self awareness in this way is choosing a path for growth in your creative work.
You can find us, Marian and Sh...2021-03-2323 minThe Creative Exponent3.6 - Listener Question - How To Create In Short Bursts Of Time3.6 - Listener Question - How To Create In Short Bursts Of Time by Marian Parsons & Shaunna West2021-03-1621 minThe Creative Exponent3.5 - The Evolution of a StudioYour studio. Your place to create and escape the world. Or is it?? Our studios often have to serve the rest of the house as well as our creative work. This week is for the design lovers, and the ones who feel like they just can’t quite get the studio “right.” Studio spaces, whether a table or desk or entire room, must be allowed room to breathe and room to evolve. It takes time to see what you need for the space to work FOR you, and not the other way around. We have both been in small and large...2021-03-0934 minThe Creative Exponent3.4 - Doing Feeds Creating3.4 - Doing Feeds Creating by Marian Parsons & Shaunna West2021-03-0241 minThe Creative Exponent3.3 - Creative Evolution With Emily LexEpisode 3.3 Creative Evolution with Emily Lex
We have both known Emily Lex for years...as a matter of fact, we all began blogging around the same time, and we just wanted to share a cool story with all of you. She is an Artist, Author, Journaler, and creative entrepreneur seeking to EVOLVE. Yessssss. We watched her business and blog evolve over the years, and it was freeing to watch.
We sat down with Emily, and heard the story of where her business and blog began, and how one day, she knew it was time to change it. To begin again...2021-02-2356 minThe Creative Exponent3.2 - When The Anecdotes Aren't True For You3.2 - When The Anecdotes Aren't True For You by Marian Parsons & Shaunna West2021-02-0230 minThe Creative Exponent3.1 - Five Ways To Feel More Productive In 2021Welcome to Season 3 of The Creative Exponent Podcast!! We wanted to kick off 2021 with a bang, and today’s conversation stemmed from a session we taught our Mentoring group. A truth about productivity is this: It’s one thing to BE productive, and it is an entirely different thing to FEEL productive. You can be productive, accomplishing plenty, but if the obstacles in your way are making you feel unproductive, the tasks themselves can be irrelevant.
This episode will hopefully give you some ideas to be more productive, but hopefully, it will give you perspectives to feel more productive this year...2021-01-2644 minThe Creative Exponent2.37 - Sharing What You Create Vs. Creating To ShareWelcome to the Season Two Finale! While we will miss you guys, we also believe deeply in the value of downtime, and we’ll take a short break during the holidays. Don’t worry, we will be back in January with guests and more episodes lined up that will hopefully continue to help you discover, uphold, and share your creativity.
Today we are chatting about a topic near and dear to both of us. We have both done it. We have both learned ways to avoid it. We have both learned the value in sharing what we create vs. creating so w...2020-11-1731 minThe Creative Exponent2.36 - Business Savvy & Wisdom With Mariele From Young In The MountainsWhen we set out to talk to Mariele, the founder and jewelry maker behind Young in the Mountains (and also the rockstar woman who created Shaunna’s wedding ring), we had no idea what a treasure trove our conversation would be. We knew she was talented, but listening to her talk we found ourselves furiously taking notes and getting so worked up we could hardly sit still.
Mariele tells us the fascinating story of how Young in the Mountains came to be (even her business title has a beautiful backstory), the work it took mine and source natural stone, to ge...2020-11-1049 minThe Creative Exponent2.35 - Behind The Scenes Of Our PodcastJoin us today as we chat about all the things we had to learn to make The Creative Exponent Podcast. We really had to learn quite a few new skills to pull this venture off, and are still learning so much!
We also chat about all the funny little moments that happen unseen, like our constant yawning battles that begin on days we record multiple episodes, what we think about comments and suggestions from listeners, and our thoughts on keeping this podcast casual and relatable for the long haul. We hope you enjoy this little peek behind the scenes of...2020-11-0340 minThe Creative Exponent2.34 - From B&B Owner To Blogger - Michael Wurm Jr. Of Inspired By CharmThis week we are joined by one of our friends and fellow bloggers, Michael Wurm, of the popular home decor and lifestyle blog, Inspired By Charm. If you haven’t heard of Michael, there is almost certainly a chance you’ve seen his work. His recipes and entertaining experiences are ALL over the internet, and his approach to what he shares is what draws us into his content over and over.
We chat about his wonderful story of buying a Bed & Breakfast, Old Charm, and how creating experiences for his guests gave him something to blog about….and how that blog t...2020-10-2740 minThe Creative Exponent2.33 - The Benefits Of Developing Creative RitualsNeither of us would consider ourselves hyper-scheduled or ritually rigid. However, we both have learned the value in instilling little creative rituals that help us get started, or keep going, or get inspired.
We chat about the importance of setting up a designated place for your creative practice, the time you choose to create, and the ambiance you surround yourself with. There is so much you can’t control in your environment, but setting some intention around these three areas can help move you into your creative routine even on the days you feel like you just cannot muster it.
Sh...2020-10-2133 min
The Creative Exponent2.33 - The Benefits Of Developing Creative Rituals2.33 - The Benefits Of Developing Creative Rituals by Marian Parsons & Shaunna West2020-10-2033 minThe Creative Exponent2.32 - Janelle Of Tono + Co Shares How She Shopped For A Fridge On Craigslist & Bought A BusinessA picture is worth a thousand words. In this case, maybe Janelle’s photos aren’t worth a thousand words, but they do tell the story of how much she loves color and how it shaped the course of her now hand-dyed textile brand.
And maybe the best part? This all started after her year abroad in Italy, as she searched for a refrigerator on Craigslist, and wound up buying a business instead. And the rest, as they say, is history. We chat about drive, adapting, funneling your energy into projects you really love, and the art of being a litt...2020-10-1342 minThe Creative Exponent2.31 - It's Okay To Take A BreakAs creative entrepreneurs, it is pretty common to have seven plates spinning at once. Because our income relies on us consistently producing, we tend to tell ourselves we cannot take time off to rest, or to take a break from certain tasks. None of us ever begin our journey of creative entrepreneurship by telling ourselves we want a job where we can never take a day off. Because we don’t have employers, these fears and rules are self-imposed. BUT, bonus...this means these fears and habits can be self-corrected.
We have to see if what our minds construct as a...2020-10-0615 minThe Creative Exponent2.30 - Author Myquillyn Smith On Staying True To Your Style & Writing Out Of FrustrationToday’s episode is such a treat. NYT Bestselling author Myquillyn Smith joins us today to talk about her new book, Welcome Home, her love of the generosity of women on the internet, how her business came to be and how she continues to shift and adapt to continue pursuing work she loves. We chat about her unapologetic attitude towards making a home that works for YOU, how to avoid falling into the trap of doing work that everyone else is doing, and how she hopes to continue evolving and all the while, staying true to the work that brings he...2020-09-2939 minThe Creative Exponent2.29 - Chloe McIntosh Of Boxwood Avenue - Instagram, Ranch Life & DesignTalking to creatives is our favorite, and this one is a treat. Chloe of Boxwood Avenue joins us this week, and she is just as passionate about sharing value and insight with her audience as we are. While it isn’t our traditional podcast conversation, we were dying to hear the story of how this city girl came to live on a ranch and build such a unique life, all while building a creative business career around her passions and hobbies! We chat about the story of how Boxwood Avenue (the ranch life and business) came to be, continuing to pu...2020-09-2245 minThe Creative Exponent2.28 - The Importance Of Defining SuccessWe know. This topic can be one to scoff at. Defining success for yourself sounds like a really fluffy, cliche topic. The truth, though, is this: defining what success really looks like for you impacts the choices you make as a creative entrepreneur every single day. And the other truth is this: we have to continue defining what success looks like for us all along the way.
With so much pressure coming at us through the lens of social media, and what perceived success looks like for others, we must find some kind of destination with places to stop and...2020-09-1534 minThe Creative Exponent2.27 - Becoming A Stylist & Combating The Sea Of Sameness With Heather BullardThe Creative Exponent podcast returns this week with a bang, great conversation, and an incredible guest. Heather Bullard is an Editorial Prop Stylist, Creative Director, Producer, and Business Coach - with more than a decade of experience, and on top of all of that, she believes deeply in pursuing your own creative path & creating a rich, fulfilling, career built around the things you care about. Yes, she’s our kind of woman.
We chat this week about styling and photography, creating classic looks and branding experiences that stand the test of time, as well as how to combat the “sea of s...2020-09-0837 minThe Creative Exponent2.26 - Creative Self - CareHow can we take care of ourselves creatively? Making time for it is a huge start. But how do we do that? How do we keep our creative time a priority and more importantly, how can we protect how we feel about our creative work?
How can we avoid burnout and the angsty feelings of “not getting enough done?” What kinds of things can we do to promote creative self-care? This week, we’re talking about what works for us, talking about how we approach our schedules and grace, and how we try to invest in ourselves to keep going.
You ca...2020-07-2825 minThe Creative Exponent2.25 - Who Are You Creating For…2.25 - Who Are You Creating For… by Marian Parsons & Shaunna West2020-07-2134 minThe Creative Exponent2.24 - Saying No To Good Things To Say Yes To Better ThingsYou’re a creative entrepreneur. You wear a million different hats. And chances are, because you are opportunistic and optimistic or financially motivated, you wind up saying yes to everything. And while sometimes we have to say yes to more than we’d like, the goal is to move into the place where we can become discerning, and say no to the good to make room for the best.
Saying no is golden. Saying no when something is not a “heck yes!” is essential to save room in our businesses and in our lives to GROW. We’ve both been there, and...2020-07-1434 minThe Creative Exponent2.23 - Talent Vs. Creativity2.23 - Talent Vs. Creativity by Marian Parsons & Shaunna West2020-07-0737 minThe Creative Exponent2.22 - Building Your Vision Pt 2 - Discovering Your VisionOnce you have determined what matters to you and your brand, THEN we can begin to build a vision. So often, as solo entrepreneurs, it feels a little lofty to create a vision. But knowing where we are going matters. The unearthing of your vision matters. Your decisions, your yes’s, your no’s...will all stem from here.
Dreams and ideas are singular, not necessarily tied to a holistic picture. A goal is trackable and actionable. A VISION is the picture of your true north. Where am I actually going, long term? Vision is an encompassing view of what you...2020-06-3028 minThe Creative Exponent2.21 - Let's Talk About Instagram GrowthAhh, growth and social media. You rarely hear a conversation about Instagram, or any other social media channel, that is not synonymous with growth.
And while we know growth does matter as it relates to our creative businesses, this is not a “5 steps to grow your Instagram” podcast episode, but rather, a totally honest, exploratory conversation between friends, one with a large audience and one with a smaller audience. How it works for us, what the frustrations are, the good stuff...what matters and what really doesn't.
There are important questions to consider like: How does growing your Instagram account impa...2020-06-2345 minThe Creative Exponent2.20 Building Your Vision Pt 1 - BoundariesSometimes we launch a creative business by accident of sorts. Sometimes the business shifts drastically. Sometimes, as creative entrepreneurs, we long to change or further develop the vision of our business. This week, we talk through the first part of building your vision. Think of your vision as the “could’s and should’s.” We talk about setting up your core values, non-negotiables, and must-haves. Who are you? Where are you willing to go? What needs to be at the heart of your business?
You can find us, Marian and Shaunna, at www.thecreativeexponent.com where we continue our passionate conversa...2020-06-0937 minThe Creative Exponent2.19 Creative Activities For Non - Creative PeopleWe would argue that everyone is creative, and we give you some more reasons to believe us this week. But just in case you’re still on the fence, we talk about practices for the “non-creatives” out there. What are some small, simple ways to shift your perspective or maybe open up the creative work or hobby you had to sideline some time ago? We chat about these this week, and talk about the ways we have used these exercises to stir up our creative juices again and again.
You can find us, Marian and Shaunna, at www.thecreativeexponent.com where...2020-06-0243 minThe Creative Exponent2.18 Five Classic Mistakes Creative Entrepreneurs MakeYou’ve started this business. You’ve bought the domain, or rented the space or listed your products on Etsy. You are going to do this. Reality sets in and we begin the process of beginning our business, and often, we get bogged down in simple mistakes that shape the very nature of our creative work pursuit.
We don’t promote our work because it feels a little too sales-centered. We isolate ourselves and keep ourselves alone and outside of a like-minded community. We don’t treat our businesses like a business because it is easy to be distracted or to say y...2020-05-2652 minThe Creative Exponent2.17 The Importance Of Creative CommunityIf there is one thing we have learned about creative work, it is this: You just don’t have to do it alone. Being the CEO, COO, CFO, Creative Director, and every employee can be a little difficult to juggle, and while we all might be capable of multitasking, the needs we have as a creative business owner reach further than the tasks. The other thing we know is this: It is good for you to have other voices speak into your business and to give you a fresh perspective. While your own voice should be the loudest, giving a co...2020-05-1240 minThe Creative Exponent2.16 Setting Up A Creative Space At HomeWorking from home. What a gift and a challenge. We certainly know all about it, as both of us have worked from home for the last ten years. It can be a complete joy and almost impossible, depending on the way you approach setting up your space.
This week we talk about setting up your creative workspace at home: What does the space need to look and feel like to be conducive to creativity? What’s the top priority in the space? Does everything in the space give the space the chance to function for its highest and best use? An...2020-05-0538 minThe Creative Exponent2.15 Quarantine Wedding & Happy Mail MovementWeddings and Happy Mail. Sometimes we just need to talk about the good stuff. This week Shaunna and Marian talk about two good things surrounding us right now. Shaunna gets married, quarantine-style, and talks about why they decided to move forward during this stay-at-home time, and what really matters.
We also share some ways you can spread a little light around the world right now with the Happy Mail Movement. Marian began receiving happy mail from different friends and shops and is spreading the love. Drop a little something in an envelope and tag it #happymailmovement so we can see...2020-04-2825 minThe Creative Exponent2.14 Your Humanity Strengthens Your Creative VoiceRight now, as a creative or a creative entrepreneur, it is really tempting to ask the question, “What do I need to be for people right now?” We would say resoundingly, be authentic. We owe it to honor ourselves first as creatives and what we choose to share can come forth from who we really are. To create is to share your humanity. Your experiences give you a unique perspective on universal needs, problems, and feelings.
This week, we talk through how we can be trapped or liberated by what we choose to share. As long as what we share onli...2020-04-2125 minThe Creative Exponent2.13 Inspiration Vs. ImitationHow do we use inspiration without imitating? And how do we use this time we have right now at home to work for us. The language spoken in different art mediums often relates to what we do, and also brings with it fresh perspective and renewed inspiration. This week we’re talking about an article we both read by Stylist Heather Bullard, “How To Be Inspired.” We break down a few practical ideas for how to pull inspiration from many different sources, ways to play creatively to discover some new ideas or creative energy, and also how this time of forced...2020-04-1422 minThe Creative Exponent2.12 Feel - Good Creative InputThis week the separation we are all feeling has hit us harder, as women and as creative business owners. Quite simply, while we have seen such pain, loss, and difficulty, we are continually amazed at the good we find in this world, today, amidst it all. We know that without finding this good, we will be lost and certainly less able to create and use our creative gifts for ourselves, our families, our customers, and this world. We talk about all the ways we are staying positive when we can and little ways and places you can find it, too...2020-04-0747 minThe Creative Exponent2.11 How To Support Artists & Businesses2.11 How To Support Artists & Businesses by Marian Parsons & Shaunna West2020-03-3134 minThe Creative Exponent2.10 Creative Work In A Crazy TimeWe
believe this to be true: creative work is beauty in the world. We are living in crazy times right now, and there is much fear, anxiety, and uncertainty around us. As creatives and creative business owners, how do we navigate through this fear and these circumstances? We do not have all the answers, but we hope to talk through this with you this week, because we need each other.
Here’s what we do know: the work we do matters, and it matters right now more than ever. As fear and uncertainty surround us, we are able, in moments, an...2020-03-2437 minThe Creative Exponent2.9 Saying No To YourselfWho doesn’t love a good brainstorming session? There is beauty in pursuing multiple avenues of creativity, but equally, there is power in learning to say no to yourself. Editing is one of the most important steps you will take in sharing your creative work with the world. What isn’t there is often what makes your work stand out and successful.
Our creativity shifts and if you are into a whole lot, you may find yourself in more need of editing than those who hone a single craft their entire lives. This week Marian and Shaunna talk through all the...2020-03-1749 minThe Creative Exponent2.8 Turning Your Creativity Into A BusinessYou make things. You create this art for people in your life. Maybe it began as a hobby; maybe it was a work you wanted to pursue and you had children, or started a 9 to 5 you cannot walk away from just yet. And you hear it: “You should sell these.” Turning your creativity into a business is often worth the risk, but the choice to take something you love and turn it into an income producing machine does come with responsibility and even pressure.
This week Shaunna and Marian talk through questions to ask yourself before you take the leap. To h...2020-03-1042 minThe Creative ExponentSnippet 4 - Journal Prompts To Build Creative ResilianceSnippet 4 - Journal Prompts To Build Creative Resiliance by Marian Parsons & Shaunna West2020-02-2715 minThe Creative Exponent2.7 The Importance Of Remaining TeachableIf we decide we have all the answers in this life, that is then the end of our road. There is nowhere to go, nothing new to do and see and be. There is no wonder. For creatives, there is such rigidity to this way of thinking and our work will suffer. When we remain teachable, it leaves us with a willingness to learn, change, and grow.
This week Shaunna and Marian encourage us to create with curiosity, to recognize there are other ways to look at the world. There is always more to learn. Remaining teachable can truly take...2020-02-2540 minThe Creative ExponentSnippet 3 - Our Favorite Ways To Play CreativelySnippet 3 - Our Favorite Ways To Play Creatively by Marian Parsons & Shaunna West2020-02-2010 minThe Creative Exponent2.6 Overcoming Creative WoundingWounding happens to all of us, in every way. It happens to us at home and at work, and it happens to us creatively. So what is creative wounding? It is anything that deters you from doing something creative you love that is outside of a reason you choose for yourself. It may be a word spoken over you as a child. It may be blatantly negative or incredibly subtle. And when it happens, we sometimes give over the ability to choose that “this” is something that we will even try to do.
This week Marian and Shaunna talk about what...2020-02-1852 minThe Creative Exponent2.5 Why Observation Is Such A Powerful Creative ToolObserving and creativity go hand in hand. There is such importance in slowing down and being observant. This week Shaunna and Marian talk about how much harder this is due to all the digital distractions we have at our fingertips. They still contend there is power in sitting on a bench to enjoy being outside, or to watch a couple walk through a park. To simply be. We all need to just be able to sit, to breathe deeply, to be truly present. To revel in Intentional quiet.
The gift of bring present brings is experiencing life, which breathes just...2020-02-0428 minThe Creative ExponentCreative Snippet 2 - Journal Prompt - What's Your WhyCreative Snippet 2 - Journal Prompt - What's Your Why by Marian Parsons & Shaunna West2020-01-3009 minThe Creative Exponent2.4 Being An Apprentice With Jeanne OliverThis week’s episode of The Creative Exponent welcomes its first guest, Artist, Author and Workshop Connoisseur, Jeanne Oliver. Shaunna and Marian ask her questions surrounding her own creative journey, and find out what makes this creative entrepreneur and teacher tick. Jeanne shares her first creative memories painting on the carpet as a child, protecting herself from her inner critic, and the impact of words spoken over us that can become a part of our own narrative that limits us. She addresses us all, and leaves us with words of wisdom to start ameteur, to pursue what we feel drawn to...2020-01-2849 minThe Creative ExponentCreative Snippet 1 - 5 Favorite Books On Creativityentrepreneur2020-01-2309 minThe Creative Exponent2.3 The Importance Of Asking Why NotAsking why is important. The “why” matters. But what if asking “why not?” is equally important? Asking why not forces you to face the fears and insecurities behind why you don’t do it...because often the why not is just that: fear.
This week Shaunna and Marian talk about finding a balanced approach to asking ALL the questions we need to when trying something new creatively or for our creative work. Asking why not is not flippant or reckless. Looking at the answers to our “why not” does, though, bring awareness.
To help us look at the worst case scenario in ou...2020-01-2135 minThe Creative Exponent2.2 Creative ResilianceWhat does it mean to be creatively resilient? Today, Shaunna and Marian are talking about creative resilience, and the knowledge of how much it is needed for us as creatives. And more than needing it, they realize creative resilience is a practice, rather than simply a skill we learn once. Sometimes it is easy, and the resolve we find in ourselves spills out naturally. And sometimes, holding on to the fortitude in us to keep creating, to keep going, to keep sharing our work vulnerably...feels impossible. They talk about how they practice resilience, why they feel like it matters...2020-01-1453 minThe Creative Exponent2.1 Creative ResolutionsWelcome to season two of The Creative Exponent Podcast! Shaunna and Marian are so excited to be back for another season to chat about creativity. To kick off 2020, they’re talking about the dreaded R-word… Resolutions. Creative Resolutions, to be more specific. And, if the R-word doesn’t have a good reputation with you, Marian & Shaunna unpack the difference between dreams and goals and share some encouragement and resources to help you set your own attainable goals. If you’re ready to see some forward progress in your creative journey, this episode is for you.2020-01-0746 minThe Creative Exponent19. Creative FrontierIn the season finale for The Creative Exponent podcast season 1, Shaunna and Marian explore the creative frontier! Why is it important to continue to look to the horizon to see what is outside of your comfortably settled territory? Creative exploration is important for the soul and for the creative community as a whole. We need to go beyond creating in our carefully manicured suburban plot and get out into the wild to see what can be discovered there. Let’s be brave and curious…2019-11-2648 minThe Creative Exponent18. Bouncing Back From BurnoutIt is just simply difficult to truly unplug and give ourselves enough rest creatively. Pressure, stress, the to do list...all of these things eventually lead to some form of burnout. Doing creative work we love is no exception. This week Marian and Shaunna talk about their own seasons of extended burnout, and how often it can be tied to turning the creative work we love into an income producing business, lack of rest, lack of unplugging from the “audience” before us. They talk about how unplugging is a choice long before it becomes a habit, and how we can try...2019-11-1949 minThe Creative Exponent17. Dealing With CopycatsAhh, copycats. In creative work, running across someone doing exactly what you have done before is an inevitability. And while there are some cases where the copying is less of a compliment and more along the lines of trademark infringement, often the truth is there is nothing new under the sun, and the copying itself is actually a compliment. This week Marian and Shaunna talk about how they’ve dealt with copycats, and how mostly, they try to choose to keep their blinders on and continue focusing on the work. They talk about the difference between found inspiration and copyright in...2019-11-1245 minThe Creative Exponent16. Creative ScheduleCreativity and the word schedule don’t often go hand in hand. But Schedule doesn’t have to be a dirty word for creatives. It would be a wonderful world if creative genius would strike us over the head every single day, but often, it finds us working, and in our normal day to day routines. This week Marian and Shaunna talk about their own schedules and how creativity realistically fits in, and how you can build a schedule for creativity that works for you in your lifestyle, as is.
You can find Marian and Shaunna at www.thecreativeexponent.com wher...2019-11-0538 minThe Creative Exponent15. Creating When Life Is A Dumpster FireHow in the world do we keep creating when life just goes SIDEWAYS? When it feels like there are more things going wrong than going right...by a long stretch.
How does creativity fit in then? Or our creative work? Marian and Shaunna each talk about some of the challenges they are battling right now in life.
How it is simply a reality that we will face heightened stress and pressure as well as serious trial in our lives. How do we continue to create in the midst of a bonafide dumpster fire? How can we stay centered and motivated...2019-10-2937 minThe Creative Exponent14. Don't Babysit Your WorkThere is such a tempting habit in today’s world of instant feedback. How easily do we get sucked in to sharing our work online, only to hover over what we publish like the best of all helicopter moms? We publish, and we check comments. We scan likes, followers, feedback. All day.
If we own a creative business or share our creative work, do we have to be aware of the response to our work? Sure. Of course. This week Marian and Shaunna talk about the difference between awareness of the “public response” and the obsession that can so easily become...2019-10-2235 minThe Creative Exponent13. Normal Life, Extraordinary WorkDo you feel like your life is too normal, too boring, too typical, too ordinary to have anything interesting to say? Shaunna and Marian have heard this as an excuse time and time again as an argument against sharing stories, creations, and thoughts with others. “I just don’t have anything to say.”
The beautiful truth is that we all have something to say. Even if you are a plain Jane suburban housewife soccer-mom with 2.5 kids and a dog, you have something to say. And, believe it or not, other people want to hear what you have to say. In today’...2019-10-1534 minThe Creative Exponent12. Procrastination ToolsProcrastination. The inevitable word all creatives eventually face. This week, Marian and Shaunna talk about all the subtle ways we can make ourselves busy as stall tactics. Procrastination for creatives is not always an obvious putting off of our responsibilities, because our to do’s also FEEL like action. They talk about the most common procrastination tools and how they usually stem from negative feelings about your and your business. They go a step further and ask, “Where do these tools come from? Why are we actually procrastinating?”
Often, we procrastinate when we feel stagnant, discouraged, or insecure in our creati...2019-10-0846 minThe Creative Exponent11. Is The Best Of Your Past The Enemy Of Your Present GoodWhat happens we experience success as creatives? Success can be a catalyst for more success, but it can also, very subtly and unintentionally, create a set of unspoken expectations we place on ourselves and our creative work. This week, Marian and Shaunna talk about this reality, and share their own personal stories of how the best of their past has been the enemy of their present good. How those nagging questions can sneak up on us….”Maybe my best ideas are behind me.” “Maybe I’ve done my best work.” “How can I possibly recreate that moment in time again and again and...2019-10-0143 minThe Creative ExponentMinisode 3. Creative Autobiographies Part 3Based on a creative biography exercise from the book The Creative Habit by Twyla Tharpe, these mini-episodes were born. Marian and Shaunna share their own creative biographies, and a lot of laughs, honest, off-the-cuff answers, and truth telling around each of their creative journeys.
In this mini episode, you’ll hear Marian and Shaunna answer questions like:
When confronted with superior intelligence or talent, how do you respond?
When faced with stupidity, laziness, hostility, or indifference in others, how do you respond? When faced with impending success or the threat of failure, how do you respond? When you work, do yo...2019-09-2725 minThe Creative Exponent10. When You Stroke Out CreativelyMarian and Shaunna relive their brainstorming weekend of developing The Creative Exponent and share the moment where Marian “stroked out” creatively. We all do it. We are plugging along with our creative work and out of nowhere, we hit a wall. One of the worst things we can do when hitting these walls is to try to push through it because of deadlines and pressures, both externally and internally. Marian and Shaunna talk about how they deal with their own walls, developing your own strategies, and tools we can all use to push through the ups and downs of our crea...2019-09-2439 minThe Creative ExponentMinisode - Creative Autobiographies Part 2Based on a creative biography exercise from the book The Creative Habit by Twyla Tharpe, these mini-episodes were born. Marian and Shaunna share their own creative biographies, and a lot of laughs, honest, off-the-cuff answers, and truth telling around each of their creative journeys.
In this mini episode, you’ll hear Marian and Shaunna answer questions like:
What are your habits and what patterns do you create? Describe your first successful creative act and one word attitudes towards money, power, praise, rivals, work, and play. Who are your favorite artists?
They hope you leave this series feeling connected, understood, and a...2019-09-2022 minThe Creative Exponent9. Owning Your Place (Scarcity Vs. Abundance)It is really simple to feel like creative work is scarce. We struggle to find and hold our own place in the world, to hold our own space creatively. Do you believe that there is a limited amount of success, joy, love, or creativity in the world? This week Marian and Shaunna talk about how easy it is to fall into the trap of getting stuck in a mindset of scarcity, which can ultimately destroy our creativity and keep us in a toxic place. Shaunna shares her own story of abundance to scarcity, and back to abundance again. When we...2019-09-1749 minThe Creative ExponentMinisode - Creative Autobiographies Part 1Based on a creative biography exercise from the book The Creative Habit by Twyla Tharpe, these mini-episodes were born. Marian and Shaunna share their own creative biographies, and a lot of laughs, honest, off-the-cuff answers, and truth-telling around each of their creative journeys.
In this mini-episode, you’ll hear Marian and Shaunna answer questions like: What’s the best idea you’ve ever had? What is the dumbest? What is your creative ambition? What are the obstacles to achieving that creative ambition? What are the vital steps to you achieving that ambition?
They hope you leave this series feeling connected, unders...2019-09-1313 minThe Creative Exponent8. Thinking Of Starting A Creative Busines Do These Things First...Thinking of taking your creativity and turning it into a business? There are a few things you should be doing first. This week Marian and Shaunna talk about the things you should be doing before you expand into the world of creative business. They talk through the lessons learned, and what they would say to themselves about a decade ago. They would tell themselves, and you, to create privately for yourself, to decide if you REALLY want this to be a business, to establish your why to create filters for yourself, and to set it up properly from the get-go...2019-09-1039 minThe Creative Exponent7. Make An Appointment With Creativity7. Make An Appointment With Creativity by Marian Parsons & Shaunna West2019-09-0335 minThe Creative Exponent6. The Numbers Are PeopleHere’s a little secret to spill. Those numbers you’re looking at to tell you that you are doing good work...those numbers are people. This week, Marian and Shaunna talk about analytics and the numbers, and while we have to be aware of them, we cannot be controlled by them as creatives. They pose questions for us to consider: Are we looking to the numbers for worthiness and validation
When are the numbers enough? How much more genuinely will we share our work and creative voice when we put faces to the numbers we use as our personal rati...2019-08-2733 minThe Creative Exponent5. Don't Wait For PerfectHave you ever been paralyzed to begin a creative pursuit because everything isn’t just quite...perfect?
Marian and Shaunna talk about the realities of waiting until everything is perfect for you to get moving and how much the creative process needs a little freedom. Marian shares a personal story of her own and you hear the benefits of allowing people to join you along your journey. They encourage you to be practical, sure, but to give yourself a little grace to begin before everything is in exactly the right spot. And in doing so, you will knock one of th...2019-08-2035 minThe Creative Exponent4. Sharing Your CreativitySo now you’ve decided you are creative and you want to protect and foster it...now what? This week Marian and Shaunna wrap up the introductory episodes to The Creative Exponent and talk about the realities of sharing your work, with a small or large audience. They chat about the importance of developing a thick skin, and how the benefits largely outweigh any downsides of sharing your creative work. They talk through strategies to help you face criticism or negative feedback and encourage you to, once again, be the owner of your creative voice.
You can find Marian and Sh...2019-08-1938 minThe Creative Exponent3. Upholding Your CreativityThis week Marian and Shaunna chat about the next foundational piece of your creativity: Upholding it. They laugh about Shaunna’s “failed” Pinterest birthday cake, and how her daughter reminded her that she was the one teaching her to go for it and try new things.
Out of the mouths of babes, right? They are real about how easily we criticize ourselves, and how belief in ourselves is a practice, and one that takes time and intentionality. How fine the balance is of allowing feedback in and learning how to release it when it no longer serves your creative expansion. They e...2019-08-1232 minThe Creative Exponent2. Discovering Your CreativityThis week Marian and Shaunna delve into busting the myths surrounding creativity: you’re not creative, you aren’t good enough, and that creativity is only for kids, actors, and artists. They argue the case for YOUR creativity and share their beliefs that creativity is for everyone and should not be contained inside of a box. They share silly stories of their childhoods, and how our upbringings can shape our definition of creativity, while sharing their own insecurities and roadblocks along the way. They hope this episode gives you the courage to find creativity within yourself and to blend that crea...2019-07-2228 minThe Creative Exponent1. Welcome to The Creative ExponentThis week Marian and Shaunna introduce the idea behind The Creative Exponent, and their hope for you to allow your creative voice to shine through and to own its place in the world. We chat about the root of the creative, and how they move through this world, and multiplying your creative efforts, whether in a creative business or living your best creative life. You will hear stories of how they each started small, and how their dabbling in creativity led them here to this new passion of helping other creatives discover, uphold, and share their creativity.
You can find...2019-07-1617 min