Shows
The Creative Odyssey Podcast🎧 Doubt, Identity, and Rediscovering Your Creative Voice | Joel NegusSend us a textWhat does it mean to live creatively not just make art? And what happens when you lose touch with that part of yourself?In this deeply honest episode, Sheran Ranasinghe sits down with Joel Negus -composer, producer, double bassist, and co-founder of Cleveland Scoring to explore the tension between creativity, faith, and identity.Raised in a home where music was as natural as breathing, Joel’s creativity once flowed freely. But as he grew older, the joy turned to pressure. Expectations, career, an...
2025-11-061h 16
The Creative Odyssey PodcastWhat if creativity wasn’t just about talent — but about embracing all of who you are?Send us a textWhat if creativity wasn’t just about talent — but about embracing all of who you are?In this episode of The Creative Odyssey Podcast, we’re joined by Shaun Sri Lanka (@shaunsrilanka), co-founder of Not Another Agency (@naa.srilanka) and the visionary behind Paraiso SBKZ (@paraiso.sbkz) - the first international dance festival in Sri Lanka.Shaun shares his inspiring journey from being a quiet, introverted painter to becoming a creative strategist, agency builder, and dance mentor. Through his work in human r...
2025-10-2723 minThe Creative Odyssey PodcastWhy Grit Matters More Than Degrees | Arshad Ameer's Startup JourneySend us a textWhat if success has less to do with your qualifications -and everything to do with how much heart you bring when things get hard?In this episode, Arshad Ameer, Co-Founder of FlashHealth, shares his story of resilience, curiosity, and building something meaningful in the middle of uncertainty. From global boardrooms to the startup trenches of Sri Lanka, Arshad opens up about what it takes to stay grounded, lead with creativity, and move forward even when the path isn’t clear.This isn’t a story is a reminder that crea...
2025-10-211h 22The Creative Odyssey PodcastFrom Math Professor to Songwriter: The Untold Story of Sri Lanka’s Creative GeniusSend us a textFrom Math Professor to Songwriter: The Untold Story of Sri Lanka’s Creative GeniusWhat happens when a Sri Lankan math professor reveals he’s also a songwriter and poet? In this inspiring episode, we dive deep into the life of a man who defied expectations, blending logic and creativity to break cultural stereotypes.Discover how he went from struggling student to respected academic, and how his passion for music and writing became a powerful outlet for self-expression and healing. We explore the pressures of g...
2025-09-301h 19
The Creative Odyssey PodcastFrom Burnout to Breakthrough: How Creativity Pulled Me Out of Rock BottomSend us a textAre you feeling stuck, burned out, or just going through the motions? In this episode, I share my raw, personal story of hitting rock bottom as an executive chef—and how creativity, art, and play helped me find hope and purpose again.You’ll hear about:The warning signs of burnout and depressionThe panic attack that changed everythingHow small creative acts like Play-Doh, music, and art can help you healWhy creativity is for everyone—not just artistsA challenge to help you rediscover your own cr...
2025-08-1215 minThe Creative Odyssey PodcastI Had to Go Solo: The Scariest Creative Decision I’ve Ever MadeSend us a textWhat happens when the thing you built with someone you admire… no longer feels aligned?In this deeply honest episode, I share the story behind one of the hardest creative decisions I’ve ever made: telling my podcast co-host I needed to go solo. Not because of conflict. Not because of ego. But because of a whisper I could no longer ignore.We’ll talk about:🎧 Why I stepped away from a creative partnership that was working🧠The power (and pain) of being multipassionate🔥 How community helped me transform chaos...
2025-08-0814 min
The Creative Odyssey PodcastSunami Rodriguez & Mason Bufkin - From Page to Stage: How Storytelling Changes LivesSend us a textWhat does it mean to choose the creative path—again and again—when it doesn’t promise stability, clarity, or even recognition?In this episode of The Creative Odyssey, we’re joined by two storytellers from vastly different disciplines but deeply connected by purpose: Mason Bufkin, an author and educator who writes character-driven fiction for young adults, and Sunami Rodriguez, a Colombian-born actress whose art became her lifeline through immigration, motherhood, and self-discovery.Together, we explore:How childhood, culture, and family influence creative identityThe breaking...
2025-04-121h 08The Creative Odyssey PodcastCharles Pratt & Kyra Wells - Building Without PermissionSend us a textWhat if you stopped waiting for permission—and just started building?In this episode of The Creative Odyssey Podcast, we sit down with Charles and Kyra, the creative powerhouse behind Breakthrough Sounds, one of Cleveland’s rising creative hubs. Their story is anything but typical—no funding, no fancy connections, just $3,000, prayer, and pure grit.Charles shares how bombing a rap show pushed him to reinvent himself—and how he turned that moment into fuel for something bigger. Kyra opens up about walking away from a “safe”...
2025-03-2355 minThe Creative Odyssey PodcastThe Case for Curiosity: Embracing Creativity Over PerfectionSend us a textIn this episode of The Creative Odyssey Podcast, we explore the power of curiosity over perfection in the creative process. Whether you're a musician, writer, filmmaker, or any type of creator, perfectionism can be the biggest roadblock to progress. We discuss how embracing curiosity, prototyping your way forward, and reframing your mindset can help you break free from creative paralysis.We also reflect on our journey from 2024, the success of Odyssey Sounds, and how this podcast has...
2025-02-061h 02The Creative Odyssey PodcastThe Creative Rhythm - Trusting New Patterns as Your Best Path ForwardSend us a textIn this episode of The Creative Odyssey Podcast, Sheran and Ben dive into the transformative power of embracing curiosity over perfection. They reflect on lessons from the Odyssey Sounds creative meetup, the Cleveland 48-Hour Film Festival, and their recent jam session, exploring how collaborative creativity can inspire growth.The hosts discuss why breaking out of old patterns and trusting new ones is essential for evolving as a creative. Through personal stories and examples (like Seinfeld’s George Costanza!), they unpack the importance of allowing yourself to explore, make mi...
2025-01-2351 minThe Creative Odyssey PodcastCaleb Cameron, Emanuel Zerbo, Jeff Obrez: Music, Passion, and the Joy of Artistic ExpressionSend us a textIn this episode, we explore the world of artistic expression with three talented guests: Caleb Cameron, and The Zerbo Brothers; Emanuel & Joseph. We explore how music serves as a powerful outlet for creativity, providing both joy and a means of self-discovery. Caleb Cameron starts with how an artist is driven by the need to create something new, expressive, and personal, often breaking boundaries and challenging norms. In contrast, an artisan focuses on mastering their craft, honing skills through repetition and refinement, and often working within traditional frameworks. This discussion highlights the diverse paths...
2024-08-311h 07
The Creative Odyssey PodcastJoey Liberatore - Positive engagement with other creativesSend us a textCreative Odyssey Podcast Ep7 : Unleashing Creativity with Joey LiberatoreIn this exciting episode of "The Creative Odyssey," Sheran and Ben welcome their first guest, Joey Liberatore, a musician with a deep passion for creativity. Joey shares his journey from learning to play the guitar to becoming a versatile creative, exploring how music has been a means of self-expression, escape, and healing for him.Key Highlights:Introduction to Joey Liberatore: Joey discusses his background in music, photography, and how he combines these...
2024-08-041h 15The Creative Odyssey PodcastWhy Change is so Hard!Send us a textIn this episode we discussed the Prototype idea from our previous conversation and tested various creative block scenarios against it, finding that most passed. Feeling confident, we applied it to tackle our perfectionism, but the process felt unnatural and hindered our creativity. This tension made us doubt our ability to create, highlighting the struggle of breaking away from familiar, comfortable patterns. We reflect on how changing our approach can feel uncomfortable and unfamiliar, a concept supported by Joe Dispenza's insights into the neurological and biochemical basis of habit and change. Dispenza explained that...
2024-07-2048 minThe Creative Odyssey PodcastBecoming Creative-block-proof!Send us a textLast episode we delved into refining our creative process with a focus on authenticity. We acknowledged that the initial rush of creation, that burst of inspiration every creative feels, shouldn’t be expected to sustain throughout the entire process. In this episode we discuss the importance of envisioning the end result and planning for how it should feel upon completion. This shift in perspective allows us to move beyond seeking that initial inspirational rush and instead focus on the overall journey of creation. By addressing creative blocks, we discovered that they oft...
2024-06-3052 minThe Creative Odyssey PodcastExperiencing Creative BlocksSend us a text In this podcast episode, we discuss the concept of creative block, noting that while it is a familiar term, its experience can vary greatly among individuals. We reflect on personal experiences of creative blocks, describing how initial excitement about a project can fade when the final product doesn't match the envisioned outcome. This often leads to abandoning or postponing the project. The conversation delves into how the initial burst of creativity often drives the process, but achieving the same feeling at the end can be challenging. We propose that understanding and managing the e...
2024-06-1544 minThe Creative Odyssey PodcastEmbracing Your Creative IdentitySend us a textIn this podcast episode, Ben & Sheran discuss their creative journeys, reflecting on their early experiences and how they recognized themselves as creatives. They share personal stories from their childhood, such as Ben's early fascination with a piano and synthesizer, and Sheran's discovery of playing music without sheet music. They explore the pivotal moments that ignited their creative passions and how cultural and societal expectations initially hindered their recognition of their creative identities.Next Ben & Sheran talk about how people can realize their creative potential, emphasizing that creativity comes in many forms...
2024-06-0240 minThe Creative Odyssey PodcastThe Importance of Reaching OutSend us a textIn this first episode, Ben and Sheran recount their friendship's origin. They highlight the importance of meeting and collaborating with like-minded creative individuals. Despite initial insecurities and doubts about their creative capabilities, they emphasize the power of simply asking to collaborate and the positive outcomes that result from it.They discuss the value of creative groups and communities that support and inspire each other, stressing that even brief interactions with other creatives can be energizing and motivating. As they wrap up, Ben and Sheran reflect on the importance of s...
2024-06-0127 minThe Creative Odyssey PodcastAre you a creative?Send us a textIn episode 2, Ben & Sheran discuss their creative journeys, reflecting on their early experiences and how they recognized themselves as creatives. They share personal stories from their childhood. They explore the pivotal moments that ignited their creative passions and how cultural and societal expectations initially hindered their recognition of their creative identities.The next topic discussed how people can realize their creative potential, emphasizing that creativity comes in many forms beyond traditional arts, such as problem-solving. It's important to recognize and nurture creative talents, even in a society that may undervalue them...
2024-06-0147 minThe Creative Odyssey PodcastThe Creative Odyssey Podcast TrailerSend us a textWelcome to The Creative Odyssey Podcast, where we dive deep into the creative process with unique perspectives, one being all the way from a tiny island in the middle of the Indian Ocean, and one, born and raised in the beautiful Buckeye State. But seriously, though, we're all about being raw and vulnerable about this gift of creativity we have. Hi, my name is Sheran, and I'm a creative who is passionate about creating with others. I'm into working, creating music, while telling stories one video at a time.  Hi...
2024-05-2601 min