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Have you ever felt like you need to leave your hometown to create art that actually matters? Photographer Malcolm Jackson proves the most powerful stories already unfold right in your own backyard. Known as the unofficial mayor of Jacksonville, Florida, he built a career and caught The New York Times' attention by turning his lens on his city's raw truths, including the hidden history of Black cowboys. I sit down with Malcolm to uncover how he forged his path without compromising his roots, how he earns the trust of strangers on the street, and how you can use his approach to find your own creative breakthrough right where you stand.   Chapters 00:00 Meet Malcolm Jackson and his belief in imperfect beauty 01:57 Jacksonville's underdog identity and Black cultural history 05:25 Why spring is a good time to visit Jacksonville 07:17 Uncle Matt's early lessons behind the camera 09:41 Learning from Gordon Parks, Robert Frank, and Roy DeCarava 15:45 Finding a photographic purpose in familiar places 18:18 How family values shape portraits of Black Jacksonville 21:04 Vulnerability, trust, and the person behind the camera 23:38 Avoiding exploitation in street photography 26:32 Part one ends: return for the next conversation Listen to the show on your favorite streaming platform! Apple Podcasts: http://bit.ly/4fcopgQ Spotify: http://bit.ly/4fdkiBs YouTube: https://youtu.be/6MP7Y8z_An4 Connect with Malcolm Follow him on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/malcjax/?hl=en Website: https://www.malcjax.com/ Support the Show Website: http://www.martineseverin.com Follow on Instagram: @martine.severin | @thisishowwecreate_ Subscribe to the Newsletter: http://www.martineseverin.substack.com This is How We Create is produced by Martine Severin. This episode was edited by Daniel Espinosa. Podcast show art is designed by Violetta Encarnación. Music by Timothy Infinite.   Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts Leave a review Follow us on social media Share with fellow creatives

What does the advice, "Just be yourself," mean when you are still figuring out who you are as an artist? In this episode, photographer Martine Severin shares her "prickly" journey to discovering her creative voice and why the path from imitation to authenticity is rarely a straight line. We discuss the "gap" between our taste and our abilities, the pressure artists of color face to be original yet palatable, and why a simple concept changed how she approaches her work. If you are tired of performing for applause and ready to find a voice that feels like home, this episode is for you.   This episode is a replay. You will also find it as episode 195. Chapters 00:13 The Taste Gap  02:29 The Portfolio Review 04:40 Imitation vs. Authenticity 07:02 The Trap of Originality 09:20 The Burden of Representation 11:38 Voice as a Garden   Listen to the show on your favorite streaming platform! Apple Podcast: http://bit.ly/4fcopgQ Spotify: http://bit.ly/4fdkiBs YouTube: Support the Show Website: http://www.martineseverin.com Follow on Instagram: @martine.severin | @thisishowwecreate_ Subscribe to the Newsletter: http://www.martineseverin.substack.com   This is How We Create is produced by Martine Severin. This episode was edited by Daniel Espinosa. Podcast show art is designed by Violetta Encarnación. Music by Timothy Infinite.   Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts Leave a review Follow us on social media Share with fellow creatives

Imagine the people you trust telling you that your lifelong dream is a dead end. I sit down with Curtis Santiago to discuss the difference between natural talent and an undeniable calling.    We tear apart his framework for manifesting realities, surviving criticism, and knowing when to blow up your current path to build something better. If you ever feel stuck in a comfortable routine or wonder if you are ignoring your real purpose, this conversation will hand you the tools to trust your internal compass and step into your true creative power.    Chapters 00:00 The Boy In The Creative Hub  04:43 Redefining Roles And The Retreat Of A Childhood Bedroom  06:35 The Difference Between Talent And Calling  11:36 Playing The Black Keys For Sadness  19:07 Colonial Trauma And Preserving Caribbean Roots  23:56 Putting Infinity Inside A Ring Box  27:18 The Master Manifester  32:11 The Renaissance Man Reimagined  36:48 Navigating The Critics And The Naysayers  Listen to the show on your favorite streaming platform! Apple Podcasts: http://bit.ly/4fcopgQ Spotify: http://bit.ly/4fdkiBs YouTube:    Connect with Curtis Follow him on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/talwst/?hl=en Website: https://www.curtissantiago.art/ Support the Show Website: http://www.martineseverin.com Follow on Instagram: @martine.severin | @thisishowwecreate_ Subscribe to the Newsletter: http://www.martineseverin.substack.com This is How We Create is produced by Martine Severin. This episode was edited by Daniel Espinosa. Podcast show art is designed by Violetta Encarnación. Music by Timothy Infinite.   Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts Leave a review Follow us on social media Share with fellow creatives

Registration for No Fear November opens on October 20!   What is the cost of inaction in your life? How many projects do you have as ideas but aren't putting any effort into? In this episode, I share the psychological framework you need to break free from fear patterns and stop waiting for motivation to strike.   You will uncover why action must precede confidence, how to leverage temporal landmarks to reset your mind, and the 25-minute strategy that dismantles creative resistance.   Reclaim your momentum, run your own no-fear month, and start keeping the high-stakes promises you make to yourself.    Chapters 00:00  The Unsent Pitches Holding Us Back  01:29  Story Time: A Fireplace Epiphany in Saugatuck  03:48  The No-Fear Month Challenge  05:00  Unlearning #1: Action Precedes Confidence  06:13  Unlearning #2: The Fresh Start Effect  07:42  Unlearning #3: You Do Not Need Desire to Act  08:10  Step 1: Pick Three Specific, Completable Actions  09:30  Step 2: Put It on the Calendar  10:32  Keeping Promises to Yourself (The Swedish Fish Lesson)  12:56  Step 3: 25-Minute Timers and ADHD Strategies  15:24  Dismantling Brain Objections and Fear of Rejection  17:17  Environment Design and Body Doubling Tools   Listen to the show on your favorite streaming platform! Apple Podcasts: http://bit.ly/4fcopgQ Spotify: http://bit.ly/4fdkiBs YouTube:  Support the Show Website: http://www.martineseverin.com Follow on Instagram: @martine.severin | @thisishowwecreate_ Subscribe to the Newsletter: http://www.martineseverin.substack.com This is How We Create is produced by Martine Severin. This episode was edited by Daniel Espinosa. Podcast show art is designed by Violetta Encarnación. Music by Timothy Infinite.   Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts Leave a review Follow us on social media Share with fellow creatives

Today, figurative painter Miranda Forrester reveals what it takes to stop shrinking and start restructuring the canvas on your own terms.    She unpacks the shock of realizing standard primary colors could never capture her reality as a Black queer woman and explains how a simple shift in her palette changed her artistic trajectory.    We discuss the stigma surrounding motherhood in the art world and how surrendering to the unstructured chaos of daily life can unlock your greatest body of work yet.    If you ever feel like you have to choose between living authentically and achieving professional success, hit play to discover how your reality is actually your biggest creative advantage.    Chapters 00:00 - Reclaiming Your Narrative from an Outdated Industry  01:01 - Finding Your Authentic Style When You Lack Representation  03:24 - Why You Must Reject the Standard Tools to Build Your Voice  05:05 - The Color Mixing Strategy That Will Transform Your Work 07:49 - Using Underground Media and Film to Shape Your Vision  10:41 - Defying the Stigma of Balancing Family and Ambition  14:29 - Extracting Masterpieces from the Chaos of Daily Life  16:48 - A Step-by-Step Breakdown of a Working Artist's Process  19:01 - Breaking Tradition by Creating on Unconventional Surfaces  20:17 - Expanding Your Portfolio into Surface and Textile Design  22:20 - Redefining Success Through the Inevitable Ebbs and Flows   Listen to the show on your favorite streaming platform! Apple Podcasts: http://bit.ly/4fcopgQ Spotify: http://bit.ly/4fdkiBs YouTube: https://youtu.be/-vd12fLHzYM   Connect with Miranda Follow her on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/miranda_forrester/?hl=en Website: https://www.mirandaforrester.com/ Support the Show Website: http://www.martineseverin.com Follow on Instagram: @martine.severin | @thisishowwecreate_ Subscribe to the Newsletter: http://www.martineseverin.substack.com This is How We Create is produced by Martine Severin. This episode was edited by Daniel Espinosa. Podcast show art is designed by Violetta Encarnación. Music by Timothy Infinite.   Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts Leave a review Follow us on social media Share with fellow creatives

In part two of our grant preparation series, I reveal why artists face rejection and share the exact mindset shift that changes everything.    We tackle the unspoken rules of funding panels, how to strategically scale from local micro-grants to national fellowships, and why proving your project's momentum matters far more than pitching your talent.    Stop letting minor technicalities ruin your chances at securing real financial backing and learn the step-by-step framework to build a funding portfolio that turns your artistic ambitions into fully funded realities.    Chapters 00:00 The Deadliest Grant Application Mistake  02:33 How to Make Your Project Feel Inevitable  04:57 Defining Your Scale and Securing Real Numbers  07:13 The Stepping Stone Strategy for Massive Grants  09:42 Follow the Rules or Face Instant Elimination  11:56 Navigating Brutal Arts Funding Rejection  14:09 Your Three-Year Strategic Action Plan   Support the Show Website: http://www.martineseverin.com Follow on Instagram: @martine.severin | @thisishowwecreate_ Subscribe to the Newsletter: http://www.martineseverin.substack.com This is How We Create is produced by Martine Severin. This episode was edited by Daniel Espinosa. Podcast show art is designed by Violetta Encarnación. Music by Timothy Infinite.   Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts Leave a review Follow us on social media Share with fellow creatives

What happens when the urge to break free finally overpowers the habit of people-pleasing? Sometimes the heaviest trauma acts as the catalyst you need to unlock your artistic language. I sit down with multidisciplinary visual artist and architect Tasanee Durrett to trace her incredible leap from an oppressive eight-year relationship to exhibiting at Expo Chicago. She reveals how she picked up a paintbrush for the very first time during lockdown to process her hidden pain and accidentally discovered a unique aesthetic. If you feel stuck in a routine that doesn't look like your own, this conversation will give you the tools to translate your unspoken struggles into a vibrant, unstoppable creative career.   This episode is a replay. You will also find it as episode 62.   Chapters 00:00 Introduction  00:53 Finding Cultural Roots in Chicago Museums  03:54 The Transition From the Midwest to the Desert  05:35 Exploring the Black Experience in Architecture  08:32 How Communities and Spaces Shift Over Time  11:24 Navigating the Politics of Corporate Architecture  15:50 Escaping Abuse and Finding Freedom on Canvas  19:09 Evolving a Unique Artistic Language During Lockdown  26:36 Sketchbooks, Black Liturgies, and Unlocking Authenticity  31:09 Inside a Working Artist's Income Pie    Listen to the show on your favorite streaming platform! Apple Podcasts: http://bit.ly/4fcopgQ Spotify: http://bit.ly/4fdkiBs YouTube:    Connect with Tasanee Follow her on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tasaneeart/?hl=en Website: https://www.tasaneeart.com/ Support the Show Website: http://www.martineseverin.com Follow on Instagram: @martine.severin | @thisishowwecreate_ Subscribe to the Newsletter: http://www.martineseverin.substack.com This is How We Create is produced by Martine Severin. This episode was edited by Daniel Espinosa. Podcast show art is designed by Violetta Encarnación. Music by Timothy Infinite.   Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts Leave a review Follow us on social media Share with fellow creatives

We're pulling back the curtain on the mysterious world of artist grants to reveal exactly how this system operates and where the real money actually sits. Stop draining your own bank account to support your art and claim the financial backing your boldest vision deserves.    This episode is a replay. You will also find it as episode XXX.   Chapters 00:00 The Mystery Behind Artist Grants 00:46 A Quick Message From iCode 01:03 Debunking the Elite Artist Myth 01:25 Defining the Modern Artist Grant 02:40 Navigating Local State and National Funding Amounts 04:30 Locating Hidden Funding Opportunities 05:30 The Local First Strategy for Winning Capital 06:33 Identifying Your True Artistic Needs 09:03 Tracking Annual Deadlines for Future Success 10:04 Your Strategic Grant Research Homework Support the Show Website: http://www.martineseverin.com Follow on Instagram: @martine.severin | @thisishowwecreate_ Subscribe to the Newsletter: http://www.martineseverin.substack.com This is How We Create is produced by Martine Severin. This episode was edited by Daniel Espinosa. Podcast show art is designed by Violetta Encarnación. Music by Timothy Infinite.   Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts Leave a review Follow us on social media Share with fellow creatives

What happens when you stop fighting your creative identity?  In our conversation, contemporary artist Cristina Martinez shares how to set fierce boundaries around your craft and convert your personal story into work that commands attention.    Chapters 00:00 - Breaking a 200-Year Public Art Streak in Seattle  02:10 - Introducing Contemporary Artist Cristina Martinez  02:48 - How Butterfly Gardens Fueled Her Creative Identity  05:00 - Pivoting from Fashion Illustration to Fine Art  07:18 - Embracing Texture and Storytelling on Canvas  09:40 - Navigating Commissions and Saying No to Brand Partnerships  14:00 - Prioritizing Art as a Vital Necessity  17:35 - Nurturing Creativity in a Household of Three  20:18 - Quiet Wisdom for Her 18-Year-Old Self   Connect with Cristina Follow her on Instagram:  Website: https://www.juneandmars.com/ Support the Show Website: http://www.martineseverin.com Follow on Instagram: @martine.severin | @thisishowwecreate_ Subscribe to the Newsletter: http://www.martineseverin.substack.com This is How We Create is produced by Martine Severin. This episode was edited by Daniel Espinosa. Podcast show art is designed by Violetta Encarnación. Music by Timothy Infinite.   Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts Leave a review Follow us on social media Share with fellow creatives

When you peek behind the curtain of a podcast, you see the hidden engine holding everything together long before the microphone turns on. In this episode, my lead producer Daniel Espinosa and I unpack the exact three-phase framework that transforms chaotic creative ideas into a seamless production machine. Master our framework so you can protect your artistic energy and elevate your craft without burning out.    Chapters 00:00 - Stepping Behind the Mic: Producer Daniel Espinosa  02:28 - Sponsor Spotlight: iCode 03:04 - Podcast Expectations vs. High-Level Audio Reality 06:08 - Building Authentic Relationships with Contemporary Artists 09:03 - The Three-Phase Framework: Pre-Production, Production, Post-Production  11:11 - Deconstructing the Master System Spreadsheet  14:15 - Why We Batch Record 50 Episodes a Year  15:41 - The Cold Pitching Math: Reaching 420 Guests to Book a Full Season  22:30 - Crafting the Story Arc and Thinking Like the Listener 24:41 - High-Volume Recording in Medellin and Energy Management  27:42 - Process Over Perfection: Never Compare Your Beginning to Someone's Middle   Listen to the show on your favorite streaming platform! Apple Podcast: http://bit.ly/4fcopgQ Spotify: http://bit.ly/4fdkiBs YouTube: https://youtu.be/1a9mw2hQl5Y Connect with Daniel Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elthorny/ Support the Show Website: http://www.martineseverin.com Follow on Instagram: @martine.severin | @thisishowwecreate_ Subscribe to the Newsletter: http://www.martineseverin.substack.com This is How We Create is produced by Martine Severin. This episode was edited by Daniel Espinosa. Podcast show art is designed by Violetta Encarnación. Music by Timothy Infinite.   Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts Leave a review Follow us on social media Share with fellow creatives

Could your biggest career breakthrough come from a time of isolation? Photographer Polly Irungu bought her first camera with money from working at McDonald's to cope with moving to a new place. She didn't know then that she was starting a global movement.   In this episode, I talk with Polly about how she started Black Women Photographers, worked with big brands like Nikon and Adobe, and learned that saying yes to every low-paying job was hurting her health.   You will learn how to find your own artistic style, build a community from scratch, and set strong boundaries to avoid burnout.   Chapters 00:19 The McDonald's Paychecks and the First Camera  01:18 Surviving Culture Shock in Oregon  04:52 Turning Isolation Into Human Connection  07:33 Gravitating Toward Black Joy  10:10 Photograph Everything to Find Your Niche  14:08 Building Partnerships with Major Brands  18:01 The Unexpected Allyship Behind Black Women Photographers  23:41 Setting Boundaries and Protecting Your Peace  24:57 The Danger of Saying Yes to Everything Connect with Polly Follow her on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pollyirungu Website: https://blackwomenphotographers.com/ Support the Show Website: http://www.martineseverin.com Follow on Instagram: @martine.severin | @thisishowwecreate_ Subscribe to the Newsletter: http://www.martineseverin.substack.com This is How We Create is produced by Martine Severin. This episode was edited by Daniel Espinosa. Podcast show art is designed by Violetta Encarnación. Music by Timothy Infinite.   Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts Leave a review Follow us on social media Share with fellow creatives

You spend countless hours perfecting your work, yet your posts keep tumbling into a sea of silent scrollers and soul-crushing algorithms.    In this episode, our podcast marketing specialist, Lina, joins me to unlock the exact digital strategy we used to transform a modest following into a devoted community of over eleven thousand supporters.    Hit play right now to steal our exact marketing blueprint and turn passive scrollers into lifelong champions of your creative journey.    Chapters 00:00  Best Platforms for Different Types of Creatives 01:45  How Artists Should Engage Online 03:08  Spotting AI vs. True Authenticity 03:46  Building an Audience: Instagram to Substack Strategy 05:50  Essential Tips for Standing Out Online 08:24  Sponsor Message: iCode 08:52  YouTube and Multi-Platform Distribution 09:46 Must-Have Tools for Social Media Growth 11:44  Major Social Media Mistakes to Avoid 13:35  Building Genuine Relationships with Your Audience 16:43  Wrapping Up with Lina Listen to the show on your favorite streaming platform! Apple Podcast: http://bit.ly/4fcopgQ Spotify: http://bit.ly/4fdkiBs Support the Show Website: http://www.martineseverin.com Follow on Instagram: @martine.severin | @thisishowwecreate_ Subscribe to the Newsletter: http://www.martineseverin.substack.com   This is How We Create is produced by Martine Severin. This episode was edited by Daniel Espinosa. Podcast show art is designed by Violetta Encarnación. Music by Timothy Infinite.   Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts Leave a review Follow us on social media Share with fellow creatives

What's the missing key to your biggest artistic breakthrough? You might feel trapped in a demanding day job or paralyzed by fear of rejection, yet your tightest constraints can become your ultimate creative advantage.   Screenwriter Octavia Clahar, reveals how she directed her debut TV pilot inside a video game when traditional funding fell through.    Tune in to discover how you can stop waiting for outside permission, transform your daily routine into creative leverage, and build the resilient support system your dreams demand.    Chapters 00:00 - Introduction and Directing TV Pilots in The Sims 4 01:03 - Brooklyn Roots and Caribbean Storytelling Traditions 04:06 - Pitching Yourself: Treating Your Identity as the Brand 05:43 - Overcoming Rejection and Refining Your Artistic Voice 08:34 - Reframing Loss: From Corporate Grind to Creative Commitment 11:29 - Mentorship and Ava DuVernay's Core Collaboration Rule 15:46 - Building Story Co-op Across Brooklyn and Paris 21:10 - Navigating Production Constraints and Budget Realities 27:35 - Lessons from Studio Pitch Meetings and Script Revisions 33:50 - Strategies for Sustaining Creativity Through Burnout 39:15 - Creating Sustainable Support Networks for Independent Artists 44:00 - Final Reflections and Closing Remarks   Listen to the show on your favorite streaming platform! Apple Podcast: http://bit.ly/4fcopgQ Spotify: http://bit.ly/4fdkiBs YouTube:  Connect with Octavia Follow her on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/octavia.nicole.clahar/ Website: https://bio.site/oclahar   Support the Show Website: http://www.martineseverin.com Follow on Instagram: @martine.severin | @thisishowwecreate_ Subscribe to the Newsletter: http://www.martineseverin.substack.com   This is How We Create is produced by Martine Severin. This episode was edited by Daniel Espinosa. Podcast show art is designed by Violetta Encarnación. Music by Timothy Infinite.   Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts Leave a review Follow us on social media Share with fellow creatives

We accidentally unlocked a strategy that skyrocketed our own community from three hundred quiet listeners to over 11,000 fiercely loyal fans in less than six months. I sit down with our brilliant social media specialist, Lina Monterey, to expose the mistakes that are stopping you from reaching your audience.  Lina shares the exact methods she uses to carve irresistible hooks out of everyday conversations. This is the episode you didn't know you needed. Chapters 00:00 The terrifying reality of rapid community growth  04:16 Why building a massive platform matters for creatives of color  08:20 Hitting 10,000 followers in under six months  10:57 Overcoming the creative block of self promotion  12:13 Crafting emotional hooks that stop the scroll  14:12 The brutal mistake ruining your audience connection  16:18 Aligning your aesthetic cues with your true target market  18:36 Mapping the customer journey for sustainable growth   Listen to the show on your favorite streaming platform! Apple Podcast: http://bit.ly/4fcopgQ Spotify: http://bit.ly/4fdkiBs YouTube: https://youtu.be/vZdiy5DfKx8 Connect with Lina Follow her on Instagram: Lina's website:   Support the Show Website: http://www.martineseverin.com Follow on Instagram: @martine.severin | @thisishowwecreate_ Subscribe to the Newsletter: http://www.martineseverin.substack.com   This is How We Create is produced by Martine Severin. This episode was edited by Daniel Espinosa. Podcast show art is designed by Violetta Encarnación. Music by Timothy Infinite.   Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts Leave a review Follow us on social media Share with fellow creatives

Feeling stuck in a safe job while your creative dreams take a backseat? Sometimes an unexpected plot twist is just what you need to leap. In this episode, I'm chatting with artist Hadiya Williams about how getting laid off helped her build a thriving studio on her own terms. Hear how a 100-day challenge sparked her signature style, how she got into art school without a traditional portfolio, and how she blends AI with handcrafted ceramics. Hit play and get ready to turn life's scariest curveballs into your next big creative breakthrough!   Chapters 00:18 - Meet Hadiah Williams: Craft as Living Archive 01:39 - DC Roots, Elizabeth Catlett, and Cultural Memory 04:11 - Accidental Tech Career: Computer Science by Default 05:35 - The Mass Layoff and the Pivot to Graphic Design 07:18 - Applying to Art School with Maxwell Fan Art 11:23 - The Wedding Invitations That Sparked Black Pepper Papery Co. 15:24 - Harnessing Corporate Stress for Entrepreneurial Freedom 20:21 - Finding a Signature Voice Through the 100-Day Challenge 24:34 - Scaling an Art Practice Without Losing Your Soul 28:25 - Blending Generative AI, Clay, and 1970s Analog Nostalgia   Connect with Hadiya Follow her on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hadiyawilliams/?hl=en Hadiya website: https://www.hadiyawilliams.com/   Support the Show Website: http://www.martineseverin.com Follow on Instagram: @martine.severin | @thisishowwecreate_ Subscribe to the Newsletter: http://www.martineseverin.substack.com   This is How We Create is produced by Martine Severin. This episode was edited by Daniel Espinosa. Podcast show art is designed by Violetta Encarnación. Music by Timothy Infinite.   Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts Leave a review Follow us on social media Share with fellow creatives