August 16, 2025
Greg, Alessandra, Devin, Shadows Pub, Hillary, Bobby B
If you could design your own “School of Creativity,” what classes or experiences might you include?
Today's crew answered a simple question:
If you could design your own School of Creativity, what would you teach and how would people learn?
The crew explored learning styles, program design, safety in learning, mentorship, mixed media delivery, and even angel investing as a creative path.
The theme:
creativity flourishes when people can choose how they learn, feel safe to explore, and have access to both wisdom and practical tools.
Back-to-school season isn’t just for kids. Today the team reframed “school” as a flexible, human-centric space where curiosity leads and structure supports.
August 16, 2025
Greg, Alessandra, Devin, Shadows Pub, Hillary, Bobby B
If you could design your own “School of Creativity,” what classes or experiences might you include?
Today's crew answered a simple question:
If you could design your own School of Creativity, what would you teach and how would people learn?
The crew explored learning styles, program design, safety in learning, mentorship, mixed media delivery, and even angel investing as a creative path.
The theme:
creativity flourishes when people can choose how they learn, feel safe to explore, and have access to both wisdom and practical tools.
Back-to-school season isn’t just for kids. Today the team reframed “school” as a flexible, human-centric space where curiosity leads and structure supports.
August 16, 2025
Greg, Alessandra, Devin, Shadows Pub, Hillary, Bobby B
If you could design your own “School of Creativity,” what classes or experiences might you include?
Today's crew answered a simple question:
If you could design your own School of Creativity, what would you teach and how would people learn?
The crew explored learning styles, program design, safety in learning, mentorship, mixed media delivery, and even angel investing as a creative path.
The theme:
creativity flourishes when people can choose how they learn, feel safe to explore, and have access to both wisdom and practical tools.
Back-to-school season isn’t just for kids. Today the team reframed “school” as a flexible, human-centric space where curiosity leads and structure supports.
Today’s Crew: Greg, Alessandra, Devin, Bailey, Shadows Pub
In this episode, we dive into one of the hottest creative questions of our time:
"Is AI our ultimate creative partner, or is it destined to replace us?"
From energy-boosting workflows to prompt engineering, design thinking to legal guardrails, our panel shares personal stories, practical uses, and some hilarious detours—proving that AI’s role in the creative process is as complex (and sometimes as unpredictable) as creativity itself.
Featured Quote:
"AI will not replace humans, but those who use AI will replace those who don’t." – Ginni Rometty, Former CEO of IBM
Greg
Alessandra
Creative Work Hour Podcast
Air Date: July 19, 2025
Crew: Greg, Alessandra, Devin, Dr. Melanie, Ellie, Gretchen, Hillary, Shadows Pub, Wai Ling
In this episode, the Creative Work Hour crew dives into the complexities of empathy and listening—what really helps when you share a struggle with a friend? The team explores why the classic “I know exactly how you feel” can miss the mark, offering personal stories and practical advice for responding with real presence and care. The conversation also touches on emotional intelligence, active listening, and the skills needed to support others (and ourselves).
“Sometimes people mean very well when they say, ‘I know exactly how you feel,’… but it can be very dismissive; it shifts the focus away from you and your struggle and onto them.”
Greg opens up about the pitfalls of assumed understanding and stresses the importance of genuine empathy.
“Do we have the kindness skills to be with someone who may be hurting or struggling?”
Highlights how creative people pride themselves on emotional sensitivity but still struggle to listen well under stress.
“A good movie line often just captures a whole concept or sentiment.”
Show more...
Creative Work Hour Podcast – Episode 59
Title: How Do You Decide What to Work On Next?
Recorded: July 12, 2025, at ClarinetFest, Texas
Today’s episode dives into the heart of creative decision-making: How do you choose your next project? The crew shares personal stories, struggles, and philosophies on following inspiration, balancing practical needs, and finishing what you start. Recorded live while Alessandra and Rochelle are attending ClarinetFest, the conversation is lively, honest, and full of relatable moments for any creative.
Bonus: After recording, Devin entertained everyone with “Screw You, We’re From Texas.”
Watch the performance on YouTube
Can Getting Lost Lead to a Breakthrough?
Released: July 5, 2025
Crew: Alessandra, Greg, Devin, Shadows Pub, Michael J, Bobby B, Wai Ling, Hillary
On this post–July 4th episode (or as Greg jokes, “Treason Day”), the Creative Work Hour crew dives into the idea: Can getting lost or veering off track actually lead to unexpected breakthroughs in creative work and life? Each member of the roundtable shares honest stories of confusion, detours, and how embracing the “messy middle” has led to new skills, insights, or even joy.
Episode 57 – Happy 4th Birthday, CWH!
Released June 29, 2025
The crew celebrates four years—and nearly 3,000 sessions—of daily co-working magic. In true CWH fashion, the team swaps vehicle metaphors, trades their one-word “essence” answers, and reflects on how a spontaneous Zoom room became a global creative family.
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Gem #1 |
Show more... 4 months ago 19 minutes Creative Work Hour Episode 56: Creative Rituals Creative Work Hour Podcast Episode 56: Creative RitualsRelease Date: June 22, 2025 Today’s Crew: EPISODE SUMMARYIn this lively episode, the Creative Work Hour team dives into the world of creative rituals—those small (or sometimes eccentric) habits and routines that help us get started, get unstuck, and sustain our creative work. From bubble baths with rubber duckies to counting out coffee beans, the crew shares stories, laughs, and insights about what gets them in the creative zone—and what sometimes holds them back. HIGHLIGHTS & TAKEAWAYSAlessandra
Greg
5 months ago 17 minutes Creative Work Hour Episode 55: Energy Vampires Episode 55: Energy VampiresDate: June 14th, 2025 Show NotesWelcome to episode 55 of the Creative WorkHour podcast! Today’s deep dive is into a topic that many creatives face but don’t always recognize: Energy Vampires Draining Your Creativity. Have you ever felt your creative spark completely drained after interacting with certain people? Those moments when someone’s negativity or constant complaining just leaves you exhausted? That’s the work of an energy vampire. What is an Energy Vampire?An energy vampire is someone who drains your creative energy by monopolizing your attention with negativity, complaints, or emotional demands, leaving you depleted and less able to focus on your work, your vision, and your unique voice. Today’s Crew:
Episode SummaryIn this episode, the hosts share personal stories and strategies about recognizing energy vampires and how to protect your creative flow with strong boundaries. They discuss how energy is a precious and limited resource, how these “creative parasites” operate, and practical ways to recover when your energy has been sapped. Listeners are invited to reflect: 5 months ago 17 minutes Creative Work Hour Episode 54: Live From Bardou - How Does Location Affect Your Creativity? Creative Work Hour PodcastEpisode 54: Live From Bardou - How Does Location Affect Your Creativity?Release Date: May 31, 2025 Episode OverviewIn Episode 54 of the Creative Work Hour podcast, Alessandra broadcasts live from the magical medieval village of Bardou in southern France. This episode dives into how location influences creativity. The hosts explore different environments—whether a remote mountain village, a cozy home office, or a bustling coffee shop—can shape creative output and mindset. Join Greg, Alessandra, Devin, Shadows Pub, and Bobby B as they share personal stories and reflections on their creative spaces, routines, and Alessandra shares unique inspiration Bardou offers. Noteworthy Quotes from Today’s Crew
5 months ago 10 minutes Creative Work Hour Episode: 53: How Can Creativity Be Stunted, and How Do We Heal From It? Creative Work Hour PodcastEpisode: 53: How Can Creativity Be Stunted, and How Do We Heal From It? Today's Crew: Greg, Alessandra, Devin, Shadows Pub, Hillary Episode DescriptionIn this deeply personal and insightful episode, the Creative Work Hour crew explores the painful yet universal experience of having creativity crushed and the challenging journey back to creative confidence. Each host shares vulnerable stories of how authority figures, family members, and institutions stunted their creative pursuits—from cooking and singing to writing and performing. What emerges is both heartbreaking and hopeful: a collective understanding that creative stunting often stems from fear, societal expectations, and lack of support systems rather than malice. The conversation reveals how these experiences can create what Alessandra calls a "cognitive limp"—a lasting impact that follows creatives for decades. Yet the crew also demonstrates that recovery is possible through community support, reframing past experiences, and building confidence in areas of strength. From Singers Anonymous to therapy and hypnosis, they explore various paths to healing creative wounds and reclaiming artistic identity. This episode serves as both validation for anyone who's had their creativity dismissed and a roadmap for healing those wounds. The hosts' candid sharing creates a safe space for listeners to examine their own creative blocks and consider how they might begin their own recovery journey. Key Quotes & InsightsAlessandra: "It's a little bit like kind of like a cognitive limp. If there's something that you had a creative experience with... But if someone was in your life that was like, no, that's not a thing, or one of my personal favorites sucks all the fun out of it. How would you make money with that?" Greg:Show more... 5 months ago 14 minutes Creative Work Hour Episode 52 How Can We Use AI in Honest and Ethical Ways? Creative WorkHour PodcastEpisode 52 How Can We Use AI in Honest and Ethical Ways?Date: May 17, 2025Episode Summary:In Episode 52 of the Creative WorkHour Podcast, Greg and the team explore the question: How can we use AI in honest and ethical ways? The discussion covers various practical and personal uses of AI, from enhancing travel experiences and improving writing clarity to creating art and supporting health research. Each participant shares their unique perspective, emphasizing transparency, fact-checking, and ethical considerations in AI usage. Alessandra also shares a compelling story about how AI helped her avoid a big embarrassment during a rehearsal. Today's Crew:
Highlights & Memorable Quotes from Each Participant:Greg 6 months ago 15 minutes Creative Work Hour Episode 51: Creative Envy Creative Work Hour PodcastEpisode 51: Creative EnvyDate: May 10, 2025 Episode QuestionHow do you deal with creative envy when it happens? What is Creative Envy?Creative envy is the feeling of admiration toward someone else's artistic work, ideas, or talent, often mixed with a desire to achieve similar originality or success. It can be a source of motivation to improve and explore new creative paths, but if unmanaged, it may cause self-doubt, resentment, or halt creativity altogether. In brief, creative envy involves:
Highlights & Noteworthy CommentsGreg: “We all have different talents and different skills… But we can also learn and be kind and gentle to ourselves. Kindness is a big thing, right?” Alessandra: “Creative envy is not jealousy. It’s just that I see someone living a creative life and I want some of that too.” Melonie: “I don’t only have creative envy, I have getting things done envy... And sometimes I take motivation from it to see where I’m spending my time.” Gray: “Envy is an expression of an unmet need… What am I needing? Is it intrinsic or extrinsic?” Bobby B: “There’s an element that’s rough for me… coming to terms with who I am and where I am.” Ela: “We each have our own pace… My pace might not be your pace, and that doesn’t mean one is better than the other.” Shadows Pub: “I appreciate what others are doing… Sometimes I think about trying something new, but that’s about as far as it goes.” Devin: “I get strong creative envy… So I approached the person and said, ‘I’m just so envious of you’… That really helped.” Closing Thought (Alessandra)“In basketball, missing half your shots is not failure. It’s math. Getting in there and taking your shot—creative envy is a shot to take because it tells you what you need.” Join the ConversationHow do you deal with creative envy? Share your thoughts at creativeworkhour.com. If you 6 months ago 11 minutes Creative Work Hour Episode 50: Best Memories of Meeting an Online Friend in Person Creative Work Hour PodcastEpisode 50: Best Memories of Meeting an Online Friend in PersonDate: May 3, 2025 Today's Crew:
Episode Summary:In this milestone 50th episode, the Creative Work Hour crew shares their favorite and most memorable experiences of meeting online friends in person. From nervous first meetings and airport mishaps to relaxed hangouts and emotional family introductions, the team reflects on how these moments brought their online connections into real life. Greg kicks off the discussion by sharing his mixed emotions before meeting Devin and Alessandra, followed by Alessandra’s story of nervous anticipation before visiting Melanie in New York. Devin reminisces about meeting Ken Rice, the group’s resident shaman, while Ingrid shares a heartfelt story about meeting her daughter’s partner’s parents for the first time. Shadows Pub discusses the ease of transitioning from online to in-person conversations, while Bobby B recalls multiple meetups across different locations. Melanie talks about welcoming Alessandra into her home and bonding over clarinets, and Hillary reflects on the special connection created when online support translates into real-life friendship and even wedding officiating. Show more... 6 months ago 19 minutes Creative Work Hour Episode 49: Self Sabotage – When Your Dreams Come True Creative WorkHour PodcastEpisode 49 — April 19, 2025 Todays Crew:
Show NotesDiscussion Topic: Episode SummaryIn this heartfelt episode, the Creative WorkHour crew dives into the very real struggle of self-sabotage when success is finally within reach. Host Greg kicks things off with a big question: When everything seems to be going your way, how do you not get in your own way? Alessandra shares her deeply personal journey of returning to music after decades away, and the complex emotions that come with dreams coming true. The crew offers practical wisdom, personal stories, and new ways to reframe old habits. Show more...7 months ago 14 minutes Creative Work Hour Episode 48: How Do You Manage To Stay Creative When Your Mind Or Body Won’t Cooperate? Creative Work Hour PodcastEpisode 48: How Do You Manage To Stay Creative When Your Mind or Body Won’t Cooperate? Episode SummaryIn this week’s episode, the crew dives into the challenge of staying creative when your mind or body refuses to cooperate. Chronic pain, anxiety, mental blocks, and physical fatigue can make creativity feel impossible. Yet, each member of the crew shares their own strategies for breaking through these barriers and finding creative inspiration, even on the toughest days. From distraction therapy to tidying up spaces and embracing "creative squirrels," there's something for everyone to take away from this discussion. Key Takeaways from the CrewAlessandra
Greg
AndyShow more...7 months ago 12 minutes Creative Work Hour Episode 47: Lessons in Resilience - Dr. Wai Ling Fong Episode 47: Lessons in Resilience - Dr. Wai Ling FongWelcome to the Creative Work Hour podcast! In this episode, we celebrate a monumental milestone: the successful defense of Dr. Wai Ling Fong's dissertation. Join Greg, Alessandra, and special guest Dr. Fong as they dive into the journey of earning her PhD, the challenges, triumphs, and lessons learned along the way. Highlights from the EpisodeKey Topics Discussed
Memorable Moments<7 months ago 56 minutes Creative Work Hour Episode 46: Tiny Desk Concert - Wai Ling Fong's Dissertation Defense Episode 46: Creative Work Hour PodcastTitle: Tiny Desk Concert: Wai Ling Fong's Dissertation Defense Release Date: March 29, 2025 Episode OverviewIn this milestone 46th episode of The Creative Work Hour Podcast, we are thrilled to feature an extraordinary Tiny Desk Concert by long-time Creative Work Hour member, Wai Ling Fong. This unique presentation serves as a dress rehearsal for her upcoming PhD dissertation defense at George Mason University on March 26th, 2025. Over the past four years, Wai Ling has been an integral part of the Creative Work Hour community, attending over 1,400 sessions while steadily working toward her doctorate. In this episode, listeners get an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at her polished dissertation presentation, hear insightful feedback from fellow community members, and witness the energy and dedication she brings to her academic work. Key Topics Discussed
What is Creative Work Hour?Show more... 7 months ago 33 minutes Creative Work Hour Episode 45: Practice for Wai-Ling Fong's Tiny Desk Concert Episode 45: Practice Session for Wai-Ling Fong's Dissertation DefenseFrom Emergency Remote Teaching to Long-Term Impact: Wai-Ling Fong’s PhD JourneySummaryIn this special episode of the Creative Work Hour podcast, we’re treated to a unique behind-the-scenes moment—a practice session for Wai-Ling Fong as she prepares to defend her PhD dissertation. Wai-Ling shares her research on the long-term impact of the Online Course Design Primer (OCDP) implemented at George Mason University during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic. Her study evaluates how this training influenced faculty teaching practices over time. After her presentation, Creative Work Hour members provide valuable feedback to help her refine her final defense. Highlights from the Episode
8 months ago 21 minutes Creative Work Hour Episode 44: Power of Words - feat. Imagine with Gretchen Power of Words - feat. Imagine with GretchenShow NotesWelcome to Episode 44 of the Creative Work Hour Podcast, part three of our mini-series The Power of Words. In this episode, we’re joined by the multi-talented Gretchen from Imagine with Gretchen on YouTube, who shares her love of children's literature and reads a special book: ABC: Let’s Celebrate You and Me by Sugar Snap Studio (aka Jessie Ford). This episode dives into the power of words, self-worth, kindness, and celebrating what makes each of us unique. Featured Book
8 months ago 24 minutes Creative Work Hour Episode 43: Power of Words Part 2 - Trust Creative Workout Podcast — Episode 43: Power of Words Part 2 - Trust Episode Summary:In this episode of the Creative Workout Podcast, we continue our mini-series, The Power of Words, with a focus on trust. We explore how to navigate trust in crisis situations—whether it’s your own crisis or someone else’s—and share tools for staying grounded and taking care of yourself. Drawing from Alessandra’s personal experience with a recent challenging situation, today’s discussion provides practical strategies and trust-building takeaways to empower you during moments of uncertainty. Today’s Crew (Co-Hosts):
Topics Covered:
8 months ago 23 minutes |