The Creative Condition podcast

Overthinking can be second nature to creative thinkers. A classic downside to empathy and sensitivity. I've battled with anxiety in recent years, and my overthinking has been out of control. Constant rumination, wild and unmanaged responses to news headlines, and an uncharacteristically gloomy outlook leading to sleepless nights and worry spirals.

I'm slowly getting a handle on it, and I want to help others suffering the same barriers to a calmer, more optimistic basis for their creativity.

Nikki Emerton, a therapist, trainer, and coach, joins me to discuss the brain, the patterns of thought and traps we fall into, and how we can help ourselves break this destructive cycle.

As ever supported by Illustration X https://illustrationx.com

Work with me through the 'PIT STOP' one-stop creativity foundational coaching session, or work with me to write your story in the brand new 'The Internal' story coaching program now at https://thecreativecondition.com (https://thecreativecondition.com/)

Access creativity resources, including books, a reading list, and 300+ podcasts at https://thecreativecondition.com

Help the Ukrainian Institute's brave creative community during a horrific time of war at https://ui.org.ua

In this entry of The Creativity Diary:

Understanding the self over job titles and skills

The need for space to avoid overwhelm and nervous system activation

Stoicism as a tool for managing uncertain times

As ever supported by Illustration X https://illustrationx.com

Work with me through the 'PIT STOP' one-stop creativity foundational coaching session now at https://thecreativecondition.com (https://thecreativecondition.com/)

See the Pit Stop flagship coaching session and an illustrator-specific coaching offer now. Access creativity resources, including books, a reading list, and 300+ podcasts at https://thecreativecondition.com

Help the Ukrainian Institute's brave creative community during a horrific time of war at https://ui.org.ua

Journaling was one of several tools I used to tackle a tough year of anxiety. While reflecting upon a previous entry, I noticed that the list of helpful habits to support my mental well-being was more or less interchangeable with core components of healthy creativity, so I wanted to explore that idea a little more.

I'd love to hear your take on this, so get in touch about it, or anything else at [email protected]

As ever The Creative Condition podcast is supported by founding sponsor Illustration X.

https://www.basedesign.com/about/min-lew

For more creativity resources, including coaching opportunities, reading lists and articles, head to the official The Creative Condition site.

Please consider supporting The Ukrainian Institute, who champion the brave and inspiring Ukrainian creative community during this awful time of war.

'Lived data' is how Min Lew, head of Base Design in New York City, described intuition. I loved this. Min has quite the story, and she joins me to discuss her work overseeing the creative output and business of Base.

We discuss why moodboards have their place, but often stifle thinking big and differently in the creative process, travel, cultural lessons, the future of branding, and much more in an inspiring conversation with a bona fide creative industry leader.

As ever The Creative Condition podcast is supported by founding sponsor Illustration X.

https://www.basedesign.com/about/min-lew

For more creativity resources, including coaching opportunities, reading lists and articles, head to the official The Creative Condition site.

Please consider supporting The Ukrainian Institute, who champion the brave and inspiring Ukrainian creative community during this awful time of war.

After a personal and generally challenging year, much has been learned, and the message is strong: we must fight for a baseline of optimism for creativity to thrive!

This will be the final episode of 2025, back to the usual weekly podcasts January 7th.

Merry Christmas and a happy New Year!

As ever supported by Illustration X. See their global range of illustration and animation portfolios at https://illustrationx.com

Help the brave Ukrainian creative community during this horrible time of war at https://ui.org.ua

For all The Creative Condition's creativity resources, head to https://thecreativecondition.com