How can engaging in creative activities influence an individual's sense of self and overall fulfillment in life?
Shawna Curee was a very creative child, who loved drawing, writing, and creating games with her siblings. A nurturing home and school environment allowed her to freely explore her artistic inclinations, until, inspired by the film Free Willy, Shawna decided she wanted to be a marine biologist instead of following her creative passions.
At college she soon realized that wasn't the right path for her, and explored a few other majors before settling on journalism.
Looking back, Shawna recognizes that during the years when she lacked a creative outlet, she felt less like herself. For Shawna creativity is not just a hobby but a vital component of her identity and well-being.
We also chat about Shawna's experiences with baking and how turning her creative love into a business led to burnout. Monetizing her creativity diminished her enjoyment of it, so now Shawna's creative pursuits serve her as personal fulfillment rather than for financial gain.
Writing has also played a significant role in Shawna's life and she is currently working on a book that explores the value of slowing down and appreciating the beauty in the world around us. This project is deeply personal, as it stems from her desire to share her experiences and insights with her family, ensuring they understand who she is beyond her role as a mother and wife.
Shawna is also the co-host of two podcasts recorded in the metaverse, and couldn't resist turning the conversation onto me as she asked me a question and told the story of how we met.

CreativityFound.co.uk

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Music: Day Trips by Ketsa Undercover / Ketsa Creative Commons License Free Music Archive -

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From self-doubting doodler to skilled graphic facilitator, embracing the messiness of creativity can lead to transformative experiences.
Societal pressures initially deterred my guest Ashton Rodenhiser from pursuing the arts in higher education. Instead she went to community college and then on to a role working in parenting programs and prenatal support, followed by transitioning to family support, a facilitation role that Ashton especially enjoyed.
Ashton discovered graphic facilitation through a transformative one-day workshop, a pivotal moment that not only reignited her passion for creative expression, but also led to a career that seamlessly combines her skills in listening, facilitation, and visual communication.
Throughout the conversation, Ashton reflects on the vital role of facilitation in helping others communicate their ideas, and how her experiences have shaped her current work, including her recent book, The Beginner's Guide to Sketchnoting.
With a focus on empowering educators to integrate visual note-taking into their classrooms, Ashton inspires listeners to rethink their creative potential and the value of listening and drawing as tools for learning.
Ashton discusses the importance of developing a visual vocabulary, emphasizing that anyone can learn to draw, even if they start from scratch.

CreativityFound.co.uk

Instagram: @creativityfoundpodcast
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Researched, edited and produced by Claire Waite Brown
Music: Day Trips by Ketsa Undercover / Ketsa Creative Commons License Free Music Archive - Ketsa - Day Trips
Artworks: Emily Portnoi emilyportnoi.co.uk
Photo:

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Try the Fountain podcast listening app here

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Buy arts and crafts techniques books, plus books by some of my podcast guests, from the Creativity Found bookshop

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Podcast recorded with Riverside and hosted by Buzzsprout
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Oksana Kukurudza is currently immersed in a deeply personal writing project titled Sunflowers Bend But Rarely Break, which explores her parents' harrowing experiences as forced labourers in Nazi Germany during World War II. Oksana's motivation for writing stems not only from her parents' stories but also from the striking parallels she observes between their experiences and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
Born and raised in Western Ukraine, which was part of Poland before the war, Oksana's mother, just 17 years old in 1941, and her father, 20 at the time, fell victim to Nazi propaganda and coercion that led many Slavs to Germany for forced labor. This choice, however, resulted in her enduring harsh treatment and effectively being imprisoned as a labourer.
In her research for the book, Oksana has uncovered deeper layers of her parents' experiences, revealing aspects of their lives that were previously unknown to her. This has led Oksana to approach her writing with a blend of historical accuracy and creative narrative, aiming to immerse readers in the emotional landscape of her parents' lives during the war.
The title of the book, Sunflowers Bend But Rarely Break, symbolizes resilience in the face of adversity – a theme that resonates deeply with Oksana as she draws connections to the current situation in Ukraine. The ongoing war has evoked memories of her parents' struggles, prompting her to advocate for awareness and support for Ukraine. Oksana believes that history is repeating itself, and feels a strong responsibility to illuminate these parallels for a new generation. By sharing her parents' story Oksana hopes that she can contribute to a greater understanding of the human experiences behind historical events and inspire action to support Ukraine in its current plight.

CreativityFound.co.uk

Instagram: @creativityfoundpodcast
Threads: @creativityfoundpodcast
Facebook: @creativityfoundpodcast and Creativity Found group
YouTube @creativityfoundpodcast

Researched, edited and produced by Claire Waite Brown
Music: Day Trips by Ketsa Undercover / Ketsa Creative Commons License Free Music Archive - Ketsa - Day Trips
Artworks: Emily Portnoi

Buy some Christmas gifts from a Creativity Found Collective member here.

Support the show here
Try the Fountain podcast listening app here

Buzzsprout podcast hosting
Start for FREE

Buy arts and crafts techniques books, plus books by some of my podcast guests, from the Creativity Found bookshop

Support the show

Podcast recorded with Riverside and hosted by Buzzsprout
Subscribe to the Creativity Found mailing list here
Join the Creativity Found Collective here