Insight from my grad class on creativity

Judy Oskam: 0:04

Welcome to Stories of Change and Creativity, the podcast where we talk about how people adapt to change and tap into that spark of creativity. I'm Judy Oskam and in today's solo episode, well, it's all about understanding the individual creative process. How do we unlock that creativity within us, especially when life calls for change? How do we adapt and thrive when our creative flow faces challenges? Creativity is a deeply personal journey. It's different for all of us and when we're faced with change, it can become a powerful tool for reinvention. That's one reason I love teaching a graduate class on creative problem solving in mass communication. I get to see firsthand how different individuals approach the same problem in wildly unique ways. Each of my students is working on their own creative project, exploring new ideas and seeing how they can make the work relate to their own lives. I designed the class so students would be able to connect with creative entrepreneurs and business leaders. Throughout this semester, I've been fortunate to bring in some incredible guest lecturers to inspire and challenge our students.

Judy Oskam: 1:32

Wendy Conklin gave a lecture on the creative process. She's an entrepreneur, chair stylist, an author and also a friend. Her company is called Chair Whimsy. She shared her creative insights with the class, diving into the ideas behind her book Life Whimsy How to Think, play and Work More Creatively. Her work is all about creating a blueprint for creative action and it was a game changer for my students. She emphasized how thinking creatively isn't just for artists or designers. It's a mindset that can be learned and applied. It's a process, really, and it can be applied in every aspect of our lives, especially when we're facing change lives especially when we're facing change.

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Dr Carrie Angell is the president and CEO of the Better Business Bureau for the Heart of Texas. She gave a lecture on building a legacy brand. Dr Angell's approach to creativity is rooted in strategy and leadership, showing that creative thinking is essential in the business world. She explained how creativity isn't just about coming up with the new ideas. It's about finding ways to leave a lasting impact and building something that reflects your values. Her talk really helped the students understand how to adapt their creativity in a professional context, particularly when creating something that will stand the test of time.

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We also welcomed Fred Poston, the current Executive Director of the Texas Media Production Alliance. Fred shared his journey as an international media operations executive and the students got to learn about creativity at a global scale His insights into navigating change within the fast evolving media landscape gave the class an entirely new perspective on how adaptability and creative problem solving are essential in industries driven by constant innovation.

Judy Oskam: 3:48

These guest lecturers have been incredible in showing my students that creativity isn't a one-size-fits-all process. It's something that evolves, adapts and changes over time, just like we do, adapts and changes over time, just like we do. We all bring our own unique experiences and perspectives to the table, and that's what makes creativity so powerful. Now you might be wondering what does all of this have to do with me? Well, whether you're a student or someone navigating the ups and downs of life, the takeaway is this Creativity for you may be a solitary endeavor, but for others, it thrives. When we engage with others, we learn from different experiences and adapt to the ever-changing landscape around us. Just as my students are learning to adapt and innovate through their projects, their other graduate students and life in general, so can you in your own creative journey.

Judy Oskam: 4:54

Creativity isn't just about being inspired. It's about the process of creation itself. It's about staying curious. All of my lecturers said growth mindset. Stay curious, be open to opportunity and learning. Always continue to learn, but being open to the unknown, and learning to embrace change rather than resist. It is the way forward. And as we continue to adapt, remember that your creative process is unique to you. It might not always be neat, tidy and easy I can tell you mine certainly isn't but it will be authentic.

Judy Oskam: 5:39

Well, before I wrap up today's episode, I want to leave you with a challenge. Think about how you can apply the creative insights of growth mindset, being open to new challenges and taking action that our incredible speakers shared with my students. How can you apply that to your own life? How can you bring more creativity to the problems you're facing? How can you embrace uncertainty and use it as a catalyst? A negative becomes a positive. Well, think about these questions and explore what creative action you can take today. Well, thanks so much for joining me on Stories of Change and Creativity. I hope the conversation inspired you to embrace your own unique process, or explore it and define it, maybe, and then adapt to change with a creative mindset. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a quick review and share it with a friend who might need a little creative spark today. Thanks so much for listening. I'm Judy Oskam.