Join me and Andrea [on-dray-uh] Reeves (she/her), the neurodivergent mind behind Type C Creative, as we discuss the ways self-help isn't so helpful. How do we get out of that external feedback loop of trying to constantly improve ourselves and instead find a place of radical self-acceptance with our art and ourselves. We discuss finding systems and routines that work for you without attributing a story that you're failing or being a bad person as well as the beauty of embracing intentional inconsistency: accepting that you'll be inconsistent and de-shaming those habits that might be less than habitual.

You can find Andrea at typec-creative.com [https://www.typec-creative.com/] and sign up for her Substack, Rebellious Systems [https://typeccreative.substack.com/].

Rebelling Against Self-Help w/ Andrea Reeves

Today I'm joined by Kyra Sutherland (they/them), joy and confidence coach for autistic and ADHD folks, to discuss how neurodivergence impacts creativity and how practicing imperfection can help us expand how we view creativity and how we view ourselves.

As a kid, Kyra was a creative writer until puberty took hold and the comparison monster made creating too scary. As an adult, they have redefined creativity and how they express it through their business, gender expression, and relationships. You can learn more about them at joyfuldivergence.com [https://www.joyfuldivergence.com/] and follow them on social media! 

References:
"Multipotentialite [https://puttylike.com/terminology/]"
You Are an Artist [https://bookshop.org/p/books/you-are-an-artist-assignments-to-spark-creation-sarah-urist-green/12998476?ean=9780143134091]by Sarah Urist Green

Creativity & Neurodivergence w/ Kyra Sutherland

In this episode, I'm joined by Tacoma artist Jamie Fiano (she/her). Jamie and I discuss how creativity is more than putting color to a page; it's how we live and how we interact with each other. And in that interaction, we open ourselves up to new ways of being. Creation can be a path to freeing ourselves from old trains of thought that no longer serve us; it can give us a safe place to practice embracing the void and imagining new paradigms. As Jamie so beautifully puts it, "Creativity is the creation of space which is safe, secure, and sacred."

You can find Jamie at local Tacoma events through Cascade Music Alliance [https://www.instagram.com/cascademusicalliance/], Creative Colloquy [https://www.instagram.com/creativecolloquy/], and open mic nights  at Soulberry Coffeehouse [https://www.instagram.com/soulberrycoffeehouse/].

References:
Short story I couldn't remember the name of about "derivative art": Melancholy Elephants by Spider Robinson [https://www.spiderrobinson.com/melancholyelephants.html]
Dimension 20: Fantasy High [https://dimension20.fandom.com/wiki/Fantasy_High] "Palimpsest"
Definition of "palimpsest" [https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/palimpsest]

Shifting Paradigms w/ Jamie Fiano

In this episode, I talk with local Tacoma-area artist, Skye. Skye and I met the way most artists do...by overhearing the other talking about art and staring like a weirdo until it's too awkward to NOT introduce yourself and ask about their art...that's how it's done, right? Well, I'm glad I was weird because now I have this episode and a friend to show for it.

Sky shares about how these past few years motivated her to set aside distractions and start taking her art more seriously. We talk about how art can communicate our subconscious needs and desires, how scary it can be to put that final touch on something, and making art with zero expectations. In the end, making art is all about meeting ourselves in new ways and introducing ourselves to the world. 

You can find Skye's art on her Instagram @divine.reflections333 [https://www.instagram.com/divine.reflections333/] 

References:
Lauren Cutts [https://www.instagram.com/laurencutts.art/] Art

Meeting Yourself w/ Skye

In this episode of The Ugly Podcast, I speak with Dani Abernathy (she/they), an Enneagram teacher and Author Accelerator book coach, and we reflect on how our creativity got lost in the shuffle of adulthood, stifled by self-judgment and the pressures of fitting into religious norms. We discuss how stepping away from religion and being honest about who we really are—especially when it comes to gender and sexuality—opened up space to create without fear or the need to prove anything. We talk about how isolating it can be to hide parts of yourself and how freeing it feels to just be real, even if that means embracing the darker or more complicated parts. Exploring and expressing our true identities has made life—and creativity—feel a lot more authentic and fun.

This episode also showcases the first ever live ugly art exercise! Don't know how we got this far without one, but so glad we're here!

Learn more about Dani at daniabernathy.com [https://www.daniabernathy.com/]and take their Untapped Superpower Quiz [https://www.daniabernathy.com/quiz] to discover your writing superpower and receive tools to help you on your writing journey. Follow them on Instagram: @daniabernathyauthor [https://www.instagram.com/daniabernathyauthor/]

Let's Bring the Darkness w/ Dani Abernathy

In today's episode, I talk with Sarah Henn Hayward about her experience writing Giving Up God, a memoir about leaving religion. We talk about how she didn't feel very creative before writing her memoir, but the process of writing it awoke her creativity and led her to continue writing children's books and fiction.

Long story short, if you say yes to your ideas and get started, you might find that you have way more up in your brain than you ever thought possible!

Check out Sarah's website to learn more about her work! https://sarahhennhayward.com/

References
FFTs: Fucking First Time by Brené Brown [https://brenebrown.com/podcast/brene-on-ffts/]

It Started Out with a Memoir w/ Sarah Henn Hayward

Heather Buchanan is back! In this episode, we talk about Heather's new book, Blame the Stars [https://bookshop.org/p/books/blame-the-stars-a-very-good-totally-accurate-collection-of-astrological-advice-heather-buchanan/20598813?ean=9781797226392], based on her totally accurate and divinely channeled IG page Horror Scoops [https://www.instagram.com/horror.scoops/], and the intense process she went through to bring this incredibly goofy book to her readers. We discuss working with the inner critic and being willing to draw the goofy things that pop into your brain--like beans!--and saying yes even when your inner critic is telling you no.

You can buy Heather's book anywhere books are sold, and we highly recommend going to your local bookstore! Follow along for weekly horror scoops on IG @horror.scoops and check out more of Heather's work at heatherbuchanan.ca [https://www.heatherbuchanan.ca/]

References:
Manhunt [https://bookshop.org/p/books/manhunt-gretchen-felker-martin/17086522?ean=9781250794642]by Gretchen Felker-Martin
Tara Brach RAIN method
The Artist's Way [https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-artist-s-way-30th-anniversary-edition-julia-cameron/6665657?ean=9780143129257] by Julia Cameron


Draw the Dang Beans w/ Heather Buchanan

In this episode, I'm joined by Kaighla Rises, Pushcart Prize Nominee and award-winning author of Evryn, The Light [https://bookshop.org/p/books/evryn-the-light-kaighla-rises/19964668?ean=9798218167462], to talk about returning home to ourselves through creativity. 

There is no one path to healing, but connecting with creativity, getting help for mental health, listening to our inner child, and leaving harmful religious structures and relationships have all brought Kaighla and I closer to ourselves. Get to know Kaighla's work at kaighlarises.com

References:
The Artist's Way [https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-artist-s-way-30th-anniversary-edition-julia-cameron/6665657?ean=9780143129257] by Julia Cameron
Things That Shatter [https://www.amazon.com/Things-That-Shatter-Kaighla-Dayo/dp/1796406333] by Kaighla Rises
Wellspring [https://www.amazon.com/wellspring-kaighla-rises-ebook/dp/B091V6GMHT/ref=sr_1_4?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.UNhojSwSPpMahRqBcNJnzLbZQL3MtuyK0vwJMhUZh043Ly15VvCIfArfCM5oaGhn.1JJ3URfkL-YWR2rWFCXMzpALs8cn2C_SG5IwgCdAM7Y&dib_tag=se&qid=1710860072&refinements=p_27%3AKaighla+Rises&s=digital-text&sr=1-4&text=Kaighla+Rises]by Kaighla Rises
Emotionally Healthy Spirituality [https://bookshop.org/p/books/emotionally-healthy-spirituality-it-s-impossible-to-be-spiritually-mature-while-remaining-emotionally-immature-peter-scazzero/9985431?ean=9780310348498] by Peter Scazzero

[Image description: Photo of a woman in her mid-thirties with short pink hair, green eyes, wearing a Palestinian keffiyeh scarf around her neck against a black background. She's smiling warmly and looking directly into the camera.]

Returning to Self w/ Kaighla Rises

My guest this week is Toni Nagy, stand-up comedian, content creator and interpretative dancer extraordinaire. Toni shares her unexpected path to accepting the “ugly” in her life and how this led her to embrace her own style of dancing, the importance of finding that deeper motivation to be creative, and embracing cringey feelings as fertile ground for transformation. We also chat about one of my favorite topics–art as a tool for liberation! Specifically, strengthening our imaginations and deepening the connection we have with ourselves, the earth, and each other.

This episode marks the first installment of a new segment, listener questions! Today’s question focuses on how to show up when making anything feels overwhelming. If you have a question you'd like to hear on the podcast, email me at lauren@scribeandsunshine.com. 

For more laughs and existential dance-musings, follow Toni on Instagram @toninagy [https://www.instagram.com/toninagy/]and check out her link tree [https://linktr.ee/toninagy] for shows, her Patreon, and more goodies!

References:
The book I forgot the name of: Perfectionist's Guide to Losing Control by Katherine Morgan Schafler [https://www.perfectionistsguide.com/]

Creative Liberation w/ Toni Nagy

Today’s guest, April Fitzpatrick (she/her), aka “The Pineapple Lady,” is an art therapist whose work centers art as a process that allows people, particularly those who’ve experienced racial trauma, to reclaim agency over their personal narratives.

April and I talk about the impressive symbolism of the pineapple for both the therapy process and the human development process, and a broad overview of what happens from a neuroscience perspective when we engage in creative acts. We also discuss the benefits of prioritizing the healing and creative processes rather than chasing after unrealistic performance culture standards.

In the midst of so much global grief and ongoing trauma, one thing I know for sure is the importance of having an inclusive mental health framework to help us all work toward healing.

You can learn more about April's work at pineappleswithpurpose.com [https://www.pineappleswithpurpose.com/meet-april] or on Instagram at @pineappleswithpurpose [https://www.instagram.com/pineappleswithpurpose/]. You can see some of her work featured in Tallahassee Democrat, Tallahassee International Airport, Canvas Rebel, Artful Infrastructure, Black Superwoman Chronicles, ArtPlace America, Black Minds Mag, Art Seen: The Curator’s Salon Magazine, and ART4EQUALITY x LIFE, LIBERTY, PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS Exhibition Catalog. 

Pineapples & Process w/ April Fitzpatrick

Lore talks with creatives and industry professionals about the creative process and how to live more openly and fully through the willingness to make "ugly" things—including this podcast! Lore aims to let creatives know they're not alone and they deserve to explore all facets and forms of creativity, not just what is accepted as "good art." 

Lore (they/them) is an editor, creativity coach, and the founder of Scribe & Sunshine. You can find more about what they do at https://scribeandsunshine.com/ and if you want to support them, you can do so at https://ko-fi.com/scribesunshine.