How We are “Wired to Create”, What It Means to Be a “Creative”, and How We Can Leverage Our Unique Gifts | with Scott Barry Kaufman

What if your greatest creative strength is the part of you that never quite fit in?

In this episode, I talk with Dr. Scott Barry Kaufman, psychology professor at Columbia University and host of The Psychology Podcast, to explore why creativity isn’t a rare talent but a way of being—one that thrives when we embrace what makes us different. We discuss how to reframe “disabilities” as strengths and how owning your uniqueness can unlock your creative superpowers. If you’ve struggled to share your work or felt like you don’t belong, this conversation might shift how you see yourself—and your creative potential.

Key Takeaways

• Boost creativity with boredom: Boredom activates the default mode network that helps with creativity.
• Embrace laughter: Most creative ideas often sound ridiculous at first. Fear of failure blocks creativity.
• Hope is a skill you can learn: You can’t choose your struggles, but you can always choose your response.

Episode Highlights

• Scott’s origin story
• Difference between doing creative work and being a creative
• Brain networks (and how it leads to creativity): Imagination, Executive and Salience
• Scheduling boredom and incubation
• Relationship between creativity and mental health
• Importance of flow state on your well being
• Balancing high sensitivity with creativity
• Correlation between creativity and neurodivergence
• How to overcome the victim mindset and empower yourself
• Changing your default response from helplessness to hopefulness
• Strength-based approach to disabilities
• Redefining what it means to be intelligent
• The language that we use in our own minds

Recommended Next Episode

Ethan Kross: If you’re curious to keep exploring the inner workings of the mind—and the inner critic that so often holds you back.

Useful Resources

Scott’s Book: Wired to Create: Unraveling the Mysteries of the Creative Mind

Scott’s Book: Transcend: The New Science of Self-Actualization

Scott’s Book: Rise Above: Overcome a Victim Mindset, Empower Yourself, and Realize Your Full Potential

Scott’ Beautiful Minds Newsletter

The Psychology Podcast with Scott Barry Kaufman

The Amazing Dr. Scott

It’s Not You: Identifying and Healing from Narcissistic People

Marc Brackett Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence

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Guest Bio

Dr. Sc