Insight from my grad class on creativity

In this solo-episode, I share some insight about the graduate class I'm teaching - Creative Problem Solving in Mass Communication.   I designed the class to connect students with creative entrepreneurs, business and media leaders.  This semester, my students have met with three fantastic guest lecturers.

• Wendy Conklin, founder of Chair Whimsy
• Dr. Carrie Angell, President and CEO of the Better Business Bureau 
• Fred Poston III, Exec. Director - Texas Media Production Alliance

When we open ourselves to different perspectives, we unlock powerful creative resources for personal and professional growth.

Key Points:

• Creativity is a process that can be learned

• A growth mindset and curiosity leads to creativity

• Creative processes don't need to be neat to be authentic and effective
• Embracing uncertainty can transform negative situations into positive catalysts

Think about how you can apply these creative insights to your own life. 

How might you bring more creativity to the problems you're facing and take creative action today?

Hi Friend - Thanks for listening!

Check out my TEDx talk. Why you should take action - then figure it out.

Episode Transcript

Judy Oskam (00:04):
Welcome to Stories of Change and Creativity, the
podcast where we talk about howpeople adapt to change and tap
into that spark of creativity.
I'm Judy Oskam and in today'ssolo episode, well, it's all
about understanding theindividual creative process.
How do we unlock thatcreativity within us, especially

(00:27):
when life calls for change?
How do we adapt and thrive whenour creative flow faces
challenges?
Creativity is a deeply personaljourney.
It's different for all of usand when we're faced with change
, it can become a powerful toolfor reinvention.
That's one reason I loveteaching a graduate class on

(00:51):
creative problem solving in masscommunication.
I get to see firsthand howdifferent individuals approach
the same problem in wildlyunique ways.
Each of my students is workingon their own creative project,
exploring new ideas and seeinghow they can make the work

(01:12):
relate to their own lives.
I designed the class sostudents would be able to
connect with creativeentrepreneurs and business
leaders.
Throughout this semester, I'vebeen fortunate to bring in some
incredible guest lecturers toinspire and challenge our
students.
Wendy Conklin gave a lecture onthe creative process.

(01:35):
She's an entrepreneur, chairstylist, an author and also a
friend.
Her company is called ChairWhimsy.
She shared her creativeinsights with the class, diving
into the ideas behind her bookLife Whimsy How to Think, play
and Work More Creatively.
Her work is all about creatinga blueprint for creative action

(02:02):
and it was a game changer for mystudents.
She emphasized how thinkingcreatively isn't just for
artists or designers.
It's a mindset that can belearned and applied.
It's a process, really, and itcan be applied in every aspect
of our lives, especially whenwe're facing change lives

(02:28):
especially when we're facingchange.
Dr Carrie Angell is thepresident and CEO of the Better
Business Bureau for the Heart ofTexas.
She gave a lecture on buildinga legacy brand.
Dr Angell's approach tocreativity is rooted in strategy
and leadership, showing thatcreative thinking is essential
in the business world.
She explained how creativityisn't just about coming up with

(02:49):
the new ideas.
It's about finding ways toleave a lasting impact and
building something that reflectsyour values.
Her talk really helped thestudents understand how to adapt
their creativity in aprofessional context,

(03:11):
particularly when creatingsomething that will stand the
test of time.
We also welcomed Fred Poston,the current Executive Director
of the Texas Media ProductionAlliance.
Fred shared his journey as aninternational media operations
executive and the students gotto learn about creativity at a
global scale His insights intonavigating change within the

(03:32):
fast evolving media landscapegave the class an entirely new
perspective on how adaptabilityand creative problem solving are
essential in industries drivenby constant innovation.
These guest lecturers have beenincredible in showing my
students that creativity isn't aone-size-fits-all process.

(03:57):
It's something that evolves,adapts and changes over time,
just like we do, adapts andchanges over time, just like we
do.
We all bring our own uniqueexperiences and perspectives to
the table, and that's what makescreativity so powerful.
Now you might be wondering whatdoes all of this have to do

(04:17):
with me?
Well, whether you're a studentor someone navigating the ups
and downs of life, the takeawayis this Creativity for you may
be a solitary endeavor, but forothers, it thrives.
When we engage with others, welearn from different experiences
and adapt to the ever-changinglandscape around us.

(04:40):
Just as my students arelearning to adapt and innovate
through their projects, theirother graduate students and life
in general, so can you in yourown creative journey.
Creativity isn't just aboutbeing inspired.
It's about the process ofcreation itself.

(05:02):
It's about staying curious.
All of my lecturers said growthmindset.
Stay curious, be open toopportunity and learning.
Always continue to learn, butbeing open to the unknown, and
learning to embrace changerather than resist.
It is the way forward.

(05:23):
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 willbe authentic.
Well, before I wrap up today'sepisode, I want to leave you
with a challenge.

(05:43):
Think about how you can applythe creative insights of growth
mindset, being open to newchallenges and taking action
that our incredible speakersshared with my students.
How can you apply that to yourown life?
How can you bring morecreativity to the problems

(06:04):
you're facing?
How can you embrace uncertaintyand use it as a catalyst?
A negative becomes a positive.
Well, think about thesequestions and explore what
creative action you can taketoday.
Well, thanks so much forjoining me on Stories of Change
and Creativity.
I hope the conversationinspired you to embrace your own

(06:25):
unique process, or explore itand define it, maybe, and then
adapt to change with a creativemindset.
If you enjoyed this episode,please subscribe, leave a quick
review and share it with afriend who might need a little
creative spark today.
Thanks so much for listening.
I'm Judy Oskam.