Hey everyone, I’m quickly checking in to let you know that I will stop turning my articles into podcasts.

Why, you might ask…

It is mostly lack of time—writing is something I can do reasonably quickly when inspiration strikes. A podcast takes time: to record, to edit, to get out into the ether. At this point, it simply seems counterintuitive to spend hours on recording and editing something that I have already provided for you in written form.

“But accessibility!” I hear you say.

Well, accessible information does not mean I have to record a podcast. I will still make sure that screen-readers can read out my articles without problems, and the good thing about Substack is that I can also very quickly provide a read-out version for you without having to do all the talking and adding the bells and whistles myself. The Substack read-out function is available via the app—just download it in via your App Store and then click on the little play button near the top of the article. Et voilà! (You can already try it with this one—the AI voice isn’t *too* shocking 🤣. I picked one for you that sounds a lot better than the Substack-native one. It’s really surprisingly okay, give it a chance).

Listening to a podcast over reading an article is a personal preference, and I appreciate that some people have that preference.

Writing and article instead of recording a podcast with more or less the same content is also preference. And I always was and always will be a writer and reader. I hardly ever listen to podcasts myself—it is simply not my medium, and I don’t feel a particularly strong connection to them, neither as a listener nor as a creator.

What does this mean for you?

I have just opened my podcast archive to free access again, so all old podcasts will still be there for you to listen to. I just won’t record any new ones. But the Substack channel will keep on existing—in newsletter form, via the written word only. With Substack-native read-outs in the app.

For those of you who are also subscribed to Shadow Truths: That podcast archive was always freely available anyway, so nothing will change for you apart from no new episodes being added in the future. But the story exploration will continue as usual, and the next issue will land with you soon.

I hope you are okay with “just” reading in the future, and I will see you all soon (and I have other exciting things for this channel in store, but more about that another time).

P.S.: If you would like to connect with other creative artists and keep access to my articles and read-outs: You can do all of this via our community on Substack (it’s free).

If you are interested in exploring mental health and creativity through a lens of storytelling, please also check out my newsletter The Sandman: Shadow Truths, which alternates with The Creative Cure.

You can also follow me on Facebook.

In the tranquil embrace of nature, where whispers of leaves and the symphony of streams reign, the spirit of Thalia, the Greek muse of idyllic poetry, flourishes...

Now, if you think that sounds a bit contrived, you might even be right, but since I’ve chosen an episode-title that talks about invoking muses, I had to find a hook to draw you in somehow, so I’ve attacked you with my finest purple prose. But I’m also half-serious about it—for artists navigating the tumultuous seas of their minds (still not done with the purple prose), nature can serve as an anchor. Connecting with nature can actually be quite a profound step towards mental well-being.

But we have to take that step.

And we often don’t, glued to screens and phones all day, hunching over our desks or at least spending significant amounts of time indoors, perpetually making excuses that we have deadlines, and keeping our butts firmly planted on our seats. I am as guilty of it as the next person. And that’s why I decided to make today’s episode about (purple prose alert again) letting nature weave its magic to nurture our creativity and soothe our minds.

If you would like to connect with other creative artists who love nature and exchange feedback, support, and inspiration with them: You can do all of this via our community on Substack (it’s free).

If you would like to access all information mentioned in this episode and get a written transcript: You can find it here.

If you are interested in exploring mental health and creativity through a lens of storytelling, please also check out my newsletter The Sandman: Shadow Truths, which alternates with The Creative Cure and also has its own companion podcast.

You can also follow me on Facebook.

Thanks to WatR for creating the music.

It’s been a while—I’ve been fairly absent from my social media accounts since October, mostly due to several writing and other projects. And honestly: It feels so much better in so many ways.

But fret not, I haven’t abandoned my podcasts. In this episode of The Creative Cure, I will talk about cutting down on social media accounts, removing ourselves from the pressure to be “KLT”d and most of all: Changing the structures that still pressure us into giving our knowledge away for free or far too cheaply because “that’s the way to get your foot in the door, and then the work will come.”

If you would like to share how trying to keep up with social media affects you, or what your experiences with “offering knowledge for exposure” are: You can do both via our community on Substack (it’s free).

If you would like to access all information mentioned in this episode and get a written transcript: You can find it here.

If you are interested in exploring mental health and creativity through a lens of storytelling, please also check out my newsletter The Sandman: Shadow Truths, which alternates with The Creative Cure and also has its own companion podcast.

You can also follow me on Facebook (as per this episode, you’ll not find much joy following my other, defunct accounts ;)).

Thanks to WatR for creating the music.

Rejection is a part of life, especially for creative artists. Whether it's a bad review, a rejection letter, or a lack of appreciation, rejection hurts and can make you doubt your worth and abilities. But it’s not a reflection of your talent or potential. In fact, rejection can be a valuable learning opportunity and a source of motivation and inspiration. Today, I’d like to explore how we, as artists, can cope with rejection. We’ll also have a look at some common myths around rejection, and look at some ideas and questions to explore.

If you would like to share how rejection affects you, or what you found out when you answered this episode’s questions and explorations: You can do both via our community on Substack (it’s free).

If you would like to access all information mentioned in this episode and get a written transcript: You can find it here.

If you are interested in exploring mental health and creativity through a lens of storytelling, please also check out my newsletter The Sandman: Shadow Truths, which alternates with The Creative Cure and also has its own companion podcast.

You can also join my Facebook group or follow me on Twitter and Instagram.

Thanks to Aleksey Chistilin of Lexin Music for creating the music.

Social media has become an integral part of our lives. As creative artists, we use it to showcase our work, connect with our audience, and find inspiration. In this week’s newsletter, I’d like to explore the impact of social media on artists’ mental health, in the positive and negative sense—and there’s plenty of both.

Questions for Exploration

* How do I feel before, during, and after using social media?

* How much time and energy do I spend on social media each day?

* Why do I use social media—what are my goals and expectations?

* Do I feel the need to be successful/validated/liked when I use social media?

* How do I cope with negative feedback, criticism, or trolling—what are my current strategies?

* How do I deal with comparison, envy, or insecurity after social media use?

* How do I balance my social media use with real-life social interactions and support?

* How do I currently protect privacy and boundaries online?

* How do I maintain my artistic integrity and authenticity when I use social media?

* How do I currently use social media to enhance my creativity and inspiration—does it work, or could I do anything differently?

If you would like to share what you have found out, or meet other likeminded people: You can do both via our community on Substack (it’s free).

If you would like to access all information mentioned in this episode (including links to articles) and get a written transcript: You can find it here.

If you are interested in exploring mental health and creativity through a lens of storytelling, please also check out my newsletter The Sandman: Shadow Truths, which alternates with The Creative Cure and also has its own companion podcast.

You can also join my Facebook group or follow me on Twitter and Instagram.

Thanks to Aleksey Chistilin of Lexin Music for creating the music.

We often see creativity as a gift or a talent that only some people have. But nurturing our creativity has such immense benefits for mental health recovery: It helps us express our emotions, cope with stress, find meaning and purpose, and connect with others who share our interests (social connection is extremely important for mental wellbeing, even if we sometimes don’t feel like it). Creative outlets can also challenge certain thought patterns, boost self-esteem, and foster a sense of achievement and accomplishment.

In short: Creativity can provide an outlet for feelings that are difficult to verbalise. It helps us explore our inner world, discover aspects of ourselves we might not even know existed, and communicate our ideas and perspectives to others.

Most of all: It roots us in the present moment.

Questions for Exploration

* What are some creative activities that you enjoy or would like to try?

* How do you feel when you are engaged in a creative activity?

* How can you make time and space for creativity in your daily life?

* Who are some people that inspire you with their creativity?

* How could you use your creativity to support your mental health recovery goals?

* What are some creative activities that help you express your emotions and thoughts, to yourself and others?

* How do you feel before and after expressing your emotions and thoughts through creativity?

* What are some creative activities that help you reduce stress and anxiety?

* Who in your life currently supports or encourages your creativity?

* How could you use your creativity to help others?

If you would like to share what you have found out, or meet other likeminded people: You can do both via our community on Substack (it’s free).

If you would like to access all information mentioned in this episode and get a written transcript: You can find it here.

If you are interested in exploring mental health and creativity through a lens of storytelling, please also check out my newsletter The Sandman: Shadow Truths, which alternates with The Creative Cure and also has its own companion podcast.

You can also join my Facebook group or follow me on Twitter and Instagram.

Thanks to Aleksey Chistilin of Lexin Music for creating the music.

The artist Emma Haddow (who gave us today’s quote) will have her own thoughts about this, but what is it that lurks beneath the surface for you? Maybe you feel overwhelmed by deadlines, expectations, or criticism. Maybe you struggle with self-doubt, perfectionism, or imposter syndrome. Maybe you worry about your finances, your future, or your artistic vision. Whatever the cause, stress affects our mental and physical health, as well as our creativity and productivity.

Join me for today’s episode, in which we will talk about how stress and anxiety affect us as creative artists, what myths surrounding them should be stamped out for good, and how you can “navigate the storm”.

Questions for Exploration

* How do you currently cope with stress and anxiety?

* What are the main sources of stress or anxiety for you as a creative artist?

* What are some myths or tropes that you have encountered or believed about how stress and anxiety affect creative artists?

* How do you balance your creative work with your personal life?

* What are some goals that you have for yourself as a creative artist?

* Who are some of the artists that inspire you or support you in your creative journey?

* What are some of the benefits of creating art for your mental health?

* How do you balance your passion for your art with your well-being?

If you feel brave, share what you found via our community on Substack.

If you are interested in exploring mental health and creativity through a lens of storytelling, please also check out my newsletter The Sandman: Shadow Truths, which alternates with The Creative Cure and also has its own companion podcast.

You can also join my Facebook group or follow me on Twitter and Instagram.

Performance Anxiety & How The Performing Arts Teacher Can Help

Li, W., Li, X., Huang, L., Kong, X., Yang, W., Wei, D., Li, J., Cheng, H., Zhang, Q., Qiu, J., & Liu, J. (2015). Brain structure links trait creativity to openness to experience. Social cognitive and affective neuroscience, 10(2), 191–198. https://doi.org/10.1093/scan/nsu041

Thanks to Aleksey Chistilin of Lexin Music for creating the music.

If you are a subscriber and would like to change how you receive emails: You can opt to either get the newsletter, the podcast or both by adjusting your account settings.

This quote by Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama puts everything about mental health and art in a nutshell: Creativity is a gift that can enrich our lives and inspire others. But it can also come with challenges, such as stress, anxiety, self-doubt, burnout, and isolation.

In this episode, we will explore some of the common issues that affect creative artists, and I will also share some tips and resources to help you cope and thrive. Whether you are a writer, a painter, a musician, a designer, or any other type of creative artist, I hope you will find something useful and inspiring.

Your creativity matters. And your mental health matters, too.

Questions for exploration

* How do you define creativity? What does it mean to you?

* How do you measure your creativity? What criteria do you use?

* How do you balance your creativity with other aspects of your life?

* How do you currently cope with stress, anxiety, depression, or other mental health issues?

* How do you deal with creative blocks, feelings of burnout, imposter syndrome, or other challenges related to your work?

* How do you seek help or support when you need it? Who do you turn to?

* How do you practice self-care? What activities do you enjoy?

* How do you set goals and boundaries for yourself? What are they?

* How do you celebrate your achievements and strengths? How do you reward yourself?

* How do you experiment with different methods and perspectives? What are some examples?

* How do you adapt to change and uncertainty? What are some examples?

If you feel brave, share what you found on our community on Substack.

If you are interested in exploring mental health and creativity through a lens of storytelling, please also check out my newsletter The Sandman: Shadow Truths, which alternates with The Creative Cure and also has its own companion podcast.

You can also join my Facebook group or follow me on Twitter and Instagram.

Petra Borzynski (2022): “You Have to Suffer for Your art”: About Creativity and Mental Illness

Equity global study finds those working in the performing arts are more likely to experience poor mental health | Equity Global Scoping Review (2022)

Thanks to Aleksey Chistilin of Lexin Music for creating the music.