The Upward Acts Podcast

I had the incredible opportunity of diving deep into conversation on why we create with a dear friend and collaborator Arami Walker. We got the chance to explore topics like:

• Creative identities and how we form them
• How we experiment with our art and how we finish projects
• The nature of groove and the songwriting process
• How our wellbeing and health impacts our art and creativity
• Resilience, explanatory styles, and post-traumatic growth
• The importance of a message in making meaningful art 

Arami walker is a multidimensional musician and educator who intends to use the power of music, technology, and transformative practices to catalyze a shift in consciousness throughout the world. Inspired by poetry, music and language- she hopes to use traditional and non- traditional media to promote a healthier way to share stories and develop society. Walker graduated from UCLA in 2016 with a degree in World Arts and Culture as a True Bruin Scholar and Bill and Melinda Gates Millennium Scholar. While at UCLA, she traveled to over 14 countries researching cultural practices of music, dance, and communication. She is a dedicated global citizen who strives to contribute thoughtful content in the form of music, books, and educational lectures. Her first album, “A Universe by Nature” was released on January 28, 2021.  Album can be heard on Spotify, Apple music, Pandora and Tidal. 

In this episode I had the all out pleasure of having an epic conversation with Creativity Coach and Therapist Bianca Demetrius. We were able to dive into some truly fascinating topics such as: 

• Self care and how different types of rest impacts our creativity (Spiritual rest, Digital Rest, sensory rest, etc.)
• Creativity systems and integrating different aspects of our creativity
• "Junk Flow" and how to get deeply engaged in flow activities
• Creativity Coaching vs Therapy 
• Myths of Creativity 

Bianca Demetrius (pronounced Bee-on-ka  D-meet-tree-us). Is a licensed clinical therapist, creative coach, wellness mentor, and an advocate for creating the life you want to live. She is the creator of @helping.create, which is an instagram page dedicated to sharing creativity, productivity, & wellness tips, education, and self-help tools.

Bianca is located in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. She has an MA degree in counselling psychology and she has been working as a clinical therapist for over 10 years.  She currently works in private practice where she offers psychotherapy, coaching, and mentoring services. As a creative coach, she supports anyone who wishes to enhance their creative potential, regardless of their profession, hobby, or personal project.  She draws on her education and training in positive psychology, the psychology of creativity, cognitive psychology, and the psychology of motivation, to help creatives identify blocks and cultivate flow.

For this episode I had the extreme honor of Interviewing a dear friend Noah Boyd. 

We got the chance to explore such varied topics as non-coincidences in the creative process, the relationship between Authenticity and Self-Actualization, identity, developmental lines, and how different aspects of ourselves interact. 

Noah Boyd is a curious psychologist, drawn to the field early on his pursuit of greater self-understanding. He now focuses on helping clients tap into their own authenticity through his coaching practice, Resonance. When he's not coaching or consulting, Noah stays busy developing his yoga practice and building experience as a reiki practitioner. 

For this episode I had the honor and privilege to interview one of the game-changingest artists I know. We explored:

• Personal Work vs Work for Clients
• Making creative decisions
• The importance of Maintaining a passion project
• Literally creating ourselves through our art

Alex Basa is a San Francisco-based professional creative working in the advertising industry as a copywriter. He went to the Academy of Art University in San Francisco, graduating with a BFA in advertising. He does regular freelance work as a photographer, videographer, graphic designer, and all-around writer. A musician that plays both drums and guitar, Alex is one of my oldest and closest friends.

In this episode we were able to compassionately explore:

• Fractal patterns in nature that show up in our development
• How self care routines impact our mental health and our creative work
• How to find the things that spark our interest and excitement

Rebecca Hass is a creative wellness coach, pianist, and composer living in Oakland, CA. As a coach, she helps ambitious creative people self-compassionately reduce overwhelm and avoid burnout so they have the energy to do the work that matters most to them. As a musician, she specializes in Brazilian and her compositions span a variety of topics, from samba grooves to crime-fighting manatees, which you can hear on her album Florescer (Bloom). She also hosts the podcast Being a Whole Person, about self-care and wellness for creative people.

In this episode we got the opportunity to dive into some amazing topics including:

• The varieties of art therapy and how Positive Psychology is now playing a role.
• Comparing therapy and coaching to art in its own right
• How art therapists talk about different styles of expression

Carmen Paulson, is a graduate level art therapist and a licensed graduate professional counselor. Drawn to the intersection of mental health and creative expression from a young age, Carmen studied Art therapy at George Washington University from 2015-2018. Currently, Carmen works primarily with youth and immigrant families. Carmen is interested in theories pertaining to trauma and overcoming adversity such as humanistic psychology and trauma-informed art therapy. When working with clients, Carmen focuses on narratives created through the intersection of racial, cultural, social and gender identities. 

In this episode we got a chance to dive into:

• Exploring multiple artistic mediums,
• Committing to more than one artistic endeavor in the face of parents, managers, and society,
• AI written music and its impact on the industry
• The role of art in the practice of conflict resolution skills

Anacron is a world renowned recording artist, entrepreneur, tastemaker, Creative Director, US Cultural Ambassador, and so much more.

In this episode we get the chance to explore:

• Authenticity as it relates to your creative process
• Integrating Yoga, meditation, and body awareness into our everyday lives.
• Types of hunger and how to check in with our bodies.
• Finding your social niche and balancing our need for belonging with our need for individualization.
• Our conceptualization of money and finances and how that impacts our wellbeing

Marin Laukka is the business owner of Yes&, LLC - wherein she coaches hard-working creatives to navigate life transitions with confidence & authenticity. Marin holds a Master’s degree in Positive Developmental Psychology and certifications in life coaching & yoga. Outside of work, you can find Marin at the dog park with her pup Aatto, rock climbing with her partner Tyler, or dancing with a bowl of chocolate peanut butter ice cream.

In this episode we continue our exploration of the need for mastery, the prerequisites for expert performance, and the process behind flow states and optimal experiences.

In this episode we explore the psychology behind fun! The need for mastery, the pre-requisites for expert performance, and the process behind flow states and optimal experiences. 

In this episode we continue our exploration of the nature of happiness. We continue exploring how emotions work and how to participate in our emotional process in ways that benefit our overall wellbeing.

In this episode we explore some key aspects related to the nature of happiness. We also begin to explore how emotions work and how to participate in our emotional process in ways that benefit our overall wellbeing. 

In this episode we continue to explore some foundational concepts related to mindful awareness and its impact on your wellbeing.

In this episode we explore some foundational concepts related to mindful awareness and its impact on your wellbeing. 

In this episode I finish up my introduction  to the field of Positive Developmental Psychology and my own approach to facilitating growth and wellbeing.

In this episode I introduce you to the field of Positive Developmental Psychology and my own approach to facilitating growth and wellbeing.