Michael W. Allison, The Adversity Academy

Welcome back to "Your World of Creativity," where we celebrate creativity and innovation around the world, particularly in sustainability. In our latest project, we've brought together diverse talents to produce a collaborative book, "Creativity for a Sustainable Future," showcasing contributions from around the globe.https://blog.mindshake.pt/shop/creativity-for-a-sustainable-fluture/- Diverse Collaborations: We're joined by Katja Tschimmel, Sandra Horlings, Daniela Marzavan, and Dorte Nielsen, all contributors to the book, to discuss the process and outcomes.- Creative Initiatives: Katja explains the origins of the project, linking creativity with sustainability during the World Creativity and Innovation Week. Daniela highlights the snowball effect in networking, fostering global collaboration.- Global Perspectives: Sandra emphasizes the importance of diverse viewpoints in addressing complex challenges, while Dorte underscores the actionable nature of the book, promoting real change through creative thinking. - Practical Applications: Daniela discusses bridging the gap between academia and practical application, showcasing the book's mix of theoretical and practical contributions.- Design and Artistry: Katja elaborates on the book's design, emphasizing its sustainability and creative elements, including innovative cover designs and interactive features.- Call to Action: The panelists emphasize the book's role as a catalyst for action, inspiring creatives across disciplines to contribute to a more sustainable future.- Future Directions: The conversation concludes with reflections on the ongoing journey of creativity and sustainability, with plans to continue fostering collaboration and innovation.Pull-out Quotes:- Katja Tschimmel: "Creativity in the context of sustainability acts as a catalyst for innovative solutions for a better world."- Daniela Marzavan: "The book serves as a call to engage in dialogues between worlds, bridging academic depth with practical application."- Sandra Horlings: "Creativity is not limited to creatives; it's a strength within everyone to spark change and enable a sustainable future."- Dorte Nielsen: "The book demonstrates how creative thinking can be applied universally, offering hope and inspiration for a more sustainable future."- Mark Stinson: "If you're a creative working in sustainability, I'd love to hear from you. Let's continue unlocking creativity and innovation together."

In this episode of "Your World of Creativity," host Mark Stinson welcomes Jeff Wetzler, author of the new book "Ask." Jeff's Website Jeff on YouTube @askapproach on Instagram Jeff delves into the simple yet profound idea of asking questions to unlock hidden wisdom and insights from those around us. He explores the psychological and practical barriers to asking and provides a structured approach to overcoming them. This episode is packed with actionable advice and reflective insights that emphasize the transformative power of curiosity and inquiry in both leadership and life.Key Takeaways:- Choose Curiosity: Embrace a mindset of curiosity to unlock new perspectives and insights.- Make It Safe: Create a safe environment for open and honest communication.- Pose Quality Questions: Ask questions that elicit valuable information and insights.- Listen to Learn: Practice active listening to truly understand and absorb what others are saying.- Reflect and Reconnect: Reflect on the information gathered and reconnect with the person to acknowledge their contribution.Pull-out Quote:"When you ask someone for directions, maybe you're not just going to find out the fastest route, but also, 'Hey, by the way, there's this great coffee shop that you should stop by.'" - Jeff WetzlerHighlights:- Barriers to Asking: Jeff discusses common reasons people avoid asking questions, such as fear of appearing ignorant or imposing.- The Power of Curiosity: Emphasizing the importance of staying curious to continually learn from those around us.- Creating a Safe Space: Tips on building trust and ensuring others feel comfortable sharing their honest opinions.- Quality Questions: Examples and strategies for asking questions that lead to meaningful conversations and insights.- Reflective Practice: The importance of reflecting on the information gathered and closing the feedback loop with the other person.Join Mark and Jeff as they explore how the simple act of asking can lead to unexpected breakthroughs and deeper connections. Tune in to learn how to harness the power of questions in your personal and professional life.

In this episode of "Your World of Creativity" with Mark Stinson, we journey to Atlanta, Georgia, one of the most vibrant creative hubs in the U.S., to chat with Forrest Tuff, a filmmaker, producer, and entrepreneur. Forrest shares insights from his multi-talented journey, emphasizing the fusion of creativity and business acumen in his career.Forrest's Website @forresttuff on Instagram Forrest on YouTube Forrest's Facebook page Key Highlights:1. Dashes and Slashes: Forrest reflects on his diverse roles as a filmmaker, producer, and entrepreneur, tracing back to his early days of balancing academics and athletics, which laid the foundation for his multifaceted career.2. From Athlete to Entrepreneur: Transitioning from a career-ending injury in Division One sports, Forrest found his entrepreneurial calling, initially experimenting with retail before venturing into media production with One Vision Productions.3. Jumping In: Forrest describes his approach to new projects as a fearless plunge, embracing challenges and learning along the way, a philosophy that has driven his unconventional path in the creative industry.4. Balancing Creativity and Business: As an ambidextrous personality, Forrest navigates seamlessly between creative expression and business strategy, leveraging both skill sets to drive success in his ventures.5. The Filmpreneur Mindset: Forrest coined the term "filmpreneur" to encapsulate his holistic approach to filmmaking, emphasizing the importance of treating creativity as both an art form and a business endeavor.Pull-out Quote by Forrest Tuff:"I understand both [creativity and business], which is, it's a weird thing. You know how they say in school, when kids have that what is this attention deficit thing that they say? I have that... I'm able to flip-flop back into both of these modes, and I get a joy from both of them."Forrest Tuff's journey exemplifies the symbiotic relationship between creativity and entrepreneurship, offering invaluable insights for aspiring creators and entrepreneurs alike. Tune in to unlock more wisdom on navigating the dynamic landscape of creativity and business on "Your World of Creativity."Thanks to our sponsor, White Cloud Coffee Roasters, https://www.whitecloudcoffee.com/

In this episode of "Your World of Creativity," host Mark Stinson delves into the theme of unlocking creativity through adversity. He invites Michael W. Allison, founder and CEO of the Adversity Academy, to share his insights and experiences.Michael's Website Michael on YouTube @iammichaelwallison on Instagram Michael's Facebook page **Key Highlights:**- **Collaborative Creativity:** Michael discusses the importance of collaboration in overcoming challenges, drawing from his experience in building leadership teams in the government sector.- **Military Experience:** Reflecting on his time in the Marine Corps and surviving a car bomb in Iraq, Michael emphasizes the value of perspective and living life to the fullest.- **Personal Transformation:** Michael opens up about his struggles with PTSD, trauma, and suicidal thoughts, highlighting his journey of seeking help, finding purpose, and undergoing personal development.- **Service and Impact:** Inspired by his own journey, Michael shares his commitment to helping others overcome adversity, leading to the creation of the Adversity Academy and his various endeavors in public speaking and coaching.- **Vision for the Future:** Michael envisions the Adversity Academy becoming a global brand, offering transformative programs to individuals and organizations worldwide.**Pull-out Quote:** "I live my life honoring those guys and telling my story... because tomorrow is not promised." - Michael W. AllisonThe episode concludes with a message of resilience and the power of embracing adversity to unlock creativity.[If you or someone you know is in crisis, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or text "HELLO" to 741741 for the Crisis Text Line.]

Welcome back to "Your World of Creativity," where we dive into unique stories from creators worldwide. Today, we explore a fascinating project with John Lumgair, animation director at Quirky Motion Studios in London, crafting a tale of resistance against technocracy through the eyes of a jazz-playing cow.John's Website John on YouTube @quirkymotion on Instagram John's Facebook page **Highlights:**- **The Jazz Cow Concept**: Jazz Cow follows the story of a bohemian cow leading a resistance movement against encroaching big tech, with a heist to retrieve his saxophone as the central plot.- **Influences and Symbolism**: Influenced by classics like "1984" and the symbolism of jazz as freedom, Jazz Cow juxtaposes the liberty of music with the control of technology.- **Creative Process**: The project evolved from a humorous concept about a jazz-playing superhero cow into a deeper narrative confronting societal issues, driven by collaborative creativity. - **Artistic Vision**: Drawing from traditional 2D animation, Jazz Cow blends noir aesthetics with vibrant colors and incorporates influences from artists like Aaron Douglas and jazz album covers.- **Funding and Engagement**: Lumgair adopts a crowdfunding approach, engaging audiences early and offering pre-sales of merchandise and streaming to fund the pilot episode, emphasizing the importance of audience involvement.**Pull-out Quote:**"I think in many ways, we've got to laugh at this stuff because everything's got so serious... Satire is good to get us to look at ourselves." - John LumgairThis episode offers insights into the challenges of animation production, the importance of maintaining relationships, and the journey from concept to execution in creative projects.As we anticipate the Jazz Cow Kickstarter campaign, let's continue supporting independent creators like John Lumgare, fostering connections and unlocking diverse worlds of creativity. Stay tuned for more inspiring stories on the next episode!Thanks to our sponsors, White Cloud Coffee Roasters and Exact Rush Publishing.

Welcome back to *Your World of Creativity*, where we dive into the minds of fascinating creatives. Today, we explore the journey of Costas Schuler, founder of Envisionary Design.costas's Website **Highlights:**- **Creative Triumphs:** Costas shares his unique blend of humor and deep insights that have fueled his decades-long career in design.- **Intuition in Creativity:** Embracing a childlike state allows for intuitive and innovative thinking, leading to effortless creativity.- **Fractional Creative Direction:** Costas introduces the concept of a fractional creative director, blending a subscription model with high-quality, personalized design services.- **The Power of Truth:** Through his involvement in the Warrior Week community, Costas emphasizes the importance of truth-telling for personal growth and creativity.- **Gratitude and Ego:** Costas highlights the role of gratitude in maintaining a fresh perspective and overcoming creative obstacles, cautioning against the pitfalls of ego-driven behavior.Pull-Out Quote:"The simplest thing I've discovered is the ego. When the ego gets in the way, things go badly. When it becomes about you and you're blaming other people, you're in for a world of hurt." - Costas SchulerThank you for joining us on this enlightening journey with Costas Schuler. Be sure to check out Envisionary Design and stay tuned for more captivating conversations on *Your World of Creativity*.

🎙️🌍 Welcome back to "Your World of Creativity" podcast! 🌟On this show, we've journeyed through various creative experiences, from entertainment to furniture, and today, we're diving into the world of organic juices with Uncle Matt's Organic.🍊 Founder and Chief Uncle, Matt McLean, joins us to share the remarkable story behind Uncle Matt's Organic and its journey from farm to bottle to local stores.Here are 5 highlights from our conversation:- **Roots to Fruits:** Matt shares how Uncle Matt's Organic started from humble beginnings on just three acres in his father's backyard, following devastating freezes that wiped out their citrus groves.- **Navigating Challenges:** Facing obstacles ranging from weather calamities to citrus greening disease, Matt discusses the resilience needed in the agricultural industry and how organic farming remains central to their mission.- **Creative Innovations:** From developing a full line of organic beverages beyond orange juice to infusing functional ingredients like elderberry for immune-boosting properties, Uncle Matt's Organic stays ahead of emerging trends with creativity at its core.- **Distribution Dynamics:** Matt delves into the intricacies of building distribution channels, from local health food stores to larger supermarket chains, and the logistical challenges of maintaining freshness in perishable products.- **Commitment to Mission:** Uncle Matt's Organic is not just a brand; it's a mission-driven endeavor committed to organic farming practices and consumer health, fueled by a dedicated team aligned with their vision.🌱 Pull-out Quote from Matt McLean: "In America, no profit goes up unchallenged. Similarly, no good idea goes unchallenged. Business is the ultimate game of creativity."Join the conversation and connect with Uncle Matt's Organic:Website: unclematts.comSocial Media: @unclematts (Instagram, TikTok)LinkedIn: Matt McLeanKeep unlocking your world of creativity with us as we explore inspiring stories and innovative ideas from around the globe. Until next time, I'm Mark Stinson, signing off from Clermont, Florida. Stay creative, stay inspired! 🚀 #YourWorldOfCreativity #OrganicInnovation #CreativeJourneys

In this episode, we travel to Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, to chat with Ricky Zhang, the Founder and CEO at Prince of Travel.https://princeoftravel.com/https://www.youtube.com/princeoftravelhttps://www.instagram.com/princeoftravel/Ricky shares insights into his journey from a passionate traveler to building a successful travel brand.1. **The Birth of "Prince of Travel":** Ricky explains how the name "Prince of Travel" originated from his desire to start a travel blog and the struggle to find the perfect domain name. "Prince of Travel" captured the essence of traveling the world on one's terms.2. **Inspiration Behind the Venture:** Ricky's upbringing, marked by family travels and exposure to diverse cultures, fueled his passion for travel and eventually led to the inception of Prince of Travel.3. **Strategies for Travel Rewards:** Ricky delves into the world of travel rewards, emphasizing the potential to leverage loyalty programs and credit card optimization to stretch travel budgets and unlock premium experiences.4. **Building a Strong Digital Brand:** Ricky discusses the importance of upholding high standards in content creation, from video production to website design, to cultivate trust and engagement with the audience.5. **Navigating the Digital Space:** Ricky offers advice for aspiring entrepreneurs entering the digital space, highlighting the significance of creativity, consistency, and community-building for long-term success.**Key Quote from Ricky:**- "The world's becoming more connected...there's more lands of opportunities out there." - Ricky ZhangMark expresses gratitude for Ricky's insights and encourages listeners to continue their journey of creativity and exploration. He invites them to join in for future episodes as they unlock the world of creativity together.

Welcome back to "Your World of Creativity," where we explore inspiration, idea organization, and launching creative work into the world. Today, we're thrilled to speak with Angie Elita Newell, author of the captivating new book, "All I See is Violence," recently released by Greenleaf Book Group.Angie's Website https://www.instagram.com/angieelitanewell/Highlights:1. Angie's book weaves together the stories of a woman warrior, a ruthless general, and a single mother, offering a unique perspective on the legacy of a stolen nation.2. Drawing from her background in history and literature, Angie discusses her journey of blending academic research with creative writing and her First Nations heritage.3. Angie shares insights into her creative process, highlighting the importance of vulnerability and expressing truth in storytelling.4. Through her novel, Angie explores deep historical and cultural insights, challenging romanticized versions of history and emphasizing the need for critical thinking.5. Looking ahead, Angie provides a glimpse into her next project, a story about Geronimo and the Apache community, promising another fascinating exploration of history and wisdom.Key Quote from Angie:"I think you get to these points when you're writing and you're working as an artist where you have a small moment where you're like, I wonder if I should not write that. I want to write that, but I wonder if other people read this, should I not write that? Should I not share that, be, like, that vulnerable? And you said that in your beginning, so you have to and in choosing vulnerability, which I did, you learn a deeper version of yourself. Yeah. You end up, you're expressing truth now. You're not expressing an illusion."Don't miss this insightful conversation with Angie Elita Newell, available on all major podcast platforms. Remember, embracing diverse perspectives and telling untold stories can pave the way for a more enlightened world.https://www.instagram.com/GreenleafBookGrhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/greenleaf-book-group/Tune in next time as we continue our creative journey around the globe. Until then, keep unlocking your world of creativity.

Welcome back to "YOUR WORLD OF CREATIVITY"! Today, we're exploring the vibrant landscape of creativity in the San Francisco Bay area with our special guest, screenwriter, filmmaker, and producer, Jayson Johnson. Join us as we delve into Jayson's multi-faceted creative journey and discover the secrets behind his signature style.Jayson's Website Jayson on YouTube Highlights:- Jayson's diverse portfolio showcases a range of styles, from moody club scenes to outdoor landscapes, reflecting his eclectic creative vision.- His experiences growing up in Chicagoland and exploring the diverse environments of San Francisco have shaped his preference for varied experiences and aesthetics.- Despite working on notable projects for networks like Discovery, ABC, and Netflix, Jayson remains committed to telling compelling stories that resonate with audiences.- He emphasizes the importance of collaboration in the creative process, valuing the input of fellow filmmakers and artists.- Jayson's journey from an entry-level job at Francis Ford Coppola's winery to founding Strike Five Films is a testament to the power of perseverance and seizing unexpected opportunities.Key Quote from Jayson: "I want to be a filmmaker of the people, for the people. I would love to have your support. Love to earn your support."Tune in to gain insights into the practical aspects of bringing your creative vision to life and unlocking your full potential in the world of creativity. Until next time, keep creating!