Creative Chats with Mike Brennan

321. Overcoming Creative Setbacks and Rejection
In this solo episode of Creative Chats, host Mike Brennan shares a candid look into the realities of the creative journey. Drawing from a month filled with rain-soaked events, rejection letters, and introspection, Mike offers hard-earned wisdom on what to do when creative opportunities don't go your way. This episode is an honest companion for artists, makers, and creative thinkers who seek encouragement and practical advice for navigating rejection and creative ruts.
3 Key Takeaways:
🎨 Love the Process – Sustainable creativity isn't just about accolades and recognition. A key theme that emerged is that true creatives must fall in love with the act of creating itself, not just the outcomes or external rewards. Cultivating this passion fuels perseverance through inevitable setbacks.
🎨 Rejection Is Part of the Journey – The discussion explored how rejection and missed opportunities are unavoidable and, in fact, vital aspects of a creative life. Processing these experiences constructively—rather than internalizing self-doubt—helps creatives build resilience and uncover new paths.
🎨 Find the Balance Between Retreat and Action – One concept discussed was navigating the extremes of swinging at every opportunity versus hiding from fear of rejection. Instead, the podcast encourages a rhythm of honest assessment, strategic action, and rest to support long-term creative growth and prevent burnout.
Episode Highlights:
02:56 – Rain derails local events, showing how external factors outside of one's control can impact even the best-prepared creative efforts.
06:03 – Processing the disappointment of repeated rejections, and how not being selected doesn't define your talent or worth.
18:32 – Identifying your natural response to setbacks and learning how to channel your energy productively—whether that's resting, regrouping, or reigniting your creative drive.
Links and Resources:
Mike Brennan's website: https://mikebrennan.me

Daily Creative Habit™ Journal & Newsletter: Available under the "Daily Creative Habit" tab on Mike's website

 
Feeling encouraged by this episode? Don't forget to subscribe to Creative Chats and leave a review! Your feedback helps bring more conversations and insights to fellow creatives. To deepen your own creative practice, check out the Daily Creative Habit™ resources at https://mikebrennan.me—and remember, the next opportunity always starts with showing up. Go create something!

320. Tom Provost on Young Washington, Writing, and Servant Leadership
In this episode of Creative Chats, Mike Brennan sits down with screenwriter, filmmaker, teacher, and creative storyteller Tom Provost for a conversation about his journey through film, writing, teaching, and the making of Young Washington. Tom shares the childhood experiences that sparked his love of stories, the long road of perseverance in Hollywood, and how his creative life has evolved in unexpected but deeply meaningful ways.
3 Key Takeaways for Creatives and Storytellers:
Embrace Unexpected Paths: Tom Provost encouraged staying open to new and surprising opportunities. Sticking too rigidly to a plan may mean missing out on something even greater (11:02).

Power Through the "Dark Nights": Long periods of uncertainty are common in any creative career. Perseverance, self-belief, and a little stubbornness can keep you moving forward—even if the journey takes years (09:13).

Storytelling as a Force for Good: The stories that shaped Tom Provost, from "Chinatown" to "Close Encounters," drove home the value of art as a tool for empathy, justice, and communal reflection (07:00). His hope? That "Young Washington" inspires audiences of all ages, making history vibrant and relatable.

Looking for creative inspiration or tips on turning setbacks into breakthroughs? Check out the full episode and dive into Tom Provost's fascinating journey!
Tom Provost's websites
Food & Film blog: foodandfilm.com
Professional site: cinemalanguage.org
Charity: bagsandgrace.com

Final thoughts
This conversation is a reminder that creative work is shaped by persistence, humility, and the willingness to follow unexpected doors when they open. Tom's story is especially encouraging for anyone navigating uncertainty while trying to make meaningful work that reaches others.

Young Washington releases July 3rd, 2026.
Check out Mike's AMerica 250 art series celebrating the 250th Anniversary of the United States:
https://www.mikebrennan.me/art-prints

319. Cuffy and the Power of Letting Go
In this episode of Creative Chats, Mike Brennan shares a personal story about bowling, his playful alter ego "Cuffy," and the surprising power of loosening control. What begins as a funny family memory becomes a deeper reflection on perfectionism, creativity, and the freedom that comes from showing up with more joy and less pressure.Mike explains how trying too hard often creates tension, frustration, and disappointing results—whether in bowling, pickleball, drawing, or creative work. He encourages listeners to stop white-knuckling their way through life, embrace imperfection, and make room for fun as part of the process, not just the reward at the end.He also reflects on how creativity has helped him reconnect with himself and how his book, Make Fun a Habit, explores this same idea through short stories, reflections, and exercises.
In this episode, you'll hear:
The story behind Mike's alter ego, Cuffy
Why trying to control too much can backfire
How silliness can reduce pressure and improve performance
A reminder that creativity should feel alive, not just productive
How fun can be a practice, not a prize
Key takeaways:
Perfectionism can disconnect you from joy and creativity
Loosening up can create better results and a better experience
You don't have to compare your beginning to someone else's middle
Creativity is a personal resource for problem-solving, expression, and life
Mentioned in this episode:
Mike Brennan's book: Make Fun a Habit
Website: mikebrennan.me
About the host
Mike Brennan is a creative guide who helps people reconnect with themselves through creativity. His work encourages listeners to live more colorfully, embrace their creative voice, and build a daily creative habit.
Closing thought
If you've been feeling stuck, tense, or overly serious in your creative life, this episode invites you to try something different, have some fun, and see what changes.

318. 14 Years of Daily Creativity: Embracing Imperfection and Rest
Mike Brennan shares his personal journey through a health crisis, reflecting on the importance of embracing seasons of pause in creativity, and redefining what it means to practice consistently. This heartfelt episode explores vulnerability, resilience, and the true essence of a sustainable creative practice.
3 Key Takeaways:
Embrace Imperfection: Even after years of consistency, life can throw you a curveball. It's okay if your creative streak isn't perfect—progress matters more than perfection.

Prioritize Rest and Self-Compassion: Sometimes, your body or circumstances demand a pause. Pausing doesn't erase your achievements; it offers space to reflect, heal, and return stronger.

Identity Beyond the Work: Tying your identity too closely to what you produce can be dangerous. Remember who you are apart from your creative output—your value isn't tied to productivity.

If you're in a season of pause, burnout, or transition, you're not alone. Give yourself grace. Creativity should be life-giving, not a prison. Let's normalize talking about the messy, imperfect, and restorative sides of creative living.
You can listen to our full conversation wherever you get your podcasts, or now watch on YouTube too:
🔗 https://www.youtube.com/@mikebone
And as always, you'll find the episode at www.CreativeChats.me.

317. Live from Columbia TN: Creative Problem Solving and Jewelry Design with Warren Feld\
In this episode of Creative Chats, we dive into the intricate world of jewelry design and creative problem-solving with Warren Feld, accomplished jewelry artist, designer, educator, and author. Warren shares his journey from creative discouragement in childhood to becoming a master of contemporary jewelry artistry, navigating challenges from material limitations to collaboration with clients. This conversation is packed with insights for artists, makers, and any content creators eager to expand their understanding of creativity, craft, and the ongoing dialogue between maker and audience.
3 Key Takeaways:
🎨 The Creative Challenge of Jewelry Design – Warren discusses why jewelry design is uniquely complex among the arts, due to its dynamic interaction with the wearer and ever-changing contexts, requiring both artistry and engineering.
🎨 Design as Dialogue – Successful creation means anticipating and negotiating with your audience or client, constantly adapting design choices to meet both artistic vision and user needs.
🎨 Lifelong Learning & Adaptation – Warren emphasizes the importance of continual growth, education, and reflection. He shares how staying curious and open—whether with students, new technologies, or changing cultural contexts—is essential for creative survival, especially in fields facing rapid technological change.
Episode Highlights:
Warren's creative origin story: from discouragement to discovery (00:03:47)

The nuances of designing jewelry for movement, light, and perception (00:06:10)

Lessons in creative problem-solving, client collaboration, and "designing backwards" (00:11:08)

Navigating difficult client requests with tenacity and investigation (00:14:44)

The necessity of lifelong learning and adapting to technological shifts in the jewelry industry (00:19:42)

Warren's current work on contemporizing traditional designs and his upcoming projects (00:22:55)

Links and Resources:
Warren Feld's Website: https://www.warrenfeldjewelry.com/

Warren Feld's Books: Available on Amazon https://amzn.to/4p2ZiB0

Mike Brennan's Website: www.MikeBrennan.me

 
Feeling inspired? Don't forget to subscribe to Creative Chats and leave a review! Your feedback helps this podcast reach more artists, makers, and creative thinkers just like you. Want to dive deeper into your creative journey? Check out the resources at www.mikebrennan.me and get in touch with Warren for more on jewelry artistry and creative wisdom. Keep creating, keep connecting, and join us next time for more Creative Chats!