153. Partnering with Time: How an Army Veteran Became an Artist - Ronald Jackson
Have you ever considered a dramatic career change, a leap from a structured path into the wide-open world of creative expression? Our guest, Ronald Jackson, embodies this very journey. Growing up in the rural Arkansas Delta as the youngest of eleven children, Ronald's early life was steeped in a family legacy of challenging norms. After a distinguished 21-year career in the U.S. Army, a profound "aha moment" set him on an entirely new course. Join us for an intimate conversation with Ronald as we explore his incredible transition from military life to a celebrated self-taught artist. Discover the story behind the spiritual epiphany that reshaped his path as an artist, how he "partnered with time" to develop his craft without formal training, and the deeply personal inspiration behind his striking mask paintings. If you’re looking for inspiration and action steps to redefine your life's purpose, this episode is for you. Chapters 00:00 - Introduction to Ronald Jackson 03:15 - A Creative Childhood in the Rural South 05:00 - The Power of Play and Imagination 07:00 - An Unexpected Welcome to the Art World 10:30 - The Epiphany: A Spiritual Awakening 18:50 - The Decision to Partner with Time 24:40 - From Behind the Scenes to Best in Show 27:30 - The Story Behind the Masks 33:00 - Finding Your Artistic Voice Through Self-Discovery 36:15 - Redefining Success: From Being an Artist to Being Authentic 38:15 - Conclusion Connect With Ronald: Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ronald_jackson_artworks Ronald’s Website: https://www.ronaldjacksonartworks.com/ Support the Show Website: www.martineseverin.com Follow on Instagram: @martine.severin | @thisishowwecreate_ Subscribe to the Newsletter: www.martineseverin.substack.com This is How We Create is produced by Martine Severin. This episode was edited by Santiago Cardona and Daniel Espinosa. Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts Leave a review Follow us on social media Share with fellow creatives
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152. The Craft of Seeing: A Lifetime of Documenting Our Stories - Roy Lewis
Have you ever considered that the most profound creative education might not happen in a classroom? What if it unfolds in the buzz of a print shop or behind the lens at a world-changing cultural event? In this episode, I sit down with legendary photographer Roy Lewis, whose journey is a powerful testament to learning by doing. Roy shares how his early days in a Mississippi print shop ignited his creative spark, leading to an unconventional path where Ebony and Jet magazines became his university. He offers a firsthand account of documenting FESTAC '77, the monumental gathering of Black artists and intellectuals in Lagos, Nigeria, and explains how these experiences shaped his iconic eye. This conversation is an intimate look into a life spent capturing our stories, reminding us that the richest lessons often come from the journey itself, not a predetermined map. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Roy Lewis and His Journey 02:53 Early Influences and First Steps in Photography 06:03 Building Relationships in the Photography World 08:59 Finding His Voice as a Photographer 11:37 The Significance of Festac 1977 14:46 Experiences and Memories from Festac 18:00 Reflections on Cultural Impact and Legacy Learn more about Roy: https://www.thehistorymakers.org/biography/roy-lewis-40 Support the Show Website: www.martineseverin.comFollow on Instagram: @martine.severin | @thisishowwecreate_ Subscribe to the Newsletter: www.martineseverin.substack.com This is How We Create is produced by Martine Severin. This episode was edited by Daniel Espinosa. Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts Leave a review Follow us on social media Share with fellow creatives
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151. The Art of Slowing Down in the Kitchen - Murielle Banackissa
Have you ever wondered how to turn a lifelong passion for food into a celebrated career? In this episode, I sit down with the wonderfully creative food photographer, stylist, and cookbook author, Murielle Banackissa. Murielle shares the story of her creative journey, from her childhood memories in the Republic of Congo to her family's move to Montreal. Join us as we explore how Murielle masterfully blends her Congolese and Russian-Ukrainian heritage into mouth-watering vegan recipes that might just have you rethinking everything you thought you knew about vegan food. We'll dig into how she organically merged her love for cooking and photography, turning a social media trend into a thriving business and eventually, a beautiful cookbook. This conversation is a heartfelt exploration of identity, the courage to follow your own path, and the magic that happens when you slow down and savor the process. Chapters 00:00 - From Pointe Noire to Montreal: A Creative Childhood 02:49 - Early Food Memories and Creative Pursuits 06:02 - Merging Passion for Food and Photography 09:38 - The Comfort Foods of Home: A Taste of Heritage 11:30 - The Art and Science of Recipe Development 13:59 - A Cookbook Dream Come True 16:34 - Conceptualizing "Savoring": Memories on a Plate 19:19 - The Four-Year Journey to "Savoring" 21:15 - Finding Joy in Slowing Down the Cooking Process 25:06 - Cultivating an Authentic and Unfussy Style 27:24 - Trusting the Process: Advice to Her Younger Self Connect With Murielle: Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/muriellebanackissa/?hl=en Murielle’s Website: https://muriellebanackissa.com/ Buy Murielle’s Cookbook: https://muriellebanackissa.com/savoring/ Support the Show Website: www.martineseverin.com Follow on Instagram: @martine.severin | @thisishowwecreate_ Subscribe to the Newsletter: www.martineseverin.substack.com This is How We Create is produced by Martine Severin. This episode was edited by Santiago Cardona and Daniel Espinosa. Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts Leave a review Follow us on social media Share with fellow creatives
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150. How to Write Your Happy Ending: The Power of a Personal Quarterly Review - Martine Severin
Have you ever wished you could write your happy ending? In this solo episode, I'm pulling back the curtain on a personal practice that has been a game-changer for me over the last decade: the quarterly review. I share how a simple, strategic process, born from my days in program management, can help you track your progress and design a life and career that lights you up. If you're ready to move from simply having goals to living them, this one's for you. Chapters 00:00 A Look Back: On Growth 02:50 You Don't Have to Be Perfect to Be Valuable 05:22 The Power of a Quarterly Review 08:08 Writing Your Own Happy Ending 11:05 The Quarterly Check-In: A How-To Guide 12:15 The 7 Questions for Self-Reflection 15:10 Action, Obstacles, and Accountability 16:25 The Magic of a Supportive Partner 17:50 Final Thoughts and Encouragement To follow along and to create your own Quarterly Review be sure to download the PDF handout her: http://bit.ly/45Dkh73 Support the Show Website: www.martineseverin.com Follow on Instagram: @martine.severin | @thisishowwecreate_ Subscribe to the Newsletter: www.martineseverin.substack.com This is How We Create is produced by Martine Severin. This episode was edited by Daniel Espinosa. Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts Leave a review Follow us on social media Share with fellow creatives
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149. From Side Hustle to Mastering a Signature Style - Mark Clennon
How do you find the courage to leave a stable career and chase a creative dream? In this episode, I sit down with the incredible photographer Mark Clennon, who did exactly that. Mark shares the real story of his leap from a 9-to-5 into the world of full-time commercial photography. We talk about the initial struggles, the community's pivotal role in his journey, and how he built a new life and career after moving to Los Angeles. I’m excited for you to listen to this conversation. I wish I had had this episode when I first started out as a commercial photographer. Mark shares the challenges and triumphs of defining your artistic voice and building a sustainable creative life on your own terms. Mark’s journey is a powerful reminder that sometimes the biggest risks lead to the most rewarding destinations. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Mark Clennon and His Journey 01:59 Early Creative Influences and Curiosity 04:14 The Gift of Photography and Initial Struggles 05:54 Building Community and Transitioning to Full-Time Photography 10:12 Taking the Leap: Quitting the Day Job 12:10 Navigating the Early Days of Freelancing 15:00 First Major Commercial Success and Learning the Trade 17:00 Relocating to Los Angeles: A New Chapter 19:03 Defining Artistic Identity and Signature Style 22:57 Creative Voice and Decision Making 30:26 Building Community in a New City 36:22 Learning from Challenges and Problem Solving 42:31 The Importance of Creative Play and Reflection Connect With Mark: Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mark.c/?hl=en Mark’s Website: https://www.markclennon.com Listen to Mark’s TED Talk: https://www.ted.com/talks/mark_clennon_finding_your_point_of_view Support the Show Website: www.martineseverin.com Follow on Instagram: @martine.severin | @thisishowwecreate_ Subscribe to the Newsletter: www.martineseverin.substack.com This is How We Create is produced by Martine Severin. This episode was edited by Santiago Cardona and Daniel Espinosa. Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts Leave a review Follow us on social media Share with fellow creatives
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Om This is How We Create
The This is How We Create podcast digs deeper into the creative life of contemporary artists of color. Discover what feeds their creativity and how they found (or are finding) their artistic voice. Through these intimate and candid conversations, you will gain insights into the lives of creative professionals of color that are hard to find anywhere else.