Your Creative Mind

Raw, Unpolished, and On Air: The Case for Messy Creative Beginnings

Polished creative work starts with messy, uncomfortable first attempts. This episode is one, and that's entirely the point.
What would it take for you to pick up a creative practice you've been avoiding live, on mic, in front of your audience?
In this raw, unfiltered episode, Izolda does exactly that. She returns to guitar after months away, mid-episode, imperfect and unpolished. She reflects on grief, creative accountability, and why complacency quietly kills a well-lived life. You'll walk away with one practical strategy for restarting a stalled creative practice: the accountability promise made publicly. Whether you're a writer, musician, or multi-passionate creative entrepreneur rebuilding momentum after burnout, this episode meets you where you are. Because the return matters more than the absence.
 
Connect with Izolda
Website: https://IzoldaT.com
Book Your Discovery Call: https://calendly.com/izoldat/discovery-call
New Play Exchange: https://newplayexchange.org/users/90481/izolda-trakhtenberg
What you need to know today. Choose your Functional Tarot card here.
This episode is brought to you by Brain.fm.* I love and use brain.fm! It combines music and neuroscience to help me focus, meditate, and even sleep! Because you listen to this show, you can get a free trial and 20% off with this exclusive coupon code: innovativemindset. (affiliate link)URL: https://brain.fm/innovativemindset
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Not My Circus, Not My Clowns: A Creative Burnout Wake-Up Call

A memorable lesson in setting boundaries, reclaiming artistic focus, and stopping the cycle of overfunctioning in creative leadership roles.
What happens when the creative work you love starts feeling like one more obligation on an already overloaded list? In this episode of the Your Creative Mind podcast, Izolda Trakhtenberg shares a candid story about burnout, leadership, overcommitment, and the surprising power of stepping back. If you’re a writer, actor, musician, or creative entrepreneur who struggles with people-pleasing, creative exhaustion, or balancing artistic goals with daily responsibilities, this conversation will feel deeply familiar. You’ll hear practical mindset shifts for protecting your creative energy, setting healthier boundaries, prioritizing self-care without guilt, and reclaiming time for the art that matters most to you. A thoughtful, encouraging episode for creatives who are tired of carrying everyone else’s circus.
 
Connect with Izolda
Website: https://IzoldaT.com
Book Your Discovery Call: https://calendly.com/izoldat/discovery-call
New Play Exchange: https://newplayexchange.org/users/90481/izolda-trakhtenberg
What you need to know today. Choose your Functional Tarot card here.
This episode is brought to you by Brain.fm.* I love and use brain.fm! It combines music and neuroscience to help me focus, meditate, and even sleep! Because you listen to this show, you can get a free trial and 20% off with this exclusive coupon code: innovativemindset. (affiliate link)URL: https://brain.fm/innovativemindset
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From Journalism to Fiction: Sarah Seltzer’s Path to Purposeful Creativity

Why Journalists Make Some of the Most Visionary Fiction Writers
What happens when real-life chaos meets a creative calling you can’t ignore? In this episode of Your Creative Mind, Izolda sits down with USA Today bestselling author and longtime cultural journalist Sarah M. Seltzer to explore how storytelling, Jewish feminism, and creative resilience can shape a meaningful artistic life.
You’ll hear practical, heartfelt strategies for sustaining creativity during overwhelming seasons, balancing motherhood with writing, and transforming personal history into grounded, compelling narrative art. Sarah shares mindset tools, creative-process insights, and the small rituals that keep her inspired in a noisy world.
If you’re building a life filled with creativity, curiosity, and confidence, this conversation will give you encouragement, direction, and a renewed sense of possibility.
One last thing. If you love the music of the 60s and 70s, this episode will be your jam!
Sarah's Debut Novel: The Singer Sisters
Connect with Sarah
https://sarahmseltzer.com/
https://www.instagram.com/sarahmseltzer 
https://bsky.app/profile/sarahmseltzer.bsky.social 
 
Connect with Izolda
Website: https://IzoldaT.com
Book Your Discovery Call: https://calendly.com/izoldat/discovery-call
New Play Exchange: https://newplayexchange.org/users/90481/izolda-trakhtenberg
This episode is brought to you by Brain.fm.* I love and use brain.fm! It combines music and neuroscience to help me focus, meditate, and even sleep! Because you listen to this show, you can get a free trial and 20% off with this exclusive coupon code: innovativemindset. (affiliate link)URL: https://brain.fm/innovativemindset
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Stop Waiting to Be Picked. The Psychology of Choosing Yourself First

Every creative entrepreneur who's ever felt guilty taking a day off needs to hear this one specific mindset shift before summer starts.
What does it really mean to choose yourself when the world keeps waiting to choose you first? In this raw, soul-searching episode, host Izolda Trakhtenberg pulls back the curtain on the psychological trap that snares so many creative entrepreneurs — the addiction to being chosen. Through her personal experience navigating an uncertain teaching position, two powerful Broadway shows, and the morning meditation practice shifting her mindset, Izolda shares why choosing yourself first is the most radical act a working creative can take. You'll walk away with a concrete mantra practice for building creative confidence, plus fresh insights on setting boundaries, releasing guilt around rest, and owning your creative business with clarity. Because the most successful creatives don't wait for permission — they decide.
Connect with Izolda
Website: https://IzoldaT.com
Book Your Discovery Call: https://calendly.com/izoldat/discovery-call
New Play Exchange: https://newplayexchange.org/users/90481/izolda-trakhtenberg
Get your revelation for today. Choose your Functional Tarot card here.
This episode is brought to you by Brain.fm.* I love and use brain.fm! It combines music and neuroscience to help me focus, meditate, and even sleep! Because you listen to this show, you can get a free trial and 20% off with this exclusive coupon code: innovativemindset. (affiliate link)URL: https://brain.fm/innovativemindset
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What Watching Mexodus, Schmigadoon, and In The Heights Taught Me About Creative Confidence and Risk-Taking

Practical lessons for performers, writers, and creative entrepreneurs on taking bold creative risks and trusting your artistic instincts on stage and beyond.
What if the way you create, on stage, on the page, or in music, could feel as alive, urgent, and meaningful as a live performance? In this episode of Your Creative Mind, Izolda Trakhtenberg shares powerful insights from three unforgettable productions: from live-looped musical storytelling and Broadway-style spectacle to emotionally charged high school theater. You’ll learn how to build layered creativity in real time, strengthen emotional connection with your audience, and treat your work as an offering that invites collaboration and confidence. If you’re a writer, musician, or performer seeking practical ways to deepen artistic expression, overcome fear of being seen, and create work that resonates, this episode gives you inspiring, real-world creative process strategies you can use immediately.
Reviews on three shows: Mexodus, Schmigadoon, and In The Heights.
Connect with Izolda
Website: https://IzoldaT.com
Book Your Discovery Call: https://calendly.com/izoldat/discovery-call
New Play Exchange: https://newplayexchange.org/users/90481/izolda-trakhtenberg
This episode is brought to you by Brain.fm.* I love and use brain.fm! It combines music and neuroscience to help me focus, meditate, and even sleep! Because you listen to this show, you can get a free trial and 20% off with this exclusive coupon code: innovativemindset. (affiliate link)URL: https://brain.fm/innovativemindset
Listen on These Channels
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Why Generalists Thrive (Even If They Never Feel Like They Do)

A heartfelt look at why trusting good news is its own creative challenge and how you can build self-belief one win at a time.
Have you ever wondered why trusting good things can feel harder than handling the tough stuff? In this solo episode of Your Creative Mind, Izolda pulls back the curtain on what it’s like to be a multi-passionate creative navigating growth, self-doubt, and the surprising intensity of things finally going well. She shares her evolving playwriting journey, the emotional roller coaster of receiving meaningful feedback, and the unique challenges that come with being a generalist who cares deeply about many artistic paths at once.
If you’ve ever questioned your creative direction or wrestled with second-guessing your own progress, this episode offers comforting perspective and grounded insights into the creative process for multi-hyphenate artists.
Water Mandala
Connect with Izolda
Website: https://IzoldaT.com
Book Your Discovery Call: https://calendly.com/izoldat/discovery-call
New Play Exchange: https://newplayexchange.org/users/90481/izolda-trakhtenberg
This episode is brought to you by Brain.fm.* I love and use brain.fm! It combines music and neuroscience to help me focus, meditate, and even sleep! Because you listen to this show, you can get a free trial and 20% off with this exclusive coupon code: innovativemindset. (affiliate link)URL: https://brain.fm/innovativemindset
Listen on These Channels
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What Four Standout Shows Taught Me About Creative Bravery and Committing on Stage

What Titanique, Death of a Salesman, The Balusters, and Wolffish teach us about storytelling that wins hearts
Have you ever wondered how seeing great theatre can transform your own creative work? In this quick-take episode of Your Creative Mind, Izolda shares candid, heartfelt reviews of four wildly different productions, from powerhouse solo performances to uproarious musical parodies to Broadway heavy-hitters. You’ll hear what each show reveals about creative resilience, character embodiment, staging choices, comedic timing, and the courage it takes to fully commit onstage. Through relatable stories (including the realities of live-audience chaos), you’ll gain practical insights to strengthen your storytelling, sharpen your artistic instincts, and stay inspired. Social proof abounds as Izolda highlights award-winning artists and directors who set a high bar for creative excellence. A must-listen for theatre lovers, playwrights, and creative professionals seeking deeper creative mastery.
 
A final quick note: Wolffish was written and performed by Kyle June Williams and directed by Melisa Annis.
 

Why Creative People Struggle to Set Boundaries (And Why It’s Draining Your Creative Energy)

What happens when your instinct to help others starts draining your creative energy?
Have you ever tried your best to communicate clearly only to realize the other person keeps demanding more, pushing harder, and ignoring your boundaries?
In this episode of Your Creative Mind, I explore the psychology of setting healthy boundaries in creative collaboration, volunteer work, and professional relationships. Through real stories, from helping a stranger on subway stairs to handling an email confrontation, I share practical insights on how protecting your time, energy, and creative focus helps you stay productive and emotionally balanced.
If you’ve ever felt drained by difficult people, this episode will help you recognize when generosity becomes overextension, how to hold firm boundaries without guilt, and why protecting your mental space is essential for sustained creativity, effective communication, and a thriving creative life.
 
Connect with Izolda
Website: https://IzoldaT.com
Book Your Discovery Call: https://calendly.com/izoldat/discovery-call
New Play Exchange: https://newplayexchange.org/users/90481/izolda-trakhtenberg
This episode is brought to you by Brain.fm. I love and use brain.fm! It combines music and neuroscience to help me focus, meditate, and even sleep! Because you listen to this show, you can get a free trial and 20% off with this exclusive coupon code: innovativemindset. (affiliate link)URL: https://brain.fm/innovativemindset
It’s also brought to you by my podcast host, Podbean! I love how simple Podbean is to use. If you’ve been thinking of starting your own podcast, Podbean is the way to go!**
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The Neuroscience of Voice, Creativity, and Human Connection

What if your voice, singing, speaking, or reading aloud, could change your brain, your mood, and your sense of connection?
This episode explores the science-backed link between creativity, music, and mental wellness, showing how singing together synchronizes heartbeats, activates communication centers of the brain, and restores connection even in Alzheimer’s and dementia patients. You’ll hear how voice, improvisation, and shared music reduce isolation, support emotional regulation, and strengthen human bonding. Through real experiences at immersive music and neuroscience events, Izolda connects creativity, brain health, and expressive arts in a way you can apply immediately. If you care about creativity and mental health, the neuroscience of music, or using your voice for connection and healing, this conversation will stay with you long after it ends.
 
Soul Paint Avatar update
HeARTbeat at Lincoln Center
Connect with Izolda
Website: https://IzoldaT.com
Book Your Discovery Call: https://calendly.com/izoldat/discovery-call
New Play Exchange: https://newplayexchange.org/users/90481/izolda-trakhtenberg
This episode is brought to you by Brain.fm. I love and use brain.fm! It combines music and neuroscience to help me focus, meditate, and even sleep! Because you listen to this show, you can get a free trial and 20% off with this exclusive coupon code: innovativemindset. (affiliate link)URL: https://brain.fm/innovativemindset
It’s also brought to you by my podcast host, Podbean! I love how simple Podbean is to use. If you’ve been thinking of starting your own podcast, Podbean is the way to go!**
Listen on These Channels
Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Stitcher | Podbean | MyTuner | iHeart Radio | TuneIn | Deezer | Overcast | PodChaser | Listen Notes | Player FM | Podcast Addict | Podcast Republic |
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Rachel Feeny-Williams on Playwriting, Self-Producing, and Theatrical Shenanigans

What Happens When You Stop Waiting and Start Producing with Rachel Feeny-Williams
How do you build a sustainable creative career when no one is handing you permission? In this episode of Your Creative Mind, Izolda Trakhtenberg talks with playwright and producer Rachel Feeny-Williams about fifteen years of writing, self-producing theatre, and getting work seen by real audiences around the world. Listeners will gain practical insight into independent playwriting, producing your own work, and using audio drama and podcasting to expand creative reach. Rachel also shares what Theatrical Shenanigans has taught her about community, consistency, and creative momentum. This conversation offers grounded guidance, real-world perspective, and an encouraging reminder that creativity grows through curiosity, confidence, and shared voices.
Connect with Rachel
https://www.rfwscripts.co.uk/https://theatricalshenanigans.podbean.com/https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100069571340912https://newplayexchange.org/users/60206/rachel-feeny-williams
Connect with Izolda
Website: https://IzoldaT.com
Book Your Discovery Call: https://calendly.com/izoldat/discovery-call
New Play Exchange: https://newplayexchange.org/users/90481/izolda-trakhtenberg
This episode is brought to you by Brain.fm. I love and use brain.fm! It combines music and neuroscience to help me focus, meditate, and even sleep! Because you listen to this show, you can get a free trial and 20% off with this exclusive coupon code: innovativemindset. (affiliate link)URL: https://brain.fm/innovativemindset
It’s also brought to you by my podcast host, Podbean! I love how simple Podbean is to use. If you’ve been thinking of starting your own podcast, Podbean is the way to go!**
Listen on These Channels
Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Stitcher | Podbean | MyTuner | iHeart Radio | TuneIn | Deezer | Overcast | PodChaser | Listen Notes | Player FM | Podcast Addict | Podcast Republic |
**Affiliate Link