Your Creative Mind

Behind every book, play, and song is a person juggling self-doubt, deadlines, and the drive to create. On Your Creative Mind, Izolda Trakhtenberg talks with writers, artists, musicians, and creative professionals about how they make their work and how they manage the stress and anxiety that often come with creating.

Through candid interviews and practical insights, you’ll learn storytelling techniques, mindfulness practices for creative professionals, and strategies for overcoming perfectionism in writing and art. Whether you’re searching for inspiration, tools to strengthen your resilience, or fresh ideas for balancing creativity and mental health, this podcast is your guide to creating with courage, clarity, and joy.

Listen on:

  • Apple Podcasts
  • Podbean App
  • Spotify
  • Amazon Music
  • iHeartRadio
  • PlayerFM
  • Podchaser
  • BoomPlay

Episodes

Sunday May 03, 2020

Bug test. Always bug test. That's what this episode is all about.
 
💙

Wednesday Apr 29, 2020

Actor, Voice Director, Dancer, Paul Liberti
The great Paul Liberti joins me on the show today. Paul currently teaches competitive classes in Los Angeles and New York City. He also teaches  Nationally for the SAG/AFTRA Foundation independently in Commercial Voiceover, Audio Book Narration, Video Game Character work, and Animation. Further, he teaches Accents for Actors - for Animation, Voice Actors, Film Actors, Broadway and London's West End Theater, and Regional Theater with recent shows like Disney's Frozen, USA Network - Falling Water, The National Theater's - One Night in Miami, Greater Tuna, Anastasia, My Fair Lady, Brigadoon. Paul also teaches annually to graduating University students from across the nation - Memphis, Western Michigan University, Oakland University, and many others.
Paul has booked hundreds of voiceover spots and animated series including Pokémon, Blue’s Clues, Noggin's, Pinky Dinky Doo, Saturday Night Live Cartoons, and Sesame Street. He is currently the voice of Curious George & the Man in the Yellow Hat www.curiousgeorge.com. He has narrated for Scholastic, Nickelodeon, Tavoli Entertainment and the Audie Award-winning series Goosebumps by R.L Stine. Mr. Liberti has also performed on Broadway, Broadway tours as well as film and TV, including The Daily Show, SNL TV’s Funhouse, Showtime’s Cartoon President, PBS, Nickelodeon, Showtime and more.
A quick note to any actor listening to this podcast: You will get a master class in acting from Paul's thoughts on character creation, development, and performance. 
In addition to being my teacher, he is also my friend. A gifted actor, dancer, teacher, and musician, Paul was kind enough to showcase his talents. He also gave his thoughts and wisdom so generously that I can't wait to have him on the show again as soon as possible!
If you listen to the very end, you'll get a lovely surprise. It was glorious and fantastic as is the man himself!
Do not wait! Find Paul and follow him on social media. You'll be so very glad you did.
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt's Curious George
Michael Bennett and his musicals on Facebook 
Paul Liberti’s VO Community: Voiceover Tuneup
Paul's Facebook page
 
As a special bonus, because we talked about Paul's work and friendship with Jim Henson (and the Muppets), here's a photo of the Jim Henson and Kermit statue at the University of Maryland, College Park campus.

Wednesday Apr 22, 2020

Beth Mund: Writer, Speaker, Communication Expert, and Space Geek.
What an honor to have Beth Mund on the show again. A former NASA Communications Officer for the International Space Station, Beth is an avowed space geek. She's also a professional keynote speaker, writer, and baker (you'll learn how she's using baking to stay safe at home in the episode).
Beth also hosts her own podcast called, Casual Space where she speaks about all things space and interviews some of the top thinkers, movers, and shakers in the industry.
Beth is also fun, generous, and a fantastic speaker. Listen as she takes us on a journey to the stars and to her kitchen.
Find Beth on social media.
Website: BethMund.com
Podcast: CasualSpacePodcast.com
Instagram: CasualSpacePodcast
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Beth-Mund-Speaker-Writer-Space-Geek-166477633860479/
Email: ask@casualspacepodcast.com
 

Tuesday Apr 21, 2020

In today's episode, I explore how a visionary and an implementer can work together to create art and complete projects. This is a personal episode because today I got to be the implementer to my husband's vision. He sketched a quick piece. I liked it and decided to color it. It was a symbiotic hand-off that resulted in something that was greater than the sum of its parts. We can do this in our lives and work as well. Listen in to see how it's possible to create a fluid relationship between the idea person and the one who can make those ideas come to fruition. It starts with creative thinking and ends with a project that's a work of art.
Here are four stages of the art piece so you can see the process for yourself.
 

Monday Apr 20, 2020

I attended a brilliant webinar. And if you're a creative entrepreneur who's been struggling with how to engage your clients and customers in this new world, you'll get some great info in this episode.

Friday Apr 17, 2020

Here's a short episode that will help you do what you're afraid to do.

Thursday Apr 16, 2020

In this deep and personal episode, I dig into what it means to me to change a long-standing way of doing things.
I hope it helps you look at some of your patterns too.
 

Wednesday Apr 15, 2020

Nicky Scorpio 
Artist and musician, Nicky Scorpio, joins me on this week's show. Our far-ranging conversation includes art, music, philosophy, mental and physical health, dealing with bullying, and how we can all create beautiful art right now.
I had a wonderful time learning more about this fascinating man, his history, and the change he wants to be in the world. 
Enjoy!
Find Nicky on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/yonickyscorpio/
Learn more about his musical partnership with last week's guest, Kyriaki Chonacas at https://thesophisticatedpsychos.com/

"What if I screw it up?"

Thursday Apr 09, 2020

Thursday Apr 09, 2020

Today's short on-the-fly episode talks you through the fear of messing it up. When you get past the fear, you'll find a whole new world.
Now is the time of authentic creativity not perfect presentation.
Here is the drawing I created that I reference in the episode.

Wednesday Apr 08, 2020

Kyriaki Chonacas joins me on this far-ranging episode. We discuss modeling, acting, and their industries. Kyriaki is a visionary artist, and she gives advice and perspective on how people who want to pursue these fields can start and some of the pitfalls and challenges of being a part of this exciting business.
This is part one of a multi-episode interview arc because, frankly, there was so much to talk about.
I hope you enjoy this time with her as much as I did.
Find Kyriaki.
Website: https://www.chonacas.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chonacas/
Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@chonacas
 

Copyright 2025. All rights reserved.

Podcast Powered By Podbean

Version: 20241125