A conversations on all things creative.

On Creativity Podcast - Episodes

Episode #1

with :  Will Thimes

  • In our first episode of On Creativity, I have a conversation with Will Times about creativity as it relates to writing.  Will is a talented writer with numerous film scripts and short stories to his name.  He got his start in the 90s in LA, working at a bookstore and teaching himself screenwriting from scratch.  No classes, just diving in and figuring it out.  Fast forward 30 years, and he’s still at it.  We are currently in pre-production on a film that Will wrote the screenplay for, titled Bless Me Father for I Have Sinned. 

    We then dive into a big question: how does creativity even work in today’s world, especially when technology is advancing so fast?  Will reflects on how we now carry these "magic boxes" (a.k.a. our smartphones) that connect us to the entire world, but how important it is to step away from all that noise and really experience the world around us.  To illustrate his point, Will shares a story about Kurt Vonnegut, who found inspiration in something as simple as buying an envelope—reminding us that creative sparks often emerge from the smallest, everyday moments.  We both agree that inspiration for creativity is fueled by being fully present and watching the world around you, whether you're in a busy city or a remote cabin in the desert.

    Creativity is a process that reflects a steady accumulation of human experiences.  Ideas evolve over time.  In fact, creativity can be sloppy, and embracing mistakes and imperfections is crucial to developing confidence in one’s creative abilities.  We both agree that having a trusted group for feedback is essential and recognize that creativity is a subjective matter.  Hence, risk-taking can lead to interesting moments.

    Eventually, we shift gears to discuss how technology fits into all of this.  Is creativity something unique to human experience?  Both Will and I are wary of relying too heavily on AI for creativity, but I make a point that AI is a valuable tool for research and brainstorming.  For example, I have used AI to summarize books that contained ideas I needed to incorporate into my novel, ALGO.  

    We wrap up by mulling over what makes "good writing." For Will, it’s all about that magical feeling you get when a story pulls you in and makes you see the world in a new way.  He says, “You know it when you see it”.  We agree that the creative journey is all about experimentation, embracing flaws, and pushing through to the final product.

    The episode ends with a reminder to keep creating, flaws and all.  Because, as they say, the creative process is never really “done” — it’s a lifelong journey.  A journey essential to being a human in this crazy modern world. 


  • Will Thimes is a talented writer who has written many short and feature scripts.  We are currently in pre-production on a film that Will wrote the screenplay for, titled Bless Me Father for I Have Sinned.  Click HERE for proof of concept short film.

Episode #2

with :  Matt Alden

  • In our episode #2, Matt Alden and I discuss the evolving landscape of filmmaking in the age of AI.  We are both independent filmmakers.  Moreover, Matt is also a data scientist.  Consequently, central to our discussion is the examination of how technology is transforming the way stories are told, while acknowledging the irreplaceable spark of human creativity.  The theme of the talk moves from the spiritual essence behind originality to the adventure of learning and to the precision of digital tools, while exploring what it truly means to craft art in a world where machines can generate entire films from pixels.

    While AI can mimic and recreate anything, there’s an enduring desire for authenticity.  The discussion highlights how tools like AI-assisted camera tracking and editing software are impressive but still fall short of understanding purpose or storytelling intent.  The human intent.  

    Matt considers how the next generation will make films, with AI providing unprecedented accessibility—kids could soon be “prompt-engineering” their own stories without leaving their homes.  It’s a future where multiple parallel paths coexist: blockbuster AI recreations, indie experiments, and classic analog/film stock projects.

    As independent filmmakers, we are both optimistic.  Future filmmakers, armed with AI, digital tools, and traditional methods, will have more choices than ever.  Limited budgets will no longer limit vision—creators will adapt, innovate, and find audiences eager for both authenticity and a transient AI spectacle.  The dialogue underscores a key takeaway: the value of human intention and creativity is timeless, even as technology evolves.  Audiences will crave both the meticulously handcrafted and the algorithmically generated, and the landscape will expand rather than contract, offering opportunities for new voices and new stories.

    For anyone curious about filmmaking, creativity, or the intersection of art and AI, this conversation is a masterclass in perspective, possibility, and optimism.  It’s a glimpse into the future of storytelling—where imagination, innovation, and intention converge.


  • Matt Alden is a writer, producer, and director for the award-winning series Assassin League.

Episode #3

with :  Philip Schalekamp

  • For Episode #3, I sat down with a good friend of mine, Philip Schalekamp.  Philip is primarily a visual artist (painter and sculptor), and a musician secondly.  In this thought-provoking conversation, we dive deep into the nature of creativity, art, and the mysterious abyss of the unknown that both inspires and torments the artist.

    Philip begins with life’s essential questions—Who are we? Why are we here? Where are we going?—and narrows them to one central pursuit: purpose.  According to Philip, purpose is recognizing beauty, not just the pleasant kind, but the raw, painful, and awe-inspiring aspects of life that form the very fabric of the universe.  This he coins as the abyss that a brave artist must confront.

    We began by reflecting on what it means to be an artist.  True art is the courage to face the abyss—faith in the unknown—and to bring back something honest to share with others.  Whether through painting, music, writing, or film, art becomes a bridge between the personal and the communal, a vulnerable act of connection that demands honesty, discipline, and bravery.

    We then discuss creativity itself.  First, creativity starts with acute observation—seeing beauty in a fallen branch or inspiration in a grimy alley.   Secondly, creativity builds into an almost compulsive need to shape that vision into something tangible. 

    The episode closes with reflections on nurturing creativity in everyday life.  Philip argues that everyone is creative as a child, but societal rules often dull that spark.  To rekindle it, we must embrace honesty, risk vulnerability, and even face the darkest parts of ourselves.  Creativity is not a side hobby—it’s inseparable from the integrity of an artist. 

    Philip summarizes this concept perfectly by saying, “We are enslaved to the creative process. We have no choice—until we’re tasting dirt.”

  • Philip Schalekamp is primarly a visual artists.

    Artist’s MISSION statement.

    As a reflection of our suffering or our euphoria, art is entertainment; a play on how ridiculous or how profoundly deep we imagine our lives to be at the time. Similar to music, art is emotively stimulating while being oddly abstract and existing in real time a.k.a. the present. Art appears to be from the past yet, as its context is always in motion, the physicality of images is subject to constant relative change, and therefore, a successful work should endure the mangling effect of human opinion over time.

    All that I am trying to say is that we are all a part of something exquisite. Beauty is an abundant tool we have and may use to better flow through the difficulties and simultaneously celebrate our success and survival, all while being present.

For a sample of my commercial video work go to Nichevisuals.com