Courageous Creativity

"Dying to Learn" is a powerful story about school shootings. Leroy Barrett shares his journey.

"Welcome to the Courageous Creativity show where we dive deep into the stories that shape our world and explore the art that inspires change. We’ll be talking about one of the most pressing issues of our time—school shootings and their devastating impact on families, communities, and society as a whole. Joining me is Leroy Barrett, the brilliant writer and creator behind the thought-provoking film "Dying to Learn."

A Voice for the Voiceless: Jeanette Hill on the Power of Black Storytelling

Join us for a captivating conversation with Jeanette Hill, an award-winning playwright who's using her words to illuminate the complexities of Black life. From exploring themes of racism and domestic abuse to advocating for mental health awareness, Jeanette's work is a powerful force for social change.
In this episode, we delve into the inspiration behind her plays, the challenges she's faced as a Black woman in the theater industry, and her unwavering commitment to telling authentic stories. Discover how Jeanette's collaboration with community organizations and her involvement in prestigious theater festivals is making a lasting impact. Don't miss this opportunity to hear from a truly inspiring artist.
https://www.jeanettehill.com/
https://risingtidescharity.org
 

Thank you from Lyrics!

 
"Hey everyone, it's Winston here. I'm still riding high from the incredible response to my play, LYRICS. The Atlanta Black Theatre Festival was an absolute dream, and I'm so grateful to everyone who came out to see it.
A huge shoutout to our amazing cast and crew. Your talent, hard work, and dedication brought LYRICS to life in a way I could never have imagined. Thank you for your incredible performances and for making this experience so special.
And of course, a massive thank you to the Atlanta Black Theatre Festival for providing us with this incredible platform. Your support means the world to me.
If you missed LYRICS at the festival, don't worry! You can still follow the journey of this play on our website [Website Link] and on Instagram @lyrics_theplay. Stay tuned for updates on future performances and behind-the-scenes content.
Once again, thank you all for your love and support. I'm so excited to see what the future holds for LYRICS. Until next time!"

What do you see when you look in the Mirror? I share what I see when I see it.

We all have a familiar experience, one we share countless times a day. We stand before a mirror. In my case glance at it when I’m on my way to the you-know-where. Sometimes it's a glance, checking our hair or outfit. Other times, it's a more deliberate moment, taking stock of ourselves. When you look at the mirrors what is one thing you usually notice
But have you ever stopped to think about what a mirror truly reflects? It shows us not just our physical appearance, but also our emotional state, our energy, and perhaps most importantly – our choices. In my case it lets me know I probably shouldn’t have had that desert. The truth is, we constantly reflect on the world around us. i will share with you what I see, what I do , and hopefully what we can all do.
Now, I know for myself, living with MS, those reflections can sometimes be challenging. There are days when symptoms attempt to dim my usual spark. The limitations of the disease can be frustrating. But here's the thing, the mirror doesn't lie, and that's a good thing. It's a constant reminder to prioritize self-care.
My mornings now begin with twenty minutes of gentle exercise. It might not seem like much, but it sets the tone for the day. Just like a mirror reflects the light we shine on it, prioritizing my health allows me to shine brighter for myself and my loved ones.
Speaking of loved ones, spending time with family is a non-negotiable. My Mom turns 88 in a month and my Dad is 83 in a few weeks. Their love and story fuels me. Their laughter, their support – those are the true reflections of a life well-lived. They inspire me to fight, to keep pushing forward, and to use the challenges I face to build a better life, not just for myself, but for them.
The future can feel daunting sometimes, but the mirror offers a powerful tool – perspective. It allows me to see how far I've come, and how much I've overcome. That perspective fuels my hope for the days ahead.
So, take a moment the next time you stand before a mirror. Reflect not just on your appearance, but on your life. Are you prioritizing your well-being? Are you nurturing your relationships? Are you building a future you can be proud of?
Today, I challenge you to use that reflection as a call to action. Make a change, big or small, that will positively impact your life. For those of us living with chronic illness, let's use our challenges as inspiration to live even fuller lives. Let's become reflections of resilience, of strength, and hope.

How do I craft and think about characters?

I know there are many thoughts and practices out there about creating characters.  The way I think creating characters may be different than some others.  I hope you find value in this quick message.  
Website:
https://winstonawilson.com 
Get tickets to the latest play:
https://lyricstheplay.com 
 

How do we grow as an Actor? Angel L. Henderson gives powerful guidance.

Angel returns to share her story about how we continue to grow and connect as Actors.  
Thank you Angel for returning to the podcast.  
https://www.instagram.com/iamangelhenderson/
https://www.threads.net/@iamangelhenderson

Di Thomas shares how to be authentic as a film maker and creator.

Join Di Thomas as Di shares guidance on being focused as a creator.  Di's film career is growing and expanding in many wonderful directions.  You will love this conversation.
 
Thank you so much, Di!  
 
https://instagram.com/dthomaspictures
https://risingtidescharity.org
https://winstonawilson.com
 

What do I use to be productive and creative?

What do I use to be creative?
I use several things, but the main thing I use is a place to store my ideas.
You've heard me talk about Notion recently, and that is a place where I have an idea, and then I put it in there.
But I also create a roadmap, so if I have an idea for a blog or a podcast, I use a template that says, this is an idea stage, and then I go from there.
The cool thing, for everyone listening, there are multiple ways to do this.
You can do this with a tool like Notion, but you can also use it with other planning tools.
So if you have an iOS device, you can use reminders where you can set it up in a Kanban style, where you have one thing to the left that says, this is something that's in the queue,

Snowflake Productivity part 1. We are all different

I love productivity, not because of apps but because it helps me creatively.  I'm hopeful this may give you some insight into my process.  Please let me know if you have any questions.  Also if you have any ideas for topics please let me know. 
 
https://winstonawilson.com

How Wolverine helped my childhood and informs my personal productivity.

When I was growing up, the character Wolverine from the X-Men resonated with me. I like many growing up was filled with rage. I was bullied incessantly and at any moment felt like I could burst and go berserk (Wolverine's greatest fear). I know this episode is a departure from my typical topics, but I wish to give you some insight into why productivity and having a modicum of self-discipline are important for my life.