Courageous Creativity

Creators on "The Courageous Creativity Show" redefine success and purpose not merely by traditional metrics like applause or fame, but through a deeper commitment to authenticity, impact, and personal growth, especially when navigating life's challenges.

Here's how they express this:

Redefining Success

• Provoking Thought and Resonating with Audiences: For playwright Jeanette Hill, a play is successful if it makes people think or provokes discussion, even if they don't agree with the content. Similarly, if a character resonates with even one person, it's a success. The goal is for people to leave thinking, even if they don't have a good time. Jeanette believes that if the audience "got it" when they leave, that's what she's striving for. She recalls a time when people in a restaurant were arguing about characters and events from her play, indicating its success in sparking discussion and relating to their lives.

• Inspiring, Healing, and Transforming: Jeneen Hammond's motivation is to tell stories that inspire, heal, and transform, emphasizing the power of one's own story and voice. This mission to help communities tell their stories, as seen in her nine-month project in Pennsylvania, highlights success through collective impact and revival. Jeneen views herself as a "steward" of stories that come from "Divine orchestration," highlighting a purpose beyond personal gain.

• Authenticity and Vulnerability: The show emphasizes that genuine conversations and authentic work are key to impactful connections with the audience. Tarnisha Small, for example, found her voice and confidence through acting by embracing vulnerability and letting go of the fear of failure. Jeneen Hammond notes that writing from an authentic space, truly reflecting oneself, can be scary but leads to impactful stories.

• Emotional Connection: Success is often measured by the emotional connection a story creates, whether through laughter or tears. Jeneen Hammond herself knows a story is on an emotional track if it makes her cry or laugh.

Finding Purpose Amidst Challenges

• Drawing on Personal Experiences: Many guests transform personal challenges into their purpose.

◦ Grief and Navigation: Angel L. Henderson shares that navigating life after losing both parents requires immense courage, making her journey of building her own voice and seeking counseling a display of strength.

◦ Overcoming Self-Doubt and Trauma: Tarnisha Small's journey into acting was sparked by a friend's perception of her potential, helping her overcome low self-worth and shyness. Tamina Ward uses her experiences with childhood teasing, abandonment, and generational trauma to inspire young adults to break free from their past burdens. She intentionally "dropped the pack" of past hurts. Jason C. Louder's stories, like the one about "Baba Tunde the Grio," often focus on themes of love, hope, faith, and overcoming self-doubt and trauma.

◦ Healing from Pain: Jeanette Hill discusses how her play "Clean Sheets," which garnered a perfect score but theaters were afraid to produce, addresses cultural hurts, aiming to move from a "scab to a scar" for societal healing. She emphasizes that there's "no honor in pain" and that unresolved hurts can manifest as anger or other negative behaviors.

• Embracing a Divine Calling and Stewardship: Jeneen Hammond believes her writing comes from a "Divine orchestration" and views herself as a "steward" of these stories, emphasizing a purpose beyond personal gain. This resonates with the idea that every person has a "Divine calling and assignment and purpose."

• Proactive Creation and Entrepreneurship: Instead of waiting for opportunities, creators like Tarnisha Small choose to write and produce their own films to create roles for themselves and others, recognizing the need to be entrepreneurial. Jeneen Hammond developed "The Dreamer's Village" to help people revive their creative dreams and learn to monetize their gifts, emphasizing taking ownership of one's God-given dream and not waiting for external validation.

• Mindset and Resilience:

◦ Learning from Setbacks: Jason C. Louder views challenges as "learning opportunities" that can push one forward. He uses financial challenges in the acting industry as a motivator for learning and growth.

◦ "Just Do It": Portia Cue and Winston Wilson encourage creators to "just start" their projects, regardless of how big or small, and not wait for perfection or validation. Portia gives the example of Lita Renee Brown and Dour Ashwood producing their own micro-miniseries, "Pressure."

◦ Consistency and Persistence: Jeanette Hill, a prolific playwright with over 100 plays, exemplifies consistency, writing "all of the time." She advises writers to keep notes, save all writing, and not let "writer's block" stop them, encouraging "what if" exercises and knowing that "there's no such thing as useless writing." She also notes that her stride was not hit until she was 72, emphasizing the importance of showing up every day, authentically, and doing what you're supposed to do, regardless of external validation.

◦ Daily Practices: Guests maintain well-being through practices like gratitude journaling, meditation, exercise, and daily creative activities. Tarnisha Small starts her day with prayer, meditation, and gratitude journaling. Winston Wilson practices daily gratitude, focuses on top priorities, and engages in creative activities. Tamina Ward emphasizes that mindset fuels courage and resilience, and that even when physically limited (like her knees for running a marathon), mental focus can drive capability.

◦ Allowing for Breaks: Tarnisha Small advises taking breaks when feeling frustrated, as the industry isn't going anywhere, allowing for a fresh perspective. She also learned to not fear failure, which had held her back.

◦ Borrowing Belief: Tomina Ward suggests that when an individual's belief system is low, they can "borrow that belief" from good people in their circle.

• Community and Giving Back:

◦ Sharing Resources and Wisdom: Jason C. Louder stresses the importance of sharing resources within the creative community, noting that "we cannot exist without one another." Tamina Ward is compelled to "speak life" into young adults and educators, sharing her "wealth of knowledge" to help them avoid past mistakes and break generational trauma. She believes human beings are "the original AI" through storytelling.

◦ Pouring into Others: Winston Wilson, the host, expresses that his core value is helping others succeed and that talking to people and connecting with them is a key motivator. He daily calls someone he hasn't talked to in a while to offer support. The show itself aims to inspire at least one person to expand their path. Jeneen Hammond's "Dreamer's Village" provides a supportive community for individuals to revive and monetize their creative dreams. John C. Smith, a lifelong friend of the host, exemplifies how strong, long-lasting friendships provide unwavering support and positive influence in life and creative pursuits.

In essence, creators on "The Courageous Creativity Show" believe that true success stems from creating work that is authentic, impacts others positively, and allows for continuous personal growth and healing, driven by a deep sense of purpose that often transforms personal adversity into a powerful mission to serve and inspire their communities.

https://winstonawilson.com

Listen on:

Episodes

Sunday Jul 25, 2021

Do you want to learn about leadership from one of the best? Toni gives us examples.

Sunday Jul 25, 2021

Toni Simmons-Henson is a leader, author, advocate, and wonderful spirit. For over ten years she has guided the Atlanta Black Theatre Festival to greatness. She has given creators an audience and platform for many to share their work. The Atlanta Black Theatre Festival is one of the most renowned theatre festivals in the world. She is also a published author and poet that will share her voice in front of audiences across the globe.
She recently was awarded as the Creativity Cocktail's creator of the year. We are so appreciative that this honor shall henceforth be named the "Toni Simmons-Henson" award or "Toni' for short. She gives you a brief synopsis of the amazing things she has been doing to create a world in which creators survive and thrive in this conversation. Download this episode, subscribe and keep following the Creativity Cocktail podcast on all platforms!
"We must tell our stories." -Toni
https://www.atlantabtf.org
https://www.risingtidescharity.org
https://www.winstonawilson.com

Sunday Jul 18, 2021

A reading from the play Jet Blacks starring Casey and Ivory. "REUNIFICATION"

Sunday Jul 18, 2021

As part of our celebration of our two year anniversary.

THIS IS A READING OF JET BLACKS PLAY WRITTEN BY WINSTON A. WILSON

I want to thank our first every guests Casey J. Ashley and Ivory Shields for helping us celebrating our podcast's two year anniversary. They reprise their roles from Jet Blacks night club in a reading of the pivotal scene from the play. Every time we have an event (live or virtual), there will be a creative blessing. We hope that you enjoy this snippet and please subscribe to the podcast for all creatives.
Jet Blacks was originally written a long time ago as I was feeling emotions coming out of 9/11. As the pandemic began, I wanted to feel some hope as a response to the many emotions I was going through. I begin to reimagine the story with the same characters in a different time. This scene represents the main character coming to grips with the emotional trauma of reuniting with his mother. When i write, I feel something usually and it and this represented that moment. Jet Blacks was written a bit over a decade ago and without a doubt the biggest play I've done, going over a cool two hours.
We created Creativity Cocktail as a way for creatives to use their talents to help guide them through emotional trauma. It has been my ultimate pleasure to be associated with the energy to promote and celebrate the creative soul that each one has within. Create your universe-Winston.

Our Website:
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Sunday Jul 11, 2021

Values are what connects purpose to routines and tasks

Sunday Jul 11, 2021

Values are the connective tissue between purpose and daily tasks. You can't get things done unless you know why the things you are doing have meaning. Goals can run into a minefield unless we aligned them with our core being. "You are a masterpiece painting that you are beautifying one brush stroke at a time." -WW
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#values #productivity #calling #purpose #winning #whyamIhere #whodoIlove #whatarevalues #feedingmymind #nevergiveup

https://risingtidescharity.org
https://winstonawilson.com

Sunday Jun 13, 2021

Emily McClain gives writers and all of guidance on starting, working, and completing projects!

Sunday Jun 13, 2021

Emily is a wonderful playwright and educator. She is not only successful and immersed in our community, but she also helps others grow. One of the Rising Tides Charity's principle's are represented in Emily's commitment to the craft and giving to others. We are so honored to have her join us. If you are writer, go get your notebook out because you are going to need it. We want to thank Emily for joining us and hope she will join us again!

https://newplayexchange.org/users/27781/emily-mcclain
https://www.facebook.com/emily.mcclain
https://pumphouseplayers.com/event/paradise-stayed/

https://risingtidescharity.org

Tuesday May 04, 2021

If you have a business, Dap Paxton will show you how to grind!

Tuesday May 04, 2021

Dap Paxton returns to the Creativity Cocktail. He exemplifies the drive of entrepreneurship and creativity. Do you struggle with the balance between the two? Listen to our conversation and he will give you tangible advice on how to focus. i’m so looking forward to him coming back to CC and you will get some much incredible wisdom from this brother!

https://dapsworldstudios.com

Friday Apr 23, 2021

Have you ever wondered about a life committed to the Theatre? Laura shares her journey.

Friday Apr 23, 2021

The Theatre is one of the most powerful art forms in human history. Laura King shares a deep love of creating works and seeing them manifest on stage. I personally felt inspired and educated by this conversation. I hope you feel the same.
Laura King is a playwright, dramaturg, director, and editor. She holds an MFA in playwrighting (with a concentration in dramaturgy) from the Hollins Playwrights Lab and a master’s in English from Northwestern University. She is the Atlanta Region representative of the Dramatists Guild and chair of the Publications Committee for the Southeastern Theatre Conference. Laura’s full-length plays Independence Day at Happy Meadows and The Harmony Baptist Church Ladies Auxiliary Christmas Jubilee are available for licensing through Stage Rights. Her play The Cayuga Canal Girls is a winner of the 2020 AACT NewPlayFest. Laura also serves as a Literary Associate for YouthPLAYS, which has published many of her plays for young audiences. For more information, see laurakingplaywright.com.

Monday Apr 05, 2021

Have you ever wanted to learn about musical theatre? Rus McCoy shares his journey!

Monday Apr 05, 2021

Do you want to know more about musical theatre? How about getting a deeper understanding about a life as a creative? Rus McCoy will give you both this coming Saturday at 10am! If you wish to hear about some of the beautiful music from Rus and a life of growing one’s creative soul , join us. Rus’s passion will jump out and you will feel it. The link to Creativity Cocktail on Youtube is in the Bio. Get your reminder and join the conversation.
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#musicaltheatre #theatre #writer #dramatistguildofamerica #merelywriters #lifeasaplaywright #blackplaywright #makeyourowndamnbox #risingtidescharity #soundcloud #commitmenttothecraft #losangeles

Saturday Mar 27, 2021

Do you want to learn how to connect with people? Bridget returns to give real guidance!

Saturday Mar 27, 2021

Bridget is a member of the Rising Tides organization and has done so much for us and our community. We are thrilled to have her return to give us all lessons on connecting genuinely with others. Remember to subscribe and give us your thoughts. Remember to listen to the full episode for important information.
"Creating beautiful works of this world brings us closer to our spirit." -Winston

Saturday Mar 20, 2021

Do you want to connect your spirituality and creativity? MC is a back to help guide us.

Saturday Mar 20, 2021

This conversation will inspire you. Combining and connecting your spirit to your creative passions is essential for you well being. Maegan Coker gives us all a center to keep us going and growing. We are honored to have her part of the Rising Tides organization. I would love for you to enjoy this authentic conversation with one of our favorite guests.

Sunday Mar 14, 2021

Do you want to become an Actor? Jason gives you spiritual guidance.

Sunday Mar 14, 2021

We want to thank Jason for returning to the podcast. He gives you as an aspiring or established actor the energy and spirit you need to go through these times. This is an intense conversation where nothing is off limits. You will understand and feel his spirit through this conversation.
Check out his IMDB profile:
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm5787162/?ref_=fn_al_nm_1
If you are a creative (hint: everyone is) and want to be on the podcast send a message to info@risingtidescharity.org
Check us on on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsqyDvvXrRgsy2QKYIi2mYQ
Don't forget Instagram where we share photos of beautiful creatives now and from the past.
https://www.instagram.com/creativitycockatil

WINSTON A. WILSON

My purpose in my life is to serve our community by giving my energy and focus on improving everyone’s life around me. I do this through the talents God has given me and through the passion of execution. .