In this episode of "Your World of Creativity," host Mark Stinson delves into the theme of unlocking creativity through adversity. He invites Michael W. Allison, founder and CEO of the Adversity Academy, to share his insights and experiences.

Michael's Website

Michael on YouTube

@iammichaelwallison on Instagram

Michael's Facebook page

**Key Highlights:**

- **Collaborative Creativity:** Michael discusses the importance of collaboration in overcoming challenges, drawing from his experience in building leadership teams in the government sector.

- **Military Experience:** Reflecting on his time in the Marine Corps and surviving a car bomb in Iraq, Michael emphasizes the value of perspective and living life to the fullest.

- **Personal Transformation:** Michael opens up about his struggles with PTSD, trauma, and suicidal thoughts, highlighting his journey of seeking help, finding purpose, and undergoing personal development.

- **Service and Impact:** Inspired by his own journey, Michael shares his commitment to helping others overcome adversity, leading to the creation of the Adversity Academy and his various endeavors in public speaking and coaching.

- **Vision for the Future:** Michael envisions the Adversity Academy becoming a global brand, offering transformative programs to individuals and organizations worldwide.

**Pull-out Quote:**

"I live my life honoring those guys and telling my story... because tomorrow is not promised." - Michael W. Allison

The episode concludes with a message of resilience and the power of embracing adversity to unlock creativity.

[If you or someone you know is in crisis, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or text "HELLO" to 741741 for the Crisis Text Line.]

Welcome back to "Your World of Creativity," where we dive into unique stories from creators worldwide. Today, we explore a fascinating project with John Lumgair, animation director at Quirky Motion Studios in London, crafting a tale of resistance against technocracy through the eyes of a jazz-playing cow.

John's Website

John on YouTube

@quirkymotion on Instagram

John's Facebook page

**Highlights:**

- **The Jazz Cow Concept**: Jazz Cow follows the story of a bohemian cow leading a resistance movement against encroaching big tech, with a heist to retrieve his saxophone as the central plot.

- **Influences and Symbolism**: Influenced by classics like "1984" and the symbolism of jazz as freedom, Jazz Cow juxtaposes the liberty of music with the control of technology.

- **Creative Process**: The project evolved from a humorous concept about a jazz-playing superhero cow into a deeper narrative confronting societal issues, driven by collaborative creativity.

- **Artistic Vision**: Drawing from traditional 2D animation, Jazz Cow blends noir aesthetics with vibrant colors and incorporates influences from artists like Aaron Douglas and jazz album covers.

- **Funding and Engagement**: Lumgair adopts a crowdfunding approach, engaging audiences early and offering pre-sales of merchandise and streaming to fund the pilot episode, emphasizing the importance of audience involvement.

**Pull-out Quote:**

"I think in many ways, we've got to laugh at this stuff because everything's got so serious... Satire is good to get us to look at ourselves." - John Lumgair

This episode offers insights into the challenges of animation production, the importance of maintaining relationships, and the journey from concept to execution in creative projects.

As we anticipate the Jazz Cow Kickstarter campaign, let's continue supporting independent creators like John Lumgare, fostering connections and unlocking diverse worlds of creativity. Stay tuned for more inspiring stories on the next episode!

Thanks to our sponsors, White Cloud Coffee Roasters and Exact Rush Publishing.

Welcome back to *Your World of Creativity*, where we dive into the minds of fascinating creatives. Today, we explore the journey of Costas Schuler, founder of Envisionary Design.

costas's Website

**Highlights:**

- **Creative Triumphs:** Costas shares his unique blend of humor and deep insights that have fueled his decades-long career in design.

- **Intuition in Creativity:** Embracing a childlike state allows for intuitive and innovative thinking, leading to effortless creativity.

- **Fractional Creative Direction:** Costas introduces the concept of a fractional creative director, blending a subscription model with high-quality, personalized design services.

- **The Power of Truth:** Through his involvement in the Warrior Week community, Costas emphasizes the importance of truth-telling for personal growth and creativity.

- **Gratitude and Ego:** Costas highlights the role of gratitude in maintaining a fresh perspective and overcoming creative obstacles, cautioning against the pitfalls of ego-driven behavior.

Pull-Out Quote:

"The simplest thing I've discovered is the ego. When the ego gets in the way, things go badly. When it becomes about you and you're blaming other people, you're in for a world of hurt." - Costas Schuler

Thank you for joining us on this enlightening journey with Costas Schuler. Be sure to check out Envisionary Design and stay tuned for more captivating conversations on *Your World of Creativity*.