Unleash Your Inner Creative With Lauren Lograsso

Today I am revisiting one of my FAVORITE conversations from all of Unleash. It is with the Grammy Award Singer/Songwriter, Ledisi. If you're FIGHTING for your creative dream right now and struggling to be seen...This. Episode. Is. For. YOU! My guest today is a truly special human being, artist, writer, producer, advocate and business woman and I’m so honored to share her story with you. Her name is Ledisi, and some of her accolades include being a Grammy Award Winning powerhouse vocalist, her three Soul Train Music awards, an NAACP Theater Award and 6 NAACP Image Award nominations. Ledisi and I sat down just over two weeks ago, the day before her most recent album, The Wild Card, came out. I wanted to have her on the show because of her incredible talent and unbreakable spirit. She is also one of the warmest people I've ever met and proof that you can have a very successful creative career and maintain your kindness/heart.From our conversation you’ll learn:-How to stay true to yourself on your creative path-

✨ Do you ever feel like life is passing you by or that your dreams are just out of reach? What if the secret to living a truly fulfilling life lies in embracing your creativity, no matter your circumstances? Today’s guest, Elissa Kalver, is here to inspire you to do just that. Elissa is a stage four metastatic breast cancer thriver, storyteller, and founder of WeGotThis.org, a nonprofit supporting cancer thrivers and their loved ones. She's sharing her journey of turning pain into purpose and redefining success on her own terms and why it's important to remember we're all terminal in order to LIVE!From this conversation, you’ll learn:-Why embracing creativity and living fully is essential, even when facing life's toughest challenges-The mindset shifts that will help you claim your dreams and live with a sense of urgency-How to stop comparing yourself to others and create your own metrics for success-The power of sharing your story authentically and making a lasting impactMore on Elissa: Elissa Kalver is a key

Do you struggle with self-blame, often feeling like every setback in your life or creative career is your fault—even when it’s out of your control? If so, this episode is for you.In today’s solo episode, I share a surprising self-compassion hack I learned while playing a game of Monopoly with my family. We’ll dive deep into how luck, chance, and timing impact your creative journey, and why it’s time to stop beating yourself up for things beyond your control. I’ll also walk you through how to let go of self-blame, embrace your best efforts, and start being kinder to yourself, even when things don’t go as planned.✨ From this episode, you’ll learn:A fresh perspective on self-blame and how to release itWhy luck plays a bigger role in success than you might thinkHow to cultivate more self-compassion on your creative pathAnd, of course, the valuable life lesson Monopoly taught me about all of this!Plus, I share exciting personal news—Timmy and I are officially engaged!

Do you ever wonder what it takes to succeed in the music industry (or any creative industry, really) and build a decades-long creative career? It might surprise you, but there is a very special key to achieving your biggest dreams--and it all lies in that gorgeous creative imagination of yours! Today’s guest is Billboard-charting music producer and my producer, David P. Stevens. He’s sharing the mindset and strategies that have helped him stay at the top of his game—and how you can apply these lessons to your own creative journey.From this conversation, you’ll learn:-Proof of why being "delusional" about your dreams can fuel long-term success-The mindset shifts needed to build a sustainable creative career-How to balance artistry with the business side of the industry-Practical tips for putting yourself out there and overcoming self-doubtMore on David: David is a Billboard-charting jazz and R&B artist, songwriter, and producer who’s worked with top artists like Latoya London. He’s been a prominent figure

Do you ever feel like you're trapped by expectations, afraid to make bold moves in your creative journey? What if the key to unlocking your full potential is to embrace burning it all down and starting fresh? Today’s guest is platinum-certified and Grammy-nominated songwriter Nisha, who has amassed over 300 million streams. She’s sharing her powerful story of artistic reinvention and how embracing setbacks and maintaining high standards has shaped her career and life.From this conversation, you’ll learn:-How to embrace change and navigate personal transformation-The importance of maintaining high standards to protect your artistic integrity & creativity -Practical advice on handling setbacks and failures as an artist-Tips for balancing ambition with personal well-being-The simple advice Nisha gave me that changed my life More on Nisha: Nisha's music has been heard across the globe, from the U.S. to India and South America, earning recognition in Rolling Stone, Hulu, NBC, and Netflix. Beyond her hits, she’

Have you ever poured your heart and soul into a creative project only to feel consumed by self-doubt and fear just before sharing it with the world? You’re not alone. In this deeply personal episode, I dive into the rollercoaster of emotions that come with releasing new work, especially when it’s not your first rodeo. Whether it's your first, second or tenth release, navigating the vulnerability of "what if" is never easy.Join me as I share my journey of releasing new music after three years and the emotional growth required to face this moment. Together, we’ll explore:-The emotional rollercoaster before a project launch-How to deal with perfectionism and fear of failure-Why self-compassion is key to creative success-Tips for boldly asking for support and sharing your dream-How to return to the joy of creating, even when it feels scaryThis episode is for anyone struggling with self-doubt or perfectionism as they prepare to put themselves out there. Remember, creativity is your birthright, and you deserve to b

Do you feel stuck in your creative process or struggle with self-doubt? What if you could access proven techniques to unlock your full potential and discover new levels of self-expression? Today’s guest, Marilyn Horowitz—an award-winning author, filmmaker, and former NYU professor—has guided Emmy-nominated and Peabody Award-winning students with her groundbreaking storytelling method and today she'll do the same for YOU! She shares transformative practices for overcoming barriers, enhancing creativity and healing which you can apply immediately.From today’s chat, you’ll learn:How to use the Self-Acknowledgment Hug to instantly boost your creativity and happiness.Insights from Marilyn’s Word of the Day method to help you find and express your authentic voice.Tools to get into and embrace the physicality of creativity! Practical tips for overcoming self-doubt and embracing your creative potential.Tools for personal healing and emotional well-being.And much more! Tune in to discover practices that will elevate

Have you ever found yourself pouring your heart, soul, and wallet into your creative work, only to feel drained, frustrated, and stuck in a cycle of financial strain? What if I told you that the secret to creating freely and sustainably lies not in your bank account, but in shifting your mindset? Today, we're diving into how to Create Like a Rich Person and why adopting the strategies of wealthy and mainstream creators can help you fund your dreams without breaking the bank or your heart! From This Episode You’ll Learn:The key mindset shift that allows wealthy creators to fund their projectsProven funding strategies every indie creator should knowHow to secure sponsors, grants, and investors without spending your own moneyThe importance of thinking outside the box to sustain your creative journey-Remember to subscribe/follow the show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your pods. Please leave us a rating and review- it helps SO much in getting the show out there. And tell a friend about the show- p

Do you want to make work that makes a difference in the world? Work that shows the true beauty of humanity? If this sounds like you, you may fear that it might not reach the audience it deserves as the algorithm seems to reward divisive and fear-mongering content. Today’s guest is author and Vice President of Upworthy, Lucia Knell. Lucia has a depth of knowledge on how seeing and sharing stories of human goodness can profoundly impact our personal well-being and inspire positive change. Her story is proof that there’s a way forward for good. From this conversation you’ll learn:-How to create and grow your work from an authentic and optimistic point of view. -How to embrace the vulnerability of believing people are generally good.-Tips for creating better boundaries with social media that support mental health.-How community-driven content can foster genuine connections.-Why it’s important to maintain your creative passions, no matter what your job is!More on Lucia: Lucia Knell is the vice president of Upworth

Is there a creative project you’re sitting on? Too scared to put it out? Today I have a surefire way to inspire you to put the project out pronto because SPOILER ALERT: as all the kids in 2013 said: YOLO. You’ll learn the single best question to ask yourself to release self-doubt & make sure you put your creative work out now and Why We must create like it’s our last day! ENJOY!!-Remember to subscribe/follow the show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your pods. Please leave us a rating and review- it helps SO much in getting the show out there. And tell a friend about the show- podcasts are very personal and tend to be spread person to person. If this show helped you or made you smile, share the love :) Follow the show: @unleashyourinnercreative  Follow me: @LaurenLoGrassoHosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Do you ever feel trapped by the expectations of who you’re supposed to be? What if breaking free from these expectations could lead you to a more fulfilling and creative life? Today’s returning guest is author, content creator, tarot card read, leader in the Italian American community,  former litigator, and double-ivy league graduate, Leigh Esposito. She will share her journey from good girl attorney to rebellious author and content creator. She’ll teach you how she broke (and continues to break) free from societal norms to live her truth and how you can too!From this conversation you’ll learn:-How to overcome the fear of pissing people off (including your own family) -Why experience matters more than credentials-Practical steps for pursuing a brand new passion, and-How to navigate the complexities of your generational trauma AND your generational gifts!More on Leigh: Leigh Esposito is an author, coach, tarotist, and former attorney with a B.A. in English from Penn and a J.D. from Columbia Law. Her coaching

Hi sweet creative! Today I have an incredible treat for you. You are going to hear an episode of one of my new favorite podcasts, Bewildered with Martha Beck and Rowan Mangan. Martha and Rowan are both amazing people. I've had the pleasure of meeting them in real life a couple of times. They're always insightful and inspiring, as is this podcast. I love bewildered because it has a very similar mission to unleash your inner creative. And that is to help you reconnect with your true nature and your authentic voice.So check out this episode of Bewildered, hand selected for you by me, about feeling like an alien aka when you're on a healing journey and you realize you've started to outgrow the people around you. Martha and Rowan give great tips on what to do should you find yourself in that situation or if you just in general feel out of place and are looking for your community, they give great tips on how to navigate that. So check it out and make sure when you leave here to give Bewildered a follow and to rate

Have you ever thought about your creative work through the lens of not only how you want to express yourself, but also, what you want to leave to the world? What is the impression you want to leave about who you are and what you care about? What do you want to leave to your family, to your friends and to the whole entire world? Well, today we're going to chat about why creativity isn't just about personal expression, but also, about your unique creative legacy. From This Episode You'll Learn: -What Creative Legacy is-Why creative legacy matters -How to make it a primary focus of your creative work and journey -And a surefire antidote to self-doubt! -Remember to subscribe/follow the show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your pods. Please leave us a rating and review- it helps SO much in getting the show out there. And tell a friend about the show- podcasts are very personal and tend to be spread person to person. If this show helped you or made you smile, share the love :) Follow the show @unleas

Have you ever wanted to put a creative project out in the world in a short amount of time and actually done it? I haven't, but I have someone here today who has and can help us to do the same! He'll teach you how to stop overthinking, start trusting your instincts, creating, and putting your work out into the world. Today, my guest is my boyfriend, Timmy, AKA Timothy Michael Blewitt. He's a SAG AFTRA actor, teacher, writer, and a recently published author, thank you very much! Today he is here to discuss his brand new book, 1001 Tips for Actors and Artists in Los Angeles: The Do's and Don'ts of Making It in Hollywood.You'll Learn: -How Timmy went from idea to published author in 1.5 months (and how you can, too) -How to bust through creative blocks and burnout -Everything you need to know if you want to self-publish -How to move through self-doubt with compassion and get to the other side. Buy Timmy's book, 1001 Tips for Actors and Artists in Los Angeles Here: https://a.co/d/dAKDbB6 - Don't forget to rate and

Hi Creative! Today I have a special treat for you! I want to introduce you to a show I've recently discovered that I LOVE called The Best Advice Show. Hosted by Zak Rosen. If you love the Unleash Minisodes, you'll love The Best Advice show!The Best Advice Show is your reminder that there are weird, delightful and effective ways to make life slightly and sometimes profoundly better. In every (very short) episode of the show, a different contributor offers their take on making life more joyful, healthful and livable and it's likely gonna be something you can try today, if you want.Zak puts out two new episodes per week. To rate, review and follow the show, check it out:-On Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-best-advice-show/id1507811918-Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/23pHF1qhzm1gaJEc7pBzSnOr wherever you get your pods!LOVE YOU! Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Have you ever started a new creative venture and just relentlessly beat yourself up every single time you made a mistake? Did it help? I can speak from experience in saying it has never helped me. And in fact, I think it's often held me back. So today we're going to explore with you an alternative to self-criticism when we're releasing a new creative project out into the world. Welcome to the Unleash Your Inner Creative Minisodes! My name is Lauren LoGrasso, I am a Webby award-winning podcast host and creative coach. Every other week for the rest of summer, I will be coming on the pod to give you bite-sized Unleash episodes. Each show will contain actionable advice about creativity, working toward your dreams and self-development. They are full of tools you can implement in your life immediately.Today’s topic is: How to Move from “I Suck” to “I’m excited to Improve!" -a journey to finding self-compassion and self-growth instead of self-criticism. From today's chat, you'll learn: -How to recognize that you ar

Are you a people pleaser? Do you find yourself constantly setting yourself aside so that you can tend to other people’s issues, avoiding yourself/your goals? Do you give unsolicited advice? I feel you and struggle with all of the above. Well, good news: today’s guest is codependency facilitator, expert, and spiritual counselor, Erika Wright. She has TONS of advice on how to stop abandoning yourself and start staying present with your emotions and desires.From this conversation you’ll learn:-How to identify and heal from codependency using spiritual and holistic approaches-How to navigate your emotions and develop emotional resilience-The difference between creativity and codependency-How to finally stop giving unsolicited advice and turn the mirror on yourself!And More More on Erika Wright: https://erikawright.org/ -Remember to subscribe/follow the show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your pods. Please leave us a rating and review- it helps SO much in getting the show out there. And tell a frie

How is your mental health today? How do you tend to it and stay on track during turbulent times? How do you utilize your creativity to help you move through mental health challenges? Today’s guest is Erika Soto Lamb. She works with companies, organizations, and culture leaders to drive positive change on the toughest social issues, currently leading leading multi-platform campaigns for SHOWTIME/MTV Entertainment Studios at Paramount. She will bring you her knowledge of storytelling and how you can use it as a tool to help your mental health and the mental health of others!From this conversation you’ll learn:-How to find the courage to share your mental health story-Effective ways to support friends and family members struggling with mental health issues-The importance of storytelling and creativity to increase social change-The role of cultural and community background in shaping one’s passion for change-makingOn Erika: Erika Soto Lamb works with companies, organizations, and culture leaders to drive positive

One of your favorite guests and my favorite people is back for another episode--that’s right! It’s spiritual teacher, author, singer and intuitive, Mitra Rahbar! Last time she was on, she talked about Chinese astrology and you loved it! This time she’s here to talk about her new book, The 11 Pillars of Self-Realization: Your roadmap to inner peace. You’ll Learn: -Tools to help you have more faith in yourself and life-How to embrace the power of vulnerability-The way to finally surrender and trust the Universe, and-How to forgive yourself and have self-compassionGet Mitra’s book on her website and on Amazon! Mitra’s Bio: Mitra is a healer, intuitive, singer, author, humanitarian and spiritual teacher. She has worked with people such as Jennifer Aniston, Gisele Bunchen, Sheryl Crowe and Courtney Cox and ME. Mitra is a dear friend and spiritual advisor to me since 2016. Previous books include Miraculous Silence. Learn more at: https://www.voiceofmitra.com/-Remember to subscribe/follow the show on Apple Podcasts,

Hi cutie! Today I am re-airing an episode with the great Hannah Berner! This was first recorded back in 2019 when she was just at the beginning of her comedy career...Flash forward to 2024--Hannah has a Netflix special, which will premiere on July 9th, wrote a book and is about to appear on The Tonight Show next week...She has has an unbeliable joureny, not without some hardship--she went through a self-proclaimed dark night of the soul...But I thought it would be cool for you to hear her five years ago, when she was just starting to see what YOU might accomplish in the next five years if you believe in yourself and put your trust in The Universe! Love you! Original Description: Hannah Berner is a podcaster, comedian, producer and reality star, best known for work on her podcast Berning in Hell, Bravo’s Summer House and Betches! Learn how Hannah went from Tennis to TV on today’s podcast!From this conversation you'll learn: Tips to Reinvent your lifeHandle creative criticismHow to get through anxiety and depre