The Complete Creative

A few days before recording this episode, I celebrated my birthday. I love thinking of birthdays as a personal new year—a chance to pause, reflect, and look at where life is taking us next.
As I looked back on the past five years of building my coaching and photography businesses, one question kept rising to the surface:
 
What does it mean to work your way?
 
Many of us start by following someone else’s roadmap. We take the courses, follow the advice, try the strategies, and look for the “right” way to build a business, career, or creative life. But over time, I’ve learned that success isn’t about finding the perfect formula. It’s about discovering what works for you.
 
In this first episode of the Work Your Way Summer Series, I’m sharing lessons from five years of experimentation, growth, pivots, and refinement. We talk about building a business that fits your life, creating work that aligns with your values, and questioning the assumptions that keep us feeling stuck.
 
Whether you’re an entrepreneur, creative professional, freelancer, or someone working within a larger organization, this conversation will invite you to think differently about how you work and what success means to you.
 
In This Episode
What “working your way” means
Lessons I’ve learned from five years of building businesses
Why not every successful strategy is the right strategy for you
How alignment creates momentum, creativity, and opportunities
The role relationships have played in growing my business
Why curiosity is one of the most valuable tools for growth
How to build work around the life you want to create
A preview of what’s coming in the Work Your Way Summer Series
Questions We Explore
How do you build a business that fits your life?
Can you create success without following someone else’s formula?
What if the way you work matters just as much as the results you create?
How do you define success on your own terms?
Where do you have more choice than you think?
→ If you're ready for work to feel different but aren't sure how it could be possible for you, schedule a Work Your Way Breakthrough call with Brie HERE.
 
This episode is part of the Work Your Way Summer Series — a collection of conversations about rethinking work, creativity, and the way you move through your days. Explore the full series: www.creativemindscoach.com/podcast/work-your-way-summer-series
 

Something unexpected happened after I sold my house, moved into full-time travel, and watched momentum build in my business.
 
Instead of feeling energized by all the good things happening, I slowed down. I stopped posting. I stopped showing up in the ways that felt normal. And, it all felt pretty confusing.
 
In this episode, I’m sharing something that helped me make sense of it: the Upper Limit Problem, a concept from The Big Leap by Gay Hendricks that explains why we sometimes pull back, procrastinate, or make things harder right when life starts getting better.
 
If you’ve ever found yourself getting close to something you really want and suddenly feeling stuck, overwhelmed, resistant, or weirdly uncomfortable… this conversation is for you.
 
We’ll talk about the difference between burnout, misalignment, and upper limits, how creatives often sabotage momentum without realizing it, and what it looks like to gently expand your capacity for success, visibility, joy, and ease.
 
In this episode, we explore:
• What the Upper Limit Problem actually is and why it happens  • Why creatives often pull back when things start going well  • The difference between burnout, misalignment, and self-protection  • Signs you might be experiencing an upper limit (without realizing it)  • Why growth, visibility, success, and ease can feel unexpectedly uncomfortable  • A simple mindset shift to help you move through resistance with more compassion
If growth feels uncomfortable right now, nothing has gone wrong. You might simply be learning how to let something good become normal.
 
Mentioned in this episode:  
• The Big Leap by Gay Hendricks  • Work Your Way: A Summer Reset for Creative Humans — coming next week with solo episodes, guest conversations, free monthly Zoom sessions, and limited breakthrough coaching sessions
 
Don’t miss the summer series:
Follow The Complete Creative in your podcast app so you’ll be notified when new episodes drop.
 

You know that moment after you hit send…and instantly wish you hadn’t?
Or when you snap, shut down, or spiral—and later you’re like, where did that even come from?
 
In this episode, I’m talking about what’s happening in those moments—and how to catch it before it takes over.
This is a follow-up to the Think, Feel, Do framework, and we’re focusing in on the most powerful part: what you’re feeling in your body, in real time.
 
When you start to notice it as it’s happening, you get your choice back. And that changes how you show up in your work, your decisions, your relationships… all of it.
We get into:
Why your reactions feel instant (and why they’re not)
What’s happening in your body right before you react
How to catch the moment before it spirals
The small shifts that help you respond the way you want to
A simple way to build this skill without overthinking it
 
Connect With Me
If you’d like to continue this conversation:
Join me on Substack where I share more writing and ideas around creativity and business: https://thecompletecreative.substack.com
You can also connect with me on Instagram: https://instagram.com/creativemindscoach
Work With Me
If you're ready for deeper clarity in your creative life or business, you can start with a Clarity Call, the first step inside my Creative Compass framework, where we begin shaping your personal vision and direction.
You can also explore my Energy Alignment Intensive, where I combine coaching with a custom AI tool to help you evaluate how you're spending your energy and realign your creative work with what actually matters most.
Learn more here: https://creativemindscoach.com/energy-alignment-intensive/ 

There’s a moment every creative knows well—you sit down to do the thing that matters most… and suddenly you’re doing literally anything else.Checking email. Reorganizing your desk. Thinking about the project instead of actually starting it.In this episode, I’m walking you through what’s sub-consciously happening in those moments—and how to move through resistance in a way that feels simple, doable, and even… kind of fun.Because resistance isn’t a sign that something’s wrong. It’s a signal that what you’re working on actually matters.And when you understand how your brain is wired—and how to work with it instead of against it—you can get unstuck faster than you think.In this episode, I share:Why resistance shows up (and why it’s not a character flaw)The real reason your brain avoids meaningful workHow to recognize resistance in your behavior, body, and thoughtsThe difference between procrastination and what’s actually happeningA toolkit to move through resistance without forcing yourselfMy favorite question that instantly makes things feel easierResources + Mentions:Think → Feel → Do episodeSubstack Live (Imposter Syndrome) episodeAccess free workshop (Imposter Syndrome Fix) HEREImpostor Syndrome Rehab (4 week program): https://studio.creativemindscoach.com/imposter-syndrome-rehabConnect With MeIf you’d like to continue this conversation:Join me on Substack where I share more writing and ideas around creativity and business: https://thecompletecreative.substack.comYou can also connect with me on Instagram: https://instagram.com/creativemindscoachWork With MeIf you're ready for deeper clarity in your creative life or business, you can start with a Clarity Call, the first step inside my Creative Compass framework, where we begin shaping your personal vision and direction.

Selling my home took almost a year… and instead of being stressful, it became one of the most easeful transitions of my life.That wasn’t an accident.In this episode, I’m sharing what actually made the difference—from the emotional side of closing a long chapter to the practical shifts that helped me move through it in a completely different way than I used to.This wasn’t about forcing a positive mindset or pretending things felt easy. It was about learning how to move with the process instead of against it—and what opened up because of that.If you’re in the middle of a transition (or can feel one coming), this conversation will help you stay grounded, trust yourself more deeply, and create a little more ease along the way.In this episode, I talk about:Why big life transitions can feel heavier than expected—and what’s actually happening underneath thatHow I shifted from stress into a more grounded, intentional way of moving through changeThe mindset that helped me navigate a year-long home-selling process without burning outWhat it looks like to honor both excitement and grief at the same timeHow to create more ease, even when things feel uncertainMentioned in this episode:If decision-making has ever felt exhausting or overwhelming during a transition, this episode will support you:How Decision Fatigue Drains Creatives (and What to Do)If you’re curious about the framework I reference in this episode:The Gene Keys by Richard RuddConnect With MeIf you’d like to continue this conversation:Join me on Substack where I share more writing and ideas around creativity and business: https://thecompletecreative.substack.comYou can also connect with me on Instagram: https://instagram.com/creativemindscoachWork With MeIf you're ready for deeper clarity in your creative life or business, you can start with a Clarity Call, the first step inside my Creative Compass framework, where we begin shaping your personal vision and direction.

There’s a framework I use every single day—and now it’s so integrated into how I think and live that I sometimes forget to even talk about it.But this one changed everything for me.In this episode, I’m walking you through the simple but powerful framework of Think, Feel, Do—a concept I learned during my life coach certification that completely shifted how I understand my emotions, my actions, and the results I create in my life and creative work.If you’ve ever felt stuck in your reactions, overwhelmed by your emotions, or unsure why you keep getting the same results, this is going to bring a whole new level of clarity.Because here’s where the power is:You’re not reacting to your life—you’re responding to your thinking about your life.And when you start to see that, everything changes.In this episode, I share:Why your thoughts are not facts—and how they shape your entire experienceThe real source of your emotions (hint: it’s not your circumstances)How your feelings drive your actions—and ultimately your resultsA simple way to start identifying the thoughts behind how you feelHow to use this framework to create more intention in your creative workA practical journaling tool (“thought downloads”) to bring awareness to your thinkingHow this work directly connects to imposter syndrome and self-doubtThis framework is the foundation of everything I teach—and once you start seeing it, you won’t be able to unsee it.Want to go deeper?I hosted a free workshop called The Imposter Syndrome Fix, where I walk you through this framework in action—specifically for creatives navigating self-doubt.You can watch the free replay here:https://studio.creativemindscoach.com/imposter-syndrome-fixConnect With MeIf you’d like to continue this conversation:Join me on Substack where I share more writing and ideas around creativity and business: https://thecompletecreative.substack.comYou can also connect with me on Instagram: https://instagram.com/creativemindscoachWork With MeIf you're ready for deeper clarity in your creative life or business, you can start with a Clarity Call, the first step inside my Creative Compass framework, where we begin shaping your personal vision and direction.

AI is everywhere right now—and creatives are navigating a new landscape of tools, possibilities, and questions about authenticity.
In this episode, I’m sharing my honest perspective about how I use AI in my creative business, where I draw the line, and why transparency matters more than ever.
After reading an article that felt completely AI-generated, something inside me said nope. That experience sparked a deeper reflection about what we’re actually creating, what we’re outsourcing, and why the human part of creativity is still the whole point.
So today I’m pulling back the curtain. I’ll walk you through exactly how I use AI behind the scenes in my business, how it supports my creative process, and the places where I intentionally refuse to let it replace my voice, intuition, or lived experience.
Because AI can be an incredible assistant—but it should never replace the humanity that makes your work meaningful.
If you're a creator navigating this new world of tools and technology, this conversation will help you find clarity about how to use AI intentionally while staying fully yourself.
In this episode, I talk about:
• The moment that gave me the full “AI ick” and why it sparked this episode
• Why transparency with AI builds trust with your audience
• The difference between using AI as a tool vs. letting it replace your voice
• How I actually use AI in my podcasts, writing, and business workflow
• Where I intentionally refuse to use AI in my creative process
• Why your personal experiences, imperfections, and opinions are the real value of your work
• How AI can support sustainability in a one-person creative business
AI is here to stay—but your humanity is still the most powerful thing you bring to your work.
Connect With Me
If you’d like to continue this conversation:
Join me on Substack where I share more writing and ideas around creativity and business:
https://thecompletecreative.substack.com
You can also connect with me on Instagram:
https://instagram.com/creativemindscoach
Work With Me
If you're ready for deeper clarity in your creative life or business, you can start with a Clarity Call, the first step inside my Creative Compass framework, where we begin shaping your personal vision and direction.
You can also explore my Energy Alignment Intensive, where I combine coaching with a custom AI tool to help you evaluate how you're spending your energy and realign your creative work with what actually matters most.
Learn more here:
https://creativemindscoach.com/energy-alignment-intensive/ 

Welcome to my very first Substack Live — an experiment in real time, growth edges and all. Connect with me in Substack!
 
In this episode, I’m challenging the entire concept of imposter syndrome. Not with hype. Not with “just believe in yourself.” But with a grounded reframe that shifts how you understand what’s actually happening when self-doubt shows up.
 
Because what if imposter syndrome isn’t something you “have”?
 
What if it’s just a moment — a pattern — a signal — that you haven’t learned how to interpret yet?
 
Inside this Substack Live, I walk you through the four experiences that often get mislabeled as imposter syndrome — and how understanding them changes everything.
 
In this episode, I cover:
Why imposter syndrome is not an illness or identity
The 1970s origin story and how the term evolved
The difference between a pattern and a personal flaw
The 4 “imposter moments” you might actually be experiencing:
Self-protection mode
External reference mode
Expansion friction
Alignment signals
Why high achievers don’t “get the worst imposter syndrome”
How reframing this shifts your creative momentum
You’re not broken. You’re expanding.
If this resonates, I’m hosting a free workshop on Feb 12 called The Imposter Syndrome Fix, where we’ll work through this in real time.
 
And in March, I’m leading a 4-week small group experience, Imposter Syndrome Rehab — where we go deeper and shift the pattern at the root.
 
How to work with me:
Energy Alignment Intensive - 30 days to reclaim creative energy
Private Coaching - a custom coaching experience for the success you want in life & business without sacrificing what matters most.
Get my next issue of The Creative Juice: Fresh-pressed inspiration delivered via email for creatives who do life and business differently.

Curious what a coaching session actually feels like?
 
In this live group session, you’ll hear Laura Fox-Wallis and Mel Lau bring real questions and get coached through them in real time.
Laura is a painter and expressive arts facilitator who helps people reconnect with their creative voice through silk painting. She teaches both online and in person.
Mel is a designer and creative strategist behind Small Nod Design, where she builds intentional brand and web identities for mission-driven businesses.
 
Both showed up with thoughtful questions — not about what to do next, but how to trust themselves in the doing.
 
We talked through:
Why fear and fog show up even when you’re on the right path
How to notice what’s actually working (instead of dismissing it)
What to do when you feel unclear or unsure about your next move
How coaching allows for your own clarity to surface
 
If you’ve ever questioned whether you’re doing enough — or felt like you’re in it alone — this one might offer something useful.
 
How to work with me:
Energy Alignment Intensive - 30 days to reclaim creative energy
Private Coaching - a custom coaching experience for the success you want in life & business without sacrificing what matters most.
Get my next issue of The Creative Juice: Fresh-pressed inspiration delivered via email for creatives who do life and business differently.

If you’re craving direction but not more pressure, this audio workshop is for you.
 
This episode is the audio version of Your North Star Year — a guided workshop to help you choose one clear, intentional word to anchor your year. It’s not about finding the “right” word. It’s about choosing one that feels real, useful, and aligned with where you are in life.
 
Whether you’re craving more ease, confidence, strength, or clarity, this gentle process walks you through reflection prompts and simple questions to help your word rise to the surface.
 
Inside this episode you be guided through:
A short and honest review of last year (without overthinking)
Clear, creative prompts to guide your vision for the year ahead
Support in choosing a word that helps you focus, set boundaries, and shift your energy
Tips on how to use your word daily — with zero pressure or perfectionism
 
Grab your notebook and tune in — or download the free companion PDF to follow along.
 
How to work with me:
Focus & Flow - 30 days to reclaim creative energy
Private Coaching - a custom coaching experience for the success you want in life & business without sacrificing what matters most.
Get my next issue of The Creative Juice: Fresh-pressed inspiration delivered via email for creatives who do life and business differently