Your World of Creativity

Our guests today join us on our around-the-world journey where we talk to creative practitioners about how they get inspired and how they organize ideas. And most of all, how they gain the confidence and the connections to launch their work out into the world. Today we have the pleasure to travel to one of my favorite cities in the world, Stockholm, Sweden, to have a chat with Fredrik and Erik of the SNASK agencySNASK is an internationally renowned creative agency that makes kick-ass branding, design & film. So much so that some of their clients have described them as “Disneyland for graphic designers.” They are a different kind of company they also describe themselves as a creative agency of misfit geniuses conquering the world through fine-looking design and real emotions. Often reminding their clients that they are their client’s future romance.A few tips that they share with us that all hold steady to their stellar performance in their industry are:Passion as a creative is very important.Build a team around you that is equally passionate about what they do. It makes it easier for them to show up.They remind us that when people have a creative passion they do not come to work at 10:00 A.M. They get up early and go after it. We should not be afraid to stand out in the world no matter what our craft is. And it is ok to be bold and colorful even as a brand agency in a Minimalistic place like Stockholm Remember to have a balance of both work and fun in order to thrive.In a professional world built on conservative ideas and frameworks and structures, one look at their website and you will immediately notice that their work is very emotional. It's very provocative. It's very colorful and energetic. Which has made them stand out as an agency over the years which in fact gave them the creative consistency they needed to stand out in the industry.In conclusion, they also give us some insight into, pitching the work and how to convince the client which campaign to go with. Both Erik and Fredrik agree that it's all about taking the client by the hand and leading them through the process. Like you lead someone to the dance floor. You can't just throw a new design in their face without an explanation. You need to take them on a journey on the thought behind the strategy, and how it connects with the brand. And then make sure that this makes a lot of sense to them as much as it does make sense to you as the pitcher.You can find more information about this agency of misfit geniuses on their website https://snask.com Instagram: snasksthlmFrederik Öst’s Instagram: freddiemeupErik Kockum’s Instagram: fessus Meet partners in crime - Fredrik Öst and Erik Kockum, Branding Experts with vulnerability and anti-machismo. First off, let me tell you a little about who Fredrik Öst & Erik Kockum are…"Freddie" was adopted from South Korea and raised in Northern Sweden after being found outside a police station. Erik is a confused and misunderstood misfit genius who believes that the feeling of freedom and allowance of making mistakes is the key to creativity.Fedrick and Erik have co-founded a kick-ass creative agency, combining their expertise in branding, design & film. This of course after being told they needed 10 years of experience in the industry before starting their own agency. They ditched the norms and started up Snask with zero years of experience 14 years ago! Snask is a rare combination of real emotions and playfulness. Of fine lookin' design and kick-ass branding. And I guarantee through their stories, insights, and just being in their presence you will have an awakening to your inner creativity! Here are some highlights of our conversation:How to'sWhat's the key to creativity?How to build brands and connect with customers The process of creating any service- Films, branding etcHow to turn an idea into content How to go beyond the 'BS' in client meetingsHow they create a brand strategy for brandsSnask 101The meaning behind their mantra – Make Enemies & Gain Fans.What does "Snask" mean? How Snask creates a culture of trust and creativityTheir new Beer Shower Beer - SnaskLife lessons What is machismo and how to break out of it Realizing that "being wrong" isn't that scaryHow not to be afraid of what other people think.Why lead with vulnerability and empathy?Mark StinsonCopyright 2026 Mark StinsonListen to Your World of Creativity

Today we are combining our storytelling and our creativity to promote social good to overcome some of the issues and challenges we face in our world today. And that's the focus of the creativity of our next guest. Aalia Lanius. She is a multiple Award-Winning Novelist, Award-Nominated Executive Producer & Podcast host. As founder of Unsugarcoated Media, a 501(c)(3) social enterprise, she is passionate about using her leadership skills to build a unique media company that focuses solely on projects in media geared at social impact through storytelling. Aalia is also the Producer and host of "Unsugarcoated with Aalia", a social good-centered podcast. The show was nominated for Best Use of Podcast for Social Good in 2020. A powerful advocate for survivors of trauma and mental health education.She believes as creatives, we have an immense gift that comes with accountability and we have to use it to create a positive social impact in everything. She only chooses to speak on social issues unsugarcoated. Hence the name of her company.  In our chat, she tells us that the most important part of what  Unsugarcoated Media does is provide a place where other creatives can come and collaborate with them, knowing that the goal is social impact.According to Aalia, “What's the message?” is the first and most important question a creative needs to ask themselves if their goal is social impact through their work. She also enlightens us that If you wanted to have a social message, as an artist, you have to show up to those spaces and say, “This is important to me. This is what I want to happen and if I don't see it, then I'm gonna start creating a wave myself.”She has experienced so much turmoil. From homelessness to the trauma of domestic abuse, and the cancer fight. And yet there's resilience. Through that, she was able to write a book that has helped so many people who are in those particular situations. Once again she gives us a lesson through it all. She teaches us that that is what influence really is. When you empower the right people to see their own brilliance, and to see their own capacity, and potentially even see a life past trauma.We need to learn and take away from the experiences that life throws at us how we can learn to be better. It's about understanding that, you wanna grow and that you wanna upgrade your belief systems. You have to yearn to understand yourself better so that you can be more powerful.  So that you can be more concerted on whatever the effort is you're trying to do as navigate the journey life has set before you, and maintain your high creative energy.In conclusion, she reminds us that there is only trying so long as you learn to fail forward. And that is part of the creative process. And learning about yourself is the most powerful thing and then keep growing. And only look back to see how far you've come. And recognize that that is your big thing. Even though sometimes it may take so long to see, there's always hope. And the hope is you.To get more on her amazing work: unsugarcoatedmedia.comInstagram: aalia_unsugarcoatedAalia Lanius Aalia's Website Aalia Lanius is an International Multiple-Award Winning Novelist, Executive Producer and host of the award-nominated globally top-rated social good podcast, UNSUGARCOATED with Aalia. As founder of UNSUGARCOATED Media, a 501(c)(3) media social enterprise, Lanius is creating social impact through storytelling while building community, providing education, and ending isolation for trauma survivors. Aalia's role extends to leadership as a creative, and she is considered a thought-leader in approaches to media, believing that artists are pioneers of the human mind with great potential and responsibility to positively influence society through proper representation and accountability. Aalia's Facebook page @Aalia_unsugarcoated on Instagram Aalia on YouTube Mark Stinson  Mentioned in this episode:THE ALAURA SHOWHey, it's Alaura Lovelight. And if you're enjoying "unlocking your world of creativity," make sure to check out my new show, "The Alaura Show" ... on Roku and Amazon Fire TV.

Elan Thunderfeet is a writer, hip-hop artist, and creative mentor that is here to inspire collective actualization.Whether through his own creative practice or through his creative mentorship, Elan Wayne Thunderfeet is driven to help the world thrive. Creativity has helped him to navigate the challenges of being human in a world that often feels increasingly inhumane. He seeks to use his experience and expression to support other to overcome the obstacles they face. With over a decade and a half of experience in hip hop and creative writing, and two years as a creative coach and teacher, Elan strives to explore and embody the impact that creativity can have. The Prince of OppositesWhether through his own creative practice or through his creative mentorship, Elan Wayne Thunderfeet is driven to help the world thrive. Creativity has helped him to navigate the challenges of being human in a world that often feels inhumane. He strives to use his experience and expression to support others to overcome the obstacles they face.WritingElan Thunderfeet’s debut full-length novel is a story that will launch the Trashpunk genre. It is the evolution of cyberpunk while also providing contemporary reflections on the relationship between humanity, technology, and the environment.Learn more at https://www.theprinceofopposites.com/Elan's Facebook page Elan on YouTube @theprinceofopposites on Instagram Music track is copyrighted, provided by the artist, and used with permission.THIS EPISODE IS SPONSORED BY: MAGIC MIND, a matcha-based energy shot infused with nootropics and adaptogens designed to crush procrastination, brain fog & fatigue.Take advantage of the special offer just for listeners atwww.magicmind.co/creativityPromo code "Creativity20"Copyright 2026 Mark Stinson Mentioned in this episode:THE ALAURA SHOWHey, it's Alaura Lovelight. And if you're enjoying "unlocking your world of creativity," make sure to check out my new show, "The Alaura Show" ... on Roku and Amazon Fire TV.

Manny Lai Technology senior leader during the day. Entrepreneur in the evening. My passion is giving back to my community through wholesome, ethical, and delicious food. www.amazon.com/ExcaliBar Discount code HPStreet20 Manny's Website @heavenspantry on Instagram Sample whole box at www.Amazon.com - search "Excalibar Chocolate" - code HPStreet20Copyright 2026 Mark Stinson

Meet Jay Goldman. As the CEO of Sensei Labs and New York Times bestselling author, he enables Fortune 1000 leaders to execute and evolve faster with Enterprise Orchestration.For nearly 20 years, he has been focused on technology, design, and the art of leadership. Sensei Labs is Jay’s second tech start-up success, as he also co-founded and led Radiant Core. Additionally, he took on leadership roles as the Head of Marketing at Rypple and Managing Director at Klick Health.Jay regularly speaks with teams and companies across the globe about the Future of Work, including at TEDx, NASA, Harvard Business School, Google, and Twitter’s World Headquarters. He’s also written for publications like the Harvard Business Review and been a panelist on CBC’s The National.About the book, "The Decoded Company"A powerful guide to building a data-centric corporate culture that unleashes talent and improves engagement Amazon delights customers with recommendations that are spot on. Google amazes us by generating answers before we’ve even finished asking a question. These companies know who we are and what we want.The key to their magic is Big Data. Personalizing the consumer experience with the collection and analysis of consumer data is widely recognized as one of the biggest business opportunities of the 21st century. But there is a flip side to this that has largely been missed. What if we were able to use data about employees to personalize and customize their experience – to increase their engagement, help them learn faster on the job, and figure out which teams they should be on?In this book, Jay and his colleagues outline the six principles they’ve used to decode work and unlock the maximum potential of their talent, and share success stories from other organizations that have embraced this approach. The Decoded Company is an actionable blueprint for any company that wants the best from its people, and isn’t afraid of radical approaches to get it.Now, he spends his days helping the largest enterprises in the world execute their most critical programs through Enterprise Orchestration, alongside his amazing crew of more than 80 Senseis.Copyright 2026 Mark Stinson

Honey LarochelleSacred Artistry Summit CoachSinger and Vocal Producer Performer with Fungineershoneylarochelle.comTHIS EPISODE IS SPONSORED BY: MAGIC MIND, a matcha-based energy shot infused with nootropics and adaptogens designed to crush procrastination, brain fog & fatigue.Take advantage of the special offer just for listeners atwww.magicmind.co/creativityPromo code "Creativity20"

Karina Kantas is a prolific author and has 14 fiction titles to date. She's also a multi-award-winning filmmaker.Karina is a podcaster with Behind The Pen and Narrations by KK and the host of Author Assist radio show.She has over 20 affordable services that can help and teach the authors to market and promote themselves and their book successhttps://linktr.ee/karinakantasKarina Kantas Karina's Website Karina on YouTube Karina's Facebook page Karina's Facebook group @KarinaKantasauthor on Instagram @KarinaKantas on X Mark Stinson Copyright 2026 Mark Stinson

Today, Mark talks with Elizabeth Hansen, co-founder and Chief Creative Officer of Dramafy, LLC, an audio drama streaming service.Elements of audio dramaCrafting and promoting – elements of screenwriting and filmCollaborators/players – actingAwards – what do they mean?What’s next?Elizabeth Hansen Elizabeth's Website Ms. Hansen is the co-founder and Chief Creative officer of Dramafy, LLC, an audio drama streaming service. She is a screenwriter and film consultant who has had a varied writing, directing, and acting career, that has taken her from Broadway, to the newsrooms of the LA Times where she had her own By-Line, to the classrooms of Brigham Young University where she taught screenwriting from 1994-2000.    Ms. Hansen holds an MFA in screenwriting from AFI, has won the prestigious Writers Guild of America Award, an EMMY nomination, and was a finalist for the Humanitas Prize for excellence in children’s television programing, all for her work on the CBS Afterschool Special, American Eyes. In addition she has a Telly award and two Crystal Awards, and has won multiple screenwriting competitions. @elizabeththequeen20 on Instagram @lizthequeen20 on X Elizabeth's Facebook page Mark Stinson Copyright 2026 Mark Stinson

Jeff Leisawitz Jeff 's Website Jeff Leisawitz burns with a mission—to inspire humans with a heartbeat and every flavor of creative to live their gifts and create meaningful lives of purpose, success, connection and creativity. As an award winning musician/ producer, college songwriting prof, critically acclaimed author, distributed filmmaker and internationally in-demand coach, Jeff has devoted his life to empowering creatives. “At its best, creativity is a way for us to be seen, expressed and connected.” With this philosophy as a guiding principle, Jeff has helped empower countless people to tap deeply into their creative hearts to live richer, more fulfilling lives. Not F*ing Around— the No Bullsh*t Guide for Getting Your Creative Dreams Off the Ground is Jeff’s first book. @nfajeff on Instagram Jeff 's Facebook page @nfajeff on X Mark Stinson Copyright 2026 Mark Stinson

What’s in a name? Well, in Aryeh Sheinbein’s case, it’s a perfect metaphor for his track record as a wealth architect; his given name derives from the Hebrew word אריה (aryé), meaning “lion.” He is every bit a lion for those he works with: passionate, courageous, protective, and willing to fight for the valuable assets his clients entrust him with.Aryeh’s bread and butter is helping successful business owners and entrepreneurs invest their money intelligently, allowing their wealth to accumulate so they can stay focused on what truly matters—their business and mission. He’s spent his entire career sharpening his operational experience with investments and valuing businesses, having worked with top private equity, venture capital, hedge funds, investment managers, and banks, as well as a wealth of success in the eCommerce and Amazon selling spaces. Aryeh is particularly skilled in managing large, complex projects and teams—a credit to his excellent executive leadership skills rooted in finance, business strategy, marketing, and operations.Some topics of conversation include:Wealth Creation for the Long HaulStarting vs. Buying a Business: Different Strokes for Different Folks Effectively Growing a Business & Maintaining ProfitabilityStock & Real Estate Investing: From Soup to NutsAchieving Liquidity Events From a Business (Without Selling It) White-Labeling: What It is & Why You Should Do ItWhen he’s not sculpting the financial futures of his clients, Aryeh loves coaching his kids' sports teams, donating his time to various non-profit organizations, and enjoying quality time with his four wonderful kids and amazing wife. He also hosts the iTunes Top 100-ranked Inside the Lions Den podcast, a show that explores the leadership skills, financial acumen, and operational improvements required for sustained entrepreneurial and financial success.Aryeh Sheinbein Aryeh's Website https://www.linkedin.com/in/aryehsheinbein@aryehthebusinessman on Instagram Aryeh's Facebook page @aryehsheinbein on X Copyright 2026 Mark Stinson Your World of Creativity website