“Just go for it, let it go, and live your life true to yourself.” — Christine Fiorentino

This week’s episode is a reminder that creativity asks you to trust your inner voice, even before you’re ready. I’m joined by Christine Fiorentino, writer, recipe developer, culinary storyteller, and host of the YouTube series Beyond the Plate.

From teaching in a classroom to sharing food stories on camera, Christine reminds you that creativity is more than what you create, it’s also who you become when you decide that you’re going to go for it!

If you’re craving change but feel afraid to begin or if you’re in the middle of a transition and wondering what’s next, this episode is for you. It’s also your reminder and affirmation to come back to when things get challenging.

Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts and Spotify, or on your favorite podcast platform while you cook, clean, or create. Get the full show notes & transcript here.

What’s in This Episode:

Christine defines creativity as the method through which you express yourself most authentically and lean into the practices and places that connect you to your highest self.

She shares her personal manifestation ritual of writing letters to the universe, letting go of control, and how to be an active participant in the deliverance of your manifestations through aligned actions.

Christine tells her inspiring “I’m never coming back” story, and shares how saying goodbye to a 10-year teaching career opened the door to everything she wanted in her career (and life).

We also explore how spiritual tools like Reiki and grounding in nature have helped Christine reset her energy. Plus, how her fertility journey has deepened her relationship with flow, surrender, and self-trust.

Question:

What’s one bold move your creativity is calling you to make? Tag us on IG @chefcarlacontreras & @christinefiorentinoto share your reflections.

xo Carla

PS: Are you Substack curious? Listen to this podcast episode about building your new digital home on Substack. Or join us in Press Publish Club to learn one actionable marketing step per month here

Disclaimer: Always seek the counsel of a qualified medical practitioner or other healthcare provider for an individual consultation before making any significant changes to your health, lifestyle, or to answer questions about specific medical conditions. This podcast is for entertainment and information purposes only.

“Creativity is my sanctuary, it’s where I go to escape from all the darkness in the world.” — Kimberly Espinel

This week’s episode is a reminder that your creativity is not only a gift, but a way to tell your story. I’m joined by Kimberly Espinel, award-winning food photographer, food and prop stylist, author, and creator of The Little Plantation.

Through her camera lens, creativity becomes a sanctuary. It’s a way to cope when things get tough and a way to tell the powerful (and sometimes political) stories that make us, us.

Kimberly and I reminisce about the early days of sharing food photography online and celebrate how sharing what brings you joy can nourish both you and the people who experience your work.

Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts and Spotify, or on your favorite podcast platform while you cook, clean, or create.

What’s in This Episode:

Kimberly shares her definition of creativity as the ability to weave heart into every detail. From recipe development, to lighting, and styling, there are opportunities to express joy throughout every step of the creation process.

Kimberly opens up about embracing a plant-forward, seasonal, and political approach to food, and how she uses her images to express deeper values and beliefs while celebrating the underdog.

You’ll also hear how she self-published her first book, Creative Food Photography after being rejected by traditional publishers. She listened to her community’s needs and trusted her own intuition.

She also share about the creation of her second book, How to Make Food Famous and invites you to rethink how you share your unique gifts in a creative ways.

Question: What story is your creativity telling right now? Tag us on IG @chefcarlacontreras & @thelittleplantation and tell us!

xo Carla

PS: Are you Substack curious? Listen to this podcast episode about building your new digital home on Substack. Join the Substack Accelerator to share your creative projects and work in the world. Create, Launch, & Grow Your Substack

Listen to me on Kimberly’s podcast here

Disclaimer: Always seek the counsel of a qualified medical practitioner or other healthcare provider for an individual consultation before making any significant changes to your health, lifestyle, or to answer questions about specific medical conditions. This podcast is for entertainment and information purposes only.

Note: Some of these are affiliate links, I receive a small percentage of the sales. I appreciate your support of my Latina & women owned business.

"Creativity is just the willingness to experiment with things.” — Katie Commodore

This week’s episode is the reminder that creativity is both a question and an answer, a process of constant problem-solving, adaptation, and asking what’s next.

I’m joined by my dear friend, Katie Commodore, artist and educator at Clark University and Rhode Island School of Design.

From drawing and peyote stitch beading to embroidery and textiles, Katie explores new mediums while continuing to celebrate sexuality, intimacy, and everyday objects in her work.

Tune into this episode to learn how Katie translates erotic photography into woven tapestries and finds emotional release through beading rocks instead of throwing them at people (yes, really).

Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts and Spotify, or on your favorite podcast platform while you cook, clean, or create.

What’s in This Episode:

Katie defines creativity as the willingness to experiment, ask questions, and find your own answers. She spends a lot of time looking at and thinking about her work.

She shares her antidote to creative blocks, inspiring you to lean into your own simple creative projects when you're not sure what's next or how to move forward.

She highlights the importance of keeping personal series that no one else has ever seen, like how she paints her panties to honor each pair before retiring them.

Katie also opens up about how her creative process has shifted as she navigates life with MS, including how embroidery has become a surprising and liberating medium for reclaiming precision and presence.

Question: Have you tried a new medium or creative outlet lately? Leave a comment below or tag us on IG @chefcarlacontreras & @katiecommodore share with us.

xo Carla

PS: Are you Substack curious? Listen to this podcast episode about building your new digital home on Substack. Join the Substack Accelerator to share your creative projects and work in the world. Create, Launch, & Grow Your Substack

Join My Community:

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Disclaimer: Always seek the counsel of a qualified medical practitioner or other healthcare provider for an individual consultation before making any significant changes to your health, lifestyle, or to answer questions about specific medical conditions. This podcast is for entertainment and information purposes only.

Tune in to this episode to remind yourself that you don’t have to be tied to social media 24/7 in order to grow your business, brand, or mission!

I'm joined by Chelsea Riffe, host of In My Non-Expert Opinion, a top 1% podcast known for transparency around business, creativity, and travel.

I attend her recent event, Pitch-A-Palooza, where I was blown away by the community, connection, and collaboration happening in the chat.

Listen on Apple Podcasts and Spotify, or on your favorite podcast platform while you cook, clean, or create. Full show notes & transcript here.

What’s in This Episode:

Chelsea explains how she doesn’t feel the creative activation happens until it comes out of her, whether that is verbally, through writing, drawing, creating pottery, or movement.

Chelsea defines creativity as an unbound sense of self-expression. Her current relationship to creativity thrives on expanding her community by interacting with what she calls other people’s “orbits”.

She compares the frustration of speaking into the void of social media algorithms where the conversation isn’t a two way street to the richness of a podcast interview, Substack feature, or guest teaching.

By tuning in you’ll learn how Chelsea overcomes creative blocks, how you can use pitching as a tool to boost your confidence, and how to think of IG more as a digital billboard (rather than a daily to-do).

Question: What’s an event, podcast, or brand you’d like to pitch yourself to? Tag us on IG @chefcarlacontreras & @chelseariffe to put it out into the Universe!

xo Chef Carla

PS: When two people’s galaxies collide, a whole new orbit is created! Want to create this magic for yourself? Join this round of Chelsea’s Pitch Perfect and do it alongside me. As a sweet bonus, I will give you a 30-minute 1:1 Quickie Content Audit.

Disclaimer: Always seek the counsel of a qualified medical practitioner or other healthcare provider for an individual consultation before making any significant changes to your health, lifestyle, or to answer questions about specific medical conditions. This podcast is for entertainment and information purposes only.

Note: Some of these are affiliate links, I receive a small percentage of the sales. I appreciate your support of my small Latina & women owned business.

This episode is your permission slip to listen to your own internal seasons of productivity and rest. I’m joined by Mackenzie Belcastro, a transformational coach, Reiki Practitioner, and podcast host.

Mackenzie and I kick this episode off by inviting you to drop into a powerful Creative Spark meditation. This meditation is a practice you can bookmark and return to again and again.

Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts and Spotify, or on your favorite podcast platform while you cook, clean, or create. Get the full show notes & transcript here.

What’s in This Episode:

Mackenzie defines creativity as being in touch with one's soul or higher self. She highlights the importance of regular self-care and meditation for keeping that channel open and shares her journey of aligning her external world with her internal values.

Mackenzie reminds you that it’s okay to experience human moments and shares her own cyclical pattern of stepping back from “productivity” in the fall. She gives herself permission to rest, knowing she’ll return to a season of productivity when she feels inspired.

Mackenzie reminds you that you do not need to force your creative process. And that you are deserving of self-compassion while navigating seasons of creative blocks.

xo Chef Carla

PS: Are you Substack curious? Listen to this podcast episode about building your new digital home on Substack. Join the Substack Accelerator to share your creative projects and work in the world. Create, Launch, & Grow Your Substack

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Disclaimer: Always seek the counsel of a qualified medical practitioner or other healthcare provider for an individual consultation before making any significant changes to your health, lifestyle, or to answer questions about specific medical conditions. This podcast is for entertainment and information purposes only.

This week’s episode illustrates what’s possible for you when you allow your spirit to lead you in your work. I’m joined by Emily Nachazel, intuitive business coach for visionary soul-led women.

When with clients, Emily uses somatics and energetic work to help people shake out resistance. Here, she takes us behind the scenes of what it’s been like to move through her own creative blocks and reconnect with her voice and self-expression.

Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts and Spotify, or on your favorite podcast platform while you cook, clean, or create. Get the full show notes & transcript here.

What’s in This Episode:

Emily Nachazel defines creativity as, “life force that is flowing through.” She surrenders and stays present to the energy that feels bigger than her so that it can move through her.

Emily shares about her current relationship with creativity while being pregnant and celebrates pregnancy as one the most creative portals she has ever been through.

Emily compares her daily morning practice to brushing your teeth, a non-negotiable part of the day that has become a foundation piece of showing up online in her business for the past 10 years.

Emily gives you permission to shift your perspective and view your business as an art practice rather than spreadsheets, data, and invoices.

Topics Covered:

Defining your creativity as life force energy

Embracing the self-discovery and evolution of entrepreneurship

What’s possible for you when you allow your spirit to lead you in your work

Celebrating pregnancy and birth as potent creative portals

Reframing your creative blocks as pathways to more aligned realities

Unblocking the voice and self-expression through singing and ancestral healing

What has been moving through you lately? Leave a comment below or tag us on IG @chefcarlacontreras & @emilynachazel to share with us.

xo Chef Carla

PS: My mission is for you is to use your voice, share your work, and step into your fullest expression of who you already are through your content. Join the next Substack Workshop here

Join My Community:

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Disclaimer: Always seek the counsel of a qualified medical practitioner or other healthcare provider for an individual consultation before making any significant changes to your health, lifestyle, or to answer questions about specific medical conditions. This podcast is for entertainment and information purposes only.

This week’s episode is the first live Nourishing Creativity episode. I’m joined by repeat guest Deb Driscoll, an author, spiritual teacher, and energy guide. Her playful approach to the creative process is magnetic!

In this episode, Deb shares how since her last episode she has shifted her priorities to focus on being an author with a business. She was not giving herself the space to create, there was always another to-do in her business.

Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast platform while you cook, clean, or create. Get the transcript and full show notes here

What’s in This Episode:

Importance of Pausing and Breathing: Deb talks about the significance of stopping, pausing, and breathing to connect with your creativity and intuition.

Definition of Magic: Deb defines magic, “as the intentional direction of energy” and shares how it relates to creativity.

Current Relationship with Creativity: Deb shares her journey of prioritizing her writing and creative projects, she is an author with a business.

IN Your INTUITION Summit: Deb explains the purpose and structure of the summit, which aims to empower women to claim their intuitive wisdom, join the summit

Challenges and Creative Process: Deb discusses the challenges she has faced while organizing the summit and how she has incorporated rest and self-care into her process.

Listen to Deb’s previous podcast, Episode 96: Healing is a Creative Process with Deb Driscoll Founder of Big Life Magic here

xo Chef Carla

PS: Are Substack curious? Listen to this podcast episode about building your new digital home on Substack. Our next workshop is Saturday 3/1.

Disclaimer: Always seek the counsel of a qualified medical practitioner or other healthcare provider for an individual consultation before making any significant changes to your health, lifestyle, or to answer questions about specific medical conditions. This podcast is for entertainment and information purposes only.

This week’s episode is focused on confidence and the power of knowing that it doesn't matter. I’m joined by Christine Ajisafe, self-love expert, business coach, transformation queen, and soul igniter.

Christine gives you permission to feel inspired by your own ideas, to be turned on, and to be excited! It’s your reminder that you have the key to unlock your own unique magnetism.

Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts and Spotify, or on your favorite podcast platform while you cook, clean, or create. Get the full show notes & transcript here.

What’s in This Episode:

Christine Ajisafe defines creativity as your connection with your turn on and emphasizes that many of the obstacles we face are self-imposed. She reminds you that true confidence comes from realizing these obstacles don't actually matter.

When you feel an idea taking shape in your body, that’s the energy to follow! Christine tells you about her creative blocks and how she moves them out of the way with commitments like going live for 30 days, even if it’s at one in the morning.

Showing up is how you move forward, rather than waiting for the day when you “feel ready”, Christine gives you permission to do it afraid, and you can do it alongside her in the Embodiment Experiment

What are you giving yourself permission to create, share, or do after listening to this episode? Leave a comment on Substack or tag us on IG @chefcarlacontreras & @christineajisafe to share with us.

xo Carla

PS: My mission is for you is to use your voice, share your work, and step into your fullest expression of who you already are through your content! Join Press Publish Club

Join My Community:

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Disclaimer: Always seek the counsel of a qualified medical practitioner or other healthcare provider for an individual consultation before making any significant changes to your health, lifestyle, or to answer questions about specific medical conditions. This podcast is for entertainment and information purposes only.