Part 2 holds its own as a stand alone episode … dive in and enJOY!
If you’d like to listen to Part 1 now … or later … click here!

In this two part episode, I’m so honored to be hosting Atmospheric Instrumental Music Creator Composer, Mike Barden, creating under the artist name, i minus i!
He’s the perfect guest to show us the bridge to an expanded awareness within the realms of creativity, because he’s experiencing it first hand.
Our conversation was so full and rich that we’ve chosen to deliver it to your ears, minds and hearts in two parts!

Mike is super gifted musically, his technical musicianship is off the charts (he studied music theory and jazz piano and went on to get his masters degree in composition, he records and produces his own & other musicians music, he’s played with many well known bands and has worked with some legendary greats. (For Mike’s full professional bio, scroll below)

Part 2 is jam-packed with deep insights and palpable pondering … with an in the moment deep dive Inside Creativity music experience from Mike right in the middle of it all!

During Part 2, we talk more about what Mike refers to as Stream of Consciousness Creativity. We’ll get to hear all about Mike’s latest improvisational composition, Emergence (an apt title!), and how it came to be, purely by way of allowing, trusting, and being receptive beyond the context of technical rules and thought/mind constructs. (Emergence is the beautiful track you hear at the beginning and end of both Part 1 & 2.)
I ask Mike what happens during the creative process when his ‘i’ self enters and attempts to distract, judge, doubt or impart feelings of inadequacy or fear of failure when he’s in creation mode … how to accept, embrace and send it all higher.
We talk about being in the moment … trusting … listening … and responding … from the space of Presence.
The difference between thinking and feeling perception and processing gets some attention …
We discuss ego … what it really means … how it can get a bad rap, but can really become our ally with aligned awareness.
It’s not about negating, or bypassing … it’s about merging and integrating!
It’s somewhere around this space where Mike turns the interview table and asks me what ‘i minus i’ means, to me!
We also talk about how the language of music transcends and unites and is exempt to no one.
There’s an extra special listening treat in Part 2! I’ll guide everyone into a calm space of Presence, opening the space for Mike to offer us an in the moment, completely improvised, in the moment, stream of consciousness musical experience.
This is followed by some reflection conversation on the improvisation, leading into a deeper exploration of Presence/Infinit

In this two part episode, I’m so honored to be hosting Atmospheric Instrumental Music Creator Composer, Mike Barden!
He’s the perfect guest to show us the bridge to an expanded awareness within the realms of creativity, because he’s experiencing it first hand.
Our conversation was so full and rich that we’ve chosen to deliver it to your ears, minds and hearts in two parts!

Mike is super gifted musically, his technical musicianship is off the charts (he studied music theory and jazz piano and went on to get his masters degree in composition, he records and produces his own & other musicians music, he’s played with many well known bands and has worked with some legendary greats. (For Mike’s full professional bio, scroll below)

In Part 1, we start at the beginning, with Mike’s early years of discovering his natural ear and curiosity for music, certain charmed experiences that offered confirmation to his path, and how that grew into a lifelong passion and study. Throughout the conversation, Mike returns to his knowing that he’s always felt a leaning toward using his creative force toward something meaningful, that could really make a positive difference to life.
We talk about some pivotal times when Mike started consciously recognizing creativity in flow in his life through his formative and young adult years, building and leading up to the bigger life shifts during 2020 and pandemic times that really amplified Mike’s growing and evolving understanding of creativity as a natural force that’s accessible and available to all of us.
In this segment of Part 1, our conversation reveals what led to Mike’s new creative artist name, i minus i, which for Mike describes his newest musical creation process … but also upholds a way of perceiving and living life for him.
With all of the newness in Mike’s musical creation, we talk about the reality of re-birthing, recreating himself as an artist … allowing vulnerability, calling upon courage, and putting himself out there in all the social streams in a whole new, authentic way.
We talk about BEing the conduit, the channel, and being aware that this is what is happening for him when he creates from this state of Presence.
This conversation is SO powerful. I’m grateful x infinity for Mike’s willingness to explore and expand Inside Creativity with me!

In Part 2 (click here to listen to Part 2), we talk more about what Mike refers to as Stream of Consciousness Creativity. We’ll get to hear all about Mike’s latest improvisational composition, Emergence (an apt title!), and how it came to be, purely by way of allowing, trusting, and being receptive beyond the context of technical rules and thought/mind constructs. (Emergence is the beautiful track you hear at the beginning and end of both Part 1 & 2.)
I ask Mike what happens during the creative process when his ‘i’ self enters and attempts to distract, judge, doubt or impart feelings of inadequacy or fear of failure when he’s in creation mode … how to accept, embrace and send it all higher.
We talk about being in the moment … trusting … listening … and responding … from the space of Presence.
The difference between thinking and feeling perception and processing gets some attention …
W

Get ready for a true magic carpet ride of a conversation! In this episode, I dive deep Inside Creativity with Gina Maray. We talk about the essence of creativity, how it is a natural part of every being, and how it weaves through every aspect, every facet of our lives. 

Gina gets super real with us … we talk about what happens when fear enters the equation as an artist (or in life, in general), we discuss how creativity can help us move through painful times and murky waters, and how allowing creative expression can be a pathway to healing and transformation.

Catch Gina’s responses to my question, “If Creativity had a voice, what would it say to you … to the children … to the world?” Our entire conversation is filled with gems, this part was particularly sparkly! Gina is a wise, loving and exceptionally tapped in Presence.

We talk about Gina’s two life dreams and the journey to their manifestation, and how through twists and turns, bumps and brilliant-becomings, her creative spirit has continued to grow stronger and more vibrant. This is clearly demonstrated in the amazing high vibration paintings she is now in full-force creation mode with. 

Gina shares how these three words: Intention, Attention, and Love are at the heart of every piece she creates. 

Listen in, enjoy our conversation, be sure to check out the gallery of Gina’s work included below, and watch the video about Gina’s Reiki Painting offerings! Brilliant, unique and original. This goddess has her Creative Force ignited!

Follow Gina Maray Art on Facebook or
Contact Gina at ginamarayart@gmail.com

Gina Maray Bio

Gina Maray is all about heart and passion. Through many years on her own spiritual journey, Gina has dedicated her life to courageously following her heart and allowing herself to be guided and driven by her own unique passions. Following her golden thread, Gina has healed and expanded herself, sharing love through such passions as dancing, kirtan, meditation, energy work, drum circles, and painting. She shares her love with the world with her smile, her famous hugs, her guided meditations, her paintings, and even as a certified professional cuddler through cuddlist.com. 

Her background includes a Bachelor’s degree in fine art. Having spent the last thirteen years caring for and homeschooling her three beautiful growing young boys; this mama is now birthing a new form of creation into the world. Gina is letting the creative juices flow through her painting. In her art, she weaves together bold colors, spiritual themes, symbolism, energy work, and the power of intention and attention. With art in the form of energy paintings, she is interweaving energy work and painting together into one experience for her clients. Offering reiki painting sessions where the client receives distance energy work in and through a personalized commissioned painting. 

Fully alive, embodied, full feeling, Gina’s sensitive empathic nature has shaped her ability to creatively engage with the world around her. She is creating powerful pieces of art that wash the viewer and the space in loving energy.