Kim Wildszewski, an ordained minister and grief poet, discusses her creative process and the power of poetry in expressing grief. She shares how she started writing poetry as a response to the acute grief she experienced after the sudden death of her son. Kim explores the unique qualities of poetry that allow for a more honest and concise expression of grief. She also talks about the challenges and rewards of sharing her poetry with others and the connections it has fostered.

For more about Kim and her writing go to her Substack.

For the books mentioned in the podcast, check out this site.

To get creative support (and support the pod) check out Patreon.

Follow the pod on instagram.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Kim Wildszewski

01:09 Kim's Creative Process and the Concept of Grief Poetry

06:56 The Power of Poetry in Expressing Emotions

08:56 The Tension Between Structure and Vulnerability in Poetry

11:11 Naming and Sharing Grief Poetry

14:35 Navigating the Process of Sharing Poetry

21:12 The Influence of Time on Writing and Creativity

23:40 Kim's Writing Process and the Role of Revision

30:48 The Desire for Recognition and the Fear of Sillyness

37:21 Connecting with Others through Grief Poetry

45:29 Creativity as a Spiritual Practice

48:27 Conclusion and Call to Action

Summary

Jackie Vitale, the chef at the Ucross Artist Residency, discusses her creative process in cooking and how she creates feelings of care and nourishment through food. She shares her background in the arts and how her love for food developed from her Italian-American family and their emphasis on family dinners. Jackie talks about her journey to becoming a chef and how she landed her current job at Ucross. She also discusses her process for creating meals at the residency, including her monthly cuisine schedule and her crowd-sourced feast nights. Jackie emphasizes the importance of visual presentation in cooking and the balance between technical skills and creativity. She also shares her love for immersive theater and the influence of food experiences on her cooking.

For more information about Ucross and to apply, check out their website.

For the books mentioned in the podcast, check out this site.

To get creative support (and support the pod) check out Patreon.

Follow the pod on instagram.

Takeaways

Food can create feelings of care and nourishment, and cooking is a way to express love and connection.

Experimentation and trial and error are key to developing a cooking practice.

Balance technical skills with creativity in the kitchen.

Visual presentation is important in cooking, and diversity in flavors and textures enhances the dining experience.

Supporting local food producers and focusing on seasonality can lead to better-tasting and more sustainable meals.

Failure is a part of cooking, but it's an opportunity to learn and improve.

The creative process in cooking is similar to other crafts, with planning and execution.

Food experiences, both extravagant and simple, can have a lasting impact on our memories and appreciation for food.

Cooking can be a way to express care and nourishment in other areas of life.

Engaging in immersive theater and other art forms can inspire creativity in cooking.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background

02:00 Creating Feelings of Care and Nourishment Through Food

05:42 Balancing Technical Skills and Creativity in the Kitchen

08:33 Meal Planning and Cuisine Schedule

11:47 The Importance of Visual Presentation in Cooking

14:12 Cooking from Recipes and Allowing for Creativity

21:44 Finding Inspiration and Creating Interactive Experiences

25:58 The Process and Daily Routine of a Chef

27:26 The Craft of Cooking and Dealing with Failure

30:44 The Impact of Food Experiences on Our Appreciation for Food

35:26 Expressing Care and Nourishment in Other Areas of Life

38:19 Finding Inspiration in Immersive Theater for Cooking

Chandler Baker started writing as a child and transitioned into writing novels and screenplays as an adult.

Themes in Chandler's work include the challenges faced by working women and the expectations placed on mothers.

Chandler's writing process involves brainstorming ideas, writing without strict outlines, and embracing the commercial aspects of writing.

She finds inspiration and fills her creative well through reading, podcasts, and other forms of art.

Creativity has had a positive impact on Chandler's life, but it can also be all-consuming and require balance.

For more about Chandler check out her website and instagram.

For Chandler's books and others mentioned in the podcast, check out this site.

To get creative support (and support the pod) check out Patreon.

Follow the pod on instagram.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background

02:00 Early Creative Endeavors

07:02 Chasing Validation and Pursuing Writing

13:58 Themes of Working Women and Motherhood

23:20 Daily Routine and Writing in Small Pockets of Time

28:25 Juggling Administrative Tasks and Creativity

32:09 The Impact of Creativity on Life

35:19 Influential Books and Art

39:31 The Connection Between Creativity and Attention