Thinking about launching a social media strategy in 2026 but feeling overwhelmed about where to begin? This episode is your starting point. We sit down with Natalie Micale, a creative branding and marketing strategist, to break down what actually matters when building a social media presence in the year ahead. From clarifying your brand before you post, to choosing the right platforms, to creating content with intention (not burnout).

Natalie shares practical guidance for creatives, entrepreneurs, and small teams who want a strategy that works—not just trends that fade.Whether you’re starting from zero or resetting your approach, this conversation will help you understand how to align your brand voice, visuals, and messaging with your goals, and build a social media strategy designed for longevity in 2026 and beyond.

If you’ve been asking:

• Where do I even start with social media?*
• How do I build a brand people recognize and trust?*
• What should I focus on next year instead of chasing every trend?

This episode will give you clarity, confidence, and a smarter way forward.

Connect with our guest via Instagram @nataliemschultz

Like, share and subscribe! Can't get enough of the Creative Life Podcast? Follow us on social media @thecreativelifepodcastomaha and check out our website www.TheCreativeLifePodcast.com

🎙️ Episode Description — The Creative Life PodcastRecap Episode: “What We Learned From Jerry Banks: Turning Chaos Into Creative Fuel”In this reflective follow-up, Coach Jessica and Dr. Gibbons sit down to unpack their biggest takeaways from their inspiring conversation with author and entrepreneur Jerry Banks.Together, they explore how Jerry’s raw honesty, resilience, and “Internal GPS System” illuminate a powerful truth for every creator:Your hardest moments can become the most transformative chapters of your story.In this episode, Coach Jessica and Dr. Gibbons dive into:

✨ Why owning your story—especially the messy parts—unlocks creative freedom

✨ How life pivots can sharpen your voice, your purpose, and your craft

✨ The role of discipline and resilience in sustaining a creative life

✨ Practical ways to turn pain into perspective, and perspective into art

✨ What it really means to “smile” through the sh*t life throws at youWhether you’re a writer, artist, entrepreneur, or storyteller ready to channel your lived experiences into meaningful creative work, this recap brings clarity, depth, and direction.

This episode is your permission slip to keep going—and keep creating—no matter where you are in your journey.

#CreativeLifePodcast #EpisodeRecap #ShareYourStory #CreativeJourney #LifePivot #InspiredLiving #MindsetShift #Resilience #StorytellersOfInstagram #WriteYourTruth #CreativeMindset #TransformationStory #JerryGBanks #EatShitAndSmile #PowerOfThePivot #PersonalGrowthJourney #CreativesOfInstagram #InspirationPodcast #RiseAgain #LifeReinvented #HealingJourney #TurningPainIntoPurpose #PodcastLife #ListenAndLearn

Content Warning / Listener Discretion Advised

This episode discusses sensitive topics related to suicide and mental health. While the conversation is intended to inform and foster understanding, it may be difficult or triggering for some listeners. Please take care of yourself and consider skipping this episode if you need to.

If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available:

• United States: 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline — Call or text 988, or chat at https://988lifeline.org Available 24/7, free and confidential.
• United Kingdom & ROI: Samaritans — Call 116 123 or visit https://www.samaritans.org
• Canada: Talk Suicide Canada — Call 1-833-456-4566 or visit https://talksuicide.ca
• Australia: Lifeline Australia — Call 13 11 14 or visit https://www.lifeline.org.au
• International: Find a local helpline at https://findahelpline.com

You are not alone, and support is always available.

In this episode of The Creative Life Podcast, we sit down with author, storyteller, and entrepreneur Jerry G. Banks, whose book Eat Sh*t & Smile unpacks the messy, unfiltered reality of personal reinvention. Jerry’s journey—from near-bankruptcy and single parenthood to becoming a successful real estate leader—reads like the kind of character arc every creator longs to capture on the page… except it’s all real.

If you’re a storyteller searching for the courage to tell your truth, this conversation is your invitation.

Jerry walks us through his self-developed Internal GPS System, the framework that helped him navigate chaos and redirect his life with intention. Built on five creative and mindset-driven pillars—Dreaming, Decision, Determination, Discipline, and Resilience—it’s a system anyone can use, especially those building narratives from their own lived experiences.

Together, we explore:

🎙️ How to transform painful pivots into powerful stories

🎙️ Why creative breakthroughs often stem from life breakdowns

🎙️ How to own your narrative—even when it feels unfinished

🎙️ The art of reframing setbacks as creative opportunities

🎙️ How radical honesty can unlock your voice and your vision

Jerry shares candid moments of loss, fear, reinvention, and triumph—offering not just inspiration, but practical tools for turning your life’s hardest chapters into stories worth telling.

If you’re in the middle of a shift, a reinvention, or a creative reckoning, this episode will remind you that your story isn’t over—and your next pivot might be the beginning of your most meaningful work yet.

Learn more about Jerry's journey: https://jerrygbanks.com/

Follow us on Instagram @TheCreativeLifePodcast.

Check out our website: www.thecreativelifepodcast.com