Episodes

  • #13 The Creative Journey; A Rite of Passage?

    #13 The Creative Journey; A Rite of Passage?
    Jul 29 2024
    Making the conscious choice to engage with our creative calling, is for many of us a choice made against the tide of our environment, expectations and societal/cultural norms.

    Claiming space to explore creative expression is an initiation into expanded consciousness. It is often what catalyses the shift from being a consumer (of reality) to a Creator.

    Space in our being for holding different perspectives is perhaps the peak arc of the creative journey, denoting flexibility within the mind; letting go, shedding skin, and the capacity to keep changing our minds (over and over again).

    As within any ecosystem, decay and shedding are essential for new growth and the creative life makes space for the micro and macro cycles of transformation in which nothing is wasted.

    Being able to hang out in uncertainty does not come easy. We are conditioned to hold a fixed perspective as our preference and source of safety. When under pressure do we react or create?

    Perhaps the gift of claiming space to create, is the experience of taking ownership of our thinking process.

    About The Hosts:

    Gemma Kauffman
    Highly Sensitive, Artist, Mama (painter, podcaster). Creative Guide for Introverted, Intuitive, Feeling Types (INF) on their self-reclamation journey. You can see Gemma’s paintings https://www.riseart.com/artist/128610... https://www.gemmakauffman.com/ https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/GemmaKau...

    Angela Levesque
    As a prolific wordsmith, transformational guide and digital wizard, Angela Levesque spends a lot of her time listening to the whispers of the Universe. Translating those whispers into stories, classes, art, insights, and meditations has been her life's work. She is a lover of problem-solving and thinking on her feet. And is always willing to dive off the cliff and learn how to fly on the way down if the creative force beckons. The latest incarnation of her life’s work can be found at https://chaosandlight.com/ or read her Substack at https://substack.com/@chaosandlight

    Music credit: Music Credit: MarbleSpace
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    27 mins
  • #12 Support Your Creative Journey

    #12 Support Your Creative Journey
    Jul 7 2024
    Our Creative Life often doesn't receive the support and attention it deserves. It can feel like we are chasing crumbs of inspiration to keep the sparks from going out. Sometimes we miss out on the deeper conversations that can bridge our everyday lives and the mysteries following our creative callings. It's tough to go it alone. Creating space for accountability and support on the less travelled road was the guiding force for Angela and Gemma teaming up to create the Golden Flower Podcast. We both agree that our deep dive conversations have been a touchstone and catalyst in keeping creative dreams alive and flourishing. Join us as we share personal insights and reflections on the role of trust, willingness, hope and devotion on The Creative Journey.

    “You need to have things that ground you in the things that are important” AL

    About The Hosts:

    Gemma Kauffman
    Highly Sensitive, Artist, Mama (painter, podcaster). Creative Guide for Introverted, Intuitive, Feeling Types (INF) on their self-reclamation journey. You can see Gemma’s paintings https://www.riseart.com/artist/128610... https://www.gemmakauffman.com/ https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/GemmaKau...

    Angela Levesque
    As a prolific wordsmith, transformational guide and digital wizard, Angela Levesque spends a lot of her time listening to the whispers of the Universe. Translating those whispers into stories, classes, art, insights, and meditations has been her life's work. She is a lover of problem-solving and thinking on her feet. And is always willing to dive off the cliff and learn how to fly on the way down if the creative force beckons. The latest incarnation of her life’s work can be found at https://chaosandlight.com/ or read her Substack at https://substack.com/@chaosandlight

    Music credit: Music Credit: MarbleSpace
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    24 mins
  • #11 Is Your Creative Life For Sale?

    #11 Is Your Creative Life For Sale?
    Jun 22 2024
    What’s your intention for your art? Clear intentions beget clear actions. It used to be enough to make art, now we want our art to pay the bills. What happens when our love of the creative process becomes corroded by the expectation of financial reward? Does it still feel good? We know our intentions by the quality of our experience if we are not enjoying our writing, drawing, painting, music making…etc are we asking too much from it?

    In today’s episode, we discuss how goals, desires and intentions may overlap but are distinct from one another. It’s through self-reflective questioning that our true intentions surface. Are we in it for the love or the promise of return? Some people thrive on the art as a commerce model. This episode is for you if you’re feeling bitter, disillusioned and disheartened about your creative journey. It might be time to reset your intentions.

    This weeks Creative Challenge: What do you love? Who do you love? What do you stand for?

    About The Hosts:

    Gemma Kauffman
    Highly Sensitive, Artist, Mama (painter, podcaster). Creative Guide for Introverted, Intuitive, Feeling Types (INF) on their self-reclamation journey. You can see Gemma’s paintings https://www.riseart.com/artist/128610... https://www.gemmakauffman.com/ https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/GemmaKau...

    Angela Levesque
    As a prolific wordsmith, transformational guide and digital wizard, Angela Levesque spends a lot of her time listening to the whispers of the Universe. Translating those whispers into stories, classes, art, insights, and meditations has been her life's work. She is a lover of problem-solving and thinking on her feet. And is always willing to dive off the cliff and learn how to fly on the way down if the creative force beckons. The latest incarnation of her life’s work can be found at https://chaosandlight.com/ or read her Substack at https://substack.com/@chaosandlight

    Music credit: Music Credit: MarbleSpace
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    53 mins
  • #10 The Creative Process and The Role of Self-Trust

    #10 The Creative Process and The Role of Self-Trust
    May 27 2024
    Exploring the Creative Process and the importance of Self Trust. What is your creative process? What are the stages or steps that bring an idea to fruition? A quick Google search will bring up the various 5- 7 step models that describe linear stages of development. How real is this for most creatives?In today’s episode, we share our own creative process (or lack of) and discover what makes a process successful or not. As we talked, the theme of self-trust showed up as the foundation of the individual process. Whether you are comfortable knowing and navigating distinct stages of the creative process or whether you set the conditions up in the hope you can wing it. There will be some things that you do, repeatedly, and that you rely on, over time these things can be described as your individual creative process.As tempting as it might be to imagine a creative process for ourselves- often not much is gained from trying to impose a process on ourselves. Perhaps the creative process can be defined as ‘learning to work with yourself as you are and not as you wish you could be.’Getting to know how we ‘work’ takes time, a process develops as a result of looking for patterns in what we ALREADY DO. Noticing what works and what doesn’t, even if that means having a kind of 'non- process'; because sometimes it helps to hear that lying on the floor listening to music, or intentionally unravelling with a YouTube binge IS part of a process. If it works, it works. Creative Challenge: Listen to music while enjoying a coffee. Doesn’t have to be a coffee if you’re caffeine sensitive, although there is something to be said about a manageable caffeine buzz whilst listening intentionally to music, it is activating. Enjoy!Connect with us on YouTube About The Hosts:Gemma Kauffman Intuitive and introspective, Gemma credits her recent decade of ‘wrestling with complexity’ (aka abstract painting) for connecting her with her deepest desires and for making it through the initiation of maiden to mother. She loves deep conversation and pondering the mysteries of self-expression; which she experiences as a portal or cosmic mirror. Since a spiritual awakening on a volcanic island, Gemma has been following the threads of art life and encouraging others to do the same. Future self? It used to be Kate Bush, Cloudbusting.... these days.. ??? You can see Gemma’s paintings https://www.riseart.com/artist/128610... https://www.gemmakauffman.com/ https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/GemmaKau...Angela Levesque As a prolific wordsmith, transformational guide and digital wizard, Angela Levesque spends a lot of her time listening to the whispers of the Universe. Translating those whispers into stories, classes, art, insights, and meditations has been her life's work. She is a lover of problem-solving and thinking on her feet. And is always willing to dive off the cliff and learn how to fly on the way down if the creative force beckons. The latest incarnation of her life’s work can be found at https://chaosandlight.com/ or read her Substack at https://substack.com/@chaosandlightMusic credit: Music Credit: MarbleSpace
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    46 mins
  • #9 Ways Creatives Trap Ourselves in Our Own Psychology

    #9 Ways Creatives Trap Ourselves in Our Own Psychology
    May 20 2024
    Why do we get stuck in our Creative Life? It’s pretty easy to tie ourselves in knots trying to think our way out of problems. Creative types think a lot, sensitive, intuitive types think even more. In today’s episode, we explore some of the different ways our own thinking (psychology) can hold us back.Ever heard yourself say the sentence “I just need to …(fill the gap) ‘have more time’ ‘ be in the mood’ ‘make more money’ ‘work harder’ ‘do more research’ These kinds of statements masquerade as self-awareness and self-responsibility, when they are in fact a heavy condition weighing us down and preventing us from knowing our next ‘inspired action.’Join us as we talk through more examples of mental traps such as; ‘uprooting’ (self-rejection), ‘surrender’ (active flow or passive procrastination?), 'beliefs' (there is a right way to do something) and more.Creative Challenge. Let us know in the comments what resonates and subscribe for more! This week's Creative Challenge: Part 1) Plant some seeds! What creative ideas are circulating in your system? Set them free with this journaling exercise. Set a timer for 5 minutes and run wild with every suggestion that comes up, it can just be words or feelings, and does not have to be fully formed ideas- it's just a seed! Take your favourite idea and blow it up to it's most expanded vision- just for fun. Part 2) Unconscious agreements audit: Now you’ve got your ideas… “what's stopping you?” What do you (just) need to do? Start this journal exercise (5 mins) with the sentence template: “I just need to…. (fill in the gap) Set the timer for 5 minutes and go for it, start writing. You'll be surprised to find a whole bunch of things that you ‘think’ you need to have or do, before you can move forwards. We all have these non-specific goals clouding our vision- it’s good to know what we unconsciously believe we need. It helps us see things differently and brings us closer to our next inspired action step. If you want to go further; consider taking your findings from both these exercises into a creative coaching session with a trained listener or a friend that listens with the intention to spot non-measurable goals- the fast track for breaking out of mental traps.About The Hosts: Gemma KauffmanIntuitive and introspective, Gemma credits her recent decade of ‘wrestling with complexity’ (aka abstract painting) for connecting her with her deepest desires and for making it through the initiation of maiden to mother. She loves deep conversation and pondering the mysteries of self-expression; which she experiences as a portal or cosmic mirror. Since a spiritual awakening on a volcanic island, Gemma has been following the threads of art life and encouraging others to do the same. Future self? It used to be Kate Bush, Cloudbusting.... these days.. ??? You can see Gemma’s paintings https://www.riseart.com/artist/128610... https://www.gemmakauffman.com/ https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/GemmaKau...Angela LevesqueAs a prolific wordsmith, transformational guide and digital wizard, Angela Levesque spends a lot of her time listening to the whispers of the Universe. Translating those whispers into stories, classes, art, insights, and meditations has been her life's work. She is a lover of problem-solving and thinking on her feet. And is always willing to dive off the cliff and learn how to fly on the way down if the creative force beckons. The latest incarnation of her life’s work can be found at https://chaosandlight.com/ or read her Substack at https://substack.com/@chaosandlightMusic credit: Music Credit: MarbleSpace
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    46 mins
  • #8 Where Am I? Is My Dream Still My Dream?

    #8 Where Am I? Is My Dream Still My Dream?
    Apr 26 2024
    In a society obsessed with identity markers and asking the question ‘Who am I’? We often forget to ask ourselves a more subtle but equally important question - ‘Where am I’? Where am I in relation to my own life trajectory? Do I still want the same things that I once did? It’s often in times of crisis, we recognize the need to locate ourselves as a first step. How we ‘map’ ourselves in these moments impacts the level of self-inquiry. In today’s episode, we discuss the role of Intuitive Creative exercise when it comes to facing up to difficult questions and share our personal experiences. Creative Challenge: For 10 minutes journal on the questions: Is my dream still my dream? It might help to first clarify what your dream is and go from there. Once the timer starts, keep writing until the 10 minutes are complete. #tgfcreativechallengeConnect with us at @goldenflowerpodcast on InstagramTheGoldenFlower youtubeAbout The Hosts:Gemma KauffmanIntensely intuitive, introspective, former wild child Gemma credits her recent decade of ‘wrestling with complexity’ (aka abstract painting) for connecting her with her deepest desires and for making it through the initiation of maiden to mother. She loves deep conversation and pondering the mysteries of self-expression; which she experiences as a portal or cosmic mirror. Since a spiritual awakening on a volcanic island, Gemma has been following the golden threads of art life and encouraging others to do the same. Future self? It used to be Kate Bush, cloudbusting on a hillside, cocooned in brightly painted silk- these days… tbc! A creative coach and meditation teacher, she enjoys family life, off grid, in Portugal. You can see Gemma’s paintings https://www.gemmakauffman.com/ https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/GemmaKau...Angela LevesqueAs a prolific wordsmith, transformational guide and digital wizard, Angela Levesque spends a lot of her time listening to the whispers of the Universe. Translating those whispers into stories, classes, art, insights, and meditations has been her life's work. She is a lover of problem-solving and thinking on her feet. And is always willing to dive off the cliff and learn how to fly on the way down if the creative force beckons. The latest incarnation of her life’s work can be found at https://chaosandlight.com/ or read her Substack at https://substack.com/@chaosandlightMusic credit: Music Credit: MarbleSpace
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    39 mins
  • #7 The Creative Journey | Why Intuition Is So Important

    #7 The Creative Journey | Why Intuition Is So Important
    Apr 2 2024
    Creative expression is an invitation to higher levels of consciousness. But what does the creative journey actually look like? Is there any beginning or end? It seems the most significant moments only make sense in retrospect.In today's episode, Angela and Gemma share some of the most pivotal moments on their individual creative journey. Both describe the intuitive way they have found their path and how each stage brought deep change and transformation into their life.Angela a writer and digital artist tells us how her return to the U.S from Japan was the catalyst for a new stage of her Creative life and how she was called to create moving sacred Geometry as living meditations.Gemma - is an INFP abstract painter- this makes her an intensely intuitive problem solver. She walks us through three very significant stages of her journey that created a foundation for her unique painting approach. What do random starting points, relentless expectations, fierce attention and revelation have to do with a painting process?We hope you hear your own creative journey in our stories and consider where you are and what might be your next step. If you already know how essential your intuition is for navigating your creative journey and you want to strengthen this part of you, then our upcoming free workshop is the perfect next step! (More Info)Our workshop will dive deep into this topic and offer both a powerful experience and tools to help you move forward.Connect with us at @goldenflowerpodcast on InstagramTheGoldenFlower youtube About The Hosts: Gemma Kauffman Intensely intuitive, introspective, former wild child Gemma credits her recent decade of ‘wrestling with complexity’ (aka abstract painting) for connecting her with her deepest desires and for making it through the initiation of maiden to mother. She loves deep conversation and pondering the mysteries of self-expression; which she experiences as a portal or cosmic mirror. Since a spiritual awakening on a volcanic island, Gemma has been following the golden threads of art life and encouraging others to do the same. Future self? It used to be Kate Bush, cloudbusting on a hillside, cocooned in brightly painted silk- these days… tbc! You can see Gemma’s paintings https://www.gemmakauffman.com/ https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/GemmaKau...Angela Levesque As a prolific wordsmith, transformational guide and digital wizard, Angela Levesque spends a lot of her time listening to the whispers of the Universe. Translating those whispers into stories, classes, art, insights, and meditations has been her life's work. She is a lover of problem-solving and thinking on her feet. And is always willing to dive off the cliff and learn how to fly on the way down if the creative force beckons. The latest incarnation of her life’s work can be found at https://chaosandlight.com/ or read her Substack at https://substack.com/@chaosandlightMusic credit: Music Credit: MarbleSpace
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    53 mins
  • #6 Fantasy Life and Why We Need It- Imagination and Collective Dreaming

    #6 Fantasy Life and Why We Need It- Imagination and Collective Dreaming
    Mar 18 2024
    Do we need a Fantasy Life? The images and ideas that emerge from within us, often at odds with reality, are too easy to dismiss. But the inner realm of fantasy shows us our personal mythology, and the archetypes we inhabit.The imagery and symbols of our inner world, have meaning and the capacity to raise our experience above the reductive tyranny of the literal. If we run from our fantasies we miss the alchemical forces that shape us into what we really are. We must find a way to honor the symbolic life internally. No matter how surreal and unrealistic, our fantasies contain codes for our liberation. In this episode, we discuss: Fantasy vs vision Fantasy as an energy generatorSynchronicity and imaginal spacesCollapsing into contractionCreative Challenge Resources: The Uses of Fantasy https://www.cslewisinstitute.org/reso...Creative Challenge : What do you look like as a Cafe? A deceptively simple yet revealing exercise: You have full permission, resources and power to create a coffeeshop/cafe exactly as you want. All the cash you need and you can open a cafe anywhere in the world. Consider- location, operating hours, exterior and interior, menu, clientele, where are you and what are you doing in your cafe? Share with us on Instagram with #tgfcafe #tgfcreativechallenge https://appliedjung.com/your-brand/Connect with us at @goldenflowerpodcast on InstagramTheGoldenFlower youtubeAbout The Hosts:Gemma KauffmanIntensely intuitive, introspective, former wild child Gemma credits her recent decade of ‘wrestling with complexity’ (aka abstract painting) for connecting her with her deepest desires and for making it through the initiation of maiden to mother. She loves deep conversation and pondering the mysteries of self-expression; which she experiences as a portal or cosmic mirror. Since a spiritual awakening on a volcanic island, Gemma has been following the golden threads of art life and encouraging others to do the same. Future self? It used to be Kate Bush, cloudbusting on a hillside, cocooned in brightly painted silk- these days… tbc! A creative coach and meditation teacher, she enjoys family life, off grid, in Portugal. You can see Gemma’s paintings https://www.gemmakauffman.com/ https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/GemmaKau...Angela LevesqueAs a prolific wordsmith, transformational guide and digital wizard, Angela Levesque spends a lot of her time listening to the whispers of the Universe. Translating those whispers into stories, classes, art, insights, and meditations has been her life's work. She is a lover of problem-solving and thinking on her feet. And is always willing to dive off the cliff and learn how to fly on the way down if the creative force beckons. The latest incarnation of her life’s work can be found at https://chaosandlight.com/ or read her Substack at https://substack.com/@chaosandlightMusic credit: Music Credit: MarbleSpace
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    52 mins