Keep the Flow is the weekly podcast that looks under the hood of the creative process to keep your creative engine humming.
Hosted by Scott McLemore, a drummer and composer living way up north in Iceland. He has been involved in various creative pursuits including working in graphic design and writing about creativity. In this podcast he to shares what he has learned along the way.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Keep the Flow is the weekly podcast that looks under the hood of the creative process to keep your creative engine humming.
Hosted by Scott McLemore, a drummer and composer living way up north in Iceland. He has been involved in various creative pursuits including working in graphic design and writing about creativity. In this podcast he to shares what he has learned along the way.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
This is a special, short episode about how creative people process loss and can move on without ignoring or pushing feelings of sorrow away.
Bittersweet by Susan Cain: https://amzn.to/3WwMmar
Inspired by the loss of my mother, I felt compelled to make this episode as a way to allow those feelings to come into my work and guide me forward.
I forgot to mention that there are many kinds of loss beyond losing a loved one. The loss of a pet, the end of a relationship, the loss of a job — any of these experiences require grieving and can upend your creative practice.
Already I can see I will need to make a follow up to this episode. It was much too short anyway, but it was all I could handle right now.
Join me on Patreon:
https://patreon.com/scottmclemore
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
What if the creative work that "doesn't matter" is actually the key to unlocking your most important breakthroughs?
Grab a FREE copy of my ebook: https://payhip.com/b/RIqQx
After 35 years as a professional musician, some of my biggest creative breakthroughs came from projects I almost threw away.
In this episode, I'm sharing why thinking smaller—not bigger—might be the secret to unlocking your best work. I'll reveal the psychological tricks that make starting effortless, why side quests often become more valuable than your main work, and how tiny constraints can actually sharpen your creativity.
If you've ever felt paralyzed by the pressure to create something important, this one's for you.
The waitlist is open for my upcoming course Creative Resilience:
https://ktfpod.com/creative-resilience/crwaitlist.html
I'm so glad you tuned in to Keep the Flow my (hopefully) weekly podcast that looks under the hood of the creative process. The podcast finally has its own website — with merch even!
https://ktfpod.com
Check out my music: https://scottmclemore.bandcamp.com/
Follow for free on Patreon: https://patreon.com/scottmclemore
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
What if the only permission you’ve ever needed for your creative work was your own?
The waitlist is open for my upcoming course Creative Resilience:
https://ktfpod.com/creative-resilience/crwaitlist.html
Grab a FREE copy of my ebook: https://payhip.com/b/RIqQx
I spent years waiting to be “picked” — for bands, auditions, and even summer gigs. In this episode, I share my own story of setbacks, the shift that helped me move forward, and how you can stop waiting for permission and start creating on your own terms.
I'm so glad you tuned in to Keep the Flow my (hopefully) weekly podcast that looks under the hood of the creative process. The podcast finally has its own website — with merch even!
https://ktfpod.com
Check out my music: https://scottmclemore.bandcamp.com/
Follow for free on Patreon: https://patreon.com/scottmclemore
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Grab a FREE copy of the Wayfinder PDF: https://payhip.com/b/01Adw
I thought I was leaving music behind when I moved from NYC to Iceland to start a design firm—but life had other plans. Here's the 4-part framework I developed to navigate back to your creative path when everything feels derailed.
Keep the Flow with Scott McLemore is a weekly podcast that looks under the hood of the creative process.
https://ktfpod.com
Follow me for free on Patreon: https://patreon.com/scottmclemore
Here's my music: https://scottmclemore.bandcamp.com
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
If your creative life feels like you’re driving in circles, this is the episode that shows you exactly how to find the exit.
Follow me for free on Patreon: https://patreon.com/scottmclemore
In this follow-up to my most popular episode, I dig into how to actually break free from the “creative roundabout.” I share my own turning points, the discomfort of saying no, and three practical steps to close the gap between knowing and doing—so you can get unstuck and move toward your next creative level.
Sign up for The Interval, my free newsletter for inspiration in your inbox: https://subscribe.scottmclemore.com
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Discover how building your own attention map can help you stay focused, unlock flow, and navigate creative distractions with clarity.
Sign up for The Interval, my free newsletter for inspiration in your inbox: https://subscribe.scottmclemore.com
In this episode, I explore how the concept of "attention maps" — inspired by self-driving cars and advice my dad gave me when I first learned to drive — can help us navigate the creative process. Just like learning to rely on peripheral vision while driving, creative flow requires us to manage distractions while staying focused on what really matters. I talk about how we build our personal attention maps over time, how they shape our style, and how to keep momentum when doubts and detours arise.
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Follow me on Patreon for free: https://patreon.com/scottmclemore
Music: https://scottmclemore.bandcamp.com
https://scottmclemore.com
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Discover why true creative success isn't about numbers or popularity, but planting seeds that grow into unexpected forests of opportunity and connection.
Sign up for The Interval for free inspiration in your inbox. https://subscribe.scottmclemore.com
In this episode of Keep the Flow, I explore the complicated relationship we creatives have with success. I share my personal journey through disappointing album releases, unexpected connections that changed my career, and why I've come to see my creative work as planting seeds rather than chasing metrics. If you've ever felt discouraged when your passion project didn't get the reception it deserved, this episode offers a fresh perspective on how creative success unfolds over time in ways we can't always predict. I challenge you to revisit a project that didn't initially succeed and see what new growth might be possible.
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To follow me on Patreon for free: https://patreon.com/scottmclemore
Listen to my music: https://scottmclemore.bandcamp.com
Check out my new website: https://scottmclemore.com
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
If you're a creative person feeling stuck, these 5 mistakes might be the reason your work isn’t getting the traction it deserves.
YouTube version: https://youtu.be/ygvR3B_i_i0
Sign up for The Interval for free inspiration in your inbox. https://subscribe.scottmclemore.com
In this episode, I’m talking about five common mistakes that creative people—myself included—tend to make. From hiding our work out of fear to tying our self-worth to the results, these are the habits that can quietly sabotage our growth. I share some personal stories and hard-earned lessons in hopes that they’ll help you stay connected to the creative process and, as always, keep the flow.
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To follow me on Patreon for free: https://patreon.com/scottmclemore
Listen to my music: https://scottmclemore.bandcamp.com
Check out my new website: https://scottmclemore.com
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Discover the four essential habits of disciplined creatives that transformed my daily workflow, including preparation techniques, morning rituals, procrastination management strategies, and deep work practices that consistently unlock creative flow and boost productivity.
Sign up for The Interval for free inspiration in your inbox. https://subscribe.scottmclemore.com
In this episode, I explore how discipline is actually the key that unlocks consistent creativity, not its enemy. Drawing inspiration from psychologist Nick Wignall, I share four powerful habits that transformed my creative practice: preparing your creative runway the day before, establishing a consistent warm-up ritual, changing your relationship with procrastination, and quarantining busywork.
These simple practices work with your psychology rather than against it, making it easier to do the creative work you want to do.
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To follow me on Patreon for free: https://patreon.com/scottmclemore
Listen to my music: https://scottmclemore.bandcamp.com
Check out my new website: https://scottmclemore.com
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Sign up for The Interval for free inspiration in your inbox. https://subscribe.scottmclemore.com
Tired of staring at a blank page? In this episode, we explore the counterintuitive truth that unlimited freedom might be your creativity's worst enemy.
I break down how constraints—whether it's a tight deadline, limited tools, or self-imposed boundaries—actually spark innovation rather than stifle it.
From Shakespeare's quarantine masterpieces to Spielberg's broken shark, history shows us that limitations breed brilliance. Learn three practical strategies to harness the power of constraints and transform creative paralysis into focused productivity.
Stop waiting for perfect conditions and discover why the frame around your work might be more valuable than the endless canvas you've been dreaming of.
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To follow me on Patreon for free: https://patreon.com/scottmclemore
Listen to my music: https://scottmclemore.bandcamp.com
Take a gander at my new website: https://scottmclemore.com
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Sign up for The Interval for free inspiration in your inbox. https://subscribe.scottmclemore.com
I used to think that quitting social media would destroy my career as a musician and podcaster—but the opposite happened. I didn’t vanish; I started feeling more visible to the people who actually care about my work.
In this episode of Keep the Flow, I talk about how you can build a fulfilling and sustainable creative life without chasing followers or feeding the algorithm. I share why I stepped away from traditional social platforms, how I replaced them with more meaningful tools like newsletters, websites, and direct community engagement, and why real connection—online or off—is worth more than a thousand likes.
This isn’t about convincing anyone to quit, but if you’re curious… maybe you can.
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https://hostinger.com?REFERRALCODE=KEEPTHEFLOW
Mood Machine by Liz Pelly: https://amzn.to/3GqA5PP
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To follow me on Patreon for free: https://patreon.com/scottmclemore
Listen to my music: https://scottmclemore.bandcamp.com
Check out my new website: https://scottmclemore.com
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
This week on Keep the Flow, I share a recent experience when I felt completely unmotivated on what should have been a productive day.
Instead of forcing myself to work through creative blocks, I discovered that taking pressure off by watching a movie unexpectedly led to one of my best drum practice sessions.
I explore the science behind why our brains need this balance between focus and relaxation, share strategies I've developed for working with low-energy days, and explain how this connects to the "enjoyment-based productivity" concept from Ali Abdaal's book.
Despite increasing my creative output by 700% through systems, fluctuations are normal and sometimes the most productive thing we can do is stop trying to be productive.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
As a musician and creative professional, I discovered that waiting for inspiration is the enemy of creativity.
By committing to a structured approach – setting aside dedicated time, documenting my process through Patreon, and removing the pressure of perfect output – I transformed my creative practice. Instead of treating inspiration as a rare, mystical force, I realized it's a skill that can be cultivated through consistent engagement.
This shift allowed me to move from sporadic creative bursts to a reliable workflow, ultimately leading to two album releases and a fundamentally different relationship with my art.
My message is simple: creativity isn't about waiting to be chosen, it's about showing up and creating space for ideas to emerge.
Grab my new ebook: https://shop.scottmclemore.com
To follow me on Patreon for free: https://patreon.com/scottmclemore
Listen to my music: https://scottmclemore.bandcamp.com
Check my website: https://scottmclemore.com
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In this episode of Keep the Flow, I dive into the tangled relationship between creativity and perfectionism.
From personal stories of wrestling with unfinished compositions to insights from artists like Bill Frisell and research on "perfectionistic strivings," I explore the fine line between pushing for excellence and getting stuck in self-doubt. Whether you’re chasing creative flow or learning to let go, this episode is a reminder that sometimes 90% is good enough — and that progress beats perfection every time.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Grab my new eBook, Necessarily Creative: https://shop.scottmclemore.com
Ever feel guilty about falling down a rabbit hole of distractions? In this episode of Keep the Flow, I flip the script on curiosity and show how the right kind of "curiosity snacks" can fuel your creativity instead of draining your time.
Inspired by Anne-Laure Le Cunff’s take on mindful exploration, I dive into how creative professionals—especially those who are neurodivergent—can balance focus and discovery. From tweaking your digital environment to hacking YouTube’s algorithm, I share practical ways to turn distractions into creative fuel. Because sometimes, wasting time the right way is the most productive thing you can do.
Also mentioned in this episode: Simon Sinek, Jacob Collier, Andy J. Pizza and Chris Piascik
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Keep the Flow is a weekly podcast hosted by Scott McLemore that looks under the hood of the creative process to keep our creative engines humming.
I also have a free newsletter called The Interval which is a weekly run-down of inspiration and updates.
Join here: https://subscribe.scottmclemore.com
If you'd like to get early access to podcast episodes as well as bonus material (like a free download of my eBook)...
become one of my Patreon peeps:
https://patreon.com/scottmclemore
😎 ABOUT ME:
Hi. I'm Scott McLemore, a drummer and composer living way up north in Iceland. In addition to my career in music, I've been involved in creative pursuits such as working in graphic design and writing about creativity.
https://scottmclemore.com
You can listen to my music here: https://scottmclemore.bandcamp.com
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Grab my new eBook, Necessarily Creative: https://shop.scottmclemore.com
In this episode, I explore how creative people can boost both productivity and happiness by embracing Ali Abdaal’s book Feel Good Productivity. We break down the three energizers—Play, Power, and People—and see how they can help us work smarter, enjoy the process, and stay connected.
I also share my own approach to gamifying tasks I usually avoid (like booking gigs) and why confidence, agency, and collaboration are essential for any creative. If you’ve ever struggled with creative burnout or self-doubt, this episode offers practical ways to shift your mindset and keep the flow going.
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Keep the Flow is a weekly podcast hosted by Scott McLemore that looks under the hood of the creative process to keep our creative engines humming.
I also have a free newsletter called The Interval which is a weekly run-down of inspiration and updates.
Join here: https://subscribe.scottmclemore.com
If you'd like to get early access to podcast episodes as well as bonus material (like a free download of my eBook)...
become one of my Patreon peeps:
https://patreon.com/scottmclemore
😎 ABOUT ME:
Hi. I'm Scott McLemore, a drummer and composer living way up north in Iceland. In addition to my career in music, I've been involved in creative pursuits such as working in graphic design and writing about creativity.
You can listen to my music here: https://scottmclemore.bandcamp.com
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
What a thrill to be able to chat with the incredible illustrator Chris Piascik on the latest episode of Keep the Flow!
We get into his background in graphic design, the importance of creating what you like and being intentional with your work.
YouTube: https://youtu.be/nIu6sYOPOZA
Keep the Flow is a weekly podcast hosted by Scott McLemore that looks under the hood of the creative process to keep our creative engines humming.
You might like my newsletter called The Interval which is a weekly run-down of inspiration and updates.
Join here: https://subscribe.scottmclemore.com
If you'd like to get early access to podcast episodes as well as bonus material (like a free download of my eBook)...
become one of my Patreon peeps:
https://patreon.com/scottmclemore
😎 ABOUT ME:
Hi. I'm Scott McLemore, a drummer and composer living way up north in Iceland. I make Keep the Flow every week that look under the hood of the creative process to keep our creative engines humming.
You can listen to my music here: https://scottmclemore.bandcamp.com
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Grab my new eBook, Necessarily Creative: https://book.scottmclemore.com
How to Work Your Inspiration Muscle...
- and stop taking things for granted
As we get older, things that used to blow our minds become... unremarkable.
But can we take steps to exercise our inspiration muscle and learn to notice more?
I'm so glad you asked!
That's exactly what I get into in this episode with 3 ways to stop taking things for granted and tune into the world again.
_____________________
Keep the Flow is a weekly podcast hosted by Scott McLemore that looks under the hood of the creative process to keep our creative engines humming.
You might like my newsletter called The Interval which is a weekly run-down of inspiration and updates.
Join here: https://subscribe.scottmclemore.com
If you'd like to get early access to podcast episodes as well as bonus material (like a free download of my eBook)...
become one of my Patreon peeps:
https://patreon.com/scottmclemore
😎 ABOUT ME:
Hi. I'm Scott McLemore, a drummer and composer living way up north in Iceland. I make Keep the Flow every week that look under the hood of the creative process to keep our creative engines humming.
You can listen to my music here: https://scottmclemore.bandcamp.com
#creativecareer #creativity #productivity
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Grab my new eBook, Necessarily Creative: https://book.scottmclemore.com
Stop Asking the Wrong Questions
In this episode of "Keep the Flow," I dive into the common struggle many creatives face: the tendency to ask ourselves the wrong questions. If you've ever found yourself trapped in a cycle of self-doubt and negativity, you're not alone – I've been there too. As a musician and creative professional, I understand how easy it is to fixate on perceived shortcomings, but I've learned that true growth comes from shifting our focus to the work itself. Instead of questioning why we're not better, we should be asking what we can create next or how we can approach our challenges differently.
Keep the Flow is a weekly podcast hosted by Scott McLemore that looks under the hood of the creative process to keep our creative engines humming.
You might like my newsletter called The Interval which is a weekly run-down of inspiration and updates.
Join here: https://subscribe.scottmclemore.com
If you'd like to get early access to podcast episodes as well as bonus material (like a free download of my eBook)...
become one of my Patreon peeps:
https://patreon.com/scottmclemore
😎 ABOUT ME:
Hi. I'm Scott McLemore, a drummer and composer living way up north in Iceland. I make Keep the Flow every week that look under the hood of the creative process to keep our creative engines humming.
You can listen to my music here: https://scottmclemore.bandcamp.com
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Grab my new eBook, Necessarily Creative: https://book.scottmclemore.com
Why You Need to Make Your Story Part of Your Creative Work
When we tell our own story it has multiple benefits. It allows people to connect with our work. It gives us an opportunity to communicate facets of ourself that can be therapeutic and provides us with a vehicle to understand ourselves.
Keep the Flow is a weekly podcast hosted by Scott McLemore that looks under the hood of the creative process to keep our creative engines humming.
You might like my newsletter called The Interval which is a weekly run-down of inspiration and updates.
Join here: https://subscribe.scottmclemore.com
If you'd like to get early access to podcast episodes as well as bonus material (like a free download of my eBook)...
become one of my Patreon peeps:
https://patreon.com/scottmclemore
😎 ABOUT ME:
Hi. I'm Scott McLemore, a drummer and composer living way up north in Iceland. I make Keep the Flow every week that look under the hood of the creative process to keep our creative engines humming.
You can listen to my music here: https://scottmclemore.bandcamp.com
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.