In this episode of The Coaching Edge Podcast, co-hosts Dr. Steve Jeffs and Erwin de Grave sit down with prolific author and creativity coach Eric Maisel to explore what really powers a creative life. From his winding path—writer, psychotherapist, and pioneer of creativity coaching—to launching a new international association for creative and performing artists, Maisel shares candid, practical wisdom.
Key themes include:
- Creativity vs. Innovation: Innovation is a subset; creativity is the broader human drive to make meaning.
- The Emotional Landscape: Why exposure, criticism, and questions of “does this matter?” make creative work so vulnerable—and vital.
- Daily Practice as the Antidote: The simplest, most reliable protection against months (or years) of not creating.
- Rekindling Love: Return to the five- or six-year-old self who fell in love with story, image, and music—on purpose.
- Praise and Feedback: “I liked it” doesn’t land. Artists need generous, specific “I loved…” affirmation plus kind, sparing critique.
- Post-Performance Recovery: How adrenaline spikes can fuel addictive patterns, and why creatives need recovery-style rituals after “showtime.”
- Ceremonial Bridges: Shift from the “get it right” daily mind into the “permission to err” creative mind with a repeatable micro-ritual.
- Meaning Left (Not Meaningless): Activities in service of meaning won’t feel meaningful every day—and that’s okay.
Watch the full episode here: https://thecoachingedgepodcast.com/eric-maisel-on-rekindling-creative-love-daily-practice-praise-and-permission-to-err/
