In this conversation, Dimitra speaks with Evgenia and Maria, the co-founders of The Community Club, about how their shared vision for connection and creativity gave rise to a unique social initiative. They explore how art-making in a group setting can provide emotional relief, foster authentic expression, and cultivate a deeper sense of community. The discussion highlights the value of process over perfection and the unexpected emotional benefits that arise when people are simply given the space to create. Their story offers a compelling look at how creativity, when combined with thoughtful design and human warmth, can become a vehicle for personal and collective transformation.

In this wellness-focused episode of Creative Diaries, Theodora—a wellness coach with a background in yoga, Pilates, and nutrition—shares practical tools for building habits that support both body and mind. She breaks down why morning routines matter, how to create a calming wellness space at home, the impact of diet on clarity and energy, and why movement is essential for creatives. Her biggest message? Wellness isn’t something separate from your creative life—it’s woven into everything you do. The key is making it easy, joyful, and consistent.

In this conversation, Dimitra and Melissa explore the journey from creative overwhelm to confident teaching. Melissa shares how she overcame her fear of learning digital tools like Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop, moving from traditional art to surface design and ultimately into mentorship. Through patience, persistence, and an open heart, she transformed her struggles into a valuable resource for fellow creatives. This episode highlights the importance of learning at your own pace, finding clarity around your creative goals, and embracing the courage to teach—even before you feel “ready.”

In this conversation, Dimitra and Andrew explore the transformative power of mentorship, discipline, and continuous learning. Andrew shares how his commitment to personal development—through structured mentorship, daily habits, and reading—has profoundly impacted his creativity, leadership, and mindset. They discuss how mentorship accelerates growth by offering clarity, accountability, and real-world insight. Andrew also emphasizes the importance of doing hard things consistently to build self-confidence and resilience, both in business and life. This episode offers practical wisdom for creatives and entrepreneurs seeking to level up their mindset, routine, and professional journey.

In this conversation, Dimitra and Nafsika explore the emotional, personal, and professional journey of pivoting from architecture to limited-edition prints. Nafsika shares how her artistic path began as a side project—creating Christmas cards for clients—and slowly evolved into a more intentional form of expression. They discuss the contrast between structured, client-driven design work and the vulnerability of creating personal art, touching on discipline, self-doubt, and the courage required to take creative risks. This episode reveals the internal shifts needed to redefine success and carve out space for personal vision amidst professional obligations.

In this conversation, Dimitra and Christiana dive into the role of intuition in creativity and how trusting one's instincts can lead to more authentic and fulfilling work. Christiana shares her journey from digital textile design in London to founding a hands-on natural dye studio in Athens. Through her experiences with slow design, teaching, and embracing mistakes in handmade processes, she emphasizes how intuition, play, and imperfection can shape both creative expression and business. The discussion explores how mistakes can become opportunities, why collaboration is essential, and how sustainable, intentional choices can align creative work with personal values. Takeaways Intuition is a guiding force in both creative expression and business decisions. Mistakes are part of the process and can lead to unexpected beauty in handmade work. Embracing natural materials and slow design invites more meaningful creation. Creative paths often evolve organically through openness to opportunity. Collaboration—especially with clients—can enhance both the process and the final result. Transparency and sharing the process builds stronger audience connection. The unpredictability of natural dyes teaches flexibility and trust in the process. Community and a positive work environment foster better creative outcomes. Tradition and innovation can coexist in contemporary design. Sharing knowledge through workshops and social media supports sustainable education.   Useful Links to Christiana's work Christiana's Instagram Christiana's website Christiana's Story  More about this episode on Creative Diaries  Looking for More Support for Your Creative Journey 💡Mastering the Creative Mindset – free guide 📚Explore more resources   More About Creative Diaries 📤 Know someone who needs to hear this? Forward this episode to a creative friend! 💬 Enjoyed this episode?Your feedback means the world! If you loved what you heard, please take a moment to:→ Leave a review on Apple Podcasts→ Give a star rating on SpotifyIt helps other creatives find the show — and it keeps the conversations going.  🎙 Want to be a guest on Creative Diaries? Come stay Hi! 📷 Come say hi on Instagram and tag me with your takeaways: @tzanos 😎 More About Dimitra Tzanos  

In this enlightening conversation, Zorica Obradovic discusses the nature of limiting beliefs, their origins, and their profound impact on creativity and personal growth. She emphasizes the importance of understanding these beliefs, how they are formed through childhood experiences, societal standards, and even ancestral influences. Zorica provides practical steps for identifying and overcoming these beliefs, encouraging listeners to embrace their creative nature and recognize their role as co-creators in life. The discussion culminates in the significance of intuition and self-acceptance as tools for empowerment and fulfillment.

In this conversation, Kourtni Gunn shares her journey as an artist, discussing the challenges of self-doubt, the impact of social media on creativity, and the importance of celebrating personal achievements. She emphasizes the need for self-acceptance and the understanding that every artist faces their own struggles, including imposter syndrome. Kourtni also highlights the significance of community support and the value of pushing oneself outside of comfort zones to grow creatively.

In this conversation, Dimitra and Jillian explore the theme of rejection in the creative industry, discussing how to navigate it with resilience and a positive mindset. They delve into personal experiences with rejection, the importance of understanding it as part of the creative process, and strategies for finding one’s ideal client. The discussion emphasizes the significance of mindset shifts, the role of trends in creativity, and the necessity of follow-up in the pitching process. Jillian shares her journey of turning rejection into motivation and the importance of continuous improvement in one’s work.

In this conversation, Dimitra and Lauren discuss the pervasive issue of the comparison trap among creatives. They explore how comparison can lead to self-doubt and hinder creativity, while also sharing personal experiences and strategies to overcome these feelings. The discussion emphasizes the importance of reframing comparison as a source of inspiration rather than a measure of inadequacy. Practical tips for maintaining mental space and finding balance in the creative process are also provided, making this a valuable resource for anyone struggling with comparison in their artistic journey.

In this first episode of Creative Diaries, we explore imperfect beginnings—why starting before you’re ready is essential for growth. I share my own journey of launching this podcast, the fears I faced, and strategies to move past perfectionism, fear, and self-doubt. If you’ve been waiting for the ’perfect’ moment, this episode is for you!

Welcome to Creative Diaries, the podcast that explores the human side of creativity. I'm Dimitra Tzanos, a designer and creative passionate about uncovering the real stories behind the creative journey—the highs, the lows, and everything in between. I started this podcast to create a space for honest and inspiring conversations about creativity. It's not just about the polished end results we see, but the raw, messy process that brings those ideas to life. Each week, we’ll dive into topics like mindset, the creative process, personal branding and marketing, and even how emerging tools like AI are reshaping the way we work. Through conversations with designers, artists, storytellers, and dreamers, we’ll uncover the moments that shaped their paths, the challenges they overcame, the breakthroughs that kept them going, and the lessons they’ve learned along the way. Creative Diaries isn’t just about celebrating creativity—it’s about offering you fresh perspectives, and actionable takeaways to help you grow in your own creative journey. It’s a space to find encouragement, discover new ways to approach challenges, and remind yourself of the power and purpose behind your work. So, whether you're building a creative business, chasing a dream, or simply looking for inspiration, come join me. Let’s navigate this beautifully imperfect creative world together.