As the first engineer at a pioneering startup specializing in artificial intelligence, John Guiver’s expertise in mathematics and programming laid the groundwork for his technical career. While still working in this field, John began translating the memoirs of survivors of the 1972 Andes flight disaster, which led to the publication of his own book on the subject, entitled To Play the Game.

Writing not only gave John a new creative outlet, but also a profound connection to the stories of resilience and survival that emerged from that tragedy.

John's early career as an engineer and mathematician set the stage for a unique perspective on creativity, one that blends analytical thinking with artistic expression. He recounts how his work in AI during its formative years required not only technical expertise but also a creative mindset to tackle complex problems and innovate within the field.

Visiting the site of the disaster, and translating the memoirs of crash survivors, not only connected him to a profound human experience but also instilled in him the confidence to pursue writing in a more personal and expressive way.

While researching the crash, John discovered a rich tapestry of interconnected lives and shared histories. This theme of community serves as a backdrop for his writing, as he seeks to honour the memories of those who perished while also celebrating the resilience of survivors.

In this episode John also discusses the challenges of finding his voice as a writer and emphasizes the importance of perseverance in the writing process, sharing practical insights into his daily writing habits and how his experiences enriched both his book and his life.

He encourages listeners to boldly pursue their passions, underscoring the importance of storytelling and connection in the creative journey.

Buy Me a Coffee

CreativityFound.co.uk

Instagram: @creativityfoundpodcast
Threads: @creativityfoundpodcast
Facebook: @creativityfoundpodcast and Creativity Found group
YouTube @creativityfoundpodcast

Researched, edited and produced by Claire Waite Brown
Music: Day Trips by Ketsa Undercover / Ketsa Creative Commons License Free Music Archive - Ketsa - Day Trips
Artworks: Emily Portnoi emilyportnoi.co.uk
Photo: Ella Pallet

Book your Podcast Startup Sanity Check here.

Click here to book a 1-to-1 online chat with me to understand more about the Creativity Found Collective, the promotional and networking membership for creative small businesses.

Support the show

Join the Creativity Found Collective here
Subscribe to the Creativity Found mailing list here
Podcast recorded with Riverside and hosted by Buzzsprout

Through art activities given in care homes and community groups, Dementia Arts Trust has been bringing joy to people living with dementia and their carers for nearly a decade.

In this episode, as part of Podcasthon, an initiative to raise awareness for charities worldwide, I chat with trust founders Joanne Robinson and Melissa Haddow about how these art activities build self-esteem, evoke memories and show those living with dementia what they can still accomplish, despite their diagnosis.

Joanne and Melissa share poignant stories, like the emotional moment when a participant recalled cherished memories of her daughters while painting, leaving everyone in tears – the happy kind, of course!

Joanne and Melissa are keen to share how proud they are of their teachers, who are not just art instructors, but empathetic guides who help individuals connect with their pasts, and that the success of these classes is not just in the art created, but in the connections formed and the human spirit revitalized.

Art can have a profound effect on emotional wellbeing, offering experiences that traditional medicine cannot provide, as everyone at Dementia Arts Trust has witnessed time and time again.

Visit Dementia Arts Trust here

Little Art School at creativityfound.co.uk

Join the Creativity Found Collective at creativityfound.co.uk/joinus

Instagram: @creativityfoundpodcast
Facebook: @creativityfoundpodcast and Creativity Found group
YouTube @creativityfoundpodcast
Pinterest: @creativityfound

Researched, edited and produced by Claire Waite Brown
Music: Day Trips by Ketsa Undercover / Ketsa Creative Commons License Free Music Archive - Ketsa - Day Trips
Artworks: Emily Portnoi emilyportnoi.co.uk
Photo: Ella Pallet

Book your Podcast Startup Sanity Check here.

Click here to book a 1-to-1 online chat with me to understand more about the Creativity Found Collective, the promotional and networking membership for creative small businesses.

Support the show

Join the Creativity Found Collective here
Subscribe to the Creativity Found mailing list here
Podcast recorded with Riverside and hosted by Buzzsprout

With a rich background in languages and science, creative pursuits were encouraged during Nancy Dillingham Marks' childhood, but not fully embraced by the young Nancy.

On leaving school Nancy's professional life was dominated by analytical roles, and she excelled in various corporate positions, including at Sony Pictures. What Nancy didn't realize at the time was that her path to success was not only fuelled by her organizational skills, but by intertwining those with creative problem-solving.

A personal and professional shift lead Nancy to explore her mother's enthusiasm for fused glass, which quickly became the creative outlet she had been looking for.

Faced with the closure of her local glass studio, Nancy once again brought her corporate experiences into play as she opened her own studio, Glass Arts Collective.

In this episode Nancy emphasizes the importance of community and support in nurturing creativity, as she reflects on how her friends stepped in to help her teach and grow her business. She is excited to tell me all about her studio's welcoming environment, where novices often arrive feeling uncertain about their creativity, only to leave with newfound confidence and a sense of accomplishment.

Buy Me a Coffee

CreativityFound.co.uk

Instagram: @creativityfoundpodcast
Threads: @creativityfoundpodcast
Facebook: @creativityfoundpodcast and Creativity Found group
YouTube @creativityfoundpodcast

Researched, edited and produced by Claire Waite Brown
Music: Day Trips by Ketsa Undercover / Ketsa Creative Commons License Free Music Archive - Ketsa - Day Trips
Artworks: Emily Portnoi emilyportnoi.co.uk
Photo: Ella Pallet

Book your Podcast Startup Sanity Check here.

Click here to book a 1-to-1 online chat with me to understand more about the Creativity Found Collective, the promotional and networking membership for creative small businesses.

Support the show

Join the Creativity Found Collective here
Subscribe to the Creativity Found mailing list here
Podcast recorded with Riverside and hosted by Buzzsprout