The Syncreate Podcast: Empowering Creativity

Olga’s Website: olgalehmann.com

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Episode 127: The Power of Silence with Olga Lehmann, PhD

September 17, 2026

In a world of constant overstimulation, noise, and speed, what is the value of silence and stillness? In this episode, we explore how silence can become a refuge and a source of well-being. We also contemplate the power dynamics of silence, such as when we experience self-silencing or having silence imposed upon us. We also discuss the benefits of poetry and therapeutic writing for working with grief.

Olga Lehmann, PhD, fondly nicknamed “The Silentist,” by colleagues, is a professor of psychology at Oslo New University College (ONH, Norway), and associate professor in counselling at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU, Norway). She is a mental health advocate, educator, psychotherapist and researcher, with a background in humanistic and existential psychology, as well as cultural psychology. Her core academic and personal interests are the intersection between clinical and community interventions, as well as the functions that silence and poetry have in our everyday lives, and how these can be used to promote wellbeing and human values. Her recent publications include Writing Through Bereavement: A Therapeutic Workbook for Grieving Parents (Routledge, 2025), and Silence. The psychology and the craft for emotional wellbeing (Oxford University Press).

For our Creativity Pro-Tip, Olga suggests picking a few daily activities, such as drinking your morning tea or coffee, or brushing your teeth, to practice intentionally slowing down, and see what you notice. Another is what she calls “beauty hunting,” or noticing moments when you experience beauty or peace, and noting them in a journal. This is a wonderful way of cultivating appreciation and gratitude.

Credits: The Syncreate podcast is created and hosted by Melinda Rothouse, and produced at Record ATX studios with in collaboration Michael Osborne and 14th Street Studios in Austin, Texas. Syncreate logo design by Dreux Carpenter.

If you enjoy this episode and want to learn more about the creative process in a variety of contexts, you might also like our conversations in Episode 107: Mindfulness in Life, Work, and Creativity with Hannah Williams, Episode 109: Light and Shadow: The Art of Journaling with Keila Shaheen, and Episode 113: Music Mindfulness and Healing with Dr. AZA Allsop

At Syncreate, we're here to support your creative endeavors. If you have an idea for a project or a new venture, and you’re not sure how to get it off the ground, find us at syncreate.org. Our book, also called Syncreate, walks you through the stages of the creative process so you can take action on your creative goals. We also offer resources, creative process tools, and coaching to help you bring your work to the world. You can find more information on our website, where you can also find all of our podcast episodes. Find and connect with us on social media and YouTube under Syncreate. If you enjoy the show, please subscribe and leave us a review! We’d love to hear your feedback as well, so drop us a line at info@syncreate.org.

Episode-specific hyperlinks:

Olga Lehmann on LinkedIn

Olga’s Instagram Profile

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Episode 126: Creative Spark Series - Compost & Cosmos with Melinda Rothouse & Charlotte Gullick

September 3, 2026

In this installment of our Creative Spark series, Charlotte shares several anecdotes, including the story of a man she met while picking up a load of compost, who told her all about his pet pig, Cosmos. With her superpowers of listening and asking questions, Charlotte has a knack for drawing out people’s stories, which is always a source of creative inspiration. This episode, like the mini-episodes that preceded it, also includes insights from our book, Syncreate: A Guide to Navigating the Creative Process for Individuals, Teams, and Communities.

For our Creativity Pro-Tip, we encourage you to engage with the people you meet in your daily activities–ask questions, get to know them a little bit–and see what possibilities this can open up.

Credits: The Syncreate podcast is created and hosted by Melinda Rothouse, and produced at Record ATX studios with in collaboration Michael Osborne and 14th Street Studios in Austin, Texas. Syncreate logo design by Dreux Carpenter.

If you enjoy this episode and want to learn more about the creative process, you might also like our conversations in Episode 124: Finding Your Story, Episode 106: Creative Confessions, and Episode 98: Creativity and Humor.

At Syncreate, we're here to support your creative endeavors. If you have an idea for a project or a new venture, and you’re not sure how to get it off the ground, find us at syncreate.org. Our book, also called Syncreate, walks you through the stages of the creative process so you can take action on your creative goals. We also offer resources, creative process tools, and coaching to help you bring your work to the world. You can find more information on our website, where you can also find all of our podcast episodes. Find and connect with us on social media and YouTube under Syncreate. If you enjoy the show, please subscribe and leave us a review! We’d love to hear your feedback as well, so drop us a line at info@syncreate.org.

Episode-specific hyperlinks:

Charlotte Gullick’s Website

The Syncreate book by Melinda Rothouse & Charlotte Gullick

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Marco De Molina on Instagram

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Episode 125: Figuring it Out with Film Producer & Creative Entrepreneur Marco De Molina

August 20, 2026

Marco De Molina is Grammy Nominated film producer who has received international acclaim throughout his career at prestigious film festivals worldwide including the Festival de Cannes. He has been recognized for his striking visuals, unique storytelling, a keen eye for developing new talent, and his ability to maximize production value. Marco has produced countless music videos for chart-topping musicians in all genres from metal to pop. He has received numerous nominations and wins at the MTV VMAs, and UKMVAs, including a Grammy Nomination for Best Music Video for LIL NAS X “Montero (Call Me By Your Name.)” He the Co-Founder of SPACEBRAIN Entertainment and One of Us, a prestige spirits platform, both of which he runs with his wife Roza Marchenko. Our conversation traces his journey from aspiring filmmaker to Grammy-nominated producer and creative entrepreneur.

For our Creativity Pro-Tip, Marco suggests cultivating a daily discipline to hone your craft, and warns not to get caught up in other people’s successes, because as his mother once told him, “Excellence has no competition.”

Credits: The Syncreate podcast is created and hosted by Melinda Rothouse, and produced at Record ATX studios with in collaboration Michael Osborne and 14th Street Studios in Austin, Texas. Syncreate logo design by Dreux Carpenter.

If you enjoy this episode and want to learn more about the creative process in a variety of contexts, you might also like our conversations in Episode 21: The Walk of Faith and Courage with Shakespearean Actor Warren "Ren" Jackson, Episode 56: Asking the Questions with Broadway Stereophonic Cast Member Chris Stack, and Episode 119: Jazz Lessons with Musical Mathematician Lawrence Udeigwe, PhD.

At Syncreate, we're here to support your creative endeavors. If you have an idea for a project or a new venture, and you’re not sure how to get it off the ground, find us at syncreate.org. Our book, also called Syncreate, walks you through the stages of the creative process so you can take action on your creative goals. We also offer resources, creative process tools, and coaching to help you bring your work to the world. You can find more information on our website, where you can also find all of our podcast episodes. Find and connect with us on social media and YouTube under Syncreate. If you enjoy the show, please subscribe and leave us a review! We’d love to hear your feedback as well, so drop us a line at info@syncreate.org.

Episode-specific hyperlinks:

SPACEBRAIN Entertainment

One of Us Mezcal

One of Us Mezcal on Instagram

Show / permanent hyperlinks:

Open Audio

Episode 124: Creative Spark Series - Finding Your Story with Melinda Rothouse & Charlotte Gullick

August 6, 2026

Storytelling is a huge part of the creative process, and we all carry many stories within us. In this episode of our Creative Spark Series, we explore how to find the stories in our own life experiences, and how to begin working with them. We also explore the healing power of telling our stories, and how our personal (and sometimes painful) experiences can speak to larger, more universal themes. This episode, like the mini-episodes that preceded it, also includes insights from our book, Syncreate: A Guide to Navigating the Creative Process for Individuals, Teams, and Communities.

For our Creativity Pro-Tip, we encourage you to recall life experiences that still feel a little uncomfortable, “spiky,” or have stuck with you over time, and begin to express them in a creative way to see if you can find a new perspective on them.

Credits: The Syncreate podcast is created and hosted by Melinda Rothouse, and produced at Record ATX studios with in collaboration Michael Osborne and 14th Street Studios in Austin, Texas. Syncreate logo design by Dreux Carpenter.

If you enjoy this episode and want to learn more about the creative process, you might also like our conversations in Episode 122: Sharing Your Creative Self, Episode 118: The Power of Imagination, and Episode 108: Breaking the Glass Ceiling in our Minds.

At Syncreate, we're here to support your creative endeavors. If you have an idea for a project or a new venture, and you’re not sure how to get it off the ground, find us at syncreate.org. Our book, also called Syncreate, walks you through the stages of the creative process so you can take action on your creative goals. We also offer resources, creative process tools, and coaching to help you bring your work to the world. You can find more information on our website, where you can also find all of our podcast episodes. Find and connect with us on social media and YouTube under Syncreate. If you enjoy the show, please subscribe and leave us a review! We’d love to hear your feedback as well, so drop us a line at info@syncreate.org.

Episode-specific hyperlinks:

Carolyn Myss

Charlotte Gullick’s Website

The Syncreate book by Melinda Rothouse & Charlotte Gullick

Show / permanent hyperlinks: