“Sometimes creativity is a place where I hide, especially right now with everything going on in the world. I need that respite.” — Silvia Bifaro

This episode is your invitation to explore creativity through the lens of artistry, honesty, and finding your way back to your creative work. I’m joined by Silvia Bifaro, food photographer, stylist, and teacher whose evocative imagery blends storytelling, soul, and seasonal beauty.

Silvia shares how creativity became both a refuge and a form of expression during early motherhood and personal transitions. We talk about the fantasy world she builds through photography, how her aesthetic reflects her inner life, and why every object she styles has a soul.

She speaks to the physical and emotional demands of creativity: How burnout creeps in, how resistance builds, and how honoring your body’s needs becomes essential to living a creative life. Silvia opens up about rest, seeking help, and why nourishing your body is inseparable from nourishing your work.

In a time when the world can feel heavy, Silvia reminds us that creativity can also be a form of sanctuary. And that creative blocks aren’t failures, they’re signals to slow down, restore, return with intention, and perhaps, a little bit of spoiling yourself.

Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts and Spotify, or on your favorite podcast platform while you cook, clean, or create. Get the full show notes & transcript here.

Leave a comment on Substack or connect with us on Instagram @chefcarlacontreras & @silvia_bifaro to share your takeaway from the episode.

xo Carla

PS: Upgrade to Nourished Creator Studio on Substack for quick-hit micro workshops, BTS Podcast, and simple tools to help you work on your creative dreams now, not someday.

Disclaimer: Always seek the counsel of a qualified medical practitioner or other healthcare provider for an individual consultation before making any significant changes to your health, lifestyle, or to answer questions about specific medical conditions. If you are driving or doing an activity that needs your attention, save the meditation practice for later. This podcast is for entertainment and information purposes only.

“You’ve got to bushwhack through the creative dark, sometimes white-knuckling your way through. But eventually, the clearing shows up.” — Caroline Mays

This episode is your invitation to explore creativity through the lens of identity, friction, and the clearing that follows the dark. I’m joined by Caroline Mays, writer, brand strategist, and founder of Switchblade Lemonade.

Caroline defines creativity as a kind of spark that happens through process of rubbing two sticks together. She shares how her work is rooted in dialogue, deep listening, and helping people love the way their mind works so, they can share it with others.

We talk about tech failures, nervous system overwhelm, and running to reset. We explore her nuanced view on AI, where it helps (spreadsheets) and where it falls flat (writing that lacks soul) and how humor and movement can snap us out of a blocked state.

Caroline reminds us that the creative process is often messy and emotional, and that white-knuckling it can still lead to clarity. She brings honesty, sharp insight, and a fierce sense of creativity to her work.

Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts and Spotify, or on your favorite podcast platform while you cook, clean, or create. Get the full show notes & transcript here.

Leave a comment on Substack or connect with us on LinkedIn Carla Contreras & Caroline Mays to share your takeaway from the episode.

xo Carla

PS: Upgrade to Nourished Creator Studio on Substack for quick-hit micro workshops, BTS Podcast, and simple tools to help you work on your creative dreams now, not someday.

Disclaimer: Always seek the counsel of a qualified medical practitioner or other healthcare provider for an individual consultation before making any significant changes to your health, lifestyle, or to answer questions about specific medical conditions. If you are driving or doing an activity that needs your attention, save the meditation practice for later. This podcast is for entertainment and information purposes only.

“Closing loops creates mental real estate for creativity to grow.” — Jenna Knapp

This episode is your invitation to explore creativity through the lens of space, support, and the subconscious. I’m joined by Jenna Knapp artist, NLP Master Practitioner & Trainer, and founder of Have Cake Creative.

Jenna opens up about how hypnosis, closing loops, and timeline work allow her clients and herself to unlock creative momentum, especially when capacity feels stretched.

She shares how releasing control, receiving support, and working with the subconscious helps creative visions actually come to life. Jenna reminds us that creative blocks are often just signals for space, not signs to stop.

When we nourish ourselves, clear the mental clutter, and connect to future vision, creativity can return with ease. Jenna’s resources + a digital Future Letter Writing Kit are in the show notes, please let us know if you do this!

Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts and Spotify, or on your favorite podcast platform while you cook, clean, or create. Get the full show notes & transcript here.

Leave a comment on Substack or connect with us on Instagram @chefcarlacontreras & @havecakecreative to share your takeaway from the episode.

xo Carla

PS: Upgrade to Nourished Creator Studio on Substack for quick-hit micro workshops, BTS Podcast, and simple tools to help you work on your creative dreams now, not someday.

Disclaimer: Always seek the counsel of a qualified medical practitioner or other healthcare provider for an individual consultation before making any significant changes to your health, lifestyle, or to answer questions about specific medical conditions. If you are driving or doing an activity that needs your attention, save the meditation practice for later. This podcast is for entertainment and information purposes only.