Yes, you read the title right. After almost four years and close to 200 episodes (this is episode 196, to be exact), I’m putting The Creative Sandbox Way™ podcast on hiatus.
I don’t know how long I’ll be shelving the podcast — let’s consider that I’m putting it in the deep freeze, not grinding it up in the garbage disposal, because I certainly want the option of pulling it out again.
But here’s the deal:
Much as I love having recorded conversations and sharing my thinking via audio — and I do — ultimately, I started this podcast (way back in late June 0f 2015, as Live Creative Now) with a business purpose.
It was content marketing, pure and simple—an alternative to blogging. And it’s been great for that.
But over the years my energy has shifted from the Living A Creative Life brand, which helps individuals get creatively unstuck, to my consultancy, Creative Sandbox Solutions™, which helps companies align their teams and culture to become more productive, profitable, and enjoyable places to work.
And though I’ve attempted at times to shift the focus of the podcast to appeal to the corporate audience, it’s felt kind of like trying to move a river. So I basically gave up.
But now I’ve finally come to the conclusion that I only have so much energy for content marketing.
And again, even though I really enjoy having the conversations for the podcast, I’m not passionate enough about it to do it purely for the love of it.
Especially because every episode costs me both in time and in money.
And here’s the thing: my main business focus right now is my consultancy. So that’s where I’ve got to put my content creation energies.
And if I’m really going to change the focus of the podcast to appeal to my corporate audience, I need some distance from it to make that shift. And I don’t even know if a podcast is the right platform to reach the audience I’m trying to reach.
Do they even listen to podcasts? I don’t know!
So for now, I’m putting my content-creation energy in other directions.
For example, I’ve been making videos! Like this one:
(Follow me on LinkedIn to see new videos like this regularly. I also plan to share them on Vimeo, YouTube, creativesandbox.solutions and melissadinwiddie.com.)
Meanwhile, the podcast is going on hiatus.
I’m sad about it. But that’s life. Things change.
The old goes away to make room for the new.
And the good thing is, there’s an archive of almost 200 episodes for you to listen to anytime you want!
So, thank you for listening for almost four years. And thank you for all the emails and comments and encouragement and support I’ve gotten over the years, as I’ve experimented (and frequently stumbled) my way along this podcasting journey. It’s been great fun!
I am looking forward to seeing what the next chapter brings!
Hopefully I’ll see you there!
Before I sign off for the last time (this go ’round)…
Something Cool
This Chemical Is So Hot It Destroys Nerve Endings—In a Good Way: Wired story about a cactus-like plant, native to Morocco, that may help us cut back on opioids and other grenade-like painkillers, thanks to resiniferatoxin.
Want a creative kick start?
Check out my book!
What would change for you if you could totally revel in the joy of creating? You CAN, with The Creative Sandbox Way™!
You’ll learn:
- Melissa’s 10 fool-proof guideposts that have helped thousands get joyfully creating.
- 5 reasons why creative play is good for you, AND for the world (it’s neuroscience, baby!)
- Why “I’m not creative” is always a lie, and how to bust it.
- How to turn creative blocks into friends.
AND you’ll get creating right in the book itself.
“It’s one part field guide, one part creative practice—and I loved it. The Creative Sandbox Way™ is an adventure packaged as a book.”
~Chris Guillebeau
NYT best-selling author of The Happiness of Pursuit and The $100 Startup
Hear ye, hear ye! This is to serve as official notice that all links to anything for sale, be it books or courses, are likely to be affiliate links. What this means is that if you click through said links and make a purchase, although it won’t affect the price that you pay, a few coins will jangle into my coffers, enabling me to buy a packet of hard gluten-free biscuits to feed myself and my husband for another day, or perhaps a pen with which to create some artwork. Or perhaps they will contribute toward paying a fraction of my web hosting bill, so that this blog and podcast can continue to exist. Thank you kindly for your attention.
Thanks for Listening!
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Now go get creating!
PS — Pssst! Know someone who might benefit from seeing this today? Pass it on!
