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How We are “Wired to Create”, What It Means to Be a “Creative”, and How We Can Leverage Our Unique Gifts | with Scott Barry Kaufman

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Manage episode 482738890 series 1536694
Content provided by Zack Arnold. All podcast content including episodes, graphics, and podcast descriptions are uploaded and provided directly by Zack Arnold or their podcast platform partner. If you believe someone is using your copyrighted work without your permission, you can follow the process outlined here https://staging.podcastplayer.com/legal.

What if your greatest creative strength is the part of you that never quite fit in?

In this episode, I talk with Dr. Scott Barry Kaufman, psychology professor at Columbia University and host of The Psychology Podcast, to explore why creativity isn’t a rare talent but a way of being—one that thrives when we embrace what makes us different. We discuss how to reframe “disabilities” as strengths and how owning your uniqueness can unlock your creative superpowers. If you’ve struggled to share your work or felt like you don’t belong, this conversation might shift how you see yourself—and your creative potential.

Key Takeaways

  • Boost creativity with boredom: Boredom activates the default mode network that helps with creativity.
  • Embrace laughter: Most creative ideas often sound ridiculous at first. Fear of failure blocks creativity.
  • Hope is a skill you can learn: You can’t choose your struggles, but you can always choose your response.


Episode Highlights

  • Scott’s origin story
  • Difference between doing creative work and being a creative
  • Brain networks (and how it leads to creativity): Imagination, Executive and Salience
  • Scheduling boredom and incubation
  • Relationship between creativity and mental health
  • Importance of flow state on your well being
  • Balancing high sensitivity with creativity
  • Correlation between creativity and neurodivergence
  • How to overcome the victim mindset and empower yourself
  • Changing your default response from helplessness to hopefulness
  • Strength-based approach to disabilities
  • Redefining what it means to be intelligent
  • The language that we use in our own minds


Recommended Next Episode

Ethan Kross: If you’re curious to keep exploring the inner workings of the mind—and the inner critic that so often holds you back.


Useful Resources

Scott’s Book: Wired to Create: Unraveling the Mysteries of the Creative Mind

Scott’s Book: Transcend: The New Science of Self-Actualization

Scott’s Book: Rise Above: Overcome a Victim Mindset, Empower Yourself, and Realize Your Full Potential

Scott’ Beautiful Minds Newsletter

The Psychology Podcast with Scott Barry Kaufman

The Amazing Dr. Scott

It’s Not You: Identifying and Healing from Narcissistic People

Marc Brackett Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence


Want to Hear More Episodes Like This One?

» Click here to subscribe and never miss another episode


Guest Bio

Dr. Scott Barry Kaufman is a psychologist, coach, professor, keynote speaker, and best-selling author who is passionate about helping all kinds of minds live a creative, fulfilling, and self-actualized life. He is a professor of psychology at Columbia University and director of the Center for Human Potential. He hosts The Psychology Podcast which has received over 30 million downloads and is widely considered among the top psychology podcasts in the world.

Dr. Scott's Website, Podcast, Substack, Youtube, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter

Show Credits

Edited by: Curtis Fritsch

Produced by: Debby Germino

Shownotes and published by: Vim Pangantihon

Music by: Thomas Cepeda

Note: I believe in 100% transparency, so please note that I receive a small commission if you purchase products from some of the links on this page (at no additional cost to you). Your support is what helps keep this program alive. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me.


Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/zackarnold/exclusive-content
  continue reading

445 episodes

Artwork
iconShare
 
Manage episode 482738890 series 1536694
Content provided by Zack Arnold. All podcast content including episodes, graphics, and podcast descriptions are uploaded and provided directly by Zack Arnold or their podcast platform partner. If you believe someone is using your copyrighted work without your permission, you can follow the process outlined here https://staging.podcastplayer.com/legal.

What if your greatest creative strength is the part of you that never quite fit in?

In this episode, I talk with Dr. Scott Barry Kaufman, psychology professor at Columbia University and host of The Psychology Podcast, to explore why creativity isn’t a rare talent but a way of being—one that thrives when we embrace what makes us different. We discuss how to reframe “disabilities” as strengths and how owning your uniqueness can unlock your creative superpowers. If you’ve struggled to share your work or felt like you don’t belong, this conversation might shift how you see yourself—and your creative potential.

Key Takeaways

  • Boost creativity with boredom: Boredom activates the default mode network that helps with creativity.
  • Embrace laughter: Most creative ideas often sound ridiculous at first. Fear of failure blocks creativity.
  • Hope is a skill you can learn: You can’t choose your struggles, but you can always choose your response.


Episode Highlights

  • Scott’s origin story
  • Difference between doing creative work and being a creative
  • Brain networks (and how it leads to creativity): Imagination, Executive and Salience
  • Scheduling boredom and incubation
  • Relationship between creativity and mental health
  • Importance of flow state on your well being
  • Balancing high sensitivity with creativity
  • Correlation between creativity and neurodivergence
  • How to overcome the victim mindset and empower yourself
  • Changing your default response from helplessness to hopefulness
  • Strength-based approach to disabilities
  • Redefining what it means to be intelligent
  • The language that we use in our own minds


Recommended Next Episode

Ethan Kross: If you’re curious to keep exploring the inner workings of the mind—and the inner critic that so often holds you back.


Useful Resources

Scott’s Book: Wired to Create: Unraveling the Mysteries of the Creative Mind

Scott’s Book: Transcend: The New Science of Self-Actualization

Scott’s Book: Rise Above: Overcome a Victim Mindset, Empower Yourself, and Realize Your Full Potential

Scott’ Beautiful Minds Newsletter

The Psychology Podcast with Scott Barry Kaufman

The Amazing Dr. Scott

It’s Not You: Identifying and Healing from Narcissistic People

Marc Brackett Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence


Want to Hear More Episodes Like This One?

» Click here to subscribe and never miss another episode


Guest Bio

Dr. Scott Barry Kaufman is a psychologist, coach, professor, keynote speaker, and best-selling author who is passionate about helping all kinds of minds live a creative, fulfilling, and self-actualized life. He is a professor of psychology at Columbia University and director of the Center for Human Potential. He hosts The Psychology Podcast which has received over 30 million downloads and is widely considered among the top psychology podcasts in the world.

Dr. Scott's Website, Podcast, Substack, Youtube, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter

Show Credits

Edited by: Curtis Fritsch

Produced by: Debby Germino

Shownotes and published by: Vim Pangantihon

Music by: Thomas Cepeda

Note: I believe in 100% transparency, so please note that I receive a small commission if you purchase products from some of the links on this page (at no additional cost to you). Your support is what helps keep this program alive. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me.


Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/zackarnold/exclusive-content
  continue reading

445 episodes

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