In this episode, Mel and I explore what it means to protect a creative life in a world shaped by technology, efficiency, and constant consumption. We also talk about the value of handmade work and undivided attention, and the choices that come with living according to your values. Mel also retells the story of The Red Shoes as a metaphor for our relationship with AI: how something can begin as useful or liberating, and slowly become something we depend on.
About Mel
Mel Mitchell-Jackson is an adventure artist, writer, and educator focused on helping people persistently bloom in their art as a wellness practice. They currently live and explore the biomes of the San Francisco Bay Area while guiding folks in cultivating freedom in their imaginations online through their newsletter, Discord community, and craft tutoring offerings.
Mel's website
Persistent Bloom Substack
Persistent Bloom Podcast
About me
Pascale Côté is a creativity guide, therapeutic arts practitioner, artist, and writer who helps creatives meet, understand, and express themselves by guiding them to work *with* their (creative, complex, unconventional) nature instead of against it. She helps artists, visionaries, disruptors and earth stewards break free from the vortex of overthinking and move forward with their bold, rebellious ideas. Her work challenges conventional norms, inviting creatives to explore what’s possible when they release outdated narratives and embrace their true, authentic expression. Pascale believes that art is a powerful vehicle for both individual and collective change when it’s grounded in truth—created outside the rigid systems that stifle our creative spirit.
About the podcast
Creative minds are the architects of a new world, and their art holds the keys to reimagining our reality. The challenge is, creative minds often spend just as much time crafting self-limiting narratives as they do creating their art. Dear Creative Mind is a space for creative liberation—a pathway out of the cycle of overthinking, burnout, and stagnation. This podcast is for artists & creative entrepreneurs where Pascale, creativity guide, shares grounding meditations, gentle coaching guidance and heartfelt conversations with inspiring artists. The podcast explores the real challenges that come with being creative—overthinking, self-doubt, burnout—and how to navigate them while staying true to our vision.
Get support for your creative mind
A special thank you to Alexandra Moreno for the original music of the podcast.
