Everything Creative

Join us for a special one-hour beginning episode, featuring Dr. Mark Henderson, a professor of music at Weber State University. Dr. Henderson teaches a course on creativity. He shares insights on the topic and discusses its spiritual nature.

Dr. Mark Henderson of Weber State University discusses music and the creative process with musician Craig Miner. Throughout their discussion Craig plays several of his musical arrangements.

Discussion 1: Entrepreneurs—Nancy Hanson talks with three creative entrepreneurs—Emily Hedrick, Vaughn Armstrong, and Bry Cox. This group discusses how the talents and interests that God has inspired them with have provided multiple opportunities to use their creativity, giving them a chance to spend their time doing something they enjoy that uplifts them and others.

Ryan Tilby interviews music producer Scott Wiley and composer Sam Cardon. Wiley describes how he started out recording bands in his basement while working several internships before becoming a music producer. He explains how he harnesses others' creativity to help them create honest music. He explains how he uses faith to balance his time working as a producer with Church callings as a Scout leader and as a bishopric member. Sam Cardon, a jazz artist and score writer for film and TV, describes the work he has done for various programs. He describes some of his favorite projects, including a seminary video of Christ visiting the Nephite children and some personal compositions. He shares how the influence of the Spirit inspires the art of his music.

Country music songwriter Tony Martin has written songs that have been recorded and released by artists such as George Strait, Tanya Tucker and Tim McGraw. He discusses getting started as a songwriter and the "ins and outs" of the songwriting business.

Ryan Tilby interviews wildlife photographer Lynn Chamberlain and portrait photographer Jed Wells. Lynn takes Ryan on a routine early morning outing to Zion National Park to photograph bighorn sheep. Along the way they discuss Chamberlain’s beginnings and his love for both the outdoors and photography. He talks about the differences between creating and documenting God’s creations. He also shares his beliefs about the use of creativity on our path to become like God and create our own worlds. Jed Wells is interviewed prior to a photo/video shoot of a live concert. He shares his interests in both still photography and motion pictures. He describes how his portraits can bring out personality and tell a story. He discusses how he maintains his own voice and moral values in his work, as well as putting his family first. He explains the direct and vitally important connection between our creative lives and spiritual lives.

Musician Craig Miner interviews his brother Curtis Miner, who runs an architecture business in Pleasant Grove, Utah. In this episode they discuss how concepts, ideals, and principles are communicated through buildings and their design. Additionally they touch on such topics as the gift of creativity, its rewarding process, and the source of all good—which is God.

Discussion 2: Teachers—Nancy Hanson talks with four creative teachers—Karston Longhurst, Susie Sommerkorn, Jennifer Call, and Kristel Goff. During this discussion, the teachers describe why they love to teach and how it’s helped them share their creativity to influence many youth for good.

Dan Truman, most known for his keyboard and piano playing for country band Diamond Rio, joins host Nancy Hanson in Nashville, Tennessee, for Everything Creative. Dan attended BYU and served his mission in Florida. Then he moved to Tennessee to pursue music in Opryland. He strives to live his LDS morals and shares how he has been lucky to be surrounded by others who help him to do so.

Architect Curtis Miner interviews artist Lynde Mott. Created from the perspective of women, Lynde’s art is an expression of her love for Church history and focuses on women and children. Examples of her artwork can be seen online by visiting AltusFineArt.com. Among other things, Curtis Miner and Lynde Mott discuss her background, the similarities between architecture and painting, the meaning communicated through art, and the interesting similarities between what we can create here on earth and God’s creations.

Discussion 3: Young Women Leaders—Nancy Hanson talks with five inspired Young Women leaders—Ridi Kocani, Tiffany Price, Rachelle Rhodes, Heather Rampton, and Mindy Hawkins. These leaders come from Albania, Arizona, Utah, Nevada, and New York and discuss the creative ideas that have worked in their areas to overcome challenges and find success. They talk about different activities that have created great memories and strengthened many testimonies, preparing the young women for the future.

Husband and wife music duo Drew and Lacey Williams join host Nancy Hanson in Nashville, Tennessee, to talk about their experiences in the bluegrass/country music industry. They met, married, and decided to make a life together playing music as a team. They found that they can choose to live the "music life" to the degree that they would like. Not participating in uncomfortable situations, they have still found success in being able to always have a gig on their schedule.

In this special documentary episode of Everything Creative, host Ryan Tilby speaks with painter Cassandra Barney and people artist Brian Kershisnik. Cassandra talks about her youth, her father being an avid painter, and her travels to various museums and cultures. Although she initially had no interest in painting, she later found inspiration through her education at art college. As an artist, she notes how embracing flaws and shaping them into something greater is crucial to having art eventually communicate and serve a higher purpose. Brian Kershisnik discusses how he shifted his focus from architecture to painting in his young adulthood. The pursuits and problems of people are regular topics in his paintings, and they are meant not to be a source of conclusion, but of conversation. Social encounters are imperative to his works, as well as making sense of this life and the next. He later notes how others can find answers only after they ask serious questions.

In this documentary of Everything Creative, guest host Ryan Tilby speaks with Mark and Caralyn Buehner on writing and illustrating children’s books. Mark illustrates the books and Caralyn writes them. The couple originally started off with nothing and traveled to Brooklyn to start a new life. They initially got by on some work for the Ensign magazine and eventually found their stride together in telling stories for children. Their work started getting attention, and they have published multiple books since. The couple discusses how you can stand up for what you believe through storytelling and how to create a safe world for children and their books. Ultimately, if we find joy and happiness in our work, the beauty of the art comes through.

Discussion 4: Young Men Leaders—Nancy Hanson talks with five inspired Young Men leaders—Jim Coltrin, Daniel Poulson, Matthew Durrazani, Flint Mensah, and Adam Worsham. These leaders come from all over the world (Denmark, Italy, California, Utah, and Ghana) to discuss what the Young Men program is like in their area.

Nashville musician Jason Deere tells his story about working in the music industry. Specifically he talks about being the producer for the music group SHeDAISY (consisting of LDS women) and the inspiration behind his album Joseph Smith: A Nashville Tribute to the Prophet. Jason also sings and plays his guitar during the interview.

Artist Lynde Mott interviews professor and Egyptologist Kerry Muhlstein, who is a professor of ancient scripture at Brigham Young University. He discusses how creativity is used in his profession and how being worthy of the Spirit can augment our creativity.

Guest host Ryan Tilby interviews Tom Holdman of Holdman Studios about his work with stained glass. His creative designs in glass now hang in all 50 states and in many countries around the world. His work encompasses projects for commercial buildings, residences, public art projects, temples, and other religious institutions.

Host Nancy Hanson interviews guitarist and songwriter Michael Hinckley. Michael tells about what brought him to Nashville and plays some of his music as part of the interview.

Egyptologist Kerry Muhlstein interviews Mark Madsen, NBA player for the Minnesota Timberwolves. Mark played basketball at and graduated from Stanford with a degree in economics. He discusses his introduction to basketball, the use of creativity in the game, the importance of believing in yourself, and what it’s like being a Mormon in his occupation. Mark actively interacts with fans through social media; for more information visit MarkMadsen.com.

Discussion 5: Designers—Nancy Hanson talks with BYU professors Rick West, Peter Rich, and Geoff Wright and with graduate students Anne Makin, Shawn Cates, and Daniel Randall about the study of creativity. They identify factors that can increase innovation, such as collaboration, diversity of experience and expertise, willingness to adapt, and constant learning. Another key to creativity is asking "What if?" In a hands-on experiment, the panel analyzes the design of water bottles. Creativity in Church service is also discussed.

Although different in musical genre and style, musicians and songwriters Justin Cash and Jon Schmidt speak about the same passion for music in this documentary episode of Everything Creative. They each share what it is like to be a musician, including the balancing act between making a living and following their talents.

Discussion 6: Mothers—Nancy Hanson talks with four mothers who represent a variety of ages, experiences, and financial resources: Heidi Udall, Britney Wood, Debbie Loock, and Cindy Edwards. They discuss creative parenting ideas such as bike rides, searching for bugs, games, role playing, family prayer, talks during drives, service projects, meals together, family home evenings, holidays, and Sabbath day observance. They also mention Church resources they find helpful.

NBA player Mark Madsen interviews professional organizer Robin Pedersen. She is the mother of six children and has been an organizer since her youth. She discusses how she came to this profession and how organizing is a fulfilling and creative outlet.