Join Ceri as she speaks to Ivan Michael Blackstock, a South London-born creative powerhouse. From early adversity to ground-breaking productions and collaborations with icons, Ivan shares insights on creative risk taking, letting go of ego, and the transformative power of resilience and self-belief. Listen in and learn how he ignites creativity, pushes boundaries, and pursues excellence. KEY TAKEAWAYS Embrace your unique vision and develop a creative language that's truly your own, drawing from personal experiences and influences. Hold space for others' lightness and darkness, fostering trust and vulnerability to help them channel their best selves. Reframe creativity as an abundant force in all aspects of life, not just a career path or measure of success. Learn to let go of good for great, editing ideas and backing what truly resonates in the moment. Understand the importance of research and development in the creative industry, and the need for funders and programmers to invest in diverse, impactful works. Recognise when an opportunity isn't right for you, despite external validation, and trust your instincts. Find restoration and balance through practices like breathwork, meditation, and stepping away when needed. Cultivate a strong inner compass and warrior spirit to navigate challenges and setbacks on your creative journey. BEST MOMENTS  "I have to believe I'm the best. And I think that like, sometimes it dips, but like, there's this thing that like, I'm the best” "I'm still figuring it out. It's like, no, man, let's be real. We're all figuring it out, you know?" "It's not always just about numbers. It's not about numbers, sometimes it's about impact." "I think we need to reframe creativity is because I think we sometimes put it into this career idea and this success. And, you know, I feel like I've achieved some things and it's not what I thought was going to be like, if I'm being honest." PODCAST HOST BIO Meet Ceri Hand, the driving force behind countless creative success stories. A creative coach, entrepreneur, and dynamic speaker, she's committed to empowering creatives to realise their dreams and make a meaningful impact through her creative coaching, mentoring and training company. With three decades in the arts under her belt, Ceri has ridden the highs, the lows, and everything in between. Now, she's here to help you achieve your goals, your way. **** Join Unlock Your Artworld Network our 5 step, self-study video course that will give you the tools and confidence you need to make a network in the artworld that will open doors for you https://cerihand.com/courses/unlock_your_artworld_network/ Book a strategy call with Ceri [email protected]