LightMinded Arts Podcast

Bestselling author James Rollins opens up about the part of the creative journey most artists never talk about—the fear, the financial uncertainty, and the quiet safety nets that keep us going. From his years as a veterinarian to the moment he finally stepped away from a stable career, Rollins shares the real story behind building a creative life that lasts.
If you’ve ever wondered how to chase your dream without wrecking your stability, this conversation is a rare look at the emotional and financial fallbacks that even successful artists rely on. I asked Jim some big questions he never gets asked, questions that creatives and especially authors can really benefit from.
Don't forget to check out the latest books by James Rollins at: https://jamesrollins.com/
If you like the content I'm bringing you, and you want to see more, please also visit my website and support me by buying and reviewing my books: https://www.lightmindedarts.com/
Good luck on your own creative journey!
 

What happens when your instincts tell you to leap… and everyone else thinks you’ve lost your mind? In this episode, Sabine Hutchison — CEO, author of Beyond the Ladder, and founder of The Ripple Network — shares the wild, winding path that took her from hazardous‑waste labs to touring with David Copperfield to building a global company in Germany.
We talk about the moments that define a creative career:
• trusting your gut when logic says “don’t”
• reinventing yourself when the world expects you to stay put
• navigating rejection, isolation, and starting over
• why creatives fail when they try to do everything alone
• the difference between mentors and sponsors — and why it matters
 
If you'd like to learn more about Sabine Hutchison, check out her website here: https://sabinehutchison.com/career-book/
 
 

What happens when the dream you grew up chasing starts to feel more like a cage than a calling? In this episode, Brent Lindstrom sits down with Bria Rose — a former Disney cast member turned dark‑romance author — to talk about what it really takes to move from survival mode to creative freedom.
Bria shares how years of living inside the “good girl” identity nearly smothered her creativity, and how reclaiming her voice changed everything — her art, her confidence, and her career. Together, they unpack the emotional and financial realities of building a creative life that actually pays: the hustle behind self‑publishing, the cost of chasing your dream, and the mindset shift that separates struggling artists from working creatives.
This conversation isn’t about being a villain — it’s about being honest. It’s about learning to stop apologizing for wanting a creative life that works.
If you’ve ever felt stuck between making art and making rent, this episode will remind you why your creative voice is worth fighting for.
Don't for get to check out her website at: https://authorbriarose.com/

Teri M. Brown didn’t wait for permission — she built a thriving author career from the ground up. In this episode, we talk about the moment she realized her first book wouldn’t sell itself, and how that wake-up call led to a powerful marketing system that now drives her success. From newsletters and reader engagement to in-person events and Facebook ads that actually work, this conversation is packed with practical strategies for creatives who want to escape the struggling artist trap — and build something real.

Choreographer and creative coach Alexandra Beller talks with Brent about authenticity, breaking creative habits, navigating vulnerability, and building a sustainable artistic life. She shares why personal work resonates most deeply—and how artists can trust their voice, shape their process, and stay resilient in a competitive field.
Visit her at: https://www.alexandrabeller.com/

In this episode, Brent sits down with entrepreneur and Momentum author Sheila Slick to explore what it really takes for creatives to thrive in business. Sheila shares lessons from her fourth‑generation entrepreneurial upbringing, her journey through tech and AI, and the daily practices that help artists stay focused, consistent, and profitable. They dig into market validation, time‑blocking, self‑leadership, and why “an idea is just the beginning.” A must‑listen for writers, filmmakers, and any creative ready to level up.
Visit her website at: https://sheilaslick.com/
Don't forget to check out my latest book, just released this month: Hard Boiled Cabbage, book 1 in the Gearlock series. Imagine Dick Tracy in a backwards, segregated Narnia: https://www.amazon.com/Hard-Boiled-Cabbage-Brent-Lindstrom-ebook/dp/B0FS9ZT217/
 

What do publishers really look for? Why do some books take off while others disappear? Former Simon & Schuster editor and publishing strategist Ally Machate pulls back the curtain on platform, marketability, tropes, formulas, and the 50‑review rule. She and Brent dive into the mindset shift every author needs: stop writing for everyone and start thinking like a business. Packed with practical insights and hard‑won wisdom, this episode will change how you write, publish, and promote your next book.
 
Find out more from Ally Machate and her her services at: https://thewritersally.com/
Don't forget to check out my latest books either, at https://www.lightmindedarts.com/

What happens when a kid with a first‑grade reading level grows up to out‑argue law professors, train parents to teach dyslexic kids faster than public schools, and uncover the creative superpower hidden inside dyslexia?
In this eye‑opening conversation, Brent sits down with Russell Van Brocklen, a dyslexic professor whose journey defies every expectation. Russell shares how he went from being socially passed through school to mastering law school in a single moment, earning state‑funded research support, and developing a system that helps dyslexic, ADHD, and creative students thrive.
You’ll hear:
How Russell turned “the worst case of dyslexia you’ve ever seen” into a competitive advantage
Why dyslexic and ADHD brains often excel in creativity, storytelling, and problem‑solving
The surprising connection between dyslexia and legendary creatives like Steven Spielberg and Walt Disney
A step‑by‑step look at Russell’s method for unlocking creative thinking
How parents can teach their kids to read and write seven times faster than traditional methods
Why your “scattered” brain might actually be your greatest asset
Whether you’re dyslexic, raising a dyslexic child, or simply a creative who’s struggled to fit into traditional systems, this episode will change the way you see your brain—and your potential.
Learn more about Russell at: https://mailchi.mp/dcacd9a6f9ae/3-reasons-ebook