In Ten Years Time

In this episode Tricia hears from Ben Miller, neurodiversity advocate and social designer, who received a late-in-life diagnosis of ADHD. He talks about what this has meant for him, why our society can be so stifling for creativity, and explores the small question of what really makes us human?Ben recommended Dr Iain McGilchrist (find his website here)Find Ben on LinkedIn hereBuy me a coffee to keep the show going here https://www.intenyearstime.com/donate

Every brain works differently, a game-changing thought when it comes to our creative potential, abilities and talents. Whether you are diagnosed as neurodivergent or not, Tricia explores what we can all learn about our own unique preferences or conditions for creating, and how everyone can use that to their advantage.Take the Adobe Creative Types testMelissa Block’s article on the Myers-Briggs personality testQuinisha Jackson Wright’s article in the New York Times about the Myers-Briggs testMedium post from Tistje about stepping out of your comfort zone from an autistic perspectiveLauren Alex Hooper’s record ‘Too Much and Not Enough’ including the Loneliest Whale on Spotify Apple Music and YouTubeBuy Tricia a coffee to keep the show going https://www.intenyearstime.com/donate

While ageing is something we should embrace – it is inevitable, after all – it brings many worries about the unknown, especially around our health. In this episode, Tricia explores the benefits flowing from creative activity and the positive impact on our long-term cognitive health, potentially reducing the chance of developing dementia, as well as easing the symptoms.Daisy Fancourt study on the impact of museum attendance on dementia incidenceBeat Ted Hannemann study looking at how creative activity helps ease symptomsWhat are cognitive reserves?The Top Five Regrets of the Dying – the book and a YouTube SummaryMichael Mosley’s Secrets of the SuperagersDancing by the light of the moon by Gyles BrandrethDonate to help keep the show going https://www.intenyearstime.com/donate

Creativity is often sidelined in society for more analytical, narrow thinking, something that can be explained by our privileging of ‘left brain’ thinking. But what are the myths we have internalised? And what should we try and unlearn if we are to become more open-minded about our own creative potential? Mentioned in this episode:The Master and his Emissary, book by Professor Iain McGilchristSlow down, it’s what your brain has been begging for by Teodora StoicaEdinburgh Handedness QuestionnaireInterview with Sara JohnsonEmma Jane Lefebvre’s YouTube channel and the video of her creating with her non-dominant handStudy about chopstick use with non-dominant handA summary of the Master and his Emissaryhttps://www.intenyearstime.com/donate

Taking a leap of faith can be daunting, but sometimes it can lead us to our best creative work yet. In this episode Tricia looks at the role of chance, the idea of ‘synchronicity,’ which might just help you find the inspiration you need to set you on the right creative path. Mentioned in this episode:Article from Anna Yusim about Carl Jung’s perspective on the purpose of lifeEllen Langer, Professor and author of MindfulnessJames Redfield’s Celestine ProphesyEssay on James Redfield’s Celestine Prophecy by Misha Hoo Embracing Uncertainty by Margaret HeffernanThe fantasy of the saved folder, Maybe Baby newsletter by Haley Nahmanhttps://www.intenyearstime.com/donate

We all instinctively know that being creative is good for us in the moment - it calms us down, it makes us feel good. But now the cold, hard evidence is in! Creativity is really good for our health and for our brains in the long term too. In this episode Tricia finds out what’s really going on up there when we create, and why creating might just be the most important thing you could do for your health. Mentioned in this episode:Your Brain on Art: How the Arts Transforms Us by Ivy Ross and Susan Magsamen Series 3 Episode 3 of In Ten Years Time about the importance of sleepThree studies about the importance of daydreaming and distraction: New York Times, Psychological Science Journal, Psi RepGrowth Mindset Article, Harvard Business SchoolMindset, Book by Carol DweckWe need your art, Book by Amie McNeeSecrets of the Superagers, TV showTricia’s creativity finderDonate to keep the show ad free

Happy new year! Are you looking to live a more creative life in 2026? Tricia is back with a new series of the show to inspire you, and this time science meets art. In Series 6 Tricia goes deep on what is happening in our brains when we engage in our art or craft, about how we might be able to use our creativity to improve our health and what neurological differences mean for our creativity.The first episode, landing in your feeds on 15th January! Subscribe now.

What happens when a terminal diagnosis means you might not have ten years? In the final episode of this series Tricia interviews academic, researcher, singer and most importantly, close friend, Dr Angela Chan. After being diagnosed with terminal breast cancer in early 2025, Angela faced the question most of us hope never to confront: what do I do with less than a year left on this planet? In this moving and unmissable episode Tricia and Angela talk about overcoming your fears, the evolution of a creative practice and the healing potential of creativity. What could you achieve in ten months, ten days, or even ten minutes?Mentioned in this episodeSeries 3, episode 5  of ITYT where Tricia discusses writing her River StoriesTrust the process: an artist’s guide to letting go by Shaun McNiff (Book)On Not Being Able To Paint by Marion Miller (Book)Angela Chan’s art websiteAngela’s Breathe Blog: A blog for people living with secondary cancerSupport me with a donation https://www.intenyearstime.com/donate

The Wizard of Oz is, obviously, a fantastic film and a compelling story. But what can we learn from it? In this episode Tricia introduces us to The Hero’s Journey, which sets out the twelve phases of any creative quest: from the ordinary world to great rewards, all via the spooky sounding ‘innermost cave.’ Have you received your call to adventure yet? Follow me on Instagram @intenyearstimeofficialMentioned in this episodeThe hero with a thousand faces by Joseph Campbell (Book)The Writer’s Journey by Christopher Vogler (Book)Combining Crafts, Skills and Medium - Series 3, episode 5 of In Ten Years Time (Podcast episode)Every person has a unique brain anatomy (Scientific research, University of Zurich)Support me with a donation https://www.intenyearstime.com/donate