Keep the Flow

The secret to creative success isn't talent or inspiration—it's something much simpler (and harder) than you think.I used to think creative success was about making something great every time I sat down to work. But after years of composing, teaching, and yes—trying to learn those impossible drum patterns—I've realized something counterintuitive: the specific thing you're working on matters less than the fact that you're working at all. In this episode, I break down the psychological paradox that keeps us creating, why "doing the reps" is everything, and how to trick yourself into caring about the work without getting crushed when it doesn't pan out. 📬 If this resonated with you, you'll love my newsletter—I send one email a week with ideas like this: https://ktfpod.com/#newsletterCheck out my music: https://scottmclemore.bandcamp.com/Join the Patreon community: https://patreon.com/scottmclemore

This is a special, short episode about how creative people process loss and can move on without ignoring or pushing feelings of sorrow away.Bittersweet by Susan Cain: https://amzn.to/3WwMmarInspired by the loss of my mother, I felt compelled to make this episode as a way to allow those feelings to come into my work and guide me forward.I forgot to mention that there are many kinds of loss beyond losing a loved one. The loss of a pet, the end of a relationship, the loss of a job — any of these experiences require grieving and can upend your creative practice.Already I can see I will need to make a follow up to this episode. It was much too short anyway, but it was all I could handle right now.Join me on Patreon:https://patreon.com/scottmclemore

What if the creative work that "doesn't matter" is actually the key to unlocking your most important breakthroughs?Grab a FREE copy of my ebook: https://payhip.com/b/RIqQxAfter 35 years as a professional musician, some of my biggest creative breakthroughs came from projects I almost threw away. In this episode, I'm sharing why thinking smaller—not bigger—might be the secret to unlocking your best work. I'll reveal the psychological tricks that make starting effortless, why side quests often become more valuable than your main work, and how tiny constraints can actually sharpen your creativity. If you've ever felt paralyzed by the pressure to create something important, this one's for you.The waitlist is open for my upcoming course Creative Resilience:https://ktfpod.com/creative-resilience/crwaitlist.htmlI'm so glad you tuned in to Keep the Flow my (hopefully) weekly podcast that looks under the hood of the creative process. The podcast finally has its own website — with merch even!https://ktfpod.comCheck out my music: https://scottmclemore.bandcamp.com/Follow for free on Patreon: https://patreon.com/scottmclemore

What if the only permission you’ve ever needed for your creative work was your own?The waitlist is open for my upcoming course Creative Resilience:https://ktfpod.com/creative-resilience/crwaitlist.htmlGrab a FREE copy of my ebook: https://payhip.com/b/RIqQxI spent years waiting to be “picked” — for bands, auditions, and even summer gigs. In this episode, I share my own story of setbacks, the shift that helped me move forward, and how you can stop waiting for permission and start creating on your own terms.I'm so glad you tuned in to Keep the Flow my (hopefully) weekly podcast that looks under the hood of the creative process. The podcast finally has its own website — with merch even!https://ktfpod.comCheck out my music: https://scottmclemore.bandcamp.com/Follow for free on Patreon: https://patreon.com/scottmclemore

Grab a FREE copy of the Wayfinder PDF: https://payhip.com/b/01AdwI thought I was leaving music behind when I moved from NYC to Iceland to start a design firm—but life had other plans. Here's the 4-part framework I developed to navigate back to your creative path when everything feels derailed. Keep the Flow with Scott McLemore is a weekly podcast that looks under the hood of the creative process. https://ktfpod.comFollow me for free on Patreon: https://patreon.com/scottmclemoreHere's my music: https://scottmclemore.bandcamp.com

If your creative life feels like you’re driving in circles, this is the episode that shows you exactly how to find the exit.Follow me for free on Patreon: https://patreon.com/scottmclemoreIn this follow-up to my most popular episode, I dig into how to actually break free from the “creative roundabout.” I share my own turning points, the discomfort of saying no, and three practical steps to close the gap between knowing and doing—so you can get unstuck and move toward your next creative level.Sign up for The Interval, my free newsletter for inspiration in your inbox: https://subscribe.scottmclemore.com