In this episode of the Fueling Creativity podcast, Dr. Cyndi Burnett and Dr. Matthew Worwood speak with Dr. Caroline Brookfield, a veterinarian, researcher, and stand-up comedian who delights in using humor and immersive experiences, backed up with research, to sway the most reluctant creative. Today, the dynamic trio delves into Caroline’s experience melding the worlds of veterinary medicine, comedy, and creativity. They also talk about the relationship between multi-passionate creatives and reluctant creatives.

For some of us, there is a desire or need to explore as many interests as we possibly can. Hence, the terms multi-passionate and multiple potentialities. For reluctant creatives, there is a resistance to acknowledging or expressing their creativity.

Listen in to learn the benefits of embracing your creativity and how to tap into it for future success. Caroline shares her science-based approach to exciting people about creativity and how teachers can use it to encourage students who say they’re not creative to express their creativity. She also highlights various creative thinking skills for dealing with judgement around what students, parents, and administration will think about integrating creativity and risk-taking into the classroom. 

Caroline’s Tips for Teachers and Parents:

1. Try to incorporate more M’s for Maybes. School can be very black and white at times, so try to build in ambiguity to your lessons. 
2. Edit later! Just try something new. Nobody is really going to care about what you do if the stakes are low. 
3. Take time to regularly relax and turn things off. We need you so take care of yourself.

“You actually don’t have to even be good at what you do creatively to get the benefits of it.” – Dr. Caroline Brookfield