What does it take to pivot to a new creative career after college? How do creatives incorporate and pursue their many different interests? How do artists prioritize their ideas so they can focus their energy on what matters most?

Today’s guest is animator and music producer David Urbinati—an animator, motion designer, and music producer based in Lakeland, Florida. David is the owner and director of a boutique storytelling studio called Rocket Powered Milk Truck. In his spare time, he explores photography and film.

In my conversation with David, he’ll take us through his journey—from learning classical violin to teaching himself skills in animation and music production.

But his path wasn’t always a clear or linear one.

In this episode, you’ll hear how David pivoted from his degree in mechanical engineering to pursue a career in motion graphics, how his fascination with problem-solving led him to explore film and photography, and how heartbreak propelled him into writing and producing music.

👀Find David’s Work:

David’s Instagram

David’s Website

Listen on Spotify

Listen on Apple Music

✉️ Sign up for Taylor’s email list to receive writing and creative tips and news about upcoming releases here.

📚 Find all of Taylor’s books and stories here.

The Creative Life with Taylor is an engaging, thoughtful podcast hosted by award-winning author and designer Taylor Thomas Smythe that explores creative journeys over a lifetime, dives deep into the creative process, and inspires listeners to unlock their own creativity and potential in their life now. With guests from a wide array of disciplines and media, listeners will walk away inspired to build a creative life with confidence.

The Creative Life with Taylor is a production of Lamplight Universe.

https://www.lamplightuniverse.com/

How do you balance creative projects with a full-time day job? How does a musician find inspiration for their songs? And what does it take to bring a creative vision to life?

Today’s guest is Dara Bankole, a singer-songwriter and photographer based in Brooklyn, New York. She recently released an EP, I Tend to Repeat Myself, and is currently working on her debut album.

In my conversation with Dara, she’ll walk us through her journey—from early musical influences on her sister’s mix CDs, to discovering her own creative voice with her latest EP.

Her journey wasn’t always easy or smooth. Dara also shares how she overcame doubts and constraints along the way.

In this episode, you’ll hear how Dara balances a day job with her craft, how she collaborated to bring her vision to life, and get an inside look at the stories behind her songs.

🎧 Listen to Dara’s Music:

I Tend to Repeat Myself on Spotify

I Tend to Repeat Myself on Apple Music

🎶 Dara’s Upcoming Debut Album:

Help Dara Bring Her Debut Album to Life!

📸 Follow Dara on Social Media:

Dara Bankole on Instagram

Dara’s EP Collaborators:

Nicole Rodriguez

Tyler Postiglione

✉️Sign up for Taylor’s email list to receive writing and creative tips and news about upcoming releases here.

📚Find all of Taylor’s books and stories here.

THE CREATIVE LIFE WITH TAYLOR is an engaging, thoughtful podcast hosted by award-winning author and designer Taylor Thomas Smythe that explores creative journeys over a lifetime, dives deep into the creative process, and inspires listeners to unlock their own creativity and potential in their life now. With guests from a wide array of disciplines and media, listeners will walk away inspired to build a creative life with confidence.

The Creative Life with Taylor is a production of Lamplight Universe.

https://www.lamplightuniverse.com/

How do artists deal with self-doubt? How does an artist make space for creativity? What does it mean to build a creative life, even if you work a non-creative day job?

Today’s guest is Ahna Ell—an author and musician based in Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina. After a decade of writing, recording, and touring the country, she just released her debut book, Everywhere I Go, a memoir about coming home to yourself, living in community, and finding your place in the world.

In my conversation with Ahna, she shares about her life—from her early days of getting her first guitar, to the decade of her adult life spent touring as a musician.

But while creativity was present in her life from a young age, Ahna’s path wasn’t always clear or easy. In this episode, Ahna shares about her struggle with self-doubt, the challenge of making space for creativity to happen, and the years spent writing and refining her debut book.

✨ Ahna’s Book & Music:

Ahna Ell’s Website

✉️ Sign up for Taylor’s email list to receive writing and creative tips and news about upcoming releases here.

✍️ Get Taylor’s free writing and creative resources here.

📚 Find all of Taylor’s books and stories here.

The Creative Life with Taylor is an engaging, thoughtful podcast hosted by award-winning author and designer Taylor Thomas Smythe that explores creative journeys over a lifetime, dives deep into the creative process, and inspires listeners to unlock their own creativity and potential in their life now. With guests from a wide array of disciplines and media, listeners will walk away inspired to build a creative life with confidence.

The Creative Life with Taylor is a production of Lamplight Universe.

https://www.lamplightuniverse.com/