For When Inspiration Doesn't Strike (Issue #85)
How I learned to cultivate ideas instead of just waiting for them to fall into my lap.
Before we jump into today’s issue, I wanted to take a moment to acknowledge the devastating wildfires in California. One thing that surprised me to learn was that, at times, as much as 30% of the wildfire force in California is comprised of incarcerated folks. With this in mind, I wanted to share about The Forestry and Fire Recruitment Program (FFRP), which gives formerly incarcerated firefighters the training, job opportunities, and support they need to build successful careers in the Wildland and Forestry sectors after incarceration. It’s easy to feel helpless in the face of such a devastating tragedy, and so I wanted to share their donation link. By supporting FFRP, you're not only helping to address California’s wildfire crisis, but you're also empowering folks as they work towards a fresh start. Learn more about their work and donate to support here. I’m sending love and comfort to all those affected. ❤️
Hi friends!
For me, the new year started with a bang. I announced that my podcast, Truer Crime, is officially returning for season 2, with new episodes releasing on January 20th (mark your calendars!!). And then, this week, we dropped the season 2 trailer (check it out on Apple Podcasts here, and on Spotify here).
Now, as I prepare to release a body of work that’s been years in the making, I’ve been thinking a lot about inspiration. Or rather, how my relationship with this fleeting feeling has changed over time. I used to put stock in needing to feel inspired to produce quality work. And who wouldn’t? It’s like a magic shortcut through the ‘yuck’ inherent in the creative process – a time when ideas flow endlessly and everything clicks quickly into place.
But inspiration is fickle, and as I worked to make creating a regular part of my life and career, I quickly learned that motivation was something I had to cultivate for myself. There are many days I feel deeply uninspired, and still, I have to keep creating. Obviously, there’s a balance to strike, and taking a step back to avoid burnout can be beneficial. But at the same time, if I only relied on the perfect conditions before I felt ready to jump in, the truth is that I’d probably create very little. The best writers, thinkers, authors, and makers, I realized, spent less time ‘thinking about doing’ and more time just ~doing~. Turns out, they push through. Make stuff they hate — till they stop hating it so much.
And that’s the approach I tried while writing this newest season of Truer Crime. Every day I sat down and did the thing. When that felt especially hard, I tried to adjust the expectations. ‘5 minutes, can I do 5 minutes?’ And when that was finished, maybe I could do another 5, and another 5, and then, eventually, inspiration returned. She always came back. It was both strengthening a muscle and also building trust with myself. As a creator, it’s so easy to get trapped in thought spirals “what I wrote/made/built was shit!” “what if I never write/make/build something good again??” But through this process of showing up — of pushing through — I learned that, like anything else, this creative rut was temporary. A space I passed through, not one I lived in.
But I also learned some tricks to keep inspiration close at hand. And since ‘buck up and do 5 minutes and then another 5 and then another 5’ is not all that inspiring, I figured I’d share these with you as well. 😂
Consume a lot of what you want to create
When I started Truer Crime, I listened to true crime podcasts constantly. It wasn’t necessarily intentional at the time, but I don’t think it’s a mistake that listening to so much content coincided with me actually starting a massive new project. When I’m consuming things similar to what I want to make, it tends to spark a lot of thoughts. Things like, “Oh, that was a really good idea I could put my own spin on,” or even, “Wow, I really don’t like how they did that; I’d do it differently in XYZ way.” Sometimes, the latter can even be the most inspiring, as it can rev you up to find ways to innovate and fill in gaps.
Revisit Old Work
Revisiting old work can provide some needed perspective about where you’ve been as a creator and where you still plan to go. I especially love revisiting journal entries because it allows me to revisit the person I was, to see the ways I’ve grown, and also to remind myself that I am still the same person — someone who does have meaningful contributions to share with the world. For me, this has always been a really helpful way to ground my voice and purpose before diving into a heavy writing session.
What is your relationship to creativity and inspiration? Have you tried any of the above tricks to help spark new ideas? What helps keep you motivated and inspired? Let me know by responding to this email or leaving a comment below!
A round-up of things to watch, read, and listen to as you head into the weekend.
I know how frustrating paywalls are! When possible, I’ll try to offer gift links through my subscriptions to support access to high-quality journalism.
The New York Times: How Do You Get Kids to Read? Give Them Pizza. (gift link) by Sarah Bahr
I have many memories as a kid, frantically reading to take full advantage of Pizza Hut’s “Book It!” program. This article talks about the program’s history from its origin to now, and I was excited to learn it’s still alive and well to this day!
You Don’t Know Peanuts Podcast
At the end of last year, I shared 12 things I learned in 2024, which included some new-to-me Peanuts lore I found endlessly entertaining. Now in 2025, I first discovered this podcast through their episode The Story Behind ‘A Charlie Brown Christmas,’ and it seems like a perfect continuation of last year’s learning! They have episodes on a bunch of niche Peanuts topics (including Franklin, the only Black Peanuts character, and the design process of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade Snoopy balloon!).
Netflix: Martha
I didn’t know much about Martha Stewart before this new documentary, so it was interesting to learn more about her journey. Interviewed throughout, Martha Stewart is fully herself for all her flaws and strengths, and it was refreshing and sort of charming to see her represented in such an authentic way.
Events to add to your calendar.
It’s official! After years of waiting, Truer Crime Season 2 is finally here—and we’re marking the occasion with an unforgettable night of community, conversation, books, and treats! 🥳
I’m beyond thrilled to invite you to” Podcasting ‘From Below,’” a FREE, live, in-person event in Minneapolis to kick off Season 2 of Truer Crime and the launch of
’s brand-new podcast production company, Good Judy Productions.📍 Where: The Conn Theater at Plymouth Congregational Church (1900 Nicollet Ave, Minneapolis)
🕖 When: Thursday, January 23 | Doors at 7 PM, event at 7:30 PM
This isn’t just a celebration—it’s a chance to connect, reflect, and dive into why the stories we tell (and how we tell them) truly matter. ✨
But wait, there’s more! 🛍️📚
* A pop-up shop from Black Garnet Books
* A book drive for Women’s Prison Book Project (bring a gently used books or buy one onsite!)
* Info and resources from Queermunity MN
* Plus, cupcakes from Sift Gluten Free Bakery 🧁
Not local? Don’t worry—we’ve got you covered! The event will be livestreamed at the link here.
Mark your calendar, tell your crew, and let’s celebrate. I can’t wait to see you there! 😘
Things to try + share in the group chat.
Note: Links preceded by an asterisk (*) are affiliate links that allow me to collect a small commission when you purchase something I’ve recommended. That said, I can promise I’ll only ever share items I love. Buying through these links is one way to support me and my small biz. ❤️
*Sapporo Ichiban ramen noodles have become my newest sick-day staple. I pair mine with a poached egg, sesame oil, and chili crisp. <3
To pair with the Martha documentary I recommended earlier, I’m excited to check out *Be Ready When the Luck Happens: A Memoir by Ina Garten. Like Martha Stewart, Ina Garten is, in many ways, a kind of predecessor to the modern influencer. I know very little about the famed “barefoot contessa,” and I’m excited to learn about her story directly from the source!
In this month’s P.S., I’m sharing my top products, reads, watches, and recipes from the end of 2024! Check it out here.
Have a great weekend!
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