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Creative Flow: Thinkers and Change Agents

Kim Marie McKernan

Hosted by Anthony Billoni and Kim Marie McKernan, the Creative Flow Podcast Series features discussions with thinkers and change agents important to the Science of Creativity. We invite you to tune into the series to hear experts who are actively applying creativity, creative problem solving (CPS), innovation, and more to help change the world.

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20 episodes
monthly
Avg 29 min
English

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S5 · E61
August 25 · 29 min
Kristin Fields - Creativity That Solves Complex Problems
Kristin Fields serves as Associate Vice President of Extended Learning at Buffalo State University, bringing more than 20 years of experience supporting adult learners. She holds a BS in Speech-Language Pathology and an MS in Creativity and Change Leadership, both from Buffalo State. Her work has already reshaped access to education: she created the Thrive Reentry Education Program and expanded Buffalo State's dual credit program from 48 students to more than 1,500. In this episode, Kristin traces her path to deliberate creativity, which began with a single undergraduate course and evolved into a lifelong calling. She shares the story of the Thrive culinary reentry program at the Erie County Correctional Facility, where curiosity, persistence, and strong partnerships opened new doors for participants. She also describes her collaboration with the Center for Applied Imagination on New York State's Portrait of a Graduate "Creative Innovator" initiative, explains how micro-credentials meet today's learners' needs, and makes a clear case for creativity as a core skill for workforce readiness. Kristin shows how creativity turns limits into momentum, and how structure can open doors to bold, practical change. If you care about the Science of Creativity, lifelong learning, or the future of education and work, this episode will leave you with ideas you can use right away. Follow Creative Flow and listen now.
S4 · E60
July 21 · 30 min
Dr. William David Yates – Technology Meets Imagination
Dr. William David Yates has taught for more than 51 years and continues to view teaching as a creative act. He serves as Adjunct Professor, Instructional Designer, and Technology Coach in SUNY Buffalo State's Department of Creativity Studies and Change Leadership, where he explores how AI and emerging technologies can deepen creative learning. Named an Apple Distinguished Educator in 2007, David holds an EdD in Education Leadership with a specialization in educational technology. In this episode, David traces his path to deliberate creativity and examines how AI is reshaping education. He shares the instructional design frameworks that guide his work, describes how he coaches educators to drive real change, and explains why human creativity remains essential as AI evolves. Five decades in the classroom ground every idea in practice. This conversation places creativity and human ingenuity at the heart of teaching in an AI-driven world. If you want to think more clearly about technology's role in education and leave with practical tools you can use right away, follow Creative Flow and listen now.
S4 · E59
June 14 · 20 min
Joe Todaro – Creativity Meets AI
Our guest on episode 59, Joe Todaro, founded and leads research at Silk Verse AI Labs in Buffalo, where he studies how artificial intelligence can expand rather than diminish human work. He earned his master's in Creativity and Change Leadership from the Center for Applied Imagination at SUNY Buffalo State and is a signatory of the Network First manifesto. Today, he designs new roles, industries, and institutional structures for an AI-driven economy. In this episode, Joe explains how he brought deliberate creativity into the IT world and how fellow professionals embraced it. He unpacks his Mighty C model, which maps creative problem-solving onto the software development life cycle and adds meaningfulness and review to the process. He argues that creativity is an intrinsically human faculty, shows how it can partner with AI, and explains why it matters more than ever in the future of work. This episode celebrates human ingenuity at the heart of technological change. If you value creative problem solving, collaborative freedom, and practical guidance for working alongside AI, this conversation will intrigue you. Follow Creative Flow and listen now.
S4 · E58
May 16 · 32 min
Beth Miller and Gerard Puccio Ph.D. - Shaping the Future of Creative Education
Meet Beth Miller and Gerard Puccio Ph.D., two pioneers driving the global movement for creativity education. Beth serves as Executive Director of the Creative Education Foundation, expanding creative problem-solving in communities worldwide. Gerard is a distinguished professor at SUNY Buffalo State University and Chair of the Center for Applied Imagination, where he shapes the future of creative leadership. In this special edition, Gerard and Beth highlight the dynamic collaboration between their organizations, working together to preserve creativity’s powerful legacy while advancing new frontiers in research and practice. Tune in for an inside look at the major event happening on June 15 at the Creative Problem Solving Institute (CPSI) 2026, a milestone gathering featuring an academic panel, a keynote on AI and metacognition, and the dedication of the Dr. Sidney and Beatrice Parnes creativity collection at Buffalo State University’s Innovation Center. Dive into the episode to hear how this partnership is helping build a global network of creative practice and discover why this event marks a pivotal moment for the creative community. In this episode, you will discover the rich evolution of creativity education and how it applies to our modern world. Beth and Gerard explain why creative thinking remains a critical skill for navigating complex issues, especially as artificial intelligence reshapes how we work. You will learn how deliberate creativity offers a powerful framework to build human connection, foster mental resilience, and address pressing global challenges with confidence. Episode 58 featuring Beth Miller and Gerard Puccio gives you an inside look at the institutions championing the science of applied imagination. If you care about education, innovation, and how human ingenuity can thrive alongside new technology, you need to hear this inspiring conversation. Listen now to uncover how you can adopt a more creative mindset and apply these proven problem-solving methods to your own life and work.
S4 · E57
May 3 · 30 min
Tahira Endean - Designing Events that Spark Joy
Our guest on the 57th episode is Tahira Endean, an innovative event designer, educator, and creativity expert. With an MSc in Creativity and Change Leadership, she serves as the Head of Program at IMEX and Chief Experience Officer at Strategy Table. Tahira brings decades of expertise to her craft, blending a deep passion for intentional event design with smart technology integration to elevate the human experience. As an educator in event strategy, she shows the next generation how to build environments that spark joy, drive engagement, and foster lasting memories. In this episode, you will discover how deliberate creativity transforms event design. Tahira explains why we must move beyond basic logistics to design spaces that encourage both genuine connection and vital quiet reflection. We explore the delicate balance between structured programming and serendipity, the value of nature in event spaces, and the critical role of open feedback loops in a successful creative process. Tune in to this episode for a fascinating look at the mechanics of meaningful gatherings. If you care about creativity, community building, or event strategy, you need to hear this conversation. Tahira offers practical frameworks to help you turn ordinary meetings into transformative experiences. Listen now to learn how to make joy a measurable outcome in your next project.
S4 · E56
February 19 · 31 min
Janice Francisco – Creativity is Dancing with the Universe
Janice Francisco, a partner at Touchpoints Learning andInnovation and an advisor to Signal 49 Research, helps leaders and teams build organizational capacity for change. Based in Toronto, she holds an MS in Creativity and Change Leadership from SUNY Buffalo State and developed both the ThinkUP Framework™ and the Innovative Instructional Systems Design method. In this episode, Janice reveals how a shared process and language can unite teams, even in crisis. She shares real-world stories from international event safety and remote mining, showing how clear direction, creative problem-solving, andconscious leadership unlock team potential. She explains that adopting a mindset of total responsibility for what we create is essential and describes experiencing creativity as dancing with the Universe. You’ll learn to reduce ambiguity in innovation, empower teams to tackle tough problems, and maintain a human touch as AIevolves. Janice also explores the value of creative flow and staying attuned to what matters most while leading change.
S4 · E55
January 21 · 24 min
Helene Cahen - Balancing Creativity with Structure
The 55th episode of The Creative Flow: Thinkers and Change Agents Podcast features Helene Cahen, an innovation strategist, trainer, and author with over 30 years of experience helping companies navigate innovation challenges. At Kinetic Consulting, she supports Fortune 500 companies and nonprofits in developing new products, building effective teams, and fostering user-centered cultures. Helene holds an MS in Creativity and Change Leadership from the Center for Applied Imagination and is the author of "Fire Up Innovation," making her an expert in balancing creativity with structure for real-world results. The conversation offers key takeaways on applying creative frameworks to real-world business challenges. Helene shares success stories, including how team profiles and tools like the Business Model Canvas can reveal gaps and empower organizations to innovate more effectively. She also offers her perspective on the evolving role of AI, highlighting that while it can be a powerful tool, the human element remains essential for making strategic choices and navigating the market. Listeners will learn practical ways to balance the dynamic nature with structured processes. This episode offers valuable insights into staying relevant in a rapidly changing world, the importance of a clear innovation framework, and how practices like improv can help you stay in a state of creative flow. Tune in for an inspiring discussion on how to systematically build and apply creative thinking for transformative results.
S4 · E54
Dec 1, 2025 · 35 min
David Eyman – Teaching Creative Confidence
The 54th episode of The Creative Flow: Thinkers and Change Agents Podcast features David Eyman, an entrepreneur, innovation leader, product designer, and educator at Miami University. With over 30 years of creative experience and a Master’s in Creative Studies from the Center for Applied Imagination, David shares his journey from industrial design to his current role as Director of Innovation. He believes that shifting from doing what we're supposed to do to what we're capable of can lead to greater happiness and satisfaction. The key takeaways from this conversation focus on the critical importance of developing creative confidence in students. David discusses how adaptable thinking skills are essential for navigating a world of complex problems. He provides his insights on the changes he's seen in students, particularly "digital natives," and the challenge of them outsourcing their critical and creative thinking skills while remaining happy, collaborative, and fast learners. Listeners will learn why creative confidence is an essential outcome of creative mindsets like curiosity, tolerance for ambiguity, and resilience. David offers practical ideas for adapting creative problem-solving processes for a new generation of thinkers. Don’t miss David’s perspective on using AI not as a replacement, but as a thinking partner to augment our own creative abilities, providing a framework for students to engage with technology responsibly.
S53 · E4
Nov 11, 2025 · 29 min
Susan Robertson - The Neuroscience of Creative Thinking
The 53rd episode of The Creative Flow: Thinkers and Change Agents Podcast features Susan Robertson, a possibility architect who empowers teams and organizations to navigate change by embracing creative thinking. As an instructor at Harvard, Susan combines the neuroscience of creativity with over 20 years of experience coaching Fortune 500 companies. She brings a scientific foundation and a dose of fun to help make behavior change stick. Discover key takeaways about the neuroscience behind our thinking habits. Susan explains the "negativity bias" and why our brains instinctively resist uncertainty and new ideas. You'll gain insights into the power of shifting from a "Yes, but" to a "Yes, and" mindset, fostering true creative collaboration and innovative solutions in both your professional and personal life. Don't miss the 3-minute Lab: Decoy video she recommends at https://youtu.be/F-TyPfYMDK8?si=HhdjVRYzzsO31Tpc. Listeners will learn practical, science-backed methods for unlocking creativity and making a significant mindset shift. This episode offers practical guidance on overcoming mental blocks, cultivating a culture of possibility, and applying neuroscience principles to drive innovation. Tune in to learn how to build new habits that will change the way you see the world.
S5 · E52
Oct 1, 2025 · 25 min
Marysia Czarski – The Human Side of Corporate Creativity
The 52nd episode of The Creative Flow: Thinkers and Change Agents Podcast features Marysia Czarski, CEO and founder of Ignition Creativity in Toronto, Canada. With over twenty years of experience, she transforms organizations by replacing outdated operational approaches with agile, human-centered frameworks. Marysia has an MS in Creativity and Change Leadership from Buffalo State University and an HBA from the Ivey Business School, combining deep academic knowledge with extensive corporate experience at companies like Ralston Purina and Cadbury. Discover key takeaways from Marysia's journey, from her early career in consumer packaged goods to her current work in corporate innovation. She shares how integrating human-centered design, Creative Problem Solving (CPS), and agile methodologies helps solve complex problems. Listen to her insights on why understanding people is the most critical component of unleashing creativity and driving impactful results within any organization. Listeners will learn practical tips for developing their own creative abilities and applying these skills in professional settings. This episode provides valuable lessons on navigating ambiguity, challenging the status quo, and using creative processes to foster innovation. Tune in to find inspiration and learn how to leverage the creative potential within yourself and your teams.
S4 · E51
Jul 31, 2025 · 31 min
Sue Parnes and Bill Hartwell: The Parnes Legacy
The 51st episode of the Creative Flow: Thinkers and Change Agents Podcast features husband and wife Sue Parnes and Bill Hartwell celebrating the legacy of Dr. Sidney J. and Bea Parnes. As world-renowned pioneers in creativity, innovation, and creative problem solving, Sid and Bea's work has inspired many across generations, transforming the way we understand and nurture creative potential. Their legacy lives on through our guests, their daughter, Sue, and son-in-law, Bill, who both embody the values and inspiration passed down by Sid and Bea in their lives and communities. Listen to reflections from Sue and Bill on how their parents’ dedication to creativity has had a lasting influence on their work and family life. The stories and memories they share about the global impact of their parents’ work fighting apartheid in South Africa highlight the ripple effects of Sid and Bea’s vision. Tune in for highlights of their remarkable partnership, unique perspective, and a special musical tribute celebrating the spirit of creativity they brought to the world. Listeners will discover practical insights into creativity and innovation, hear personal stories of how Sid and Bea inspired those around them, and gain a deeper appreciation for the power of creative thinking in families in everyday life.
S50 · E4
Jun 16, 2025 · 34 min
John Osborn - Creativity as Higher Consciousness
The 50th episode of the Creative Flow: Thinkers and Change Agents Podcast features an inspiring conversation with John R. Osborn, an advertising veteran and long-time supporter of creative problem solving. With a legacy steeped in innovation, John is the co-founder and CMO of ad tech startup Turnstīl, a former Senior VP at BBDO, and grandson of creativity pioneer Alex Osborn, the inventor of brainstorming and founder of the Creative Problem Solving Institute (CPSI). This episode explores John’s incredible insights on creativity as a higher state of consciousness and its transformative role in business, education, and personal growth. You'll discover: How creativity shaped John’s career in advertising and entrepreneurship Lessons from his time with the Creative Education Foundation Practical applications of deliberate creative problem solving Whether you’re a seasoned professional looking to elevate your creative potential or someone curious about the science of creativity, this episode offers stories about how creativity can drive positive change. Tune in and be inspired to harness creativity at a higher level.
S4 · E49
May 8, 2025 · 29 min
Kristen Peterson – Creativity and Community
The 49th episode of the Creative Flow Podcast features Kristen Peterson, a master facilitator, trainer, and organizational development consultant with over 20 years of experience working with global giants like Disney, Google, and Starbucks. She’s an alumna and adjunct faculty member of the Center for Applied Imagination at SUNY Buffalo State University and co-founder of Mindcamp Canada. Kristen has spent her career enabling creativity to thrive in organizations and communities. From her personal story of discovering creativity through the Creative Problem Solving Institute (CPSI) to creating an international space for experimentation at Mindcamp Canada for over twenty years, she is passionate about community. She advocates for teaching creativity in schools and providing people from all walks of life with tools to solve problems creatively. Don’t miss this episode, where we learn about her work building impactful programs, such as Facilitators Without Borders, and mentoring professionals worldwide. Tune in to hear Kristen’s insight into developing creative communities and the power of deliberate creativity to build connections through creativity.
S4 · E43
Mar 26, 2025 · 34 min
Molly Holinger, Ph.D. and Melodi Özyaprak Ph.D. - The Transformative Potential of Creativity
The 48th episode of the Creative Flow Podcast features Drs. Molly Holinger and Melodi Özyaprak, esteemed faculty members at the Center for Applied Imagination at SUNY Buffalo State. Molly, an assistant professor with a PhD in educational psychology, researches positive outcomes of creativity. Melodi specializes in creativity in mathematics and gifted education, having founded the first magnet school for gifted students in Turkey. Their careers span roles in institutions like Miami University, the University of Connecticut, and Johns Hopkins, making them pioneers in creativity education and gifted learning. The episode reveals critical insights into creativity education, emphasizing that creativity is not just a skill but a comprehensive approach to understanding and engaging with the world. Molly and Melodi emphasize the importance of experiential learning, structured creativity models, and integrating both cognitive and non-cognitive aspects of creativity. They also discuss the growing recognition of creativity as a fundamental skill by institutions like the World Economic Forum. Together, they offer actionable strategies for incorporating creativity into curriculum development and differentiated learning approaches. Don’t miss this episode, which offers a unique blend of personal creativity journeys, academic insights, and passionate discussions about creativity's transformative potential. The conversation provides a deep understanding of how creativity can be systematically learned, applied across disciplines, and used for personal and professional growth.
S3 · E47
Feb 26, 2025 · 27 min
Dr. David Gonzalez – Creativity & Organizational Culture
The 47th episode features Dr. David Gonzalez, a global expert in talent management, cultural strategy, and leadership development. David is known for blending creativity with actionable business strategies and has worked with the Center for Creative Leadership, groundbreaking startups, and multi-national corporations. David holds a Ph.D. in Human Performance Improvement and a Master's in Creative Studies from the Center for Applied Imagination. What You'll Learn in This Episode Listeners will discover practical strategies for fostering creativity in both personal and professional contexts. David shares actionable insights on cultivating a creative mindset, building employee engagement, and overcoming barriers to innovation. He examines the role of culture in encouraging bold ideas and shares strategies for helping children lead creative lives. David’s Book Recommendation David recommended Jordan Peterson's "12 Rules for Life: An Antidote to Chaos" to help us "untangle the entanglement we all experience at different points in our lives, which limits our vision, creativity, and possibilities." Tune in for a deep dive into deliberate creativity, the impact of organizational climate on innovation, and the synergy between AI and human ingenuity. Don’t miss this discussion of the intersection of technology and creativity and tips on leveraging AI tools to complement human thinking.
S3 · E28
Dec 31, 2024 · 28 min
Dorte Nielsen – The Power of Creative Connection Making
The 46th episode features Dorte Nielsen sharing her fascinating journey from the advertising world to becoming a leading researcher and educator on deliberate creativity. She is based in Copenhagen, Denmark, and founded Creative Thinker in Copenhagen. With a background in advertising and a Master's Degree in Creative Studies from the Center for Applied Imagination, Dorte has dedicated her career to understanding the neuroscience behind creative thinking and bringing deliberate creativity into educational and professional settings. Discover Dorte's insights on the power of connection-making, the role of metaphor in the creative process, and how to think more creatively. She emphasizes the importance of training the brain to make better connections as a core driver of creativity and shares insights on how developing this skill can unlock our innate creative potential. Dorte's work bringing deliberate creativity into universities teaching creatives and primary schools, from math to history, showcases the transformative impact of teaching creative thinking across the curriculum. This holistic approach can benefit learners at all levels. Learn about her book "The Secret of the Highly Creative Thinker," a practical guide to creativity translated into 11 languages and sold in 65 countries. Dorte's work and passion for cultivating deliberate creativity have profoundly impacted schools, corporations, and beyond. Tune in, and Dorte's expertise will provide practical strategies and inspiration for unlocking your creative spark.
S3 · E34
Nov 20, 2024 · 25 min
Rebecca Reilly: Living a Creative Life with Passion
The 45th episode of the Creative Flow Podcast features Rebecca Reilly, a Fleet Technician for Reddy Bikeshare who works on special innovative efficiency projects focusing on business operations. She has used the Creative Process in all aspects of her personal and professional life as a bike messenger, US Marine, bike advocate, and podcaster. From participating in the Creative Problem Solving Institute's youth program as a child to becoming the youngest leader in the institute's history, Rebecca has embraced creativity as a way of life. Rebecca shares practical advice for parents on fostering creativity in children, including allowing children the freedom to explore, learn from challenges, and develop personal responsibility in the creative process. Rebecca's experiences in cross-cultural collaborations in Korea highlight the value of incorporating diverse viewpoints and adapting creative problem-solving models to different contexts. Discover insights on balancing divergent and convergent thinking in the creative process, overcoming the tendency to spend too much time brainstorming and not allowing adequate time for judging and developing ideas into sustainable concepts. Don’t miss Rebecca’s vision for the future of creativity, its role in solving societal challenges, and the invaluable lessons she shares about passionately nurturing creativity to break free from societal expectations and pursue your passions.
S3 · E44
Oct 16, 2024 · 32 min
Jonathan Vehar & Cathi Brese Doebler – The Practical Side of Creativity
The 44th episode of the Creative Flow Podcast features Jonathan Vehar and Cathi Brese Doebler, co-authors and Leadership Solutions Facilitators at the Center for Creative Leadership. Jonathan and Cathi share their journeys into the world of deliberate creativity, discussing their backgrounds in advertising, communication, and creative problem-solving. Their work at the Center for Creative Leadership highlights their passion for helping leaders develop self-awareness and leverage their unique strengths. Listeners will be inspired by Jonathan and Cathi’s success stories, where they've applied Creative Problem-Solving to help organizations save resources and maintain operations during challenging times. Jonathan recounts a project during the pandemic where he helped a candy manufacturer reduce costs through online creative problem-solving sessions, generating plans for up to $250 million in savings. Kathy reflects on her success in using creativity tools in various projects and a large-group experience with a national women's organization, where she facilitated brainstorming and decision-making processes. Their new book, "How to Make Meetings Not Suck," provide practical tools and tips for planning, running, and following up on effective meetings - whether in-person, virtual, or hybrid. Jonathan and Cathi share their insights on the future of the science of creativity, emphasizing the importance of making these valuable tools and processes more accessible to people in their everyday lives and work. Don’t miss this episode on practical and process-driven creativity, focusing on clarity and energy when working with groups.
S43 · E3
Aug 14, 2024 · 34 min
Sarah Thurber and Blair Miller – Team Collaboration and Foursight
The 43rd episode of the Creative Flow Podcast features a conversation with Sarah Thurber and Blair Miller, the co-founders of Foursight, a company that develops research-based tools and training to help teams think more creatively, work more collaboratively, and achieve better results. They share their personal journeys into the field of deliberate creativity and explore how their shared passion for creativity has shaped their marriage and collaborative efforts. Sarah and Blair discuss their new book Good Team, Bad Team: Lead Your People to Go After Big Challenges, Not Each Other, and provide examples of how they've used creative problem-solving to tackle personal and professional challenges, from managing household finances to leading volunteer efforts in their community. This is your chance to learn the inside story of Foursight, a framework that measures individual and team preferences for four critical types of thinking: clarifying, ideating, developing, and implementing. Their work has deepened the understanding of the interconnectivity between person, process, press (environment), and product in the creative process and shows how self-knowledge can help teams solve complex problems. Blair and Sarah share their hopes for the future of the science of creativity in leadership development and making creative problem-solving accessible to all. Don’t miss this conversation that explores the power of creativity to transform personal relationships, organizational cultures, and societal challenges.
S42 · E3
Jul 18, 2024 · 26 min
Elien Pragt – Creativity as a Superpower in Medicine
The 42nd episode of the Creative Flow Podcast features guest Elien Pragt, M.D., an intensivist at an academic hospital in the Netherlands, working to bring creativity into medicine. She shares her journey of learning creative problem solving techniques and pursuing a Master's Degree in Creativity and Change Leaders at Buffalo State University's International Center for Studies in Creativity. Elien discusses why creativity is essential in healthcare to address issues such as burnout and retaining hospital personnel. One of her goals is to create a workshop for a shared vision for creativity in her hospital by 2030. She designed an interactive course for second-year medical students, where they can work on a self-chosen medical problem in groups using creative problem-solving and design thinking to solve it. Don’t miss this conversation, which explores how creativity can be spread throughout an entire healthcare ecosystem over the next decade. Learn powerful advice to help others trying to implement creativity in their organizations, emphasizing the need for a motivated role model.

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