Why Everyday Creativity Matters More Than You Think
In episode 155 of The Empowered & Embodied Show, hosts Kim Romain and Louise Neil are joined by multidisciplinary artist, filmmaker, and creator of the Nosey AF podcast, Stephanie Graham. Together, they explore how creativity, connection, and self-expression can transform the ordinary into something magical.
Whether you're washing dishes, building a wall, or snapping photos of strangers on the street, this episode is a heartfelt invitation to see yourself as a creative being—and to find joy and meaning in the small, everyday moments.
Stephanie’s candid wisdom and vibrant humor remind us that art doesn’t have to show up in MoMA to be important. It can live in your phone, in your home, and in how you show up in the world.
Redefining Creativity: From Dark Rooms
to Dishwashing
Stephanie shares her early creative roots, from discovering photography in Catholic school to the influence of Lifetime movies and family film nights. While she once believed she “couldn’t draw,” she realized over time that creativity isn’t about traditional talent—it’s about expression.
Stephanie explains how photography and storytelling became her entry point to a larger truth: we are all creators, whether or not we call ourselves artists.
Key Points:
Creativity is a state of being—not a skillset, title, or profession.
Your medium can be anything: building a wall, organizing your household, designing systems, or writing in a bullet journal.
Expression matters—even if nobody sees the final product.
Art as Connection, Activism & Empowerment
Kim and Louise explore the deeper layers of Stephanie’s creative practice, particularly how art intersects with social impact. Stephanie explains that visual storytelling is a powerful and accessible way to engage people with complex issues like homelessness or social justice.
Whether someone connects emotionally or simply notices the craft, that entry point opens the door to conversation—and sometimes that’s the most important impact.
“You might not have grandeur to say, but you can identify with smaller pieces—and that’s valuable.”
Key Points:
Art can start difficult conversations, even when language fails.
Creativity offers us access to each other’s lived experiences and stories.
Empowerment often begins with self-expression—and noticing the beauty around us.
Gatekeeping, Labels & Reclaiming the
Word “Creative”
The conversation dives into the harmful myth that only “real artists” get to call themselves creatives. Kim shares how she reclaimed the title of “Artist” in her own journey, while Louise reflects on how she once didn’t see her renovation work as creative.
Stephanie speaks to the gatekeeping within the art world, encouraging listeners to trust their expression—even if it doesn’t look like traditional “art.”
“Art doesn’t have to show up in MoMA to be important. It can live in your phone.”
Key Points:
Creativity is for everyone, not just those with formal training.
Gatekeeping creates shame and silence—but creativity thrives in authenticity.
Art is valuable because it stirs emotion, not because it fits into a category.
Creativity as Everyday Practice
Stephanie offers practical ways to notice, create, and play, even in the mundane. From taking photos of your dishes to noticing colors in your neighborhood, the act of creating doesn’t have to be performative—it can be intimate and personal.
It reminds us that creativity isn’t about impressing others—it’s about stirring something inside ourselves and that even when you never meet the person who inspires you, the connection is real. Because inspiration creates connection. And connection is magic.
Key Points:
Take a picture of something red.
Capture a quiet moment that made you feel something.
Be silly. Be intentional. But most of all—just create.
Key Takeaways
Art lives in the everyday. Whether you’re photographing your laundry or building a wall, it matters.
We are all creatives. You don’t need permission, a degree, or a gallery exhibit.
Expression is connection. Even if you never meet the person, your creativity can make someone feel less alone.
Creativity is empowering. Making something—even for no one—builds confidence and joy.
There is magic in the mundane. You just have to look for it.
“When we stop waiting for permission and start noticing what moves us—we begin to create magic.”
Key Moments
0:00 – Celebrating fresh starts and small wins
4:38 – Self-compassion and showing up anyway
7:29 – Reconnecting with self and creativity
10:26 – Early influences and creative roots
13:32 – Art as a catalyst for social change
24:57 – Empowerment through creative expression
27:35 – What it really means to be “creative”
31:18 – Dismantling gatekeeping in the art world
39:28 – Making creativity inclusive and accessible
41:27 – Finding magic in the mundane
42:42 – Final reflections and golden nuggets
48:12 – Honoring creative community and collaboration
CONNECT WITH STEPHANIE
Website: www.missgraham.com
Nosey AF Podcast: noseyaf.com
Instagram: @stephaniegraham
Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share if this episode sparked something in you.
Got a creative practice you want to reclaim or celebrate? Drop it in the comments—we’d love to cheer you on.
Are you ready to reclaim your power and live (and work) with more ease? Discover your unique blueprint to do just that with Kim's Strengthscape Self-Mastery Profile.
Looking for something different and feeling lost about where to start? Rediscover your purpose and how to craft a career that makes sense. Check out Louise's Midlife Career Mastery program.
