Ep 72 Embracing Creativity & Purpose with Shani Pride

In this episode, Lori hosts Shani Pride, an accomplished actor, speaker, creative turning now to writing and directing in the entertainment industry. Shani discusses the power of creativity in discovering one’s purpose and navigating life’s transitions. She shares her journey from theater to film and television, the importance of pivoting and taking risks, and offers practical advice for aspiring creatives. The conversation covers Shani’s upcoming projects, the value of storytelling, and the crucial role of gratitude and journaling in fostering creativity and personal growth.

Key Takeaways:

• Patience is key, success in creative fields doesn’t happen overnight. Treat your craft as a long-term journey, just like any serious profession.
• Education and training, from reading books and taking courses to listening to podcasts, immerse yourself in learning. Resources like Sundance Collab offer incredible guidance for writers and directors.
• The power of practice, writers write, painters paint, actors act. The best way to grow is to consistently do the work.
• Feedback and growth, share your work, receive feedback, and refine your skills through trial, error, and persistence.
• Commitment to the craft, creativity is not just a hobby, it’s a discipline. Constant learning, experimentation, and adaptation are key to long-term success.

Episode Highlights:

00:55 Meet Shani Pride: A Multifaceted Creative

02:38 The Power of Creativity and Overcoming Obstacles

04:39 Shani's Journey: From Theater to Film and TV

12:24 The Transition to Writing and Directing

24:37 Practical Advice for Aspiring Creatives

35:55 The Art of Storytelling and Final Thoughts

Whether you're just starting out or looking to refine your creative practice, this episode is packed with inspiration and actionable advice. Tune in now and start making your artistic dreams a reality!

Learn more about Shani here:

Website: https://www.shanipride.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shani_pride/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shanipride/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@shani_pride

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@shani_pride

IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1099481/

Thank you for sharing your time with me and remember to show up in your life like the masterpiece you are because YOU are the ARTwork!!!

Please subscribe and leave a 5 Star Review.

Have a fabulous day!

Learn more and follow along with Lori at:

30 Days of Success Free Journal: https://www.theartworkofyou.com/registration

Website: https://www.TheARTworkofYOU.com

Website: https://www.lorigouhin.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theartworkofyou/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lorigouhin/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/facebook.com/lori.gouhin

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/linkedin.com/lori-gouhin/

Grab your FREE Daily Accountability Journal
https://www.theartworkofyou.com/registration

Transcript

Shani Pride: [00:00:00] It does take imagination and creativity to pivot. Sometimes you have to be able to imagine something different. 

I think when we hold on so rigidly. To anything in life, whether it's a career or relationship, whatever, you name it you suffocate it as opposed to being open to the endless possibilities that might exist on the other side of that unknown Hello, my friends. I am so glad that you are here with me today because today we have a [00:01:00] very special guest. We have Shani Pride and Shani is a writer, a director, an actor, a speaker, and a creative consultant with over 20 years of experience in the entertainment industry. She's worked with major studios like CBS, HBO, Showtime, and Warner Brothers.

She's starred on hit TV shows such as CSI Miami, Weeds, American Horror Story, and starred in award winning independent films. Shani is a visionary storyteller dedicated to shaping narratives. that challenge, inspire, and transform. She's currently in pre production on a film she is writing and directing set in Italy. She is also developing Brownsville Redemption, a TV series that she created and wrote that explores deep themes of equity Access and resilience. As a creative consultant, Shani collaborates with brands [00:02:00] and companies on all things storytelling, content, and media, helping them craft compelling narratives that build deeper connections, drive engagement, and amplify their impact. She is deeply passionate about guiding others to unlock their true purpose. And harness the power of creativity. Her mission is to help people break barriers, expand their vision, and step boldly into life, a life of meaning, impact, and fulfillment. Welcome to the artwork of you, Shani. I am so excited to have you here today. 

Shani Pride: Thank you, Lori thank you for that introduction. And it's a pleasure to be here. I'm excited for this conversation. 

Lori Gouhin: So am I. And I love that we have a love of creativity. The both of us. And I really, I think that sometimes people, automatically think that they're not creative, which you and I both know isn't true. And so I want to start by asking you, what do you think is the biggest obstacle that stops [00:03:00] people from unlocking their purpose in life? 

Shani Pride: That's a great question. I agree. As soon as we connected, I knew that we had this mutual sort of alignment around creativity. And think when someone is blocked or is uninspired or doesn't know their way forward or is trying to find their path towards their purpose, I actually feel like creativity is an incredible tool to help someone get there. Oftentimes I think we get stuck in this. Endless cycle or this rut or this sort of groundhogs day, if you will, that prevents people from. seeing or reimagining or rediscovering themselves, rediscovering their purpose in life, rediscovering who they are truly at their core. And I'm sure we'll get into it a little bit more, but I feel like creativity is such a beautiful tool to tap into that and help them reimagine and take steps towards their purpose in [00:04:00] life. 

Lori Gouhin: Yeah, I love that. And again, because it's a reminder that creativity comes in all forms. It's not just in the traditional sense of writing or acting or painting or music, anything like that. It's, as you just described, really thinking creatively to move you forward. And yeah, I couldn't agree more. I think that one of the biggest stumbling blocks that people have is just making that connection between their imagination, as you said, and using that as a step forward, just as the beginning and going whichever direction it takes. do you think you were always creative and were aware of that? And just, because you have a very creative background in the traditional sense and obviously in the non traditional as well as using your imagination, were you always that way? Or do you think that just came about later in life. 

Shani Pride: Think I was always that way. And not to say that you can't discover it later in life. So I don't want to, I don't want to paint this picture that either you are creative or you are not. Because I, I [00:05:00] don't believe that to be true. But for myself personally, I've always been creative. I've always been drawn to the arts, if you will.

I started in theater. And for me The theater was a place where there were endless possibilities. I remember being on stage for the first time. I had no lines. I was in this play guys and dolls, and I was on stage the whole time in the wings. So I was able to really experience what the audience was taking away from this weird perspective of being in the play, but really not being in the play.

And it was really life changing because I was moved by this notion that. Creativity or the act of creativity is really powerful and I was able to observe the audience and see how they were swayed. To laughter or to sadness or to provoking thought. And that's when I realized, and I was pretty young then, I was about 14 years old. That's when I realized how [00:06:00] powerful creativity is. And it stuck with me from that moment moving forward. And now as an artist and as a creative being, I am extremely passionate about using creativity to affect change. So I feel like it goes both ways. You can Affect change in others or you can affect change within your own life and or both really 

Lori Gouhin: Yeah, because what is that they say when you yourself change the world around you changes, right?

Just naturally. 

Shani Pride: Exactly. 

Lori Gouhin: So whether it's intentional or not, as long as you're changing yourself, everything else seems to transform as well. So tell me a little bit more about, you starting out in the theater. So did you have aspirations to be an actress and was it school theater that you first got involved with?

Shani Pride: Yes, it's it is. I didn't really quite know I wanted to be an actress until I did that play it's so funny, so I was at an ordinary high school. in California. And then once I did that play, I realized that I wanted to go to a high [00:07:00] school for the arts. So I actually applied on my own without telling my parents.

 a really good friend of mine, Her sister was going to the Los Angeles County High School for the Arts, which is a very prestigious art high school. And just went, I don't even know how, I don't even know if there was like internet back then. I'm aging myself, but I figured out how to apply.

And then I just went to my mom and said, mom, I want to go to this school. I want to transfer schools and this is what we need to do. And I already set up an interview and you need to help me get a monologue book from Samuel French bookstore on Sunset Boulevard in LA. And I just knew then and there that I was going to be an artist and it started with acting.

I was very serious about learning the skill. And I started as a thespian, as I mentioned, so started in theater and then that expanded to film and television. which has now expanded to writing and directing film and [00:08:00] television, but all of it is connected to this initial desire to be a creative, to be an artist, and really fell in love with the art of acting, writing, directing, etc. 

Lori Gouhin: And so to apply to that school, did you said a monologue book, so is that how the application process went? You had to do an audition, basically, to get in? 

Shani Pride: You 

Lori Gouhin: had 

Shani Pride: to audition. Yes. And it's very hard to get in, but there's there's something so beautiful about being naive and just being inspired to move forward in life.

So I learned this monologue and I went to the audition and thankfully, it was for me to get in. It was a very powerful program. We split our days between academic. in the first half of the day and then purely creative disciplines in the second half of the day.

 my focus was acting, but there were visual artists and dancers and [00:09:00] musicians and singers at the school. So I was just immersed in creativity from a very young age, which. I'm so grateful for that experience. I went on to UCLA theater school and it's interesting like when I was applying for colleges and I applied for USC and UCLA and when I was in my interview process, they all said like people who come from your high school oftentimes are a little discouraged because you come in leaps and bounds ahead of most traditional high schools that people come from. And it's true. Like even my college experience didn't compare to that high school experience that I had So it was a complete blessing. 

Lori Gouhin: That's amazing. And what also really jumps out to me is not just you being a creative being, but courageous. To take that on, first of all, to apply set that all up without your parents guidance.

And just to audition like that with really, not really much experience, just your waiting in the wings on the stage or [00:10:00] observing from the wings, as you said that really takes a lot of courage. And so think that's awesome that. Then, it did work out in your favor, and I'm sure that just really built the foundation of. As you said, being immersed in creativity, so that builds your creativity, taking a courageous and bold step like that and having it work out just builds that confidence, would you say? 

Shani Pride: Absolutely, Lori I could not agree more. It did. It set the stage for me. Being willing to take risks in life and understanding that, yes, sometimes they may not work out, but sometimes they may, and you won't know unless you try. So that was, I think, the foundation for many risks that I've taken in life, particularly around my creative endeavors. But you're right. It was a confidence booster, I think, at such a young age and really a testament to. If you really are passionate about something and you really want to [00:11:00] pursue something, take that leap of faith, jump, the safety net will appear, even if you can't see it right away.

And it does allow you to challenge yourself moving forward and be open to taking chances where maybe you're afraid that you might fail, but you still do it anyway.

Lori Gouhin: I could not agree more. now you're doing writing and directing. Are you still acting as well?

Shani Pride: I now only really want to act in the things that I'm creating myself because I'm very particular about what I want to like as an actor solely. You're at the mercy of projects that come your way, but now that I've stepped into the role of creating projects from the onset, those are projects that I think I would be open to acting in because they're so meaningful, they're so impact driven, they're provocative and dynamic and interesting and the roles are extremely [00:12:00] layered.

And so I took a pause from acting to focus on the writing and directing because I'm such a, I'm such an artist. If I'm going to do something, I really want to pour myself into it completely. And so I really focused on the craft of writing first and foremost and then the craft of directing. And now that I feel confident in those roles, I'm reintroducing acting back into the mix. 

Lori Gouhin: What was the catalyst to move you into wanting to start writing? I know that you said when we spoke briefly before that you just got the, I guess you could say the bug or the urge or that you, they always like to write, but to really take it to that next level, which again takes courage and creativity to jump from acting to writing and also be successful. 

Shani Pride: It's so true. It's so funny because it goes back to your initial point about auditioning Writing was the exact same thing. And it's funny because I have friends who are professional writers. Like they write for huge shows, very successful shows, [00:13:00] huge films. And One in particular who I'm thinking of kept telling me you are a writer, you are a writer, and I kept denying it like I'm not a writer, you're a writer, I'm an actor. And so when COVID hit, so two things happened. I would have this recurring dream over and over again of this opening scene for years. And, I wasn't a hundred percent sure what this was or why this was, but I just kept having this dream. This it's and it's funny. This scene is actually in my television series that I created as the open opening scene. So for years I had this dream and then when COVID hit and everything stopped, production stopped, all things stopped. The world stopped. I just said to myself, you know what, I'm going to write this opening scene and see. What comes of it and I didn't tell anyone I was doing it I just to your point took the leap and decided I'm going to try it.

Maybe I will fail miserably. Maybe I'll hate it [00:14:00] Maybe I'll love it. I don't know, but I'm going to try it. And so I started writing and I just fell in love with the process of writing. And I realized that as an actress who has read so many scripts, I've read Scripts that went on to win Academy Awards, and I've read horrible scripts.

I've read plays, I've read television, I've read film, every type of script you can imagine, and so I was absorbing all of that knowledge about what makes a great script, about character development, about story arcs, about beginning, middle, and end, about, Act structure breaks and all these things that I didn't technically know I knew.

And then once I started to really study the process of writing, I realized, wait a minute, I know all these things. And so it just organically fell into place. And then directing was the same thing. Wrote my first script and then Sundance actually was the impetus around that and said, you know [00:15:00] what, you write in such a visually. creative way, like you can see the landscape of your story so clearly in your stage directions, etc. You should be a director. And I was like, I'm not a director. And it's like the same thing all over again. Yo, I'm not a director. So I was like, okay, I'll try it. I'll direct something, and then I'll see if I like it, and then I fell in love with it.

And again, as an actor, I've worked with so many directors, good directors and bad directors, and I knew what it took to be a great director because of the great directors that I've worked with in the past, and I knew how to work with actors because I am an actor, and so I just organically took on that role as well. 

Lori Gouhin: what was the first script that you wrote that became something? Can you share that? Is that a TV show? Is that a film? 

Shani Pride: Yes, it's a TV show that I'm actually currently about to move forward with in terms of moving [00:16:00] to production companies, etc. All of the projects that I'm working on as a writer director are in this sort of, first I was developing them, writing them, and now they're about to enter into the world.

The television series is Brownsville Redemption. I also wrote a film called With Love Me. And I'm currently writing another film that is untitled at the moment that we'll also move forward with as a feature film. 

Lori Gouhin: Nice. And as far as the television show that you're working on, can you tell us a little bit more about that and how that all came to be?

I know you said it started with the opening scene of the dream, the recurrent dream. Did it just flow from there? How did that, how does that whole process work creatively for you? 

Shani Pride: Yeah, It's funny because it originally started as a film. I wrote it as a film and then I started getting all this feedback from people who I really respect, producers, etc.

that kept saying It's so much story for an hour and a half format. It should be a television series. [00:17:00] And I was so resistant to the idea of turning it into a television series for whatever reason. I just wanted to write and direct it as a film. That's what the initial impetus was.

And so once I Surrendered and said, okay, let me look at this as a television series and went down that path. It beautifully flourished and completely opened up. And it is so much story to tell, and it's almost like I was doing it such a disservice to try to squeeze it into the confines of the time restraint of a film. And so this has been like a years long process, starting as a film. Adapting it into a television series and now having it move forward as a pilot initially the script, and then I crafted the whole journey of the series. So I already have sort of a season one and season two Bible that explains the story from start to finish in those first two seasons.

So the process has been a long one, [00:18:00] but a very Educating one, inspiring one. And it really showed me how these things evolve and adapt over time. 

Lori Gouhin: People 

Shani Pride: don't realize the journeys of a project from the concept to actually appearing on screen is such a process. It takes many years, many iterations. like when someone's receiving an award, they're like, I've been working on this for 10 years and it probably seems crazy that someone would work on a project for that long, but it really does take that long to really get The full scope and span and expression of a story.

Lori Gouhin: Yeah, that makes total sense. And what, again what jumped out to me is another thing that is so important is being able to pivot, right? When you have a project that you want, whether that be a film or starting a business or just changing directions in life, anything, it's so important to be able to [00:19:00] pivot and to know, When to do that, because we do get married to outcome.

Sometimes we have this vision in our mind of how things are supposed to be. And we hold onto that sometimes to the detriment of ourselves or to the project that we're working on. And so to be able to recognize, okay, I can let this go and I can take it in another direction, which again, will open up a whole new world. And really that's where the success lies, not in holding on rigidly to something. That we think has to be a certain way and I'm again, I think that'll just benefit you immensely moving forward and maybe I guess in a way it's something a skill or way of being that you always had right being able to pivot from regular school student to acting school student to writer and now director and even within those smaller projects being able to pivot when necessary. I love that. 

Shani Pride: Now it's such a good point. I love that Lori. It's so true because I think It's such a good life [00:20:00] lesson. And you're right. And it ties back into sort of creativity as a whole. It does take imagination and creativity to pivot. Sometimes you have to be able to imagine something different. But you're right.

I think when we hold on so rigidly. To anything in life, whether it's a career or relationship, whatever, you name it an outcome. You're right. I think you suffocate it as opposed to being open to the endless possibilities that might exist on the other side of that unknown factor and trusting that if something is pulling you in a direction, just allow yourself to explore it.

But you're right. I think pivoting has probably been one of the hardest things to do, but one of the most rewarding things to do in my life. 

Lori Gouhin: Yeah, because as humans, we're so resistant to change and uncertainty. And that's the two big things right there, changing the direction, uncertain of the outcome.

We are so resistant and I think, tying it back to that first [00:21:00] question I asked you, that is, I think sometimes a. a big stumbling block for people because they can't get past that resistance to change and uncertainty. They want to know the outcome. I often say people have manuals for like how other people should behave, right?

I have this manual. You should be doing this. You should be saying that and you're not. And I don't like that. But we also, in essence, sometimes have a manual for just how life should unfold and our expectations of how Things should be, but once we throw away that manual, and as you said, open ourselves up to the endless possibilities, because I think that there are, it's like I did a, an episode not too long ago on parallel realities. And in the concept of that is, is that there are infinite. Possibilities for us in life and we just have to choose one, right? And if that one's not working out, we can choose another one. There's always a different vision of ourselves out there in the world of possibilities of who we can be and what we can accomplish. 

Shani Pride: Love that. And it's such a good point because on the [00:22:00] other side of fear, right? I think you're right. If there is something that's really blocking someone, fear. And the fear of change and the fear of the unknown is definitely a huge factor. And it's true. And if something's not working, even if you try, I remember reading a quote that said, fail hard and fail fast. And I love that. So it's pour yourself, all of you into something. And if it's not working for whatever reason, if it doesn't feel right, if it's not in flow, fail hard and fail fast. Understand that, okay, I learned so much from this experience, now let me shift directions and pivot and change and not grasp on to something that's not working and do it as quickly as possible so that I can move to the endless possibilities that might be out there.

And maybe you have to pivot a few times before you really find your way. But to your point, there are so many ways to find if we allow ourselves to find them. 

Lori Gouhin: Yeah. Yeah. And, and people [00:23:00] say change takes a long time, but as you said, fail and fail quickly because change actually happens in an instant.

It's just the belaboring of going back and forth of should I, shouldn't I, should I, that's what takes forever for most people. But if you have that mindset of fail and fail quickly, the change really happens in an instant. The moment you make that decision, either way, 

Shani Pride: it's so true. It's so true.

And it's so much easier said than done. I completely understand that. 

Lori Gouhin: If I could only follow my own advice, 

Shani Pride: I know it's okay, that sounds really easy and it's not. But if you really can get behind this notion of trusting that things will work out somehow, some way, and also looking at.

When we look back in life, and we look through the journey of our life, there's so many situations where we didn't know how things were going to Turn around or turn out for the better or just shift in a positive direction and they just happen and not all the time there will be times where things [00:24:00] are hard and labored and Traumatic and all of those things not to discredit those But for the most part, things do find their path and they do find their flow and they do work out somehow, some way, even if it takes years, it does get there.

Eventually, at some point, 

Lori Gouhin: I couldn't agree more. And so we've given like an overview of guidance, right on, on. Creativity and change and how to accomplish certain things. But let's talk a little bit more practical strategies, maybe for the listeners. So for anybody out there who's listening that maybe does have the acting bug, whether they're somebody young or somebody who's, later in life and in wanting to transition, maybe they've always wanted to get into acting, or maybe somebody has the writing bug and they want to. Write a film, write a novel, write a TV show. Are there any practical strategies or tips that you can give them as to how to get started and how to move forward once, once you have gotten started? Cause I know it's a very competitive world out there. 

Shani Pride: Yes. This is such a great question and. [00:25:00] First and foremost, I would say you need to be patient because it's a process like anything that we value in life.

It doesn't happen overnight. And if you go in expecting quick results, you will get discouraged and give up. So if you allow yourself the time to really nurture. What I call your craft, right? If you want to be an artist, an actor, a writer, a director, it's a craft and it's a journey, like anything. If you want to be a craftsman, we know that it takes years of studying that would work or whatever you're working on. Apply that same mentality to the art of acting and I'm from LA, born and raised originally. And I've seen so many people move to LA thinking that it's like this easy path forward. And then a year or two later, they're moving back to Kansas or wherever, small town they came from or big town they came from.

Because they didn't realistically approach the work as this is a very serious difficult [00:26:00] and challenging at times. But if I really pour myself into it, it can be very rewarding. The second thing I would say is there's a company called Sundance. Most people will know it from the film festival. They have a very incredible tool resource called Sundance Collab.

And it's perfect for those that are just getting into the art of writing and directing and producing particularly. It's not so much for acting, but if you want to be a writer or director, I would say go to Sundance Collab and take one of their courses. It'll take you through the structure of writing, the the tools and the resources around how to take an idea from Idea to actual script and it'll hold your hand through the entire process and it's unbelievably rewarding and it's filled with very experienced advisors that are just brilliant at helping you get this idea out of your [00:27:00] head and onto the page. for directing it does the same thing. It'll actually take you through directing a scene and go through the practicalities of how to be a director and how to approach your vision as a director etc. So the first thing is definitely give yourself the time and space to really nurture this and the second is Educate yourself, jump into classes, read books, watch documentaries on the process, listen to podcasts, like just fill yourself with as much knowledge as possible to really study it and treat it like a craft that you want to learn and grow it and develop over the years.

And then you'll find yourself with a script or something that you shot and you'll go along the journey organically, which I think is the best way to move forward. 

Lori Gouhin: Yeah. And back to how, when you said you went to that high school, you were just immersed in creativity all around you. And so the advice of, learn as much as you can through books, [00:28:00] podcasts, actually doing things again, you absorb so much that all of a sudden just everything probably just starts to click. But it is a process, right? Just like you go to college to learn something. It's a four year process. you have to treat it like that. there's really no. I guess there are some one hit wonders, but generally, even as an artist myself, and I've been selling my work for six years now, but I'm still learning and trying new techniques and immersing myself in the craft itself.

It's not like I learned to paint six years ago and I'm still painting the same thing six years later and expecting my business to grow. you have to constantly challenge and engage because it is it's a craft that you're developing, as you said. It's not a hobby. 

Shani Pride: Yeah. And it's a process.

Exactly. And to your point, I think just do. It's so funny. A lot of people say they want to be a writer, but they don't actually write. And writing is free. And I love this Notion of even painting if you want to be a painter, you should paint or if you want to be a dancer, you should [00:29:00] dance.

And so just diving in. And yes, you're going to learn and it's going to feel awkward in the beginning. And you may not. have it down pat initially out the gate, but with time and with practice, you will develop skills and learn from your mistakes and learn from feedback. And not only do you need to write, but you also need to send it to people so they can actually read your writing. So you can get feedback and same with the painter. Like you have to put it out there at some point in the world to get that feedback from the world. And then that'll help you develop your ideas further and try different techniques and et cetera, et cetera. But. 

Lori Gouhin: Yeah, and that goes back to courage and invulnerability.

You have to be, if you want to do something like that in the world, you have to just embrace what it takes, the vulnerability and being courageous, just even incrementally if you want to move forward. Otherwise, what good is it to have your writing tucked in a drawer somewhere for nobody to appreciate?

That's not the point. Do [00:30:00] you have a writing practice, like a journaling practice that you do daily or anything? 

Shani Pride: I love the idea of journaling, and it's so funny, when I talk about creativity in general, I always say you don't have to be a creative to be creative. And journaling I think is such a great entry point to tapping into one's creativity. I'm currently working on three writing projects simultaneously, so I'm not journaling necessarily, but I'm very regimented around scheduling my writing time, so I have to really carve out time for me to sit down and intentionally focus on the writing with everything else that's happening in the world, and in my world in particular So there's two different kinds of writers, the writers that write every day, and then there's the writers that write in waves.

I'm, I write in waves, so I don't write every single day, but I think about my writing every day, and I'll dream about it, I'll contemplate it, I'll be inspired, I'll take notes [00:31:00] when something comes, like a scene might just randomly come to me, and I'll write all of that down, and then I'll take all of that inspiration. When I feel like the urge and feel the flow, and then I'll sit down and write nonstop. It'll just pour out of me. And then I have to step away from it again and do that process all over again. 

Lori Gouhin: Let's talk about that for a minute because I think that a lot of times people think with creativity, so probably with writing, I know with painting, is that if you are practical about it and structured about it, that I'm going to have these times to write or I'm going to have these times to paint, that somehow that detracts from the creativity, 

No, a creative person, it's just when the creativity flows, that's when I do it. That's not creative, but that's what it takes. if I don't find myself scheduling time in my studio, all of a sudden the painting becomes an afterthought. or I may be thinking about it, but if I don't give myself, those scheduled times and those scheduled days that this [00:32:00] is studio time, then the painting doesn't get done and it does not detract from the creativity.

What are your thoughts on that? 

Shani Pride: I couldn't agree more. That is such a good. And it's so true because writer's block, which applies to every art, painter's block, dancer's block, inter x is a very real thing. And procrastination is a very real thing. I believe that's, True to everything in life, if you don't schedule, if it's not in my Google calendar, it doesn't exist. It won't happen. Whether that's working out, meditating going on a trip, you name it, working on X or Z or Y, you have to schedule it. And I agree that, look, there are times, I'll be very honest, where I'm not feeling it. But if I sit down and I intentionally take time to write, 9. 999 times out of 10, it will flow.

I will start writing and I will be very productive. But if I don't [00:33:00] schedule that time, it absolutely will not happen. So I agree with you. Great. 

Lori Gouhin: One of the great things about Julia Cameron's work The Artist's Way The Morning Pages, right? And I think that the best benefit, personally, I think, in journaling is the self awareness that comes from it. And so if you can begin each day with those two pages, even when you think at first you have nothing to write about, and I love the concept of two pages because by the time you get to the end of the two pages, so much clarity has come. And. So the writer's block or the painter's block or the what do I want to do with my life block, the awareness and the clarity comes after just sitting down and journaling.

And then when you go on to make those changes or get in the studio or sit down to your writing as your work. that the clarity will come and you'll start to know, Oh, okay, this is what I want to do. I think it really helps to dissipate those blocks and the uncertainty of what you want to do and how you want to change. And so [00:34:00] I'm a big proponent of journaling. Do I do it every day? No, I should probably, but I know that when I do, and especially when I take it out to the two pages, just such awareness comes. And I It's so valuable when I work with clients. That's one of the first things that we start with is a journaling practice every morning and whether they want to continue that down the road is up to them.

But I think in the beginning stages as they're trying to figure out which direction they want to go it's just so helpful along with the gratitude practice. I attend things every day to write down what you're grateful for, even if they're the same thing, 10 things every day initially and then get to the point of why you're grateful for them.

I think it's just. So good for creativity. 

Shani Pride: I love that. And I agree. And I love The Artist's Way, by the way. I think that's such an incredible book for everyone to go through that process. I think it's, what, 16 weeks or something like that. But it's true. I think journaling is such a beautiful entry point to tap into your creativity to also [00:35:00] transform your life and using that as a tool for transformation to get out of your head and expand the horizon and reimagine things.

and gratitude. I also agree is such an incredible, powerful tool to move you from your comfort zone. A stuck place to a positive place, but also a place where you can feel inspired when you start focusing. Cause what I believe, what you focus on expands, so you start to focus on the things that you're grateful for.

You will have more things to be grateful for. 

Lori Gouhin: And the opposite is true as well. So why not do the positive? coming up, what are you most excited about? I'm sure your TV show, but anything else you're working on? Or just in life in general that you're really excited about? 

Shani Pride: I am, I'm excited about life as a whole. I know that the world is in a very chaotic state with everything that's happening right now all over the world. But I choose to focus on the positive and I choose to try and be a [00:36:00] light in the world and yes, my film and television projects I'm very excited about. I'm also excited I'm doing a speaking tour currently where I'm taking these ideas around the power of creativity and Finding one's purpose in life and sharing that on this global stage, which I think is also so important. It expands on the work that I do as an artist in general.

So also really excited about that. 

Lori Gouhin: I love that. And that ties in, I'm sure to your work in storytelling. And so what can you share with the listeners so that they can be better storytellers? Because I think that. That's not just for business or for the arts, for life really, just to engage in conversations with people.

Being a better storyteller, it just makes people attracted to you and want to spend time with you. It's great for relationships. So how can we be better storytellers? It's 

Shani Pride: think storytelling is such a Collaboration, it's a beautiful unifier. It brings people together.

Storytelling was the impetus of [00:37:00] all of this radio, TV, social media, all of it. It started around a fireplace and I still believe in those principles of sharing ideas and also sharing ideas that provoke thought and affect change and create dynamics between people that bring people ideally closer together.

Even if you disagree. But I do think that storytelling applies to everyone's life. If you own a business, your business is a story that you're telling. I also work with corporations around the idea of storytelling and helping businesses and brands affect a better. Impact in the world and create impact in the world through the art of storytelling. If you're an individual your life is a story that you're telling and you are protagonist of that story. And so don't know, I think as we lean into this idea of creativity, thinking about your life from this perspective of what is the story that I want to [00:38:00] tell and how do I want to tell it?

And. What kind of impact do I want to have on the world? Because we all have the possibility, I think, of making an impact in our own lives, first and foremost, and in our communities, and ultimately, potentially, in the world. And I think as a storyteller, I think the avenue of storytelling is a very powerful way to do that. 

Lori Gouhin: I agree. And what came to me was what a great journaling prompt is just what is my story, not what is my story is in my history, but what is my story going forward? What story do I want to tell? What story do I want people to tell about me in my life? And again, not rehashing your past, but moving forward and projecting that out into the future, I think would be a great journaling prompt for people. Just as a way to get started. I love 

Shani Pride: that. 

Lori Gouhin: Yeah, let's 

Shani Pride: put that out. Yeah, it's the journal prompt What's still what is the story that and also thinking back? So at the end of my life, you know What do I want my story to have been because it's true. We all [00:39:00] have such tremendous I think that oftentimes we don't understand or recognize or acknowledge.

And it's true. We can choose the story and the lives that we want to live and make choices that reflect that life. And that story ultimately, at the end of the day. 

Lori Gouhin: Absolutely. And again, that goes back to what we were talking about earlier with parallel realities. There are. There are infinite possibilities out there.

So which story do you choose? Just reach up and grab it and start living it. Know it sounds simple, but it's not easy, but it is simple really. And it just starts one day at a time. We can all do it. Despite whatever limitations or obstacles we personally have, there's always a way forward. Always 

Shani Pride: a way forward. Always. And there will always be obstacles. But, to your point. One day, one step, one moment at a time, and we will find ourselves there. 

Lori Gouhin: Absolutely. 

Shani Pride: I truly appreciate you being here and we'll put everything in the show notes, but just for [00:40:00] now, can you.

Lori Gouhin: Share where people can find you on social, website if they'd like to learn more about you, your films, everything, tell us all the things. 

Shani Pride: I love community. So find me on Instagram, Shani underscore pride, and I'm on Tik TOK, I'm on LinkedIn as well. I have a website shanipride.

com, but. Definitely find me on social so we could go on this journey together because I do feel like it takes a village and we're building this incredible community and if this any of this resonated with you, there's lots more where it came from in my sort of community building social activities so find me there. 

Lori Gouhin: Awesome. Thank you. Again, I am so grateful, and I don't think this will be our last conversation so thanks again for being here. 

Shani Pride: Thank you, Lori.