The Creative Odyssey Podcast
Feeling stuck, burned out, or lost in the daily grind? Discover how creativity can help you heal, find purpose, and reconnect with your true self.
Welcome to The Creative Odyssey Podcast—the show for anyone searching for meaning, inspiration, and a way out of burnout. Hosted by Sri Lankan-American storyteller Sheran Ranasinghe, this podcast explores the powerful link between creativity, mental health, and personal growth.
Each episode dives deep into real stories of transformation—how artists, entrepreneurs, teachers, and everyday people use creative expression to overcome depression, anxiety, and identity crises. Whether you’re an artist, a creative professional, or someone who hasn’t picked up a paintbrush in years, you’ll find hope, practical tips, and a supportive community here.
What You’ll Get:
- Inspiring interviews with creatives, healers, and thought leaders
- Raw solo episodes on overcoming creative blocks, burnout, and self-doubt
- Actionable advice for reigniting your creative spark—even if you feel numb or stuck
- Honest conversations about identity, purpose, and the healing power of art
Perfect for:
- Creatives, artists, and makers
- Anyone struggling with burnout, stress, or feeling lost
- Listeners seeking mental health support and personal transformation
- Those craving authentic stories and practical inspiration
You’re not broken—you’re becoming. Creativity is your compass.
Subscribe now and join Sheran on a journey to rediscover your voice, heal from burnout, and live a more creative, joyful life.
Episodes
24 episodes
This Is the Most Me I've Ever Been | Stephanie Kluk | Future Ink Graphics
What does it look like when someone stops performing a version of themselves and fully becomes who they always were?Stephanie Kluk is the founder of Future Ink Graphics (FIG) — a silkscreen printmaking studio, community gallery, and crea...
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51:20
He Had No Home, No License & One Canvas. This Changed Everything. | Yves Santana | The Creative Odyssey Podcast
Black artist. Creative identity. Finding purpose through pain.Cleveland visual artist Yves Santana joins host Sheran Ranasinghe on The Creative Odyssey Podcast for one of the most honest conversations about the creative journey we have e...
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1:02:15
Vanessa Eryn: Stop Hiding Your Creativity — On Identity, ADHD, Imposter Syndrome & Building Real Creative Community
What does it mean to stop hiding your creativity — not just think about it, but actually do it? In this episode of The Creative Odyssey Podcast, host Sheran Ranasinghe sits down with multidisciplinary artist, marketer, tattoo artist, and commun...
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35:01
When Adulthood Killed My Art — And How I Found My Way Back | Alexis Hedderson
She sold her artwork. People bought it for a hospital. And she still didn't believe she was an artist.Cleveland artist and teaching artist Alexis Hedderson joins host Sheran Ranasinghe for one of the most honest conversations on The Crea...
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42:21
Stop Creating FOR Your Art. Start Creating FOR People. | Bill Wade
Bill Wade has spent 40 years using dance to transform lives — from inner city kids in Cleveland, Ohio to stages across America, including the White House. As the founder and executive artistic director of Inlet Dance Theatre, Bill has built som...
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47:13
He Lost His Creative Identity. Here's How He Found It Again. | Joel Negus
What does it mean to live creatively not just make art? And what happens when you lose touch with that part of yourself?In this deeply honest episode, Sheran Ranasinghe sits down with Joel Negus -composer, producer, double ...
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1:16:09
Creativity Has Nothing to Do With Talent | The Creative Odyssey
What if creativity wasn’t just about talent — but about embracing all of who you are?In this episode of The Creative Odyssey Podcast, we’re joined by Shaun Sri Lanka (@shaunsrilanka), co-founder of Not Another A...
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23:53
He Skipped the Degree and Built a Business Anyway | Arshad Ameer
What if success has less to do with your qualifications -and everything to do with how much heart you bring when things get hard?In this episode, Arshad Ameer, Co-Founder of FlashHealth, shares his story of resilience, curiosity, and bu...
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1:22:48
The Math Professor Who Became a Songwriter | A Sri Lankan Creative Story
From Math Professor to Songwriter: The Untold Story of Sri Lanka’s Creative GeniusWhat happens when a Sri Lankan math professor reveals he’s also a songwriter and poet? In this inspiring episode, we dive deep into the life of a ma...
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1:19:54
Burnout Almost Ended My Creative Life. Here's What Saved It.
Are you feeling stuck, burned out, or just going through the motions? In this episode, I share my raw, personal story of hitting rock bottom as an executive chef—and how creativity, art, and play helped me find hope and purpose again.You’ll...
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15:38
Going Solo Was the Scariest Decision I Ever Made. It Was the Right One.
What happens when the thing you built with someone you admire… no longer feels aligned?In this deeply honest episode, I share the story behind one of the hardest creative decisions I’ve ever made: telling my podcast co-host I needed to g...
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Season 3
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Episode 1
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14:18
How Storytelling Changes Lives | Sunami Rodriguez & Mason Bufkin
What does it mean to choose the creative path—again and again—when it doesn’t promise stability, clarity, or even recognition?In this episode of The Creative Odyssey, we’re joined by two storytellers from vastly different discip...
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Season 2
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Episode 2
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1:08:42
They Didn't Wait for Permission to Build | Charles Pratt & Kyra Wells
What if you stopped waiting for permission—and just started building?In this episode of The Creative Odyssey Podcast, we sit down with Charles and Kyra, the creative powerhouse behind Breakthrough Sounds, one of Cl...
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Season 2
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Episode 1
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55:41
Stop Waiting to Be Perfect. Get Curious Instead.
In this episode of The Creative Odyssey Podcast, we explore the power of curiosity over perfection in the creative process. Whether you're a musician, writer, filmmaker, or any type of creator, perfectionism can be the biggest r...
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1:02:11
How to Trust Your Creative Rhythm When Everything Feels Off
In this episode of The Creative Odyssey Podcast, Sheran and Ben dive into the transformative power of embracing curiosity over perfection. They reflect on lessons from the Odyssey Sounds creative meetup, the Cleveland 48-Hour Film Fest...
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Season 1
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Episode 9
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51:03
Three Artists on Music, Passion and What It Actually Means to Create | Caleb Cameron, Emanuel Zerbo, Jeff Obrez
In this episode, we explore the world of artistic expression with three talented guests: Caleb Cameron, and The Zerbo Brothers; Emanuel & Joseph. We explore how music serves as a powerful outlet for creativity, providing both joy and a mean...
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Season 1
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Episode 8
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1:07:47
How the People Around You Either Kill or Fuel Your Creativity | Joey Liberatore
Creative Odyssey Podcast Ep7 : Unleashing Creativity with Joey LiberatoreIn this exciting episode of "The Creative Odyssey," Sheran and Ben welcome their first guest, Joey Liberatore, a musician with a deep passion for creativi...
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Season 1
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Episode 7
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1:15:21
Why Creatives Fear Change (And How to Move Through It Anyway)
In this episode we discussed the Prototype idea from our previous conversation and tested various creative block scenarios against it, finding that most passed. Feeling confident, we applied it to tackle our perfectionism, but the process felt ...
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Season 1
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Episode 6
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48:55
How to Become Creative-Block-Proof
Last episode we delved into refining our creative process with a focus on authenticity. We acknowledged that the initial rush of creation, that burst of inspiration every creative feels, shouldn’t be expected to sustain throughout the entire pr...
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Season 1
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Episode 5
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52:14
What Your Creative Block Is Actually Trying to Tell You
In this podcast episode, we discuss the concept of creative block, noting that while it is a familiar term, its experience can vary greatly among individuals. We reflect on personal experiences of creative blocks, describing how initial e...
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Season 1
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Episode 4
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44:12
You Are a Creative. Here's How to Own It.
In this podcast episode, Ben & Sheran discuss their creative journeys, reflecting on their early experiences and how they recognized themselves as creatives. They share personal stories from their childhood, such as Ben's early fascination ...
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40:46
The Question Every Creator Needs to Answer: Are You Actually Creative?
In episode 2, Ben & Sheran discuss their creative journeys, reflecting on their early experiences and how they recognized themselves as creatives. They share personal stories from their childhood. They explore the pivotal moments that ignit...
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Season 1
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Episode 2
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47:34
Why the Most Important Thing a Creative Can Do Is Reach Out
In this first episode, Ben and Sheran recount their friendship's origin. They highlight the importance of meeting and collaborating with like-minded creative individuals. Despite initial insecurities and doubts about their creative capabilities...
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Season 1
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Episode 1
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27:47
The Creative Odyssey Podcast Trailer
Welcome to The Creative Odyssey Podcast, where we dive deep into the creative process with unique perspectives, one being all the way from a tiny island in the middle of the Indian Ocean, and one, born and raised in the beautiful Buckeye State....
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Season 1
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Episode 1
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1:19