πŸŽ‰ New Year, New Sparks of Creative Freedom! 🎨

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Creativity Chronicles​
Unlocking Creative Joy, One Week at a Time

Happy New Year!

As we prepare to enter 2025, we are given the gift of a fresh chapter, a blank canvas.

As I reflect on this, the highlight of the Holidays so far was seeing the remarkable new Dylan biopic, “A Complete Unknown.” I loved it!

My inspirational takeaway is to remember to have the courage to create on my own terms, no matter what. I hope you will do the same… even though it’s not always easy.

This year, I want to help you focus not just on lofty creative goals but on building systems and communities that support the creative life you’ve dreamed of.

As James Clear wrote in Atomic Habits:

“You do not rise to the level of your goals. You fall to the level of your systems.”

For me and our small very merry online band, the Creativity Sandbox Community is that kind of systemβ€”a supportive space where joy fuels practice, community sparks accountability, and your authentic self shines through. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate.

What will you create this year? Let’s find out together. πŸ•΅πŸ»β€β™‚οΈ

Here’s to a joyous, inspired, and wildly creative 2025! ✨

Jon Leland, AI Creativity Over 50 Guy

✨ My Holiday Blessing for You ✨

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Creativity Chronicles​
Unlocking Creative Joy, One Week at a Time

Happy Holidays!

I wish you the full expression of your innate joyous creative freedom and a bright, happy, and healthy New Year! πŸŽ„ ✨

Jon Leland, AI Creativity Over 50 Guy

🎨 Inspiring Insights & Resources to Spark Your Creativity ✨

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Creativity Chronicles​
Unlocking Creative Joy, One Week at a Time

An insight, a book, & a movie… all to get your creative juices flowing

Let’s get something straight:
AI isn’t the enemy of creativityβ€”it’s a new kind of creative rocket fuel.

I get it. Suggesting that we embrace AI might feel like heresy, especially when so many people are alarmed about AI. But while the world debates whether AI is β€œtoo much” or β€œtoo dangerous,” others are quietly transforming their lives and having inspiring creative fun by using AI to enhance their imaginations.

So, while most of us are stuck in endless doomscrolling or Netflix binges, we could be diving into a new world of possibilities. Imagine writing stories, creating stunning art, or composing music with AI as your collaboratorβ€”no coding required, just curiosity and a willingness to play.

If you’re ready to shake off the fear and unlock your creativity, start here: Download my free guide, “Top 3 Ways AI Can Enhance Your Creativity.“

πŸ‘‰ Download Your Free PDF Now​

πŸ“š An Inspiring Book: Fei-Fei Li’s The Worlds I See: Curiosity, Exploration, and Discovery at the Dawn of AI

Fei-Fei Li’s journey is as inspiring as her groundbreaking work as one of the few women at the forefront of the AI revolution.

An immigrant with humble beginnings, she rose above limited resources and overcame countless challenges to become a leader in AI innovation. Her resilience and unrelenting curiosity are a reminder that creativity thrives when we dare to ask bold questions and are willing to explore the unknown, one small incremental step at a time. It’s a well-told story of an amazing journey.

In The Worlds I See, Fei-Fei beautifully connects her personal story with her scientific pursuits, showing how curiosity and creativity are deeply intertwined. Along the way, we learn important lessons about what AI is and is not.

πŸŽ₯ A Must-See Movie: Flow Breaks New Ground in the Animated Worlds of Visual Storytelling

This gorgeously animated feature from Latvian filmmaker, Gints Zilbalodis, is also a testament to resourceful creativity. Produced at a small fraction of a typical animated feature’s budget (about $4 million vs $70-$100 million), Flow was brought to life using an open-source animation software called Blender.

Through imaginative storytelling and without any dialog, human beings, or even English-speaking animals, Flow proves that sometimes it’s not about having more resourcesβ€”it’s about making the most of what you have. This film is a brilliant example of how innovative tools and creative vision can produce something truly extraordinary.

You gotta see it. It will open your eyes to a new kind of creative storytelling.

All of these examples point to a fun-filled, creative future you might not have thought possible. Are you in?

If you need help, I want to hear from you. What do you need?

If what you need is more insights into how AI can help, stay tuned. I’m planning some live online events for January.

If you have any questions or want to dive deeper, please let me know how I can help. I’m currently offering free 1-to-1 discovery sessions. Just reply to this message and let me know.

Let’s rediscover your creative joy and build something you’re excited to wake up for.

Wishing you the happiest of Holidays
and a bright, creative New Year! πŸŽ„

Jon Leland, creativity evangelist

🎨 Ready to Play Creatively? These 5 Books Will Light the Way ✨

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Creativity Chronicles​
Unlocking Creative Joy, One Week at a Time

Feeling the call to rekindle your creative spark? 🌟

πŸ“• New Free Download

As a way to attract new people to our Creativity Sandbox Community, I’ve handpicked 5 transformative books on creativity that will inspire, empower, and guide you on your creative journey. I’ve assembled mini-reviews of these essential references into a free, easy-to-read PDF. So, whether you’re looking to overcome self-doubt, explore new passions, or simply bring more joy into your life, these books are packed with empowering and actionable insights.

✨ Get your free PDF here: Download Now​

As my favorite t-shirt says, “Hidden talents count for nothing.” 😁

Start your journey today and discover how these books can help you fully express your creative freedom.

πŸ–ŒοΈ Your Turn to Play

How will you be more creative this week? Please reply and let me know. I’d love to hear!

Remember, don’t die with your creative spark still stuck inside.

Let’s play!

Jon Leland, creativity evangelist

🎹 Why Creativity Feels Like Coming Home 🏑 (And How It Can For You Too)

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Hi Reader,

In the last 24 hours, something magical happened.

During one of our weekly live Creativity Sandbox Community sessions, I felt a sparkβ€”a nudge, reallyβ€”to reconnect with something I’ve always loved: playing music and singing. In this case, it meant re-engaging with my on-again, off-again relationship with my electronic piano.

Earlier that day, I had discovered an online piano teacher, Brianne Paik, whose approach felt tailor-made for me. She’s all about making music accessible, joyful, and easy for β€œadult beginners” like me. Her philosophy? Learning should feel like fun, not work. So, I got started again; and it feels so right!

Here’s what I realized: when we allow ourselves to explore, play, and just begin, creativity doesn’t just stay in the realm of ideasβ€”it reminds us of who we really are. It opens doors. It feels like coming home.

I’ve been playing music and singing or chanting for decades; yet, like we all so often do, I get “lost” and need to remember where home is.

And it gets better: the spark that started all this new inspiration wasn’t random. It was the direct result of being part of a community that values creative exploration. It reminded me that creativity isn’t meant to happen in isolationβ€”it thrives when shared, supported, and celebrated.

Does this inspire you?

If you’ve been holding back on trying something newβ€”or returning to something you loveβ€”this is your sign:

  • What’s one creative act you’ve been putting off?
    ​
  • How could you make it feel easy, joyful, and fun?

Creativity doesn’t ask us to be perfect; it just asks us to start. And when we do, I’ve learned that it transforms not just what we create but also how we feelβ€”we feel more connected, more alive, more ourselves, more at home with our true selves.

What’s your next step? I’d love to hear about it. Hit reply and let me knowβ€”I’m here to cheer you on.

Warmly,

Unlock Email Marketing Joy with Liz Wilcox’s Secrets to Fun & Making Money with Email

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Liz Wilcox, the “fresh princess of email marketing,” and Jon Leland, media innovator since “71 and the host of “Video Mojo,” delve into the power of email and video to spread joy and creativity in cultivating community and authentic relationships.

Key insights include:
– Wilcox emphasizes human-to-human connections, advocating for authenticity and vulnerability in email communication.
– Hear recommendations to avoid the “YouTube SEO” approach in subject lines by writing as if reaching out to a friend, using a conversational tone and providing value.
– Discover how storytelling in email doesn’t necessitate elaborate narratives; simple personal updates can effectively connect with readers.
– Wilcox promotes low-cost community offerings to foster inclusivity and allow more people access to her knowledge and expertise.
– Concise and bite-sized emails are encouraged, with a focus on providing valuable information and prompting action from readers.
– The framework for creating a successful email welcome sequence includes showcasing personality, sharing one’s vision for clients, and communicating values.
– A free guide with 52 subject lines, email templates, and examples for effective email marketing is offered.
– Wilcox’s emphasis on community, inclusivity, and value
-driven pricing aligns with her long-term vision for her business.
– She encourages finding creative outlets and embracing joy in the process of video and email creation.
– Wilcox’s belief is that everyone has the right to learn, which influences her pricing strategy and commitment to inclusivity.

More from Liz: https://lizwilcox.com/

πŸ”— JOIN JON’S EMAIL LIST and/or ALL his links: πŸ”— https://play.combridges.com/

🧰 TOOLS THAT JON USES & RECOMMENDS 🧰
Riverside for remote recording – https://combridges.com/record
Descript for transcript-based, AI-assisted video editing – https://www.combridges.com/edit
ConvertKit for email marketing – https://www.combridges.com/email
Circle for community building & courses – https://www.combridges.com/community
Tella for screen sharing & educational video production – https://www.combridges.com/video

Clicks Amid Conflict: YouTube Business Success Strategies from an Inspiring Ukrainian Expert

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This week’s guest on Video Mojo shares his inspiring journey of rebuilding his life and business after the devastation of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. After he was forced to close his coffee business, he started a video editing company from scratch and grew it to a staff of six within a year, offering valuable insights into entrepreneurship and success on YouTube.

Ukrainian entrepreneur Anton Kosheliev exemplifies the importance of persevering in business, helping others, and creating valuable, educational content to achieve success on YouTube.

He does all this despite facing the challenges of living in a war zone. Anton’s courage and just-do-it attitude are an inspiration for those of us living in much less challenging circumstances.

There’s much that we can learn from him, including his insights about what works on YouTube.

πŸŽ₯ 00:00 Learn how this Ukrainian entrepreneur built a successful video business in less than a year despite conflict, starting a YouTube channel and growing a team of editors.

πŸš€ 05:28 Rather than create a virtual team, Anton hired local editors and taught them YouTube skills so they could succeed. He also recommends creating educational videos to support audience goals in their industry.

πŸŽ₯ 09:32 Anton recommends consistently delivering value through educational videos and prioritizing starting and improving over time rather than thinking you can achieve instant success on YouTube.

πŸ“ˆ 12:28 For most businesses, outsourcing video editing allows for more content creation and business growth, while creating evergreen content is more valuable for building a successful YouTube channel vs YouTube Shorts.

πŸ“ˆ 17:36 Create valuable long-form content, prioritize thumbnails for high click-through rates, and avoid becoming a slave to the algorithm if you want sustainable YouTube success.

πŸš€ 22:45 Be inspired by how Anton started small, put his ego aside, and focused on creating a name and recognition to achieve success on YouTube despite the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

πŸ’‘ 25:25 Despite conflict and economic challenges in Ukraine, Anton emphasizes the importance of persevering in business and helping people survive.

πŸ‘ 28:37 Even for someone living in a war zone, YouTube adds value for Anton by showcasing this creator’s intentions and reputation, leading to increased trust and business opportunities. Anton is an inspiration making a big difference in people’s lives.

πŸ”— JOIN JON’S EMAIL LIST and/or ALL his links: πŸ”—

🧰 TOOLS THAT JON USES & RECOMMENDS (affiliate links) 🧰

Riverside for remote recording

Descript for transcript-based, AI-assisted video editing

ConvertKit for email marketing

Circle for community building & courses

Tella for screen sharing & educational video production

Spike Your Creative Juice In The New Video Mojo Creativity Sandbox!

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πŸ‘¨πŸΌβ€πŸ« You’re warmly invited to Cohort #2 of my Video Mojo Creativity Sandbox, a three-week creative adventure designed to move your creative practice, in any medium, into a higher, more active gear.

If your creativity has been somewhat dormant, consider this a call to reactivate it through the power of community supported by my expert guidance and inspiration. πŸ—£οΈ Learn more including watching a couple of testimonial videos here or get the details here.

Learn More!

You’re Doing A.I. All Wrong! Here’s a More Creative Approach.

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πŸ€– Dive into the Future of A.I. & Creativity with Richard Gutjahr and Jon Leland! πŸ€–

Join the journey through common misconceptions about A.I. with your host, media pioneer Jon Leland, as he engages in a profound conversation with the German journalist, speaker, and master storyteller, Richard Gutjahr.
πŸ‘‡ Watch Video Below πŸ‘‡

πŸš‚ A Revolution Bigger Than the Printing Press & Steam Engine! πŸš‚

We stand on the precipice of a technological revolution, potentially dwarfing the impacts of the printing press and steam engine combined! It’s a chaotic, thrilling, and transformative era where, if navigated wisely, the positives can monumentally overshadow the negatives.

πŸ’‘ A.I. Journaling: A Symphony of Stunning Outputs πŸ’‘

Witness the marvels of A.I. journaling, as it consistently delivers outputs that are not just stunning but also mind-blowingly creative, crafting combinations that are as unexpected as they are innovative.

🌍 Boundless Creativity: A Global Tapestry 🌍

Explore how creativity, unbounded and limitless, weaves a global tapestry, connecting minds across continents, inspiring, and being inspired, in a magnificent exchange of ideas and innovations.

⚑ Generative A.I.: The Creative Accelerant ⚑

Discover how Generative A.I. isn’t just a tool but an accelerant, propelling creative individuals to new heights, amplifying their abilities, and enabling the production of more exhilarating outputs.

πŸ”„ A.I.: A Fundamental Shift in Our World πŸ”„

Contemplate the birth of A.I. as a pivotal moment in human history, altering our creative landscapes and steering the course of our collective future in unprecedented ways.

πŸ’Ό A.I. Isn’t Replacing You…Unless? πŸ’Ό

“Your job’s not going to be replaced by AI. It’s going to be replaced by somebody who knows how to use AI.” Navigate through the nuances of this profound statement as we dissect what AI means for our professional futures.

πŸ˜ƒ A Future Teeming with Possibilities πŸ˜ƒ

Benefit from Richard Gutjahr’s excitement and optimism about residing in a time brimming with technological advancements, and share in the eager anticipation of what the future, intertwined with AI and creativity, holds for us.

πŸ”— Join Us on Video Mojo as we unravel these threads and more, exploring the depths of AI and creativity, and pondering the profound impacts and possibilities they hold for our future!

Connect with Richard Gutjahr on Instagram

❌ Jon’s “A.I. Peeps” Twitter/X List ❌

πŸ”— JOIN JON’S EMAIL LIST and/or ALL his links: πŸ”—

🧰 TOOLS THAT JON USES & RECOMMENDS (affiliate links) 🧰

Riverside for remote recording

Descript for transcript-based video editing

ConvertKit for email marketing

⏰ TIME STAMPS ⏰

00:00 The keys to understanding AI’s potential

πŸ”‘ 05:24 The value of experimentation and play

πŸ‘‰ 09:12 Practicing and sharing creative content on social media can nurture creativity & inspire others

πŸ€– 10:46 AI is creative in its own right

πŸš€ 13:20 AI is a game-changing technology that enables universal participation and learning, surpassing expectations

πŸ€– 16:07 Invest time in learning and experimenting with AI to become more creative

πŸ€– 18:39 Investing in oneself and embracing the intersection of technology, AI, and liberal arts is essential for staying competitive in the workplace

πŸ€– 21:42 Focus on how you can use AI and collaborate with others to explore its potential

Ready to Supercharge Your Marketing Using AI? Best Apps to Get Started.

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Marketing AI Institute’s Chief Content Officer, Mike Kaput and Video Mojo host Jon Leland explain why marketers who do not embrace and adapt to AI are rapidly being left behind.

They also recommend the best apps to get started with copywriting, image generation, and concept video production.

Key insights include strategies and approaches for marketing executives and agencies on how to use AI marketing tools most effectively. Kaput and Leland explain how to use AI as a creative collaborator in order to generate content and revolutionize creativity.

The most important takeaway is that AI tools should only be used as an additive component to your established marketing strategies, not a replacement. These tools can dramatically enhance and empower your strategic positioning, but more content for the sake of more content won’t help anyone and can turn off your prospects.

⏰ TIMESTAMPS ⏰

πŸš€ 00:00 Adapt to AI in order to stay competitive, as using AI marketing tools is essential for success

πŸ’‘ 03:48 How to get started with AI for marketing

πŸ€– 07:08 Recommended AI marketing tools

πŸ“± 13:34 YouTube’s collaboration with Universal Music Group

πŸ€– 17:56 Image generation apps: Midjourney and Adobe Firefly

πŸš€ 22:54 Video tools like RunwayML can help generate concept trailers and videos to showcase ideas

πŸš€ 26:44 Job challenges for voice-over announcers

πŸš€ 31:36 Be cautious of vendors making wild claims about AI, focus on producing quality content and building relationships

πŸ”— LINKS MENTIONED πŸ”—

Marketing AI Institute

Mike Kaput

ChatGPT Plus: ($20/month)

Generative AI Images:

MidJourney

Firefly (rights-controlled images) Jon’s “A.I. Peeps”

Twitter/X List

AI’s you can talk to:

AudioPen

Heypi

Claude

YouTube-Universal announcement on YouTube blog

Past Video Mojo Episodes Referenced:

David Boyle: How Can ChatGPT & AI Help You Make Your Business Better? – Guest: Marketing Strategist, David Boyle

Nicolas Neubert: Amazing AI-Powered Video Apps. πŸŽ₯ How Were MidJourney & RunwayML Used to Go Viral?

The Genesis Concept Movie Trailer: Genesis – Official Trailer (Midjourney + Runway)

ElevenLabs.io (ai-generated voices)

Jon’s video on the categories of AI video: Top 8 Kinds of Amazing AI-Video Apps. What Are They? What’s Useful?

ChatGPT Plug-ins including Code Interpreter (data analysis): openai.com/blog/chatgpt-plugins

🧰 TOOLS THAT JON USES & RECOMMENDS (affiliate links) 🧰

Riverside for remote recording

Descript for transcript-based video editing

ConvertKit for email marketing