Brad Frost welcomes Sydney-based artist and designer Gemma O’Brien to Wake Up Excited to discuss her work in murals, lettering, and calligraphy and her recent move to London to study at the intersection of art and neuroscience. Gemma shares what she learned shifting from “thinking like an artist” to “thinking like a scientist,” including the rigor of statistics and research, and describes her flow-state study with artists, where self-reported intuition in the creative process significantly predicted flow even after controlling for expertise. They explore how to foster flow through attention, intrinsic motivation, goals, and challenge-skill balance, plus the healing power of the arts, stepping outside comfort zones, collaboration, and optimism as a learned superpower.

Chapters:

• 00:00 Introduction
• 02:20 Neuroaesthetics Leap
• 03:31 Thesis Crunch Time
• 05:47 Artist Workflow Reset
• 09:09 Science Learning Curve
• 12:37 Studying Flow And Intuition
• 20:40 Why Art Moves Us
• 25:37 Arts Therapy And Healing
• 34:38 Optimism As Superpower
• 38:32 Helping Without Burning Out
• 42:04 Strengths Gratitude Daily Practice
• 45:56 Beginner Mind And Discomfort
• 51:55 Collaboration Ego And Delegation
• 01:00:57 Flow State Conditions And Attention
• 01:07:54 Intrinsic Motivation
• 1:12:07 Music Playlists
• 01:15:07 Wrap Up Links

Brad Frost welcomes Mike Rybachuk, founder of Ukraine-based design education platform The Projector Institute, to discuss living a positive, fulfilling life while Russia’s war impacts Mike’s family, friends, colleagues, and business in Ukraine.

From Prague, Mike shares practical, low-cost ways to improve daily life and spread positivity—working outdoors with a hammock and foldable chair, waving to strangers, and intentionally combining work, nature, and social time. They talk about making work fun without diminishing seriousness, prioritizing joy, and avoiding cultures of constant complaining. Mike emphasizes self-honesty, introspection, and personal responsibility, including his five-year commitment to becoming honest with himself, reframing emotions like fear as signals for action, and using simple techniques like counting to three before reacting. He stresses helping others from where you are with what you have, collaborating rather than starting alone, and choosing responsible work that improves the world.

Topics discussed:

• (00:00) - Introduction
• (01:34) - Support the Podcast: Brad’s Courses + Discount Code
• (02:20) - Kicking Off in Prague: Why Mike’s Waking Up Excited
• (03:04) - Starting Skateboarding at 40
• (05:20) - Cheap Ways to Upgrade Your Day
• (08:25) - Why Can’t Work Be Fun?
• (11:30) - Not Waiting for Retirement to Live
• (16:11) - Priorities, Joy, and Escaping the “Complaining Communities” Trap
• (19:56) - Micro-Positivity in Real Life
• (30:11) - The 5-Year Project: Practicing Self-Honesty (and What It Changes)
• (37:19) - Subjective vs Objective Thoughts: Letting Go of Stress Triggers
• (47:51) - Stop Mind-Reading: Ask, Validate, and Communicate Clearly
• (52:00) - Emotions Aren’t Weakness
• (58:25) - Stoicism & Philosophy as Tools
• (01:08:48) - Ukraine’s Resilience on the Ground: Living Life Under Bombs
• (01:19:45) - Education as Resistance
• (01:28:00) - Choosing Work That Makes the World Better
• (01:33:33) - Collaboration Creates Magic
• (01:38:55) - Where to Find Projector Institute

Brad sits down with Christine Vallaure, a renowned designer, speaker, and founder of Moon Learning. Christine shares insights into living a balanced and fulfilling life, drawing from her experiences as a solo entrepreneur and author. The conversation explores the importance of agency autonomy, the difference between ambition and competition, and the joy of finding fulfillment in daily actions rather than future goals. Christine also emphasizes the value of enjoying mundane tasks, maintaining a healthy work-life balance, and staying motivated through passion and interest. Whether you are an entrepreneur, a creative professional, or someone seeking inspiration, this episode is packed with valuable takeaways on designing a life that excites you every day.

Topics discussed:

00:00 Introduction
01:25 Supporting the Podcast
02:19 What has Christine waking up excited?
04:16 The Struggle for Autonomy
05:29 Remote Work and Flexibility
08:02 Overcoming Creative Blocks
16:58 Focus on the Process, Not the Outcome
22:22 Ambition vs. Competition
28:45 Finding Inspiration and Community
36:12 Finding Joy in the Mundane
39:55 The Importance of Self-Awareness
49:18 Redefining Success and Ambition
53:24 Embracing Privilege and Opportunity
01:02:14 Encouraging Creativity and Exploration