I Love Your Stories- Conversations with Artists and Creatives with Hava Gurevich

Episode #20 Janavi Folmsbee: Where Art, Science, and Ocean Advocacy Meet

Hava Gurevich — Mon, 20 Apr 2026 03:52:57 -0700

In this episode of I Love Your Stories, Hava Gurevich is joined by Janavi Mahimtura Folmsbee, a multimedia artist and marine conservation advocate whose work exists at the intersection of art, science, and ocean storytelling.

The conversation explores Janavi’s journey from growing up in Mumbai to studying at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, and how her first scuba diving experience in the Lakshadweep islands in 2008 transformed both her life and artistic practice.

Janavi shares how she integrates scientific research into her work, collaborating with marine scientists on projects ranging from public art installations to scientific publications, all aimed at deepening connection and awareness around ocean ecosystems.

The episode also highlights her exhibition Magic Water at the Rockport Center for the Arts in Texas, featuring underwater photography, oil paintings, and porcelain sculptures inspired by marine life from around the world.

A thoughtful conversation on purpose, interdisciplinary creativity, and redefining success through meaningful connection and impact.

New Exhibition
Magic Water at Rockport Art Center, April 18 - June 7, 2026
https://www.rockportartcenter.com/exhibitions/janavifolmsbee

Website: www.janavimfolmsbee.com
IG:https://www.instagram.com/janavimahimturafolmsbee/

Shownotes

00:00 Introduction to Janavi Folmsbee
01:05 Janavi’s work at the intersection of art and science
02:10 Sponsor message: Art Storefronts
03:25 Janavi’s background and growing up in Mumbai by the Arabian Sea
05:10 Becoming an artist and first solo exhibition at 16
06:40 Studying at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago
08:15 Interdisciplinary art practice, pigment theory, and materials
10:20 First dive experience and connection to the ocean
13:00 Recreating calm, meditation, and emotional connection through art
15:10 Becoming a scuba diver and ocean advocate
16:45 Working with divers and marine scientists
18:30 Art for scientific papers and collaboration with marine labs
20:15 Art as advocacy and education
22:10 Ocean optimism and ocean abundance
24:20 Why hope matters when communicating environmental issues
26:00 Art vs science: translating data into emotion
28:10 Installation work and the Lockett series
30:00 Current research: coraline algae and reef systems
32:15 Bioabundance and ecosystem balance
34:10 Invasive species and anthropogenic change
36:30 Questioning science and pushing new ideas
38:10 Exhibition Magic Water overview
40:20 Exhibition structure: photography, paintings, sculptures
42:30 What viewers will feel and experience
44:10 Concept of one ocean and global connection
46:00 Definition of success
48:20 Art, connection, and human response
50:30 Where to find Janavi online
51:20 Closing remarks and sponsor message

Episode #19 Photographing Dreams and Memory with Susan Burnstine

Hava Gurevich — Tue, 31 Mar 2026 06:28:22 -0700

Award-winning fine art photographer Susan Burnstine joins this episode to discuss her journey from Hollywood film production to becoming a full-time artist whose haunting dreamlike photographs are created with cameras she built herself.
In this conversation, Susan shares how childhood night terrors and her mother’s artistic guidance shaped her creative process. She reflects on her years working in the film industry, the turning point that brought her back to photography, and the moment she first captured the aesthetic she had been searching for.
The discussion explores her approach to symbolism, intuition, and dream imagery in photography, the experience of building her own cameras, and the importance of creating from the heart rather than technical perfection. Susan also talks about mentoring artists, teaching creativity, and how her definition of success has changed over time.

Website: http://www.susanburnstine.com/

*Shownotes*
Growing up in Chicago and studying photography in high school

Being inspired by films shot at her school and developing an interest in visual storytelling

Early experience working for a professional photographer

Choosing filmmaking and moving to Hollywood

A personal tragedy that shifted her perspective and led her back to photography

Childhood night terrors and using art to cope with fear

Recreating dreams through photography as a form of healing

Discovering toy cameras like the Holga and learning to photograph intuitively

The challenge from her father that led her to build her own cameras

Developing a prototype camera and capturing the first successful image

Using dream imagery, symbols, and metaphor in photography

Creating photographs that allow viewers to form their own interpretation

Teaching photography and helping artists discover their own creative voice

Working with students online around the world

Building a career as a full-time artist for over twenty years

Publishing monographs and exhibiting work internationally

Embracing imperfection as an essential part of creativity

The influence of impressionism and pictorialism on her photography

Defining success through self-expression and living life on her own terms

*Memorable Quotes*
“Toy cameras teach you to shoot differently — to shoot from your heart, not your head.”

“When you’re looking through a view camera, you’re not seeing what you’re really shooting, so you have to go with your instinct.”

“I wanted to recreate the dream world in a positive light rather than the negative night terrors.”

“Imperfection is perfection to me.”

“Life is so messy. Life is so imperfect.”

“Once I put the image out in the world, it should be your own experience.”

“Sometimes when I hit the shutter, I just know.”

“I teach what you know. I help people discover what is unique about them.”

“The essence of creativity just happened in front of me.”

“Success is about achieving self-expression on my own terms.”

“I’ll leave this life and say I lived the life I wanted to live.”

Episode #18 Chasing Rare Moments with Dark Sky Photographer Jeff Pfaller

Hava Gurevich — Wed, 11 Mar 2026 09:14:48 -0700

Photographer Jeff Pfaller joins host Hava Gurevich to talk about dark sky photography and rare natural phenomena—aurora, the Milky Way, comets, eclipses, and more. Jeff shares how he moved from writing and advertising into photographing what cameras can reveal beyond human night vision, why he cares less about technical perfection than capturing the feeling of being there, and what it’s like to chase events where so much can go wrong. They discuss planning versus unpredictability, learning to embrace imperfect conditions, guiding trips for photographers and non-photographers alike, doing art fairs, and Jeff’s evolving definition of success—finding fulfilment in making the work, with selling as a way to keep doing more.

Website
https://jeffpfaller.com/
Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/pfallerj

*Shownotes*

Jeff explains what “dark sky” means and how it relates to night conditions and environments without sunlight.

How long exposures allow cameras to capture light and detail beyond what the human eye can see at night.

Jeff’s background in writing and advertising, and how storytelling shaped his approach to photography.

His early struggle to capture the feeling of travel experiences in photos rather than just documenting places.

The moment he first photographed the Milky Way and became fascinated by what exists beyond normal perception.

His experience seeing Yosemite’s firefall and the emotional impact of witnessing rare natural events.

Why he focuses on capturing how a moment feels instead of technical perfection or photo-realism.

The challenges of photographing rare phenomena such as eclipses, comets, and unpredictable weather conditions.

The importance of embracing imperfect or unexpected conditions and finding beauty in them.

Planning ahead by scouting locations in daylight and using apps to predict where celestial objects will appear.

His perspective on gear and why he believes smartphones can be powerful tools for night photography.

Balancing photography with a full-time remote role as a UX writer at Mozilla.

Selling prints and wall art online, along with guided trips as a way to share experiences with others.

Encouraging people to experience moments with their eyes first rather than focusing only on the photograph.

The value of guided trips and witnessing others experience rare natural events for the first time.

His focus on family, sharing these experiences with his children, and creating meaningful memories together.

Why he chose art fairs as a way to connect with people and build relationships in person.

Lessons from art fairs, including humility, rejection, and the importance of personal connection.

How photography can trigger personal memories and emotions in viewers.

His evolving definition of success, focusing on enjoyment of the creative process rather than outcomes.

Viewing sales as a way to continue creating rather than as the primary measure of success.

His journey from writing novels and scripts to making art for personal fulfillment.

How people can find his work online and meet him at art fairs in the Midwest.

Episode #17 Two Beautiful Mistakes: Gary Zuercher and The Glow of Paris

Hava Gurevich — Mon, 16 Feb 2026 05:00:00 -0800

Photographer and author Gary Zuercher joins host Hava Gurevich to share the story behind his signature series, The Glow of Paris: The Bridges of Paris at Night. What began as an accidental overexposed photograph of the Alexander III Bridge became a five-year, winter-only project to photograph every bridge in Paris at night, followed by a year of historical research. Gary discusses the technique that shaped the work, the solitude of photographing along the Seine in winter, the book’s publication and awards, major exhibitions in Paris, and the chance encounter in Mexico City that first brought him to Paris and eventually to his wife. The conversation also explores his dual career in business and photography, how he defines success, and why he believes photographers should experience shooting and developing film in a darkroom.

Gary Zuercher
https://www.parisbridges.com/

The Glow of Paris Podcast:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aXoyu1A_mQ4

SHOWNOTES
How an accidentally overexposed photograph of the Alexander III Bridge sparked the Paris Bridges Project

Using overexposure and under-development to create luminous nighttime images

The “two beautiful mistakes” that shaped the project

Photographing every bridge in Paris at night over five years

Spending an additional year researching the history of each bridge for the book

Early experiences with photography through a Boy Scouts merit badge and a basement darkroom

Studying at Ohio State University and the Parsons School of Design in Paris

The chance meeting in a Mexico City airport that led to Paris and meeting his future wife

Why the project was shot only in winter

Photographing alone at night along the Seine

Publishing The Glow of Paris in English and French

Winning a gold medal at the annual New York Book Convention

The work entering permanent collections including the Library of Congress

Major exhibitions in Paris, including the Hôtel de Ville and public outdoor displays

Defining success as an artist versus success in business

Advice for photographers to learn film and darkroom techniques alongside digital

Episode #16 Creative Evolution: Building a Sustainable Life in the Arts with Lindsay Peyton

Hava Gurevich — Wed, 28 Jan 2026 08:50:50 -0800

Artist, curator, and writer Lindsay Peyton joins host Hava Gurevich for a wide-ranging conversation about what it takes to build a lasting life in the arts. Lindsay shares her path from a
creatively rich childhood into painting and photography, her time studying photojournalism, and the many hats she’s worn along the way—teaching, curating, running galleries, doing PR for
artists, and returning to graduate school later in life. They talk about the realities of sustaining an
art career, including the invisible business and promotional work behind getting art seen, how
creativity moves across disciplines, and Lindsay’s perspective on AI as a tool for writing and
beyond.

Lindsay's website: https://www.lindsaypeytonart.com/
Lindsay's IG account: https://www.instagram.com/lindsaypeytonart

Episode #15 Michael Gurevich: Creativity as a Core Need: Play, Flow, and Letting Go of Outcomes

Hava Gurevich — Mon, 05 Jan 2026 05:14:23 -0800

In part two of Hava Gurevich’s conversation with Michael “Misha” Gurevich, they explore the idea that creativity isn’t optional—it’s a core human need. Misha shares how an existential crisis during the dot-com era led him from software development in San Francisco to meditation and creative exploration in Fairfield, Iowa, including discovering morning pages through The Artist’s Way and building a writing tool called Ilys. They discuss creativity as process over outcome, the role of play, how expectations block flow, and how “permission” opens the gates for expression. Misha also describes how he practices play through riding an electric unicycle, training to become a kiteboarding instructor, and preparing for a 1,800 km kiteboarding
expedition in Brazil—using these activities as real-world flow training.

www.instagram.com/michaelgurevich777/
Discover Ilys: https://www.ilys.com/

Memorable quotes

“Creativity isn’t optional… a core human need, right after food and sex.”
“I was living the dream… until I had an existential crisis when my grandfather died and I began asking questions.”
“I really felt a deep, meaningful internal shift… when I allowed myself to do that with no outcome other than just having the experience.”
“The only requirement for it to be successful is that you just do it.”
“You have to let go of the need to create in order to actually create.”
“There’s this level of mental overseer that’s looking and judging…”
“We might not recognize it when it comes up… it won’t be until later… to look at the mess that we’ve made and inside that mess where are the gems.”
“Any supermarket is as spiritual as any holy temple.”

Episode #14 Carmen Davailus: Creativity, Courage, and Finding Your Voice at Any Age.

Hava Gurevich — Wed, 17 Dec 2025 02:04:36 -0800

In this crossover Halloween episode, host Hava Gurevich sits down with photographer, podcaster, and former nurse practitioner Carmen Davailus. They talk about creativity, vulnerability in sharing art, how people connect emotionally with images, and what it means to step into your voice later in life. Carmen reflects on her journey from 40 years in healthcare to photography and storytelling, and shares a powerful full-circle moment when she reconnected with the family of her first neonatal patient after 40 years. Hava discusses patterns in art, personal growth, and how creativity ties together different parts of life. Together, they explore passion, meaning, and why it’s never too late to say thank you or share a story.
https://www.carmensfineart.com/
https://www.instagram.com/carmensfineart/
Carmen's podcast: The Art of a Meaningful Life: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLytsm2Q-CHzaUIxZbrUkZbivL0p1-xa-l&si=cTmvlLtgX9nxYzHz

Episode #13 From Classroom to Canopy: Rosalind Philips on Nature, Teaching, and Tenacity

Hava Gurevich — Tue, 18 Nov 2025 10:42:53 -0800

In this episode, host Hava Gurevich talks with wildlife photographer, teacher, scientist, and software engineer Rosalind Phillips, who has spent her life “exploring the connections between art, science, and education.” Rosalind shares stories from growing up in Inwood in upper Manhattan near the Cloisters, attending a progressive school based on John Dewey’s laboratory school, and spending summers at a Quaker camp in Vermont, where her deep love of nature took root.

She recalls getting her first camera as a child from her amateur-photographer father, becoming a national leader in using computers in the classroom, and the hummingbird nest photograph that re-ignited her passion for photography in 1992. Rosalind talks about her project-based teaching, her move into software engineering after serious illness, three decades on the art fair circuit in Olympia and Seattle, her philosophy of intent in photography, and the belief that “every living creature…deserves the same respect that we give other human beings.” She also speaks candidly about navigating racism, building long-term relationships with collectors, and her current passions: astrophotography, abstract nature work, and her annual Juneteenth images.

https://www.instagram.com/rosalind.philips/
https://rosalindphilipsphotography.com/shop-art/

Episode #12 Andrea Cote: The Body, Connection, and Creativity

Hava Gurevich — Mon, 03 Nov 2025 10:08:55 -0800

In this episode of I Love Your Stories, host Hava Gurevich talks with multidisciplinary artist and educator Andrea Cote, who works across printmaking, sculpture, video, and performance. Andrea shares how early collaborations with women artists shaped her creative path, how modelling for other artists transformed her understanding of herself, and how motherhood changed her art and sense of purpose. The conversation moves through her teaching journey, community-based projects, and what it means to find flow, resilience, and connection through art.

Andrea Cote is an artist and educator whose practice includes printmaking, sculpture, performance, and video.
Her work often uses her own body as subject and instrument, inviting viewers to find connection through traces of lived experience.
Andrea teaches across all ages and abilities, currently at Suffolk Community College, and leads community-based projects throughout eastern Long Island.

Website: andreacote.com

Instagram: @AndreaCoteArt

Episode #11 Shoot What You Love: A Conversation with Photographer Henry Horenstein

Hava Gurevich — Sun, 19 Oct 2025 03:00:35 -0700

Hava Gurevich sits down with her longtime friend, photographer, author, and educator Henry Horenstein, who has taught generations of photographers and published over 40 books. In this conversation, Henry reflects on his early days studying under Minor White, Harry Callahan, and Aaron Siskind, and how the 1970s marked a turning point for photography as an art form. He shares stories from his life — from working at Polaroid and teaching at RISD to creating his newest self-published book, Miles and Miles of Texas. With humour and honesty, Henry discusses the importance of following your passion, defining success on your own terms, and doing what you love for as long as you can.

Topics Covered:

Studying at Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) after being expelled from college in Chicago
Mentorship under Minor White, Harry Callahan, and Aaron Siskind
Early days of photography education and the limited career paths in the 1970s
Working at Polaroid in PR and communications and meeting Ansel Adams
Transition to teaching photography at RISD
The rise of photography as an accepted art form
Reflections on his memoir Shoot What You Love
Creating and self-publishing Miles and Miles of Texas
Why he prefers self-publishing for creative control
Advice to artists on publishing: “Do it yourself.”
His philosophy on success: “Doing what you love for as long as you can.”
Upcoming events and book tour details, including Rizzoli Bookstore, NYC and Texas Book Festival

Find Henry online:
📸 Website: henryhorenstein.com
📧 Email: Henry@Horenstein.com
📕 Book: Miles and Miles of Texas — available on his website and (soon) on Amazon

✨ Memorable Quotes (verbatim from transcript)

“The best advice is shoot what you love.”
“I see myself as a historian with a camera.”
“You’ve got to be you. It’s the most obvious lesson in the world, but it’s one a lot of students have trouble with.”
“For me, success is just getting to do it.”
“You don’t make money on what you do, you make heart.”
“Doing what you love for as long as you can — that’s success.”
“If it comes, great. If it doesn’t come, great. It’s not following your own — that’s the only failure.”

Episode #10 Butterflies in My Stomach: The Surreal Worlds of Anya Anti

Hava Gurevich — Thu, 09 Oct 2025 02:00:00 -0700

What happens when you follow your creative vision without knowing where it will lead? In this episode of I Love Your Stories, host Hava Gurevich speaks with Ukrainian-born conceptual portrait artist Anya Anti. Known for her surreal, meticulously crafted images of women, Anya shares her artistic journey—from discovering Photoshop before picking up her first DSLR, to moving to New York with nothing but two suitcases and a dream. She opens up about the viral self-portrait that emerged during her darkest times, the painstaking process behind her photographs, and how she is navigating the challenges posed by AI-generated art.

Discover Anya online:
website: https://anya-anti.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/anya_anti_art

Show Notes
Guest: Anya Anti – Ukrainian-born conceptual photographer specialising in surreal female portraiture.
Early Creativity: Began with painting and crafts, later discovering Photoshop and digital photography around 2008–2009.
Artistic Breakthrough: A pivotal manipulated portrait posted in 2011 defined her genre of surreal, storytelling portraiture.
Moving to the U.S.: In 2014, Anya moved to New York with her husband, no job, no apartment, and faced cultural and language challenges.
Self-Portraiture: Began exploring self-portraits after struggling to find models, leading to her viral piece “Butterflies in My Stomach”
, symbolising anxiety and rebirth.
Signature Style: Real-world locations, handcrafted props, and hours of digital
compositing—avoiding background swaps to keep the surreal believable.
Creative Milestones: Speaking at events like WMAX and creating the climate change
project “Two and a Half Seconds” in Iceland.
AI Challenges: Anya discusses the frustration of having her work mistaken for AI-generated images and reflects on how technology is reshaping art.
Staying Creative: Despite doubts and obstacles, Anya remains dedicated to her craft,
embracing select AI tools as complements—not replacements—for her process.

Episode #9 Edi Matsumoto: From Nurse Practitioner to Otter Artist and Gallery Owner

Hava Gurevich — Mon, 29 Sep 2025 05:34:05 -0700

In this episode of I Love Your Stories, host Hava Gurevich speaks with Edi Matsumoto, a Japanese-born artist who transitioned from a 30-year career in healthcare to a full-time career in art. Edi recounts her early encounter with Mother Teresa in Calcutta, her nursing career in the U.S., and the pivotal moment when her husband rescued an old sketch of hers from the trash, encouraging her to pursue art classes.

What began as weekend classes turned into a Master’s in Fine Arts and eventually a flourishing art practice. After retiring early from medicine, Edi leaned into business mentoring and discovered her niche: anthropomorphised otter paintings. This playful and deeply appealing work has led to her gallery, Edi Matsumoto Art and Design, in Carmel-by-the-Sea.

She discusses the challenges of opening a gallery, the importance of mentors and business education, and the Japanese concept of Ikigai—finding joy, purpose, and service at the intersection of what you love, what you’re good at, and what people need. Edi also talks about her upcoming book Otter Therapy, which pairs her otter artwork with humor and lighthearted wisdom.

The conversation touches on creativity, overcoming self-doubt in selling art, living authentically, and inspiring others to rediscover their creative passions.

Guest: Edi Matsumoto – artist, gallery owner, mentor, and author
Host: Hava Gurevich
Key Topics Covered:
- From healthcare to art: Edi’s journey from nurse practitioner to full-time artist.
- The Paris sketch that sparked her career, saved from the trash by her husband.
- The role of mentors and business coaching in shaping her success.
- Discovering her niche with otter paintings and how it grew into Otter Therapy.
- Opening her gallery in Carmel-by-the-Sea and building community through events.
- Ikigai: blending love, skill, need, and income into a joyful life purpose.
- Overcoming the discomfort of “selling” by reframing it as service.
- Inspiring others to reclaim their creativity and live authentically.
Links:
- Gallery: [Edi Matsumoto Art and Design, Carmel-by-the-Sea] (Mission Street)
- Website: eddiematsumoto.com
- Book: Otter Therapy: 50 Whimsical Whisker Moments for the Soul (launching October, available on Amazon)

Episode #8 Creating on the Edge: Veena Kulkarni-Rankin on Improvisation, Healing and Connection

Hava Gurevich — Thu, 11 Sep 2025 03:34:10 -0700

In this episode, host Hava Gurevich speaks with pianist and improviser Veena Kulkarni-Rankin.
A classically trained musician who discovered a love for improvisation and collaboration, Veena opens up about her journey, her genre-defying bands Kuwento Mizik and AgawDilim, and the healing power of music during her recent cancer treatment. Together, they explore the connection between music and visual art, improvisation as expression, and how creativity can
be a form of medicine.

Links to Veena's Bands:
1. AgawDilim- website:
https://www.agaw-dilim.com/
link to single:
https://open.spotify.com/track/0L1boxgBztztuyKaDvMQ8s?si=whR2JPhqTB-kxadogGNQrg

2. link to Kuwento Mizik's album, Lua Nova:
https://open.spotify.com/album/7MoH09QVID9kIzlEcUWPwe?si=8Cll_KHTSNyPi2xFP8BOfw&nd=1&dlsi=d44eef55d5b14476

Veena’s background in classical piano and improvisation

Description of her bands:

AgawDilim: Jazzy world music with Persian and jazz influences

Kuwento Mizik: Story-driven salon-style concerts

The magic of collaboration with musicians from diverse traditions

Comparing improvisational music to painting and other art forms

The emotional and spiritual nature of improvisation

Episode #7 From Tech to Photography: Carol Schiraldi’s Creative Turning Point

Hava Gurevich — Thu, 28 Aug 2025 02:16:23 -0700

In this episode of I Love Your Stories, host Hava Gurevich sits down with photographer and former tech architect Carol Schiraldi. A New York City native who moved to Austin in the early ‘90s, Carol shares her journey from programming and systems design to becoming a full-time artist. They explore the balance between creative passion and professional careers, the philosophical role of photography, the impact of the pandemic on life direction, and the influence of AI on both art and humanity. This is a candid and insightful conversation about purpose, discovery, and the intersection of technology and creativity.

IG: https://www.instagram.com/carolschiraldi
website: https://www.carolslittleworld.com/

Episode #6 Reinvention and AI: A New Chapter in Filmmaking with Dennis Mohr

Hava Gurevich — Thu, 14 Aug 2025 05:28:47 -0700

In this follow-up conversation, Hava Gurevich welcomes back Canadian documentary filmmaker Dennis Mohr, fresh from an AI Film Festival in Amsterdam. They dive into Dennis’s renewed passion for filmmaking, sparked by the possibilities of AI-generated cinema.

Dennis shares how AI is democratising the industry, allowing low-budget creators to achieve what once required large crews and big budgets. From recreating medieval battle scenes in Georgia to launching an AI artist collective in Toronto, Dennis reflects on how embracing new technology is fueling a creative renaissance in his 50s.

This is a story of reinvention, optimism, and the evolving role of the artist in the age of artificial intelligence.

Show Notes:
Guest: Dennis Mohr – Canadian documentary filmmaker and technologist
https://m.imdb.com/name/nm0596049/

Topics Discussed:

● Attending the AI Film Festival in Amsterdam and what made it different
● The rise of AI as a tool for low-budget, high-impact filmmaking
● How AI workflows replicate the satisfaction of traditional production
● Forming the Toronto AI Film Group and its rapid growth
● Being hired for professional documentary work using AI recreations
● Democratisation vs. commercialisation of AI in film
● Ageing as a creative and finding renewed purpose
● Reflections on artistic identity, reinvention, and staying current with tech

Mentioned Tools & Platforms:

● ChatGPT and Gemini for scripting and ideation
● AI video and image generators for creative production
● Art Storefronts (sponsor mention)
Memorable Quotes:
“I’ve gone from zero to sixty in six months—AI filmmaking brought me back to why I fell in love with storytelling in the first place.”
“I’d rather do what I’m doing now, with AI, than any previous stage of my creative life.”

Episode #5 Nick Suino — Discipline, Dojo, and the Art of Showing Up

Hava Gurevich — Mon, 04 Aug 2025 06:02:08 -0700

In this episode of I Love Your Stories, host Hava Gurevich sits down with author, martial arts master, and mindset coach Nick Suino. With decades of experience training in Japan and teaching martial arts in the U.S., Nick shares how the dojo became a foundation for not just physical discipline, but for living a more intentional life.

They talk about the subtle yet powerful shift that happens when we choose to show up fully—whether it’s in martial arts, writing, or daily habits—and how the tools of focus, consistency, and presence can help anyone improve their mindset and find meaning in effort.

Nick also opens up about his creative process as a writer, the difference between practising a skill and “rehearsing mediocrity,” and why the best kind of discipline is one rooted in self-respect, not shame.

Topics Covered:

Nick’s martial arts journey, from Michigan to Japan
Founding the Japanese Martial Arts Center in Ann Arbor
The connection between physical practice and mindset
Why consistency often trumps intensity
The mental shift that comes from “just showing up”
How martial arts can teach respect, patience, and inner calm
Nick’s approach to writing and creativity
Letting go of perfectionism and focusing on improvement
Why self-talk matters more than we think

Episode #4 Dennis Mohr: Art, Aging, and the New Frontiers of Creativity

Hava Gurevich — Thu, 31 Jul 2025 05:11:01 -0700

In this episode, I sit down with Canadian documentary filmmaker Dennis Mohr for a thoughtful exploration of longevity, creative resilience, and the shifting landscape of visual storytelling. Known for his insightful documentaries about eccentric artists and forgotten visionaries, Dennis reflects on his decades-long career and how his curiosity has fueled a life of meaningful creative work—from working with the CBC and indie film teams to crafting intimate portraits of iconoclasts like Arthur Lipsett and Mike Disfarmer.

We talk about the emotional highs and the heartbreaks of collaborative filmmaking, how social media and streaming reshaped documentary distribution, and what it means to stay creatively vital as we age. Dennis also shares how he unexpectedly found new inspiration through AI, not as a replacement for traditional craft, but as a surprising tool for independent experimentation. This conversation is a tender meditation on the evolving role of the artist, the joys of process, and what it means to keep making things that matter—even when the path ahead is uncertain.

https://m.imdb.com/name/nm0596049/

Key Themes from this Episode:

Creativity doesn’t diminish with age—it deepens with experience and perspective.
The best documentaries are shaped by genuine curiosity and collaborative trust.
Social media can amplify artistic voices but also complicate ownership and legacy.
AI, when approached as a tool rather than a threat, can reinvigorate creative practice.
The filmmaking process is a microcosm of life—filled with compromise, improvisation, and hard-won beauty.
Even when projects don’t get finished or funded, the relationships and stories endure.

Episode #3 Misha Gurevich — Flow States, Self-Doubt & the Creative Process

Hava Gurevich — Wed, 30 Jul 2025 13:46:48 -0700

In this intimate and playful conversation, host Hava Gurevich speaks with long-time friend and fellow creative, Misha Gurevich—a software designer, writer, meditator, and seeker of flow. Though they’ve known each other for over 15 years, this marks their very first face-to-face dialogue, and the result is a deeply reflective exploration of creativity, consciousness, and the transformational power of letting go.

Misha shares his journey from working in tech in San Francisco to enrolling at Maharishi International University, where a deep dive into meditation and creative writing sparked a lifelong fascination with flow states. Together, they discuss how self-doubt creeps into the creative process, and how tools like meditation, free writing, and play can unlock a more intuitive, joyful way of being.

Hava and Misha compare notes on their creative practices—painting, writing, coding, kiteboarding—and discover surprising common threads. They speak candidly about the tension between art and commerce, and the importance of carving out “throwaway” moments—spaces without pressure, where the best work often begins.

This episode is an invitation to loosen the grip, trust your instincts, and remember that sometimes the most profound insights come when you stop trying so hard.

https://www.instagram.com/michaelgurevich777/
https://www.ilys.com/

Key Themes:

The role of flow in writing, art, and everyday life
Morning pages, self-censorship, and the myth of “doing it right”
Letting go as both a creative and spiritual practice
Designing environments that reduce friction and interrupt self-doubt
The surprising power of throwaway work and the creative gold it reveals
The uncomfortable but necessary dance between art and commerce

Episode #2 Anthony Mottley: Breaking Cycles & Building Legacy

Hava Gurevich — Wed, 30 Jul 2025 13:20:18 -0700

In this powerful and deeply personal conversation, I sit down with Anthony Mottley, filmmaker, podcaster, and former television producer, to reflect on the unexpected turns of a creative life. Anthony shares stories from his early days in radio and public television to his current journey as a writer, revealing how every detour, mistake, and challenge led him closer to purpose. Together, we explore the nonlinear path of transformation, the wisdom of lived experience, and the moments that force us to reimagine what truly matters.

Anthony speaks candidly about facing a cancer diagnosis, the humbling reality of not being in control, and the radical clarity that comes when everything you thought was important suddenly falls away. We talk about intuition, creative process, and the tension between self-doubt and faith...both in art and in life. This is a story about breaking generational patterns, learning to trust the unfolding, and finding meaning in the mess. If you’ve ever questioned your path or wondered whether it’s too late to start again, this episode is for you.

Key Themes:

Creative detours are not mistakes; they are invitations into deeper purpose.
Legacy is built by showing up with intention, not perfection.
A cancer diagnosis shifted everything, revealing what really matters and what doesn’t.
Faith evolves into knowing, especially when you’re no longer in control.
True self-expression requires risk, discomfort, and time.
Art, like life, is about the process, not the polished outcome

Episode #1 Jaclyn Gordyan — Art as Ritual, Nature as Teacher

Hava Gurevich — Wed, 30 Jul 2025 13:19:48 -0700

Artist and healer Jaclyn Gordian joins host Hava Gurevich to discuss reclaiming art as a ritual, embracing nature as a collaborator, and the emotional power of intuitive creativity.

They dive into Jaclyn’s evolution from representational work to abstract nature-infused pieces, how her grief and healing shaped her practice, and how movement, colour, and earth-based materials guide her emotionally and spiritually.

Jaclyn also discusses launching a nature-based artist residency in Michigan and what it means to foster a safe space for raw, process-led creation.

Topics Covered:

The spiritual and intuitive evolution of Jaclyn’s art
Moving from figure drawing to emotional abstraction
Nature as a collaborator, not just a backdrop
Working with materials like moss, bark, saltwater, and movement
The role of grief and healing in her creative awakening
Creating a sacred, home-based studio space
Starting a new artist residency focused on land, body, and spirit
Releasing perfectionism in favor of process and play
The connection between nervous system regulation and creative flow
Building an artistic life that honours joy, rest, and personal sovereignty