This is Laura (right) and Sarah (left):
They are creative people obsessed with other creatives.
Together, for the past 5 years they have been building CREATIVE GUTS— a podcast, nonprofit, and community on a mission to awaken creativity within people of all ages by curating an environment for connection, collaboration, and the opportunity for gutsy creatives to share their stories with the world.
In this episode, the three cover:
Sarah and Laura’s journey creating and running Creative Guts
Their philosophies on creativity, favorite guest experiences, dealing with imposter syndrome, and why art should matter to everyone
Whether or not we snort-laughed enough while recording, and many other important things
This episode was recorded at Art Up Front Street in Exeter NH.
Andy was also interviewed on Creative Guts in his first podcast guest appearance— these episodes were recorded back to back! Check out Andy’s interview here.
Links & Notes:
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Episode Summary:
What gives you hope and optimism?
We find hope in the incredible creative community in New Hampshire—organizations like Positive Street Art and Mosaic Art Collective, as well as the 120+ creatives we’ve interviewed, many of whom have become close friends.
What is Creative Guts?
Creative Guts is both a podcast and a nonprofit that explores creativity, highlights artists and makers, and inspires others to embrace their creative sides.
Does Creative Guts primarily focus on New Hampshire artists?
We love recording in person, and since we’re based in New Hampshire, our guests naturally come from here. That said, we’re open to interviewing creatives from anywhere if the opportunity arises.
How did Creative Guts get started?
In 2019, Laura had the idea to start a podcast about creativity and asked Sarah to co-host. Without hesitation, she said yes! From there, it grew into something bigger than we ever imagined.
Why did you decide to turn Creative Guts into a nonprofit?
We wanted to expand beyond just a podcast, but we couldn’t keep funding everything out of our own pockets. Becoming a nonprofit allowed us to access resources, build a team, and create something sustainable.
What kind of events and initiatives do you run?
We host Art Round the Room (a creative speed-dating experience), a film festival, zine publications, and various community art events to help people engage with creativity in fun, accessible ways.
How do you balance running a nonprofit with our full-time jobs?
It’s all about teamwork. We support each other, divide responsibilities, and ensure we don’t take on too much. We also have an incredible board of directors who help keep everything running.
Have you ever struggled with imposter syndrome?
Yes! Imposter syndrome is a huge theme in our conversations with creatives. But funny enough, we don’t feel much of it with Creative Guts—maybe because we imagine no one is listening, which helps us relax.
Why is creativity important, even for people who don’t consider themselves artists?
Creativity enriches life, helps with self-expression, and fosters mindfulness. It’s in everything—from cooking to gardening to the music playing in the grocery store. It’s everywhere, whether we recognize it or not.
What would you say to someone who thinks they’re not creative?
Everyone is creative! It’s not about talent—it’s about time and practice. Even if you don’t draw or paint, you might be creative in how you solve problems, decorate your home, or engage with the world.
How do you see creativity making a positive impact on the community?
Creativity connects people, sparks joy, and can even drive social change. Whether it’s through public art projects, performances, or personal expression, creative energy makes communities stronger and more vibrant.
What’s been one of your most memorable interviews?
We’ve had so many! Some were hilarious (like our interview with Emmett Soldati), while others were deeply inspiring and vulnerable (like our conversation with photographer Samaya Kashi). Every guest brings something special.
What do you ultimately hope Creative Guts achieves?
We want to inspire people to embrace their creativity, support local artists, and recognize the value of creative expression in everyday life. Creativity isn’t just for a select few—it’s for everyone!
*This episode summary was generated by an AI analyzing a transcript of the interview. The questions, wording, and written meaning of particular sections may contain slight differences to the original conversation. We include these summaries to give listeners a brief, readable synopsis of the episode. The full episode transcript is available on granitegoodness.com.
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