Orchard Conversations

HERE TO CREATE || WEEK 6
As we continue our series, "Here To Create", Scott and Benjamin have a conversation with creative powerhouse, Mel McGowan.
 
Mel is the Co-Founder and Chief Creative Officer of Storyland Studios. With a rich background in film and design, Mel's journey into the world of creativity took a remarkable turn during his decade-long tenure at the Disney Company. As an Imagineer, he played pivotal roles in projects like Disney's California Adventure, Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa, and Downtown Disney. Mel's expertise extends beyond Disney, as he champions the art of spatial storytelling through his work at Storyland Studios. His legacy is deeply intertwined with crafting stories in three-dimensional spaces, making places come alive with narrative and meaning.
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Questions for contemplation and conversation:
Recollect a moment from your childhood where you felt a burst of creativity, similar to Mel's Star Wars room. How did that shape or influence your perception of your own creative potential?
Mel's story about 'My Refuge House' highlighted the significance of empathy in creation. Can you think of a time where your creative endeavors were influenced by deep empathy or understanding?
Taking inspiration from the idea of being 'Image Bearers', how can you tap into your inherent creative spirit in your everyday life? What 'canvases' exist around you that you've perhaps overlooked?
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Things mentioned in this week's episode:
Storyland Studios website
"Culture Making" - Andy Crouch (book)
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To learn more about The Orchard Community visit theorchardcommunity.com
Subscribe to Orchard Conversations in your favorite podcast app or at orchardconversations.com

HERE TO CREATE || WEEK 5
This week we welcome back our friend, Adam Mock, for an encore conversation about mountain biking, mental health and risk-taking that leads to creative magic in our lives. In case you missed last week’s conversation, Adam Mock is a Leadership Coaching Specialist and Transformational Partner who uses his "Rescue Your Dreams" approach to develop organizations and individuals to their highest levels of effectiveness. Adam is also an avid mountain biker and a vital part of the thriving SoCal MTB scene. His YouTube Channel has opened up opportunities for him to connect his passion for human development with his love of outdoor sports.
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Questions for contemplation and conversation:
How do you like to "play"? How do you tap into your creative self?
Can you recall a time when you took a risk to gain something (rather than a risk to avoid loss)?
Mary Davis once said, "To walk in nature is to witness a thousand miracles." What does this quote say TO you? What does this quote say ABOUT you?
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Things mentioned in this week's episode:
Adam's website
Adam's Youtube Channel
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To learn more about The Orchard Community visit theorchardcommunity.comSubscribe to Orchard Conversations in your favorite podcast app or at orchardconversations.com

HERE TO CREATE || WEEK 4
This week we sit down with our dear friend, Adam Mock for a conversation about creativity and human development. Adam Mock is a Leadership Coaching Specialist and Transformational Partner who uses his Rescue Your Dreams™ approach to develop organizations and individuals to their highest levels of effectiveness.
 
With over 25 years of leadership experience Adam has the privilege of facilitating workshops and trainings at global brands like Nike, Jordan Brand, and PayPal. He also works 1-on-1 with Olympic gold medalists, hall of famers, and world champions.
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Questions for contemplation and conversation:
Adam told a story of struggling to receive a compliment about his creativity as a young person. Do you have any similar stories? Why do you think it’s so hard for us to receive positive feedback?
We talked a bit about DREAMS of ours and how they get buried. Why do you think so many of us struggle with this? How do YOU think our dreams end up getting buried?
Adam shared how important SELF-KNOWLEDGE is, and one pathway into that is to identify your 3-5 CORE VALUES. He gave us 3 steps in helping uncover and identify those:
Reflect back to when you were age 6-12: what sparked your curiosity then? what things could you NOT NOT do back then? What value do you think you were displaying at that time?
In the past 2-5 years - when did you feel you were living or being at your most “ON PURPOSE” or ALIVE? What values do you think you were tapping in to then?
Ask people who know you well what they think your values are.
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Things mentioned in this week's episode:
Adam's website
Adam's Youtube Channel
"Give yourself permission to be creative" - Ethan Hawke (TED Talk)
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To learn more about The Orchard Community visit theorchardcommunity.com
Subscribe to Orchard Conversations in your favorite podcast app or at orchardconversations.com

HERE TO CREATE || WEEK 3
Get ready for a captivating conversation as Anna and Benjamin delve into the spiritual side of creativity with Danielle Casali, a celebrated mosaic muralist in the Aurora, Illinois area, whose art inspires and unites communities.
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Questions for contemplation and conversation:
What are one or two ideas or themes that stick out to you from today’s conversation with Danielle?
How has opening yourself to authenticity and vulnerability helped you to grow?
What habits, rituals, or spiritual practices might help you connect with stillness, be centered, and access creativity?
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Things mentioned in this week's episode:
Danielle's website
Dekalb City Hall Mural
"The Gifts of Inperfection" - Brene Brown (book)
Lake Shore Drive Mural
Nikki Walton “New Growth Now” podcast
Enneagram RHETI test
St. Charles Library Moth Sculpture
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To learn more about The Orchard Community visit theorchardcommunity.com
Subscribe to Orchard Conversations in your favorite podcast app or at orchardconversations.com

HERE TO CREATE || WEEK 2
We dive into our series "Here to Create" with a conversation between Lead Pastor Scott Hodge and friend of the Orchard, Dave Gibbons. Dave is a creative pastor, futurist, activist, and steadfast advocate for the 'misfits' in our society. In today's conversation he gives invaluable insight into how we can reframe the challenges we face and turn them into creative opportunities.
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Questions for contemplation and conversation:
What are one or two ideas or themes that stick out to you or resonate w/ you from today’s conversation with Dave?
What are 1 or 2 things that “kill” or get in the way of you living a creative life? What are 2-3 things that FUEL your creativity?
How has reframing a challenge or difficulty enabled you to use that challenge as a creative opportunity? Is there some “reframing” you need to do around a particular challenge, stressor or difficulty that could potentially turn it into a catalyst for something new, good and creative?
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Things mentioned in this week's episode:
XEALOTS: Defying the Gravity of Normality - Dave Gibbons (book)
Monkey and the Fish - Dave Gibbons (book)
https://www.davegibbons.org
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To learn more about The Orchard Community visit theorchardcommunity.com
Subscribe to Orchard Conversations in your favorite podcast app or at orchardconversations.com

We're kicking off our new series, "Here to Create", celebrating creativity as spiritual practice, as Lead Pastor Scott Hodge shares some thoughts about creativity and how it manifests in all of us. Throughout this series, we look forward to conversations with different creative individuals, from musicians and visual artists to entrepreneurs and innovators. "Here to Create" will seek to inspire, challenge, and affirm everyone in their own creative journey. We're glad you've joined us and hope to have you with us in the coming weeks!
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Questions for contemplation and conversation:
Who in your life has embodied creative living and had an impact on you? How have they inspired you to embrace your own creativity?
What does 'living with eyes wide open' mean to you in the context of your own life? Can you share a time when your sensitivity to your surroundings led to a new understanding or action?
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To learn more about The Orchard Community visit theorchardcommunity.com
Subscribe to Orchard Conversations in your favorite podcast app or at orchardconversations.com

This week, as we conclude our “Rethinking The Bible” series, we take a little extra time to respond to a question about how to engage in healthy conversations about the Bible with the people around us. 
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Things mentioned in this week's episode:
”Reading the Bible Right” -  Brian Zahn (poem/quote)
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To learn more about The Orchard Community visit theorchardcommunity.com
Subscribe to Orchard Conversations in your favorite podcast app or at orchardconversations.com

This week we conclude our series, “Rethinking The Bible” by responding to a few final questions and reflecting on how we’ve all grown and been shaped by this journey together.
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Questions for contemplation and conversation:
What have been helpful rhythms for you to engage with the Bible on a regular basis? Are there certain books, translations or reading plans that you have found helpful?
What has been your experience teaching children and young people to engage with the Bible and conversations about spirituality?
How have you been impacted by the conversations we’ve had the past 10 weeks? Where were you challenged? What new perspectives may have even shifted your thinking? What are you taking away from all this?
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Things mentioned in this week's episode:
We Make The Road While Walking - Brian McLaren (book)
The Divine Hours - Phyllis Tickle (book)
A Year With Thomas Merton  - Daily Meditations from His Journals (book)
Things Hidden - Richard Rohr (book)
Center for Action and Contemplation Daily Meditations
”Reading the Bible Right” -  Brian Zahn (poem/quote)
Our Bible App
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To learn more about The Orchard Community visit theorchardcommunity.com
Subscribe to Orchard Conversations in your favorite podcast app or at orchardconversations.com