The Create! Podcast

If you've ever felt like you had to hide certain parts of yourself to be taken seriously in the art world, this one is for you. I'm sitting down with my dear friend Marina Granger, founder of The Artist Advisory and host of the brand new MFA Podcast, for a candid conversation about what it really takes to step into your next level as an artist - from the inside out.
Marina spent years working at the intersection of practical gallery strategy and deeper identity work, but kept the mystical side of her practice quietly in the background. In this episode she's fully out, and we get into all of it - astrology, feng shui, human design, manifestation, and the very real money blocks that keep creative entrepreneurs stuck even when the revenue is growing.
This is part one of two because we simply had too much to talk about!
We cover:
Lunar New Year rituals and Marina's feng shui practice - including the 27-item trick for stirring prosperity in your home
Why Marina hid the cosmic side of her coaching for years and what finally changed
Being a manifesting generator and why doing many things is your superpower, not your flaw
The three levels of abundance work - conscious, subconscious, and nervous system - and why most of us only work on one
How your core identity shapes everything from the galleries you walk into to the clients you attract
The immigrant experience and cash overflow - why earning more doesn't automatically mean keeping more
Connect with Marina:
The MFA Podcast - available wherever you listen
1:1 programs and free resources at theartistadvisory.com
Also mentioned:
Reality Transurfing by Vadim Zeland
Current open call for Create! Magazine in partnership with Square One Gallery - submit at createmagazine.co/call-for-art

What happens when you feel outside pressure to make work that doesn't feel like you? In this episode, Kat sits down with Philadelphia-based artist and curator Jessica Libor for a deeply honest conversation about identity, persistence, and building a creative life on your own terms.
Jessica shares the story of applying to the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts several times before getting in, navigating the tension between her love of fairy tales and beautiful imagery and an academic environment heavily influenced by postmodern aesthetics. She opens up about making dark, tortured paintings to fit in - and how she eventually found her way back to the work she was always meant to make.
They also dig into how Jessica launched Era Contemporary, her own gallery and curatorial project, and why creating your own opportunities is sometimes the most powerful move an artist can make.
You'll also hear about the mindset tools Jessica swears by - from attending high-end exhibitions and imagining yourself in the room as an exhibiting artist, to journaling and scripting her ideal creative life. She also shares the manifestation story behind getting into Spring Break Art Fair, one of New York's most exciting independent art events.
This episode is full of honest reflection on imposter syndrome, developing a personal aesthetic under pressure, and what it really means to stay connected to your North Star as an artist.
ABOUT JESSICA LIBOR
Jessica Libor is a Philadelphia-based artist whose work explores feminine identity, storytelling, and personal mythology through a lens deeply rooted in global fairy tales and folklore. She holds an MFA from the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts and has pursued classical training at the Grand Central Atelier and the Florence Academy of Art. Her work has been exhibited internationally, including solo shows in Paris and Philadelphia, and she was selected for the prestigious SPRING/BREAK Art Show in New York in 2025. Her paintings are held in private collections worldwide and have been featured in American Art Collector, Beautiful Bizarre Magazine, and on WHYY/PBS. She is also the host of The Creative Heroine Podcast. Follow her work at jessicalibor.com and on Instagram at @jessicaliborstudio.
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What does it actually take to build a sustainable, global art career in 2026? As the market shifts away from the high-octane speculation of the early 2020s, a new era of radical transparency and artist autonomy is emerging.
In this episode, host Ekaterina Popova sits down with visionary curator, collector, and entrepreneur Sonia Borrell to pull back the curtain on what the world's top collectors are looking for right now. Sonia shares the inspiration behind her newest venture, StudiotoGallery, a platform designed to dismantle traditional gatekeeping and return control to the creator.
From the importance of "positioning over visibility" to navigating the rapid growth of the Chinese art market, this conversation is a masterclass in modern art business. Whether you're an emerging painter or an established professional, Sonia's insights offer a refreshing, high-level perspective on thriving in today's selective ecosystem.
Inside the Conversation
The 2026 Market Recalibration: Sonia discusses why "hype" pricing is falling away and how artists can re-emerge by focusing on authentic connections and sustainable growth.

The Sovereign Artist: A look at the StudiotoGallery model, where artists maintain full control over their pricing, inventory, and gallery representation.

The Power of Positioning: Why your "human filter" and professional presentation matter more to a museum or serious collector than a viral Instagram reel.

Global Expansion: Sonia shares her experience bridging the gap between Western creators and major corporate partners and institutions in China.

Sustainable Partnerships: How to identify a "human-centric" gallery and why the future of the art world relies on collaborative, shoulder-to-shoulder work.

Protecting Your Practice: Practical advice on avoiding scammers, managing mental health in the studio, and staying positive during market shifts.

About Sonia Borrell
Sonia Borrell is a prominent art world connector, collector, and founder of Art Belina and StudiotoGallery. With deep roots in the international market, she specializes in helping artists scale their businesses through IP collaborations, museum placements, and high-level mentorship. Sonia is a pioneer in the movement toward a more transparent and educator-led art market, providing artists with the tools they need to lead their own careers.
Connect with Our Guest
Website: soniabblondon.com

Platform: studiotogallery.com

Resources for Artists
Create! Magazine

What if I told you that making art literally changes your DNA? In a world that often treats creativity as a luxury or a hobby, the data is finally catching up to what artists have always felt: art is essential medicine.
In this episode, Kat sits down with Daisy Fancourt, a professor of psychobiology and epidemiology at University College London, whose groundbreaking research provides the "validation ammunition" every creative needs. We dive into her new book, Art Cure, which presents decades of evidence showing that arts engagement is a vital clinical intervention.From reducing stress hormones like cortisol to slowing biological aging and influencing gene expression, we explore why creative engagement should be recognized as the Fifth Pillar of Health alongside nutrition, exercise, sleep, and stress management.
 
In this episode, we discuss:
The "Fifth Pillar" Concept: Why creative engagement is as vital to your longevity as diet and exercise.

The Biology of Art: How making and viewing art creates measurable health benefits that accumulate over time.

DNA & Gene Expression: The fascinating science behind how creativity affects our bodies at a cellular level.

Validation for Artists: Why your work is a necessity for your collectors and the world, especially during turbulent times.

The Psychobiology of Art: Daisy's journey from professional pianist to leading researcher at UCL.

 
Resources & Links Mentioned:
The Book: Art Cure by Daisy Fancourt

Daisy's Research Group: SBPR Research

Create! Magazine: www.createmagazine.co

Newsletter: Join the Weekly Newsletter

Community: Follow Create! Magazine on Instagram

 
Connect with the Guest: Daisy Fancourt is Professor of Psychobiology and Epidemiology at University College London where she heads the Social Biobehavioural Research Group, and Director of the World Health Organisation Collaborating Centre on Arts and Health. She has published 300 scientific papers, won over two dozen academic prizes and is listed as one of the most highly cited scientists in the world. Daisy is also a multi-award-winning science communicator and has been named a World Economic Forum Global Shaper and BBC New Generation Thinker.

In this episode, host Kat (Ekaterina Popova) is joined by painter Emi Avora, a London-trained and Singapore-based artist whose work blends architectural structure with lush, dreamlike abstraction. Drawing from her upbringing in Greece, Mediterranean light, mythology, and lived experiences across cultures, Emi creates immersive interiors that feel both opulent and quietly haunting.
www.emiavora.com
 
In this conversation, we discuss:
 
Emi's journey: From growing up in her father's studio in Corfu to her formal art education.
The influence of light: How Mediterranean light remains a primary tool for creating clarity in her work.
Finding roots through relocation: How moving to Singapore drew her back to symbols and mythology in her subject matter.
Building a sustainable practice: Insights on balancing motherhood with a dedicated studio life and trusting the slow unfolding of your work.
Professional milestones: Her recent recognition as the winner of the Women in Art Prize and what that visibility has meant for her career.
 
Connect with us:
Website: https://www.createmagazine.co/

Instagram: @createmagazine

Substack: https://createmagazine.substack.com