The Unbound Creative
by Valerie & Mak McKeehan
Latest episode
What It Really Means to Be Free in Your Art
What It Really Means to Be Free in Your Art
About this podcast
A podcast for creatives who refuse to be boxed in.
Hosted by husband-and-wife duo Mak and Valerie McKeehan, The Unbound Creative is where creativity meets rebellion. This isn't just another "how-to" podcast—it's a rallying cry for artists, entrepreneurs, and dreamers who are tired of playing by the rules.
Through candid conversations, personal stories, and deep dives into the mindset and mechanics of creative living, Mak and Valerie challenge the narratives that keep creatives stuck. Whether you're an artist, writer, musician, business owner, or just someone who knows there’s more inside you waiting to break free, this podcast will give you the tools, inspiration, and courage to step into your fullest creative potential.
No more waiting for permission. No more playing small. It’s time to unleash your creativity—boldly, unapologetically, and unbound.
Follow now and join the movement.
@valeriemckeehan & @thatmakguy on instagram
Episodes
The newest 20 of 62 episodes
- What It Really Means to Be Free in Your Art · 45 min · Season 2 Episode 13What does it really mean to be free as an artist? In this conversation, Mak and Valerie explore the tension between mastery and play, the discipline that builds skill, and the…
- Stop Saying This If You Want to Thrive · 33 min · Season 2 Episode 12You’ve probably said this phrase hundreds of times. You’ve definitely heard it. It’s woven into how we talk about work, success, and creativity... but what if it’s been quietly…
- The Lie You Likely Believe… That’s Costing You Everything · 52 min · Season 2 Episode 11You’ve likely believed this lie without even realizing it, and it’s keeping you stuck. In this episode, we’re exposing the narrative that’s been holding creatives back for…
- Delight Is Not a Luxury - It’s Your Superpower · 38 min · Season 2 Episode 10In Episode 10 of The UnBound Creative, Valerie and Mak celebrate their milestone by diving into a quietly radical idea: delight as a wayfinder. We live in a world that values…
- 5 Ways to Beat Overthinking Today · 37 min · Season 2 Episode 9Overthinking kills creativity, and it happens faster than you realize. In this episode, we unpack how fear often disguises itself as "preparation" and why it smothers your best…
- What Everyone Else Is Doing (And Why You Shouldn’t) · 40 min · Season 2 Episode 8We’re getting honest in this one. So many creatives feel stuck, not because they aren’t talented or motivated, but because they’re silently following the rules everyone else is…
- Creative Catastrophe: The Christmas Train That Broke Me · 1 h 20 minA true story of public failure, creative heartbreak, and the unexpected path to redemption. This is the most vulnerable, raw, and unforgettable story we’ve told on the podcast so…
- Fear of Failure: Why It’s Stopping You (and What to Do Instead) · 54 min · Season 2 Episode 6In this emotionally rich and deeply honest episode of The UnBound Creative, Valerie and Mak explore one of the most universal experiences in creative life: failure. They dive…
- How Your Creative Skills Are Your Greatest Business Asset · 51 min · Season 2 Episode 5If you’ve ever said “I’m not a business person” because you’re creative, this episode is your wake-up call. The idea that creatives aren’t cut out for business is a story, and…
- The Most Dangerous Lie Creatives Tell Themselves (and How to Stop) · 53 min · Season 2 Episode 4In this fired-up, heart-on-sleeve episode, Mak and Valerie tackle one of the biggest invisible barriers creative people face: waiting for permission. Whether it's from society…
- Why Creativity Feels Hard - And How to Make It Easier · 47 min · Season 2 Episode 3If you’ve ever wondered why something you love — creating — can feel like pulling teeth to start, this is your episode. We’re unpacking the real reasons creativity feels so hard…
- Why You Feel Stuck — And How to Finally Move Forward (For Real) · 52 min · Season 2 Episode 2What if the key to unleashing your creativity isn't found in hustling harder but in following the whispers of curiosity that most of us have been conditioned to ignore? Valerie…
- Unleashing Your Creative Soul: Breaking Free from Society's Boxes · 30 min · Season 2 Episode 1Valerie and Mak McKeehan launch their new podcast, The Unbound Creative, dedicated to helping creatives break free from societal constraints and self-imposed limitations to…
- Sell Your Artwork, Without the Stress | Part 5: The Secret Ingredient to Success · 27 min · Episode 48What truly sets successful creative entrepreneurs apart? It's not just about mastering pricing or nailing your branding—it's about how you show up every day. It comes down to…
- Sell Your Artwork, Without the Stress | Part 4: Building Your Personal Brand · 40 min · Episode 47Ever wondered how to craft a brand that truly embodies your authentic self? Valerie and Mak explore this vital question by examining the unique vibes of artists' personal brands…
- Sell Your Artwork without the Stress | Part 3: Selling without an audience · 47 min · Episode 46“I’d love to sell my artwork, but I just don’t have a big audience or following.” This is one of the first things a lot of artists interested in selling their artwork say. But…
- Sell Your Artwork without the Stress | Part 2: How to Price Your Art · 52 min · Episode 45One of the most daunting aspects of being an Artpreneur is figuring out how to price your work. In this next episode of “Sell Your Work, Without the Stress” Series, long-time…
- Sell Your Artwork without the Stress | Part 1: Where to Begin · 49 min · Episode 44Imagine viewing your art not just as a creative endeavor, but as a powerful way to enrich lives and engage in a meaningful exchange of value. In this episode, Valerie and Mak…
- Saying No to Toxic Culture for Artists · 24 min · Episode 43What if the key to unlocking your creative potential lies not in the typical advice given to artists but in embracing the natural rhythms of rest and reflection? Join me as we…
- The Worst Advice Given to Artists · 21 min · Episode 42Why do we still cling to the myth of the "struggling artist" when creativity can be a joyful and healing process? Join me as we challenge this outdated narrative, advocating for…
