Christian Kressmann is an actor, coach, and creativity researcher based in Berlin, and the host of Beyond Creativity. With a PhD on creativity under pressure, he explores the intersection of art, psychology, leadership, and human energy. Drawing from film sets, coaching, and personal transformation, he shares conversations and insights about focus, creativity, and living with intention — bridging science, storytelling, and real-world practice.
#146 Sophie Engelhardt, MD: From Medicine to Acting & Finding Aliveness again
From Science to Screen: Sophie on Leaving Pathology for Acting and Advocating Women’s HealthI talk with Sophie, a medical doctor and former pathologist who moved to Denmark for specialty training, then left pathology in November 2025 to pursue acting full-time after repeatedly diagnosing breast cancer in women her own age and realizing she didn’t want to spend decades confirming what went wrong. We connect over how medicine and acting both study human beings, and she explains how modern healthcare stripped away time, empathy, and meaning, while acting let her feel alive and still help people through story. We discuss her film project “Vitamin U,” her roles (including a forensic pathologist on “Sommerdahl”), and her script consultancy using medical expertise. Sophie also shares her plan for “Ward B,” a female-led medical drama addressing women’s health injustices (pain bias, endometriosis delays), fundraising for research, and seeking producers, funding, and distribution.00:00 Introduction01:41 From Medicine to Acting05:05 Leaving Pathology09:11 Family & Social Support15:12 Roles, Casting & the Ward B Series33:36 The Moment of Realization
Meet Sophie on Instagram: @doc.sophiengelhardt
1 Mar 2026
#145 Scott G. Isaksen and 50 years of Creativity Research: Busting the 3 biggest Myths of being creative that Might Block you
Beyond the Myths: Prof. Dr. Scott G. Isaksen on Creativity as a Human NecessityI introduce Prof. Dr. Scott G. Isaksen—founder of the Creative Problem Solving Group and a pioneer who translated creativity research into practical tools—and we reflect on his 50-year journey from academia to real-world application, shaped by a scientist father and artist mother. Scott explains common myths about creativity (mystery, magic, and madness) and argues for clearer, research-based views using lenses of person, process, product, and place, emphasizing the paradox of novelty and usefulness. We discuss how creativity can be deliberately developed, the role of persistence and fluency (Edison, Picasso), and how stages of clarifying aims, ideation, and elaboration apply from everyday creativity to genius. He highlights collaboration in organizations, Teresa Amabile’s contributions, and the importance of preparation, incubation, and aesthetic experience. Looking ahead, he flags AI’s potential and limits, plus ethical issues of access, inclusion, and deeper diversity. 00:00 Meet Scott Isaksen02:18 A Life in Creativity03:23 Origins and Early Study05:23 Beyond the Myths06:25 Defining Creativity Four Ps09:16 Paradox and Complexity11:57 Standing on Research14:09 Tools Without Theory15:47 Amabile and Assessment20:09 Motivation Intrinsic vs Extrinsic23:41 From Genius to Everyday27:32 Fluency and Persistence32:23 Stages of the Process35:30 Creativity As Journey36:51 Muse And Watercolors38:25 Group Creativity Stages40:48 Incubation And Ahas42:38 Debunking Magic Myth48:04 Shared Aesthetic Power53:27 Madness Myth Reframed57:02 Collaboration And CPS Roots01:02:13 AI Frontiers And Limits01:05:43 Ethics Diversity Inclusion01:10:39 Advice To Young Creatives01:12:20 Closing Thanks
7 Sept 2025
#144 - Wie oft hast du schon eine Idee sterben lassen - noch bevor du angefangen hast?
Host Christian Kressmann explores how fear of judgment stifles creativity, sharing lessons on uninhibited creation and embracing play without self-censorship.
Who has been a guest on Beyond Creativity mit Christian Kressmann
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Jesse Haydenreich
Michael Illert
Iris Sommerlatte
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