Creativity is resistance. In a world where the lines between art and output grow increasingly blurry, how can we preserve our human creativity? From pop culture to indie movements, each week I discuss imagination-generated content and the real life inspiration behind it. This is Creative Mode.
Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl performance proves music is a universal language
Send us Fan Mail Music connects us all. For all of human history, music has been a staple across cultures, languages and borders. As one of the oldest forms of entertainment, music allows us to express ourselves, share stories, and celebrate in creative ways. Bad Bunny’s performance at the Super Bowl 60 halftime show was filled to the brim with cultural symbolism reflecting his Puerto Rican heritage, language and culture. This inspired me to resume my previously abandoned language learning go...
4 Feb 2026
New music from Harry Styles, Markiplier makes a movie, and why the creative process matters
Send us Fan Mail "The process of creating art makes art out of you." - Brandon Sanderson What happens when we open our mind to the darker parts of our inner artist? Dive in for the season one finale of Creative Mode, where Annie shares thoughts on new singles from Harry Styles (Aperture) and Noah Kahan (The Great Divide), thoughts on Markiplier's debut film Iron Lung, and reflections on week three of The Artist's Way. Thank you, listener, for joining me on this maiden voyage into ...
29 Jan 2026
We're All In This Together: High School Musical Turns 20!
Send us Fan Mail "Art changes people. People change the world." 🌍 In this episode of Creative Mode, Annie celebrates 20 years of High School Musical, the movie that started her love of musicals! Then, synchronicity and how being present can lead to transformation in subtle but significant ways. Finally, why the world needs your art now more than ever. 🎨 Links: 📩 LISTENER SURVEY! Instagram Monica Trinidad Creative Mode is a weekly show about pop culture and creativity. Each week we discuss t...
22 Jan 2026
What is Retrofuturism? Amazon's hit series 'Fallout' returns to streaming
Send us Fan Mail Take my listener survey here! 💖 What did the future look like in the past? In this episode of Creative Mode, Annie discusses the retrofuturism aesthetic of the Fallout franchise (now a hit series streaming on Amazon Prime). Also, reflections on Week 1 of The Artist's Way, Olympic figure skating, and the importance of having multiple creative identities. Links: Take my listener survey here! 💖 Instagram Reclaim Your Excellence: The Path To A Meaningful & Joyous ...
15 Jan 2026
Why You Should Make a Zine!
Send us Fan Mail Zines are an accessible way of self-publishing your art, poetry and creative musings. And they're totally punk rock! 🤘 In this episode, Annie talks about her discovery of zines, beginning The Artist's Way (again), and a failed phone call to Harry Styles HQ. Also, all you need is AUDACITY, not talent. Try it and see what happens. Links: Instagram Let's Talk About Zines and Why You Should Make One How to Make a Zine the Old Fashioned Way (brattyxbre) How to make a Z...
7 Jan 2026
How Practicing Radical Non-Judgement Can Help You Reach Your Goals
Send us Fan Mail What happens when you try new things and withhold judgement? Something amazing, probably. In this episode, Annie shares how practicing radical non-judgement can help you reach your personal and creative goals. Building off of last week's year in review, Annie predicts 2026 will be a year of expansion. Better warm up those hamstrings! Links: Instagram What happens when you start taking creativity seriously? (feat. The Artist's Way) Creative Mode is a weekly show about po...
31 Dec 2025
The Tower: How Upheaval Leads to Transformation
Send us Fan Mail What color is your castle? 🏰 In Tarot, the tower is a symbol of upheaval... and transformation. In this episode of Creative Mode, Annie reflects on the year 2025, shares an almost prophetic journal entry, and invites you to think about what you want to build for yourself next year. Instagram Website Creative Mode is a weekly show about pop culture and creativity. Each week we discuss the most iconic moments in pop culture and media, exploring artistic themes...
24 Dec 2025
How to Use Childhood Wonder to Unlock Your Creativity
Send us Fan Mail Remember how magical Christmas was when you were a kid? What else gave you that feeling of wonder and whimsy? In this special Christmas episode of Creative Mode, Annie plays a special message from Santa Claus himself, and revisits some of her earliest childhood memories of art and creativity. Later, a throwback to the Hey, Arnold! Christmas episode, the Justin Bieber Christmas album, and little Cindy Lou Who is all grown up. 🎅🎄🎁 💡 Key insights: How things from childhood...
17 Dec 2025
How to Use Friction as a Tool for Creativity
Send us Fan Mail Friction: a force that resists movement or causes conflict. Friction shows up in our lives in different ways. Now, there are AI tools designed to remove friction for the sake of producing a faster output. But if you reduce the creative process in this way, what actually comes out the other side? In this episode of Creative Mode, Annie shares the new buzzword taking over AI conversations and how creatives can actually use friction as a tool for momentum. Key insigh...
10 Dec 2025
Hopecore: What Superman and Zara Larsson Have in Common
Send us Fan Mail From the blockbuster movie Superman to Zara Larsson's new album Midnight Sun, hope and creativity are alive and well. In this episode of Creative Mode, Annie explores themes of self belief and optimism in media and pop culture. Learn how "Hopecore" and the Alive Internet Theory are shaping online narratives and inspiring human creativity. Key insights: Hope is punk.Kindness is rebellion.Self belief is your superpower.The internet belongs to humans, not tech companies.What ins...
3 Dec 2025
Stranger Things: A Creative's Thoughts on the Pop Culture Phenomenon
Send us Fan Mail SPOILER WARNING. This week, Annie shares her thoughts on the premier of Stranger Things 5 and reflecting on the hit Netflix series as a cultural phenomenon. Instagram: @anniezomaya Creative Mode is a weekly show about pop culture and creativity. Each week we discuss the most iconic moments in pop culture and media, exploring artistic themes and drawing inspiration for our own creative journeys. Creative Mode is an independent production. If you'd like to support ...
26 Nov 2025
Bad is the New Good: Three Ways to Get Started on Your Creative Project
Send us Fan Mail Bad is the new good. At least when it comes to creativity. In this episode of Creative Mode, Annie shares three ways to move past artist's block and put pen to paper (or whatever your medium may be). 💡 Key insights: Perfectionism is an excuse (!!!)Why you should embrace the drafting processFailure is a skill and bad art is still good artLater, Annie shares news about the return of Vine and the upcoming Hunger Games prequel Sunrise on the Reaping. 🔗 Links: ...
19 Nov 2025
A Breakdown of Florence + The Machine and AI in Music
Send us Fan Mail How is an album release like having a baby? I've done neither, but apparently they have more in common than I thought. This week on Creative Mode: Annie does a deep dive on the latest release from Florence + The Machine, including the real-life events that inspired the albumCharli xcx is (creatively) pregnant!"Is AI an instrument?" - The rise of AI singers and music with no soulLinks: Charli xcx on Substack Have thoughts? Find me on Instagram @anniezomaya. Creative Mode...
12 Nov 2025
Creative Mode: A New Podcast About Pop Culture and Creativity
Send us Fan Mail Creativity is an act of resistance. In a world where generative AI blurs the lines between art and output, how can we preserve our human creativity? Each week, I'll share trending topics in entertainment, from pop culture to the indie web, and discuss the creative inspiration behind them. This is a celebration of 100% imagination-generated content. This is Creative Mode. Creative Mode is a weekly show about pop culture and creativity. Each week we discuss th...
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