I Was Just Thinking

About I Was Just Thinking

I Was Just Thinking – with Liina Turtonen – is a podcast for all kinds of creatives and artists, or just someone trying to bring more creativity into your life. If you’ve ever felt stuck, doubted yourself, or wondered if you’re “good enough” to create, this is for you. This isn’t a polished, scripted show. It’s raw, unfiltered, and real... because creativity isn’t perfect, and neither am I. I’ll share my own insecurities, messy thoughts, and humor as I reflect on the ups and downs of the creative process, perfectionism, burnout, and everything that comes with trying to live a creative life. Think of me as a friend you can hang out with, a reminder that you’re not alone in these feelings. As a creative coach, artist, producer, educator, and author of Creative Confidence and Music Production, I’ve spent years helping people on my Patreon, YouTube channel (LNA Does Audio Stuff), and beyond. Now, I’m bringing those honest, vulnerable conversations here. And I’m not doing it alone. This podcast includes letters and voice notes from fellow creatives, adding real perspectives on creative mindset, identity, and the daily emotional work behind making art. New episodes will be released every Wednesday until the end of the season. Want to be part of the discussion? Send me a voice note or a letter on Instagram @LiinaThinks, and let’s explore the weird, wonderful world of creativity together. In this space, there is no failure in creativity.

Publisher

Liina Turtonen

Category

arts

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

17 Jun 2025

Latest episode

10 Sept 2025

Latest episodes

15 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   10 Sept 2025

   EP 14: How to Show Up on Low-Energy Days – Productivity As Creative

   Low energy doesn’t mean low value. In this episode, we talk about how to work with your energy instead of against it, how to shift your expectations without losing momentum, and how to stay connected to your creativity without burning out. You’ll hear from artists figuring out how to show up on their own terms—even when it’s hard.

2. 

   3 Sept 2025

   EP 13: Too Old, Too Late? – Being a Professional Creative When You’re Not 20

   You didn’t miss your chance. You’re not too late. In this episode, I explore the pressures of age in the creative world, how the industry fuels those fears, and why your age might actually be one of your greatest creative strengths. Includes real stories from creatives in their 30s, 40s, and 50s navigating what it means to show up now.

3. 

   27 Aug 2025

   EP 12: The Comparison Trap – When Other People’s Wins Shrink Yours

   Feeling triggered by someone else’s success? You’re not alone. In this episode, I explore the emotional impact of creative comparison: why we feel it, what it teaches us, and how to use it as a tool for self-awareness instead of self-sabotage. Includes honest letters from listeners navigating jealousy, imposter syndrome, and invisible progress.

4. 

   20 Aug 2025

   EP 11: “When feedback hurts” – Handling Criticism as a Creative

   In this raw and reflective episode, I explore what happens when feedback stings a little too much. From unsolicited advice to well-meaning comments that still cut deep, I unpack why criticism can hit so hard—especially for creatives. I share personal stories, including how one sentence crushed my confidence for years, and why I created a feedback-free zone in my Patreon community. If you’ve ever doubted your art after someone’s opinion, this one’s for you.

5. 

   13 Aug 2025

   EP 10: “No one cares, so why try?” – Making Art Without an Audience (yet)

   This episode is about the emotional rollercoaster of making art when you feel unseen. I talk about the value of creating for yourself, why audience numbers don’t define your worth, and how to keep going when it feels like no one cares. You’ll hear about my early struggles with YouTube, the shift that happened when I stopped chasing numbers, and how embracing low-effort, high-authenticity content brought me closer to joy. It’s a reminder that silence isn’t a verdict—it’s just part of the process.

6. 

   6 Aug 2025

   EP 9: “I hate everything I make” – When Taste Outpaces Your Skill As An Artist

   In this episode, Liina opens up about the frustration of feeling like your work never matches your vision — when your creative taste outpaces your current skills. She explores how this gap shows up for artists and producers, why it’s normal, and how to keep going anyway. Through honest reflections, personal stories, and a listener letter, she talks about self-doubt, messy progress, and the emotional reality of making art when nothing feels “good enough.” If you’ve ever hated everything you make, this episode will help you feel seen — and remind you that your art still has value, even in its imperfect form.

7. 

   30 Jul 2025

   EP 8: Who Am I Now? Navigating Changes in Your Creative Identity

   In this episode of I Was Just Thinking, Liina opens up about the challenges and emotional complexities that come with changing your creative identity. She shares personal experiences of navigating industry expectations, neurodiversity, and realizing that it’s okay to outgrow labels and genres. Using relatable analogies and listener stories, Liina explores how understanding yourself deeply—your brain, your needs, your creativity—can help you build a fulfilling creative life, even when it doesn’t fit traditional paths.

8. 

   23 Jul 2025

   EP 7: Yes, Professionals Get Imposter Syndrome Too (and This Is How I Manage It)

   In this episode of I Was Just Thinking, Liina gets real about dealing with imposter syndrome—even after years as a professional musician and creative. She explores why imposter syndrome grows silently, how external validation impacts creative confidence, and why feeling like a fraud doesn’t mean you are one. Through candid reflections and heartfelt listener stories, Liina reminds us that imposter syndrome is not just for beginners, and that sometimes showing up consistently is more powerful than feeling confident every day.

9. 

   16 Jul 2025

   EP 6: Why Do I Never Feel Good Enough as an Artist?

   In this episode of ”I Was Just Thinking,” Liina explores why creatives often feel they’re never ”good enough.” She discusses the external validation trap—where likes, streams, and industry approval define our self-worth—highlighting the importance of reconnecting with authentic creativity beyond these metrics. Liina shares personal insights and relatable experiences, encouraging listeners to define success on their own terms and find joy in the creative process itself.

10. 

    9 Jul 2025

    Ep 5: Artist vs. Content Creator: How Algorithms Affect Our Art

    In this episode, Liina explores the complicated relationship between social media and creativity, discussing the emotional rollercoaster that comes with sharing art online. Drawing from personal experience and listener letters, she talks openly about how chasing validation, algorithm anxiety, and the pressure to constantly produce content can deeply affect artists’ self-worth and creative freedom.

11. 

    2 Jul 2025

    Ep 4: Am I Being Authentic? (Why Being Real is So Damn Scary)

    In this episode, Liina explores the complicated relationship between authenticity, creativity, and vulnerability. She discusses why creatives often filter themselves and their art, and what it means to truly share your authentic self. Through personal stories and reflections, Liina delves into how authenticity can impact our creative confidence and emotional well-being.

12. 

    25 Jun 2025

    Ep 3: Why Do We Really Make Art? (The Uncomfortable Truth Behind Our Creativity)

    In this episode, Liina reflects on the deeper reasons behind why creatives make art, exploring the uncomfortable yet honest motivations like seeking validation, belonging, or even fame. She discusses how childhood experiences, societal pressures, and unconscious beliefs influence our creative decisions, blocks, and sense of self-worth.

13. 

    25 Jun 2025

    Ep 1: I Was Afraid of Starting a Podcast (But I Started One Anyway)

    In this first raw and unedited episode, I talk about the fear that kept me from starting this podcast for years. I share my own insecurities around being seen, sounding “good enough,” and putting work into the world without hiding behind edits or polish. This is a reflection on imposter syndrome, creative identity, and what it means to make honest art — even when it’s scary.

14. 

    25 Jun 2025

    Ep 2: Why Confidence Shapes Your Creativity (And How to Understand It)

    In this episode, Liina introduces her concept, ” Quartet of Creativity,” a theory explaining how our creative confidence is shaped by four interconnected points: heart, brain, space, and action. Using relatable examples, she explores how self-doubt, societal pressures, and internal narratives affect creative output and discusses practical ways to break these patterns.

15. 

    17 Jun 2025

    Introducing I Was Just Thinking: A Podcast About Creative Confidence

    This is the trailer of my new podcast I Was Just Thinking. A podcast for creatives and artists who feel stuck, overwhelmed, or not good enough to make the art they want.

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Guest appearances

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Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.