Episode #5 Nick Suino — Discipline, Dojo, and the Art of Showing Up
In this episode of I Love Your Stories, host Hava Gurevich sits down with author, martial arts master, and mindset coach Nick Suino. With decades of experience training in Japan and teaching martial arts in the U.S., Nick shares how the dojo became a foundation for not just physical discipline, but for living a more intentional life.They talk about the subtle yet powerful shift that happens when we choose to show up fully—whether it’s in martial arts, writing, or daily habits—and how the tools of focus, consistency, and presence can help anyone improve their mindset and find meaning in effort.Nick also opens up about his creative process as a writer, the difference between practising a skill and “rehearsing mediocrity,” and why the best kind of discipline is one rooted in self-respect, not shame.Topics Covered:Nick’s martial arts journey, from Michigan to JapanFounding the Japanese Martial Arts Center in Ann ArborThe connection between physical practice and mindsetWhy consistency often trumps intensityThe mental shift that comes from “just showing up”How martial arts can teach respect, patience, and inner calmNick’s approach to writing and creativityLetting go of perfectionism and focusing on improvement“Rehearsing mediocrity” vs. deliberate practiceWhy self-talk matters more than we think
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Episode #4 Dennis Mohr: Art, Aging, and the New Frontiers of Creativity
In this episode, I sit down with Canadian documentary filmmaker Dennis Mohr for a thoughtful exploration of longevity, creative resilience, and the shifting landscape of visual storytelling. Known for his insightful documentaries about eccentric artists and forgotten visionaries, Dennis reflects on his decades-long career and how his curiosity has fueled a life of meaningful creative work—from working with the CBC and indie film teams to crafting intimate portraits of iconoclasts like Arthur Lipsett and Mike Disfarmer.We talk about the emotional highs and the heartbreaks of collaborative filmmaking, how social media and streaming reshaped documentary distribution, and what it means to stay creatively vital as we age. Dennis also shares how he unexpectedly found new inspiration through AI, not as a replacement for traditional craft, but as a surprising tool for independent experimentation. This conversation is a tender meditation on the evolving role of the artist, the joys of process, and what it means to keep making things that matter—even when the path ahead is uncertain.Key Themes from this Episode:Creativity doesn’t diminish with age—it deepens with experience and perspective.The best documentaries are shaped by genuine curiosity and collaborative trust.Social media can amplify artistic voices but also complicate ownership and legacy.AI, when approached as a tool rather than a threat, can reinvigorate creative practice.The filmmaking process is a microcosm of life—filled with compromise, improvisation, and hard-won beauty.Even when projects don’t get finished or funded, the relationships and stories endure.
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Episode #3 Misha Gurevich — Flow States, Self-Doubt & the Creative Process
In this intimate and playful conversation, host Hava Gurevich speaks with long-time friend and fellow creative, Misha Gurevich—a software designer, writer, meditator, and seeker of flow. Though they’ve known each other for over 15 years, this marks their very first face-to-face dialogue, and the result is a deeply reflective exploration of creativity, consciousness, and the transformational power of letting go.This is a playful and thought-provoking conversation, and I’m so excited to share it with you.Misha shares his journey from working in tech in San Francisco to enrolling at Maharishi International University, where a deep dive into meditation and creative writing sparked a lifelong fascination with flow states. Together, they discuss how self-doubt creeps into the creative process, and how tools like meditation, free writing, and play can unlock a more intuitive, joyful way of being.Hava and Misha compare notes on their creative practices—painting, writing, coding, kiteboarding—and discover surprising common threads. They speak candidly about the tension between art and commerce, and the importance of carving out “throwaway” moments—spaces without pressure, where the best work often begins.This episode is an invitation to loosen the grip, trust your instincts, and remember that sometimes the most profound insights come when you stop trying so hard.Key Themes:The role of flow in writing, art, and everyday lifeMorning pages, self-censorship, and the myth of “doing it right”Letting go as both a creative and spiritual practiceDesigning environments that reduce friction and interrupt self-doubtThe surprising power of throwaway work and the creative gold it revealsThe uncomfortable but necessary dance between art and commerce
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Episode #2 Anthony Mottley: Breaking Cycles & Building Legacy
In this powerful and deeply personal conversation, I sit down with Anthony Mottley, filmmaker, podcaster, and former television producer, to reflect on the unexpected turns of a creative life. Anthony shares stories from his early days in radio and public television to his current journey as a writer, revealing how every detour, mistake, and challenge led him closer to purpose. Together, we explore the nonlinear path of transformation, the wisdom of lived experience, and the moments that force us to reimagine what truly matters.Anthony speaks candidly about facing a cancer diagnosis, the humbling reality of not being in control, and the radical clarity that comes when everything you thought was important suddenly falls away. We talk about intuition, creative process, and the tension between self-doubt and faith...both in art and in life. This is a story about breaking generational patterns, learning to trust the unfolding, and finding meaning in the mess. If you’ve ever questioned your path or wondered whether it’s too late to start again, this episode is for you.Key Themes:Creative detours are not mistakes; they are invitations into deeper purpose.Legacy is built by showing up with intention, not perfection.A cancer diagnosis shifted everything, revealing what really matters and what doesn’t.Faith evolves into knowing, especially when you’re no longer in control.True self-expression requires risk, discomfort, and time.Art, like life, is about the process, not the polished outcome
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Episode #1 Jaclyn Gordyan — Art as Ritual, Nature as Teacher
Artist and healer Jaclyn Gordian joins host Hava Gurevich to discuss reclaiming art as a ritual, embracing nature as a collaborator, and the emotional power of intuitive creativity.They dive into Jaclyn’s evolution from representational work to abstract nature-infused pieces, how her grief and healing shaped her practice, and how movement, colour, and earth-based materials guide her emotionally and spiritually.Jaclyn also discusses launching a nature-based artist residency in Michigan and what it means to foster a safe space for raw, process-led creation.Topics Covered:The spiritual and intuitive evolution of Jaclyn’s artMoving from figure drawing to emotional abstractionNature as a collaborator, not just a backdropWorking with materials like moss, bark, saltwater, and movementThe role of grief and healing in her creative awakeningCreating a sacred, home-based studio spaceStarting a new artist residency focused on land, body, and spiritReleasing perfectionism in favor of process and playThe connection between nervous system regulation and creative flowBuilding an artistic life that honours joy, rest, and personal sovereignty
About I Love Your Stories- Conversations with Artists and Creatives with Hava Gurevich
I Love Your Stories is a soulful conversation series hosted by artist and creative guide Hava Gurevich, where art meets authenticity. Each episode invites you into an intimate dialogue with artists, makers, and visionaries who are courageously crafting lives rooted in creativity, purpose, and self-expression.
From painters and poets to healers and community builders, these are the stories behind the work—the moments of doubt, discovery, grief, joy, and transformation. Through honest, heart-centred conversations, Hava explores how creativity can be both a healing force and a path to personal truth.
If you’re an artist, a dreamer, or someone drawn to a more intuitive and intentional way of living, this podcast will remind you that your story matters—and that the act of creating is a sacred, revolutionary act.
Listen to I Love Your Stories- Conversations with Artists and Creatives with Hava Gurevich, 99% Invisible and many other podcasts from around the world with the radio.net app
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