Creativity through the lens of the CEO & Co-Founder of Sound Union

"I had a broad foundation of what it meant to be creative."

John Avilla is the founder of Sound Union, a creative studio and cultural hub designed for people who see music as more than background noise—it’s well-being, inspiration, and connection. With a background in brand strategy and creative direction, John built Sound Union as a new kind of social club for creatives, entrepreneurs, and thinkers who prioritize music as a vital part of their daily lives and identities.
More than just a passion project, Sound Union is a strategic response to a cultural need: a space where people can explore, create, and share music as a lifelong practice and personal outlet—without needing to be a pro to belong.
John and the Sound Union community use cultural fluency and systems thinking to help people pursue their best musical lives—whether that means picking up an instrument again, deepening their listening habits, or finding creative expression through sound. It’s about making music an accessible, energizing force in everyday life, and offering a deeper way to connect—with ourselves, with others, and with the world around us.
Whether he’s speaking about the future of branding, creative entrepreneurship, or how music shapes emotional wellness, John brings an open, thoughtful voice to the conversation.
John’s Business Social Links:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/johngavilla/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/soundunion/
https://www.instagram.com/joinsoundunion/
https://www.facebook.com/JoinSoundUnion
www.soundunion.com

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Creativity through the lens of podcast host, Ted X speaker and author

"Each of us have a way to show our super power, and each of us have a way to tie creativity to our super power."

Dr. Christiane Schroeter is a TEDx speaker, Business & Wellness Coach, Professor, and bestselling author who helps entrepreneurs achieve big results through small, strategic actions.
With a Ph.D. in Health Economics, she is a Professor of Marketing, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship at a top-ranked U.S. university, earning national and international recognition for her work. Christiane blends academic expertise with real-world strategy, offering podcast audiences practical insights they can use immediately.
As the host of the Happy Healthy Hustle Podcast, ranked in the Top 1% globally, she shares high-performance strategies that integrate productivity, business growth, and well-being. Her no-fluff, high-energy approach makes her a memorable guest who connects deeply with driven, purpose-led audiences.
She has built a thriving, loyal community on Instagram and YouTube, where she shares results-driven content for professionals committed to sustainable success.
Christiane is the author of three books, including the bestselling How to Master Your Goals, which debuted as an Amazon #1 New Release in Adult Education. Her latest releases, Discover Your Superpower and the companion Petite Practice™ Planner, build on her signature Petite Practice™ framework. This system empowers entrepreneurs to work smarter, scale faster, and lead with clarity and confidence.
A sought-after keynote speaker, Christiane delivers engaging, actionable conversations grounded in research and designed to spark meaningful transformation.

https://doctorchristiane.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/christianeschroeter/

https://www.instagram.com/doctor.christiane

https://www.threads.com/@doctor.christiane

https://www.tiktok.com/@hello.happy.nest

https://tinyurl.com/DoctorCS

https://www.youtube.com/@doctor.christiane

https://www.pinterest.com/doctorchristiane/

https://www.facebook.com/Doctor.Christiane/

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1StxXZwOlq6sY0hNATqa5D?si=_Cy0jJ2rTPWD913Bj1eirw&nd=1&dlsi=a70921b98b244dc3

https://doctorchristiane.com/quiz

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Creativity through the lens of an author, screenwriter, producer and podcaster

"I experience creativity, as an idea that wants to come through me."

Having grown up overseas (in both Guyana, South America as well as Lahore, Pakistan) it was only later that I understood that my childhood has dramatically shaped me in ways that I did not expect. I live an enchanted life and besides for being a "creative" and author, I also have an animated series on YouTube called "Murder of 2," about two crows who sit on a line and observe humanity, as well as multiple other projects I'm working on right now.

https://bytesizedblessings.com/

https://www.facebook.com/kirsten.rudberg.7

https://www.facebook.com/bytesizedblessings

https://www.instagram.com/bytesizedblessingspod/

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=byte+sized+blessings

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Creativity through the lens of a singer/songwriter

"Creativity, it's all about your imagination"

Tom Ciurczak (Sir-Zak) offers up an infectious blend of energetic rhythms, danceable beats and powerful storytelling lyrics that make you think you are listening to a crossbreed of Bruce Springsteen, Warren Zevon and Steve Earle, complete with Eagles-esque harmonies and hook-laden Eric Clapton style guitar work. Tom learned, early on, about music’s complex and distinct sounds and rhythms as well as the imagery that great storytelling can evoke.
In his mid 20’s, Tom moved to the West Coast where he soon found work in the Specialty Lighting industry. Marriage and 2 young children meant putting his musical ambitions on hold, although he continued to write songs almost daily as he traveled the world to seek out the newest innovations in lighting. His career established him as an outstanding businessman, as he built three very successful Specialty Lighting Companies: Osram, Ushio and his own company, BLC International. Through it all, he continued to hear the siren’s song as songwriting provided the creative outlet in his life.
Things changed in 2014, when Tom decided to dust off his prodigious arsenal of songs and put them to the test. When he attended recording artist Steve Earle’s Songwriters Master Class and Retreat, he knew that he had found his people. From there, he turbo-charged his songs, taking them to a whole new level.
On June 26th 2025 the Album YORICK was released, highlighted by the title track Yorick based on a character from Shakespeare's Hamlet. It also included critically acclaimed singles, The Watcher and On Top Of The Rainbow.
Tom performs regularly at music venues throughout Southern California to promote his own brand of Heartland Rock. Singer/songwriter/recording artist Tom Ciurczak is proof that, once lit, the musical spark never dies – it’s just waiting for the right time to blaze its magic.

www.tomciurczak.com
https://music.apple.com/us/artist/tom-ciurczak/1523602233
https://open.spotify.com/artist/4kSCXkEUWwUq5ykqyEf1Dn
https://www.instagram.com/tokyotommy58/
https://www.youtube.com/@tomciurczak8782
Tom Ciurczak Band: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100092202082226
Tom Ciurczak: https://www.facebook.com/tom.ciurczak

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Creativity through the lens of a fashion model, retired union carpenter, founder and owner of Gott Street Blues

"Being Creative is just my entire being."

Meet Brenda “Maxx” Cumby McGee, Founder and Owner of GottStreet Blues. She is a lifelong fashion model and union carpenter began her journey when she was 10 - both playing dress up in her mom’s clothes, and also creating a construction site in her mother’s garden with a red Tonka truck. One of her biggest challenges as a woman in the trades? Having properly fitting, and functional work clothing. Maxx has brilliantly paired her expertise in both industries to create a line of clothing for working women where the focus is the fit. Launching in 2025 is ‘the pant” that was designed with women’s bodies in mind showcasing features and functionality for women on the job.

https://gottstreetblues.com/

https://www.youtube.com/@gottstreetblues2020

https://www.linkedin.com/in/brenda-maxx-cumby-mcgee-10b5352a/

https://www.tiktok.com/@maxxwell814

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Creativity through the lens of a social innovator, social entrepreneur, systems change advocate and artist

"To me, it means that I am somehow tapped into the flow of life."

Nora Wilhelm is a social innovator and systems entrepreneur dedicated to driving positive change for a regenerative and just future. Her journey as a changemaker began at the age of 15, when she became deeply aware of global challenges, particularly in youth engagement and sustainable development. This early commitment to active citizenship led her to work with international NGOs and, over time, to focus on systems change and social innovation.
In 2017, she co-founded collaboratio helvetica, an initiative designed to catalyse systems change in Switzerland in alignment with the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Nora holds a BA in International Affairs from the University of St. Gallen and an MSt in Social Innovation from the University of Cambridge, combining academic insight with hands-on experience in systemic transformation.
After experiencing burnout firsthand, she created the well • change atelier in 2023: a space for creative regeneration and inner work, designed to help changemakers turn personal challenges, like burnout, into opportunities for growth and sustainable impact. Today, through her initiative Parayma , she also supports changemakers in clarifying their purpose and navigating the emotional and practical demands of systems work.
Recognized as a Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree and a UNESCO Young Leader, she has spoken on global stages and continues to advocate for grounded, sustainable, and systemically informed approaches to leadership and transformation.
www.norawilhelm.org
www.linkedin.com/in/norawilhelm
https://www.instagram.com/nora.wilhelm/
https://www.facebook.com/nora.m.wilhelm

www.changeatelier.org
https://www.instagram.com/thewell.changeatelier/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/thewellchangeatelier
https://www.pinterest.ch/thewellchangeatelier/

www.parayma.co
https://www.linkedin.com/company/parayma
https://www.instagram.com/parayma.co

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Creativity through the lens of the CEO and Founder of the How to Buy A Home platform

"Finding creativity when you're sweaty and tired."

David Sidoni has been helping first-time home buyers since 2006. After over a decade of seeing first-hand how the real estate industry was screwing first-timers, he decided to create an educational platform to empower and educate the people who need guidance most. Since 2019, now with over 1.67 million downloads, the How to Buy a Home podcast is the #1 place for renters to find the answers they are looking for.

https://howtobuyahome.com/

https://www.facebook.com/HowtoBuyaHomeGuy/

https://x.com/davidsidoni

https://www.youtube.com/@HowToBuyAHome

https://www.instagram.com/howtobuyahomepodcast

https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-sidoni-53a9295/

https://www.tiktok.com/@howtobuyahome

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Creativity through the lens of a multifaceted artist, singer, composer, speaker and leadership coach

"The creative impulse is what brings renewal."

Owen Ó Súilleabháin is a multifaceted artist, renowned for his work as a singer, composer, speaker, and leadership coach. He draws on his rich heritage in the performing arts and academic background in philosophy, Greek and Roman civilization, and Peace Studies to inspire creativity and leadership. Owen believes in the transformative power of art and has collaborated with notable figures such as Steven Spielberg, Russell Crowe, Nigel Kennedy, and The Chieftains.

In 2024 he established Inner Soul Circle, an online community focused on Celtic spirituality and the arts, alongside his mother Rev. Nóirín Ní Riain Ph.D and his brother Mícheál Moley Ó Súilleabháin.

Owen's work spans various fields, including education, healthcare, and the corporate world, where he emphasizes the importance of listening and creativity for personal and organizational transformation. His contributions to the arts and leadership are recognized and sought after by numerous organizations globally.

https://www.turasdanam.com/

https://www.facebook.com/turasdanam

https://www.youtube.com/@turasdanam/videos

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