Building Bridges Through Sound & Stories: Marek J. Smagala
In this powerful opening episode of the Everyday Creativity podcast Series 3, host Anna B. Sexton welcomes Marek J. Smagala—a Liverpool-based video game composer and founder of the inclusive Liverpool Game Dev Network.
From South London’s buzzing creative scene to Merseyside’s growing games industry, Marek shares his inspiring journey of fusing music, storytelling, and community-building. Learn how his love of video games and deep belief in connection led him to create one of the Northwest’s most inclusive networking events—bridging studio heads, students, freelancers, and curious creatives alike.
Together, Anna and Marek explore: 🎮 The creative power of music and storytelling in games 💬 Why genuine networking is still revolutionary in digital spaces 🎯 How rest, rhythm, and structure support sustainable creativity 🌆 The growth of Liverpool’s creative tech scene 🎉 And a sneak peek into Marek’s upcoming Game Dev Summit at Boxpark Liverpool (June 5th)!
Using creative play to solve big world challenges…
WHERE DO YOU BRING YOUR CREATIVITY TO LIFE for more fun, hands on solution focused problem solving?
WORLD CREATIVITY & INNOVATION DAY... has come into being to highlight the pivotal role of creativity and innovation in problem-solving and advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
When humans come together in shared creative curiosity, exploration and playful enquiry the magic happens - the innovations, the quirky ways of tackling some of our most 'sticky' problems...
And even if this was not mind blowingly amazing the chance to come together, sit and talk whilst playing with materials gives us connection points and opportunities to open up whilst being creative and doing the making.
I love blending in paper prototyping, collaging new vision boards or making something out of recycled materials in answer to open, coaching questions using my 'Bag of Creative Surprises' workshop toolkit.
Founders need more playful approaches >>>
Founders need more playful approaches when tackling creative thinking challenges in their teams and businesses
Yesterday I had the pleasure of playing out in my local area, The Bread Streets L8 Liverpool. It was so much fun making with materials I'd not have thought to use to make prints out of... simple white tac sticky putty
With friends who get how vital giving it a go with new ways of making is not just for the mind, but body and soul too...
Hands down the most fun with white tac, drain coverings and other 'printable' surfaces ive had, will probably since a kid...
The experiences of playing around with new materials in unusual places and spaces got my brain firing off so many other ideas 💡 for more walking and making sessions
COACHING FUTURE TECH FOUNDERS & THEIR TEAMS...
COACHING FUTURE TECH FOUNDERS & THEIR TEAMS...
Since I've coached with founders in the last 15 years + I see this time & time again...
The investment drive is into the tech, the growth and yes the team, but not from a human-centred and caring approach, more as an additional 'resource' to aid faster growth.
5 mental health first aid tips for Founders for lasting success >>>
5 mental health first aid tips for Founders for lasting success >>>
Open To Create >>> Founder Anna B. Sexton award winning coach is trained in creative leadership coaching, enterprise mentoring, mental health first aid trained and clinical solution focused psychological tools for better mental health. Her mission is to make everyday better, incremental overall health better for Founders by making conversations about mental health more normalised. The ‘hustle’ and ‘grind’ culture is damaging - i.e. what happens to something you grind? After a while it turns to dust…
Below are 5 core ways we work with our Founders, their teams or our corporate partners when crafting programmes for 1-2-1 or group work
Ask us more…
We love good questions…
anna@opentocreate.com
+44 [0] 7484 184 292