Have you ever walked into a room where you belonged, yet felt like a total intruder? Even when surrounded by friends or longtime colleagues, that whisper of inadequacy—the one that claims you are "running a game" on everyone—often grows loudest just as you are about to shine. In this solo episode, I pull back the curtain on a recent, that forced me to confront my own "elaborate dance of diminishment". We explore the terrifying possibility that we aren't actually afraid of being incompetent, but rather, we are terrified of being seen as someone who knows they are truly good at what they do. If you have ever felt the need to offer a disclaimer before sharing a brilliant idea, this conversation is your invitation to stop shrinking and start taking up the space you have already earned.

00:13 The anatomy of an uninvited guest

01:15 Six seats and a drop in the stomach

02:34 The hammer in my chest

04:10 Why we make space for everyone but ourselves

05:50 Maya Angelou and the fear of being seen

07:14 Potholes, grandmothers, and unexpressed brilliance

09:37 Trading disclaimers for bravery

Website: http://www.martineseverin.com
Follow on Instagram: @martine.severin | @thisishowwecreate_
Subscribe to the Newsletter: http://www.martineseverin.substack.com

This is How We Create is produced by Martine Severin. This episode was edited by Daniel Espinosa. Podcast show art is designed by Violetta Encarnación. Music by Timothy Infinite.

• Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts

• Leave a review

• Follow us on social media

• Share with fellow creatives

Karl Ferguson Jr. never planned to be a photographer. He picked up a camera because he was following his interest in the burgeoning Hip Hop Scene. Years later, his portraits of Black culture have appeared in Vibe, Billboard, and The Hollywood Reporter. In this conversation, Karl talks about what it really takes to build a creative life on your own terms, why he spent two decades at Verizon while quietly becoming one of the most sought-after photographers in entertainment, and what it means to be a visual historian when representation is still a fight.

00:00 Introduction to Karl Ferguson and the "Visual Historian"

02:20 From The Bronx to the Music Industry

04:02 Picking Up the Camera Out of Necessity

06:26 The First Byline: Validation from Vibe Magazine

08:32 Mastering the Art of Networking and Relationships

15:07 The Responsibility of the Visual Historian

17:07 Creating Intimacy in Celebrity Portraiture

23:31 Building Community at The Grand Studio

25:48 Demystifying the Role of the Digital Tech

31:40 Breaking the Starving Artist Myth: The Verizon Years

43:40 The Importance of Personal Work and Creative Play

49:55 Redefining Success Through authentic Connection

Connect with Karl:

Follow Karl on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/karlfergusonjr

Karl's website: https://www.karlfergusonjr.com/

Support the Show

Website: http://www.martineseverin.com
Follow on Instagram: @martine.severin | @thisishowwecreate_
Subscribe to the Newsletter: http://www.martineseverin.substack.com

This is How We Create is produced by Martine Severin. This episode was edited by Daniel Espinosa. Podcast show art is designed by Violetta Encarnación. Music by Timothy Infinite.

• Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts

• Leave a review

• Follow us on social media

• Share with fellow creatives

Have you ever wondered why a client chooses your lens over a thousand others? In this solo session, I dive into a transformative conversation that shifted my entire understanding of why I am hired as a photographer. We explore the "economy of vision" and how your unique cultural position creates a value that no standard rate card can capture. If you are ready to stop defending your fees and start educating your clients on the specific promise only you can deliver, this episode will help you reclaim your worth.

00:00 The Ritual of the Ceramic Plate

01:30 More Than a Service: Why People Actually Hire You

02:31 Thelma Golden and the Economy of Vision

03:40 Defining Your Aesthetic Universe and Cultural Value

04:53 Moving Beyond Objects to Your Specific Promise

08:40 Productive Discomfort: Teaching People How to Want Your Work

10:00 Rehearsing Your Position Over Your Price

12:00 Homework: Identifying the Five Values of Your Work

Website: http://www.martineseverin.com
Follow on Instagram: @martine.severin | @thisishowwecreate_
Subscribe to the Newsletter: http://www.martineseverin.substack.com

This is How We Create is produced by Martine Severin. This episode was edited by Daniel Espinosa. Podcast show art is designed by Violetta Encarnación. Music by Timothy Infinite.

• Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts

• Leave a review

• Follow us on social media

• Share with fellow creatives