Growing Creativity ⚡️ Gardening, Cut Flowers, and Creative Life Beyond Social Media with Jessica Murnane

"The absence of social and the introduction of more silence is what's nourishing my creativity." — Jessica Murnane This episode is your invitation to rethink creativity through the lens of nature, generosity, and play. I’m joined by gardener, author, horticultural therapy practitioner, and founder of Basker, Jessica Murnane, for a conversation about growing cut flowers, stepping away from social media, and cultivating a creative life that feels deeply nourishing. Jessica shares how gardening became a turning point in her own healing journey after recovering from major surgery. What started as learning to grow cut flowers evolved into a practice of creativity, hope, and connection. She explains why gardening isn’t just about growing plants. It’s about growing calm, reducing stress, creating community, and reconnecting with yourself. We talk about creativity beyond productivity and the pressure to monetize every hobby. Jessica reflects on creating simply for the joy of making, whether that’s growing varieties of cosmos, arranging flowers, or filling your home with beauty that doesn’t need to become a business. Creativity, she reminds us, can simply exist for you. Jessica also shares why she made the bold decision to leave Instagram. After years of creating online, she realized social media was limiting her creativity through comparison, noise, and constant visibility. Instead, she now finds inspiration through books, magazines, silence, and nature, while creating her own “social feed” directly on her website as a slower, more intentional way to share her work. Whether you’re growing a flower garden, writing a book, taking a break from social media, or looking for a gentler way to nourish your creativity, this conversation is a reminder that creativity doesn’t always ask us to be “on”. In fact, Jessica is on a break from her Substack. Perhaps, you can align yourself with her vibe, even for a moment, this summer. Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts and Spotify, or on your favorite podcast platform while you cook, clean, or create. Get the full show notes & transcript here. Leave a comment on Substack or connect with us on Instagram @chefcarlacontreras & @jessicamurnane to share your takeaways from the episode. xo Carla PS: Working on your visibility this summer? Join me and Valerie Oula inside the Creative Visibility Summer Immersion. ***Disclaimer:*** Always seek the counsel of a qualified medical practitioner or other healthcare provider for an individual consultation before making any significant changes to your health, lifestyle, or to answer questions about specific medical conditions. If you are driving or doing an activity that needs your attention, save the meditation practice for later. This podcast is for entertainment and information purposes only. Note: Some of these are affiliate links. I receive a small percentage of the sales. I appreciate your support of my small Latina & women owned business. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit chefcarla.substack.com/subscribe