Enjoy this episode & transcript below where Kimberly Spencer, Master NLP Mindset & Communications Coach and CEO of Communication Queens, interviews Emmy-nominated filmmaker, producer, and motivational speaker, Tricia Creason-Valencia.

Tricia Creason-Valencia joins Kimberly Spencer to talk about motherhood, mental health, and the messy magic of creative resilience. This conversation dives into the chaos of creation, radical acceptance, and finding joy even when everything falls apart. A must-listen for every Queen learning to show up as is — because your story might just save a life.

FYI Transcripts may contain a few typos. With many episodes lasting 30-minutes, it can be difficult to catch minor errors. Enjoy!

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The Power of Showing Up As Is: A Conversation on Creative Resilience with Tricia Creason-Valencia

[00:00–01:00] Finding Joy Through Storytelling

Kimberly Spencer: Whatever it is, you tell the truth, and then your story is connecting people. People are really gratified to hear, like, it’s actually hard for you, too. Like, it’s hard for me.

So, I don’t know — I think it’s about keep adapting, keep telling the truth, keep searching for my joy. The optimism thing… like, I don’t think I’m this wild-eyed optimist anymore, but I do think I’m still a joy seeker. I really want to be happy.

I’m a seven on the Enneagram. I’m an enthusiast. I’m a pleasure seeker. I love to experience joy. And so I just keep asking — where can I find that? Where are the glimmers of that, even when it was really bad? Where were the little moments of connection and joy? That keeps me moving.

[01:00–02:30] Introducing the Episode: A Masterclass in Creative Resilience

Kimberly Spencer: Before we dive in, let me tell you about the book that started a podcasting revolution — Make Every Podcast Want You.

Then: “Welcome to the Communication Queens Podcast for the visionary leaders, speakers, service providers, and podcasters who are looking to stand out sharing their story. I’m your host, Kimberly Spencer, former screenwriter turned master communications coach. Today we have the multi-hyphenate and talented Emmy-nominated director, producer, motivational speaker, and co-founder of Powerhouse, Tricia Creason-Valencia.”

Tricia Creason-Valencia: Thank you for having me.

Kimberly Spencer: You are so welcome, Queen.

[02:30–06:00] Stepping Into the Scary Space of Growth

Tricia Creason-Valencia: One of the reasons that I was so excited to talk with you today is that you are, in your work, just beyond where I am — and I really like to do that to myself. It’s like, I’m going to take this opportunity, I’m going to go on a podcast with Kimberly, and I’m not quite ready.

I find that sort of scary place to be really invigorating. I love a deadline. I love being in the learning process.

I’ve been working as a keynote speaker for about a year and launched Powerhouse, a creative workspace for women in downtown San Jose, also a year ago. I’ve got a little traction on where I’m headed, but I’m still furiously behind the scenes rewriting my bio, making a demo reel, putting up my website — doing all the things to reach this next stage.

What I want is to figure out how to frame my story in a way that really spreads my message.

[06:00–10:30] Creative Resilience Through Reinvention

Kimberly Spencer: The beautiful thing about being multi-hyphenate is there are so many roles you’ve played and so many different stories you could tell. It’s exploratory.

For a long time, I went on bulimia recovery podcasts because that was a huge part of my story. But eventually, it stopped feeling aligned with what I’m doing now.

So, for you, Tricia, what made you pivot? Was it burnout? Achievement fatigue? What called you to shift?

Tricia Creason-Valencia: Almost my entire filmmaking career, I’ve also been a mother. They parallel each other.

When the pandemic hit, I had to redefine everything — teaching, motherhood, my art. I’d been a full-time lecturer at Drexel University teaching filmmaking, history, feminist film, experimental media — all of it. I loved the hands-on creativity, but when everything moved online, I hated it. I left the university and thought, What now?

[10:30–14:00] When Life Forces the Pivot

Tricia Creason-Valencia: The pandemic stripped away everything I knew — teaching, social interaction, film production. I worked with nonprofits creating documentaries on social justice issues, but I was exhausted.

If someone dropped $2 million in my lap tomorrow to make a feature doc, I’d do it — but the constant fundraising and client work was burning me out.

At home, my teenagers were struggling too. My daughter was a roller derby skater, my son a theater kid — everything stopped. We had to rebuild our entire life from scratch.

Kimberly Spencer: The pandemic really was a global reset. It forced systemic change from the inside out. And you — you stayed in the messiness while still taking action. That’s rare.

[14:00–19:30] Mental Health, Motherhood, and the Meaning of Resilience

Tricia Creason-Valencia: After leaving the university, things got really difficult. My daughter, who’s given me permission to share this, entered a phase of severe mental illness. She ran away during the pandemic.

There was a long time when I was operating in crisis mode — and sometimes, just inert. I was depressed. My husband and I read Parenting Outside the Lines together, and eventually we worked with the author, Megan Leahy, as our parenting coach. Her message: Stay connected. Just keep showing up.

So that’s what we did. Dinner meetups, conversations — even when it hurt.

We also joined NAMI for family mental health support. I went back to sports — roller derby, softball, basketball — because that’s my therapy. I started moving again. My friends showed up — cooked, cleaned, just showed up.

That’s when I realized: creative resilience isn’t just about art — it’s about staying in motion.

[19:30–24:00] The Power of Consent and Truth in Storytelling

Kimberly Spencer: Thank you for your vulnerability. What stands out is your respect for your daughter’s story — asking permission before sharing it.

Tricia Creason-Valencia: Being an adoptive mom taught me that early. Their stories are theirs to tell.

But I didn’t always get it right. There were years I overshared on social media out of loneliness and frustration. My kids eventually said, “Mom, stop posting about us.” I had to course-correct — hard.

Now, I only share with permission. That’s part of my healing — learning creative boundaries alongside creative resilience.

[24:00–28:00] When Radical Perfection Becomes Gentle Acceptance

Tricia Creason-Valencia: During my daughter’s crisis, I learned the concept of radical acceptance — but honestly, I prefer gentle acceptance. Radical sounded too harsh.

I’m not calm or Zen. I’m passionate, fiery, emotional. But gentle acceptance allowed me to breathe, to give myself grace. It’s the only way I could keep showing up for my family without burning out.

“Radical perfection was breaking me — gentle acceptance saved me.”

That’s creative resilience: learning to keep creating your life, even when it’s not perfect.

[28:00–33:00] Creative Resilience and the Chaos of Creation

Kimberly Spencer: You have this beautiful embodiment of the chaos of creation — not running from it, but living through it.

Tricia Creason-Valencia: Chaos and messiness — those are my themes. I’m not afraid of them.

My work, my parenting, my art — they all intersect in chaos. It’s the creative process in real time.

“I believe in the chaos of creation — because that’s where real transformation happens.”

[33:00–37:00] Finding Joy Again

Tricia Creason-Valencia: Before everything happened, I was a fearless optimist. Now, I call myself a joy seeker.

I used to think love was enough — that if I just loved my kids hard enough, they’d be okay. But love wasn’t enough. Connection was.

And even when life crushed me, I realized — joy still exists. You just have to look for the glimmers.

Kimberly Spencer: That’s the through line of your story — showing up, as is.

[37:00–43:00] Showing Up As Is: The Core of Creative Resilience

Tricia Creason-Valencia: Exactly. My message — in art, speaking, and parenting — is keep showing up. You can’t fix everything. You can’t predict the outcome. But you can be present.

My friends showed up for me, uninvited and unfiltered. That’s what community looks like. That’s what creative resilience looks like in real life — showing up anyway.

Kimberly Spencer: That’s leadership. That’s motherhood. That’s storytelling.

[43:00–49:00] Wrapping Up: The Power of Story and Connection

Kimberly Spencer: You’ve shared so many powerful truths today, Tricia — from chaos to community, pain to purpose.

Tricia Creason-Valencia: Thank you. I believe in the power of storytelling to heal — for my students, my family, and my own life.

You can find me at TriciaSpeaks.com and on Instagram at @flockoffilms.

Kimberly Spencer: Queens and Kings — your story has the power to save at least one life. Go share it boldly.

🌟 Key Takeaways on Creative Resilience

• Creative resilience means continuing to create — even when life feels unmade.
  
  
• Connection is greater than control.
  
  
• Gentle acceptance allows space for healing and growth.
  
  
• Showing up “as is” is the most powerful form of authenticity.
  
  
• Community is medicine. The people who show up become the scaffolding for your rebirth. 

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