S1 E17: Quiet Time, Rest, and Creativity with Jeff M. Poulin

In this episode of Why Change? host Jeff M. Poulin describes the quiet week at Creative Generation. He shares the research underpinning their decision, reflections from throughout the crises of 2020, and concepts about maintaining nourished in our work intersecting culture, education, and justice. 

In this episode you’ll learn:

  1. How creativity and “quiet time” are intertwined;

  2. Why we must take time to pause, reflect, rejuvenate, and create; and 

  3. How some artists, educators, and activists remain grounded, inspired, and fight for change.


Check out some of the things mentioned during this podcast, including:



Please download the transcript here. 



ABOUT JEFF M. POULIN

Jeff M. Poulin (he/him/his) is an American scholar, non-profit administrator, and social entrepreneur whose work is grounded in social justice and seeks transformative local solutions to global complex challenges.

In 2019, Jeff founded Creative Generation, which works to inspire, connect, and amplify the work of young creatives who catalyze social change and those committed to cultivating their creativity.  In this role he leads a team which produced global messaging campaigns, creates unique learning environments, conducts original research, and supports people and projects working at the intersection of arts/culture, education, and social change. He serves as the Principal Investigator for the Institute for Creative Social Transformation, lead Facilitator for the Academy of Creative Leadership, host of the Why Change? podcast, and Executive Editor of the Campaign for a Creative Generation and the Creative Generation Journal.

With over a decade of experience as a performer, teaching artist, education researcher, and arts administrator, he previously led a national program, where he worked to advance local, state, and federal policies supportive of equitable access to arts education throughout the United States. Jeff is a tap dancer by trade and continues to mentor young dancers in the U.S. and in the U.K.

Jeff is widely published, serves as a reviewer for grant and research panels, and speaks to audiences across the country and around the globe. Currently, he is on the faculties of arts management at American University and Carnegie Mellon University.

Jeff hails from Portland, Maine and earned degrees in arts management, cultural policy, and education at Oklahoma City University, University College Dublin, and the University of Glasgow. 


This episode of Why Change? A Podcast for the Creative Generation was powered by Creative Generation. It was produced and edited by Daniel Stanley. Artwork by Bridget Woodbury. Music by Distant Cousins.