How Coloring Can Foster Creativity and Build Community with Nikita Burks-Hale – Episode 3

When was the last time you picked up crayons and used them to color? If it has been a while, maybe a few decades, you’ll want to listen to this episode where we explore using the art of coloring as a tool for creativity and community building.

Nikita Burks-Hale is the CEO and Chief Coloring Officer at Headphones and Crayons, a space for integrating voice, sound, creativity, and color. Nikita’s passion and magic lie in creating and facilitating programs, workshops, and color-centered experiences that spark creativity, boost productivity and increase your calm. 

Nikita is also the host of the Headphones and Crayons Podcast, which teaches creatives and entrepreneurs how to redefine productivity and unlock creative possibilities through coloring.

Listen to the podcast episode here.

Listen on Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Spotify | Other Podcast Players

Support the podcast by joining us on Patreon or buying us a coffee.

In this episode, we chat about:

• The benefits of coloring and how it can help podcasters unlock their creativity 
• Nikita’s inspiration for coloring with podcast guests
• The decision to pivot and create a podcasting and coloring business facilitating workshops and activities

A special thank you to our partners and supporters. 

• Capsho – AI copywriting tool for podcasters. 
• Podbean – For podcast hosting, distribution, and more. 
• Join our WOC Podcasters Community!

Benefits of Coloring For Podcasters 

Why is coloring important for creatives?

Coloring is a powerful tool for self-expression, allowing podcasters to explore their thoughts and feelings. 

The act of coloring is an opportunity to express one’s unique style and individuality, and it also encourages creative problem-solving and exploring new ways of seeing the world. 

Since coloring can be a shared activity, it promotes building relationships and fosters a sense of belonging in team settings or within friend circles. 

Nikita describes coloring as a full body experience. The sound of coloring can put you in a meditative state. It allows you to release any anxiety you may have, let go of thinking and be in the moment. 

Relaxation 

Coloring allows you to decompress because as you are engaging those five senses, it increases endorphins and dopamine.

Coloring can be a great way to destress, relax, boost your mood, and find inspiration. 

Taking the time to appreciate the beauty and uniqueness of each coloring page can be a great way to reset and refocus. 

It serves as a reminder to take a step back, recenter, and reconnect with yourself. 

Self Expression

Coloring can serve as an outlet to express emotions and feelings. Use colors to express the mood you are in or the emotions you are experiencing. It can also help create a connection between the colors and your emotions. For example, if you are feeling blue, color with moody blues and purples. If you are feeling energized, choose bright bold colors like red, yellow and orange. 

Increases Focus 

Coloring activates both sides of the brain and allows you to stay focused on one thing while still being able to move and remain active. 

As you color, allow yourself to explore the colors and shapes that appear on the page, which can help spark new ideas or thoughts. 

A Tool For Team Building 

Coloring can also be used as a tool for team building. It’s a great way to break up the monotony of the day and increase collaboration among your team. 

Provide each team member with their own coloring page, colored pencils, or crayons. This will allow everyone to work on their design while collaborating in a group setting.

Team members can discuss their thoughts and ideas and develop creative solutions together. Utilizing coloring as a tool for team building increases collaboration and builds a stronger more cohesive team.

Additional Coloring Tips 

1. Take time to explore the colors and shapes that appear on the page, and allow yourself to be creative and mindful while coloring.  
2. When facilitating a coloring workshop, set the tone for the workshop by providing a safe and comfortable environment for participants to engage in the activity. This will ensure everyone can express themselves and engage in the activity without feeling judged. 

As Nikita Burks-Hale has demonstrated, coloring can be a powerful tool to foster creativity, boost productivity, and increase calm. She encourages creatives to use coloring to connect to their inner child and find a sense of peace. So take a deep breath, pick up a crayon, and let your creativity flow. 

Listen to this podcast episode on Spotify.

About Nikita Burks-Hale

Nikita Burks-Hale is a creative visionary who found a way to combine her passions for voice, sound, creativity, and coloring. As the CEO and Chief Coloring Officer at Headphones and Crayons, Nikita teaches creatives and entrepreneurs how to redefine productivity and unlock creativity through coloring. 

Headphones and Crayons was born out of a really dark time. Battling postpartum depression after the birth of her second child, one night at 3:00 am she picked up one of her son’s crayons and started coloring. Losing track of time, thirty minutes passed by which made her not only feel better but put her down the path of pivoting her podcast production company to Headphones and Crayons. 

Website: www.headphonesandcrayons.com

Instagram: @headphonesandcrayons 

Get access to the free 8-minute Color Break: An 8-minute guided coloring experience to calm, reset, and spark your creativity.

Memorable Quotes by Nikita Burks-Hale

• “Coloring allows you to recenter, take a breath, and feel that you can go on.”
• “Coloring allows you to stretch beyond your limits and see what happens.” 
• “Coloring is not more special than any other thing. If you get nothing else from this, it’s finding your thing, find your coloring.” 

Would you be open to coloring as an adult?

When was the last time you picked up a coloring pencil?