Ep 284: Overthinking, anxiety, the brain and creativity with Nikki Emerton

Overthinking can be second nature to creative thinkers. A classic downside to empathy and sensitivity. I've battled with anxiety in recent years, and my overthinking has been out of control. Constant rumination, wild and unmanaged responses to news headlines, and an uncharacteristically gloomy outlook leading to sleepless nights and worry spirals. I'm slowly getting a handle on it, and I want to help others suffering the same barriers to a calmer, more optimistic basis for their creativity. Nikki Emerton, a therapist, trainer, and coach, joins me to discuss the brain, the patterns of thought and traps we fall into, and how we can help ourselves break this destructive cycle. As ever supported by Illustration X Work with me through the 'PIT STOP' one-stop creativity foundational coaching session, or work with me to write your story in the brand new 'The Internal' story coaching program now at ( ) Access creativity resources, including books, a reading list, and 300+ podcasts at Help the Ukrainian Institute's brave creative community during a horrific time of war at

You can listen to Ep 284: Overthinking, anxiety, the brain and creativity with Nikki Emerton online on Radio and Podcast. Open the player on this page to stream the available audio.

Ep 284: Overthinking, anxiety, the brain and creativity with Nikki Emerton is an episode from Arrest All Mimics: The Original Thinking and Creative Innovation Podcast by The Creative Condition Podcast with Ben Tallon.

This episode is 75:56 long.

This episode was published on Jan 28, 2026.

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