It takes courage to be creative, with Zorana Ivcevic Pringle, PhD

In this episode of Speaking of Psychology, host Kim Mills interviews Dr. Zorana Ivcevic Pringle, a senior research scientist at the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence, about the science of creativity. Dr. Pringle challenges the common belief that creativity is an innate talent, arguing instead that it is a choice—one that involves courage, emotional regulation, and the willingness to act despite discomfort and risk. She defines creativity as both original and effective, emphasizing that execution is as vital as idea generation. Drawing from her book, The Creativity Choice, she outlines three levels of creativity: mini-C (personal insights), pro-C (expert-level innovation), and big-C (cultural landmarks). The conversation explores how everyday problem-solving, emotional intelligence, and social environments shape creative potential, with real-world examples ranging from family travel planning to hospital food service redesign. Dr. Pringle also discusses the role of AI in creativity, suggesting it enhances human creativity when used thoughtfully but cannot replace human direction and judgment. Finally, she offers practical advice for overcoming creative blocks through self-compassion and stepping away from the problem to allow for insight. Key takeaways include: creativity is a learnable skill rooted in decision-making and courage; emotional safety in teams is essential for innovation; AI amplifies human creativity but doesn’t replace it; creative blocks are temporary and can be overcome with self-kindness and breaks; and the most impactful creativity emerges from the journey from idea to action, not just the idea itself.