S02E07 - Belief: The Real Creative Currency
This week’s podcast episode is a full-bodied ride through creativity, courage, and the art of simply beginning. My guest, Nigel Sandridge—aka Sensei Sand—is a filmmaker, director, and founder of No Margins Media, but most importantly, he’s someone who embodies creative living down to the bone.
Our conversation begins with questions—about what makes something creative, whether surrealism can elevate a project, and if the unconventional is worth chasing. Spoiler: it is. For Sensei, every act of creativity is rooted in intention. His breakout moment? A self-directed, avant-garde spoken word project called Hiatus. It was made with no budget, no fancy gear, and a whole lot of belief. Years later, it landed in the Manchester Art Festival. That’s the power of trusting your vision before anyone else does.
Throughout the episode, we reflect on how stepping into unfamiliar rooms can reawaken your creative drive. From mascot gigs to Dungeons & Dragons sessions, Sensei argues that everything is a potential learning moment if you lead with curiosity, not ego. His philosophy: “Be the person you’d want to watch.”
We also talk about the mental hurdles—especially around confidence. He reminds us that a lack of belief is often the real block, not resources or time. Whether it’s filmmaking, directing, or trying something completely new, growth begins when you stop letting the fear of looking foolish outweigh your desire to express something real.
One of my favorite themes is the idea of romanticizing your own life—treating your days like they matter, savoring the ordinary until it becomes art. Whether you're creating a music video, designing clothes, or simply showing up to support your friends, creativity is everywhere. The goal? Make your life feel like a story worth telling.
We close by exchanging sources of inspiration: films, music, books. San shares his love for Barry White, the surreal thriller The Substance, and a book called The Art of Identity. But more than any one piece of media, what fuels him is genuine human connection and new experiences.
This episode isn’t just a conversation—it’s a reminder. To start. To keep going. To be okay with being “weird.” And to always believe that creativity begins not when others approve, but when you do.
