Ep 157 : The Top Five Tips For Staying Human, Creative and Connected in 2026
With Sarah Rowan
“We’re in a world surrounded by so much data and AI we can get lost in the noise of it all, and I’ve found that throughout my year as a performer, the amount of times people say to me, you know, your content is great, but your energy, your essence, your presence is what really makes us attracted to connecting with you…”
Sarah Rowan Top Five Tips For Staying Human, Creative and Connected In 2026
1. Choose presence over performance
2. Create spaces where people feel safe, seen and connected
3. Prioritize quiet...stillness is becoming a superpower
4. Grow your tech skills... and your human skills... side by side
5. Get your hands in the dirt
TIME STAMP SUMMARY
01:39 Human connection and presence are essential,
06:05 Creating a safe space for people to be creative, free from judgment and ridicule.
12:48 Learning bit by bit to avoid burnout and stay present.
18: 50 Finding small ways to connect with nature, even in urban environments, to improve their overall well-being.
Where to find Sarah?
Website https://artistsarahrowan.com/about/
LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/artistsarahrowan/
Sarah Rowan Bio
Sarah Rowan (who now goes by Rowan) is an artist and thought leader who empowers individuals and organizations to ignite a better future through creativity. As one of Australia’s top Speed Painters, she has lived and breathed the dynamic process of transformation for over 20 years, turning blank walls and cavasses into thought-provoking pieces of art, with limited time and often in front of a live audience. Merging her artistic talent with her passion for public speaking, Rowan has reimagined the role of the artist, pushing the boundaries of a studio-based pursuit into a trail-blazing performance genre that challenges the limitations of time and space.
After graduating from Converse College in 2003 with a BFA in Studio Art, Rowan started an art business in Greenville, South Carolina, USA before moving to Sydney to expand her horizons. It was here that she used the process of creative futurism to overcome depression, challenge chronic illness and create a new future for herself and her family. No longer shackled by societal norms, she has stepped into the full power of her truth personally and professionally.
Rowan’s strong emotional storytelling, along with her ability to paint fast and think fast has captivated hundreds of clients like Nestlé, ANZ, AMP, Ernst & Young, Woolworths, Sydney Airport, and Priceline. She has inspired audiences to embrace their own creativity which she believes is a “birthright to all” and to date has painted at over 600 events raising over $400,000 for charity.
Other clients include: SAP, Netball World Cup, Salvation Army, Terry White Chemmart, YPO, City of Sydney, Commonwealth Bank, American Express, Doterra, Department of Defence, Mirvac, Australian College of Nursing, Liberty Finance, University of Sydney, NAB, ANZ, Dexus, Fastway Couriers, AUSCAM, Bombay Sapphire, International Canadian School Ho Chi Min City, etc.