In this episode of TMN Creative Thinking, bestselling author, cultural commentator and social impact leader Alencia Johnson speaks with TMN creators Hasi Kapali and Emil Cinto about disruption, courage, creativity and how changing the world often begins by challenging the ideas we have about ourselves.

Throughout the conversation, Alencia discusses why anger can help us identify the things we care about and find solutions, why women and girls should challenge the expectations society places on them, and how history and culture can provide a roadmap when trying to build something new.

She also reflects on courage, recognition and the expectations surrounding success, particularly within Black and brown communities. The conversation explores creativity as a tool for imagining new possibilities.

Alencia shares how taking improv classes helped her become more vulnerable, connect with others and move away from the pressure of perfection.

She also explains why people working toward social change should make space for creative practices and why arts and creativity remain fundamental to understanding and documenting culture.

The interview was conducted by TMN creators and Big Picture Learning Fellows Hasi Kapali and Emil Cinto during the Big Picture Learning Big Bang Conference 2026 in Dallas, Texas.

If you're interested in creativity, culture, identity and how we create change, this episode is for you.

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We create and share these conversations to explore how we learn, create, work together, and find our place in the creative industries. So if something in this episode made you think, helped you see something differently, or simply felt worth sharing — pass it on.

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