What if Creativity wasn’t something you did alone—but something shaped by community, heritage, and the warmth of shared humanity?

In this heartfelt and uplifting episode, Carrie sits down with Orlando Morales—musician, educator, and Artistic Director of the Tacoma Refugee Choir—for a conversation that redefines Creativity as a path to community, connection, and collective healing.

If you’ve ever longed to feel less alone in your creative life—or to create in a way that brings people together—this episode is for you.

🎶 Why you’ll want to listen:

• Rediscover Creativity as a shared experience. Orlando invites us to see art not as a solo act of expression, but as a communal practice that welcomes every voice.
• Learn how to build spaces of radical belonging. In a world that often divides, Orlando models how to create with humility, generosity, and deep acceptance.
• Explore the richness of cultural heritage. Hear how drawing from ancestral traditions and folk music can ground creative work in something much bigger than ourselves.
• Let go of perfection and lean into play. Orlando shares how Creativity often shows up as a “trickster”—inviting us to release control and stay open to surprise, joy, and transformation.
• Experience how Creativity can heal and unify. Whether through choir, theater, or song, Orlando shows how art can be a powerful force for justice, empathy, and human connection.

This episode is a reminder that Creativity isn’t just about what we make—it’s about how we show up with others, and the kind of world we’re creating together.

This is a beautiful reminder that you don’t have to create alone—and that your art, voice, and presence can be a sanctuary not just for you, but for others too.

LISTEN ON APPLE PODCASTS HERE or use the link to Spotify below.

Key Takeaways from the Episode with Orlando Morales

1. Creativity as Collaboration & Belonging
   Orlando describes his creative “temple” as a collaborative space—one filled with warmth, light, instruments, and the energy of others. For him, creativity is not a solo pursuit but something shaped by community and connection.
2. The Power of Welcoming Spaces
   Orlando models what it means to lead with humility and radical acceptance. In the Tacoma Refugee Choir, no one is made to feel like they need to earn their place—every voice is welcome.
3. Cultural Identity & Heritage in Art
   As a Filipino American, Orlando draws deeply from cultural memory, family traditions, and folk music. He emphasizes the importance of not only preserving songs but also the ways of learning and creating that come with them.
4. Creativity as Intentional, Practical, and Playful
   Orlando sees creativity as both deeply intentional and mischievously playful—describing it as a “practical joker” that trips us up and surprises us. He also emphasizes the role of structure, problem-solving, and emotional resonance in his process.
5. The Role of Movement and Listening
   Walking, gardening, and listening to music are vital parts of his process. He finds that inspiration often arises not from trying harder, but from listening more deeply—to the world, to his environment, and to what stirs within.
6. Creativity as a Path to Justice and Humanity
   Orlando is devoted to using creativity as a tool for social justice and insists on the humanity of everyday people through his work—whether it’s in the theater, choir, or songwriting.

Connect with Carrie Schmitt:

• Instagram: @carrieschmitt
• Join Carrie’s online art class + community HERE.
• Subscribe to the podcast to never miss an episode.

Connect with Orlando Morales:

• Website: https://www.orlandogmorales.com/
• Instagram: @pogisilando/

Connect with Tacoma Refugee Choir:

Website: https://www.refugeechoir.org

✨ Share your answers! Use @carrieschmitt on Instagram, leave me a voicemail, or email me here.

Reflection Questions:

1. Orlando describes water as a major source of inspiration. What natural elements influence your creative process, and why?
2. José Garcia Villa’s poem raises questions about identity in artistic expression. Do you see your creative work as an expression of your identity, or do you feel it comes from somewhere beyond you?
3. Orlando discusses the tension between individuality and collective Creativity in different cultures. How do you balance personal artistic vision with collaboration?
4. Gardening has become a creative practice for Orlando, where he listens to new music and immerses himself in nature. What unconventional activities spark creativity for you?
5. Orlando’s creative process involves structured planning but also allowing space for ideas to emerge naturally. Do you have a specific method for capturing and developing creative ideas?
6. The concept of seasons of Creativity came up—how different forms of art or expression take center stage at different points in life. Have you experienced a shift in your creative focus over time?
7. Orlando described Creativity as a practical joker—playful, mischievous, and full of surprises. If Creativity were a personality or entity, how would you describe it?
8. He mentioned a mentor’s advice to “insist on the humanity of your people.” How do you use art to advocate for human connection, empathy, or justice?