take the stage: my next creative push
Take the Stage: My Next Creative Push
I was ready for 40. I saw it coming, and instead of a crisis, it brought clarity.
That wasn’t by accident. It took a ton of hard, hard work — work that I started at 35. Back then, I took a hard look at my life and knew I didn’t want to hit 40 in the same place I was then: feeling stuck, carrying weight (physically and mentally), and not actively making things. I didn’t want to just let life happen to me—I wanted to be in it, creating, moving forward.
So, I put in the work. And when 40 rolled around last November, I wasn’t panicking. I was ready to step into Act 2.
But before I could, life threw one last storm my way.
The Last Year: Motion, Loss, and Reset
Since putting Creative People Podcast on hiatus, my life has been in constant motion — literally.
The summer was a whirlwind - I performed in two plays (Dimitri Goes to Hollywood with Agapi Productions Inc. and Little Heaven with Penny & Pound), and at the same time, my family got caught in a “renoviction loophole” that forced us out of our home. On top of that, I also had to **move out of my downtown studio**—a space that had become my creative headquarters.
Losing that space was hard. Losing it and my family’s home at the same time was nearly devastating.
By the time fall hit, I was exhausted. I knew I needed to regroup, so I let myself slow down. I spent the season recovering, recalibrating, and teaching myself guitar. Guitar became this thing that had no deadlines, no expectations—just me, learning something new. And that felt good.
Now, with the dust settled, it’s time to step back up. From now until the end of May, I’m in creative sprint mode. The focus is clear: get things out into the world.
The Big 5: What’s Moving Right Now
🎤 **1. Creative People Podcast – Season 5 Kicks Off in February
The podcast is back. After the break, I’m returning to the mic with a new perspective and a fresh approach.
First episode? **Episode 120: *Allow Me to Reintroduce Myself***—a reflection on the journey so far and what’s next. My goal this season is to keep things fresh, lean into deeper conversations, and see where this thing can go. I’ve begun lining up guests and I can’t wait to approach creativity with fresh eyes.
📖 **2. The Backsliders Club – A New Podcast Begins
This one is personal.
Since releasing Backslider in 2023, the response has been overwhelmingly personal and comforting. I’ve had deep, real conversations with people who resonated with it—people who felt seen, who reached out, who shared their own stories. Those connections made me realize there’s more to explore here!
The Backsliders Club is a space for real conversations about faith, doubt, and reinvention. The first episode, “Allow Me to Introduce Myself“, pulls from the Backslider zine, setting the stage for what’s to come.
After it’s live, I’ll start booking guests and building the show. It’s time.
Little Heaven - produced by Penny & Pound
🎭 **3. Curiouser – A Chance to Play on Stage in May
Theatre is back on my plate, and this time, it’s all about play.
Curiouser is an ambitious original musical about “Lewis Carroll and the world of Wonderland”, and I’m part of the huge cast bringing it to life. It’s going to be wild, weird, and fun—exactly the kind of creative energy I want to tap into right now.
The show runs **May 22–25 at the Guelph Little Theatre** with Penny & Pound, and rehearsals start this week.
Dylan Simpson testing film equipment
🦌 **4. DEER – A Return to Film, Shooting in Early March
DEER marks my return to film!
It’s a project from the “In The Car” series with Dylan Simpson — his concept, his lead, and I was there to help write, develop, and support over FaceTime. We bounced ideas back and forth, and I wrote a draft or two as we refined the story.
The film follows two hitmen at a crossroads, and I’ll be playing one of them while also co-directing and producing.
The script is locked. The shoot is set. We’re making this thing!
👹 **5. Demon Hunter Preview Issue – A Bold Narrative Horror Zine
This one has been waiting for its moment.
The Demon Hunter Preview Issue is going to be a bold, horror-driven narrative zine, giving people their first real look at this world I’ve been developing. It’s going to blend story, world-building, and atmosphere in a way that pulls people in.
I’m still locking in the format, but this story is finally coming out into the world!
Take the Stage: The First Push of Act 2
So that’s the game plan. January through May = a creative sprint.
I’m not thinking past May yet—right now, it’s about momentum. About getting things moving and putting them out there.
It’s time to take the stage.
**Follow Along**
If you want to stay in the loop, check out:
🎤 *Creative People Podcast* – Season 5 starts soon.
📖 *The Backsliders Club* – First episode drops in February.
👀 Keep an eye out for *DEER* and *Demon Hunter*.
What are you stepping up to this year? Let’s talk.
- Ryan Leacock
Ryan Leacock is a designer, writer and actor who's worked in a variety of creative fields and expressions. He's written short films, commercials, blogs and has just published his second collection of original writings. Ryan has designed apps. websites and hundreds of signs at his 9-5.
Ryan is about to start his 5th year hosting the Creative People Podcast, which he self-produces a few times a month.
He currently lives in Kitchener, Ontario with his wife, 4 kids, 1 dog and 2 cats.