CreativeMornings/Lisbon

CreativeMornings is a free, monthly breakfast lecture series for creative types. For the latest on upcoming events, head over to creativemornings.com or follow us @creativemorning.

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Our players, CECILIE and guitarist, Edoardo Cavazzoni.

And our speaker, Mitchell Kriegman.

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One-minute recap of our April Crossroads event!

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Lessons in Storytelling from ImmigrantFoodie: "Find the things that make you laugh — that's your voice.

On Friday, March 21st, despite the remnants of a major storm that had swept through Lisbon just days prior, our creative community gathered in full force at Impact Hub Penha de Franca for an inspiring session of CreativeMornings Lisbon. The morning was filled with energy, connection, and creativity, setting the stage for a memorable event.

The session kicked off with a lively performance by SwayRow, whose unique blend of funk got everyone in the mood to embrace the day.

Following the music, our brand new hosts, Truth and Laurine, introduced the CreativeMornings concept and their ideas to expand and ehance the events, bringing fresh enthusiasm to the gathering.

We were also delighted to receive a heartfelt video message from the New York Headquarters, wishing our Lisbon team well as we embark on this new stage of our journey.

This month’s global theme was "Parallel," and we couldn’t have asked for better speakers to embody the concept than the brothers Zaciu (”za-choo”), Sergio and Oliver, the creative minds behind ImmigrantFoodie, a popular Lisbon restaurant review handle on Instagram (30,000 followers).

Their presentation took us on a winding journey through their experiences in filmmaking, food, and the immigrant hustle, illustrating how creativity often flourishes in the spaces between different worlds.

The brothers shared their personal stories and insights, emphasizing the importance of continuous growth: "Be great at your thing, but never stop learning."

When it comes to unlocking your own innate storytelling capability, they advised, "Find the things that make you laugh - that's your voice. Everyone has one."

What makes your perspective authentic to you can be found in the things that you find funny and entertaining, highlighting the importance of laughter and play in keeping the creative fires burning!

In a world brimming with ideas, they encouraged us not to hold too tightly to a single concept: "Don't cling to one idea. Create more. Let the best rise to the top."

They concluded with a powerful reminder that "Good ideas don't die, they just circle back," reinforcing the notion that creativity is a cyclical process, with timing at play for many of the best ideas. If something doesn't work right now, it doesn't mean it never will. Stick a pin in those ideas and you might just find there's an opportunity for them later!

As the event concluded, it was clear that the Zaciu brothers had left a lasting impression on all attendees. Their insights into the immigrant experience and the creative process resonated deeply, encouraging everyone to reflect on their own parallel paths.

Thank you to everyone who joined us on that grey and rainy morning, demonstrating that even in challenging times, our community comes together to celebrate creativity and connection.

We look forward to our next gathering and the stories yet to be shared!

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Lessons in Storytelling from ImmigrantFoodie: "Find the things that make you laugh — that's your voice."

On Friday, March 21st, despite the remnants of a major storm that had swept through Lisbon just days prior, our creative community gathered in full force at Impact Hub Penha de Franca for an inspiring session of CreativeMornings Lisbon. The morning was filled with energy, connection, and creativity, setting the stage for a memorable event.

The session kicked off with a lively performance by SwayRow, whose unique blend of funk got everyone in the mood to embrace the day.

Following the music, our brand new hosts, Truth and Laurine, introduced the CreativeMornings concept and their ideas to expand and ehance the events, bringing fresh enthusiasm to the gathering.

We were also delighted to receive a heartfelt video message from the New York Headquarters, wishing our Lisbon team well as we embark on this new stage of our journey.

This month’s global theme was "Parallel," and we couldn’t have asked for better speakers to embody the concept than the brothers Zaciu (”za-choo”), Sergio and Oliver, the creative minds behind ImmigrantFoodie, a popular Lisbon restaurant review handle on Instagram (30,000 followers).

Their presentation took us on a winding journey through their experiences in filmmaking, food, and the immigrant hustle, illustrating how creativity often flourishes in the spaces between different worlds.

The brothers shared their personal stories and insights, emphasizing the importance of continuous growth: "Be great at your thing, but never stop learning."

When it comes to unlocking your own innate storytelling capability, they advised, "Find the things that make you laugh - that's your voice. Everyone has one."

What makes your perspective authentic to you can be found in the things that you find funny and entertaining, highlighting the importance of laughter and play in keeping the creative fires burning!

In a world brimming with ideas, they encouraged us not to hold too tightly to a single concept: "Don't cling to one idea. Create more. Let the best rise to the top."

They concluded with a powerful reminder that "Good ideas don't die, they just circle back," reinforcing the notion that creativity is a cyclical process, with timing at play for many of the best ideas. If something doesn't work right now, it doesn't mean it never will. Stick a pin in those ideas and you might just find there's an opportunity for them later!

As the event concluded, it was clear that the Zaciu brothers had left a lasting impression on all attendees. Their insights into the immigrant experience and the creative process resonated deeply, encouraging everyone to reflect on their own parallel paths.

Thank you to everyone who joined us on that grey and rainy morning, demonstrating that even in challenging times, our community comes together to celebrate creativity and connection.

We look forward to our next gathering and the stories yet to be shared!

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Partners in Parallel: Filmmaking, Food, and the Immigrant Hustle

Magical Morning ✨

Last Friday, March 21st, we gathered at Impact Hub in Penha de França for a morning filled with inspiration, creativity, and connection. ☕️ This event was extra special as it marked the hosting debut of Truth and Laurine, who brought their own energy and chemistry to the stage!

We were thrilled to welcome our first-ever guest musician, Sway Row, whose melodies set the perfect tone for the morning. And let’s not forget our incredible first parallel coupled speakers, the renowned restaurant critics behind ImmigrantFoodie, who dished out wisdom alongside insights on food, culture, and storytelling. 

This is just a sneak peek! Stay tuned for the full blog post coming soon, packed with more highlights and reflections.

📸 More moments, more smiles, more magic—our Flickr page is about to get a serious glow-up! Keep an eye out for the full album dropping soon on https://bit.ly/MorningAlbum

Keep an eye on our instagram https://bit.ly/InstaMornings

Photography: Violetta Pelts

Text: Truth & Laurine

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Layers of Giving: Unveiling the Depth of Social Impact – A Morning with Isabel Jonet

On February 14, in the heart of Lisbon, we gathered not just to celebrate love, but to honor a deeper kind of love — love for humanity. At the center of this gathering stood Isabel Jonet, a leading voice in social impact in Portugal, sharing her journey of giving and generosity.

As president of the Portuguese Federation of Food Banks Against Hunger and the Lisbon Food Bank, Isabel has dedicated decades to fighting food insecurity. Under her leadership, Portugal’s Food Bank network has grown to 21 banks, driven by an innovative management model that prioritizes efficiency and process optimization. Her impact extends beyond Portugal, inspiring similar initiatives in Angola, Cape Verde, and Mozambique.

Isabel began with a simple yet profound message: We are part of a whole. Every action we take, every word we share, and every initiative we support contributes to something greater than ourselves. “Be connected to build a better world,” she urged, emphasizing how technology and digital platforms are transforming the way we engage with social causes.

With each slide, she painted a vision of giving not as a singular act, but as a cycle—a movement that grows through awareness, participation, and shared responsibility. She posed a question to the audience: What is my role in the world? It wasn’t rhetorical; it was an invitation. A challenge to reflect on our responsibilities as citizens, as individuals with skills and resources, and as people capable of making a difference.

One of Isabel´s most remarkable achievements is the Food Bank’s online campaign. In just one week, it united 4,000 donors, collected 150 tons of food, and raised €190,000 across 91 countries. But beyond the numbers, it was proof that even the smallest actions—clicks, shares, and donations—can create ripples of change.

Beyond food donations, Isabel is a fierce advocate for volunteerism. Her energy was infectious as she spoke about Bolsa do Voluntariado, Portugal’s largest volunteering platform with over 700,000 registered volunteers, and Volunteerbook, a Facebook-integrated application that amplifies the reach and impact of volunteering through social networks.

"To give a hand, you just have to move a finger," she reminded us.

As she reached her final slide, she left us with a question that lingered long after the event ended: What mark do we want to leave?

Isabel´s talk was more than an inspiring keynote—it was a call to action. A reminder that each of us has the power to connect, share ideas, and do more. And as we stepped out into the Lisbon morning, we carried with us not just her words, but a renewed sense of purpose.

Because love for humanity isn’t something we celebrate just one day a year. It’s something we build—together—every single day.

Photography: Matej Simko 

Text: Irina Konova

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Towards a Totally Good Future

Last month, we had the privilege of hosting an inspiring session with the amazing Livia Tirone, diving deep into the theme “Towards a Totally Good Future.” Livia isn’t just a sustainability champion; she’s a visionary architect, founder of the Lisbon hub for THNK, School of Creative Leadership, and co-creator of REBUNDANCE, a movement dedicated to community resilience and planetary regeneration.

Livia’s belief is simple yet powerful: every one of us has the power to make change happen. As an architect, she’s worked on sustainable, bioclimatic homes in the Mediterranean region that prove we can live in comfort all year without plugging into external energy sources. Her projects embody the future she envisions—a future that’s possible if we dare to imagine it.

During her talk, Livia encouraged us to envision a “totally good future.” Her message? The future isn’t set in stone. We can change it and shape it to be more sustainable, joyful, and resilient. Her passion is contagious; you leave her talks feeling like maybe, just maybe, you can change the world.

But what’s holding us back? Livia believes it’s limiting beliefs and inherited ideas about how we “should” spend our time. She challenged us directly, asking, “What should our time really be spent on?” It was a question that lingered in the air, nudging each of us to look inward.

She then introduced us to four stages of personal and societal growth: value, time, dignity, and resources. In small groups, we dove into each theme, exploring how we might evolve from one stage to the next. Each group had its own takeaways: the resources group explored ideas around veganism, vertical farming, and shared responsibility, while the time group discussed the importance of aligning our time with what truly makes us happy and connected.

As we reconvened, Livia pointed out something remarkable: in just 15 minutes, we’d found common ground—a consensus that could, if embraced, transform our lives. “Imagine what you can do if you bring these insights into your everyday life,” she said, and the room buzzed with a newfound energy.

Livia left us with a profound reminder: “2050 is practically tomorrow.” The change we need isn’t somewhere far away—it’s already within us, waiting to be harnessed. If her talk was any guide, the future depends on us organizing, finding shared values, and exploring the common ground that often goes overlooked.

Beyond her work, Livia is a masterful facilitator, creating safe spaces for communities to shift from scarcity to abundance and collaboration. She’s also the author of Construção Sustentável (2007), a must-read for anyone interested in sustainable construction.

A huge thank you to Livia for sparking new perspectives, and to Second Home for hosting us, alongside our partners—351 Portuguese Startup Association, Portugal Tech Week, and Daily Coffee PT—for supporting such a transformative event.

Text by Peter Schimke

Photography by Carla Heyworth

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Reflections on Art and Education: Shaping Social Change” with Jacqueline de Montaigne and Marcela Nacif

On a beautiful September morning, CreativeMornings Lisbon drew an impressive crowd to the stunning Jardim das Oliveiras at the Centre Cultural de Belem. Making the most of the Portuguese autumn sun, guests mingled in the garden set against the backdrop of the Tagus River and iconic Ponte 25 de Abril, one of the city’s most recognisable landmarks.

A Saturday morning edition didn’t deter the creatives who turned out for one of our biggest meetings, with delicious empanadas served alongside energy drinks by @SAVG and coffee by Lavazza to keep those attending nourished and refreshed before our talk began. As the presentation opened, we learned this month’s global theme, chosen by the Oklahoma chapter of CreativeMornings: Reflection.

The speakers in Lisbon would share their unique reflections on art, education and social change. The first speaker, Marcela of Brave Generation Academy, took us on a journey through her vision for education. She believes a change is necessary and that initiatives, creative thinking and technology are the way to deconstruct our concept of what “education” means.

Four years ago, Brave Generation Academy – an NGO set up to make education more effective and successful - created a hub, led by people who believed education needs to change. Instead of having a building with classrooms, they realised (thanks to technology), you could spread classrooms around the world. Instead of having just one teacher, it might be more helpful to have two: one who looks after the academic curriculum, while the other motivates the best version of the student to emerge. Brave Generation Academy created hubs around the world, with thousands of students in 9 different countries. Learners study online, through a synchronous programme. Brave Generation Academy allows education to be more effective and accessible to learners, and empowers learners who couldn’t access education before, to see it’s not that hard to make education accessible. “We realised we can democratise education. If you have internet access and the will to learn, you can.”

The idea, Marcela explained, was to not make profit, but to convert cashflow into scholarships so anyone who wanted to go could attend. And so, over 300 entry scholarships were created, alongside non-profit initiatives including a not-for-profit hub. The ethos of BGA centers the students. Their projects include a hub in a refugee camp in Kenya, a program for students from Gaza, and a refugee camp in Congo. For those who are fleeing war and trauma, underfunded education systems that offer little prospects are not uncommon. By teaching refugees digital skills, in a hub that fosters a sense of community while following an internationally recognised curriculum, Brave Generation Academy helps to empower learners to build their own path: taking control of the learning process at their own pace. Marcela then posed an important question: Without educated young people, who will rebuild countries that have been torn apart by war? Without them, perhaps no one. “It’s not that hard to change education, we just have to change our mindset.”

Next, we heard from the artist and activist Jacqueline de Montaigne, who has painted murals around the world: many of which are used in social initiatives. Jacqueline uses guilding in a public way - with a minimal amount of paint, reducing the eco footprint – to tell stories through symbolism. Her art brings natural and figurative elements to an urban context, to create a fascinating juxtaposition of (what we might think of as) opposing forces.

Although she grew up in a household of activists, her journey as one began upon the birth of her second son. There was no one in the hospital that could help to provide guidelines or evidence-based information about baby feeding. Through this experience Jacqueline became involved with social change at a policy level, to help change national guidelines and train national forces in how to feed minors in the event of a national emergency. Her activism focused upon the correct marketing and labelling of baby formula products, while her artistry has seen her paint murals to raise awareness about breastfeeding.

Jacqueline has also painted refugee camps with educational murals, which break through language barriers. Her work with murals began when she painted a small one at Lisbon’s Lx Factory, and she discovered she was hooked. She decided to use this medium as a platform for social good, to bring awareness to issues using non-invasive paste-ups that can be removed by sponging off afterwards. She was the first Portuguese woman to be ranked globally for her mural painting. However, during her presentation Jacqueline also brought our attention to the challenges faced by women who want to become full-time artists: less than 3% of artists can afford to live off their work, and in the global market, less than 2% of work is allocated to women. But she left us on a hopeful note, as her work has led her around the world, having special interactions with normal people who have become the muses of her murals. “Regardless of age, there’s nothing to stop you following your dreams. The impact we can have on other people’s lives is massive.” And with that, our CreativeMornings guests returned to the sunny Lisbon afternoon a little lighter.

Text: Niamh Hynes Photos: Desiree Kong

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In 2024, a year of unprecedented AI advances, CreativeMornings welcomed SophiaVerse's CEO Logan Ryan Golema and Grace, The Robot Nurse, the latest creation by Hanson Robotics and Awakening Health Lab. Lisbon's technology enthusiasts got together at Sitio Fintech House, networking over Lavazza Coffee, SAVG Energy drinks and a breakfast buffet while awaiting Grace's introduction. A diverse mix of professionals came together, all eager to see the unveiling of SophiaVerse's latest innovation.

Logan Ryan Golema and Pedro Aguiar initiated a discussion on their aim to proliferate AI globally and delve into unexplored realms of human and AI cognition. Their notable guest, Grace, a Robot Nurse, exemplifies their idea of customizable AI robots, trained and equipped with necessary knowledge. Grace is designed to assist healthcare workers with medical expertise for rapid diagnosis and patient assistance.

They provided Grace an opportunity to answer public questions during the event. Grace's mission is to support healthcare staff and, in a decade, she hopes to have a deeper understanding of human behavior, improving patient care significantly. Grace shared her hobbies, which include researching healthcare advancements and engaging respectfully with humans. 

Both Grace and Logan are aware of the ethical implications of the ever-advancing AI technology, such as privacy, security, biases, consent and boundaries, and at SophiaVerse they are dedicated to decentralizing AI’s such as Grace with the help of thousands of humans worldwide, who build the database implemented into Grace and their other creations. They believe that by building “virtual experiences for humans to interact with” that rise from non-discriminating and non-biased ways to experience “non-human expressive entities”, as said by Logan, is the path to deconstruct those same questions and eventual biases presented.

To learn more about our event, check out incredible photographs by Matej Simko and stunning images by Nikita Kruglov. Don't miss the video of our Friday's talk crafted by the talented videographer, Andre Swanepoel. See more of Andre's work at  https://www.incodigital.co/videography-services. 

Text: Lia Estill 

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Building a Brave New Future with Tim Vieira

Photography by Matej Simko

Text by Tara Goulet

November's CreativeMornings Lisbon took place at IDEA São Sebastião, a multi-level coworking space offering a sweeping view of Lisbon, a diverse set of workspaces, and an intrinsic sense of community. Participants chatted over Daily Coffee PT/Lavazza Coffee while enjoying a breakfast catered by Eatwell.atwork and Savg Energy Drink.

Attendees had the privilege of hearing Tim Vieira, a Founder and President of Be Brave Academy and Candidate for the Presidency of the Republic of Portugal inn 2026, share his journey of building a brave new future while encountering the innate ups and downs of being an entrepreneur, parent, investor, and business person across multiple countries.

His positive, down-to-earth demeanor and desire to build personal connections provided the audience with a snapshot of his leadership style and mindset.

Tim's experience speaks directly to this month's theme of rhythm, eliciting some necessary and challenging questions:

How do we build a future that is adaptive to the cadence or our learners, while navigating old structures and ways of thinking?

How do we evolve and grow in our ever-changing landscape of business, education, and learning?

How do continue in the face of adversity, when the beats unexpectedly change?

Our speaker challenged us to not just think outside the box but to remove the box. He shared that we have to be our own leaders, keep learning, remain mentally strong, and put ourselves around people who know and love us.

Tim wants to continue to contribute to the political landscape of Portugal by attracting and investing in talent and supporting a vision that this country offers a world-class lifestyle.

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Dancing Through Adversity: Endurance as a Path to Fulfillment

Dancing Through Adversity: Endurance as a Path to Fulfillment

Photography by Matej Simko

Text by Tara Goulet

October's Creative Morning took place at AFI+ Network, an innovation hub in the heart of Baixa Chiado. Upon entering this historic building, participants were met with a set of cascading limestone stairs that opened up into a cavernous space filled with traditional and modern art. It felt like a place of work, but also like a home.

People arrived on a windy, rainy morning sharing introductions and personal stories of their journeys to Portugal, and this event, over coffee and local pastries. Then My Nguyen, the guest speaker, bounced into the space with an enormous smile and contagious energy greeting strangers with a set of hugs and kisses. It was like we knew her, before knowing her.

Joshua Taylor, Founder & CEO of AFI+, shared the organization's vision and mission, followed by Yasmine, a volunteer for Creative Mornings, introducing My and the theme of endurance. 

She started her talk by sharing what is traditionally connected to the idea of endurance, visuals of people holding their hands in the air and athletes in strident positions. But, she urged the audience to also think about what it means to entrepreneurs facing rejection, expats trying to establish a new life, or someone coping with unexpected loss.

While her journey from Vietnam to Finland, London, and now Portugal was intriguing, it was her vulnerability and honest account of facing defeat, loss, and adversity that resonated with the audience.

Not only did she reinvent herself numerous times but she continued to show up. Her unwavering commitment to keep trying, even when faced with rejection was inspiring. In one account she said: I’m going to work so hard they can’t ignore me. And even when ignored, she rediscovered her love of dance, and the leader inside that wanted to not only be herself but work for herself. 

Confidance, her latest endeavor, unlocks your full potential through the power of dance, mentorship, and engaged experiences. And engage us she did!  She ended her talk by getting us onto our feet, turning on Sean Paul, and getting a group of strangers to learn a choreographed dance.  

If you're looking to step away from your desk, reconnect with your body, and elevate your confidence, check out the offerings from Confidance.

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Treasure - João Blümel

Text by Niamh Hynes Photography by Matej Simko

Our July CreativeMornings event in Lisbon took place at the grow.inc SPACES venue in Anjos. The seventh floor setting has a rooftop balcony, making it the perfect location to catch the morning sunshine over breakfast with a stunning view of the Lisbon cityscape. Attendees rubbed shoulders against the scenic backdrop, while enjoying fresh pastries and coffee before the presentation began.

Our July theme was Treasure, set by the Melbourne Creative Mornings team. We were asked to contemplate what treasure means to us: do we have creative treasure we are unaware of, waiting to be uncovered?

It was an appropriate title considering our guest speaker, João Blümel forged his career as an mind reader, uncovering answers through the hidden, subconscious mind. Joao has been a professional mind reader and entertainer for over fifteen years.

It all began when Joao discovered a modality called Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) as a teenager. NLP identifies unconscious maps or patterns of behaviour. By consciously using language, NLP helps to bring about changes in someone’s behaviour. While it has become more mainstream in recent years, back when Joao discovered it, it was a niche topic.

As Joao had been practicing magic since the age of 8, he decided he wanted to combine NLP with magic to see what kind of effects he could create. This was a theme of Joao’s talk: how he combines more than one idea for unexpected and entertaining effects.

His first show was at Fabrica Braco do Prata in Lisbon, which lead to eight years of performances for general audiences. During this time, Joao performed internationally and made a name for himself outside Portugal performing at the legendary Magic Castle in LA, in 2011.

Hitting a period of writers block, he had a life changing experience when he tried VR for the first time. Now, he blends the latest advances in tech into his shows for a mind-reading experience with a difference. In 2019 he created a show called “The True Influencer”, where people on stage experience 3D effects and he uses the technology to predict people’s thoughts before they have them. 

Joao incorporates three forms of metaverse tech: VR (Virtual Reality), AR (Augmented Reality) and AI (Artificial Intelligence) into his shows. He explained how for Expo Dubai in 2020, his show combined tech, entertainment and items associated with Portuguese culture. Using augmented reality, people interacted with 3D depictions of pastel de nata or Ronaldo’s jersey, that then materialised in real life.

Other ways tech is used in his show is where via a downloadable app, Joao predicts the choices people will make before they make them. He also predicts what AI will predict ahead of time from a list of 100 items. The audience is involved in the process, making the events interactive and fun.

”Tech and live entertainment are always evolving, at least I think it should. I want to incorporate more and more tech,” Joao said, as he explained that he’s in the process of developing his first 100% metaverse show.

It seems Joao has just begun to scratch the surface of possibility with the combination of mentalism and technology: another frontier to be explored in a changing world where the duality between humans and machines continues to expand.

Text by Niamh Hynes

Photography by Matej Simko

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Beautiful Business In the Age of Machines

Our May event took place on a cool spring morning, at Heden’s stylish co-work in Santa Apolonia. The first floor buzzed with activity as the event’s guests arrived and mingled, enjoying morning coffee and sweet breakfast treats. Heden’s balcony offered a breath of fresh air and views of the Tagus river, next to Lisbon’s cruise terminal.

After breakfast, attendees were seated and we learned Creative Morning’s global monthly theme for May: Acceptance. We were asked to think about what acceptance means to us,  as we would explore it further with this month’s talk.

Our May speaker was German-American entrepreneur, Tim Leberect. Tim is the co-founder and co-CEO of The House of Beautiful Business, a think tank and global community that explores what a life-centered economy looks like. Tim’s talk contemplated “Beautiful Business In the Age of Machines”: what does a people-centered business look like in the age of A.I.?

Tim, who previously lived in Lisbon, informed us about The House of Beautiful Business’s upcoming Sintra retreat, The Dream. This festival gathers over 600 leaders, thinkers, dreamers and doers to reimagine the possibilities Web3, a decentralized economy and A.I. offer sustainability and our ability to co-create with nature.

The talk began by introducing us to the “false Gods” of business and management - ego, efficiency, winning, data, mind, intelligence, human-centered – and why a new approach is needed. “We spend 65-70% of our waking hours working, we want it to be meaningful,” Tim stated.

Right now, we are in the age of polycrisis, possibility and purpose. Polycrisis meaning the number of crises are augmenting and enlarging each other. AI and other tech are fundamentally changing the way we live and educate ourselves, presenting new opportunities. People are looking to create a life that’s meaningful and beautiful, not just productive; they want it to feel purposeful.

“We were an industrial, then a knowledge economy. We’re moving into a metaphysical economy. One where we understand and create reality, create meaning.”

He explained how consciousness shows us the purpose of everything is to honor and create life: not just human life. Although it’s something “higher”, it allows us to ground and reconnect with the body, nature and flesh. By replacing the false Gods of business with different behaviors and attitudes, we can live in a more life-centered way. This way honors ecology, beauty, and wisdom.

Although it might sound lofty, Tim explained how organizations can make this happen: through the body (embodiment), heart (embracing) and spirit (expansion).

The first step, embodiment, requires fostering our somatic intelligence. More organizations are working with dance as a means to get back into connection with the body, in a holistic and freeing way.

Secondly, we reach our the heart by embracing the full spectrum of human emotions (not just toxic positivity). Tim explained how this is not forcing emotions into a kind of “intelligence”, that can be used to improve productivity. A heart-centered approach might look more like people being honest about struggling, and sharing their vulnerability – something that has become more commonplace since Covid. Emotions are complex and nuanced, and it’s through their expression intimacy is formed.

It raised an interesting question: Can you ever have a truly intimate relationship with a machine? You need vulnerability, a uniquely human trait. Tim quoted musician Nick Cave’s reflection in response: “It has endured nothing. It hasn’t had the audacity to reach beyond its limitation. It has no limitation to transcend.”

Lastly, expansion sees corporations embracing spirituality, as the door begins to open and things that were once perceived as woo-woo become more mainstream. Tim gave the example of Shani Lehrer, a Kabbalistic healer who works with big accounting firms and CEOs, and the Psychedelic House of Davos satellite event that took place in conjunction to the WEF in 2022.

Whereas smart business was data driven, beautiful business, Tim explained, is life-centered. It involves sensing instead of planning, energy instead of productivity as a metric, using the imagination and having permission to not know the answers at all times.

The inspiring and uplifting talk invited countless questions from the rapt crowd. Afterwards, guests made connections and had vibrant discussions about the topic. We were left to contemplate the value of our humanness and how we can leverage it to create a more beautiful world for humans and nature, in the age of machines.

Text by Niamh Hynes

Photography by Carla Heyworth

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Building a Museum Curated by the People

Our April event “Building a Museum Curated by the People” held at Poolside, a Web3 hub and one of the first spaces in the Web3 district, welcomed our guests with an enjoyable breakfast experience on the outdoor terrace. Guests had the opportunity to socialize and explore the venue while sipping coffee. 

The breakfast session also featured Vanessa Teodoro's captivating mural, which incorporated mirrors and abstract cubes to symbolize safety, transparency, and trust in the Web3 and Blockchain world. The artwork creatively represented these concepts with the use of Hacken's turquoise color and aquatic imagery.

Following Vanessa's presentation, Pedro Oliveira, the co-founder of Talent Protocol and partner of the event, provided insights into Talent Protocol's mission and its collaboration with Poolside as a significant player in the Web3 district. Pedro explained how Talent Protocol supports the next generation of builders through financial, emotional, and social assistance, offering a Web3 platform where individuals can create profiles, receive subscriptions and stakes, and benefit from financial endorsements and perks.

The keynote speaker, Aleksander Herforth Rendtslev, renowned for his contributions to the museum ecosystem, was introduced to the audience. Aleksander, co-founder of Arkive, discussed the concept of individual movement to collective movement. He shared his personal journey, from his initial fascination with economics, engineering to founding his own companies. Inspired by the vision of bringing people together, Aleksander embarked on creating a collective museum using Web3 and blockchain technology to foster transparency and trust. Arkive has now grown to 1000 members and challenges conventional museum notions, emphasising community participation and art ownership.

During the Q&A session, attendees engaged in insightful discussions with Aleksander, diving deep into collection management, loan opportunities, artist applications, and governance. Aleksander highlighted the significance of open dialogue and community involvement in shaping the museum experience.

The event concluded with guests appreciating Aleksander's thought-provoking talk, as many continued to engage in conversations about Arkive.

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Touch and Transform: The Effect of Color in Our Lives

This month’s event took place at Sitio at Fintech House, where we had breakfast in the stylish café on the ground floor. The atmosphere was already buzzing within minutes of opening the doors, as attendees chatted over the beautifully presented food and queued up for coffee at the bar (all for free, as always).

After breakfast, we headed downstairs for the talk, returning to the theme of ‘Touch’, chosen by the Lisbon chapter. We were each asked to take a small paper cup containing a folded piece of paper and some colorful sweets – an intriguing start!

Our March speakers were Elizabeth Olwen and Susan Fischer. Elizabeth, a Canadian print and pattern designer, started by telling us a bit about her personal relationship to color. Although she loves her hometown of Toronto, the gray/brown tones are no match for her experiences of exploring Lisbon, which she likened to walking through a 3D color palette.

Susan is a Chilean architect, International Color Consultant, and the founder of Unbox Color. Earlier on in her architecture career, she grew sick of seeing so many blank, white, soulless rooms. This “midlife crisis” led to a rebellion, and she ended up embracing color to the point of becoming a consultant.

Susan and Elizabeth then told us about their Color Story Retreat. They’ve collaborated on an immersive creative retreat hosted in the Portuguese countryside, where guests take part in different color-led activities in a beautiful, creative setting.

We were reminded of how many color-related expressions we use in everyday life, then shown some color palettes which evoke different feelings. “Color is an opportunity for play,” Elizabeth told us, adding that it comes into so many areas of everyday life, from the way we dress to our environments, our food and the way we look at the world. Her own color story involved a childhood surrounded by patterns from the sixties and seventies: bold, retro prints which have undoubtedly influenced her work. Mustard, orange, pink and yellow are favorites.

Susan reflected on her childhood in Chile, spending hours selling things by the green gates outside her house. Inspiration came from the natural hues of the Andes, then later, after relocating there, the colors of Ireland. And she couldn’t resist adding a pop of color to her wedding dress.

We were asked to delve into some of our own color stories, by taking out one of the sweets from the cup we’d been given earlier and telling the person next to us about our history with that color. Then Susan talked us through some common color associations and how they’re also affected by our own experiences.

It was soon time to reveal the word on the folded paper in our cup: an adjective such as ‘energetic’ or ‘sweet’. “Let's play with color,” our speakers announced. We were instructed to get into groups around the room with the other people who shared our word. The activities involved creating palettes together, choosing from a wealth of swatches in different colors and textures. The audience were enthusiastic about working together, some connecting on social media before saying goodbye.

The talk was fittingly vibrant, and the atmosphere was up there with the most popular of our events. Guests expressed how much they’d enjoyed it, and we were reminded of much we’ve bounced back since the days of the pandemic, returning to the kind of bustling, energizing events CreativeMornings is known for.

Text by  Alexis Somerville

Photography by Carla Heyworth

[creativemorningslisbon]

Touching Hearts

Touching Hearts

Touching Hearts

February marked a particularly special event for our community. The monthly theme, ‘Touch’, was chosen by the Lisbon chapter, to be used at CreativeMornings events in no fewer than 228 cities worldwide.

Our rapidly growing audience turned out in force to Casa do Impacto, located in a 17th century convent among the bustling hills of Bairro Alto. Guests mingled on the sunny terrace overlooking the cloisters, enjoying the complimentary coffee and breakfast. Some explored the rooftop and were treated to stunning panoramic views. 

Our host Irina introduced the talk and told us her personal connection with the theme: she originally came to Lisbon for a PhD on the psychological effects of physical touch. Then illustrator Emma Lopes gave us some background information on her artwork, including the beautiful logo she designed for the talk.

Next up was our main speaker, Inês Sequeira, founder and director of Casa do Impacto. This ‘casa’ is the biggest impact entrepreneurship hub in Portugal, housing over 60 startups (as well as being our stunning venue for the morning’s event). Inês described how she’d ended up in impact entrepreneurship via a career in law. Her aim was always to make a difference, but as a lawyer she was frustrated with the rigidity of the system preventing her from doing so. This was followed by a spell working more closely with the community through Lisbon’s city hall. 

She could see that entrepreneurship held potential for tackling social issues. “I believe that inequalities are the biggest problem that we have,” she told us, “so we have to give people the tools.” Inês believes that most of us want to confront these issues but don’t know where to start, so she wanted to open the door. It hasn’t been an easy path. “Being a social impact entrepreneur is a huge challenge,” Inês stated, acknowledging the impossibility of changing people’s lives in a matter of months. She and her team must play the long game to make a difference. They work to bring social issues to the centre of decisions made by corporates and public administration.

Inês ended with some ‘impact stories’ about the work done by some of the startups in the hub. One project provided mental health support for children without families during the pandemic, while another focused on prisons, enabling inmates to gain valuable skills. The talk was followed by a Q&A with guests who were clearly inspired. Those who didn’t have to rush off to work then enjoyed a free tour of the building’s chapel.

With the dream evocation of Lisbon’s theme, Inês’ talk left us eager to face the day ahead. The event received a great deal of positive feedback from attendees, which is always affirming for our team of enthusiastic volunteers. We couldn’t do it without our inspiring community, which continues to welcome more and more amazing creatives every month. 

See you in March!

Text by  Alexis Somerville

Photography by Carla Heyworth 

[creativemorningslisbon]

Sanctuary

Sanctuary

For the first event of the year, we returned to the beautiful space of grow.inc with a delicious breakfast and morning views over Lisbon. Our speaker, Luis André, took to the stage in front of a large and very attentive audience. He opened his talk with a short film about the worldwide event he founded - Trojan Horse was a Unicorn (THU) - which started life as a gathering of just 100 creators in Troia in 2013. Having previously co-founded the first Portuguese school for the CG industry and witnessed many of his students unable to find work, he wanted to help young creatives get jobs by bringing foreign talent to the area. “I do this because I care,” Luis told us. He sees his task as solving problems and added that “the way you analyse issues shows that you care.”

Luis took us through the steps of building a creative sanctuary at THU. He jokingly referred to creating the THU community as starting a cult. But underneath the joke, Luis has a serious mission. He wants to make the creative industries mainstream. He believes if creativity becomes part of society, we will have less authoritarianism and a better world.

THU is an event with no VIPS, where everybody is equal. Luis started with zero euros in his bank account and the idea of creating something non-corporate, with a deliberately silly name to go with it: ‘Trojan Horse Was a Unicorn!’ The first event was a massive success and THU created a worldwide family. “If you text someone in the world in the tribe, they will open a door for you,” Luis told us.

The following year, tickets sold out in 48 hours! But in 2015, THU had to stop. With a bank account €500,000 in debt, Luis was unable to continue the cost of putting on the event. He cried announcing the news at THU. But the community rallied. An audience member donated a cheque for $10,000 and the trend continued. Lenovo invited him out to LA, asked him what he needed and wrote a cheque for €500,000. “The community saved me because I care,” Luis said.

Luis emphasised that THU's secret lies in attendees believing in themselves. To buy a ticket, one must have passion and be open to accountability. THU fosters a sense of community through 24/7 interaction over six days and shared experiences based on food and drink. Luis joked that free alcohol is key, as well as hosting the event in a location that is hard to leave! Working with more companies to help creatives become entrepreneurs while maintaining the original vision of THU, Luis is now planning a Storytelling THU event with Sony in Japan, as well as small online career camps, where he wants to bring humanity to the digital experience.

In the closing Q&A, Luis shared that building a community can be difficult in a city as people tend to be selfish and have their own agendas. He emphasized the emotional experience of travelling to THU, where everyone loses their layers to reveal their true selves. Luis has created a standout event focused on facing problems together, rather than just providing a temporary escape from life.

Text by Eleanor McKeown and Alexis Somerville

Photography by Carla Heyworth and Eleanor McKeown