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  • Ep446: From National Geographic to Global Art Educator – Kevin Murphy on Demystifying Talent and Teaching Art Like a Science

    Ep446: From National Geographic to Global Art Educator – Kevin Murphy on Demystifying Talent and Teaching Art Like a Science

    A Pivot From Portraits to Purpose

    In 2001, Kevin transitioned into portraiture. While the work was rewarding, he recognized a deeper need: people craved access to professional-level training without the gatekeeping of traditional art schools.

    So he founded the Art Academy and later Evolve Artist, an online painting program now studied in more than 70 countries. What sets his approach apart? A fundamentals-first method that treats painting not as mysterious “talent,” but as a science anyone can master.

    Why Talent Is a Lie

    Kevin is blunt about one of the biggest myths in art: talent.

    “Talent is a lie,” he shared. “What people call talent is really clarity, fundamentals, and practice.”

    By teaching art like a structured process rather than a guessing game, Kevin unlocks confidence in people who never thought they could paint. His students range from retirees picking up a brush for the first time to engineers and surgeons looking for a creative outlet.

    The results speak volumes: many outperform art school graduates—after just months of training.

     

    The Science of Realism: A Four-Step System

    Unlike the chaos of most art education, Kevin’s program is anchored in structure. Students begin in grayscale, mastering values and light before advancing into color.

    “When you know the rules, you have freedom,” Kevin explains. “Without them, you’re just guessing.”

    The clarity of this approach removes intimidation, giving even beginners measurable progress in weeks, not years.

    From Confusion to Clarity

    Kevin is critical of how art education often overwhelms students with “express yourself” before teaching them how. For him, it’s not about stifling creativity but building the foundation so creativity can actually flourish.

    “You can’t express yourself if you don’t yet have the tools,” he said. “Clarity builds confidence, and confidence unlocks creativity.”

    The Heart Behind the Method

    Kevin isn’t just teaching brushstrokes—he’s teaching self-belief. Many of his students have carried wounds from childhood, convinced they “weren’t creative.” His mission is to dismantle that narrative.

    “Art is for everyone,” he insists. “It’s not about who you were told you are. It’s about what you can learn and who you can become.”

    Why Evolve Students Outpace Traditional Grads

    The proof lies in the output. Evolve students routinely sell professional commissions, launch businesses, and develop mastery in a fraction of the time. The reason? Built-in feedback loops and a focus on fundamentals, rather than theory without application.

    It’s art training stripped down to what actually works.

     

    Living an Unconventional Life

    For Kevin, living unconventionally means rewriting the rules about who gets to be an artist. It means replacing intimidation with empowerment and proving that skill can be taught, measured, and mastered.

    His philosophy? Anyone can learn to paint. The only requirement is the willingness to start.

    Giveaway: Win Access to Evolve Artist Training

    As part of this episode, Kevin is offering listeners a chance to experience the Evolve Artist method for themselves. One lucky winner will gain exclusive access to his training resources, designed to help total beginners unlock the foundations of realistic painting.

     

    Connect with Kevin

  • Ep296: Investing in the Environment with Environmentalist Entrepreneur and Energea Investments Co-Founder Mike Silvestrini

    Ep296: Investing in the Environment with Environmentalist Entrepreneur and Energea Investments Co-Founder Mike Silvestrini

    The Earth is one thing we all have in common; whatever we take from this planet is reflected on this shared soil we call a home. So, for environmental philanthropist Mike Silvestrini, giving back to nature is the go-to plan of action.

    Co-founder of Energea Investments and the main founder of over 400 renewable energy development projects, Mike is a firm believer that environmentalism and financial conservatism can coexist and that the entrepreneurial lifestyle can be achieved with an environmentalist mindset.

    Energea is a renewable energy retail investment platform. Since launching the company’s first solar energy offering in August 2020, Energea has raised more than $65 million to invest in its Africa, Brazil and U.S. portfolios. To date, retail investors have realized a 12.27% IRR.

    Prior to Energea, Mike was co-founder and CEO of one of the largest commercial and industrial solar firms in the U.S. He managed multiple renewable energy funds worth more than $500 million in aggregate and oversaw the development of more than 400 renewable energy projects

    “We’re trying to show a for-profit approach to our profession and have the result be more good things for the earth.”

    With that in mind, Mike plans to take the market for renewable energy and bring it forward to the public with a vision to make a market that invests in the Earth. And even though today’s current market for renewable energy is pretty big, it’s still trillions of dollars away from the goal he has in mind. Despite this, Mike has faith that humans are an incredible species with boundless potential.

    “I’m a big believer that humans are incredibly capable… humans can manage the gaseous content of our atmosphere, I think that we are so capable as a species that we can really do anything.”

    The Eco CEO also reminds us that saving the environment and changing the world’s view on sustainable living, as well as resource consumption, is no easy task—it’s a global effort that starts with an individual choice. Making that decision to live a sustainable lifestyle and influencing others to take the same path is only the first step for the world to turn a new leaf.

    “We have to start today, we have to get busy, and we need businesses to be focused on sustainable issues so that we can harness that incredible power of capitalism and put it to work towards rebuilding.”

    More From Mike:

  • Ep293: Turning Words into Wealth with Author Trainer Aurora Winter, MBA

    Ep293: Turning Words into Wealth with Author Trainer Aurora Winter, MBA

    It is said that there is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you, which is why award-winning author and writing coach Aurora Winter has made it her life’s work to help people realize the value of what they have to say.

    Her natural vibrancy and lively personality gave her a natural edge in the entertainment industry where she spent most of her quirks and conquests. In seeing that all that the reputation she had gained and the relationships she had made was built on a foundation of excellent communication, it was during this time when she understood the value of her stories.

    “What I’ve noticed about the most successful people is always rooted in communication—they have a way of sharing stories.”

    But after spending time falling in love, getting into all sorts of businesses, and “schmoozing with celebrities”, Aurora decided that it was well about time she doubled down on what she felt was her calling.

    After a few years of diligent studying in Italy, she took her chances, and with a small email list of over 12,000 people, capitalized on her expertise and influence to pursue a career in writing.

    “I share that story because no matter what I’m going through, what you’re going through, what our listeners may be going through, there is a way through,” Aurora emphasizes, “If you have a big enough reason why.”

    Now a celebrated figure among authors and entertainers alike, Aurora reminds us that success follows those who are willing to take the risks of a path less travelled. To her, it is important to lead your own life and write your story the way you want it.

    “The most successful people—at least what I would define as success—their intention is of high integrity and not just to line their pockets.”

    More from Aurora:

  • Ep287: How to Make Money Work for You, with Real Estate Investor Eng Taing

    Ep287: How to Make Money Work for You, with Real Estate Investor Eng Taing

    Making the first investment can be a scary decision, but as real estate investor with $150M assets under management and Touzi Capital CEO, Eng Taing tells us, self-doubt leads to missed opportunities.

    Born to a poor immigrant family, Eng was raised under harsh living conditions. Even so, he is thankful for his circumstances as it was the catalyst for his pursuit of financial freedom and security. Speaking from experience, Eng shares with us three key factors to consider in making that first investment.

    1. Think outside of your scope. Depending on your location, Investing in the Real estate might not be the best move. It pays to really take your time in finding the right avenue for investing and expand the options that you have.

    “If you live in a very nice, very expensive area with high price income ratios, it’s probably not the best place to invest,” Eng says, “Think outside your scope, in terms of potentially investing in another part of America.”

    2. Always look for a partner. When starting out, Eng puts the emphasis on actively seeking partnerships. Whether it’s a partner who can provide financial stability or someone who can provide the time to make the magic happen behind the scenes, it’s important to make connections and find people who are just as eager to achieve financial freedom as you are.

    “There are lots of meetup groups in real estate; people really want to help, it’s a very helpful industry.”

    3. Think of scale and cost efficiency when investing. It takes the same amount of work and time to pay for a 5-million-dollar loan and a 300-thousand-dollar loan in the sense that investing in more units reduces property management fees and variable costs.

    “I am in the business of ‘scale’” the real estate boss says. He advises entrepreneurs to analyse each decision. “Can I put a scale on something? Can I make it better? Is my 50th time really good, and can I create cost efficiencies across the board?”

    Eng is an economist by training, from the Wharton School of Business. He also has experience leading data science and analytics at Apple, Capital One and AT&T. Touzi Capital focuses on high cash flow investments and providing passive income to investors by acquiring and optimizing multifamily, industrial, senior living assets and offering investments in Blockchain and Pre IPO stock, among other things.

    More from Eng:

  • Ep286: Growth Through Connections with Women’s Business League founders Melissa Gilbo and Amy Pocsik

    Ep286: Growth Through Connections with Women’s Business League founders Melissa Gilbo and Amy Pocsik

    As the saying goes, “if you want to go fast, go alone, but if you want to go far, bring company.” This couldn’t be truer for the dynamic duo, Melissa Gilbo and Amy Pocsik, founders of the Women’s Business League.

    They could have lived a good life with their stable careers in finance and loving families to support them, but a fateful encounter at a local pizza shop in Georgetown, Massachusetts led them to abandon their six-figure state of mind to pursue the unconventional life that they live today.

    Building around trust, they made a community that was aimed at encouraging and empowering women to be the big shots that they were meant to be; providing a network of support, business connections, and the educational tools for success.

    “We decided to really build the table that we wanted to sit around,” Amy described, “total powerhouse women who were up to big things and making a big impact.”

    Amy and Melissa believe that relationships shape the business and not the other way around. Putting fellowship first, building on their connections, and putting the work boots down, is the key to the success of their community.

    “If you focus on generating value for others, it’s going to come back to you and your business 10-fold,” Amy said.

    Melissa added that “The commonality in what women are looking for is that authentic community and those real relationships.”

    Now, with an expanding network of members and a power-house team, the Women’s Business League isn’t just a legacy by the duo, but as Melissa puts it, they have made a message to anyone and everyone who has a dream and the drive, that we are better together.

    “The heart of Women’s Business League and the focus of these chapters is all about connection and relationship building.”

     

    More from Amy and Melissa:

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