In part two of Hava Gurevich’s conversation with Michael “Misha” Gurevich, they explore the idea that creativity isn’t optional—it’s a core human need. Misha shares how an existential crisis during the dot-com era led him from software development in San Francisco to meditation and creative exploration in Fairfield, Iowa, including discovering morning pages through The Artist’s Way and building a writing tool called Ilys. They discuss creativity as process over outcome, the role of play, how expectations block flow, and how “permission” opens the gates for expression. Misha also describes how he practices play through riding an electric unicycle, training to become a kiteboarding instructor, and preparing for a 1,800 km kiteboarding
expedition in Brazil—using these activities as real-world flow training.

www.instagram.com/michaelgurevich777/   
Discover Ilys: https://www.ilys.com/

Memorable quotes

• “Creativity isn’t optional… a core human need, right after food and sex.”
   
• “I was living the dream… until I had an existential crisis when my grandfather died and I began asking questions.”
   
• “I really felt a deep, meaningful internal shift… when I allowed myself to do that with no outcome other than just having the experience.”

  
  

• “The only requirement for it to be successful is that you just do it.”

  
  

• “You have to let go of the need to create in order to actually create.”

  
  

• “There’s this level of mental overseer that’s looking and judging…”

  
  

• “We might not recognize it when it comes up… it won’t be until later… to look at the mess that we’ve made and inside that mess where are the gems.”

  
  

• “Any supermarket is as spiritual as any holy temple.”