# Critique and the Inner Critic with Alyssa Monks

An episode of [The Creative Kind](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/1738378716), 16 Mar 2026, 1 h 02 min.

Audio: https://sphinx.acast.com/p/open/s/65ea264c7be818001879e3ed/e/69b389e191324664dfab7dc9/media.mp3

In this episode I’m talking with painter Alyssa Monks about how feedback, both internal and external, shapes an artist’s work and confidence. We explore what kinds of critique have helped her over her career and how she learned to distinguish useful feedback from noise. Alyssa shares how critical comments that bother you can sometimes be the most revealing. We also dive into the psychological side of creativity: transforming your inner critic from an adversary into a problem-solving partner, trusting your own vision while staying open to perspective, and why asking who you ask for feedback matters. Alyssa reflects on navigating personal and professional critiques, choosing when to ask for input, and why hope and curiosity are essential ingredients in the studio. You can find Alyssa here at her website: alyssamonks.com, Here on instagram And here on Patreon Video Available here: If you'd like to watch this conversation, you can find selected episodes of The Creative Kind on YouTube and on Substack. Later this year I should be able to publish videos on Apple and Spotify and will update this feed then too. Just search The Creative Kind Podcast or follow the link in the show notes to watch the full interview with Alyssa. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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