Creative Catastrophe: The Christmas Train That Broke Me

The Unbound Creative

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A true story of public failure, creative heartbreak, and the unexpected path to redemption.

This is the most vulnerable, raw, and unforgettable story we’ve told on the podcast so far.

In this extended episode, Mak shares the real-life tale of a Christmas train festival gone spectacularly wrong; complete with crushed dreams, media headlines, lawsuits, and a moment that nearly broke him. It's a story of public failure, creative heartbreak, and the surprising redemption that came on the other side.

We know this episode is a bit longer than usual, but if you’ve ever chased a big creative dream, risked it all, or wondered if failure means the end — this is one you need to hear.

🔍 What’s inside:
00:00 – The promise we made in Episode 6
03:00 – How failure becomes part of your story
08:45 – The Christmas train begins
16:00 – Going all in on the dream
25:00 – When things start to unravel
33:00 – Public fallout, lawsuits, and heartbreak
45:00 – What came after: rebuilding, redemption, and lessons learned
1:06:00 – Why your worst moments might be working in your favor

This one’s for the dreamers. For the ones who’ve dared greatly. For anyone who’s ever failed loudly and still wondered if they’re meant for more.

Thanks for listening to The UnBound Creative!

If today’s episode resonated with you, share it with a friend or leave us a review, it helps more creatives discover the show.

💌 Connect with us on Instagram:
@valeriemckeehan & @thatmakguy (that’s Mak with a K!)

Keep creating bravely. We’re so glad you’re here.

Chapters

1. The Heartbreak of Public Creative Failure (00:00:00)

2. The Steam Train Dream: Mac's Background Story (00:10:52)

3. Building the North Pole Express Experience (00:18:40)

4. When Everything Starts to Fall Apart (00:30:37)

5. Public Humiliation and Media Backlash (00:38:41)

6. Finding Resilience After Epic Failure (00:49:01)

7. The Wisdom That Comes From Failing Big (01:03:19)

8. Why Failures Are Worth the Risk (01:14:34)

60 episodes

#Podcasting Education #Self-Improvement #Valerie McKeehan