Crystal explores the tension many of us feel between creativity and the pressure to be “good enough.”
Through stories from her childhood as a rule-free storyteller, Crystal will trace how perfectionism (shaped by rigid expectations and later reinforced by ideas of what a “real artist” should be) can disconnect us from the joy of creating. Drawing on experiences from organizing large-scale community events, working in politics, and building purpose-driven initiatives, Crystal offers that creativity isn’t about performance or validation, but about alignment, presence, and permission.
About the speaker
Crystal Paradis-Catanzaro is a marketing and communications professional, local elected official, and multidisciplinary creator based in Somersworth, New Hampshire. With a background spanning roles from barista to digital marketer, she now channels her passion for storytelling and impact into her work at The Nature Conservancy, supporting global efforts to protect the planet. Her creative life is rooted in nature, magic, and everyday joy, often inspired by life on the "Enchanted Honeystead" with her wife, Angie, and their beloved pets.
In her talk, "You Don't Have To Be Good," Crystal explores the tension many of us feel between creativity and the pressure to be “good enough.” Through stories from her childhood as a rule-free storyteller, Crystal will trace how perfectionism (shaped by rigid expectations and later reinforced by ideas of what a “real artist” should be) can disconnect us from the joy of creating. Drawing on experiences from organizing large-scale community events, working in politics, and building purpose-driven initiatives, Crystal offers that creativity isn’t about performance or validation, but about alignment, presence, and permission.
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