A distinct aura of play and possibility permeated the air during this morning’s Creative Mornings event at the Culture Brain Academy at Maker City LA. Well over 100 attendees came out to hear Yo Gabba Gabba! creator Justin Lyon speak about Childhood – the global theme for this month’s storied breakfast lecture series.

Handmade paper crowns for all, and a whimsical blue sky photo wall (created by our very own Sharon Ann Lee) helped set the stage for Lyon’s inspiring talk about his personal journey from childhood to adulthood and the important life lessons he’s learned along the way.

Some of the life-shaping descriptive themes and mantras that Lyon shared with the crowd, along with a biographical slide-show, included: “Playful”, “travel”, “happiness”, “discovery”, and “follow your heart”. He also spoke in depth about the time he’s spent in Haiti (first as a missionary after collage and again as a volunteer translator after the 2010 earthquake) and of being irrevocably touched and inspired by the irrepressible spirit and incredible imagination of the children who live there.

Justin’s story - which included the amazing series of serendipitous events that lead to the conception and creation of his wildly successful kid’s television show, and culminated with his reading of “The Station” By Robert J Hastings – perfectly embodied the childhood theme.

Today we were all reminded to “dream like children”, and that’s what we do here at Maker City LA. Come make dreams come true with us!

Special thanks to Creative Mornings LA host, Jon Setzen for hooking it up and to sqirl and Stumptown Coffee Roasters for keeping us well fed and caffeinated.

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Creative Mornings Los Angeles with Yo Gabba Gabba’s Justin Lyon