Hi! I'm
Jessica.
I'm an author, researcher, and educator working at the intersection of psychology, creativity, and our digital world. I began my career as a Neuroscience & Psychology Research Fellow at the National Institutes of Health before moving into the startup and venture ecosystem, where I studied the minds of entrepreneurs and creatives alongside building businesses with them. I served as Head of Innovation at the American Psychological Association for five years. I'm the author of Wired This Way (Chiron Publications) and Full Color (forthcoming), and am currently pursuing a PhD in Psychology, where my research centers on creativity, authenticity, meaning, and the challenges technology poses to the creative act. I write, speak, and teach at universities and organizations around the world. As for Jessica the human, I love animals, philosophy, and watercoloring (poorly).
- NIH Neuroscience & Psychology Research Fellow
- Head of Innovation, American Psychological Association
- Adjunct Professor, NYU · Expert in Residence, Georgetown
- TED Speaker
- Author, Wired This Way & Full Color
- Startup & VC Alum
- PhD Candidate in Psychology
- Founder & Executive Director, Center for Human Creativity
Jessica's research focuses on the humanity of creativity and entrepreneurship — exploring who creates, why they create, what they create, and how modern shifts, like AI and social media, are reshaping the creative act.
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Research Focus Areas
Creativity
I explore how the creative act is being reshaped by technological and cultural forces, and how to preserve the social and psychological benefits of creativity in the age of AI.
Entrepreneurship
I study the minds of entrepreneurs, including how their 'light' (e.g. passion, curiosity, confidence) and 'dark' (e.g. impulsivity, distraction, arrogance) are intertwined.
Technology
I research the impact of modern technologies on human creativity, from the algorithmic pressures of social media to the complexities of AI-generated creativity.
Topics of Exploration
- Creativity & Entrepreneurship
- Authenticity & Self-Expression
- Artificial Intelligence
- Self-Censorship
- Conformity & Peer Pressure
- Social Media & Algorithms
- Purpose & Meaning
- Affective Polarization
- Individuality & Uniqueness
- Craftsmanship
- Human Flourishing
- Imperfection & Vulnerability
- Cringe & Cancel Culture
- Social Anxiety & Fear of Negative Evaluation
- Contagion Beliefs & Essentialism
- Intrinsic vs. Extrinsic Motivation
Current
Research
01
Made in the Image of the Creator? AI Use in Creative Work Reduces Authenticity, Love & Other Psychological Benefits
Across three studies, we found that AI-assisted creative work was associated with diminished authenticity, connection to one's creations, intrinsic motivation, and positive affect, alongside heightened disgust, guilt, and shame—with creators' perception that their work contained less of their love helping explain the authenticity gap.
Link to Preprint02
The Creator in the Creation: Developing and Validating the Authentic Creativity Scale
Develops and validates the Authentic Creativity Scale — measuring whether a creative work reflects the creator who brought it into being, and whether a work's authenticity influences the meaning, satisfaction, inspiration, and emotion felt by creators and audiences.
in process03
From Creative Flourishing to Languishing: The Psychological Costs of Co-Creating with AI
Investigates how AI-assisted creativity may diminish the psychological benefits of creative engagement, examining the mechanisms underlying these effects, for whom they are most pronounced, and under what conditions they emerge.
in processTestimonials & Endorsements
The essential user's manual for the entrepreneurial spirit... I only wish I'd received this profound, comforting guidance when I began my journey.
Points the way to a healthier life as an entrepreneur, as the first step in any worthy personal or professional pursuit is being honest about one's own experience.
The shared language we have has enriched our daily interactions, allowing for greater insights to how each of us operate, provoking empathy, confidence and above all, trust.
Her sessions are a must for any venture firm or high-horsepower company. We've invited her back a half-dozen times — our founders can't get enough.
This is a message that should be emphasized in universities, incubators, and institutions responsible for educating the next generation.
The psychiatrist's dream come true — clinically robust, empathetic, and actionable.
Deep insights and a road map for enhancing entrepreneurial success.
Like a Canterbury Tales of entrepreneurs, you will soon be walking your journey with fellow pilgrims... she will show you that creativity and disorder go hand in hand.
If you are a parent, you read The Secrets of the Baby Whisperer. If you work with founders, you should read Carson's Wired This Way.
An endearing, ageless guidebook for the entrepreneurial spirit.
A unique formulation of a path to wellness and wholeness for entrepreneurs... she helps us to understand that entrepreneurs are not only people, but people who matter.
A unique and much-needed perspective on the mental and emotional health challenges faced by those trying to create a new world.
Carson attends to the whole experience of being a creator — not just the photoshopped and edited versions we often see in the media.
Refreshingly unravels the oft-repeated platitude 'bring your whole self to your work.'
Part self-exploration, part examination of the creative spirit, and part manifesto. But the sum is even greater than the excellent parts.
She provides a clear message to any aspiring entrepreneur that IT IS OK TO BE YOU.
Should not only be required for anyone that aspires to build products in the 21st century, but also for those people who work with them... insights are relatable and rare.
A user-manual for the creative mind, and a guide for those who live in their wake.
If you are an entrepreneur, you MUST read this book if you want to understand yourself and succeed in business... you can't afford not to.
Carson demonstrates the complexity of a creator's mind... composed harmoniously to shape a beautiful work of art. Breathtaking.
Let's
Chat
The kinds of things I say yes to
The kinds of things I'll gently decline
