My Superpower Story

Childhood beginnings, a foundation in creativity

As far back as I can remember, I have been a creator. My happiest moments as a kid were spent drawing characters, building worlds out of Legos, modeling with clay, and making things with my hands. Anything that let me bring an idea to life was my playground.

My dad was a businessman, not an artist, and he made sure I understood the realities of making a living. In third grade I made a quiet decision that shaped everything that followed, I would be a creative professional. I wanted to spend my life making things, and I wanted that work to support me. That decision has been my compass ever since.

From papertoys to published books

Years later, I found a new obsession, papertoys. Turning flat sheets into characters and creatures clicked perfectly with the way my brain works. I started designing and sharing papertoys, and a small online experiment grew into a global community of kids, artists, and collectors.

That work eventually led to two published books, Papertoy Monsters and Papertoy Glowbots. I began hearing from parents, teachers, and kids all over the world who were building these characters together. They were not just cutting and folding paper, they were connecting, telling stories, and seeing themselves as creators.

Those letters and photos showed me something important. Simple, creative play can open doors for kids that go way beyond the craft table.

Discovering mindfulness and a deeper purpose

At the same time, I was going through my own journey of self discovery and self management. Mindfulness, emotional awareness, and a lot of personal work helped me understand my mind, my habits, and the stories I was telling myself.

I realized that my real purpose is bigger than just making cool characters or fun toys. My work is here to help people, especially kids and families, feel more present, more creative, and more hopeful about their lives.

Creativity and mindfulness turned out to be two sides of the same coin. One gives you tools to imagine and build new possibilities. The other helps you slow down enough to see what is really going on inside you. Together, they can change how we live, learn, and relate to each other.

Why I started CreatableMe

CreatableMe was born from a simple idea. Every kid is creative, and every family can use that creativity on purpose.

CreatableMe is my way of giving families practical tools to:

• Help kids understand their feelings

• Build confidence through creative play and projects

• Strengthen connection between kids and the adults who care about them

• Use everyday life as a place to practice mindfulness, not escape from it

It started with worksheets, playsheets, creative activities, and the “Five C’s” framework, Consciousness, Creativity, Connection, Communication, and Character. All focused on helping kids grow into thoughtful, expressive, and kind humans.

ReflectoBot, technology with a heart

As technology evolved, I saw a new opportunity. What if we could take the same spirit behind CreatableMe and build a digital companion that actually helps kids process feelings and reflect on their day in a healthy way.

That is where ReflectoBot comes in.

ReflectoBot is an AI powered emotional wellness buddy for kids that uses playful chat, daily check ins, and creative prompts to help them notice, name, and talk about their feelings. It is not about screens for the sake of screens. It is about using technology carefully and thoughtfully, to support the same skills we build offline through art, stories, and play.

On screen, ReflectoBot helps kids build emotional language and self awareness. Off screen, tools like papertoys, paper playsets, and hands on activities let them act out new stories and practice what they are learning in real life.

Both sides matter.

What I care about now

Right now my focus is clear.

• Help kids and families feel less alone and more connected

• Use creativity and mindfulness as everyday tools, not rare events

• Build products and experiences that are fun first, but quietly transformative

• Use technology in ways that support human values, rather than compete with them

Loneliness, anxiety, and disconnection are real problems for kids today. I believe creativity, emotional awareness, and simple mindful practices can help. Not as a magic cure, but as a very real path forward.

An invitation

My journey from a creative kid to a motion designer, papertoy author, and founder of CreatableMe and ReflectoBot has always been powered by the same superpower, creative manifestation.

Every thought, word, drawing, character, and product is a tiny act of creation. When we become conscious of that, we can start shaping our lives on purpose.

I am here to keep making tools, stories, and experiences that help kids and families do exactly that.

If this resonates with you, I invite you to explore CreatableMe, try ReflectoBot with your kids or students, and join me in building a kinder, more creative, and more conscious world than the one we were born into.

Brian Castleforte
Founder and Chief Creative Officer, CreatableMe
Creator of ReflectoBot, Papertoy Monsters, and Papertoy Glowbots