The Craft: Exploring the Creative Process

Cal Newport's Digital Minimalism (Book Review)

Thu, 07 Mar 2024 19:01:56 +0000

[Rebroadcast of Ep. 14]

In this episode, Carter asks Colby about what he learned from reading Digital Minimalism: Choosing a Focused Life in a Noisy World by Cal Newport.

Be sure to check out Newport's latest book, Slow Productivity: The Lost Art of Accomplishment Without Burnout.

52 | The Theory of Creativity

Wed, 21 Feb 2024 11:00:00 +0000

Do legitimate common denominators exists across creative disciplines? If so, can we clearly identify these parallels and unify our thoughts about the creative process?

In this episode of The Craft, Carter and Colby wrestle with these questions. They begin to sketch (tentatively) a unifying “theory of creativity.” Such theory might help us, they hope, navigate a broad swath of tools and techniques that vie for our attention.

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Chapters:

0:00 Introduction

2:22 Theory of Creativity

9:48 Theoretical layers

14:08 Marketing example

21:32 More trees and metaphors

28:40 Intermediary tiers

36:26 Conclusion

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Support The Craft:

Subscribe to Dwelling - https://carterdavisjohnson.substack.com

Send feedback or ideas - heycraftpodcast@gmail.com

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Cover art by Elizabeth Newell. Learn more about her work at elizabethnewell.work or on Instagram @elizabethisadesigner.

51 | How John Steinbeck Reinvented His Craft

Wed, 07 Feb 2024 12:00:00 +0000

Why did John Steinbeck almost give up writing novels?

In this episode of The Craft, Carter and Colby inaugurate a new series, Creative Case Studies. Their first installment is a story about American writer John Steinbeck. Specifically, Carter recounts Steinbeck’s creative collapse after writing The Grapes of Wrath. In the midst of personal and professional tumult, Steinbeck attempted to reinvent his craft and develop a new way of thinking. Carter and Colby discuss this creative transformation, considering how we might learn from Steinbeck’s crisis.

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Chapters:

0:00 Introduction

2:55 Steinbeck bio

4:11 Crisis and reinvention

14:28 Takeaways

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Support The Craft:

Subscribe to Dwelling - https://carterdavisjohnson.substack.com

Send feedback or ideas - heycraftpodcast@gmail.com

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Cover art by Elizabeth Newell. Learn more about her work at elizabethnewell.work or on Instagram @elizabethisadesigner.

50 | Tracking Creative Growth

Wed, 24 Jan 2024 10:00:00 +0000

Is my work improving? This is a crucial — yet difficult — question to answer.

In this episode of The Craft, Carter and Colby discuss how to track creative growth, the difference between lead and lag metrics, and an interesting phenomenon they've seen unfold in many artistic careers.

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Chapters:

0:00 Introduction

2:15 Lead and lag metrics

11:38 Evaluating growth

23:19 Refinement or reinvention

31:11 Tracking growth

33:27 Comparing work

38:38 Conclusion

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Support The Craft:

Subscribe to Dwelling (Weekly writing from Carter)

Send feedback or ideas to heycraftpodcast@gmail.com

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Cover art by Elizabeth Newell. Learn more about her work at elizabethnewell.work or on Instagram @elizabethisadesigner.

49 | 11 Protocols for Revising Creative Work

Wed, 10 Jan 2024 12:00:00 +0000

You have probably heard the phrase “writing is revision,” but how do you actually revise? What does good revision — practically speaking — look like?

In this episode of The Craft, Carter and Colby discus the central protocols that drive their revision processes. The conversation includes both paradigmatic approaches and practical tactics.

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Chapters:

0:00 Introduction

1:59 Protocol 1: Separate creation and revision

2:28 Protocol 2: Accept the iterative process

6:24 Protocol 3: What is the work actually doing?

9:20 Protocol 4: Find root problems

11:40 Protocol 5: Movement

13:29 Protocol 6: The Car Test

16:22 Protocol 7: Transitions

20:44 Protocol 8: Necessity

27:01 Protocol 9: References

29:35 Protocol 10: Work Destructively

33:32 Protocol 11: Collaborate

39:35 Conclusion

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Support The Craft:

Subscribe to Dwelling (Weekly writing from Carter)

Send feedback or ideas to heycraftpodcast@gmail.com

Cover art by Elizabeth Newell. Learn more about her work at elizabethnewell.work or on Instagram @elizabethisadesigner.

48 | Creative Review of 2023

Wed, 27 Dec 2023 12:00:00 +0000

In this episode of The Craft, Carter and Colby do a year-end review for 2023. They survey the year’s successes, shortcomings, and lessons, reflecting on moments of inspiration and the second year of the podcast.

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Chapters:

0:00 Introduction

1:19 What went well?

7:16 What went poorly?

13:51 What did you learn?

24:26 What inspired you?

30:10 Favorites

37:02 Year Two

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Support The Craft:

Subscribe to Dwelling (Weekly writing from Carter)

Send feedback or ideas to heycraftpodcast@gmail.com

Cover art by Elizabeth Newell. Learn more about her work at elizabethnewell.work or on Instagram @elizabethisadesigner.

47 | Exploring Category Design

Wed, 13 Dec 2023 10:00:00 +0000

Do I need to create a category of one?

In this episode of The Craft, Carter and Colby explore the role of category design in creative pursuits. Their conversation addresses a root problem: How do you avoid being “just another voice” in your craft? In addressing this challenge, they wrestle with multiple potential solutions and the consequent tensions. Do categories wrongly fetishize novelty? Are categories equally pertinent in business and creative endeavors? Their conversation is a general introduction to the subject of category, which will — no doubt — reemerge in later episodes.

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Chapters:

0:00 Introduction and creative exigence

6:10 Should novelty be our goal?

12:22 Alternative ways to individualize

15:40 Category size and limit

18:58 Innovation and functionality

24:48 Shifting definitions of category

28:00 The law of division

31:00 What to prioritize?

35:59 Concluding distinctions

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Links:

The 22 Immutable Laws of Marketing

Category Pirates

Dada and the Pre-Raphaelites (Carter's Substack)

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Support The Craft:

Subscribe to Dwelling (Weekly writing from Carter)

Send feedback or ideas to heycraftpodcast@gmail.com

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Cover art by Elizabeth Newell. Learn more about her work at elizabethnewell.work or on Instagram @elizabethisadesigner.

46 | Writing a PhD Dissertation, and How to Manage Big Creative Projects

Wed, 29 Nov 2023 10:00:00 +0000

How do you write a dissertation? We’re not sure, but Carter is about to find out.

In this episode of The Craft, Carter and Colby discuss Carter’s recent benchmark in his doctoral program. He shares some advice he received during his last exam and thoughts about embarking on his largest project to date.

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Chapters:

0:00 Introduction

3:42 Setting parameters for daily work

12:07 Just typing

16:29 Identifying themes

21:24 Trusting your voice

26:19 Stepping away

30:06 Leaving a little in the tank

32:22 Conclusion

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Links:

Steven Pressfield

Greg Mckeown, Effortless

Paul Jarvis, Company of One

Cal Newport

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Support The Craft:

Subscribe to Dwelling (Weekly writing from Carter)

Send feedback or ideas to heycraftpodcast@gmail.com

Cover art by Elizabeth Newell. Learn more about her work at elizabethnewell.work or on Instagram @elizabethisadesigner.

45 | 6 Quotes on the Creative Process from Annie Dillard

Wed, 15 Nov 2023 10:00:00 +0000

Are you looking for sage creative advice from a master writer? Look no further.

In this episode of The Craft, Carter and Colby discuss a number of quotes on the creative process from Annie Dillard. Their conversation, following Dillard, cuts across the Craft’s four creative first principles: create, revise, share, and sustain.

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Chapters:

0:00 Introduction

2:05 #1 Live a life

7:13 #2 Cut ruthlessly

18:08 #3 Spend it now

29:23 #4 Return to the concrete

36:38 #5 Write as if you were dying

38:22 #6 Embrace the idiosyncratic

42:18 Conclusion

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Links:

“Write as if you were dying.” Read Annie Dillard’s greatest writing advice

Why an English Degree? (Dwelling)

Annie Dillard’s Books

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Support The Craft:

Subscribe to Dwelling (Weekly writing from Carter)

Send feedback or ideas to heycraftpodcast@gmail.com

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Cover art by Elizabeth Newell. Learn more about her work at elizabethnewell.work or on Instagram @elizabethisadesigner.

44 | Keep Showing Up: Overcoming 3 Creative Roadblocks

Wed, 01 Nov 2023 09:00:00 +0000

I feel uninspired. What now?

In this episode of The Craft, Carter and Colby discuss different types of creative roadblocks. They explore the phenomenon of “stuckness” in regard to artistic identity, specific projects, and skill development. They also share a list of actions/ideas that can help reinvigorate and reinspire.

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Chapters:

0:00 Introduction

2:03 Pressfield and showing up

5:32 What now?

10:09 Types of creative roadblocks

12:29 Identity

17:37 Shoutout: Negative Space

20:23 Projects

27:49 Skills

34:42 Conclusion

35:05 Bonus: Freewrite Reaction

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Links:

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Support The Craft:

Subscribe to Dwelling (Weekly writing from Carter)

Send feedback or ideas to heycraftpodcast@gmail.com

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Cover art by Elizabeth Newell. Learn more about her work at elizabethnewell.work or on Instagram @elizabethisadesigner.

43 | Reflections on a Conversation With Warwick Saint

Wed, 18 Oct 2023 09:00:00 +0000

In this episode of The Craft, Carter and Colby elaborate on their recent conversation with painter, photographer, and mixed-media artist Warwick Saint. They share their favorite moments and lessons from the interview

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Chapters:

0:00 Introduction

4:33 Cardboard boxes and creativity

7:39 The artistic edge

10:03 Reinvention and renewal

18:50 Point of view

31:58 Categories and juxtaposition

34:42 Routine and telos

37:30 Conclusion

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Links:

Listen to the full interview with Warwick Saint

Colgate Lasagna

Learn more about Saint's work

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Support The Craft:

Subscribe to Dwelling (Weekly writing from Carter)

Send feedback or ideas to heycraftpodcast@gmail.com

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Cover art by Elizabeth Newell. Learn more about her work at elizabethnewell.work or on Instagram @elizabethisadesigner.

42 | Warwick Saint (Painter, Photographer, & Mixed Media Artist)

Wed, 04 Oct 2023 09:00:00 +0000

In this episode of The Craft, Carter and Colby sit down with Warwick Saint. He is a prolific and award-winning artist who has photographed some of the most iconic actors/actresses, athletes, musicians, and brands, such as Ryan Gosling, Harrison Ford, Zendaya, Miley Cyrus, Lebron James, John Legend, DJ Khaled, Beyoncé, Daniel Craig, Jamie Foxx, Nike, Puma, and many others.

However, in 2018, Saint began a new chapter of his career. He started transforming his photography through painting, producing entirely new works of mixed-media art. In this interview, Carter and Colby talk with Saint about his creative evolution, focusing on the deep veins of continuity between mediums and processes. Saint also shares about his current routine, philosophy of art, and approach to overcoming creative fatigue.

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Chapters:

0:00 Trailer

0:38 Introduction

4:23 Saint’s new chapter

10:16 Comparing mediums

15:33 Painting as tactile presence

18:47 Layers and creative process

23:40 Capturing emotion

27:45 Revision process

33:06 Routine and embodied creativity

41:46 Approaching a career in art

47:10 Navigating commissioned work

52:16 Creative fatigue and bravery

1:00:22 Recent inspiration and receptivity

1:05:37 Conclusion

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Links:

See Saint's work at WarwickSaint.com

Follow Saint on Instagram @warwicksaint

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Support The Craft:

Subscribe to Dwelling (Weekly writing from Carter)

Send feedback or ideas to heycraftpodcast@gmail.com

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Cover art by Elizabeth Newell. Learn more about her work at elizabethnewell.work or on Instagram @elizabethisadesigner.

41 | “The Creative Process” by James Baldwin

Wed, 20 Sep 2023 09:00:00 +0000

What can we learn from James Baldwin about the creative process?

In this episode of The Craft, Carter and Colby discuss Baldwin's essay “The Creative Process," exploring how art is connected to self-knowledge and truth. Additionally, they explore the tumultuous yet crucial relationship between the artist and society.

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Chapters:

0:00 Introduction

2:04 Overview

3:33 Individual and Society

7:20 Being "alone"

11:59 Art and the Big Questions

15:12 Artist's Journey

20:13 The Artist and Society

21:46 Takeaways

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Links:

Read The Creative Process by James Baldwin

Listen to 16 | The Artist's Journey and the Hero's Journey

Read The Artist's Journey by Steven Pressfield

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Support The Craft:

Subscribe to Dwelling (Weekly writing from Carter)

Send feedback or ideas to heycraftpodcast@gmail.com

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Cover art by Elizabeth Newell. Learn more about her work at elizabethnewell.work or on Instagram @elizabethisadesigner.

40 | When Should I Quit My Creative Project?

Wed, 06 Sep 2023 09:00:00 +0000

Should you stop making the EP, stop writing the novel, or stop building the YouTube channel? Or, do you need to commit to going through the Dip and reaching the summit on the other side?

In this episode of The Craft, Carter and Colby discuss this often fraught question. They apply two heuristic mental models that can help inform our decision to quit: Seth Godin’s book The Dip and Shreyas Doshi's LNO Framework. The resultant conversation explores key metrics and questions that can prepare us to launch, endure, and even quit a project.

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Chapters:

0:00 Introduction

1:43 The Dip overview

10:59 Being in the Dip

14:00 LNO schema

19:18 Hierarchy of values

27:58 Key metrics and questions

32:20 Case study: Songmaps

34:55 Conclusion

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Links:

Read The Dip by Seth Godin

LNO Framework

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Support The Craft:

Subscribe to Dwelling (Weekly writing from Carter)

Send feedback or ideas to heycraftpodcast@gmail.com

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Cover art by Elizabeth Newell. Learn more about her work at elizabethnewell.work or on Instagram @elizabethisadesigner.

39 | Why Do We Love Beautiful Products?

Wed, 23 Aug 2023 09:00:00 +0000

Why spend $25 on a pencil sharpener when a $.99 one will get the job done? Why spend $300 on a raincoat when you could spend $25?

In this episode of The Craft, Carter and Colby explore the craft of beautiful products. What makes a product special or beautiful? Why are we drawn to certain products, even when they cost more money? Their conversation digs into these questions and explores the relationships we build with the products we love. Carter and Colby share some of their favorites, both physical and digital, and try to articulate how these products curate our experiences and cultivate personal values.

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Chapters:

0:00 Introduction (Aesthetics, Utility, and Identity)

8:32 LAMY Safari Fountain Pen

12:35 Blackwing Sharpener

19:00 Scrivener

27:00 Colby’s Big 4

28:25 Proton

35:22 Arc and Simplicity

42:13 Taste and Expertise

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Links:

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Support The Craft:

Subscribe to Dwelling (Weekly writing from Carter)

Send feedback or ideas to heycraftpodcast@gmail.com

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Cover art by Elizabeth Newell. Learn more about her work at elizabethnewell.work or on Instagram @elizabethisadesigner.

38 | Will Mason (Singer-Songwriter)

Wed, 09 Aug 2023 09:00:00 +0000

In this episode of The Craft, Carter and Colby sit down with Will Mason to talk about his creative process as a songwriter. They discuss his upcoming EP, Freedom, and break down two tracks from the project. The conversation covers topics ranging from crafting lyrics to finding your voice to facing creative roadblocks. Listen to Freedom here.

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Chapters:

0:00 Introduction

3:13 Interview begins

4:50 Background as an artist

8:40 Development as a singer

10:42 Finding your voice

12:20 Musical development

15:34 First song and breakthrough

17:50 Songwriting process

22:26 Lyrics

32:32 Dragonflies (song breakdown)

50:41 Freedom (song breakdown)

1:03:00 Conclusion

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Links:

Listen to Will's EP Freedom (released on August 18, 2023)

Listen and follow Will on Spotify

Listen and follow Will on Apple Music

Follow Will on Instagram @_will_mason

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Support The Craft:

Subscribe to Dwelling (Weekly writing from Carter)

Send feedback or ideas to heycraftpodcast@gmail.com

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Cover art by Elizabeth Newell. Learn more about her work at elizabethnewell.work or on Instagram @elizabethisadesigner.

37 | Can You Grow Your Audience Without Selling Out?

Wed, 26 Jul 2023 09:00:00 +0000

Can you grow your audience without “selling out”?

In this episode of The Craft, Carter and Colby discuss creative growth, outlining its healthy and malignant forms. They begin the conversation by defining growth and then identify two specific problems: 1) sleazy growth 2) personal vulnerability. They explore principles for healthy growth and discuss ways that creatives can mitigate the fear of increased publicity. They conclude by discussing marketing models that can help direct your efforts toward creating meaningful engagement with an ideal audience.

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Chapters:

0:00 Introduction

1:34 Defining growth

4:23 Two problems of growth

7:37 Marketing funnel

10:41 1st principle: Put growth in its place

13:47 2nd principle: Prioritize the product

23:40 Metrics for growth

27:30 Growing in good faith

33:00 The vulnerability of growth

37:13 Marketing models for growth

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Links:

The Personal MBA by Josh Kaufman

Chapter 2 of The Personal MBA: Marketing

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Support The Craft:

Subscribe to Dwelling (Weekly writing from Carter)

Send feedback or ideas to heycraftpodcast@gmail.com

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Cover art by Elizabeth Newell. Learn more about her work at elizabethnewell.work or on Instagram @elizabethisadesigner.

36 | Introducing Dwelling: Launching a Substack, the Future of Publishing, and the Power of Newsletters

Wed, 12 Jul 2023 09:00:00 +0000

Should you create a Substack publication? And why did Carter start one?

In this episode of The Craft, Carter and Colby discuss “Dwelling: Exploring the non-identical in life and art,” Carter’s new publication. They explore the origins of the project and the future of publishing in general. In addition to discussing Dwelling, their conversation expands to the power of newsletters as creative mediums. They end the conversation by sketching how (and why) to launch your own Substack publication.

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Chapters:

0:00 Introduction

1:30 Why start a Substack?

5:07 What is the non-identical?

9:10 Seven Lamps of Prose

12:31 New creative economy on Substack

15:09 Writing process

16:45 Carter's inspirations on Substack

19:42 Tactics

22:33 Newsletters and the O.R.B. marketing model

32:16 The challenge of growth

33:52 How do you start a Substack?

38:37 Should you start a Substack?

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Links:

Subscribe to Carter’s Substack Dwelling at carterdavisjohnson.substack.com

The Night Does Not End by Aaron Gwyn

The Contender by David Coggins

The WM Brown Weekly

The Lost Object by Joe Neary

Over the Field by Hadden Turner

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Support The Craft:

Subscribe to Dwelling (Carter's Newsletter)

Send feedback or ideas to heycraftpodcast@gmail.com

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Cover art by Elizabeth Newell. Learn more about her work at elizabethnewell.work or on Instagram @elizabethisadesigner.

35 | What is Your Creative Strategy?

Wed, 28 Jun 2023 09:00:00 +0000

“You need a strategy.” We hear this mantra from all disciplines, but what does it mean?

In this episode of The Craft, Carter and Colby work to define strategy and understand how strategic thinking manifests in creative pursuits. The discussion explores the difficulty of diagnosing the root problem and imposing proximate objectives. They conclude by noting how artistic taste is crucial in developing good strategy.

Chapters:

0:00 Introduction to Rumelt's Good Strategy Bad Strategy

6:30 Strategy and values

10:45 Honest evaluation and the creative process

15:16 Contrasting strategy in business and creative pursuits

22:38 What’s missing in creative practices

27:48 Imposed coordinated action

29:45 Developing proximate objectives

35:04 Diagnosing the “true” problem

38:07 Artistic taste as a tool for diagnosis

Links:

Richard Rumelt's Good Strategy Bad Strategy: The Difference and Why It Matters

Send feedback or topic ideas to heycraftpodcast@gmail.com.

Cover art was designed by Elizabeth Newell. Learn more about her work at elizabethnewelldesign.com or on Instagram @elizabethisadesigner.

34 | Tyler Johnson (Cofounder of KING ZEHN)

Wed, 14 Jun 2023 09:00:00 +0000

In this episode of The Craft, Colby and Carter sit down with Tyler Johnson. Tyler is a filmmaker and creator from Roanoke, Virginia who is currently working out of Nashville, Tennesee. He is the co-founder of KING ZEHN Entertainment. Focusing primarily on real-time comedy sketches, King Zehn has established a large presence in the realm of short-form, creative content. They currently have over 174 million views on YouTube and 900k followers on TikTok.

Their conversation explores Tyler’s creative process and revision strategy. They also discuss the business aspects of King Zehn, exploring the differences between platforms and monetization avenues.

Chapters:

0:00 - Introduction

3:00 - Generating new ideas

5:20 - Dealing with creative constraints

7:44 - Finding his craft

8:49 - Framing and shot design

10:10 - Editing process and revision

12:00 - Developing a YouTube presence

14:13 - Understanding audiences across platforms

18:00 - Developing King Zehn into a viable business

20:56 - Exploring the future of King Zehn

25:19 - Appreciating creative influences

26:27 - Explaining the usual workday

30:38 - Thinking through algorithms

34:14 - Considering the “subscriber” model

35:13 - Developing products

36:40 - Sustaining as a creative

41:17 - Working through creative burnout

43:15 - Knowing how to get started

45:44 - Supporting their work

King Zehn

Youtube

Instagram

TikTok

Send feedback or topic ideas to heycraftpodcast@gmail.com.

Cover art was designed by Elizabeth Newell. Learn more about her work at elizabethnewelldesign.com or on Instagram @elizabethisadesigner.

33 | Susan Hensel (Mixed Media Artist)

Wed, 31 May 2023 09:00:00 +0000

In this episode of The Craft, Carter and Colby sit down with multimedia artist Susan Hensel to talk about her 50-year career as an artist. The conversation begins with Susan explaining her creative process in starting new projects but quickly moves to a diverse range of topics. Susan discusses the nuanced physics of color, the embodied experience of art, and the way that beauty provides rest. She then tells the story of her important trip to the Minnesota State Fair, an event that would catalyze her work in digital embroidery. Then, the discussion turns to the subject of sharing work; Susan shares her story of professional growth and how to approach rejection in a healthy way. The conversation concludes with a discussion about working through creative roadblocks.

Timestamps:

[00:00-3:05] Intro

[3:05-6:30] Starting new projects

[6:30-7:24] The physics of color in fabric

[7:24-8:37] Work with antique pipe molds

[8:37-9:25] Current subject matter: wayfinding

[9:25-13:47 ] Art maintaining the possibility for multiple experiences

[13:47-16:45] Beauty as a place of rest

[16:45-24:55] Minnesota State Fair and a start in digital embroidery

[24:55-29:00] Settling on embroidery as primary medium

[29:00-29:50] Bringing in the organic

[29:50-40:35] Sharing work and artistic growth

[40:35-42:55] Rejection

[42:55-46:00] Overcoming creative roadblocks

Links mentioned:

susanhenselprojects.com

Follow Susan on Instagram @susan_hensel_multimedia_artist

Artsy.net

Artnet News

Send feedback or topic ideas to heycraftpodcast@gmail.com.

Cover art was designed by Elizabeth Newell. Learn more about her work at elizabethnewelldesign.com or on Instagram @elizabethisadesigner.

32 | Resonance: A Sociology of Our Relationship to the World (Book Review)

Wed, 17 May 2023 09:00:00 +0000

In this episode of The Craft, Carter and Colby discuss Hartmut Rosa’s Resonance: A Sociology of our Relationship to the World. The discussion begins by establishing Rosa’s concepts of alienation and acceleration. As modernity compresses more into less time, we begin to approach the world as silent, mute to our experience. The alternative to alienation is resonance, which Rosa explains along sociological and philosophical lines. After exploring the theory, their discussion pivots to how these concepts are manifested in the creative life. They also explore how considerations of resonance might help develop a more holistic approach to artistic pursuits.

Alienation and Acceleration: Towards a Critical Theory of Late-Modern Temporality

Resonance: A Sociology of Our Relationship to the World

Send feedback or topic ideas to heycraftpodcast@gmail.com.

Cover art was designed by Elizabeth Newell. Learn more about her work at elizabethnewelldesign.com or on Instagram @elizabethisadesigner.

31 | Cole Isaac (Artist & Songwriter)

Wed, 03 May 2023 09:00:00 +0000

In this special episode of The Craft, Carter and Colby sit down with Cole Isaac, a conscious creative from Kelowna, BC. Their conversation covers a wide range of topics. Cole breaks down his songwriting process and discusses what it takes to find and cultivate an authentic artistic voice, a process that involves letting go of the opinions of others. Then, the conversation turns from creative processes to creative roadblocks; they ask Cole how he overcomes writer's block and other challenges in his craft. The interview concludes by foreshadowing "what's next" for Cole Isaac.

Connect with Cole:

Pre-save "To The Sky" featuring Cole Isaac

Follow and listen to Cole Isaac on Spotify

Follow and listen to Cole Isaac on Apple Music

Follow Cole on Instagram

Watch Cole Isaac’s music video

Send feedback or topic ideas to heycraftpodcast@gmail.com.

Cover art was designed by Elizabeth Newell. Learn more about her work at elizabethnewelldesign.com or on Instagram @elizabethisadesigner.

30 | Developing Creative Grit (Book Review)

Wed, 19 Apr 2023 09:00:00 +0000

In this episode of The Craft, Colby leads a book review of Angela Duckworth's Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance. The conversation specifically explores how the book's central concepts apply to creative endeavors.

Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance

Send feedback or topic ideas to heycraftpodcast@gmail.com.

Cover art was designed by Elizabeth Newell. Learn more about her work at elizabethnewelldesign.com or on Instagram @elizabethisadesigner.

29 | We Tried Hemingway’s Creative Practice (Write One True Sentence Daily)

Wed, 05 Apr 2023 12:00:00 +0000

In this episode of The Craft, Carter and Colby discuss a specific creative practice. During his recent solo road trip to California, Carter adopted (with Colby’s prompting) Hemingway’s maxim “one true sentence” as a way to document his journey. He attempted to articulate an essence from each day in a single sentence, forgoing note-taking for a practice of small, dense creative acts. They discuss the process of generating new ideas, choosing which ideas to pursue, and developing small creative practices into larger, more refined work.

Sentences:

Day 1: I wonder if Jesse James ever watched that big Missouri sky and wondered what it would look like rolled up like a scroll.

Day 2: Above the gentle sweep of the train tracks, a red church was bivouacked against a cliff of smooth red stone - like some ancient relief carved by the hand of a Spanish sculptor.

Day 3: Sand turns into snow as I reel toward the rough sockets of skull rock.

Day 4: A gust of Pacific wind, tinged with salt, hits my face as I watch the breakers from Hawk Tower, the same perch where Jeffers watched the sun set with his glass of red wine and cigarette.

Day 5: The redwoods’ brawny trunks and dark green boughs, soaked in cold rain, remind me of my frailty.

Day 6: Steinbeck’s shadow stretches long past California, but one can never quite fix where it ends.

Day 7: The shade of a cloud passes over a green hill near San Luis, darkening the purple impressions of sage and lavender.

Day 8: Tempered blue steel in the predawn light, the snow-covered faces of Coloradan mountains stare into my tired eyes with terrible silence.

Send feedback or topic ideas to heycraftpodcast@gmail.com.

Cover art was designed by Elizabeth Newell. Learn more about her work at elizabethnewelldesign.com or on Instagram @elizabethisadesigner.

28 | The Creative Act by Rick Rubin, Crafting Art, How to Know When Art is Done

Wed, 22 Mar 2023 09:00:00 +0000

On this episode of The Craft, Carter and Colby read a chapter from Rick Rubin's new book called The Creative Act: A Way of Being and react to it.

Send feedback or topic ideas to heycraftpodcast@gmail.com.

Cover art was designed by Elizabeth Newell. Learn more about her work at elizabethnewelldesign.com or on Instagram @elizabethisadesigner.

27 | Is AI Art Real Art? We Asked ChatGPT

Wed, 08 Mar 2023 12:00:00 +0000

In this episode of The Craft, Carter and Colby discuss how new innovations in artificial intelligence intersect with the creative world. They explore the theoretical underpinnings of the claim that AI can "create art," a topic that elicits Carter's phenomenological objection! Moving toward the practical, they discuss how creatives can leverage the incredible generative power of such tools. Along the way, Colby asks ChatGPT a series of questions about the nature of art and its own creative possibilities.

Send feedback or topic ideas to heycraftpodcast@gmail.com.

Cover art was designed by Elizabeth Newell. Learn more about her work at elizabethnewelldesign.com or on Instagram @elizabethisadesigner.

Introducing The Craft

Tue, 28 Feb 2023 17:30:00 +0000

The Craft explores the cultivation of creativity across multiple disciplines and interests. If you're a writer, music producer, photographer, filmmaker, marketer, designer, illustrator, composer, or just someone who loves to learn about the creative process, this show is for you.

Hosted by Carter Davis Johnson (Writer, PhD student) and Colby (Marketer, Music Producer).

New episodes drop every other Wednesday.

Send feedback or topic ideas to heycraftpodcast@gmail.com.

Our cover art was designed by Elizabeth Newell. Learn more about her work at elizabethnewelldesign.com or on Instagram @elizabethisadesigner.

26 | Steal Like an Artist Book Review, Wisdom from Rick Rubin

Wed, 22 Feb 2023 12:00:00 +0000

In this episode of The Craft, Carter and Colby discuss one of their favorite creative books, Austin Kleon's Steal Like an Artist. They explore the book's central concept: the importance and freedom of creating within an artistic tradition and community (i.e. stealing!). As Picasso said and Kleon notes, "Art is theft." They discuss multiple topics within the book such as exploring your craft's genealogy, acknowledging the lifestyle of a project, and developing a habit of patient work.

Steal Like an Artist

Austinkleon.com

Austin Kleon's Newsletter

The Creative Act by Rick Rubin

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Cover art was designed by Elizabeth Newell. Learn more about her work at elizabethnewelldesign.com or on Instagram @elizabethisadesigner.

25 | Did We Misname the Pod? What’s the Difference Between Craft and Art?

Wed, 08 Feb 2023 10:00:00 +0000

In this episode of The Craft, Carter and Colby theorize the distinction between a craft and art. They discuss how we use these terms in conversation, exploring how the connotations (and denotations) might demarcate similar and different activities. They arrive at a tentative definition of the craft: the pursuit of artfulness in work; or, an artistic approach to work. These initial definitions continue to develop, leading to a characterization of craft as a manner-of-doing or process. Thereby, art is the fulfillment of an act of craft. They also discuss the communal aspect of art, responding to a definition from Leo Tolstoy. The latter portion of the conversation shifts, using Bill Gurley’s lecture (linked below) to explore the development of one’s craft through the pursuit of knowledge.

Runnin' Down a Dream: How to Succeed and Thrive in a Career You Love - Gurley

Poetry, Language, Thought – Heidegger

Historical Literacy Rates

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Cover art was designed by Elizabeth Newell. Learn more about her work at elizabethnewelldesign.com or on Instagram @elizabethisadesigner.

24 | Building a Second Brain

Wed, 25 Jan 2023 12:00:00 +0000

In this episode of The Craft, Carter and Colby discuss building a second brain. They begin the conversation by describing what is a “second brain” and its place within the broader realm of knowledge management. They emphasize the importance of saving and organizing information, making your work searchable in the future. Additionally, they discuss Forte’s P.A.R.A. method of digital organization and how it can be a powerful tool. Carter and Colby also discuss the various knowledge management tools they already use, exploring how their second brains might be dispersed rather than consolidated.

Forte Labs

Building a Second Brain

Building a Second Brain Podcast

Notion

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Cover art was designed by Elizabeth Newell. Learn more about her work at elizabethnewelldesign.com or on Instagram @elizabethisadesigner.

23 | Practice is Everything: Drills, Projects, and the Pressure to Publish

Wed, 11 Jan 2023 10:00:00 +0000

In this episode of The Craft, Carter and Colby discuss the role of practice - specifically creative drills - in the pursuit of excellence. They begin by discussing the potential dangers of overemphasizing immediate action and/or publishing. The conversation complicates when considering build-in-public and behind-the-scenes projects. As the issue clarifies, they specifically address the fear of creative stagnation (paradoxically) through continual production, ie. making the same mistakes again and again. Additionally, Colby discusses the importance of cultivating both isolated (drill) and integrated (project) skills. This conversation moves toward practical techniques for practice, including imitating creative influences and expanding specific areas of knowledge. Finally, they end the discussion by emphasizing that not all practice is equal. Creatives need to cultivate practice habits that stretch their limits.

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Cover art was designed by Elizabeth Newell. Learn more about her work at elizabethnewelldesign.com or on Instagram @elizabethisadesigner.

22 | Review of 2022

Wed, 28 Dec 2022 11:00:00 +0000

In this episode of The Craft, Carter and Colby do an end-of-the-year-review. They discuss the development of their crafts by answering four questions: What went well? What went poorly? What did you learn? What inspired you? They also briefly discuss the future of The Craft.

Here is a beefy list of works they mention (in no particular order):

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Cover art was designed by Elizabeth Newell. Learn more about her work at elizabethnewelldesign.com or on Instagram @elizabethisadesigner.

21 | How to Find Your Subject, Themes from Our Favorite Artists, Making What You Don’t Know

Wed, 14 Dec 2022 10:00:00 +0000

In this episode of The Craft, Carter and Colby discuss the artist's "subject," a conversation that was spurred by Steven Pressfield's formulation in The Artist's Journey. They parse the differences and similarities between subjects and topics, theorizing about how such subject "threads" develop over time. As an exercise, both Carter and Colby identify and trace subjects, constellations of artistic interest, across several of the artists that they admire. Finally, they engage alternative approaches to the advice, "write what you know."

Works Cited

The Artist's Journey, Steven Pressfield

Jon Bellion

Justin Bieber

John Steinbeck

Cormac McCarthy

Roger Scruton

Writers on "Writing what you Know"

Build, Tony Fadell

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Cover art was designed by Elizabeth Newell. Learn more about her work at elizabethnewelldesign.com or on Instagram @elizabethisadesigner.

20 | The Anxiety of Style

Wed, 30 Nov 2022 10:00:00 +0000

In this episode of The Craft, Carter and Colby explore artistic concerns that arise around the issue of style. We are often concerned that we don't have a unique style or that our style is too derivative. However, sometimes these anxieties are more exaggerated in our minds than in reality. We don't create in a vacuum, so we shouldn't expect to create art that is disconnected from a broader tradition. Carter and Colby finish the conversation by discussing some ways we can avoid falling into these sometimes paralyzing anxieties.

"Style is a product of your limitations" - Johnny Cash

"The ugly fact is books are made out of books" - Cormac McCarthy

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Cover art was designed by Elizabeth Newell. Learn more about her work at elizabethnewelldesign.com or on Instagram @elizabethisadesigner.

19 | Cultivating Artistic Taste

Wed, 16 Nov 2022 10:00:00 +0000

In this episode of The Craft, Carter and Colby discuss artistic taste. The conversation begins by considering how taste is involved in the revision process. We often have a sense that something “works,” but what is that feeling? Perhaps it’s the dictates of taste. The conversation then considers how the concept of taste differs from mere preference. After this groundwork, they engage how creatives can cultivate their artistic taste, emphasizing the importance of experiencing (or consuming) work within your discipline. By increasing the number of creative encounters, we begin to glean the language and references to produce substantial revisions.

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Cover art was designed by Elizabeth Newell. Learn more about her work at elizabethnewelldesign.com or on Instagram @elizabethisadesigner.

18 | A World Without Email (Book Review)

Wed, 02 Nov 2022 09:00:00 +0000

In this episode of The Craft, Carter and Colby finish a series of book reviews on the work of Cal Newport; Colby reviews A World Without Email. Previously, they discussed Newport’s Deep Work (Ep. 13) and Digital Minimalism (Ep.14). They explore points of friction that arise with digital communication and conceptualize how these issues negatively affect our lives. The conversation also engages how email, as a mode of communication, is socially potent; in other words, it affects how we relate to each other and influences expectations for responsiveness. Then, they discuss how to best manage the aspects of communication that we tend to neglect. This includes building out thoughtful systems for how and when you communicate. Newport’s central ambition, as Colby emphasizes, is not attacking email but helping readers make space for meaningful work.

Links Mentioned:

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Cover art was designed by Elizabeth Newell. Learn more about her work at elizabethnewelldesign.com or on Instagram @elizabethisadesigner.

17 | Compound Interest for Creatives

Wed, 19 Oct 2022 09:00:00 +0000

In this episode of The Craft, Carter and Colby discuss the principle of compound interest. They outline how this mathematical phenomenon - often relegated to the financial realm - can have drastic implications for creative work. Colby begins the conversation by summarizing a number of thinkers who have engaged this theme, emphasizing the principle’s interdisciplinary range. Then, they shift toward application, discussing practical ways to lock in growth and leverage our very limited efforts. They specifically explore the idea of building systems and habits, as outlined in McKeown’s work. Finally, they consider how compound effort is not always quantifiable but is perhaps necessary for meaningful work.

Links mentioned:

Send feedback or topic ideas to heycraftpodcast@gmail.com.

Cover art was designed by Elizabeth Newell. Learn more about her work at elizabethnewelldesign.com or on Instagram @elizabethisadesigner.

16 | The Artists Journey and the Hero’s Journey

Wed, 05 Oct 2022 11:00:00 +0000

In this episode of The Craft, Carter and Colby discuss the artist’s journey in relation to the hero’s journey. Their conversation combines Steven Pressfield’s The Artist’s Journey with Joseph Campbell’s theory of the monomyth, which Campbell outlines in his predominant book, The Hero With a Thousand Faces. This juxtaposition considers the comparative mythology of Campbell alongside the potential application of such a theory to creative projects and careers. During the conversation, they consider the necessity of creative descents in producing meaningful work. Additionally, Carter and Colby explore how artists repeatedly oscillate between the abstract and the concrete, using Pressfields’ adaption of Nietzsche as a guide.

Links mentioned:

The Artist’s Journey by Steven Pressfield

Building a Story Brand by Donald Miller

Austin Kleon: The Life of a project

The Hero with a Thousand Faces by Joseph Campbell

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Cover art was designed by Elizabeth Newell. Learn more about her work at elizabethnewelldesign.com or on Instagram @elizabethisadesigner.

15 | Summer Updates

Wed, 14 Sep 2022 11:00:00 +0000

The summer is often a time that provides more margin for creative projects, reading, and inspiring experiences. Colby and Carter reflect on their creative life this summer, share books they read, creative projects completed, and what they hope to get done in their creative lives over the next six months.

Links mentioned in this episode:

Share The Craft with a friend by sending them our new landing page bit.ly/heycraftpodcast.

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Cover art was designed by Elizabeth Newell. Learn more about her work at elizabethnewelldesign.com or on Instagram @elizabethisadesigner.

14 | Digital Minimalism (Book Review)

Wed, 31 Aug 2022 09:00:00 +0000

In this episode, Carter asks Colby about what he learned from reading Digital Minimalism: Choosing a Focused Life in a Noisy World by Cal Newport.

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Cover art was designed by Elizabeth Newell. Learn more about her work at elizabethnewelldesign.com or on Instagram @elizabethisadesigner.

13 | Deep Work (Book Review)

Wed, 17 Aug 2022 11:30:00 +0000

In this episode of The Craft, Carter and Colby discuss Cal Newport’s Deep Work. The conversation begins with a summary of the book’s main idea: the pursuit of meaningful, deep work. This practice simultaneously represents a marketable skill as well as a way to accomplish personal and creative goals. After contrasting the characteristics of deep and shallow activities, they distinguish the concept from “hard” work, noting that deep work is not always frustrating or difficult; it can be effortless. The conversation engages a number of key ideas, including the power of scheduling and the dignity or sacredness of craftsmanship. Additionally, Colby charts Newport’s paradigm of lagging and lead metrics, offering a more encouraging and measurable way to approach projects. The conversation ends by considering applications; Colby remarks on his experimentation with Newport’s Time-Block system.

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Cover art was designed by Elizabeth Newell. Learn more about her work at elizabethnewelldesign.com or on Instagram @elizabethisadesigner.

12 | Digital Minimalism for Creatives

Wed, 03 Aug 2022 09:00:00 +0000

In this episode of The Craft, Carter and Colby discuss how technology, specifically social media, interacts and influences our work. The broad conversation is adjacent to Cal Newport’s book Digital Minimalism. They begin the podcast by sketching common issues that emerge from technology’s place in our lives. Then, the conversation turns toward imagining and exploring a healthier relationship with digital tools. Additionally, they discuss the value of long-form art, inefficiency, and artistic friction.

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Cover art was designed by Elizabeth Newell. Learn more about her work at elizabethnewelldesign.com or on Instagram @elizabethisadesigner.

11 | Finding Your Craft

Wed, 20 Jul 2022 09:00:00 +0000

In this episode, Carter and Colby address two central ideas. First, they try to distinguish a “craft” from other activities. Are hobbies crafts? Can someone have multiple crafts? Can anything potentially qualify? Their proposed definition centers on the traditions, skills, and intentions that make crafts a distinct, human activity. After sketching these theoretical contours, they pivot, engaging how we discover or recognize our craft. This conversation involves the role of passion as well as necessity, specifically engaging the idea of life design as presented by Bill Burnett and Dave Evans in Designing Your Life: How to Build a Well-lived, Joyful Life.

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Cover art was designed by Elizabeth Newell. Learn more about her work at elizabethnewelldesign.com or on Instagram @elizabethisadesigner.

10 | Generating New Ideas

Wed, 06 Jul 2022 09:00:00 +0000

In this episode of The Craft, Carter and Colby discuss the process of generating new ideas. The conversation begins by exploring the often negative pressure to be artistically “original.” They emphasize the importance of working within an artistic context, “stealing” from and responding to a tradition of work. This leads them to discuss creative synthesis and the journey of developing a distinctive voice. They also explore whether ideas are cheap unless executed, a conversation that centers on the necessity of testing, discarding, and cultivating new ideas. Finally, Carter and Colby share examples from their own experience, including the origin story of Colby’s Song Maps .

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Cover art was designed by Elizabeth Newell. Learn more about her work at elizabethnewelldesign.com or on Instagram @elizabethisadesigner.

9 | Finding Creative Inspiration

Wed, 22 Jun 2022 09:00:00 +0000

In this episode of The Craft, Carter and Colby explore the topic of creative inspiration. They begin by discussing the nature of inspiration, a definition that involves both being gripped by an idea as well as baseline motivation. Their discussion moves to the problem of the creative wasteland: what can you do when the land is barren? In the face of this common creative issue, they share sources of inspiration from their own lives, including lived experiences and artistic encounters.

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Cover art was designed by Elizabeth Newell. Learn more about her work at elizabethnewelldesign.com or on Instagram @elizabethisadesigner.

8 | Artistic Patience

Wed, 08 Jun 2022 09:00:00 +0000

In this episode of The Craft, Carter and Colby discuss artistic patience. They explore the difficulty of working through moments of friction and argue that even small amounts of patience can produce significant, worthwhile results. The conversation engages this concept on multiple scales, considering the role of patience in project-related details as well as the long arch of a career. Additionally, the conversation contrasts how our paradigms about patience relate to long-term goals or, inversely, short-term hacks.

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Cover art was designed by Elizabeth Newell. Learn more about her work at elizabethnewelldesign.com or on Instagram @elizabethisadesigner.

7 | Creative Tools

Wed, 25 May 2022 09:00:00 +0000

Is the right tool irreplaceable? Or, does a good craftsman never blame his tools? In this episode of The Craft, Carter and Colby discuss the tension between these perspectives. Their conversation explores the difference between artistic tools and gadgets, emphasizing the importance of intentionality and agency. Additionally, they each provide practical examples from their own repertoire of creative tools.

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Cover art was designed by Elizabeth Newell. Learn more about her work at elizabethnewelldesign.com or on Instagram @elizabethisadesigner.

6 | Creative First-Principles: Sustain (Pt 4)

Wed, 11 May 2022 10:00:00 +0000

Whether or not you’re conscious of your creative process, you have certain ways of working on your craft. These processes come in different shapes and sizes, but beneath the idiosyncrasies, they share common denominators. In this new series, “Creative First-Principles,” Carter and Colby theorize the foundational building blocks that underlie every craft. They suggest a framework [Create, Revise, Share, Sustain] that can act as a trellis for creative discussions and questions.

In the final episode of the series, Carter and Colby discuss what it means to sustain creativity. In working toward a definition for this principle, they explore different types of sustaining, engaging both in-process practices as well as post-project recovery. Additionally, they explore the unique toll that creative work exacts.

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Cover art was designed by Elizabeth Newell. Learn more about her work at elizabethnewelldesign.com or on Instagram @elizabethisadesigner.

5 | Creative First-Principles: Share (Pt 3)

Wed, 27 Apr 2022 07:00:00 +0000

In this episode of the 4-part series, Carter and Colby discuss the third first-principle: sharing. They begin by differentiating the variety of ways that creatives share their work. They also discuss the connection between art and interpersonal relationships, considering the tensions between public and private art. The episode, however, centers on the difficulty that accompanies sharing one’s work. They connect this difficulty to the inherent vulnerability of creative work. Finally, Colby concludes the episode with several insights into the world of marketing.

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Cover art was designed by Elizabeth Newell. Learn more about her work at elizabethnewelldesign.com or on Instagram @elizabethisadesigner.

4 | Creative First-Principles: Revise (Pt 2)

Wed, 13 Apr 2022 07:00:00 +0000

Whether or not you’re conscious of your creative process, you have certain ways of working on your craft. These processes come in different shapes and sizes, but beneath the idiosyncrasies, they share common denominators. In this new series, “Creative First Principles,” Carter and Colby theorize the foundational building blocks that underlie every craft. They suggest a framework [Create, Revise, Share, Sustain] that can act as a trellis for creative discussions and questions.

In this episode of The Craft, they explore the second creative principle: revise. This discussion centers on the importance of revision within the creative process, distinguishing its mindset of critique from the mindset of creation (Pt 1). Furthermore, Carter and Colby engage the challenges of revision, especially as it relates to collaboration and freelance work.

Send feedback or topic ideas to heycraftpodcast@gmail.com.

Cover art was designed by Elizabeth Newell. Learn more about her work at elizabethnewelldesign.com or on Instagram @elizabethisadesigner.

3 | Creative First-Principles: Create (Pt 1)

Wed, 30 Mar 2022 09:00:00 +0000

Whether or not you’re conscious of your creative process, you have certain ways of working on your craft. These processes come in different shapes and sizes, but beneath the idiosyncrasies, they share common denominators. In this new series, “Creative First Principles,” Carter and Colby theorize the foundational building blocks that underlie every craft. They suggest a framework [Create, Revise, Share, Sustain] that can act as a trellis for creative discussions and questions.

In this episode of The Craft, they tackle the first creative principle: create. The discussion explores theoretical as well as practical questions about generating ideas and creating art. Additionally, Carter and Colby explore the places and times that they create within their crafts.

Send feedback or topic ideas to heycraftpodcast@gmail.com.

Cover art was designed by Elizabeth Newell. Learn more about her work at elizabethnewelldesign.com or on Instagram @elizabethisadesigner.

2 | Do Real Artists Quit Their Day Job?

Fri, 18 Mar 2022 12:00:00 +0000

The odds are, as you become more and more serious about your craft, you will ask the question: “Could I do this full time? Should I?” The line between hobbyist and professional appears clear at first glance, but to what degree is your craft defined by your paycheck? Can you be a real (scare quotes) artist and keep your day job?

In this episode, Carter and Colby discuss how the craft transcends the professional / hobbyist false binary, exploring how numerous artists have leveraged their day jobs while working on their discipline. They also discuss questions of artistic value in regard to popularity, acknowledgment, and reputation.

Send feedback or topic ideas to heycraftpodcast@gmail.com.

Cover art was designed by Elizabeth Newell. Learn more about her work at elizabethnewelldesign.com or on Instagram @elizabethisadesigner.

1 | The Power of Monotasking

Wed, 09 Feb 2022 01:58:15 +0000

Have you ever felt like you are constantly juggling different items on your to-do list? We live in a world where multi-tasking seems inescapable. The idea of monotasking, however, offers a potential solution to scattered, distracted work.

In this episode, Colby and Carter explore the benefits and difficulties of monotasking, emphasizing how batching projects can be a tenable remedy for task switching. Additionally, they discuss issues of artistic originality and imitation.

This conversation was prompted by the Art of Manliness podcast #768: “Become a Focused Monotasker”

Send feedback or topic ideas to heycraftpodcast@gmail.com.

Cover art was designed by Elizabeth Newell. Learn more about her work at elizabethnewelldesign.com or on Instagram @elizabethisadesigner.