I’ve been on a road trip this week recording podcasts for Movers Mindset. One thing I wanted to experiment with was trying to record “short” form podcasts for Movers Mindset while on the road. Adrienne Toumayan joined me for a recording titled, Balance.
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Why are their pleasures uneasy? Because the motives upon which they are founded are not stable and they totter with the frivolity which gave them birth. … Laboriously they attain what they desire, anxiously they hold what they have attained, and in the meanwhile irrecoverable time is not taken into consideration.
~ Seneca
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Tippet resurfaces questions many have explored before us. “What does it mean to be human? What matters in life? What matters in death? How to be of service to each other and the world?”
~ Shane Parrish from, Becoming Wise: An Inquiry Into the Art of Living
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Confirmation bias never ceases to amaze me. One minute, I’ve never noticed Tippett wrote a book. The suddenly I’m tripping over references and suggestions for it; Here’s a blog post from 2017 which I’m just reading 4 years later. And over here is a mention from another blogger. And then this podcaster. And so on.
Finding people, their work, their books, etc. feels like wandering through an ancient stand of Redwoods, (which is something I’ve actually done, just to be clear.) This stuff was here long before me, and will be here long after me. Sure, I’ve “hiked”—it’s just walking on a trail—far beyond the usual little loop which most tourists opt to explore. But way farther along, behold! Here is a bench, with a dedication. And even here people have been walking for, I dunno… 100 years now? I don’t even know exactly where this trail goes, but I can see up to the next bend, and the part I’ve already traveled has been purty durn neato. This other person exploring conversation and the human condition has, probably, already done more than I ever will. But that doesn’t take away from what I get from strolling the trail.
Because—as I hope you too have already discovered—it’s the journey that counts.
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Training prepares your body and, most important, your mind for ascent through consistent, hard, disciplined practice.
~ Mark Twight
Go simply, train smart, climb well.
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I’m not certain, but this probably will only make sense if you are a certain age, and grew up in a house with a garage. It doesn’t need to have been “dad’s garage,” nor a space dedicated to fixing things, nor even sheltered an automobile. No, it only matters that you grew up in a house with a garage.
There’s magic in having an indoor space with a concrete floor. A floor that clearly has taken a beating, and is ready for more abuse. A space with a slightly different sort of door dividing it from the soft and people-oriented rest of the house. A space where things were maybe a little less organized, but definitely were more out in plain sight. Maybe there was some sort of workbench? Maybe some tools. Maybe a lot of tools? Regardless, pretty much all the “where should we put this?” stuff wound up in the garage. Painting something? Garage. Taking something part? Not on the carpet! …in the garage. Fixing your bike? New wheels on your skate board? You get the idea. You either know what I’m talking about, or you don’t.
Did you do, whatever you did, with the garage door open, or closed? Weather permitting, throwing open that garage door was an invitation to the world—but hopefully, only the nice neighbors—to saunter up and at least watch. Turns out, that’s literally “showing your work.” A huge part of what I’m doing these days is working where I can be seen. There’s collateral recognition of course, but mostly it’s just scratching an itch to toss things on a workbench and throw open the ‘ol garage door.
If you know what I’m talking about, you can even hear that door opening.
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Books? How, or to what end? For is not reading a kind of preparation for living, but living itself made up of things other than books? It is as if an athlete, when he enters the stadium, should break down and weep because he is not exercising outside. This is what you were exercising for; this is what the jumping-weights, and the sand, and your young partners were all for. So are you now seeking for these, when it is the time for action?
~ Epictetus
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To create anything of beauty, daring, and substance that makes the world see itself afresh — be it a revolutionary law of planetary motion or the Starry Night — is the work of lonely persistence against the tides of convention and conformity, often at the cost of the visionary’s aching ostracism from the status quo they are challenging with their vision.
~ Maria Popova from, Coltrane on Creativity, Perseverance Against Rejection, and How Hardship Fuels Art – The Marginalian
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To be clear, I don’t feel I’m out to make the world see itself afresh. I am out to create better conversations to spread understanding and compassion. And while I understand, now having read a bit more about John Coltrane, how a certain type of genius might need a certain type of loneliness to do their work. That’s not me and my work.
I’m finding that I’m thriving on podcasting. It is a stupid amount of work; Yes, I’ve chosen to set things up, and to set challenges and goals, to create that amount of work. It’s even physically challenging, for example, I’m on a road-trip this week with multiple +4-hour driving days. But I know what I’m in for, and I know what’s going to happen once I press record. Magic. Obviously, a big part of that comes from me, but a critical part of it comes from the other people. I’ve always heard talk of how “creative types” can get lonely. I’ve come around to accepting the label of “creative type.” I recharge in alone time. But I think I thrive when creating in concert with others.
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How can podcasting, particularly reflective solo episodes, enable personal growth, storytelling, and audience connection?
Reflecting on one year of podcasting reveals unexpected lessons about authenticity and audience connection.
Some ideas that might be cliché—which is another fear of mine, but nevertheless, it was what I learned—that we are all more similar than different. And it’s worth saying that, because a lot of these parents struggle with being sort of put in a category other than what’s considered normal. And what I realized is, first of all, normal is overrated and that there is no such thing as normal.
~ Carole Blueweiss (13:10)
This conversation explores the challenges and growth associated with podcasting, particularly solo episodes and reflective storytelling. Topics include finding an authentic voice, balancing preparation with spontaneity, and the iterative process of creating meaningful episodes. Carole reflects on how removing notes and speaking freely deepened their authenticity, transforming their approach to podcasting.
Additionally, the conversation dips into universal themes uncovered through interviews with parents of children with special needs. These parents’ stories highlight societal constructs like normalcy and disability, emphasizing shared human experiences. The discussion expands to broader societal issues, such as inclusion and accessibility, while expressing hope for creating empathy and understanding through storytelling.
Takeaways
Finding authenticity in podcasting — Removing notes and embracing spontaneity can enhance genuine connection.
The universality of human experiences — Stories from parents of children with special needs reveal shared themes of resilience and humanity.
Challenging societal norms — Concepts like normalcy and disability are critically examined, emphasizing diversity and inclusion.
The transformative power of podcasting — Hosting a podcast changes the creator through unexpected personal growth.
Expanding narratives — Reflective episodes allow creators to explore their own insights, connecting their voice to their audience in new ways.
Resources
Seth Godin’s Podcast Workshop — A course taken to refine podcasting skills and start storytelling with families.
Wisdom Shared Podcast — A podcast featuring stories of parents of children with special needs.
(Written with help from Chat-GPT.)
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The ideal agent’s frame of reference is thus her whole life, represented as accurately as a human being can remember its history and imagine its future, and lived as intelligently as a human being can exploit its possibilities.
~ Lawrence Becker
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Remember that it is not oly a desire for riches and power that makes you abject and subservient to others, but also a desire for quiet and leisure, and travel and learning. For the value you place on an external object, whatever it may be, makes you subservient to another.
~ Epictetus
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Anicet Desrochers slips the small, crowbar-like tool underneath the lid of the beehive and cracks the propolis seal, a glue that bees make from resin. He puffs a smoker over the box as he pulls and examines the honeycomb frames with bare hands. The smoke, he says, disrupts the bees’ alarm pheromones, making them groggy, while also causing them to gorge on honey and nectar, a possible response to believing there is a fire. When they’re full, they’re less likely to sting.
~ Shaun Pett from, How a Canadian Beekeeper Breeds New Queens – Gastro Obscura
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Let me think about that… NO. But it’s a great article that explains the bee keepers’ extreme efforts to breed the Queens. Fascinating stuff.
…but I’m not putting my bare hands in no bee hives.
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How does persistence shape the creative and personal processes involved in podcasting?
Audio’s timeless richness offers a counterpoint to the overwhelming world of visual media.
Every time I finish an episode I step right back into my little recording booth and think, ‘What’s next?’ It sort of builds that cycle back up again. So that’s been a really positive experience.
~ Bruce Devereux (2:18)
The conversation explores the role of persistence in podcasting, reflecting on its significance in sustaining creative momentum and overcoming challenges. The discussion highlights the iterative process of producing episodes, where the cycle of finishing one and immediately conceptualizing the next becomes an energizing force. Persistence is seen not only as a key to podcasting success but also as a framework for managing the broader challenges of creative work.
Additionally, the conversation goes into the distinction between audio and visual storytelling, emphasizing audio’s unique ability to engage listeners in an immersive, focused experience. Bruce contrasts the richness of audio with the ubiquity of visual content, advocating for simplicity in both podcast production and lifestyle. Themes of managing creative thoughts, balancing personal input with guest presence, and crafting meaningful soundscapes also emerge, painting a holistic picture of the podcasting journey.
Takeaways
Persistence as a foundation — Sustains creative momentum and fuels the iterative cycle of podcast production.
Audio’s unique appeal — Offers a deeply immersive experience compared to the saturation of visual media.
Balancing personal and guest input — Reflects the challenge of deciding how much of oneself to include in creative work.
Creative simplicity — Minimalist approaches enhance focus and manage mental overload during the process.
Nature as a refuge — Provides a means to reset and manage the mental demands of production.
Crafting sound environments — Focuses on creating immersive and engaging audio spaces for listeners.
Resources
HowSound Podcast — A show exploring the craft of audio storytelling and production.
Transom.org — A resource hub for audio producers and storytellers.
Audio Playground — A creative audio prompt-based project for honing production skills.
Hindenburg — Audio editing software mentioned as a tool for podcast production.
David Attenborough’s work — Recognized for its inspiring narrative style and immersive production quality.
(Written with help from Chat-GPT.)
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The teachings of your instructor constitute only a small fraction of what you will learn. Your master of each movement will depend almost completely on individual, earnest practice.
~ Morihei Ueshiba
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In the past, I’ve enjoyed posting these sort of photo essays. (For example, there are several of them from a 2014 adventure in Colorado.) The hard part, of course, is getting somewhere and taking the photos.
Back in August, we spent a half-day at the Corning Museum of Glass, in Corning, New York. (Yes, the Corning, New York, of Corning Ware repute.) It turns out that Corning is quite the hot spot—sorry, couldn’t resist—for glass work in general. To wit:
If you’re going to make a gallery for displaying glass, this is the way to do it. More glass than not in the ceiling with hung-vertically dividers; The entire space is flooded with natural light, but you don’t see the light’s source, unless you look straight up. The ceiling is flat; the space is not rectangular.
Note the three “trees” at the far end of the room. They are not what they appear to be.
In another space, just around the corner…
Murano, as in the islands in Venice, Italy. In the top-right of that Carrion’s photo, you can see this piece…
And this sphere, for which I neglected to snap the description. It’s composed of folded ribbons of glass, and it’s appearance is the same whatever direction you look at it. There’s a bright, omni-directional light inside. The glass wall behind the piece extends the entire height of the building, not just the floor of this gallery. There’s an applique that is about half-round holes, half opaque white—so the outside world is visible curiously obscured as if by fog.
Hey, I’m pretty good at this photo essay stuff! Not. The trick it to have spectacular things to photograph. Like this iconic piece by Dale Chihuly. It’s “simply” hundreds of similarly blow glass pieces which are individually, (each has a hole in the interior end,) slid onto the countless small pins sticking out of the central armature.
In another gallery, there were countless, large cases with displays like this, where I kept going, “wat? holy crap!” (I’d make a great, R-rated, museum tour guide.)
Really. Holy crap!
Finally, I’ll leave you with this piece. (I have photos of many more, and there were thousands of things I gaped at and didn’t photograph.) This was very difficult to capture in photographs. There are two, four-legged figures inside this case. They have legs made from square-sided bottles. The two figures are similar, but not identical, and are posed marching, one after the other. I’ve taken a photo from before them, looking past them on one side and the other. The case is a size that you could put your hands on either end and is in a darkened area in the museum. There are only two figures in the case— everything else is repeated, internal reflections…
In summary: WOW.
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Choose, then, which you prefer, to be loved as you used to be by those who loved you formerly by remaining like your former self, or to be better and not meet with that same affection. For if this latter course is preferable, direct yourself at once to that, and do not let the other considerations draw you away from it; for no one can make progress while facing two ways.
~ Epictetus
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It seems likely that Jack Sparrow’s admonishment about attitude is an echo of Aurelius’s reminder to himself two thousand years earlier. This idea that the attitude and assessment is most important has really helped me relax. Things will never be done, and I create all of my problems. I’ve come to understand that concrete goals and clear progress are detrimental to my health. They’re necessary, yes, but detrimental. The more goals I set, the more clear progress I can measure, the worse off I become; Mentally and physically those things grind me down.
Since they’re necessary—without them, it seems I’d simply devolve to being a blob on a sofa—I must have something in my life which counters the damage so that I can continue setting some sane number of goals and measuring some concrete progress. One of those things is practicing my attitude and assessment. I set aside time for this each morning. It’s not meant to take long. 15 minutes is really long enough. I read through a prompt from a set that I’ve created for myself. I read through a selection from some key books. I write in my journal, usually copying a single new quote from my collection as the beginning of the journal entry. I write some thoughts. I write some observations from the previous day.
Unfortunately, just about every morning, my urge—affliction? addiction?—to measure and create goals creeps into my morning reflection. Why am I taking all this time? (I’m up to something like 4,000 hand-written pages of journals!) Am I getting benefit from all this reflection? What’s the optimum “dosage” of reflection which yields the most benefit? How do I even measure the benefit? Is that page—that one I just wrote, an instant before these questions pop into my mind—worth writing? If I read that page in a year, will it in any way help me? Is the entry for today long enough? Should it have more “here’s what I did yesterday,” type stuff, or less? Maybe I should be also making a small note on my mood, or how I feel physically? Maybe I should… Oh, crap.
Close the journal, and go on with today!
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What motivates someone to transition to farming and podcasting, and how do these pursuits interconnect with larger societal and environmental issues?
Discover how personal passion for storytelling evolves into impactful podcasting about regenerative farming.
We sort of got to this point in our careers and we just looked at each other and went, ‘Oh, this is not fulfilling.’
~ Kate Field (7:50)
The discussion explores a transition from urban life and academic careers to a rural farming lifestyle, driven by dissatisfaction with consumer culture and a desire for meaningful, fulfilling work. Kate describes the initial challenges of establishing a farm, including the hard labor and the steep learning curve. She shares how cheesemaking became a practical entry point into farming and an opportunity to align their values with their lifestyle.
The conversation touches on broader themes such as the importance of sustainable farming practices, the environmental impact of agriculture, and the misconceptions surrounding food production. Kate emphasizes the role of agriculture in addressing climate change and how their podcast helps amplify this message. She also discusses the social transformation that comes with rural living, highlighting the strength of local community bonds and how these relationships differ from those in urban settings.
Takeaways
The significance of curiosity and connection — Podcasting is a way to explore ideas and engage with others in meaningful conversations.
The true cost of food — Many people misunderstand how much effort, resources, and environmental considerations go into producing food.
Climate change and agriculture — Sustainable farming has a crucial role in mitigating climate change, contrary to some narratives blaming agriculture.
Rural versus urban social dynamics — Moving to a rural area fosters stronger community bonds compared to urban living.
Challenges of farming — Starting and maintaining a farm requires immense labor, infrastructure investment, and long-term perseverance.
Value of storytelling — Sharing personal experiences through podcasting helps bridge the gap between producers and consumers.
Resources
Farming for the Future Podcast — The speaker’s podcast focusing on sustainable and regenerative farming.
Australian Government Climate Change Information — Provides insights into agricultural impacts on climate change.
Cheesemaking Courses in Tasmania — Resource for learning about artisan cheesemaking.
(Written with help from Chat-GPT.)
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What role does podcasting play in fostering creativity, community, and economic development?
Podcasting emerges as a bridge between personal creativity and broader economic impact.
My business website is art hero dot biz and if you show up there the very first thing it says is making business fun is a rebellious act.
~ Johanna Patrice Hagarty (14:49)
The conversation centers on the intersection of podcasting, creativity, and community building. It highlights podcasting as a platform for storytelling and thought leadership, enabling meaningful conversations and fostering economic development in creative industries. Johanna discusses the value of using podcasting to share diverse stories, especially those of artists and art professionals, and emphasizes the importance of collaboration in sustaining creative projects.
Another key topic is the practicality of podcasting. Tools and strategies, such as batching episodes and leveraging support from teams, are shared to streamline the process. Johanna explains how her work integrates podcasting with broader goals in creative business coaching and economic development, aiming to make business fun and accessible while building community and creating impact.
Takeaways
The significance of thought leadership — Podcasting as a way to lead conversations and drive change in communities and industries.
The diversity of creative voices — Artists, writers, musicians, and professionals share unique perspectives through podcast platforms.
Practical strategies for podcasting — Tips like batching episodes and exploring supportive tools to maintain consistency.
The integration of audio and creativity — How audio formats open up new opportunities for different types of creators.
Collaboration in creative endeavors — Building a supportive network is essential for sustaining long-term projects.
The authenticity of audio platforms — Apps like Clubhouse facilitate genuine, informal interactions.
Economic development through creativity — Leveraging creative projects like podcasts to drive business growth and innovation.
Resources
Art Hero — A business website focusing on making business fun and accessible for artists.
The Joanna Patrice Haggerty Show — A podcast hosted on Biz Radio Asheville focusing on creative professionals.
Clubhouse — An audio-only social platform fostering authentic conversations.
(Written with help from Chat-GPT.)
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The aim of an argument, or of a discussion, should not be victory but progress.
~ Karl Popper
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And who can never be hindered? The man who sets his desire on nothing that is not his own. And what are those things that are not our own? Those that are not in our power, either to have or not to have, or to have them of a particular nature, or under specific conditions. Our body, therefore, is not our own, its parts are not our own, and our property is not our own. So if you become attached to any of these as your own, you will be punished, as he deserves to be who sets his desire on what is not his own.
~ Epictetus
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