I’m a major process-person. Process is discipline. For me, inspiration always runs out. But process enables me to put one dumb foot in front of the other— and then course correct as I go. Pre-flight checklist here minutes before a guest joins me for a recording.
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What is the value of embracing transitional or “in-between” spaces in life and creativity, and how can these moments shape personal growth and future endeavors?
Explore the journey of creative transformation and the profound shifts that come from embracing the spaces between, as Alasdair Plambeck navigates the end of a significant chapter to discover what lies beyond the familiar boundaries of identity and purpose.
I knew there was a general sense. It’s like, “I’m meant for something more than this,” and I think a lot of people feel that when they’re in what I would call the over-culture. I was very much steeped in— trained for— prepared for— programmed by, all that kind of thing. I work with a lot of people who are maybe in that, but transitioning out, or wanting to transition out, or just maybe feeling that.
~ Alasdair Plambeck, 26:35
Alasdair Plambeck joins Craig Constantine to discuss the nuanced journey of personal and creative transformation. Alasdair shares his thoughtful approach to scheduling, aiming for times that harness his creative energy most effectively. His decisions reflect a deeper stance on being attuned to one’s energy levels and the optimal conditions for creativity and meaningful engagement.
The conversation extends into Alasdair’s personal story, illuminating his shift from feeling confined within the “over-culture” to embarking on a path that resonates with his true self. This transition is sparked by a profound moment of realization while working as a general manager, where success and societal expectations no longer aligned with his well-being and aspirations.
The dialogue also ventures into the realm of podcasting itself, exploring the evolution of Alasdair’s own podcasting journey and the decision to conclude his show after a significant run. This choice underlines a theme of knowing when to let go, to make space for new beginnings and growth. Alasdair reflects on how the podcast served as a medium for connection, self-discovery, and the cultivation of a deeper relationship with his wife through shared creative endeavors and discussions.
Further, Alasdair and Craig touch on the concept of the “in-between” spaces in life — those transformative periods where one is neither here nor there but in a state of becoming. Alasdair views these phases not as voids but as fertile ground for introspection, learning, and eventual emergence into new stages of life and identity. Through these varied topics, the conversation paints a vivid picture of the ongoing journey of self-exploration, the power of mindful changes, and the courage to pursue a life aligned with one’s authentic self.
Takeaways
Mindful scheduling — Reflecting on the importance of choosing the right time for creative endeavors to optimize energy and output.
The journey of transformation — Discussing the pivotal moment of leaving a conventional career path to embark on a more authentic, fulfilling life journey.
The power of letting go — Exploring the decision to end a long-term project and the introspective space it creates for new beginnings and growth.
Podcasting as a medium for connection — Highlighting how podcasting can forge deep relationships and serve as a platform for meaningful conversations.
The significance of the “in-between” — Delving into the transformative potential of life’s transitional phases and the opportunities they present for self-discovery and change.
Creative energy and its optimization — Emphasizing the need to understand and harness one’s creative energy for productive and fulfilling work.
Navigating life’s transitions — The importance of being present in moments of change and the role of pain as a catalyst for growth and self-realization.
Societal expectations versus personal fulfillment — Reflecting on the conflict between societal norms and the pursuit of a life that truly resonates with one’s inner self.
The role of podcasts in exploring complex ideas — Appreciating the unique ability of podcasts to facilitate deep dives into nuanced topics, fostering understanding and exploration.
Resources
The Wild Within — Committed to creating and holding retreats & programs both in person and online to support humans in realizing their potential and rekindle our collective ability to dream up the unfolding and evolution of how we live.
Foundations of Wild Leadership — Information is available by joining Wild Within‘s email list. You can also email info@theWildWithin.org directly or find @thewild_within on Instagram.
Far Out — Alasdair’s and his wife’s multi-year, multi-hundred episode podcast Far Out on Apple Podcasts or Far Out on Spotify.
Alasdair Plambeck — on LinkedIn
(Written with help from Chat-GPT.)
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To concentrate your mind on something is not the true purpose of zen. The true purpose is to see things as they are, to observe things as they are, and to let everything go as it goes.
~ Shunryu Suzuki
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Currently in my personal knowledge system I have notes on ~400 audio recordings. (Raw recordings I’ve done, podcasts of my own I’ve published, other shows I’ve been on, etc.) That can be my episode notes and writing, but also program-readable meta information. Today, I spent time writing some new tooling to help me sort out transcripts (which recordings have them, which have been sent out, etc.)
Have you ever tried to read Gray’s Anatomy? I tried to read a modern printing of a 1901 edition that was given to me. It’s 1,200+ pages in a perfect-bound book! That might have been 30 years ago and I’m not sure if anything from that adventure stuck… and yet, I bet a huge amount of knowledge has stuck. I recall it was an endless succession of interesting rabbit holes.
Nasal congestion, I’ve learned in all this, is far weirder than I ever thought. For starters, the nose is actually two noses, which work in an alternating cycle that is somehow connected to our armpits.
~ Sarah Zhang from, Everything I Thought I Knew About Nasal Congestion Is Wrong
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I’m struggling to resist the urge to see what Gray’s has to say about the nose. I do know that even the most fleeting search of the ‘ol Internet turns up a huge amount of material around this topic. I will also say that I’ve long known that lying on one’s side tends to open the opposing nostril’s nasal whatsit-stuff. Which I know only because I have a long history of sinus and allergy problems and have necessarily tried to sleep with a plugged schnozz, leading to creativity and experimentation.
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I describe my weekly email, 7 for Sunday, as “Hand-rolled and algorithm-free.” I’m using some custom code in WordPress to assemble separate posts into a single “thing” which then goes out via email. It’s definitely a lot of “hand-rolling”. A lot of hand writing my notes and mind-maps for each post, typing the posts, the quotes, ordering and organizing everything, handling links and images and… zoinks, it’s a lot. I love it.
Reading time: About 6 minutes, 1200 words
Get 7 for Sunday in your inbox. → Subscribe here.
This issue is https://7forsunday.com/76
“The obstacle is the way” is not a phrase from Art du DĂ©placement. It’s a two-thousand-year-old comment from a Stoic (writing in a personal journal to himself.) In a similar vein, he also wrote that, “nature turns all things to its own purpose.” Likewise the more modern “Rust never sleeps,” is equally pithy.
The real lesson is of course that there’s a season for everything. Sometimes more challenge is the key to progress, and sometimes simply being is the key. (Which is also something thoroughly covered in the Stoic philosophy. And please: Stoicism is not at all about suppressing one’s feelings.) I think I learned that seasons lesson early on from bicycling. I’m from Pennsylvania, from an area of rolling, often wooded, hills. Every bike ride ever was an endless repetition of “down a hill, ’round a corner, up a hill, round a corner, down a hill, …” In a very real sense, all parts of that were equally fun.
In a comfortable, prosperous country like ours, some of the built in tendencies of Human nature tend to work against us, saying, “Hey – I’ve noticed we have plenty of food and reasonable shelter and that’s good enough. So let’s just double down on the Netflix, comfort foods, and occasional luxury purchases and that will keep us safe.” Instead, I want you to set your life treadmill to just a bit of a steeper, healthier incline setting.
~ Peter Adeney from, The Arizona Experiment!
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I’d like to mention that “Culdesac” in that linked URL is a town’s name; You can go read that article either for the life advice, or to learn about one of several towns in the U.S. now which are being built as people-first. (As opposed to basically every other town and city which is built as cars-first.)
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Taking a fresh look at Austin Kleon’s Show Your Work. Book is smashed open to a quote from Russell Brand—with a notecard where I’m about to add this quote to my collection. I’m a bit of an audio nerd—I don’t stream from services, rather stream from the countless CDs that I keep in the ‘ol digital library. I like to start from a movie soundtrack, and then spread out into all the artists. Rubik’s cube, glass of water. Pink postit reminds me: “There are no miracles, there is only discipline“
The opposite of a true statement is a false statement. But the opposite of a profound truth may be another profound truth.
~ Niels Bohr
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