Obsession with Andrew Obenreder →

Published September 1, 2021  ·  All posts on Sep 1  ·  

Obsession with Andrew Obenreder

How does an obsession with movement shape personal practices and creative expression?

Exploring movement extends beyond physicality into music, art, and mindfulness.

I try to listen to whatever my heart tells me to be doing.

~ Andrew Obenreder (5:37)

The conversation explores Andrew’s lifelong obsession with movement and its far-reaching impact on personal and creative practices. Movement, in this context, is not just about physicality but also integrates art forms such as music, painting, and tattooing. Andrew describes movement as an intrinsic part of their life, dating back to childhood, where their passion extended even to the mechanical elegance of trains. He also reflects on how balance is a recurring theme—balancing creative urges, physical demands, and mental well-being.

Stress and mindfulness emerge as critical themes. Andrew challenges traditional notions of stress, suggesting it can be constructive in pushing boundaries. He also emphasize the importance of being present and prioritizing genuine desires over societal or internal pressures to perform. This perspective encourages letting go of “should” and replacing it with intentional actions aligned with personal motivations.

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Training →

Published September 1, 2021  ·  All posts on Sep 1  ·  ,

For who is the man under training? The man who practices not exercising his desire, and directing this aversion only to things that lie within the sphere of choice, and who practices the hardest in the things most difficult to achieve. So different people will have to practice harder in different respects.

~ Epictetus

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Tops →

Published September 1, 2021  ·  All posts on Sep 1

Those of us who visit wild places the way others visit churches and concert halls visit because we return transfigured, recomposed, exalted and humbled at the same time, enlarged and dissolved in something larger at the same time. We visit because there we undergo some essential self-composition in the poetry of existence, though its essence rarely lends itself to words.

~ Maria Popova from, Thoreau on Nature and Human Nature, the Tonic of Wildness, and the Value of the Unexplored – The Marginalian

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I’d never thought of it that way. But, maybe it is just that. There’s a definite feeling of dissolution I occasionally experience out climbing. I have been far off the trail, and perhaps the feeling is more common farther off the trail. But I’ve also experienced it standing in a parking lot, say, next to Niagara Falls. It’s a feeling of deep stillness. A feeling that all is right as rain. All of our recorded history is less than a blink in geological time scale… so there’s certainly plenty of time, at my scale, to pause right here—wherever that is, be it a mountain or desk top.

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Death does not frighten me →

Published August 31, 2021  ·  All posts on Aug 31  ·  

When evening has come, I return to my house and go into my study. At the door I take off my clothes of the day, covered with mud and mire, and I put on my regal and courtly garments; and decently reclothed, I enter the ancient courts of ancient men, where, received by them lovingly, I feed on the food that alone is mine and that I was born for. There I am not ashamed to speak with them and to ask them the reasons for their actions; and they in their humanity reply to me. And for the space of four hours I feel no boredom, I forget every pain, I do not fear poverty, death does not frighten me. I deliver myself entirely to them.

~ Niccolò Machiavelli

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Easy! →

Published August 31, 2021  ·  All posts on Aug 31

Informed Simplicity is an enlightened view of reality. It is founded on ability to discern or create clarifying patterns with complex mixtures. Pattern recognition is a crucial skill for an architect, who must create a highly ordered building amid many competing and frequently nebulous design considerations.

~ Matthew Frederick from, Architect Matthew Frederick on the Three Levels of Knowing

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As you’ve no doubt discovered, getting to the level of informed simpicity is difficult. It requires deep understanding of a field, and that requires significant time investment. In my opinion, a hallmarks of subject mastery is demonstrating a level of understanding that reaches informed simplicity.

If I think something is simple, either I’m a beginner or the subject isn’t complex enough to be a mastery practice. If I think something is complex, then I know I’m a beginner. And if when asked about the subject, I find myself looking up a little with my eyes, while making that lopsided, slight smile… suddenly lost in thought? Then I know things are getting easy.

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Authentic with Paul Jones →

Published August 30, 2021  ·  All posts on Aug 30

What deeper truths about human connection and self-discovery emerge from the pursuit of podcasting and other creative endeavors?

A journey through creative pursuits uncovers profound lessons about authenticity and overcoming self-doubt.

So we’ve got hands that we have to hold things in. But they have to be held lightly, because it’s about the connections that you and I make— that something is going to happen through the fact that you and I had this conversation today.

~ Paul Jones (19:06)

This conversation explores how podcasting serves as a means of personal and communal growth rather than just a technical or creative pursuit. Discussions touch on the inspiration drawn from others’ work, such as the significance of Seth Godin’s podcast episode, “It’s Not About the Chocolate,” and how it encapsulates using a passion as a vehicle to address broader, meaningful goals. Paul reflects on his journey with podcasting, revealing struggles with imposter syndrome, boundaries, and a lifelong pursuit of creative expression. He describes his experience of overcoming fears and how engaging in this medium has allowed him to uncover more about themselves.

The dialogue also highlights themes of human connection and the transformational power of shared experiences. Paul discusses the importance of resilience and authenticity, particularly in the context of navigating societal pressures and personal challenges. Reflections on art, self-improvement, and the value of community emerge as central topics, with emphasis on the balance between technical aspects of creative work and the deeper connections they foster.

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Creativity with Dave Swillum →

Published August 30, 2021  ·  All posts on Aug 30

How does podcasting empower individuals to express creativity, overcome barriers, and connect meaningfully with an audience?

Building immersive creative spaces can transform how artists and entrepreneurs thrive in their fields.

Sometimes it’s one singular person who will send me a message saying, ‘You got me to do it,’ and I’ll keep doing this because that one person matters.

~ Dave Swillum (21:49)

The conversation explores how podcasting democratizes creativity by removing barriers to entry, allowing anyone with a message to share their thoughts with the world. This accessibility has made podcasting a unique platform for authentic communication. There is also discussion about how podcasting compares to other creative mediums, with a focus on its audio format’s emotional resonance. The dialogue emphasizes the power of podcasts to amplify individual voices and foster real connections, especially in an era of technological ubiquity.

A significant portion of the conversation centers around building spaces conducive to creativity. Dave describes his work renovating a historic farm into a studio and living space designed for artists and entrepreneurs to immerse themselves in their work. This concept reflects a broader belief in the importance of reducing distractions to cultivate focus and innovation. Other topics include overcoming imposter syndrome, finding inspiration through collaboration, and maintaining momentum in creative endeavors. Dave shares practical strategies for overcoming creative ruts, emphasizing the value of persistence and connection.

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Execution with Angie Flynn-McIver →

Published August 30, 2021  ·  All posts on Aug 30

What strategies can be used to overcome barriers to starting creative projects, particularly in podcasting and writing?

The conversation highlights how simplifying processes can make creative projects more achievable.

Just do the things. Stop talking about doing the things. Stop making lists about doing the things. Stop taking courses about doing the thing, and do the thing.

~ Angie Flynn-McIver (4:25)

The conversation examines the challenges of beginning and sustaining creative projects, such as podcasting and writing. One significant obstacle discussed is the tendency to overthink and complicate processes, which often leads to procrastination. There is an emphasis on embracing imperfect action by focusing on the essence of creating and publishing rather than getting caught up in technicalities or external validation.

Collaboration emerges as a crucial theme, drawing parallels to theater’s reliance on teamwork. The discussion highlights the benefits of seeking help and leveraging others’ expertise to overcome creative roadblocks. The importance of authentic, in-depth conversations as a tool for growth is also underscored, alongside reflections on how intentional dialogue can bridge differences and foster mutual understanding.

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Family with Steve Mululu →

Published August 30, 2021  ·  All posts on Aug 30

What role does storytelling and legacy preservation play in fostering family and cultural connections?

Cultural heritage is explored through the lens of podcasting as a modern storytelling tool.

The first time I listened to a podcast, it took me back to my very early childhood years because it reminded me how much my own father, how much my own grandfather, how much stories, how much history, they passed to us after every meal in the evening. It was traditional for us to sit down with our elders, for them to tell us about their upbringing, about our culture, about what kinds of foods to eat, how to relate with your brothers, how to relate to your sisters, what kind of future is expected of you as a man— all those things.

~ Steve Mululu (1:23)

The conversation explores how storytelling plays a central role in preserving cultural and familial legacies. Steve reflects on childhood memories of elders sharing wisdom and history after meals, emphasizing the importance of capturing these stories before they are lost. Podcasting emerges as a modern extension of this tradition, allowing such narratives to be recorded and shared across generations.

Other topics include family dynamics and the challenges of maintaining unity in a large family. Steve describes how the lessons and authority of parents can act as a binding force, providing a shared foundation amidst disagreements. This contrasts with the experiences of small families, which may lack this communal grounding. The conversation also touches on values like sacrifice and the transition from individualism to communal responsibility, highlighting cultural differences in these principles.

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The line is drawn →

Published August 30, 2021  ·  All posts on Aug 30  ·  , ,

The line it is drawn, the curse it is cast
The slow one now, will later be fast
As the present now, will later be past
The order is rapidly fadin’
And the first one now, will later be last
For the times they are a-changin’

~ Bob Dylan

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