“If you go deeper into yourself, you’ll find below the surface four or five things, other emotions, other things going on at the same time. Perhaps things from your childhood, things that are unconscious. You’re not even aware of what’s truly motivating your behavior. You’re kind of sleepwalking. You think that you do things for reason A, but actually, there’s B, C, D, E, and F below the surface. So you’re a mystery to yourself.”... read more ›
2K reads
Oct
06
Oct
04
NOTE: If you want to see some of the work/imagery referenced in this podcast, you can follow along with timestamps on the bottom of this blog post. Graphic designers are tasked with creating new and all-encompassing identities for institutions, from signage to promotional materials and even swag. But what happens after the job is done and the institution is responsible for implementing their new identity all on their own? The work of Paula Scher, a... read more ›
1.8K reads
Sep
29
At a certain point in our careers, there are no more promotions to seek. No more pay raises to demand. No more competition to be had.... At the peak of our careers, a sense of achievement can be offset by the sheer terror of falling down to the bottom again. For over thirty years, Debbie Millman established herself as a creative leader, on her own terms. Designer. Educator. Artist. Brand Consultant. Podcast Host. Her journey... read more ›
565 reads
Sep
27
"It's easier to poke holes in an idea than think of ways to fill them. And it's easier to focus on the 100 reasons you shouldn't do something rather than the one reason you should." - Wendy Kopp, Founder of Teach for All This quote resonated with me so much I figured it deserved its own episode. Good ideas are a dime a dozen. So what separates the ideas that stay on the shelf from... read more ›
919 reads
Sep
22
The ongoing pandemic is creating a time of rapid transition. It's as if we're waking up from a deep slumber, and as we do so, we're re-examining every aspect of life-- especially our livelihoods and the work we do in the world. If you're someone who's dug up the internet to find ways to rediscover your impulse, you would've infallibly come across Jonathan Fields and his work with unique imprints or Sparketypes®️. Jonathan is an... read more ›
588 reads
Sep
20
There's a common mis understanding about the phrase, "If you build it, they will come." A classic quote from Field of Dreams, but an often-deceiving belief we have as creators. Trust in the universe and belief in yourself are paramount, but do you really want to leave it up to chance? Today's episode includes three tactics for strategically getting your work seen. If you haven't already, check out CJ RAW episode, The Other 50 Pct.... read more ›
370 reads
Sep
15
Making headlines back in 2016, a video recording of Jason Wilson's student's martial arts test went viral on social media. In the video, young Bruce is overwhelmed with fear of failure. Jason teaches him to embrace his emotion and overcome the challenge. Jason is the founder and head instructor of the Cave of Adullam Transformational Training Academy (CATTA) and Yunion (pronounced union), a non-profit youth development organization in Detroit, Michigan. He has written two books... read more ›
501 reads
Sep
13
Life gets easier when you decide to play your own game. From an early age, we are taught through school that life is a game to win against our peers. Value and success are determined on a uniform scale regardless of an individual's background or strengths. This perspective teaches us that the only way to stand out is to be better at the same task that everyone else around you is doing. This episode is... read more ›
434 reads
Sep
08
You've heard it bandied about in various contexts, but what do you really think when someone talks about healthy eating for maximized performance? Do you think one needs to give up on tasty to stay healthy? Danielle Walker, the popular food blogger behind Against All Grain, tells us today that healthy food doesn't have to be rude to the taste buds — so long as you're willing to do a bit of research. Danielle has... read more ›
347 reads
Sep
06
Uncreated works of personal expression are at the top of everybody's bucket list. The thing, the business, the book, the project… how is it that the most important goals we have are commonly left unchecked when we kick the bucket? The time for excuses is up, and I believe that the ability to be self-directed and motivated is critical to a fulfilling creative career. Waiting for inspiration isn't a reliable way to create. Today I... read more ›
740 reads