The Craft: Exploring the Creative Process

[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.

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.  ----Chapters: 0:00 Introduction 2:22 Theory of Creativity 9:48 Theoretical layers 14:08 Marketing example21:32 More trees and metaphors 28:40 Intermediary tiers36:26 Conclusion ----Support The Craft:Subscribe to Dwelling - https://carterdavisjohnson.substack.comSend feedback or ideas - heycraftpodcast@gmail.com----Cover art by Elizabeth Newell. Learn more about her work at elizabethnewell.work or on Instagram @elizabethisadesigner.

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. ----Chapters: 0:00 Introduction 2:55 Steinbeck bio4:11 Crisis and reinvention 14:28 Takeaways ----Support The Craft:Subscribe to Dwelling - https://carterdavisjohnson.substack.comSend feedback or ideas - heycraftpodcast@gmail.com----Cover art by Elizabeth Newell. Learn more about her work at elizabethnewell.work or on Instagram @elizabethisadesigner.

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.----Chapters:0:00 Introduction 2:15 Lead and lag metrics11:38 Evaluating growth 23:19 Refinement or reinvention31:11 Tracking growth 33:27 Comparing work38:38 Conclusion ----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.

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. ----Chapters:0:00 Introduction1:59 Protocol 1: Separate creation and revision2:28 Protocol 2: Accept the iterative process6:24 Protocol 3: What is the work actually doing?9:20 Protocol 4: Find root problems11:40 Protocol 5: Movement13:29 Protocol 6: The Car Test16:22 Protocol 7: Transitions20:44 Protocol 8: Necessity27:01 Protocol 9: References29:35 Protocol 10: Work Destructively33:32 Protocol 11: Collaborate39:35 Conclusion ---Support The Craft:Subscribe to Dwelling (Weekly writing from Carter)Send feedback or ideas to heycraftpodcast@gmail.comCover art by Elizabeth Newell. Learn more about her work at elizabethnewell.work or on Instagram @elizabethisadesigner.

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. ----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----Support The Craft:Subscribe to Dwelling (Weekly writing from Carter)Send feedback or ideas to heycraftpodcast@gmail.comCover art by Elizabeth Newell. Learn more about her work at elizabethnewell.work or on Instagram @elizabethisadesigner.

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. ----Chapters:0:00 Introduction and creative exigence 6:10 Should novelty be our goal? 12:22 Alternative ways to individualize15:40 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 ----Links:The 22 Immutable Laws of MarketingCategory PiratesDada and the Pre-Raphaelites (Carter's Substack)----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.

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.----Chapters:0:00 Introduction 3:42 Setting parameters for daily work 12:07 Just typing16:29 Identifying themes 21:24 Trusting your voice 26:19 Stepping away30:06 Leaving a little in the tank 32:22 Conclusion----Links:Steven PressfieldGreg Mckeown, EffortlessPaul Jarvis, Company of OneCal Newport ----Support The Craft:Subscribe to Dwelling (Weekly writing from Carter)Send feedback or ideas to heycraftpodcast@gmail.comCover art by Elizabeth Newell. Learn more about her work at elizabethnewell.work or on Instagram @elizabethisadesigner.

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. ----Chapters:0:00 Introduction 2:05 #1 Live a life7:13 #2 Cut ruthlessly 18:08 #3 Spend it now29:23 #4 Return to the concrete 36:38 #5 Write as if you were dying 38:22 #6 Embrace the idiosyncratic 42:18 Conclusion ----Links:“Write as if you were dying.” Read Annie Dillard’s greatest writing adviceWhy an English Degree? (Dwelling)Annie Dillard’s Books----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.

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. -----Chapters: 0:00 Introduction2:03 Pressfield and showing up5:32 What now?10:09 Types of creative roadblocks 12:29 Identity 17:37 Shoutout: Negative Space 20:23 Projects27:49 Skills34:42 Conclusion 35:05 Bonus: Freewrite Reaction ----Links:Steven Pressfield’s booksNegative Space #007: Falling back in love with PhotographyFreewrite: Distraction-free writing toolsMythic.computer----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.

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-----Chapters:0:00 Introduction 4:33 Cardboard boxes and creativity 7:39 The artistic edge10:03 Reinvention and renewal 18:50 Point of view  31:58 Categories and juxtaposition 34:42 Routine and telos37:30 Conclusion-----Links:Listen to the full interview with Warwick SaintColgate LasagnaLearn more about Saint's work-----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.

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.  -----Chapters: 0:00 Trailer0:38 Introduction 4:23 Saint’s new chapter10:16 Comparing mediums15:33 Painting as tactile presence 18:47 Layers and creative process 23:40 Capturing emotion 27:45 Revision process33:06 Routine and embodied creativity 41:46 Approaching a career in art47:10 Navigating commissioned work52:16 Creative fatigue and bravery 1:00:22 Recent inspiration and receptivity 1:05:37 Conclusion -----Links:See Saint's work at WarwickSaint.comFollow Saint on Instagram @warwicksaint-----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.

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. -----Chapters:0:00 Introduction2:04 Overview3:33 Individual and Society7:20 Being "alone"11:59 Art and the Big Questions15:12 Artist's Journey20:13 The Artist and Society21:46 Takeaways-----Links:Read The Creative Process by James BaldwinListen to 16 | The Artist's Journey and the Hero's JourneyRead The Artist's Journey by Steven Pressfield-----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.

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. -----Chapters:0:00 Introduction1:43 The Dip overview10:59 Being in the Dip14:00 LNO schema 19:18 Hierarchy of values 27:58 Key metrics and questions 32:20 Case study: Songmaps 34:55 Conclusion -----Links:Read The Dip by Seth GodinLNO Framework-----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.

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.-----Chapters:0:00 Introduction (Aesthetics, Utility, and Identity)8:32 LAMY Safari Fountain Pen12:35 Blackwing Sharpener19:00 Scrivener27:00 Colby’s Big 4 28:25 Proton 35:22 Arc and Simplicity 42:13 Taste and Expertise -----Links:The LAMY Safari fountain penBlackwing One-Step Long Point SharpenerScrivenerProtonNotionArcCopilot.moneyThe first 20 hours | TEDx by Josh Kaufman-----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.

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. -----Chapters:0:00 Introduction 3:13 Interview begins 4:50 Background as an artist8:40 Development as a singer10:42 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-----Links:Listen to Will's EP Freedom (released on August 18, 2023)Listen and follow Will on SpotifyListen and follow Will on Apple MusicFollow Will on Instagram @_will_mason-----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.

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. -----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 place13:47 2nd principle: Prioritize the product23:40 Metrics for growth 27:30 Growing in good faith 33:00 The vulnerability of growth37:13 Marketing models for growth-----Links:The Personal MBA by Josh KaufmanChapter 2 of The Personal MBA: Marketing-----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.

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.  -----Chapters:0:00 Introduction1:30 Why start a Substack? 5:07 What is the non-identical? 9:10 Seven Lamps of Prose12:31 New creative economy on Substack 15:09 Writing process16:45 Carter's inspirations on Substack19:42 Tactics22:33 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? -----Links:Subscribe to Carter’s Substack Dwelling at carterdavisjohnson.substack.comThe Night Does Not End by Aaron GwynThe Contender by David CogginsThe WM Brown WeeklyThe Lost Object by Joe Neary Over the Field by Hadden Turner-----Support The Craft:Subscribe to Dwelling (Carter's Newsletter)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.

“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 Strategy6:30 Strategy and values10:45 Honest evaluation and the creative process15:16 Contrasting strategy in business and creative pursuits  22:38 What’s missing in creative practices27:48 Imposed coordinated action 29:45 Developing proximate objectives35:04 Diagnosing the “true” problem38:07 Artistic taste as a tool for diagnosis Links: Richard Rumelt's Good Strategy Bad Strategy: The Difference and Why It MattersSend 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.

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 ideas5:20 - Dealing with creative constraints 7:44 - Finding his craft8:49 - Framing and shot design 10:10 - Editing process and revision 12:00 - Developing a YouTube presence14:13 - Understanding audiences across platforms 18:00 - Developing King Zehn into a viable business 20:56 - Exploring the future of King Zehn25:19 - Appreciating creative influences 26:27 - Explaining the usual workday30:38 - Thinking through algorithms 34:14 - Considering the “subscriber” model 35:13 - Developing products 36:40 - Sustaining as a creative41:17 - 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.