The Create Unknown

Thanks to MAINGEAR for speeding up everything for us. Check out the VYBE line that’s making up the core of Matt’s new studio -- and use code CREATE for a free additional year of warranty on desktops: https://maingear.com/ref/656/ Join Our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thecreateunknown This week Kevin is flying solo to unpack the big question many creatives wrestle with: what happens when your passion becomes your job? We kick off the episode by talking about the video that stopped Kevin in his tracks: “I tried to follow my passion for art, but now I'm 32 and unemployed” by Kamikaze Shortbus. That makes us wonder – what does it really mean to be an “artist,” and why does that label often feel so…uninspired? Next we explore the tension between being a “true” creative and working for someone else, and how Pierre Bernard from Conan O'Brien’s team walked that tightrope so seamlessly. Is it still your art if you're just executing someone else's vision? Or is it something else entirely? We also break down why creative skills are often undervalued, why some of the most artistically gifted people perform terribly in school, and why it’s so difficult to measure creativity compared to more quantitative talents. To round things out, Kevin shares his own experience with curbing his own passions, his paradoxical revolution against the corporate cubicle, and how he balances those two sides of his brain out to make something and MEAN something. If you're an artist, creative, or anyone who's felt conflicted about turning what you love into what you do, this one's for you. Big thanks to our listeners and patrons, Matt will be back soon! You love anime. You love tea. Get 10% off your order with code CREATE at The Dragon's Treasure: https://www.thedragonstreasure.com/ Buy our T-shirts: https://www.thecreateunknown.com/store/ Join our Discord to talk with artists, creators, and fans of the finer things in online life: http://discord.gg/tcu Apple: http://bit.ly/TheCreateUnknownApple Spotify: http://bit.ly/TheCreateUnknownSpotify Google Podcasts: http://bit.ly/TheCreateUnknownGooglePodcasts CREDITS: Hosts: Kevin Lieber and Matt Tabor Executive Producer: Ben Webster Editor: Spencer Vann "Created in the Unknown" theme by Basswaite: https://linktr.ee/Basswaite Theme by Mega Drive → http://megadrivemusic.com Opening Animation: Kidmograph City Animation: Eric Langlay "The Create Unknown" is produced by Unknown Media. CONNECT WITH US: » Chat with us on DISCORD: https://discord.gg/qAQV3Jw » Follow us on TWITTER: http://twitter.com/createunknown » Follow us on INSTAGRAM: http://instagram.com/thecreateunknown » Follow us on FACEBOOK: http://facebook.com/thecreateunknown » View our website: https://thecreateunknown.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Thanks to MAINGEAR for speeding up everything for us. Check out the VYBE line that’s making up the core of Matt’s new studio -- and use code CREATE for a free additional year of warranty on desktops: https://maingear.com/ref/656/ Join Our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thecreateunknown Today’s episode dives into the uncomfortable cost of success, and the strange, often isolating lives it creates. We start with Paul Reubens, better known as Pee-wee Herman, and his calculated decision to fully disappear into his character. Why would someone abandon their identity just to stay famous? And, perhaps more importantly, what does that do to a person over time? From there, we look at other creatives caught between the ceaseless conflict between public persona and private self. Creatives like Larry David, for instance, who canceled a documentary about his real life the day before its release. Then we dive into a story that’s honestly a little hard to believe. We talk about how Dilbert became a global hit thanks to a forgotten letter, somebody’s death, and a traffic jam. Does success have anything to do with talent, or is it just…luck? Either way, success comes with its fair share of trade-offs. For today’s example, we explore just how much normalcy someone like Michael Jackson had to give up to even EXIST in public. And finally, we turn inward: can creators truly enjoy art the same way their audiences do? What happens when consuming becomes competing? And how do you know if you’re preparing too long before you finally hit “publish”? Big thanks to all our listeners and patrons for being here with us—we’ll see you next week. You love anime. You love tea. Get 10% off your order with code CREATE at The Dragon's Treasure: https://www.thedragonstreasure.com/ Buy our T-shirts: https://www.thecreateunknown.com/store/ Join our Discord to talk with artists, creators, and fans of the finer things in online life: http://discord.gg/tcu Apple: http://bit.ly/TheCreateUnknownApple Spotify: http://bit.ly/TheCreateUnknownSpotify Google Podcasts: http://bit.ly/TheCreateUnknownGooglePodcasts CREDITS: Hosts: Kevin Lieber and Matt Tabor Executive Producer: Ben Webster Editor: Spencer Vann "Created in the Unknown" theme by Basswaite: https://linktr.ee/Basswaite Theme by Mega Drive → http://megadrivemusic.com Opening Animation: Kidmograph City Animation: Eric Langlay "The Create Unknown" is produced by Unknown Media. CONNECT WITH US: » Chat with us on DISCORD: https://discord.gg/qAQV3Jw » Follow us on TWITTER: http://twitter.com/createunknown » Follow us on INSTAGRAM: http://instagram.com/thecreateunknown » Follow us on FACEBOOK: http://facebook.com/thecreateunknown » View our website: https://thecreateunknown.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Thanks to MAINGEAR for speeding up everything for us. Check out the VYBE line that’s making up the core of Matt’s new studio -- and use code CREATE for a free additional year of warranty on desktops: https://maingear.com/ref/656/ Join Our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thecreateunknown Today’s episode kicks off with a huge shoutout to former guest Quackity, whose new app DABABEL takes voice translation to heights never seen before, rivaling the likes of the tech giants of Silicon Valley. The core of today’s discussion, however, is about something far less futuristic: why is everything we buy seemingly getting worse? Kevin regales us with some first hand knowledge that illustrates how something as small as a manufacturing error can result in big, big consequences. Matt brings in some much needed global perspective to explain why quality seems to be taking a nosedive across the board. Is it cultural differences? Economics? Or is plain laziness to blame? This leads us to a pretty crucial question: does perfectionism matter? Why do consumers have to be experts all of a sudden just to shop for things as simple as a wrench or window? Have reliable brands gone the way of the dodo? Let’s find out. Thanks to our patrons, old and new, for making these episodes possible—we’ll see you next week! You love anime. You love tea. Get 10% off your order with code CREATE at The Dragon's Treasure: https://www.thedragonstreasure.com/ Buy our T-shirts: https://www.thecreateunknown.com/store/ Join our Discord to talk with artists, creators, and fans of the finer things in online life: http://discord.gg/tcu Apple: http://bit.ly/TheCreateUnknownApple Spotify: http://bit.ly/TheCreateUnknownSpotify Google Podcasts: http://bit.ly/TheCreateUnknownGooglePodcasts CREDITS: Hosts: Kevin Lieber and Matt Tabor Executive Producer: Ben Webster Editor: Spencer Vann "Created in the Unknown" theme by Basswaite: https://linktr.ee/Basswaite Theme by Mega Drive → http://megadrivemusic.com Opening Animation: Kidmograph City Animation: Eric Langlay "The Create Unknown" is produced by Unknown Media. CONNECT WITH US: » Chat with us on DISCORD: https://discord.gg/qAQV3Jw » Follow us on TWITTER: http://twitter.com/createunknown » Follow us on INSTAGRAM: http://instagram.com/thecreateunknown » Follow us on FACEBOOK: http://facebook.com/thecreateunknown » View our website: https://thecreateunknown.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Thanks to MAINGEAR for speeding up everything for us. Check out the VYBE line that’s making up the core of Matt’s new studio -- and use code CREATE for a free additional year of warranty on desktops: https://maingear.com/ref/656/ Join Our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thecreateunknown Kevin kicks off this week’s episode by revealing how a lifelong disinterest in reading vanished after making one strategic decision that completely changed his outlook on writing. As Kevin describes diving headfirst into fiction for the first time, we also explore the vitally important role that READING plays in understanding storytelling, what it means to truly observe people, and why writing is actually a lot more than just putting words on a page. Next we unpack the differences between books and film, how male readership is quietly disappearing, and why so many great authors have left fiction behind. And, as a final cherry on top, we hit you with some essential book recs to take with you on your own journey. Big thanks to all our Patrons, we’ll see you next week! You love anime. You love tea. Get 10% off your order with code CREATE at The Dragon's Treasure: https://www.thedragonstreasure.com/ Buy our T-shirts: https://www.thecreateunknown.com/store/ Join our Discord to talk with artists, creators, and fans of the finer things in online life: http://discord.gg/tcu Apple: http://bit.ly/TheCreateUnknownApple Spotify: http://bit.ly/TheCreateUnknownSpotify Google Podcasts: http://bit.ly/TheCreateUnknownGooglePodcasts CREDITS: Hosts: Kevin Lieber and Matt Tabor Executive Producer: Ben Webster Editor: Spencer Vann "Created in the Unknown" theme by Basswaite: https://linktr.ee/Basswaite Theme by Mega Drive → http://megadrivemusic.com Opening Animation: Kidmograph City Animation: Eric Langlay "The Create Unknown" is produced by Unknown Media. CONNECT WITH US: » Chat with us on DISCORD: https://discord.gg/qAQV3Jw » Follow us on TWITTER: http://twitter.com/createunknown » Follow us on INSTAGRAM: http://instagram.com/thecreateunknown » Follow us on FACEBOOK: http://facebook.com/thecreateunknown » View our website: https://thecreateunknown.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Thanks to MAINGEAR for speeding up everything for us. Check out the VYBE line that’s making up the core of Matt’s new studio -- and use code CREATE for a free additional year of warranty on desktops: https://maingear.com/ref/656/ Join Our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thecreateunknown This week, we dig into the viral controversy around a UCLA graduate who proudly used ChatGPT for all his final projects, and made sure the whole stadium on graduation day knew it. Is this just a funny moment, or a sign of something much bigger? We break down new research showing that AI might be helping people finish tasks faster… but at the cost of actually thinking. What happens when students stop engaging with their own ideas entirely? That leads us to an even bigger question: where’s the line between using tools and outsourcing your brain? Is using AI any different than having a research assistant, or are we skipping the most important part of the process? From there, we zoom out to take a broader look at life at large. Are we losing basic skills across the board? From reading clocks to making change at the cash register, the erosion of foundational knowledge might be further along than we think. We wrap by exploring why memorization still matters, how quirks define real people, and why the value of human experience might skyrocket in a world “run by machines.” Thanks for listening (and thinking), and big shoutout to all of our patrons, we’ll be back next week! You love anime. You love tea. Get 10% off your order with code CREATE at The Dragon's Treasure: https://www.thedragonstreasure.com/ Buy our T-shirts: https://www.thecreateunknown.com/store/ Join our Discord to talk with artists, creators, and fans of the finer things in online life: http://discord.gg/tcu Apple: http://bit.ly/TheCreateUnknownApple Spotify: http://bit.ly/TheCreateUnknownSpotify Google Podcasts: http://bit.ly/TheCreateUnknownGooglePodcasts CREDITS: Hosts: Kevin Lieber and Matt Tabor Executive Producer: Ben Webster Editor: Spencer Vann "Created in the Unknown" theme by Basswaite: https://linktr.ee/Basswaite Theme by Mega Drive → http://megadrivemusic.com Opening Animation: Kidmograph City Animation: Eric Langlay "The Create Unknown" is produced by Unknown Media. CONNECT WITH US: » Chat with us on DISCORD: https://discord.gg/qAQV3Jw » Follow us on TWITTER: http://twitter.com/createunknown » Follow us on INSTAGRAM: http://instagram.com/thecreateunknown » Follow us on FACEBOOK: http://facebook.com/thecreateunknown » View our website: https://thecreateunknown.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Thanks to MAINGEAR for speeding up everything for us. Check out the VYBE line that’s making up the core of Matt’s new studio -- and use code CREATE for a free additional year of warranty on desktops: https://maingear.com/ref/656/ Join Our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thecreateunknown Today we retroactively celebrate the 250th episode of the Create Unknown…better late than never. Then we drive right into something even more exciting: the latest drama surrounding a friend of the podcast, Dean Lamb. Why are he and his band Archspire going independent? More importantly… why are fans mad? Then we take a closer look at how artists make money—or don’t. We look at Archspire’s kickstarter and see why people are so upset by how the money is being spent. What seems like a huge number at first glance ends up making a lot more sense when you take the time to factor in what’s actually involved to make anything creative. It makes us wonder, do people just talk out of both sides of their mouth when it comes to supporting artists? Even those who bash AI and champion “real art,” often don’t want to fund it. To round things out, we break down how Karl Marx’s work may have been one of the very first Kickstarters to ever exist. Thanks for listening, and shoutout to everyone who continues to support us and the creators they love. We’ll see you next week! You love anime. You love tea. Get 10% off your order with code CREATE at The Dragon's Treasure: https://www.thedragonstreasure.com/ Buy our T-shirts: https://www.thecreateunknown.com/store/ Join our Discord to talk with artists, creators, and fans of the finer things in online life: http://discord.gg/tcu Apple: http://bit.ly/TheCreateUnknownApple Spotify: http://bit.ly/TheCreateUnknownSpotify Google Podcasts: http://bit.ly/TheCreateUnknownGooglePodcasts CREDITS: Hosts: Kevin Lieber and Matt Tabor Executive Producer: Ben Webster Editor: Spencer Vann "Created in the Unknown" theme by Basswaite: https://linktr.ee/Basswaite Theme by Mega Drive → http://megadrivemusic.com Opening Animation: Kidmograph City Animation: Eric Langlay "The Create Unknown" is produced by Unknown Media. CONNECT WITH US: » Chat with us on DISCORD: https://discord.gg/qAQV3Jw » Follow us on TWITTER: http://twitter.com/createunknown » Follow us on INSTAGRAM: http://instagram.com/thecreateunknown » Follow us on FACEBOOK: http://facebook.com/thecreateunknown » View our website: https://thecreateunknown.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Thanks to MAINGEAR for speeding up everything for us. Check out the VYBE line that’s making up the core of Matt’s new studio -- and use code CREATE for a free additional year of warranty on desktops: https://maingear.com/ref/656/ Join Our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thecreateunknown We kick today’s episode off with a fun thought experiment: what would Kevin do if money weren’t a limiting factor? Spoiler: It’s not a life supply of hotdogs. That takes us into a discussion about one of the most overlooked media shifts. Why do older books, shows, and games seem… different? We reflect on what’s missing from today’s content, and why watching Columbo captures a kind of magic that most modern sci-fi just… doesn’t. Next we dive into what is perhaps the most prolific and worn out trend in modern storytelling: the remake. Why are writers trying to repackage old stories? And why are they just… worse? Turns out, it’s the same reason YOU don’t talk to old people. Thanks for hanging out with us — and as always, thank you to our amazing patrons. You love anime. You love tea. Get 10% off your order with code CREATE at The Dragon's Treasure: https://www.thedragonstreasure.com/ Buy our T-shirts: https://www.thecreateunknown.com/store/ Join our Discord to talk with artists, creators, and fans of the finer things in online life: http://discord.gg/tcu Apple: http://bit.ly/TheCreateUnknownApple Spotify: http://bit.ly/TheCreateUnknownSpotify Google Podcasts: http://bit.ly/TheCreateUnknownGooglePodcasts CREDITS: Hosts: Kevin Lieber and Matt Tabor Executive Producer: Ben Webster Editor: Spencer Vann "Created in the Unknown" theme by Basswaite: https://linktr.ee/Basswaite Theme by Mega Drive → http://megadrivemusic.com Opening Animation: Kidmograph City Animation: Eric Langlay "The Create Unknown" is produced by Unknown Media. CONNECT WITH US: » Chat with us on DISCORD: https://discord.gg/qAQV3Jw » Follow us on TWITTER: http://twitter.com/createunknown » Follow us on INSTAGRAM: http://instagram.com/thecreateunknown » Follow us on FACEBOOK: http://facebook.com/thecreateunknown » View our website: https://thecreateunknown.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Thanks to MAINGEAR for speeding up everything for us. Check out the VYBE line that’s making up the core of Matt’s new studio -- and use code CREATE for a free additional year of warranty on desktops: https://maingear.com/ref/656/ Join Our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thecreateunknown We kick things off this week with…a bag of dog poop. No, really. Matt shares his bizarre sidewalk encounter that leads to a surprisingly deep conversation about responsibility, both social and personal. Kevin brings his own awkward pet-related tale to the table, and suddenly we’re talking about dopamine, TikTok, and the death of the traditional life path. Next, we trace the shift in nearly everything from sports to spirituality, and why it’s totally normal all of a sudden to feel lost without the maps people used to rely on— things like religion, family, or even your hometown that used to play such a big role have shifted dramatically. The big theme? You’re on your own. But we have to wonder… is that necessarily a bad thing? We also unpack why constraints might actually be the secret weapon of creativity, how Kevin almost got an internship at Adult Swim, and how working at a restaurant might be the best training ground for becoming a YouTuber. Big thanks to all our Patrons! We’ll be back soon! You love anime. You love tea. Get 10% off your order with code CREATE at The Dragon's Treasure: https://www.thedragonstreasure.com/ Buy our T-shirts: https://www.thecreateunknown.com/store/ Join our Discord to talk with artists, creators, and fans of the finer things in online life: http://discord.gg/tcu Apple: http://bit.ly/TheCreateUnknownApple Spotify: http://bit.ly/TheCreateUnknownSpotify Google Podcasts: http://bit.ly/TheCreateUnknownGooglePodcasts CREDITS: Hosts: Kevin Lieber and Matt Tabor Executive Producer: Ben Webster Editor: Spencer Vann "Created in the Unknown" theme by Basswaite: https://linktr.ee/Basswaite Theme by Mega Drive → http://megadrivemusic.com Opening Animation: Kidmograph City Animation: Eric Langlay "The Create Unknown" is produced by Unknown Media. CONNECT WITH US: » Chat with us on DISCORD: https://discord.gg/qAQV3Jw » Follow us on TWITTER: http://twitter.com/createunknown » Follow us on INSTAGRAM: http://instagram.com/thecreateunknown » Follow us on FACEBOOK: http://facebook.com/thecreateunknown » View our website: https://thecreateunknown.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Thanks to MAINGEAR for speeding up everything for us. Check out the VYBE line that’s making up the core of Matt’s new studio -- and use code CREATE for a free additional year of warranty on desktops: https://maingear.com/ref/656/ Join Our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thecreateunknown We kick things off this week with a recap of TaborCon—a real-life Vegas meetup that somehow included karaoke, heartfelt ballads, and exactly zero arrests (we think). Matt gives us the full rundown. Then Kevin drops a question that sounds simple but hits hard: Can a real person compete with the allure of a smartphone? What follows is a deep dive into the quiet crisis happening in social spaces—from dating, to small talk, all the way up to job interviews. How are we to compete when on-demand content is winning the war for our attention? We talk about the ever-expanding role that phones play in our lives now – and how that certainly doesn’t help. More than just entertainment, they’ve also become escape hatches, safety nets, and sometimes, emotional shields. And if that’s the new normal… what does that mean for us? It’s a weird one. It’s a real one. And you might end up seeing your lock screen a little differently. Thanks for listening—and special thanks to our Patrons for keeping this whole thing rolling. You love anime. You love tea. Get 10% off your order with code CREATE at The Dragon's Treasure: https://www.thedragonstreasure.com/ Buy our T-shirts: https://www.thecreateunknown.com/store/ Join our Discord to talk with artists, creators, and fans of the finer things in online life: http://discord.gg/tcu Apple: http://bit.ly/TheCreateUnknownApple Spotify: http://bit.ly/TheCreateUnknownSpotify Google Podcasts: http://bit.ly/TheCreateUnknownGooglePodcasts CREDITS: Hosts: Kevin Lieber and Matt Tabor Executive Producer: Ben Webster Editor: Spencer Vann "Created in the Unknown" theme by Basswaite: https://linktr.ee/Basswaite Theme by Mega Drive → http://megadrivemusic.com Opening Animation: Kidmograph City Animation: Eric Langlay "The Create Unknown" is produced by Unknown Media. CONNECT WITH US: » Chat with us on DISCORD: https://discord.gg/qAQV3Jw » Follow us on TWITTER: http://twitter.com/createunknown » Follow us on INSTAGRAM: http://instagram.com/thecreateunknown » Follow us on FACEBOOK: http://facebook.com/thecreateunknown » View our website: https://thecreateunknown.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Thanks to MAINGEAR for speeding up everything for us. Check out the VYBE line that’s making up the core of Matt’s new studio -- and use code CREATE for a free additional year of warranty on desktops: https://maingear.com/ref/656/ Join Our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thecreateunknown Something’s shifting in the world of YouTuber live events. Kevin starts to unravel all the controversy surrounding iDubbbz’ previously acclaimed “Creator Clash” and asks a very important question: Was boxing ever the right fit to begin with? After that, we dive into a larger discussion on ins and outs of the boxing industry as a whole, which leads us to an even bigger question – what actually makes an event unforgettable? Why do some attempts to bring creators together feel hollow, while others become cultural landmarks? From there, we start spitballing. What could a creator event look like if it wasn’t all blood and bruises? Kevin floats some wild (but somehow obvious) ideas for what might actually bring the community together again… maybe even with a few less broken noses. Big thanks to our Patrons for all the support, we’ll see you again next week! You love anime. You love tea. Get 10% off your order with code CREATE at The Dragon's Treasure: https://www.thedragonstreasure.com/ Buy our T-shirts: https://www.thecreateunknown.com/store/ Join our Discord to talk with artists, creators, and fans of the finer things in online life: http://discord.gg/tcu Apple: http://bit.ly/TheCreateUnknownApple Spotify: http://bit.ly/TheCreateUnknownSpotify Google Podcasts: http://bit.ly/TheCreateUnknownGooglePodcasts CREDITS: Hosts: Kevin Lieber and Matt Tabor Executive Producer: Ben Webster Editor: Spencer Vann "Created in the Unknown" theme by Basswaite: https://linktr.ee/Basswaite Theme by Mega Drive → http://megadrivemusic.com Opening Animation: Kidmograph City Animation: Eric Langlay "The Create Unknown" is produced by Unknown Media. CONNECT WITH US: » Chat with us on DISCORD: https://discord.gg/qAQV3Jw » Follow us on TWITTER: http://twitter.com/createunknown » Follow us on INSTAGRAM: http://instagram.com/thecreateunknown » Follow us on FACEBOOK: http://facebook.com/thecreateunknown » View our website: https://thecreateunknown.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Thanks to MAINGEAR for speeding up everything for us. Check out the VYBE line that’s making up the core of Matt’s new studio -- and use code CREATE for a free additional year of warranty on desktops: https://maingear.com/ref/656/ Join Our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thecreateunknown We kick off this week’s episode with a passing joke about financing your food which naturally turns into a FULL-ON SPIRAL about spending, savings, and the absolutely insane cost of convenience. Strap in folks, this episode’s a big one. Kevin opens up about how his relationship with food has changed—he compares his old diet to what he eats now, and we hone in on how much of your diet is actually about who you’re eating with. Meanwhile, Matt pulls out the calculator and starts crunching numbers that will make you never look at your lunch receipt the same way again. From there, we get granular about how food has shifted from something purely functional to a massive part of culture and personal identity. We touch on how platforms like YouTube have made cooking more accessible, and how what we choose to eat can reflect a lot more than just taste. Let’s just say: by the end of this one, you might be inspired to make dinner at home. Thanks for tuning in, and a special thanks to all our Patrons. We’ll see you next week! You love anime. You love tea. Get 10% off your order with code CREATE at The Dragon's Treasure: https://www.thedragonstreasure.com/ Buy our T-shirts: https://www.thecreateunknown.com/store/ Join our Discord to talk with artists, creators, and fans of the finer things in online life: http://discord.gg/tcu Apple: http://bit.ly/TheCreateUnknownApple Spotify: http://bit.ly/TheCreateUnknownSpotify Google Podcasts: http://bit.ly/TheCreateUnknownGooglePodcasts CREDITS: Hosts: Kevin Lieber and Matt Tabor Executive Producer: Ben Webster Editor: Spencer Vann "Created in the Unknown" theme by Basswaite: https://linktr.ee/Basswaite Theme by Mega Drive → http://megadrivemusic.com Opening Animation: Kidmograph City Animation: Eric Langlay "The Create Unknown" is produced by Unknown Media. CONNECT WITH US: » Chat with us on DISCORD: https://discord.gg/qAQV3Jw » Follow us on TWITTER: http://twitter.com/createunknown » Follow us on INSTAGRAM: http://instagram.com/thecreateunknown » Follow us on FACEBOOK: http://facebook.com/thecreateunknown » View our website: https://thecreateunknown.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Thanks to MAINGEAR for speeding up everything for us. Check out the VYBE line that’s making up the core of Matt’s new studio -- and use code CREATE for a free additional year of warranty on desktops: https://maingear.com/ref/656/ Join Our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thecreateunknown Kevin opens this week’s episode with a challenge – one that came straight from a listener. Stephen, the author of a manga called Handyman Quincy, sent a fantastic TWO PAGE EMAIL our way about Kevin’s perspective on storytelling. Thanks for the email Stephen, we love the input. Do yourself a favor and grab a copy of Handyman Quincy here: https://starfruitbooks.com/products/handyman-quincy In that email, Stephen also provided some pointed feedback that pushes Kevin to rethink how he talks about certain stories. Is Kevin missing the point, or is there something deeper at play here? After that, we open up a broader conversation about the value of bold, sweeping statements, and the surprising pitfalls that hyper-specificity can sometimes provide. How do we wrestle with the tension between saying something provocative and acknowledging the messy, complicated exceptions? Along the way, we dig into a rule of thumb that might explain why so much creative work just doesn’t land… and why that might actually be okay. From there, Kevin unpacks what makes certain shows stick in your brain long after the credits roll. Through examples you might not expect, he explores how great storytelling can work on multiple levels at once, while lesser stories just skate by on surface thrills. To wrap it up, things take a turn toward the delightfully strange as we share our fascination with oddly specific passions. From vintage milk bottles to…hot dog rollers. We also talk about how “boner pills” can teach us about being curious in a distracted world. Thanks for tuning in, see you next week! You love anime. You love tea. Get 10% off your order with code CREATE at The Dragon's Treasure: https://www.thedragonstreasure.com/ Buy our T-shirts: https://www.thecreateunknown.com/store/ Join our Discord to talk with artists, creators, and fans of the finer things in online life: http://discord.gg/tcu Apple: http://bit.ly/TheCreateUnknownApple Spotify: http://bit.ly/TheCreateUnknownSpotify Google Podcasts: http://bit.ly/TheCreateUnknownGooglePodcasts CREDITS: Hosts: Kevin Lieber and Matt Tabor Executive Producer: Ben Webster Editor: Spencer Vann "Created in the Unknown" theme by Basswaite: https://linktr.ee/Basswaite Theme by Mega Drive → http://megadrivemusic.com Opening Animation: Kidmograph City Animation: Eric Langlay "The Create Unknown" is produced by Unknown Media. CONNECT WITH US: » Chat with us on DISCORD: https://discord.gg/qAQV3Jw » Follow us on TWITTER: http://twitter.com/createunknown » Follow us on INSTAGRAM: http://instagram.com/thecreateunknown » Follow us on FACEBOOK: http://facebook.com/thecreateunknown » View our website: https://thecreateunknown.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Thanks to MAINGEAR for speeding up everything for us. Check out the VYBE line that’s making up the core of Matt’s new studio -- and use code CREATE for a free additional year of warranty on desktops: https://maingear.com/ref/656/ Join Our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thecreateunknown Matt is finally BACK, and he’s here to explain his long podcasting absence. He tells us about all the life detours that kept him away from the mic – from unexpected responsibilities to the emotional weight of figuring out one of life’s hardest challenges on the fly, things have been WILD. Kevin also reflects on his somewhat short-lived journey as a solo podcaster, cluing us in to what he learned without having his usual partner-in-crime “with him as always.” After that, we dive right into the key to EVERYTHING, and it is astonishingly simple: you just have to SHOW UP. We talk extensively about how doing something as simple as just consistently being present, even when it’s hard, can open doors in the most unexpected ways. We wrap with a dive into the world of auctions, exploring the strange psychology of bidding, the weird value we assign to things, and what it all says about human nature. Thanks for sticking with us—we’re back, baby. You love anime. You love tea. Get 10% off your order with code CREATE at The Dragon's Treasure: https://www.thedragonstreasure.com/ Buy our T-shirts: https://www.thecreateunknown.com/store/ Join our Discord to talk with artists, creators, and fans of the finer things in online life: http://discord.gg/tcu Apple: http://bit.ly/TheCreateUnknownApple Spotify: http://bit.ly/TheCreateUnknownSpotify Google Podcasts: http://bit.ly/TheCreateUnknownGooglePodcasts CREDITS: Hosts: Kevin Lieber and Matt Tabor Executive Producer: Ben Webster Editor: Spencer Vann "Created in the Unknown" theme by Basswaite: https://linktr.ee/Basswaite Theme by Mega Drive → http://megadrivemusic.com Opening Animation: Kidmograph City Animation: Eric Langlay "The Create Unknown" is produced by Unknown Media. CONNECT WITH US: » Chat with us on DISCORD: https://discord.gg/qAQV3Jw » Follow us on TWITTER: http://twitter.com/createunknown » Follow us on INSTAGRAM: http://instagram.com/thecreateunknown » Follow us on FACEBOOK: http://facebook.com/thecreateunknown » View our website: https://thecreateunknown.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Thanks to MAINGEAR for speeding up everything for us. Check out the VYBE line that’s making up the core of Matt’s new studio -- and use code CREATE for a free additional year of warranty on desktops: https://maingear.com/ref/656/ Join Our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thecreateunknown Kevin kicks things off by opening up about his recent absence from Vsauce2. What started in December as a break from YouTube turned into something much bigger: a full-fledged writing project that has pushed him into new creative territory. He walks us through the highs and lows of crafting a book from scratch, and the weird balance between structured outlining and letting ideas unfold on their own. Kevin dives into discovering his own writing process and what he believes actually makes a story work. Reflecting leads Kevin into a passionate takedown of some of today’s most overused narrative tropes, especially in superhero movies and serialized television. What makes these stories fall flat? And why does it seem like audiences are settling for less? From there we dig into character, exploring what makes a person feel real on the page, and how quirks, contradictions, and specificity breathe life into fiction. Kevin points to the masters of this art and explores how he's trying to capture a similar authenticity in his own work. Finally, Kevin teases a few details about Sleep Warrior, a project that blends the worlds of reality and dreams, and how it’s unlike anything he’s tackled before. But what it actually is… well, that’s something you’ll have to discover over time. Thanks for tuning in, we’ll be back next week! You love anime. You love tea. Get 10% off your order with code CREATE at The Dragon's Treasure: https://www.thedragonstreasure.com/ Buy our T-shirts: https://www.thecreateunknown.com/store/ Join our Discord to talk with artists, creators, and fans of the finer things in online life: http://discord.gg/tcu Apple: http://bit.ly/TheCreateUnknownApple Spotify: http://bit.ly/TheCreateUnknownSpotify Google Podcasts: http://bit.ly/TheCreateUnknownGooglePodcasts CREDITS: Hosts: Kevin Lieber and Matt Tabor Executive Producer: Ben Webster Editor: Spencer Vann "Created in the Unknown" theme by Basswaite: https://linktr.ee/Basswaite Theme by Mega Drive → http://megadrivemusic.com Opening Animation: Kidmograph City Animation: Eric Langlay "The Create Unknown" is produced by Unknown Media. CONNECT WITH US: » Chat with us on DISCORD: https://discord.gg/qAQV3Jw » Follow us on TWITTER: http://twitter.com/createunknown » Follow us on INSTAGRAM: http://instagram.com/thecreateunknown » Follow us on FACEBOOK: http://facebook.com/thecreateunknown » View our website: https://thecreateunknown.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Thanks to MAINGEAR for speeding up everything for us. Check out the VYBE line that’s making up the core of Matt’s new studio -- and use code CREATE for a free additional year of warranty on desktops: https://maingear.com/ref/656/ Join Our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thecreateunknown This week, Kevin takes a look back at the backlash against Glengarry Glen Ross, and how it stirred up a deep memory from his college days. What does a play about shady salesmen have in common with the chaotic antics of a student writer? A lot more than you’d think. We learn about Kevin’s alter ego “Muffer Van Awesome,” and how one controversial article nearly sank the school paper and angered the church. You know, normal college stuff. This all spirals into a larger discussion about how audiences often misread flawed characters and satire, mistaking critique for endorsement, and why that misunderstanding matters more than ever today. To wrap things up, Kevin lays out a kind of creative manifesto: when it comes to bold ideas and risky writing, is the real danger in offending—or in backing down? Thanks for listening, and stick around—there’s plenty more on the way. You love anime. You love tea. Get 10% off your order with code CREATE at The Dragon's Treasure: https://www.thedragonstreasure.com/ Buy our T-shirts: https://www.thecreateunknown.com/store/ Join our Discord to talk with artists, creators, and fans of the finer things in online life: http://discord.gg/tcu Apple: http://bit.ly/TheCreateUnknownApple Spotify: http://bit.ly/TheCreateUnknownSpotify Google Podcasts: http://bit.ly/TheCreateUnknownGooglePodcasts CREDITS: Hosts: Kevin Lieber and Matt Tabor Executive Producer: Ben Webster Editor: Spencer Vann "Created in the Unknown" theme by Basswaite: https://linktr.ee/Basswaite Theme by Mega Drive → http://megadrivemusic.com Opening Animation: Kidmograph City Animation: Eric Langlay "The Create Unknown" is produced by Unknown Media. CONNECT WITH US: » Chat with us on DISCORD: https://discord.gg/qAQV3Jw » Follow us on TWITTER: http://twitter.com/createunknown » Follow us on INSTAGRAM: http://instagram.com/thecreateunknown » Follow us on FACEBOOK: http://facebook.com/thecreateunknown » View our website: https://thecreateunknown.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Thanks to MAINGEAR for speeding up everything for us. Check out the VYBE line that’s making up the core of Matt’s new studio -- and use code CREATE for a free additional year of warranty on desktops: https://maingear.com/ref/656/ Join Our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thecreateunknown AI-generated art is evolving fast—but what does that really mean for all of us? Kevin dives into the latest breakthroughs in image generation, uncovering how AI can now replicate beloved artistic styles with eerie precision. But beneath the excitement, one question remains: is this innovation, or just imitation? Next, he shares his own hands-on experience using AI tools for Sleep Warrior. The technology has come a long way, but something still feels… off. Can AI ever truly capture an artist’s vision, or is it destined to fall short every time? From there, Kevin takes a pretty strong stand – maybe art isn’t for everyone. AI is making creation more accessible than ever, but do things like raw talent, dedication, and even temperament still matter? Or are we entering a world where anyone can call themselves an “artist” with the push of a button? To close things out, Kevin explores the one thing AI can’t seem to replicate: true artistic value. If a machine can churn out a flawless painting in seconds, is it still worth the same as one done by a master of their craft? Or is there something deeper that makes art matter altogether? Big thanks for tuning in—more to come soon! You love anime. You love tea. Get 10% off your order with code CREATE at The Dragon's Treasure: https://www.thedragonstreasure.com/ Buy our T-shirts: https://www.thecreateunknown.com/store/ Join our Discord to talk with artists, creators, and fans of the finer things in online life: http://discord.gg/tcu Apple: http://bit.ly/TheCreateUnknownApple Spotify: http://bit.ly/TheCreateUnknownSpotify Google Podcasts: http://bit.ly/TheCreateUnknownGooglePodcasts CREDITS: Hosts: Kevin Lieber and Matt Tabor Executive Producer: Ben Webster Editor: Spencer Vann "Created in the Unknown" theme by Basswaite: https://linktr.ee/Basswaite Theme by Mega Drive → http://megadrivemusic.com Opening Animation: Kidmograph City Animation: Eric Langlay "The Create Unknown" is produced by Unknown Media. CONNECT WITH US: » Chat with us on DISCORD: https://discord.gg/qAQV3Jw » Follow us on TWITTER: http://twitter.com/createunknown » Follow us on INSTAGRAM: http://instagram.com/thecreateunknown » Follow us on FACEBOOK: http://facebook.com/thecreateunknown » View our website: https://thecreateunknown.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Thanks to MAINGEAR for speeding up everything for us. Check out the VYBE line that’s making up the core of Matt’s new studio -- and use code CREATE for a free additional year of warranty on desktops: https://maingear.com/ref/656/ Join Our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thecreateunknown Kevin kicks off this episode with a challenge: Can you name five truly great movies from the last five years? It might be harder than you think. As a former film major, he’s got some strong thoughts on Hollywood today, and where they’re going WRONG. Then we step into a deeper issue lurking beneath modern storytelling, one that’s quietly reshaping the way movies are made. Kevin dissects the recent blockbuster “Snow White” and exposes the fundamental flaw that turns its entire premise upside down. That leads us to a bigger conversation about TRUTH, and its place in storytelling overall. Some films resonate because they tap into something real, while others feel oddly hollow – but what’s the difference? And why do some classics hold up while new releases struggle to make an impact? After that, we explore the shift that’s taken over modern films – one that might be robbing audiences even realizing it. Kevin breaks down how subtlety and complexity are fading, replaced by a new trend that’s changing the way stories are told. To wrap things up, we step back and look at what makes a story truly great. Is there still room for nuance in today’s Hollywood? Or are we rapidly approaching an era where movies forget how to make us feel? Big thanks for tuning in—we’ll be back with more! You love anime. You love tea. Get 10% off your order with code CREATE at The Dragon's Treasure: https://www.thedragonstreasure.com/ Buy our T-shirts: https://www.thecreateunknown.com/store/ Join our Discord to talk with artists, creators, and fans of the finer things in online life: http://discord.gg/tcu Apple: http://bit.ly/TheCreateUnknownApple Spotify: http://bit.ly/TheCreateUnknownSpotify Google Podcasts: http://bit.ly/TheCreateUnknownGooglePodcasts CREDITS: Hosts: Kevin Lieber and Matt Tabor Executive Producer: Ben Webster Editor: Spencer Vann "Created in the Unknown" theme by Basswaite: https://linktr.ee/Basswaite Theme by Mega Drive → http://megadrivemusic.com Opening Animation: Kidmograph City Animation: Eric Langlay "The Create Unknown" is produced by Unknown Media. CONNECT WITH US: » Chat with us on DISCORD: https://discord.gg/qAQV3Jw » Follow us on TWITTER: http://twitter.com/createunknown » Follow us on INSTAGRAM: http://instagram.com/thecreateunknown » Follow us on FACEBOOK: http://facebook.com/thecreateunknown » View our website: https://thecreateunknown.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Thanks to MAINGEAR for speeding up everything for us. Check out the VYBE line that’s making up the core of Matt’s new studio -- and use code CREATE for a free additional year of warranty on desktops: https://maingear.com/ref/656/ Join Our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thecreateunknown If you think that life is truly short, there’s probably a good reason why – your life is BORING. This week, Kevin explains that his 41 years on earth have actually felt pretty long, and he thinks he’s figured out why. He takes us through the winding journey of his life story, from briefly studying computer science to diving headfirst into comics, filming, bartending, to the creation of a bizarre internet character that, strangely enough, played a role in his eventual connection with Vsauce. That takes us right into an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at his time with Vsauce, where his role evolved in ways nobody had expected. After that, we get a glimpse of the next “chapter” of Kevin’s life… literally. He takes us through the process of writing his most recent project, his forthcoming novel “Sleep Warrior,” and clues us in as to why, after months of work, he had to go back to square one. So, what’s the secret to making life feel fuller? Well, to round things out, Kevin unpacks the eclectic mix of his own life experiences, the unexpected turns in his career, and what he’s learned from constantly jumping into the UNKNOWN. Thanks for tuning in - Matt will be back soon! You love anime. You love tea. Get 10% off your order with code CREATE at The Dragon's Treasure: https://www.thedragonstreasure.com/ Buy our T-shirts: https://www.thecreateunknown.com/store/ Join our Discord to talk with artists, creators, and fans of the finer things in online life: http://discord.gg/tcu Apple: http://bit.ly/TheCreateUnknownApple Spotify: http://bit.ly/TheCreateUnknownSpotify Google Podcasts: http://bit.ly/TheCreateUnknownGooglePodcasts CREDITS: Hosts: Kevin Lieber and Matt Tabor Executive Producer: Ben Webster Editor: Spencer Vann "Created in the Unknown" theme by Basswaite: https://linktr.ee/Basswaite Theme by Mega Drive → http://megadrivemusic.com Opening Animation: Kidmograph City Animation: Eric Langlay "The Create Unknown" is produced by Unknown Media. CONNECT WITH US: » Chat with us on DISCORD: https://discord.gg/qAQV3Jw » Follow us on TWITTER: http://twitter.com/createunknown » Follow us on INSTAGRAM: http://instagram.com/thecreateunknown » Follow us on FACEBOOK: http://facebook.com/thecreateunknown » View our website: https://thecreateunknown.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Thanks to MAINGEAR for speeding up everything for us. Check out the VYBE line that’s making up the core of Matt’s new studio -- and use code CREATE for a free additional year of warranty on desktops: https://maingear.com/ref/656/ Join Our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thecreateunknown After Conan O’Brien’s universally praised Oscar hosting, Kevin reflects on the magic that makes Conan one of the greats. Kevin even takes us back to a few personal stories from his time as an intern at “Late Night with Conan O’Brien.” But what’s the secret to his comedic genius? From working on Conan’s “personal vault” to an unexpected (and slightly threatening) first encounter, Kevin recounts his front-row seat to Conan’s comedic brilliance. Kevin even shares a story that proves Conan never forgets a joke—especially one at an intern’s expense. All the stories lead us back to one central question – what is that actually makes Conan such a unicorn these days? Kevin breaks down his synopsis on what he thinks makes Conan tick, why comedians like him are becoming increasingly rare, and why the Sandworm from Dune playing ragtime piano is not only hilarious but a breath of fresh air. Thanks for tuning in—see you again next week! You love anime. You love tea. Get 10% off your order with code CREATE at The Dragon's Treasure: https://www.thedragonstreasure.com/ Buy our T-shirts: https://www.thecreateunknown.com/store/ Join our Discord to talk with artists, creators, and fans of the finer things in online life: http://discord.gg/tcu Apple: http://bit.ly/TheCreateUnknownApple Spotify: http://bit.ly/TheCreateUnknownSpotify Google Podcasts: http://bit.ly/TheCreateUnknownGooglePodcasts CREDITS: Hosts: Kevin Lieber and Matt Tabor Executive Producer: Ben Webster Editor: Spencer Vann "Created in the Unknown" theme by Basswaite: https://linktr.ee/Basswaite Theme by Mega Drive → http://megadrivemusic.com Opening Animation: Kidmograph City Animation: Eric Langlay "The Create Unknown" is produced by Unknown Media. CONNECT WITH US: » Chat with us on DISCORD: https://discord.gg/qAQV3Jw » Follow us on TWITTER: http://twitter.com/createunknown » Follow us on INSTAGRAM: http://instagram.com/thecreateunknown » Follow us on FACEBOOK: http://facebook.com/thecreateunknown » View our website: https://thecreateunknown.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Thanks to MAINGEAR for speeding up everything for us. Check out the VYBE line that’s making up the core of Matt’s new studio -- and use code CREATE for a free additional year of warranty on desktops: https://maingear.com/ref/656/ Join Our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thecreateunknown This week we dive into Technology Connections’ latest video, “Algorithms Are Breaking How We Think.” Kevin breaks down the concept of algorithmic complacency—a term Alec (aka Technology Connections) coined to describe how our internet habits have drastically changed. We explore how times have changed from the active searches of days gone by to the passive algorithmic consumption of today. Kevin unpacks how platforms like YouTube have evolved, with users increasingly relying on recommendations instead of subscriptions, and what that means for content discovery. Then, we get into the bigger picture, how does this shift impact things like attention span, learning behaviors, and cognitive processing? Kevin dives into the psychology of decision-making and probability, drawing upon knowledge from an old Vsauce2 video on the Monty Hall problem as a prime example. Finally, we look ahead to the future of AI and its growing influence on human thought. Will algorithmic complacency make us less capable of independent decision-making? What happens when AI dictates not just what we watch, but how we think? How can we stay curious and engaged in an era of algorithm-driven content, and how are kids even supposed to focus anymore? Thanks for tuning in, we’ll be back next week! You love anime. You love tea. Get 10% off your order with code CREATE at The Dragon's Treasure: https://www.thedragonstreasure.com/ Buy our T-shirts: https://www.thecreateunknown.com/store/ Join our Discord to talk with artists, creators, and fans of the finer things in online life: http://discord.gg/tcu Apple: http://bit.ly/TheCreateUnknownApple Spotify: http://bit.ly/TheCreateUnknownSpotify Google Podcasts: http://bit.ly/TheCreateUnknownGooglePodcasts CREDITS: Hosts: Kevin Lieber and Matt Tabor Executive Producer: Ben Webster Editor: Spencer Vann "Created in the Unknown" theme by Basswaite: https://linktr.ee/Basswaite Theme by Mega Drive → http://megadrivemusic.com Opening Animation: Kidmograph City Animation: Eric Langlay "The Create Unknown" is produced by Unknown Media. CONNECT WITH US: » Chat with us on DISCORD: https://discord.gg/qAQV3Jw » Follow us on TWITTER: http://twitter.com/createunknown » Follow us on INSTAGRAM: http://instagram.com/thecreateunknown » Follow us on FACEBOOK: http://facebook.com/thecreateunknown » View our website: https://thecreateunknown.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices