FWACATA

This episode we tell you a truth you need to hear: STOP LISTENING TO IDIOT KIDS! Stop putting them into adult conversations and real shit we need to discuss! It’s unfair to them and to you and to all of us who are trying to get shit done, without dumb emotions! Shot maybe we can get something done! Also…. WISH DRAGON IS FUN FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY! We will be going live on every TUESDAY (NEW COMICS) THURSDAY (COMIC REVIEW) and SUNDAY (TOYS AND MORE) on FACEBOOK, https://www.facebook.com/TheGoblinsHeist , 9PM eastern time, come join the fun, see some amazing comics, claim some MYSTERY PACKS, cool guests ( our customers and friends) and chat with us! We are open during our regular hours for pay and pick-up! Or via PayPal! Bid on a Mystery box of Goodies every Tuesday! Value up to $100 of awesome! NEVER MISS AN ISSUE AND SAVE 10% with our SUBSCRIPTION SERVICE! FILL YOUR NEED TO NERD! Subscribers you are good to go! FILL YOUR NEED TO NERD! Order through DM or email the shop goblinheist@gmail.com Visit my comic shop in Hialeah, GOBLINS HEIST here: https://linktr.ee/goblinsheist FIND OUT MORE ABOUT JUAN AND HIS WORK ON https://linktr.ee/fwacata SUPPORT by giving to the PATREON https://www.patreon.com/FWACATA Open today 12-9Pm come get your nerd on! Find more on my Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/FWACATA Daily uploads and videos here: https://instagram.com/fwacata?igshid=bdk8b8qz85pb #hialeahcomicshop #miamicomics #lcs #localcomicshop #igcomicfamily #buycomics #podcast #wishdragon #shutupkids #gretathurman #comedypodcast #comedy #comedian #makecomics Find all my stuff here: https://linktr.ee/fwacata

Hey folks another week another FWACATA for your ass! This week we review FALCON AND THE WINTER SOLDIER season ending! Plus MORTAL KOMBAT review! INVINCIBLE! MODOK! CROSSOVER! And more. Find more on my Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/FWACATA Daily uploads and videos here: https://instagram.com/fwacata?igshid=bdk8b8qz85pb Find all my stuff here: https://linktr.ee/fwacata #sketch #sketchbook #timelapse #sketching #sketches #sketchoftheday #pencilsketch #sketchbookdrawing #sketchaday #sketch_daily #sketchbookart #sketchup #sketchdaily #drawingsketch #sketchart #dailysketch #sketchy #autodesksketchbook #digitalsketch #quicksketch #fashionsketch #tattoosketch #instasketch #urbansketchers #animesketch #pensketch #urbansketch #watercolorsketch #fwacata #miami

The Zen of Owning Your BullshitThere’s a question I think everyone should ask themselves from time to time:Am I the asshole?If you’ve never asked that question — not once, not even a whisper of it — then odds are, yeah… you probably are.We’ve all met assholes. You’ve probably encountered one today. Hell, in the last 48 hours, you’ve likely seen someone cut in line, ghost a friend, act superior at work, or just let a door slam in your face. And if you can’t think of anyone? Congratulations, it’s you.But here’s the thing: being an asshole isn’t always evil. It’s often a side effect of honesty, frustration, or just being human.My father had a saying — “Con la verdad no se juega.”You don’t play around with the truth.It sounds simple, but it’s one of those phrases that sticks with you your whole life — like a pebble in your shoe, reminding you to walk carefully.Because the truth is tricky.The truth doesn’t always make you popular.Sometimes it makes you the asshole in the room.You tell someone, “It’s not the pants that make your ass look big — it’s your ass,” and suddenly you’re the bad guy.But if we’re supposed to be chasing truth, shouldn’t we welcome it?Nah. Most people want comfort, not clarity. They want a version of truth that flatters them.My dad’s point wasn’t about being cruel — it was about being responsible with honesty. The truth isn’t a weapon. It’s a tool.You don’t swing it to hurt people. You use it to build something better.A few days ago, I went to pick up some pizzas from a local joint — JV’s. Great food, not fancy, but solid. I’ve got my hands full, trying to get out the door, and there’s a guy right in front of me. Makes full eye contact — like predator-level eye contact — then lets the door close right in my face.Okay. Fine. I back up, nudge it open with my shoulder, whatever.Then his wife (or girlfriend) comes out behind me.So, me being me, I hold the door open for her.She smiles and says, “Thank you.”And this dude — the same one who let it slam on me — turns around and glares at me like I just insulted his ancestors.Now, I didn’t say anything. I didn’t have to. I knew in that tiny, perfect moment that he’d spend the rest of the car ride home wondering what the hell I meant by that “thank you.”That’s the good kind of assholeness — the surgical strike.Because yeah, sometimes you have to be an asshole to make a point. But do it with purpose, not pettiness.There are levels to this.At one end, you’ve got the cruel assholes — the bullies, the trolls, the people who sprinkle shit on everyone’s ice cream just to feel tall.At the other end, you’ve got the honest assholes — the ones who tell you the truth, even when it hurts, because it needs to be said.The goal is to live somewhere in between — the Zen of Assholeness.Right on that razor’s edge between brutal honesty and empathy.Because someone’s gotta say it, but someone’s also gotta care how it lands.The truth is messy.Sometimes you’re right but still come off like a jerk.Sometimes you’re wrong and look like a saint.But if you can pause — just for a second — and ask yourself, “Am I the asshole right now?”That’s when you start leveling up.That’s when you stop reacting and start reflecting.We live in a world where everyone’s ready to pile on, to shout, to dunk, to “gotcha.”Being thoughtful, self-aware, and honest without being cruel — that’s rebellion now.So, be brave enough to tell the truth.Be kind enough to own it when it hurts someone.And if you have to be an asshole, at least be one with purpose.Because the truth matters — and as my father said, con la verdad no se juega.You don’t play around with it.And if you hold onto that, even just a little — you might actually make the world one asshole lighter.You can’t escape being an asshole sometimes. But you can choose why and how you do it.Be the honest one, not the cruel one.And as always — be good.

It’s Monday. You know what that means.It’s Monday Motivation fing time.*I’m on the road right now — my wife’s singing at an event, there’s no parking, and I’m sitting in the car like a responsible adult who’s pretending to be productive. And you know what? The hustle is real.So today’s theme comes from my dad, who had this one saying that’s been burned into my DNA:“¡VETE A VER!” — Go and see!See, when I was a kid, my dad would get so tired of me wondering about stuff. You know the kind of wondering — “I wonder if that bakery makes any money?” or “I wonder if I could open a tire shop?” or “What if I painted a mural somewhere?”And every single time, he’d snap:“¡VETE A VER!”Go see! Go ask! Go find out! Stop wondering and start doing.And as a kid, it drove me nuts. Like, “Come on, Dad, can I just daydream for a second?” But he didn’t let up. And over time, I realized what he was teaching me — don’t sit there stewing in what-ifs. Go test it. Go live it. Go do it.That’s the difference between talkers and doers.This week, I found myself living that lesson. While my wife was performing, instead of sitting around, I hit up a few spots — stopped by Asylum Comics here in El Paso (awesome shop, go visit them!), ran a couple errands, checked in on a property we manage, killed some wasps, trimmed weeds, and then went to a local art space that’s kind of like the Bakehouse in Miami.And while I was walking around, I thought — man, I need a studio again. A space to build and show. And by actually going, asking questions, talking to people — I learned way more than I ever would’ve just thinking about it.That’s the magic of “VETE A VER.”If you’re sitting on an idea — whether it’s starting a comic, opening a small business, painting a mural, or selling cakes shaped like… well, whatever — stop just wondering. Go find out. Ask questions. Visit the place. Email the person. See what the rent is, what the materials cost, what it would actually take.You’ll either find out it’s doable… or that it’s not. Either way, you’re further than where you were.Because the only thing worse than failure is wondering “what if” for the rest of your life.So that’s my challenge this week:Pick something you’ve been thinking about — a goal, a project, a side hustle — and go see. Don’t overthink it, don’t plan it to death. Just take one step.The next time you catch yourself saying, “I wonder if I could…”Remember my dad:¡VETE A VER! GO AND SEE.Stay loud. Stay curious.FWACATA! 💥🎧 Listen to the full episode: FWACATA Podcast on Spotify | Watch on YouTube

Hey, what’s going on, everybody?It’s Monday, the 27th (I think? My calendar’s buried somewhere under art supplies), and I’m feeling that post-Kickstarter glow. FWACATA #3 wrapped up strong — fully funded, stretch goals flying — and I’m buzzing. There’s no better way to start a Monday than on a high note.Because here’s the truth, man: life is highs and lows. That’s it. That’s the whole game. One day you’re up, the next you’re face-first in a puddle of ink, wondering if your printer hates you. But those dips? They’re part of the rhythm.Your heart pumps, your lungs breathe, and your brain—well, your brain just wants you to survive. It’s built to focus on the bad. That’s not your fault. That’s evolution being an overprotective mom. But the thing is, you can feed your brain. You choose what it focuses on. If you fill it with history, stories, good people, and perspective—you start seeing the patterns. Highs and lows. You start seeing that it’s all part of something bigger.I’ve been making comics for thirty years now. (Yeah, I said it. Thirty.) Started in 1992 as a kid, mailing submissions out in the ‘90s, chasing that dream through art school, conventions, jobs, heartbreaks, and late nights. It’s been a roller coaster. But the secret? The doing is the reward. Making comics is the dream. Nobody gives you a license. There’s no “Comic Creator Police.” You’re a comic book artist when you make comics. Boom. You’re in.And I’m on a high right now, because it feels damn good to see readers come back for Issue #3. To see new people jump in. To see names I recognize from Issue #1 and #2 still showing up, still supporting, still believing. That’s real. That’s fuel.I’ve got FWACATA #4 halfway done, plus new Zombie Years pages in progress. I’m aiming for a February release, maybe a digital annual before that. The plan? Keep it quarterly, keep it sustainable, keep the hustle alive.And man, I’ve found a groove. My printer, Comics Wellspring, is killing it—top-notch work every time. I’ve got a formula that’s finally clicking. So the goal now is just to keep going, refine, and level up.There’s a new career move on the horizon in January that might change how I balance things, but that’s okay. Change is part of the process. I’m not scared of lows—they just mean another high is coming.So if you’re reading this, and you’re in one of those valleys? Keep moving. Feed your brain. Jump off the cliff and build the parachute on the way down. That’s the only way you ever fly.Thanks to everyone who backed the Kickstarter, supported on Patreon, shared the posts, or even just believed in this madness. You guys are the wind beneath my… wings? Winds beneath my wings? Eh, you know what I mean. You keep me going.Here’s to the highs, the lows, and everything in between.Stay loud. Stay weird. Be Good. FWACATA! 💥

We all like to think we’re good people. But are we really? Or are we just people who haven’t been given the chance to be bad yet?That’s the thing my dad used to say: “People are how they are, and people are where they should be.” And as harsh as it sounded, he was right. Because most of the ugliness in the world isn’t random—it’s self-inflicted. There are very few tragedies. Doesn’t mean you don’t help or push people down, no, not at all, but many of us are where we put ourselves. The truth is, people are as good as their options.When life corners you, when you lose comfort, when the easy choices disappear—that’s when your character shows. And whether it’s in art, politics, or just being human, the same law applies:What you do when you can’t do much… says everything.As artists, we constantly face limits—time, money, doubt. But those limits don’t define us. How we respond to them does.So ask yourself this week:What options can I improve? What choices am I proud of?And which ones am I pretending I don’t have?Because the truth is—being good is easy when it’s easy.The real test is being good when it’s not.

Hey there, fuckos. Welcome back to another Monday Motivation—your weekly reminder that your brain is not just for storing old passwords and random Die Hard quotes.I’m FWACATA—your art dad, your creative comrade, your podcaster-shouter of truths.And today’s episode? The Joy of Learning.Not the homework kind. Not the “show your work on the math problem” kind.I’m talking about learning as fuel. The good shit.Now, I know what you’re thinking:“Learning? Didn’t I leave that back in high school, right next to my bad haircut and my crippling acne?”Yeah, me too. But here’s the thing—learning isn’t punishment. It’s fuel. It’s rocket fuel for your brain-car. Without it? You’re just Fred Flintstoning your way through projects, barefoot on gravel, wondering why everything feels stale.When I was working for the Hormel family as an art archivist—yes, that Hormel family—my boss used to say, “I don’t want to hear ‘I don’t know.’ I want to hear ‘I’ll find out.’” That stuck with me. “I don’t know” isn’t an answer. It’s an excuse. And excuses are where ideas go to die.Here’s a dirty little secret: Talent is just passion times time.That’s it. No magic, no divine spark from the art gods. Just passion, multiplied by time, multiplied by the hours you put in.Learning is what accelerates that equation. It’s the turbo boost, the NOS in your Fast & Furious brain.And here’s the kicker: the learning doesn’t even have to be “useful.”Saul Alinsky studied sea urchins. David Bowie read about space exploration.Me? I spent an entire afternoon learning about raccoons. And now I can’t stop drawing them like they’re plotting world domination.Sometimes the weirdest, most random knowledge is exactly what sparks the coolest ideas.Take Kim Jung Gi—the late, great Korean artist. Absolute monster talent. Guy could draw helicopters, motorcycles, and entire battlefields straight out of his head.Why? Because he studied everything. He took apart scooters and sketched every part. He drew the same engines, gears, and pistons over and over until he understood them.That’s the power of learning. When you absorb knowledge, it becomes part of your mental toolbox. You’re not just copying anymore—you’re creating.Look, learning keeps you alive. Without it, your brain turns into that one potato in the pantry—the one you forgot about—that sprouts alien tentacles and freaks you out when you find it.Curiosity is oxygen. It keeps your art fresh, keeps your perspective sharp, and keeps you from turning into that jaded asshole who thinks they’ve got nothing left to learn.So here’s my challenge for you this week:Pick one thing—just one—that you don’t know… and dive into it.Learn a new recipe.Read about an artist you’ve never heard of.Watch a tutorial on how to play the ukulele. (You don’t even need to own one. That’s not the point.)The point isn’t mastery. The point is movement. Learning humbles you. And it energizes you.So celebrate the joy of learning. Stay curious. Stay weird. Stay that person who always asks why—even if it annoys the hell out of everyone around you.Because curiosity isn’t childish. Curiosity is how you stay alive. And when you pour that new knowledge into your art—your writing, your music, your Nicholas Cage hot-glue sculptures—you’ll find inspiration waiting like an old friend.That’s it for this week’s Monday Motivation.Stay curious. Stay weird. And as always—be good.

Hey, everybody—it’s Monday, September 29, and this is your Monday Motivation Podcast by FWACATA.What’s up, heathens? You sweaty, creative masses of chaos? Yeah, that thing that happened—wild, right? I mean, I don’t know what happened, because I pre-recorded this. But thanks to the internet’s nonstop firehose of madness, I’m sure something insane just went down. So now it sounds like I know what’s happening. See how that works? “Dude, did you SEE that shit?” Boom. Timeless.Anyway. Welcome back to the other Monday Motivation—the one where we drag your creative bird out of bed, slap it around a little, pour some coffee on it, and shove it back into the ring.Today’s episode? Creative Reboots.Restarting stalled projects with fresh energy.Here’s a confession: I have drawers—literal drawers—of half-finished comics, folders of “someday novels,” Google Docs of script fragments, and sketchbooks that look like serial killer ransom notes. Every time I open them, these projects look up at me like, “Bro, remember us? You abandoned us like a Tamagotchi in ’98.”We all have them. Projects that start hot—burning like first love—and then three weeks later you’re wondering: Why the hell did I think a 400-page Gundam-meets-Full-Metal-Jacket-meets-Mad-Max comic was a good idea? (Spoiler: it wasn’t. But I still tried.)Creative projects are like relationships. They start steamy. You doodle hearts around their name. Then reality shows up like a chaperone at prom, and you’re sitting in the corner with your unfinished script, not even getting to second base.So what do you do? How do you reboot?Look at your project like it’s someone else’s. Pretend you found it in a thrift store. What’s cool about it? What sucks? Sometimes distance gives you fresh eyes. Go get a coffee. Go stare at a wall. Hell, go smoke a cigarette if that’s still your thing. Come back. You’ll see it differently.Maybe the project stalled not because it sucks—but because you made it too damn big. Instead of a 400-page epic, make it a 12-page comic. Instead of a novel, a short story. Instead of a film, a TikTok. Give yourself permission to shrink it. Small wins build momentum.If you’re stuck, switch the medium. Writing on a laptop? Try pen and paper. Painting with acrylics? Try markers, charcoal, Photoshop—hell, carve it into a potato if you have to. Creativity thrives on novelty. Sometimes the project isn’t stuck—you are.Ask yourself: Why did I start this? Was it the story? The character? The mood? Go back to the original spark. I make soundtracks for my projects—yeah, actual playlists. When I hear certain songs, I remember what I wanted the story to feel like, and suddenly, boom—the fire’s back.A reboot doesn’t mean you finish it tomorrow. It means breathing life back into it. One sketch. One page. One note. That’s CPR for your project.Look—unfinished doesn’t mean failed. It just means paused. You can hit “play” again anytime. And if it really is dead? That’s okay too. Bury it, honor it, and move on. Not every sketch becomes a masterpiece. But every sketch leads somewhere.So this week: dust off one stalled project. Give it a reboot. Look at it with new eyes. Shrink it down. Switch your tools. Reconnect with your why. Do something. Anything. And maybe, just maybe, that creative corpse gets back up and dances.That’s it for today’s Monday Motivation. If you’re digging this podcast, support me on Patreon at patreon.com/fwacata—get behind-the-scenes chaos, comics, art, and maybe the occasional zombie project resurrection.And hey—the Kickstarter for issue 3 of FWACATA is live. Go check it out. Support if you can, or at least spread the word. Even a repost works wonders. https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/ThisisJuan/fwacata-3-comics-to-the-face?ref=9gnlxmAlright weirdos—reboot, restart, and as always… be good.1. Step Back.2. Scale It Down.3. Change the Tools.4. Reconnect with the “Why.”5. Celebrate Progress, Not Perfection.

Delays, Shitstorms, and Staying Motivated AnywayHey everybody—it’s Juan. Yeah, I know, I’ve been MIA. Missed a couple of episodes since September. My bad.And no, I wasn’t out there selling my ass on Biscayne Boulevard… but honestly? It came close. Life’s been busy as hell, and when the bills scream louder than your muse, you gotta answer.But that’s not the only reason I hit pause. Truth is, after the Charlie Kirk incident, it got really hard to sit down and record something motivational. I mean, how do you scream “be good, make art!” into the mic when the world feels like it’s circling the drain?Every day, I catch myself thinking about how fast things are unraveling. And I try to balance it—like, “Juan, it’s not that bad.” But then I scroll the internet, and holy hell… it’s toothpaste ads next to hate speech, conspiracies being treated like facts, and everyone yelling louder just to be heard.And here’s the thing—I’m always more wary of the people pushing hate and violence than anyone speaking about peace. Because peace takes real work. Violence? Any asshole can pull a trigger. We’ve seen that.Charlie Kirk—yeah, I’ll say it—was a racist piece of shit. He didn’t deserve to die. Nobody does. And no, I’m not saying that to make myself look noble. I’m saying it because if people get shot in the neck for their opinions—no matter how shitty—then what’s stopping someone from putting a bullet in me because they didn’t like this podcast? That’s the scary part.We think pacifism means “doing nothing.” But nonviolence is harder. Martin Luther King, Gandhi—they weren’t passive. They chose the long road, the painful road, but the right road. It’s easy to blow something up. It’s harder to build something worth living for.Now don’t get me wrong—I’m a Second Amendment guy. I’ve sold guns. I get it. Self-defense is real. But owning a gun means facing a truth: it’s not for sport, it’s not for decoration—it’s a tool designed to kill. And if you’re not ready to own that responsibility, then maybe rethink it.Here’s how I see it: life right now feels like a hurricane. The outer bands hit first—wind, rain, chaos. Then comes the eye, calm and quiet. And that’s where people make the mistake—they think it’s over, walk outside, and get wrecked by the second half of the storm.I don’t think we’re even in the eye yet. I think we’re still getting hit by those outer bands. And when it looks calm? That’s when we’ve got to be extra careful. Because the second wave could be worse.So what do we do? We prep. We make sure we can eat, drink, sleep, and shit without panicking. We don’t panic-buy—we prepare smart. And most importantly, we build community. Because that’s the antidote to division.Neighbors. Friends. Each other. That’s what’ll get us through, not lone-wolf Rambo fantasies.So yeah—your “motivational guy” got unmotivated. Happens. Doesn’t mean I wasn’t working. Doesn’t mean I wasn’t creating. Just meant it was hard to come back here and push positivity when the storm outside feels louder than my mic.But I’m back. This is a little bonus episode to reset. Monday’s episode—number 29—is coming, and I’ll be working to make up the ones I missed.Thanks for sticking around. Thanks for being patient. And remember—life is chaos, but we keep making, we keep moving, we keep showing up.Until then—as always—be good.PS: My Kickstarter for FWACATA Issue 3 is out, get your copy now in the pre-order and other awesomeness all right here! https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/ThisisJuan/fwacata-3-comics-to-the-face?ref=9gnlxm

When was the last time you practiced the basics? I’m talking about drawing cubes, playing scales, writing clean sentences—the broccoli of creativity. Not glamorous, not sexy, but absolutely essential.The truth is, fundamentals aren’t just for beginners. They’re for everyone. Athletes run drills. Musicians practice scales. Even chefs revisit chopping onions. Why? Because mastery is maintenance.Skipping fundamentals is like skipping the gym—you’ll eventually regret it. And the best part? The stronger your basics, the freer your creativity becomes. Fundamentals are the foundation that lets you build castles, break rules, and push limits without everything collapsing.So this week’s Monday Motivation is all about revisiting your fundamentals. Pick one area of your craft, go back to basics, and practice. Not because you’re bad, but because you’re sharpening your edge.🎙 Listen to the full episode → Patreon.com/FWACATAAlso, check out the Discord for more! https://discord.gg/Un3ZJGwM

If there’s one thing that chaps my balls (and trust me, there are many), it’s ego.You know the kind—spoken-word monologues that sound like they were written by a mirror:“I am the truth, I am the fire, I am the cosmic latte of your reflection.”Cool. Congrats. But here’s the thing: creating isn’t about being the cosmic latte. It’s about doing the thing, failing at the thing, and sometimes—even more importantly—celebrating the fact you did the thing at all.Because being creative is like being in a bad relationship. You give it everything: your time, your sleep, your Netflix queue. And what do you get back? A drawing of a horse that looks like a toaster with legs. Or a short story that reads like it was typed with someone’s feet.But now and then, you land it. You make something, you look at it the next day, and you don’t want to vomit. That’s a win.And here’s the tragedy: most of us don’t celebrate it. We just shrug and say, “Yeah, but what’s next?”That’s like winning Olympic gold and complaining your shoelaces were untied.I’ll admit it—I’m guilty. I finish a painting, and by the time it’s off the easel, I’m already sick of it. I’ve literally begged museums just to keep the damn thing because I don’t want to pick it up. I’m like a deadbeat parent to my own art. Done is done, and I don’t want visitation rights.But you know what? That’s not fair—to me or the work. Because small wins matter.Wins like:That one sketch in your notebook that actually worked.A print you sold—even if it was on sale.A stranger saying, “Hey, this made me smile.”Your kid asking to draw with you. (That’s huge.)Or, if you’re me as a kid—spray-painting your toy van army green, taping it like your dad’s body shop, and scrawling FUCK TRUCK down the side. (True story. And yes, the weapons popped out when you pressed the button. Tell me that’s not a creative win.)Here’s the thing: these wins are your rocket boosters. Each one gives you enough thrust to break gravity and keep going. Without them, you’re stuck on the launchpad, pissed off, wondering why nothing feels worth it.So here’s your homework this week:Think of one creative win you’ve had. Doesn’t matter how small. Maybe it was a napkin doodle that didn’t look like hot garbage. Maybe it was a poem that made you laugh. Maybe it was the time your cousin made up a theme song for your ridiculous toy van.Celebrate it. Out loud. Toast it. Do a stupid dance. Tell your dog because nobody else is going to throw you a parade. You have to be the marching band for yourself.Creative wins are rare. They’re quiet. They don’t come with confetti or royalties. But they matter. They’re proof. They’re fuel. And if you string enough of them together, you don’t just make art—you make a life.So celebrate your work, even the messy bits. Especially the messy bits.Because in the end, small wins are still wins.🎧 Listen to the full episode → [Podcast Link]👉 Support more rants, chaos, and comics on Patreon → https://www.patreon.com/FWACATAJoin the discord, show work, and discuss! https://discord.gg/Un3ZJGwM

The other day I saw this video of a professor talking about cringe culture—how being openly hopeful, positive, or ambitious somehow makes you the human equivalent of a “kick me” sign. Better to be nihilistic, detached, and “cool” than risk being seen trying.And you know what? She’s right. We’ve built a culture where fear is fashionable. Fear of being judged. Fear of being canceled. Fear of failing so hard that you leave a crater.But here’s the truth: fear’s only job is to keep you bland and “safe.” It’s that smoke detector that screams at burnt toast. It’s the backseat driver telling you to stay home and eat dry cereal instead of risking rejection, ridicule, or (God forbid) being seen.Here’s the dirty secret nobody tells you: everyone’s afraid.The artists you admire? Afraid. Your favorite musicians? Nervous wrecks before a show. Even Beyoncé probably has a moment backstage wondering if her dress is too sparkly.The difference is—they act anyway.Fear has never written a book, painted a canvas, or built a business. It just sits there with its arms crossed, muttering “don’t.” The only way to shut it up is to do it anyway.Start small. Post one piece of art. Play your song for one friend. Sell one hot dog. Each step is a hammer swing breaking the chains that hold you back.Because you’re not here to live small. You’re here to make noise, make messes, screw up, learn, and grow. Fear will always be in the car—just don’t let it drive.🎧 Hear the full rant on FWACATA’s Monday Motivation #29 over on Patreon — where chaos, comics, and creative rebellion live.👉 patreon.com/fwacata

Because choosing intelligence shouldn’t feel like a radical act.Okay, look—I had to sit down and face a hard truth. We all have our “-isms,” right? Some people are racist, some are classist. Me? I’m dumbist. I have a low tolerance for stupidity. Not ignorance—ignorance can be educated. But active, enthusiastic stupidity? That’s my villain origin story.I realized this while standing in line at the grocery store, overhearing someone explain how they “don’t trust electricity.” And it hit me: I’m a misanthrope with WiFi. But I’m not alone.Let’s be real—we live in a society that rewards physical aesthetics but not mental acuity. You get a six-pack, you’re a hero. You read six books? You’re suspiciously quiet and probably a witch. It’s wild.And we’ve created a machine—a black mirror we carry in our pockets—that spits info at us so fast, we don’t retain a damn thing. It’s all junk food for the brain. The tragedy? We used to savor knowledge like a fine meal. Now we inhale it like gas station nachos and forget it by lunch.So what would a Society for Intelligence even look like?No, not a Mensa wine mixer with monocles and grammar snobs. I’m not saying we build a techno-nerd utopia where spelling errors are capital crimes. I’m talking about a world that values intelligence in all its weird, wonderful forms. One that nurtures curiosity and encourages us to ask better questions.Because intelligence isn’t just one thing. It’s not just math tests and spelling bees. Howard Gardner’s theory of Multiple Intelligences says it’s a mix—logic, language, music, movement, people skills, inner self-awareness, nature, and even existential dread (yes, stoners count too).And don’t get me started on IQ tests. They measure how good you are at taking IQ tests. They don’t tell me whether you’d make a decent decision in a crisis—or whether you’d try to ride a bear in Yellowstone for TikTok clout. (Spoiler: a lot of people fail that test.)Here’s the real kicker: Smart doesn’t mean genius. Smart means adaptable. It means curious. It means you know when to shut up and listen. And it means you’re not afraid to look stupid by learning something new.So what do we do?Teach critical thinking.Reward empathy.Build systems with checks and balances, not cults of personality.Encourage people to read a damn book.Make curiosity cool again.And if someone tells you they “don’t do politics,” remind them: that’s not neutrality—it’s just being comfortably uninformed.I’m not perfect. Far from it. I’ve made dumb decisions, eaten suspect sushi, dated human tire fires. But the difference is—I learned. And I think that’s all we’re really asking for.So let’s build a society that rewards that.And hey, if this post sparked something in your over-caffeinated brain, join the Patreon, throw in a buck or two, help me keep screaming into the void with purpose.Until next time:Be smart. Be kind. Best of all—be good.

Cue the music:🎶 "I am a real American… fight for the rights of every man…" 🎶Let’s be real: If you were a kid in the '80s or early '90s, that anthem didn’t just slap—it suplexed your soul.Hulk Hogan wasn’t a man. He was a movement, a mustachioed manifestation of pure musclebound Americana, dripping in baby oil and moral clarity.And now, with his passing, we’re left with a complicated grief.Not over Terry Bollea—the man.But over Hulkamania—the myth.This isn’t an attempt to cancel or canonize him.We know the baggage. The lawsuits. The leaked tapes. The racism. The union-busting.Terry Bollea was, frankly, a mess in red and yellow.But what he symbolized? That’s where it gets tricky—and kind of beautiful.Because in a time before everyone had a hot take, before irony ruled the internet, there was a loud, sweaty, bleach-blonde uncle yelling at you to say your prayers, eat your vitamins, and never give up.And that meant something.https://youtu.be/qAmzvTbqFDM?si=0ZvFo1zm-o475YY1I cried when he lost to the Iron Sheik on TV.(He didn’t actually lose—but try telling 6-year-old me that in my parents’ bedroom at midnight.)When he won? I flexed my invisible pythons and strutted around the house like I just leg-dropped international communism.He was hope, biceps, and American exceptionalism with a tan line.And yeah—Terry ruined a lot of that over time.But honestly?The same way we separated Bill Cosby from Cliff Huxtable…The way Armstrong pedaled away with our hearts before he blood-doped the dream…We have to separate Hogan the man from Hogan the myth.The myth taught us to believe.The man reminded us never to believe too hard.So what now?We retire the mask.We mourn the myth.And we build better heroes. Ones who don’t need steroids, sex tapes, or courtrooms.And if you’re still asking, “What’cha gonna do, brother?”Maybe the answer is this:Be better than him.Want more spicy, nostalgic, uncomfortable truth wrapped in art, absurdity, and storytelling?👉 Join the FWACATA PatreonSupport the podcast. Get art. Keep the chaos going.And remember, brother:It’s okay to outgrow your heroes.Just make sure you grow into someone worth believing in.

(FWACATA Monday Motivation Blog – July 21 Episode)Ever have one of those moments where you look like you’ve got it all together on the outside, but inside you’re screaming like a goat in a horror movie? That was me last weekend.This episode of the FWACATA Monday Motivation Podcast is about conquering fear—or, more accurately, holding hands with it and whispering, “Please don’t kill me” while pretending to be cool.In a short trip meant to cap off a busy but beautiful summer, I took my wife up to Fort Davis, Texas. Scenic mountains, dark sky preserve, hot springs… the works. My lovely partner, ever the explorer, found a mountain-top lookout for some late-night stargazing. Cute, right? Except for one tiny problem—I’m terrified of heights.Now picture this: it’s pitch black, we’re driving up a winding, rail-less mountain road that looks like it was designed by Wile E. Coyote, and I’m trying not to visibly sweat through my skull. When we reached the top, I wanted to run back to the car and hug the steering wheel. But I didn’t. I swallowed the panic and stuck it out.And that’s the whole point of this week’s episode: sometimes the effort is the reward. Sometimes just not turning around and bailing is enough to be proud of. You don’t have to bench press your fears—you just have to show up and give them a side-eye while doing your best to ignore them.It’s not about the stars we saw (spoiler: cloud cover), or the perfect trip (we ate some very "meh" food). It’s about showing up, even when you’re scared.So this week, maybe you’re not ready to climb mountains—literal or metaphorical—but maybe you can still start. Start the thing, make the move, send the email, clean the studio, do the reps, or just admit to yourself that fear is there, but it doesn’t own you.Tune into the episode now to hear how I turned a near panic attack into a personal win.And hey—if you dig what I do, check out the Patreon where you can get even more rants, comics, behind-the-scenes art stuff, and raw, unfiltered motivation to keep going.👉 [Insert podcast episode link]👉 [Insert Patreon link]Be brave. Be weird. Be good.— Juan @ FWACATA 🎙️✨

In this fiery and heartfelt episode of the FWACATA podcast, Juan dives into something that’s been gnawing at his soul: the soul-crushing apathy many folks are clinging to in the face of horror. From Gaza to ICE raids, from flood zone tragedies to TikTok indifference, we’re living in a world where not choosing is becoming its own kind of evil.Juan shares a raw convo with an old friend—actor, comedian, fellow chaos juggler—about the plague of “I’m not political” energy infecting people who should know better. Whether it’s fear of being wrong or just the comfort of not being inconvenienced, that middle-of-the-road numbness is exactly what the worst people in power are counting on.This isn’t about left or right. This is about right and wrong. About being human. About choosing to care, even when it hurts. And about not waiting until the heat’s too high to realize you're the frog in the pot.Yeah, there’s some yelling. Yeah, there’s swearing. Yeah, there’s a solid reminder that artists and actors can be full of it, too. But underneath it all, this episode is a love letter to everyone who does give a damn—and a challenge to those who don’t.👊 If you’ve ever been overwhelmed, pissed off, or just unsure of what the hell to do, this episode is for you.🎧 Listen now, share it, argue with it—just don’t ignore it.✊ Join the movement, support the podcast, and get bonus content on Patreon.com/FWACATA“Be vigilant. Be independent. And most of all—be good.”

Control the Turn – Feelings Aren’t Facts, But They Still Steer the WheelAnother FWACATA Podcast Episode for People Who Think Too Much and Still Click “Play” Anyway (Apologies for the lateness, but I pressed the wrong thing and hadn’t changed my calendar on my wall, and …. yadda, yadda, yadda. )Let me ask you something:Ever feel like you're going to explode because someone gave you a passive-aggressive comment about your work, your face, your socks—whatever—and you’re just sitting there like, “Do I light the building on fire, or do I go full zen monk and let it pass?”Yeah. Me too.This week on the FWACATA podcast, we get into the dangerous (and sometimes hilarious) dance between feeling something and doing something about it. Because guess what? Not every emotion deserves an action.Sometimes you’ve just got to… control the turn.Why passive-aggressiveness is emotional junk foodFeeling disrespected ≠ getting to rage quit your dayLearning to observe instead of react (yes, even to trolls and parking lot weirdos)How not to be a lazy piece of shit—but also how to commit 100% to being one when it’s necessaryWhy you should “whole-ass” your choices (and your cookies)Practical kung fu-level life wisdom, backed by zero science and tons of experienceLook—we’ve all been there. That moment when someone pushes your buttons, and every cell in your body says, “Just swing, bro.” But you don’t. Why?Because full-throttle doesn’t always get you the win.Because scorched earth leaves nowhere to stand.Because sometimes, silence and a sideways glance is a black belt move.This episode is about recognizing that feeling and not letting it puppeteer your life. Whether it's procrastination disguised as self-care, rage disguised as principle, or laziness disguised as peace—you gotta know your mask game.Cool. Eat it. Enjoy it.Then squat it off and do better tomorrow.This episode isn’t about being perfect. It’s about being present. It’s about being aware of when you’re stuck in bed too long. About choosing to work or choosing to rest—but doing it on purpose. It’s about knowing when to draw for six hours and when to chase your wife to a thrift market you didn’t know you needed.Most importantly, it’s about being the kind of person your future self won’t roll their eyes at.🎧 The latest FWACATA podcast episode is up and live now!Listen wherever you listen to your favorite rants, rambles, and hard-earned truths.👉 👉 https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/ThisisJuan/fwacata-2-making-dem-comics-sonBe present. Be weird. Be whole-assed.And as always, be good.#FWACATA #CreativeLife #EmotionalIntelligence #MondayMotivation #IndieComics #ArtistPodcast #MakeArtAnyway #BePresent #WholeAssIt #BeGood🎧 What’s Inside This Episode:You Are Not Your Feels™Still Gonna Eat That Cookie?Listen Now – Your Brain Needs This

🎙️ Don’t Mistake Disagreement for a Death ThreatOr: How to Survive the Internet, Arguments, and Your Own MindYou know what the real modern plague is? Not TikTok addiction or avocado toast pricing. It’s the belief that if someone disagrees with you, they must absolutely, cosmically, and spiritually hate your guts.In this week’s episode of the FWACATA Podcast, we take a step back from the flaming social media pile-on and explore the radical concept that people can disagree... and still be cool with each other.Yeah. Wild, right?Look, disagreement is not a declaration of war. Someone saying “Actually, I think you’re wrong” isn’t them slashing your tires or setting your favorite hoodie on fire. It’s just... a different opinion. But in today’s climate, we’re all packing around emotional landmines like we’re cosplaying a Quentin Tarantino character.There’s this hyper-reactive, Wild West energy in modern life—like we’re all seconds away from a shootout over parking spots or preferred pronouns. But here’s the thing: that constant tension? It’s not strength. It’s paralysis.And it’s turning us all into twitchy little time bombs with strong opinions and sore necks.You’ve got options. You can let the wave knock you down, or you can dive under and keep swimming. That’s not a metaphor. Okay, it is, but it’s also real life. Every day offers you a chance to freak out or flow through. Choose wisely.Your voice is powerful. Use it smart. Sometimes, saying “No thanks” and walking away from a screaming match is more revolutionary than swinging back.This episode also touches on one of life’s greatest scams: the myth of “arrival.” You know, the fantasy that once you graduate, get the job, find the partner, buy the house, or become a 100k-followed influencer, you’ll finally be happy.Spoiler: you won’t. Because you never arrive. Life is not a plateau you get to. It’s a treadmill where the incline keeps randomly increasing and there’s no emergency stop.So what do you do? You enjoy the now. The sandwich you made last week. The sketch that didn’t suck. That one time behind the Walgreens. You live in it. Because presence is power.Why disagreement ≠ hatredHow our words ripple way farther than we thinkThe secret to not being paralyzed by the world’s nonsenseA rant about cringey art shows and technically-good-yet-soulless workA gentle reminder to breathe, walk, laugh, and be just a little unhinged—in the best way possible👉 [Listen to the full episode above] And hey, if you want to support someone who’s trying to make something meaningful in the chaos, check out my Kickstarter. https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/ThisisJuan/fwacata-2-making-dem-comics-sonIssue #2 is LIVE, and we’re already more than a third of the way there. Every backer helps me keep shouting into the void with purpose.Until next time—Be good. Be weird. Be here.#FWACATA #MondayMotivation #CreativeLife #DisagreeDon’tDestroy #BePresent #ArtistRants #MakeArtAnyway #IndieComics #StayHuman☕ Disagreeing Doesn’t Mean You Need to Smack Someone With a Chair🌊 Don’t Just Get Hit By the Wave—Dive Under It🧠 The Real Secret: Be Present🎧 In This Episode:

Yeah yeah, I’ve been off the radar for a couple weeks. Life happened. A few things exploded. Some of them metaphorically, some maybe more literally (I’ll let the insurance company figure it out). And let me tell you—it’s hard to hit “record” on a podcast when you’re busy taping the ceiling back to the roof of your life.But here we are, and guess what?It’s another Monday Motivation from FWACATA, baby.This week’s episode isn’t clean or pretty or filtered through an inspirational quote over a misty lake. This one is duct tape and determination. This one is about being too broke to buy gesso, too tired to function, and still too stubborn to quit.Because here’s the thing nobody tells you with a straight face:You have to be belligerent about your goals.Not cute. Not chill. Belligerent.You have to make art like it owes you money. You have to write like you’re on a deadline that’s three days past. You have to keep showing up even when the algorithm ghosted you, your bank account is playing the “let’s see what overdraft feels like” game, and you’ve had enough of the news to want to just live in a pillow fort permanently.And yeah, that’s the vibe of this episode. It’s real. It’s personal. It’s me figuring out how to keep making comics while staring down a mountain of bills, disillusionment, and the nagging sense that the world’s turning into a Dali painting made of garbage.But I’m still here.Still drawing. Still podcasting. Still putting issue four of the anthology together. Still helping out other creators when I can. Still yelling into the void—only now, it echoes back in stereo.And I’m inviting you in.Because maybe you’ve felt it too. That freeze. That “what’s the point?” moment. That tired-of-mediocrity art show hangover. That soul itch that says, “You’re supposed to be doing more than scrolling through disappointment.”If that’s you? This one’s for you.We talk Kickstarters. Backerkit. GoFundMe karma. Why mediocre art keeps getting hung in galleries. Why really good artists still need someone to walk up and ask, “What are you trying to say with this?”And yeah, I admit I probably need to ask myself that more, too.But in the end? This episode is a reminder that being a little crazy, a little loud, a little obsessed—might just be the only way to survive and thrive right now.🎧 Listen now to the latest episode of the FWACATA Podcast. ➡️ https://open.spotify.com/show/3wCDN8WY91EuayFM9oojCV?si=6mPb35_VRmOBUPxEBvaM4ABe loud. Be weird. Be relentless.But don’t, for the love of comics, stop.BE GOODWhy listen?TL;DR:

Welcome to a new installment of the FWACATA Podcast!If you’ve been waiting for the perfect moment to finally launch your big project, get serious about your art, or just finish that damn thing sitting in the corner of your mind — here’s your Monday wake-up call:Nobody’s coming to hand it to you.You’ve got to start.This week’s episode is a no-holds-barred reminder that while the world might feel like it's tilting sideways (and hey, maybe it is), life, creativity, and hope are still worth the hustle.Sure, things get harder as you get older. You need more coffee. More naps. Maybe a little more yelling into the void. But that flame? It’s still there.It just needs action to stay alive.Movement. Creation. Forward motion.Even if it’s messy. Even if it’s slow. Especially when it’s messy and slow.We all love to plan. Sketchbooks full of notes, dreams, and “what ifs.”But without action, it’s all just doodles in a notebook.You want to start a comic? Draw the first panel.Write a novel? Type the first sentence (even if it’s “Interior: My Asshole.” Seriously, just get moving.)Launch a business? Google the first step and take it.Big ideas don’t mean anything until you get your hands dirty.You know why all the loud, obnoxious people seem to get ahead?Because they’re doing something.It might be awful. It might be evil. But they’re moving. They’re working the system.The good news?You can move too. You can build. You can create. You can do—without selling your soul or turning into a cartoon villain.You just have to start.We’re talking about momentum, the real meaning of resilience, and why you should always plant your flag—even if it feels like you're the only one left on the field.🎧 [Click here to listen to the full episode!](Link to episode here)And if you want even more rants, motivation, behind-the-scenes chaos, and exclusive bonus content? SUBSCRIBE! Let's build something better—one small, stubborn, sweaty step at a time.FWACATA all day, every day.The Fire’s Still There — You Just Need to Stoke ItPlanning is Great. Doing is Better.The Secret the World Doesn’t Want to Tell YouThis episode is a rally cry: Stop waiting. Start doing.