IGNITER

She is a member of The Decemberists and Black Prairie . . . has appeared on Portlandia, The Simpsons, and Parks & Recreation . . . and so kindly agreed to be our latest special guest. Please welcome the multi-talented Jenny Conlee!

Some of the topics covered include:

• Placing constraints on herself during the writing of her latest solo album
• Different ways that collaboration can work
• Accordion finding its place in modern music
• How cancer changed her goals and outlook on life
• What inspires her to create

Mentioned in this episode:

This episode's special guest is Gary Hirsch, an incredibly creative Portlander who combines his art and improv skills to bring joy to people all over the world, and to help teams collaborate more effectively.

Some of the topics covered include:

• The origins of Gary's accidental global art movement, Botjoy
• Letting go
• Accepting everything as an offer

Mentioned in this episode:

There are many reasons why we SHOULD be creating new things in the world... and perhaps we're already doing so whether we realize it or not! In this episode, Rob and Mark dive into a number of them.

Some of the topics covered include:

• The roots of the word "create"
• Your creative output as a diary entry documenting this moment in time
• Possible aftereffects of our creative work

We've spoken about the fear of failure. But what if you actually succeed but are then rejected? The fans, general public, family, friends, gatekeepers... what if they don't like what you created? Lots to dive into there. Hit PLAY and let's get into it!

Some of the topics covered include:

• Staying in flow state to avoid focusing on fear
• Toxicity of the idea of "success"
• Love and hate evening out

Interruptions come in so many forms: phone, computer, coworkers, your own brain. Always in search of ways around those distractions, Rob and Mark discuss a handful of ways to get away from it all and get into flow state.

Some of the topics covered include:

• Planning ahead
• Being unreachable
• The actual time and productivity loss that come with seemingly short breaks from flow state
• Taking artist dates

We all get stuck, distracted, dragged away from our initial goals. The simple yet powerful concept of Beginning Again could often be the ticket to getting your focus back where you intended it to be.

Some of the topics covered include:

• The distinction between starting over vs. starting again
• The white bear problem
• Removing judgment and expectation
• Getting back in touch with the feeling of inspiration

No more dillydallying. It's time to tackle the nastiest task and get it out of the way. In this episode, Rob and Mark discuss some of the benefits of this approach as well as a few considerations to keep in mind as you set out to do so.

Some of the topics covered include:

• Getting to the good stuff
• Being aware of your energy and willpower levels
• Avoiding analysis paralysis

Do you tend to feel most creative and productive when working on your own? Or more so when teamed up with others? In this episode, Rob and Mark take a look at some pros and cons of both approaches.

Some of the topics covered include:

• The four stages of creation
• External vs. internal judgment
• The myth of the reclusive artist
• Effects that the pandemic has had on isolated/collaborative creative work

Rock opera? Rap metal? Embracing the chaos and exercising your "idea muscle" in order to shorten the 10,000-hour rule? In this episode, Rob and Mark discuss a different form of creativity... especially for those who may not think of themselves as being creative at all.

Shinrin-Yoku is as natural as a medicine can get. Rob introduced this idea to Mark recently and, in this episode, they dive a little deeper into the practice.

Some of the topics covered include:

• Benefits of exposure to nature
• Soft Fascination vs. Hard Fascination
• The ways that nature can affect your productivity and creativity
• How you can integrate these ideas today, wherever you are

Out with the old and in with the new! With 2022 upon us, Rob and Mark take a look at that age-old tradition of writing New Year's resolutions.

Some of the topics covered include:

• Setting S.M.A.R.T. goals.
• Rob's "3 Ds" approach to goal setting.
• Applying the business concept of OKRs to other areas of your life.
• Top 5 2021 New Year's resolutions.
• Why we often fail at accomplishing our resolutions.

As we all roll into that time of year again, Rob and Mark take a few minutes to reflect on some areas of importance for the creative's soul.

Some of the topics covered include:

• Checking in with yourself.
• Creative gift ideas for others.
• Doing less consuming and more creating.
• And more.

Book gift ideas mentioned:

Most creatives have the option of going a variety of "traditional" and/or DIY routes to get their work out into the world. In this episode, Rob and Mark discuss a number of the pros and cons of each approach.

Some of the topics covered include:

• Asking yourself how DIY you really want to be.
• Being aware of things you CAN'T do or SHOULDN'T do.
• The amount of work that is required by DIY'ers.
• Even a DIY product can later find a "traditional" home.

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone! Some of the topics Rob and Mark cover in this bonus holiday episode include:

• Things they are grateful for – especially a close friend and longtime bandmate of Rob’s who the world sadly lost recently.
• Benefits that gratitude can bring to you and others.
• A handful of ways that we can all express more of it in our lives.

This week we sit down at Wayfinding College (formerly Wayfinding Academy) in the St. Johns neighborhood of Portland, Oregon, along with the institution's forward-thinking founder, Michelle Jones.

Some of the topics covered include:

• Her mission to revolutionize higher education.
• Some of the challenges faced by the college, the students, and herself.
• Nonsensical bureaucracy.
• The value of mentoring and collaboration.
• Tiny house living.

This week's guest is friend and Renaissance man, Dylan Dean. An ER doctor, musician, visual artist, and so much more, Dylan joined us to chat about an equally varied number of things.

Some of the topics covered include:

• Triage, creativity and death in the emergency room.
• How Tim Ferriss is a big fat liar.
• Dylan's process of showing gratitude and setting intention.
• The constant search for flow.
• Setting expectations and communicating.
• The importance of knowing (and playing) your game.

What sort of timeframes are you allotting to your big projects? What about your small tasks? Writing that book. Answering all of those emails. Parkinson's Law might inspire you to reevaluate how much time things really can take and how much time you choose to allow for them.

Comments, questions and whatnot. Lots and lots (and lots) of whatnot.

Keep 'em coming and perhaps we'll get to yours next time!

Touring with his band, The Decemberists; producing albums for groups like Y La Bamba and Red Fang; composing and recording his own original music . . . multi-instrumentalist Chris Funk no doubt wears a number of hats. Rob and Mark recently tracked him down to ask about how his creative process works in these various endeavors.

Some of the topics covered include:

The alarm goes off but what makes you do anything other than just shut it off and go back to sleep? In this episode, Rob and Mark begin to dip into the WHY and the HOW of an issue that everyone no doubt struggles with from time to time.

Some of the topics covered include:

• Intrinsic/extrinsic motivations
• "Get To" instead of "Have To"
• Setting the tone for the day first thing
• Morning activities

Ladies and gentlemen... get out your sticky notes. This week, Rob and Mark corner their favorite guitar player – Floater bandmate Dave Amador – at a rehearsal, sit him down and put a microphone in front of him. With this guy, anything could happen.

Some of the topics covered include:

• Creating guitar parts and sounds
• His diverse influences
• The importance of sharing your ideas with others
• Setting up a space for practice
• Taking 5 minutes to "try"
• Motivating yourself with sticky notes

Oh, and make sure to listen to Dave rocking out over this episode's outro!

Your hosts (and jacks/hacks of many trades) Robert Wynia and Mark Powers have joined forces to bring you IGNITER, a brand new podcast aimed toward sparking your creativity. With suggestions, tactics, special guests, listener feedback, and sheer and utter randomness, Mark and Rob will send you on your day with new tools to increase your creative flow and effectiveness.