What is true artistic freedom? We’d all almost certainly argue that it looks something like having no boundaries or restrictions to one’s creative process or the time needed to perfect it. Maybe it means having the resources to rent a studio and pay musicians for months on end, or maybe it looks more like being able to create any convention-defying work you want without fear of rejection or financial consequence—ideally, not a podcast.

Regardless, we all have a tendency to romanticize the freedom which, in practice, is often both unrealistic and ineffective while resenting the limitations that, in reality, can actually be beneficial as they force us to rein in our perfectionism and discipline our process.

Note: The truth is, Brett and John were about to be late for a movie, so they made the topic on the benefits of limiting factors and hoped you’d think it was enlightened. It was not, but hey, at least you only have to listen to them ramble for half the time.

-What is it about creating “conventional” art that seems so repulsive, and in what ways has our deliberate striving to feel original prevented us from disciplined growth?

-How can daily, scheduled creative periods and deadlines aid in getting us out of cycles of inactivity and perfectionism?

-How does Brett and John’s limitation of endlessly overthinking how they’re being perceived benefit them in the creation of a podcast that is shorter than normal?

As always, Nah-cademics offers no definitive answers to these questions—well, except maybe that last one (answer: heh heh, it does not.)—it is but the, usually meandering, chatter of fools, but if you find yourself creating only excuses but never any art, this podcast is for you—and we’ll only be enabling your distraction for half the normal time.

Come, overthink with us!

JohnDennisMusic.com
BrettRyanStewart.com
Wirebird Productions

Why is it that no matter how vigorously we run the race of life, we always end up feeling like we’re falling behind? Whether we’re losing ground, time, or patience, why do we invariably get so bogged down by what we know to be but mundane detours in our quest for joy that we put on the back burner any of the activities that will actually bring us closer to our true goals?

In this episode, our favorite carping creatives, Brett and John, revel in their own Sisyphean struggles when it comes to actually, you know, creating and aim to find ways to not only extend ourselves some grace, but also better use the free time we do have to feel more fulfilled—such as, complaining about it on an amateur podcast on a biweekly basis.

-What is it about our creative endeavors that makes them so easy to put at the bottom of our to do lists when we’re constantly measuring ourselves most acutely by our progress in them?

-How can we view deadlines as a positive way of forcing our efforts and preventing ourselves from falling into the perfectionism trap?

-For two people so intent on not squandering energy or time in unproductive ways, how’s starting an amateur podcast working out?

As always, Nah-cademics offer no definitive answers to these questions—well except maybe that last one (answer: Well, no worse than anything else, but we do it so you don’t have to)—this is but the spinning of a hamster wheel. All the same, if you find yourself always behind in the things that matter most to you and needing something to listen to while stuck in traffic on an unfulfilling detour of life, this podcast is for you. Silence works too.

Come, overthink with us!

JohnDennisMusic.com
BrettRyanStewart.com
Wirebird Productions

A good friend can be hard to find. How is it that, for a subset of people who define themselves by their sensitivity and depth, it can feel so difficult to find relationships that aren’t centered on networking and shallow small talk?

Sure, we may know a hundred other artists who we get along well with, but how well do we really know these folks, and how well do they know us beyond what shows we have coming up or what new projects we’re working on? Casual acquaintances are great, but the loneliness inevitably creeps in when one needs friends with whom to share the true joys and sorrows of life —such as when you need help moving or company at the DMV. 

In this episode of Nah-cademics, Brett and John seek to get to the bottom of this dilemma and inadvertently confirm that running an amateur podcast doesn’t automatically net you a bunch of friends—shocking, we know. 

-How much of the feeling of having too few friends is really the result of over romanticizing the friendships of our youth and failing to accept and redefine what they mean in adulthood?

-As musicians who (most of the time) love music, why does talking about music often feel so exhaustingly hollow?

-Would Brett and John have more friends if they simply attended more “Pickin’ Parties”?

As always, this podcast offers no definitive answers to the above questions—well, except maybe that last one (it’s doubtful, they’re “those podcast guys,” remember?)—it is but the eager chattering of two long-winded loners. However, if you find yourself asking any of the above questions and always feeling alone the crowd, this podcast is for you.

Come, overthink with us! 

JohnDennisMusic.com
BrettRyanStewart.com
Wirebird Productions