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

Sometimes it gets to feeling like the acts we put on pervade well beyond the literal stage. In an age where we feel like the eyes of the world are always upon us (at least in our heads), it can become difficult to know who we are underneath it all—both as artists and as people.

In this episode of Nah-cademics, Brett and John try to get to the bottom of this exhausting —and ultimately unnecessary—performative tendency.

-Though we feel repulsed when we feel ourselves putting on an act, is it truly wrong to be this way, or does it ever serve a beneficial function? 

-How can things like social media marketing, creativity, and mundane interactions be approached in a more healthy way which doesn’t feel like our self-acceptance and authenticity are in constant jeopardy?

-Is Facebook’s care emoji just a form of gaslighting, or is it possible that we overthink it and should realize that we’re incapable of knowing the level of someone else’s sincerity? 

As always, this podcast offers no definitive answers—it’s just whichever answer makes you like us more… heh heh, just kidding (sort of)—but if you find yourself feeling like the only one always wearing a mask and quietly resenting it, this podcast is for you. 

Come, overthink with us! 

JohnDennisMusic.com
BrettRyanStewart.com
Wirebird Productions

Episode 4: You Are Not Your Art

Why does it matter so much that others like our art ? Sure, we can all cling to the rational platitudes of “it doesn’t matter, so long as we personally love what we’re doing,” but let’s face it, it still hurts our feelings when others don’t share the belief that we’re doing something special—and more importantly, don’t constantly remind us of such. 

In today’s episode, Brett and John dive into these feelings and wax (un)poetic about the dangerous tendency we have towards over-identifying with our art. For just because others don’t, hypothetically, think that your podcast is special, eloquent, or even a net positive for the world, it doesn’t mean they think less of you as person, right?…RIGHT!?!

-How much of our identity (and value) is tied up in what we create, and is it even possible to create art which is “inauthentic?” 

-if we made no art, would our lives and where we are in it still be special/worthwhile? 

-Will Brett still speak to John after finding out that he does, on RARE occasion, listen to Creed? 

As always, Nah-cademics offers no expertise or definitive answers to any of these questions—well, except maybe that last one (answer: not if he wants to hold on to that last shred of dignity). This is merely the spinning of wheels, but if you find yourself feeling alone in asking the above questions and stuck between the need for constant reassurance and the awareness of how ridiculous that need is, this podcast is for you. 

Come, overthink with us!

JohnDennisMusic.com
BrettRyanStewart.com
Wirebird Productions

Pt 2: New Year, Same Me

‘Tis (still) the season! In this follow up holiday episode, Brett and John shift their rambling from the past-looking pathos of Christmas to the futile futurism of New Years—for what better cure for spending another holiday ruminating on all that we’ve lost and fallen short of than to set new resolutions to invariably regret next year; but hey, anything for some content!

• Are New Years Resolutions even helpful? Is it possible to be goal oriented without measuring our success (and worth) by what we’ve accomplished? 
• What defines a “good year?” Is there improvement to be found in focusing on the small victories rather than on life’s inevitable discomforts and our inability to avoid them?  
• How many self-help Instagram quotes does one have to read to achieve enlightenment?

As always, there are no definitive answers to be found here—though we can confirm the answer to that last one is more than a lot—it is but an exercise in overthinking out loud…festively! 

In short, if you find yourself entering a new year dreading needing to listen to this podcast again 12 months from now just to not feel alone in your perceived future shortcomings, this episode is for you—though yea, let’s face it, we’ll more than likely still be here either way. 

PS) in this episode you’ll get to witness John wreck his ‘23 resolution of not misleading anyone on the pronunciation of a philosopher’s name. Brett’s correct, Schrödinger has a hard g. Way to go, John. Year failed.

JohnDennisMusic.com
BrettRyanStewart.com
Wirebird Productions

Pt. 1: Walking Backwards Through Life

’Tis the season! On this two-part episode, Brett and John sing the holiday blues—not literally, thank goodness—and attempt to get to the bottom of that subtle, unspoken sadness that always seems to undergird this time of year.

Maybe it’s the dwindling sunlight, the passage of time, or having too keen an awareness of where this shopping cart full of Beanie Baby equivalents will eventually end up (it ain’t eBay), but it is sometimes difficult to truly experience the joy of a season which so naturally reminds us of the impermanence of things—especially for those who tend to over sentimentalize and reminisce (ahem…).

• What is it about the holidays that makes them so ripe for the broad spectrum of emotion, while seemingly associating anything other than joviality with being a Scrooge?
• Is there a way that we can channel lessons learned from our creative journeys to be more present and not miss the joy of the moment due to focusing too much on the fact that it will end?
• For two people so quick to critique consumerism, why do Brett and John keep talking so much about having personal revelations at Target? 

As always, Nah-cademics offers no genuine expertise or answers. It is merely an exercise in overthinking out loud and—to answer that last question—hypocrisy. In any case, if you, too, find yourself feeling fa-la-la-la-fatalistic amidst the merry multitudes, this is for you.

Come, overthink with us and have Happy… er… you know what, just have a Holiday!

JohnDennisMusic.com
BrettRyanStewart.com
Wirebird Productions

Come, overthink with us. 

Who do you make art for? Do you feel like you owe it to anyone to keep being an artist? Is starting a podcast (and calling it art) really worth disappointing your parents over?

This podcast will not help you answer those questions—well, except maybe the last one—but in the debut episode of Nah-cademics, Brett and John discuss: 

• The feeling that one is letting down their loved ones by not “succeeding”
• The ways in which their goals for life have evolved as has the role creativity plays in that journey
• Learning to be okay with being both content in the present moment and in striving for a better life by letting go of judgement and expectation.

As always, there is no expertise to be found here; it is but the spinning of wheels. What can be found, however, is two clueless troubadours asking some of the questions you might have felt like you were the only one asking.

**This episode also features the first appearance of the Flagrant Falsehood Foghorn (trademark pending) when Brett butchers boxing stats. 

JohnDennisMusic.com
BrettRyanStewart.com
Wirebird Productions