In the audio trailer of Michael Franti’s Staying Human podcast, he says, “ … the belief that I have, there’s no one that you wouldn’t love, if you knew their story.” I appreciate Franti’s sentiment. Truth is, I struggle with love. I am amazed over and again by how easily Read more…
Something that’s been in the back of my mind for many years, even long before I was a practicing artist, has been occasionally encountering non-artists looking at art and saying, “I could do that.” It oversimplifies what artists do. Even before I was actively pursuing my creative potential, I somehow understood Read more…
Rick Rubin, the legendary music producer, says, “The things we make are a reflection of who we are in this moment, and that’s all it is. It’s not more than that. It can go on and mean more than that, but that’s not in our control.” The other day, I Read more…
Oliver Wendell Holmes wrote in his poem, “The Voiceless”: Alas for those that never sing, But die with all their music in them. Psychotherapist Barry Michels cited that line of Holmes’ poem in “The Tools,” the book he co-authored with the psychiatrist Phil Stutz. And then Michels wrote: “It is Read more…
Overview: In this short solo episode (ep 141), Adam Williams reflects on a line poet Jorie Graham gave in a recent interview in The New Yorker and digs into his own mission of self-expression. (Released on podcast on Feb. 28, 2023) Also on Apple, Spotify, Pandora, Stitcher, YouTube, Google and other players. EP 141 SHOW NOTES, LINKS Read more…
Overview: In this episode (ep 134), Adam Williams takes a positive life practice from David Choe and his Choe Show podcast. 5-3-1 … That’s five gratitudes, three things to work on today, and one positive thing about yourself. (Released on podcast on Feb. 5, 2023) Also on Apple, Spotify, Pandora, Stitcher, YouTube, Google and other players. EP Read more…
Overview: In this episode (ep 135), Adam Williams shares his approach to self-expression, including as a podcaster. It’s about self-study and facing fears, putting life questions and the things he thinks he thinks, for now, into the sunlight to see what’s what. (Released on podcast on Feb. 7, 2023) Also Read more…
I came across two messages within minutes of each other last night, both speaking to qualities of being a great man. I can’t say that I’ve considered the greatness of my manness before. I want my work to be great, but even that can be a tough sell, to myself Read more…
Overview: In this short solo episode (ep 132), Adam Williams shares the pure gold of what we’ve been looking for and a way to get there, amid his reflections on Maya Angelou’s line, “Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better.” (Released Read more…
Overview: In this short solo episode (ep 131), Adam Williams shares a creative life practice he calls his Log Book of Doings (and other thoughts and practices). It’s a practice of presence, accomplishment and motivation. (Released on podcast on Jan. 31, 2023) Also on Apple, Spotify, Pandora, Stitcher, YouTube, Google and other players. EP 131 SHOW NOTES, Read more…
Overview: In this short solo episode (ep 129), Adam Williams explores the mind-bogglingness of the Universe and our human arrogance to think it gives a fuck about what we give a foolish fuck about. He wades into our relatively insignificant places as humans in the vast universe and considers what our Read more…
Overview: In this short solo episode (ep. 126) on the Humanitou Podcast, Adam Williams stands at the intersection of creative intentions and oopses, where truth lies in the inexactitude of life. He explores the practice of listening to the intuitive and recognizing “when something artful this way comes.” (Released on Read more…
I stood at the gas pump for 25 minutes in 14-degree mountain cold at 8:30 a.m., with groceries now filling the back seat, waiting on the slowest. gas pump. imaginable. to fill my pickup truck’s 36-gallon tank. And I did some math. And I did some inner work, of sorts. Read more…
Overview: In this short solo episode (Ep. 123), Adam Williams shares about his experience with the conflicting voices in his head, including Brené Brown’s, Teddy Roosevelt’s and his imagined critics’, every time he creates as a writer, poet, artist, podcaster … whatever the creative medium. (Released on podcast on Jan. Read more…
Overview: In this short solo episode (Ep. 124), Adam Williams sorts out some truths of being creative, like facing insecurities with courage and cultivating confidence. He cites Dutch artist, curator and designer Erik Kessels’ book “Failed It!” and reflects on Kessels’ belief that insecurity is essential to confidence. Also on Apple, Spotify, Pandora, Stitcher, YouTube, Google and Read more…
In the waning moments of the calendar, I feel like I ought to write pithy, witty, essential words that encapsulate the year that’s been and launch good vibes for the year ahead. And then I remember that social pressures and sentimentality around this time are constructed by humans. We get Read more…
Below is a noteworthy quote by Debbie Millman, writer, artist, designer and host of the renowned podcast Design Matters, on what she’s learned about making decisions in moments of change. These comments came in conversation with her friend, and fellow artist and illustrator, Lisa Congdon on the Lisa Congdon Sessions Read more…
Overview: In this short solo episode (ep 139), Adam Williams talks about the essential value in stepping up to our stories and vulnerably sharing them, with some inspiration from Fat Joe, Dax Shepard and Shaun White. (Released on podcast on Feb. 22, 2023) Also on Apple, Spotify, Pandora, Stitcher, YouTube, Google and other players. EP 139 SHOW Read more…
Failing our way to success is not a new idea. Counterintuitive for many of us, but not new. Tech and business and creative giants have touted it. Psychologists have studied it. Inspirational posters and Instagram memes quote our shiniest champions and thinkers who give credit to their failed attempts as Read more…
Connection is a word I have thinking about more and more in recent months. As I prepared to share a bit of my Humanitou story at a PechaKucha event last fall, I recognized that that one word — connection — summarizes what Humanitou is about. Then I started noticing it’s Read more…