In this episode I talk with Ben Norris, a software developer, sketchnoter, mental health advocate, blacksmith, a loving husband and father of 7.

Ben shares his passion for mental health, and how sketchnoting is a meditative practice he’s used to support his own journey with ideas for you too.

Journey along with us on this thoughtful discussion.

Sponsored by Concepts

This episode of the Sketchnote Army Podcast is brought to you by Concepts.

An infinite canvas sketching app built for tablets with a stylus, like the iPad Pro, Microsoft Surface, and Samsung Galaxy Tab.

Concepts’ infinite canvas lets you spread out and sketch in any direction. Draw and take notes with liquid pens, markers and brushes in your favorite Copic designer colors.

Everything you draw in Concepts is a flexible vector, so you can move your notes around the canvas, or change their color, tool or size with a simple gesture.

Drag and drop images onto the canvas, and use layers and grids to organize your creative space. When you’re ready to share, export straight to your friends or team.

SEARCH ”Concepts” in your favorite app store for infinite, flexible sketching.

Learn more: Concepts App

Running Order

• Intro: Who is Ben?
• Ben’s origin story
• The possibilities of career change
• Layering sketchnotes on top of something you love
• Sketchnoting as a means to solving problems
• Sermon and church sketchnotes
• Conference sketchnotes
• What does Ben do to keep sane in a pandemic?
  • Creating family experiences together
  • Learning and practicing mindfulness
• Sketchnoting as a mindfulness practice
• Tools
• 3 tips
• Outro

Links

• Ben’s Website
• Mental Work Health
• Sketchnotable
• Gospel Sketcher
• Ben on Micro.blog
• Ben on Twitter
• Ben on Instagram
• Ben on LinkedIn
• Back of the Napkin by Dan Roam
• Eva-Lotta Lamm
• Jeffrey Zeldman
• Balsamiq
• Jason Barron on the Sketchnote Army Podcast
• Rob Dimeo
• Book: Understanding Comics by Scott McCloud

Tools

Amazon affiliate links support the Sketchnote Army Podcast.

• Moleskine Sketchbooks
• The Sketchnote Ideabook
• Studio Neat’s Totebook
• Pilot G2 0.7mm Gel Pen
• iPad Pro
• Apple Pencil
• Linea Sketch
• Paper by WeTransfer
• Procreate

Tips

1. Believe in yourself!
2. Listen well.
3. Try different layouts
4. Follow those who teach drawing, load ideas into your hand

Credits

• Producer: Alec Pulianas
• Theme music: Jon Schiedermayer

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