Creative Happy Hour

Today we're talking memento mori, those creepy paintings and objects featuring skulls and death that are supposed to remind you of your own mortality. Why have such a thing? Why have so many artists produced them? What are some famous examples of memento mori? Can reflecting on your own inevitable death boost your creativity and productivity, or are memento mori just creepy, depressing, and dangerous? What are the alternatives? I'll be interviewing fine artist Linda Cosgrove, who collects and frequently paints memento mori, and I'll be drinking a cocktail called Satan's whiskers. I'll also talk Damien Hirst, Cezanne, Picasso, and more.

It's 50 percent carbon, 21 percent oxygen, 17 percent nitrogen, 6 percent hydrogen, and 5 percent sulphur.

It's stronger than copper of the same diameter.

It is a relic and a talisman and was made into jewelry by the Victorians.

In this episode, we're talking about the incredible power of hair. We'll discuss some creative and historical figures with iconic hair, starting with Andy Warhol, we'll interview The Queen of Heartbreak, a burlesque performer with an incredible wig collection, and go over what to think about when you decide whether you should incorporate a unique hair look into your creative signature style. We'll be drinking some "hair of the dog" as we get drunk on the creative possibilities.

He was a misogynist, a serial cheater, abusive, and an egomaniac, according to those who knew him. But was Pablo Picasso a monster? In this episode, we delve deep into the details of Picasso's art, his life, and his relationships to show that he was in fact a vampire... an energy vampire, that is. As natural empaths, creatives can be very sensitive and vulnerable to energy vampires, so after discussing Picasso, we'll go over what an energy vampire is, what to do and not to do to protect yourself, and what to do if you're the energy vampire! Join us and get drunk on the creative possibilities!

What's your creative legacy? Edgar Allan Poe was many things, but much of his reputation is due to an obituary and biography penned by his nemesis, Rufus Griswold.

Learn the fascinating story of Poe's life, ponder some thought-provoking quotes by the legendary author, and be inspired by the life lessons we glean from the story of Poe's life and career.

As a bonus, a reading of The Raven. (When's the last time you actually read it?)

Join host Karena Akhavein, PhD, and get drunk on the creative possibilities.

We might be going to hell for this one... What is the relationship between religion and art? Religion and creativity? And how do you make your own creative expression more sacred? The answers to these questions and more in our latest episode. Cultural anthropologist Micah Black and PhD in medieval saints Karena Akhavein discuss while drinking Hogwash Rose and dropping the occasional F bomb.

There's a stereotype of the tortured artist. Pain and creativity often go hand in hand. In this episode of the podcast, we delve into the stories of artists Frida Kahlo and Maud Lewis for a discussion on pain and creativity. How do you use your pain for good? How not to be defined by your pain? Does pain always produce dark art? How can the idea of pain help creative entrepreneurs? Join us and get drunk on the creative possibilities.

Patti Smith is an iconic multimedia artist- poet, singer, musician, writer, photographer... and friend to Mapplethorpe, Dylan, REM, and so many artists. In this episode of Creative Happy Hour we dive deep into the inspirational life story of Patti smith and explore how she checks the boxes on so many creative archetypes. We do this while sampling Mandela Sauvignon Blanc from South Africa. Join us and get drunk on the creative possibilities.

Rebellion: The creative is often seen as a rebel. But how productive is being rebellious? Does it feed your creativity, or make you flame out early? In this episode, we drink Daou wine from Paso Robles and discuss teen poet Arthur Rimbaud, whose period of intense creativity mysteriously only lasted four years. We discuss the mystery behind this and try to explore more about what it means to be a rebel, in the arts, in music, and in creative entrepreneurship.

This episode is dedicated to the people of Lebanon. It was recorded on the day of the explosion in Beirut.

Michelle McNamara, the author of the posthumously published "I'll be Gone in the Dark: One Woman's Obsessive Search for the Golden Gate Killer," is a sad and vivid example of the creative and destructive power of obsession. She died before finishing the book, of an overdose of prescription drugs that she was taking to fuel her writing and calm her anxiety. Her obsession with the Golden State Killer was both creative and destructive. In this episode of Creative Happy Hour, we drink Golden State Cider and discuss the story of Michelle McNamara, and what obsession can do to (and for) you.

Gustave Niebaum was a Finnish Captain, entrepreneur, and winemaker whose Inglenook Winery was purchased by Francis Ford Coppola. In this episode, we discuss the fascinating life of Niebaum, dissect the creative archetypes he represented, and talk about his creative legacy, which continues on with legendary filmmaker and now winemaker Coppola. We do all this while sipping Coppola Cabernet Sauvignon. Join us and get drunk on the creative possibilities.