Creative Jumpstart: Inspiration, Motivation, and Insight for Writers, Artists, and Creatives

My Effing Desk: S1 E9

Comedian + Writer Crystal Lowery: No Expiration Date on Talent

Comedian and writer Crystal Lowery talks about creativity as redemption, the therapy of comedy, and smashing patriarchal expectations of mothers.

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• Follow Crystal on Facebook and Instagram.
• Let's Explore Diabetes with Owls by David Sedaris*
• The Primal Scream: America's Mothers Are In Crisis (NYT article)
• Untamed by Glennon Doyle*
• Bossy Pants by Tina Fey *
• A Swim in a Pond in the Rain by George Saunders*

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Tags: Crystal Lowery, creativity, motherhood, humor, author, writer, stand-up, comedian, screenwriter, passion, inspiration

*Amazon affiliate link

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My Effing Desk: S1 E8

Tango Dancer + Non-Profit Co-Founder Monica Caivano: Art is Essential

Tango dancer and non-profit co-founder Monica Caivano on the role of art and community in hard times, co-parenting and co-running a cultural center with her ex, and reimagining her non-profit, Esquina Tango, during the pandemic.

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• The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron*
• Esquina Tango website
• Petition to support Esquina
• Pictures of the outdoor platforms created during the pandemic

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Tags: Monica Caivano, Esquina Tango Austin, tango, dance, Austin, non-profit, dancer, creativity, motherhood, co-parenting, inspiration

*Amazon affiliate link

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My Effing Desk: S1 E7

Author + Songwriter VC Chickering: Why Not Me?

Author and songwriter VC Chickering on reinventing herself at 45, the scintillating sex lives of divorcees, raising good boyfriends, and what success means to her.

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• Tori's website
• Tori on Instagram
• Tori Erstwhile and The Montys YouTube channel
• Tori's funny combo spoken word/song “Still Smokes” from Listen to Your Mother
  
  
• No Plot? No Problem! by Chris Baty*
• Tell Him, an Essay on Masculinity by Jameela Jamil
• The Blessing of a Skinned Knee by Wendy Mogel*
• Martha Graham quote 

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*Amazon affiliate link

Tags: VC Chickering, Nookietown, Twisted Family Values, creativity, motherhood, songwriting, author, writer, songwriter, passion, inspiration

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My Effing Desk: Bonus Episode

3 Things About Pixar's Soul  Movie

Pixar's movie Soul was groundbreaking in so many ways, and it has particular creative significance. In this bonus episode, host Leslie Gaar explores three of the movie's themes as they apply to people on their creative journey.

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• Soul is Pixar’s most visually inventive film, and one of its most poignant by Alissa Wilkinson
• The War of Art by Steven Pressfield*
• The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron*

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*Amazon affiliate link

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My Effing Desk: S1 E5

Ask Me Anything

Host Leslie Gaar answers listener questions about her creative roots, overcoming self-doubt, the importance of forgiveness when it comes to goals, and juggling a creative life with three kids.

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• How To Be Everything: A Guide For Those Who (Still) Don’t Know What They Want To Be When They Grow Up by Emilie Wapnick*
• The Dutch House by Ann Patchett*
• Interior Design Masters
• River Deep, Mountain High

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*Amazon affiliate link

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My Effing Desk: S1 E4

Storyteller + Filmmaker Charlotte Moore: Follow Your Inspiration

Storyteller and filmmaker Charlotte Moore talks about motherhood and creativity, trusting your calling, and the hard work of dismantling racism through her nonprofit, Black Bodies Project.

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• Black Bodies Project
• I Wonder as I Wander by Langston Hughes*
• For Every Mountain performed by Kurt Carr Singers
• Silent Witness

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My Effing Desk: S1 E3

Cartoonist + Writer Adrienne Hedger: Life in Cartoons

Cartoonist and writer Adrienne Hedger shares the truth about paying bills as an artist, how she deals with trolls, and using laughter as therapy.

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• Adrienne’s website
• Adrienne on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram
• Wild Geese by Mary Oliver*
• Creativity: A Short and Cheerful Guide by John Cleese*

Click here to find Adrienne and my cartoon collaboration, her types of annoying people cartoon, and pics of her life hack figurine.

The other contender for our collaboration.

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*Amazon affiliate link

Tags: Adrienne Hedger, Hedger Humor, creativity, motherhood, writing, drawing, cartoons, humor

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My Effing Desk: S1 E2

Writer + Performer Abby Sher on Art as Activism

Writer and performer Abby Sher discusses her latest book, Sanctuary, co-authored with Women's March co-founder Paola Mendoza, writing as therapy, and finding joy in creating with her kids.

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• Abby's website
• Abby on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram
• Sanctuary book*
• Scrubs clip where Turk dances to "That Girl Is Poison"
• Lost Children Archive by Valeria Luiselli*

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*Amazon affiliate link

Tags: Abby Sher, creativity, motherhood, writing, activism

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My Effing Desk: S1 E1

Author + Illustrator Elly Lonon: Do The Thing That’s On Fire

Author and illustrator Elly Lonon discusses embracing imperfection, art as a tool for healing, and how the pandemic has changed the way she creates.

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• Elly’s website
• Elly on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram
• Find out where to buy Elly’s graphic novel, Amongst the Liberal Elite
• Ukulele graphic piece
• Link to the Ira Glass quote we referenced
• Black is The Body: Stories from My Grandmother’s Time, My Mother’s Time, and Mine  by Emily Bernard*

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*Amazon affiliate link

Tags: Elly Lonon, creativity, motherhood, writing, drawing, celebrating failure 

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Welcome to My Effing Desk, a podcast about juggling motherhood and a creative life. Whether you've already got your own effing desk or are still trying to find it under the laundry, this podcast is for you! 

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Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, TikTok, and Pinterest. 

Learn more at www.myeffingdeskpodcast.com

Get in touch at [email protected] 

Support the show