FWACATA

Okay, look—I had to sit down and face a hard truth. We all have our “-isms,” right? Some people are racist, some are classist. Me? I’m dumbist. I have a low tolerance for stupidity. Not ignorance—ignorance can be educated. But active, enthusiastic stupidity? That’s my villain origin story.

I realized this while standing in line at the grocery store, overhearing someone explain how they “don’t trust electricity.” And it hit me: I’m a misanthrope with WiFi. But I’m not alone.

Let’s be real—we live in a society that rewards physical aesthetics but not mental acuity. You get a six-pack, you’re a hero. You read six books? You’re suspiciously quiet and probably a witch. It’s wild.

And we’ve created a machine—a black mirror we carry in our pockets—that spits info at us so fast, we don’t retain a damn thing. It’s all junk food for the brain. The tragedy? We used to savor knowledge like a fine meal. Now we inhale it like gas station nachos and forget it by lunch.

So what would a Society for Intelligence even look like?

No, not a Mensa wine mixer with monocles and grammar snobs. I’m not saying we build a techno-nerd utopia where spelling errors are capital crimes. I’m talking about a world that values intelligence in all its weird, wonderful forms. One that nurtures curiosity and encourages us to ask better questions.

Because intelligence isn’t just one thing. It’s not just math tests and spelling bees. Howard Gardner’s theory of Multiple Intelligences says it’s a mix—logic, language, music, movement, people skills, inner self-awareness, nature, and even existential dread (yes, stoners count too).

And don’t get me started on IQ tests. They measure how good you are at taking IQ tests. They don’t tell me whether you’d make a decent decision in a crisis—or whether you’d try to ride a bear in Yellowstone for TikTok clout. (Spoiler: a lot of people fail that test.)

Here’s the real kicker: Smart doesn’t mean genius. Smart means adaptable. It means curious. It means you know when to shut up and listen. And it means you’re not afraid to look stupid by learning something new.

So what do we do?

* Teach critical thinking.

* Reward empathy.

* Build systems with checks and balances, not cults of personality.

* Encourage people to read a damn book.

* Make curiosity cool again.

And if someone tells you they “don’t do politics,” remind them: that’s not neutrality—it’s just being comfortably uninformed.

I’m not perfect. Far from it. I’ve made dumb decisions, eaten suspect sushi, dated human tire fires. But the difference is—I learned. And I think that’s all we’re really asking for.

So let’s build a society that rewards that.

And hey, if this post sparked something in your over-caffeinated brain, join the Patreon, throw in a buck or two, help me keep screaming into the void with purpose.

Until next time:Be smart. Be kind. Best of all—be good.

(FWACATA Monday Motivation Blog – July 21 Episode)

Ever have one of those moments where you look like you’ve got it all together on the outside, but inside you’re screaming like a goat in a horror movie? That was me last weekend.

This episode of the FWACATA Monday Motivation Podcast is about conquering fear—or, more accurately, holding hands with it and whispering, “Please don’t kill me” while pretending to be cool.

In a short trip meant to cap off a busy but beautiful summer, I took my wife up to Fort Davis, Texas. Scenic mountains, dark sky preserve, hot springs… the works. My lovely partner, ever the explorer, found a mountain-top lookout for some late-night stargazing. Cute, right? Except for one tiny problem—I’m terrified of heights.

Now picture this: it’s pitch black, we’re driving up a winding, rail-less mountain road that looks like Wile E. Coyote designed it, and I’m trying not to sweat through my skull visibly. When we reached the top, I wanted to run back to the car and hug the steering wheel. But I didn’t. I swallowed the panic and stuck it out.

And that’s the whole point of this week’s episode: sometimes the effort is the reward. Sometimes, just not turning around and bailing is enough to be proud of. You don’t have to bench press your fears—you have to show up and give them a side-eye while doing your best to ignore them.

It’s not about the stars we saw (spoiler: cloud cover), or the perfect trip (we ate some very "meh" food). It’s about showing up, even when you’re scared.

So this week, maybe you’re not ready to climb mountains—literal or metaphorical—but maybe you can still start. Start the thing, make the move, send the email, clean the studio, do the reps, or just admit to yourself that fear is there, but it doesn’t own you.

Tune into the episode now to hear how I turned a near panic attack into a personal win.And hey—if you dig what I do, check out the Patreon where you can get even more rants, comics, behind-the-scenes art stuff, and raw, unfiltered motivation to keep going.

👉 ON SPOTIFY👉 PATREON

Be brave. Be weird. Be good.— Juan @ FWACATA 🎙️✨

In this fiery and heartfelt episode of the FWACATA podcast, Juan dives into something that’s been gnawing at his soul: the soul-crushing apathy many folks are clinging to in the face of horror. From Gaza to ICE raids, from flood zone tragedies to TikTok indifference, we’re living in a world where not choosing is becoming its own kind of evil.

Juan shares a raw convo with an old friend—actor, comedian, fellow chaos juggler—about the plague of “I’m not political” energy infecting people who should know better. Whether it’s fear of being wrong or just the comfort of not being inconvenienced, that middle-of-the-road numbness is exactly what the worst people in power are counting on.

This isn’t about left or right. This is about right and wrong. About being human. About choosing to care, even when it hurts. And about not waiting until the heat’s too high to realize you're the frog in the pot.

Yeah, there’s some yelling. Yeah, there’s swearing. Yeah, there’s a solid reminder that artists and actors can be full of it, too. But underneath it all, this episode is a love letter to everyone who does give a damn—and a challenge to those who don’t.

👊 If you’ve ever been overwhelmed, pissed off, or just unsure of what the hell to do, this episode is for you.

🎧 Listen now, share it, argue with it—just don’t ignore it.✊ Join the movement, support the podcast, and get bonus content

“Be vigilant. Be independent. And most of all—be good.”

Hey hey kids—yes, it's another slightly-late-but-definitely-worth-it episode of the FWACATA Monday Motivation Podcast. I know, I know… we missed last week. But it’s summer, and without the structure of a school week, I’ve entered that magical zone where time is fake and weekends are theoretical.

So what’s today’s sermon from the Church of FWACATA? Simple: check your expectations before they wreck your attitude.

This week I talk about how something as dumb as traffic, a melted cheeseburger, and a detour involving a pony (yes, an actual pony) can either ruin your day—or make it a reminder that life’s pretty damn good.

We often get mad because things don’t go the way we expected. Not because something actually terrible happened, but because we created some fantasy version of reality and got mad when the real world didn’t follow the script. El Paso summer heat? Inevitable. Traffic on I-10? Of course. But somehow, we still let that stuff light our fuse like it’s some injustice.

But here’s the thing: the difference between a good day and a meltdown is sometimes just catching yourself before you go full a-hole.

So this episode?It’s about petting ponies, swearing at traffic, embracing your inner idiot, and being okay with admitting when you’re being the problem.

You’ll laugh. You’ll maybe wince in recognition. And you’ll (hopefully) start your week off a little more grounded, a little more grateful, and a little less likely to scream at the guy in line at the post office.

🛒 Also on deck: BIG STUFF in the store and on Patreon.

* FWACATA Issue 3 is on its way.

* Big Cartel store is LIVE: fwacata.bigcartel.com

* T-shirts, comics, original art, and more on sale.

* JOIN the Patreon for free (get 10% off merch) or just $3/month for 25% off and exclusive art.👉 patreon.com/fwacata

You know the deal:Make stuff. Laugh at the dumb stuff. Swear when appropriate.And above all—be good.

It’s another Monday—or Tuesday, or whatever, and yeah, World War III might be trending, but that doesn't mean you stop creating.

In this episode, I ramble (with purpose!) about stomach bugs, soap sniffing, and the urgent need to keep making stuff, even if it’s trash. Especially if it’s trash. Because making art right now isn’t just therapeutic—it’s rebellion. It’s flipping the bird at the madness and saying, “I’m still here, and I’ve got glitter glue.”

Whether you’re a full-time creative, a part-time doodler, or someone who’s just really good at meme curation, this one’s for you. We talk about:

* Why making even “bad” art matters

* Finding your creative voice in a world screaming nonsense

* How to shut off the doomscroll and turn it into a sketch

* Why male figure models on Instagram are weirdly hard to find

* And how to get tired for the right reasons

This isn’t self-help. It’s self-defense. It’s anti-apocalypse productivity with a smirk.

So grab a pencil, or a stick, or hell, just a thought—and let’s make something today.Because if it’s all going to hell, might as well go down drawing.

🎧 Listen now on FWACATA.✊ And most of all, be good.

This week’s FWACATA Podcast isn’t your usual Monday motivation. It’s a call to attention. A gut check. A reminder that resistance starts with presence, and that presence begins with you.

There’s a growing weight in this country—a pressure building from misguided policy, ICE raids, political cruelty, and systems designed to divide us. The fear is real. The threats are real. But so is the power of people who refuse to bend, who refuse to disappear, and who refuse to be silent.

This episode is for everyone who feels angry, scared, ignored, or underestimated, especially our Latino community and immigrant brothers and sisters who have carried the weight of labor, culture, and community while being treated like criminals.

Let’s be clear:Hard-working people aren’t the threat. The system that targets them is.

🎧 In This Episode:

* Why attacks on immigrants are a distraction from real issues

* How cultural resilience terrifies the powerful

* The danger of compliance in the face of injustice

* Why being proud of your people, your culture, and your roots is resistance

* What it means to resist nonviolently, creatively, and courageously

* And a direct message to those who serve the system to remember who they are

You Don’t Have to Burn Down the System to Stand in the Way

Resistance doesn’t always mean violence. Sometimes it means stumbling into the machine just long enough to jam it. It means not letting fear keep you quiet. It means using your art, your voice, your energy, your platform—no matter how big or small—to say:

We are still here. You will not erase us. You will not stop us.

This episode challenges you to think, to feel, and then to act, whether that’s by supporting families, speaking truth, or just not looking away. And to those working within the system: we see you. You still have a choice.

The Future Won’t Be Easy, But It Will Be Ours

The road ahead will be hard. But like any true transformation, it’s painful before it’s powerful. We’re not waiting for permission. We’re not asking to be accepted. We’re building something better, one voice at a time.

Resist. Reflect. Create. Care. Be good.

#FWACATA #ResistICE #LatinxVoices #ImmigrantRights #PodcastForChange #MakeArtResist #CreativeResistance #CommunityPower #BeGood

Control the Turn – Feelings Aren’t Facts, But They Still Steer the Wheel

Another FWACATA Podcast Episode for People Who Think Too Much and Still Click “Play” Anyway (Apologies for the lateness, but I pressed the wrong thing and hadn’t changed my calendar on my wall, and …. yadda, yadda, yadda. )

Let me ask you something:Ever feel like you're going to explode because someone gave you a passive-aggressive comment about your work, your face, your socks—whatever—and you’re just sitting there like, “Do I light the building on fire, or do I go full zen monk and let it pass?”

Yeah. Me too.

This week on the FWACATA podcast, we get into the dangerous (and sometimes hilarious) dance between feeling something and doing something about it. Because guess what? Not every emotion deserves an action.Sometimes you’ve just got to… control the turn.

🎧 What’s Inside This Episode:

* Why passive-aggressiveness is emotional junk food

* Feeling disrespected ≠ getting to rage quit your day

* Learning to observe instead of react (yes, even to trolls and parking lot weirdos)

* How not to be a lazy piece of shit—but also how to commit 100% to being one when it’s necessary

* Why you should “whole-ass” your choices (and your cookies)

* Practical kung fu-level life wisdom, backed by zero science and tons of experience

You Are Not Your Feels™

Look—we’ve all been there. That moment when someone pushes your buttons, and every cell in your body says, “Just swing, bro.” But you don’t. Why?

Because full-throttle doesn’t always get you the win.Because scorched earth leaves nowhere to stand.Because sometimes, silence and a sideways glance is a black belt move.

This episode is about recognizing that feeling and not letting it puppeteer your life. Whether it's procrastination disguised as self-care, rage disguised as principle, or laziness disguised as peace—you gotta know your mask game.

Still Gonna Eat That Cookie?

Cool. Eat it. Enjoy it.Then squat it off and do better tomorrow.

This episode isn’t about being perfect. It’s about being present. It’s about being aware of when you’re stuck in bed too long. About choosing to work or choosing to rest—but doing it on purpose. It’s about knowing when to draw for six hours and when to chase your wife to a thrift market you didn’t know you needed.

Most importantly, it’s about being the kind of person your future self won’t roll their eyes at.

Listen Now – Your Brain Needs This

🎧 The latest FWACATA podcast episode is up and live now!Listen wherever you listen to your favorite rants, rambles, and hard-earned truths.

👉

👉 https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/ThisisJuan/fwacata-2-making-dem-comics-son

Be present. Be weird. Be whole-assed.And as always, be good.

#FWACATA #CreativeLife #EmotionalIntelligence #MondayMotivation #IndieComics #ArtistPodcast #MakeArtAnyway #BePresent #WholeAssIt #BeGood

A FWACATA Podcast Episode for the Day After You Ate Too Much and Did Too Little

So, it’s the Tuesday after Memorial Day, and your inbox is screaming louder than a Florida car alarm. You're bloated with barbecue, vaguely sunburned, and trying to figure out if that leftover potato salad is still safe to eat.

Welcome back. Let’s talk about why doing nothing might be the best thing you did all weekend.

In this latest episode of the FWACATA Podcast, I’m here not with some big motivational speech or self-help checklist, but a gentle reminder that staring at a wall and scratching your HUEVOS might be exactly what you needed. (That’s not just a metaphor, by the way.)

🎧 This Episode Includes:

* A confessional on procrastination and creative paralysis

* Furniture sanding and burrito-induced clarity

* Thoughts on fasting, fasting-like-starving, and why Monday cereal tastes like repentance

* A plea for productive nothingness

* Oh, and my live Kickstarter campaign (yeah, that’s happening too)

Why Slowing Down Matters (Even If It Feels Like Sin)

We live in a world where rest feels like cheating. Like if you’re not constantly producing, planning, or promoting, you’re falling behind some imaginary race that nobody wins. But here's the kicker: sometimes the best thing you can do for your brain, your art, and your sanity is to just... stop.

Stop scrolling.Stop forcing it.Stop making yourself feel guilty for needing a break.

Look at the wall. Stare at a tree. Breathe.

Because what feels like procrastination might actually be your body’s way of telling you, “Hey, genius, slow down or I’m pulling the plug.”

Creativity Is a Sneaky Little Thing

When you’re burnt out, even scanning comic pages feels like too much. But sometimes, doing something unrelated—like sanding furniture or making the best sandwich of your life—gives your brain the reboot it desperately needed.

Eventually, the burner turns back on. You just need to let it cool for a second.

PSA: I Still Have a Kickstarter Running

Look, I’d love to scream from the rooftops about it, but it’s Tuesday and most of you are still trying to remember what day it is.But if you want to support the next issue of the FWACATA anthology, now’s the time.👉 https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/ThisisJuan/fwacata-2-making-dem-comics-son

Final Thought: Find Your Space

Whether it’s a tree, a wall, or your garage while holding a paintbrush in one hand and a taco in the other—find that little slice of stillness. You’ll start to crave it. And then you’ll create from it.

Don’t rush. Don’t scroll.Sit down. Shut up. Stare at the wall.And when you’re ready, make something amazing.

🎧

#FWACATA #MondayMotivation #CreativeBurnout #TakeABeat #IndieComics #RestIsProductive #KickstarterCampaign #BeGoodBeWeird

🎙️ Don’t Mistake Disagreement for a Death Threat

Or: How to Survive the Internet, Arguments, and Your Own Mind

You know what the real modern plague is? Not TikTok addiction or avocado toast pricing. It’s the belief that if someone disagrees with you, they must absolutely, cosmically, and spiritually hate your guts.

In this week’s episode of the FWACATA Podcast, we take a step back from the flaming social media pile-on and explore the radical concept that people can disagree... and still be cool with each other.

Yeah. Wild, right?

☕ Disagreeing Doesn’t Mean You Need to Smack Someone With a Chair

Look, disagreement is not a declaration of war. Someone saying “Actually, I think you’re wrong” isn’t them slashing your tires or setting your favorite hoodie on fire. It’s just... a different opinion. But in today’s climate, we’re all packing around emotional landmines like we’re cosplaying a Quentin Tarantino character.

There’s this hyper-reactive, Wild West energy in modern life—like we’re all seconds away from a shootout over parking spots or preferred pronouns. But here’s the thing: that constant tension? It’s not strength. It’s paralysis.

And it’s turning us all into twitchy little time bombs with strong opinions and sore necks.

🌊 Don’t Just Get Hit By the Wave—Dive Under It

You’ve got options. You can let the wave knock you down, or you can dive under and keep swimming. That’s not a metaphor. Okay, it is, but it’s also real life. Every day offers you a chance to freak out or flow through. Choose wisely.

Your voice is powerful. Use it smart. Sometimes, saying “No thanks” and walking away from a screaming match is more revolutionary than swinging back.

🧠 The Real Secret: Be Present

This episode also touches on one of life’s greatest scams: the myth of “arrival.” You know, the fantasy that once you graduate, get the job, find the partner, buy the house, or become a 100k-followed influencer, you’ll finally be happy.

Spoiler: you won’t. Because you never arrive. Life is not a plateau you get to. It’s a treadmill where the incline keeps randomly increasing and there’s no emergency stop.

So what do you do? You enjoy the now. The sandwich you made last week. The sketch that didn’t suck. That one time behind the Walgreens. You live in it. Because presence is power.

🎧 In This Episode:

* Why disagreement ≠ hatred

* How our words ripple way farther than we think

* The secret to not being paralyzed by the world’s nonsense

* A rant about cringey art shows and technically-good-yet-soulless work

* A gentle reminder to breathe, walk, laugh, and be just a little unhinged—in the best way possible

👉 [Listen to the full episode above]

And hey, if you want to support someone who’s trying to make something meaningful in the chaos, check out my Kickstarter. Issue #2 is LIVE, and we’re already more than a third of the way there. Every backer helps me keep shouting into the void with purpose.

Until next time—Be good. Be weird. Be here.

#FWACATA #MondayMotivation #CreativeLife #DisagreeDon’tDestroy #BePresent #ArtistRants #MakeArtAnyway #IndieComics #StayHuman

(In case you can’t see it above here is the Youtube link)

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/ThisisJuan/fwacata-2-making-dem-comics-son

So the video is finally up! I had a good time making it, but it was just one of those things where I dreaded the back and forth in making it. I love eocmics, but all this extra stuff we have to do to make it, drives me friggin batty! Here is a breakdown in English and Spanish:

There goes that guy who fights crime in Miami...

Claws for hands. Can’t get hurt. Doesn’t stop coming.

There goes the detective who survived an occult ritual...

Now he solves crimes with the memories of his past lives.

Wait… is that a UNICORN in an office?!

📣 It’s time for FWACATA — Issue #2 is LIVE on Kickstarter! 🎉

After the wild success of Issue #1, creator Juan Navarro is back with another explosive, genre-smashing comic anthology—crafted with love, chaos, and that indie magic only FWACATA brings.

Inspired by the Cuban Spanish term “FWACATA!” (aka “WHAM!”), this series hits hard with wild characters, fresh stories, and raw creativity. Navarro (Zombie Years, Vigil, Tommy) delivers comics that feel like a late-night fever dream and a street-level epic rolled into one.

💥 What’s in Issue #2?

MEATHOOK: “PACHANGA” Part 1 – Miami’s underground vigilante faces off with a gamma-laced drug cartel.

OFFICE UNICORN – A magical unicorn trapped in the soul-sucking grind of 9-to-5 life.

THE RIGHT VIEW: Part 2 – Haunted detective REZ fights demons (both real and personal) with the help of past lives... and snacks.

This is not just another indie comic—this is a key issue with a low print run, and it’s your chance to jump into a bold new universe built by Latinx creators for everyone.

🎯 Pledge today to get exclusive rewards, original art, signed editions, and a front-row seat to the future of indie comics.

🟢 Back it here: [Insert Kickstarter link]

Let’s make some comic book magic together.

FWACATA: YOU READ, YOU GET.

#Hashtags:

#FWACATA #KickstarterComics #IndieComics #LatinoCreators #CrowdfundedComics #ComicBooks #MiamiComics #VigilanteComics #UnicornComics #LatinxArt #JuanNavarro #MakeComics #ComicAnthology #SupportIndieCreators #OfficeUnicorn #Meathook #TheRightView

SPANISH VERSION:

Ahí va ese tipo que lucha contra el crimen en Miami...

Con garras en lugar de manos. Nunca se lastima. Nunca se detiene.

Ahí va el detective que sobrevivió a un ritual oculto...

Ahora resuelve crímenes usando las memorias de sus vidas pasadas.

¿¡ES UN UNICORNIO EN UNA OFICINA!?

📣 ¡Es hora de FWACATA — el número 2 ya está en vivo en Kickstarter! 🎉

Después del éxito rotundo del primer número, el creador Juan Navarro regresa con otra antología explosiva, llena de historias salvajes, personajes inolvidables y ese caos mágico que solo FWACATA puede ofrecer.

Inspirado en el término cubano “¡FWACATA!” (o sea, ¡“WHAM!”), esta serie golpea fuerte con creatividad sin filtros y energía cruda. Navarro (Zombie Years, Vigil, Tommy) entrega cómics que se sienten como una película de acción a medianoche con sabor callejero y mucha alma.

💥 ¿Qué hay en el número 2?

MEATHOOK: “PACHANGA” Parte 1 – El vigilante más brutal de Miami se enfrenta a una droga nueva con radiación gamma.

OFFICE UNICORN – Un unicornio mágico atrapado en la rutina agotadora del trabajo de oficina.

THE RIGHT VIEW: Parte 2 – El detective REZ, atormentado por sus demonios y vidas pasadas, busca redención... y helado.

Esto no es solo otro cómic indie—es una edición clave con tiraje limitado, y tu oportunidad para sumergirte en un universo nuevo construido por creadores latinos para todos.

🎯 Apoya el proyecto hoy mismo para conseguir recompensas exclusivas, arte original, ediciones firmadas ¡y ser parte del futuro de los cómics independientes!

🟢 Apóyalo aquí: [Inserta el enlace de Kickstarter]

Hagamos magia de cómic juntos.

FWACATA: LEES, ¡Y GANAS!

#Hashtags en español:

#FWACATA #CómicsIndependientes #Kickstarter #CreadoresLatinos #ComicsLatinos #CómicAntología #Meathook #OfficeUnicorn #TheRightView #JuanNavarro #HazCómics #ApoyaLoIndie #CómicsDeMiami #UnicornioDeOficina #HistorietasLatinas