Without our delusional imaginations, we here at Gifted Underachievers would be bereft of John Irving’s pretend company. We wouldn’t need gas masks or hazmat suits. And our lives would be just that little bit less interesting.

Questions for Listeners:

(Hop on over to the segment web page to leave us your answers.)

* Given the current tension between Canada and the US, where do you imagine the GU Clubhouse to be? [Keeping in mind that John Irving moved from New England to Ontario in 2015 and become a Canadian citizen in 2019.]

* If you didn’t say “Canada, obviously,” give yourself a demerit. These will be tallied at the end of each calendar year.

* Do you have any running gags that crack you up? Let us know, we’d love to hear.

Segment Links:

Tooting Too Much? 3 Secret Ways How to Cook Beans + Stop Gas & Bloating

Thanks for listening to Gifted Underachievers! This post is public so feel free to share it.

If you aren’t already a subscriber, we’d love to have you in the GU Clubhouse! No spam, unsubscribe any time.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit giftedunderachievers.substack.com

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit giftedunderachievers.substack.com

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit giftedunderachievers.substack.com

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit giftedunderachievers.substack.com

We open with Pat apologizing to James for failing to prepare an agenda (it was her turn) for the Gifted Underachievers content meeting and, well, the conversation proves why we should have an agenda. Nonetheless, with Herculean effort the Gifted Underachievers manage a thoughtful, informative, and substantive discussion on why exercise is so important to our creative health and how Pat and James manage to stay motivated…even in the icy, snowy cold of winter.

Questions for Listeners:

(Hop on over to the segment web page to leave us your answers.)

* Have you ever caused yourself a wee injury?

* How do you like to move your body and what keeps you motivated from day to day and week to week?

Segment Links:

Intro to Original Strength’s Channel with Tim Anderson

How to Get Motivated to Exercise at Home

How to Get Motivated and Stay Motivated

Thanks for listening to Gifted Underachievers! This post is public so feel free to share it.

If you aren’t already a subscriber, we’d love to have you in the GU Clubhouse! No spam, unsubscribe any time.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit giftedunderachievers.substack.com

Good times, bad times, you know we’ve had our share.

This week it’s a good time, mostly, because there’s good news in the Gifted Underachiever Clubhouse.

Did one of us get a grant?

Did we learn something new?

Was there, perhaps, a mindshift in the experiment?

Listen and find out!

Questions for Listeners:

(Hop on over to the segment web page [link previous 3 words to segment url] to leave us your answers.)

* What’s your feeling about grants for creatives: yes, no, whatever?

* Have you ever received a grant?

* If yes, what was it for? Tell us how the project went!

Links of Interest:

Rafael Eliassen on how to regain momentum and get your MOJO back:

Thanks for listening to Gifted Underachievers! This post is public so feel free to share it.

If you aren’t already a subscriber, we’d love to have you in the GU Clubhouse! No spam, unsubscribe any time.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit giftedunderachievers.substack.com

We talked with Doug Harrison back in September 2024 about his work with Fen, a Canadian prog rock band whose recent album Dear Mouse was zooming up the international charts.

This is Part 2 of that conversation, and it coincides with the release of a bunch of new work from Doug’s solo project, Slug Comparison. Listen to the kickass single March Through the Forest and join us as we talk with Doug about:

* Navigating the prepackaged dreams and expectations of the music industry

* Longevity as a by-product of realism about the work involved in being a musician

* The gift of persistence and trusting in the process of getting better at your craft

* Ways to create space for your work in daily life

* The value of mentorship

* Separating the ideas of art and money

Questions for Listeners:

(Hop on over to the segment web page to leave us your answers.)

* Are you or have you ever been a musician?

* What’s your process for creating music?

* What do you think about Doug’s process?

* If you could give your 25-year-old self a piece of advice, what would you say?

Segment Links:

Doug’s links—give him a follow!

www.slugcomparison.com

https://www.instagram.com/slugcomparison

https://www.facebook.com/slugcomparison

https://slugcomparison.bandcamp.com/

https://music.apple.com/ca/artist/slug-comparison/921847084

Bringer of Doom (from the album Slug Comparison):

Thanks for listening to Gifted Underachievers! This post is public so feel free to share it.

If you aren’t already a subscriber, we’d love to have you in the GU Clubhouse! No spam, unsubscribe any time.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit giftedunderachievers.substack.com

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit giftedunderachievers.substack.com

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit giftedunderachievers.substack.com

Some creatives, like the phenomenal Ben Shattuck and Jenny Slate, are so talented, cool, and amazing that it’s enough to give your Gifted Underachievers a serious case of life envy. Luckily, we’re too underachieving to pose a threat.

Questions for Listeners

* Do you know who we’re talking about?

* Do you lurv them as much as we do?

* If not, who do you lurv?

Hop on over to the segment web page to leave us your answers!

Segment Links

Honestly, we felt that hunting down links for this segment verged on creepy. Try the search engines and you’ll find lots of great stuff!

Thanks for listening to Gifted Underachievers! This post is public so feel free to share it.

If you aren’t already a subscriber, we’d love to have you in the GU Clubhouse! No spam, unsubscribe any time.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit giftedunderachievers.substack.com