Into The Fyre

New research in psychology and neuroscience has uncovered new practices and habits that artists can utilize in order to become more creative.  This week we look at part 2 of "Wired to Create: Unraveling the Mysteries of the Creative Mind" by Scott Barry Kaufman and Carolyn Gregoire.  Alex explores deeper on how we can adopt more practices to be better creatives.

This week's book:  https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00SI02E62/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?_encoding=UTF8&btkr=1

Intro/outro music:  Lune Arbor -"Just Passing" https://soundcloud.com/lune_arbor/just-passing

Subscribe and read with Alex!  Next week we look at how we can rewire our anxiety this time, through new research in neuroscience and psychology with the book "Rewire Your Anxious Brain: How to Use the Neuroscience of Fear to End Anxiety, Panic, and Worry."  Get fyred up!

Recent research in psychology and neuroscience has uncovered new practices and habits that artists can utilize in order to become more creative.  This week we look at part 1 of "Wired to Create: Unraveling the Mysteries of the Creative Mind" by Scott Barry Kaufman and Carolyn Gregoire.  Alex digs deep to give you the actionable steps you can take now to become better artists!

This week's book:  https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00SI02E62/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?_encoding=UTF8&btkr=1

Intro/outro music:  Makuta - "The Bridge" https://sohttps://soundcloud.com/coolfleming 

Subscribe and read with Alex!  Next week we continue with Part 2, and explore more exercises and training that can be done in order to be more creative.  Get fyred up!

In part 2 looking at dealing with social anxiety, we continue with "How to Be Yourself:  Quiet Your Inner Critic and Rise Above Social Anxiety" by Ellen Hendriksen.  In this episode, Alex looks at the actions and exercises we need to take in order overcome being anxious in public.

This week's book: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B074ZPCH67/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?_encoding=UTF8&btkr=1

Intro/outro music:  Rebel Scum - "Red Alert" https://soundcloud.com/rebelscummusic

Subscribe and read with Alex!  Next week we look at "Wired to Create: Unraveling the Mysteries of the Creative Mind."  Can we train and exercise our minds so that we can become more creative?  Find out next week, and get fyred up!

Social anxiety is preventing us from expressing our true selves.  This week we look at part 1 of "How to Be Yourself:  Quiet Your Inner Critic and Rise Above Social Anxiety" by Ellen Hendriksen.  Many of us artists are introverts, but there's a huge difference between being introverted and being very shy.  This shyness is actually an extension of social anxiety, and we need to break down this wall of anxiety to become who we already are deep inside.

This week's book: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B074ZPCH67/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?_encoding=UTF8&btkr=1

Intro/outro music:  Crimson Child - "Dahlia" https://soundcloud.com/officialcrimsonchild

Subscribe and read with Alex!  Next week we continue with Part 2, and explore the exercises and training that can be done to tear down that wall of anxiety that is preventing us from realizing who we are.  Get fyred up!

Sounds crazy, but our negative emotions are actually good for our mental health and our creativity when utilized properly in situations.  Looking at this week's book called "The Upside of Your Dark Side" by Todd Kashdan, Ph.D and Robert Biswas-Diener, Dr. Philos., we find that there is actually such thing as being too positive and happy.

This week's book:  https://www.amazon.com/Upside-Your-Dark-Side-Fulfillment/dp/B00N9HTGWE/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1532219649&sr=8-1&keywords=dark+side+upside

Intro/outro music:  https://soundcloud.com/danjfowler/dj-fowler-neo

Next week's book:  https://www.amazon.com/How-Be-Yourself-Critic-Anxiety/dp/1250161703

Subscribe and read next week's book with Alex!  We look at how social anxiety affects many artists, whether it's performing or meeting other artists to collaborate with.  Check out "How to Be Yourself:  Quiet Your Inner Critic and Rise Above Social Anxiety."  Learn how to prevent social awkwardness that many of us creatives experience, and just be yourself.  And get fyred up!

Alex explores how creatives can treat their anxiety on their own.  From reading this week's book, "When Panic Attacks: The New, Drug-Free Anxiety Therapy That Can Change Your Life," we learn that contrary to taking pills and seeing therapists, there is a proven way to treat anxiety that we can use now via the exercises and techniques that David D. Burns offers.

This week's book:  https://www.amazon.com/When-Panic-Attacks-Drug-Free-Anxiety/dp/B06XCNYQ8V/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1531178409&sr=8-2&keywords=when+panic+attacks

Viceland special on Xanax: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9geVlf9OY30

Next week's book:  https://www.amazon.com/Upside-Your-Dark-Side-Self_Drives/dp/1491528222

Subscribe and read next week's book with Alex!  We question how exploring one's dark side can lead to greater success and fulfillment by looking at "The Upside of Your Dark Side:  Why Being Your Whole Self--Not Just Your 'Good' Self--Drives Success."  Does anger enhance creativity?  Is a small amount of anxiety actually useful for artists?  Get fyred up!

We investigate why creatives struggle with depression.  From reading this week's book, "The Van Gogh Blues: The Creative Person's Path Through Depression," we find that many creatives become depressed because they lack meaning in their work.  Alex unearths some ways that we as artists can combat this crippling phenomenon.

Subscribe and read next week's book with Alex!  We look at "When Panic Attacks:  The New, Drug-Free Anxiety Therapy That CAn Change Your Life."  When we get on stage to perform, many of us become paralyzed by anxiety and panic.  Let's get to the root of the problem.  Get fyred up!

Does madness have the ability to enhance artistic genius?  Alex unpacks a book called 'Touched With Fire: Manic-depressive Illness and the Artistic Temperament' by Kay Redfield Jamison, which looks specifically at bipolar disorder and how prevalent it is in artists and creatives.  While the disorder tends to be very detrimental, Alex explores ways to channel that mania and depression into art, possibly in the same ways famous creatives in history have done.

Don't forget to subscribe, next week Alex looks at how most artists experience depression due to a lack of meaningfulness in their efforts through through a book called 'The Van Gogh Blues: The Creative Person's Path Through Depression.'  The answer lies not in medication, but meaning.  Get fyred up!

In the first episode of Into The Fyre, Alex explores why so many artists have been committing suicide recently, in particular Avicii (Tim Bergling).  He delves into a book written by one of his professors in graduate school (Thomas Joiner) called "Why People Die By Suicide", trying to make connections as to why suicide is a major issue dealing with creatives.  Alex examines the alarming rate of suicide that is plaguing our society right now, and what we can do as a collective to stop the bleeding.

Don't forget to subscribe, next week Alex discusses into how mental illness negatively and POSITIVELY influences creativity and artistry, as he dives into the book "Touched With Fire: Manic-depressive Illness and the Artistic Temperament."