This podcast is a personal reflection on the host's week and his thoughts on various topics, including depression, AI, and the business of making comics.

Dealing with Depression

* At a Bible study group, the host heard a discussion about depression and shared his view of it as a "state of being" that puts a person outside of God's will and should be considered sin.

* The host believes that depression is like a check engine light in a car - it's a signal that something is wrong and needs to be addressed.

Thoughts on AI

* The host is fascinated by AI and has been following its development since 2021.

* He observes that while AI technology has significantly improved, the criticisms and talking points from 2021 are still being used in 2024.

* He had a productive conversation with his friend, Webmaster Josh, about the practical uses of AI.

* He expressed frustration with individuals who hold negative views on AI, specifically in the context of comic book creation. He believes AI cannot effectively generate a comic.

The Business of Comics

* The host believes that creating comics needs to be treated as a business, not just a passion project.

* He uses the analogy of a band's performance - if the audience isn't engaged, the band won't be invited back.

* He discusses the importance of understanding audience engagement and using data to inform his creative and business decisions.

* He explains his decision to purge inactive subscribers from his email list to improve the accuracy of his engagement metrics.

* The host aims to develop a system to help other artists succeed in the comic book industry.

Personal Reflection

* The host reflects on feeling isolated and draws a parallel with a Psalm where David complains about God turning his friends against him.

* He shares his feelings of being in a rut and his prayer for guidance from God.

* The host concludes the podcast by emphasizing the importance of trusting his own insights and having the courage to pursue his goals, even if others disagree.

Timestamps

* Introduction: The host begins the podcast by expressing his desire to be authentic and honest. He mentions that it's been a "weird week" [0:00:33] where he felt isolated, prompting him to reflect on his recent experiences and thoughts [0:00:02-0:00:34].

* Depression as a "State of Being": [0:00:48-0:04:16] The host recounts his experience at a Bible study group where he felt compelled to share his views on depression. He describes a moment where he sighed heavily due to the lack of responses to the leader's questions, which caught her attention [0:01:22-0:01:31]. He explains his perspective on depression, seeing it as a "state of being" that is sinful, similar to laziness or anger, because it puts a person out of alignment with God's will [0:01:59-0:02:48]. He emphasizes the importance of recognizing depression as a signal that something needs to be addressed [0:03:00-0:03:29].

* Feeling Isolated and Turning to God: [0:04:16-0:05:43] The host connects his feeling of isolation to a Psalm where David talks about being abandoned by his friends and only having darkness as a companion [0:04:24-0:04:48]. The host mentions praying to God about his feelings of loneliness, lack of progress, and being stuck in a rut [0:05:09-0:05:36]. He sees these negative feelings as a potential prompt from God to refocus on his relationship with him [0:05:37-0:05:43].

* Engagement with AI: [0:05:56-0:11:50] The host shares his experience with and perspective on AI. He criticizes people who still express negative views on AI based on outdated information [0:08:42-0:09:01]. He contrasts this with a positive conversation he had with his friend, Webmaster Josh, about the advancements and practical applications of AI in their work [0:06:51-0:07:37]. The host describes his own successful utilization of ChatGPT for organizing and streamlining his tasks [0:10:18-0:11:33].

* The Business Side of Comic Book Creation: [0:17:37-0:22:55] The host emphasizes the need to approach comic book creation as a business endeavor. He draws an analogy to a concert where an unresponsive audience can lead to a band not being invited back [0:27:41-0:28:33]. He stresses the importance of understanding audience engagement and making decisions based on data [0:18:39-0:22:24].

* Purging Inactive Subscribers: [0:22:55-0:27:41] The host explains his rationale for removing inactive subscribers from his comic book email list, stating that it helps him understand his true audience and make better decisions about his content [0:23:54-0:27:18]. He acknowledges that some might perceive this as ungrateful, but reiterates that it's a business decision aimed at improving the effectiveness of his efforts [0:20:22-0:20:36].

* Vision for Helping Other Artists: [0:30:00-0:30:57] The host shares his goal of developing a system to help other comic book artists by providing them with a proven strategy for success [0:30:14-0:30:38]. He wants to empower artists and ensure their work reaches a wider audience [0:30:44-0:30:57].

* Staying True to His Vision: [0:30:57-0:31:58] The host acknowledges his tendency to be easily swayed by others' opinions, but emphasizes the importance of trusting his own insights and the guidance he receives from God [0:30:57-0:31:58]. He expresses his determination to pursue his goals despite potential criticism or disagreement from others [0:31:41-0:31:58].

* Promotion and Closing: [0:31:58-0:34:49] The host ends the podcast by promoting his comic book, The Last Day Comic, and mentioning upcoming projects, including an AI music album and a newsletter with recommendations for music, comics, and anime [0:31:58-0:34:49].

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