On this week’s episode of Mixed Media Minds, we explore the many soulful sides of ritual - what constitutes ritual, where we crave rituals in our lives currently, and where we find sources of inspiration to create new ones. While we don’t undertake the impossible mission of trying to define rituals, we do reflect on how rituals are distinct from habits and devote some of our conversation to identifying ritualistic practices we currently maintain, perhaps without ever having named them as such. What we discover along the way is that simple, meaningful practices, perhaps even as simple as a reliable morning exchange over coffee with colleagues or a moment of quiet solitude in the gym can all provide a much-needed return to ritual.

We also reflect on the many areas of our own lives where meaningful practice is perhaps absent and imagine how rituals could enrich those areas, potentially even transforming our relationship with fundamentals concepts, like time and nature. To close out on a hopeful note for what comes next, our episode gives us a space to explore sources of inspiration for rituals: people, practices, as well as spiritual and philosophical frameworks that give us a helpful starting point for where we might go with meaningful practice next.

Episode Breakdown

00:00-9:00: Lightbulb Moments

9:01-12:41: Creative Lab 

12:42-20:05: Motivation + Permission Slip Warm-Up Activity

20:06-34:20: What everyday rituals do we currently practice and what meaning do they have for us?

34:21-45:18: In what parts of life or in what ways are we lacking ritual(s)?

45:19-01:11:34:  Where do we draw inspiration for daily rituals?

Don’t Be a Stranger! 

Subscribe to Mixed Media Minds on whichever platform you listen to us on to catch our weekly episodes!

Check out our Substack and subscribe to our monthly newsletter to stay connected to our Mixed Media Minds pluriverse: https://mixedmediaminds.substack.com! 

What everyday rituals do you currently practice and/or in what parts of life are you currently lacking ritual(s)? Let us know what your thoughts are, regarding these questions or today’s episode, by sending us an email at [email protected]!

Sound Credits: see here

Jealousy is a complex, uncomfortable feeling and of course, at Mixed Media Minds, you know we always run towards complexity and discomfort, not away from it. In this week’s episode, we try to make sense of the situations where we experience jealousy - whether it stems from envying professional success, admirable character traits we see in the people around us, or missed opportunities to be visible and recognized in the ways we crave to be seen. 

Part of this episode is dedicated to being honest about where jealousy comes from for us, shedding light on this feeling and phenomenon that we often grapple with privately but don’t necessarily engage with openly and honestly - even with each other. Beyond identifying what makes us jealous, the big question on our minds here is: how do we deal with this complex feeling? How can we turn this sometimes unhealthy dynamic into something fruitful for our own growth?  

Episode Breakdown

00:00-4:38: Lightbulb Moments

4:39-12:59: Creative Lab 

13:00-17:45: Color Schemes Activity

17:46-21:04: Motivation + How We Understand Jealousy

21:05-39:27: In what situations do you find yourself jealous? 

39:28-43:35: What is the effect that being jealous has on you?

43:36-52:16: How would your best self respond to these thoughts/how would you ideally handle these feelings?

52:17-1:06:32: How do you deal with jealousy? What are tools that have helped you or could help with reframing jealousy into something fruitful?

Don’t Be a Stranger! 

• Subscribe to Mixed Media Minds on whichever platform you listen to us on to catch our weekly episodes!

• Check out our Substack and subscribe to our monthly newsletter to stay connected to our Mixed Media Minds pluriverse: https://mixedmediaminds.substack.com! 

• How do you deal with jealousy? And what kinds of situations bring up this feeling for you? Feel free to share your thoughts with us, either on these questions or on today’s episode, by sending us an email at [email protected]!

  
  

Sound Credits: see here

We’d (all) like to think we’re *not like other girls*, but what does that actually mean? In this episode, we explore new aspects of what it means to live unconventional lives, ranging from moments of self-reclamation with respect to our style and outward presentation, to brave decisions around multi-dimensional - and sometimes eccentric - career decisions.

In the process, we try to deepen our understanding of unconventionality by unpacking what precisely felt unconventional about these decisions - and which social narratives and expectations these decisions pushed against. We make room for the reality that what we may perceive from the outside as small acts of resistance, can feel like tremendous victories for people who are living them out, depending on context. Our conversation then takes a turn into acknowledging the more challenging downsides of choosing unconventionality - the isolation, self-doubt, and confusion that often accompanies decisions that go against the social grain. 

Maybe we end up being like a lot of other girls in the end - but the journeys that get us there and the self-ownership of our paths is what this week’s episode sets out to explore. 

Episode Breakdown
00:00-04:17: Lightbulb Moments

04:18-07:04: Creative Lab 

07:05-12:43: Introduction to Unconventionality + Motivation

12:44-17:20: Creative Self-Understanding Exercise: Color Schemes

17:21-45:16: What are or were unconventional “wins”, “milestones”, or “life development” in our lives (regardless of size/scope)? Why were they unconventional to us? 

45:17-59:05: What are the flipsides of unconventionality? What are the challenges or cons?

59:06-1:24:54: Who is someone in the world that you admire because of their unconventional decisions or life paths?

Don’t Be a Stranger! 

References Mentioned

Diana Gabaldo

Sound Credits: see here

In this week’s episode of Mixed Media Minds, we confront some of our personal pressing dilemmas regarding (Gen) AI’s role in our creative lives. We use AI in such diverse ways and this episode was a chance to pause and engage with the real worries and tensions that come up with AI usage in our creative processes. We lean into the concern that AI is potentially affecting our creative outputs and expression, driving forward an idea of “optimal output” that doesn’t reflect our unique contributions, values, or beliefs.

And as you’re probably picking up on, we love to get meta, so of course we have to ask the more painful, uncomfortable questions—like: what’s the difference between using AI out of laziness versus to meaningfully push the creative process along? Is there a loss of integrity in AI-assisted (creative) work? While many have voiced thoughts and criticisms around the labor and uniquely human contributions that AI tools are predicated on, we use this episode to also vocalize our internal struggles around how much to involve AI in our creative processes, if at all. Whether the answer involves asking ourselves specific questions, identifying certain boundaries of usage, or simple expectation management regarding AI’s role in our work - this week’s episode gives us ample room to dive deeper into the messiness. 

Episode Breakdown: 

0:00 - 4:40: Lightbulb Moments

4:41 - 9:19: Creative Lab

9:20 - 15:58:  Motivation + excessive self-affirmations that we’re qualified to speak on this topic

15:59 - 32:47: What tensions do we experience when using AI in the creative sphere? 

32:48 - 49:04: How do we determine how much to use AI in our creative processes?

49:05 -  1:02:42: At what point do we feel like the output is no longer ours? 

Stay Tuned!

Subscribe to Mixed Media Minds on whichever platform you listen to us on to catch our weekly episodes!

References Mentioned:

Chinese Room Experiment

Chat GPT’s Studio Ghibli Images

Sound Credits: see here

In this week’s episode, we do one of our favorite things: expanding on a concept that we take for granted in our daily lives which, in reality, is so much more complex when examined in deep, soulful - and sometimes chaotic - conversation. Here we focus in on the ever-elusive concept of originality. What is it? Does it really exist or even more fundamentally, can it? Why do we use it as a measure of ‘good’ or ‘virtuous’ art and creation? How can it harm or help us as creatives? 

During the episode, we explore these questions and the resources that have helped us make new sense of originality. And to conclude, we give ourselves permission to unapologetically nerd out about the music, media, and creators more broadly who help enrich our understandings of originality. Do we find answers to all the tricky questions we raise? No, sort of, we tried, it depends on how you define ‘answers’. Do we have fun along the way, laugh, and lean into unknowing? All the time.

Episode Breakdown

00:00 - 6:01: Lightbulb Moments

6:02 - 17:57: Creative Lab 

17:58 - 19:24: Intro to our very complex feelings on originality

19:25 - 30:31: How does the pressure to be “original” impact our ability to create? 

30:32 - 41:32: What are moments that made us rethink our understanding of originality? 

41:33 - 1:14:27: Picking a piece of art/creative endeavor or a creator that we’re fans of and unpacking the influences that gave rise to them. Where does its originality come from? How do these examples help us redefine or expand our understanding of originality?

Don’t Be a Stranger! 

Subscribe to Mixed Media Minds on whichever platform you listen to us on to catch our weekly episodes!

Check out our Substack and subscribe to our monthly newsletter to stay connected to our Mixed Media Minds pluriverse: https://mixedmediaminds.substack.com! 

Do you have thoughts on today’s episode? Want to share the creators or creations that help shape your thoughts on originality? We’d love to hear from you! Whether you agree, disagree, or just want to share your own perspective on the elusive nature of originality, send us an email at [email protected]!

References Mentioned

Jim Jarmusch quote on originality

Hi there! We’re Sitara and Cristina, co-hosts of Mixed Media Minds, and we’re so happy to have you here, tuning into our podcast where we explore life layer-by-layer, one soulful conversation at a time.

Because we’re anything but beige, we had to take the chance to introduce ourselves in a ✨slightly unusual✨ way that’s more on brand with our ‘mixed media’ approach to both life and this podcast. In this episode, we share short poetic intros into who we are as humans and follow up with some characteristically chaotic “This or That” questions to introduce ourselves further. We also take the chance to share a little about the concept behind Mixed Media Minds and the underlying metaphors this title carries for our approach as a non-theme-defined podcast. Finally, we share a little glimpse into regular segments you can look forward to in our weekly episodes and what kinds of soulful conversations await!

Episode Breakdown

• 00:00 - 2:36: Reminiscing about the journey to Mixed Media Minds

• 2:37 - 6:51: A little about who we are

• 6:53 - 10:59: This or That i.e. a little more about who we are and us figuring out how to pronounce “feral”

• 11:00 - 15:39: Why “Mixed Media Minds?” and us providing elaborate explanations for the soap bubbles, glitter, and collaging on our cover art

• 15:40 - 24:53: What you can expect from our podcast

Don’t Be a Stranger!

• Subscribe to Mixed Media Minds on whichever platform you listen to us on to catch our weekly episodes!

• If our intro episode already has you hooked (goals!) or you just want to learn more about what we plan to do here, check out our Substack and subscribe to our monthly newsletter to stay connected to our Mixed Media Minds pluriverse: www.mixedmediaminds.substack.com!

• Have questions or thoughts on what we’re doing with Mixed Media Minds? Reach out to us at [email protected]!

Sound Credits: see here