Thanks to MAINGEAR for speeding up everything for us. Check out the VYBE line that’s making up the core of Matt’s new studio -- and use code CREATE for a free additional year of warranty on desktops: https://maingear.com/ref/656/

Join Our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thecreateunknown

Today’s episode dives into the uncomfortable cost of success, and the strange, often isolating lives it creates.

We start with Paul Reubens, better known as Pee-wee Herman, and his calculated decision to fully disappear into his character. Why would someone abandon their identity just to stay famous? And, perhaps more importantly, what does that do to a person over time?

From there, we look at other creatives caught between the ceaseless conflict between public persona and private self. Creatives like Larry David, for instance, who canceled a documentary about his real life the day before its release.

Then we dive into a story that’s honestly a little hard to believe. We talk about how Dilbert became a global hit thanks to a forgotten letter, somebody’s death, and a traffic jam. Does success have anything to do with talent, or is it just…luck?

Either way, success comes with its fair share of trade-offs. For today’s example, we explore just how much normalcy someone like Michael Jackson had to give up to even EXIST in public.

And finally, we turn inward: can creators truly enjoy art the same way their audiences do? What happens when consuming becomes competing? And how do you know if you’re preparing too long before you finally hit “publish”?

Big thanks to all our listeners and patrons for being here with us—we’ll see you next week.

You love anime. You love tea. Get 10% off your order with code CREATE at The Dragon's Treasure: https://www.thedragonstreasure.com/

Buy our T-shirts: https://www.thecreateunknown.com/store/

Join our Discord to talk with artists, creators, and fans of the finer things in online life: http://discord.gg/tcu

Apple: http://bit.ly/TheCreateUnknownApple

Spotify: http://bit.ly/TheCreateUnknownSpotify

Google Podcasts: http://bit.ly/TheCreateUnknownGooglePodcasts

CREDITS:

Hosts: Kevin Lieber and Matt Tabor

Executive Producer: Ben Webster

Editor: Spencer Vann

"Created in the Unknown" theme by Basswaite: https://linktr.ee/Basswaite

Theme by Mega Drive → http://megadrivemusic.com

Opening Animation: Kidmograph

City Animation: Eric Langlay

"The Create Unknown" is produced by Unknown Media.

CONNECT WITH US:

» Chat with us on DISCORD: https://discord.gg/qAQV3Jw

» Follow us on TWITTER: http://twitter.com/createunknown

» Follow us on INSTAGRAM: http://instagram.com/thecreateunknown

» Follow us on FACEBOOK: http://facebook.com/thecreateunknown

» View our website: https://thecreateunknown.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Thanks to MAINGEAR for speeding up everything for us. Check out the VYBE line that’s making up the core of Matt’s new studio -- and use code CREATE for a free additional year of warranty on desktops: https://maingear.com/ref/656/

Join Our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thecreateunknown

Today’s episode kicks off with a huge shoutout to former guest Quackity, whose new app DABABEL takes voice translation to heights never seen before, rivaling the likes of the tech giants of Silicon Valley.

The core of today’s discussion, however, is about something far less futuristic: why is everything we buy seemingly getting worse? Kevin regales us with some first hand knowledge that illustrates how something as small as a manufacturing error can result in big, big consequences.

Matt brings in some much needed global perspective to explain why quality seems to be taking a nosedive across the board. Is it cultural differences? Economics? Or is plain laziness to blame?

This leads us to a pretty crucial question: does perfectionism matter? Why do consumers have to be experts all of a sudden just to shop for things as simple as a wrench or window? Have reliable brands gone the way of the dodo? Let’s find out.

Thanks to our patrons, old and new, for making these episodes possible—we’ll see you next week!

You love anime. You love tea. Get 10% off your order with code CREATE at The Dragon's Treasure: https://www.thedragonstreasure.com/

Buy our T-shirts: https://www.thecreateunknown.com/store/

Join our Discord to talk with artists, creators, and fans of the finer things in online life: http://discord.gg/tcu

Apple: http://bit.ly/TheCreateUnknownApple

Spotify: http://bit.ly/TheCreateUnknownSpotify

Google Podcasts: http://bit.ly/TheCreateUnknownGooglePodcasts

CREDITS:

Hosts: Kevin Lieber and Matt Tabor

Executive Producer: Ben Webster

Editor: Spencer Vann

"Created in the Unknown" theme by Basswaite: https://linktr.ee/Basswaite

Theme by Mega Drive → http://megadrivemusic.com

Opening Animation: Kidmograph

City Animation: Eric Langlay

"The Create Unknown" is produced by Unknown Media.

CONNECT WITH US:

» Chat with us on DISCORD: https://discord.gg/qAQV3Jw

» Follow us on TWITTER: http://twitter.com/createunknown

» Follow us on INSTAGRAM: http://instagram.com/thecreateunknown

» Follow us on FACEBOOK: http://facebook.com/thecreateunknown

» View our website: https://thecreateunknown.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Thanks to MAINGEAR for speeding up everything for us. Check out the VYBE line that’s making up the core of Matt’s new studio -- and use code CREATE for a free additional year of warranty on desktops: https://maingear.com/ref/656/

Join Our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thecreateunknown

Kevin kicks off this week’s episode by revealing how a lifelong disinterest in reading vanished after making one strategic decision that completely changed his outlook on writing.

As Kevin describes diving headfirst into fiction for the first time, we also explore the vitally important role that READING plays in understanding storytelling, what it means to truly observe people, and why writing is actually a lot more than just putting words on a page.

Next we unpack the differences between books and film, how male readership is quietly disappearing, and why so many great authors have left fiction behind. And, as a final cherry on top, we hit you with some essential book recs to take with you on your own journey.

Big thanks to all our Patrons, we’ll see you next week!

You love anime. You love tea. Get 10% off your order with code CREATE at The Dragon's Treasure: https://www.thedragonstreasure.com/

Buy our T-shirts: https://www.thecreateunknown.com/store/

Join our Discord to talk with artists, creators, and fans of the finer things in online life: http://discord.gg/tcu

Apple: http://bit.ly/TheCreateUnknownApple

Spotify: http://bit.ly/TheCreateUnknownSpotify

Google Podcasts: http://bit.ly/TheCreateUnknownGooglePodcasts

CREDITS:

Hosts: Kevin Lieber and Matt Tabor

Executive Producer: Ben Webster

Editor: Spencer Vann

"Created in the Unknown" theme by Basswaite: https://linktr.ee/Basswaite

Theme by Mega Drive → http://megadrivemusic.com

Opening Animation: Kidmograph

City Animation: Eric Langlay

"The Create Unknown" is produced by Unknown Media.

CONNECT WITH US:

» Chat with us on DISCORD: https://discord.gg/qAQV3Jw

» Follow us on TWITTER: http://twitter.com/createunknown

» Follow us on INSTAGRAM: http://instagram.com/thecreateunknown

» Follow us on FACEBOOK: http://facebook.com/thecreateunknown

» View our website: https://thecreateunknown.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Thanks to MAINGEAR for speeding up everything for us. Check out the VYBE line that’s making up the core of Matt’s new studio -- and use code CREATE for a free additional year of warranty on desktops: https://maingear.com/ref/656/

Join Our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thecreateunknown

This week, we dig into the viral controversy around a UCLA graduate who proudly used ChatGPT for all his final projects, and made sure the whole stadium on graduation day knew it. Is this just a funny moment, or a sign of something much bigger?

We break down new research showing that AI might be helping people finish tasks faster… but at the cost of actually thinking. What happens when students stop engaging with their own ideas entirely?

That leads us to an even bigger question: where’s the line between using tools and outsourcing your brain? Is using AI any different than having a research assistant, or are we skipping the most important part of the process?

From there, we zoom out to take a broader look at life at large. Are we losing basic skills across the board? From reading clocks to making change at the cash register, the erosion of foundational knowledge might be further along than we think.

We wrap by exploring why memorization still matters, how quirks define real people, and why the value of human experience might skyrocket in a world “run by machines.”

Thanks for listening (and thinking), and big shoutout to all of our patrons, we’ll be back next week!

You love anime. You love tea. Get 10% off your order with code CREATE at The Dragon's Treasure: https://www.thedragonstreasure.com/

Buy our T-shirts: https://www.thecreateunknown.com/store/

Join our Discord to talk with artists, creators, and fans of the finer things in online life: http://discord.gg/tcu

Apple: http://bit.ly/TheCreateUnknownApple

Spotify: http://bit.ly/TheCreateUnknownSpotify

Google Podcasts: http://bit.ly/TheCreateUnknownGooglePodcasts

CREDITS:

Hosts: Kevin Lieber and Matt Tabor

Executive Producer: Ben Webster

Editor: Spencer Vann

"Created in the Unknown" theme by Basswaite: https://linktr.ee/Basswaite

Theme by Mega Drive → http://megadrivemusic.com

Opening Animation: Kidmograph

City Animation: Eric Langlay

"The Create Unknown" is produced by Unknown Media.

CONNECT WITH US:

» Chat with us on DISCORD: https://discord.gg/qAQV3Jw

» Follow us on TWITTER: http://twitter.com/createunknown

» Follow us on INSTAGRAM: http://instagram.com/thecreateunknown

» Follow us on FACEBOOK: http://facebook.com/thecreateunknown

» View our website: https://thecreateunknown.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Thanks to MAINGEAR for speeding up everything for us. Check out the VYBE line that’s making up the core of Matt’s new studio -- and use code CREATE for a free additional year of warranty on desktops: https://maingear.com/ref/656/

Join Our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thecreateunknown

Today we retroactively celebrate the 250th episode of the Create Unknown…better late than never. Then we drive right into something even more exciting: the latest drama surrounding a friend of the podcast, Dean Lamb. Why are he and his band Archspire going independent? More importantly… why are fans mad?

Then we take a closer look at how artists make money—or don’t. We look at Archspire’s kickstarter and see why people are so upset by how the money is being spent. What seems like a huge number at first glance ends up making a lot more sense when you take the time to factor in what’s actually involved to make anything creative.

It makes us wonder, do people just talk out of both sides of their mouth when it comes to supporting artists? Even those who bash AI and champion “real art,” often don’t want to fund it. To round things out, we break down how Karl Marx’s work may have been one of the very first Kickstarters to ever exist.

Thanks for listening, and shoutout to everyone who continues to support us and the creators they love. We’ll see you next week!

You love anime. You love tea. Get 10% off your order with code CREATE at The Dragon's Treasure: https://www.thedragonstreasure.com/

Buy our T-shirts: https://www.thecreateunknown.com/store/

Join our Discord to talk with artists, creators, and fans of the finer things in online life: http://discord.gg/tcu

Apple: http://bit.ly/TheCreateUnknownApple

Spotify: http://bit.ly/TheCreateUnknownSpotify

Google Podcasts: http://bit.ly/TheCreateUnknownGooglePodcasts

CREDITS:

Hosts: Kevin Lieber and Matt Tabor

Executive Producer: Ben Webster

Editor: Spencer Vann

"Created in the Unknown" theme by Basswaite: https://linktr.ee/Basswaite

Theme by Mega Drive → http://megadrivemusic.com

Opening Animation: Kidmograph

City Animation: Eric Langlay

"The Create Unknown" is produced by Unknown Media.

CONNECT WITH US:

» Chat with us on DISCORD: https://discord.gg/qAQV3Jw

» Follow us on TWITTER: http://twitter.com/createunknown

» Follow us on INSTAGRAM: http://instagram.com/thecreateunknown

» Follow us on FACEBOOK: http://facebook.com/thecreateunknown

» View our website: https://thecreateunknown.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Thanks to MAINGEAR for speeding up everything for us. Check out the VYBE line that’s making up the core of Matt’s new studio -- and use code CREATE for a free additional year of warranty on desktops: https://maingear.com/ref/656/

Join Our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thecreateunknown

We kick today’s episode off with a fun thought experiment: what would Kevin do if money weren’t a limiting factor? Spoiler: It’s not a life supply of hotdogs.

That takes us into a discussion about one of the most overlooked media shifts. Why do older books, shows, and games seem… different? We reflect on what’s missing from today’s content, and why watching Columbo captures a kind of magic that most modern sci-fi just… doesn’t.

Next we dive into what is perhaps the most prolific and worn out trend in modern storytelling: the remake. Why are writers trying to repackage old stories? And why are they just… worse? Turns out, it’s the same reason YOU don’t talk to old people.

Thanks for hanging out with us — and as always, thank you to our amazing patrons.

You love anime. You love tea. Get 10% off your order with code CREATE at The Dragon's Treasure: https://www.thedragonstreasure.com/

Buy our T-shirts: https://www.thecreateunknown.com/store/

Join our Discord to talk with artists, creators, and fans of the finer things in online life: http://discord.gg/tcu

Apple: http://bit.ly/TheCreateUnknownApple

Spotify: http://bit.ly/TheCreateUnknownSpotify

Google Podcasts: http://bit.ly/TheCreateUnknownGooglePodcasts

CREDITS:

Hosts: Kevin Lieber and Matt Tabor

Executive Producer: Ben Webster

Editor: Spencer Vann

"Created in the Unknown" theme by Basswaite: https://linktr.ee/Basswaite

Theme by Mega Drive → http://megadrivemusic.com

Opening Animation: Kidmograph

City Animation: Eric Langlay

"The Create Unknown" is produced by Unknown Media.

CONNECT WITH US:

» Chat with us on DISCORD: https://discord.gg/qAQV3Jw

» Follow us on TWITTER: http://twitter.com/createunknown

» Follow us on INSTAGRAM: http://instagram.com/thecreateunknown

» Follow us on FACEBOOK: http://facebook.com/thecreateunknown

» View our website: https://thecreateunknown.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Thanks to MAINGEAR for speeding up everything for us. Check out the VYBE line that’s making up the core of Matt’s new studio -- and use code CREATE for a free additional year of warranty on desktops: https://maingear.com/ref/656/

Join Our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thecreateunknown

We kick things off this week with…a bag of dog poop. No, really. Matt shares his bizarre sidewalk encounter that leads to a surprisingly deep conversation about responsibility, both social and personal.

Kevin brings his own awkward pet-related tale to the table, and suddenly we’re talking about dopamine, TikTok, and the death of the traditional life path.

Next, we trace the shift in nearly everything from sports to spirituality, and why it’s totally normal all of a sudden to feel lost without the maps people used to rely on— things like religion, family, or even your hometown that used to play such a big role have shifted dramatically.

The big theme? You’re on your own. But we have to wonder… is that necessarily a bad thing?

We also unpack why constraints might actually be the secret weapon of creativity, how Kevin almost got an internship at Adult Swim, and how working at a restaurant might be the best training ground for becoming a YouTuber.

Big thanks to all our Patrons! We’ll be back soon!

You love anime. You love tea. Get 10% off your order with code CREATE at The Dragon's Treasure: https://www.thedragonstreasure.com/

Buy our T-shirts: https://www.thecreateunknown.com/store/

Join our Discord to talk with artists, creators, and fans of the finer things in online life: http://discord.gg/tcu

Apple: http://bit.ly/TheCreateUnknownApple

Spotify: http://bit.ly/TheCreateUnknownSpotify

Google Podcasts: http://bit.ly/TheCreateUnknownGooglePodcasts

CREDITS:

Hosts: Kevin Lieber and Matt Tabor

Executive Producer: Ben Webster

Editor: Spencer Vann

"Created in the Unknown" theme by Basswaite: https://linktr.ee/Basswaite

Theme by Mega Drive → http://megadrivemusic.com

Opening Animation: Kidmograph

City Animation: Eric Langlay

"The Create Unknown" is produced by Unknown Media.

CONNECT WITH US:

» Chat with us on DISCORD: https://discord.gg/qAQV3Jw

» Follow us on TWITTER: http://twitter.com/createunknown

» Follow us on INSTAGRAM: http://instagram.com/thecreateunknown

» Follow us on FACEBOOK: http://facebook.com/thecreateunknown

» View our website: https://thecreateunknown.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Thanks to MAINGEAR for speeding up everything for us. Check out the VYBE line that’s making up the core of Matt’s new studio -- and use code CREATE for a free additional year of warranty on desktops: https://maingear.com/ref/656/

Join Our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thecreateunknown

We kick things off this week with a recap of TaborCon—a real-life Vegas meetup that somehow included karaoke, heartfelt ballads, and exactly zero arrests (we think). Matt gives us the full rundown.

Then Kevin drops a question that sounds simple but hits hard: Can a real person compete with the allure of a smartphone? What follows is a deep dive into the quiet crisis happening in social spaces—from dating, to small talk, all the way up to job interviews. How are we to compete when on-demand content is winning the war for our attention?

We talk about the ever-expanding role that phones play in our lives now – and how that certainly doesn’t help. More than just entertainment, they’ve also become escape hatches, safety nets, and sometimes, emotional shields. And if that’s the new normal… what does that mean for us?

It’s a weird one. It’s a real one. And you might end up seeing your lock screen a little differently.

Thanks for listening—and special thanks to our Patrons for keeping this whole thing rolling.

You love anime. You love tea. Get 10% off your order with code CREATE at The Dragon's Treasure: https://www.thedragonstreasure.com/

Buy our T-shirts: https://www.thecreateunknown.com/store/

Join our Discord to talk with artists, creators, and fans of the finer things in online life: http://discord.gg/tcu

Apple: http://bit.ly/TheCreateUnknownApple

Spotify: http://bit.ly/TheCreateUnknownSpotify

Google Podcasts: http://bit.ly/TheCreateUnknownGooglePodcasts

CREDITS:

Hosts: Kevin Lieber and Matt Tabor

Executive Producer: Ben Webster

Editor: Spencer Vann

"Created in the Unknown" theme by Basswaite: https://linktr.ee/Basswaite

Theme by Mega Drive → http://megadrivemusic.com

Opening Animation: Kidmograph

City Animation: Eric Langlay

"The Create Unknown" is produced by Unknown Media.

CONNECT WITH US:

» Chat with us on DISCORD: https://discord.gg/qAQV3Jw

» Follow us on TWITTER: http://twitter.com/createunknown

» Follow us on INSTAGRAM: http://instagram.com/thecreateunknown

» Follow us on FACEBOOK: http://facebook.com/thecreateunknown

» View our website: https://thecreateunknown.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Thanks to MAINGEAR for speeding up everything for us. Check out the VYBE line that’s making up the core of Matt’s new studio -- and use code CREATE for a free additional year of warranty on desktops: https://maingear.com/ref/656/

Join Our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thecreateunknown

Something’s shifting in the world of YouTuber live events. Kevin starts to unravel all the controversy surrounding iDubbbz’ previously acclaimed “Creator Clash” and asks a very important question: Was boxing ever the right fit to begin with?

After that, we dive into a larger discussion on ins and outs of the boxing industry as a whole, which leads us to an even bigger question – what actually makes an event unforgettable? Why do some attempts to bring creators together feel hollow, while others become cultural landmarks?

From there, we start spitballing. What could a creator event look like if it wasn’t all blood and bruises? Kevin floats some wild (but somehow obvious) ideas for what might actually bring the community together again… maybe even with a few less broken noses.

Big thanks to our Patrons for all the support, we’ll see you again next week!

You love anime. You love tea. Get 10% off your order with code CREATE at The Dragon's Treasure: https://www.thedragonstreasure.com/

Buy our T-shirts: https://www.thecreateunknown.com/store/

Join our Discord to talk with artists, creators, and fans of the finer things in online life: http://discord.gg/tcu

Apple: http://bit.ly/TheCreateUnknownApple

Spotify: http://bit.ly/TheCreateUnknownSpotify

Google Podcasts: http://bit.ly/TheCreateUnknownGooglePodcasts

CREDITS:

Hosts: Kevin Lieber and Matt Tabor

Executive Producer: Ben Webster

Editor: Spencer Vann

"Created in the Unknown" theme by Basswaite: https://linktr.ee/Basswaite

Theme by Mega Drive → http://megadrivemusic.com

Opening Animation: Kidmograph

City Animation: Eric Langlay

"The Create Unknown" is produced by Unknown Media.

CONNECT WITH US:

» Chat with us on DISCORD: https://discord.gg/qAQV3Jw

» Follow us on TWITTER: http://twitter.com/createunknown

» Follow us on INSTAGRAM: http://instagram.com/thecreateunknown

» Follow us on FACEBOOK: http://facebook.com/thecreateunknown

» View our website: https://thecreateunknown.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Thanks to MAINGEAR for speeding up everything for us. Check out the VYBE line that’s making up the core of Matt’s new studio -- and use code CREATE for a free additional year of warranty on desktops: https://maingear.com/ref/656/

Join Our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thecreateunknown

We kick off this week’s episode with a passing joke about financing your food which naturally turns into a FULL-ON SPIRAL about spending, savings, and the absolutely insane cost of convenience. Strap in folks, this episode’s a big one.

Kevin opens up about how his relationship with food has changed—he compares his old diet to what he eats now, and we hone in on how much of your diet is actually about who you’re eating with. Meanwhile, Matt pulls out the calculator and starts crunching numbers that will make you never look at your lunch receipt the same way again.

From there, we get granular about how food has shifted from something purely functional to a massive part of culture and personal identity. We touch on how platforms like YouTube have made cooking more accessible, and how what we choose to eat can reflect a lot more than just taste.

Let’s just say: by the end of this one, you might be inspired to make dinner at home.

Thanks for tuning in, and a special thanks to all our Patrons. We’ll see you next week!

You love anime. You love tea. Get 10% off your order with code CREATE at The Dragon's Treasure: https://www.thedragonstreasure.com/

Buy our T-shirts: https://www.thecreateunknown.com/store/

Join our Discord to talk with artists, creators, and fans of the finer things in online life: http://discord.gg/tcu

Apple: http://bit.ly/TheCreateUnknownApple

Spotify: http://bit.ly/TheCreateUnknownSpotify

Google Podcasts: http://bit.ly/TheCreateUnknownGooglePodcasts

CREDITS:

Hosts: Kevin Lieber and Matt Tabor

Executive Producer: Ben Webster

Editor: Spencer Vann

"Created in the Unknown" theme by Basswaite: https://linktr.ee/Basswaite

Theme by Mega Drive → http://megadrivemusic.com

Opening Animation: Kidmograph

City Animation: Eric Langlay

"The Create Unknown" is produced by Unknown Media.

CONNECT WITH US:

» Chat with us on DISCORD: https://discord.gg/qAQV3Jw

» Follow us on TWITTER: http://twitter.com/createunknown

» Follow us on INSTAGRAM: http://instagram.com/thecreateunknown

» Follow us on FACEBOOK: http://facebook.com/thecreateunknown

» View our website: https://thecreateunknown.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices