The Creative Coping Podcast

Nevaeh LeBoeuf is my oldest daughter and very special guest this week.  At nine years old she has big dreams and an even bigger heart. She is an aspiring singer, musician, and actress who involuntarily stands out due to a port wine stain birthmark on her face but she has some encouraging advice for those who, like her, may feel left out sometimes. To quote her major influence Taylor Swift, "If you are lucky enough to be different, don't ever change."

Brandon Stouff is an independent filmmaker and photographer from Houma with a degree in Cinematography. We talk movies, creative differences in collaborations, and the "orchestrated chaos"  that goes on behind the scenes, on set of production. Whether it's commercials, music videos, or short films, Brandon enjoys the process of creating a great story through the camera.

Dustin Boudreaux is the lead singer, songwriter, and bassist for the band, FALLEN. He recognizes the responsibility he has as a lyricist and says about his songs, "Any time I write, I know that I'm responsible for what I say and what I say can have detrimental affects...Who's to say somebody in a dark place is listening to one of my song's and that song might make them do something that could never be changed or erased."

My wife, Jammie LeBoeuf joins me for an introspective conversation about our lives. Over the course of 10 years together, we have shared many laughs, tears, and everything in between.

Our marriage has endured many hardships including the loss of our son, Kaidon and the uncertainty that surrounded our youngest daughter Koralyn who was born in respiratory distress. Throughout our relationship, we have one constant - we do not give up on each other. 

We discuss the importance of mental health after such traumatic experiences to which Jammie adds, “It’s okay not to be okay. If you need to cry, cry. If you need to scream,  scream. If you need to have a day, just have a day to yourself, have your mental break. Don’t feel bad for it. We all need it. Mental health is important and don’t be ashamed of it. Talk to someone about it.”

It's the most wonderful time of the year...for some of us.  This Christmas season keep in mind that while it is a cause for celebration, a lot of us mask heartache that goes unseen, causing even the most cheerful person to become a Grinch around the holidays. I joke about it being the fact that I'm approaching 30 and am a bit more ornery in my old age (I know, 30 isn't old) but the truth is we are all going through something so let's just keep that in mind and maybe show each other a little more grace during the holidays.

“Get absolutely enthralled with something. Throw yourself into it with abandon. Get out of yourself. Be somebody. Do something.” Norman Vincent Peale

Ennis Luke is a self-taught multi-instrumentalist, poet, and painter whose art is a reflection of his recovery.

On September 12th of 2006, he was involved in a tug boat accident that left him in a coma for 16 days. After awaking with his jaw wired shut, and paralysis, shock immediately ensued. On this episode, he recounts that experience through a poem titled, "That September Day".

We also share a few stories and laughs about the joys and fears of fatherhood to which Ennis truthfully admits, "I didn't know that kind of joy existed."

Antonino GB is a poet whose range of influence is from literary giants such as Tom Robbins to Dostoyevsky to artists like Johnny Cash. In this episode, he reveals 14 of his short poems and we have a great conversation about linguistics, eulogy’s, and chocolate chip cookies.

Bradley Hathaway is an artist who has transitioned from a spoken word poet to a singer/songwriter and is known for his elaborate storytelling. On this episode we talk explicit lyrics, his upcoming novel, El Monterey Burritos, and the controversy surrounding his latest album, “Flesh Eater”.

Joe Faber is a graphic designer whose work is illustrated under the name, Fuzzy Fossil. His artwork has been featured in HM Magazine and most recently he has commissioned artwork for Kevin Max’s latest album, “AWOL”.

Joe talks me through his creative process, the software he uses to complete his projects and we go through some of his original artwork to get a better understanding of the undertones that’s being portrayed in each piece.

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