Amie and James are back for Season 4 to talk about times their egos have gotten in the way of their creativity. They discuss the good and bad of ego, and how to cope with the times where it needs to be soothed or curtailed.

Why are these old epidodes suddenly appearing in your feed? When we re-did Amie’s website, we also had to change over our podcast feed. This meant we needed to re-upload every Unpublished episode. I (James) really couldn’t face the task at the time so I’m doing it now!

In the last podcast for the year, Amie and James talk about how we can be in relationships that help support our art.

December and January can be challenging times for creatives. It’s tricky to find a good balance between rest and keeping momentum. We also often have to field difficult questions from family. Amie and James talk about how to keep momentum going and how to deal with unhelpful friends and relatives.

Is it okay to feel like creating is a bit of grind sometimes? Or should it always be like play?

Check out Amie’s new website: www.amiemcnee.com

If you’ve noticed some old eps disappear, it’s probably due to the website switch over. We’ll be working to put them all up over the next few weeks.

Do you compare yourself to other artists? Do you find yourself playing small because you think other people are “better”? Amie and James talk about how they approach comparison and how to use comparison to enhance your creative journey.

Amie’s Website: www.amiemcnee.com

James’ blog: www.jameswinestock.com

Amie and James talk about the importance of having a growth mindset as a creative. You are not stuck where you are now! You can grow and learn. Stop thinking about where your skill and craft are right now; start thinking about how you can grow.

This is also a good one for anyone who thinks they aren’t creative. We talk about why this isn’t true!

Our wonderful friend, writer and creative Aubrey Tate, joins us to talk all things Social Media. We look at questions like: Is it necessary for artists to have a social media presence? Should we quit social media? Are there upsides to being on socials?

It’s a wide ranging conversation that touches on business, mental health, and creativity.

A bit about Aubrey in her own words: My name is Aubrey. I’m currently based in the Portland, OR metro area. I am a writer of fiction and non-fiction, maker of things, deep thinker, and advocate for self love and mental health. I am on a mission to create a life of my own crafting and make art that speaks to my soul, while encouraging other artists to do what calls them (not what they are told).

Here’s where you can find Aubrey:

Website: artistoflife.net (this is brand new and she is adding features all the time).

Discord link: https://discord.gg/ZaMyxh6

NANOWRIMO is coming up in a couple of days. Amie and James are both taking part (with caveats). They share their tips for participating in a creative sprint and how to avoid some of the pitfalls involved.