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When was the last time we really loved what we were doing? Really loved the art that we set out, however long ago, to create and the art made by others? For some of us (!?!), maybe that was as recently as today, but for many of us, that love has been barricaded deep within us by years of life’s countless convoluting forces. Maybe it feels like it’s left us entirely.

Welcome back to Nah-Cademics! Following a totally planned—though interestingly timed—hiatus after season 2 episode 1, Brett and John are back to discuss whether or not that once winged love of creation in its most basic, recreational forms can be recovered.

-Is it normal for an artist to go through periods of wondering whether or not their creative path has reached a dead end? Is it possible to still forge ahead and rekindle their love for the mere process of creation after lengthy periods of feeling uninspired?

-Is it possible to discern and overcome the countless subtle voices that prevent us from simple acts of creativity in its purest, playful expressions?

-Since it’s apparent that Brett and John haven’t been busy, you know, accomplishing great feats, can we count on them to not take another five month hiatus?

As always, this podcast offers no definitive answers to these questions—except maybe that last one (Answer: Count on us at your own risk. Zelda ain’t gonna play itself, but we’ll do our best). It is but recreational rambling. However, if you see the clock ticking down on the game that you once loved, but feel like you’ve forgotten how to play, this podcast is for you!

Come, overthink with us!

PS) This episode was actually going to be a bit longer than this, but the computer decided to stop recording when even it got tired of hearing us talk. If you’d like to send it a thank you message, you can do so at nahcademics@gmail.com.

JohnDennisMusic.com
BrettRyanStewart.com
Wirebird Productions

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Is it just us or has everything been feeling a little stagnant lately? As we find ourselves caught in the monotonous whirlpool of tending to responsibilities, making ends meet, and feeling just that much older every time we come up for air, it can start to feel like our lives have lost all momentum—and the longer we’re forced to cling to these empty routines, the harder it seems to grasp firmly the hope that used to buoy us towards our imagined futures.

Kicking off the much anticipated (we tell ourselves) Nah-Cademics Season 2, Brett and John return from their mundane meanderings to discuss that ever-lingering question of how one keeps creative hope alive in a world (and body) which only gets more exhausting by the day… hence why John keeps yawning. #methodpodcasting

— Is the joy one experiences through art a sufficient enough motivation to continue—especially when the financial realities of life are particularly pressing?

— As the old roadmaps for “success” are seeming less realistic, is there hope to be found in embracing the new opportunities modernity has to offer and celebrating momentum on a smaller scale?

— Now that Brett has discovered a newfound optimism, can John follow suit by simply living vicariously through his Latin American counterpart with whom he shares an Apple Music profile?

As always, Nah-cademics offers no definitive answers to any of these questions (well, except maybe that last one, the answer is: yes, yes, he can. The music slaps.)—it is honestly just a nourishing way to pass the time. However, if you find yourself feeling like the only one trapped on the tarmac to nowhere (and really hoping your guitar doesn’t end up in Guam again), this podcast is for you!

PS) Our sincere apologies to the artist Rodriguez for not being able to remember his name while recording. Latin John Dennis almost certainly would have, so add another point to his column.

JohnDennisMusic.com
BrettRyanStewart.com
Wirebird Productions

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What is true artistic freedom? We’d all almost certainly argue that it looks something like having no boundaries or restrictions to one’s creative process or the time needed to perfect it. Maybe it means having the resources to rent a studio and pay musicians for months on end, or maybe it looks more like being able to create any convention-defying work you want without fear of rejection or financial consequence—ideally, not a podcast.

Regardless, we all have a tendency to romanticize the freedom which, in practice, is often both unrealistic and ineffective while resenting the limitations that, in reality, can actually be beneficial as they force us to rein in our perfectionism and discipline our process.

Note: The truth is, Brett and John were about to be late for a movie, so they made the topic on the benefits of limiting factors and hoped you’d think it was enlightened. It was not, but hey, at least you only have to listen to them ramble for half the time.

-What is it about creating “conventional” art that seems so repulsive, and in what ways has our deliberate striving to feel original prevented us from disciplined growth?

-How can daily, scheduled creative periods and deadlines aid in getting us out of cycles of inactivity and perfectionism?

-How does Brett and John’s limitation of endlessly overthinking how they’re being perceived benefit them in the creation of a podcast that is shorter than normal?

As always, Nah-cademics offers no definitive answers to these questions—well, except maybe that last one (answer: heh heh, it does not.)—it is but the, usually meandering, chatter of fools, but if you find yourself creating only excuses but never any art, this podcast is for you—and we’ll only be enabling your distraction for half the normal time.

Come, overthink with us!

JohnDennisMusic.com
BrettRyanStewart.com
Wirebird Productions