Humanitou: Exploring Humanness + Creativity

Best of Humanitou: Victoria Stracke, publisher of 'The Last Hundred Miles: The Diary of Larry Waite'

Adam Williams — Thu, 02 May 2024 15:42:45 +0000

Those diaries ended up in Victoria's hands. In this conversation, we find out how she came to be the keeper of Larry’s story, how she ultimately decided to move forward with publishing the diaries on his behalf, and the special relationship she has with him now, posthumously, through his writing and photographs. Victoria describes Larry's life as one of tragic beauty. More at humanitou.com.

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Humanitou is created, produced and hosted by Adam Williams.

Show notes and transcript of this episode at humanitou.com/victoria-stracke-the-last-hundred-miles.

Follow on Instagram @humanitou

About Humanitou: humanitou.com/about-humanitou/

Best of Humanitou: Lisa Congdon, illustrator & author, on failure, impostor syndrome, LGBTQ rights, meditation, breast cancer and being a change-agent

Adam Williams — Sun, 24 Mar 2024 18:07:59 +0000

Lisa Congdon is an illustrator, and the author of eight books, most recently (as of original episode release on Aug. 2, 2020): “Find Your Artistic Voice: The Essential Guide to Working Your Creative Magic.” Her client list runs deep, including the Obama Campaign, the United Nations, Lululemon, Crate & Barrel, MoMA, REI, AirBnB, Martha Stewart Living and many more.

In this conversation, we talk about failure, impostor syndrome, and the stories and experiences that shape us. We get into spirituality and authenticity, conformity and fear. Lisa speaks on white privilege and anti-racism, and her activism for LGBTQ rights. We talk about a crucial, "magical" chapter in her story while living in San Francisco in the 90s, her breast cancer diagnosis in recent months, and what she's learned from friends-slash-idols Brené Brown, Elizabeth Gilbert and Debbie Millman. More at humanitou.com.

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Humanitou is created, hosted and produced by Adam Williams.

Show notes and transcript of this episode at https://humanitou.com/lisa-congdon/.

Follow on Instagram @humanitou

About Humanitou: https://humanitou.com/about/

Best of Humanitou: Steven Pressfield, best-selling author of The War of Art, on creative Resistance, fear & love, & tuning into the cosmic radio station

Adam Williams — Wed, 06 Mar 2024 18:47:11 +0000

Steven Pressfield is the best-selling author of The War of Art, The Artist's Journey, The Legend of Bagger Vance, Gates of Fire and, his newest novel, which was published earlier this month, A Man at Arms. In this conversation, we talk about Resistance with a capital-R, that diabolical enemy within each of us that tries to keep us from connecting with our highest Self (and each other). We talk fear and love, self-sabotage and leadership, Hero's Journey and Artist's Journey, dreams and discovering ourselves, and tribalism and society, among other things. More at humanitou.com.

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Humanitou is created, hosted and produced by Adam Williams.

Show notes and transcript of this episode at humanitou.com/steven-pressfield.

Follow on Instagram @humanitou

Thoughts On: Hourly vs. Value-Based Pay for Creators

Adam Williams — Tue, 08 Aug 2023 12:56:00 +0000

In this solo episode (ep 154), Adam Williams makes the case for artists/creators being valued for their work as mystic builders of worlds rather than widget-makers on the clock. Read, listen to more and view the full artwork, "All My Sins," used in the episode thumbnail at humanitou.com.

The Intuitive Process of Creating (& General Baron Jacques)

Adam Williams — Tue, 01 Aug 2023 13:01:00 +0000

In this solo episode (ep 153), Adam Williams talks about the building blocks of the creative process, using the intuitive flow of his "scrawl abstracts" artwork, like his digital painting “Don’t be fucking ridiculous … I just wear stars! (General Baron Jacques),” as an example. Read, listen to more and view the full artwork, "(General Baron Jacques)," at humanitou.com.

The Last Game of Catch

Adam Williams — Tue, 25 Jul 2023 14:29:00 +0000

In this solo episode (ep 152), Adam Williams connects the dots of two creative works he made years apart. And he shares "Catch," his poem of nostalgia and wondering about his last game of catch with "good 'ol Dad." Read, listen to more, and view the artwork, "Baseball," talked about in this episode at humanitou.com.

‘I Could Do That’

Adam Williams — Tue, 18 Jul 2023 12:50:00 +0000

In this solo episode (ep 151), Adam Williams speaks to the misconception non-artists have who walk into galleries and dismiss artists' work with a flippant, "I could do that," with the help of musician Jack White. He talks about the difference between "I could do that" and "I did that!" Read, listen to more, and view the full artwork, "So Pretty the Flower," used in the episode thumbnail at humanitou.com.

A Reflection of Who We Are in This Moment

Adam Williams — Tue, 11 Jul 2023 12:20:00 +0000

Overview: In this solo episode (ep 150), Adam Williams takes a look around and reflects on who he is in this moment, with the aid of legendary music producer Rick Rubin. Read and listen to more at humanitou.com.

The Price We Pay for Our Unsung Songs

Adam Williams — Tue, 04 Jul 2023 12:50:00 +0000

In this solo episode (ep 149), Adam Williams cites psychotherapist Barry Michels' line, "It is a tragedy to die with our song unsung." He then lays out the simple and meaningful questions we all owe it to ourselves to ask to keep that tragedy from happening. Read and listen to more at humanitou.com.

Two Poems from San Agustinillo

Adam Williams — Tue, 27 Jun 2023 12:59:00 +0000

In this solo episode (ep 148), Adam Williams talks about his not-quite-forgotten chapbook of poetry and photography, San Agustinillo. He shares two very short poems -- "The Palm" and "The Moon" -- from that project several years still in the making. Read and listen to more at humanitou.com.

In This Second Half of Life

Adam Williams — Tue, 20 Jun 2023 18:00:52 +0000

In this solo episode (ep 147), Adam Williams refers to Richard Rohr's (and Carl Jung's) spiritual philosophy of the two halves of life. Adam talks about his internal struggles as a creator and human with the external validations and gatekeepers we're socialized to obey. Read and listen to more at humanitou.com.

Dear Dead God

Adam Williams — Wed, 17 May 2023 15:45:58 +0000

In this solo episode (ep 146), Adam Williams gives into the intruding thoughts that came to him during meditation. Thoughts on God, being "good/bad" at meditation, vulnerability and connecting with each other through sharing what we've got to share. Read and listen to more at humanitou.com.

ChatGPT Fail

Adam Williams — Thu, 11 May 2023 20:29:56 +0000

In this short solo episode (ep 145), Adam Williams shares his failed attempt at collaboration with ChatGPT, and his fear that getting a Nintendo would be the death of his family. Read and listen to more at humanitou.com.

Thinking Time

Adam Williams — Thu, 04 May 2023 17:14:47 +0000

In this short solo episode (ep 144), Adam Williams relates the shared DNA of he and his son's habits of thinking time. Read and listen to more at humanitou.com.

Revisiting 'Chop Wood, Carry Water'

Adam Williams — Wed, 05 Apr 2023 22:13:01 +0000

Based on a listener's timely and meaningful email, this episode revisits a focus of building a path of purpose one step at a time by applying the Zen philosophy of chopping wood and carrying water.

Humanitou creator Adam Williams digs into some thoughts, resources and ideas about recognizing life purpose and cultivating success through the Zen Buddhist koan, "chop wood, carry water." Along the way, he dips into the wisdom of sages like Jedi master Yoda and Michael Jordan, Baba Ram Dass and Pablo Picasso, an 8th century Buddhist poet and the lightbulb inventor Thomas Edison. Adam also shares the simplest of three-step action plans to create lasting success in your life. More at humanitou.com.

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Humanitou is created, hosted and produced by Adam Williams.

Show notes and transcript of this episode at humanitou.com/chop-wood-carry-water/.

Follow on Instagram @humanitou

About Humanitou: https://humanitou.com/about/

We Reap What We Practice

Adam Williams — Wed, 15 Mar 2023 18:31:48 +0000

In this short solo episode (ep 142), Adam Williams considers the phrase "life practice" and why it's not more widely used in society. He considers how honoring the process of practicing at life creates space for learning, compassion and evolution. Read and listen to more at humanitou.com.

Thinking on a Quote by Poet Jorie Graham

Adam Williams — Tue, 28 Feb 2023 22:15:30 +0000

In this short solo episode (ep 141), Adam Williams reflects on a line poet Jorie Graham gave in a recent interview in The New Yorker and digs into his own mission of self-expression. Read and listen to more at humanitou.com.

A Poet Was There: Brian Turner

Adam Williams — Fri, 24 Feb 2023 14:45:00 +0000

In this short solo episode (ep 140), Adam Williams adds to his occasional series, "A Poet Was There," and features poet Brian Turner and work from his first collection, "Here, Bullet" (2005). He also reads three of Turner's poems from that book, including the title poem. Read and listen to more at humanitou.com.

Why Sharing Our Stories Is Vital

Adam Williams — Wed, 22 Feb 2023 14:30:00 +0000

In this short solo episode (ep 139), Adam Williams talks about the essential value in stepping up to our stories and vulnerably sharing them, with some inspiration from Fat Joe, Dax Shepard and Shaun White. Read and listen to more at humanitou.com.

The Artist vs. The Fundamentalist

Adam Williams — Mon, 20 Feb 2023 14:15:00 +0000

In this short solo episode (ep 138), Adam Williams pulls out a helpful piece of the best-selling author Steven Pressfield's book, "The War of Art," noting key distinctions between worldviews of the artist and the fundamentalist. Read and listen to more at humanitou.com.

Triggered By Another’s Words? Ask Yourself This Liberating Question …

Adam Williams — Sat, 18 Feb 2023 17:50:00 +0000

In this short episode (ep 137), Adam Williams shares forward a life-changing question. It's the key to breaking down our reactive, defensive postures when someone says something that triggers us. Read and listen to more at humanitou.com.

The Fight

Adam Williams — Sat, 11 Feb 2023 21:28:00 +0000

In this episode (ep 136), Adam Williams weaves stories of his two young sons throwing head locks and left hooks, and finding confidence amid their tears and rage, with his own challenges as a boy raised to never fight. Read and listen to more at humanitou.com.

No One Else Has the Answers Either

Adam Williams — Tue, 07 Feb 2023 16:21:00 +0000

In this episode (ep 135), Adam Williams shares his approach to self-expression, including as a podcaster. It's about self-study and facing fears, putting life questions and the things he thinks he thinks, for now, into the sunlight to see what's what. Read and listen to more at humanitou.com.

5-3-1 & Being Grateful with David Choe

Adam Williams — Sun, 05 Feb 2023 15:15:00 +0000

In this episode (ep 134), Adam Williams takes a positive life practice from David Choe and his Choe Show podcast. 5-3-1 ... That's five gratitudes, three things to work on today, and one positive thing about yourself. Read and listen to more at humanitou.com.

Truth in the Ultimate Age of Mindfuckery

Adam Williams — Sat, 04 Feb 2023 16:30:00 +0000

In this short solo episode (ep 133), Adam Williams steps further into self-honesty. He deviates from his usual Humanitou focus on creative expression, spirituality and so on with a semi-rant, airing some truths he feels in this era of fantastic social and political mindfuckery. He's also been making some simple artworks as a practice in facing blatant contradictions rather than glossing over the lies.

Check out the artworks Adam refers to in the episode, and read and listen to more at humanitou.com.

The Courage to Do & Then Do Better

Adam Williams — Thu, 02 Feb 2023 17:15:00 +0000

In this short solo episode (ep 132), Adam Williams shares the pure gold of what we've been looking for and a way to get there, amid his reflections on Maya Angelou's line, "Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better." Read and listen to more at humanitou.com.

The Log Book of Doings

Adam Williams — Tue, 31 Jan 2023 17:38:00 +0000

In this short solo episode (ep 131), Adam Williams shares a creative life practice he calls his Log Book of Doings (and other thoughts and practices). It's a practice of presence, accomplishment and motivation. Read and listen to more at humanitou.com.

The Intrinsic Value & Vulnerability in Sharing Who We Are

Adam Williams — Sun, 29 Jan 2023 08:01:00 +0000

In this short solo episode (ep 130), Adam Williams digs into why he shares what he creates as a writer, artist, podcaster and so on, even when no one is asking him to. He explores the value of being vulnerable over and over, and facing down the fear. Read and listen to more at humanitou.com.

The Significance in Our Insignificance

Adam Williams — Sat, 28 Jan 2023 20:31:00 +0000

In this short solo episode, Adam Williams explores the mind-bogglingness of the Universe and our human arrogance to think it gives a fuck about what we give a foolish fuck about. He wades into our relatively insignificant places as humans in the vast universe and considers what our true significance actually can be.

Bonus: Do you know the distance of a light-year? How many light-years across the universe reaches? How many galaxies are in it? Adam dug up those fun facts for this episode ... Not that he can fathom what any of them mean. Mind. Blowing.

Read and listen to more at humanitou.com.

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All things podcast creation and publishing by Adam Williams (humanitou.com)

Music by Joe Johnson

A Poem From Somewhere: 'Spark Cloaked But Burning'

Adam Williams — Thu, 26 Jan 2023 06:04:00 +0000

In this ultra-short solo episode, Adam Williams shares "a poem from somewhere, for whomever needs it." For anyone who knows feelings of loneliness, anxiety and depression, this short poem, "Spark Cloaked But Burning," is one of compassion and solidarity. Read and listen to more at humanitou.com.

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All things podcast creation and publishing by Adam Williams (humanitou.com)

Music by Joe Johnson

Thinking About How We Impact Others

Adam Williams — Tue, 24 Jan 2023 06:30:00 +0000

In this short solo episode, Adam Williams thinks about a worthy question: What is the impact we have on others, and is it the impact we intend to have? Essentially, "Do I give them energy or drain their energy?" He explores this question and practice as one of self-awareness and compassion. Read and listen to more at humanitou.com.

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All things podcast creation and publishing by Adam Williams (humanitou.com)

Music by Joe Johnson

At the Intersection of Creative Intention and Oops, Something Artful Happens

Adam Williams — Sun, 22 Jan 2023 18:13:00 +0000

In this short solo episode, Adam Williams stands at the intersection of creative intentions and oopses, where truth lies in the inexactitude of life. He explores the practice of listening to the intuitive and recognizing "when something artful this way comes." Read and listen to more at humanitou.com.

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All things podcast creation and publishing by Adam Williams (humanitou.com)

Music by Joe Johnson

A Way of Being & Seeing on a Trail Hike

Adam Williams — Sat, 21 Jan 2023 21:56:00 +0000

In this short solo episode, Adam Williams shares a couple poetic examples of his awareness practices while on a trail hike. Read and listen to more at humanitou.com.

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All things podcast creation and publishing by Adam Williams (humanitou.com)

Music by Joe Johnson

Insecurities, Courage & Confidence

Adam Williams — Thu, 19 Jan 2023 05:45:00 +0000

In this short solo episode, Adam Williams sorts out some truths of being creative, like facing insecurities with courage and cultivating confidence. He cites Dutch artist, curator and designer Erik Kessels' book "Failed It!" and reflects on Kessels' belief that insecurity is essential to confidence.

Read and listen to more at humanitou.com.

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All things podcast creation by Adam Williams (humanitou.com)

Music by Joe Johnson

Being 'The Man In The Arena' with Brené Brown & Teddy Roosevelt

Adam Williams — Tue, 17 Jan 2023 20:23:00 +0000

In this short solo episode, Adam Williams shares about his experience with the conflicting voices in his head, including Brené Brown's, Teddy Roosevelt's and his imagined critics', every time he creates as a writer, poet, artist, podcaster ... whatever the creative medium.

Read and listen to more at humanitou.com, where you also can see two artworks Adam made to go with this episode's show notes and related blog post on the website. You also can read the addendum, "Roosevelt's Bullet."

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Music by Joe Johnson

All things podcast by Adam Williams (humanitou.com)

Humanitou Is Dead, Long Live Humanitou

Adam Williams — Fri, 13 Jan 2023 18:18:00 +0000

Humanitou is dead, long live Humanitou. After an 18-month hiatus, Adam Williams is back with the Humanitou podcast. In this short solo episode, he tells what was going on during that time and about the lifeline that drew him back to the light.

Transcript and show notes are at humanitou.com.

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Music by Joe Johnson

Host, producer and all things podcast by Adam Williams (humanitou.com)

Back from Hiatus! The New Humanitou Trailer

Adam Williams — Thu, 12 Jan 2023 21:56:00 +0000

The Humanitou podcast dives into what it means to be human, creative and authentic. In this podcast, the writer, poet, artist and photographer Adam Williams explores creative and big life questions, the things he thinks he knows, and where those ideas fall apart, too. The podcast features short solo episodes by Adam and longer conversations he has with fellow creatives and thinkers.

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Music by Joe Johnson (from his album "Dark Horse Pale Rider")

121: Lucas Cullen, founder of Struggle Creates Strength, on dark times, pushing outside one's comfort zone ad figuring out one's purpose

Adam Williams — Fri, 16 Jul 2021 05:56:00 +0000

Lucas Cullen is the founder of Struggle Creates Strength, a mental health advocacy organization based in British Columbia, Canada. He’s also a podcaster, a traveler and a former semi-pro hockey player. In this conversation, Lucas and I talk about the power of story, of sharing our stories vulnerably and courageously and even publicly, so that they can help others. He shares his own story of mental health struggles as a teen and young adult coming up in the hyper-masculine culture of competitive ice hockey. We talk about the rocky and sometimes dark road that ultimately led Lucas to launch Struggle Creates Strength. We also talk about joy and life purpose. Among other things. More at humanitou.com.

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Humanitou is created, produced and hosted by Adam Williams.

Show notes and transcript of this episode at https://humanitou.com/lucas-cullen/.

Follow on Instagram @humanitou

Support the Humanitou Podcast: https://humanitou.com/support-humanitou/

About Humanitou: https://humanitou.com/about/

Media Kit: https://humanitou.com/media-kit/

120: James McCrae, poet, meme artist and author of Sh#t Your Ego Says, on ayahuasca, karma and the art of our times

Adam Williams — Thu, 01 Jul 2021 05:46:00 +0000

James McCrae is a poet, a meme artist, and the author of the book, Sh#t Your Ego Says. Naturally, this conversation dives into James' thoughts on the ego. We also talk about karma, existential crisis and ayahuasca, poetry and meme artistry, which James is convinced is the most potent and powerful art form of our times. In fact, he has a new book coming out through Thought Catalog later this year that just might be the first in the world to combine poetry and meme art in the way that he does.

We talk about that and all the things, the stories that weave along James’ road from an idyllic childhood in tiny-town Minnesota to getting washed out of New York City on his first attempt to live there, and then seeking refuge on the Puerto Rican island of Culebra. We talk about James’ “dark night of the soul” experience while on Culebra, a sort of existential crisis, and how it was pivotal to his spiritual and creative voice, the one he’s publicly known for now. Among other things. More at humanitou.com.

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Humanitou is created, produced and hosted by Adam Williams.

Show notes and transcript of this episode at humanitou.com/james-mccrae.

Follow on Instagram @humanitou

Support the Humanitou Podcast: https://humanitou.com/support-humanitou/

About Humanitou: https://humanitou.com/about/

Media Kit: https://humanitou.com/media-kit/

119: Yassine Diboun, Ultramarathon Trail Runner, on addiction & sobriety, DEI & racism, the power of community & forest bathing

Adam Williams — Wed, 16 Jun 2021 10:30:00 +0000

Yassine Diboun is a professional ultramarathon trail runner, coach and entrepreneur (Wy'east Wolfpack) in Portland, Ore. He's also nearly 17 years sober. In this conversation, we talk about Yassine's story of addiction, which started at a really early age. And we talk about sobriety. Serious topics no doubt. But we have some good laughs along the way too. We also talk about Yassine's transformation from, as he tells it, spiritual bankruptcy to spiritual awakening, and his becoming a pro athlete and a community leader, on the trail and off. Among other things, like diversity in the outdoors and the Japanese concept of shin-rin yoku ("forest bathing"). More at humanitou.com.

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Humanitou is created, produced and hosted by Adam Williams.

Show notes and transcript of this episode at https://humanitou.com/yassine-diboun-ultrarunner.

Follow on Instagram @humanitou

Support the Humanitou Podcast: https://humanitou.com/support-humanitou/

About Humanitou: https://humanitou.com/about/

Media Kit: https://humanitou.com/media-kit/

118: A Poet Was There ... Nguyễn Chí Thiện, Vietnamese Dissident

Adam Williams — Wed, 09 Jun 2021 10:30:00 +0000

In this solo episode, Adam Williams kicks off an occasional series called “A Poet Was There.” Adam reads his poem, "I Want Poets," which is his kernel of inspiration for the series, praising poets as essential truth tellers, the ones who are most equipped to help us understand the human experience -- our own and others’ -- more fully. In this episode, Adam tells the what, why and how of "A Poet Was There." He also highlights the story and work of the first poet in the series: Nguyễn Chí Thiện, a Vietnamese dissident who spent 27 years in and out of North Vietnamese "reeducation" camps. More at humanitou.com.

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Humanitou is created, produced and hosted by Adam Williams.

Show notes and transcript of this episode at humanitou.com/nguyen-chi-thien.

Follow on Instagram @humanitou

Support the Humanitou Podcast: https://humanitou.com/support-humanitou/

About Humanitou: https://humanitou.com/about/

Media Kit: https://humanitou.com/media-kit/

117: Victoria Stracke, publisher of 'The Last Hundred Miles: The Diary of Larry Waite'

Adam Williams — Wed, 26 May 2021 10:12:00 +0000

Victoria Stracke is the curator and publisher of "The Last Hundred Miles: The Diary of Larry Waite." And she has remained anonymous in that role. Until now. Larry was a gay man who grew up in the Midwest during the 1950s and 60s. He prolifically documented his life for more than 30 years, with intimate and sometimes brutal, raw honesty. Those diaries ended up in Victoria's hands. In this conversation, we find out how she came to be the keeper of Larry’s story, how she ultimately decided to move forward with publishing the diaries on his behalf, and the special relationship she has with him now, posthumously, through his writing and photographs. Victoria describes Larry's life as one of tragic beauty. More at humanitou.com.

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Humanitou is created, produced and hosted by Adam Williams.

Show notes and transcript of this episode at humanitou.com/victoria-stracke-the-last-hundred-miles.

Follow on Instagram @humanitou

Support the Humanitou Podcast: https://humanitou.com/support-humanitou/

About Humanitou: https://humanitou.com/about/

Media Kit: https://humanitou.com/media-kit/

116: Isabelle Gelot, illustrator & designer, on thirsting for life, putting down roots in Maine, launching dreams and what it means to belong

Adam Williams — Wed, 19 May 2021 10:30:00 +0000

Isabelle Gelot, a French illustrator and designer, and the heart of Isatopia, has shifted, at least for the time being, from a world traveling, semi-nomadic flow of life to one of home renovation and growing a vegetable garden, from light-filled cultural capitals to small-town life in Maine. We talk about this new kind of adventure and the phases of life, the gift -- and sometimes burden -- of curiosity, and what it means to belong. It turns out there's no word for "belonging" in French. But that doesn't stop us from trying to figure it out anyway. We also talk about the call Isabelle felt from the city to the ocean. Among other things. More at humanitou.com.

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Humanitou is created, produced and hosted by Adam Williams.

Show notes and transcript of this episode at humanitou.com/isabelle-gelot.

Follow on Instagram @humanitou

Support the Humanitou Podcast: https://humanitou.com/support-humanitou/

About Humanitou: https://humanitou.com/about/

Media Kit: https://humanitou.com/media-kit/

115: Imi Lo, therapist & author, on emotional intensity and overexcitabilities, being 'gifted' and loving one's fate

Adam Williams — Wed, 12 May 2021 10:30:00 +0000

Imi Lo is a psychotherapist, art therapist, and consultant for emotionally intense and highly sensitive people. She is the founder of Eggshell Transformations and author of the book Emotional Sensitivity and Intensity. In this conversation, we talk about Imi's turbulent childhood in Hong Kong and the false safety of conformity. We talk about grieving who we're not, and learning about and embracing who we really are. We talk about how highly sensitive people, while often misjudged as weak, actually have extraordinary strengths of perception, vision, leadership and creativity. Among other things. More at humanitou.com.

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Humanitou is created, produced and hosted by Adam Williams.

Show notes and transcript of this episode at humanitou.com/imi-lo.

Follow on Instagram @humanitou

Support the Humanitou Podcast: https://humanitou.com/support-humanitou/

About Humanitou: https://humanitou.com/about/

Media Kit: https://humanitou.com/media-kit/

114: Adam Williams, on breaking conformity & the profound power of mismatching your socks

Adam Williams — Wed, 05 May 2021 10:30:00 +0000

Adam Williams, creator of Humanitou, goes it alone in this episode and shares one of his simplest, most private practices for breaking away from conformity: mismatching his socks. He's been doing it for years, and has been influencing his two sons in doing it, too. Frivolous and weird? Maybe. Shockingly empowering and profound? Could be. Listen to Adam lay out his reasoning and, well, advocate for everyone to mismatch their socks in this solo episode of the Humanitou Podcast. More at humanitou.com.

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Humanitou is created, produced and hosted by Adam Williams.

Show notes and transcript of this episode at humanitou.com/breaking-conformity.

Follow on Instagram @humanitou

Support the Humanitou Podcast: https://humanitou.com/support-humanitou/

About Humanitou: https://humanitou.com/about/

Media Kit: https://humanitou.com/media-kit/

113: Rukmini Poddar, artist & illustrator, on 'Obscure Emotions,' the relationship of spirituality and creativity, and essence seeking

Adam Williams — Wed, 28 Apr 2021 10:30:00 +0000

Rukmini Poddar is an artist and illustrator who describes herself as an essence seeker. She believes in the value of imperfect work, prizes quantity as a means of getting to quality, and sees art making as an act of revolutionary love. We talk about her growing up in a community of Hare Krishnas, expressing her dharma through art, the relationship of spirituality and creativity, her enthusiasm for #the100dayproject, her Obscure Emotions project and book, and what she’s doing with the Enneagram of Personality. Among other things. More at humanitou.com.

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Humanitou is created, produced and hosted by Adam Williams.

Show notes and transcript of this episode at humanitou.com/rukmini-poddar.

Follow on Instagram @humanitou

Support the Humanitou Podcast: https://humanitou.com/support-humanitou/

About Humanitou: https://humanitou.com/about/

Media Kit: https://humanitou.com/media-kit/

112: Savannalore, artist and "beautiful trash" advocate, on conformity and perfectionism, impostor syndrome and playing with imaginary friends

Adam Williams — Wed, 21 Apr 2021 10:30:00 +0000

Savannalore is an artist, writer, "creative hype-woman," and "bad art" advocate in Austin, Texas. In this conversation, we talk about why she makes art that she calls "beautiful trash," and how it’s been a process for overcoming a life of conformity and perfectionism. We talk about blowing up on TikTok and how she handles haters. We dig into impostor syndrome and how comparison is the killer of joy. And what, during the isolation of the pandemic, Savannalore learned from some imaginary friends at an imaginary place she calls Lava Lamp Coffee. More at humanitou.com.

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Humanitou is created, produced and hosted by Adam Williams.

Show notes and transcript of this episode at humanitou.com/savannalore.

Follow on Instagram @humanitou

Support the Humanitou Podcast: https://humanitou.com/support-humanitou/

About Humanitou: https://humanitou.com/about/

Media Kit: https://humanitou.com/media-kit/

111: Big Samir, of The Reminders, on empowerment, providing 'the soundtrack to protests,' and Snoop Dogg

Adam Williams — Wed, 14 Apr 2021 10:30:00 +0000

Big Samir, the bilingual lyricist and emcee of The Reminders, grew up in Belgium and the Congo, and in a single-mother home with the images of MLK, Jr., Marcus Garvey and Malcolm X on the wall. We talk about his rising above the challenges of his youth, and the empowering and loving messages of The Reminders. We talk about The Reminders sharing stages with some of Samir's influences, like Snoop Dogg, Rakim, Lauryn Hill, Redman, Method Man and so many more. Even though the music he and his musical partner and wife, Aja Black, make is conscious and activist-energized -- "the soundtrack to the protests" -- Samir rejects wearing the "activist" label. He tells why. Along with a lot more of his story, including about his Muslim faith, his presence as a father, and the cheat codes to life. More at humanitou.com.

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Humanitou is created, produced and hosted by Adam Williams.

Show notes and transcript of this episode at humanitou.com/big-samir-reminders.

Follow on Instagram @humanitou

Support the Humanitou Podcast: https://humanitou.com/support-humanitou/

About Humanitou: https://humanitou.com/about/

Media Kit: https://humanitou.com/media-kit/

110: Ruben Rojas, muralist and co-founder of Beautify Earth, on living through love, losing it all and what really matters

Adam Williams — Wed, 07 Apr 2021 09:07:00 +0000

Ruben Rojas is a muralist, poet and activist who was on a path to becoming an orthopedic surgeon, then left it behind for big money in the real estate game -- and then lost everything. In this conversation, we talk about that hero's journey, the ups and downs, building up again from bankruptcy and, ultimately, becoming known throughout L.A. and far beyond as an artist who inspires others to live through love. We talk about love in the context of masculinity, strength and weakness. We talk about vulnerability and ego and what really matters. And we get into that personal practice of shifting from fear to love, so that we actually can and do act from a place of love and make the world a better place. Among other things. More at humanitou.com.

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Humanitou is created, produced and hosted by Adam Williams.

Show notes and transcript of this episode at humanitou.com/ruben-rojas-muralist-beautify-earth.

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109: Steven Pressfield, best-selling author of The War of Art, on creative Resistance, fear/love & tuning into the cosmic radio station

Adam Williams — Wed, 31 Mar 2021 10:30:00 +0000

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Humanitou is created, hosted and produced by Adam Williams.

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New Trailer: Humanitou Podcast

Adam Williams — Thu, 18 Mar 2021 17:42:00 +0000

The Humanitou Podcast is about humanness and creativity. It's created and hosted by artist and writer Adam Williams, a super-curious introvert who might not be a superstar at small talk but loves thoughtful, energizing, one-on-one conversations. Humanitou shines light on failure and triumph, fear and love and all the messy and real parts of being human. There are conversations with fellow artists, thinkers, leaders and spiritual practitioners. And sometimes Adam goes solo to tackle the tough topics of being creative, not to mention just plain human. Topics like impostor syndrome, self-sabotage, and fear of success. Guests have included illustrator and author Lisa Congdon, celebrity chef Brother Luck, and best-selling author of The War of Art, Steven Pressfield. And many more amazing people doing super-amazing things to make the world a better place. More at humanitou.com.

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Humanitou is created, produced and hosted by Adam Williams.

Episode transcript available at https://humanitou.com/new-trailer-the-humanitou-podcast/.

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108: Adam Williams, on the season wrap-up, Humanitou updates and Lewis Hyde's 'The Gift'

Adam Williams — Sun, 22 Nov 2020 23:19:00 +0000

Adam Williams, creator and host of the Humanitou Podcast, wraps up Season One of the podcast, and talks about the newest goings on around Humanitou and his plans for the season break before he jumpstarts Season Two early in 2021. Along the way, he talks about Lewis Hyde's classic book, "The Gift," and how it's influencing his perspective on art creation (and even selling) as a means of gift giving, and how we all can play a role in keeping the energy of generosity flowing in the world. These things and more in this season-ending episode of the Humanitou Podcast. Show notes and transcript at humanitou.com.

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Humanitou is created, hosted and produced by Adam Williams.

Show notes and transcript of this episode at humanitou.com/season1-wrap.

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107: Chip Thomas, doctor, public artist & activist, on documentary photography, 'soul wounds' of the Navajo Nation, Quaker values, and surviving a widow-maker

Adam Williams — Thu, 12 Nov 2020 20:20:00 +0000

Dr. Chip Thomas, a.k.a. "Jetsonorama," as a boy, avoided the violence of school desegregation by spending a fateful few years in a Quaker community. He later carried those Quaker values with him into a four-year commitment to serve as a young doctor on the Navajo Nation. That was in the Eighties. He's still there, more than 30 years later, and has become an integral part of the community, not only as a doctor, but as a public artist and activist. In this conversation, we talk about Chip's recent selection by the United Nations as one of nine artists being highlighted for #UN75. We talk about the disproportionate suffering on the Navajo Nation and "soul wounds." Chip earned a Guinness World Record for a 12,000-mile cycling trek the length of Africa. And on another cycling adventure met the brink of death in the grip of a widow-maker heart attack. These things and much more in this episode of the Humanitou Podcast. Show notes at humanitou.com. Photo credit: Ben Moon

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Humanitou is created, hosted and produced by Adam Williams.

Show notes and transcript of this episode at humanitou.com/chip-thomas.

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106: Ber-Henda Williams, founder of The Power of Girlhood, on leadership and poetry, curiosity, FOMO and Sheila E.

Adam Williams — Mon, 02 Nov 2020 12:23:00 +0000

Ber-Henda Williams is an empathic coach and facilitator, a bilingual poet and storyteller, and founder of The Power of Girlhood, a leadership institute for teen girls in Detroit. In this conversation, we talk about Detroit, and about going against the tide and leading from where we are. We talk about the need for curiosity, love poetry as a tool against the political power structure, and going toe-to-toe with the boys in class, laying down beats and rhymes. We've got special shoutouts to DJ Kool Herc and Sheila E. ("she's not just some Prince protegé"), among many other influences, including Eve Ensler and her play, "The Vagina Monologues." And we talk about other things, too. More at humanitou.com.

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Humanitou is created, hosted and produced by Adam Williams.

Show notes and transcript of this episode at humanitou.com/berhenda-williams-2.

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105: Amanda E.K., writer and filmmaker, on purity culture and rapture anxiety, religious trauma syndrome and coming into her own as an atheist queer polyamorous nonbinary woman

Adam Williams — Thu, 22 Oct 2020 09:28:00 +0000

Amanda E.K. is a writer and filmmaker, the editor-in-chief and publisher of Suspect Press, a memoirist about purity culture and an exvangelical. In this conversation, Amanda talks about her fundamentalist evangelical upbringing, purity culture, rapture anxiety and religious trauma syndrome. We also talk about when she started to question the faith, and about eventually coming into her own truths as an atheist and a self-described "queer polyamorous nonbinary womxn" in a loving heterosexual marriage. Among other things, like Allen Ginsberg's "Howl" and Amanda's forthcoming memoir. More at humanitou.com.

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Humanitou is created, hosted and produced by Adam Williams.

Show notes and transcript of this episode at humanitou.com/amanda-e-k.

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104: Adam Williams, on his fear of 'love', the nuances of karma, and healing our dis-ease and disconnections

Adam Williams — Mon, 12 Oct 2020 15:02:00 +0000

Adam Williams, creator of Humanitou, gets into a topic that he's really not comfortable talking about: love. In this solo episode, he starts with an odd little story that finally got him to speak on this issue he's got with love. He explores why he's not comfortable having this talk with you today, why that’s got to change and how he's changing it. He also briefly digresses into the nuances of karma, what it really is and what it really isn’t. And he shares some other things that he thinks you’ll find useful in your own relationship to love.

More at humanitou.com.

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Humanitou is created, hosted and produced by Adam Williams.

Show notes and transcript of this episode at humanitou.com/love.

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103: Lucas LaRochelle, designer and founder of Queering the Map, on the magic of archiving queer experience, and anonymity, love and truth, data privacy and A.I.

Adam Williams — Fri, 02 Oct 2020 09:30:00 +0000

Lucas LaRochelle is a designer and artist, and the founder of Queering the Map, a collaborative digital archive of queer experience across the world. With Lucas, we dive into the storytelling and the magic of Queering the Map. We talk about the importance and the transcendental powers of anonymity, and we talk about one of the most powerful aspects of love. We also dig into truth and fiction, and what it means to acknowledge another’s story versus invalidating it and dismissing it as untrue or even unworthy. And we get into data privacy and artificial intelligence. Among other things. More at humanitou.com.

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Humanitou is created, hosted and produced by Adam Williams.

Show notes and transcript of this episode at humanitou.com/lucas-larochelle/.

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102: Lewis Lee, community facilitator and mentor, on using technology and creativity to make change in the 53206, staying out of prison and cultivating a legacy of good

Adam Williams — Wed, 23 Sep 2020 09:15:00 +0000

Lewis Lee struggled to stay out of prison when he was a young man, and then to find life purpose once he did. Now, he's a community leader, facilitator and mentor, a voice for social justice, and the Milwaukee-based curator of the Shared Studios Portal in the neighborhood where he came up. The 53206, where Lewis still lives, is the zip code with the highest incarceration rate of black men in America. Lewis is working to change that. He shares his story of using technology to negotiate gang peace and creative collaboration to maintain it, of working with the city's leadership on a fatherhood initiative, and building police-community relations. Among other things. More at humanitou.com.

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Humanitou is created, hosted and produced by Adam Williams.

Show notes and transcript of this episode at humanitou.com/lewis-lee/.

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101: Adam Williams, on building a path of purpose one step at a time, applying the Zen philosophy of chopping wood and carrying water

Adam Williams — Wed, 16 Sep 2020 08:30:00 +0000

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Humanitou is created, hosted and produced by Adam Williams.

Show notes and transcript of this episode at humanitou.com/chop-wood-carry-water/.

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100: Ber-Henda Williams, empathic coach and bilingual poet, on empathy, systemic racism, cultural behaviors, collective grief, curiosity and reaffirming connections of humanity

Adam Williams — Wed, 09 Sep 2020 09:50:00 +0000

Ber-Henda Williams is an empathic coach and facilitator, a bilingual poet and storyteller, and founder of The Power of Girlhood, a leadership institute for teen girls in Detroit. In this conversation, in the days following the police shooting of Jacob Black seven times in the back in Kenosha, Wisconsin, we talk about empathy and getting curious about ourselves, systemic biases and anti-racism. We talk about spiritual practices and having courageous conversations, and how to chip away at the callousness and lack of humanity that pervades society right now, and about the need for collective mobilization for something better. More at humanitou.com.

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Humanitou is created, hosted and produced by Adam Williams.

Show notes and transcript of this episode at humanitou.com/berhenda-williams/.

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99: Virgil Ortiz, artist, on the Pueblo Revolt of 1680 and the reason he lives, on having a drink with Boy George and talking taboo topics

Adam Williams — Wed, 02 Sep 2020 09:23:00 +0000

Virgil Ortiz, an artist internationally renowned for his work in pottery, fashion and film, carries on a legacy of pueblo potters. He bridges the past with the future, conceptually and technologically, through his blend of indigenous and sci-fi-influenced work. His art is featured in museums and galleries across the U.S., including the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian, and in Europe. It's been his focus since the clay spoke to him through his ancestors at 15 years of age. He uses that power and history to speak out on taboo subjects like politics and culture, mental health and social justice, including for two-spirit people, contemporary (e.g. Boy George, Grace Jones) and historic (We'wha, the Zuni princess). Virgil also is a leading voice on the Pueblo Revolt of 1680 (and 2180). More at humanitou.com.

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Humanitou is created, hosted and produced by Adam Williams.

Show notes of this episode at https://humanitou.com/virgil-ortiz/.

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98: Brother Luck, celebrity chef, on Top Chef and James Beard, mental health, #nolucksgiven and making bold decisions when the chips are down

Adam Williams — Sat, 22 Aug 2020 09:30:00 +0000

Chef Brother Luck is the owner of two restaurants in Colorado Springs: Four by Brother Luck and Lucky Dumpling. And he's got a new project underway, even in the heat of the economic and health crises of 2020, The Lucky Lounge. Brother has also been a crowd favorite in the celebrity chef universe of the Food Network, where he was a finalist on Chopped, and where he beat Chef Bobby Flay on the Network’s show, Beat Bobby Flay. He also competed in seasons 15 and 16 of Bravo’s Top Chef. We get into some traumatic and life-altering stuff from Brother’s early years: lessons he learned from his dad, and then the road he took when his dad died way too soon. We talk about mental health and the dark emotional space Brother was in a couple years ago when something -- call it divine intervention or whatever it needs to be called -- shook him out of it. We talk about facing fear and making bold decisions even when the chips are down, like now, when he's taking on and building out The Lucky Lounge. We talk about Brother’s hashtag #nolucksgiven, and how and why he uses his social media and public platforms for good. More at humanitou.com.

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Humanitou is created, hosted and produced by Adam Williams.

Show notes and transcript of this episode at https://humanitou.com/brother-luck/.

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97: Adam Williams, on humanness and creativity, and what Humanitou really is about

Adam Williams — Wed, 12 Aug 2020 09:30:00 +0000

In this solo episode, Adam Williams, creator and host of Humanitou, digs into his own "humanness and creativity," going into those corners he so often asks his guests to vulnerably explore on the podcast. He talks about how his immense curiosity led him into the U.S. Army, and now guides Humanitou. He talks about leadership and empathy, communication and connection as humans who experience different yet relatable stories. He talks about why Humanitou exists and what its place is in his world. More at humanitou.com.

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Humanitou is created, hosted and produced by Adam Williams.

Show notes and transcript of this episode at https://humanitou.com/humanness-creativity/.

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96: Lisa Congdon, illustrator & author, on failure, impostor syndrome, LGBTQ rights, meditation, breast cancer and being a change-agent

Adam Williams — Sun, 02 Aug 2020 09:15:00 +0000

Lisa Congdon is an illustrator, and the author of eight books, most recently: “Find Your Artistic Voice: The Essential Guide to Working Your Creative Magic.” Her client list runs deep, including the Obama Campaign, the United Nations, Lululemon, Crate & Barrel, MoMA, REI, AirBnB, Martha Stewart Living … In this conversation, we talk about failure, impostor syndrome, and the stories and experiences that shape us. We get into spirituality and authenticity, conformity and fear. Lisa speaks on white privilege and anti-racism, and her activism for LGBTQ rights. We talk about a crucial, "magical" chapter in her story while living in San Francisco in the 90s, her breast cancer diagnosis in recent months, and what she's learned from friends-slash-idols Brené Brown, Elizabeth Gilbert and Debbie Millman. More at humanitou.com.

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Humanitou is created, hosted and produced by Adam Williams.

Show notes and transcript of this episode at https://humanitou.com/lisa-congdon/.

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95: Elliana Grace, circus performer, on being a human cannonball, life aboard the Ringling Bros. train, growing up in a circus family, and having a famous (non-circus) grandfather

Adam Williams — Wed, 22 Jul 2020 10:14:00 +0000

Elliana Grace grew up in a circus family and in the circus life. From infancy. Like, from being a baby being breastfed while sitting atop an elephant kind of infancy. She and her two younger brothers, who also are globe-traveling professional circus performers, spent more time at their fantastically strange and sometimes dangerous home-away-from-home in St. Louis, the City Museum, than they did their home-home. Elliana shares some laugh-out-loud stories of mischief and sibling rivalry. And by the way, Elliana spent a year riding the rails with the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus as, hands down, the most singularly explosive performer (wink, wink) in the circus, let’s say. And a lot more, including memories of her grandfather, the renowned columnist and jazz critic, Nat Hentoff. More at humanitou.com.

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Humanitou is created, hosted and produced by Adam Williams.

Show notes at https://humanitou.com/elliana-grace-circus/. [Episode transcript will be added soon.]

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94: Adam Williams, Creator of Humanitou, on Creative Resistance & Impostor Syndrome

Adam Williams — Sun, 12 Jul 2020 08:30:00 +0000

In this episode, Adam Williams, creator and host of Humanitou, which typically features guests in "conversations of humanness and creativity," is riding solo and launching something new. Starting with this episode, Adam is committing to a series of five solo episodes mixed in with the coming months' conversations. In these, he explores his own humanness and creativity through topics that are relevant to listeners' own senses of humanity. He also draws upon other resources, like some of the amazing creators who join him for the Humanitou Podcast, and from others whose work and names you'll likely recognize. Authors, artists, spiritual teachers, leading lights, voices and creators. Names spotlighted in this episode: Elizabeth Gilbert, Julia Cameron, Steven Pressfield, Inaiah Lujan -- and you might catch Brené Brown's name, too. This and all things Humanitou at humanitou.com.

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Humanitou is created, hosted and produced by Adam Williams.

Show notes and transcript of this episode at https://humanitou.com/creative-resistance/.

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93: Sara Meghdari, interdisciplinary artist, on life in Iran and the U.S., politics, racism, stereotypes, and the importance of curiosity and self-education

Adam Williams — Thu, 02 Jul 2020 09:12:00 +0000

Sara Meghdari, an interdisciplinary artist based in Brooklyn, NY., is Iranian and American. She comes from a family that honors two religions, two languages and two cultures. We talked as protests grew across the United States after police officers in Minneapolis killed George Floyd. This, on top of months of dealing with extraordinary upheaval and isolation due to the Covid-19 pandemic. We talk about the real, experienced impact on a human when being treated as “other,” differences between life in Iran and the U.S., and how they don’t play out the way many Americans assume. We talk politics and racism, and the responsibility of each of us to be curious, to self-educate and not just swallow what the media and culture feed us. Sara also shares how her creative work serves as a coping mechanism, and a process of healing and counteracting stereotypes placed on her and those who likewise come from Iran, or elsewhere in that region of the world. Show notes at humanitou.com.

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Humanitou is created, hosted and produced by Adam Williams.

Show notes at https://humanitou.com/sara-meghdari/.

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92: Lucas Krump, Evryman CEO & co-founder, on community, wellness and serving others

Adam Williams — Mon, 22 Jun 2020 10:19:00 +0000

Lucas Krump is CEO and co-founder of Evryman, a social enterprise that is cultivating a global men’s community, and is helping men to connect and to hone their emotional skills together. We get into Lucas’ personal journey. From growing up in Kansas and learning largely to support himself at a very young age in a house of turmoil. To a decade of pursuits around the world in his 20s, years spent running from his own emotional pain. Until what Lucas describes as an emotional volcanic eruption within that landed him momentarily at the precipice of suicide and, ultimately, in a psychiatric ward in Singapore. We talk about what he's learned -- and shares through Evryman -- about community, wellness and the importance of serving others. More at humanitou.com.

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Humanitou is created, hosted and produced by Adam Williams.

Show notes at https://humanitou.com/lucas-krump-evryman/.

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91: Inaiah Lujan, prolific creator, dispels the myth of being a 'Jack of all trades, master of none'

Adam Williams — Fri, 12 Jun 2020 10:27:00 +0000

Inaiah Lujan is a multifaceted and prolific creator. Music is at the heart of his work. In fact, he might be most widely known for his time with a folk band he co-founded, The Haunted Windchimes. Inaiah recently wrapped his first seasons of a web series called “Hanging Out with Inaiah Lujan” and his new podcast, Cast the Line, an interview series about creative process and wellness. We talk about his growing up on the Navajo Nation in Arizona as part of a non-Navajo family. We talk about impostor syndrome, authenticity, rebellion and Inaiah’s experiences with sweat lodge ceremonies. Inaiah also defines success and dispels the myth about being a “Jack of all trades, master of none.” He shares about a band breakup and getting divorced. And he shines light on mental health, overcoming shame, practices of loving oneself ... and the act of living as nothing short of magic. More at humanitou.com.

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Humanitou is created, hosted and produced by Adam Williams.

Show notes and transcript of this episode at https://humanitou.com/inaiah-lujan/.

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89: Kate Perdoni, musician and journalist, on self-validation, following one's calling, exploring curiosity and a definition of God

Adam Williams — Fri, 22 May 2020 07:08:00 +0000

Kate is an Emmy®-nominated producer and director, a writer and filmmaker, a television host with Rocky Mountain PBS, and a rock musician -- currently in the band, Spirettes -- who has performed, recorded and toured near and far with her music. Kate shares her story of growing up in poverty on a 40-acre vegetable farm in remote Minnesota. She tells of leaving home for college at 16 and the importance of the winding road she took to finish college several years and a few schools later at 23. Kate has adventurously flowed back and forth across the country over the years. She has worked in various forms of journalism and media … has given birth to rock bands, and to a son who, now 9 years old, has taken to the backstage life with his mom. Along the way, we’ll hear Kate’s insights about trusting one’s inner voice, about self-validation and about exploring curiosity. We’ll talk about the value of silence, and Kate’s definition and experience of God. More at humanitou.com.

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Humanitou is created, hosted and produced by Adam Williams.

Show notes at https://humanitou.com/kate-perdoni/.

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Media Kit: https://humanitou.com/media-kit/

88: Dáreece Walker, visual artist, on fear and vulnerability in making art, and his series "Police Cross Lines" and "Black Fathers Matter"

Adam Williams — Tue, 12 May 2020 07:06:00 +0000

Dáreece Walker talks with Humanitou about his artwork, which combines race, identity and religion into socio-political responses. We talk about his work that speaks against police brutality, and his series that celebrates black fathers and addresses the lack of positive imagery of black men in society. We navigate creative process, and facing fear, vulnerability and one's inner critic. Among other things. More at humanitou.com.

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Humanitou is created, hosted and produced by Adam Williams.

Show notes at https://humanitou.com/dareece-walker/.

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87: Jessica Patterson, writer and teacher, on the spiritual practice of yoga, identity, language, and hope in a time of despair

Adam Williams — Sat, 02 May 2020 08:14:00 +0000

In this episode of the Humanitou Podcast, Jessica Patterson shares some intensely shaping experiences in her life and where her feral spirit comes from. We talk about yoga as a homonym, how the word, while it looks and sounds the same in its uses, conjures different meanings for different people and leads to common misperceptions. We talk about how we construct identities and realities through language, and the essential value of taking a reverent pause. And we explore how to hold a perspective of hope and not to get swallowed up in this challenging season of despair. More at humanitou.com.

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Humanitou is created, hosted and produced by Adam Williams.

Show notes and transcript of this episode at https://humanitou.com/jessica-patterson-yoga/.

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86: Joe Johnson, singer-songwriter and storyteller, on truth in fiction, death, loss and isolation, and playing the famed Ryman Auditorium

Adam Williams — Wed, 22 Apr 2020 08:09:00 +0000

In this episode of the Humanitou Podcast series, I talk with singer-songwriter and musician Joe Johnson, a storyteller that learned at the sides of homegrown orators on the porches of Southern Mississippi. The most common themes of his music -- death, loss and isolation -- have been with him his entire life. He’ll share why. We find plenty of laughter in our conversation, too. We explore truth in fiction. There’s plenty of music, drugs and friction with the law, and then a rainbow that led to a new foothold far, far away. And … just a lot more really good stuff. More at humanitou.com.

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Humanitou is created, hosted and produced by Adam Williams.

Show notes at https://humanitou.com/joe-johnson-singer-songwriter/.

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85: Ayya Dhammadhira, Buddhist nun, on loss and impermanence, letting go and a quest for deeper knowing

Adam Williams — Sun, 12 Apr 2020 08:39:00 +0000

Sister Ayya Dhammadhira is a Bhikkhuni, a fully ordained Buddhist nun, who has lived, worked and practiced in Buddhist monasteries around the world -- and now does so independently -- these past 20 or so years. We talk about Ayya’s upbringing in a Catholic family and the family tragedy that sent her inward with her spiritual questions at 12 years old. We talk about what carried Ayya from her young adult life as a married school teacher across the transom from layperson to ordained Buddhist monastic. We talk about her family’s reaction to this radical shift, too. Among other things. More at humanitou.com.

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Humanitou is created, produced and hosted by Adam Williams.

Show notes at https://humanitou.com/ayya-dhammadhira-bhikkhuni-buddhist/. [Episode transcript will be added soon.]

Follow on Instagram @humanitou

Support Humanitou: https://humanitou.com/support-humanitou/

About Humanitou: https://humanitou.com/about/

Media Kit: https://humanitou.com/media-kit/

84: Jamal Parker, writer + international slam poetry champ, on identity and race, mental health and faith

Adam Williams — Thu, 02 Apr 2020 04:22:00 +0000

Jamal Parker is a two-time International Slam Poetry Champion. He grew up in Japan, where he first explored his poetry, and in Florida, where as a teenager he first came to recognize the politics of race with the murder of Trayvon Martin nearby. In this conversation, we cover a range of topics, many of which you can find laid bare by Jamal in his poetry and performances, including: identity and blackness in America, mental health and faith. We also talk about how Jamal's love of comic books and superheroes connected him with his poetry. Show notes at humanitou.com.

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Humanitou is created, hosted and produced by Adam Williams.

Show notes at https://humanitou.com/jamal-parker-slam-poet/.

Follow on Instagram @humanitou

Support Humanitou: https://humanitou.com/support-humanitou/

About Humanitou: https://humanitou.com/about/

Media Kit: https://humanitou.com/media-kit/

83: Cody Oldham, professional artist, on his precocious start in art, living with mountain lions, and his preference for wingtips and ties even while painting

Adam Williams — Sun, 22 Mar 2020 15:36:00 +0000

Cody Oldham is a professional wildlife and landscape painter who lives with his family -- and mountain lions that Cody’s dad rehabilitates for return to the wild -- on 20 acres in the mountains of Colorado. Cody also is a rather precocious and self-motivated 15-year-old who has a penchant for stylish men's wear, preferring to wear a tie and pocket watch even while he paints in his studio. More at humanitou.com.

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Humanitou is created, hosted and produced by Adam Williams.

Show notes at https://humanitou.com/cody-oldham-artist/.

Follow on Instagram @humanitou

Support Humanitou: https://humanitou.com/support-humanitou/

About Humanitou: https://humanitou.com/about/

Media Kit: https://humanitou.com/media-kit/

82: Gregg Deal, multidisciplinary artist, on identity and stereotypes, resilience, impermanence and fatherhood

Adam Williams — Thu, 12 Mar 2020 11:25:00 +0000

He’s appeared in National Geographic magazine, the Washington Post, Huffington Post and on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, among other places in the media. Not to mention his work in visual and performance arts, public speaking and in other creative disciplines. In galleries, museums, at universities and other venues -- and on the street. We talk about his work and how it addresses identity and stereotypes, pain and healing. We talk about struggles and resilience, impermanence and criticism. And, as two dads in their 40s, we get into matters of fatherhood and masculinity as we saw it as boys and now live it as men. Among other things. Gregg gives us a ton of food for thought in a short time here. More at humanitou.com.

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Humanitou is created, hosted and produced by Adam Williams.

Show notes at https://humanitou.com/gregg-deal/. [Episode transcript will be added soon.]

Follow on Instagram @humanitou

Support Humanitou: https://humanitou.com/support-humanitou/

About Humanitou: https://humanitou.com/about/

Media Kit: https://humanitou.com/media-kit/

81: Becca Williams, on marriage, miscarriage and kids, yoga and tech consulting

Adam Williams — Mon, 02 Mar 2020 18:28:00 +0000

In this inaugural Humanitou Podcast episode, I talk with my amazing wife, Becca Williams. I reveal a secret I’ve been holding throughout our 17-year relationship, something I’d been playing it cool with since our beginning and just decided now’s the time to ’fess up. We get into some intimate experiences we’ve shared along the way but haven’t talked about for many years: the decision to have kids and the miscarriages that occurred in the process. Becca tells why she went into the Peace Corps in her 20s — and subsequently dropped out. She also shares how she applies her spiritual practice of yoga to life “off the mat,” including in her career as a consultant in the technology field. Among other things. Learn more about Becca at thoughtdistillery.co. More at humanitou.com.

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Humanitou is created, produced and hosted by Adam Williams.

Show notes at https://humanitou.com/becca-williams/.

Follow on Instagram @humanitou

Support Humanitou: https://humanitou.com/support-humanitou/

About Humanitou: https://humanitou.com/about/

Media Kit: https://humanitou.com/media-kit/

Introducing Humanitou in Podcast Form

Adam Williams — Mon, 02 Mar 2020 18:24:00 +0000

Humanitou is about humanness and creativity. These podcast conversations are a continuation of three years of Humanitou conversations with 80 artists, spiritual practitioners, leaders and thinkers, in which the conversations were published as text Q&As at humanitou.com. Now, as a podcast, Humanitou continues to be about cultivating a space for vulnerable, courageous dialogue and sharing. And in the process, I’m challenging all of us to truly listen, with openness and empathy, to others’ stories and to hear ourselves in them. Together, we will challenge the truths we hold about ourselves and each other. More at humanitou.com.

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Humanitou is created, hosted and produced by Adam Williams.

Episode transcript available at https://humanitou.com/humanitou-podcast-trailer/.

Follow on Instagram @humanitou

Support Humanitou: https://humanitou.com/support-humanitou/

About Humanitou: https://humanitou.com/about/

Media Kit: https://humanitou.com/media-kit/