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Originality
Exploring the roots of creative genius
Hosted by Aleen Simms and K Tempest Bradford.
The most common question creative people get asked is, "Where do you get your ideas?" That's what Originality is all about: exploring the wheres, hows, and whys of creative genius with K Tempest Bradford, Aleen Simms, and a diverse assortment of guests from a variety of fields.
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Latest Episodes
#32: Comparison is a Killer
February 13th, 2020 · 51 minutes
2020 is here! What did you achieve in the 2010s? Tempest and Aleen talk about why they dislike this question, and interrogate what "achievement" really means. They go on to discuss how they're reframing what an accomplishment looks and feels like, and their creative goals for 2020.
#31: Being Transparent About Hating the Process
October 24th, 2019 · 65 minutes
This week, Rosemary Orchard joins Aleen and Tempest to talk about the writing process. They discuss productivity topics like getting over barriers to creativity, not holding yourself to impossible standards, and establishing a writing ritual that works for you. Also, perhaps a writer’s most important question: do you trust strangers to watch your …
#30: The XOXO Episode
October 10th, 2019 · 58 minutes
Conferences are essential places to meet new people and expand your creative community, so in this episode Tempest and Aleen talk about their recent experiences at XOXO and why creating intentional community spaces at conferences like it matters. They also dive into the focus of many talks at the festival: getting attacked online, and how people w…
#29: Pantser, Plotter, Architect, Spy
September 26th, 2019 · 55 minutes
It's time to talk about the F word: failure. Aleen and Tempest tackle mistakes and how to frame those experiences to be productive instead of destructive. They also discuss seeking constructive criticism from trusted sources, embracing the "happy little accidents" Bob Ross taught us about, and why Angry Birds 2 is an example of all the wrong ways …
#28: 50% Art Stuff, 50% Life Stuff
September 4th, 2019 · 84 minutes
You might want to grab your friends for this one, because Tempest and Aleen are talking about building small communities. Tempest talks to Alethea Kontis, Monica Valentinelli, Stina Leicht, and Shveta Thakrar about their own collective and how they lean each other for support and motivation. Along the way they discuss when and how to create a spac…
#27: Once You Know the Rules You Can Break the Rules
August 7th, 2019 · 55 minutes
Where is the line between inspiration and appropriation? In this episode, Aleen and Tempest talk about learning by copying—and what questions to ask yourself to ensure that your final product isn't still a copy. They also dive into the nuances of drawing from different cultures, how to interrogate what really interests you about that culture, and …
#26: Everything is Really Difficult
April 29th, 2019 · 45 minutes
Tempest and Aleen get back to the future (well, the present) with a new episode about the value of habits — and how and why they don’t work for everyone. They’ll discuss the importance of sticking with routines — and when to stop being productive long enough to do the things (like eating) that keep you productive. Also, “pantsers” vs. gardeners; h…
#25: You Are Not Alone
April 12th, 2019 · 63 minutes
This week, Tempest and Aleen talk about how to stay creative under the mental toll of life in America in 2019; the importance of friends, family, and community to sustain your creativity; using data to figure out what works for you, without judgment; when you should or shouldn’t listen to “experts” about how to create better; and why it’s good to …
#24: Bury Your Shoulds
March 26th, 2019 · 44 minutes
Get your shovels, because this week, Aleen and Tempest are discussing how to bury the dreaded “shoulds,” and focus instead on what you want to be doing. Also: The importance of saying “no” to things; the powerful motivation of avoiding a 9-to-5 job; how to find a word count goal that works for you; your invitation, listeners, to tweet at Tempest…
#23: Avoiding Patriarchal Nonsense
October 25th, 2018 · 72 minutes
Today the spotlight is on Tempest! Learn about her recent trip to Egypt, where she got the idea for her novel, and hear her epic retelling of Antigone.