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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#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.

#22: I Am Hugely Motivated by Spite

August 24th, 2018 · 69 minutes

This time around, Kelly Sue DeConnick joins Tempest and Aleen to talk about learning from critique and criticism (and practicing how to take the feedback), how people perceive the series Bitch Planet, and the importance of collaborative relationships.

#21: Irrational Brain Weasels

July 26th, 2018 · 45 minutes

We're baaaacccckkkkK! We use our triumphant return to talk about why the show was on hiatus, getting through stressful times, saying no, and letting go of The Shoulds.