Creative Codex

MJDorian

Peer into the minds of the greatest creative geniuses in history. Join us as we explore the mystery of how creativity works, art history and how you can improve your own creative process. The labyrinth awaits.

Creative Codex is one-part podcast and one-part imaginative lecture series, featuring thoroughly researched insights into the creative process mixed with captivating soundscapes and original music.

Produced & Written by MJDorian

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97 episodes
Updated July 28

Episodes97

Newest first

Sep 14, 2022 · 17 min
Creativity Tip 18: The Siesta Nap
On this minisode, we’re going to explore the physical and creative benefits of napping. I’ll share with you my personal method for easing into a nap practically anywhere. And we will answer this question: are there any creative benefits to napping? Dorian's Nap Method: Set your alarm for 17 - 20 minutes. Lay down on a bed (with a sleep mask) or elsewhere, like a car (with sunglasses). Slow down your breathing and scan your body for any tension. Slowly count from 1 to 15 in your mind, imagine drawing each number slowly. If you make it to 15, start from step 3 again, and restart your count. ---------- If you'd like to become a supporter of Creative Codex, head over to my Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/mjdorian Thank you in advance for your support! ---------- All music by MJDorian Connect on social: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mjdorian/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/mjdorian ---------- Thank you to my Dream Maker Tier, Executive Producer: Mike Hill Produced & Created by MJDorian All Rights Reserved.
Aug 18, 2022 · 13 min
Jimi Hendrix Electrifies The Star Spangled Banner (Today in Creative History)
Today in Creative History: August 18th, 1969, Jimi Hendrix plays a visionary rendition of The Star Spangled Banner for a stunned audience at Woodstock. It's a performance that will go down in history as the musical climax of a tumultuous decade in the USA. Decades later, this rendition still sounds as startling to our ears as it must have to the tens of thousands in attendance. If you'd like to become a supporter of Creative Codex and receive access to all of the patron exclusives (including the Kurt Cobain series and the Sermons Only version of Jung's Seven Sermons) check out my Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/mjdorian If you'd like to buy me a coffee or some new guitar strings, now you can on Venmo! Just search @creativecodex, and click the businesses tab. You can also open it directly at this link: https://venmo.com/code?user_id=3235189073379328069&created=1635357384.800416&printed=1 Thank you for your support! --------- Watch Jimi Hendrix perform The Star Spangled Banner in this Woodstock clip: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sjzZh6-h9fM --------- Music featured in this episode: Continuum by MJDorian Foxey Lady (performed at Miami Pop, 1968) by The Jimi Hendrix Experience The Star Spangled Banner (performed at Woodstock, 1969) Jimi Hendrix --------- Follow me to keep abreast of all the new updates about Creative Codex: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mjdorian/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/mjdorian --------- Creative Codex is written & produced by MJDorian. All rights reserved.
Jul 29, 2022 · 54 min
32: Notebooks of Leonardo da Vinci • Part 1: The Inner Life of Genius
At this moment, strewn across the world, there exist over 7,200 pages of Leonardo da Vinci's notes. These pages are not only echoes of a distant past–embodying the inquisitive spirit of the Renaissance–according to scholars and historians they represent the 'greatest record of curiosity ever created'. Join me for this special two part series, as we dive into the thoughts, artwork, and paradoxes of Leonardo da Vinci's mind. A mind whose brilliance is exteriorized for us on the pages of these manuscripts. Visit the companion gallery for this episode here: https://mjdorian.com/notebooks/ --------- Research & Resources: • The Notebooks of Leonardo da Vinci, edited by Edward MacCurdy (Definitive Edition in One Volume). • Leonardo: The Complete Drawings, published by Taschen. • The Lives of the Most Excellent Painters, Sculptors, and Architects, by Giorgio Vasari • Leonardo da Vinci, by Walter Isaacson. --------- Support Creative Codex on my Patreon and get access to exclusive episodes, including the Kurt Cobain series and all the Episode Exclusives: https://www.patreon.com/mjdorian --------- Listen to episode 2 of Creative Codex for more about Leonardo da Vinci's personal life. Available in the main podcast feed, titled: '2: Leonardo da Vinci's Secret'. --------- Thank you to my Dream Maker tier! Executive Producer: Mike Hill --------- Thank-you's & 'shout outs' to the Shadow Fam! Shadow-Fam: AKD, Anna Wolff, Aranea Push, Barak Talker, Carmella Cole, Corey, Clark Price, Clinton King, Dallas O’Kelly, DVM, Geo_H, Glen QuiltSwissy, Hamed Iranmehr, Hilde, Janet Roccanova, Jay, Jen The Atelierista, Jennifer Wilson, Jye Marchant, Kayla Dawson, Keith, Kirsten Dressler, Kristina Lamour Sansone, Maurus Fitze, Michael Lloyd, Owen McAteer, Rachulan, Rachel Schultz, Rebecca, Robert, Ruben Corona, Sigitas Treciokas, Simon Bonanno, Sowmya Hariharan, Stephanie Neal, Tim Sussss, Terry W, and Yadie Cisneros. Thank you for your support! --------- Connect with me on social media for all the newest updates: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mjdorian/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/mjdorian --------- All music written & produced by MJDorian. With one exception: Amadeus Mozart's Lacrymosa from Mozart's Requiem plays from 8:50-11:30. Performed by the Boston Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Erich Leinsdorf. Creative Codex is written & produced by MJDorian. All rights reserved.
Jun 28, 2022 · 22 min
Guided Meditation: Intuition Mapping
This is a Guided Meditation episode about one of the most perplexing aspects of creativity: Intuition. What is it and how do we engage it more effectively? This meditation is based on a technique I've been developing called: Intuition Mapping. Grab a cup of coffee / tea, and give this guided meditation a test drive to see what compulsions are pushing and pulling you. Some helpful notes: • Motivations push you. Intentions direct you. Intuitions pull you. • To find your motivations ask: what is pushing you? • To find your intentions ask: what are you pushing yourself toward? • To find your intuitions ask: what is pulling you? What is gently tugging at the fabric of your being? • Intuitions often feel like something is pulling your neural network toward a certain direction, it’s a feeling to move in a certain direction. One which you often can’t always explain with logic. --------- Become a patron of the show on my Patreon and gain access gain access to exclusive episodes, including the Kurt Cobain series, Creativity Tips, and all the Episode Exclusives: https://www.patreon.com/mjdorian --------- Connect with me on social media for all the newest updates: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mjdorian/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/mjdorian ---------- Cover Art: Hesiod & The Muse (1891) by Gustave Moreau ---------- Written & Produced by MJDorian. All rights reserved.
May 6, 2022 · 1 hr 39 min
31: Leonor Fini • The Dark Masquerade
Leonor Fini did not limit art to the confines of the frame, for her, it spilled out into all of life itself. Every year, Fini and her two lovers, Stanislao & Kot, would host soirees at an abandoned monastery on the island of Corsica. If you were invited, it meant you were part of her inner circle. The only requirement was: come dressed in a mask and costume–the more elaborate, the better. Join me on a masquerade through Fini's imagination. Along the way we will witness a battle of wits between Dalí and Fini, we will also appreciate selected artworks from Fini’s mid-to-late career and interview Lissa Rivera, the curator for the first Leonor Fini retrospective exhibition in the USA. View the Companion Gallery for this episode: https://mjdorian.com/fini/ (This is Part 2 of the Leonor Fini series, you can find Part 1 by scrolling down to Episode 30 in your podcast feed.) Learn more about Lissa Rivera (Photographer / Curator): Website: http://www.lissarivera.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lissa_rivera_/ Follow Emily Simone (violinist on Codex 30 & 31): https://www.emilysimone.com/about https://www.instagram.com/EMILYSIMONEMUSIC/ Support Creative Codex on my Patreon and get access to exclusive episodes, including the Kurt Cobain series and all the Episode Exclusives: https://www.patreon.com/mjdorian --------- Resources used for research on this episode: Books • Sphinx: The Life and Art of Leonor Fini by Peter Webb • Rogomelec by Leonor Fini • Interview with the Muse by Nina Winter • Leonor Fini: Catalogue Raisonné of the Oil Paintings by Richard Overstreet & Neil Zukerman Podcast • Les grandes dame de l'art, Episode 8: Leonor Fini --------- Credits... --------- Thank you to my Dream Maker tier! Executive Producer: Mike Hill --------- Thank-you's & 'shout outs' to the Shadow Fam! Shadow-Fam: AKD, Anna Wolff, Aranea Push, Barak Talker, Carmella Cole, Corey, Clark Price, Clinton King, Dallas O’Kelly, DVM, Geo_H, Glen QuiltSwissy, Hamed Iranmehr, Hilde, Jay, Jen The Atelierista, Jye Marchant, Kayla Dawson, Keith, Kirsten Dressler, Kristina Lamour Sansone, Maurus Fitze, Michael Lloyd, Owen McAteer, Rachel Schultz, Rebecca, Robert, Ruben Corona, Sigitas Treciokas, Simon Bonanno, Sowmya Hariharan, Stephanie Neal, Terry W, and Yadie Cisneros. Thank you for your support! --------- Connect with me on social media for all the newest updates: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mjdorian/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/mjdorian --------- Creative Codex is written & produced by MJDorian. All rights reserved.
Apr 22, 2022 · 1 hr 13 min
30: Leonor Fini • Mirrors of the Dark Sublime (Part I)
Leonor Fini was one of the most prolific and mysterious artists of the 20th century. Her career spans an impressive 67 years, she completed over 1,100 oil paintings, and her art was featured in over 350 international gallery exhibitions during her lifetime. Yet she is virtually unknown to us today. Her art and career are shrouded with the mystery of a sphinx's riddle. This is the story of Leonor Fini, one of the 20th century's great creative geniuses. Visit the companion gallery for this episode: https://mjdorian.com/fini/ --------- If you'd like to become a supporter of Creative Codex and listen to my Kurt Cobain series, head over to: https://www.patreon.com/mjdorian --------- Violin performed by Emily Simone Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emilysimonemusic/ --------- Big thank you to my Shadow-Fam supporters: AKD, Anna Wolff, Aranea Push, Barak Talker, Corey, Clark Price, Clinton King, Dallas O’Kelly, DVM, Glen QuiltSwissy, Hamed Iranmehr, Hilde, Jay, Jen The Atelierista, Jye Marchant, Kayla Dawson, Keith, Kristina Lamour Sansone, Michael Lloyd, Owen McAteer, Rebecca, Robert, Ruben Corona, Sigitas Treciokas, Simon Bonanno, Sowmya Hariharan, Stephanie Neal, Terry W, Viggs Verikas, and Yadie Cisneros. Thank you for your support! --------- Let's connect... Instagram: @mjdorian Twitter: @mjdorian --------- All music written & produced by MJDorian Creative Codex is written & produced by MJDorian All Rights Reserved
Mar 29, 2022 · 9 min
The World Is Burning–Why Should I Make Art?
Why make art during times of turmoil? Why make art in times of war? Why should you even be creative when it feels like the world is burning? In this minisode, we explore the reason why we need art to help us transcend our darkest times. --------- Cover Art: Photograph by Joseph Eid, 2017. The man pictured is Mohammed Anis, a civilian in Aleppo, Syria. He sits on his bed, with a pipe in his hand, listening to a vinyl record on his gramophone–surrounded by the bombed wreckage of his home. --------- Listen to the 20th century masterpiece featured in this episode, Quartet for the End of Time by Oliver Messiaen, here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e2hbwINj7dE --------- If you’d like to offer any support to an organization working to provide humanitarian assistance in war-torn countries, I recommend UNICEF. This is the United Nations Children’s Fund. They provide relief to children and families in over 190 countries and territories. With food, immunization, and safe drinking water. Places where families have been displaced or torn apart by war. Including Ukraine, Syria, Africa, and many others. UNICEF is not a paid sponsor of this show, I’m just sharing this with you because I’ve donated to them and I support their work. They’re a non-profit organization, with an impressive 88% of donated funds going toward the charity work they do. Follow this link to donate: https://www.unicef.org/ --------- Follow my work & see updates about future episodes on my social media: Instagram: @mjdorian Twitter: @mjdorian --------- Creative Codex is written & produced by MJDorian All rights reserved.
Mar 10, 2022 · 1 hr 21 min
29: Carl Jung • Seven Sermons to the Dead (Part III)
On this episode, we will conclusively answer this question: why was Gnosticism so important to Dr. Carl Jung? Along the way, we will dive deep into Sermons 5 thru 7 to answer these questions: what is the relationship between spirituality and sexuality? How does Jung's libido theory differ from Freud's libido theory? What is the significance of the dove and the serpent in religious symbolism? According to the Seven Sermons to the Dead: what is the goal of life? As mentioned in the episode–here is Jung's mysterious anagram–which is found on the bottom of the final page of the Seven Sermons to the Dead: NAHTRIHECCUNDE GAHINNEVERAHTUNIN ZEHGESSURKLACH ZUNNUS. --------- Become a supporter of Creative Codex and gain access to all the exclusive episodes, including the Kurt Cobain series, on my Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/mjdorian --------- A full transcript of this episode is available here: https://mjdorian.com/transcripts/ --------- Cover Art: Dove & Serpent by MJDorian. Follow more of my art here: Instagram: @mjdorian --------- Books used as sources for this episode: Memories, Dreams, Reflections by Dr. Carl Jung & Anielle Jaffe The Red Book by Dr. Carl Jung The Gnostic Scriptures by Bentley Layton The Gnostic Jung by Stephan Hoeller The Gnostic Jung by Robert A. Segal and Psychology of the Unconscious by Dr. Carl Jung For a practical application of Jungian Psychology, the author, Robert Johnson, has written numerous books. The one mentioned in the conclusion of this episode: Inner Work. --------- Follow my work & see updates about future episodes on my social media: Instagram: @mjdorian Twitter: @mjdorian --------- Thank you to all of my Patreon supporters. And shout-outs to the Shadow Fam: AKD, Anna Wolff, Aranea Push, Barak Talker, Corey, Clark Price, Clinton King, Dallas Okelly, Diana, DVM, Glen QuiltSwissy, Hamed Iranmehr, Hilde, Jay, Jen The Atelierista, Jye Marchant, Kayla Dawson, Keith, Kristina Lamour Sansone, Michael Lloyd, Owen McAteer, Rebecca, Ruben Corona, Simon Bonanno, Sowmya Harigaran, Stephanie Neal, Viggs Verikas, and Yadie Cisneros. Thank you for your support! --------- Creative Codex is written & produced by MJDorian. All rights reserved.
Jan 23, 2022 · 22 min
Art Is Dangerous: Nazi Degenerate Art Exhibition • Entartete Kunst, 1937
When the Nazi Party came to power in Germany, in 1933, one of their first goals was to reshape culture by force. The Nazis organized book burnings, stormed artist studios, confiscating work they disagreed with, and fired contemporary artists from teaching positions in universities. The goal was to place limits on human expression–an ominous display for what was to come. Visit the companion gallery for this episode here: https://mjdorian.com/dangerous/ The celebrated 1800's German poet, Heinrich Heine, wrote: "where books are burned, there too, people will burn." On this episode, we explore the Degenerate Art Exhibition of 1937, otherwise known as Entartete Kunst. The intended goal of the exhibit was to insult and ridicule the featured artists and kill modern art. Making it clearly known to the German public that the Nazi Party was forbidding any form of abstraction in painting, film, sculpture, or music. The suppression or censorship of art is a symptom that something is desperately wrong in the cultural fabric of a society. What happened to the artists featured in the exhibition? Did they continue making art? Did they flee or stay and protest? Why is art so dangerous? --------- Artists featured in this episode: Otto Dix, Max Beckmann, Ernst Ludwig Kirchner, Emil Nolde, and Conrad Felixmüller. Explore their work in this special companion gallery I put together: https://mjdorian.com/dangerous/ --------- If you'd like to become a supporter of CREATIVE CODEX, and obtain access to all the exclusive content, such as the Kurt Cobain series and all the Creativity Tip episodes, head on over to: https://www.patreon.com/mjdorian --------- All music in this episode was produced & composed by MJDorian. --------- Creative Codex is written and produced by MJDorian. More info here: https://mjdorian.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mjdorian/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/mjdorian YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/creativecodex
Jan 4, 2022 · 1 hr 10 min
28: Carl Jung • Seven Sermons to the Dead (Part II)
NOTE: Spotify has removed Part 3 of this series due to a copyright claim by Nirvana's record company. (A Nirvana song was used in the intermission segment to promote my Kurt Cobain series.) I have stitched Parts 1 to 3 of the Seven Sermons series together into one super-episode which you can listen to for FREE on my Patreon (no signup required) here: https://www.patreon.com/collection/1838953 ---------- In 1916, Dr. Carl Jung wrote his most mystifying work: The Seven Sermons to the Dead. In this episode, we continue our quest to understand it the way Jung understood it, exploring Sermons 3 & 4. We will attempt to answer these questions: Who is Abraxas? Why is he a god above gods? Who is Basilides? Why does Jung credit him as the writer of the Seven Sermons? And what leads Jung to have this creative breakthrough? Does it come from a point of inner turmoil or inspired grace? It’s time we find out. ---------- Cover Artwork: Abraxas Exegesis by MJDorian. More illustrations & art here: https://mjdorian.com/art/ ---------- Listen to the new Limited Release series episode: 'Kurt Cobain • I'm Not Like Them' on my Patreon https://www.patreon.com/mjdorian Hear a preview of the episode in the mid-point intermission of episode 28, Seven Sermons (Part II). ---------- A full transcript of this episode is available here: https://mjdorian.com/transcripts/ ---------- Big Thank you to my Patreon supporters! Shout out to the Shadow Fam: AKD, Aneudy Valerio, Anna Wolff, Barak Talker, Corey, Clark Price, Dallas Okelly, DVM, Glen QuiltSwissy, Hamed Iranmehr, Hilde, Jay, John Bergmans, Jye Marchant, Kristina Lamour Sansone, Michael Lloyd, Owen McAteer, Rebecca, Ruben Corona, Sowmya Harigaran, Stephanie Neal, Tess Callahan, Viggs Verikas, Yadie Cisneros, and Zuko's World. Thank you for your support! --------- Creative Codex YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/CreativeCodex Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mjdorian/ Want to buy me coffee? Head over to Venmo and search @creativecodex in businesses. This show runs on 100% Arabica beans. Thank you for your support! Also accepting crypto donations, just reach out to me on Instagram: @mjdorian Thank you! ---------- Resources: The Red Book: by Carl Jung Memories, Dreams, Reflections: by Carl Jung and Aniella Jaffe The Gnostic Scriptures: by Bentley Layton The Gnostic Jung: Stephan Hoeller ---------- Creative Codex is written & produced by MJDorian. All music written by MJDorian.
Dec 6, 2021 · 13 min
Video Bonus: The Most Disturbing Painting of All Time (Vincent van Gogh's Asylum Portrait)
This is a special Video Bonus episode of Creative Codex! Our show has been selected by Spotify to showcase the new video options for podcasters on Spotify. If you dig it, please share it with someone! (The video playback is currently only supported on Spotify.) ( This video bonus first appeared on the Creative Codex Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9xwt3hz49VBbgqN80driTQ ) --------- Info: Our story begins in the late 1800's, with one of history's most beloved artists: Vincent van Gogh. In between bouts of debilitating psychotic episodes, Vincent paints 141 masterful paintings during his yearlong stay in St. Paul's mental asylum. All of these 141 paintings are made while he is of 'sound' mind... except one. This is a special video episode about that self portrait. Is it the most disturbing painting of all time? Let's find out. If you'd like to become a Patron of Creative Codex, and receive immediate access to all of our Creativity Tip mini-episodes as well as the Episode Exclusives, head over to my Patreon page: https://www.patreon.com/mjdorian Here is an article about the conclusive attribution of this painting to Vincent van Gogh: https://news.artnet.com/art-world/van... --------- CREATIVE CODEX is written & produced by MJDorian. Find out more about my work on my Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mjdorian/ Or visit my site: https://mjdorian.com/
Nov 26, 2021 · 1 hr 17 min
27: Carl Jung • Seven Sermons to the Dead (Part I)
NOTE: Spotify has removed Part 3 of this series due to a copyright claim by Nirvana's record company. (A Nirvana song was used in the intermission segment to promote my Kurt Cobain series.) I have stitched Parts 1 to 3 of the Seven Sermons series together into one super-episode which you can listen to for FREE on my Patreon (no signup required) here: ⁠https://www.patreon.com/collection/1838953⁠ --------- In 1916, Dr. Carl Jung experienced a strange phenomenon that possessed him with tremendous creative force. The experience inspired him to write a philosophical & psychological scripture he called: The Seven Sermons to the Dead. This is Jung's most mystifying work. It appears in the final chapter of The Red Book, and it embodies the culmination of Jung's numinous inner explorations from 1913 - 1916. On this special episode, we will dive deep into Sermons One and Two, to attempt to understand this rare creative work the way that Jung understood it. Along the way we will delve into Gnostic scriptures which likely inspired Jung, explore key Jungian theories which are embodied in the Seven Sermons, and try to understand the larger significance of this esoteric literary work. ---------- Cover Artwork: Tree of Life by Carl Jung. ---------- A full transcript of this episode is available here: https://mjdorian.com/transcripts/ ---------- Find Episode Exclusives and Patron-Only minisodes on my Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/mjdorian The Episode Exclusive from this episode explores the personal letters between Freud and Jung leading up to their split in 1913. In addition, Patrons have access to all of the Creativity Tip episodes as well as new full length episodes of Creative Codex; part of our Limited Release series. The first creative genius coming to the new Limited Release series this December: Kurt Cobain. Big Thank you to my Patreon supporters! Shout out to the Shadow Fam: Aneudy Valerio, Barak Talker, Corey, Dallas Okelly, Daniel V., DVM, Glen QuiltSwissy, Hamed Iranmehr, Hilde, Jay, Jimmy D, John Bergmans, Jye Marchant, Karina Hurenkamp-Alvarenga, Kristina Lamour Sansone, Michael Lloyd, Owen McAteer, Ruben Corona, Sasta Kuppan, Sowmya Harigaran, Tess Callahan, Thivai Abhor, Viggs Verikas, Yadie Cisneros, and Zuko's World. Thank you for your support! --------- Creative Codex YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/CreativeCodex Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mjdorian/ Want to buy me coffee? Head over to Venmo and search @creativecodex in businesses. This show runs on 100% Arabica beans. Thank you for your support! ---------- Resources: Memories, Dreams, Reflections: by Carl Jung and Aniella Jaffe The Red Book: by Carl Jung The Gnostic Scriptures: by Bentley Layton ---------- Creative Codex is written & produced by MJDorian. All music written by MJDorian.
Oct 27, 2021 · 50 min
Best of Creative Codex • Sonic Simulations (100k Special)
This is a special clip show of some of the best moments from the last 3 years of Creative Codex! The focus of this episode is: sonic simulations. In the show, sonic simulations are the use of sound design, music, and narration to convey an experience, time, or place. The clips featured in this episode, in order of appearance are: Nikola Tesla’s Earthquake Experiment (Episode 5) Discovery of Emily Dickinson’s Poems (Episode 18) Robert Johnson Goes to the Crossroads (Episode 15) Meeting Vincent (Episode 22) Carl Jung’s Vision of the Cave (Episode 11) Theo Finds Out Vincent Was Shot (Episode 25) Visiting Leonardo in Florence (Episode 2) --------- Enjoyed hearing Emily 'speak'? Check out and follow Frances' other work on her Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lady._lazarus._/ --------- My Crypto Wallet is on Coinbase Wallet, username: @mjdorian Venmo: @creativecodex | Search in the Businesses field or click here: https://venmo.com/code?user_id=3235189073379328069&created=1635357384.800416&printed=1 Become a patron of the show on my Patreon page: https://www.patreon.com/mjdorian Thank you in advance for your support! --------- Party horn sound: "Party Pack, Horn Coil 01, Long, 01.wav" by InspectorJ (www.jshaw.co.uk) of Freesound.org -------- Creative Codex is written & produced by: MJDorian On social media: @mjdorian
Oct 15, 2021 · 14 min
Creativity Tip 17: Boredom Breeds Creativity (The Mental Cigarette Break)
Does boredom play an important role in creativity? If so, is technology ridding our lives of boredom at a perilous cost? On this Creativity Tip minisode, the truth gets 'curiouser and curiouser.' Along the way we explore research in neuroscience regarding the Default Mode Network, and psychological research that potentially proves the link between boredom and creativity. Try the Mental Cigarette Break Challenge: • Five minutes. Every day. For seven days. • Turn your phone notifications off. Put your devices to the side. • Stare out of a window. And let your mind wander for five minutes. • Take note of how you feel, what you thought about, and the quality of your awareness in that state. --------- Episode cover art: Brain image showing the main regions of the Default Mode Network (in yellow) with the paths of connectivity between regions. Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Default_Mode_Network_Connectivity.png --------- Research mentioned in this episode: - Dr. Marcus Raichle, the neurologist who discovered the Default Mode Network through brain imaging studies. Find out more about his important work at this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0r15-Xde66s&t=6s - Dr. Sandi Mann & Rebekah Cadman's research study on the link between boredom and creative problem solving: http://clok.uclan.ac.uk/22263/1/22263%20Does%2520being%2520bored%2520make%2520us%2520more%2520creativeV2.pdf --------- To become a supporter of the show and gain access to all of the exclusive Creativity Tip episodes, head over to: https://www.patreon.com/mjdorian -------- Creative Codex is written & produced by MJDorian Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mjdorian/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/mjdorian
Sep 28, 2021 · 1 hr 4 min
26: L'FREAQ (In Conversation)
On this episode we sit down with multi-talented singer / songwriter: L'FREAQ. (Also known as Lea Cappelli.) We dive deep into all of the most interesting topics: Does creativity feed on despair and depression? How do you get to the gold? What is L'FREAQ's songwriting process? Do you hear music on the cusp of sleep? Listen to L'FREAQ's phenomenal new album, Showgirl: https://open.spotify.com/artist/6yIxwhGx8Mq6i1WwgRSfkQ?si=LeKcBiROTw-hW4Xy5xL9OA&dl_branch=1 Showgirl is also available on all music platforms. Connect with L'FREAQ: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lfreaq/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/leacappelli Big thank you to Lea for coming on the show! It was a blast to geek out about songwriting and creativity. --------- Big Thank you to my Patreon supporters! Shout out to the Shadow Fam: Aneudy Valerio, Barak Talker, Corey, Dallas Okelly, Daniel V., DVM, Glen QuiltSwissy, Jay, Jimmy D, John Bergmans, Jye Marchant, Karina Hurenkamp-Alvarenga, Kristina Lamour Sansone, Michael Lloyd, Owen McAteer, Ruben Corona, Sowmya Harigaran, Tess Callahan, Thivai Abhor, Viggs Verikas, Yadie Cisneros, and Zuko's World. If you'd like to become a Patron of the show, and gain access to all of the exclusive Creativity Tip episodes, as well as Episode Exclusives, head over to: https://www.patreon.com/mjdorian Thank you for all of your support! --------- Creative Codex is written & produced by MJDorian. https://mjdorian.com/ Let's Connect: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mjdorian/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/mjdorian
Sep 14, 2021 · 16 min
Art Is Dangerous (Exhibit A: The Devil Wood Incident)
Is art dangerous? On this minisode, I share a personal story about the art project that almost killed me. I call this: The Devil Wood Incident. This is Exhibit A in a miniseries exploring the theme: Art Is Dangerous. Here is a link to the Devil Wood music video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9TTL-GKBMTk If you would like to share your own Art Is Dangerous story for a future episode, reach out to me: info@mjdorian.com Instagram of singer / songwriter / vocal alchemist, Shelley Thomas: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9TTL-GKBMTk The song featured in this episode is called Dwell Within Me (feat. Shelley Thomas), on Spotify here: https://open.spotify.com/track/45TKlkP734PwRGYbhKaLzZ?si=9f6e26d2826444a2 --------- If you'd like to become a Patron of Creative Codex, and gain access to all the Creativity Tip episodes as well as Episode Exclusives, head over to: https://www.patreon.com/mjdorian Thank you for your support! --------- Let's connect on social: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mjdorian/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/mjdorian
Aug 25, 2021 · 1 hr 31 min
25: Vincent van Gogh • At Eternity's Gate (Madness, Genius, & Tragedy: Part 4)
On this episode we explore the tragic death of Vincent van Gogh. We seek to answer, once and for all, was it: suicide or homicide? In the process we discover that the two popular theories explaining Vincent's death are deeply flawed, and a new theory emerges. This episode follows the events of that fateful day through Theo's perspective. After a thorough investigation, we explore the aftermath, and meet the woman who made Vincent van Gogh a household name: Johanna van Gogh-Bonger. The original music of this episode features a very special guest, singer & songwriter: L'FREAQ. (Also known as Lea Cappelli.) Follow all of L'FREAQ's music through her Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lfreaq/ Listen to L'FREAQ on Spotify: L'FREAQ Spotify And enjoy her YouTube music vids (one which I directed!): https://www.youtube.com/user/leacappelli --------- Explore the paintings mentioned in this episode by visiting this companion gallery I made: https://mjdorian.com/vincent/ --------- Diaries of Johanna van Gogh: https://www.bongerdiaries.org/dagboek_jo_3_section_83 --------- Watch my video about Vincent's most disturbing painting, done while he was suffering from a psychotic episode: https://youtu.be/EHkm6LMXjiA --------- Become a supporter of the show, and receive access to all the Creativity Tip episodes and Episode Exclusives here: https://www.patreon.com/mjdorian --------- A full transcript of this episode is available here: https://mjdorian.com/transcripts/ --------- Creative Codex is written & produced by MJDorian. Let's connect: https://www.instagram.com/mjdorian/ For Merch & News: https://mjdorian.com/
Jul 29, 2021 · 1 hr 6 min
24: Vincent van Gogh • The Asylum (Madness, Genius, & Tragedy: Part 3)
On May 8th, 1889, Vincent van Gogh checks in to a mental asylum. What begins as a three month stay extends into a year. A period of time during which Vincent paints 141 masterpieces in between bouts of debilitating psychotic attacks. On this episode, we dive into Vincent and Theo's letters to finally uncover all of the details about Vincent's yearlong stay in the asylum. The original music of this episode features a very special guest, singer & songwriter: L'FREAQ. (Also known as Lea Cappelli.) Follow all of L'FREAQ's music through her Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lfreaq/ Listen to L'FREAQ on Spotify: L'FREAQ Spotify And enjoy her YouTube music vids (one which I directed!): https://www.youtube.com/user/leacappelli --------- Explore the paintings mentioned in this episode by visiting this companion gallery I made: https://mjdorian.com/vincent/ --------- Watch my video about Vincent's most disturbing painting, done while he was suffering from a psychotic episode: https://youtu.be/EHkm6LMXjiA --------- A full transcript of this episode is available here: https://mjdorian.com/transcripts/ --------- Become a supporter of the show, and receive access to all the Creativity Tip episodes and Episode Exclusives here: https://www.patreon.com/mjdorian Creative Codex is written & produced by MJDorian. Let's connect: https://www.instagram.com/mjdorian/ For Merch & News: https://mjdorian.com/
Jul 11, 2021 · 13 min
Creativity Tip 15: The 10,000 Hours Rule
What is the 10,000 Hours Rule? How can you apply it in your life? I first stumbled on this theory in the book: Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell. The basic premise is this: to achieve mastery in any skill that requires complex cognitive processes, you need to put in roughly 10,000 hours of effort, spread across a 10 year span. In other words, if you want to become a master at something, you will have to clock in about 10,000 hours into that domain. That could be anything from cooking, computer coding, rapping, martial arts, piano playing, oil painting, and so on. Since that book, the theory has been a bit more fleshed out by more recent studies, that bring 'deliberate practice' into the equation. In this special Creativity Tip episode I explain and explore the implications of this compelling theory. And most importantly: how to apply it in your life. Here is a link to the original 1993 research paper by Anders Ericsson: https://psycnet.apa.org/record/1993-40718-001 --------- If you'd like to become a patron of Creative Codex and gain access to all of the Creativity Tip episodes, as well as Episode Exclusives, head on over to my Patreon page: https://www.patreon.com/mjdorian Thank you for your support! Creative Codex is written & produced by MJDorian Let's connect on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mjdorian/ And Twitter: https://twitter.com/mjdorian
Jun 11, 2021 · 1 hr 11 min
23: Vincent van Gogh • The Ear Incident (Madness, Genius, & Tragedy: Part 2)
On this special episode, we dive into the full truth about the most infamous event in art history: Vincent van Gogh's ear incident. The 'ear incident' serves as a catalyst event, which signals the onset of a mental affliction which will torment Vincent van Gogh for his final three years. Paradoxically, at the same time his mental health is in decline, his paintings are showing the signs of a creative genius. Explore all of the paintings mentioned in this episode at this companion gallery: https://mjdorian.com/vincent/ --------- Music featured in this episode: Necro-Future (Featured during the 'Vincent van Goth' section of the episode @9:43 of this episode.) Song written & performed by Horned Head: https://soundcloud.com/user-86360942 Guitar / Vocals: Michael Pisano / Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/papa_pisano/ Website: https://www.michaeljamespisano.com/ Drums: James Aqua / Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/james_aqua/ --------- If you'd like to become a patron of Creative Codex, and unlock access to all of the exclusive Creativity Tip episodes (and Episode Exclusives), head over to my Patreon page: https://www.patreon.com/mjdorian --------- A full transcript of this episode is available here: https://mjdorian.com/transcripts/ --------- Do your own research and explore Vincent's incredible correspondences at: http://vangoghletters.org/vg/ --------- Creative Codex is written & produced by MJDorian All music by MJDorian (except as mentioned above) Creative Codex YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9xwt3hz49VBbgqN80driTQ Check out my art and follow behind the scenes content about the show on my social media: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mjdorian/