My guest today is Max Stossel, an award-winning poet who was named by Forbes as one of the best storytellers of the year. Max and I are talking about one of my all-time favorite subjects: our relationship with the creative muse. You might learn a thing or two about getting unstuck creatively, but at the very least, you are about to hear some exceptional poetry.

The show opens with a candid discussion of authentic vulnerability. We discuss the creative process, how to use and break structure, and Max reads a poem about the muse as a lover. He describes the way you are your art's first customer. We explore techniques for getting unstuck creatively, such as parallel creative ventures and accountability. We also discuss artificial intelligence and creativity, and we end with a splendid poem from Max called "The Death of a Former Self."

Max is not only an award-winning poet but also a filmmaker and speaker. He serves as the youth and education advisor for the Center for Humane Technology, which is dedicated to realigning technology with humanity's best interests. His one-man show, "Words that Move," is available now.

Links:

• Max Stossel: Words that Move
• Max Stossel (@maxstossel) • Instagram photos and videos
• Death Of A Former Self
• Center for Humane Technology

Timestamps:

• :07 - The challenge of authentic vulnerability
• :22 - Using and breaking structure 
• :30 - How to cultivate the muse
• :38 - A poem for the muse as lover
• :45 - You are your art’s first customer
• :56 - Getting unstuck with parallel creative ventures and accountability 
• 1:01 - AI and creation
• 1:14 - Death of a Former Self