Andy J. Pizza, an illustrator renowned for his work with The New York Times and Nickelodeon, shares insights on creative intuition and storytelling. He discusses the importance of self-assessment in creative practices, likening it to taste-testing in cooking. Andy emphasizes balancing thought and action to enhance productivity and shares his unique daily rituals for fostering creativity. He also advocates for 'playing your hits' by reusing past work, highlighting how this approach can prevent burnout and enrich artistic expression.
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insights INSIGHT
Taste over Skill
Great creative work is defined by taste, not just 10,000 hours of practice.
Taste is an intuition informed by your creative sensitivities, like a "metal detector for creative gold."
volunteer_activism ADVICE
Developing Taste
Develop your creative "taste buds" by deeply experiencing and analyzing what resonates with you.
"Get high on your own supply" – constantly evaluate if your work evokes the desired emotional response.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Writing On Stage
Comedians refine material on stage, similar to writers.
David Sedaris tours with new material, revising based on audience reactions.
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Atomic Habits by James Clear provides a practical and scientifically-backed guide to forming good habits and breaking bad ones. The book introduces the Four Laws of Behavior Change: make it obvious, make it attractive, make it easy, and make it satisfying. It also emphasizes the importance of small, incremental changes (atomic habits) that compound over time to produce significant results. Clear discusses techniques such as habit stacking, optimizing the environment to support desired habits, and focusing on continuous improvement rather than goal fixation. The book is filled with actionable strategies, real-life examples, and stories from various fields, making it a valuable resource for anyone seeking to improve their habits and achieve personal growth[2][4][5].
Whole Brain Living
The Anatomy of Choice and the Four Characters That Drive Our Life
Jill Bolte Taylor
In "Whole Brain Living," Jill Bolte Taylor expands on her previous work by introducing a framework for understanding the four distinct characters within the brain. She explains how these characters—two from the left hemisphere and two from the right—influence our thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. Taylor provides practical strategies for integrating these characters to achieve greater self-awareness and emotional regulation. The book emphasizes the importance of understanding the brain's structure to improve mental well-being. It offers a unique blend of neuroscience and self-help, empowering readers to take control of their mental and emotional states.
The Artist's Journey
Shawn Coyne
Steven Pressfield
In 'The Artist's Journey', Steven Pressfield extends the concept of the hero's journey to the artist's life. The book posits that after completing the hero's journey, an individual embarks on the artist's journey, a path of self-discovery, creative production, and overcoming internal resistance. It emphasizes the importance of finding one's authentic calling and producing work that is true to oneself. The journey is described as a constant, solitary, and mental evolution focused on self-discovery rather than self-expression[3][4][5].
Andy J. Pizza is an illustrator.
Sometimes he uses pictures. Like in his kid’s books, comics, and client work for the likes of The New York Times, Apple, or Nickelodeon.
Sometimes he uses words. Like when he’s making his podcast Creative Pep Talk. CPT consists of monologues on building a thriving creative practice and conversations with creative powerhouses like Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Abbi Jacobson, and Morgan Harper Nichols.
His favorite way to illustrate ideas is with analogies and stories on stage. Andy’s style of public speaking is one part TED Talk, one part one-man show — with a sprinkle of stand-up comedy.
In this episode, we talk about creative taste and intuition, watching the tape, playing your hits, creative habits, and why he’s more focused on storytelling than ever before.
Creator Science 
