Roll ON: Journaling, Creativity & Process—Plus Transformative Books, Thoughts on Regenerative Agriculture & Remembering Swimming's Greatest Coach

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Jun 6, 2024

Adam Skolnick, an author who just completed his novel, joins for a deep dive into the creative journey of publishing. They tackle the emotional ups and downs faced by writers, share book recommendations that inspire creativity, and discuss the significance of journaling. Skolnick also reflects on his experiences meeting the Dalai Lama and the wisdom gained from that encounter. The conversation evolves to touch on regenerative agriculture debates and the implications for our food systems, blending personal anecdotes with broader societal issues.

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ADVICE

Boosting Writing Efficiency

Separate creative dumping from editing to write more efficiently.
Journal in the morning and edit later to lower pressure and build momentum.

ADVICE

Overcoming Writer's Block

Reduce blank space to overcome writer's block.
Try outlining, journaling, or setting up research.

ANECDOTE

Adam's Book Recommendations

Adam Skolnick shares his top book recommendations for the year.
His list includes The NASA Archives, Bernie Gunther novels, and works by Jim Harrison and Annie Proulx.

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Creative Calling

Establish a Daily Practice, Infuse Your World with Meaning, and Succeed in Work + Life

Chase Jarvis

In 'Creative Calling', Chase Jarvis emphasizes the importance of creativity as a habit available to everyone, regardless of their profession or background. The book introduces the 'IDEA' system: Imagine your big dream, Design a daily practice to support it, Execute on your plans, and Amplify your impact through a supportive community. Jarvis encourages readers to start small, making creativity a part of their daily lives, and argues that this practice can lead to greater direction, agency, and happiness in life.

The Blue Zones

Lessons for Living Longer From the People Who've Lived the Longest

Dan Buettner

In this book, Dan Buettner documents his research on the Blue Zones, areas around the world such as Sardinia, Italy; Okinawa, Japan; Loma Linda, California; Nicoya, Costa Rica; and Ikaria, Greece, where people consistently live longer and healthier lives. Buettner identifies nine common lifestyle habits, known as the 'Power 9® principles,' which include moving naturally, having a sense of purpose, reducing stress, eating a plant-based diet, and maintaining strong social connections. The book provides detailed accounts of the research team’s observations and interviews with centenarians and their communities, offering practical advice on how to apply these principles to one’s own life to achieve better health and longevity.

The Creative Act

A Way of Being

Rick Rubin

In *The Creative Act: A Way of Being*, Rick Rubin distills the wisdom he has gained from a lifetime of working with artists across various genres. The book is not just about music production but about the broader creative process and how it applies to everyone's life. Rubin emphasizes the importance of reconnecting with a state of innocence, being aware of the world, and tapping into what he calls 'Source'—an infinite and constant flow of ideas and inspiration. The book is structured around 78 areas of thought, providing practical wisdom, philosophical insights, and encouragement for anyone seeking to enhance their creative expression.

The War of Art

Break Through the Blocks and Win Your Inner Creative Battles

Steven Pressfield

In 'The War of Art', Steven Pressfield identifies the internal force of 'Resistance' that hinders creative endeavors. The book is divided into three sections: 'Resistance: Defining the Enemy', 'Combating Resistance: Turning Pro', and a final section that discusses the role of the muses and the battle between the Self and the Ego. Pressfield provides practical advice on recognizing and overcoming resistance, emphasizing the importance of professionalism, discipline, and continuous work in achieving creative success.

Steal like an artist

10 Things Nobody Told You About Being Creative

Austin Kleon

This book, which began as a speech given by Austin Kleon to college students, expands into a manifesto for creativity. It outlines ten transformative principles such as 'Steal like an artist' (honoring, studying, and transforming ideas), 'Don’t wait until you know who you are to start making things,' and 'Use your hands' (emphasizing physical work). Kleon argues that creativity is not original but builds on what came before, and he provides practical tips and inspiring concepts for artists, writers, musicians, and anyone generating creative work[2][3][4].

The Coddling of the American Mind

Jonathan Haidt

Greg Lukianoff

The book explores how the ideas 'what doesn’t kill you makes you weaker,' 'always trust your feelings,' and 'life is a battle between good people and evil people' have become embedded in American culture. These 'Great Untruths' contradict basic psychological principles and ancient wisdom, leading to a culture of safetyism that interferes with young people’s social, emotional, and intellectual development. The authors investigate various social trends, including fearful parenting, the decline of unsupervised play, and the impact of social media, as well as changes on college campuses and the broader context of political polarization in America.

Chasing the Scream

The First and Last Days of the War on Drugs

Johann Hari

In 'Chasing the Scream', Johann Hari delves into the origins and consequences of the war on drugs. The book spans nine countries, where Hari interviews a diverse range of individuals, including addicts, dealers, scientists, and policymakers. Hari explores the early figures in the drug war, such as Billie Holiday and Harry J. Anslinger, and discusses modern-day alternatives to prohibition, including decriminalization and legalization policies in countries like Portugal and Uruguay. The book argues that addiction is not a disease but an adaptation to environment and advocates for a shift from punitive measures to rehabilitation and connection-based solutions.

The Shipping News

Annie Proulx

The Shipping News is a novel by E. Annie Proulx that follows the life of Quoyle, a newspaper reporter from upstate New York. After a series of tragic events, including the deaths of his parents and his estranged wife, Quoyle moves to Newfoundland with his two daughters, encouraged by his paternal aunt, Agnis Hamm. There, he works for the local newspaper, the Gammy Bird, covering traffic accidents and the shipping news. The novel is deeply rooted in the landscape and culture of Newfoundland, with Proulx using the harsh environment and maritime themes to explore themes of human relationships, resilience, and personal growth. The book is notable for its unique writing style, which includes chapter headings inspired by Clifford W. Ashley's 'The Ashley Book of Knots'[2][3][5].

The artist's way

a spiritual path to higher creativity

Ada Arbós Bo

Julia Cameron

This book presents a comprehensive method for artists to recover their creativity from various blocks such as limiting beliefs, fear, self-sabotage, and other inhibiting forces. It is designed to help individuals discover and develop their artistic potential, whether as writers, painters, poets, or musicians. The book emphasizes the connection between creativity and spirituality, providing step-by-step exercises to nurture creative expression as a consistent part of daily life.

You Dreamed of Empires

Natasha Wimmer

Álvaro Enrigue

English Pastoral

An Inheritance

James Rebanks

English Pastoral is a narrative that spans three generations of James Rebanks' family, detailing the transformation of rural landscapes and the decline of traditional farming practices. The book is divided into three sections: Nostalgia, Progress, and Utopia, reflecting Rebanks' journey from learning the old ways from his grandfather to navigating the industrial changes in farming and eventually adopting regenerative farming methods. It is a story of love, pride, and the struggle to restore the natural balance of the land, offering a hopeful vision for the future of farming and the environment.

Brown Dog

Jim Harrison

Brown Dog is a collection of six novellas by Jim Harrison, featuring the titular character, a down-on-his-luck Michigan Indian. The stories follow Brown Dog's adventures, from discovering a frozen body in Lake Superior to searching for a stolen bearskin in Los Angeles. The book culminates with the novella 'He Dog', where Brown Dog embarks on a road trip seeking answers about family and redemption. Harrison's masterful storytelling brings Brown Dog to life as an everyman figure, vividly capturing his struggles and humanity.

The NASA Archives

60 Years in Space

Andrew Chaikin

Piers Bizony

Roger D. Launius

The NASA Archives is a visual celebration of NASA's history, from its inception to its current developments. It includes over 400 historic photographs and rare concept renderings, offering a profound meditation on space exploration. The book is a collaboration with NASA and features texts by prominent space historians and journalists.