The Blindboy Podcast Reflections on winning the Grierson documentary award
Nov 26, 2025
The host reflects on winning a prestigious award and how external validation can feel overwhelming. He warns against letting praise define self-worth, arguing that true value is intrinsic. The discussion shifts to the importance of embracing failure as a pathway to artistic growth. He shares insights on handling criticism, the impact of childhood experiences on self-esteem, and reframes social media likes as empathy. Finally, he emphasizes the creative journey over accolades, celebrating authenticity and the joy found in imperfection.
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External Praise Can Become A Drug
- Blindboy Boatclub warns that external approval can become a drug that feeds your self-worth and identity.
- He emphasises intrinsic human worth is independent of achievements or praise.
Don't Let Success Define You
- Avoid tying identity to success; treat awards as small bubbles and move on to the next project.
- When failures arrive, acknowledge them briefly and ask, "Where's the next piece of work?"
A Review Triggered Year-Long Block
- Blindboy recounts a year-long writer's block triggered by one harsh review of his second book.
- That review reawakened childhood insecurities and made him feel worthless for months.