Austin Kleon on Fueling Artistic Ambition

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Feb 26, 2025

Austin Kleon, a renowned writer and artist known for his bestselling books, dives into the nuances of creativity with Ryan. He discusses the importance of hobbies in fueling artistic ambition and reflects on how societal pressures can make us feel machine-like. The conversation highlights the evolution of music as a communal experience, the challenges of modern creative expression, and the complexities of fame. Kleon also shares insights on engaging children through storytelling, emphasizing playfulness in nurturing a love for art and literature.

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ANECDOTE

Sunrise Dilemma

Ryan Holiday experienced a beautiful sunrise while swimming but questioned whether to capture it or stay present.
He chose to keep swimming, prioritizing the experience over the photo.

ADVICE

Savor the Moment

Austin Kleon suggests we shouldn't interrupt experiences to capture them, as observation changes the experience.
He suggests savoring a moment instead of trying to preserve it if the idea isn't crucial.

ANECDOTE

Audiobook Limitations

Austin Kleon listened to C.S. Lewis's autobiography while driving.
He found it difficult to "underline" key passages, highlighting a drawback of audiobooks.

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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].

Big Magic

Elizabeth Gilbert

In 'Big Magic', Elizabeth Gilbert delves into the mysteries of creativity, encouraging readers to live more creative and fulfilling lives. The book is divided into six parts: Courage, Enchantment, Permission, Persistence, Trust, and Divinity. Gilbert argues that creativity is an essential part of human nature and that it requires courage to accept and overcome fears. She emphasizes the importance of persistence, trust in the creative process, and the need to separate creativity from the pressure of making a living. Through personal anecdotes and insights from other artists, Gilbert demystifies the creative process and inspires readers to pursue their passions with curiosity rather than fear[2][3][5].

Surprised by Joy

C.S. Lewis

The Odyssey

Homer

The Odyssey, attributed to Homer, is an ancient Greek epic poem that tells the story of Odysseus, king of Ithaca, and his ten-year journey home after the Trojan War. The poem explores Odysseus's encounters with various mythical creatures, divine interventions, and natural challenges. Upon his return to Ithaca, he must confront the suitors who have been vying for his wife Penelope's hand in marriage. With the help of his son Telemachus and the goddess Athena, Odysseus devises a plan to defeat the suitors and reclaim his throne. The poem is a reflection on human nature, loyalty, and the consequences of one's actions, and it remains a crucial component of ancient Greek literature and Western cultural heritage.

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Austin Kleon

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Amusing Ourselves to Death

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Steal like an artist

10 Things Nobody Told You About Being Creative

Austin Kleon

Keep Going

10 Ways to Stay Creative in Good Times and Bad

Austin Kleon

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Seneca's Works

Seneca the Younger

Newspaper Blackout

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Newspaper Blackout is a unique collection of poems by Austin Kleon, created by eliminating unwanted words from newspaper articles with a permanent marker. The book includes original poems by Kleon, submissions from readers, and an appendix on how to create your own blackout poetry. It has been praised for its innovative approach to poetry and has inspired a movement in blackout poetry across the internet.

Abraham Lincoln's Works

Abraham Lincoln

Joan Didion's Works

Joan Didion

Blaise Pascal's Works

Blaise Pascal

J.J. Redick's Works

J.J. Redick

David Foster Wallace's essay on talk radio hosts

David Foster Wallace

Charles Dickens' works

null

Charles Dickens

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Mark Twain's Works

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Oliver Burkeman

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The War of Art

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Howard W. French

Antonio M. Jaime

Luis Miller

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Leo Tolstoy's works

null

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Cracked

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Confess

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Cato

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Joseph Addison

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The Rose That Grew From Concrete

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This book offers a glimpse into Tupac's sensitive side through his poetry, which explores themes of love, social justice, and personal growth. Written during his teenage years, these poems provide insight into his complex thoughts and emotions.

They Call Me Supermensch: A Backstage Pass to the Amazing Worlds of Film, Food, and Rock'n'Roll

Shep Gordon

In this engaging memoir, Shep Gordon recounts his life from humble beginnings to becoming a respected figure in show business. He shares stories of working with icons like Alice Cooper, Jimi Hendrix, and Groucho Marx, and is credited with inventing the concept of the celebrity chef. The book provides a humorous and heartfelt account of his adventures in music, film, and food.

Tank Sinatra's Works

Tank Sinatra

Joshua St. Pierre's book on cheap talk

Joshua St. Pierre

John Steinbeck's works

null

John Steinbeck

John Steinbeck's novels are known for their social realism, exploration of themes of poverty, social injustice, and the human spirit's resilience in the face of adversity. His works, such as "The Grapes of Wrath" and "Of Mice and Men," are considered classics of American literature. Steinbeck's vivid portrayal of characters and his ability to evoke empathy for the marginalized have earned him a place among the most influential writers of the 20th century. His works continue to be studied and appreciated for their literary merit and enduring relevance. Steinbeck's novels offer valuable insights into the social and economic conditions of his time.

Can I Say: Living Large, Cheating Death, and Drums, Drums, Drums

Gavin Edwards

Travis Barker

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Teaching As a Subversive Activity

Charles Weingartner

Neil Postman

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A Collection of Influential Books

Malcolm Gladwell

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Nikolai's Memoirs

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No specific information available.

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A Collection of Influential Books on Power and Strategy

Robert Greene

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Kurt Vonnegut

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No book found

Dov Charney

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Lane Baton's Works

Lane Baton

No information available.

John Hay's Works

Biographies and Literary Contributions

John Milton Hay

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Lemmy Kilmister

Janiss Garza

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