Steven Rinella On Rockhounding, Stoic Wisdom & Controlling The Process
Oct 18, 2023
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Steven Rinella, renowned writer and TV host of MeatEater, shares his deep appreciation for nature and the outdoors. He discusses the joy of rockhounding and family adventures, sparking wonder in children. Rinella delves into Stoicism, connecting ancient wisdom to modern creativity, emphasizing the importance of process over perfection. He reflects on how personal experiences shape understanding and creativity, and champions the need to foster a love for nature in kids, highlighting its role in building essential life skills.
Engaging with nature through activities like hunting can bring a sense of wonder and satisfaction.
Stoicism promotes continuous self-improvement through embracing both the process and the outcome.
Finding pleasure in the finished product while experiencing discomfort during the creative process is a common sentiment among writers.
Deep dives
Finding Airbnb opportunities everywhere
The podcast discusses the potential for finding Airbnb opportunities in various locations and highlights the idea that anyone could unknowingly have a valuable rental property.
Making money and having fun with Airbnb
The podcast explores the concept of listing one's home on Airbnb to make extra income while away or during events in the area. It suggests that renting out unused rooms or properties can be a fun and lucrative way to cover expenses or have a more enjoyable lifestyle.
The value of unique experiences and tangible results
The podcast asserts that the combination of enjoyable experiences and tangible results is important in activities such as hunting. It emphasizes the satisfaction derived from both the process and the outcome, highlighting the enjoyment of being actively involved in the natural world and the value of the consumptive element of activities like hunting and fishing.
Importance of Process in Stoicism and Therapy
The speaker emphasizes the significance of both the result and the process in Stoicism and personal growth. Stoicism is not a means to solve all life's problems, but rather a philosophy that encourages continuous self-improvement. The speaker reinforces this idea by mentioning their engagement in various types of therapy and their willingness to adapt to new approaches. The importance of seeking therapy proactively and not waiting until crises occur is highlighted, with the speaker endorsing the accessibility and affordability of Talkspace, an online therapy platform.
Balancing Outcome and Process in Creative Work
The speaker discusses their personal experience as a writer, highlighting the shift in focus from outcome to process-oriented work. They emphasize finding pleasure in the finished product while experiencing discomfort during the creative process. The speaker reflects on the common sentiment among writers that they enjoy having written rather than the act of writing itself. They also touch on the challenge of managing doubts when working on projects that might not align with personal interests or receive positive reception. The importance of embracing failure and maintaining pride in the effort invested, even in unsuccessful endeavors, is underscored.
Steve Rinella, from his books to his groundbreaking show MeatEater, has made hunting and nose-to-tail wild game gourmet cooking popular from New York City to Hollywood. Thanks in large part to Steve’s humor and extensive historical and anatomical knowledge, MeatEater is one of the top “reality” shows not just in outdoor media, but arguably across all media combined. As a writer, TV host, and now podcaster Steve and the MeatEater crew are as trail blazing as they come. We carry one of Steve’s books, American Buffalo, here at the Painted Porch Bookshop. His most recent book, Outdoor Kids in an Inside World, offers practical advice for getting kids radically engaged with nature in a muddy, thrilling, hands-on way, with the ultimate goal of helping them see their own place within the natural ecosystem.
