Hyperfixed Phoebe's Origin Story
Oct 23, 2025
Phoebe Wahl, a Bellingham-based children's book author and illustrator, embarks on a nostalgic journey to rediscover a childhood video game that shaped her creativity. She shares how vivid memories of early books and games influence her work. Nostalgia's power is explored with Clay Routledge, who discusses its positive effects on mood and creativity. After a quest involving her preschool and classmates, Phoebe joyfully reconnects with the game McGee, even experiencing the thrill of sharing it with her daughter.
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Nostalgia Fueled A Creative Career
- Phoebe describes intense, vivid nostalgia for childhood books and media that influence her artwork and career choice.
- She actively tracks down those physical objects to recapture creative inspiration from her past.
A Preschool Game Stuck In Memory
- Phoebe recalls a pixelated preschool game featuring a toddler exploring his house, backyard, and a scandalous toilet moment.
- The memory centers on small sensory details like a rope swing, a knot hole, and a feeling of being transported into the child's perspective.
Use Nostalgia To Boost Well-Being
- Clay Routledge describes experiments that intentionally induce nostalgia to measure outcomes.
- He reports nostalgia reliably increases happiness, meaning, and social connectedness in participants.