
Creative Codex
Peer into the minds of the greatest creative geniuses in history. Join us as we explore the mystery of how creativity works, art history and how you can improve your own creative process. The labyrinth awaits.
Creative Codex is one-part podcast and one-part imaginative lecture series, featuring thoroughly researched insights into the creative process mixed with captivating soundscapes and original music.
Produced & Written by MJDorian
Latest episodes

Dec 6, 2021 • 13min
Video Bonus: The Most Disturbing Painting of All Time (Vincent van Gogh's Asylum Portrait)
This is a special Video Bonus episode of Creative Codex! Our show has been selected by Spotify to showcase the new video options for podcasters on Spotify. If you dig it, please share it with someone! (The video playback is currently only supported on Spotify.)
( This video bonus first appeared on the Creative Codex Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9xwt3hz49VBbgqN80driTQ )
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Info:
Our story begins in the late 1800's, with one of history's most beloved artists: Vincent van Gogh. In between bouts of debilitating psychotic episodes, Vincent paints 141 masterful paintings during his yearlong stay in St. Paul's mental asylum. All of these 141 paintings are made while he is of 'sound' mind... except one. This is a special video episode about that self portrait. Is it the most disturbing painting of all time? Let's find out.
If you'd like to become a Patron of Creative Codex, and receive immediate access to all of our Creativity Tip mini-episodes as well as the Episode Exclusives, head over to my Patreon page: https://www.patreon.com/mjdorian
Here is an article about the conclusive attribution of this painting to Vincent van Gogh: https://news.artnet.com/art-world/van...
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CREATIVE CODEX is written & produced by MJDorian.
Find out more about my work on my Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mjdorian/
Or visit my site: https://mjdorian.com/

44 snips
Nov 26, 2021 • 1h 17min
27: Carl Jung • Seven Sermons to the Dead (Part I)
In 1916, Dr. Carl Jung experienced a strange phenomenon that possessed him with tremendous creative force. The experience inspired him to write a philosophical & psychological scripture he called: The Seven Sermons to the Dead.
This is Jung's most mystifying work. It appears in the final chapter of The Red Book, and it embodies the culmination of Jung's numinous inner explorations from 1913 - 1916.
On this special episode, we will dive deep into Sermons One and Two, to attempt to understand this rare creative work the way that Jung understood it. Along the way we will delve into Gnostic scriptures which likely inspired Jung, explore key Jungian theories which are embodied in the Seven Sermons, and try to understand the larger significance of this esoteric literary work.
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Cover Artwork: Tree of Life by Carl Jung.
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A full transcript of this episode is available here: https://mjdorian.com/transcripts/
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Find Episode Exclusives and Patron-Only minisodes on my Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/mjdorian
The Episode Exclusive from this episode explores the personal letters between Freud and Jung leading up to their split in 1913. In addition, Patrons have access to all of the Creativity Tip episodes as well as new full length episodes of Creative Codex; part of our Limited Release series. The first creative genius coming to the new Limited Release series this December: Kurt Cobain.
Big Thank you to my Patreon supporters!
Shout out to the Shadow Fam: Aneudy Valerio, Barak Talker, Corey, Dallas Okelly, Daniel V., DVM, Glen QuiltSwissy, Hamed Iranmehr, Hilde, Jay, Jimmy D, John Bergmans, Jye Marchant, Karina Hurenkamp-Alvarenga, Kristina Lamour Sansone, Michael Lloyd, Owen McAteer, Ruben Corona, Sasta Kuppan, Sowmya Harigaran, Tess Callahan, Thivai Abhor, Viggs Verikas, Yadie Cisneros, and Zuko's World.
Thank you for your support!
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Creative Codex YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/CreativeCodex
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mjdorian/
Want to buy me coffee? Head over to Venmo and search @creativecodex in businesses. This show runs on 100% Arabica beans. Thank you for your support!
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Resources:
Memories, Dreams, Reflections: by Carl Jung and Aniella Jaffe
The Red Book: by Carl Jung
The Gnostic Scriptures: by Bentley Layton
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Creative Codex is written & produced by MJDorian.
All music written by MJDorian.

Oct 27, 2021 • 50min
Best of Creative Codex • Sonic Simulations (100k Special)
This is a special clip show of some of the best moments from the last 3 years of Creative Codex! The focus of this episode is: sonic simulations. In the show, sonic simulations are the use of sound design, music, and narration to convey an experience, time, or place.
The clips featured in this episode, in order of appearance are:
Nikola Tesla’s Earthquake Experiment (Episode 5)
Discovery of Emily Dickinson’s Poems (Episode 18)
Robert Johnson Goes to the Crossroads (Episode 15)
Meeting Vincent (Episode 22)
Carl Jung’s Vision of the Cave (Episode 11)
Theo Finds Out Vincent Was Shot (Episode 25)
Visiting Leonardo in Florence (Episode 2)
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Enjoyed hearing Emily 'speak'? Check out and follow Frances' other work on her Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lady._lazarus._/
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My Crypto Wallet is on Coinbase Wallet, username: @mjdorian
Venmo: @creativecodex | Search in the Businesses field or click here: https://venmo.com/code?user_id=3235189073379328069&created=1635357384.800416&printed=1
Become a patron of the show on my Patreon page: https://www.patreon.com/mjdorian
Thank you in advance for your support!
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Party horn sound: "Party Pack, Horn Coil 01, Long, 01.wav" by InspectorJ (www.jshaw.co.uk) of Freesound.org
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Creative Codex is written & produced by: MJDorian
On social media: @mjdorian

Oct 15, 2021 • 15min
Creativity Tip 17: Boredom Breeds Creativity (The Mental Cigarette Break)
Does boredom play an important role in creativity? If so, is technology ridding our lives of boredom at a perilous cost? On this Creativity Tip minisode, the truth gets 'curiouser and curiouser.' Along the way we explore research in neuroscience regarding the Default Mode Network, and psychological research that potentially proves the link between boredom and creativity.
Try the Mental Cigarette Break Challenge:
• Five minutes. Every day. For seven days.
• Turn your phone notifications off. Put your devices to the side.
• Stare out of a window. And let your mind wander for five minutes.
• Take note of how you feel, what you thought about, and the quality of your awareness in that state.
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Episode cover art: Brain image showing the main regions of the Default Mode Network (in yellow) with the paths of connectivity between regions. Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Default_Mode_Network_Connectivity.png
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Research mentioned in this episode:
- Dr. Marcus Raichle, the neurologist who discovered the Default Mode Network through brain imaging studies. Find out more about his important work at this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0r15-Xde66s&t=6s
- Dr. Sandi Mann & Rebekah Cadman's research study on the link between boredom and creative problem solving: http://clok.uclan.ac.uk/22263/1/22263%20Does%2520being%2520bored%2520make%2520us%2520more%2520creativeV2.pdf
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To become a supporter of the show and gain access to all of the exclusive Creativity Tip episodes, head over to: https://www.patreon.com/mjdorian
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Creative Codex is written & produced by MJDorian
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mjdorian/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/mjdorian

Sep 28, 2021 • 1h 5min
26: L'FREAQ (In Conversation)
On this episode we sit down with multi-talented singer / songwriter: L'FREAQ. (Also known as Lea Cappelli.) We dive deep into all of the most interesting topics: Does creativity feed on despair and depression? How do you get to the gold? What is L'FREAQ's songwriting process? Do you hear music on the cusp of sleep?
Listen to L'FREAQ's phenomenal new album, Showgirl: https://open.spotify.com/artist/6yIxwhGx8Mq6i1WwgRSfkQ?si=LeKcBiROTw-hW4Xy5xL9OA&dl_branch=1
Showgirl is also available on all music platforms.
Connect with L'FREAQ:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lfreaq/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/leacappelli
Big thank you to Lea for coming on the show! It was a blast to geek out about songwriting and creativity.
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Big Thank you to my Patreon supporters!
Shout out to the Shadow Fam: Aneudy Valerio, Barak Talker, Corey, Dallas Okelly, Daniel V., DVM, Glen QuiltSwissy, Jay, Jimmy D, John Bergmans, Jye Marchant, Karina Hurenkamp-Alvarenga, Kristina Lamour Sansone, Michael Lloyd, Owen McAteer, Ruben Corona, Sowmya Harigaran, Tess Callahan, Thivai Abhor, Viggs Verikas, Yadie Cisneros, and Zuko's World.
If you'd like to become a Patron of the show, and gain access to all of the exclusive Creativity Tip episodes, as well as Episode Exclusives, head over to: https://www.patreon.com/mjdorian
Thank you for all of your support!
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Creative Codex is written & produced by MJDorian.
https://mjdorian.com/
Let's Connect:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mjdorian/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/mjdorian

Sep 14, 2021 • 16min
Art Is Dangerous (Exhibit A: The Devil Wood Incident)
Is art dangerous? On this minisode, I share a personal story about the art project that almost killed me. I call this: The Devil Wood Incident. This is Exhibit A in a miniseries exploring the theme: Art Is Dangerous.
Here is a link to the Devil Wood music video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9TTL-GKBMTk
If you would like to share your own Art Is Dangerous story for a future episode, reach out to me: info@mjdorian.com
Instagram of singer / songwriter / vocal alchemist, Shelley Thomas: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9TTL-GKBMTk
The song featured in this episode is called Dwell Within Me (feat. Shelley Thomas), on Spotify here: https://open.spotify.com/track/45TKlkP734PwRGYbhKaLzZ?si=9f6e26d2826444a2
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If you'd like to become a Patron of Creative Codex, and gain access to all the Creativity Tip episodes as well as Episode Exclusives, head over to: https://www.patreon.com/mjdorian
Thank you for your support!
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Let's connect on social:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mjdorian/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/mjdorian

Aug 25, 2021 • 1h 32min
25: Vincent van Gogh • At Eternity's Gate (Madness, Genius, & Tragedy: Part 4)
On this episode we explore the tragic death of Vincent van Gogh. We seek to answer, once and for all, was it: suicide or homicide? In the process we discover that the two popular theories explaining Vincent's death are deeply flawed, and a new theory emerges.
This episode follows the events of that fateful day through Theo's perspective. After a thorough investigation, we explore the aftermath, and meet the woman who made Vincent van Gogh a household name: Johanna van Gogh-Bonger.
The original music of this episode features a very special guest, singer & songwriter: L'FREAQ. (Also known as Lea Cappelli.) Follow all of L'FREAQ's music through her Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lfreaq/
Listen to L'FREAQ on Spotify: L'FREAQ Spotify
And enjoy her YouTube music vids (one which I directed!): https://www.youtube.com/user/leacappelli
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Explore the paintings mentioned in this episode by visiting this companion gallery I made: https://mjdorian.com/vincent/
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Diaries of Johanna van Gogh: https://www.bongerdiaries.org/dagboek_jo_3_section_83
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Watch my video about Vincent's most disturbing painting, done while he was suffering from a psychotic episode: https://youtu.be/EHkm6LMXjiA
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Become a supporter of the show, and receive access to all the Creativity Tip episodes and Episode Exclusives here: https://www.patreon.com/mjdorian
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A full transcript of this episode is available here: https://mjdorian.com/transcripts/
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Creative Codex is written & produced by MJDorian.
Let's connect: https://www.instagram.com/mjdorian/
For Merch & News: https://mjdorian.com/

Jul 29, 2021 • 1h 6min
24: Vincent van Gogh • The Asylum (Madness, Genius, & Tragedy: Part 3)
On May 8th, 1889, Vincent van Gogh checks in to a mental asylum. What begins as a three month stay extends into a year. A period of time during which Vincent paints 141 masterpieces in between bouts of debilitating psychotic attacks.
On this episode, we dive into Vincent and Theo's letters to finally uncover all of the details about Vincent's yearlong stay in the asylum.
The original music of this episode features a very special guest, singer & songwriter: L'FREAQ. (Also known as Lea Cappelli.) Follow all of L'FREAQ's music through her Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lfreaq/
Listen to L'FREAQ on Spotify: L'FREAQ Spotify
And enjoy her YouTube music vids (one which I directed!): https://www.youtube.com/user/leacappelli
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Explore the paintings mentioned in this episode by visiting this companion gallery I made: https://mjdorian.com/vincent/
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Watch my video about Vincent's most disturbing painting, done while he was suffering from a psychotic episode: https://youtu.be/EHkm6LMXjiA
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A full transcript of this episode is available here: https://mjdorian.com/transcripts/
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Become a supporter of the show, and receive access to all the Creativity Tip episodes and Episode Exclusives here: https://www.patreon.com/mjdorian
Creative Codex is written & produced by MJDorian.
Let's connect: https://www.instagram.com/mjdorian/
For Merch & News: https://mjdorian.com/

Jul 11, 2021 • 14min
Creativity Tip 15: The 10,000 Hours Rule
Explore the 10,000 Hours Rule for achieving mastery in any skill, with examples from Van Gogh and Malcolm Gladwell's book 'Outliers'. Learn about the implications of the rule and the importance of deliberate practice and dedication to mastery. Discover the role of formal education and the need for full attention during practice. Understand the importance of sustained effort and discomfort in the process of mastery.

Jun 11, 2021 • 1h 11min
23: Vincent van Gogh • The Ear Incident (Madness, Genius, & Tragedy: Part 2)
On this special episode, we dive into the full truth about the most infamous event in art history: Vincent van Gogh's ear incident. The 'ear incident' serves as a catalyst event, which signals the onset of a mental affliction which will torment Vincent van Gogh for his final three years. Paradoxically, at the same time his mental health is in decline, his paintings are showing the signs of a creative genius.
Explore all of the paintings mentioned in this episode at this companion gallery: https://mjdorian.com/vincent/
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Music featured in this episode:
Necro-Future (Featured during the 'Vincent van Goth' section of the episode @9:43 of this episode.)
Song written & performed by Horned Head: https://soundcloud.com/user-86360942
Guitar / Vocals: Michael Pisano / Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/papa_pisano/
Website: https://www.michaeljamespisano.com/
Drums: James Aqua / Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/james_aqua/
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If you'd like to become a patron of Creative Codex, and unlock access to all of the exclusive Creativity Tip episodes (and Episode Exclusives), head over to my Patreon page: https://www.patreon.com/mjdorian
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A full transcript of this episode is available here: https://mjdorian.com/transcripts/
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Do your own research and explore Vincent's incredible correspondences at: http://vangoghletters.org/vg/
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Creative Codex is written & produced by MJDorian
All music by MJDorian (except as mentioned above)
Creative Codex YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9xwt3hz49VBbgqN80driTQ
Check out my art and follow behind the scenes content about the show on my social media:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mjdorian/
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