Ep. 126 - Seeds, Stagnation & Starting Over

This week on Well Being, the gang digs into the creative process through the lens of The Creative Act: A Way of Being by Rick Rubin and explores the idea of creative seeds—those tiny sparks of inspiration that can grow into something much bigger if we’re willing to nurture them.   Before that, it’s time for Sparks of Inspiration! Theo shares his love for Resident Evil 9, Kel takes us through a full room makeover powered by technology, determination, and a car jack, and Andy returns from vacation to workplace shakeups, unexpected changes, and a summer full of projects.   The conversation turns toward creativity, stagnation, and the challenge of finding ideas when the well feels dry. The crew discusses collecting seeds without judging them too quickly, balancing personal projects with professional fulfillment, and why sometimes the hardest part of creating is simply figuring out what to make next.   Plus: photography vs. filmmaking, creative droughts, D&D worldbuilding, office chaos, music festival totems, and why every creator needs a few seeds planted for the future.   A thoughtful episode about trusting the process, staying curious, and leaving room for ideas to grow.   Theme by Affektiv https://open.spotify.com/artist/2dkwCQLY61JvqMmiiBvps3?si=N97bAnDqQkqcSSxVZA0C0Q   https://soundcloud.com/affektiv   Email us: [email protected]   YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@WellBeingpod

This week on Well Being, Theo, Andy, and Kel kick things off with a fresh round of Sparks of Inspiration. From anime recommendations and secret-agent adventures to blockbuster sci-fi tearjerkers, the crew shares what’s been fueling their creativity lately. Along the way, they dive into filmmaking, Disneyland memories, editing workflows, and the eternal struggle between capturing moments and actually doing something with the footage afterward.   The mental health discussion continues through Rick Rubin’s The Creative Act: A Way of Being, focusing on the chapter Habits. What starts as a conversation about routines quickly turns into an honest look at procrastination, creative anxiety, perfectionism, and the strange ways our brains keep us stuck. The hosts explore the difference between habits and routines, the importance of creating space for creativity, and why sometimes the biggest obstacle isn’t a lack of talent—it’s simply getting started.   Whether you’re wrestling with unfinished projects, trying to build healthier creative routines, or just looking for a little motivation to make something, this episode is packed with relatable stories, practical insights, and a few unexpected tangents about Tom Cruise movies and sneaking cameras into festivals.   Theme by Affektiv https://open.spotify.com/artist/2dkwCQLY61JvqMmiiBvps3?si=N97bAnDqQkqcSSxVZA0C0Q   https://soundcloud.com/affektiv   Email us: [email protected]   YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@WellBeingpod

Theo returns from a shoot in West Virginia sick but inspired, bringing tales of graveyards, beautiful forests, filmmaking chaos, and distant sightings of America’s most famous monument (“the giant pee-pee”). The gang reunites after a short hiatus to dive back into The Creative Act: A Way of Being and unpack the slippery, magical nature of inspiration. This week’s Sparks of Inspiration include Kel dusting off vintage point-and-shoot cameras for an upcoming trip, Theo continuing his obsession with Dungeon Crawler Carl, and Andy spiraling back into anime confusion with Jujutsu Kaisen rewatches and new demon-fueled chaos on Crunchyroll. Along the way, the crew talks creative collaboration, experimental filmmaking, perfectionism, client work vs. personal art, and the weird reality of Hollywood productions fleeing California for tax credits and cheaper shoots overseas. It’s an episode about chasing inspiration while trying not to overthink yourself into oblivion — whether you’re making art with friends, packing too many cameras, or trying to save a production with duct tape and teamwork. Theme by Affektiv Affektiv on Spotify Affektiv on SoundCloud Email us: [email protected] YouTube: Well Being Podcast YouTube Channel

We are BACK—all three of us in the same room again—and yeah… we’ve been through some things. But what better way to return than with a little gear envy, existential creativity, and a reminder that maybe we don’t know what we’re doing… and that’s kind of the point. This week’s Sparks of Inspiration hit everything from camera cravings (and the frustrating reality of DJI bans 👀), to Dungeon Crawler Carl chaos, to WrestleMania traditions with the boys. It’s a little tech, a little nostalgia, and a whole lot of “why do I suddenly want to spend money I don’t have?” Then we dive back into The Creative Act: A Way of Being by Rick Rubin—exploring Patience and Beginner’s Mind. We talk about slowing down, re-experiencing art, and how sometimes the best creative breakthroughs come from not knowing the “right” way to do something at all. From AI breaking a 3,000-year-old game to our own early days duct-taping cameras to cars, we unpack how ignorance, curiosity, and chaos can actually be creative superpowers. The conversation gets real as we reflect on losing (and maybe rediscovering) our creative identities—especially as filmmakers who’ve spent years working on other people’s visions. What happens when you don’t know what your thing is anymore? And how do you get it back? We wrap things up with thoughts on collaboration vs. solitude, critiques vs. criticism, and why the best creative environments are the ones where everyone’s just trying to make the best idea win. If you’ve ever felt stuck, uninspired, or unsure what you’re even creating anymore… this one’s for you. Theme by Affektiv https://open.spotify.com/artist/2dkwCQLY61JvqMmiiBvps3?si=N97bAnDqQkqcSSxVZA0C0Q https://soundcloud.com/affektiv Email us: [email protected] YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@WellBeingpod

This week, it’s just Theo and Kel holding it down—sending love to Andy while diving headfirst into sparks of inspiration, creative nostalgia, and full-on goblin hosting energy.   We kick things off with hype around DJI’s next move (👀 Pocket 4 rumors), the ever-evolving world of content creation, and a surprise shoutout to Pizza: The Movie—a modern stoner comedy that absolutely delivers. From there, things get reflective as we explore how creativity has become more accessible than ever… and why that’s both exciting and a little overwhelming.   Then it’s time to slip into Goblin Mode: Hospitality Edition.   We revisit memory spaces—those chaotic, perfect hangouts from the past. Garages turned creative sanctuaries. Smoke-filled backyards. Dingy couches that somehow felt like home. The places where ideas were born, friendships were forged, and nothing else mattered.   From there, we get real about: What it means to host people in your space The pressure of cooking vs. just showing up Dinner party insecurities (and why they exist) The unspoken rules of “acceptable” goblin hosting (frozen food? box wine? slightly burned meals?)   And ultimately, we land on something deeper—what makes a gathering truly meaningful isn’t perfection… it’s presence.   This one’s about creating spaces where people can just be—messy, creative, nostalgic, and real.   Come hang in the garage with us. Theme by Affektiv https://open.spotify.com/artist/2dkwCQLY61JvqMmiiBvps3?si=N97bAnDqQkqcSSxVZA0C0Q https://soundcloud.com/affektiv   Email us: [email protected]   YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@WellBeingpod

This week, the trio is BACK together—and you already know that means sparks are flying.   We kick things off with inspiration from Resident Evil 9, throwbacks to Pokémon Red, and a surprisingly deep dive into the current state of movies (plus a little Pedro Pascal appreciation along the way). But things really heat up when Kel recounts a festival experience that goes from vibey to full-on survival mode—think heat exhaustion, mushroom miscalculations, and laying under a tree questioning reality. Day two? Redemption arc.   From there, we dive into mental health and creativity, exploring two powerful ideas from Rick Rubin’s The Creative Act: What happens when you try the opposite of your artistic instincts? And are you really listening, or just waiting to respond?   The conversation gets real as we unpack: The struggle between process vs. product Rediscovering the joy of creating instead of chasing the result Nostalgia for the DIY filmmaking days at the Fox Theater And that elusive creative spark you can’t force—but can learn to notice   This episode is part reflection, part chaos, and part creative reset button.   If you’ve ever felt stuck, burned out, or just too focused on the end result… this one might hit different. Theme by Affektiv https://open.spotify.com/artist/2dkwCQLY61JvqMmiiBvps3?si=N97bAnDqQkqcSSxVZA0C0Q   https://soundcloud.com/affektiv   Email us: [email protected]   YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@WellBeingpod

It’s hot. Like… offensively hot. And in this sweat-soaked episode of Well Being, Theo and Kel return (sans Andy, who is once again booked and busy) to talk surviving the heat, thriving on set, and finding inspiration in the chaos.   Sparks are flying this week: Theo’s fresh off nearly two weeks on set, soaking in that creative camaraderie and rediscovering the magic of production life A dive into the surprisingly fun Wonder Man series and why industry insight changes everything Kel brings the heat with Age of Attraction, a reality dating experiment that asks: what happens when you remove age from the equation? (Spoiler: it gets wild) Fitness arcs, early morning hikes, and prepping for Beyond Wonderland with next-level perler creations   Then the crew shifts into the mental health portion, continuing their journey through Goblin Mode: A Guide to Life—this time tackling Goblin Hospitality.   Why don’t we invite people over? Why does everything have to be perfect first? And who are we really trying to impress?   They unpack: The myth of the “perfect home” Childhood conditioning around hosting The pressure of appearances vs. the reality of connection Why your friends care more about you than your countertops   It’s messy. It’s honest. It’s deeply relatable.   Because at the end of the day… your friends aren’t home inspectors—they just want to see you. Theme by Affektiv https://open.spotify.com/artist/2dkwCQLY61JvqMmiiBvps3?si=N97bAnDqQkqcSSxVZA0C0Q   https://soundcloud.com/affektiv   Email us: [email protected]   YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@WellBeingpod

This week on Well Being, Theo and Andy are flying duo while Kel gets dragged into the mortal realm of work. But fear not — because we’ve got Sparks of Inspiration that span animated mysticism to 70s detective brilliance.   Theo celebrates a holy day of personal significance: a new album drop from Gorillaz, complete with an 8-minute hand-drawn short and vinyl variants acquired like sacred relics. Meanwhile, Andy falls headfirst into an unexpected obsession with Columbo, discovering that the pilot was directed by a baby-faced Steven Spielberg — and realizing procedural television hasn’t quite felt the same since.   From there? We spiral (lovingly) into: Wizard-core aesthetics and curated maximalism Dream homes vs. the homes we actually live in Victorian manors, arcade basements, gothic rod iron fences Jacuzzi tubs as emotional reset chambers The quiet mental health impact of “keeping up appearances” And of course… an extended Doctor Who corner featuring David Tennant, Rose heartbreak, Donna supremacy, and why some regenerations are better left skipped.   In our Mental Health portion, we dive deeper into Goblin Mode Guide to Life, unpacking what it means to unlearn performative perfection — especially when it comes to how our homes “should” look. What if comfort mattered more than presentation? What if your house reflected your inner wizard instead of HOA expectations?   Episode 119 is part nostalgia spiral, part aesthetic manifesto, part detective dissection — and fully us.   Light a candle. Build a hidden room. Question your lawn.   Be well. And don’t let them tell you you need to change… just because you’re feeling a little strange. Theme by Affektiv https://open.spotify.com/artist/2dkwCQLY61JvqMmiiBvps3?si=N97bAnDqQkqcSSxVZA0C0Q https://soundcloud.com/affektiv Email us: [email protected] YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@WellBeingpod  

This week on Well Being, it’s a two-man weave as Theo and Andy hold it down while Kel is off adventuring.   We kick things off with Sparks of Inspiration — a full-blown British invasion. Andy dives deep into the worlds of Doctor Who (Tenet, Eccleston, and Matt Smith runs secured) while revisiting the magic of Harry Potter on Audible. Rose. Donna. Martha. Regret. Redemption. Giant bees (apparently).   Meanwhile, Theo returns to the haunting beauty and brutal difficulty of Hollow Knight, embracing the pain in hopes that maybe — just maybe — this is the run where he finally beats it.   Then we pivot into the Mental Health Portion, continuing our Goblin Mode exploration. But this time? We dig into Goblin Core.   What does it mean to live in “organized chaos”? Is goblin energy unclean… or just uncurated? Where did our internal pressure to keep a staged, company-ready home come from? Childhood? Culture? Pinterest perfection?   We unpack: The difference between messy and dirty Why dishes feel like a moral failing Bathroom hypocrisy The guilt spiral of “I should be cleaning” And why no one has ever achieved enlightenment scrubbing a toaster oven   From ornate mossy corners to cable-filled doom boxes, this episode explores the tension between aesthetic chaos and internalized shame — and whether we can build homes that reflect who we actually are instead of who we think we’re supposed to be.   So light a candle, embrace the goblin within, and remember:   Cleanliness might not be next to godliness… but self-compassion probably is. Theme by Affektiv https://open.spotify.com/artist/2dkwCQLY61JvqMmiiBvps3?si=N97bAnDqQkqcSSxVZA0C0Q https://soundcloud.com/affektiv Email us: [email protected] YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@WellBeingpod  

This week on Well Being, Theo and Kel roll deep in a two-man squad while Andy gets pulled back into the capitalist void.   We kick things off with Sparks of Inspiration: 📚 Theo finishes Dungeon Crawler Carl: Doomsday Scenario and immediately needs book three injected into his veins. 🌌 Star Wars Outlaws is finally clicking. 🗡️ Hollow Knight gets resurrected (again). 🎬 And Kel experiments with Montage Editing in Final Cut — confronting vertical video, anamorphic squeeze lenses, and the existential crisis of “Do I make people turn their phones sideways?”   Then we shift into Goblin Mode.   What does your ideal home say about you? Are Pinterest-perfect interiors inspiring… or quietly shaming? Is clutter a failure — or proof that your life is actually being lived?   The guys unpack: Minimalist chic vs curated maximalism Secret passage mansions and Resident Evil dream homes Candid photos vs perfectly composed misery Millennials and the art of “Well… at least we’re not on fire” Why productivity feels impossible when your space isn’t your nest And the difference between a house that’s impressive and a house that’s yours   Turns out, maybe the goal isn’t a perfect home.   Maybe it’s a home that reflects you — cobwebs, scratched couches, tech upgrades, goblin corners and all.   Be well. Even if your rug’s clawed up. Even if the clutter’s winning. Even if you’re still figuring out where the hell everything goes.   Just cause you’re feeling a little strange… doesn’t mean you’re doing it wrong. Theme by Affektiv https://open.spotify.com/artist/2dkwCQLY61JvqMmiiBvps3?si=N97bAnDqQkqcSSxVZA0C0Q https://soundcloud.com/affektiv Email us: [email protected] YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@WellBeingpod