DeepSummary
The episode is a conversation with writer and photographer Craig Mod about his new book, 'Things Become Other Things,' which chronicles a 30-day walking journey he undertook in the Kumano region of Japan. Mod discusses how walking has become a central part of his creative practice, allowing him to be present and observe small details and interactions that he then translates into essays and books.
Mod reflects on his journey as a writer, including the challenges of getting published by traditional outlets and his decision to self-publish and create a membership program that has given him the freedom to pursue his unique interests. He also talks about the influence of his therapist and the role of therapy in helping him revisit and write about the murder of his childhood best friend, Brian.
Throughout the conversation, Mod emphasizes the importance of rigor, patience, and attention in his work, whether it's the physical endurance of long walks or the meticulous editing process for his books. He sees his role as elevating the stories and experiences of the people and places he encounters on his journeys.
Key Episodes Takeaways
- Walking and observing the world with deep presence and attention can be a powerful creative practice for writers and artists.
- Building a membership program or cultivating a dedicated audience can provide the freedom and permission to pursue unconventional creative projects without compromising.
- Revisiting and processing traumatic experiences from one's past can be a challenging but necessary part of the creative process, aided by practices like therapy.
- Rigor, patience, and a commitment to continuous improvement are essential for producing high-quality creative work, whether it's writing, photography, or book publishing.
- Finding a way to turn one's unique life experiences and interests into a sustainable creative pursuit can lead to a deeply fulfilling and meaningful career.
- The journey of becoming a successful writer often involves overcoming rejection and learning to draw validation and permission from within rather than external sources.
- Exploring new creative forms, like long-form essays or experimental book formats, can open up new possibilities for self-expression and connection with audiences.
- Cultivating a community of like-minded individuals, whether through membership programs or collaborative projects, can provide support and inspiration for pursuing unconventional creative paths.
Top Episodes Quotes
- “There'll be days where … I'm doing a walk and I'll just be like, I don't know what is going to move me today. And then out of the blue, there'll be this small interaction that when you really pay attention to it, it contains kind of this universe of kindness and patience that you otherwise pass by or ignore.“ by Craig Mod
- “I just want to do him justice and I think finally I found a kind of kindness and patience and peace in my life that allowed me to visit that story, to go back to that story with the kind of kindness and patience I wish we had had when we were kids, but we didn't.“ by Craig Mod
- “What I've always done, and this is also part of the reason why Japan became my home, is that the cost of living here is so low that I've never felt financially dependent on compromising.“ by Craig Mod
- “I just wanted to focus on the walks, getting better as a writer, doing better, just better newsletters, putting out better books, all that stuff. And so that's kind of, and I explain it when I do my year end roundups. I'm always saying, like, look, the purpose of all of this, all this work, the membership program, is to produce books. That's it. That is the whole point of all of it.“ by Craig Mod
Entities
Company
Product
Person
Book
Episode Information
Longform
Longform
11/22/23