Finding Your Groove With Kathleen Thompson

In Episode 116, we asked the question: “What would it feel like to go to work every day where people treated one another with love?”  On today’s episode we’ll talk about what that looks like, and some principles to build a team with love. Play Episode |  Subscribe in iTunes | Subscribe in Stitcher  On This Episode Rhythm […]

What is love, really?  It’s a word we toss around so much.  “I love ice cream.  I love the Yankees.  I love my mother.  I love my work.”  If we’re going to build with love, it’s important to know what we mean.  On today’s second Built With Love episode, we ask and answer the question, […]

If I asked you what you love, what would you say?  And then, what does your life say you love?  What do your actions say you love?  Because you build what you love.  And sometimes what you build may not look like what you say.  I know that’s at least partly true for me.  Today […]

Today’s episode marks the end of our Artisan series – at least for now.  We’ve talked about craftsmanship, creativity, and community on these last 20+ episodes.  This episode brings us back around to why it’s so important to be an Artisan.  Because that’s how you are created – to create.  And because the world is […]

As interesting as your work may be, sometimes it isn’t enough to keep you motivated.  There’s an element of service.  To your own community, as well as to the greater community.  On this episode we explore different ways to serve with your work. Play Episode |  Subscribe in iTunes | Subscribe in Stitcher  On This Episode Rhythm of […]

What do you think of when you picture an artist?  Someone working away in their studio alone for hours on end?  Well, what about artisans throughout history – like Antonio Stradivari – who made his iconic Stradivarius violins in an Italian community?  Or the 29 scientists at the 5th Solvay Conference in 1927?  Community can […]

Collaborating with one or more other people is a great way to have community as an Artisan.  On this episode, we’ll explore 4 characteristics of collaboration that you can use to magnify your talent and skill. Play Episode |  Subscribe in iTunes | Subscribe in Stitcher  On This Episode Rhythm of Life – A Bucket, a Trowel, and […]

What can a history lesson from 11th century England teach us about creativity?  Plenty as it turns out.  Just like the first seal made it clear who the message’s writer was, your seal can identify you and your work.  In this episode we talk about how you can use this to make your work stand […]

On one hand, there’s nothing new under the sun.  On the other, we’re created to create.  How can two apparently opposing ideas be true?  On this episode, we’re talking about 3 ways you can create new from something old. Play Episode |  Subscribe in iTunes | Subscribe in Stitcher  On This Episode Tune-up Tip – The Mystery of […]

The Lord of the Rings trilogy starts with these words: “…One Ring to rule them all, One Ring to find them, One Ring to bring them all and in the darkness bind them…”  That ring, the ring of power, was the cause of untold destruction, and also forged heroes out of humble hobbits.  On this […]

It’s tempting to add features or embellishments to our art.  What we make.  But true creativity is often shown in its simplicity.  Because when you strip something down, the true quality is revealed.  On this episode, we talk together about sealing your creativity with a KIS. Play Episode |  Subscribe in iTunes | Subscribe in Stitcher  On This […]

We so often believe that constraints are stifling our creativity.  Yet, often it’s the presence of constraints that fuels our creative fire.  Listen to this episode to learn how you can use constraints to boost creativity. Play Episode |  Subscribe in iTunes | Subscribe in Stitcher  On This Episode Tune-up Tip – Don’t Say “Nuts” to Nuts Random […]

Happy New Year!  We ring it in with a bang.  And then we have 365 days to live it out.  The universe began with a big bang.  And now it’s just…life.  We so often think life is meant to be a series of big bangs.  Bang! It’s done.  But once the bang has faded, we […]

Today we bring our Artisan Series together with celebrating Hanukkah and Christmas.  What are we talking about?  Taking time to wonder.  Recapturing that sense of wonder we had when we were children helps fuel creativity.  And gratitude.  Wonder feeds your soul. Play Episode |  Subscribe in iTunes | Subscribe in Stitcher  On This Episode Feature Segment – Time […]

Creativity isn’t something you either have or don’t have.  And believe it or not, you were born creative.  On this episode in our Artisan Series, we’re talking about 4 habits you can develop that will help your creativity to flourish. Play Episode |  Subscribe in iTunes | Subscribe in Stitcher  On This Episode Rhythm of Life – Finding […]

One key to building craftsmanship as part of the Artisan Life is to practice.  And not just any practice.  Because as you’ll hear on this episode, practice doesn’t make perfect.  It makes something else.  Something you might not want.  Here’s how to practice in a way that actually develops your skill. Play Episode |  Subscribe in […]

Being an apprentice has historically been a route to craftsmanship.  Yet, formal apprenticeships have fallen by the wayside, except for some of the trades.  On this episode we talk about how you can reap some of the same benefits of an apprenticeship using modern technology and programs. Play Episode |  Subscribe in iTunes | Subscribe in Stitcher  On […]

This is a special episode.  Number 100.  So let’s celebrate!  Celebrate this milestone.  And even more important, celebrate you.  For showing up.  Investing in yourself.  Engaging with big questions, little questions, and in-between questions.  We're not just celebrating today.  We’re also looking at three key principles we’ve explored together in these last 99 episodes.  And you know […]

As an Artisan, your tools are an important extension of your craft.  They enable you do perform your craft.  So it’s important to keep them in good working order.  On this episode, we focus on how to take care of your tools.  And that includes the most important tool – you! Play Episode |  Subscribe in […]

Building craftsmanship isn’t for the faint of heart.  It takes fortitude to keep working at your craft.  Especially when it gets hard or it’s not fun.  True craftspeople work commit to working through those hard times to get to the other side.  On this episode we talk about 3 actions you can take to help […]