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PODCAST

Studio Sessions

Matthew O"Brien, Alex Carter

Discussions about art and the creative process. New episodes every other week.Links To Everything:Video Version of The Podcast: https://geni.us/StudioSessionsYTMatt’s YouTube Channel: https://geni.us/MatthewOBrienYTAlex’s YouTube Channel: https://geni.us/AlexCarterYTMatt’s Instagram: https://geni.us/MatthewIGAlex’s Instagram: https://geni.us/AlexIG

arts visual arts

All Episodes

79:07

48. What Happens When We Stop Believing Anything Is...

Studio Sessions ·

2025/06/10

We examine what happens when the feeling that "anything is possible" starts to fade from creative life. Starting with the mythology of Los Angeles and its role in manufacturing dreams, we dig into the shift from youthful ambition to adult pragmatism and what gets lost in that transition. The conversation explores how being surrounded by people chasing big goals creates an energy that's hard to replicate once life becomes more complicated. We discuss the practical realities that erode creative...

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69:49

47. Escape Velocity: The Quest For Autonomy in Art

Studio Sessions ·

2025/05/27

We examine the tension between creative expression and commercial necessity in the digital age. We explore how the pursuit of expensive camera gear and equipment can become a substitute for actual creative work, and discuss the corrupting influence of affiliate marketing and sponsorships on genuine artistic curation. The conversation moves toward the concept of "escape velocity" - finding ways to separate commercial considerations from the creative process through patronage models, financial ...

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85:10

46. Creative Obligation & Reciprocity: The Debt of...

Studio Sessions ·

2025/05/13

In this episode, we discuss the responsibility artists feel to give back through their work after being influenced by others. We share stories of stepping outside our comfort zones—including a chance encounter with a silversmith in Badlands National Park—and how these experiences fuel creativity. We explore the tension between control and surrender in the creative process and examine why modern comforts often distance us from making meaningful work. We look at what makes creative output timel...

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79:05

45. Embracing Chaos: Thriving in Creative Discomfort

Studio Sessions ·

2025/04/29

In this episode, we examine how comfort can become a creative liability. Through conversations about films, road trips, and creative production, we explore the paradox that meaningful work often requires embracing uncertainty and hardship. The tension between structure and surrender becomes central to our discussion—whether on film sets, during travel, or in personal projects. We consider the difference between merely discussing creative work versus actually producing it, and how modern conve...

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46:17

44. The Universal Language of Creative Expression -...

Studio Sessions ·

2025/04/15

We explore the fundamental impulse that drives us to create and communicate through our art. Inspired by Bruce Springsteen's reflection that his need to express himself is "as reliable as the rhythmic beating of my own heart," we examine this universal language that transcends medium, form, and intention. Whether it's through music, film, photography, or simply speaking our truth, we discuss how creation isn't just something we do—it's essential to feeling alive and connected to our existence...

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64:05

43. Artful Spaces: On Curation, Community, and The...

Studio Sessions ·

2025/04/01

Fair warning: this episode meanders a bit as we jump around – but that's just how it goes sometimes <3. We explore the relationship between creativity and physical spaces, examining how third places foster artistic inspiration and community. We discuss the importance of curated environments, and our shared vision for spaces that nurture authentic experiences. Our conversation touches on everything from film photography to bookstores, considering how these physical touchpoints connect to br...

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77:18

42. Daily Practice or The Art of Doing It Just Because

Studio Sessions ·

2025/03/18

We often find ourselves drawn to practices that shape our daily lives—not because they promise grand outcomes, but because they ground us in the moment and make us feel alive. Whether it’s meditating to clear the mind, running just to feel the rhythm, or making the bed each and every morning, these habits remind us that joy and purpose don’t always need a finish line. We explored how reframing these routines as acts of optimism, rather than obligations, can transform the experience. Through o...

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110:57

41. Standing Still, Moving Forward: The Paradox of...

Studio Sessions ·

2025/03/04

In this episode, we explore the tension between authenticity and evolution in creative projects. Beginning with a discussion about potentially refreshing our visual identity, we dive deeper into examining what makes our conversations meaningful and why we're drawn to document them. We question the purpose of structure in creative work and the value of maintaining a pure intention versus following conventional paths toward growth or commercial success. We reflect on the nature of long-term doc...

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66:05

40. Sonder: Embracing Empathy and Human Connection

Studio Sessions ·

2025/02/18

We dive into metta-meditation—cultivating goodwill toward strangers—and explore how shifting our mindset can dissolve anger and frustration. We unpack the concept of sonder: the profound realization that every passerby lives a life as vivid and complex as our own. Through personal stories—from navigating LA traffic to estate sales—we reflect on the beauty and chaos of human connection, asking: How do we move from judgment to empathy? We also discuss the parallels of "alternate lives", ...

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50:41

39. Who Made This? The Disappearing Artist and Their...

Studio Sessions ·

2025/02/04

We compare different ways of looking back at our past creative work - from screenplays and videos to photographs and stories. While Matt vividly remembers the emotions and intentions behind each project even years later, Alex experiences complete disconnection from his past work, seeing it almost as if someone else created it. We explore whether emotional distance helps with objective evaluation of creative projects, referencing how artists like Michael Mann and John Updike revisit and refine...

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55:18

38. The Mystical State of Paradox: A Journey Beyond...

Studio Sessions ·

2025/01/21

This episode delves into the concept of paradox and its implications for navigating a binary world. We explore the limitations of either/or thinking and the importance of embracing duality, where seemingly opposing forces coexist and even necessitate each other. We discuss a range of paradoxes, including simplicity and complexity, certainty and doubt, ambition and contentedness, and how these concepts can be better understood as interconnected and complementary rather than mutually exclusive....

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59:48

37. Spreading Your Forces Too Thin: The Art of...

Studio Sessions ·

2025/01/07

In this episode, we explore the delicate balance of managing multiple creative pursuits and the intensity that comes with feeling behind in life's various domains. We dive deep into the contrast between different approaches to content creation, examining the authenticity that emerges from simply documenting conversations versus the fabricated nature of more produced content. Through this discussion, we consider how employment situations can influence creative freedom and the way we choose to ...

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82:23

36. Creative Identity and The Evolution of Creative...

Studio Sessions ·

2024/12/24

We discuss how metrics and algorithms affect creative work and personal authenticity. Our conversation covers moving past formulas that prioritize views and engagement, exploring instead what happens when we slow down and focus on making things that matter to us and our communities.We talk about setting clear principles for our work, the importance of taking time to develop ideas, and how to build real connections locally. This episode is for anyone trying to balance making good work with the...

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63:28

35. The Art of Showing Up: Learn to Do the Work

Studio Sessions ·

2024/12/10

In this discussion, we explore how we often settle for “good enough” in our creative work and daily lives. We break down how easy it is to choose the immediate comfort of indulgence over the tougher path of sacrifice, and how that dynamic affects our long-term growth. We then reflect on the role of ego, examining why we sometimes feel we deserve results without putting in the necessary effort. By confronting these patterns, we aim to move closer to authentic fulfillment, rather than quick dop...

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51:04

34. Price Your Work Based on the Value You Create Part 2

Studio Sessions ·

2024/11/26

In our continued conversation on value, we explore how successful business transformations require systematically analyzing operational challenges and demand willingness to make significant investments in solutions, even when costly. The importance of seeing strategic improvements as investments rather than expenses emerges as a central theme, supported by data-driven decision-making.We examine how this mindset applies to service businesses, particularly in value-based pricing models. The dis...

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60:27

33. Price Your Work Based On The Value You Create:...

Studio Sessions ·

2024/11/12

We break down how to charge higher rates based on the value you create rather than just time and materials. The conversation covers real examples of value-based pricing and pricing strategy, including how to qualify clients, set price anchors, and identify which projects are worth taking on. Throughout part one, we explore why most freelancers and agencies default to commodity pricing and how to shift away from it.We discuss the importance of expertise in value-based pricing and when to walk ...

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66:56

32. Finding Authenticity Amidst Cultural Noise and...

Studio Sessions ·

2024/10/29

We explore Matt's newly remodeled studio space, which serves as a backdrop for a deeper discussion about authenticity in creative work and spaces. Through examining the contrast between Matt's structured professional background and his maximalist studio design, we delve into how personal spaces can reflect our true selves rather than external expectations.We also reflect on the era of "hustle culture", entrepreneurship, and content creation, examining how these movements influenced so many pe...

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51:27

31. Pressure, Art, and Dopamine: Navigating Modern Life

Studio Sessions ·

2024/10/15

After an hour of discussion, we realized the recorder wasn't on. We regrouped and continued...We explored how pressure, despite its challenges, can drive personal growth when embraced. This led to a broader conversation about human connections that transcend age and cultural boundaries. We discussed how engaging in substantive conversations about life, art, and shared experiences can bridge generational gaps.Our talk shifted to the complexities of modern media consumption, from the appeal of ...

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76:16

30. Objects with Soul: Exploring the Art of Everyday...

Studio Sessions ·

2024/10/01

We explore the changing nature of shared cultural experiences, from the era of must-see TV to today's fragmented media landscape. This led us to ponder the value of communal viewing experiences and how streaming platforms might evolve to foster more connection.We then dove into a fascinating discussion on design, art, and the objects that surround us. Inspired by Bruno Munari's book "Design as Art," we contemplated the intersection of form and function, the concept of "quintessence" in everyd...

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90:17

29. Beyond Comparison: Finding Your Own Path Through...

Studio Sessions ·

2024/09/17

In this episode, we explore the crucial distinction between thinking about creating and actually doing the work. We discuss how overthinking and comparison can lead to creative paralysis, while action often leads to progress and self-discovery. The conversation delves into personal experiences of balancing artistic aspirations with financial realities, and how the pressure to achieve "greatness" can sometimes hinder genuine creative expression.We reflect on the value of introspection in the c...

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68 results

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